Thrashers

By Michael Shapiro

December 13, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

could say first, but why?

By GaVaHokie

December 13, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

Typical GM speak… we won’t know anything until it happens.

If we’re not trading with the Kings or the Sharks, I don’t want to see much of anything happen.

By Alan

December 13, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

I think I addressed what I wanted to see in the last blog. It’s another wait-and-see approach, but the way this team is playing is frustrating me, and a lot of other fans I know.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

December 13, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Apparently Olaf Kolzig is a big fan of mine. He apparently must be an avid reader of my stuff on the AJC blogs. He is so much of a fan of mine he inscribed “Zilla” across the front of his hockey mask.

I was kind enough to send him an autographed puck.

By Jarndyce

December 13, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

Center, please. Sure, this team still needs a lot of pieces, but the glare off the open ice at the center position is blinding. I like Todd White and have no problem with him centering Slava and Recchi. But he’s not the guy to spin the puck on the pp, and he’s not the guy to center Ilya and Hossa.

By Russian

December 13, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Only two or three person will trade now - Holik, zhitnik, McCarty and may be Larsen. Please do not lose our young players as little, popovic and etc. We got 2 forwards and two defensmens. Who wants them/?? Nobody. why? Because they have more that -10. Too bad, but I hope Don will not make any mistakes.

By Jsmooth

December 13, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

If y’all want a center (and I think we all do), you better expect to pay in at least one prospect and probably a high draft pick. The only players that we can probably move are Dupuis (some value), Popovic (upside value) and Kozlov (see Dallas’ interest), but Kozzie has a no trade. I don’t think we’ll give up Little but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sterls gets sent packing for the right player. We need to prove to Hossa we’re serious about competing or else, sianorah!!

By GaVaHokie

December 13, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Buzzilla… I’m a big fan of your’s as well. Check out my back-tat.

By GaVaHokie

December 13, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

As far as trades go, if San Jose is seriously offering up Marleau and Bernier to Montreal for Ryder and Koivu, I’d pop up right in the middle and say “Heeere’s Hossa!”

Kovy Marleau Bernier

Slava White Recchi

By Andy S

December 13, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Jarndyce said it most recently, but we need a center. Watching Savard play last night reminded me of when he centered Kovy and made me realize how right you guys have been. Somebody needs to get him and Hoss pucks.

By Brendan

December 13, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

I’m sure Popovic is eager to return to the lineup. But Doctor’s orders are doctor’s orders.

Since Slava Kozlov has a “no trade clause,” it’s pointless to discuss moving him, unless he specifically expressed a desire to leave.

Craig asked who has trade value. My answer: Marian Hossa. Uhh, Brendan. Craig also qualified, “who is expendable.”

Hossa is responsible for something like 15% of all Thrashers goals. If the return were Alexander Frolov or Dustin Brown, coupled with D-man Jack Johnson from L.A., it might not be that bad. But by now, Kings GM Dean Lombardi has probably heard every conceivable offer for his young players. There’s a reason why he says “no” all the time.

By ranallo10

December 13, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Mike Richards has been signed for 12 years…holy craziness Bettman!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

December 13, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Hokie’s been hitting the Gym!!!!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

December 13, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

Hokie-

you should get “Custance” down your right arm and “Big Willy Tilly” down your left arm.

By Bob

December 13, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Hoss is the most likely one headed out of town, as he seemingly wants out and he’s the most tradeable asset, and he’ll fetch a good return. San Jose thinks they had a lineup to compete for the Cup, I can’t see them blowing it up this early, and the Kings are in slow rebuilding mode and don’t want to give up their young stars. It’ll be a trade we didn’t even think of, if it happens.

Sure, we need a top center, but look at the goals given up, we need a top D more than anything. A goalie we can rely on would be nice. So, we need a #1 center, #1 D, and a #1 goalie. No problem.

Trade Hoss and blow it up, if we get the right return.

By GaVaHokie

December 13, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Brendan… Dustin Brown has a six year contract. Don’t think he’s going anywhere.

Ranallo… 12 years for Mike Richards makes more sense than Dipietro to me. I’d much rather give that contract to a two-way Center than a goalie who could blow a groin at any time.

By Kints

December 13, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

By the way Thrashers Prospect Riley Holzapfel made the Canadian World Junior Team today

By R. Stroz

December 13, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

Can we trade Bobby Holik for Al Gore?

Both are full of hot air resulting in global warming.

By T-Bone

December 13, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

I guess a team perennially at the bottom in goals against and once again this year is plumbing the depths of that statistic wouldn’t want a quality blue liner? The Ducks are shopping Schneider right? Burke and DW are best buddies right? We’ve got enough offense to score 3 or 4 a night but when you give-up 4 or 5 the math just doesn’t work.

By Thrasher Ryan

December 13, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Alan—Off topic, but did I go snowboarding with you one time? I think I just realized who you are. If you are who I think you are, we are true old school Thrasher fans. Since the beginning. Hellz yeah!

By ranallo10

December 13, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I agree. Richards qualifies for that contract, where as a young (relatively unproven) goalie does not. I’d mark that to Holmgren making a smart move. But 12 years!? Contracts are getting longer than baseball, where A-Rod just signed for 10 years.

The length is getting to be ridiculous…

TSN’s current pole is “who is the better player”, which surprisingly (sarcasm) has Lecavalier as the winner. The candidates are:

Lidstrom (Swede), Lecavalier (Canadian), Iginla (Canadian), Crosby (Canadian), Kovalchuk (Russian).

Given that TSN is a Canadian website, I’m not completely surprised Kovalchuk was last place amoungst those players. I bet Phaneuf would’ve gotten more votes just because of where he’s from, and where he plays. I’d even bet that Phaneuf would’ve gotten more votes than Lidstrom, because that’s how the Canadians roll.

Gotta love biased polls!

By Alan

December 13, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan - I wish I could say yes - I’ve always wanted to learn how to snowboard. Alas, it’s not me.

I am an old school Thrashers fan, though. I’ve been a fan since they came to town. And I’ll continue being a fan when I leave town, too.

By Carlos

December 13, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

I personally think that a center who ‘offensively’ can replace what we have missed since Savard would be great but what we may have to give up could break any deal to get that.

I for one think that what we really need is heart. I believe that they have shown us in brief moments that they can dominate a game of hockey. If we can take those moments and play like that 100% of the time every single game, then I don’t think we would need a trade and we would be one of the best teams in the conference. But can we get all of our players playing 60 minutes of hockey every single game like it is game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals? Probably not.

By BG33Brown

December 13, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

I say we hold. And don’t make a crazy trade.

In looking at the salary cap. When we lose both Holik and Rucchin this summer, we add 6 million of money. There is absolutely no way we should resign Holik. We can take that money and add 4 million to a play making center, and have some more to throw a top 4 dman.

Man if we only could part with Zhit for next years contract.

But we bring up the WOLF PACK LINE, develop them NOW, and convince Hossa that next year we are going to be amazing. Which, we should be (assuming KL ever wants to become a number 1 goaltender).

Is it sexy, no….but it is our best move. If we add Comrie to our line up take a look.

