Ice Man

By ben

July 20, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

First

I thought about this team while watching BATMAN last night. Dern it, I think that they’ll be good.

By kracker

July 20, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Yaaaay! A Rawhide hockey fix!

Wow, that Peachtree City facility sounds exciting. It would give the team options and another place to practice when they are traveling a lot. Most of the players live in the Gwinnett area, I am guessing, so Duluth should still be the main facility. But having competition from a brand-new complex would necessarily make upgrades at the Ice Forum a must. Plus having more ice in Atlanta is RH good! >> “Lay ice, not asphalt!”

By R. Stroz

July 20, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Looking ahead, does anyone have a list of 2009 UFA’s?

By kracker

July 20, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Here you go….2009 UFAs

By Brendan

July 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

I’m happy to see that Buffalo has finally been able to retain a core piece player. Well, they got Derek Roy last year. Has Pomminville signed yet?

I guess the Islanders are really considering John Tortorella. Or, I should say … I guess Tortorella is really considering Long Island? I mostly see the Islanders as run by nepotism.

By JAmes_kovyboy

July 20, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Very nice finding kracker, a lot of players we could get out there…
Hopefully, we could get guys like Kotalik and Koivu!

By R. Stroz

July 20, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Thanks kracker.

By MONSTER TRUCK RALLY Dave

July 20, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

First to complain about Don Waddell!

Don Waddell drafted Coburn!

Don Waddell lost Hossa!

NUFF SAID!

By Ron

July 20, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

We got 7 whole comments in there before Dave brought the redundant negativity again.

By Nikita

July 20, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

of team captains…is there any question out there that Ilya Kovalchuk is the man to wear the C this coming season?

Well, now that we’ve lost Recchi it’s clearer to me. But it’s definitely not clear.

Saint Kovy is a badass, a scorer, and so on. But he’s also young, moody, has some prima donna moments, not necessarily a great motivator of his teammates, and so on.

Yeah, why not?

By Jonesboro Rob

July 20, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

At least NASCAR Dave is changing it up a little. We all know that he repeatedly complains about Hossa going, but it has been awhile since complained about Coburn getting picked over Phaneuf. Although the Savard rants are coming back so maybe it is all cyclical.

By Alan

July 20, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

There are only two markets who charge a surcharge on tickets. Those who are struggling, and those who are greedy. Phoenix has done it for two years now, and Florida is doing it this year. Ottawa has done it for a while now, too. Phoenix and Florida both readily admit it’s for the people who are coming down from the north for the winter.

Their loss, though. They’re still struggling to get butts into seats, and a move like this will just make “premium” games that much less premium to Florida fans. Meanwhile, I believe the Wings, Leafs and Senators fans will fill the place up. I’m going to laugh when I turn on the Detroit at Florida game and see a sea of red in the stands. That right there just isn’t good for TV.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 20, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

“I thought about this team while watching BATMAN last night. Dern it, I think that they’ll be good.”

Some epiphany during ‘Batman’, huh? Wow. P.T. Barnum was indeed correct.

I had a similar ‘dream’ while watching ‘Titanic’—and that sniveling, chortling, bumbling Donny hopped on the lifeboat, sacrificing yet another coach…

By five_hole

July 20, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Nikita Kovy is everything you said he is. He is also our core player and leads by example on the ice. He used to dive; not anymore. I don’t remember the last time I saw him take a shift off. I have no idea what he’s like in the clubhouse. Who else would you give the “C” to? Slava, perhaps? But based strictly on performance from last year, you have to give it to Ilya.

By Ryan

July 20, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Uh Alan doesn’t the same thing happen at Philips Arena when Detroit or Buffalo are in town?

By volgrad1985

July 20, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Sage That was clever, the way you used the Titanic reference……off point, stupid, redundant, negative, and worthless of course, but clever.

By Ryan

July 20, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

*I thought about this team while watching BATMAN last night. Dern it, I think that they’ll be good. *

I am going to side with Sage instead. Let’s just totally give up on this season and have a quitter mentality before the puck is even dropped on opening night. Let’s be downers on all the other fans who get excited about NHL hockey. Here’s an idea, let’s stop blogging about this offseason and immediately start talking about next season’s free agents! Oops, Stroz already did that.

By Former STH

July 20, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Ryan how dare you be negative! You have not only insulted me, but you are silencing the mystical writings of such great prophets like Sage, R. Stroz, Bob, LAC and NASCAR Dave. Just because they are visionaries who can see the wicked tyranny of the A$G, don’t be negative because you do not have their brilliance to see the problem and the courage to speak the truth.

By Alan

July 20, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Alan doesn’t the same thing happen at Philips Arena when Detroit or Buffalo are in town?

Not to the best of my knowledge.

Or do you mean the “sea of Red” that I referenced?

By Another Bob

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

you do not have their brilliance to see the problem and the courage to speak the truth.

