Thrashers

By Brendan

February 6, 2009 12:14 AM | Link to this

I’d like to ask Eric Perrin if he hopes Atlanta still interested in offering him a new contract during the offseason. Or before the season ends. Or, I’d like to ask him if he hopes Don Waddell will trade him to a contender?

By Brendan

February 6, 2009 12:25 AM | Link to this

Or both. Maybe he’d like to experience the playoffs ELSEWHERE, then re-sign here.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

February 6, 2009 4:33 AM | Link to this

“I’d like to ask Eric Perrin if he hopes Atlanta still interested in offering him a new contract during the offseason. Or before the season ends. Or, I’d like to ask him if he hopes Don Waddell will trade him to a contender?”

It’s a call in show…pick up the phone and you can ACTUALLY ask him, not just want to.

By GaVaHokie

February 6, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this

“Maybe he’d like to experience the playoffs ELSEWHERE, then re-sign here.”

He did win a Stanley Cup in Tampa, so I’d say he’s experienced it.

By Alan

February 6, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this

Looks like this blog is a little dated, since today is Friday and we’re in New Jersey today. Where was this thing at 1:55p yesterday?

By I Believe

February 6, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this

Perrin said “To get on for an hour and talk about hockey, it doesn’t happen often [in Atlanta],”

It’s about time the FLAGSHIP RADIO HOME of the Thrashers talked up hockey in this town!

By Bob

February 6, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

Nice story about the Kahlua line Mabye some of you can remember this in the future as one of the many reasons why you don’t go naming lines in hockey until they actually accomplish something (being the highest scoring line for a couple months on the worst team in the league is not accomplishing anything)

By Smoothie

February 6, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this

Listened to most of the show and Perrin was very gracious and polite. He certainly didn’t throw any teammates under the bus (except for Thorburn’s grooming habits!), but there wasn’t really anything he said that I found particularly enlightening. Obviously they are all frustrated with the losing and there seems to be acknowledgement of how the ownership situation is affecting the direction of the franchise.

HOWEVER, John Kincade, who is normally an arrogant a*******hat and pulls no punches when he’s bloviating on his stupid show, did nothing but protect Perrin and shield him from the tougher questions posed by callers. He either took over the convo or completely glossed over a question by changing the subject or by talking about how he’s always been a Thrashers fan and it’s his only ATL team etc. Uh, what? You only hate the Flyers cuz they canned your arrogant punk a$$!!

By GaVaHokie

February 6, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this

“You have to play good defensively,” Kozlov said. “If we have to win 1-0, that’s what we’ll do. If we have to play a 0-0 game and have a chance to win in overtime or a shootout, lots of teams play like that. I know fans want to see goals, but it looks like the team that plays defense has a chance to win the game. … If we’re going to play open hockey, I think we have no chance.”

Knobler… this stuck out to me in your article… gotta think this is an underhand shot at Anderson’s system from Kozlov.

By Brendan

February 6, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this

Hokie, I meant This Season, for Perrin’s playoff aspirations. Most players do want to taste the postseason each and every year. That goes for winning the Cup, too.

Smoothie, I heard Ron Hainsey on 680TheFan this morning. He had me in stitches, at times. I think he’s got a career in talk radio or even TV, if he could just manage not to say, “You know,” 14 times in the space of three sentences. But my favorite part was this: Christopher Rude asked Ron, “What’s the ONE THING you could pinpoint as the Thrashers the biggest problem this season?”

(Pregnant radio pause) Ron gathered his thoughts and said, “You mean, there’s just one thing? Perry and Rude burst out laughing. Hainsey never really did answer the question, in typical Christopher Rude-like fashion, the topic shifted to Jamie Lynn Spears’ pregnancy and how much weight gain is permissible, for a wife, once married. Honestly now, I can’t really blame them for not talking about hockey. There’s no possibility of playoffs. The likelihood of the team making any kind of player acquisition at the deadline is remote, etc. Even though 680TheFan is the “Flagship Station” of your Atlanta Thrashers, I think they all just would rather see the offseason get here already. Really, truly, the Thrashers next BIG MOVE will be drafting Hedman or Tavares.

