Thrashers

By Rawhide

March 30, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Well done as always, CC.

True we cannot clinch a playoff spot tomorrow,…

However, we can clinch the division Sunday with a win vs. Boston and a TB loss vs. Carolina tonight / TB loss vs. Washington tomorrow night / Carolina loss at Fla. Sunday.

That would give us 93 points and Carolina & TB 86 w/ 3 to play each.

Regardless,….isn’t it nice to sit here and project out over a 24-48 hour timeframe how we can “clinch” things???

Here’s hoping tonight’s TB / Carolina game does not go into OT!

Side note: TB and Carolina also play on Tuesday the 3rd.

Given all that,…..wouldn’t it be nice to enter Blueland on Wednesday ALREADY playoff-bound BEFORE the puck drops!!!!

By Tom

March 30, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

CC - Here is the question I want to ask.

If only one other Southeast team made the playoffs, would you prefer it to be Tampa Bay or Carolina.

I think that we match up better against Tampa these days with their suspect goaltending, although Carolina is having their own troubles. Depending on how the 2 games play out, one of them could be looking up from out of the picture as of Wednesday…

By Rawhide

March 30, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

(Ugh,…time-out,…so if this is a re-post, sorry)

CC,….good job as always.

While the above scenario is true,…we CAN indeed clinch the divsion this weekend this way:

1. We win vs. Boston tomorrow to give us 93 points.

2. Carolina beats TB tonight in regulation, (both then have 86 points).

3. TB loses to Washington tomorrow night and Carolina loses to Florida Sunday.

That leaves them with 86 points and only 3 to play each.

TAH-DA!!!

Now, TB and Carolina play each other on Tuesday as well.

So, given all that,…how nice would it be to go into Blueland Wednesday play-off bound before the puck is even dropped????

Either way, here’s hoping tonight’s TB / Carolina game DOES NOT go into OT!!!

By Daniel

March 30, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

by my calculations, if we won two more games (reaching 95 points) then we will make the playoffs. That’s it. Just win two more games. We don’t need any favors from anyone else that way. Toronto has 85 points, the most they can get is 95 points on the season. As you mentioned we have the tie-breaker.

To win the division? Win three games. As of right now TB has 86 points, the most they can get is 96. If we win three more games, we’ll 97 points.

That’s my math. check it if you want. 95 to clinch by ourselves (no help) and 97 to win the division if TB wins all the upcoming games. Our destiny is in our own hands.

By LAC

March 30, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Craig,

Correct me if wrong…

If TB loses tonight at Carolina, we win in Boston and TB Wins Home against Washington, we can CLINCH Wednesday Night at The Philips !!!!

Meaning we stay 5 ahead through game sat.

We win… 7 up, TB wins later 5 up, TB wins Tues VS Wash 3 up, WE win Wednesday night VS Washington, 5 up with 2 to play… WE WIN !!!!!!!!!!

Looks like NYR would be first round match…

Funny about that… The LAST Time The NHL Playoffs were in Atlanta was April 1980, The Flames played NYR and lost 3 games to one in the last Atlanta Flames Game at The OMNI.

Would like to return the favor to them THIS time around.

I would say Atlanta 4 games to 2.

Just a feeling… But I think FL might just get in… Think of them beating Buffalo in the first round… WOW !

By Thrashersfan33

March 30, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

I would prefer that we win the division at home on Wednesday. If we have to wait until then to clinch even a playoff spot, that works for me too. Phillips will be going nuts if either or both of the aforementioned scenarios are on the line.

By roh

March 30, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

i can’t believe i just read all those comments and my brain hasn’t exploded yet. i also can’t believe how many different versions of us clinching a playoff birth/division there are. if this and that then this than possibly THAT…ugh. i have my tickets to the last game. i hope it doesn’t mean anything for the division or playoffs, so i can just enjoy watching the boys play one last time before playoffs.

By Russ

March 30, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Craig - that looks right to me.

The magic number for the division is 4 with Carolina and 6 with Tampa. As long as their game doesn’t go to OT tonight, one of those numbers will be reduced by 2.

