Ice Man

By Sage of Bluesland

January 23, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this

Maybe the sheep will finally wake up???

(Hint: There’s been one constant during the franchise’s history—and used to make blustering proclamations about “Five-Year Plans”, “Building through the draft”, and even playoff “guarantees”)

He doesn’t make those types of statements anymore…It doesn’t look good when such ridiculousness blows up in your face…

How does it feel, “Blueland”?

By five_hole

January 23, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this

I was at a bar for the game last night, but (uncharacteristically) left towards the end of the 1st period. I just couldn’t take the beating anymore. This was a team that showed no emotion, no heart and certainly no jump in their game. I did turn it back on when I got to the hotel, but it wasn’t much better.

Rawhide I’m really glad you put that comparison up, but I’m not sure what the answer should be? Does it mean we need a real full-time coach to motivate the team? Is this DW’s fault? The one thing you didn’t mention is that we started the slump after beating Pittsburgh and Detroit in successive games. We went into a shell in the 3rd period in Detroit; is that when this started? How can you drop so far so fast after beating arguably the best team in the NHL?

I’d like to single out 1 player for not putting forth effort, but frankly there’s only one I thought that did play with heart, and that was Lehtonen.

What’s the answer? Can we fire everybody? Probably not. Can we bring up a kid or 2 from Chicago and sit/release a couple of veterans? Maybe. Should we intensify a coaching search? Probably.

By the fish

January 23, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this

Everybody in Blueland is getting fired except for the guy who’s been most responsible for their demise….FIRE WADDELL!!!!

By Tex-Ron

January 23, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

Is President Jimmy Carter coaching this team? The malaise this team displays, so regularly, is very disheartening to watch. I’ll support a losing team that is giving 100%, but this Thrasher team doesn’t seem to care. Why should I? IF this team makes the playoffs there is no way on God’s green earth that they can win a 7 game series. They are far too inconsistent and ambivilant. Changes need to be made and now is the time to do it.

I like Marian Hossa, but his $8-9 million future salary could be better used on 2 or 3 good/very good players.

Mark Recchi is playing well enough to bring in a good prospect and/or a high round draft pick or two.

Slava Kozlov is a competent, playoff-experienced veteran, “rent” him to someone for a prospect or couple of draft picks.

Bring up a couple of our top Chicago prospects and let them play out the rest of the season. Don W. drafted these players, are they NHL caliber or not?

This current roster is going nowhere. I think it is time to start looking towards the next couple of seasons. Don Waddell needs to be bold. Make the roster younger, faster, and more…ambitious. And hire a real head coach for heaven sakes.

By Russian

January 23, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

As I said for last blog, they have to change whole team. Shake them up and Shake them Badly. Don said that his team was sleepy. What is HELL is that. Why they are sleeping???? Did they walk to NYC from Atlanta. What happend. Why did nobody shot puck to the net for whole First period???? There is our SPEED???? Larsen is out, Bring back Slater. Make 4-line with Bolton, Slater, #27. First line: Bring Little and play with Ricchi and Kovy. Second Line: If our F*** Super Star Hossa willing to play kepp him with White and Stuard Trird line: Take off F*** Lasy Asses HOLIK and Slava and Make line as Dupui, Perrin and Sterling This is a lines MUST PLAY at Thursday in NYC: 1. Kovy - Little - Ricchi

1. Hossa - White - Stuard

2. Dupui - Perrin - Sterling

3. Bolton - Slater - Thorton

D-pair MUST be: Havelid - Tobius (his so f*** small) but it is OK Ex - Kiwi Popvis - Valabik Zhitnik and Klee must sit down and ready to trade or waiver. If Don want to keep his pay check on next year, he must make PO this year. If he is going to pass out, he will be unemployment agent. That is it.

By LAC

January 23, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Well if Hartley go it waddell has to.

This team is awful… Who built ?

DUMB waddell, who is the new excuse cheerleader waddell, Who needs to be FIRED TODAY FIRE waddell NOW

By Bob

January 23, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Last night was rock bottom. A complete embarrassment.

We get the Bronx cheer when they finally get a weak shot on goal with minutes gone in the period.

Kovy lets Avery sucker him once again and loses his mind.

Can’t complete a simple line change.

No one goes after Hollweg for running Stuart at the end of the game, even though we have to play the Ranjerks in two more nights in the same house!?!?

Waddell gets quoted as he has no answers on why we can’t complete a line change.

I’m beyond sick of saying this, but I keep doing it in the hope that someone, somewhere in charge of making decisions at the Atlanta Spirit Group hears it:

Nothing meaningful will change here until meaningful changes are made a real GM is brought in

Don Waddell, a nice guy, one of hockey’s good guys, but completely, utterly incompetent.

By Bob

January 23, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Guys, we can all see the problems. What is the issue now is how to fix the problems. What is the cause of the ultimate problem that starts right at the top (you can always, always, always trace the problems in an organization directly to the top).

Think about this. Since last summer, Waddell said he was going to sign Hossa to an extension. Hossa was our best player last year. A top 10 forward in this league.

It is obvious to all of us that Hossa has been mailing it in all year. His effort in his Detroit audition exemplifies that.

I’ve been saying all year that Hossa should have been traded right at the start of the season, when it was obvious he’s not re-signing here. We could have maxed the return and gotten NHL help in return to help this year and keep the roll going, get a dman and a center that we so desperately need.

But no, Waddell does nothing. Well, we’re all sitting here looking at this club, and there is obviously NO accountability. Nothing. No one ever gets scratched, waived, traded, just the same old missed line changes and half assed play. Zhitnik finally gets scratched for one silly game and then goes right back in when it’s been obvious to all of us since game 5 of this year and that just plain sucks.

To put myself into Kozlov or Holik’s or the other vet’s shoes, I’m sitting there looking at Hossa mailing it in, with no accountability there, and the management continues to plaster Hossa’s face all over every ad in town, while it’s obvious that he’s mailing it in and he’s told his friends that he is out of here.

Doesn’t that kind of make you feel like, WTF is going on? If one of the two stars is not trying and cannot wait to get out of here, yet there’s no accountability from management and they’re still kissing his rear, doesn’t that rub off on everyone else? I’d think that’s a terrible thing to have in the locker room, it’s like a cancer that’s spread to everyone.

It’s just another indictment of the complete ineptness of Waddell’s ability to manage a hockey club.

