To boo Kovalchuk or not to boo – That is the question for you, Thrasherville
To boo or not to boo, that is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler to make known a fan’s anger and frustration towards one player’s actions of a year ago with audible sounds of displeasure…or to cheer loudly for him to convey appreciation for his services when here…or to simply sit quietly as said player toils in futility as he currently plays for a once-proud franchise now mired in a troubled season.
Tomorrow night, Ilya Kovalchuk returns to Philips Arena as the Thrashers take on the New Jersey Devils. It will be the second return appearance for Kovy since last winter’s big trade. Last spring, Kovy and his new team made their way to Atlanta and the first overall pick by the Thrashers in 2001 then suffered the slings and arrows of a feisty crowd…most of whom were bent on letting the Russian forward just what they thought about how things went down two months prior.
While most booed Kovalchuk, some did cheer for him when he popped out of the visiting locker room…expressing thanks to him for the years of service to the team before heading out of town on the same rail Marian Hossa had two years prior.
Me…I did neither. My feelings were that Ilya Kovalchuk had made his decision, turning down as much as $10 million a season to remain here, and was simply a member of the visiting team the Thrashers were playing that night. It is what it is…and we move on.
Ilya Kovalchuk was then…and to me remains still…nothing more and nothing less than simply a member of the opposing team. Not worth booing but certainly not worth wasting any breathe on cheering for.
Of course, circumstances are somewhat different now then they were during the final week of last season when the Devils last made there way down to Georgia. Then, New Jersey was 45-26-7 coming into that game and currently on their way to yet another Atlantic Division championship. They earned the second seed in the east for the playoffs.
The Thrashers on the other hand…they were once more banished to viewing the playoffs from the comfort of their couch and planning early-spring golf outings. Same story…different verse.
New Jersey then used that lofty second seed position to win one whole game in postseason, being kicked to the curb by the Philadelphia Flyers in five games. They were the only team of the 16 that qualified for the playoffs to not win at least two games.
And now, as the current NHL campaign has unfolded, it is New Jersey that finds itself having to take up arms against a sea of troubles and look up in the standings to find the Thrashers. In gaining another shootout loss consolation point, Atlanta currently finds themselves ensconced in second place in the Southeast Division and sixth place overall in the Eastern Conference. They are but one point off the division lead and two behind the fifth-place New York Rangers.
This has many residents of Thrasherville looking forward to the much coveted spring campaign for Lord Stanley’s Cup, the portion of the season that only 16 teams are allowed to take part in…an undiscovered country ventured into but once by this franchise and even then, they returned from no games victorious.
Do you plan on booing Kovy Saturday night?
- Yes! Goodbye and good riddance (29%, 71 Votes)
- No! He's a great player and we were lucky to have him here (24%, 59 Votes)
- Ilya who? (47%, 115 Votes)
Total Voters: 245
Loading ...The Devils, on the other hand, carry with them a 9-19-2 record going into tonight’s game against visiting Nashville. And if it weren’t for the New York Islanders, they would be the bottom dwellers of the NHL. In beating the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0 Wednesday night…a game in which Kovalchuk potted a pair of goals…the Devils snapped a five game losing streak. They had dropped 9 of their last 12 as well prior to that win.
They are an offensively-challenged bunch, these Devils. The 56 goals scored to date are the fewest of any team in the league. The Islanders are on the next rung up on that ladder, having scored 62 but played one fewer game than has New Jersey.
For his part, Kovalchuk has 7 goals, 9 assists and is a –17.
In contrast, the Thrashers have 8 players on their roster that have at least 16 points…Dustin Byfuglien, 33…Andrew Ladd, 29…Toby Enstrom, 22…Rich Peverley, 21…Evander Kane, 19…Anthony Stewart, 18…Nic Bergfors, (who was a part of the Kovalchuk deal), 18…and Nik Antropov, 16.
