Thrashers

By Roddy_p

December 19, 2005 04:08 PM | Link to this

Great stuff! I’ll be watching as usual. I think this team is a playoff team. #7 in the east!

By Bob

December 19, 2005 04:20 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the update on Lehtonen, John. That’s good news about his attitude.

Any insight as to why they assigned Berkhoel to Gwinnett today? Lehtonen being activated for Thursday to sit as Garnett’s backup? Or is Berkhoel just getting some much needed work in during this break the Thrashers are on?

I can’t get my hopes up too far yet, until I see Lehtonen come in and see the effect his presence has on the club. If he comes back and performs like we all hoped, then yes, there’s a chance they can keep this run going and chase a playoff spot. This team can win it’s share of games if he can get goals against below 3 per game.

I don’t know, I thought that Florida game was ugly. We came out ok in the first 5 minutes, but after Hossa whiffed the penalty shot and we hit a cross bar and a post, that game was some ugly hockey by a couple of clubs playing bad hockey. It was a win, but an ugly win.

I think we all need to sit back and hope for Lehtonen to regain his form and stay healthy. That’s a big if, but if both of those things happen, then they can make the playoffs. If not, then the defensemen here now and Garnett are not enough to get us there.

By JB

December 19, 2005 04:32 PM | Link to this

Im thinking Garnie needs to lose one before he sits. Never sit a hot netminder down. Lehts is probably going to get the nod against the Habs next Monday......Im just guessing though. If he is ready, it might be a good idea to start him Friday against the Devils on the backside of the back to back. Good problem to have for the Thrashers.

By Ryan

December 19, 2005 05:31 PM | Link to this

I not getting my hopes up yet. I’m still being very cautious about what usually happens with the Thrashers with solid 5 game marks(Turns into a 5 game losing streak). Lehts getting closer to being back is good news, again I am cautious. Although he may have been working hard to help his injury he has had 0 game experience. And with Garny playing better I don’t have a good feeling. JB I agree with you completely with Lehts coming in against the Habs. Traditionally the Thrash have not done well against them give Lehts the chance to step up and give the guys some confidence. Until then, if the guys stay out of the box and continue to play as a Team good things may happen. As for your question John, I don’t know about the playoffs. Too soon to say. I think the key to success is staying out of the box-I know it’s a no brainer, but that’s it. Don’t keep your goaltender(whoever it is) in a man-down position. As we have seen, it doesn’t matter who’s in net(M.G. or M.B.) 5 on 3’ are not easy to survive. Lehts is good, but I don’t think he would fare well in those circumstances. Stay out of the box, give the guy in net a chance, and play with passion then we can talk playoffs.

By johnny

December 19, 2005 06:06 PM | Link to this

hi whats the latest on Peter Bondra s health.thanks

By johny

December 19, 2005 06:07 PM | Link to this

hi whats the latest on Peter Bondra s health.thanks

By sodapants

December 19, 2005 06:45 PM | Link to this

I understand all the points… but there is a REAL effect that happens to a team when they are confident in thier goalie,…. and not in “protection mode” most of the game. Garnett have proven he can play… but how many soft goals has he given up? How many games were lost because the momentum was changed or worsened because of a silly goal?

That stuff matters, kids…. I agree with whoever above that Garnett should start against the habs…. He’s high right now… don’t blow it for fashion or expectations. The club is starting to believe in him and are starting to play like it in front of him.

Kari should work this week in practice and get the nod vs Jersey…. I think Garnett has earned the right for a shot at getting his personal record over .500.

And the coach… that is.. if “I’m” the coach,… should be rewarding good play. Not shelving it.

By John Crawford

December 19, 2005 07:16 PM | Link to this

I get nervous whenever they release Kari for full hockey action, because it seems then he always gets hurt! I am crossing my fingers…

By Mick

December 19, 2005 07:52 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the update John, good to hear Lehts is getting to be his old smiling self again!

As for starting Lehts…its too soon in my opinion. While he has been out for sometime, his injury was pretty severe…and with talks about him switching styles…it all makes me a bit edgy. While he has my full confidence, I’m just hoping he won’t get burned.

Its great to see people finally seeing Garnett’s potential. I knew from the beginning he was going to do just fine, and it wasen’t his fault that we lost those games. It was the team infront of him. And soda, he hasen’t had many soft goals, no more than any other goalie in this new league has. His play has been better than that of Brodeur’s this season…c’mon.

As for playoff contension…its still very early to tell. I’d obviously like to say they’ll make it, but its not worth getting excited over something that is still very uncertain. I meen I have confidence in them (at least most of the team), but again, even if/when they make the playoffs, it doesn’t all of a sudden stop there. They need to battle even more, and looking at our D-core and their performance (while they have improved greatly the last few games) they still don’t have my full vote of confidence.

