Thrashers

By RS

January 5, 2007 04:07 PM | Link to this

It’s sad to see a player of Forsberg’s caliber decline like this. You can’t help but wonder if he shouldn’t have taken off until January like the original plan called for.

By Jamie

January 5, 2007 04:41 PM | Link to this

Like you speculated i also believe that there is a chance Forsberg could come to Atlanta at the deadline. One other note… Joe Sakic was also part of that team that won the cup with Hartley behind the bench and i think he might be available if Colorado falls out of it.

By Brendan

January 5, 2007 05:07 PM | Link to this

Is anyone else reading this blog and thinking, “Wow, this is good stuff!” Craig is all over this stuff. I love it!!

When Tony C. and I speculated about Forsberg’s potentially landing in Atlanta, it was dismissed as “amusing.” I still don’t think it would happen. But shesh, it was fun to speculate about, especially when we did, when the Flyers were 1-6-1, and sinking fast in the early portion of the season. Hitchcock was still the Coach. Truthfully, Forsberg is very susceptible to injury and at his price, probably isn’t worth taking the risk anymore.

By danlmac

January 5, 2007 06:40 PM | Link to this

Craig,..welcome.

Brendon, yes I am sayig “wow, this guy is involved.” (And pumping my fist in the air.)

Craig, tell us a bit about yourself. We don’t need a longtime hockey fan as much as interest, and somewhat frequent “seed info” to refresh the blog(s). Once you’ve done that…maybe you could find us a center to deal for:).

I’m seeing discussion about links but not seeing any links. Please let me know how see the links.

Poor,..poor Patrick Steffan…I saw his “lowlight” on CNN (puck bounced, but he hould have been more focused). Good thing Dallas won (remember I’m the ex-North Star fan).

Go Thrashers, go Craig.

By Craig Custance

January 5, 2007 08:26 PM | Link to this

We just got word here in the press box that Slava Kozlov isn’t returning after slowly skating off the ice early in the first period. For now, It’s being described as an upper body injury.

By Brendan

January 5, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

Allright, I’m officially “blown away.” I think John Manasso responded to our blogging twice all year. Craig has already tripled that. And now we’re getting “in game” updates from the press box.

Unfortunately, I could not attend tonight’s game. I was very much looking forward to seeing the “Great One” behind the bench, as it will be another two years ‘til it could happen again, with the current scheduling. The Thrashers blew a 4-1 lead. It ended in a 5-4 OT loss. And the Coyotes outshot us, now a “familiar trend” in Thrashers games.

So, let me ask those of you who saw this game, did Hedberg have a bad night? Or was it something else? Generally-speaking, the Thrashers are very good when taking a lead into the 3rd period. And even moreso with a three goal lead.

By Tom

January 5, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Tough goals but I hate to say it, Keri probably would have made a couple of the saves.

I do not know if it was rust or what, but there were many issues in net tonight.

By Brian

January 5, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Craig - I heard that Kozzy got hit in the face with a puck.

By Brian

January 5, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

Ok, a few other things… I will keep it to 2 points. One is that I don’t what in the world the Moose was doing in OT on that goal????? He let in a couple weak wristers too I thought. There were also some soft goals on both sides though. Still, I couldn’t see if he was trying to poke check it or what on that OT goal? Anyone get a good look????

Two - if our defense has been hurting lately, it’s not because we miss Sutton. It’s because we miss Exelby. He was hitting everything in site it seemed. I can’t imagine anyone having a good +/- after this game, but I thought he looked good.

Ok, I must also add that Craig is a great addition.

By Craig Custance

January 5, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Hartley said that he reviewed the video of Kozlov’s injury and he got tangled up with Nagy and took an elbow to the face. He complained of dizziness, and Hartley said it’s unlikely that he’ll play against Washington.

By Midfield

January 6, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

Moose had a horrible game. The first wrister caught him out of position - he seemed to be unaware of what the angle was and gave the shooter a square mile to aim at. Then he gave away the puck from behind his net and was punished right away. The next one a high slap shot from the point, which caught him falling on his knees for some reason - may be it was a deflection, so I am giving him a benefit of a doubt on that one. Moose had a horrible game. The first wrister caught him out of position - he seemed to be unaware of what the angle was and gave the shooter a square mile to aim at. Then he gave away the puck from behind his net and was punished right away. The next one a high slap shot from the point, which caught him falling on his knees for some reason - may be it was a deflection, so I am giving him a benefit of a doubt on that one. Another one was a really bad rebound on a soft wrister. And, finally, he went down way to early on that break-away. He was pulled for exactly the same stunt a while ago - don’t remember who they played against. Not good. I mean, he made a few good saves - especially in the 2nd, but goalies in this league are measured by what they give, folks.

By Midfield

January 6, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

Just so that you know: normally, I don’t talk in circles like a rain-man - it only happens here on AJC site.

By Tim

January 6, 2007 03:12 AM | Link to this

Hey, it happen to the best also… see the Ducks vs the Jackets game? :)

Anyway, even in loss we can find solace. We got 1 point (the Ducks didnt event get a point out of their contest) and increase our lead over the Canes to 9. Tampa lose to Colorado in regulation. Hartley is going to ASG. Hossa is tying league lead for goal. I can only hope Slava will be okay and is day to day instead of weeks.

