Posts Tagged Atlanta Thrashers

Coaches Safe in Atlanta for Now … Getzlaf and Selanne Day-to-Day … Hudler Back with Wings Next Year?

Posted by Mark in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News on March 16th, 2010

  • Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The Anaheim Ducks were hit with a couple injuries on Sunday, with the MRI’s done yesterday. Ryan Getzlaf has an inflamed left ankle (the same ankle that was hurt before the Olympics), but the MRI showed no additional damage. Teemu Selanne has a slightly sprained shoulder, and will be re-evaluated today. Both are listed as day-to-day.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Vivlamore interviews Thrashers GM, Don Waddell. When asked if there will a be a coaching change (John Anderson) before the end of the season, Waddell said no. The coaching situation will be re-evaluated after the season though. Waddell talked to Pavel Kubina and Colby Armstrong during Olympic break, both are upcoming UFA’s, and he plans to talk to them again in a month or so.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Ken Holland will once again try to convince Jiri Hudler to leave the KHL and come back to the Red Wings. Hudler has a 2 year, $5.75 million arbitration deal from last summer that he is bound too. His KHL deal was for 2 years, and between $3-5 million a season, tax free. With his KHL season done after a 1st round playoff exit, he’s not eligible to play for the Wings this year, but could suit up for them next season.
  • Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune: The Minnesota Wild are expected to sign UMass center, Casey Wellman this morning. The college free agent picked the Wild over 21 other teams. Wellman was 6th in goals this past season, scoring 23 times. He’ll be signing a 2 year deal worth $1.8 million. He’ll be in the lineup this year (ineligible for the playoffs).
  • Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators could be welcoming back Nick Foligno and Chris Campoli to their lineup as soon as tonight against the Maple Leafs. If Foligno is able to go, Jesse Winchester will most likely be out. If Campoli plays, Brian Lee will most likely be the odd man out.

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    Some Free Agent Rumors, as well as some Injury News

    Posted by Mark in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 10th, 2010

  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Though Dominic Moore has fit in well with the Montreal Canadiens, he’ll most likely not be back with them next year. Moore was acquired for a 2nd line pick before the trade deadline, and is on a 1 year, $1.1 million. There were reports last off-season that he turned down a 2 year deal worth over $4 million, but he said reports on what he was offered were untrue. You keep telling yourself that Dominic if it makes sleep better at night. The fact is you threw away a couple million dollars.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators are having a difficult time re-signing Anton Volchenkov so far. Volchenkov turned down a 5 year deal before the Olympic Break. The sides are still far apart, but will continue to try to work something out. The Sens may also try to re-sign newly acquired defenseman, Andy Sutton.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Atlanta Thrashers have lost Evander Kane for at least 3 weeks to a fractured left foot. They also lost Christopher Schubert for 3-5 weeks with a pulled muscle in his hip. Chris Chelios could be recalled by Thrashers.
  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Without Marc Savard for an extended period of time, the Bruins were also without defenseman Zdeno Chara last night against the Maple Leafs due to a ‘lower-body’ injury. Chara suffered the injury on Saturday. Claude Julien hopes to have the Big Z back in the lineup tomorrow.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Nikolai Khabibulin talked to reporters yesterday, but only about his injury (back surgery ended his season) and not his booze cruising incident in Arizona. He is in court on March 16th on the extreme DUI charge. His blood level was double the legal limit, and could face a minimum of 30 days in jail, though 20 of the 30 days could be suspended if “he undergoes testing or treatment”.

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    Cooke’s hit a ’shoulder to the head’ according to Colin Campbell … GMs talking Headshots in Florida … Injury Updates

