Ice Man

By NASCAR Dave

August 18, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Where Does White Fit In Anderson’s System?

On the trade blocks…

By Ryan

August 18, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Little is a center, do not consider him for a wing. Don’t screw up his progress by moving him around. Perrin is a natural wing, he can just play center. You still need one more right wing unless Stuart can fill that role. Little and Crusher will be the top 2 centers and White is an insurance policy. Hopefully they both blossom so well that White is in the booth. A good problem to have. Don’t forget that not only did Ottawa score a ton of goals (White’s good +/- numbers there) but how few goals did the Wild let in (the other way to have a high +/-)?

By GaVaHokie

August 18, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

This is exactly why we got off to such a bad start last year… mix-matched lines. There’s too many options and none of them seem right or make sense.

Kovy Crusher Williams

Kozy Little White

Perrin Reasoner Armstrong

Thorburn Slater Boulton

Even those don’t look right to me, and I don’t even know how to move it around. I like the players individually, I just don’t like them together.

By Scotty

August 18, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Where does Todd White fit into the system??

I’ll tell you where, in the bath rooms of the practice facility refilling the rolls of Charmin in the stalls!

By Russian

August 18, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

BRAVO DAVE! White needs to be trade. Perfect plase to him. Another rumor I just read. Sundin wants to go to Rangers. He asked 7 mln. Yeah right! But Rangers got only 2 mln and trhey want to move Michal Rozsival, who re-signed on July 1 for $5 million. God Damn, Don!!! take him. IF we got Rozsival I do not care about Nikulin and his Russin F*** Mind.

By Ryan

August 18, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

I just looked it up Rawhide and my instincts were correct. In the two years that White had good +/- numbers in Minnesota, they ranked first and fifth in the league in Goals Against. So unless the entire team is scoring a ton (Ottawa) or letting in very few (Minnesota) I wouldn’t expect him to have a much better +/- number.

By Smitty

August 18, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Colin Stuart has a little more upside to him than White. Younger, better defensively, more size and familiarity to Anderson,s system whatever that might be.Here is some wishful thinking if NYR sign Sundin. White,Ex or Klee, and a #1 for Drury or maybe Gomez

By ThrasherNY

August 18, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

This impossible shell game that GaVaHokie highlights above is the basis for my reasoning that we in fact still have a trade yet to come this offseason. That and the fact that it was not promised by management.

As it currently stands I align the roster exactly as GaVaHokie does above. That second line is what catches my eye and we know Anderson wants Stuart somewhere in the mix. I like this as he played well in the showcase of games down the stretch. So, I think we are looking to move White with Perrin (+ pick) as the value hand-cuffed to Charmin in a trade for a RW. Stuart then fills the last roster spot.

That leaves me a little scared about the PK as Dupuis, Hossa & Perrin were our best options on an already terrible PK….I will wait to see how this unfolds but lets just say fingers and toes are crossed.

By Rawhide

August 18, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Hokie - You gonna put White out on the wing? I don’t know if I would do that.

The first and third line look decent, though.

Ryan - Very good…you’re on the payroll. Now, the question is…what is more likely to happen with this year’s version of the Thrashers…the defense allows less goals like Minnesota’s of 2-3 years ago, or the offense scoring more goals like Ottawa of ‘02 and ‘03?

ThrasherNY - we in fact still have a trade yet to come this offseason.…I would tend to agree with you. I think it’ll come closer to or during training camp as teams that are at or above the cap are looking to shed some payroll.

Smitty - Colin Stuart has a little more upside to him than White. Younger, better defensively, more size and familiarity to Anderson,s system…I agree a lot with that, especially the part about being familiar with Anderson’s sysem.

Purely speculative here, but I would think that if JA is allowed any input on such decisions, he’s probably of the mindset to keep the players he had success with in Chicago and offer up a player like White to trade away.

Again, that’s just me.

By LAC

August 18, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Exelby & White to Edmonton for Erik Cole.

By Tony

August 18, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

ThrasherNY, Reasoner & Army were very capable on the PK for the Pens and Oil, I will be satisfied with them replacing Hossa & Dupuis. We still have Perrin. I sure hope you are correct that Trader Don has one more coming though.

Russian, I am surprised to see you bad mouth your fellow countryman. However, I would definitely take Roszival in a heartbeat. I am surprised that he would even be on the block. That entire lockerroom must be filled with cancers.

By Ryan

August 18, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

I will easily say Rawhide that our Goals For will be closer to Ottawa’s two-year average than our Goals Against will be closer to Minnesota’s two-year average. This is an easy case to prove as of right now. Our star player is worth at least 50 himself. We have a new coach that is going to focus on a system that gets all players involved in the O. Of our top defenders, their best skill sets are playmaking ability and PP production, they are the pure shut-down type defensemen. Our goaltender has a great save %, but we give up so many shots that GA is higher per se. We still don’t know if he can win a 2-1 game yet on a regular basis. Minnesota played a trap during those years (thus the first and fifth place rankings in GA). We might get a little better defensively but we are not going to put up trap type numbers. Goals For easily.

By glovesave29

August 18, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Gotta go off topic for a sec…has anyone else noticed that on MSNBC’s coverage of the Olympics today, the Table Tennis play by play is being handled by none other than former ATLANTA FLAME Bill Clement?

The Thrashers will also debut their new maroon thirds on November 14th against the Canes.

OK, thanks for appeasing me…back to the issue at hand…

By five_hole

August 18, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

What kills me about Mr. White is the length of his contract. He’s signed thru the 10-11 season, which is longer than anyone on the current roster except for Mr. Hainsey.

By Alan

August 18, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

NHL Owner 09 sounds like it could be a real hit, if someone takes the time to develop it.

By Brian

August 18, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Did they get Kovy a Center this year?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 18, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

LAC — I don’t see why Edmonton would give up a player who they gave up a lot for and who never played a game in their uniform. I don’t see that trade happening.

Tony — Slater was pretty handy on the PK as well.

Ryan — (from the other blog) Dubinsky needs room to develop, and is clearly blocked as it is. I think you’re right in the thought that NY could see Sundin as a FIX for the long term, allowing them to jettison a long expensive contract and open up room for development down the line. However, I wouldn’t put it past Sather to imagine Gomez or Drury on a wing. The other person who could be fallout is Prucha (as Hokie has theorized in the past).

By Bob

August 18, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Right after Anderson was hired, Custance reported that Anderson told him he called up Todd White and told him that he was counting on him for 30 goals this year. That tells me he’s got White penciled in as his #1 center. That would put Christensen as #2, Reasoner as #3, and Little as your 4th center. When (not if) White fails, flip flop he and Little.

Perrin will skate on the wing, as will Slater.

One thing for sure, Coach certainly will have his hands full trying to eek some points out of this lineup.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 18, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

glovesave — Thanks for the notice on the maroons, I’ll mark that on my calendar.

Alan — I’ll take a copy of it, do you think it’ll be included with NHL 09??

By glovesave29

August 18, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Hey Ranallo…I go to this website a bit where some professional graphic artists try to redo NHL logos and jerseys…take a look at these.

and these too…

THOSE are AMAZING!!!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

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

Thanks, but the links weren’t working for me. I get a 404 Not Found error, and none of the url works (when simplified).

By glovesave29

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

OK - sorry, those links did not work. Just go to http://icethetics.blogspot.com and look on the right column under “rebranding the NHL”. Some interesting things there

By GaVaHokie

August 18, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Hokie - You gonna put White out on the wing? I don’t know if I would do that.

Rawhide… it’s already been discussed between Waddell and White earlier this summer. White has experience on the Wing and is open to the idea… please don’t make me find it, I’m not one to lie on these things. :) lol

Reasoner & Army were very capable on the PK for the Pens and Oil, I will be satisfied with them replacing Hossa & Dupuis.

Tony… having Reasoner on the team is like still having Holik, except at the right price. He’s a great face-off man and a smart puck handler and PK guy. Armstrong was the best PK player in Pittsburgh, and is why we had to give up Dupuis… The Penguins needed a PK player in return.

I’m perfectly happy with Perrin, Reasoner and Armstrong as the checking line.

I’m not comfortable with Crusher… just a feeling I have. I’d rather trade him to Ottawa for Vermette… this makes so much more sense to me.

Kovy Vermette Williams

Kozy Little White

Perrin Reasoner Armstrong

Thorburn Slater Boulton

By Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)

August 18, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

glovesave29 - I have successfully dealt with the linkage issues from your 3:13 pm post.

Honesty, you are going to have to attend my next Basic Linkage 101 class!

By glovesave29

August 18, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Thanks Trixie…just send me a bill!

By Ryan

August 18, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Waddell also said that Zhitnik played a big part of our future and then cut him a month later. So Bob if coach says he wants 30 from White it could be just to drive up his value when we are shopping him around. I wouldn’t believe everything you hear in the press. Not because they are compulsive liars but because we don’t know what deals are being offered that we are not privy to. You had to think Zhitnik was offered up for a bag of pucks before we cut him.

Ranollo I didn’t even think about Dubinsky. Another reason to get a year or two out of Sundin until he comes along and clear the cap space by jettisoning Gomez or Drury. The two Tony’s were posting that chemistry there was just awful, so this could just be a shakeup thing to clear things out. Prucha I think is becoming one of those players who is not so young anymore that you can say he is just around the corner from taking his skills up a notch yet his skills are at least good enough to make the roster but that’s it. Call him the NY version of Jim Slater. As well, he is still a restricted FA, so they can use him as trade bait for something else which might not be a bad thing for him to get out of there, but that would make him fallout as you say.

