Thrashers take on Coyotes as fans deal with ‘The Morning After’
The collective moaning and groaning heard throughout town this morning was the sound of Thrashers fans rolling out of bed still feeling the effects of being kicked in the gut yesterday. It’s the feeling you might experience after a long night of consuming hot wings and washing it all down with vast quantities of adult beverages…only without the benefit of actually enjoying the wings and drinks the night before.
Yes…it’s the morning after in Thrasherville.
In case you were away from your internet-fed computer or not tuned in to AM sports talk radio, here is the story in a nutshell:
Atlanta Spirit co-owner Michael Gearon let it be know via the AJC that there was a “sense of urgency” to find additional investor or an outright buyer for the Thrashers who would be willing to keep the team in Atlanta. He stated that they were faced with that as a serious alternative if no one steps forward and indicated that it would be tough to stomach any more $20 million losses.
Later in the afternoon, he then went on 680 AM The Fan with John Kincade and indicated his statement was simply meant to inform would-be local investors that they were open to offers. Gearon stated that he has no plans to dispose of HIS part of the franchise and that he loves both the Hawks and the Thrashers. He is only speaking out at this time, he insists, because he really and for-truly wants anyone in these parts looking to buy the Thrashers to have first crack at the deal.
He then went on about how the Belkin buyout took longer than expected because of their law firm…and then proceeded to discuss at length just how well he thought the Hawks were doing.
I guess the basketball team’s recent string of successful seasons is just a little more fun to talk about for Gearon than what he and his cohorts have allowed the Thrashers to become during their reign as owners.
…shrugs…
Why did Michael Gearon deliver this bit of information and not, say, Bruce Levenson? I dunno…maybe he was too busy working on his opening dialogue in preparation for an upcoming town hall meeting with season ticket holders.
Then again, maybe flaming monkeys will fly out of my…
…ahem…
Anyway…Unfortunately, this is just another cross we in Thrasherville will have to bear until any such person or persons actually step forward. So, you may continue to discuss it if you may, or move on to…
ACTUAL REAL LIFE HOCKEY TO DISCUSS!
Thank gawd that we actually have some honest and for-goodness Thrashers hockey to discuss today. While we are dealing with the aftereffects of the “M” bomb being dropped on Thrasherville by Mr. Gearon, the Thrashers find themselves in Arizona where they’ll do battle with the Phoenix Coyotes tonight.
And just like the “sense of urgency” Gearon commented on in regards to finding new partners or owners, there is also a deep sense of urgency to actually win some games if this team is to continue to make a run at the postseason. Doing so would actually go a long way in helping place some more butts in the blue seats of Philips Arena.
Just sayin’, Mr. Gearon…
The Yotes will provide a tough test for Atlanta as they currently sit atop the Pacific Division with a record of 30-19-9 and are coming off a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals Monday night. They’ve won five straight games and are 13-6-2 since New Years.
They are led in scoring by Keith Yandle with 9 goals and 38 assists for 47 points and Ray Whitney with 11 goals and 33 assists for 44 points. Lead Phoenix in goals scored is Scottie Upshall who has potted 16 to go with 11 helpers.
In goal for the Coyotes is Ilya Bryzgalov who has played to a record of 24-14-6 with a .918 SV% and 2.56 GAA. He has 5 shutouts so far this season. He’s currently on a personal five-game winning streak in which he’s allowed only six goals and dropped two goose eggs on the scoreboard. During the streak, he’s stopped 127 of 133 shots, (.955 SV%).
Last night we got some help from New Jersey and Philadelphia as they defeated Carolina and Florida respectively. The same is true as Toronto knocked off Buffalo in regulation as well. However, that brings win allowed the Leafs to leapfrog over the Panthers into eleventh place and pulled them to within four points of the Thrashers, who now reside in tenth.
Game is at 9:00 our time…I’ll have Trixie put on a few extra pots of coffee in the morning as it’ll be pushing midnight once the festivities in the desert are over. And I think I may sample a few wings and adult beverages while viewing it.
What the heck, the pain in my gut tomorrow morning won’t be any worse then the one I woke up with today.
