With All Star weekend behind us, a quick look ahead for the Thrashers
So now that the All Star game has come and gone, tell me what you think of the new format they used this go around. I’ll be honest with you, when I first heard of it I sort of rolled my eyes…thought it was a bit gimmicky. But watching how they performed the draft then how it all played out on the ice, the whole concept kinda grew on me.
It was neat seeing the Sedin brothers skate on opposing teams as well as teammates split up as well. It certainly made for an interesting time.
By all accounts, the city of Raleigh, North Carolina represented themselves well by hosting the event. That’s really not a surprise at all as the Hurricanes are a fantastic organization and Caniacs are among the best of hockey fans. So, hats off to them.
As I’m sure you know, the Thrashers Dustin Byfuglien notched his first ever All Star Game goal. It was his only shot on goal during his 22:18 TOI and he finished a –3.
Dustin Byfuglie, (right), along with Duncan Keith and goalie Jonas Hiller defend against Ryan Kesler during Sunday's All Star Game. Byfuglien and the Thrashers will return to action Tuesday night against the New York Islanders (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
But with All Star weekend now finished, Big Buff will return to Thrasherville for the final 30 games of the season. They’ll start things off tomorrow night when the New York Islanders come to call. Cal-GARY makes there way to town Thursday and then the Thrashers finish off the week by heading to Raleigh for what is sure to be a huge game with the Hurricanes.
Carolina is but one point behind Atlanta and their 56 points after 50 games played have them currently on course for 92 for the season. For the Thrashers to reach the 92 point mark, they’ll have to net 35 points in their final 30 games played…say a record of something like 15-10-5.
Just ahead of the Thrashers in the Eastern Conference standing is Montreal with 59.
The big issue right now for the Thrashers is health issues of certain key players. Toby Enstrom will continue to be out for a number of games with a broken hand, but also on the shelf of late has been Evander Kane, Jim Slater and goalie Chris Mason.
Still yet to be seen is if the team will be calling up someone from Chicago to take Toby’s spot on the roster. Personally, I’d like to see Arturs Kulda get a few games in up here in Enstrom’s absence. Last year he played in two games and played a very well on our blueline.
Above and beyond that, sometime between now and the trade deadline I look for general manager Rick Dudley to make some sort of deal to bolster this team’s roster as they make a push from the playoffs. Yes I know Dudley recently told C-Viv that no such trades were on the horizon, but I’m taking that quote with a grain of salt. I don’t think he’s going to tip his hand with respect to any impending deal and, quite frankly, something needs to be addressed, specifically on defense and/or on wing.
I would think finding a way to bring in a left wing to replace Fredrik Modin would be a decent way to start. Also, if Duds can find a way procure a top-four defenseman, this would go a long way to getting this team where they need to go. If that’s the case, then we could see a defensive corps looking like Byfuglien-Enstrom, (upon return)…Oduya –[insert name of new D-man here]…Hainsey-Sopel/Bogosian.
Question is, what do the Thrashers give up in return for such a player or players? Sure there are replaceable parts such as Modin…maybe some would say Hainsey. But what do you really expect to get in return for either of them straight up? I would think that along with a Modin or a Hainsey, the Thrashers will need to part ways with a prospect or two to make this happen.
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133 comments Add your comment
Jerome Horowitz
January 31st, 2011
10:46 am
Rarely do you get something for nothing – unless a team is extemely cap strapped. For either Hainsey or Modin you’ll probably just get another replacable part. At this point I’d rather keep Hainsey as he’s playing his best hockey we’ve seen. If someone threw a top winger at us – I’d be tempted to part with Bogey. Perhaps Kulda or Potsma may attract a top winger also.
Mike W
January 31st, 2011
11:02 am
Trade Z Bo.
Red Light
January 31st, 2011
11:03 am
Bill: I found the the entire all-star weekend a complete waste of time, energy and resources. The game accomplishes little and interrupts the regular season, which was just gaining momentum. I fully understand the skills competition and the buzz it can create, but I think individual teams should hold the skills competition just prior to the open of the season every year, which will give fans a look at all of the team’s new players.
As far as it concerns potential additions and subtractions from the current roster, I don’t think you can deal any one of the to-six defensemen because of the lack of NHL-experienced depth at the position. While I’d like to see more of Kulda and Postma too, maybe the brass feels they simply aren’t ready. Thus, you can’t get rid of a top-six guy unless you get one in return. There are some replaceable parts in the lineup, but the question is what value can you get in return.
How about this? Without the Islanders buyout of Yashin and Brendan Witt, their actual payroll is just north of $34 million. Without Brashear, the Thrashers payroll is $39.8 million.
Matt
January 31st, 2011
11:03 am
A trade for Bogosian would be interesting, but I certainly wouldn’t want to part with a top 5 draft pick that’s still extraordinarily young for a rental.
We need a top-6 forward and a stay at home defenseman. Preferably, a veteran with some wheels. However, I haven’t a clue as to who would be available. But we someone to become our offensive “star.”
I like our balanced offense and wouldn’t want to upset that, I just feel like we need an “impact’ guy.
Iron League 13
January 31st, 2011
11:21 am
It’s not that I disagree about pieces needed for this playoff push, well let’s say halfway agree. THE priority (IMHO) has got to be at the forward positions. The Thrashers HAVE GOT to score more or their chances of making the playoffs are slim. We all know how contested this bit of the year gets too, so I don’t see the lineup as is getting there. I say this about D because I feel like we have 5 solid-OUTSTANDING defensemen already and honestly Meyer’s looking pretty swell too, so for me more scoring where you should be getting most of it, UP FRONT.
Red Light
January 31st, 2011
11:22 am
During the absence of real hockey this weekend, a former season ticket holder and I had a detailed discussion about the Thrashers home schedule.
So, I have a few questions:
a) Would you be in favor of 8 pm starts for home games for selected weeknights? With the games shortened to 2.5 hours, most fans could still get home by 11 to 11:30 pm and most of us would avoid the commuter traffic. During those games, the arena could be opened at 6:30 pm, with Happy Hour pricing for beers, etc.
The caveat: neither team would have a game scheduled for the next night.
b) While I like the Sunday afternoon games, I think a 5 p.m. start might be a little late in the day, particularly when there is no interference after football season ends. Plus, starting at say 3 pm, the team might pick up a few nationally broadcast games in the second half of the season.
c) Would you be in favor of a by-demand pricing, such as paying less for your weeknight tickets and more for weekend games and high-profile teams?
