Summertime

You shouldn't be behind your computer on a Saturday in late July worrying about hockey.You should be eating watermelon. You should be in a pool. You should be getting the wind knocked out of you on a Slip 'n Slide. You should be getting sun burnt. But you're here. So we'll help you out. Here's some "Summer Madness" by Kool and the Gang:(Please visit the site to view this media)EMPTY NETTER ASSISTSPenguins-The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins signed free agent defenseman Reid Cashman. He spent part of last season with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.Atlantic Division-The Islanders re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Bruna Gervais to a three-year deal worth $2.2 million.-Former Devils forward Sergei Brylin officially signed a deal with a team in the KHL in Russia.-Former Lightning coach John Tortorella will meet with the Islanders about their head coaching position Sunday.Southeast Division-Former Penguins forward Randy Cunneyworth was named as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Thrashers. He had been the head coach of the Rochester Americans of the AHL since 2000.Central Division-The Blue Jackets signed former Coyotes forward Mike York to a one-year, two-way deal worth $750,000 at the level.-This deal is odd for a two reasons. First, York allegedly signed a deal with a team in the KHL earlier this month, but his agent denied that. Second, this would've been a good signing had it been made in 2002 when York was an All-Star. These days, he's barely able to get work with in the.-The Predators re-signed forward Rich Peverly and signed goaltender Pekka Rinne to a one-year extension.-This is the best picture of Red Wings coach Mike Babcock in a wet suit you'll find all day.Northwest Division-The Wild avoided arbitration with forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard and signed him to a five-year deal worth $20.4 million.-The Avalanche also avoided arbitration with forward Marek Svatos and signed him to a two-year deal worth $4.1 million.Patrick Division-Don't expect Baltimore to get a franchise anytime soon.Source

Regier happy for Cunneyworth

From John Vogl of the Buffalo News:Cunneyworth, who has coached the Sabres’ AHL team in Rochester for the past eight seasons, was hired as an assistant coach by the Atlanta Thrashers. Cunneyworth joins the staff of new Thrashers head man John Anderson.“I’m very happy for him,” Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said Friday. “It’s well-deserved, and he’ll do a terrific job.”Read the entire article here.Cunneyworth paid his dues in the AHL and will be a good addition to the Thrashers bench. Eventually, the formernhl forward should become a solidnhl head coach.Source

Robbie Bina gets a professional deal

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Robbie Bina has signed a deal to play professional hockey in either the AHL or the ECHL. This is story has a happy ending as most of us know, in 2005 during the WCHA Final Five Robbie Bina was hit from behind by Geoff Paukovich causing Bina to suffer from a broken neck, putting his hockey career in jeopardy. After taking the next season off Robbie Bina returned gloriously to the Fighting Sioux line up to play a major force in UND getting back to the Frozen Four two more times. Incidentally Bina and Paukovich could now be teammates but don't expect anything to come out of this, the incident has been settled.

Bina signs pro deal.
Brad Elliott Schlossman Grand Forks Herald
Tuesday, July 22, 2008

In about three years, Robbie Bina has made the incredible journey from a broken neck to a professional hockey contract.

Strangely enough, the guy responsible for the serious injury may be there when Bina arrives.

Bina, an all-Western Collegiate Hockey Association defenseman at UND, recently signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Edmonton Oilers organization, which also holds the rights to Geoff Paukovich

Bina’s contract is with Springfield (Mass.) Falcons of the American Hockey League and the Stockton (Calif.) Thunder of the East Coast Hockey League.

Paukovich, who caused Bina’s injury with an illegal hit in March 2005 as a member of the Denver Pioneers, played with Stockton last season.

“I’ve put everything behind me,” Bina said. “I’m just going to go there and play and hopefully have a good season.”

The injury happened during the playoffs of Bina’s sophomore season. He took a year off to recover and became a strong two-way force upon his return.

Bina had 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 43 games as a junior and two goals, 23 assists in 43 games as a senior. He earned third-team all-WCHA honors last season.

“I’m hoping to play up in the AHL,” Bina said. “I’d like to go there and have a good season. Maybe I’ll see some power-play time.”

No matter where he ends up, he may see familiar faces.

Bina’s defensive partner, Taylor Chorney, signed with the Oilers three weeks ago. Chorney will either play in Edmonton or Springfield.