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275 comments Add your comment
The Dumpster
February 18th, 2011
11:04 am
I honestly don’t see a huge difference in talent between the Thrashers and Flyers (#1 in the East)
Flyers just have belief in their system and will do anything to grind out a win.
Our thrashers, meanwhile, continue to let games slip by them with poor shot selection, poor o and d setup, and terrible defensive zone efforts.
AtlFlamesFan
February 18th, 2011
11:07 am
Until a few years ago, the Thrahsers outdrew the Hawks by a wide margin. That is, until the basketball loving octocluster got involved.
The Dumpster
February 18th, 2011
11:10 am
No matter what the situation is players need to step up when needed the most.
I can’t understand how the thrashers had 3 days to correct repetitive mistakes and didn’t do that.
Its called having some pride and the thrashers haven’t had it AT ALL (7 wins last 20 games)
Pavelec did his best that game but the D was horrible!
How about a Bogosian and Oduya trade for a 1st round & 5th round pick?
Kovy's Agent
February 18th, 2011
11:13 am
I watch a fair amount of games on CenterIce and this team has all the looks that a lottery draft pick is in its future. Folks, picking up a decent scorer for the stretch run will not materially change the trajectory of this team. Haven’t we already been through the scenario of trading away the future to squeeze into the 8th spot. How’d that turn out? And yet we’re prepared to do that again? There’s no easy answers and to me the question is not whether we make the playoffs, that ship has sailed. The question is just how low we plummet over the next 20 or so games.
ZAvalanche
February 18th, 2011
11:25 am
Tony, There is no way the games are being thrown on purpose. No hockey player I know would do that, they just have too much pride.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
11:45 am
The Dumpster has a bit of a point that too many of our top line guys don’t play with the same “give a crap” level that Chris Thorburn or Evander Kane gives. Even our $5M d-man plays with way too much non-chalance in his game. That $26M contract better come with a stipulation to workout a bunch in the offseason and get that behemoth frame into better shape. If everyone was in the same condition as Toby Enstrom and had the heart of Chris Thorburn, we’d surely stop losing all of these 1-goal games right? Pfffft!
ZAvalanche
February 18th, 2011
12:05 pm
Hmm, Anderson for Elliot. Don’t usually see keeper for keeper trades. Anderson had a lights-out year last year and carried the team, Eliot was decent. Anderson has lost it this year, big time. This trade confuses me, but honestly doesn’t change much. I guess there is just the hope that a change of scenery will benefit both – so basically this is an even-across-the-board trade. The Avs still need a power forward and a big stay-at-home D, and oh yeah, we need some healthy players. Currently 2nd in the league with man games lost. Brutal year for both of my teams.
On to the Thrashers. Lots of comments since the game last night but surprisingly most are not that negative. I thought Thrashy played a good game last night. Should have gone to OT at the least, but as has already been mentioned, Toronto sh!t the bed on high stick call. But every team knows that the calls don’t always go your way and it is YOUR JOB to overcome that. Good teams do. I liked the effort last night though.
Wow Iron, you went on a tear this AM! I totally agree with the IRS audit. But as A$$G owns both is it legal for them to funnel the $, I do not know. All I know is that I am pissed and I can only imagine how Rammer and the team feel about it. And the only reason the Hawks outdraw the Thrashers (barely) is because their tickets are dirt cheap. Have you seen some of the advertisements for game packs for Hawks games? If Thrashy had those deals, hell, it would be worth it for me to fly out for a couple of weekend games. Hawks fans are the definition of fair-weather where as Thrashy (when I say Thrashy, I refer to the whole Thrasher nation, including the team) sticks with it. Yes a winning team is more fun but a true fan can appreciate any game. I know we b!tch about losing and watching a losing team, but common, I will take a losing team ANY DAY over having no team at all – and I think you all agree with me on that.
