Hard to get happy after Thrashers loss to Canes
After Sunday night’s loss to Carolina, the family and I made our way back home where we watched a little TV before the wife and boys made their way to bed. I stayed up to try and pound out some words about the Thrashers’ latest setback. Honestly though, given the state of mind I was in following such a heartbreaking loss…I just wasn’t feeling it. So I went to bed in hopes I’d feel a little better in the morning.
Morning came, but I really felt no better.
See…after the Thrashers “Kaned” the New York Rangers Friday night, I really thought that win had the ability to finally snap this team awake from it’s mid-winter’s nightmare. It was the kind of victory that…if indeed they used it as a springboard to a successful playoff drive…the fans of Thrasherville could point back to and say that “this” was where it all began to turnaround for the team.
Ondrej Pavelec turns away Marian Gaborik's penalty shot Friday night. While the Thrashers were able to take advantage of this great play and beat the Rangers, they were unable to build on the momentum Sunday...losing to Carolina 3-2 (Michelle Rivers)
Although Evander Kane does get credit for tying the game and then notching the game-winner, the true game-changing event came earlier in the period when Ondrej Pavelec stonewalled Marian Gaborik’s penalty shot attempt. The save bailed out Brent Sopel… who took the penalty after bumbling a Zach Bogosianback-pass near the blueline…and it kept the score a 2-1 and gave Kane and the Thrashers just the chance they needed.
However…
As big of a win Friday night’s game was…as much as it could have been the springboard to the Thrashers finally waking up from this mid-winter’s nightmare… just as exhilarating as if felt to see them steal away the two points from the Rangers…that’s how gut wrenching the loss to the Carolina Hurricanes was just two night’s later.
And truth be old, I’m still finding it hard to get happy after it.
The Thrashers had already dropped three close games to the Canes this season. But this time around not only did they skate out of the barn with the two points, they didn’t even do us the kindness of allowing an overtime loser point for us. Making matters even more painful, leaving Philips Arena with the Hurricanes is sole possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Failure to clear the puck at a key time once again doomed the Thrashers efforts. With less than two minutes remaining in the game, the Canes won the battle to keep the puck in the attacking one and Erik Cole once more broke our hearts. Twice before this season he’s beaten Atlanta in overtime.
Andrew Ladd, who scored both of the Thrashers goals, owned up to his part of the team’s inability to get the puck out of the defensive zone on the play saying, “We need big plays at the end. I have to make sure that puck doesn’t get down and gets out of the zone”.
The Thrashers lost despite out-shooting Carolina to the tune of 43-17…20-5 in the second period alone. That type of lop-sidedness isn’t all that uncommon for this team, but normally it’s Atlanta on the short end of that stat. This makes the loss even all the tougher.
I could be magnanimous, I suppose, and simply give a tip of the hat to Cam Ward for, keeping his team in the game…saving 41 shots for the win…but I really don’t want to right now.
sigh…Like I said, I’m finding it tough to get happy after this latest heart-breaker.
Rawhide’s Rowdies Section Rocked
Regardless of the outcome, it was really great to spend some time with some of you who took advantage of the special “Ticket & a Jersey” deal for yesterday’s game. Sections 203 and 204 were full of some passionate Thrashers fans…as well as those blue #4 jerseys that came with the tickets. I was able to see a lot of you that I’ve met previously…which is always nice…as well as meet a few for the very first time.
Thank you all very much for the great response to this special offer. Between this ticket deal and the RAWHIDE promotions on the TicketMaster site, we’ve sold hundreds of tickets and I’m told there will be more such offers to come.
By: Bill Tiller – AJC.com Thrashers Fan Blog
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144 comments Add your comment
R. Stroz
February 14th, 2011
9:37 am
GOLD
Always Hoping
February 14th, 2011
9:40 am
What worries me is even Dan Kamal sounded resigned to the fact it may be another year we miss the playoffs. During the post game show he was trying his best to be optimistic but admitted we need to make an addition without blowing up the team. Then he added that the fans may need to go through another season with no playoffs in order to grow for next year.
Zoomo
February 14th, 2011
9:40 am
heart breaking loss. brutal.
Flames
February 14th, 2011
9:43 am
I thought the boys played hard! I’m just as upset as the next guy, but I was happy that they at least played hard.
Joe Friday
February 14th, 2011
9:45 am
Did anyone else think we made it very easy on Ward yesterday, despite the 43 shots on goal? I only saw him make one fantastic save, when he went post to post to save the point blank chance by Ladd. There’s got to be more traffic in front of the opposing goal, I saw a lot of weak wristers and long slappers taken at Ward with no traffic in front, he had as easy of a day making 41 saves as a goalie could have.
Get Buf in front of the goal, or not, but he’s being wasted on d now. If there’s one move that would help greatly it would be to make a Bergfors for a dman trade and move Buf up front. Too late already though, with the games the other clubs have in hand, we’re in pretty rough shape.
Tom
February 14th, 2011
9:46 am
Most of the time I am screaming at the television when we do not clear the puck and the other team scores. This time I was blown away by the play the Cane’s defenseman made. That was a clear that was stopped by an outstanding play. Getting the puck on Cole’s stick was the icing on the cake.
That guy has Pav’s number.
Ramsay keeps saying we were in position to win and usually it is bunk. This was a game we outplayed the Canes the whole night. We just did not get the 2 points. That is hockey. I can live with it.
We just need to keep up this effort. If we do we probably can pass Montreal and the Rangers and maybe even the Penguins if they keep imploding like they are…
Michael B. Shapiro
February 14th, 2011
9:49 am
Hard play? Yes. Outstanding personal, individual effort by the Cap’n? Yes! Good goal-tending from Pavs? Mostly yes (thought he could’ve stopped the second goal). Pathetic power play? YES. Don’t know what’s wrong with the PP, but it stinks. Mustered two very late shots that just didn’t cut it. Much of the game, despite the very lopsided SOG figures, we looked out of sync. Canes had played an OT game in Tampa the night before and we still couldn’t get two points. Thought Ladd’s second goal would be enough to lift us up and begin a charge, but alas it was not to be. Thinking next year I’ll be watching on TV and not from 115.
J(Z)
February 14th, 2011
9:58 am
I can deal with the loss yesterday. We completely outplayed Carolina but couldn’t get it done. That’s much better in my eyes than some of the other losses in our 25gm or so tailspin we’re in. Just crappy that it was against Carolina…again. I think I saw we’re 0 for 16 in our last 16 games against CAR & TB. Imagine if we’d only won even half of those!!!
Loved the guys in front row of 204 with the “Arthur Blank please save us” sign. I’ve been saying that for a while now…it’s so true!!!!!
Thanks Rawhide for putting all that together last night! Can’t wait to do it again sometime.
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
9:58 am
Atlanta has outshot Carolina 90-46 in the last two games at Philips Arena and they have one point to show for it.
In games where the Thrashers outshoot the opponent by 8 shots or more, their record this season is 2-4-1 and one of the two wins came in OT.
World Be Free
February 14th, 2011
10:01 am
Joe, too many guys on this team can’t hit the broad side of a barn. Not enough guys can finish a play and that’s one of the reasons we are where we are.
Right on-get Buff up front, charging the defense, standing in front of the net screening the opposing goaltenders. Not sure who is going to take Bergfors at this point but Anaheim has a surplus of defenseman.
And it is time for Cormier to start using his size. The guy does not check, even when he has the opportunity to finish checks int he corner or on the boards. I am not looking for Matt Cooke hits, but footsteps will help.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
10:04 am
You cannot, CAN NOT, give up the first goal against a road-weary team that played the night before and let them fall right back into a trap. They were able to get all comfy and cozy in their god-forsaken 2 – 2 – 1 and 1 – 3 – 1 and just clogged up the NZ and the middle of the defensive zone all night. The Thrashers did a good enough job getting the puck deep, cycling it and getting some traffic, but it wasn’t enough.
Despite some breath-taking scrambles in front of Ward in which the Canes D-men were bailing out Ward, we didn’t get to the front of the net enough. Too often guys float through the slot and don’t stop. There aren’t enough guys willing to pay the price and take some abuse from cross-checking D-men. No wonder we never get any damn calls anymore because we don’t create our own good fortune. That is why we need someone like an Andrew Brunette who is not afraid of the high-traffic areas and will pay the price to keep pucks alive and bury the biscuit. Alas, Minny is on a solid run and now they look like a PO team.
