By Sara

May 29, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Craig, allow me to add my props for last weeks series of articles. It’s always great to get a line on how prospects are developing and particularly now when the team may need several on the roster next year just for budgetary reasons.

As for the possibilities among current NHL talent…it all comes back to the fact that the team doesn’t have much money to spend based on the number of slots open. I would think we could get Belanger back, and that’s almost a must since we don’t have enough center prospects to fill that many holes. Comrie could be a great add. Word from my friends in Detroit on Lang was that he was lazy, lazy, lazy - not anything we need, especially when we’re talking about someone to play with Kovy.

As for the D - I imagine you’re projections are likely on target IF DW can get Exelby re-signed. X is gonna be eligible for a hefty raise, which this club can only do in moderation all budget constraints considered. I am fully prepared to see another GM take a run at X - he’s not going to be pricey enough to cost too much in RFA-swiping penalties but another team could easily offer him more than this club likely can and he’s talented enough to deserve it (meaning likely this club can only offer $2-$2.5 mill, which is a big raise but he is easily worth upwards of $3 mil and somewhere out there another team can afford to pay it).

Anyway, I could expound for ages on this whole topic but no need to consume the bandwidth or waste any more of my Florida vacation. ;) Cheers all!

By John

May 29, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

We have to keep Slava and Belanger, we just don’t have any youngsters ready to take their spot.

By UpperDeck4Life

May 29, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

First off Craig, enjoyed the prospect articles. Will you do some pieces at the prospect camp this summer, and are you going to go cover the prospect tournament up in Michigan this year?

Please let Sutton and deVries be somebody else’s problem next year. I honestly would rather see a rookie than see Hnidy next year. I wonder if we could see Enstrom with Exelby and another rookie with Popovic since he has already had some time with the team and has a ton of AHL experience.

Oh, and if anybody else wants to read some info on some of the Thrashers prospects with Chicago or Europe, here are 2 links.

http://hockeysfuture.com/articles/9691

http://hockeysfuture.com/articles/9681

By LAC

May 29, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

I agree 100% with John, HOW MANY GAMES did Slava win for US last season in the shootouts and that OT winner in Ottawa…BTW we were 3-1 against this past season.

Dupies would be a good one to have return, his speed is excellent and he KNOWS how to forecheck.

But as in the past… Why in the HELL is DUMB waddell, not signing these guys, let alone speaking with them.

Just…Yet ANOTHER reason waddell is so BAD as a GM,I really wish we had a forward thinking GM who will make moves now… rather than when the cost goes up or some are lost.

We should at least go after Gomez… Would be a GIANT pickup, but the defense has to be better next season…

Just think… a former Thrasher’s name will appear on The Stanley Cup soon.

Could be that #15…hope not !!!!! Or Joe Depenta or Kris Kuntz… Of course both of were NOT go enough for DUMB waddell… Let’s ONLY hope we have to endure only ONE more season of that worthless GM !

By Brendan

May 29, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

It was nice to read up on the prospects, Craig. Thank you for those articles.

Sara, I’m not sure that Exelby will cost that much to re-sign. But he’s due for a qualifying offer, at the very least. If an arbitrator really gives XLB in the $2-3M range, I suspect we’ll lose him in a trade. That, or we let him become unrestricted by not signing him, and lose him for nothing, a la Marc Savard, and quite possibly Kozlov, Sutton, DeVries, as well. And next year, Hossa is the big question mark for retention. But I digress.

My favorite of the skating prospects Craig is Brett Sterling. Overall, it’s the goaltender not covered, Ondrej Pavelec. I think this was a great draft pick for a 2nd rounder.

I suspect Eric Belanger can be had for $1.5 million, and Pascal Dupuis for $1.0 million. To lose those guys doesn’t make much sense. We gave up a 1st round pick (Alex Bourret) for Dupuis. And we gave up Vitaly Vishnevski for for Belanger. Were they really just “rentals?” Ktachuk? Yes, he was a straight-up rental. No question about it. But those other guys need to stay, unless Don finds better for cheaper. Ummn, I guess that’s possible. It might take rookies priced at $850,000 apiece to fill those voids. But they’d better be ready to play at the NHL level. We know Dupuis and Belanger can do that. And affordably. They can’t sign elsewhere before July 1st. If they are not made contract offers by then, DW would have to winning a bidding war to keep them, assuming any other team had interest. And I doubt he’d play along. He’d just let ‘em go. Which, again, is fine … provided that he finds suitable replacements for less or equal money for what it’d cost to keep them.

