With the Thrashers sitting seven points out of a playoff berth heading into Friday's tilt with the league-leading Vancouver Canucks, the odds of heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2006-2007 are highly unlikely. An 8-1-0 or 7-0-2 clip are likely required for the Thrashers to make it, which frankly doesn't happen to frequently in the NHL, especially for a team as inconsistent as the Thrashers.
In hindsight it's hard to see where things fell apart for the Thrashers, a team that seemed destined for the post-season in mid-December. But when all is said and done the 2010-2011 campaign is marked with positives as the Thrashers move forward.
Most importantly has been the "big game" experience for several of the Thrashers most important building blocks. Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane, Alexander Burmistrov and Ondrej Pavelec have all played huge roles for the Thrashers this season. As the team progresses forward, these kids will be the building blocks for the Thrashers. In the same way the Chicago Blackhawks did, it is important to rely on your kids and let them grow as a unit. Looking to the future the Thrashers will have most of their team back for next season. That kind of continuity is crucial in building a legitimate contender.
Kane has emerged as a legitimate power forward in the NHL. He has game-breaking ability as seen in a huge comeback win over Philadelphia and a pivotal win over the Rangers back on February 11th. As the team moves forward, Kane will be counted on to carry the team the same way Jonathan Toews is in Chicago. Kane has the complete package, with grit and skill and leadership capabilities that the team will need going forward.
Zach Bogosian has seen a one-eighty in his play as of late. Bogosian seems to understand that when he uses his skating to his advantage he is a much better player. Bogosian still has a ceiling as an elite defenseman. He can shoot, skate and has a physical edge to his game. Bogosian is already logging top-line minutes and will be counted on even more next season as the Thrashers will again push for their second playoff berth in franchise history.
Ondrej Pavelec has shown signs of brilliance this season. He has legitimate number one goalie written all over him. His next step is to put it together for a complete season. With Chris Mason's encouraging play lately, the two have the ability to complete a very formidable tandem moving forward.
The emergence of Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien have been crucial for the Thrashers as well. Ladd has already potted a career-high 27 goals with increased ice time and has shown tremendous leadership as well. Having a legitimate captain in place will only bode well for the Thrashers down the road. Ladd is flourishing in a scoring role, something he's never had throughout his career. He has seized the opportunity, as has Byfuglien, and the team will look to it's two big guns as it progresses.
Alex Burmistrov has added a little physical edge to his game and has an incredible amount of raw talent. While it may have been best to send Burmistrov back to juniors this season, the NHL experience will undoubtedly prove worthy. Having better adjusted to the NHL game, Burmistrov will be counted on more next season to win big face-offs and contribute more offensively. I look for Burmistrov to add to his goal total, perhaps optimistically finishing around 15 in his sophomore campaign.
One of the most important things for a team in the cap era is to keep it's core of young players together. With Bogosian, Pavelec, Little, Kane, Burmistrov, Ladd, Wheeler, and Schremp all at RFA status and Dustin Byfuglien, Mark Stuart, Chris Thorburn and Toby Enstrom all locked up through next season, the team looks to have its top players in tact for years to come. This will only prove to be important for the Thrashers, with a new coaching staff and a management overhaul. The team will grow naturally; keeping them together is important in the bigger picture.
While the team will likely be golfing in April this year, the experience of a playoff battle and going through the ups-and-downs this season can be viewed as positives. If you look at Chicago's progression, they missed the playoffs in 2007-2008, made it in 2008-2009 and made a run and then won the Cup in 2010. While the Thrashers aren't quite as talented as the Blackhawks, the point is this: having a core and keeping it are invaluable in the post-lockout era. While this season may have ended in disappointment, the future is still brighter than ever in Atlanta.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thrashers New Toys: How Does It All Shake Out?
A busy few weeks for Thrashers GM Rick Dudley have concluded with today's NHL Trade Deadline. While the league as a whole was relatively quiet, with only 16 trades (there were 31 last year), the Thrashers were one of the busier teams on deadline day. The Thrashers sit four points out of a playoff spot and are hoping that a few moves today could lead to big things as the true stretch drive begins. Here is our breakdown of the Thrashers moves today, including waiver pick-ups and re-signings:
THRASHERS ACQUIRE DVORAK, 5TH FOR BERGFORS AND RISSMILLER
Looking back, it should have been obvious Patrick Rissmiller would be moved after getting the call up for one game last week (19 different scouts were at his only game as a Thrasher in Buffalo). But the big news is Niclas Bergfors, a centerpiece in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade a year ago. Bergfors notched 19 goals and 27 assists in his 79-game Thrashers career, both respectable numbers. But Bergfors got the infamous "enigmatic" label, which translates to "streaky" which can translate to lots of losses when you're not streaking the right way. As reported by Chris Vivlamore in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rick Dudley agreed: "Bergy is a streaky player. We were in a situation where we needed him to be streaky the other way."
In return the Thrashers add a rental player in Dvorak, though with the Thrashers recent re-signing of Mark Stuart (more on that momentarily) nothing is out of the question. Dvorak was playing top penalty kill minutes in Florida, the 2nd best PK in the NHL. The Thrashers PK has plummeted to 28th in the NHL, only ahead of Colorado and Edmonton. It should come as no surprise that those are the two worst teams in the Western Conference. It should also come as no surprise that of the bottom-10 teams in the NHL in penalty kill, 7 of them are sitting outside the playoff picture. The moral? Adding a solid penalty killer could help the Thrashers immensely in winning games. Dvorak is also a big body with some scoring touch and fits much more nicely into Craig Ramsay's system than Bergfors, despite having much less talent. The ability to flip Rissmiller for a 5th-round pick is also helpful, as the Thrashers get some sort of an asset for a player that didn't figure into their plans at all. For what it's worth, the Thrashers took goaltender Fredrik Pettersson-Wentzel, who is a highly touted Swedish prospect, and Yasin Cisse with their 5th rounders in 2010.