Truly this Devils team has found itself having to grunt and sweat under a weary life in a manner we’ve not seen in many a year. And for some Thrashers fans, it’s almost a joyous sight to behold given the ransom paid for the service of Mr. Kovalchuk. Given the current state of affairs with the two organizations, there will no doubt be a great deal of those Thrashers faithful that will take tomorrow’s opportunity to not only boo #17…but rub things in a bit with their calls from the stands.
I take no issue with that, mind you…you pay your money, you cheer, boo, scream, holler as you see fit. It’s a fan’s right after all. But again, I will simply save my energy for rooting on the home team. Do what you will…do what you may.
However, if one Mr. Johan Hedberg gets the start tomorrow night…well, that’s one Devil I have no problem at all showing some emotion for. I’ll stand a clap for him with all the vigor I can muster up.
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196 comments Add your comment
Rawhide
December 17th, 2010
1:43 pm
“Hide – I see your blog got some love on the front page of AJC!! Congrats!
Zombie Steve – Nice.
‘course…it could just be a slow news day…
Jlew
December 17th, 2010
1:47 pm
I will staunchly ignore Kovy, unless of course he does something especially laughable, stupid, or underhanded, in which case he gets the same treatment as anyone else – the appropriate laughing, booing, or even heckling. I sincerely hope, he gives me every reason to be simply silent.
As for the MOOSE, I will cheer at the beginning should he be introduced, he might even get a MOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!! for old times sake, but for saves, I will do nothing.
Big Shooter
December 17th, 2010
1:49 pm
“Some of you act like Kovy was your ex that slept with someone else… sports are a business, sorry your heart was broken when he left, but the man gave us many great years of his service. He wanted to win and the money and took an offer he thought would give him both. It hasn’t worked out like that for him yet, but I’m nothing but grateful for what he did while he was here.”
Yep. Well said.
World Be Free
December 17th, 2010
1:54 pm
Omnifan-your #2
I was thinking more of suggesting they play Madonna’s “Material Girl”
Argyle
December 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
Not to change the subject (as I personally would cheer for him because our team is 10 times better not being centered around his ego), but does anyone have any stats on how many shootouts we’ve actually won since Anderson started benching Kozlov? 1? 2? Awful. And I’m sorry, I’m definitely on the Big Buff bandwagon, but he’s now 0 and 5 in shootouts. Can we give Burmy a try?? Or Bergfors? Let the kids have a shot! Heck, even Enstrom maybe! Of course, he’d probably try to pass, bless his heart…
Bite Me
December 17th, 2010
2:06 pm
I say we point and laugh at him.
I’d like to see a sign with Kovy wearing a Dunce cap.
alex
December 17th, 2010
2:09 pm
i am no big kovy fan, i can name more than 20 nhl players playing on different level, but why nobody wanted play here, ask kovy, hossa, heatley, savard, etc., why people happy to be out, army, mccartur, kubina. i don’t know, probably need to ask bosses dw and asg i tried, they replied you are incorrect we resigned slater, boulton and thorton, we are chep and happy.
Rawhide
December 17th, 2010
2:10 pm
Argyle – Since the win against the New York Rangers on January 7 last winter, the Thrashers ar 1-7 in the individual skills comeptition known as the shootout. That lone victory coming in Anaheim last October.
R. Stroz
December 17th, 2010
2:13 pm
If Kovy ends up in the penalty box, I would love to hear It’s A Small World After All.
J(Z)
December 17th, 2010
2:16 pm
Ooooh, a penalty box skit just for Kovy would be awesome!
Anyone else suspicious that Harry the Hawk and Thrash are actually the same person? Has anyone seen them in the same place at the same time? Obviously they never have home games at the same time, and Harry skated pretty well last night. I’m suspicious!!!!
J(Z)
December 17th, 2010
2:16 pm
Trixie – I just lost another one…what am I doing wrong?
Boortz & Royal Fan
December 17th, 2010
2:17 pm
Boo?
