By Shane

February 19, 2007 03:21 PM | Link to this

hey Craig, can you riddle me this. Why was the hit on Kovy not a penalty? Looked to me like the guy stuck his shoulder right in Kovy’s chin. I thought head-hunting was not necessarily allowed in the NHL.

Granted it was good to see him get back on the ice in the same shift and flatten the same guy who flattened him. But I was a little disturbed there was no response from anyone else on the team along with how long it took the refs to blow the whistle once he was down.

By Craig Custance

February 19, 2007 03:46 PM | Link to this

Shane: I’d have to see the replay, I don’t remember it being an overly dirty hit. But I’ll talk to Ilya about it in the morning because I know Chris Neil told reporter Don Brennan that Kovy was a dirty player — calling Kovalchuk’s hit on Meszaros dirty. For the record, Meszaros also told Brennan that Kovalchuk’s retaliation never connected because he saw it coming.

By JP

February 19, 2007 03:58 PM | Link to this

CC..Do the Thrashers post there practice schedule anywhere? Keep up the great work…

By Shane

February 19, 2007 04:01 PM | Link to this

Thanks Craig. Of course now I have to ask if Meszaros saw the hit coming and still got plowed. Ouch! On tv it looked like the guy was in some serious pain on the bench. I also did not think the hit on Kovy was “dirty” per se, but I’ve seen Thrashers defensemen regularly called for lowering their shoulders.

I’m also sitting here thinking of how a guy who cannot play defense and routinely attempts to win games by himself can be a dirty player. Maybe Neil was referring to that wicked slap-shot of Kovy’s. Maybe Neil thinks it’s unfair that his shot is that fierce.

On a brighter note, I am going to the game Thursday. I expect the beer I consume to be better than the play of our Thrashers. But at least hockey is the best spectator sport to enjoy.

Last question - since this team is driving me to pessimism. How many currently Thrashers will be FA at the end of the season? I’m sort of wondering what kind of retooling could be done in the off-season.

By Tony C.

February 19, 2007 05:06 PM | Link to this

Shane-

Here’s a site with UFA/RFA/Cap Hit Info

So #17 standing up for himself and giving as he gets is “dirty” huh?

Although I do understand from quotes from NHLers who played in Europe and Russia during the lockout that certain things that are against “the code” in north america are OK over there (spearing type moves with the stick, hits to the back of the knee etc-just what I’ve heard/read)…that could be it. Then again, Phaneuf seemed to be just fine with bullying #17 in the 3rd in Cal-Gary…of course Phaneuf is pretty much the sickest stay-at-home guy in the west right? Anyway, whaaaaaah whaaaah whaaah #17’s got the size to play with some physicality, once he learns how to blend that into his current gameskills…well “wow” I think will cover it.

Also I understand you can call the Ice Forum for the public practice schedule.

CC-you continue to impress-it’s so nice to have someone who does his job well in charge of our ittle corner of fandom-I hope you’ve been able to enjoy most of it.

Also what do yall think of the Grebeshkov trade??

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By Brian

February 19, 2007 05:14 PM | Link to this

The Daily Herald reported that a Thrashers scout attended the Canucks - Blackhawks game. I also remember during the west coast trip that DW showed up on the pregame show the night they played Vancouver. I can’t remember seeing him in any other cities when we played on that trip.

I would love to get Morrison but I would settle for Bullis. Who knows if this is just a freak coincidence or if it means anything. CC - is this just empty fodder?

By Lee

February 19, 2007 05:19 PM | Link to this

CC, Thank you so much for responding to my questions. I know your a busy guy but We all really appreciate it.

By Lee

February 19, 2007 05:25 PM | Link to this

We are going to have 12 UFA’s after this season, including Kozzy, Sutton and Devo. Then after next Year Hoss and Holik. I don’t know about you guys, but it would make me feel good if we went ahead and wrapped up Hossa for a while.

By michael

February 19, 2007 05:44 PM | Link to this

Jan Bulis—- no thanks!

By T-Bone

February 19, 2007 05:56 PM | Link to this

Practice schedule can be found on the Thrashers website. Go to the Schedule Link and there will be another link to the practice schedule.

By mb

February 19, 2007 06:16 PM | Link to this

Interesting comments from a couple of other GMs in the market down at the meeting in Florida from a Canadian Press article on TSN:

“The deals that have been put in front of me haven’t been worth spending a lot of time on,” said Burke. “They’ve been short, profanity-laced conversations. They ask for the same group of young guys and I’m not moving any of those guys for a rental (pending free agent).

