AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThrashers Avoid Last Place - No Foolin’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kari Lehtonen stopped all 36 shots that Tampa Bay launched and Ilya Superchuk scored twice to beat the Lightning 2-0 keeping Atlanta out of the division and conference cellar. There was no TV coverage of it, local or Center Ice…but it really did happen, I promise.
The shutout was Kari’s fourth of the season and the two goals give Kovy 52 on the year, tying his career high. It sure would be nice if he could get that one more to set a new personal high. His play has been one of the few bright spots on the season.
The win also means that the Thrashers will end the year with a record of 13-3 in games not televised in the local area. Hey, I’m just pointing it out, that’s all.
And now, some other items to discuss on this initial day of the fourth month…planting tongue firmly in cheek.
Coach Hartley Confirms Firing Rumor
After Mondays win in Tampa last night, coach Hartley confirmed reports that he was almost fired last October. “Yes it’s, ah, true”, said the coach now completing his 4th complete season behind the bench. “Don, ah, wasn’t, like, happy with the way we started”.
But these days are happier now. The 2-0 win gave Atlanta their 90th point on the year, keeping them tied with Carolina for the division lead and a point behind 8th place Boston in the conference standings.
Hartley continued, “I’m real glad that Don looked at the past success of the team, remembering the 4-9-1 start two years ago and how we came just a win away from the playoffs,…(%$#& Dunham),…so, 40-30-10 is a good place to be right now. It’s not RIGHT where we, ah, wanted to be, but given the slow start and all, I’ll take it. I mean, it’s not like we’re 33-39-8 or something like that and barely staying out of last place”.
Indeed.
Grab Your Skates - Open Tryouts
The Thrashers are poised to announce “Open Tryouts” to the public in search of defensive players for next year’s team. Those interested are required to come to the Duluth practice facility with a certified letter from a practicing physician indicating you are healthy enough to participate. You’ll need your own skates and pads, however practice jerseys will be made available…most with the numbers 18 or 77.
Applicants will need to fill out a small questionnaire including a written response as to why they feel they’re qualified to play on the team. However, responses will be limited to 1,500 words or less. Sorry Brendan.
Also, there will be a minimum height requirement of 5’-4” in order to participate. Sorry PJ.
There will be a $200.00 application fee. Make checks payable to Bill Tiller.
Mulligan’s Island
Executive Vice President, General Manager and Acting Head Coach, (did I forget anything), Don Waddell has been working the phones to NHL head quarters in Toronto seeking clarification of the rarely used “Mulligan Rule” as it relates to this past season. Seems he is very interested in reverting back to the date of October 17, 2007 and then having a go at it again from there.
Of course, if he’s given enough time, Waddell just may “Mulligan” the Thrashers right back to their initial season.
A Star Is Born
This summer, Bruce Levenson will realize a life-long dream of acting in a major epic movie. He has landed a role in Monumental Picture’s “Custer’s Little Big Horn Adventure”. Levenson’s role is a small but meaningful one as Lt. Colonel Custer’s personal assistant.
His one and only speaking part comes as the 7th army moves into a very exposed field of battle on that fateful day in June 1876. Custer turns to his assistant and asks, “Look, I’m really not too sure about this course of action. Are you positive this will be the best position for us to take”?
Levenson responds, “Yes Colonel, I’m sure that we are…moving in the right direction”.
Leave It To The Trained Professionals
Congratulations are in order for Jay Busbee, the gent who handles the sports blog for our friends over at Atlanta Magazine online! In a recent Pulitzer-esque write-up about Atlanta Braves great Terry Pendleton, Jay actually reached double digits in posted comments!
audible gasp from the blogosphere…then polite “golf claps”, ooos and aahs
Obviously, we stand today in the shadows of a giant amongst sports blog… ahem…professionals. And as a mere “goofy ranting fan” who is “barely literate, obvious, and unfunny”…I can only dream of ever reaching such lofty heights in reader participation. How anyone could gain the “keys to the blog-writing tool”, other than this icon in the industry, is simply beyond me…and I’m not just saying that!
We, the great unwashed in the eyes if such literary genius…the rank amateurs… thank Jay for sharing with us his most informative, entertaining and amusing words… and for showing us just how a wildly successful sports blog should be run!
Remember kids, as Jay so eloquently points out, “people can die” from the “predictably idiotic” type of jocularity that takes place on this blog…so let’s just be careful out there! But, by the grace of God no one has gotten hurt on the blog yet…even with all of the traffic that occurs here on a daily basis.
Fortunately, no one is in such danger as they stroll Right Down Peachtree with Jay Busbee… or the two titans in the blogging world that he apparently gains his insight from, “Barry Melrose Rocks” and “Fanhouse”.
So everyone, please join me in giving Jay a big round of cyber-applause for a job well done. All I can say Jay is, (if I may be allowed to borrow one of your original, witty phrases), ”Wow. Just…wow”.
But Seriously, Folks….
Bruce Levenson has indicated that, despite the abysmal record of the team… being last in GA/A, S/G, SA/G, worst 5 on 5 Goals For/Against Ratio, last in times out-shooting an opponent, worst GF/GA differential in the league and falling from a 3rd seed in the playoffs last year to 14th in the conference this season… Don Waddell, the man who put the team together and coached it, (for the most part), will return next season as general manager.
