Kovalchuk dealt to New Jersey in sad, expected ending
Here's Ilya Kovalchuk going against the Devils' Johnny Oduya. Just switch the uniforms now.
This is generally how these things end. A star goes one way. A large package of some undetermined substance and quality goes the other.
This isn’t a new practice with the Thrashers, just an evolving one. The names keep getting bigger. Dealing Ray Ferraro and Jiri Slegr in the early days came with limited blowback. They were late in their careers. But then another impending free agent, Donald Audette, couldn’t come to terms and was traded to Montreal for an obscure prospect named Kamil Piros. (Unfortunate early analysis from then-coach Curt Fraser: “The greatest player in Czechoslovakia.”). Then Marian Hossa wouldn’t re-sign and was dealt to Pittsburgh.
Now it’s Ilya Kovalchuk’s turn.
This isn’t just a trend any more. It’s a disturbing franchise trait, with no sign of change in sight.
Kovalchuk was traded Thursday night to New Jersey. His exit was predictable since last season, when the team struggled (again), failed to amend for past mistakes (again), failed to accurately gauge the market (again) and in the end was forced to desperately deal him for another questionable package of players and prospects. It’s a nice trade-up for Kovalchuk. He goes from a franchise that has never won a playoff game to one that has won three Stanley Cups, four conference championships and nine division titles since 1994-95.
Lou Lamoriello, the Devils’ general manager, doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Don Waddell? He has been the architect of disaster central in Atlanta since Day 1. Anybody want to venture how this one turns out?
“I don’t think it sets us back at all,” Waddell said after the deal. “I think it moves us forward.”
Yes. He really said that.
It’s another quantity-for-quality trade. That’s the way these things work. The Devils get Kovalchuk, Atlanta’s all-time leading scorer (328 goals, 615 points, in 594 games) and defenseman Anssi Salmela. The Thrashers get right wing Niclas Bergfors, defenseman Johnny Oduya, troubled prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-round draft pick. The teams also will swap second-round draft picks.
Bergfors? A nice young player, hardly a star (27 points in 54 games). Oduya? A solid puck-moving defenseman. Cormier? A train wreck. He elbowed a player in the Quebec juniors, sending himto the hospital, and has been suspended for the season. The No. 1 pick? Maybe this one works out. And stays.
At least Waddell didn’t slam Kovalchuk going out the door. He was given a chance to say Kovalchuk only cares about money. Instead, he reiterated what Kovalchuk has been saying all along (the screams of short-sighted critics notwithstanding): “I think, Kovy right to the last day, wanted to be a Thrasher. But it’s a business decision.”
Waddell knew he would get slammed for this. Earlier Thursday, in hopes of swaying public opinion, he released a statement including some of the team’s contract offers to Kovalchuk. But the offers — $70 million over seven years ($10 million per year) and $101 million for 12 years ($8.42 average) — already had appeared in Wednesday’s Journal-Constitution. So his intended thunder was muted.
It never should have come to this. Kovalchuk is one of the NHL’s few elite players and has been since he entered the league in 2001. He’s on pace to score 40-plus goals for the sixth consecutive season. That’s a rare commodity in the NHL. But he has been frustrated by the team’s lack of success. The Thrashers have reached the postseason once. Attendance has declined. Concern over the club’s future fed into Kovalchuk’s desire to ask for the maximum salary allowed by the collective bargaining agreement: $11.3 million per season for 10 to 12 years. He asked for the only thing he felt he could control, and he had the leverage of unrestricted free agency. Unless he immediately signs an extension with the Devils, Kovalchuk will become the highest-profile unrestricted free agent in his prime in NHL history.
It’s another ugly ending. Two years ago, it was Hossa. He went to Pittsburgh, and the Thrashers celebrated the package they got back. But look at it now: Colby Armstrong (third-line winger, impending free agent), Erik Christensen (washed out), Angelo Esposito (flawed prospect) a No. 1 pick (Daultan Leveille, Michigan State).
Maybe this deal turns out better. But history tells us otherwise. Another star was just shipped out of town. This is where we came in.
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453 comments Add your comment
Fillin' up @ Juniors
February 5th, 2010
10:06 am
We had Hossa and Kovy…now we have. No One. Screw us, I am still going to go to thrashers games cause I love hockey, but I am going to go to less. More Hawks, Braves, Falcons less thrashers…Winning formula ownership? Only if your the government does that formula workout.
