Thrashers

By silverpork

January 18, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

The Thrash have a solid history of coming out flat against struggling teams. It will be interesting to see if they can hit the ice tonight with a killer instinct and keep the Sabres down. If last night’s post-game comments from the team are any indication, they seem a little more focused than they have been previously, but as you’ve pointed out before, this team’s only true consistency has been their inconsistency. Which team will we get tonight?

By pond scum

January 18, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Considering Moose’s record vs. the Sabres, I’m glad he gets the nod for tonight and let Kari rest some.

Is Toby ok for tonight? He got it pretty badly twice last nite. Glad X came in there,but Boulton and Thorburn should be ashamed of themselves for letting Toby get ran like that.Neither hit was clean.

I’m not down about last nites shootout loss,the Habs just got a few more lucky bounces.

I just hope our boys come out with energy and ready to get back to adding on to the points lead for the division.

LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Craig Custance

January 18, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

silverpork: This does have all the classic signs of a letdown game, doesn’t it?

pond: The team didn’t practice this morning, so I won’t have any word on Enstrom until later. I’m assuming he’s fine, but he did take some shots last night.

By Sara

January 18, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Been waiting for that article to come out…thanks for the link Craig. I love the quotes - especially Commodore’s! It is impressive he didn’t call out the AJC directly - while you and Carroll do a fantastic job of coverage, that coverage doesn’t tend to be prominently placed often. The local TV stations deserve the biggest knocks however. Perfect medium because of video yet nuttin’. Damn shame.

By Hip Czech

January 18, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

C’mon Craig…I have to get my daily fix of contract talks. Can’t we talk contracts? Anybody’s? How about yours?

Are you hitting the FA market this summer? If so, can we get a couple college journalism majors in the deal rather than just let you walk?

By Craig Custance

January 18, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Sara — No doubt. That’s just the reality of our market.This is also the time of year where hockey will get better play in the AJC, so that’s good too.

Hip Czech — I think I could fetch some college prospects and maybe a couple used laptops, but you need to talk to my agent. If you want to talk contracts, do you guys think it’s time that Don gives Kari Lehtonen’s agent a call considering the RFA craziness of last summer?

By GaVaHokie

January 18, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

Craig… yeah, Regier is the “pride” of the NHL (sarcasm). I love how everyone raves about him when putting down Waddell.

By GaVaHokie

January 18, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Craig… regarding Kari’s contract… absolutely. I don’t want to see us in Buffalo Sabres hell when Hossa AND Lehtonen go on a tear the rest of the season going into FA.

One of the hardest things to do is extend a player when he’s playing poorly, but it’s the best time to do it if you truly think they’ll come out of it.

By Andy S

January 18, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie: Buy low, sell high? On that logic, now would be the ideal time to trade Hossa. That’s way more difficult to me than signing Kari to an extension.

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Indeed Craig, Bucky does a good job up there for the Buffalo News…he’s been around awhile. Campbell is as good as gone from Buffalo. Although I think he will be a bit disappointed with his FA offers if he thinks he can snag $7 M + per year in the open market. But then again, Kevin Lowe is still a GM!!

By JayBird

January 18, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

That is a great article and happy Ilya is getting some love in the national media. I really loved Holik’s quote about Ilya’s lack of promotion from the NHL. Only seeing Cindy Crosby highlights on Sportscenter really chaps my butt. Cindy is a great player but the NHL is full of great players, none playing better than Ilya. Hopefully ESPN will pick up hockey again next season and the exposure that comes with it.

By Hip Czech

January 18, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Alright, we can talk contracts!

Yes, offer Lehtonen a 2 or 3 year deal at a total of 6-6.5 million. Is it too early to start thinking about extending Kovalchuk in light of the Ovechkin deal?

I don’t think it’s the end of the world even if Hossa walks at the end of the year…IF the ownership group will spend the dough.

Remove Hossa, Holik, and Rucchin (finally!)from the equation and the Thrashers SHOULD be a SERIOUS player in the FA market.

The question is would we get a better return on players from a Hossa trade, or bank on signing FAs (and possibly using money to extend Kovalchuk)? Could enough dollars persuade top FAs to want to come here?

By kracker

January 18, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

I’m not too down about the SO loss last night. We played a pretty good game and we got the point. Losing sucks but if we had, say, 3 less in the L column and 3 more in the OL, life would be a little easier.

BTW, until and if we get several points clear of the Canes, I am treating our record as being tied today for 7th place in the East rather than being atop the SE Division.

By fes

January 18, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Regarding ESPN coverage, or lack thereof, I thought Versus extended their contract through 2011 by picking up this season’s coverage. As far as the birds are concerned, here’s to hoping they don’t play down to the Buffalosers level. We need to continue to play all-out leading up to the AS game.

By Hip Czech

January 18, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

I thought Popovic played his strongest game of the year last night. I still like the X-McCarthy pairing better, but Popovic began to show some flashes last night. Let’s hope the defense continues to show signs of improvement.

We definitely need to put some distance between us and Carolina while they are down. I think the real pressure is going to come from the Caps. They are starting to put it together, even with losing Nylander.

