Thrashers

By Jenn

November 15, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

I win? and also, I think it’s a good idea.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

November 15, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

win?

By J.B.

November 15, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Don’t mess with a good thing. Take advantage of the MUCH greater opportunities that present themselves in the off season. Unleash the fury.

…Oh, and FIRST!!!

By J.B.

November 15, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Don’t mess with a good thing. Take advantage of the MUCH greater opportunities that present themselves in the off season. Unleash the fury.

…Oh, and FIRST!!!

By GaVaHokie

November 15, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

I think Hartley should have been fired after the playoffs, then we could have had someone in training camp… but yes, with the bad start, this is the right thing to do for now.

By GaVaHokie

November 15, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Does John Anderson count as inside the organization or are we counting him out too?

By Sara

November 15, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

I think it’s good news. I’ve been a proponent of the idea since they canned Hartley. There isn’t really a lot of coaching talent running amok at this stage, whereas the off-season there will be, like Craig said. It also gives time for an assessment of McCrimmon’s head coaching abilities.

For those who question if DW is really the right GM for the job, it’s also a good thing. It’s his chance to prove the system he set up works. If it does, it validates his position and if the team ends up doing poorly then ownership can oust him and hire a new GM who can then make their own coaching decision to boot.

Another plus is that we won’t take on another coach’s salary this season (although in the sense of fairnes I would hope they give McCrimmon and co. a raise or nice bonus for their added efforts). While I don’t have a clue what NHL coaches make (and I doubt it is as much as most of the players), it still frees up more cash for potential deadline moves. More cash is always good, even if it’s a little in the scheme of things.

By J.B.

November 15, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Sara, I think we’re still on the hook for Hartley’s salary for this season if not next season too. Thought I remembered hearing that when the firing occurred, but I may be wrong.

By Russian

November 15, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Keep Waddell until season is over. I hope we can jump to PO hunt very soon. :-)

By jen

November 15, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

It also makes sense, as scuttlebut has been that a lot of the potential coaches DW has been interested are not being released from current duties to talk to DW (this would include a lot of the head AHL coaches mentioned - specifcaly Cunneyworth comes to mind and I know there was someone else people were high on Mike or Mark something)

By Sara

November 15, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

J.B., we do still have to keep paying Hartley unless he finds employment elsewhere. However, if you hire a new coach, you have to pay him too. So in essence it’s that second coaching salary that the team is saving.

By Craig Custance

November 15, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

JB — That is correct. Bob will get paid for this season and next.

By ww3

November 15, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

does this set the table for a new gm and coach next season?

By stendec

November 15, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

If something is not broken do not attempt to fix it. The Thrashers are playing harder than the other two local professed professional (HAH) teams currently in action. Waddell seems to be getting his athletes to respond. Can anyone ask any more of a coach? Here is hoping the Thrashers go on a major tear. Another division title may not be in line this season but playoffs certainly should be! Thanks Craig. I will leave KL alone for awhile.

By GaVaHokie

November 15, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Sounds like the decision is more financial than anything.

By J.B.

November 15, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Craig & Sara - Thanks for the info. Learn something new everyday right?

By GaVaHokie

November 15, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Jen… the only other person I remember was Nelson Emerson.

By GSU-Lee

November 15, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

I hope beast does well enough to hold on to the job assuming he gets it. Craig, you think Beast would lobby for Mellanby to be an assistant?

By Tom

November 15, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

From Eklund, take this for what it is worth…

The Thrashers and Hossa may be getting a bit closer to an extension according to a few sources as well…

By Craig Custance

November 15, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Lee — I believe Scott when he says he’s not interested in coaching just yet. He’s not real interested in any job that would require a lot of travel outside St. Louis. But they would have to shuffle some things if one of the assistants becomes the head coach.

By Sara

November 15, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Hokie it might be financially motivated but I suspect more it’s because of the lack of good candidates available. I don’t think Burns or Quinn are what we need. Don can’t get to any decent AHL coaches/NHL assistants right now, other than Anderson and why yank the coach from your own farm team mid-way through their season too? And they’ve got McCrimmon to do the job for a lot less at the moment.

Also, I think the “Mike” Jen is referring to is Mike Sullivan, former HC in Boston, now an asst. with TB.

By kracker

November 15, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Craig, Technically the Wolves are a separate organization, right? So is John Anderson considered in-house or not?

To me, this development means The Beast (I don’t think that works for a head coach) has the inside track for the job unless the team fails to make the playoffs, especially if he gets bench boss decisions as well.

By stendec

November 15, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

&&I AM SO PROUD OF THE BANNER AT THE ARENA!** Sorry. Got carried away. GO BLUE!

By kracker

November 15, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

Also, Craig or anyone, I heard while waiting on the doors to open at Tuesday’s game that DW wanted to fire Hartley after last season but the owners overrode that decision. Any comment?

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

I’m fine with the decision, we’ll see how things work out.

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

It was probably from the same fan who said the Eddie “The Eagle” Belfour last played for Phoenix.

Often times the fans at the games don’t know everything they think they know (myself included).

TSN provides an interesting way to rate the rookies…

By Billsen

November 15, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

*By GaVaHokie said:

Sounds like the decision is more financial than anything.*

I disagree - I’d say it is simply a matter of an 8-4 record under DW/Beast and a lack of a large candidate pool.

By Holik-A-Holic

November 15, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Just go ahead and give the job to McCrimmon. He is the one who the team responds to. Last week at the game against the CRAPITOLS he was the one giving them the pep talk going into OT. Seems to have worked!! He has earned it and the guys are behind him.

By bartdunwoody

November 15, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

I agree, as long as it doesn’t keep DW from making some deals to improve things…..like trading our ex #1 goalie for some D.

By kracker

November 15, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

stendec The Division banner? It is sweet, isn’t it? I’ve almost forgotten it didn’t come with any playoff victories. But opening at home sure was fun and it was a close game, actually three of the games were close losses.

Holik-A-Holic LOL! Are you for Bobby or trying to swear off him?

By GaVaHokie

November 15, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Billsen, I don’t even think it’s as complicated as a small candidate pool, there are certainly guys out there that can finish the year for you (Pat Quinn, Pat Burns, Igor Larionov)… I think it’s simply because they’re winning with what they got and it doesn’t make financial sense to pay two coaches salaries.

By kracker

November 15, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Ranallo Yes, interesting. Enstrom at #4. I don’t see their ratings formula, not that that matters. We know he is getting the minutes and his play is quite effective.

By kracker

November 15, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

OK people, who else will make a coaching change? Let’s get on their boards and talk up Hartley. He will make somebody a fine coach, this year or next year.

Thanks for the good times, Bob.

By jen

November 15, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

GaVahokie - you are correct on the Mike…thanks!