Really…I’m serious.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By thrashernut
April 1, 2008 6:46 AM | Link to this
I purchased the Center Ice Package so that I could watch games like this, and in HD at that. Ahh, where’s the game? Apparently, not all games are covered. The cost/benefit ratio makes me think that I won’t renew next year.
So Kovy scores a goal (and an empty-netter) against the worst team in the conference - whoop-dee-do. Please Keep his “bright spot on the season” description in perspective. I’ll remember him by his match-ups with the premier teams, like the recent game against the Capitals and Ovechkin, in which he had no reply to Ovechkin’s talents.
By five_hole
April 1, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
The game itself was meaningless, although it’s always nice to beat the Lightning. Shutting them out? Priceless.
I would have wanted to watch and evaluate how LaVallee & Valabik played. Did anyone get to watch the game? How did they do? I read the article above about Valabik fighting Tarnasky, and you have to appreciate him bringing a little toughness to the Thrasher pipsqueaks (perrin, enstrom, white; lower case on purpose).
At this point, I think it’s a given that Valabik will be in the rotation with Havelid, Enstrom & X. It would be an imperative to pair Valabik with someone who skates really well (Brian Campbell) and has offensive potential (Brian Campbell). Gee, who could we get?
By d
April 1, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
Rawhide, don’t you think Levinson will have to reconsider his comments about DW’s job security given the Thrasher’s collapse following his infamous interview with CC? Seriously, there is no way DW can return - can he? Look at the comments coming from Kovy and KL regarding their attititude towards the club. The upheaval is not just from the fans.
By BuzzEng
April 1, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Everybody cheer it with me now!
We’re not the worst! We’re not the worst! There’s someone worse than us! There’s someone worse than us! Go Thrashers!
By Nikita
April 1, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Hey, man, I’m just happy that Tampa only got 36 SOG. That’s a high water mark for the last few weeks.
And Ex fans, can you explain for me where that comes from? I’m a numbers gal, and the numbers suggest tht Ex is a big liability. The three who aren’t are Enstrom, Havelid, and Klee, and everyone else is a bloodbath. Yet Ex has a devoted following — what’s that based on?
By Stats
April 1, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
RH -
Double check - I believe this is KL’s 4th shutout of the year which ties his own team record of shutouts in a season.
By woody
April 1, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Not renew Center Ice because a lame game wasnt shown???
There has to be local coverage of the game or the Tampa stations have to cover it.
Obviously both Sports South and the Tampa stations didn’t think this was worth covering.
If you are a true hockey fan you wouldnt get rid of Center Ice due to the lack of Thrashers coverage.
By Rawhide
April 1, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Stats - As is the norm, you are correct…I missed the Boston game between Christmas and New Years in my count. Thanks!
Thrashernut - I gotta point out the good with the bad when I can…besides, let’s look at Ovechkin’s supporting cast right now compared with Kovy’s…plus, especially consider the last game with Washington, look at the defense Kovy was going up against…look at the defense Ovie was contending against…
As for the Center Ice…Yeah, I was ticked too. It seems a though the Vs. Channel had “exclusive” rights to the NHL last night. That sucked.
d - There you go applying logic to the situation. What have I told you about that?
By Tom
April 1, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Versus has the rights to Monday night. When they came out with the schedule they anticipated that ATL and TB would be fighting it out for the playoffs.
It ain’t Versus’s problem that we both stink. Why would you pay for a crew to go down there and televise a worthless game between two worthless teams.
Just to appease the 20 of us who wanted to see the game on TV? On the night of the Braves home opener?
You can not blame Versus for having more business sense that Don Waddell.
By PJ
April 1, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Rawhide……..FINE!
By Thrasher Ryan
April 1, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
RH—2 things to discuss…
1) The benefits of resigning KL now, as opposed to waiting until July 1, when his asking price goes up - Brendan has discussed this on here many times recently. Regardless of whether or not Waddell is here next year, he still needs to get this done, NOW.
2) We need to start working with AJC on your next contract… I believe most would agree, you are due for a raise! Or at the very least, a contract extension! ;-)
Also, are there any highlight clips floating around of Ogre Valabik’s fight last night? Sounded like he won, but I would like to SEE it. Also, I am looking forward to SEEING Lavallee tonight too.
By Stats
April 1, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
SI HOT CLICKS is back - once again linking to the Puck that Hit website for the Top Ten Fools in the NHL (in honor of April 1). Coming in at # 1- Bruce Levinson.
http://puckthathit.com/2008/04/01/top-10-fools-in-the-nhl/
Why - in their own words:
The king of all fools doesn’t recognize a failure if it were to punch him in the face then sodomize him. Keeping coach/GM Don Waddell in place after yet another catastrophic season is like slamming your hand in your car door. 9 times. Consecutively.
Gotta love it.
By Bob
April 1, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
The king of all fools doesn’t recognize a failure if it were to punch him in the face then sodomize him. Keeping coach/GM Don Waddell in place after yet another catastrophic season is like slamming your hand in your car door. 9 times. Consecutively
Excellent, Stats, thanks for posting that again, that site is hi-larious.
