Ice Man

By PJ

July 8, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

About freakin’ time!! Oh, first!

By ranallo10

July 8, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

At least this time Keenan didn’t have to give up Kiprusoff to acquire Bertuzzi. Calgary is better with him, and there’s no doubt he fits their style of play.

Sorry for the hiatus, I’ll be back for the rest of this week.

By kracker

July 8, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

I just read the rumor reverberating around the net about Kovy to Van for the Sedin twins plus.

Now THAT would be a big move. It’s just a rumor but at the least the twins would have to be signed long term to even consider it. They currently have a year left.

By Bob

July 8, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

NO way Sundin comes here. Demitra is the last hope for a signing, my buddy in Minnehaha hates him though, but what the heck, he’s better than nothing.

So we lost Hoss and Recchi off the top lines, right? How many points did they have for us last year? That has to be replaced. How?

I have no problem trading Kovy, kracker. The return would be huge and now would be the time to do it (just like last summer was the time to trade Hossa, instead of waiting till the deadline and getting scraps).

That’s really what this club needs, a major move like a Kovy trade and bring in 4 or 5 roster players. Trouble is, who has the cap room left for that room, I guess the Couv does, thus that rumor.

By Rawhide

July 8, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

About freakin’ time????

PJ - Uh….whaa???

It was only a day and a half between posts! You’re KILLIN’ me! :o)

By Sara

July 8, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Holy smokes - I’m still not digging this whole “trade Kovy now” business. I get the point - he’s worth more now than later on the market - I just flat out don’t like it. Makes me sad. And kracker is correct - the Sedin twins need long contracts to make that worthwhile. Wouldn’t that be weird to end up with them after all the maneuvering involved in the ‘99 draft? What a cwazy world.

I don’t mind trading BUT I don’t think we can afford to give up much young talent. I’d actually be more ok with trading away draft picks than some of our young guys we already have. Little would be pointless - we’re already weak at center, why trade away a good one? Trading either Lehts or Pavs is a bit scary - Pavs is the safety net, he’s also young and perhaps not ready for the NHL - don’t want him rushed then screwed up from all the pressure.

Sterling I could be ok with, perhaps even one of our D prospects (did I just type that? I think I did). Not Bogosian (NEVER), I’d like to keep Kulda - perhaps Valabik? Or keep Valabik trade Kulda? Maybe Oystrick? It’s hard though cause who wants to cough up a good prospect? My only stipulations would be though, if we are trading away young players or picks - we would have to be getting an RFA player back. No more UFA we’ll lose in two years (or sooner). It also should really be for a top-notch center primarily, top-notch RW secondarily. Absolute first-line guys.

In a perfect world, one center and two RW would make me happy and perfectly content. In the reality known as Blueland - I’d settle for any one of the above. The only reason I’m even thinking we’ll get one is the whole “under the floor” issue. Otherwise I don’t think we’d get diddly squat else.

Btw, marty had brought up on the other blog the issue of Nikulin’s contract. Because he will still be a first-year player, does he have the same contract cap restrictions other rookies face? Or has he “aged-out” of that? I may try to wander over to the CBA to see, but if someone else beats me to it…

By Nikita

July 8, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Trading Kovy is an intriguing idea and could pay off.

So we lost Hoss and Recchi off the top lines, right? How many points did they have for us last year? That has to be replaced. How?

Well, sorta. 56 and 40, though we didn’t lose either off the 1st. Looking at the top 10, pointswise, we’re losing Recchi, Holik, and Hossa. for about 130.

But…production for most was down last year. If Koz regains his groove, we’ll effectively have replaced Recchi. And I’m really embarassed looking at the stats — partial season players are way above full-season players, and production is HALF for a good portion of the team.

By Sara

July 8, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

I went and looked - Nikulin’s over the age restrictions so he can get paid whatever Waddell wants to give him…this ought to be interesting. Marty may be spot on - between Lehtonen’s new deal, a deal for Nikulin, and deals for our other RFAs/Bogosian we may hit the cap floor anyway. And if ASG remains true to precedent, that will be the end of the moolah - until the trade deadline of course - wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Btw, Nikita we got very little production out of our d-men last season - a total of 13 goals from the blueline. That number ought to improve with the acquisition of Hainsey, potentially Bogosian, Nikulin (presuming he shows), and Anderson’s new system (step 5 out of 250 for re-vamping Thrashers - get Enstrom to shoot!).

By ranallo10

July 8, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

If you think that last season’s failures drove away fans en masse, what do you think trading Kovalchuk will do?

Sure, Waddell might eventually get fired, and a player may eventually replace Kovalchuk (in 5-6 years time most likely), but do you honestly think this franchise can recover from such a move? I highly doubt Waddell has ever seriously entertained trade offers for Kovalchuk, as I assume he knows that the day Kovalchuk is traded would be the last day of his reign as Thrashers GM.

I only hope the ASG is smart enough to know how much damage trading Kovalchuk NOW would be to this club.

By Tim

July 8, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

SARA Unfortunately that do not apply to Europeean player. They still have to sign rookie contract limited to 1 year and subject to entry level compensation. Unless of course if he is 28+ then DW can sign him at whatever money he wants.

By Bob

July 8, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

You know, the more I think about it, the more a Kovy trade makes a heck of a lot of sense. TThis would be an explanation of why there’s so much cap room left and no movement to fill it.

The Sedin’s coming back would be our top center and top left wing, sign Demitra, there’s your top line.

Wasn’t Sundin reportedly close to a deal with the Couv and then back off and is “waiting”. Makes sense there as well, if they can move the Sedins and bring in Kovy, that might make sense for them to bring in Sundin to center Kovy.

