My Newspaper
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It's Almost Time
Posted by:
Ben Wright on
July 1, 2008 at
11:01AM EST
The signing frenzy is almost upon us. While the flood gates officially open
at noon free agent signing announcements probably won't pick up until at least
half an hour later because technically teams can't negotiate with players or
their agents until noon. It'd look awfully fishy if a deal was announced by
anyone at 12:01, wouldn't it?
So who are the Thrashers chasing? I have no earthly idea. I read the same
articles and rumors that you do so I'm assuming we'll be in the hunt for a
big-name defenseman or two. With the money we have to spend to get to the cap
floor (about $7-8 million after Kari re-signs
according to Don Waddell) there's certainly room to go after a marquee
player. Given that our owners have spent fairly liberally since buying the team
(don't believe me- check out
this post by The Falconer) I would expect our shopping budget to be above
the cap floor anyway, so maybe there's even room for two big signings. I like
Don's expressed philosophy of addressing defense and top-two line scoring
through free agency. We have plenty of guys that can be plugged in on the third
and fourth lines and on the bottom defense pairing if needed. Unless there's
someone who adds a special skill (like penalty killing) there's no reason for
this team to go after depth players on the open market. Between returning
players and guys potentially coming up from Chicago that need should be filled.
In other words, I don't necessarily ant to see many of the guys from James
Mirtles' 'Gems,
Steals and Sleepers' list signed here. There are one or two that are
interesting, but that's it.
I'll be doing my best to keep you informed of any Thrashers news today and
you're more likely to get it here first than on the homepage. Agents don't have
me on speed dial though, so odds are most news will break via
TSN or other
hockey-centric media outlets.
If you're north of the border, what are you doing reading this? Get outside
and celebrate Canada Day. Get caught up tomorrow. If you're in a cubicle like me
though, it might be just about time to grab an early lunch and/or stock up on
snacks. I don't plan on leaving my desk after 12 p.m. It should be an exciting
ride.
Free Agent Tools
(31) Comments
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Posted by: J on July 1, 2008 11:46AM EST
Good point, time for an early lunch break! And with almost all sites blocked where I am, I have to rely on you for my updates...so keep up the good work Ben! I still can't decide if I'd rather have Campbell or two-$4mil guys like Orpik & Stuart...I think I'm leaning toward the latter.
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Posted by: Steve on July 1, 2008 11:46AM EST
Ben,
Mike Green has come to terms with Washington- 4 yrs. 21 mill; Bryce Salvador with NJ for 4 yrs. , 11.6 mill.
I was going to say go to TSN and click on the signing tracker; they have the best coverage. I have been accessing TSN the last two days, and I have been checking the Ottawa Sun, Toronto Sun, San Jose Mercury News, and Detroit Free Press to see if locally anything has been said. Toronto and Ottawa Sun are pretty good. San Jose MN also has been pretty good. But TSN is getting it before anybody it seems.
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Posted by: The Other J.B. on July 1, 2008 12:10PM EST
I've found the best thing to do is go to Google News, type in 'thrashers' and sort by date. After you pass over any errant sites about bird watching or speed metal, you get the very latest mention of the team no matter what the news outlet is. One stop shoppin' y'all.
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Posted by: Steve on July 1, 2008 12:10PM EST
EJ Hradek just reported that Brad Stuart is staying in Detroit, and Pascal Dupuis is staying in Pittsburgh.
Rene Bourque is traded to Calgary also for a 2009 pick.
NJ resigned Jay Pandolfo, and 2 others. Sergei Brylin released.
Corey Perry resigned with Anaheim.
Curtis Joseph is going to Toronto for a 1 yr. deal.
Shanahan may go back to NJ.
Erik Cole is going to Ottawa from Carolina.
Edmonton is going to trade Pitkanen since they got Vishnovsky.
This is what I am hearing on NHL Live right now. Some of these came over the radio in these cities and are coming from NHL to NHL Live show.
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Steve-No need to report every player signing in the league. You'll wear yourself out.
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Posted by: Steve on July 1, 2008 12:23PM EST
Ok. You are right. Just excited, and hopeful we get a good free agent.
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Posted by: S CUP on July 1, 2008 12:33PM EST
I was hoping Dupuis would end up back here. He's such a versatile and gritty player. He would have flourished under Anderson in my opinion.
