Thrashers

By Brendan

February 2, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this

Think the T-birds are showcasing Thorburn for a trade? Playing with Peverley and Kovalchuk is one way to find out what Thorburn can do, other than fight.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

February 2, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this

Schneider should keep his bags packed…I’m guessing if someone is truly interested in him, now would be the best time to make the move.

By Spud Webb

February 2, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this

Why the hell is Boris sitting?? HE HAS TO PLAY TO GET BETTER. Both he and Oystrick should be playing AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Play the KIDS and let them develop PLEASE. Watching our franchise is like watching a monkey try to screw a football. I mean we just can’t do the simplest things, that make sense. I could care less that X is coming back. In my opinion he’s peaked and is useless.

FIRE WADDELL

By GaVaHokie

February 2, 2009 3:55 PM | Link to this

Is there some reason he took Armstrong off the top line? I don’t see why Anderson went away from that combo.

Looks like Carolina is interested in Vermette… once again, Rutherford would make a move I want to see happen here.

By Jason

February 2, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this

I will have to agree with Spud about playing the young guys. The season is over and prospect development should start moving to the top of the list, leapfrogging making the playoffs or salvaging the season to finish 10th or 11th in the conference.

The only problem is you can’t sit the ones you’re hoping to showcase for a trade and expect to get ANYTHING for them. So for as much as I think X, Havilid, and MS need to be moved to make room for the younger guys that still have yet to peak, we need to play the for a few more weeks to at least try and maximize their trade value.

By Smoothie

February 2, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this

I agree with GVH, why was Army moved off the first line in the first place? That line was clicking pretty well prior to the ASB. If it’s not Little on the RW, then Army should get the call. Perhaps Thorby is getting “showcased” but with all due respect, who the hell will want him? Can’t you showcase a guy on the 3rd line where he will likely end up playing if / when traded? I like the following, but then again, it matters not:

Kovy — Pevs — Army / Little

Slava — White — Little / Army

Stuart — Marty — Thorby (for now)

Boulton — Slater — Crabb**

**never should have been sent down. He has scored two goals in 2 games in CHI…hopefully, that kind of play will get him up here quick

Perrin should play 4th line C until Slates is back. Then sit Perrin till someone else is traded (read: Reasoner).

Pairings need to be the following:

Enstrom / Bogey

Havelid / Hainsey

Oystrick / Valabik or XLB (if not traded)

Just trade Schneidy already and get a middle round draft pick while you can. I don’t think playing like crap for the next month will endear him to many GM’s around the league at the deadline.

By Tom

February 2, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this

Here is a question on Kolvachuk’s line -

Has any top player in the league had to deal with as many line changes as Kolvachuk?

Seriously, most top players are put on a line and barring injury, they play with the same players.

So either Ilya is a bad fit as a linemate or our coaching and GM’s have been clueless for the past 2 years. My bet is on the latter.

By Brendan

February 2, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this

Tom, did you just use the “C” word? Thanks. When we played “word association” at Philips Arena, and I said “Clueless,” the gallery shouted, “The ownership, management, and scouting staff.” When I said, “Hockey stick,” they shouted, “J.P. Dellacamera.” When I said, “frenetic,” they shouted, “Darren Eliot.” When I said, “stretch pass,” they said, “Matt McConnell’s new fascination.”

By ThrasherTim

February 2, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - I agree with you totally on your lines and your comments. I think Anderson panicked after the Dallas game. Before the All-Star break, the team had won 3 in a row and in the game before the break lost to Philly but in that game, we hit 3 pipes in the 1st period, then scored 3 in the 3rd before finally succumbing. All this with Armstrong on the 1st line. Why mix it up and confuse the hell out of the team, especially the D pairings. I totally put that Islander loss at the feet of the Coach and everything has snowballed since then.

Or maybe it’s the loss of Jimmy Slater — they haven’t won since he got hurt have they?!