If Bina lands in Stockton, he will be playing under former Sioux defenseman Tim O’Connell, who will be a first-year assistant there.

Bina is the fifth Sioux player from last season’s team to sign a pro deal. Chorney and T.J. Oshie gave up their final years of eligibility by signing with the Oilers and St. Louis Blues.

Outgoing seniors Rylan Kaip (Atlanta Thrashers) and Kyle Radke (Idaho, ECHL) also have signed.

Check out this story over on Coming Down the Pike.
Source

Recchi signing is official

The team announced the official signing of right wing Mark Recchi to a one-year deal that pays $1.25-million with incentives that could bump it to $1.5-million.

Here is part of the team's announcement:

“Mark Recchi is a guy who we will be counting on both on and off the ice,” vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “He is able to play in a top-six forward role, but can also be productive on the third and fourth lines. Adding him to the roster significantly increases our depth. As a two-time Stanley Cup Champion and a great leader, having him in the locker room will help our younger players and also create a strong culture in the dressing room.”

Recchi, 5-10, 195 pounds, played in 72 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Atlanta Thrashers last season. He recorded 14 goals, 48 points and seven power-play goals last season. Recchi scored two goals and recorded eight points in 19 games with the Penguins. He was placed on waivers December 4 and was claimed off re-entry waivers by Atlanta on December 8, 2007. The 19-season veteran made his Atlanta debut on December 12. Recchi went on to score 12 goals and record 40 points in 53 games with the Thrashers. He finished the season second on the team in points and assists, and was tied for fourth in goals. He ranked third on the Thrashers with 23 power-play points while also ranking second in power-play goals and assists.

A native of Kamloops, British Columbia, Recchi has amassed 1,410 career games, 522 goals, 1,381 points, 180 power-play goals and 80 game-winning goals. At the end of the 2007-08 season he ranked third all-time among active players in points and assists, fifth in games played and seventh in goals. He has 15 career 20-goal seasons, including seven consecutive entering the 2007-08 season. He has also notched seven 30-goal seasons, four 40-goal seasons and one 50-goal season. He has scored seven hat tricks in his career. Recchi has been named to the All-Star Game seven times, including being named the most valuable player of the game in 1997 after scoring three goals. He led the in assists in 1999-00 with 63 and was third in points with 91.

After beginning his professional career in 1988, Recchi went on to play 63 games with Muskegon of the International Hockey League and record 50 goals with 99 points. He also played in 15 games with Pittsburgh that season, recording a goal and two points.

Recchi is a veteran of 140 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, recording 47 goals, 117 points, 16 power-play goals and nine game-winning goals. He is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with Pittsburgh in 1991 and with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. In 1991 he averaged more than a point per game as he recorded 10 goals and 34 points in 24 games. With Carolina in 2006 he recorded seven goals and 16 points in 25 playoff games, including two goals and six points during the seven-game Stanley Cup Finals against Edmonton.

Drafted by Pittsburgh in the fourth round, 67th overall, in the 1988 Entry Draft, Recchi spent his junior career in the Western Hockey League. He played in 174 career games with New Westminster and Kamloops, recording 108 goals and 291 points.

Internationally, Recchi represented Canada at the 1988 World Junior Championships, the 1990 World Championships, 1993 World Championships, the 1997 World Championships and the 1998 Olympics.

Source

The Puck Bunny's Guide to 2008's NHL Draft

TOP TEN DRAFT PICKS OF 2008
(Based on the whole package: skills, personality and superficial features)

1. Steven Stamkos (age: 18, from: Scarborough, ON)
- Drafted to Tampa Bay Lightning
- Gets points for loving the Leafs and being the #1 Draft Pick
- Loses points for loving Hollister


I give him a 10/10 because you can never go wrong with the #1s of the Draft Picks. I mean, look at Sidney Crosby for crying out loud.


2. Zach Bogosian (age: 18, from: Massena, NY)
- Drafted to Atlanta Thrashers
- Gets points for reading Harry Potter (it takes a true fan to admit they read the series)
- Loses points for those extreme eyebrows. I've never seen a tranny play hockey before...


I give him a 6/10 because he seems TRES boring. Those eyebrows saved him from a 5!


