Thrashers

By FormerIslesFan

March 27, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

CC On Esposito: Has there been any word as to whether he had any involvement in the on-ice brawl the other night? I’d be interested to hear if he was; and if he wasn’t whethere he has been quoted in the news at all about it.

By Russian

March 27, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Intresting news! I am just wondering if we are going to be young team. How is young??? If they bring young forwards like Esposito and Machacek and get strong, D-men I will think about Season Tickets. :-) Thanks Craig for your updates.

By Thrasher_Ed

March 27, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Craig, Any info on the Bill Lindsay free agent or waiver pick up?

By Sara

March 27, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

Isn’t Machacek the guy several experts were expecting to be the big sleeper out of the draft last year? I could swear I read that - may have to go back and look for it.

I hate it personally for what Zhitnik has to go through - no matter what, it blows to have your boss pretty much make it public knowledge that he doesn’t think you’ve done good work and he doesn’t want you anymore. But as to what it means for next season - couldn’t be happier as a fan. :D

By Tony C.

March 27, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Even though the team has been dissappointing, your work has been great this season Craig. I’m curious about how DW thinks he’s going to deal with the Zhitnik situation this summer???

Well, let’s look forward to possibly not getting outshot.

Believe in Tankland

By Thorburn's Thugs

March 27, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

They say this every year. “We are going to go young.”

Then, after a handful of games, the youngsters are sent to Chicago. Why would things be different now?

It’s time to take the cap hits, and just cut or waive the following:

Zhitnik
Larsen
Slater
Klee
Sterling
Haydar
White
Kwiatkowski
Popovic
Boulton
Stuart
Doell
Krog

If they really wanna go young, you have to make room for the young guys somehow… the players listed above have severely underperformed, IMO.

By Mike

March 27, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

My question is, if Zhitnik was in the dog house with DW, then why did we not trade him at the trade deadline when we could have gotten a few draft picks for him. Now that other teams know his place in Atlanta is not a good one, they can basically offer less because we will now look desperate to get rid of his salary.

By d

March 27, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

CC, with the team going “young” do you think DW recognizes the need to find an “anti” Bob Hartley as the new coach? Darren Elliot once told me that Hartley liked to play mind games with young players and he thought that was one reason why Slater and KL were not not developing as expected.

By Sara

March 27, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Thorburn’s Thugs I wonder what your criteria are for performance? Several players on your list have performed quite well in their defined roles with the team this year. Popovic has been steady on the blueline when he’s played this season and Slater and Boulton, combined with Thorburn often, have achieved the most success on this team in terms of puck possession time in the offensive zone. They’re cycling has been phenomenal. Boult’s has also been a hard-noser willing to drop the gloves when necessary. As for Slater, most people cannot ever seem to look past the “1st round draft pick” thing to objectively evaluate what he can offer to this team. He’s got decent speed, he works hard (concept in this lockerroom) and he’s been effective in his role. So what if he isn’t the next Kovy or Hossa? He is what he is and that’s a good checking line center/winger. Plus he’s cheap - always an added bonus.

I definitely agree with you however that it’s time for this organization to put up or shut up regarding a TRUE youth movement.

By GSU-Lee

March 27, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Thorburn’s thugs, I admire your aggresive approach to solving the problem(s), but White, Kiwi, Boults, Sterling and Pop don’t deserve to be on your list. And I am pretty sure several of those guys are UFA’s this year anyway (I think Haydar, Doell, Boults ad Krog are….Stuart might be a RFA).

White- He may not be the number one center DW tried to cast him as, but he is a solid two way player and should at least be on a checking line. Kiwi- At a time when the defense is, well, just not good in any way, Kiwi has played all right for this team, saying that he has “severely underperformed” might be a bit of an overstatement. I mean, what were you really expecting from him? Or White? Or Larsen? Or haydar? Etc..

Sterling and Popovic- You can’t just waive these guys. You could at least trade them for something because both of them have futures in the NHL and either of them would garner interest on the open market.

Boults- You can’t waive him. First off, he is a free agent this summer so it wouldn’t matter anyway. But I hope they keep him. he is arguably the toughest player this team has. The guy never backs down and though he is never the best player on the ice, he works hard and gives you what he’s got. that should be worth something.

By GSU-Lee

March 27, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Mike, I don’t know if there was ever a point where the Thrashers could have gotten “a few draft picks” for Zhitnik, DW would have been high not to take that deal.

By Thorburn's Thugs

March 27, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

If someone has the time to crunch numbers, tell me the total offensive #’s that group has put up this year while Thrashers. The answer you come up with will tell you what I mean. They are taking up space, without putting up #’s to justify keeping them around.

On Boulton, I do like him, but if we keep Thorburn, we don’t really need Boulton too. Plus, we have some tough guys coming up with Desbiens and LaVallee.

I am simply trying to “clear roster space” for the infamous “Youth Movement”.

By Midfield

March 27, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure what the plans for Zhitnik are. He is still under contract. If he was not traded at the deadline because of the lack of demand, how does demand increase after him sitting out the rest of the season? And if the plan is to place him on wavers, why not now? May be I’m missing something, so please indulge me.

By Lanny McDonald

March 27, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

DW would have been high not to take that deal.

Maybe thats the problem. Maybe he should get high and take a look at this roster he has!

By Bob

March 27, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Get Esposito signed as well and get him in camp next summer, see what he’s got. Machachek should go to the AHL this year, even if it’s to just ride the bus and get a feel for it.

I don’t think they could have traded Zhitnik, no one else was dumb enough to trade for him, Jar Jar got caught with that hot potato.

I would be highly skeptical that they’d buy him out this summer, waiver wire next fall might be a better bet. I think if they buy him out, we still get the cap hit, right? They might be trying to shame him into getting into better shape this summer and showing up ready next year.

I’ll be interested to see if Big Boris looks better tonight after having some practices with the club under his belt.

By T-Bone

March 27, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

I really think DW wanted to do a few more deadline deals (Holik, Recchi, Zhitnik) but ownership nixed it knowing it would kill their season ticket renewal marketing effort that was pretty much predicated on dangling playoff tix at us. Another sham in a season full of them.

By GSU-Lee

March 27, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Thorburn’s Thugs, I understand what you are saying about Boults, but this team needs more than one tough guy. But either way, if boult’s leaves not big deal. But what I was saying is that Kiwi and Whitey should stay (because they don’t suck) but I think Kiwi is a UFA too. Sterling and pop are too young to give up for nothing and like I said, what were your expectations for these players anyway? They have all performed about as they usually do.

I did not argue with the release of anyone but the people named above.

By Sara

March 27, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Thorburn’s Thugs I get where you’re coming from, but as an FYI, don’t get caught relying solely on “stats” to tell you everything you need to know because a lot of intangibles matter too.