By thrashersfan

March 30, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Stop it, stop it, stop it! Just let things play out……yes, I’ll admit, I’m feeling much better about our “after the regular-season” prospects, but I can’t say it yet. Go Thrashers!!

By Craig Custance

March 30, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Tom — My preference on who the Thrashers might face in the playoffs is based solely on what cities I’d prefer to travel to and what’s easiest for me (it’s all about No. 1 over here). So that means I’d prefer traveling to Tampa - it’s a quick flight, it’s easy to get around and there’s a beach. As far as hockey goes, I think the Thrashers would have the best chance of advancing against the Lightning because of the goaltending situation.

By Bob

March 30, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

No one said there was going to be math. Thanks, now my head hurts, and it’s not even happy hour yet!

Keep your eye on the ball. The only thing that matters is the division. We’ll be up ranallo’s creek without a paddle if we squeak in and lose home ice. We need a Carolina win tonight. Then take care of business tomorrow at Bhastan.

Let’s go, Canes

Unleash the Fury!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 30, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

84% chance we win the division according to

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern.html

Outstanding!!!!!

By BlueLand Billy

March 30, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

I’d rather see the Sunday Division Clinching scenario play out. This way, McCarthy gets back in the lineup before the playoffs, Kari can sit against Carolina, and some of the others can also get some rest.

By thrasherfan93

March 30, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

By my calculations… I am going to need a molson

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 30, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Craig…Did you just give an opinion?

By Craig Custance

March 30, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Buzilla — That was analysis.

By Russian

March 30, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

It is very close to fill a Play Offs games. I agree that our situation much better then last year. Last year we were trying to get into spot #8. This season is different, we almost get Play Offs spot and we are talking about to win SE. Exciting, very happy. Our team must be ready to play against Boston, nobody know what can be happened. Boston is out for sure. They are on vacation since yesterday, but They are not going to give us a Game, at least Savard wants to give us a favor. We have to win for any ways by regular time, OT or SO. Kari needs to be ready and strong on the net, no more easy goals though his leg. And if win at Boston, I think he can get rest and ready to First Round. Moose will take care us rest of the season. But First Priority Task is WIN DAMN GAME in BOSTON.

By ranallo10

March 30, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Holy semantics Batman!

By Brendan

March 30, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

I love that the Thrashers don’t need “help” to clinch this division. They can take care of everything all by themselves.

I never liked the “what if” scenarios where we need teams above us to lose in order to catch them. Some people call this “controlling your own destiny.” Uhh, I won’t break out into semantics of the word destiny.

I tell you want I want to see tomorrow. I just want to see the REALIZATION on Marc Savard’s face that, once again, he’s in a playoff race that will end in failure. Well, he wanted to be closer to his family. He got that. So, I guess he can’t complain. Plus, that whole $5 million … “thingy” probably shouldn’t leave him feeling all that melancholy.

By LAC

March 30, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

Great comments RAWHIDE… You Brenden and Bob ALWAYS get it right !!!!!

Well Brenden, 98% of the time !!!!!

GO Carolina… Gee Whiz and I went to N.C.State… I really hate saying THAT !!!

But it will be on OUR home floor as well !

By FiveHole

March 30, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

Forgive me, completely other topic, but I have to air out some Mats Sundin/Allan Muir hate. While I understand their whining on the those-who-have-the-most-points-deserve-priority-playoff-seeding issue, their argument is really an incomplete one. They fail to mention that the way current NHL scheduling goes, divisional match-ups make up the majority of conference games played. Theoretically, if there’s actual parity in your division, it’s very likely the divisional champ can end up with a low total relative to the rest of the conference. Yet, that doesn’t mean the team can’t match up with the Buffalos and New Jerseys and Ottawas of the world.

I imagine if Toronto had to go against the SE division all season at least once or twice a week, they’d probably be carrying the Panthers’ left-over stick tape by now. [To the Leafs credit, this year they did manage to go 4 games over .500 vs. the SE]

With two Cups in as many seasons, the Southeast is no pushover, folks; it’s underrated. Besides, Mats lost a must-win game to the SE last night, so now he just looks like an A**.