    Posted by Mark in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 9th, 2010

  • James Murphy of NESN: The NHL’s chief disciplinarian Colin Campbell has said that Matt Cooke’s hit on Marc Savard was a shoulder to the head, rather than an elbow to the head. Campbell and about 7 others watched the hit for an hour and a half. Savard suffered a grade 2 concussion. A shoulder to the head may be a lesser suspension than an elbow to the head. Cooke is a repeat offender, so his punishment might be a little stiffer.
  • Elliotte Friedman of CBCSports: GM’s are taking another serious look at headshots at their GM meetings in Florida. Some factors Friedman thinks the GMs must address; ‘Make the penalties harsh’, ‘ease up on the self-interest’, ’soften the equipment’, ‘make the victims more aware’, ‘be flexible’, and ‘eliminate the instigator rule’. Some of Friedman’s ‘30 Thoughts’ below:
    • Some Canadian-based GMs think Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier jacked up the price of rentals when he gave up a 2nd round pick for Dominic Moore. I’d have to agree with them, I don’t know what Gauthier was thinking.
    • Other teams may not be pleased with Darryl Sutter giving Matt Stajan 4 years and $14 million. I agree with this as well, I was  (and am still) shaking my head over this one. $3.5 million for a 3rd line center? But I guess for now he’s the #1 center in Calgary.
    • Dan Hamhuis wasn’t dealt at the deadline as nobody wanted to give up a 1st rounder for the UFA.
    • Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli may not have wanted to give up a high draft pick or top prospect to acquire a scorer at the deadline, as he may not think they are legitamate contenders.
    • 2 teams (at least one) would have taken Cristobal Huet from the Blackhawks for a 1st rounder and an established player.
    • Some GMs believe now that the Canucks will hold on to Cody Hodgson.
    • Brian Burke has said it’s more likely that Tomas Kaberle is signed to an extension, rather than being traded.
    • Raffi Torres may want to return home to Toronto next year, but will Burke want him?
    • One of the reason’s Alexei Ponikarovsky was traded was that he asked for a 4 year contract extension.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Evander Kane of the Atlanta Thrashers will have a CT Scan on his left foot today. Kane blocked a shot on Saturday, and didn’t return after it happened.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: Newly acquired Dman Denis Grebeshkov will be out of the Predators lineup for 1-2 weeks with a lower-body injury. Shea Weber is doubtful for tonight’s game. Dan Ellis will start for the Preds.
  • The Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators have signed the 23-year-old Brian Lee to a 2 year contract extension. Lee was drafted 9th overall in 2005, but hasn’t really lived up to expectations yet.
  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Tuukka Rask was back on the ice for a 2nd day with several Bruins,e h aggravated an old right knee injury last week.

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    Other Fallouts from the Trade Deadline … Atlanta to Winnipeg, not now

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 5th, 2010

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Some league executives aren’t happy with the Coyotes adding salary at the deadline, since they are still losing money, and the other owers are fitting the bill. They added more than $2.5 million in salary, and are losing $5 million a month.

    “You know where that money comes from?” one furious league executive asked. “It comes out of the owners’ pockets and they aren’t going to be happy with this because they’re already not happy with having to foot the bill for Phoenix in the first place.”

    “I just don’t understand this,” said the executive. “I guess the belief is if the Coyotes can make a long playoff run, then they’ll be able to recoup some of the money for the NHL.”

  • Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun: About the rumors of the Atlanta Thrashers being moved to Winnipeg, Wyman has this to say “Get a grip, Winnipeg.” There hasn`t been a credible source to back up the rumor.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: The Canadiens decided to keep both Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price at the deadline.” Gainey was a strong Carey Price supporter, but when Gauthier and head coach Jacques Martin say the Canadiens need two goaltenders down the stretch, they’re really saying they need Jaroslav Halak.” The Canadiens shopped Paul Mara around but didn’t find any takers.
  • Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM Brian Lawton, “We were in on one big blockbuster deal that would ultimately have robbed us of our future, and we made the determination that we are going to remain disciplined and that we were not going to overpay things. And that was the theme for the day, lots of quantity, not quality.”
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Predators were in on Alexei Ponikarovsky, with what they considered a very good offer. (Brian Burke did say received an offer of a 2nd and 4th round pick, but didn’t name the team.)
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Thrashers tried to grant Slava Kozlov’s request of being traded, but was unable to find a playoff contender who wanted him. They never received an offer for him.

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    NHL Trade Rumors from Twitter for March 2nd

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 2nd, 2010

    We’ll continue to bring you updates from Twitter and elsewhere throughout today and tomorrow. Keep up-to-date will all player trades on our NHL Trade Tracker page. If you need a quick break from the rumors, check out the relaxed Wayne Gretzky.