Don, you said you can’t find the answers? Mabye you should walk over to a mirror and take a good long look.

By stendec

January 23, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

No, no, no. A thousand times no! Not again. Yes, another goose egg. Teams that CARE do not get SHUT OUT by ice scum! Thrashers have (and make no effort to hide the fact) packed it in! Had no intention of putting forth ANY effort in the Big Apple. Succeeded! Getting all set for regular season finale then long vacation with families. Made Ranjerks look like Cup champions which they are not! IK not available after brain-dead ejection. Must be against team religion to shoot the puck! Thrashers performed like worst NHL group (may actually be). Worst defensively for sure. Hate Ranjerks! Hate New York! Hate Thrashers! Life is certainly wonderful! Truly Falcons on ice! Horrible, but true. No balls! No heart! No fire! No desire! No guts! No pride! No courage! No fight! Utterly disillusioning and nauseating. Total wastes! Rest well fellow Thrasher sufferers. KL gave up bundle of goals but deserved pity as he was left alone against world. Felt sorry for beleagured Finn. How many times will I say that? Just goes to show how bad this non-effort was! Should have blasted teammates after debacle. Justified. Showed class that he did not. Scumbags that started 0-6 are back. Where is Bob? Expect more of same Thursday. Swap all these losers and quitters for guys in Chicago right now. At least the youngsters will try. Oh well. GO FLAMES!

By GaVaHokie

January 23, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

I’ll let the dooms-day crew have their moment… I’ll see everyone after the All-Star break.

By Russ

January 23, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

I want to echo Bob’s comments on waiting too long to trade Hossa. I suggested a couple months ago that proper return for Hossa would have been a young d-man and a young forward who have at least proven themselves a couple of years in the NHL and are developing into top two line players, plus a top draft pick or prospect. Unfortunately, the closer you get to the deadline the more likely you are to just receive a package of picks and prospects, which is not enough for Hossa especially if the picks are in DW’s hands. Unless the Thrashers can still get proven NHL talent in return for Hossa (which I think they missed the boat already) I think I would rather keep Hossa at this point and use the extra money in the offseason on free agents than gamble on a bunch of 18-20 year olds. That being said, the extra money should go to FA’s in their mid 20’s that still have some upside, not the 30 something players on the downside of their careers that usually come to Atlanta in free agency.

One other point I’d like to make that has largely gone unnoticed (or at least unmentioned) is Kovalchuk’s slip in all around play compared to early in the season. I want to preface this by saying I always have been and continue to be a big Kovy fan, he’s one of the few players who actually seems to give a crap on a consistent basis. However, he is now down to a -15 on the season after starting the season as a solid plus player even when the team started so slowly. Kovy has still never had a season of being a + in the NHL and barring a major improvement the rest of the way, it’s not going to happen this season either.

By scott

January 23, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

there was a saying in the Navy - A b***’ sailor is a happy sailor. It doesn’t really make sense on the face of it, but if you think about it, when people stop caring and resolve themselves to the fact that life is gonna suck, they stop complaining and that’s when you really have to worry.

I’m tired of this crap and I’m ready to stop b***’.

By John

January 23, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

This team can compete with anyone in the NHL. We have seen it many times over the past couple of years.

It’s not a matter of who the GM should or should not have drafted or traded. It’s not a matter of how the coach decides who is going to play what role on the team. It is a matter of the players making their minds up that they are going to come to the rink ready for bear each and every night they take the ice.

No coaching change and no GM change is going to affect the players in a way that lights a fire under their collective arses. At this point in time, that is the only thing that is going to get this team going again.

This team has talent. This team has speed. What this team doesn’t have a consistent desire to play hard for 60 minutes on any given night. If a way can be found to change that, then we’ll see the team that came out to play the Red Wings on a regular basis.

This won’t happen until the players decide that is what they want to do for themselves, for their team mates and for their fans.

By redwingsfan

January 23, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

The Thrashers are stuck with Waddell just like the Detroit Lions are stuck with Matt Millen. Waddell needs to go, but he will probably give himself a long-term extension.

By bob (other)

January 23, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

John, well said. It is the players not putting forth an effort. We have players that can win. When we skate and play with passion we are tough to beat, when we do not, we are bad. It is not Don waddell’s or ownerships fault, it is the players. An example is the apathetic line change last night. We have a few players that show up every game and most that do not. I think we all know who they are. Showing up are Kovy, Perrin, Dupuis, Enstrom, Havelid, Thorburn, Boulton. Not showing up are Hossa, Kozlov, Holik, Zhitnik, Exelby

Players need a wake up call. We have a fractured locker room apparently and if someone doesnt want to be here then get rid of them and get players that care.

We need to dictate the play, not play apathetic hockey.

By Bob

January 23, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Not showing up are Hossa, Kozlov, Holik, Zhitnik, Exelby

yep. And who has signed these guys? Waddell.

Players need a wake up call. We have a fractured locker room apparently and if someone doesnt want to be here then get rid of them and get players that care

yep, and who’s job is it to do that? Waddell.

We’ve fired Fraser. We’ve fired Hartley. We see the same stink and malaise coming out of that locker room.

The sooner you guys wake up and realize that the ultimate problem is right at the top, the guy who is signing these players, drafting these players, trading for these players, not waiving these underperforming players, not holding these players accountable, the sooner you’ll be able to figure out who’s head to call for. The real problem, Waddell.

By Tom

January 23, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

First step:

After the league reviews Kolvachuks hit last night and if the hand out a suspension, let him serve it.

THEN, make Ilya the captain and demote Holik. Right now Ilya is the only one showing any passion for this team. He may not be the most responsible defensive forward but he does care and is fighting as hard as he can.

That can not be said for Holik…

By scott

January 23, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

John Well said. Bob (other) had a similar point as well, but I want to be clear: The effort (or lack thereof) is on the players. Accepting the lack of effort is on Waddell. He needs to make it clear that failure to put forth maximum effort will result in being a healthy scratch, and repeat offenders will be traded or waived. Doesn’t matter who you are, or what letter you have of the front of your jersey. Bring in the young kids, make some trades, but get rid of the bad apples with their bad attitudes. The lowest paid Thrasher is making $5,792 per game (475k per year)- if they don’t want to give max effort for that, let them try and sell sporting goods, or life insurance, or whatever and earn those kinds of $$$. Good luck - especially without 100% effort.