By Craig Custance

May 29, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

Sara: I keep reading that this will be the offseason where NHL GMs make a run at restricted free agents, so your Exelby concerns may be warranted. We’ll see.

Brendan: If they can sign both Dupuis and Belanger for around $2.5 million, that’d be tough to pass up.

By legion of thrash

May 29, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

Other teams will offer Dupuis more money than we will. Unless Wadell can move some salary like Holik, we are going to take a step backwards. We need two centers, Belanger is a third line center not a top 2 line center. We also need a real number #1 d-man something we have never had.

Lang, Stumpel are too old and slow. Comrie will go to a team that will pay him, Wadell is a dollar store shopper.

Wadell will probably put Little on the team whether he is really ready or not out of pure desperation.

By ben

May 29, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

they’ll be better b/c of Sterling. they’ll have a legit 3rd option most of the money is tied up in 17 16 and 31 the world knows they need a center, dw will try dont sign kt ain’t worth a first rounder

By Brendan

May 29, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

I do wonder … if Belanger will do much better than $1.5 million? He’s a 3rd line center who is a borderline 2nd liner. In Atlanta, he’d be used as a 2nd line center and see much more ice time. That could work in DW’s favor at contract signing time. What other team will give him that much exposure? If he is unsure of the future in Atlanta, he can always sign a one-year deal, then look for his longer-term contract next offseason. With the amount of ice time he should or could get in Atlanta, it ought to be enough for another “contract year” type performance, that will lead to a 2-3 year deal for him with his next team, or here in Atlanta.

I don’t know about Dupuis. I understand he and his former coach, Jacques LeMaire, had issues in Minnesota. The Wild were shopping him at the mid-point of the season, with no apparent takers. A little before the deadline, they shipped him to the Rangers, who then dealt him to us, for Bourret. A move I still say was good. I don’t get that “warm, fuzzy” feeling from Alex Bourret. If he turns into something, it means Tom Renney (NYR Coach) worked some magic on the kid. The Thrashers need speed. And Dupuis has that in spades.

I’m afraid … the issue may be “coaching” here. All I keep hearing about Heatley is how Murray (Ottawa Head Coach) said he had concerns about Heatley just being a “goal scorer.” But now, he’s a “complete” hockey player, excelling offensively and defensively. Would that have happened with Curt Fraser or Bob Hartley? I’m trying to name a young player, aside from Kovalchuk, a natural phenom, who has excelled under Hartley. Ummn, Exelby. That’s one. Hmmn. I want to say, Slater, but no. Not really. Kari has a goaltender coach for his development. Braydon Coburn didn’t find his mark here. Kovalchuk has improved defensively, but still struggles. Help me, here. I’m struggling. Maybe “young players” aren’t Bob’s forte?

By B. Thenet

May 30, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this

The Thrashers have serious salary issues, even IF they go to the cap max…which is unlikely.

I agree that they will not get any of the top UFAs on the market.

Comrie would be a great fit, the question is if the Ottawa run has taken him out of the Thrashers price range.

I think the cost cutting on D that you propose makes sense financially. The Thrashers are going to need to bring in at least 1 top line C, and probably one top line W as Kozlov will command too much for too long for DW to bring him back.

The big question though, considering that our D has traditionally been our downfall, is. Can DW afford to go cheap on D? After the 2nd half of the season, and his simply pathetic effort vs. the Rangers, I really have no faith in Havelid at all…and I doubt Hartley does either. If we go into the season with Havelid, Zhitnik, Exelby, Hnidy, and two rookies…I doubt this team makes the playoffs next season.

By Big Al

May 30, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

Brendan:

BH has coached (since they were 22/23) Milan Hejduk, Chris Drury, Stephan Yelle, Alex Tanguay! These are all legit players that performed for 4-5 years on Bob’s teams.

The key here is we need our setup man C and we need to keep our #1 setup W SK.

D D D we need it bad!

Craig:

If we are going to seriously try and resign 18, we are going to need to trade 17 before he has another frustrating year (because every D in the league knows his “move”).

By sisu

May 30, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

To lose X would be a mistake, he is the heart and soul of this team. He needs to stay. The money needs to be spent of finding some centers for the team. Also, look for DW to get rid of the cap hit provided by Rucchin.

