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DEL.ICIO.USKovalchuk completes NHL’s power lineup
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Summer acquisitions notwithstanding, any question about Ilya Kovalchuk’s importance to the Thrashers evaporated quickly Tuesday when he joined the team for power play practice. Measuring the importance was difficult only because nobody used a stopwatch.
“I kept him on the ice for probably 10 minutes,” coach Bob Hartley said. “He was the only guy who didn’t come off the ice.”
“He played me 15 minutes — back and forth, 15 minutes in a row,” Kovalchuk said. “That’s OK. He told me it was just to get me ready.”
When the INS granted Kovalchuk his work visa Tuesday, it might have ended the rest of the NHL’s best chance for slowing the Thrashers’ power play in general and Kovalchuk in particular.
In past seasons, a successful power play unit could be viewed as a nice bonus or one of several keys to success. This year, its importance might be closer to that of a Gatorade bucket in the middle of the Sahara. Only those who can drink with an extra skater will survive.
More penalties are being called now, which means power play time, which means a greater emphasis on a team’s skilled forwards. If you play on the third or fourth line, you might want to bring a book with you to the bench — because you’re barely getting more ice time than the Zamboni driver.
Which brings us to the Thrashers. Even without Kovalchuk, the NHL’s best triggerman, the team totaled eight power play goals in two games against Washington. With Kovalchuk, this team has the potential to be the league’s best this year and among the best ever.
Maybe Hartley puts Kovalchuk down low on the left side, with Slava Kozlov and Bobby Holik on the right. Maybe he puts him on the point with Peter Bondra, Marian Hossa and Mark Savard down low.
Maybe he goes with five forwards, with Bondra and Kovalchuk as point men.
Chew on that while spinning memories of Martin Prochazka and Johan Garpenlov.
If you’re trying to kill a penalty against this team, what goes through your mind?
“I’m hoping that my goalie is having a really good night,” Scott Mellanby said.
“It’s intimidating. There might be plays on a penalty kill where they take a chance to try to break up a play. But they also might freeze a little bit because of the intimidation factor.”
The Atlanta Thrashers: Intimidating.
Still chewing?
“I think it’ll be even more intimidating for the guy who’s sitting in the box,” Hartley said. “He doesn’t want to have to go back to the bench [after a goal].
“Our power play could be one of our best tools against [physical] intimidation. If a team wants to try to run us out of their building — like in Washington, we scored on the first four power plays. That sends a message: If you want to be stupid, it could be a long night.”
OK, hockey school is open. In general, the power play accounts for about one-quarter of a team’s offense. (In 2003-04, 27 percent of the goals came on the power play.) Through the first six days of this season, 37 percent of the goals (114 of 308) were power plays. Eight of the Thrashers’ 15 (53 percent) have come with an extra attacker.
Great teams have been led by great players on the power play: Edmonton (Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey). The New York Islanders (Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Dennis Potvin). Colorado (Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Ray Bourque). Pittsburgh (Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, whoever).
Kovalchuk stepped on the ice Tuesday, looked around and was struck: “Unbelievable. Just the names. Names everywhere.”
He was prepared to miss this. Had negotiations with the Thrashers broken off, Kovalchuk would have signed with a team in Russia and made a nice living. But his mind would be elsewhere.
“I would be reading the [Russian newspaper] Sports-Express every day, looking at the [NHL] results,” he said.
Now he looks on a power play and sees Bondra (who has scored 50-plus), Hossa (40-plus) and Kozlov (30-plus). But he didn’t seem to have any trouble keeping up Tuesday.
“He reminds me of Guy Lafleur when he was young,” Hartley said, referring to the former Montreal great. “He’d come to training camp with a pack of cigarettes and he’d finish first in the [fitness] testing.”
Kovalchuk didn’t have any cigarettes Tuesday, just a stick. And if Hartley wanted to cram an entire training camp into one practice, so be it.