By GaVaHokie

August 18, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Prucha I think is becoming one of those players who is not so young anymore that you can say he is just around the corner from taking his skills up a notch yet his skills are at least good enough to make the roster but that’s it. Call him the NY version of Jim Slater.

I’ve been thinking he’s the NY version of Nik Antropov… a guy who lacks consistency but is fully capable of throwing up good numbers.

By Tony

August 18, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Hokie, I have actually made the “affordable Holik” analogy myself before. I was just answering ThrasherNY’s question about our PK. I think we are in sync with each other 100% on this one.

Ranollo, if Slater is the permanent 4th line center that I think many people see him being, the PK is a perfect place for him to develop and get more toi. He’ll be a fresher option too.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 18, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

glovesave — Trixie did a good job fixing those up, not too shabby of uniforms. My only complaint about the uniform would be the primary logo…it reminds me of basketball (Hawks) or football (Air Force Falcons).

However, I like the color combinations, even though it’s missing the maroon. The tertiary logo is sweet, and would be pretty cool as the Alternate’s badge too (like Calgary does with the old Atlanta Flames A). I also like the secondary mark.

It goes completely away from the current model (obviously), which sucks because I really like the tie up collar (they have on the third logo) and the words down the sleeve (cool throwback in my opinion).

For the first two jerseys I’d give them a grade of B+ and B. The alternate uniform I’d give an A. I love the old school design and color scheme, and the third logo definitely compliments it well.

Very cool.

You should inquire about extra credit in Trixie’s course…it’s well worth it.

By GaVaHokie

August 18, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see a Third Jersey with Atlanta across the front spelled out like the columns on Philips Arena.

By Disgusted Fan

August 18, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

White did perfectly fine as a third line center which is what he was, is and will be. Don Waddell was the fool who thought White was suddenly a first line center. Waddell overpaid him and annoited him a first line center but that does not make it so. It really is that simple. Waddell’s biggest and ongoing failure is to fill the void from Marc Savard’s departure. How many years has it been now?

By R. Stroz

August 18, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

What we really need is a third player that skates around the ice, and then for no real reason, falls on his arse like White and Slater.

We could name that line the Bowling Ball line, the Ice Cleaning line, or the Leg Whip line.

I wonder if Esposito flops? :)

By Ryan

August 18, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

During one of the playoff games Hokie I sat next to a fan who came down from NY. We talked good hockey but he kept going off about how Prucha was the next big thing. Oh how I wish I could sit next to him in a game this season.

When did White play third line center Disgusted Fan?

By Ryan

August 18, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Disgusted Fan, White I know was on the top two lines with Ottawa because he had spent time with Hossa (although he and Radek Bonk both played on the top line). It was talked that when he first came here that might get some of the old chemistry back together. In Minnesota he wasn’t a third line center either, that was the year Wes Walz came back and White was the top center. I want the guy in the booth as much as anyone else, read above, but he has never been a third line center.

By R. Stroz

August 18, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Here’s another idea:

In order to assist the Atlanta Spirit Group in raising revenue, the ASG could contact Procter & Gamble to see if they would be a team sponser in exchange for White doing squeezing the Charmin commercials on the Jumbotron during TV time outs.

By R. Stroz

August 18, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

In all fairness to Charmin, he started off slowly, then had about 20 decent games (a few game winning goals), and then looked like he ran out of gas the remainder of the season.

My guess is that Charmin wasn’t used to top line minutes with the Wild, and as last season wore on, he couldn’t take the season long physical grind required by 1st line forwards.

By Sara

August 18, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

No one seems to like Crusher as the top line center, although since he’s never been given an opportunity I don’t know why everyone is so certain. Look, the roster is what it is, for whatever reasons. There was no alternative out there for a top line center this year - at least not a really good one along the lines of what we all hoped for. And I hate to break it to ya but the FA market looks just as dismal next year so about the only hope this club has is either a) some amazing trade comes available sometime during the season or b) one of the young centers we have now steps up to the plate on that first line.

Slater obviously isn’t going to get moved up, he fits where he is. Little I expect to see back on the 2nd line since he seemed to be working well there during his second stint with the team. Given the White-on-the-top-line experiment went bust, I don’t expect to see that again, which puts him back on 3rd line as a center with Reasoner to the wing (a role he fills also) or Reasoner centers that line and White moves to the wing. Crusher goes to the top line with Kovy and we give it a go. If it doesn’t work out, I expect to see them move Little up and Crusher down.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 18, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Sara — Reasoner is the better faceoff man, so I’m assuming he’d get the draws (where they play from there can be different though).

Christensen is also pretty good at faceoffs, which benefits his linemates, and potentially Kovalchuk.

Though I’d rather see Little develop chemistry with Kovalchuk, I think Christensen is the best option on the roster considering skill and ability to handle top line defenders. Little is risky in that position, but I’d be all for giving him a shot too.

White and Perrin on the wings is my assumption, because I sure hope Anderson knows better than to put Little on a wing.

Unless a trade is made, Stuart and Sterling will be battling with Little for the sole spot of youthful injection to this roster (the way I see it). I think Little has the edge already.

By NASCAR Dave

August 18, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

Unless a trade is made,

Nope. The roster is set. What you see is what you get…

Stanley Cup, here we come!!!

LMAO

By ThrashDawg

August 18, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

I am sure Nascar will agree that we need to move Slater, White, Perrin and Exelby in order to play the younger guys. I know he has stated this before and I whole heartedly agree! Bring on Stuart, Sterling, Little, Lavalee, Bogosian and Kulda. I want to see these guys play this year even if it means at the expense of the veterans named.

By Tony C.

August 18, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

Holly Gunning has said she believes Sterling to be trade-bait

By ThrashDawg

August 18, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

And Espisito!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 18, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — Of the prospects in the Atlanta system, he makes the most sense as trade bait. Valabik being a close second.

I don’t want to see either traded, but if a top RW/C can be had in exchange (one that is both young and can be locked up through the 09/10 season), then I might reconsider my opinion. I think Valabik has the biggest potential of coming back to haunt us if traded. Sterling, though he can produce at the AHL level, can’t be given a fair shot for at least another year in Atlanta (by “fair” I mean one where he’s playing second line minutes on the left wing, not the way Hartley defined the term). Personally, I think he can learn to score at the NHL level…but if the right trade came along I wouldn’t complain TOO much about his departure. The return has to be a top line talent (RW or C works for me), or I just don’t think it’s worth it otherwise.

By Alan

August 18, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

ranallo - I would try to shop Oystrick before shopping Valabik. Oystrick still needs some seasoning, while Valabik can conceivably take a spot in the lineup this season and contribute.

By Tony C.

August 18, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

Amen. We’re still too thin @ RW for my liking. I was hoping that DW would get Vrbata, as well as Williams or Morrison.

Guess who doesn’t work in the Thrasher’s front office?

By Barry

August 18, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

I think White on 2nd line center is just fine. The real question for me is where does Little fit in. He seemed to do very well while playing wing and seemed to need another NHL year of experience before being thrown into top 2 line centerman duties. He’s only what 20? No need to rush him into anything. I’m also wondering what is going on with the minimum cap issue? Aren’t we still a few mil below the minimum? The only way it seems we are to even reach the cap minimum is to do a trade. It’s not like we have room to sign someone else.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 3:32 AM | Link to this

Barry — The minimum should be met with Valabik and Bogosian’s contracts, if both make the roster.

Bogosian’s bonuses should push them over the floor.

The interesting team to watch is Los Angeles, as they’re WELL below the floor and no expensive signings in sight.

Alan — Valabik’s ability to take a spot and contribute is why he’d be the better trade bait. If Oystrick isn’t ready for the NHL yet (as you said, needs seasoning), then why would any other NHL club give up something decent for him? Maybe as a sweatener, but not as the central piece. I don’t want Valabik traded, but of the defenders in this franchise’s depth chart he’s got the most value and highest upside of the attainable defensemen (Bogosian and Enstrom should rightfully be unattainable).

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

I see that Disgusted Fan didn’t reply to my post but R. Stroz did.

“My guess is that Charmin wasn’t used to top line minutes with the Wild, and as last season wore on, he couldn’t take the season long physical grind required by 1st line forwards.”

Your guess is totally wrong. When White was in Minnesota he lead all centers in minutes per game. As well, the two years before that he lead all Ottawa centers in minutes per game. So to make a claim that he wasn’t used to top line minutes is completely wrong. That’s all he’s ever gotten is top line minutes.

This is also wrong because these are professional athletes. Are you telling me that an NHL player can’t handle going from 3rd line minutes to 1st line minutes in their physical condition? If Jim Slater scores 4 goals and 8 assists in the first 10 games, should we not give him time with Kovalchuk because he never played top line minutes before and can’t 82 games of playing top line minutes. That’s crazy and wrong. The guy flopped because he just couldn’t make the pass or simply didn’t score enough. There’s no statistical evidence anywhere that says he wasn’t conditioned. Based on his previous years’ experience there is evidence that says otherwise.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Ryan — I think the difference they are trying to bring up between “first line” and “third line” minutes are the types of players they get lined up against, not the true amount of minutes regarding conditioning.

