Thrashers

By jason

December 27, 2005 06:51 PM | Link to this

I still don’t think the #1 job should automatically be Kari’s when he’s healthy. So far this season, he’s had 20 minutes of shutout hockey where he’s made six saves.

Steve Shields proved nothing except he’s not skilled enough anymore to be an NHL goalie. Dunham was doing an above-average job before he left due to injury.

With some of our upcoming games in the next week (vs. Philadelphia, vs. Ottowa), it’s vital that we have the best goalie out there. Against those two teams especially, we can’t afford to be breaking Kari back in if he’s not game sharp. So yes, definitely keep Garnett up with the big club when everyone’s healthy, and don’t just hand the keys off to Kari when he’s set to go. Could any of these guys (Dunham especially)be used as trade bait for a more skilled defenseman?

By John

December 27, 2005 08:52 PM | Link to this

Let’s see how Garnett does splitting time with Kari. If he is sharp off the bench, he deserves to stay. But Dunham is a proven veteran, who would be an excellent backup or spot starter for Kari. If the Thrashers make the playoffs, I think I would feel better having Dunham on the bench instead of Garnett, assuming Kari starts. If we keep Garnett up, we may lose Dunham completly. If we keep Dunham, we can still keep Garnett in the organization. Tough call though either way, but a good problem to have, especially seeing where our goaltending situation was 2 months ago! There is no room for Shields or Hurme on the team now.

By Bob

December 27, 2005 09:11 PM | Link to this

Sure, keep Garnett up as long as he’s playing like this. The issue comes to a head when Dunham is better. Then, I think they send Garnett down, and keep Dunham. But then try to move Shields or Dunham in a trade, have to keep one for insurance.

In the big picture, if Lehtonen does take the #1 spot back down the road, then Garnett is better served playing as the #1 in Chicago. Let him come back next year with Lehtonen as the #1 and #2, they can fight it out. Nice problem to have.

And nice to see the write up that Garnett will get tomorrow night’s start. This has got to be a heck of a thrill for him with his parents here, leading a team back from the brink. Very nice.

By Other Mark

December 27, 2005 09:54 PM | Link to this

I don’t think there’s any question that you keep Garnett over Shields, regardless of the situation. Shields was a stop-gap and since everyone got healthy while he was injured, we really don’t need him.

However, if Dunham makes some starts in Chicago and is game ready, I think it would do Garnett much more good to go play every night in Chicago and stay sharp in case Kari or Dunham can’t go the whole season, than to sit on the bench in Atlanta and get stale.

All of this is predicated on Kari and Dunham being able to come back and play #1 - and right now I don’t see pulling Garnett out of that rotation. Let Kari continue to get stronger in practice and play an occasional back-to-back game - but as far as I’m concerned Garnett is the #1 goalie until Kari beats him.

Either way, Garnett has saved this season for us and given us hope that we can reach the playoffs. The guys are playing much more intense hockey and playing both ends - sure is fun to watch.

By Ryan

December 27, 2005 10:56 PM | Link to this

I said it last month that I hoped that Garnett would stay and be a good backup. He has earned it. I wouldn’t say the season has been saved, thats a little early, but Garny has certainly helped a spark within the team. I hope they can keep it going. Any word on Bondra, is his treatment coming along? I’m sure he is wanting some of this action. Keep it goin’ Thrash. Great PK again.

By Russ

December 27, 2005 11:31 PM | Link to this

I’ve got to say that I am surprised to see how well Garnett has been playing. Early in the season I didn’t think he had what it took to be an NHL goalie (#1 or #2). I am glad that he has learned quickly and proven me wrong. I’m sure he will still have struggles ahead of him like all young goalies do, but he has shown a lot of character over the last month. I agree with what most people are saying, as long as he stays hot he should continue to be the #1 goalie. When he slows down I think Lehtonen should take over and be #1 the rest of the way (assuming of course he can finally stay healthy). What to do with Garnett at that point depends on what the organization’s plans are for him. If they aren’t looking at him as any more than a career back-up to Lehtonen I think he is ready to fill that role now. However, someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think Dunham would have to clear waivers to be sent down to Chicago. If there is any doubt about Dunham clearing waivers, Garnett should be sent down to ensure the Thrashers have three reliable goalies. That has proven to be a necessity in the new NHL and particularly for the Thrashers. This would also give Garnett more playing time to develop and keep his confidence up. No matter what they do, the goaltending outlook has taken a 180 degree turn from where it was 6 weeks ago. If the Thrashers do go on to make a playoff run Garnett’s contribution he is making right now should not be forgotten even if he spends the rest of the season in the AHL. He has given a glimmer of hope to what looked like another 70 point and top five draft pick season.

