Thrashers

By Barry

February 6, 2007 01:39 PM | Link to this

I’m bothered that Hartley still sits Vishnevski and Coburn. Yea Coburn may be a rookie but his size, ability to skate, and make decent break out passes seems a waste to be sitting on the bench. Vishnevski should be out there instead of DeVries but Hartley seems to be in love with Greg or something. Moose needs to play very very soon. I can understand Kari against the Sabres but he is getting a little worn out. Hopefully Bob will play the Slater-Metro-Haydar line more.

By michael

February 6, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

I would like to see Coburn and Hnidy on the point on the pp. Not at the same time of course. It couldn’t get any worse. I don’t care about Vish sitting, he makes poor decisions with his hitting and gets caught out of position. Sit Devries, let Coburn play.

By R. Stroz

February 6, 2007 02:16 PM | Link to this

Has anyone noticed that Forsberg has more penalty minutes, less points, and a higher salary than Savard; however, Forsberg’s salary is shorter term. Just an obsevation.

By Russian

February 6, 2007 02:24 PM | Link to this

I say that same lines - same Result. I am going to see winning game today. Unfortantly, we can not beat Buffalo. Buffalo is very fast, much better PP and all 4 lines can score. What we have: 1. Only Kovy or Hossa can score. 2. Team is old and slow. 3. PP is horrible. 4. Kari is not doing very well last few games. I willbe very happy if we can get 1 point. :-(

By Russian

February 6, 2007 02:28 PM | Link to this

Yesturday, I saw Detroit and NYR. It was a great game. Detroit was down 1:3 and they scored 4 goals on 3-d period. This is a team for PO. :-)

By SABRES#1

February 6, 2007 02:29 PM | Link to this

YOU WILL BE BEATEN TONIGHT. YOU WILL HEAR THE ROAR OF THE CROWD FOR THE BUFFALO SABRES. IT WILL SHOCK YOU. IT WILL ROCK YOU. THRASHERS HAVE NO CHANCE! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!

By Bob

February 6, 2007 02:40 PM | Link to this

Vishnevski will see the ice again after he gets traded by Don The Fiddler.

I like Metro skating with Kovy better, but whatever. The Fiddler has to get Kovy a center.

Lehtonen is definitely worn down. Why Hartley can’t see the wisdom in playing Moose in every 6th start or so, is beyond me. But it’ll eat us alive as Kari wears down in the playoffs at the end of his first full pro season of playing a full complement of games.

I used to really like Hartley, but he is on my ranallo list for his brain farts of 1)Overplaying Lehtonen while letting Moose rust 2)Not giving Metropolit the center slot on Kovy’s line and skating Metro only 7 minutes a night for the 1st half of the year 3)His inability to change up the PP 4)Anyone remember when he pulled Moose at the end of 4 on 4 OT and threw a cold Lehtonen in for a shootout? 5)for not kicking Chicken Dance Hanlon’s a* outside the locker room when he had the chance Ok, that last one doesn’t really matter, but it would have made for good press!

By Russian

February 6, 2007 02:41 PM | Link to this

to SABRES#1 I almost agree with you ;-( Only one thing, drop this MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA! It is F* Stupid.

By Brent Owens

February 6, 2007 02:44 PM | Link to this

Tonight the Sabres are going to beat up on your Thrashers more fiercely that Greg LeMaster beats his girlfriends. The Bres’ will end their losing skid and create new skids in the underware of Johan Hedberg

By Amanda Hugandkiss

February 6, 2007 02:46 PM | Link to this

Sabertooth has been spotted on 10th and Argonne streets!! LET’s GO SABRES!!

By rick mathews

February 6, 2007 02:50 PM | Link to this

yohan, didn’t we used to know someone with that name?

SABES in SIX b***

By Bob

February 6, 2007 02:50 PM | Link to this

Hey, the Sabres have been mortal lately, and we always have played the Sabres well. I see a close 5-4 or 4-3 game, could go either way, but I’d give the Sabres the edge as after all, we ARE without JPVJ.