Do you feel comfortable knowing Todd White is lining up against Lecavalier, Stamkos, Brindamour, Staal, Backstrom, or Federov (just the centers from the SE division)?? Would you feel more comfortable knowing he’s lining up against the less proven centers in the league, and possibly being the “better” center on the ice?

Personally, I’d rather him on the second line at the highest, and I think he’s best suited for defensive style play with scoring wingers. He is defensively sound (in my opinion), and is not too shabby at keeping up with a rush and being in a good position to help his teammates (by scoring, or giving a good pass). In my opinion he’s not a top line center, but he’s no schmuck as others try to make him seem. His game is tougher than people like to give him credit for, and his size is the primary reason most people think he’s soft (at 5’10 he’s bound to get knocked over more than a person 2 inches taller and 40 pounds heavier…it’s physics). Daniel Briere is on the ice far more often than White, yet I don’t hear many people around here criticizing him for being Huggably Soft like they do White. (For the record, I think Tony C. is the person who agrees with me that Briere flops like a Olympic diver, if it was another blogger my apologies for not remembering).

Anyway, White’s a serviceable center in my opinion, has the talent to play wing, and can chip in quality minutes in the PK and even strength situations. He’s not a franchise/top line center, but he’s not glaringly worse than any of the other centers on this roster (including Eric Perrin, who many fail to remember was handled very similarly across the ice).

By GaVaHokie

August 19, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

I think a lot of our offensive success will come from the backend, the puck moving defensemen like Enstrom, Hainsey and Bogosian. It’s a crying shame we don’t have Nikulin to add to that mix.

In Anderson’s system, the more guys you have to bring the puck up the ice, the better… especially when it’s from your defense.

With good outlet passes from Enstrom, Hainsey and Bogosian, we should see a lot of 3 on 2 situations from our forwards.

By Alan

August 19, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

ranallo - I guess my point is, we should try to offload someone else instead of Valabik — at least, at first. Valabik’s size, strength, and persistence is something we could have used last season before we started going downhill. I liked what I saw in the games he did play with us, though I thought he could have done better. With the training he’s supposedly received during this offseason, as well as the experience of winning the Calder in Chicago, I think he’s ready for a real shot. I would hate to see that shot come with another team, though.

I’d give him up only if absolutely necessary. Remember, Kovalchuk didn’t name names when he asked for a number one center. That number one could be anyone — even Little or Christensen.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

You seem to be one of the level headed ones around here Ranollo so I’ll get into this with you. First off, Stroz’s statement started with

“..wasn’t used to top line minutes with the Wild”

That is completely false because whether you are talking number of minutes or 1st line forward versus 3rd line forward, White was the 1st line forward AND lead centers there in number of minutes.

Now, when the next part of the statement is made

“…as last season wore on, he couldn’t take the season long physical grind required by 1st line forwards”

That implies there is a conditioning factor. If you are going to use words like “grind” and “wore on”, you are implying he is not physically fit. How can this not be about conditioning if you say he started out ok but then as the season “wore on” he ran out of gas? Combine those words and saying that he never had top line minutes and it paints a picture that he was not cut out to be a top line forward due to his never being one before. Look at Minnesota and Ottawa, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Todd White was always a first line forward and showed no signs of not being physically fit to continue being one.

As for your question of where would I want him to play and who against, go read the 2nd post of this blog. I said I wanted him on the bench. But as much as I would want him there, I am not going to make up fabrications about his experience or take “guesses” that lead others to form conclusions that aren’t true. R. Stroz replied to my post with a guess and I am simply presenting the facts that say he is wrong, what say you?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Alan — I agree regarding what I would do with Valabik. I like the kid, and think his size and physicality would be a much needed element for the Thrashers blueline for years to come.

Unfortunately I thought the same thing about Coburn, and I’m worried Valabik will be treated accordingly (low minutes per game, over staying his welcome in Chicago, eventually being traded away for a quick fix).

However, when talking about trades I choose to think from the aspect of the team receiving the Atlanta player. I don’t think anybody would be sold on Oystrick, Denny, Lewis or Kulda before they’d show interest in Valabik.

For trade bait, you need to give something special to get something special in return. If a defensive prospect is the person traded from Atlanta, he has much more value than all but two of the current youthful defenders (Enstrom and Bogosian).

So while I don’t want to see him traded, he’s the most likely IF something like that were to happen. In my opinion, of course. Sterling and Little are the most likely forwards to be traded, due to their value on the market. Sterling makes the most sense due to the immediate logjam at left wing, and his inability to shift to right wing at the NHL level (I wouldn’t expect him to be able to do that, either).

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

My feelings about White are quite simple. He’s an adequate middle-tier center, that gets a bad rap around here because of his being mislabeled a “number one” center, and because was sold as the solution to Kovalchuk’s missing center.

On an ideal team I don’t think White would have many minutes beyond the third pairing, but the Thrashers are far from an ideal team. He plays hard every game, scored some timely goals for the team, and played well in every position asked of him (though playing “well” is all subjective). His salary is not cumbersome, which is extremely useful in the cap era.

Since he’s one of two players signed beyond 2010, I’m going to choose to find the positives in his playing style and not dwell on the negatives. He’s here to stay, and unless something drastic happens (buy out or trade) we’re all going to have to deal with him as a center/versatile forward for this team. Personally I don’t think he should be getting top line minutes, but until someone on the roster proves they’re better equipped to handle that role, I don’t see why he shouldn’t be up there.

By Tony

August 19, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

his size is the primary reason most people think he’s soft (at 5’10)

Since I have not seen opposing teams wiping the ice with White, I have to believe this is true that some people are making the bonehead mistake of just basing this on his size and not actual play. That’s stupid, hasn’t anyone heard of Michael Peca? He’s a scrawny little guy that only won the Selke Trophy for his hard hits.

Alan, as for Valabik, I want to hold on to him just because he is close to playing now. Just like Coburn, if we trade away a player who is right on the cusp, it seems like we are in this endless cycle of always waiting for the next player to develop in the system. Then they blossom somewhere else while we wait for the next guy.

Ranollo, I disagree that the other guys wouldn’t have value just as much. I’m not saying it’s fact, but every other team has their scouting reports, they might hold some of these guys very high for all we know. I don’t know who was drafted where, but Oystrick seemed to be a big prize when we got him. Lewis was up there too I think. Some of the fact checkers here can validate. So they might be a bit further away, but can still have great value.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Fair enough Ranollo. I am with you that he is a serviceable center. There is just plenty of other ammunition out there, we don’t have to make stuff up about these guys. As well I am going to defend my own posts if someone replies to one of them.

Thank you Tony for the Peca reference. I remember him in more than one highlight laying out someone. And he was small too but definitely not soft.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Ryan - As you like to say show the facts. Provide a link showing White’s minutes per game for the last six years.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Brian - Too bad you don’t defend your name by posting under it. Ryan and Tony talking to each other is a joke. Are you trying to convoince yourself? Do you talk to yourself often? Have you considered treatment for this problem? Where are William and J today.

You have more personalities on this blog than Herschel Walker.

Here’s Brian in front of the computer keyboard

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

If teams aren’t clamoring for the services of a UFA like Mark Popovic, there’s likely not much interest in Oystrick. They’re the same age, and Popovic has plenty of experience at the NHL level compared to Oystrick. So, I don’t think any teams would take Oystrick unless he was part of a package.

Lewis and Denny have proven little, and need plenty of seasoning (Denny bounced between Gwinnett and Chicago last season). Kulda came out of juniors and shined, but still needs time to develop his professional hockey game before being considered a quality prospect. In all honesty, the defensive corps in Atlanta may be filled with some young and talented minor leaguers, but I have a hard time believing many of them will turn into anything more than 3rd pairing defenders. If, as a fan, I can come to that assumption, I’d be willing to bet that many scouts can see similar things.

I’m not an experienced NHL scout so PERHAPS I’ve missed something on those talents, but I don’t think anybody is wasting Waddell’s cell phone minutes trying to acquire any of the defenders I just mentioned.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Oh R. Stroz, this is like shooting fish in a barrel. These links clearly show Todd White played first line minutes.

Minnesota Wild 2006-2007

Minnesota Wild 2005-2006

STRIKE YEAR

Otttawa Senators 2003-2004

Ottawa Senators 2002-2003

Notes – these are the links for the years I provided. I don’t see why you are asking for 6 years worth of stats. Although Koivu slightly edged him out in ’06-’07, it certainly wasn’t by much (16 seconds per game) and when considering the year before it was almost 4 minutes in favor of White, the 2 year average clearly favors White. Same with Bonk in Ottawa, one year they were tied, but the other year White had more, so the 2 year average there favors White again. Smolinski was traded from LA and as the link shows, the year he beat White were his LA numbers, so those don’t count. The next year when they played on the same team, White had more minutes as the links show.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

It seems I have too many links for one message and it got blocked. Let me try this again in separate posts.

These links clearly show Todd White played first line minutes.