By ex STH

February 2, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this

Hey Thrasher Tim, I don’t think we are losing because Slats is out. (I say that with as much sarcasim as you did!) But I do agree with you that the Coach lost that NYI game by confusing everyone with the changed up D pairings. I stated that in the Blueland Blog immediately after that game. As far as trades go, get rid of Christensen first and foremost! Schnieder needs to go as soon as possible. And as important, get rid of Lehtonen NOW while he is not injured and playing at maximum value! Why couldn’t we get a 1st or 2nd line scorer for him and then play Pavs the rest of this year to get his NHL experience in like the other youngsters?

By FED UP

February 2, 2009 6:25 PM | Link to this

150 of you packed up and made the trip to Raleigh. You got what you paid for, huh? — Trasher Hockey.

By dhj_1962

February 2, 2009 6:57 PM | Link to this

i agree with smoothie and thrashertim, JA panicked after the Philly loss, he is making some rookie mistakes. something the Thrashers cant afford. the only reason i think you might as well play xlb, even tho i dont think much of him as a player, he will try to hit anyone and everyone, and every now and then he gets lucky, no one stood up for enstronm the other nite at carolina, it was sad. i had a tear in my beer. so disheartning to love so much and get nothing in return. if Kovy would only bust his a$$ on the d-side everynite, the Thrashers would have won 1/2 those one goal losses.

By Hockeyfan

February 2, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this

Hey Mike are you sure Kovy wasnt demoted again to the 4th line?

By sisu

February 2, 2009 7:06 PM | Link to this

FED UP, even thought the game was not great we all had a great time. Don’t knock what you have not tried:)

By Tony C.

February 2, 2009 7:09 PM | Link to this

Yeah #17 has been coasting more and more lately. I dunno that I dislike Thorburn on the “big line”-Army’s skillset is a better fit, but he’s about 15 lbs. too light to play the way he does and actually help those guys.

Maybe the other thing is that Coach doesn’t like Army’s effort/attitude-I’ve seen him yapping coming off the ice a lot lately-and it hasn’t been at the other bench.

I also agree with the notion that #17 has had too many different linemates the past few seasons.

What the heck happened to Hoffman? Knobes would you mind asking Coach what’s the deal there?

GO BLUE !!!

FIRE WADDELL

By dhj_1962

February 2, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this

maybe armstrong is yapping at Kovy or everyone to play defense

By The Unknown Comic

February 3, 2009 12:18 AM | Link to this

What’s the solution to stendec complaining about the goalie?

Play without one.

By Kaat

February 3, 2009 12:41 AM | Link to this

I don’t know how if any of the 150 fans who traveled to Carolina are reading this, but if you are, a friend of mine — a ‘Canes fan — took pictures of the group and their signs. See the pix

By Sam

February 3, 2009 1:13 AM | Link to this

I’ll be glad to see X back. Missed him and his physicality and his consistent competitive effort.

By Toby

February 3, 2009 8:06 AM | Link to this

Let’s call up Wolves and trade EC, Army, Schneider, Thor, Slater, Boulton, X, Kozlov, and Havelid for picks, prospects, and young guys. We then sign some GOOD UFA’s (and resign Kovy) in the off-season and move on from this waste of a season. Let’s get the young guys some time up.

By Toby

February 3, 2009 8:08 AM | Link to this

oh…you can add Perrin to that trade list too…

By Jim

February 3, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

My guess is that the following will be showcased for teams that need a replacement for the stretch run: Christensen, Schneider, Exelby, Perrin and Thorburn. I honestly don’t see the fascination that some have with X. They tend to remember the crushing open ice hits but forget his lack of speed, inability to move anyone out in front of the net, and his constant bonehead plays- penalties and loss of his stick. Donnie Brilliance made a very luke warm comment about him a couple of weeks ago. He’s on his way out. Break up Havelid and Enstrom combination. They’re OK at even strength but are not physical enough on the PK to be really effective. How about Enstrom and Valabik or Oystrick and Havelid with Bogosian? more ping pong balls headed our way this week Rangers, Devils and Philly are salivating.

By bentavius

February 3, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this

anyone want to take bets on how quickly we get behind tonight? i say down by 2 within the first 5 minutes. dont get me wrong. i love my team but ive grown to expect it. every morning i hope to wake up to head lines of waddell fired and every morning i wake up disappointed. just like how i feel at the end of most games.

