Thrashers

By JJ

February 19, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

Falconer - Niskanen - NO

By GSU-Lee

February 19, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Craig, great updates as usual. You know when i read your stories I always feel that I reach the end of them effortlessly. Your writing is certainly something noteworthy that gets overlooked by some people at least. Back to hockey, my whole thing this entire time is that the Thrashers should just keep Hossa. Keep him and do well enough this season to convince him to stay. Craig, do you think the Thrashers could get a guy like Filppula without having to give up Hoss or is that the only way?

By GSU-Lee

February 19, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

oh and if Duper wants to stay ink him for 3 years right now!!!Get on it DW!!

By kracker

February 19, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

I think Pascal is an asset we would want to have under contract for several years as well. Isn’t this a deal that should get done? Or is there a Part B to Pascal’s contract goal such as “a long-term contract for a lot more money”? If it really is just the contract term, did DW learn from the Jon Sim negotiation last year? Sim wanted more than the two years DW offered (I think it was not a year plus an option) and the Islanders gave a Sim 3 year deal for about a million a year. Let us not repeat that, I feel we should have kept Sim.

By Alan

February 19, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

I’d be happy with a trade to Anaheim for Ryan and that Edmonton first rounder. I do believe Burke said he’s looking to get rid of it. The only trouble with Anaheim is considering whether or not they have available cap space.

By Smoothie

February 19, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

Regarding Duuuupweeeeee!!! Give the man what he wants and deserves. How about 3 yrs worth 3.25 M with some escalation clauses for scoring more than 20 goals or playing X mins of Penalty Kill. While he can be maddening in the number of chances he does not convert, he is too valuable in all other phases of the game to not lock up for at least 2, perhaps 3 years.

I really think a line of Slater/Perrin/Dupuis is our 3rd line of the next 3 years. Although it would be nice to get a guy taller than 6 ft to anchor such a line so Slater can play on the 4th line with Boults and Thorburn.

Kovy — Filppula — Recchi

Kozzie — White — FA RW

Dupuis — FA Center — Perrin

Boults — Slater — Thor

By Hockeyfan

February 19, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

Craig isnt Dupuis’ wife pregnant?

By erock

February 19, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

You have to sign the players that want to be here..Pascal wants to be here…he is fast..he forechecks…and he kills penalties…GET IT DONE NOW WADDELL !!!

By NASCAR Dave

February 19, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

I LIKE THE POLL, CRAIG. We should trade MOOSE and HOLIK.

RECCHI and DUPUIS should stay. Both should get new contacts. DUPUIS 3 years, RECCHI 1 year with incentives.

GO THRASHERS!

By Smoothie

February 19, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

Edit my lineup to include the possibility of Holik re-uping for 1 year, $850 K or whatever the going rate is for a 37 year old C who commits too many cheap slashing penalties. I like Recchi “on the cheap” for one year as well…$750 K?

By Billy Knight

February 19, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Tom

February 19, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

I also like Dupuis and think that he is a long term asset. His defense and speed always have a place on a team that is lacking both.

By Chris Paul

February 19, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

Hey Billy K, suck it baby!!

By kracker

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

Hockeyfan Not sure about Pascal’s wife being pregnant but that was the main reason Jon Sim wanted a longer term deal to re-sign with the Thrashers.

By GaVaHokie

February 19, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Jesus, some of us have been totting Filppula for weeks on here, Falconer and Craig, stop acting like you just came up with that. :)

I believe I mentioned Cheechoo just last week, also… jeez! lol

By kracker

February 19, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

I just voted Holik most likely in the poll but I have no problem re-signing them all in the $.9-1.2M range.

By BG33Brown

February 19, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Chris Paul Funny.

As for Flip and Kenny Holland-I just don’t think he is that stupid. There in no way he would trade him.

Unless he gets Hossa to sign a contract “sight unseen” and I just don’t think hossa is going to do that nor do we want that.

Call me crazy but if we get some good returns for Hossa now, maybe we can make a case for him to return.

By Brendan

February 19, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

Bobby Holik says he isn’t being traded. I guess, in addition to being “Captain,” he’s become the “GM” now, too? I promise you, ladies and gentlemen, if the “right offer” came for Bobby Holik, Don Waddell would be a “fool” not to take it. That is, if moving Holik brought the #1 Center or #1 D-man that this team so badly needs, but Waddell “refused” to move Holik to make it happen, and NEWS OF IT reached the print media, he’d be finished “for good” this time.

That sort of “inaction” is inexcuseable conduct. Relax, no one would offer that for Holik. Doug MacLean, Mike Milbury, and Doug Armstrong are no longer GM’s, right?

Allright, the July 1st signings, or any time before then, for our UFA’s should include Pascal Dupuis, Mark Recchi and Moose, if possible. You can always trade a player who is under contract later on. Haydar is a pending UFA and a decision will have to be made about his future here. Same with Krog. Boulton is unrestricted. McCarthy is unrestricted. And, of course, Holik, Hossa, and Rucchin are unrestricted. And no, I wouldn’t re-sign Bobby Holik, unless it were $1.0 or less, on a one-year deal. Our team does not lack for 3rd line centers. And ya know what ELSE, folks? It’s not that “difficult” to win faceoffs, or puck battles in the corner boards. We just have to have a GM who can figure what player(s) can do that for a 3rd or 4th line Center.

