Thrashers

By B. Thenet

November 1, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner?

By PuckedUP

November 1, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

I’m just hoping the recent successes continue. Would like to see Hossa get things going. Then I might be convinced things are moving in the right direction. Go Thrash!!!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

November 1, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

yatzee

By Bob

November 1, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

We seem to play the Sens well when we badly need a win, I’d love to see them knock Heatley off. Hoss back on his old stage should provide some motivation for him to get his act in gear.

How bout a 6-5 barnburner for the good guys?

By d

November 1, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Is it just my imagination, or does Kovy step up his game another notch when he’s playing in big media Canadian markets?

Also, CC, what is DW’s strategy with Zhit? Does his ice time dwindle to nothing & he stays on the payroll - or does he reconize Zhit’s addition was a mistake and take whatever he can get in a trade? Zhit’s poor play in last year’s post season, which has continued through the 07/08 scheule, must be considered a trend.

By whaler5

November 1, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

I would agree on no line up changes, but was wondering at some point how best to get Sterling back into the lineup. Do you think moving Perrin to LW in place of Larsen and then have Sterling with Hossa and White would be effective combinations.

By Craig Custance

November 1, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

d - I think ultimately Don would like to see Zhitnik’s play improve. At this point, what kind of trade value does he have, especially considering his contract? This is a guy who was traded twice last season, maybe now we’re seeing why. I think there’s still hope that he can turn things around.

By Midfield

November 1, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

I remember that everybody was ecstatic with Zhitnik’s play after the trade. Lehtonen in particular praised him for major improvement in positioning in defensive zone when Zhitnik was on the ice.

By Adam

November 1, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

People were happy with Zhitnik’s play after the trade deadline because he basically cut Sutton’s ice time down from 22-24 minutes to 10-12 minutes. Sutton was much more effective as a third pairing D-man.

By Russ

November 1, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

I said at the time that the Zhitnik trade was the best move the Thrashers made at the deadline last year. During the regular season last year I would say I was correct…playoffs and so far this year not so much.

The Thrashers catch a good break with Spezza being out, have to take advantage and keep the good vibe going. Also, I would love to see Hossa break out against his former team.

GO THRASHERS!!!

By Hip Czech

November 1, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Do my eyes deceive me or am I really seeing that 4 games in a row starting with the Caps game are NOT going to be televised?

UGH!

I would say fine, if the rationale were that they are not televising early season game in order to show all the games down the stretch. But what do my wondering eyes see? 4 games in March aren’t going to be televised either, including the final away game at Tampa.

Enjoy the next 2 games on TV…that’s it until the Carolina game on the 16th. Next year I have to justify season tickets AND the center ice package!

By Craig Custance

November 1, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Midfield: I remember that about Lehtonen. Kari said at one point, he was blown away by Zhitnik’s smarts and positioning during a penalty kill.

By Thrashers27

November 1, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Yeah, unfortunately you gotta get the Center Ice. It would be soooo much better if it was offered in HD though. That would be too much to ask of Charter which is the worst cable company in the entire world. I’ll say it again…

CHARTER SUCKS!!!

THRASHERS RULE!!! GO GET ‘EM BOYS!!!

By Brian

November 1, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

For those who have Directv, the NHL channel is now available on channel 215. Even if you don’t have CenterIce, you could have caught the replay on the NHL channel yesterday…

By Eileen

November 1, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

The more I read of Hossa’s comments, the more I think he had two conditions for signing an extension in Atlanta. Winning and a new coach. Does anyone agree with me?

By kracker

November 1, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Eileen Don’t know, really. If Hossa has been holding back, which I don’t really think except for injury reasons, but even if he has, he should heat it up tonight aganist the team that sprang the ‘05 trade on him.

By thefan

November 1, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Ottawa leading3:0

By Tony C.

November 1, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Wow. The Sens certainly look like the current holder of the Prince of Wales Trophy…lost a big cog in their O-fence and the replacement has 2 G on the night. I like what Im seeing from the Holik line, but otherwise our forwards do not look organized at all.

But hey, all it takes is one bounce to go your way, right?

GO BLUE !!!