By Jim

February 3, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this

Bentavious- fortunately our expectation levels or “give a s__ quotient” are so low that no one really gets excited when we go a few down in the early minutes of a game. I say 2-0 at the end of one with shots at 15-5.

By timthebrave

February 3, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this

Waddell has a solid 50 year plan that the spirit group believes in. His plan is to draft mediocre players. Have them breed with Russian figure skaters and then draft their children since they have ties to Atlanta. By then we should win a single playoff game and then start process over

By Spud Webb

February 3, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

So I watched the Sabres vs the Ducks last night. Not sure if anyone else tuned in. What a GREAT game. Old school hockey, both teams are trying to get into the playoffs and played their &sses off. I mean every single shift was balls to the wall. Wouldn’t it be great to pay for a ticket and go see that? EVERYNIGHT?? 3 good fights, almost a full 5 on 5 during the second period & just good hard skilled hockey. Each team stuck up for each other, like brothers!!! Ducks won 3-2. I can’t wait till we get hockey here in Atlanta…ooops!!!!!!!!!!!

FIRE WADDELL

By Alan

February 3, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

Toby - A few of those players are worth holding on to, so far as our young core is concerned.

EC can go, really. I think I’m tired of waiting for him to break out. Trading Army is out of the question. Schneider can go. Thorburn is young, still. I’d keep him for now.

Slater? Eh. I’m not sure. He’s young too, but out strength and conditioning coach either can’t coach, or he is coaching and Slater isn’t grasping it. Either way, that move is questionable.

Boulton, I don’t know. He’s a tough guy, so it seems pretty dumb to get rid of our tough guys when this team is weaker than a wet cardboard box.

Exelby can go. I think we have more talented D-men in the system. This is despite him having another year left on his contract. Kozlov is going nowhere, by virtue of his no trade clause. Havelid, well, he’s a great influence for some of our younger D-men who need to play a bit more defense - especially with the way we’re getting scored on.

As far as Perrin, I think he’ll be moved. I heard he asked for a trade anyway, because he felt he was being shafted in regards to ice time. So the probability of that happening is pretty good, I imagine.

So, to recap, players likely to be moved: EC, Schneider, Exelby, Havelid, Perrin. Possibly Slater.

We won’t know who all leaves until deadline day. Hopefully, we’ll have a new GM by then, because I don’t feel Waddell could pull the trigger on some of these deals very effectively.

By Russian

February 3, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

to Alan I am with you, man! I like to see those players move ASAP. I just worry about to get new GM. Look like Don will not move until season is over. It is Bad. If they are thinking a new GM, they will hire him before All Star break.

By UpperDeck4Life

February 3, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

As much as everyone wants DW out, it’s not going to happen until after the court case in Feb. at the earliest. In my opinion if there is a change, it will take place after the season. I just hope it is before Free Agency and the Draft start.

As far as who is going, I have to agree with some of Alan’s choices. Here are mine: Schneider, Havelid, Perrin, EC, Reasoner(unfortunately), Slater (I hope), Bolton (Hoffman down in Chicago is a better tough guy).

I honestly don’t see anyone but Schneider, Havelid, and Reasoner netting anything worth getting excited about. Oh, and mark it down, Havelid will bring back more than Schneider, just a hunch.

By Alan

February 3, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this

I agree with you, UD4L. Especially on Hoffman. Unfortunately, we are weak - period. Hoffman might be a better tough guy, but there’s nothing anywhere that says Hoffman and Boulton can’t coexist on the same team. I see Boulton remaining on the fourth line, and Hoffman probably on the third line.

I’d love to see Reasoner and Havelid stay, but if the price is right, then they’ll probably get moved. Havelid is a real classy, stand-up guy with defensive talent, and Reasoner is a perfect third line center.

The big in-demand thing this season, however, is puck moving D-men. While you might have a buyer for Havelid and Reasoner who are both very defensively minded, Schneider will probably bring a better return from a contender.