Could be financial, but I still think its also a lack of available choices. There will be more choices later in the year as more coaches get fired (and yes I’m chicken dancing in the general direction of you Glen Hanlon, but Therrien, Maurice and my personal favorite, Ron Wilson are all on the hot seat already - I would LOVE to see Ron Wilson behind the bench here)

I wouldn’t want to say Quinn or Burns behind the bench here. We don’t have the deep pockets for veteran talent, and Quinn is notorious for not playing younger players. We’ve missed the boat on a couple of blue chippers because of this organziations unwillingness to play kids (Kunitz and Foster come to mind). The last thing I want is a guy like Quinn to whom you don’t exist unless you’re 32. Nothing against Burns in that respect, as I’ve always thought he’s used a good variety of talent, but I hate NJ and hate the trap. I know it wins cups, but i just can’t bring myself to sit down and watch that kind of hockey. I used to fall asleep in my beer watching Jersey games.

By Sara

November 15, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Not only is Enstrom listed as #4, but Little is 9th. Not bad at all.

By kracker

November 15, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Tom, I find it interesting that in searching “Hossa” on all the 14 comment pages following Eklund’s rumors, there are no comments concerning the rumor of Hossa staying in Atlanta. Had the rumor been of Hossa going to an Orig 6 team or anywhere in Canada there would be many, many comments.

I wonder if Hossa finds the relative anonimity in Atlanta appealing enough to do a “hometown deal”? I have read he likes being able to buy groceries, dine or ride his bike w/o being mobbed as a hockey star.

By Midfield

November 15, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

That’s a funny comment about NJ. Everytime they play at Phillips, it’s a wide open, high scoring rollercoaster.

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Hartley would do well in Calgary, they’ve got the talent that suits his style. Of course, they’ve got the talent that ANY coach should do well with, but I think Hartley would fit better than Keenan.

By Tony C.

November 15, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

kracker

I saw on espn.com a week or two ago where Hossa reportedly told his agent to negotiate an extension in ATL…since then, Eklund has been kinda quiet.

By Brian

November 15, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Midfield (& Jen) - that’s because the last time NJ was playing a true trap it was so long ago that Jacques Lemaire was still coach and Bob & Ranollo were seen doing the macarena together…

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

HEYYY MACARENA!

Tony C. — The day that ESPN Insider Rumor Central post (which was taken from an Ottawa Sun article by Bruce Garrioch) Eklund posted that he was “60%” sure Hossa would re-sign in Atlanta.

He’s a douche.

By Brian

November 15, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

ranollo - I remember that night, Bob took us all out to the once packed section of Buckhead for a fishbowl at Lulu’s because his Webvan stock just doubled that week. Everyone kept saying this is the year that Alexander Daigle breaks out! Those were the days…

By GaVaHokie

November 15, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Claude Julien would have been nice when you think about what he did with guys like Elias, Gionta, and Parise (small, speedy forwards)

By Craig Custance

November 15, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

Brian - Webvan was the greatest thing ever. I hate to admit it, but I really did have stock in the company. It probably wasn’t my best investment ever.

By Bob

November 15, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

For those who question if DW is really the right GM for the job, it’s also a good thing. It’s his chance to prove the system he set up works. If it does, it validates his position and if the team ends up doing poorly then ownership can oust him and hire a new GM who can then make their own coaching decision to boot.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

My skeptical slant leans towards the truth being somewhere closer to DW never being given the green light by ownership (why did he never even ask for permission to talk to anyone?) and instead being told by the owners to get down there and do it. And doing it he is, so good for him. It’s a win win all the way around in my view.

Thanks for getting that cleared up, Craig, good reporting.

The Thrashers and Hossa may be getting a bit closer to an extension according to a few sources as well…

Eklund or whatever, but if this came to fruition, I think I’d need a keyboard (and gladly go get one for it). That would be the shocker of the year. Did Eklund have any sources that said Hoss ditched his agent and is negotiating with Waddell on his own over dinner last night? Sorry for the lamo Payrod comparison.

I found the Hawks game in High Def last night on DirectTV. I figured it was an out of town feed, but right at the end of the game, they flipped to “Hawks Live” so it had to be the local feed. This was a game in Philips. So wtf, Fox Sports South will show them in high def but not our game that needs it? I guarantee they’d get more than 2300 or whatever watching the game if it was in high def.

By Brian

November 15, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

Craig - I had a classmate in grad school who still held on to his stock certificates for them.

Bob - why did he never even ask for permission to talk to anyone? How do you know that DW never asked for permission?

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Why would you purposely watch the Hawks???

Wow.

By ranallo10

November 15, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

*Nov. 6 — 11:27AM Hossa Westa We can all agree that Atlanta would love to re-sign Hossa. He is a top player in this league, but this year has been a tough one for him. If forced to predict how this all turns out, I would say that Hossa is 60% signing back with the Thrashers.

All that being said, I am told that three teams are leading the way towards possibly acquiring the star. Those three teams would be the Canucks (e3), the Oilers (e2), and the Avalanche (e2). We will stay on this one of course.*

This was 4 days after the Garrioch piece in the Ottawa Sun. As usual, great coincidences between his rumors and media sources.

By Brian

November 15, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

Sara - I am surprised to see Bob agreeing with me, but I took that position right from the get go

I just wonder if Bob is going to stick to his original statements

By The Villages, FL

November 15, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

DW is a much better coach than GM, so it would seem (8 & 4). However, I can’t help thinking that it is McCrimmon who makes this team go. He runs most of the practices and does a lot of coaching during the game. Give him the job now. Let him have the glory he deserves.

I don’t think we will see a drop off and in fact will show that he should be the long term coach. Many of the current players have gone public supporting McCrimmon as well as at least one former player, the guy that wore the C before retiring. I would also like to see Mellanby as a McCrimmon assistant. We wouldn’t have him on the ice during games but we’d have his fire behind the bench and in practices.

With that coaching mix I think our odds of continued good play would increase and also enhance our chances of resigning Hoss. That assumes that when DW gets back to his GM job that he brings in a top line center and D man. If not, assuming we make the playoffs with our current roster, we will exit quickly again.

By Tony C.

November 15, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

eklund is totally a duche.

By Bob

November 16, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

DW is a much better coach than GM

Talk about damning with faint praise! That’s like calling Andy Sutton a better forward than defenseman. But I like him behind the bench, especially that first game were he was going all batshit on the ref.

Mellanby also praised McCrimmon and said he was the reason for the turnaround. But what Craig reported didn’t sound like Mel will be working for this club anytime soon, sounded like some bad blood there.

McCrimmon would be the right call and the one that will probably be made eventually. I don’t think the owners ever green lighted Waddell to go bring in a new one. Craig reported a couple weeks after Hartley was fired that the Thrashers had not formally asked another club for permission to talk to any of their assistants, so why not? Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to read between those lines.