By Thrashy Thrashy

January 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Being a plus player often depends on what’s surrounding you. Bad teams generally don’t have many plusses. Since the Thrashers are a bad team, Kovy’s minus rating doesn’t accurately reflect his worth to the team. In other words, my belief is that the guys who are scoring the most points don’t necessarily have to have the best plus/minus rating. The grinders are the ones I worry about. At this point of his career, Holik is a vastly overpaid grinder. He’s a -16 this year. That is absolutely terrible.

Havelid is a +2 this year. He is the only player who has been on the roster the entire season who is currently a plus. That’s all anyone needs to know about the Thrashers.

By ranallo10

January 23, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Scott — At $5,792 per game, I’ll play a few until these guys learn to care.

Hokie — I hear ya, I’d say the same but I’m truly expecting a trade to happen before the All-Star game…so I have to keep coming back. This blog is like a drug!

By John

January 23, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

You can only blame the coaches, GMs and owners for so long.

Ultimately, the players have to decide for themselves that they want to show up and play hard for each game. They are grown men and blaming the coaches, GM and owners isn’t going to cut it any longer. The players are the ones on the ice it is up to them each night to decide if they are going to step up and perform or fall flat on their faces as a team.

In short, if the players done hash this out themselves, it doesn’t matter who the coach or GM is, the team won’t take that next step.

By R. Stroz

January 23, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

One term, sums this situation up:

CLUSTERFLOP

There is a different version of this same term; but, Rawhide would have to remove it.

By Alan

January 23, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Caps claim Beech off of waivers.

By ranallo10

January 23, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Alan — Technically he’s returned home…

By R. Stroz

January 23, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Alan - Thanks for the info.

ranallo10 - I thought that was ironic as well.

By Rawhide

January 23, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Five_hole - I certainly do not place 100% blame on DW, but he should take at least some of it. The players deserve some, (with few exceptions), and the ownership needs to take some as well.

I would tell Don to place a full time head coach behind the bench and return to the front office full time. Be it McCrimmon or Anderson, (me, right now, would opt for Anderson…and he could bring some of the players back with him).

He has stated himself that his future is not behind the bench…so get out from behind it! He would have, and did, fire a coach for the way the team has played this past week.

Ranallo - This blog is like a drug! Does that make me your “dealer” then??

Rstroz - Thanks for censuring yourself. You have no idea how many times I have had to do the same to myself!

By ToF

January 23, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Tex-Ron Only one of your suggestions is really even possible: trading Hossa.

We can’t trade Recchi, he was picked up on waivers. According the CBA, any player who is picked up on waivers will be put back on the waiver wire instead of traded. I can’t find teh exact wording, but it makes it possible that other teams who had put a claim on a player can still get that player.

Second, Koxlov has a No-Trade clause, which is the only reason he re-signed with us. Also, he has two more years after this (I belive) wich makes renting him impossible. If he had a 1 year deal renting him would be a decent idea (granted he wouldn’t bring much in).

By Bob

January 23, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

I would tell Don to place a full time head coach behind the bench and return to the front office full time

I totally think if it was up to Waddell, that’s where he’d be right now (back upstairs) and a new coach would have been in place long ago.

I think the owners gave him the mandate, get down there and fix it, this is on you. And rightly so. These are the players he handpicked himself.

By ToF

January 23, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Bob you give Ownership too much credit. Do you honestly think they have enough involvement to say something like that? The reason we have no coach is because no one wants to coach here. We have a mediocre GM who will arm their coach with crap players and we have a splintered ownership group stuck in a legal battle. That is NOT the situation to attract a coach.

By Rawhide

January 23, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

ToF - The reason we have no coach is because no one wants to coach here. - Do you think if John Anderson were offered to take over the Thrashers…in what would be a perfect situation for him to make the leap given how so many guys he has dealt with are here/coming here from the Wolves…..that he would not take it??

Personally, I think he would be on the next flight outa Chi-Town.

By Nikita

January 23, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

I happen to be a fan of the Rangers as well (based on all their ex-Pens — woo, Straka!), so the pain wasn’t too intense last night. But here are my thoughts…

1. Trade Hossa now. He’s doing better when Kovy is doing poorly, but he’s still not performing up to his salary.

2. WTF is wrong with the whole bunch? Last night’s game was BORING if you’re not a Ranger fan. Because the Rangers were skating at roughly half speed…but the Thrashers just were HORRIBLE. They were lagging 99% of the time. Of course, they’re always lagging, but last night was the worst I’ve seen all season.

3. Recchi, Dupuis, and Perrin have all played well against all odds for the last few games while the rest of the team has just consistently gotten worse. If it weren’t for Lehtonen, the discrepancies in scores would be even more humiliating than they are now. Exelby and Klee haven’t been consistent, but they’ve had some good moments. Exelby in particular has good energy — an unusual characteristic on that team right now.

4. However, the team’s getting better at goonery. I assume this is a function of frustration and anger at not being able to hurt the opponent in the score tally, but it’s not pretty and it’s not professional. Boulton and Holik, for example. Kovy’s suspension shot, for example. The whole enforcer mechanism isn’t working correctly — because non-enforcers are being forced to fill that role, and the whole team has gone to cheap shots.

5. I actually think Kovalchuck’s suspension (if there is one) might be a good thing, because the team relies on him far too often, and they do not back him up in a way that lets him do what he does best. A stat flashed up on screen last night re: the number of goals scored by defensemen — the Thrashers have some of the lowest in the league. But really, it’s more like no one other than Kovy is a consistent scorer. Hopefully his hiatus will lead someone in the team’s coaching staff to think about how the team as a whole will become more effective scorers.

By Lew318

January 23, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, great write-up!! very fact based and clearly identified a problem that even Ray Charles would have seen; These individuals as a team have a lazy streak. Notice, I said individuals, They do not play as a team, they do not play 60 solid minutes every game. If you want to win you have to do that.

Questions asked on the post game show as to “why” the Thrashers play the way they do and you get excuses like the “schedule” was tough. Well, the schedule is tough for all teams and the good teams find a way to win and the Thrashers find a way to lose; they are not a good team?.

How can you win games with no forechecking, no one in front of the net in the attack zone and all the players chasing the puck, never in their lanes. You can’t effectively pass to a person 5 feet from you when the defenders are on him. Our game looks like an elementry school soccer match.

How do you stop that? A coaching staff has to find a way, instill a spirit, a winning attitude. We do not have that. We do have talent and to blame one or two guys for the lack of effort of the whole team is wrong.That is a problem coaches have to work on and find answers too.

