Ice Man

By Sham-Rock

August 3, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

First? Toby and Bogo will be only a small part of out youth movment that should be successful

By five_hole

August 3, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

I’m just hoping that Toby holds up against the wear & tear of the season. I noticed that a lot teams seemed to target him. He was able to bounce up & get back into the play but you have to wonder how long he can take the pounding.

I won’t be sorry to see Bouwmeester leave the Panthers Organ-I-zation, but given the young talent we have at defense currently, I don’t think he’s a priority for the Thrash at the moment. I would much rather pursue a top-6 forward that could play with Kovy.

And I always thought the worlds oldest jokes were from Henny Youngman

By Thrashers27

August 3, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Not to distract from Rawhide’s spotlight on a fellow Swede, but does anyone else think DW oughtta pony up some dough to try and bring Patrick O’Sullivan here. Seems to me like the kid is good enough that he would be a great fitting center for Kovy.

By Alan

August 3, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Here’s some more news: Goalie equipment has been trimmed.

By NASCAR Dave

August 3, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

So… Is NIKULIN here yet???

LOL, what’s the holdup???

By FormerIslesFan

August 3, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Okay, Rawhide, I’ve been silent for a while. But it took a History of the World, Part I reference from you to bring me back. Comicus, indeed…

By Rawhide

August 3, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

FIF - Very good….yes, Comicus Maximus!

“You know, when you die at the palace…you really die at the palace”!

By Bob

August 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Personally, I would be surprised if anything other were to be the case for our Super Swede

Don’t be too disappointed if he doesn’t, the sophmore slump gets even the best of players. But this is one thing that makes it compelling to watch the club this year, to see if he can avoid that soph slump.

By Russian

August 4, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Nikulin is playing in Russia. It is small tournament between the teams. It is like preseason games. He got 2 assists already. He is coming, I fill that he will be here next year.

By glovesave29

August 4, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Tobias is a sound fundamental player, based on speed and positioning…that, and based on the fact he plays “D” should mean that he is less susceptible to the dreaded soph slump. To my recollection, it is more of a problem with forwards as the defense figures out how to stop them. It does happen, but I think he has the talent, drive and stamina to overcome it.

By William

August 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

glovesave makes a good point that it is usually forwards that get the slump not defensemen. although sorry glovesave but i would add goalies to that (what happened to cam ward?). i think enstrom will do even better with anderson as coach than waddell behind the bench. so if russian says that nikulin is coming, i believe it. i just don’t understand when he says “next” year. does that mean 2009 or does he mean “next” year the same way I talk about “next” week even though i mean “this” week. someone please tell me

By glovesave29

August 4, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

William…totally agree that goalies are succeptible to the slump. Those video coaches spend hours in the film room looking for a weakness - and EVERY goalie has one (if not several). You may stand on your head as a rookie, but if you do not keep working on your game, you will be digging a lot of pucks out from behind you. You will see that many goalies do not come into their own until later in their careers, the super successful rookie goalie is a pretty rare occurance these days…

By William

August 4, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

glovesave, yeah i just don’t see a lot of video coaches breaking down enstrom highlights until 2 in the morning on how to get around him. the other thing about all this is that we know for a fact that we will have hainsey in the lineup so toi and some assists are going to fall a little bit for enstrom. but don’t you also have to think that bogo or boris if not both will make the team (dare i say nikulin too) and they might get some of that toi from him as well. and maybe even so pp time. so what is it that makes people think he is going to suffer a big slump, are we just supposed to expect that his +/- is going to jump through the roof. if you don’t believe that then all this talk of him slumping is silly.

By Hip Czech

August 4, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

I read that article on back to backs a little while ago. It just SEEMED that the Thrashers had an inordinate amount of them. I was surprised the Thrashers were mid-pack as far as the number of back to backs.

A lot of people point to the Vancouver game as kind of the turning point. For me, it was the second game of the NJ-NYI back to back.

The Thrashers played arguably their best game of the year (certainly their best road game) against NJ and seemed to be finally putting it all together. Then came the next night’s debacle against the Isles.

By Tony

August 4, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

This was a nice article Rawhide, Enstrom was quite a bright spot. Put me down in the camp that thinks he will do well too. This slump talk is rather crazy even for around here.

I am more wondering if he will slowly be moved away from Havelid. I know they have the Swedish chemistry going, but this is Havelid’s last year under contract, isn’t it. With all the youth we have moving up some new combinations will start to be unveiled.

I can only expect that as the season goes on JA will toy with the lines and we will see something like Enstrom/Nikulin or Enstrom/Hainsey before the all star break. If Enstrom did well last year with a guy in his mid 30’s, imagine what he would be like with Nikulin under JA’s system.

By Alan

August 4, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

This slump talk is rather crazy even for around here.

It is crazy. So is talk of trading Kovalchuk, and talk of purposefully tanking the season, and talk that Tampa Bay - with 50 forwards and 2 defensemen - is actually better than Atlanta, given where the rosters stand today.

Par for the course, my friend.

By NASCAR Dave

August 4, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Lots of talk about NIKULIN… Little substance to back it… Is he here yet??? LOL… Just remember who clued you in on that, ok???

I’m just hoping that Toby holds up against the wear & tear of the season. I noticed that a lot teams seemed to target him.

