Thrashers

By LAC.

October 6, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

I was a bit surprised Colin Stuart did not make it.

Not shocked at Boris, he just never seemed to be up to speed.

But why in hell is Jim Slater still here ? He has done zip since being on this team except take a roster spot from someone else who could contribute… He never has and never will be a solid NHL player.

Too bad don waddell was not cut, now That would be moving forward… right don !

By Alan

October 6, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

I’m happy with the cuts, personally speaking. Hoffman will probably stick with the team, but it all depends on what happens in the near future.

Sorry to hear about your computer. I work in computer repair and building new computers, so drop me a line whenever you have problems or questions.

The above goes for any of the other bloggers, too.

By Barry

October 6, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

Ack sorry to hear about the computer troubles. I had about a 4 or 5 year old desktop computer when all of a sudden it wouldn’t boot up and was basically a hard drive crash. I tried buying a new hard drive, reinstalling Windows and trying to reset it up but it never would restart and boot back up to Windows again. Eventually just had to buy a new and better computer. I feel your pain.

I’ve heard rumors that Hoffman broke his hand in Friday night’s game. Is this true? Also what extent are the injuries to Little and Williams?

By jojo

October 6, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

I love the Thrashers BUT, I am just not excited about all these new people that they keep telling us we’re supposed to be excited about. Who did we get for Hossa again? (yawn) Where is this defense we supposedly made all these deals for? Kolvachuk is nowhere to be found(hopefully he is just as bored as I am and will pick up the pace during regular season) It looks like a mediocre AHL team right now, I sure hope this changes, I will still support them and go to a handful of games, and I hope and pray I am absolutely wrong about this year…but I fear i am not. :(

By jojo

October 6, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

I love the Thrashers BUT, I am just not excited about all these new people that they keep telling us we’re supposed to be excited about. Who did we get for Hossa again? (yawn) Where is this defense we supposedly made all these deals for? Kolvachuk is nowhere to be found(hopefully he is just as bored as I am and will pick up the pace during regular season) It looks like a mediocre AHL team right now, I sure hope this changes, I will still support them and go to a handful of games, and I hope and pray I am absolutely wrong about this year…but I fear i am not. :(

By jojo

October 6, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

I love the Thrashers BUT, I am just not excited about all these new people that they keep telling us we’re supposed to be excited about. Who did we get for Hossa again? (yawn) Where is this defense we supposedly made all these deals for? Kolvachuk is nowhere to be found(hopefully he is just as bored as I am and will pick up the pace during regular season) It looks like a mediocre AHL team right now, I sure hope this changes, I will still support them and go to a handful of games, and I hope and pray I am absolutely wrong about this year…but I fear i am not. :(

By jojo

October 6, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

I love the Thrashers BUT, I am just not excited about all these new people that they keep telling us we’re supposed to be excited about. Who did we get for Hossa again? (yawn) Where is this defense we supposedly made all these deals for? Kolvachuk is nowhere to be found(hopefully he is just as bored as I am and will pick up the pace during regular season) It looks like a mediocre AHL team right now, I sure hope this changes, I will still support them and go to a handful of games, and I hope and pray I am absolutely wrong about this year…but I fear i am not. :(

By jojo

October 6, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

I love the Thrashers BUT, I am just not excited about all these new people that they keep telling us we’re supposed to be excited about. Who did we get for Hossa again? (yawn) Where is this defense we supposedly made all these deals for? Kolvachuk is nowhere to be found(hopefully he is just as bored as I am and will pick up the pace during regular season) It looks like a mediocre AHL team right now, I sure hope this changes, I will still support them and go to a handful of games, and I hope and pray I am absolutely wrong about this year…but I fear i am not. :(

By joe

October 6, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

I love the Thrashers BUT, I am just not excited about all these new people that they keep telling us we’re supposed to be excited about. Who did we get for Hossa again? (yawn) Where is this defense we supposedly made all these deals for? Kolvachuk is nowhere to be found(hopefully he is just as bored as I am and will pick up the pace during regular season) It looks like a mediocre AHL team right now, I sure hope this changes, I will still support them and go to a handful of games, and I hope and pray I am absolutely wrong about this year…but I fear i am not. :(

By Wilson26

October 6, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Wait, so you don’t love the Thrashers BUT are excited about all these new people?