Minnesota Wild 2006-2007

Minnesota Wild 2005-2006

STRIKE YEAR

By Rayn

August 19, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Otttawa Senators 2003-2004

Ottawa Senators 2002-2003

Notes – these are the links for the years I provided. I don’t see why you are asking for 6 years worth of stats. Although Koivu slightly edged him out in ’06-’07, it certainly wasn’t by much (16 seconds per game) and when considering the year before it was almost 4 minutes in favor of White, the 2 year average clearly favors White. Same with Bonk in Ottawa, one year they were tied, but the other year White had more, so the 2 year average there favors White again. Smolinski was traded from LA and as the link shows, the year he beat White were his LA numbers, so those don’t count. The next year when they played on the same team, White had more minutes as the links show.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Well, while the stats you provided may show White had the highest TOI for anyone with a “C” next to their name, it unfortunately doesn’t show that in Minnesota both Pavol Demitra and Brian Rolston played center for their top two lines (Rolston rolled all over the place, playing wing and Center, and probably would’ve played Goalie and Referree if asked).

Demitra was brought in as the center to compliment Gaborik.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Both of those are me above, I just erased my name because I couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t post after a half an hour and tried it again. I eventually figured out it wasn’t blocking me but my post with 4 links in it. So I typed my name differently just to be safe.

As for you R. Stroz, you are the one who responded to my post, I didn’t pick a fight with you. I find it laughable that you are clearly in the wrong here and the best you can do is accuse me of being another person. Why didn’t you accuse me of being this person yesterday, or last week, or last month. You seem to get proven wrong and to save face you accuse the person of being this mysterious Brian and that helps you regain your composure. If you have facts, present them. If not, please do not resort to name calling to prove my facts wrong. It is childish and after all, you are the one that asked me for facts.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

BRyan

In Atlanta, White played more minutes per game game than in Minnesota. So add another year of life and another average minute per game and you get a player that wears out as the season goes on.

White’s point productivity as a Thrasher diminished as the season wore on

as last season wore on, he couldn’t take the season long physical grind required by 1st line forwards

The facts prove this to be true.

Also, many of White’s minutes in Minnesota were dedicated to the PK thereby padding his average minutes per game.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Here is some interesting facts I saw in the links provided…

In 2002-2003 Todd White had the second best +/- out of all Senators forwards with a +19 (second to Havlat’s +20). In that year he had a +11 compared to Hossa. In 2003-2004 White was by far the person to least benefit from the high scoring offense, as his +12 ranked him 7th on the team…however, it was AGAIN better than Hossa’s +4.

It’s obviously a small sample, but I think it kinda shows that perhaps a high powered offense doesn’t always benefit a player’s +/- as much as a solid defense and good linemates will. Hossa clearly is the better all around player, but for those two years as teammates in Ottawa, White seemed to be the more defensively responsible one (based on this one stat).

By Gregg49

August 19, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Is it just me, or have the past few blogs been like 1 guy psoting to himself over and over agian. Ryan, Tony, Danielle, Smitty = all the same person - What is him name, Stroz? Brian??

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Well Brian, if that’s not you, then you won’t mind that someone took care of a certain person’s ASG discount next season will you?

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

That is a very good point Ranollo. YOU MUST BE BRIAN! Just kidding. Seriously, Rolston as you say was all over the place, so he wasn’t just at center. So it’s not like the portion of minutes he played there would’ve passed the minutes White has which are 100% at center. Besides, are you going to get so granular that you are going to argue that little bit when if you look over the span of the 4 years, it is very clear that White was not some 3rd string center and was given a good dose of minutes. If you want to fight over the something like this tiny detail, I got better things to do.

I also want to add, never in my life have I had to defend a guy who I said I wanted to be on the bench.

“Also, many of White’s minutes in Minnesota were dedicated to the PK thereby padding his average minutes per game.”

Can you provide a link R. Stroz showing the number of PK minutes that White played in Minnesota? You were the one who asked for links, now it’s your turn to provide one. Or are you just going to cry like a little baby and call me Brian?

By Gregg49

August 19, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Oh I see so “William” and “J” are also this Brian guy. Along with “Ryan”, “Tony”, “Smitty”, “Danielle”,etc. haha what a loser.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - In order to verify my identity, please inform everyone that I post as R. Stroz and Jethro, not Ryan, Tony, William or any other of the new names popiing up on the blog. Unlike Brian, Ryan, Tony, J, I’m willing to request third party verification.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Can you at least say that White has been more than a third line center his 4 years before Atlanta Ranollo? I believe that was my original claim. Welcome to the blog Gregg49, I see since you are new I must be you.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Can you at least say that White has been more than a third line center his 4 years before Atlanta Ranollo? I believe that was my original claim. Welcome to the blog Gregg49, I see since you are new I must be you.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Well, since I have followed the Senators and the Wild for various reasons, I would say I never considered White to be their top center. Rolston, Demitra, Spezza (eventually) and even Bonk were the ones I considered the top centers. But honestly, I usually was more interested in Hossa or Gaborik than White…and I’m sure my viewing and boxscore searching was influenced as such.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

After you are done getting your verification R. Stroz, can you provide a link R. Stroz showing the number of PK minutes that White played in Minnesota? You were the one who asked for links, now it’s your turn to provide one.

In case you haven’t noticed, people come here to talk hockey. You are the one who started the name calling and crying like a little baby in front of everyone. I am sure I can verify that I am not Brian as well. But if all you are going to do everytime you challenge someone and they prove you wrong is say YOU’RE BRIAN! then I think you need to go back to your Jethro routine. Why exactly are you so upset with me when I just provided the links you asked for. Why did you even reply to my posting in the first place that was directed towards “Disgusted Fan”? I’ve got work to do, if this ever becomes a hockey blog again it would be nice. We were having some good talks here.

By GaVaHokie

August 19, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Stroz… White’s minutes didn’t start diminishing until March, which is when he suffered the elbow injury. Even with that injury he played between 10-14 mintues a game.

By Gregg49

August 19, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Brian - get a life loser. or a job.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

*In all fairness to Charmin, he started off slowly, then had about 20 decent games (a few game winning goals), and then looked like he ran out of gas the remainder of the season.

My guess is that Charmin wasn’t used to top line minutes with the Wild, and as last season wore on, he couldn’t take the season long physical grind required by 1st line forwards.*

Ryan’s response - Your guess is totally wrong.

Well according to ranallo10 and the following stats which showed White didn’t even score a point in his last eleven games

It looks like Ryan is the one who is totally wrong. That’s the facts.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

“My guess is that Charmin wasn’t used to top line minutes with the Wild”

How were you correct on that R. Stroz. I have provided the links for his four years before Atlanta and he was a top line player getting top line minutes.

Although you have used Ranollo’s stat, Hokie has shown us that White’s minutes didn’t go down until March and when he was pointless he had an elbow injury. That’s right. Those last eleven games he was playing with an elbow injury.

Oh yeah, I am still waiting for that link on White’s penalty kill minutes in Minnesota. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Here’s an interesting fact, in the final one-third or 33% of Thrasher games last season, White only scored 7 points or 19% of his overall point total. Looks like his production was falling off, doesn’t it.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

To say that 19% of his point total came in 33% of his games means that he had a hot streak somewhere else in the other 67% of the games. Didn’t you say that he had a hot streak 20 games into the season. That’s what skews the stats.

Oh yeah, I’m still waiting for that link on the number of penalty minutes White had in Minnesota. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Ryan - 167 penalty minutes with the Wild in 2007.

Let’s see 167 minutes/82 games, that would lower White’s average minutes per game from 17 minutes to 15 minutes per game.

Wake up, White was not the top line center for the Wild.

Also, White’s stats started to fall in January, long before the wrist injury.

Try again.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Brian, William, Tony, Ryan, J - you are showing everyone that has been around for awhile that you are long lost Brian.

Brian was never able to admit when was proven wrong, some patterns always repeat themselves.

By glovesave29

August 19, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Hey Stroz - I am not a stats guy, I feel that there is so much more to a player that does not make it on to the score sheet. I see value in White and what he brings to the team. But what I want to know is how much did the teams goals fall as well? Was it in direct proportion as to Todd’s drop? As a center, it is his job to distribute the pucks to the scorers on the wings. Losing Hossa, no matter that he gave a half effort last season, certainly left a scoring void on the team. The constant line rolling by Waddell, an injury and the fact that, as a whole, the team packed in in once March hit has as much to do with his dropping numbers as anything. Can you supply those stats? If so, thanks…I’d be interested in seeing them.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Now would you also subtract all the other minutes that players had on special teams? Why are you only subtracting White’s minutes but not all the other players? As Ranollo and Bob would say that’s bad logic.

I would also ask that you provide something more official that can be traced to either the NHL or a proven newssource like ESPN. But subtracting every other minute of special teams play from the rest of the Wild roster would be a start.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

“Brian, William, Tony, Ryan, J - you are showing everyone that has been around for awhile that you are long lost Brian.

Brian was never able to admit when was proven wrong, some patterns always repeat themselves.”

Stroz you still haven’t admitted that you are wrong. Doesn’t that mean that you are Brian?

By Frank22

August 19, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Glovesave29 is Brian. Hey Glovesave/Brian - get a job you loser.

By glovesave29

August 19, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Oh, not again. Rawhide already told you I am not Brian so move along Frank22 and please let Stroz answer my question…

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Rawhide

Ryan has called for verification just as glovesave29 did. Can you help Ryan out?