By stendec

November 1, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

Hi Craig. Stink, stank, stunk! The Thrashers totally failed in every facet. Can ANY Thrasher shooter put a DAMN puck on net? It sure does not look like it. Totally uninspired non-effort. Hedberg - WHIFF! New guy - BETTER. Nothing ANY real GOOD! Where are the scorers? Somebody wake em up. Tell them the season has started! Terribly disappointing.

By stendec

November 1, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

Thank God it WAS NOT a shutout. Still a BAAAAAD LOSS!

By stendec

November 1, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Thanks for wakeup call. Only a WEE bit too late!

By stendec

November 1, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Now 5-4? ARE YOU KIDDING? From 5-0 and dead to 5-4 with two minutes plus to go. At least the Thrashers made a game of it! Why did they wait so damn long before starting to play?

By stendec

November 1, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Two-man edge. Give puck up in O-zone! What garbage! Comeback tainted. F+++++G disgusting! Announcer said character. What damn character? A defeat is a defeat. No morale victories! Personal stats do not mean squat! Freefall on shedule.

By Keith Waldrop

November 1, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Most meaningful game of the season. This team is back. They looked confident and happy leaving the ice. It’s all about finding a win streak to make up the missing points.

By Tom

November 1, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

UGH!!!!!!!!

What a great comeback but how could we not get a shot on the power play at the end. Their goalie could not catch the flu and we kept it on the perimeter.

Kolvachuk is amazing but Kozlov is now officially a liabilty on the power play…

By Keith Waldrop

November 1, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Hey standec. Sober up. ;)

By Brian

November 1, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Tom - you took the words right out of my mouth. I actually just finished watching, but on the last power play I was screaming that there were only 30 seconds left, why is Kozzy dancing around??? No time to wait for the perfect shot, put it on net and crash it.

By Brian

November 1, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Keith - I made some posts on Rawhide’s blog similar to what you are saying. This 3rd period means a lot as we head into Tampa…

By Keith Waldrop

November 1, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

So who belongs on PP instead? Perrin?

By Brian

November 1, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

Keith - depends if you want Kovy on the point or not. Enstrom will definitely be on the blueline for it. Another problem is if Hossa is ever going to join this team or not. If he ever got going, throw in Little, believe it or not Perrin had another multi-point game, we would have a number of options.

By B. Thenet

November 1, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Well at least when I get the first post on game day blogs, you get at least a half a period of entertainment.

Considering how bad the first two period were, a 3rd period like that sure changes how you feel about the team.

I don’t see why Chris Thorburn should ever be out of the starting lineup. I killed DW for the trade when it was made, but he is a good young grinder.

By Brian

November 1, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

B. Thenet - I also think the new 4th line with Thorburn is doing well in their limited minutes…

By Sara

November 1, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

Stendec you just don’t seem to get it. There is a HUGE difference between leaving Ottawa after a 5-0 beat-down and a 6-4 almost-got-your-@ss-handed-back-to-ya game. Coming from behind like that against easily the second-best team in the league does say something. Frankly, not giving up when down 5-0 to anyone heading into the third says something. There were times this team gave up after going down 1-0.

Too bad Pavelec has to take the loss, but at least he gets out of there with the best GAA for sure and possibly the best save % as well. He looked really good stepping in off the bench cold. I say start him against Tampa - we need something to jolt us against that team and steal a couple points in our division.

By Keith Waldrop

November 1, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Sara Apparently Ondrej was promised a start on this trip. We can’t pull him from a starting role and make him do nothing but sit.

stendec Again. Sober Up ;)

By R. Stroz

November 1, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

stendec - Lighten up, enjoy life.

By Russian

November 2, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

Thinking about game yesterday: 1. Everyone played horrible. 2. 7 SOG were made on two periods. This is acceptable. 3. No SOG for last minute when 5:4 score was stupid idea. 4. Moose is not a Number One. He is good for back up. 5. Hossa is not playing for his money. If he will play a same game and ask to resign contract with him it will be no more than he make now. I did not see play for $7 million 6. I could not wait to see Kovy contract end. I wish he moved to good team and get his first Stanley Cup

By Bob

November 2, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Oh I definitely see where Stendec was coming from. Folks, we had 6 shots on goal through two periods and the Sens were laughing in the locker room with a 5-0 lead. The only reason we got back in it was the Sens quit skating, Kovy’s sheer will, and Neil’s caveman double minor, what a douche.

