Ice Man

By NASCAR Dave

June 20, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Nice job RAWHIDE.

I knew you wouldn’t let us down.

Now, Step 1 is complete.

Time for Step 2 = The DRAFT.

Please don’t screw this up Donnie…

By Sara

June 20, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

And we had to go through a denial of this because….

Either way, at least we have a coach. My biggest hope for Anderson - well I guess there are several - but one is that he can finally get the Thrashers and Wolves on the same page so our farm system actually works to our benefit.

Now - bring on the draft!

By GaVaHokie

June 20, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

Great job to the PR folks at FUBAR for making your GM look like an idiot all day… Bravo!

Should have just let it run yesterday.

By Russian

June 20, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Finally, we got a Coach. I hope he will do much better than Beast and Don on last season. In my chilhood in Russia, I read a book about ugly little Duck which became to Beatiful Swan. This Duck got lot of troubles and nobody liked him. But He grew and presented youself as White Beatiful Swan. Well, of cause it is a Kids story. Does anybody Knows who wrote this story!!!!!??????

Nobody!? Well, story has been written by Hans Christian Anderson I am kind of hope that this John Anderson turn out our UGLY team TO Stanley Cup Team. Everybody! CHEERS for Anderson!!!! Salut!. Drink Comrades!!!!!! I have a lot fun! :-)

By Backpacker

June 20, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Finally we are moving the right direction!

Don wanted it to be firm before he announced it. Remember the Falcons last year?

Love the blog Rawhide. It was my “fix” last year since I protested the games.

By Tony C.

June 20, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

We gotta get him to keep the ‘stache

By midtownrebecca

June 20, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

I think I speak for most when I say ABOUT FREAKING TIME

By Buzilla in CT

June 20, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Gotta love a guy who played for the Hartford Whalers!!!

By Rawhide

June 20, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave - I do aim to please, my friend.

BackPacker - yes I agree…the last thing I would want would be for the Thrashers to get “Bill Parcellsed”!

So, is this enough to make you re-think attending games?

midtownrebecca - Yup, 248 days. But I gotta say, in the end it was a great hire!

Hey…you related to one of our regular posters Midtown Marvin???

By Dixie (Rstroz secretary)

June 20, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Rstroz, paging RStroz please check you e-mails sir.

By Bob

June 20, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

My biggest hope for Anderson - well I guess there are several - but one is that he can finally get the Thrashers and Wolves on the same page so our farm system actually works to our benefit

I would hope so too, but that doesn’t seem realistic. Chicago is still independant, not owned by us. And now they go get their own coach who may run a completely different system than Chicago runs.

The right fix to that issue is to get a deal with an AHL club where we own them, or where we at least control who they play.

By Russ

June 20, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Good hire.

Also, the ASG has fired DW and I have been hired as his replacement. If you ask anyone, this story will be denied, but you’ll see tomorrow it will be officially announced.

One player I think the Thrashers should keep an eye on tonight is Kyle Beach. In the Hockey News he is the 10th rated prospect, but is supposedly sliding because of anger issues. He is a big, physical center with good hands by all acounts, and he just happens to have a bad temper. That’s supposed to be a negative??? It sounds to me like he gets a little pi$$ed off if things aren’t going well. Heaven forbid if we have someone around here other than Kovy with a little emotion and doesn’t seem to take losing very well. If the draft gets to the 15th or 16th pick and he is still on the board I would be looking to move up from that 29th spot.

By midtownrebecca

June 20, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Rawhide Nope, I am an original. Huge fan of the team, read often, post rarely. Keep up the great work.

By FormerIslesFan

June 20, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Gotta agree with Tony C. on this one. The walrus ‘stache should be a condition of employment.

By R. Stroz

June 20, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Does Waddell know we have coach yet?

By ranallo10

June 20, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Russ — His “anger issues* seem comparable to Chris Simon. I’m not sure that is what the Thrashers need. Beach has the potential to be a better player than Simon (who is a gifted hockey player too), but whenever you hear “anger issues” or “short temper” in the same sentence as “prospect”, one should be worried.

I wouldn’t support moving up to acquire Beach, but that’s my opinion.

Bob — Have any idea if Anaheim needs to make new arrangements for an AHL affiliate? Rochester is now solely Florida’s AHL affiliate, as Buffalo made an agreement with Portland (Anaheim’s former partner)…so does that mean Anaheim and Buffalo are sharing Portland similar to how Florida and Buffalo shared Rochester?

By Alan

June 20, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Russia: Come play for us for $12.5M/yr! Malkin: DENIED!

Hopefully, this puts that little rumor to rest.

By Thrashy Thrashy

June 20, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Rawhide,

Uh, John Anderson is the fourth head coach in Thrashers history. Curt Fraser, Bob Hartley, and Don Waddell (twice) have manned the bench for the Thrashers over the years. I know we don’t like Waddell, but he certainly counts as a head coach. He’s coached slighly more than a full season’s worth of games for a team that has only played eight seasons.

Kinda pathetic that the only GM this team has ever had has had to coach his own team twice because of his own ineptitude. It is more pathetic that he has been given the opportunity to do so.

In any event, congrats to John Anderson on getting the job. I hope he can make a winner out of this bunch. I hope he was allowed to have some input into tonight’s draft. Good luck to Waddell in the draft tonight.

By Thrasher Ryan

June 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Excellent hire!

I wouldn’t want it any other way!

GO BLUE!!!

By ranallo10

June 20, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

I wonder if the entire coaching staff will be coming to Atlanta, or if Anderson will be “asked” to hire people with NHL experience as an assistant coach.

McCrimmon and Sullivan are the two people I have a feeling Waddell could “ask” Anderson to hire.

I’d be fine with Sullivan, but I’d be upset about McCrimmon based on this defenses past failures. The ONLY plus side to re-hiring McCrimmon is the effect he has in the locker room, where he was apparently well respected.

Hell, maybe with a different head coach even McCrimmon improves defensively?

By Lew318

June 20, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

I also thought it was a good hire. Now if we can put three lines together that can support Anderson’s Coaching style we have a chance. certain Kovi will fit in!!!!

Anybody know what happen to McCrimmon? Go Thrashers!!

By Sharon

June 20, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Well, alright, we have a coach! Any thoughts or rumors on who the assistants will be?

Between the coach and the draft, this could turn out to be an exciting day for the franchise.

By Lew318

June 20, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

By the way, I thought Schultz’s comments yesterday were extremely direct and to the point!!!

By Tony C.

June 20, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

RANALLO…That very well could be-I mean if things are as bad as my worst imaginings, then guess who else had his hands tied???

By HookyBob

June 20, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

This is off topic but I feel the question needs to be asked.

Is anyone bringing bail money to spring Stroz tonight?

By ranallo10

June 20, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — Since most of the players felt Hartley didn’t deserve to be fired, and most players also feel McCrimmon is the man for the job, then it’s quite possible more is happening behind the scenes (by Waddell or anyone higher than him) than ANYBODY is letting be known.

I guess the future of McCrimmon will help point us (the fans) in the right direction of where the truth actually lies (regarding the coaching issues).

By Sage of Bluesland

June 20, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Does this mean our bumbling Donny has a brand new “Five Year Plan”???