By GEM Line

February 6, 2007 02:54 PM | Link to this

Tonight will be a very telling game. It is said that we are facing the Sabres at the right time, but the same can be said for them. Our G/A remains a red flag. Not much confidence in getting 2 points tonight.

By Brent Owens

February 6, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this

If anyone going to the game can find a minute with Teppo Numminen, he has a great recipe for cutout cookies.

By Johnny Rebel

February 6, 2007 03:05 PM | Link to this

Real mature coon, realll mature.

By Johnny Rebel

February 6, 2007 03:09 PM | Link to this

…and Afinegenov has the “ins” on VIP bukakkae parties in every city except calgary.

By RELee

February 6, 2007 03:17 PM | Link to this

Looks like a bunch of crass, punk transplants have latched on to this blog

By drew

February 6, 2007 03:59 PM | Link to this

4-5-1…sabres’ record over the last 10 games. real dominant. i wish i could throw out some bold statements about the thrashers, but i cant. that would be delusional. the team looks awful, the coaching has been questionable, and the front office has not done their job on a number of fronts..drafting, player development, etc. i am beginning to think it’s time to blow this thing up and start over. also, who knew there were this many crude, loud, fat, obnoxious carpet-baggers that could actually write. i think i heard some of those lines in high school. grow up and go home.

By DSnyder

February 6, 2007 04:14 PM | Link to this

OK children, let’s get back on topic here.

By michael

February 6, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

I get the feeling it is the same idiot using different names.

By ranallo10

February 6, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

Bob, you seem to fit in with these guys pretty well, I’m waiting for your next witty “fiddlin’” comment.

“Lehtonen is definitely worn down. Why Hartley can’t see the wisdom in playing Moose in every 6th start or so, is beyond me. But it’ll eat us alive as Kari wears down in the playoffs at the end of his first full pro season of playing a full complement of games.”

“1)Overplaying Lehtonen while letting Moose rust”

Lehtonen is his own man, he can tell a coach if he’s “worn down” without needing to be pulled. He played in the Young Stars non-obligatory game for the entire 30 minutes of no defense…you really think he’s getting tired though? No back to back games since the break, at least one day’s “rest” between each game, plus the fact that he’s in his low 20s…explain your evidence for this “worn down” theory. Couple that with the fact that he’s got a horrible defense in front of him, and the 7th worst PK unit in the NHL, and you think any goals he gives up falls directly on HIS shoulders??? Talk about ignorance.

“4)Anyone remember when he pulled Moose at the end of 4 on 4 OT and threw a cold Lehtonen in for a shootout?”

Benefits of each goalie: Hedberg = 3.17 GAA, cool/unique nickname Lehtonen = 2.86 GAA, 6th in NHL for SO SV% (ahead of Miller, Luongo, Kiprusoff, Brodeur, Khabibulin, et ali)

Which would you rather have in goal during a shootout? Hartley made the smart decision to go with the goalie that is TAUGHT THE SHOOTING INTRICACIES OF EACH SHOOTER DURING EVERY GAME AND PRACTICE. Hartley also went with the better overall goalie. Maybe it’s more telling that Hartley would rather a cold #1 goalie playing in net when it truly matters, than he would a warm #2 goalie with such a cool nickname.

“2)Not giving Metropolit the center slot on Kovy’s line”

Metropolit is playing 4th fiddle as a center on the Thrashers to Rucchin, Holik, Kapanen, and Slater. On most powerplays, Kozlov will take faceoffs BEFORE Metropolit (if they’re on the ice at the same time). You REALLY think that he’s more useful as a center than as a winger??

“[2)ctd.]skating Metro only 7 minutes a night for the 1st half of the year”

Metropolit was an unproven player in the NEW NHL, coming from the Swiss league. How many players make that leap and turn into consistent NHL players?? What coach in their right mind gives a 30 year old “journeyman” more than 10 minutes per game before they prove themselves worthy?? Holy Ignorance Batman!

“3)His inability to change up the PP”

I must agree with you there, though he has changed the powerplay, he just wont stick with what seemingly works.

Apparently in your opinion, ignorance is bliss.