  • 6:57 PM: Chris Botta: The Islanders have an offer that involves absorbing a big salary, and owner Charles Wang will be consulted
  • 6:55 PM: EJ Hradek: The Hurricanes won’t move Ray Whitney and Joe Corvo for the sake of moving them, Rutherford wants value in return.
  • 6:52 PM: Nick Kypreos: Alex Ponikarovsky won’t be in the lineup tonight.
  • 6:51 PM: Kevin Allen: Leafs getting action on Alexei Ponikarovsky, should land them a good prospect or active player, not a 1st rounder.
  • 6:43 PM: James Mirtle: Canucks need a defenceman to replace Willie Mitchell. Cory Schneider is in play.
  • 5:11 PM: Bob McKenzie: To all suggesting Dwayne Roloson is a Flyers, Bob was told he was starting for the Isles tonight.
  • 4:37 PM: Tim Panaccio: With Ray Emery done for the season, and the Islanders moving Dwayne Roloson, could he be a Flyer.
  • 4:09 PM: Bruce Garrioch: The Blues have sent out a memo saying Brad Boyes and Carlo Coliacovo are available.
  • 3:31 PM: Nick Kypreos: Paul Kariya has told the Blues he won’t waive his no-trade clause. Keith Tkachuk doesn’t want to move either.
  • 3:29 PM: Bob McKenzie: Tomas Kaberle hasn’t supplied the Leafs with the list of teams he’d waive his no-trade clause for, and has no desire to leave.
  • 2:48 PM: Bob McKenzie: Ray Whitney may not be dealt unless the Kings get back in, Pittsburgh appears to be out.
  • 2:44 PM: Michael Russo: There is a good chance Owen Nolan is dealt.
  • 2:43 PM: Bob McKenzie: The Avalanche have put Wojtek Wolski in play, the Coyotes are one team interested.
  • 2:30 PM: Michael Russo: Zidlicky signs a 3 year, $12 million deal. No trade clause for the first half of the deal.
  • 2:08 PM: Michael Russo: Zidlicky confirms he’s close to signing extension with the Wild.
  • 2:04 PM: Tim Panaccio: To begin talks involving Raffi Torres, teams need a 2nd rounder.
  • 1:43 PM: Bruce Garrioch: The Senators acquire Andy Sutton from the Islanders for a 2nd round pick. The 2nd round pick is the one they acquired from the Sharks (Bob McKenzie).
  • 1:42 PM: John Shannon: So far, Vokoun has not waived his no-trade clause.
  • 1:40 PM: James Mirtle: The Bruins have acquired Dman Steven Kampfer from the Ducks for a 2010 or 2011 4th round pick.
  • 1:19 PM: David Pagnotta: Doesn’t think the Flyers are getting Tomas Vokoun, they don’t have the cap space.
  • 12:44 PM: Erik Erlendsson: The Lightning have green light to make playoff push, and are linked to Raffi Torres and Kris Versteeg.
  • 12:38 PM: NHL Sources Say: Penguins looking to move Jay McKee.
  • 12:37 PM: Darren Dreger: Maple Leafs say there is ‘no chance’ to the rumor of Cristobal Huet heading to Toronto.
  • 12:36 PM: Tim Panaccio: Riley Cote and Danny Syvret cleared waivers.
  • 12:23 PM: Nick Kypreos: Players on waivers as of noon. Lukowich - Vancouver, Oulahen - Detroit, Lisin - Rangers, Voros - Rangers, Eriksson - Coyotes, Chelios - Thrashers, Jones - Predators, Grahame - Avalanche.
  • 12:04 PM: Ben Wright: The Thrashers have signed Chris Chelios. He’ll stay in minors until he clears waivers.
  • 12:01 PM: Greg Brady (AM 640): Rumors of Leafs sending Jeff Finger to the Blackhawks for Cristobal Huet. If true, Hauks could go hard after Vokoun and Leafs could flip Huet.

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    Almost Trade Deadline Day

