Thrashers

By Marty

July 10, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

“The Thrashers would love for Esposito’s career to end up like Anderson’s, of course.”

Don’t you mean a bunch of bloggers would love for Espo’s career to end up like Anderson’s?

You know, he got his GM fired. I had to laugh at that backhanded comment. Or did you mean end up like Bossy’s career?

By Brendan

July 10, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

I read it as, “like Bossy’s career, a great success.” And I second that opinion. The Hossa trade cannot be fully judged until we see what happens with Esposito.

I am really looking forward to the Anderson reign as Head Coach. He’s reuniting with many of his former players. And I think there’s a good rapport there. It also appears that the organization could be embarking on a “slow-build” commitment, designed towards player development. I welcome that. A lack of player development is probably what facilitated that Coburn for Zhitnik trade. Bob Hartley played him a bit over 5 minutes a game. Had Coburn been given more opportunity and developed a little bit faster, that trade probably doesn’t happen, as it might not have been necessary.

At the time of that trade, it was a necessary move, in terms of making the playoffs. And it worked, for “short-term gain, longterm loss.” Again, that’s a lesson I think both Waddell and the ownership has learned and won’t repeat.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 10, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

As we embark on our second eight-year “Five-Year-Plan” under the guidance of Don Waddell, I hope that we also can finally produce legitimate players out of anything but the top three picks in the draft (which even that can be a tricky proposition)…

I also hope that our brilliant Donny stops giving interviews—as his bumbling foot-in-mouth proclamations and promises have made him look like the complete clown that he is…

(Wait, on second thought, I love it when Donny opens his mouth and lisps the next bit of nonsense…Don’t forget, kiddies, we’re 20 points ahead of Philadelphia at this time, so don’t be surprised of a playoff berth for your Thrashers…I just LOVE it!!! Maybe I should want him to be here permanently?!)

By kracker

July 10, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

Mike have you been to prospect camp? What do you see there? BTW, if you can translate a Russian hockey contract (lol) plz offer Don your services.

I know you have to write what they say, but c’mon, getting a contract translated is an exercise for one afternoon…what I mean is that ‘we-need-a-translator’ report resulted in some real eye rolls by the fanbase.

To me it says that a Nikulin signing isn’t emminent. Am I wrong? (plz yes)

By B. Thenet

July 10, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

I am more interested if the recent KHL-NHL transfer agreement, that was supposedly broken almost immediately by a KHL team signing Radulov, will affect Nikulin’s status.

By Wintirwolf

July 10, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

Ah, But Kracker…we are talking about Russian Legalese that they are trying to translate. Besides the Russian version of the Rosetta stone of translation isn’t in town till next week when the Fernbank’s Ancient Dynasties & Sports contracts display opens to the public. That and the small print on Russian contracts can really fubar you…something about a summer home in SIberia if you dishonor the motherland.

By MB

July 10, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Sage, you make a good point…what would you post about if your BFF Donnie was no longer around???

You might actually get to discuss hockey, and we could retire “sheep” and “bewieve in bwuewand” for good!

Man, now I want DWadd gone more than ever!

Reading the Esposito reminded me that the kid is still only 19. Hopefully the somewhat lowered expectations around here will enable him to relax and play up to his skills. It’s not like he’s trying to live up to Crosby and Malkin anymore.

By Mike Knobler

July 10, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

kracker I don’t know if it’s emminent, or even imminent. I don’t know about eye-rolling. I do know that I have trouble translating contracts written in English into language I can understand. To me it is not so out-of-the-question that the NHL would want some form of “certified” translation of the Russian legalese.

I was at prospect camp the first two days, and I plan to be there on Friday and Saturday, too. Maybe Sunday. But I don’t think enough of my skills as a talent scout to give you a detailed run-down of who looks good and who doesn’t. Two impressions: Zach Redmond, the “other” Zach, made one heck of a show-the-puck-to-the-goalie-and-then-pull-it-back deke on a breakaway drill. And Nicklas Lasu, the 5-11, 180-pound Swede who looks younger than his 18 years, surprised me by the way he hit during the four-on-four on Wednesday.

By ThrashDawg

July 10, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

Sage of Blueland Same dribble different day! Annoying!!!!

By Marty

July 10, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

MB: Yes he is only 19, but Bogo is only 17, (will be 18 by the time the season starts) and he might make the lineup. Obviously I have dreams of Little & Espo being that 1-2 tandem up the middle.

MIKE: thanks for the article, I enjoyed it. I like your line above though of “I do know that I have trouble translating contracts written in English into language I can understand.” I was defintely one of those rolling their eyes. But now I think of even some contracts I have had so I can only imagine a contract in Russian. Still, I think Bettman would have done this many times before.

By Tom

July 10, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

MARTY

Awesome observation! You earned the first star with this post!

By kracker

July 10, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

Thanks Mike…I guess I spelled imminent wrong? Well, it’s not the first time for me…anyway I was just recounting what the fans are saying about it. I hope the x-lator story is true, we need some good news about a signing after a dismal FA period…after last season, too. So don’t take anything I say personally, plz.

Everybody is raving about the “other” Zach so they may have gotten a steal with the last pick.

By David

July 11, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this

i’m kind of hoping we get schneider

By B. Thenet

July 11, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

On Esposito:

I know the kid wants to make the team, and he is saying all the right things. However he is going to be placed in an excellent situation for himself in the Q next year if he goes back to juniors.

He will be the big star on an expansion team in Montreal. It will give him a chance to grow as a leader, to deal with being in the limelight, and he will likely get lots of ice time in situations he probably wouldn’t get with a more established junior team.

I suspect the Thrashers organization is pleased with the trade of Espo in the Q juniors, and thinks this will be a nice springboard for him to make the team a year from now.

By hans

July 11, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

does anderson have a first name?

By Sam

July 11, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

The Thrashers would love for Esposito’s career to end up like Anderson’s, of course.

I’d rather Espo’s career end up like Bossy’s.

By Bob

July 11, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

Nice article about Esposito, Knobler. I especially liked the quotes from Waddell, Anderson, and Marr (how does Marr still have a job with us anyway?). They all said exactly the right things, it seems that confidence and some motivation are what Esposito needs.

It would be a great story, and a much needed thing for this club, for Esposito to blossom here. We need a feel good story to happen with this club, we’re certainly long overdue for something to go our way.

By Vitamin Z

July 11, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Here is the interview with Nikulin (in Russian). Basically he says that he wants to play in the NHL and that he has a clause allowing him to live KHL if he wants to. Nothing is final as of yet.

By Vitamin Z

July 11, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Thats “leave” KHL :-O

By Marty

July 11, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

TOM: curiosity has me now, which observation?

By Una niña melocoton

July 11, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

my Russian isn’t that good, but Una niña melocoton is Russian for enter your credit card number here Sage

By Marty

July 11, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Um, I think those are Spanish (not that I was looking). But the translation is probably still the same.

By Roswell Thrasherfan

July 11, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

I thought we were getting a Center for Kovy ?

How does DW still have his job Mike ?

By Marty

July 11, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Good point RoswellThrasherfan. Why has Waddell not done what he said he would?

By Sage of Bluesland

July 11, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Why doesn’t our lisping bumbling idiot of a GM “do his job”?

Very simple.

No-one holds him accountable. Period. End-of.

By Tom

July 11, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Marty this one

Don’t you mean a bunch of bloggers would love for Espo’s career to end up like Anderson’s?

You know, he got his GM fired. I had to laugh at that backhanded comment. Or did you mean end up like Bossy’s career?

By Mike Knobler

July 11, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

I meant: John Anderson played 12 NHL seasons and led his team in scoring in one of them. The Thrashers would love for Esposito to have a career like that.

By Roswell Thrasherfan

July 11, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers would love for Esposito to have a career like that.

I’d love for the Thrashers to field an NHL team. Period.

By Marty

July 11, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Hey the other “MARTY” showed up and is posting. For everyone’s knowledge, the “MARTY” at 12:25pm is not me, but all the other ones so far were. I want full credit from TOM still, I was laughing when I read that comment. It looks like BRENDAN and I read that wrong though, it wasn’t even meant to be Bossy. Can someone tell me if ROSWELL THRASHERFAN is another one of STROZ’s fake names or LAC or SAGE?

By kracker

July 11, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

They should really tighten up the registration and posting process so an imposter can’t appear to be someone else. And also allow me to FIX MU TYPOS!

By Bob

July 11, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Check this out, a poster on the Nasty Nest site went to a breakfast this morning with Waddell and Anderson and Waddell got slammed by a season ticket holder for being incompetent and Waddell also slammed the AJC, Schultz and Burnside

Good to see he’s getting the heat directly now. I find it hi-larious that he thinks he’s doing a good job, although what’s he gonna say, and I find it hi-larious that Burnside and Schultz, the two guys that have Waddell nailed to a T and bring heat on him are the guys he doesn’t get along with. lol.

By David

July 11, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

so feaster resigned…hmm not sure i saw that coming, but i guess i should have

By Lanny McDonald

July 11, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

Check this out, a poster on the Nasty Nest site went to a breakfast this morning with Waddell and Anderson and Waddell got slammed by a season ticket holder for being incompetent and Waddell also slammed the AJC, Schultz and Burnside

Good to see he’s getting the heat directly now. I find it hi-larious that he thinks he’s doing a good job, although what’s he gonna say, and I find it hi-larious that Burnside and Schultz, the two guys that have Waddell nailed to a T and bring heat on him are the guys he doesn’t get along with. lol.

Wow Bob. This sucks. Christensen is Kovy’s #1 Center now? WTF!

Excuse me, but I need to have a drink now. This is going to be a very sh!tty season.

:(

By Marty

July 11, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

BOB: I read your link but the poster basically says “Don handled that question/statement well I thought” so to describe it as getting slammed is rather slanted like so many other things around here.

By Marty

July 11, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

So Feaster resigned ? Maybe stupid Waddell will take the hint and do the same !