3. Drew Doughty (age: 19, from: London, ON)
- Drafted to LA Kings
- Gets points for being a true loser and watching The Hills (fucker)
- Loses points because he watches The Hills and the fact that I know NOTHING about his ass


He gets 4/10 for being a no one and going to the fucking LA Kings (who's bright idea was it to give that place a team?)


4. Tyler Myers (age: 18, from: Houston, TX)
- Drafted to Buffalo Sabres
- Gets points for his 6'7" build! That nigger goalie can just stand in front of the net, shake his hips a couple times and watch the puck bounce right off!
- Loses points for being too tall (sorry for being so superficial)


I give him an 8/10 for being so damn cool. Less two points of perfect for being tall and an unfair advantage for a crap team.


5. Luke Schenn (age: 19, from: Saskatoon, SK)
- Drafted to the mother-fucking LEAFS!! YEAH!
- Gets points for being in the Leafs and that smile
- Loses points for not getting here sooner! (and liking Rascal Flatts)


10/10!! He's amazing a what he does, beats the shit out of his opponents and is really good-looking. PERFECT!


6. Alex Pietrangelo (age: 18, from: King City, ON)
- Drafted to St. Louis Blues
- Gets points for being adorable
- Loses points for being B-O-R-I-N-G!


He gets 6/10 for not putting his life out there for me to stalk.


7. Kyle Beach (age:18, from: North Vancouver, BC)
- Drafted to Chicago Blackhawks
- Gets points for going to such an underrated team and having that foreign European look to him
- Loses points for liking the fucking Habs (EW!)


I give him 7/10. That foreign look is saving his ass right now...


8. Zach Boychuk (age: 19, from: Calgary, AB)
- Drafted to Carolina Hurricanes (yay, Eric Staal!)
- Gets points for being able to balance post-secondary school AND professional hockey
- Loses points for his skin (I know, mine sucks, too, but it doesn't show in pictures)


He gest 7/10 for being a student... that's hot.


9. Cody Hodgson (age: 18, from: Haliburton, ON)
- Drafted to Vancouver Canucks
- Gets points for having Sidney Crosby as a favourite hockey player
- Loses points for every thing else


Hate to say it: 1/10. I think the picture speaks for itself. He has NOTHING to prove his has personality, either.


10. Colin Wilson (age: 19, from: Greenwich, CT)
- Drafted to Nashville Predators
- Gets points for his blond hair and blue eyes
- Loses points for that 70s hair cut (GROSS!)


He gets 3/10 for being funny. You can't have that hair cut and NOT know you look like an idiot, right?
Source

Why Nobody Wants to Come to Atlanta

Yesterday free agent defensemen Brian Campbell turned down million dollar fortune offered by the Atlanta Thrashers and instead choose to sign with a team, the Chicago Blackhawks, which has made the playoffs once in the last ten seasons which plays to a half empty building most nights. It is time to take stock of what this says about the Atlanta Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers are widely perceived as one of the least desirable places for a free agent to sign--despite the fact that they have a top notch arena, practice facility, great weather, family atmosphere and lots of golf courses (I swear everyer plays golf) and shopping (for the wives and girlfriends). So let's cut to the case, free agents are turning down the Thrashers money because of team management and ownership.

The Thrashers are viewed as a poorly run franchise and nobody wants to commit to spending 7 or 8 years here. Why does this perception exist? Let's review:

Before the lockout Don Waddell assembled the most porous defense in the entire season after season, but went Stanley Cup winner Chris Osgood's became available he was unwilling to take on Osgood's $4 million contract. Instead the Islanders picked up Osgood off of waivers. The Thrashers went with their mis-mash of below average goaltenders until they finally awoke to their own mis-evaluation and signed Byron Dafoe to a contract. But Lord Byron wasn't up to the job either and Pasi Nurminen beat him out for playing time.

I remember clear as day, Don Waddell standing in front of a room full of season ticket holders "I know we need goaltending, I know where to get goaltending, we will get it if we need more." But Don Waddell never followed through on that promise. Instead he toyed around with marginal goalies for years and let Osgood go to a conference rival. Penny wise and pound foolish.

When the lockout was over Don Waddell looked at his defensively weak roster and concluded that signing checking center Bobby Holik for scoring center money ($4.25 million per year) would somehow solve the team's leadership and character problems. This was a gross miscalculation on nearly every count. Leadership was weak all three years that Holik was a Thrasher and Holik's turn as captain was the worst year of the three. Holik did win a lot of faceoffs, but he was not a great penalty killer and he only turned up his intensity in the spring time.