Former STH is spot on. It takes great courage to post under an anonymous name on a blog about people you will never meet. And I have every right to hold my opinion. As a TRUE fan of the Thrashers, I have every right to be unhappy with the direction this team is going in. And if I am unhappy, that means no one else gets to be happy watching and rooting for this team. The only way I will end my misery is to make you miserable so get used to it.

By Ryan

July 20, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Alan I am just stating that in games against teams like Buffalo or Detroit there seems to be just as many Sabres/Wings fans in the Arena as there are Thrashers fans. Given they are louder so that may make it seem like they have a little bit more I think you would agree with me in principle. To bash Florida for something that the city of Atlanta is just as guilty of isn’t quite right.

By Sick of this

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

why does every blog have to turn into an argument from the naysayers.

there seems to be some people here today that just want to post something but instead we have to listen to all the b!tching from both sides.

can we start some sort of policy to eliminate all of the naysayers.

By ben

July 20, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Sage,

I merely have hockey on the brain, I am not a follower of D-WAD as my posts will bare out. I feel they should compete w/ WSH for division. I also feel D will be better, and Anderson will how to get his old kids to perform. They also hired a skills coach which should help slater a bunch. Are these the Habs of the 70s? No. But they should be okay.

PS

We all need to get out of the “we want Donnie fired” rut. This is nothing any of us can fix.

By Eliminator

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

Sick of this kiss my waddell hatin’ nascar watchin’ Atlant Spirit b!tchin’ arse. If you don’t like it here then find another blog because NASCAR Dave posted all the addresses to Knobler, Rawhide and Cox Enterprises so we have the power now. We own you and we will do as we wish. You are clearly not in the know about what the Spirit group is up to so why don’t just go rent A Few Good Men, fast forward to the court scene with Jack Nicholson and watch it over and over again because YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH

By kracker

July 20, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Kovy gets the C…who else could? Kozzy maybe but he is too old-school, silent Russian it seems to me. Not any of the new or younger guys. Havelid could get it, I suppose, but he is defenseman and is UFA next season. Moose is loved by all but goalies hardly ever are captain and Moose is backup goalie at that. Kovy leads on-ice, he is the only face of the franchise and his time has come.

My Captain Kovy graphic.

By Former STH

July 20, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

R. Stroz - who do you think we should get from the 2009 UFA’s? This is all a pipedream of course because bumbling donny fail to make another “big splash” like in 2008

By The Great One

July 20, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

The village idiot is back talking to himself again.

Eliminator, Former STH, Jonesboro Rob, MONSTER TRUCK RALLY Dave, Sick of this

are the same idiot.

By Nikita

July 20, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

based strictly on performance from last year, you have to give it to Ilya.

Yep. But given a better choice, I’d give it to that person. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get a different Ilya this year. One with all of the positives and none of the negatives.

Koz doesn’t deserve it. I think Havelid would be a good candidate, but very unlikely. I hope that Havelid and the magical midgets gets As this year, though.

As to acquisitions…I wish the chattering masses would leave off the DW-bashing at least till opening night. Seriously, people, it’s a whole new season. And last season, when things sucked pretty badly, the team sttill proved that it could beat any team in the league.

By Alan

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

To bash Florida for something that the city of Atlanta is just as guilty of isn’t quite right

I’m not really bashing anyone. Florida added ticket premiums and it’s going to result in fewer Panthers fans in their arena during “premium” games.

Not sure how anyone could have read that as differently as you did.

By The Great One

July 20, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

The village idiot is back talking to himself again.

Eliminator, Former STH, Jonesboro Rob, MONSTER TRUCK RALLY Dave, Sick of this, Another Bob, Ryan

are the same idiot.

By The Great One

July 20, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

BAN THE RETARD

By Former STH = The Great One

July 20, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Yes ban The Great One that is someone who has never posted here before but all of all of a sudden is showing up here. Or is it someone else talking to themself?

By Gretzky

July 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Rawhide although I appreciate the fact you posted that article about my son I must say that the 3:15pm posting was not me. It is widely known that I am known as The Great One in all hockey circles so please delete those postings, they were not me. Please delete it immediately.

By Alan

July 20, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Wang, Snow, and the Islanders are about to smear seven different coaching candidates for their opportunity to ride the big floater. No word yet on who all is going to get flushed.

By Gretzky

July 20, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Rawhide there is another posting at 3:18pm that is also under my name so please delete that too. I will write a letter to Cox Enterprises and the Atlanta Journal Constitution if you refuse to oblige by my request. NASCAR Dave has spoken highly of you as being an honorable man that will not tolerate this behavior so I expect that you immediately delete those postings. Again NASCAR Dave and I will start a letter writing campaign to the AJC, Cox Enterprises, Shirley Franklin, Cynthia McKinney and anyone else who will listen so as to force your hand into deleting those postings.

By Gretzky = The Great One

July 20, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Yes! I’ve finally figured it out! Now I know how these multiple posters work.

By five_hole

July 20, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

It seems like someone has a multiple personality disorder. Or should that be multiple blogger disorder?

