“if a young goalie outplays an older goalie contracts will not decide roster spots”- hmm … I’ll believe that when I see that.

Slater and Thorburn on the PK? Sigh. I guess we all knew Slater would be back to muck that up. I have no problem with using Kozlov, Armstrong and Peverley for the job along with guys like Reasoner.

Thanks for the report. Interesting stuff.

 I attended the breakfast yesterday and heard some good questions and answers too. One answer that I liked was to the question about the loss of revenue sharing based upon how much the Thrashers spent against the salary cap. Mr. Waddell said that they will have spent around $50 million when all is said and done, which he said will cost the team about $6 million. In addition to the $8 million spent on salary than usual, they are risking about $14 million, but he said that he and the owners are committed to spending more to get a better team on the ice. He said that he went to the owners about going after players that would require more salary, and he received no opposition. So, to me, I was renewed with some confidence that Mr. Waddell and the owners are more committed to getting a winning team.
He also stated that things are progressing toward Kovalchuk’s new contract; there were things that were happening in Kovalchuk’s contract negotiations that did not happen when they were negotiating with Hossa. He told all of us what they were, and I believe there is a difference. I am not sure it is a good idea to say why here. If you read about it elsewhere, then that is good. From what was said, I think he will sign.

I also met Rick Dudley, and was glad to meet him. I am really excited about this season, and think that the Thrashers will be better. Mr. Dudley says that the Thrashers are on the right track, and it is an exciting time for this franchise. I believe it too.
Last thing, with Zherdev’s departure, Waddell said that they are very committed to having Evander Kane make the team. I think that Zherdev, like Falconer has said, was there in case Kane would not make the team. Waddell and Anderson really think he is ready to start with the team. He has gone from 160 to 185, and is filling out and gaining strength. I met him yesterday, and he is a pretty big kid. I was impressed with his skating ability. I also got to see Kubina and Antropov yesterday and meet them. They are really big! With these two, Boris, Hainsey, and Bogo, we’ve got some big players!
Waddell also talked about the players and said that many if not all of them came back in better shape than he has ever seen from an entire group. He said that the player that was in the best shape was Slava Kozlov. Slava had the highest rating on the VO2 test. Slava is 37, and one of the older players on the team, and he is in better shape than anyone! Wow! I got a chance to see him and Colby Armstrong in practice, and both of them were in great spirits! Colby is hilarious; he is just a clown, and is great for keeping the mood light!
I am going to the preseason game on Sept. 27th vs. Tampa Bay, and am really encouraged by what I have seen and heard. I don’t want to jinx anything, but I really believe that the Thrashers are going to be much better!
       I also got to meet Manny Legace as he came off the ice, and he said he was glad to have the opportunity to be here. Like Falconer said, Legace has been a great goaltender, and he was chosen because he has great character and is a great team player. I was surprised that Waddell gave the answer to the starting goalie question, but he said that the goalie spot is not set in stone; he said that because of the problems in goal last season, they are going to do whatever it takes to make sure we have good goaltending. With 6 goaltenders in camp, I really believe that they are serious about this.

One other thing I remembered was what Waddell said about the players buying into John Anderson’s system. He said that the players are really buying into it, and that the the last 18 games of the season showed how committed the players were. He said between the way they played at the end, the shape that they players came in into camp really marks a sign of commitment that he has not seen before. With all of these things combined, I really believe that this is going to be a better year. I think that if the defense and the PK are better, then the team will be better. I don’t talk about the offense as much because I think that 3 of the 4 lines are better. I think that if the 3rd line is Reasoner, Armstrong, and Kane, I think it will be good if Kane comes out and is effective; I have no doubt in Reasoner and Armstrong’s ability. Not saying Kane won’t be good, I am just not sure yet how he will play. I think that Bogo-Enstrom, Kubina and Hainsey will be good too. Not sure about Boris and Salmela. I think that if Boris makes some better decisions and not drop the gloves as much, he will be better. Not saying he shouldn’t at all, but I think of teams that don’t fight as much and they play better. I am curious to see how this 3rd defensive line is going to work out; will Valabik and Salmela really work out well or are we going to see Kulda, Lewis, or Oystrick stay up. My overall impression of the players, and I got to talk to quite a few after practice was that they seem more relaxed, confident, yet excited for the season to start. Even Popovic, who played the past year in Russia, was optimistic. I am not sure in what cappacity he will play, but he said the year in Russia was good for him. He looked good in practice too.

I was wondering about the $50 million in salary. Is that including 2-way contracts from guys who will be playing in Chicago or just the cap hit? Otherwise they will have to add a couple million more to reach that $50 million.

“Then he [Lehtonen] had back surgery late in the summer and was not as diligent with his rehab”

And the Legend of Donut Boy continues.

Wingz 25 and Falconer,
Now that you mention it, I think Waddell did say that the 50 million does include bonuses for Bogo, Kane, and others. Waddell was estimating, but I remember that he was saying that as if it will happen. I think it was actual salary. If Kane makes the starting team and does not go back to Vancouver, I am sure that his salary would be different. And like I said, and maybe Falconer said it too, I really think that Waddell and Anderson want Kane to be on the starting team. Waddell said, point blank, that they are “giving him every opportunity to make the team.” I really think that unless he plays miserably in preseason, he will probably make the team and probably be on the 3rd line. I can’t see him being on the 1st or 2nd lines yet. Maybe if they need to shake things up, maybe, but I just can’t see Anderson putting him on any other line. Maybe alternating him and Peverley on the 2 lines, but I think that they are going to look to solidify those two with a regular line provided they both stay healthy.

Falconer,

I was reading James Mirtle’s blog, and he notest that Dan Hinote will probably not make the tryout with the Sharks. I have also seen a good rumor that the Sharks are close to signing Manny Malhotra. If Hinote doesn’t make the Sharks, why have the Thrashers not brough him in either. Vivlamore just broke the news about Afinogenov; Fritsche and Legace are also already here. Why not Hinote? You said he was a good two way forward that has not been signed. Do you have any word on Hinote, and why he won’t make the Sharks and/or why the Thrashers did not look at him. I should have asked about that yesterday. I asked quite a few questions, but couldn’t remember them all.