Watching Wadell answer questions during the post game interview after last night’s Ranger Debacle and I thought I saw a beaten man with no answers. There is something wrong in the locker room. There is no discipline. Let Don go back to his GM duties and make “Beast” the coach.

Let Don find an answer for the Hossa issue because I believe it has become just that, an issue and it is impacting the team.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 23, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

Wow, Nikita is spot on! Especially with:

Trade Hossa now. He’s doing better when Kovy is doing poorly, but he’s still not performing up to his salary.

Rawhide is spot on with this:

I would tell Don to place a full time head coach behind the bench and return to the front office full time. Be it McCrimmon or Anderson, (me, right now, would opt for Anderson…and he could bring some of the players back with him).

I agree too Rawhide, Anderson IS THE MAN, and he would come here in a heartbeat. McCrimmon just provides more of the same, you know, this crappy coaching that DW taught him!

Rawhide—Remember when I said we need to win 1 of these 2? Yeah, NOW WE MUST WIN TOMORROW. No question about it. A MUST WIN GAME. If not, some peeps are gonna be out of jobs on Friday. That’s an (E5). See you guys tomorrow…

By J(Z)

January 23, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Kovy suspended one game. Now we’ve gotta call up 2 wolves. One has GOT to be Slater, right? Who else? Sterling???

Stuart-Perrin-Hossa Dupuis-White-Recchi Sterling-Slater-Kozlov Thourburn-Holik-Boulton

By R. Stroz

January 23, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

J(Z) - According to Craig, the Thrashers called up Slater and Sterling.

By Rawhide

January 23, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

A few quick shots here:

Kovy suspended 1 game for the hit and a fine. That’s about right. It was obvious he acted out after letting that miserable cretin Sean Avery to get into his head again. He just has to get over that shred-of-human-debris.

Lew318 - If that was your first post, very well done…and welcome.

Regarding players complaining about the “schedule”…I like what Bob Hartley once said about that…NHL players fly on chartered jets that operate on their schedule. They sleep in the finest hotels, eat the best food and get paid a lot of money. If a player cannot handle that, maybe they are in the wrong business and should try installing car windshields.

As far as questions after the game go…the one that bugged the &$#@! outa me the most was when Waddell responded to a question regarding the line change break-downs leading to goals in the past two games. He said, “We’ve talked about it, and I wish I had the answer”.

WHAT? My boys had that “line-change-stuff ” down in Pee-Wee hockey!

Nikita - Too many good points to address them all. The one I will highlight is the “Trade Hossa Now”, sentiment. I have said for a while that I want him to stay.

BUT…I want the Hossa that WANTS to play here to stay. Not what we have seen for the majority of the year.

Trade his butt to LA or Edmonton…NOW! Get a big ‘ol D-man and/or center in return if ya can. And let him toil in obscurity at the bottom of the standings for a few months. That aught to help his numbers as he enters the free agency market, eh?

By Sage of Bluesland

January 23, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

“…Let Don find an answer…”

He’s been trying to “find an answer” for nearly a decade at the helm of this pitifully sad franchise…

In the spirit of making such a statement more accurate, I would suggest, “Let Don find a clue”.

Wake up and stop the excuse-making…

By Brendan

January 24, 2008 2:46 AM | Link to this

It’s late, and admittedly I’m not doing my best thinking here. But I have half-baked, to possibly “all the way baked” idea on how to “rent” Slava Kozlov at the trade deadline. First, let me say that I like Slava Kozlov. He’s very exciting in shootouts. And when he’s on his game, he’s as good as anyone. But he’s in his mid-30’s, has reached an age where he becomes particularly susceptible to injury, and he costs $3.75M, for the next two seasons after this one.

Yes, we’re all “aware” of the No Trade Clause (NTC), which he wrangled out of Don Waddell. In a recent AJC blog/article, Slava Kozlov said the Red Wings offered him a 2-year deal in his UFA period last Summer. Okay. If true, and I don’t “doubt it,” then the Red Wings are “interested” in him.

Here now, the “half-baked”idea: What if we traded Kozlov to Detroit for their 2nd and 3rd round draft picks this Summer? That’s roughly picks #59 and #89 overall. If Detroit wants to “keep him,” the trade is complete. If they don’t want him, he is returned to the Thrashers with Detroit’s 1st round pick, roughly #29 overall, in exchange for the return of their 2nd round pick, roughly #59 overall. The “net result” of which would be … Atlanta successfully “rented” Kozlov for Detroit’s 1st and 3rd round picks, roughly #29 and #89 overall.

Yes, of course, Kozlov would have to agree to “waive” his NTC. But wouldn’t he do it? I mean, this trade is potentially conditioned on his return to Atlanta, which is seemingly what he wanted, when he re-signed here. Plus, he’d get a shot to win another Cup with Detroit. And if the Red Wings kept him, there are FAR WORSE FATES for a player in his mid-30’s than to be playing in “Hockeytown,” challenging for Stanley Cup titles.

Okayy. I know. You want MORE than Detroit’s 2nd and 3rd round picks for Kozlov in a “straight up” deal. YOU WANT PLAYERS. Detroit can’t and won’t offer you players for Kozlov. But keep in mind, if the Red Wings kept him, we’re clearing another $3.75 million off the books for next year, to potentially get younger and faster. When you add $3.75M to Holik’s $4.25M, to Rucchin’s $2.2M, plus factor in that Boulton, Moose, McCarthy, Recchi, Krog and Haydar’s salaries could be gone, as pending UFA’s. It’s a lot. And that’s BEFORE we get to the $6.0M in cap room potentially reclaimed with Hossa’s departure. If ALL those players left, that’s about $19M that gets “freed up.” Certainly, that’s enough to go after D-men like Brian Campbell and Michal Rozsival, who could be available on the free agent market. It’d leave enough dough to re-ink pending RFAs Lehtonen, Popovic and Sterling.

No good?

By PJ

January 24, 2008 6:02 AM | Link to this

Brendan, do you think Rozsival would want to come here after the Kovy hit?

By PJ

January 24, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this

Brendan And I like the idea about Koslov, very outside the box. Tonight should prove to be a test one way or another as to what this team is capable of. I’m glad it happened in the form of a suspension and not an injury.

