AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLehtonen back in action - and still quotable
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hey - I thought the Rangers were unbeatable. It took a two-overtime win on Sunday for the Rangers to get their first win of the second round. The Sabres look really good don’t they? But that’s how you respond in Game 3, you have to give the Rangers a lot of credit. Tuesday’s Game 4 should be fun to watch.
But here at the Thrashers Beat Blog, now updated weekly, we don’t much care about the Stanley Cup playoffs - not when there are Thrashers and future Thrashers still playing.
The IIHF World Championship started in Moscow, and it features two of the Thrashers youngest stars in Ilya Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen. Both are undefeated (okay, it’s early) and Kari was his usual quotable self after Finland’s win on Sunday. Here was an interesting quote that Kari told Lucas Aykroyd after Sunday’s won:
“It was a weird game,” Lehtonen told Aykroyd on his story for IHWC.net. “Our guys showed up, so that made it easy for me. I can’t remember when I last had a game like this, where I get one shot and then have to wait 10 minutes for another.”
Nope Kari, I can’t remember a game like that either.
Lehtonen and Fredrik Norrena may be the best goalie duo in the IIHF World Championship in Moscow, but Finland will win with offense.
Ilya Kovalchuk had an assist in Russia’s first game, a blowout win over Denmark. He was scoreless in the second game. But according to someone who saw the games, Kovalchuk’s all-NHL line with Malkin, Frolov, Gonchar and Markov really struggled. Russia plays Finland on Tuesday night, although I don’t know if Lehtonen is starting.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Wolves are slated to start the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs on Wednesday against the Iowa Stars. Here’s a breakdown of the matchup on the Chicago Wolves playoff blog.
Don Waddell was in Chicago, doing some scouting. He was also planning on making the trip to Moscow to watch some of the Worlds.
Other interesting reading:
NEW ADDITION: I just found this great Q and A with Ilya Kovalchuk done by Pavel Strizhevsky, a friend of the Beat Blog. It’s been translated from Russian to English, so you have to take some of that into account, but it’s great reading.
Holly Gunning at Hockey’s Future breaks down the rookies expected to make an impact next season with the Thrashers. Her locks include Brett Sterling and Mark Popovic.
Gerry Fraley, writing for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch expects the Rangers to make a strong run at Keith Tkachuk.
This is a little old (that’s what happens in a weekly blog), but former Thrashers forward Marc Savard breaks down the second round in this ESPN.com piece.
Some responses to some of your responses:
Brendan: I’m hearing a salary cap more in the $46 million range for next season rather than $47.5, but it’s speculation at this point.
JayBird: In defense of the Red Wings lack of fan support, which you brought up by linking to this article by the talented Michael Rosenberg (Playoffs? Where are fans? Where is excitement?), playoff ticket prices in Detroit are outrageous. It’s hard to get in the Joe for under $100 and considering the Red Wings are kind of like the Braves in that they’re always in the playoffs, I think you have to cut the Detroit fans some slack for not showing up like gangbusters during early playoff action. I think they showed signs of coming around last game. Alright, I’m done defending the D.
UpperDeck: I’m not counting out McCarthy’s return at all. He genuinely seems like he wants to return, despite his lack of playing time down the stretch. And I think the way he handled the situation, with class, goes a long way. Bob Hartley really seems to like him, despite not playing him (if that makes any sense).
Lastly, just so we have it somewhere on our website, here’s a list of unrestricted free agents - compiled by the Hockey News.
Anaheim: J-S Giguere, G, 30; Brad May, LW, 35; Sean O’Donnell, D, 35; Teemu Selanne, RW, 36.
Atlanta: Eric Belanger, C, 29; Eric Boulton, LW, 30; Greg de Vries, D, 34; Pascal Dupuis, LW, 28; Shane Hnidy, D, 31; Slava Kozlov, LW, 35; Brad Larsen, LW, 30; Derek MacKenzie, C, 26; Scott Mellanby, RW, 41; Jon Sim, RW, 29; Andy Sutton, D, 32; Keith Tkachuk, C, 35; J-P Vigier, RW, 30.
Boston: Bobby Allen, D, 28; Nathan Dempsey, D, 32; Brian Finley, G, 25; Joey MacDonald, G, 27; Jeremy Reich, LW, 28; Petr Tenkrat, LW, 29; Jason York, D, 36.
Buffalo: Daniel Briere, C, 29; Ty Conklin, G, 31; Chris Drury C, 30; Adam Mair, RW 28; Teppo Numminen, D, 39; Dainius Zubrus, C, 29.
Calgary: Tony Amonte, RW, 36; Jeff Friesen, LW, 30; Eric Godard, RW, 27; Roman Hamrlik, D, 33; Darren McCarty, RW, 35; Jamie McLennan, G, 36; Marcus Nilson, C, 29; Wayne Primeau, C, 30; Byron Ritchie, C, 30; Brad Stuart, D, 27.
Carolina: Anson Carter, RW, 33; Bret Hedican, D, 36; David Tanabe, D, 26; Josef Vasicek, C, 26; Scott Walker, RW, 33; Glen Wesley, D, 38.
Chicago: Denis Arkhipov, C, 28; Peter Bondra, RW, 39; Jeff Hamilton, LW, 29; Michal Handzus, C, 29; Patrick Lalime, G, 32.
Colorado: Tyler Arnason, C, 28; Patrice Brisebois, D, 36; Ben Guite, C, 28; Ken Klee, D, 36; Ian Laperriere, RW, 33; Brett McLean, LW, 28; Scott Parker, RW, 29; Mark Rycroft, RW, 28; Pierre Turgeon, C, 37; Ossi Vaananen, D, 26.
Columbus: Bryan Berard, D, 30; Brian Boucher, G, 30; Anders Eriksson, D, 32; Derrick Walser, D, 28.
Dallas: Krys Barch, LW, 27; Matthew Barnaby, RW, 34; Stu Barnes, C, 37; Jon Klemm, D, 37; Eric Lindros, C, 34; Ladislav Nagy, LW, 28; Patrik Stefan, C, 27; Darryl Sydor, D, 35.
Detroit: Todd Bertuzzi, RW, 32; Kyle Calder, LW, 28; Chris Chelios, D, 45; Dominik Hasek, G, 42; Robert Lang, C, 36; Josh Langfeld, RW, 29; Kirk Maltby, RW, 34; Danny Markov, D, 30; Mathieu Schneider, D, 38.
Edmonton: Jan Hejda, D, 28; Jussi Markkanen, G, 31; Petr Nedved, C, 35; Petr Sykora, LW, 30.