By GaVaHokie

February 19, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Hossa for Cheechoo is too far fetched… San Jose has a huge chance at a Cup this year, why risk going into the playoffs with two slumping players?

If they can trade Marleau for a defenseman (like Kubina) and then Cheechoo for Hossa, they’ve got a pretty solid roster… remember, Ottawa tried to get Redden to waive his no trade clause in a move, rumored to be for Marleau. Redden’s going to be a UFA, so SJ showed their hand on Marleau.

I also hear SJ is interested in Olli Jokinen… they could package a few players with Marleau and land Jokinen…. Thornton, Michalek, Hossa and Jokinen? Now that’s a good line-up.

San Jose is Cup hungry, I expect them to make the desperation move… I called it.

Cheechoo would be an excellent garbage man for the Kovalchuk line… he buries rebounds!

By kracker

February 19, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Craig’s article says the team all wants this group to be together on Feb. 27. Isn’t that the natural, team-oriented, player-oriented thing to say? And they probably mean it, they have all fought together all year. But, OTOH, they’d all surely like to see help arrive at center or at winger or on defense - all those places. So would management, so also do we fans want that as well.

Well, help arriving means somebody will be leaving, so the players can only focus on the next practice and the next games while DW focuses on his GM duties. I guess staying together sounds great to the players but upgrading the roster and draft opportunities probably sounds better to them if they were being honest with themselves and us - and if you’re not in the group being shipped out.

Pascal said in the article it was hard on him last year hearing the rumors about him being traded, etc., so these guys are fortunate to be in Atlanta during this time because most people don’t even know what is going on. In Canada you can probably never get away from it.

By Tony C.

February 19, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

BG33-

That’s been my main thrust since January when, a week after meeting with Atlanta Sh!theads, LLC brass and no Hossa extension.

He says he likes it here, he’s classy, and if his next contract is about legit contender status, then let’s get some TOP prospects and a NHL-regular. That way when DW talks to Hossa this summer (or any FA, for that matter) he can point to a nucleus of promise.

If he [DW] rides Hossa out, I’m afraid we’ll see Little shipped out for some 34 year old star of yesteryear in order to secure that playoff berth. This would be the last season I’d pay to goto a game if that’s the case.

If Dupuis wants to stay, lock him up. He is one of two forwards that I would say is an effective forechecker, he’s faster than most and shows some finish in his stick. Keep he and Perrin (long-term) and you’ve got a great #1 PK for awhile.

I saw some article where the rumor-mill says Brad Richards is available.

This would be an acceptable-type talent to trade Little for. But I don’t know that Feaster would trade within the division. I know I wouldn’t. But DW may have just found the perfect partner in a multi-team trade with Feaster’s declaration of a sell-off.

Well, it’ll be interesting to see what happens.

That Waddell better not let Hossa walk for nothing though. That’d be my final straw.

GO BLUE !!!

I’d still root for the team, but no more $ support.

By kracker

February 19, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Feaster defintely has said Lightning are in full-sell mode? That could be a BIG first domino.

By kracker

February 19, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

OT: Did everybody see the pic of the team mascots in a silly string fight at the Sharks/Islanders game? Funny! Thrash was one of them.

The Frozen Moment

By fokov

February 19, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Cheechoo is overrated. He was the direct benefit of Big Joe. They do have some other YOUNGER players I wouldn’t mind having.

By kracker

February 19, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Bruins leading Canes 2-0 at 2:49 of the 2nd…Panthers leading Pens 1-0 at 18:48 of the 2nd

By five_hole

February 19, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

When the Thrashers played their worst games of the season (I really hate to bring up the Buffalo game or the Islandrs game again, but there it is) one of the ONLY players to show up was DuPuis. While I would hate to trade Hossa, I’d frankly rather see him go than DuPuis (for one, he would bring back more in return). But DuPuis has shown hustle every single game, something that Mr. Hossa hasn’t.

Two words; Resign DuPuis!

By GaVaHokie

February 19, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

What does Dupuis want, then I’ll tell you if we should resign him? ;)

I’ll give him 3 years $3 million… can’t imagine much more than that. Learn how to finish your shots and we’ll talk about maybe $1.5 million that final year.

By GSU-Lee

February 19, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

I just want to reiterate Dupuis’ popularity and his contributions. Many times, including the playoffs last year all the way up through the recent Vancouver game, Duper has been super (sorry, couldn’t resist). he seriously has shown up in all of those games, and people like him. He has an infectious personality and is someone who DW needs to keep around. I like Pascal and I want him to stay

By d

February 19, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

The Canes show so much grit. Two goals during the last 20 seconds to take the Bruins game to OT. Amazing…

By Smoothie

February 19, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

Ryder has a hat-trick in a 4 goal comeback by the Habbies against the hated Ranjuhs…perhaps he is showing off for his new team the Atlanta Thrashers! Holik for Ryder straight up?? Anyone, anyone?