By Russian

January 24, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this

to Brendan It is very nice scenario, but in real life will not happend. Detroit will not take Slava and his $3.75 contract. Probably they go to Hossa. But I like your calculation for next season. If Atlanta will get SMART, GOOD and Knowledgeable GM (not like Don) team will be fine.

By Alan

January 24, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this

I would keep Recchi. Aside from the slump all the Thrashers players seem to be in, he’s been a big help here in Atlanta since we acquired him. I’m not interested in getting rid of him.

PJ - Had Roz been injured on the play, a hit like that could have ended Kovalchuk’s season judging on the suspensions that have been given out this year. It will be interesting to see if the Thrashers actually step up their game to fill in the huge gap.

By Lew318

January 24, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the welcome Rawhide!!

If this team doesn’t play as a team after the All-Star break then we need to start from scratch. Where are the owners?

By Pucksdeep

January 24, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Brendan, that was your idea of “not doing your best thinking”? Sheesh! Nice scenario though, guess we’ll see how it shakes out. I’d have to think that about anything would be better than what we’ve got right now. Unfortunate, considering how much talent we really do have on this team.

Frustrating times..Kovy sitting at MSG while his nemesis (SA) skates circles around the rest of our team. Ugh…

Seems almost silly to say it but…

Let’s Go Thrashers!

By Midfield

January 24, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Kozlov’s value as a trade bait is rapidly going down as the regular season runs its course. Not only due to his sub-par performance this year, but also because a big part of his value - SO skills - are not nearly as valuable in post-season.

By Smoothie

January 24, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

DWad needs to ask Odgers to don his Sherriff “uniform” tonite…give him a one-day contract so he can contract Sean Avery’s face! Who needs Valabik when you can bring in the toughest sherriff in the Atlanta metro area? I would pay $50 to watch the game on pay per view if I knew Odgers was going to goon it up!

By Ilya Kovalchuk

January 24, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

The NHL says I need to let go of my hostility towards New York and the Rangers. As therapy, I have been asked to find something nice to say about them and think happy thoughts. So here goes…..I would like to compliment Sean Avery for using a dark mouthgaurd, it gives me a fleeting glimpse of what he would look like with his front teeth bashed in…. So, can you help me out here??? I need a few more to make it look like the therapy is working.

By Rawhide

January 24, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

My schedule shows the game at 7:00 tonight but NHL.com shows it at 8:00 as does yahoo.com sports and the Thrashers web site. So,…I guess it’s at 8.

I wonder why that is??

Smoothie - If DW were to do that with Odgers….you can come to my house and watch the game and I’ll only charge you $49.95.

PJ - We will be looking for a special petition to the Almighty today as this team, and it’s fans, are in quite the deep funk.

Your prayer could be the difference in how we perceive tonight’s game…and the positive vibes we direct towards the team…could indeed make all the difference in the world….and could change the direction of the Thrashers at this time…and for the rest of the year.

YOU could be the difference maker, PJ!

no pressure

By Alan

January 24, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - Brian Leetch’s number is being retired tonight in a ceremony expected to last no less than an hour.

PJ - A pre-emptive AMEN to you and Atlanta’s ice birds!

By Brendan

January 24, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

PJ, I think Rozsival and Kovalchuk would “work it out.” There are a lot of things said and done in the heat of battle that player’s really know aren’t “personal.” And as time goes by … becomes water under the bridge.

Shoot, Hasek and Hull made up after the debacle in 1999, though that is not an “injury” situation. Bottom line: Players hit each other while playing. I’d file it under, “This, too, shall pass.” Adding Rozsival to Thrasher Blue would be a “nice” addition. Not the biggest or best “splash” we could make in free agency, but it’d be an upgrade. But right now, this market ISN’T ATTRACTING FREE AGENTS, it’s LOSING THEM.”

So, how ‘bout that prayer, PJ?

By Brendan

January 24, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Welcome Lew318. Good posts, recently.

By PJ

January 24, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Rawhide Thank you for that introduction as I am awaiting word from the great thundermaker. I have absorbed the disappointment that has been expressed here for DAYS and while I admit that valid points have been made, at the end of the day I am a Thrasher Fans. I can wallow in a sense of helplessness or I can pull up my bootstraps for one more game and pray that they pull off a big win tonight in Kovy’s honor.

GO THRASHERS

By Brendan

January 24, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Russian, I think Kozloz still enjoys a “good reputation” in Detroit. But I don’t really know. Detroit’s market can handle Kozlov. The Red Wings could always “buy him out” and he’d get re-signed by Atlanta for a huge discount.

I know. “Pie in the Sky.”

If the above scenario, Detroit only coughs up a 2nd and 3rd round pick for Kozzie, “throw away” picks, to get a shootout specialist, who can still play. If they trade him back to us, then they “rented” him for a “throw away” 1st rounder and a “give-a-way” 3rd rounder. Kozlov gets to win his Cup and come home.

By Bob

January 24, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Oh goodness, they’re retiring Leech’s number? We’re doomed, I’d like to see if anyone keeps track of this, but it seems like the losing team loses every team the home club retires the sweater of one of their greats.

By Bob

January 24, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

goodness, sorry for the incoherent babble, this team has me all depressed and I start drinking at lunch every day, I meant it seems the visiting team always loses when the home club retires a sweater

By lkef

January 24, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

the owners got rid of bernie because they want to be more involved - well - now is the time to get hands on with this mess

By Brendan

January 24, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

I want to keep Recchi, too, Alan. But if “push came to shove,” and we could afford to get more from free agency by letting him walk, and be closer to the cap on “opening night,” then we’d have to think about the longrange, strategic “vision” for the team.

But yes, I’d love to keep Recchi. I think $1.0, no incentives, is a very “fair” contract.

By ranallo10

January 24, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

It’s okay Bob, there’s nothing wrong with being drunk after lunch…just ask Buzilla.

By Alan

January 24, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Bob, I like it seems like the losing team loses every team the home club retires the sweater of one of their greats much better than the revision. It made me laugh.

By Rawhide

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

Bob - Put the bottle down…and step away from the bar.

Nice and slow-like.

It’s gonna be OK.

It’s gonna be O-KAAAAAAAAAAAAAyyyyyyyyyyy

By PJ

January 24, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Could I please have some Amens please?