By Bob

February 6, 2007 04:54 PM | Link to this

Swing and a miss, ranallo. But, hey, you got up and took your swings, again. That’s admirable. Anyone that knows the game has seen that Lehts has been fighting the puck lately. Let’s hope the extra day off since Sat. helped him out for tonight, but Hartley must work Moose in on this trip.

Unfortunately, you’ve got your ignorance hanging out again. Better tuck it back in. Oh that’s right, that’s the way you kids wear it these days.

I’m not debating you further, ranallo, I already know that you don’t know what you’re talking about. But keep on going and prove it to everyone else. Batter up!

By GaVaHokie

February 6, 2007 05:13 PM | Link to this

Actually, Bob… What exactly do you disagree with?

Lehtonen is playing at the same pace as Luongo, Turco and Kiprusoff… he’s never played a full season before, and he’s the guy we’ll depend on in the playoffs. Furthermore, Lehtonen still needs to prove he can win the majority of 7 game stretches.

By ranallo10

February 6, 2007 05:16 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing, you actually attempted to refute ONE point of mine, but yet somehow ignored the other points all together.

“Anyone that knows the game” — Do you perhaps mean someone like Bob Hartley???? How many Stanley Cups has he won? And how many have you? He rode Patrick Roy until he won a Cup, and rightfully so. A coach DOES NOT put inferior goaltending in net unless they ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. Backups are just that, backups.

You say “fighting the puck” but yet you don’t seem to understand the term yourself. He’s not having difficulties being in position, he’s not having difficulties giving up soft shots, he’s not having difficulties giving up easy rebounds. Lehtonen has been keeping the Thrashers in more games than they deserve to be competitive in. He’s got a horrid defense, a statistically inept PK line, and has a team in front of him that is KNOWN FOR OFFENSIVE PROWESS, not defensive prowess. I would bet that you’re a person who said Roberto Luongo needed to be sat, because he obviously showed how tired he could become. When was the last time you played a competitive sport? Was it really that hard for you to get up on a consistent basis if it was your routine? Tending once every other day is a routine of sorts, and having a few off-days is the only thing a true #1 goalie needs to get rested properly for the next game.

Come Saturday or Sunday, Bob, you’ll be able to watch Hedberg lose a game for the Thrashers to your hearts content.

I would consider this a debate if you would step up and actually provide some sort of proof…be it statistical or any other form. In order for this to be a debate, you would actually have to attempt to disprove me. Rather, you decide to make inane remarks and refuse to put some substance to your opinions.

Rather than a debate, this is one old guy using age, “wisdom”, and tradition as his argumentative pillars, compared to his counterpart who uses logic and statistical support to make his points.

Prove me wrong, I dare you.

By Dominate This Pal

February 6, 2007 05:30 PM | Link to this

Pointing at genitals

By Brent Owens

February 6, 2007 05:33 PM | Link to this

Hey Michael, there is a bunch of us idiots. I sponging off the system and have nothing better to do than blog about pointless articles. I admit I have no life, whats your excuse for being on here.

By ranallo10

February 6, 2007 05:36 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie is proving that VT fans do not reflect the decision making abilities of VT Alumni.

Thanks again GVH.

Ike Whitaker = 2008 Heisman frontrunner…just you watch

By danlmac

February 6, 2007 06:10 PM | Link to this

I have heard “insanity” defined as doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results. Something has got to change or our chance for making the playoffs will change (for the worse).

Are the Thrashers bringing their “A” game tonight? Lets hope so.

By Daniel

February 6, 2007 06:27 PM | Link to this

Should DW consider Samsonov? From what I understand if the team picked him up they would only have to pay 1.75mil or so. Granted he is a winger and a “gamble” considering the year he has had so far. Could DW pick him up and then use him as trade bait?

By Lee

February 6, 2007 07:03 PM | Link to this

Lots if trash talkers from Buffalo. Maybe they are still mad nobody from Buffalo, in any sport, ever wins big games.

By Bob

February 6, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

“Prove me wrong, I dare you.” lol!

GaVaHokie, I just love yanking this ranallo kid’s chain, every time I do it, he steps in it again. I really should stop, but it’s kind of fun watching him eat his dribble.