By ranallo10

January 18, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Hip Czech — First, I still love your name…clever stuff. Second, I believe the CBA states that a player cannot re-negotiate a contract until they are in the final year of their contract. If that’s accurate, Kovalchuk wouldn’t be able to be re-signed until the 09/10 season.

Custance — Did you say Hossa??

Stroz — If Marian were traded for Marcel and picks, I would imagine it would lead to a re-signing of Marian in the offseason. I have to say, I wouldn’t mind if it worked out that way…I was one of the many lobbying for Marcel to play in Atlanta, and even think he’d fit on this team. Please, don’t toy with my emotions like that!!

By Tim

January 18, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Hip Czech, I think Lehtonen contract will be less then that. Probably around 2 to 2.5 mil a year. It’s not like he have a breakthrough year, well not yet. The potential is still there and chance are he just going to renew the same contract so that we have a better view of his potential. Also the groins injury he had at the beginning is not helping his cause. So a two year deal seem fair for both party. Unless of course if he end up playing like Luongo and have stats to show.

By Sara

January 18, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Tim you’re thinking what I am thinking. While Kari is in a somewhat better negotiating stance this time becuase he mostly stayed healthy, he still hasn’t put up stellar numbers consistenly to drive a big dollar contract. Here’s the dilemma though…how much longer is Kari going to be RFA? I’m thinking that this could be the last RFA contract for him. Which means for us longer could be better, while he (or rather his agent) will likely stress shorter because he won’t be able to get big bucks yet on this contract. If he comes into his own in the next couple seasons, his value will jump significantly, which could pose problems if we have big money tied up in Kovy and Hossa (or his replacement). If he continues inconsistent play however, in 3 years Pavs should easily be ready to take over the reigns and we could cut Kari loose and find another back-up. Still dicey though.

By Craig Custance

January 18, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

fes - My understanding is that contract isn’t an exclusive one, meaning ESPN could, say, put games on the deuce one night a week and Versus could still have their coverage.

By Craig Custance

January 18, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Also, if you haven’t seen Rick Nash’s goal from last night, go on YouTube and check it out. Unbelievable.

By Hip Czech

January 18, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Tim, I agree, but Lehtonen is already making 2.2 million a year. So I figured he stays somewhere around there, maybe 2.5-2.75 a year for 2 years, maybe 3 if we’re feeling adventurous.

He hasn’t earned a raise (unless he goes on a mind boggling tear that leads into the second or third round of the playoffs). I would hope he would sign for the same money or maybe slightly higher. Re-sign Hedberg for one more year if we feel Pavalec is not ready for the backup next year.

Thanks for that correction Ranallo10…wow, can you imagine what kind of numbers Kovalchuk is going to be looking at come 09-10? Someone ought to give Waddell his due for signing him to that 5 year deal at a ‘reasonable’ price.

By Brian

January 18, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Hip Czech - The Cleveland Plain Dealer has some up-n-comers covering their IHL team. We can easily trade Custance to them. He is upset anyway that Georgia is not a hockey state like Michigan. I don’t think we can throw in Carroll Rogers as sweetener though. If he doesn’t hire Rich Winter as his agent, maybe we can convince him to give the ASG, I mean AJC, a hometown discount…

By Hip Czech

January 18, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Here’s a page with the Nash goal:

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=DayPartsPage&tab=1

It is worth several looks…just plain sick.

By Tony C.

January 18, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I think it’d be cool to have Hossa #18 and Hossa #81 on the same squad…Dude, thank goodness somebody other than Barry up there in Bristol (headquarters of TheWorldWideLeader), has something nice to say about #17…honestly, if the guy was doing the work he’s doing this year for oh say NYR don’t you bet they’d already have a feature on #17 & family…I mean it’s got all their favorite features -Loss of important relative?-Check …Stranger perservering against apathy (ATL media NONcoverage)-Check…ugh. Oh well it’ll just make it that much sweeter when I’m telling my grandkids about #17 …speaking of which-I saw this video oadvertised on NHLTV last night about great players from this generation…and who they remind flks of from the previous generation…A-O compared to Bure…I think #17 has a better first 3 steps than either of those guys-course I’m biased.

I’d love to see us chase Miller tonight.

GO BLUE !!!

By Brian

January 18, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Sara - I totally agree on Lehtonen. I think we totally low ball him, then maybe come up a little bit. If he gets some blockbuster deal from another team, then we take the draft picks and call up Pavs (who I think could come up next year, not in 3 years after seeing his performance earlier this season). And what team is going to offer him and his groin a blockbuster?

By LAC

January 18, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Look for a strong game by us tonight, just has the same feeling as tuesday night.

Hope Toby is OK he looked dazed twice on those questionable Ryder hits…

Craig, what are chances Slater is traded ? With Stuart playing well ?

Lastly BRIAN… I saw where I was refered to as two other people… Just WHAT is your issue, you have to be the most hateful person on the blog… Talk hockey not people on the blog… OK ?