By A$G

July 11, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

It’s ALL about the Dollar Bills, ya’ll! Come one, come all, see AHL hockey at NHL prices! And you EVEN get to pick your own seat! Yippee!

By David

July 11, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Alright, from the numbers i just checked, atlanta has 18 players signed with a little over 25million in cap space.

Assuming we acquire something via trade, and i’m still guessing we go after another dman and a center, i’m looking at the teams that need to unload some cash. These teams (in order of farthest over the cap)…

Anaheim, Calgary, Washington, Philadelphia and Chicago.

Teams not over the ceiling, but in need of cutting down to make room for signing other players include….

Rangers, New Jersey, Dallas, Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Boston.

So, looking over those teams i’ve made a list of the players I think we have a realistic shot at getting (and players i like).

Defenseman -Matthieu Schneider….$5,625,000….with Anaheim signing Montador, Matthieu is going to be moved. Again, he’s an offensive defenseman like Hainsey, but he’s a little better shutdown, i think. Past his golden years, yes. But we could use that kind of experience on our defensive corps. Seriously.

-Derian Hatcher….$3,500,000….Assuming he gets healthy enough that he takes up cap space, he could be an asset for us. Physical presence who really had a good playoffs when he needed to step up and log big minutes with the injuries. Could be a solid second or third pairing guy.

-Sergei Zubov…..$5,350,000….the Stars have been eerily quiet this offseason. Just feel like they will do something somewhere, maybe not him, but i wouldn’t mind thepickup.

-Darryl Sydor…..$2,500,000…..a rather large salary for pitt and he isn’t a top pairing guy.

Center -Michael Nylander….$4,875,000….with them resigning Fedorov, I think they’ll move Nylander. I’m not sure how big a fan i am of him, he’s definitely better than any center we have skill and experience wise, and he’ll almost for sure be moved. 11g 26 a

-Dainius Zubrus…$3,400,000….NJ has SEVEN signed centers right now with the rolston and holik acquisitions. So somebody is getting moved somewhere. My guess is Zubrus will get moved before Parise or Madden (though i would like to have either of them). 13g 25a

-Patrick Marleau…$6,300,000…..been talked about at different times…i still think he’ll be moved. 19g 29a

Others -Havlat…though i think they’ll moved Khabs i wouldn’t be surprised if they moved havlat as well. Not a center, but could be a useful addition for scoring.

-Brad Richards…they got him in a trade and now they really have too many centers. With Ribiero and Modano, and Ott and Lundvquist…who do you move? He in my mind would be my #1 choice around the league of somebody we MIGHT could get that i think would play well with Kovy.

-Cory Sarich…Calgary might try and move him and I think he is very underrated.

My picks -I think we’ll pick up Marleau and Schneider. If we do that, honestly, i’ll be EXTREMELY happy.

Schneider is a league veteran that is the other defensive piece we need to compliment Bogosian and Hainsey.

Marleau really just needs a change of locations. This guy is a stud when he wants to be.

-

By Brendan

July 11, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Waddell’s situation is different from that of Jay Feaster. It’s about as “polar opposite” as you can get. Well, as best I can tell, as an “outsider,” like most of the rest of you.

From where I sit, I think the ASG has something close to “no opinion” about hockey moves. They defer all trust and confidence to Don Waddell to do what it is best. I doubt, very seriously, that the ASG says things like, “We want you to sign Jagr, Federov, and Shanahan. Here’s the money. And if you don’t get it done, you’re fired.” I don’t think that’s how it works at the Atlanta Spirit Group, LLC.

Whereas, these new owners in Tampa had some very specific ideas about what roster moves were to take place for the franchise. To the point where Feaster felt like he had no significant input. He wasn’t being consulted about the team he manages. And so he resigned. I can’t say as I blame him, one little bit.

By Nate

July 11, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

David - so you don’t see any need for RW’s on this team?

By Marty

July 11, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

The 5:28pm posting by “MARTY” was not me. I see how things work on this site. Ask a simple question about Don Waddell that doesn’t call for his head and we will post things under your name!

By Bob

July 11, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

I read your link but the poster basically says “Don handled that question/statement well I thought” so to describe it as getting slammed is rather slanted like so many other things around here

What does how Waddell handled the question have anything to do with the fact that the questioner slammed him?

I want to know which you of you guys did it, great job.

By kracker

July 11, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Brendan We have the ASG way: Make sure we don’t lose too much money and maybe we even make some. And what appears to be the TBL model for this season: Charles Wang - big spending owners - AKA “We don’t need no stinkin’ GM”

By kracker

July 11, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

EDIT to prevoius post: I think I actually give the advantage to the Spirit Group on this one.

By kracker

July 11, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

The Wild traded Dman Shawn Belle for Corey Locke from the Habs today. I wonder if DW offered them White for Bouchard?

By David

July 11, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

Nate Yes, I agree we do need a RW. With Rec gone somebody has to step up. I don’t think Thorburn on the top line is realistic. Havlat would be my first choice for that. A top line with Kovy, Havlat and somebody like Marleau would do just fine.

By Tony C.

July 11, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Really?

Y’all honestly think Marleau will waive his NTC to come here?

really?

By Sage of Bluesland

July 11, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

I laugh at some of the pie-in-the-sky predictions made by the Waddellites!!! Some sheep are running around screaming that ‘the poster above is not me’ (as if anyone really cares!)…Good ol’ David Waddell has us signing veterans left and right…

Yep, all is back to normal in Bwuewand. Soon, the losses will pile up, as well…No news there…

By David

July 11, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Yeah i think he might agree to it. I don’t think all is well with him in San Jose. And if not, then fine, i’d rather have somebody younger and a little quicker.

Nylander might be more realistic to be honest. He’s 35, and was a hot commodity when he left NYR, but his value has dropped in just one year because of injuries. He’s a playmaker and that might be good for Kovy.

By David

July 11, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

and…signing veterans left and right? what vets have we signed? we lost holik and rec and zhitnik…enlighten me.

Hainsey is not a “veteran”. Would i have us sign a couple guys that have been around? Yes, if they can play. Schneider can play. For an older guy, the dude has got skills.

By Marty

July 11, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

Some sheep are running around screaming that ‘the poster above is not me’ (as if anyone really cares!)…

1. Why am I referred to as “sheep”?

2. Someone must care because I’ve been reading this blog for over a year, never saw anyone with my name, yet now that I just started posting someone posts anti-Waddell statements with my name when I just tried to put some logic into this blog.

3. Sage will not answer this, at best he will talk around it with more anti-Waddell statements.

By Marty

July 11, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

What does how Waddell handled the question have anything to do with the fact that the questioner slammed him?

Because, when you only post the first part of an event, it gives a different impression than if you post the entire set of events. When I read your quote, it lead me to believe that he had Waddell on the ropes and he stumbled around, couldn’t answer it and had egg on his face. So I clicked on your link, read it, but was left with a totally different impression of what happened when I read the rest of the story. Is that objective or does that make me a sheep? Seriously BOB, wouldn’t you agree from what transpired?

By Marty

July 11, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

TONY C: I definitely think Marleau would come here. His contract is up in 2 years, that means he can play out the next 2 years with Kovy. He still has 1 more big contract in him (he’s only 28 now), wouldn’t he want to rack up as many points possible to get that last big pay day? Who better to do it with than Kovy on his wing? Besides, he will always be #2 behind Thornton out there and also just needs a change of pace/scenery.

DAVID: No way do we get Schneider. Believe it or not, we are starting to rack up a somewhat “decent” defensive unit. Don’t break the bank on another guy for defense when we don’t even know if we are going to have room for the ones we already have (this assumes we get Nikulin which sounds more likely now). We are completely depleted at right wing, that should have been the first target. At center it is depleted in #1 talent but at least you can have Perrin/White/Little/Christensen. I know, they are all #2 centers at best, but if need be at least you have options and hope that Little has an Enstrom type year or Christensen breaks out. On right wing you got Armstrong and that’s it. Not only is he a #2 guy also, you have no one else. I would want to land a right wing first, then go get the center, and I think we are done with D as the optimist in me is hoping that we get Nikulin.

By Jpuck

July 11, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

Bleacher Report musing on tronto going after Kovy - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/36901-ilya-kovalchuk-a-maple-leaf

By Alan

July 11, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Bleacher Report

That’s all I needed to see to know that this story is unsubstantiated amateur opinion. Bleacher Report is a place where any one of us could write articles like this. The Kovalchuk to Vancouver rumors hold more water.

By joyaman

July 11, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Feaster would be a major upgrade at GM. You see, he’s bagged this thing called a “Stanley Cup” before. I think that there once was a picture of this mythical Stanley creature painted on the ice at Philips. That’s been the closest sighting in 10 years.

Keep on hunting in the fog ASG - with hunting guides Waddell and Marr, who been targeting the wrong cup all along? Turns out that their wanted poster of this elusive Stanley ceature was actually a photo of a lesser species know in bush-league circles as a “Calder.”

Is the concept of the Peter Principal totally lost on ASG?

-joyaman

By David

July 12, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this

Marty and how is schneider not an upgrade?….if you want to improve your defensive corps?…he was 12 g 27a and a +22 last season…..+22….seriously man, i’d take that over anything we had last year.

By Marty

July 12, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

DAVID: He is an upgrade, I agree with you 100%. I think the analogy here I would use is that getting Schneider is taking our D from maybe a level 5 to a level 7. Getting a good center would be taking that position from a level 3 to a level 7. Getting a right wing would be taking that position from a level 1 to a level 7. We not only have a salary cap but an articial ceiling that is the ASG budget, so we can’t upgrade all 3 positions. So which of the 3 positions would you want to upgrade? I say right wing first, center second and don’t even think about the defense now. Does that make sense or no? Do you think we could really get Schneider and a center and a right wing? No way. So if you only had to pick one, which would it be? Tell me if I’m wrong on that line of thinking.

P.S. thank you for this actual hockey conversation, I can’t believe how rare they are around here.