R. Stroz
January 31st, 2011
11:29 am
A must read from our buddy Craig Custance:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/feed/2010-11/nhl-gms-meeting/story/the-sun-belt-shines-bright-on-all-star-weekend
Matt
January 31st, 2011
11:33 am
@RedLight
A) yes. definitely. While, I live in Buckhead, it’s just a hop on the lindbergh MARTA station for me. However, it’s got to be a nightmare for folks who live in the northern, affluent burbs (Alpharetta, Roswell, etc) and frankly, that’s where most of the families (and money) are.
B) I’m honestly indifferent to that. I kind of like the 5 PM start times. It feels like an evening out, but everyone is home to get to bed plenty early enough to get a good night’s sleep for work on Monday. So, I kind of like the 5PM times.
C) I think so. However, I really think they do a decent job of offering tickets for a discount Mon-Wed.
However, I’m for anything that would grow the fanbase. So, if all of those suggestions came to fruition, none of them would be a deal breaker for me.
Jerome Horowitz
January 31st, 2011
11:37 am
R/L – a) No. I’d go for 7:30, but, Atlanta is a late arriving crowd. You could move the games to 8:00 and people wouldn’t show up to 8:30. Doesn’t matter.
b) Agree with the 3:00 starts on sunday. Nice brunch tailgate with mimosas and some hockey.
c) too confusing.
Hip Czech
January 31st, 2011
11:42 am
Hainsey’s play this year has grown on me. I don’t think it is MUCH of an overstatement to say in a couple games Hainsey has actually been the best Thrasher D man.
I don’t see moving him as an absolute must. I would be comfortable with a healthy Enstrom and Meyer/Bogosian/callup being our 6th D.
A top 6 forward on the other hand…that would definitely help, and there are names being floated around out there. Does Dudley stick to his guns and only bring in a ‘Dudley type’ player though? If so, how many fit the bill?
8 PM starts are too late..I think they should change from 7 to 7:30 though.
Chris S
January 31st, 2011
11:48 am
C) They already do this. Most weekday games (save for teams like Detroit back in November) are $17.00 for our season seats, and the weekends vary from $24.00 to $30.00 depending on the team.
Bart
January 31st, 2011
12:16 pm
The team quietly already enacted c)’s “by-demand” pricing this season, charging more for weekend games and select key opponents while charging less for weekday games and other “lesser” opponents. Spot check a few games and you’ll see. It even shows in varying face values on the fancy printed season tickets.
World Be Free
January 31st, 2011
12:16 pm
Hip, good to see you back posting.
7:30 games appeal to me more than extending the games to 8PM. Not sure the broadcast folks would be happy to see our games start earlier and go later for the dozen or so fans that watch. I like the idea of cutting costs for any food or beverage item at any arena.
3PM Sunday is perfect
Kulda, Postma and all the guys in Chicago-just anothe reason for having the AHL team in GWinnet, so we can see how these guys are progressing or degressing. anyone know how well Kulda is playing the year? I agree, he did a nice job last season with his limited playing time. The kid needs to be up here.
Hip Czech
January 31st, 2011
12:39 pm
WBF, thanks…I guess it’s kind of a superstition thing… you know, like changing ends of the couch when the Thrashers are losing.
I figure if I don’t post they’ll do better
Hip Czech
January 31st, 2011
12:48 pm
From RS’s link to the CC article:
“It takes dedicated ownership and right now that’s something Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix don’t have.
But what if the Thrashers combined winning with committed ownership, something that has never happened since the NHL returned to Atlanta? What if the Panthers had a consistent run of playoff success to go with stable owners? What if Matt Hulsizer really is committed to building hockey in Arizona the right way, even if it means losing money in the short term?
Shouldn’t we see if that works before pulling the plug? ”
Craig C. nailed it…
ZAvalanche
January 31st, 2011
1:04 pm
RL – Yes on A and B, I like the idea. C is already intact. And I loved the All Star weekend! It is so cool to see what they can REALLY do when it is just for fun. Laughed my bum off when Ovy tossed his stick in front of Duchene on his breakaway.
Bill – I really liked the draft style. I think when it was east vs west you have guys playing with the guys they are going to try and roll in the playoffs and they don’t play as well together. When it was North America vs World (which is kind of a misnomer) it is more like an Olympic game. I feel bad for the goalies as they know going in that they will get rolled.
As for the trades: I am not sure we have enough depth to make a significant one. Speed at the forward position is the key. I think the D is nearing decent, and will be better with Toby back.
Interesting thought, how about having Buffy switch between D and O. He has the skill and the mental capacity to do it. It may really confuse the opposition’s line calling.
Anyhow, great weekend of hockey, I very much enjoyed it.
World Be Free
January 31st, 2011
1:15 pm
Hip-let’s hope the Thrash gop on a tear, keeping you on the posting side.
Smoothie
January 31st, 2011
1:16 pm
Thought the weekend of AS festivities was a lot of fun. Yeah, some of the stuff was a bit boring / contrived / just plain weird (like Marc Staal in the fastest skater competition), but the purpose of the weekend is for the players and fans of the showcase city to have fun. And you could tell they did just that. I love to see the skill players have a chance to work their passing magic and try plays they wouldn’t ordinarily try. And I liked the “fantasy draft” format and think the players enjoyed the “drama” that came with it. Making Toews sit forever and sweat it out was priceless. Of course, it helped to have the reunion aspect for all of the former Hawks. The worst part of the weekend for me was 1) Toby’s absence 2) Clay Aiken’s singing and 3) the Guardian Project debacle…what a waste of time and energy!!
And since Bill introduced the topic of looking ahead at what’s in store for the Thrashers in the coming month, here’s a look at the overall playoff picture and Atlanta’s competitors for the coveted final 3 playoff spots (5/6 teams battling for 3 spots is the way I see it). Hope this helps you get a handle on what we’re up against!
http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/?p=30387
ZAvalanche
January 31st, 2011
1:26 pm
I agree with you Smoothie. How cool was Perry’s first penalty shot move? Don’t know how many times I have watched it, and regrettably, tried it. There is a reason it is called a skills comp. Fantastic TV!
Rawhide
January 31st, 2011
1:28 pm
Hip Czech – First, allow me to echo what WBF said in that it’s nice to see a post from you around here.
As for Hainsey…while I did mention the fact that some may view him as a player that could be traded, I agree with you that he’s played well this season. At times even very well. I failed to make that clear, so I appreciate your mentioning. Gave me a chance to tidy up that thought.
LAC
January 31st, 2011
1:28 pm
First and formost is beat the Island, sink them with a solid game in every respect.
Then the Flames, They have not won here since they were The Atlanta Flames, keep it that way.