By Brian

January 18, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Why are people calling out my name? Why are they so hateful? Why don’t they talk hockey instead of talking about me???

By Craig Custance

January 18, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

LAC — Toby is fine. He’s turning out to be a pretty resilient player, because he took some good licks.

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Since our blog topic is contracts not involving Hossa, Eric Perrin might deserve some “contract love” in this offseason. He’s proven himself to be a very defensively responsible center, along with providing some “spark.” Check out the Plus-Minus of the Thrashers. Eric Perrin is “even”. This Thrashers club is a team that sees Holik, -13, Hossa, -10, Kovy, -7, Todd White, -7, Kozlov, -6, it’s not too bad to be “even” on this club.

Colin Stuart is our plus-minus leader, at +6.

Perrin has another year left on his deal. But he’s eligible to be re-signed on July 1st, which is one year in advance of his contract’s expiration. I’m sure Eric would really appreciate a contract that keeps him in town through 2010. He’s not expensive and won’t cost a lot to re-sign, either. He’s “capable depth” at the center position.

Also, I advocate locking up Hedberg ASAP for another year, at $1.25 million. He’ll probably get a much better offer and leave, though. Lehtonen, I’d say, should get a $2.25 million “cap hit” contract that is two years in length. By then, we’ll know Kari’s relevance to this team. It could very well be that Pavelec is the unquestioned “starter,” and Kari is expendable. But, in the event that Lehtonen does bloom into the “pedigree” we all expected from a 2nd overall pick, we’ll still have negotiating rights in the Summer of 2009, with his contract up in 2010. That is, if we ink him to that 2-year deal this Summer. Which I think we should, amidst Midfield’s duly noted objection.

I agree with Brian that if some other GM “swoops in” with that dredded RFA offer sheet, let’s take the picks. Seriously. We have Moose, if we re-sign him NOW, and we have Pavelec ready to come up next season. No good?

By Craig Custance

January 18, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

Brendan: Do you think it’d be worth the risk of going with Pavelec and Kari if you could take Hedberg’s money and spend it on D?

By Bob

January 18, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

Lehtonen is in the midst of one of his patented 4 or 5 game stinks where he plays lights out. Then comes out in the next game and makes some bonehead play and goes on a 10 game adventure. Plus he got hurt again this year.

He gets a 2 year deal at a reasonable price, $2.5m and if he can prove he can stay healthy and focused for a couple seasons, then payday, here he comes.

Good to hear about Enstrom, I was worried about him. He’s starting to get knocked around too much.

We need 2 pts in Buffablow tonight.

Custance/Hossa for John Niyo/Filppula and a 1st (hey, Custance is a heck of a NHL beat guy, fellas, they owe us the 1st as well)

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

Well Craig, Hedberg’s contract isn’t “very much” money. I think Hedberg only makes $1.15 and his cap hit is $1.0 million. Prorated, at this point, is “peanuts.” I don’t even know of a defenseman who’d only cost $1.0 million, prorated, that we could get.

If you’ve got any ideas of who such a defender might be, I’m all EARS, like Mickey Mouse.

Now, if you meant “risking it” with Kari and Pavelec next season to use FREE AGENT money to secure a blueliner, then my answer is “yes.” If there’s a Tier One defenseman willing to sign on with Atlanta this Summer, let’s get him. Defensemen have been the achilles heel of this franchise since Day One. Okay, we could say that about goaltending, too. Though I do think Kari and Moose have been a decent tandem these past two seasons. And Pasi Nurminen certainly lived up to his end of being a 6th round draft pick, while he was here. Bygones.

Craig, Atlanta must snare a serious defenseman before next season starts. If we can get “that guy” now, great. If not, then we’ll have to look at free agency. I like Rozsival and Boyle, if EITHER becomes available this Summer. For “secondary blueliners” potentially available on the FREE AGENT MARKET, I like Florida’s Steve Montador ($800,000), Montreal’s Mark Streit ($600,000), and Paul Mara, of the NY Blueshirts. Any of the three of them could be obtained by Atlanta this Summer, if available. For the money of Roszival or Boyle, we could get all three. But that’s still not addressing a glaring need for a Tier One blueliner. And truthfully, I keep hearing about all this “depth” in Chicago, in the form of Grant Lewis, Kwiatowski, and Valabik. I’ve liked what I’ve seen of Popovic, who is a restricted free agent this Summer. I’d keep Popovic. I’d let McCarthy go, if I could get Streit, Montador or Mara.

All options change if Atlanta “tanks” and is forced into selling assets at the deadline. In which case, Zhitnik ($3.5 million) and Havelid ($2.7 million) could be moved to free up a lot of salary for offseason moves along the Thrashers blueline. But, it seems like Waddell is going to keep Hossa and be a BUYER not a SELLER at the deadline, to try to salvage his job, and bring home a 2nd straight SE Division title.

I can’t say that it’s out of the realm of possibility. Don Waddell can give Houdini a run for the money as the world’s greatest ESCAPE artist.

By Ron

January 18, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Center Ice has the Buffalo announce team doing the game. These guys are awful. I can’t believe I have to listen to them again.

