Something Is A Muck In Blueland

So the Thrashers released two players who I thought would be very smart to have for the first part of the season, specifically the 5 game road trip, Manny Legace and Mr. Fristche. I think the reason for my concern is that they are both known to be excellent on the PK (which is obviously less than stellar for our boys in blue).

My other reason for concern is not wanting to be in 07-08 again. 0-6 and firing a head coach because we just look that bad. Its very possible that the kind of rookie Pavlec could have one of his trademark meltdowns, thow a hissy fit, and be shipped back to Chicago with Moose and someone else taking the reigns.

Now, one questiosn still looms over my head that I am curious about. Is Kari actually healing faster than we think and the team is trying to hide it so that it surprises everyone? I know it seems odd and maybe even impossible but let me offer you this:

We are back to the three goalie dilemma we had at the end of last season and the summer. Which means one goalie is going to either have to:
a) move to the press box
b) be a cornerstone in a trade or
c) go to Chicago in minors (and 2, Kari and Moose, have one way contracts)

Now with that being said, 2 of those options require Kari and Ondrej both being able to play (a and b). If Kari is not ready to play, logically, we would have Legace in the minors as a backup if Ondrej can't handle the job (If Ondrej fails then turn the reins to Moose and call up Legace ). Now that Legace is gone, one has to think Kari is starting the year in Chicago for 2 games to get his feet wet, then meeting the team on the road for the trip or will be ready for opening night.

I know this might be some rambling, but I am sure every Thrashers fan is trying to figure out what the D-Dub and R-Dud were thinking on this one. Obviously they are priveliged to information we are not, but something seems a bit curious for a cut like this to happen when Pavlec had only one decent showing this preseason. I really do wonder what is going on in that office.

Its A Matter Of Respect

So, I'm tired of people bashing the Thrashers saying we are going to be bottom feeders, we suck, and that Kovalchuk is leaving at the trade deadline for a "true hockey team" (Which always ends up with the team being located in Canada).

Not a damn thing in that list is going to happen.

Get you heads on straight people, this Thrashers team is going to blow past people. In the new NHL speed kills, and the Thrashers are loaded with it. Three lines will be flying around the NHL and giving defensman hell. Peverly, Kovy, Afinagenov, Little, Armstrong, White, Kozlov, Bogosian, and Enstrom just to get a list going will be hard to cover. Compound this with the newly acquired size (thanks Canada for freebies on those... have fun with the stiff Exelby, we hosed you on that deal) and you got one heck of team.

In presason games (which I know mean nothing), we are seeing the Thrashers actually being able to sustain pressure in the offensive zone and also get out of our zone when the pressure is there. Its almost weird saying this, but if our goalies have an average year this team will make the playoffs, and if they have a good year then we could be two or three rounds in the playoffs (longer than any Canadian team will get).

Canada, stop asking for our team, we are better than some of yours, stop creating crap about Kovy leaving when you obviously spend no time reading what he says, and get off your high horse about "your" sport. America owns this sport now and we have the better teams. When was the last time a freaking Canadian team won the cup anyways? It was 17 years ago for those of you who don't have time to look it up.

Start doing some research people, it looks a few canadian teams will miss out on the post season party this year.

College Football Hall Of Fame

So I woke up today in Atlanta with some streets still closed from the flood, which arguably could be the biggest in Atlanta history to find some interesting information about a prestegious landmark that could be making its home in Atlanta. As the title states, the College Football Hall of Fame is looking for a new home, since the University of Notre Dame apparently doesn't attract enough people.

Lets be honest here people, Atlanta is about the best city in the world have the Football Hall of Fame. We have football in our blood (even im not a big football fan and I watch it religiously), we have some of the best recruits in the nation come from our back yard, and the amount of traffic that flows through this city is insane. Not to mention we have two major division one sports teams right in the area that just creates traffic for the venue.

