By GaVaHokie

August 25, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Good stuff… glad to hear Boulton, Thorburn and Klee are back and getting serious. I like seeing our depth guys getting ready early!

By ThrasherNY

August 25, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Dont know if this is old new but it was new news to me.

*Former Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Mark Popovic became the latest NHL player to be lured away by the new Russian Super League, agreeing to play for St. Petersburg next season for approxately $1 million

His agent, Tom Laidlaw, said Popovic has not signed his contract, but he confirmed that Popovic has reached an agreement to play in Russia next season for former NHL assistant coach Barry Smith who is the St. Peterburg’s head coach.

Other former NHL players who have jumped to the Continentinal Hockey League include Jaromir Jagr, Chris Simon, Robert Esche, John Grahame and Ladislav Nagy among others.

Several NHL teams were interested in Popovic, but all of them wanted to offer him a two-way contract, meaning he would make much less if he was shipped to the minors.* Source USA TODAY

By B

August 25, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

“Right now we’re on our own. We’re working out with our strength and conditioning coach. There’s no system.” Flashbacks to last year there for Havelid and company?

By Brendan

August 25, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

Good stuff, Mike Knobler. I’m glad these guys are taking it all pretty seriously. I can’t wait to see the system John Anderson comes up with that will define “Thrashers Hockey.”

By Sara

August 25, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

“Right now we’re on our own. We’re working out with our strength and conditioning coach. There’s no system.” Flashbacks to last year there for Havelid and company?

LOL, good one. You know it occurs to me that by and large (there are some exceptions), individually our guys work hard and have a general concept of what their roles are. The problem is getting them to work cohesively as a unit.

Hey Knobler I had heard through the grapevine that practice is starting later than usual this season. Any truth to that and if so, any reasoning why that would happen after a craptastic season last year and a brand new coaching staff coming in?

By Mike Knobler

August 25, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

Thanks, guys. There are more players back this week.

ThrasherNY That’s good stuff from Kevin Allen. Thanks.

By R. Stroz

August 25, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Mike - Several of us have used the nickname Bogo or Bogey for Bogosian, does he have a nickname, and if so, what is it?

By Barry

August 25, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this

It’s a shame we have too many defensemen signed on this team with no room for Popovic. He did nothing wrong while playing last year for the big club, and he looked like he belonged in the NHL. I was hoping that Waddell would have used XLB in a trade for a top 6 forward and that would leave room for Popovic, Valabik, and Bogosian to compete for last 2 spots. Popovic played well for Anderson and I know he would have liked to play for him at the NHL level full time. Oh well. Good luck Pops. You deserve better.

By Greg

August 25, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if its Zach’s nickname but he signed my sons jersey Z-BO at the prospect camp.

By the way he was a total class act off the ice & a stud on the ice.

By Tony C.

August 25, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

sTROZ

It’s “Boges”.

By Logan

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

Training camp lengths are dictated by the CBA Sara. The season starts later this year so training camp starts later. The only way for the Thrashers to start earlier would be if they had a break between camp and the season, and that would be stupid.

Hey Mike- any plans to actually write a story instead of just a weekly blog post? It’s been a while. A long, long while.

By Chris

August 25, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Cool on Z-Bo,

The Damon Wayans character in Earth Girls are Easy was Zeebo!

By Brendan

August 25, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

Well, when Bogosian officially signs … that’ll be a story. :) But, since it isn’t absolutely required to be done IMMEDIATELY, Don Waddell has invoked “ASG Privilege.” What’s that? It’s the right to inaction and procrastination.

I wish Mark Popovic the best. At the league minimum salary, NHL-only, I don’t see how a team could have gone too badly with Popovic. He’s tradeable, too. C’mon. You want me to say it. But I will resist the urge to use the word “sweetener.” Ooops.

After the season started, someone would claim him off waivers at that price. Or even re-entry waivers, if it came to that. Maybe we ran out of room for him here, but some NHL team should have signed him. Mark Popovic was Anaheim’s 2nd round draft pick, 35th overall, in 2001. Atlanta obtained Popovic in a trade for Kip Brennan, right after the lockout ended. Atlanta acquired Brennan from the Los Angeles Kings for LW Jeff Cowan, right around the trade deadline in 2004.

By Sara

August 26, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this

Thanks Logan for clarifying that.

So I guess now the question is, who’s bright idea was it to make us wait longer for hockey season to start this year? ;)

Brendan I was sorry to see Pop not re-signed either but those are the breaks sometimes. I expect it will be guys in his position that the KHL will lure away the most often. Those lower-tier guys who won’t make much salary here or advance beyond 3rd or 4th line roles might find the more lucrative contracts appealing.