Overall, the trade works out well for the Thrashers because of their subsequent move:
THRASHERS CLAIM ROB SCHREMP ON WAIVERS
After giving up Bergfors, the Thrashers promplty swooped in and claimed Rob Schremp, the immensely talented forward off the waiver wire. Schremp's talent has never translated into results, with only 17 goals in 96 NHL games, but Schremp is only 24 and could benefit from a change of scenery. Schremp does have character questions which could come forth in Atlanta, but under Ramsay the move may work out, especially if Schremp has scoring talent around him.
THRASHERS MOVE MACINTYRE FOR FESTERLING
Having seen Festerling play in Portland with the Pirates several years ago as a Ducks prospect, I can say that there are things to like about his game. He's got decent size for a defenseman and is a solid skater. He is a defensive defenseman but has 83 games of NHL experience. You can never have too many defenseman, and moving an AHL goalie will open up opportunities for prospects Edward Pasquale and Chris Carrozzi. I like this move as a whole, as minor as it may be.
THRASHERS GET 7TH FOR MODIN
As I mentioned in today's deadline blog I thought that a 7th rounder was adequate compensation for Modin. As it turns out, that's exactly what they got. While 7th round picks rarely translate to NHL talent, Modin was going to be the odd man out in Atlanta, likely play few of the remaining 19 games, and really had no place on the Thrashers. By getting even the least significant of assets in return, it was still a necessary move for the Thrashers.
THRASHERS RE-SIGN STUART
Finally, the Thrashers were able to re-sign Mark Stuart for the next three years at a total of $5.1 million. It says a lot about Stuart, who has only played four games for the Thrashers. The ultimate team guy, Stuart skates well and could find some more offensive upside in Craig Ramsay's system. Stuart has already fought twice in a Thrashers uniform and has shown his willingness to stick up for his teammates. Stuart oozes character, something the Thrashers haven't always had, and is a nice piece for the Thrashers moving forward.
SUMMARY
It was an active trade deadline for the team, and while many suggest the team moved laterally, I believe they have improved. They shedded some dead weight in Modin and MacIntyre, improved their Achilles heel in the penalty kill, and added a center with tremendous skill and hopefully unrealized 20-goal potential. Preceeding the deadline, the Thrashers added Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart, both of whom who have made a big impact already (Wheeler has 3 points in 4 games) and both of whom figure in the long term plans.
While many believe that more could have been had for Bergfors, I'm inclined to disagree. Fans frequently complain about his defensive play, hustle, and inconsistency. If fans can see these things, NHL scouts certainly can as well. Dvorak is a decent return for someone who could end up being a bust. There is the chance Bergfors will be a perennial 20-goal scorer, but his potential was probably not going to be realized in Atlanta's system.
Overall, the Thrashers had a solid day and now hopefully the continuity of the roster will lead them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006-2007.
THRASHERS ACQUIRE DVORAK, 5TH FOR BERGFORS AND RISSMILLER
Looking back, it should have been obvious Patrick Rissmiller would be moved after getting the call up for one game last week (19 different scouts were at his only game as a Thrasher in Buffalo). But the big news is Niclas Bergfors, a centerpiece in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade a year ago. Bergfors notched 19 goals and 27 assists in his 79-game Thrashers career, both respectable numbers. But Bergfors got the infamous "enigmatic" label, which translates to "streaky" which can translate to lots of losses when you're not streaking the right way. As reported by Chris Vivlamore in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rick Dudley agreed: "Bergy is a streaky player. We were in a situation where we needed him to be streaky the other way."
In return the Thrashers add a rental player in Dvorak, though with the Thrashers recent re-signing of Mark Stuart (more on that momentarily) nothing is out of the question. Dvorak was playing top penalty kill minutes in Florida, the 2nd best PK in the NHL. The Thrashers PK has plummeted to 28th in the NHL, only ahead of Colorado and Edmonton. It should come as no surprise that those are the two worst teams in the Western Conference. It should also come as no surprise that of the bottom-10 teams in the NHL in penalty kill, 7 of them are sitting outside the playoff picture. The moral? Adding a solid penalty killer could help the Thrashers immensely in winning games. Dvorak is also a big body with some scoring touch and fits much more nicely into Craig Ramsay's system than Bergfors, despite having much less talent. The ability to flip Rissmiller for a 5th-round pick is also helpful, as the Thrashers get some sort of an asset for a player that didn't figure into their plans at all. For what it's worth, the Thrashers took goaltender Fredrik Pettersson-Wentzel, who is a highly touted Swedish prospect, and Yasin Cisse with their 5th rounders in 2010.
Overall, the trade works out well for the Thrashers because of their subsequent move:
THRASHERS CLAIM ROB SCHREMP ON WAIVERS
After giving up Bergfors, the Thrashers promplty swooped in and claimed Rob Schremp, the immensely talented forward off the waiver wire. Schremp's talent has never translated into results, with only 17 goals in 96 NHL games, but Schremp is only 24 and could benefit from a change of scenery. Schremp does have character questions which could come forth in Atlanta, but under Ramsay the move may work out, especially if Schremp has scoring talent around him.
THRASHERS MOVE MACINTYRE FOR FESTERLING
Having seen Festerling play in Portland with the Pirates several years ago as a Ducks prospect, I can say that there are things to like about his game. He's got decent size for a defenseman and is a solid skater. He is a defensive defenseman but has 83 games of NHL experience. You can never have too many defenseman, and moving an AHL goalie will open up opportunities for prospects Edward Pasquale and Chris Carrozzi. I like this move as a whole, as minor as it may be.
