Thrashers

By Bob

February 4, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this

Being kind of old myself (I’m 45), I figured I’d ask him what was up and get some answer about hard work or leadership or some such

Come on, we’re not old, we’re young! Young, ya hear? Eh, what? I can’t hear ya, sonny, speak up!

I know what you mean though, you’d think White would’ve opted for the day off after the hard skate the night before, my joints all hurt now after any extra stress like a hard game or longer run, recovery time is what goes as you age. I guess that’s what the roids are all about. And to think I used to admire what Roger Clemens was able to do at our age, pfft.

Mabye White is just mkae a move on Moose and angling for that players player award, eh?

By Brendan

February 4, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this

Can we sit Schneider? Or are we “showcasing” him?

By Sam

February 4, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this

How’s Slater’s rehab coming? Any idea when he’ll be back? That 4th line desperately misses his energy, IMO.

By Spud Webb

February 4, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this

Makes sense, bench Oystrick, who played his &ss off last night. your reward, pressbox. Nice. Hmm, seems that Havlid and Schneids have been around long enough that they don’t need to be show-cased? What is the difference between now and 29 days? We will get a mid round pick for each player, not much else. Lets try something new here in thrasherville, be PROACTIVE!!!! Crazy I know, but lets give it a shot. Trade these guys now and let Boris and the younger guys play. Let’s get a good idea what we really have in the franchise? Just saying. Actually, I’d trade X too. Disappointment in my mind. I know all of this is wishful thinking, but does anyone think the value of Schnieds or anyone not named Kovy or Kari go up between now and the deadline? I don’t. It is what it is (or in this case they are what they are). DW get off your arse and lets get going here. I want his job, travel to every game, good seats, great job security, free food and beer, great salary. I mean I’d probably wear a bag over my head if I were him, but still a lot of perks. ahahaha, man we are the laughing stock of the league.

By h

February 4, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this

Spud- Their value absolutely goes up during the next 29 days. It won’t be based on their play, but based on what other teams start to do with their roster and what position they find themselves in during the next 2 weeks. You can’t demand a first or second rounder for Schneids now, but if the Rangers or some other team get desperate for Blue Line puck movers with playoff experience, you may be able to put the squeeze on a couple of these other teams. I wouldn’t consider trading Havy though unless you are sure he won’t re-sign. He’s still playing very good D for us, so I wouldn’t want to see him go. It is worth signing him to a 2 year deal. You can sign a stay at home D-man for much less than a guy scoring 40-50 points a game. It is worth the money, whatever that happens to be.

By Brendan

February 4, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this

Spudd, the saddest part is … Waddell is going to make all the trade deadline moves … yet again. It’s that, or they’ve got to fire Waddell and hire someone new in a very short window of time.

By Spud Webb

February 4, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this

Agreed Brendan. H, I see what you’re saying but I (my opinion) don’t really see us getting a first or second rounder for Shcnieds, just don’t see it happening (I would love to be wrong!). As for Havy, I love the guy (honestly), I guess my point is our D isn’t good, can we play some of the kids? We know we aren’t trading Bogo, Hainsey or Toby. So we have Oystrick, Boris, X, Havlid, and Schnieds. We know Schnieds will be dealt. I don’t think the future for us is with X or Havlid, and I don’t believe Havlid will sign back with us. I just don’t see it. From what I’m reading (I don’t believe everythign I read) Havlid appears to be a goner before the deadline. So let’s not scratch the babies anymore this year, lets let them play. I realize this isn’t going to happen. It’s just what I wish it would happen. We will showcase these guys and DW will F up something along the way!!!

By h

February 4, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this

Spud- I see what you are saying about Havs, but we need SOME good vet to be around to help bring these young guys along. Ronsey isn’t the guy to do that. I don’t know WHAT we’ll get for Schneids, but my guess is we will get more in 2 weeks than what we would get today. IMHO, I’d like to see us get a player instead of a draft pick if we could. I have no problem seeing X traded if we could get decent value. I’m not convinced Oystrick is a part of the solution, but maybe he is…..