Permalink | Comments (46) | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Thrashers / NHL
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By Andy
October 11, 2005 09:08 PM | Link to this
This is going to be special. This may be the greatest Atlanta sports teams ever assembled. Everyone needs to come see guys play. It will be something special. If you think Mike Vick is exciting; come watch Ilya Kovalchuk. He’s hockey version….maybe better.
By John Crawford
October 11, 2005 09:54 PM | Link to this
I am more excited now about the Thrashers, than most any year of any Atlanta sports team since I started following sports in the mid 70’s!
By Dennis
October 11, 2005 10:16 PM | Link to this
I’ve been hemming and hawing about finally getting the Thrashers season tickets that I’ve always wanted — but the news of Ilya signing finally did the trick. Today, I bought a 21-game plan. The Thrashers are going to be the most exciting team in the NHL. Can’t WAIT for Ilya’s debut tomorrow.
By JB
October 11, 2005 10:42 PM | Link to this
If the defense can play at an average level,the Thrashers will be hard to stop. Kovy will have field day with all the open ice that has come with the new rules. He may put up Gretzky type stats. You may see Kovy and Hossa have 70 goal years. Their point totals are going to be 1980`s type numbers. Just sick
By Chris Hicks
October 11, 2005 11:06 PM | Link to this
Nice last minute save Don Waddell….Kovalchuk is home.
By Ben
October 11, 2005 11:07 PM | Link to this
This is to every hockey fan in the metro area.
Show up. Go to as many Thrashers games as you can. If you can’t go, glue yourself to the TV. Prove the Canadian and northern US press wrong. Show them that this is a hockey town with your throats and your wallets. I for one am sick of reading in other papers that we don’t deserve a hockey team because we’re in the south.
As for the Thrashers chances, I truely hope that Savard, K, Slava, Hossa, Bondra, and Holik hold up. If they do, look for them to go deep.
By Mr C.
October 11, 2005 11:26 PM | Link to this
Totally concur with Ben. This is a chance to prove that Atlanta is a sports town. The owners has done a great job - putting up a good team and it’s now time for the fans to go out and support the team.
I live more than 600 miles from the city and i plan on attending from 5-10 games. I’ve only been to a couple of games but they were a blast. If the players stay healthy, it will be a great season. Go thrashers
By Matthew
October 12, 2005 12:42 AM | Link to this
Yes!
Andy hss it right on the money.
On paper, this is one of the best Atlanta pro-sports teams ever.
I’d put it on par with the 1993 Braves.
Let’s just hope that this team doesn’t choke it all away like that team did.
Then again, Bob Hartley is no Booby Cox… and thank God for that!
By Ashton
October 12, 2005 03:20 AM | Link to this
Yes everyone should go down and see this team! If you have never watched hockey live or even just want to turn the cheek to hockey you are missing out!
This is Hockey: High Octane, Physical, Rivalries are born, Legends are made, intensity, nail biting, tradition, pride.
The stanley cup is the most beutiful trophy in the history of Pro Sports. http://slapshot01.chez.tiscali.fr/pages/data/images/finalestanleycup2001012.jpg
^^^^ Imagine Ilya, Marc, Bobby etc hoisting that cup.
For those ignorant people: Hockey is not just about guys on skates fighting. It’s a mans game when things are going your way in sports you’ll get frusterated and if you want to drop the gloves and if the other guy wants to than they’ll let you fight until someone hits the ground. Not everyone is a fighter ok, the point is to score and win games. The main goal is to win the stanley cup and have the teams name engraved on the cup forever! They have peoples names on it from the early 1900’s. Also Hockey has deep roots in america and it’s not just a canadian game. 4 of the original 6 teams are american. Next year a phenom named phill kessel will be drafted #1 and he will dominate the NHL. He is also american! It’s arguable to say he is better than crosby and ovechkin. Watch out! I’m pumped up … Also google Hockey in Atlanta because this city has a history too, infact many cities/states north to south have roots of hockey.