Bob for the life of me I cannot figure out the correlation with Jar Jar although I DO now have a visual of Don running around with his tongue flopping all over the place. Which is hilarious. Anyway, help me out - how’d you come up with that gem of a nickname?

By Jason

March 27, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

I think T-Bone nailed it. I feel DW would like to have done a fire sell, but with the dismil way season ticket renewals were starting to shape up by the deadline, the ownership was too worried at the even worse adverse risk of losing even more people. Maybe you will see DW try to package Zhitnik(or another deadbeat) with the Penguins pick we got for this years draft, as opposed to having ownership pay to buy him out. Not saying they should trade that pick, but might be a way to unload him for “hopefully” a better roster player. I’m guessing the pick will more likely end up being in the late teens or early twentys.

Question for Craig and everyone: Would you trade either/both of the first round picks if it landed you a legitimate number one dman or center?

Just curious…….

By LAC

March 27, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

I believe Larsen is a UFA after this season as well…

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 27, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

If Boris makes the team then you won’t need Bolts or Tucan Sam (aka Thornburn) as tough guys. Don’t get me wrong. I like both of them as players but they aren’t too good at fighting. Bolts is better than Thornburn but just not big enough. Thornburn hasn’t won a fight clean ever.

By himthatknows

March 27, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Thorburn’s Thugs, how can you say Pop has underperformed when he really has not been given the opportunity to show what he can do for a 15 -20 game stretch?

By Midfield

March 27, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

You can never have more than enough tough guys - as long as they can be functionally useful otherwise. Does it hurt the Rangers that half of their roster is goons who can skate well? Not from where I stand.

By Nikita

March 27, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

In response to a bunch of things…

Zhitnik…DW said explicitly that he couldn’t be traded for equal value at the trade deadline. He’s expensive, and played poorly, and it’s no longer possible to subsidize a dump (a la Jagr), so we have limited options. Basically, we waive him and hope someone picks him up either on the waive or on re-entry, or we can basically buy out his contract. All of those are suckyish options in comparison to having him play as he’s capable. When he’s on he’s REALLY on. So at this point I don’t have any idea what DW is up to — his chances of waiving Zhit and having someone pick him up will be best after the season is over, since at this point only a severely injured team could pick him up and actually play him in the post-season. But his best option may be to wait and see how Zhit shapes up in the off-season.

Comments on Boulton…we do need someone other than Chris Thorburn to enforce. For one thing, Thorburn is moving away from that role and up the ranks — his chances of being on the 4th line aren’t good. So someone needs to be an effective center on that line — Boulton is reasonably good at that, and scrappy. Against him, though, he is older — maybe we let him go as a UFA, but I do like him. Keep in mind that we’re also losing (possibly) Bobby Holik.

From your list of people we lose, I’d rather not lose these…Slater (young, solid, poorly utilized), Klee (solid third pairing guy, good presence), and White (too expensive to waive or buy out at his current level of production).

By GSU-Lee

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

LAC Larsen is signed through 2009

By Rone

March 27, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Thorburn is much better at playing the game than fighting, which is a surprise. He’s fast to the puck and can usually take that initial hit. His fighting skills are not good at all for his size.
Boults played pretty well this year and was hands down the toughest guy on the team.

By Rone

March 27, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Thorburn is much better at playing the game than fighting, which is a surprise. He’s fast to the puck and can usually take that initial hit. His fighting skills are not good at all for his size.
Boults played pretty well this year and was hands down the toughest guy on the team.

By GSU-Lee

March 27, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Thrasher UFA’s This Off-season: Recchi, Holik, Doell, Haydar, Popovic (according to nhlnnumbers.com because he will be aged 25 or 26 and will have played in fewer than 80 NHL games, thus making him a UFA instead of an RFA?), Boulton, Hedberg, McCarthy, Kiwi and Krog.

RFA’s: Sterling

By Nikita

March 27, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Yawn. Lose Haydar, Pops, ZDoell, Stevie Mac, and Krog for sure. I’m not sure about Kiwi — I think he’s good enough for backup, and might mature up.

Thorburn isn’t built for fighting — too skinny for his height.

By Bob

March 27, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Sara, Stats gets full credit with finding this absolutely hi-larious site that called Waddell Jar Jar Binks

I dub thee, Jar Jar, let it ring from the highest reaches of Philips, Jar Jar got to Go Go

By GaVaHokie

March 27, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Here’s what Waddell needs to do… he needs to stop spending $500,000 - $870,000 on players like McCarthy, Thorburn, Boulton, Larsen, Schultz, Giroux, Krog, Haydar etc. and start combining that money into solid $3 million players… then, I think he’d get a lot more out of youngsters like Sterling and Little when you plug them in.

By Craig Custance

March 27, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

FormerIsles: I heard he wasn’t involved in the brawl, but he just played his best game of the playoffs last night, scoring early on. He took a cheap shot during a face-off though, and the kid who did it got a one-game suspension.

Tony C: My guess is the team will put Zhitnik on waivers and hope somebody picks him up for half-price on re-entry waivers.

Mike: I’m sure Don tried to trade him and had trouble finding a taker with his salary.

d: I agree, the next coach should be strong on player development but I wouldn’t pin the underdevelopment of young Thrashers on Bob Hartley. He developed some good ones with Colorado.

Jason: If the Thrashers get a top five pick, I think they’d be foolish and short-sighted to trade it.

By Carlos

March 27, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

I second GaVaHokie

By Brendan

March 27, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Craig, I think Don Waddell is sending a strong message that he is displeased with Zhitnik. The ASG and DW rarely assign “blame” anywhere, so … this might be as close as it ever gets to that.

They’ll use words like “veteran players” let us down. Well, wasn’t Hossa a “veteran” player? Isn’t Kovalchuk a veteran player, at this point? (He’s been in the league since 2001.) See, that’s how ambiguity works. Waddell and Levenson didn’t come out and sayyyy, “I blame Kozlov and Zhitnik.” Instead, what you get is … limited ice time for Kozzie and the benching of Zhitnik. One must read between the lines for an interpretation of blame.

(Original poster) Bob may have nailed it, as well, that the message to Zhitnik is also … “You better be ready and in shape to go at camp next season.” Folks, Zhitnik doesn’t have a contract for 2010. And unless he plans on retiring, he’s got to do “something” to make some NHL GM think it’s a good idea to offer him another contract. So, that’s what Zhitnik must play for next season.

Don Waddell may sit back and wait next season … for some team to have a decimated blueline … then offer Zhitnik and some sweetners to make the other GM agree to the deal. For a desperate team that needs immediate relief on their blueline, Zhitnik is possibly a better option than calling up players from the minors who can’t really hack it in the NHL. The other GM would just have to eat Zhitnik’s salary.

