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Nice to be back at the home base today. I am putting the finishing touches on my Winter Classic "Experience" story. I will have that for you tomorrow. I will say this...I really am enjoying actually getting a chance to write about what I experienced in detail, and what the NHL is doing right (and wrong) at this event from a "live" perspective. There is a surprising reason I feel this event works that is totally unique to our sport.
For now, however it is hard to ignore some hot intriguing rumors coming across my desk and that I received in conversations with sources in Boston.
Ilya Days are Coming
"We are about two weeks away from when stuff will really start to happen with Kovalchuk."
From what I can gather, they still want very much to get a deal done. There are various reports going on as to what the hold up is. I have heard everything from "the two sides have agreed to money and terms, it's just that Atlanta wants to backload the contract more and Kovalchuk wants more in the earlier years" to "they really are miles apart and the only real shot is an eleventh hour miracle where Ilya just decides he wants to be a Thrasher and tells his agent to make it so."
One team owner in a Western city even told me, "He is not returning to Atlanta. Don't tell me how I know, but he isn't."
Either way I do believe very soundly that the Thrasher's policy with other GMs at this point is: "Call us to let us know you are interested in talking so that should the time come to talk we will be aware of who would like to be called."
Some teams have wanted to put deals together and let Atlanta know how much they are willing to spend, but Atlanta won't take those calls. They are being very consistent across the board.
I have been able to confirm four teams that have thrown their hat in so far, though I believe s many as 6 may have. The four that I have confirmed to have made their interest known are Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Philadelphia.
I have heard rumblings of Edmonton, Boston, Toronto, the Islanders, and Montreal...
This is a very typical path for this sort of course to run. Right now teams are talking internally as to what they would be willing to do to get the player and some are calling to let their intentions be known, while others are waiting.
"There are various strategies to this sort of deal. Do you get in early and risk the chance for Waddell to get bored of the guys you are offering? Do you leak to the media and get a temp from the fanbase? Do you stay totally under the radar and prepare a major last minute offer that is so intriguing you are catapulted to the top of the leaderboard?" a NHL source said to me over lunch in Boston, "I love this stuff."
What does Atlanta want? Well the price would be steep. They definitely want a top prospect with star potential who could possibly step into the "leading man" shoes.
"In Georgia you can't just be 'The Thrashers." You need to be 'Joe So-And-So and the Atlanta Thrashers.' No one wants to see just the E-Street Band. Not in that market. You are replacing your star. You need a worthy replacement."
Is that new lead singer somewhat established like a Carter, Frolov, Toews, or do you take a shot at a young soldier currently commissioned in the Pacific northwest...
It will also take a few players that can help Atlanta NOW, with some picks mixed in.
Either way, I assure you, this doesn't go into the Olympics. This ends before February 1 in all likelihood.
Be back with my story of the Classic.
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