Thrashers

By Bob

January 12, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the scoop, Craig! I’ve been calling for Metro all year, but as a center, not at wing. I assume that Coach fears the defensive liability of Metro centering Kovy, so he’s keeping Rucchin at center on that line for his defensive responsibilities. That line might actually work, with the limited top line center resources we have.

Too bad about Krog. Let’s hope he doesn’t turn into the next Chris Kunitz, still can’t believe Waddell let him get picked off the waiver wire from us.

By pondscum

January 12, 2007 04:13 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the details,keep up the good work.

By Hip Czech

January 12, 2007 04:18 PM | Link to this

Craig…I just want to say thanks for your columns and blog entries.

We have received more useful information in the past week or so than was provided all year. Keep up the good work!

If the Thrashers can get by this weekend with 3 or 4 points 8 of the next 9 are at home. A chance to really make a push, which they better do because then it is the West coast swing and 6 in a row away.

How is it that Carolina can swing a deal for a defenseman?

By Tony C.

January 12, 2007 04:50 PM | Link to this

UGH

By Matt

January 12, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this

We lost Krog? Ouch. The little I saw of him, and the volumes I heard about him, that stings a little…

I’m happy Mell is back. The team needs his focus and leadership a lot right now. I hope he goes out there and has a big game tonight!

By drew

January 12, 2007 05:37 PM | Link to this

another great move by waddell. this is getting to be the same old song. it wouldnt surprise me to see krog excel elsewhere. lots of ex-thrashers seem to exactly that. of course we seem to have a never-ending supply of ancient, plodding forwards and defensemen that look like road cones.

By John

January 12, 2007 06:10 PM | Link to this

How could you let Krog go?

By Russian

January 12, 2007 06:44 PM | Link to this

I understand, that Krog is not good enough for Thrashers. But we lost him for nothing. We did not ask Rangers for draft pick. I do not know may be it is a good way to go for Krog, but definetly not good for us. :-(

By NCA

January 12, 2007 06:55 PM | Link to this

Craig - really have enjoyed your writing and blog work in your brief time on the Thrash beat. Keep it up.

While I am concerned about the blown third period leads, the last minute goals against, the inconsistent (and currently pitiful) power play, and the equally shaky PK unit, I think we’re going to right the ship soon, hopefully against NJ tonight. We do need improved center play, and I’m all for giving Metro a shot. I’m still not convinced we shouldn’t be working on a trade for a C. And I agree that the return of Mellanby should help the PP. It better !

By Russian

January 12, 2007 08:20 PM | Link to this

After first period 1:0 Atlanta. Captine - Goal.

By pondscum

January 12, 2007 08:54 PM | Link to this

Waddell should’ve gave Yanic Perrault a look before the Coyotes signed him.

He had a career year with the Preds last season and is showing again this year that he’s still got it.

And by being the #1 guy in the league in the face-off circles for the last 4-5 years,he could’ve shown some of the other guys some tricks at helping that area of their game.

But dealing for a center has to be done if this team actually wants to stay in the race and have a good playoff showing.

The defense can be ok if the forwards get back and help out.

By Russian

January 12, 2007 09:14 PM | Link to this

Still 1:0 Atlanta after second. Come on Thrashers Last Period!!!!!

By Russian

January 12, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

This is simple thing. IF you not scoring goal on 2 man down for 1:34 you will lose a game. Fifth lost in a road is too bad. They have to do something tomorrow.

By John

January 12, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

Same game, different opponent. I’m way too lazy (and mad) to check for myself, but how many times have we lost in the last 10 minutes of a game this season? so sad….so sad….

By Jameson

January 12, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

drew, it could be worse than road cones. Maybe our old, plodding forwards can pick up their agility by using them for skating drills.

But, I did like what I’ve seen from X and DeVo. Have they been playing that well together since X came back? I can’t say I was too keen on bumpping Vish up to play with Havlid, though. Maybe, Heartly was just looking for new combinations.