By Thrashy Thrashy

March 27, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Kovy, Little, Perrin, Kozzy, Armstrong, Christensen, Thorburn, Boulton, Slater, White…I’d keep all of those guys. If you really need to get rid of one of those players (and you can’t trade Kozzy), choose between Boults and Slater. If I keep them all, that leaves two spots open. Give Esposito a shot and sign a top-two line winger. If Esposito fails to impress, that opens up another spot for a young guy.

On to the blue line…

I’ll stick with Havelid, Enstrom, (kinda hate to say it) and Klee. Ex just isn’t the same player he was before he had his concussion last year. He still hits guys, but he’s not the physical force he was before that injury. McCarthy is nothing special. Zhitnik is dead weight in Atlanta. Popovic should be in the mix for one of those spots. I’d love to see Valabik earn a spot.

Beyond that, sign a top-two D man. Holik is coming off the books, which should enable the Thrashers’ new GM (God, I wish) to pay a good D-man enough AND not scare our cheap-a* ownership to death.

My roster probably doesn’t add up, but I don’t care. The Thrashers need physical leadership on the blue line. I think there will be more of that physical leadership from the forwards next year with young leaders like Kovy, Little, and Armstrong busting a* night in, night out.

I have no answer for the coaching spot, but it obviously needs to be a guy who believes in playing D first. It all starts on the defensive end, doesn’t it? The Thrashers are in their end so much that they never get started. Play smarter, more physical D and you won’t be there so long, fellas.

By MB

March 27, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

Um, Brendan, what team needs more relief on its blueline than the Thrashers?

I get what you’re saying, though, a team decimated by injuries.

Whoever ends up with Zhitty will be riding the roller-coaster…will motivated Alexei show up and bring the fans to their feet, or will down-in-the-dumps Alex shuffle out onto the ice and drive ‘em nuts.

That’s been his MO for a long time now, and DW and the rest of us have seen both sides of the coin in the span of a year.

I guess the big question is how optimistic are we that end of the season money next year motivates him enough to bring his best to the ice game in and game out.

On another note, Craig, any sense on a timeline for hiring a coach?

By moo

March 27, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

ESPOSITO WAS A TIGER DURING LE BRAWL Although he was on the bench in front of Patrick Roy (see video), he was heard yelling at the opponents vehemently…..”YOUR MOTHER IS A HAMSTER, AND YOUR FATHER SMELLS OF ELDERBERRRIES!”

By Terry in Dahlonega

March 27, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

3 Potential Coaching Candidates I see:

John Anderson
Jeff Odgers
Scott Mellanby

All 3 have some ties with the Thrashers.

By Poor White Thrash

March 27, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

Thugsy

Desbiens? He isn’t coming up. He’s in Duluth and played just 23 games in Chitown this year.

Hokie

You have to have entry-level salaries for 3-5 players every year to balance out those guys who are overpaid. There’s no way around it. Most teams have 4-8 guys who make under a million, with several others making $4 million and up.

Interesting that Carolina is one team that hasn’t ponied up really big money yet to anyone on their roster. They’ve got 13 guys making between $1.7 million and $4.0 million, with the highest paid guy being Staal at $4.5 million. Of those, only Hedican and Samsonov are UFAs this summer. The Canes have about seven guys making $1.4 million or less who contribute.

They are one of the few teams that still have a middle class, while most others have the upper crust and the low-renters.

It’s interesting to see how each team manages the cap. Take a look at this site for more details: [http://www.nhlscap.com]

By GaVaChickenhawk

March 27, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

Trashers shoulda grabbed Samsonov!!! But stupid Waddell passed him up!!!

By Craig Custance

March 27, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

MB: They want to get the coaching hire done fairly quickly. I’m sure Don has already turned his attention to it, and will really get serious in May. I’m thinking it’ll be done by June. They want the coach in place when they make plans for free agency.

By Tony C.

March 27, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

Who do you pair X with next season???

By Tony C.

March 27, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah. The only two players I’d give Both 1st round picks is either Thornton or Pronger.

By MB

March 27, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

Good to hear, Craig…that was exactly what I was looking for, having the coach in place as they plan for free agency.

By Tony C.

March 27, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Ok I am watching the game and… didja see KL’s saves on the PK at around 09:40 in the first where he teased Bouwemeester with the low right and was prepared with nifty kick save on the rebound attempt. Basically, it’s stuff like that that says to me Let’s see what the kid ca do with less rubber coming at him”

By Nikita

March 27, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

Pair X with the janitor.

By Tony C.

March 27, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Stendec-

Are you watching the game tonight? Outside of rebound control, where is KL’s “crappy” play? He’ made at least two spectacular saves (one is sure to be on the top5 on OTF:F, maybe even ESPN’s top plays)! I’m with you n his concentration, but c’mon the kid can play.

By TRON

March 27, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

TYPICAL LETEMIN……. LET ONE IN WITH LESS THAN 5 SECONDS LEFT IN THE GAME……… A.D.D. IN FULL SWING…….. HE GOT LUCKY THIS TIME……… CLOCK RAN OUT AND SAVED HIS IMMATURE A**…….. GROW UP DUMMY…………

By Sasquach

March 27, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

43 saves is luck? Maybe bad luck for the guys that took the 43 shots…

By Brendan

March 27, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

Where has that play been all year? Which one? Bryan Little attacks a defensemen coming up the wall, knocks him off the puck, steals it, skates behind the net … and feeds a pass right to Recchi’s tape, standing on the door step, for a goal.

I’m glad I got I see it. That one is going in the memory bank.

Holik is now up to 14 goals on the year, with his empty-net, game winning goal (GWG). Kari Lehtonen made 42 saves. You could see he was angry giving up that goal with just over 2 seconds left in regulation. I think it’s Kari’s 15th win. Someone double-check that.

Craig, the Don Waddell Administration cannot be left in charge to hire a 3rd coach. The biggest problem is not at ice level. Got any ideas on how to effect a Regime Change?

Je suis d’avis qu’il vaut mieux d’avoir un coup d’Etat.

By DugoutAK

March 27, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

moo

He can be paired with Zhitnik on the waiver wire!

By stendec

March 28, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

KL displayed mental toughness. At least until that second Panther tally. Ouch. But what the Hell! The Finn turned in a solid performance mentally and physically. Congratulations. Could tell by reaction that goal in closing seconds unnerved him. Hey, young man, a regulation win is a regulation win! Operation Falcon (tank) temporarily on hold. Thank God! Victory was really nice. Pleasant dreams all!