Well, I withdraw that. Between now and then, there’ll be qualifying offers here and there. Perhaps some 3rd or 4th line players will be traded or acquired on waivers, or a pending RFA or UFA might get re-signed. Those folks might be Thorburn, Oystrick, Christensen, Slater, Armstrong, Crabb, Valabik, and Lehtonen. Yes, maybe Perrin survives the trade deadline and can be re-signed, too. Fine. Reasoner, as well. Fine. These are still important things for the franchise to address. But that’s all probably going to happen in April or May or early June. July 1, 2009, is the NEXT big date, after the Draft. That’s when Atlanta can re-sign Kovalchuk, and PROACTIVELY lock up Bryan Little and Ondrej Pavelec, maybe even Brett Sterling and Chad Denny. For that matter, Rich Peverley can be PROACTIVELY re-signed on July 1, 2009. As could Kozlov. And Moose.

Oh right, there’s still a few months left in the current season. Go PROSPECTS!!!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

February 6, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this

Hokie — I took him as meaning open offense, working too far away from the player, etc. Remember, Kozlov said this system reminds him of the one he played in Detroit, where he won a Stanley Cup. I doubt Kozlov is criticizing a system that once reminded him of Detroit…but maybe he’s criticizing the execution (or lack thereof) of said system.

Just my take.

Smootie — I definitely agree with your take on Kincade. I would wager that he would be a “huge fan” of whatever city he is currently living in, or at least identify himself as one when around a player. Isn’t he still an Eagles/Steelers fan?

By GaVaHokie

February 6, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

ranallo… I’m trying to be irrational here. :)

By Justin

February 6, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

Right and wrong on Kincaid. he talk often of his dislike for the Flyers and Bobby Clarke after working for them. He also is a huge Thrashers fan and has been a season ticket holder since year one, even when working on the broadcasts. we sit 5 rows behind his seats in 311 and he visits there often. I listened to the show for about 35 minutes till the signal cut out on my ride home. I thought it was pretty good stuff and don’t think Perrin or Kincaid shied away or glossed over any topic. the callers were pretty good too.

By Smoothie

February 6, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

Justin — you must’ve missed the question about Kari, his shaken confidence and having to face 35 shots a night. They completely ignored the question. Kincaid has season tkts because it used to be good value / entertainment for his hard-earned dollar. I used to be a Buffalo and Yankees fan, but you don’t see me wearing a Sabres jersey or Yankees hat to games in Atlanta. All Kincade ever talks about is Philly…if you like it so much, then go back there!!

ranallo — Yes, he still LOVES his Eagles, Phillies and Sixers (I spoz), but why should one of the most heard radio personalities in this city be from Philly and get to spout off on how much he still cares about the Eagles? Same thing with Perry and the Steelers, but at least he seems a bit more balanced…prolly cuz Rude keeps him honest.

Brendan — glad you got to hear Hainsey’s appearance. I reall think Ron has a great personality and could be a great leader for this team for years to come if we could ever get the right assemblage of talent around him. Perhaps even he is guilty of taking nights off, but say what you will, he CHOSE US when no other “name” F/A wanted to come anywhere near us. Gotta give him credit for that. I also think he could be nursing some nagging bruises and bumps.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

February 6, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

“ranallo… I’m trying to be irrational here. :)”

Oh, my apologies.

Spezza to Atlanta for Schneider and an 8th round pick, E4.33333.

Justin — I understand what you’re saying, but I think that’s rather easy when he’s a sports radio personality (he gets off at what, 5pm?) who enjoys hockey. If he were in Buffalo, I’m guessing he’d be trying to purchase Sabres season tickets, and would be attending just as many Buffalo games if possible. In my opinion he’s merely a hockey fan, and will support whatever team is in his home town. And I’m also positive that if he had been working for the ASG he would be just as jaded towards Atlanta as he is towards Philadelphia, if not more.

