Ice Man

By Tom

July 2, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Think of Waddell as the guy in the polyester suit at the end of the bar with a wad of cash in his pocket trying to meet a lady for the evening.

The attractive and desirable woman know him for what he is, a guy who may be fun for a night but has no long term prospects.

The average looking woman who is solid avoids him because they know that once things go sour he will ditch them and leave them hanging, look what he did to his last partner (coach).

Only the truly desperate or those that are money hungry look at Waddell with a gleam in their eyes. They will go with him even though they know it is not good for the long term because they are not concerned with the long term, they just want to get theirs now.

The top level free agents know that as long as Waddell is here there is no chance that they will get to play with great players. They run for the exits as soon as they can. Did Hossa ask to come here? Heatley? Kolvachuk?

Nope, those that sign with the Thrashers know that they have no better prospects and getting paid is more important than winning.

That is why Waddell may have a big bank roll today, but no one in their right mind would consider taking the money, it can only lead to heartache and misery.

It is also why my old seats in section 122 are sitting empty.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

How about an egg to DW’s face.

By Ryan

July 2, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Great post Rawhide! Very funny. I did not think anyone would want to play here. I guess we are seeing that now.

By Thrash327

July 2, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Rawhide, I gave up on this team last season when I didn’t renew my season tix - Don Waddell and the ASG have made this franchise an embarrassment. I continue to hope against hope that something good will happen before Kovy walks out on us too…… At least I can make the team the way I want it to be thanks to EA sports and Microsoft.

By LAC

July 2, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

It’s all over waddell, time to resign in total and utter disgrace.

GOD is punishing you for what you are and you have about killed NHL hockey in this town buddy !!!!!

So you and gava go off and have a ball !!!

By BAF

July 2, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

I was disappointed yesterday as well. I have never been a DW fan or hater. Tough job and he has had his hits and misses.

But right now, I think he is a big problem but it goes deeper. It is also ownership and that is a whole other can of worms.

I don’t know the solution. Getting rid of DW doesn’t automatically make us better. I’ve seen some pretty poor GM moves from others in the past.

I haven’t given up my seats (even though we are moving this year to “new” seats) but it most certainly frustrating we didn’t have any movement on day 1.

I’m still hoping for something good and trying to be patient.

By Buzilla in CT

July 2, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Hartford Thrashers baby!!!!!

By the fish

July 2, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

OMG!!!! Enough already. What the heck does it take to get fired around here?? Insane. Time to toss my season tickets…what a shame..

By Barry

July 2, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I am just amazed that Waddell couldn’t get a single person to sign here. 12 hours and not a single player…NO ONE. Only in Atlanta is something like that possible I suppose. The two other teams that had worse seasons that us managed to sign players and make trades. Seriously…Waddell needs to be shown the door. I was given him this year to maybe help rebuild this team in FA with all the cap space we’ll have only to see all we have left…same cap space. Unbelieveable.

By Bob

July 2, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

My thoughts exactly, stroz. I’d like to egg Waddell.

Great analogies by Rawhide and by Tom.

Waddell built this mess, and now he is sitting (all alone) right in the middle of it.

By Wings fan in Ga.

July 2, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Are you really surprised by this? I’m not.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 2, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Where are all of the sheep who have defended Donny for years???

They sure are quiet—of course, it IS embarrassing to be so wrong and have reality smack them in the face time and again…This time, it’s been confirmed: No-one worth anything ‘really’ wants to play here.

That has NOTHING to do with the money being offered by ownership. Nothing. The current owners have only been here a few years…Donny has been here for 10 and just look at the “fruits” of his pitiful labor.

We are the joke of the NHL. There is only one message that ownership will understand: EMPTY SEATS.

If you truly love the Atlanta Thrashers, then STOP SUBSIDIZING THE INCOMPETENCE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

(Heck, it may already be too late…Don Waddell—he sure is a nice guy, ain’t he? Pathetic misguided sheep.)

By PuckedUp

July 2, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

While I agree DW has a part to play in the disaster so far, I think the greater travesty is caused by the ownership. With the ownership in the status it is, what can DW do?

I have been a long advocate of replacing the DW. It’s been 10 years and the only consistent is him.

However, now we have an impotent ASG as owners. They are what they are.

DW was humstrung last year by his own actions. He should have done more to get something for Holik, Recci and others being sought at the deadline.

Now, we have a team that no one wants to play for. Wouldn’t it be really friggin hillarious (in an embarassing way) if the team could not make the league cap minimum because no one wants to sign here! Wonder if NHL Board of Govenors can step in and take the team away from these a* clowns!

By Rawhide

July 2, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Standing and applauding TOM - Nicely done, Tom…nicely done, indeed!

Leisure Suit Donny!

By Tom

July 2, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

aw shucks, thanks Rawhide.

By BG33Brown

July 2, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

I made the blog…..awesome. Thanks rawhide.

Can I take the lump of coal I ended up getting and shove it up Sage’s a**?

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Poll Question

What should be the Thrashers’ top priority in free agency?

Fourth Answer: Hiring a new GM

By Russ

July 2, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Since there are no real top notch UFA’s left to sign (or that will sign with the Thrashers), I took a look at the current roster. I like to look at the players and think where they would fit in on an average NHL team. Trying to not be biased and project improvements in play or decreases in effectiveness I based my projections solely on last season’s performance. I came up with the Thrashers currently having 2 legitimate top six forwards (Kovy, obviously, and I gave Armstrong the nod as a legitimate second line player). I also think they have two D-men that would fit in most team’s top four. I think Enstrom and Havelid would probably both be about #3 on the depth chart of an average NHL team. Granted, these are just my opinions, but entering season #9 to have two top six forwards and two top four d-men is absolutely ridiculous. I challenge anyone to show me how the current roster is significantly better than around year 3 as an expansion franchise. At least we’re headed in the right direction.

Sell to Balsillie and let him dump DW.

By glovesave29

July 2, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

THIS is why my hockey money is spent on - 1 - Mens league dues 2 - Trips to go see the REAL Atlanta team, but now known as the Calgary Flames 3 - Gwinnett Gladiators

Don is a bumbling idiot.

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Right On SAGE/LAC/BOB…

Does everyone “Get It” now???

NOBODY wants to come here, but YOU already knew that, because the only people here with any bit of common sense, like myself and others have been telling you Zombies this for awhile now…

Donnie FRAUDell is the Damn Problem here, and now it seems every player in the League knows this!!!

WHY is THAT???

Zombies like GAVA and others can keep trying to defend their “legendary Donnie”, but seriously folks, how can you try to deny the fact that Donnie is the problem here???

This is NOT the SPIRIT’s fault!!! (except for NOT cutting ties with that FRAUDell clown)…

NUFF SAID.

By LAC

July 2, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

NASCARDAVE, Thanks for your elioquant words concerning the trainwreck here known as Atlanta Thrashers.

I, like you, SAGA, Bob, Brenden, RAWHIDE and so many others simply laugh when we see posts from that gava.

What is HIS angle in this mess, has to be a waddell houseboy for sure or maybe that rutherford THE LIAR snydel in drag…

Like so many said, after yesterday, If YOU cannot see the POISON waddell is to this franchise and the ness asg is from top to bottom, well you are in need of serious professional help.

This team will likely never recover now, best to sell, move and hope another team will come here or something, I will never return to Philips until waddell is TERMINATED… And I won’t cry if he wrecks on I-85 either… something HAS TOBE DONE to rid this team of this cancer don waddell… Thanks NASCARDAVE for you prolific point of view in this matter !!!

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

LAC, It’s actually quite hilarious that people on these boards are surprised that NOBODY wants to come here…

I mean, afterall, if YOU were a Hockey Player, would YOU want to come HERE???

LMAO. What a Pathetic Pile of Crap Donnie is…

NUFF SAID.

By Bob

July 2, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Don is a bumbling idiot

And that’s putting it nicely.

these are just my opinions, but entering season #9 to have two top six forwards and two top four d-men is absolutely ridiculous

I concur, and Armstrong is probably a third liner on most clubs. we have no top line center. We have no top line RW. We have no #1 dman. We have no #2 dman. Enstrom and Havelid are both #3 guys on most clubs.

Are you really surprised by this? I’m not.

No, not really. I was hopeful, so I’m depressed about what has transpired, but not really suprised.

What I was suprised at was that the Spirit didn’t can Waddell at the end of the season as I knew nothing was going to change unless he was gone. That’s really the most suprising thing, that he still has a job.