Should be interesting to say the least.

By Brian

May 30, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Big Al - nice point there. I am very afraid of BH being here for a youth movement, but shame on ZAvalanche for not pointing this out first that BH did have Drury, Tanguay, Hejduk & Yelle when they were young and developing.

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Kozlov will go back to Detroit… I hate to say it, because he’s my favorite player. He’ll make Pavel Datysuk an elite player next year. He has more finesse and hockey sense than Zetterberg. I would imagine that early exit in the playoffs killed our chances of retaining Kozlov and Tkachuk.

Free agents I’d like to see… Patrick Marleau would make this team a dynasty. I think Michael Nylander would be a great fit for either Kovy or Hossa.

By Lord Stanley

May 30, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Kovi’s frustration is that he plays with inferior players. He only has to use that ‘move’ because he is all alone. Kovi is one of the top five most talented wingers in the game and his lack of a Rocket Richard Trophy and 100 point season had everything to do with Rucchin being his center and insert random scrub guy here being his winger. I am just hoping this is the offseason that Waddell invests some money for a linemate worth his salt for Kovi. At the least lets try and get him a center that can skate at full speed.

Craig:

I will echo the sentiment of my more active bloggers in saying that your coverage has been great and much appreciated.

Do you have any details about Rucchin? I hope to god he is not returning to the lineup out of desperation after his worthless season last year but I know his is under contract and impossible to move; any buzz about putting him on long-term injury reserve to free up cap room?

One of the earlier post asks if Hartley has problem with developing young talent. The sad thing is that you cant tell which head of this hydra is doing the damage. Can anyone say conclusively it is Hartley who cant coach Slater to stay on his skates and put up a 30 point season; Or is the problem Waddell overselling the talents of Slater??

Last year at the first preseason townhall meeting Waddell specifically tooted his own horn related to four players improving our squad. They were Rucchin, Kapanen, Bouret and Coburn. Bourret and Coburn didnt make the team as promised and were eventually traded to save our first post season birth. Rucchin not only tanked Kovi’s last season but looks to cripple our cash flow and cost him another season with inferior linemates. Kapanen didnt fit our system and we were blessed when he was picked up off waivers freeing up his salary. Back to my earlier point about the hydra, Hartley couldnt coach Kapanen to play with Hossa and Koslov?

I say we cut off both heads to make sure the problem is solved. You cant honestly look at our current situation and think it could be any worse with a new staff.

By Legion of thrash

May 30, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Patrick Marleau would make this team a dynasty? I hope that was a joke.

By Wayne

May 30, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Craig:

Why is the AJC not sending it’s hockey beat reporter to cover the Stanley Cup?

By Tony H

May 30, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Folks, it really is a sad state of affairs when you think about it. I agree that Kovy’s frustration is playing with inferior players thus making him feel that he has to do it all which gets him into trouble. I guarantee you that when his contract is up he is gone via free agency. Why would he want to stay with the mentality and inability of management to correct the situation?

I doubt seriously if Hossa wants to sign an extension. I would bet that he wants to get away from DW and BH as well and as soon as possible.

Slava is gone. If the Red Wings want you what would you do? Stay in Atlanta or go to a perennial winner?

While it is true that BH coached some great young talent, I wonder how many of them would want to play under him again? I also wonder how much better these guys might have been during that time under a different coach.

We have a real catch 22. How do you win in the NHL? You win with talent that is well-coached. No talent and no coach means fewer wins and fewer fans. Fewer fans means ownership looses more money. After all, it appears that a NHL franchise needs to make it well into the playoffs (not first round) to make a profit. How are we going to do that with our ownership fiasco, less than stellar GM , questionable coaching and no money to spend?

The players throughout the league know our quandary. Why would they want to come here under our present regime?

Unfortunately, I think that we should be thankful that we finally made the playoffs one year and face the reality that, unless things change with management, we are going to be starting another one of DW’s famous five year plans again.

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

Patrick Marleau stays out of the penalty box, he has 491 points in 717 career games. He’s only 27 years old, in the peak of his career. He’s got size, speed and leadership. He helped Cheechoo to a Rocket Richard trophy. Him and Paul Stastny were the highest ranked 2nd line Centers in the league for points… imagine what he’d do on a top line with Hossa… what else would you like to know?