These 4 points are must points. The Carolina game Saturday is critical, a win there would hurt
Carolina both in the standings and in the mental aspect as well. Since we have 3 more against them following that. Remember we play Ottawa, a loser this season twice here. NYR game big one here as well.
Need some additional firepower and at least a defensive defenseman, if we accomplish that…
Good chance at playoffs. If these so called owners suddenly sold the team, It would Assure the playoffs !
ZAvalanche
January 31st, 2011
1:34 pm
Here is a site, http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/ , that gives you the cap numbers. Haven’t yet done the research into what players we could get but the Flames and Devils are the ones hurting and need to ditch $$ the fastest. We have $14 mill to spare in cap room so we can pick up some serious talent. DW, please promise me you won’t go for Kovalchoke!
ZAvalanche
January 31st, 2011
1:42 pm
From Calgary I would take Bouwmeester or Regher for D-men, and Morrison for O. That is all we can afford to trade for right now. For NJ Devils I would look for Parise or Tallinder. They would move Arnott in a second but he is pretty long in the tooth. If you all offer Forsberg a contract I will personally come and Thrash you (pun intended).
HonkyTonkHero
January 31st, 2011
1:49 pm
I enjoyed the All Star weekend. Everything from the mock draft down to the game itself. These are the types of events where I slowly lure my wife into likeing hockey. She enjoys the more personal nature that events like this, the Winter Classic and the HBO 24/7 bring to the table. I thought the game play was great…as always…very little D. The offense was fun and creative during the first 2 periods. Things got a little more serious in the 3rd…fun to watch.
Wasnt a big fan of the Guardian thing but I’ve never been into the comic book thing. Hopefully some old fans and new fans enjoyed it cause it looked like it took some time and money to produce. Could have done without Aiken though….how do you let a pansy like him represent a sport like hockey? At least give us some eye candy and put NC native Kellie Pickler out there. Also I would have had Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule out there during the intermission instead of 3 Doors Down. Time for hockey to do away with all the musical gayness.
As for the Thrashers….let’s hope they have what it takes to finish strong.
Joe Friday
January 31st, 2011
2:32 pm
I’m afraid we don’t have much to trade except our #1 and I don’t want them mortgaging that for a playoff rental. I can see moving it for a player under contract though . . .
They have to move the start times back. 7:30pm is fine, but 8pm would be even better. Whoever came up with the idea to move the start times to 7pm and then has kept them there as attendance dwindled better not still have his job . . . moronic idea in a city with the 2nd worst traffic in the nation.
5pm Sunday start time is much more preferable, I can’t stand 3pm games and you still get the kids home in time for school the next day. You think they’d do better on concessions with the 5pm start time as well.
They already instituted the tiered pricing for weekday/weekend and more popular draws, and it’s a good idea.
Brendan
January 31st, 2011
3:18 pm
I’d like like to see a 7:35 PM start time for weekday games. I think that’s a nice compromise. I like 3PM or 3:35PM as a weekend start time for games.
I uhh … kinda agree with Red Light about the All-Star festivities. I did watch some of them. I watched most of the All-Star game. I saw the last 10 rounds of the Draft. I sensed that some players weren’t ‘amused’ by the proceedings. For me, an All-Star game is something close to useless, and runs an unnecessary risk of injury to players during the season. Why not hold the All-Star game as a lead-in to the June Draft, AFTER the Stanley Cup has been presented? Just a thought. Otherwise, the All-Star game derails the season, somewhat.
Anytime the Islanders appear on the schedule, it’s a must bank points type of game. I have no idea why we struggle so much with the Islanders. Maybe, for the Isles, they look at Atlanta as THEIR big chance to bag points? If we’re gonna go 15-10-5 the rest of the way, the Islanders game must result in a win.
If I hear … words to the effect of “the team just wasn’t prepared to play,” I’m gonna hurl. At this level, after this kinda break in the schedule, no team should be unprepared to play. If they’re unprepared to play, it means that they’re not NHL-ready. Why ’sugarcoat’ that? From January 1st on, there cannot be ANY games where the team is ‘unprepared to play.’ If we allow ‘unprepared to play’ to be ACCEPTABLE, then the schedule might as well be 70 games, for the remaining 12 the team was ‘unprepared to play.’ Let me just ask, “Are they unprepared to practice, too?” If that’s the kinda problem that lingers in our hallways, management needs to be held accountable.
Imagine a bank teller who is ‘unprepared to handle money, today.’ Imagine a pilot who is ‘unprepared to fly, today.’ Or a garbage man who shows up to work anything but a ’santitation technician/engineer.’ Honestly now. For an NHL team to be excused under the umbrella of being ‘unprepared to play’ … is totally bush league non-sense. If the Thrashers play the Islanders … hard and capably … but the Islanders just plain BEST them. I might excuse it, so long as the effort was there. But if they mail it in … and lose in regulation or overtime, that should not be excused. It’s not October anymore. It’s not November. And Christmas was over a month ago. If our team cannot get up for games that they should win … then they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. GM’s, plural, and Coaches, plural, should be held accountable for the players, too. As a GM, you are responsible for monitoring the performance of the coaching staff. As Coaches, you are responsible for the game plan and to ensure that you’ve dressed the players that give the team the best chance to win. As players, you are responsible for execution of the game plan, as outlined by the Coaches. If a player doesn’t measure up, he’ll sit. Or be demoted. Gotta have players who are always PREPARED TO PLAY.
cousin Eddie
January 31st, 2011
4:01 pm
^ +1
World Be Free
January 31st, 2011
4:04 pm
I would move our # 1 pick on an establish top 6 forward with at least 2 years left on his deal or somehting like that. Not many players available that fit that bill that are not already playing for teams in the playoff hunt. Martin Havlat maybe? Maybe What is Versteeg worth in today’s market? Tronna neeeds a number one to save as much face as Burke can after making the Kessel deal. He needs a number one.
Especially if the trading partner is in the Western Conference.
kracker
January 31st, 2011
4:09 pm
Like has already been said, it is too bad the team was fractured due to injuries as it makes the needs evaluation that much tougher. I feel confident, though, that Dudley has his wants list. How long can he afford to wait? How much will these owners allow him to spend?
JROFRANO
January 31st, 2011
4:38 pm
one of the errors that the flames made, in my opinion, was having too many weeknight 8 pm starts. back then, many from the northern suburbs worked downtown. a 7 pm start would have allowed them to leave work when they wanted, grab a bite and go to the game. an 8 pm start was just too late and got them home 1130 on a school/work night.
i understand that the concentration of workers is no longer downtown but i think that an 8 pm start would be a disaster. i don’t even like the 730 start for the same reasons. 7 pm lets perimeter workers get downtown. they are going against traffic and, other than the downtown connector, they keep moving.