It’ll do as our clownish GM will scapegoat this poor coach in time—to save his sorry hide yet again…

A minor-league coach to go with our minor league GM and organization—perfect fit!

By Tony C.

June 20, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Ok so LA takes doughnutz now if DW can resist temptation and get Bogo….

By Buzilla in CT

June 20, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

SWEEEEEEEEET

We GOT MEAT SAUCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Smoothie

June 20, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

It’s official! Break out the pasta cuz we got the MEAT SAUCE!!!!!!!!!!

Now go make a trade and bring a guy like Alex Tanguay to town…this draft is already a hell of a lot more entertaining and interesting than the NFL Draft!

Let’s go Thrashers!!!!

By Tony C.

June 20, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Although he is without the fine facial hair, I kind of like the look of Msr. Anderson-he looks like a jack&coke kind of guy…what do yall think of the Jokinen trade? I think it’s good for both teams… Betcha Burke is just now stopped cursing. The Great One is building a nice lil squad out there.

By Bob

June 20, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

I was just out on the back deck, I think I head stroz with the bullhorn Power to the People, stroz

By Buzilla in CT

June 20, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

I think a saw a news wire that Stroz changed his mind and staged a ‘love in’ as a form of protest for the direction the Thrashers are going in. A totally nude Stroz painted his body blue. Upon hearing the news of Bogo getting drafted he doused him self in Ragu.

A Thrashers spoken said Waddell had been fired in hopes to get a stitch of cloth on the meaty blue Stroz

Fight the good fight my friend

By Rawhide

June 20, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Thrasy Thrash - Yeah, I hear ya…even thought about that. But Anderson is the third coach “hired” by the Thrashers….Waddell stepped in twice with the “interim” tag on his coaching title.

Picking at nits I know…

HookyBob - RStroz and bullhorn were with me and Alan and PJ all evening. He got a “BOGO-BOGO chant going right before the pick…and other short burst of various “statements”.

We made sure he stayed out of trouble….

Zilla - Please, PLEASE…for the love of GOD and all things holy…please never use the words “totally nude” and “”Stroz” in the same sentance.

There isn’t enough alcohol in this world to drink that image out of my mind!!!!

By Alan

June 20, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

Tony C - Florida lost, big time. They got fleeced.

By PJ

June 20, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Have no fear, Hookybob I got Stroz to and from PA safely, although he did have to grip my seats on the way home…..something about me driving too slow I think? Not sure. Okay, can someone explain “meat sauce” to me or do I not want to know?

Tony C - I agree with the facial hair, could even start a new trend but the teal suit… has to go.

By Alan

June 21, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

At the party, someone (I forget who it was; a two mile walk will do that to you) asked about US-born players on the Thrashers. Ken Klee was an immediate answer. However, Jim Slater is the only other US-born player (Michigan) on our current roster.

Bogosian comes from New York, and I’m fairly certain he will be on the roster for this coming season.

Not only are we getting younger, we’re also - slowly but surely - getting more American.

By Rawhide

June 21, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

Alan - That would have been my oldest tax exemption that posed the question.

BTW all…what do you think the odds are that the Thrashers marketing department jumps on the idea of bringing attention to our first draft pick this weekend by having him on TV adds proming “Bogo’s BOGO nights”

(Buy One Get One free tickets for selected games)

By Alan

June 21, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

I …uh, I can’t see that, Rawhide. I’m sorry.

However, I wouldn’t put it past the Thrashers marketing department to try it, anyway.

…wait, the Thrashers have a marketing department? With as much advertising as they do on billboards, local TV and radio stations not named 680TheFan, I never would have known otherwise.

By NASCAR Dave

June 21, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

What in the world HAPPENED??? We HAD it going in the right direction, grabbing BOGOSIAN… I was SO HAPPY we grabbed him… I thought Donnie might have one of his better nights in his illustrious career in Blueland… But then what happens??? WE WASTE a 1st Round Pick on a “Project” Player??? GREAT! We NEED players who can step in NOW!!! That was a WASTED 1st Round Pick!!! No doubt about it! I am extremely upset we did not grab STAAL… We have NO 2nd Round Pick and STAAL will go very early in the 2nd. We lost out on him for a guy that’s going to College. Great. We also coulda had DESCHAMPS, or one of the D-Men still there…

We needed IMPACT players in this Draft, and we got one with our first pick, but SCREWED UP with our 2nd 1st Round Pick!!! The worst part about it is we lost HOSSA for a 1st Rounder, and we probably won’t see this kid for 4 years! All I can say is ESPOSITO better step it up BIG TIME or Donnie FRAUDell is going to have to explain how this pick was worth it… Because I think a lot of people are going to view this as a Bad Pick. Because it is.

NUFF SAID.

By Tim

June 21, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this

NASCAR: Leveille could be the X-factor, the dark horse, the sleeper or whatever you called in this year draft. He went from being a no name to number 89 on central scouting report at mid-term only to finish 47th best skaters on North America List. This kid have thing that no coach can teach: Speed and a solid head. He know his priority and he is a team first player. In fact, some scouting report have him going even earlier. Yes it’s a long term project but not a bad one, especially since we had people that going to step in the next 2-3 years to fill severals position.

By R. Stroz

June 21, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

Interesting evening at Philips.

These were my observations:

1) The mood was mixed. No one was sure if DW would screw up the third pick or not. Most were happy we finally had a coach.

2) DW is not a popular man. When DW was pictured at the Thrashers table before walking to the podium, DW was heavily booed.

3) When Bogo was announced, everyone was happy.

4) Everytime a trade was announced, everyone held their collective breath that DW didn’t do something stupid.

5) Then again, every Thrasher fan knew that we should pick Bogo, in the end, even DW didn’t screw this pick up.

6) There were a lot of sales reps that weren’t making ticket sales. Evidently, many Thrasher fans are sitting on their collective wallets until DW follows through with the promises of two tier D-men and a real center for Kovy. Thrasher fans were friendly to the reps but weren’t forking over any money. Based on a few conversations, I think the sales reps would like to see DW get axed.

With the 29th pick, DW went off the reservation and once again proved that unless the pick is “so easy a caveman could do it” that he can, and will, screw up.

BTW, Alan, PJ, and Rawhide kept me out of trouble.

By ranallo10

June 21, 2008 1:27 AM | Link to this

Tony C. — I somewhat agree with Alan about the Jokinen trade…I think they could’ve gotten a much better package than 2 defenders and a second round pick for a 1st line center under contract. Hossa’s return looks GREAT comparatively. Tanguay was traded for a 1st rounder (swapping lower picks), Umberger was traded for a 1st rounder (swapping picks), so why couldn’t Jokinen get them AT LEAST a first rounder??

But on the dark side, Florida’s defense is young but NHL experience. Bouwmeester, Welch, Allen, and now Boynton + Ballard…that’s not a shabby defense to build around, and the oldest of the group I just mentioned is Boynton (29).

Calgary did well getting Cammalleri.

Overall I was glad to see most players moved DID NOT impact the Thrashers. In other words, the big name players went to teams that only play us a few times in the season (Tanguay to Montreal the exception).

Stroz — When Waddell came to the podium I immediately turned to my friend and commented “I bet they’re booing like crazy at Philips Arena”. I’m glad you confirmed that hunch. And we too were holding our breath or saying “don’t say Atlanta” everytime Bettman came to the podium.

