AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHossa hasn’t ruled out summer return
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Naturally there was a crowd around Marian Hossa here in New Jersey after the morning skate. Watching the crowd, somebody mentioned aloud how well Hossa is handling this situation, and the constant questions in each city and I agree. And today there was a nice little scrum surrounding him. He was asked to respond to the “slim” comment from today’s AJC. And he reiterated that feeling, although this time he made the point of saying, “I never said I can’t return this summer, I like it here.”
Interesting stuff, and this is such a huge decision for the Thrashers. If you talk to five different people around the arena, you get five different opinions on what the Thrashers should do. Everything from, they should trade all their UFAs with trade value for the best prospects and draft picks to keeping Hossa and letting him walk. I’m starting to think the riskiest play is keeping Hossa because if you keep him and this team still doesn’t make the playoffs, wow, that would be rough. I think this will be debated until something is done. And rightly so.
Blues raising tickets too: One of the most interesting items from the notes network that relates to what is going on here comes from St. Louis. Jeremy Rutherford is reporting that the Blues will be raising prices 3.5 percent on average for tickets. Apparently owner Dave Checketts tried to raise prices in 2006, but the backlash was so high, he had a change of heart and ended up lowering ticket prices eight percent.
But he’s trying it again.
“This is something that we’ve thought through carefully … certainly much more carefully than our first round (of increases),” Checketts told Rutherford. “We thought long and hard about this. This takes us a step in the right direction without really hurting people, I think.”
I think the fact that the Blues made a nice splash in free agency last year, adding Keith Tkachuk and Paul Kariya, helps his cause a little more this time around.
Prospal goes off - I’d heard about this from a couple other writers, but I hadn’t heard the follow-up from Torts. On Tuesday against the Canadiens, Vinny Prospal scored two goals and then went off on during a post-game interview on the local TV feed that was also piped onto the scoreboard at the St. Pete Times Forum. In the interview, Prospal calls the game one of his career highlights because he felt like he stuck it up someone’s backside. That someone being Torts, who moved Prospal off the top line with Vinnie Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis. Here’s what Tortella had to say about it afterwards.
“”We’ve had enough distractions,” Torts said to the St. Pete Times. “I pick up the paper (Wednesday), did the Tampa Bay Lightning play? It’s a team sport and I’m pretty happy with how our team played as a team. Team, that’s the operative word.”
Great stuff. I now expect Bob Van Dillon to get players to rip Thrashers coaches during his intermission interviews on the scoreboard at games.
Morning skate report: Everybody was out there except Mark Recchi, who skated yesterday during an optional practice. Like I mentioned yesterday, Johan Hedberg will start in goal and I don’t anticipate any other changes.
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Comments
By jen
February 15, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I think the worst thing we can do is keep Hossa right now. A. He’s too valuable as a trade commodity and B. He is playing not to get injured this year. Who is going to spend 7 mil a year on damaged goods? Unless he signs before the deadline (which is 99% ruled out at this point), we have to make a move imo.
By Dawg
February 15, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I want to start out by saying I am a Hossa fan, but more importantly, a Thrashers fan. It has been hard to defend Hossa this year. It seems that in every game, he is giving up on plays. At this point I would say you have to trade him and get someone in there that will play hard and tough everytime they get out on the ice.
By B. Thenet
February 15, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Ritch Winter told Hossa he went a little over the top about returning to Atlanta and told him to make nice.
Saving Lehtonen for the Isles tomorrow? I’d wager Moose has nice career stats vs. NJ for DW to put him in tonight.
By GaVaHokie
February 15, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
To me, it’s a win win situation… if he stays, awesome, if he leaves, something of value will take his place in either one or multiple players.
Three years from now, I’d like Kovy to be making $9 million, Kari living up to expectations at $5 million, and a to-be-named shut-down defenseman at $7 million.
By BG33Brown
February 15, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what happened to my attempted 1st post but i will summarize.
THe only way to put a team together that Hossa or anyone else wants to come to is to send him out now and try and say…hey look at us now.