Zoomo
January 31st, 2011
4:45 pm
a) will not happen since it all but eliminates families with young(er) children from attending, 7:30 or 7:35 might work.
b) Yes. In the past there have been many 3pm Sunday starts
c) alread in play to some degree.
glovesave29
January 31st, 2011
5:15 pm
There were 1/3 the amount of people here when the Flames were here. I lived out in Sandy Springs (which was the boonies in the 1970’s) and you could be home from the Omni in 20 minutes. 8PM games are the way to go. The vast majority of the teams fan base is from the northern suburbs, and the later time is the best way to accomodate them. 7PM would all but assure an empty arena until the first intermission.
Red Light
January 31st, 2011
5:31 pm
OK. I’m not advocating all weeknight starts be at 8 pm, “selected weeknights” was the question, but I certainly like 7:35 much better than 7:07 pm, which is when they drop the puck most of the time right now. Not that many kids during weeknights anyway, so I don’t think it’s that big of an issue. Friday night commute traffic is a killer!!!
I would love to see Thursday and Friday night games begin at 8:00, when there is no game the next day. This season, you would have had just 14 such instances where the Thrashers didn’t have a back-to-back after a Thursday or Friday night game. So far, seven such games have been played, and Friday night attendance averages 2,457 more per game than Thursday’s. Of course, that’s nearly always the case here, but I think anything is worth a try.
Red Light
January 31st, 2011
6:28 pm
So much for waiver claims this year…astounding…considering that supposedly everyone was looking for bargains!
Since Oct. 4, (57) NHL players have been waived (some more than once) and only seven of those have been claimed by another team. Only four since October (Nabokov, Wellwood, Svatos and Troy Bodie). The other three are Michael Grabner (fastest skater), Mattias Ritola and Brendan Mikkelson.
Red Light
January 31st, 2011
6:43 pm
Larry Brooks agrees about shoulder and elbow pads we bandied about last week…
“And it is imperative the NHL and the union agree on altering first shoulder pads and then elbow pads, so that they serve as originally intended, as protection, rather than as weapons to inflict damage, as they’ve evolved.”
glovesave29
January 31st, 2011
7:23 pm
RL – have you ever seen the newer elbow pads? Since the gloves now have shorter cuffs, the elbow pads go from almost to the wrist all the way up to the bicep. Dual layers of hard ABS plastics covers inches of foam. They are DEFINATELY weapons!
ZAvalanche
January 31st, 2011
7:27 pm
RL, I think the shoulder pads and elbow pad improvements are imperative for protection. It is the intent of the opposing player that hurts guys. It is kind of like the “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” argument. Stiffen up the rules and fines on hits and the players will take notice. Think of what would happen in the other major USA sports if a player had to be taken out of a game for a penalty. I would love to see that. Really, it is the refs that need to stiffen up – as close as the standing are, with points on the line you (not you personally) will be a goat for taking a bad penalty due to a hit.
I know that concussions have been a big deal in the NFL and NHL this season so why not make some corrective measures to lessen them in the form of fines and increased penalties? Hitting is part of both sports and all the players know this. I don’t think the pads are the problem. Mine are 17 years-old and if I wanted to level somebody with an elbow I could do it just fine. Why not put some technology into helmets and require full cages for the players? That seems to make more sense to me.
Tony C
January 31st, 2011
8:39 pm
would like to see Kulda called up. Pair him with Z-bo and see if they can recapture past chemistry. Also, hey, maybe we can get Z-Bo a mentor/coach? Doesn’t need to be a regular player, but he hasn’t looked nearly as good since Schneider left. Maybe see if Havelid is bored with retirement? He wasn’t the best Defender I’ve ever seen, but the man was solid, and knew where to be on the ice in regards to the play. Plus getting Havelid to come back and help would go a long way to creating some continuity within the organization (just look at how the Canes have mined the knowledge of former players-Barrasso leaps to mind for example).
Tony C
January 31st, 2011
8:41 pm
course what do I know? But it makes sense right?
World Be Free
January 31st, 2011
9:28 pm
Don Cherry was the first person I can recall who advocated for changing the shoulder and elbow pads back to the old pads. He talked about the dangers of the seemless glass too. Cherry is a dimwit most of the time, but when he stops his schitck he actually makes sense.
World Be Free
January 31st, 2011
9:31 pm
Brendan, agree with you on the Islanders. Just watched the Sabres lose 2 out of 3 to the Islanders over a 1 week period. Not alotta talent, but they work real hard. This game remnds of the LEafds debacle a few weeks back-get ahead of these guys and never let up. The Nabakov waiver claim shows they will do things to improve. We think we have problems in ATL.
Thrashers27
February 1st, 2011
12:04 am
Drop the big, orange deuce!!!
R. Stroz
February 1st, 2011
7:36 am
Philosophy 101 according to the ASG:
We Sue, Therefore We Are
glovesave29
February 1st, 2011
7:46 am
Looks like Stevie Y is taking the “copy the Red Wings” concept a little too far in Tampa. Check out their new uni’s for next season…
http://www.icethetics.info/
Hockey Biltong
February 1st, 2011
7:55 am
some teams just have other teams numbers.we take down the craps, the dolts take us down.and so it goes. btw the isles are getting folks back, slowly from i.r.they will be better in the second half. proceed with caution.
R. Stroz
February 1st, 2011
8:13 am
Philosophy 102 according to the ASG:
We Lie, Therefore We Are
VOLinATL
February 1st, 2011
8:31 am
I prefer 7pm, but could do 7:30. 8pm is too late for those of us who are at work by 7am the next day! Plus, you would never see kids there on those days with school…
Joe Friday
February 1st, 2011
9:06 am
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/allstar/audience/what-player-would-you-build-a-franchise-around/
Interesting to see the player’s opinions on who the top players in the NHL are . . .
Red Light
February 1st, 2011
9:16 am
Former Thrasher Mark Recchi turned 43 years old today, but he’s still going strong. Here’s my detailed feature on Rex and his impact on younger players.
http://tinyurl.com/6h5qbkj
Red Light
February 1st, 2011
9:47 am
Joe Friday’s link…
Players also named Quebec City, not Winnipeg, as the next Canadian city that should get an NHL team.
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
11:03 am
Somehow 43 years old doesn’t seem to be that old
J-man
February 1st, 2011
11:03 am
Hainsey’s contract (both cost and his no trade clause) make it essentially impossible to trade him. Why do people even act like it’s a realistic possibility?