By B
October 12, 2005 08:47 AM | Link to this
Schultz,
Ron Francis called, and he’s hacked about being lumped into the “whoever” category.
By Michael
October 12, 2005 10:10 AM | Link to this
Is anyone else like me and thought that somehow the Thrashers were going to screw up re-signing Ilya and we’d have another Atlanta sports franchise that choked just when they looked like that they might start to succeed? Maybe I’ve just lived here too long and seen it all before, way too many times. Thank you Don Waddell for bucking the trend. I think we’ve got a great team to watch now.
By Geoffrey Paul
October 12, 2005 11:49 AM | Link to this
I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself. I’m downright giddy about the product on the ice. What an entertaining team. When the lockout began I had a feeling it would ultimately be good for the Thrash b/c our young studs Coburn and Lehtonen would get another year of seasoning on the AHL level and that when the NHL returned we would definately be a playoff team- but this is beyond my wildest dreams. I’m already getting goosebumps about heading down to Phillips for games in late April and May. On another note, I can’t wait for tonights game with Montreal. Anytime the Habs are in town I think it is special, and I love hearing “O Canada” sung, but tonight will be extra special b/c I think this game will highlight the virtues of the “new NHL.” Both of these teams have bought-in to the rules changes and are teams that depend on skating. There should be a lot of flow tonight and fast-paced up and down hockey. I can’t wait. Go Thrashers!
By Brendan
October 12, 2005 12:04 PM | Link to this
I love all the skill on this team. With these new rules, it really allows the league’s most talented players to shine. What an exciting season this should be. For the first time ever, teams around the league will be hoping they DON’T draw the Atlanta Thrashers as a first round opponent.
By Greg from Marietta
October 12, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this
I must say that I’ve never been much of a Hockey Fan, primarily because I don’t understand the game and all the rules. However, after following what has been going on with the new players and all the excitement of those that have written comments in this Blog I must say that the excitement is contagious and now I am going to make a point to attend some Thrasher games. Does anyone one know if there is a Hockey for Dummies book that I could buy somewhere? I just might become a Hockey convert. Go Thrashers!!
By LAC
October 12, 2005 02:03 PM | Link to this
I will be in town several times for games… a nice 750 mile drive from KC… but well worth the trip.
Then I catch ALL NHL games on Dish/NHL game plan and ALWAYS see Atlanta.
This team, has an 80% chance to WIN THE STANLEY CUP. REAL CHANCE, barring injuries to key players… TB you look WEAK, so Please Polish the CUP for Atlanta !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Blake
October 12, 2005 04:23 PM | Link to this
Greg all you have to learn is the Icing rule and offside. The rest you’ll pick up from watching the game, it’s not hard. Infact my european cousin learned hockey so much faster than he learned football and I taught him both. Offsides and Icings, but after that you’ll learn all the penalties and stuff when you seem em happen. Hockey is the easiest sport to learn. I think atlanta’s website has a learning section. Hockey is too exciting of a sport to turn the blind eye to.
By Patrick
October 12, 2005 07:47 PM | Link to this
Why the NHL expanded into the south boggles my mind. The South (towards south east) are just plain ignorant. Before the league put teams in Nashville, Atlanta and Carolina it was fine. Hockey will never make it in these places because they just don’t get it at all. I wish they would have put a team in Portland and Seattle were we actually Play and KNOW hockey, but thanks a lot Bettman. All three teams are up and comming, but it’s a shame that people don’t even come out to see em. For F*CK sakes gary put a team in Portland, Seattle and either kansas or houston. Yes, Houston where people cared about their Aeros of the WHA. I hate the ignorance of the south and I hate that the NHL expanded there. You guys embrace the redneck tradition that isn’t even a sport … NASCAR. Just stick to watching cars go in circles.
By sodapants
October 12, 2005 09:10 PM | Link to this
You’re an idiot, Patrick.. Atlanta drew more famns last year than the multi-cup winning Devils…
Should they be retracted to? Moron….