Add a Marleau type center… ditch holik and rucchins total of 6mil.
Offer Hossa 7 or 8 this summer. Lock up Kari for 3 years MAX.
Now we have a quality team when you through in the youth of the wolves.
By ranallo10
February 15, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Hokie — You don’t want a “Fantastic Four” advertisment for this team in 2011, similar to the commercials the Lightning are running right now (Boyle, Lecavalier, Richards, St. Louis)?? Kovalchuk, Hossa, Enstrom, Lehtonen…2011, the oldest being 32 (Hossa). By that point in time Little will have cemented his name as a true top 2 line center for this team (operative word being “this”), Valabik will HOPEFULLY be bashing in skulls at the NHL level, and Holzapfel and/or Lucenius type talents will be getting their first true shot at getting a lineup spot.
Paint me an optimist with regards to this teams potential, but they wont be horrible beyond recognition once Lehtonen is re-signed and Hossa’s money is spent on an acceptable $7M range player (Campbell, Redden, Hossa, etc).
I think it all lies in the laps of the owners, and how much they’re willing to spend on their admitted side project.
Kovalchuk - $9M
Hossa - $7.5M
Enstrom - $3M
Lehtonen - $5M
That’s $24.5M in three integral players (defense, goalie, two scorers). Tampa is currently paying their top 4 (no goalie included) $23.258M.
There are obviously endless possibilities, but I think I’d be fine with what we have considering who’s in the immediate pipeline.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
February 15, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
If you guys think that Hossa is giving up on plays, what about Kozzy? Up until recently I haven’t seen him really sticking his neck out all that often. At least not that consistantly.
By ranallo10
February 15, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Clearly I meant $24.5 M in FOUR integral players.
Buzilla — Kozlov seems hesitant to shoot, that’s what I notice the most. Comparing his shots to last years, he’s well below the mark, and in turn his scoring is below the mark (of the last two seasons). However, his shooting percentage (like most Thrashers this year) is way up…so he’s taking less chances but capitalizing at a greater rate of success. Isn’t that the MO of this entire team this season??
Kozlov’s always shied away from the boards, but he’s been a little more feisty at times this season too (started shoving a Washington defender then threw a forearm at the guy, all behind the play this past game).
By Jarndyce
February 15, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
There are two games this weekend, of which we must win one. We stand a better chance of beating the Ilses, so start Lehtonen against them, and hope we can pot a few against the Devs and Hedberg plays well enough to steal a point or two against them.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
February 15, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
I am so siked to play against Mandy Sutton saturday. Its gonna be fun.
I heard that he has been getting his share of “booooos” from the crowd recently
By ranallo10
February 15, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Buzilla — Having 10 times as many penalty minutes as you do points will draw “boos” from any crowd, unless you’re actually a good fighter (like Boogard). Sutton’s got half as many points (8) as he did last season (16) having played in 3 less games this year. He’s currently a -7 compared to finishing last season +6 WITH THE THRASHERS, and is being paid $3M annually through 09/10. I don’t boo many people, but I think I’d boo him if I was an Islander fan.
Yeah, he’s gotten what he deserved, at least some other team was stupid enough to give him a big paycheck. Thus far he’s been paid $1.5M per game lost to the Thrashers.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
February 15, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
best move Waddell ever made
By ranallo10
February 15, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
I don’t know, letting Vigier sign in Switzerland ranks pretty high up there in my books…
By JayBird
February 15, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
We should all applaud Waddell for not re-signing Andrea Suckin!
By Midfield
February 15, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Ranallo,
Kozlov has always been feisty, when he shows up to play. So, when you see him throw elbows, it’s a good sign. And he’s been improving as of late - I’m just afraid that it’s too little, too late kind of deal.
Also, I don’t think that Lehtonen is worth $5M at this point. He’s still a mixed bag: brilliant one moment, lost and aloof another. He has a few months to go before the judgement is in. Now is his time - I’m sure he heard this already from his agent.