BOO GOT SHOT!
BOO GOT SHOT!
Shakespeare
December 17th, 2010
2:18 pm
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.
Tom Lysiak
December 17th, 2010
2:19 pm
Interesting comments. Reminds me of the usual yelling of “Knights” during the anthem discussions. Bottom line, who cares what someone else thinks you should do? Pay your money, do what feels right to you.
Having said that, I am thrilled Kovy didn’t resign here and hamstring our team budget for a decade. You can buy stats like his for pennies on the dollar. People who think the current situation in Joisey is coincidental to his contract and it’s ramifications amuse me.
I will be there tomorrow wearing my “somewhat altered” old Kovy jersey. Go Thrashers and free Thrash!!!
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
December 17th, 2010
2:19 pm
Trixie – I just lost another one…what am I doing wrong?
Mr. J(Z) – You’re not holding your jaw correctly.
Your post has been freed….again.
ET
December 17th, 2010
2:30 pm
Some are calling the Thrashers front office cheap. They offered a fair contract to Kovy. All pro athletes are grossly over paid. They get millions on top of millions to play a game for a living. My wife teaches school for peanuts while Kovy gets what again? Our priorites are so screwed up in this country it is pathetic. There is a good reason why America is crashing & burning. Just look around everywhere & you see a convicted felon leading the pro bowl in football, socialist are leading our nation, we can’t buy American because everything in our stores is made in China, we can’t stop Iran from getting nukes, etc. It goes on & on. You want me to believe that a hockey player was disrespected by the Thrashers for a muli-million dollar a year offer. Please…
Thrash
December 17th, 2010
2:31 pm
Please, cheer loudly for Moose!!! He’s always been great in Thrashers with his attitude and work ethic. And he still love Atlanta. I think he would like to be part of our current team. He deserve all the support and respect from Thrashers fans.
And what about Kovalchuk? Whatever! We don’t need him! And we are actually better without him. But I admit he did great job there in Atlanta.
Smoothie
December 17th, 2010
2:38 pm
Ooooo, can’t wait to read the comments on this blog…even gets an appearance by the ghost of Big Shooter. Where’s my popcorn?
To hell with Kovy, just freakin’ win Saturday! Must beat the lesser teams and get two points if we want to play hockey in mid-April.
WBF – sorry for not responding earlier, but your comments about Zach (”The talent is there, he’s just not getting it. Trading him is not the answer, getting a strong personality to look him in the eye and get his stuff in one boot is the answer.”) are spot on.
Bogey needs a mentor, but I’m not sure who can do it. It’d have to be a left-handed D-man in Ramsay’s scheme, and I’m not sure Enstrom is vocal enough to get on Zach and give him the tough love. Hainsey would gladly yell and chirp at him, but not sure if he’s the right message-sender. Meyer? Of course not. Oduya? He’s too quiet and he just goes about his business consistently cleaning up Zach’s messes. One of these days, Zach is gonna get Oduya’s clock cleaned in the corner.
We need to trade Bergfors for a veteran D-man who can give Zach the right direction. Problem is, we have too many D-men who can play. And who’s gonna take Hainsey’s salary off our hands? NO ONE! I dunno, guess we’ll just have to live with Zach and hope he starts to evolve. But yes, benching for a few games would be good. Meyer can hold down the fort on the 3rd line while Hainsey and Oduya get reacquainted. To heck with lefty/righty combos for a little while!
Smoothie
December 17th, 2010
2:39 pm
Is Mathieu Schneider retired yet?? ;-O
bravesfan
December 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
i am going with a group of 70 Thrashers fans (section 302) and i can gaurantee that we will boo every time he hits the ice or touches the puck. he made it clear he does not want to be in Atlanta so he gets BOOOOOOOOOOOD!
Go Thrashers!