By Tony C.

October 6, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Hey, post the same depressing pessimistic crap again joe or is it jojo

whatever it is, pressing “post” over and over doesn’t increase it’s validity.

Even if I may agree with you.

By kracker

October 6, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

jojo You ever see the movie “Groundhog Day?” lol…As you found out, just click it once, this blog takes a while to respond. Who knows why it’s so s-l-o-w?

I’m hoping Lehts can carry the team for a month, steal some wins…until everybody gets on the same page, hopwfully that happens by December or so.

By Bob

October 6, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

No suprise to me that Valabik was cut. I’ve said here many times, that he just didn’t look NHL ready and what I saw out of him in the Wolves playoff run didn’t show me anything. However, I did like what I saw out of Oystrick in the Wolves playoff run, so I think this is very good news that he made the club.

As for Sterling, the mere fact that he has made this club shows how woefully inept our offense is. This guy is not an NHL player. But that’s ok, he furthers our chance of the real goal this season, of getting the #1 or #2 overall pick.

What I want to know is if some of the goofballs around here that have been throwing stones at me and others about our realism about this club, are ready to man/woman up and admit that this season is a wash and the only point of this year is to see if some young guys can grow into NHLers. Valabik already washed out before game 1, I remain with serious doubts about Little being an NHLer, but that’ll be something to check out. Watching Bogosian grow will be somewhat compelling, but honestly, I may only tune into the HD games of ours, this club is really going to be pretty boring, I think. A total washout build year, I feel bad for the poor souls that paid full price for season tickets, this will be on par with a Year 2 or Year 3 club I think. Lots of 4-1 losses and the odd 3-2 win where Kari steals one for us.

By thrshfan_at_forsythco

October 6, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Don’t worry about your computer, Mike. Apparently, some people like to click a little too much, right jojo?

Should be a better year than most people think. Some of the additions will help the defense, and I think injuries really hurt last year. (even though it would have been nice to see Hossa stay to see if they could have made it or not.) Something has to be done about Pavelec; that’s not what you want hanging over you during the beginning of the season.

By Mike Knobler

October 6, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

New computer, so I’m not in blue, but it’s me. Pavelec’s agent never returned my call, and I got a message that Don Waddell won’t talk about this stuff yet because he hasn’t had a chance to talk with Pavelec.

Here’s the interesting thing to me. I spoke with Pavelec after his excellent game at Nashville (4-2 Thrashers exhibition victory). I asked what he thought his chances were of making the team. He said, “It’s a question for Coach, I think. [Lehtonen and Hedberg] both have contracts. I’ll try and do my best, and we’ll see.”

Doesn’t sound like the words of a guy expecting to stay in Atlanta. So, what changed?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

October 6, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Knobler — On top of that, Ben Wright stated that Pavelec was in good spirits after the St. Louis game.

Sounds like an agent with a motive, in my opinion. I can only hope Pavelec isn’t as adamant about leaving the organization as his agent seems to be.

By wristshot

October 6, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

Jeez Bob, I feel like slitting my wrists after reading your post. Let’s let the boys have a chance before we throw the lot of em under the bus.

Disappointed Valabik didn’t show much this preseason. I was really looking forward to having some size and aggression in our D corps.

By Tony C.

October 6, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

I think his agent reviewed the terms of his deal with Ondrej, found out he’s liable to be out of the picture when he’s extended and decided he needed some $$$ now.

But hey that’s me. Maybe Pavelec didn’t get a sweet deal from the car dealer that DW sent him to? who knows???

By Alan

October 6, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

Bob, I feel like slitting my wrists after reading your post.