Yep. But given a better choice, I’d give it to that person. Sorry Nikita you gotta play the cards you’re dealt. Don’t think there’s a second choice for captain. Slava’s been an alternate and I’d give him the “A” this year. Havelid was a good nomination; Enstrom’s still got something to prove.

By Nikita

July 20, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

As far as I’m concerned, Enstrom and Perrin proved their character last year, whereas Slava proved he lacked it. Enstrom played way above expectations. Perrin not only played above expectations, but made everyone who played with him look good. They’re good people, and they earned the A.

By Alan

July 20, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

I’d give Perrin the A, and Enstrom the A maybe next year. Remember, Enstrom has to concentrate more on avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump this year. Giving him the A this year, while indeed a huge honor, might be piling too much onto him at once.

Kovalchuk is the bonafide C.

By Ryan

July 20, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

I like the Kovy-C Slava-A Havelid-A. You need at least 1 forward and 1 defenseman and you have that. Don’t demote Slava you’ll mess with an already down psyche from a bad year. Havelid will give his up to Enstrom next year. You can also give it to Klee but he may not be a true leader in terms of playing time and big plays so that could be bad although I would bet he is a lockerroom leader.

By David

July 20, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

what is going on with the owners?

What is it going to be for sale?

By Nikita

July 20, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

Good point, Alan. And Ryan. Though I’m still holding a grudge against Slava for last year’s play. Klee’s time was pretty high, and apparently he’s helpful to team morale, but his stats weren’t that great.

In a related note (recalling the Klee Anthem, the copious amount of youtube feedback devoted to Colby Armstrong as a Penguin, and even Eric Boulton’s Facebook group)…does it fall to the Thrashers or the fans to develop a hockey culture here in the ATL? The Thrash employ people to generate promo stuff off the ice (and I thank them for my Thrashers schwag collection), and it sounds like Anderson will know what he wants to see there, as well, but ultimately the kind of insanity that attached to most of our players before they came to Atlanta is fan-generated. And we, the fans, aren’t doing it here. The Kovalchuk Army stuff was awesome and the Exelby tributes touching — but can we expand it to the whole team? Can we create a fan experience and player experience at least half as good as the experience in more traditional markets?

Not before 2009, David.

By David

July 20, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

When are they going to be?

Where is the legal proceeding are being held?

By Midfield

July 20, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

Not only Kovy’s pretty much the only viable choice to be the Captain, he should be at least a part-owner of this franchise - much like Mario in Pittsburgh. This is the only way out of the mess it’s in.

By Hockeyfan

July 20, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Rawhide the AJC has a link to this post listed as being written by the “LACE MAN”. Are you in drag tonight?

By Rawhide

July 20, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Hockeyfan - HA!! Thanks for the heads up on that…I contacted the guys downtown that handle such matters and it looks like they fixed it.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 20, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

And some think that I would lower myself to such nonsense as to repeat messages with different names…I’ve seen my variations of my name, as well (including once where it was spot-on and I didn’t see any difference and wondered how that happened)

Regardless, it’s mere sheep-fodder to think such. Then again, it’s what I expect in that figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland”…

Here’s to a good start to the new (hockey) year, as it’s our only hope to at least look halfway viable. I fully expect when February rolls around—and the real teams have their ‘sea-legs’ under them—will our training wheels fall completely off. Just a prediction.

Heck we rocked one December early in our history—yet what did it mean? Nothing.

This next eight year “Five-Year Plan” led by the lisping, chortling, bumbling Donny Waddell is going to test me severely…I just hope one day the truly pitiful excuses stop…

(Fret not, I’ll be there to remind you)

Always yours; Always pursuing truth…

By David

July 20, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

Where is the legal proceeding are being held?

By LAC

July 20, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

Gee this name calling is simply nuts…

We have these UFA’s next year, Havelid/Klee/Larsen/Perrin/Reasoner and Williams.

Good-Bye Klee & Larsen for sure…

How would any of these fit in here ??????

Cammalleri - Afinogenov - Erik Cole

Gaborick - Tanguay - Commrie - Antropov

Sedin twins..

There is some QUALITY there, who would come here ?

If we finish low we could get another high draft pick… Are we going to finish last ???? I doubt that. But we will not win the Stanley Cup either, playoffs… longshot.

We could really transform the team next summer with UFA’s Cole played in the south and I am sure after a winter in Edmonton… He would love to be back in the SE division.

Kovy Captain YES YES YES, no more crap He has earned it.

And no I still want waddell fired, but since the owners are as stupid as they are, why beat it in every blog ?

But Sage/NASCARDAVE/Bob/Stroz are ALL correct in their assesments of waddell !

By Alan

July 21, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this

David - The proceedings on the ownership issue is being held in Maryland.