By LAC

March 28, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

Thanks GSU, thought Larsen was up after this season… Also Rucchin comes off the books as well, so he & Holik save what about $5 million !!!

I would just like to see a BUNCH of these young kids come up next season… And see what happens, it may not be pretty at times, but in a couple years… it COULD be Watch the Hell out NHL… It would be a million times better than these old retreads waddell loves, IF he stays he better forget that crap anymore, it has NOT worked one bit here !!!

For thought… Since we do not have a true AHL team, under our control, would this work ???

Why not bring an AHL team here and play at Philips ? Sounds strange, but all under ONE roof, team under Atlanta control. Easy recalls & Send downs, no rent at they own building, I think it could work to the betterment of the franchise. We need to develop OUR players playing Atlanta hockey, not a team where we, in effect, are loaning players to fill out an AHL roster without any input to a players development.

Tripe AAA Braves will be here, why not AHL team here… Heck call them the Atlanta Flames, Would that Work ???

Just an interesting thought to save $$$ and develop players under our system and have more control over hockey operations at every level.

I would love it !

By Tony C.

March 28, 2008 2:21 AM | Link to this

AHL has said they’re going to stay at 29 teams “for the foreseable future” I think once the NHL expands to 32, you’ll see the AHL expand as well, maybe to 31 teams. You’ve got to remember AHL depends almost exclusively on gate revenue and parent team contributions-no TV and international marketing to buoy the league a la the NHL model (not to say AHL teams don’t push merch., they just don’t push it at the same level).

So As much as I’d like to see a truly vertically-integrated Thrasher Hockey Operation, I don’t know that it’s in the cards anytime soon.

What did yall think of Mr. Vikki tonight? I’m liking the progression, I think he could be ready for the whole season with a good summer.

By ranallo10

March 28, 2008 2:36 AM | Link to this

LAC — I like the idea, but I don’t see it happening in this city. I would be very supportive of a different agreement between the Thrashers and their AHL affiliate, but I doubt we’d see an AHL hockey team relocate to Atlanta.

Brendan — Here’s an interesting story from the Calgary Herald about Kristian Huselius. I’d still sign him, even if he does fade away near the end of the season.

By LAC

March 28, 2008 6:42 AM | Link to this

Ranallo… Not talking a relocating team, but a new AHL team.

If not, The Flames moved out of Omaha this season and The Atlanta Flames had a team there 3-4 seasons.

If not maybe Birmingham, close so folks could go there for games etc…

We just have to get a THRASHERS AHL team, one that works with the parent club in ALL phases, rather than the Chicago deal we have.

But again… It ALL goes back to waddell and his consistant inability to be a REAL NHL GM, and these cheap A$$ owners,time to get it done.

By GaVaHokie

March 28, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Poor White Trash… yes I realize, but Waddell tends to go overboard with the “entry level” salary players. You grab those guys AFTER you’ve met key needs. This summer, he needs to spend atleast $4 million on a defeneseman and another $4 million on a Top-line RW.

After that, he can fill the roster with as many $1 million guys he wants. This team has way more than 8 low-salary guys.

By GaVaHokie

March 28, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

Poor White Trash… also, we had to replace a lot of roster players last summer. So, I think Waddell went a little overboard with the “cheap” guys to fill holes. Now that we see who the real contributors are (ala Perrin, Thorburn) we can drop the dead weight and fill in the necessary holes with higher-priced players.

By Sara

March 28, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Bob (and Stats) that’s some great stuff!! It’s a trap! Haha I’ll be snickering about that one all day. Good stuff, good stuff. Course, I guess it’s appropriate that I’m one of the few people that actually likes Jar Jar Binks. Well intentioned and has a good heart but yet somehow manages to f-it up or nail it completely by accident. Hence the comparison I suppose.

By TableHockey

March 28, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Terry in Dahlonega - I’m for Anderson. Maybe if Chicago replaces him with one of their assistants then we would actually have system continuity between the Thrasher’s and the Wolves. I hate hearing that players called up from Chicago have to watch videos to figure out what the Thrasher’s system is.

Here is what I have for UFA/RFAs:

ufa: milan bartovic, eric boulton, fred brathwaite, kevin doell, darren haydar, johan hedberg, bobby holik, jason krog, joel kwiatkowski, steve mccarthy, karel pilar, mark popovic, steve rucchin, jesse schultz

rfa: joseph crabb, guillaume desbiens, kari lehtonen, nathan oystrick, brett sterling

So who do you guys think should be resigned and who shouldn’t?

By Russian

March 28, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

I posted UFA D-men on this blog also. May be Don will read it. Here is list of D-men with UFA status next year. UFA D-men

By Jim

March 28, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

I’m sure that Zhitnik has been shopped on the waiver wire with no takers. We’ll have to buy him out of his contract. We’re still stuck with X and Klee. Both are worthless. I thought last year was supposed to be *youth movement, not the useless (over the hill vets) movement” that we got. * C’mon DW stop the crap.

By Maury

March 28, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

It would be so exciting to see a real youth movement in Atlanta. They dipped their toe in it this year by letting Little develop at the NHL level. LaVallee is another player who would be very exciting to watch. He has the whole package, size, speed, skill and heart. A Wolves favorite.

By GaVaHokie

March 28, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Allow me to dream for a second… trade Zhitnik in the draft for draft picks. Extend Kari at $4 million per, Sign Campbell or Redden at $7 million, Jason Smith or Roszival at $3-$4 million and sign Rolston for about $4 million. That puts the team salary at around $44 million.

Assuming we let everyone else walk this summer. That gives us a roster like this.

Kovy Little Rolston

Perrin Christ. Armstrong

Kozy White Thorburn

Larsen Slater Stuart

Campbell/Redden Smith/Roszival

Enstrom Havelid

Exelby Klee

Valabik

Lehtonen Pavelec

That’s using everyone under contract for next year and ONLY resigning Lehtonen.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 28, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

First off, we better sign Kari. Something has definitely clicked with him since the All Star break. I think he figured out that he doesn’t like losing. He is more passionate and holding guys accountable. He should be calling out his crappy defenders. Although, not much he can do about Boris. He is still out of position a lot but that is to be expected. You got to love the fact that we FINALLY have someone who will clear people out of Kari’s crease. And not do it politely…

So I think we have found out that Kovy needs to play with at least one BIG body (if not two) to crash the crease for him on his line. I’m not 100% sold on Tucan Sam and FrankenBobby, but they did look good last night.

I also think Darren Elliot was correct last night when he said that we are seeing some experiments with things that we plan on doing next year. For example, the defense got involved a lot last night. McCarthy looked pretty good leaving the point and taking some decent shots. I hope this strategy continues into next season.