We’d obviously have to get more back for Kovy than just the two Sedins, but they have blossomed into pretty good players, I think they’re both 70-80 point guys.

This is the kind of move that makes sense for this club. Writing is on the wall that Kovy is gone, move him now, that would be a great move by Waddell. Get it done, Don.

By Russ

July 8, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

kracker, do you have a link to that rumor. Until I see that it is coming from a respected source I am going to assume it is bogus (maybe from Eklund). Vancouver would have to be sending the Sedins, a top d-man, and a highly rated prospect to even consider moving Kovy.

By ranallo10

July 8, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Sara — Nikulin is a defensive d-man, with his short comings being his mobility (he’s 6’3 211), his weight (or lack of muscle for his size), and his hesitancy to shoot. The only highlights you’ll see of him on YouTube are of him scoring goals, but he’s more of a big bodied defender than a goal scorer (from all accouns I’ve read). I don’t count on him for anything except Exelby type offensive production, and thus would be rather upset to see him making Hainsey money as a 26 year old defender with no NHL experience. I was under the assumption that his age (26) keeps him free to any salary level contract Waddell wishes to offer him, but can you point me to where you found that in the CBA?

With the signing of Hainsey I anticipate the defensive pairing will be Enstrom and Hainsey on the top PP, limiting Bogosian’s chances for offensive production as a defender. Even strength I think he’ll be a good puck mover and help transition out of the defensive zone, but I don’t think he’ll put up as many points as Enstrom did last season.

Though, that’s just my assumption.

I feel this defense is improved simply by replacing Zhitnik with Hainsey and McCarthy/Popovic with Bogosian. However, I think that improvement is negligible at best, for the time being. Hainsey needs to remain productive and Bogosian needs to hold a roster spot before I can consider it an improvement.

Intersetingly enough, Popovic has yet to be signed by another franchise. I saw Jesse Schultz (played with the Wolves last season) got signed by Minnesota…but I thought many teams would have had interest in Popovic by this point of free agency. I’m interested to see where he signs, as I am with all of the UFAs not re-signed by Atlanta.

By Jarndyce

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

If anyone wants a taste of complete and unbounded optimism, I just noticed that NHL network is playing Game 1 of the Rangers-Thrashers playoff series…

As for trading Kovalchuk. The problem is finding the right return. It’s nearly impossible to trade franchise players and get anything close to equal value. What is Kovalchuk worth? How do you value the top goal-scorer of his generation just as he is about to hit his prime?

By kracker

July 8, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Oh, I think this is the source of the rumor

I don’t see why we should consider this as a serious thing…at least until it gets “verified” by another rumor(s) lol. But this one has at least some possibilites of being the type if deal that could be contemplated, as opposed to Kovy for a couple of middling 1st liners, a 2nd line C, a prospect and some picks.

This is probably the beginnings of the sort of deal Brendan had in mind in his arguing to consider trading Kovy now.

Fan-wise, this is a big loser, so I think it’s just some guy driving up his blog hits.

By Sara

July 8, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Um, yeah. Probably should have read past the little chart thingy. One year?? WTF is the point of that? Well, I guess I could see it. If we’re having trouble signing Euros (in particular Russians) because of monetary compensation issues, this at least would let NHL GMs get more competitive in a hurry. But then, why not make that exception for all ages of Euro players? Strange…

My next question then…is it only the first year of the contract that is subject to those limitations? Meaning, could a team sign a player to a contract that pays the max entry level salary the first year, then ups the ante in the following years? And would that still have an average cap hit?

Also, in outlying the entry level contracts, it is mainly specifying salaries for draftees from 2005 and beyond. What about the players drafted prior to 2005? (I actually read past the chart this time but I’m still not seeing the answer.)

This is soooo why I opted to be an accountant instead of a lawyer. The numbers I can handle, the legalese is a PITA.

By Bob

July 8, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Nikulin’s over the age restrictions so he can get paid whatever Waddell wants to give him

I do not think that is true. I think he does have to sign an entry level contract, they could do it for one year though and have a handshake on a future deal to compensate him.

Marty may be spot on - between Lehtonen’s new deal, a deal for Nikulin, and deals for our other RFAs/Bogosian we may hit the cap floor anyway

Of course they will hit the floor, any worry over that is silly.

And if ASG remains true to precedent, that will be the end of the moolah

Why do you persist in this misinformation? You know I’m no defender of this management group, but you’ve got your blinders on with this and you’re just plain wrong.

The new owners spent Max Cap their first year in control of the team. They gave Waddell every last dollar to work with. Then, the next year, they left some room to break camp with, but they gave him max Cap again by letting him sign Tkachuk et al at the deadline.

They pulled the reins in this past year as going max cap the first two years got them exactly 0 playoff wins. That’s smart money management, but dumb people management by keeping the manager who ineffectively spent their max cap funds two years in a row.

This past week the owners green lighted Campbell and Rolston both to huge contract offers. Hossa was reportedly offered huge money by us before he was traded. The owners spending money is not the problem, never has been. How the money is being spent is the problem.

You make want to re-think your idea of what the precedent is in terms of money spent by the Spirit, because the precedent for 2 of the last 3 years is max cap and the precedent for the past week is to offer huge money to the top dman and top forward out there.

By Smoothie

July 8, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

While Kovy would certainly have more value as trade bait TWO years out from his contract renewal, I don’t think doing so is the wisest decision for this franchise to make. ranallo is spot on about how detrimental it would be to the probable continued erosion of a fan base that is already miffed about losing Hossa, Savard, Heatley etc.

A franchise needs a cornerstone piece and Kovy is that piece. Of course, if Vancouver did want to give up both twins, their top D-man and a top prospect, then perhaps you’d have to consider doing it…just in case Kovy plans to do us like Hossa did. Something tells me Kovy is different though…he plays with a passion that is rare for a pro athlete.

