AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAnother big body from the AHL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tampa - My first impression of Jordan LaVallee is that he’s huge. Not Boris Valibik tall, obviously, but who is? LaVallee is thick and 6-foot-3, throw some skates on him and I hurt my neck looking up to him during an interview after the morning skate. He said he hadn’t been told who he’s going to skate with tonight, but the quartet of him, Brad Larsen, Todd White and Eric Boulton skated together this morning.
Three games isn’t much time to make an evaluation, but at least he’ll get a taste of the NHL. He said he found out yesterday morning from Larry Simmons, calling it the best wake up call he’s ever received. He arrived in Tampa last night around 9 p.m. and said he was wiped out from a day-long adrenaline rush. What are your expectations for him tonight?
Looks like Kari Lehtonen is in goal, although Don Waddell wasn’t there today to talk lineup. I’m assuming he’s scouting some of these college games going on right now. And no, not the NCAA basketball tournament. By the way, thanks a lot Wisconsin for screwing up my Final Four, that’s what I get for putting my faith in the Badgers.
I’ve been meaning to chat for a moment with Colby Armstrong who I really feel for right now. Pittsburgh has moved to the top of the East and the Thrashers fall has been about as dramatic. It’s interesting watching him after games, because most of the players are at the point where they’re showering and exiting minutes after the game ends. But you can tell the losing is wearing on Armstrong. After the Washington loss the other night, he just sat at his locker, cursing. He was obviously livid, which you have to appreciate even though the games are essentially meaningless. You have to remember, this is a guy who loves to win, and has been known to bust out a victory dance after wins. I’m guessing he hasn’t been doing too much of that since arriving in Atlanta.
He said he still keeps in close touch with his former teammates. He watched the game yesterday that pushed the Penguins to the top of the conference. I told him he needs to recruit a couple of the unrestricted free agents from Pittsburgh, especially if the Penguins sign Hoss and don’t have money to keep everyone. You don’t think a guy like 6-foot-4 Ryan Malone would be a nice fit in Atlanta? He’s exactly the kind of gritty player the Thrashers need. Or how about a d-man like Brooks Orpik. You can tell Armstrong desperately wants to win and is looking forward to a clean slate next season, as I’m sure most of the fans are.
Asked Ilya Kovalchuk if he planned on playing in the World Championships, and he said he hadn’t been contacted yet about it. But he said he’d take a week off after the season, and then “why not?”
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Comments
By Tony C.
March 31, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
I am looking forward to seeing a guy who realizes he makes his living on the forecheck.
It’ll be refreshing to see a guy like that in Thrasherblue.
Craig Mind asking #17 if he plays @ Worlds will he rock #71 (I ask b/c Malkin had it last time for Russia, and I thought Russia had retired “17” ) or will he just go to a whole ‘nother number.
Also, in regard to Worlds, I would think Enstrom will be invited, but is he worried about fatigue??
Yes, I do feel for Armstrong, and especially for Christensen-finally get time to shine then get hurt?-sucky. Is Christensen still hanging out with the team?
Woo-Hoo LaVallee! I’ve been waiting for this kid.
Believe in Tankland
By GaVaHokie
March 31, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Looking forward to seeing Lavallee play tonight… oh wait… it’s not televised.
Malone (LW) would be great, but where do you put him? He would demand 2nd line minutes. Do you bump Perrin to 4th line and play Malone with Christensen and Armie on the 2nd line?
Orpik is a great blueliner… even moreso that his temper is under control and he takes less penalties… maybe he can teach Valabik a thing or two.
By Russ
March 31, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
I think everyone will like LaVallee. I’ve seen him a few times this season and he looked a lot more NHL ready to me than Valabik. I think he’ll develop into a competent third line player. He plays a very physical game and eventually I think he’ll put up 12-15 goals per year.
By NASCAR Dave
March 31, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Another big body from the AHL
GOOD! Maybe he can teach THE WIMPS how to MAN UP! And quit getting BULLIED AROUND every DAMN NIGHT!!!