Can Thrashers make playoffs without Kovalchuk? | Jeff Schultz
February 5th, 2010
10:08 am
[...] While the trade of Ilya Kovalchuk did not represent a departure for the Thrashers from past dealings with their impending unrestricted free agents, Thursday’s deal is different in one way: It’s earlier in the season than previous trades and the team is still in the playoff race. [...]
A$G
February 5th, 2010
10:10 am
HEY FOLKS, COME ON DOWN AND GIVE U$ YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY.
Were else can you get to see a minor league team take on a real NHL team.
YOU GIVE U$ YOUR MONEY AND WE GIVE YOU A PILE OF $HIT.
As long as you keep giving u$ your money we will keep giving you the $hit.
10 years and counting.
rich mckay
February 5th, 2010
10:14 am
Danny Heatley- the list goes on and on and on…until the Thrashers are gone as well
Hockeyman3944
February 5th, 2010
10:15 am
Fraudell?
Can Thrashers make playoffs without Kovalchuk?
February 5th, 2010
10:17 am
[...] While the trade of Ilya Kovalchuk did not represent a departure for the Thrashers from past dealings with their impending unrestricted free agents, Thursday’s deal is different in one way: It’s earlier in the season than previous trades and the team is still in the playoff race. [...]
A$G
February 5th, 2010
10:21 am
Listen to “Want My Floor Seats” and be a REAL thrashers fans. Throw away your Kovalchuk jersey come down on Saturday night and buy your Oduya and Bergfors jerseys. (don’t forget to buy them both).
Giving your money to owners that don’t care is not being a fan but it is being a fool.
Richard Dawson
February 5th, 2010
10:21 am
I love Kovy, but it’s too easy to slam Waddell here. All GM’s work within a budget. Does he have unlimited authority to pay the max to Kovy? I doubt it. $10mm/season for 7 seasons is pretty strong. If Kovy really wanted to play here forever, he could accept a half-million or a million less per season and not be the highest-paid player in the NHL, which I don’t think he deserves.
thrasherdawg
February 5th, 2010
10:22 am
Why is it that “Want MY FLoor Seats” is the only one who get’s it.
Kovy leaving will be like Vick leaving…for once we can have a team built around each other.
Actually, Kovy was offered 101 million for six years (not 12)because he only plays half the time.
You people don’t get it…he lied…get me some players (Antop & Max) which Waddell did, then he never neotiated in good faith, period! In my mind he’s not even a 6 million dollar a year player. He’s a “it’s all about me’ player. People please take your blinders off.
Richard Dawson
February 5th, 2010
10:22 am
Danny Heatley wanted out of ATL, not the other way around. Can’t blame that on Waddell. ATL (team and fans) did everything to help Heatley after his accident. He’s a nutjob IMO.
People Amaze Me
February 5th, 2010
10:22 am
Thank you ‘Up North’, ‘Fed Up’ and ‘Want My Floor Seats’! Glad you get it. What amazes me is people are OK with the fact this kid turned down $101 MILLION DOLLARS! No one, regardless of their profession deserves that kind of money. Kovy has been lying to the fans, the media, and the management for months. If he truly wanted to stay in Atlanta, he would have had his agent take any one of the deals he was offered. Bottom line is his ego is bigger than his talent and I hope to watch as he crashes and burns in the mecca called NEWARK. Culture shock will cause him to walk at the end of the season. For Don Waddell to get chastised as he is, is wrong. If any one knows Don personally, they know his heart has always been in the right place. You only get one side of the story, and its the media side. If walls could talk, you would know the many many sleepless nights, the hurt and the turmoil the owners, media and fans have caused him and his family. If you seriously think for one second Don doesn’t have this team’s best interests at heart, I hope you do keep your promise to leave and never come back because honestly, you aren’t wanted or needed. Don could have stayed in Detroit til Hell froze over, and if he had a crystal ball, probably would have if he had any indication the many hurdles he would have over the years with players idiotic behavior and management’s inability to do anything but argue among themselves (another ego situation). I commend him for sticking this out – he is not a quitter. Before you throw another verbal stone, I seriously suggest you dig, and dig deep until you find out all the details in every situation. You just might be shocked to find out you don’t know the whole truth. Don could have thrown so many under the bus so many times, but he is a business man that has a conscience. A rarity these days. For European players, its always all about the money. Kovy convinces his friend to come play in Atlanta and then walks away – from everyone. He purely wants bragging rights – he needs something over Ovechkin because he will never be him. It was always all about the money for him. Wonder what his excuse would have been to turn the money down had they called his bluff and gave him the max. As I said, you need both sides to every story.
