The Next Wave of Thrash

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage. Have a seat. Relax! This entry is a little lengthy but in case you haven't noticed, the Thrashers have been active in the last couple weeks. We have many topics to cover and all are exciting.

I've been away, cut off from the electronic devices for a week. I've grown a beard that is beginning to itch and have worn the same tee shirt for four straight days. I saw some deer creeping around in the dark. I ate some fish and made fires at night. I played some good golf and some bad golf. I took long afternoon naps. I'm refreshed. I'm feeling froggy and ready to jump. So on with it....

The Big Fellas

Last week the Atlanta Thrashers added almost 13 feet and 500 pounds of talent to the roster i8n the form of two players. The additions of Nik Andropov and Pavel Kubina bring needed size and skill. Both are in their prime and both will be significant contributors immediately.

Andropov is 29 years old and is coming off his best NHL season. His contract is for four years and $16,000,000. The 6-6, 230-pound right wing appeared in 81 games last season with the Leafs and Rangers, recording 59 points (28 goals, 31 assists), setting career highs in each category. He finished the season ranked first on the Rangers in goals and points and was fourth in assists. Rumor has it that Captain Kovalchuk had some input before the trade was completed and made a call to Andropov. Kovy and Andropov are acquainted. They were teammates, playing on the same line for several games for Kazan Ak-Bars in the Russian SuperLeague during the NHL’s work stoppage in 2003-04. After the deal was announced, Kovy texted Don Waddell two words, "Nice job!"

The significance of Kovy's involvement and reaction should not be taken lightly. IIya has stated numerous times that he will re-sign long-term IF, and only if, the Thrashers add talent in the off-season. Waddell said he would make acquisitions. Don delivered. Kovy has a habit of keeping his word and our Captain will re-sign before the season begins for at least four additional years. Take it the bank, it's a done deal and nothing I say can jinx it.

Before adding the massive Right Winger the Thrashers made a deal bringing in Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton from Toronto in exchange for Garnett Exelby and Colin Stuart. Kubina is a 32 year old, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound Defenseman who has one year and $5 million remaining on his contract. He played all 82 games for the Leafs last season and tied a career high with 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists).

This trade was not one-sided. The Thrashers lost a fan favorite in "X" and an emerging Forward in Stuart who has shown flashes of brilliance.

The physical, tough, extremely funny Exelby was an Atlanta fan favorite and will be missed. Removing emotion and attachment from the picture - Exelby will be better served in Toronto. He was not a perfect match to Coach Anderson's system which thrives when D-men step up in the offensive zone. Exelby is one of the best hitters in the NHL and his defensive skills have improved dramatically over the last two years. His Sportcenter worthy checks, passion and sense of humor will be missed in Blueland. I think I speak for the great majority of Thrasher fans when I wish "X" the best in his career and off the ice.

Mr. Kane

I don't know if Evander Kane can be any more concise. He tried to get his point across. He answered the post draft questions with class. He was humble but confident. He was blunt. Reporters rephrased the same question a myriad of ways, hoping for a different answer. What does Evander Kane want to do in the NHL? He wants to score goals. He wants to score many goals. He wants to be a fifty goal scorer and it doesn't matter how many times he was asked the same question. The answer is goals, many, many goals. This is the kind of simplicity we should all appreciate.

Many future stars had their coming out parties during the NHL entry draft. John Tavares, who will be king, polished his already shiny public persona. Victor Hedman was once again professional, Matt Duchene was his normal bubbly self. Evander came to the stage with fire in his belly and a healthy chip on his shoulder. Never was he mentioned in the same sentence with the top three. He was consider option 1-B. I sensed a little "I will show you all" in his demeanor and that is exactly what we need in Atlanta.

If you peruse video clips of Kane you'll notice a few common themes. First, he scores goals of all kinds. Some of the close-range, hard-work persuasion, some on his quick shot and some of the acrobatic variety. Secondly, he plays with fire and is not afraid to get excited on the ice. Finally, you'll notice he has played a good portion of his brief amateur career with a "C" on his jersey. So let's see what we have here - a goal-scoring, high energy, leader. IIya, Zach, Little and Kane should get along just fine for years.

Kane also seems mature beyond his years and very authentic. You could tell that he didn't rehearse excessively for his first heavy media day. Kane has a large family, many of them traveled to Montreal with him to celebrate the beginning of his career. He's clean cut. He's smart and he is talented.

Oh, and Kane's skin is not white. This has nothing to do with anything but I thought I'd mention it since other local Hockey Writers seem to avoid this topic at all costs. Why is it worth a mention? Evander's non lily-white skin is of note because the NHL is uncomfortably white. The National Hockey League is ghostly, peaked, alabaster, David Caruso, somebody get some some screen on it before it catches fire from the sun, white. The ice is white, the players are over 90% white, white home jerseys, coaches, etc. It's glaring. Color in needed. Color is especially welcomed in metro Atlanta where a large African-American population resides. Hopefully, the color of his Kane's skin brings in more non-white fans to Blueland as the Philips crowd could also use some diversity.

And the final cherry of top of what seems to be a perfect match, Kane was named after former Champ, Evander Holyfield - also an Atlanta native.

The reaction at the Jillian's draft party was overwhelmingly positive as was the feeling at the draft party at TJ's. So Thrasher fans are happy for now. Don't worry, Atlanta Spirit and Don Waddell bashing will resume shortly. But let's enjoy the sunshine for a moment before the whining kicks back off.

The Second Rounders

The word on the street is that both second round picks, Morin and Klingberg, were rated as first rounders by the Thrashers. We'll never be able to prove this true or false and it really doesn't matter but again, I thought it worth a mention. What is more important is that these guys have some edge as well. Both are well-spoken, both are confident, both have senses of humor. When Klingberg was asked what his hobbies were, the 18 year old said hanging with his friends and attempting to pick up women. He adds that he was mostly unsuccessful at the later activity. Now that's honesty. Add keg parties into the mix and that pretty much summarizes me at 18 as well. We should see both of these fellas in Blueland within two years.

The return of frozen water

Next week prospect camp opens in Duluth. Nothing like ice in 90 degree Atlanta heat. Kane will be there as will all draft picks from this year. Also in camp will be Angelo Esposito. In case you don't remember, Esposito who came over in the Hossa tail between the legs bailout, was once considered a number one draft pick. Not a first rounder, a first pick. Suffice it to say he is ultra-talented. Suffice it to say that he could be the wild card in this equation. If Esposito finds his stride on NHL ice this year, Blueland will be a crowded, loud and happy place in 2009-10.

Keep the faith my friends!

Your Loyal Servant,

Sean Grace