By Craig Custance

March 30, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

FiveHole - That’s a good argument.

By Brendan

March 30, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Vinny Lecavalier just scored his 50th goal. It’s now 4-2, Lightning. Carolina’s playoff hopes just may have been dashed. There’s about 4 minutes to go in regulation.

Well, now the pressure is back on for the Boston game. A win brings two more HUGE points towards that division title.

By Bob

March 30, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Goodbye, Canes.

Isles just got Dunham-ed (check the box score on that one).

Need the 2 tomorrow.

By Bob

March 30, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Dunham-ed

backup Mike Dunham allowed five goals on the first 10 shots he faced and was pulled after the first period. Dunham has lost five straight starts, a stretch in which he’s allowed 24 goals.

By thrashersfan

March 31, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

Still think Kari’s the goalie of the future, when he’s on, but the situation with Dunham, and Tampa for that matter, makes you feel very good about our high quality back-up. Keep him warm Hartley. MOOOOSE!!

By Tom

March 31, 2007 5:30 AM | Link to this

Bob

Time for Dunham to have a “groin injury”…

By LAC

March 31, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Thanks Carolina…But NO Cup defense for you clowns… It Is OVER because of lazy play IE… ERIC STAAL,who COASTED this season, Hey pal you have to work HARDER to win the second time around, just because you have a ring etc… Does not mean CRAP this season.

He and Cole really were not very good this year… See ya next friday and NEXT SEASON.

Same for NYI big trade BAD BACKUP… We KNOW…Dunham is DONE and so are NYI.

Toronto will be next to get toasted,

But I have this strange feeling Florida might just pull a surprise Why I don’t know, they need HELP, but they may just make it.

But a MUST WIN TODAY in Beantown,

So let’s hope Wash can nail TB tonight and Carolina TRY to regroup tuesday in TB for a win so we can win wednesday night on HOME ICE !!!!!!!!

TB has to lose ONE time for us to do this, and we have to win today.

By Thrashers27

March 31, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah, boys!!! Time to seal the deal!!!

UNLEASH THE FURY OF BLUELAND!!!

I want to see a huge win in Boston today. If the Thrash can put up a blow-out that will mean that our boys in blue have reacted to the smell of blood in the water and are swarming.

LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!

By Brian

March 31, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Bob - nice post on “Dunhamed“…

OK - gametime.

By Rone

March 31, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Somebody in the Sports South control room is thanking their lucky stars that we saw that first goal. Nice deflection by Kovy. Let’s get six more.

By Brian

March 31, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Caveman22 - thank you for choosing your signon name. I think it was Rawhide or Bob that brought up the Geico reference in a past blog? Anyway, I was getting something to drink and heard that commercial and wanted to see it as I don’t usually pay attention to them, but wanted to since you guys were talking about it. Next thing I know X shot the puck, Kovvy deflected, and I would’ve missed the first goal if it wasn’t for you…

By Tom

March 31, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

The guys producing the Sports South telecast must have had a big night out in Bean Town last night.

They are having a rough day…

By Rone

March 31, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

I’m going to have to send my resume to SportsSouth, because somebody must be out of a job.

By Rone

March 31, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

I have to pizz, and a commercial just came on. Should I relieve myself?

I HAVE NO IDEA, BECAUSE THE GAME MAY STILL BE GOING ON!!!

Thanks SPORTSOUTH!!!

By Bob

March 31, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

It’s bad enough to be one of the team’s who games aren’t shown in HD, but this is just awful coverage. They have to fix this for next year, can’t even call it 2nd rate, this is minor league quality coverage.

We need the 2 pts, no more messing around, they were playing a little pond hockey in that period. Hossa looks like he’s skating a lot better. I hope Slater didn’t break his hand, he was holding ice on it in the penalty box. No reason to take that fight on there with a 2-0 lead, skate away kid.

By Tom

March 31, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

We need to get the powerplay fixed. Get it to the point, shoot, and have Hossa and Walt put it back in.

Not rocket science. I would even replace Ilya with Kozlov on the 1st power play.

By Tom

March 31, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

X blew that one…. worst play of the year for him…

By Rone

March 31, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

X has GOT to use his head! That was Sutton-esque.