LARSEN needs to sit then… he SUCKS!!!
This LAME DUCK GM’s Incompetence has now spread to his players!
NUFF SAID.
By Bob
March 31, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
I liked what little I saw of LaVallee this preseason. Good size and had a good nose for the puck, he could be a replacement for Slater or Larsen.
I don’t see TV coverage by Tampa tonight either, I was hoping with no local coverage, I’d get to see the HD Tampa feed on CenterIce, but no coverage at all?
By Russian
March 31, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
I like to see LaVellee and I hope I will at April 1 and 5. Where am I put him??? Hm!!! Yes, Second line. Slava needs to sit down, he did not do s** on Ice lately. Little played with LaVellee in Chicago, he knows him. PUT LaVellee on Second Line. If you want to see what Forward can do give him a TIME. Game in Tampa is nothing. I bet, we want to lose to keep Lottery % is UP. This is one point. Second one is we want to be fresh on Home Ice at April 1 to show somthing for our Fans. That’s a reason to put LaVellee to second line. Malone from Pittsburg will be good help for Thrashers. Make a Pittsburg line: Malone-Chush-Army. And Oprik will be much better than Zhitnik, Klee, Mak, Popovic and Co.
By Nikita
March 31, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Where am I put him??? Hm!!! Yes, Second line.
NOOOOOOOOOOO! The 2nd line works — don’t mess with it.
3rd line is the place for LaVallee — not sure who’s on it at the mo’.
By Sam
March 31, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
My expectations are simple. Don’t be a liability. Stay out of the box. Be where your linemates expect you to be on the ice, and be defensively responsible. Any points you contribute will be a bonus the first night out.
By GaVaHokie
March 31, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Nikita… my guess is that Larsen sits tonight and the lines are as follows…
Kovy Holik Thorburn
Perrin Christ Armie
Kozy Little Recchi
Lavallee Slater Boulton
By GaVaHokie
March 31, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Oh, I just remembered, I think White is back tonight… so you might see Boulton sit and they may try using White on the RW side… Waddell mentioned he might try White on the wing for next year… this would be an early experiment.
By five_hole
March 31, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
But you can tell the losing is wearing on Armstrong. After the Washington loss the other night, he just sat at his locker, cursing. - That’s the kind of player I want in the locker room. I put an ‘A’ on him, just for having an attitude like that!
Does anyone know if the game is going to be televised? Last I heard, it is not.
I hope wherever they play LaVallee, he gets 15-18 minutes. If you’re trying to evaluate him, he has to get the minutes. Let him play on the checking line and on a scoring line. Let’s see what he’s got.
By GaVaHokie
March 31, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Actually… I forgot, Christensen is out on injury, so White will probably Center Perrin and Armie.
By Nikita
March 31, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Thanks, GaVaHokie.
I’d like to see Larsen traded on the offseason. And White should probably be sitting right now — he’s not recovered, and his play is pretty poor.
Love lines 1 and 2. White/Recchi/Little strikes me as a bad-ish idea. a. Little and Recchi play similar games, but they could use a third banger. Kozzy is not it. Maybe Slater/Little/Recchi or Lavallee/Little Recchi?
By Sam
March 31, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
I found the game listed on center ice. Mute the TV and listen to Kamal and Odgers. Those Tampa guys are as bad as Carolina and Nashville broadcasters. ugh
By Nikita
March 31, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Actually… I forgot, Christensen is out on injury, so White will probably Center Perrin and Armie.
I hope not, though it seems anyone can play well with them. Slater did pretty well in that position last week. Maybe Lavallee on that line?
By Smoooooothie
March 31, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
LavallEEEE, LavallAAAA, LavallHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
just screwin’ around…too bad we won’t get to see the kid knock Vinny and Marty the Midget around on TV.
Here are my lines for tonite:
Kovy — Holik — LaVallee (let’s see what he can do!!)
Kozzy — Perrin — Armstrong
Boulton — Little — Recchi (use Boults to open up the ice for Little and Rex…do work Eric, do work!)