Speaking of which, I wonder what McCarthy will do?

By Toby

August 26, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this

Bogosian sounds like the real deal. I didn’t make the prospect camp, but I’m reading that he is NHL ready. I hope he make us forget about that Coburn debacle. With Bogo and Toby out there, it sounds like we could have some of the top D-men on the team for a long time.

By GaVaHokie

August 26, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

I hope he make us forget about that Coburn debacle.

I recall Coburn not playing well in Chicago under Anderson… most of the fans were happy when he got called up to Atlanta so they wouldn’t have to see him anymore. So, he might have still struggled with Anderson as coach.

… hopefully that piece of knowledge helps you forget him even more. :)

By Spud Webb

August 26, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the info Knobler Love it, hope that Bogo stays up with the big boys from the get go. Were not playoff contenders at this point, so let him stay and make his mistakes and get better here, not anywhere else. I do find it funny that we are just going to clear the minimum salary cap. We are getting laughed at by other teams in the league for that. Knobs I’m sorry, but I have to keep asking, what’s up with the Russian? Should I just let it go and assume he won’t be here this year or is there any hope? Also, have you asked DW why we haven’t gotten a number 1 center for Kovy or about the Russian? I think I’m going to try and ask him myself when camp opens. I’m sure he’ll be “not responsive” to just some silly fan who pays his hard earned money to watch the Thrashers, thoughts Knobs???

By Fred

August 26, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Sadly, the words in the story that ring out the loudest:

“Bogosian’s contract and potential bonus money should put the Thrashers over the NHL payroll minimum of $40.7 million, which they need to reach before the start of the season”

How embarrassing that the team is having to worry about meeting the payroll MINIMUM amount?

Lord knows I want to get excited about this team, but we drop the salaries of Hossa, Holic, etc. and the only way we meet the MINIMUM is to pay a load to an 18 year old rookie?

I’m afraid I can’t Believe in Blueland until I’m shown that the ASG isn’t all about putting the least expensive team as possible on the ice.

By Bob

August 26, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Lord knows I want to get excited about this team, but we drop the salaries of Hossa, Holic, etc. and the only way we meet the MINIMUM is to pay a load to an 18 year old rookie?

Overpaying Hainsey got us there as well. Remember, they tried to throw big money at Campbell and also at Rolston, but got turned down. I think there’s money to be spent, but it’s a build year since we got turned down by all the big free agents, so why kneecap our chances now of getting Tavares by going out and spending $5m more on more middling free agents who’ll just bring them up from the bottom of the league to 20th or so which still misses the playoffs. If you’re gonna tank, do it right!

Let the kids get some time this year, take your chances on Tavares, settle the lawsuit, get a real GM, and voila.

By Thrashers27

August 26, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Amen, Bob!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 26, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Why do people assume that if Campbell or Rolston were actually signed that the same minimum spending wouldn’t be in effect? No evidence points to it, so it’s just assumption…

The way I see it, if Campbell signs he’s the overinflated salary on defense, thus no need for Hainsey. If Rolston signs then money towards Williams and Reasoner would not have been spent. $3.02M spent on one year of Reasoner and Williams, Rolston signed for 4 years $5.062M annually (he’s 35 by the way). Hainsey signed for $4.5M annually over 5 years (he’s 27), while Campbell (29) signed for 8 years $7.1M annually.

Giving the credit to those in that camp, the difference between the two would’ve been at minimum $5M, if both players were signed. Reports are that Atlanta offered $8M annually to Campbell, so that means about $6M difference between the two. While substantial, that means the team would’ve been sitting at 26th in the league for payroll, instead of 28th.

Obviously Campbell would have been an improvement, but I’d rather Williams and Reasoner than an aged Rolston making too much money for too long of a contract…though, he’s got a WICKED slap shot. The current contracts for Rolston and Campbell expire when each are 39 and 37, respectively. I think both teams will be dreading those contracts if either player doesn’t retire before it expires. Rolston’s contract would’ve been a reincarnation of Holik’s, handicapping the team for years to come. Campbell’s would’ve been palatable for the first few years, if not the entirety of the contract…though he’d be Ken Klee’s age in the final year of the contract.

By Brendan

August 26, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

The time to go hog wild on spending is down the road, in the future. If Bogosian isn’t locked up after his first two years, when he first becomes eligible to be re-signed, I’ll have a conniption. Unless Bogosian lays a huge, whopping, colossal egg, failure to re-sign him a year ahead of schedule is flat out, pure mismanagement. It sends the wrong signal to the lockerroom and the fan base. And not only that, it’s gonna cost more. Apparently, the “business aspect” of hockey is what catches the ASG’s attention.