By Tony C.

February 4, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this

Brendan-C’mon buddy, you know the answer to that one- we’re “showcasing” him… although who would want him based off his body of work with Le Thrash this season is beyond me… maybe if your blueline was decimated by injury and your choices were down to the Hebrew Hammer and a kid fresh out of juniors (an AHL rookie), well then maybe then I’d take a flier on him.

I still think he won’t move until the week of the deadline so as to allow the contending/spending team the easiest cap hit.

BTW Knobes-any word on Hoffman? Also, ask DW if he’s ever considered taking a chance on Glen Murray if you would.

By Brendan

February 4, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this

Exactly, Tony C. That’s why we can sit him. What, in the Hebrew Hammer’s Thrashers History, makes playing him or sitting him, the “deciding factor” of whether to acquire him? So? So why not sit him? Any team decimated by injuries along the blueline in the next few weeks will still call Don about Schneider. I’m not saying, “sit Schneider every game.” I’m saying … why not sit him out … here and there. The teams who will want him/need him will still call. What’s LEFT to “showcase?” Schneider’s “body of work” over his career is what will ultimately move him at the trade deadline.

Because Schneider’s cap hit is so high, they’ll wait as late as they can to acquire him, to soften the blow to the cap.

By Hotrod

February 5, 2009 8:19 AM | Link to this

I say play X. He may lift up the team with some of that stored (rehab) energy.

By DB

February 5, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

Let XLB sit until his contract ends. He is not a better option than anybody who we have played this year. The occasional big hit is typically followed-up by several plays where he is out of position.

By Toby

February 5, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

I’m trying to figure out what I’ll be paying more attention to…..the ASG court battle starting Feb. 17th or the trade deadline.

By Jim

February 5, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this

Tony C, Brendan Watched the Bruins and Philly on Center Ice last night. Mike Milbury mentioned that Bruins were looking for another shooting D-Man to man the point on their second power play unit. Apparently Bruin fans are mumbling despite the fact that team has 82 points. Hockey fans are a fickle lot. Never satisfied. Some of them ought to be forced to watch Thrashers play. That’d quiet them down. Ever notice that the guys who come up from Chicago play with spart- Stuart, Motzko, Crabb, Lavallee, etc. but Donnie Brilliane sticks with the old “cruisers”? Kozlov has definitly joined the ranks of those “mailing it in”. Watch him. He only turns it on every now and then. Force Exelby into the lineup? Gimme a break. Force Kulda or Lewis in instead.

By Spud Webb

February 5, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this

Brendon I agree about Schnieds, his career has been his showcase, any team interested knows what they’re getting. lol, watched the leafs vs the Sabres last night on the Hockey Channel. I’m not sure who the announcers were, but they RIPPED Toronto over and over. Classic lines… “If Antropov doesn’t wanted to be traded, he isn’t playing like it”…”which team just came off an 11, 000 mile road trip, cause the Leafs are playing with NO HEART or a CARE IN THE WORLD”. The whole game was like that. I laughed and thought, thank god they aren’t covering the Thrashers!!!!!!!! FIRE WADDELL

By Jarndyce

February 5, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this

What’s worse than DW being the one making the deadline moves?

DW being the one who makes no deadline moves. Holik and Recchi, anyone?