By TonyC

December 28, 2005 03:00 AM | Link to this

Ok.

Who is gonna look my man Garnett in the eye and tell him that he has to go back down, because Lehtnoen is healthy now?

Honestly.

How has Lehtnoen looked this year? Oh yeah that’s right-if you went to go get beer at the beginning of the season YOU MISSED HIS ENTIRE SEASON (I did this and am still upset).

Lehtnoen should get the start after Philly. He really in my mind at least, should get an AHL start or two before he plays with the Thrash. Of course if his groin injury is the chronic, never-fully-healed problem some rumors have made it out to be. There’s a chance he’s going to blow it out again (mebbe for good) it’s probably better for insurance purposes that he do so at the highest level in the orginization.

If that’s the reason (boy I hope not) then I say cool let Lehtnoen spell Garnett after the Philly game. Garnett deserves to be #1 right now. Shields was a similar move to the Braves getting Mondesi….definite downslope side of the career. I like the idea of Dunham being bait again…the poor guy’s always bait ( I bet that’s why he hasn’t gotten his cage painted).

Garnett has been painful to watch at times this year, but my man has earned his #1 role. I think it may also be beneficial to stoke whatever competative fire burns within Lehtnoen to tell him he’s backing up his old #2. But hey, Philly doesn’t suck ya know? Coach may have to pull Garnett. I mean they do have one of the two best players in the world and philly is deep.

Does anybody know if kieth primeau is healthy? Last time I saw the flyers he looked like something was bothering him.

By Brian

December 28, 2005 09:00 AM | Link to this

You can’t play Kari right now Garnett is playing too well. He is #1 right now and Kari is unproven and the team may change the way they play around him once he is in goal. There is such a thing as trying to help a new goalie out but that for the most part results in play in your own end. I say work Kari in slowly and split games up for both of them. Send Shields off on waivers. Then send Dunam to Chicago. I am fully confident in Garnett and Kari as a duo.

By Adam

December 28, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

Well this is a game of momentum and streaks combined with chemistry. Given that Garnett should be allowed to see how far that streak can go. (Look at the beginning of the season when Kovy came back, it upset what little chemistry the team had and took more that a month to get it back. I know his return wasn’t the only reason for the slide but…)

Not too many people ever get this type of opportunity in life and more than half that do end up tripping. He has made the best of this situation and has dramatically accelerated his learning curve. This no name kid has come here and in the span of 2-1/2 months started setting team records, doing so with a defense that hasn’t done much to help until recently. Hopefully he’s got himself in a no pressure state of mind (what’s the worst that going to happen I go back to Chicago.)

1st and foremost he should be allowed to see how far his shutout streak will go. I believe he’s earned that from coach Hartley. If it ends tonight it ends tonight, but it doesn’t… Wow could you just imagine.

As far as the other two go, we still need a good right shooting D man.

By FRENZY

December 28, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this

I don’t care who was number 1 before the season. We are pushing for the playoffs and the best two netminders should be up for Atlanta.

I think Garnett is the man until he loses in regulation. Period. After that let Kari start a game.

I agree with others when I say this is a nice change in our goal tending situation. Just remember one thing right now Dunham, Sheilds, and Kari have not proven anything other than they can get injured. Bob should play Garnett until someone else proves they should get more starts.

Order until Garnett/Kari proves otherwise: Garnett Kari Dunham Shields Berky

If Kari and Dunham prove they can stay uninjured and win games then Garnett should be sent down since he will stay sharper playing all the time. I would perdict that either Kari or Dunham will go out before or during the playoffs.