By Brendan

January 13, 2007 01:11 AM | Link to this

Remember when we were invincible going into the 3rd period with a lead? For four (4) straight games now, we’ve lost with a 3rd period lead. And folks, it’s 1-4-2 (or 1-6 straight up,) in the last seven (7) games. Atlanta has now equalled Philadelphia for the longest current losing streak in the league at five (5) games. There’s some good news. Brian Gionta called the Thrashers “The real deal out there.” And he felt like it was a big deal to beat us. I suppose a six-game losing streak against Atlanta might make him feel that way. But Atlanta is now 140 goals for and 140 goals against. I wouldn’t have thought that would happen back in November.

I hope Braydon Coburn will be okay. His fight was a “TKO” in the opening seconds. I wouldn’t have thought Mike Rupp was much of a boxer, but Coburn made him look like the uncrowned champion of World. The Devils were exacting a measure of revenge for what they perceived to be a “late hit” by Coburn on Zach Parise toward the end of the 1st period. The hit was actually “clean” by Coburn. Parise was just “off balance” and fell to the ice, sliding hard into the boards. Since the referee’s whistle preceeded all that, the Devils thought it was “questionable conduct” on the part of Coburn.

Well, you know what this loss means, right? Time to answer with a 5-game winning streak! Even if that does happen, those who clamor for consistency by this team have a valid point of criticism. But as long as the team can finish 13 games above .500 “NHL style,” it’ll still land in the playoffs. But there’s not a lot of room for faltering down the stretch, when 10-points is all that separates #3 from #8. If this doesn’t get turned around soon, “talk” on this message board will shift from winning the division to simply making the playoffs.

By Jameson

January 13, 2007 01:21 AM | Link to this

All those hoping for a Cammelari trade should be interested to know that LA has lost two goalies to injury.

By Brendan

January 13, 2007 01:36 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure, so don’t quote me, but I think Krog was on a one-year deal and would be UNRESTRICTED this Summer. So, I don’t think the Rangers had to give Atlanta anything when they claimed Krog. The Rangers were probably just as stunned as (poster) Jen must be that the Thrashers left him unprotected. Wasn’t he the AHL’s leading scorer, or close to it? He’s certainly an AHL “All-Star.” Krog was with Anaheim in 2003 during their magical run to Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Hopefully, other teams will waive a center worth stealing and Atlanta can get lucky. I’m not sure how Krog’s departure affects Atlanta’s salary cap, if at all. But perhaps it freed up a little more “wiggle room” for Don to land a big name rental. My fear, in this regard, is that Don will get someone “old.” By old, I mean mid-to-late 30’s, and not very speedy anymore. Don likes these types since he trusts them to be “puck savvy” and “situationally AWARE.” Plus, uhh, they’re generally playoff-tested.

By michael

January 13, 2007 08:39 AM | Link to this

We need to get a center in here via trade to get a new spark going with this team. Although I am not confident it will happen with our ownership situation.(f*cking idiots)

There is a viewing party tonight. Info is on thrash website.

By jerry

January 13, 2007 08:51 AM | Link to this

What kind of “team” with a 5 to 3 advantage skates around passing up shots while attempting to get a pass to the “big star” (Kolvulchuck) so that the “big star” can score a goal. I, for one, am through with this bunch until and if they ever decide to play like a real T-E-A-M.

By Thrasher_Ed

January 13, 2007 08:55 AM | Link to this

Guys we need two things: A Center & Defense. 140 goals allowed is not all on Kari! Our defense sucks right now. Kari stands on his head at times and gets no help from the sleep walking zombies playing with him! Stupid, idiotic penalties when not necessary. I don’t mind taking a penalty when warranted but not because your sorry to be aware of the situation when you have a lead. Make the other team make the great play to beat you be getting back and just playing your dang man. Coburn looks like he has a glass jaw and gets Ko’d leaving us short handed on the blueline and contributes to another lose. Man, I know playoff runs are tough, but it is really time for this team to stand up and play better more consistent hockey. Don Waddell needs to get off his arse and make a timely trade to shake up this locker room as well. This is not the time to stand pat. We certainly need to play and outstanding game tonight at Carolina and send them a clear message that home ice or not this is going to be a dog fight to the end.

By Pucks n Snot

January 13, 2007 09:08 AM | Link to this

The Thrashers suck. Lehtonen couldn’t hold a lead if it was nailed to him. Where the hell are the “world class scorers”???? ANOTHER 5 game losing streak. This team is going to start falling like a piano off of Peachtree Plaza in the conference standings. I don’t care how close the games have been - they are finding ways to lose and that is the mark of a bad team. There’s still 3 months left guys, the playoffs aint no lock for you yet. Typical Atlanta team - make some noise and then dissapoint.