By whaler888

July 8, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

This trading Kovy talk is making me ill. He is the idenity of this team, he is the reason many of the fans show up both home and away. He has the fire that is missing in too many others. You might substitute several bodies and decent ones for him, but you need the superstar. I can not think of a worse move the Thrashers could make then trading Kovy.

By kracker

July 8, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Nikulin: I can’t find the posting but one of the admiin mods somewhere posted the regs, I think it is as Tim says, one year at the rookie contract then he becomes a FA. Some incentives can sweeten the rookie contract within reason.

By Midfield

July 8, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Speaking of scraps, I don’t see how Sedin twins are better than Christiansen and Armstrong. I saw Vancouver last time they played here and was not overly impressed. If Kovy is gone now, my bet is that Philips will be 3/4 empty all season long, nearly 1/4 remaining being visitors dressed in funny uniforms. Also, I’m not sure Nikulin will be willing to play here if Kovy is gone.

By Stan Drulia

July 8, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

If Kovy goes, the franchise will be gone in two years time… it would be a huge mistake. This year is the deal breaker for Kovy I think… If we can make the playoffs and win a round I think he would sign with us.. anything else, he will be history for sure… along with the team’s stay here in Atlanta.

By kracker

July 8, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

BTW, let me say I’m not in favor of trading Kovy…at least not now. Even rumors such as these could drive down his value if he’s perceived to be wanting out of Atlanta.

Let’s play it to win this season and then see where we stand.

By Russian

July 8, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Gentlemen!!!!! What do you smoke???? What is wrong with you??? Trade Kovy to Twins or anybody else it CRAZY IDEA. If it is happened Don will shoot himself. Atlanta lost all franchising players – Heatly (he asked for), Savard (he did not want this Crap), Hossa (he wanted to won Cup). But Kovy wants to play here and live in Atlanta. Have you seen his house? He does not ask for trade to any teams. He just asked to Center and Smart GM and Coach. Don did only 1/3 his wish list. He brought a Coach. I do not think that Don as Stupid to Trade your last PICK #ONE. NO way.

By Brendan

July 8, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

OMG, a Kovy-trade not proposed by me? Has the very world gone mad? Do my eyes deceive me? Seriously, I’m way done “dreaming up” Kovalchuk-trade scenarios. I did them (lots of them) … because I felt like the organization had to salvage “something” for the loss of Kovalchuk in 2010. But I’ve changed my tune. I realize, now, that trading Kovalchuk would be completely devastating to this fan base. And it could cripple the franchise. However many season tickets this team has managed to sell, they can thank #17 for just about each and every one of them. If Kovy were moved … it would set off alarm bells for even the most casual of hockey fans.

Don Waddell cannot entertain trade offers for Kovy and keep this team above the Mendoza line. Yes, I know!! I know what you will say next, because I said it, too. Kovy’s maximum trade potential is RIGHT NOW. That’s exactly right. No argument. But he’s the guy selling tickets right now. Who would serve up the goose that lays the golden eggs for dinner? Even if the King and Queen were the guests of honor?

Theoretically, a lot can happen between now and 2010, up to and including the sale of the team. If meaningful changes were actually made between now and then, and the team were reloaded with some fine young talent, it would at least keep the Thrashers on Kovy’s radar. Truthfully, I cannot answer the question, “Who will Kovy’s next team be?” If someone put a gun to my head and demanded an answer, I’d say, “Kovy’s next team will be the one closest to winning Cup, with cap room to pay him his ‘market value.’” Or pretty close to it.

By Sara

July 8, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

2003-2004: League payroll AVG $44.4M, Thrashers payroll $28.5M (differential -$15.9M)

2005-2006: League payroll AVG $34.6M, Salary Cap $39M, Thrashers payroll $37.1M (diff +$2.5M to AVG, -$1.9M to cap)

2006-2007: League payroll AVG $40.3M, Salary Cap $44M, Thrashers payroll $37.6M (diff -$2.7M to AVG, -$6.4M to cap)

2007-2008: League payroll AVG $44.3M, Salary Cap $50.3M, Thrashers payroll $36.6M (diff -$7.7M to AVG, -$13.7M to cap)

ONE YEAR we were above the average and less than $2M away from the cap. (Those are actual payroll $$ btw, which ultimately from the AS standpoint are the only $$ that matter.)

And agreeing to pay ONE player a big contract when they are sitting well beneath the floor (keep in mind that was before the Hainsey contract) doesn’t prove a darn thing about actual commitment and overall budget for the next season. And by all indications thus far, we’re going to be entering it sitting at or near the cap FLOOR.

So please, tell me the big flaw in my logic again?

BTW, while we are throwing around numbers…

1999 payroll: $16.7M 2000 payroll: $17.8M 2001 payroll: $15.2M 2002 payroll: $23.0M

Whoooo yeah buddy, think of all the FAs Don could have signed with those budgets. And you tell me I’m the one who wears blinders?

By Brendan

July 8, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

One last thing … unless the players traded here came of their own free will, (waived no trade clauses, not under DURESS, think Dan Boyle,) then we run the risk that they’re plotting their exit strategies before they even unpack their bags. This organization doesn’t have an exempliary track record for player retention. I don’t know anyone who does their best work while being demoralized. It affects a person, if they don’t like where they are. That’s why I advocate drafting players, or signing UFA players who CHOOSE to come to Atlanta. If they come here, by choice, then they shouldn’t be complaining. If they were drafted here, then they’ve got to PROVE themselves as NHL players, and ought to be grateful for the opportunity.