Florida: Ed Belfour, 42, G; Martin Gelinas, 37, LW; Ville Peltonen, 34, LW; Jozef Stumpel, 35, C.
Los Angeles: Sean Burke, G, 40; Noah Clarke, LW, 28; Mathieu Garon, G, 29; Jamie Heward, D, 36; Tom Kostopoulos, RW, 28; Aaron Miller, D, 35; Jaroslav Modry, D, 26; Marty Murray, C, 32; Mike Weaver, D, 29.
Minnesota: Nicklas Backstrom, G, 29; Martin Skoula, D, 27; Wyatt Smith C, 30; Wes Walz, C, 37; Todd White, C, 32.
Montreal: David Aebischer, G, 29; Radek Bonk, C, 31; Aaron Downey, RW, 32; Mike Johnson, RW, 32; Andrei Markov, D, 27; Janne Niinimaa, D, 32; Sheldon Souray, D, 30.
Nashville: Peter Forsberg, C, 33; Scott Hartnell, LW, 24; Paul Kariya, LW, 32; Scott Nichol, C, 32; Jerred Smithson, C, 28; Kimmo Timonen, D, 32; Vitaly Vishnevski, D, 27.
New Jersey: Scott Clemmensen, G, 29; Jim Dowd, C, 38; Scott Gomez, C, 27; Brad Lukowich, D, 30; Brian Rafalski, D, 33; Erik Rasmussen, RW, 30; Mike Rupp, LW, 27.
New York Islanders: Arron Asham, RW, 29; Jason Blake, RW, 33; Joel Bouchard, D, 32; Wade Dubielewicz, G, 28; Mike Dunham, G, 35; Sean Hill, D, 37; Viktor Kozlov, C, 32; Tom Poti, D, 30; Deron Quint, D, 31; Randy Robitaille, C, 31; Chris Simon, LW, 35; Todd Simpson, D, 34; Ryan Smyth, LW, 31; Richard Zednik, LW, 31.
New York Rangers: Brad Isbister, LW, 30; Michael Nylander, C, 34; Jed Ortmeyer, RW, 28; Sandis Ozolinsh, D, 34; Thomas Pock, D, 26; Brendan Shanahan, RW, 38; Jason Strudwick, D, 31; Kevin Weekes, G, 32.
Ottawa: Dean McAmmond, C, 33; Tom Preissing, D, 28.
Philadelphia: Robert Esche, G, 29; Todd Fedoruk, LW, 28; Denis Hamel, LW, 29; Mike York, C, 29.
Phoenix: Owen Nolan, RW, 35; Curtis Joseph, G, 39; Mike Ricci, C, 35; Jeremy Roenick, C, 37.
Pittsburgh: Eric Cairns, D, 32; Nils Ekman, LW, 31; Joel Kwiatkowski, D, 30; Josef Melichar, D, 28; Ron Petrovicky, RW, 30; Mark Recchi, RW, 39; Gary Roberts, LW, 40; Rob Scuderi, D, 28; Jocelyn Thibault, G, 32.
San Jose: Bill Guerin, RW, 36; Scott Hannan, D, 28; Mark Smith, C, 29; Craig Rivet, D, 32; Vesa Toskala, G, 30.
St. Louis: Radek Dvorak, RW, 30.
Tampa Bay: Rob DiMaio, RW, 39; Ruslan Fedotenko, RW, 28; Johan Holmqvist, G, 28; Doug Janik, D, 26; Andreas Karlsson, C, 31; Eric Perrin, LW, 31; Nolan Pratt, D, 31; Luke Richardson, D, 37; Cory Sarich, D, 28; Jason Ward, RW, 28.
Toronto: Nik Antropov, RW, 27; Jean-Sebastien Aubin, G, 29; Bates Battaglia, LW, 31; Travis Green, C, 36; Tyson Nash, LW, 32; Jeff O’Neill, RW, 31; Michael Peca, C, 33; Yanic Perreault, C, 36; Aleksander Suglobov, RW, 25.
Vancouver: Jan Bulis, C, 29; Jeff Cowan, LW, 30; Rory Fitzpatrick, D, 32; Josh Green, C, 29; Trevor Linden, RW, 37; Taylor Pyatt, LW, 25; Sami Salo, D, 32; Tommi Santala, C, 28; Bryan Smolinski, C, 35; Brent Sopel, D, 30.
Washington: Bryan Muir, D, 34.
Comments
By Brendan
April 30, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Craig, good to know about the cap figure. That’s still an improvement over $44 million. The $47.5 quote I had was from the Head of the NHLPA, who has a “vested interest” in seeing the cap numbers driven upwards.
Craig, do you think Cory Sarich, from Tampa Bay, would like to stick it to his former mates by signing with Atlanta during the offseason? He’s still young at 28. Just a thought. Thanks for keeping the blog going during the offseason.
By UpperDeck4Life
April 30, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Craig, I guess it is just a gut feeling. We all know that Zhitnik and Havelid are under contract for next season and XLB is a RFA that at times this season was the team’s best defender on the ice and I figured he would be signed. That leaves 3 spots, one of which I was giving to Popovic. So with 2 spots left…I assummed one of those 2 would be given to a rookie. In my humble opinion, Popovic and McCarthy are very similar in their game. Oystick and Enstrom are also labled as “offensive” defenseman. Valabik, the only other rookie with a chance of making the club in my opinion…That is unless Nikulin finally decides to come over and leave the Russian League. Valabik is a “stay at home” type of defender. Right now XLB is really the only other one we have. I couldn’t see the team pairing Popovic and McCarthy together and then also bringing up Oystick or Enstrom, who I think are more NHL ready than Valabik is. This is what lead me to my conclusion. Well that and I figured that Hnidy would be resigned for a reasonable price before McCarthy was qualified. Although I only see either as a 5-6 type of d-man.
I will say this though, if the team signs him, it will be for him to play with our team and not to trade him. I seriously can not see another team trading for him after the limited ice time he received here last season after he had pretty much gotten the same treatment on his last team.
By Russian
April 30, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Nikulin will come to summer camp in Atlanta. I guest he will try to get team spot. This is a latest Russian hockey news. ;-)
By Big D
April 30, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
CC, Marian Hossa is listed on the Slovakia team site - ironically wearing his bro’s #81. What gives? I thought he decided to sit out the tourney b/c of injuries and/or lack of interest.
By Lilah
April 30, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Graig, Fredrik Norrena will start against Russia tomorrow. Everybody considers him as Finlands 1# goalie.
I agree, that Finland has best goalie duo in the tournament. I think biggest problem right now is, that finnish players take much too many penalties.