Hockeyman3944
February 5th, 2010
10:28 am
Nice move Dummy..I spit out me coffee when I heard what we got for Kovy..2 puck bags, a guy that’s not playing and the first pick, (should be oh let’s see, the 25-29th pick overall). What the?!!!
Let’s see shall we, who Fraudell has traded, left out shuffled off etc. Granted some of these guys where nearing the end of the road, but many where not…and still play with great teams. You could have had a contenter Dummy..
Donald Audette
Peter Bondra
Andrew Brunette
Braydon Coburn…ouch that one hurt!
Ray Ferraro…ok he was serviceable
Dany Heatley..well, OK tough one there..
Marian Hossa..never forgive that guy though, he mailed it intoo many games
Brian Pothier
Marc Recchi
Marc Savard…THE dumbest move…ever!
Keith Tkachuk
More I’m sure..but look who we got in return!!
It’s no wonder Donny boy was named the WORST GM in the NHL.
When does the Spirit, er, ahh, well nevermind, they’re clueless.
So, what does this mean for the Atlanta hockey fan and the franchise? Na na na na, hey hey hey goodbye!
Thanks for sticking us with an idiot like Wads, for 8 years too long! I just about threw up this AM watching the NHL network to actually see him up there saying this was a great trade. Hey Berkfors, thanks for your 13 goals, Oduya..maybe, and Cormier? Sleep all day, get up for practice for your junior team and watch the game from the stands.
NOT ONE MORE DOLLAR WILL BE LIFTED FROM MY WALLET FOR THIS CLUSTERF***
There, I feel so much better, but I aint coming back…
A$G
February 5th, 2010
10:30 am
Listen to the smart people.
It’s the players that have been the problem.
Bunch of greedy bums. We are going to put together a team of team players and rebuild. $ign up for season tickets next year. We are really turning the corner now!!
Todd G
February 5th, 2010
10:34 am
Kudos to Jeff Schultz for consistently being the only member of Atlanta sports media to demand accountability out of the Thrashers brass. Kovalchuk did not leave for more money. He left to be with a winner. And once he gets a taste of it, he’ll never look back.
The Monkey
February 5th, 2010
10:44 am
Now all the expert hockey fans come out of the woodwork. All we had to do was trade away our star who didn’t really want to be here. Now these fans say they are not coming back. Were they really there to begin with? I have been. Season ticket holder since day 1.
Come to games people! Buy tickets. Spend some money and we will have some money to spend to cap.
Kovy
February 5th, 2010
10:46 am
My first real chance at winning the Stanley Cup. Priceless!
GDub
February 5th, 2010
10:47 am
All you people who can find the time and space on these blogs to pronounce that you are done with the Thrashers or not renewing your tickets need to stop and think. Obviously, you care enough or you wouldn’t be here. Obviously, you have some affinity for the sport of hockey and probably considered yourself a Thrasher fan at one point. I understand that everyone wants to vent. When you are done venting, what about become a positive catalyst for change. We all know who is to blame. Don’t stop coming out…don’t give up on the players…whether it is ownership or Wadell you have a beef with, there are many ways to make yourself heard there. Right now things look very unstable for us, but look around the league at teams like Tampa, New Yok Islanders, Phoenix, Dallas all of whom are having ownership issues right now. Remember not too long ago when the Penguins were in bankruptcy and almost folded, the Lightning were in shambles or the Sabres were practically in ruins with their owner going to jail. They got it turned around and the fans came back in droves. We can do the same if we put all this negative energy toward getting some real change..I refuse to believe Atlanta will not support a winning franchise that has an identity and some direction…it is not as far away as many are making it out to be.
Mark
February 5th, 2010
10:50 am
This is when I wouldn’t miss the next game for the world!! Saturday night should be fun!! 10 dollar ticket, front row seats! Lotsa booing!! Probably some good fights in the stands as well!
Also, anyone who thinks KC would get the Thrashers, well you overlook the fact that KC has the worst economy in the US, poor local tv, and would be a worse fit for hockey than Atl. The Leafs are not going to let a team go to Hamilton…forget it. Winnipeg…well, didn’t that prove out once before about their market problems? I mean their first team went to Phoenix for crissakes!
Atlanta is a top ten tv market in the US. Certainly, it is all based on potential, but none of the markets above offer anything near what Atl can offer if the franchise is ran correctly. Bettman will not let Atl lose a franchise easily. He may not do anything about the current product, but letting Atl lose the franchise puts him at risk in his job because it would be admitting failure to bring hockey to the SE US, which he will not do.