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 2nd, 2010

  • 3:59 PM: TheFourthPeriod: Alexei Ponikarovsky is close to be dealt. The Kings, Penguins, and Predators have shown serious interest. The Leafs are hoping for a 1st round pick, but might take a 2nd and top prospect.
  • 10:57 AM: Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Finding some 3rd line scoring is on the wish list of Canucks coach, Alain Vigneault. If GM Mike Gillis agrees, he may look at Steve Reinprecht, who he considered bringing in last season. Other options could be Eric Belanger, Doug Weight, or Jeff Halpern. If they are worried about Willie Mitchell’s health, they might look at Aaron Ward or Andy Sutton. 2006 1st round pick, Michael Grabner, might be bait to bring in some help.
  • 10:52 AM: Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Don Waddell tells Chris he’ll be a buyer more than a seller. He’d like to add a forward with size, and some scoring to make up for Kovalchuk’s departure. He’s talked to 15 teams, but there isn’t a lot of options available. A few teams have called about Slava Kozlov.
  • 10:46 AM: Chuck Gormley of the Courier-Post: The Flyers may also be talking to the Predators about goalie Dan Ellis. This would make a lot of sense for the Flyers as Ray Emery is on LTIR and Michael Leighton is their starting goalie. It would make sense for them even if Emery wasn’t on LTIR.
  • 10:43 AM: TheFouthPeriod: The Kings may have moved on from Ray Whitney and may target, Slava Kozlov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Raffi Torres or Paul Kariya.
  • 10:39 AM: Chris Botta at NYI Point Blank: The Isles have had a couple offers, 2nd round picks for Andy Sutton but they may hold out for a 2nd rounder plus an additional pick.
  • 10:36 AM: Frank Seravalli of the Philadephia Daily News: Sources are saying the Flyers will send Ryan Parent and Braydon Coburn to the Preds for Hamhuis. May happen when Cote and Syvret clear waivers at noon today.
  • 10:31 AM: Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: The Flyers and Predators have talked about Dan Hamhuis. The Preds have asked about several players, including Ryan Parent, who they sent to Philly in the Forsberg deal in 2007.
  • 10:25 AM: Sam Carchiki of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers freed up $2 million in cap room by placing Ray Emery on LTIR and waiving Riley Cote, bringing their total cap room up to $2.8 million. They have shown interest in Alex Frolov, Raffi Torres, and Colby Armstrong. Dan Hamhuis could be their main target.
  • 10:23 AM: Kevin Mio of Habs Inside/Out: The Canadiens and Tomas Plekanec’s agent held talks during the Olympic break, and will continue to talk after the trade deadline day.
  • 10:19 AM: Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Red Wings GM Ken Holland doesn’t expect to make any moves at the deadline, but if he does do something, it will have to be dollar-for-dollar as they are against the cap. “Our trade deadline was Franzen, Lilja and Kronwall,” he said, referring to the healthy return of Johan Franzen, Andreas Lilja and Niklas Kronwall. “Not too many teams are going to do any better than that.”
  • Steve Gorten of the Sun-Sentinel: After trading Jordan Leopold yesterday, and Dominic Moore before the Olympics, the Panthers may still not be finished dealing. Tomas Vokoun, Dennis Seidenberg, Rostislav Olesz, Cory Stillman, and Steven Reinprect, could be some of the few that are moved.
  • Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: The Oilers acquired a 2nd round pick for Denis Grebeshkov yesterday, and they will still make several other moves. From GM Steve Tambellini, “I wouldn’t say everyone is on the block, but given where we are I’d be crazy not to listen to everything,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to do it, but I’ll listen to everything.”
  • Michael Russo and Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune: The Minnesota Wild and Marek Zidlicky have contract that is all but complete. It is a 3 year deal for the 33 year old, but the sticking point is the full no-trade clause that Zidlicky wants. The Wild only want to include a no-trade clause for part of the contract. If they can’t agree on the contract, they’ll most likely trade Zidlicky. They are also getting some calls about Owen Nolan, and it’s also rumored that they might be willing to trade Eric Belanger.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Marek Svatos is waiting to be traded, his bags are already packed, now he’s just waiting for the Avalanche to trade him. Svatos was in the lineup last night playing on the 2nd line, with scouts from at least 2 teams in attendance, the Blackhawks and Sharks.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Ladislav Smid’s name was creeping into a few trade rumors, but that will probably be the end of them as he has bulging disc in his neck. In the next few days he’ll visit a neurologist to decide if he’ll just need a short rest, or if it will be a season ending injury, that might require surgery.

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    NHL Trade Rumors from Twitter for Mar. 1st

    Posted by Mark in NHL News on March 1st, 2010

    Chris Vivlamore: The Thrashers will be buyers more than sellers at the deadline.

    Bob McKenzie: The Lightning have put Brandon Bochenski on re-entry waivers. The Flyers have put Riley Cote on waivers.

    Bruce Garrioch: The Sharks are looking at Aaron Ward.