By GaVaHokie

November 16, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

Just in case you didn’t notice… we are 4-1 so far in this eight game Southeast stretch with three games left!

If we can win the next three, that would give us 22 pts… which currently would put us 6th in the East, 2nd in the Southeast and bring our record above .500

By GaVaHokie

November 16, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Here’s an extremely strange one from Eklund today… not that Bryzgalov is getting moved, but the fact that Atlanta is interested.

Good Morning…Short night. I am calling around to all of my sources this morning. I will update with some quotes soon but on an unrelated note….at least it seams to be unrelated, there are rumours the Bryzgalov may be on the move today.Hiller has been recalled from Maine, and I am hearing Tampa, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh are possible destinations. I have also heard of a Tampa/ Toronto deal, but I believe that to not include Bryzgalov.

By GaVaHokie

November 16, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

Okay, I’ll bite… Hedberg and a draft pick to Anaheim for Bryzgalov ($1.3 mil). That would set us up with three potential future #1’s… Pavelec, Lehtonen and Bryzgalov. Not a bad situation to be in.

By Brian

November 16, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

Craig reported a couple weeks after Hartley was fired that the Thrashers had not formally asked another club for permission to talk to any of their assistants, so why not? Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to read between those lines.

He probably didn’t want to talk to assistants when we are right in the season. That can’t be following etiquette among GMs to disrupt other teams like that. (talking to them when their fates are decided at the end of the season is one thing, in Nov is another).

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist either to know that there are a number of available candidates (i.e. Pat Quinn) who may have been contacted, as well Craig also wrote that ~30 people contacted DW about the job, so clearly that in no way stipulates that ownership refused to give the green light to do a search. So let’s ask, if DW could possibly be talking to 30 potential candidates, how is ownership not giving him the green light to do a search???

On a final note, if McCrimmon can get this team going when BH couldn’t, perhaps DW got the players after all…

By Russian

November 16, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie That is freaking suprise!!!??? Why do we need another number ONE Goalie??? Hmm, very intresting news.

By Brian

November 16, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Hokie - this has to set up a 3-way for us. Anaheim gets some stability as they get a backup and then figure out who their regular starter is. We get Bryzgalov, ship him somewhere else that needs a starter and get some other problems solved in return?

By Russian

November 16, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

We can keep Kari and Pavs togther for long time. If Kari will get problem with his groin, that Pavs will take care of bussines on Net. He already proved it. If we got Bryzgalov and ship him to….. there??? to…. who??? D or Center??? I do not know, look like it is non reallistic deal, but nobody knows! :-)

By Brian

November 16, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

This is another one of those things that has a 5% chance of going through but will keep our imaginations going all day long on a Friday. The question is, which G do we give up? The stable, lifelong backup? The oft-injured once heir to the franchise? Or the possible future heir who has only played a few games to show us what he has?

Then, once we do settle on 2 of them, which is the starter and which is the backup?

By Sara

November 16, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Eklund is still an idiot. The only possible reason to pick up Bryzgalov is to keep TB from doing it. TB with a good goalie is scary. But it really makes zero sense to pick up anymore salary, no matter how nominal, in Nov. at a position we do not need help in when we aren’t picking up any salary in areas where we do need help. Unless it does involve a 3-way, it’s not happening.

By Sara

November 16, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Just to clarify something, picking up any player just to play keep away from an opponent is also retarded, especially in a cap system. Somehow, DW and the owners don’t strike me as retarded. Bob may beg to differ however. ;)

By GaVaHokie

November 16, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Always fun to speculate. :)

Anaheim can’t afford to take on Brad Richards or St. Louis if Niedermayer and Selanne return, so instead of getting some scrub forward from Tampa, they’ll get a veteran netminder from Atlanta in Hedberg.

It wouldn’t put us in any different situation then what we’re currently in with Hedberg, it just gives us a younger back-up goalie who can trade time in net with Lehtonen.

Still… I think he goes to Tampa.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Re: Brzgalov — He’s a UFA after this season. The expected return for such a player is too high for the impact he would have upon this roster. It’s unrealistic.

Why would Atlanta trade for a number 1A goalie with an expiring contract? Who would they give up to get that player??

Unless someone like Pavelec (future tender for Anaheim) or a top prospect like Sterling (scoring depth) is sent to Anaheim, I highly doubt this would happen. Even with that return, I don’t see it being worth it on Atlanta’s side…not to mention the salary ramifications, as Sara alluded to.

I’d be willing to bet this is a baseless rumor, as usual.

By Sara

November 16, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Interestingly, Spector says the rumors he’s hearing/seeing involve trading Hiller, not Bryz. The teams mentioned are still Pitts and TB (no Atlanta) and even so, Spector puts it down to nonsense since Hiller isn’t really much of an improvement over what TB/Pitt has currently. And Hokie makes an excellent point about Anaheim’s cap situation. Unless Burke knows something that he isn’t sharing with the rest of the hockey world, he can’t afford to chew up any more cap space right now and Bryz doesn’t make enough to consider moving him in a salary dump. I say he will be a deadline mover - he’ll likely have more value then and Anaheim will better know what they need and can then afford it better as well.

By GaVaHokie

November 16, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Hedberg is also a UFA, what’s the difference? It also keeps Tampa away from him.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Hokie — The difference is that you would be giving up a player or draft pick to add a person who is not really needed for the organization. Atlanta doesn’t need to give up a player to hold on to Hedberg, where as they would for Bryzgalov (who is a better tender).

By GaVaHokie

November 16, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Bringing Bryzgalov in gives Waddell more choices of who to retain next summer, while testing Bryzgalov in our system

It gives Waddell more leverage with Lehtonen in case the Kevin Lowe Monster swoops in… instead of matching any offers on Kari, he can turn around and make a similar offer to Bryzgalov, maybe even slightly less than the market is offering Kari.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Word on the street is that he’ll be waived (according to TSN, Hockeybuzz, etc). If that’s the case, I’d gladly claim Ilja Bryzgalov…though I expect teams LOWER in the standings would want him first.

I don’t see that move as being a smart one by Burke, but it’s purely a salary shed at that point.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

This will absolutely suck if Tampa claims Bryzgalov, he’s a much better goalie option than the other goalies out there and available right now. I hope Los Angeles or Phoenix grabs him.

By GaVaHokie

November 16, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

It’s official… Brygalov on waivers

How does waivers work? Does the player get a choice or is it the first to grab him? I’d hope he has a choice so at the very least he’ll choose Pittsburgh.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

It’s not official yet, it’s till in the “Sources say” category. A minute ago it should’ve been official (it’s 12:01 on my clock).