Think about all-star game too… many a thrasher could make their way into that game….
I think Ilya makes too much money.. but i’m glad he’s here. We’ll see if his contract hurts later… And don’t give me the Hossa deal as a barometer. Hossa’s earned it for many seasons in a row. What drives Kovalchuk’s salary is potential really.
But again.. I look forward to finally seeing hockey in Atlanta…. in April.
Oh.. there were also about 7 other teams that Atlanta out-drew last year in fan attendance. So take that frozen, snotty booger out of your butt and try and makes some sense, bub…..
By Patrick
October 12, 2005 09:23 PM | Link to this
Who did they out draw? Anyways hockey doesn’t belong in Atlanta and your city proves it with their 99x radio station making fun of the game. Gary bring one of these teams to portland and we’ll give em the kind of support they want. Remember hockey is in our history bettman google portland winterhawks. Later.
Note: Don’t compair your attendace to new jersey because most the population of hockey fans in new jersey are either Rangers or Devils fans.
By briton
October 12, 2005 10:17 PM | Link to this
First, Ron Francis isn’t the only former Pen who probably hates being a “whoever,” there were a lot of great ones there.
Second, there actually is a “Hockey for Dummies.”
Third, Kovalchuk is signed. Regardless of the fact that bowing down to young stars can backfire and create ego-maniacs (Jagr can go into this category too), it’s a done deal. But, the Thrashers were doing well even without Ilya, not having him wouldn’t have broken this team.
Fourth, outside of Atlanta, Kovalchuk isn’t the hottest thing in hockey. There are lots of players who have come out of this lockout looking better than ever, especially with the new rules. Close to home, even those pessimists here in Atlanta have to admit that Heatley is lighting it up in Ottawa. Oh, and then there’s a couple of kids that you might have heard of…mainly Sidney Crosby and his #1 pick predecessor Alexander Ovechkin.
Finally, I’ve posted this a million times but I’ll do it again. Hockey doesn’t sell in the south. Trust me, I wish it did. We have a great team and a great organization. It’s one thing to get everyone all riled up and excited when you’re on a hockey forum or amongst hockey fans. Unfortunately though the rest of the city is too obsessed with other sports to take notice. And it’s not just the public. Radio crews can’t remember what that “other sport” is or what “that team’s” name is, TV anchors can’t get the name of the sport right. Go to more traditional hockey markets and hockey is all over the radio, TV, and newspapers…NHL, AHL, ECHL, NCAA, high school, amateur. What did the AJC do with the extra space last season since they weren’t covering the Thrashers? More high school sports. Even during the lockout the main sports section wouldn’t cover the Thrashers’ affiliates…and one of them is right here in Atlanta!
Fact of the matter is, the NHL will have to undo its expansion to survive, which means some franchises will have to go.
By Patrick
October 12, 2005 10:27 PM | Link to this
The NHL can survive with these franchises.. there is no doubt, but it would benefit it better to get out of south because it is the south that ignore the sport because they hardly know anything about it and don’t want to. Like I said ignorance is why these teams should leave and it’s a shame because cities that would kill to get an NHL franchise (some even prefer an NHL franchise to an NBA, See kansas city) didn’t get one and ignorant cities or fairweather cities didn’t have one. Sure they can survive in Atlanta and what not, but whats the point if the team will be playing infront of empty seats. I don’t want to be pessimistic about your city and your team since it has been around for only 5 year and that isn’t long enough to get a fanbase going, but whats the point if there no interest? This is a Pro-League and ever since the expansion to the south its had its problems.
By kl
October 12, 2005 10:29 PM | Link to this
Hey Patrick,
Kansas City and Houston, you smoke crack right, both of those cities had their teams fold. Houston folded a year before the WHA, Kansas City had an NHL franchise folded within 2 years. You are an Idiot. Portland is laughable what is the population of Oregon 3.5 million. Where is the TV money again IDIOT. Seattle has had many a minor league team fold. Come on, come with something remotely intelligent.
