Ice Man

By kracker

April 28, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

Thoughtful column, Mr. RH. Krog…I guess he is Exhibit A of the AHL All-Star whose game just doesn’t hold up in the big rinks. Some of that is undoubtably due to Krog not having the same sort of top line slotting and not playing with players that know each other quite well against lesser competition. Krog is sort of the big fish on the smaller frozen pond. I’m guessing that won’t change. Since he is a UFA, I suppose the chance to trade him or get compensation (if that even occurs in the AHL) has passed.

Question 1 - Pens more likely to win the Cup, though maybe not using the broom each series.

Question 2 - I shudder to think what the schemeing Waddell might do if he doesn’t take the obvious route of drafting the best available d-man.

Question 3 - I’m already sick over the Coburn and Zhitnick trade - see ‘schemeing Waddell’ above.

Question 4 - My money’s on the Thrashers. Finally you asked an easy one :)

By kracker

April 28, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

Oh, Flyers leading Habs 3-0 at the end of 2nd period!!! (Coburn with an assist) Humming “Where have you gone Jose Theodore?” to Mrs. Robinson.

By kracker

April 28, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Oh crap! Make that Cristobal Huet above, not Theodore…sheesh!

By kracker

April 28, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Like Royal Marshall says “Just damn!” Five minutes into the 3rd period with the score still 3-0 Flyers, Hatcher gets a 5-minute major for boarding and the Habs score two goals on the long power play. Hatcher is lobbying for Goat of the Series if the Flyers lose this game and the series.

By Midfield

April 28, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

My guess is that a West Conference team wins the cup. Does it make you feel better? It’s not who wins the cup. It’s that Waddell gets to keep his job what gets me.

By Brendan

April 28, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

The Habs pulled rookie goalie Carey Price for Monsieur Halak. After that, they barely gave up a shot on goal in that 3rd period. Montreal made it interesting. Flyers fans must be thinking, “If ONLY we’d held on for those final 27 seconds in Game One, we’d be up, 3-0!”

Well, if there’s a silver lining … it’s that Philly has played well enough to be up, 3-0. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Or should they? They (Flyers) were being outshot something like 34-14 at one point in the 3rd period.

I still think Philly and Montreal will go seven games. These things ebb and flow.

Okay, I digress. On the Krog Question, I feel like Krog’s potential at the NHL level is limited. That said, he’s certainly welcome to report to training camp and try out. If the “new” coaching staff likes what they see, he can stay, at the league minimum. If not, off to the minors or some other NHL club he goes.

Montreal’s needing all seven in every series seems more likely to me, than the Penguins going 16-0.

As for the #3 overall pick … Well, that’s up to the ASG. Huh? Yeah. When Capitals owner Ted Leonsis faced the prospect of losing the guy his organization drafted 1st overall in 2004, he ponied up $124 million over 13-years, for Alexander Ovechkin. That decision, even moreso than the hiring of Head Coach Bruce Boudreau, turned the Capitals season into a championship-winning one. Err, Southeast Division Championship winning, that is.

That signing did three (3) things. 1. It put a sudden and immediate HALT to every Capitals players’ “exit strategy” for leaving DC. 2. It sent a message to Captials season ticket holders that their support isn’t “token.” They’re building “something,” and the “something” is an attempt to win the Cup. And 3. It showed a commitment to keeping the pieces in place to give their team the best chance it can to be successful over the next 13-years. How many owners pony up $124 million when their star player is facing free agency?

Did Atlanta offer Hossa this kind of deal? Will it offer Kovalchuk this kind of deal/commitment? Or will it continue to watch the Savards, Hossas, Kaberles, Belangers, and Kovalchuks walk … because the ownership cannot supply the kind of economic framework that true commitment to excellence really takes. (Ohhh would you STOPPPPP already with “spending doesn’t equal winning. Look at the Rangers!!” Oy, gavult. You’re right. Move on. But letting key pieces of the Cup-winning puzzle know that you’ll at least TRY to field “that team” is the LARGER, MORE PREVALENT POINT!!!) I’ve always said, in an era of salary cap, in particular, it’s about making good decisions. That means draft day. That means contract signing and timing of contract negotiations. That means trades or, in some cases, non-trades. That means “roster decisions.” That means “goaltender rotations.” Etc.

