Ice Man

By five_hole

January 17, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this

My first choice is that Marion would stay, but at a reasonable price. Hopefully, we could get a “home town” discount.

If he does get traded, we will not get the #1 center or d-man, as he would be traded to a “contender” and they’re not going to give up an integral piece of their puzzle right now. What we would get are draft picks, kids in the minors, etc. Not worth it, IMO, as we are potentially in a playoff hunt ourselves.

If we can’t resign him but are in a legitimate position to advance past the 1st round in the playoffs, I say let him play out his contract and take our chances.

By Sara

January 17, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this

Morning!! Loving the snow in the backyard this morning.

Can you believe Buffalo’s record?? Ouch! Well, at least they’ve gotten some points out of that.

As for the Hossa ramblings. The last part of the question is easiest. Unless a RW comes back in the deal, you bring up Haydar to fill Hossa’s spot. As for the rest…

the more I look at it, the worse a trade scenario is looking. There are two ways I think to look at a trade for Hoss ~ an option to upgrade where we are lacking (C/D) or a way to get something out of this whole thing. Option A isn’t looking too good. The most viable options I think are Detroit, Pitt, or Colorado. The former two have expressed interest apparently in upgrading before the playoffs and the latter is hating the injury bug at this point. All three have the cap space to handle Hoss at this point in time. However, while all three have some players worth acquiring, I don’t think any will be available. From the Wings, I’d want either Filppula or Kronwall in return, neither of which are likely to be available. From Pitt, maybe Staal, Christensen, or Orpik. But again, not likely to be available. Maybe Christensen but while I’d take it I wouldn’t be overly thrilled about it. Needs some sweetener there me thinks.

Buyers at the trade deadline aren’t going to part with assets they themselves need for a playoff run. For us to upgrade at C/D like we want requires a team to do just that. Which means we have to adhere to the second school of thought which is get anything we can in order to avoid ending up with nothing. In which case I don’t know that it really matters where he goes, as long as we can get back at least one good prospect guaranteed to be an NHL impact player and one first-round pick.

But at this point, with our own potential playoff run to consider (and division title to defend), it may be better to hang on to him if we aren’t going to get a top player back. We have decent prospects already…we need NHL star talent. Might as well be the star talent we already have for now.

By Russian

January 17, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

January is very important month for Thrasher. If we will be good team and keep First place on Division I will recomend to keep Hossa until season is over. Make him stay here and play PO round 1 may be 2. Nobody knows! If we are going to loose First place at end of January I will trade Hossa and Holik to Center and D-men. But our GM needs to find a good one. We do not need a Draft pick. We already have Little, Sterling, Haydar, Krog, Valabik and Pavalec in our system. That is reason we need someone good and expirince player, not to old. About Motreal, they played very good hockey lately. Kovalev and Kosticin Brothers are doing too much damage on other team. They are First on PP, which is very important. I hope it will be intresting game today. I will say we are going to win in Regulation time at 3:2. :-)

By Nix

January 17, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Hey, Rawhide, can you explain to us newbies what it means for the Sabres to consider the Thrashers a “silver” game?

By Rawhide

January 17, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Nix - Some teams price their tickets based on day of the week and who the opponent is. There is “Gold” for the games of highest demand, then “Silver” and lastly “Bronze” for games that they deem would bring in a smaller crowd, (weeknight game vs. weak opponent).

Here is a link to Buffalo’s ticketing site that can illustrate further.

To be honest, I’ve sometimes wondered if the Thrashers would be wise to adopt such a system,…..lowering prices a bit for weeknight games could attract a couple thousand more.

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

Rawhide — I do believe you are on to something with the idea of a “graduated” ticket system where by weeknight games versus Fla and Wash are $10 - $15 less. Get more people in the arena and make up some of the difference in beer and concession sales…aghast, they would actually have to open ALL concession stands!

By Bob

January 17, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

But there is a lot of chatter from credible sources and sometimes where there is smoke there is fire.

Yep, very true. It’s a total crapshoot trying to guess who/what we’ll get for Hoss. Every year, there’s tons of speculation and it’s easier to see the guys that will probaby get moved (impending UFAs like Hoss, etc., Tkachuk was an easy call last year as the Blues were out of it, he was impending, and you knew that he was going right back to the Blues for the next year) but it’s near impossible to accurately gauge who they get traded to.

Before the season started, I thought Waddell would be wise to move Hoss right then as I felt his trade value would be highest at that time. I felt if someone got a full year out of him, we’d get some immediate help right away (NHL players, not picks and prospects). And I still feel that way. The club that will want Hoss now knows he’s a short term rental, and they won’t want to damage their lineup by giving away any players on their club currently. They’ll want to give picks and prospects.

So, I can’t guess who we trade with and what exactly we get in trade. The best I can come up with is that we move Hoss for picks and prospects and then turn around and move those picks and prospects for other NHL help, as this is going to be a PR disaster for the Thrashers as it is when they have to trade Hoss, they have to be able to turn it around and bring in some immediate help. Can you imagine the uproar if/when we’re still sitting in the division lead or within a few pts and they trade Hoss?

The problem is, there’s not many teams that are out of it. Not many clubs are going to want to throw in the towel. It’s why Waddell is in a very, very tough spot now. It’s why he should have made the move right at the beginning of the season.

If there’s some way that we could move Hoss and wind up with Kaberle back from Toronto, that would be fantastic and well worth it. But I can’t see Toronto moving Kaberle, just don’t see it. I’ve heard Redden’s name bandied about as well, I don’t believe the Sens move him. Both Kaberle and Redden are that #1 guy you need that are the difference makers.

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

The following was posted on the prior blog late last night. I didn’t expect Rawhide to another update. You go Rawhide.

After reading the article on Brad McCrimmon with emphasis on the following comment:

A team, like his farm, is built around trust, respect, discipline, accountability and individual sacrifice.

I wondered what McCrimmon thinks about Hossa’s intermittent performance this season.

Hossa’s overall performance this season doesn’t match McCrimmon’s ideals as a person or a player.

From McCrimmon’s perspective, if McCrimmon does go on to become the head coach, does McCrimmon want Hossa on the team?

By J(Z)

January 17, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Got a question that I need help with and I think wikipedia is wrong!

A Natural Hat Trick. Is that 3 consecutive goals by one player…or is that 3 goals by one player in one period?

By The Other Bob

January 17, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

J(Z) - Natural hat trick, as has been explain to me, is three goals by one player consecutively in one game…regardless of periods.

By ThrasherNY

January 17, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

I thought we should have moved Hossa before the season started when it was apparent that he did not intend to resign. He wants a club that has a vision and we do not. We have a busted 5 yr plan and a team scrambling just to make it back to the playoffs. Moving him then would have maximized his value.

Because the SE Division has been weak the last two years. We were able to take the division crown last season w/ only 97pts and we lead the division once again this year as the 19th best team (by record) in the NHL. We now are in the position to return to the playoffs and save DW his job. That is if it was ever in question; which I doubt considering ownership. The goal the entire season has been to return to the playoffs, not to build up a team that can one day bring Lord Stanleys Cup back to Philips Arena. Hossa sees this flaw in logic and wants to go elsewhere.

That being said I dont think that Hossa will not be traded. We will use him to make it back to the playoffs and recoup some money for the owners, thusly making DW appear to be a success. Once in the playoffs we will have a short run as our offense it inconsistant, outside of Kovy, and our defense is awful. We may have one in Detroit but the game was an anomaly. We were out-shot 2:1 and converted 75% of our PP opps. Good teams will shred us in a series.

To end on a high note. Kovy could have 40+ goals by All-Star break. Simply AWESOME!!! Even without Hoss and assuming more Rucchin like moves DW cant ruin the fun entirely as #17 will come to the rescue.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

J(Z) & The Other Bob - a natural hat trick is scoring 3 goals in a game in which the 3rd one is not an empty net goal, thus making it more like 2 actual goals and of course the empty netter which counts on the scoresheet, but not a natural hat trick…

Rawhide & Smoothie - the Thrashers already put “tiered” pricing for single game seats into place to get more fans out. Rather than toy with market value, they offer things like packages which in essence lower the price of a seat by 1/2. Tonight is the AJC 2-for-1 special which cuts the price in half for a Thu night game. On other select nights, they offer the Coca-Cola 4 packs. If you also notice, none of these packages were available last Sat when Sidney Crosby was in town (considered by other markets with tiered pricing to be a GOLD game). So on nights when they feel there will be low turnout or they want to guarantee a big turnout, they release tickets in these packages rather than at reduced prices. This will help them sell more tickets while keeping the value up for all their corporate paid seats at the same time (a market like Buffalo does not have the 1/2 the corp seats that a Fortune 500 market like Atlanta has).

By GaVaHokie

January 17, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Thrashers need to stay out of the penalty box if they want to beat Montreal tonight… that Power Play is lethal.

Trading Hossa… if he stays great, but I’d trade for Filppula (DET), Edler (VAN) or Kaberle (TOR)

By Red Light

January 17, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

OFF-TOPIC, but…

Maybe you all can explain this to me: If McCrimmon is the heir apparent for the head coaching position, then why hasn’t he been officially named yet? What is DW waiting for? Another half-season of seasoning?

If Big Mac is your guy, runs the practices, comes up with the gameplans, the players like him, respect him and want him to get the job, then name him and concentrate on GM duties.

Anyone else mystified by this? Ego driven?

By J(Z)

January 17, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

He certainly could at least name him interim head coach. That is odd.

And I can’t even tell you guys from asking different people what the he!! a Natural Hat Trick is anymore, everyone’s got their own definition!

By Rawhide

January 17, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Brian - Good points regarding the “tiered” ticket pricing…I’m sure those that make the big bucks to do so have looked into this every which way from Sunday.

But, just playing Devil’s Advocate here….looking at the ticket pricing displayed on the Thrashers web site, the average price in $83.88 per seat, (I know there are far more $29.00 seats than $275.00 seats…but I’m trying to keep this simple).

If we know a Tuesday game against, say, Florida will draw about 10,000 people, that generates $838,800 in ticket sales.

If they were to tag that as a “bronze” level game and take 10% off the price on average, ($75.50)….and could get 14,000 in the house, that would be $1,057,000 in ticket sales. Add in food and beer sales….just seems like a winner.

Plus, the more people that get IN to Blueland increases the chance for those people becoming REPEAT attendees at Blueland.

Like I said, I’m sure there is SOOooo much more to it then that, but it’s something for the masses to chew on.

Red Light - No answer for you there. I have thought he was the one to get the job and that DW was simply trying to make a smooth transition of it.

Well, I think the time has come to just do it and let DW get back to GMing 100% of the time seeing that there is about a month left before the trade deadline.

Of course, that’s just me.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Red-Light - first off, how many practices does he run, how many gameplans does he devise, what is he actually doing? Can you quantify it. All we know for a fact (and let’s concentrate on facts) is that he ran a couple practices, not all of them, not even 5 of them.

As well, they are probably gunshy about moving too quick on him. Anything they need him to do as a Head Coach they can monitor him now and let him do it as an Associate Coach. If the team has a self imposed cap below the NHL salary cap, why pay him extra money when they don’t need to? Again, we don’t know what he actually does and what the Interim Head Coach does every single day. You can’t say that the GM duties aren’t getting done because no one here can testify to those facts either.

If you want to deal with facts and quantify these things first, you won’t be so mystified. Me personally, I think the owners are going to be gun shy about all of this given they already fired BH. Although that is not fact so I don’t know for sure. But I’m not mystified by it as it makes good business sense, and this is a business…

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

IF Detroit is indeed interested in “renting” the services of one Marian Hossa, then I wouldn’t mind receiving the temp services of Andreas Lilja in return. The 31 yr old defensemen is roughly a + 19 on the year playing an avg of 17-18 mins per game. Filppula could be a viable option, however, as he is a RFA center, a position of depth for the Red Wings. Judging by the depth chart, he can play RW as well.

Lilja, a top prospect and a late first round pick in the ‘08 draft. Of course, Detroit won’t be nearly as desperate as we were at the deadline last year so I don’t see a deal with them happening. As an alternative, I would prefer to negotiate with Colorado or Vancouver come late February.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Rawhide - playing “devil’s advocate” is another way of saying “I don’t have real data, so I am just going to make up numbers that will support my point of view”. Seriously, are the numbers 10,000 and 14,000, or are they 12,000 and 12,002? In which case they sold 2 extra tickets but gave away a discount on 12,000 tickets that were already guaranteed revenue?

If we know a Tuesday game against, say, Florida will draw about 10,000 people, that generates $838,800 in ticket sales. But, we offer a 10% discount, only sell 250 extra tickets, how much revenue did you just lose?

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

If you want to deal with facts and quantify these things first, you won’t be so mystified

Gee Brian, we all appreciate the dialogue and your honest opinions, but can you be a little less condescending when you are playing devil’s advocate??

Also, DWad could always “promote” Beast to Head Coach without giving him additional money right now. He could make it conditional upon the team’s, I hate to say performance, results down the stretch. Don will need to focus on his GM duties in the weeks to come so it might not be such a bad idea. However, I’m not sure Beast would want to be a “lame duck” coach for a few months.

And how do we know that Brad McCrimmon really isn’t the one in control of the team…DW is probably more of a figurehead judging by his spotty attendance at practices.

Just sayin’…it’s all speculation when it comes to such matters as facts and quantifiable evidence aren’t always available to paeans (spelling?) like us.

By Rawhide

January 17, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Brian - Ah,…..but see, this is where you and I differ. Your betting that the public would not respond to the reduced prices and not come out.

I would bet that they would and, thus, become future patrons as well. I always bet on success!

Again,…as I stated before…there are people who get paid a lot of money to look into this type of thing and I certainly am not one of them.

BUT, I would like to think that those who do make such decisions place a high value on getting people in Blueland and are not afraid of taking a chance at doing everything in their ability to attract them in.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Rawhide - we don’t differ there at all, I think they would benefit greatly by an overall drop in prices (STH too) and the public would come out. Where we differ is that I am saying I don’t have the data in front of me so I am not going to question whether a price drop or these special packages are the better way to go. Now if the topic of conversation does come up, I will challenge the people who do make these decisions as to whether they are building the proper models to forecast such decisions and ask them to produce their results. But right now you are just pulling 10,000 and 14,000 out of the air. How many seats have the sold this year for the 2-1 AJC nights? If you don’t know (and neither do I), neither one of us can say it is the right or wrong direction to go.