Have some of you really beeen reduced all the back to being happy with a 6-4 loss and thinking it’s a moral victory? That’s Year 1 garbage, this team should be competing for a Cup by now, but we’re happy we didn’t blanked? They looked like crap last night, totally outclassed, then the Sens quit skating in the 3rd. Save the moral victory for your kid’s pee wee team, these pros should be embarrassed.

They have to get Kozlov off of Holik’s line, that just ain’t working.

Hossa has to be moved now, he didn’t even give a 1/2 effort once again last night for his old fans.

By Sara

November 2, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Bob here’s what kills me about you…you can always find something to gripe about even when this team wins but yet you can’t ever seem to motivate yourself to see positives when they lose. A team HAS to find the positives to build on going forward. Now, instead of just “God we screwed up bad in the second period last night, we have to do better than that” they can say, “God we screwed up bad in the second period last night, but nearly came back in the third. We need to play exactly like that for sixty minutes every night.” Plus nearly coming back on the top dogs in the East (regardless of whether they went into a shell or not - that’s their bad) is a confidence boost that this team can still use as they are finding their way yet through this season. There is a significant difference in the outcome of those two scenarios.

Not too mention, as a fan, I would much rather be able to say my team lost 6-4 than 5-0 - that’s just some fan pride.

By Sara

November 2, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

One other thing about all this Hossa-bashing. The only thing Hoss isn’t doing is finding the back of the net. But he’s playing his tail off everywhere else on the ice. Find me one player in the league who has never gone through a dry spell. (Crosby doesn’t count he hasn’t been playing long enough :P) He still gives the all-around effort that makes him such an elite player.

By ranallo10

November 2, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Sara — You’re right, only one person is really saying Hossa isn’t trying. Most of the people who are watching the game notice the other things Hossa is doing well, his positioning, his stick checks, his passes…right now he’s having a rough time scoring, which is likely why he pulled himself from the shootout. I don’t have to tell YOU that he’ll bounce back, you already understand.

By Midfield

November 2, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Not to be a smart a*, but that only thing that Hossa isn’t doing is what he’d better start doing and fast. ‘Cause, as late Jack Palance said in that movie, “One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don’t mean s**.”

By Brian

November 2, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

ranollo & sara - some people would rather see us trade Hossa now while he is in a dry spell, that way they have one more thing to complain about when he gets out of it with another team. Why trade him when he does so well in the regular season? I just hope Kozzy gets out of his funk too.

By Sara

November 2, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Speaking of Hossa, he may be the only top-notch FA left on the market. Jason Spezza just signed a 7 year $49 million contract extension.

By ThrasherNY

November 2, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

I went into last nights game with all the optimism in the world and I left deflated. Bob has it right on this one Kovy’s play pulled us back into the game and it was not that impressive to lose 6-4. Ottawa folded pure and simple. When they played with heart they were waxing us.

What I liked about last night was the play of Kovalchuck. I have long heralded him as the best talent we have on the team because of his drive and instinct. From day one I have wished for him to have a center that could skate at his speed. Little appears to be his man. This season I wanted White to be the guy who took Kovy back to 50+ goals. I was loving last night as it looks like Kovy is determined to do it all on his own this season. GO KOVY!!

Once again my two cents on Hossa is that he is still playing a complete game and had great scoring chances again last night. He will turn it around but i dont think the team will and thusly he should be moved now for maximum value. We have to come to grips with the fact we are in a rebuiling year. This is not a team that can compete for the cup and leveraging the future for another round 1 sweep would be a crime.