THRASHERS GET 7TH FOR MODIN
As I mentioned in today's deadline blog I thought that a 7th rounder was adequate compensation for Modin. As it turns out, that's exactly what they got. While 7th round picks rarely translate to NHL talent, Modin was going to be the odd man out in Atlanta, likely play few of the remaining 19 games, and really had no place on the Thrashers. By getting even the least significant of assets in return, it was still a necessary move for the Thrashers.
THRASHERS RE-SIGN STUART
Finally, the Thrashers were able to re-sign Mark Stuart for the next three years at a total of $5.1 million. It says a lot about Stuart, who has only played four games for the Thrashers. The ultimate team guy, Stuart skates well and could find some more offensive upside in Craig Ramsay's system. Stuart has already fought twice in a Thrashers uniform and has shown his willingness to stick up for his teammates. Stuart oozes character, something the Thrashers haven't always had, and is a nice piece for the Thrashers moving forward.
SUMMARY
It was an active trade deadline for the team, and while many suggest the team moved laterally, I believe they have improved. They shedded some dead weight in Modin and MacIntyre, improved their Achilles heel in the penalty kill, and added a center with tremendous skill and hopefully unrealized 20-goal potential. Preceeding the deadline, the Thrashers added Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart, both of whom who have made a big impact already (Wheeler has 3 points in 4 games) and both of whom figure in the long term plans.
While many believe that more could have been had for Bergfors, I'm inclined to disagree. Fans frequently complain about his defensive play, hustle, and inconsistency. If fans can see these things, NHL scouts certainly can as well. Dvorak is a decent return for someone who could end up being a bust. There is the chance Bergfors will be a perennial 20-goal scorer, but his potential was probably not going to be realized in Atlanta's system.
Overall, the Thrashers had a solid day and now hopefully the continuity of the roster will lead them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006-2007.
Thrashers Deadline Updates
Stay tuned to ThrashCompactor for Thrashers rumor updates.
9:55 am: Kevin Allen of USA Today reporting Thrashers are close to a 3-year deal with Mark Stuart, Oduya and Hainsey available.
10:08 am: Kevin Allen reporting that Oduya is the main Thrashers player available for teams looking for a defenseman. Also notes that he is told by a GM that there are a surprising number of players available.
10:21 am: According to Billy Jaffe, the Thrashers and Panthers are talking about swapping forwards. Marty Reasoner?
10:32 am: Bob Mackeznie reporting that Mark Stuart has signed a 3-year deal worth an average of $1.7 million per.
10:36 am: TC: I expect something interesting today, possibly on the Antropov or Bergfors front.
10:39 am: Radek Dvorak is a Thrasher for Nic Bergfors and Patrick Rismiller
11:00 am: Also should be noted that the Thrashers get Florida's fifth-round pick. Oduya & Hainsey market should pick up, but I think Antropov's big contract could be moved to a team needing a big center.
11:45 am: Calm before the storm? No official trades since the Dvorak trade. Thrashers appear to be active but patient. Waiting to hear something about Freddy Modin...
12:03 om: Thrashers claim F Rob Shremp.
1:31 pm: You've got to figure Dudley is still hard at work on the phones. Wonder what offers have been made, if any, for Oduya, Hainsey, or Modin?
1:36 pm: Chris Vivlamore saying the Thrashers trade front is quiet. I'd still imagine we'll hear something else before the end of the day...there's still an hour and a half until the deadline and anything can happen.
2:28 pm: Still no new news on the Thrashers front. Dustin Penner has just gone to Los Angeles. Oduya, Hainsey, and Modin are all still out there but it's tough to tell if any of them will go. I'd like to think Modin will go for anything, simply because he doesn't fit into Atlanta's long-term plans and it'd be more beneficial to even receive a 7th for him than watch him clog up space in the line-up.
3:00 pm: Freddy Modin to Calgary for a 7th and Drew MacIntyre to Montreal for Brett Festerling. This appears to be it for the Thrashers.
9:55 am: Kevin Allen of USA Today reporting Thrashers are close to a 3-year deal with Mark Stuart, Oduya and Hainsey available.
10:08 am: Kevin Allen reporting that Oduya is the main Thrashers player available for teams looking for a defenseman. Also notes that he is told by a GM that there are a surprising number of players available.
10:21 am: According to Billy Jaffe, the Thrashers and Panthers are talking about swapping forwards. Marty Reasoner?
10:32 am: Bob Mackeznie reporting that Mark Stuart has signed a 3-year deal worth an average of $1.7 million per.
10:36 am: TC: I expect something interesting today, possibly on the Antropov or Bergfors front.
10:39 am: Radek Dvorak is a Thrasher for Nic Bergfors and Patrick Rismiller
11:00 am: Also should be noted that the Thrashers get Florida's fifth-round pick. Oduya & Hainsey market should pick up, but I think Antropov's big contract could be moved to a team needing a big center.
11:45 am: Calm before the storm? No official trades since the Dvorak trade. Thrashers appear to be active but patient. Waiting to hear something about Freddy Modin...
12:03 om: Thrashers claim F Rob Shremp.
1:31 pm: You've got to figure Dudley is still hard at work on the phones. Wonder what offers have been made, if any, for Oduya, Hainsey, or Modin?
1:36 pm: Chris Vivlamore saying the Thrashers trade front is quiet. I'd still imagine we'll hear something else before the end of the day...there's still an hour and a half until the deadline and anything can happen.
2:28 pm: Still no new news on the Thrashers front. Dustin Penner has just gone to Los Angeles. Oduya, Hainsey, and Modin are all still out there but it's tough to tell if any of them will go. I'd like to think Modin will go for anything, simply because he doesn't fit into Atlanta's long-term plans and it'd be more beneficial to even receive a 7th for him than watch him clog up space in the line-up.