By David

July 12, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Marty I see what you mean now, i misunderstood before :p. I agree, that defenseman maybe aren’t our first priority with the signing of Hainsey and the loss of other players. I think we have to pick up a top line center and right winger this offseason somehow. Corburn playing with Kovy was umm…cute. My guess is that DW is trying to make a package deal with a team where we can address multiple needs. And if RW really is the number one priority, who are you hoping to get? Chicago has a ton of RW’s right now.

I think center is something this franchise has been lacking for a long time.It’s not just an offensive position either, which to me is the key. A good, number one center could be huge for us this year. But I definitely think we need a solid top line.

By Thrashers27

July 12, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

David,

Not that I necassarily disagree with you, but keep in mind that Klee was a +19 with Denver the year before coming to Atlanta, so I’m not sure you can read a whole lot into +/- stats. Admittedly, Klee didn’t have a whole lot of help last year.

By Marty

July 12, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

DAVID: I was actually hoping for Demitra, but he is gone now. He’s 33, not 36 like Rolston and Rolston signed for more years, Demitra just signed for 2 at 4 million each. That could have easily fit into our plans. The other logic there was that if you put Little between Kovy and a top line RW, he can bloom and take off, whereas if you go sign a center, you still need that right wing. At least we already have Little on the roster, maybe we could’ve addressed 2 needs with 1 signing. Then if he does struggle, I would take Perrin/Christensen between two top wingers as a backup although that isn’t my preference. But it’s better than having Kovy and a top center with someone like Larsen. And hoping that Armstrong pans out as a top RW is more optimistic than hoping Little can blossom under two top wingers.

Somewhere on these blogs I listed my RFA arbitration theory, that we pick up Flippulla, Bouchard or Vermette after their arb number comes in too high for the Wings/Wild/Sens. The problem there is that those don’t go to the mediator until the end of July/early Aug. So I think Waddell has to make a trade before that even goes to them. Which is still possible, because both sides at least have an idea of what the other wants, they don’t need to here from arbitration to get an idea that they have to pay x amount of dollars. The other thing to keep in mind is that you get the center instead of the right wing for 1 reason only - make Kovy happy. A level 7 center will do that much more than a level 7 right winger. The glut of left wingers we have on this roster will force one of them to have to switch eventually.

By Bryan

July 12, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Marty and David - good thread. Nice to read instead of constant whining about DW and ASG.

I agree with Marty that the more pressing need is RW and C. However even with an upgrade at RW and C we will still be weak offensively from a talent perspective.

Believe it or not, we have a good nucleus from the goal out. From a depth perspective our goaltending is as strong as anybody in the league. I would put our 3 up against anybody elses 3.

We have a core of D in Enstrom, Havelid and Bog. Nikulin would give us 4 quality D.

I would like to see us add another quality D which, combined with our goaltending, would allow us to compete everynight, even in low scoring games.

The upside exists if Anderson can coach the O guys up.

I’m not saying we don’t need additional forwards but I’d like to see the D rock solid first … something we’ve never seen in ATL.

By Marty

July 12, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

THRASHERS27: I didn’t even think of that, numbers on one team don’t always equal numbers on another. But wouldn’t you cut Klee if you can get Schneider? Or Exelby? At that point I agree with you but would still say an upgrade is an upgrade. Either way, it ain’t happening as I stated above.

By Marty

July 12, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

BRYAN: I was going to say that but my post was getting “BRENDAN-ESQUE” in length. Our LW is already a level 7. Could be an 8 or 9 because Kovy is a 10 and Kozlov can be a 7 or 8. You don’t need the 3rd and 4th line left wings to do much other than shut down, check and create momentum which doesn’t require level 10 skill.

Our goaltending CAN be an 8 I think. Hedberg the starter is only a 6 or 7 but Hedberg the backup is a 8 or 9. He will come in every couple games and give a great performance, as long as you don’t ask him to do it consistently. Kari is the wild card there. He has POTENTIAL to be an 8 but doesn’t do it as a starter. Pavelec is also a POTENTIAL 6 or 7 right now, but could be an 8 a year from now.

I think our D can have great upside. Because like I judge Hedberg the backup different than Hedberg the starter, I also think Exelby/Klee fighting for 3rd pair minutes will be much better then them possibly playing with Zhitnik and fighting for 2nd pair minutes. And if Hainsey and Nikulin are our 2nd pair, I think the minutes get adjusted to where the 3rd pair is out there a little less, making Ex/Klee a little more efficient with what they are given. And if you figure Bogo into all this, our D is looking even better.

By polskidawg

July 12, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Marty, David, Bryan, others - entertaining discussion.

May I play devil’s advocate for a moment?

There seems to be the idea that the D-corps is better than last season - and it may be based solely on talent (including the reports on Nikilin). However, Nikilin, Bogosian, Valabik, Kulda, and to a lesser degree Enstrom, all lack a vital element - NHL experience.

With that in mind, as well as the teams salary cap situation, I’m completely in agreement with David’s desire to have Schnieder in blue. He would impart his experience, confidence and know-how to that group, as well as to Hainsey.

A d-man corp of Schneider-Hainsey, Enstrom-Haviled, Klee-(Bogosian/Kulda/Valabik,Nikilin) with X in the stands would make me for much more confident.

As to the C/RW discussion, I hope that we will acquire a young RFA (Filppula, Bouchard) for the #1 slot. I agree with Marty that it is more likely to happen in mid-August as opposed to now.

Just an opinion, but I think we’re stuck at RW. I’d be surprised if we make any major moves there.

By Marty

July 12, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

POLSKIDAWG: Please do play Devil’s advocate (that doesn’t mean you get to be an advocate of the neutral zone trap in Philips be the way).

Both this year and last we will have Enstrom/Havelid as the #1. We will also have the 2-22 pairing of Klee/Exelby. That means we are in essence comparing the 7-77 Zhitnik/Popovic pairing from last year to Hainsey and perhaps Nikulin. That is a huge improvement! To also reflect on my Hedberg the backup is better than Hedberg the starter theory. Klee/Exelby as a solid 3rd pairing this year is better than a Klee/Exelby part-time 2nd part-time 3rd pairing last year, so you improve again. Now also look at how Enstrom was overworked so much last year. Hainsey is going to get power play time that may or may not reduce Enstrom’s minutes (we might have the first PP unit with both Hainsey and Enstrom and Kovy down low which I actually hope they do). But, Hainsey pairing may get 1B pairing minutes, not 2nd pairing minutes, so I think Enstrom/Havelide of this year are not going to burn out and thus also be better than last year. Now throw in the fact that Bogo is going to put Exelby on the bench some games or take his position outright. Another bonuse versus last year.

I agree with you that NHL experience is a key. But the only NHL experience we need to replace is Zhitnik’s. How do you say “good riddance” in Russian?

By Marty

July 12, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

POLSKIDAWG: I certainly hope we are not stuck at RW like you say. Here’s another thing that I am banking on, you never know what Waddell is going to do or if he is not going to do something, but let’s consider this for our own “optimism” and so I don’t cry too soon.

He did offer Rolston a contract that was designated for a RW. That tells me in his ‘08 offseason plan he wants a RW. So I am going to hope (which unfortunately doesn’t count for much, nor does my dreaming) that he still has those intentions. And he does have some sort of “Plan A” that Mike is referring to.

Also, he offered almost 7 million to Campbell, but only gave 4.5 million to Hainsey. Doesn’t that leave more play money to go spend somewhere else? Nikulin will get maybe 850 thousand, but since it also seems they have been dancing around that for awhile and we just didn’t know it, that money was also accounted for.

So in his ASG budget (let’s call it that), he has the Rolston money still to spend and the leftover Campbell money to spend. I don’t see that only going to a center if it is one of those RFA’s, and he did originally offer decent money to a right winger already (Rolston). Again, we are way too depleted there to begin the season as is with this roster. Something has to happen.

By ark

July 12, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

i am fluent in russian. reading nikulin interview and russian fan comments good news he inclined to play here at least one year, bad news fans out here even in small sibirean villages fully aware that management situation in atlanta (gm+owners) by far worsest in nhl. let me add from myself. i think been close to big sport for 50 years get me this wright. we one of the worsest compare with owners GM IN NBA, NFL, SOCCER IN EUROPE (ENGLAND, ITALY, SPAIN, ets. unfortunately nothing to be proud in great city of ATLANTA who became my second motherland.

By Ryan

July 12, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

That was nice this almost turned into a hockey blog where I got to read some nice comments. Sooner or later the misfits come back. Can we get the AJC to block these guys so they don’t ruin it for the rest of us. The only question is if Ark is russian for Bob, Stroz, NASCAR Dave, LAC or Sage.

By kracker

July 12, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

Ark’s comments sound pretty reasonable to me as comments from the foreign perspective viewing the NHL hockey situation in Atlanta. We all know having Nikulin may be one and out but hopefully he will help build toward a winning franchise if he comes to play and will stay.

By Ryan

July 12, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Kracker if you can read that comment that even the fans in small siberian villages hate waddell and not realize this is the same old whining over and over again, albeit at least this time they actually did something creative, I feel bad for you. Whoever it was screwed up when they said that russians are concerned or know the first thing about NFL football general managers.

By horacio

July 12, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

i mean i don’t understand this man. why do no players want to come here? the owners? the g. manager? what is the problem here man? I would agree with some of the people posting above that we have some good players man. but we need more players and need to move some players out, but we do nothing? i just do not understand what is going on here?

By Marty

July 12, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

KRACKER and RYAN: break it up, you two are on the same side. There is a very simple solution to all this. The other blogger on ajc.com, RAWHIDE, seems to cater to the people who just want to whine over and over again to fire Waddell. Let all the whiners go to him then. The good hockey talk seems to go on here, so we will just keep posting on KNOBLER’S blog. Then watch what happens. It will become painfully obvious once RAWHIDE’S blog only has the same old dribble over and over again that it is old and repetitive and can’t sustain a blog. Meanwhile, anytime we get another posting like HORACIO above whether it is the whiners themselves or under a different name, we will just tell them to go back to RAWHIDE’S blog. You will see that they crave to be with us because we are normal fans who make good sense without having to have the same stupid rants over and over again. So from this point on, the whiners belong to RAWHIDE and the good ‘ole hockey fans will post here. Watch them dry up and keep coming over to be with us.