And yes Rawhide, this loss just stinks and I can’t find it in my heart to give credit to the Canes either. I have two friends up in Carolina who pull hard for them and I told them both they are some lucky B’s.
Matt
February 14th, 2011
10:04 am
So, the plan of adding a new teenager to the lineup each year isn’t panning out? This team is garbage. Does anyone really think the thrashers are going to add decent players in the off-season? No player in their right mind wants to come here as a free agent with our ownership on such shaky ground. Our “addition” will be another teenage draft pick rushed into the NHL before they’re ready. The Carolina Hurricanes aren’t exactly a top tier team and they’ve been struggling as of late. There will be no playlets this year. Just watch, we’ll get passed by the Panthers in the standings too. This team is awful. I was optimistic about coach Ramsay, but I’m far from impressed with the job he’s done. At this point, there’s no need to blow up the team for a trade. That should have been done a month ago when we were mired in this skid. I think it’s too late now, but I’ve lost all optimism for this team. Too soft, unmotivated, unfocused. Of course, this is what happens whenyou build your team around teenagers. Possibly the worst run franchise in all of pro sports.
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
10:09 am
In those crucial four-point games versus Eastern Conference opponents, the Thrashers are 21 points for and 21 points against in games decided in overtime and the shootout this season.
(”Thought he could’ve stopped the second goal”). You thought wrong Mr. Shapiro!
Will L
February 14th, 2011
10:10 am
well that just sucked. So frustrating that a game that we played in their zone so much, played pretty good defense and just took it too them pretty much the whole game, ended so horribly. There were lots of good hustle plays on our part. The PK was outstanding during that double minor in the first. I’m still ticked that their second goal came immediately after a blatant high stick that wasn’t called.
Sorry I didn’t get up to meet you rawhide. I should have gotten your ticket deal but I waited to late to decide to go to the game.
Mike P
February 14th, 2011
10:12 am
Although I was definitely hoping for a different result, I had a great time at the game. Thanks for setting up the ticket deal–the Thrashers people were great. It was nice to meet you (briefly) after your interview. It was worth the trip from Columbia, SC and hope to get back soon. As one of my level headed friends says, things are never as good or as bad as they seem. Go Thrashers!
Buff-n-stuff
February 14th, 2011
10:12 am
Where do we go from here you all?
steve brown
February 14th, 2011
10:23 am
It actually matters what ownership thinks. When they don’t want to own the team that affects the players and coaches in a very negative way, ultimately affecting games. This team is done and the owners have no one to blame but themselves.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
10:24 am
Too late for rah-rah and hollow optimism. Who cares that we’ve actually averaged more than 37 shots on goal for the last 4 games. We’ve lost 2 of them and gotten 3 out of 8 points. In the previous 6 games, we actually had 2 fewer SOG (147 vs 149) and yet we earned 4 points out of 12. Not much of a difference in results…same crap, different day, different way. Make a DAMN TRADE ALREADY!! Like Matt said, another rushed teenager from this year’s draft is not going to matter worth a sh!% when the team is gone in 3 years because no one in their right mind will ever invest with these schmucks nor do business with them, especially as a tenant paying these crooks rent!!
World Be Free
February 14th, 2011
10:24 am
Buff-make the decision to be a buyer or seller, that’s where you go. If you are a buyer, you use the 1st pick this summer as your trading piece since that’s all we really have to deal with.
If you are a seller, identify who you want to move and get the word out there. You move a player if you have someone in your system to replace the player. Or you can upgrade with a youngster obtained in the deal.
R. Stroz
February 14th, 2011
10:27 am
I’m looking forward to the next Town Hall Meeting.
If Levenson takes the microphone, I’m prepared to inform him that his stewardship of the team is analogous to Bernie Madoff’s investment advice.
Joe Friday
February 14th, 2011
10:32 am
“Where do we go from here you all”
We can’t do anything about the on ice product. As Matt correctly said, it’s too late to blow up the club for this year and that would be foolhardy. Got to just hope for the best off-season to take that next step up. And that’s not happening with current ownership.
So the best focus of efforts is to stop writing on this blog and complaining to each other about what we see and start clicking some of those links on the “save our team Mr. Blank” web site. Now, I don’t think Blank can do anything, the NFL is the mac Daddy of sports leagues and there’s no way he’s going to get involved with this Mickey Mouse league (who once again shows their minor league mentality and incompetent management with their mishandling of the Islanders’ debacle). The most productive thing we can do is to get the few thousand diehards we have left and start lobbying Bettman and the Board of Governors and explain to them that if they can help get new owners in here, that the larger group of NHL fans in this town will come back and that the NHL can be viable here.
Matt
February 14th, 2011
10:34 am
I can’t wrap my head around Ramsay’s roster decisions…
Bergfors: Sat in the press box for a great deal of time this year. What’s a young player that needs to develop doing in the press box? He either needs to be on the ice in the NHL or honing his skills in the minors. Young players shouldn’t sit around and watch.
Boulton: Our team is in dire need of physicality and toughness… how many games in a row was our toughest guy a healthy scratch when opposing teams took shots at Kane and NOBODY stood up for him? Boults would’ve.
I have no problem moving our first overall pick in the draft for an established, productive player. I don’t have delusions about landing a superstar, but between Kane, Little, Burmistrov, Bogosian, Pavelec, Bergfors we’ve got enough young, up and comers on the team. However, I wouldn’t give up a first round pick for a rental that’s just going to leave in the off-season.
The ASG need to realize that the NHL is NOT the NBA or the NFL. Players don’t often come right out of the draft and make a difference. It’s more like MLB where young players need time in the minors to adjust to the NHL games… especially when they’re 18. Hell, even Geno Malkin spent a year in the minors before joining the big club.
fes
February 14th, 2011
10:34 am
I was disgusted with Stewart’s desire to change instead of making sure that the puck (between his feet) actually got cleared. That third goal was on him. Kamal said something along the lines of ‘He simply cannot make a change at that time. He has to suck it up and make sure that the puck gets dumped into the Carolina zone.’
Hollywould
February 14th, 2011
10:35 am
Nice to meet you last nite Rawhide. I agree with Joe Friday. bunch of shots with nobody in front and nothing on the shots. This team does not have scorers. They played hard but in the end/same old….
Rawhide
February 14th, 2011
10:46 am
I thought the boys played hard! I’m just as upset as the next guy, but I was happy that they at least played hard
Flames – I hear ya brother…but playing hard should be the minumum requirement at this level. At this point in the season, Ws and Ls are all that matter.
So, the plan of adding a new teenager to the lineup each year isn’t panning out?
Matt – That phrase right there may just sum up the last several years for this team.
Thanks for setting up the ticket deal–the Thrashers people were great. It was nice to meet you (briefly) after your interview.
Mike P – Pleasure ws all mine, my friend. Thanks for stepping up and introducing yourself…hope to see you again soon. Oh, and it wasn’t really an “interview”. I was just having a nice chat with Audra Martin and one of my friends in the Thrashers marketing dept.
Wow…Fans driving in from SC. That’s great. I sure wish the ownership gave as much of a damn about this team as these kind of fans do.
Hollywould – Great to meet you too.
I’m looking forward to the next Town Hall Meeting. If Levenson takes the microphone, I’m prepared to inform him that his stewardship of the team is analogous to Bernie Madoff’s investment advice.
R. Stroz – I’ll go on record right now saying there will be now town hall meetings prior to next season. Bruce Levenson and the rest of this cluster-flop of an ownership group simply do not have the stones required to face this fan base right now.
moriler
February 14th, 2011
10:46 am
@fes: yes. bottom of the screen at the blue line, he turns and heads to the bench. NO. BAD DOG. STOP PUCK FIRST.
Joe Friday
February 14th, 2011
10:51 am
“I was disgusted with Stewart’s desire to change instead of making sure that the puck (between his feet) actually got cleared. That third goal was on him. Kamal said something along the lines of ‘He simply cannot make a change at that time. He has to suck it up and make sure that the puck gets dumped into the Carolina zone.’”
I thought I was the only one that saw that. No way you make the change there, I got the sick feeling as soon as he did it. And from what I saw, he dogged it over to the bench as well. WBF, I will never defend him again, Stewart needs to go to the third line or just go . . .
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
10:51 am
“R. Stroz – I’ll go on record right now saying there will be now town hall meetings prior to next season. Bruce Levenson and the rest of this cluster-flop of an ownership group simply do not have the stones required to face this fan base right now”
The way things are going, he’ll never have to face this fan-base again as they will continue to erode until there is nothing left in 1 or 2 years. Sage will get his way, but the NHL will do nothing as long as the ASG isn’t bankrupt or proven completely culpable of criminal malfeasance in court. This team will be gone either in 2014 as there is probably a trigger clause in the covenant with the NHL that allows the team to be moved if avg attendance dips below 10,000.