Of course they target him… He’s the smallest guy on the ice… My problem with the team last year is that they were ALL GUTLESS COWARDS who would NEVER defend their teammates… 2 examples of this are the hit by KOSTITSYN on ENSTROM and the hit on RECCHI (also MTL)… In both cases, one of our players was cheap shotted by the opponents and NOT ONE Atlanta Thrasher stepped up to retaliate… A bunch of panty wearing WIMPS!!!

Hope this year is different!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Alan

August 4, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

2 examples of this are the hit by KOSTITSYN on ENSTROM and the hit on RECCHI (also MTL)… In both cases, one of our players was cheap shotted by the opponents and NOT ONE Atlanta Thrasher stepped up to retaliate

I remember both of those hits. Those really, really made me mad. And our supposed enforcer, Boulton, was nowhere to be found. Even if he wasn’t on the ice at the time of those hits, he could have come on and given those Montreal guys a piece of his mind.

No matter, what’s done is done. That miserable season is long gone. I think Boulton’s role as “enforcer” will be shifted to Valabik this year. He always jumps to the defense of his teammates, no questions asked. Hell, the Slovaks think he’s too physical and “mean” — just the kind of guy we need here to make some of these other teams think twice before taking advantage of our players.

By Tony

August 4, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Ok, I remember the Montreal game. But how is it that 1 example of Enstrom getting hit leads to a league-wide trend where a lot teams seemed to target him.

I just don’t see this mass conspiracy that everyone takes cheap shots at Enstrom. Guys, it’s hockey. People do get hit. One hit all season doesn’t mean that there’s a bullseye on Toby’s back.

Enough with the talk that Toby is small and can’t handle the NHL.

By Mr. +

August 4, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Tony – it is all part of the negativity crowd on this blog. Their sole purpose for being here is to make anything that is good about the Thrashers seem bad. If Enstrom looks like he might be a good rookie, they say that he won’t be. If he turns out to have a good year, then they introduce the propaganda that he will have a slump. If Rawhide writes a positive article about him, then they say he is too small.

The same thing happens with our new coach. He just won the Calder Cup, a coach in his exact same situation just won the Adams award, he was always winning. There is nothing bad you can say about him. So what do they say. Well that we only hired him because he is cheap. They find a way to spin anything positive into something negative.

If you are going to post here you have to get used to the negativity. They will call you sheep, they will say they are just proclaiming the truth that you can’t see, they may even accuse you of being another blogger. But just get used to it, they don’t seem to stop. The rest of us just don’t read it. GO THRASHERS!!!

By kracker

August 4, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Hip Czech Definitely it was the NJ-NYI games. The Islander game and the following three, CAR, TO and Habs on the night of the trade deadline were all simply abysmal, with Kari getting hammered with high SOG. The Devils game was a great effort in a thrilling game and I thought the rest of the 5 game road trip could be manageable (I was dreaming of going 4-1) Ha! Things really changed quickly and I still don’t really know why.

By Bob

August 4, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

they may even accuse you of being another blogger

Gee, why would anyone think that after you post with a bunch of new names that just so happen to show up, but have intimate knowledge of what we’ve been talking about here for years, gee wonder why that is? lol.

Of course they target him… He’s the smallest guy on the ice… My problem with the team last year is that they were ALL GUTLESS COWARDS who would NEVER defend their teammates

Yep, Enstrom got his fair share of hits in many games last year, but it’s not because of his size, it’s because he goes down more easily since he’s small. Lots of dmen get run on the forecheck, you just don’t notice it as much since Exelby can absorb the hit and keep his skates. Was the Montreal game where Enstrom got knocked silly? Kid showed some gonads coming back quick.

And no, no one stood up for him or others, but that’s nothing new for this team, this team never responds consistently to runs on our goalies or other guys. It’s been a problem since Day 1. Tamer used to respond when he was here. Odgers to some extent. This is something I hope to see our new coach fix, I always noticed Chicago never had a shortage of major penalties year in and year out, granted, the AHL has a lot more fighting, but hopefully Coach will support them in sticking up for each other.

By Tony C.

August 4, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

You know, I have to agree with Dave on that one.

I’ve seen our guys pushed around on the ice too often. I know a lot of people seem to think that Big Boris is the answer for that, but I’d rather see the entire team react to one of their guys getting taken down questionably.

Remember Petrovicky? Guy had almost-decent speed, hard (but not-so accurate) shot, and…not much else. But the guy was QUICK to stand up for a teammate, and I think this characteristic left Thrasher fans with a good feeling about the guy.

I’d like to think a more cohesive TEAM (something JA has stated as a priority-as well as a trait of his work in general) will be much more prone to stand up for each other. Now I’m not advocating we goon it up, but you’d better understand that Melrose & Co. down in tampa are all western-Canuckian guys (and say what you will about work ethic, western canuckians ALL understand and endore The Code-and expect everyone else to as well). Melrose has come out publicly and stated that they *will be dropping the gloves as part of their identity.

The Thrashers as a team in general have often seemed to be looking to the refs for a call, or to get so-and-so off their back (remember Phaneuf basically stalking #17 when we played in cow-town coupla years ago?). This is clearly not something that good teams do. The deadwings aren’t known for their enforcers-but they don’t take sh!t either. We need to let the other guys know that it’s NOT OK to take a run @ #17. If somebody comes in with knees and elbows out @ one of our skill guys, then somebody needs to familiarize that jackalope with a face-down view of the ice.

Just my opinion.

By Former STH

August 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

I cancelled my season tickets this year because Enstrom is too small.