Smoothie - understand that there are a number of people on this blog who are referred to as DW haters. They are over emotional people who say anything to bash our current GM and don’t base it on fact. This whole McCrimmon is the real coach is a perfect example. There was an article in the paper (by Craig) that said McC ran a practice, and all of a sudden the DW haters claimed he was the true coach of the team doing all the work, even though the only fact they had was that he ran 1 practice. I like to deal with facts and I have little tolerance for overemotional tirades that aren’t objective.

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Brian - Since it appears to be pick on Brian day. I thought I would chime in.

Since our previous conversation about the coaching duties, I have attempted to pay attention to the Thrashers bench a little more than normal. The only observation, that I noticed which would support McCrimmin is the real coach, is that McCrimmon apprears to draw up the plays on the board.

On the coaching issue, for substantive material, I think Craig would probably be the best source of information.

I would like to know who is calling the line shifts during the game and who is creating and rearranging the lines. From my perspective, whomever that individual is, should be considered the coach.

On another matter, as I referenced earlier, I would like to know if McCrimmon would prefer to keep Hossa or use him as trade bait to get a young, strong, large defenseman. Also, I would love to know what input McCrimmon has on the Hossa issue.

Since McCrimmon was known as a rather tough defenseman and has had to deal with a weak defensive team for years, I think, if McCrimmon had a choice in the matter, McCrimmon would prefer to trade Hossa for a young, strong, large defenseman,if such a blue liner was available.

Thoughts anyone?

By Bob

January 17, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

I would bet that they would and, thus, become future patrons as well. I always bet on success!

I think you’re spot on. There are so many empty weekday seats, it’s a no brainer to do the tiered pricing. I think Buff-a-blow’s idea of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze pricing is a great idea. Maximize your revenues when Crosby or a hot team comes in, and get the fans that can’t afford those high prices to get off of their couches. The Thrashers’ do it with these 2 for 1 deals which p** me off as a season ticket holder to no end, and they seem to be last minute.

If they tiered it, you’d have people that can’t afford the high prices at the beginning of the year buying up the “cheap” games, and then like you said, sell them beer, etc. and hopefully get the hook in them to convert them into more regular customers going forward. Win-win.

By Alan

January 17, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

Sara - Un-good move on Haydar. Trying to bring him back up means re-entry waivers. There’s a very good chance another team will snag him from us. Haydar will have to wait until next season.

By Rawhide

January 17, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Brian - Point taken. My contention is, (even though Montreal and Buffalo are very different hockey markets than is Atlanta), that the model for such a “teired” pricing system is in place in certain other cities….and their attendance numbers reflect success.

So, maybe it is something that could be looked into here.

Where I KNOW you and I agree is that a full Blueland is a good Blueland…and THAT is the bottom line to the discussion and how does the team get to that position regularly.

Smoothie - Thanks,….but Brian’s just a big teddy bear. He don’t scare me none! :o)

By Brian

January 17, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Smoothie - understand also that part of the statement was that the players like him, respect him and want him to get the job. Outside of Scott Mellanby, who doesn’t even PLAY on the team anymore, how many players are on record for saying that. Another part of the statement was that McCrimmon comes up with the gameplans. Can anyone officially testify to that? IF so, can they quantify the percentage of gameplans that he does? Also, is that an outrageous thing to ask an assistant coach to do (which is exactly what he is)? But instead, we have to use that as an excuse to say we are “mystified by an ego-driven GM”. Please, can we get a little objective and deal with the facts here?

By Bob

January 17, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

And how do we know that Brad McCrimmon really isn’t the one in control of the team…DW is probably more of a figurehead judging by his spotty attendance at practices.

Yep, you’re 100% right. Remember when Mellanby made the comments on TSN about McCrimmon being the real coach of the team? Mellanby is very well respected and knows the guys on our club, he’s got the heart beat of the players. If he says Beast is the coach, then that’s what it is.

I know some guys at the games that go to many practices and they say McCrimmon is the guy running them.

My guess about why they haven’t made him the official coach is that ownership told Waddell “get down there and fix it”. Remember, they’re also still paying Hartley’s salary.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Smoothie - P.S. every goal Kari Lehtonen has ever let in in his life has been a soft goal.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Stroz - you stated that “The only observation, that I noticed which would support McCrimmin is the real coach, is that McCrimmon apprears to draw up the plays on the board.”.

Are you saying that is not something that an assistant coach should be called upon to do? If so, what are the roles & responsibilities of an assistant coach? If only a head coach draws up plays, what does an assistant coach do?

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Brian - Under Hartley, McCrimmon never drew up plays, he just talked to the players a little and tried to look good in a suit.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Stroz - I heard he drew caricatures of the opposing team’s superstar during timeouts. Does that make him a head coach?

By Nix

January 17, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, thanks for that link. Looking at it, it looks to me like a season ticket holder in Buffalo, sitting where I do in Blueland, pays a heck of a lot less than I do. I’m curious if that’s b/c they’ve got better attendance records than we do, or because their pricing tiers better subsidizes the STH, or if the owners are just making less profit on the fans than ASG is.

If it’s because of the tier system, then I’m all for it here in Atlanta!

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Rawhide—Remember, we need 2 out of the next 3. Thrasher Ryan thinks that if Hossa “decides” he wants to play in those games, we can get 3 out of the next 3. 2 out of the next 3 are in OUR HOUSE. No excuses, no compromises. WE MUST WIN IN OUR OWN HOUSE!
I foresee an exciting, fast game with Thrashers coming out on top, 4-3.

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Brian - Only if they were good caricatures.

By Red Light

January 17, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

I like to deal with facts and I have little tolerance for overemotional tirades that aren’t objective.

Brian: The use of a question mark means that I am requesting an opinion from others within the blog, not making an overemotional tirade. The use of the word “if” doesn’t mean I a making a statement either. So, who’s being overemotional here?

I am asking if anyone thinks not naming McCrimmon is “ego-driven”, and if you have problems with my “mystification” over the situation, I guess I better crawl back into my uniformed corner.

You want my objectivity? Try this.

Four season tickets per year since inception. One playoff appearance. Zero playoff wins. The possibility of losing the team’s No. 2 forward to unrestricted free agency and getting nothing in return. The possibility of missing the playoffs if you don’t win the SE Division.

And, lastly, we’re all entitled to our own opinion and don’t need to be scolded for it by someone who disagrees with us. A forum is designed for varying opinions.

Thanks.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Nix - take a 4 bedroom house in any one of the Atlanta suburbs and tell me the price. Now tell me what that exact same house costs in one of the suburbs of Buffalo. Is it because the real estate industry implemented some sort of pricing structure in Buffalo that isn’t available in Atlanta, or is it because it is a small market and the cost of living expenses are cheaper? Wouldn’t that mean that all other expeneses, such as entertainment, be cheaper in Buffalo too?

By The Other Bob

January 17, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

ThrasherRyan - Atlanta wins 3-2 in a shootout. Why should the two teams break the trend now?

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Also, for D-Men I would like Brian Campbell or Mike Komisarek (good ole USA boy); I feel Foote is too old to help us right now.
We also need a #1 Center. Also. Meaning, that we need BOTH. We need better D AND a #1 Center. Like I have said in previous blogs, moving Hoss is the ONLY WAY you can fill both of your needs.
Packaging Hoss with say, Haydar, Klee or Zhitnik, or some picks/prospects should allow us to get what we need.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Rawhide—I am also requesting that you re-post you battle call for “our house”. I’m pretty sure you know what I mean…

By Brian

January 17, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Red Light - when you refer to “4 season tickets since inception”, does that mean that you have purchased them every year? If so, has the Atlanta Spirit kidnapped a loved one and told you that the ransom is that you must purchase 4 season tickets? Since it has been since inception, back when Turner owned the team, were they the orginial kidnappers?

If you are not under duress or being forced to purchase the tickets, you can simply not renew them and walk away.

I do know for a fact that this team has increased it’s production every year in the league except one. Again, that is a fact. I look forward to them increasing it again this year. If they fail to do so, I will re-evaluate my ticket purchases. I will not moan about it on issues that are not based on fact however.

By LAC

January 17, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Brian’s back…YIKES !!!!!!!!

By Rawhide

January 17, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

ThrasherRyan - OK, can do! However, I will post it after Puckjunque’s pray.

So,..uh…PJ?? PJ??….Peej??

Trixie - Go rustle up our blog’s official spiritual leader, would ya?

By Trixie

January 17, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

HABS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By GaVaHokie

January 17, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Red Light… not to be a jerk, but you would have to buy 4 season tickets for 875 years to pay for one year of Kovalchuk or Hossa’s salary.

Season ticket holders are not stock holders. You don’t own the team, and if season ticket sales is what the team depended on to keep the franchise alive, the team would have been long gone by now.

If you like the team, keep drinking Budweiser and shop at Home Depot.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

12345, I mean Jonesboro_Pete, I mean **LAC is back. YIKES!!!

By puckjunque

January 17, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Do I hear an AMEN????

bow your heads, hands joined on the keyboards

Oh Heavenly Father, Thank you for listening to our prayers and blessing the Thrashers with good health and good performances. Please continue to help them build a system that includes a strong offensive attack and provides more defense in front of our net. Please lead the Thrashers tonight to destroy and dominate on their home ice and kick the canadiens a$$! AMEN!!!

By Smoothie (not stendec)

January 17, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Brian — I do believe you have me confused with stendec who likes to belittle KL for all of the “soft” goals he allows in every game of his career. Every goalie allows soft goals (some might even say that is a fact!) from time to time, but Kari’s biggest problem is not playing with consistent aggression at the top of the paint.

It was so nice to see Kari really fight for position and play “hack-attack” games with his stick on the backside and legs of would-be Detroit invaders. If he continues to play like that, we will see that GAA come back down to a respectable 2.75ish level.

The other issue we must deal with is cutting down on the number of shots Kari faces. Unless he can maintain a save % of 94-96%, he will be hard-pressed to lower that GAA. Thus, we need to trade Hossa for defensive help should he continue to waffle on his decision to sign the dotted line.

By Barry

January 17, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

If we do trade Hossa…ya a good defenceman would be nice but let’s not also forget Hossa is like our 2nd best scorer right? Kovy, Hossa, Kozlov are our big three. To lose one of our better goal scorers puts more pressure on the other guys to pick up the slack and as good as some of the guys like Perrin and Dupuis have been this year…I’m not sure we have enough secondary scoring to pick up the slack with the loss of Hossa. Ya maybe a solid top defenceman would negate the need to score as many goals this team has never really had a good defensive strategy where one dman would cover up Hossa’s loss.

By Dunwoody_Kevin

January 17, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

WOW, who pi$$ed in Brian’s Cheerios this morning???

By Brian

January 17, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

smoothie - I didn’t get you confused with stendec, that was just my sarcastic example of people going on tirade’s that are more based on emotion than facts. Did he complain about all those soft goals that Moose let in last week? For what it’s worth, I don’t peg you as one of those guys. But I am going to stick to my guns and keep things objective around here rather than emotional ranting.

By ranallo10

January 17, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Rawhide — You’re assuming that they’re discounting the tickets to accomadate for the tiered value, when I would imagine they’re just limiting the amount they inflate the ticket cost.

Personally I’m fine paying $58 to attend a hockey game, that’s base value for my seats. If they want to give me a discount for every Florida Panthers game, I’d be happy, but I wont be happy with paying EXTRA for every Ottawa Senators game.

If “Gold” means “base value”, tiered is fine, but if base value is the “Bronze” or “Value” games, they can F themselves and their tiered bracket.

Doesn’t matter though, season tickets (their ultimate goal) is cheaper based on the individual game cost. I’d go that route no matter what (because I’d be attending the max games each season).

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - I too have noticed a more aggressive KL lately. Instead of letting the puck lay around the crease, he is putting his glove out and grabbing the puck like a cat does a string. I also noticed some Billy Smythe action in the last game.

My only lingering concerns with KL are his propensity to allow long rebounds and his focus. If KL can improve these aspects of his game in conjunction with the other aforementioned improvements, KL can help carry the team.

By GaVaHokie

January 17, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

I’d like to offer Ottawa a draft pick NOW for Chris Kelly… surely they’d like to get something in return for him now than lose him this summer to UFA.

By Rawhide

January 17, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

A-FREAKIN’-MEN!! Well done, PJ!

Now, TR….

“This is OUR home ice, these are OUR fans. You will NOT have a good time tonight! We WILL pressure you. We WILL attack your net! We WILL pursue you, hunt you down and hit you so hard your parents will be sorry they even MET! We WILL chase down every puck. We WILL knock you down and laugh when we make you cry like little girls! We don?t care what your record may be or from where you came! When you play your next game, whether that is tomorrow…the next day?or the day following, you will still feel what we did to you tonight!

We do this because this is OUR ice!

Because THIS is Thrasher hockey!

These are OUR fans!

THIS is BLUELAND!

By Bob

January 17, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

I am asking if anyone thinks not naming McCrimmon is “ego-driven”, and if you have problems with my “mystification” over the situation, I guess I better crawl back into my uniformed corner.

No need to crawl anywhere. FWIW, I’ve found it best to just ignore the types that attack, and instead just stick to conversing with the adults.

To answer your question, I don’t think it’s “ego-driven” on Waddell’s part. I truly think Waddell would prefer to hand the keys to The Beast and head back upstairs. I think it’s a mandate from the owners that Don get down there and fix it. He built it, he can drive the ship. I think his job’s on the line and that’s what the owner’s have dicated to him. And Waddell has salvaged things somewhat, Hartley had lost the room.

Four season tickets per year since inception. One playoff appearance. Zero playoff wins. The possibility of losing the team’s No. 2 forward to unrestricted free agency and getting nothing in return. The possibility of missing the playoffs if you don’t win the SE Division.

Yep, those are the cold hard facts. And you have a right to examine that in the clear light of day. NHL clubs get the vast majority of their revenue from our ticket sales, it’s one reason why making the playoffs is the difference between profit and loss for many clubs, and I’m sure ours included. In other sports, they get great Ad revenue and TV revenue. Not in the NHL, it comes from our ticket sales. Kudos to you for holding their feet to the fire and having expectations for the proper reward for your hard spent dollars.

And, lastly, we’re all entitled to our own opinion and don’t need to be scolded for it by someone who disagrees with us. A forum is designed for varying opinions

Yep. Varying opinions are what forums like this are all about, and how the truly informed and open minded people share discourse and ideas and learn things. Just smile and wave as you pass by the misfits and you’ll find it much easier to read the blogs.