Uh ranallo, did you watch the game and see where Coach put Metropolit centering Hossa and Kozlov tonight? Because that is the right move, Sparky. I hope he keeps him there. Kapanen is a complete waste in that spot and it’s great to see Coach finally figure that out and put Metropolit on the top line.

“I see a close 5-4 or 4-3 game, could go either way, but I’d give the Sabres the edge as after all, we ARE without JPVJ.”

Hmm, who made that call?

“Prove me wrong, I dare you.” lol!

Hopefully JPVJ is back soon on the penalty kill, we might have won this game in regulation if we the kill was effective. Seeing how Buffablow was 3 for 4 on the power play. Here’s to hoping JP is back quick, our PK needs the help.

“Prove me wrong, I dare you.” lol.

Great to see Coach mix up the PP a little also, we had more traffic in front of the net and it looked better, even though we still went only 1 for 6. Much better chances on the PP for us, that should continue to improve.

Now if Coach wakes up with his goalie handling and get Moose in there for a start or two on this trip, we can keep Lehtonen fresh, and get Moose his work in the (knock on wood) event he’s needed. Get ‘er done, Coach.

Meanwhile high up in Blueland, Waddell fiddles, while Atlanta burns.

By Bob

February 6, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Daniel, I don’t know what The Fiddler will do, but I’d definitely pass on Samsonov. He’s not what this club needs, he’s a floater.

We need another offensive center to distribute the puck and create, and waive Kapanen. If Fiddler can bring a good center in here to share the top line duties with Metro, they can push Rucchin into 4th line and PK duty, Holik handles the checking line very well, especially once THE JPVJ gets back!!!

If the center he gets can also QB a power play, that may be the only move he needs to make.

If not, then we need a Vishnovsky type, he can QB a PP effectively and I think the Kings want to move him.

By Bob

February 6, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

It’s hard to blame the refs seeing how we got 6 PP’s, but what the heck was with Briere diving all night? The was ridiculous. I usually don’t agree with Darren Eliot but even he correctly pointed out that Buffablow is famous for diving and Briere was putting on quite the show tonight. The refs didn’t go for it, but in my view, Briere is just embarrassing himself with that nonsense. He’s a damn good player and can go to the net, stay on your skates you Nancy!

By Tom

February 6, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Good game, first time I have seen the playoff atmosphere for a weekday game.

The Buffalo fans were out and really livened up the place, got the Thrasher fans yelling early.

During warm ups my wife noticed that Kari has an ace bandage on his right ankle, I assume it was preventative but worth noting. He also gets kudos for giving my 6 yr old a puck. Made a fan for life tonight. Thanks!

The team played well. DeVries blew the first goal, but played a better game than normal. Sutton, well, lets not go there.

Refs made 2 bad calls at the end of the 2nd. Right in front of us, Sutton waved his stick and the Buffalo player sold it.

The other one on DeVries was ticky tack. My older son, 10, had the line of the night. He said, “Well if DeVries is in the box he can not screw up the PK kill.”

3rd period was great. The team was laying out for the puck all over the place. Haven’t seen that effort is a long time.

Overall, it was good for them to get out of town on this game and not leave the taste of the Philly games in their mouth.

Now Don, you have 2 weeks to make the deal to get us into the playoffs in good shape. That was the consensus of section 122.

By Bob

February 6, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

So Kari has an injured ankle? That would explain why everyone has noticed him fighting the puck lately, although he didn’t seem to have trouble tonight. Man, if Hartley is playing him hurt, that’s just nuts. We must have him healthy and rested for the stretch run and the playoffs.

Sounds like you have some smart hockey fans in Section 122, get ‘er done, DW.

By Jay Bird

February 6, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or does Hossa look hurt? He looked extremely slow tonight, laboring around the ice. Let’s hope he is okay.

As for the game tonight, it was great. This game showed that we can hang with the big boys. I just have a problem with us playing down to our competition in losing twice to the Flyers. This upcoming road trip is huge. With the Lightning winning tonight, we are only up 4 points. If we can get through this road trip and grab some points, I think we will be fine. I almost feel better about going on the road with our home record being bad the past month.