By Bob

August 4, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

Remember Petrovicky?

Yep, he was another one of the few individuals that would go after someone that ran a teammate if he was on the ice.

So, Melrose is saying they’re ready to drop mitts? Remember LeCavelier dismantling Mandy Sutton a few years ago? That was embarrassing.

By A$G

August 4, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Boris won’t make the team as long as we are still owned by the A$G. They will only sign defensemen under 5’10”. Bob is right, Enstrom is small, let’s get some real NHL caliber players. Oh wait, that’s right, we can’t with DONNIE FRAUDELL as our GM. The fans know better than he does how big you have to big to play in the NHL.

WHY IS THAT???

By GaVaHokie

August 4, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

As far as Toby with a sophmore slump… it’s very possible. What usually causes a sophomore slump?… Awareness.

Other teams will hone in on him now. He’s no longer a mystery. Most sophomore slumps come from guys playing the same style of game they did as rookies and other teams shutting them down.

Like Bob said… it gets even the best of players. Hopefully having a new offensive system from Anderson will curb that.

I just hope Blueland doesn’t turn into Turnovers-ville with all the youth.

By Former STH

August 4, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

So, Melrose is saying they’re ready to drop mitts? Remember LeCavelier dismantling Mandy Sutton a few years ago? That was embarrassing.

You’re absolutely right again Bob. But it’s going to be so much MORE embarassing when Vinny goes after little Toby Enstrom in a fight.

By A$G

August 4, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Gee, why would anyone think that after you post with a bunch of new names that just so happen to show up

Indeed. glovesave29 hasn’t been around that long and now just coincidentally shows up. Or should I say BRIAN29

By GaVaHokie

August 4, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

But it’s going to be so much MORE embarassing when Vinny goes after little Toby Enstrom in a fight.

I’d hope Vinny understands that would end very badly for him… not only would Enstrom not fight him, but a d!ck move like that should garner you this.

By Tony

August 4, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie, I think, eh, I hope that was sarcasm about Vinny going after Enstrom. I can’t tell anymore but that’s the story I’m going with.

By Sara

August 4, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Bob Enstrom got rocked twice in that game IIRC, and came back out after both.

As for Vinnie - I think Enstrom already schooled him pretty well last season on that break-away. :D Being small doesn’t have to be a kiss of death. Lidstrom (granted, not small but stay with me here) has virtually never missed games in his career because he never gets injured because he rarely gets hit. He avoids them entirely through smart hockey - which Enstrom is more than capable of. If he can master that little nuance, he’ll be fine.

By glovesave29

August 4, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

I have been here for about the last 6 months - don’t know who Brian29 is, but Rawhide can assure you it is not me. I have been critical of the team at times and supportive of the team when the situation calls for it. Why attack my postings A$G? I defended the detractors against Enstrom and Kari, and let the ASG have it for being cheap.

By Row M

August 4, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Bob is right. Although I did not cancel the season tickets, I am not spending any money at the concession stands because Enstrom is too small. That’ll send a message to the Spirit Group.

By A$G

August 4, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

The answer to that Sarah is in your own post. You said yourself that Lidstrom is not small. So he will not be targeted, that’s why he doesn’t get hit as much. But as Bob correctly point out, Enstrom is the smallest guy on the ice so he will be targeted. That’s why he will get hit way more than Lidstrom ever did.

By NASCAR Dave

August 4, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Enough with the talk that Toby is small and can’t handle the NHL.

Never said that TONY… You’re grasping for straws now… All I said was he is little, I NEVER said he sucked…

But, I was wondering TONY… Could you tell me where this NIKULIN cat is??? I’ve been hearing a lot about him, and was wondering where I might be able to see him…

Could you help me with that TONY???

By glovesave29

August 4, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Size has little to do with it in the long run…it’s all in attitude and how you respond to the hit. If you limp off the ice every time you get hit, you are going to get clobbered…if you laugh it off and go about your job, and deliver a hit or two later on in the game when the time presents itself, you will be a target less and less…

By GaVaHokie

August 4, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Row M… point taken… you’ll be saving a lot of time… to offset poor ticket sales, ASG can only afford to run one concession stand during games this season… beers will be $20 at this concession stand.

By Tony

August 4, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

Never said that TONY… You’re grasping for straws now… All I said was he is little, I NEVER said he sucked…

No Dave, you just said he was the smallest guy on the ice. But the way you guys are talking and saying it over and over portrays his “smallness” as a bad thing as if he can’t handle the NHL. Why is it an issue unless you feel there is something about his smallness that effects his play?

As for grasping at straws, why do you always have to bring up Nikulin? Oh please, don’t answer, I don’t want to get dragged into this.

By GaVaHokie

August 4, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Nascar… I’m having trouble remembering… who did you say Don FRAUDELL was going to draft instead of Bogosian? Was it Kyle Beach?

Yep, your predictions are always right.

Is your Nikulin rant really necessary?

By Bob

August 4, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

But as Bob correctly point out, Enstrom is the smallest guy on the ice so he will be targeted. That’s why he will get hit way more than Lidstrom ever did

No, you missed my point. I don’t think he’s going to be run more due to his size, I just said you notice it with him more because he’s small, so he goes down when hit. A guy like Exelby gets run just as much, but people bounce off of him. For the record, Enstrom is a much better dman than Exelby, but I just think that’s why you notice Enstrom getting hit more.