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

I think RedLight is using his steadfast commitment as a STH to show that he has managed to not let his emotional investment interfere with his financial investment.

Considering the lack of playoff results and overall slow progress in building a bona fide contender here in the ATL, it would be easy for any STH to be discouraged and drop their seats for something else. If the ASG doesn’t ante up and pay Hossa, I suspect a lot of STH’s teetering on the edge of “reinvesting” their resources will drop the Thrashers like a bad habit. At some point, the management must reaffirm their commitment and prove to their customers they are, for lack of a better word, for real.

I didn’t like the direction of the Falcons, the hiring of Petrino, the lack of pocket-passing awareness on the part of # 7 (or is that # 241698), so I dropped my ST in favor of more Gorin’s beer and upper deck seats at Philips. Let’s face it, if the owners refuse to listen to their customer-base at all and think they won’t look for alternatives after repeated failure, they are beyond delusional or just have more money than they know what to do with.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

WOW, how come this is the first time Dunwoody_Kevin ever posted here?

Isn’t it amazing how people think they can post under a made up name and fool people they are someone else? Come on, just use your regular name, or are you afraid to get called out again?

By Bob

January 17, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

I too have noticed a more aggressive KL lately. Instead of letting the puck lay around the crease, he is putting his glove out and grabbing the puck like a cat does a string. I also noticed some Billy Smythe action in the last game. My only lingering concerns with KL are his propensity to allow long rebounds and his focus

Yep. Kari’s deal is all mental. He has shown this type of great play in 4, 5 game spurts. The key is doing it all year, year in, year out. That’s when he’ll turn the corner and be a true #1. He’s on a roll now, I will be cheering for him to keep it up, that would be a huge difference maker.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Amen, PJ!

Hell yeah, Rawhide! Now, THAT’S what I’m talkin about!

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Brian — perhaps you just aren’t very good at detecting sarcasm as I don’t think there are as many “emotion-based” diatribes or irrational rants on here as you would suggest. If this blog devolved into a name-calling, ajc-bashing, turf-pi$$ing match like most of the sports related blogs on here, I would never a) read it daily or b) waste my time posting my opinions or feelings with others who care about hockey.

I think we’re pretty darned lucky to have not one, but two blogs for hockey in a town that has it’s collective head up its butt when it comes to realizing how great a game hockey is live and how much fun it is to watch and follow. And the posters and readers of this blog seem pretty well-informed, courteous and passionate about their hockey.

And for that I am very thankful!!

GVH — bring on Chris Kelly! I love the way he plays. He is definitely one F/A acquisition I would like to see the Thrashers make as he is lighting fast like Slater, but has the scoring touch and finesse that Jimmy seems to lack. If Slates can fashion himself into a Chris Kelly type of player, he will make us happy for years to come.

What would you pay for him? I think he’s worth at least $1.75 M / yr for 2 -3 years.

By GaVaHokie

January 17, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Bob… I’m sorry, but ticket sales can’t even come close to the money a team generates in advertising and corporate suites. It’s just like the Penguins last year who sold out the arena and still generated $7 million in debt. The whole reason they want a new arena is to build corporate box suites.

By Bob

January 17, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Considering the lack of playoff results and overall slow progress in building a bona fide contender here in the ATL, it would be easy for any STH to be discouraged and drop their seats for something else. If the ASG doesn’t ante up and pay Hossa, I suspect a lot of STH’s teetering on the edge of “reinvesting” their resources will drop the Thrashers like a bad habit. At some point, the management must reaffirm their commitment and prove to their customers they are, for lack of a better word, for real

You know, this is very true. And it’s the bright side of what Hoss is doing now. He’s forcing them to deal with the reality of the situation, that a guy like him doesn’t want to be here.

I fought off my wife last year when she said “no more” after the season. Actually, I guess it was too late as we did the early renewal when we signed up for the playoff tickets. But this year is going to be different. We’ll hold off on making the decision until summer, until after July 1st, before renewing for next year. It’s not like I’m afraid that I wouldn’t be able to get a playoff ticket, it’ll sell out if they get in, but there will be tickets available.

So, I guess you’re exactly right, there are a lot of us that are teetering and we’ll also pull a “Hossa” as well and say prove it, before re-signing.

By Bob

January 17, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Hokie, I view corporate suite sales as ticket sales, and you’re right, those bring a heck of a lot more than a guy with 4 seats. So, we’re saying the same thing, the revenue comes not from TV or Ad sales, but from the sales of seats and suites (the people at the game).

By Brian

January 17, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Bob - perhaps you can craft a well written letter stating that you are not going to renew and send it in to the ASG when you cancel your tickets. Or are you going to teeter like Hossa?

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

GVH & Bob — GVH is right in that Corporate support is everything in big business of sports these days, but we already have that in Atlanta. That’s not the problem. We need to convert more casual fans into diehards or at least avid followers of the team. How do we put more butts in the seats without forcing them to buy 7 or 4 games at a time…it’s a long season and not everyone can devote that kind of time and money to 7 month season.

And the whole Hossa saga is a lot more interesting to me than where UGA is ranked in football 7 months BEFORE the season even begins or what Jason Garrett MIGHT do if he becomes the Falcons’ next head coach. So much is hinging on the Hossa deal that it should be getting a lot more front-page press than it currently is getting. A lot of stuff hangs in the balance for the Thrashers and all the Bob, Dick and Harrys who follow the team will be basing their purchasing decision on it in the months to come.

By GaVaHokie

January 17, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Wow… giving up your season tickets for not resigning Hossa… that’s weak. Well, go ahead and teeter right out the door then. Put your money in the bank, you might need it someday when you have a coronary, because you take things way to seriously. Don’t put so much happiness in a bunch of 20-30 year olds playing a sport… it’s supposed to be fun… if it’s not fun, don’t watch it anymore.

Dr. Phil aside… There’s a million directions this team can take to be better, many not involving Marian Hossa.

By Montreal Paul

January 17, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

WHAT LOSERS!! All Of You just rant on and on about meaningless BS and avoid the real issue, that your going to get YOUR butts beat by the Habs tonight and you KNOW there is nothing you can do about it! We only need to show up for the first period, score a few goals and then watch your goalie cry like a baby because he can’t get help from the rest of his so-called team and he chokes it for the rest of the game. I’ll be laughing!!! Ha what a JOKE!! GO HABS!!!

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

One thing the ASG will not be able to count on to drive ticket packages next year is the All-Star Game.

Without the All-Star Game, the only ticket sales driver will be the team itself, which many current ticket package holders will have a wait and see attitude before renewing.

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Montreal Paul - Your mommy should take your computer away. By the way, what is Montreal’s record against the Thrashers this year, you moron.

By GaVaHokie

January 17, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Marian Hossa isn’t even my favorite $7 million player… Joe Thornton, Ryan Smyth, Jarome Iginla, Pavel Datysuk, Brad Richards, Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis… you’ve got Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe trophy winners in that bunch.

Most of us were p** off when we got Hossa in return for Heatley, arguing wither it was even an equal trade. Now we’re all ready to give up our season tickets if he doesn’t stay… lay off the crazy pills people. Stop getting emotionally attached to players.

By Dunwoody_Kevin

January 17, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Brian the comment still stands.
I am merely remarking on your negative attitude towards fellow bloggers today.
Drink a beer and chill out, bro. Game starts in 4 hours!

By The Other Bob

January 17, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Montreal Paul, need I remind you that your Bad-HABits can’t seem to get a win against us???

Take a flying leap you dork!

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie My ticket package renewal isn’t based on Hossa returning, my renewal is based on what is done with the collective salaries of Hossa, Holik and Rucchin, which go off the books June 30th and what next year’s self imposed salary cap is.

If the ticket price rises and the ASG maintains or lowers the self imposed salary cap, I will sit on my wallet in the same manner the ASG does.

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Think about how far the fanbase has come since Day 1… that’s what justifies how much money is spent. (your comment from CC’s blog…not sure if you’re referring to ownership or the fanbase, perhaps both??)

GVH — I really think it depends on how long you’ve invested as a FULL STH. There’s a difference between someone like me who buys 4 and 7 game plans and someone who commits to 2 or 4 seats for 7-9 years.

I committed to the Falcons for 5 years (much because of that idiot from your alma mater ;-0) and it was tough to continue when the price hikes didn’t seem commensurate with the progress and direction of the club. Thus, I decided to take my money elsewhere — namely to the Thrashers.

I certainly don’t think that decisions to purchase ST should be based on Hossa alone, but this saga is emblematic of what is wrong with the ownership of this team. How anyone can take them serious when they keep a dolt like Billy Knight (and some would argue the same for Don Waddell) employed as GM is beyond me.

This is a pivotal juncture in this team’s history and it should not come as any surprise to anyone if many STH decide to change their minds this summer if / when Hossa ends up playing for a Cup contender.

By GaVaHokie

January 17, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

R. Stroz… fair enough, and I’ll agree with that. That’s about $13-14 million to play with.

When you think about all the things you can do with that money, and then you think about giving $8 million of it to Hossa… I don’t know (shoulder shrug).

I’d rather get Vermette or Kelly, Patrick Eaves and Brian Campbell for that money.

By Bob

January 17, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

I certainly don’t think that decisions to purchase ST should be based on Hossa alone, but this saga is emblematic of what is wrong with the ownership of this team. How anyone can take them serious when they keep a dolt like Billy Knight (and some would argue the same for Don Waddell) employed as GM is beyond me

I know I’m going to wait till July 1st not to see if Hoss is here or not, but to see the totality of the lineup that is signed (well, the big name UFAs at least). And a big part of the equation, as you rightly point out, is if Waddell is still employed as GM. I have 0 faith in him, due to his years of ineptness.

If I had waited till July 1st this past year, I wouldn’t be a season ticket holder today (Todd White!!!).

By Montreal Paul

January 17, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

rstoz - you’re right, and that will make the HABS VICTORY that much sweeter!! The only reason you stand in the #3 spot is because the whole SE conferance sucks!! Look at our PP ranking and your PK and the writing is on the wall!! And Bob, the Habs will show you what a bad HAB-it is!!!

By Eileen

January 17, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

At the risk of sounding ignorant, why is Montreal called the Habs? Thanks

By The Other Bob

January 17, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Eileen - Here is a link that should answer your question.

By Bob

January 17, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

Eileen, Les Habitants is their nickname historically and goes way back to their roots and Les Habitants stands for Snow Farmer

(That should get a rise out of him)

Seriously, google Les Habitants and you’ll see the long story

By The Other Bob

January 17, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Montreal Paul 2008 = Pucks-n-Snot 2007

By Brian

January 17, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Eileen - they were one of 2 teams from the city, but this team was from the side of the city where more of the Habitants, the original French farmers, were located, and are now known as the Montreal Canadiens…

By Montreal Paul

January 17, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

What a Joke!! You have to Google and Wikiapedia to figure out who is going to kick you butt! Priceless!

By J(Z)

January 17, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Montreal Paul - Keep in mind the Thrashers are one of the least penalized teams in the NHL…your pee-pee advantage is lessened by us not taking penalties.

By Nix

January 17, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Amen, PJ!

Let’s go, Thrashers!!

By J(Z)

January 17, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Your team is called the Canadiens (very original by the way), we’re not required to know alternate nicknames. I’m sure after we win (again) we won’t be hearing from you until the end of February when you’ll be talking crap for no reason again, while we finish off the season sweep.

Go get a head start on the Penguins blogs and get outta here!

By Alan

January 17, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Montreal Paul - It’s great that you’re a home team kind of guy. However, you’re acting pretentious.

Everyone thought the Thrashers would lose to Detroit based on the statistics as well. But Atlanta went to the Joe and knocked them out. Now, I just checked, and it looks like you all lost your game against Detroit this year.

The Thrashers have taken two games from Montreal this year so far, and we have this game here tonight. I’d love to see Atlanta win (I, like you, am a fan of the home team), but it all comes down to who scores the most. Will Lehtonen “let ‘em in” tonight, or will he bring his top game again? We’ll find out. We’ve won one a piece against Huet and Price, and it looks like Huet is starting for you all again tonight. Will he let the goals in, or will he be rock solid tonight? Again, time will tell.

It’s good to have heart for the team you love, but it’s also good to be a classy and respectful fan. Keep this in mind the next time you post.

By Rawhide

January 17, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Jumpin’ JEEZUS on a PO-GO STICK!! - I go away for a little while to get some actual work done at the office and I look what I come back to!

OK, kids…settle down…

I’m sure we’ll see Kari back in the nets tonight. In his past 3 games he is 2-0-1 with a .957 SV%. That plus lifetime he is 3-2-0 vs. Montreal with a 2.53 GAA and .923 SV%.

Moose’s numbers vs. the Canadiens is 1-5-1 with a 2.51 GAA and .914 SV%.

So, we might see Moose spell Kari in Buffalo tomorrow.

Back to Lehts…he has his season numbers back to the very respectable mark with a .912 SV% and 2.91 GAA.

LET’S GO THRASHERS - DROP MONTREAL LIKE A BAD HAB-IT!!

(With respects to The Other Bob)….

By Russ

January 17, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Montreal Paul - The Southeast is a Division, not a Conference.

By Genevieve

January 17, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Paul, rentrer au sous-sol de votre Mère et y reste.

Je suis si désolé tout le monde, cela était mon vieil ami jaloux que je suis parti parce que ses oreilles sont trop petit parmi les autres choses.

By PJ

January 17, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Just curious Montreal Paul, are you going to be at the game tonight?

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Wow RH, did not realize that his recent hot “hand” (especially that cocky glove hand of his) had lowered his GAA to 2.91!! Kudos to Kari for his kick-arse play this week. Let’s hope it continues for three more games and cement his confidence for the post ASG stretch run.

I’m okay with him getting the night off in Buffalo, but think he can handle the load. However, I would caution DWad against playing him more than 6 straight — more because I want Moose to get some work every 2 weeks as opposed to wearing Kari out. I can see Moose definitely getting one of the two games up in Manhattan.

Wow, what a crucial 2 week this could prove to be!! Take down some NE and Atl division foes gaining ground in the process erstwhile opening a nice lead on the Caniacs who seem to be lining up for treatment in the trainer’s waiting room. Did I just say erstwhile??

Apologies bo Blogland!

