"We are a desperate team right now and we have to get back on track soon. ... With the situation now, our backs are against the wall. Bringing in a veteran presence made more sense than bringing in a younger guy."

I wonder if Brett Hull is available?

The question could be "What more can we do as a franchise to ensure the NHL kicks our asses out of Atlanta?"

Hey, a note to the mods, this isn't a repeat of the other submission. That was them signing Chelios, this is them actually bringing him up from the AHL.

MBFGeek: Hey, a note to the mods, this isn't a repeat of the other submission. That was them signing Chelios, this is them actually bringing him up from the AHL.

Yeah, but really, how much can you say about Chelios in a week?

Who will sell jerseys?

The Thrashers could use a veteran presence on offense, too:



Strap on your skates, Gordie, you're going in!

42! Er... Chelios!

"Who is the oldest player in the NHL since Gordie Howe?"

"Who makes a mean bowl of chili?"

I only liked Chelios when he used to give Paul Kariya a hard time when Kariya was on the ducks because I hate the ducks so much

As a Chelios fan, and someone going to the game tonight, I am not getting a kick out of this...

/retire already
//

I heard his workout routine is pretty crazy. He apparently rides his exercise bike in the sauna. If I tried that I'd puke after about a minute.

They brought in Chelios because he gets the whole team AARP discounts on food, lodgings, team travel, etc.

Pinhead Patriot:

Wouldn't that "motivational" poster make more sense if it read: "There is only one way to make sure you never lose a playoff game, and that's to avoid the situation altogether"?

/just wondering
//Go Blackhawks

Devo: Who will sell jerseys?

Bingo. That was the question.

Now that Kovalchuk is gone, the Thrashers have no "big name" star players. They may have great up-and-coming young players like Bogosian and Evander Kane, but they don't have anybody with name recognition among casual hockey fans.

Having a lack of recognizable star players may work in a hockey market like Minnesota, but it's not going to sell tickets and jerseys in Atlanta.

Enter geriatric Chris Chelios.

Doc Daneeka: Bingo. That was the question.

Now that Kovalchuk is gone, the Thrashers have no "big name" star players. They may have great up-and-coming young players like Bogosian and Evander Kane, but they don't have anybody with name recognition among casual hockey fans.

Having a lack of recognizable star players may work in a hockey market like Minnesota, but it's not going to sell tickets and jerseys in Atlanta.

Enter geriatric Chris Chelios.

You don't think MacArthur jerseys will be flying off the shelves?

Blatantly ripped from Sports Crackle Pop (new window)

People younger than Chris Chelios:

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette, Flames coach Brent Sutter, Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice, Avalanche coach Joe Sacco, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, Panthers coach Peter DeBoer, Wild coach Todd Richards, Predators coach Barry Trotz, Islanders coach Scott Gordon, Senators coach Cory Clouston, Penguins coach Dan Blysma, Sharks coach Todd McLellan, Blues interim coach Davis Payne, Lightning coach Rick Tocchet

Hall of Famers Steve Yzerman, Luc Robitaille, Brian Leetch, Brett Hull, Scott Stevens, Al Macinnis, Ron Francis, Patrick Roy, Cam Neely, Pat LaFontaine, Grant Fuhr, Dale Hawerchuk, Mario Lemieux

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, Iowa Governor Chet Culver, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry

OMB director Peter Orszag, UN Ambassador Susan Rice, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan

US President Barack Obama, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt

Not that it says much, but I saw Chelios play with the Chicago Wolves in December. He was easily the best player on the ice, between both teams.

KingKauff: It makes one ponder exactly what the ownership group is up to. They offered Kovulchuck the richest contract FO.ALL.TIME. and he turned it down. They've traded away all their good players and I hope they fail miserably on their quest to make the playoffs.

/bitter Thrashers fan

As an Oilers fan, this sounds familiar...

There is not much Chelios hate in this thread yet. I always liked the guy until he played for Detroit. That was just wrong. Last year he ALMOST scored the series winning goal against Chicago. If that had happened I might of cried a little. So what I am asking is why do people hate Cristobal so much? He was great back in the days and if he can still play on a professional level, more power to him. I do think he is more suited to the AHL now though. He did look kind of pathetic on the ice for Detroit the last few years. Also, has anyone been to Cheli's Chili and was it any good?

In semi-related news, if Atlanta loses tonight the Caps clinch the SE Division.

GavinTheAlmighty: Not that it says much, but I saw Chelios play with the Chicago Wolves in December. He was easily the best player on the ice, between both teams.

Heh. I usually ignore the Wolves as it is a PITA for me to go out to Rosemont, but I also bought tickets just to see Chelios playing for a Chicago team again. The Wolves marketing strategy worked on me. That is where he belongs, in the AHL and in a familiar city. He can skate circles around everyone else while teaching them about hockey.

Panty Sniffer: He did look kind of pathetic on the ice for Detroit the last few years. Also, has anyone been to Cheli's Chili and was it any good?

I didn't think he looked pathetic. He just kinda played his game within his abilities, he was a shell of his former self, but he still played effective smart positional defense.
I've been to the Cheli's Chili in Detroit. The food was good enough, it's just kind of a generic semi-trendy urban sports bar. Nothing to write home about.

I have no problem with Chris Chelios. He did an excellent job for the Wings; played hard, helped the younger defensemen ... we couldn't ask any more from him.

However, it IS time for him to go. He's just embarrassing himself now.

TheHopeDiamond: we couldn't ask any more from him.



Well, he could have participated in the handshake line when the Wings were knocked out of the playoffs.

/still thinks it's hilarious that Draper was whining about Crosby "not shaking hands"

FU*K YOU CHELIOUS!

R.A.Danny: 44% of current NHL players weren't even born when Chelios started playing.

An additional 20% were born but still peeing their diapers.

Katalyst: still thinks it's hilarious that Draper was whining about Crosby "not shaking hands"

I forgot Kris Draper still even played for the Wings, so mission accomplished I guess

Atleast he is still able to lace them up and even be thought about at this level. I hope he skates till he beats the record for oldest player. IF only due to being a die hard badger fan and wanting a record that will be really hard to break given to a Badger Great.