Did anybody else want to smack one of the following:

Gary Bettman, Darryl Sutter, Brian Burke, or Washington’s last man to announce the Carlson pick. Bettman looked like an absolute prick, Sutter looked like an a*, Burke looked like a egotistical prick (as opposed to the absolute one Bettman is), and the Washington dude (didn’t catch his name) looked like a KAOpectate commercial. I wished one of them would fall while going up the steps, but I don’t think that ever happened.

By R. Stroz

June 21, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this

Maybe DW didn’t go as far off the reservation as I first thought. I hate being wr…wron, incorrect.

DAULTAN LEVEILLE

From TSN: One of the best pure skaters in the draft, size and strength is an issue as is the lack of competition he faced in his Jr. B league this season, but speed kills, and he’s got it.

From NHL Central Scouting: Daultan is a wonderful surprise who comes out of the St. Catharines Falcons program that never before has produced an NHL draft pick. There has been a lot of interest in him this year and he has performed well in front of NHL scouts such that he may well not be around by the third round selections.

By R. Stroz

June 21, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this

ranallo10 - Bettman needs to learn how to read. The guy jus…just…cou..couldn’t say anyth..anything…withou…without slurrrring hisss speeech.

By Alan

June 21, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this

ranallo - I believe I compared the way Bettman looked to Mel Brooks as Gov. William J. Lepetomane in Blazing Saddles.

I don’t think I’m too far off the mark, here.

By R. Stroz

June 21, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this

Alan - LMAO

By ranallo10

June 21, 2008 2:26 AM | Link to this

I love that movie. Some of my favorite quotes come from it:

THIS THING IS WARPED!

and

Just think of your secretary.

(just to quote a couple)

By ranallo10

June 21, 2008 2:45 AM | Link to this

My selections for the 63rd pick (and a snip from the NHL Central Scouting report:

David Carle — 5’11 180 D

He has a very heavy shot from the point and he plays the body hard. He has a strong overall game and physical presence — he displays all the same signs that his brother, Matt, had at the same age.

Jared Staal — 6’3 198 RW

He comes off the wing with the desire to go to the net.

Jyri Niemi — 6’2 192 D

He quarterbacks the power-play, with a heavy shot from the point.

Eric O’Dell — 6’0 174 C

His playmaking ability and his puck skills are very good; he has a good shot and really sees the ice well

By LAC

June 21, 2008 3:11 AM | Link to this

Great Report Stroz !!!! Wish I had been there. Glad to hear waddell got the BOO treatment !!!!!!!

Good first pick, kid is tough and mean, with him and Boris… bet there will be far less running at our forwards, now knowing their’s will get flattened in return, something we’ve really never been in the position to do.

Futhermore he is a RIGHT-HAND shot we only have the wonderful ken klee up until today.

Now time to start chopping off the DEAD WOOD on this team, starting with zit,larsen,white,slater,klee… Those five need to be moved waived, bought out anything but they need to go so we can improve the team.

Anderson interesting choice, let’s hope the players work with him and waddell leaves him alone to do his own thing, as at least waddell is not coaching anymore, a loser there too !!!!

Again GREAT Stroz,That’s it from KC !

By Alan

June 21, 2008 3:33 AM | Link to this

LAC - I pretty much agree with you on all points except Slater. The kid showed some real fire last year down the stretch. Yeah, I know that we needed him to pot some goals all season long, but he’s showing some potential now.

Let’s see what happens with him this season.

The rest can find the exit doors themselves… and in the case of Zhitnik, hopefully sooner rather than later.

By NASCAR Dave

June 21, 2008 4:50 AM | Link to this

STROZ, thanks for the report. I missed the party, but I saw the action. NASCAR Dave expected most of what you said happened. Reps there, huh? Yeah, it’s PAnic time. LOL.

LAC - Right on, I agree 100%. It might be a miracle if any of those LOSERS get traded… I don’t think any other teams would want them!!!

Of course, Donnie FRAUDell can’t get through 1 round without F-ing up a damn pick!!!

RANNALLO - CARLE, STAAL, and NIEMI will be GONE by our Pick # 63… That is why I am mad, I would be happy with any of the 3, but they will ALL be gone! DONNIE messed up BIG TIME with the 2nd 1st Rounder!!!

NASCAR Dave suggests:

HAVELID-ENSTROM
BOGOSIAN-KULDA (Or KLEE if we don’t CUT his a$$!)
EXELBY-VALABIK

Maybe EXELBY could score more if he’s paired with BORIS???

NASCAR Dave suggests we ADD a NEW Goalie to the “System” tomorrow also…

That DAN MARR guy is a FOOL… Why has he NOT been replaced yet??? That Crappy A$$ 2ND Pick has HIS Name ALL OVER IT… Why do you all think Donnie FRAUDell didn’t announce it? Because he bumbled and blabbered the first pick, or because that was a Dan Marr pick??? Either way, a STUPID as HELL pick…

DAMN!

By LAC

June 21, 2008 5:05 AM | Link to this

Alan… I am still not sold on Slater He has been up and down since coming here, more down than up. I would not be that upset to see him return next season, but he needs to fire up the jets and score more and be a better scoring threat, than just skating up and down the wings.

The others… GOOD-BYE we honestly have ZERO need for those guys, waive buyout or release, but their Thrasher days should be over for good. No to bringing Holik back as well.

I still want to know more on this Espo kid, he was a first rounder last season, is he someone who CAN come in and make a difference ?

The second kid picked looks so-so from what I can see, bet Stroz would have the scoop on him.

How many were at Philips for the event ? waddell was booed loudly… interesting to say the very least, seems all but these owners know what the correct call is.

Well waddell and those clowns better serve up some SOLID UFA’s or else.

I think we could have had Jokinin (I know I butchered that one) for about what FL got… why not ??????

Please NASCARDAVE, Bob, The Great Sage… why could we not pull off THAT deal ?

By Alan

June 21, 2008 5:19 AM | Link to this

LAC - For what Florida got for Jokinen, we could have come up with a better deal. Here’s a deal I just thought up right this second:

Oystrik Zhitnik ATL 3rd 2008

for

Jokinen

Honestly, I think that deal comes out a little ahead of what Phoenix paid. And Florida would still get fleeced.

By Tony C.

June 21, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

I like O’Dell as well.

Personally, I thought Jokinen would’ve gotten them a 1st-round+ player or 2nd&3rd+ playerS. But it may be that Martin really just dislikes the guy enough to sell him cheap! Who knows?

But their D does look pretty damn good. I read some noise about Bouwemeester(spl?) possibly being on the move, but how could you? Anyway, their D is looking solid.

By LAC

June 21, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

You are correct Alan, we SHOULD have tried to get this guy, would have solved the front line center issue.

By Tony C.

June 21, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

No way he’d have let Jokinen go to another team in the same division…especially given the feud-8 games a year that Jokinen could stick it to ‘em…even Snow & Wang wouldn’t make that deal, and they’re clearly marching to their own drummer…hell their own band.

By You might be a redneck if

June 21, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

You might be a redneck if you’re watching the NHL draft and say “WTF, we needed an NHL ready player with that 29th pick!” In your infinite wisdom, do any of you realize that the number of NHL games played last year by players picked in the 1st round after Patrick Kane was less than 5 games (all played by the 3rd pick Kyle Turris). Do you people realize that your top rookie last year, Tobias Enstrom, was drafted in 2003? Yet you want someone to come in at the 29th pick and be an impact player this year? Let me know if your paper ever gets an article on your new picks.