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Tony H… We won the Southeast, we went to the playoffs with Tkachuk, Zhitnik, Havelid, Bellanger, Kozlov, Hossa, Kovalchuk, Dupuis… they couldn’t score to save their life… what else was Waddell supposed to do?

I don’t know what changes need to be made, but it certainly wasn’t the name on the rosters that was the problem… we were stacked with talent… you have to look at team strategy, in my humble opinion.

By Tony H

May 30, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - I did not say that it was the names on last year’s roster that was the problem. I am looking at the potential for the coming year and I firmly believe that with the obstacles the team faces for the coming year are huge.

I was very proud of the effort made by the Thrashers last year and was there to cheer them on. My concerns lie with ownership and management and their ability to put together a competitive team for the year upcoming. I have severe reservations about their ability to pull that off.

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Understandable… my worries lie on Hartley’s ability to make something out of what he’s given… if they come back with the same Power Play strategy this October, it’s gonna be a long year.

I don’t believe in a coach with a “system”. What worked with Tanguay, Sakic and Hejduk doesn’t necessarily translate to Kozlov, Hossa and Kovalchuk. Your players are what they are and you have to find what works for them.

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I’d like to stop and say, this is much more productive and relaxing than the Falcons message boards… kudos to hockey fans.

By Legion of thrash

May 30, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Hokie— It was Joe Thornton who helped Cheechoo win the rocket Richard trophy. Cheechoo only put up numerous goals after the Thornton trade. A player who averages less than a pt a game is hardly someone you use to “build a dynasty”.

By Mark

May 30, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Marleau isn’t a free agent. He won’t be until next summer. If we were to trade for him, it would take a lot and I don’t think the Thrashers have anything that will interest San Jose.

… And it was Thornton who made Cheechoo the goal scorer he is.

By Craig Custance

May 30, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

My apologies if this gets posted twice, I thought I posted it, but I guess not:

B. Thenet: I think that’s a fair concern about the D. Where would you rather see the team spend money - on a legit playmaking center for Kovalchuk or on a top D-man? There’s a lot more potential help already in the organization on defense than at center, that’s for sure.

Big Al: Do you really think #17 was the problem last season?

Sisu: The Rucchin saga is something that will need to be addressed. I have to brush up on my salary cap rules and see what the Thrashers options are in regards to freeing the $2.4 million Rooch is owed - if he can’t play next season.

GaVaHockie: I’m sure Sharks fans wouldn’t mind Marleau being traded after his disappearing act in the playoffs but he was playing through a shoulder injury so that might explain some of his issues. He’s owed $4.5 million next season, so I don’t know if that would fit the budget - plus who do you give up to get him?

Tony H: A lot can change between now and 2010 when Kovalchuk is slated to become a free agent.

By Craig Custance

May 30, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Just got finished reading the transcript of Gary Bettman’s state of the union speech. Probably the most interesting thing as it relates to Thrashers fans is that he anticipates the salary cap being bumped up to the $48-49 million range which is a little higher than the conservative number of $46 million I heard. The salary cap is based on revenues and revenue grew between 6.5 and 7 percent this season.

The other major topic of discussion surrounded the Nashville sale. Bettman said lack of corporate support is the biggest problem in Nashville. He sounded luke warm to the idea of another team in the Toronto area, but open to the idea of returning to the Winnipeg market. As a hockey writer, I’d prefer a team in Nashville or Toronto, rather than Winnipeg. As one former beat guy said, ‘Winnepeg isn’t the end of the earth, but you can see it from there.’

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Legion… a second line center averaging just under a point a game is pretty damn good. And it’s not all about points anyway… it’s the all around game and leadership as well.

Sorry, I saw him on Eklunds rumor chart and assumed he and Nylander were UFA’s.

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

Craig, we’ve got nothing to trade for Marleau… sorry, thought he was an UFA. The only option would be a sign and trade with Kozlov, but why would Slava do something stupid like that?

I finally found the 2007 UFA list, so I’m on track now… the list isn’t as good as it was supposed to be… I see one guy who’s stock has dropped that could use a change of scenery… Jeff O’Neill.

By Sisu

May 30, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

Eklund is only concerned with teams that have been around for many years. He has an opinion like everyone else about what might happen.

DW will be a busy man, to lose Kozlov would be a mistake, look at how many games he won single handedly last year in the shootouts.

X needs to stay…I want to see Belanger return as well.

One thing most of us forget is that Bob has won at every level he has coached at. Now if the players buy into his system is another story.

