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Could restricted free agents be next?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Thrashers have money to spend, and the pool of talented unrestricted free agents has dried up considerably since Tuesday at noon. There are still some restricted free agents out there, though, and it might be the Thrashers can get some talent by paying a bit more than others are willing or able to pay.
Here’s a for-instance about Ottawa’s Antoine Vermette and Andrej Meszaros, courtesy of my alert colleague Jeff Schultz.
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Free agency, Day 2
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So, Marian Hossa is now with the Red Wings, and Bobby Holik is now with the Devils, and Orpik and Hainsey are still out there, unsigned and presumably being pursued by the Thrashers.
The only good news if you are an Atlanta fan is that the prices for good players appear to be high enough that eventually some of the other teams will run out of cap room or budget room and will need to unload some salary in trade or be unable to bid for whatever is left in free agency.
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Free agent update (2:30 p.m.)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No Thrashers signings to report yet.
The Thrashers made qualified offers not just to Kari Lehtonen but also to Joey Crabb, Nathan Oystrick and Brett Sterling, the NHL announced.
Here is the official list of Thrashers unrestricted free agents: Milan Bartovic, Eric Boulton, Kevin Doell, Darren Haydar, Bobby Holik, Jason Krog, Joel Kwiatkowski, Steve McCarthy, Karel Pilar, Mark Recchi, Steve Rucchin, Mark Popovic, Jesse Schultz, Guillaume Desbiens*.
*Desbiens would have been a restricted free agent if the Thrashers had made a qualified offer.
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‘Big part of our future’ now part of team’s past
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m new to covering an NHL team, and I’m learning. One lesson: Asking the right question and reporting the response accurately doesn’t always shed light on the subject.
On June 16, I asked Thrashers general manager Don Waddell about the team’s plans for Alexei Zhitnik. Specifically, would the Thrashers buy out the final year of his contract. Here’s what appeared in the June 17 Journal-Constitution:
“Waddell rejected speculation the team might buy out the final year of Zhitnik’s contract. ‘That’s never been talked about,’ Waddell said. ‘We think he’ll be a big part of our future. We expect him to come back and be part of our team.’”
Two weeks to the day after he said that to me, Waddell bought out the final year of Zhitnik’s contract.
I asked him about the apparent contradiction. “That was prior to the draft,” he said Monday. “If we don’t get that player [Zach Bogosian], he could still be a big part of our team.”
It was no secret the Tampa Bay Lightning would choose Steven Stamkos with the No. 1 pick and that one of two excellent defensemen, Bogosian or Drew Doughty, would be available when the Thrashers picked at No. 3.
I talked about some of this with my brother, Danny Knobler, who covers baseball for CBSSports.com. His advice: Don’t get caught up in worrying about when there’s a gap between what somebody says is going to happen and what happens. Hey, it happens. (This is a family blog.
Meanwhile, I’ll keep asking the questions, reporting the answers and hoping, more often than not, I might shed a little light more often than I add to the darkness.
A few updates from a Monday conversation with Thrashers coach John Anderson:
—If you know of anyone looking to buy a house in Chicago, point them Anderson’s way. Unfortunately, the house in in mid-renovation. “It’s a little tough to sell when there’s no roof on it,” he said.
—Don’t be in too big a hurry for Anderson to announce a staff. With free agency this week and the rookie camp the next week, it is likely to be the second half of July before the Thrashers make any announcement.
—Three of the seven players the Thrashers drafted are planning to play college hockey next season, but they are still expected to be in the rookie camp. It’s OK with the NCAA as long as the players pay their own expenses, including travel.
—Anderson has been busy. He said Sunday night was the first he had spent in Chicago since his hiring. He had a quick swing through Atlanta for TV and public appearances, including a night as honorary captain for the Braves, and he was in London, Ont., at the end of the week for a hockey camp aimed at players ages 15-17 about to choose between college and major junior hockey. He will be back in Atlanta on Saturday and stay through July 15, when he returns to Chicago to get his things in order.
A topic for discussion: Which player do you want to see the Thrashers get most in free agency, and why, and which player do you think might actually sign to come to Atlanta? Brian Campbell? John-Michael Liles? Mike Commodore? Brooks Orpik? Mark Streit? Michal Rozsival? A 2008 Cup winner, such as Brad Stuart or Andreas Lilja?
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Anderson hired, what of Cheveldayoff?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My apologies for not blogging since Sunday. I’m on vacation. But I did speak with Chicago Wolves general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff a couple of days ago. He was returning my call about John Anderson, the former Wolves coach who now coaches the Thrashers.
Anderson and Cheveldayoff worked together for 11 years in the Wolves organization. So, I asked, if the partnership is so successful, what are the chances of it continuing with some sort of role for Cheveldayoff in Atlanta? I got a very indirect answer that I won’t try to interpret for you here. Cheveldayoff did say, “It’s everybody’s aspiration to make it to the National Hockey League.” That could come soon. He was reportedly one of three candidates brought back for second interviews when the Phoenix Coyotes hired general manager Don Maloney last year.
Here are a few things Cheveldayoff had to say about Anderson:
“He’s done a really good job working with all different kinds of players. … It’s not one size fits all. Some guys you’ve got to give a little more of a nudge to get geoing. Others you’ve got to leave more on their own.”
“He coaches players the way he would like to be coached.”
He predicted a very strong relationship between Anderson and Kari Lehtonen.
More next week when I’m back on the clock, in time for the free agent push.
Latest comments
Wow…a big “six months or so” and NOW he can SEE!!! You’re laughable!... read the full comment by Sage of Bluesland | Comment on Could restricted free agents be next? Read Could restricted free agents be next?
I agree, Alan—your incessant defense of the indefensible is rather tiring Defense of what, I wonder? Please, tell me exactly what I’ve been defending? You can’t, can you? I didn’t think you could. Some Sage you... read the full comment by Alan | Comment on Could restricted free agents be next? Read Could restricted free agents be next?
“Hockey belongs up north”, I am very proud that I don’t go to Braves game at Turner Field. Last game I went to in Fulton County Stadium in 1995. That’s right, the year they won the World Series. And until they... read the full comment by Jonesboro | Comment on Could restricted free agents be next? Read Could restricted free agents be next?
The only question you failed to answer is “do you have nothing better to do?” Get off of your hockey high horse and pay attention to your own affairs, hoser.... read the full comment by Thrashers27 | Comment on Could restricted free agents be next? Read Could restricted free agents be next?