By Smoothie

July 2, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Well, this is certainly not the position we had hoped to be in on Day 2 of the FA signing frenzy. At this point, considering we are losing ground to the rest of the division (esp Tampa), I think DWad should re-focus his attention on signing every single UFA from a division rival who is left high and dry by their GM’s in favor of the big-name FA booty. Guys like Chris Gratton for instance will be left out in the cold as Tampa has pretty much spent to the cap. A Chris Gratton scorned is better than a Chris Gratton overpaid on the FA market.

By Russ

July 2, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Another thing I was thinking is, at this point I wouldn’t even bother trying to sign players like Hainsey or Demitra. These type of players are more than likely going to command at least 3 year contracts. Since the Thrashers are going to have to greatly overpay just to get to the salary floor, why sign someone for more than one year at an inflated price? If Hainsey and Demitra were signed what would that do anyway, make the Thrashers a 70 point team instead of a 60 point team? Big deal. If they were willing to sign one year contracts, great, otherwise DW might as well just start focusing on a couple of players that otherwise would command about $750,000 and throw one year $5 mil. contracts at them (or however much it takes to get to the salary floor). These types of players couldn’t possibly pass up that payday, right? Since nobody wants to play for Atlanta, unfortunately that might be the solution for the forseeable future. Sign band-aid free agents to inflated one year contracts to reach the salary floor and hope each year one or two prospects have developed and are ready for regular NHL duty. Unfortunately, we know who drafted these prospects. What a sorry state of affairs.

By Nix

July 2, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave - did you really just say it’s NOT the ASG’s fault we’re in this mess? For real?

Don’t get me wrong - I am not in the “Waddell is Grrrrreat!” camp. I gave him some rope after the Town Hall Meeting to see what he did in terms of hiring a coach and signing free agents and he has effectively hung himself with it. But you can’t have an organization this messed up and not have the guys at the very top of the ladder not be responsible. As you noted, they haven’t fired Waddell. In fact, they haven’t done ANYTHING to prove that they are committed to bringing the Cup to Atlanta.

Fault starts at the top and has worked it’s way through nearly every level of the organization. Heap as much scorn and derision on Waddell as you want - but don’t give the ASG a pass.

By GaVaHokie

July 2, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Check out the Campbell story at the bottom of this article… Campbell called Atlanta and thanked them for the offer. He sat down with his family and they chose Chicago.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

The chickens have come home. The jig is up. Hopefully, most fans weren’t naive enough to believe Levenson’s promises and purchase tickets before the UFA period started.

The ASG, including Waddell, need to look in the mirror and realize they did this to themselves today. The years of lies and deceipt by the ASG have come back to bite them in the @$$.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - Going back to eggs mentioned above, the problem with DW’s plan was that he put all the eggs in the Campbell basket while he should have been working multiple baskets.

There was no Plan B.

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Look, we can get 2 Good D-Men with ORPIK and MONTADOR…

ORPIK can get us to the floor, and MONTADOR will be Dirt Cheap…

On to the Forwards… Is there ANY “Legitimate” Top Line Center out there??? Looks like MORRISON is the only one of the Slim Pickens….

WHY did we not go after BRUNETTE??? That is a Top Line RW…

Missed out on RYDER… Could have used him here…

There are still deals to be made, WHY are we doing NOTHING???

I think you already know the answer…

NUFF SAID.

By Rightshot

July 2, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

At what point do we go down to Phillips and protest? Get some media coverage on this debacle and, since he is the most elloquent, let Rawhide do all the talking. If we can get some bad press for the ASG, that will get them hopping faster than seeing empty seats pile up.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

On Discovery Channel tonight, a new episode of worlds toughest jobs, this week, we will be spending a day with an Atlanta Thrashers sales rep.

By HairyHeckler

July 2, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave - thanks for your bold tagline at the end. I makes it easier to scan past your rants. -HH

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - Going back to eggs mentioned above, the problem with DW’s plan was that he put all the eggs in the Campbell basket while he should have been working multiple baskets.

There was no Plan B.

BEST post of the Day!!! 100% Correct!!!

Didn’t the same thing happen on the dealine where he waited until 2:50 to pull the trigger???

Donnie FRAUDell must not be good at multi-tasking… BUT, since he’s not really good at much of anything, that doesn’t surprise me in the least bit…

He’s a LOSER in LIFE, and a LOSER in SPORTS…

By Buzilla in CT

July 2, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

I think that is an episode of “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” Rawhide.

By Rawhide

July 2, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Carolina and Tampa Bay are still at it today.

By Buzilla in CT

July 2, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

I mean Stroz…sorry

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Buzilla - Are you officially hitched yet? If so, Congrats!

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

So, just to give myself a good laugh, I checked out that little hack EKLUND’s crappy site and guess what??? I saw this…

HOSSA TO DETROIT (Short Term Deal) (E5)

Hey BRENDAN, is that kinda like what NASCAR DAVE said would happen???

This is getting fun… So much misery in Bluesland… I just don’t know what I’m going to do!

Just kidding… I know what I’m NOT going to do… Spend money on this DISASTER!!!

LMAO

By Alan

July 2, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Stroz - I laughed at that. Great post.

I would actually turn on the TV to watch that episode.

By Tom

July 2, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Hey* Stroz*, at least we can say we saw the Stanley Cup in Phillips Arena though.

Of course it was in a room overlooking the rink and never close to the ice surface.

By Smoothie

July 2, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

If DWad doesn’t sign at least a couple of 2nd or 3rd tier guys today or tomorrow, this franchise will suffer much inglorious embarrassment on account of their utter ineptitude. I love the fact we went after Campbell with a huge, lucrative offer, but what is Plan B?

One of the problems with NHL FA is that there is no time for preliminary discussion and teams must risk “tampering” charges if GMs are to put out feelers to a player to see if he is even remotely interested in playing for a given team. That doesn’t help a team that really needs to make a “big splash” and is forced to put all their eggs in one basket to see if a high-priced prize like BC is willing to consider.

If I were Donny, I would have risked tampering to make sure this didn’t happen…then again, he won’t even get fired for screwing this up!

By GaVaHokie

July 2, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

There was no Plan B.

And you know this how? We have no idea, or ever well know, how many “lines we had in the water”.

Hossa just signed with Detroit… I guess Bob Gainey should be fired. He missed out on Hossa twice.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Detroit Red Wings sign UFA forward Marian Hossa to a one-year contract worth $7.4 million.

By Tom

July 2, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Wow,., got to love Detroit

12:35PM Detroit Red Wings sign UFA forward Marian Hossa to a one-year contract worth $7.4 million.

By Rawhide

July 2, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

HOSSA TO RED WINGS FOR 1 YEAR $7.4 MILLION!!

Per TSN.

By GaVaHokie

July 2, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

I’m going to laugh my a* off if Detroit loses to Pittsburgh in the Finals next year. :)

(Just picturing Hossa sitting on the ice again with a Red Wings jersey on this time)

By B. Thenet

July 2, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Have to respect what Hossa did.

He took less money than was out there, took only a 1 year deal, and he did it with probably the best team in the NHL.

By Smoothie

July 2, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Well, no one can accuse Marian of being greedy. Okay, greedy for a Cup maybe!

By J(Z)

July 2, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

so….does that include a no trade clause? LOL

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

See, I told you.

I think people should listen to NASCAR Dave more often…

CAMPBELL won’t come here, HOSSA to Dead Wings, blah, blah, blah…

It’s just too damn easy to predict DONNIE’s failures - At his job and in Life…

What does THAT say???

NUFF SAID.

By Sara

July 2, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

OMG I have no idea how I feel about this. For the first time in a long time I’m shocked speechless.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 2, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

GaVaSheep—it looks like ALL of the plans (be them one or one-hundred for free-agency 2008) have failed…

Similar to the failed bluster of Donny’s “Five-Year Plan”.

Similar to the failed bluster/guarantee of making the playoffs in 2006.

Similar to the failure of the 2008 team being ‘better’ than the one in 2007—which actually did make the playoffs.

See a pattern? Probably not…Enjoy wasting your money and enabling the most inept GM in the league.

Pathetic. I wonder what the other sheep at Nasty Nest and the official site are doing? I’ll venture that the excuses for their beloved Donny are really rolling now…

By Russian

July 2, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Hossa went to Detroit. Great move. Donny where are you????? F*** Scooby Doo. I think that Detroit will play with Tampa next Final. We are suck D..k again. What is f*** wriong with our GM. :=-(

By Hip Czech

July 2, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Definitely respect the Hossa decision…man, if only ALL contracts were for one year. Every year would be a ‘contract’ year, now THAT would be interesting.