As for personnel, I think we should obviously ditch ZhittyNick. That is a given. Waive him, trade him, deport him, I don’t care. Just get rid of him. I have since crossed out his signature from my jersey of signatures. Havilid and Endstrom should obviously stay. I am getting weary of X. I agree that he isn’t the same player after Holwig waxed him two seasons ago (or whenever that was). I don’t know if he is gun shy or what, but he has taken a few steps back on his play. Klee is serviceable but I would like to get a bit younger. Kiwi is a good AHL player. I want to see Pops and Boris get a shot but WE NEED A NEW GOOOOOOOOOOOOD D-Man. I’m not sure who is out there but I want a BIG/FAST/STAY AT HOME d-man. We got guys who can move the puck. I want some guys who can move other teams players.

I want to see some new faces next year…

oh, and I am glad to see the blogs have finally started to move away from the constant “fire Waddell” crap and on to dealing with what we have.

sorry for the Brenden-esque post

By Russian

March 28, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

to GaVaHokie

It is very intresting Roster. I did not think about Rolston. And You said that sign everyone for 1 year! It will not work with UFA. They are looking for secure contract at least for 2-3 years.

By Midfield

March 28, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

I am actually pleased with Valabik this far. He has good hands for his size. He skates better than Chara in his 1st NHL year. And this is the perfect time for him to shed his bad AHL habits - like getting stuck behind his own net, sloppy line changes, or wacking people behind the play two feet away from a referee.

By Alan

March 28, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

but I doubt we’d see an AHL hockey team relocate to Atlanta.

It doesn’t have to be a relocation. There is a plan in the works to build an arena of sorts in the McDonough area, and bringing in a hockey team is one of their goals. In the AJC, it was reported (back in October or November, I believe) that the owners of this arena would be from the Central Hockey League. Personally speaking, I’d much rather see an AHL team take up residence there.

When the arena is built, and if the owners of the arena are keen to the idea, a pitch could be made to expand the AHL and bring a team to the Atlanta area. This would be great for player development and far less costly as far as recalls are concerned. Calling a player up would be as simple as driving north on I-75 to the practice facility instead of hopping on a jet at O’Hare and dealing with ground transportation at the airport.

By lars wanker

March 28, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

I like and Zhitnik. That being said, it is the nature of the game. We need to be more agressive - and learn how to pass the damned puck.

By GaVaChickenhawk

March 28, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

look for samsonov to rack up at least 2 goals tonight!!!

By GaVaHokie

March 28, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Russian… no, I meant that we ONLY keep the players we have under contract for next year. Allowing all UFA’s to walk (Holik, Boulton, Hedberg,etc)

By Russian

March 28, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

to GaVaHokie

I got you. It will be almost Dream Team. If we add smart Coaches, who is gonna make a perfect Hockey system it will be a Dream Team. :-)

By Bob

March 28, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

oh, and I am glad to see the blogs have finally started to move away from the constant “fire Waddell” crap and on to dealing with what we have

Oh, don’t you fret, there’s few that have resigned themselves to “dealing with what we have”. If Waddell stays, all else is moot as it’ll just be more of the same old. We’re anxiously awaiting April 7, 2008, the day we can finally get on with building a successful franchise.

But yes, we’ve moved beyond simply Fire Waddell, now it’s Fire Jar Jar Binks

By GaVaChickenhawk

March 28, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Fire Donny Boy!

By GaVaHokie

March 28, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Where’s the petition to reinstate Sloppy Joe Friday’s at the cafeteria?

By ASG

March 28, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

We have raised ticket prices and dropped our payroll. We will not hire another gm and have two on the payroll. We did not hire a coach this year because we had the one we fired still on payroll. We will not increase our spending. We will make minor changes in the off season to appease you people but that is all. Go buy tickets. Sincerely, ASG

By Cdiddy

March 28, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

No matter what the Thrashers do, whether they keep some guys or let some others walk away, or call in my youth from Chicago, none of it will have as strong of an impact in less they address to pressing needs: 1) Either re-working their defense or getting some guys that can play a team defense and get the shots on goals down (What 42, last night) and 2) Address the glaring weakness they have had ever since they came into the league and get some strength down the middle. The Thrashers have never had more than one strong player down the center seemingly. A lot of that comes from bad drafting or bad trades which is the management’s fault. I know hindsight is 20/20, and projections are just that, but looking at the drafts, let see who we could have had: (Note: I will only be pulling from the first two rounds) In 1999, I admit this was a weak draft but we could have had one of the two Sedin twins, who did take a little while to shape up or Barret Jackman who won the Calder trophy, or Martin Havlat (though he has had some tough injuries) but we ended up getting the uber-bust Patrick Stefan. In 2000, We got Dany Heatly. I would have loved to have kept him but to no avail. Even if Rick DiPietro hadn’t declared for the draft and Dany went to The Islanders instead (I know the Islander fans would love that, than they probably wouldn’t have traded Roberto Luongo and would have Dany Heatly as well, what could have been?) We could have had Marian Gaborik, Alexander Frolov, Brad Boyes or even Ilya Bryzgalov for netminding, but you would be hard pressed to pass up Heatly if he was available. In 2001, We got Kovy, can’t argue with that one either. I remember when that happened that I thought things were going to be looking up. In 2002, We got Kari, again I think was a good choice. Some might argue that Kari is a bust and given that he started off so prone to injury, one might be right. I just have to think with the amount of rubber that guy sees, if he had a better defense in front of him, his numbers would be a lot better. But, another player we could have had would have been Jay Bouwmeester, we had another 1st round draft pick (30th) we could have used on Josh Harding who is now #1 Goaltender in Minnesota, Duncan Keith who holds down the blueline in Chicago or Matt Stajan who will probably be the Leafs next captain, but instead we got Jim Slater In 2003, This one falls into the bad trades category. We get Braydon Coburn which is great; than before we give him the (ice) time to develop we trade him for a player who currently watching the games from the pressbox. What we could also have done is not draft Coburn and pick up Dion Phaneuf who was drafted right after Coburn. This was a deep draft when looking at it; We also could have had Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown, Zach Parise, Ryan Getzlaf, Mike Richards or even Corey Perry. We didn’t have a 2nd round pick but if we did, we could have gotten Matt Carle, Shea Weber or Patrice Bergeron, but I still would have picked Phaneuf. In 2004, We got Boris Valabik who is finally seeing time with the big club. We’ll see if he sticks. We also could have drafted Drew Stafford, Travis Zajac or Wojtek Wolski in the 1st. In 2005, We drafted Alex Bourret and traded him later for Pascal Dupuis. Who knows what will become of him. We could have also picked up Marc-Edouard Vlasic or Paul Stastny (he went 2nd round) so we actually could have had both. In 2006, We got Brian Little, who I like and think he has a lot of potential. Again this is all based on hindsight, who knows. Little could be great. For those drafted after him I think it is still up in the air to see what becomes of them In 2007, We traded our 1st pick top St. Louis for Keith Tkachuk, a player we knew we probably wouldn’t able to resign. As I recollect, we also didn’t have a 2nd round pick either. The 1st pick that St. Louis had from us was traded to Calgary who used it on Mikael Backlund. We’ll have to see if trading for Tkachuk will have a lasting impact and who is to say with or without Tkachuk would we still have made the playoffs. Even making the playoffs wasn’t much better, it’s not like we would have been swept in three games as opposed to four. So in Hindsight, we could have a team consisting of Barret Jackman, Marian Gaborik (provided we knew that Heatly would want out), Kovy, Kari, Matt Stajan, Dion Phaneuf, Boris Valabik, Paul Stastny, Marc-Edouard Vlasic & Brain Little. That is not bad, they are all good and young. You could have a starting line-up of: G-Kari D-Jackman D-Phaneuf W-Kovy W-Gaborik C-Stastney And still have Stajan & Little up front and Valabik & Vlasic on the blue line. Pretty good so far, huh? The bad drafting has a deeper impact. First being, it is hard to find any free agents that want to come here in less they are not getting the ice time they wanted with their old team (probably should tell you something right there) or they are older and in the last years of their careers, but still want to play. Either way, we generally overpay them. Regardless this is seemingly the only way to get them to come. The other fallout is when we do have a good player, we often cannot resign them as they want to either compete for a contender (Hossa) or they want to play in a Hockey city (Heatly, though not really a free agent) The list is longer than just Hossa. A few come to mind: Mark Savard, Donald Audette, Keith Tkachuk to name a couple. Fact is, no one really wants to play here. Bobby Holik has stated that there is a lot of apathy in the Thrashers locker room. I imagine he would know. It seems to me that until management and ownership can gets itself straight, why would anyone want to play here. The ownership is a joke and they need to make a change. They need to fire Waddell as he has been given time to build this team and all he seems to do is create a hockey void in the heart of the South. Until the team builds a winning tradition, (seemingly, the only team in Atlanta that can is the Braves and even that is within the last two decades) no one is going to look to this team as model franchise. And, if regrettably Ownership ever decides to sell this team and the team were to relocate then it would be really sad if no one was sad to see it go.