By Kevin

February 5, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this

I love the negativity in here once again. The team comes off a great win,….even though I personally would rather win the Tavares lottery than too many more games this year. For those of you who dont think Schneider and Havelid, and maybe even Ex, have real trade value, you dont know squat about hockey. A team like Buffalo who is loaded with good young prospects needs a stay at home D-man,….(Havelid). The Thrash might end up with something really good here, as the Sabres need to make the playoffs and with a guy like Havs might be able to go deep. Schneider is going to be part of a bidding war. Whether you like him or not, he is a proven talent, and a lot teams need a puck moving D-man. If you dont think his play will perk up when he gets to a contender, you are probably watching curling. Ex is interesting, I would hate to lose his grit, but Boris is similar and bigger, and maybe a better all around D-man in a year or two if he continues to get ice time. Oysterick has been a nice surprise, and I know we still have Kulda in the wings. I think with the crop of young D-men if you get something for Ex, you take it. I also think guys like White, Christiansen, Reasoner are going to get interest as teams looke to get a little more depth going into the playoffs. I agree that Kozzy has kind of mailed it in, but I dont think that is news, he started that last year. The season of suffering is almost over. With a couple of good young prospects and some extra draft picks and the kids we have in system, this team should be very interesting to watch next year. Kovy will get his big deal, and will either sign or not, but I think he will sign. With him locked in long term, the development of the kids and the fact that the cap is most likely not going up next year. this team is in position to get top FA’s. Last year, guys like Campbell good go other places, this year, a lot of top teams are going to have to sacrifice talent to stay under the cap, and a team like Atlanta will have the ability to pay them. Hopefully the lawsuit gets resolved, the owners can be owners instead of litigators and we get back to being playoff caliber.

By Jim

February 5, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this

Kevin- I like your logic and sense of optimism. No question that with the salary cap and current system that teams can turn around very quickly year to year. But, YOU ARE OVERLOOKING REALITY. #1- The Atlanta Spirit will not spend $$$ and #2 Chances of Donnie Brilliance making the right moves is very low. Until we get changes at the top, we ain’t goin nowhere!

By Kevin

February 5, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this

The owners were willing to shell out for Campbell,..he chose to go to Chicago. He was not the only FA that they through big $’s at. That is crap logic. Also DW, has been very good when trading and I will say drafting in the last 2 years.

By dhj_1962

February 5, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this

FIRE WADDELL

By ranallo10 (in AT)

February 5, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this

Kevin — That many had to be spent. They didn’t “shell out” for Campbell, Waddell attempted to spend most of his available money to MEET the cap minimum on one individual. Campbell’s money was spent on Hainsey and Williams, and eventually Schneider.

You can’t be “willing to shell out for _” if it’s merely to meet a minimum spending limit. You’d be able to say it if that signing attempt happened AFTER Atlanta was above the salary floor.

By h

February 5, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

Kevin- You are in a strange world where the sky is a different color than blue…..Look at last year’s trades…..then tell me that you think a 40 year old d-man and a 3rd line d-man will bring back a ton of value for us….just not happening…someone may get desperate and we may get something of value, but don’t expect anything major….Havs may get some greater interest HOWEVER, look at trades last year and se what a “stay at home” d-man got in trades…..maybe 3 or 4 years ago, but I don’t see much value coming back…..I hope I am wrong…..

By GaVaHokie

February 5, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this

Interesting stuff on this chart… I always like when Fourth Period posts their Top 25 Trading Block.

Might we see a trade of Schneider to Philly for Scottie Upshall? Keep in mind that anyone taking Schneider has to free up $2 million in cap space.

By Alan

February 5, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

I’m expecting no more than a prospect and high round draft pick for Schneider. His type are in demand this season, supposedly.

Not holding my breath, but that’s my thought.

By Alan

February 5, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

Hokie - This caught my attention:

“Armstrong hasn’t worked out in Atlanta and the Thrashers have been shopping this kid for some time.”

If by “Armstrong” they mean “Christensen,” I would believe it. That has to be pure bunk, because I think Armstrong has worked out pretty good so far. Maybe not as good as we would have hoped, but I think he’s been alright for the most part.