By Buzilla in CT

July 2, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

I really wanted Hossa to go to Boston (since we didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting him)

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Sara - I really hope you didn’t re-up your tickets. I’m curious how the ASG is going to stand in front of the ticket price increase at this point.

By PuckedUp

July 2, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Hey Sage, I’m a member of the Nasty Nest. I have been a consistent voice against DW. There are others on the site as well. And that seems to be growing even more the past couple of weeks. There are some that still give DW a pass.

You shouldn’t make blanket statements about the site. And, in point, Rawhide jumps on the site from time to time. Gavahokie no longer posts out there. I think we ran him off.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

In lieu of Select-A-Seat day, the Thrashers should be hosting a Select-A-Section day.

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Hossa went to Detroit. Great move. Donny where are you????? F Scooby Doo. I think that Detroit will play with Tampa next Final. We are suck Dick again. What is f wriong with our GM. :=-(

HAHA LMAO!!! RUSSIAN you are the man!!! Isn’t this PATHETIC???

Our GM is probaly hiding in a closet somewhere CRYING like a LITTLE GIRL!!!

GET TO WORK DONNIE!!!

Do your F+++ING JOB!!!

Donnie FRAUDell is one Pathetic Pile Of Crapola, that’s for Damn Sure…

I can’t wait for his blustering excuses this time… Hey GAVA, have you printed up Donnie’s cheat sheet for him yet???

Hey GAVA, please enlighten us… WHAT were DONNIE’s “Plan B’s”???

Last I remember, we were “A Player or Two Away”…

So where are we NOW???

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Many of the Nasty Nesters joined the ticket price/ticket discounting revolt. I for one appreciated their willingness to “give up” their seats they have held for years to make a stand.

By Sara

July 2, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Stroz oh no - I told my rep a couple of weeks ago I wasn’t renewing anything until I saw what came of free agency. Although I did get one of those nice pre-recorded messages from our new coach. gag

Well, given what came out of FA (nothing) I imagine that’s what they are going to get (nothing). Even for the Detroit game I’m probably going to be getting tickets from an STH who can’t use all of his.

I’m not amused. I started to post something last night but was too p*ssed to put together something coherent - at least that wasn’t a continuous string of four letter words. I can live without Campbell - but to have not signed ANYBODY???

Although I got a good chuckle this morning listening to the Bulldog (an Athens station reporting on the Thrashers - wouldn’t ya know it) and they were criticizing the Holik (non)move. And I actually realized that (and Zhitnik) were the only bright spots of the week. Addition by subtraction. Pathetic. At this point I hate just about everything having to do with this team outside of the players themselves. Stupid powder-blue uniforms, retarded marketing campaign, hapless GM, and the biggest bunch of losers for owners ever.

And now, to cap off the whole thing, I have to root for Hossa again??? I don’t want to root for Hossa. He broke my hockey heart - I’m still nursing my grudge…it’s just not fair. Hurrumph - at the rate this is going, I may just boycott the whole ‘08-‘09 season all the way around. If I don’t see it, it’s not really happening right?!

By Dunwoody_Kevin

July 2, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Here’s a novel idea-

Move the team to Kansas City and apply for an Expansion team.

Addition by Subtraction.

By GaVaHokie

July 2, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

You shouldn’t make blanket statements about the site. And, in point, Rawhide jumps on the site from time to time. Gavahokie no longer posts out there. I think we ran him off.

I didn’t run off because of Waddell… I ran off with the anti-Virginia Tech sentiments i got during the Michael Vick stuff. Wasn’t exactly the “close nit” community I expected it to be… much like these blogs have become. (no offense to Billsen, BobbleTed and Sisu)

I could careless if Waddell gets fired or not, but I’m not going to cease to call out the bullsh!tters when I see them. All I’ve done is present statements (80% of the time backed up with fact) to counter-argue the blind anger.

… seriously, fire Waddell this afternoon and replace him with Dave Nonis, I don’t care.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Tom

Hey Stroz, at least we can say we saw the Stanley Cup in Phillips Arena though.

Of course it was in a room overlooking the rink and never close to the ice surface.

At that moment, we were probably closer to the Stanley Cup than the Thrashers will be for the next ten years.

By PuckedUp

July 2, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

What would be the possibility of getting enough people together to get enough money to get these teams away from ASG? I’m somewhat of a history buff. This is somewhat similar to the French Revolution. Now I know the French have not really been on the upside of things in a historical perspective. But if ASG equals Louis XVI, and the fans equal French citizens, then …

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Would someone please put a helmet on DW’s head, place him in the short yellow bus, and send him back to Detroit?

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - Nonis is gone to the Ducks, but we could fire Waddell and bring Cheveldayoff up from the Wolves.

If I were John Anderson, I would go give DW a can opener.

By Alan

July 2, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Stroz - I regret to inform you that Detroit does not want Waddell back. You could do the world a favor, however, and send him about 50 miles north to Flint. Or a little further north to Saginaw.

Two cities I wouldn’t want to be caught dead in.

By Wings fan in Ga.

July 2, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Happy days are here again! First the Stanley Cup and now Hossa!

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Dallas Stars sign UFA Forward Sean Avery to a four-year, $15.5 million contract.

By TableHockey

July 2, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Hossa to the Wings for 1 year at 7.4 - had a feeling that’s where he would end up.

By five_hole

July 2, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Look at it this way; pretty soon, everyone else will be out of cap space. Then it’s OUR turn!

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Help: I cannot find out if Hossa’s contract has the “No Trade Clause,” “No Movement Clause” or doesn’t have any restrictions whatsoever. As it stands right now, the winner of the “Hossa Sweepstakes” is: Former Islanders Fan (FIF), who picked Detroit without the NTC. Hearty Congratulations, FIF! Well, done. Now, if I find out that Hossa does have an NTC, then the winners are: Bob, NascarDave, Brendan, and Nix.

Many thanks to all who participated. And we’ll do this again, NEXT YEAR, assuming that Red Wings don’t go ahead and lock Hossa up at some point during the season.

Time for the next Sweepstakes: “Guess the ‘Opening Night’ Budget!!” We’ve had a few guesses already. $48.6 million, from Alan. $44 million from LAC, I think. My guess is $44.5 million. I really don’t know how we’re supposed to GET there, but I figure some GM’s have some “dead weight, high-salaried” players, in their late 30’s, who’d they just like to schlep off to some desperate GM.

Hello.

Waddell’s ears are burning.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Dallas Stars sign UFA Forward Sean Avery to a four-year, $15.5 million contract.

By kracker

July 2, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Now that the Wings have signed Hossa for $7.4 mil, they still have Filppula to sign I think and only about 2.5 in cap money. So use those connections and do a deal, Don.

By GaVaHokie

July 2, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - Nonis is gone to the Ducks, but we could fire Waddell and bring Cheveldayoff up from the Wolves.

Actually, I’m kinda wishing we had Doug Armstrong. He has a little better track record.

I think the Hossa move is pretty gay myself. Where’s the “fire” to want to get back at the Wings for beating you in the Finals?

Just talked with my friend about it… he likens it to “Johnny Damon”… can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

By five_hole

July 2, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if this will make anyone feel better; I found it on hockeybuzz

*Brian Campbell’s Classy Move…” I just got the Campbell Story, and this is NOT rumour, this is FACT.

It really came down to Atlanta and Chicago. The deals were very comparable. Brian sat down with his family to decide. He chose Chicago, but out of respect he did something that is NEVER done, and should be.

When a team puts all that money on the table it is a huge compliment. It is a big deal, even if they don’t spend it, for a team to make an offer that is that huge, What usually happens is the agent will call the teams that aren’t chosen to inform you, if you are lucky.

Brian Campbell personally called the Thrashers and thanked them. A small gesture maybe, but it goes a long way.*

So, apparently we were in the running, we were close, but Campbell went the other way.

By Lex

July 2, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Is everybody ready for Rob Blake? How about Marc Recchi?

That’s the “Big Splash”

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

R.Stroz, sorry man. I missed your Avery post above. That’s a good deal for Dallas, I think.

Kracker, I’d love to have Filppula here!

By Rawhide

July 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Well….there still is the 37-year old Mats Sudin out there.

I’d say $12 mil a year ought to do it.

After all, we are gonna have to spend the money SOMEWHERE!

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Breathe EASY, Lex. Adam Foote just signed a two-year deal with Colorado. I was sure Waddell was headed in that direction.

By TRASHYOU

July 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

I want Filppula here as well…. It would not cost us very much.