By kl
October 12, 2005 10:50 PM | Link to this
The teams below were outdrawn by the Thrashers, I didn’t know that people in Boston were ignorant too.
Patrick everytime you write it pains me, you think anyone in Atlanta is from here. This is a town of northern people who moved here for jobs/ economy. I play stick time with 15 guys none of which are from Atlanta, most of us are Canadian. You obviously don’t understand the economics of the NHL. You should keep the unintelligible crap you spout to yourself. To quote Abe, ” Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
22 Boston 23 Anaheim 24 New Jersey
25 Washington
26 NY Islanders 27 Chicago 28 Nashville 29 Carolina 30 Pittsburgh
By Patrick
October 12, 2005 11:12 PM | Link to this
First of all Houston was supposed to be one of the WHA teams that were to merge with the NHL, but the ownership parted ways. Secondly portland might not have much of a population, but we would sell out an 18, 000 seat arena for hockey no problem. As for seattle do you know that they won a stanley cup before? I’m sure you don’t and minor league teams fold all the time due to bad management. Kansas city’s team did fold in the 70s, but why can’t they get another chance? I mean atlanta got one why not Kansas? Kansas has sold out pre-season games every year and they used to support a certain minor league team very very well, but I’ll leave you some homework to find out about it.
All of those cities that you mentioned with the exception of nashville and carolina have a hardcore fan base. The Bruins and Blackhawks organizations have bad owners and the fans have been boycotting them for being to cheap or dishonest. Islanders are just like the mets who cares? Anaheim sucked and so did washington. The bottom line is those cities know their hockey and they don’t shun it the way the south does. If the team sucks what can you do? I heard on one of your radio stations had a skit going. It was kind of like a drive through and the guy was ordered Chicken, Salad, Coke, Sports and said hold the hockey. Like what the f*ck is that?
By kl
October 12, 2005 11:36 PM | Link to this
Winnipeg has won the stanley cup 3 times too, Seattle metropolitans 1916-17, big deal. Kenora won the Stanley cup also I bet you couldn’t find it on the map. Back then senior teams from Winnipeg won the Olympic Gold Medal too but who cares. The Flames were moved to Calgary because Calgary built them a new arena, not because they weren’t successful in Atlanta unlike Kansas City. I think your justifications are weak and a little sad.
By Patrick
October 12, 2005 11:52 PM | Link to this
Winnipeg did not win the stanley cup! they won the avco cup 3 times of the old WHA league. Atlanta rather have a Basketball team than a hockey team so why not take our blazers and give us your Thrashers? So you can have two basketball teams.
By Patrick
October 12, 2005 11:58 PM | Link to this
Also… Cousins, the owner of the flames, went bankrupt and then a canadian ownership bought the flames from him and didn’t think twice to move them to calgary. I wonder why.
By Skydawg
October 13, 2005 12:44 AM | Link to this
I am just as excited as everyone else in regards to the Thrashers offensive capabilities. Unless you want to count the two goose eggs thrown at us in four games. But I do think it will take a few weeks for this team to really mesh offensively, but then watch out!!! My biggest concern though is our goalie situation. Now Dunham has gone down too with a groin injury and we are left with a rookie goalie. If we don’t find someone fast the losses could start piling up early. Lets cross our fingers.
By Skydawg
October 13, 2005 12:53 AM | Link to this
And by the way, Earth to Patrick. Check out the Thrashers attendence records over the last few years. There havent been too many empty seats. First 2 homes games this year have been packed. Guess us hillbillies down here dont know nothin bout no hockey. Huh? Atlanta will always support their teams, its just a matter of putting a decent product on the field/rink/court. You see down here in the south we’re not as ignorant when it comes to supporting BAD teams. We’re smart about where we spend our money. You see, in the south where its warm weather for 8-9 months a year, we have many more options as far as entertainment than spending money on a crappy product. But you put a product together like the Thrashers have in this off season, you just watch the attendence. And as far as KC, they couldnt sniff our jocks as far as being a bigtime sports market. Be real man.
