Thrasher talk

[manny]

Time is running out for Ilya. Have to get him inked before Wednesday unless he doesn't play in Russia...and if he doesn't that extends the deadline to December.

Supposedly his fiancee is in Russia having a baby and the Thrashers are meeting with his agent trying to get something done. The Thrasher say they will not overpay for Ilya.

Bad thing is, losing out on both of the star attractions could kill the fans down here.

[manny]

He can't play another game in Russia or he is gone from my beloved thrashers

[manny]

Thrashers 20th in TSN power ranking

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature.asp?fid=549

[manny]

Thrashers 12 in CBS Sportsline power ranking
http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8923596

[manny]

and 13th in the East over at USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/montgomery/2005-10-03-montgomery_x.htm

they must be on something.

[preds24]

Thrashers 12 in CBS Sportsline power ranking
http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8923596
The #11 spot looks pretty good!! ;)

[manny]

The #11 spot looks pretty good!! ;)
yeah yeah yeah, it was preseason but the Thrasher did sweep the Predators ;)

[manny]

Thrashers hope to meet with Kovalchuk



Canadian Press



10/3/2005 3:44:48 PM

ATLANTA (AP) - Ilya Kovalchuk will be in Atlanta this week to see his new daughter, and the Thrashers hope they can meet with their unsigned star winger during his visit.

Kovalchuk, a restricted free agent, is threatening to play this season in his native Russia if he can't agree on a contract with the Thrashers.

"I think things will start to shake out in the next little while," general manager Don Waddell said Monday.

Kovalchuk almost certainly will miss the start of the season with the Thrashers, who open Wednesday at Florida.

Kovalchuk tied Columbus' Rick Nash for the NHL lead with 41 goals in the last season before the lockout. He also had 46 assists, finishing 32 points ahead of Atlanta's second-highest scorer.

His girlfriend delivered a girl this past weekend, according to Waddell, and the player is scheduled to fly in Tuesday or Wednesday to spend a week with his child. During that time, Waddell wants to meet with the player.

"It wouldn't be so much to hammer out a deal," Waddell said. "I want to explain to him where we're headed as a franchise. I know he wants to play for a winning team. I think we've made good changes to do that. I'd like to sit down and talk with him if possible."

Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman, did not immediately return a telephone message.

The Thrashers, who have never made the playoffs, took advantage of league's new salary cap to bring in plenty of help for Kovalchuk up front. Bobby Holik and Peter Bondra were signed as free agents, and Marian Hossa was acquired from Ottawa in a deal for Dany Heatley.

The team also expects to be much better defensively with newcomers Jaroslav Modry, Niclas Havelid, Tomas Kloucek and former first-round pick Braydon Coburn. In addition, top goaltending prospect Kari Lehtonen is set to take over in the nets, backed up by Mike Dunham.

Waddell said the Thrashers are willing to give Kovalchuk a slightly better deal than the one Nash got from the Blue Jackets: five years at $27 million US.

"It's all about the money," Waddell said. "We've also discussed the length of the deal, talked about different options."

The Thrashers are facing one crucial deadline. If Kovalchuk plays a game in Russia after Wednesday, he would have to clear waivers to return to Atlanta this season.

"Twenty-nine other teams would have to pass on him," Waddell said. "That's never going to happen."

If Kovalchuk sits out games in Russia, he would have until Dec. 1 to agree on a contract with the Thrashers to play in the NHL this season.

[preds24]

The #11 spot looks pretty good!! ;)
and I just looked at the tsn article and well, #19 does come before 20 also! ;)

[preds24]

It's not sounding good on the Ilya front, yikes! At least for the beginning of the season.

[manny]

and I just looked at the tsn article and well, #19 does come before 20 also! ;)
one spot ahead of a team that is yet to make the playoffs ever....that's something to go on...;)

[manny]

Lehtonen will start in opener

By JOHN MANASSO (jmanasso@<hidden>)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/04/05
"I really believe we have the rookie of the year on this team," Thrashers coach Bob Hartley told reporters on Monday.

Then he saw the subject of his comment, goalie Kari Lehtonen, walking down the hall, and he projected his voice toward Lehtonen, "I believe I have the rookie of the year in this organization."

After a few minutes, Lehtonen reappeared in the hallway — this time holding his fingers in his ears.
Lehtonen surely could be a candidate for the Calder Trophy — but one of several. Among other complications created by the lockout is a wealth of new talent in the league, including the past two No. 1 overall picks — Alexander Ovechkin in Washington and Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh.

The campaign will begin right away for Lehtonen, whom Hartley tabbed to start the opener Wednesday at Florida and the home opener on Saturday against Washington. Mike Dunham will start Friday at Washington.

Lehtonen earned the starts despite being in Hartley's doghouse for the early part of training camp. He was displeased with the 21-year-old after Lehtonen injured his groin in an intrasquad scrimmage on the fourth day of camp, then blamed it on the early morning start time.

Hartley liked neither Lehtonen's physical condition nor his excuse, and Lehtonen missed the first six preseason games with the injury.