By You might be a redneck if

June 21, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

You might be a redneck if you think an NHL hockey team is going to give up a top line center (Jokinen) for a minor leaguer (Oystrick) and an aging star with big salary (Zhitnik) with a 3rd rounder thrown in. Would you people remotely consider trading Hossa for a minor leaguer and a guy who has one more year left in the league? Would you really take Zhitnik over Boynton if you were the Florida GM? You people are crazy down there.

By NASCAR Dave

June 21, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Does anybody know about this SAPONARI kid from POWDER SPRINGS, GA??? Looks like Donnie took some advice from the BRAVES and started snagging the Local talent… Sweet. Is he going to College too???

We Got A Goalie I see too… however, I would have preferred the Swede (Markstrom).

Too BAd we missed out on STAAL…

So, what I REALLY wondering is… Are we still bringing in 2 Top Line D-men (as we were promised)???

Can I get verification on this??? Anybody who was at the Season Ticket Holder Meeting at the Wild Game… Did they really promise us 2 Top Line UFA D-Men???

ESPOSITO better make this team… Then we can do without SLATER… I agree with LAC, SLATER can be useful if HE WILL LEARN how to step his game up and PLAY CONSISTENT… Otherwise, he is just wasting one of our roster spots… If that’s the case, I’d rather let a new kid have the chance (HOLZAPEL, ESPOSITO, LUCENIUS)…

By Brendan

June 21, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Some early impressions from an uncertain draft … defensemen have seemed to be at the forefront. That’s, uhh, actually no surprise. The NY Islanders really bungled their #5 spot, in my opinion. We won’t know that, for certain, for a number of years. But every time an Islanders fan watches Schenn make a great play for Toronto, he or she should think, “that guy should’ve been ours.” On the other hand, they obviously had a “hard on” for Center Josh Bailey, to settle on him at #9. It’s that, or that’s the story they’re going with!

Goalies … the first one taken was at #18. That’s not a bad place to find one. You’re in that “crapshoot” area of the draft anyway. Nashville had traded Chris Mason, after Dan Ellis won the starter’s job from him, and with Vokoun long since traded away to Florida, the Predators decided to select the top goalie in the draft with Chet Pickard. Good move by GM David Poile. By the way, the Predators did re-sign Ellis. He won’t be hitting the UFA market.

Does this mean a team needing a goalie will make the RFA offersheet to Kari Lehtonen? No. Not necessarily. I wouldn’t bet on that.

The next goalie selected was from Amherst, NY, just over the border from Ontario, Canada, and was selected by the Detroit Red Wings, Thomas McCollum, 30th overall, the final pick of the 1st round. Good for Detroit! They now have Howard in their system, plus Chris Osgood for two more years, with Hasek now retired. I think this is a good move by Detroit to get this WNY kid. The third goalie selected was Jacob Markstrom, #31, by Florida. And Jake Allen, goalie, went #34, to St. Louis.

St. Louis used the pick they got from Atlanta, via the Tkachuk “rental,” to select Center Philip McRae, 6’2”, 189-pounds. Remember that name, Thrasher fans. That’s the guy who was potentially ours, with a 2nd round pick.

Diamonds in the rough … for my “sleeper” pick, I like what Calgary did at #25, with their selection of Greg Nimisz, Center, reportedly quite a sniper.

I like Ottawa’s selection, at #15, Erik Karlsson, defenseman, from Sweden, with Alfredsson making the pick from the podium!

Carolina took Zach Boychuk, Center, at #14. At #35, Nicolas Deschamps, Center, was taken by Brian Burke and the Anaheim Ducks. An excellent pick! At #39, Eric O’Dell, 6’0” tall, 174-pounds, from Sudbury in the OHL, was taken by Anaheim. The Ducks got a “gem” of player in O’Dell. That’s a good GM making the most of a pick at #39!

At #49, Jared Staal, RW, was selected by Wayne Gretzky’s Phoenix Coyotes. Let’s keep an eye out for that name, as well.

Atlanta got Danick Paquette, RW, at #64. At #94, Atlanta took Vinny Saponari, RW, 6’0”, 179-pounds. At #124, Atlanta selected Nicklas Lasu, LW, from Sweden, 5’11”, 176-pounds. At #154, Atlanta took Goalie Christopher Carrozzi, 6’3” tall, 185-pounds. Let’s keep an eye on that name for the future. He could be Pavelec or Lehtonen’s backup five years down the road.

That’s my recap. I left out a lot. You guys fill in the rest. Rounds II - VII will be replay on NHL TV at 2:00 PM today.

By Tony C.

June 21, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

for your consideration: Pick#64,Danick Paquette Heh. Dude he’s got like 6 good scraps on youtube. No idea if he can skate or shoot, but the kid seems to have some pretty heavy hands…and defintely isn’t a quitter

By Brendan

June 21, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Some early impressions from an uncertain draft … defensemen have seemed to be at the forefront. That’s, uhh, actually no surprise. The NY Islanders really bungled their #5 spot, in my opinion. We won’t know that, for certain, for a number of years. But every time an Islanders fan watches Schenn make a great play for Toronto, he or she should think, “that guy should’ve been ours.” On the other hand, they obviously had a “hard on” for Center Josh Bailey, to settle on him at #9. It’s that, or that’s the story they’re going with!

Goalies … the first one taken was at #18. That’s not a bad place to find one. You’re in that “crapshoot” area of the draft anyway. Nashville had traded Chris Mason, after Dan Ellis won the starter’s job from him, and with Vokoun long since traded away to Florida, the Predators decided to select the top goalie in the draft with Chet Pickard. Good move by GM David Poile. By the way, the Predators did re-sign Ellis. He won’t be hitting the UFA market.

Does this mean a team needing a goalie will make the RFA offersheet to Kari Lehtonen? No. Not necessarily. I wouldn’t bet on that.

The next goalie selected was from Amherst, NY, just over the border from Ontario, Canada, and was selected by the Detroit Red Wings, Thomas McCollum, 30th overall, the final pick of the 1st round. Good for Detroit! They now have Howard in their system, plus Chris Osgood for two more years, with Hasek now retired. I think this is a good move by Detroit to get this WNY kid. The third goalie selected was Jacob Markstrom, #31, by Florida. And Jake Allen, goalie, went #34, to St. Louis.

St. Louis used the pick they got from Atlanta, via the Tkachuk “rental,” to select Center Philip McRae, 6’2”, 189-pounds. Remember that name, Thrasher fans. That’s the guy who was potentially ours, with a 2nd round pick.

Diamonds in the rough … for my “sleeper” pick, I like what Calgary did at #25, with their selection of Greg Nimisz, Center, reportedly quite a sniper.

I like Ottawa’s selection, at #15, Erik Karlsson, defenseman, from Sweden, with Alfredsson making the pick from the podium!

Carolina took Zach Boychuk, Center, at #14. At #35, Nicolas Deschamps, Center, was taken by Brian Burke and the Anaheim Ducks. An excellent pick! At #39, Eric O’Dell, 6’0” tall, 174-pounds, from Sudbury in the OHL, was taken by Anaheim. The Ducks got a “gem” of player in O’Dell. That’s a good GM making the most of a pick at #39!