3:00 pm: Freddy Modin to Calgary for a 7th and Drew MacIntyre to Montreal for Brett Festerling. This appears to be it for the Thrashers.
Monday, February 21, 2011
To Buy or Sell? Deadline Approaches...
The Thrashers are in a precarious situation; they sit four points out of a playoff spot and are finally even with Carolina, who currently hold the 8th spot, in games played. Carolina does own the tie-breaker, but the Thrashers are anything but eliminated.
The Thrashers now face their final 22 games of the season, and after a monster collapse over the last 25 games and an even more impressive collapse in Edmonton, the Thrashers sit in the middle of a teeter-totter as the trade deadline creeps up a week from today. Should the Thrashers buy or sell assets in the coming week?
When I speak of assets, I'm not talking someone like Zach Bogosian or Nic Bergfors, both of whom who are young and have long-term potential. I speak of the Brent Sopels of the world, those who are older or nearing the end of their contracts.
Rick Dudley has already made one trade in the past few days, adding forward Blake Wheeler and defenseman Mark Stuart to an already loaded blue line. Dudley followed through on his promise to improve the current roster without jeopardizing the team in the long-term. What's next, though?
Should the Thrashers lose to Buffalo on Wednesday, their chances will slip drastically. They would be 2 points behind Buffalo who would have two games in hand, and they could slip even further behind Carolina who battle the Rangers Tuesday night. If the Thrashers fall to six points behind Carolina and fall to Buffalo on Wednesday, the Thrashers should go into sell mode--or at least a relative sell mode--for the end of this season.
Veterans like Sopel would have little use to the Thrashers down the stretch (provided they are 6-8 points back by the deadline) and with Mark Stuart coming in, essentially replacing Sopel, it makes Sopel expendable and a very nice piece to a team looking for a rock on the blue line. As is the Thrashers have an extra defenseman and there is no use having Stuart or Sopel sitting (they won't roll seven D all season, will they?), so it makes sense to move one. Ron Hainsey is another option but his high salary is likely to be a deterrent to any time interested.
Nik Antropov's name has surfaced in rumors, but Antropov is signed through 2012-2013, so he could still be a viable piece for a Thrashers team that figures to be legitimate contenders in the next two or three seasons. However, Antropov makes $4.75 million in the final year of his deal, something that could be alleviated by moving Antropov now. I would advocate against it, at least for this season, but of course if the right package is there then Dudley has to pull the trigger, especially with Burmistrov and Cormier waiting in the wings for the bottom two center positions.
Another piece could be Freddy Modin, who would likely get minimal return (7th rounder, anyone?) but would still be expendable. Modin will likely not be back by next season and hasn't figured into the Thrashers much, healthy or not, so moving him for anything would be a wise choice for management.
Chris Thorburn and Eric Boulton are both free agents after this season, but neither hold much value to any NHL team that doesn't play in Atlanta. They'll likely stay put, though one has to wonder if Boulton's run here will ever end. I do admire Boulton and think he has a place, but with Chris Thorburn capable of handling pugilistic duties (while not to Boulton's extent, granted), Boulton's spot could be filled by next season, especially with the slow-yet-steady emergence of Spencer Machacek.
A lot of the season hinges on the next game or two. Should the Thrashers get four points and put themselves right back in the race, then perhaps the pieces should stay in place. One more forward would be a nice addition, but as of right now the team is going to be borderline the rest of the way. The team is good enough as is, but if they continue the costly mistakes they've been making they won't be good enough either way; buyers or not.
The Thrashers now face their final 22 games of the season, and after a monster collapse over the last 25 games and an even more impressive collapse in Edmonton, the Thrashers sit in the middle of a teeter-totter as the trade deadline creeps up a week from today. Should the Thrashers buy or sell assets in the coming week?
When I speak of assets, I'm not talking someone like Zach Bogosian or Nic Bergfors, both of whom who are young and have long-term potential. I speak of the Brent Sopels of the world, those who are older or nearing the end of their contracts.
Rick Dudley has already made one trade in the past few days, adding forward Blake Wheeler and defenseman Mark Stuart to an already loaded blue line. Dudley followed through on his promise to improve the current roster without jeopardizing the team in the long-term. What's next, though?
Should the Thrashers lose to Buffalo on Wednesday, their chances will slip drastically. They would be 2 points behind Buffalo who would have two games in hand, and they could slip even further behind Carolina who battle the Rangers Tuesday night. If the Thrashers fall to six points behind Carolina and fall to Buffalo on Wednesday, the Thrashers should go into sell mode--or at least a relative sell mode--for the end of this season.
Veterans like Sopel would have little use to the Thrashers down the stretch (provided they are 6-8 points back by the deadline) and with Mark Stuart coming in, essentially replacing Sopel, it makes Sopel expendable and a very nice piece to a team looking for a rock on the blue line. As is the Thrashers have an extra defenseman and there is no use having Stuart or Sopel sitting (they won't roll seven D all season, will they?), so it makes sense to move one. Ron Hainsey is another option but his high salary is likely to be a deterrent to any time interested.
Nik Antropov's name has surfaced in rumors, but Antropov is signed through 2012-2013, so he could still be a viable piece for a Thrashers team that figures to be legitimate contenders in the next two or three seasons. However, Antropov makes $4.75 million in the final year of his deal, something that could be alleviated by moving Antropov now. I would advocate against it, at least for this season, but of course if the right package is there then Dudley has to pull the trigger, especially with Burmistrov and Cormier waiting in the wings for the bottom two center positions.