So, with regard to the #3 overall pick … it’s all about Kovalchuk. If the ASG isn’t going to keep him, and/or Ilya has decided to leave, it’s got to be about “rebuilding.” Bogosian and Doughty are there. And there’s a potential trade that brings both of them here, if you think HARD ENOUGH about it. Hint: Think L.A. Kings. Still thinking. Good. If Kovalchuk is gone anyway, isn’t this the very place where you can get the most for him? ANY WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAM would give up a Top 5 pick for #17, and you know it.

If ownership, in concert with management, isn’t going to re-sign Kovalchuk, or said another way, knows they can’t re-sign him, then chasing the players that would attempt to keep him here is rather pointless. Unless the thought process is … we’re losing Kovalchuk, let’s add players who’ll still be here after he’s gone, and play Kovy out this next two seasons, then hope and pray for a change of heart by 2010.

Finally (breathe deep), I have no heartburn over Hossa, Dupuis or Coburn winning a Cup. Their leaving town was due to Thrasher mismanagement. Why should we hold these players to blame, personally? I don’t hate Braydon Coburn because he was a flop here, or wasn’t properly developed here. I congratulate him on salvaging his NHL career with an organization willing to nurture him. He never really got a proper chance here.

Pascal Dupuis was one of our best Playoff performers. He was at least “adequate” during the regular seasons here. And Marian Hossa … well … he just wants to win. He doesn’t want to play for an organ-I-zation whose goal is to be “15th-best” on an annual basis. If Kovalchuk isn’t here in 2010-11, don’t be surprised over the reason. You know why. Middle of the pack isn’t going to cut it for a Tier I player, who is FREE TO CHOOSE his next team.

By HookyBob

April 28, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

Rawhide: What a champ you are! Thanks for keeping us both updated and thinking about the Thrashers future (while some serious hockey is taking place).

By Andrew

April 28, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

I heard he’s going to Europe last year on the Wolves boards…sorry I don’t have a link.

By Tony C.

April 29, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

I’m with kracker-the Coburn has made me sick from day one.

Krog-let him walk or let Chicago pay him…we’re smurfy enough as is-also, I dot an idea-maybe we get #17 a Russian on his line? Just a thought. I once hoped DW could get Oleg Kvasha back from the SuperLeague, but it ain’t happenin. Maybe we could get Bashrikov from the Senators? I think he’s another “natural” LW though.

By ranallo10

April 29, 2008 2:22 AM | Link to this

Re: Krog — I’d sign him (and Haydar, and Popovic) to a one-way contract, at the league minimum (should raise from $475K). I’d offer them no more than $600K. I’d give each of them an extended viewing during training camp for one role each…top two line scorer (for Haydar and Krog) and 3rd line defender (for Popovic).

If they lose out to youth, I would either send them to Chicago (which would put them on waivers, and if they cleared would keep them off the salary cap) or find a minimal return out of them (Popovic could garner a player, the other two wouldn’t get more than a 7th round pick).

Of the three I mentioned, Popovic would be the one I’d most like to hold on to. He could be a good 4-6 defender if given the opportunity (operative phrase).

Much like Kunitz, some players need to play on scoring lines to produce. I feel both Haydar and Krog are those types of players, and if they can’t produce ON A TOP LINE in the NHL, they should be sent somewhere else for their own good. It’s then useless to hang onto them.

Re: 3rd Pick — Waddell will draft the best available player, likely a defender.