Sherry Taylor
February 14th, 2011
10:59 am
@R.Stroz: Are you kidding? I would faint away if one of the weasels who call themselves an owner dared to show up for a town hall meeting, of which, I will be surprised if there is one.
I kind of figured after Tampa beat them on Saturday night in overtime that the Canes would be out for blood and they were. Have to say, Anthony Stewart is not a favorite of mine, he’s a ‘hot dogger’ who occasionally gets one by the opponent and into the zone, but last night he looked like he was either very sick and tired or just didn’t give a care, either way, he had a horrible night.
Hopefully, the team isn’t resigned to being, yet again, an also ran, but it would be nice to know if Buff and Ladd are willing to stay around another year. And, yay, finally, Antropov is playing almost like he wants to play.
That was one depressing ride home to Hall county last night.
Sherry Taylor
February 14th, 2011
11:00 am
I think season ticket holders who want to renew, we are a bunch of gluttons for punishment, should add a stipulation to their order–only if the ASG sells the team to someone who actually cares.
Joe Friday
February 14th, 2011
11:00 am
I doubt we have until 2014, Smoothie. We all need to focus our efforts on the bigger picture now. Write Bettman and the Board of Governors. Forget Town Halls, Waddell, even Ramsay and Dudley for now, and certainly the Stewart and Bergfors gaffe du jours . . . write Bettman and the Board and ask them to intercede on the incompetence
Sherry Taylor
February 14th, 2011
11:03 am
Also, I think Tim Stapleton earned himself a place on the team, now, if he can put some weight on so he weighs more than a wet gnat, he will be a good addition to the team.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
11:03 am
How is it gonna happen before then? Quebec’s new arena won’t be ready for 4 years and the MTS Center would need a facelift and slight expansion, which will take 2 years probably. I doubt the NHL would move that swiftly as they don’t really do anything that fast. Look how long this PHX sale has taken and they STILL haven’t closed. I’m prepared to switch my allegiance to the Hartford, um, I mean Carolina Whalers if and when we lose this forsaken franchise from hell.
Joe Friday
February 14th, 2011
11:05 am
Rawhide, we need your Patrick Henry moment here as you have the ear of the collective Thrasher’s nation. Post a link to a petition asking Bettman and the Board of Govs to intercede and save hockey in Atlanta.
Joe Friday
February 14th, 2011
11:11 am
“How is it gonna happen before then?”
http://seattlecenter.com/events/location/detail.asp?VE_VenueNum=440
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
11:13 am
When making a move, it’s not necessary to blow up the roster or sacrifice the season to make a move that could help the team this season.
What the Thrashers have to offer…
• 2011 First-Round Pick, which if you make the playoffs, is at least the 15th overall selection in the draft. How many former Thrashers draft picks, 15th overall or later, have made a significant impact on this club? Pavelec, Enstrom, Slater, Nurminen and Exelby!
• 2011 Third-round pick, which if you make the playoffs is at least the 75th overall selection in the draft. How many former Thrashers draft picks, 75th overall or later, have made a significant impact on this club? Enstrom, Nurminen and Exelby!
• Prospects: Riley Holzapfel, Paul Postma, Fredrik Pettersson, Andrey Zubarev, Carl Klingberg, Arturs Kulda or any of the other picks in 2008-2010 who have yet to appear on the scene.
• One or two current roster players: Antropov (maybe for the right return), Stewart, Bergfors or Peverley (insert others here that don’t fit your core group)
The right package deal, in return for the player(s) you hope to acquire should benefit the team this year and beyond, which means you trade for guys with at least one or two more years on their current contract. If you want to go to the rental market (expiring contacts of UFAs), you only sacrifice mid-round picks or prospects you have no plans for long term.
I know this is oversimplifying the obvious, but it most certainly can be done if you throw enough at opposing GMs without sacrificing anyone from your core group.
I asked Paul Maurice for his assessment of the current Thrashers. I asked him if he thought Thrashers are beneficiaries, more from an upgrade of talent or Ramsay’s system?
“They’re a bigger team, but now their size has talent. They’re a good team and they are just going to continue to get better. There is a structure, and with all due respect to whoever was here before, it goes hand in hand. It’s easier to run a structure if you have some talent like Byfuglien and Enstrom…Enstrom is such an important piece to this club. They’ve got a good hockey team here.”
He mentioned that Kane is a wonderful player in this league and that he likes Antropov after having coached him in Toronto.
moriler
February 14th, 2011
11:17 am
After the Sonics, no professional sports teams will be moved to Seattle in the foreseeable future. They’re lucky they still have an NFL and MLB team, for that matter.
Joe Friday
February 14th, 2011
11:19 am
“How many former Thrashers draft picks, 15th overall or later, have made a significant impact on this club?”
Remember who was making those picks in the past, however. Ramsay’s forte is to find those nuggets, no?
I do agree that you can still make a move, and move a pick, if it has future benefits (guy who’s either RFA for at least 2 more years or signed for at least 2 more years).
We’re pissing in the wind though until we get new owners, best use of our efforts, instead wasting bandwidth here griping with each other, is to get moving forward in the big picture and shine a light on the ASG with Bettman and the Board.
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
11:21 am
You mean Dudley, right?
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
11:23 am
Thanks Red Light, I was gonna ask you about where we can find out what picks we do in fact have as of this moment in time. Great post!
Antropov isn’t the problem I don’t think. Yeah, he may have issues with speed and his hip, but I think his effort has been pretty consistent this year. Other than earlier in the year, when he wasn’t ready to play top-line minutes, he hasn’t been a liability. He needs the right linemates to be more effective IMO. Ramsay has yet to try Antro-Little-Bergy thus reuniting a trio that found much success last spring when first put together.
I know it’s rearranging deck chairs etc but why not drop Bergy down a line…he’s not going to get it done versus top line competition. Kane & Pevs seem to have decent chemistry so why not go with Kane-Pevs-Stewy as your top line for now and hope for better match ups for Bergy and Antro playing 2nd line competition? Problem is we still need big time help on the 3rd & 4th lines without Slater and now Burmistrov being out for 4-6 weeks.
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
11:25 am
Has anyone made note of Pavs being WAY hyped today? Oh well then I will. Pavs is good, but that’s it he’s just good. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, he let’s in some sofites and often falls apart on breakaway kinda situations in games regardless of the quality of such rushes. We should not feel so confident in him YET. Letting in 3/17 goals is not good, sorry. I do like O.P. though so don’t take this wrong.
Time to beat this dead and dusted horse…WHERE’S THE FREAKIN’ HELP!?!?! I did like most of what I saw last night for sure, but ladies and gents, it’s getting very close to being over, we need a couple good moves (GUYS AT FORWARD POSITIONS THAT CAN FINISH) ASAP!!!
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
11:25 am
Dudley’s first round selection track record isn’t exactly stellar IIRC. Trade the pick for a known commodity based on a combination of skill, grit and compatibility (cough, Versteeg, cough) and pull the trigger!
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
11:34 am
Matt – You said it and it’s probably my BIGGEST gripe with ASG, we can’t rely on draft picks outta the draft to make the team just because they cost less than good free agents (WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY, TRUST ME). It’s as if they think we’re stupid, like we won’t notice the inexperience on the ice, cuz we’ll just be snowed by the fact that they were sought after 1st rounders or early 2nd round picks. Like you said, this is NOT THE NBA, but please don’t give them the benefit of the doubt as if they care at all, again it has EVERYTHING to do with entry level contracts not our future. Plus what’s harder, attracting and signing a good free agent or having a player drafted? Exactly.
Hoof Arted
February 14th, 2011
11:34 am
Yeah, hard to get happy after that one. Total let down after Friday night’s thriller.
Duds has got to do something and soon. If this season can be salvaged, we have to get help in here now.
Nice to spend some time with Rawhide’s Rowdies last night and to chat with the BlogMaster and his family. Like I told you last night Bill, this blog and those who contribute to it make up the best fan club the Thrashers have, and they deserve better than the Spirit Dorks who own this team.
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
11:37 am
geez….I meant to say “letting in 3/17 shots is not good” on my first post.