17-12-18 13-Comrie-Rec Sterling-Little-Haydar 9-11-27.

That is a GOOD line up. If we develop it, but the real question comes down to what is Waddell’s status for next year b/c if he is fighting for his job, we are going to sacrifice tomorrow for today and I for one think that is crazy.

By Thrasher Ryan

December 13, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

Alan—Right on, some of the things you said made me think you were someone I know. Oh well.

Others—Who do you think Anaheim is trying to move? Obviously, no teams are biting on Schneider and his contract. They gotta do something soon for Nieds to play on Friday against Minnesota. What players on their roster would you want?

By R. Stroz

December 13, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan - Getzlaf, but no chance of Burke moving him.

By Brendan

December 13, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

I don’t want any deal with Anaheim. This Brian Burke vs. Don Waddell. Pass. I’d rather hold on and think to the future than make any desperation trade, especially if it involves 38-year old Schneider at $5 million, with a year left at that price.

Waddell is under contract through 2009. If he remains, as I suspect he will, barring a collapse, he’ll have lots of options. He may not re-sign Holik. Then again, he just might. At $1.5 million, doesn’t Holik sound a lot better? Yeah, what sounds even better is no Holik at any price. I hear ya.

Ya know, doesn’t Todd White have some trade value? At $2.2 million, with 3-years left at that price, Waddell might get someone interested in him. That’s not a contract that should break any team’s bank.

By Brendan

December 13, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, that Richards contract is jumping the gun, big-time. I think you’d agree. Shoot, barring an established TIER ONE superstar, I wouldn’t give a contract beyond 4-years. Five at the most.

Mike Richards is a fine prospect. He was a Calder Trophy finalist a few years back. But it’s not as if he’s ever been closing to winning the Art Ross scoring title, won the Conn Smythe (Playoff MVP), or the Rocket Richard goals scoring trophy.

This is overreaction to RFA offer sheets and trying to send a message to the season ticket holders. A four-five year deal would have been adequate. This “hedging your bets” approach is going to get GM’s in trouble.

Will Paul Holmgren still be the Flyers GM in 12 years? Probably not. But whoever is … will have to live with this deal, unless the organization finds a way to move Richards.

If you were the next Flyers GM, how “thrilled” would you be to have this kind of deal on your books? Ya know, it’s theoretically possible that the salary cap will DECREASE periodically or from year to year. What do you do, then? Hope for another lockout and 24% salary rollbacks??

By sisu

December 13, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

I think Tightie Whitie should stay, he is a good value. Perhaps not #1 center but good enough for #2. Perrin can fit the bill for #3 center. So the main need is a play making #1 center. This fixes a few problems, mainly the power play. So are there any “Savards” out there? Meaning a guy with un tapped potential? As to Snides coming here, that would be awesome!

By Matt H

December 14, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

[GaVaHokie]: “…I’d much rather give that contract to a two-way Center than a goalie who could blow a groin at any time.”

Gee, [Hokie], I don’t see what a goalie’s personal life has to do with any of this….

As far as the trade goes, obviously our most gaping hole is at D. We’ve been able to get some pretty hard work out of our corps this year, but it’s just not enough to dominate, even on an occasional basis. Schneider would be great, but not at 38 yrs and 4-5 mill.

I hope we hold on to Sterling, Haydar, Little. Unless it’s clear Haydar has no place here, maybe letting him go to another organization would help both sides prosper. I really like what I’ve seen from Darren, and I’d like to see more.

Mortgaging these guys instead of waiting out bloated contracts for bloated players whose time is up soon would be a mistake. Even at the cost of the playoffs this year. There, I said it.

Last year I thought the Zhitnik/Tkachuk moves were warranted from a pure organizational standpoint. Different things are at stake now for the Thrashers, I think.

I’m so happy Mark Recchi’s playing for us now. I was really glad to see we’d been able to claim him off waivers (re-entry waivers at that). Keep it up, Recching Ball. We’re with ya.

By stendec

December 14, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

Good morning Craig and all Thrasher watchers. Thrashers MUST take back home ice. Make teams DREAD coming to Georgia! Only a few more hours until opportunity for redemption. Shudder to think of KL between pipes but Moose let in some soft goals last outing. Agree that one goalie HAS to catch fire. Championship teams possess high caliber netminding. Thrashers have been treated to aggravating inconsistent play at position. Feast or famine. In hockey jargon that means either shutout or six goals surrendered. Not absolving team for blame but goalie IS last line of defense. Watershed mark is four offensive goals with a maximum of three by opposition. Be nice to see a breakout game for offense with an explosion of six to nine netted. Tough to see that goals for and goals against in standings. OUCH! Oh well. Enjoy game fellow Thrasher watchers. Merry Christmas. GO BLUE!

By GaVaHokie

December 14, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Sisu… a guy with untapped potential? I like Joe Pavelski in San Jose. I’m also curious what a change of scenery would do for Jeff Halpern (who flourished with Ovechkin in WSH). He hasn’t done much in Dallas.

I also like Jarrett Stoll as well as Patrick Thoresen in EDM… Thoresen was on waivers earlier this year. Surprised Waddell didn’t grab him. It was about the same time we got Thorburn.

By GaVaHokie

December 14, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Brendan and Ranallo… Mike Richards has already matched his career high in points. He has more points than Briere and he’s the second line center… in fact the highest ranked second line center in the game right now with Getzlaf. That honor typically goes to Marleau.

12-years might be a little extreme, but I think they’ll be pretty happy with the results and I don’t see them regretting it.

By Brian

December 14, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Interesting talk above. I’m am wondering that if we make any move, would it include Hossa and what does that mean to us? I am buying into the fact that he just isn’t getting the step on certain plays that he used to. But, he still had 2 assists against the B’s. As a matter of fact, he has 9 points in the last 7 games and 25 points in the last 18 games, not exactly something to complain about. So how do we think we are going to do better? If we bring in a pt/gm player, what are we getting that is so much better? Inspiration & motivation for the rest of the team?

By Russian

December 14, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

I know it is CRAZY IDEA. But.. I read russian newspaper this morning (much better than AJC) and I found out that Ovechkin didnot get a good deal with Capitals. They want to give him same contract as Crosby (8.7 m). He is looking for 9-10. I know it is LOT of Money, but we can talk with his Mother. She is his agent. Well what I see it. We take off Rucchin and Holik contract, plus Hossa will be going away. We can get this money. We need to work with our youngest players: Little, Sterling and Haydar. Make them comfortable for this year and build strong team with Kovy and Ovy togther for next season.

By Craig Custance

December 14, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Russian — The only thing crazy about your idea is that there’s a paper in Russia better than the AJC. Well, that and the thought that Washington will let Ovechkin go anywhere.

By Craig Custance

December 14, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Since the only flight under $700 that gets to Ottawa in time for Saturday’s game leaves in 20 minutes, I’m going to have some time to kill in Canada’s capital. Anybody former Canadians have any suggestions on how best to utilize an afternoon and Friday night in Ottawa?

By Jarndyce

December 14, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Brendan- That 12-year contract is great for the Flyers, bad for Richards. For the Flyers, they have insurance to cover any losses due to injury. If Richards gets injured, his salary doesn’t count against the cap. And even at only 5% interest, that 12th year at $5.8 is only worth $3.2 million. At 8% its $2.3 million.