By Ryan

July 12, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Marty I am not much of a poster but I think your idea would really work as long as other regulars do the same. I think it would be hilarious because every time one of the misfits posts on Knobler’s blog they will be proving your point for you. I will enjoy reading this more often.

By Vic Carucci

July 12, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

Oh thank god they got rid of Zhetnek! WTF with Bryan Cambell? That is correct that they will need a top line R-W.

By horacio

July 12, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

oh excuse me mr. marty! I am not allowed to have an opinion here man? Your probably one of those racist rednecks then im sure. lol

By David

July 12, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Wow Tampa is for real with the Lecavalier deal. I wish we could sign Kolvachuk to something like that, but I just don’t see it happening now.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 13, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

Marty’s Sheep-World strikes again…Get a grip, dude…Talk about being full of yourself…

Marty-the-fact-finding-tool at your service, folks!

(What a joke!)

By TRON

July 13, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE……..YOU HIRED A NEW TRAINER HUH???????………IF THAT CUTS LETEMIN’S GROIN PULLS DOWN BY 50% THIS YEAR HE MIGHT ONLY HAVE 1…………..LMAO………….

By David

July 13, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

Not a big eklund fan, but…for what it’s worth.

Teppo Numminen could be the next domino to fall..Atlanta, Montreal and LA are all reportedly interested..Malik is also coveted by those teams as well..

Marek Malik Age:33 Height: 6’6” Wt: 240 07-08 Stats: 42GP, 2G, 8A, +7 Career Stats: 649 GP, 33G, 130A, +136

Teppo Numminen Age:40 Height:6’2” Wt: 198 06-07 Stats (heart surgery in 08): 79GP, 2G, 27A, +17 Career Stats: 1315 GP, 115G, 505A, +60

So, thoughts on those two?

By Downtown ATL

July 13, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this

Malik Please. Younger.

Plus… Anyone hated by Ranger’s fans is a friend of mine.

By David

July 13, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this

that vinny post wasn’t mine :…another david sigh…and sage…shakes head…i love skipping over your posts.

By David

July 13, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this

David : Well I have been posting for a few years, but I don’t post very often. But I would respectfully pass on both of those players. Washed up (both).

By Tony C.

July 13, 2008 4:27 AM | Link to this

Dude.

There’s a reason NYR fans can’t stand Malik; Did you watch Andy Sutton when he was here? Did some of his goofball moments make you gnash your teeth? Malik was that guy for NYR.

By Alan

July 13, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

David - I’m not interested in either player, to be perfectly honest.

By David

July 13, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Hey Anderson, It might not been explained but as head coach your duties in Atlanta include 1) take blame in press for sorry assemblage of a team, so waddell does not have to! 2) get fired, so waddell does not have to! 3) kiss waddell butt

By David

July 13, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Hey Anderson, It might not been explained but as head coach your duties in Atlanta include 1) take blame in press for sorry assemblage of a team, so waddell does not have to! 2) get fired, so waddell does not have to! 3) kiss waddell butt

By Ryan

July 13, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Marty I think Rawhide is buying into your theory. He just deleted a whole bunch of anti-Waddell comments. Looks like he doesn’t want them either.

By Bob

July 13, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

So, I see some of the usual suspects have adopted new user names after making fools of themselves with their old ones, pretty laughable. Wonder which one went to Va. Tech? lol. I think I can smell which one pretty easy.

There seems to be the idea that the D-corps is better than last season - and it may be based solely on talent (including the reports on Nikilin). However, Nikilin, Bogosian, Valabik, Kulda, and to a lesser degree Enstrom, all lack a vital element - NHL experience

Winner winner, chicken dinner. Our top pair is still Enstrom-Havelid. To think that Bogosian, who’s only 17! is going to be a savior this year, is putting way too much on him, that’s how you ruin good young players. The kid shouldn’t even be here battling on a bad club, and hopefully won’t be, for his own good. Our d won’t be worse, but we still don’t have a top man who can eat minutes, Campbell would’ve helped tremendously there.

Our top 3 goalies can be put against any in the league? Huh? Nonsense.

I also fear that we’re stuck at RW, especially after reading Anderson’s plans for Sterling, isn’t he a RW? What are our forward lines then, Kovy-Christensen-Thorburn followed by Kozlov-White-Sterling?

Oof.

By Thrashers27

July 13, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Sterling is listed as a LW, but as I recall has always been forced to play RW any time he has been called up.

By Alan

July 13, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

The kid shouldn’t even be here battling on a bad club, and hopefully won’t be, for his own good.

If he makes the team, he’s shown that he has nothing else to learn in Juniors. There’s no sense in putting the kid back in the OHL “for his own good” if he can play here and further his development. It’s the NHL or the OHL for him, and where he goes will be decided at camp.

By MB

July 13, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Good point, Bob, about the thought of Bogo playing in the NHL just a few months after his 18th birthday (on Tuesday). My guess is he’ll be pressed into duty this year, and I really hope it goes well.

By adding Hainsey, and potentially Bogo and Nikulin, we should actually see less ice time for Toby, Nic, Hainsey, and Klee, which should be a good thing.

As we get a better read on these players and their talents, I’d like to see Anderson test different line combinations and try splitting Toby and Nic and pairing them with the bigger guys. As well as they played together last year, it wasn’t rare to see them unable to move the puck out of our zone because they were getting bullied along the boards by larger opposition forwards.

On RW, that’s just a sad state of affairs. Thorburn, Armstrong, Sterling, and whichever C you try to convert. Oof-da, indeed.

By ark

July 13, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

to ryan in interview nikulin said he wanted try at least for one year in nhl, but it is not final. also they post fan comments. one of they said good try, but most been negative like even ours Atlant (khl) better than Atlanta, one comment been ” why you going in Atlanta they get managnent mess and even prepayring kovy transfer. check again nfl addition not from russia but from me. living here 20 years let me have personal opinion.once again let me respectevly dissagree with you that asg+gm doing good job i think opposite they are terrible.

By Hockeyfan

July 13, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

We just inked RW Jason Williams for a year.

By David

July 13, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

Well there’s the RW signing. 1 year 2.2 million. Good stuff. I have to say i’m impressed. I never thought we could land him.

Here’s the story via TSN. http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243386&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl

*Jason Williams * Age:27 Ht:5’11” Wt:194 07-08 Stats: 43 GP (sports hernia in feb), 13G, 23A

Again, i have to say this makes me extremely happy. Waddel is having a great offseason so far.

By David

July 13, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

And in regards to the talk about bogosian not playing in atlanta this year….via a Custance article with his new job.

• The Thrashers are in the midst of overhauling their defense, and right now, there’s an opening.

Bogosian is serious about seizing it.

“I’m going to do everything in my power to make it hard for Mr. Waddell to send me home next September,” Bogosian said while peeling off equipment after a recent workout. “You see some guys like Kane and Gagne stepping in right away and playing. If you’re ready, you’re ready.”

Mr. Waddell’s thoughts?

“I’d like him to make the team,” Waddell said. “I think in today’s day in age — if you can get these guys going and they’re capable — there’s no reason not to keep him.” *

By MB

July 13, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

Very interesting, Hockeyfan. I mentioned Williams as a possibility several weeks ago.

He’s not a gamebreaker (36 pts. in 43 games), but he should certainly be able to bolster our RW corps and bring some points and energy to the club.

Not a bad pick-up at all, in my book, though I am curious as to why it’s only for a year. Maybe both parties agreed to give one another a trial run.

At the beginning of the FA period, I thought it was reasonable to expect DW to bring in a top 4 dman and a top 6 forward, most likely a RW (though you could argue that Williams isn’t a true top 6 guy).

It’s all too easy to dump on DW, and by no means do a few potential successes erase the previous years mistakes, but if we come out of this summer adding Bogo, Hainsey, Williams, and Nikulin while dropping Zhitnik, Holik, and Rucchin, I’ll have to give him some props, as the kids say.

We’re still a long way from the Cup, but these moves are steps in the right direction.

By Thrasher_Ed

July 14, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

Guys, Dig a little deeper on Jason Williams Stats. I find this to be a promising signing. Look at what the guy did for Detroit in 80 games in the 05-06, 21 Goals, 37 Assts, for 58 Pts. If we can get that production this is an awesome signing! Past 2 years he has had 13G,23A and 15G and 17A. I like the signing.

By Alan

July 14, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

It’s all too easy to dump on DW, and by no means do a few potential successes erase the previous years mistakes, but if we come out of this summer adding Bogo, Hainsey, Williams, and Nikulin while dropping Zhitnik, Holik, and Rucchin, I’ll have to give him some props, as the kids say.

Waddell has made it easy for us to judge him the way most of us have. But with the Williams signing, I’m liking what I’m seeing, at least on a tentative basis. Of the four players named, we’re just waiting on Nikulin now.

I definitely agree, there’s no cup in our future this year. But we are getting closer to putting a better product on the ice. Now, though, I think he really needs to get a deal done with Lehtonen.

By Tony C.

July 14, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

Is this Williams thing official???

[this poor guy was 100% correct] in his calls regarding the Sens’ off-season moves, but Now it seems we somehow snaked Ottowa (which is cool).

Now Williams was b!tching about ice-time in Chi (kinda crazy considering he only played half a season or so), so maybe the knowledge that he’ll be a top 6 forward (possibly even 1st line) swayed him. Maybe it was The Walrus (Coach Anderson)? Who knows?

I’m not trusting it 100% until I see the guy’s team change on nhlpa.com

By Alan

July 14, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

Tony - TSN is reporting that we signed him. If it weren’t true, I’m sure there would be a statement from him or his agent saying as such by now, given the “bad reputation” Atlanta has right now.

