AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRecchi makes practice debut
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So I try and skip a game and the Thrashers go and add a future Hall of Famer? You guys should be clamoring for Carroll Rogers to do more games, because good things happen when she picks up the baton. Although, that performance on the ice Saturday night wasn’t exactly good, now was it?
The guys were excited about the Mark Recchi addition, and here’s the bottom line from my perspective - it’s a pretty low risk move that has the potential for a decent payoff. The guy has two Stanley Cup rings, the Thrashers could use some help on the right side and now they have an extra motivated player in their dressing room. And believe me, he’s motivated. He’s willing to fill any role that Don Waddell and Brad McCrimmon have in mind. I’m guessing he’ll skate with Bryan Little and Eric Perrin which seems like a natural fit there. Recchi made a joke about Little being born one year after he started in pro hockey. Both Perrin and Little admitted to growing up huge fans of Recchi, so if they can get over being a little star struck, they should be fine. There were a few line combinations out there today, so I’ll see if anything more consistent happens at practice on Tuesday.
So who’s the odd man out? Waddell said it’s too early for that kind of talk, but I’m guessing it’s Darren Haydar to start. And the signing doesn’t necessarily bode well for Brad Larsen, who hasn’t been playing much lately anyway. The Thrashers will trim back to 22 players eventually, but at this point there’s no timetable. Remember, they’re paying Haydar anyway, so they don’t save anything by sending him to Chicago. Plus, they run the risk of losing him. So there will be some decisions made. If they decide Eric Perrin could center a line with Larsen and Recchi that could even mean that Little is the odd man out. He’s one player who they could send to Chicago and not run the risk of losing. And he’s not exactly tearing it up right now, so a stint in the AHL could be a confidence booster for him.
Mark Popovic was out again today. This day-to-day ankle injury is now a week old. They want his ankle 100 percent before they test it, so that’s the delay.
A couple of you noticed Fred Brathwaite’s disappearance from the Chicago Wolves. He got a bunch of money from a Russian team to play there. Officially, he was suspended by the Thrashers for failure to report, but there’s little the team can do about it because there’s no agreement with the Russian hockey federation. So the Thrashers lose some depth, but with Ondrej Pavelec down there it’s something they can absorb.
Comments
By Russian
December 10, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
I am really intresting to see combination as Ricchi - Little - Kozlov (second line). Slava looked like lost 3-d line with Holik. ;-(
By Alan
December 10, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
There have been quite a few disappearances lately because of players going to Russia. I read about Jame Pollock of the Caps on Friday.
By Russ
December 10, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
I don’t expect Recchi to come in and make a significant contribution, but for the small investment salary-cap wise I can’t say it’s a bad move. I wouldn’t like it if it was at the expense of ice-time to a young, developing player, but if Haydar is the one losing time…I’m OK with that. IMO Haydar has had his chance to show what he can do and I think he is what he is…a ‘tweener that is good enough to dominate in the AHL, but can’t translate that success to the NHL.
Craig, any news on the coaching search. I know it was on hold, but now that the team’s play has kind of leveled off is there any talk of resuming the search?
By GaVaHokie
December 10, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Thanks Craig… I think sending Little down couldn’t hurt, but I have to say, Larsen seems the odd man out.
Would that be a waive or a cut?
By GaVaHokie
December 10, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Russ… you know, I was thinking the same thing about Haydar until I looked at the team statistics earlier today. By all accounts, the stats show he should be getting MORE playing time.
His point/game production in 16 games shows he’s been more productive than Little, Dupuis, Slater, Thorburn and Boulton.
By Craig Custance
December 10, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Alan — Thanks for the link, I didn’t see that.
GaVaHokie — I’m not counting anything out, but I’d be pretty surprised if Larsen was waived. He’s a popular guy in the room and a veteran leader. Plus he has a year left on his contract. It doesn’t seem like there’s a rush to do anything just yet.
Russ — No talk of resuming the search.
By BG33Brown
December 10, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
CC and Hokie while I can’t disagree that Little isn’t tearing it up scoring wise, I completely disagree that he should be sent down.