By michael

January 13, 2007 09:15 AM | Link to this

I can’t beleive coach is blaming this on Kovy’s turnover. What about the penalty X took and the very unecessary penalty that Holik took to give them a 5 on 3. Yes Kovy should not have turned the puck over but the penalties we are taking are ridiculous.

By tiger7_88

January 13, 2007 09:38 AM | Link to this

Is it too soon to start thinking about trading Kovalchuk for a quality center and defenseman? As exciting and explosive a player as he is, his lack of understanding (or caring?) of the COMPLETE hockey game often hold this team back from their full potential. Would this team be better with a top-notch center that could feed Hossa and the other forwards and a defenseman that could put people on their ar$es in front of the net instead of a scatter-brained, yet exciting, forward? I think so.

By Russian

January 13, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Do not even think to trade Kovy to another team. It is very BAD IDEA. He is playing very well every game. I saw his play and I am very critical about all russian players in our team (Slava, Vish and Kovy). Yes we need a Center, good one. We have Ruchin, Kappenen, Slater, VJ. This players can be trade for good center (all of them, whole package). Blueliners is not realy bad situation. We can trade de Vrees and Hnidy + Ex for one good D. Yesturday game was so slow. We need speed and good passes and Hell Yes POWER PLAY.

By yellowjax

January 13, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

I have always had the utmost respect for Bob Hartley and I think he is still in the upper tier of NHL coaches but what I am seeing is a grossly undiciplined hockey team. While Bob can’t be on the ice and play the game for them, unfortunately this reflects directly to the leader. It starts in camp it continues in practice. I don’t have the stats but I would bet that the Trash either lead or are near the top at taking late 3rd period penalties. This must stop or we will be again wondering what we have to do to raise to the 8th spot in the last few games of the season. This is too good of a team to throw away waht was acheived in the fisrt half.

By luckydog

January 13, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

“Thrashers aren’t panicking” read the headline on a previous entry.

Well, somebody better, because this is turning ugly. You could see the blood draining out of Bob’s face in the 3rd last night, and even the ever-optimistic Darren Elliott was about to cry in the postgame show.

The Ex and Holik penalties were killers, but let’s face it you’re not going to win a lot of games with 1 goal. We lost not because the Devils scored in the 3rd but because we didn’t.

BTW, does anyone but me wonder why Slater is still with the big-league club? I like the guy and he had a nice finish last year but he’s pretty much a nonfactor and nonscorer this season…

By Craig Custance

January 13, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

tiger7: I don’t think trading Kovalchuk is the answer, let’s not forget that he’s only 23. He may be frustrating for Hartley at times, but there’s still a lot of time for him to become the complete player the team hopes he can be. Just look at the strides he’s made in the last couple years.

By Pucks n Snot

January 13, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Yeah, where are all the Marc Savard bashers NOW, Atlanta??? 9th in the league with 55 pts., only 10 behind the leader Crosby & only minus 4, which is decent for him considering he’s never played any defense. All this with very little offensive talent surrounding him on a Boston squad that is mediocre at best. Considering Kovalchuk & Hossa like to vanish like a fart in the wind for weeks at a time, might be nice to still have him, huh?

By Thrasher_Ed

January 13, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Savard in ATl wouyld still bve a great thing!

By michael

January 13, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

Kovy is definately not the problem. The fact that we have no playmaking centers(every team has one if not two), the amount of penalties we commit, our lack of defense are problems. Bob wants to blame Kovy for last night but how about the coaching? What has Bob done to get the power play going? I see everybody continuing to do the same non effective crap! They(the players) need to move around and find the open ice, they need to create space instead of standing in the same place, it’s too predictable.

By Thrasher_Ed

January 13, 2007 01:40 PM | Link to this

Another player 35 and older Wadsworth missed the boat on >>>Yanic Perreault 14G & 11 helpers in 31 games with Phoenix, could have been had for next to nothing earlier this year and would cost who knows what now. Guy is a league leader in faceoffs year after year.

By Thrasher_Ed

January 13, 2007 01:41 PM | Link to this

Craig Custance are you hearing any rumblings of any possible deals? Brian Leetch might be a good rental at this point!