DW should be hesitant to trade his first pick and I hope to god he doesn’t. The NHL is becoming much more like the NFL when it comes to the draft. Used to be, years ago, that the draft was pretty much of a joke and the big moves came through RFA and UFA signings and trades. That paradigm is slowly changing (I heard and interview with some of the national broadcasters talking about this). Picks are very important. Just imagine if Thrashy picked up somebody like Kopitar? How f-ing amazing would that be? DW, don’t trade your 1st pick, please.
I may get bashed for this, but it is time to move Buffy up to play a hybrid power forward position. The D can’t get worse and the only way we are going to win games is by scoring 4 or more per game.
@Smoothie
Liked the stats you listed, minus the Tampa game. I don’t think Thrashy is as bad as everybody thinks, they are just a step behind. Those numbers you posted tell the truth, SO close! Our problem isn’t offense, it is D. Here are a few UFAs that could be helpful. We have the cap room – tons of it – just have to get A$$G to spend. Oh wait, that shouldn’t be a problem right?…..because Gaeron isn’t “cheap”. Nope not “cheap”, perhaps just a F-ing idiot. Anyhow:
Brewer, Kaberle, Pitkanen, Erhoff, Wisniewski, Mark Stewart, Shane O’Brian. Though Kaberle is getting long in the tooth so I would shy away from him because of that and the salary expectation. The rest on that list are 27 or younger and solid D. Apologies if some of them have already signed, I don’t know how often the site is updated. Anyhow, pick up some D, Pavs will love you for it DW and play lights-out. And for the love of Forsberg, stay healthy!
Trade Stewart to CO, maybe the two Stewart Bros playing together could be good for the AVS. I am thinking Stewart for O’Byrne – a good, BIG, stay at home D.
Anyhow, fun to chat with some of you during the game last night. I think Calgary will roll Montreal on Sunday, picks?
Iron League 13
February 18th, 2011
12:34 pm
ZAv – Thanks for noticing, I do think it’s illegal for a group of owners to funnel funds from one league sanctioned asset to an asset in another league not pertaining to a minor league affiliate, that’d just make sense. I couldn’t imagine the NHL or NBA chartering franchises and selling them off knowing this would happen, I’d be willing to bet it’s in the paperwork.
On the audit, it wouldn’t be performed by the IRS without a whistleblower or something similar, it would have to be from a league appointed board of trustees or an outside trustee group hired by the league. The NHL and ALL sports leagues selling to groups or individuals owning multiple interest SPORTS OR OTHERWISE should all be subject to trustee oversight.
Iron League 13
February 18th, 2011
12:36 pm
Sad fact and I think one day we will all find out that the reality is the Hawks are having the same issues unfortunately they have carte blanche (high school french coming back) but they are being subsidized on by Thrasher fans.
Iron League 13
February 18th, 2011
12:45 pm
I should elaborate for a sec before I have to go on why I feel trustees are justified in sports and this is simple. BECAUSE IT’S SPORTS. It’s fair to say that owning a sports franchise IS NOT the same as many other business ventures you are given the right to own them by a league, you are limited in your business decisions, you play within the confides of league rules and in accordance with CBAs and such. People are not the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE as sports franchise owners, more of hobbyists with very deep pockets, they know this going in. If somone wants to be a Master of the Universe I suggest they invent a bigger better social-whoring network a la Facebook, but I digress. It’s not any different than owning a McDonald’s, cept, it’s not publically traded. People are not allwed to diminish the value of the league by playing their own way and that’s as it should be. The league is the real product, the owners are sub-leasing.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
12:46 pm
Z – I’d probably do that Stewart for O’Byrne trade in a heartbeat if I could get a 3rd rd pick back from COL as well. But that may be asking too much. We should probably trade Sopel for a 2nd rd pick if possible or package Sopes+Bergy to ensure that 2nd rd pick plus a scoring wing who actually has some size and fight in him (Chicago?? for Kopecky).
ZAvalanche
February 18th, 2011
12:46 pm
@Iron
Bettman has to know what is going on here. He is a businessman and has had his hand in the sporting arena for a long time – there is no way he is ignorant to what is going on. So why doesn’t he start some sort of investigation? Would doing that guarantee that A$$G moves the team? It is just hard for me to believe that the people on the Thrashy side of things can let this go without saying a damn thing.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
12:49 pm
Let me rephrase that: “…a wing who can score and actually has some fight in him.” And Kopecky could really help out on the PK and keep Ladd from getting so worn down doing everything. Not like CHI would probably part with any other forwards unless it’s a younger guy like Bickell. But did Kopecky or Bolland become expendable now that Frolik has been added?