As far as Kovy leaving, well, DW hands were and are tied. I do challenge his claim that 20% of the cap to one player is too much, ownership doesn’t allow the team to come near the cap. Heck, we had to sign a player last year to make the minumum! We’re gonna move Lehts as well, we may have a minimum issue bigtime next year!
In the end, the team needs to be sold and kept local and there needs to be an adjustment in management. Waddell hasn’t provided much on his end, so wether he’s inept or not, he should be fired based soley on performance.
We’ve lost two of the three biggest draft picks, with the the third about to go. We bring in over the hill players, sign them long term, then get stuck.
We cannot sustain contracts with those brought in through trades (Hossa, Savard).
Sorry Don, gotta go.
Glad for the trade
February 5th, 2010
10:51 am
Are you guys serious? There’s no way Kovalchuk was doing anything but take the max. It was the same way with his last negotiation. Why would it be different this time? Even his best buddy Ovechkin cares enough for his team to recognize that he can’t take the max without hurting the team. So whether the Thrashers were a winning team or not, he was gone. My guess is he’s going back to Russia anyway where they’ll name a city after him to get him back.
I’m not a Waddell fan, but if you are in any way objective (I don’t think that word is even in Schultz’s vocabulary), you need to give him credit for pulling out something from nothing in these big trades. Heatley needed to go and he got Hossa out of it. Hossa is basically a mercenary going to who pays the most money when his contract is up and he got Colby Armstrong (a major reason for the team cohesion right now) out of it. And Kovalchuk was gone not matter what and he got players out of it, although we won’t know their benefit for a while.
Now I’m still smarting from the Tkachuk trade and other decisions. But at least give him credit and stop being reactionary whiny babies.
Dave
February 5th, 2010
10:53 am
Read a lot of the posts here and I think the majority of the folks are missing the point. Here are a couple of reasons
a. there is a salary cap in the NHL, and it’s going to go down (economy)
b. Kovalchuk wanted to be the highest paid player in the league? He’s good, but no Ovetchkin,Crosby even Malkin.
c. If there was a better deal out there ATL would have taken it …period
d. NO TEAM was going to GUT their club for a player that potentially walks at seasons end, he’s an unrestricted free agent and can sign anywhere he wants.
e. $ 101,000,000 …….. really? He must want out badly to turn that down.
f. Atl. keeps him for the remainder of the season, and he leaves (obviously because $101 mil isn’t enough) and Atl gets zilch. (then cry for Gm’s head)
I’m up in Canada and admitedly haven’t watched alot of games the Thrashers played but from what I’ve read or watched on TV, Ilya seems like a kinda selfish, offense only player. If he really wanted to stay, as he said, what more could Atl have done…reasonably within the salary cap. Remember you still have to have players around him and they want to get paid. It sounds like you folks don’t like your ownership, again know nothing of them, but Mr Buttman must have vetted them and I can’t believe that they are not dedicated 100% hockey people with only the best interests of the game in their hearts (sarcasm intended)
Let him go folks.. he didn’t want to be there. Support your team you don’t want to lose another.
A$G
February 5th, 2010
10:53 am
Listen to The Monkey & GDub
AND GIVE U$ YOUR MONEY NOW!!
Can’t you see this is the beginning of a dynasty.
Devilsfan80
February 5th, 2010
10:58 am
@Hacker_Dawg
Coach Lemaire is used to dealing with a player that doesn’t play defense. He had Gaborik in Minnesota. I’m more worried about him screwing up the chemistry of the team than him playing any kind of defense. We have plenty of guys who do play D that can cover for him if necessary. To be honest, I don’t think he will resign with us either. I’m hoping Lou ships out his rights before the start of free agency and gets something for him. Although stranger things have happened and it’s a very small possibility he could resign.
Kovy
February 5th, 2010
10:59 am
The NHL won’t leave ATL. It is a top 10 TV Market. The NHL needs ATL more than ATL needs the NHL.
bugman
February 5th, 2010
11:21 am
People Amaze Me, you’ve got to be kidding, right?
Kovy wanted to stay here. He also wanted to be part of a legit contender, something that the ownership/GM is not capable of providing. Oh they promised him the Thrashers would be but how much BS is he supposed to take? Would you stay on a sinking ship People Amaze Me? That’s what this franchise has been from day one, a sinking ship. I don’t blame the guy one bit. You wanna talk about stringing people along? Look at what D-Wad has PROMISED the fan base over 11 years. Look at what D-Wad promised Kovy over eight! Look at what D-Wad delivered: one year of contending. The rest, NOTHING!
