Loading ...… A headline which begs the question: Was there ever a good time?
Vyacheslav Kozlov
In light of the news that my (unabashedly) favorite Thrasher (and hockey player in general) wants out of Atlanta has me on the brink of begging to be run over by a Zamboni. Slava Kozlov has been a cornerstone of the franchise. Not in the way that Ilya was. Or Hossa was. Or Heater was. He’s just been a quiet force. A rock-solid, good leader. He’s been in a bit of a funk lately, but I can’t for the life of me figure out how he is benched in favor of some other guys who have been just as dismal and bring less to the table. Now, word is, he wants to leave Atlanta too. Aside from the personal heartbreak this brings, I think it speaks volumes about what is going on in Atlanta — none of it good. I am, frankly, rather terrified at the downward spiral the team seems to be in.
For those who don’t know, there are tons of hockey fans in Atlanta. Tons. There is also a great deal of corporate sponsorship, which other cities simply can’t offer. It’s important to have a team here, but the ownership and leadership is driving the franchise into the ground. Hockey fans in Atlanta deserve better than this.
I really feel Kozlov deserves better than this. I’d always hoped he’d retire a Thrasher and that his number would be the first retired at Philips. That he’d stay in the organization and make it better. Now he, too, wants to flee the scene.
It worries me.
Photo: Vyacheslav Kozlov by Goddess Kaat. Copyright 2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.
I don’t blame Slava for looking for an “out.” LIke you said, he’s been repeatedly scratched, maybe some is justified. I will say that first time we scratched him we lost in a shoot out, lol. KARMA! I’m thinking maybe Slava can’t keep up with Anderson’s fast-paced, up tempo style so he’s getting the bench. I am by no means an organ-eye-zation apologist, but for once I don’t think it’s a bad reflection on them. I think he just doesn’t fit any more. That does make me kind of sad, I like Slava, too. I don’t take it personal and wish him the best.
Sometimes it really does seem that the Atlanta Spirit is doing their damned best to run this club into the ground, doesn’t it? I was shocked they offered all that money to Ilya. That flies in the face of everything I’ve thought about them.
I hope we get something we can really use in exchange for Slava and I hope Slava finds somewhere he will be happy.