Thrashers

By Thrashy Thrashy

December 29, 2005 04:17 PM | Link to this

I’d play Lehtonen against the Sabres tomorrow. Regardless of whether Kari plays well, I’d start Garnett against the Caps. Against Ottawa, you’ve got to play Lehtonen. He’s the “chosen one” and needs to prove himself against top teams. Odds are that the Thrashers are going to give up some goals in that game, so I think Lehtonen gives the team a better chance to stay in the game by making great saves when the defense inevitably breaks down.

By TonyC

December 29, 2005 04:36 PM | Link to this

Lehtonen vs. Buffalo, Garnett vs. DC, and whoever looks better vs. Ottowa.

At least that’s how I’d do it.

I didn’t get to watch the first period last night somebody tell me if “X” won his fight or not

By LAC

December 29, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this

Thrashy is 100% correct.

Our defense HAS to get much TOUGHER… I mean TOUGH. Slam some people in the corners, we played very timid there last night, and who the H—- knows what these refs see and what is… and is not an infraction. Seems they all call different things at different times.

If we get 5 of 6 this weekend we will be in fine shape… if not… it may be too much to overcome with so many teams all around us, both up and down. With Tampa playing only 4 home games in January… and their goaltending showing cracks, bet we pass them next week… Just need to play HARD & Smart !!!!!!!

By Ryan

December 29, 2005 04:41 PM | Link to this

Garny could use a break. He has been great as of late but Lehts should get his feet wet again. I think any time Lehts plays you’re gonna worry about him getting hurt, but he is a hockey player and a golie and it comes with the territory. Even if he gets hurt Garny has proven himself to be reliable. If Lehts gets the nod against the Sabres then he will probably get called on the next few games. He needs some play time and what better way to get back into it than going up against some great teams. It would be nice to see how Lehts handles Ovechkin in a shootout-not really. Either way Garny needs a break. Thanks Garny!

By Ryan

December 29, 2005 04:44 PM | Link to this

“X” won the fight so to speak, it was a good one. Some lefts and some more lefts and then he grabbed the jersey with his left and proceeded to hit with his right. Refs didn’t step in too soon, just let em’ fight….thats hockey

By Bob

December 29, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this

I’m worried about Lehtonen. I’ll be worried about him until he goes a complete season injury free. But I’m hopeful.

I play Lehtonen against Buffalo, and then if he looks decent, Garnett against the Caps and Lehtonen against Ottawa. If Lehtonen struggles against Buffalo, then let him see the Caps and Garnett gets Ottawa.

Tony, X and Richards went toe to toe, but I give X the win with the knock down at the end and the better punches landed.

By briton

December 29, 2005 05:36 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, Lehts may not ever have a completely injury-free season, and the way things are looking, he’ll be in good company. I’m concerned about re-injury but I think that the team did a pretty good job of taking things slow with Kari and working not just on recovery, but conditioning to helf avoid future injuries. And I have to agree with John, Kari seems to be one of those amazing players that can jump right back into things.

Overall, I have to agree with what seems to be the concensus here, Kari against Buffalo and Ottawa and Garny against the Caps. It would be nice to give Kari as much playing time as possible right now but 3 games in 4 days is a little much, especially against these teams. If Kari doesn’t look game-ready after Buffalo then maybe consider giving him the Caps game…but then there would have to be some real decision-making come Ottawa. Do you play Kari for a third game or do you go with the “less strong” of the two against a hot team? The nice situation to be in for once is that Garnett has really proven himself and is more than capable to step in whenever needed.

By Brendan

December 29, 2005 10:36 PM | Link to this

I think Exelby won the fight when he started landing a series of rights. Up to that point, it was even.

But I digress, the first part of the question was “What do you expect?” Honestly John, I expect a bit a rotation among Lehtonen and Garnett. At least in the next few games. Then, whichever goaltender emerges as the hotter one, will get the majority of the starts.

Second question was, “Are you afraid he might re-injure himself?” Yes, of course I’m concerned about that. Who wouldn’t be? This is a 10-year old injury that’s been reaggravated. But I genuinely believe Lehtonen can remain injury-free the rest of the way. He’s been given time for conditioning and seen specialists for core-muscle strengthening. And what’s more, he’s got to know that he’s in a fight right now for the #1 goalie in Atlanta. Not just with Garnett, but with Dunham, as well, when he returns.

I don’t know what the situation is with Shields. Trade bait? Down to the minors? Healthy scratch from this point forward, once he gets off the IR. Who knows?

I think Shields gets paid $575,000 no matter where he plays. When all these goalies are healthy at the same time, the real winner might be the Chicago Wolves!! Berkhoel and Shields? Shields and Garnett? Dunham might get a start or two before he rejoins the Thrashers.

If Lehtonen falters, badly, in his return starts, he might go to Chicago. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

The third and final question was, who should start the next three games? Well, I gotta think Garnett needs a break. So, Lehtonen will face Buffalo. Coach Hartley has said that he likes to reward good play, so with that in mind, I think he’ll go with Garnett again versus the Caps. But then, I suspect Lehtonen will get the start versus Ottawa. But that will depend on how Lehtonen does in the game or games prior to that.

My thinking on the Ottawa game is as follows … you field the best possible team you have, to try to win. Well, on paper, that looks like Lehtonen, the 2nd overall pick from the 2002 Draft, and Hockey News “Top Prospect” for the years 2003 and 2004.

If it can be said that the team has “gelled,” it did so around Michael Garnett. He got the Thrashers wins vs. New Jersey, twice, and the Red Wings, and the Habs, who Atlanta is also chasing in the standings. He came away with points vs. Chicago, Washington, and Philly. That’s a stretch of 6-0-3 in Garnett’s last nine (9) games. Maybe he’s the guy Hartley goes with versus Ottawa? The Thrashers seem to be playing more confidently in front of him.

By Scott

December 30, 2005 01:27 AM | Link to this

I’d go Kari vs. Buffalo Garnett vs. Caps, and Kari vs. Sens.

I’d give X the win as well although you have to give Richards props for ditching the helmet and visor once the fight was going and X couldn’t get it off himself.