The weird thing is, nothing shows up on A-Channel’s site, nor does it show up on CTV. CTVGlobalMedia apparently owns A-Channel. Still, I’m confident that we signed him, until I hear otherwise. TSN has never steered us wrong… at least on hockey news anyway. Opinion is another story altogether.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this

I think everybody needs to wake up… ERIC CHRISTENSEN is NOT a #1 Center!!! JASON WILLIAMS is NOT a Top Line RW!!! Theses are MORE CHEAP FIXES!!!

This (Williams) “could” be a decent pickup, but he is 2nd line material at best, and we only have him for 1 year before he’ll walk… I see hardly any “offseason moves” to get excited about here… Sounds to me like we’re just gonna “Make Do” with what we have… Going CHEAP AS HELL, As USUAL!!!

Just not enough evidence for me to upgrade my initial grading of their transactions, though… And we all know what a failure it’s been thus far now, don’t we???

And WHERE the HELL is NIKULIN??? Is he coming or NOT??? What’s the Holdup??? Do you need $1000 to help translate??? WTF!!!

WHY the HELL are KLEE and LARSEN are STILL on the roster??? WAIVE THEM!!! IMMEDIATELY!!! They are BOTH USELESS on this Team!!!

NUFF SAID.

By LAC

July 14, 2008 1:23 AM | Link to this

Right as ALWAYS Sage, NASCARDAVE running a close second…

This Williams signing, not bad, but as NASCAR said…CHEAP… Have we not endured enough of cheap with the Thrashers ????

Where is Ilya II ??????? Lot of hype, no substance, but consider the GM and you will understand why.

Where is a BIG trade ?????

Say Leth’s for Spezza and another forward, a good solid move and a power center, NICE fit right… Will it happen ?

BTW who is this marty, marty McFly ?, he just buzzes around with little substance…

By David

July 14, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this

So, ignoring tweedle Dee and tweedle Dumb’s comments….BTW i do like how the same people that complain that we aren’t winning NOW are the same people that when we make a move complain that it isn’t a long term fix…ironic.

I like the way this roster is shaping up…a lot more than i would have expected. So we trade Zhitnik for Hainsey and Recchi for Williams. In both cases we go younger and, in my opinion, more skilled. Williams is a high, high quality pick up. Honestly, it’s a steal.

My guess is that the one year contract was dual purpose. The thrashers probably plan on playing him on the top line, as I would, and if the season turns south, you trade him at the deadline. On Williams part, it’s a decent contract, and he’ll be getting top line minutes most likely…which he wouldn’t get other places.

Now i wonder what we’ll do about center. On TSN it says that williams can play center as well. So do we play him at center and still shop for a RW? Or shop for a center? But either way, i like the fact that we’ve added somebody to the top line who can actually play at that level.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 2:08 AM | Link to this

I think i need to stop having relations with my sister…WHY DO I ALWAYS TYPE IN CAPS??? WTF!!!

And WHY THE HELL DO THEM CARS ONLY TURN LEFT!!! Make the go RIGHT! NOW!!!

And WHY am i STILL posting STUPID @&!$ on this blog when REAL PEOPLE want to TALK about HOCKEY!!!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Denny

July 14, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

NASCA Dave - when, when, when will your NUFF SAID be enough said. Your negative spam on DW and the ASG clutters the intelligent hockey bloggers.

By Bob

July 14, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

He’s not a gamebreaker (36 pts. in 43 games), but he should certainly be able to bolster our RW corps and bring some points and energy to the club

Williams can definitely play, when he’s on the ice, you guys will like him.

The issues regarding him are staying healthy. I know it was the groin last year, but what’s been his injuries in prior years? I see he only has that one full year of staying healthy when he played the 80 games 3 years ago.

I would guess that’s why it’s a one year deal. Williams gets his shot to prove himself here for a year and we take a flier on him staying healthy. Win win for both sides, but sad to see we’re reduced to having to be a one year tryout.

Re. Nikulin, can we only sign him to a one year deal? I’d hate to see him do the same thing of try to come here for one year and show himself off, and then sign elsewhere.

By SouthsideRob

July 14, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Bottom line question here, is Angelo Esposito going to be on the opening night roster, and will he make valuable contributions throughout the season?

By Bob

July 14, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

is Angelo Esposito going to be on the opening night roster

Rob, I’d guess that it’s 95% that no, he will not play for us this year, he’s a long term project. They first need to fix his head, apparently that’s where the problem is with him.

By MB

July 14, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Bob, I went back for a closer look. The year after Williams played 80 games with Detroit, he played 78 games the following season…just looks strange in the stats because he was traded from the Wings to the Hawks (for Kyle Calder).

Though he only played half of last season because of the groin/sports hernia, it looks like he was on the way to a career season for him. Anybody know who his linemates were?

Oh, and that one-year deal issue with Nikulin concerns me, as well. It’s tied to league rules, though I’m not knowledgeable about the issue to clarify it.

NDave, I couldn’t agree more with you on Larsen. Sure, the guy’s cheap, but he’s a disaster out there. He’s like an older Slater without the speed (though both share an uncanny lack of finishing ability). His only upside is he looks a little like Will Farrell in a hockey helmet.

As for Klee, I think he might be alright when reduced to third pairing minutes, though it wouldn’t break my heart if he’s beaten out for the job by younger, faster, stronger guys.

Rob, I think Espo will have to have an outstanding showing in camp/preseason to make the squad, and the comments I’ve read from DW and JA lead me to believe they feel another year in juniors will do him some good.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

MIKE KNOBLER I did not post that comment at 2:08am. I will be contacting the AJC Editors regarding this matter today. Thanks in advance.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

MIKE KNOBLER… You and your blog have been reported to the AJC Editors this morning. I don’t appreciate people posting nasty comments using my screen name… Why don’t these people grow up???

AJC Needs to block these clowns!

By Your Mom

July 14, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

If Williams played the entire season for the Blackhawks they would have made the playoffs and beaten the Detroit hands down in the first round. The Hawks own Detroit. Williams will be a huge addition for the Thrashers, just wait and see. Great pick up!

By B. Thenet

July 14, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave: Grow Up. I think it is fair to say that using other peoples log-in names is incredibly easy on all of the AJC blogs/comment pieces.

Do you really think the beat reporter for the Thrashers is involved in managing these things?

What a petty little man you are.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave: Grow Up. I think it is fair to say that using other peoples log-in names is incredibly easy on all of the AJC blogs/comment pieces… Do you really think the beat reporter for the Thrashers is involved in managing these things?… What a petty little man you are.*

LOL, like it really matters B. TRENT… This KNOBLER kid doesn’t even do his job… Where is the update on WILLIAMS??? This blog hasn’t been updated since last Thursday… LOL… At least CUSTANCE checked in on things, you know???

The point is simple BRENT… I don’t appreciate going out of town for 3 days and coming back to see some “ROGUE” using my screen name with exact grammar/context/etc…

This is EXTREMELY immature Brent… There is NO reason for you to make excuses for this bored little child playing games on this site…

GROW UP.

By GaVaHokie

July 14, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

I’d say getting Jason Williams off an injury year from Chicago at $2.2 million could be about the biggest steal we’ve had since we acquired Slava Kozlov from Buffalo after an injury year.

By Bob

July 14, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

I went back for a closer look. The year after Williams played 80 games with Detroit, he played 78 games the following season…just looks strange in the stats because he was traded from the Wings to the Hawks (for Kyle Calder)

That is good news, thanks for digging. If he stays healthy, this could be a real good signing by Waddell. Question I’d like Knobler to see if he can get answered by Williams agent is if the one year was our request or his request?

By B. Thenet

July 14, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Just curious NASCAR Dave, why is it you don’t report it when the same thing happens on Rawhide’s blog?

Three words for ya: Lighten Up Francis

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Considering Donnie USUALLY doesn’t sign guys for 1 Year, I’d guess WILLIAMS refused 2 years or more…

I would’ve thought he would at least try to get him for 2 years…

By Alan

July 14, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

I’d guess WILLIAMS refused 2 years or more…

Even though there’s no evidence to support this claim? :p

There could be any number of reasons why he’s signed for just one year. Especially when the rumor was sending him to Ottawa for 3 years at $1.9m/yr. Besides, a one year signing allows us to see whether he’s a good addition or not. I’ve heard that he has a good upside (first or second liner), but is also kind of soft (think Exelby and his concussion).

It’s just something we’ll have to look at a little later down the line. You might see his play and think “Thank the Gods this is only a one year deal!”

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Just curious NASCAR Dave, why is it you don’t report it when the same thing happens on Rawhide’s blog?

B - It has not happened to ME on RAWHIDE’s blog… If it did, I would report it also… Plus, RAWHIDE has already called the guy out on it after he did the same thing to GLOVESAVE29… It’s that MARTY kid that’s doing it, by the way…

GAVAHOKIE - How did you get rid of the HAB TROLL guy??? This kid is doing the same stuff, so what other actions can we take??? Thanks.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Valid points, ALAN, but I was basing it on Donnie’s history… I just have a funny feeling Donnie wanted him for more years, but that is all he would agree to (1 year)… And yes, if he gets hurt, AGAIN, we will be glad it’s a 1 Year Deal and not a 2 Year Deal like RUCCHIN and LARSEN… We’ll have to wait and see I guess…

I’ve heard that he has a good upside (first or second liner), but is also kind of soft (think Exelby and his concussion).

ALAN, he is NOT a 1st Liner… But, here in Atlanta, ANYONE can be a 1st Liner!!!

WHY is THAT???

By MB

July 14, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

From what I can tell reading a couple of Blackhawks boards, Williams was looking for more playing time and more money (upwards of $4M?) from them.

This could explain him signing with us for one year.

He can come here for a year, play (most likely) 1st line minutes, bust his tail and put up career-high numbers alongside Kovy, then get his pay day at the end of the year.