Re: Nausea — Coburn. As of now, he’s “the one that got away”. He wasn’t given a fair chance in Atlanta, apparently wasn’t in the plans for the present coach, and was the only solid asset that could be given for an experienced 30+ point defender (what they hoped to be one of the missing pieces). To lose an unproven stud defenseman is more painful (in my opinion) than losing a superstar who doesn’t want to stay in Atlanta (and a 3rd line energy player).

Re: Montreal/Pittsburgh — I don’t believe either scenario will happen, but the more likely is Montreal.

Re: Hawks/Thrashers — The question should be “which franchise is more likely to win a league championship?”. That’s a much more difficult question. My answer would be “with the ASG running the show, the Hawks”.

By kracker

April 29, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this

I was kidding about not knowing the Hawks had won the 3rd game of the series, but this win last night is quite a bit more surprising…I was watching the Flyers/Habs game of course. Congrats to the Hawks and hopefully the ASG will financially support the Thrashers to the same comparative level.

By jc

April 29, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

Detroit Red Wings are the best team ever in NHL history

By B. Thenet

April 29, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

To answer the main question: Do the Thrashers need another undersized, mildy talented 2nd/3rd line C.

No, we have plenty already thanks

By GaVaHokie

April 29, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

On Krog… I’d wait to see if John Anderson is your coach. He might be able to get production out of him at the NHL level.

By Bob

April 29, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Knowing the inept thinking of Waddell, he’ll probably sign Krog and call him Kovy’s new winger. He’s a Waddell Special, one of those AHL-NHL tweener guys that great for us!

Krog is 33, if he was NHL material, he would have shown it long ago and been producing for years.

The Habs have no chance at winning the Cup, much less this series, being backstopped by Carey Price. He looked absolutely awful last night. Kind of Lehtonen-esque in his first playoff run. Looked like a monkey puck got him on that 2nd one, the shorty by Richards.

Waddell will use the #3 pick himself.

Coburn skating it would make me puke as I hate Philthy and I am rooting for Hoss and the Pens. BTW, any of you lackeys that were bad mouthing Hossa want to step up and eat crow about him being a playoff disappearing act Told you he was a playoff force.

So Billy Knight has outperformed Don Waddell. That says it all right there.

But kudos to the Hawks, of course, I think the NBA is fixed to and they’re just throwing the Hawks a bone here, watch as the Celtics close out two quick games here in dominating fashion.

By Midfield

April 29, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

This far Hossa has been less of a playoff force than Dupuis or Ruutu - as much as I hate the latter. Pens will live and die by - not even Crosby - Malkin. This is who the Rangers are worried about, I’m pretty damn sure.

By Flyers FAN

April 29, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Thanks Atlanta for Braydon Coburn. He played more minutes than anybody on either team and was +2. Wow we sure were lucky that you guys did not need a great young defenseman with size. THANK YOU

By Bob

April 29, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

A pox on your house, Flyers FAN. Go boo Santa, or something. BOO

By kracker

April 29, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Don’t thank us for Coburn, Flyers FAN, thank Don Waddell. He could use it, he’s not getting a lot of thanks down here.

By Alan

April 29, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Most likely:

a. Neither. Detroit wins it. As they say, “‘nuff said.” But if I really had to pick the most likely scenario, it would be Montreal winning all the games in 7.

b. Waddell uses it to draft a defenseman.

c. See a. If that does not occur, though, I think the thought of Coburn holding it would be kind of sickening.

d. They won again last night, too. Strangely enough.

By Bob

April 29, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Better yet, Flyers FAN, let your owner know about the great FOF (Friend of Flyers) you have down here and get your owner to offer Don a contract he just can’t refuse to be his special consultant. Hey, I’ll even drive him up there for ya…

By ranallo10

April 29, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Flyers FAN — And now you see the benefits of having a successful system run by a coach who isn’t afraid to use young and unproven talent. While you’re taking Waddell (as Bob suggested), would you mind signing Hartley too? Knowing their tendencies the Flyers would be offering Coburn back to Atlanta in a season for Ken Klee’s expiring contract (Brad Larsen would be a sweetener for the deal).

