AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > January > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThrashers realize goal’s still far away
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
As omens go, the Thrashers would just as soon take it as a positive Thursday when a Zamboni broke down at their Duluth practice rink, forcing them to move to the public sheet of ice.
At least this breakdown didn’t involve a goalie. Or a defenseman. Or a coaching staff.
Fifty games in, and they are still in first place. A maiden playoff berth has advanced far beyond the prayer stage.
Just think: a Thrasher playoff game … in postseason-starved Philips Arena … under the roof of the Atlanta Spirit. It’s kind of like that whole Forrest Gump thing when all of a sudden he found himself with a boatful of shrimp.
The Thrashers have issues. But so does every team. The difference this season is, their issues are accompanied by a winning record at the All-Star break (27-15-8) for the first time in franchise history. For once, a home stretch that’s not a mere countdown to vacation.
Bobby Holik was asked if he could sense a team’s impending sigh of relief. He didn’t bite.
“I don’t want to even get into that,” he said. “One thing I’ve learned in my career is when you start focusing on the goal, you forget what it’s going to take to get you there. Don’t ask me that question again until the time is appropriate.”
See, you learn quickly when you’re a Thrasher not to assume anything. Not even a working Zamboni in January.
A year ago, they emerged from a lockout stuffed with talent. But they tripped out of the gate with goalie injuries, then recovered but suffered too many hiccups and fell two points (one win) short of a playoff spot.
Holik: “Last year we played catch-up from game one to game 82.”
The picture at the break was different this time.
So will the picture at the end.
The Thrashers have two significant needs: a play-making center and a point man on the power play. Regardless, they have shown the resilience to avoid collapse. Two five-game losing streaks have been followed by winning streaks.
Also, there is the reminder of what happened a year ago, which could be a benefit. Slava Kozlov believes the mindset of some players changed.
“I think the difference this year is we have a better locker room,” said Kozlov, who played on two Stanley Cup teams in Detroit. “We play for each other. Last year I think some guys were just worried about personal stats. This year, it’s all about team. At the end of the season, it doesn’t matter how many goals and how many points you have. If we don’t make the playoffs, we’re all in the same boat.”
Their boat is six points ahead of Carolina’s boat in the Southeastern Division. But in the race that matters most, the Thrashers’ 62 points are 12 more than the current best non-playoff team (New York Rangers) in the Eastern Conference. That’s hardly insurmountable.
“You lose five games in a row and things are close again,” Kozlov said.
They could use another piece, if not for the regular season then for the playoffs. General manager Don Waddell has enough salary cap room to add at least one player before the Feb. 27 trade deadline, a center to slide between Kozlov and Marian Hossa or a pointman to set up Ilya Kovalchuk on the power play.
“Sometimes when you bring in new blood to a team it works very well,” Kozlov said. “But I saw so many times in Detroit where we picked up a few players with [big] names and they didn’t do much. It’s always risky.”
At least they have put themselves in the position to take that risk. They don’t need to scramble to get into the race. They’re there, ahead of most. Even their hard-driving coach, Bob Hartley, has been smiling. Sort of.
“We’ve just put him in a better mood, more often than not,” Holik said. “I didn’t say a good mood. Just a better mood. With him, certain things can only get better or worse, but they never really get good.”
Relatively speaking, they’re way ahead of the Zamboni.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Tech / ACC
Comments
By U suck
January 25, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
What’s up hatchet man! No dig at Vick, even though you are writing about a thugged out sport like hockey. You should be fired man!
By BirdDawg
January 26, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
Was that a dig at Savard?
“I think the difference this year is we have a better locker room,” said Kozlov, who played on two Stanley Cup teams in Detroit. “We play for each other. Last year I think some guys were just worried about personal stats. This year, it’s all about team.”
Jeff, I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a dig at the one big piece that the Thrashers weren’t able to re-sign in the off season.
By Jameson
January 26, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
He’s writing about the only pro sports team in Atlanta that will make the playoffs this season… Cut him some slack.
By Shotgun
January 26, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this
How feasible would it be to pick up the pick time playmaking center that currently is in Philadelphia? I’ve been a Forsberg fan since he was in Colorado, and if he fits in the locker room I think he’d make this team a Stanley Cup team.
By UGA75
January 26, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
If you aren’t a Thrashers fan please stick to the other forums. This was a great column about a pretty good Atlanta team. I understand most of us have trouble accepting something positive, but such is life.
There are good guys on the Thrashers, they play good team hockey and are usually fun to watch, There aren’t a lot of drug problems, or wholesale giving away talented player to meet a stupid payroll. Even columnis need to get out of the gutter every now and then, we should celebrate that fact not draw trash into a rare positive Atlanta story.
By U Suck
January 26, 2007 01:25 AM | Link to this
You are right about the Thrashers, didn’t want to slight thier accomplishments thus far. In fact, Thrasher fever should hit the city soon with so many bandwagon types in this city. Just a lot of disdain for the hack writing this article.
By Pinball34
January 26, 2007 02:35 AM | Link to this
Attention BirdDawg…have you been in a cave? Of course there was a problem last year with a guy in his contract year. He got paid somewhere else, and he’s still a punk….
By Packmule
January 26, 2007 06:55 AM | Link to this
Great article and we at the Thrashers Nest are ecited about some playoff hockey love in Atlanta!
http://www.thrashersnest.net
By No, you suck
January 26, 2007 07:33 AM | Link to this
Hey U Suck, you do really suck. How about you just STFU.