Most of us don’t take him seriously anymore. He probably doesn’t realize that the real goal of any team in any sport is to win. If he wants to play for a draft pick in his fantasy league, that’s fine. However, I’m sure the real team playing in Philips feel differently about this season.

By Brendan

October 6, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

Mike Knobler, bummer about the PC. I once had a huge spreadsheet I’d been using for months. I made some minor modifications to it right before leaving work … and I had this sick feeling the whole car ride home that something went wrong with the file, since it took longer than usual to save. I thought it was all in my head, but in the morning the next day, the file was completely gone. Without a trace from the LAN. I tried running recovery and it could only salvage four (4) cells of the spreadsheet. Yeah, it was an immodium moment. That’s for sure. I’ve also tried turning on and off the computer, after waiting a decent amount of time, and then everything reset itself. And a dialogue box popped up telling me an unsaved file was retrieved during restoration and would I now like to save it?! HAHAHA. Oh yeah, that was a fortunate day! I was able to recover the file, in its entirety. If you have a thumb drive, always backup your important files there. It’s a portable and reliable backup. Many places sell a 3 gig thumb drive now. It’s well worth the money.

By Brendan

October 6, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

Okay, roster decisions. Well, certainly they (Thrashers Coaching staff) know better than I do. But I am surprised that Hoffman and Oystrick are here. Good for them! I am pleasantly surprised that Brett Sterling is still here. I’m a longtime Sterling fan, from his Colorado College days, and I’m thrilled for his successes. That said, I’m surprised Waddell didn’t execute his infamous modus operandi by acquiring some well-traveled, long in the tooth, 30-something year old to plug that spot on the roster. Good for Waddell! He’s showing improvement as a GM.

As (poster) Bob says, in a “build year,” why not try to develop the young talent? That’s what they should do. That’s what they ARE doing. I applaud the decision. It makes a lot more sense to spend like drunken sailors when we’re closer to winning the Cup. But the truth is, we took a major backwards step in 2007 when the team got swept out of the playoffs. Craig Custance said the organization lost “5 years” as a consequence of that sweep in his column at the TSN site. I won’t go THAT far. But it’s at least three. Last year was one of the three. With one down, this will be the second. And next year, the third.

I’d much rather see Sterling, Oystrick, Valabik, even Slater, get developed in a year where “expectations” aren’t so high. What do we have to lose? Raise your hand if you think the Atlanta Thrashers will be in the CF or the Finals this season? Okay then. I’m not trying to be wet blanket here. Let’s stay positive. If this season results in major advances with these young Thrashers draft picks, it will only mean BETTER THINGS for 2009-10.

I had also hoped for Lehtonen-Pavelec to be the “1-2 punch” in net this year, with Moose sitting in the pressbox, except when pressed into service, as needed. Well? Wave your hands if you think Hedberg need to be developed? Put … your hand … down. That was rhetoric. Pavelec is someone who the Thrashers should be attempting to bring along this season. But yes, Lehtonen should get the Lion’s share of the starts. I was hoping for a 50-25-7 split among Lehtonen, Pavelec and Hedberg. It may well turn out that is the split, but it’ll be Lehtonen-Hedberg-Pavelec.

I know. I know. “Wouldn’t it be BETTER for Pavelec to play his 50-60 games in the AHL than languish as Kari’s backup?” But I want to give him his chance this year. Clearly, his agents wants that, too. And if he wins the job, as our #1 starter, so be it! Competition makes for a better product. Hedberg won’t cry a river of tears. He’s making his $1.25 million a year and seemingly only wants what’s best for the team. He’ll take it in stride. He’s not angling for 50 starts, and a new contract. He GOT his contract. This past July. Done.

Allright, Valabik. If he can’t make to the NHL yet, so be it. He’s at least still being developed in Chicago. If he was only going to play six minutes a game here anyway, it might be the best thing for him in the minors. It’s more important to groom Bogosian than Valabik.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

October 6, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

Brendan — That’s why I simply don’t use computers…you can’t trust them nowadays.