By Geoffrey Paul

December 19, 2005 10:17 PM | Link to this

Mick- it is understandable to say things to try to make a point, but if you go way overboard then you end up making your point look silly rather than backing up your opinion. Garnett has been better than Brodeur this season? Seriously… Sure Marty has been a more inconsistent than normal, and sure Garnett hasn’t been as bad as some have said- but Garnett hasn’t played anywhere close to Brodeur’s level, much less better. He has given up more soft goals than other goalies in the “new” NHL. Pretty much anytime you see a puck go in on the short side it is a soft goal, and that has happened more than a few times to Garnett. His play has improved by leaps and bounds over the past 6 or 7 games and he is starting to look comforable and not looking out of place- but there is no way you can say that having him in net hasn’t cost the Thrashers points this season, it most definately has. It’s not always about the way that the pucks make it into the net- the play of the skaters is different depending on the confidence level they have in the man between the pipes. Was Alabama a different team after Prothro went down? Enough said. John- I also would like to hear a status update on Bondra, as well as one for Dunham. The news on Lehtonen is much appreciated. His return will be a great Christmas present for Blueland.

By Brendan

December 19, 2005 11:45 PM | Link to this

John, I’ll reserve judgement until the Olympic break. If the Thrashers are five games over .500 at that juncture, then they’ve got a shot at a playoff berth.

I’m pleased to see the recent streak. But even Curt Frasers’ Thrashers went 10-5 in December of 2000. They also had a 2-0-3, five-game undefeated stretch. It’s an 82-game season. “Streaks” are bound to happen.

I’m optimistic about the team’s chances when it stays out of the “sin bin.” I also think the team should stick with Garnett until he has a bad outing.

When is Dunham coming back? Bondra? These are key pieces to a Thrashers playoff berth, as well.

By Scott

December 20, 2005 12:50 AM | Link to this

I think the Thrashers are finally on the right track but I’ve also thought that before this season. Hopefully this time it’s for real. I think they will make the playoffs, but they have alot of work to do before we can start talking playoffs. I don’t think Carolina will win the division, I just don’t see it. I think the second half of the season they will come back down to earth. Tampa and Atlanta should be the playoff teams from the south.

By kracker

December 20, 2005 12:37 PM | Link to this

Geoffrey, RE Brodeur, he’s worse this year because his defense stinks & his offense stinks & he has to work way harder than before facing more shots.

And if you watched the Leafs bomb the Isles last night, you saw a quality goalie let in some soft goals, a couple right beneath him. Dipietro was pulled after the 1st period, stopping 7 of 11 shots. Snow wasn’t much better & got the L.

Everybody judging Garnett should begin with the current points streak, IMO, before that he was just too green/nervous to get a read on.

By sodapants

December 20, 2005 05:28 PM | Link to this

It’s not a knock on Garnett… it’s just what ‘is’ !! He’s a rookie! He’s going to play like one! That’s all! Expectations for him were never that high really. He was considered a bandaid… which is what he is for all practical purposes. When the regs come back he’ll be back in the AHL… period.
I do think though, that he’s improved his stock with some good play on a big stage and some teams might want to acquire him. It’d be good for him… he’ll stay in the NHL where he appears to belong and we get some D help from somewhere.

Modry is terrible…. and Sutton has stunk all year to. That’s certainly no help to a goalie thrown to wolves like Garnett was.

Regardless… There is a great opportunity to gain point in the next wee or so… If they flop before the end of the month, it’s over. Must wins from here on out until our rivals start going on losing streaks.

By Nik

December 20, 2005 05:35 PM | Link to this

Hey all in ATL!

Can someone PLEASE get a Bondra injury update for us up here in Vancouver…. You know if it isn’t a canadian team we can’t seem to get any info on other teams from our bias media

Thanks

By kracker

December 20, 2005 05:43 PM | Link to this

Soda, Garnett’s done himself a lot of good in this trial-by-fire. His confidence is up after getting hammered (not aoo his fault). But yes of course he will and should go down when possible. Right now that means getting Lehtonen and Dunham/Shields healthy for more than a few days. Until they play 10 or 12 games I will consider them of questionable durability.

A post elsewhere by someone attending Thrash practice this morning: “Lehts looked excellent. His movement was quick, his decisions were solid, and his glove was fast. I was surprised at how ready he was; he looked like he could play tomorrow. His play really caused Garnett to step up in practice, but he’s just not as talented as Lehts is. And that’s the key difference, cos when they climbed the mountain at the end of practice, Garnett skated his * off and Lehts was lazy as hell. Wish some of Garnett’s determination wore off on Kari, as he’ll get the job back as soon as he wants it.

“Kari made some saves during the odd-man drills that had many players, including Savard and Kovy cheering him on and congratulating him. Even Hartley said something to him in the middle of practice.”

By kracker

December 20, 2005 08:04 PM | Link to this

Correction to my post above: DiPietro stopped 11 of 17 goals, giving up six. Stopping 7 of 11 was the 1st qtr. stat.

By LAC

December 20, 2005 10:59 PM | Link to this

Let’s hope we do not come out flat thursday night VS Washington. They took 55 shots against Florida the other night…

NJ won at the Garden tonight, so back-to-back will be tough in the Meadowlands.

If we stick to the system and play GOOD POSITIONAL Hockey, we will be in Great shape.

We have to cut-down on those hooking calls, our BIGGEST problem all season so far, one we can fix.

I’d like to see more pushing & shoving HARD in front of our net and forwards battling hard in front of theirs.

With #32 coming back, we can now play with the big boys and really compete, just play smart TOUGH hockey.

Enough on waddell… If we make playoffs he stays, if not he goes, give it the season, but make changes IF we are on the outside looking in !!

7-2 Thursday night for ATLANTA !!!!