I am sure I can verify that I am not Brian as well.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

Can we get rid of the “Gregg49” and “Frank22” postings, these are rather ridiculous. Can we also get rid of the double postings that occur 3-4 minutes apart from each other. We can’t all blame it on being in Austria like Ranollo can.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

glovesave29

in the final one-third or 33% of Thrasher games last season, White only scored 7 points or 19% of his overall point total. Looks like his production was falling off, doesn’t it.

In the final one-third or 33% of Thrasher games last season, Kovy scored 23 points or 26% of his overall point total.

I have included the Kovy stat sheet for your perusal

So although Kovy’s production fell off it was not as steep as White’s production drop. Kovy was used for the purpose of comparison because White was Kovy’s center.

By Bob

August 19, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Brian was never able to admit when was proven wrong, some patterns always repeat themselves

Sorry to interrupt, and while you’re right about Brian never admitting when he was wrong and being completely over the top argumentative, I smell a different rat here. RoswellThrasher used to double post like he had Terrets Syndrome and would fixate on crazy stuff like this. Just sayin

Back to your regularly scheduled tail chasing (and no, White never was a top line center on either the Wild nor the Sens, but don’t let facts get in the way of a good meltdown from Ryan, Roswell, name du jour).

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Bob - Brian is Roswell Thrasherfan just using his brother’s computer.

By glovesave29

August 19, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Thanks Stroz - so even the one player that we all know gives everything to the team on every shift showed a drop off.

Ronallo - I did not realize you were in Austria. I used to work for a country with an office in Pfaffikon and had to visit there a few times…you any where near there?

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

Let me level with you here Bob. I am not Roswellthrasher. This only all blew up today because I posted some links and R. Stroz had a fit with me over it and I don’t know why.

On to more important things, my original statement was that White was never a third line center per Disgusted Fan’s statement. As well, although I want White on the bench, I don’t think he had a conditioning problem which is where all the minutes came in.

Next, let’s clear up the term “first line center”. Technically there are 30 teams in the league and thus 30 “first line centers”. But I don’t think they are all that level. As well, Malkin and Crosby, Toews and Kane, Marleau and Thornton all play on the same team but I would consider all 6 “first line centers” on their skill and ability.

Is White a “first line center”? No, that’s why I want him on the bench. But does he have a conditioning problem and-or has he played a lot of minutes for the years leading up to Atlanta? Yes. What say you?

By glovesave29

August 19, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Need to be clearer - Pfaffikon is in Switzerland, but we used to go to Liechtenstein and Austria on weekends. Tipped a few cold ones now and again in Innsbruck!

By Bob

August 19, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Brian is Roswell Thrasherfan just using his brother’s computer

And he’s posting from the telephone upstairs!!

You’re probably right, Roswell was never that bright, and this latest incarnation seems to at least have a modicum of some hockey knowledge. Hmm, mabye you’re right, that guy just couldn’t let go.

Tipped a few cold ones now and again in Innsbruck!

Mmmm, beer. Thanks nor nuthin, now I want one or three.

By glovesave29

August 19, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Bob - anytime you want to go and tip a few over at TJ’s and talk hockey - you just let me know!

The best place for beer is Brasil. My company is based out of there and I have to go there 2X a year. The beaches have kiosks every 100 or so yards and the beer is cold and cheap!!!

By Tony C.

August 19, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

wHEN DOES BIG BOY CAMP START?

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Bob - Compare

By Roswell Thrasherfan

February 17, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

r.stroz are you stating that you never said that “The smaller faster players (White and Perrin) are physically exhausted from the prior game because of the size and weight differential they give up” i simply listed their sizes and weights so why are you so testy and sensitive? how was that taking something out of context? you stated that they were lacking size and weight so i simply listed their size and weight compared to other high caliber players. also if you hate all the prospects in chicago then why are you making the argument we shouldnt give up any prospects at the trade deadline. oh yeah any real hockey player is more than happy to brag about their playing days you on the other hand have squat in that department. you shouldnt accuse other people of never playing the game when you have never played yourself and dont know anything from playing experience

By Tony

July 30, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

*some BRIAN kid is continually going after BOB on the SAME blog they are linking to!!!

You don’t have to be a genius to figure this one out*

Truth seeker and/or Brian hasn’t said a word about you Dave. But you continually go after him the way Bob did. Does that therefore mean that you are Bob?

By William

August 7, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

r. stroz i find there to be a few errors in your post. first of all just because i don’t use caps is in no way proof that i am another person as there are multiple people who do this in many internet sites. as for my true identity, i am william. nothing more to reveal there. unless there is more you want to reveal beyond “r. stroz”. and why don’t you get accused of identity theft for anyone named jethro? i’ve read posts by you as “jethro” and to say you weren’t adding some sort of comedy is idiotic, or you are more deceptive than the people you accuse of being deceptive. finally, and this one i actually find laughable, but how is it that you know that someone called into a post game show and used your name? all you know is his “sign on”. do you have his phone tapped? this is only further proof that you people don’t know what you are talking about but will say things with no proof just to damage someone’s name. if i am wrong, by all means, tell us how you can possibly know what phone calls the other bloggers are making.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

“Brian, William, Tony, Ryan, J - you are showing everyone that has been around for awhile that you are long lost Brian.

Brian was never able to admit when was proven wrong, some patterns always repeat themselves.”

Stroz you still haven’t admitted that you are wrong. Doesn’t that mean that you are Brian?

Notice any patterns

There are hundreds of more examples.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

glovesave29 — Yeah, I moved here right after the draft. I’m in beautiful downtown Vienna…so be sure to drop me a line when you’re next in town for business. I’ll bring you to a Vienna “Fire on Ice” Capitals game, if you’re down.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Hey all, apparantley I misjudged the maturity level here. For those of you who enjoy talking hockey I welcome the opportunity. I haven’t done anything here other than defend my remarks with internet data. I am really sorry if I disrupted what started out as an enjoyable experience where we can all talk about the Thrashers and figure out what to do with Todd White.

By glovesave29

August 19, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Ranallo - thanks for the offer, but I no longer work for that company. I still have to travel internationally, but now mostly to the hockey hotbeds (!)in South America. Make sure you cheer on those Caps against the hated 99ers from Graz!

By glovesave29

August 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Has anyone ever read Waddell’s bio on the team website? It is certainly worth a good laugh…”In more than nine years at the helm of the Thrashers, Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell has worked diligently to build the expansion franchise into a perennial contender, an effort which has resulted in the Thrashers emergence as one of the league’s most exciting teams.”

By Tony C.

August 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Also, (I’m upset that this just occured to me) ranallo, you able to learn anything about this Swedish Stickhandling/puck movement camp that CC indicated several Thrashers will/are attend(ing)???

Just wondering.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

The only game I got to see of them (thus far) was against Graz. It was a lopsided win for Vienna!

Anyways, I’ll have to get my fix of live hockey here with the subpar Austrian league.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — No I wasn’t, Custances mentioning of it was the only thing I’ve heard. Austria isn’t exactly a hotbed for hockey discussions…

I’ve tried to get tickets to those season opening events, but the prices are ridiculous (All-Star Game expensive). I might have to look into a pre-season Tampa Bay game…we’ll call it a “scouting” trip.

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

glovesave29 - The scary thing about that statement is that the Thrashers may actually be exciting to watch since the team is full of hungry young players. They may not be very good, but at least we can expect a better effort.

What Waddell fails to leave out is the part that which led to the top ten draft picks over the years, lots of loses.

By NASCAR Dave

August 19, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

Good job STROZ…

You busted that ROSWELL THRASHERFAN/BRIAN kid AGAIN…

LOL

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Who should be the Thrashers’ top-line center?
Todd White
Erik Christensen
Eric Perrin
Angelo Esposito

Why wasn’t Little a choice on the AJC poll?

I would think Little has a much better chance of being a top line center than Esposito does. I am all for giving Esposito a chance to make the team though.

By Bob

August 19, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

*Has anyone ever read Waddell’s bio on the team website? It is certainly worth a good laugh…”In more than nine years at the helm of the Thrashers, Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell has worked diligently to build the expansion franchise into a perennial contender, an effort which has resulted in the Thrashers emergence as one of the league’s most exciting teams.”

Classic. A perennial contender? For what? Unless they mean a perennial contender for the #1 overall pick, that’s just plain false advertising.

By Bob

August 19, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

I would think Little has a much better chance of being a top line center than Esposito does. I am all for giving Esposito a chance to make the team though

Agreed on both counts. I would not be suprised to see Little as Kovy’s center by game 20.

By Brendan

August 19, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

If a team’s 4th line center is Todd White, it’s a pretty decent club, assuming the rest of the forwards on the top three lines are very skilled players.

I don’t mind Todd White being a Thrasher. He’s a “depth” player. And he’s not particularly overpaid. He’s also “tradeable” if the opportunity presents itself. His “value for the money” may actually be pretty decent. But rest assured, Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin don’t lose any sleep that Todd White might chase them all year for the Art Ross Scoring Trophy.

Todd White is not, and should not, be used as a 1st line Center. That’s not his “role.” If Marian Hossa was disappointed with White joining the team as a free agent signing in 2007, I can understand that. Todd White was not what Hossa wanted. Nor was Eric Perrin. Suffice it to say the Atlanta Thrashers organization was not what Hossa wanted. Hossa wanted Detroit and nudged his way in. Good for him.

I’m never sure what Waddell is/was thinking whenever it is that he does something. All I can do is guess. Perhaps, for speculation’s sake, Waddell knew that Hossa was gone after the Rangers swept the Thrashers. But he sure wasn’t going to give up a player who could help sell tickets and possibly keep the team in the playoff hunt, all the way towards the trade deadline.