By Thrasher_Ed

November 2, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Tom - Kozlov is a liability on the powerplay you say? I say your an idiot, he has a team leading 4 PP Goals, or he did until last night? $hitnik needs to sit out a few games as a healthy scratch. I see now why he was traded 3 times last year. Can we get Coburn back? I wish!! Last night proves to me when motivated this team is an excellent group of players, we have areas that can improve, true, but we need to find a way to play more inspired Hockey! Maybe Waddell should send everybody over the boards in Tampa Bay saturday night if we score the first goal! Craig Custance, feel free to pass my idea along to dear old Waddellsworth! Wonder if he could fly Mark Richt down for the game?(HAHA) Sure would be an interesting sight!!

By Bob

November 2, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Bob here’s what kills me about you…you can always find something to gripe about even when this team wins but yet you can’t ever seem to motivate yourself to see positives when they lose.

I think the difference is that I have come to terms with the reality that this club is not built well, and as long as Waddell is in charge, I don’t see that changing. I feel completely deflated, as a fan, knowing that. But I feel hopeful also as a fan for one thing, that at the end of this year, Waddell will finally be gone and we can finally get on with building a real club and have some hope. You seem to still have hope for this club this year, and that’s a good thing I applaud you for that.

The only thing Hoss isn’t doing is finding the back of the net. But he’s playing his tail off everywhere else on the ice.

I disagree. His game is built on controlling the puck and pushing his way to the net by brute force. He is about the toughest guy in the league to take off the puck when he’s trying. He has not been trying this year, that’s clear to see. I’m not bashing him, I’m calling a spade a spade in that he wants out of here and his effort, or lack thereof, if showing that. Declining the shootout? Waddell backpedaling on that story? Read between the lines here.

…he should be moved now for maximum value. We have to come to grips with the fact we are in a rebuiling year. This is not a team that can compete for the cup and leveraging the future for another round 1 sweep would be a crime.

Yep, the league knows what kind of a player Hoss is. The only thing that might hurt his trade value now is not his performance in terms of points, but that his performance is showing the other GMs that he wants out. That weakens Waddell’s hand. I wouldn’t worry about a round 1 sweep, this lineup cannot compete over an 82 game season, take a look at the goals against, folks. Most in the league allowed. Bottom 2 or 3 in the league on the PK and also on the PP. Those are telling stats, for those of you that are stat fans. You do not make the playoffs, much less finish above the bottom 5 out of 30 teams letting in the most goals allowed and being 27th/28th or worse out of 30 teams on both the PK and the PP.

By ThrasherNY

November 2, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

It is hard for me to say that Hossa is not putting in the right amount of effort but I have also noticed a lack of strong puck handling that always delights me.

With the Spezza signing Hossa is the premier FA this season. I can all but conclude that he is gone. It is painful to think about it but if we moved him for a talented winger and dman combo I would be tickled pink.

Thrasher_Ed: It is becoming clear why Zhitnik was traded and it doesnt appear Waddell has the answer to his slumping productivity. Unfortunately he is still a 3/4 dman on this team and thusly can not be benched as Waddell needs every win he can get.

By David

November 2, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

I could not agree with Sara more. Okay, so we lost. Losing isn’t good, but that third period really was a great period. And it wasn’t just Kovy. Yes, he was amazing (more on that in a second), but everybody picked it up once he did. After already writing the game off after two periods, I was more than happy with the third period. It shows me that this is a team that CAN PLAY WELL.

In regards to Hossa. I think he’s playing well, but he doesn’t have the same jump he had last year. Whether it’s the injury lingering or whatever, he just looks a little down tempo wise. Other then that, he just needs to keep throwing pucks at the net.

Kovy has been amazing. And it’s time to do what needs to be done by building the team around him. In my opinion, he is the franchise player (modano, yzerman, iginla) that you do everything you can to make that player stay and have a good supporting cast. That means, we have got to find a center with the ability to pass. IF that means trading Hossa, I’m okay with that. As long as the quality of the center is high. I actually think that would be a great move. Hossa is a great player, but I’d rather have a great playmaking center. If we can keep Hoss and maybe trade somebody else, that works too. I honestly think that’s the one thing that could make this team much, much better.

Now, having said that…I am confident that this team is capable of turning the season around and , yes i am going to say it, make the playoffs. There is plenty of talent on the ice, they just need to keep swinging.