By NASCAR Dave

April 29, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

RAWHIDE - KROG??? KROG!?!

Everybody needs to take a look at NASCAR Dave’s philosophy… Cut ALL UFA’s & RFA’s LOOSE - Except Lehtonen.

Let them all walk, including Krog.

Why should we be signing players for the Wolves, when they are not really our farm club???

NASCAR Dave sez CUT PAYROLL, Bring up ALL the young guys, Promote John Anderson, and roll with it!

We can wait a year or 2 to let these guys develop… NO MORE PLAYERS OVER AGE 30!!! AND NO MORE PLAYERS UNDER 6’ TALL!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Nikita

April 29, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Eh, Krog. I doubt he’s got the goods. Let him try his value on the free market.

I’m really enjoying Habs/Philly…I don’t think the Habs will do it, though as always I root for Alexei Kovalev.

re: Pittsburgh/Rangers…I don’t think Pitts will sweep it. They’ve been very lucky with a very sympathetic environment thus far. And the Rangers got thoroughly screwed by bad refing in the last game.

re: Don Waddell, I think he’s under too much pressure to pick up an established player of anything less than relatively high quality.

I feel fine about Dupuis and Hossa — they both seem to be experiencing the kind of system they need, and in turn it’s playing them realistically to their talent levels. I feel ill about Coburn.

No comment on the Hawks — except kudos.

By ThrasherNY

April 29, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Krog: If he couldnt help us last year then he has no place on the team this year.

Ex-Thrashers: I dont see why you wouldnt be happy for Hossa, Coburn or Dupuis lift the Cup. My only sore spot with watching it is that DW has not been fired.

East: Penguins wont sweep but with that front three I dont see the Habs or Philly stopping them in the finals.

Hawks: I see the success of the Hawks as counter productive to my dream of DW being canned. The more success Woodson enjoys after just sliding into the playoffs the more greedance gets lent to the “all you have to do is make the cut and you have a chance” mentality we dont need from our owners.

By ranallo10

April 29, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

ThrasherNY — I agree on the Hawks. As for the Ex-thrashers, RH is asking which you feel more ill seeing, not which do you hold more contempt for. I feel ill for our team’s loss, but happy for Coburn/Hossa/Dupuis to succeed the way he should’ve here. I’d actually be more unhappy about seeing Modry hoist The Cup, because I wasn’t happy with him during his time in Atlanta.

The only people I’ve been upset about hoisting The Cup was Chris Pronger and Claude Lemieux (off the top of my head). I don’t feel dirty players should be allowed the honor of touching The Cup. Ryan Hollweg would fit on that list if he ever touches it.

By Nikita

April 29, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

I sincerely hope Jeremy Roenick and Jarko Ruutu are too temporarily injured to participate in any cup hoisting, should their teams win. Neither of those b******* deserves to get anywhere near it.

By Tony C.

April 29, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Hossa is a point-per-game OR BETTER producer (on avg.) in the rgeular season the past few years. In the playoffs (including this year) he averages considerably less. Now I will grant you that scoring in the playoffs is much more difficult. But I don’t believe that that is the reason that Murray and others in the Senator leadership coined the “Maid Marian” moniker-from Murray’s comments it’s mostly about his dropoff in his aggressivenes and his normally stout and dominating play along the half wall becomes neutralized-if not a turnover opportunity-that is why he got the name, not because he can’t play-because he doesn’t.

Now I think also this year in particular, Hossa has something to prove (it’s his last big walk year). He is also playing with arguably the best centReman in the game….and his point-per-game clip is back. That is why, fair or not, that he got the nickname-Murray & Co. KNEW that Hossa had an “extra gear” and possesed greater explosivesiveness that they did not see consistently enough in the playoffs.