Great thing is, that team got Jere Lehtinen from Dallas.
By UpperDeck4Life
April 30, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Russian thanks for the info. Atlanta has been trying for the last few seasons to get him over here. Everything I have read says he should be able to step into the lineup and is NHL ready. Looks like we could have a big log jam at defense during camp.
By Craig Custance
April 30, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Russian and Lilah: Thanks for the updates, that’s good stuff.
By Boulton's Bruisers
April 30, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
UpperDeck - A log jam at defense is definitely a good thing. I hope Nikulin gets here, I believe he is the last player from the 2000 draft that Atlanta Thrashers still have rights to.
On a side note: I heard on 680 this morning that Andy Sutton backed out of his agreement to play on John Kincade’s golf team for Buck and John’s golf tournament after he found out that Kincade was predicting Sutton would not be an Atlanta Thrasher next season. Hmmm, sounds to me like Andy wants to stay, however, I don’t see how the Thrashers can afford to pay him.
By JayBird
April 30, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
I think we would all wish for a logjam at defense in camp. As long as there is some quality, of course. Craig, I can understand about the ticket prices but for a city that is so passionate about hockey, its hard for me to believe they couldn’t fill the building.
Craig, what is your thought on the resigning of Dupuis, Belanger, and Sim? I really like these 3 guys and think we can get them all at reasonable prices. I want Slava back but probably not for the amount of money he will demand. Who do you see us going after in free agency? Thanks for the great job you do.
By JayBird
April 30, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Sutton backed out of the golf tournament because they wouldn’t allow him to play from the women’s tees.
By wh
April 30, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
Hossa always wears 81 for Slovakia
By wh
April 30, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Craig - Fins have been really strong Defensive club for awhile - look at the results in Turin. This team can win w/o scoring a lot of goals. Must be nice to go w/ 3rd and 4th string GK and still win easily.
Does anyone on this post have any info for Television for these games?
By The Falconer
April 30, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
“according to someone who saw the game, Kovalchuk’s all-NHL line with Malkin, Frolov, Gonchar and Markov really struggled.”
It would be easier if they had more than one puck to work with :)
By Lilah
April 30, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
Hi wh! IHWC.net informs that in USA chanel WCSN shows games.
By The Falconer
April 30, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Russian: Did the original source say summer camp, because that might very well mean the summer Prospects Camp. It doesn’t necesarily mean he has signed. He could come over and see what he thinks of Atlanta and the Thrashers could get a look at him as well and then they could see if both sides want to make a deal. Still if he is coming over for Prospects Camp that is a step in the right direction.
By sisu
April 30, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
The goalies for team Finland does NOT have a clear number one…this will be settled by the head coach hopefully before game 7 in the tourney. As it stands right now they will rotate the two. This is directly from the Finnish newspapers…
By CM
April 30, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
CC - Thanks for passing along the Ilya Q&A, that was great. Seems to me like he has a great personality. Of course, I don’t have to coach him either. : )
By CM
April 30, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
And about Kari’s comments, that’s really funny, although he didn’t necessarily mean it to be. Kind of indicates what he may have been feeling here. I wish him well in the tournament!
By Geneen
May 1, 2007 2:53 AM | Link to this
Kovy’s comments on Don Cherry (and his comparison of himself to Fedorov) — HILARIOUS!
I found the question about Slava interesting: “Do you know what kind of injury he has?” Does this mean he was playing hurt in the playoffs? Could that be why he failed to really show up?
CC: Thanks for posting that interesting interview!
By Rawhide
May 1, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
CC - Thanks for the post!!!
I find Kari’s comments very interesting. But, hey,…they are also right on the mark. This is why I feel the #1 issue for the front office during the off-season is picking up 2 strong vet d-men. Their are a few of them out their to be had.
5 that stand out to me,….Andrei Markov, Sami Salo, Josef Melichar, Brad Lukowich & Brian Rafalski, (yes I am a fan of NJ’s defense).
Then, (assuming we have Belanger and Holik at center),…..what would Scott Gomez and Daniel Briere look like in Thrasher uniformes???? (I know, I just broke the bank, didn’t I)????
JAYBIRD - Totally agree about Dupuis, Belanger, and Sim. These 3 established themselves here and they WANT to return.
WH - BIG game tonight, eh??? I still say the Sabers in 6,….but Sunday’s game was fun to watch and if you can sneek one tonight…….well,….
CM - How ya doing?
Great to see so much action on the blog-o-sphere even after the team’s season is over.
GO THRASHERS - IS IT OCTOBER YET??
By CM
May 1, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
RH - doing well, thanks! I’ve enjoyed watching some intense playoff games and trying to keep up with our guys playing in Moscow. Hoss had an assist the other day as SK rolled over Germany and tomorrow they play Canada. It’s interesting looking at the rosters for all the National Teams.
I hope Buffalo sticks it to Sean Avery and the Ranjerks tonight. That reminds me, did you see the pic of Kovy punching him? It’s awesome!
BTW - Did you get my email from Brian?
I miss Blueland :(
By Rawhide
May 1, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
Hey, CM, I didn’t get you e-mail,…BRAIN!!! You SLACKER!
I told him it was OK to forward my e-maill info to all present at “The Table”. Try it again!!
Anyway,…I didn’t see the pic. I’d love to, though.
Speaking of international play,…one thing I spoke to my friend at Atlanta Spirit about was how great it would be to see some exhibition stuff around here during the summer.
When I was a young-skull-full-of-mush I lived in the St. Pete/Tampa area. This was at the height of the NASL. The home team there, (The Rowdies), used to schedule “friendlies” during the offseason. Soccer teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, Dynamo Moscow came through as well as the Italian national and Chinese national squads. It was AWSOME!!
Anyway, I know logistics are tough. But it would really be something to see 3 or 4 such matches at Philips vs. the Russians national team or some of the European squads during the summer.
It would give us something to tie us over ‘till the fall and would promote the sport.
I know it’s a pipe-dream,….but maybe,……..
By CM
May 1, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
RH It may be a pipe dream, but wow, what tremendous promotion for the sport that would be, especially for the SE market. Put it this way, I don’t follow soccer all that closely, I see what’s shown on ESPN DePortes (or whatever), but I seriously doubt that I’d miss a match liken to the ones you mentioned. That is awesome! Think how many more players we’d (well, I’d) get to know that way.
Hey, I’m in!
Looks like Ilya won’t get exploit Kari’s apparent ‘weak spots’ when Russia faces off with Finland tonight. That could have been interesting.