By Sara

July 21, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Okey dokey - I swear the longer we go without hockey, the more retarded it gets around these parts. I can just imagine what it’s going to be like mid-August.

re: Kovy - he’s been the leader of this team in all the ways that matter most. Setting the example game in, game out. Giving him the C can also only help in the bid to retain him. However - Don AND John both have brought up their concerns that Kovy takes too much upon himself in an almost overzealous passion to carry the franchise. And both have expressed concerns about trying to get that pressure off of Kovy and keep him focused on the team concept. Because of this, I’m concerned they won’t give him the “C” feeling it would only heap more pressure on those shoulders. Personally, I think having the C on his chest might help Kovy remember better the team concept.

re: 2009 FAs First of all, without having even seen this team in action, including many newly acquired players, no one can even be sure what we might need to change on the roster. And secondly, many of those players will get signed before the ‘08-‘09 season ends anyway. Seems like pointless speculation, but without any hockey going on I suppose….carry on.

By russian

July 21, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

Make Kovy as Capitan, it will be a good idea. I do not know too much Russians who nade a Capitan on the team. Yashin was a capitan of Ottawa. I remember that Capitals wanted to see Ovechkin as a Capitan, he said No. I do not know. It is too complecated. If Don and Anderson want to keep Kovy on the team as make Capitan it will be Stupid Idea. He wants to win and he does not matter what he has on his Jersey - A or C or nothing.

By Hip Czech

July 21, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Before we get too caught up in the ‘09 FA frenzy, remember that LAST year at this time we were looking at a FA class that included Heatley, Spezza, et al.

Most teams are bright enough to sign their star players or potential star players BEFORE they become UFAs - it’s called your team core. Not all those names are going to be available, probably most of the big names will NOT be available.

Unless we somehow make the playoffs this year and go fairly deep, we are probably looking at the same model next year - go after ONE big FA and hope like crazy that they want to come to ATL for the money. When that doesn’t happen we’ll sign 2 or 3 middle tier players.

I know it’s crazy to talk like this because he we are in year 9 and counting…but this team CANNOT be built by big FA signings. Drafts and trades for younger players is the model that can make this team successful. FA can only be used to fill in a piece here or there each year.

Now we just need an ownership group committed to winning, scouts that can uncover talent, and a GM that can put it altogether. If we had all 3 we wouldn’t have all the naysaying on this forum. But if there is one or more piece(s) lacking (whether it’s the ownership, the scouting, or the GM) all three are targets of ridicule, deserved or not.

By five_hole

July 21, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Sara you posted a clear, lucid, intelligent reason why no one should get excited prematurely about ‘09 free agents. You should know by now that most of the people blogging here will ignore statements like that.

And I’m starting to get suspicious about russian. I think he’s just posing as a Russian so he can get away with spelling errors. And, in case you have connections to the Russian Mafia, I was just kidding.

By David

July 21, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

to Alan

where in Maryland?

do you know the address?

I might go down there

By GaVaHokie

July 21, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

The only 2009 Free Agents that will actually make it to free agency will be the guys older than 36… and Tim Connolly. :)

I’d prefer to stick to this summer and continue with the crazy trade scenarios.

Here, I’ll start… what would you say to Lehtonen and Exelby to Ottawa for Gerber and Vermette?

By David

July 21, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

to Alan

where in Maryland?

do you know the address?

I might go down there

By Alan

July 21, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

I swear the longer we go without hockey, the more retarded it gets around these parts. I can just imagine what it’s going to be like mid-August.

That’s why I’ve been occupying myself with watching older games. Foreign games. So how about a nice dose of the 1967 SCF? Game 6 to be exact, between Toronto and Montreal.

By GaVaHokie

July 21, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I’d still like Waddell to look into the possibility of Jeff O’Neill. Could be a low cost, high reward experiment.

I certainly don’t want him back in Carolina. Don’t want him to turn back into the “Thrasher Killer”.

By Alan

July 21, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

As nice as that sounds, Hokie, we’re already inundated with third liners at center. And inevitably, taking him on is going to put him in the midst of that logjam. I don’t think that’s what’s in our best interest, as well as his.

If anything, I hope Waddell is looking to add some depth at RW.

By GaVaHokie

July 21, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Alan… O’Neill plays RW as well… maybe moreso than Center. Another versatile player like Jason Williams that gives us options.

The only question would be what condition he’s in after sitting out a year?

By Alan

July 21, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

The only question would be what condition he’s in after sitting out a year?

I didn’t see that he played RW as well. That would give us options. But at 32, you know age is a factor. He’ll be on a decline at this point in his career, with questions of his conditioning notwithstanding.

And when you factor in conditioning, it’s almost assured that he’s going to end up signed to a two-way deal, no matter where he goes. But the question I have is: Do we really need him? It would be a huge gamble on our part to snag him. And hopefully, if we do pick him up, it wouldn’t be just because he’s a “Thrashers killer.”

By Alan

July 21, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Late last week, Puck Daddy posted something about a survey that took place in North Carolina. The results are a little interesting, but what stood out to me wasn’t the results at all. It’s what the News and Observer is doing for the Hurricanes in their sports section:

As for as impact, look at this way: Sundheim said that the News & Observer dedicated “basically the entire front page” of the sports section and another page inside to dissecting the team’s 2008-09 schedule this week. Slow sports summer, granted, but a rather impressive amount of attention for a hockey team.