By Montreal Paul

January 17, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Alan - good to be reminded of how fans should act classy and respectful coming from someone from Atlanta. LOL

Genevieve - you are obviously an American trying to speak French and you suck at it just like your thrashers will suck tonight against the GREAT MONTREAL CANADIENS!!! GO HABS!!

By Montreal Paul

January 17, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

PJ- No I won’t be in Atlanta!

By B. Thenet

January 17, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Remember when a Canadiens fan threw a banana at Kevin Weekes during the playoffs a couple of years ago.

Stay classy Montreal, stay classy.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - Moose played last game against Buffalo because he was 6-1-1 against them all time (although everyone was scratching their head why DW sat Kari). But then we got pounded. Don’t know if he will do it again. I say sit Kari on the back-to-backs, it’s conventional and you have to get Moose in there sometime…

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Huh?? Pounded by Buffalo last game? Did we not hand them their arses 5-2 on 1/6?? I’m fine with Moose playing tomorrow but I’m fine with Kari playing too especially if he wins tonight and has a strong showing. Sabres are having a hard time generating offense and couldn’t even get more than 2 goals agains the lousy Thrashers!

By Matt

January 17, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Waddell is in a tough spot, if they miss the playoffs this year, he is gone. So basically it appears he is doing as much to save his job and sneak into the playoffs where (sadly i hate to admit) the thrashers are not designed to succeed in a 7 game series against a solid team.

He broke the bank for last season’s disasterous trip to the playoffs: Notice how many draft picks the Thrash had last draft? only 4 and the 1st pick not till pick #67. And was anyone else watching when Coburn played 24 mins on the top unit with Philly last week’s spanking of the Thrash at Philips while Zhitnik glided around the ice w/o any motivation? Hard to swallow…

As a fan of the team, Would you rather sneak into the playoffs this and see what happens (probably similar result as last year) or make a major rehaul moves in the coming weeks, ship out HOssa, Holik, Zhitnik if possible, for proven NHL level talent not many picks (We have already seen Atlanta doesn’t know how to draft very well whether it is a #1 pick or the 123rd pick in the draft) to maybe miss this season but be a legit contender for years to come?

Potential type deal for Hossa: Hoss to Buffalo, as their season is slowing and painfully ending, for Brian Campbell (although he is a UFA, maybe a sign and trade could be worked out, he wants about 5 mil/year) and Tim Connoly who is signed for another year at 3.5 mil. Both players are young and proven #1 center and #1 defenseman and will cost nearly the same as Hossa would. Fills 2 glaring needs, 3 if you count the need to figure out Hossa’s future in Blueland

By Tom

January 17, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

Wouldn’t it be ironic if trade Hossa for the #1 center that he would have stayed for?

Odds are that could easily happen.

By Alan

January 17, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

Montreal Paul - Yes, act classy and respectful. Now you’ve been reminded a second time by someone in Atlanta.

By Matt

January 17, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Interesting site for anyone wanting to put together a trade packet for Hossa. www.nhlscap.com Breaks down every team’s salary structure and who is signed and for how many years. For anyone already looking to start the wish list for the summertime. While its a long way off and many moves will be made in the coming weeks (in which direction we don’t know of course) which could change the approach of the offseason. Look at some of the free agents available. How would a Craig Conroy or Daymond Langkow look in blue setting up Kovy. Or a Wade Redden, John Michael Liles or Demitri Kalinen being our #1. Dion Phaneuf is a UFA but don’t think Calgary will be letting him stray to far. Never to early to go shopping, especially with someone else’s money and with Holik, Rucchin, and please god Zhitnik’s money off the books. There is nearly 10 million $ to possbily play with.

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

Hurrah! 100 posts yet again! Way to represent Blogland! Now if the Thrashers could just get to 100 shots over the next 3 games!! ;-)

By Brendan

January 17, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

A-men, PJ.

Matt, it’s really going to be a last minute decision, I think. Unfortunately, we don’t really know what other GM’s are offering for Hossa. I wish we did. Then we could better speculate about what “the return” might be, in terms of secondary scoring. I would think a defenseman would be part of the return for a Hossa trade.

My feeling on this whole “Hossa situation” is … that Waddell would keep him right to the end of the season, so long as Atlanta had “some shot” at a playoff berth or division title. Well, this is exactly what has happened. It’s been a “high stakes” game of chicken.

Waddell said he’d have Hossa re-signed in July (2007). When he still wasn’t signed in September, that’s when he should have been traded, provided that a deal that made sense for Atlanta was available. Trading Hossa to Philly for Derian Hatcher is not a trade that makes sense, for example.

Hossa didn’t appear “thrilled” by Waddell’s offseason moves. Nor did Hossa ever chose to come to Atlanta. So, if he’s unhappy, and wants to play ELSEWHERE, I can’t blame him for leaving. What I’ll blame him for … is not “quietly” approaching Waddell for a trade in the offseason after he heard the team’s big move, on July 1st, was inking Todd White to a 4-year/$9 million deal, with Eric Perrin added for depth, as the team’s method of addressing the “center” position. Instead, Hossa has put his teammates, the owners, the GM, the coaching staff, and all of Atlanta’s fans through this “contract standoff.” To quote Midfield, “I’m sick of the primadonna treatment.”

Look, generally-speaking, I like Hossa. I credit him with being one of the 20 best power forwards on God’s Green Earth. But I don’t LOVE HIM. And the difference between “like” and “love” is substantial. He’s going to cost $8 million in the coming years, EVERY SINGLE SEASON of however long of a contract he gets. That’s an awful lot of money to pay someone to disappear in the playoffs. $8 million can buy you three forwards who each score 15-20 goals. That’s roughly 55 goals for that money. Would Hossa score 55 goals? Is Hossa “depth?” In 2010, Kovalchuk needs a new contract. The contract will cost Atlanta between $10-$11 million, depending on whether Kovy ever nets 70 tallies in a season.

Who’s more important: Hossa or Kovalchuk? Still thinking? I’m not. I thank Marian Hossa for his service to our team and community, after a “sign-n-trade.” He performed admirably for our club. I hope he likes it more in Detroit, or wherever it is that Hossa thinks is “hockey paradise.”

Come July 1, the GM ought to look long and hard at Kristian Huselius, Michal Rozsival, and Paul Mara as offseason moves that make sense for Atlanta. Unless Dan Boyle is actually still available. Then that’s the blueliner to land. But can Tampa really be stupid enough to let him go?? I say, “no.”

By Nix

January 17, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

That’s right, Smoothie - dream big! :-)

By Eileen

January 17, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the answer and the link to the article. Go Thrashers!

By Brian

January 17, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - you’re right, the pounding was the game early in the year, not the recent one. With that said, you almost have to think it will be Moose tomorrow night…

By Brian

January 17, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Ok, watching this was from home tonight, but I have to rant about our announcers. Kovy shoots the puck in and the defenseman blocks him from entering the zone. THAT’S INTERENCE AND THE RIGHT CALL WAS MADE!!! It doesn’t matter if the Canadien only touched him lightly, he can’t block his path if Kovy doesn’t have the puck, and that’s what he did.

Good thing though, the power play converted and Hossa just made his trade value go up to boot :)

Brendan - I am hoping for that sign-n-trade more than ever, but I still don’t see it happening. I think this is one of the cases that it is possible though.

By The Other Bob

January 17, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of effing hacks these Canadiens are,..whacking Hoss on the wrist,..the cheap hit of Enstrom.

We need to put their a*******es on the ice!

And Klee just did there!!!!

By stendec

January 17, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Hi Thrasher faithful! Score 1-1 with third period upcoming. Could go either way. Home guys NEED these points. Do not fail to defend home ice. AGAIN. Get the points. GO BLUE!

By Tim

January 17, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

Brian, if there is a sign and trade, it will stop at sign and no trade. DW have made his priority to sign Hossa and keep him. So if he manage to sign him, you won’t see him being trade. Beside, that’s one of the reason why I think Hossa havent sign yet, so that he won’t be caught in another sign and trade.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Yep, it’s 1-1 after 2.

KL looks sharp. He can thank Klee and Zhitnik for the first goal. They look pitiful!

Hoss tallies up #20. Enstrom took a wicked hit from Kostitsyn. 2nd on the night from the same dude! Man, I hope Toby’s ok. If its a concussion we might see Big Boris Valabik get called up.

Come on BLUE!!! Wrap this one up!

GO THRASHERS!!!

By Brendan

January 17, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Atlanta 1, Montreal 1, 3rd period. We’re being outshot, 22-14.

Shocker, huh?

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Oh great. KL lets in a softie. 2-1 Snow Farmers. I hope this doesn’t burn us. Atlanta offense needs to “check in” to the game!!!

By The Other Bob

January 17, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

Finally!!! one of those “monkey goals” goals goes our way!!!

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

You, Me, and Pascal Dupuis just saved KL’s @ss! 2-2.

GO BLUE!!!*

By Brian

January 17, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Tim - what Brendan is referring to in the infamous sign-n-trade is that Hossa will only sign the new deal/extension if he knows who he is going to be traded to. If he is getting traded to team X, he signs the extension. If not, he doesn’t sign at all…

By Brendan

January 17, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Tim, I absolutely believe that Waddell wants to re-sign Hossa. Not doubt. Buttttt if another GM comes to Waddell and says, “I’ll make this trade for Hossa, provided that he agrees to 5-years/$42.5 million. If he won’t sign to those terms, the deal is off.” Then, guess what?

What?

Waddell has to tell Ritch Winter, Hossa’s agent, that a trade is in the works, but that it is conditioned up him singing at these terms.

So?

So, while “technically” Hossa is “re-signed by Atlanta,” he really isn’t re-signed by Atlanta. It’s a “stipulated” re-signing, with a clause in there that says if, for ANY REASON, the trading team renigs on the deal, Hossa isn’t re-signed to play in Atlanta. It’s a re-signing conditioned upon his trade to (supply team name here).

So, a “trade, involving a player that gets re-signed,” is actually a possibility here.

Ya know, there’s something ELSE here, too, folks. Imagine, for one second, that you’re Hossa’s teammate. Still with me? You know and recognize Hossa as a vital part of your team. And you’re wondering when he’ll “commit” to the team. Well, doesn’t your mind naturally wander into “why hasn’t he re-signed?” Yes, yes it does. Well, doesn’t that, in turn, make you wonder what YOUR FUTURE with this team might turn out to be? I mean, if Hossa doesn’t want to play here, it means he doesn’t believe the team’s Stanley Cup aspirations are realistic. Maybe, just maybe, this has a “carry over” effect, and you to start to look at other teams, longingly. Maybe you ask your agent to tell Waddell that you want to be traded.

Now, if you’re Eric Boulton or Brad Larsen or Jim Slater, you just want to stay in the league. You don’t want to be in the AHL, and the Thrashers are an “NHL-paycheck.” But what if you’re Todd White? Your opportunities and PRIME of your career are going to come to close while under contract to Atlanta.

By shoot it

January 17, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

Now that was a 60 minute effort regardless what happens in OT.

By Brendan

January 17, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

Okay, WHO is posting under Brian’s name? There is no wayyy that I’ll ever believe that BRIAN actually posted, in reference to a “sign-n-trade” for Hossa, “I think this is one of the cases that it is possible though. “

We’re going to a shootout! Thank you Pascal Dupuis!. By the way, Dupuis is an unrestricted free agent this Summer. Anyone think we should re-sign him? I think he’s “inexpensive, speedy depth” who can kill penalties and contribute on a checking line. I think a one-year is definitely doable. If Dupuis asks for two, give it to him, for the SAME SALARY in the second year.

By stendec

January 17, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

Thrashers only got one damn point on home ice! I guess a point is a point. Does not keep me from being thoroughly p++++d! KL was excellent in net for 65 minutes although he went brain-dead in shootout. Carried one into f+++++g net! Could only be faulted for one regulation goal on faulty positioning. Deserved regulation victory with only two goals allowed. Too many damn offensive misfires! Ineptitude continued in shootout debacle. HIT THE NET! Hate Habs. Makes this debacle more painful. Good night Thrasher faithful. GO BLUE!

By Tim

January 17, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

Brendan, true. But the you give too much power to DW. If there is a trade in the working that required a sign and trade, who can garantee that Hossa will ink the contract? And why would he do so when he can basically choose the team for whom he is playing for next season insted of being choosen by DW? Hossa been fooled by the Sens, he won’t be fooled by the Thrashers. I bet NTC is a critical point in his next contract.

By Brian

January 17, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

Brendan - come on now, I didn’t say it is going to happen, I just said it is possible. I won’t even say it is probable, but I am going to downgrade it right now to questionable…

Glad we got the point tonight. Now they feel like they lost and will come out and play hard against the Sabres. Maybe this is what we need. Instead of all these winning streaks being ended by a true loss, let them be ended by an OT/SO loss. We still get a point and can come out and rebound with a couple wins now.

By R. Stroz

January 17, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Charmin cleans the ice better than Slater.

By Brendan

January 17, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Kozlov and Hossa were stopped in the shootout, while the Habs scored on both their shots. I think it was Kostitsyn and Koivu with the shootout goals for Montreal.

At least Atlanta got a point. Something that wouldn’t happen under my strict “W-L, .pct, Games up, Games back” format. That point (in the standings) is important, as Carolina lost. I think the Capitals were winning, 4-3, in their game with Edmonton. Capitals are coming along. Look at their past 10 games. Maybe the Ovechkin signing has “sparked” them?

Okay, there is one member of the Habs I think Atlanta could target for an offseason acquisition. I belive defenseman Mark Streit is unrestricted this Summer. His present salary is only $600,000. He’s on pace for 12 goals, 36 assists, for 48-points, and a -14. He plays about 17:30 in ice time, on average. He could make a fine addition to the Thrashers, even with that bad plus-minus. $1.15 million could be a realistic salary for him, if he makes it to the open market without the Habs re-signing him.

Atlanta really does NEED more offensive production from its blueline. I don’t know that we have 12 goals from Enstrom, Klee, Popovic, Exelby, McCarthy, Zhitnik and Havelid … combined.

Matt, you had asked about “ideas” for Free Agency. Streit, along with Huselius and Rozsival, and perhaps Paul Mara, are some ideas for Free Agency for Atlanta. Obviously, the team couldn’t make all of those moves. But getting a serviceable, experienced D-man is essential for this offseason. I’d love to have Dan Boyle. But that’s not realistic. And I don’t want Wade Redden. He’s overpaid already. He’d have to scale back $2.0 million before I got interested.