Some of the reading I’ve been doing has provoked some more thinking about the Thrashers club. One thing that sticks out is chemistry. Do you think they had it? I’m not sure they did. You hear so many players referring to it all coming down to team chemistry and I feel like that if you don’t have it, you have a problem. Defense wasn’t our only weakness, so could the lack of chemistry have had something to do with their demise?
By Rawhide
May 1, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
CM - That’s an interetsing question. I still think defense was our #1 problem,….but you make a good point.
It seemed like there was “something” missing,…really since New years. maybe it was chemistry.
Maybe it was the fact that the organization was in unchartered waters and no one, from the front office down to the water boy knew how to handle it…I dunno.
Now, one thing is for sure. Anytime a team wins the cup, or even goes deep in the playoffs, you always hear something about it. Players or writers will point back to a certain, “AH-HA” moment when the team “jelled” or “came together”. I really can’t think of a time we could say that about last season.
The two weeks after “the trades” took place was electric, for sure,…then they hit another plataeu it seemed. If they had kept that level up into April,….things coulda been different.
Your “chemisrty” thing is an issue that is improved when players spend more time with each other. Since the lock-out, free-agency has shuffled so many players around that it effects this aspect of the game.
That is why I would like to see people like belanger and Dupuis back here. I liked their play and a full season my help the,…well,…chemistry thing.
By Rawhide
May 1, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
BTW,…where does one go to “kkep up” with the IIHF World Championship matches???
Certainly they aren’t on TV, are they???
By Thrasher_Ed
May 1, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Guys, Kari Lehtonen’s comments in Russia are very accurate. He faces way too much rubber per game. Look at our stats for shots on goal by our opponents. Friend of mine said until the Thrashers solve that number shots on goal by opposition they will continue to struggle. Look at Detroit, and several others in the playoffs. Their goalies don’t face near as many pucks per game. Lower the number of shots against and this team can go farther with less.
By Legion of Thrash
May 1, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Defense has always been the demise of this franchise. Don Wadell refuses to put together a solid group of defenders. Our system is also flawed. “We allow other teams to have shots from certain angles”, according to the illustrious Don Wadell. Well Don when the team is allowed 35+ shots on goal continously, don’t you think quite a few may go in? San Jose’s coach picked that out, remember the 5-1 romping? Every year we have been a minus as far as GF/GA. This year we were a whopping plus 1.
Hell only knows what that idiot will do this offseason.
By ZAvalanche
May 1, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
Thrasher Ed, your friend has a great point. The law of averages will catch up to you. Moose was able to keep out most of the shots, but the fluky ones found a way. If they aren’t taken in the first place, well……….
RH-I think it would be fantastic to see some national teams in here. How amazing would it be to see Sweden vs Finland at Philips!! I think you have a calling to be the promotion director for hockey in Atlanta.
By Rawhide
May 1, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
ZAv - seeing two internationals play would be great!But I was referring to something like the Thrashers vs. Sweden,….or the Thrashers vs. Moscow.
But, I tell ya,…I would come out to see international play….maybe some sort of Blueland Tournament….
By Brian
May 1, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Ok, enough of the “Brian’s a slacker” comments… They’re on the way!
By Rawhide
May 1, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
BRIAN!! - Where ya been, buddy???
By Brendan
May 1, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Folks, the trade deadline, in my opinion, was always intended to be a means of tweaking the roster. It was never intended to be a means of OVERHAULING it.
In 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning barely made any moves. I don’t think they made one. In 2006, Carolina got a few players. Doug Weight was one of them.
In 2003, Jersey made a minor move. All three of those teams won the Cup in those respective years. Adding 4-6 players affects the team chemistry. It could backfire. In our case this year, it was very successful. Belanger, Zhitnik, Dupuis and Tkachuk got us the division title and playoff berth they were brought in to accomplish.
I can’t pinpoint what went wrong in the playoffs. My “guess” is … we were outcoached by Tom Renney. Plus, ya know, we’re not YOUNG. After the trade deadline, I think the average team age was over 31. The Rangers aren’t spring chickens, themselves, but they did what they had to … to win. And they’re holding their own versus the Sabres, thus far. Truthfully, I give the Rangers a 2-1 edge in “who played better.” Buffalo leads the series, 2-1. The Sabres were a double OT goal away from being up, 3-0. Even though it was a loss, the Sabres youth and speed is wearing down the Rangers. Folks, the season is 82 games long. We’re into the 2nd round now. Guys who are 33 and older are feelin’ it. They just won’t “admit it.” They’re tired. They’re wearing down. And multiple overtime games is rough on an older club. That was my concern with the 2006-07 Thrashers. Would our legs be fresh, in a seven game series? How would we fare in a double or triple overtime game?
Sabres-Rangers is the early game tonight. It should be good. Renney is doing an excellent job of coaching his club. Lindy Ruff is the better coach. But Ruff doesn’t get the final change tonight. If the series goes back to Buffalo, 2-2, the pressure’s really on the #1 seed.
By Craig Custance
May 1, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Russia is up 4-1 in the third on Finland. Kovalchuk has assisted on a power play goal. Lehtonen did not start.
By Brian
May 1, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
Rawhide - check out the last blog. Brendan & I broke down the roster 32 different ways and gave 46 FA options. Ok, maybe that’s exaggerating, but I’ve been here.
By UpperDeck4Life
May 1, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
US has come back to tie it with about 4:30 left in the 3rd period on a PP and SH goals in the third.
By CM
May 1, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
RH here’s the link that I’ve been reading from for the Worlds http://live82.ihwc.net/english/ It’s cool to check up on what’s going on over there.
And here’s http://fe23.sports.re4.yahoo.com/nhl/photo?slug=getty-73891518mh026atlantathras95326pm&prov=getty that picture of Kovy socking Avery. Good stuff.
(I don’t know how to link that other way..clearly right?) I hope that works. Sorry!! Help with that linking with one word thing?
Couldn’t agree more about the number of shots our goalie(s) face. I think each of us becomes more and more aware of that as the stats from the playoff games are thrown up, shots faced and so forth. 18, 23, 25 and so on. Our guys rarely faced less than 30 (or more) I’d say, and rarely took that many. Considering that, our goal percenatage had to be pretty good right, but again, our D simply allowed them too many shots, err chances. Anyway, old news.
Brian - thought we lost ya kid!
By Matt H
May 1, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
CC Thanks for posting the Kovy interview. I always wonder what we’re missing, personality-wise, from player interviews in hockey due to the language barrier. It’s rare to see interviews that are quite that candid stateside.