By BuzzEng

January 18, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

Off to another great start, 0-3 less than 10 minutes into the game. Ugh. The Thrashers didn’t even have a SOG until they were down by three. Shoot the puck!

By John

January 18, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

4 goal in 9 shots when is this team going to learn that hedberg is not a second starting goaltender he could not cut it with the pens or the stars the guy is a average back up. Just because he is a nice guy and everyone likes him is no reason to over inflate his worth to the team. And wher was that morno going on the penalty that Holik got. The problems with the defense are only talked about when Moose is in net and no one ever blames him. Kari is everyones whiping boy all the time. The thrashers need better defense and a bettter back up goal tender.

By erock

January 18, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

IS HOCKEY IN ATLANTA CURSED OR WHAT…SIDNEY CROSBY OUT 4 WEEKS WITH HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN…JUST IN TIME FOR ALLSTAR GAME IN ATLANTA!!!!!

By LAC

January 18, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

I agree the Buffalo announcers are TERRIBLE always whining an crying.

Well back OUT of third place, that did not last long.

Carolina 7-2 over Edmonton and we get pasted, this team just makes no sense how they play from game to game.

The Detroit game was excellent and now we face a team we handled a few weeks back, and are on a ten game winless streak and WHAM !!!!!!!

A full BLOWN stinker !

When will waddell and these owners realize in order to make the playoffs, not winning the cup just the playoffs, we need a group of about three new defensemen.

We need a wing & center who can score Gee let’s do something before we go through this again !

By Alan

January 18, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

John - I’m always talking about the bad defense. Maybe not on this blog as often, but I do mention it here.

Atlanta’s defense is bad. Bad bad. We need to buy out contracts and get rid of people. Bring up guys from Chicago. I get the feeling a stuffed animal could block a shot better than Zhitnik can.

Like I said in a previous comment, on a previous blog: A good defense could make a mediocre goalie look good, and a bad defense can make a good goalie look awful.

Then again, those words were written after Lehtonen lost a game. Take that as you will.

By Jeff

January 18, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

I can only agree Alan this is the worst Defense in the NHL but it is easier to blame Kari than to say this organazation has some major problems. Added to the lack of a good defensman you add only one center that can play defense and his legs are shot(sorry Bobby)only bad things can happen. This is a train wreck.

By Alan

January 18, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

Columbus has just placed Defenseman Duvie Westcott on Waivers.

Gee, I just so happen to know a team who could use a bit of defense. But the reputation for getting injured, as the article mentions, concerns me. Still, anyone has to be better than Zhitnik.

By stendec

January 18, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

Look on the bright side! Uh huh. At least the Thrashers limited the Bills, uh, Sabres, to a field goal, touchdown and extra point. Did team from Georgia arrive in New York AFTER the game? Sure as Hell seems like it. Goalies - NONE. Defense - HA! Offense - Thank God for shorthanded tally! Effort - NONE. Quit - Only category in which Thrashers excelled. No excuses accepted from so-called professionals now out of playoff berth. S++T! S++T! S++T! That word (repeated for emphasis) pretty much sums up this unacceptable debacle. What was team? Minus nine (-9)? Man, that team goal difference REALLY looks wonderful now. Way to go KL, Moose and defenseless ones! Good night Thrasher faithful. GO RED & BLACK!

By robo

January 18, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to hear about how tired the Thrashers are= THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS and to give up 10 goals-the goalees dont have to skate all over the place and Hedberg should have been rested. For cying out loud Thrashers cant you put together some kind of winning streak-you would think after scoring 5 goals against the best team in hockey at their place and then back to what seems to be the norm for this team this year. i am so mad i have nothing else to say. well I will say Thrashers you stink.

By B. Thenet

January 18, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Putting Klee and Zhitnik on the same line is like playing with fire, and I hope that is the last time we see those two knuckleheads on the ice at the same time.

I like the 2-22 and 7-77 D lineups much better, not sure if DW has used them since Popovic came back from injury.

The inconsistency from the Hartley era still continues, and nobody in the organization seems to have a finger on the problem.

By Russian

January 18, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

I knew it that we are going to lose, but 10 goals. Oh my God. Hossa is goign to leave team tomorrow. he does not want ot stay here any minutes.

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

Folks, Don Waddell was right. It’s one game. Let’s put it behind us. And move on.

That’s the right approach. Completely. There’s a game Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM, and all the kids will be there. The Thrashers had better put on a decent performance for those kids so that they’ll pester their parents to take them to more games.

Alan, I remember that earlier post of yours. I posted that if Kari played for the Red Wings or Ducks, people would think he’s one of the best goalies in the league. That’s what a good defense can do for a netminder. Take Khabibulin from a good team, then stick him on a “rebuilding” Blackhawk team, and suddenly the guys seemed far from “invincible.” Marty Brodeur couldn’t have helped the Thrashers between 1999-2003.

Just to avoid any confusion, if there were any, I’d still re-sign Hedberg and Lehtonen this offseason, just to hedge my bets, even if it meant one of my goalies were up in the pressbox, game-after-game. I could always trade one of them at the deadline or at any time during the season. I could even “waive” one of them, if it came to that.

