Ring of Fire

I don't know where I was going with the title, let's just say that song keeps popping up on my playlists.

Okay, let's get started with some semi-news.

I've heard and read many things, including something from the USAtoday.com article on the trade options in the Eastern conference. Does is scare anyone else that Waddell might resign Kozlov just to trade him? I'm not too comfortable with that, and with that Thrashers appear (I think appear is a relative term) to be losing a lot (or all) of their defense. I agree that the signed prospects do need to step up in order for all to go pretty well next season. However, I am frightened that the Thrashers going from one extreme to the next. Sure, the team might have been NHL's retirement team last season, but there is NO need for the Thrashers to be the daycare this coming season. Alright, that MAY be a little harsh, but like I've said, a mixture of experience and of fresh meat will be a great combination for a solid team (Thanks to Ben Wright at the Blueland Blog for also pushing this point).

Honestly, it's scary to think that several of our forwards (Defense too, but that's a whole other blog entry) are gone. Another scary thought is the Kozlov factor. If we don't resign Kozlov, who will we get instead? I'm hearing many fans pushing for Scott Gomez formerly of the Jersey Devils. With a projected salary of 7 million, which is roughly what Marian Hossa gets paid, it would appear that the Thrashers can't afford him. Yet, since Sim isn't resigning, the possibility that Slava Kozlov will be gone, Tkachuk is gone, and the new raise on the salary cap to 50.3 million, Gomez seems to be a shining possibility. Come on though, it may be a shining possibility, but not a very practical one (Come on. Really, look at the numbers people, they aren't that good). I'm just praying that the Thrashers are able to resign Kozlov, who, still at the age of 34, can hit number 7 on the list of UFA on USAtoday.com. Slava Kozlov is an amazing player. It would be depressing to see him leave, especially since there would be an extreme void left on the team even if he could be "replaced" (I don't think that he can right now, but that's just me).

Tomorrow is going to be a very dangerous game, and a lot depends on it. I think that most of you are aware that there is an extreme doubt through the hockey community (not Thrashers, of course) that the Thrashers wouldn't be able to make it back to the playoffs this coming season. We all know that that is really depending on who we sign and what the team turns into after the free agent signings. For right now, the fans can only have faith that Waddell knows what he's doing and that karma is on our side.

Looters Jr.