That “middle” (RFA) contract is essentially gone now, thanks to Kevin Lowe. These days, the trend is to lock your high-end guys early on (Malkin, Crosby, Ovechkin and so forth). Hedge the RFA offersheet off at the pass. That’s what we’re seeing with the elite and semi-elite players.

Why wait? Why invite problems? Why risk losing players? For what? The guy is either a hugely important part of the team’s future, or he isn’t. And if he is, you lock ‘im up. Otherwise, you wind up making excuses. This Thrashers organization is not known for being proactive. And until that changes, the problems will continue.

As we speak, perhaps, there haven’t even been contract negotiations with Tobias Enstrom. I suppose there’s an argument for and against that. He is just coming off a “rookie” season. But it sure would be nice to think that this organization occasionally looks past the nose at the end of its face.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 26, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

Brendan — I completely agree. Unfortunately Waddell has given enough quotes to show me that he has too much of the players’ interest at heart, than the full business interest. When you read things like him wanting to be fair to the player, because he might earn himself a bigger contract after this season (what he said regarding Lehtonen), it makes me worry that perhaps he’s being too much of a pushover regarding the contract negotiations.

I have no idea how those are going, obviously, but I would agree with you that there are certain key players you identify prior to the contract expiration year, and as soon as you’re allowed by the CBA, you re-sign them long term. Personally, I’d love to see Enstrom locked up for another 3 years beyond his current contract, and at a ~$2.5M rate. It’s not a hard contract to swallow, yet it shows him (and the team) that they are interested in retaining their important players.

Bogosian’s contract obviously cannot be renegotiated until the last year of his yet-to-be-determined rookie contract, but I would consider him one of those key players. Anybody who is under 25 and can log quality top 2 line minutes, should be locked up long term, in my opinion. So Little, Lehtonen, Pavelec (if he’d re-sign), Enstrom, Bogosian, Kovalchuk (if he’d re-sign), etc…they should all be approached early and often, to gauge their interest in re-upping for a few extra years.

It’s really a shame that Todd White and Ron Hainsey have the longest contracts on this roster. At least White’s isn’t a potential handcuffer, but I agree with you that more youth filled players need to be locked up earlier.

By Brendan

August 26, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, do you think they (ASG + Waddell) will eventually learn this lesson? I mean, here were are … bloggers … and WE see it. How is it even possible that they DON’T see it?

It’s more than just a bit of a curiosity. I cannot agree with you more that players like Pavelec, Little, Bogosian, Enstrom, and Kovalchuk simply have to be approached about contract extensions. Early. Failure to do so is … I don’t know … borderline insulting. And these days, players have “sensitive egos.” They need to feel the love. They need to be stroked and handled with care.

I apologize for an Atlanta Hawks reference, but Josh Smith used words to the effect of, “Geez, I just wanted them to show me that I’m important to them. To get some credit for the hard work I’ve put in for the past four years. I wasn’t trying to demand MORE than my market value. And honestly, Josh Childress would be here, too, if they’d approached him in this fashion. We just want to feel wanted.” That’s paraphrased, of course. But I did capture the gist of it. The Atlanta Hawks didn’t approach them, at all, one year ahead of schedule. Well, what MESSAGE does that send?? Maybe the answer really was: “Which way to Greece?”

To hear Josh Smith tell it, the ASG basically said, “Here’s our offer. Now go see if you can beat it?” Wowwww. That’s sure to make a player feel wanted, huh?

It’s the equivalent of going to prom and having a girl ask you to dance, and you conditionally accept her offer for the next song, unless a prettier girl asks you before then. And you tell her, “If you’re my best offer, I’ll take it.”

Still thinking about it?

Now, I can’t really cry over Mark Popovic. But … especially given our salary situation, what’s a measely $500,000 to retain this guy, even if you’re paying him that money to play in the minors or sit up in the pressbox? And if someone claims him off waivers, then that’s what happens. Or if we have to trade him for a 4th round pick, so be it. Popovic wouldn’t have broken our bank. Every team looks for blueline depth at the trade deadline, Waddell could have moved him then. Bygones.

Let’s see if the Atlanta Thrashers organization is capable of adapting to the league they find themselves in. Honestly, sometimes … they really take on the look and feel of a minor league franchise.

By Sara

August 27, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this

Ranallo hearing Waddell say that about Kari is better than the alternative of him saying anything negative in the press (which he has been known for). There’s a Q&A with Waddell on the Thrashers website and he talks about Lehtonen’s contract. The team talked to him about longer term but they couldn’t reach an agreement on money. The club isn’t going to shell out big bucks for a guy that still has some maturing left to do at this stage.