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
11:40 am
TY Smoothie
Not that I dislike Versteeg, but he’s a former fifth-round pick in 2004, was traded for of all people Brandon Bochenski four years ago, has just 58 goals and 78 assists in 223 NHL games thus far, so I’m just not convinced he’s a top-line, skilled guy, which is a desperate need IMO.
His numbers somewhat parallel Peverley’s (55g, 86a in 252 games) although Versteeg won’t turn 25 until May. So, that means do you really have to give up a No. 1 to get him? I think a return like that is a mere pipe dream for Brian Burke.
Thoughts?
Thrashers
February 14th, 2011
11:47 am
I am all for sending us to Canada, that way, the new owners will fire Don Wadell. Then, after a few years of more sorry hockey, the good people of Canada will kicks us out again. We will end up in Atlanta again with a new ownerand new President. Duds, Rammer and Torch will then have the money and support to build a winner. Our new 5 year plan.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
11:52 am
http://spectorshockey.net/2011/02/why-arent-there-more-nhl-franchises-in-canada/
A good article by Richardson explaining the harsh economic realities that keep Bettman from entertaining relocation to the Great White North. A good lunch-time read if debating the future of the Thrashers is too depressing for ya on a Monday.
BLUELANDbeliever
February 14th, 2011
12:03 pm
I was at both the game on friday and on sunday and between the two games i kept a count of 14 missed/bad calls by the refs. Dont even get me started on the disgusting ‘holding the stick’ call on Toby in the 3rd (i think).
World Be Free
February 14th, 2011
12:03 pm
Versteeg–
I think Burke would be more interested in Kulda than a pick. Burke and the Leaf Shiites need to win sooner than later, so I think he would be more interested in a prospect than pick. Their recent trade history with Pittsburgh for Ponokorovsky and Anahiem supports player vs pick, waiting a few years before the draft pick is NHL ready. But we also know Burke is desperate for a number one pick this year to save face for the Kessel trade. I know I advocated the #1 pick for Versteeg yesterday, but I am more on the fence today.
Eileen
February 14th, 2011
12:03 pm
Dan Kamal spoke on the post game last night. He made the point that despite the effort, we don’t have something–a finisher? He commented on the good core YOUNG group we have and that perhaps Thrasher fans have to swallow HARD one more year to allow more development and some roster moves. Although he did say that Dudley was not willing to give up on this season, but time is running out. Dan also mentioned that Mason has not worked his share of games due to injury or whatever. He did point out the mistake by Sterwart that led to the wining goal. However, we wouldn’t be talking about one mistake if we scored more goals on 40 plus shots. His voice of reason and honesty is always refreshing.
That game was a heart breaker in the making. I just had a feeling our old friend Erik Cole was going to make his presence known again.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
12:06 pm
R/L – I suppose I am over-valuing Versteeg, but compared to Penner, we’d only have to give up the #1 as opposed to a #1 + a prospect. Penner is no doubt the better player and probably a better fit, but Tambellini is in a better position to trade to the highest bidder and I bet someone overpays beyond those 2 valuable assets. At least with Versteeg, I think Burke is desperate enough to get back his #1 that Versteeg is “get-able” for simply the one asset. We’re not going to get an impact player who can help us next season like Versteeg can help as he balances out the lines to where we have more scoring for our depth strategy. To wit:
Kane – Litts – Versteeg
Ladd – Antro – Bergy
Cormier – Pevs/Burmy – Stapes/Pevs
Greek gods w/ Macho filling in till Slater returns
Or get real crazy and move Buff back to RW temporarily while Toby plays with Bogey, Hainsey & Oduya get back together and Kulda studies under Brent Sopel on the 3rd pair. Then you eliminate Stapes from the top 3 lines and use him as a spot plug when someone needs rest or is injured.
Cliff Fletcher
February 14th, 2011
12:10 pm
More on moving this team to canada or anywhere else-
2 factors to note here////
1. the nhl is loath to give up a top 10 U.S. tv market in atlanta. tv carries more weight than a bunch of canadians in the stands in outposts like quebec city or winnipeg.
2. anyone with an iq above forrest gump knows the problem in atlanta is management not the fans. the steady flow of talent out of atlanta would discourage the fan base. sage is not alone is abandoning this franchise.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
12:12 pm
Ooops, I forgot Stewy! Add him in and now you’ve got a potent line-up!
Yes, that was sarcasm.
World Be Free
February 14th, 2011
12:12 pm
Eileen-there you go, Dan knows we need scorers not the pipe fitters we currently have in this lineup.
Cliff Fletcher
February 14th, 2011
12:21 pm
forsberg to retire again later today-too bad, great player in his day. flyers should have kept forsberg and took a pass on lindros, seems like that deal was so long ago.
jwizzle
February 14th, 2011
12:25 pm
Sad, sad loss last night. I will say that there was a bit of a win in the attendance category though. I was happy to see a few more folks out there! If only we could make it to the playoffs and really fills the seats. (day dreamin’)
Rawhide, nice to see you and meet your family. Thanks again for getting the ticket/jersey special together!
BlueSpark
February 14th, 2011
12:28 pm
We’ll get ‘em next year, guys. Yeah, that’s it.
I agree with whoever said that the problem was no net presence. IIRC, they had guys in front of the net more often back in November. Don’t know what happened to that. Of course, they seem to have so much trouble just entering the zone that maybe they don’t have possession long enough to put someone in front of the net…
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
12:29 pm
Before a trade occurs, I think Dudley, et al will have to make a key decision as to the futures of Kulda, Postma, Melchiori and Zubarev, and perhaps Bogosian. I don’t think they will give up Zach, but one of the others will likely be included in a deal if they plan to make a key one. Every team wants defensemen, even prospects.
tonyb
February 14th, 2011
12:30 pm
What everyone is forgetting in all of this relocation talk is this…The ASG own the operating rights to Phillips arena. Name me one NHL, NFL, NBA, or MLB team that has moved when the team owner also owns the building. Just one. Everyone knows in sports the money is in the building. I know the ASG is dumb, but man, every arena owner in north America is looking for an NBA and NHL team as a tenant. To just sell out and move your main tenant would be unheard of in sports today. It just doesn’t happen.
The ASG to date have never said they are looking to sell the team and the team me moved. Only that they are looking for local investors, either to partner with or otherwise own outright the Thrashers. Its in their best interest to find a local investor and cut him a deal on rent and concessions so the the building will have a long term tenant.
R. Stroztradamus
February 14th, 2011
12:35 pm
For those of you looking forward to a Town Hall Meeting, mark March 5th on your calendar.
Get your pitchforks ready.
Cliff Fletcher
February 14th, 2011
12:39 pm
people keep talking about the thrashers moving because it’s all the rage in canada. the canadian press talks about it daily, gets the fans all worked up that the thrashers are moving to winnipeg “any day now”. it’s not that easy, bettman does not want any team to move and there’s no evidence to indicate that quebec city or winnipeg can support an nhl franchise under the current economical conditions. you might as well put an nhl franchise in wheeling, west virginia.
ZAvalanche
February 14th, 2011
12:54 pm
I would like to see Buffy up front. No other way around it, the team needs to score and if he is the only D playing hard he accounts for 1/6 of the personnel. His efforts could be much better used up front. Guaranteed.
Trading deadline: 14 days…….
ZAvalanche
February 14th, 2011
1:04 pm
Actually Cliff, last week, for the first time in my life, the Canadian Dollar passed the US dollar….
Cliff Fletcher
February 14th, 2011
1:19 pm
interesting listening to super mario diss the league over the fighting in the islanders game. penguins are not short on goons and players with interesting backrounds of questionable checks. maybe mario should look in his own kitchen befre he critisizes the cook.
zavs-not just the issues withthe dollar, i am more concerned with the lack of corporate support in these 2 cities. small markets like buffalo have a hard time competing with the larger markets because they lack big companies to buy advertising and corporate boxes.
ZAvalanche
February 14th, 2011
1:25 pm
24 games left. Thrashy, by my estimation needs at least 32 of the 48 possible points. Unfortunately, Buffalo is only 2 points behind with 4 games in hand. Does not bode well with the way they are playing. It not unheard of for a team to miss the post season with 92 points but usually 90 will get you in in the East. So they need to 16 and 24. The 5-game home stand starting on the 25 is absolutely crucial. Only 11 home games out of 24. Guess we will see what this team is made of. Realistically I think there are 10 games they SHOULD win based on the standings.