By Hip Czech
February 15, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Best case scenario - trade Hossa (preferrably to Dallas for Hagman and Niskanen) and then re-sign him over the summer.
What am I missing here? Hossa made 7 million this year and our offer to him is for 7 million per year? He is being very gracious to not come out and say ‘take a hike’. The money is outrageous, but to think he would accept a contract for the same salary for the next 5 years is a little unrealistic, isn’t it?
By Craig Custance
February 15, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Thenet: I don’t know what his career numbers are, but Moose was pretty darn good the last time the team was in NJ.
Hip: You make a valid point, but I don’t think the issue is money at all.
ranallo: Wow, I’m still in Newark and you guys have already started talking about Andy Sutton?
By erock
February 15, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
The deal I WOULD we’d make: Marian Hossa and Bobby Holik to San Jose for center Patrick Marleau and defenseman Matt Carle.
By bob(other)
February 15, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
I realize that the function of these blogs are to enable the expression of opinion, nut no one here has any NHL management experience and the facts are, with the exception of LA, every thaem is in the hunt, not just for playoffs, but for a Cup. Most years the President’s trophy winner doesn’t win the cup. Both conferences are tight, top to bottom. In the East, the “annointed” Sens may not even win their division. We are in the hunt and have as good a chance as anyone and have demonstrated our ability to beat anyone (Det, Ott, Pit, Buf, etc).
Under the new NHL, teams can only have 2 or 3 large contracts in order to still fill out a roster. Parity is everywhere and crunch time is coming up. DW knows what he is doing and is fully qualified. As a full STH from day one, I’d suggest those that don’t buy tickets do so, as we would have more revenue to utilize, but who wants to lose 12 to 15 million each year, so it has to be managed and we are in the hunt even with the economic reality of the current state.For those that would argue, spend more and attendance will rise, the facts are that our payroll is higher this year and attendance is down.
As for the Hossa contract, Heatly has $45Million over 6 years. That’s 7.5 a year folks. His stats are better, playoff history better and team attitude and effort better. $7M this year is overpaying for Hoss, but it is fair for the first 2.
It s a business and DW is managing it well.
By erock
February 15, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
I bet HOLIK stays in JERSEY when we head to LON GISLAND !
By Buzilla Baby Blues
February 15, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Craig:
I bet the Devils fans are probably talking about Holik the same way we talk about Sutton. When Holik (and now Gomez) left to go get the big $$, selling there soul, with the Rangers, they hurt a lot of fans (myself included).
Not that Mandy has hurt us Thrasher fans…well, not this year anyway. We just enjoy watching some other team pay him 3 mil to suck..
..if you see him Craig, ask him why he is still sporting that Buster Brown hairdo that his mother must have started for him when he was 5. How is anyone going to think he is some kind of tough guy looking like that?
By Nate
February 15, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Hossa, Holik, and Recchi all need to be traded. This team is still a good bit away from seriously competing in the playoffs. The more pieces we can get via trade the better. Everyone knows our ability to groom talent in the minors is below average at best.
By ranallo10
February 15, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Custance — I’m just putting out the facts, there’s little disputing them!
Who is easy to make fun of in New Jersey anyway? Gionta is small, but one hell of a player, Brodeur is STILL “the man” (though I feel he has some mental lapses more and more often), and that franchise is the model of consistency in the face of tough situations (after all, they do play in New Jersey shudder).
Nobody is easier to pick on in the next two games than Sutton…
By Hockeyfan
February 15, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
Craig Did you see what Dallas is doing with their season tickets?
By ranallo10
February 15, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Nate — Recchi is doing well for the team, costs us next to nothing, and has expressed interest in STAYING in Atlanta next season. I don’t think he should be traded away just because he can be moved.
However, I could be forced to change my mind if some team offers a high first round pick, or a NHL experienced prospect.
Holik could go for a bag of pucks and I wouldn’t feel too much pain. Slater can win those important faceoffs, Little can take White’s time on ice, and White can play as our “defensive” center. Somehow I don’t feel this team would skip a beat.
