First practice

Mathieu has joined his new Atlanta teammates in practice. Thrashers 411 has the scoop and the first picture of the newest Thrasher.

More comments

Despite the uncertainty of the last few weeks (or months, really), Mathieu has been very resilient.

"It’s been a real interesting summer. I’ve known for some time I was going to be moved... We all have to live with the [salary cap] system. I was one of the players who voted for it." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Thrashers Blog

The Sporting News also has some comments about what now Atlanta teammate Garnet Exelby referred to as "the Mathieu Schneider incident." The article includes quotes from Mathieu about how this whole situation reveals some shortcomings of the CBA:

"There were a lot of things that were put into this CBA that players and managers didn't really foresee happening and realize how it would impact their team. It's been a learning experience on the players' side and managements' side. We all have to live with the system. I was one of the players who voted for it. At the end of the day, it has all worked out here. But a lot of player have fallen victim and careers have ended early because of the salary cap."

He really has handled this whole drama with grace and professionalism. Good for him. And a good reflection on the league and the sport.

More reactions to the trade

Mortimer Peacock over at The Blueland Chronicle has a collection of some of the reactions from the blog-o-sphere.

"Happy"

Reached by phone for comment, here is what Mathieu has to say about the trade:

"I've known for some time that I was going to be moved. Brian was tremendous, working with my agent, trying to get a deal done... This morning I was extremely happy to hear the news." -- CBC Sports

He expected to fly out to Atlanta late Friday and take the team's physical Saturday. (CBS Sportsline)

Early trade responses

Here is some early feedback from the blogosphere:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Blueland Chronicle
Fire Wagon Hockey
The Smirkin Chicken
Do The Thrashers Have Large Talons? (possibly my newest favorite blog name of all time)

Trade

ABOUT DAMN TIME! Mathieu has been traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. There he'll get good ice time, a chance to play with some fresh young talent, and hang out with his brother, J.A., who lives in the area with his family.

OC Register

*I don't propose to speak for Mathieu, but I will speak for myself: Good riddance Anaheim!

September 24, 2008

Still no deal. Apparently Brian Burke has talked to Mathieu and they have agreed, despite his initial plans to report to training camp Thursday or Friday if a deal was not completed today, he will NOT come to training camp for at least a few more days. (as per the OC Register).

September 22, 2008

Well, I guess "imminent" can mean different things. Mathieu was expecting a move to happen this weekend, but it looks like Brian Burke will use all of his "four days, max" window (as per the OC Register. Any more delays will keep Mathieu out of training camp (any training camp) for a week, which isn't really a fair situation. If a move doesn't happen by tomorrow, Mathieu will most likely join the Ducks in camp. Um... awkward.

September 18, 2008

With what Anaheim has talked to his agent about as an imminent move, Mathieu will not report to training camp Friday as previously planned and will remain at home this weekend and await news as to where he will play next season, so reports the OC Register.

September 17, 2008, pt 2

The latest update is that the Ducks are still trying to trade Mathieu, and have had offers, none of which they want. A deal will likely not be done until after camp, per the OC Register. According to reports from his agent (again, per OC Register), Mathieu will report to training camp in Anaheim on Friday just like nothing is happening (unless something does actually happen). He has no responsibility for any of this and it is up to the Ducks to work out the problem they got themselves into. Until they do, he will fulfill his professional and contractual responsibilities.

September 17, 2008

Mathieu has cleared waivers: OC Register. Because no team claimed him, Mathieu, and salary, goes back to the Ducks. To get the needed cap room, the Ducks will have to sweeten a trade deal (by adding another player or pick; or accepting another salary in return), or trade another player that teams would take "for free." Mathieu is not something that teams were likely to do that for. He is still an amazing pick-up, but his salary is high and his age is, um, elevated. Plus, with only one year left on his contract, he's a gamble. If teams are going to take on the risk (not to mention help out a rival), they want more. I personally think the Ducks way underestimated the situation, but I digress. Too bad it is someone as experienced and respected as Mathieu (not to mention his family!) who is stuck in the middle of NHL politics, economics, and strategy.

September 16, 2008

The Anaheim Ducks have placed Mathieu on waivers: per TSN.ca.

What does this mean? Follow the discussion over at the Battle of California blog. They know much more about the workings than I do.

What is this?

Eventually I plan to move the "news and notes" section of the Unofficial Mathieu Schneider Homepage over to this blog. But, it is slow process. Slow because a) I'm not as good at this web stuff as I'd like to be, and b) the more I look at the site, the more I realize how old most of the info is. I feel guilty moving old furniture into a new house, so I'm trying to clean up and redesign at the same time.

But, I created the site originally as major league procrastination when I was in college; and now that I'm teaching a course next semester, and I find myself procrastinating again. Maybe the mountains of course prep will be inspire me as my own course work did years ago...

In the meantime, the site will continue to reside over at the original URL: http://www.geocities.com/schtimpy27