Sara, I was highly impressed with Enstrom when he shook off those hits. I was seriously concerned for him when he came up so wobbly after one of them, I figured there’s 7 or 8 games out with a concussion. But he proved he’s no Coburn, eh? lol

Glovesave is cool and is a welcome newer blogger, he’s not the one hiding behind all the new names recently.

By Row M

August 4, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Yes GaVaHokie, and they will be really SMALL beers just like Toby Enstrom is so SMALL.

By A$G

August 4, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

that’s why you notice Enstrom getting hit more.

Yes, that cat Enstrom will definitely be getting hit more now that everyone else in the league will be honing in on the smallest guy on the ice.

By Rawhide

August 4, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

Yes…I can vouch for glovesave29….

Now, as for my take on the “turning point” game last season…if there is such a thing…

I side with those who point to the 20 hour period between the end of the 10-frame shootout win in New Jersey and the horific loss on the island. How a team can go from that type of an effort…pull themselves atop the division standings…then lay a stink-bomb that size being outshot that bad just a night later is completely beyond me.

Don’t know what happened on the trip between the two sites across Manhattan but the next couple of weeks after that weekend was a death spiral.

By Smitty

August 4, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Enstrom will do ok this year. It may his 2nd year in the NHL but he has a couple years of experience playing in Europe so I do not believe the sophmore jinx should affect him. Playing with Havelid helps. Any defenseman will get hit chasing a puck into the corners. But the good ones seem to move the puck quickly and know how to avoid getting hit without giving up on the puck. Enstrom fits that bill. Hopefully a couple of the young guys will step up and take care of our skill players. We sure need a little meanness on this team.

By Waffleboy

August 4, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Gotta agree with Smitty on Enstrom. His years in the Swedish Elite League served him well last year and will continue to do so. That said, I don’t see Nikulin coming to the NHL, Not this year, probably not ever. He’s played this game with us before. He uses a contract offer from the Thrashers to get more in Russia. until his signature is on a contract, no one should mention his name in connection with the Thrashers.

By glovesave29

August 4, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

C’mon A$G…you were wrong…i’m waaaaaiting. Time for you to step up and be a man

By Thrasherbob

August 4, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

one last point to make in Enstrom’s favor is his maturity for a kid so young. Players older and wiser than he were unable to cast aside the negativity that was going on in that locker room and come out like a winner every night. Even Kovy let it get to him a few times, but not the kid. Maybe his less than stellar English skills worked in his favor last season. I don’t know, but he deserves credit for bustin’ his b@lls everytime he played. I expect great things from this kid again and am curious who Anderson pairs him with for the long haul. In camp, I’d like to see him paired with Boris just to encourage BV to improve his speed and agility.

Gotta agree with ya Rawhide on the turning point game. It was fugly.

Please can we come up with something better than “little” and “small” to tie in with Enstrom???

By Alan

August 4, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

Please can we come up with something better than “little” and “small” to tie in with Enstrom?

How about “talented” and “underestimated?”

By William's Five Year Plan

August 5, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

Support Don Waddell blindly.

Find new blog name.

Stop using Roswell Thrasherfan as his blog name when Thrashers tank last season.

NUFF SAID

By stendec

August 5, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this

With all respects to Super Swede. I see Thrashers re-signed Sori Letemin. Even gave the untalented LaLa Land inhabitant a raise. A F+++++G RAISE! God bless em. Never thought another Atlanta pro team could be lousier or in more disarray than Falcons. Beginning to have my doubts. WHAT S++THEADS! Good night all.

By NASCAR Dave

August 5, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this

That said, I don’t see Nikulin coming to the NHL, Not this year, probably not ever. He’s played this game with us before. He uses a contract offer from the Thrashers to get more in Russia. until his signature is on a contract, no one should mention his name in connection with the Thrashers.

I agree 100% with that statement WAFFLEBOY… See, this is exactly what I have been saying to these people all along, NIKULIN is not coming here…

I will LMAO if anybody acts “surprised” when NIKULIN is NOT on the Thrashers, and KLEE is… It’s quite laughable how naive some people can be… You’ll believe anything the Sheep Whisperer Donnie tells you…LOL

Nascar… I’m having trouble remembering… who did you say Don FRAUDELL was going to draft instead of Bogosian? Was it Kyle Beach?

Don’t kid yourself HOKIE… The BOGOSIAN pick was a GIVEN that nobody could screw up, even your “Legend” of Blueland, the silly bumbling clown otherwise known as Donnie FRAUDell… Well, except for LA Kings who took the Doughboy (remember that discussion, HOKIE?)???

I see Thrashers re-signed Sori Letemin. Even gave the untalented LaLa Land inhabitant a raise. A F+++++G RAISE!

Yep, but now it’s PUT UP or SHUT UP time for ole LETEMIN… One more groin injury, and he’s DONE in Atlanta, that’s for sure…

Never thought another Atlanta pro team could be lousier or in more disarray than Falcons. Beginning to have my doubts. WHAT S++THEADS!

No doubt, brother. I agree 100%… In fact, I learned this years ago… It’s quite sad, actually, that incompetence within the organ-I-zation is allowed to fester and spread for so long now… It speaks volumes for how our team is viewed nationally and internationally…

Sounds like this NIKULIN cat is milking Donnie all the way to bank… How ridiculuous…

By R. Stroz

August 5, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

Enstrom needs Valabik to make the team. Toby is quick and smart; however, just in case someone takes a cheap shot, Toby needs support (think of the Straka cross check from behind into the boards).