By Legion of thrash

May 30, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

Hokie— just admit your dynasty theory is a bust just like Wadell and his plan for our franchise.

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

I think Tom Preissing would be an absolute steal for us… he’s making $600,000 and has put up 30+ points the last two seasons. I’d let McCarthy walk and sign Preissing for the same amount of money.

By GaVaHokie

May 30, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

I’ll admit dynasty was a strong word, but I do not deny Marleau is a major impact player… Waddell is not a bust.

By Brendan

May 30, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Great comments today. I want to be the first to say … I’d do Slava for Patrick Marleau! If nothing else, we get younger and faster! I like the idea of Marleau and Kovalchuk on the same line. But … let’s be realistic. There just isn’t money and I’d bet Marleau is happy where he is, and wouldn’t want to come to Atlanta.

I also want to state that I’d be irresponsible to suggest that Kovalchuk wants to be traded. (So don’t! I’m not! I’m musing aloud.) But a couple of thoughts occur to me. The infamous Kovalchuk quote, “Bob Hartley is the Coach THIS YEAR” stands out in my mind. How many more “benchings” will #17 endure before he pulls Craig aside and says, “I’m not a rookie anymore. I have plenty of NHL tenure and International (Worlds, Olympics) laurels to reference. And I’m sick of being benched! Some of my teammates make much more boneheaded plays than I do, but Bob doesn’t bench them.” Or words to that effect. That said, I think it’s a horrible idea to consider trading Kovalchuk. He’s the reason many fans HAVE season tickets. He’s one of the two cornerstones of our initial draft years. To lose him, too, especially while he’s under contract at a reasonable price for the coming years, had better frekkin result in the “windfall of talent” that I like to reference. In previous blogs, I’ve looked at Columbus, Chicago and the LA Kings as WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS that might be worth raiding, given their favorable draft positions, lo these past few years … and coming years.

I hear ya, though. Whoever just screamed, “Heatley asked for out, and was accommodated.” Different time, different situation. If #17 seriously wanted out, and I’m not suggesting that he does, I don’t think I’d trade him. Ya know, barring the Penguins saying, “We’ll give ya Crosby.” Which isn’t gonna happen. I’d be much more apt to rid myself of Hartley and/or Waddell first. Remember, very soon, Kovalchuk’s salary will exceed his “capt hit.” When he starts making $7.5 million, his cap hit will still be $6.5M, for those last few seasons, until 2010. As Craig points out, a lot can change between then and now. And, I’m sure, many of you hope that it will.

Another thing stands out in my mind … we “won” that draft lottery in 2001 to get Kovalchuk. What a break that was for us! It’s somewhat crazy to even think of him being traded. That said, if the LA Kings really did say, “We’ll give ya Kopitar, Cammalleri, Frolov, our 2007 2nd round pick (#34 overall) and Jack Johnson” … buh-bye Kovy. I’d bet Kovy would be very happy in Los Angeles. But that’s a stupid trade for the Kings to make. So, it won’t happen. They’re building something out there. Plus, ya know, what if the Ducks win this Cup? Anaheim’s a suburb of L.A. that’s only been around since ‘93! The Kings have been in business since ‘67, with only one trip to the Finals to show for it. Oddly enough, in 1993! It’d be like hearing Macon got an NHL team and won the Cup before the Thrashers reached the Conference Finals, or something. It’d be tough to take.

But I’m way off on a tangent. Iffff there’s a big name traded, I think it’s Hossa. Hossa never “asked” to be here. He was DEALT here. When he was asked for a comment on his trade to Atlanta, he said he was “surprized” but happy to contribute to his new team. Well, ya know. What ELSE is he supposed to say? “PFFT! Atlanta?? I might as well be dead. I won’t go. I’m playing in Europe.” Well, if nothing else, that’d sure make for a memorable quote. But once he affixes his name to the contract Muckler handed him, he’s obligated, contractually, to it. Unless there was a “no trade” clause stipulated. There wasn’t. So, tough for Hossa. Now … I haven’t heard anything of the sort out of Hossa. He “seems” content to finish his 3-year tour in Atlanta. After which, he has EVERY RIGHT to test the waters of the Open Market. I suspect he could command as much as $9.5 million, based off a projected $47.5 million cap. Someone would pay him. Although, his production trails off in the playoffs. So, I’m thinking $8-something million will be what he gets in the Summer of 2008. One poster suggested 7-years/$56M should keep him as a Thrasher for many years. I guess we’ll see. The ownership, down the road, might decide that what Buffalo did coming out of the lockout is the way to go. Lots of lower paid players and draft picks in the lineup, rolling four lines, with something close to equal ice time. This way, there’s always cap room at the trade deadline. And the system is one that everyone can live with on the roster. Who’s gonna complain about “ice time” when it’s even across the board? And what line do the opposition focus on, when there are ten 20 goal scorers, spread across four lines? Depth matters. Depth is hard to achieve while you’re paying ONE PLAYER $8.0 million.