By Russ

February 5, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this

Alan - That caught my eye as well. I said a few blogs back that I didn’t like hearing Armstrong’s name in trade rumors. He’s one of the few forwards on this team that plays defense and he chips in offensively. To me, if you can have 3 or 4 forwards like Colby Armstrong to go along with your 2 or 3 top-end talents at forward you have a pretty good start to being a contender. Unless DW can get a lot more for him than would be expected or Armstrong has said he doesn’t want to play here I think they’d be crazy to trade him.

By Sara

February 5, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

According to LeBrun at ESPN.com, it is Christensen that’s being shopped. He also mentioned Ottawa called about Enstrom and essentially got a “Tobias who? Never heard of him, but if you’re looking for a puck-moving d-man, we’ve got this really great guy named Mathieu Schneider available…”

You’ll have to do your own scrolling to find all the goodies

I’m going back to my stack of tax returns. Maybe I’ll see you guys one more time before the deadline. :(

By GaVaHokie

February 5, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this

Good read Sara… thanks.

As Christensen goes, I’d like to see Waddell pull a Rutherford move on this… like the Tuomo Ruutu for Andrew Ladd swap. Go find a RFA swap with another team. Make a lateral trade…

By R. Stroz

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

Kevin - The Thrashers have NEVER signed a top tier free agent.

And, BTW, the team went after Rolston and ended up with Williams.

Hopefully the lawsuit gets resolved, the owners can be owners instead of litigators and we get back to being playoff caliber.

This team has only made the playoffs once in nine years. Are you on crack or an ASG employee?

By Alan

February 5, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this

I’d like more draft picks for our upcoming new GM to use. A nice, young core of players to come up through the system in future years.

Waddell will be gone, and will be gone soon. The court case starts only a little over a week from now. Once that is completed, maybe we’ll finally get somewhere.

By Kaat

February 5, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this

Kozlov is mailing it in? I don’t think so. He’s been slumping lately, but Kozlov has always been prone to droughts here and there. He’s been one of the Thrashers best players this year.

He’s still peerless in shootouts.

By Kaat

February 5, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this

And let’s not forget Kozlov played hurt all of last year, that’s been widely reported. He had two surgeries in the offseason. He wasn’t mailing it in — he was injured.

By Brendan

February 5, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this

I really don’t know what Schneider will fetch at the deadline. I just hope for the best, like the rest of you. Obviously, a more desperate team will have to pay a higher premium than one merely looking to supplement at the deadline. And when the fan base of that team says, “You OVERPAID for Schneider,” they’ve got to look at the totality of circumstance. If a team lost 3-4 defensemen for the season, including its top pairing, they’d be desperate for help. They would probably have to caugh up a bit more. But remember this, also. Don Waddell is a nice guy. It seems, to me, that it’s important for him to be “well liked” by his GM peers. In this regard, he might not put the screws to another team as hard as another GM would. I think … that Waddell thinks … if he’s nice to others, then when it’s his time of need, they’ll reciprocate. Hmmn. Interesting theory, I must say. I’m trying to think of a time when another team really and truly tossed Atlanta a bone? Wasn’t the Flyers. Wasn’t the Blues. Wasn’t the Rangers. Wasn’t Nashville. At least, not if we look back to the 2007 trade deadline deals Atlanta made, to firm up its only playoff berth, at a time when Waddell’s job was ALLEGEDLY at stake. If Daultan Leveille and Angelo Esposito turn into Top Six forwards that could play within those parameters almost ANYWHERE in the league, then I’d put Pittsburgh on the list of teams “friendly” to the Thrashers.

By Smoothie

February 5, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this

Hey, posted this over on Rawhide’s blog so I figured I’d share it here as well since NHL contraction has been so hot in the news lately…well, at least up in Canada.

How about 24 for the number of franchises hockey SHOULD HAVE?? After reading the Toronto Sun article posted by GoalieBrian see here, it got me to thinking about the best way for the NHL to be pro-active as we head deeper into what is sure to be a protracted recession. The columnist raises an interesting point about contraction during the Great Depression from 10 teams to 6. The business of sports will surely be shaken to the core if things really do get worse economically.