By Emily Litella

July 8, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

What’s all this I hear about that Ilya Kovalchuk boy being traded to the Minnesota Twins? I mean, I know I don’t know squat about sports…but I do know that Kovalchuk ain’t no baseball player!

No-sireee! That’s a stupid idea!

Who would the Thrashers get in return? A starting pitcher and a designated hitter? Come on…Atlanta’s baseball team is in the damn National League…they don’t use a designated hitter!!!

Only Don Waddell could be soooooooo dumb as to..

Huh?

Wha…?

He would be traded to the Vancouver Canucks for the Sedin twins?

Oh…well that’s completely different!

Never mind!

By Sara

July 8, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

yeah emily Swedish twins even. LMAO I love that commercial.

re: Nikulin: Sect. 9.1(c) outlines what Tim said above (pg 41 btw). I still haven’t come across the section outlining how much exactly we can pay him, but then I haven’t exactly looked all that hard.

Russian Kovy and his agent have both made thinly veiled…I hate to use the word threats but it basically is…that Kovy wants to play for a contending team and if the Thrashers ain’t it, he’s outta here. Now I do NOT hold with the theory we only have one year to prove it to him. If this team lines the stars up right and makes a big play-off run during the 2009-2010 season, Kovy can probably be retained no problem (unless he and half the squad all plan to defect together type of thing). We’ll see.

By Tony C.

July 8, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

I do not think the Sedin Sisters are proper compensation for #17. They’re both UFA after this season. Additionally, they haven’t ever shown the ability to carry a team. #17 last year until Rutuu’s hit (BTW I would like to see a bounty on him this season), he was the “force of nature” that hiBob had predicted.

The Sedin sisters haven’t shown that type of drive for more than a game or two in a row.

By J(Z)

July 8, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Demitra to Canucks 12 mil over 4 years

Earth to Waddell, there’s a salary cap floor and you’re F^&*(ING p** me off.

I can’t even read about a Kovy trade. Only Crosby or Ovechkin would be a worthy trade to me.

By five_hole

July 8, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

From purely a business perspective, the Thrashers need a marquee player to advertise/promote. They couldn’t trade Kovalchuk without replacing him with another marquee player. Someone that puts butts in the seats. Would the Sedin twins do that? I think not.

IF you were going to trade Kovy (and I would only trade him if I thought he would not resign here and even then wait till the trade deadline in his last year) rather than trade for an assortment of mid-tier veterans, I’d want the players who were that team’s 1st round picks from the past 3 years as well as the next 3 years.

By the same token, I would not trade our young talent/prospects (Little, Valabik, etc) for an aging veteran that would only stay here 2 years. I’d much rather sign whatever’s left in the FA market and/or promote kids from Chicago, suffer thru this year; draft Taveres next year and hopefully we can have better luck in the FA market then.

By Zack

July 8, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

I’ve been saying this for a while but go after Demitra! He can also play center and is a proven player that we might have to slightly overpay for but is by far the best option out there as far as free agents go. Even if we pay him 5.5 a year its still dramatically cheaper than what we would have to pay Sundin (who would probably never come here anyway).

By Smoothie

July 8, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

Looks like we’re out of the running for Demitra, that is if we were ever considered to begin with

I reckon we will need to find a trading partner who is desperate enough to unload some assets to clear cap space if we are to secure a bona fide 1st line forward to play with Kovalchuk.

By B. Thenet

July 8, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

I agree Rawhide, at this point the only way to improve the team is via trade. Sadly that means we would have to give up our “future” for the right now.

It certainly isn’t the best option available out there, but with all the teams that are at or near the cap hopefully some bargains can be found.

So in the spirit of what needs to be done, here is my No Trade List:

1st rounder 2009, Enstrom, Valabik, Bogosian, Little, Esposito, Kulda, Nikulin, Enlund, Zubarev, Lehtonen, Armstrong, Christensen, Hainsey, Holzapfel, Machacek, The Swedish kid we drafted this year

By Bob

July 8, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Sara, I don’t know where you’re getting your numbers, but they’re wrong, and now I’m understanding why you have those blinders on, as an accountant you should knnow GIGO, you need to look at the accurate numbers.

First off, the first year the new owners had control of the team from July 1st, was coming out of the lockout. So you can only look at the past three years to set the precedent for what these owners have done spending to the Cap. And they spent max cap for 2 of those three years.

They spent max cap that first year coming out of the lockout, Waddell even had to move players down to Chicago for a few days at a time just to manage it down to the last few dollars, remember?

Their second year, they spent max cap at the deadline deals they did that pushed us into the playoffs. Are you looking at opening day numbers or something?

And for last year, you’re claiming they were at $36.6m, but nhl numbers says they spent $43.647 last year

So we’ve got two out of three years that the owners green lighted max cap, and last year they pulled the reins in on Waddell as max cap got them nowhere their first two years. Last year the league average was $44.3m and they spent just $650k below that.

And we’ve got this past week where they green lighted the funds to go get the best dman and the best forward (not named Hossa) out there, and they already green lighted big money to try to retain Hossa. All turned us down, but not over money.

So yes, you need to rethink what the precedent is and where you place the blame, the owners have green lighted the funds, that is clear.

The money has not been spent properly, and that’s on Waddell, but the money has been there, that is clear.

By Sara

July 8, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

B Thenet I’d actually argue some of those players could be let go. Esposito for one - he’s a wildcard. IF he were packaged in a deal to bring in a bona-fide #1 center, I’d pull that trigger. Little though I would keep - he doesn’t have questionable work ethic issues in the least and has some proven (slightly) NHL skills. Neither Army or Christensen are good enough in my book to preclude a deal for a top-line forward, same with Holzapfel, Zubarev (can we even get him here?), Lasu (the Swedish kid).