Beyond this, Atlanta is the hub for anything that travels in the Southeast. We have the biggest air port in the world that traffics nearly 10 million a people a day through its gates and im sure at least one million of those people would gladly spend a day in the Hall of Fame paying homage to their favorite players.

I am an advocate of this movement since it Atlanta already has several marquee tourist sites, but this just adds another dimension to a city that has great football heratige and would make this place truly unique.

Never Say Die

The Atlanta Braves seem to have developed a bi-polar sort of playing style these days. First we go on a five game losing streak that takes us all but out of the wild card race to turn it around and go on a seven game win streak that has us right in the thick of the race. Now I know its not expected that a team down by 4.5 games with 16 games left to make the playoffs. Right now, I think the Braves legitamitely have a shot of getting there. Ago, we cannot win our division (we are already 7 our there), the Braves have a schedule that is winnable by their standards. We are playing competition that we have successfully beaten for the good part of the year, and not to mention most the games left are to be played at home. Maybe I'm just a loyal fan cheering for a team that is just a bit to far out, but I think the Braves are playing their best ball of the season and could pull this one out.

This would be So Much Fun

US National Team kicking field goals... well sort of. its Stuart Holden and David Akers of the Eagles.

Check it out.

Kovalchuk On Track To Resign With Thrashers

The boys of the Blueland Chronicle wrote this tidbit about our beloved Captain saying he is staying here in Atlanta and is getting close to signing with the Thrashers. This is very encouraging news for any Thrashers fan and I am interested as to why all the players seem so optomistic that we are going to make a run at something here. I can't help but wonder if there is something that this team knows that the public doesn't. Anyways, thought anyone who reads this would want to know that Kovy is getting closer to be a Thrasher for life.

Remeber 9-11-01

Today we all need to step back and give thanks to those who gave up their lives so we could have a better country today.

Thanks to all the brave souls who both perished and survived that dreadful day. We thank you for your bravery.

US Escapes T&T

World Cup 2010 is less than a year away and still I am nervious about the US Mens nation team. We are only one win away from securing a spot to the prestigious even, our lack of confidence and rhythm is what scares me. We literally escaped 1-0 to a much inferior Trinidad & Tobego team. If not for Tim Howard being brilliant as he usually is, the score of the game is easily 0-2 or 1-3. Watching parts of the game, we looked like deer in headlights trying desperately to keep up, but then would turn around and look like the team that was so surprising in the Confederations Cup.

Now Beyond this I want to say that Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies should be our starting Strikers. That would be a strong pair that would give defenders fits and be able to strech even the best defenders to their max. You have the combination of size and speed that actually reminds me of Ronadihno and Ranaldo days of Brazil.

The main glaring problem the US has is in its central midfield. It has been painfully obvious the past three games that we have played. Michael Bradley is a talented player, but who is there in the middle with him? Stuart Holden has been making a nice push to get there, but I really hope that FIFA gets on that paper work for Jermaine Jones. Talk about a nice pre cup upgrade right there. That would definitely give the US some options and create a lot of internal competition.

We only have one true soft spot in the back and its the left back position. Now, Jay Demerit has shown flashes of brilliance with Onyewu but I wonder if we go back to Bocanegra with Onyewu if Demerit could keep up with the speedy wingers of the world.

If he could the US suddenly becomes a much more stable team for a few reasons: Our controlling central defense pair is back together, Demerit sees long break out passes very well, our midfield is finally balanced, and we have two scoring threats up top.

We don't need bother to talk about goalkeeper, Mr. Howard has that on lock, and is being touted by some Premier League coaches as having the skills and mental ability to be the worlds best goalie.

So a possible lineup I would like to see. Its a kew idea for the US since we usually run a straight 4-4-2 because I see it as more a 4-1-3-2 type set to allow for more attacking and stretching their opponents:

Howard

Cherundolo--Bocanegra--Onyewu--DeMerit

Clark*

Dempsey---Bradley---Donovan

Altidore--Davies

*Right now we will hold this place with Recardo Clark, but when Jermane Jones' paperwork clears this is where I see him fitting in since he is a talented ball winner and possesion player.