“It’s just not going to happen. I don’t know if the prices are too high for other people but they don’t suit me. I’m not interested in anything that’s been thrown at me yet.”

“Let’s wait ‘til you get closer to the trading deadline,” said veteran New York Rangers GM Glen Sather, who predicts the price will come down. “This is like 30 guys at the used car lot right now, and every guy wants the same four or five cars. The guy doing the selling is asking a lot more. When you get closer to the trading deadline, it won’t be that way.”

Is it too much to hope for that possibly we haven’t made a deal yet because DW has actually been a shrewd negotiator? I expect Bob and LAC to have some fun with that one.

By Brian

February 19, 2007 06:36 PM | Link to this

Michael - sarcasm (I know it doesn’t come across well in e-mails, blogs, etc.). I don’t want another 3rd line center either, don’t worry. I would love to see Morrison though.

By michael

February 19, 2007 06:50 PM | Link to this

Brian—- Morrison would be a very welcome addition, although I dont think the canucks will part ways with him. I was actually calling for Morrison about a month ago.

By DB

February 19, 2007 06:56 PM | Link to this

I think the Kovy/Neil thing goes back to last year where Kovy slashed Neil in retaliation for an earlier slash. Kovy was fined. It is really rich that Neil complains about dirty play.

By Thrasher_Ed

February 19, 2007 06:58 PM | Link to this

If a scout was in ChiTown most likely scouting Smolinski or Cullimore of Chicago. Both have been in rumored deals to ATL. Smoke played with Hossa in Ottawa, might be a good move?

By Bob

February 19, 2007 07:31 PM | Link to this

“Is it too much to hope for that possibly we haven’t made a deal yet because DW has actually been a shrewd negotiator?”

That’s why I’ve been calling him The Fiddler. He will make a move, at the deadline, he has to. But we needed the help weeks ago while the team was imploding. I’m fearful that by the time the help gets here next week, the division is out of reach and we’re left fighting for the 8th spot. Kincade’s been pointing out this week is crucial, Carolina twice and Tampa once. We sure could have used the help here by now.

CC, thanks for the info. I was hopeful you had the skinny on something pending, guess we’ll just hope for the best.

By michael

February 19, 2007 07:34 PM | Link to this

Barry Melrose is going to be on the Buc and Kincaide show tommorow to talk about the thrash.

By michael

February 19, 2007 07:45 PM | Link to this

Peter Sykora would be a nice addition as well.

By Brian

February 19, 2007 07:48 PM | Link to this

Thrasher_Ed - My original thought was their were there to watch a Wolves game and just caught the next NHL game in town. I actually suggested a joint trade where we get both Smolinski & Aucoin ($$ though) and get the C & D. But then when I saw that they were playing the Canucks I thought about DW being in Vancouver and made that link. Everyone who has been on this blog knows that I have called for Morrison as the younger C vs. the overaged rental that we don’t need this year. Who knows? We will just have to wait and see.

By Brendan

February 19, 2007 09:00 PM | Link to this

Shane and Lee, Kari Lehtonen also must be re-signed in the Summer of 2008. Throw in Hedberg, too. But by then, Ondrej Pavelec should be established as the backup. Who knows? He might be the starter. Nothing wrong with a little “healthy competition” to improve the product.

By Brendan

February 19, 2007 09:23 PM | Link to this

Back in October, we were keeping our Goals Against at around two (2) per game. Minus Vishnevski, this is the same defensive unit as then. The goalies are the same, Hedberg and Lehtonen. Our four lines are essentially the same, except that we now have Belanger. So, what went wrong?

I can’t even believe I’m saying this, but maybe the problem is that the Thrashers are well-scouted and Hartley hasn’t made the necessary adjustments to our strategy to combat that. Hossa gets double-teamed all the time. Kovy tries to shoot the puck from the same spot on the ice, game after game. Our PP is utterly predictable. Our PK is “passive,” and waits to attack only when a poor pass is made inside our zone.

Waddell just might be able to say, with some veracity, “Don’t blame meee, the talent I assembled was winning in October, November and December. Blame Hartley for not the making the adjustments. Or devising a counter strategy.”