To make matter worse tonight, Florida and Carolina both won. And guess who’s manning the “On the Fly” desk? Who ELSE? “Thrasher-lover” Dave Reid, who’s never watched 20 minutes of Atlanta Thrashers hockey. He’ll no doubt rip into the Thrashers.

Okayyy. There’s more. This game is being replayed on Fox Sports Fox as we speak.

By LAC

January 18, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this

Alan you are 100% correct.

Our defense had been and STILL IS no better than the expansion days.

It is freakin AWFUL and our “great” GM does nothing as usual, NOTHING.

I would rather see Boris, Grant Lewis and Chad Denny here than Zit/Klee/Havilid, those three are plain washed up. Maybe a good game here and there but their play is so inconsistant it is nuts !

Then this Hossa thing is getting out of hand, the Buffalo announcers were saying how easy it will to sign Hossa away from Atlanta and after tonight I ask TWO questions…

Hossa wants to play for a winner, we are not a winner… Are We ?

The owners say “they” want progress is a 10-1 defeat progress ?

So why no changes ?

Just he result of an STUPID GM !

By Alan

January 18, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

I posted that if Kari played for the Red Wings or Ducks, people would think he’s one of the best goalies in the league.

I remember that one, too. The kid is still young, too, and coming into his own. He needs a major confidence boost, especially after the fiasco that transpired tonight. And the best way to do it is to surround him with solid D lines who can clear the puck and block shots effectively.

We can worry about a center and a winger during the offseason. Right now, we need defense if we expect a return trip to the playoffs.

By R. Stroz

January 19, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this

If anyone ever remakes The Ten Commandments, Klee and Zhitnik should assist with the special effects in the parting of the Red Sea, since they are so good at letting everyone go between them.

By Robbie Burke

January 19, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

I wonder if I can still get seats for the Edmonton game Sunday…

By Craig Custance

January 19, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

Good morning. Did that really happen last night? Wow. At least my flight wasn’t canceled and I”m not stuck in a snowstorm in Buffalo. Oh wait. This trip just keeps getting better.

How were Tobias Enstrom and Niclas Havelid each a plus-1 in a 10-1 loss? I didn’t think that was mathematically possible. So do you guys starting shuffling things up or blow it off as one bad loss and move on?

By Sage of Bluesland

January 19, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

…Keep up the excuses for bumbling Donny, folks!!! What year of his “Five-Year Plan” are we in now, hmmm?

How sad and pitiful! What goes around comes around—and some truly get what they deserve.

Wake up. I said this many years ago—but where are the ‘huggers now?

Wake up and stop subsidizing this incompetence.

By Sabres Fan

January 19, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

LETS GO SABRES We’ll see you b a s t a r d s February 1st!!!

By John

January 19, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

This weeks schedule was taxing and basically playing almost every other day was not too friendly. Everyone relax, The Thrash will be in the playoffs. The ESPN Mag writer is a joker and should write about tennis or Chess.

By John

January 19, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

This weeks schedule was taxing and basically playing almost every other day was not too friendly. Everyone relax, The Thrash will be in the playoffs. The ESPN Mag writer is a joker and should write about tennis or Chess.

By john

January 19, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

how come no matter how bad he plays no one ever calls Hedberg out. He had the nerve to sit there after the start he gave them and say we this and we that when it was mostly his fault. The rest of the team started slow but that has happened before and the thrashers still been able to pull out a win. But when the goalie is leting them go by like that the team is goning to fall apart. I don’t think all of the blame lies with Hedberg but he never has anyone in the media take him to task. If you heard Darren last night he smoothed over everything Hedberg did and win Kari hit the ice complained again about his form. Hedberg was not ready to play and a better back up that can help develop the starting goaltender should be found ibstead of this crap about two starting goaltenders.

By LF

January 19, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Folks, no excuses. We didn’t play up to expectations against the canadiens and we didn’t show up last night.

This team has developed the personality of a team that is up for the big games and not show up for games they are very capable of winning. There is no team here, there are individuals playing not as a team.

Against Detroit we guys in front of the net, against Montreal no one was in their lane nor in front of the net.

Last night, no one got close enough to the net to be in front of it. How do you make these guys play as a team for 60 minutes at a time.

As a five year season ticket holder, I am disgusted!!!

By Alan

January 19, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Craig - While I think this was “just one game,” it should be glaringly obvious by now that the defense should be shaken up in a major sort of way.

By Brendan

January 19, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

EVERY TEAM in the NHL suffers a loss like this. In 2006, the “eventual” Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, lost a game 9-0, AT HOME vs. the Atlanta Thrashers.

That said, this team has issues. The above is an “insufficient defense” of where we are, and ought to be, in YEAR EIGHT. Some of this is squarely the fault of the GM. But ownership deserves a fair amount of blame, as well. They do not have a handle on the situation in the National Hockey League.