By Skydawg
October 13, 2005 12:56 AM | Link to this
Oh and about the Flames Patrick. We had season tickets back in the late 70’s when the Flames were here and guess what. The Omni was packed almost every night. The Flames moving had nothing to do with attendence, it had to do with greed on Cousins part. Do your research before spouting off about our sports teams.
By Patrick
October 13, 2005 01:24 AM | Link to this
Atlanta is full of fair weather fans!
By Shut out by a rookie
October 13, 2005 02:08 AM | Link to this
“greatest team” yadah, yadah. Give me a break! Even with the new rules, it’s the “goals against” number that really matters … which is why it might be nice if the Thrashers had a defence or goaltender to speak of!
The only reason the Thrashers will even make the playoffs is because of the NHL’s lame three-division set up, allowing the weak sisters of the southeast to put forward a division “champion” to be slaughtered in the first round!
PS - Habs rule.
By Desmond
October 13, 2005 03:58 AM | Link to this
Patrick: Hockey JUST came back to atlanta and this isn’t the atlanta of the old. It’s growing and with the new CBA hockey is going to grow just like the NFL did with their CBA which is very very close to the NFL CBA. I became a thrashers fan two years ago and now I’m even more of a fan because the NHL came out of the ice age as the NBA and NFL did before. Together we will grow together so shove off.
Habs Fan: You think Ribiero and you bertuzzi jr is going to take you to the playoffs? Good luck!
Go Thrashers and support your team!
By Stan
October 13, 2005 05:12 AM | Link to this
I’m from New York, but now I reside in Atlanta and I’ll tell you one thing. My whole life I’ve seen the wonderful world of sports. I remember a time where the NFL was on strike, and the NHL fully compensated in my neck of the woods for everything in the fall. Hell they even brang in replacement players to substitute and no one cared. I remember when the NBA wasn’t so popular and then the NBA’s #1 pick was slid on the doorstep of the Knicks so that the NBA would get better ratings. I remember post Jordan era (before the comeback) when the NHL was the thing on sportcenter. I remember when Mark Messier promised the city that we would be the devils and we did; however we also broke a 50 years curse and at that point the Hockey was the greatest thing in the city whether you were a fan or not. Everyone in the coutry knew what the rangers had done and from then on came the expansion possibilites from 26 teams to eventually 30. Pay attention now because this is where things started to change. A few years later the rangers didn’t look any good and many of the popular teams sucked (except the flyers, but philly sucks in general) and then the next micheal jordan was thrown into the lap of the 2nd largest market in the US… yes the Lakers. They won a few titles, the NBA got huge and a few years later that team crumbled. In the year 2004 in the NBA finals two small market and boring teams competed in the finals which lead to not so great ratings. Stuff happens, media blows wind on the fire, but in the end things work themselves out. It’s not like a league which has been in North America (yes that means US and Canada) for close to a century will fold. I’m not a thrashers fan because I love my rangers and I’m glad the NHL did something about the watered down clutching and grabbing. This “New” NHL isn’t really new at all they just fixed it and made it more fun and competitive. Winning the stanley cup is a great feeling because it comes few and far between. Good luck thrashers fans the future looks good for your team.
By kl
October 13, 2005 08:59 AM | Link to this
Patrick, Winnipeg won the STANLEY CUP three times master of obscure references in 1895, 1900, 1901. That is pre-NHL just like the Metropolitans win. Yes the also won the Avco cup three times. Maybe these fair weather fans know alot more than you the hardcore fan. Like I said sad and weak.
