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Submit Questions For Draftees
Posted by:
Ben Wright on
June 9, 2008 at
11:21AM EST
Thank you to everyone who has been participating in the discussions in the
comments over the last week or two. It's great to see so much interest and
passion from fans even when games aren't being played.
Now I want to tap into that interest and passion by asking for your help.
I'll be heading to Ottawa the middle of next week for the
NHL Entry Draft where I'll be
talking to some of the top prospects at a luncheon on Thursday and then talking
to the draftees on Friday and Saturday. In the interest of being well-prepared
I'm getting my research done now and compiling a list of questions to ask the
newest Thrashers. That's where you come in. What do you want to know about these
guys? We obviously don't know who is going to get taken at each spot so the
questions can't be tailored to specific players yet (save those ones for
prospect camp in July) so they have to be relatively generic. So what would you
like me to ask them about? List your questions below and I'll do my best to get
them in. If you're fairly confident we're going to take Player A with the third
pick feel free to post questions for him too if you so desire. Trying to do that
for the later rounds probably isn't worth the effort though given how
unpredictable those rounds are.
(19) Comments
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Posted by: Chad on June 9, 2008 11:41AM EST
Ben, ask the guys what they feel is their strongest part of their game and how they feel that can help the Thrashers going into next season and after. Also, ask if they feel there is anything in their game that they can improve upon going into the NHL.
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Posted by: Bjorn on June 9, 2008 12:10PM EST
Reality check question. It takes an honest and strong-willed person to answer this one:
You're expected to be one of the top 5 picks in the draft, this means that you'll most likely selected by one of the least successful teams from last season. What will you do to make that team get where it needs to be to win the Stanley Cup? Knowing that a lot of work needs to be put in to make this happen, what attitude would you approach a daunting task like going from the bottom of the league to making the playoffs?
If you find someone who can answer that, he needs to be in Atlanta. We need a revival.
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Posted by: Paul on June 9, 2008 12:27PM EST
Ask them what would it be like to going to a team with out a head coach. Also if you had your choice of a new head coach for Atl who would it be and why.
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Posted by: hunter on June 9, 2008 1:07PM EST
Ask them if they like boiled peanuts.
Then ask them when they think they'll be ready to play in the show. Whoever we pick may need a season or two in Chicago before making their debut at The Bulb.
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Posted by: Andyman on June 9, 2008 2:23PM EST
Ben ask them if they have any ink and if so, what it is of...
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Posted by: J.B. on June 9, 2008 2:56PM EST
Does the overall excitement of being drafted into the NHL overshadow any reservations they may hold regarding the possibility of coming to a team like the Thrashers that isn't known as a hockey town and isn't considered a Cup contender, at least currently, especially considering how Hossa exited Atlanta this past season?
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Posted by: Sam on June 9, 2008 4:10PM EST
I'd want to know what their off-season workout is like: exercise and diet. What do they think off-season work-outs add to their game?
I've always been curious about why the team seemingly doesn't specify off-season diet and exercises for players (except that one summer with Kari)...they're still team "property", right? And individualize plans for each player, too. Over and over, you hear that the long-career players are the ones in the best condition. Man, I'd be wanting to maximize the capacity of ALL my guys, young and old, by controlling their off-season work, too.
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Posted by: Anonymous on June 9, 2008 4:27PM EST
Ask them what they plan to bring to the table, ask them how they plan on helpin our team and if they have anything to say about the coaching situation here in Atlanta.
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Posted by: Ian on June 9, 2008 5:48PM EST
Question for Filatov!
Nikita, if you were selected by Atlanta, what would it mean to you to be on the same team as Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Kozlov? Did you ever think this would ever become a reality?
The Thrashers are bringing up a strong and young core of players, how would you go about competing for roster spots against guys who've been in the system for several years?
Filiatov would be a very interesting pick, I get more excited about this kid every day. I think he would be great for the Thrash and I would respect Waddell tremendously if he went against the popular consensus that a defenseman needs to be chosen at #3 and went ahead and made this selection. Filatov FTW
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Posted by: Mike on June 9, 2008 6:02PM EST
Yea, Im actually starting to think Filatov would be an amazing pick for the franchise.
For the prospects, ask them about how they feel about coming to play in a town where hockey is at the bottom of the city's sports agenda.
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Posted by: S Cup on June 10, 2008 11:47AM EST
Ben:
To any of the possible top defensemen choices:
What do you see your role being as a highly touted rookie going to a team with arguably one of the worst, or should I say disappointing, defenses in the NHL? Do you see yourself immediately anchoring one of the top two lines and becoming a leader on defense or are you more inclined to settle in on the 3rd line easing into a role and learning from the veterans? And what sets you apart from the other top 4 or 5 defensemen that would merit you being drafted ahead of them? (I think open and honest answers can give us an insight into the personality of these guys. Personally, I want a leader-type who is ready to seize an opportunity and establish himself right away and who has no doubts he will be a top performer in the NHL...not someone who is timid.)
For Filatov:
You are listed at 5" 11" and 171 lbs. but it's been written that you have a very agressive style. Do you feel you are physically ready to continue that agressive style against much larger NHL players, many of whom are just as fast as you are?
I like the kid too but draft him ONLY if we get a top line defensive free agent or trade for one.
Also, I feel we need an identity...having a new coach will be the first step in creating that identity. Maybe it's a shut down defense (ha!) or a scoriing defense (more likely) or great power play (ha! ha!) or a quick strike offense (we have alot of talent here and in Chicago to ramp up the scoring) but we need to do something as good or better than anyone else in the league.
That's my 2ยข worth...for now.
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Posted by: SyN DracuL on June 10, 2008 3:09PM EST
"If you are selected by Atlanta, how long do you expect it will be before you crack the lineup?"
-I've always wondered when the draftees are thinking they will finally make it into the NHL.
Thanks Ben for including the fans,
SyN DracuL
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Posted by: PUKHED on June 11, 2008 12:48AM EST
Do you guys get pointers on making autographs from the vets or do you just make it up as you go along?
How do you feel about grits, cornbread and sweet tea?
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Posted by: GaVaHokie on June 11, 2008 8:39AM EST
If we draft Bogosian...
Ask him if he's excited that he'll continue to play with his Peterborough defense partner Arturs Kulda as part of the Thrashers organization?
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Posted by: Michael on June 11, 2008 11:34AM EST
Ben-
Do you think we will have a coach before the draft?
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Posted by: Ben Wright on June 11, 2008 11:47AM EST
Great questions so far. Keep them coming.
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Posted by: GaVaHokie on June 11, 2008 12:22PM EST
If we draft Doughty...
You've said on several occasions you were a big fan of the LA Kings. Are you upset you weren't drafted by them at #2? What are your thoughts about coming to Atlanta?
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Posted by: Michael on June 12, 2008 12:34PM EST
McLellan to the Sharks! Now, what?
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Posted by: Andrew on June 15, 2008 4:11PM EST
Question for all Bogosian and Doughty: If you are selected by Atlanta, what would your attitude going into camp be knowing you have a good shot at cracking the starting lineup?
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