OK, so let's get this straight.
Here's a list of human hockey-playing people, presented without commentary:
Patrik Stefan (retired)
Dany Heatley (San Jose Sharks)
Ilya Kovalchuk (NJ Devils)
Kari Lehtonen (Dallas Stars)
Jim Slater (Atlanta Thrashers)
Braydon Coburn (Philadelphia Flyers)
Boris Valabik (Atlanta Thrashers)
Alex fucking Bourret (not to be confused with Devin Setoguchi, Anze Kopitar, or Marc Staal)
Bryan Little (Atlanta Thrashers)
Zach Bogosian (Atlanta Thrashers)
Daultan Leveille (um)
Evander Kane (Atlanta Thrashers)
Tune in next week for the End of the Bryan Little Era. At least Ivan Vishnevskiy was a 1st rounder.
****
As with with the Kovalchuk trade, FACETIOUSNESS IS NOT ANALYSIS, so perhaps I should elaborate.
I'm not saying this is a bad trade. Or a good trade. I'm agnostic about Kari: when in shape he's awesome, when injured and fat he's not. I do think it's slightly weird to trade him without playing him, though the argument that it's best to be prudent and not a risk a loss with a rusty goalie in net is a tenable one. This Ivan Vishnevskiy is someone I'd never heard of before tonight, but that means literally nothing, and it sounds like he's a talented dude. On the other hand, I expect nothing just because Hockey's Future told me something. Following the Thrashers has me a hockey player skeptic.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning just cold fuckin' defeated the Vancouver Canucks, despite the best efforts of Ryan Kesler. They currently sit at #6 in the Eastern Conference with 63 points. Tune in the week after next for the end of the Zach Bogosian Era.
14 comments:
Don't know that you can name three players that weren't around when the Thrashers selected Bourret. Those three were selected earlier in the draft that was shallow except for Crosby. The only ones that were that have amounted to scoring threats in the NHL drafted after the Thrashers was Stastny, and a lot of teams passed on him. That draft was not deep, that pick cannot be mentioned among the others. There weren't any rabbits in the 2005 hat.
The Thrashers actually had the #8 pick in that draft. They traded down to #12, then to #16. The Sharks selected Setoguchi with #8, the Rangers Staal with #12. Kopitar went at #11.
And we wiffed on Bourett, and as I recall also on one of the second rounders we got. But we also picked up Pavs, our new goalie of the future so I guess all wasn't lost.
Speaking of that draft, Brian Burke had a classic when he said this about drafting Bobby Ryan at 2 behind Crosby, "we couldn't believe he was still available".
Yes, to be fair, it was such trading down that brought us our new Goalie of the Future. Tonight we are all beneficiaries of a big sale on trucknutz.
Relax, B-Litts isn't going anywhere now that he's seen me and knows he's not the only person in Atlanta with a widow's peak. It's all good in the hood.
Frankly, after the total turditude we got from Kari @ Casino Night, I'm not crying any tears over him raising up out. Sayonara, cranklepuss.
What else, what else? Oh yeah, have a great week to you all! Sausage balls and pup smugglers to everyone.
Likewise, Ms. K-Belle. The pup smugglers and sausage hors d'oeuvres were/are wondrous.
Bulbous chickens to all.
Shooter - Does that mean we need to give Burkie the O'd Cape that in football adorns Madden and in baseball adorns Yogi? That's right up there for sure.
As for analysis, The Cust has his up now.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Grinder/entry/view/55169
The Dallas fans are PISSED about this trade. Vish was constantly compared to Zubov, if that tells you anything about his potential. I can't believe Waddell has been able to get all of these quality players for a rental and a pudgy bad-back goalie. Great insurance if Kubina doesn't resign. If Kubina does resign, then this could mean Hainsey might be heading out the door over the summer.
I'd actually heard of Vishnevskiy before this deal was made, so I don't feel as bad unloading 3 million dollars of a pudgy, tender groin to Dallas and getting this return. They weren't going to offer Neil or any legit roster player, so a top prospect and a draft pick is a good return. Including him with the Postma's and Kulda's of the world...our D-corps are now LOADED.
So when will we see one packaged with Colby Armstrong for another forward? Hmmm?
Alas, some Stars hockeybuzz blogger writes this:
"The reported price is Ivan Vishnevskiy plus a conditional pick. My gut reaction is that there is no way the Stars moved their top prospect and a pick for a goalie with as many injury concerns as Lehtonen has. He's also heading into RFA with 1 year left until UFA which is fine. However the reported price is way too steep."
I'm a bit surprised we got that much for Kari. I thought we'd get a 3rd. Obviously not because of his talents, but because of everything else.
Jay - after being at the Town Hall meeting the other night, and getting a chance to speak with Waddell privately for a few moments afterwards, I strongly feel Kubina will re-sign here. Waddell said he will be contacting Kubina's agent over the Olympic break. I expect a deal to get done.
Oh, and I would keep Hainsey. We have PLENTY of cap room next year and this gives us a reasonably strong defense for the first time ever.
Biggie Shoots! I'm so tickled to hear that little tid-bit. I hope he wasn't just giving you lip service, but I don't see why he'd say that to a 10 yr supporter of this franchise. Anyway, I have a sneaking suspicion that a vet like Kubina, who has played on a winner (Tampa's Cup), a perennial loser (early Tampa) and a middling franchise with lots of pressure (Toronto), will give very strong consideration to returning here because of a) the opportunity to get good value on a 2 or 3 year deal, b) the opportunity to lead in an environment featuring a number of talented kids and developing talent, c) a system that plays to some of Kubie's strengths and d) the chance to stick it to Kovy and show him "we told ya so". It's doubtful, but I can't help but wonder if Kubie still harbors a bit of ill-will towards Kovy since IVK cheap-shotted him at the Olympics in 2006? Twill be interesting to see what happens if the Czechs and Russians play each other.
Lastly, how many think we are truly in the market to make a move, such as Colby & a newly acquired prospect, for a depth scorer with better hands at the upcoming trade deadline?
I'm just fearful that if we lose 2 of the next 3, they will fold up the tents and pack it in as sellers when March 3rd rolls around in 3 weeks.
Post a Comment