By Rone

March 31, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

X owes his first born to Walt. Thank you Hockey Gods!

By Tom

March 31, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Walt has earned every penny we gave up for him today. He took what had the potential to be a demoralizing tie/loss and turned it into a sweet victory.

Thanks Keith!

By Tom

March 31, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

And Rone, it is safe to hit the bathroom now… lol

By ranallo10

March 31, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Did anybody else watch that quick segment on Bobby Orr and think to themselves “I bet Hartley would healthy scratch him”??

Somehow I can imagine Bob Hartley saying something like “I love [Bobby] Orr, he’s the best defenseman on our team, but I just can’t find room for him with this current crew of defenseman.” (sorry, I’ve yet to perfect his “like” and “eh” to know where to place them when imitating Hartley)

By Bob

March 31, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Walt! You go to the net and good things happen.

Lehtonen played a great game, many good saves.

Hossa skated well. Defense was suspect today, but Lehtonen held them together.

Let’s go, Caps!

By Rone

March 31, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Thanks Tom. I didn’t think my bladder was tough enough to make it, but you learn something new every day.

I think the cops may be on the way to my apartment for “disturbing the peace”, because,

6 beers since noon + GWG with 18 seconds left = Me shouting YES! YES! YES! so loudly, that one of my neighbor’s actually checked to see if I was OK.

By Rawhide

March 31, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HA!

Just got into Jacksonville and read the great news!!!

See everyone Wednesday!!!!!

GO THRASHERS!!

(and Pittsburgh and Ottawa and Washington)

By Rawhide

March 31, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Oh,….

And with the win we are 4-0 vs. Bah-ston…..13-6-1 vs. the NE.

Not bad for a team in a “soft” division, eh, Matts Sundin?

(Sorry, I gotta let that go…….)

By LAC

March 31, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Gee Whiz X… What were you THINKING ??????????????????

Savard picked you CLEAN…

Of ALL the trades made by ALL the teams… The trade that brought Keith T. to Atlanta has to be THE Best of all, he has PRODUCED.

I will say this, if those trades had NOT taken place… We would be in 12-13th place right now.

They can PACK IT IN, in Raleigh, it is OVER… Coasters like Stall and Cole and B’rind whatever… Think winning the CUP means We will win again…. WRONG… look where YOU guys are.

Lastly… mats,PUNK, sundin, soft huh ?

We have a WINNING record against the NE Few if ANY teams can say that… and where O where will YOUR worthless loafs, I mean tree leafs on Sunday April 4 ???????

ANSWER - OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS… AGAIN !!!

Gee what a Hockey town toronto is, center of hockey… NOPE, better get a new EXPANSION Team, they might make the playoffs MATS !!!!!!!

By 74 Dawg

March 31, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Hey, I think I’m starting to get this hockey thing down,with a little help from you guys… I am beginning to see the difference between a ‘soft’ goal and an easy goal. It’ like the difference between a bone head play and a lucky bounce in baseball-it all depends on which team it happens to. GO BLUE(and go Dawgs).

By russian

March 31, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

Savard was idiot when he said NO to Thrashers. What did he think? Any way Big win today and take rest and win Washington game. I really want to see Kari get rest after Washington and Moose will be playing with Carolina and Tampa. Let’s go Thrashers!!!!!

By Brendan

March 31, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Allegedly, supposedly Marc Savard never said “no” to Atlanta. Pick the version you prefer … or believe most. Option “A” is that … Marc was in a divorce settlement whereby his kids would be in Ontario. And he wanted to sign with Toronto or the NY Rangers to be closer to them. When Boston offered $5 million, he and his agent said, “Close enough to Ontario and the dollars we want.”

Option “B” is that Don Waddell, per a stated policy of no contract negotiation during the season, never spoke to Savard or his agent about a contract. Since there’s no proof of any negotiating ever having taken place, Savard technically never said “no” to Atlanta.