By Sara

November 16, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Hokie Bryz is no insurance whatsoever because he’s a UFA.

In other news, apparently Barry Melrose didn’t get the memo that we aren’t hiring a new coach just yet. He breaks down each conference by winners and losers and guess who the very first winners mentioned were?? Not that I don’t agree of course but geesh Barry, laying it on a bit thick there eh?

I’m too lazy right now to add in the link but as of 2 minutes ago it was the main story at espn.com/nhl.

By Brendan

November 16, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

I would think if Bryzgalov is “waived” that L.A. Kings would be all over that like white on rice. TB would do well to try to get him, too. But, uhhh, they know what Russian goalies cost in Free Agency. I do wonder if that would make them the slightest bit hesitant, though? For one season, why not take a shot at Bryzgalov, if you’re the Bolts? And if Tampa falters down the stretch, badly enough to be sellers at the trade deadline, they could always move him then to a very desperate bidder and claim some draft pick or picks. What did they lose? And if he works out for Tampa, then they really caught a break.

I can’t see Bryzgalov coming to Atlanta, lest Waddell has him on the move to some other team. But, Los Angeles doesn’t need to trade with Atlanta to get him. I would Tampa would trade with us, being divisional rivals.

Okay “unofficial” GM’s, anyone want to take a stab at what Bryzgalov’s next contract will cost? And take a shot at its length, too? Two years? Three? Four or more? Yes, it depends on what he does this year. We know that. This is just “for fun.” So, have at it!

By the way, it’s good to be back home. I got in late last night, and am draggin’ today.

By GaVaHokie

November 16, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Bryzgalov is insurance for signing Lehtonen to an extension… or sign Bryzgalov to an extension… it gives the team several options. We could lock up either one long-term before they can reach free agency.

By Brendan

November 16, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

I meant to say, I doubt Tampa would trade with us. Like I said, I’m dragging today.

By Brendan

November 16, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Scott Burnside contributes in an interesting take on the direction of the young season. The article is at ESPN.com.

He roasts the Atlanta Spirit Group with some regularity. Enjoy!

By Thrasher Ryan

November 16, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

If that’s the case, I’d gladly claim Ilja Bryzgalov…though I expect teams LOWER in the standings would want him first.

Ranallo, really? You would really be interested in Bryzgalov? That’s just too funny. Because thats not what you said last week

Please clarify.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

Hokie — Now that Bryzgalov is only going to cost the team his salary, I can agree with your take. We have roster room, Pavelec can go down to Chicago, and it would definitely open up more possibilities for trades for this franchise.

I don’t think it’ll happen though.

Brendan — 15 other teams have a chance at getting Bryzgalov before Tampa does. 10 before Los Angeles. 5 before Atlanta.

If LA gets him that means Waddell passed on him. Let’s hope LA doesn’t pass so that TB can claim him.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan — Thanks for allowing me to clarify.

Losing a player (trading) to gain a goaltender is what I don’t agree with. Signing a goalie for the remainder of the year (about 3/4 of his $1.35M contract, and at no cost in terms of draft picks or prospects) I can deal with, if he’s an impact goalie.

Bryzgalov is a goalie that can play very well, and is a solid backup. For free (relatively) this team could pick up a solid number one goalie NOW, demote Pavelec for more game time in Chicago, and wait until Lehtonen is healthy to start. Hedberg could be considered expendable at that point, as he’s a upcoming UFA. OR, at the point in time Lehtonen gets healthy, Bryzgalov could be shipped off for a 7th round pick (anything in return is better than waiving him again).

The scenarios are much greater when Bryzgalov comes to the team for nothing beyond his current contract.

By Brendan

November 16, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

I’m hoping for that as well, Ranallo. (That other GM’s don’t pass on him all the way down to Tampa.) Puckjunque, prepare a “waiver” prayer.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I just noticed your question from earlier.

The standings are inverted, and starting with the worst team in the NHL (Washington now, with 13 points), each team is given the opportunity to sign the player. Once Washington passes, it goes to the next team, until the first place team (Ottawa — 30 points) passes. It’s “clearing waivers” if all teams pass, and the player is assigned to his minor league affiliate. If a team claims the player, they take on his remaining contract (but I believe he can then be assigned to a minor league affiliate, I’m not 100% sure there). Re-entry waivers (waivers to let a waived player re-enter the NHL) work the same way, except if a team claims the player the original team has to pay HALF of the remaining salary, and the claiming team incurs the other half.

Freddy Meyer was just claimed in re-entry waivers by New York. He’ll be paid ~$195k for the remainder of this season, with Phoenix picking up the other half. He was originally waived by NY, and claimed by PHX.

By Brendan

November 16, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

I’d be surprised if both Phoenix and Edmonton pass on Bryzgalov. It’s their chance to make a divisional or Conference rival pay for leaving him unprotected. Perhaps Mr. Bryzgalov will want to make Anaheim rue the day they made this decision.

Well, go on now, Anaheim. Start ruing.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Brendan — Bryzgalov has bailed that team out many times, and definitely helped them win The Cup last year. I am surprised by this movement, and I really hope he makes Burke rue the day.

And that was a good Family Guy quote.

By Brian

November 16, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan - last week, ranollo said he didn’t want to trade one of our goalies. Today, he said he would claim another team’s goalie off of waivers. That seems like 2 different statements to me…

By Thrasher Ryan

November 16, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

Brian—I guess the question is, “Is Ranallo satisfied with our current goalies or not?”
The point is, when I brought up going after Bryzgalov last week, based on Ranallo’s statements, he thought we were fine with our current goalies. But now all of a sudden, since Bryzgalov is on waivers, Ranallo wants to go after him. Just confused, thats all.

Moose gets the start.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan — Sorry for the confusion. Last week (and still) I’m against trading a goalie from this current roster, or adding a goalie via trade to this current roster. I don’t feel we’re IN NEED of a goaltender, and feel it’s counterproductive to trade a prospect or pick to “solidify” a position that doesn’t necessarily need solidifying.

That idea can be put aside for now because the team could have an opportunity to upgrade goalies relatively cheap. The upgrade comes two-fold. First you’d upgrade the current starting goalie by getting a 27 year old number one goalie, and allow your future tender (Pavelec) the ability to continue his progression in the AHL (more game time). Second, when Lehtonen is healthy you’d have an abundance of goalies, which at that point you could decide to do various things such as trade, demotion, or wait it out.

But for the record, I am happy with our current goaltending situation, but I’m always open to a free upgrade at that position. If Ray Emery, Martin Gerber, Vesa Toskala, et ali were waived (operative word), I’d say the same thing about acquiring them. Once Lehtonen is healthy and playing, that opinion will change.