Larsen — Slater — Thorburn (re-unite the Gods, well almost; to hell with Charmin…let his pu$$y a$$ rest for the offseason conditioning program in which he adds 20 lbs)
Go Thrashers!! Hope Boris along with Jordan kicks some more butt tonite in a losing effort…in Operation Tankland we trust!!
By GaVaHokie
March 31, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Nikita… Larsen is a pretty dependable guy for league minimum… he’s actually the idle candidate for your “healthy scratch” position.
I know that’s kind of a back-handed compliment, but if you’re gonna bench someone and use them only as a hole-filler, who better than a league minimum, dependable veteran who plays a solid role? In his case, a penalty killer.
He allows us to spend more money on other positions while providing a serviceable back-up in injury situations.
By Brendan
March 31, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Craig, I wouldn’t mind having Malone and Orpik. But why would they want to ride the “Titanic?” They could get money out of any organization that is trying to win.
I think what the Thrashers roster will feature from now until the team is sold … are draft picks, traded players (who didn’t choose Atlanta, and we see how well THAT goes,) and Tier II free agents just happy to still have a job in the NHL. And even then, it’ll require the ASG to overpay and/or overcommit years to the contract. Then up goes the age of the club (Klee, Rucchin, White, Larsen, Kozlov, Holik, Havelid, etc.)
Remember something folks, when you sign a 32-year old to a four-year deal, he’ll be 36 when the contract is finally over. No player in the league, by definition, gets any younger. This is the inherent difficulty in signing Tier II free agents to multi-year deals. But shhhh!, maybe no one will notice??
By Smoothie
March 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
GVH — that is what I’m thinking with respect to our boy Lars…might as well use him as our Scratch Boy because you know he is a professional and will be ready to play when called upon…in fact, he may excel in such spot, utility duty.
By GaVaHokie
March 31, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Brendan… I wouldn’t necessarily count out guys like Malone and Orpik… Christensen and Armstrong kind of opened my eyes a little bit when they were actually “excited” to make the change because they knew they’d have a bigger role… they admitted it sucked for them now, but long-term it was best for their career.
Angelo Esposito was also happy because he knew he had a better chance of making an NHL roster faster.
Again, another back-handed compliment… “wow the Thrashers suck, I’ll definitely get more playing time there.” But, all the same, that’s the recruiting strategy I’ve been saying all along… find guys who want bigger roles and more ice time… preferably on the “younger side” and not the “aging veteran” side.
By Mark
March 31, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Who cares who’s in the line-up or who gets called up? This team quit a long time ago and because of that I will not be watching or attending any more games. How can an ownership group keep a GM when the players have quit on the guy that can trade or waive them in a heartbeat? Doesn’t that tell you something? Shouldn’t that tell you that the players have no interest in staying on this sinking ship as long as Waddell is at the helm. This team has gone 14 and 27, for a 33.3% winning percentage in the 2nd half of the season. If I am correct it was Waddell who was coaching that team and not Hartley. Oh, and he brought all those players here too. Who is he going to fire now? Maybe it’s the Equipment Manager’s fault!
By Mark
March 31, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Brendan, I totall agree. No sought after Free Agents will come to Atlanta. Why would you come to Atlanta if you want a big payday AND a chance to win a Stanley Cup. Hopefully we will have a new GM this summer and I would recommend that GM try to go after some RFA’s like Sutter in Nashville and Carter in Philly.
By LAC
March 31, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
Craig… ANY chance you will or would ask waddell about his thoughts on the call for his firing or resigning ?
He cannot be that stupid to simply ignore it, can he ?
This disaster will not get one bit better until he is gone !
We can buyout players… It may hurt, but wehave to rid ourselves of zit/klee/slater/larsen/and todd white ! These guys are… maybe third string ECHL guys, nothing more and NOT ONE of them has helped the team one bit this season !!!
I’d just like you to ask waddell, he has to know the dislike people have for his work, not him personally, his work, Lots of nice guys get fired !