Here are the games that if they win, will show me they deserve to be there, but it will be highway robbery:
Flyers x3 – ouch
Canucks x1 ouch
Rangers x1 can be done, been proven
Senators x1 ouch
Penguins x1 can be done, they are struggling
Nashville x1 maybe
That is a brutal close to the season. Time to show what you are made of, but hey, if you had taken your opportunities earlier we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
jimbo
February 14th, 2011
1:26 pm
We have been unable to “close the deal” at home most of the season (Rnager game an exception). We simply sit back and seem to wait for the inevitable. Ramsey says “he coaches what he’s got”. Well Ramemeroo, YOU DO A P— POOR JOB OF GETTING THE GUYS UP FOR BIG ONES AT HOME. TRY SOME MOTIVATION RATHER THAN “TEACHING”.
Sage of Bluesland
February 14th, 2011
1:28 pm
Serious question: If ownership doesn’t care, why do you?
Think about it–and stop subsidizing the incompetence. Only a sheep still spends money on this abomination. There is simply no other categorization for a person who continues to hope and dream on this joke of an organization.
It’s almost funny reading how downtrodden some have gotten lately–as if this year’s unraveling was a big surprise (it wasn’t).
At least some are too embarrassed to show up anymore…and have wholly stopped the defense of the indefensible. That is the one silver lining to this cloud.
(For those looking for “Patrick Henry”-type quotes, I think I’ve offered up a few over the many years…Feel free to use any of them; I would be honored.)
drajax
February 14th, 2011
1:35 pm
For all the shots the Thrashers took, yesterday we were lucky that we weren’t three goals behind after the first period, that’s the element of luck we have to live with. Still this team isn’t good enough to make it’s own luck. We need a skater/scorer and we need the Slater, Bolton, Thorburn line back. If this doesn’t happen within the next game or two, we must look to next year. The team as it now stands is simply not good enough to reach the playoffs.
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
1:41 pm
You can’t take anything for granted in this league. Looking at the No. 6 through No. 15 teams in the Eastern Conference since the All-Star Break, all teams except for Ottawa have gained points in the standings on both the Rangers and Thrashers.
Atlanta 1-4-1 3 points
Buffalo 3-1-1 7 points
Carolina 2-3-2 6 points
Florida 2-2-2 6 points
Montreal 4-2-1 9 points
NJ Devils 6-0-1 12 points
NY Islanders 5-2 10 points
NY Rangers 1-4-1 3 points
Ottawa 1-5-0 2 points
Toronto 4-2-1 9 points
ZAvalanche
February 14th, 2011
1:42 pm
I agree cliff, but one, the corporate support in Canada will pony up to get a team and two, the canadian teams had such a difficult time in the 80’s and 90’s before the profit sharing just because their dollar was soooo weak and players were being paid in US currency. Though the disparity between the two currencies is minimal right now, a few cents on the dollar when you are dealing in hundreds of millions is a big deal. I don’t think it will happen. The the only way to make absolutely sure it won’t happen is to put a$$es in the seats and that only happens with a good product.
Right now the product isn’t bad, but it isn’t the caliber of product that will lure Joe Anybody to a game and get them hooked. I remember their only playoff appearance (good having beers with you RH) and the “fans” oozed out of the woodwork and it was AWESOME! If I remember correctly, and correct me if I am wrong, but Phillips sold out for both of our playoff games. Felt like I was in CO again. And then……….more mediocrity. We lack consistency. And really, there is no reason for it. But we are in a pickle. If we boycott the team to try and drive the Spirit out then the team will move. If we keep going to games, the Spirit makes more $$ and will funnel that to the, ahem, other team. It is lose-lose. Very sad.
Thrashy Thrashy
February 14th, 2011
1:47 pm
There are many ways to lose games. Remember how we were getting out-shot by 10 to 15 many times over the last couple of seasons? Remember how we actually won some of those games? Remember how many of us thought, “Well, you can’t sustain that and be a playoff team?” Remember how we were right?
The opposite is true of out-shooting the opposition.
If there is any chance of a postseason berth happening for this team, it will only come from attacking. We do not have the experience to win by defending. That’s the plain truth. Ramsay understands that much, but those killer turnovers or mistakes that this team has been making with frightening regularity will negate any attempt to control the game. The only way we can fix that problem is to get multiple new and responsible players who don’t have to be taught how to get the job done. That means trading. That means we are screwed. After all, we do not spend money and will not acquire the types of players who will stay here beyond this season and be productive for the organization for several years.
Yippee.
Joe McGrath
February 14th, 2011
1:58 pm
If there is no effort made by RD to pick up a top six forward by the end of the month, I’m quiting the Thrashers…for good. I will become a full-time Nashville Predators’ fan.
Cliff Fletcher
February 14th, 2011
2:15 pm
sage of bluelands-it’s nobody’s business to tell others what to do. if people want to go to games, then that’s their choice. you have some good opinions until you start telling people what to do. tend to your own business.
DWTOO
February 14th, 2011
2:15 pm
Frustrating night or afternoon. Pretty solid play fro the most part, but, breakdowns at cruical times continue to haunt us. Glad someone else caught the bad change by Stewart. It was like they were calling him from the bench to get off now. He clears that puck at we go to OT.
Beginning to have my doubts about him – on a pace for twenty goals, is aplus player and yet there seems to be something missing from his game.
Spud Webb
February 14th, 2011
2:44 pm
Cliff, that trade was soooooooooooo long ago!!!
RedLight, hearing grumblings that Bogo is heading to Boston????? What’s up with that man???????????? Have you heard anything like that???
Cliff Fletcher
February 14th, 2011
2:56 pm
spud////
memories my friend, always great to see the flyers get fleeced.
BMF
February 14th, 2011
3:00 pm
Stewart sort of puzzles me also… He has tremendous speed and size. Definitely passes the eyeball test just by watching him skate the puck into the zone, he can really get buy guys, gets up to top speed very fast. Just not consistent. He’s got moves (his 5-hole goal against NYR was a beauty) so he does good things iwth the puck, but i think it’s what he’s doing without the puck that is the problem. Takes dumb penalties, doesn’t make good decisions, out of position a lot. Doesn’t hit enough (he’s one of the biggest guys on the team) and he doesn’t impose himself. But, then again i guess you can say that about a lot of guys on this Thrashers team.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
Tony C – is this what you’re referring to? Sounds like management is against moving Z-Bo unless the offer is incredible, like a 1st and an impact player.
“10. If Zach Bogosian was available? Now, we’re talking. It’s believed the Thrashers asked Boston about Mark Stuart (Craig Ramsay likes him), and the two GMs started spitballing. Here’s the thing about Bogosian, though: Atlanta pledges not to make the same mistakes as 2007, when it mortgaged the future for Keith Tkachuk. Trading him, less than 200 games into his career, would violate that Prime Directive. He’s going to figure it out and I’m not sure I would do it without getting an impact player and the pick.” — Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts (cbc.ca)
If Boston were willing to trade TOR’s 1st rounder plus, say Stuart or Wheeler, you can bet your bottom that I’d do it. We have several puck movers in the system (Postma, Melchiori, Zubarev?) and if you can get a solid blueliner plus that high 1st rounder, then it becomes quite easy to part with your own 1st rounder for a Dustin Penner or even Versteeg.
Brendan
February 14th, 2011
3:22 pm
I did listen to “Thrashers Live,” the postgame show with Darren Eliot and Matt McConnell. They didn’t ’sugarcoat’ things much. McConnell said, “Darren, to be honest, I didn’t like the way the team had been trending the last couple of months.” Darren stared back, struck by Matt’s candor, and replied, “Yeah, well. The trend had been set. There’s no denying that. Everyone in the organization knows that this team has to go on AT LEAST one more run (thing 6-1-3 for 10 games) between now and the end of the season, Mattie. One of these games has to be the first win that begins that streak.”
Doesn’t sound like Matt and Darren are trying to put a “rainbow” on a sewage leak. We’re getting far more honesty out of two EMPLOYEES of the company, who like keeping their jobs, than in previous years. Think of Darren interviewing Waddell during the 2nd period intermission of the Predators game in 2008, when Darren asked, “Don, you gotta think you’re ‘close, real close’ to being a playoff team this year. That team went on to bank 76-points. The 2009 version of your Atlanta Thrashers also banked 76-points. In 2010, I forgot the total. I want to say … 83-points??? Most years, it takes 93-points or higher to be a playoff team. So, hearing how a team on pace for 70-80 “something” points talking about the playoffs … is like hearing about a homely girl discussing her chances of being Homecoming Queen this year.