By Tom

July 2, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

What would you do if you had a huge investment in a company and your manager continued to weaken it? That top talent in your field said publicly that the company had no interest in being best in breed and top talent stayed away?

Me too, I would firewaddell.com

By J(Z)

July 2, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

I’m SHOCKED that nothing’s been added to that site since March

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Brian sat down with his family to decide. He chose Chicago

So he had heart versus money, and heart won. Good for him, sucks for many Atlanta fans.

Hokie — Regarding your Damon analogy, I would disagree. Damon played for one side of a rivalry and left for the other. In fact, he did it after beating the Yankees, often. Hossa however didn’t choose to play in Pittsburgh, helped propel them to the Stanley Cup (notice I said “helped”), and is now picking the team he WANTS to play for.

I’d be willing to wager that for $7.4M he simply chose the location he desired, and Detroit couldn’t afford him long term.

Again, I would bet heart won versus money. Good for him…but it might cost him financially in the long term.

Brendan — You were right all along about Hossa going to Detroit, good read on the situation. I figured his sentimental side would keep him in Pittsburgh, but perhaps he and his agent weren’t happy with the departing players (Roberts, Malone, Orpik) and didn’t expect Pittsburgh to contend again. Any word if he got a no-trade?

Kracker — I’d offer Filppula up the maximum amount before the picks become a first rounder. He is worth, in my opinion, any draft compensation below the first round. It’s too risky giving up the first round choice for 2009 because it could quite probably be a lottery pick….and Filppula (or most RFAs for that matter) is not worth losing out on a shot at Tavares.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Everyone - Start sending care packages marked for the sales representatives at the Atlanta Spirit. In the care package, only include a box of Ritz crackers, a jar of peanut butter, and a memo stating you hope they don’t starve before finding a new job.

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Do your DAMN JOB, Donnie!!!

ORPIK, MONTADOR, SUNDIN, MORRISON still out there…

WTF are you waiting on???

You are being LAUGHED AT around the league today!!!

WHAT are YOU going to do about it, DONNIE???

Probably nothing, same as you have done since NOON YESTERDAY… NOTHING!!!

Get to work, B++++!!!

LOSER.

By GaVaHokie

July 2, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Ranallo… my friend made that analogy, but I concur… I just don’t want to like Hossa, much like people here don’t want to like Waddell. You can’t really tell me anything to change my mind. :)

By Alan

July 2, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

J(Z) - I would have thought the person who owns that site would have refined it a little. The site needed a lot of work in March, and that hasn’t changed.

If you’re going to publicize something like that, make sure you do it right. That site is a textbook example of the wrong way to air grievances.

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Rawhide — I never thought I’d say this, but that’s an AMAZING point you just made.

Sign Sundin to a one year MAX contract ($12M-ish) and this team gets multiple things.

1 — They get a veteran center for a year, helping to teach the young players the RIGHT way to be a hockey player.

2 — The team fits into the constraints of the salary minimum requirement while not giving bloated long-term contracts to multiple tier II players (effectively clogging the pipeline for youthful talent).

3 — The one roster spot taking up ~$12M allows for all the other spots to be filled with youth, forcing a true “youth movement”.

Holy crap, I think I wouldn’t be against that.

If those guidelines were followed (exorbitant contract to a top flight center with solid experience for ONE season), I would be all for giving Forsberg the same deal.

Think about it, what would you HONESTLY think if they pulled that off? Next year the money would still be available to sign whomever, the team could still lose and gain Tavares.

The biggest obstacle would be convincing the player to do it…but at $12M it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t think longer than it took to say “no thank you”.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

As I said seven months ago, on this very blogsite, “I shall be the LEAST surprized person if Hossa winds up in Detroit.”

But there’s consequences for being right, in this particular instance. Which are? Well, it’s only a matter of time ‘til P-n-S realizes this contract has been made, and comes here to gloat about it. He predicted it 12-months ago.

Yeah, well … “Here’s to hoping Hossa does to Detroit what he did to Atlanta, all season long! Have fun traversing the “murky waters” of “will he or won’t he?” re-sign with Detroit for the 2009-10 season.

Hossa truly left a minimum of $60 million on table today. Think about that. An eight year deal at $8.5 per season is $68.0 million dollars. Subtract the $7.4 he gets, GUARANTEED, and the difference is $60.6 million. It takes some sturdy rocks to walk away from that kind of money. What if he gets hurt? What if the injury is bad enough that it effectively ends his career, such that he never signs another contract?

For Hossa, this didn’t matter. He wanted a Cup, and he knew NONE was forthcoming here. He said, “I don’t play for the money anymore.” Yeah, he also said this, “I am only going to be a free agent once in my career. I have to make sure I pick the RIGHT team.” That sure made me think he was GOING LONGTERM.

I wish Hossa well. To date, Marian Hossa’s greatest regular season was with the Atlanta Thrashers.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 2, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

I stand corrected on Nasty Nest, then…I only went there once and was shocked and appalled at the excuse-making, kool-aid drinking, Donny-loving, and back-slapping.

Too emotional for my tastes. I deal in facts and accountability—not emotion.

For every glimmer of truth, it was drowned by the Waddellites and their waste, hopes, and dreams…

By Rawhide

July 2, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

ranallo - Holy schee-ITE! Wait a second…I was just trying to be a smart@$$….

But….

re-reading your 2:35pm post

That would….

That would be….good?

Hey, maybe I CAN do this GM thingy…wadda-ya think?

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I hear you on the not wanting to like Hossa, but I can’t share the same feeling. So long as he’s not playing for a team I hate (there are many of those) I will be content seeing him succeed. As Brendan has said, Hossa’s departure might actually HELP this franchise, in the long term.

It does help that Hossa signed for a season on my favorite hockey team not in Atlanta. I’m sure Sara and Alan and Redwings fan in GA are all happy about that too.

Damon aggravated me too because I hate the Yankees (so thus cheered for the Red Sox to beat them whenever given the chance), and he bolted after SUCCEEDING in Boston. Then I remembered it’s a business, cited the typical “no loyalty in sports for teams, why should the players remain loyal?”, and lived my life further. It takes too much time to hate a player based on his own decisions that I might disagree with. Apathy is far easier, in most cases.

Unless the player’s name is Tie Domi. He’s easy to hate.

By Bob

July 2, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Who the heck puts stock into anything Eklund writes? My goodness, who even reads that site, the guy is a moron who’s posted more misinformation than goofballs on message boards. If you think Campbell went to Chicago for the reason that it was closer to his family, then you deserve everything you’re going to get from Waddell as he keeps leading you down whatever path you blindly follow him down. I bet you same numbnuts that read sites like that and believe in Waddell are the ones that already re-upped for season tix next year, ain’t ya? PT Barnum was right.

Brendan, we knew Hoss was going to Detroit (props to NascarDave, Isle, and Nix as well), that was clear as day the day we played them last year and he suddenly woke up and played like he’s capable of. I’m sure theres no NTC, no reason to have one on a one year deal. Props to Hoss for being a man and saying no to the money and doing what he said he wanted to do, win. That’s a real man. I respected him a ton for doing us all a favor and showing up Waddell, I respect him even more for what he did today. Good for him. Bad part is, now I have to root for the Wings next year? Oof.

I’ll go with $44m on opening night.

By Alan

July 2, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - Maybe I’ll make some T-shirts instead. How does “Vote Bill Tiller, Thrashers GM ‘08” sound?

By J(Z)

July 2, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

I’ll vote 38.5mil…then they’ll fine us about 2mil to get to the cap floor on opening night

By Archie

July 2, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

How are we fans supposed to protest what’s going on with this team, I honestly don’t know! We’re being held hostage by terrible owners and awful management. We’re not the only sports team in America in this position. Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, LA Clippers, the list goes on and on. All these teams are equally inept, incapable, directionless and lack any competitive spirit to compete at the management level. We could do like the Orioles fans do every year to protest Peter Angelos and have the entire upper deck of the stadium stage a walk-out. That still puts money in the owner’s pocket though. We could quit going to games, quit buying tickets, but the only thing that’ll do is add fuel to the argument that Atlanta has indifferent and passionless fans. We could do like a Vanderbilt football fan did one time and run out to midfield and tear your season tickets to shreds right there in front of the entire stadium full of people, but again the joke is on the fan because he paid for those tickets. What are we supposed to do, we can’t sit back and do nothing because that looks like we don’t care.

By Bob

July 2, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

As I said seven months ago, on this very blogsite, “I shall be the LEAST surprized person if Hossa winds up in Detroit.”