Red Light – Recchi could not wait to get out of town fast enough after playing here. He laughed and said “No” when asked on a radio interview after the season if he wanted to return here. Also, I’m not seeing why Boston would want to deal him.
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
11:21 am
J-Man//I think most people here feel that Ron Hainsey has found his comfort zone on the team. He is playing to his abilities in the right position. No need to consider trading Ron, unless he has a bad game tonight.
R. Stroz
February 1st, 2011
11:26 am
WBF – Would you speak up please?
Rawhide
February 1st, 2011
11:39 am
WBF – 43 years old stopped seeming “old” about 3 years ago for me.
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
11:45 am
Stroz-BUFFALO S_CKS!
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
11:47 am
I don’t mean that fellow Buffalonians, just needed to get Stroz prepared for tonight.
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
11:49 am
Rawhide-a few more years ago for me.
Rawhide
February 1st, 2011
11:59 am
Papa Oscar Mike – Papa Oscar Mike
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
12:03 pm
Looks like Martin Havlat is off the market now-Minny sez they are not going to trade him.
drajax
February 1st, 2011
12:05 pm
I wouldn’t trade Hainsey. He’s been playing excellent hockey and also leading. I know Slater is reported to have a concussion. These things don’t usually take so long to heal. Does anyone have any idea as to what’s going on with him. I think the team very much misses his presence.
Smoothie
February 1st, 2011
12:24 pm
If Slates is gonna be out of commission for another several weeks, we need to look at making a trade for a guy like Brendan Morrison. He may be just a shell of what he used to be, but like Slater, he’d be good for 5 goals and is pretty good in the F/O circle, isn’t he? Plus, having him dish the puck as the 3rd line C to Antropov would be pretty nice. And you could move Burmy to the LW to take some pressure off the kid. Playing C in this league is hard work!!
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
12:34 pm
Smoothie-drajax//won’t be surprised to see Dudley go after Dave Bolland from Chicago. He would fit the bill, also let Cormier stay at wing.
Rawhide
February 1st, 2011
12:56 pm
Good news gang…C-Viv reports that Evander Kane will return to the lineup tonight.
A2B
February 1st, 2011
2:03 pm
Drajax- you’ve obviously never suffered a high grade II or grade III concussion. THose can take months to heal and get comfortable playing at full speed again. Not to mention its a scary injury that always has you looking over your should to make sure it doesnt happen again. A lot of players that get really bad concussions never are the same player again.
Hockey Biltong
February 1st, 2011
2:04 pm
Old is never having to admit it.
ATLSportsNation
February 1st, 2011
2:27 pm
If you’re an Atlanta/Georgia Sports fan and want to talk with other fans, check out our NEW message board.
http://www.atlsportsnation.com/forum
We have team forums for the Falcons, Bulldogs, Hawks, Braves, Yellow Jackets, Thrashers, etc. Please register and post! Be apart of a huge site in the early days of existence. See ya there!
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
2:40 pm
Biltong-old is forgetting your age and a few other things.
You there tonight?
Hoof Arted
February 1st, 2011
2:50 pm
Don’t look now BlogMaster, but it looks like somebody is trying to steal away your customers.
message received: Papa Oscar Mike – Papa Oscar Mike!
message reply: Golf Oscar – Tango Hotel Roger Alpha Sierra Hotel Echo Roger Sierra
Old Time Hockey
February 1st, 2011
2:50 pm
When this team was healthy and playing hard, they could compete and beat anyone. I’d love to see what we can do in the next couple of weeks as we get (hopefully) healthier. I really think the team’s energy level has dropped without Slater. Then you lose Kane’s energy also. Need those two back and healthy. Ajax, concussions are a difficult injury to deal with due to the nature of the injury. There are different severities, but people heal differently also so you can’t make blanket statements about recovery time. They also tend to be cumulative so the more you have, the longer it can take. The brain controls everything, so if thats not working right other systems suffer.
Red Light
February 1st, 2011
2:54 pm
The Thrashers are 18-20-4 all time and are 8-10-3 against the Islanders at Philips Arena. They have won three straight vs the Isles, including both games this season.
In 21 of the last 22 meetings between the Islanders and Thrashers, the winning team has scored a minimum of four goals.
Alan R.
February 1st, 2011
2:55 pm
When this team was healthy and playing hard, they could compete and beat anyone. I’d love to see what we can do in the next couple of weeks as we get (hopefully) healthier
The Red Wings go through this, too. They start off well enough, get injured, recover, and plow through the stretch. I think we’ll be fine.
Red Light
February 1st, 2011
2:56 pm
OTH:
Thank you for your post about concussions. I had forgotten most of it due to a recent hit to the head!
Red Light
February 1st, 2011
2:58 pm
Alan R.
You’re treading in mighty shallow water when comparing the Red Wings and the Thrashers.
@not_CThorburn
February 1st, 2011
3:33 pm
Holy crap! I just looked at the schedule for the whole month of February for the first time and realized we might actually pull this thing off!
We have Isles, Leafs (x 2), Phoenix, Oilers, Sabres, Panthers. Throw in a few Carolinas and 1 Rangers and that’s the whole month.
Sweeeeeet!
p.s. – if there was a Stanley Cup of great hair, I would win every year.
ZAvalanche
February 1st, 2011
3:36 pm
Roger that RL, Thrashy is going to need some serious time to get to ‘Wings level of consistency. But the process is moving in the right direction.
And on the concussion discussion – they are very serious. It is a swelling of the brain. I have had 4 in non-contact hockey and although they weren’t too serious it still rocked me for a long time. Look at Eric Lindros, after he got his bell rung badly he was never the same player – ever. A concussion or a hit to the head while having had a serious concussion can kill a person. I don’t blame any player, and never will, for being scared of a hit to the head. That being said, they know it is always a possibility and they have signed up for it.
And Trixie, delete AtlSportsNation’s post!
glovesave29
February 1st, 2011
4:09 pm
ZA -I’ll back ya there! NO WAY I am back on the ice after a concussion until MANY doctors gave me clearance and that I personally felt clearheaded enough to go back. Lindros got bit by Karma, so I’ll prefer the Savard example…
Funny though, all these years I’ve supported JS against a bunch of nay-sayers. Always pointed out speed never slumps, and that it’s not his fault that he was drafted too high. A good coach found a niche for him, now many more see the value he brings to the team.