Brendan
February 14th, 2011
3:27 pm
Smoothie, there’s no way Boston moves that pick they acquired from Toronto, for Phil Kessel. Boston is Toronto’s division rival, and watching the Bruins make the playoffs and possess a lottery draft pick in the same year … is fabulous revenge against Toronto. Those two markets don’t much like each other. On some level, Toronto must have hope that taking Phil Kessel away from them would hurt the Bruins. What’s hurting the Bruins now, if anything, is the loss of Savard. Honestly, I do hope Marc Savard can revive his hockey career. When he was here, Savvy was one of my all-time favorite Thrashers. If I had to put a Top 10 list together of my all-time favorite Thrashers, Savvy is still going to be on that list.
Spud Webb
February 14th, 2011
3:31 pm
What does everyone think of Mario’s comments in regards to the fight uh hockey game Friday night?
Pretty funny I thought, I read where his team leads the league in fighting majors & of course employees Matt Cooke.
BMF
February 14th, 2011
3:34 pm
Lemieux’s rant was an absolute joke. He should look no further than his own team (Cooke) for an example of the very player and type of play that he wants to see change. How about you set an example and either trade or cut Cooke, for no other reason that he “doesn’t play the game the right way.” Put your money where your mouth is. Why don’t you go and ask Marc Savard how he’s feeling lately before you bemoan that your golden boy Sid the Kid is out because of a cheap shot by Vicktor Hedman. Hypocrite.
Smoothie
February 14th, 2011
3:37 pm
Tis not my rumor, it belongs to ESPN and Friedman has done some poking around. The fact that an esteemed writer like EF is getting some type of response shows their open to offers. Whether or not it happens remains to be seen. Perhaps talks started out with Dudley trying to convince Chiarelli that Antropov can help them with Savard out for the year. But I don’t think BOS wants anything to do with $8 M over the next 2 years. Then I can see them countering with an inquiry about Bogosian rumors have been swirling around our young D-man.
World Be Free
February 14th, 2011
3:57 pm
BMF-2 good posts
Stewart has tools, he just lacks the type of heart and desire to be the NHL-er he could be. That’s why he washed out in Miami and stayed available for sometime.
Brendan-style is one thing, but let’s face it, this team does not have the horses. So again, we go back to fish (acquire talent and pay the price) or cut bait (determine who you want to sell between now and 2.28.
LAC
February 14th, 2011
4:09 pm
I agree Joe, Nashville is a good team that wants to improve, ie: Fisher. But Atlanta does it’s typical nothing as these Lying owners want to dump the team ASAP, where as Nashville WANTS TO WIN.
What a refreshing trend that would be for us, but I have just about had it with Atlanta, they simply are an AWFUL team and all, if any, of the chemistry of the early season, has evaporated into thin air.
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
4:11 pm
Just a note of caution to the trade rumors…how many times has Tomas Kaberle been rumored to be moved. Then, they keep asking Burke, who keeps having to reiterate, he’s not going anywhere. Now, that may change this year because Burke knows he’ll have just 20 games left of Kaberle in Toronto.
The rumors are conjured by looking at which players are RFAs and UFAs, those who have big to mid-sized contracts, those who may have been disgruntled with lack of playing time, etc.
Anyone call the Fisher to Nashville trade correctly. Nah, of course not.
As I told World Be Free and Smoothie yesterday, do you honestly think Rick Dudley or any other GM is going to say who he’s looking for in a trade unless it has already been agreed to but hasn’t yet been announced? They can plant seeds, but they can’t say we’re looking to trade Bogosian for blank.
C-Viv is the beat writer. He’s there every day. He may get a bit more information than most, but you don’t see him planting rumors with players names attached. Why? Because it would destroy any confidence the team would have with him and vice versa.
I asked Maurice last night if he thought there was any team in the league that would NOT want Enstrom on their team. Politely, he said, I don’t think I am allowed to comment on another player like that. Same thing with GMs, if they come out publicly and cite specifics, I believe it’s called tampering. Not only that, if the player got wind of something like that, from any one other than his agent, what does that do to a relationship with the current team.
Think about it.
Brendan
February 14th, 2011
4:13 pm
WBF, I agree that an assessment, one way or the other is required. But here’s how the AS,LLC and their mouthpiece, Don Waddell, will spin it. “We’ll both be buyers and sellers at the deadline.” What on EARTH does that mean?
It means … if there’s a player we’re going to lose anyway, we can move him for what the market will bear. At the same time, other teams will be ditching players, putting them on waivers, trading bad contracts, and … therein lies some “rebuilding” for next season. If the guy is under contract, or an RFA, for the next few years, then the move could help the Thrashers down the road. But the situation there is either (1) finding a team that is flush against the cap that wants to ADD salary, and therefore is FORCED TO JETTISON salary back to someone, anyone or (2) finding another bottom-feeder team just wanting to unload a bad contract. If there’s a bad contract worth having, we can raid the Islanders, Oilers, Leafs, etc. for that bad contract.
R.Stroz, I believe the AS,LLC is paying Joe Johnson $25 million-a-year. As you always say, “money is fungible.” If there would just be some other NBA team that says, “We’ll take JJ off your hands for our some slew of draft picks and solid prospects” … then that could free up some money. But knowing the Spirit, LLC, they want to ADD payroll to the Hawks, to make sure they HOST the playoffs at # 4. And they fully expect to make it to Round II of the playoffs. That’s the team they CARE about, etc. But that JJ contract is the reason why Atlanta Spirit, LLC has no more money for the Thrashers.
Rawhide, I think I might disagree with you. I doubt that Levenson thinks the hockey fans of Atlanta realize there’s a problem yet. Therefore, he’d have absolutely no reservation, whatsoever, to attend a Town Hall Meeting. Imagine, if it turned into a ROAST, where Levenson’s every move is catalgued and thrown back in his face, and the whole group stormed out, refusing to renew seats? What do you THINK he’d do??? I’d bet he’d call up the marketing department and threaten them with a lawsuit for not adequately finding the “die-hard” hockey fans in the Northern Georgia Area. His next marching orders, “You WILL find hockey fans who WILL attend games, no matter HOW BADLY our team might be constructed. Or you’re fired.” Seriously. I think that’d be his approach … to a mass EXODUS from the THM.
Spud Webb
February 14th, 2011
4:13 pm
If stewart played with heart and desire and sacrificed his body, that line would/could be sick. Nothing worse than watching a guy his size not using his body or WILLING to pay the price. If he wants to look pretty, wront type of skating.
Hockey Biltong
February 14th, 2011
4:17 pm
The Boston-Bogo comment went like this;
Boston has Toronto’s number 1 pick. They[Boston] said the only two players out there worth that pick were Bogo and from the center Dallas, Richards’.
Not that Bogo would go, just a quality comparison.
I was at both Friday and Sundays’ games.
On Sunday, when Stewart left the puck with two minutes to go, was it the coaches discipline that was behind this move or was it his own bad judgement?? I know the coach has been serious about line change accountability. Can anyone back me up on this, before we all dump on Stewart????.
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
4:20 pm
From last year…
Fiction: Perhaps the most rumored player on the market is Carolina veteran wing Ray Whitney, who has posted 19 goals and 48 points in 59 games this season. Darren Dreger of TSN.ca reported that Whitney might very well be headed to Los Angeles.
Fact: He wasn’t dealt
Fiction: According to sources, unrestricted free agent defenseman Dan Hamhuis of the Nashville Predators might very well be the first player dealt when the Olympic roster freeze if finally lifted March 1.
Fact: He wasn’t dealt
And, so it goes.
Hockey Biltong
February 14th, 2011
4:23 pm
And….. we need someone with a shot. Someone who can put the biscuit in the basket! TODAY!!!!!
Eileen
February 14th, 2011
4:24 pm
Hockey Biltong-according Dan Kamal, it is hockey 101 to completely clear the puck before going on a line change. It was Stewey’s mistake this time, but no one was dumping on him too bad.
Associated Press Reporting
February 14th, 2011
4:27 pm
Numerous sources have confirmed the Atlanta Spirit has filed a ten million dollar lawsuit against Cam Ward of the Hurricanes for stealing two points from the Thrashers.
The Hurricane management responded that the Atlanta Spirit was once again “passing wind” due to an obstruction of their collective bowels by their collective heads.
Walter Knonkite
February 14th, 2011
4:31 pm
APR…
Did they happen to include Erik Cole for scoring three game winners against their team this season, too?
Spud Webb
February 14th, 2011
4:32 pm
Rlight, comeon! Give us more than that!!
Hockey Biltong
February 14th, 2011
5:14 pm
Goodnight David.