Here’s the result of the ASG, “mastermind” Don Waddell (more like a$$termind) and their brilliance:
Season Ending Results
Last (30th)*
28th*
Last again
23rd (Minnesota makes the playoffs in ONLY their 3rd season!)
21st (maybe he stole Doug Risebrough’s notebook?)
19th (I could have signed this roster, maybe even you)
12th (an off year for the D-Wad)
28th (haven’t we been here before?)
27th (don’t worry, the 10 year plan is almost here!)
Currently 25th (future HOF Captain is traded – wtf?) and BARELY over .500
*ASG not culpable
Don Waddell is an idiot. Don Waddell is a liar. Don Waddell is THE WORST excuse for a GM in any pro sport on the planet, period. He had Turner money for the 1st two years here and built nothing! If he was half as intelligent as you make him out to be, he would have turned over the reins of this pony to someone else long ago.
You are either his wife or him. Really, that can be the only reasoning behind your asinine perspective. In either case, this franchise has been doomed since day one.
Again friends, the Glads are worth your time and $.
bugman
February 5th, 2010
11:24 am
Oops, forgot this morsel:
“you aren’t wanted or needed”
Go re-read this blog. D-Wad isn’t wanted or needed.
ken
February 5th, 2010
11:32 am
Well I stayed with you long enough. I am now sure you dont want to go anywhere with this team.
I guess I will go back to the Bruins.
Glad for the trade
February 5th, 2010
11:48 am
Excellent assessment on TSN
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309019
Dr. Warren
February 5th, 2010
11:52 am
Can any NHL team seriously pay $10 million a year to anyone? Seriously? Where do they get the cash?
a$$play
February 5th, 2010
12:47 pm
HOW CAN ANYONE RALLY AROUND KOVY???? I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MY JOB WAS SAFE FOR 12 YEARS AND GET PAID 8.5 ODD MILLION A YEAR!!!!
F HIM AND THE HORSE HE RODE IN ON!!!!!!!
Wake up People !!!!!!!!
ZamBonE
February 5th, 2010
12:51 pm
I can’t believe the Thrashers didn’t get a better offer for Kovy. I mean you gave up the franchise and acquired role players and a crappy draft pick. Oduya is garbage. You could have signed a minor leaguer and he would make the same impact as Oduya will. Cormier is a disaster waiting to happen. He is already known for being an extremely dirty player with a bad temper. The first round pick for 2010 is going to be crap since the devils were one of the top 4 teams without Kovy. Bergfors is the only bright spot in the trade, but he is no where close to the player Ilya Kovalchuk is. He is a solid prospect at 22 years old with room to grow.
Trading Kovy was the first step for the Thrashers to relocate to Canada. It’s only a matter of time.
ralph
February 5th, 2010
12:57 pm
the thrashers need a pool table in the locker room and a team chef. it worked for the hawks – they got joe johnson
Julius Seizure
February 5th, 2010
1:02 pm
Thrashers fans. I know it hurts to lose your best player. But you know what hurts more? Paying someone who plays only side of the rink and demands $101 mil contract. No player is good at an infinite pay. You guys will be better off in the long run. Now letting Heatley go – that was a mistake (don’t think you had a choice but nonetheless).
Pete
February 5th, 2010
1:02 pm
Kovalchuk is a spoiled, greedy, IGNORANT Russian who will “Milk” the American capitalist system for all it’s worth. Beyond pathetic.
I applaud Don Waddell for his actions. I’d much rather have a bunch of young average paid, aggressive, hungry, dedicated players than ONE so called “Super Star” who brought very little to the Thrasher team. It was all about HIM.
Good riddance.
Hockeyman3944
February 5th, 2010
1:21 pm
Hey Cormier..if you can read these rants, you’d better be ready to come in here and make an impact. If you think you’re a tough guy in the “Q”, try and elbow some guys head off in the bigs…your life expectancy would be less than zero. If you come here and work hard, know your place and try, just try to live up to your expectations, maybe, just maybe the fans here, (if there’s any left), might be on your side. If not, you’ll just be some snotty nosed punk coming from the juniors with a big resume and nothing to back it up.
Pete
February 5th, 2010
1:46 pm
This is not either party’s fault Jeff.
1.I would not sign a long term contract with any team, no matter the deal, when ownership is actively searching for a partner or buyers. He may love Atlanta, but what if the team moves to Saskatoon?