I still hope we can pull in at least two impact free agents. Hainsey or Orpik on D (Streit would be OK too, should be affordable) and perhaps Morrison at C or Rolston at RW. Center position is thin in Free Agents.
Wish Hossa would come back but I also wish I would win millions of $ in the lottery. One of those has better odds of happening...which is it?
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Posted by: Peter on July 1, 2008 12:37PM EST
New Article for the thrashers on NHL.com
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=367122&page=NewsPage&service=page
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Posted by: Anonymous on July 1, 2008 12:44PM EST
I think the thrashers should bring Stuart and Orpik to the Blue Line! Heck if Lehtonen doesn't come back sigh Kolzig to a 2 year deal.
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Posted by: Steve on July 1, 2008 12:47PM EST
Stuart is unavailable; he just resigned with Detroit- go to TSN.ca/nhl. Then click on Signing Tracker to see the news release. Orpik is still available.
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Posted by: keep the faith on July 1, 2008 1:08PM EST
TB signed Vrbata - 3 yrs 9 million
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Posted by: Steve on July 1, 2008 1:32PM EST
Minnesota signed Andrew Brunette, who we used to have and then went to Colorado. Minnesota is also going after Zidlicky from Nashville.
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Posted by: Steve on July 1, 2008 1:34PM EST
Also, TB close to an agreement with Ollie Kolzig as a backup.
Zidlicky is now a done deal; Nashville gets a 2nd round pick.
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Posted by: BK on July 1, 2008 2:44PM EST
While following some of the Wild's trackings on their sportswriter's blog there was a rumor mentioned that ATL offered Brian Campbell an 8 yr / $60M contract
Click the URL link in my info above to go to the post.
Just a rumor, but an interesting one.
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Posted by: BK on July 1, 2008 2:45PM EST
Sorry, must not have worked first go round.
http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/wildblog/
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Posted by: S CUP on July 1, 2008 3:02PM EST
I know it's just a rumor but for $8MM a year Brian Campbell better be playing 30 minutes a night, score 35+ goals, shut down the opponents' top scorers, make our power play #1 in the league, sign autographs for an hour after each practice, and take every season ticket holder to dinner over the course of the year (there aren't too many of us left according to rumors). That's an awful lot to pay one defenseman and an awful lot of pressure to put on one guy. The expectations on him would be almost impossible to live up to. BUT, it would be DW's answer to all those that say we don't go after the top notch free agents.
It's a wait and see game. Almost as good as college football signing day, but not quite. Remember where we are folks.
P.S. My condolences to the Seilor family and the Bulldog nation on the passing of our beloved UGA VI. He was a DAMN GOOD DAWG!!!
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Posted by: h on July 1, 2008 3:11PM EST
no need to play 30 minutes. Look at the contracts that are being signed.....he is by far the best defenseman out there.....better to overpay a little than get skunked.......they have plenty of cap room for it......
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Posted by: BK on July 1, 2008 3:22PM EST
It does seem a bit much to me as well, but the unfortunate reality sometimes is that underperforming and rebuilding teams tend to have to overpay to get those top notch guys to play for them.
I'd be happy seeing Rolston in a Thrashers sweater and reunited with Whitey if the lines work out. He's great on the left wing, but can pull center duty as well.
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Posted by: h on July 1, 2008 3:34PM EST
they better sign guys quick because options B, C and D are all getting signed by others
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Posted by: Ben on July 1, 2008 3:38PM EST
All I ever hear/ read on this blog is that DW does not want to pay the players and does a horable job in the FA and the draft. Then we find out ( maybe not it is only a rumor and I understand that) that we offerd Campbell a contract at 8 years and 60 million dollars which is arou d 7.5 a year not to mention incentives and signing bonuses. And people are complaining about that. What more do you guys want? He is doing his job the way that you guys have been bitching for on this blog for months and he is still getting critzied. Give the man a break for trying and I have no problem paying him 7.5. It is a down FA market this year with not that many big splashes so the prices are going to go up. Way to go DW if it is true and hopefully there are more rumors out there to give fans of this team some hope. And hopefully those rumors can become true.