Okay, to be clear, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s what I think Waddell will be saying if this ship doesn’t get righted between now and the end of the season. Yes, that’s PURE SPECULATION on my part. But Hartley doesn’t have a contract for next season. Waddell does. And Waddell is adored and beloved by Bernie Mullin and probably the rest of the Atlanta Spirit Group, LLC. They’re seemingly beholden to each other.

Well, if Waddell does actually feel this way, (pure supposition on my part,) why doesn’t he come down to bench and personally steer the “Good Ship Thrashers” through the rest of the choppy seas? Ahhh, nevermind. I think I just answered my own question.

By Brendan

February 19, 2007 09:28 PM | Link to this

Folks, Don Waddell’s hands may be tied. If that sounds like an excuse. It probably is. But it could be “valid.” Look, I think the way out is for this team to play like it did in October and November. Why can’t they? If it’s strategy/coaching, then turn up the heat on Hartley.

By Brendan

February 19, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this

Lee, several of us have been clamoring for Don Waddell to lock up Hossa EARLY. Feel free to chuckle, but I suggested 5-years, $40M. That’s a cap hit of $8M per season. If Don continues his stated policy of not negotiating contracts during the season, then I’d say there’s a very good chance that Hossa will be lost to the open Market in the Summer of 2008. Nothing prevents Don from re-negotiating Hossa’s contract THISSSSS Summer, as far as I know. I think he has to wait until there are 364 days left on the current deal. But, I’m actually not certain of that.

Reverend Whittaker is on my case that I shouldn’t be talking about Hossa’s contract. But really, not talking about it only further “enables” the problem. The sooner Don deals with it, the better. And if he doesn’t feel like coughing up the league maximum, a possible $9.5M in the Summer of 2008, then he’ll probably wind up “outbid” for an MVP like Hossa’s services. And he’ll be lost, (like Savard, and possibly Kozlov and Sutton this Summer,) for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

I love Hossa. I want to keep him. But if Don felt like he had to trade him because he couldn’t re-sign him in the Summer of 2008, then I could accept that. What if he got Mike Cammalleri and Jack Johnson in exchange for Hossa, from the L.A. Kings? I’d tip my hat to Waddell for at least getting “something” for him. And well, actually doing fairly well, in that regard. Tell me the Kings wouldn’t relish the idea of Kopitar and Hossa. It’d be a “sign-n-trade,” of course. And the Kings would have to accept the terms of Hossa’s “whopping” new contract. Yeah, I hear ya. Maybe that’s why they wouldn’t do it.

The above is purely speculative, mind you. There’s absolutely no truth to a syllable of it. It was “hypothetical.”

By B. Thenet

February 19, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

The PK gets better immediately with JPVJ returning, guys like him never get the respect they deserve.

The Thrashers haven’t lost in a couple of days, so I am feeling a bit optimistic. Why not put Boulton out there with Kozlov and Hossa? As long as he can resist the urge to fling himself at the goalie we should be OK, he would clear up some room for the other two guys.

I really hate the Hurricanes, a loss to those chumps might push me over the edge.

By The Falconer

February 20, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Brendan: Sorry but under the current CBA no team may extend a contract until the final year. Hossa is the middle year of his 3 year deal, so it is not allowed. Now NEXT season Hossa could be extended, but not until then.

By Tony C.

February 20, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this

You could etend Hossa’s deal during camp though right?

By Pucks n Snot

February 20, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

A HA HA HA HA HA! Check out Scott Burnsides article on Waddell & the Thrashers on ESPN.com, Atlanta! Have a look at what real hockey people think of your team! Not to mention my relocation “theory” is validated once and for all! The Thrashers are numero uno on many cities radars and if they miss the playoffs it’s only a matter of time, despite their puny little 6 percent attendance increase. Big fckn whoop! And then here comes Brendan, the mighty god of the Atlanta hockey blog - HE SEES AND KNOWS ALL AND CAN TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT IN ANOTHER 7 PAGE BLOG ENTRY - only to say he would be “fine” with the Thrashers trading perhaps the best player on the face of the earth right now for a college kid and Mike Cammalleri????? A HA HA HA HA HA HA! Brendan, Brendan, Brendan…..what are you - on DOPE? Kovalchuk for sure - he’s a one dimensional snot nosed uncoachable PUNK - but with the state of your franchise right now YOU of ALL PEOPLE say it would be “fine” to deal MARIAN HOSSA out of a town that is running for its NHL life? Marian Hossa is the most gifted, unselfish, hardest working athelete Atlanta has ever seen and you’d be “fine” trading him for that kind of return? THIS IS EXACTLY WHY NO ONE CAN TAKE AN ATLANTA SPORTS FAN SERIOUSLY! I DEMAND THIS MAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUCH IRRESPONSIBLE RHETORIC! YOU CRUCIFY ME FOR SUGGESTING KOVALCHUK BE DEALT - AND THEN YOUR ANOINTED BLOG GOD SPEAKS THIS WAY OF THE ONLY PLAYER YOUR TEAM HAS EVER HAD WORTH PAYING TO SEE! GIVE US BARABBAS! CRUCIFY HIM! CRUUUUCIFY HIIIM! EQUAL TIME! EQUAL JUSTICE! CRUUUUCIFY HIM!