At #49, Jared Staal, RW, was selected by Wayne Gretzky’s Phoenix Coyotes. Let’s keep an eye out for that name, as well.

Atlanta got Danick Paquette, RW, at #64. At #94, Atlanta took Vinny Saponari, RW, 6’0”, 179-pounds. At #124, Atlanta selected Nicklas Lasu, LW, from Sweden, 5’11”, 176-pounds. At #154, Atlanta took Goalie Christopher Carrozzi, 6’3” tall, 185-pounds. Let’s keep an eye on that name for the future. He could be Pavelec or Lehtonen’s backup five years down the road.

That’s my recap. I left out a lot. You guys fill in the rest. Rounds II - VII will be replay on NHL TV at 2:00 PM today.

By Tony C.

June 21, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

My bad. this was supposed to be the first link above.

By Tony C.

June 21, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

couldn’t find any game footage of the other guys,

By NASCAR Dave

June 21, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

TONY C. Kids a scrapper sure… Can he Score??? Looks like another DESBIENS…

You won’t find footage of the 29th Pick… A big mistake with that pick, IMO.

If that’s who they really wanted, they shoulda traded down and gotten the extra picks, at least a 2nd Rounder… That dude would still be there after Round 2 I bet…

So, Free Agent signings better be GOOD… No immediate help from this draft other than BOGOSIAN, which is a “Solid” Pick.

Kinda funny how Donnie slipped up on the Microphone saying the kid’s name… Also, congratulating the Detroit Dead Things was entirely unnecessary…

Silly Donnie…

By Alan

June 21, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

You might be a redneck if you think an NHL hockey team is going to give up a top line center (Jokinen) for a minor leaguer (Oystrick) and an aging star with big salary (Zhitnik) with a 3rd rounder thrown in

Fortunately, I’m not a redneck. However, Florida got fleeced. That was my point. At least my attempt to fleece them was apparent.

By Tony C.

June 21, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

I dunno NASCAR, you can’t teach exceptional speed, and by all accounts this kid has jets, not wheels. I do not really like the fact that we took him so high coming from Junior “B”, but I’d bet I’m sure between DW and Slater’s Mich. State ties, they got the straight poop on this kid. Yes he’s a project, but honestly to expect anyone from say #12 on down to just step in and handle things at an NHL level is VERY optimistic.

Granted, I had hoped we’d trade a package built around that #29 pick, but if there weren’t any good deals for the pick, and given that Ennis & Tikhonov (spl?) were gone-I’m not upset with the pick.

By Alan

June 21, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Oh and hey, Hossa has decided to test free agency. I think this was inevitable from the start.

By Wheatfield Blade

June 21, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

I don’t know why someone felt the need to put Amherst, NY in bold above, but Thomas McCollum is NOT from Amherst, NY. He is from Sanborn, NY.

By Tony C.

June 21, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Alan-

shocker

Dude Winter is his agent! They were going UFA al the way.

I wonder if he’d fit into LA’s budget?

Something tells me he’s going to St. Louis if he doesn’t stay with the penguins

By Alan

June 21, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

I know that, Tony. But there were people here who said “OMG Pittsburgh offered him 7yr/$50M!” and said the Thrashers were cheap by comparison, citing that as a reason we wouldn’t be able to sign him. I think those individuals expected Hossa to sign outright in Pittsburgh.

By Ben

June 21, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

if Shero believes Hoss will be a Pen, I’ll just have to shop the Banana Bridge to him. (ITP REFERENCE)

By NASCAR Dave

June 21, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Something tells me he’s going to St. Louis if he doesn’t stay with the penguins

What about Phoenix to play with his brother & Gretzky? You know they would overpay for him.

By NASCAR Dave

June 21, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

I dunno NASCAR, you can’t teach exceptional speed, and by all accounts this kid has jets, not wheels.

TONY Speed is great and all, but can he SCORE???

Speed is useless if you can’t score… (See: JIM SLATER)

Michigan State too? Too Friggin Weird, man…

Scratching Head

By You might be a redneck if

June 21, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

You might be a redneck if you think having 2 players from one of the more established hockey schools in recent history on the same team is “friggin weird”.

Yes, that is too “friggin weird”. Like once man, I heard this urban legend man, that there were like 2 players from the University of Miami that were on the same NFL team. That’s like, almost as friggin weird as this man.

By five_hole

June 21, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

Haven’t contributed in awhile. First I was just P*O’d by the way our season ended; then really didn’t have much to say.

Here’s my thought; Everyone has blasted Don Friggin Waddell for the past year, then, all of a sudden, we love his draft? Now, I’m hoping we drafted a few hall-of-famer’s here, but let’s not forget who’s been in charge of the draft since we took Patrick Stephan over the Sedin twins. I want to evaluate this draft in about 3 years. My guess is that most of the guys we drafted will be with the organization, selling beer in the upper deck. And history is on my side.

Everything I’ve read about the Begosian kid says that he’s (potentially) a franchise d-man. I really hope he’s everything they say. And Waddell usually has some success when he drafts in the top half-dozen or so (exception is Stephan). His problem seems to be somewhere after the 1st 6-8 picks of the draft.

And DW is sticking with his guy Zhitnik! If Ottawa can waive Emery, why can’t DW just admit he got fleeced by Philly & waive the bum!

Bottom line; the first 48 hours of free agency will speak volumes about how we’re going to do this year. Supposedly, the Thrashers are roughly $25 mil under the cap.

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=ATL&season=0809

Are we going to go with players “on the cheap” (meaning callups from Chicago like Hydar, who can’t play in the NHL), or do we go out and sign a couple of NHL-proven difference-makers (B. Campbell, M. Ryder)?

By Alan

June 21, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

five_hole - I think we’re going to do “what we can.”

Take that how you will.

This draft, as it stands now, has exceeded my expectations. Waddell, as far as I can see, didn’t do anything stupid. We’ll know whether or not this is true next off-season.

By Tony C.

June 21, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Do you rally think Campbell’s that good? I mean he’s going to have to channel a young Orr to justify the price tag he’ll ask for to sign here.

Don’t get me wrong, the guys is a notable talent, but are you sure he’s a (justifiable) $6-7M/per year player?

I would love to see Ryder in Thrasherbleu, Again, Anderson is going to have to make one hell of a salespitch for Ryder to take the opportunity (other than financial gain) seriously.

I think we’re going to get maybe Vrbata, or similar-profile player. As far as Campbell goes, the guy just walked away from the table in SJ, was it :

A) Because he didn’t like the direction McCellan has charted for the team (possible, but unlikely-people tend to listen to the guys with satellites on their fingers that bear the legend Stanley Cup Champion)?

or

B) Because he’s doing his duty as a member of the NHLPA to get MAXIMUM fiscal return (which I wouldn’t be surprised; see the Hossa deal as well-both those guys said they loved their new team & town, yet both have told their respective GMs to go fly a kite, because they’re going to test the UFA wage-pool) on his new contract?

So if these guys aren’t going to be doing those teams any favors, do you honestly believe Campbell would sign here?

Not to be a wet blanket, but let’s get real, last season was so bad that #17 was embarrassed after a 52 goal, 87 point campaign!