Kari Lehtonen just said the “ice was too slippery” for him during the shootout. HAHAHAHA. At least he’d clarify that he wasn’t happy with his performance in the shootout. Honestly now, who’s ever heard that “the ice is too slippery” as an explanation for letting in goals???

Bueller?? Bueller?? Bueller???

By Brian

January 17, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

Tim - you’re missing Brendan’s key point to the whole thing. Hossa will ONLY sign the new contract if he is going to be traded. The reason he will do that is so that he gets to play for a team that he knows for a fact is going to compete this year (versus say Gomez or Drury signing with the NYRs and it turns out they don’t gel). MY GOD?!?!?! I am now making the case for the sign-n-trade!!! The moon is in line with Jupiter!!! Oh well, I see stendec isn’t in the ward now, maybe I will go occupy his padded room…

By Brendan

January 17, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

The Capitals slew the SHOOTOUT DRAGON otherwise known as the Edmonton Oilers. I think the Oilers came into that shootout something like 14-1 in shootouts. It took 12 rounds, but the Capitals did it! One of their “grinders” got it. Kolzig stopped all 12 shots. Color me impressed.

Brian, even “downgrading” to questionable is UPGRADING your stance on this issue over the past six months. An acknowledgement of “possible” or “questionable” is remarkable. So, I still don’t believe that it’s really YOU, the Brian who posts here.

Rawhide, can you confirm that these posts were really made by OUR Brian? It’s not nice for others to post under the name of one of the “regulars.”

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

Well at least we got a point. Yes, every point matters. We needed these 2 points BAD. But we got 1 point, so I can’t complain.

With that being said, I have to agree with stendec that KL went braindead in the shootout. So irritating!!! He was great for 65 minutes and he loses focus for 90 seconds, and it costs us 1 point.

I don’t think KL played that bad. He just lost focus there at the end. Overall, he looked fairly sharp. I see no reason why KL doesn’t deserve another shot to start tomorrow night. But, being the 2nd game of a back-to-back, it makes sense to start Moose at Buffalo. Buffalo will be MAD and READY TO PLAY. My gut says start Moose.

Big week next week, BOTH goalies need to be READY.

Rawhide, we are on track with this week’s goal of 2 out of 3. We just need to win the next 2.

Jsmooth—I think it’s becoming more and more evident that what you and I have been sayin about switching White and Perrin; they need to be switched.

Top 2 Lines should be:
Kovy—Perrin—Recchi
Kozlov/Stuart—White—Hossa

Komisarek impressed me once again. Klee and Zhitnik made me ill.

By Midfield

January 17, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

What was pathetic in this one was that Enstrom got pummeled by Kostitsyn - repeatedly. And instead of taking it to the latter, Thrashers allowed his brother to score an easy one. Technically, Klee was caught flat-footed, but he was double-shifting at the moment filling in for Enstrom, so Zhitnik should have recognized that and stepped in to help. But the worst thing was that Kostitsyn brothers kept forechecking with total impunity. That is unacceptable. Match-ups or not, this is how Thornburn and Boulton should earn their salary - by taking it to guys like those.

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

Midfield is absolutely right, we need to come to the defense of our brethren when they are roughed up excessively. There needs to be a higher price paid for such aggressive behavior directed towards our best players. We certainly stepped up the intensity in the 3rd and there was more hitting by our boys, but no one attempted to send a “message” to the brothers Kostitsyn.

And TR, Komisarek is the real deal Holyfield…now that’s how you play defense! When the guy is in front of you and you have a beat on him, take him out with the body! Throw the lumber and let your partner take the puck. And yes, Charmin is running out of “sheets”. If he doesn’t start finishing on offense, Perrin deserves a chance to drive the net, harass goalies and “take out the garbage”.

Overall though, a solid effort and probably a win if Klee hadn’t had to double shift in the wake of Toby’s head getting slammed into the glass behind his own net…where was Thorburn?? He should have hunted down Andrei…or was it Sergei??

By Smoothie

January 17, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, contrary to popular belief, we actually MISS Jimmy Slater! The 4th line has not generated the same kind of energy we were becoming accustomed to before Slates was sidelined with a groin. His speed and grit forces the other team to account for his presence and it seems to open things up a bit for Thor and Boults…I haven’t seen a good scoring chance from that line in a couple of weeks. Not to mention any real carnage lying on the ice on account of a slobber-knocking hit by either of our “enforcers”. Beast needs to light a fire and threaten to bring up Jordan V and Guilliaume the Giant.

By Brendan

January 17, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

Tim, I see what you’re saying. Absolutely, Hossa could “choose” his next team in free agency, and possibly command an even higher salary while doing it. But the way I figure it, Waddell should know by NOW what Hossa wants in terms of a competitive team, that is unafraid to spend, spend, spend, to make it happen, in a hockey-driven market.

Waddell knows which owners spend money and are competitive while doing it. Hello, Detroit! If Don pulled off the deal with the Red Wings, just picking them as a “for instance,” and the return were J. Hudler or V. Filppula as the Center AND Niklas Kronwall as the defenseman, wouldn’t you think Hossa would AGREE to that trade, Tim?

I mean, let’s analyze it a bit. What is Hossa looking for? Answer: A strong contender that is capable of, and UNAFRAID, to spend money in the next four years or so. Check. Hossa wants an organization commited to winning the Cup. Check. Hossa wants a “traditional hockey market.” Check. Hossa probably wants a market where the MEDIA demands accountability out of the GM and ownership. Check. That’s Detroit to a “T.”

Welllllll. What would make Hossa say “no” to a trade to Detroit? Ahh, the “no trade clause.” Done. It’ll be in that contract. And actually, Detroit would save money by inking Hossa NOW, as opposed to July 1st, where they’d have to outbid the other teams. In this “sign-n-trade” scenario, it’s just a matter of Hossa agreeing to the money and years that Detroit is offering, hypothetically. UNLESS, for some mysterious reason, Hossa doesn’t want to play in Detroit, or whichever team Waddell negotiates a potential trade.

One of the things Waddell does well … is trade NHL Players FOR NHL Players, to quote (poster) Bob. Right he is. Hossa would get what he wants. Atlanta would address some of its GLARING needs. Waddell would have “effectively” dealt with the “Hossa situation.”

Hossa can also “inform” DW which team he’d like to play for in the coming years and let Don try to do the “best he can” for an exchange. Face it, folks. The Atlanta Spirit Group in NOT going to fire Don Waddell in the next 5 weeks. Meaning? The “Hossa situation” will have to be dealt with … BY WADDELL, not some “other” GM. The GM who will make a potential Hossa trade … is Don Waddell. That might not fill you with CONFIDENCE. But there’s nothing that can be done about it at THIS POINT. Have some “faith” in DW. He might just do “okay.”

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

**Smoothie—Yes, I knew I forgot something! We needed some retaliation on S. Kostitsyn #74!!!

We got some, but it was X going after #84 (name slips me). I think X had the wrong jersey #!

Zhit looked completely lost out there. I seriously wonder if father time has got the best of him.

Klee tried to make up for his defensive collapses with a hit. Wow. He’s still out of position 95% of the time! When does his contract expire???

By Thrasher Ryan

January 17, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

Brendan—Yes, I DEFINITELY re-sign Pascal Dupuis. No doubt about it.

By 12345

January 18, 2008 5:38 AM | Link to this

Are you refering to me as someone I am NOT Brian ???????

We had a great week, so you think I am 3 people now ?

Wow when will you be taking over on The Tonight Show whit all your silly jokes… ?

By 12345

January 18, 2008 6:17 AM | Link to this

Atlanta VS Buffalo team stats…

Very interesting….

We are on the LEFT.

 TEAM COMPARISON

2007-2008 Team Stats
ATL Buff 48 Points: 44 23 Wins: 19 3 Shutouts: 2 10 Power Play Rank: 16 26 Penalty Kill Rank: 8 .769 Win % When Leading After 1: .750 .875 Win % When Leading After 2: .800 .263 Win % When Trailing After 1: .400 .136 Win % When Trailing After 2: .143

Big road win coming…

Have a great day Brian AKA pucks n snot.

By Sara

January 18, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

The effort last night was an all-around good. They generally cleared the zone well, had better pressure going in the o-zone, and shut down the number one PP in the NHL. Nice. :) Kari mostly looked good and focused. Granted he may have brain-farted in the SO but Huet had a bigger brain-fart earlier. And come one - with a fresh coat of water, the ice is going to be slicker than if it had been skated on and scraped up a bit giving it more texture and traction.

Btw, X went after that player because of the late elbow to the head given to Kovy right as the period ended. I thought the Thrashers did a pretty good job getting physical last night given that this is not a physical team to begin with.

Hate that we only got one point but can’t be displeased with the overall effort. Most every game is going to look like this from here on out so hopefully the guys will still bring it every night. That and Don and Beast won’t totally wear out Hossa and Kovy before the playoffs. Sheesh - triple-shift much? :\

By GaVaHokie

January 18, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Did everyone see Rick Nash’s “Goal of the Year” last night… amazing! Click on the Highlight clip.

By GaVaHokie

January 18, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

matt Interesting site for anyone wanting to put together a trade packet for Hossa. www.nhlscap.com

I actually prefer www.nhlnumbers.com I find it a lot more user friendly and it gives team salary cap totals at the bottom

Just click on each team along the top.

By Midfield

January 18, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Sorry to rain on the parade, but last night was not a good one - not in my book. The way we got pushed around by a team with not a big line-up by any stretch is just humiliating. That scene when Enstrom was slammed against the glass with his forehead, and the most his line-mates could do was to hold his hands? This was sickening. This is NHL, people, not an eskapade on ice. Somebody had to jump Kostitsyn right then and there. We got lucky to come away with a point due to two fluky goals (merci beaucoup, monseur Huet).

By Tony C.

January 18, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

J(Z)-

I don’t know if anybody answered it or not butttttt

a “Natural” Hat-Trick is when you score a goal on three (3) consecutive shots. Which is why they’re even more rare than Hat-Tricks. Now, you may see it scored as a natural even though a guy takes more than three shots, because they were not Shots On Goal…but these scorers are in laegue with Lucifer and should never make it to the NHL anyway.

Also, somebody brought up nation-of-origin…I’d love it if we got another Canookian farm boy to watch the back end. The other one we have people seem pretty pleased with…and our most frustrating D-fencemen hail from Russia. and the US.

And yall know how I feel about frostbacks…honestl though they bring the lumber and the sandpaper when they make a stay-at-home defenCeman.

I like that DW says we’re to be buyers…I just hope he looks at the price tags a little more closely this sring versus last…If we got Tomas Kaberle, that’d be hot.

GO BLUE !!!

By Russian

January 18, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Hey, I get idea. Let’ make our team with brothers. 1. Get Hossa from NYR with big Brother

1. Get Kosticin Brothers from Montreal

2. Get Stuart Brother from Boston

3. Get Kaberle Brothers from Toronto and Carolina

4. Twins from Vancouver.

That is going to be COOL team to Watch. I am just kidding. Today is Friday anyway and Monday is Holiday. ;-)

By Brian

January 18, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Smoothie - I totally agree on your Slater bit. I posted similar sentiments a few blogs ago. I didn’t put my finger on it being just Slater, but the 4th line was giving us something every game, even if it was just one big shift that meant something. That has disappeared like a top 10 Slovakian winger in the playoffs.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Rawhide—I am curious to see who you suggest we start in goal tonight. Personally, I could make an argument either way.

Upon further review of the hit on Enstrom… it looks to me like his face hit the partition between the glass, NOT the glass itself. Regardless, either Boulton, Doell, Thorburn, Holik, or Exelby should have beat someone’s @ss! No retaliation is UNACCEPTABLE.

By The Other Bob

January 18, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Russian - Good idea…plus the TV and Radio announcers don’t have to remember as many names…

“Kaberle crooses the blue line…passes to Keberle. Over Hossa …they change on the faly as Hossa delivers to Hossa…..Hossa passes to Sundin to drops it for Sundin!! Sturat flys to the crease where he takes the pass….HE SHOOTS….saved…Stuart gets Stuart’s rebound….HE SCOOOORRRRRRES!!

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Yes, I would agree the 4th line has gone AWOL. Slater is faster than Doell, but I think Doell has more of a physical presence. If I had to choose between the 2, I choose Slater. BUT thats not sayin much. Slater needs to provide more offense.

So I have a question. Does Slater have to clear waivers to be recalled from Chicago?

I still think we might be better off with a checking line of:
Boulton—Holik—Thorburn

And a speedy 4th line of:
Sterling—Little—Haydar

Even Slates could probably Center the last line if needed. Little could continue to develop in Chicago.

By Trixie (Rawhide's secretary)

January 18, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

ThrasherRyan - Rawhide will not be posting today. He is injured. It seems going home last night, and on the drive in this morning, he failed to turn off the “cloaking” device on his SUV. Thus, multiple cars were cutting him off and pulling out in front of him. Since this caused him to exercise his middle digits on each hand more frequently then normal,…both of them are in splints, making it very difficult to type.

He should be better this weekend.

However, he told be to let you know that he would start Hedberg tonight in Buffalo. It’s the tail end end of a back-to-backer and Moose did a fine job in the 5-2 win last time we played stopping 37 of 39 shots faced. Also, lifetime against the Sabres he is 7-1-1 with a 1.62 GAA and a .946 SV% with one shutout.

Conversely, Lehtonen is 4-4-0 with a 3.26 GAA and .894 SV% against Buffalo.

Then Kari goes back between the pipes Sunday.

Thank you, Trixie

By Brian

January 18, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan - Definitely stick with your plan of having Slater here and let Little develop. Little isn’t going to do well with wingers who are really enforcers and getting 4th line minutes. Slater can do well with limited TOI. The 4th line is not supposed to be speedy per se.

It’s nice if they do have speed, but if Enstrom gets his face put up against the glass again, and all the bloggers are calling for retaliation (see above), then it is the 4th line enforcers who are supposed to go out and do something about it.

You can’t say “oh, but we have Boulton and Thorburn on the 3rd to do that”. That’s not going to work, because your 3rd line is supposed to knock out the other team’s 1st line. You can’t do that when one of them are in the box for 5 minutes for fighting because we don’t have anyone on the 4th line who are supposed to do their job. You just screwed up all the line matches that we are trying to set up and that every coach in the NHL does (which is why people make such a big deal out of having home ice and the last line change).