Rawhide The Rowdies are a kick in the grass. Ahh, laserlight shows on the 4th of July at the big sombrero, enjoyed from the Tampa Bay Mall parking lot… Those were the days…
By UpperDeck4Life
May 1, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Russia won 5-4, but the only point Kovy got was an assist.
US let Czech score with about a minute and a half left to win. Well….I guess that’s what you get when you go into a tournament with John Grahame as your #1 goalie
By wh
May 1, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
I propose Miller be sent to Russia to replace Graham ASAP. He should leave this afternoon to avoid traffic.
By CM
May 1, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
RH the pic link didn’t work, I’ll email it. Sorry for the waste of space!
Dang US!
By UpperDeck4Life
May 1, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Allan Muir, who I really hate. I have not liked some of his comments in reguard to the Thrashers and some of it’s players since the beginning of the season and therefore rarely read his stuff….but he just put up an interview with Bettman. Some of it by the book, but some of it was interesting. Especially the comment about 60% of the fans they have polled being in favor of the unbalanced schedule and not wanting a change. Had to shake my head at that one. Anyways here is the link.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/allan_muir/05/01/bettman.interview/index.html
By wh
May 1, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
usual suspects move to medal round - Swiss are the new Latvia for Russia or Sweden to pound on.
Sweden wins it all with their “C” team - going way out on a limb here I know.
By Rawhide
May 1, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
WH - Send Miller to help,…LOL. Now, you wouldn’t have a hidden agenda, would you????
BRIAN - You and Brendan have TOOOoooo much free time on your hands. But that’s awsome. I really can’t wait to see how DW deals this summer.
MATT H - Did you live down there at the time??? I was spoiled at who I got to watch play,…and never really knew it. Marsh, Pele, Chanaglia, Benkenbaur, Gerd Meuller, Trevor Frances, Gordon Banks, the lsit goes on-and-on,…not to mention the foreign teams that came over. I remember a playoff game,…’79 was it,…..late September in a monsoon. All the ladies that wore T-shirts. I was only 14,…..(sigh),….
CM I got the link through your “secondary” contact source, (wink-wink-nod-nod). I love the picure. Thanks!
By Tony C.
May 2, 2007 3:34 AM | Link to this
do we (Le Thrash) have the rights to this Schell kid?
By Blueliner
May 2, 2007 4:00 AM | Link to this
Tony C Yes, Brad Schell is contracted to the Thrashers but his contract expires this year and he may even be UFA
By Boulton's Bruisers
May 2, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
I’ve been waiting on Schell to get to Atlanta for some time now. He’s been ripping it up at Gwinnett for at least 2 seasons now. I think he’s ready, at least to go to Chicago.
By luckydog
May 2, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
If anyone is watching the Rangers-Sabres series, I think that was the WORST CALL IN THE HISTORY OF VIDEO REPLAY when the idiots in Toronto “couldn’t see” Brier’s last-second tuck-in goal that would have tied game 4.
I say this as someone pulling for the Rangers. But even if you couldn’t see the puck when it went over the line, it went somewhere, and over the line was the only possibility if you saw the superslow zoom frame they showed on versus. Terrible, gutless, irresponsible call, and the Versus guys didn’t even have the nads to say so.
Thots?
By Rawhide
May 2, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
LUCKY DOG - Even though I thought the puck went over the line….it was not 100% conclusive to over-turn the on-ice call by the refs of “no-goal”.
IF the puck did indeed cross the line,…it did so under the pads and out of sight.
Again,…even though I thought it crossed the line,…..I would have made the same decision due to the fact that I could not SEE the puck under the pads.
Tough break, none-the-less.
This is turning out to be a GREAT series to watch.
By Matt H
May 2, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Rawhide ‘84-‘97 I was a Tampanian, during my formative years. I hate the cold, can endure punishing amounts of humidity and heat, and love Cuban food. I missed to golden days of the Rowdies, I think they moved indoors around when our family moved down there. Back in the early days the Rowdies were the biggest draw in town, because their only competition was Hugh Culverhouse’s Yucks (Man, you couldn’t give those tickets away).
By Matt H
May 2, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Also, I thought it was a goal, but I could see why they called it back. Barring some GPS chip in pucks that chirp out a signal when it crosses a goal line (and how reliable would that be anyway?) we’ll have to make do with video replay as it is.
Poor Sabres fans. First Bret Hull’s foot, now…
By wh
May 2, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Probably was in (What the HELL was Lundqvist thinking?) HOWEVER - I have seen this blown up and slowed down to frame by frame speed. There is never “conclusive” evidence of white space between puck and redline. The black edge on HL pad blurs it further. I don’t know if this is the worst call in replay history - I have seen some awful ones (Particularly NFL). Fortunate break for sure. I now have the Sabres leading 2-1 in blown goal calls - The “Kick” no goal in game 3 and the hand off the stick punch in goal from the Sabres in game 1. I won’t even go into the officiating in Game 3 as It still makes my BP rise and is moot thanks to Ranger win anyway. Series is being played at Rangers pace. That being said, they need to find a way to win in Buffalo which will be absolutely rocking on Friday Night. Canucks choked last night and got very unlucky when DMan w/ no stick in front of the net covering Selanne late.
By wh
May 2, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
P.S. - Zubris is UFA and will be reasonably priced
By Rawhide
May 2, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
MATT H - I lived there from ‘74 - ‘79 as a kid,…so I was there in their hay-days! I spent some time there ‘89-‘91 as an adult. It wasn’t the same.
I am the opposite of you. I would much rather be in a blizzard with 2 degrees outside then 98 degrees and 97% humidity. (Of course, a day like today in the ATL is picture perfect).
Of course,…nothing beats being on a boat out on the bay in the middle of summer, (if you know what I mean)…
WH - As for the “kick” goal. I find it almost impossible to see how the can make such determinations. I mean, the officials are being asked to climb into the players mind to see what they are thinking,….are they kicking it on purpose to doing a hockey stop so they don’t plow into the goalie?????
I think they should just simplify it and say that if it goes into the goal DIRECTLY off an offensive players skate,..no goal. Take the guessing away from the whole ordeal.
By Brian
May 2, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Matt H - yeah, thanks for that gut punch, but at least they are finally REVIEWING goals. Not just Hull’s foot, but don’t forget the Phantom goal by Philly that didn’t even beat Hasek, there was a hole in the side of the net that it went in through to get to the back of the net, never even crossed the goal line…
By luckydog
May 2, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
wh, The difference between this and the blown replay call on the phantom kick is that the rangers won game 3 anyway. This clearly lost the game for Buffalo.