By Thrashers27

February 20, 2007 01:33 AM | Link to this

Hey Pucks! Seriously, when was the last time you interacted with real people? Especially a woman…and don’t say “last time I interacted with your Mom.” because my Mom is 85 years old and that would only further prove my point that you’re a loser with nothing to offer society. I’m not a native Atlantan and hate this city, but Thrashers hockey is the best tie us northerners have to home. Let it be, or pi** off.

By UpperDeck4Life

February 20, 2007 08:10 AM | Link to this

Pucks, all Burnside did was call Waddell out and say what we all know to be true. The only mention of “relocation” is that it was mentioned in the Canadian media and not that the NHL was considering it. I think it should also be pointed out how after mentioning it, that Burnside immediately started talking about the positive attendance here in Atlanta, and to quote Burnside “It seems like the fans are finally starting to get it.” I think the franchise is safe where it is….now our GM and Coach that is an entirely different story.

By Bob

February 20, 2007 08:56 AM | Link to this

Good article by Burnside, hits the nail on the head. Interesting how the AJC isn’t writing this kind of stuff, except for Shultz’ one column.

As Burnside points out, it’s all in Waddell’s hands, and he also wonders why the move hasn’t been made yet and says it might be too late when he finally does make a move. Wonders why he didn’t go for Comrie. Why he didn’t go for Conroy. Why Waddell didn’t make a move last year that would have got us in. It’s because Waddell has been fiddling, while Atlanta burns.

Anyone paying attention to Lehtonen’s numbers lately? Where’s ranallo and soda and assorted goofs that wasted all those words calling me names earlier this year while I was demanding Moose to be played every 6th or 7th game so Kari didn’t wear down? You see why now?

By The Falconer

February 20, 2007 09:51 AM | Link to this

Tony: I believe that ATL could extend Hossa as soon as the SC Finals are over in June.

By Rawhide

February 20, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

T-27,……..P&S has a lot of contact with another human, and female at that….every morning when wakes up and crawls out of his mommy basement he meets her at the kitchen table where he is given his daily berating along with breakfast! She is, obviously, an overbearing, abusive type who tend to keep P&S in his lowly, pitiful place. hence, his obnoxious, unstable demenor.

tsk, tsk,…..anyway…….I haven’t read the ESPN article yet,….shall do so,…..

I tend to agree with HiBob’s comments on #32,….it’s where any recovery will begin. But there is still much to do with the line-ups and play of the skaters. This is the coach’s responsibility.

I also agree with the fact that if DW is waiting till closer to deadline to deal, that may not be such a good strategy. The fire could consume the house by that time.

If the Thrash are waiting for the most dramic time to come out of their mid-winter hybernation,…tonight and the next week or so IS IT. Folks,….for better or worse we will have a much better picture of our playoff future by this time next week.

I’m still trying to accent the positive…….I LOVE the fact that we are in late February and battling for the playoffs and our division, (yeah, yeah,…I know……were on the down swing and tTB and CAR are accending),…..but I am embracing the thrill of the moment…so,…

GO THRASHERS!!!!!!!

er, ah,…I mean,….GO Kitcher-Ontario Owls!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA…..HEHEHEHEHEHE…hahaha-hehehehe……oh, my…..what a “hoot”.

Hey P&S,…..say hi to mommie for us!

By Rawhide

February 20, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Now that I have read the Burnside aricle,….