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
12:51 pm
Z-perhaps an investigation is ongoing and we don’t even know about it? Maybe Gearon is so pissed that they’ve been “audited” by the NHL that he’s willing to piss on the fans with his comments in a desperate attempt to unload this team before he feels the heat for real. I don’t know if co-mingling funds can be construed as a criminal act in a court of law for a private, not publicly traded, entity, but perhaps the violation of the CBA or agreements with the NHL/NBA could get them into deep civil doo-doo…perhaps they decided to sue their attorneys knowing that Bettman and the NHL plans on suing their stupid a$$es.
ZAvalanche
February 18th, 2011
12:59 pm
Smoothie,
That is an interesting point. Perhaps the audit is already happening. I cannot imagine that Bettman would not try and save a market with as much potential as Atlanta. There are some many transplants from traditional hockey markets in Atl, Bettman has to know this, else we wouldn’t have gotten the team in the first place. We are not going to move, it isn’t going to happen.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
1:12 pm
Z – check out what Hokie posted on C-Viv’s epic blog from yesterday. Apparently, Bill Daly wasn’t just shooting his mouth off. He seems acutely aware of the issues Atlanta faces and even questioned the location of the arena relative to where our “market” resides. Interesting stuff. Perhaps Bettman & Daly have something up their sleeves when the time is right. They can only act when there is bankruptcy, provable negligence or fraud, or criminal activity (see Buffalo or Nashville) involved. It may just be a matter of time. Or we end up in Winnipeg cuz the NHL needs the relocation fee money. But that seems doubtful when they stand to make some dough with the Comcast/NBC TV contract renewal.
Tom
February 18th, 2011
1:15 pm
I was thinking back to Bettman’s radio show last night. His tone and attitude towards the ASG was one of polite disgust. He is the Commissioner, essentially the owners representative for the league, and his job is not to call out ownership publicly. Steer maybe, but not denigrate.
However if I had to guess, Bettman thinks the ASG is a pimple on the ass of humanity.
Like we all do…
Tom
February 18th, 2011
1:16 pm
Oh, and Kaberle went to the Bruins for Colborne, Boston’s 1st in 2011 and a conditional pick.
Toronto got a first back from Boston, the wrong one, but they now have a first. The conditional pick is predicated on Kaberle signing next year.
Tom
February 18th, 2011
1:17 pm
WOW, Boston just traded Wheeler to Atlanta according to the 4th period.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
1:17 pm
Holy crap we may have gotten Stuart and Wheeler!!!!
Tom
February 18th, 2011
1:18 pm
C-VIV – I’m hearing the #Thrashers have acquired Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart from Boston for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik.
That would be a HUGE win for us!
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
1:24 pm
http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/jbartyhi/30703/
Gee, this trade scenario sounds awful familiar!! Hate to toot my own horn, but I’m rather excited about getting Wheeler & Stuart!!
Atta boy Duds!!
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
1:25 pm
And we managed to dump Boris’ big butt in Boston!! Woo hoo! Didn’t even have to give up a real prospect!!
ZAvalanche
February 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
I like this. A lot.
SomaAtl95
February 18th, 2011
1:35 pm
Pevs – Thank you from the fans for everything you did since being picked on waivers – good luck to you in the future.
Boris – please continue to play the way you have for Boston. They need to be slowed down and you can help them with that!
Zombie Steve
February 18th, 2011
1:39 pm
WHOA
World Be Free
February 18th, 2011
1:39 pm
I.D.W.T.-finally we have hockey to talk about
Puckhead
February 18th, 2011
1:40 pm
We traded my favorite player Peverly – what the heck – I thought I was depressed after the last several days now my hockey life has no meaning. This really, really bites. I guess the only thing left for me is atlanta dream tickets. Please let this be a joke.