By The Joker

October 6, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

Jeez Bob, I feel like slitting my wrists after reading your post.

I have a better idea, lets hope Pavs slits his agents wrists.

By Mike Knobler

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

ranallo10 (in AT) ROTFLMAO

By Brendan

October 7, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

I hear they have the internet on computers now.

By FrutratedThrasher

October 7, 2008 5:51 AM | Link to this

Congratulations to Jojo above, who hit the post button more times than any Thrasher hit any opposing player the entire year last yr. This yr we look a little tougher but overall looks like no scoring punch and another mediocre defense. With the leagues lowest payroll we havent got a chance to make the playoffs. Vegas puts as 29th out of 30th in the S Cup odds. the pathetic ownership doesnt have the money to compete..Kovy will bolt as soon as he can and who could blame him? Waddell is a joke.. how does he keep his job?

Maybe one day we will have major league hockey..in the meantime, as long as we have a minor league product masquerading as an NHL team, I think i am just going to go the Gladiators games instead..at least they are decent and arent afraid to fight.

By Liam

October 7, 2008 7:29 AM | Link to this

I second Barry’s question: what’s happening with Jason Williams and Bryan Little?

By Jim

October 7, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Oystrick looks solid both offensively and defensively. He had an outstanding collegiate career and was solid at Chicago. Less of a risk on D. than Boris. Good to see Sterling stick. He still looks to me like an emerging Dino Cicarelli- good around the net and a real pest. With Hoffman around, nobdoby is going to run some of our forwards. Drop the puck. We’re ready.

By TableHockey

October 7, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Moose was signed so quickly that I suspected a trade was in the works leaving Pavelec as Kari’s back up. Hopefully this is about an agent - we’ll need Pav’s next season.

I saw over on Ben’s blog that DW said Boris is a big part of the teams future… does this mean he’s about to get traded???

By Toby

October 7, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Well, I hope DW, Ondrej Pavelec’s agent, and Pavelec realize this is a priority (even though the season starts in 3 days) and meet ASAP. He is one of the top 5 goalie prospects in the league and this can’t be set aside.

The crappy thing is… I’m realizing goalies don’t get very much on the trade market. I’m afraid we wouldn’t get much more than a mid-level prospect and a 2nd rounder.

If it comes down to “I make the Thrashers or I leave”, (and I hate to give into demands) I have to say “thanks for coming Moose, but hope you enjoy Chicago”.

By Bob

October 7, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Most of us don’t take him seriously anymore

Okie Dokie, Sparky. I’ll be waiting here for you all year, let me know when reality hits you upside the head and want to come talk about the facts of this club’s situation.

He probably doesn’t realize that the real goal of any team in any sport is to win

lol. I would hazard to guess from reading your posts that I’ve been a hockey fanatic longer than you’ve been alive. You can’t go from square negative 1 (where this club sat at the end of last year) to a winning club in one year. It’s the right thing to do to do the build year this year. If they do it right, this club can be competitive a couple years from now.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

October 7, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Brendan — What’s this Interweb thingy you’re talking about?

Toby — Bryzgalov, a number 1b goalie with Stanley Cup experience, was waived because no team would pay the price Burke was asking for. Bryzgalov is young, a proven talented netminder (key word being proven), and was relatively cheap…yet not one NHL team would trade prospects, picks or players for the rights to having him on their team.

Bryzgalov, a better goalie than Pavelec then and now, was acquired on the waiver wire by Phoenix.

To me this shows there is relatively no market for goaltenders, especially unproven prospect goaltenders. There are more goalies being developed than there are being traded for…thus Pavelec wont bring back much in return, in my opinion.

During Waddell’s Town Hall Meeting he mentioned (to what I remember of the transcripts) that a goalie was pursued for two NHL players. My assumption is that only Lehtonen could bring that type of return based on the market value of goalies, thus Waddell rightfully said “nyet” to the offer.