Ifffff that’s true, then Waddell wasn’t going to try to appease a player he knew he’d lost, or likely had lost. I’m sure that Waddell very much wanted to re-sign Hossa. He just knew it was a lost cause. And, of course, he trotted out a token offer of 5-years/$35 million to say he’d done his due diligence. When Hossa refused to negotiate the amount, Waddell had his answer. But he probably knew the answer all along.

But I digress. Todd White can be an effective player, if utilized correctly. It’s up to John Anderson to find the right fit for him. And I bet he will.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Agreed on both counts. I would not be suprised to see Little as Kovy’s center by game 20.

I’m all for that…I’m hoping he wins it straight out of training camp, but perhaps that’s just optimistic thinking.

I don’t know if he’s ready for facing top line talent in the NHL (defensively or offensively), but why not play him alongside this teams best offensive player, and let him learn from there?

I’m also for putting Kozlov on the right wing for that line…call me crazy!

By glovesave29

August 19, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Aw, c’mon Bob…how can you not call us a perrenial contender? Try this on for size…

After the NHL / WHA merger in 1979, 16 of the 21 teams made the playoffs - a whopping 76.1%. If the NHL were to still have that high of a percentage making the playoffs, then the 2007-08 Thrashers were a mere 9 points out of the 22nd, and final, playoff spot. THAT, my friend is DEFINATELY the mark of a contender to me!

LOL

By Sara

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

*Ifffff that’s true, then Waddell wasn’t going to try to appease a player he knew he’d lost, or likely had lost. I’m sure that Waddell very much wanted to re-sign Hossa. He just knew it was a lost cause. And, of course, he trotted out a token offer of 5-years/$35 million to say he’d done his due diligence. When Hossa refused to negotiate the amount, Waddell had his answer. But he probably knew the answer all along. *

Only problem with that Brendan is the one doing the most honking was supposed to be Kovy - the one player Waddell should be appeasing at all costs.

To me it isn’t that Don didn’t necessarily try or want to get a top center in here, he just couldn’t. I think last off-season was about affordability issues - any one of the big three centers available would have pushed the team right up to the cap or over. Even without White’s salary, presuming we have to overpay for top talent, it would have been fugly. As for this season, well, there weren’t any top centers. Maybe Cammelleri could have been had (it’s always hard to know how trades go down and who could have been in on one), but there was no way we could have had Jokinen without swinging some wild three-way and even then I’m pretty sure FLA would have said nyet if they had caught wind of our involvement.

Unfortunately it’s just a frustrating situation with no immediate remedy in sight except for names already on the roster.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 19, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

but there was no way we could have had Jokinen without swinging some wild three-way

I wasn’t aware Jokinen was into that sorta thing…interesting.

By Brendan

August 19, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Relax, Ranallo was only Jokinen!

Jokinen? Jokinen? Hmmn, rubbin’ my chin. That’s Finnish, right? Do the Scandinavians have any kind of history in erotica? Cheerfully withdrawn.

Sara, there is one idea that might actually work, in terms of keeping Kovalchuk. Normally, I don’t recommend it, because I don’t think the inmates should run the asylum. Look what Jagr did most of his teams? The term “Coach Killer” was well-earned. And it comes from giving too much power to any one player.

If the Thrashers effectively told Kovalchuk, “You will have substantial control over which players get renewed and who we target in free agency, who is the GM, and who is the Head Coach,” while extending him a lifetime contract, at or about the LEAGUE MAXIMUM, with guarantees that failure to be within a certain percentage of the cap limit on Opening Night would trigger an out clause in the contract, making him INSTANTLY an unrestricted free agent, Kovalchuk would be a fool not to sign it.

What? I know. I realize that in that scenario, Kovalchuk would effectively be the GM, Head Coach and Captain. And part-owner. His power and control would be far more than any player should have. Like I said, I don’t recommend it. But I do think it would work.

By Bob

August 19, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

our old Craig is getting around these days, and affirms my light at the end of this tunnel

By R. Stroz

August 19, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

Bob - Nice find, in your words it sounds like we are polyscrewed.

By Alan

August 19, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t say we’re any sort of screwed. The prospect of Waddell possibly being “promoted” or even ousted — and before the puck drops on the first game, at that, is splendid news. He’s right about the woes we currently have, but if the ownership can turn that around (yes, I’m actually expressing a bit of hope that the owners will actually do something right… don’t blame me, it’s the cachaça talking) by bringing in some hockey minds to sort this thing out, we could actually be perennial contenders.

Yes, again, I know. Slim chances of that happening. Blame the cachaça.

By R. Stroz

August 20, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

Alan - If the Thrashers dump Waddell before the first game, I’ll stop sitting on my wallet.

The last six months show something has to give. With Hossa refusing to re-sign, Campbell and Rolston signing elsewhere despite throwing money at them, Boyle revoking his no trade clause in order to keep from coming to the Thrashers, many more select a seat events this off season in comparison to prior off seasons, the owners may finally be feeling the pain where even they can understand, their wallets.

That said, firing Waddell is only the first, but by far, the most essential step that needs to be taken to change the stigma of the Thrashers organization.

By Alan

August 20, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this

That said, firing Waddell is only the first, but by far, the most essential step that needs to be taken to change the stigma of the Thrashers organization.

Indeed. I guess just knowing that Waddell’s job isn’t as secure as some people thought is a blessing.

By Bob

August 20, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

in your words it sounds like we are polyscrewed

Yep, as long as Waddell is around, we are certainly well and truly polyscrewed.

Yet, I gotta have the faith that when finaly, finally, finally the suit with Belkin is settled, that the owners will do the right thing and get a real GM in here. Then we can finally get on with the business of building a hockey club and a tradition and fanbase in this town.

Until then, I stick with you and the many others that are voting with their wallets. That most certainly is getting their attention.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 20, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Then we can finally get on with the business of building a hockey club and a tradition and fanbase in this town.

The word “business” needs to stay out of such a statement, as it’s what has gotten us to the present situation. Even Custance’s article alluded to the fact that Waddell runs a tight ship business wise, and doesn’t disappoint the owners by doing as such.

Until the owners decide they want to win and not just keep close to the bottom line, we’re going to be stuck with the same type of product we’ve been seeing since they took over.

By Scotty

August 20, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

OK for those of you actually interested in discussing the Thrashers, and not this silly “You’re this person or you’re that person” crap…..eyes rolling

Holly Gunning has posted the Traverse City Schedule.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 20, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — Can you link to Gunning’s thoughts about Sterling being trade bait?

By Nikita

August 20, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Late to the party, but…

1. I don’t know where White goes. Or actually, I think he’s the consummate backup/alternate center to lines 1 and 2. I wouldn’t bet that either Little or Christensen will be in sufficient condition to hold down their lines all season. They’re both young, and Christensen is moody and delicate.

And: 2. I don’t like seeing White characterized as a schlub. Last year’s team couldn’t even provide optimal conditions for the one top-scoring player to produce. And White, as a smaller and older player, got his a* kicked every game in a way that I doubt his previous teams would have allowed, and by the end he was wiped out. White is a great two-way player, especially for his age and size, and he’s priced relatively well. But if he is put again on a line that is light overall and matched to a defense that cannot defend, he won’t produce.

1. So, I’ve done combos since the roster got more or less set and I don’t see any point in doing them again. But in general, I think the following holds: Little can play on any line — I think he’d be best in the top 3. Thorburn should not be on the 4th. His size would be valuable on any of the higher lines — essential, even, given the number of smaller players that need to be balanced — and I think he will mature greatly this year. 4. White should not be on the 4th — too old, too small, not talented in that way. 5. Perrin = not on the 4th. He needs to be anchoring the 2nd or 3rd.

By tommy94

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

glovesave29 is really Scotty - the evidence is overwhelming. Look at the way they both began a sentence with OK.

Compare

By glovesave29

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

OK - sorry, those links did not work. Just go to http://icethetics.blogspot.com and look on the right column under “rebranding the NHL”. Some interesting things there

By Scotty

August 20, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

OK for those of you actually interested in discussing the Thrashers, and not this silly “You’re this person or you’re that person” crap…..eyes rolling Holly Gunning has posted the Traverse City Schedule.

Notice any patterns

By Alan

August 20, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

tommy - I’m confident when I say that, no, I do not notice any patterns at all. All you’ve done is show that two people very recently started a sentence with the abbreviation “OK.”

Now troll, back under the bridge with you!

By Ed

August 20, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Alan I think it was sarcasm for the you’re this person or you’re that person posts that has been going on here and was supposed to be overly generic.

By Alan

August 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

I think it was sarcasm

If it is, oh well. I’m sure the batteries in my Sarcasm Detector™ need replacing anyway.

By Brian

August 20, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

So hopefully Craig Custance will be right and they’ll Fire Waddell like we all want them to

By Ed

August 20, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Now Sarcasm Detector™ is not really sarcastic. I think it is more of a pun. Or maybe it is just witty. Can you come back with something more sarcastic?

By R. Stroz

August 20, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

According to Forbes.com

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s local basketball and hockey teams have earned a combined 30 playoff appearances with just two conference finals appearances to show for. That’s why Atlanta tops our list of sports heartbreak cities, followed closely by Seattle, Buffalo, Phoenix and San Diego.