Buzilla — As a NJ fan from the Scott Stevens years, I know what you mean with that burn. Arnott and Holik definitely hurt, but Holik the most because he sold out on the team (as opposed to being traded ala Arnott). Niedermayer is high on that list as a former Devil selling out to the highest bidder, but he gets a little leeway due to his signing with his brother’s team.
By Craig Custance
February 15, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
ok, Buzilla, that will be the first thing I ask.
By ranallo10
February 15, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Hockeyfan — I heard about the push back in prices during last nights game, that’s a helluva commitment for owners. Was it pushed back to the 2001 prices (I can’t remember)??
By Craig Custance
February 15, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Hockeyfan: No, what?
By ranallo10
February 15, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Custance — Did you get my question regarding the few European prospects? I’m very interested in hearing what Waddell has to say.
By R. Stroz
February 15, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Craig - Try this question out on Andy, “If you make it to the playoffs are you going to paint your hair ORANGE?
By GSU-Lee
February 15, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Craig, I know what you will say to this, but in business it is always about money. Ho$$a has his price, the Thrashers have just not offered it yet.
By Thorburn's Thugs
February 15, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Latest from Eklund:
Hossa to Nashville (e3)
Montreal is definitely doing a deal tonight… but he doesn’t say with whom.
This guy seriously cracks me up.
By Waffleboy
February 15, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
This ought to p** off the season ticket holders in Atlanta. First place Detroit and Dallas lower ticket prices.
By Waffleboy
February 15, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
At this point, I seriously question whether it makes sense to spend $7.5 million on Marian Hossa. Is he gonna lay down like Kozlov has done after getting his nice contract? Hossa can say he wants to win a cup and that is his only priority, but I think this more to do with an unstable ownership situation than anything else. What can DW do to solve that problem for Hoss? Nothing. Until the ownership situation is resolved we will get no tier one free agents. Who would want to come here? This team could leave Atlanta in a few years if Belkin wins the court battle and sells the Thrashers as everyone expects him to do. If another NHL team leaves Atlanta, will we ever see another one? I don’t know about the rest of the fans, but I can’t think of a worse result than that.
By David
February 15, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Anybody know off the top of their head Enstrom’s contract length? I think we need to seriously think about signing him long term, soon.
By Tom
February 15, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Hey, anyone know what is up with Kovy and his knee? Not on the power play during the first period and then not moving like he normally does.
I wonder if Waddell is holding him back because of the back to back games?
By David
February 15, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
I think kovy’s goal should answer that question.
By Brendan
February 15, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
David, Enstrom will be an RFA in 2009. Atlanta is “eligible” to re-sign him on July 1, 2008. Also, on July 1, 2008, the Thrashers are “eligible” to re-sign Center Eric Perrin, who will reach UFA status in 2009. I strongly advocate re-signing both players on or about July 1, 2008. Also, Lehtonen should be re-signed anytime before July 1, 2008. Why not do it now?? Maybe save some money? If Lehtonen guides us to the division title and a 1st round playoff win, it can only cost MORE to get him re-signed.
By David
February 15, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
I was just thinking that people should start to give Todd White some long overdue props. When we acquired him everybody complained that he wasn’t Eric Belanger, and he’s more than replaced him.
White has 11 goals, 22 assists
Belanger has 12 goals, 21 assists
Just thought that was interesting.
By David
February 15, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
HELL OF A GOAL!!!
By David
February 15, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
wow that was the most fun i’ve had watching a game in a long time….10 rounds? good stuff
By stendec
February 15, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Ilya Kovalchuk SHOULD have performed magic! Visitors turned into a pile of blue crap on overtime power play. Stop waiting for perfect play. Moose refused to let team lose! Thrashers needed extra point Helluva lot more than untalented Beezlebubs. Extremely proud of magnificent Moose. Unconscious in shootout! In another zone entirely. GO BLUE!
By BG33Brown
February 15, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
David…simmer down on the TW-Belanger comparison. However great game and WE ARE 2 GAMES OVER 500
A win tomorrow would be amazing.