By Brian

January 18, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Rawhide - Trixie is stealing my notes…

Just looked at the standings, and it is interesting to see that not only are we in first place in the SE, but if Carolina or anyone passed us there, we would also have the 8th spot tiebreaker. However, we have games in hand against Carolina, but not against the Bruins & NYRs. 2 big games coming up next week against the Blueshirts for that reason…

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Trixie—Thanks for the info. Upon further analysis, I agree, and I start Moose tonight as well. KL gets back at it on Sunday. I hope Rawhide returns soon. Send him my well wishes… oh yeah, and ATL drivers SUCK!

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

That has disappeared like a top 10 Slovakian winger in the playoffs.

Ooooo Brian, that was harsh! But good one nonetheless! Hate to say it, I still have my reservations about long-terming Hossa because of his magical disappearing acts in April. He’s certainly a vital cog in this offense, but do we really want to give him 5-6 years at $8 + million when we need to sign Kovy in 2010?? I would love to see a 2 year deal worth $15 M (with playoff incentives) for Hoss so he can convince us that he isn’t just a regular-season juggernaut.

And Ryan, while I agree with your sentiments about a Seek and Destroy mission by one of our 4 Horsemen (Holik, Thor, Boults or Ex), I can’t say I agree with using Little on the 4th line. However, Slater is probably better “slated” for a 3rd line role where he plays “shutdown” defense and can also, ideally, put the puck in the basket as much as Chris Kelly or Jiri Hudler. Even tough to score when you’re surrounded by the likes of Thorburn and Boulton. Slater has show flashes playing even with Hoslov but can’t seem to find any consistency. I hope this AHL stint really does him some good.

Next year’s lines:

Kovy — D. Langkow — Recchi

Kozlov — Little — Rolston

Stuart — Slater — Dupuis

Larsen — Doell — Thorburn

Trade Charmin for a defensemen

Enstrom & Havelid

FA & Exelby

Klee & Zhitty (we’re stuck with them but their fine as a 3rd pair)

Sign Moose if we can get him for right around $1.25 M again

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

So Eklund has his “Most Tradeable” list out. He has Mark Recchi #3, Bobby Holik #9, and Hossa #13. WHAA??? Recchi is not going anywhere, IMO. I could deal with losing Holik and Hossa, as long as we get “proper return”. Thoughts?

By ranallo10

January 18, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Smoothie — You’d keep Larsen but move White? Why the snub of Perrin?

If you’re going to bring up Little you may as well bring up Lavallee to play that fourth line, or even Desbiens.

Why not bring up Valabik? I’d rather see him on the ice being beaten by forwards than see Klee or Zhitnik. You can always send one of those two down, thus keeping their contracts from counting against the CAP.

As for goalies, I’d rather watch Lehtonen and Pavelec battle it out, but wouldn’t mind seeing Hedberg signed for another year.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Ranallo—Agree with you on all counts. Starting tonight, I would do:
Kovy—Perrin—Recchi
Kozlov—White—Hossa
Stuart—Holik—Dupuis
Boulton—Doell—Thorburn

Havelid—Enstrom
Valabik—Exelby
Popovic—McCarthy

I wanna see Pavelec and Lehtonen next year. But I also would not mind having Moose back too. Tricky situation, eh?

Just want to re-iterate that BOTH Klee and Zhitnik looked GOD-AWFUL last night! God, please let us find a sucker to dump them on!!!

By Russian

January 18, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

First of all, I do not understand why do we like Recchi so much???? Yes he is doing OK earlier, but he is getting older every day. Next season he will be 40. We had old Mellanby already. We picked Recchi to see how he is going to help us push for PO. I am really like to see him for next season. Second one, Perrin is good deal. He is working perfect with Dupuis. I could not see spot for Slater anymore if Don will risign Holik to 4 line for $1,2 mln. What do you think about game today. I think it will be disaster for Thrasher. Buffalo is hungry and angree for loose 10 game. I hope Kovy score goal and get one more point. I will say score will be 4:2 Buffalo. Last goal will be empty net. ;-(

By Brian

January 18, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Recchi = sweetener

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Dang! How did I forget about Eric Perrin!!? I love the guy…talk about your brain farts!! For this year, I def agree with moving him to the first line to see what he can do. I have a hunch he’d have some chemistry with Ilya. He and Recchi (haven’t you noticed Russian??) work the hardest along the half wall and in corners. I love the way Rex will just bull his way through a guy to keep a puck alive. But Charmin doesn’t cycle cuz he’s too scared to get “caught” out of position.

Okay, even if we can pry Langkow from Calgary, then we can find a place for Perrin somewhere (especially if Little isn’t ready physically).

Kozzy — Perrin / Little — Rolston

Dupuis / Stuart — Slates — Perrin / Dupuis

Stuart / Lars — Doell — Thorburn

Trade Pops, Zhitnik & White to STL for Brad Boyes (use Slater as a sweetener if necc) and Bryce Salvador (UFA), then you will have

Tobes & Havvy Salvador & Ex Valabik & Klee

And I hope Pavs can make the team but Moose is great insurance!!

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

PJ, how ‘bout that prayer?

By GaVaHokie

January 18, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Smoothie… there’s not a chance in hell St. Louis is EVER going to move Boyes. He’s on fire! What a steal he was… trading Dennis Wideman to Boston for him?!

I’d like to trade a Second round draft pick to Ottawa for Chris Kelly, who they’ll probably lose to free agency… that will help Ottawa free up cash to bring in a defender.

I’m willing to give up a 1st round draft pick and a prospect for Brian Campbell.

By puckjunque

January 18, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Let’s have an AMEN everybody!!

Bow your heads, hands joined on the keyboards

Oh Heavenly Father, Thank you for listening to our prayers and for the many ways you have blessed this team. Please continue to keep the Thrashers healthy, unified and working on a system that will ensure a victory tonight. Please give the Thrashers the extra energy and drive they need to kick the Sabres a$$!! AMEN!!!

By The Other Bob

January 18, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Amen!! Thanks, PJ!

Thrashers at Buffalo & Oilers at Carolina tonight!

We could be as much as 3 points up or 1 point behind the Canes in the morning…big, BIG swing of points!

GO THRASHER - GO EDMONTON!!!

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

A-men!, PJ. Very timely.

Hokie, you mean just for this season, not for a re-sign at the end of the year. Right?

Russian, Recchi has 19-points in 19 games. If he continued at this pace next season, he’d get 80-82 points, or thereabouts. Enough to command a $3.5 million salary, at a minimum. Even at his age. He’s proving that he’s still “got it.”

I think Waddell would be wise to re-up him Now, for $1.0 million, for next season. If it doesn’t work out, put him on waivers. If no one claims him next year, he’ll just retire. Folks, Recchi won’t finish up the year down in the minors, just to get the rest of his paycheck. He’ll just retire. $1.0 million isn’t breaking anyone’s bank.

If Recchi can be moved to land a Tier One Defenseman, then so be it. But I don’t think that’ll happen, either. I have zero problem with Recchi staying with the Thrashers next season.

By PJ

January 18, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Trixie Please go put a pencil in Rawhide’s mouth and put him in front of his laptop. AME_N, it’s four letters, you can do it.

By Nix

January 18, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Amen, PJ!

Let’s go, Thrashers!!

By Brian

January 18, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

smoothie - let me get this straight, you don’t like Zhitnik, you don’t like White, but you clearly think some other GM is going to just jump at the chance to give us Brad Boyes for those two? If you don’t like them, why do you think every other GM in the league does?

By GaVaHokie

January 18, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Brendan… for this year with the chance of extending them both.

Chris Kelly can be resigned for around $2-2.5 million per year… Then you have White, Kelly, Perrin and Little at Center next year. Holik and Rucchin’s salary can go towards resigning Campbell… keep Recchi and give him an extra year.

Kozlov White Hossa

Kovy Kelly Recchi

Stuart Perrin Dupuis

Thorburn Slater Larsen

Campbell Enstrom

Zhit Havelid

Exelby Klee

By Russian

January 18, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

to Brendan Do you remember Zhitnik last season? He played good and everyone liked to see him in our team. Now where he is???? He got contract for future years and got older. My point is yes keep Recchi for now and resign him for one year, but not for 3-3.5 mln. You are absolutely right, if he is not playing good next season put him on waiver or make him retired. Sign him to 1.2 mln max and tell about bonus pay if team goes to PO. I think this scenario will be work perfectly for team and Don.

By GaVaHokie

January 18, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Oops, I forgot to put Little in there.

Kovy Kelly Recchi

Kozlov Little Hossa

Stuart Perrin Dupuis

Thorburn White Slater

By Trixie (Rawhide's secretary)

January 18, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

PJ - Rawhide regrets the fact that he is unable to “Amen” your eloquent spiritual petetion for grace upon the team from the Almighty.

He has directed me to, in his place, convey his exclamitory “A-FREAKIN’-MEN!! as well as express his normal gratitude for your efforts.

Also, it is his fervent desire that the Thrashers conduct a thourough BEAT-DOWN ON BUFFALO!!

If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at 1-800-RAW-HIDE.

Thank you,

Trixie

By GaVaHokie

January 18, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Actually, forget my roster… it would cost us $49 million to build that roster… not happening.

If we resign Hossa for $8 million, there will be no elite defenseman on this team… plain and simple.

We keep forgetting that Lehtonen is RFA this summer and will probably fetch $3-4 million.

I’m sure we’ll want to retain Sterling, Popovic, Dupuis and Recchi… $3-4 million combined.

That alone brings our roster to $39 million, with about $3 million to spend on either another center or a serviceable defenseman.

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Brian & GVH — Damn, I didn’t realize Boyes already had 25 goals. I thought he was closer to 15. I was thinking STL might be willing to part with him since he may be lacking on the defensive end of the ice, but looks like he just needed a better pair of wingers.

However, he is a RFA and you never know what will happen now that GMs like Kevin Lowe are driving up prices. Will the GM in STL really want to pay him more than he’s worth? If not, perhaps DWad can sweet-talk him into making a deal…assuming we’re willing to part with some 1st rounders (and he’s shown a propensity for doing so when dealing at the deadline).

I may not like White, but that doesn’t mean GMs around the league don’t like him. I just don’t think he was the right fit for a team that is desperately in need of a guy who is willing to play a physical style (a la Keith Tkachuk) and finish on plays in front when the best sniper in the league gift-wraps chances for him. He’s a very good two-way player and might “blend” better with St. Louis’ more conservative style of play. He certainly doesn’t complement Kovy — protect maybe — like KT did last year.

And Zhitnik isn’t as Zhitty as everyone makes him out to be. He still has tools to make plays and if he comes to camp in shape, he has good enough wheels to move the puck capably. I suppose we’d have to trade someone like Little rather than White since Boyes is considerably younger than White.

If we could get a guy like Boyes, I’d be willing to trade Little.

Revised lines:

Kovy — Langkow — Recchi

Kozzy — Boyes — Rolston

Perrin — White — Dupuis

Stuart — Doell — Thorburn

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Oooops! I meant to type Slates, not White for that 3rd line. Like it matters, this will probably never happen but it’s fun to what-if and post pad to make Rawhide look good!

I would think that a GM would have to give consideration to a 4 for 2 offer involving White, Little, Pops and Zhitty…but that’s just me.

By ranallo10

January 18, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Smoothie — I personally consider Little is untouchable…he’s the future center of this team. Sterling is a prospect I could handle losing, but at Little’s age I think it’d be a big mistake to give him away for a quick fix like Boyes (someone you project as a second line center).

Sterling - Perrin - Dupuis … I wonder how well that line would play.

GVH and other

For next season I wouldn’t mind seeing on O:

Kovalchuk - Little - Recchi

Kozlov - White - Hossa

Sterling - Perrin - Dupuis

Stuart - Slater - Thorburn/Boulton/Desbiens

On D:

Enstrom - Havelid

Valabik - Popovic

Exelby - Kwiatkowski/McCarthy

I doubt a big name D-man will be coming here purely due to the dollars. Campbell can garner more from other teams, and be in better markets (or on more capable teams, like Ottawa or Detroit). I doubt a top line defender will be coming this way.

There are scratches (McCarthy/Kwiatkowski, Boulton/Minor Leaguer), and there is some roster turnover. Money isn’t extremely locked up, allowing the team to pursue one more key (read: 2nd tier) player to add to the roster. I’d hope for a puck moving defender (under 32) or a young (26-29) scoring forward.

By Alan

January 18, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Amen, PJ!

By R. Stroz

January 18, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

For what it’s worth:

1) Doell needs to go back to the minors.

2) We need to find space for Little, LaVallee, Sterling, Valabik (we need another goon).

3) The Hossa contract discussions may include a second Hossa.

4) We need to pray some team will take Zhitnik off our hands at the trade deadline.

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

ranallo — I sure hope Little proves to be a # 1 center for us cuz I like the kid a lot. However, if Boyes is capable of 40 goals at the age of 25, then he becomes a proven commodity in this league. If he can score goals like that with KT and / or Kariya, then imagine what he could do playing with Kovy. Put Langkow on the 2nd line for all I care, but I reckon Langkow’s a more natural fit due to his physical play.

By The Other Bob

January 18, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

RStroz - 5) We need to pray Rawhide’s middle fingers get better…

Poor guy, can’t phathom driving in Atlanta during Friday traffic without the use of middle fingers.

By R. Stroz

January 18, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

The Other Bob - I’ve lived in Atlanta my entire life and thought the middle finger was the state bird before the hockey team was named the Thrashers.

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

Rawhide is just hiding behind the facade of his “secretary” so he can post-pad his way to 200 posts and make himself look good! He’s probably only allowed to post a certain number of times on his own blog per the stipulations set forth in his agreement with the ajc.

Strozzy — if the Bruins were dumb enough to trade Boyes for Wideman (wow), then anything is possible…someone will take Zhitty at the deadline if they are in need of PP quarterback help.

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Hokie, I like Chris Kelly. But would Hossa consider him to be a Tier One Center, like he wants? Then again, as Midfield would say, “I’m sick of hearing about what HOSSA wants!!!”

If Kelly could be re-signed within those parameters, it’s not a bad move. But Brian Campbell, while good, is not Chris Pronger good, at $6.0 million. There are good players. And then there are good players who are overpaid.

Brad Richards is a good player who is overpaid ($7.8 million). Zdeno Chara is a very good player, who is overpaid ($7.5 million). Wade Redden is a good player who is overpaid ($6.5 million). Brian Campbell is a good player … who is about to be overpaid ($5-6 million).