He is 5th on the team in plus/minus at a +2. For a rookie forward that is UNBELIEVEABLE. The fact that he is a defensively responsible two way player makes him extremely valueable to a team without a lot of two way threats.
I wish we could afford to send him down but we cannot.
Jim Slater should be the casualty. There is no doubt that he is playing better, but he isn’t an answer for this team. Center Perrin or White on the last line (as long as we continue to play all 4 lines) and move Haydar to that line. I think the kid deserves more of a chance than someone who has had 3 years of NHL experience and hasn’t done anything worthy.
17 12 18 13 10 Rec 36 16 27 9 11 38
By Tony C.
December 10, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
I like the idea of Recchi and Little on the same line. I’m not sure about where to put Slava-Matic though…he clearly isn’t feeling the Holik line, but has shown a definite upswing in his play past week or so…DW seems reluctant to break up Perrin & Little, but why not put the kid in between the two vets? There’s worse guys to learn the craft from.
GO BLUE !!!
By FPS
December 10, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
I am a big fan of Larsen and would hate to see him go. He’s the kind of low-profile glue guy who is good for any team, particularly a team struggling to find some consistency like the Thrash.
By Brian
December 10, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
FPS - sorry, but the way things are shaking out, I see Larsen as the odd man out.
By Craig Custance
December 10, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
BG33 — I’m not saying Little should be sent down, I’m just saying it’s an option.
By BG33Brown
December 10, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
CC do you think it is a better option than making Slater the odd man out. I know your a MSU grad, and my whole family went there…but you have to call a spade a spade.
By Thrasher Ryan
December 10, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
Well, I think it’s either Larsen or Slater. I think Haydar and Little have more upside than either Larsen or Slater. Sure, Slater’s kind of stepped it up lately, but look at the facts… this is his 3rd season in the NHL. We keep hearing excuses about “He’s due to snap out of it soon” and “it’s just bad luck”. Come on, give me a break! No more excuses! One thing Don could try is to place them both on waivers to send to Chicago, and see if a team snags one of them. If they do, then the problem is solved. I’d take Haydar and Little over Slater and Larsen any day of the week. Just one fan’s opinion…
By GSU-Lee
December 10, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Craig, any Hossa updates? I think Little will be the odd manout. He is going to be a Thrasher no matter what by the end of the year and e is obviously full of potential. Buit right now, others seem to be earning more time thn him and it might do him good to play some in the AHL, which if I recall he has not done much of right?
By GSU-Lee
December 10, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
Craig, any chance Slates could be the odd man out?
By GSU-Lee
December 10, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan, good point. I agree with you. Of course, this all depends on how well Recchi plays. Hopefully he can give us a little boost
By R. Stroz
December 10, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
From the prior blog discussion on forward lines, maybe we should put Slater, Dupuis, and Perrin on the same line. We could call it the Get Smart line because they miss by that much.
By Thrasher Ryan
December 10, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Maybe Coach Waddell could try this:
Kovalchuk-White-Hossa Kozlov-Holik-Thorburn Boulton-Little-Haydar Dupuis-Perrin-Recchi
-OR-
Kovalchuk-White-Hossa
Kozlov-Holik-Thorburn
Perrin-Little-Recchi
Boulton-Slater-Dupuis
I hope he figures it out soon because the Thrashers MUST win their next 3 games…
By Brendan
December 10, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
I guess there’s little hope of Holik being put on waivers. If Holik were claimed, it would save us about $1.4 million dollars. That’s half of $4.25 million, prorated by two-thirds.
Folks, we could lose Holik to free agency this Summer anyway. Holike and Waddell aren’t in negotiations for a contract extension. But, don’t hold your breath for this move. I can’t recall the last time a team put its Captain on waivers. Though, Kovalchuk could step right in an “assume the position.” Waddell thinks Holik is a “playoff-tested” kind of guy. And truthfully, he was one of the better performing Thrashers during the playoffs last season. If Slater is put on waivers, this is more fuel for the Waddell detractors as this guy was a 1st round draft pick. I still think McCarthy could be the guy who is subject to the waiver claim.