Valabik provides the beef needed to handle those situations. I remember Valabik taking a run at someone who hit Bolts last season.

By GaVaHokie

August 5, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Sounds like this NIKULIN cat is milking Donnie all the way to bank… How ridiculuous…

Explain this? How does one get “milked” when the player is required to sign an entry-level contract.

By GaVaHokie

August 5, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Three things on Enstrom… like we’ve pointed out, he recovers quickly from hits.

Second, the Kostitsyn hit was dirty as hell.

By GaVaHokie

August 5, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

The third point… it appears Enstrom is fully capable of giving it back. Good skaters usually can.

175 lbs going all out into a hit hurts just as much as 220 lbs lumbering into a hit… it’s called “inertia”. :)

By NASCAR Dave

August 5, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Explain this? How does one get “milked” when the player is required to sign an entry-level contract.

Hi GAVA… Let’s let WAFFLEBOY explain that to you… He said:

That said, I don’t see Nikulin coming to the NHL, Not this year, probably not ever. He’s played this game with us before. He uses a contract offer from the Thrashers to get more in Russia. until his signature is on a contract, no one should mention his name in connection with the Thrashers.

Pretty slick move, IMO, for NIKULIN… Take advantage of an incompetent GM and use it for your own financial gains in your home Country…

“But, but, but DONNIE said he was coming here!” shouted the Sheep.

“DONNIE says lots of things” said NASCAR Dave… “Very little, if any, actually happens like he says it will… One day your Sheep eyes will open with enlightenment…”

By William

August 5, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

uh-oh. i said that enstrom will be good this year and that means i support don waddell blindly.

By glovesave29

August 5, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

I cannot fully blame Waddell if he cannot bring in Nikulin, as he is negotiating from a point of weakness due to the NHL entry level salary restrictions. The KHL can throw much more money at Ilya than we can. All we can hope for is the lure of playing in the NHL is stronger to him than the larger paycheck.

Where I do have issue with Don is that if Nikulin does decide to stay in Russia, the Thrashers reputation is further damaged because Don jumped the gun and mentioned this deal to the media before it was consumated. There should have been no notice of this until he can stand in front of everyone and show us a contract that has been signed. Any grief he catches should this deal fall through, he brought upon himself.

By MID-GAHOCKEYFAN

August 5, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

I HAVE SAT BACK AND READ FOR ALMOST 18 MONTHS HOW THIS BLOG DOES NOTHING BUT BASH,ANY ONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ASG,DON WADDELL,ETC.I WOULD BE WILLING TO GUESS THAT 95% OF YOU HAVE NO CLUE AS TO EVEN HOW TO LACE UP A PAIR OF SKATES,MUCH LESS,HAVE EVER PLAYED HOCKEY,I AM AMAZED AT ALL THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER DONE THE JOB OR PLAYED THE GAME ARE INSTANT EXPERTS ON HOW TO DO THE JOB OR PLAY THE GAME. I KNOW THAT THRASHER MGT WOULD LOVE TO GO BEHIND THE BUILDING AND PULL A 90 PT CENTER OFF THE MAGIC FORWARD TREE,BUT ANY TEAM THAT HAS ONE IS GOING TO RAPE YOUR ORGAN-I-ZATION TO LET LOOSE OF ONE.I DON’T AGREE WITH ALL THE MOVES DW HAS MADE OVER THE YEARS AND HE IS BY NO MEANS A HEAD COACH IN THE NHL,ALL YOU SAW LAST YEAR WAS A WATERED DOWN VERSION OF HARTLEY’S SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM IS WHAT WINS GAMES OVER THE LONG HAUL,A TRAP OR TWO MAN IN FORECHECKING AGGRESSIVE STYLE OFFENSE TO KEEP THE PUCK OUT OF OUR END WILL CURE A LOT OF EVILS,THAT IS THE KIND OF STYLE HOCKEY JA USED IN CHICAGO WITH A MARGINAL GROUP OF TALENT AND A HOT GOALTENDER AND WON A CHAMPIONSHIP,SO DON’T TELL ME THAT GETTING A ROSTER FULL OF ROLE PLAYERS IN THE RIGHT SYSTEM CAN COMPETE IN THIS LEAGUE AND DRAW BETTER NAME PLAYERS LATER WITHOUT GIVING UP OUR FUTURE NOW.I REMEMBER HOW HARD IT WAS TO TAKE WHEN THE FLAMES LEFT.I DON’T CARE WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE THE ASG ARE,AS LONG AS THERE IS STILL HOCKEY IN ATLANTA. I READ ALL ABOUT HOW COBURN WAS A BUST BY YOU PEOPLE,BUT YOU PUT HIM IN A DIFFERENT DEFENSIVE SCHEME AND NOW LOOK. IF THIS NEW SYSTEM IS THE SAME AS THE OLD THEN BOGO,ENSTROM,NIKULIN,DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU HAD PATRICK ROY BETWEEN THE PIPES,40 SOG A GAME MEANS THAT YOU WILL ALL BE BASHING THE SAME PEOPLE NEXT YEAR.

By Alan

August 5, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Pretty slick move, IMO, for NIKULIN… Take advantage of an incompetent GM and use it for your own financial gains in your home Country…

He has a contract in Russia already.

If he comes, he comes. If he doesn’t come, it has nothing to do with trying to use Waddell to get the Ak Bars to give him a pay raise.