I like Lehtonen, and do not want to see him traded for the sake of Pavelec’s current successes. I’m fine with Hedberg as this season’s backup tender, but would not mind seeing a free upgrade fall into our lap. In this instance, the free upgrade could also be a starting goalie during Lehtonen’s absense, and eventually pawned off for a low pick or prospect.

By Sara

November 16, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

I have a question - has Bryz actually been put on waivers or is this just some of Eklund’s oh-so-reliable speculation? Cause I find it very hard to believe that any GM would let a valuable commodity like that just go for free. He could at least trade him for a really good prospect to avoid a cap hit now versus letting him hit waivers that everyone and their brothers knows he won’t clear.

By Tony H

November 16, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

It’s official per ESPN. Bryz has been placed on waivers.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

TSN has reported it, it’s official. Eklund didn’t “break” this news, rather one of the Hockey Buzz cronies did last night.

TSN verified the waiver this afternoon.

Burke said he did it to “honor a promise to a player”. Apparently he promised to either trade or waive Bryzgalov, and when a trade couldn’t be worked out he then waived him.

By Tony C.

November 16, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

No way Tampa passes on Bryzgalov I mean he’s under $2M contract…I know that they are right up against the cap, but I’m sure they’d make it work. Bryzgalov has been very impressive the past two seasons…Much as I hate to think about it, the move makes too much sense for TB.

GO BLUE !!!

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — Agreed, except they may be able to pass for two reasons.

First, Denis’ cap hit is exhorbitant ($2.867M)…they’ll have to pay him no matter what, as I highly doubt anyone would claim him off waivers, or trade for him. Second, they are under new ownership and may be unwilling to add salary.

But you’re right, it makes too much sense for TB, which is why some of us fear a team below them wont claim Bryzgalov.

By Bob

November 16, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

Brendan, thanks for posting Burnside’s article. I had no idea Dallas fired their GM, when did that happen? I thought teams never fired their GM midseason. lol.

I’ve always thought Burnside had the pulse of this club pretty well (he’s based here in Atlanta isn’t he?), but I definitely do after reading this, seems he knows where the issue has been with this club all along with these words:

“In Atlanta, there are significant pieces, like the league’s top goal scorer, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Marian Hossa, that Waddell has gotten more out of, explaining the team’s 8-4 record since the shake-up. But they’re still a team that’s been poorly constructed and it’s just a question of whether or when ownership gets around to fixing it. The thing that may save Waddell is that his team is now back in the playoff hunt, and while it doesn’t mean they’re any better, it just means they’re as mediocre as the next guy, and that may be enough to save his job.”

“Damien: That’s certainly part of the difference in the two cities. While Dallas has the always mercurial Tom Hicks — how did that A-Rod contract work out? — the Thrashers, to my understanding, are still embroiled in the same ownership mess that they were in when Sherman torched the town.”

“Scott: Well, the ownership picture may be coming a little more into focus with the current group, Atlanta Spirit, more likely to be in the picture long-term than at any time in the past couple of years, but it doesn’t address a pretty big gap between the reality of how the team has been put together and the ownership’s handle on it. Which is to say, they don’t have a handle on it.”

Wow, I think Mr. Burnside was channeling my thoughts in that interview.

On the Ducks waiver move, take a step back and think about it. Why make the move? Is Neidermeyer or Sellane ready to come back and Burke needed to clear some cap room?

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I didn’t do this research myself, but…

As to which team gets priority if multiple clubs put in a claim, Section 13.19 of the CBA reads as follows:

“13.19 - If only one Club makes a claim for the Player on whom Waivers have been requested, such Player shall be transferred to that Club. In the event that more than one Club makes a claim for such Player, he shall be transferred to the claiming Club having earned the lowest percentage of possible points in the League standing at the time of the request for Waivers[…]”

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Bob — About $400K is freed up in cap space. I don’t believe Selanne can sign for $400k. Niedermayer is already under contract, so this money will not help with his eventual $6M contract that is signed for another two years.

For this instance it appears Burke was shedding his a***** personality and doing “the right thing” regarding a players requests.

Re: Burnside…he’s sticking to his guns. Same day Burnside does his burn of the management and ownership situation, Melrose does a positive article about the players. It seems interesting that a poorly constructed team can have an 8-4 stretch, following an 0-10 stretch under different guidance (0-6 with the same roster in place).

I feel he’s oversimplifying the situation, and giving too much credit to the play of Kovalchuk and Hossa (I’m not discounting Kovalchuk’s work, but the team in general is playing somewhat better hockey).

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, Hiller also has salary bonuses which could raise his cap hit to about $3.2M.

This has no semblance of a salary dump.

By Thrasher Ryan

November 16, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

Hey, have you guys heard the new Thrashers radio ad? You know, the one where the girl can’t pronounce Ilya’s name right? She calls him Koval Chook. This is ridiculous. Thrashers marketing team should be fired for letting that spot be approved. ATTN Thrashers Marketing—How can you expect to sell your product when you can’t even pronounce it correctly?????

LAME!

Thrashers win tonight, 5-2.

By Brendan

November 16, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

I don’t claim to be an expert on Doug Armstrong, the fired GM of the Dallas Stars. But they guy is still under contract through 2011. This firing seems to have stemmed from a single-game where the Stars blew a four-goal lead vs. the L.A. Kings. Normally such a thing wouldn’t get you fired, so much as it would put you on the “hot seat” of enhanced scrutiny. In the past four seasons, Armstrong’s club made the playoffs all four years, I believe. But they were ousted in the 1st round three times, and never advanced past the second round during that stretch. In 1999, and 1998, the Stars were in the Conference Finals. Of course, the Stars are “credited” with a Stanley Cup win in 1999. I cannot recall if Armstrong had anything to do with that team. What I don’t know about the Dallas Stars could fill a warehouse. They’re one of my least favorite teams in the NHL.

But, you may recall that I had furrowed eyebrows at the Modano 5-year deal coming out of the lockout and even more raised brows over the Lindros signing. And when they agreed to take Modry and Stefan off our hands, I posted, “Hey Bob, what do you make of this Armstrong fellow in Dallas???”

Truthfully, I’m not sure what benefit the Stars have by firing him now, other than that … he won’t be able to have anything to do with trade deadline moves or this Summer’s draft, or any trade offers that might have come his way from now ‘til the end of the season.

Dallas will be eating GM Armstrong’s salary for a good long while. It’s a puzzling move. But, apparently, they’d seen “enough.” I credit Stars ownership for biting the salary bullet to pursue the force of their convictions to make significant change. If the next guy who comes in … doesn’t get the Stars to the 2nd round of the playoffs but once in four years, they might as well have kept Armstrong, for those results.