I don’t think they see the “big picture.” I think they see … “annual budget plans.” Well, if all you can see is the nose in front of your face, you’re bound to run into a pole or something. It’s a very “short-sighted” approach.

If Hossa walks this Summer, it really hurts the team’s ability to land a TIER ONE Center or a TIER ONE Defenseman.

Stop. Stop right there. If YOU were a pending unrestricted free agent CENTER, FREE TO SIGN ANYWHERE willing to have you, in the PRIME OF YOUR CAREER, … what would make you pick Atlanta as your next team?

Well. What would it be? Is it because you think the Thrashers are closer to a Cup than say, Detroit or Ottawa? Or NJ, Philly, the Rangers or Anaheim? Would it be because … you really want to play with the “youthful” Mark Recchi and Slava Kozlov?

The only appeal of coming to Atlanta is to center Ilya Kovalchuk’s line. That’s it. And if he’s gone in 2010, then even that’s gone, as a “lure.”

If you’re a TOP PAIRING blueliner, like a Redden, Boyle, Rozsival or Cambpell, what makes you think Atlanta is the place to elevate your game and win a Cup?

I like Toby Enstrom. But he’s not going to entice a major star to come here to play beside him. And there it is, without any sugar coating.

By Craig Custance

January 19, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

Alan — I don’t know if this is major, but the Thrashers have called up Joel Kwiatkowski from Chicago and he’ll be in the lineup on Sunday. No word on whose spot he’s taking. Mac to the IR.

By Alan

January 19, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Craig - I think it’s a start to repairing our horrible defense. He’s got good size. I’ve seen criticism that he’s not a good offensive defenseman, but at this point, I think we need someone who can push folks out of the crease and block shots more. Maybe Joel can show Zhitnik and Company how it’s done.

By ranallo10

January 19, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

It’ll be a travesty if Kwiatkowski replaces Popovic (the most likely candidate). I don’t feel as if Waddell/McCrimmon would sit Klee or Zhitnik, so Popovic is the next person in line.

I hope Kwiatkowski is able to bring the successes of his AHL campaign with him.

By Thrashers27

January 19, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Kwiatkowski?!? I would still like to see Boris get a shot. However, I just read that “Kiwi” had a hat trick last month. Hell, if he can do that on a regular basis he can take any spot he wants.

By Alan

January 19, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

Give Zhitnik a seat in the press box. It might wake him up to see how a real defenseman plays.

I can’t see Waddell doing that, though Zhitnik deserves it for his aimless skating and disappointing season overall.

By Tony C.

January 20, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this

Alan yer funny

By Alan

January 20, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I try. :)

By Craig Custance

January 20, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

Alan: You got your wish.

By B. Thenet

January 20, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Other than Ilya and Enstrom, there isn’t that much to hang your hat on as a Thrashers fan.

Another sad effort from a team that doesn’t really seem to care.

The Thrashers could use 3 NHL quality defensmen and a 2 NHL quality centers, I don’t think Hossa is going to bring that kind of return.

By erock

January 20, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

LETS START OVER WITH ANOTHER 5 YEAR PLAN…WE MAY HAVE NOT WON THEN EITHER BUT THE PLAYERS WE HAD GAVE IT THEIR ALL EVERY NIGHT AND WE EVEN HAD A COUPLE OF PLAYERS PLAYING WITH PASSION…FIGHTING..MADE IT ALOT MORE ENTERTAINING…..BRING BACK HORDICHUK!!!

By Thrasher Ryan

January 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

I hope Waddell still has that Pavelec kid’s phone number…

By Alan

January 20, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

Craig - I was floored when I noticed that at the game. And Kiwi got himself an assist and broke even on the +/-, too.

I agree with erock, when he says that players back then gave it their all every night. The guys out there today looked slow and bored. It was mildly frustrating to watch. The guy I was with at the game doesn’t know a lot about hockey, but even he could see the Thrashers weren’t giving 100%.

By Craig Custance

January 20, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

Leftovers from the game: Zhitnik said that was his first-ever healthy scratch. And he was ticked off about it too… Slates will stay in Chicago until after the All-Star break… Kevin Doell will be sent back to Chicago tonight or in the morning unless somebody is injured… Kwiatkowski was thankful for the opportunity, especially the power play time. I thought he looked pretty good out there. You?

By Alan

January 20, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

Kiwi looked great. He was one of the few Atlanta players who played with any sort of intensity. Kovalchuk had a few good chances robbed from him, and Enstrom was pretty good, too. Overall, the defense looked a little better today, but there’s still problems guarding the goal.

By Bob

January 20, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Kiwi looked good and was an upgrade over S**. S** needs to be waived. Period.

This team is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

So, uh, Hoss should be signing a 5 year extension any day now, eh?

By bob(other)

January 20, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

The player most underperforming to their big $7M salary is Marian Hossa. Bench Him! Send a message that dogging it will not be tolerated and if he doesn’t like it trade him to LA, as they have no chance for the playoffs. Then the prima donna can really get his just reward. He HAS been in the playoffs every year of his career execpt one and what is his big contribution to a CUP win? Nothing, that’s what. Get Ron Blake for Hossa…NOW. We can deal with the contracts over the summer with the $7M we’ll have frred up.