By Sara

March 28, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

WOW! Hey Cdiddy paragraph breaks man, paragraph breaks.

By ASG

March 28, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Quit whinning and buy tickets! ASG

By GaVaHokie

March 28, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

HABS INSIDE/OUT site has made me keep my promise that if Montreal finished first over all in the East, I would run naked down Peach Tree Street tomorrow, Saturday from noon until 1pm, so if you wanna see a cute booty, join in on the fun. Habs inside/out site rules, Ajc DROOLS. hee Haw.

By Don

March 28, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

So why did DW the GM trade Coburn for a player that DW the coac does not like? This blame game happens every year. DW wants everyone to think he made all the right moves and it was someone elses fault.

How intersting that he is focusing on the playoffs. DW is dulusional or thinks everyone else is stupid.

By Jar Jar Binks

March 28, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

How intersting that he is focusing on the playoffs. DW is dulusional or thinks everyone else is stupid

*Gungans no giben up witout a fight. Wesa warriors! Wesa got a gwand army. Dats why yousa Bob and Don guys no liken us, I tink

By Gary

March 28, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

Don’t fret Atlanta fans! Your Atlanta Hawks are going to the PLAYOFFS! Watch tonight as they crush the Chicago Bulls!

Poor Waddell… Billy and Woody just outsmarted him!

By Brendan

March 28, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, good link. And I would sign Kristian Huselius, too. I just wouldn’t overpay for him. If the numbers go too high, I’d just bow out. He’s a decent acquisition, at the right price.

I look at Washington, a team that was behind us for most of the year, that made trade deadline moves (Huet, Federov), as opposed to “asset salvaging moves,” and I can’t help but think: “Now, there goes a team with passion!”

Ovechkin gets locked up for the next 13-years … goes on a tear … could finish with 70-goals, and the hockey media can’t do anything but GUSH about the Capitals. Especially since there’s a possible #1 vs. #8 that would see Ovechkin and Crosby tangle head-to-head. Even if it’s Montreal vs. Washington, it’s still a Canadian city playing Ovechkin. That’s a TV-rating draw up there. And who knows? Would you bet a paycheck that the Capitals couldn’t pull off the upset of the Habs?

By Mike

March 28, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

Quick thought….anyone think the Thrashers should get rid of the #9 jersey? Savard wears it…doesn’t resign. Metro wears it….doesn’t resign. KT wears it…doesn’t resign. Dupuis wears it..gets traded. Christenson wears it…gets hurt. I think the number is cursed! Get rid of the #9 now! If Christenson wants to wear it next year, maybe try #09. I’m just saying….

By Jar Jar Binks

March 28, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

And I would sign Kristian Huselius, too. I just wouldn’t overpay for him

Mesa would. Mesa tink Huselius key to Cupland. Datsa why yous guys post on Blogus Bord and Wesa Build Grand Trasher Army

By LAC

March 28, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Boy what a egg laying tonight…

There are about 10-12 players on the team who should be waived before monday’s Tampa game, it is just an awful team.

Needs to be rebuilt from waddell down, he has shown he is incompentent as hell, and most of the team as well… Fire waddell 4/6 for the sake of the team !!!!!

By B. Thenet

March 28, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

These guys need Dean Sylvester or Steve Guolla to come in and give them a pep talk on what it means to wear the Thrashers uniform with pride.

At this point, I would probably consider moving Ilya for the right price. He is not part of the solution at all.

By TRON

March 28, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE…….. IN MARCH….. TRASHERS ARE 3-8-3……. “MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”, RIGHT DUMBA$$???………..

By TRON

March 28, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE……. LET’S LOOK AT STUFF….. TRASH ARE -56 IN GOALS FOR/AGAINST…. THAT’S “MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”, RIGHT????….. WELL, YOU TELL ME GENIUS…………….

By TRON

March 28, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE……… THE HAWKS WON AGAIN……. THEY’RE “MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”…. SO TELL ME, WHY AREN’T THE TRASHERS????…….. IS THAT BOB HARTLEY’S FAULT??????………. WELL, YOU ARE THE ONE MAKING DECISIONS, SO YOU TELL ME………. I’M JUST CURIOUS……..