After the lockout the Thrashers had high hopes of making the playoffs. Indeed the 2005-06 roster is the strongest of any team in franchise history. However, backup goalie Pasi Nurminen was lost before the season and starter Kari Lehtonen was lost in the very first game. Now here's the real kicker, Don Waddell knew that Lehtonen would be out a substantial amount of team (indeed he missed half the season) but he basically gambled that the team would muddle through. Now there were other solutions out there on the trade market but it would have cost the team a high draft pick. Instead Don Waddell tried minor leaguers and washed upers (Steve Shields), he gambled and lost. If the Thrashers had traded that draft pick and secured a real goalie they would have made the playoffs. If they had made the playoffs in 2006 they would not have been under great pressure to trade away the 1st, 2nd, 3rd draft picks, Glen Metropolit and Braydon Coburn the following year to secure their first playoff appearance. Penny wise and pound foolish.

The signing of Holik to an enormous contract had a ripple effect the following season when Marc Savard was allowed to depart without any adequate replacement. Because the 3rd line center (Holik) was eating up so much of the payroll, the team tried smoke and mirrors solutions. Waddell told season ticket holders "rather than sign one 100 point guy, we're hoping to get 50 points out of two centers" which sounds great until you realize that it is a slight of hand because the team must replace BOTH Savard's 97 points and Stefan's 24 points. The Thrashers brought in Metropolit and Rucchin who managed a combined 49 points before Rucchin's career ended in injury and Metro was dealt to the Blues. So the Thrashers only came up 71 points short! Even if you toss in Tkachuk's 15 points as a center that still leaves them 56 points short--not to mention the 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks expended to acquire Tkachuk.

Then there is the enormous missed opportunity with the Chris Pronger trade. Everyone in the knew that the Oilers were having a fire sale after Pronger demanded that he be dealt following their run to the Cup Finals. The Anaheim Ducks who already had All-Star Scott Neidermayer on their roster quickly offered a package of prospect Ladislav Smid, 2007 1st rounder and a conditional 1st and 2nd rounder in 2008. The Thrasher could have topped that offer with what they later dealt away for Zhitnik and the Tkachuk rental: Braydon Coburn, 2007 1st and 3rd and 2008 2nd rounder and Glen Metropolit. If the Thrashers had made that deal instead of the Ducks this franchise would have been seen a serious and emerging contender in the--today it is the Thrashers are a team that free agents spurn.

Finally, there is Don Waddell and his management team. Waddell doesn't have anyone on his staff who has held a high ranking position with another franchise. There is no one to challenge him or offer him perspective. Look at the Red Wings where formerer Jim Nill ander Mark Howe are there to offer their advice, perspective and contacts. Legendary coach Scotty Bowman is there and I'm sure he offers candid opinions in private. Then there is Jimmy Devellano who helped draft the Islanders dynasty and the Red Wings. Now former player Steve Yzerman is there as well to add his advice.

Who do the Thrashers have? Basically Don Waddell (who played 1 game).

Assistant V.P. Larry Simmons is a financial guy (every team needs one) and never played hockey at a high level. Director of Player Personnel Mark Dobson never played hockey at a high level (St. Louis University). When you compare the hockey experience, contacts and background of the Thrashers to that of the Red Wings or other teams--well frankly it looks like the Thrashers are run by an IHL alumni group while the Red Wings are run by an alumni group. Perhaps one reason the Thrashers make so many mis-judgements about players is that the organziation lacks sufficient contacts to fully vett new players. I'll be the Red Wings organization can get fifteen opinions about a prospective player at the drop of a hat.

Now I like Don Waddell, Mark Dobson and Larry Simmons. They all seem like decent people who work hard and give it their best. But you don't get points for effort in the, you only get credit for results. Right now the results suggest that this is an IHL management team running a franchise. Again, I don't question their effort, but the results suggest that their talents might be better applied at the minor league level than at the level. The is an extremely competitive work environment and the Thrashers management is losing that competition so far.

Frankly it really pains me to write this. I'd much rather be talking about a glowing Thrasher future--but there isn't any glowing future. Instead what we have is a cascade of past mistakes that have resulted in a team that no free agent wants to sign and play for--and truthfully I don't blame them.
Source