Yes, yes we did talk about it the very next day after that game and it’s the main reason I figured he’d go to Detroit (as well as the comments he made about choosing where he wanted to go, also, Detroit was interested in him at the deadline, but Holland played it smart and knew he could get him for free today without giving up assets). Hey, mabye we can start HockeyNEWZ THE True Insight for all your Hockey Info and share our insight with the unwashed masses out there, what say you?

By Wheatfield Blade

July 2, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

This is the car crash of hockey blogs. You don’t want to look, but you can’t help but log on to see the latest conspiracy theory as to why the big name free agent didn’t play for your town. I hate to burst your bubbles down there, but all of Southern Ontario had that news about Campbell wanting to stay around this area, it wasn’t some Area 51 scam concocted by Eklund. So how is it that “y’all” think you only have 1-2 top line forwards then call Brunette a top line forward? I want to hear more from this site how you each know the secret plans of your GM. If you don’t go to sites like Eklund’s, how do you know what was supposedly offered and what wasn’t?

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Everyone - Seriously, start sending care packages marked for the sales representatives at the Atlanta Spirit. In the care package, only include a box of Ritz crackers, a jar of peanut butter, and a memo stating you hope they don’t starve before finding a new job.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

Good call, Bob. The reasons were clear. Detroit has excellent ownership (Mike Illitch), excellent management (Ken Holland), a top flight Coach (Mike Babcock), is a “traditional” hockey market (Original Six team, nicknamed “Hockeytown), with knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans, willing to fork over the moolah to empower their club to spend the money to makes the necessary moves to win (2008 Stanley Cup Champions). I realize, I did OVERSIMPLIFY things a bit. But there it is.

By Bob

July 2, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

What are we supposed to do, we can’t sit back and do nothing because that looks like we don’t care

Do what I’ve done and stroz has done, and countless others. Let them know that you are not buying season tickets until:

1)They fire Waddell 2)They bring in a new competent GM 3)They allow said GM the freedom and give him the cash to make the necessary moves come July 1 (oops)

I’ve let them know that. I signed the petition that went around late last year to oust Waddell.

Word is that season ticket renewals are down 40%. That is significant and has their attention, this is certain.

The question is, and I agree with this comment made above, when are the owners going to do something about it. Waddell is the problem with his bad personnel decisions. But the Spirit is just as much to blame, for not firing him and bringing in his replacement.

The owners laid the cash out, they just had the wrong guy in charge trying to make the decisions. Now the Spirit is just as cupable as Waddell is as to why the good players don’t want to be here.

If you don’t go to sites like Eklund’s, how do you know what was supposedly offered and what wasn’t?

Key word there = supposedly.

I think I’ve read Eklund’s site one time but I’ve seen his drek posted on message boards, from what I can tell, he throws a million rumors out there and sure enough, one of em will stick and people lap it up “Eklund called it!”. Please.

Use your own mind, use your own ears, eyes, and your own judgement. We had a little contest here on where Hoss would go, some of us pegged it as Detroit, how? By keeping our eyes and ears open, by watching hockey and understanding the game, and by understanding people’s motivations. Most of knew a year ago that Hoss wouldn’t re-sign here and would demand out, and we were right. How? By keeping our ears and eyes open and using our own minds.

Not by reading tripe banged out incessantly by Eklund. Does he make you suckers pay for his inside info? PT Barnum, man.

I put more stock into insights written by guys on this blog, that you deride, that know the game, than I would Eklund. Listen to what’s said by guys (and gals)like Brendan, Russ, Hip Czech, Sara, stroz, and our fearless leader Rawhide, and there’s a few others that know their stuff on these parts that I’m sure I’m forgetting right now …these people know the game, don’t read nonsense like Eklund, they watch the games, and use their own minds in evaluating hockey. It ain’t rocket science, it just takes some common sense. Turn off Eklund, turn on some games, tune out the announcers, and just use your mind and this game isn’t that hard to understand.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Wheatfield Blade, I have been pestering the FBI for YEARS now, to get them to wiretap Waddell’s office and cell phones. They keep saying, “A Federal Magistrate has to be shown ‘probable cause’ that some sort of CRIME has occurred’ before we can proceed.” And, yes. I asked. But the Bureau said, “Running a hockey club into the ground isn’t illegal.” So, don’t think I didn’t do my “due diligence.”

By Buzilla in CT

July 2, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

I believe that “Big Splash” that Big Willy Tilly (Rawhide) was hoping for has turned out to be a giant log hitting the water in the toilet we loving call Blueland.

We need new owners.

We need a new team culture.

We probably need a new GM but I doubt anyone could do much better with the ownership issues in place (I like to rile up the bloggers)

We need to save Kovy.

We need a NHL team in Hartford

By Wheatfield Blade

July 2, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

HAAAA Brendan, I am posting that on our site! You guys are upset because you can’t get wide access to your GM’s daily conversations? As for Eklund, if he is saying the exact same thing that the major news outlets are reporting, do ya think it has some credibility then? Again, everyone around here was reporting that Campbell wanted back into Ontario, or at least close to it. What’s a couple perentage points matter when you are getting tens of millions of dollars.

Atlanta fan base develops paranoia as to why no one wants to play for them (E1)

By Alan

July 2, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Hainsey signed. 5y/$22.5m

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Thrashers sign UFA defenceman Ron Hainsey to a five-year, $22.5 million contract.

By Archie

July 2, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Bob, you said it yourself, the owners are just as much of the problem that Waddell is. They’re a bigger problem IMO. If we got a new GM tomorrow, and he is 100% bona fide guaranteed better than Don Waddell, we would never see the difference because he’d be working with the same handicaps within the organization that Don is working with. I’m not making an excuse for Waddell, a lot of these problems are his fault since he’s been here since day 1, but there’s no franchise structure in place for a new GM to succeed. The owners are the ones that have to go. Since the lawsuit started in July ‘05, what would you guess the lawyer tab is on that whole fiasco? I betcha the money they’ve spent in attorney’s fees could finance the Brian Campbell contract.

Any way you slice, the owners are the root of this problem. The roots are poisoned, and no matter how much fertilizer you spray on it (i.e new GM, new coach, free agents), the tree ain’t gonna grow.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

We got an EGG, We got an EGG!

By Smoothie

July 2, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Who thinks we overpaid Hainsey?

I wonder what Orpik will end up getting?

If Orpik gets inked for 3.5 or less / yr, I will be very p**. But I guess, Hainsey addresses our need for a puck-moving D-man.

Looks like Hav & Toby still on the 1st pair with Hainsey & Exelby and Bogo & Klee on the 3rd pair.

I think we re-up Popovic too and let Stevie Mac walk.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Buzilla, will ya get off the Hartford stuff. It ain’t gonna happen! Anymore than my “wishing” for Ron Wilson to be the next Head Coach was going to happen. But seriously, I used to love the Hartford Whalers. Coolest logo I ever saw. A “W” and an “H” put together to form a whale’s tail. That’s creative.

After their WHA days, they joined the Adams Division in the Prince of Wales Conference. They never had much luck there. But as the Carolina Hurricanes, they’ve been to two (2) Finals and even came away with the big silver prize (2006).

Is there minor league hockey in Hartford? I’ve always enjoyed minor league hockey. From the Admirals, when I lived in Norfolk, to Cyclones, in my beloved Cincinnati, which won the Kelley Cup (ECHL) this year, by the way, to the Knights, right here in Atlanta.

Segue. I just got off the phone with Bruce Levenson. We’ve struck a deal. And it’s “reasonable.” So, hear it out, okay? Bruce has agreed, in principle, to fire Waddell. Conditionally. But here’s the tricky part. Ya’ll have to agree to stop yelling “Knights!” during the national anthem, for 10-straight games to begin the season. Or Bruce said, “The deal is off. And Waddell stays all the way ‘til 2011.” Then he said, “The ball is in your court.” Then he hung up the phone, rather abruptly.

By Buzilla in CT

July 2, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Hey, we got a Connecticut guy!

Sweet!

By Bob

July 2, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

At least Hainsey fits our need (all offense puck moving D) better than Orpik would have. Is this the definition of sloppy seconds/thirds/fourths/fifths

For you guys that want to hear Campbell’s own words on why he chose Chicago, go to the Blackhawks web site, here’s the text, please note no comments about his family (snicker) he’s talking about choosing a winning organ-I-zation:

Brian, what ultimately swung your decision to Chicago?

They’re doing things that are making it known in Chicago and around the league that they want to win. That was a huge factor. The organization started to make the city take note and provide a lot of entertainment and something the fans could hold onto. I think that’s pretty exciting. I’ve been involved with that, especially in Buffalo the last couple of years. When you get a city behind you, things just go up and up.