Hedberg, like Schneider, is here to mentor the youth, lead the locker room, and fill in when the time comes. He’s a consummate professional, and I hope he becomes a coach for THIS franchise in the future. His skill may be lacking compared to Pavelec, but as a backup goalie expected to play mop-up minutes and one game in back-to-backs, he’s adequate. If Hedberg takes on the majority of games this season, or plays a string of games in a row, then I’d say Pavelec is being improperly developed and should be playing the games Hedberg is suiting up for. Pavelec is better served in the AHL, in my opinion.

Unless something happens to Lehtonen (which it seems it has every season since his rookie year), Pavelec should remain in Chicago until the time comes that he’s getting no use from facing 20+ shots per night of AHL talent, and instead needs to sit on the bench and watch Lehtonen take 30+ shots per night of NHL talent.

By Stan Drulia

October 7, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Bob has officially joined the D-Bag club. You and Sage of Blueland should hang out and talk about things. Figure out what the Thrashers ‘should’ be doing this year and then pitch it to the ASG. I am sure they would drop everything and listen.. I mean considering you have been watching hockey since the caveman days.

By Bob

October 7, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

Bob has officially joined the D-Bag club

lol. Let me guess, you’re one of the poor souls that actually paid increased pricing and re-upped for season tickets this year? I feel for you, but I think you’re mad at the wrong guy here, Festus.

I’ll be here all year, let me know when reality hits you upside the head and you figure out what’s up.

By Toby

October 7, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

ranallo 10 I’m not so sure if having Moose here to mentor like Schneider right now is the greatest idea. Kari has now been a few years (though not always with top-notch performances) and as far as Pavelec goes, I would think it would be very hard to mentor him when he’s playing 1,000 miles away.

That point about Bryzgalov is a good one. A scary one too. IMHO, since more of the kids are getting chances and this is a (another) rebuilding year with a new system, I say send Moose down for third string duty and send Pavelec up.

By Stan Drulia

October 7, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Not even close Bob. And for the record, I am not mad at anyone. It is a sport that I love to watch and that is all. I do take it pretty seriously but at the end of the day, it is just a game to me. And no, no season tix for me.. not this year or any other year… not for lack of want… but because I am a lowly working hack who couldn’t afford season tix in a million years. Would love em’ if I could get em’. I guess I just don’t understand why someone is interested enough to keep up with a team, read the blogs, etc… only to be totally negative and “I told you guys”… Are you in the ASG??? Didn’t think so.. which means you have the exact same amount of control and knowledge of this team that the rest of us have. And honestly… if your intentions are to come onto this site every day just waiting to tell us all “Told you so”… then I guess I just feel bad for you. Get a hobby that you like… not one you hate.

By Sara

October 7, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

ranallo actually from all the accounts I heard, Don said it was in fact Pavs that was targeted in the trade for two pretty good roster players, as DW put it. He turned it down of course, and while the ones who love looking at things in hindsight 20/20 will yell, look at idiot Waddell now for turning that down, the reality is until we know for sure Kari can and will be “THE” guy here, the team can’t afford to lose Pavs. Course, we may or may not have a choice now, but I’d say the situation is far from settled.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

October 7, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Toby — I hear you regarding Hedberg. Two of my favorite fans at Philips mentioned to me how last season during breaks, or during shootouts, etc, Hedberg was assisting Lehtonen more so than the coaches were. Their point was that Lehtonen would skate to Hedberg, they’d chat, Hedberg would clearly be giving advice to Lehtonen, and he could then use it while playing.

For this team, a skilled backup is less important (in my mind) than a backup who can instill confidence into the starting goaltender, the best goalie in the system currently. If Hedberg’s presence and insight makes Lehtonen better, I’m supportive of him being the backup. Sure, I’d rather the better goalie be the backup, but in such a role it’s not needed. If this team were competing for the playoffs, I’d have the best two goalies available to me at the drop of a puck (like Toskala and Nabokov in SJ, or Bryzgalov and Giguere in Anaheim).