We have been dicussing the same thing on THRASHERSFRENZY.com - Click here to post your comments

By Brendan

December 28, 2005 12:56 PM | Link to this

I think Garnett should stay at least until he lays a couple of eggs. With no room for error in the Devils game, he held the fort on a 1-0 win, on the road. We’re 3-0 versus a Devils team we might end up tied with for the 8th and final playoff berth. We get the tie-breaker now, lest New Jersey finish with more wins on the season.

We’re 6-0-2 in the past eight games, all with Garnett between the pipes. With some breaks in the shootout vs. Chicago, where both Hossa and Kovy scored, that would have been a win. We’d be 7-0-1 now. Bygones.

Truthfully, I don’t know what Garnett’s salary is. Is it the league minimum, $450,000? While Lehtonen was out, his salary didn’t count against the cap. Same with all players injured more than 24 days or 10-games on the schedule. Shields makes $575,000. I don’t know what Dunham makes. But Waddell’s got some options here, cap-wise.

A while back, somone suggested that it was the poor ice quality at Philips Arena that has caused these groin injuries to our goalies. If that were true, why is Michael Garnett immune? And Berkhoel, for that matter?

Right now, I’ll take any goalie who doesn’t have recurring groin injuries, especially if he’s “red hot,” and around whom, the team has apparently gelled. I’d wager the Thrashers are “comfortable” with Garnett back there now. It makes a difference.

Personally, I think the 1-0 win over the Devils was “the difining moment” of our season. A bad team would have found a way to lose that game, especially on the road.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I want to say thank you to those who wished me the same. I never got a chance to respond before the blog closed. Happy Hanukkah to those who are celebrating Day Three.

By Dave S

December 28, 2005 01:29 PM | Link to this

Its great to be in a position to debate things we are. Bob Hartley’s experience and good sense has got us this far, I plan on backing his every decision……….He is the MAN !!!!!

By briton

December 28, 2005 02:07 PM | Link to this

Garnett is on a roll right now, the first back-to-back shutouts in team history! Not only that, but Kari hasn’t played a game in months so it may take some time for him to reach peak performance.

Garny came in when the franchise needed him and really stepped up to the challenge. Obviously he wasn’t going to be one of the NHL’s greatest right off, but he’s worked hard and really improved his game. All of this despite a considerable lack of confidence from the fans and others on the team. Where the team would have been with Kari all season is irrelevant. Without Garny, and Berkie, the team wouldn’t be within grasp of the post-season.

Obviously we have to see how everyone performs when they are fully recovered and healthy. My opinion right now though is Shields and Hurme shouldn’t factor into the picture and we should find an out with them. The two roster spots should be for the best goalies, whoever they may be. If Kari is the best goalie, he should be the starter…otherwise, use whoever is the best.

How much they plan on playing Kari (being cautious of re-injury) should factor in where Garnett goes if Kari is the #1. I agree that if they are going to play Kari a lot, then it might be better to let Dunham back him up and send Garnett to rack up playing time in Chicago to let him keep developing his game. Otherwise, if he earns the spot, keep Garnett in Atlanta to split time with Kari.

There are a lot of factors to be taken into account with everyone’s health and game-readiness. Regardless, the team needs to keep developing both Garny and Berkie for franchise depth and, as we’ve seen this season, to be ready in case of injury. For right now though, Garny is on a roll and he deserves to be in net for the Thrashers.

I hope that all of you who have been so negative and so harsh towards a couple of rookies are ashamed of yourselves right now. Stand proud Garny, Napoleon Dynamite influenced helmet and all…you have earned it!!!

By Bob

December 28, 2005 04:45 PM | Link to this

Good point, Briton. If they don’t plan on playing Lehtonen 95% of the time like Hartley said before, then keep Garnett up here to play 1/3rd of the games. But if they plan on playing Lehtonen if/when Garnett cools off, then send Garnett back down to develop.

Nice problem to have.

We always play the Flyers tough, let’s get another point or two tonight!

By Bob

December 28, 2005 09:43 PM | Link to this

That first one Garnett let in was soft, but he was fine otherwise. Great to get a point. Do they let Lehtonen in now or stay with Garnett? I say stay with Garnett, he got another point tonight.

By Dave S

December 29, 2005 12:02 AM | Link to this

Bring on Lehtonen, its time for the change. Garnett has done well, however Lehtonen is our future. Go Thrashers!!!!!