It was that bad.

I don’t have solutions scenarios right this second, but I would think you focus your main energies on guys like Liles (would be so cool if we got him!), Hainsey, Vrbata, Hlavac, Satan, maybe Johnny Pohl, Kalinin….these sorts of guys. Either they haven’t lived up to their potential and/or hype, or have their best seasons already in the rearview.

I’ll try and have some sort of scenarios worked out later. I’d like to see us make an offer on Vermette, Stoll Pavelski, Filppula, or Fristche (in that order-although, I think Fristche will turn the corner this year, a lot of people say he’s gone from top prospect to almost-a-bust).

DW’s been such a nice guy (to opposing GMs), and has been so hapless the past few years that other GMs might not get upset at him.

By Ben

June 21, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

At $40M, the floor means that the payroll shall go up. This means that we will get more expensive, if not better. I had a problem w/ 3, they should’ve gotten Filatov. They needed a scorer for the future. D just ain’t flashy enough to put folks in the arena.

By ranallo10

June 21, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Here’s a thought on the Zhitnik situation… (please bear with this post length, it’s hard to summarize this)

Let’s say Atlanta goes into this next season with the mindset that they’ll give a lot of their rookies a chance to make the roster. As it stands, there are 10 forwards, 5 defenders, and 1 goaltender who are currently under contract and participated in more than 20 NHL games last season (Stuart had 18, the most not included in the aforementioned 10 forwards).

Lehtonen has yet to be re-signed, and Hedberg’s salary is unannounced.

So, with those 16 players this franchise is standing at $27.603M, excluding the unannounced salary of John Hedberg (he made $1M last season, so let’s just guess $1.25M). So, for 16 of a possible 23 man roster, Atlanta is sitting at $28.854M.

We have no clue what the salary cap will be at this point, but all indications have pointed to the cap raising to an estimated $3-7M, to $56M. Due to the CBA, the cap’s lowest limit is $16M under the ceiling, which means the salary floor should raise to about $37-40M.

So, as the roster currently sits this team is in need of 7 NHL roster players, whose collective salaries must be equal to or greater than about $8.147M in order to fulfill the requirements of the league minimum salaries.

Okay, I’m trying to keep this concise…assuming Lehtonen re-signs at a slight raise of his $2.2M salary from last season (let’s say $3M), this club would sit about $5.147M below the floor with 6 players remaining to be signed.

What does this mean?

Well, most people in Atlanta agree a youth movement is the correct course of action. If all of those spots were filled with prospects maxing out their potential contracts (just shy of $1M before any rookie bonuses), this club would need to bring 6 rookies to the NHL level on max contracts in order to fulfill the CBA requirements. Bogosian will max out a contract due to his draft position, and Valabik has a $.925M contract…so that leaves 4 players and $3M to be spent to hit the minimum.

Continuing the “youth movement” mindset, let’s say those players are all minor league talent…that means this club has roster spots to give to those players, giving them time to play. That also means players with large contracts (such as Zhitnik) are of extreme importance to this franchise as they give cushion for those league minimum contracts (such as Enstrom, Stuart, Lavallee, etc).

Zhitnik is “playing a big part”, but it’s simply based on his salary cap hit. He doesn’t have to play, yet he helps this team bring up the youth.

Personally I’d rather REPLACE Zhitnik’s salary with a more capable defender ala Hainsey, Streit, Rozsival, etc…but realistically thinking I don’t believe the ASG or Waddell will either afford it or be able to sign such talent.

Unless the Thrashers overpay for some player who fits the $4m-$5m salary range, I don’t anticipate Zhitnik’s salary being taken off the books through waiver, trade, or buyout. That salary hit is FAR too important in light of the current “rebuilding” situation, and is hard to replace.

Don’t consider this write-up an indication of where I stand regarding Zhitnik, but rather some MORE information to chew on when deciding why Waddell may have said what he did (regarding Zhitnik’s role on this team). Also use it as a guideline to what may happen in the offseason, as any contracts signed push this team closer to the league minimum, which seems to be the goal of the ASG.

sorry for the post length, now back to your regularly scheduled Waddell bashing

By Rawhide

June 21, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

Five_Hole - Nice to see you around here again…I hope things are going well with you.

About the draft…I think you are right about the drafted players that were taken after Bogo. No one can truely know if a player taken somewhere late in the draft is going to pan out or not right off the bat.

Really what a team is doing is re-supplying the prospects.

As for Bogosian…yup, I fully expect to see this kid contributing this season. Oh sure, he’ll learn some lessons, but that is to be expected.

Overall, I gotta give D-Dub some props. Hiring Anderson…good. Drafting Bogo…good. Not trading away picks for over-the-hill players…good.

Now, let’s see how well he does during UFA signing season. I hope I can say the same …good…things about him.

Ben - Ooooh, I gotta disagree with ya, buddy. What puts behinds in the seats more that anything is Ws.

Wins, wins, wins.

And this team isn’t gonna get too many of them unless the D is addressed. When one considers the drastic need we have on the blueline and just how rich the talent pool was in the draft as far as defenders go…sorry, the team HAD to take who they did.

By five_hole

June 21, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Alan If indeed, Waddell didn’t do anything stupid, then he will have exceeded my expectations. As I said, we really won’t know for 3-4 years.

With regards to signing someone like Brian Campbell, Tony C, I think you’re correct. We will have to overpay to get him. However, IMO, an All-star caliber, puck moving defenseman like him will be worth it. Don’t forget that after this season, Havelid, Klee & Zhitnik are all UFA’s themselves. We will bring up Big Bad Boris, but we need to sign someone like BC, still in his prime, who can give us some consistancy at the position. And like I said, we’re like $25 mil under the cap. We’re not going to spend all of it, but we have the ability to overpay to get what we need.

You may be right that we will fill out the rest of our roster with retreads, hasbeens and almost-were’s.

By five_hole

June 21, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, nice to (virtually) see you too. Even though I couldn’t (or didn’t) contribute, I did enjoy reading your opinions.

And in this case, I think we’re in agreement. The paramount problem is our team defense. This includes forwards who (or who don’t) backcheck. Again, in Campbell, you have a pretty good defensive d-man who also is a pretty good puck carrying d-man (which gives you a transition game). A very rare commodity, which is why I’d give him the keys to Philips arena, if he wanted them.

By Ben

June 21, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Honest to God, The Devils put me to sleep and they win. In order to have this product suceed in this town, it has to be exciting to get people to turn out. Rawhide, I must agree to differ. How they win is just as important as the fact that they win.

By Rawhide

June 21, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

Five_Hole - Yup…I’d love to see Campbell signed here. It would be a big, BIG day in the team’s history, that’s for sure.

As for backchecking…indeed that was a serious problem last season. However, one of the things that John Anderson’s Wolves teams did very well was just that. I’m hoping this will be the same for the Thrashers.

Ben - Point taken…and yes, maybe we have to just agree to disagree here. And that’s fine.

See, to me…a 2-1 win can be just as exciting as a 5-4 win…as long as it’s a well played game. Even the best offenses have off nights. But when you have a D that can shut teams down night in and night out, it kinda gets smoothed over.

Plus…there is nothing that says a good blueline cannot help the offense.

Now everyone…continue the conversation. But try to keep it down, I’m trying to write a new blog over here….