As far as the video, what I saw was the puck headed into the net, the line, and lundqviist’s pad. then in the next frame the puck has disappeared and there’s only the ice, the line and the pad. There’s only one place the puck could be, and that’s across the line under the pad.
Let common sense rule, for gosh sake!!
Like I said I was pulling slightly for the rangers as the underdogs (and because I genuinely admired their play in thrashing our thrashers) but now I think I’ m for buffablow.
By CM
May 2, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
I agree that perhaps it should be a no goal if it goes in off an offensive skate. During every replay/review, that’s what I’ve been thinking to myself. “Why not disallow any goal off a skate, end of story?” There are too many variables when they’re trying to determine the intention of a player. Admittedly I do not have the background to match most of you here with regards to hockey, and there are lucky breaks in every sport for sure, but it seems to me that a ‘goal’ off a skate isn’t really a goal at all, but rather a relatively flukey (okay so we have heard that word too much lately) occurance, but that’s just my opinion, for what it’s worth.
So I wonder how Hoss will do tonight? hmm…
By wh
May 2, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
I do not expect universal agreement on this so I will make this my last post as to the play.
Game would have went to OT so I have to disagree with your logic somewhat in that the Sabres could have lost in OT so it is not definitive that they lost on this call (Yes I understand the resulting outcome of the call) - just as the Rangers could have lost game 3 in OT after they were hosed. Just as the Punch goal in game 1 (not getting any pub) fully changed momentum as Rangers mounted comeback and it would have been a 1 goal game late. As I stated earlier I have seen this replay frame by frame - there is no “conclusive” evidence of white ice between black puck and Redline. Call on the ice was no goal so by rule replay must be “conclusive”. There is an “assumption” that the puck kept sliding as it was obscured by the pad. How do we know to what level the pad was in contact with the ice and puck stopped sliding?
Common sense is a one of the great misnomers of all time. As it is said, it is hardly common - and I would state never common in sports. Replay is a flawed system but without review, the result in this case would be the same - no goal.
As for the Flyer goal - Replay provided between periods shows puck CLEARLY went through the side of the net. Of all the tough calls, including Hull, this is the only one where indisputably the wrong call affected the outcome.
Best of 3.
By wh
May 2, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
I had a 2 hour conversation (sad I know) regarding the “off the skate rule”. The problem is that a deflection off of any other body part is legitimate so where do you draw the line? Is it the blade? The boot? Below the ankle - if so where does the ankle stop and the shin start? Maybe all deflections should be illegal? (no) In the end it is to me one of the indefinable vagaries of the game.
By Rawhide
May 2, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
WH - Common sense is a one of the great misnomers of all time. As it is said, it is hardly common - Amen to that brother!
As far as “the skate” rule…..would it be too much of a stretch to state that in order for a goal to be scored, it must come off the stick of an offensive player. (Of course, ANY deflection off a defender’s ANYTHING is a goal)….?????
CM - So I wonder how Hoss will do tonight? …I just hope your boy, Marian, isn’t doing any further damage to his shoulder.
Admittedly I do not have the background to match most of you here with regards to hockey - Maybe not the “years”,…but you always bring a nice perspective to the discussion and honest opinions born from observation and a passion for the game!
By wh
May 2, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Rawhide - Guy in front of the net - particularly on the PP - deflects puck in off his leg, torso, head etc … these are all legitimate, albeit painful, methods of goal scoring where the stick is not utilized. This is too much a part of the game to remove. Thomas Holmstrom needs to make a living.
By wh
May 2, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Hossa scored in this game - 5-4 Canada late
By Matt H
May 2, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Sorry for bringin’ back the pain, Brian. That still irks me too. I’m pulling for the Sabres all the way here this season (now, anyway…).
By Brian
May 2, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
Matt H - that’s alright, it’s not like there isn’t plenty of ammo to get a guy from Buffalo all riled up…
By CM
May 2, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
So now that the Slovaks choked on the Canadians, the US gets to play them! The Slovaks aren’t quite Belarus..lol, but it should still be an interesting matchup. Good to see (well, read) that Hossa scored a goal. It had been a while…
It’s too bad the US doesn’t promote this tournament more. As far as I can tell you can’t even buy anything that has beans to do with it. It’s not like we don’t have a team representing the US playing (and winning) in the tournament. Oh well..
RH - Why thank you, I certainly appreciate that! Regardless of how far they go (the Slovaks), the finals are on the 13th I think, so he’ll still have time to heal whatever minor afflictions he may have before training camp. BTW - There sure is a lot of buzz on the Braves blog today!
By Brendan
May 2, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
Folks, I’ve asked for “indulgences” in the past. I’ll ask for them again. But a part of me, the “conspiracy theorist” in me anyway, has resurfaced.
I am, as always, honest in what I think. Sometimes I’m wrong. Sometimes, I’m offbase. Other times, I’m entirely offbase. This might be one of those times. But here goes.
I see a league (NHL) that took “slings and arrows” when the two of the three smallest markets (Raleigh and Edmonton) met in the Stanley Cup Finals last year. Now, I grant you that any Canadian team will draw well up in Canada, in terms of TV-ratings. That would even be true if the two Stanley Cup Finalists were AMERICAN teams. But I digress.
Last night, I saw a goaltender’s pad INSIDE the net be struck by a puck. The lone camera angle was obstructed from seeing the puck inside the net. But I think it’s reasonable to conclude that a puck striking a goaltenders’ pad, WELL INSIDE THE NET constitutes a goal.
Why do I even mention it? Well, doesn’t denying that goal essentially PREVENT the Rangers from losing that game, thereby FORCING a sixth game, and another $2 million in gate revenue and another TELEVISED GAME featuring a LARGE MARKET, TRADITIONAL HOCKEY POWER and “Orginal Six” team?
Well, by Golly. IT DOES!! Was this goal, “accidently ON PURPOSE” ruled not a goal?”
Hmmn, tough to prove, isn’t it? Well, I sure hope that small market, Northern California team, (the San Jose Sharks,) doesn’t get a healthy DOSE of the same tonight, when they tangle with a LARGE MARKET, TRADITIONAL HOCKEY POWER and “Original Six” team in the Detroit Red Wings, the next time a “goal review” situation arises. I mean, wouldn’t a 2-2 series guarantee a sixth game, featuring “Hockeytown?”
I’m jus’ sayin’. I could be WRONG. Maybe I am. But tell me, again, how it would be utterly DISASTEROUS for TV ratings to feature some of the leagues’ larger market, more ESTABLISHED hockey powers? Tell me why it would abject failure for the Stanley Cup Finals to feature Detroit vs. NY Rangers, from a TV-ratings analysis perspective? Wouldn’t that “silence” some of the “naysayers” of how and why this cap was really needed?