Now, if you look at his stats at hockeydb.com, you’ll see he’s not a bad playoff performer, but the drop-off from the regular season is noticeable-couple that with the harsh view that most Canadians take to non-Canadian players (especially Europeans)-and it’s easy to see where he’ll have a very hard time shaking the name “Maid Marian”.

By Tony C.

April 29, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

Please bear in mind, that I’m talking about his average production. Clearly, he’s on a mission this post-season.

By kracker

April 29, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

On Hossa’s post-season performance thus far in these playoffs, one can’t help but consider a possible contributing factor to Hossa’s energetic play: That this past season Marian clearly didn’t play with maximum effort throughout the year, thus allowing him to play with more in the tank this post-season than in previous playoffs.

I may be totally off there but….maybe not.

By ranallo10

April 29, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Tony C — It’s important to realize that many stars have issues switching to that extra gear. The playoffs is what makes some above average players good (Holik), good players great (Forsberg, Yzerman), and good players above average (Hossa at times, Thornton, Marleau). The playoffs is a different atmosphere than regular games, and not all players can get themselves psyched for such intense games.

I’d contend that Hossa, as we’ve all seen, can become non-existent on the ice at times. I still feel he’s a good player, but I think sometimes he stops playing his game and starts trying to react to the opponents game. A good player deviating from his style of play can only be bad (in my opinion), and thus make someone like Hossa appear “soft” or “less productive” when the time counts. Marleau got called out for the same thing last year, as did Heatley, Spezza, et ali. Does that mean they can’t perform in the playoffs? I’d say no, but they’re not performing up to the majorities expectations and thus get unjustly labeled “underperformers” in the playoffs.

I don’t feel it’s an indictment upon their character, or their true abilities, but I do feel it’s worth mentioning when concerned about how they will fare during an extended playoff run.

But I’d rather Marian Hossa, even at his perceived less than average abilities, than an overachieving 3rd liner like Ryan Clowe. I guess I “trust” the game tested player like Hossa more than I trust someone like Clowe.

By polskidawg

April 29, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Jason Krog - seems to be a hard working player, but there’s a reasopn why he is in the AHL (along with Haydar, possibly Sterling). He’s as mentioned by others, this team is already small enough. Let him go.

Chicago Wolves Advance - a testament to their management and their desirous to be a winning (profitable) business. Wins=Profits. Likely they have no interest in being a Thrasher “farm” team.

Arters “Woulda” Kulda - let’s hope this kid gets a real chance to make the team in September. Love the name RH.

So…What’s More Likely To Happen?

a) What is more likely… the Pittsburgh Penguins will win the Stanley Cup in 4 consecutive sweeps.

b) What is more likely… that Don Waddell will used the #3 pick in the draft to pick the best defensive. It’s somewhat likely that he will use the second #1 as trade bait for another Ken Klee!

c) What is more likely to cause a sickly feeling in your stomach… Braydon Coburn doing so, (especially knowing that we are still on the hook for Alexei Zhitnik and his $3.5 million hit to next year’s cap)? That’s no slight on Braydon, rather DW’s willingness to trade “improving” for “imploding”.

d) What is more likely to happen first…the Atlanta Thrashers winning their first ever playoff game with Don Waddell or their first ever playoff game without Don Waddell? That’s too easy…

By ranallo10

April 29, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

kracker — I’m sure many people would agree with your observation.

Maybe I’m naive, but I always figured Hossa was playing fine. Some considered him “taking shifts off”, where I felt he was simply not giving that extra effort everyone fell in love with during his first two years in Atlanta. He performed up to his career standards (.9pts/game) this season, so I’d say those who feel he slacked during the season are only looking at the last two seasons.

By kracker

April 29, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

I really don’t know about Hossa, I was just throwing it out as a thought. It’s true I was comparing the 3rd year Hossa to the previous two years, particularly the previous season where Hossa would circle from the right board, sometimes swerving in front of the goal for a close backhander, sometimes stick-handling w/ one hand behind the net and beyond, seemingly at will. This last year those power moves were missing on most of his shifts.