I don’t think we can crown Levenson yet, however. I truly believe he’ll be firing Waddell on April 7th. No one is that idiotic to keep this guy in place, after another catastrophic season No one is that moronic, are they?
By What The Puck
April 1, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
We not only need to fire Waddel but the team needs to get a new set of owners as well. I mean they obviosly do not know how to run a team or they just do not wish to do so. This season has really blown. First they start out loosing a plether of games before they fire their coach and win a couple. Then they can’t resign Hossa who was my favorite player. They continue to go down hill and look as if they will finish second or third to last in the league. Oh and we still have idiot waddel runing the team some body take him out or just please please fire his @ss. I mean how can somebody who makes so much money to coach and manage a team do such a horible job for so long with out being fired it makes no sense. Shame on you Levenson and the other owners for keeping your golden boy Donny around for so long. Any way I hope things get better next season because I love this team but I hate the management and the crappy players that they put on the ice with Kovy.
By Gary
April 1, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
I truly believe he’ll be firing Waddell on April 7th.
Especially after Your Atlanta Hawks go to the PLAYOFFS!
It is truly a sad state of affairs when you get outdone by Billy and Woody! WOW!
By PJ
April 1, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Can someone please explain to Rawhide the definition of the word….”fine” when spoken by an irate female?
By Rawhide
April 1, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Stats - great link!
Tom - You can not blame Versus for having more business sense that Don Waddell - Oooh, very true.
TR - thanks,….you’re my agent now.
PJ - No need to explain it!
I’ve been married for 18 years, 4 months, 19 days, 17 hours and 45 minutes….long enough to know what “fine” means!
And I also know when to not make an irate female irater-er.
So…here are some cyber-flowers…better?
())->—— ())->—— ())->——
())->—— ())->—— ())->——
())->—— ())->—— ())->——
())->—— ())->—— ())->——
By Nix
April 1, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
He’s been married how long and he doesn’t know that??? Tsk, tsk, dude.
Rawhide, I hope PJ wasn’t providing sticks, pucks or practice jerseys for the auditions. B/c I’m pretty sure that “FINE!” meant she’s not bringing them, afterall :-)
On a serious note, I seriously hope someone was listening to Kovy’s comments after yesterday’s game (Don? Bruce? anyone with any importance in the ASG? Hello?). B/c that is one VERY unhappy Thrasher. And I don’t like it when Kovy’s unhappy.
“I just want to build something for next season.” Don’t we all.
By Long Suffering
April 1, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
To Bob I think you’ll find after April 7th that Levenson is just that idiotic and moronic.
By TR
April 1, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Shorter than 5’ 4”, huh? I can imagine a picture of PJ standing next to Ogre Valabik, now THAT would be funny!
I’m goin to the tryouts too, RH. Can’t do any worse than Larsen, and he’s “earned” a spot, right?
By Brendan
April 1, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Ryan, there’s another possibility on the Kari Lehtonen contract. (Everyone leans in to listen.) Well, Levenson may want a new GM to negotiate it. But he can’t very well say that until Waddell is actually fired.
But the overall concept is correct. The longer the Thrashers wait to re-sign Kari, the higher the price can climb, as other GM’s “artificially” elevate the market value of a goalie with 16 wins.
Waddell is perhaps the only GM to ever utter the words, “I hope there is an RFA offersheet,” when referring to Lehtonen’s next contract. There’s just, so much, inherently wrong with that statement. It means you either want someone else to take your player, so that you get draft pick compensation … or … it means that you want to fantastically overpay for a player that you could have signed for less money.
Okay class, which one of these scenarios is better?
Signing Kari for less money allows a GM to have more flexibility to manage the roster. Okayyyy, someone will remark, at this point, that the “spirit” behind the Waddell comment was that the RFA offer would be matched and the contract instantly resolved.
Wow. That statement presumes that Kari would be a “holdout,” on a disputed contract. Ya know what would have been nicer? If Waddell had said, “I don’t really foresee any trouble re-signing Kari. He’s our top offseason priority until the June Draft and the July 1st Free Agency period begins. We will address his contract within a week of the conclusion of the regular season.”
I think I missed that quote.
By PJ
April 1, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Flowers???……….Well allright, I’ll overlook your dig on the vertically challenged only if I can be an asst. coach/judge in the try-outs.
TR I don’t SEE what’s so funny about that????
By The Other Bob
April 1, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
TR I don’t SEE what’s so funny about that???? - Well, yeah….it’s hard to see anything from that “vantage point”! :o)
By Thrashernut
April 1, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Tom - Versus has the rights to Monday night.
Thanks for the explanation - I didn’t know about this Monday night Versus rights agreement - now it makes sense, especially the economics of the decision. I just expected to be able to watch more HD games this season (via NHL Center Ice), and with no local coverage I expected to watch an HD game on Center Ice. I’ve long held that the secret to boosting Hockey TV ratings is to televise all games in HD. HD impacts the sport of hockey more so than any other sport IMO.
Rawhide - Point taken.
By TR
April 1, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Sorry, PJ. I was just teasing you. ;-)
But wait a minute, I thought Waddell likes “vertically challenged” players. Look at White, Perrin, Little, Sterling… so you might have a shot!