Basically, hang on to 1st rounder 2009 (altho for the right deal and the right player…could well be worth it), Enstrom, Bogosian, Little, Kulda, Lehtonen, Pavs, Nikulin, Kovy. Beyond that - everyone’s fair game IMO - but again only as long as we are talking bona-fide top-line forward.

By polskidawg

July 8, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - I just can’t see Demitra coming here, nor am I really wanting him. I’ve hear/seen nothing positive about his practice habits, or attitude. That being said, I think trades are the only answer (other than signing Kari for 3 - 4 mil, Bogo, and perhaps Nikilin).

I’d love to acquire either Fillipula or Vermette, in that order. It seems like it would require some combination of Pav, Valabik, Little, and picks to do that.

Yes, I’d hate to lose Little as I feel he’ll be a solid #2 center for years, but likely that’s a few years down the road.

Let’s get one of them first, then worry about a RW.

By Vitamin Z

July 8, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Here is what Ross McKeon had to say about Thrashers on his UFA power rankings: 30. Atlanta Thrashers – Does anyone else wonder if the team John Anderson used to coach – the AHL champion Chicago Wolves – could beat the one he coaches now? Or are you more excited about the signing of defenseman Ron Hainsey and the retention of backup goalie Johan Hedberg? Is that all the Thrashers have done this summer? That would be affirmative. Wow.

It’s funny ‘cause it’s true.

By Tony C.

July 8, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

eh.

I’d rather see us try and land PMB from the Wild…I understand they’re not exactly eye-to-eye in negotiations with each other.

I dunno about Knuble, mostly due to his health issues the past few seasons, but if Philly wants to dump salary, I’d be interested in doing a trade-but there’d have to be high-value draft picks/prospects coming back our way in addition to Knuble.

Don’t get me wrong, when the guy is on, he’s a force on the ice-but he just gets hurt too easily lately.

Another option for eating salary for a RW that is a diminishing force is big Murray from Boston. I don’t know that I’d do it, but I do know that Chiarelli(spl?) is desperate to get rid of his contract. Again the guy is on the shelf with injuries a lot. But he definitely would know well enough to “go to the net with your stick on the ice” when #17 winds up for a shot.

Oh, and I apologize for even considering the blasphemy that trading #17 talk is.

By Bob

July 8, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Here’s an interesting read ranking NHL teams and explaining why we can’t sign any UFAs, hint Sara, it ain’t about money, also a link in the story to a similar write up on Thrasher fan Falconer’s Blog, he posts here doesn’t he

By Hip Czech

July 8, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Scratch Demitra off the list (like there was a chance he would sign here):

Demitra to Vancouver

Let’s face it, we are only going to be able to sign mid to lower tier FAs until we can become a somewhat consistent winner.

Drafting and trading is the only way we build for now. It will be interesting to see how we get to the cap floor. We’re going to have to swallow somebody else’s cap problem (provided they don’t have a NTC).

By Brendan

July 8, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

I’m not worried about reaching the floor of the cap. How HARD would that be, really? Now, I can’t rightly tell you exactly where we are. I’ve heard $33 million and change. I’ve heard $31 million. But even if it is $31 million, there’s Bogosian, Boulton, Lehtonen, and several other roster spots to finalize for the $9 million it’d take to reach the floor.

Not to change the topic, but I’m little surprised two (2) things haven’t happened yet. (1) The announcement of Kari Lehtonen’s deal. (2) The re-signing, one-year ahead of schedule, for Tobias Enstrom. Enstrom is eligible for that. I also sort of hoped Eric Perrin would get an extension a year ahead of schedule.

Now, before you say it … I know Waddell is still busy trying to ink UFAs. It hasn’t been easy. And Enstrom will be restricted, so he’s not going anywhere. And, quite possibly, Enstrom would prefer to try to drive up his value before his signs his next contract. Same deal with Perrin, potentially. But, at the same time, player retention being what it is, wouldn’t it send a “positive message” to the players that Waddell does think beyond the immediate terms, without so much procrastination?

By Nikita

July 8, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

I’m tired of hearing how Atlanta, in particular, sucks. It’s true, but it’s only a little more true (due to our management situation) than it’s true of any other team in a place that has minimal hockey tradition or support, and that’s 28 gajillion miles away from the friends and family of virtually every player in the NHL. It’s a reason, incidentally, that we might want to concentrate on players for whom geographically our location is on par with everyone else’s — which is to say players from so far away that all of North America is bumf&^%$. Swedes, Finns, Russians, Czechs, etc.

Re: Perrin, Enstrom, etc…that does surprise me, but is in line with what the franchise has done in the past. If it happens, I’d expect it early in the season.

What I don’t get is why we haven’t locked up some easy players/cheap backup. What the hell is going on with Eric Boulton? Mark Popovic? Steve McCarthy? All of them have gone UFA, but haven’t actually been signed by anyone else. And I think we need Boulton. (We don’t need McCarthy. Please, hockey gods, nooooooo!)

By B. Thenet

July 8, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

Nikita: The word on the street is that Boulton is coming back, just a matter of it being announced.

By Smoothie

July 8, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

I agree with Nikita, why not lock up Popo to another 1 yr / 2-way contract for $850 K? It’s never bad to have insurance on the blueline. We certainly had to use 8 or 9 D-men last year due to injury, poor productivity etc. And what gives with Boulton’s deal not being announced yet? Perhaps we’re letting him go but I don’t see why we would cut ties with a guy who has bled (and bled literally on the ice) Thrasher blue in a protector / enforcer role we so desperately lack and need. I bet he’d re-sign in a heartbeat for 2 years at a total of $1.25 M or so.