By bob(other)

January 20, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

The player most underperforming to their big $7M salary is Marian Hossa. Bench Him! Send a message that dogging it will not be tolerated and if he doesn’t like it trade him to LA, as they have no chance for the playoffs. Then the prima donna can really get his just reward. He HAS been in the playoffs every year of his career execpt one and what is his big contribution to a CUP win? Nothing, that’s what. Get Rob Blake for Hossa…NOW. We can deal with the contracts over the summer with the $7M we’ll have frred up.

By bob(other)

January 20, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

The player most underperforming to their big $7M salary is Marian Hossa. Bench Him! Send a message that dogging it will not be tolerated and if he doesn’t like it trade him to LA, as they have no chance for the playoffs. Then the prima donna can really get his just reward. He HAS been in the playoffs every year of his career execpt one and what is his big contribution to a CUP win? Nothing, that’s what. Get Rob Blake for Hossa…NOW. We can deal with the contracts over the summer with the $7M we’ll have frred up.

By erock

January 20, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

PLAY BRAD LARSEN AND SEND KEVIN DOELL TO CHICAGO….TERRIBLE SWAP…BRAD LARSEN SHOULD BE WAIVED ALONG WITH ZHIT HEAD !!!

By Russ

January 20, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

Unfortuanately, I half expected this. The Thrashers have made their impressive win over Detroit almost meaningless with the way they have performed since.

By Brendan

January 20, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Russ, how desperate will Waddell get? Remember, he’s gone public with the statement, “We’ll be BUYERS at the trade deadline.” Well, the “bargaining chips” for buyers are draft picks and prospects.

How badly should we want to make the playoffs? I mean, enough to trade Pavelec? Enough to trade Valabik? Enough to cough up a 1st round pick, in a DEEP, talent-laden draft this Summer?, when we don’t own a 2nd round pick (belongs to St. Louis). Does Waddell need the playoffs this season so badly that he’d sacrifice Bryan Little? Or Brett Sterling?

What about guys in Chicago like Nathan Oystrick, Joel Kwiatowski, Grant Lewis, Kevin Doell, or Colin Stuart? What about Haydar and Krog?

How happy would you be to see any of these players moved just for Atlanta to make the playoffs … in a year where Vegas won’t even lay odds for a Thrashers Cup win?

Don Waddell recently said, though he was talking about Hossa’s contract situation, “We have to lookout for the long range needs of our club.” Well, you all remember what was moved LAST YEAR at the trade deadline:

Out 1st round and 3rd round picks in 2007, our 2nd round pick in 2008, a “conditional” 1st round pick in 2008, which Atlanta then reacquired in a trade that cost us “future considerations (draft pick).” We also lost Vitaly Vishnevski, Glen Metropolit, Braydon Coburn, and Alex Bourret, with the latter two being former 1st round picks of Atlanta’s. Vishnevski, you’ll recall, was acquired from Anaheim in the offseason in 2006 for Atlanta’s 2nd round pick in 2007. the “net result” was that Atlanta didn’t get a draft pick until #67 last year.

So, if you thought four (4) draft picks and four (4) players was a “steep price” to pay for a playoff berth, wait ‘til you see THIS YEAR’s moves! Why? Because those who LOVE TO CITE “the incremental progress” of our club will readily admit that the team has to win AT LEAST one playoff game to be able to say that the franchise is still moving FORRRRWARD. And more realistically, Don Waddell needs to advance this club into the 2nd round of the playoffs to retain the Blueland “faithful.” A berth in the 2nd round of the playoffs means those wavering about renewing their season tickets will be back next year, in the same seat, or upgraded.

So … what’s it WORTH to you? Are you willing to part with Bryan Little to get Mats Sundin in here? Or Boris Valabik and (RFA) Mark Popovic for Adam Foote (pending UFA, $4.6M)? Are you willing to move Pavelec to Columbus for Sergei Federov ($6.05M)?

Relax!! None of these deals have ACTUALLY hapenned. But stay tuned. Desperate GM’s do desperate things. Guys like Sundin, Foote, Federov aren’t just on the back nine, they’re putting on the 17th green, eyeballin’ the cocktails at the Clubhouse bar.

Who would have ever thought “mortgaging the future” for back-to-back division titles, or playoff berths, could ever be the reality facing an 8th year expansion team? This franchise has enjoyed two 1st overall picks, two 2nd overall picks, two 8th overall picks, one 10th overall and one 12th overall pick. And yet, we’re the second-oldest team in the NHL. Surely, there must be an explanation for this?

By Alan

January 21, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this

It depends on how hard you’re looking for an explaination, Brendan. It’s simple, really. We traded away young players for old players. While Recchi was a good move (so far), we’re still stuck with Holik, Zhitnik, McCarthy, Klee, and a host of others who seem to increase their minus stat with every day they age and every game they play.

If we dump some of these older guys, whether it be via trade or via contract buyout, we’ll have a lot more room to work with in the off-season.