By Brian

November 16, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan - if the player is of American/Canadian roots, they would pronounce it chuck. The European way though is actually chook. I am not defending all of marketing’s decisions by any means, but that one actually has some ethnic truth to it…

By Sara

November 16, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the confirmation on Bryz. I can’t believe Burke couldn’t find somebody to trade for Bryz, even if it was for prospects/picks. That’s insane.

On to the game - aside from the obvious goods (Hoss is da man again! and Moose rocks), a few other observations. Hell yeah 2/2 on the PK - most awesome. Some real glaring negatives though. Zhitnik is looking slow and flat-footed again, taking stupid penalties because of it. If I could change one thing about this team, he would be it. Additionally, the team is relying too much again on trying to clear around the boards and it is not working for them at all. If Carolina had their usual jump in that first period, we probably would have paid for that big time. They have to keep working on clearing their zone effectively.

The more I watch this team, the more I like it. I think long-term there are some changes that need to be made, most notably getting a top-tier defenseman. Replace Holik with another big-body center hopefully that’s younger and has some jump (anyone else find it hilarious when Darren or JP says “and Holik takes off with it”?). But I’m thinking Todd may well work out as a top-line center, Little has obviously got the skills and Slater is working out well I think on that fourth line with Bolts and Thorburn.

One last thing - re: the pronunciation of Kovalchuk. One of the announcers in one of our Canada tilts made the comment that the “official” pronunciation of Kovalchuk had flipped flopped for years between “chuck” and “chook.” So it’s understandable really to hear either one.

Oh and one other thing (I know I know, Brian and Hokie are already glaring at me)…anyone else notice how quiet it has been tonight in the RBC? heehee

By Brian

November 16, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

Bob - do you have any other articles that would lead you to believe that Burnside has a pulse on this club? Or do you just endorse anything that can be used against DW? Why is this club poorly constructed? Because Todd “the playmaker” White only got 2 assists this 1st period tonight???

By Sara

November 16, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

Now here’s something totally assinine. TSN.ca has a poll running asking which team needs a goaltending upgrade, with Pittsburgh, Tampa, and us as the three choices. Now why would anyone think we need a goaltending upgrade? Stendec’s opinion aside, between Kari and Moose, we have a great tandem and Pavs hanging in there as well. While there is no Brodeur or Roy in that group, there also doesn’t have to be. I just don’t see this team having a weakness in goal. (For the record, we had 18% of the vote with 44% Pittsburgh and the other 38% going to Tampa.)

I also think Burnside is way off base about the owners. I admit I wonder how much hockey knowledge they may or may not have, but I still think they have valid criteria and expectations for the team. If a team is competitive and making it to the playoffs on a consistent basis, that’s a pretty good indicator that things are going in the right direction. Should the team backslide or maybe reach the playoffs but never get past the first round for a few seasons, then maybe you say a change needs to be made to either turn it around or push the team to the next level. As of right now the team has been consistently improving every year and after the initial road bump of the first six games, is right in the thick of things this season. Staying on pace like this, the team will make the playoffs, which is no indication that a GM change is needed at the present time. My case in point is that more than one of the owners have gone on record in ajc articles that they are looking for continuous improvement and a competitive team. If they get it, Don’s done his job. If he isn’t doing a good job, it’s going to be evident and he’ll get let go.

I probably didn’t put that as succinctly as I could have but I’m sure you guys get the gist.

By Midfield

November 16, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Ryan, the girl happens to pronounce it just right. Brian, Kovalchuk, Tkachuk, Haverchuk are all Ukrainian last names. By the way, correct pronunciation of names like Hedberg and Forsberg is Hebereh and Forsbereh - that’s how it sounds in Swedish (they are Swedes, by the way - I forgot to mention).

By Brian

November 16, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

Sara - these owners know just as much about hockey as Ted Turner knew about baseball, Arthur Blank about football and Mark Cuban about basketball. Owners do not get involved in strategy unless it’s the business side or they just get in the way if they try to run things on the ice/field/court, few exceptions aside.

Midfield - I was speaking of the Americanization of names, meaning Dave Andreychuk roots are that he was born in Canada so he probably doesn’t pronounce his name the Euorpean way anymore. I for one don’t pronounce my last name the way my great grandfather did before he got off the boat…

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

I agree Sara, I think he’s doing fine. Burnside’s “point” against Waddell is that with Kovalchuk and Hossa the team is bound to improve. Correct me if I’m wrong, but those two players were on the club when they went 0-4 in the playoffs, and 0-6 this season.

Maybe he meant “a hot” Kovalchuk and Hossa means the team is bound to improve.

By ranallo10

November 16, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Midfield, is Hebereh the phonetic pronunciation of Hay-bear-ay? Seems a little different than what I’m used to, but I guess those silly Swedes will always do something goofy to confuse me.

Hehe, Swedes.

Speaking of Swedes, did anybody notice the hundreds of Swedish people at the last Carolina game?? They were sitting all around me, I felt like they were invading!!

(disclaimer — I do not in any way mean disrespect to the Swedish people, or the nation of Sweden, and I do not condone the hatred of anything Swedish…even the meatballs)

By Brendan

November 16, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Well, the Thrashers are 7-2 in their last nine (9) games. That includes a 5-1 record on the current stretch of divisional games. Since Waddell took over, the team has gone five games over .500 (9-4). Truthfully, I was asked when I thought the Thrashers might reach .500, if ever, this season. I replied, “Maybe sometime around Christmas they could have caught up.” At 9-10-0, they’re almost there, and it’s not yet Thanksgiving.

Kovalchuk is “even” on his plus-minus. So, how can anyone call him a “defensive liability” anymore? Kozlov is a (-4) and Hossa is a (-2). The team is 2-0 in overtimes and 2-0 in the shootouts, for a combined 4-0 after regulation time. That’s very fortunate for us. Hedberg has his 5th win, and a shutout. With the 2-pts, Atlanta climbs over Florida into 3rd place in the Southeast Division, enjoying a game-in-hand on the Cats.

Kovalchuk got his 16th goal of the season. Folks, he’s on pace for just shy of 70 goals this season. Hossa got his 8th and 9th goals of the year, and had a three-point night.

The Thrashers average GF is 2.6 and average GA is 3.63. Troubling are Holik’s (-7), Dupuis’ (-7) and Larsen’s (-6). Those were our best players, along with Kovy, during the playoffs last season. But, there’s plenty of time to bring up those numbers a bit.

The first seven games under Waddell were 4-3. The next six are 5-1. Waddell, lifetime, is 13-9-1 behind the Thrashers bench. From Day One of the Hartley firing, this is where I advocated Waddell should be. He built this team. He has a vision for it. I wonder why Hartley never tapped into this game plan? This is not a “dump and chase” team, with its size and speed. It’s using a better system now. One that makes sense for its roster. And, of course, these players are being motivated by Waddell. He seems to have genuinely found a methodology that has reached these players.