By Michael

January 13, 2007 02:19 PM | Link to this

Brian Leetch would be an awful addition to this team.

By Bob

January 13, 2007 03:37 PM | Link to this

I would trade Kovy in a New York second if the return was a #1 center and a top 2 center. In a heartbeat.

Craig, I appreciate Kovy is young, but this is his 5th year in the league. One of the biggest differences between the recent play of the team and the early play of the team, is Kovys play. Early in the year, Kovy was playing the team game, backchecking, defensively responsible. But he’s gone back to his old bad habits. He is constantly trying to do too much by himself, skating the puck in alone, making poor decisons, and losing his man on defense.

Kovy is a great scorer, but I’m afraid that’s all he is. Hossa is the complete type of player you build a club around. Kovy for a #1 center and a top 2 defenseman would make this a much improved club.

I don’t blame Hartley at all for throwing Kovy under the bus after that game. They were playing a good road game, and that one play just sucked all the wind out of them. Just stupid.

By Brendan

January 13, 2007 08:08 PM | Link to this

I would say that there’s two chances of Kovalchuk being traded. (1) Slim. And (2) none. Not that his trade couldn’t benefit this Thrashers team with depth in multiple positions. I really do think Kovy could fetch a king’s ransom, if shopped. But people bought season tickets BECAUSE of Kovalchuk. And to trade him is to upset a robust fanbase (See “Kovalchuk Army”) here in Atlanta. Hockey is a “business,” and his trade does not make financial sense to the ownership group. I suspect even Belkin would agree on that.

Shifting gear, I want to revisit last night a bit. The penalty on “X” behind the net was cr*p. He got his stick on the puck. It shouldn’t have been a penalty. Then Holik took a penalty. Then the Devils popped in two goals in 28 seconds to win the game. But let’s back up even farther. At 11:03 of the second period, Atlanta hit the crossbar. With 11:00 left in the 3rd, Atlanta hit another crossbar, with a floating puck that somehow managed to stay out of the net, despite bouncing off Brodeur’s back. Chances were there. If either of those had gone in, it’s 2-0 Atlanta and maybe it doesn’t end in a loss and no points. Though, I must say, the Thrashers were OUTSHOT, yet again. That’s a bad trend. Atlanta does miss Andy Sutton. I hate to say it. But I’m not gonna cry when Atlanta loses Sutton to free agency this summer. If Sutton would agree to $2 million-a-year, he could probably stay. (He won’t.)

Last, these are road games. So?? So going .500 is usually the benchmark of success, so long as you are dominating on home ice. I want to see this team healthy and fully-assembled and then see if that didn’t fix some of what’s wrong at present. It still won’t change that we have needed another center and another quality blueliner, since training camp.

By Brendan

January 13, 2007 08:15 PM | Link to this

As for Savard, of course Atlanta would benefit from having him. But at $5.0 million???? (And on the hook for 4 more years at that price.) We’d be OVER the cap. All his stupid, emotional penalties with a less a minute left in regulation or overtime, his lack of defense, his inability to get points at even-strength on the road. (2G +3A = 5-points, even strength, on the road in ‘05-‘06.) “Unbridled offense” is what did Atlanta in, year-after-year. They FINALLY came up with a strategy: Team Defense. They’re just not doing it anymore. Yes, they have been missing key components. So yes, that plays a factor, too. Don will find us a center. But Bob Hartley has to dole out some “tough love” to get the defense back. It might take telling several players, “You’re gonna be part of the deal we give up for the center we need” … to ignite them.

Look, I think Savard is an “above average” player. But he’s not a “complete” player. So, he doesn’t deserve $5.0 million. $3.6 is as high as I think any GM should have paid for Savard. But, we’ve seen that the NHL’s GM’s have NOT learned their lesson from the lockout, and continue to foster salary-creep. Binding arbitration hasn’t helped, either. Our jaws dropped this Summer at some of the awards, like Mike York and even Daniel Briere’s $5 million award. He appears to be earning every bit of it. But did he really command that kind of money based on his regular season numbers from ‘05-‘06? Yeah, playoff results factored in his case, BIG-TIME. Savard has ZERO playoff numbers last year, and got $5 million.