I know, there are those of you OUT THERE who simply don’t care what players COST, so long as they acquired. Well, it’s time to exit that mentality and embrace the constraints of the salary cap, since it’s not going away.

I don’t mind “renting” Brian Campbell, but it’s got to be a deal that makes sense for Atlanta’s longterm “vision.” This 2008 draft is a DEEP DRAFT. We need those picks. And is sacrificing some other former 1st round pick, like sayyy Valabik, really worth the cost of the “rental” for Campbell?

Honestly, at some point, merely eeking into the playoffs, or winning division titles, has got to CEASE TO BE THE GOAL of this ownership group. That’s still “expansion era thinking.” And ya know it. If the team is not making significant strides towards winning the Cup, then it needs to be readdressed until it is headed in that direction. And that means an honest “assessment” of the assets vs. the liabilities. We’ve seen LAST PLACE teams win the Cup within a 3-year span. It’s not some “pipedream.” We have two (2) living, breathing examples of that housed within our very own division (TB, 2004, Carolina 2006). It can be done, in “capable” hands.

By Trixie (Rawhide's secretary)

January 18, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - Please report to HR.

By ToF

January 18, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I heard that Colorado may look into moving John Michael-Liles for some Offensive help since Sackic, Smyth, and Stastny are out. I would offer Hoss up for Liles and Wolski or Svatos.

By ranallo10

January 18, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Brendan — Explain your logic around Campbell and Redden being overpaid, but Pronger not. I think you’re giving too much credit to publicity, and not enough credit to offensive defenseman. It’s like saying Lidstrom is overpaid because he doesn’t check like Phaneuf…I don’t see the correlation.

Smoothie — Boyes scoring 40 in a season…it COULD happen, and with Kariya as a linemate it’s quite possible. I like Boyes, but not at the expense of Little. That’s my main point. I don’t want to sacrifice 2009-2010 in order to get a good center for this playoff run only. Lock Boyes up until 2012, and then maybe we’re talking. But I still would be hesitant.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

I personally consider Little is untouchable…

Me too. I would make Sterling untouchable too.

Sterling - Perrin - Dupuis … I wonder how well that line would play.

I like that idea… Perrin and Dupuis work great together, and Sterling has the speed to keep up with them as well.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Amen PJ, Thanks!

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

ranallo — I was thinking long-term and locking up Boyes for 3-4 years. I hope we are serious players this summer (not just FA but trades) and do better than last year (White, Perrin, Klee). Many seem to think we should take the picks and prospects if Hossa can’t be signed so if we do that, we perhaps can entice a team to part with a player like Brad Boyes if they are too cheap and / or hesitant to match offers in the open market. I’m just not sure if STL is still in what you would call a “rebuilding mode”; and there is so much parity these days, it’s easy to jump back into contention if you have the cap room.

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I love easy questions like that. It’s this simple. Chris Pronger delivers for his team. Look what he did for Edmonton in the 2006 playoffs. Look what he did for Anaheim in the 2007 playoffs. He is the very definition of a “proven” commodity. And truthfully, I cannot think of a GM who wouldn’t want Pronger on their blueline. Check the resume. It’s solid, Ranallo. Now, I know you don’t like the “defender” aspect of his game. And that’s fine. But, for my $0.02, he’s my kind of defenseman. I’m just sorry that his wife calls all the shots in terms of where he plays. If you want to attack Pronger there, I’ll agree with you! You sign this guy to a contract, but his wife sours on the city, he’ll come to you requesting a trade. I could see a GM being somewhat leery of that. Another thing to be leery of … is suspensions. Pronger brings a very chippy game and is apt to be suspended during the playoffs. That said, I’d still take him and pay him what he’s earning now.

There are just some players for whom you’d pay the freight—because they’re worth it. When it comes to defenseman, guys like Pronger and Lidstrom don’t grow on trees. I’d argue that Boyle needs to be mentioned as a premiere defenseman. Niedermayer and Rafalski and Zubov are great players, too.

I welcome a “diversity of opinion” on Pronger. Some people absolutely “hate” him.

By Rawhide

January 18, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

A-FREAKIN’-MEN!! ouch…Thanks PJ!!

Now, let’s…oh, that smarts…let’s go SLAP THE SABRES SILLY!!

OW! - &%$#!-you, Smoothie…take…ouch…take THAT!

By Brian

January 18, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

smoothie - while you may think that since the Bruins traded Boyes for Wideman then anything is possible, keep in mind the Bruins also traded Joe Thornton for a couple of players that weren’t even on their team for longer than a year, then they gave away their Calder winning goalie last year to boot.

For all the dreamers who think we can just dump _ (insert bad performing player here), then why don’t you just trade away Bryan Little for some other teams bad performing player??? That is in essence what you are saying when you post “hey, Boyes for Zhitnik, that sounds good!”

By Brian

January 18, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Ok, so Jason Blake scored 40 goals last year and Toronto gave him a 5 year, $20 million deal. He turns 35 this year. But he only scored 8 goals so far this year. So for all you people who think we can just dump Zhitnik or anyone else you don’t like, who would you rather give up for the underperforming Blake, Bryan Little or Brett Sterling? How about we just trade the entire Wolfpack line and a 1st round draft pick for Jason Blake!!! Afterall, you think other teams are just going to hop on Zhitnik, why don’t we throw prime prospects and draft picks at someone else’s underperformers!!!

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Brian — you just proved my point budrow! Teams make bad decisions ALL the time. When it comes to managing salary caps, player egos, finicky season tkt sales etc in an era without a lucrative TV deal, anything can happen in the open market.

And where the hell did I ever say the Blues would trade Boyes for Zhitty straight up?? Stop twisting people’s words just to make a point or to try to make someone look bad. It’s a damn blog and people post opinions…get over yourself dude. Or find a better way to get your s#&$ and giggles rather than troll around here policing what everyone posts on a freakin’ message board!

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait for this Buffalo game. The Sabres need this win badly. So, this represents another chance to prove ourselves against opposition desperate for a win. This game will hopefully show what kind of “road team” the Thrashers can be.

By Brian

January 18, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - no, it’s not that teams make bad deals all the time, it the Boston Bruins (courtesy of Jeremy Jacobs) who make bad deals all the time. The Zhitnik for Boyes straight up was more sarcasm, but to think you are going to dump any underperforming player, wake up! If you want Boyes, offer up Sterling or Little, not Zhitnik or any other player that you are disatisfied with.

By PJ

January 18, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

RAWHIDE I just roll down the window, smile and wave and people just let you cut right in front of them, they smile and wave back. I honestly don’t know what your problem is with the traffic here. I love Atlanta. The people here are so polite, maybe you need to work on your technique. Do hope your finger feels better.

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

PJ … you had me at “hello.”

By Smoothie

January 18, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Brian — If you would actually read my posts before scolding me, you would have noticed that I offered White, Little, Zhitnik & Pops for Boyes and Salvador. I would see if they would take Z with White & Little first and then offer Pops instead if they wanted to with more upside. But Z could be a sweetener for a team struggling with the blueline on the PP a la the Thrashers last year. Ideally, if we must trade Hossa for picks, then send a 1st rounder, White & Pops for Boyes and Salvador. Boyes has as much upside as Bryan Little so if they want him over White, then fine.

By Tony C.

January 18, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

If we didnt trade Hoss, who could we send Colorado to get J-M Liles???

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

PJ—Please don’t tell me you are in La-La Land with KL! I don’t think i’ve ever seen these “courteous” drivers you speak of, and i’ve lived here all my life! It’s all about the ME FIRST mentality that Atlanta drivers have.

Also, PJ, keep an eye for that Popovic goal you predicted. It just might happen tonight as the Thrash win BIG, 5-4.

By Brian

January 18, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Brian — If you would actually read my posts before scolding me, you would have noticed that I offered White, Little, Zhitnik & Pops for Boyes and Salvador.

Smoothie - no, you offered White, Zhitnik & Pops, no Little. LIttle was even still in your lineup in that post! So I did read your post before any such “scolding” occured, and as the record shows, Little was not to be found…

By R. Stroz

January 18, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

Smiles Eveyone, Smiles

By Dunwoody_Kevin

January 18, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

Ok, Brian - Chill out dude. Drink a beer. Relax. Game starts in less than 2 hours. You don’t have to get so defensive about a freakin blog post, man!

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

Well, well, well. Look who’s phone finally rang? Curtis Joseph gets a prorated $1.5 million deal from the Calgary Flames. Good for him. It must have been depressing for him to think he’d sit there, unsigned, all season long.

I’m surprized the L.A. Kings or Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t come calling to the Cujo residence. Now, let’s see if he can parlay this into a job next year. Or, perhaps, alleviate any and all doubt that his career is, indeed, over.

I wish Cujo and the Flames the best of luck this year.

By Brian

January 18, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

Dunwoody_Kevin - welcome back! Oh yeah, that reference above was just the facts…

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

Ramage gets 4-years in jail for being 4x the legal limit in the auto wreck that killed 56-year old former Chicago Black Hawks’ player Keith Magnusson. Ramage’s lawyer will appeal the verdict. In the meantime, Ramage will be confined to his home and banned from driving. Even after serving his sentence, Ramage will be barred from driving for a period of 5-years.

By Brendan

January 18, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

Looky here, folks. The Washington Capitals have climbed into 3rd place, 7-2-1 in their last 10, with a game in hand on Florida and TWO GAMES IN HAND on Atlanta, trailing the Thrashers by 4-points.

Look what ELSE is going on? The Tampa Bay Lightning have just entered the Doughty-Stampkos sweepstakes. The Bolts own a one-point edge on the L.A. Kings for preferred “weighted entry” for this Summer’s Draft. Theoretically, I guess the Bolts could pick a low as 5th, if the season ended today.

Guess what else? If the playoffs started TODAY, Atlanta would “host” the Philadelphia Flyers. Who’s thinking Thrashers in six, for that one?

By PJ

January 18, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

ThrasherRyan I was just trying to get a rise out of Rawhide. Although where I come from people don’t use their turn indicators because it only tips off your fellow commuter what your intentions are and then, good luck making a lane change. I don’t see nearly as much of that here.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

It’s 4-1 Buffablow after 1 Period!!! Moose already got yanked! It’s all up to young KL to steal us a victory! GO BLUE!!! You still got 2 more periods! I need to see some OFFENSE, and right NOW!!!

Colin Stuart got a goal. Good for him. I think its #3 on the year. Seems like these youngsters from Chicago are playing better than the “professionals” from Atlanta!

Hopefully i’ll have better news for you guys when I check in after the 2nd.

PJ—Where are you from, if I may ask?

GO BLUE!!!

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Well, I guess the Sabres have awakened! It’s 7-1 Buffalo after 2! KL has given up 3 goals, although I think he was clearly interfered with on 1 of them. KL doesn’t need to start the 3rd in this one.

If Waddell is smart, he puts Moose back out there to mop up this mess and try to regain some confidence.

Like I said after the 1st, i’m still waiting for the Thrasher OFFENSE to show up in this game!

By PJ

January 18, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan Los Angeles. Is sure seems to me that Stuart only scores when we lose….Where’s Brandan when we need him, is that true? Boston, Buffalo and one other one??

By PJ

January 18, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

Somebody PLEASE shoot the organist playing “when you’re happy and you know it.” PLEASE!

By erock

January 18, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

IS HOCKEY IN ATLANTA CURSED OR WHAT…SIDNEY CROSBY OUT 4 WEEKS WITH HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN…JUST IN TIME FOR ALLSTAR GAME IN ATLANTA!!!!!

By Mike B

January 18, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

Couldn’t watch this fiasco but noticed that Enstrom was +1 in 20 min TOI. Does he have a sister we could trade Zhitnik, Ex, and Klee for??

By R. Stroz

January 18, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

Back to Back Games = UNGOOD

By Thrasher Ryan

January 18, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

A 10-1 BuffaBLOWout! WOW, the Sabres look ready to go on a tear. Their next 7 games are on the road, so they needed a game like this bad.

Good job by Waddell putting Moose back out there. This game was over after 1 Period. No need for KL to be used in a MEANINGLESS game. KL needs to prepare for Sunday vs. Edmonton. Edmonton got hammered tonight also.

Kevin Doell played extremely well for a long time tonight on 5 on 3. The constant thing I see out of the Chicago kids is that they all seem to play smart defensively and they seem to always have good positioning. I wonder if thats John Anderson’s influence?

Line changes galore! Heck, Waddell even went with the Pop-A-Zhit pair on D.

Props to Boulton and Thorburn for stepping up the ante. Boulton went after 2 at the same time! That was good. No excuse for the THRASHER No-show.

Worst loss in franchise history.
Most goals allowed in a game in franchise history.
Most goals allowed in a Road game in franchise history.

Man, this team better get it right before Sunday! GO BLUE!!!

By Nix

January 18, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Wha-?!?!?!?! Seriously, I don’t understand what the deal is. Does the entire team need face time with a shrink to address their fear of success? We’ve seen them play well - so it’s not as though it’s a completely crap team that should be getting pummeled by the Sabres… so what’s the problem???

By Cuzin Cletus

January 18, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

Boy-HOWDIE! I ain’t seen a beat-down like that since old man Hollister came home drunker then a pole-cat, a-smellin’ of par-fume and all his paycheck gone!!!

Cuzin Rawhide’s gotta new blog-thingy….why don’t ya’ll go hang out there a-spell and hang out on the front porch to squawk a bit…

By Brendan

January 19, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this

PJ, that sounds about right, regarding goals by C. Stuart. PJ, you’re from L.A.?

By ranallo10

January 19, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this

Brendan — My earlier question was not an attack on Pronger or his defensive abilities, but rather a questioning of your justification for considering Redden and Campbell “overpaid”. Statistically those two players are tops in the league, and both have “delivered” there team to great playoff runs. Who is the number one defender on Ottawa? Redden (arguably). Who is the number one defender on Buffalo? Campbell. How good have the two teams been the last few years, since those players got onto the scene?

Basically, you seem a bit biased against the offensive defenseman you just named, but for the more stay at home defenders (especially your man crush, Boyle).

And no, I don’t like Pronger’s TWO flying elbows during last season, and WOULD argue that Niedermayer is just as important to that defense as Pronger. Without one of the two, the team probably would’ve fallen earlier in the playoffs (I know, I know, they won TWICE without Pronger).