Option “C” says… (what appeared in AJC print,) paraphrased, “Don Waddell said he never got a call from Savard’s agent to make a counter-offer to Boston’s offer.” DW dropped hints, throught the media, that he wasn’t going over $4.0 million for Savard. So, I can sorta see why Savard’s agent wouldn’t call Don to ask if $5.1 million were in the cards. And, if you believe the Savard divorce thingy, then it wouldn’t have mattered what DW offered, or WHEN, if Marc’s top priority was his family (being near his kids).

By Brendan

March 31, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

I almost forgot, Darren Eliot got in a “little dig” at Marc Savard. He pointed out that Marc was a minus-eighteen (-18) on the season for Boston, and that “that’s his game. It was always been. He’s an offensively minded player.” Translation: “He’s one-dimensional.

By ranallo10

March 31, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

How’s that a dig? He could’ve said the same thing about Kovalchuk and you would’ve seen it as gospal. Everybody knows Savard is a scoring center (read: one-dimensional or weak defender)…so nobody should be surprised when Eliot said he’s offensive minded.

Spezza is offensive minded. Crosby is offensive minded. It’s not a dig, it’s a statement of the obvious.

By Brendan

April 1, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

Well, you’re right, Renallo. Eliot didn’t call Savard an evil man who smells bad. But there was a little something in his voice that seemed to hint “The Thrashers don’t need more one-dimensional players.”

I perceived it as a dig, based on his tone of voice and delivery. Not a strong dig. By the way, Hossa is a very offensively minded player, too. I think he has 42 goals. But I doubt Eliot thinks Marian is weak defensively.

By Bob

April 1, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

I heard that snide dig from Derwood Eliot and at first thought, don’t go there as that’s low hangin fruit, but:

• Savard + Kapanen & Rucchin - Kapanen & Rucchin plus Belanger + Tkachuk = mo better

Unleash the Fury

By ranallo10

April 1, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

Marian Hossa is not an offensively minded player, he’s an absolute beast.

He’s so well rounded, I don’t know what the Thrashers would do without him.

In fact he’s so good that when he’s slumping people assume he must be injured.

By Brendan

April 1, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Well, looks like Scotty Bowman has returned to active duty! Phoenix’s Mike Barnett has been relieved of GM duties and been promoted to President of the team. Meanwhile, Scotty Bowman has accepted the GM duties, and will advice Wayne Gretzky as an assistant coach.

…

…

April FoolS!*

Sorry, I just to be the first April’s fools day post.

By Tony C.

April 1, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Brendan

Way to go a$$!!! My heart almost stopped. I was like-“that’s unfair mang!” good one though…The Gretzky Aura is one of the few things powerful enough that it might be able to lure Bowman out of full retirement.

Nice win yesterday-certainly a very exciting finish-the guys must learn to close out the games in which they enjoy the lead with more than 5min remaining…They learn how to do that over these next few games and I will feel very confident about the playoffs-UNLEASH THE FURY indeed! If you’re interested, there’s some quotes from the Bruins and Coach Dave Lewis Here Time for questions: Do yall like Cap’n Rat on the Chuk-Ching line? If not he, who would you put in that slot? Dupuis is not the correct answer by the way-he’s made the Holik line so much better you just do not want to change that line.

Also, I was watching a clip of a recent Pens game-is anyone else just absolutely blown away by how quickly that team has come toegether? They look really good, and with that inexperience of not knowing any better-and having the sick skill level they do- As well as the canny pickup of Roberts move-they seem poised to make some noise…how far do you think they will go?

Also, what did yall think of Kessel yesterday?

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By Brian

April 1, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

Brendan - HAHAHA!!! My first reaction was that you are a big jerk (I mean that in a friendly way), but I am laughing pretty hard, so thanks man. No one got me all day but you did. That was perfect because I had the classic reply of “Brendan and I were just talking about that on the other blog!!!” and “our timing is impeccable” so I was ready to post a reply. Then comes the inevitable scroll down. Classic.

Kudos to you ya big jerk, I mean big jester…

By Brian

April 1, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

During the Satellite Hotstove last night on Hockey Night in Canada Al Strachan mentioned that Kitchener city officials are secretly rooting for the Thrashers to lose their last 3 games and miss the playoffs. This is because they have plans for the Thrashers to become the Ontario Owls.