By Tom

July 2, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Well, I own firewaddell.com and have been quite busy so I have not had anytime to add information to it.

If anyone here wants to buy it I would be glad to sell. It needs a good home, something that I do not have the time to devote to it. Check out the whois on the site and email me if you want it. I will transfer the site to whomever wants to run it.

By Buzilla in CT

July 2, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

I am actually currently working in Springfield, MA which has the Springfield Falcons of the AHL. Harford has the Hartford Wolf Pack. Which is right near me (I currently live in Manchester, CT)

But I will get the hockey package in HD this year so I won’t miss a game

Bring back the WHALERS!

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Buzilla — Agreed on all parts except for Hartford getting another team.

By the way, I see blind squirrels sure do love those occasional nuts they find.

By Alan

July 2, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - We definitely overpaid for Hainsey. He’s worth $2.5m max, but he’s also a younger guy (age 27) who is just reaching his prime. Who knows? He might tear it up and actually earn that $4.5m/yr in his tenure here.

I think it would take $5m/yr to get Orpik here. Probably $3.5m-$4m/yr for a contender.

By Buzilla in CT

July 2, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Ranallo said ‘nuts’

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Thrashers have signed unrestricted free-agent defenceman Ron Hainsey to a US$22.5-million, five-year contract, a source told The Canadian Press.

The 27-year-old offensive blue-liner had 32 points (8-24) in 78 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. He had a career-high 34 points (9-25) in 80 games the previous season with the Jackets.

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Bob — Listen to his interviews on TSN, he talks about moving closer to his family and how that was what he was worried about all along (his reason for not re-signing in SJ).

Instead of reading his words, why not just listen to them yourself?? (snicker)

And also, what did you expect him to say to Chicago’s media? “Uh, well it had to do with money and location, because it was between SJ which has warm weather but is FAR from Ontario, Atlanta which has so-so weather, a non-competitive team, and is closer to Ontario, and Chicago has so-so weather, cold winters, a young competitive team, and is closest to my home. I chose Chicago, it made the most sense.”

Of course not, he says what the city wants to hear. You as know as much as anybody that a public announcement is all about the PR. “I’m so happy to be playing in (insert city name), they’re forming an aggressive team that I feel could be competitive for a long time. The city is great, the fans are welcoming, I couldn’t be happier to be in (insert city name).”

Wheatfield — Don’t assume that a few delusional or tongue-in-cheek posts speak for the majority of Atlanta fans. Brendan is joking with his wire-tap statement, I figured that was fairly obvious. Other are venting about the lack of acquisitions, much like many fans for other teams in the NHL do when they are not happy with the turn of events that affect the franchise.

If you’re going to post anything to your friends/fellow fans, be sure to note that the majority of Atlanta is unhappy with the current hockey situation, and is hoping or demanding for an improvement, and soon.

I would think that one statement encompasses the MAJORITY of Atlanta fans, without leaning too heavily in one direction regarding the ownership problem and GM debate.

By TableHockey

July 2, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

hey at 32 points in a season that would put him ninth I think among the Thrash last season.

It’s a step up from any UFA we got last year!

Welcome Ron!!!

By Wheatfield Blade

July 2, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Dang it, you guys got your Plan B. I was looking forward to another day’s worth of blogs as to why no one would sign with you. At least you guys saved money, Campbell is going to be the 2nd coming of the Bhulin Wall in Chicago, overpaid on a team not ready to turn the corner yet. Now start having the argument if it is better to get Hainsey and someone else or just Campbell. And if you still get some forwards, you guys are in the exact same spot only you have an extra 3 million dollars a year.

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Buzilla in Quahog — Where’s the “giggity”??

Tony C. — Are you happy with Hainsey’s signing? I like his age and the length of the contract, and am OKAY with the size. I’m going on your word though regarding his abilities…is he a PP threat?

By glovesave29

July 2, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

Am I missing something - TSN reported that Hainsey resigned with Columbus

By Wheatfield Blade

July 2, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

ranalloten, I guess I didn’t pick up on the sarcasm, judging by the other posts on this blog I had to take it seriously. Forgive me if some other bashers show up here based on the link. Also, outside of the whoever the current cup winner is in any given year, what fans don’t want their team to improve? What gets me is how on one hand you guys are upset that Holik showed up in Atlanta then cry that you didn’t sign the older slower version of him, Rolston. Although you do have the typical rants of “I can’t believe we still have this guy, but we should be able to trade him so easily.” The only difference is that in Atlanta it is Zhitnik, if you go on the Islander’s site it is Satan. They hate Satan, say he is worthless, then wonder why mgt can’t get a first round pick for him.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Malkin re-signs with Penguins.

By Buzzeng

July 2, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

It’s on the Thrashers website now.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

And for the record, I was “kidding” about talking to Bruce Levenson, earlier. Although, that’s a DEAL I could make and live with!

By Hip Czech

July 2, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Well, if it’s any consolation Columbus may still one up us in the bad organization race…I can’t believe they traded Zherdev (61 pts last year) to the Rangers for Tutin.

They like their defensive minded hockey in Columbus, I will say that. Give up a good 24 year old winger for a defenseman. I would have loved to seen Zherdev come here.

By Alan

July 2, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

glovesave29 - Are you missing something? I would say so.

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Unless I’m mistaken, only one person here complained about NOT signing Rolston, and that person is often hypocritical like that. It’s funny how that individual complains about signing older players and the Thrashers fielding the second oldest team in the NHL, yet that person also wants a 35 year old center (who is now signed until he’s 39).

People are strange like that, I guess.

For your knowledge, another general consensus around here is that Waddell’s track record speaks to him signing last leg has-beens (Holik, Rucchin, Klee) or long shot projects (Perrin, Metropolit, Kapanen). Some people here have resigned themselves to the fact that those are the types players we can expect to see, while others hope for better. Not many of us WANT those players, but the reality is that we are likely to see players that fit that mold far more often than those that fit the “Tier I” mold (like Campbell, who I never thought was a possibility in Atlanta, and am surprised we made his short list. I figured he’d say “no” when he heard “Atlanta offered…” come from his agent’s mouth).

And you’re right, the delusional “trade our garbage for high draft picks” runs RAMPANT in these parts. I’ve seen many other message boards or fan blogs that do the same thing, so I’m aware the situation is not unique to Atlanta. Ignorant is ignorant, no matter where it appears…and I for one am not happy to be compiled with the ignorance that comes from “let’s trade all the players us fans despise for high picks!”

By glovesave29

July 2, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Don’t need to be a wiseass - look at this…(http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/signings_2008/)

By glovesave29

July 2, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

No need to be a wiseass Alan - look at this link…(http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/signings_2008/)

By Wheatfield Blade

July 2, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

So if you don’t like those players, why even say the name SUNDIN on this site? The guy didn’t want to get traded to a contender last year so he can be more fresh (not playing in the playoffs) for another year to get paid. What does that say about his committment to winning. I also like what you said about Hossa. How hard is it to win a cup for the Wings (Brett Hull and Dom Hasek really deserve those rings)? It’s like Bourque winning for the Avs. But if he was so intent on signing with Detroit for less money, even to the point of turning down more money playing with the number 1 player in the world after just going to the cup finals with them, why is it your GM’s fault he didn’t sign with you? All that said, you need some more forwards it seems. I’m actually going to have to look over your roster now after spending a day on this blog. I realized I said Doughty earlier, not Bogosian, but is he going to start for you guys?

By Alan

July 2, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

glovesave29 - A couple things:

a. There’s a difference between TSN and Sportsnet.ca

b. The first link I posted was from Sportsnet.ca.

Probably a typo on their part in their FA tracker, since everyone else is reporting a signing by Atlanta.

Sometimes, I feel the need to be a wiseass when people don’t read. Reports of Hainsey signing in Atlanta are everywhere.

By J(Z)

July 2, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Orpik stays with Pens…cheap…6yrs, 22.5mil

By Tony C.

July 2, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

ranallo-

Yes, I am. I like the the term and according to the market, I think it’s “fair value”. Now I think that where he really shines is on the PP. While he’s not your archetypal “PP quarterback”, he does know where to go with the puck and has a fine shot from the point. I know he’s been playing out west, so the person I would most compare him to is…Redden. Now he’s not as physical as I’d like given his size, but he’s got good mobility, his shot is a lot heavier than it looks (I saw him knock Giguerre on his @ss with a shot that caught him center-chest). But most importantly, he makes really good decisions coming out of his own end. This has been a problem area for our boys for a long time. He makes good 1st passes. He’s not blessed with the superior ice-vision of a Niedermayer, but he makes the right play and isn’t too proud to make the “safe” play. I think he’ll pair up nicely with X, giving us a 3rd pair of Klee/Bogey or Big Vikki/Bogey.