Another piece could be Freddy Modin, who would likely get minimal return (7th rounder, anyone?) but would still be expendable. Modin will likely not be back by next season and hasn't figured into the Thrashers much, healthy or not, so moving him for anything would be a wise choice for management.
Chris Thorburn and Eric Boulton are both free agents after this season, but neither hold much value to any NHL team that doesn't play in Atlanta. They'll likely stay put, though one has to wonder if Boulton's run here will ever end. I do admire Boulton and think he has a place, but with Chris Thorburn capable of handling pugilistic duties (while not to Boulton's extent, granted), Boulton's spot could be filled by next season, especially with the slow-yet-steady emergence of Spencer Machacek.
A lot of the season hinges on the next game or two. Should the Thrashers get four points and put themselves right back in the race, then perhaps the pieces should stay in place. One more forward would be a nice addition, but as of right now the team is going to be borderline the rest of the way. The team is good enough as is, but if they continue the costly mistakes they've been making they won't be good enough either way; buyers or not.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
As The Deadline Approaches, Ownership Looms
Without waiting a full 24-hours for the great news of Dustin Byfuglien's re-signing to sink in, Atlanta Spirit, the woeful owners of the Atlanta Thrashers, came out and admitted that moving the team is becoming a realistic option if investors aren't found in the near future.
This is disheartening, scary news for Thrashers fans wanting to see the team stay in Atlanta. While none of this is necessarily new news, it is alarming to hear Michael Gearon, Atlanta Spirit co-owner, speak so openly about the team moving. With seemingly little backing from Gary Bettman and the rest of the NHL, the situation is tenuous.
Gearon's whining in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution does come off as extremely mis-guided; an owner who has been part of a conglomerate that has lied to fans and done nothing to deserve their support is now in the press begging for fans to show up at the games. This would be a much easier to pill to swallow had ownership made a consistent effort from day one to build a winning hockey team. This has not been the case, however, and fans are rightfully upset.
The only way to solve the matter is to find a wealthy investor or a new owner entirely to take control out of Gearon and other co-owner Bruce Levenson's hands. The two are businessmen, not hockey people, and it shows through their handling of the franchise. This is obviously much easier said than done, but a public outcry is one of the most necessary aspects.
The more positive buzz the team can get, the better; but some of it needs to be a voicing of support from Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, among other figureheads, to generate some positive press. The Thrashers have been a vortex of negativity since their inception, and a positive outcry of support, including increased attendance, is pretty much the last leg the city has to stand on.
If the Thrashers are going to stick around much longer, it's up to the fans to get out and show they want them to stay.
BOGOSIAN ON THE BLOCK?
Thrashers General Manager Rick Dudley has been working the phones, according to several interviews, but has not found a deal that works in the short and long term. The hot rumor in the hockey world right now is Zach Bogosian, which is idiotic on many levels.
First off, Bogosian is 20-years-old. And while I'm not exactly envisioning a Braydon Coburn situation, there is still tremendous upside to Bogosian's game and it's way too early to be throwing in the towel. If the Thrashers intend to trade Bogosian
which, like I said, is a foolish notion, then they would need to get a bona fide 25-30 goal scorer who is still at restricted free agent status.
Bogosian was plagued by injuries last season and inconsistent play this year, but seems to have turned a corner in the last two weeks. Bogosian still has top-pairing potential and at this point Ron Hainsey and Brent Sopel, despite offering diminished returns as opposed to Bogosian, would make more sense on the trading block. Hainsey is unlikely to be moved due to his contractual burden, but if you're Rick Dudley it's certainly worth looking into.
BYFUGLIEN INKS FOR FIVE YEARS
Dustin Byfuglien's re-signing is important for the franchise on so many levels. Firstly, Byfuglien is locked up for five years and is entering his prime as one of the most dynamic defensemen in the NHL. It also sends a message to other free agents that Atlanta can be a desirable place to play, with a player of Byfuglien's caliber agreeing to stay put for the next half of a decade.
While the price may have been slightly high, Byfuglien's value to the Thrashers is immeasurable. And now he and Toby Enstrom can continue to be Atlanta's top pairing on defense for the next two years, at least. This should also set up Andrew Ladd's extension who will probably be around the 4 year/$16 million range.
More to come in the next few days as the deadline looms...
TC
This is disheartening, scary news for Thrashers fans wanting to see the team stay in Atlanta. While none of this is necessarily new news, it is alarming to hear Michael Gearon, Atlanta Spirit co-owner, speak so openly about the team moving. With seemingly little backing from Gary Bettman and the rest of the NHL, the situation is tenuous.
Gearon's whining in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution does come off as extremely mis-guided; an owner who has been part of a conglomerate that has lied to fans and done nothing to deserve their support is now in the press begging for fans to show up at the games. This would be a much easier to pill to swallow had ownership made a consistent effort from day one to build a winning hockey team. This has not been the case, however, and fans are rightfully upset.
The only way to solve the matter is to find a wealthy investor or a new owner entirely to take control out of Gearon and other co-owner Bruce Levenson's hands. The two are businessmen, not hockey people, and it shows through their handling of the franchise. This is obviously much easier said than done, but a public outcry is one of the most necessary aspects.
The more positive buzz the team can get, the better; but some of it needs to be a voicing of support from Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, among other figureheads, to generate some positive press. The Thrashers have been a vortex of negativity since their inception, and a positive outcry of support, including increased attendance, is pretty much the last leg the city has to stand on.
If the Thrashers are going to stick around much longer, it's up to the fans to get out and show they want them to stay.
BOGOSIAN ON THE BLOCK?
Thrashers General Manager Rick Dudley has been working the phones, according to several interviews, but has not found a deal that works in the short and long term. The hot rumor in the hockey world right now is Zach Bogosian, which is idiotic on many levels.