Listening to all of his live call in shows with the Falcons’ FB (I can’t spell his name, so I wont try), he glosses over every “tough” question and is spending more time sucking up to the athlete with the cheesy compliments/jokes than he is giving the callers a chance to have an opinion. He also practices the broadcasting tactic of not allowing a caller to finish their statement (he talks over them or mutes them), or he simply ends their call and spends the next few minutes mocking the person for having an opinion he doesn’t agree with.

So again, I’m not surprised to hear that Smoothie felt Kincade was trying to be a “buddy” to Perrin during the broadcast…in my experience it’s his m.o. But you’re also right, Kincade spends his money on the Thrashers. So do a lot of other people.

By Brendan

February 6, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this

Smoothie, an excellent point about Hainsey “choosing” us. I meant to post that Ron said that he and his wife really do love the area and he made it a point to say that he has enjoyed interacting with Thrashers fans. He said that the team welcomed him with open arms, and everything about transitioning to Atlanta has gone well for him. He’s been married about six months now and I think he said they’re planning a family, etc., etc.

I also meant to say that Hainsey did answer Rude’s question with the “company line.” A-hem. Say it with me. Everyone. (tap, tap, tap.) Class. Shout out the answer: “We’re just lacking consistency.” Yeah, that’s JUSSSS’ what it is.

PFFT! Ya know, you’d think that’d get LESS funny over time. But it still cracks me up. Okayyy. It’s more of smirk/smile than a full-on, hearty, laugh out loud, calorie-burning event.

By Smoothie

February 6, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this

That’s great to hear Brendan as I really do think Ron H is a stand up guy. And we can’t really begrudge these guys for towing the company line in these interviews. There is only so much you can say without implicating your fellow teammates, which is akin to career suicide for you and me if we were to publicly trash our bosses on public access cable!!

One thing I will add is that I would like to give DWad some credit for knowing that Ronsey is worth the contract due to his skills, size and potential. However, I still disagree with how they have divvied up the PP minutes. Obviously not getting the 1st unit mins he got last year has hindered Enstrom’s production this year. But I’m hopeful that Toby and Ronsey, along with Bogey and, dare I say? Hedman may be our future top 2 pairings of the future. Plus, I’m still optimistic that Oystrick has the potential to play at this level for years to come as well.

I wish to Yahweh that we could move Schneider now so we can start experimenting with the pairings and give Bogosian some top pairing minutes once and awhile. I have nothing against MS personally and I do think this just wasn’t a good fit for him, but having play 3rd line minutes with Bogey seems counter-productive to me. We’re going nowhere this year so why not give Bogey the chance to play with Ron on the top pairing so the Swedes don’t have to play 24-25 mins / night?

By Smoothie

February 6, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

“He also practices the broadcasting tactic of not allowing a caller to finish their statement (he talks over them or mutes them), or he simply ends their call and spends the next few minutes mocking the person for having an opinion he doesn’t agree with.”

ranallo — you are soooooo right about JK in this respect. It is nauseating how he comes across on his show. Like his OPINION matters more than the rest of us. It’s still just your opinion. I don’t understand why ESPN would want to give him his own slot on Sunday mornings. Obviously he knows sports, but so do most of the posters on this blog. As for Belue, I don’t even know why he’s on the radio. He rarely challenges Kincaid and I don’t think he knows much about anything that happens outside of Athens, GA. Do Bulldog fans really find him THAT interesting?

By dhj_1962

February 7, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this

HAINSEY ALSO GOES ON “IN THE SLOT” WITH PHIL ESPOSITO, USUALLY ON MONDAYS, IF THE THRASHERS ARE NOT PLAYING THAT EVENING OR TRAVEL ISSUES, IF NOT MONDAY HE WILL TRY FOR TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY. ITS ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE THRASHERS ON XM RADIO.