By Spud Webb

February 3, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this

Alan, what is Hoffman, a wing correct? Why not have he and bolts both on the 4th line. At least we could raise a little h&ll!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By ex STH

February 3, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this

Does anyone have a response about trading away Lehtonen and bringing up and developing Pavelec as the number 1. Lehts has not shown me anything the past 3 - 4 years. He’s not maturing into that role when he is playing - in between all his different injuries. I also heard he is not the best in the locker room by blaming others when they don’t win (he doesn’t see the soft goals he lets in as being his mistake). NOW IS THE TIME TO TRADE HIM WHILE HIS VALUE IS AT ITS PEAK! (and FIRE WADDELL!)

By Russ

February 3, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

I have seen some rumors out there of Armstrong being used as trade bait as the deadline nears. I hope they are just that, rumors. Armstrong is young, an effective 2nd or 3rd line player, and one of the few forwards on this team that actually plays defense. I know he is a RFA after this season, but hopefully DW (gulp?) can tie him up for a while at a reasonable price. If he has no desire to play here (who could blame him) the Thrashers can match any offer to him this summer or let him walk and receive similar compensation to anything they could get at the deadline IMO. At least take the shot at re-signing him first.

By Brendan

February 3, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

I don’t know that I’d call Lehtonen’s trade value at its peak right now. At its peak would be something like 30 wins, a GAA of 2.61, and a save percentage around .941. Kari, simply put, isn’t going to fetch a lot. Exacerbating the situation, as Ranallo is apt to point out, is that goalies aren’t at a premium right now. Even some of the best of them are only producing a 2nd round draft pick. So, I don’t really see the value of trading him, unless you consider his absence as “addition by subtraction.”

I still think Kari is a good goalie, when focused. But, he appears to have a lot of mental lapses and meltdowns. In this regard, I think he’d be a very sound backup goalie, capable of delivering 30-35 quality starts. I must add, however, that if the Thrashers, historically an UTTER DISASTER defensively, actually played a sound defensive system, Kari’s numbers would SURELY improve. He has won 34 games in a season (2006). Improve the defense, and Kari’s numbers will improve accordingly. Also at issue is his health. He is an injury-prone goalie. There’s just no denying that anymore.

Another GM isn’t going to see Kari Lehtonen as a “high risk, high reward” type of situation. He’ll just see him as “too HIGH of a risk” situation, unless Atlanta gives him up for a song. And what’s in it for Atlanta? This guy was a 2nd overall selection. To give him up for “peanuts” really is an admission of failure. At least while Kari is still in the fold, people can cite him as “still contributing.”

Pavelec is only 21. He’s fantastic for a 21-year old. But he still needs more time to develop. Rushing him into the fold could hurt him. I figured he’d get 20-25 starts this season, to ease him in. But he started the year in Chicago. And had Lehtonen not been injured, he might not have played much for us this season. Pavelec will be an excellent goaltender, down the road. But FORCING him to make 60 starts, at 21 or 22, backing up the WORST DEFENSIVE TEAM in the NHL, for a DECADE-RUNNING, may not exactly be described as “proper development” of a young prospect. Moose still has another year left, backing up Kari. Kari is still an RFA this summer. Pavelec can, and will, get some starts next season. Kari might do another 1-year deal. If he does, then he becomes unrestricted next season (2010). What GM will pay through the nose for a goaltender he could, in theory, get for nothing but salary in 2010? Answer: None. No one is that stupid, despite the usual “suspects” of lower echelon GM’s. Don Waddell has a tough decision to make on Kari this Summer. Does he make a “declaration” type contract, that locks Kari up? Does he do a “wait-n-see” 1-year deal? Will he do a “3-year compromise” type deal? Kari, and his agent, know that Lehtonen cannot command big dollars as an RFA this Summer. The numbers aren’t and won’t be there. Don drafted this player. Don feels “responsible” for this player. Since Kari won’t cost a lot anyway, I think Waddell will offer the “compromise” contract. Maybe something like 3-years/$10 million. That wouldn’t exactly DESTROY our cap situation. Waddell can claim it’s a “responsible” contract for a top Thrashers draft pick. It allows him to be able to afford Pavelec, who is actually eligible for a PROACTIVE contract this summer. It even leaves room for re-signing Moose again, if he really wanted to do that.