By Jim
January 26, 2007 08:27 AM | Link to this
Jeff: Good blog. The terms “better locker room” and “good chemistry” seem to be popping up very frequently and may well be the differentiating element this year. They’re a hustling bunch who don’t quit and Kari continues to bail out many of those who make defensive lapses. The worn out adage now comes into play more prominently “one shift at a time, one game at a time.”
By Gene
January 26, 2007 09:17 AM | Link to this
Hartley has done a great job with the Thrashers. It is nice to have an Atlanta team with a real shot at the playoffs.
By caveman22
January 26, 2007 09:40 AM | Link to this
As a long time hockey fan who grew up watching the Flames and listening to “Boom Boom” Geoffrione broadcast for the local telecast I can say that it is a real thrill to even have a hockey to talk about at all. Despite ownership problems the Thrashers have finally begun to make good on their talent. And having Hartley, one of the top coaches in the league, has really been the key to the playoff lock. Thanks Thrashers and keep on checking!!
By Moore Cowbell
January 26, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
Well, not many comments, but I guess you have to expect that on a hockey column. Normally the Vick story-du-jour has enough race-baiting in it to catch a whole box of crackers OR populate a million man march, depending on which side of the gutter you’re sweeping. So Kudos to Jeff for crawling up on the sidewalk.
As a life long, Flames, then Bruins, now Thrashers fan, I almost can’t believe they may make the playoffs. (knock on wood) The NHL playoffs is a crapshoot now-a-days with the parity in the league and having top notch goal tending will determine who wins and who goes home. I feel good about where we are but I would feel better it we added some good depth on defense. Having a stronger defense, and getting back Sutton will be HUGE (pardon the pun), will do wonders on the other side of the red line to open up scoring opportunities. As in almost all other sports, defense wins championships. We have a great shot with Kari between the pipes and I would try to help him out as much as possible.
By Jim Ragan
January 26, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
Looks like unlike past Januarys, this team has gained solid footing this month winning four of their last six after a scary five-game losing streak. Although not a big follower of hockey, I am glad nevertheless to see a pro team do well in this city such as the Bluelanders and hope for their continued success into the second half of the season. I agree with the assessement how Bob Hartley has done a great job with this team, and having Dan Kamal call the games is a major asset also.
By Jeff Schultz
January 26, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Birddawg — It might’ve been a slight shot at Savard (Kozzie wouldn’t elaborate) but I also think it was a change of mindset with 1 or 2 other guys still on the team. … Shotgun: I’d love to see Forsberg, although the “name” is far better (and healthier) than the “player” these days. Yes, he’s a possibility but I don’t know if he’s DW’s first choice. Depends on cost. … U-Suck: I love you too. When you feel up to, intellectually, to make an argument, let me know. But don’t hurt yourself. …
By Ryder
January 26, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
This upcoming road trip will determine where the Thrashers will be seeding for the playoffs. By Feb 22 we will have a better idea. I do think they need to not only focus on getting to the playoffs but for winning the whole enchilada. They need to get Forsberg or another center to help on the power play. If Hartley can teach these guys to maintain 3rd period leads, they will be a threat!
By Target Zero
January 26, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz no more hate on Vick! your day will come! All That press was un call for!
By The REAL Tower of Power
January 26, 2007 01:23 PM | Link to this
Why do most of the Vick-heads seem to have so much trouble with basic spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar?
By Scott
January 26, 2007 01:40 PM | Link to this
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!!
2007 Southeast champs!!!
By sisu
January 26, 2007 02:44 PM | Link to this
Now is the time to take control of the division…we need to win the Southeast and get some points on this home stand.
Foppa could be the answer if he is healthy, and that is a big if….
By Target Zero
January 26, 2007 03:40 PM | Link to this
BY the real tower of power - they were taught by you mama!Jeff Schultz you are so wrong the way you did Vick. You didn’t do Bobby cox like that. He beat his wife and no poll Bobby cox must go!The Guy for the Thrasher kill his team mate no poll he must go! You are a Real good ole boy! Go Mikel Vick
By U Suck
January 26, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this
Schultz, whatever man, you still suck and all your girlfriends on this blog supporting you to. Taking pot shots huh, I knew you would take the bait, as you did with all the so called Falcon fans taking shots at Vick. I think you are starting to feel what it must be be like for the young man, with all you southern gentleman waiting to come down on him for the slightest mistake. Funny thing, I always thought you were a little different than the Moores and Bradleys of the world, but boy you showed your true feelings. That is disdain for the hip-hop culture whom Vick somewhat represents. You are afraid like some of the others that hip-hop won’t be a fad but a way of life. Not just for blacks but everybody. There are bad aspects but some of its just people, being themselves and not giving in to society norms or white man norms. So I understand you are afraid, so just like the Jim Crow laws of old, let it go man. Judge this man like you would want to be judge. But I know you won’t, you have to feed your loyal followers with their medicine, what better way than to pick on a percieved young black thug. You just don’t get it do you, Vick represents to many all the opportunities that wasn’t given to many with his talents, because of people like you. So when you want to discuss this intellectually, let me know.
By Mike M.
January 26, 2007 09:19 PM | Link to this
This years team have scored 154 goals. They have 150 goals against. This team is not a dominating team. They are fortunate to be in first place. The difference between this year and last year is clutch goal tending particulrly in O.T. and shootouts. Plus, Kozzie is right about the chemistry. Some noteworthy improvements from last year has been the play of Holik. And, Kolvy has been more than just a sniper.