Just a bunch of quick hits here as a few developments have gone down over the last few days.
-First off, the Thrashers announced the re-signing of Bryan Little to a 3-year deal with a $2.38 million cap hit. I like this deal a lot, and Little will still be an RFA when the contract is up so it makes even more sense. As I've said before, I think Little is going to have a true breakthrough season this year and show off the scoring touch that got him selected 12th overall in 2006.
-Secondly, the Thrashers have signed defenseman Andrey Zubarev out of the KHL. Zubarev was a 7th rounder in 2005 for the Thrashers and has been developing in Russia. Zubarev plays an up-tempo, phyiscal style which will fit in well to the Thrashers line-up when he makes the team. The Thrashers have quite the glut on defense right now, with Toby Enstrom, Zach Bogosian, Johnny Oduya, Brent Sopel, Boris Valabik, Zubarev, Arturs Kulda, Paul Postma, Ron Hainsey, and Freddy Meyer all fighting for spots. It's safe to say that Hainsey, Bogosian, Sopel, Enstrom, and Oduya will all have a spot, leaving five guys battling for the final two roster openings. Could we see a deal, or will Dudley hang on to the extra guys for depth? My guy leans with the latter, so we'll see how it plays out.
-The Thrashers have "touched base" with Lee Stempniak's agent according to Craig Custance of the Sporting News. This would be interesting, but it seems to be kind of a square peg in a round hole fit. Stempniak is streaky and small and the Thrashers have intended to leave openings for players like Alex Burmistrov and Patrice Cormier to crack the roster. Adding Stempniak will only close those roster openings unless more moves are made, but at the moment the Thrashers roster seems to be pretty much set as training camp approaches.
Other than that, not much is going on around the Thrashers or the hockey world in general. Training camp is upon us and that will certainly give us more to talk about in the coming weeks. Oh, and the Thrashers Mount Puckmore has been posted. What do you all think..good choices? I'm a little irked Rumun Ndur wasn't on there.
TC
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Captain Kane: Pass or Fail?
Well, the dog days of summer are upon us and little is happening in the hockey world. Some of the team has begun reporting to Atlanta and hockey season is closing in. As the season approaches, the team is still void of a captain after the departure of Ilya Kovalchuk midway through last season. So who should take the reigns?
There has been much speculation about possible candidates. Marty Reasoner was considered a strong candidate, but after being flipped to Chicago, then Florida weeks later, Reasoner is out of the running. Ron Hainsey is a vocal leader and one of the older faces in a relatively young locker room. Someone like Andrew Ladd has a captain's-like work ethic but has never played a game with the team. So who should the "C" go to?
First off, if I were Craig Ramsay I'd wait a month or three before awarding a "C" anyways. The captaincy should not be handed out during training camp and I'm sure Ramsay knows this.
In my humble opinion, the captaincy should be awarded to Evander Kane. Yes, Kane just turned 19 on August 2nd. But look at the four youngest permament captains in NHL history:
Sidney Crosby (19 years, 297 days)
Vincent Lecavalier (19 years, 315 days)
Jonathan Toews (20 years, 80 days)
Steve Yzerman (21 years, 151 days)
Trivia: do you know what all of those guys have in common? A Stanley Cup ring. In today's NHL, the shift towards younger captains has become more common. Alexander Ovechkin was named captain of the Capitals at age 24. Dustin Brown was named captain of the Los Angeles Kings at age 23. Rick Nash was named Blue Jackets captain at 24. The point? Age is merely a number these days when it comes to being a captain.
Kane appears to be well-respected by his teammates, most of whom sing high praise of Kane. And most importantly? It would solidify a captain's position in Atlanta that has rotated for years with a young, outspoken, hard-nosed kid that is well-recieved by the fan base.
The Thrashers have had seven captains in ten seasons. It doesn't take a math major to realize that that's a lot of captains in a little time. The only captain to ever have been a Thrashers draft pick was Kovalchuk, but he wasn't necessarily captain material anyways. Having a captain from within the organization would stabilize things and there would be consistent leadership from someone with a lot of pride in the organization.
Now, it seems like a radical idea and maybe it is. Kane would become the youngest captain in NHL history, but what's wrong with even more publicity? The Thrashers are a team searching for an identity, and Kane's game is exactly what the team is searching for. Some skill, some creativity, and all of that balanced out with a "never back down" attitude.
