Esquire 324 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=403768 I've heard rumors of him wanting out but now that this has been announced does anyone have some insight as to what the future may hold for him and the Thrashers? Does this improve his trade value at all or does it signal the Thrashers willingness to stick with him? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AtomicPunk 296 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Makes it sound like they might have straightened some stuff out. Highly doubtful they would name a malcontent as their captain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Management wants him to re-sign Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greetings from Blueland 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Management wants him to re-sign So, so, true! I think that the rest of this season will decide whether or not Kovalchuk wants to stay. Even if we don't win, as long as we put up an effort (which has not been the case lately), I think that Kovalchuk will re-sign. If not, we can say goodbye now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) OR... Does Kenny Holland make him next year's Marion Hossa. Look sign with us for one year, make way less than you should, get a legit shot at winning, and then next year rake in the coin. People look at us and will blame us like the Yankees. We will take the blame and you look like a good guy who was tired of losing and just wanted to win! What do you say Ilya, 5 mil sound good? Edited January 12, 2009 by Opie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greetings from Blueland 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 OR... Does Kenny Holland make him next year's Marion Hossa. I don't think so - Kovalchuk and Hossa have VERY different personalities. At practice, I had never even gotten Hossa to sign a jersey, much less talk. With Kovalchuk, I can rely on him being there to sign, take photos, and actually have conversations with fans. (Including me! ) So far this season, Kovalchuk's slump, in my opinion, can be attributed to solely his own frustration with teammates. (Which is why I think that if the team tries, Kovalchuk will stay.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted January 12, 2009 I don't think so - Kovalchuk and Hossa have VERY different personalities. At practice, I had never even gotten Hossa to sign a jersey, much less talk. With Kovalchuk, I can rely on him being there to sign, take photos, and actually have conversations with fans. (Including me! ) So far this season, Kovalchuk's slump, in my opinion, can be attributed to solely his own frustration with teammates. (Which is why I think that if the team tries, Kovalchuk will stay.) Kovie should learn to play defense though, if that's possible... the difference between the two players is that both are goalscorers but hossa is more complete because he's a two-way player and play at both sides of the rink... But I'm sure kovie is the guy to talk and have a beer with, so to speak Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 I don't think so - Kovalchuk and Hossa have VERY different personalities. At practice, I had never even gotten Hossa to sign a jersey, much less talk. With Kovalchuk, I can rely on him being there to sign, take photos, and actually have conversations with fans. (Including me! ) So far this season, Kovalchuk's slump, in my opinion, can be attributed to solely his own frustration with teammates. (Which is why I think that if the team tries, Kovalchuk will stay.) Because what has the org showed him in the past. They let Savard, one of the best playmaking centers in the game, walk, Hossa is gone, Heatley (whatever the reason, sad or not) is gone. What has the team ever done to show him they are trying to get him a cup? And what does signing autographs have to do with taking a pay cut for a sniff of the second round of the playoffs let alone a shot at the actual cup!!!! Watch Vinny go from TBL and then watch Ilya walk, if teams don't start trying to win the cup with more than a goalie and a top 10 forward, they will lose fans because the good players will leave, and none will want to stay there. They will go there for the money for a few seasons and then realize they want a cup. Granted Vinny got one and then like the Florida Marlins the team hit the s***ter! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greetings from Blueland 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Kovie should learn to play defense though, if that's possible... the difference between the two players is that both are goalscorers but hossa is more complete because he's a two-way player and play at both sides of the rink... But I'm sure kovie is the guy to talk and have a beer with, so to speak Sadly, Kovalchuk is quite possibly our most able defenseman... And I must say, Hossa wasn't that great on defense when he was here. Hossa was a great positional player, whereas Kovy just scored the goals. Unfortunately, most goalies have caught on that he shoots high glove side EVERY GODDAMN SINGLE TIME! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greetings from Blueland 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Because what has the org showed him in the past. They let Savard, one of the best playmaking centers in the game, walk, Hossa is gone, Heatley (whatever the reason, sad or not) is gone. What has the team ever done to show him they are trying to get him a cup? And what does signing autographs have to do with taking a pay cut for a sniff of the second round of the playoffs let alone a shot at the actual cup!!!! Watch Vinny go from TBL and then watch Ilya walk, if teams don't start trying to win the cup with more than a goalie and a top 10 forward, they will lose fans because the good players will leave, and none will want to stay there. They will go there for the money for a few seasons and then realize they want a cup. Granted Vinny got one and then like the Florida Marlins the team hit the s***ter! What this means is that he cares about Atlanta, even though he really shouldn't. Hossa obviously resented the Thrashers, and so he left. This does not seem like the case to me. When Savard was here, he was good, but he absolutely could NOT play defense. So many goals were scored against us due to him giving away the puck. As for Heatley and Hossa, their situations are obvious, management could do nothing about that. My only other problems with Management is their horrible draft picks and trades. Patrik Stefan, anybody? Coburn for s***nik Getting Coburn instead of Phaneuf in the first place... Drafting Bourette when we could have had Kopitar Drafting Bogosian is quite possibly the only good move as of late Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bogeygolfer 4 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 This is a complete joke, Kovalchuk is gone after this season. Why should he stay? Because they stiched a C on his jersy? I mean I could understand if they had a good owner like they do some other non-hockey market, but atlanta doesn't have that, they don't have a good gm, they dont have a good coach, and they don't have anyone coming up the pipe. I would frustrated aswell. I mean you could find 5 or 6 teams in the NHL who's 2nd line would be than the 1st line in atlanta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chelios57 31 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 My favorite non-Detroit hockey team, and player! He deserves this and I think it's a sign that he'll stick around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greetings from Blueland 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 This is a complete joke, Kovalchuk is gone after this season. Why should he stay? Because they stiched a C on his jersy? I mean I could understand if they had a good owner like they do some other non-hockey market, but atlanta doesn't have that, they don't have a good gm, they dont have a good coach, and they don't have anyone coming up the pipe. I would frustrated aswell. I mean you could find 5 or 6 teams in the NHL who's 2nd line would be than the 1st line in atlanta. 2nd line? More like any line... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOwl 77 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Ilya Kovalchuk has a bad attitude, but he is playing for a team with no hope. He is one of the best goal scorers in the league, I bet he'll be in Minnesota next season, where he could excel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cnot19 191 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 I think this is one way of trying to get him to stay. The team has nothing going for it besides the first line and top 2 d men. They really need a complete overhaul. Weher it includes Kovy or not could be up to him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Or, with the state of the franchise, he may become famous as the last Thrashers' captain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maaq 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Does a "C" really mean "Please, stay!" How many times have we seen a captain get the boot? Vancouver, please? New York Rangers, with Jagr? I mean, even Montreal wouldn't hesitate to trade away their beloved "Captain K" for some draft picks or a few sticks ... I'm telling you, if Ilya doesn't leave Atlanta now, he'll loose market value big time. Leave while your still worth a few good draft picks and some good forwards, friend! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daniel1 32 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 It's both. It's a PLOY to try to keep him in the LONG TERM PLAN. Please Ilya, if you stay we'll make you the captain of our sinking ship. Bad ploy, bad long term plan. Bad franchise. Move it to WINNIPEG!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Obvious attempt to keep him long-term. I doubt very highly it will work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maaq 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) Let's bring back Winnipeg and Quebec for good players with no homes ... Hossa, any one? Edited January 13, 2009 by Maaq Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 well he is their best player and leader leads by playing the best? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingNut 25 5 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 This is nothing more than a ploy to make him happy and say, "Hey, you're our captain! That is a great honor." He's still gonna leave Atlanta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 This is nothing more than a ploy to make him happy and say, "Hey, you're our captain! That is a great honor." He's still gonna leave Atlanta. Rangers??? lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stactum 4 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Rangers??? lol I don't think it's Rangers because they'll have their hands full with the attempt signing Zherdev long term. What I like about Ilya - he never said or even questioned anything about Atlanta, but I can only imagine what goes through his head when everybody was leaving. I know that he has to learn defense, but I think he is capable of doing that, it all depends on the squad he'll end up with, let's say if it's detroit - he may be brutal with the center like Datsyuk! But I kind of think he is not Detroit type of player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayUp88 1 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Great honer, to bad he is heading out of town. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