Yet the coach was persuaded by Lehtonen's 35 saves in his lone preseason appearance in Friday's 3-2 win over Nashville. While Hartley had hinted that Lehtonen's injury was creating an open competition for the No. 1 job, the coach's decision might underscore how solid Lehtonen's status is as the No. 1 goalie.

Hartley was asked if Lehtonen, named the top prospect in the AHL for two consecutive years by The Hockey News, was being rewarded despite the coach's earlier criticism. "It's not a reward, it's a decision on my part," Hartley said. "I sat down and I looked. Every decision I make has to be based on making this organization successful. So, do you always make the right decisions? No. Do you always make popular decisions? No.

"But I'll be honest with you, I don't really care about that. I go with my gut and I analyze. Do I overanalyze? No. I think he's the future of this organization and there's no better time to show what he's got than the first game and the home opener."

Lehtonen, unbeaten in two exhibition games and four regular-season games in his Thrashers career, said he is "very excited."

"I haven't proved so much yet," he said. "I feel confident and I'm very happy."

Hartley said he told his goalies that they need to be the team's best conditioned athletes — an area in which Lehtonen has room to improve.

"I was kind of stupid," he said of his preseason groin injury. "I didn't take care of myself. I feel a lot better."

Notes: Ilya Kovalchuk will arrive in the United States on Wednesday to spend time with his girlfriend and new daughter, Carolina (pronounced Kar-o-lee-na), in New York, his agent Jay Grossman said. If he is not signed by the Thrashers, Kovalchuk will likely leave Sunday to rejoin his Russian Super League club. His team's next game after he returns is on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and if Kovalchuk plays that night, he would be lost for the season. Grossman and Thrashers GM Don Waddell each confirmed that the parties have not spoken since Friday.

[manny]

It's not sounding good on the Ilya front, yikes! At least for the beginning of the season.he better not take the ice in Russia.

[preds24]

he better not take the ice in Russia.
From reading those articles, unless the organization can persuade him in his brief visit.... well, can we just call him TO of hockey? :)


Impressive about the rookie goalie, I have to say. I'll be anxious to see this kid play in net myself!

[1957 & Waiting]

"I really believe we have the rookie of the year on this team," Thrashers coach Bob Hartley told reporters on Monday.
What kind of drugs is Hartley on? There is no way Crosby doesn't win rookie of the year....even if he doesn't deserve it. But with the hype surrounding this kid he's a shoe in.

[preds24]

What kind of drugs is Hartley on? There is no way Crosby doesn't win rookie of the year....even if he doesn't deserve it. But with the hype surrounding this kid he's a shoe in.

I wonder with all the hype and everything just how well Crosby will do?

I know he has talent but I question the maturity level from some reports I've heard in the past.

[manny]

From reading those articles, unless the organization can persuade him in his brief visit.... well, can we just call him TO of hockey? :)


Impressive about the rookie goalie, I have to say. I'll be anxious to see this kid play in net myself!
Turner South on Friday, but they'll black it out for you won't they?

[1957 & Waiting]

I wonder with all the hype and everything just how well Crosby will do?

I know he has talent but I question the maturity level from some reports I've heard in the past.
Center ICe baby.

And even if you dont want to get it they are having a free preview for the first week of the season.

[preds24]

Turner South on Friday, but they'll black it out for you won't they?

Turner South for the Thrashers?

Yeah I'm sure it'll be a no go

[preds24]

Center ICe baby.

And even if you dont want to get it they are having a free preview for the first week of the season.
Nice!! free previews is great!

Now, my question is do they still blackout some of the games even on Center Ice? I've considered that for a while but I don't want to pay for it and then still get black out games.

[manny]

Center ICe baby.

And even if you dont want to get it they are having a free preview for the first week of the season.
hmmm, maybe that will allow me to see something tonight.

[1957 & Waiting]

Nice!! free previews is great!

Now, my question is do they still blackout some of the games even on Center Ice? I've considered that for a while but I don't want to pay for it and then still get black out games.They'll black out games in your area. Like in Detroit the Wings games will be blacked out(from center ice channels) but we can still watch them locally via the local channels.

Center Ice is great if you like to watch other teams or follow and out of market team. Say a Wings fans living outside of Detroit.

[preds24]

They'll black out games in your area. Like in Detroit the Wings games will be blacked out(from center ice channels) but we can still watch them locally via the local channels.

Center Ice is great if you like to watch other teams or follow and out of market team. Say a Wings fans living outside of Detroit.
Okay since I get the Nashville games off FSS - I should be able to get most all the games - well, they may black out the Blues since I'm close to St. Louis but I can get the others and well, of course the Wings! ;)

[manny]

They'll black out games in your area. Like in Detroit the Wings games will be blacked out(from center ice channels) but we can still watch them locally via the local channels.

Center Ice is great if you like to watch other teams or follow and out of market team. Say a Wings fans living outside of Detroit.
oh well, then the Thrashers game will be blacked out even if it would have been on by the Panther feed.

[manny]

and of course it was blacked out....I guess that was a good thing with the 2-0 loss though.

[manny]

Thrashers D looked better from what I'm hearing, which has been the problem. They ran into a hot goalie who was standing on his head.