Goodnight Chet.
WTF?
February 14th, 2011
5:17 pm
I think it’s really strange how the Thrashers brought in all the Blackhawks players, yet won’t let them play like they did in Chicago. I thought when teams try to emulate the champion they really try to use the style that got them to the championship. When Matt Ryan had his excellent rookie season in the NFL, the struggling teams tried to emulate that by drafting the most talented new quarterbacks and try to do what the Falcons did. The Thrashers have a bench full of winners and and the coach calls stupid line changes that cost the team goals. In my opinion, this is all coach Ramsay’s fault. Without him, the Thrashers would be 4th or 5th in the point standings, not 9th heading south daily.
Toe Blake
February 14th, 2011
5:31 pm
If there was ever an appropriate Blogger name…WTF?
Rawhide
February 14th, 2011
5:42 pm
WTF? – Perfect username to discuss this franchise.
Whiskey – Tango – Foxtrot
Everyone – C-Viv reports Kulda has been sent back to the Wolves.
Oh yeah and…100th!
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
5:59 pm
WTF – Four mid-lower grade cast-off players from a championship team DOES NOT, I repeat DOES NOT mean we have or ever had a snowball’s shot in Hell at coming out over .500 this season let alone make a run. Sounds like high expectations, THIS TEAM WAS HYPED. Why? Good question, I dunno. I tell everyone the same thing, this team IS playing as the stats sheets would predict, IMHO. This IS NOT Rammers fault, though he does make me wonder about scratches and line juggling quite a bit.
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
6:19 pm
Actually, come to think of it I couldn’t imagine guys like Stewie or Thorbs having a year like this anywhere else. I’d absolutely give credit to Ramsay for that too. Maybe it’s ice time (haven’t checked), but I really do think Ramsay’s doing well considering the tools he has to work with.
Imagine how much better we’d be doing right now with a couple more forwards that were somewhere around the caliber of an Andrew Ladd. Would that break the bank? Is that unobtainable? No and no, I don’t think so. So where the Hell are they?
Red Light
February 14th, 2011
6:40 pm
Bravo IL 13? All salient points!
Tom Lysiak
February 14th, 2011
6:42 pm
Versteeg to the Flyers for a 1st and a 3rd???? Wow.
Greg
February 14th, 2011
6:45 pm
After seeing that, I’m glad we didn’t pay that much for Versteeg.
Tom Lysiak
February 14th, 2011
6:48 pm
I agree Greg. Seems like a LOT to me.
R. Stroz
February 14th, 2011
7:09 pm
The Versteeg trade is an example of why I believe the Thrashers should face facts and be sellers while the prices are high.
During the summer, the draft picks can be flipped for somewhat inflated salaried players on salary cap challenged teams.
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
7:18 pm
Smoothie – I agree with your opinion on when and if Bettman will step in (at least publicly). There’s gotta be a point that Bettman and Co. say something, again I don’t think we’d know about it. I’ve gotta believe that there are ways of pushing people to get out. Who knows?
Don’t be surprised if and when all the litigation with the ASG drops bombs that warrant sanctions of sorts. I know I won’t be.
Greg
February 14th, 2011
7:20 pm
I’d still be careful selling. This is supposed to be a down draft year. So by loading up on picks and trading away viable players, we might not be doing ourselves any favors. I’m fine with getting picks to a point, but I don’t want to trade away players in the hopes of picking up great players in the draft this year (unless they’re UFA, Sopel/Modin, etc.)
Also, I just spent the last 30 min trolling the Flyers blog on SB Nation, and their fans aren’t too happy with the trade. They feel that their GM (Holmgren I think) way overpaid for Versteeg, b/c they haven’t had a 1st round pick in three years. And they’re also cap strapped for next season and worried about resigning Ville Leino. They’re guessing they trade Zherdev (who isn’t being utilized by the coach anyway) or lose some of their 4th liners to be replaced by AHLers next season.
Sage of Bluesland
February 14th, 2011
7:20 pm
I need to perform a ‘gravity-check’ as IL-13 is absolutely correct–and WTF is off to think this is a team of “winners” who, with a different coach, would be 4th or 5th in the standings. I do love the name-tag, though.
How come it’s always–ALWAYS–the coach’s fault? We’ve run enough coaches through here–yet ‘all’ of them were bums? Possible? Yes–but not the sole cause of the problems.
It’s a combination of many factors coming together. Inferior ingredients. Inferior kitchen. Inferior menu. Inferior management. Inferior chefs.
All leads to one thing that we all can agree on: Sick patrons.
(Yet some seem ‘happy’ to get sick all over again? In light of the attitude of the kitchen’s management toward the patrons, why they still order anything I will never understand…Gluttons for punishment…)
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
7:32 pm
Thanks for the kudos, Red Light.
ZAvalanche
February 14th, 2011
7:34 pm
The vast majority of the time in sports the teams that spend the bucks are usually superior, for obvious reasons. 6 teams with less than .7 mill till they hit the ceiling. The only one of the super pricey teams that is under performing and currently not in the playoffs as we speak is Chicago. Atl is 2nd to last in $ spent, so in retrospect, I would say they have outdone themselves, based on the fact that they can still make it, long shot as it is.
I don’t blame Rambo, though some of the lines make me scratch my head at times. But you have to imagine that with over 17 mil (assuming AS will spend it) in cap space we can take some room from another seller or attract something as far as UFAs in the off season. Gotta spend the $$ to get the team that draws the fans. Pretty simple really – we just don’t have the front office that wants to do it.
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
7:45 pm
Sage, the kitchen analogy is correct.
The saddest part of this franchise along with the Hawks and Philips (though the latter two aren’t my concern) were owned by Turner, who probably had a lot more potential than commitment and they were allowed to sell this group as is. So, I’m pretty certain two major sports leagues had to sign off on this and I understand the NBA in doing so, but the NHL, geez …to call them league culprits in this tragic debacle is probably ok. Bettman and Co. owe it to the fans to make this thing work, which I know business works for money not ethics in 99.9% of the cases, but I still see sports as a different kind of entreprise. Fans are your shareholders, KEEP THEM HAPPY!!! The failures of this franchise is synonymous (so to speak) with the failures of the NHL. Mr. Bettman, I hope you read this sometimes.
LAC
February 14th, 2011
7:52 pm
Read the LAME comments of this Mario Lemieux. What a Total Hypocrite, He has THE dirtiest player in the league on HIS team. He has Talbot hitting guys blind, PLUS, He LIED to the NHL Fans in Kansas City, by using them to get his “new” arena in his town. This guy needs to STFU ! He is an Idiot, insane comments, from a known LIAR…. Oh want a minute, he is starting to sound like a
asg member ??? OMG !!! Funny how his team looks so worthless now, Good, at least there is something to enjoy the rest of the season, watching them lose and lose… Gee sounds like another team we know….. Too bad, For US. Screw you mario, you are really DISGUSTING !
Iron League 13
February 14th, 2011
7:56 pm
Turner…Time Warner…tuh-may-toe…tuh-mah-toe. Woospie daisy.
AtlFlamesFan
February 14th, 2011
8:23 pm
No coach in his right mind would condone Stewart’s play. The puck was in his skates. All he had to do was trap it (he does sometimes have a problem with that skill) and then send it down the ice.
Gary Bettmen is the key to saving hockey in Atlanta. I agree that his motivation is the #8 US TV market. Adding a team to Canada will not increase the TV revenue from Canada. I also believe that he knows the problem is ASG and not the fans. I bet his is pissed that they snookered the NHL into believing that they wanted to build an NHL franchise, when their intent was to “flip this franchise” in order to increase their equity in the Hawks.
However, if Bettman was to give into these bloodsuckers and allow for them to sell&move our franchise, don’t think for a minute that the lack of an NHL ready arena will prevent a move. I remember in 1980, watching Jiggs McDonald on WSB-TV saying that there was no way the Flames would move to Calgary because the 6,000 seat Corale was not up to NHL standards. Of course, 4 months later the Flames did make the Corale their temporary home while the Saddledome was built.
@AtlFlamesFan
February 14th, 2011
8:43 pm
Flames Fan: your comments about the Flames are on the money – the team left quickly and the city did not react fast enough. Many Thrashers fans are greatly underestimating the odds of the team playing in Canada NEXT YEAR. Please review the information posted here – fans need to show the NHL we care:
http://www.arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/faq.html
GO THRASHERS! Get a win in the desert!