ZAvalanche
February 1st, 2011
4:21 pm
@glovesave29 True that on the concussions. And although I agree with you on Lindros and don’t like the man, I would never wish that on a person. But he did give us Forsberg and a lot of other players because he wouldn’t play in Quebec. Point is: something needs to be done to keep the player’s heads healthy.
Zoomo
February 1st, 2011
4:27 pm
@glovesave29 Just want to make sure you saw my response re band recommendations a few blogs back.
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
4:29 pm
I had a concussion 35 years ago and I’m still a little silly.
Not Blind
February 1st, 2011
5:13 pm
It will be interesting to see which Thrashers team we get tonight. Will we get the team that played well and beat Washington 1-0 or the team that played all the horrible games before that ??
Joe McGrath
February 1st, 2011
5:24 pm
RL is spot on with the idea for the skills comp at beginning of the season. ASG was BORING. Sorry, I just don’t see the point. It means something in baseball, but all other sports should leave it out of their plans–its a gimick and the stick checking is just silly. Also, what if Buff tripped up and fell and dislocated his shoulder. ARGH!
Brendan
February 1st, 2011
5:35 pm
I just heard how ridiculously expensive these Wrestlemania tickets are from a DJ on the radio. Hard to believe that staged theatre and pyrotechniques could cause a demand that high. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the venue for the event is the Georgia Dome, where the Atlanta Spirit, LLC won’t see a nickel of profit.
Speaking of wrestling, whatever happened to “Madusa” Micelli? She was always a lot of fun. Everyone have a great time at the Islander game tonight!
Brendan
February 1st, 2011
5:38 pm
Trixie, I’m in the SPAM filters. I think I used one of those buzz words that gets a post jammed up.
Have fun at the game tonight. Papa Oscar Mike, to the MAX!
ZAvalanche
February 1st, 2011
5:39 pm
Joe, Hockey has the best and most entertaining ASG in American sports. Seriously, the NBA???? We see the players do that crap all of the time in the NBA – hockey players aren’t so full of themselves to pull off the tricks we saw on Saturday in regular season games and it is cool to see what they can do. And besides, if they did try it their coaches would chastise them to no end. It is about skills, and I want to see them.
ZAvalanche
February 1st, 2011
5:41 pm
@Brendan Lol, you got black-listed!
Brendan
February 1st, 2011
5:41 pm
WBF, re: 9:31PM post, the Islanders are looking at this game as a means to stay ahead of the Devils.
Brendan
February 1st, 2011
5:48 pm
D’we all this THISSSSSS: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-01/devils-owner-vanderbeek-said-to-be-seeking-buyer-for-nhl-team.html. Yep. The New Jersey Devils (think Kovalchuk, who wanted stable, committed ownership,) are up for sale! Doesn’t it just get more hilarious by the day. The article doesn’t mention relocation possibilities. I assume there aren’t any. But one of the reasons Jeff Schultz speculated that Kovalchuk would not opt to re-sign in Atlanta was the uncertainty of the ownership.
Look … what he … just jumped into. The source is “CBSSportsline.com”
SomaAtl95
February 1st, 2011
5:48 pm
After reading reports that the Devils are for sale I wonder if the “Make it Seven” crown of blog trolls are talking about relocating the Devils.
Just sayin.
Brendan
February 1st, 2011
5:53 pm
ZAvalanche, my post was “controversial.” So, I guess you’re right!
ZAvalanche
February 1st, 2011
5:57 pm
Trixie has it out for you Brendan
ZAvalanche
February 1st, 2011
6:00 pm
No wonder the Devils are sucking, their owner was a former exec for Lehman Brothers……..and we kind of know what happened to them……….
Brendan
February 1st, 2011
6:16 pm
Devils owner fires back … that he has no intentions of selling the Devils. It’s his business partnership that does, and that they have the right to pursue sales options. I found that story at NHL.com. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=551325.
Still, any time there’s discussions of potential sale in the public’s ear … it’s destabilizing. I credit the Devils primary owner for immediately issuing a statement, rather than the AS,LLC’s deafening silence when asked by the AJC.com if the team were for up for sale. Sounds like the primary owner has a difference of opinion with his partnership, who wants to sell off its share of the Devils. I never once heard the word “relocation” rear its ugly head. So, that’s good for the Devils.
waffleboy
February 1st, 2011
6:55 pm
Big game tonight. Can’t afford a night off at this point. Every game means something. Let’s root for the Bruins to take care of the ‘Canes while we whip up on the Isles. Glad to see Kane back, now we just need Slater and Toby for the playoff push. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Slater was out for the rest of the season, nor would I be mad, concussions are extremely serious and something the NHL and NFL need to address more. Players who are suspected of concussions need to be kept at until their health can be 100% verified.
waffleboy
February 1st, 2011
6:55 pm
BTW, Hainsey has a limited NTC which says he can name 15 teams he does not want to be traded to, so he’s still a tradeable commodity.
LAC
February 1st, 2011
7:00 pm
Sandy Springs, not in the “boonies” in the 70’s. Heck I lived in Dunwoody and getting to The OMNI was a breeze… Hated those 8pm games, but sure was a clear shot out Howell Mill Road to I-75.
Matt from MN
February 1st, 2011
9:25 pm
What a horrific effort, AGAIN, for this woebegone franchise. They deserve to be “tarred and feathered” for this abomination tonight. This is just flat out ridiculous.
R. Stroz
February 1st, 2011
9:32 pm
First, I’d like to commend the Thrasher organization for sending out the STH re-up email today. Good Timing, NOT!
Second, I shall yield the floor to Sage to scoff at the Thrasher disorganization.
Curly
February 1st, 2011
9:44 pm
Did anyone else watch the MSG feed of the game tonight? Did you hear what one of the commentators said toward the end of the third period? I heard him say that the Thrashers were going to be sold and MOVED as early as the end of this season. Why are we being told the Thrashers are not being sold and not moving, when other teams television broadcast announcers are saying the opposite?
Rawhide… can you check into that?
Associated Press Reporting
February 1st, 2011
9:46 pm
Numerous ASG owners were seen high fiving one another after the Thrashers loss. They were overheard gloating as to how quickly their scheme to demoralize the players and fan base had worked.
Flagstaff
February 1st, 2011
9:47 pm
Curly– how can we trust their guy when he “doesn’t really give a damn”?
Seriously, though, that sucked. I’m so sick of this happening. No, I’m not giving up on the season, and this is only one game, but this team had better shape up– and fast. Thank God Carolina lost tonight.
Tom Lysiak
February 1st, 2011
9:50 pm
That was one pathetic effort.
Tom
February 1st, 2011
9:56 pm
Tom Lysiak, Amen brother. Don’t these guys know that they are fighting for a playoff berth?