Here’s my plan to save hockey and revive interest in a game in which history, tradition and rivalry have always been so important. Of course, being a Thrashers fan, my idea is certainly biased and Pollyanna-ish to think that the T-birds would not be among the 6 teams to be contracted:

1) Columbus — who cares? Never been to the playoffs and Ohio’s economy is prolly worse than most due to being in the rust belt.

2) Nashville — reasons for this should be obvious

3) Florida — one team in the state is enough and TBL has one Cup and two great French Canadian players to build around…give them Bouwmeester!

4) LA (or AHM) — LA can’t even support the NFL so one hockey team is enough

5) PHX — hockey should not be played in a market where the avg temp is over 85 degrees for the entire year and the avg age is probably higher!!

6) NY Islanduhs — this one pains me because this once great franchise has become as bad as the expansion Thrashers, but such is life and as long as there is hockey in Manhattan and Newark, LI can kiss it…sorry Buzzilla!!

Bettman should probably force contraction regardless of whether he keeps the Islanders over the Thrashers or the Predators over Tampa. The fact remains the product is watered down and the overall health of the league would be improved with fewer teams, renewed rivalries and the reinstitution of the old Division monikers…history is as important as anything!

Commish Smoothie’s Proposed Realignment:

Patrick Div: NYR, NJ, PITT, PHIL, WSH & TB

Adams Div: BOS, BUF, MTL, TOR, OTT & CAR

Norris Div: DET, CHI, MIN, STL, DAL & ATL**

Smythe Div: VAN, CGY, EDM, COL, AHM & SJ

**NOTE: If so desired, Toronto can decline an invite to the Adams and return to the Norris in light of their historical ties. However, TOR’s rivalries with MTL and BUF are probably too irresistible to the owners and players. Also, ATL is an international airport hub so it would not be a financial issue (direct flights = less money for travel!) for the Thrashers to travel to the Central time zone for most of their road games.

Proposed Scheduling:

Reinstitute the 80 game schedule. If Gretzky can score 92 goals in 80 games, then that should be the standard. Hell, 76 games would be fine too as you will see.

Eliminate the 16 team playoff scenario and take 6 teams from each conference. Division winners get a bye into the 2nd round as the 3rd seed plays 6 and the 4 seed plays 5 in the first round of P/O. #1 seed plays lowest advancing seed in Semi-finals and proceed as customary. This way you still have your 3 rounds preceding the Stanley Cup Finals. Do you see how easy this is!!?

Format of Schedule:

Each team plays Division rivals 8 times = 40 games

Each team plays other Division in Conf 2 times home and away = 12 games.

Each team plays other Conference teams home and away once for another 24 games.

In the event the 80 game schedule is elected, then add “natural” rivalry games with 4 teams from within your division at neutral sites to showcase hockey in less traditional (or less viable) markets like Nashville, Columbus, Winnipeg and Phoenix. This isn’t ideal as certain teams always get the shaft in the assignment of rivals, but it’s do-able.

Hockey loves its rivalries and either scenario would allow the fans to see their most hated rivals 4-5 times per year. You could even increase the schedule back to 82 games if you have the neutral site games with just the teams from the other division within a conference. It would give bragging rights to the team who wins the “rubber match” and not be problematic for the purpose of determining tie-breakers within a division for seeding and division titles.

Obviously we can argue all day who to contract from the group of ATL, CLB, TB, FLA, CBL, PHX, NYI, LA, AHM and NSH, but that’s a whole ‘nother post!!

By h

February 6, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this

Holy Crap! Smoothie, you may have too much free time! Just kidding…..sort of….. good post though!

By Smoothie

February 6, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this

h — it’s called being bored at work and being tired of talking about the same old crap re: our Thrashers. Until they figure out a way to play better or some trade deadline deals happen, there’s not much new to talk about eh?

By h

February 6, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this

agreed