Am I the only one who would like to see something like this done for the Thrashers in our own AJC? Maybe not occupying the entire front page (after all, we have the Braves and Dream playing games in the summer), but it would be nice to see a lot more attention being paid to a major North American sport.

By Hip Czech

July 21, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Some nice comments in this Scott Cullen article….

Nice comments on the Hainsey and Williams signings, but the bottom line is not too encouraging.

By NASCAR Dave

July 21, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

This is the “Real” NASCAR Dave, and this is my 1st post on this blog…

WHERE is NIKULIN??? Is he coming here or NOT???

WHY have KLEE and LARSEN NOT been waived yet???

HOKIE I agree with ALAN… We do not need anymore 3rd and 4th Liners… We have a whole team of them already…

NUFF SAID.

By Brendan

July 21, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Hip Czech, thanks for the link. I liked the way Cullen broke down the blueliners by “average price” and explained his analysis.

I know this may not be popular to say, but the way the Thrashers get to the top of the ladder is “rung by rung.” It’s a process. It’s an evolution. To dwell on all the things that have gone wrong doesn’t really achieve anything, other than to give a person a greater understanding of the team’s history. And if you’ve been paying attention all along, this simply isn’t necessary.

Like most or all of you, I’m surprised that Waddell has been put in charge of the rebuilding effort. Most GM’s do not get to start from scratch twice. But if the goal is to rebuild, it’s best to do that in a slow, concerted fashion. Nothing Waddell has done, not the Hainsey signing, the Reasoner signing, or the Jason Williams signing, has prevented this team from either blowing their shot at John Tavares or precluded it from making the playoffs, if things go really well on John Anderson’s tutelage and strategy.

Stop. I’m not saying this team is playoff-bound. But they have to play the games to have results. If the results are favorable, then more pieces might be added at the trade deadline. If the results are similar to last season’s results, 28th-place finish, then disposable assets may well be sold off to stockpile more draft picks. And draft picks will be the primary method of heading back to the playoffs, as a viable threat to do damage during the playoffs.

A lottery draft is just that. No one knows which team might win it. But it is weighted. This past year, the results were exactly as anticipated, by statistical odds-making. In 2001, Atlanta won the draft lottery, in an upset, and selected Kovalchuk. Something like that could happen again. And if it does, and Atlanta has the vision to select John Tavares, the Thrashers will control Tavares’ rights for many, many years. It would be a good thing. It represents tremendous longterm potential for our club.

By Cdiddy

July 21, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Sure, let’s give Kovy the Captian’s “C”. If things don’t change soon, he is going to leave in two years anyway but will be tied with Mellanby as thr longest tentured captian in Thrasher’s History all of two years.

If things don’t get bette in the next year and a half, they will have to trade him. I can imagine we would get quite a bit (more if we did it this year) though it would mean Thrasher fans have to suffer even longer the way things are going is that we will be suffering regardless.

I still love the fact that we have a team and I love going to the games I just thought we would have seen more improvement by now coming up on ten years,,,,

By Don (Not that one)

July 21, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

On the surface Ilya as Captain is a no brainier, but think again, this is the Thrashers where things aren’t always as they seem. In other towns the Captain is someone looked up to, someone they expect to carry the franchise.

This is Atlanta, average term of a Thrashers captain is less than a season (ok maybe a season and a third). Do you want to risk that with Ilya. Make him the C then watch him skate away in 2 seasons. He has already made comments about not liking the way Atlanta is run at times. I don’t think he’ll be here more than the length of his contract unless changes happen.

By Alan

July 21, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

McCrimmon to the Wings. Looks like Sara and I have something else besides Hossa to think about with the Wings this coming season. Meanwhile, I think this is a good thing for the Thrashers, as it gives us an opportunity to truly start over with the way our defense is run.

By NASCAR Dave

July 21, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

Speaking of team captains…is there any question out there that Ilya Kovalchuk is the man to wear the C this coming season? To me, this is pretty much crystal clear.

I agree with this statement… KOVALCHUK should be Captain… It’s the last thing we can do for him before he heads elsewhere…

By NASCAR Dave

July 21, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

McCrimmon to the Wings.

LMAO! WHAT were they thinking???

By kracker

July 21, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

McCrimmon to the Wings.

A wisecracker said he can turn Lidstrom into Andy Sutton.

By Alan

July 21, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

kracker - I saw that. As a Thrashers fan, I’m glad to be rid of him. But as a Wings fan, I’ve got to relegate my trust to Babcock on this one, and hope he’s made the right decision.

By LAC

July 21, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Well, almost TWO WEEKS since the ajc hockey writer wrote something about the Thrashers.

Every time you hit the sports section it is more Georgia bulldogs football CRAP, I would rather watch my grass grow than have anything to do with college football, WHO CARES ?!!!!!!!!