Bow your heads and pray

Oh Heavenly Father, Thank you for listening to our prayers and for the many ways you have blessed this team. Now is the time for the rest of the Thrashers to Step Up and Show what they are made of. Please help the Thrashers be a team that Thinks like a Team and Acts like a Team tonight. Please get this team Fired Up to play with confidence, intelligence and perseverance. Please lead the Thrashers to give All they got and hold Nothing back tonight and in ILYA KOVALCHUK’S HONOR kick some ranger A$$!! AMEN!!!

By Nix

January 24, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Nice praying, PJ!

AMEN!!!

Now… Let’s go, Thrashers!!!

By Rawhide

January 24, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

A-FREAKIN-MEN!!! Well worded and nicely delivered, PJ!!!

There will abe a MOOooose sighting in MSG tonight!

Let’s GO THRASHERS!!

By Bob

January 24, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

It’s gonna be O-KAAAAAAAAAAAAAyyyyyyyyyyy

Are ya suure? REallY realLY suuuure? Cause theese reallY svucks to watch thiese guys cRAp the bed like dis. Burp

By Remie

January 24, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

John, you make the most articulate, knowledgeable sense among these “know-it-all” bloggers who vehemently spew vitriolic, armchair ignorant opinions about inside operations they know nothing about. Hindsight is 20/20 - about the same mental age of those who claim to know it all.

By noD lleddaW

January 24, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Some of you guys make the most questionable comments i have ever seen. Any of you guys gettin job offerings from the NHL to be a GM?? huh are ya… yeah didnt think so. So you video game playin sh** eatin plugs should relax and take a chill pill.

By Tony C.

January 24, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

I’d be OK with swapping DW for Matt Millen… at least he isn’t supposed to have any knowledge of hockey… It’d be easier to take than the (lack of) accumen DW has shown…. he does trade NHL-for-NHL talent well though.

GO BLUE !!!

ATL 5 NYR 4 F/OT GWG:E. Perrin (C. Stuart, T. Enstrom)

By jb

January 24, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

actually if you remember the first game of last season we only had 11 shots on goal with hartley behind the bench

By R. Stroz

January 24, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

For those Atlanta Flames fans, Willi Plett, Eric Vail, Tom Lysiak, Bill Clement, Dan Bouchard, and Pat Quinn will at a CNN signing autographs over the weekend.

By R. Stroz

January 24, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

How comfortable does DW feel with Pat Quinn in town for the weekend?

By Brendan

January 24, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Anyone catch Marian Hossa on 680 The Fan this morning? He was asked how progress was going on the negotiations. Hossa replied, “There’s no negotiations right now, but they’re expected to pick up after the All-Star break.” Perry Lorentino then asked him, as a pending FREE AGENT, it is YOUR RIGHT to test the market. Is the lure of the additional money and excitement of waiting on teams to bid on you something that’s important to you?” Hossa replied, “For me, it’s not really about the money anymore. It’s the direction of the team that has caused me not to sign yet. Free agency is the one time in a player’s career when he gets to choose his team, and I want to be sure I sign with the right team.” Lorentino asked him, “What, specifically, needs fixing on the Thrashers?” Hossa replied, “There’s a lot of little things going wrong right now. Like line changes. Things like this shouldn’t be happening at this level. Also, we seem to be asleep sometimes, as a team.” Lorentino asked, “You know that by not signing, you’ve opened yourself to the opportunity of being traded before the deadline. How are you preparing to deal with that?” Hossa replied, “I don’t really know how that will play out. That’s what I pay my agent for.” Lorentino laughed, and so did Christopher Rude.

That was basically it, for those who missed it.

By R. Stroz

January 24, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

Brendan - I don’t know how you interpret those statements; but, I’m hearing we need a real coach with a real system.

If I remember correctly, Hossa’s dad is a coach. I imagine Marian has bounced what is currently going on off his dad’s ear more than once and dad has piped in with several comments.

That being said, Hossa is one of the sleeping players.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 24, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

Brendan—I heard it, and got a good chuckle out of it…

Question to ponder tonight…

What happens if Hossa gets hurt?
Games about to start, hide the kids!

By Rawhide

January 24, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

JB - You are 100% correct. That night the Thrashers scored 2 goals on just 10 shots in regulation and took 1 shot in OT on their way to a 3-2 S.O. loss to Tampa Bay.

One could almost excuse that type of poor performance to being the first game of the season….compared to 14 shots in mid-season, but good call none-the-less.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 24, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

0-0 after 1. Can the Thrash keep it up?

They have energy! Skating well, making hits. Sterling has skills, no doubt. I think this kid’s a keeper, I hope Waddell isn’t trying to showcase him.

Looking forward to some heavy hitting in the 2nd, and still waiting for that Thrasher offense!

GO BLUE!!!

By Thrasher Ryan

January 24, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

It’s 1-0 Thrashers after 2. Hoss with the lone tally.

The hits haven’t even started yet. I’m looking forward to an action packed 3rd. I smell a FIGHT!

1 goal is NOT enough! We need an OFFENSIVE breakout to head into the All-Star break! NEED MORE GOALS! Thrasher offense PLEASE SHOWUP!

GO BLUE!!!

By Nix

January 24, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Ok, I just got home from class in time to see ppl scraping blood off the ice. I know something happened to Klee and that they’re hoping it’s not more than a broken nose, but can someone give me more info?

By Rawhide

January 24, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Nix - He took a slapshot to the face. He could not have been more then 10 feet or so away from it.

It went straight to his face with no visor.

It was ugly!

By LAC

January 24, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

The shot hit Klee in the left eye, did not look good.

Again 18 shots in the game… They had 33… How in the Heck do you compete in the NHL with 32 shots over 6 periods ?????

I wonder if this Stupid group considers this progress, I believe with Washington & Florida winning we are in 4th place now…

Then you have got to go to the Thrasher website and look at the bio’s and mug shots of these owners.

They are a bunch of GOOFBALLS who have ZERO business in professional sports, No business.

They may be effective in their chosen line of work, but even those who are sucessful have got to see the MESS waddell has constructed…

So, no progress, one of them said they wanted to see PROGRESS, so now what ? Are the little boys going to stand on their hands and do NOTHING which is their MO or dump waddell, get a coach, either sign or trade Hossa and get a TRUE GM who will come in here clean house and make us a better NHL club.

When O When will this happen ?

Gee would it be this bad if David McDavid was running it ?

By R. Stroz

January 24, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

It’s time to move Hossa and Holik. Four legs, two mouths, 0 heart.

By The Other Bob

January 24, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

LAC - The Panthers lost 4-3 in a shootout to Edmonton.