But in terms of trade value, what’s a 4th round pick really mean? What does “salary relief” to the tune of $3 million really mean? If anything, this team needs to keep spending just to reach the FLOOR of the cap. Luring Tier I UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS to Atlanta is just an interesting theory. But that’s all it is. Yeah, we got plenty of cap room. But we can’t spend it. And even if we could, who’d come????

What sports agent who represents a Tier I player picks up the phone and says, “(Supply player name here,) I’ve just completed my financial research. And I’ve determined that Atlanta has the deepest finances and most cap room, with the greatest possibility of landing a Stanley Cup during your PRIME YEARS of play, that’s where I think we should target on July 1st. How do you feel about being a Thrasher?”

The player gazes around the room, thinking he’s on “Candid Camera,” or something. “Okay, I’ll play along. Suuuure, I’d love to be Thrasher. Phone Don Waddell up this Summer and let him know I’m rrrreal excited about playing hockey in Georgia for the balance of my career.” If the player doesn’t play along, he says, “You’re no longer my agent. I want another agent. Goodbye.” Then he hangs up.

By Alan

February 3, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this

Spud - Yeah, Hoffman is a winger, too. I just feel it would be good to have some toughness on every line, and not just on the fourth.

By Smoothie

February 3, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

Great blog everyone with solid contributions from the usual suspects along with Jim, ThrasherTim, dhj, Tom, Jason and Spud. The one comment which really stood out to me was this one from Jim:

He’s on his way out. Break up Havelid and Enstrom combination. They’re OK at even strength but are not physical enough on the PK to be really effective. How about Enstrom and Valabik or Oystrick and Havelid with Bogosian? more ping pong balls headed our way this week Rangers, Devils and Philly are salivating.

I could not agree more! I love XLB’s personality and his potential leadership qualities, but he does not fit this system. He makes bad decisions with the puck and has more errant passes to either the other team or noone in particular than anyone else on our D. I think he may be under contract for one more year so we may need to keep him around as the 7th D-man, which could be okay if we get Hedman.

I’ve been saying we should break up the Swedes since Day 1 of this season. And Jim has nailed it. They are our # 1 unit on the PK and they are awful at it. They don’t get position, because they are outmatched physically, and they rarely clear the crease when there’s a scrum. Toby in particular was really bad on the PK early in the year. I’d rather have Hainsey out there with Havy cuz he has a longer reach and can move people if he puts his mind to it.

Assuming Hedman is the real deal in terms of a blend of skills and size, I say we need him more than Tavares. Another big assumption is Peverley. Assuming he can continue to prove he belongs in our Top 6, I can see him as our # 2 centreman next year. As well as he’s played with Kovy, we still need to attempt to lure the biggest FA C on the market to ATL to play with # 17. Otherwise, we may not be able to re-sign Kovy to a long-term deal next summer.

I would like to see this as our line-up to start the season next year:

Kovy — F/A — Little

Kozzy — Peverley — White (or F/A)

Stuart / LaVallee — Reasoner / Slater — Army

Boulton — Slater — Crabb / Hoffman

Bogosian / Enstrom (I really think Toby can be a # 1 pairing guy cuz he is talented enough and smart enough…Bogey will protect him cuz he’s a hockey player’s hockey player)

Hainsey / Havelid or F/A (I might be okay with re-upping Havy for a 1 year deal if he’ll take it; he deserves the chance to choose if he wants to finish his career as a Thrasher. If he wants to go to a contender, so be it…no one will hold it against him if he does)

Hedman / Valabik or XLB or Oystrick (make those 3 fight it out in the pre-season for the last 2 slots and rotate them throughout the year to keep the “enforcer” fresh; Kulda or Lewis could be a sleeper but don’t know if they are big enough to give us that grit we need on the 3rd pairing)

Tavares would be great, but I don’t think we’re more than a year or 2 from a really solid, skilled and diversified defensive corps. The key is getting younger and better on the blueline and re-signing the face of your franchise. We should all the money in the world (in theory) to throw at a big-time F/A. If Hainsey picked us over OTT and a few others, we can get the top-flight legit C to come play with Kovy. He should be in the mold of Pever, but better hands and a better passer.

Do that and we might have a chance at the # 8 seed in the playoffs in 2009-2010.