As I said previously, I’d be completely supportive of Hedberg becoming a coach for this franchise in the near future. His experience, personality, and leadership qualities are all reasons for why anybody should be honored to have him train them. The best teachers are not always the best students…so while he may not be Brodeur or even Kevin Weekes, he brings plenty more to the table that makes Lehtonen a better goalie.

I’m not a fan of Hedberg due to his ability or nickname (you’ll never catch me yelling “Moose”), but I appreciate the type of person and player Hedberg is, and what he brings to the table.

By Alan

October 7, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

It’s the right thing to do to do the build year this year.

This year is indeed a build year. It is not a “throw the team under the bus and sink to last place” year. If we’re “in the running” for the first overall draft pick, fine. No one is expecting a stellar year.

It is unfortunate that you continually overlook my point and charge forward with your message of despair and negativity. The fact, which you will soon face, is the point of playing the games is to win. You know, the line you paraded out earlier in the offseason? “Just win, baby.” That’s the point. We may not win this season, but we can get better. And we will eventually be winners.

I honestly couldn’t care less how long you’ve been a hockey fan. I don’t care if you predicted Hossa leaving the team (the writing was obviously on the wall, so you’re not special in that regard). Advocating throwing the season for an opportunity (with no actual guarantee) to win the Tavaras sweepstakes is fundamentally wrong, and maybe you’ll come to realize that throughout the season. Alas, I might be giving you too much credit.

As Brendan always says, it is what it is. I’m not disillusioned abut this season — I highly doubt we will be a playoff contender this year. But it seems that you’ve got your painter’s smock strapped on with a brush big enough to paint even the fans who are lukewarm about this team as supporters of Waddell and overly optimistic that we’re going to enter the playoffs and give the opposition a beating.

You couldn’t be more incorrect, and this is why I don’t take you seriously. Regardless of how many more years you have on me being a hockey fan (24 years for me, by the way, but it’s not like it matters).

By Toby

October 7, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Ranallo I agree with you that Moose is a fantastic mentor and makes Kari a better goalie when he’s around, but I think Kari needs to let go and prepare for the future. I think the new theme of the Thrashers is building from within, with the new coach, draft picks playing (Bogo), and the Wolves system in place.

I think Pavelec has proven all he can winning championships with the Wolves, and another year down there isn’t helping the Thrashers future.

As kinda a side note, I’m not sure DW has a great argument here having Bogo playing up this year and Pavelec playing down another one.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

October 7, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Toby — I’d say there is a valid argument behind keeping up Bogosian, and keeping down Pavelec.

First, it’s the coaches decision. Anderson feels Bogosian is ready and can make an impact with this franchise, while he feels Pavelec is either not ready or is not going to make an impact in a back-up role (understandably).

As for Waddell, he’s better off having Bogosian learn from a top defender like Schneider, than playing in the juniors. Defensively Bogosian has shined compared to the majority of his counterparts, and thus he’s earned a spot on this team. Luckily for Waddell he can give Bogosian a 9-game full tilt tryout, and if he doesn’t think Bogosian is truly ready he can send him back to Juniors.

Pavelec can be called up to Atlanta at any time, but Bogosian cannot. Thus, it’s imperative Bogosian gets the chance to show his worth to the NHL squad now, since he’s shown it thus far through the preseason.

Alan — Deaf ears.

By NASCAR Dave

October 7, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Build Year??? I think you mean a RE-build year… Is this the 2nd or 3rd “rebuild”, by the way??? I lost count…

Also, how come everybody here, and I mean EVERYBODY, has admitted that this is a rebuild year, EXCEPT for DONNIE FRADell???

WHY is THAT???

Why can’t we get a quote from DONNIE that this is a “Build Year” or a “Rebuild Year”??? KNOBLER???