If not, maybe you could be a “Fire Waddell” cheerleader?
By five_hole
April 1, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Hey PJ - so, is Toby Enstrom someone you look up to? ;-)
Also - Can someone please explain to Rawhide the definition of the word….”fine” when spoken by an irate female? - PJ There isn’t a man alive on the planet who understands the meaning of “fine” when spoken by an irate female.
By The Other Bob
April 1, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
What’s the difference between an “irate” female and a Middle Eastern terrorist?
You can negotiate with the terrorist!
By Gary
April 1, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
What’s the difference between the Thrashers and the Hawks?
YOUR ATLANTA HAWKS are going to the PLAYOFFS!!!
Poor Waddell, Billy and Woody’s jobs might be saved, but Waddell’s, well, you know…
By Nix
April 1, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
So, anyone going to tonight’s game?
By LAC
April 1, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Stats GREAT !!!!!!!!!
That was PRICELESS, shows what an AWFUL problem waddell is and levenson The Fool of Fool’s a complete Panty Waste Wimp with NO Guts for sure…
Don’t bend over in the shower asg owners, you won’t be first BUT You might be next !!!!!
By Ilya52
April 1, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
After reading many of these, I conclude that LAC must stand for “Loser absent of class” as well as other seemingly ridiculous statements from a few others. None of you own the team or manage in the NHL, so grow up.
By The Other Bob
April 1, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Ya know what, “Ilya 52”…you are correct.
Since we don’t OWN the team or MANAGE in the NHL…..we should all just shut up! hell, you’re right, God forbid the PAYING CUSTOMERS actually give feed back to the organization!
We should not excercise our 1st Ammendment rights to voice our opinions!
We should not actual state the fact that those who ARE responsible for this mess should be HELD responsible for the mess.
Yes, you are absolutely right!
How silly of us for using a blog or message board to, gee I don’t know,…..SEND A MESSAGE TO THE FRONT OFFICE OF THE TEAM OR JUST VENT FRUSTRATION AT THE DEBACLE THAT ARE THE ‘07-‘08 THRASHERS????
How absolutely silly of us.
Maybe CC and RH should edit the text at the bottom of the blog from “POST A COMMENT” to “POST A COMMENT ONLY IF YOU THINK THE TEAM IS DOING WELL AND YOU ARE STUPID ENOUGH TO BELIEVE BRUCE LEVENSON WHEN HE SAYS THE TEAM IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO VOICE AN OPINION CONTRARY TO THE ASG”.
By Nikita
April 1, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Alas, no, Nix. Too much going on back at the ranch — I won’t even get to watch or listen to it in real time. But I hope to be present Saturday.
Do me a favor, though, and let me know how the new kids stack up.
By PACOIYTTTIDWAYASETBBLWHSTTIMITRDAYAUTVAOCTTASG
April 1, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Can you guess what my name means, Ilya52?
By Bob Hartley
April 1, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
So, ah…does dis mean that I’m, you know…still the coach? Because, since I’m still being paid and all…I could, you now, still swing by and ….
What?….Oh, April Fools Day.
Damn
By STFUABMT
April 1, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
How ‘bout now, Ilya52? I’ll give ya a hint, Sparky, the last 4 in my name are an acryonym for And Buy More Tickets
By Nix
April 1, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Nikita, will check out the new kids and report back.
By PJ
April 1, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Am I the only one who’s wondering where we would be right now had we brought up these kids earlier in the season?
By Thrasher Ryan
April 1, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
It’s 1-1 after 2. Jordan Lavallee with his first NHL goal for the Thrashers. This kid is a keeper! I have liked everything i’ve seen out of him so far. Even on the PK!
Am I the only one who’s wondering where we would be right now had we brought up these kids earlier in the season?
I know! The Wolves are bad a$$! We would probably be fighting for playoff position right now, too. Many of us bloggers on here called for that VERY early in the season, and Waddell did nothing.
Oh well.
By Brendan
April 1, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Lavallee had a tremenous chance earlier in the game, but rushed his shot.
NJ and the Isles are tied, 1-1, with 6:00 left in the 3rd. Washington is scaring Carolina to death, 3-1, with 10:15 left in the 3rd. Maybe Rawhide was right and the Caps will win the Southeast division? Montreal is leading Ottawa, 2-0, after two periods. The Blues are playing playoff spoilers against Nashville, with a 3-1 lead, after two periods. And Toronto leading Buffalo 2-1, after 2 periods. Buffalo is mathematically sill alive. That would change if they don’t win this game.
By Thrasher Ryan
April 1, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Florida 3, Atlanta 2, FINAL.
Operation Stamkos in full effect.
WASH wins 4-1. How is the SE looking?
Hopefully the New GM will see Kovalchuk as our version of Ovechkin, and go ahead and get him signed up for the next 10 years. Pay him whatever he wants. He has EARNED it.
It is completely unacceptable for the ASG to “reward” Don Waddell for this dismal season HE constructed by allowing him to choose our Lottery pick. He MUST be released before this pick is made.
The Thrash need to get BIGGER, STRONGER, and YOUNGER next season to really have a shot at the Cup.