Brendan we talk a lot about the business approach used by this organization. However, to me it is good business to lock up your key personnel early - retain your assets - and early contract negotiations can be cheaper than the later ones. Just think how much less Savard could have gotten in a contract at the start of his last season here instead of what he received after he put up a 96-point season? AND we would still have our number one center, Hossa might have been happier, Kovy would definitely be happier, the team would be better, and the fans would be happier.

That issue is, by far, my biggest issue with Waddell. I’m sympathetic to issues of budgeting beyond his control, but earlier negotiations could circumvent some of those problems. At this point, there is NO excuse for not getting extensions done on our young core players or the elite ones. Mid-range guys that are relatively easily replaceable, fine, whatever. But the organization HAS to start taking these matters seriously. And it’s the entire organization - you are correct to bring up Josh Smith. That was ridiculous and unprofessional and only speaks to what retards we have running the show. Between that nonsense and Bruce Levenson’s shenanigans last season, I have ZERO respect for this group.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 27, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

I’m still convinced the ASG heard “Athens” and immediately thought Childress was going back to college ball.

But yeah, I don’t see the harm in offering youthful players a contract a year before they’re an RFA or UFA.

And as I said when we last discussed Popovic’s signing in Russia, it’s too bad he’s gone, but his departure gives room for further development of youth. I’d rather Popovic than Klee, but clearly that’s not going to happen.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 27, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Sara — I read that interview, which is why I mentioned him allowing the players play dictate his salary. Reaching an agreement on money for the long term makes more sense than allowing the player a one-year contract and hoping for the best.

If the player plays better, he gets a substantial raise, if the player plays worse, well you’re kind of screwed anyways.

I don’t like the excuse of “this is better for the player and the franchise” when it’s about the clubs #1 goalie’s contract negotiation. I understand it, but I don’t agree with it. Throwing a little extra cash at Lehtonen (he couldn’t have been asking for more than Hainsey is currently making) would’ve been that gesture of good faith that Brendan referenced. “Who cares about last season, we believe in you for the long run, and we’re going to show that by giving you more than we originally intended during this negotiation process. Welcome back to the Atlanta Thrashers, we hope you enjoy your next 3-5 years in Atlanta.”

Instead it’s “go prove you’re worth the money you want, and if you’re not well then you’re going to have to accept something closer to our original offer”…forgetting to mention that the player is a RFA again, and can accept any offer sheet given to him if he so desires.

By Brendan

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

That’s spot on, Ranallo. There’s got to be less of this “Missourian” show me, prove it to me, before I’ll extend “warm and fuzzies” to your camp. Why must this organization alienate its players? What’s the purpose of that?

In the case of Enstrom, he’s even OUR draft pick. He wasn’t some OTHER GM’s selection that we acquired via trade. Since we drafted him, we obviously saw something of value in him. Did we not, also, see something of value in him last season? Look at his ATOI. Clearly, Enstrom was entrusted with serious minutes. But we can’t trust him with a 3-5 year contract?, in the viscinity of $2.5 to $3.0 million, right now? To show him the love?? Nope, that’s just OFF THE TABLE??

Honestly now. Is this any way to run a serious sports franchise? I’d love for Knobler to interview Enstrom and ask him if his feelings are hurt by the alleged absence of contract negotiations during an offseason when he is eligible for it. Maybe he is. Maybe he isn’t. Maybe he’s thrilled that the Thrashers will have to pay him more next offseason to keep him? And that might be true, even if Enstrom’s numbers dip a bit this year. Market value, alone, will push up his contract, unless the cap DECREASES. And we haven’t EVER seen that, through three (3) post CBA seasons.

For an ownership group that CARES about spending, just from “business standpoint,” they ought to push Waddell to reach an agreement with Enstrom before training camp. There’s, perhaps, two reasons not to do it. (1) They hope Enstrom has a terrible year and can resign him for less, or move him to some other team for BETTER assets. Or (2) they hope that the prospect of earning more money will inspire Enstrom, like a dangling carrot to a bunny, to have this SUPER, MAGNANIMUS season.

Which of these two reasons do you hope it is? Maybe, just maybe, someone will wake up at the ASG and get this player re-inked. And, Heaven help us, “show him some love.”

By paul

August 28, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Getting Bogo was great. If the thrashers can get Tavares next year that will be fantastic. Both great players to build a franchaise around BUT we also have to get quality guys to play with them. For those of you who are my age you will remember how Boston Bruins started their ascent in the 60’s when they got Orr, Esposito,Stanfield et al. One guy ,Orr was great, adding the rest of the talent was the key to success.

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