By Brendan
December 10, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
Umm, not that it would happen, but if some team claimed Holik on waivers rather than re-entry waivers, Atlanta would be completely off the hook for the remainder of Holik’s $4.25 million contract.
Do you think anyone would claim him, at the current price, for the rest of the year? I wouldn’t think so, but ya never know. On re-entry waivers, someone would claim him.
By BG33Brown
December 10, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Was Anderchuck the capt of Tampa Bay when he was waived?
By Brian
December 10, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this
Brendan - unless Holik comes back at a discount, he WILL be lost to FA…
BG33Brown - I remember that no one had the C for the end of the year, I can’t remember if Andreychuk started the year with it. I would guess he did and I know he was definitely waived about a month before the All-Star game.
By kracker
December 10, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
CC Assuming Recchi is a player, do you have a feel for DW moving Larsen, Slater, Haydar or other players? I know GMs are “always talking” but do you have reason to think DW is actively pursuing a trade at this time? Any movement on Hossa’s contract?
By Brendan
December 10, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
BG33Brown, I think you are correct about Andreychuk. We’ll ask a Bolts fan. They’ll know for sure.
Kracker, just for spits and giggles, what would you think of this trade. Kari Lehtonen and their choice of Holik or Slater, for the L.A. Kings 1st round round draft pick in 2008.
Okayyy, sorry. It’s a “discussion” board. That trade won’t happen for a myriad of reasons. We’re deeply invested in Lehtonen; we will sink or swim with him. And the L.A. Kings would be “stupid” to pass up the shot they presently have at Stampkos, Doughty or Tavares, if the league allowed Tavares to enter this Summer’s draft. I still haven’t heard if they will or won’t.
The Kings are headed toward the lottery draft. They may even have the odds “weighted” in their favor. Sometimes I do wonder why GM Lombardi (Kings) didn’t approach Brian Burke (GM Anaheim) about the King’s 2nd round pick, somewhere between 31-35 overall, for Bryzgalov. Imagine if the Kings had a good goalie? They would be a team to watch.
By Brendan
December 10, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Craig, do you think Hossa has agreed to terms as part of a “sign and trade?” In other words, if he’s happy with the direction of the team, he’ll simply sign here (in Atlanta). If not, Waddell’s got him “all ready to go” with a new contract, for his prospective new team, in a trade.
We speculated a lot over the Summer that no team would be willing to trade for Hossa with the knowledge that he’d be unrestricted this Summer. This “supposed” contract removes that obstacle, no? All the other team has to do … is be willing to pay Hossa whatever the terms are for his new deal.
Or have I misread this situation?
By kracker
December 10, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
Haha, wow, Brendan When you throw one out there for discussion, you don’t hold back! But no, I don’t think we trade Kari for anything but another goalie. If you consider Moose to be starting goalie caliber, he would have to be rated in the lower fourth of the league at best, that’s how I see it. Kari is surely better skilled though somewhat inconsistent, he is still young and hopefully has his injuries under control. We already have our prospect goalie coming along so I expect the trades to be smaller in nature, unless Hossa is involved.
By Bob
December 10, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
do you think Hossa has agreed to terms as part of a “sign and trade?” In other words, if he’s happy with the direction of the team, he’ll simply sign here (in Atlanta). If not, Waddell’s got him “all ready to go” with a new contract, for his prospective new team, in a trade.
That’s a scenario that makes a lot of common sense as to why they’ve come to terms, yet Hoss hasn’t signed. Let’s hope Waddell can get a heck of a return for him. We need a top center and another top D, Recchi could be Hoss’ replacement at RW. Obviously a big step down, but serviceable for the rest of the year if we can get a top center and good D in return.
By kracker
December 11, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this
I just this morning see another reference, first from Brendan and now from Bob, that Hossa has agreed to a contract and that a sign and trade may be in the works. Did I miss some big news?
By erock
December 11, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Holik will be traded at the deadline.We will not lose him for nothing.