By MID-GAHOCKEYFAN

August 5, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

SORRY,18 MONTHS OF PENT-UP ANGER,IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET A “NAME”CENTER AND RT WING TO KEEP KOVY HAPPY,BUT I WOULD NOT SACRIFICE THE FARM TO DO IT.THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TEAMS HOCKEY OR OTHERWISE BUILDS ITS CORE FROM WITHIN AND ADDS THE PIECES AS NEEDED.LOOK AT THE BRAVES FOR INSTANCE,CORE OF YOUNG TALENT FROM WITHIN,ADD THE FREE AGENT AS NEEDED,SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED FOR THEM,YANKEES ON THE OTHER HAND,GO OUT GET A LOT OF HIGH PRICED TALENT AND SACRIFICE FARM AND THEY ARE IN 3RD PLACE.I HAVE PLAYED AND WATCHED HOCKEY FOR 25 YEARS,EVEN AFTER I MOVED TO MACON,AND I CAN TELL YOU IF THE SYSTEM DOES NOT FIT THE PLAYERS THAN IT WOULD NOT MATTER IF YOU HAD GRETZKY. BY THE WAY WHY WILL THEY NOT AT LEAST GIVE SOME KIND OF UPDATE ON NIKULIN?

By Sara

August 5, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Wow, and I thought Dave had issues with caps lock. I got about two lines in before I gave up - anyone else fare better?

Speaking of Dave - re: Nikulin “milking” Waddell. While Waffleboy might have had a point in a prior year, Nikulin is already under contract in Russia for next season - so talking to Waddell about coming over here this year gains him nothing back home. And while you can go on your Donnie Fraudell rants all you wish on this, keep in mind that Nikulin’s agent even said publicly he expected this deal to get done.

The last anyone was ever told was that Nikulin’s agent had to get the Russian contract translated to prove an out-clause existed. Given the big stink being raised between the NHL and KHL at the moment, with the IIHF suspending players, I’d say any more transfers between the countries are being put on pause until this mess gets sorted out. At least, that’s my feeling on it given the current goings-on in the hockey world. So as Bob has pointed out, this may just be a game of patience at the moment until this all works itself out.

By NASCAR Dave

August 5, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

But what about KLEE and LARSEN???

Why have they not been WAIVED yet???

Whay are we NOT trying to move our “surplus” of 3rd/4th Line Centers???

By glovesave29

August 5, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Those are great points, Sara…but as I said, Don should have kept quiet until the deal is done. He has egg on his face if it falls through…even if it is no fault of his own.

Mid-Ga…feels good to go off every now and again, doesn’t it. Glad to see the passion. I too have played this sport all of my life. I have spent the last 35 years between the pipes…so I think I understand the subtle nuances of the sport. I just don’t think that playing the game needs to be a pre-requsite to commenting about the state of the team. Sure, maybe now and again something is said that would not have been said had they played the game, but I would say that a majority of the people in this blog know what they are talking about, and are pretty good about giving links to info that backs their perspective. Couple of loose cannons here and there, but such is life….

By NASCAR Dave

August 5, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

If he comes, he comes. If he doesn’t come, it has nothing to do with trying to use Waddell to get the Ak Bars to give him a pay raise.

So what do YOU think, ALAN???

So far, WAFFLEBOY and myself are the only ones who think he is not coming here… Everybody else has TOTALLY BOUGHT IN to this one… It’s quite amusing, actually…

By Alan

August 5, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Dave - I believe it will happen, but not until after the IIHF makes public its decision on the six suspended NHL and KHL players. This decision will be handed down in “mid-August” according to spokesman Szymon Szemberg.

By GaVaHokie

August 5, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Those are great points, Sara…but as I said, Don should have kept quiet until the deal is done. He has egg on his face if it falls through…even if it is no fault of his own.

Glove… Don was asked about it, he never said more than what Nascar posted. It was Nikulin who talked to the Russian press about coming to Atlanta. That’s how it all started.

By GaVaHokie

August 5, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Sorry… I meant what Waffleboy said, not Nascar.

Waddell has said that he’s “tried to sign the player in the past” and we shouldn’t get our hopes up until he’s actually signed.

This current situation is leaps-and-bounds different than the past. Nikulin wants to come over, Nikulin’s side has paid $1000 to get his contract translated for the NHL to prove he has an out clause… not Waddell or the Atlanta Spirit paying $1,000… Nikulin.

Dave… Why is that???

NUFF SAID

By Sara

August 5, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

But what about KLEE and LARSEN???

Why have they not been WAIVED yet???

Why are we NOT trying to move our “surplus” of 3rd/4th Line Centers???

Why would you waive them? The two you specifically mention will likely be warming the press-box most of the season anyway.

Dave, players are waived for pretty much one of two reasons: to free up cap space (so not our problem this season) or to make room for other player additions. At this point, the roster is preliminarily set, assuming Valabik and Bogosian are added to fill out the D. Otherwise, we already have 13 skaters (4 lines + a spare [Larsen]). Now it may be that at training camp, other young players in our system prove to Anderson and Co. they are ready for the big clubs, at which time you may see some movement of other players. But there is nothing gained at this point by waiving anyone else.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 5, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

If anyone the fans are the people churning the NIkulin rumors, nobody else.

Knobler has only given updates upon request…Waddell mentioned it in passing…and Nikulin responded to a reporter’s inquiry.