By ex STH

February 3, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this

Brendan, very good response re: Lehtonen. What I mean about trading him now at HIS peak value AND while he is not currently injured. Lehtonen’s save percentage and goals against are at his all time highs for HIM in the past 5 - 10 games (and he’s on a team with the 2nd worst points and giving up the most goals allowed in the league!) He is NO more mature at his position than Pavelec , who was obviously the number 1 all last year with Chicago AND carried them thru to the AHL Championship. Lehts couldn’t even win it during the lockout year because he couldn’t win against Nittymaki! Why wouldn’t Burke (Toronto) consider a trade for Lehtonen and say, Christensen or Slater or Perrin, for Antropov? (there is talk that they maybe trying to move him) Pavalec is a very good goalie right now. He is mature beyond his years.

By Jim

February 3, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this

Brendan: Good analysis of the Kari situation. I am a Kari fan. I have followed hockey for decades- Ed Giacomin, Bernie Parent, et. al. When on his game, Kari is as good as any. Big, quick, mobile. Too bad he’s had such a miserable cast in front of him and injuries to contend with. A couple of years ago, he and Robert Luongo who was then with the Panthers had a memorable duel in a game. Denis Potvin, the NHL Hall of Famer who does color for FL observed that these were the two goalies who would dominate the league for some time to come. I also like Pavelec but he is not yet able to dominate a game like Kari can when he is on his game. I still think that a goalie tandem of the two of them with a better cast would be tough to beat.

By UpperDeck4Life

February 3, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this

Hedman is going to be a good defensman, but rumors are abound after the WJC, he did not look nearly as good as he did last year, and scouts have been asked if he had been with last year’s defensive group where would he have been, and most would have taken him as the 5th defenseman off the board. While I am not on the Tavares bandwagon, he is the better talent in the position of need at the moment for the organization, Top 6 Fwd. And he will bring attention to the franchise that may have positive impacts on recruiting.

I am all for trading Kari, but I see a problem with bring Pavs up. He’s too young. He needs to finish the year in the AHL. He needs 20-25 games next year, maybe 50-50 the next year, and finally after that he will be ready to take over a majority of the games. Kari was rushed, let’s not make the same mistake again. Rushing a young goalie as others have pointed out can have a negative impact on them reaching their talent potential. A lot of good young goalies have spent 2-3 years in the AHL before being brought up to be back ups for a little while before taking over. Why do we need to change that with Pavs?

By NASCAR Dave

February 3, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this

Is CHRISTEN playing tonight??? He’s always good for what, like 3 or 4 goals a night, right??? DON FRAUDELL’s “#1 Center”, you know??? LOL

By NASCAR Dave

February 3, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this

UPPERDECK - What do you do when Kari will not re-sign here??? I mean why SHOULD he??? I think he wants out… I know I would if I were him…

By h

February 3, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

Smoothie, Smoothie, Smoothie, if your line-up is what we have next year, then it may be time for even ME to turn in my season tickets…that line-up does not look good to me. Maybe if you dump Boulton, Stuart, Lavallee, Crabb and Hoffman and add 3 guys who can actually play hockey, it wouldn’t be so ugly, of course if you don’t re-sign Havy, then you have ANOTHER hole to fill. I’d be happy if we could get ONE top 6 FA to sign with us, I’d be shocked out of my gore if we could get TWO. For argument sake, let’s say we get lucky and get one….then you have to play Army or White as a top 6, which is a little stretch, and then the other plays with Slater, which leaves a few slots to fill at the bottom with REAL hockey players (Stuart and Lavallee aren’t gonna do it, and Boulton is just horrible). The defense should be better if Havy comes back, but you’ll need more than next year for Bogo and Hedman to make a difference, which means you really need to sign ONE more stay at home d-man…..Oystrick and X are not the answer…..either way you look at it, this team needs to add 2 top flight players in FA and that will be tough…..and expensive. ugh.

By Thrashy Thrashy

February 3, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

Am I the only one who reads the story about the Thrashers being “committed” to John Anderson and laughs?

Don Waddell is a joke. It makes me grit my teeth to think that this b******* gets to opine about someone else’s job security.

What a joke.