By ranallo10

July 8, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

Nikita — Word on the street is that Boulton has been re-signed for 2 years. As for Popovic and McCarthy, those “easy” contracts are a lot harder when you sign a UFA D-Man to the second largest contract on the team, and have been playing the two players you mentioned as the 7th defender for two years straight.

If I were Popovic, I wouldn’t want to come back. If I were McCarthy (new baby and all), I’d probably contemplate another one-year contract in Atlanta.

I think the “easy” contracts are the rookies who could be contributing this season. Bogosian can cost up to $1M in his contract, as can Nikulin. Lehtonen’s newest contract will hit the cap, but Enstrom’s or Perrin’s renegotiated contract wont hit the cap until the original contract expires.

So really, the only way to add contracts are to sign/re-sign UFAs, or to trade for larger salaried individuals.

By my estimations the team was $7M under before buying out Zhitnik, $8M after buying out Zhitnik, and $3.5M under after signing Hainsey. Boulton, Lehtonen’s new contract, the two rookies, and a plethora of minor league talent…that could be enough to fill the salary void without another $2M+ UFA addition.

Bob — Can you site where you’re seeing your numbers regarding the salary, I’d like to see the source.

Sara — You too (siting the source of your numbers).

I can’t find them to reconcile the differences between your respective research.

By Alan

July 8, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Speaking of teams with problems, there is one nearby that appears to have exactly that.

By Smoothie

July 8, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

From the Hockey News Rumour Round-up:

•Buffalo Sabres forward Maxim Afinogenov’s poor performance this past season appears to have had an adverse impact on his trade value.*

The Sabres had been reportedly shopping the talented but inconsistent winger for some time in hopes of landing a defenseman, but attracted little interest.

Another factor hurting Afinogenov’s value is his eligibility for unrestricted free agency next summer, making teams less keen to deal for a player they could lose for nothing next July.

Considering the Canucks, a team desperate for scorers, passed on Afinogenov last week to acquire an unproven Steve Bernier from Buffalo, it’s likely Afinogenov will be back with the Sabres next season

Why not ink Popo and Stevie Mac in a sign and trade deal that sends them to Buffalo (along with Brett Sterling to sweeten the deal) for Afinigenov and a 2009 draft pick? I think playing with Kovy might just re-energize and re-ignite his career. No doubt he has the potential to be explosive and even if he struggles to finish plays, he would draw a hell of a lot of attention away from Kovalchuk!!

By ranallo10

July 8, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

“cite” is the appropriate spelling, my apologies

By Sara

July 8, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

I stated in my post, quite clearly, that the salary numbers are based on actual cash outflow, not cap numbers (which is what nhlnumbers.com posts - and for which they post an accuracy disclaimer right on their home page). Cash outflow is the actual $$ AS spent out. And technically I posted the link to those numbers weeks ago on Schultz’s thread. You want them again, here you go. Easy enough to find since I have it bookmarked on my computer. And before you go questioning the “accuracy of wikipedia” I’ll tell you now the source for those numbers is primarily from USA Today, found here.

All this talk about FAs not wanting to come here (certainly not unfounded). Yet coming off the best season in franchise history what happens to the budget? It dropped. That’s pss poor business management. I’ve never denied Waddell has screwed up, but when it comes to his FA signings (or lack thereof), it’s more than just about what Waddell chooses to do, it’s also about what Waddell *can do (or can’t as the case may be).

Gripe all you want to, it doesn’t change the fact that even if they ousted Waddell tomorrow, without a significant change by management, this team is still in the same boat it was. You can’t see it but the proof is the fact that you can rattle off all this bad stuff about the franchise and yet Waddell still has his job - so obviously, his employers think he’s doing something right…the same things they’ll expect the next GM to do.

By kracker

July 8, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

nhlscap cap figures 08/09:

F

Ilya Kovalchuk LW 7,500,000

Vyacheslav Kozlov LW 3,850,000

Todd White C 2,350,000

Colby Armstrong RW 1,200,000

Bryan Little C 850,000

Jim Slater C 800,000

Erik Christensen C 750,000

Eric Perrin C 750,000

Brad Larsen LW 560,000

Joe Motzko RW 550,000

Chris Thorburn C 535,000

D

Ron Hainsey D 4,500,000 4,500,000

Niclas Havelid D 2,900,000

Garnet Exelby D 1,400,000

Ken Klee D 1,250,000

Tobias Enstrom D 750,000

G

Johan Hedberg G 1,150,000

Kari Lehtonen G RFA*

Buyout

Alexei Zhitnik D 1,170,417

Actual Payroll 32,811,667

Salary Cap Payroll 31,425,511

Cap Space 25,274,489

Add Lehtonen, Boulton, Sterling, Nikulin for $6.575 million (?)

That gets us to $38 million

Does RW Motzko make it for $550,000 or go with RW Machacek for $858,333?

(Machacek can’t go to Wolves, correct?)

Who else?

By kracker

July 8, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

Looks like we’ve signed Grant Stevenson, is he a RW?….and Boulton’s back on the list too

By kracker

July 8, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

Here’s our RWs corps!….Army, Boults, Stevenson, Motzko….Add Stevenson to the salary list for not too much….I need a drink

By Sara

July 8, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

On a totally-unrelated-to-the-Thrashers note, St. Louis has signed Vancouver’s Steve Bernier to a $2.5M offer sheet.

Now that is darn funny.

By kracker

July 8, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

Oh, wait…add Thorburn and scratch Stevenson. That’s a little better. A little.

By Sara

July 8, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

kracker according to the Thrashers’ site, Stevenson is a C (5’11” 160 lbs), lately come from the Calgary organization (judging from the sweater in the pic) who at 26 yo appears to be a career minor leaguer.