Thrashers27
December 17th, 2010
2:42 pm
Stroz, if Kovy ends up in penalty box and we score a goal on the ensuing PP, somebody on the ice has to point at him. That would be hilarious!!!…Can you imagine: Buff unloads a laser from the point and turns to Kovy with the pointed finger. Awesome!
DWTOO
December 17th, 2010
2:43 pm
Was discussing the Bogey situation with a co-worker over lunch. Notice that Zach played his best game when paired with M. Schneider, even after the leg break. We need someone like that.
Rawhide
December 17th, 2010
2:43 pm
THIS —> Stroz, if Kovy ends up in penalty box and we score a goal on the ensuing PP, somebody on the ice has to point at him. That would be hilarious!!!…Can you imagine: Buff unloads a laser from the point and turns to Kovy with the pointed finger. Awesome!
Thrashers27 – Now that’s funny. I don’t care who you are…that IS funny!
Alan R.
December 17th, 2010
2:44 pm
Smoothie – It’s nothing you’re doing or saying that’s wrong, it’s just that everytime someone says we need to trade [promising young player] for a veteran defenseman for [whatever reason], I always think of Alexei Zhitnik.
Always.
It’s given me nightmares. Cold sweats. Night terrors, even!
World Be Free
December 17th, 2010
2:45 pm
Alex-my issue with Kovy-he should have just told amanagement he wanted out before last season, it was obvious he had already decided on leaving,. Instead we went through this stupid courtship dance for 2/3 of the season before it was clear to all he wanted out. Making it know last summer would have help him, the team he was going to and the Thrashers. I can’t blame Kovalchuk for wanting to leave, it’s the dishonest nature of how he handled the situation that bothers me, along with the contract garbage over the summer.
Smoothie – I think schneider is done, maybe not official.
Bogo-he’s a kid,20 years old and as you stated he needs a mentor. We keep looking at his as a vet, but he is not there yet. I believe Bergfors will be traded for another forward though I prefer to see him stay. He’s in Rammer’s doghouse, maybe Dudley’s too.
Matt
December 17th, 2010
2:49 pm
I must say, that I am filled with the most warm and tingly sense of “Schadenfreude” at this time. I say Boo Kovy until your vocals cords burst at the introductions, or when he first comes on the ice, and then ignore him for the rest of the game.
LAC
December 17th, 2010
2:54 pm
He played Atlanta and Lied to all of us. Besides he playes for THEM not us !
English Teacher
December 17th, 2010
2:55 pm
Boo him? I sent him a thank you card and a house warming gift.
FormerIslesFan
December 17th, 2010
2:57 pm
@Riceowls:
That was me that made the suggestion of the “Thank You, Kovy!” chant, and I stand by it. By forcing the trade he did more to help this franchise compared against the rest of the time he was here (okay, a stretch, but you get the point).
Lilibeter and I will be there tomorrow night (and making a Toys for Tots donation). Will you?
SomaAtl95
December 17th, 2010
3:01 pm
I think it would be more disturbing to him if the entire arena pointed to him if the Thrashers score while he is in the box. Could you guys imagine that?
Red Light
December 17th, 2010
3:39 pm
So, in effect, everyone wanted Kovalchuk to either…
a) re-sign with the Thrashers, or
b) say to the organization and its fans prior to the 2009-10 season that he had no intention of re-signing a contract in Atlanta, that he felt like the franchise was going nowhere and that he would test free agency July 1, 2010.
Correct?
Why, there are just so many instances of that kind of honesty in sports (and business for that matter) particularly entering the final year of a contract, that you can count them on your…, ah, finger!
jimbo
December 17th, 2010
3:42 pm
Even though he showed little class with his constant, phoney, “I want to finish my career in Atlanta” BS, let’s show the class that he doesn’t have and politely thank him for the many highlights that we gave us over his time here. I plan to applaud when he and Moose are announced. WE ARE CLASS!
Party Pooper
December 17th, 2010
3:49 pm
Two weeks ago, I had my rant about food service at Philips.
