e_prime

I agree. Flip is a good piece, but Flip as the only proven commodity in the bunch is not enough to make this happen. Williams can help for their playoff run this year, but he's certainly not the kind of talented forward that Atlanta is looking for. Ericcson: Certainly a top defensive prospect and doing just swell for his rookie season, however not quite a top 4 defenseman. Leino: If this the suggestion you're making for top prospect that Waddell is asking for... hmm. Succinctly, Leino is a big question mark. You know it. I know it. Waddell knows it. Not what Atlanta is looking for.

Mike Comrie

This would certainly be easier to swallow than losing Flip and Kronwall, but I'm unsure that Waddell would take it with some of the other offers that will be on the table.

Take it away Bob: "Keep in mind he is a rental. At this point, Waddell is not going to allow teams to talk to Kovalchuk or his agent about a long-term contract extension because to do so would put the power into the hands of the player and his agent. It's true that a team might be willing to give the Thrashers more to acquire Kovalchuk if they knew they could sign him long term, but that would also put Waddell over a barrel to accept whatever that one team and one team only is offering. And he won't allow that to happen." ...and that's the problem. There is no guarantee. It's a lot to give up if he decides the pastures are greener elsewhere. If we could talk extention with Kovy now... and if Lidstrom would talk extension now instead of after the playoffs. I might be willing to accept it too. ...but these are gaping holes to fill if Flip and Kronner are gone. Kovy doesn't re-sign. Lidstrom retires.

Agreed. Hopefully he'll get moved to a team that can't afford to resign him and we can take our best shot at him in free agency. Within the realm of sanity of course, but a shot at least.

Minny: OVERALL SUMMARY Allowable salary through 126 days $37,081,865 Salary through 126 days $37,479,699 Salary less bonuses through 126 days $36,986,798 LTI exemption through 126 days $0 Remaining salary over 67 days $19,908,440 Remaining LTI exemption over 67 days $1,416,373 Salary cap $56,800,000 Projected final cap number $55,971,766 Potential performance bonuses $755,000 Cushioned projected final $55,216,766 Cap space $1,583,234 Acquisition space (full-season cap hit) $4,560,659

Translation... "I don't wanna and ain't gonna play here no mo'!!"

According to McKenzie: Teams have been told Waddell wants one top six forward, one top four defenceman and a prospect or high end draft pick. That's a steep price for a rental player, even one who scores goals like Kovalchuk. -- At the very least I think we're talking Val Filpulla, Kronwall, and Helm, Abdelkader, or Ericsson. (Do we have a "high end draft pick??) IMHO, I think it's too high of a price for Detroit for just the playoffs. Certainly, he might like it here and then go on to re-sign, but that's an uncertainty that is just too expensive and I don't think Ken Holland is going to gamble that much/is that dumb. I think they make a push for him when he becomes a UFA. IF AT ALL. (Only if he can get off that MAX CONTRACT nonsense.)

http://atdhe.net/watch-american-hockey-league.php?s=icehogs

Just saw that too. With LA and Chicago they said it had to do with how "imminent" the deal supposed is, and that's why they're "out" Also mentioned Rangers said, "close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades." Also speculated that Atlanta is just trying to drum up some talk and increase the fervor around Kovalchuk.

This has been stated elsewhere, but just in case you didn't see it. Rafalski is signed through 2012 and has a NTC. So "reinvesting" that cash is a little hard. Also, I don't think there's any way Lidstrom is taking $3.5. ON TOPIC: via Bob McKenzie's Twitter: Teams in mix for Kovalchuk include: Boston, New Jersey, Rangers, Philadelphia, Calgary, Chicago and L.A. Some more. Some less. Auction time. about 4 hours ago from web Calgary Flames NOT in the mix for Kovalchuk. about 2 hours ago from web

He's a RFA at the end of the season. His cap hit is $1.7 Million.

I would rather face the Hawks or Sharks in the first round. I think we can beat either of those teams. (and if we can't, I'd rather be bounced by them than say... the Coyotes or Vancouver.)

Quoted for truth. Defense wins championships, no?

Rental situation withstanding: I'm not sure that it's not going to take a max contract to get Kovy into your club, however more importantly Opie, you make some valid points that lead to the question: "What is Kovy about?" Is he in it for the money, or does he want to win a cup? Edit: Clarity

You mean the folks that have started watching again since the Hawks have come out of the dark-ages. Do they even know about the salary cap?

He's a feisty SOB. Have liked him in the games I've seen him play for the Isles, but seriously overpaid.

It's scary indeed. I'm still surprised that people don't understand that Chicago HAS to lose some of their talented depth pool in the off-season.

The goal and the salary differential. Also, I think if Lebda goes, gets bumped up a couple lines and plays to his potential, no one here will be surprised or have serious regrets. If Meech goes and the same happens, it will be strains of complaint ala Kyle Quincey all over again. Something that I am sure I cannot bear.

You weren't kidding!! Witt on waivers

Sorry, I didn't mean to drag this off topic to a conversation about who's gonna make the playoffs or not. ...and you're absolutely right. I think these guys could be welcome additions to either of those clubs. (Although I guess Lebda to the Isle would hurt just as much as him being a Red Wing.) Lebda provides not only the offensive minded defenseman need but also playoff/cup winning experience. The more and more I think about it, and as much as I'd love to get a scoring winger for them, we're getting picks for these guys not players. By these guys I mean our expendables: Lebda, Meech, Leino.

6 Philadelphia Flyers 59 7 Montréal Canadiens 58 8 Tampa Bay Lightning 57 9 Florida Panthers 57 10 New York Rangers 57 11 Atlanta Thrashers 56 12 Boston Bruins 55 13 New York Islanders 54 I agree that Atlanta (and the Islanders) are typically "basement dwellers," but it's a little misleading to say they're in 11th place. They're mired in the playoff mix that is the Eastern Conference. I'd say 1-5 are a lock for the playoffs, while Toronto and Carolina have little hope. 6-13 are separated by all of 5 points. (Hmm... do we know of a certain other team that's stuck in a similar situation?) Anyway, Atlanta is in the middle of this mess and can make the playoffs. They've just got to get the right pieces for Kovalchuk to keep themselves in it.

You may be right, but there are going to be teams that are looking to rebuild for next year. All those guys with the exception of Leino are FA at the end of the season. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that a team desperate to shed some salary wouldn't bite. If the player was right, maybe I would throw in a pick as well. It's not as if I imagine any of those guys being Wings next year anyway. I'm aiming for a second/third line winger with those pieces, not Kovalchuk.

If we're trading anyone for anything, it's gotta be a scorer... not another grinder. I don't think Mayers is capable of putting up his old numbers. He'd probably play, what? third line, with Flip and Miller?? Who knows. I know he's too expensive, AND he wants to stay in Toronto... but Alexei Ponikarovsky would be a nice addition. 18 Goals 17 Assists Cap Hit: $2,105,000

*sigh* Maybe not, but I still feel like it's possible to move him for something, anything... or maybe, just maybe all of our expectations are just a little too high?