But this guy has been now close to two weeks and not one word out of him.

What is going on ? Rawhide did he quit ? Go to Detroit as well, New York, I think we need better coverage of the Thrashers than this guy has shown, it has been nothing short or pretty bad and unimpressive to say the least…

The owners made BIG promises of all this change and to date NOT MUCH… We better have a TOP TIER center before training camp, this shows contempt for the PAYING fans by these LYING owners…

By Alan

July 21, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

I would rather watch my grass grow than have anything to do with college football

I knew it would come to pass that we would eventually agree on something.

Then again, I’m not a fan of Football, Basketball, or Baseball — period. Give me hockey or give me nothing at all.

By Brendan

July 21, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

I am happy for McCrimmon. Maybe Hossa helped??? Good for both of them, since Detroit is where they truly want to be.

By Rawhide

July 21, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

LAC - No…he’s on vacation…Better to do it now than the middle of the season, eh? Let the guy have his rest…you’re all gonna run him ragged this winter! LOL!!! He’s gonna do great for us, don’t worry.

So, Hossa and The Beast are reunited, huh? Fine… Not really suprising seeing that he interviewed for the job and didn’t get it. I mean, it probably would have been a tad awkward for him to stay under him.

Well, now maybe Waddell can offer Mike Sullivan the assistant job and we can benifit from his defensive and PK skills???

Maybe?…Maybe?

By Alan

July 21, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

Well, now maybe Waddell can offer Mike Sullivan the assistant job and we can benifit from his defensive and PK skills?

I’ve been thinking about this all day. A good PK coach, coupled with a good PK’er (and defensive forward) in Reasoner and others… and wow, we just might look like a good team this year.

By Brendan

July 21, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

If Tortorella lands the Islanders’ gig, would he bring Sullivan with him?

By R. Stroz

July 21, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

Once again kracker, thanks for the 2009 UFA list.

Now, I actually have time to get to my thesis. The idea behind the 2009 UFA list is to find players that would be good linemates for Kovy, currently play on teams with cap expenditure limitations or salary cap issues, only have one year left on their contract thus making them possible trade bait, and are of Russian decent.

So, I’m looking for a winger with wheels and a large center that fit the above criteria.

Survey Says: Antropov and Afinogenov

Now, that’s my solution to try to keep Kovy happy.

Thanks again kracker

By kracker

July 21, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

You’re welcome, Mr Stroz. Can’t hurt to check out who may be available for next summer or sooner in a sign and trade deal. Or who may need guys from us if it goes bad this season. But it’s way early for most of that. Well, we have to get thru the summer somehow.

By LAC

July 21, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

Thanks Rawhide, The ALL Knowing one, I stand corrected… I like vacations too !

By LAC

July 22, 2008 3:18 AM | Link to this

Well went through the numbers of the SE division and found last season was really BAD at both ends of the ice.

We had the fewest goals (207), least shots (2,115), worst PP 16.5%, and fewest assists (336). We were first with 13 SHG.

On defense these are the stats…

We allowed the MOST goals in the NHL @ 271, Most shots against (2,782), worst PK (78.8%), second best in PM for Dmen 931 and second in save % @ .904.

Below is rank of the SE teams and overall league placement…

Goals For: Carolina 250 (5) Washington 238 (8) T.B. 221 (16) Fla 211 (20) Atlanta 207 (27)

Shots For: Carolina 2,669 (2) Fla. 2,549 (4) Washington 2,538 (6) T.B. 2,354 (17) Atlanta 2,115 (30) Last in NHL.

PP %: T.B. 19.3% (5) Fla. 19.2% (6) Carolina 18.8% (9) Washington 18.8% (10) Atlanta 16.5% (23)

Assists: Carolina 446 (2) Washington 401 (11) T.B. 380 (17) Fla. 353 (24) Atlanta 336 (28)

Short Handed Goals: Atlanta 13 (3) T.B. 7 (19) Washington 5 (23) Carolina 4 (24) Fla 4 (25)

Defense stats…

GA: Fla 220 (17) Washington 227 (13) Carolina 246 (6) T.B. 266 (2) Atlanta 271 (1) Worst in NHL.

Shots against: Washington 2,259 (22) T.B. 2,312 (20) Carolina 2,368 (15) Fla. 2,753 (2) Atlanta 2,782 (1) Worst in NHL.

PK: Fla. 82.4% (16) T.B. 82.1% (18) Washington 80.5% (25) Carolina 78.9% (26) Atlanta 78.8% (27)

PM on Defensemen: T.B. 900 (30) Best in NHL Atlanta 931 (29) Fla. 968 (27) Washington 975 (26) Carolina 1,363 (4)

Save %: Fla .920 (1) Best in NHL Atlanta .904 (17) Washington .900 (26) Carolina .896 (28) T.B. .885 (30) Worst in NHL

When you look at all this you can see we were pretty BAD last season.