Effort from the first drop of the puck was lacking tonight. There was NO HITTING whatsoever. There was NO INTENSITY whatsoever. There was NO PASSION whatsoever.
The whole team had a week off and saw they were holding onto a 1 point lead in the playoffs. So what did they do? They took a loss against an Islanders team that came in expecting to lose.
When the Islanders finally figured out they were playing the walking dead they just went right by the boys in Blue and crushed us.
Why should I care about this team than the players on the ice. If I was Ramsey I would have a 6 am practice in the morning and skate them till they drop.
LAC
February 1st, 2011
9:58 pm
These clowns should have stayed home from the arena tonight. There is NO DAMN excuse for this loss, Period.
Maybe it was NO fans, but this team is now 100% DONE from the playoffs, just get it over with and hope for a New Owner and New Players for 2011-2012, because after this debacle tonight they have proven that they could care less about winning and getting the season over is first and foremost.
Fragile… How about IMPLODED !
Curly
February 1st, 2011
9:59 pm
Flagstaff – I am sure the Isles announcer doesn’t care nor his audience. But this is what is being hyped around the NHL.
Flagstaff
February 1st, 2011
10:09 pm
True. Yet, all I’m saying is that he’s probably just talking from hearsay… hmmm. You think the Spirit could sue him?
Curly
February 1st, 2011
10:14 pm
Where’s the desperation? When are these guys going to show up and play? When they are 6 points out of contention? …12 points? …20 points? What happened to this great defensive scheme this new coaching staff was supposed to implement? We are LAST in GAA. I hope this isn’t it.
Curly
February 1st, 2011
10:17 pm
Good point Flagstaff (”You think the Spirit could sue him?”).
That was the first time I laughed all night.
Curly
February 1st, 2011
10:22 pm
Montreal just beat the Caps in a shoot-out. Hal Gill covered the puck up in the crease for the Habs in OT to send it to the shoot-out (should have been a penalty shot for the Caps… of course no call in Montreal). Another 3 pointer. Unfortunately the two points go the Habs, sending us a little deeper into the 8th spot.
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
10:35 pm
I rarely get upset after a bad game, but this one is an exception. No fight, no desire, outhit and outshot by a 14th place team. Can’t get the puck out of out end, can forecheck, can’t body check, dont’ give a damn.
Anyone want to argue now whether is is a playoff team?
Time for Anthony Stewart to go. I know it is tough to pick out one guy in a game like this, but anyone who thinks this guy is an NHL regular is out of their mind.
This was horrible tonight.
Associated Press Reporting
February 1st, 2011
10:41 pm
After the game, Thrashers owners were seen toasting their destruction of hockey in Atlanta.
Bruce Levenson was heard chanting DEAL WITH IT…DEAL WITH IT, in a drunken stupor.
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
10:50 pm
One good thing tonight-meeting Dan Bouchard, former Atlanta Flame and good dude. Thanks Red Light.
World Be Free
February 1st, 2011
10:59 pm
This team can’t score goals because it cannot transition out of their own zone to the offensive zone. We were basiclaly shut out tonight by a 20 year old goalie in his 6th NHL game. Pathetic, totally lame. Get Boulton back out on the ice and sit that clown Stewart!
Smoothie
February 1st, 2011
11:11 pm
WBF – while I agree that the effort all around sucked, I can name 5 players who were worse than Stewart: Bogosian Implosian, Sopel, Bergfors, Ladd, Peverley, Antropov, Cormier, Burmistrov and Coach Ramsay sucked too. Wait that was like 8 or 9. Oh hell, sell the friggin team to Winnipeg already, they deserve this shite on a stick hockey!
R. Stroz
February 1st, 2011
11:22 pm
Serious Question:
Why should the players endanger their long term careers fighting for pucks when they are aware the ownership doesn’t want the team?
Hossa and Kovy both stopped playing with an edge when they knew they were leaving, is the tradition continuing?
Be honest, would you bust your hump for the Spirit Clowns?
FUBAS (Fouled Up By Atlanta Spirit) SUCKS!
Joe Friday
February 1st, 2011
11:44 pm
WBF, that was probably one of the best games I’ve seen out of Stewart, he was flying and worked hard all night.
Cormier is the gem in the Kovy deal? Hoo boy, he blows, I was so hopeful that Dudley was right on him but he’s slow, lazy and not much skill. Buf played lazy, Ladd wasn’t working hard, what’s up with that? Mabye the team has heard the same rumors the NY announcer reported, to play that way coming out of the break shows me there’s something going on here
Joe Friday
February 1st, 2011
11:56 pm
So who is coach talking about? Peverly and Kane?
Brendan
February 2nd, 2011
12:53 am
I haven’t seen a Ranallo warning yet. I guess it’s still safe to blog.
Look, let’s give the Islanders some credit. They played a very good road game. But, did they play SO WELL that the Thrashers were simply BESTED by them? Or, is it more truthful to say … if this team exhibits the same effort and performance all their remaining games, they’ll be lucky to bank 12-points in 29 games?
Folks, I banged on the drum all week. We simply CANNOT come to the rink … UNPREPARED TO PLAY, emotionless, and lulled to sleep. Okay, fine. This was ‘a playoff game’ and only 11,000 fans showed up for ‘a playoff game.’ That still doesn’t excuse the performance of this team.
I’m pleased that Craig Ramsay is wholly aware of the word ‘accountability.’ He’s the only one at One CNN Center who is! I give him credit. Truthfully, how many coaches would ‘jump up and down’ for 29th-ranked payroll and uncaring ownership? And a GM who stated, “I don’t like a coach to tell me what he wants. I want them to simply work with what I give them.” So … let’s give Craig Ramsay at least some credit. He walked into one of the worst coaching assignments in the NHL and he prospered. Let’s face it, we have a payroll that should place us in the lottery draft, not playoff contention. The fact that we can EVEN TALK about playoffs in February, with 29 games left, is a testimony to the good work Ramsay and Torchetti have done. That said, it’s slipping away. No way to ’sugarcoat’ that. Ramsay was handed a schedule that listed 82 games. Little did he know, the team would take 12 of those games off, mentally checked out or UNPREPARED TO PLAY. Well, it’s hard enough to make the playoffs with the benefit of 82 games played. Imagine trying to make them with only 70 games? And a 29th-ranked payroll?
I feel for the guy. I truly do. He’s not a dummy. He’s not incapable. He just happens to work for a franchise that hasn’t experienced much ‘accountability’ in its history, nor decent ownership in its history. How are the Thrashers going to re-sign RFA’s beyond the requisite RFA years? Who’s going to forego their UFA years to play in Atlanta?