I’m sure the league would love to be able to argue that the cap allowed a NY vs Detroit Finals as well as a Carolina vs. Edmonton Finals. Fair to everyone. Polar opposite results. The system works, they’d say.
Shoot, if the Rangers really met the Red Wings in the Finals, ESPN might get back on board with the NHL. It’s gonna get some ratings. Market size alone would do that. Add to the mix that both teams have been around since at least 1924, and you’ve got some compelling storylines. I’m sure the NHL would break out the video from the 1940’s and 50’s.
Compare and contrast that with the TV audience, both U.S. and Canadian, for a Finals featuring the Buffalo Sabres vs. the San Jose Sharks? Will San Jose get HOSED during the next video review goal with Detroit? I can’t say definitively, but if they do, you know what I’ll be thinking. TOLD YA!
By wh
May 2, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Brendan, I usually find your commentary insightful. Conspiracy theory? - doesn’t that seem unusual in light of 7 straight power plays for the visiting Sabres in Game 3 when Rangers were being dumped all over the place with no calls?
When the Rangers were cheated not once but twice on goal calls? I have watched it to the frame level over and over -BTW -Lundqvist’s pad is not fully in the net? Do you really believe that the Big Market US ratings are going to be dramatically different enough to risk alienating an already niche audience that the game is not played on the level? Do you think that Canadians care if it is NY or a small market team? Where was this outrage when the Rangers were getting screwed by the Refs? Oswald killed Kennedy, There are no UFO’s in Roswell and you did not see a puck conclusively cross the Red Line last night unless you had proprietary private cameras providing you a view below Lundqvist’s pads.
By wh
May 2, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
BTW - Population of Detroit is 950K Population of San Jose is 975K so maybe it is Detroit that will get the assistance. If you want to use metro area stats San Jose would pummel Detroit in total households.
By ZAvalanche
May 2, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
Brendan, I must agree with WH in this one. Sure, hockey would most likely benefit from a finals with large market teams but do i think that the refs are leaning towards the large market, no. Now, as for the goal through the wrong side of the net in Philly several years back, or the Brett Hull skate in the crease in Buffalo in ‘99, i cannot comment………..
By wh
May 2, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
Fingers moving faster than my brain - San Jose gets the assistance ….
By Legion of thrash
May 2, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
WH, I agree the kick in no goal should have been a goal, even Briere said it was a gola. Now the Supposed punch in puck, I disagree! The puck comes off his stick near the end of his glove, it was a very skillful play.
By Rawhide
May 2, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Brendan, was that YOU on the grassy knoll????
By wh
May 2, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know if visiting teams have morning skate at Ice forum?
By Brendan
May 2, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
I have an alibi for the grassy knoll. It’s a good one. I wasn’t born yet. :)
Hey, I made you guys think, though, didn’t I? That alone makes it insightful, if inaccurate, commentary. By the way, I did “couch” my remarks. Sufficiently, I might add. Now if the Sharks get ripped off tonight, then what? :) Still makin’ ya think?
The on ice officials don’t make video review decisions. They report what Toronto tells ‘em to. And when there’s 0:15 seconds left in a one-goal game, what they say is probably going to affect the outcome.
But I’ll say this. I estimate there’s a 10-percent chance that three (3) people could keep the secret of who stole the sugar at a tea party for longer than six hours. If there were a real conspiracy … it’d get out. :) And what’s more, it’d be virtually impossible to “fix” an entire series.
Though the guys in my office joke, “Well, not if we’re talking about the Thrashers. They folded like an accordian. We blinked and their playoffs were OVER.” Yeah, something tells me it wasn’t “deliberate.” But I digress.
Do the San Jose Sharks enjoy the same level of “nationwide following” that the Red Wings do? There might be more people living in San Jose than Detroit. And certainly more people living in California than Michigan. But how many of ‘em are watchin’ hockey? My money’s on the displaced Red Wing fans tuning in … wherever they might be across North America. Like Yankee fans in baseball. And Cowboys, Raiders and Steelers fans across the country when their team is on TV.
I hear it all the time. “Well Brendan, I’m not much of a hockey fan. But if the Red Wings are on, I’ll watch. If not, I could CARE LESS.” Yeah, great. That’s just Super. Way to support the NHL, and hockey in general. And these like-minded fans couldn’t name two members of the Red Wings team, and could probably be tricked into admitting they didn’t know Yzerman had retired. But they’ll tune in for the Red Wings, if they’re on. Sadly, I think the league knows this.
Oh well.
By wh
May 2, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Sharks are going to win this series - I also think they will win the Cup. Thorton is the oddest player I have ever seen. Incredible passer and will beat your a* - but never shoots or goes to the net? Really weird. Another perfect pass to Cheechoo. Dude is unreal. Watching him and Pronger slug it out will be the highlight of the playoffs - unless Jagr and Pronger matchup (bias) which would also be great to watch.
By Brendan
May 2, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
In preseason, ESPN freelance writer Scott Burnside projected San Jose over Buffalo for the Cup this year. I thought that was a solid pick then, and still do now. San Jose 1, Detroit 0, after one period.
Eleven of twelve (11/12) “experts” (ESPN, CBS SPORTS, USAToday) picked San Jose over Detroit, despite the Red Wings being the #1 seed and missing the President’s Trophy by something like one-point. I think San Jose is younger, deeper and faster. All good things in the “new NHL.”
By Tony C.
May 3, 2007 4:25 AM | Link to this
Brendan* I think it’s the fact that there’s no skater on SJ that is smaller than 6’0” 200lbs.
Seems like it anyway.
By Joe
May 3, 2007 4:36 AM | Link to this
Lehtonen’s partying ways! How serious is this guy? You wonder why he did so poorly in the play-offs? Each night of the play-off run and the actual play-offs themselves, your local hero has drunken parties and orgies, cursing, doing drugs in a family neighborhood. Consistently waking all people up, causing the dogs to bark and causing the people that work to be alienated from the team. Another young, rich, bumm. But hey, at least his quotes are so interesting… Why don’t you go party with him, you’re sure to get some more…
By luckydog
May 3, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
I also picked San Jose to win it all. But after the game 4 debacle last night they are starting to look like chokers who can’t seal a deal.
By Bob
May 3, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
The NBA’s been fixed for years, making ludicrous calls that would guarantee 7 game series and always favoring the big market teams. Bettman could’ve brought some of that magic to the NHL. How they didn’t rule that a goal for Buffablow is beyond me, it was obviously in.