By Bob

November 2, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

With the Spezza signing Hossa is the premier FA this season. I can all but conclude that he is gone. It is painful to think about it but if we moved him for a talented winger and dman combo I would be tickled pink.

Everybody else has re-signed, right? So Hoss is it? He is going to have one big payday next summer. Waddell can get two NHL players and a prospect for him, keep your fingers crossed he can make this move. If there is one forte that Waddell has, it’s making NHLer for NHLer trades.

Thrasher_Ed: It is becoming clear why Zhitnik was traded

Ain’t that the truth. I had no problem with that trade when it was made, S**’s (great nickname, eh?) drop off in level of play is shocking.

By Christy

November 2, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Okay…. several people have mentioned trading Hossa for a play-making center, but it’s not like that’s going to solve it all for us.

2005 - 2006 season we had Hossa AND the playmaking Center for Kovy in Savard and still didn’t make it to the playoffs. You want to trade Hossa and only get a playmaking Center? Not enough…. Now, I get it if it’s the Center AND a good d-man (not a-list maybe, but good) or a solid RW. Or if it’s February and DW knows he can’t re-sign him and the season is in the toilet.

But trade him now for just a Center? Not good enough in my humble opinion.

By Bob

November 2, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

You want to trade Hossa and only get a playmaking Center? Not enough…. Now, I get it if it’s the Center AND a good d-man (not a-list maybe, but good) or a solid RW.

Agreed, he should bring two NHLers and I’d also say a prospect in return.

By David

November 2, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

I would trade hossa in a heart beat for a great playmaking center…somebody of the same pedigree, like say pavel datsyuk. Hossa is good, but great centers are more valuable to us then great wingers.

I’ll also say this, our top line should be something like oh,

kovy top ability center hossa

we shouldn’t HAVE to trade hossa for a top line center, but we may have to simply because we are such a young team.

Perhaps, the answer is that we need to sign forsberg.

By Sara

November 2, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

2005 - 2006 season we had Hossa AND the playmaking Center for Kovy in Savard and still didn’t make it to the playoffs.

Unfortunately we also had 5 different goalies that season, which was the biggest reason we missed the play-offs ultimately. I definitely agree Hoss is worth more than one return player, but if ultimately the best deal involves one really stupendous playmaking center (that we can keep under contract for more than one year), then I’ll take just that. As opposed to say a slightly better than average center plus something else. Centers are getting very hard to come by, whereas wingers are a little closer to a dime a dozen (in terms of UFAs).

Technically I’d rather keep Hoss and still find a way to get a center. But that just may not be possible.

By Midfield

November 2, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

I think Hossa predicament is way overblown, especially given his level of performance as of late. I think it is disingenuous for some around here keep talking about how Holik, White and Zhitnik are overpaid and give Hossa a pass for same. Anyway, I think the real issue for Thrashers remains the goaltending situation. Lehtonen is a hell of a talent, but I doubt that he will become a “franchise” NHL goalie. Whether it’s his mental or physical shortcoming, at the end of the day, nobody cares. It’s the score board, stupid.

By Christy

November 2, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

Midfield - I think Hossa is getting a temporary pass, of sorts, because of (1) the idea of the lingering injury and (2) he is still out there playing hard and not causing us points and has shots on net that are just missing in some cases. and on the 5 on 3s the other night he was awesome.

Sara - I get it re the multiple goalies in 2005 - 2006, but that’s sort of my point in a round about way. we need the center and the D, because otherwise we just get a playmaking Center that may make up for the points loss of Hossa - but will he add beyond that? and that may or may not help prevent goals on the back-check.

Guess I’m greedy and may want too much.

By ranallo10

November 2, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Alexander Ovechkin has to be the next person with a new contract, he’ll be a RFA in July.

By Thrashtheeast

November 2, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

Folks. We will be fine. I agree with Midfield, Hossa and Kari need to step up. Hossa has 6 goals, (count em) in his last 31 games. That’s almost half a season. Not the kind of performance that commands $7M a year. I say we need the old Hoss now and for the entire season. If he gets it back together fine, we need it. If not you don’t have to trade him because you free up $7M and can sign one or two good players for that. It’s about the money and anyway you look at it we have an asset, player, players traded for, players signed with the money. So in short build around Ilya. He is the best player as stated by the “new” Bob a couple months ago.