Bring on the Capitals! ^^

By R. Stroz

January 6, 2007 03:14 AM | Link to this

In order for the Thrashers to play well consistently, Kovalchuk needs to start playing better. Despite Kovy’s 21 goals, he has a negative plus/minus ratio. Kovy needs to start playing defense with the same energy he exhibits on a breakaway or empty net opportunity. Second, Kovy needs to learn to shoot on goal if he is going to continue to shoot one timers while the Thrashers are on the power play. Third, Kovy needs to learn how to pass the puck. I know Kovy is young, but, his decisions and general laziness are costing the Thrashers games.

By Jameson

January 6, 2007 07:51 AM | Link to this

Stroz, I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one. Kovy has had a few defensive lapses of late, but he hasn’t been what’s costing us games. He’s actually playing some defense this year, and that’s leaps and bounds above his previous seasons. It would be nice if he could pick up his scoring, and keep the puck on net more often, but you try to aim a puck going 100+ mph. As for his passing, I think he’s one of the more underrated passers in the NHL. He has made some beautiful passes this season. The only one on our team that can make it look any prettier is Slava. The only thing I really see missing from Kovy’s passing gave is consistency.

What the team is missing right now is another top line playmaker, team defense and all those shots that Sutton blocked.

By Bob

January 6, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Moose did let in some softies, but the whole collapse wasn’t on him. We got caught out of position several times in that 3rd, you have to play much better than that with a lead in the 3rd.

The last couple of games are hopefully not another start of a 5 game slide. We need a good game tonight against the Caps.

By thrashersfan

January 6, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Just as much blame for the goals has to go to the D. Bad passes and not picking up their guys gave Phoenix too many opportunities up close. Yes, their shot totals we’re held in ck most of the game, but those that got through were good and the Moose made several nice saves.

Devries continues to play a horrible game. The season has simply caught up with him but BH doesn’t see or accept that.

Regarding Kovy, one problem is his non-chalent, soft passes, mainly drop-offs to his trailing defenseman, out of our zone. We’ve all seen how many pucks end up on an opposing player’s stick. “But”, he’s still our sniper, and one of the best in the league….except on SO’s, of course. His goal last night, mostly his rush up the ice and by two defenders, was phenominal. I will admit though, on the replay, you could see how much net CUJO gave him. At least 1/4 of the net and that’s a gimmee for Kovy.

Overall, I was disgusted with the loss as I’m sure most were, in blowing a 3-goal lead, and in the third alone! I believe our record with a lead after two was 16-0-2, so, hopefully this was just an aberration.

The season is only going to get harder from this point on, but we are not going to accept another mid-season meltdown!!!

Need to bounce back strong against the Caps and go at least .500 on the road trip. Go Thrashers!!

By Midfield

January 6, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Yeah, Stroz, you’re way off base on Kovy’s passing. He’s one of the best passers on the team. BTW, almost all his shots yesterday night were on goal. I gotta say that Cujo made a couple of dire saves on Kovy’s one-timers in the third.

By Hanson Brothers

January 6, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

Welcome Craig! I hope you keep this excellent blog up to date like you have started. My observations of the game last night, in order of importance. First, they lost their intensity after the big lead. Whenever they start coasting, it ends up costing. Second,Hedberg had a bad game, and he knows it. He made several bad clears of the puck, at least two leading directly to scores. You can see him shaking his head in disgust at himself after those goals. Thing is he is a good puck handler normally so I see this as an abberation. Third, Kozlov’s injury in the first. No way we go 0-6 on the power play against Phoenix with Kozlov out there, and it especially hurt in the start of the OT when it was 4 on 3. Would have been nice to have Kozzy out there instead of Rucchin to go with Hossa and Kovy. Final thought is that it continues this weird trend of a losing record in front of sellout crowds. Doesn’t make sense as it should help. Maybe we can start scheduling all home games on Monday through Thursday. We might go undefeated. Hope we get the Caps tonight. Go Thrashers!

By luckydog

January 6, 2007 01:04 PM | Link to this

As far as intensity and blowing a 4-1 lead (in the 3rd, no less) at home, does anyone else think coaching’s got be on the list of culprits? Methinks Bob had a bad night too.

Meanwhile our birds now have as many OT losses (7) as anyone in the league, I believe. Yeah, those are 7 dirty points, but they also mean that on a pure win/loss basis we are only 4 or 5 games over .500 — and that’s only due to early-season domination of the Caps and Panthers. That ain’t likely to get it done in May.

We need Don to get us a center and we also need for Bob to start lighting a fire under these guys. Interesting to see if they respond tonight — the Caps are playing a lot better lately and are motivated to play spoiler against us.

By Brian

January 6, 2007 03:34 PM | Link to this

I too disagree with the Kovvy comments above. But one thing I will add more on was the mention of intensity in the 3rd. On one of our PP’s in the 3rd, Phx must have burned a minute off the clock in our own zone. No one made a solid effort to get the puck, and they just held it in the corner burning up time. I was going nuts watching it screaming for someone to go get it. They went over and just stood next to the Coyotes player making no real effort at all.