Rawhide
February 18th, 2011
1:58 pm
OK, here’s my initial reaction to the trade that was just announced.
Swapping Valabik for Stuart on defense…I like it. Boris was never going to see another day in a Thrashers uniform and Stuart looks like someone who can help right now. He’s a +8 this season with one more goal than Valabik has ever scored in his career.
Stuart will be a UFA this summer.
Score this a “Win” for us.
Peverley for Wheeler…that may work too in our favor, but I’m not as sure as the Boris-Stuart deal. Pevs looked damn good last night, finally. (Who knows, maybe Dudley tipped him off that he was being looked at).
Anyway, Pevs has played in 180 straight games since we stole him off the waiver wire three years ago and has 49 goals and 75 assists in that time. Stuart has played in 221 NHL games and has scored 50 goals and 60 assists.
The 6-5 Wheeler is 23 years old and is a RFA this summer. Peverley is signed through next season and then will be a UFA.
I’m gonna call this one a push for now, pending further review.
Although I’m almost willing to bet Peverley may be calling it a “Win” for him.
New blog, different subject, to be posted later tonight or in the morning.
ZAvalanche
February 18th, 2011
2:03 pm
Stewart is a +37 in his career, that is a big win even if the Pevs-Wheeler trade is a push.
Russ
February 18th, 2011
2:05 pm
I’ve always like Stuart as a solid, defensive d-man. It would be nice if he would re-sign beyond this season. Wheeler has the tools to be much better than he has shown so far. Hopefully Ramsay’s system brings out the best in him. Overall, a good trade for the Thrashers, but I don’t see it being enough to get them to the playoffs. Maybe Dudley has something else up his sleeve.
Red Light
February 18th, 2011
2:16 pm
So, Smoothie…are Duds hands still tied? LOL
tonyb
February 18th, 2011
2:23 pm
Don’t get too excited people. The last time a bit of good publicity came out, the ASG drop the moving stuff on us. They love to rain on their own parade.
Red Light
February 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
Blake Wheeler: Another RFA making $2.2 million this year. Turns 25 in August. Career highs in 2008-09 21 goals and 24 assists
Mark Stuart: An unrestricted free agent making $1.675 million. Limited to 31 games this season. Best year also happened in 2008-09, the last time he played in all 82 games. Missed 18 games (broken hand) this year, missed 14 games (sternum), missed 7 games (finger) and missed 14 games (hand) last season. He was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 1st round (21st overall) in 2003. Former Thrasher Colin Stuart’s younger brother, who also played at Colorado College.
The trade cleared the way for Chiarelli to make the move to get Kaberle. Provided Stuart doesn’t sign here, it’s Pev for Wheeler.
Puckhead
February 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
From cbcsports canada – Wheeler has 11 goals and 16 assists in 58 games and can play centre or right wing. The 6-5 forward was originally drafted by Phoenix but never signed with the Coyotes. The Bruins outbid other teams to sign him as a free agent in 2008, and while the 24-year-old has progressed as a two-way player, he’s been criticized for a perceived lack of toughness.
Stuart has been a gritty defenceman for Boston since 2007-08 but fell out of favour this season due to injuries and the emergence of other young blue-liners.
Great lack of toughness just what we need on the front line. All the detractors were wrong about Peverley when we picked him up – hopefully this will work out to be the same.
Flames
February 18th, 2011
2:44 pm
I’m sad to see Rich and his wife Natalie leave. I really hope this move makes our team better… Thanks for all the great memories Rich… You were a good guy and a good player…I really hope this move works out for you and Natalie.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
2:46 pm
Well, I for one am certainly happy that his hands are not tied considering I wrote about this scenario as my preferred trade option. I’ve always been a big fan of Wheeler’s as I feel he’s gotten lost in a numbers game playing 3rd line minutes sometimes. His blend of size, speed and hands (and they are much better than Anthony Stewart’s that’s for sure) are a perfect fit in Rammer’s system assuming Ramsay doesn’t get himself fired (j/k). Dudley obviously wants to give Ramsay players he can work with and it certainly helps to have such familiarity with the likes of Wheeler and Stuart. That should help us re-sign Stuart as well unless Dudley’s hands are tied in the way of a $40M p/r budget again next year. But Sopel should come off the books for certain.