I find it interesting that he uses DW words around on him…..”this year there is no excuse”. This is true,…..which is why I find it so very interesting that he has not gone out on the limb to pull off the “BIG TRADE”.

To me, if he DOES do something big, trade-wise,..and we fail to make the playoffs,…well that is bad, no doubt.

But if he stands pat,…..and we miss the playoffs,……he has committed the unforgivable sin of standing by and doing nothing while we sank.

I have supported DW,….but I think many here are correct in their belief that what he does/does not do in the next week will determine the fate of his job status in ATL.

I know that is stating the obvious but….

Oh, and P&S, while Burnide DID acknowlege the rumor going around in the Canadian press about Atlanta being a sought after franchise to relocate,… as all rational people do, he cited the growing attendance numbers an the fact that Atlanta fans, “get it”,…..as reasons to the contrary.

So, go get your Kitchener-Ontario Owls elsewhere.

By ranallo10

February 20, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Sorry that I’ve been absent for so long, I’m sure Bob has enjoyed having everyone agree with him since I left the boards.

To answer your question Bob—you throw around so many opinions, often times with room for open interpretation to such opinions, that by the time something happens that could POSSIBLY prove you right, you regurgitate your prediction/opinion to the entire blog community in an attempt to justify your ever growing number of rants.

For example: You CLAIM to have been stating the Thrashers needed a number one center since the seventh game of the season. You seem to forget that every other follower of the Thrashers has stated the same thing. You OPINE that Hedberg needs more starts to keep him from becoming rusty, and to give rest to Lehtonen so that he doesn’t become worn out come playoff time. Three weeks and 6 games later, you latch on to an article written about Lehtonen slumping, and attempt to use it to justify your “worn out/Hedberg needs starts” opinion. Somehow you seem to miss the point of the article stating it’s a MENTAL problem with Lehtonen, and NOT PHYSICAL. You CLAIM to have predicted the Predators to win the West (went out on a limb there, didn’t you) and the Flyers to be the team who fell off the most from last season. Somehow your claims seem to show up when Philadelphia is the worst team in the NHL, and Nashville is leading the West by a few games. Coincidence?? I’m assuming not.

Spouting opinions/claims is like throwing crap at a wall…keep throwing and eventually something will stick.

So if you want “props” for Custance writing an article about Lehtonen’s poor play since the All-Star break, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Learn how to read and extrapolate the pertinent information…don’t just read stuff in an effort to find something another person said that substantiates your previous claims.

PS - Vigier sucks

By Bob

February 20, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Nice apology. You wrote freaking novels telling me what an idiot I was for begging Hartley to quite playing Lehtonen every night, now the best you can come up with is that above?

No, not everyone was calling for a new center. In fact, early in the year all I heard was “why, we’re winning”, while I begged for one. Pay attention, never mind, your comprehension skills at work again, eh?

Preseason I picked Anaheim to win the West, pay attention. Never mind, I forgot already about that silly comprehension problem.

Care to lay out the stats for our PK since Vigier has been out? It’s gone from bad to worse, quite obviously he was the problem.

You’ve been hiding instead of having to eat your words, and the best you can come up with is that above? Lame.

By Thrasher_Ed

February 20, 2007 01:26 PM | Link to this

Craig Custance, Any morning skate updates on line changes with Vigier coming off IR today? Personally I liked the lines from a couple of games ago: Kovy-Slater-Metro Hossa-Belanger-Slava Holik-Vigier-Mellanby Sim-Kapanen-Hamel Hmmm looking at that list you are very underwelmed at our talent! True top 6 forwards 3(Hossa-Kovy-Slava) Everyone else is a plugger? No wonder we are struggling. I am just like most of you while we were winning early you don’t notice our true lack of talent. Question for the rest of you bloggers: Who else would a playoff team truly take off our team if we were dumping Salaries this year other than maybe a Bobby Holik?