RStroz - I suppose it wouldn’t help to point out that Hossa has accounted for 6 of the past 11 goals the team has scored?

By Alan

January 24, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - With the angle and direction of the puck, I doubt a visor would have helped.

What a crappy shootout loss. Both Kozlov and Hossa shot the puck too quick. I would think twice about playing them in the shootout anytime soon.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 24, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

2-1 Shootout loss. Yes, we had a shutout going…

Folks, this is the NHL… 1 goal is not enough. 1 goal will not win you a game! This TEAM has NO offense when Kovy is gone! Except for Hossa, who only shows up 50% of the time!

Klee tooks a wrister to the forehead/nose/right eye area from what I saw. Looked pretty wicked. I hope he’s OK. Hopefully McCarthy will be ready to go after the All-Star break if not. We NEED Boris Valabik.

So, we STILL need better DEFENSE, and a #1 CENTER. I think we need more offensive firepower as well.

Looking forward to a revamped roster next week, and a TEAM that is ready make a run at the PLAYOFFS.

This current GARBAGE Mr. Waddell is trotting out there as “Thrashers hockey” WILL receive it’s ACCOUNTABILITY…

It’s time to make changes… the fans can see it. We have seen it for awhile now. Longer than we would like. Nobody’s being fooled anymore… ACCOUNTABILITY… is golden. Atlanta fans DESERVE some ACCOUNTABILTY! Atlanta fans DESERVE better than this!

GO FLAMES!!!

By R. Stroz

January 24, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

The Other Bob - Hossa isn’t putting forth the same effort this year that he did last year. He looks like a guy playing not to get injured. He doesn’t lower his shoulder and charge the net anymore, he just pulls up and slings a wrister toward the net.

Yes, Hossa put in a great effort in the Red Wing game, but other than that game, his play this season has been pathetic. Hossa racked up a bunch of cheap assists while on the line with Kovy.

The Thrashers would be better off using Hossa’s 7 to 8 million salary on some good defenseman.

This is an issue of opportunity cost. Are the Thrashers better off using 7 to 8 million on Hossa, who appears to be headed downhill, or on a pair of defensemen so the Thrashers will stop being outshot every night.

As far as Hossa’s goal tonight, I hope anyone over the age of 12 could have put that shot in the net.

By R. Stroz

January 24, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

If every player on the team put forth the same effort as Perrin, I wouldn’t mind losing.

The problem is this team has alot of players auditioning for postal delivery jobs.

By Holik

January 24, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

“We just didn’t show up.”

By Waddell

January 24, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

“I can’t explain it…”

By Manley Malone

January 25, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

Under Bob Hartley, the team improved their point total all four years. This season under the Don, we’re headed for about 78 points. Four steps forward under Bob—-Two years back under Don. Enough said!!!

By R. Stroz

January 25, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

If I were the Thrashers owners, I would seriously consider talking to Pat Quinn about the GM position while he is in town and John Anderson about the coaching position.

By Brendan

January 25, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

Hope Klee is okay. This isn’t the way he hoped to relax over the All-Star break. Ya know, as I listened to the “hyping” of this game on 680TheFan, it was presented as an opportunity to win before the All-Star break. That’s what this was. Shootouts FORCE the issue. You either win or you’ve lost another game, a 5th in-a-row.

0-3-2 is not how they wanted to go into the break. At least it wasn’t a regulation-time loss. But Don Waddell can’t be feeling “good” about this. Though, without Kovy in the lineup, this is “somewhat” of a pride-salvaging loss.

The replay is on Fox Sports South right now, if anyone cares. So, what did we think of Moose’s performance in relief of Kari?

Brett Sterling seemed to be a different player than what we saw earlier in the season. I sincerely hope he is not being “showcased” for a trade. Does it make good sense to throw away the future, to retain Kozlov at the LW position?

I’m just asking.

Let’s also keep an eye out for Kristian Huselius, who the Calgary Flames may not be able to retain this Summer. He could be part of the 19.0M potentially freed up with some roster cleaning in the offseason.

By R. Stroz

January 25, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

Brendan - I know you’re dying to tell us, what would you do with the $19 million if it is cleared off the books?

I’m assuming a couple of blueliners and a higher tier center than Todd White.

By Brendan

January 25, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this

Okay, let’s shift gears somewhat. If you were a GM somewhere in the league, who would you call DW about for a trade deadline move? That is, if Atlanta were selling, rather than buying. Don Waddell has said we will be buyers. It’s a discussion/topic board. Humor me a little, okay?

Aside from the obvious choice of Hossa, who else would you seek? Would you ask about Holik?—for faceoffs? Would you inquire about … Center Eric Perrin? He’s been an offensive contributor, both full-strength and short-handed, while playing sound defensively. Look at his plus-minus compared to the rest of the team. Would you ask about Moose Hedberg? Who doesn’t goaltender “depth” as they head into the playoffs.

Would you phone Don Waddell about Steve McCarthy, for some “throw away” 3rd or 4th rounder? Or would you ask about pending RFA Mark Popovic?

Could DW get a phone call requesting Nic Havelid? Don’t say Zhitnik. That’s a tough sell right now. Would a GM come calling about Darren Haydar, a pending UFA?

What could a GM fetch in return for selling these assets? Rawhide, I particularly want to get your input on this one.

By Rawhide

January 25, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this

Brendan - Good question….I would love to read a string of comments from that one.

I think, outside of inquiries regarding Hossa, DW may not be getting too many calls. Outgoing calls maybe…incoming, not so much so.

Maybe a team looking to sure-up their roster heading into the playoffs would ask about Moose. Maybe it’s not a bad scenario dependng on if it gets a d-man or top line center in here. Then we call back Opie. I put the odds of Mosse being dealt at 25-1.

Clubs calling about Haydar? I can see that…but again, we gotta get what we need. Odds, 10-1.

Nic Havelid….believe it or not I think there will be calls about him, but there are 4 blue liners I would want to keep, (XLB, Enstrom, Pops and Havelid). I would love to add to that via trade. Odd of Havelid going in a trade…20-1.

Zhit?….oh, we would trade hime right now for a pack of gum…but who’s gonna be takers there? Odds…100-1.

I put Hoosa at 3-2 odds that he goes.

By R. Stroz

January 25, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

Brendan - It’s play time.