He may only be 19, but I see great positives in naming Evander Kane as the next captain of the Atlanta Thrashers.
There has been much speculation about possible candidates. Marty Reasoner was considered a strong candidate, but after being flipped to Chicago, then Florida weeks later, Reasoner is out of the running. Ron Hainsey is a vocal leader and one of the older faces in a relatively young locker room. Someone like Andrew Ladd has a captain's-like work ethic but has never played a game with the team. So who should the "C" go to?
First off, if I were Craig Ramsay I'd wait a month or three before awarding a "C" anyways. The captaincy should not be handed out during training camp and I'm sure Ramsay knows this.
In my humble opinion, the captaincy should be awarded to Evander Kane. Yes, Kane just turned 19 on August 2nd. But look at the four youngest permament captains in NHL history:
Sidney Crosby (19 years, 297 days)
Vincent Lecavalier (19 years, 315 days)
Jonathan Toews (20 years, 80 days)
Steve Yzerman (21 years, 151 days)
Trivia: do you know what all of those guys have in common? A Stanley Cup ring. In today's NHL, the shift towards younger captains has become more common. Alexander Ovechkin was named captain of the Capitals at age 24. Dustin Brown was named captain of the Los Angeles Kings at age 23. Rick Nash was named Blue Jackets captain at 24. The point? Age is merely a number these days when it comes to being a captain.
Kane appears to be well-respected by his teammates, most of whom sing high praise of Kane. And most importantly? It would solidify a captain's position in Atlanta that has rotated for years with a young, outspoken, hard-nosed kid that is well-recieved by the fan base.
The Thrashers have had seven captains in ten seasons. It doesn't take a math major to realize that that's a lot of captains in a little time. The only captain to ever have been a Thrashers draft pick was Kovalchuk, but he wasn't necessarily captain material anyways. Having a captain from within the organization would stabilize things and there would be consistent leadership from someone with a lot of pride in the organization.
Now, it seems like a radical idea and maybe it is. Kane would become the youngest captain in NHL history, but what's wrong with even more publicity? The Thrashers are a team searching for an identity, and Kane's game is exactly what the team is searching for. Some skill, some creativity, and all of that balanced out with a "never back down" attitude.
He may only be 19, but I see great positives in naming Evander Kane as the next captain of the Atlanta Thrashers.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Q & A With Julian Melchiori
When the Thrashers selected Julian Melchiori with the 87th pick in the 2010 Entry Draft, many experts felt the Thrashers got a steal with their 3rd round pick. Melchiori put up 23 points (7 G, 16 A) with the Newmarket Hurricanes of the CCHL last season and had verablly committed to U-Mass Lowell prior to being drafted by Atlanta. 
Last week Melchiori (pictured above, Yahoo! Sports) chose the junior route, signing with the Kitchener Rangers who have produced other Thrashers prosepcts over the years, most notably goaltender Dan Turple and 2004 1st rounder Boris Valabik. The Rangers also traded for hulking defenseman Cody Sol last week, another Thrashers prospect.
I was fortunate enough to have the chance to exchange e-mails with Melchiori to get his thoughts on being drafted by Atlanta.
What have you been up to this summer?
For the summer I have been training and skating, trying to get ready for Atlanta's main camp and Kitchener's main camp.
What were your initial thoughs on being drafted?
My initial reaction of being drafted was more relieving than anything. After such a long year I was happy to finally get it over with and know which team I will be a part of.
What were your first impressions of prospect camp?
My first impression of prospect camp was great. They really treated you like a pro there which was something that was very unique. Overall I really enjoyed the experience and I am really looking forward to the main camp.
Why Kitchener over U-Mass Lowell?
I chose Kitchener because I want to play for Atlanta one day. The program ran in Kitchener will give me more opportunity to achieve that goal, playing in one of the best developmental leagues in the OHL.
Describe your style of play for the fans that haven't seen you play.
I am a puck-moving defenseman who likes to use my skating.
Who was your favorite NHLer growing up and why?
My favorite player growing up was probably Chris Pronger. I just admire the way he controls the game and has such a presence on the ice.
TC
Last week Melchiori (pictured above, Yahoo! Sports) chose the junior route, signing with the Kitchener Rangers who have produced other Thrashers prosepcts over the years, most notably goaltender Dan Turple and 2004 1st rounder Boris Valabik. The Rangers also traded for hulking defenseman Cody Sol last week, another Thrashers prospect.