The ownership’s ‘commitment level’ is on full display. It’s time for them to end their policy of inaction. The longer they wait, the more futile it will become.
World Be Free
February 2nd, 2011
5:19 am
J/F and Smoothie-I guess I just expect more out of Stewart then I see from night to night. The kid has size and decent speed, I just wish he would crunch a few people every night to establish the space his size justifies. I just hate a player that doesn’t use his size, but he has alotta company on this team right now. Cormier isn’t ready to play in the NHL-another kid rushed to the Thrashers before he is ready.
Not Blind
February 2nd, 2011
7:24 am
As I end up saying every season about this time – THANK GOD FOR NHL CENTER ICE !!! I don’t have to watch the Thrashers.
Tom Lysiak
February 2nd, 2011
7:33 am
That game reminded me of the Panthers game in November. Not to replace Stroz or anything like that, but I predict Rammer will rename Ladd captain today.
I ask again, where is that team that played here in late November and December? I know there have been injuries, but that team last night is fragile and gave up. Makes one wonder if they really have gotten word that the team is gone.
glovesave29
February 2nd, 2011
7:57 am
It’s rare – but I agree with JF…I thought Stewart was one of the only players fighting hard last night.
Our breakouts are bad because the the quarterback – Toby Enstrom is out. We also have no speed right now to break the neutral zone trap.
Brendan…I think we ALLOWED the Isles to play their game. We know they are a speed and passing team…so why did we not come out and hit EVERYTHING that moves and throw them off of their game plan? It’s OUR arena, and we did not act as such.
Last night was an absolute embarrassment. There needs to be SOME sort of shake up and soon.
World Be Free
February 2nd, 2011
8:12 am
Glovesave-I just don’t like Stewart, even if he plays well he won’t play to the level I believe he could play if he put his full heart into it. I said the same things about him when he was in Florida. Based on these feeling, I will cease from talking about Stewart anymore! And you are so correct on the breakouts, the defenseman just play with the darn puck too much, inviting a turnover. If the opposing team is pressing hard, use the glass or flip the puck to the neutral zone. Every team is forechecking us effectively right now, because they know they can pin the Thrashers in, even with Toby our breakouts were largely ineffective, our transition game non-existent.
The team needs a deal, a shakeup becuase this crew is not going to get it done.
DWTOO
February 2nd, 2011
8:21 am
A Brutally Good Time? Brutal – yes. Good Time – not so much. That was really a half-butted effort last night.
Groundhog Day in Atlanta Thrasher hockey – streaks in Nov/Dec to tease and then collapse in Jan/Feb. Haven’t we seen this before?
Wouldn’t put too much stock in the Isles announcers – just trying to deflect the crud from their team.
Joe Friday
February 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
“Our breakouts are bad because the the quarterback – Toby Enstrom is out. We also have no speed right now to break the neutral zone trap.”
Enstrom is missed, but he’s not the reason for that. This club struggles with or without him in there against teams that forecheck hard and play a neutral zone trap, it’s why we have so much trouble against Tampa and clubs that play that style.
I think the biggest clue to what the future of this franchise is can be found not in what Dudley or the owners say or have said, but what they are doing. And that is nothing. There’s no contract extensions for Buf or Ladd. There’s been no move made when it’s been clear for well over a month that a move or moves were necessary. The handwriting is on the wall here.
moriler
February 2nd, 2011
9:08 am
Good to see Joe “Sage Is My Daddy” Friday show up for his daily shower of negativity.
Crap performance last night == Crap comments today. All y’all screaming for a trade don’t seem to realize: nobody’s out there to be had, and we don’t have any chips to give other than the first-round pick that we _cannot_ sacrifice.
Come on, put a trade proposal out there that other teams would take seriously _and_ that doesn’t sacrifice the next year or two in development. This means no trading the young guys, no matter how much you want to mind-read about their desire to play here, without getting other young guys in return. So what prospects are you gonna give up that matter, eh?
Smoothie
February 2nd, 2011
9:15 am
While Stewart could hit more and we wish he was blessed with better hands, at least he gets the puck deep and his line can actually forecheck for more than 5 seconds. The commitment is there but the skill is lacking, much like Thorburn, Boulton and Stapleton. But when it comes to Ladd, Pevs, Bergy and Antro, the skill is there but the commitment is sorely lacking. As for the others, they are either too young and ineffective largely or they’re Freddy Modin, the poster child for vets who know how but can’t execute.
DWTOO
February 2nd, 2011
9:22 am
J/F – I’d be worried if there was a lot of trade activity and we were standing pat, but, throughout the league not much is happening yet. So, let’s wait and see. Also, we’ve heard they’re talking with Ladd and Buff, but, it’s been a short time. Again, patience should prevail.
However, after a putrid effort like last night’s they should be skating mountains, or suicides, as we type.
moriler
February 2nd, 2011
9:24 am
@Smoothie: and that’s really the core of the problem. A lot of this team is just flat young and either isn’t there yet (Burmistrov) or isn’t likely to ever be there. This wasn’t ever going to be a year we make a big playoff run; our best luck would be to get in the 7th spot to play not-Philly and not-Tampa, probably-Boston; but at least we have a fighting chance there. But realistic expectations say that even if we make it in this year we’ll be out in the first round. It’s the years down the road that we should expect to be making our presence felt, and trading kids for vets or rentals at this point in time is _not going to cut it_.
drajax
February 2nd, 2011
9:29 am
Another most disappointing loss of the season. I realize a team can’t be up for every game but WTF, this team appears to be playing out the string, not realizing they are in playoff contention. I’m beginning to think the coaches are pushing the wrong buttons and creating the lackluster play I saw tonight.
Sage of Bluesland
February 2nd, 2011
9:56 am
Can’t you feel it, now, Thrashersland? I’ve been asking this question for a month or so….and I see the silly dweams have been replaced with cold, hard reality.
Finally.
Oh well, can’t say I didn’t warn you…Don’t worry, I’ll keep reminding you…and laugh at the ridiculousness espoused by the ‘Sunshine Squad’…
Can you ‘feel’ it, Thrashersland?
VOLinATL
February 2nd, 2011
10:10 am
Keep playing like this at home and they will be thrilled to have 11K show up. Bad in every way…you have GOT to win these types of games at home!!!
Rawhide
February 2nd, 2011
10:27 am
G’Morning gang. Like Ondrej Pavelec opined after the game…many more games like last night’s suckfest, and this Thrashers team is done.
With that in mind…here’s a new blog for you all to chew on today.