Moving Day Special!

Good news! I haven't neglected the blog due to my new job. The problem has been that I am moving! A new job and moving all at the same time, good times for me! The movers come today and I will spend the first night in the new place tonight, but will have no Internet access (or cable) until Saturday. *sob*


We had a few guys this season who moved right on through the team. We acquired Clarke MacArthur from Buffalo for a 2nd and 3rd round pick. At the end of the season we went to arbitration with Clarke and he was awarded $2.4 million, we walked away from it.



At the same time, we acquired Evgeny Artyukhin from the Anaheim Ducks for one of my favorites, Nathan Oystrick and a conditional pick. Arty's contract came to an end this summer and he is still unsigned by us or anyone else at the moment. (love the look on Schubert's face)



Moving sucks! Farewell guys and good luck!


GPD will be up and running with new stuff ASAP! Not to mention that training camp is right around the corner!

Focus on a Thrasher: Evgeny Artyukhin

In early March of 2010, the Thrashers got a BIG (literally, he's 6'4'')shot in the arm when they picked up Arty from Anaheim in exchange for one of my favorites, Nathan Oystrick and a conditional pick. It's looking like he probably won't be here next season, but I enjoyed watching him while he was here. And remember, he only has to have finished the season as a Thrasher to qualify for a "Focus on a Thrasher" post.

Evgeny was born in Moscow on April 4, 1983. He started his hockey career with the Vityaz Pololsk in the Tarasov division of the KHL. The 2000-01 was his first full season. In 2001 he also helped lead Team Russia to a gold medal in the World U18 Championships.





In the 2001 NHL Entry draft, Arty was selected in the 3rd round, 97th over all by the Tampa Bay Lightning. After finishing up the season in Russia, Evgeny came to North America to play major junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats. He played 53 games, scoring 40 points (13 goals and 27 assists). He also had 204 penalty minutes!





Evgeny spent most of the 2003-04 season with the Hershey Bears of the AHL. He did play 6 games for in the ECHL for the Pensacola Ice Pilots, old nemesis of my first favorite team, the Mobile Mystics. For the 2004-05 season, he stayed in the AHL, but played with the Springfield Falcons.





The 2005-06 season saw Arty make his NHL debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning, appearing in 72 games with them. He ranked third in the NHL in rookie hits and led the team with 138. Though he spent most of the year with Tampa, contract negotiations soured and he left for Russia. Arty spent the 2006-07 season with Locomotive Yaroslavl.





After playing the 2006–07 season with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Artyukhin rejected a $475,000 contract from the Tampa Bay Lightning. His agent asked Tampa Bay to trade him, claiming that the Lightning were punishing Arty for not resigning a year before. It is believed that Evgeny was seeking a $1 million contract. On July 7, 2008, the Tampa Bay Lightning officially re-signed Artyukhin to a two year deal worth $1.9 million.





The 2008-09 season saw Arty playing in 73 games and scoring 16 points while putting up 151 PIM. He also established career bests for goals, plus/minus, penalty minutes, shots on goal (100) and averaged 10:40 TOI.





In August of 2009, Arty was traded to the Anaheim Ducks. Arty had become a fan of the movie "The Mighty Ducks" as a child in Russia after seeing the movie. He didn’t have the opportunity to see many movies in Russia, so he said “it’s like a dream come true” now that he’s playing for the club.





Well, the dream didn't last long! Arty played 37 games for the Ducks before coming to Atlanta! I still remember his first game! He scored on his debut in Phillips Arena on a beautiful end-to-end goal.





Being a huge gritty player has gotten Arty into some trouble. On March 7, 2006, Arty was suspended for two games for an incident that occurred while he was fighting with Ottawa Senators' forward, Antoine Vermette. After hitting Vermette into the boards, he got into a shoving match with him. During the altercation, he ripped off Vermette's helmet and hit him with it. How are you going to beat a man with HIS OWN helmet??

On October 21, 2009, he was suspended for 3 games after slewfooting Dallas Stars' defenseman, Matt Niskanen. There was no call at the time, but the NHL made the decision after reviewing the play. Arty apologized and said it was unintentional.

Later that season, on January 19, he was suspended for another two games after a knee-on-knee hit to Florida Panther, Ville Peltonen.





One of my most memorable Artyukhin memories is actually of him when he was with Tampa Bay. In our last game of the 2008-09 season, Arty got into a brawl with Chris Thorburn and completely kicked his ass. I liked it better when he was on our team. Good luck in the future, Arty!