Here I am to poop on the party once again, with the generous help of your Philips Arena/Thrashers ticket sales people!
Thursday night, I am ready to do my part to Free the Bird. Before the game, while in Philips, I show up to the ticket counter inside the arena. There are 3 windows. One is clearly closed with the blinds on – probably has been closed since 2007. One appears to be open but when people approach, they are told that it’s closed, to get in line at the other window. So, really, one window is operational.
We can clearly see at least 2 or 3 employees picking their noses back there (in addition to those actually working their window facing outside of the arena) but hey… selling tickets might not be a priority for Atlanta Spirit! The way things are going, I’d think that they’d be all over people ready to shell money for tix but… Naw.
So, I’m 3rd in line at the sole window. Not bad, huh? How long before I have my tix? C’mon. Guess.
Well… 25 minutes! 25 minutes to process the simple orders of 3 people. I heard what was going on in front of me and there was no real special request. Basic: I want tix; you sell tix; I have money; you have money; thanks!
The guy at the window looked like he had not operated a computer since Windows 95. If you thought Waddell was terrible at his job, you’ve got to see the people working (or d*cking around) that ticket window!
Smoothie
December 17th, 2010
3:52 pm
I wish folks would stop comparing trade rumors (that may happen to involve a certain young defenseman) with the Zhitnik trade. That was an isolated occurence and there is no doubt that our PP needed a jolt at the time (February was a miserable month back in 2007 just look at the game logs) and Zhitnik was tabbed to do just that. And HE DID! 14 pts in 18 games or something like that. Rentals cost A LOT! That’s why we have Bergie, Oduya and eventually Cormier. Heck, you can include Big Buff and Sopel in that if you want since the #1 draft pick pried them loose. I wish folks would stop whining about the Coburn trade cuz no one could tell that he was going to be as good as he is now since he never got to play under Hartley. And he’s pretty much above-average, nothing special. The best blueliners in Philly are Pronger, Timmonen and O’Donnell with Carle, Meszaros & Coburn all serviceable to good.
That is all.
Thrashers27
December 17th, 2010
3:54 pm
RL, I’ll go with option C) Kovy saying to the fans and/or organization “I don’t plan on making any decisions until after the season is over.”
I think it’s more a matter of “if you’re not going to sign, don’t blow smoke up our arses and tell us you’re hopeful and everything’s hunky dorey.
Kovy continually said that he “hoped a deal would get done” and that “he wanted to be here”. As I pointed out before, he even taunted fans with a signature on the ice as a goal celebration. That’s the douchey part of it all.
I can’t say that I’d have blamed anyone for wanting to leave over the last few years, but if I did want to leave I would give no indication at all that I wanted to stay.
Party Pooper
December 17th, 2010
3:54 pm
BTW, anyone wants to bet that Sopes is traded before the end of the year? Did I really see that on a Friday, between home games on Thursday and Saturday, he flies back home to Chicago to spend the day? On the day after the Thrashers looked like they were going to fall asleep on the ice after the 2nd period?
Nice guy. Nice family guy. But I bet that they won’t tolerate his choice to commute like that.
Alan R.
December 17th, 2010
4:01 pm
It wasn’t a comparison, Smoothie. You know better than that.
Thrashers27
December 17th, 2010
4:02 pm
Smoothie, speaking of Cormier…it’s nice to see that after eight games in Chicago he is +5 with a goal and two assists. Only players with a higher plus/minus are Machacek(+7) and Jared Ross (+6). Not too shabby considering he’s probably just now getting into the groove.
glovesave29
December 17th, 2010
4:10 pm
I am ambivalent about Kovy. I’d be a hypocrite to boo as I have left jobs in the past to move on to greener pastures. But he lost me with his posturing last year of wanting to stay. I wish he’d have just been honest…tell us he’s been here 8 years and he wants to try something new. I have no problem with that. The simple fact is he is gone, and we are actually in a better place without him.