By JayBird

February 19, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

Please trade Holik and Kozlov. They are both overrated, slow, old, and overpaid. Whatever we get for these guys is a bonus just for the relief from their contracts.

We definitely need to resign DuPuis. Like someone said before, if someone is a good player and wants to be here, we have to keep them around. I am still mad we didn’t resign Belanger and signed White instead. I’m not sure what Belanger’s numbers are with Minnesota but he played great for us last year.

By JayBird

February 19, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Did you hear that Andrea Sutton tore his labia, I mean hamstring? Nothing a tampon and vagasil won’t cure.

By MB

February 19, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

kracker, my favorite part of that frozen moment is the old guy with the cockeyed hat with the pouty lip ignoring the whole scene. Then again, looking at what I assume is his wife next to him, he probably doesn’t like it when other people have fun.

Smoothie, if you’re smooth enough to work a straight swap of Holik for Ryder, you’ll have my vote for new GM.

As for Holik, his play has definitely picked up of late and he deservedly has a reputation as a playoff performer. In other words, his value will never be higher, so now’s the time to shop him and get a good return on him.

By B. Thenet

February 19, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Dupuis is a keeper, he turns 29 in around a month…I would have no problem locking him up to a 4-5 year deal. You can plug him anywhere from the 2nd to 4th lines, he is good for a couple of SH goals a year, and he has a solid work ethic on the ice.

By GSU-Lee

February 19, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

d, we don’t talk about the Hurricanes in a positive way on this blog…at all

By Tony C.

February 20, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this

B.-

4-5 years really? I like his game but a lot of it is based off his skating…I realize 33 isn’t the same as 37, but…I dunno…Seems a little too long. Dupuis definitely is one of the few guys I see giving good effort on a regular basis. But, if you could do something like 4yr./2.8-3M then ok. But I think he’ll want more than that, and I think he’s earned more. Maybe similar terms with escalators for performance levels and awards.

I say screw it, lock up #17 this summer.

What do you bet if we lost Thurs. that we’d see some roster moves by Monday??

By Tony C.

February 20, 2008 2:53 AM | Link to this

Annnnnnnnd in the flip-flop Section I found this

By HGH

February 20, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

Last night’s VS broadcast mentioned Havlat and the Thrashers as a possibility.

I don’t see that one happening, what would we give? I don’t think the Blackhawks would be players in the Hossa sweepstakes. Assuming it is not a Hossa deal then we are probably talking about prospects/picks for Havlat. He would have to come awful cheap…

Sign Dupuis…

By B. Thenet

February 20, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

At some point the Thrashers have to have some level of stability. You need to identify the players you want around, and lock them up…at this point you are seeing many GMs take this approach and to be honest…you are seeing the teams that can do that have pretty good success.

When you look at this team 2-3 years out, who do we have locked up other than Kozlov? I think there is a definite core this team has that I like, the problem is nobody is tied up to any deals longer than 2 years out. You cannot replace 1/2 the lineup of this team every couple of years and expect the on ice product to improve.

By Nikita

February 20, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

I don’t think Dupuis should be locked up long-term unless it can be done cheaply. His effort is good, and he has a speed that is unusual on the team, but he’s pretty inconsistent in his stickwork.

Otherwise, agreed. And start making the team more solid by locking up the younger talent, not people like Klee and Rucchin.

By Bob

February 20, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

DuPuis is a good checker, but he has hands o’ stone, the boy just can’t finish. Sure, extend him, but not over $1m per season.

By DWTOO

February 20, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Hockeyfan Dupuis’ wife is pregnant. We were playing blackjack at his table at Casino Night and she walked by and it was mentioned. Pascal has a great sense of humor and we had a good time playing at his table.

The bad news is when we play cards with a Thrasher they’re gone the next year. Two years ago we were at Savard’s table - GONE. Last year - JPV - GONE. Good thing Pascal and Perrin (were at his table too) aren’t superstitous (sp?).

By Brendan

February 20, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Dupuis: 3-years/$3.0 million. A nice round “cap hit” of $1.0 million. That’s very reasonable. It reflects a 13.6% pay increase and gives his family some stability, at least in terms of income. I really hope that DW wouldn’t throw in some ‘no trade clause’ for Dupuis. Players like Dupuis can be replaced. They’re not Hossas or Kovalchuks.

By alex

February 22, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

hossa sucks this year we need to get something for him before he just leaves. we get nothing out of that. keeping hossa would screw us. right now we suck doing nothing doesn’t help TRADE HIM

By Teacher

February 24, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Habs inside/out site says why bother being in our league, and where the hell is Hossa, send him to us, Now. Stop having relations with family members and picking your teeth with straw, lmao.

By sick of losers

February 25, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

Getting the Kostitsyn brothers would be great—young and talented. Leave it to the Thrashers/DW not to get either one! Let’s get a guy who is small and doesn’t score much. He’ll fit right in.

To the guy yesterday who said to trade Kovy because other teams have him figured out—no, they have figured out that the rest of the team is crap and can’t score empty net goals. Give Kovy some real teammates and he’ll light the lamp every time.