2. He wants to win the Stanley Cup, and knew that if he got his desired contract, the team would not have any chance of fielding a team that could win it all.
3. No matter what the spin, to stay in Atlanta, the Spirit group needed Kovy to sign, for what THEY could offer, not what he could get elsewhere.
4. If the Spirit gave Kovy what he wanted, the Thrashers could never win a Stanley Cup, and we would just have a great player on an average team.
This ownership is about basketball and has been from the start. The Thrashers are on the clock now to beat it out of town.
My family and I are big fans and are very disapointed.
timthebrave
February 5th, 2010
2:02 pm
You people don’t get it…No one said to pay what Kovalchuk was asking for…A real GM would have figured this out sooner and got something in return, or if they did wait until now they wouldn’t let the WHOLE league know exactly how desperate they are…If I was wanting to sell my house for $200,000 I wouldn’t let everyone know that I had to sell it now for anything I could get or go bankrupt and then act surprised when EVERONE low balled me.
BufordDawg
February 5th, 2010
2:29 pm
All you guys saying “No one gets it” – you’re the ones not getting it. Waddell has had since June 1998 to surround Ilya with a decent team. I don’t blame Ilya for outpricing himself from Disaster Don’s team. ASG and Waddell have set the standard for how to run a pro franchise into the f’n ground. Atlanta hockey fans deserve better than this… Pathetic!
steve
February 5th, 2010
2:42 pm
Look folks, I know these are seemingly tough times for the Thrash but really, what’s new here? When Kovy was out with his foot injury, did it make us less competitive? No. The team played the same way and if our goals-for was down while he was out, it was probably negligible.
Currently, it does suck that we lose the best player that we’ve ever had and one of the top NHL players of the era but it’s not all bad. We’ve had 8 seasons of Kovy and he alone could not take us to a Cup, we had to go out and get other names to supplement him like Keith TKachuk to actually make us better. It takes a team not one individual to make the Thrash a winner. The bottom line is, don’t listen to what people say, watch their actions.
This organ-eye-zation bent over backwards for this man: The consulted him on the roster in the off season (btw: I wonder what Nik Antropov really thinks now?), they named him team Captain (which he rightfully deserved), and they gave him and offer that any great player could not refuse and still, he turned his nose up at it. Why? He didn’t really want to be here and he doesn’t trust the stability of the franchise.
This is a business as we all know but I thought Kovy was a bit dishonest in his dealings and posturing through out this whole process. The Thrasher’s kissed his ass as best they could but in the end, Kovy just didn’t want to be here. DW did a magnificent in the off season putting together some great pieces. Now, with Kovy out of the mix, perhaps those pieces can shine…. Lord knows they have a chance to prove Kovy wrong and they have a completely clean slate to work from.
timthebrave
February 5th, 2010
2:46 pm
BufordDawg, I think we are agreeing that Waddell sucks
denni peppers
February 5th, 2010
3:02 pm
WADDELL SAID KOVY HAD BEEN HERE EIGHT YEARS AND THE THRASHERS HADN’T WON A PLAYOFF GAME. STRANGE BUT I THINK WADDELL HAS BEEN HERE EIGHT YEARS AND THE THASHERS HAVEN’T WON A PLAYOFF GAME. SOME GM. IN HIS CASE MAYBE GM MEANS GENERAL MORON.
jim
February 5th, 2010
3:12 pm
Heatley, Hossa, Kovy, Savard, Stefan (bust draft pick) and the always injured goalie…
Waddell and the ownership of this franchise need to LEAVE. NOW. we deserve better.
WJ
February 5th, 2010
3:31 pm
Personally I was glad to see Kovy leave. He is a superstar no doubt. But I truly believe for him it was all about money. How much can I demand? I think it is time that all the sports teams stop feeding the money hungry stars and driving up prices so that fans can’t afford to attend the games. Yes, I know that teams make money. They do so because people continue to pay ridiculous prices to see the games. I think it is time that all sports was given a wake up call. Reduce your monetary requirements on your fans. Become once again America’s Pasttime. Become fun again. Stop crying folks over a star who bought his way out of a city. Regardless, of what he said, he truly didn’t want to be a Thrasher unless his demands were met. Good by Kovy. Good luck with new team. I truly wish you the best but am glad that someone said no to high demands.