I’ll be the owners overlooking the situation. First, we will be losing money the rest of the season due to poor tickets sales, so I tell the GM to move as many high priced unproductive players as quickly as possible and replace those players with low priced Wolves such as Little, Sterling, Haydar, LaVallee…you get the idea.

First, dump the highest paid, lowest return on investment, soon to be UFA assets first. Therefore, move Hossa and Holik for the best return offered.

Second, dump the highest paid, lowest return on investment, players with one year left on their contracts. Havelid and Zhitnik fall into this category. Once again, move each for best return offered, bearing in mind there may be no takers for Zhitnik.

If I’m the owners, I tell the GM to keep and re-sign the lower cost replacement players and the overachievers. Therefore, we keep Perrin, DuPuis, Popovic, Stuart, Thorburn, McCarthy,…etc.

Now, the GM has the spending room to bring in some top tier talent next season, fill in spaces with Wolves at a low replacement cost, and actually have a better, more balanced team.

By Brendan

January 25, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this

Ahhh, R.Stroz, $19.0M is mighty tempting! But reckless spending on free agents may not be the way to go in the offseason.

Stop. Isn’t it time to make a real “assessment” of what’s in the pipeline in Chicago, and maybe even Gwinnett? I know it’s far from “popular,” but if the Thrashers really wind up in “rebuilding mode,” locking up expensive FREE AGENTS on 5-6 year type deals will block the ascendance our our draft picks in the coming years. (Some of you are snickering, that’s okay!! Our draft picks suck!! Moving right along.)

Yes, I’m actually thinking about a dredded “3-year plan.” No one should be making 5-year plans under the salary cap in the current CBA. Three years is more than reasonable. It only took Tampa Bay and Carolina three (3) years to go from WORST to CUP WINNERS.

But yes, R.Stroz, if free agent spending is the way the ownership wants to go … then two (2) defensemen and a “quality” center is what I’m thinking, as well.

My Tier One D-man to target would be Buffalo’s Brian Campbell, and NOT Ottawa’s Wade Redden. My Tier Two D-man would be M. Rozsival, from the NY Rangers. And my “bargain-hunting” wing and a prayer blueliners to target are Montreal’s Mark Streit and Florida’s Steve Montador. I’d give some consideration to Paul Mara, as well.

The forward I’d want … is Kristian Huselius. If Patrik Marleau actually hit the market, that’d be another name about which to make inquiries. I’ve heard “rumors” that the Sharks were willing to move him. I don’t think it’s a good idea for San Jose, though. They should change coaches rather than ditch Marleau, the 2nd overall pick from 1997.

Who really knows what centers or D-men will actually make it to the open market. With teams locking up players a year early, finding good UFA’s could get harder and harder. We’re starting to see GM’s and owners forking over 8-13 year deals lately. It’s no longer the lunacy typically characterized by NY Isles owner, Charles Wang. (Yashin had a 10-year deal, and DiPietro got a 15-year contract.) Mike Richards, of Philadelphia, recently signed a 12-year deal. And Ovechkin got a 13-year deal, to stay in Washington.

When it’s Kovy’s turn … it probably should be an 8-year deal that he signs. Wherever it is that he signs. And I hate to say it, but it may not be HERE, in Atlanta. Savard walked. It’s looking like Hossa will have to be traded, and even if he isn’t traded, he may “walk” this Summer. And there it is. With no “sugar coating.”

By LAC

January 25, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this

Well folks as we enter the All-Star break… Take a look at the standings or more over GOALS AGAINST !

No team in The Entire NHL has given up more goals than The Atlanta Thrashers 175. Next is 170.

So what is wrong with this picture ???

Last season we gave up 244 goals, the LOWEST in team history if memory serves me correctly… Which means if we give up 75 more we let in more than last year…

THIS is Progress don ?

So why would you say you want to see IMPROVEMENT levenson ? Is THIS IT ?

You Stupid clowns too busy with your real businesses to even remember you own a NHL team with a disgusting GM who should be selling used cars in Detroit ?

So what the HELL are you people going to do about it ?

This team needs a Whole NEW Direction and your boy donny’s sure ain’t the guy to get it done.

Sure he went out and signed MORE retreads in the off season… Great

How’s Todd White doing first line center ? Klee/Zit what a pair…

Time to take off the diapers guys and step up and be REAL men and realize there is a BIG problem with your team… Before we become The Laughing Stock of the entire NHL.

Oh BTW… we are now in THIRD place Just a point out of fourth and 5 out of LAST… I guess this is the IMPROVEMENT you wanted to see…

If so we the FANS are sick of it !

By big mac

January 25, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

I got the only hamburger joint in town. Granted, they’re not very good but as long as you keep buying them as they are, that’s what you’re going to get.

By Lew318

January 25, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Well once again the Thrashers prooved if they want to skate and try to win they can. Yes, they came up short but they tried. The big question, which team will show up next week on the 30th?

Hossa Not that anyone has asked but what the hell, here goes:

This team after a full half season still cannot figure out who they are. They do not play as a team they do not focus and there seems to be many old players and few leaders. So, Hoosa’s contract negotiation is a total distraction. He is not a team player and at this time we give him a best and final and move on. Look at it this way: 1. He either takes the offer or leaves it. If he takes it (which this primadona won’t), things are settled and this team can move forward to be the best as they can be and maybe the primadona turns into a leader os some sort.

1. he says he won’t take it and spends the rerst of the season raising his value by pla

By Lew318

January 25, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

Well once again the Thrashers proved if they want to skate and try to win they can. Yes, they came up short but they tried. The big question, which team will show up next week on the 30th?

Hossa Not that anyone has asked but what the hell, here goes:

This team after a full half season still cannot figure out who they are. They do not play as a team they do not focus and there seems to be many old players and to few leaders. So, Hossa’s contract negotiation is a total distraction. He is not a team player and at this time we give him a best and final and move on. Look at it this way: 1. He either takes the offer or leaves it. If he takes it (which this primadona won’t), things are settled and this team can move forward to be the best they can be and maybe the primadona turns into a leader of some sort.

1. He says he won’t take it and spends the rest of the season raising his value by playing his heart out so he can get a few more million from another team. The Thrashers benefit from that.

Let our GM force the issue and force Hossa to make up his mind. If he leaves I can only hope he lands on a team that falls short of their goals so the Primadona can be the same distraction somewhere else.

Coaching

Wardell needs to step down and give the job to the Beast and concentrate on being the GM. We need to rebuild because we are in the 6th or 7th year of our five year plan :-).