This, beyond a shadow of a doubt, shows that don waddell HAS to be replaced, no team in their right mind would allow this type of result to continue…But it will!

So it really shows we are worst on the offense than defense. We were dead last in every offensive stat except SHG’s.

And we were PROMISED BIG changes a TOP LINE CENTER, has one arrived NO, will one be aquired NO… promises BROKEN AKA LIED TO AGAIN !

I love a lot of posts, stories etc… saying we are REBUILDING, from what ? To What ? We have been through HOW many 5 year plans or is it 8, 10 ? Who the HELL knows, but it tells me people like larsen/slater/klee/white need to go and GO NOW for anything we can get, they were a BIG part of the problem last season, why will they be here again ?

Well take it for what it’s worth folks, but until PROMISES are KEPT, the outlook looks bleak, a “few” positive changes, but we need a whole lot MORE offense don’t we !!!!!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

July 22, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this

Brendan — I read that Sullivan is also being interviewed for the vacancy in Long Island…so there’s a chance he could always win that lottery. But I assume he’d rather follow Tortorella (if he’s given the job) than come to Atlanta.

However, I’ve never shown a shyness in letting it known that I’d like to see Sullivan in Atlanta. Him and Anderson would be my ideal combination of HC/AC in Atlanta (of the realistic options), so I’d love to hear Waddell announce Sullivan was hired.

LAC — I don’t think the ASG looks at in-game stats, do you?

Hokie — I think O’Neill is a reach this long after he last played…he was a complimentary player during his prime, now I’d say he’s a reach for a second line winger. I’d rather see Armstrong on the second line RW, or Williams.

By Steve

July 22, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

Interesting that they may build a rink in Peachtree City. Maybe that will finally wake up the ownership of the Ice Forum and fix the place up. It is trashed and amazing how long they take to fix things. The water fountain has been busted for close to a year now. They can make it so much better with just a little bit of investment.

By bart

July 22, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

So now we hear that the ASG might let one of their best young basketball players walk away. It’s the ownership that is the problem here. You can whine about Don being good or un good all day but the bottom line is that ASG continues to employ Don. Do you also think that they not be willing to spend much money? DUH You can’t make a ‘big splash’ if you don’t have any coins to throw into the fountain. Hopefully this organ-I-zation is for sale and someone will buy it that is not disfunctional and wants to build something here in ATL. We absolutely need the NHL and NBA here we just need somebody that cares about the game the fans and giving the city something to support. That’s all.

By Rawhide

July 22, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

bart - I agree with much of what you posted. However…as for “coins to throw in the fountain”….it sure seemed as though ownership gave D-Dub the green light to flash $8 million or so for multiple years in front of Brian Campbell at the beginning of the month. So, I think Don had the coins.

As it turns out, I think it might just have been a blessing in disguise that he didn’t land him given all the money we now have to sign multiple players and even take advantage of other teams needing to trim payroll.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

July 22, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

Rawhide — That money had to be spent, Waddell simply tried to spend it on a player he felt was worth it.

I think the blessing in disguise is the NHL mandated minimum roster payroll. Without that minimum, do you honestly think that $8M on one roster player would’ve been “green lighted”?

In my opinion the ownership is too late for green lighting big money for big contracts…see Savard’s Boston contract. With Savard (and countless other now gone UFAs who got more money elsewhere), the landscape of this franchise could’ve been much different.

By Rawhide

July 22, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

ranallo in Euroland - Actually, I think they would have… if for no other reason than, as I indicated at the time, they understood STHs were sitting on their wallets waiting to see what type of committment the team was going to make to improve the team, especially on D.

By Alan

July 22, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Maybe that will finally wake up the ownership of the Ice Forum and fix the place up.

I hope one does get built. Instead of having to travel 70 miles to see a practice, it’s only 15 from my house to Peachtree City.

It’s about time we started getting shown a little bit of love down here, don’t you think? Especially with all the people moving from Cobb and Gwinnett counties to Henry and Fayette counties nowadays. I imagine the players will move closer to the practice facility, too, if one is built in Peachtree City.

I might be the lone consistent voice from the southside here, so please don’t blame me for feeling a little selfish when it comes to the proposed facility. I somehow doubt the citizens of Peachtree City will approve of it, but it would certainly make my life a lot easier, when it comes to attending practices.

And if Peachtree City does vote it down, then perhaps you’ll get your wish and the Ice Forum will get fixed up. If they don’t vote it down, then maybe it’ll also help spawn some youth teams on this side of town.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

July 22, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

But, the money had to be spent. How is it different monetary commitment by ownership if the $8M is spent on one player or 3 players? The NHL requires them to spend a certain amount, and that’s all they’ve spent thus far (actually, they haven’t even met the salary minimum to this point).

An $8M contract for an individual UFA player would’ve been much better for this team in 2007 than in 2008. Somehow I cannot give credit to the ownership group for “opening their wallets” when the NHL rules mandated that they MUST open said wallets.