Praveen
February 5th, 2010
3:36 pm
From Pittsburgh’s perspective:
http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/emptynetters/archive/2010/02/05/penguins-on-kovalchuk-02-05-10.aspx
WJ
February 5th, 2010
3:47 pm
Kovy priced himself out of a place where he stated he wanted to be. BS if ever been. He didn’t want to stay unless two things could be done. 1. A championship team (Never happen as long as Kovy tried to control things and tied up too much money)
2. The maximum amount of money possible under NHL guidelines. Not willing to drop down at all according to his agent who stated they never moved off their original demands.
Waddell is not the be GM but then he doesn’t have the best ownership group behind him either. Limitations by owners sometimes keeps things from happening the way a GM desires.
Kovy leaving Atlanta isn’t the end. It could be the beginning if we get someone who will be a team person rather than a superstar who tries to do it by self.
Joe Johnson (Hawks)also has that problem from time to time. They lost a game the other night that was tied and Joe tried to take it all the way to basket and lost the ball. Open men but Joe wanted to be the man. I think Joe needs to have confidence in others. Stop being the superstar and be the team player. I know I will get flack for this but isn’t it time to realize winning is about team effort! Whether it is BB or Hockey. Good by Kovy. Good Luck.
Kovalchuk dealt to New Jersey in sad, expected ending | Jeff Schultz Information
February 5th, 2010
3:58 pm
[...] Kovalchuk dealt to New Jersey in sad, expected ending | Jeff Schultz Tags: atlanta-thrashers, before-the-star, jersey, jersey-devils, kovalchuk, stanley, star, star-became, thrashers, thursday Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » Sad ClownsEU Referendum: A sad little figureAnd, yes, I DO take it personally: The really sad thing about Ted …pkmncollectors: Sad news ):Dear John, why are you so sad? A movie review by The Amandas …Stop 'intimidation' through executions, EU tells Iran3 arrested for armed robbery after traffic stopMountain Precipitation Down for Third Straight Month | Flathead BeaconStraight Out Of Middle School, 13 Yr Old Commits To USC : Shuddup …High Availability Principle : Concurrency Control « SaaS Interrupted. View the Contact Powered by Information [...]
madmacs
February 5th, 2010
4:39 pm
Devil fan here. Hate to see talent have to leave, as I have seen it numerous times in NJ (Gomez, Rafalski, Holik, Gionta, Niedermeyer (even though he wanted to go west)). That is where you need a GM to draft well and find character players to fill holes.
Oduya is not a stay at home defenseman. He is a puck carrying defenseman. Had a good year last year, and that got him his current 3-yr contract which he signed as an UFA.
Cormier got suspended for the elbow to the head of Tam. Ugly hit. He also threw an elbow in the Junior tourney, but that went undisiplined. He was captain of that team, so there is some talent and leadership there. Just has to clean-up his act, but not lose the edge.
Bergfors was injured early in the season last year and spent the rest of the year in Lowell (AHL). Had a good camp and start to the season this year, but really leveled-off over the last 20 games. This was supposed to be his “make or break” year with the team. I guess it will be his break year. Third line player, may grow into a top-6 forward.
Devils will be 10 million under the cap at year’s end. If Kovalchuk fits and wants to stay, there will be room. However, players have taken less than market value to stay in the past (Brodeur, Elias). I don’t think Lou will do anything to mess with that philosophy & chemistry.
Good luck the rest of the season. Only a few points out of the playoffs. With the distraction gone, maybe you can make up some ground.
jborodawg
February 5th, 2010
6:12 pm
He wanted out. The Thrashers are fighting for a playoff spot and still can’t get fans in the seats. So, it’s not ALL Waddel’s fault. Heck, he offered an outrageous package; over $101 mil/12 years!
Had Waddell not dealt Kovalchuk, the Thrashers could have come away with nothing once he became a free agent after this season. “My wife is expecting, but she said it’s a great opportunity for you to win the Cup, and that’s why I am here,” Kovalchuk said.
Praveen
February 5th, 2010
6:53 pm
In a league, where 16 teams make the playoffs, it is unbelievable the Thrashers could not make it more than once. And then they get swept by a team that wasn’t that great.
Kovy obviously priced himself out on purpose. I dont think he expects that in free agency. Only a foolish team would pay him more than 10M a year. I personally do not think he is worth more than 8M.
Brendan
February 5th, 2010
8:55 pm
Oh please, won’t someone please mention 101 million again. Oh, not dollars! Nope. Not dollars. 101 million REASONS TO LEAVE. Kovy … laughing … has already made $37 million playing hockey in the NHL. He doesn’t need to make another $1 in his life. One hundred percent (100%) of his ‘negotiating’ was based on having ZERO CONFIDENCE in this club, moving forward. That’s why he left. He’s not greedy. He just wanted out, and asking for more than the club could afford was the “playbook” blueprint he and his agent followed. Well, he can’t just blurt out, “Don, I’ll re-sign here after you’re fired.” Now can he??