We get a guy who’s highly motivated to perform well, and if he does, we have a season to convince him that this is the best place for him. If he doesn’t perform well for us, for whatever reason, then we’ve only blown $2.2M on him and he doesn’t replace Rucchin as our resident albatross.

Looks like a pretty good short-term deal for both parties.

By GaVaHokie

July 14, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

ALAN, he is NOT a 1st Liner… But, here in Atlanta, ANYONE can be a 1st Liner!!!

Williams WAS a top liner in Chicago until youth took over. He led the team in PP TOI.

He’d surely be a depth guy behind Heatley in Ottawa, so I’m guessing he chose Atlanta for more ice time. The one year contract is mutually beneficial. I’m sure if he has a successful season, both sides will be more than happy to re-up.

By Alan

July 14, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Dave - Hokie has echoed my sentiments exactly on the signing, as well as my reasoning for referring to him as a “first or second liner.”

Of course, all this is speculation. Who knows what line he’ll be on when the puck finally drops for the first real game of the season?

By Mark

July 14, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Jason Williams + Todd White part 2. If we are expecting Jason Williams to be a 1st line player and producer, that’s exactly what he is. At least we didn’t give him a multiple year contract.

By Bob

July 14, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

He can come here for a year, play (most likely) 1st line minutes, bust his tail and put up career-high numbers alongside Kovy, then get his pay day at the end of the year

I think this is it. I’ll be interested to hear if Knobler can get confirmation on this from Williams’ agent. It would suck to be used like that, but what they hey, beggars can’t be choosers.

By GaVaHokie

July 14, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

It’s a better opportunity for Williams… we offered more money, with the possibility of making even MORE money after the year is over… much better than limiting yourself to $1.9 million a year for 3 years in Ottawa with guaranteed less ice time… that’s purgatory. Williams has better potential than that.

He needs this one year contract to prove he can generate mid to top dollar. We’ve got more than enough room to do so next summer.

By Sara

July 14, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

He needs this one year contract to prove he can generate mid to top dollar. We’ve got more than enough room to do so next summer.

Eh, maybe, maybe not. There’s no way to know where the cap will be next summer. Given how bad the economy has gotten, sales could either remain stagnant or decline. Additionally, if Nikulin does come in on a one-way deal, the team will have to up the ante next season for him. Enstrom is an RFA next summer and he’s sure going to get a raise, plus Kovy’s predicted raise has to get figured in as well to future budgets going forward. That’s what makes this signing such a sweet deal - we didn’t have to commit to something that perhaps we can’t afford later down the line. Which isn’t to say if he works out well we wouldn’t want to retain him nor couldn’t pay him - the numbers all have to get crunched - but at least this off-season we haven’t done anything that would create massive cap nightmares down the line.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

I think what WE NEED is DONNIE to be FIRE RIGHT NOW!!! WHY IS HE STILL HERE??????

WILLIAM is NOT the ANSWER! We need TALENT. And why the HELL is it ONLY ONE YEAR??

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

The post at 4:48 is NOT BY ME!!!

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Mike Knobler… I am in the process of contacting the AJC via telephone right now because my email communications have not been responded to.

The post on July 14 at 2:08am was not me.

The post on July 14 at 4:48pm is not me.

Somebosy is using my screenane to post comments.

I will also be contacting YOU (Mike Knobler) via email about this.

How come RAWHIDE takes care of situations like this, and yet you do NOTHING?

By Tony C.

July 14, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

Wow dude.

Nothing like insulting somebody when asking them to do you a FAVOR.

By Tony C.

July 14, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

HA! HA! HA!

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

The post on July 14th at 4:54 pm was not me.

The post on July 14th at 5:00 pm is not me.

SOMEBOSY done took my name!!! I WANT THIS POSER IMPEACHED!!!

And WHEN the HELL is DONNIE GOING TO BE FIRED!!

I am on the phone with ASG RIGHT NOW to tell them to fire him!

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Once again, the post at 6:01 is not me…

Glad to see KNOBLER and AJC doing their job…

That’s just too bad that somebody gets so upset that I am right, and they are wrong…

LOL

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

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By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

Once again, the post at 6:30 is not me…

Glad to see KNOBLER and AJC doing their job…

That’s just too bad that somebody gets so upset that I am right, and they are wrong…

LOL

By David

July 14, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

Yeah, so i can’t tell the two apart haha. I think it’s the same guy just being stupid.

Moving on……so it lookslike the majority of people are happy about the williams signing. If we come up with another couple of moves like this i’ll be very happy.

By Marty

July 14, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

I thought NASCAR DAVE wasn’t going to blog here anymore tonight per the other blog but he can’t stay away from us!

By Tony C.

July 14, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Why don’t you guys go have bot wars on IRC or something?

By MB

July 14, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

You bring up an interesting point, David.

Prior to the FA period, I felt that it was realistic to look for DW to sign a top 4 dman and a top 6 forward, most likely a RW.

Well, he’s done that.

Do the bloggers out there expect more to come, or is this the line-up (+/- call-ups from Chicago) that you expect to see on opening night?

By GSU-Lee

July 15, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this

NASCAR Lay off of the insults on Knobler. It is not his fault. And do you have any idea how much work goes into being a beat writer? Especially when the team you are covering is not in season? It is at least twice as hard just to find stuff to write about let alone deal with people (like you) on this blog. Complain to the AJC yes, but not to Mike. Additionally I doubt insults will get you what you want.

By Bob

July 15, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Do the bloggers out there expect more to come, or is this the line-up (+/- call-ups from Chicago) that you expect to see on opening night?

I am thinking this is the lineup, mabye Nikulin. I am hopeful for a trade, but I think this is what we have, we have so many centers, I can’t see them trading for another one.

By GaVaHokie

July 15, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

If Nikulin signs, I’d expect a D-man to get moved… Exelby probably bringing the best return. Klee probably getting you a draft pick.

Havelid Enstrom

Hainsey Nikulin

Bogosian Klee/Exelby

Popovic

By GaVaHokie

July 15, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Mike… what’s the latest on Kari’s situation? Today is the deadline to accept the offer sheet we gave him.

By T-Bone

July 15, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

I just read the piece on the 3 Europeans coming to the prospect camp. What struck me, however, was management wasn’t aware, or didn’t care, that some of the guys didn’t speak english and thus had no translators available for the players/coaches. When coach and player can’t communicate verbally I suspect it limits the effectiveness of the training session. This, to me, just eptimizes the ineptness, lack of attention to detail, of this organization.

By MB

July 15, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

T-Bone, I was surprised to hear that as well. Any idea of other teams have those services available at their rookie camps?

Bob and Hokie, if Nikulin gets here I agree that I’d like to see us move a dman, and X would seem to be the odd man out. What do you think we could get for him? Any chance at a 2nd rounder?

I always like to have picks, either for our own use or to sweeten deals.

On Popovic, I like the guy, though I wonder if/when he’s going to get a chance to develop with us now, especially if Ilya II shows up, and double that if some of the promising younger guys continue their development.

By GaVaHokie

July 15, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Call me crazy, but I’d trade Christensen and Exelby to Ottawa for Vermette… I’m just not feeling Christensen as a good fit for Kovy’s line.

Kovy/Vermette/Williams would be a pretty solid first line… very dangerous in transition.

By Sara

July 15, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

T-Bone it is bizarre to say the least, but I can think of a few reasons it could happen. Most of these players are known through scouting, and not direct contact with the players, particularly Europeans. As far as I know, the only time GMs and staffs have access to players directly is via the combine, which only a select number of players attend. So it’s plausible that most teams do not know exactly what they are getting with players, particularly Euros they have never seen in person.

Additionally, how many times have Euros (particularly Russians) come over here to play without speaking English? Happens all the time - Ovechkin (although his was decent to begin with IIRC), Kovy didn’t speak English, Malkin and Datsyuk both struggle still with their English. But I’d bet the only “translators” any of their respective teams have is other Russian players. Kovy learned English from Dany IIRC. So point being, the phenomenon is not that uncommon.

All that said, someone had to have noticed when the dudes got off the plane that they couldn’t speak a lick of English and you would think that word would get passed around. Heck, that should have come up when making arrangements to bring them over here. Ask their coaches/agents whomever how well they speak English and when told they don’t, make sure you have someone around who does. I mean, apparently they ultimately found a way to bridge the language barrier (kudos for Anderson) - but you are correct that he should not have been caught off-guard that way.

By Bossman

July 15, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Hello??? Mr. Knobler???? Where are you???

By ThrashDawg

July 15, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie Just wondering why you exclude Valabik from the NHL roster? I have to believe he is ready to make the team this year. You are not alone in not including him in the top 7 defensemen. I have seen others do the same thing. If you include Valabik in the top seven then you have to move Klee and Exelby in some sort of trade. I am all for going young this year and give these guys the experience they need, better now than later. Just my two cents.

By ThrashDawg

July 15, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

Oh dang I even forgot Nikulin! If we get him over here we have another defensemen. Then what? Klee, Exelby & Havelid on the trade block?

By Sara

July 15, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

ThrashDawg if Nikulin shows up you have to move one guy.

Havelid-Enstrom Bogosian-Hainsey Nikulin-Valabik

Klee/X as 7th, one moves on. Popovic is a non-issue since he isn’t under contract with the team and isn’t likely to be either since we are already running into a glut (and I still chuckle every time I think about it - whoda thunk it?).

What’s potentially more interesting is what happens when Kulda is ready or the other Russian (can’t remember his name off the top of my head) wants to come over. That’s two potential spots to fill there. Even if only one comes along who do you leave off as the seventh guy who gets little playing time from the above list (assuming one new addition replaces Klee)? I’m not sure parting with Havelid yet would be a good idea since we could use another vet with Hainsey for a couple more seasons at least til some kids get more seasoning, but ultimately he will go as well. I still don’t know who from that group would be 7th guy though.