YES we have a new center for Kovy!!! (Do I actually need to include the /sarcasm or will most of you figure that out for yourselves?)

By Tony C.

July 8, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

I promise I am working on a “sarcasm” font.

By MB

July 8, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

TSN has Stevenson listed as a RW who was previously in the Sharks organization but was picked up last year by the Flames. But Sara’s right, thus far has been a minor-leaguer.

By kracker

July 8, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

Sara I think Stevenson is versitile as well, I’m finding him listed as a RW on TSN, this just gets better and better! [sarc] He actually did put up 22 pts for the Sharks in 05/06.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 8, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

My goodness, the sheep are out in full force tonight!

Whoever thinks Kovalchuk is staying here must be delusional—and likely is also making excuses for Don Waddell running this franchise completely into the ground.

Wake up. Stop subsidizing the incompetence. Stop ‘enabling’ the ownership and Don Waddell.

By ranallo10

July 8, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Stevenson seems like a replenishment of depth for Chicago, and a potential call-up/long shot candidate for Atlanta. He has 40 games of experience at the NHL level, is 26, and has switched teams recently…I don’t anticipate him getting top two line minutes for this club, so I thus consider this a depth move.

Since Jesse Schultz was recently signed by Minnesota, and was the only other NHL experienced RW on the Chicago roster (Haydar was the other), I imagine Stevenson to be his replacement.

He might have a long shot to make the NHL (like Bartovic last season), but I just don’t see that happening personally. Not for the long term at least.

By five_hole

July 8, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Smoothie I would offer X for Afinogenov straight up. With the assumption that we do sign Nikulin, X will not be in our top-4 anyway. If we need toughness, we put Valabik on the 3rd pairing. I think Buffalo would jump all over that; they need D and toughness.

By LAC

July 8, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Well we have had quite a summer so far…

A chance to get a top NHL coach Roin Wilson… Nah we don’t need him, he’s a winner.

A chance to get a good NEW GM, Nonis… Nah three winning seasons in Vancouver, he’s a winner too and we don’t like winners in Atlanta.

A chance to get Brian Campbell he said no because we are a dysfunctional franchise, other top UFA’s no interest…

Then reports of how BAD we are 30th, rating in many…

Then Dan Boyle waving his NTC so he would NOT have to play here….

So, what next ? More career minor leaguers being signed ? More retreads from last years team ?

Even the most ardant supporters of waddell can in NO way connect him with sucess and anyone who thinks he will turn this franchise around is simply NUTS !

Problem there is nothing we can do to get rid of waddell. Lord knows we have tried on these blogs for months and months but he is STILL here.

Problem is the IDIOTS, Clowns, A-Holes etc… who somehow, own this team.

This collection of player wantabes, likely have never been in any sports event as a player, so they THINK they can run a pro team. Well guys you, yes asg has made The Atlanta Thrashers the worst team to play for, players want out, none want in. Players here know there is NO chance of winning as long as YOU FOOLS own the team and waddell is out there acting like the jerk he is.

What does the diehard fan do, when there is little or no hope to win, with the owners NOT wanting to win.

It is a very very sick thing to watch, have there EVER in the history of the NHL been players who DID not want to play somewhere ? Hossa, Campbell, Boyle have all made their mark, and others ARE taking notice.

I have to wonder just how much longer this asg group of idiots can continue to be in control. When O’ when will this Belkin mess be over ????? How many years now ?????

I really hope HE Wins and kicks those little boys out, he can be NO worse.

Or will it take a complete revolt by the fans to send the message, may have to.

Maybe a bunch of games with 2-3,000 in the seats will open their eyes, but until then we are a minor league team within the NHL run by LOSERS with a GM who is a Stupid as Stupid ever gets, a sad ending to a once great sport in Atlanta…

Watch out the team IS imploding !

By five_hole

July 8, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

Ssheesh! The way things are going, Larsen could wind up on the 1st line!

By Tony C.

July 8, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

Now taking Pre-Orders for the Safety-Orange “Fire Waddell” T-shirts.

Please make requests to:

hispeedtest@hotmail.com

By Bob

July 8, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

Sara, take the time to look at what you’re referencing from the USA Today site, it’s totally inaccurate and now I understand why you’re so offbase. That’s why you’re confused, take the time to get the facts, the owners have spent way more than that incorrect USA Today site lists.

Here, take a look at just last year for that inaccurate USA Today site

That’s the breakdown of what they say we spent last year to get to your cited number from them of $36.6million. I’ll give you a quick hint, take a look at who’s missing from that list, that would be our HIGHEST paid player, Hossa. They’re listing Armstrong on there at his annual salary of $1.2m, but our owners didn’t pay him $1.2m last year, they paid him just $263k (his prorated portion while we had him). They’re not counting the prorate portion they paid Hoss (which was $4.7m). Those numbers you are citing are completely, 100% wrong. Now I understand why you are solely blaming the owners, if I looked at that list, I’d think they were cheap as well. That USA Today site is the epitome of GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out).

Thrashers spent $43.6m last year, right at the league average.

The owners are spending the money, Waddell has not done it effectively.

I’ve used NHL numbers for 2 or 3 years now since one of the other bloggers here posted it, and it’s always accurate. here is nhl numbers facts for what we spent last year, take the time to read it and learn how you prorate each players money and see what they really spent in actual real cash flow

You understand now? Like I told you, they spent max cap the first year out of the lockout and they went max cap the 2nd year when they made the deadline deals acquiring Tkachuk, Belanger, Zhitnik, and Dupuis. I remember reading that they were just barely under the cap. Your USA Today site isn’t counting all the players each year, it’s totally off base.