Here’s the link

Way to go Atlanta Spirit a.k.a FUBAS

By glovesave29

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

Hey Alan…thanks for the support, but Rawhide already confirmed who I am to y’all weeks ago on another blog topic. I am here for fun. When people accuse me of being someone else I just laugh…if they are trying to get under my skin, they are working on the wrong guy…it does not bother me in the slighted. I guess I need to go over to the US Patent office and get the “OK” or the “…” I use all the time protected…kinda like Pat Riley. I and “three peat”! I also ask that you please be a little more eco friendly and please use a solar powered Sarcasm Detector!

By Alan

August 20, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

I also ask that you please be a little more eco friendly and please use a solar powered Sarcasm Detector!

I wonder if I can get some added bucks back on my tax return if I replace my battery powered one with a solar powered Sarcasm Detector™? They’re a little out of my price range right now, but I could use a little bit of a push in the right direction, if the IRS knows what I mean… hint hint.

By HookyBob

August 20, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

Hey Folks,….just back from a roadtrip.

On that trip we were following a little old lady putting along in a Buick when we came to sign that said “Minimum speed 40 mph.” For a few seconds my eyes played tricks on me (or was it my mind) and I read the sign as “Minimum salary $40 M.” So now guess who I think of when I see a little old lady driving too slow?

When does training camp open?

By Thrashers27

August 21, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

I say we throw White, Pavelic and a 2nd rounder for Gaborik!!! Do it DW!

By glovesave29

August 21, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Why would we make that trade? Moose is getting up there in years and we will Ondrej to step in when he is gone; Minnesota has one of the best young goalies in the game in Backstrom and a solid backup they just drafted a few years back in the second round. I’d love to get Gaborik, but I don’t think that offer will get him.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Thrashers27 — All that for one year of Gaborik?

Don’t you think they’d get more on the market if they were interested in trading Gaborik (which all signs point to them not being interested)?

Do you think he’d re-sign in Atlanta?

I don’t think a 2nd line center, an unproven goaltender prospect, and a 2nd round pick would be even close to enough to grabbing Gaborik. If you want Gaborik, you have to know the first name out of Risebrough’s mouth would be “Bogosian” followed by “plus prospects and several first round picks”.

Without an extended contract or a hint that he’d want to stay in Atlanta, I wouldn’t deal for him. I like him, but he’s better as a UFA target (not likely going to happen) than a trade acquisition…in my opinion.

By Thrashers27

August 21, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

I think that would be fair compensation for a one year rental and the possibility of resigning. Not to mention the fact that a move like that would send a message to Kovy and others that ASG wants to put together a winning organization. Winners attract winners and losers attract flies.

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

I like the offer by Thrasher27. The only one there I wouldn’t want to give up is Pavelec.

I think other teams can offer up just as much though and that will drive up the bidding. That’s why I think we got more for Hossa, because Pittsburgh had to outbid Montreal for him. Unless we can do it now and other teams don’t have the room or the guts to do something now since it’s not near the trade deadline and they don’t know how their team is doing or if there is the need for that one “final piece of the puzzle” type acquisition.

By Brian

August 21, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

I don’t think we need any more lazy Slovaks.

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

I am well aware of Hossa’s playoff troubles, but everyone on this blog still wanted him to get resigned Brian. Gaborik is a point a game type player (both regular season and playoffs) and has shown no sign of laziness. If anything he is a Marian Hossa who doesn’t fall apart at the first whiff of playoff pressure.

By GaVaHokie

August 21, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Minnesota’s gonna want a Top Tier player in return… they’ve got no offense without Gaborik, especially after losing Rolston and Demitra. Edmonton and Buffalo have a lot more to offer than Atlanta.

I could see Buffalo trading Pominville or Stafford for Gaborik. Their top line would be Vanek, Roy and Gaborik… that would be pretty sick.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

If you were Minnesota (who is arguably a playoff team), would you accept that offer??

An unproven goalie at the NHL level (they have goalie depth with Harding and Backstrom), a center they let walk via free agency that wouldn’t BOLSTER their current corps of centers, and a second round draft pick. That’s chump change for renting Gaborik…no dice.

There is no gain in such an offer, and they’re giving up their best player. Minnesota, unlike Atlanta, can RETAIN their top talent. I will be absolutely shocked if Gaborik is traded, but will know that it’s because Minnesota did everything within their power to retain a player who didn’t want to stay. If Gaborik is dealt, expect more in return than what you offered, and something similar to what Hossa brought to Atlanta.

Sorry, I know too much about the Gaborik situation and Minnesota’s team to believe you’d be able to steal him for a 2nd/3rd line center and a goalie prospect. Risebrough is a much better GM than Waddell.

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

In the last 2 year GaVaHokie Buffalo has lost Briere, Drury and Campbell 3 of the biggest free agents out there. It’s one thing to lose their own, but do you really think they would invite that on themselves again by trading for Gaborik. There’s no way in the world that Buffalo is going to go near that trade in a million years.

I didn’t see glovesave’s post earlier ranollo that mentioned it too, but I since remembered that they already have some goalies on the roster and Pavelec wouldn’t be adding much as you both say. I still think that too many other teams can match a 2/3 center, young goalie and pick that we couldn’t get him for that little.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Gaborik is nowhere near the complete player Hossa is. Pure goalscorer with a wicked shot, yes…blazingly fast skater, yes…defensively responsible well-rounded player, no. Don’t give me that crap about playoffs, Hossa playoff performance this past season was anything but “falling apart”.

Besides, comparing Hossa to Gaborik when it comes to playing abilities is like comparing Hossa to Kovalchuk…they’re two different types of players so a comparison is relatively moot. It’s like comparing Chara and Enstrom. Or comparing St. Louis and Ryam Smyth.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Ryan Smyth. I’m not sure who “Ryam” is.

By GaVaHokie

August 21, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

I’m going to allow myself to dream for a second… Kovalchuk/Vermette/Gaborik in a John Anderson coached offense… sigh.

…okay, I’m back.

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

I wasn’t looking to bring up anything negative about Hossa and the playoffs ranollo. I was simply responding to Brian and his “lazy Slovacs” comment. If that wasn’t a reference to Hossa maybe you two can explain that to me how I misinterpreted that. Was I off base?

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

I’ll be happy with Kovalchuk/Christensen or Little/Gaborik in an Anderson system.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

GVH — Funny you say that, that’s my top line in my “Dream” save file for NHL 08. Afinogenov is on line two.

Ryan — It doesn’t really matter to me what you responded to…you stated “If anything he is a Marian Hossa who doesn’t fall apart at the first whiff of playoff pressure.” I responded accordingly. Perhaps you should’ve said “If anything he is a [faster version of] Marian Hossa [with a harder shot and worse defensive responsibility].”

No matter, you’re both silly in my mind for considering either of those players lazy in any capacity, or comparing them simply due to nationality.

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Point taken ranollo. Perhaps I got defensive because I thought it is stupid to rule out one player (Gaborik) simply because he’s from the same country as another player you don’t like (Hossa). I wasn’t going to get into the debate of whether or not Hossa is good, I just conceded the point that HE thinks he is no good (to which I even said every blogger here wanted Hossa resigned) and that you shouldn’t rule out Gaborik based on Hossa. Satisfied?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Much better, thank you.

Back to Gaborik…if he doesn’t re-sign in Minnesota (thus making him expendable via trade), there’s relatively no chance he would re-sign in Atlanta. Also, if he was deemed expendable, Atlanta wouldn’t be in the running for teams able to acquire his services.

But hey, those are just my opinions on the Gaborik situation.

By glovesave29

August 21, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Ranallo - I am not in to video games, but since you are, you might find this interesting. In celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens, NHL 09 is putting some of the all timers on the Canadiens squad - Beliveau, Boomer, the Rocket, Dryden, Robinson…

http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379851

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

I’m not saying I’m the expert up there, but maybe he is sick of the trap. He’ll get to play on a line with Kovalchuk here. Lemaire does wear on players, not to the degree of Torts but he does. If he does want out of the twin cities, he has to be open.

In the end I just don’t see us giving away more than others. I think if he does get dealt, this “negotiating” will drag to the deadline when everyone knows where everyone else stands, and a team like Montreal or Dallas will swoop in and take him as a rental.

This goes back to the debate of when is the right time to trade a player. I think more teams will bite on trade bait when they are in a position to make a run, and that is at the deadline when you only have to take on 1/2 his salary. I know others think now is better for Minnesota but I am of the school of thought that says more buyers are around at the deadline.

By R. Stroz

August 21, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

While on hypotheticals, if available during free agency next year, what are everyone’s thoughts on picking up Antropov and Afinogenov as linemates for Kovy.

By glovesave29

August 21, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Minnesota has already begun negotiations with Gaborik. The GM and the AGM have already traveled to Slovakia to sit down with Marian and his agent to try to get this worked out. If they can’t get anything done, he will surely get moved at the dealine to the highest bidder as Ryan suggests.