I’d say we are more to blame for the “hype” about Nikulin than anyone else.

By GaVaHokie

August 5, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

It seems a lot of people need a refresher on this, so let’s go back and revisit the article.

By William

August 5, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

alan that is a nice catch about the decision being handed down in mid-august. could mean a lot. as for all the hype keep in mind it doesn’t go much further past this blog. yes there were some articles out of russia, but given we can’t translate a contract i don’t think people are translating those. but has anyone seen an article in any north american site that even mentioned nikulin. i haven’t seen one yet.

By Alan

August 5, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Nope, William, because at the moment, it’s just speculation. It’s not like Radulov going to the KHL or Filatov coming to the NHL. Those both look like pretty sure things, as it stands now. Nikulin, in comparison, is an unknown.

However, it should be noted that [Craig Custance mentioned him](http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=434806= in this article from last month. Granted, Custance is our former beat writer, but it’s still a mention in a national, north american publication.

By Alan

August 5, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

And by that, I mean this article.

My keyboard at work is starting to flake out on me.

By William

August 5, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

ok alan so our former beat writer wrote a little snippet in his current publication that doesn’t mean that our gm has egg all over his face and all of north america is looking down on him the way people were saying above. in one sense i like this because everyone is so hungry for the season to start that we are just looking for anything to discuss but at the same time we can’t talk today as if it is opening night. the trade kovy talk, nikulin used us talk, it’s gotta stop until it happens. the enstrom is small talk does have to stop immediately however.

By MID-GAHOCKEYFAN

August 5, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Thanks glovesave29 for the perspective,I am just so frustrated and anxious about the coming year that it all spilled over.Bottom line is the d should be better and i think that will obviously help the goaltending.lets give the kids an opprotunity under the new system to see wht they can do.

By Brendan

August 5, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, another great blog. As usual. I, too, am looking forward to another great year from Toby Enstrom. I just wish we were locking him this offseason. But, truthfully, I can see the other side of this situation. Perhaps Waddell is thinking, “Toby, I want to lock you up, longterm, but I am going to insist that you deliver the season we think you’re capable of first. And then, of course, pay you at your ‘fair market value.’”

If this actually Waddell’s thinking, and that Waddell has made that plainly clear to Enstrom and his agent, then he’s to be commended. What he’s really saying is, “How much you’ll make in your next contract depends on how well you play this year. I won’t undervalue you. I’ll give you a shot to make even more money.” That’s fair.

On the other hand, if Enstrom is sitting there (whereever it is that he hangs his hat in the offseason,) waiting for Waddell to make him an offer, then Waddell should pick up the phone and ask if Enstrom is amenable to contract negotiations. He’s eligible for that right now. It would please me to know that our organization at least “attempts” to think proactively, by looking at the future in 2-3 year increments. I would sincerely hope that Enstrom is regarded as an important part of the future of our blueline. I hope he becomes a fixture on it.

Stop. Would you “cry” to hear Toby just re-upped for 3-5 years? Or would you applaud that decision. Go!

By Alan

August 5, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

ok alan so our former beat writer wrote a little snippet in his current publication that doesn’t mean that our gm has egg all over his face and all of north america is looking down on him the way people were saying above

I don’t know. Jury is still out.

Part of the point I was making by linking to the Custance article, however, is this: The only people talking about Nikulin are Russians and people with a connection to Atlanta. If you do a Google News search for mentions of Ilya Nikulin for the past month, you will see four links - three of them from the AJC. The lone fourth is the Custance article, linked above.

By MID-GAHOCKEYFAN

August 5, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

So,based on the above,are we just wishing or has DW or anyone had any serious talks with Nikulin?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 5, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Try searching Ilja (with a j), or ask Russian how to Google it in … Russian.

Maybe you’ll find that elusive fifth article!!

By Alan

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

The last anyone here knows on the Nikulin situation is when we were told they were sending the translated contract to the NHL. Since then, developments have disappeared as quickly as the Thrashers did last year from playoff contention.

I’m sure we’ll know more by the end of August, sometime after the IIHF renders its decision.

By Sara

August 5, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

MID-GA the way it has played out thus far is this…

• Waddell and Nikulin’s agent both confirmed that a contract had been roughed out and both contract length (which i think has to be 1 year per CBA rules) and dollar amount had been agreed to. Nikulin however wanted a clause that guaranteed he would not be sent to the Wolves for more than 14 days - he’s coming over to play in the NHL, not the AHL is his point.

• From there, Waddell stated that Nikulin’s agent was being asked to provide (at his expense) a translation of Nikulin’s Russian contract to the NHL to prove Nikulin has an out-clause. This leads to the presumption that Don agreed to put the AHL clause in Nikulin’s contract. That is where everything stopped.

So in essence, yes Waddell has had serious talks with Nikulin - a contract has been agreed to. I’m thinking by now a translation should have already been completed and reviewed. We haven’t heard he is not coming. However, since that time, the whole transfer arrangement issue has blown up, with players getting suspended by the IIHF pending further investigations. So my thinking is, Waddell (and perhaps the League as well) wants to wait to have Nikulin sign a contract with the Thrashers until they find out how the IIHF will handle these disputes between the NHL and the KHL. It’s the only thing that makes sense to me, because otherwise something should have been said one way or another about what is going on with Nikulin and I find it hard to believe we are still in limbo simply over a translation issue.