By briton
October 13, 2005 03:18 PM | Link to this
If you’ve never lived in a traditional market you’ll never understand how different things are here in Atlanta. I’ve lived in a few hockey cities and nothing can compare. People don’t wait until the baseball or football seasons are over to get excited, they don’t try to squeeze hockey in between basketball games…it’s a part of life. While it is true that hockey has less fans in this country than other pro sports, hockey fans in most cities are loyal diehards. That just doesn’t seem to be the case here.
I’ve been in Atlanta since the Thrashers arrived and there isn’t much change in the atmosphere in the city, and I mean looking deeper than the varying crowd sizes. There’s no real sense of city pride in the team here, the fans in general aren’t as excited, and the media could care less. People in Atlanta are too caught up in other sports and their interest in hockey will only be if the team is winning and it will be short-lived.
I don’t know anywhere else where the fans get what they want—their star forward back—and end up booing at his home debut.
By Rawhide
October 13, 2005 04:01 PM | Link to this
“weak sisters of the southeast to put forward a division “championâ€? to be slaughtered in the first round!”………hard to believe you evan an average hockey fan if you seemingly never have heard of the STANLY CUP WINNING Tampa Bay Lightning.
By kl
October 13, 2005 04:33 PM | Link to this
Briton, where are you from, I lived in a city that breathed hockey, my minor hockey team played 118 games one season. I know hockey, this city has potential based on size, tv market and newspaper circulation. If anyone in the media had half a nut this town would be hockey crazy and quick. I think it is lame that on the ajc.com webpage the have a link to pictures of ice skating and gymnastics, and no link to the Thrashers game score/related story. They also have the glads in training camp with no mention of it, I wonder what it takes to get a job at the AJC or at least a stipend/ press pass so that some educated hockey fan could turn the tide here.
By briton
October 13, 2005 05:57 PM | Link to this
Well I’ve lived a few places, two of the cities I lived in each won more than one Stanley Cup while I was there, one is known as HockeyTown :-)
I’ve maintained that it is sad that hockey won’t survive here, especially with the potential in such a huge market. The Thrashers have a good team, a good organization, good facilities, all the right stuff. Except for the fanbase.
The success of a team on the ice does not correlate into survival of the franchise. Tampa Bay won the cup but couldn’t even sellout their home opener where they raised their banners and hosted Lord Stanley’s Cup. All over this website people were threatening to give up their season tickets if Kovalchuk wasn’t signed, even though hockey isn’t about a single player…then they booed during his home debut. Too many fair-weather fans.
The media acts as if hockey is the red-headed step-child. No one likes to talk about it, most don’t even know what it is or that there’s a team in Atlanta. Last season, despite room freed up by the lockout, the AJC wouldn’t cover the Gladiators in the sports section. I sought an answer, I was told that people outside of Gwinnett weren’t interested. It’s a pro hockey team for crying out loud, and one that rosters future Thrashers to boot!
When the Thrashers hit a winning streak, people will gain interest. If the team makes the playoffs, everyone will celebrate and pretend they were fans all along, the city might even take some short-lived pride in the team. But will everyone be there years from now and if the team is losing when youth is no longer an excuse? No matter a team’s record from season to season, a franchise needs a loyal fanbase that sticks by it through the good, the bad, and everything in between.
But that’s just my opinion—Brit
By kl
October 13, 2005 06:23 PM | Link to this
I don’t disagree with any of what your saying. I think with proper coverage by local media and proper marketing, this team could have that fan base. I find it appalling that the AJC wouldn’t cover the Glads. The fanbase will come with proper coverage, which is sorely lacking. I find it obscene that the “home of the Thrashers”, doesn’t have a weekly show. Let alone actually devote anytime to hockey. 790 was better but the signal sucked.
The AJC writers need to be more aggressive with respect to placement of their stories. Local news actually needs to cover Thrashers game highlights. Show some thundering hits, a couple of goals, a fight people will watch. Promote on local media, not just during game times. Get some local news spots. This team has enough quality to make a decent run, and should be supported. Hockey is a fast game, tons of contact, now alot of goal scoring, and for the uneducated a couple of fights to boot. This sport is saleable.