I really despise those deadline deals. There is the rare occasion where the new player is the perfect fit and is a major reason a team wins the cup (Butch Goring to the Isles is the perfect example to me). Too often, team chemistry is interrupted - not only on the ice but in the locker room as SOMEONE has to lose their jobs to make room for the new guy! These deals always make me think about how Herb Brooks decided to pick the 80 Olympic team. He understood chemistry. That the whole IS the sum of its parts. The best player is not always the right player. I would love to see Christanson, Esposito and Armstrong have long and great careers with us, and Shero feel heat for losing them for 8 weeks of Marian Hossa. Think of a Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz kinda thing…

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

You are correct glovesave but it happens EVERY year. This year will be no different except that most of the big names who are in their last year before ufa status are already on contenders (Hossa, Niedermayer, Schneider, Zubov, etc). Somehow it might be Gaborik and Khabibulin this year and then a bunch of 2nd tier players like Federov again (that’s the ‘09 version of Federov that’s 2nd tier) to be that “final piece”.

By JLH

August 21, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

I think we should do some sort of a deal with washington to get victor kozlov. The caps are looking to get rid of him and even thought he is a center he can play all three forward positions. possible trading white for kozlov, though that trade does not help their cap problem of 2,600,000+ by much. also the two are close to the same age. Kozlov had 16 goals and 38 assists and was +28. while white had 14 goals 23 assists and was a -12. To me this looks like a good deal for us and helps with are problem of having too many centers.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

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

glovesave — That’s exactly why I think Gaborik, if he doesn’t re-sign with Minnesota, wont re-sign anywhere. Risebrough and Co. are going all out to re-sign him. Did you read the TSN report about those meetings in Slovakia? Risebrough brought him details about the franchise that no other player on the team are privvy to…all so that they could convince Gaborik that he fits in their system (they wisely used his goals per game stat, which is top 10 in the NHL), and that they have a long-term goal despite allowing Rolston and Demitra to leave.

If Gaborik isn’t swayed into staying in a hockey rich market like Minnesota by a GM of Risebrough’s quality, then there’s little chance he’d re-sign in Atlanta IF the Thrashers were able to put the pieces together to acquire him.

This is a good read though….

As for the NHL 09 thing…seems interesting, kinda cool, but disappointing that they’re only focusing on the Montreal squad. For me the game is about being put into a position of realism, and creating your own results. It’s clearly not realistic to play the Thrashers against the Montreal “All-Madden” Canadians. If there were more All-Time teams, then I’d find it interesting…but for now, I see this as an interesting gimmick geared towards their Canadian market (the game is made in Vancouver).

It’s cool, but I’m more interested in having access to the KHL teams and players…Ilja Nikulin will be in Atlanta in 2009!!!(cough on my 360 cough)

By Ryan

August 21, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

I think they would prefer to move Nylander first JLH. Would you take on that contract at his age, although if we could dump White on them.

By glovesave29

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

Ryan - true, it does happen every year…but I don’t have to agree with it. In a free flowing game like hockey, familiarity, continuity and chemstry are critical. These trades too often jeopardize all the good things that the team has accomplished to get them to the point where they are challenging for the Cup.

Not so sure there will be a clamoring for the services of Khabibulin. I think theres a better chance he will meet the same fate as Bryzgalov did in Anaheim than for him to be involved in a block buster deadline deal…

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

Stroz — Both Antropov and Afinogenov are on my short list for potential 2009 UFAs. So yes, I’d be supportive of either coming to Atlanta.

By Ryan

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

Bryzgalov didn’t get moved properly because they were only holding out for a blockbuster deal. Chicago on the other hand will let Khabibulin go for a 3rd round pick. He is not in their long term plans. They may move him before just to dump the salary. The only reason it will be considered “blockbuster” is because his salary is so high and he once won a cup. A low pick for him though is not exactly a blockbuster. Think when Montreal dumped their goalie last season. That’s one of those tier 2 trades I was talking about.

By glovesave29

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

Ranallo - that’s the same article I was reading. Great site if you can tolerate the omnipresent Canadian Inferiority Complex towards us Americans. I mean seriously - Canada is a great place. Take pride in it and accept it on its own merits…and now how it compares to us!

I am sure that in a short 91 years when the Thrashers celebrate their centennial, the video games of that year will offer a similar function of using past greats for us (!). Ilya will probably STILL be the leading scorer for the franchise, and the fans will be groaning about how Don Waddell III is messing up the team.

By glovesave29

August 21, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Ryan - no one is going to take on Khabibulin and that MONSTROUS salary he earns. Thats why I cannot see Chicago being able to move him…not because they will not like what the other team offers for him, but because no one will offer anything for him…unless a contending team has major injury to their starting goalies.

By Tony C.

August 21, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

I’d offer a 3rd round pick and a guy I’m not high on for Nylander-dude is long in the tooth and never was an “iron man” even during his prime. I think that’d be “reasonable value”….Wonder if Leonidis would as well. It would allow them to wiggle out of cap room as well as provide Little, Crusher and the rest the ability to pick the brain of one of the best passers in the past 15-20 years

$5 says it doesn’t go down.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Ryan — I’m in agreement with glovesave on this one, Khabibulan would be difficult to move due to his fading ability and his ultra-heavy contract. The only team I could see wanting to take on his salary would be Los Angeles, due to their salary floor predicament. But if Chicago asks for anything more than what Manny Fernandez garnered Minnesota (a bag of pucks), then Khabibulan wont be going anywhere. And honestly, I think they’re fine with having the most experienced 1-2 tandem in the NHL.

If Anaheim was looking for a “blockbuster deal”, why would they then turn around and give Bryzgalov away for free? They went from asking for the moon to getting nothing but salary relief (something they didn’t need at that point).

I disagree there too, I think Burke was selling something nobody else wanted to pay for, no matter the price. Sure, he might have been asking for a lot at first, but I doubt he was rock solid with those demands when he realized nobody was biting, at all, and he’d have to waive the kid. Burke did an honorable thing (wow, it hurt saying that, everyone look out their window for THE meteor) by sticking to his word and waiving Bryzgalov (he told the goalie he would get him to a better situation, and he stuck to that promise).

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 21, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

When Nylander’s contract expires, he’ll be 38. $4.875M (cap hit) for the next three years…personally, I’d pass.

True, he can pass, but the dude is one broken hip away from retirement.

By Tony C.

August 21, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Ranallo-That’s my point. Because he is basically “Glass Joe” at this point, why not go ahead and take the salary (work some condition that RedArmyEast picks up half the tab when/if he retires from injury), it doesn’t seem like he’s one of those “I gotta play” types-obviously that’d have to be part of the negotiations….but has he even said he’ll play this year? I think he’s ok with the idea to just fade away.

I didn’t realize it was 3yrs though.

I agree with Burke on one point-they need to let teams trade debt as owed to player personnel, it’d allow a lot more balanced trades.

By Tony C.

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

Oh and yet another reason to remain patient with our young netminders-check out CC’s article about the original Goalie Coach.

By LAC

August 22, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this

Read the waddell Q & A at their website and if that does not scare the HELL out of ALL fans… Nothing will.

He thinks this team can win… we will know after the first 20 games… Gee Whiz!

A number of bloggers know todd white is one guys who should go, slater, klee,larsen come to mind quickly as well.

So what should we expect ?

We might shave off 20-25 goals against, We will not score enough and our PP will be lacking, while our PK might be real good.

But where is this Hockey GOD we were going to have aka Scotty Bowman type ?

Where is this elusive #1 center we need to aquire ?

Why are players, fore mentioned above, who were not real good last year still considered as key players this season ?

As for losing $, if a Quality product is offered the public will pay to see, another disaster like last season will be an even bigger disaster to deal with in 09-10…

It will be interesting to see Anderson’s style this season and how better or worse it is than what we saw last season.

One thing for sure, no playoffs and no additional KEY players, will lead the the final nail in the waddell coffin…

We will all see in the next 80 days for sure !

By ranallo10 (in AT)

August 22, 2008 6:37 AM | Link to this

Tony C. — Did you notice the other, more pertinent article (in my opinion)? Holland feels Yzerman is ready to be a GM.

Atlanta Thrashers paging Steve Yzerman. Steeeeve YYYYYzerman…please report to Portal 2.

Waddell promoted (we all know the ASG wont fire him) and Yzerman given the reigns…I’d be all for that!

By glovesave29

August 22, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Weh-heh-hell…let’s all hear it for good ‘ol Ben Wright. Those are some darn tough questions for Mr. Waddell. Don must have been squirming in his seat during that interview. I sure hope he had on his Mitchum that day. I can’t imagine that Mike Wallace has much to worry about over at 60 Minutes, but I think we just might have found our replacement for Larry King when he decides to finally retire.

For those of you who purchased your Solar Powered Sarcasm Detector, I am sure the lights and dials are blinking wildly right now. I’d put it outside right now for a little recharging. Sure, its cloudy out, but you can still get a little juice back in those batteries.

So the ASG is happy Don has run a tight ship with limited incomes. Last time I checked, those play off tix are pretty expensive…playing a few of those is a good way to earn some extra income. Maybe, just maybe (I am really going on a limb here) but if we put a good team together, more fans will come to the arena, buy more $250 jerseys and $80 meals. The 10,256,918 ads around the arena probably little more expensive when there are 18,000 rumps in the seats on a regular basis too. I think that might mean more dollars for our esteemed owners at the ASG to use for further lawsuits against their “partners”. We might even be on national TV a few more times. TV ratings may increase for the local broadcasts and ad revenues will go up.

Sorry about that, went back to the sarcasm just as you were charging up the SPSD. My bad…