Flames
February 18th, 2011
2:48 pm
The only reason I am sad is that I know that they loved Atlanta. They lived in the Virginia Highlands area and loved it here. I know its a business and we needed to strengthen our team. I haven’t personally spoken with him today, but I’m sure he would be happy about going to Boston.
Good and well wishes.
I will miss seeing his daughter wearing those Pink head phones during the games…
Red Light
February 18th, 2011
2:57 pm
Lets see, Virginia Highlands or a chance to play with a team that can do some damage in the playoffs? Pevs has played in only six playoff games in his career, I don’t think he’ll be too upset.
AtlFlamesFan
February 18th, 2011
3:03 pm
I missed Bettmen yesterday. Could someone please fill me in on what he said?
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
3:12 pm
Flames / RL – I reckon Natalie and “Bear” will be more upset about this than Rich. But I am sure Pevs really liked it here as well. He seems like a great guy and I know Flames was quite fond of he and his family. Now if we could just get Marty & Kate Reasoner back here!!
Red Light
February 18th, 2011
3:13 pm
Postma will have to wait, as he has been sent back to Chicago, according to C-Viv.
World Be Free
February 18th, 2011
3:15 pm
Pevs is a great guy, just like losing Marty-you gotta give up something to get something. But we are a better team this afternoon than we were this morning. We recvd 2 NHLer’s for 1 NHLer and did not give up future picks or a real prospect. Just just gave up a big girl who can’t skta ebackwards. He ain’t no Chara.
Brendan
February 18th, 2011
3:20 pm
WBF, Red Light … is this move two weeks too late, though? Or can the playoffs actually be salvaged? If this trade was Wheeler, 23 year old RFA for Peveley, UFA in 2012, then can’t it be argued that this was a “building for the future” type of trade, they that SELLING TEAMS often do at the trade deadline?
Red Light
February 18th, 2011
3:38 pm
Who knows Brendan? There is no guarantee that both Wheeler and Stuart won’t go into deep depression at the news, and even if they don’t that doesn’t necessarily translate to winning. We have already seen Peverley’s zenith, but Wheeler’s play might go to a higher level here. I can see him playing with Kane/Ladd and Little and he should benefit.
I’m not sure Dudley is done either. He still needs a center!
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
3:38 pm
Bren – at least if we’re too late, we’re building for next year and hopefully beyond (I’ll abstain from any further commentary on that one, but we know Rollins is a fraud and should think about the porn industry if he wants to make movies). It’s killing us to not have Slater and now Burmy’s hurt too. Without a serious upgrade at C, we’re probably screwed anyway for this season. But ya never know. Cue Peedro & Jobu.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
3:39 pm
R/L – JINX!
Hey bud, wanna play golf Sunday?
Red Light
February 18th, 2011
3:42 pm
Personally, I think Burke is doing a nice job in Toronto.
He traded Francois Beauchemin, Kris Versteeg and Tomas Kaberle for two first-round picks, a potential second-round pick (future considerations in Kaberle deal), a third-round pick, Joffrey Lupul, and two highly regarded prospects, Jake Gardiner and Joe Colborne.
Versteeg and Beauchemin were under contract for next year, but would have cost the Leafs $6.88 million. Even with Lupul at $4.25 million, that means Burke not only got all those picks and prospects, but increased his cap by that $6.88 million by dealing Kaberle.
Kaberle gets a huge chance to win with Boston, but it looks like the youth movement in Toronto is gaining steam. They gain another $6 million when Giguere leaves in July and that means Burke has $17 million more than he spent this year.
Red Light
February 18th, 2011
3:43 pm
Can’t do it Smoothie. Would love to but will be celebrating second-oldest daughter’s birthday. Rain check!
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
3:45 pm
Rain check is in the mail! No worries, have a great time doing something that doesn’t involve our miserable hockey franchise!!