By Bolts Fan
October 13, 2005 06:43 PM | Link to this
Uhhhh briton… Tampba bay had standing room only in the home opener. Shut your trap!
By Jason
October 13, 2005 07:06 PM | Link to this
Jesus, if you want the media to talk more about hockey how about actually calling radio stations and talking hockey? I here people on this whining, but I bet you have never picked up the phone and actually called the radio station to talk hockey when they let you talk whatever. Only time people call in is when there is a pre/post game. Do your duty as a fan or stop whining.
By kl
October 14, 2005 11:56 AM | Link to this
Jason, that is definitely one way to handle the situation. Although when the radio station never talks hockey (with good reason- Football is king) it makes it awfully difficult to call in. There are no lead ins, no questions, no problem to address like the dissect football, baseball basketball, makes it very hard. Now this morning with the birthday for 680 they had De Vries, Darren Elliot and Tim Ecclestone and that generated some talk and some calls, someone tried a cold call, they talked half a second on it then went to commercial for 3 minutes, and came back talking football. They need a knowledgeable hockey guy sometime on this station, because this is the Thrasher flagship.
By briton
October 14, 2005 01:16 PM | Link to this
OK, someone is a little too defensive. One paper had Tampa Bay as not being a sellout, it could have been the discrepancy between tickets sold and actual attendance. Who knows, but chill out and don’t be nasty.
I have tried to put pressure on the media when it comes to hockey-print, radio, and TV. And not just sport specific media but more mainstream stuff too. I got no positive responses. It’s an uphill battle with no end in sight.
By dave
October 14, 2005 10:04 PM | Link to this
I am not sure how many posts i have seen on this website that has fans promoting the Thrashers as Cup Champions. Certainly they can score with the upfront staff they have. When it comes to the playoffs, assuming they get that far with no defense, they will soon know that defense wins hockey games. This also applies now in the new NHL. Bonk and Hosa are no longer part of the best team in hockey because when they played against the Leafs during the playoffs they became non factors, playing on the outside of the play. They cannot defend their own end. The same goes for that flashy little Russian fellow.
Outside of Mellanby, I see nobody on this team, (no goaltending either) that can defend against big, strong, skilled guys like Lindros, Allison, Tucker, Wellwood, McCabe (5 points tonight for a D guy) Oneil, and the new kids in Toronto.
I have seen many posts here predicting the Leafs do not make the playoffs. I have seen many predictions for a cup in Atlanta. Only one thing to say, and by the love of God do not say ” we were playing our 4th string goaltender. And please give me a break on the “refs were paid off” crap. The Thrashers could not break the Leaf defense, and could not handle the big boys in front of the net. Crap!! Wait until the Flyers come to town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leafs 9 Thrashers 1
Enjoy the regular season and the first round “Thrashing ” in the playoffs.
Cheers, Dave
PS It is really sad to see a bunch of guys go out to try and hurt people while the team is behind by 5 goals. That shows a whole lot of class………………
By vik
October 18, 2005 12:34 AM | Link to this
F yes. ilya is da sh\t, man. come on. in just a couple of weeks, he became a father, he flew around the world twice, he trained like hell with a personal trainer, hes learning english all the time, he just joined a team with whose players he had practiced only once. come on now.
ilya will come through. when he starts rolling the thrashers will start to roll.
u cant judge a player by a couple of games, esp. w/ new teammates.
anyone who bashes ilya right now is a genuine idiot. u here that sodapants, a freaking idiot.
ilya is playing his heart out, hes delivering hits like never before.
u cant say he doesn’t care cuz he does, and a lot more than f* fans like sodapants. what is his weight? it actually has gone down by 10 pounds due to rigorous training. hes a machine right now (people who dont care dont do this)
lastly, ilya is the franchise. his actions, moves, celebrations are the blood of the thrashers.