For Richards, when he’s hitting his peak performance years, he’ll be making about $3.4 million. Think he’ll be happy about that?

By Alan

December 14, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Craig - If WSH isn’t willing to put up that kind of money, Ovechkin can easily walk away. It doesn’t mean ATL would be willing to put up that kind of money either - what, with the $42.5M “cap” and all. It’ll be interesting to see how the Ovechkin thing plays out over the rest of this season. Depending on what WSH does, it could mean the difference between Ovechkin continuing a career in the NHL, or going back to the RSL.

By Brendan

December 14, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Russian, you have forgotten that the Capitals still own Ovechkin’s rights this Summer. If Atlanta made a “Kevin Lowe-esque” RFA offer sheet to Washington, they’d simply match it and do likewise to us whenever one of our next RFA’s comes up for renewal. Presently, the only Kari Lehtonen comes to mind. And I say, “Bring it on!! Make Lehtonen a $7 million deal! We’ll take the Caps’ picks!!” But what if the Capitals only offered $5 million? That’s still driving up the cost of Lehtonen’s contract. And Don would match it. Probably. Well, what if the Caps taked on six years at that price? (6 years/$30 million) Are the Thrashers ready to commit six years to Kari? Come to think of it, Olaf Kolzig is something like 37-38 years old. The Capitals are probably looking for a decent replacement down the road.

If the Capitals actually said, “we’re not matching the $10 million offer for Ovechkin,” I think they get something like five (5) first round draft picks, plus more. I would think there’s second rounders and third rounders involved. In essence, Washington would own the forseeable future of the Thrashers draft picks.

Now, I realize some of you out there are thinking, “What would Waddell do with those draft picks anyway?” Would any of them ever turn out to be an Ovechkin? (Maybe, if he owns another 1st overall, “Can’t miss” pick.) While the prospect of having Kovalchuk and Ovechkin on the same team would make any hockey fan salivate, it would devastate any potential for “depth” on the team (unless the cap rose to over $70 million). If the cap remains at $50.3 million, Kovalchuk would be lost in 2010, when he demands $10 million for his next contract.

Two guys for $20 million isn’t good cap management, Russian. So, it’s nice to think about … but realistically, the cap exists to prevent this sort of thing. $10 million buys your four decent players.

By Sara

December 14, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Ovechkin’s a stud, no question, but there are actually a number of problems with Russian’s scenario. First, I think anybody paying a player $9-$10M per year is an idiot - waaayyy to easy to get caught over the limit if the cap drops. Additionally, that’s an awful lot of cap space devoted to one player. Even where the cap is now it’s 20% of the cap space tied up in one player!!

Additionally, even if Washington would let Ovechkin go somehow (doubtful unless it’s to go back to Russia), we can’t bring Ovechkin in here for that kind of money. One, we don’t have it to spare. I doubt Don is even going that high for Hoss who’s been around longer and is more proven. Alex may be great, but he isn’t THAT great. Two, fastest way to p** off Kovy would be to bring in Ovechkin at $2+ M more per year than he’s making. Kovy is the heart and soul of this team. It’ll be one thing if Hoss is making more money - he’s been around longer. Ovechkin is younger, not a chance could we give him more.

By Brendan

December 14, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Jarndyce, what if Richards production significantly trails off? Is Richards a TIER ONE Superstar? Will he become one? Nobody knows. If he does, then yes, the Flyers would be doing well, if this guy averages 35 goals a season over those 12 years, and stays healthy.

I’ve never heard Richards’ name mentioned in the same breath with Crosby or Ovechkin … or even Stastny, Toews or Patrick Kane in terms of the “up and coming stars” of the NHL. I’m not saying he can’t rise to the occasion. What I’m saying is … this kind of contract is “jumping the gun” over “inadequate sampling.” And, it kinda reminds me of Vanek’s deal. Vanek is a fine young player. Was he worth $7+ million? Time will tell, but that’s why it’s “risky” to make these high-dollar, longterm deals.

If the Flyers come to regret this decision four years down the road, I don’t want them to be able to “eat half his salary” to move him. No, they should live with “accountability” for the gamble they took back in 2007, when they handed him this 12-year contract. Likewise, if Mike Richards becomes an annual Hart Trophy candidate, Art Ross Scoring Champion, and Rocket Richard Trophy winner, all praise to the brilliant foresight of Paul Holmgren.

But whose betting their paycheck on that one happening?

By AL

December 14, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

my two cents (and probably worth about that much) It kills me to see a team so mediocre. Even with the 0-6 start, we’re only 14-9-1 since. We seem to play hard against the better teams and play lackadaisical agains the teams we should kill. Minus Ottowa, 2 through 8 are all pretty even and only 11 points separate 2-15. We need a center who can dish the puck. Our PP blows compared to when Savard was on the team. As far as trading goes….we’ve given up so much the past year for players to play half a season; we’re running out of prospects. Let’s ditch the remainder of the year (for trades) and develop our kids! Now, I’ve got to go get drunk tonight and watch the ‘oh so hated’ crap-0-leafs play against my so-so team. We gotta string together 5 or 6 wins in a row! I’m done… thanks.

By Thrasher Ryan

December 14, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

Ovechkin for Hossa is a deal I would not be able to refuse. Whats the deal with Anaheim? We’ve been hearing these rumors for about a week now. If something is gonna happen, I would surmise it happens today.

By T-Bone

December 14, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Off topic here but did anyone catch the Flames/Bolts game last night on CenterIce? I was at the office Xmas party and missed it. The Flames hung a 9 spot on ‘em and I gotta think Tortorella was going ballistic behind the bench. At least we have one more team worse then us in GA after that putrid effort!

By Sara

December 14, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan if Hossa is delaying signing a contract with us, no way would he sign on in Washington. They’d lose him after this year, while they are guaranteed to keep Ovechkin or get a boatload in return if someone tries to swipe him. And hockey god or no hockey god, I’m not cool with a third year (??) player asking for $9+ M a year. Bit too much ego behind that for my liking.

By GaVaHokie

December 14, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers won’t be involved in the Anaheim deal… the only way it works for both sides is if Atlanta takes Schneider and a prospect, in which we would give up Hossa to stay under our own self-imposed cap.

Waddell would be doing Burke a favor, and I don’t think you do that with Hossa.

If that Prospect is Corey Perry (RFA), then maybe, but resigning Perry is 50% of the reason they want to move Schneider.

By Thrasher_Ed

December 14, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Craig Custance, Wow man, Beat writers don’t get to travel on the team charter flights? Bummer! Guess we’ll see sometime today or Saturday if any movement happens out in Cali with the Ducks and the trade front. I’m personally hoping dear ole Waddellsworth pulls a great trade with his dear friend.

By Alan

December 14, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Craig - You could hop over to Toronto and poke around the HHoF. Other than that, I’ve never been to Ottawa, so I couldn’t tell you.