The money has to be spent, it was Waddell’s prerogative to attempt to spend much of it towards Campbell. If the ownership green-lighted UFA spending this offseason, I doubt the phrase of “minimum payroll” would even be in our vocabulary.

By GaVaHokie

July 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Actually, I think they would have… if for no other reason than, as I indicated at the time, they understood STHs were sitting on their wallets waiting to see what type of committment the team was going to make to improve the team, especially on D.

This is not an attack… just making conversation…

Spending $8 million on Campbell would nix most of the profit they would generate from disgruntled fans returning. Just the Nasty Nest alone only equates to about $1.25 million tops. (I can only make a mathematical guess). That’s assuming you sold 1000 seats in Sec 320 in the pink seats and about 200 in the purple to every game. And we know that’s not realistic. Half that section is empty almost every game.

You’d have to lose 700 season ticket holders sitting on the glass at $11,660 to equal Campbell’s contract offer. I don’t know if there’s that many seats along the glass and if we even HAVE 700 STH on the glass… all of which sitting on their wallet right now?! Not likely.

They’d have to assume that signing Campbell would not only bring back the disgruntled fans, but also greatly increase new STH’s… that move would have to be looking beyond the disgruntled fan. Do you think Campbell would have been enough to bring back the disgruntled fan AND increase Season Ticket fanbase?

… maybe.

If that’s all they were interested in doing, you’d be better off signing Jaromir Jagr. He’d sell season tickets and jerseys for you.

By Rawhide

July 22, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

ranallo in Euroland - I’m not taking issue with your logic concerning the Thrashers having to meet the minimum…that’s obviously correct.

I was really responding to your question, “Without that minimum, do you honestly think that $8M on one roster player would’ve been “green lighted”?

Again, my feeling is that they would have due to the fact that the team needed to to do something to show the STHs that they were dedicated to improving team…directly via the defensive corps.

By NASCAR Dave

July 22, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I guess REASONER is this year’s TONY HRKAC, BOB CORKUM, or KAMIL PIROS… Does that sound about right??? Yep. Some things never change… LOL.

By Rawhide

July 22, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

Hokie - Point taken…however, if Don Waddell had gone out and spent $8 million for 3 years on a 36 year old forward…even one like Jagr, I don’t think that would have done anything to make STHs who were taking the “wait and see” approach start buying tickets.

They would have mostly thrown up their arms in disgust screaming that DW “did it again… signed an aging veteran who has past his peak”!

Maybe that true about Jagr…maybe not, who knows. But the track record for DW has been that. This time I seriously think he and ownership re-thought things and understoood the need to try for the big-name blueliner who was under 30.

That’s just the way I see it…

By NASCAR Dave

July 22, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

This time I seriously think he and ownership re-thought things and understoood the need to try for the big-name blueliner who was under 30.

Good point, RAWHIDE… The question is, though, how many STH’s (like Bob) who were waiting to see what aquisitions we made, are now going to re-up their Season Tickets based on these signings??? LOL, personally, I would guess these transactions have not excited very many of these people, seeing as these were very un-sexy signings… I would guess that Season Ticket sales are as stagnant as ever…

I’ll bet that MARTY kid was one of those STH Reps that got fired that Bob was talking about… He thinks by coming here and attacking those who speak the truth, it will make him feel better… That’s kind of funny, because you can directly relate his firing to choices made by Donnie FRAUDell… MARTY needs to direct his frustration not at us, but at the person responsible for his demise, Donnie FRAUDell…

So I guess NIKULIN is not coming here then, huh??? Looks like just more typical blabbering/blustering by ole Donnie boy… LOL. Who here really bought that story??? Not me!!! LOL

KLEE been waived yet??? What about LARSEN??? Are they gonna play “a big part” for us this year??? Are they the “player or two away” from the Cup that Donnie was talkng about??? LOL… How pathetic. Those guys would have no career on any other NHL team, but here in BLUESland, they are “a big part”!!!

The ones that deny what is going on here are the ones that amuse me the most!

NUFF SAID.

By Alan

July 22, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

So I guess NIKULIN is not coming here then, huh?

There’s still time. While the situation is a little different with Nikulin than it was with Kovalchuk in 2005, things can still work out where we can bring him over. He wants to play in the NHL, after all. And he does have the out clause in his Kazan contract.

It’s not too late, so don’t fret just yet.

By Matthew

July 22, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

2 things:

1) If Kovalchuk isn’t captain, it is a travesty. Anything we can do to make sure he stays a Thrasher forever is imperative. If those folks at ASG think they have problem selling tickets now, just WAIT for the moment that #17 departs.

2) It’s too bad Buckhead or some place not a billion miles from ATLANTA hasn’t decided to build a nice rink/facility. It’s much closer to the Arena, the offices, etc for the Thrashers and the ASG. I’m really tired of having to drive from my home 30+ minutes to the burbs just to skate or play, and I’m sure those players who live in the city feel the same way. Someone needs to take a page out of the RDV center in Orlando— now that would sell.