I was fortunate enough to have the chance to exchange e-mails with Melchiori to get his thoughts on being drafted by Atlanta.
What have you been up to this summer?
For the summer I have been training and skating, trying to get ready for Atlanta's main camp and Kitchener's main camp.
What were your initial thoughs on being drafted?
My initial reaction of being drafted was more relieving than anything. After such a long year I was happy to finally get it over with and know which team I will be a part of.
What were your first impressions of prospect camp?
My first impression of prospect camp was great. They really treated you like a pro there which was something that was very unique. Overall I really enjoyed the experience and I am really looking forward to the main camp.
Why Kitchener over U-Mass Lowell?
I chose Kitchener because I want to play for Atlanta one day. The program ran in Kitchener will give me more opportunity to achieve that goal, playing in one of the best developmental leagues in the OHL.
Describe your style of play for the fans that haven't seen you play.
I am a puck-moving defenseman who likes to use my skating.
Who was your favorite NHLer growing up and why?
My favorite player growing up was probably Chris Pronger. I just admire the way he controls the game and has such a presence on the ice.
TC
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
In the wake of Todd White...
Almost all of Don Waddell's mistakes have been flushed down the toilet, the most recent coming in a trade with the New York Rangers that sent Todd White (above, AJC)to the Big Apple in exchange for Patrick Rissmiller and Donald Brashear. Brashear was immediately bought out. This may seem like a minor deal, but it may have much bigger implications on the Thrashers roster than one would think.
White's $2.375 million cap hit was shipped away, a big positive. White's production dropped 45 points from 2009 to 2010, partially due to injuries and partially due to the fact that Todd White is not a 73-point player like he was in 2008-2009. In fact, White had put up less than 50 points in every season since 2003 until his breakthrough in 2009.
Rangers fans are happy; they think they're getting a guy with 50-point potential, and they are. They're also getting a 35-year-old on the downside of his career, something the Thrashers don't really have room for in their line-up. So now, taking a look at the Thrashers forwards, it should look a little something as such (ignoring any potential line combinations)
TOP 6:
Antropov-Bergfors-Little-Kane-Byfuglien-Peverley
BOTTOM 6:
Slater-Thorburn-Ladd-Eager-Boulton
Some of those guys may be interchangeable, as Ladd may grab a 2nd line spot or Kane may be a third liner. As the roster begins to take shape, two things become evident:
1. Alexander Burmistrov will be in Barrie this season.
2. The third line center spot is Patrice Cormier's to lose.
With the top two lines becoming clearer, it appears as though Alex Burmistrov will be back in Barrie this season. There is no room for a scorer on the top two lines and playing Burmistrov third line minutes in the NHL is hindering his development. At only 18, playing top line minutes in clutch situations in the OHL will be more benefical to Burmistrov's development. Of course, nothing is official yet, but I'd say it's more than likely we will have to wait until 2011-2012 to see Alex Burmistrov's debut.
Secondly, this opens up the door for Patrice Cormier. The Thrashers are building a tough, gritty team; something Todd White is not. At 6'2", Cormier is much bigger than the 5'11" Todd White and plays a much more physical, aggressive game. Rick Dudley has praised Cormier up and down and if Cormier did not make the cut come October I'd be shocked.
This also leaves one last forward spot open, assuming the team will carry 13 forwards. I think it would be most beneficial to see Carl Klingberg play a year in Frolunda and because of this I envision Spencer Machacek getting ice time on the 3rd or 4th lines this season. Machacek has had back-to-back 20-goal campaigns at the AHL level and appears seasoned enough to make a serious run at things when training camp opens in September.
So, as the dust settles the picture becomes a little clearer. It remains to be seen whether Atlanta will make another acquisition in the free agent market. I'd be inclined to say that they won't, and if the team does add another top-6 talent on offense it will likely be via the trade market. Even then I still don't see a lot of possibilities out there and think the team has pretty much come into picture, save a position or two here and there.
So, in conclusion: the Rangers dumped their junk on us, but we don't really need the junk anyways. In fact, half of the trade has already left Atlanta. Rissmiller is a nice depth signing and a solid penalty killer to have around just in case. And finally, Atlanta saves about $1 million on the cap this year, possibly opening the door for another acquisition. It was a win-win deal for both sides, something that hasn't always happened in Thrashers history.
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