By Brendan

January 19, 2008 3:20 AM | Link to this

Ranallo, it comes down to this, for me. Did Campbell ever put his team on his shoulders and carry them? Answer: No. Ohh, I’m sure statistically there’s some room for argument. But when I think of Buffalo’s leader, not that I’m some Buffalo expert, I think of Drury and Briere and Miller, as leaders. And along their blueline, they had plenty of help from Tallinder, Numminen, Spacek, McKee, Lydman, Kalinin, etc. Campbell wasn’t some “no show,” but I never saw him as The man!!, irreplaceable. I’ve never heard anyone actually say, “Brian Campbells don’t grow on trees. You can’t just replace him.”

Did Wade Redden ever put the Ottawa Senators up on his shoulders and say, “Hop on, boys!! I’m carrying the load?!!” Not for me, he didn’t. When the Sens decided not to go with Chara, letting him instead hit the “open market,” what they really said was, “Redden, you’re our man!” Did he deliver?

Before you scream, Yes, a thousands times YES!! Joe Corvo, had nine (9) points to Redden’s ten (10), in 20 playoff games, last season. Tom Preissing and Andrej Meszaros were just three (3) points behind Redden, at seven, in those same 20 playoff games. Even Anton Volchenkov chipped in quite nicely with six points. Now, yes, Redden was a +6, leading the whole Senators team in that category. But Joe Corvo was +4 and Tom Preissing was a +3. Lest we forget Meszaros was a +5. So, did Redden’s +6 … just “blow them all away???” Seems to me like Redden had a pretty good supporting cast.

But I’m getting wayyy too detailed. It’s simpler to just say, **When I think of Ottawa’s success, I think of Alfredsson, Heatley, Spezza and Ray Emery’s play in net. Hasek, before that. And along that blueline, the Sens had help in the form of a former 1st overall selection like Chris Phillips and depth players like Schubert and Brian Pothier, who played admirably and capably for Ottawa. And that’s before I drop the name, “Chara.”

I’m not really wanting to venture down some “offensively-minded vs. defensively-minded” differences among defensemen. I’m just thinking, “who stepped up and took over?” And the names that stand out the most, for meee, are guys like Lidstrom, Niedermayer, Pronger, Stevens, Daneyko, Ray Bourque, maybe even a Rafalski, come to mind.

When I think “Wade Redden,” I think, “very capable player.” Not, “Gotta have this guy. He’s the difference-maker.” At $6.5 million, he’s got to be MORE of a leader than he is. In an ever-increasingly “over-inflated” market, there might even be “wiggle room” to suggest that he ISSS earning that money. The bottom line, for meeee, is that I wouldn’t want to pay him all that money. I don’t even think Redden has played more than 65 games in a season over the past two years, and his numbers came down a bit, from 50 to 36, last season. For my $6.5 million, I want a healthy player who is more consistent. And takes charge of the team. Yes, like my “man crush,” Dan Boyle. To quote Bolts Head Coach John Tortorella, “Dan never gets enough credit for what he does and what he means to this team. Nothing would be possible without him.” Here, here! He got hurt this year. Look where the Bolts are?! Flirting with LAST PLACE!!! What does heeeee mean to his team? That’s what I mean by his role. (By the way, Yes. I am aware that Filip Kuba led the Bolts with 1G, 4A, for 5-points, among TB’s defensemen in the playoffs last year. Not Boyle. And that Paul Ranger, at +3, led Tampa’s defenseman in that category in the 2007 playoffs. It’s NOT all about OFFENSE. By the way, Paul Ranger also led the Bolts among defenseman in scoring in the 2006 playoffs, as well as leading them in plus-minus category at “even.” Wasn’t Boyle, again.)

Redden isn’t worth it. But that won’t stop some overzealous GM from offering him MORE than what he’s worth. Just so he can appease his season ticket holders.

Campbell, in 2006, was a -14, and in the playoffs, didn’t lead his team in points among defenseman. Henrik Tallinder did. And Tallinder, along with Toni Lydman, BOTH led the team in the playoffs with a +14, while Campbell was a -5, in the 2006 playoffs.

In 2007, like 2006, Campbell did lead the Sabres in scoring among defensemen. That’s a good thing. He was “All-Star.” He elevated his plus-minus to a whopping +28. Excellent. In the 2007 playoffs, Campbell led his team in scoring among defenseman, with seven-points. Fine. He was “even” on his plus-minus. But the Sabres plus-minus leaders, for defensemen, were Teppo Numminen, +10, and Dmitri Kalinin, at +9.

So, once again … I’m left thinking … Campbell had a lot of good “supporting cast” around him. Did he really “lead” his team, though? Bee honest, Ranallo. The leaders were guys like Vanek, Briere and Drury. And the year before that, throw out names like J.P. Dumont and Tim Connolly.

Pronger takes on burden of leadership. He leads by example. He takes responsibility and owns it. He takes charge of the direction of a series and a playoff campaign. To pay Campbell like Pronger … or to pay Redden, like a Pronger … just doesn’t seem “worth it.”

Have we EVER, EVER thought …. “Conn Smythe Trophy Winner: Wade Redden?” No. How ‘bout Campbell, for Playoff MVP? No.

Sorry for the novel. I invoke the 3:00 AM rule.

By Brendan

January 19, 2008 3:29 AM | Link to this

Food for thought. Had the Edmonton Oilers rallied to win the Cup in 2006, from down 3-1, wouldn’t Chris Pronger’s name have been very high on a “very short list” of candidates for the Conn Smythe that year?

Beeee honest. Everyone knows how to be honest.

By ranallo10

January 19, 2008 4:13 AM | Link to this

Brendan — You’re comparing apples to oranges. You’re claiming a defender is overpaid if he’s being paid what the market stipulates, yet you’re comparing what you feel he should be worth (the market) to two defenders with Hall of Fame numbers and playing styles on their resumes.

Redden is being paid $6.5M, compared to Pronger’s $6.25. In my opinion that means Redden is about $.25M overpaid because he’s not “better” than Pronger. However, the market isn’t set based on who is “better”. You know this so I don’t need to go in detail.

Simplifying this as much as possible for ease, I don’t feel Redden or Campbell have played like a defender deserving of being labeled “overpaid”. Both are worth about $6M to me.

Is Zdeno Chara the SECOND best defender in the league? I’d argue no, but according to his salary he is. Does that mean he’s overpaid?? No, his value is stipulated by many variables, thus driving his cost up compared to his skilled contemporaries. Campbell and Redden are the types of defenders that today’s market would stipulate spending ~$6M, in my opinion.

However, if you want an example of an overpaid defender, you don’t have to look too far… (cough cough ZHITNIK cough).

Excuse me, I get the coughs at 4am.

By Brendan

January 19, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

You’ve “caught” me, Ranallo. I think the market is being “artificially” inflated. Based on “today’s market,” someone like Pronger is probably now worth $8 million. Would Pronger at $8 million and Campbell at $6 million, be about right?

Shrugs. I don’t know. Maybe. But the “pricing” today seems ridiculous. But you’re right, the market sets the value. I just think there’s some “inflation” going on. Look at Dustin Penner’s contract. And Vanek’s contract. Yes, you can thank GM Kevin Lowe for that. It’s driving other contracts up.

Now, so long as the cap keeps rising, GM’s may not get caught. The practical reality is … the NHL keeps SQUEEZING its limited “blue collar” fan base to shovel out more, and more, and more so that it can pay these ridiculously over-inflated contracts.

What WAS the point of the lockout??? The $10 million contracts are BACK. We’ve got quite a few of them now, including a player like Briere. Now Briere is a good player. But I’d never pay him $10 million.

I think we already need another “lockout” and 24% rollback of salaries. These smaller markets are getting hammered, UNLESS there REALLY IS SUBSTANTIAL revenue-sharing dollars being paid to them.

If a player like Campbell, in today’s market, can really have his value “set” at $6 million, there’s way too much inflation going on. GMs ought to consider snaring two $3 million type defenders rather than paying Campbell that money.

The only thing “warming my heart” right now … is watching the NY RANGERS and Flyers somewhat faltering for the STAGGERING PAYROLLS they are carrying. Look what their “wealth” bought? These are the consequences of OVERPAYING players.

If Redden and Campbell are going to be paid appropriately, that is, at today’s over-inflated prices, as artifically set by the new market, then terrific for them. But I’d pass on BOTH of them, at that price. I’d go get “capable depth” with my $6.5 million. And hope that the teams that really do shell out between $6.0 to $7.5 million for them have many “healthy” years with the eggs that they placed in ONE BASKET.

By ranallo10

January 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Okay, I’ll take you up on that one Brendan…

With $6.5M to spend on the upcoming free agent class, where would you spend that money defensively to IMPROVE this teams defense?

Keep in mind that Zhitnik’s cost ~$3.75M, Klee’s $2M, etc.

The way I see it, there aren’t many options for “cheap upgrades”, and by looking for them will continually perpetuate the problem of this franchise…paying for average players, leading to average depth of the roster, and expecting someone to shine.

There is always the chance of finding a Savard or a Perrin, someone who performs better than their salary dictates. I just don’t think it’s likely on defense.

By Brendan

January 19, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

My answer along the blueline is Montador and Streit. These are capable players, who won’t cost much, have a decent “upside” to them, and are tradeable, too. Once Zhitnik and Havelid’s salaries are gone, that’ll save $6.2 million in cap space. Enough to land a “Rozsival-like” player from the 2009 FREE AGENT MARKET. Now, if Atlanta “tanks,” and Zhitnik and Havelid are “traded” for picks or prospects at the deadline, then they could go after Rozsival Now. They might even pick up Paul Mara, too.

Of course, the Thrashers would need to spend closer to the cap on Opening Night. There’s also defensive talent in the system, too. If Nathan Oystrick, Grant Lewis, Chad Denny, and Mark Popovic, along with Boris Valabik, can elevate their game to the “NHL level,” then that alleviates the need to go shopping on the “expensive” Free agent market. Exelby and Enstrom will almost certainly stay for the next few seasons. Neither of them are what I’d call, “old.” Throw in a Mark Streit ($600K—-> $1.5M, at the most as a re-sign,) and/or a Steve Montador ($800K—-> $1.1M as a re-sign,) into the equation, and the blueline becomes even more rounded. Without breaking the bank.

Nowwww, that’s still hardly the most “menacing” blueline in the NHL. But it’s a step forward. Add a Rozsival to that lineup, and it really starts to look good.

Rozsival-Enstrom, Exelby-Montador, Streit-Popovic, with Valabik and Klee as “spares.” And call up possibilities for Oystrick, Kiwi, Lewis, and Chad Denny. McCarthy would be lost to free agency or traded.

Things could honestly turn-around rather quickly, Renallo. Part of the equasion has to be draft picks who elevate their game. Otherwise, it is expensive to go shopping. You’d wind up paying $6 million for Campbell. Rozsival won’t be cheap, but I’d bet he comes cheaper than Campbell.

By ranallo10

January 19, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

Streit will stay in Montreal, he is too valuable to them. Without Streit, they would have relatively no PP (Markov the exception defensively). Streit is the reason Souray was allowed to leave. Also, Streit’s versatility (he’s played all positions, and played Koivu’s wing at times last season) is a commodity their coach is already utilizing, and will likely not want to give up easily. I’d wager Streit is re-signed.

I like him, but I highly doubt Atlanta can get him.

As for the other names, I’m sure they’d HELP this club, but would they really fix the situation? Turning over the majority of your defense just to sign guys who excel in other defensive systems is not what I’d consider a “wise move”. Why not keep Havelid instead of sign Rozsival? Why sign Montador when you can bring up Valabik?? If you can only bring in one or two players, I’d rather see a big name defender than a few plug-ins that might or might not get it done. I’d rather see Campbell on defense than Montador. ANd I’d rather use that second spot for talent development than use it for a free agent second tier acquisition.

But that’s my preference defensively. I feel we need that second stud, to compliment Enstrom. Valabik wont be that stud (and I’m think we’ll see him traded soon enough, unfortunately), and I doubt Denny will be either. I think that impact defender needs to come from Free Agency, and Brian Campbell fits the bill.

By Brendan

January 19, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

Well, truthfully Ranallo, I was thinking “either” Montador or Streit. My preference would be Streit. I’m not ultra familiar with Montreal’s cap. They just might have some players they cannot re-sign. Montreal, for example, might be looking at Campbell? And if they do, Streit maybe becomes “available.” I was told by Habs fans that Souray was let go … because they didn’t think he’d be worth the money anymore. And they (The Habs) were probably right about that.

If Montreal does re-sign Streit, there’s still Steve Montador, a guy who played in the 2004 Western Conference Finals and performed admirably there.

I have to agree with you, Ranallo, that Valabik is probably about to be traded. Waddell said, “We’re going to BUYERS at the trade deadline.” Well, that means he’s got to part with picks and prospects. And that means Valabik.

Now, if money were no object, Brian Campbell would be a very welcome addition to Thrasher “blue.” But, as I’ve stated, he’s not worth it at $6 million. And he’ll get that from “someone” out there.

So, Rozsival vs. Valabik. If Valabik isn’t traded at the deadline, that’s at least a “possibility.” But I like Rozsival because he’s a “proven commodity” and I think the Rangers won’t be able to sign him. Plus, he’s 29, I think, as opposed to Havelid, who is 34 to 35-ish. Rozsival won’t come cheaply, however. So, I do see your point. Havelid’s salary is known: It’s $2.7 million. Rozsival CANNOT be had for anywhere NEAR that price. Point taken. But for the same reason you’d want to bring in Campbell, I’d want to bring in Rozsival, He’s an UPGRADE.

Discuss.

By ranallo10

January 19, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

If I had to choose between getting Rozsival and sitting with what we have or getting nobody, then yes I’d take him. Bringing up Valabik or Denny and signing a single Free Agent is probably what we’ll see done during the offseason.

But, if I had to choose between adding Rozsival or Campbell (knowning full well Campbell would cost more and likely limit our offensive depth), I’d take Campbell.

Since this team’s track record for signing free agents leads more towards your preference (middle tier talent that’s affordable), we’ll probably see only one defenseman signed. What sucks is I doubt it’d even be someone of Rozsival’s talent.

And yes, I definitely agree Streit would be a good addition here. I was thinking Higgins would be someone we should pursue too, but I think he was just re-signed.

By Brendan

January 19, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

Higgins would have been nice!! He’s a “pest.” It’s a good thing when players you don’t want to play against … play for your team. Think Sean Avery. Avery is the very imbodiment of a pest.