Depends on if we're buyers or sellers. We have a whopping 5 games before the olympics/roster freeze/trade deadline to figure that out.
Moving Kozlov and/or Lehts now in either case might not be a bad idea since getting any return on them would be better than nothing at the end of the season when we're expected to bid them adieu.
If we're sellers, then Kubina has the most value hands down. I'm pretty sure the preference around e-Thrasherland though is to keep this guy if at all possible.
Army & Max are another two that we might like to keep around, but not really sure if they'll stay. Assuming you were a good GM, you might have that conversation with those two before deciding to move them or not. We know what happens when you assume though, right?
IMO...Ponikarovky is the best answer. The only problem is that with the pick we send for someone, we have to send a roster player too. We need the spot. If we can convince Kozz to drop the NTC, that would be fantastic.
IMO...Ponikarovky is the best answer. The only problem is that with the pick we send for someone, we have to send a roster player too. We need the spot. If we can convince Kozz to drop the NTC, that would be fantastic.
I'd say to send out Armstrong and a 3rd or 4th. Armstrong is a Burke type player.
IMO...Ponikarovky is the best answer. The only problem is that with the pick we send for someone, we have to send a roster player too. We need the spot. If we can convince Kozz to drop the NTC, that would be fantastic.
I've said in posts before that we need to trade kozzy, as an organization we owe him one last chance to hoist lord stanley again. If we trade him it will be to a contender and that will get us pick or prospects. Kubina will get a 1st rounder. max and army are the most valuable. army cause for some reason gms have a love fest with him and max because of the scoring he bring and his price. he can fit under any teams cap looking for sencondary scoring. all of these players are UFA's and would be traded to teams looking to make a playoff push. this means we will not get a roster player back if we do it will be a bad contract which we dont want or need. we will mostly get back picks and prospects which wont be valuable unless packed and huge over payement ala both first rounder army, max, and kubina to LA for simmons. (thats just an example.) this move would be pointless for this year.
If this team goes into fire sale mode, which I really hope they don't, there are a couple of things this team and it's prospect depth doesn't need: Bottom 6 forward and 4-6 defenseman. They need Top 6 forward prospect and a defensive prospect that can be a 2 or 3 (no body's giving up a guy that can be a 1), or a good goalie prospect.
With that in mind, I say the team should try trading up. Take the lowest rated player that they are going to trade and move him for say a pick. Take the pick, pair it with another player and get something better. Take the something better and pair it with the next player and get.....something even better. Continue this until you have a 2 or 3 defensive prospect, a top 6 (but preferably top line forward prospect) or a high level goalie prospect.
With the team's prospect depth and in some ways team depth right now, High end prospects are what this organization needs most.
Ponikarovsky is a fantastic option, and one that could potentially re-sign, considering he and Antropov have history. Hell, we could overpay him by a million a year, and he'd still be "cheap."
I also think that a proven NHL goaltender would be a good addition, but I think the best option has already landed in Toronto. Looking at Turco's statistics, he's not historically any better than Kari, and supposedly, he's nuttier than a squirrel turd. I mean, I know all goalies are typically weird (the sports world's version of drummers), but I think Turco takes it to a new level. He's not really an upgrade, I don't think. Martin Biron, however, could be. I don't know what the Islanders want for him, but he's definitely available now that DiPi is back.
However, the need for a goaltender (is it really a need?) could be mitigated dependent upon Lehtonen's performance. I'm not really advocating handing him the keys to the kingdom based on his prior issues, but, perhaps, he could get hot enough to steal some games down the stretch.
I think the Thrashers should really pursue Ponikarovsky, mostly because they would have a decent shot an re-signing him. He was close friends with Antropov in Toronto, and I think he would be a good fit for Atlanta.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AtlantaWhaler
So, I just looked up our picks in the upcoming draft:
2 Firsts
1 Second
2 Thirds
2 Fourths
2 Fifths
We have a lot of picks
That could be really exciting if the Thrashers weren't awful at drafting and developing prospects.
Last edited by Norm MacDonald: 02-10-2010 at 03:41 PM.
I think the Thrashers should really pursue Ponikarovsky, mostly because they would have a decent shot an re-signing him. He was close friends with Antropov in Toronto, and I think he would be a good fit for Atlanta.
But where do you play him? He's not exactly 1st line material and he's 30, so his skills aren't going to get any better.
That could be really exciting if the Thrashers weren't awful at drafting and developing prospects.
dudley is a very good talent evaluator and the last draft had some very good picks even if it was a very deep draft. we have had an increase lately in the number of prospects that look good, i'm optimistic.
Tonight is big. Hawks are super tough, but if we can go into the break within a point or two of the playoffs, I think we make a move to get one more forward.
With the Thrashers 2 pts out of 8th spot and 3 games on hand with 2 1st round picks are the Thrashers buyers or sellers... With that being said without a face of the franchise like Kovalchuk around i think i would do a quick rebuild at this years draft become sellers and then give it ago next season