Folks, it just doesn’t work … to THROW MONEY at a problem. We all saw “Titanic” in 1997. What does the Master at Arms say to Mr. Hockley? Anyone? Anyone at all?? “ALL your money won’t save you now.” That’s what Ilya told them. Is he supposed to simply IGNORE that Savard, Hossa, and Kaberle opted to leave? Was he supposed to SIMPLY IGNORE that after Bob Hartley was finally canned, that NO HEAD COACH was named! Instead, they stuck with Waddell for 76 games?? Was Kovalchuk supposed to ignore that when Hossa’s future was on the line, the team’s response was to land Eric Perrin and Todd White from the free agent market, when Drury, Briere and Gomez were available? Was Kovalchuk supposed to SIMPLY IGNORE that in nine completed seasons, the team finished in the bottom third of the Eastern Conference seven times!! Was Kovalchuk supposed to SIMPLY IGNORE that the team spent to the league minimum for the previous two seasons? Was Kovalchuk supposed to SIMPLY IGNORE that Don Waddell had hired three coaches, four if you count Waddell? Was Kovalchuk supposed to IGNORE that Brian Campbell couldn’t be lured here for ANY PRICE?? Well, friends. That’s a LOT of IGNORING to ask a Superstar Sniper to do. Even a defensive liability sniper, who is a -85 in his career.
Money is the “smokescreen.” I think the intelligent people understand that. And when Kovalchuk takes some OTHER TEAM’s 7-year/$60 million deal, you’ll finally “get it” … that it was never about the money. Thrasher fans can get all “hysterical” about $101 million … or $70 million over 7-years, for a $10 million cap. All that means is … “Kovalchuk wasn’t going to sign here AT ANY PRICE.”
Think about it. Now think HARDER. When Kovy takes $60 million this July, he left $41 million on the table. Why? Because Don Waddell has NO CLUE how to run an NHL franchise. And the Atlanta Spirit, LLC has NO CLUE what a GM’s duties really are, or should be. They think a GM is an accountant. They treat him accordingly. It’s sad and pathetic. But don’t blame the b!tchslapped hockey fans in this town for sniffing out the truth. It was NEVER, EVER, EVERRRRR about the money. What fans are upset about … was that the face of the franchise became “disenfranchised.” ‘Cuz that’s the phrase that pays. I don’t blame Kovy for wanting out. In his shoes, I probably would have CAVED, and taken the money. But Kovalchuk … is committed to playing for a franchise with a clue. And that’s not Atlanta. And he’s so firm in his convictions, that he spits on $100 million offers. “My Stanley Cup dreams cannot be bought for $101 million. Nice try, Atlanta. I’m gonna go follow my dream.” I guarantee you … Kovy will settle for TENS OF MILLIONS LESS than what Atlanta offered. He doesn’t need the money. What he NEEDS … is a franchise that knows what it’s doing.
Want a vote of confidence? Check the track record. Savard said no. Hossa said no. Kaberle said no. Brian Campbell said no. Ilya Kovalchuk … just said, “no.” And it’s not because of poor fan attendance. It’s because the entire franchise is grossly inept. And when a franchise is grossly inept and basically incapable, no star player will agree to come. The AS, LLC doesn’t get it, folks. “Not at ANY PRICE.” They just won’t come. They know better. All of them.
Original Hockey fan
February 5th, 2010
11:08 pm
NEWS!!! Kovy will not get the moolah that he`s expecting;not from Lou ! Always known as cheap franchise the Devils will rent him to try for the Cup,,,and if he wont produce astronomical Numbers and wins[stanley cup] he`ll be a free agent,,,after all he aint # 8 of the Washington D,C, team or #87 of the lemieux penguins.He`s good player,yes,but not THAT good.His only hope is that either Cablevision owner of the Rangers[to help them sell that franchise] or the other computer guy from long island will make another atrociuos deal after Di Pietro`s deal.You think that the Thrashers have a lousy GM? About those two idiots from the New York metro area who keep on making in$ane contracts[Percival,Redden,Brashear,etcc]??? And to think that the Rangers GM won multiple Stanley CUps in Edmonton with Gretzky,Lowe,and others,,Is He Really the SaMe Guy?