By Rice8891
February 15, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Florida wins! 3rd Place!
By Russian
February 15, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
BEATIFUL GAME. we have to keep HOSSA here. I do not care if he is walikng away for nothing on Summer. He is Monster. Don, You have to hold him here. Great Win. 4:3 SO. Moose was unbelivable….
By Tony C.
February 15, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Watching our PP is gut-wrenching…I mea I counted 8 touches before the first shot (didn’t make it on goal) was made…
That has to change. Enstrom needs to shoot more…and even #17 was in a pass-first mode.
100% of the shots you don’t take, don’t go in.-Gretzky
Insane shootout I knew that my man Dupuis would score-told my buddy “Here’s your game winner right here”…and what a sweet shot it was too!!! That is what I call roofing it!
KL knows how large tomorrow’s game is. Hopefully our guys will remember gametime is 7pm, not 7:20
GO BLUE !!!
By B. Thenet
February 15, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
These guys never make it easy, do they?
Big time win. Moose was great in the SO.
By Smoothie
February 15, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
Wow, what a finish…I’m still out of breath from that shootout marathon. Merci beaucoup Pascal Duuuuupweeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! And how about Kovy finally going stick side on Brodeur…he had no chance in hell of getting that one!
Nice to see the boys rally again in the waning moments to tie…finally, a concerted and determined forecheck with one objective only: to get the puck in front and jam it home…nice work Marian HOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSAAAAA!
He certainly isn’t playing like a guy who is ready to get the hell out of Dodge. However, he may only be turning it up a notch as an audition for a would-be trade partner. But I will give him props for practically carrying us during Kovy’s mini-slump. Let’s hope Ilya’s goal in the 2nd will get him going in the right direction for this road trip. Would be great to see him catch fire like the last time we went to LI…didn’t he have a couple of goals against the Turds back in Nov?
By KJ David
February 15, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
HABS INSIDE/OUT site wants ATLANTA out of the NHL since they are Americas version of the Maple Loafs, and you guys skate like rebels, cant put one foot in front of the other.
By Smoothie
February 15, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Tony C — are you gonna hook me up with a sweet CenterIce deal on Comcast or what???
By Rawhide
February 15, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
(ahem),…HABS INSIDE/OUT SUCKS…OK.
By Thorburn's Thugs
February 15, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Hey KJ David — Habs Inside/Out,
We’ll give you Holik for Ryder and a 3rd.
Deal or no deal?
By Martin
February 15, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
after seeing Hossa’s shot in the shootout does anybody else here think it might not be a bad idea to try an umbrella type pp with Enstrom at the top and Hossa and Kovy on the sides ready to rip one timers?
By RJ
February 16, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
This blog is filled with a bunch of losers who do not understand hockey and this includes the beat writer. Big deal the price to watch the best show in town goes up. Pony up the extra couple of bucks and get a new job. Go Thrashers!!!! P.S Hossa acts like an NBA player..maybe that is where he belongs. Long live the NHL in ATL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Tom Glavine
February 16, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Suckers.
By Jethro
February 16, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Habs Inside/Out sounds like a queer nightclub for snowfarmers.
By Alan
February 16, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
I guess my last post got stopped in the queue. Hopefully Craig can fix that when he sees it.
By SQUAD
February 16, 2008 5:32 AM | Link to this
Great game. Moose was terrific and won two points for the team. The last minute showed that the boys are becoming a team and working hard instead of accepting just one point. The shootout was the most exciting one I have ever witnessed. In took me two hours to come down from the excitment high and relax. I yelled so loud when Moose stuffed the last Devil’s shooter I woked up my wife. GREAT GAME GO THRASHERS AND BLUE LAND!!!
By P.Kim
February 16, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
Hossa may not playing to get injured, but he still does his job in clutch time. That, nobodyelse can do it unless he is super star. And usually championship team made of couple of super star. So, Threshers need sign him up and make him skate harder than now..