By TRON

March 28, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE………. SINCE MARIAN HOSSA GOT HIMSELF OUT OF THIS SH!THOLE, DON WADDELL’S TRASHERS HAVE ONLY WON 3 GAMES………. IS THAT “MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”?????…….. I’M NOT SO SURE, THAT’S WHY I ASK………

By Brendan

March 28, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Can’t believe it finished, 7-1. I was watching the Flyers tie it up in the final seconds with the Devils, then lose in the Shootout. NJ could have dealt Philly a serious blow by denying them that point. If the Flyers are to make the playofs, they must beat the Isles tomorrow, as their final games are against Pittsburgh and NJ. Buffalo somehow managed to bungle a 3-1 lead, very “late” in the 3rd period. Then they lost to the Habs in OT. If the Sabres weren’t done before, they’ve got to be out of it now. They led Ottawa 3-1 in the 3rd and lost 6-3, as I recall. If they’d won those two games, then taken care of business with Boston, they could have been a playoff team.

Andrew Brunette just scored for Colorado to tie it up, 3-3, with Edmonton. This game has revelance for the Oilers, as Minnesota is kicking Vancouver’s backsides, 4-0, late in the 3rd period. The Canucks are struggling. Will Edmonton catch them??

By TRON

March 28, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE………. SINCE THE ALL-STAR BREAK, DON WADDELL AND THE TRASHERS HAVE WON 9 TIMES……. OUT OF 27 GAMES………… IS THAT A BETTER EXAMPLE OF “MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”????????………. PLEASE, ENLIGHTEN ME……….

By TRON

March 28, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE……… MORE FUN FACTS FOR YOU……. DON WADDELL’S TRASHERS ARE NOW 7 GAMES BELOW .500……… BUT CLEARLY, THAT’S HARTLEY’S FAULT, RIGHT?????……… OR IS THAT JUST “MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”?????………… YOU TELL ME, JACKA$$……….

By TRON

March 28, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE………. DOESN’T IT SUCK THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP PAYING HARTLEY FOR WADDELL’S INCOMPETENCE????……. LMAO……… YEAH, BOB’S LAUGHING HIS A$$ OFF RIGHT NOW, AND I AM TOO……………

By TRON

March 28, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE…….. LET’S DO A FUN LITTLE QUIZ……… WHO IS THE BIGGER DUMBA$$, DON WADDELL, OR YOU FOR LETTING HIM SUCKER YOU??????……….. THIS IS NOT A TRICK QUESTION, BUT EITHER ANSWER IS ACCEPTABLE………

By BRUCE

March 29, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

HEY TRON….Caps Lock dude.

By Tron

March 29, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Habs inside/out site beats Hotlanta HANDS DOWN, they have a TRIVIA SHOW THIS WEEKEND WITH GUESTS, GAMES AND PRIZES. Since they are now the new BEASTS OF THE EAST, I advise all my HEE HAW bretheran to check them out.

By GaVahokie

March 29, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Maybe Waddell found out that TRON and myself are loverboys at HABS INSIDE/OUT, a pre eranded marriage between same sex Montreal fans posing as Hotlanta fans. The Teacher told me this new personna would take place, and boy, am I sore, HEE HAW.

By MB

March 29, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

Here’s a link to a TSN look at the top UFAs and RFAs this summer. Needless to say, a number of them would provide an upgrade for the Thrashers.

Check it out and pick up your favorites, or stick around for more stirring all-caps commentary from Tron.

By Tony C.

March 29, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

I thought Tkachuk wore #7???

Also, let’s be realistic, this team hasn’t really drafted well outside of “lock” picks-and those picks have been gutted after the past few seasons.

I hope and pray we get a new GM, but even Conn Smythe would need three seasons to rebuild the team properly

B. Thenet-Drastic, but I understand where you’re coming from. Realistically I don’t see it happening. But who knows?

Believe in Tankland

By sick of bad hockey

March 29, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

The Hockey News ranked DW 28th out of the 30 GM’s in the league.

How much did he have to pay to get moved up so far?

By Brendan

March 29, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Tony C., the Thrashers will only trade Kovalchuk in the manner they traded Hossa. That is, when contract talks ultimately fail, and it’s now about “asset salvaging.” But, let’s face it, you cannot replace Kovalchuk. No matter what you get, none of those players will be Ilya. In that situation, you hope for “depth” players at your positions of need. That’s uhhh … difficult to accept. Even if it’s First round picks as the return, what does THAT guarantee? Answer: Absolutely nothing. Moreover, what WAS THE POINT of winning that draft lottery back in 2001, if the moment that player gets the option to leave … he takes it? It represents a complete and utter failure on the part of the entire organization, from ownership, to management, to coaching staff, down the scouting department. That’s a “homegrown” talent. The Atlanta Thrashers Hockey Club drafted him. We didn’t “steal” him from some other club.

Imagine if the Devils lost Brodeur? Or if the Red Wings had lost Yzerman? Or Quebec/Colorado had lost Sakic? Certain players … just HAVE TO BE retained. Ilya is our FRANCHISE. An the franchise is letting him down.

Folks, a LOT is riding on these offseason moves, as it relates to Kovalchuk. Kovy has already spelled it out … “We need to make the right offseason moves, not just to make the playoffs, but to compete for the Cup.” That’s a tall order for Scotty Bowman, with this club. And Kovy expects these kinds of results from Don Waddell? And this ownership group?? It would take Helen Keller to pull that off. (Yes, the “Miracle Worker.”)

By Brendan

March 29, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

Sick of Bad Hockey, who were 29th and 30th, just out of curiosity?

By Nikita

March 30, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Tkachuk actually wore #8. If we want to retire jinxes, we should probably retire the Believe in Blueland campaign — the only feature player in it that hasn’t seen some sort of seriously diminished production is Kari.

Believe in Hossa — lowered production and a trade. Believe in Kozlov — heh. Believe in Kovalchuk — injury. Believe in Exelby — worst season yet.

By Russ

March 30, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Brendan - Kevin Lowe was ranked 29th, Jay Feaster 30th.

By Brendan

March 30, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Wow! Thanks Russ. There’s no way Feaster should be 30th. That’s got to be the case of a poll influenced by the current standings. Feaster did lead his team to a Stanley Cup in 2004, and potential repeat Cup, had there not been a lockout in 2005.

Where Feaster made a mistake was letting Khabibulin go, in favor of handing Brad Richards a 5-year deal, at $7.8 million-per-season in cap hit. Khabibulin was asking for “too much money.” I agree that Khabibulin was overpaid in his next contract with Chicago. But, a GM has to take stock of his critical positions of need. And, c’mon now, folks, goaltending is a pretty important position. Which means, Feaster, perhaps, should have considered moving St. Louis or Brad Richards for as close to a King’s ransom as he could find. Bygones, for them. I understand what Feaster was thinking. “I’ve got to keep my ‘young core’ together.” Well, Brad Richards is gone now, anyway. So is Khabibulin. Can St. Louis be that far behind? At least Feaster knew to renew Dan Boyle on a 6-year deal. Now, he’ll have to get a goalie. Who knows? Maybe Feaster would consider moving this lottery draft pick for a proven goalie? He has several options. Moving lottery picks for current players is often viewed as a “short-sighted” strategy, however.