By Hanson Brothers

February 6, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

That was a good effort tonight, best I have seen in a couple of weeks. If they can only maintain that effort for the rest of the season the points will come, but I guess that is the problem all year, the lack of consistency in effort. Kudos to the Buffalo fans for showing up en masse tonight. 112 was full of em, but unlike Philly fans, they were all about routing for their team, not being obnoxious, and we had some good natured yelling contests with them where they held their own. Good to see the arena packed tonight. Let’s hope the road be good to em.

By Bob

February 6, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

Yep, Hossa has looked hurt since he went into the boards and missed the 2nd period a week or 10 days ago. A few of us have been speculating about that here. You can tell because he’s not powering through and around defenseman like he was earlier in the year. Let’s hope it heals quick.

Tampa 4 back? I thought I heard a freight train coming.

By Bob

February 6, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

Jay Bird’s comment about Tampa made me go look at the standings. Check out the goals for and goals against for us and then check the other divisonal leaders GF and GA. It’s unreal.

In fact, there’s only 6 teams in the NHL that have given up more goals than us.

Waddell fiddles, while Atlanta burns.

By Jay Bird

February 6, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

Sorry, I messed up, we are 5 points ahead of the Lightning.

By R. Stroz

February 7, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

After watching the two phantom penalties on the Thrashers tonight that resulted in Buffalo goals, I’m convinced Zebras mate with Buffalo. If Kovy got half the calls for dives that Buffalo was getting, the Thrashers would be on the power play the entire game.

By the way, the Buffalo fans in the 200’s were more obnoxious than Philly fans. At least I didn’t see Philly fans shooting birds at the Thrashers fans.

By LAC

February 7, 2007 02:45 AM | Link to this

First AWFUL game by officals… They called an awful game and it is amazing to see them blow so many calls.

Well… deVries, HAS TO GO, Sutton, needs to go, Kappanan/Rucchin Must go, Holik better step it up as his play has been just a go through the motions the past few weeks, NO emotion or Grit… a lot like the entire team.

Is it me… or are they just slowly running out of energy, hope, or what ?

The last 9 games were 8 home 1 road. Record 4-4-1… That is NOT a championship record and losing twice to the worst team in the NHL was nuts.

What next…TRADE colburn, get something for him, he is a BUST and needs to ship out of town, Put #3 BACK ON THE ICE.

Lastly, we all know how out of his league don waddell is. He continues to amaze me with his TOTAL inability to do anything except bring in worthless high priced players who do nothing… Butis on the CHEAP tolet other productive players take their abilities & goals & assists with them.

Look at Savard withclose to 70 pts this year…what do rucchin & kappenan have a dozen ????

With TB charging and Carolina regrouping and others like Pittsburgh(Kansas City) going 9-1 over the last ten games , I hate to say it, but I see NO way, given the current play, we will be in anything except 11-12th position inthe east upon the end of the west coast trip, It really hurts when we get this close and do so well to see it collapse, simply because a few player changes could make the difference, but with THE WORST GM in professional sports… What can we expect… Well nothing… Maybe Hossa to Carolina for a 4th round pick don… Just the kind of DUMB move DUMB waddell will likely make… Season…about over again…

By drew

February 7, 2007 07:11 AM | Link to this

does briere mean flopping frog in english?

By B. Thenet

February 7, 2007 08:30 AM | Link to this

It is pretty amazing that a diving coward like Briere can be allowed to wear a C in the NHL.

With the sad state of our PP and PK, along with Do Nothing Don’s laid back attitude towards improving the team, I suspect this is going to be a very scary road trip.

By JP

February 7, 2007 08:35 AM | Link to this

Sutton was such a uge liability last night. Also I worry Hossa is hurt. He keeps losing the one on ones. Also I think Kari needs a rest before he fatigues or worse!

By Michael A.

February 7, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this

Bob, I agree with most of your comments, but we don’t really know that DW isn’t working the phones at this point. We just haven’t seen the fruits of any of that labor yet so the fiddling analogy isn’t really accurate. (Also, while I understand that point that you are trying to make, the Nero story is just a myth.) I too would like to see a move sooner rather than later but the fact is that most GMs in the league have yet to make any moves. If the deadline comes and goes without any moves by DW, of course, it will be a different story.