They should model themselves after the teams out West - San Jose, Calgary, Anaheim, etc.
These types of moves are merely “CORRECTING” the mistakes made by Waddell in assembling the Thrasher roster this season, we are WAY TOO small!
Thank god Lavallee and Valabik bring some size to our team next season!
Brendan—I am now debating whether or not we bring back Mark Recchi next season. I know I have agreed with you in the past that 1 year/$1-1.5 million is acceptable. Do you still think we should? Or could that roster spot be better filled by another Free Agent?
I wonder if Recchi has ever thought about coaching in the future?
Please excuse me, I must watch Calgary/Edmonton and my other favorite team now!
GO FLAMES!!!
By HookyBob
April 1, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
PJ: No,.. I’m sure others see this as an opportunity lost. Somehow this year it doesn’t stand out a as an ill advised move. At worst we’d have a couple less wins (which actually helps us one way). At best,..we’d have some hungary young players knowing they can play in the NHL. I hope we see Valibek and Lavalee (Stewart, Sterling, etc) in the line-up next season. Unlike Larson, Zhitnik, Klee, Kozlov, maybe Haviled, et al, these guys “best years are ahead of them.”
Think of the promise that holds. Plug one, maybe two weaknesses (ie D & C) in draft & free agency and 2009 holds a lot of promise. Especially if Kari’s play of late carries forward.
Loved Moose tonight. Truly hope he is wearing Blue next year (even if as a coach).
By PJ
April 1, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
TR & H-Bob - Who knows how far we may have advanced with the kids playing instead, but you can be sure the morale on this team would not have sunk to the depths that it has. Oh well, next year…..I really enjoyed watching the game tonight, that hasn’t happened much lately.
TR- one more thing, Don’t you think Recchi has some value as a mentor? He’s been doing well with Lyttle. Providing we can dump most of the other over-priced seniors, I think he might be worth keeping. My personal Waive/Trade/Bench list is Zhit Klee White & Larson. And say goodbye to Holik, McCarthy, Rucchin Sterling, Haydar, Doell and Krog. For some reason I’m still unsure about Boulton and Moose. Cruel, I know but I really think we need to clean house, work hard ALL summer and start fresh next year.
By Rawhide
April 1, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
OK, what is it with Wolves coming up to the big show and getting points in their first game or so.
Little - Opening game scores his first goal in first game.
Haydar - First goal in game vs. NJ
Stuart - Assist in first game, goal in second
Lavallee tonight….
Amazing!
Brendan - It seems I am the kiss of death…after the trade deadline and Brind’Amour going down, I hand the division to Washington. So what happens? Carolina surges.
I recently all but hand the SE to the Canes…now this?
I’m gonna get a comlex.
Lastly, it seems a though our friend Jay Busbee received my return open-ice check.
I actually thought this was a pretty cool response…well played, Jay!
By Brendan
April 1, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Ryan, there’s no way that Recchi should be the first renewed contract of the offseason moves. I think we’ll have to see how it plays out, no? I mean, if AFTER the major moves are made, there’s still cap room for Recchi, and Recchi still WANTS to be here, then re-sign him to a 1-year, $1.0 million contract.
Recchi reestablished himself here in Atlanta. Other teams will show some interest in him after July 1st. And I’m sure Recchi would like be picked up by a contender, the way Roenick was last year, by San Jose. I wish Recchi the very best. He didn’t choose Atlanta. He was “claimed” by Atlanta. And he performed admirably, as the professional that he is. I’m not opposed to Recchi returning, but it should be one of the LAST moves made in the offseason.
By Nix
April 1, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
I liked what I saw from Lavallee tonight. Good puck handling and some nice passes (I’d almost forgot what a nice pass to a teammate looked like). I really liked the fact that he seemed in the game - following the puck and positioning himself adventageously for most of the night. And he wasn’t shy about getting into the crease, which was a major factor in his goal, I think.
I continue to love how scrappy Perrin is. We need a little more of that going forward. And it’s really nice seeing more big guys in blue. Can we please have more guys over 6’3” next year?
By LAC
April 2, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this
Well, The kids looked good, the retreads looked, well like retreads.
Let us ALL hope for several things saturday night… Last game EVER for don waddell in Atlanta Go Away !
Last Game ever here for holik/slater/klee/white/larsen/zit recchi and Brian Little better improve… he is NOT showing much, does he ever shoot the puck ?
So, St.Louis has 75 points with three games left, likely will be above us. TB has three left, all road DC/Car/Here… They need 4 points to beat us, we hold tie-breaker with them head to head.
LA has 69 points and has two home games left with SJ and Anaheim, doubtful they will get ahead of us.
Now… with ONE game left, we have let in 271 goals. MOST in the NHL, we let in 244 last season. We have scored 212, last season we scored 245.
So, in the boggled mind of Mr.Potty Mouth levenson, how close are we ? How in the HELL are we moving ahead ?
We had 97 points last season now 74 ?
And we ALL must remember the words of the Master of Disaster DUMB don waddell at the start of the season… This team is better than last year !
Where don ? In what aspect don ? Which players don ? When will YOU resign don ?