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Posted by: Steve on July 1, 2008 3:56PM EST
All this hub-bub about Campbell, and now all of Colorado's defenseman are gone. Sauer to Phoenix, Finger to Toronto, Foote and Liles resigned by Colorado. We could have had Sauer and Finger and still had more to spend. Well, hopefully we will sign Streit, Campbell, Hainsey, Roszival, or Redden because the good defenseman are slowly becoming unavailable.
Centers: Demitra nor Sundin have been signed. Can't remember the other great centers right now. Sundin won't come here. I know there are more of them; just can't remember them at the moment, and I have to go.
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Posted by: scott on July 1, 2008 4:04PM EST
demitra is a great player.playing with the great defenisve style they run there he never really would of been a great scorer. he would be a great player to pick up.first u have to get rid of bobby holiks 4.5 million.
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Posted by: Michael on July 1, 2008 4:10PM EST
$8mm for 5 years is a lot, but we will need to pay more than others teams to get quality players. We need a big time D-man and we will need to overpay to get one here. I would love to see Brian Campbell at Blueland!!!
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Posted by: S CUP on July 1, 2008 4:11PM EST
Ben (not THE Ben):
You must have taken my tongue in cheek criticism for "bitching". I like Campbell and what he would bring to the team...instantly upgrading the power play (a BIG BIG plus) and fitting in with the style of the new coach. I wanted him here in February. Having Toby and Campbell on the top 2 D lines would change the complexion of our defense and our team. It would give us an identity...a scoring defense rather than just a scored-upon defense. My point is that in comparison to other options $8MM is an awful lot to pay for someone who would become the highest paid player on the team (problems with Kovy's ego??) and that the expectations would be enormous. And if you read into what I said I agree with your point that Don had been criticized for not making a big splash in free agency and that signing Campbell would hopefully put an end to that sentiment. And to say the FA market is not totally true. The wing position is pretty good and for the type of defeseman we are purportedly pursuing there are a few decent options from high priced to "value" oriented.
I'm not bashing Don. I never have. I am extremely hopeful he is able to address at least one of our pressing needs. There are so many factors impacting who we can sign that are out of Don's control. Let's hope for the best and get behind Coach Anderson and the players that are here for training camp.
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Posted by: JW on July 1, 2008 4:12PM EST
There is nothing to get rid of for Holik, he is an UFA!!
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Posted by: Ben on July 1, 2008 4:12PM EST
What about Brendon Morrision from the Canucks he is a big forward who crashes the net Kolvy played great with Thchuck why not give this guy a try just an opion what do you guys think
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Posted by: JW on July 1, 2008 4:17PM EST
Everything team in the southeast has done something to improve their teams. Except one!
JW <--- Trying reverse physiology!
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Posted by: S CUP on July 1, 2008 4:22PM EST
If Morrison's ACL is completely healed (torn ACL in March) then he could be a good complement for Kovy based on what I have read about him. His expected price is $3MM and is projected as a #2 center, but could play #1 with Kovy. I think Kovy needs a center that can create opportunities for him by attacking the offensive zone and getting in front of the net. Not sure who is available that fits that bill.
When all the Free Agent hub-bub is over there is still the trade route to address any glaring holes in the lineup.
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Posted by: Thrasher Teeth Gnasher on July 1, 2008 4:37PM EST
The offer to Campbell, if true, makes sense. I don't *love* the idea of paying a guy that much for so long - those contracts tend to look like millstones in the last few years - but I understand it.
He's the best two-way D-man available, the cap will rise - perhaps sharply - over the next few years, and we have to spend a boatload just to reach the salary floor.
The Thrasher D has been *awful* for like 95% of its history. Add Campbell, Bogosian, and a full year of Valabik, and the depth chart looks a lot better.
Given our franchise history and absence of tradition, we *have* to overpay to attract top free agents. This makes sense, and yet, the money alone might not be enough to lure him.
/keeps fingers crossed, hits refresh on TSN again
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Posted by: scott on July 1, 2008 4:39PM EST
i dont think the thrashers have the pieces to make any big trades. they havent done well enough on scouting and drafting players didnt u read about that?they talk about the thrashers and maple leafs and how poorly they scout and draft.
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Posted by: Jay on July 3, 2008 2:40PM EST
The Thrashers need to fire the entire management group. They suck! They have no interest in having a winning team, just milking money out of it. Nine years and one playoff appearance is pathetic by ANY standard! It is unacceptable and I want to see some heads roll before I buy any more tickets.
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