By Brendan

February 3, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this

I don’t know. Is there something about Kari’s save percentage, RIGHT NOW, say over the past 5-10 games, that would really make another GM say, “Okay, I’ll give you a 3rd rounder, as opposed to the 4th rounder I’d planned to give you, for Lehtonen?” Maybe. But maybe not.

Even if it is a 3rd rounder … how likely is that to materialize into something GOOD when Dan Marr is still the head of scouting? And the trouble with trading for another team’s roster player resides in the fact that that player never AGREED to sign here and wasn’t drafted here. And that player’s heart may reside ELSEWHERE. In other words, they very well may be eyeballin’ the exit upon arrival. It’d be different to trade for a player who has 5 years left on his contract. That guy is trapped here. There’s nothing he can do but go play in Europe, if he refuses to honor the future years of his NHL contract. If Kari were traded for a player with 2 years or less on his contract … he might be plotting his exit strategy on the flight into Hartsfield. And that’s no good. Traded players deal with their trade, as best they can, like professionals. But when it comes time to choose their next team, in free agency, don’t expect them to stay if they don’t want to. (Heart lies ELSEWHERE.)

It LOOKS BAD for lottery draft selections to be leaving Atlanta. Heatley and Stefan are gone. You hear the speculation about Kovalchuk. And if Lehtonen were traded, too?? What’s the point to having these lottery draft selections, if we’re just going to let them go?? They’re SUPPOSED TO BE the very foundation pieces of our franchise.

By Smoothie

February 3, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this

h — I understand that we have major holes to fill and that’s why I said ASSUMING we get 2 or 3 major F/A signings. I didn’t say it was likely. Regardless, you can’t have all scorers and stars, you need to have role players and Reasoner, Army, Crabb and Slater is a good nucleus of gritty, speedy and semi-skilled role players to build around. I don’t know if Stuart or LaVallee is the answer, but I just used them as an example. And you still need to have someone to do your fighting…they don’t grow on trees (so Boults stays till his contract is up in another year).

Here are other major assumptions we need to come to fruition: 1) Hedman is for real, 2) Bogey continues to progress, which I think he definitely will, 3) Havelid chooses to re-sign, but he must play 2nd or 3rd line minutes, 4) Hainsey plays a more physical brand of hockey consistently, 5) Valabik gets better and 6) Enstrom feels empowered to play a less conservative brand of hockey as a top line guy.

And that’s just the defense!! We can’t forget about the goaltending. Obviously there are tons of qquestions there and I don’t think Pavelec is the answer just yet. Perhaps we should try to trade KL for some picks for future depth and sign a “big-name” veteran like a Khabibulin or Conklin or Gerber. But the fact remains, we only have a shot at the playoffs if we manage to sign 2 or 3 legit F/A studs who can solidify our lineup. The rest of the line up will be filled with role players. I’d rather have Stuart, Crabb, Reasoner, Slater and Boulton than EC, Perrin, Thorburn and Motzko.

Don’t be so quick to dismiss when we made it to the playoffs with a 3rd line of Vigier or Larsen / Holik / Dupuis and a 4th line of what? Boulton / Slater & Sim?? I mean, c’mon, Reasoner is as good as Holik, Dupuis’ hands of stone are outstripped by Army’s ability to finish in tight, Slater has progressed in his all-around game and Crabb is better than Larsen and Vigier. It would be nice to upgrade our 3rd and 4th lines too but we gotta throw the money at 2, maybe 3 big names.

By h

February 3, 2009 5:24 PM | Link to this

Smoothie- I hear ya, I just think we need to throw away some of our garbage. Anyone can fight, and I’ve said this 100 times, it doesn’t matter if Boulton fights, as no one is afraid of him. There are plenty of players out there who will drop the gloves AND give you something on the ice. It is amazing we made the playoffs with Larsen on the 3rd line….scary….and I agree we need an upgrade at goalie, but I disagree with you lumping Khabi with Conklin and Gerber…..Khabi is a proven #1. Conklin is a proven back-up for sure (but he’s no No. 1) and Gerber…..well…..let’s just say I’d rather have Moose, and I think he’s horrible. Anyway, we both agree that many real moves HAVE to be made.