You waddell, are THE ONE AT FAULT as to why this team stinks to high heaven. You SIR, have NO business remaining here in ANY position, you SIR are a LOSER, a Complete Idiot when compiling a team and as long as you SIR, remain here the Atlanta Thrashers are going to get WORSE not better.
You need to be a MAN on monday April 7,2008 and RESIGN for the sake of the team & players and FANS !!!
You waddell are a disgrace to the game of hockey and have NO business remaining here to destroy the Thrashers one second longer !
By Bob
April 2, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
OK, what is it with Wolves coming up to the big show and getting points in their first game or so
That’s actually a pretty common phenomenon. Kind of like the 5 game bump a club gets after they fire the coach. Mabye the guys that get called up are so amped up in that first game or two, adrenelin carries their play higher.
Remember our first year, Dean Sylvester gets called up and scores a hattie in his first game, we all thought we had struck gold. Never heard from the guy again.
That said, I like Lavallee on our third line next year, liked what I saw out of him in preseason, good size and good nose for the puck.
By ASG
April 2, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Come down to Blueland and see all your favorite AHL stars before we raise the ticket prices for next year.
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Lavallee heavily suggested that he was set up for his goal last night. Which is fine with me — let the kids be victorious out of the gate. And by all means, get the goals wherever and with whomever you can.
Thoughts on the kids (I did see the game last night, very late)…Little had a rough night last night, but still not outside league standards. Is Valabik our new enforcer? Looks to me like we should wave goodbye to Bolts, if that’s the case. Good game out of all of the new kids.
I love Eric Perrin, period. There’s the hustle, there’s the technically strong play, and there’s the way he takes failure personally, but gets out there and battles to turn it around. Great acquisition.
And LAC, not only do I disagree with you (as I’ve pointed out a few dozen times, you can’t replace the #3 defenseman until you have someone who is better, and I doubt we’re going to pick up 4+ superior D-Men), but I feel the need to point out that most of the guys on your list are under contract for next year.
I was reasonably pleased with last night’s game, even though we lost. We held the opposition to a reasonable # of shots, and made a reasonable #. Hustle looked good, play was good.
I’m pleased to see some of the players improving now, though it doesn’t matter for anything other than contract negotiations. Ex and Stevie Mac looked good, as they haven’t looked all season. And what’s up with the guy we waived playing like he actually wants to be on the team?
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
P.S. Lavallee, however, won’t work for the Fire on Ice campaign. Too much kid brotherness.
By Thrasher Ryan
April 2, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
And what’s up with the guy we waived playing like he actually wants to be on the team?
Who are you talking about? Kiwi?
By Thrasher Ryan
April 2, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Ex and Stevie Mac looked good, as they haven’t looked all season.
I disagree with the 2nd part of your statement. Exelby—McCarthy is the only D-Pair that works for both of them. I have been saying that all season. When the 2 are paired together, they are fairly consistent and reliable. Klee—Exelby was a disaster. I know you like Klee and all, but have you noticed how much better we have looked on D with him in the press box? I have.
By Thrasher Ryan
April 2, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
My personal Waive/Trade/Bench list is Zhit Klee White & Larson. And say goodbye to Holik, McCarthy, Rucchin Sterling, Haydar, Doell and Krog. For some reason I’m still unsure about Boulton and Moose.
PJ—I agree with all of those moves except for McCarthy. He should stay. At worst case, he could be our 7th D-Man/ Healthy Scratch. I just believe in him a little more than I believe in Popovic or Kwiatkowski.
As for Recchi, yeah, thats what i’m sayin. He could be a good mentor or even a coach if he wants to retire. But like Brendan said, he definitely should not be our first signing. Our first should be KL.
By Midfield
April 2, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
The truth is, Thrashers fans really should feel like suckers. The team plays like it is a warm-up scrimmage, not an official NHL game - and I mean not only last night, when it did not really matter. I understand, that they played back-to-back, but, come on, is there any rudimental discipline, system, anything? When our d gets possession, nobody skates to open up and distract forecheckers from putting the pressure on the puck. Everybody coasts along the boards and waits for somebody else to bail the puck out of the zone. Good luck and good night. Pathetic.
By Thrasher Ryan
April 2, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
PJ—Boults and Moose should probably go too. Maybe you keep Boults around just in case… but Moose definitely goes. I think he played his last game as a Thrasher last night. We have Pavelec ready to back up Lehtonen. No need for Moose. He’ll have no problems getting a deal elsewhere. The LA Kings need goaltending… ;-)
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Ryan — yes, I refer to Kiwi. He has played way better since we waived him than he has at any other point this season.
As for Ex and Stevie Mac…they work best together. But they still don’t work well. The stats don’t lie — we hemorrhage when they’re on the ice. Or did until a few weeks ago. I’m glad Klee is sitting for his own good, and am fine with seeing him go if he can’t be put on a working pair. But he’s been saddled with every piece of ^%$# D-Man that we don’t know what to do with, and has turned in a decent season anyway. For one thing, Klee is one of four players on our D who actually knows how to read a play, so even though he’s slow he’s usually not pursuing the wrong guy or just wandering off while the offense pounds our goalie. (Stevie Mac, hello!) Since we have him under contract for another year, I’d like to see him kept on the lowest pair or even as backup. Goodbye to McCarthy — when his contract expires, we should let him seek his fortunes elsewhere.
is there any rudimental discipline, system, anything
No, which is why the only forechecking, backchecking badasses on the ice are people we recently acquired from places where they actually do those things.