RE: PAVELEC — Everybody needs to wise up and take the blinders off… This is “AGENT SPEAK”… Quite similar to the speak we hear from KOVY’s agent… That is what AGENTS do!!! LOL

But, what I found to be quite amusing was when KOVY’s agent said those things, the Sheep were all giddy with excitement, but when PAVELEC’s Agent said those things, NOW all of a sudden the agent is the “Bad Guy”… LOL!

So, to sum things up, if a Players agent says something positive about the club, in the eyes of the sheep it’s true, But if the agent says something negative about the organ-i-zation, then they must have an agenda…

LOL, that is the dumbest logic I have ever heard, but seeing as it is coming from the usual Sheepish subjects, nothing at this point would surprise me!!!

Pathetic.

By Alan

October 7, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

ranallo - Indeed. Alas, I couldn’t let it go unanswered.

Dave - You have to remember that Kovalchuk expressed the same thing to the media that his agent said (both at the end of last season and the beginning of this season), while we have yet to hear what Pavelec has to say. Therefore, no one - not you, not I, not anyone - can assume that what the agent is saying is indicative of how Pavelec really feels.

In short, Kovalchuk =/= Pavelec.

By Spud Webb

October 7, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Not sure what I missed, what is the issue with Pavelec (or his agent) and the Thrashers? I’m clueless (insert joke here)!

By NASCAR Dave

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

ALAN! Don’t you get it yet??? Do you really think KOVY (or agent) is going to come out and say “We want out”??? Not yet, at least… Look, KOVY is gone very soon, regardless of what his agent says…

I agree with PAVELEC here, also… I would want out too if DONNIE promised me I would make the team, but I get stuck in the minors AGAIN, behind a Head Case and a Career Back up whose best years are behind him…

Hey, that reminds me, DONNIE also said VALABIK would make the team on 680 AM, the day we traded off KLEE and LARSEN… Somebody is racking up the lies here, but WHO is IT???

Hmmm, something smells fishy in BLUESland!!!!

LOL

By Alan

October 7, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

what is the issue with Pavelec (or his agent) and the Thrashers?

His agent came out and said Pavelec balked at being sent back to the AHL. He went on to say that Pavelec was made a promise by Waddell that he “would not hold [Pavelec] back.” The agent seems to feel that with the demotion to the AHL (which seemed expected by Pavelec, and was expected by pretty much everyone here), that Waddell is indeed holding Pavelec back.

Nothing has been heard from Waddell or Pavelec since then, nor has the agent seemed to want to talk to reporters anymore about it.

By Alan

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

Don’t you get it yet?

I might ask you the same. You don’t happen to realize that Kovalchuk has more than a year left on his contract. You also don’t appear to realize that things can change over time. Lastly, you don’t seem to realize that I would much rather let things play out than sit around and speculate about what players are leaving and what players are going to stay.

By NASCAR Dave

October 7, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Lastly, you don’t seem to realize that I would much rather let things play out than sit around and speculate about what players are leaving and what players are going to stay.

Dude, I’m ready to “let things play out”, also… Afterall, I said they will get 72 points this season, what was YOUR pie-in-the-sky prediction, ALAN??? lol

ALAN - You may not think this is a big deal, but this PAVELEC thing is HUGE… If our players are being lied to, WHAT kind of reputation do you think our organization has with the rest of the league??? This is NOT GOOD, ALAN…

By Alan

October 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

If our players are being lied to

Yes. If. We only know one third of the story. Still waiting on that word from Waddell and Pavelec about this situation. I suppose this could be a fun game to play while we wait, though.

By Spud Webb

October 7, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Alan thanks. WOW. This is interesting.

By Scott

October 7, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

I do a computer back up every month, although I should do it every week. For a few minutes time each month it can save a lot of hassles… A lot of people pan this team, rightfully so but the defense is much improved, with Schneider, Hainsey and Bogosian there should be better puck movement out of their own zone and allow Kovalchuk more chances. Once the team learns the new coach’s system they may surprise. The health of Bryan Little and Jason Williams can’t be understated with so little depth.