Kari was drafted to be a franchise goaltender. Scouts, GMs, etc all agree he was the top prospect. Tine for him to begin living up to it.

By mike

November 2, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Hossa’s a soft euro punk.Get rid of him and bring in some Canadian grit.

By Tony C.

November 3, 2007 2:15 AM | Link to this

I agree we could use a few more frostbacks, but uh….Hossa ain’t exactly velveeta dude. Now P. Stefan, there’s your archetypal soft euro…Anybody who can stickhandle his way through the meat of the defending conference champions defenCe with one hand on his stick ain’t what I’d call “soft”. I mean, hey, he is known to dissappear during the playoffs, but I can think of a few “farm boys” from way out yonder in the heart of canuckia that are known to be no-shows as well once the heat goes up. Oh yeah, they don’t regularly top 70 points a season either. Guess the grit slow ‘em down. Not to harsh on your opinion, but what exactly makes you call Hossa “soft”? Just a long-winded question, I mean yeah he’s not Iginla, but outside of Iginla how many other RWs can you name that put up similar numbers to Hossa and have “grit”?

educate me.

By Thrasher_Ed

November 3, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this

Question to ponder for Saturday Morning? Who are players around the league that may be available and you would love to see in Atlanta. My first choice would be C Patrick Marleau from San Jose. Would definitely up-grade our center position, giving us a true #1 Center. Another player possibly available would be Alex Frolov from LA to upgrade the Wing. Other ideas?

By Thrasher_Ed

November 3, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this

Question to ponder for Saturday Morning? Who are players around the league that may be available and you would love to see in Atlanta. My first choice would be C Patrick Marleau from San Jose. Would definitely up-grade our center position, giving us a true #1 Center. Another player possibly available would be Alex Frolov from LA to upgrade the Wing. Other ideas?

By Sara

November 3, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Thrasher-Ed that’s always a good discussion but hard to really get answers for. It’s awfully early in the season to know what teams, if any, want and need to make rosters moves. Ideally a GM wants to make trades with a team in the other conference but I’m not sure who over there would be willing to make a trade happen right now. LA needs to upgrade their goaltending, so we could offer Lehts or Pavelec but I would imagine they would be awfully hesitant to move Cammelleri, Kopitar, or Frolov. Those are three young and cheap players. Frolov is only a cap hit of $2.9 mill and under contract for two more seasons. Cammelleri might be the most likely moved as he’s a UFA after next season and has already taken them to arbitration once, meaning he will likely want a big raise on his UFA contract (betcha he’ll get it too).

I do think it is very telling that Waddell has someone out following the Oilers. They are loaded with depth at center just looking at nhlnumbers.com (9 on the active roster - 6 of which are still under RFA status). Edmonton may not get many trading partners these days after Lowe’s off-season stunts so they may jump at the chance to make something happen. I would think they would be very interested in Hossa, but likely only if Lowe thinks there’s a chance he can keep him past this year. They might look for a young goalie too - not sure what their depth is at that position for prospects. I’m not sure honestly of how quality the Edmonton players are outside of a few of the bigger names - but their top paid center is Penner and I’m not sure if he’s really that good or not yet. They are also deep at D, though most are young kids that may or may not be top-lnie quality. Souray and Pitkanen are on IR, so maybe when one or both come back they might look to make a move there as well.

By Sara

November 3, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

For those with access to the NHL network, there’s doing player profiles tonight at 6:30 that included Hossa.

By Tony C.

November 3, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

Yeah Edmonton does have a lot of young centres (sorry I’ve been on a canadian kick-don’t ask me why), but I was under the impression that it was due to a “throw against the wall and who sticks” viewpoint in regards to the players abilities.

I don’t think you trade Hossa without at least one player with multiple 20-goal seasons (not saying perianally, [spl?] but not like it was one season riding shotgun for an All-Star) or comprably skilled D-man and good looking prospects/1st round pick coming back the other way.

my $.02

GO BLUE !!!