To be fair, Marian had the early groin injury, his first ever if I have that right and it took him quite a while to get back to form - that was how I saw it then. Now, I don’t know. For whatever reason, the drive we saw in the two previous years looked to be missing. Perhaps he wasn’t 100% physically, maybe it was the contract situation and knowing he was leaving - which to me was clearly signaled when he switched to Rich Winter for his agent.

By HookyBob

April 29, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

This is worth a chuckle

If the syntax isn’t right go to SI.com the Hotclicks section

By ranallo10

April 29, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

kracker — I hear what you’re saying, and agree to some point regarding some of the “power moves” Hossa of old would make along the boards and towards the net. At times I found myself telling my buddy “he’s a beast” everytime someone tried to muscle him off the puck. He still plays that way, but it seems to be much more sparingly. Was it due to his groin, or his impending free agent status? There’s no way to know.

But compare it to the other superstar in Atlanta. Kovalchuk couldn’t score a goal to save his life in the beginning of the 2006/2007 season. He went on a horrific streak of pointless games, and ended the season with a .926pts/game average (compared to 1.26 and 1.07 the previous two seasons). Was Kovalchuk a victim of complacency, or of simple bad luck? Could it be because Savard was gone??

See, Kovalchuk’s lack of production (in my mind) was due to his lack of a linemate to carry part of his burden (Savard). Hossa’s fallen production this season was partially a result of Kozlov’s underperforming, and partially due to his injury. But that’s just my opinion.

I didn’t think Kovalchuk played poorly two years back, and will give him most excuses out there because I know how good he can be. I give Hossa the same waiver this year, because I know how good he can be.

By kracker

April 29, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

HookyBob That’s funny, I saw it earlier over on hfboards…the goalie really needs to work on his goal scoring celebration! LOL he’s on his back with his feet up in the air! Too bad his goal didn’t count but at least he did stop the subsequent penalty shot his stunt caused. And he is a YouTube star now :)

By kracker

April 29, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Ranallo All you say is true, hockey is a team game and I don’t think Kovy had any extended lapses in effort. Sometimes it just doesn’t work for you, like for Kovalchuk in the All-Star game this year where he tried his best but Nabakov just stoned him.

Unfortunately, our stars play for the recent and current Thrashers, where - how to put it? - a less than determined collective will to win on some nights couples with a bit less overall team talent to make those down days for our star players look all the more glaring.

…..I’m blaming the coaches ;)

By Marion Hossa

April 29, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

Hi Guys, Just checking in. I am looking forward to playing in the Semi-finals next week. Really enjoying the playoffs. Sorry you won’t enjoy the playoffs in the next few years because your owners won’t pay for good players. So if they won’t pay money for a good team why do you pay them??????????????????????????????????????????????????

By kracker

April 29, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

MH - good question. Well….the ASG needs the revenue to pay for more Billy Knights and Joe Johnsons and Mike Bibbys? Good luck in the PO….oh wait, it’s having good players around you, not luck.

By Brendan

April 29, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

Which of these 3-0 series do you think has the best chance of reaching a seventh game: Pittsburgh vs. NYR or Dallas vs. San Jose.

If the Red Wings pull off a win tonight, add them to the mix of 3-0 series. If you stop to think about it, the Flyers were 27 seconds away from a 3-0 lead in their series, if they hadn’t imploded in Game One.

By Bob

April 30, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

that is why he got the name, not because he can’t play-because he doesn’t

Tony, I usually agree with you but you’re dead wrong on this. Hossa first caught my eye while I was watching the Sens in their playoff runs. He was his completely dominating self, I’d be amazed at how we could control the puck in the zone and how forceful he went to the net. I hadn’t seen anybody like that except for Jagr.