Atlanta Thrashers vs New York Islanders

Tonight was a big night because we were getting a first look at our two new guys, Evgeny Artyukhin and Clarke MacArthur. I made welcome signs for both guys and they made them on the jumbo tron! You can see Kerry sitting next to me in the picture. I barked at him "TAKE A PICTURE!!!" I think he was frightened. My husband (on my left) was just glad I was yelling at someone else for a change.



Warm ups!


Arty is looking at my signs. Arty skated by and looked up at me and gave me the BIGGEST smile. It was awesome. He liked my sign!





Schubert looks like he wants to murder Arty. Geez Arty, what did you say to him??





Toby checking out my signs.





Antropov: Hey kid, you can't be out here.
Little: Dude, it's me, Bryan.
Antropov: Oh, my bad.





The Russian on my sign caught Max's attention.





Our other new guy, Clarke MacArthur.





Swarming the goalie.



First period!







From the very first shift MacArthur took, I was impressed. He immediately took it to the net.





Yeah, a lot of people took it to the net.
"Oh my god, they killed Rollie!"





Toby blocking a good picture of Moose's great glove save.





Get Tavares out of there, Hainsey!





Holy Shit!!!! Biron is in net! Rollie got murdered and they pulled him. Martin Biron has been in Blueland several times, but I had yet to see him play. I even went to see him in Philly and freaking Niitty played. FINALLY, I get to see Biron.





Bogosian took Sim down HARD behind the net. I thought there was going to be a bit of a discussion, but no.





Sorry Bailey, Moose says no.





He said NO, Bailey.



The first period was fan-freaking-tastic for Thrashers fans. Moose was on his game, letting only 1 of the 21 Islander shots in the net. Roloson on the other hand was uncharacteristically a sieve letting in 3 goals on 7 shots. Enter Biron who let in one during the first period. Atlanta goes into the 2nd period up 4-1. Best thing, our new guy, MacArthur scored!


Second period and my favorite line is taking the opening face off again.





Thrash tries to mess with Moulson's mojo.





Max trying to sneak one in.





Moose took a shot to the mask that jarred him a bit. Glad it didn't mess up the new mask!!! (or his lovely face)





This is a fun picture. I didn't notice it at first, but Zach must have caught the puck and is throwing it down to play it or is trying to bat it the other way.





Up in the suite area, are the injured (Esposito who we call the Phantom of Phillips because he's always lurking around up there) and the scratched (Boultsie and White). I think Boulton has some nachos. He's in the club section, maybe they are smoked chicken nachos!





Biron tracking the puck.





Slater trying to make something happen.





Get some! Boultsie is enjoying his nachos.





Kane waiting for the puck.





Eric: Damn, those are some good nachos.





Action behind Biron.





AGH! Bergie did score that night, but this isn't one of them, even though it looks in the net.





Pevs and MacArthur in front of the net.





Nice save, Marty.





We had a bit of a scary moment when Afinogenov went down and was holding his wrist. Thank goodness he returned later in the game.





Thrash disagrees with one of the ref's calls.





Hopefully this won't be an issue. One of the knocks on Arty is he takes a lot of penalties.





That's right, Johnny, defend that net!





Boulton: Hey Pops, you want some of these nachos, man?
Popovic: No, I'm good, thanks.





Nice glove save by Marty.





Just because your team is down 6-1 doesn't mean you can leave!





Well done Islanders fans! I love it when the opposing guys play along and don't flip off the camera like Rangers and Barfalo fans do.





Biron might be praying "Dear God, please don't let this big bastard destroy me. Thank you, Amen."

Thrashers fans haven't had this feeling since we destroyed the Kings several months ago. Bergie scored his 2nd goal of the game and our other new guy, Artyukhin scored an amazing end-to-end goal and we went into the 3rd period up 6-1. If you missed it, check out Arty's goal. This is a good clip because it shows how he started on the other end of the ice (unlike the highlights on NHL on the Fly.)


Third period!





Arty gives Marty a snow shower. I bet Marty was tired of looking at him.





MacArthur back up in the action.





Some physical play behind Moose.





Islanders score. Don't get sloppy guys, there is still some time left.





DAMN IT! Didn't you hear me?





Moose is ready now, no more scoring!





Slate trying to make it 7-3.





Thrashers win 6-3!! What a great game! Our new guys scored and it was a rocking good time in Blueland.


Victory means a post game show guest!


This time it's Niclas Bergfors who scored 2 goals in the game.





Coming from the Devils, poor Nic probably isn't used to having to deal with the public. Lou Lamoriello keeps his players locked in an underground bunker.





Nic talking with Dan Kamal.





He was very soft spoken and I couldn't hear a word he said.





I haven't had any fun pics from Mr. Fred in a while.
Here Kane sends Hillen flying.





Moose is so bad ass he can control the puck with his MIND POWERS!