By Nikita
March 31, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Being my argumentative self here…
There are people who do what Larsen does, and better. If we’ve got to shed some old skool skin, I think he’s a good trade. And he shouldn’t be too hard to trade since he is cheap.
If the deal is sweet enough and short enough, we can get nearly anyone we want. The long-term contracts are DW’s choice, and they are specifically attractive to Tier II UFAs who have no more fingers to stick rings on. (“Hold this place fo three years. The climate’s nice. and there’s canasta!”) But if we build the team on the young, hungry talent, and just fill in with the vets, we’ll do fine — at least for a few years.
(Klee, Rucchin, White, Larsen, Kozlov, Holik, Havelid, etc.)
Looking at these…Klee, Holik and Havelid haven’t seen much age-related decline. If I had my druthers, though, every player over 30 would be on 1-2-year contracts. Specifically, I don’t think you’d see any difference in most of the above because the guys are playing to their abilities or close to it, but you’d see a huge difference in those for whom consistency is an issue or at least you’d be free of their salaries. The flip side is that we’d pay more if contracts were shorter — but I suspect it would be worth it to have that accountability.
By MB
March 31, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Wow, Brendan, it’s amazing to see how you’ve gone from being one of, if not the, most optimistic posters on here to, well, your current status. I guess 9 years of being Waddelled will do that to a guy.
I don’t disagree that it’s tougher to pitch a gig to come to Atlanta than it is to many other teams. I think Nikita, though, touches on an important point…you can perhaps entice young, eager players who may be behind somebody else’s shadow and who are looking for the opportunity to showcase their skills.
The ability to sell those kinds of players on the Thrashers, however, may well depend upon our next coach. That decision is critical to the prospects of the team over the next several years (based upon the appearance that DW isn’t going anywhere anytime soon).
As to expectations for Lavallee, mine are very tempered. With only three games, this to me is primarily a chance for his coaches to see what he needs to work on in the off-season and for him to get additional motivation for making the big club next year.
By Brendan
March 31, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Craig, can you ask Kovalchuk who he expects Don Waddell and the ASG to obtain for his line next year?
I’m just curious if #17 has actually put some thought into this? If he has someone in mind, shouldn’t he articulate that to management? Or, will he take the “standard approach?” Meaning, Ilya says, “It’s not my job to know how to manage a roster. It’s the GM’s. He should know how to get quality players here in Atlanta. He should know what the needs of the team are.”
It’s pattently obvious to me that Kovalchuk wants a Tier I center to play on his line for the next two years, and possibly beyond that. Well, if the ASG and the GM choose to ignore that request, then they’ve already given up on Kovalchuk in 2010. And Lord help us, if that’s the case, then Kovalchuk’s trade value is higher NOW than it will be in February of 2010, at the trade deadline.
But, I’m sure they wouldn’t even see that as an option, either, since Kovalchuk, alone, sells tickets to games. There are non-Thrasher fans who just come to see Kovalchuk play. For them, they could care less if the team wins or loses.
By BG33Brown
March 31, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Is this game not on Center Ice Tonight? WTF-why did I buy this if I can’t even supplement Sports South bullsh*t coverage.
If I am wrong….what channel is this on for DirectTV.
By Sam
March 31, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
My bad. I was looking at the April 1st center ice schedule, not tonight’s.
By kracker
March 31, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
This is one of the “exclusive” nights for VS who is showing the Pens-Rags game.
By Russian
March 31, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
How is LaVellee looks? Still 0:0 almost end of game.
By Russian
March 31, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Kovy!!!!! Goal!!!!!! Eat that B***!
By Russian
March 31, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
Tampa takes Time Out. They want to win a game. This is last Home game for Tampa. Let see what they can do.
By Russian
March 31, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Kovy goal. Empty net. Game is over 2:0 Atlanta.
By LAC
March 31, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
We win… No Stemkos !!!!!!!
By LAC
March 31, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Pittsburgh 8 Atlanta 4…
Looks like Braves may be this summers Thrashers !?!?!?!?!