Feel free to give me some feedback on this, but keep in mind this is just to fix the problems I have seen the US being exposed to the past few games. Also, before everyone says I forgot Jose Torres, I know he is there but I see him being a big factor next World Cup. I am just not 100% convinced the young man is ready (I can not deny he is a smooth player and has a brilliant upside that US could desperately use).

The Difference Between Kovalchuk and Hossa

As we slowly creep upon the new season here in Atlanta an ominious cloud reminds out of how our franchise looked two years ago. A major superstar is entering his last year of his contract and looking into becoming a UFA. Now we all know what happened the first time around, but I beg you to see things differently this time. There are some very visual and mental differences between Hossa and Kovalchuk.

First lets look at the Hossa scenario:

• Hossa never wanted to be here, he signed a deal in Ottawa to be a Senator to be traded a few days later here. He never once mentioned this place as his home and came here grudingly, if that.
• Hossa never bothered to be part of the team. He worked hard to get his stats, drive up his value at the end of his contract and get a big payday (which he really did)
• Hossa didn't think Atlanta was a good hockey market and didn't buy into the team beacuse of that
• Hossa wouldn't listen to negotiations from the Thrashers, and when his agent did he promptly fired him and replaced him with another agent that has a horrible reputation as being impossible to deal with
• Hossa failed to be a leader. Plain and simple he wouldn't place the teams success before his. Beyond this, when he said he wanted the team to get better he didn't say who, just told management change things and make it better.

Now lets look at Kovalchuck's situation

• He thinks Atlanta is his home. His family loves it here and he says its the ideal place to have a family
• He feels tied to the team since he has always played here and was drafted to be on this team.
• When the team needed a leader, he stepped up and deserving now wears the "C" on his left shoulder.
• He is actively negotiating to stay with the Thrashers.
• When Kovy said he wanted change, he told the owners specifically what he wanted and they got it. Not to mention he helped recruit atleast one player to get him to sign here.
• He staight out said in multiple interviews "I am looking for a reason to stay in Atlanta" and "I want to win the Stanley Cup in Atlanta".

Now, call me crazy if you will, but for some odd reason I think that Kovalchuk wants to stay in Atlanta. Even if we don't sign him before July 1, he said that he wants to wait around and see what happens. I wish that he would sign before the start of the season, but that might be asking too much. I just see Kovalchuk as a player that sees how much this team wants him, hell, needs him and he can't bring himself to let them down. Take what you want from this but I think by the time he gets back from the Olympics he will have a longterm contract signed to keep him a Thrasher for life.

A Thrasher's Preview

Enoy all.

Zerdev On The Way To Becoming A Thrasher?

Apparently multiple sources are starting to get word that Zerdev is not going to the KHL after all, rather he might be coming to the Atlanta Thrashers. This is interesting since he refused to sign with his former team , the New York Rangers. I wonder if this is going to make sparks fly in the NYR vs. ATL games we see this year. This definitely now makes some interesting line combinations possible for the thrashers.

Kovy-Antropov-Zerdev
Kozlov-White-Little
Peverly-Reasoner-Armstrong
Bouton-Slater-Thorburn

That is actually a rather competant looking team scoring wise and defensively as well. There are two deep scoring lines, one true shutdown line and another line that just hustles every time they are on the ice. Not to mention our defense looks vastly improved from last year we could really see a larg 15-20 point jump for the boys in blue. We have a legit top four defensive group finally and now the only question is who wins the goalie starting job. If everything is going as well as its supposedly is for Mr. Lehtonin, this could be a scary team when he comes back 5 games into the season. Hopefully Zerdev will come to the Thrashers, because for the first time in the history of this team, we might have too many top six forwards to deal with... and a much brighter chance of signing that imprtant man with the C that is #17.