In another year or two we may be able to trade off at least one good defensive prospect for other assets (C/RW) without it even hurting us. That will be the day. :)

By kracker

July 15, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

Most like it’s Andrei Zubarev you are thinking of, Sara. For who goes in the future, it’s probably Havelid, he is a UFA next season. (I now refer to 08-09 at this season) Who knows, maybe Nic will be a TD move this season if things go considerably worse than hoped for. For my part, though, that is looking too far ahead….but what else do we have to do right now?

By Tony C.

July 15, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

I would think putting X in the box might just remind the guy why he got an extension in the first place-and it wasn’t his O-fense.

By Jameson

July 15, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

If you haven’t seen it yet, our old friend Craig has posted his ranking of offseason moves for the Eastern Conference.

By GaVaHokie

July 16, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

Dawg… mainly I forgot, substitute Popovic with Valabik. However, if Valabik is the 7th man, he might be better off in Chicago.

I’d like to have a few “tree trunks” on the defensive corp, so I’d like to see Valabik. I’ve also seen, I think from Eklund, that we’re showing interest in Malik (another tree trunk).

By GaVaHokie

July 16, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

If you haven’t seen it yet, our old friend Craig has posted his ranking of offseason moves for the Eastern Conference.

I like his take on Buffalo, which I agree on 100%… I said last year, after they lost to Ottawa in the Conference Final, “that was it”. The gravy train was over when those players hit free agency… they were paying peanuts for Briere, Campbell and Drury.

By Denny

July 16, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

News Rlease: The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed goalie Kari Lehtonen to a one-year, $3 million contract.

WHY ONE YEAR???

By David

July 16, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

Alright so we resigned Lehtonen, but no details on the deal.

I’m glad we did it. It was necessary.

By Alan

July 16, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

WHY ONE YEAR???

Probably a mutual disagreement between Waddell and Kari about money and term. I would guess that Kari asked for more money and a longer contract, and eventually Waddell and Kari settled on a “prove your worth” deal like this.

Everyone has been critical of him, it seems, based on his GAA and his injuries. This is an opportunity for him to play behind an arguably better D-corps than last year. That will not only improve his GAA, if successful, but it will also help improve his career best SV% posted last year (.916).

Yeah, imagine that. He played behind four pylons and the our top D pairing, and still managed to post a .916. Hedberg is an awesome goalie, but only mustered a less-than-stellar .892.

By David

July 17, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this

My problem with lehtonen is the stat that matters…wins.

In 48 games played last year, he had 17 wins.

Hedberg played 36 games, and had 14 wins.

By Alan

July 17, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

My problem with lehtonen is the stat that matters…wins.

Did you watch any games last year at all? Time after time again, the people who lost it for Kari was the D-corps. Sure, Kari let in some softies. But a lot of those goals he let in wouldn’t have happened if our pylons weren’t out of position.

By ROBO

July 17, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

LET’S JUST SEE IF LETEMIN CAN GET THROUGH A SEASON WITHOUT A GROIN INJURY……………IS IT THE DEFENSE’S FAULT HE DOESN’T TRAIN PROPERLY??????…………JUST WONDERING………….

By Alan

July 17, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE DEFENSE’S FAULT HE DOESN’T TRAIN PROPERLY?

Are you his trainer? How would you know this?

“Just wondering.”

By David

July 17, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Alan, all i’m saying is he doesn’t seem to find a way to win. Hedberg gives up more goals, and yet his team finds a way to win. If the team isn’t confident in front of him, it doesn’t matter. And that does NOT start with the defenseman. It starts with the goaltender.

A goaltender can’t afford to give up “softies” and be a starting goaltender in the NHL. I don’t question the man’s skills, i question is desire to win and compete at the NHL level.

By ROBO

July 17, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

I QUESTION HIS NON-ABILITY TO STEER CLEAR OF GROIN ISSUES………….AND HIS IMMATURE, CHILDISH TEMPER TANTRUMS………..MAYBE WE SHOULD HIRE A BABYSITTER FOR HIM????????…………LMAO………….

By Martin

July 17, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

robo are you that stendc guy? and many say that the best way to gauge a goalie’s ability is save%, and kari’s has always been one of the better ones despite the fact he continually plays behind the leagues worst defense, but that should change this year ( provided nikulin signs ) and maybe more people will see how good kari is

By Alan

July 17, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Hedberg gives up more goals, and yet his team finds a way to win.

I’m not knocking Hedberg, but some of his wins came when Kari was injured. Another contributing factor to both of their GAAs and SV%s are the blowouts the Thrashers were a victim of throughout last season.

A goaltender can’t afford to give up “softies” and be a starting goaltender in the NHL.

There are plenty of starting goalies that give up softies. As a matter of fact, I believe every goalie gives up softies. Remember that the goaltender is the last line of defense to preventing a puck from going to the back of the net. Or, in Atlanta’s case, our goalies have been the only line of defense.

By David

July 17, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Thrashers sign Marty Reasoner per TSN.

Not sure of the deal, but I like this pickup. Never hear anything but good stuff on him. He’s 31, and will be a solid 3rd or 4th line center.

Makes me think that we’ll trade or release somebody here soon. We have a lot of centers and you have to think we’ll sign another top line here sometime.

By Alan

July 17, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

That’s my point, Marty. SV% is really the biggest determining factor. Our defense was crap-freakin-tacular last season, but Kari still pulled a .916 out of his rear end. I’d love to see the GAA come down, and maybe that will happen with our improved defense (regardless if Nikulin signs, Zhitnik is no longer here, thus the D-corps is improved in my eyes).

Also, I don’t know if ROBO is also Stendec, but I do know ROBO also posts as TRON. That’s always made me snicker.

By Denny

July 17, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

We got (6) Centers ….here is how they stack against Savard last year. Is their a First Liner in the Group and who goes to Wing or out the door?

Savard, 74 Games & 78 Points Perrin, 81 Games & 45 Points White, 74 Games & 37 Points Christensen, 59 Games & 24 Points Reasoner, 82 Games & 25 Points Little, 48 Games & 16 Points Slater, 69 Games & 13 Points

By Alan

July 17, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Slater played some games at wing last season. He was also injured last year and spent a few games in Chicago. It’s interesting to note that almost every goal he scored last season was after his return from rehabilitation in Chicago.

Christensen played wing for his time in Pittsburgh, which was a very large portion of his 59 games played. He also sustained a season ending injury shortly after we got him, so we never saw exactly what he could do.

Reasoner is a solid third-line center. This should go without saying. Not to mention that he’s a very solid locker room presence and a role player. Underrating him based on stats alone is a mistake.

Not sure why you bothered to include Savard. Many fans agree that not re-signing him was a huge mistake, and his point totals prove that.

Good on you for posting a bunch of stats, but it doesn’t really prove anything.

By Mortician

July 17, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

my sources say this blog is Dead.

By David

July 17, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

well your sources suck

Per TSN http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243620&lid=sublink04&lpos=headlines_nhl

We’ve signed Sterling to a multi year contract. Good stuff.

I can’t say how much the signings we’ve done this offseason make me happy. Hainsey, Williams, Lehtonen, Reasoner, Sterling….we’re not doing anything rash, which is important.

By Thrashers27

July 18, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

I agree with Alan. I was just thinking the other day that Slater finally found his groove late in the season last year. After going at least 3/4 of the season without a goal he pots goals in back to back games and if I’m not mistaken he even had a two goal game. He could be on the cusp of a breakout season. That would be great for us.

We do have too many centers. What gives with that? Hopefully, a trade is looming.

By Alan

July 18, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Hey, Mike. I don’t mean to be a bother with requests and all, but do you have any information in Nikulin? I’ve heard that Ak Bars training camp has started this week and am curious if there has been any progress with getting him inked to a contract.

By The Other J.B.

July 18, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Alan,

I think we’ve scared Mike off. Haven’t heard from him in a while and I think the flurry of vents post July 1st had him running back to Georgia Tech.

I think everyone wants to know what’s going on with Nikulin and the longer we hear nothing makes it more likely nothing is happening at all.

By David

July 18, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Interesting, i never realized that krog signed with Cheropevets of the KHL back in May. Then he just signed with Vancouver on the 14th…interesting.

By David

July 18, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243688&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl

And per tsn, we signed Esposito to a multi-year contract.

By B. Thenet

July 18, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

You know there is probably only 1 person in hockey who thinks Angelo Esposito has a shot at making the Thrashers, and it is Angelo Esposito.

I like this kid. Hopefully he can bring the right attitude with him if he gets sent back to Montreal.

By Bryan

July 18, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

It’s sad that we have to keep up with our local team through Canadian outlets. The AJC is equivalent to ASG.

By Thrashers27

July 18, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Okay, time for a new subject, Mike. This one is over a week old.

By Thrashers27

July 18, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

Okay, time for a new subject, Mike. This one is over a week old.

By David

July 18, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

I wish i knew the terms of these deals. Damn ATL policy of not releasing the details.

If people would use their posts for something besides b***, then there might be some good discussion besides “please post a new topic”.

By chuck

July 19, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

lol. this blog is funny.

By Thrasher_Ed

July 20, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Knobs! Guess people will quit posting after 9-10 days, Huh?? Got any new news on Ilya Nikulin? That contract hold up surely can get read in this amount of time!

Is it time for a trade or 2? Yes,definitely so.

By Alan

July 21, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this

Come on now, Ed. There’s nothing really going on right now. And there’s always Rawhides blogs to participate in while we wait for another blog here.

By Matt in the Grove

July 21, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Knobler’s blog held hostage DAY 11.

I swear I saw Ted Koppel at CNN Center the other day.

By Joey

July 21, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Good to know that as the Thrashers get worse each season, so does the reporter who gets stuck with the job covering them. Good job posting new stories about Jason Williams, Maty Reasoner, Kari’s resigning, and whatever else I can find on tsn.ca! Seems there’s some interesting things going on between the new Russian Superleague, the IIHF, and NHL. We won’t find out about it on this website though. What happened to Custance? At least when there would be a signing or trade or even rumors, he’d have something about it on the blog right away. Even if it would only be a few quick sentences. You just have to love hockey in the south.