By Brendan

May 30, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

I agree that Preissing is worth pursuing. He’ll get a few offers, though. The bidding could drive up the price. Where that price ultimately lands would be the difference, for me, between moving McCarthy out and Preissing in. McCarthy should get a qualifying offer. $852,500 is all it takes for Don to tender to McCarthy. I suppose McCarthy could then ask for binding arbitration, but … I don’t think he’d do much better than that. The arbitrator might say, “Okay, you get $880,000. Maybe $900,000. Was that worth going to arbitration for?

If Preissing can be had for $900,000, I’d say it’s worth exploring.

By Barry

May 30, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

Well I’m a little split where Kozlov is concerned. Yes he had some big games for us. He was automatic just about in the shootouts to give us some wins. He had great chemistry with Hossa, but he really didn’t do anything in the playoffs. He’s also getting up there in age and it’s obvious Thrashers need to get younger and polish some of our prospects into solid NHL players. I would like to see Belanger and Dupuis brought back as long as they are reasonable contracts. Their speed alone really helped our PK alot! As I see it right now we need a #1 and #2 center unless Belanger resigns. Those are going to be a bit tough to find together. Also it’s obvious we need to strengthen our defense corps. I really hope Waddell is able to sign XLB. In my opinion he was about the only dman who did anything good in the playoffs. He really stepped up and played some improved defense towards the end of the year. Hnidy also improved so he should be considered as a 3rd line dman. Also what’s up with McCarthy? Why in world did he not play after February? Hartley had plenty of time to work him into a game second half of the season. He could have easily had him in there for a game in the playoffs but never played him. To me that’s just some talent and money rotting away on the bench. If McCarthy is brought back Hartley better be willing to play him. He and Kovy had some good chemistry on the PP. I would rather have McCarthy and Zhitnik on the points of the PP than Zhitnik and Havelid.

By Barry

May 30, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Well I’m a little split where Kozlov is concerned. Yes he had some big games for us. He was automatic just about in the shootouts to give us some wins. He had great chemistry with Hossa, but he really didn’t do anything in the playoffs. He’s also getting up there in age and it’s obvious Thrashers need to get younger and polish some of our prospects into solid NHL players. I would like to see Belanger and Dupuis brought back as long as they are reasonable contracts. Their speed alone really helped our PK alot! As I see it right now we need a #1 and #2 center unless Belanger resigns. Those are going to be a bit tough to find together. Also it’s obvious we need to strengthen our defense corps. I really hope Waddell is able to sign XLB. In my opinion he was about the only dman who did anything good in the playoffs. He really stepped up and played some improved defense towards the end of the year. Hnidy also improved so he should be considered as a 3rd line dman. Also what’s up with McCarthy? Why in world did he not play after February? Hartley had plenty of time to work him into a game second half of the season. He could have easily had him in there for a game in the playoffs but never played him. To me that’s just some talent and money rotting away on the bench. If McCarthy is brought back Hartley better be willing to play him. He and Kovy had some good chemistry on the PP. I would rather have McCarthy and Zhitnik on the points of the PP than Zhitnik and Havelid.

By luckydog

May 30, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Don’t look now, but our boy Heatley is looking a lot like Marian Hossa in Ottawa….that is to say, invisible. I just saw him commit an atrocious turnover to put the ducks up 1-0 in game 2.

By The Falconer

May 30, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

GaHokie: I like Preissing if the price is right.

re: Kozlov. I’m a big fan but the vast majority of players start to decline once they pass age 35. I would not resign if he wants a big raise.

Brendan: If the offer was right I would trade Kovalchuk. He has one of the best releases in hockey but he is still an incomplete player after being in the league for several years. Kovalchuk gets loads of Power Play ice time but is too in love with his slapper. He really needs to use his wrister more in games and just make sure he gets the puck on net if a screen is there. Oh and he makes a huge salary.