By Nikita
March 31, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Sweet! Tampe DENIED.
By kracker
March 31, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Well, we screwed up and won, LOL! This win costs two spots in the draft lottery, as it stands now. But it isn’t over yet. TB has 3 games left and the Blues have 4 left.
It’s always great to see Kovy score 2 goals. And Kari played big again, good for him!
By Alan
March 31, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Real fans don’t cheer for their team to lose.
By srvadt
March 31, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Valabik got his first fight. No TV, so there is no way to know how he did … .
By kracker
March 31, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
We needed this win in the first half of Feburary.
By Nikita
March 31, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Indeed, kracker. Actually, if we’d played half decently out of the gate or, say, anytime before January, we would still be in contention. The good thing is that the petty *&^% that dogged us last season doesn’t have to this season. We have the ability to address glaring holes, and we have the issue to get the team adequately or better conditioned than their adversaries.
As to this tier one center…there are two ways to get one. 1. Buy one, which we may or may not do. 2. Raise one, which we seem to have challenges with doing, though it happens occasionally despite our best efforts to the contrary. My guess would be, though, that Don Waddell will not acquire a top center given the depth we have at center. So that leaves us to raise a center from the multitude of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th line forwards we have now and the Wolves.
By Brendan
April 1, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
MB, I really just feel like my team has been “hijacked” by a bunch of businessmen whose hearts aren’t in it anymore. And maybe never were. In 2005, Waddell urged the ownership group to spend up to the cap, which the ASG greenlighted. Whatever happened to THAT kind of ‘spirit’ from the Spirit Group?
If this organ-I-zation would just take the time to make a proper investment in a GM and, at the same time, be willing to spend within $3.5 to $4.0 million of the cap on Opening Night, year-after-year, I’d feel really good about the direction of the team.
Instead, I find myself pow-wowing with my fellow passengers, plotting to neutralize the hijackers, hoping to somehow get this aircraft safely back to the airport.
By Tony C.
April 1, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this
Petr Bondra’s back happened.
By GaVaHokie
April 1, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Well, it looks like all you Don Waddell haters got your wish. According to TSN, Waddell will be released at the end of this season.
By GaVaHokie
April 1, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Brendan… I’ve chatted with you long enough to know that YOU personally will regret being a naysayer… keep your chin-up. Big moves are coming! Don’t give in to the negativity.
There’s only one team that has more money to spend this summer than Atlanta, and that’s Columbus… Pittsburgh is 3rd, but they have another $9 million contract to dole out with Malkin, and an extension with Fleury and Staal.
If I’m wrong, I’m more than happy to eat crow and insist on new management.
By Mark
April 1, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
GaVaHokie, that was cruel. I actually got excited for a minute.
By Mark
April 1, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
GaVaHokie, the amount of money to spend isn’t the issue. The issue is 1) Will ASG let the GM spend the money necessary to totally rebuild this team and 2) Will the money be wisely spent. I have very little faith that the current ownership and leadership will spend the money necessary or spend it wisely. Having Cap space is irrelevant if you don’t use it or use it poorly. See Alexei Zhitnik and Todd White.
By GaVaHokie
April 1, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Mark… it was Waddell’s choice to stay under the cap. He wanted to keep wiggle-room for the trade deadline in case they needed to bulk up for a playoff run.
Money isn’t the issue.
The problem has always been, how do you convince high profile players to come here. Waddell eluded to it during the All-Star weekend saying he hoped that showing the elite players what we had to offer in Atlanta (during All-Star Weekend)would entice them to come here to play someday.
By Stats
April 1, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
SI HOT CLICKS is back - once again linking to the Puck that Hit website (the same site that brought us DW = Jar Jar Binks) for the Top Ten Fools in the NHL (in honor of April 1). Coming in at # 1- Bruce Levinson.
http://puckthathit.com/2008/04/01/top-10-fools-in-the-nhl/
Why - in their own words:
The king of all fools doesn’t recognize a failure if it were to punch him in the face then sodomize him. Keeping coach/GM Don Waddell in place after yet another catastrophic season is like slamming your hand in your car door. 9 times. Consecutively.