First off, Bogosian is 20-years-old. And while I'm not exactly envisioning a Braydon Coburn situation, there is still tremendous upside to Bogosian's game and it's way too early to be throwing in the towel. If the Thrashers intend to trade Bogosian
which, like I said, is a foolish notion, then they would need to get a bona fide 25-30 goal scorer who is still at restricted free agent status.Bogosian was plagued by injuries last season and inconsistent play this year, but seems to have turned a corner in the last two weeks. Bogosian still has top-pairing potential and at this point Ron Hainsey and Brent Sopel, despite offering diminished returns as opposed to Bogosian, would make more sense on the trading block. Hainsey is unlikely to be moved due to his contractual burden, but if you're Rick Dudley it's certainly worth looking into.
BYFUGLIEN INKS FOR FIVE YEARS
Dustin Byfuglien's re-signing is important for the franchise on so many levels. Firstly, Byfuglien is locked up for five years and is entering his prime as one of the most dynamic defensemen in the NHL. It also sends a message to other free agents that Atlanta can be a desirable place to play, with a player of Byfuglien's caliber agreeing to stay put for the next half of a decade.
While the price may have been slightly high, Byfuglien's value to the Thrashers is immeasurable. And now he and Toby Enstrom can continue to be Atlanta's top pairing on defense for the next two years, at least. This should also set up Andrew Ladd's extension who will probably be around the 4 year/$16 million range.
More to come in the next few days as the deadline looms...
TC
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Years Resolutions for the Thrashers
With the new year upon us and the Thrashers fresh off a 4-3 win over the Canadiens, it's time to settle into 2011 and make a few resolutions for the Thrashers. While most resolutions include quitting smoking or losing weight, the Thrashers need nothing of the sort (would anyone want Dustin Byfuglien to lose weight?). Instead the Thrashers have a few more important tasks to take care as the calendar flips.
Resolution #1: Get healthy.
The Thrashers played 41 games in 85 days to start the season, including 14 games in December alone. As the Thrashers have been allotted 100 days to play their final 41, the Thrashers must began to rest up and get healthy before the stretch run. Jim Slater (concussion), Zach Bogosian (knee), Evander Kane (mid-body), Nik Antropov (hip), and Ben Eager (lower body) are all nursing various injuries and will need some rest to heal up the bumps and bruises. With more off days in the second half of the season, the team is afforded an opportunity to heal and ice the best team possible for a stretch run in March and April.
Resolution #2: Improve the penalty kill.
The Thrashers 79.9% penalty kill is good for 23rd in the league, a drop-off from last season when they finished 16th. The Thrashers have been shorthanded 144 times and have given up an eight-worst 29 power play goals; about one every four and a half periods. Of the top eight penalty-killing teams in the NHL, all of them are currently in a playoff position. Last season 7 of the top 8 were in playoff position, with lone exception being the St. Louis Blues. If the Thrashers want to make a legitimate playoff run they'll need to sure up their penalty kill.
Resolution #3:Sell out Philips.
Attendance is steadily improving, as the Thrashers have averaged 15,980 per game in the four games since mascot "Thrash" made headlines for "stealing" a zamboni. This is no coincidence, however; the Thrashers traditionally see an attendance increase after football season and with the Thrashers exciting play over the first half it's no surprise the fans are coming out. Should the Thrashers continue to progress, it's not unreasonable to see Philips Arena packed on a nightly basis as the team pushes for it's second playoff berth in franchise history.
Resolution #4:Finish the job.
As of January 2nd, the Thrashers have an 8-point lead in Carolina for the final playoff spot, despite Carolina having some games in hand. The Thrashers now control their own destiny over the final 40 games: win and they're in, and once in anything can happen. Atlanta has to continue their upward progression, starting with a series of games against Florida, Toronto, and Carolina that starts Wednesday. If hockey is going to grow in Atlanta, the first step is generating a buzz and nothing will do that like the Stanley Cup playoffs.
TC
Resolution #1: Get healthy.
The Thrashers played 41 games in 85 days to start the season, including 14 games in December alone. As the Thrashers have been allotted 100 days to play their final 41, the Thrashers must began to rest up and get healthy before the stretch run. Jim Slater (concussion), Zach Bogosian (knee), Evander Kane (mid-body), Nik Antropov (hip), and Ben Eager (lower body) are all nursing various injuries and will need some rest to heal up the bumps and bruises. With more off days in the second half of the season, the team is afforded an opportunity to heal and ice the best team possible for a stretch run in March and April.
Resolution #2: Improve the penalty kill.
The Thrashers 79.9% penalty kill is good for 23rd in the league, a drop-off from last season when they finished 16th. The Thrashers have been shorthanded 144 times and have given up an eight-worst 29 power play goals; about one every four and a half periods. Of the top eight penalty-killing teams in the NHL, all of them are currently in a playoff position. Last season 7 of the top 8 were in playoff position, with lone exception being the St. Louis Blues. If the Thrashers want to make a legitimate playoff run they'll need to sure up their penalty kill.
Resolution #3:Sell out Philips.
Attendance is steadily improving, as the Thrashers have averaged 15,980 per game in the four games since mascot "Thrash" made headlines for "stealing" a zamboni. This is no coincidence, however; the Thrashers traditionally see an attendance increase after football season and with the Thrashers exciting play over the first half it's no surprise the fans are coming out. Should the Thrashers continue to progress, it's not unreasonable to see Philips Arena packed on a nightly basis as the team pushes for it's second playoff berth in franchise history.
Resolution #4:Finish the job.