By Russian

December 14, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Well, I am not asking to bring another Russian player in town. Hell no!!! But what I am talking about that bring a Super Star. Brendan How much Hossa will ask? How much he get now? He will ask at least $8.0 mil. Now look at the future 2010 year and Kovy needs to new contract. He will talk about $9 -9.5. So we will have a problem with money. Everyone remember Detoit, Colorado, Dallas, NJ, Toronto and NYR before Lock-out. Their Budgets were 60-90 mil. Rigth? They keeped a STARS and PO was always with those teams (except NYR :-)) Sara $9-10 mil is not a big contract. Jagr, Fedorov, Yashin and etc. had contract like that. If you young and expirience and star, here is your money. Take it and bring PO atmosther to town and Final Game Stanley cup. Thrasher is not a star team and never been. We got two stars, honestly 1.5, Kovy is one and Hossa is Half. Until we are going to be middle team, PO situation will goes away every year. End of Story. P.S. Sorry for my English

By Sara

December 14, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Russian keep in mind those big contracts you mentioned were before the salary cap era. Top dollar contracts are limited to, what, 20% of the total cap figure. So right now it’s $10 mill. But what happens if the cap ever falls? Sign someone to a $9.5 or $10 M contract and the cap falls down to $45M, and the team is over the total salary limit. UNgood. To me that’s the danger.

And no worries about your english - lord knows it’s way better than my russian. ;p

By Boulton's Bruisers

December 14, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Craig - You could hop over to Toronto and poke around the HHoF.
Wouldn’t want to get you lost Craig, but isn’t HHOF in Montreal???

By TB

December 14, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Alan was right, the HHOF is pretty much in Toronto

By FLA

December 14, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

the HHOF is pretty much in Toronto

Huh?

By Alan

December 14, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Check it out

Hockey Hall of Fame Brookfield Place (formerly BCE Place) 30 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario Canada M5E 1X8

By Bob

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

You know what’s in Tronna? Nuthin but steers and queers, and I don’t see no horns on Lusty Tlusty

By FLA

December 14, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

No I was questioning the phrase “pretty much in Toronto”
Made me laugh, thats all.

By Thrasher Ryan

December 14, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES? Canada Sucks! GO THRASHERS!!!!!

By GaVaHokie

December 14, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

Craig… if you want to come home with no money in your wallet too, you can go visit the Frozen Pond store.

The address to the actual store is halfway down the homepage… it’s in Concord, ONT.

By Sara

December 14, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Good idea Hokie … he can buy us all Christmas presents while he’s there!! :P

(Course with our luck he’d come home with 30 or so autographed Stefan pucks or something.)

By Craig Custance

December 14, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

Thrasher_Ed: The paper prefers we do our own travel, rather than hook up with the teams. It might make it hard to be objective if the team is flying me around, you know?

By Mark

December 14, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Those of you looking at the Richards contract and talking pure numbers and comparing him to Crosby and Ovechkin just don’t get it. Richards is one of the best young leaders in the game, not to mention a COMPLETE hockey player. He plays in every situation, every single one, power-play, penalty kill, at the end of games holding a lead or down a goal. But the biggest thing about Richards is his leadership. The Flyers see him as a Joe Sakic type (Or more like Bobby Clarke), a player who will be their leader and captain for the next decade. A player that will lead the team wherever it goes. There’s a reason that Richards has been a Captain at every level he has played including the Canadian World Juniors team that won the Championship. He’s a natural born leader and a winner. That’s why the Flyers wanted to give him a long term deal. Oh, and the fact that he has averaged over a point per game since he came back from an abdominal injury also helps.

By Brian

December 14, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

T-Bone - I was flipping back & forth to that Flames/Bolts game. Quite entertaining.

Craig - I could only help you with the more southern portion of Ontario. Although hopping over to Toronto from Ottawa is like being in Atlanta and hopping over to Nashville for an afternoon. It’s gotta be a 4 hour trip 1-way…

For pure speculation, yeah I would take Ovechkin for Hossa, but would the Caps ever do that trade???

By Alan

December 14, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

Brian - I knew how far it would be, but I figured Craig would have some time to kill.

By Ron

December 14, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Are games televised on the NHL Network blacked out on Center Ice? I can’t watch the Maple Leafs game tonight? My cable system won’t carry the NHL Network. I can’t believe this.

By Brian

December 14, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Alan - yeah, the only problem is that it is 8+ hours just in the car, let alone time to do whatever you want once you get there, then to be back in time for the game. To your point, much more to do in Toronto…

By Thrasher Ryan

December 14, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Ron—Where do you live? The game is on SportSouth in Atlanta and TSN in Canada. I’m assuming you don’t live in either area?

By Thrasher Ryan

December 14, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

would the Caps ever do that trade???

Maybe on a lucky day in Atlanta. However, thanks to the Falcons it seems as if we’re (Atlanta) in a whole year of bad luck!

By Brendan

December 14, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

Russian, it’s going to be a big problem to sign Hossa to $8 million when Kovy’s contract comes up. It might be part of the reason Hossa isn’t re-signed by Atlanta.

In 2010, assuming Kovalchuk continues to put up 40 or more goal seasons, he’s going to command something close to whatever the league maximum is 2010. Chances are, the Thrashers will present Kovalchuk a contract on July 1, 2009, when they are first eligible to do that, in the interest of saving money and locking him up for as long as they can.

Russian, if the Thrashers are gonna have trouble keeping Hossa and Kovalchuk, keeping Ovechkin and Kovalchuk would be impossible. And like Sara said, Kovalchuk would probably view that a slap in the face to what he’s done here in Atlanta. The second Ovehckin were signed, speculation would start that Kovy is gone in 2010.

Mark, how many seasons has Mike Richards been in the league? Is it enough of a history to justify a 12-year deal?

By Tony C.

December 14, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

The length of theRichards deal does seem excessive, but honestly, this kid is nice. He plays in all situations, has been a “+” player at every level, and Holmgren just locekd him up on the low-low. Good move. I’m with whoever opined that Richards might be the one regretting this deal. Seriously, who wouldn’t want the security of knowing that their 2nd/3rd line center and top PK man is locked up??? I know I would.

Trade possibilities; don’t trade Hoss unless you get a bona-fide NHL scorer (this means 3+ 20G 35-40A seasons, reasonably clear injury history) and a 1st-round pick. Then sweet-talk Hoss that you’ll sign him and brother Marcel plus you’ll have the kid you got in the deal a la Davidson and the Blues.

Re: Getzlaf-dude if Burke would give him up TAKE HIM!!! He’s big, nasty, great hands, good wheels…now what kind of center did we need again???

Seriously, I like the idea of picking Comrie up in the offseason and “just” going after a true first-pair D-man…I would’ve liked to have seen DW make an offer to Ribeiro, but I think Dallas has him locked down for the next few years…Halpern-mmmm just on the wrong side of the age-bracket to trade for-unless Dallas eats somoe salary.

flame away!

GO BLUE !!!

By Thrasher Ryan

December 14, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

Well, we all knew this was due to come. A new column on the Thrashers by Jeff Schultz! Yay!

By Thrasher Ryan

December 14, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

Hockeybuzz is reporting St. Louis Blues have traded Doug Weight to Anaheim Ducks for Andy MacDonald. WOW.