Honestly this team needs a All Star Center more than it needs two All Star Wingers. Having a true #1 defensemen and a true #1 Center makes everyone else around them better. The power play is better, even strength.

By RedandBlackAttack

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

Hnidy, Holik, and Rucchin need to go. Buh-Bye. C-ya. The Thrashers need good defensive players that will not give up or go slack. The Thrashers also need some more size players. They need a big center to work the goalie and pick up the trash in front. Enough of these finesse guys. They got thrown off too much in the playoffs. The Thrashers need some hockey PLAYERS. Kovalchuk stepped up his hockey play a good bit, but got distracted. He was hungry. Belanger and Dupuis would be great to keep and Waddell should focus on them. BH needs to realize that he has to coach up the new younger guys coming in this year. They will need to contribute significantly to make another playoff run. Let’s Go Thrashers!!!

By Craig Custance

May 31, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

We should have a little action today on the prospect front. At the very least, I expect Denny and Pavelec signings but there could be more. I’ll keep you posted.

By Shoot it

May 31, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

I agree with the Preissing talk, he is big, fast, great at breaking out of zone and has the ability to be a top line D if given the opportunity.

As for Comrie, he has been given chances to be a top center and not been able to produce. I say pass.

SJ will not let Marleau get away.

I agree with everyone about Belanger and Dupuis, they are just no-brainers for DW who should already have them on board. We also need to keep Kozlov but he has got to be tempted by the talk about Detroit.

Someone asked Craig why he was not at the Finals. While that is expected from the AJC, it is ludicrous that the press has all but snubbed the Finals. It is my opinion that this is a major indictment on Gary Bettman. Our sport is gasping for air it seems and he does not seem to be able tosee it or to generate interest in the sport to even get most of the press from the cities where he has franchises, to draw attention to the finals. The hockey has been spectacular and it is being all but overlooked. Hockey needs someone at the Commisioners position to be a far more vocal and public advocate for the sport. To say that Versus is the network for hockey is obsurd and shoulod be a wake up call to all the owners that Bettman does not get it. It is discouraging to see the rained out French Open get more publicity than the Finals or the freaking’ Preakness pre race show pre-empt the playoffs, aaahhh!!!

The owners had better wake up. Okay, I will climb off my soapbox now.

By GaVaHokie

May 31, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

I’m affraid we still can’t get our hopes up for a big name Center again this year. I think we’ll resign Belanger, but the most we can hope for with UFA’s is Josef Stumpel and Jeff O’Neill… there’s just not enough affordable names out there, and with the cap going up, the large market teams are going to snatch up Drury, Briere and the like.

O’Neill made only $1.5 million this past season… he’s certainly worth a gander for that much or a little more.

By UpperDeck4Life

May 31, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

It is being reported in the Swedish media and on Modo’s site (current team) that Tobias Enstrom signed a 2 year deal with the Thrashers last night. It is rumored to be around 2.75 million, and I want to believe that is total. So there is the first signing for DW.

http://allehanda.se/avdelning/sport/7909

http://www.modohockey.se/nyheter.cfm?nyhet=2961&rows=5

By The Falconer

May 31, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

UpperDeck: The Thrashers organization usually just rolls all the young players into one press release. I expect to hear that we’ve signed several players very soon.

RedandBlack: I’m not sure I’d complain about Hnidy. He made the league minimum and played better than we had any reason to expect. If all our cheap players performed as well as Hnidy did I’d be thrilled.

By Brendan

May 31, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

Hnidy went from the Press box to the top pairing in the space of one season. At $600,000, (a hundred twenty-five thousand dollars above the league minimum,) he was a steal. I know many here on the board accuse Don Waddell of being a cheapskate, bargain finder GM. I personally view that trait as a “skill.” Every GM out there has got to find bargain basement priced players to fill out that roster. That is, unless the whole team makes under $2.0 million apiece. But if you’ve got what GM Kevin Lowe termed, “The two tiered payroll system,” you’re going to have great pay disparity among the troops. (Kovalchuk, Holik, Hossa vs. Vigier, Larsen, Bolton, Sim, Hnidy, Popovic, etc.) If Don can find us decent-enough bargain-priced players, I say, “woo-hoo.” It frees up money for the trade deadline in February ‘08.

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June 8, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this

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