As of January 2nd, the Thrashers have an 8-point lead in Carolina for the final playoff spot, despite Carolina having some games in hand. The Thrashers now control their own destiny over the final 40 games: win and they're in, and once in anything can happen. Atlanta has to continue their upward progression, starting with a series of games against Florida, Toronto, and Carolina that starts Wednesday. If hockey is going to grow in Atlanta, the first step is generating a buzz and nothing will do that like the Stanley Cup playoffs.
TC
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Responding to Daly, Edwards
As a life-long Thrashers fan (I've followed them since I was 10 years old), I've seen the ups and downs that the franchise has had in what is an admittedly short history. I've seen sellouts at Philips Arena and I've seen empty buildings, yet I've seen it all while living nestled away in New England. New England. Boston Bruins country.
As I try to keep this blog neutral and objective, I cannot help but lash out at some of the stuff I've read about the Thrashers over the past few days. I may be late to the ball, but I'd like to share my thoughts on it nonetheless.
Recently NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly went on Winnipeg sports radio to discuss the Thrashers future in Atlanta, while Jack Edwards, who will never be confused with Albert Einstein, went off on this rant which simultaneously praised the Thrashers and degraded the entire sports fanbase in the city of Atlanta.
Daly noted that "We're going to have to look at the long term prospects of that franchise, and if the determination is made that it can't make it there, and can't be successful there, then something will have to be done," and that "Atlanta has proven to be a very difficult market," the latter statement in some senses ringing true.
Edwards blog was a little more asinine, saying things like:
and:
and, of course, had to throw in the obligatory:
This is all fine and dandy. The fact of the matter is, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Edwards blasts the Atlanta sports fans for essentially not supporting their teams. This is excellent. Before we get to hockey, let's observe.
The last year the Boston Red Sox had a losing record was 1997. Their average attendance that year? 27,483, good for 9th in the then-14 team American League. The last year the Boston Celtics had a losing record was 2006-2007, when they put 16,843 fans in the seats per game. That was good for 20th in the 30-team NBA. Patriots attendance numbers were not readily available. The point? Boston doesn't support their teams when they lose either.
The Thrashers are winning now, yes. They have won 7 of 8 and are climbing the Eastern Conference standings. However, they've won as many NHL playoff games as the Red Sox have--zero. Over ten years, that tends to deflate a fan base. Unfortunately for the Thrashers, winning a handful of games in November is not going to magically start selling out Philips Arena. I agree in principle with what Edwards is saying: the fans in Atlanta should be supporting the team. This is absolutely true. But for those who have supported the team only to see star player after star player skip town and for years of little reward, why would any average fan want to spend thousands of dollars on season tickets?
That's a good question I suppose. Perhaps we should ask Bruins fans? Here's a comparison look at the Bruins attendance versus the Thrashers since the Thrashers inception:
*=Indicates winning season
Note that when the Thrashers had their two winning seasons from 2005-2007, attendance was at its highest. When the Bruins had their losing swoon during that same time, their attendance suffered the most. The point? There is a correlation between winning teams and attendance.
The Chicago Blackhawks are the toughest ticket in hockey right now, selling out the United Center on a nightly basis. During their last losing season in 2006-2007, the Blackhawks drew 12,727 fans per night to the United Center, lower than any paid attendance number in Thrashers history. Look at the 'Hawks now; they've rebuilt their team (with help from Rick Dudley) and turned them into a Stanley Cup champion. Their championship season? They lead the NHL with a 21,356 average which was 108.3% of the United Center capacity.
In 2003-2004 the Pittsburgh Penguins were the worst team in the NHL. Their attendance that year? A paltry 11,877, which sparked relocation rumors galore. Things turned around after that for the Penguins as they soon went on to win the 2009 Stanley Cup. They drew 16,975 that season and, come to think of it, I haven't heard any relocation talk since.
The point? Winning builds a fan base. The Thrashers have never iced a consistent winner and their attendance numbers reflect that rightfully so. NHL tickets are not exactly inexpensive. Would you want to spend hundreds of dollars to go bring your family to a game to see a product you knew was inferior? I know I wouldn't. Even being the hockey fan that I am I couldn't justify spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars to watch my team get smoked--I'd rather just watch it on TV. Sure, I love the live game, but the casual hockey fan thinks with their wallet.
Those casual fans are what fill the TD Bank Garden every night. Sure, the Bruins have a solid fan base. If the Thrashers had been founded in 1924 I'm sure their fan base would be more extensive as well. But aside from those lifelong fans, there are plenty of Boston sports fans up here that love the Bruins yet can't say Milan Lucic's name right. They're casual, fairweather fans and every city has them. What I see from Jack Edwards is, well (not surprisingly), ignorant. The Bruins have not always packed the Garden and there will be a day when they won't again. Same goes with the Thrashers.
I'm looking at you too, Bill Daly. The NHL has much greater problems in Phoenix. Remember that Washington, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and the list goes on and on, are non-traditional hockey markets where the sport has flourished. Atlanta has the fan base, it's just waiting for the right time to show it's face.
It's like this in every single market, save the Canadian teams. It's like this with most sports. Winning brings people out. Losing does not. It's as simple as that. Jack, I live in New England. I know what Boston is all about. I'm a Boston sports fan myself for everything but hockey and even I can recognize our fans are fairweather. So please Jack, instead of contriving such wonderful lectures on Atlanta sports fans, you should work on your next United States history lecture. The last one was just so good.
As I try to keep this blog neutral and objective, I cannot help but lash out at some of the stuff I've read about the Thrashers over the past few days. I may be late to the ball, but I'd like to share my thoughts on it nonetheless.
Recently NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly went on Winnipeg sports radio to discuss the Thrashers future in Atlanta, while Jack Edwards, who will never be confused with Albert Einstein, went off on this rant which simultaneously praised the Thrashers and degraded the entire sports fanbase in the city of Atlanta.