Ok now WTF is this conflicting report he signed with CBJ again??? WTF dude

By five_hole

July 2, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 - Yes, he’s a PP guy. All 8 of his goals came on the PP. However, what I read about him says he’s “soft” for a guy his size.

Frankly, I don’t remember seeing him play, but I’m looking forward to watching him (on TV).

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Unless I’m mistaken, only one person here complained about NOT signing Rolston, and that person is often hypocritical like that. It’s funny how that individual complains about signing older players and the Thrashers fielding the second oldest team in the NHL, yet that person also wants a 35 year old center (who is now signed until he’s 39).

I know you ain’t talkin about me… I NEVER wanted ROLSTON.

As for SUNDIN, even YOU wanted him…

I hope you are talking about someone else, and not me…

I only mentioned SUNDIN because he is a Top Line Center (something KOVY asked for)…

But, it looks like they’re gonna shaft KOVY again… Oh well, just more fuel for him to LEAVE TOWN… Bygones.

I still think we need MONTADOR too… Get rid of EXELBY and KLEE… They are WORTHLESS…

Another pathetic Free Agent Period in BLUESLAND, La-Ti-Da…

NUFF SAID.

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

J(Z) — Based on how we signed Hainsey I’d wager Orpik gave a discount to sign with Pittsburgh.

Tony C. — I’ve heard he has problems fully utilizing his size, but I’m not too worried. I think it’s easier for a person to just hold up when they’re 6’3 than when they’re 5’11…meaning it wont impact their overall game drastically. Often times the “not playing to his size” knock comes in two scenarios, when the player is soft on the puck, or when the player has a high potential but isn’t fulfilling it as of yet. I hope Hainsey qualifies for the latter of those two.

Wheatfield — Bogosian will get a fair shot at the training camp, and I personally expect him to take a roster spot. Hopefully Klee is our 7th defender here, as I don’t think it serves any purpose to continue to send Valabik to the press box or to Chicago. Much like Coburn when he was here, Valabik’s development is at the point where he needs NHL time to further improve. So, unless Exelby or Klee are moved, one of them has to be a #7 defender. Klee fits that mold in my opinion, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Exelby packaged elsewhere (and I think he’s got decent value, specifically for teams with holes on their 3rd pairing…maybe Ottawa).

Sundin was mentioned in response to another sarcastic post, but the poster (Rawhide) accidentally hit upon an interesting scenario I felt was worth exploring in this arena. I don’t think it’s GOING to happen (I know Sundin has no love for the SE division, plus I don’t believe he wants out of Toronto, nor would he take Atlanta’s exorbitant contract before Vancouver’s, etc etc), but I think it’s an interesting philosophy to ponder.

Basically Rawhide accidentally put out an idea, and I ran with it for a second. I know it won’t happen though, looking logically at the scenario it’s never happened and has too many flaws to be considered a realistic scenario.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

Columbus just gave away Zherdev to the Rangers. Sure would have been nice having Zherdev on the opposite side of Kovy.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

This Hainsey contract becomes the second 5-year deal in franchise history. Amazing, isn’t it? The other was Kovalchuk, back in 2005, signing 5-years/$33.0 million. This is the new trend, to go longer. Waddell must have seen something he liked. Or, had no choice but to acquiesce to.

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

Alan — Give him a break, perhaps he meant “tsn.com” which brings you to The Sporting News. I don’t check that site, but I can understand the erroneous acronym.

NASCAR Dave — As I just explained to our visitor, I just explored an option. I know it’s not realistic, but I also said in my original post “Holy crap, I think I wouldn’t be against that.”…and not that I wanted him. It’s not semantics, it’s a complete difference in opinion.

I know Sundin wouldn’t think twice about Atlanta. I knew Atlanta wouldn’t be able to sign Redden or Campbell. I wouldn’t be against those signings had they happened, but I never allowed myself to imagine they were a possibility. That’s the difference really.

And no, I wasn’t talking about you with the Rolston post. The person I was speaking of likely doesn’t realize who he is either, or else he’s too busy skipping my blogs. No matter, those who understand his ways understood who I was speaking of.

I don’t see Montador as an improvement over Exelby, and at this point I think any other Defensive acquisitions are just hurting the team’s development. Hainsey is 27 and is here until he’s 32…plenty of time for Valabik, Kulda, Nikulin (hopefully), Bogosian and Enstrom to further develop into a decent defensive unit.

Oh, I’ll call it now…but somehow I see Kulda as the type of player that qualifies as future trade bait. Valabik being potential trade bait number two out of those players I mentioned. Maybe not this year, but in the next two seasons I wont be surprised to see them traded…but I will be disappointed depending on the return.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

What?? The B. Jax gave up Nikki Zherdev? Are you serious? Man, on Center Ice, they made Zherdev out to be their version of Kovalchuk. Can’t believe they’d trade him?? Again, these are players who could have been brought here.

Edmonton parted with Raffi Torres, Joni Pitkanen, and Jarret Stoll, players I would have thought were “untouchable” as core nucleus players. Imagine if, in April 2007, right after being swept by the Rangers, Don Waddell had approached Kevin Lowe to offer Hossa for those three guys?

By J(Z)

July 2, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

ughhh, ESPN says Orpik got 6yrs, 21mil. That’s one hell of a discount. I’d definitely rather have him for 4.5mil a year than Hainsey.

By five_hole

July 2, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

It occurs to me that, while Sundin would never consider Atlanta, if we got in the bidding war, we could do exactly what we did to Chicago; bid his salary up to where whomever (Toronto?) overpays for him. Maybe slightly unethical, but who cares?

I’d like to see Valabik as the 6th man for PK purposes. I’d station him in front of the net, give him a 10’ diameter to patrol and have him clear the net in front of Kari. He’s not a great skater, has an OK shot, but he’s big and mean, and we could use someone like that.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Brendan - Just think of Kovy paired with Zherdev, that would put butts in seats, win or lose.

By Tony C.

July 2, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Wow. I totally would’ve traded X for Zherdev…well mebbe Zherdev and a pick

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

Brendan — I’m not surprised he got moved (Hokie and I discussed his being “available” previously, and as being a great target for a trade with that #29 draft pick), but I am disappointed he went to a team that’s got some decent talent and has had some huge offseason acquisitions. Once it became a player-for-player trade I think Atlanta was out of the running…similar to the Jokinen trade, we don’t have the talent/depth to offer anyone worthwhile to those teams.

I guess that means Jagr will not be re-signed? I think it was ESPN who rumored he could return to Pittsburgh…that’d be funny to me. Hmm, I wonder if he’ll accept that huge contract in Russia?

By NASCAR Dave

July 2, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

So WHO ELSE is left???

Who is the #1 Center they promised KOVY???

WHERE are the Scoring Threats???

We should have got ORPIK over HAINSEY… Grab MONTADOR on the cheap and say buh-bye to KLEE and EXELBY…

This better not be “it”… If so, I don’t see very many “New” tickets being sold…

This has been a very NON-SEXY FA Period for us… But wait, aren’t they ALL like that???

WHY is THAT???

NUFF SAID.

By glovesave29

July 2, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Yup - just named the wrong source, I have been watching soooo different many websites - just waiting for some good news on the FA front in Atlanta. And what do I get? Hainsey! THIS is a big splash? My kids make bigger waves in the bathtub than this….

By Alan

July 2, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

Orpik was probably sought after. I like the Hainsey acquisition. He seems happy to come here, and I for one am happy to see him come here.

By Tom

July 2, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

ESPN says Malkin signed for 5 years 43.5 million.

No more saving for Hossa…

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — It was Zherdev and Fritsche for Tyutin and Backman. I don’t think we have any players that match that return…thus I don’t think we could’ve been a trade partner without including draft picks, which I doubt they wanted when giving up two players of Zherdev and Fritsche’s talents/potential.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

Had we picked up Zherdev, I would have started to reach for my wallet.

I’m in favor of the Hainsey addition.

But, there is more work to be done.

Someone please buy Nikulin a plane ticket for Atlanta.