Nate
February 14th, 2011
9:23 pm
I do believe the fat lady sang in the form of Cam Ward and Eric Cole last night. Boys deserved better, but such is life for this franchise.
R. Stroz
February 14th, 2011
9:52 pm
Is there anything worse than a churping fat lady?
Sage of Bluesland
February 14th, 2011
10:11 pm
“…Many Thrashers fans are greatly underestimating the odds of the team playing in Canada NEXT YEAR. Please review the information posted here – fans need to show the NHL we care…”
Saw this on another blog. I laughed at this site and its “suggestions”. Don Waddell thanks you sincerely for your support…
@Sage
February 14th, 2011
11:11 pm
Will you be laughing when the Thrashers are in Winnipeg next year?
@Sage
February 14th, 2011
11:14 pm
This story has some meat to it – in fact it may turn out to be 100% accurate:
http://www.arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/winnipeg.html
AtlFlamesFan
February 14th, 2011
11:55 pm
Flyers acquired Versteeg from the Leafs for 2011 1st and 3rd round picks.
Brendan
February 15th, 2011
12:12 am
I do wonder what our TV ratings are for hockey, being the # 8 TV market in the nation. It doesn’t do us any good, if we’re not tuned into the Stanley Cup Finals. What a message it might send to Commissioner Bettman to see that the SPSO and FSSO ratings for Thrashers games are modest or low, while the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and SCF, have a great rating. That would tell the Commissioner what he needs to know about Atlanta. The interest level is here, but hatred of ownership is the real culprit for low TV ratings and a lack of ticket sales.
Brendan
February 15th, 2011
12:29 am
AtlFlamesFan, that’s a good deal for both teams. Philly is hoping that 1st rounder will be pick # 30 in the draft. At worst, it’s # 15, right? So, that’s what, at worst for Philly?: A 15th and 75th overall selection, for a proven commodity in Versteeg. It might be a 30th and 90th overall pick. Anything as ‘certain’ as Versteeg there??? If there is, it’s YEARS AWAY from being ready.
How is this a good move by Burke? Well, if he thought he couldn’t keep the player beyond his remaining time on his contract, he softens the blow of the loss of the 1st and 2nd he gave up for Kessel. Getting Philly’s 1st and 3rd rounders doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does open up some closed doors of possibility in the 1st round for the Leafs. Burke can trade what he just acquired from Philly at the draft for a proven player or a possibly better draft situation. Like how? Say some team is scheduled to draft 18th and 38th, (via trade) and wants to move up to 15th, to get Toronto’s pick (from Philly). Toronto can slide back three spots to # 18, while picking up a relatively high-end 2nd rounder. Toronto would still possess Philly’s 3rd rounder, as well.
World Be Free
February 15th, 2011
5:34 am
LAC-Mario was arrogant as a player, just as arrogant as an owner. Nothing has changed, he is just pissed that people are now bowing down to him anymore. Still won’t admit the Pens tanked it to get his rights in the first place. Orpik is a dirty player too.
Stroz-said something similar last week about being sellers instead of buyers. The ransom is too high for average players. This team needs 2 more quality forwards to compete and they will not come cheap. Cut bait
Matt
February 15th, 2011
8:13 am
@Brendan “YEARS AWAY from being ready”
That is, unless they’re drafted by the Thrashers. Then, they’ll be on the big club because rookie contracts are cheaper and (most) Georgians know nothing about hockey. They think it’s the NFL or NBA where 1st round draft picks are almost ALWAYS starters in their first year.
Russian
February 15th, 2011
8:14 am
This is good to read.
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/cbj110214.html
Dudley has to talk with Colimbus.
Also Colorado get trouble now. It was 8-th loses. I like to get little Stuart brother in Atlanta.
Matt
February 15th, 2011
8:18 am
I think we should still try to make the playoffs… however, I don’t think we should break the bank trying either. Perhaps one of our guys in Chicago and our 2nd round pick and that pick we got for Eager could be flipped for a top 6 (for the Thrashers anyway) forward and another defenseman. Hold on to our first round pick (unless we can flip it for someone long-term) and trade away our lower round picks this year. I think a playoff berth would go a long way towards resigning Buff and Ladd…
Fan from Carolina
February 15th, 2011
8:23 am
Mario does need to be quiet. Anyone with Cooke on their roster should really say zip. Cooke has taken out so many players it is unreal.
Fan from Carolina
February 15th, 2011
8:24 am
By the way, Phoenix has won how many in a row? Nice win over the Caps last night.
Jamie
February 15th, 2011
8:26 am
http://www.arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/ worth checking out…
DWTOO
February 15th, 2011
8:33 am
Smoothie must be sad today. This is the second time Versteeg’s been traded and not here. High price, but, it would’ve been nice to see him on the home team.
Smoothie
February 15th, 2011
8:36 am
Russian – Voracek is an interesting case as he played as a junior with Ondrej Pavelec and they seem to be good friends. Perhaps they’d be willing to part with him and a 2nd rounder for Bogosian. Sounds like teams may be willing to give up a 1st rd pick but if you can get a young guy like Voracek who still has several RFA years left, maybe that’s the route you elect to go?
World Be Free
February 15th, 2011
8:57 am
Fan-real nice game in the desert last night. Don’t you wish our guys played with the responsibility that the all the Yotes play with every game?
justsaying
February 15th, 2011
9:10 am
Chris I do love to read your comments and the information you provide, but your spelling and proof reading needs attention. Instead of enjoying your post, I instead become distracted. Please have the AJC provide you with spellcheck on your computer
Smoothie
February 15th, 2011
9:24 am
Wrong blog smarty pants.
Toe Blake
February 15th, 2011
9:47 am
“Sources have told TFP that Howson has been actively shopping right wing Jakub Voracek for several weeks in an attempt to acquire an older, more NHL-proven offensive forward. Howson wants to acquire a first-line forward to play alongside Nash, or a top-two defenseman to solidify the backend.”
Russian: The Thrashers have neither of those, unless you want to trade Kane, Byfuglien or Enstrom!
Matt: The Thrashers don’t have a second round pick.
Smoothie: Voracek is a talent, no question, but he has to play with other skilled guys to be effective. Can’t imagine how good he would look playing with Burmistrov next year, but his price is going to be high, because he’s 21, a former first-round pick, and he has become more consistent during his last two seasons. But, he’s not a hitter and doesn’t block shots, so he MUST play a skill role.
Now, I will say that if Voracek and Tyutin were available in a package deal, and you know my aversion to Euros, I’d take them in a flash.
Red Light
February 15th, 2011
9:48 am
Five games remain prior to the trade deadline.
Atlanta’s record versus next three road opponents
Phoenix Coyotes 1-8-4 overall 0-5-2 at Phoenix
Edmonton Oilers 4-6-1 overall 2-3-1 at Edmonton
Buffalo Sabres 23-14-5 overall 9-11-1 at Buffalo
Atlanta’s record versus next two home opponents
Florida Panthers 36-19-11 overall 18-8-6 at home
Toronto Maple Leafs 15-22-4 overall 7-12-2 at home
Red Light
February 15th, 2011
9:55 am
I think six points minimum out of the next five games is vital to remain in the hunt.
• The Sabres have seven games before the deadline and six are at home.
• The Canes have six games before the deadline and four are at home.
• The Rangers have six games before the deadline and three are at home.
• The Panthers have seven games before the deadline, three are at home but the road games are at Ottawa, NY Islanders, Tampa Bay and Atlanta.
Rawhide
February 15th, 2011
10:03 am
Brucie…You have some ’splainin’ to do.
Smoothie
February 15th, 2011
10:04 am
Don’t look now, but here comes the “Postma(n)”!!
Auditions for which D prospect stays continues this week!
Or else somebody else is hurt, or Sopel has been traded back to CHI and he didn’t come back from his V-Day’s dinner with his family.
C-Viv reports on the twitterati wire: “Paul Postma taking practice ice wearing No. 60″
Smoothie
February 15th, 2011
10:06 am
R/L – I think we MUST go 6 – 3 – 1 at the very least to stay in it, so 6 points at a minimum, but I’d prefer 7 or 8 of the next 10 to be honest. We need to bank as many points as possible in the next 10-12 as the last 2 weeks of the schedule are brutal. So obviously we’ll go 4-6-2 over that span.
@J(Z)
February 15th, 2011
11:32 am
RE: “Loved the guys in front row of 204 with the “Arthur Blank please save us” sign. I’ve been saying that for a while now…it’s so true!!!!!”
Please see our open letter to Mr. Blank:
http://www.arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/