By Midfield

November 16, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

There. I missed the “D” inadvertently - one drop of Jack Daniels too many, perhaps. So, that would be Hedbereh. Soft and mysterious…

By Brian

November 16, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

ranollo - you will never be svelte if you keep downing those meatballs…

By Brendan

November 16, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Bob, I guess Brett Hull is one of the “Co-GM’s” for Dallas now. That guy honestly doesn’t strike me as the brightest bulb in the pack. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next. Anytime you’ve got TWO Co-GM’s, as in equals, not some assistant to the GM … that’s a situation to avoid. I’m truthfully “gun-shy” about projecting gloom and doom ever since Charles Wang took over the Islanders.

Last time I checked, the Isles were four games over .500 and defeating some quality opposition. Don’t ask me to make sense of it. The Isles are largely the “castoffs” from the rest of the league. One of their lines is entirely composed of free agent acquisitions. They even took some of ours (Jon Sim and Andy Sutton). All I can say is … Ted Nolan seems to really be able to relate to his players, encourage them, or find their “hot buttons” to push. They were in the playoffs last year and I didn’t rule them out as a playoff team this year.

By Viking

November 16, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

As close as I can come fonetically: Hedberg = “Hedberj” Hävelid = “Hehvelid” Tobias Enström = “Toobeeass (!)Ehnstruhm

And while we are at it, Why are so many calling Kari Lehtonen “Lehtinen”? That is another player in Dallas.

By In midst of Idiots

November 17, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

Does anyone else get the sense that the Thrashers are really becoming a team. Listening to the players i think they are really believing in each other and what they are doing and Kovy is the leader of the team. They are developing real confidence and tonite was a complete effort. Very enjoyable watching the team playing like this.

By Viking

November 17, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

Also, I do not know if Tobias Enström was called this back in Sweden, but normally he would have been nicknamed “Tobbe”. (Pronounced “Tohbbeh”)

(No connotation to the rear end.)

By R. Stroz

November 17, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

Viking - Do you attend any of the Thrashers game? If so, do you have a “Viking Horn”? That would be a blast to hear at one of the games. If I remember correctly, someone used to blow a “Viking Horn” at the Flames games while they were in Atlanta.

Thanks for the tutorial on the names. I don’t think I’ll ever pronounce the names correctly though with my southern accent.

By R. Stroz

November 17, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

Brendan - I think the comment Brett Hull made about Sean Avery “being mature beyond his years” during last year’s playoffs speaks volumes about Hull’s intelligence. Or in other words, his bulb is real dim.

By ranallo10

November 17, 2007 4:20 AM | Link to this

I don’t think Hull’s bulb is even in a socket…

By LAC

November 17, 2007 6:42 AM | Link to this

At The Raleigh News & Observer site, in the sports section, there is a series of photo’s from last nights GREAT game…

You have to see photo 6, Thrashers all around Hossa and Commadore on the ice with a DUH look as if to say… I just got my butt kicked.

Great Shot, shows some Carolina fans with their mouths open… wondering how they were getting BEAT !

All around Excellent game…

Just hope we can add a Top Center or another scorer or two to bloster the offense… would be BIG !

By Brian

November 17, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this

Just hope we can add a Top Center or another scorer or two to bloster the offense… would be BIG !

Earth to LAC, Todd White, our 1st line center, set up both of Hossa’s goals last night. He was the game’s 3rd star. The team that DW assembled is 9-4 under him. You can tone down your anti-DW statements now…

By rj

November 17, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

DW doesn’t need to hire another proven loser as a coach. Promote someone from within the system or get some fresh younger blood like Pittsburgh did.

Last night was a great game for the team. You can see that they are making changes to their playing system, a difficult task once the season has started. They did some excellent forechecking, something totally lacking under BH’s system.

By Viking

November 17, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

R.Strohz When I was a kid I had a “Viking Horn” made in HongKong producing a very meek “bleehp” sound. But this would hardly make the desired impact down at Phillips Arena.

Here is a link to a swedish NHL Hockey results page adorned by an unusual illustration depicting Moose in full action last night - behind the net! Link to Moose

By Sara

November 17, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

In other fantastic news, the Yotes picked up Bryz off waivers.

By Craig Custance

November 17, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Coyotes claimed Bryzgalov, so we can end that speculation. Things are about to get crowded at goaltender in Atlanta anyways with Kari’s return to practice on Sunday.

By Hockeyfan

November 17, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

But the hack said he was going to Edmonton…. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Send Kari to the Wolves for a little rehab. Bring him back in a couple of weeks and make sure he knows how well Pavelec is doing. If Kari plays up to what he needs to be doing, keep him. If not, use him as trade material around Feb.

By LAC

November 17, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Hey brian… When did I say anything about waddell lately ?

He is a much better coach than GM for sure, let’s see how it plays out and get OFF by back !

By Fan

November 17, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

Don’t string along Brad, give the Beast the job NOW. Don’t pay him assistant wages for head coaching work. Wadell is a lazy b******* and Brad is doing all the work as it is. This trial period is a bunch of BS. They are taking advantage of Brad and it is not fair to him or his family. Make it official Don, you suck…

By Brian

November 17, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

LAC (you wouldn’t happen to be Fan by any chance, would you?) - when you make a claim that you hope we can add a Top Center, well, that’s the job of the GM. Why does the GM need to add a top center? The one he acquired this summer is doing fantastic right now…

By Tony C.

November 17, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

Ok, so now folks’re good with White?

I don’t think I ever said the guy sucked, but I still think that I’d rather see Gomez in between #17 & Hoss. Or have he and Slava-matic on a line with Thorburn.

I mean yeah, hat’s off to DW for seeing that White could be a viable #1 option-but our D still looks kind of a*.

Great game last night though, if the boys can bring it like that consistently we might still be going to The Flatscreen come late April.

GO BLUE !!!

By PJ

November 17, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this

Hey The Fan Your initials wouldn’t happen to be B. M.? would it?? Because then I could see how you would be really upset with DW right now. Hang in there man.