By erock
February 16, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
RANGERS Assigned left wing Marcel Hossa to Hartford of the American Hockey League.Maybe we can get Marcel in a trade before the deadline and entice HOSSA to stay?
By kracker
February 16, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Here is a general comment from ATL’s perspective: After tonight’s game on the Island, the Thrashers have 4 days off. That’s plenty of time to do a deal, get a player(s) in for a physical and conduct a practice or two.
If Waddell moves Hossa before the deadline, he certainly will get a current player or two to replace Hoss for the playoff run, so doing it over this 4 day break would be smart if he can work it out.
By howard
February 16, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Sign Hossa and spend some money on another defensemen. This team can make the playoffs if the goaltending continues to excel.
By kracker
February 16, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Craig In this time of season ticket increases, would this be a good time to update us on the latest installment of “As the Owners Turn”? Or should it wait until season’s end?
The last I remember is that Belkin lost the latest court ruling(s). Where does it stand now?
In a related ASG matter, I heard on the radio that the Hawks had moved some players for point guard Mike Bibby.
By Tony C.
February 16, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Smoothie- (well anybody really)
I’ve been out of work for awhile now…was targeting 6 March as my return date, but that may be extended-depends on what the Dr.s say.
When you talk to a comcast rep-there should be a -$10 6 month promo discount for our digital video subscribers…if you get the bundle (phone ‘net & video) or not.
Also, I believe that NHL should have rolled out it’s mid-season break on the center ice package. Not in HD-apparently not enough set saturation in this market for centericeHD.
The whole thing will be carried as HD programming in 2K9-2K10 season.
Now that I’m not @ the office daily, I don’t have access to billing systems, so I’m tapped out on any sweet hookups for the immediate future.
Lo siento
GO BLUE !!!
By Craig Custance
February 16, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
Zhitnik out tonight with the flu - Popo in his place.
By Smoothie
February 16, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Tony C — thanks for taking the time to respond…I’ll call Comcast soon and ask about rebates / discounts for Triple Play customers like myself. And get well soon!!
Yeeeeeaaaaaaahhh, Popo’s back! Make it count Marc…show DWad you’re better than that overpaid fathead.
By B. Thenet
February 16, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
So which team is out of the playoff hunt, and which one is tied for a division lead?
To be honest, I think you have to make an effort to look this awful.
This kind of game is an indictment of the entire team, from ownership on down.
By Alan
February 16, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
At least Lehtonen did the best he could with what he had to work with.
By Russian
February 16, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
I am just fill Sorry for Kari. He is Good goalie, but F*** team did not help him at all. How can you made 10 shots on goal?????? I understand they are tired, but 10 SOG this is absolutely f*** wrong. Sorry Kari. :-(
By rj
February 16, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Bye bye Hossa.
Maybe 1/2 the other ‘vets’ will go to.
Thank god for Center Ice. I got to see 2 awesome games.
By stendec
February 16, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Hi Craig. No Thrasher feedback tonight since team failed to show up for scheduled bout with playoff-bound Isles. Anyone out there know the reason why? I sure would like to know!
By Alan
February 17, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
I love Lehtonen’s comment about the ice girls in your article, Craig. And after looking them up, I do believe he’s right in that they’re the only thing worth remembering about that game.
By In midst of Idiots
February 17, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
I am tired of hearing the announcers and writers and players constantly questioning why the Thrashers play like last nite after games like they played Friday nite. The truth is that their talent level is what causes them to give weak efforts and playing over their heads is how they win as in Friday nite. Folks they just aint that good. Its not a question of trying. It is really obvious when i watch games other than the Thrashers. We just dont have the tough grinder guys who can keep the puck in the offensive zone for 15-20 seconds. Its really a matter of strength i think. I think we are doing well to be at .500 with our roster. PS-Lehtonen is playing like a MAN now.
By GaVaHokie
February 17, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
I hope Waddell makes a couple trades this week. Bring home one star player (ie. Marleau) and a pocket full of RFA’s and draft picks.