Slapshots RARELY work on shootouts. In a game, the goalie must consider it may be a fake and the player passes the puck after he commits to the shot, thus leaving the net open. You have to be concerned about screens and deflections too. In a shootout, as soon as he lowers his head to address the puck, the goalie goes into the butterfly and cuts down the angle…takes a PERFECT shot to score. Its one on one and the goalie gets the upper hand.
SGT. Stryker - USMC
December 17th, 2010
4:11 pm
The time and place to BOO this dude was when he dogged it for that month and cost the Thrashers the 7 or 8 slot in the post season last year. If you BOO him now it makes the game about him instead of about the good club we have here. Let North Jersey BOO him. He’s their problem now.
Smoothie
December 17th, 2010
4:16 pm
Alan – then don’t lose sleep over a trade that happened 4 years ago for a player that was/is mediocre/above avg at best. If you’re gonna lose sleep, save that for the Tkachuk deal that set back our draft 2 years!
Zhitnik turned out to be a bust, but we got what we paid for at the time. Then again, perhaps it would’ve been better to just barely squeek into the playoffs as the #8 seed. Who was the Prez Trophy winner that year? New Jersey or Ottawa? Or was it Buffalo? Oooo, okay, never shoulda traded Coburn! 
Smoothie
December 17th, 2010
4:18 pm
Thrashers27 – thanks for the update on Corms! Good to see he’s progressing well. I’m kind of intrigued by a third line that features him at C with Burmy on the LW and perhaps Antro on the RW. Or maybe a Kane-Cormier-Stewart line so Little can go back with Ladd & Bergie.
Sherry Taylor
December 17th, 2010
4:19 pm
You people booed Dany Heatly when he left for far more understandable reasons. Kovy left because he is a spoiled child who didn’t get what he wanted. he spent Bob Hartley’s time here pouting about one thing or another and never gave John Anderson the tie of day. He probably doesn’t deserve to be acknowledged because he did make it very clear what he thought of the team and the fans, but I might boo a few times. (I’m not bitter or anything. Moose on the other hand was and is a gentleman, he will only get applause from me if he plays. Actually, when I think of it, maybe I won’t boo Kovalchuk, if it wasn’t for his tantrum and gold digging we wouldn’t have the team and coaching staff we now have. Hmmm, I may have to give this more consideration. Perhaps, I should scream out a very loud, ‘Thank you, Kovalchuk!’ during warm ups.
hockeymom92
December 17th, 2010
4:19 pm
There was a time last year when I would have booed until I could boo no more. Now I consider Kovy’s game and all his divaness – Much Ado About Nothing! We are definitely a far better team without him.
Alan R.
December 17th, 2010
4:24 pm
Smoothie – You apparently missed the amusement in my post. I know I didn’t include any smileys, but I would have thought the “night terrors” would have been an indicator…
R. Stroz
December 17th, 2010
4:28 pm
We could chant….Yashin…Yashin…Yashin
Thrashers27 – I’ll join the pointing party.
The Hockey Way
December 17th, 2010
4:31 pm
BOOOOOOOOOO! and pelt anyone who cheers for him with ketchup covered frenchfries (ok maybe not but I would like too)..
Laughing and taunting are strongly encouraged as long as it doesn’t tilt the KARMAtic balance against us.
Hoof Arted
December 17th, 2010
4:32 pm
Point at Kovy as he exits the box after we score on the PP? YES! Do that! Love it!
Smoothie
December 17th, 2010
4:33 pm
No worries Alan, I guess I should know better!
I just get all twitchy when people keep picking at old wounds! LOL But losing Coburn was not nearly as bad as losing 2 draft picks, 1 of which could’ve been a pretty good player (David Perron perhaps?). Then again, maybe not.
Rawhide
December 17th, 2010
4:36 pm
100th!!!!
And it took less than 5 hours, Red Light….