By ranallo10

June 21, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

You’re going to waste all that research and typing I did with a new blog?? The NERVE!

By Alan

June 21, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Despite the market saturation in the NYC area, I think Ben is on to something, here. The Devils had an average attendance only slightly better than The Thrashers last season. If their game was as exciting as the Thrashers game was last season (removing wins and losses from the equation, The Thrashers did have an overall exciting game), who knows? Would they actually sell out?

By Rawhide

June 21, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

ranallo - Relax…it won’t be posted until tomorrow at the earliest.

Your brilliant 8:30 pm post will be here for all to enjoy and gain from for quite a while still.

Alan - I give you a choice….another season like the one we “enjoyed” last year

or…..

a 47-30-5 season for 99 points leading into the playoffs….choc-full-o 2-1, 3-2 games.

I promise you, if the latter happened…the place will be packed.

By ranallo10

June 21, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

Did anyone notice Alex Bourret was traded to Phoenix during the draft? In return New York got the 90th pick (last selection of the 3rd round).

By Ben

June 21, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

I will take option 2, as long as we don’t play the trap. The trap will always drive people away. No one wants to watch this, the Diablos prove my point 41 dates out of the year. The best team in NY area is the fighting slugs because they are fast, and have very good goaltending.

By Alan

June 21, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - How about a combination of action and wins? That will put butts into seets. I watched some Devils games last year, and slept through others.

By Ben

June 21, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

ranallo, mistakes bounce around, thanks for the update.

By Wheatfield Blade

June 21, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

You’re way off on the NJ Devils thing. It’s the area. When the NJ Nets went to the NBA Finals for a couple of years the same time the Devils were winning the Cup, they couldn’t sell out the place either during those seasons. And they had Jason Kidd and some marquee offensive talent. They play the trap up in Minnesota, win 2-1 games and sell the place out all the time.

By Rawhide

June 21, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

Wheatfield Blade - First off, welcome to the forum.

Nice observation regarding the arena and the Nets. Are you from that area??

If so, answer a question for me if you would…when the Devils won the cup a few years back…were there a lot of people saying anything like, “Yeah…winning the Stanley Cup is great and all. But I just wish the team would have scored more goals”.

I just firmly believe that teams are most successful when they build from the back forward…goaltending to the blueline…then centers and forwards.

Hard to lose when teams can’t score on ya.

By NASCAR Dave

June 21, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

FIVE_HOLE Excellent post at 7:04 pm! I agree.

BEN I AGREE on FILATOV. People here are applauding DW for not trading for a veteran. I wanted us to trade back up and grab the kid. He dropped to 6. We had time. And I agree. Once the Local Media got hold of a new Russian sniper coming to town to join KOVALCHUK, I GUARANTEE you people would be excited about what would be happening here… However, the BOGOSIAN pick was an Excellent 3rd pick. Obvoiusly 3 was too high to grab FILATOV. But I bet if we offered #29 and some other package we could have moved up. Donnie needed to MAKE A SPLASH in this draft, and he really only stockpiled the system.

Who else here thinks this draft proves Donnie FRAUDell really got the 3 Year Extension???

Unless the Thrashers overpay for some player who fits the $4m-$5m salary range, I don’t anticipate Zhitnik’s salary being taken off the books through waiver, trade, or buyout.

RANNALLO This is what needs to happen. Donnie and ASG are in denial of ZHITHEAD’s effect on the team. This guy needs to be waived immediately. Step 1 to the Buyout (hopefully somebody grabs him)… I understand why you would feel this is not likely to happen… Look at who we’re dealing with, a bunch of cheap a$$ IDIOTS!

RAWHIDE ANDERSON signing was “GOOD”… Drafting BOGO was “GOOD”… Drafting A “Project” in the 1st Round is “UN-GOOD”… Well, unless if you’re Donnie FRAUDell and you just got a 3 Year Extension… Because you bought more time…

Isn’t it PATHETIC how this Organ-I-Zation works… It seems to NASCAR Dave that “Individual” interests are now becoming more important than “Team” interests…

WHY is THAT???

NUFF SAID.

By Ben

June 21, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

Cuba and PR are nuts about baseball, and are very knowlegable about the greatest game not played on ice. You could get any number of people to turn out to see a game between a group of all stars against a local team. MN is a place where hockey itself is king. It is rare that a place in the US of A or Russia, or Canada where people turn out to watch the trap. I’ll bet most people at Excell night in and out play or have played hockey on some sort of level. Its like college FB here, people turn out to see subpar college FB just because they love and are knowlegeable about the game.

SIDE NOTE

go look at those Filatov movies on youtube, or really any russian league game. I don’t care who wins or looses in those clips, and i’m on the edge of my seat. it’s just so fast paced and cool. if that were played in North America, hand to God, the NHL would give the NFL a run for the money. If you listen to the old timers they talk about how exciting it was compared to now. The trap is employed by skilless teams. As long as the rules are enforced as they are now, no team will ever raise the Stanley Cup. We should not defend the trap, it should be run out of hockey, it is slow and very boring.

By Alan

June 21, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

They play the trap up in Minnesota, win 2-1 games and sell the place out all the time.

They’re also exciting to watch. NJD is not.

I love hockey. I love the action, the excitement, the sheer speed of the game. Hockey is literally in my blood.

But NJD sucks all the life out of it for me. The most exciting thing I saw from NJD last season is when the Thrashers went to that lengthy shootout with them (before the, what, nine game losing streak?)

By Rawhide

June 21, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Ben & Alan - I hear ya brothers…really I do. But where I’m coming from is “Fundamentals First Followed by Flash”.

Defensively…we barely have the fundamentals down.

Now…with the likes of Kovalchuk as well as Little…and even Armstrong and Christensen…we are gonna have our flash, no doubt. But it is all meaningless if not built upon a platform of strong defense.

As for the trap…I agree with you. But the trap is not the only formula for a good defense.

Hard-hitting, fast skating, pound-the-hell-outa-you-all-over-the-place defense that proceeds the highlight material Kovy goal.

Well…gimme some of that!

By Alan

June 21, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - I wnat a winning team as much as anyone. I didn’t think that was up for debate. I just don’t want us to look like New Jersey. I don’t want to buy $70 some odd tickets for a Thrashers game, only to fall asleep in my seat.

By Ben

June 21, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

i’m not anti defense. i agree with good defense, but we need to put people in the seats, and the whole league should get rid of the trap. it is ultimately bad for the nhl.

By R. Stroz

June 22, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this

Waddell, through a team spokesman, denied the report. He said earlier Thursday evening in a teleconference with reporters that he was continuing to do “due diligence” in the coach search and that no announcement was likely before tonight’s NHL draft.

NEVER TRUST WADDELL

Atlanta fans, or any fans, deserve a GM who tells the truth, follows through on his promises, and admits his mistakes.

When the Orwellian sales line is used up (think five year plan, rebuilding, playoff guarantee, incremental progress), DW moves on to another set of lines, as if the prior sales lines never happened.

DW doesn’t use the rebuilding line anymore, in its place, he says we are two or three players away.

Zhitnik couldn’t be pawned to anyone for a draft pick. Zhitnik serves no on ice purpose to the Thrashers. Buy him out before June 30 and move on.