It might be time to stop thinking about selling the farm for another division title, and start thinking about rebuilding with a concentration on a youth movement.

If Don is staying, it might also be time for him to think about giving the coaching position to John Anderson. He’s done an exceptional job with the kids down there, and he should be a candidate for the head coaching position here.

By Sage of Bluesland

January 21, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this

Step number ONE to making the Thrashers better is simple (and I’ve been saying it since 2002): GET RID OF DON WADDELL.

Period.

He has had more than his chance—and he has failed miserably. Miserably.

Stop keeping your head in the sand and waving the wittle Bwuewand fwag and WAKE UP. It is now officially a joke and embarrassment. Just admit it and move on.

All of those HIGH draft picks (thank you Brendan) and what to show for it? A mental glass-groined wunderkind and Kovy. Wow. Now THAT’s “return on investment”, huh Bwuewanders?

WAKE UP!!! Fire brilliant Don Waddell—he of the infamous “Five-Year Plan” and “Building through the Draft!”…(and those were HIS words, not mine)…

By Hotrod

January 21, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

Zhitnik should of been sat down as far back as mid Dec. At a home game we heard several people in our section yelling at Z to play more aggressively. When you are seated high up behind a goal , its easy to see who is playing with heart and who is just gliding around.

By ThrashFan

January 21, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

Waddell is desperate to save his job, he’s going to throw away more of our future to save his neck. Coburn for Zhitnik? How bad will he screw up next? Waddells time is up.

By Michael Shapiro

January 21, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

First, Craig hit it on the head with the bonehead line shift that lead to the Boilers’ second goal. I sat there at center ice, watched Larsen lead the charge to our bench and saw Edmonton gear up against two defenders and Kari. It was a mere minute after Slavamatic had tied the score in what, despite the SOG numbers, was a lackluster effort by the Boys in Blue. I screamed, I cried, I stomped my feet, but alas it was too late. Larsen and company might’ve missed a minus on that play because they’d abandoned the ice in favor of the pine. Bulls**t. It completely took the wind out of our sails and that was all she wrote. The second Blue goal late in the game was nice, but not even close to enough.

As for the future. Do NOT mortgage for this year. It is lost. We might make the playoffs with a modest run after the ASG, but only because the SouthLeast this year is what everyone says it is. That’s not worth throwing away our future. Don’t re-sign the duds. Sorry, but you can add Bolts to that crowd (Holik, Larsen, etc.), try to do something with Zhit (waive his sorry a$$ if you have to), let’s get some youth, some grit, some speed and some heart in here. If it takes trading Hoss (who shows up when he wants and mails it in the rest of the time), I’m okay with that. Build around Kovy and Ondrej if you have to (Kari just doesn’t stay focused).

Off my soapbox.

By Brendan

January 21, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Michael Shapiro, good post. Brad Larsen is under contract until June 30, 2009, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Same deal with Zhitnik, Havelid and Klee. Our UFA’s for this Summer are Moose, McCarthy, (who is still in his 20’s,), Krog, Haydar, Boulton, Recchi, Dupuis, Rucchin, Holik, and Hossa.

Call me crazy, but I’d bring back Recchi, 40-years old, at $1.0 million. The RFA’s this Summer are Lehtonen, Popovic and Sterling. Keep in mind that “reasonable offers” on RFA’s would just be matched by Waddell. To snare the player, the other GM, generally-speaking, has to grossly inflate the value of the contract. The RFA compensation for Lehtonen could be just a 1st and 3rd round pick. But it might be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. But if someone came in with an offer sheet to Popovic or Sterling, it’ll depend on just how much they offer, but our compensation may only be a 3rd round pick, if it isn’t matched. I think the compensation should be MORE. I mean, how likely are we to “replace” Popovic and Sterling with some 3rd rounder?? Even if it is a high 3rd rounder. Now, for the record, I doubt we’ll see ANY RFA offer sheets. Lehtonen hasn’t impressed enough people since he was drafted in 2002. Popovic ought to be re-signed, unless he’s part of the “blockbuster deal” that brings Hossa his coveted TIER ONE CENTER, so he’ll re-sign here. And Sterling … he’s on the radar of GM’s who scour the AHL for talent. But Waddell will match any offer for him, and they know this. Unless, it’s absolutely egregious. And then we get a 1st and 3rd for him. I don’t see that happening.

Again, if it’s Detroit’s picks, as compensation, they’re not worth owning. Now, if it should be the L.A. Kings, I’m ALL EARS like Mickey Mouse!! We’ll take THOSE PICKS.

But I agree, Michael Shapiro, now ISN’T THE TIME to “mortgage the future.” It’d be different IFFFFF we really were close to winning the Cup. But we’re not. So, it doesn’t make any sense.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 21, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Shapiro is right. This season is lost. The best thing to do is to clean house and dump these OVERPAID veterans and call up all the kids and ride the season out with them. They will gain valuable experience, AND what if we actually got into the Playoffs with a bunch of kids! Waddell might come out looking like a genius!

GO FLAMES!!! Stanley Cup, baby!