By Russian

December 14, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

After first period 0:0. SOG 8:6 Toronto. this is better than Boston 3:13

By Tony C.

December 14, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Wow! What a signularly crap play by KL to set up Devereaux’s goal.

Can somebody please get the kid a perscription for Aderol or whatever they give kids for ADHD nowdays.

GO BLUE !!!

By stendec

December 14, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

Hi Craig. Just curious. Where in the Hell was KL going while the Thrashers were on a second period power play? See what I mean about mental toughness? Concentration? Apologists will praise him for allowing only one goal (now two) thus far. Such lapses MUST NOT be tolerated. Oh well. Back to contest. Hope team can overcome liability between pipes. Doubt it! Loss tonight would officially usher in slide. Perhaps then KL will slide his way back to the bench. Now 2-0. Two marshmallow goals! What a F+++++G loser. Pull his A++! Forget it. Probably already too late. Thrashers in offenseless mood.

By stendec

December 14, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Team has given up tonight. No fight whatsoever. Oh course, with KL in goal I can hardly BLAME them! First goal (shorthanded KL gift softy) sucked out all of their will to try.

By stendec

December 14, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Hi Russian. Like your posts. Shots on goal do not mean much when goalie allows soft goals. Compare KL with guy in Leaf net. NO COMPARISON! Enjoy third period. Maybe they will at least spare us humiliation of HOME shutout defeat. Merry Christmas.

By Russian

December 14, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Damn 2:0 Toronto. We are going to lose this game. I hope miracle happen on third period.

By stendec

December 14, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

Damn 2:0 Toronto. We are going to lose this game. I hope miracle happen on third period. Seriously doubt God is KL fan! GO BLUE!

By stendec

December 14, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

Talk to me KL apologists. Tell me again how GREAT this no talent is! Letemin is truer than originally believed. How far will spiral descend? Help Saint Nick!

By stendec

December 14, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

As P++++D off with Thrashers NOW as I am with Falcons. Such a gutless home effort! Thrashers, not Falcons, should be red. WITH TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT! Quit on us. Falcons did it sooner but Thrashers have done it lately! Dangerous trend. Leads to last place. IN A HURRY!

By stendec

December 14, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

Third goal completely unscreened. KL simply whiffed on it! Again. What a F+++++G loser? If this bum has ANY trade value unload him. TOTAL LIABILITY! No excuses for this crap. PERIOD!

By A.J.

December 14, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Kari is not a “no talent.” He’s got talent, he’s just does some really dumb stuff. You don’t survive so many stupid moves if you don’t have talent. Sucks when all that talent goes to waste. And he does look terrible.

The pathetic thing is the Leafs have done nothing to win this game, they just haven’t done as many things as us to screw it up.

That PK at about 9 left in the 3rd was atrocious, and thats when we needed it the most and actually had a chance to get back in it.

How bout two stupid penalties from the cap’n?

Ugh…gross.

By stendec

December 14, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

KL tried something new on fourth Leaf goal. Was backward in net! What the Hell does it matter? What more can I say? Most overrated goaltender in NHL. No talent. Sigh. Help me out Craig. Anyone. Please. Another shutout defeat. Double sigh.

By Russian

December 14, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

4:0 Toronto. I did not expect score like that. What are they thinking. Who is going to play??????? I hope Thrasher get 30 spot and first DRAFT PICK. It is very embarasing to see game like that.

By stendec

December 14, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Glad KL does not think last two gooals mattered! They did. Check out goals for/against in standings. Never really knew what a moron he was until I heard him in post game. Put team in 2-0 hole. Set tone. LaLa Land must be wonnderful. Right KL? P+++Y!

By Thrasher_Ed

December 14, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

When will we make a meaningful move in the NHL. Are we going to be relegated to being an also ran. Ducks move McDonald to St. Louis. Waddell needs to act. We must play more consistently every night. Lines need to be changed again. I’d rather dump some of these no talent has beens like Boulton/Holik/Slater/Larsen/Zhitnik et. al. We should just bring up the kids and let them play.

By stendec

December 14, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Forgive spelling. Hard to type when totally disgusted and disenchanted. Truly BELIEVED team would WIN! Early shorthanded goal took all air out of Thrashers. Was that as evident to other fans as well?

By RogerAJC

December 14, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Well, if tonight’s listless effort is any sign of progress… This is a lost franchise.

We areThe Defending SE Champions.

We are playing like a street hockey team. There is NO will to win on this team… Main reason this is a poorly constructed team… Very poorly.

We dismantled the defense, gave up on two good forwards and brough in players who would be nothing but 4th liners on ANY other NHL team.

Plue we have a complete LOSER in Holik, he is TERRIBLE, now does everyone see why the Rangers bought him out… But why The Hell is he here ? He has done nothing for Atlanta since coming here except collect one heck of a paycheck.

This is it as far as I amconcerned, this game was awful, Leafs laughing like hell all night.

I now see no other direction except a flurry of trades and cuts… We have NO choice. But what alarms me is the GM who once again is proving he is NOT an NHL GM and while other teams make solid roster moves… we do nothing except keep players who need to go and go ASAP !!! Even before the game in Ottawa,See if you agree, Slater/Holik/Klee/Larsen Zit/Havilid/White/KL.

It is the beginning of the end of the season tonight from my viewpoint, these last three games have been sick to watch and maybe the GM/Coach/VP needs to accept blame and resign… before it gets a LOT worse !

By Alan

December 14, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Here’s to hoping for a better performance tomorrow night. Personally speaking, I’m getting sick of this. If there aren’t any improvements this month: Head. Waddell. Silver platter.

By Roadman

December 14, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Right Alan… It’s time for Waddell to WALK, he built this MESS !

By Thrasher Ryan

December 14, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Hi Craig. Hope you are doing ok in Canada. I give up. It’s over. NO PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR FOR BLUESLAND!!!! This team is pathetic. Waddell is a F’in idiot. Holik is robbing the Atlanta Spirit! Arrest him! Armed robbery! This is why we have waivers. USE THEM, DON! KL sucks @ss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO MORE EXCUSES you KL apologists!! He is a LOSER. WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO CRAP IN NHL! Mark My WORDS. At this point, we should call up all of the Wolves and dump payroll. Say goodbye to HOLIK, ZHITNIK, HOSSA (yes, I said Hossa) KOZLOV, SLATES, LARSEN, LETEMIN. This team is pathetic!!! I turned this crap off after 2nd period to watch the Hawks. At least they have a will to play. Waddell just sits back and does NOTHING to improve this team. Deals are being made, and yet he does nothing. What is the problem, DON? DON’T YOU SEE YOUR TEAM HAS LOST THE WILL TO WIN? Give up on your boy Slater, Don. Dump him while you can get something for him. This years Niko Krapanen. UGH!!! Trade Hossa NOW. HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE HERE! Can’t you see this? WTF! ZHITNIK is ready to retire, DON! I feel terrible for Ilya Kovalchuk because he is the only one who shows that he cares. One more thing Craig…. What really p** me off was seeing the smile/smirk on KL’s face when they asked him about his half-@ssed performance in net. Oops, I mean out of the net, where he was every time the Leafs scored. Out of the Net!!! LETEMIN sucks. Go back to Finland you LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By stendec

December 14, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

A team can overcome a lot of errors with a high caliber goaltender. A defense is helpless when the net is mysteriously vacated by netminder or he turns back while in goal crease. KL did BOTH in defeat. Truly sad! My disdain of KL turning to pity. He truly DOES NOT belong at this level.