By Brian

November 17, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Tony C. -

Gomez cap hit = $7.3m

White cap hit = $2.3m

You can do the math from there…

I was talking on Rawhide’s blog that if we can either get Zhitnik back to last year’s form or get him out completely we would be looking a lot better there. I am not going to complain too much though during a 9-4 run…

By Brian

November 17, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

PJ - do any of you actually go to the practices? Just because Craig puts it in an article that BM is running some of the practices doesn’t mean that there aren’t a million other things going on there, or with all the other thing an NHL coach must do. Do you know everything that goes into a head coaches work day? What items is BM handling and what items is DW handling? Why people feel the need to complain about something that very few folks have all the information about I have no idea. But apparantley someone made a blood pact to b!tch and moan about the GM so let’s all complain like a bunch of libs…

By PJ

November 17, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

Brian I was commenting on the “tone” of By Fan at 2:27. you know sometimes people actually blog in pretenting to be someone else. Hmm. He sounds like a very angry assistant venting at the boss. If I preceived myself to be strung along by MY boss that’s perhaps the position I would take. Although to add my $.02 worth, I personally don’t see BM getting promoted any time soon. It falls under Management Phylosophy 101: Why buy the cow when the milk is free. (or on the cheap) Right or wrong, that’s business.

By Brian

November 17, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

PJ - my point was whether or not he actually deserves the promotion. If the only thing we know that he did is run a few practices and give a pep talk during one of the intermissions, and that is ALL that we know, that quite doesn’t deserve a promotion. Everyone just seems to want to make him the coach even though no one knows how much of the duties he has actually assumed during DW’s interim basis. Is it 5% or 95%? Why buy the cow if you’re not even drinking the milk?

By PJ

November 17, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

Brian Mngt has more to gain by waiting than making a potentially hasty decision right now. What he is or isn’t doing specifically, behind the scenes? I don’t know. Your right, I’m not onthe bench or at practices. Are you? It’s not like BM is going anywhere, not when he’s this close to the prize. They’ve got him by the b&*ls. He’s auditioning for his future.

By Brian

November 17, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

PJ - since you and I don’t know what he is or isn’t doing, we should refrain from using negative phrases like “they’ve got him by the b&lls”. It is irresponsible to create a perception that BM is somehow getting screwed when we don’t know the facts as to whether or not he actually is…

By PJ

November 17, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

Irresponsible to create the preception???? Hmmm, Okay then perhaps mngt has the upper-hand in this negotiation at the present time. Is it that close to Sunday that I can’t use the word b&lls?? I don’t believe I said he WAS getting screwed. In any negotiation there is always one with the deck stacked more in their favor. I don’t think we are in complete disagreement on this. My original comment (to THE FAN) BTW was said as sarcasm. You do know what sarcasm is, don’t you?

By Brian

November 17, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

PJ - sorry, sarcasm & tone don’t translate well in e-mails, blogs, etc. I just get sick of everyone looking for a reason to say there is some injustice being done by ownership/mgt…

By ranallo10

November 17, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

It’s good to see Bryzgalov in Phoenix…he farther away from Tampa Bay the better.

So many wasted explanations for nothing.

By ranallo10

November 17, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

what happened to my “t”?

By Brian

November 17, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

The interesting thing about the Bryz pickup from Anaheim is that Phoenix had an afternoon game. So there is no way they would have him. Well, the game was an away game to boot, but it was IN LOS ANGELES, and Bryz came across town for the 4pm start and already has a shutout for the ‘Yotes…

By Brendan

November 18, 2007 3:12 AM | Link to this

What a debut for Bryzgalov! A “short-notice” shutout. Phoenix has been searching for a #1 goalie for some time. They may now have him. Are Tellqvist, Aebischer and Auld all part of the Coyotes’ organization? If so, that’s a lot of depth. I haven’t kept up with the Coyotes for many years now. Gretzky has got to be happy with the acquisition. With a healthy Bryzgalov the rest of the way, I think whatever their chances of making the playoffs … just improved.

But as Ranallo said, thank God he didn’t wind up in Tampa Bay. Los Angeles surely could have used him. Labarbara actually played very well, maybe his best game all year. It’s rare when all that Kings firepower (Frolov, Kopitar, Cammalleri, Brown) is kept off the scoresheet.

Brodeur got his 500th win. That’s an amazing milestone. And it doesn’t count all his wins in international play, including a Gold Medal in 2002, in Salt Lake City. He finally got those elusive Vezina trophies. The only thing missing is a Hart Trophy for league MVP and the Conn Smythe, for Playoff MVP. Though, if ever there was a case for a Co-MVP for the playoffs, it was 2003, between Brodeur and Giguere. Brodeur set an NHL-record for seven playoff shutouts, kept a GAA under 2.0 in every round, a save percentage hovering 95%, and won 16 games, include three (3) via shutout in the Finals. Such statistics, for a goaltender, would be compelling evidence to suggest worthiness of a Conn Smythe trophy. But Giguere took a 7th-seeded team, not given much chance to advance beyond the opening round, to Game Seven of the Finals. I do wonder what the decision of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association might have been for Dwayne Roloson, had he not been injured in Game One of the Finals vs. Carolina. Edmonton, you’ll recall, was an 8th seeded team. Never before had an 8th seeded team reached the Finals, much less Game Seven of the Finals. The Conn Smythe went to Cam Ward, of Carolina.

By Craig Custance

November 18, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

All three goalies - Lehtonen, Pavelec and Hedberg, are practicing right now.

By Tony C.

November 18, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

CC-Which one (out of our 3 goalies) does Hoss say is hardest to score on 1-on-1?

Start that guy.

Whoever goes to the game tomorrow, don’t worry about correctness of when/what to yell-just be loud. If nothing else maybe it’ll shut the ‘bags that are on VS. for play-by-play up for a moment. Don’t they still have that super nasal-y guy that was doing NJD games a few years ago? Anyway, he sucks. VS should get Gary Thorne-he calls a great game.

By Sara

November 18, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Tony C. I don’t know who his partner is going to be but Darren Eliot will be doing the Vs. broadcast tomorrow night.

Question - I tried reading through the CBA to figure this out but couldn’t find the answer buried in the legalese. Since Pavs was called up to cover an injury, does he have to clear waivers to go back down?? I would think no, but I’ve been surprised before.

By Brian

November 18, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Sara - since this is Pavs’ rookie year, he can be sent down or called up just like Sterling was sent down, without having to go through the waiver process like Bryz just went through.

Craig - can you make that official that that is the case?

By Tony C.

November 18, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Sara- I think you’re right, I’ll look atthe CBA sometime today and get back to you.

Re: VS.-at least it’ll be in HD…I wonder how the rail-cam experiment is going…I thought it was awesome during last year’s All-Star game (obviously some significant teething pains, but lots of promise) …whoever goes to tomorrow’s game, check andsee if they have anything on the glass-rail.

GO BLUE !!!

By Brendan

November 19, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Craig, at what point do the Thrashers lose a year off Pavelec’s eligibility for restricted free agency? And are we anywhere near it?

By Adam

November 19, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Brendan We lose a year when Pavs PLAYS in his 10th game. Again thats plays in a game not starts, even if he plays for 1 minute.

By Brendan

November 19, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

Thanks Adam. I didn’t know if it was different for goaltenders than for skaters.