What’s the word with Lehtonen? I saw a YouTube of him pouring drinks in a bar the night after our loss, didn’t look too upset, which I thought was good. But the ridiculous blue hair mohawk et al did make me raise the eyebrows, what are the rumors on him?
I was so p** off at Heatley when he demanded out of here and then gave us the virtual finger after he got to Ottawa, I had myself convinced that Hossa was the better player.
I can see now why Ottawa traded him. Heatley’s leading the playoffs in points now and leading his team to the Conference Finals.
Waddell did a great job getting Hossa in return for us, but Ottaw won that trade, hands down. Heater’s a playoff performer who stepped up his game. We saw what Hossa does. Man, could you imagine how great it would have been to have Heatley and Kovy tearing it up for us in the playoffs. But now it’s Heatley and Spezza. Bah.
By Brendan
May 3, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
There’s no doubt that Dany Heatley is a “winner,” when it comes to hockey. He’s had two (2) 50-goal campaigns, had 100-points one year, and has won at, seemingly, every level. I bet he won in pee-wee. He’s got a NCAA National Title. He’s been “Rookie of the Year,” he’s been the MVP of the All-Star game, for whatever that’s worth. But he was “among the guilty” in Ottawa’s crushing defeat last year. He had one (1) goal in the playoffs. He was invisible in the Buffalo Series, that the Sens lost, 4-1.
Now, if you’ll all recall, I was plenty “steamed” when I heard the trade. Right or wrong, there are moments in your life that you remember where you were when it happened. I’m not saying this trade is on a par with the Kennedy Assassination, Reagan getting shot, the invasion of the Faulkland Islands, news of Princess Di’s death, or when you found out that U.S. troops had invaded Iraq. A pretty broad stroke of the brush there, I figured at least one of those events might ring true for your memory banks. But yes, I can tell you EXACTLY where I was when I found out about the trade. I was just south of Hartsfield Airport on Riverdale Rd. when news came over 680TheFan that Heatley had been traded. I darn near lost control of the car, and wondered what on Earth might have possessed DW to trade him. But I patiently waited to finally learn of the full details and salary cap implications of this move. I remember thinking that, “it seemed like Ottawa got a price break on Heatley.” Which they did, to the tune of $1.5 million per year. But, I held out hope that Greg deVries might actually be the “X” factor of the trade. After all, he had won a Cup. Our defense was always something close to “terrible.” And I thought, in its “totality,” this is a wash of a trade. When I learned of the reason behind the trade, I was furious. Absolutely furious. I felt hurt by it. I was told to “get over it.” But all I could think was … “there goes the foundation piece of this Stanley Cup puzzle.” In time, that anger subsided and I came to very much admire Marian Hossa.
Without Hossa, there’d be no playoffs for Atlanta. It might be true that he’s a regular season type of performer. But you can’t win the Stanley Cup without first making the playoffs. John Kincade, on 680TheFan, mentioned that he thought Hossa was having some offseason surgery on his left shoulder. That may or may not be true. If Hossa was playing hurt, I do salute him for it, and understand why the results weren’t there for him.
There’s little doubt in my mind that Marian Hossa is one of the 20-best forwards walking God’s green Earth. I’m at a loss to come up with reasons to ditch him, beyond that of the obvious salary cap concerns. But since he ISSSS this great player, he ought to fetch a “windfall” of talent in return. Marian Hossa just might be the first $10 million contract of the CBA, when he hits the Open Market in July of 2008. It just depends on what the cap size as to what his MAXIMUM salary figure will be.
He’s gonna cost a lot to retain. $10 million buys you a lot of “depth.” Even in 2008 dollars. The thing that will make me even madder than the Heatley trade … is if Hossa is traded at a bargain rate to some other team. I mean, if Hossa can be had for $7.0 to $7.75 million, why not keep him? Even if he is a playoff flop. He’ll at least get you there. It’s up to the GM to find “other pieces” to contribute while Hossa is getting double-teamed. Where was Sim? Where was Belanger, after his first goal? Where was KOZLOV? Where was Slater? Dupuis did “okay,” but still … there wasn’t enough contribution, all the way around. Even thought KT led the team in scoring, three-points in four games, he missed chances, too. Maybe our most impressive line was Holik and Larsen.
Sorry for the long post.
By Brendan
May 3, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Bob, if there’s a “fix,” it is what you’ve described: to prolong a series. In other words, let’s say the Rangers get up in the series, 3-2, over Buffalo. Hypothetically. And Game Six goes into overtime, and there’s a “goal review” situation for either club. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that it’s a potential Buffalo goal. From the replays, it appears not to be a goal. In other words, the Rangers stopped them. The review gets rather lengthy. And then, to the utter astonishment of the Garden, the goal counts, and Buffalo wins the game.
Now what? What are people gonna say?? What can they possibly say?? If they accuse league officials of “fixing it” for Buffalo, then they’ll point to Game Four and say, “if that were true, then why’d they disallow Briere’s goal?” If they say the league is trying to fix it for the Rangers, then they’ll point to Game Three and say, “Then why was this goal disallowed, based on some alleged distinct kicking motion?”
The only answer I can find is this: It’s to do whatever prolongs the series. The longer the series goes, the more money the league makes. The more exposure it gets. The greater the drama, and so forth. And if such a series can feature a big market, “Original Six,” Traditional hockey power, so much the better.
Again, it’s tough to prove. But with “alibi’s” like that, it really can lead them to operate with impunity. They’ve got perfectly plausible “defenses” for the accusations and allegations.
By wh
May 3, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
20 best forwards? Think you can narrow this down a bit. 7/56MM gets it done
By Brendan
May 3, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
That’s be DW’s for 7-year deal. I like 5/$40 better. This way, we’re still getting him at a discount rate of $8.0 million, but he’s able to be let when he reaches his mid-30’s, when players typically become more susceptible to injury.
But even at 7/$56, I suspect he’s still priced to move, if either party “changes its mind” about playing in Atlanta.
By wh
May 3, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
The moon landing was a fake to make the American people feel secure during the cold war
By CM
May 3, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
You may have read about it already (or not care at all) but The US rolled over the Slovaks today in Moscow 4-2 and kept Hossa off the scoreboard all together. Of course we know that isn’t impossible but it’s interesting none-the-less.
Also, Kari helped lead the Fins to a shutout over the Swiss and was named the teams player of the game. How cool is that? I’d say playing in this tournament is a very good thing for him, at least he isn’t thinking (dwelling) about the way things end