By Thrasher Ryan

December 14, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Hey Stendec—Did you see Sundin laughing his @ss off after he scored on Sori Letemin? Priceless!

By Brendan

December 14, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

In the post game press conference, I’ve never seen Waddell look so depressed.

I agree with A.J., who said that the Leafs have done nothing to win this game. KL made a “mental” mistake. That’s all too common now. The second goal, by Sundin, he really should have stopped. And the two late 3rd period goals, again, he’s got to stop. But, before we lay all blame on Kari and the effort, (1) we did hit two goalposts tonight, (2) Kovy had two quality scoring chances, and (3) I think Todd White had one nice look as well. If any of those things go right in the first two periods, Atlanta has a real chance at some form of points in the game.

Kovalchuk was a -3 on this game. McCarthy get another -1 for his totals. Zhitnik, too. And Holik added to his minus totals.

Look, I’ll be honest with you. Sometimes I don’t a mind a loss if there was a good effort and bad bounces. But what has me very concerned is that … well … The Toronto Maple Leafs are the WORST defensive team in the NHL. They just shut us out on our home ice. That’s what unacceptable. When Toronto holds an opponent to under two goals, they hold a parade on Yonge St.

When I stop to think how close Toronto was to firing John Ferguson and Paul Maurice, I can’t believe how much they’ve turned it around in their last six games, and it started with Atlanta and has continued BACK to Atlanta. The Thrashers last 10 games? 3-6-1. That’s seven points out of a possible twenty. Not good.

Russ told us, months ago, that if this team started to falter at Christmas that Waddell would do desperate things to save his job. I sure hope that’s not true. I’d rather bring these rooks along and grow our club than to deal them for 30-something “band-aids” to inch us into the playoffs, where we’ll meet Ottawa in the 1st round.

We’re not that bad of a team. But if the worst should happen, and we wind up in the “lottery draft,” we’ll have a shot at Doughty or Stampkos … or maybe even Tavares, if the NHL allows him to be drafted.

But the truth is … we’re two games under .500. We have the opportunity to get back to .500 or better by Christmas. We’re not 10-15 points out of a playoff berth. So, it’s not over yet. But this team has to respond with points and soon. Their record on back-to-back nights is 0-5-1, and they’ll bring that record into Ottawa, against the DEFENDING CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS in their barn.

It would make a heckuva statement to get a win, especially after a performance like this.

By stendec

December 15, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

Sori Letemin on game-losing shorthanded goal: “I have three options of what I can do. Let it go to the corner, and their guy was coming so he’s basically going to get a breakaway from the corner(?). The other option, to go there in the corner and get a penalty (preferable to goal). Or I put all my chips in and try to get there before it goes to the corner (F+++++G genius). I just didn’t get a good shot at it (you think?). It’s easy to say it was wrong now the way it turned out. That’s the way it is sometimes.” Truly sad. No additional comments necessary.

By R. Stroz

December 15, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

Holik is a disgrace to the game of hockey. Not only is he slow, inept, and full of $h!t, now he is merely a cheap shot artist without the nads to fight afterward.

Holik is a disgrace to hockey and the organization. If Don Waddell is unable to see this and continues to support Holik by allowing him to continue to wear a Thrashers uniform, then Waddell needs to leave as well. Holik is nothing more than an overpaid version of Hollweg.

By BillF

December 15, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

If Waddell was any kind of GM he could see this CRAP team he has put togather !

All you Waddell lovers… Namely YOU Brian… the person who bashes anyone who calls Waddell out. He is a COMPLTET IDIOT, Fire him PLEASE.

PUT holik ON WAIVERS BY MORNING No more of his worthless play and CRAP excuses, Why is Slater still here ? Zit/Klee all of them !!!!!

This team = NO PLAYOFFS THIS SEASON !

Fans see it, Why NOT Sprit boys and Waddell ?????????? This team is TERRIBLE and getting WORSE.

Time for KL to be traded and get some scoring in return and QUALITY GM would have reacted before this 6th shutout !

By R. Stroz

December 15, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

For the three stars of the game:

The first star, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is Kari “I need more ADHD Medicine” Lehtonen

The second star, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is Bobby Holik.

The third star, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is the Thrashers coaching staff.

By R. Stroz

December 15, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

Here’s something funny. Slater, yes Slater, was starting to play better when paired with Dupuis and Boulton. Their line was scoring more points than the number two line. So what does the coaching staff do, they remove Dupuis from the line, replace Dupuis with Larsen, and move Dupuis to Holik’s line. End of production for Dupuis and Slater.

Has the coaching staff caught the Petrino flu? If it works, destroy it. If it doesn’t work, keep doing it.

By Brendan

December 15, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

R.Stroz, I’m tellin’ ya, bro. Kari Lehtonen’s here to stay, barring an RFA offer sheet. And I wouldn’t hold my breath for that, as he doesn’t even have especially terrific trade value at the moment. The organization is too invested in Lehtonen to quit on him. Send Kari somewhere, and he might excel in his new setting? Then the whole universe says, “You had Lehtonen, drafted him 2nd overall, then ditched him before he became unrestricted?”

Goaltenders take a long time to develop, R. Stroz. That’s why I don’t think it’s smart investment for a Top Five pick. Look where we scored Pavelec? (In the second round.) Look where we got Pasi Nurminen, 6th round. And every single year, there are goaltenders available on the free agent market. Goalies are “risky” investments, dude. We just have to ride it out and hope Kari reaches the potential projected for him when he was drafted. If there’s any GOOD news, it’s that it shouldn’t cost that much to get Kari re-signed this Summer.

By the way, when Atlanta drafted 2nd overall in 2002, the top two prospects were D-man Jay Bouwmeester (logs around 25:00 per game for Florida) and power forward Rick Nash (Columbus’ star attraction). Wouldn’t it stand to reason that one of them would be ours today?, if we adhered to pursuing goaltenders on the free agent market instead of drafting them?

By Gmoney

December 15, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

Kolzig and Miller both made similar out of net plays last night,must have been goalie brain fart night. The problem is deeper than Kari, this club is poorly built, it’s the same problem every year, bad defense.

By Leaf Fan

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

In Toronto’s burying of Atlanta, Alexei Ponikarovsky’s got 2 stitches in his tongue in the second period after Bobby Holik’s cheap shot and came back and scored 2 goals in the third. Wouldn’t you love to have Russian’s that aren’t Pu**y’s ?

By Tony C.

December 15, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Leafs fan:

Who’s the russian p*ssy? Kozlov? I know you’re not dissing #17

I’ll give you 3-to-1 that # 17 would kick the dogsh!t out of Ponikarovsky… and the worst part is you know it’s true…. Oh yeah, the Blackhawks will drink from The Cup years before it will even be in the Air Canukia CentrE…unless it’s the replica y’all have in foyer…so that buds fans can remember what it looks like

GO BLUE !!!

