AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 23
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Don’t give up on Hossa extension yet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kind of a dreary day up here in Toronto and it’ll only get worse for one of these two teams tonight. Both are in desperate need of wins, and both teams seem to have confidence issues. First, the lines are what we thought they’d be (you like how I channeled my inner Dennis Green?). Here’s a breakdown:
Kovlachuk - White - Perrin
Sterling - Little - Hossa
Kozlov - Holik - Dupuis
Boulton - Slater - Haydar
The D is the same. I thought Popovic might get a look, but he was skating late with the rest of the scratches (Larsen and Thorburn). Moose is in goal.
There was a lot of attention on Bryan Little by the throngs of Toronto media. Lits played in nearby Barrie last season and has a following in this area. It’s a great opportunity for him to center Hossa’s line and Sterling is excited about that line as well. But Little has certainly earned it. Don Waddell called Little the Thrashers best offensive center so far this season, and I think it’s safe to drop the offensive. He’s been the best center on the team. I know the Thrashers aren’t exactly loaded in the middle but that still says a lot about Little, who I thought would be playing in the AHL this season. Seriously, this team is struggling, but where would they be without Little and Tobias Enstrom? Probably 1-7, but that’s beside the point.
Hossa update: Like I mentioned in the comments section of the last blog, Hossa’s camp is still communicating with the Thrashers and that’s a good thing if you’re looking for him to resign. I know there’s a lot of speculation about Marian right now, especially in light of Scott Mellanby’s comments, which I didn’t hear. But here’s what I know — Marian recently changed agents. That’s not something you do if you’re closing up shop until the summer. There’s still communication between Hossa and Waddell. I know everybody wants a deal done yesterday, but the bottom line is that Hoss isn’t in a hurry to get one done. Any why would he be, especially in light of the coaching changes? What if Don brings in someone who Marian can’t stand? What if this team completely tanks, and ownership cleans house? I really do think that all things being equal, Hossa wouldn’t mind staying in Atlanta. But he also has to be realistic. He wants to win, so he’s not going to sign a longterm deal with a sinking ship. But until he cuts off negotiations, which hasn’t happened yet, there’s still a chance.
In an unrelated thought, the Thrashers are still keeping 23 players up, which is a departure from the past. But at this point, who do you send to Chicago? You can’t send Haydar, who is playing well. Chris Thorburn would have to clear waivers, and you just gave up a third-rounder to get him, so you can’t risk losing him. You need seven D-men, plus you’re paying Popovic an NHL salary either way. So 23 it is.