By Russian
December 11, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Did anybody see game yesturday between Boston and Buffalo? What do you think about Boston? Buffalo shoot 45 times on goal and lost game at 1:4. Impressive? Can we do 45 shots on goal per game? Hell, never. We will beat so badly at 12/12. I think score will be 1:4 or 1:5 to Boston. Damn, why we were playing so pure offence. Only one person score all time as Kovy, but he get cover every time when he step up on ice. Thanks Toronto to keeped Tampa down. I hope Montreal will do same thing today.
By whistler
December 11, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
You may want to check your facts. Mr. Recchi has THREE Stanley Cup rings. Not two.
By Brian
December 11, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Brendan - you’re cracking me up. How many times are you going to speculate on the sign-n-trade and yet how many times have they actually happened? Was there a single sign-n-trade during the draft last year, the offseason, last year’s trade deadline? Officially, how many sign-n-trades have there been this decade?
By GaVaHokie
December 11, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
Holik was our best player in the playoffs last year… I wouldn’t let him go before the season is over. I’d even have him back at a smaller dollar amount. I don’t have a problem with Holik the player, I have a problem with his salary.
Stroz… the Dupuis, Perrin, Slater line would be the “Yeah, Awww” Line… it goes something like this, “Yeah Dupuis is one a breakaway, Awww he missed again.”
By kracker
December 11, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
Brian At least one: Hossa signed and was traded for Heatley :)
By Brian
December 11, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
whistler - not that I doubt you, and I don’t even know who said he had 2, but I am guessing it was Pitt in ‘91 and Montreal in ‘93. Now my curiosity is up. Where did he get the 3rd?
By ToF
December 11, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Kracker He was dealt to Carolina two years ago at the deadline and won it with them.
Anyone else think that instead of waiving a forward that we might try a 2 for 1 deal with Anaheim? They have to clear $1 million off of the books for next year for Niedermyer to return. They then need to clear some more to re-sign Corey Perry. So…we offer them a cheap forward and d-man for Schneider and hope Burke takes it.
Who do we use as bait though? Haydar needs good players on his line to score so I think sticking him with Andy McDonald would be inticing. As for our D, give them anyone they want ‘cept Enstrom.
By wannago
December 11, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Brian, that would be Carolina!
By Craig Custance
December 11, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
It’s looking like Little is the odd man out.
By Brian
December 11, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Craig - does that mean that Perrin is moving to center?
wannago - doh! I can remember that he was drafted in ‘88, it was the ‘91 and not ‘92 Pens, that it was Leclair that he was traded for when he went to ‘93 Canadiens, but ask me about the most recent team IN OUR DIVISION and I get that wrong.
Must….find….car keys….
By GaVaHokie
December 11, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Do I dare point this out… if Little goes down, that leaves Enstrom as the only prospect on the roster.
By Russ
December 11, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Going to Chicago will be good for Little’s development. He probably should have been there all season (if the Thrashers weren’t so thin at center). Unfortunately, he is now eligible for UFA one year sooner.
By Craig Custance
December 11, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Brian - Yes. The second line is Kozlov - Perrin - Recchi
By Bob
December 11, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
It’s looking like Little is the odd man out.
Not suprising, he was pretty ineffective. Looks to have some good raw skills, a year or two of work in the AHL and some bulking up might turn him into an NHL center.
Recchi didn’t put up points playing with Crosby, let’s hope Perrin can be the pivot that Crosby ain’t, eh? Seriously though, mabye Recchi-ball will create some space for Kozlov to get going.
By hockeythrash
December 11, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
Craig: Where is Haydar in the mix?
By Brian
December 11, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Hokie - that’s just the only prospect this year. I would rather win this year and have him come back bigger & stronger (or at least more experienced) next year than worry about the doomsday posters. If we win who cares how the roster was built?