By Alan

July 21, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

If it isn’t people dissing the team, it’s people dissing the beat writer. Seriously, guys, what exactly are you trying to prove by doing that, eh?

By Smoothie

July 21, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Alan, I hate to say it but Joey’s right. We should at least get some press coverage that includes a few quotes about how excited Marty and Jason are to help lead the Thrashers to the Cup! Afterall, it’s indisputably inevitable that the Thrashers are going to be so much better this year…why wouldn’t we be excited to hear from our newest players??

I’m sure Knobby is on vacation, but c’mon now, 11 days!! He could at least check in and tell us he’s working on a few stories. DWad was on 680 the Fan this morning so it’s not like the entire organization is “unavailable” right now. Of course, DW could be ever elusive right now with respect to the ajc, but a beat writer’s job is to go after the story.

In your defense Mike, no one but the 12 ppl on this blog really gives a crap about the Thrashers so no sweat! Just busting your chops!

By Alan

July 21, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Eh, Smoothie… the way I look at it, is this is July, and those guys aren’t exactly big fish, even in the small frozen pond called Philips. I’d love to see comments, but I’m not expecting it. Knobler is on vacation, after all, and this is very much the desolate time in the hockey offseason. I’d expect more coverage of any sort when camp starts.

And I think it’s awfully premature to say Joey is right. We don’t know that Mike is a bad reporter, just like we don’t know that he’s a good reporter yet. He hasn’t covered the Thrashers before, so to say he is right is quite the fallacy, don’t you think? Yeah, a blurb about how so and so is happy to be here or be back would be nice, but so would free season tickets.

By nfieldr

July 21, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

How about the Beast / Hossa reunion? I knew he was gone when he didn’t get the head gig.

By DB

July 22, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this

Knobler? Knobler? Bueller? Bueller?

By Joey

July 22, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

I’m guessing that the majority of people who read this blog ARE hockey fans and DO care about things going on around the team and even the NHL itself, even in the middle of July! My guess, based on what I’ve read so far, is that the new beat writer just got handed the job and while he may have interest in hockey, he probably is a casual fan. I hope I’m wrong, but I just haven’t seen much more so far. Time will tell though. I would prefer the one who is lucky enough to cover my favorite sport for the only newspaper in this city be a fan of the game. Us passionate fans need and deserve an equally passionate writer.

By Alan

July 22, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Us passionate fans need and deserve an equally passionate writer.

Now this is something we both can agree on. Hockey is the only sport worth watching, for me anyway.

By David

July 22, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

I’m personally glad the beast is gone, sorry folks. He had the opportunity to take the job and didn’t. That’s life.

By Brendan

July 22, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

I hope McCrimmon will be happy in Detroit. Mellanby told us that he wouldn’t be offered the Head Coaching position in any serious fashion. Mellanby was right. Beast was offered the job during the All-Star break. Well, what magnanimous thing was he going to accomplish from essentially February to the 1st week in April?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

July 22, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Brendan — I have a hard time believing he was offered the Head Coaching position for a 3 month span, and only that. If it was essentially a 3-month offer, shame on Waddell…but somehow that lack of class is something not many people would expect of Waddell, even those who despise him.

Nothing would’ve been different had McCrimmon accepted that reported offer. He would’ve changed title, possibly gotten a pay raise, and would’ve been given the opportunity to put “NHL Head Coach” on his resume.

There is another thing though…unless McCrimmon had an expiring contract at the end of this past season, he wouldn’t have been allowed to switch positions for any assistant or head coaching vacancies he wanted to apply for. To my understanding the Red Wings needed permission to speak to McCrimmon, which means he was still under contract. Since a coach cannot do anything less than a lateral move (when changing positions from one team to another, while still under contract), McCrimmon wouldn’t have been allowed to become an assistant coach for Detroit if he was still contractually listed as the head coach in Atlanta.

That’s a fuzzy area of the NHL rules, to my understanding of it.

By declining the HC position, McCrimmon essentially kept open the opportunity for himself to get a new job elsewhere, either a similar assistant position (as he took in Detroit) or a head coaching position (had some other team been interested in him and sought permission from Atlanta).

I think McCrimmon was given plenty of opportunity to show his value to this franchise, and though possibly never given a “fair shake” at the head coaching position, I think his track record as the defensive coach spoke much louder than any possibility he held as a successful head coach.

Good luck to him, but I’m not shedding a tear over his loss. He’ll fit well in Detroit, and I can only assume Babcock will make him appear to be a diamond that got away from Atlanta.

By Brendan

July 22, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

As it’s the ASG’s policy not to disclose the terms of any contract, we’ll probably never know if it was, or wasn’t, a 3-year deal. But if it was a 3-year deal, to be the Head Coach, why did McCrimmon decline the offer? Was he offended that it wasn’t offered to him sooner? Like, back in October? Or, was it something more? Was it because McCrimmon, like Hossa, didn’t like the direction of the team? Or, did McCrimmon fear that a “lottery draft finish” would spell the end of Waddell, and he didn’t want to be fired by the new GM? So many questions. So few answers.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

July 23, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this

McCrimmon went on to a better situation in Detroit than he was in here…so I assume he’s happy with how things transpired. I guess that’s all that matters, really.

I don’t have a burning desire to hear answers to those questions (you mentioned previously), because I think the most deserving coach got the job. It worked out the way I wanted it to (Anderson HC, McCrimmon landing on his feet somewhere else), so I’m content.

By Mark Recchi

July 23, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Jameson

July 23, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Wow… Josh Childress signs with a Greek team… I wonder how long before Thrashers start ditching for Europe.

By David

July 24, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

not before players from other teams do…or did…oops

By Off topic

July 24, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this

At what point does the AJC do something about the Falcons blog? I wrote to Julia Wallace a year ago about the infrequent updates. She said it would be discussed. There seemed to be an improvement. However, unlike EVERY OTHER BLOG on the ajc, commenting is open for a couple of hours and then closed. OR like the most recent one, it never opens at all. Pathetic. This has to be Wyche, right? When will someone at the AJC demand better performance from this guy? I would have posted this on the Falcons blog, but, of course I CAN’T.

By Alan

July 24, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

So, I’ve seen some murmurings from other teams that are planning to have a “third” sweater this season. Any plans for Atlanta to have one?

Everyone, thoughts on what that would be?

By David

July 24, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

i miss the old red ones, those were such unique jerseys and that logo was far and above the current one.

By Tony C.

July 24, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

I liked the old logo (stylized “T”/bird silhouette) too. I’d like to see us use the old logo as well as the Russet or whatever that color is… in a kind of “negative” version of the current “True Blue” sweater. I dig the city-on-your sleeve thing, and I think that it’d look good.

Otherwise, let’s get Dave Johnson to design our 3rd sweater (a la McFarlane’s “Industrial Oil Drop” for Edmonton).

By Josh

July 24, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

I say go with the Wolves sweaters. Since we’re an AHL team and all.

By Brendan

July 24, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

Josh chimes in with a “zinger.” If the ASG saw us all wearing Chicago Wolves jerseys, they’d just think we’re showing support for the farm team pipeline.

But, eventually, one of them would think, “Hey, that’s money fans didn’t spend on Atlanta gear. We didn’t make a nickel off of the sale of a Chicago Wolves hat, T-Shirt, Sweatshirt, key chain, bumper sticker or jersey.”

If the ASG wanted to be smarta$$es, they could respons to the claim that the Thrashers have a minor league GM and a minor league Head Coach by saying, “And you fans … shout for a (dissolved) minor league team every time they play the National anthem.”

By Lanny McDonald

July 24, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

Yes! Bring back the Ultimate Warrior jerseys! I miss the team wearing those on the Friday night games at Philips!

By GSU-Lee

July 24, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

Mike, are you alive? Great move getting Cunneyworth

By Alan

July 24, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

Personally, I’m thinking the Thrashers are going to hold off on a third sweater this season, and put a “10th anniversary” commemorative sweater out next season as the third sweater, designed the same way as their inaugural season sweaters were.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

July 25, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Brendan — His joke was in reference to an alternate uniform worn by the team, not by the fans.

Tony C. — I agree, the stylized T and older colors matched with the new uniform might look good. I would be all for a few designs focused around the only history of this team. (No, I don’t consider the Flames or Knights part of the Thrashers hockey “history”).

By David

July 25, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Glad to see Steve Weeks will still be around.

By Brendan

July 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Oops.

By Gary

July 25, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

After the Josh Childress fiasco, look for the Spirit to go head on to get Josh Smith signed up. The problem is Josh Smith doesn’t like Coach Woodson, so it’s similar to the Thrashers situation with Kovalchuk not liking Waddell. This complex ordeal will soon become even more complex.

By anonymous

July 26, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

It’s worth pointing out that Brendan just had a post with only five characters.
Maybe there is hope for the Thrashers after all.

By LAC

July 27, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Tweo 1/2 weeks and NOTHING from this “new” guy… I say get someone who will report on a regular basis, not once a month or so.

This guy is not into NHL hockey, so try someone else, hehas lost ALL confidence I had, need a change at ajc just like asg… Gee those sound a LOT alike…

Neither one that Demands Respect for sure !

By Your Mom

July 27, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

This BLOG has gone to Sh*t real fast.

By Your Mom

July 27, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

I bet the AJC laid him off.

By Thrasher_Ed

July 27, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Knobler, Knobler, Mike Knobler??? Dude seriously you have not posted a new Blog entry in how many days??? What do the bums at the AJC have you reporting on these days?? Marbles matches?? I know summer is a slow time, but you have a great group who will post faithfully if you give us something!!! If I did not have a fulltime job this would be a great gig. Seriously what do they assign you too?

By Viking

July 28, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

I believe it was Rawhide that mentioned earlier that he is on vacation. I remember Knobler forewarning us about a “dry July”, when he was complimented for his new blog frequency.

By the way, there is too little of vacation around here in the US. So Knobler, keep enjoying it, the season is still far away!

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August 20, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

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