By Pucks n Snot

February 20, 2007 01:44 PM | Link to this

An update for you…Marc Savard is now AHEAD of Marian Hossa in the points standings. #4 in the NHL. Nice job, Waddell. You spent the cash you saved letting him walk on Vishnevski - who played so well you had to ship him out mid season for some ham & egger that has played for 4 teams in the span of about a year. The rest went to NHL stalwarts like Rucchin, Metropolit, Sim….third and fourth line scrubs that you now have skating on your top lines in hopes of creating “chemistry” for your stuck in the mud superstars, while Savard continues his ascension to superstardom despite having mediocre offensive talent at best to play with. oh, thats right - he’s a minus player….obviously looking at your once again putrid goals against stats this year he was the main reason for your defensive ineptness. Do any of you realize that the Boston Bruins are a terrible team with a moron coach and probably the worst goalie tandem in the league, yet they are somehow above the .500 mark? But Savard isn’t worth the money…whats really REALLY funny is how the jokers saying what a great move it was to let go of Savard are the same people campaigning for Waddell to bring in other , OLDER high dollar centers like Olie Joikenen and Federov to save Atlantas drowning playoffs hopes! A HA HA HA! THAT IS CLASSIC! What will you be saying at seasons end when your team actually not ony misses the playoffs but finishes behind disasters like Boston & the Islanders as well? Hurl all the insults you want - EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU KNOWS I SPEAK TRUTH. And I’ve got more news for you - you talk about re-signing Hossa? What the HELL makes you think a guy like that wants to spend the best years of his incredible career with a team crippled by unstable ownership, horrible managment and in large a fan base with little aprreciation for the game? Write it down, Atlanta - this guy is already planning his escape from the clutches of “UNGLUEDLAND”! No way Marian Hossa is a Thrasher after next year….as a matter of fact - DAMN HE WOULD LOOK GOOD IN RED & WHITE! A HA HA HA HA!

By Mac

February 20, 2007 02:01 PM | Link to this

Pucks n Snot - Olli Jokinen is 28, Savard is 29, and they make the same amount of money. He is neither older nor higher paid.

By Bob

February 20, 2007 02:15 PM | Link to this

“And I’ve got more news for you - you talk about re-signing Hossa? What the HELL makes you think a guy like that wants to spend the best years of his incredible career with a team crippled by unstable ownership, horrible managment and in large a fan base with little aprreciation for the game?”

Pucks is completely obnoxious, but I have to agree with him here. I can’t see Hossa wanting to stay in the current situation. We have to let the ownership situation play itself out but then Reason #300 to get us a real GM this summer is to get someone in here to start turning this around quickly, or then Hossa could be gone after next year and we’re stuck with Kovy and Lehtonen and, and, and, uh, The Fiddler.

By Russian

February 20, 2007 02:18 PM | Link to this

Puck is right. He is very sarcastic, but he is telling a true. It is very hard to swallow. Why did Savard stay with Thrasher??? It is simple, we did not have a NAME, and we did not go to PO since 2000. We got trouble with management, owners and Fans. I agree, if we are not making PO this year, Hossa will not sing contract with Atlanta. He will go to Rangers and play with his young brother. I am just wondering, Why Tampa playing very well lately??? They do not have more talent that we do. They play great and coming PO almost every year. What is different? Coaches, Management or System??? If we found answer, we will win Games and keep our players. Until that we will always be Team from South.

By T-Bone

February 20, 2007 02:19 PM | Link to this

I 2nd the Holik nomination. The way he blew past the kids yesterday after practice with neery a glance he can just keep on walking. For the money he’s getting, the amount of ice time and the supposed veteran leadership he’s providing he can darn well afford to stop and sign a few things. Prick!

By Brendan

February 20, 2007 09:43 PM | Link to this

Russian, it was reported in the AJC (I think by Manasso,) that Marc Savard was going through a divorce during last season. I was completely unaware of that. But apparently, Marc’s children would be in Ontario, Canada. And because of that, allegedly, supposedly, Marc had made up his mind that he wanted to be closer to them. The rumor was … he was trying to get up north, preferably out “east somewhere.” Reportedly, Savard was trying to get to Toronto or the NYR. But when Boston came calling with a $5M contract, that was “close enough” for him.

If all that is true, then I suspect it wouldn’t have mattered what Don offered, or even WHEN Don offered it, since his “family obligations” came first. Is that the “truth” of what happened? I couldn’t say. I read the article, same as other AJC readers. It was the first I’d heard of a Savard divorce.

Does that mean Savard wouldn’t have left anyway, divorce or divorce? I dunno. Maybe he did want out of town for “hockey reasons.” But I’ve never read that he ever stated as such.

By Brendan

February 20, 2007 09:54 PM | Link to this

T-Bone and Thrasher_Ed, I doubt anyone will take Holik off our hands. He’s got a year left, at $4.25 million. And he’s 36.