GM Kevin Lowe does have Hemsky, Horcoff, Pisani, Stoll, Penner, Souray, Pitkanen, Staios, Cogliano, Glencross, Raffi Torres and Ethan Moreau. Those aren’t “pathetic” names. Many of these players have played in the Stanley Cup Finals. The power ranking must be looking at the salary vs. the success. In that regard, Edmonton is fantastically underachieving, given their payroll. I suspect the power ranking is punishing Lowe for his RFA offersheets last Summer, for Penner and Vanek.

By Nix

March 30, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Hey, Brendan- sorry to be pedantic, but Helen Keller was not the miracle worker, Anne Sullivan was. She worked the miracle on Keller. But good point, otherwise :-)

By Craig Custance

March 30, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Thrashers will be calling up Jordan LaVallee from Chicago.

By Terry

March 30, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

I SAY WE HIRE PATRICK ROY!!!!! I THINK HE WOULD MAKE KARI EVEN BETTER!!!

By Thrashy Thrashy

March 30, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

LW Jordan LaVallee

I kinda like this clip.

By kracker

March 30, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

Craig, I agree that you should have included getting a new GM as one of the choices in the current poll.

That move can cure the other ills.

By Brendan

March 30, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Nix, you know … I thought I had that wrong. So, can we hire Anne Sullivan? Kovy’s future depends on it.

By Nix

March 31, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this

Brendan, if I told you Anne’s been dead for 72 years and was legally blind, would you still prefer her to what we’ve currently got?

By Tony C.

March 31, 2008 1:50 AM | Link to this

YAAA!

LaVallee.

I’ve been waiting on this kid. I hear he’s got “the knack” you know, timely scoring-CLUTCH type of play. Sounds great. Just wondering why it took this long. Play the kids. Just do it.

Believe in Tankland

P.S. Seriously, somebody call John Vanbiesbrouck, see if he’s interested, and remind him that the N-word is really not going to fly in the ATL. I think he’d be a great coach for Kari, as his positioning was always impressive to me… Soo wasn’t tearing it up the year he coached them, but we’d just be asking hime to coach goalies. He may not want to get out of broadcasting…but give it a shot right?

By Sara

March 31, 2008 6:23 AM | Link to this

Craig any word from Don about where he sees LaVallee fitting in here?

As an aside observation:

Colby Armstrong 6’2” Erik Christensen 6’1” Boris Valabik 6’7” Jordan LaVallee 6’3”

Gee, think there’s a pattern at work here? Guess we’re not going to be the smurfs again next year.

By Nikita

March 31, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Nope. Seems the midgets won’t rule the roost any more.

LaVallee…I’d like to see him play. His clips look good, but obviously people don’t save clips that aren’t interesting.

By Bob

March 31, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Kevin Lowe was ranked 29th, Jay Feaster 30th

How can they rank Feaster dead last? He gets a mid level ranking on the basis of his recent Cup win, alone.

I’d take either of those guys over Waddell, that’s how bad he is.

By Nikita

March 31, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Serial posting…

As these changes take effect, we only have 5 or 6 players under 6’0” — almost all are veterans. Recchi, Koz, Perrin, White, Little, Enstrom, Zhitnik. Given how the veterans fared this year, I’d say we’re going significantly younger and bigger.

Now, on the kids…which I’m defining as anyone below peak age.

I’m really impressed with Bryan Little. He’s quietly solid, plays bigger than he is, and is unfailingly game. Haven’t seen him do anything stupid yet, either.

Kovy. Brilliant. Should not be captain. Needs a good rehab in the off-season.

Thorburn…developing nicely. Has good size, speed, and gameness (with some lapses — he’s played a few notably slow games this year). Needs work in the offseason to build on what started after the all-star game.

Popovic…has never seen much ice time. And therefore I have no idea whether he could step up given the chance. All the ice time he has gotten doesn’t suggest it, though — maybe give him one more year (especially since we’re not replacing our whole D) and then cut him.

Colby Armstrong is a brilliant acquisition.

Erik Christensen…could be a problem, could be brilliant. The question is…will he remain healthy and mentally stable? He seems to have plenty of talent, but issues with producing at full potential.

Enstrom…obviously brilliant. Hope we continue to acquire decent-sized and decently intelligent defensemen to play with him to cut down on wear and complement his game. Hope he also matures a little into better passing — he’s very good in general, but occasionally can be totally sloppy.

Slater…I’m troubled by. I appreciate the urge to purge people who aren’t paying off. At the same time, I’m not sure that Slater is among those. i’m pretty sure that he’s not been properly deployed for much of this season. And he’s cheap, so it might be nice to see him kept another year and played more effectively. But then, we have too many forwards…

Valabik…promising debut, but he’s slow and stupid. We have plenty of slow and stupid, so I hope over the summer he develops his mental game. Physically I’d like to see him back, but mentally…not if he can’t become better at reading the game.

In general, I’d like to see the kids developing or gone. I think many of them have a lot of potential to convert, but I don’t want to see a traffic jam on the 3rd and 4th lines next season of people who “have potential.”

By Chris LiPuma

March 31, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Enstrom sloppy? like when? maybe after cleaning up after someone else.

By Bob

March 31, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

What’s everyone think about Little? He seems to have a bit of Todd White in him, not very effective but skates around looking pretty, ya know? I mean Little has been in 45 games and has 5 goal and 10 assists for 15 pts in those 45 games. Not very impressive seeing how he’s been getting minutes skating with Kovy. I just don’t see Little being an answer at top line center next year. Obivously White isn’t either. Christensen is better off at 2nd line center.

We still need a top line center for Kovy.

By Nikita

March 31, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Enstrom is sloppy in his passing. Not consistently, but enough to be of concern.

And I like Little. I doubt he’ll be top-line material next season, but you never know.

By Brendan

March 31, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Nix, if the dead can influence what happens here among the living, then YESSSS! I’d want such a powerful force working in the Thrashers favor!

Bob, Kovalchuk has made it CLEAR to Waddell and the ASG that he expects a Tier I center for his line next season. “We have to make good offseason moves, not to just make playoffs, but to play for the Cup.”

If the GM, in concert with ownership, simply chooses to ignore these comments by Kovalchuk, then they are ALREADY accepting his departure in 2010. And if that is the case, Kovy holds more trade value now than he does at the trade deadline in February 2010.