Gotta love it.
By GaVaHokie
April 1, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
Brendan… I bet if you asked Kovalchuk what he wanted next year, he might say Jaromir Jagr.
By Bob
April 1, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Having Cap space is irrelevant if you don’t use it or use it poorly
Bingo. Waddell has signed so many dmen, it makes my head spin. He has proven multiple times over he can’t get it done, no matter how much money he has to work with.
Which is say I don’t think we can crown Levenson the top April Fool yet (classic, Stats, just classic, although it’s pretty said that we’re fans of the league’s laughingstock club). April 7th is the day he takes that crown off, I think we’ll be getting a breaking news blog post from Craig early on April 7th saying the Thrashers’ have called a press conference for 11am, at which time they’ll do the right thing.
By Thrasher Fan
April 1, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
On LaVallee’s first shift, he made a tape to tape cross ice pass to Exelby on the fly. Sweet. He finished his checks, has great speed and knows where to be on the ice. Not much ice time but made an impression.
By Brendan
April 1, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
If Kovalchuk said Jagr, I’d be worried. Jagr only has two years left in his career, which coincides with the amount of time Ilya has left on his contract in Atlanta. I’m hopeful that Ilya would be thinking “longterm.”
Here’s my “optimism” talking: “If this team would just put forth the requisite effort to find the best available GM this Summer, and empower him with the tools and resources to achieve the objectives, we could be contending as soon as three years from now.”
Bam! That’s the truth, as I see it. Optimistically.
By Thorburn's Thugs
April 1, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Last I heard, Jagr told Rangers management we was going to the Russian Super League after this season. They said that on the NBC game on Sunday between Rangers/Penguins.
We don’t want nor do we need him here.
By Nikita
April 1, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
How about a pony, Ilya? Jagr is a terrible acquisition. Yes, he’s got tree trunks for legs. But he’s older and he’s mentally delicate and he doesn’t excel in any environment other than one where he can maintain the mental bond he has with a very limited number of players.
That’s a joke, right? How about we get Kovy Evgeny Malkin?
By Waffleboy
April 1, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
CC-Wisconsin blew my bracket, too, buddy.
By Thorburn's Thugs
April 1, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
How about a pony, Ilya?
HAHA - Now THAT was funny!
By Nikita
April 1, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Oh, and I’ll be way more inclined to put all my eggs in Kovy’s basket the moment he moves his baby mama and baby to Atlanta. Heck, at least most of the others can commit to Atlanta enough to do that.
By Bob
April 1, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
the moment he moves his baby mama and baby to Atlanta
They don’t live here?
By Sara
April 1, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
If Kovy’s wife and child do not live in Atlanta I can just about guarantee that isn’t Kovy’s choice. He’s way too proud of his daughter to not want her with him.
By Sage of Bluesland
April 1, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Listen to GaVa’s hopeful optimism for his buffoonish hero! Touching, but so far from reality it’s not even funny anymore…
Bob, I hate to say it, but Donny isn’t going anywhere anytime soon—and will continue to run this franchise into the ground. He’s proven he can do nothing else—yet still the excuses are made for this clown!
It’s really pretty sad. Stop subsidizing the utter incompetence.
By Brendan
April 1, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Well, looky here! The “fate” of the SE division will be controlled by Tampa Bay and Florida, as Carolina lost in regulation time to Washington. They have identical opposition now, do the ‘Canes and Caps.
Nashville came all the way back from down 3-0 to win, 4-3, in overtime. The Sabres trailed 3-2, but rallied to win a shootout, 4-3, over Toronto and remain mathematically alive. Calgary got a goal by Alex Tanguary with two seconds left in the 2nd period to lead, 2-1, over Edmonton. NJ won in overtime of the Islanders.
By d
April 1, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
I thought Kovy’s house was in Buckhead.
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
I believe you’re right…but girlfriend and baby live in New York.