By NASCAR Dave

August 5, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Here, I’ll make it real simple for ya’…

NIKULIN is NOT coming here, AT ALL…

Just remember who told you so when the the KLEE-EXELBY D-Pair hits the ice in October…

By William

August 5, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

nascar dave can you tell us simpletons why nikulin was wearing a white jersey in practice and not playing his usual spot among the top pair.

By MID-GAHOCKEYFAN

August 5, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

sara,thanks for the explanation,only news i get down here is the farm reports,ugh!!

By Tom Lysiak

August 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Note to self….be sure to credit Dave when Nikulin no-shows and when Klee and XLB take the ice.

Wow, that honor would have to make you shiver. That and $7.00 will buy you a beer opening night….

By joyaman

August 5, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

If the Thrashers were a European football (read soccer) team, they would have been relegated to a lower league (read AHL) by now. When this happens to football clubs any stud players worthy of a top-tier contract (read Kovy) jump like rats from a sinking ship and show up somewhere else in the first division.

Too bad the NHL doesn’t work like that. At least we’d have a kick-a__ minor league team…..Oh yeah, I forgot, we already do.

-joyaman

By Section119

August 5, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

Decision KHL ahead of NHL again. Defenseman Ilya Nikulin decided to play next season at home despite real propsal from Atlanta. Of course we’re happy - good player stays in Russia. But Ilya had a pretty good chances to be in a regular roster of Ilya Kovalchuk’s club. He could play in best hockey league in a world and gain priceless experience. If something goes wrong he always had an option to back in Russia and Nikulin won’t be unemployed. But he made another decision.

http://www.sports.ru/hockey/5398827.html

By Brendan

August 5, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Joyaman, sometimes I do wonder if some fans prefer minor league hockey in Atlanta. Hold up. They scream the defunct minor league team’s name during the National Anthem, going on 10 years now. Some say, “If I’d known that this would be our future in the NHL, I’d have passed on the Thrashers. Give me ‘Knight Time in Atlanta!’” And others say, “Have you been to a Gladiators game? It’s a good time, for a very reasonable price.”

The Gladiators were in the ECHL Finals just a few years ago, against the Alaska Aces. The Glads pushed South Carolina to five games, just this past year.

I can’t slam fans who like or prefer minor league hockey. I’ve been a Cyclones, Admirals and Knights fan at various points in my life. Hey, Cincinnati won the Kelley Cup this year! But the Thrashers are my team. I wish someone else owned them. I wish someone else managed them. But it is what it is. And I hold out hope that our draft picks can be coached up and deliver a near .500 season, maybe even better. That’s how it’s supposed to work. The scouting staff and GM work together to draft good players, then coach them up to the next level, either in the minors or at the NHL level. If we take our lumps along the way, so be it. If that happens, we get excellent draft position.

Trouble is … this is the second time around … and the “decider” (decision-maker, for more liberal outlets,) is still the same GM. But hey, if he improves, how can I complain? All I ask … is that the ownership not lie, mislead, or otherwise do disservice to the fan base to whom they are beholden. Tell them the truth. Call it what it is: “rebuilding.” Don’t spout this, “We’re starting X-points ahead of Philadelphia, of 2007,” and mislead the fans into thinking the team is headed to the CF this year, being rebuilt in the same manner as the Flyers were. Does it seem like the Thrashers are being rebuilt based on the Flyers strategy? Well, allrightee then.

Back in April, what we heard was, “We’re so close (to returning to the playoffs,) why tear it down (Fire Waddell, find a new GM) now? We’re just a player or two away.” If Bruce Levenson really feels this way, they’ve taken the long way ‘round towards finding a #1 Center and a #1 defenseman. The point is … stop misleading the fans. The Tier I defenseman may well be Bogosian. Fine. I have no heartburn over drafting great players into the Thrashers organization. Zach Redmond may be yet another final round gem of a draft pick. I can appreciate the effort they put into trying to sign Campbell. And who knows what other teams will cut or buy out between now and October 9. There’s plenty of money to pick up discarded players, if the organization wants to pursue that option.

I’m not displeased with the rebuilding campaign. But I’ll scream if they trade a prized draft pick, or prospect, to obtain a player like (pushing 40 years old) Schneider, that another team needs to drop to help out their cap situation.

By Nikita

August 7, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Yes, that cat Enstrom will definitely be getting hit more now that everyone else in the league will be honing in on the smallest guy on the ice.

Aren’t there some tiny Wolves we can bring up as bait? Preferably some with foil under their gloves? ;) I nominate Brett Sterling.

Enstrom and Perrin are roughly the same size — but I haven’t seen anyone beat Perrin without payback. Of course, Perrin’s got a mouth on him — agitating and smack talking are among his skills and he fights and occasionally cheap shots. So it would be quite stupid for the team not to prepare for the eventuality of someone taking a shot at him.

Welcome, Mid-GA.

NASCAR, when might you come up with something to say that isn’t the same thing you asked the last 50 times?

And Sara, I think Larsen will ride the pine for sure. We can’t trade him because he’s worthless and he’s under contract and it’s probably not worth it to waive him right now. If he gets some decent play in, we might be able to move him mid-season depending on how we’re doing.

Klee will probably play, and so will Ex. I think either are o.k. for trade from our perspective, but Klee is more likely to be valuable given last year’s numbers, and we’re also more likely to trade him given how he fits (or rather, doesn’t) into Anderson’s philosophy.

Does anybody know what happens with Krog if he can’t play for Vancouver?