By HookyBob

July 2, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

Stroz I’m in lockstep with you. Zherdev, and the Edmonton trio are just the latest in a series of trades where a traded player could have really impoved our team had they come here. As one blogger mentioned earlier,.. maybe Wadell is vacationing in the Caribbian. However, I believe we’d didn’t have the level of player needed on the return side of the trade deal to close any of these deals. It appears DW’s and ASG’s past idiocy continues to bite us.

How can one be an Atlanta Thrasher fan and not be totally disgusted, disappointed, disillusioned, feel used, $hit-on, and (insert you term here)? Is this the cost of being a Thrasher fan?

Alan I enjoy your contributions and feel they add value to this blog. I envy you in that Hossa signed with the Wings. For a Wings fan,…life is good eh? Thanks for sharing our frustrations.

So who is left in the free agents that can help us make the spending threshold? Did I hear someone say Jagr?

*Welcome Ron Hainsey, I hope you have a truly break-out year with us.

By Tony C.

July 2, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

Zherdev and Fristche??? Wow. I’m inclined to say CBJ just got hosed.

Although from the chatter I’ve heard/seen from Columbus Zherdev hasn’t exactly been a “happy camper”… I am surprised they let Fristche go as well… That would’ve been a huge coup if DW could’ve somehow gotten them here.

In other possibilities, Morrison is still out there right?

Let’s get him please.

Also the Sundin theory would work…I wonder if we could impress on Mats how big a “F-you!” it would be to Toronto if he signed here (and of course there’d be other swedes, as well as #17 to bury his sets).

I wonder if there’s any truth to the Antropov to CBJ rumors???

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — I’d imagine Columbus was clearing the way by moving two centers (Brule and Fritsche, who is also a winger)…but I have no clue who they are aiming for. They now have a glut of defenders (7 signed) so I could see Klesla or Hejda on the move. They also only have 8 forwards under contract currently.

If they got Antropov I’d expect Klesla on the return end, at least.

By Tony C.

July 2, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

ranallo-

Exactly, they’ve been saying they want Morrison…you know I’d like to see him here, but it would make sense moving the two pivots to make way for Morrison…no idea why they’d let Zherdev go for Tutin…

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

I’m still floored by this Zherdev move. But, I’m far from knowledgeable about the inner machinations of the Columbus Blue Jackets. This relative “newbie” GM, Scott Howson, is certainly putting it out there that he’s a “mover and shaker.” That trade took guts.

I agree with Ranallo that we’d have to give up draft picks to get Zherdev here. And, at this point, I think draft picks are all we’ve got to hang our hopes on. Any team offering anything remotely in the Tier One category will ask for Tobias Enstrom as part of the return. He is an RFA next year. That’s not an advisable move for Atlanta.

At this point, we don’t really even have too many “sweeteners.” (There’s that word again!, a “mainstay” in the Brendan lexicon.) I’d say Eric Perrin and Jim Slater potentially fit that category. Could Larsen be considered “sweetener?” Would you be willing to part with Niclas Havelid, $2.7 million cap hit, in his final year of his contract? For the “right deal,” maybe? Could Ken Klee be packaged, at his age, as a “throw in” player?

By Alan

July 2, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

Contrary to popular belief, I’m not really all that happy with Hossa to the Wings. But that’s more personal than it is anything else.

For the Wings themselves, this makes them a lot stronger and a lot more potent, so this of course is a good thing. But for me, it’s more about watching a player who refused to man up and tell management that there was no way he was going to sign here on 1 July 2007.

The watching, waiting, and hoping that Hossa would re-sign here. But instead, he played a childish little game with us. And not just management, I’m talking about “us” as the fans of this team. Everyone here loved the guy. He was a play maker, and he definitely scored some amazing goals during his time here.

I respect his reasons for wanting to leave, but I feel he could have done it in a far more mature fashion, instead of acting like a child about it. He wants his cup and his ring, and he wants it now. That’s great. I hope he and the Wings are on the same page about being cup winners in 2008-09, and I hope he gets his cup. But the way he left here leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. That, by far, overshadows the Wings acquisition.

By ranallo10

July 2, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

Sportsnet.ca has Huselius signing in Columbus for 3 years $4.75M annually.

I guess that would make sense with the Zherdev trade, but not much really…Zherdev is the better player in my opinion, both long and short term.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Per tsn

Columbus Blue Jackets sign UFA winger Kristian Huselius (4-year, $4.75 million).

By Tony C.

July 2, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

No. You hold onto Havelid, if for no other reason than the guy plays hard and does it the right way… In all honesty, Nic Havelid is a second-pair guy, but he’s been asked to give us #1 minutes and #1 quality. Which he has delivered. Now some of you will point to his less-than stellar performance in the second half a few years ago, but let’s be real-the man’s mother died. And he wasn’t there much during her final months. Because he was busy playing for this half-@ssed club in Atlanta Ga of all places. He didn’t offer excuses, and I daresay his performance last year shows that much of his bad performance of two years ago was tied to that. You look at his community work (honestly, check him out trying to relate to the neighbors of the Habitat Home he built last summer-even funnier than Hossa at the aquarium), as well as the significant role he’s playing in Enstrom’s development as an NHL regular.

The guy’s been loyal, has had numerous opportunities to come out and throw everyone under the bus-but hasn’t.

Look at all that and then realize this: the man was a “+” player on The 2007-2008 Thrashers…that achievement alone warrants a great case for keeping him.

By R. Stroz

July 2, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers are still under the salary cap floor with only one or two players left under 35 years of age.

We best hope Hainsey turns out to be The Golden EGG.

By Tony C.

July 2, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Huselius is off the board to CBJ for reported 4-year $4.75M

Boo! DW better get Morrison. Because you know that’s who they’re after next/now

By Tony C.

July 2, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

It flabbergasts me that they’d move Zherdev for Tutin, but if he’s been as petulant as some reports have made him out to be (reportedly told Federov to “go fly a kite”, for example-and they brought Federov in to work with Zherdev specifically), then it makes more sense…but I dunno that I would’ve done that trade-there’s other “puck movers” out there that I think are better and would fit better-but that’s half the fun of this time of year.

By Brendan

July 2, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

Tony C., that’s a very passionate plea to keep Havelid. I liked it!

By Tim

July 3, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

Zherdev will be RFA at the end of the season, plus report told him that he is very much a cancer in locker room. If that is true, then it make a lot of sense to trade him because they not going to resign him anyway next season.

By NASCAR Dave

July 3, 2008 1:57 AM | Link to this

I’m with TONY C… We should grab MORRISON…

Grab MORRISON, MONTADOR, & a RW at least…

Why are we NOT trying to MOVE salary??? Many other teams are by making trades… WHY aren’t WE???

This FA Period has a chance to be REAL bad… There are still QUALITY players out there, now go grab them!!!

Remember what NASCAR Dave said:

CUT ALL UFA’s LOOSE!!! MOOSE was the only one worth bringing back, and we got him… Let the rest of them GO!!!

By Sharon

July 3, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this

Wow, I’m really shocked by Hossa signing with Detroit! Well, the contract that he signed. Congrats to those that predicted the team.

I was debating the Hossa situation the other night with my family in Detroit. I didn’t think he’d end up there given the Wings present/future payroll, but I did call the contract if he did (1 year at a discount)! I think my mom actually snickered at me over the phone. Seriously, she owes me beers. Still, I never thought Hossa would take that kind of deal.

As for the Thrashers, what can you really say at this point? It’s so painfully embarrassing to know that top players won’t sign here, regardless of the offer. And yet, Grim Reaper Waddell is still circling the franchise, and still swinging the sickle of stupidity at it. He’s killing this team. Brutal, just brutal!

I swear to God, I’m getting a black armband to wear with my jersey on game days. Consider it my own personal protest.

By Tony C.

July 3, 2008 3:14 AM | Link to this

Sharon-

Are you kidding me??? If you saw the Detroit game this year, you knew. You knew about oh, eight minutes into the game. For most of his time with us last year, we got hossa, that night we got Hoss. The next day on this very board people were making cracks about his “audition”

P.S. TSN reports the Penguins are p!ssed -you gotta watch the video.

By Sharon

July 3, 2008 3:44 AM | Link to this

*Tony C. - *

Nope, I’m really not kidding. Oh, I saw that game, in all of its glory (haha). Clearly he was auditioning, but I still thought he’d go for the big bucks and contract length with a valid contender. In a nutshell, I underestimated his desire to win the Cup right now (vs the money). My bad.

I read several posts from Pens fans today, reallllly wishing damnation on Hossa (haha). It’s very entertaining!

Thanks for the link :)

By Tony C.

July 3, 2008 3:48 AM | Link to this

I love this man’s sense of vendetta!