By Alan
April 2, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
but girlfriend and baby live in New York.
As Sara said, it’s probably not his choice. He’s made a commitment to this franchise, and I believe he really wants to stay.
By Midfield
April 2, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Last I checked, Kovy lives in Roswell with his family - next to the Kozlovs.
By NASCAR Dave
April 2, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
FIRE WADDELL!!!
NUFF SAID.
By Southside Rob
April 2, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
How would everyone rate the play of Valabik last night against Florida. He seems like he will be a good piece to the team next year.
By Chris LiPuma
April 2, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Kovy has a in Bridgemill off Sixes Rd in Canton. Boulton, also lives in Bridgemill but in a different price range. Kovy’s house is HUGE, I believe it is in the section called the Reserve. Awesome golf course - I saw kovy, Kozlov, Perrin and Enstrom this past week in a foursome.
By Lanny McDonald
April 2, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
I believe you’re right…but girlfriend and baby live in New York.
Source?
By Zim
April 2, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
LaVallee and Kwiatkowski re-assigned to Chicago.
By Sara
April 2, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Sending the Wolvsies back down for the play-offs I suppose.
Ya know, after all the stuff that came out regarding the Wolves and (lack of) Thrasher player development, I think I’d be an a-hole at this point, and would have called up Sterling and Haydar and not send them back down along with keeping Kiwi up here and Little. Heck, maybe Pavelec instead of Haydar (granted we didn’t have that many call-ups available but even just bringing up two of those three would have worked). Then see what kind of play-off run Chicago had. Perhaps prove a point about not biting the hand that feeds you?? I know - it’s petty and mean. But at the moment, I’m feeling rather petty and mean. I’m sick of taxes. REALLY sick of taxes. My head hurts and I’m seeing numbers behind my closed eyelids.
Sigh - two more long weeks and not even any more Thrasher hockey to look forward to. :(
By MB
April 2, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
In the category of making chicken salad out of D-Wadd (or Levenson or ASG…your choice), the Thrash are now guaranteed to pick no worse than 5th.
LA seems to have last place secured, unless they somehow manage to pick up wins against the Sharks and Ducks.
St. Louis has 3 games left, Preds and Jackets (x2), and hopefully can grab 3 points to put them ahead of us.
If that happens, we could be “battling” TB for 2nd to last on Saturday, IF TB can somehow pick up 2 pts. against the Canes and the Caps.
In all likelihood, though, it’ll be: 30th - Kings 29th - Lightning 28th - Thrashers 27th - Blues 26th - Islanders in the Stamkos sweepstakes. I think at 28th you have a 14% chance of winning the lottery.
Rob, I think Valabik will be just fine on the big club. He does get caught out of position at times (aka: playing the Thrasher “system” to a T), but seems to notice it quickly and frequently does a nice job recovering.
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Kovy specifically mentioned visiting his girlfriend in NYC when she was pregnant. If he’s moved her down since then, good for him.
By ranallo10
April 2, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
(aka: playing the Thrasher “system” to a stylized bird-shaped T)
Just an adjustment, carry on.
By Mark
April 2, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Waddell is ranked 28th out of 30 NHL GM’s by the Hockey News. How he is ranked ahead of Kevin Lowe and Jay Feaster is beyond me.
But at least he has job security because “We have such an important off season ahead of us”.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/14786-The-Hockey-News-2008-GM-rankings.html
By Mac
April 2, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Kovy brought his girlfriend (now wife) over from Russia when she was pregnant to have the baby in New York, but they’ve all lived together in Atlanta since their daughter was born. His mom even lived with them for a while, I’m not sure if she still does.
By Slapshot
April 3, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Army will be in the Bimmer Tuesday at the latest headed back to his home in the ‘Burg. It will KILL him if his buddies spend the rest of the spring chasing the Cup and he’s reduced to watching on TV. So far this whole experience has been a nightmare for the kid and I wonder if next season is as bad if he wants out.
By Jane
April 4, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
No! We’re keeping all our Pens. And we want Colby back!!