Murray didn’t call him Maid Marian. That was the Islanders that called him that. And it was completely misplaced. Any knowledgeable Sens fan will tell you that the Sens went out early in their early playoff runs because they ran into some hot goaltenders, it happens, the whole team’s production was down. But I watched Hoss and he was a horse in the playoffs, strong as I ever saw him play for us (and yes, he did take this past year off for us, but can you blame him? He knew he was out of here).

By Brendan

April 30, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Rawhide, there’s an aspect to the Krog Question that no one has yet discussed.

What, then?? Spill it!!

What if, as an UNRESTRICTED free agent, Krog wants to test the waters, with intent on leaving. Now, I hear ya. He’s not exactly going to fetch some 3-year, multi-million dollar-per-season deal from the Red Wings, for example.

But take a moment to look at Vancouver. Isn’t Krog from Fernie, British Columbia? Maybe he longs for home? The new GM of Canuckletown, Mike Gillis, has said, “We’re not close to winning the Cup.” With an understanding that he intends to rebuild. And even dropped the Sedin Twins names as “expedable assets.” Probably at this Summer’s Draft.

Say, would give up the #3 pick for both Sedins? Moving right along …

Krog, at $500-600K, wouldn’t break Vancouver’s budget, if they were inclined to pick him up. I’m jus’ sayin’.

By ranallo10

April 30, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

26 goals and 30 assists and a -14 in 60 games for Atlanta in 07/08.

Hossa’s career regular season PT/GM is 0.924.

Hossa’s career playoff PT/GM is 0.694.

Hossa’s PT/GM in 07/08 (for Atlanta) was 0.933.

PT/GM 07/08 (for Pittsburgh) was 0.8333 during the regular season (10pts, 12gp, 0 +/-), and 1.143 during the playoffs. 0.947 combined.

Maybe, JUST MAYBE, Hossa is back to his normal self after having two GREAT seasons statistically in Atlanta. Or, Hossa been nursing injuries for an extended period of time this season. Or, Hossa wasn’t happy with his situation this past season and decided to try a little less harder than he normally would. Or, Hossa is playing for a BIG contract.

Ask Hossa if you’d like to know the true answer, otherwise it’s all conjecture on our parts (thus nobody is “dead wrong”).

By ranallo10

April 30, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Brendan — While he might be a serviceable scoring line player, he’s definitely not in the mold of a rebuilding piece, nor a missing piece to the Stanley Cup puzzle.

If someone else signs Krog, I doubt many Atlanta fans will be heartbroken.

By Done

April 30, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

I can tell you what Don Waddell will do. Figure out what is the best for the team and the smartist moves and then do exactly the opposite. Then tell eveyone what a great deal it was. Why should this year be any different.

Waddell is a career killer. Krog should move on to the best place for him no matter the money. Waddell will put him down just like he did with Savard and others to justify his inability to resign.

By ranallo10

April 30, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Done — Signing elsewhere for less money might be a rather risky move for a journeyman player. He’s obviously got AHL talent, but his NHL abilities are questionable. Signing a higher contract to play in Atlanta would probably be better for his life, as that extra money would still be paid to him if he’s sent to the AHL. Being sent down to Vancouver’s AHL affiliate with a smaller contract would mean he’s gone nowhere for less money.

I don’t envy such a decision, it’s gotta be a tough one (even at that dollar amount).

By Marion Hossa

April 30, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

If the owners don’t try hard why should I?

By Marion Hossa

April 30, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Playing with Sid instead of some AHL player helps.

By Brendan

May 1, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Actually, what I was thinking was … that teams trying to rebuild, need to lose, to obtain favorable draft position. And while in that process, a “league-minimum” guy, with some potential upside, who WANTS to be there, hypothetically, might be an “okay” decision for Vancouver. Krog’s family may still be in British Columbia. It might be worth it for him. He’d be closer to home and still in the NHL, potentially. That is, assuming Vancouver is the slightest bit interested in Krog. Which they may not be.