By GSU-Lee

December 15, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

Why is no one talking about the McDonald trade? we coulda used a decent offensive threat

By Alan

December 15, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

Honestly, I think we need defense. First and foremost. Zhitnik is -14, McCarthy is -17. Ungood.

Want offense too? Bring back the Wolfpack. But defense is our number one priority, in my opinion.

By Alan

December 15, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

3-1 at the end of the first. Guess who isn’t winning. Not a happy camper here on the southside.

By Russian

December 15, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

3:1 after first period. I forgot who is up, but I think you get clue :-) My score will be 5:2 Ottawa.

By 12345

December 15, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

3-1 after one outshot 15-6 AGAIN !

What do we the FANS see that the Glorious GM/Coach/VP cannot or refuses to see ?

Lastly holik… who cares about him last season… He is KILLING us and there is now NO way we make the playoffs !

By Alan

December 15, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

5-1 now. And we’re not even out of the 2nd. How much more do we have to endure as fans before Waddell does something about our horrible defense?

By Tom

December 15, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

Shots at the 5 minute mark of the 2nd period … 29-9

If that does not tell a story, what else does.

By Alan

December 15, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Shots at the end of the 2nd: 34-12 Ottawa. Atlanta needs a huge huge huge 3rd period effort to shut Ottawa down and take the lead. I don’t see it happening, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed anyhow.

By Russian

December 15, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

My Friend - BlueLanders. Our team is done for this season. 34-12 SOG. I am sorry, but you could not win a game for 12 SOG for 2 periods. My score is getting not right 5:2 after second. Somwething might happend??? I gues Kari let couple more goals on 3-d. Damn!!!! Why we are playing so badly?????

By Russian

December 15, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

*to Alan * Are you kidding me? Yesturday game against Toronto, Thrash shotted only 6 time on goal. Toronto got 12. We done for tonigt. :-(

By Tom

December 15, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Well, WWWBWK…

Got to love McCarthy -19 after 17 games and 2 periods…

Zhitnik -16 after 31 games and 2 periods

If it wasn’t for Ilya we would be in single digits in wins. Low single digits.

By Alan

December 15, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

Russian - Apparently, I was only kidding myself. With the score 6-3, it looks like it will be impossible to come back.

By Tom

December 15, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Not if you are JP DellaCamera, then with 3 minutes left to go down by 3 every shot will bring us back in.

Or Darren Elliot saying that every team is playing great against us and that we are so close to getting it together.

Well, Zhitnik worked it out to get on the ice for the last goal against us so that he could try to catch McCarthy. He made it to -17…

And you knew when we did not score on the 5 on 3 Heatley was going to make us pay. At least Perrin gave Corvo a sweet pass to get it started.

By Russian

December 15, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

Question??? What do you need to score goal if you have 5 on 3 at 2 f*** minutes???? For Thrasher this is mission imposible to score. I guest, Ottawa need to pull out goalie. This is just F******* Unbelivable. 3:5 and got this HUGE opportunity. And just F******* Blow it. Our team is completelty out of season. They need to make big changes and do it NOW.

By ben3

December 15, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

Why the F* can Don Waddell NOT see this team he has “built” is Bad and getting a WHOLE LOT WORSE !

We get outshot every game by 2-3 to one. How in the hell do you win with 6 shots a period which seems to be our normal output this season !

I guess what really fries me as a season ticket holder is this team is WORSE than the team of last season and Waddell said it was “BETTER”.

This guy is NUTS,he has no business running an NHL team, his drafting is abysimal and his free agents…aka LOSERS !!!! are worthless.

Sounds stupid, but I’d be all for this franchise moving out of town and us start all over, it really could NOT be any worse than it is now.

Where are these absent minded or dumb or stupid or worthless owners???

They are as much of the problem as Waddell… I will NOT renew season tickets ever again after this mess, the team is not worth watching or caring about now… because the owners and GM could care less about We The Paying Fans !

By Tom

December 15, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Last horror stat. McCarthy has not had a plus game this season.

By Alan

December 15, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Atlanta’s defense allowed 44 shots to get to the goal. Deplorable. Ungood. Maddening. Waddell, are you listening? Something has to change. McCarthy and Zhitnik have got to go.

By Tom

December 15, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

Hey Ben

At least they thought they could afford to take away all the discounts to long time season ticket holders. We gave up our tickets this year after being original season ticket holders.

Still agonize with the team but at least I know I am saving 200 dollars every home game as I watch on television.

But Waddell has put out a defective product this year. For a team built for speed we get beat to the boards regularly. Fail to maintain possession with any consistancy, and are unable to create consistant scoring opportunities with any regularity.

As I keep saying, thank God for Kolvachuk. Where Would We Be Without Kolvachuk.

By Russian

December 15, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

to Alan* Have to go:

Have to come: Little, Haydar, Sterling, Popovic, Kiwi. If DW has a Brain, he must make this call

By Alan

December 15, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Russian - I agree.

Do something, Waddell, and do it now. You remember how Toronto fans reacted to their seemingly inept team earlier in the season? Yeah. Now it’s our turn.

By ben3

December 15, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Alan, that is correct… I have been with them from the start, but the comment that has made me the maddest is levenson saying “He see’s progress” where ? The Moon, The deep Blue Sea… Maybe other teams but NOT Atlanta… we are going in reverse.

I just cannot understand why we have ALL these retreads and older players, other teams young players seem to hustle a whole lot better than we do.

Watched several other games tonight… I watched their puck movement and speed and positioning…

Most make us look like a Pee Wee team or something. But for the absolute life of me, I cannot understand why we STAND around, no other team in the NHL does it like Atlanta does.

There have to be answers and results to this shipwreck, I honestly feel it is now the time for Don Waddell to do the proper thing and bow out as GM.

I, as do many others, see the problems… Why can’t he, why do the owners trust him so much ?

We need a fresh new attitude, a new approach, something to feel good about and Waddell resigning is a solid start !

By Ticketmaster

December 15, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

Boycott the team, stop buying tickets. Apparently this team is moving anyway, but let the owners know we need a change in the GM. Waddell has to go. McCrimmon can coach, but who can get him players ?

By Brendan

December 15, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Well, I just finished watching Carolina score on all three shootout attempts vs. the Flyers. The last one was utterly wild; I thought Biron stopped it, but the puck flew up in the air, hovered about the crossbar, then fell down between his shoulder and the goal post for the winner. By the way, Mike Richards scored on his shootout attempt after receiving a brand new 12-year deal with Philly.

Also, the Capitals won, in regulation time, vs. Tampa Bay. I think you know what that means. So, I won’t comment on it further.

Okay, we still had a chance …. Seriously, it was 5-2 in the closing moments of the 3rd period when Chris Thorburn got a big, fat, juicy rebound right in the slot, with half the net open. He fired it right into the netminder. If that goes in, it’s 5-3 headed into the 3rd. Once the score was actually 5-3, Atlanta had a 2-man advantage, and Toby Enstrom clanked it off the iron. If that had gone in, it would be 5-4. And with that “Thornburn goal” that never was from the 2nd period, we’d be all knotted up at 5-5.