Craig - what are the 3rd and 4th lines are shaping up to look like? I’m thinking:
Kovalchuk - White - Hossa Kozlov - Perrin - Recchi Haydar - Holik - Thorburn Dupuis - Slater - Boulton
This leaves Haydar playing LW and sitting Larsen still. You can possibly have Boulton & Dupuis switch sides on the 4th…
By Brian
December 11, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Let me try this again without the bad formatting.
Kovalchuk - White - Hossa
Kozlov - Perrin - Recchi
Haydar - Holik - Thorburn
Dupuis - Slater - Boulton
By Thrasher Ryan
December 11, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Kovalchuk-White-Hossa
Boulton-Holik-Thorburn
Kozlov-Perrin-Recchi
Dupuis-Slater-Haydar
By Brian
December 11, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan - I actually had written Haydar/Larsen for the third line LW and Boulton/Haydar for the 4th RW, but obviously deleted & changed to what I have.
Haydar would be a nice finisher with all that speed, but I don’t see Boulton getting 3rd line minutes and being responsible for the other team’s top line at times.
If you want Haydar on the 4th, Boulton sits and Larsen comes on for the 3rd line LW.
By GaVaHokie
December 11, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Check this out if you haven’t seen it yet… Fox 5 interview of Recchi.
By Thrasher Ryan
December 11, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Hey Brian, remember when Waddell first took over as coach for a game or two he tried a line of Sterling-Slater-Haydar? I thought Haydar/Slater meshed well. I think a line of Boulton-Holik-Thorburn would be sweet… not too many teams would try to mess with that line! I’m sure it will take a game or two for Don to figure it out… If anyone is at practices and sees the lines, could they please post here?
By Craig Custance
December 11, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Little was just sent to Chicago.
By Craig Custance
December 11, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan: Kovy - White - Hossa Kozlov - Hossa - Recchi Thorburn - Holik - Dupuis Larsen - Slater - Boulton
By Brian
December 11, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan - I would go along with that if your Holik line wasn’t a checking line and purely an enforcer line. Then they would go down from ~10-15 TOI to about 5-10 and never be matched up against the other . I wouldn’t argue with that…
By christy
December 11, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
So Perrin sits in favor of Larsen? wow. didn’t see that one coming at all…
By Jsmooth
December 11, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
I think Craig must’ve meant to type Kozlov - PERRIN - Recchi as that’s what he just gave us a few posts before that. But why are they breaking up the 4th line of Slates, Dupuis and Bolts?? They really seem to be gelling. Why not use Lars and Thorburn with Holik for the ultimate checking line?
By Brendan
December 11, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Christy, I think Craig listed Hossa twice. I think he meant Kozlov - Perrin - Recchi instead of Kozlov - Hossa - Recchi.
By Brian
December 11, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
christy - Craig has Hossa on the RW of the 1st line and as C for the 2nd line. He must have meant Perrin for the C of the 2nd line, so Perrin is not benched, just a typo…
By Brian
December 11, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
So does anyone else have an opinion on the Perrin thing? I guess that’s the problem with keeping the window open, not hitting refresh enough and doing 3 other things at the same time…
By B. Thenet
December 11, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
So we waive Haydar and demote Little to Chicago.
I believe that leaves us with an empty roster spot. Is there a trade coming?
By Brian
December 11, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
B. Thenet - wouldn’t Haydar just be a healthy scratch? He isn’t necessarily waived, per se…
By ranallo10
December 11, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Christy — I think Craig accidently put Hossa instead of Perrin for the C position on line 2…
By ranallo10
December 11, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Hey christy, I think that was a typo. Just letting you know.
By Christy
December 11, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this
Thanks gentlemen. wasn’t paying enough attention myself. should have caught that…
By Pens fan
December 12, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
Good luck with Recchi. He scored ONE even strength goal in 52 games. He’ll do the same there before your coach will get the nerve to scratch him again His time is over, and he can’t seem to see that. Unfortunately it will be at the expense of losing games….
By Don Cherry
December 12, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Recchi won’t hurt, but he won’t be enough. The team still needs serious help on defence and more balanced scoring. I say the talent is still on the lower 50% of the NHL, which won’t get past the first round again come playoff time.