The problem is DW can’t admit mistakes due to his ego. Responsible people admit mistakes, apologize, and move on. DW has never demonstrated this level of reponsibility.

DW is done in Atlanta. He, nor FUBAS, realizes this fact. DW has no credibility with the fans or the press.

Nearly everyone at the draft party knew BOGO was the third pick. DW didn’t get the pick right, he just didn’t screw the pick up. When the fan base is at the point that the prevailing thought is, please don’t screw up another draft pick, it speaks volumes about the GM in the fans eyes.

Free agency is coming and every ticket package holder is sitting on their money until they see Levenson and DW follow through with the promises made in the “Open Letter to the Fan” and the Town Hall Meeting.

If past performance has shown anything about Waddell, this is it.

NEVER TRUST WADDELL

By Alan

June 22, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this

NEVER TRUST WADDELL

You know what they say about truer words…

By Alan

June 22, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this

Oh, hey, looks like Sean Avery is going to Free Agency.

I remember earlier in the year, with talks about Avery and seeing people say it would be hard to pull him away from NYC (and that he would never come to Atlanta …and that we don’t want him in Atlanta anyway …etc etc).

Looks like he’s the one doing the pulling, unless he takes a lower salary to stay with the Rangers.

By R. Stroz

June 22, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this

From the AJC article concerning Anderson’s hiring,

“I don’t think this is about selling the fans. I think this is about winning,” co-owner Bruce Levenson said. “We’ve seen from experience that fans respond to putting a great product on the ice.”

Was Levenson drunk or is he getting the memo?

By Alan

June 22, 2008 2:15 AM | Link to this

That’s a very, very interesting quote, Stroz. It caught my eye as well. Maybe it’s starting to get through to him? I guess we’ll find out during FA and at the beginning of the season.

By LAC

June 22, 2008 3:25 AM | Link to this

Mr.Potty Mouth at it yet again Stroz????? That comment, like all his others, makes NO sense to anyone.

Was he in BRAIN surgery and just woke up or what, what a DUMB thing to say… At the VERY least he kept it clean and rated G this time… What a stupid SOB !!!!

Remember the past few season’s “new”\ players… Metro,Modry,Kapanan to name a few and of course todd white.

What did these players really ever give us ? Modry was zit before zit was in Long Island, Metro was not much here, Nikko was awful and todd white… Gee those were our “top” new centers… No wonder Hossa wanted to leave.

So now what ? waddell and the little boy owners have said they were going to sign some top teir players… Ok they better, ones who WILL make a difference on the ice, NOT just collecting a fat paycheck.

Does anyone this this Zack will make the team next season ? Pair him with ZIT… Would that be possible ? It might be interesting to see for a game or two.

But we need to make a BIG splash in the UFA market and get back on track.

Lastly… Did everyone hear waddell say “This is a great day for the franchise” and We are moving forard, all that crap ? After his LIE on the Anderson hiring… who on earth would ever trust this guy ??????

By ranallo10

June 22, 2008 3:54 AM | Link to this

LAC — I would think you of all people would have learned to take everything that comes out of the ASG/Waddell’s mouth with a grain of salt.

NASCAR Dave — We Got A Goalie I see too… however, I would have preferred the Swede (Markstrom).

Do you know who the NHL player was that they considered his NHL comparable? KARI LEHTONEN

By NASCAR Dave

June 22, 2008 3:58 AM | Link to this

STROZ - 12:47 PM - EXCELLENT POST!!!Great post as usual. Could not be said better. I asked everyone earlier, and I’ll ask it again. Can somebody please tell me EXACTLY what was “Promised” at the Meeting? I know I heard 1 or 2 D-Men, right?

Because it’s to the point now where there are so many different lies and promises and plans and possibilities that I’m having trouble keeping up. Thanks. How do Donnie’s handlers keep up???

LAC - BOGOSIAN WILL be here. I have no doubt. We can’t let Donnie hold this kid back in the Minors too!

Overall, I dislike Pick 29, I’m starting to like the PAQUETTE pick a little better now after doing some research, and I am actually PROUD the Thrashers took a GEORGIA kid. Hopefully the team will continue to look seriously at our Local Talent here… The Guy from Sweden could be a sleeper like Brendan said…

By NASCAR Dave

June 22, 2008 4:06 AM | Link to this

Rannallo, don’t get me wrong on Lets… I prefer a Lets/Pavs combo in goal. But we signed Moose. I think Waddell is waiting on an RFA sheet for Lets, rannallo. AN dhe’ll take the picks. We are in a rebuild, but Donnie is unable to ADMIT it yet. Everything will sort itself out in time. But we’ll see…

By ranallo10

June 22, 2008 4:35 AM | Link to this

It’s kinda hard not to get you wrong when you continually call him “Letemin”. So please, explain to me why someone with a moniker like that would be deserving of the starting spot, in your opinion.

It seems to me that is a contradiction.

Regarding his future in Atlanta, I’m skeptical anyone will make an offer to Lehtonen, especially since there are more proven goaltenders still available on the UFA market. I’ve read about this and discussed it ad nauseum, so I don’t really want to rehash that whole RFA conversation again. Suffice it to say I don’t believe Lehtonen will be signed away from Atlanta this offseason.

By Alan

June 22, 2008 5:30 AM | Link to this

Dave - A recap of the Town Hall meeting

By Ben

June 22, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Alan,

Thankyou for that. I always felt that Hossa never really wanted to be here. Perhaps Kovy genuinely wishes to stay here, perhaps not. My issues with Waddell is not of personal nature, in the main, it is that he seems not to be able to draft in the lower rounds. Perhaps we should hold jugement on Mr. Waddell until such a day as he retires. That is a book I’ll be reading. Due to the fact I’ve been doing a paper all weekend, I’ve been reading this blog a lot. RAWHIDE, thanks for this. I hate sociology. I mean I love the class, but I hate the journal articles. Sometimes I wonder if some of those authors understand the words that come out of their own mouths! But I digress. It seems to me that there would be a lot less anger if we could just have them state that we will not be subjected to a team moving out of town. No, I don’t see them winning the Stanley Cup anytime soon. But I do love them, and will keep rooting for them no matter what.

GO THRASH!!!!!!!!

By Tony C.

June 22, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

5_hole

Ok. So you do think he’s that good. Me, I see a guy who is quite talented, but was pretty well neutralized on several instances, in fact consecutive games in the playoffs.

Now full marks to Dallas Stars’ staff for devising schemes to isolate and negate Campbell’s impact. My point is, if we’re going to “give him the keys to the castle”, then he better be able to step his game up and overcome that sort of thing (at least 1/3 of the time-dude was a ghost for several games in the Sj-DAL series).

Playoffs are a learning experience, and I’m sure Msr. Campbell learned a lot this past spring. I’m also confident that Campbell would flourish under a guy like Mr. Anderson.

I just would like to see us have another credible scoring threat that is not named Kozlov. Russian said he’d like to get Antropov from Toronto, and seeing as how they’re breaking up the Sundin line, why not go after him. Dude really found his game riding shotgun for Mats last year, and I’m pretty sure that most guys in the league will think more than twice before running @ #17 the way Rutuu did last year if big Antropov is on his right.

Question is, who would we have to give up??

By A$G

June 25, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

FOR SALE: NHL franchise with very low overhead!