By NASCAR Dave
April 2, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
FIRE WADDELL!!!
NUFF SAID.
By Nix
April 2, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Is Valabik our new enforcer I think he’s well on his way to becoming so. Although he didn’t drop gloves last night, and I was kinda hoping to see a fight.
I thought the guys came out pretty flat at the start of the 3rd, but they did amp it up at the end.
Lavallee, however, won’t work for the Fire on Ice campaign. Too much kid brotherness. B/c of his babyface? He’ll grow out of that. And some women find that look attractive.
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
B/c of his babyface? He’ll grow out of that. And some women find that look attractive.
Yep. Though he’s well-spoken and affable. Nice video of him from the Wolves.
By Thrasher Ryan
April 2, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Ladies, could you please explain to me the “Fire On Ice”? Thanks, Ryan
By Thrasher Ryan
April 2, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
And we ALL must remember the words of the Master of Disaster DUMB don waddell at the start of the season… This team is better than last year !
LAC—The Master of Disaster - that is Classic! Very NICE! I like that one.
By Nix
April 2, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan, Fire On Ice (previously Heat On Ice) was an idea of Nikita’s to attract more fans to the game, buy attracting female viewers with our more attractive and articulate players (note that part of the attraction involves their playing skills, as well as their asthetic appeal). Her theory being, if you get women in the stands, men will follow them.
Did I sum that up about right, Nikita?
By LAC
April 2, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Thanks Ryan… Yes a tough season to endure, through all the mess I really hope these who own the team fully realize that a change has to be made…
Look at Washington… We beat them 5-1 on or near Thanksgiving, fans were chanting Fire Hanlon… They did.
Then brought up their AHL coach, who knew their system and everything neshed, he should be Coach of The Year no doubt. Dallas felt stagnet and fired their GM, then caught fire.
What the owners of this team need to realize is don waddell has had long enough to produce, and simply has not. He is indeed the Master of His Own Disaster, ie… this team this season.
If there was a franchise that needs a new direction it is Atlanta, we just need someone else to run the show. Remember the Braves when Ted took over, he was a joke early on, but he learned, It worked when he got real baseball people in there and running the show, built a farm system and the rest is history.
While these owners may not want to because it might make them look bad, they have to make a change, in the long run it will be much better, if not we will be doing this all over next season all upset and so on…
Now Nikita… You do not see this team for what it is, a flop, esp on defense. When you have BAD players you get rid of them, they are the problem… Not the solution, why keep dead weight ? Then you are free to go after defensemen who will work.
To me we have to dump all but Enstrom sad to say, when you give up the league high in goals and we will for the how many times ???, it has to be changed… But as long as your favorite GM remains we may be worse next season, so you are incorrect again Nikita as usual, sorry !
By Thrasher Ryan
April 2, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Thanks Nix. Not sure if that will work though. I have a hard enough time finding dates that actually WANT to go to hockey games as it is… Attracting more females in the audience? Uphill battle! I agree that the men will follow the women, but much more needs to be done to attract females to the games. Good luck ladies!
LAC—Agree 100%. He needs to be out BEFORE the draft, or he’ll screw that up for us too!
By Thrasher Ryan
April 2, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Nix, Nikita—What about just offering single ladies Buy One, Get One Free tickets to every game? Or have “Ladies Singles Night” with discounted tickets?
Heck, I still use the old College ID trick. It’s worked for me since 1999! :-)
By TR
April 2, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Lastly, it seems a though our friend Jay Busbee received my return open-ice check.
I actually thought this was a pretty cool response…well played, Jay!
Wow RH, what did you do? Threaten to break his legs? He’s brown-nosing the hell out of you! Nice work!
By Rawhide
April 2, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
TR - LOL! No,…Hardly that!
As I put it, he delivered an open ice check, then I returned in kind. Nothing more to it!
He actualy seems to be quite the reasonable type….or at least that’s what my cousin Vito said after paying him a visit :o)
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Did I sum that up about right, Nikita?
Yep. More or less. Basically, I want full stands and high morale, and I’m sick of interviews in which the players look horrible and sound horrible. Plus, I don’t get why we bother to pay for promotional materials and time, and yet we make all our players look as bad as possible, as opposed to the hotties on ice that some of them are.
LAC, you’re smoking crack. I’m not a Waddell partisan. Further, you’re insane if you think we’re going to clear the decks of 6 or 7 defensive players. We aren’t, and we shouldn’t — statistically-speaking, Enstrom, Havelid, and Klee are all keepers. But they’re also under contract. And we’ve only talked about recruiting 1-2 top D-men. Next year we’ll probably still be stuck with Zhit, and we’ll have those top three. If we are smart we will keep Valabik, recruit 2 top D-Men at whatever cost, and keep filling in with Wolves.
By Nix
April 2, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan, I think the idea is that you get the women to want to come by highlighting the eye candy that will be on view on the ice. Which probably isn’t how you’re selling hockey games to potential dates. Anyway, once you get them there to scope out the players, the actual awesomeness of the game will, hopefully, reel them in longer-term.