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    Cullen Gone by Tomorrow .. Turco in Limbo .. Armstrong Drawing Interest .. Some Panthers on the Block

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 11th, 2010

  • The Triangle Business Journal: Hurricanes GM, Jim Rutherford, expects to trade Matt Cullen before the Olympic roster freeze (tomorrow), and Ray Whitney after the break.
  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Tim Thomas hasn’t been approached about waiving his no-trade, and “Thomas told CSNNE.com he “won’t respond to something that’s completely fictitious” and thus won’t address trade rumors that have kicked up with the Vezina Trophy winner.”
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Marty Turco hasn’t heard anything about what the Stars plan on doing with him. “I don’t have any qualms or problems. You put yourself in Joe’s shoes, and that’s it. Then you just focus on your job, and that’s all you can do,” Turco said. “A lot of people know how I feel and where my heart is, and if I keep playing like I’m playing now, then I’ll be OK and look back at everything and have a great big smile on my face.”
  • Patrick Caisse of Canoe: The LA Kings and Montreal Canadiens are rumored to be working on a deal that involves Alexander Frolov. Though the Kings might be looking to acquire Ray Whitney or Slava Kozlov before they deal Frolov.
  • James Murphy via Twitter: Sources have told Murphy that Dan Hamhuis of the Predators is on the block, the Preds want scoring in return.
  • George Richards of the Miami Herald: Panthers forward Rostislav Olesz has a broken hand, so it might quite trade rumors for him. Richards doens’t think he’d be traded anyways, but others could be available; Jordan Leopold, Dennis Seidenberg, Gregory Campbell and Kamil Kreps.
  • Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Colby Armstrong is drawing plenty of interest, and the highest return for the Thrashers may be just before the deadline.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche defenseman Ruslan Salei  is about to return after being out for 3 months, and could be a good depth acquisition for someone.
  • Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press: Walters wonders with the emergence of Wild goalie Anton Khudobin, if they’d consider moving Josh Harding.
  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Mike Komisarek underwent surgery on the torn labrum in his right shoulder. He’ll be out 4-6 months.

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    Kari Lehtonen Traded To The Dallas Stars

    Posted by Derek in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Trades on February 9th, 2010

    “The Atlanta Thrashers have traded goalie Kari Lehtonen to the Dallas Stars for defenceman Ivan Vishnevskiy and a fourth-round draft pick.

    Lehtonen, 26, was recalled by Atlanta on Tuesday after completing a conditioning assignment with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. The Finnish backstop has not played this season after undergoing back surgery on Sept. 16.

    Over four seasons with the Thrashers, Lehtonen compiled a record of 94-83-17 with 14 shutouts. He led Atlanta to the franchise’s only playoff appearance in 2006-07.” (Source:TSN)

    This doesn’t look good for Marty Turco. There have been a lot of rumors surrounding Turco in recent weeks and it appears the writing’s on the wall in big D…

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    Blackhawks interested in Parros and Wisniewski, Goaltending situation in Dallas, Lehtonen back in Atlanta

    Posted by Mark in NHL Injuries, NHL Rumors on February 8th, 2010

  • Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: The countdown for the Olympic roster freeze has begun (Feb. 12th, 3pm), so GM’s have a few days to go over their plan B’s (well for those of who were interested in Kovalchuk), which of course is headed by Ray Whitney. Cam Ward is getting an MRI done on his back, and if the results are not good, he could be shut down for the year.
  • Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: The Blackhawks might be talking to Anaheim about George Parros. They also have inquired about James Wisniewski.
  • Steve Simmons from the Ottawa Sun: The Maple Leafs have tried to include Jeff Finger in almost all their trade talks, with no success. This should come as no surprise as he still has 2 years left at a $3.5 mill cap number. He could find himself in the minors or being bought out.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk has plenty of goaltending options to consider. He can keep his goalies for the remainder of the season, and hope that Marty Turco can return to his prior form. He can trade Turco and bring in another goalie. Tim Thomas could be on the market (see yesterday mornings post). Cory Schneider is buried in the minors, with no hope of overtaking Roberto Luongo in Vancouver. Jaroslav Halak might be available. Kari Lehtonen is also available.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Atlanta Thrashers have recalled Kari Lehtonen from his 2 week conditioning stinct. Lehtonen allowed 11 goals on 109 shots (.899 save %), with a GAA of 2.67. Let the trade rumors begin as the Thrashers now have 3 NHL capable goalies on their roster.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Tomas Holmstrom and Drew Miller left Saturday’s game with an injury, but both are expected to play on Tuesday. Niklas Kronwall might be ready to go as well, the same with Johan Franzen.

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