Daly noted that "We're going to have to look at the long term prospects of that franchise, and if the determination is made that it can't make it there, and can't be successful there, then something will have to be done," and that "Atlanta has proven to be a very difficult market," the latter statement in some senses ringing true.
Edwards blog was a little more asinine, saying things like:
The Thrashers. State bird, you know? Sort of fits in nicely with that Falcons/Hawks ornithological nickname trend? They've been around for 10 seasons now, so you can't really even call them an "expansion team" anymore -- after all, the New York "Amazin'" Mets won the World Series in their eighth season (I think they beat the Braves in the NLCS -- sorry).
and:
they have this guy named Dustin Byfuglien (not "Bigh-FOOG-lee-in" but rather "BUFF-lin") who has a lot of the stuff that makes sports X factors interesting: He's big, fast, creative, eager to please and he already has won a Stanley Cup (that's like the Lombardi Trophy of hockey) with the Chicago Blackhawks.
and, of course, had to throw in the obligatory:
. Sonofagun, they would be drawing deafening capacity crowds in places like Quebec City or Winnipeg, where they are starved to get an NHL team again after the big Sun Belt experiment.
This is all fine and dandy. The fact of the matter is, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Edwards blasts the Atlanta sports fans for essentially not supporting their teams. This is excellent. Before we get to hockey, let's observe.
The last year the Boston Red Sox had a losing record was 1997. Their average attendance that year? 27,483, good for 9th in the then-14 team American League. The last year the Boston Celtics had a losing record was 2006-2007, when they put 16,843 fans in the seats per game. That was good for 20th in the 30-team NBA. Patriots attendance numbers were not readily available. The point? Boston doesn't support their teams when they lose either.
The Thrashers are winning now, yes. They have won 7 of 8 and are climbing the Eastern Conference standings. However, they've won as many NHL playoff games as the Red Sox have--zero. Over ten years, that tends to deflate a fan base. Unfortunately for the Thrashers, winning a handful of games in November is not going to magically start selling out Philips Arena. I agree in principle with what Edwards is saying: the fans in Atlanta should be supporting the team. This is absolutely true. But for those who have supported the team only to see star player after star player skip town and for years of little reward, why would any average fan want to spend thousands of dollars on season tickets?
That's a good question I suppose. Perhaps we should ask Bruins fans? Here's a comparison look at the Bruins attendance versus the Thrashers since the Thrashers inception:
| Season | Thrashers | Bruins |
| 1999-2000 | 17,206 | 16,322 |
| 2000-2001 | 15,262 | 15,432* |
| 2001-2002 | 13,668 | 15,403* |
| 2002-2003 | 13,476 | 15,029* |
| 2003-2004 | 15,121 | 15,133* |
| 2004-2005 | N/A | N/A |
| 2005-2006 | 15,550* | 16,211 |
| 2006-2007 | 16,240* | 14,746 |
| 2007-2008 | 15,831 | 15,384* |
| 2008-2009 | 14,626 | 17,039* |
| 2009-2010 | 13,607* | 17,388* |
*=Indicates winning season
Note that when the Thrashers had their two winning seasons from 2005-2007, attendance was at its highest. When the Bruins had their losing swoon during that same time, their attendance suffered the most. The point? There is a correlation between winning teams and attendance.
The Chicago Blackhawks are the toughest ticket in hockey right now, selling out the United Center on a nightly basis. During their last losing season in 2006-2007, the Blackhawks drew 12,727 fans per night to the United Center, lower than any paid attendance number in Thrashers history. Look at the 'Hawks now; they've rebuilt their team (with help from Rick Dudley) and turned them into a Stanley Cup champion. Their championship season? They lead the NHL with a 21,356 average which was 108.3% of the United Center capacity.
In 2003-2004 the Pittsburgh Penguins were the worst team in the NHL. Their attendance that year? A paltry 11,877, which sparked relocation rumors galore. Things turned around after that for the Penguins as they soon went on to win the 2009 Stanley Cup. They drew 16,975 that season and, come to think of it, I haven't heard any relocation talk since.
The point? Winning builds a fan base. The Thrashers have never iced a consistent winner and their attendance numbers reflect that rightfully so. NHL tickets are not exactly inexpensive. Would you want to spend hundreds of dollars to go bring your family to a game to see a product you knew was inferior? I know I wouldn't. Even being the hockey fan that I am I couldn't justify spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars to watch my team get smoked--I'd rather just watch it on TV. Sure, I love the live game, but the casual hockey fan thinks with their wallet.
Those casual fans are what fill the TD Bank Garden every night. Sure, the Bruins have a solid fan base. If the Thrashers had been founded in 1924 I'm sure their fan base would be more extensive as well. But aside from those lifelong fans, there are plenty of Boston sports fans up here that love the Bruins yet can't say Milan Lucic's name right. They're casual, fairweather fans and every city has them. What I see from Jack Edwards is, well (not surprisingly), ignorant. The Bruins have not always packed the Garden and there will be a day when they won't again. Same goes with the Thrashers.
I'm looking at you too, Bill Daly. The NHL has much greater problems in Phoenix. Remember that Washington, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and the list goes on and on, are non-traditional hockey markets where the sport has flourished. Atlanta has the fan base, it's just waiting for the right time to show it's face.
It's like this in every single market, save the Canadian teams. It's like this with most sports. Winning brings people out. Losing does not. It's as simple as that. Jack, I live in New England. I know what Boston is all about. I'm a Boston sports fan myself for everything but hockey and even I can recognize our fans are fairweather. So please Jack, instead of contriving such wonderful lectures on Atlanta sports fans, you should work on your next United States history lecture. The last one was just so good.
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