By Bob

July 8, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

Kracker, your list of our current standing looks pretty good. NHL numbers has us at $30.919 million as of right now so that jives with what your site lists

They will easily get to the floor and there’s no reason to think that they haven’t green lighted at least $44m matching last year I would guess $47m is the budget based on the Spirit’s precedents. Keep in mind that not all of the budget is spent on Day 1, but the smart GMs (and Waddell also started doing this the 2nd year in the new Cap world) leave themselves room for injuries and deadline deals.

By Alan

July 8, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Sara - That offer sheet got matched.

By kracker

July 8, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

Yes, Bob Waddell surely isn’t through yet. The FA pool is about exhausted so it’s a trade or maybe a lesser FA from Europe deciding to come over.

By Smoothie

July 8, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Word bond five_hole — I’d do that deal every day and twice on Sunday. If they really are that hard up for young D-men, then XLB would be a good fit. Seems like they are completely ready to move on w/r/t Maxim A. I think a first line of Kovy / EC / Afinogenov would be pretty dynamic. Then they could sign a 2nd tier RW for less money to play with Slava & Little. Then you have a third line of Perrin / White / Armstrong and a 4th consisting of Boults / Slates & Thorby.

I could live with that until next year’s FA frenzy which will provide a much deeper pool of UFA’s to choose from.

By Tony C.

July 8, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

Where are these Afinegenov rumors coming from? I mean, if it’s a “hey maybe this would work” type thing, then cool….but if there’s ink saying that the ElectricBananaSlugs are ready to move on, please post a link.

GO BLUE!!!

By Tony C.

July 8, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

Also, did we really sign Junior Lessard?

By Smoothie

July 8, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

I didn’t post a link Tony but I posted a rather lengthy quote from the Hockey News rumour roundup blog. Read my post above and you’ll see that’s it a “legit” rumour if you can call any rumour legit.

By ranallo10

July 8, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — I haven’t seen any verification of Lessard’s signing as of yet. TSN reported Boulton’s signing at 6:37pm today, so I guess that means no Lessard at this point.

Also, Stevenson is no longer on the roster of atlantathrashers.com

By Brendan

July 9, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this

Sara, wasn’t it Vancouver that tried to poach Backes from the Blues? I can’t remember, anymore, what the Canucks offersheet was to St. Louis. Was it the same dollar value as what St. Louis offered for Bernier?

If you’re Steve Bernier, what an interesting six months this has been. You sweat through the pending trade deadline, playing on a team thought to be among the “odds on favorites” to hoist the Cup, only to find yourself traded to Buffalo, a non-playoff bound team. In your first game with Buffalo, still stinging by the loss of Brian Campbell, you score twice. Suddenly, the blow of the Campbell loss seems to have been somewhat offset. But only one more Bernier goal follows before the end of the season. Buffalo has some “epiphany” that Bernier isn’t worth keeping, and schleps him off to Vancouver for a 3rd round pick in 2009 and a 2nd rounder in 2010. Before you can even put a Canucks jersey over your head, you agree to an RFA offersheet presented by the St. Louis Blues.

Stop. San Jose, Buffalo, Vancouver, St. Louis (for a few hours, perhaps,) then back to Vancouver. Steve Bernier must feel like a ping-pong ball. He’s done more swapping than most swingers do.

By R. Stroz

July 9, 2008 6:05 AM | Link to this

I’m looking forward to this season. Last season, I paid for tickets to the weekend games and received weeknight games for free. This season, I’ll be getting free tickets to all the games.

Since I don’t drink, I get one Cola for free every game as the designated driver.

I just need to figure out how to get free parking and gasoline.

Tony C. - How much are the shirts?

By Corey

July 9, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this

Free? How?

By Sara

July 9, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

Brendan yes it was Vancouver who attempted to poach Backes from STL for the same $2.5M fee - hence the humor value in the offer. I can just envision JD chuckling to himself the whole time - one wonders if it was in fact even a “serious offer.”

By R. Stroz

July 9, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this

Corey - Sorry, I can’t reveal that information.

By Kansas City, Kansas City Here We Come

July 9, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this

One of the delusional owners of the Lightning decided that he needed to justify his one week on the job:

“I’ll predict right now, Tampa Bay will win the division,” owner Len Barrie said. “That’s how much we like our team.”

“We’re in the hunt,” Barrie said. “We like our team. “We’re all set.”

Apparently, Barrie doesn’t think too much of Washington and Carolina.

There just has to be a trade coming, but I’ve scoured the free agent lists and expiring contracts at the end of this season and still don’t know where the No. 1 center is coming from to skate with Kovy!

By R. Stroz

July 9, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

still don’t know where the No. 1 center is coming from to skate with Kovy!

I’m starting to smell Fedorov.

By kracker

July 9, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

Nah, it’s gonna be Espo :/

By kracker

July 9, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Oh, now we are back down to 9 fwds on the Thrash roster page ??

Army EC Kovy Slave Lars Slates Perrin Thors White….no Boults

By Rawhide

July 9, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Here is Burside’s take on how the Eastern Conference teams have done doing the UFA season.

Not suprisingly, the Thrashers are trending down. The comment about Anderson having his hands full plugging gaps in the lineup is very true.

RStroz - You will need to sniff elsewhere for a center…Fedorov re-signed with the Caps this morning.

By Alan

July 9, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

ranallo10 - If the NHLPA is to be believed, we signed Junior.

By Russian

July 9, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

to Alan

Why did we sign Lassard? I think he is going to Chicago. I want to see what happend this season.

By Alan

July 9, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Also, Ray Emery has agreed to terms in Russia. 1yr/$2m (plus bonuses).

By NASCAR Dave

July 9, 2008 11:18 AM |