.

.

.

.

Yeah yeah yeah, you’re right… Even though it’s April Fool’s Day only an idiot would fall for that story…

By Thrashers27

April 1, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Leafs go down, big!

Let me be the first to publicly congratulate the Thrashers on officially making the playoffs!

WOOHOO!!!

Now let’s seal up the division!

Go Blue!!!

By B. Thenet

April 1, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

It is rather fitting it happens for the first time on April Fools Day.

Lets take care of the division title.

By Chris

April 1, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

Big accomplishment for the franchise, glad to see DW get vindicated. Right or wrong he has taken alot of heat. Regardless of what happens from here on out, they met their primary goal this season.

That said though, we do have a coach that has gone all the way before…

Every Thrasher fan has been waiting a long time for this day, so here’s to us too for sticking with it!

By Brendan

April 1, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Folks, this game against Washington is huge. (There’s an original sentiment.) If we get to 95-points before the final game vs. Tampa, we should be in really great shape to win the division.

The Hurricanes scored late and won in the shootout over Florida. Toronto got SPANKED by the Rangers, 7-2. I am hoping for the NY Rangers to finish 7th and face #2 Pittsburgh. Maybe the Rangers could eliminate the Penguins for us in the 1st round? Well, I shoot a shot. Yes Tony C., the Penguins are very good. But they’ve been a kettle that’s been simmering for a while. Most viewed last season as an utter flop. Last season, the Pens fired Eddie Olczyk and Craig Patrick. Expectations were “sky high” for the Penguins after they won the draft lottery to land Crosby, then promptly spent the budget accessorizing. Palffy, Gonchar and LeClair, to name a few. This year, expectations were understandably lessened. But, this is the team that everyone expected last year.

I don’t relish the idea of a Thrashers-Pens playoff series down the road. Whether this year or some other year.

From a pure hockey fan perspective, I am hoping that Devils face the Senators as the #4 and #5 seeds. I think it would be an awesome series. If you’ll remember, NJ and Ottawa met in the Eastern Conference Finals back in 2003 and the series was decided late in the 3rd period of GAME SEVEN, by a tally by Jeff Friesen. The Devils led the series 3-1, but the Senators came roaring back, winning Game Six in Overtime. It was the Devils only home loss of the 2003 playoffs. Ottawa was the #1 seed in 2003, so it hosted Game Seven. When the Senators tied it up, 2-2, with a goal early in the 3rd period, it was lookin’ good for Ottawa to complete the comeback and reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the 1st time in their history, dating back to the ‘92-‘93 season. But the Devils won the series, and then the Cup over Jiggy and the Ducks, in seven games.

By Brendan

April 1, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Don Waddell is an extremely forunate man, Chris. You are correct. I can’t think of too many other GM’s who miss the playoffs for six straight seasons who get a contract extension. And “atta boy” pats of congratulations. But in Don’s defense, he’s been a much better GM since the salary cap came into existence. That’s the leveling factor for smaller markets. Waddell seems to have an eye for the bargain basement finds. Like Jon Sim, Johan Hedberg, Shane Hnidy, Steve McCarthy, Garnet Exelby, Mark Popovic, Brad Larsen, Eric Boulton, J.P. Vigier. I guess Krog is still in the picture as a call up. Glen Metropolit, before he was traded, seemed to be a good value for the money. The GM’s that cannot find inexpensive depth, or who overpay players, (think Boston,) are the ones who falter.

Don struggled with Kovalchuk’s deal back in 2005. But in time, it will be considered as a “bargain,” since the cap hit will only be $6.5 million, (until 2010,) when his actual salary will be $7.5 million. And stop for a moment. If Kovy were an unrestricted free agent this year, he could probably fetch $7.5M to maybe $8.5M on the open market right now. If it were permitted for players to renegotiate contracts, Kovy would be TOPS on the list. Hossa, when he hits the market in the Summer of 2008, will almost certainly get the league max, which at that time, will be around $9.5M.

By Brendan

April 1, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

That should read, “fortunate.” I wish this thing had a spellcheck function.