And what’s the old college ID trick?
By ranallo10
April 2, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
LAC — Waiving a player still costs the team their contract, unless they are claimed by another franchise. Re-entry waiver claims would rid the team of HALF of their contract, with the other half still being paid for by the waiving team.
Waiving the defensive players currently under contract for the 08/09 season (with the exception of Enstrom) would cost the team $9.05M in wasted monies (paying the contract for a player in Chicago). If a team were to claim those players, the most the Thrashers would have to pay would be half of that $9.05M, or $4.525M.
Buying out would cost the team the salary in full, with a discount for future years on the contracts (so Exelby would be cut by a % I’m not sure about).
So in your opinion, this defense would be BETTER if put into a $4.525M debt, then rebuilt through free agents?
I’m sorry, but I don’t agree with you there bud. If you feel that everyone but Enstrom must go in order for this defense to substantially improve, you’ll have to wait at least one more season (or two if you feel Exelby is STILL a dead weight). So yeah, your solution to the defense is highly unlikely in my opinion.
Nikita — I know your love for Klee as a serviceable defenseman, but I definitely disagree. He’s second on the team in defensive PIM (behind Exelby). His +/- has greatly benefited from being on the ice during the PK, which does not affect his +/- (thus showing no statistical evidence for his ineptness during those times on ice). His slowfootedness often puts him out of position, but his physical play is a definite plus when it’s not a blatant interference (cough cough Exelby cough).
With this current defense, I don’t want to see him on the ice for anything but mop-up duties and defensive duties against the opponents enforcer line…i.e. #6 or 7 defenseman. Sticking with what the team has next season, I could see him filling THAT role. But, I’d rather McCarthy or Popovic play that role, as they can actually skate faster than me (and I can’t skate all that well). I could due without Klee.
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I’m fine with Klee on backup or the third pair — I have said from the beginning that ideally we’d have enough good D players that he’d see diminished ice time and could play on a less pressured pair. At his age I imagine he’d be ok with pulling a Recchi — transitioning into retirement in a low-pressur situation. But I don’t agree with anyone if their contention is that he shouldn’t be on the team at all, particularly when compared with the two players who have consistently misread and blundered through the entire season and keeping in mind that dumping him involves paying his salary anyway. Plus, I like everyone on the PK.
Also, for Fire on Ice, hockey really is an awesome sport, and it has a lot of competitive advantages over, say, baseball. Namely, hockey takes place in a climate-controlled environment and never turns into a 4+ hour ordeal. It’s fast and fun.
But…I can’t get anyone to go watch it with me because they see it on television, and the television really doesn’t convey how great it is. And since we’re in the south, hockey isn’t known to most people. So we’ve got to get them in the building. Fire on Ice is one way to do that.
The concept was actually inspired by a trip to Applebee’s a few months ago. I insisted they turn on the Thrashers — despite their agreement, they weren’t even showing it! But then half the bar turned around to watch it, and a table of girls sitting next to me got really interested. Not in the game, per se, but in particular players. They then parsed all the plays (though, of course, since tv sucks that way, one of them was explaining all of them to the others) and talked about how cute Kovy and Kari are.
By Sage of Bluesland
April 2, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
???…Get women to come to the game for the “eye-candy” on the ice…Thus, this will bring guys to the games…
Wow. I don’t think even Don Waddell would buy that particular pipe-dream of an idea.
How about this marketing strategy: WIN GAMES. WIN MORE GAMES. WIN GAMES CONSISTENTLY. BE A VIABLE THREAT TO WIN THE STANLEY CUP.
Thus, all problems—including attendance—solved in that, current, figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland”.
(Take the singles-club elsewhere, please…)
By ranallo10
April 2, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
do, not due
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Yeah. Terrible idea. God knows it would be even worse than the promotional brilliance known as Firesale On Ice (in which every seat is deeply discounted every single game) or the Believe in Blueland posters featuring our vampire in chief. What’s next, wingers featuring FrankenBobby centerfolds?
And the other advantage of it is that regardless of whether it ever goes anywhere, it allows us women and Midtown Melvin to discuss sexiness as it relates to the Thrashers — which, IMO, is the convergence of poise, grace, and physical makeup. Which is a much better subject than Who Hates Don Waddell Today, How Much We Suck, All Caps Ranting, or How We Wish We Didn’t Have Season Tickets. I mean, those subjects were fun, but only for the first six months or so.
By Nikita
April 2, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
And scoring? Definitely sexy.
By Nix
April 2, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Amen, Nikita!
By ranallo10
April 2, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
I do enjoy listening to obviously new hockey viewers yelling “GO KOVY!” every time the team touches the puck. The last few years have been filled with unending enjoyment when noticing how many times a drunk female yells that specific phrase when Kovalchuk is on the bench.
Bobby Holik takes the puck up the side boards…”GO KOVY! SHOOT IT!!”.
Kari Lehtonen clears the puck along the boards and Niclas Havelid fights the forechecker to corral the puck…”YEAH, HIT HIM XLB!!! RIP HIS HEAD OFF!”
It’s quality entertainment, especially when the team is losing.
By PJ
April 2, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Amen Nikita!!