By Thrasher_Ed
February 17, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Here’s a list of trades I’d make: including Hossa! w/San Jose for Patrick Marleau/R. Clowe. Montreal for Plekanics/Higgins/Draft pick Anahiem for Edmontons Pick,Corey Perry, Brian Sutherby, and a pick. Detriot - Filpilla/Kronwall/2 picks Post your ideas!!
By Alan
February 18, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Kronwall is on IR, just FYI.
By David
February 18, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
I seriously don’t understand why people say this team is “not that good”
If you can win one game you can win more. That’s just obvious logic guys. Come on now. Consistency is the name of the game in the NHL. That’s why detroit is always a regular season juggernaut. But that doesn’t always mean a team is that good. They have lost their fair share of playoff series. Getting to the playoffs is all that matters. Once there, it’s a whole new ball game.
By Brendan
February 18, 2008 4:11 AM | Link to this
David, every team in the NHL can win “one” game. Remember the Curt Fraser years? But I digress. Right now, this Thrashers team isn’t one that’s built to go DEEP into the playoffs.
Could it go DEEP into the playoffs? “Could” is a magical word in the English language. In some cultures, the words “could” and “try” don’t exist. You either “do” something, or you “don’t” in such languages/cultures.
The Atlanta Thrashers will go as far as Kari Lehtonen carries them, David. He’s the line of demarcation for success or failure. If Kari gets hot in the playoffs, anything’s “possible.” Possible is a very different word from “probable.” And Championship-caliber teams are constructed much more around the word “probable” than “possible.” That’s why the Red Wings have been Stanley Cup contenders … for every single year since 1993, up to and including the present. It’s disappointing for them (Detroit) that there’s only been three (3) recent Cup victories, given how “probable” their success ought to have been, lo these many years.
If we go back even farther, it’s amazing to note … that in the past 20 completed seasons, dating back to 1987, the Detroit Red Wings have won their division 13 times. Of the seven times they didn’t win it, they finished 2nd five (5) times. (They also had a 3rd place and a 5th place finish.) In this span, Detroit has missed the playoffs only once (1990).
They lost their Conference Championship four (4) times and the Stanley Cup Finals once. And, of course, they won Cups in 1997, 1998, and 2002. Add it up, David, and that makes eight (8) times in 20 seasons that the Red Wings were among the “Final Four.” In the history of the President’s Trophy, which dates back to 1986, given to the team having the “best regular season record,” Detroit has won this five (5) times, and are looking to add a sixth this season. If they do it, it will be their third President’s Trophy in four years. Detroit has been a “runner-up” three (3) times since 1986. So, that’s eight (8) times Detroit has finished as one of the top two regular season teams in the past 21 seasons.
That’s the difference between “probable” and “possible.” The Atlanta Thrashers are constructed as a “possible” playoff team. The saving grace of that reality is … around 20-25 other teams are in the same boat we are. That is, that they have the rudimentary “pieces” of the puzzle, but lack the depth and talent to be considered “probable” contenders for the Cup. But, that’s why they play the games. GO THRASHERS!!
By Smoothie
February 18, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Brendan — do you ever sleep man? Wow, 4:18 am? That’s pretty sharp analysis for that early in the morning!
Let’s just hope Donny W can pull off a trade with his old buddies up there in Motown…I’d be very happy with a Filppula & Lebda (D) for Hossa / Popovic / Sterling swap.
By Thorburn's Thugs
February 18, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Today is the perfect day to get the Hossa trade done.
As for Eklund’s Montreal rumours, I think there might be some truth to them. However, I think we are looking at giving them Holik, not Hoss.
By B. Thenet
February 18, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
I agree, get the new players in Atlanta in time to practice with the team.
The only thing is if the deal is with Montreal, we are actually playing them the night of the trade deadline.
Just make the deal the day before the game and then both teams can bring their new players to practice the morning of the game.
By Brendan
February 18, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Smoothie, I’m all out of sorts today. I fell asleep way early and got up too early. But I digress. The Devils are up, 2-0, over the ‘Canes. Go Devils!!