AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 04
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Ready for Traverse City
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just wrapped up booking the last of my travel plans for Traverse City. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. I also pitched a few stories to my editor that I’m hoping to do while in TC.
For me, the most interesting will be a look at Tobias Enstrom. Think about how the roster has changed since Enstrom signed in early June. At the time, it looked like he could coast to a spot on the blueline. Since then, guys like Steve McCarthy, Karel Pilar, Ken Klee and Joel Kwiatkowski have all signed, which makes you wonder about a couple of things. First, would Enstrom have come over from Sweden if he knew there would be so much competition? And second, are those veteran signings a reflection that maybe the team isn’t as confident in the young D-men as they publicly appear?
Waddell said the Kwiatkowski had options as to where he would sign and picked the Thrashers because he thought it gave him the best chance to compete for a NHL spot. So does that mean Kwiatkowski sees weakness in the Thrashers defense? So many questions.
Waddell addressed some of that by phone the other day. Speaking for Kwiatkowski, he said that it wasn’t a reflection of a perceived lack of talent, just an observation that he’d be competing against younger players. All things being equal, I guess you’d prefer taking on an inexperienced player versus a veteran.
The GM also refuted the theory that the signing of all these veteran defenseman is an indication of a lack of faith in youngsters like Enstrom, Mark Popovic, Nathan Oystrick and company.
“Just the opposite,” he countered. He said it was more about being prepared for injuries and making sure the team had depth.
That’s why this Traverse City trip is so important for me. I’ll get to examine Enstrom, Chad Denny and Grant Lewis — all prospects expected to help the defense in the near future. Not that I’m some great evaluator of hockey talent, but at least I can start to form an opinion of some of the young defensemen that isn’t based on information coming from the organization.
No update on Marian Hossa contract negotiations. After signing Kwiatkowski, Waddell said he expected to touch base with Hossa’s agent in the following couple days. Throw in a holiday weekend, and I’m guessing things didn’t get too far. But Waddell gave some pretty good insight into the next big negotiation — Kari Lehtonen. As you know, Kari will be a restricted free agent after this season and a few of you have noticed a trend of teams locking up their RFAs a little early - most likely to keep away teams like Edmonton who aren’t afraid to target restricted free agents.
Waddell said that once the season starts, conversations with Lehtonen’s agent will turn towards a new deal. But it won’t be because he fears some third team swooping in signing the talented young goalie. In fact, he’s hoping somebody does. That would mean a contract would be done and all he’d have to do is approve it.
“All I have to do is say yes,” Waddell said. “We have lots of room under the cap.”
So it looks like the Thrashers would be ready to match anything the Edmontons of the hockey world would throw at them in regards to their talented young goalie.
Lastly, did you guys see this? The Dallas Stars took a shot at the NBA in their ad campaign with a billboard that said “The only things our refs shave is the ice.” Ouch. I’m guessing the Falcons hope the Thrashers ad campaign this season doesn’t hit below the belt.