Amazing, isn’t it? Look folks, I’m not gonna say I think we should have won this game. But we nearly stole it. We had no business ever being as close as we got. Ottawa eased up, defensively. We didn’t make them pay for it.

Yes, Heatley had a couple. But so did Kovalchuk. By the way, Kovy accounts for 30% of all Thrasher goals. On the one hand, how phenomenal. On the other hand, shut him down and you beat the Thrashers. And come playoff time, every team needs depth. Or they get swept out.

Recchi had an assist. So, he’s had points in two of his three games with the Thrashers. Obviously, no one had any points in the 4-0 “whitewashing” the Buds gave us.

McCarthy and Zhitnik … are struggling so much now. The trouble with “waving” them is … you’d do better to trade them for picks at the trade deadline. McCarthy costs next to nothing. So, don’t think $$$ saved. Zhitnik’s $3.5 million will have GM’s waiting for re-entry waivers to claim him. The savings would only add up to $1.1 million, roughly. At the trade deadline, someone would give us a 4th rounder for Zhitnik, perhaps a 3rd rounder, if desperate enough.

14-17-1 … in the midst of a four game losing streak is … well … two-thirds of the way to how Coach Hartley had us begin the season. This team just cannot endure these losing streaks and be able to talk about the possibility of playoffs. Well, unless this is one of those years, like 2003, where the NY Islanders made the playoffs with 83-points. Someone grab a calculator and see if that’s seriously a viable option this year.

If Waddell is forced to sell at the trade deadline, is he gone? Or will the Spirit Group allow him to undergo the rebuilding process, too? I won’t rule out that they’d keep him on to do just that. They love him. Cue up Olivia Newton-John, “They honestly love him.”

By Alan

December 15, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

I watched the Dallas at San Jose game earlier in the evening. It was fast paced, and no one really just stood around looking stupid. Everyone moved. Even the goalies did a good bit of movement. Best of all, shot counts were low, which showed defense was working there. Here, we had 25SOG to their 44. 44! What the hell, man! Their defense was great, but ours was listless and dull. I think with a better defense, our goalies would play better. It’s hard for the goalies to stop every single shot that comes to them if our defense is just standing around with fingers firmly lodged in each others bum. We had a few bad luck moments (the Perrin giveaway, for example), but most of this was based on bad defense. And if Don can’t see that, he needs to take off the blinders.

At least learning Norwegian has its benefits. Let’s see Don figure this one out.

Dritt forsvareren! Jeg sette skylden på Don Waddell!

By Alan

December 16, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Watching Minnesota at Los Angeles now. Good defense, good offense by Minnesota. Great effort by both teams.

Man, I’ve got to stop preaching to the choir.

By ben3

December 16, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

Alan… I have been watching those games as well as Edm & Vancouver.

They hustle, chase pucks, put pressure on the other team and backcheck. All of them have good offensive flow and attack the other team and do NOT stand around or skate in circles… We Sure Do !!!!

We need WHOLESALE changes owners/GM/coach/PLAYERS just about everything.

If EVERYONE, including these sprit owners cannot read a box score and see the overwhelming problems this team is in… Then what the HELL does it take to start over… Right Alan !

By Brendan

December 16, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this

Believe it or not, Toby Enstrom was a +1 in this game.

By Alan

December 16, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this

Thanks for that bright spot, Brendan. I missed that when I looked at the game stats.

By Alan

December 16, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this

Here’s something else to feel good about tonight.

Even though they were outshot 30-17, AHL affiliate Chicago won 10-2 against Iowa. Kevin Doell had a hat trick, Bryan Little scored twice, and Brett Sterling pinged one in as well. Ondrej Pavelec was in goal tonight.

We got blown out, and they blew someone out. What would make that even better, is if Iowa’s NHL affiliate was Ottawa. It’s Dallas.

By Craig Custance

December 16, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Haydar to Chicago (AHL)

By Brendan

December 16, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Wolves fans just cheered, Craig!

By Thrasher Ryan

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

What does that mean, CC? Is Waddell gonna finally do something or is he just being stubborn again by refusing to listen to ideas from others? There has to be ACCOUNTABILITY somewhere, Craig. He just doesn’t get it! Thank god I didn’t waste money on season tickets this year! PHEW!!!

By Bob

December 16, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Another year, and it’s just more of the same old, same old. This team is very poorly built. There is only one guy to blame for that. Our defense is pitiful, once again, to be outshot like this for not only all these games, but for all these years, is one guy’s responsibility.

Nothing meaningful will change here until Waddell is gone. When we get a real GM in here that knows how to build a hockey club, then we’ll improve.

By GSU-Lee

December 16, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Yay! Haydar is gone! Surely that will fix everything! (sarcasm) When is DW gonna do something? He is a nice guy and has kept this team afloat but the “new attitude” momentum has officially worn off and the team is right back to square one. They need a push and quite honestly I am sick of this crap. I want them to take a proactive approach and actually make moves. I am sure Waddell is working the phones and what have you but when do they DO something. I am just another fan venting but at the same time, why keep doing the same thing if it keeps not working? It’s not like these games are close, (4-0, 7-3). Whatever, another ATL team that just isn’t good enough (Braves, Hawks, Falcons, hell even the Force). Craig, any updates on Popovic?

By Brendan

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

GSU-Lee, you posted earlier about Anaheim trading Andy McDonald. You were on to something. If the Ducks were willing to move him, why wasn’t he sent here? Doug Weight isn’t exactly a “youth movement” acquisition for Anaheim. But I suspect the answer was that Anaheim couldn’t afford one of our aging veterans. Kozlov? “No trade clause,” plus two (2) more years left on that deal, at $3.75 million. Holik? No way, even with a prorated salary in his “contract year.” Zhitnik? $3.5 million with a year left. Havelid? Well, Nic was once a Duck. I don’t know if bridges were burned or what, but $2.7 million is what he gets paid, with a year left. Umm, Brendan. Yeah, I know. The last thing Anaheim was looking for was DEFENSEMEN, even though they once drafted Mark Popovic. They kept all theirs while adding Niedermayer. Which was the whole point of the trade.

Okay, so … Brian Burke didn’t want Slater, wasn’t interested in Perrin or Haydar, and couldn’t afford Hossa. Waddell didn’t want to part with prospects like Little or Sterling. Burke wasn’t interested in Dupuis, Larsen, or Krog, either.

So, that left Todd White. Well, the deal with taking on White’s contract is that it has three (3) more years left on it. I think Burke was looking for a more “temporary” fix. So, no deal happened with the Thrashers.

Honestly, do you blame Brian Burke for “passing” on, essentially, Holik and White? I think Waddell did the best he could. If he gave up Little or Sterling, I think there’d be some fairly “upset” folks. Those two are promising young players who don’t cost anything yet.

I bet Waddell is looking around for a trade that makes sense. But the “fish aren’t biting.”

By GaVaHokie

December 17, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Here’s a good place for [Waddell to start] (http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/min071216.html) if he wants to improve the team and bring in a veteran center.

By R. Stroz

December 17, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Craig - Any preview on the “big changes”?