By Thrasherfan33

February 7, 2007 08:52 AM | Link to this

Why does our coach insist on running our team into the ground? I mean come on. The team is getting worn down which is going to lead to more losses. Kari should have sat against Philly and gotten a few days rest. Hossa is obviously hurt and should be rested before the injury gets worse. DeVries is tired…and you have a fully healthy defense….rest him!! Give Vish and Coburn a chance to play and to give the guys who played a lot while X and Sutton were out some rest. We have a tough road trip ahead and this is not the time to be worn down. When is Hartley going to learn?!?!

By Hip Czech

February 7, 2007 08:55 AM | Link to this

Great game last night…great to have a ‘playoff feel’ at the bulb. Hopefully a preview of things to come.

I see Hartley took my advice and moved Metro to center ;-)

What was the deal in the the second period when the Buffalo player shot the puck over the glass? I had a pretty good view of it and it sure seemed he shot it directly out, I even think one of the refs had his arm up to call the delay of game. But the other ref apparently overruled it. Any idea why?

If the much-maligned (at least from one person) Vigier is on the PK do the Sabres get 3 PP goals? Two of the calls were absolutely ridiculous, DeVries lifts the guys stick and I still have no clue how Sutton gets called for hooking.

Meanwhile Briere dives right in front of us and no call…

By Bob

February 7, 2007 09:16 AM | Link to this

Michael, I know. 4 years of Latin as a kid and I ask the tour guide in Rome while we’re walking the Forum, “where did Nero fiddle?”. The guy clued me in.

I still think it’s a great myth picturing the crazy Nero flailing away on a fiddle with the city burning around him.

You’re right that he has until the deadline, and I’m sure he will make a move. My frustration with it has been that I’ve been calling for a new offensive center for the top lines since about Game 10 when it was clear Rucchin and Kapanen were not going to cut it. Hartley finally woke up last night and got Metro in between Hossa and Kozlov and that should get that line going again.

If Waddell can find the right center, that will help, but the move needs to be made sooner rather than later.

But there’s some serious problems here guys.

Goals scored 172 Goals against 174

that stat alone belies our record.

Couple that in with our weak PP, I think we’re 24 or so in the league? Doesn’t bode well for our chances in the playoffs. Anyone here think we could take Buffalo in a 7 game series? Could we beat Brodeur in a 7 game series? Could we take Pittsburgh or Tampa, mabye.

By DBH 1

February 7, 2007 09:33 AM | Link to this

Bob, you are correct in asking if we could take those teams in a 7 game series, and at this point my answer would be no. I also pointed out a while back when we were at least a + in our GF/GA ratio that I was concerned about that. I still am not sure if it is soley Lehts’ fault, but it is a huge concern that should be addressed by the entire team.

By michael

February 7, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Tampa is 5pts behind, Carolina is now 6. We are not getting better. Our penalty kill is now 28th in the league, our pp is not far off. Is Wadell going to wait until we lose the div. lead to make a move? How in the name of the hockey gods can he look at our team and not think it needs to be bolstered immediately. Although this is the man that thought Rucchin and Kapanen would get it done. The goals against is ridiculous, but with a lack of strong defensmen it is no suprise. Special teams are killing us, yet Wadell said he likes the personnel we have. There is no way the current team we have faces another team for a 7 game series and survives, we will be ripped apart.

By BG33Brown

February 7, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Here are my thoughts on how to get the power play going again. Although, last night, it wasn’t as bad as it has been.

1)Go back to the overload PP. When we were sucessful last year and early this year on the PP, we would over load one side of the ice by bringing the far winger into the slot. It created a whole lot of opportunities. This perimeter style we are using now has made us to soft and finesse just doesn’t get in done when the PK’s are chasing you all over the zone.

2)Put Holik on the PP. I know this isn’t his strenght put we HAVE to win face offs. After the face off win, shift him to the wing and use him as the slot player.

3)Take Kovy off the back line. Between the number of pucks that get past him and the number of turnovers he makes, Kovy is a liability out there. Move him to the 2nd PP and put him at the half boards.

As far as the game went. The 2 penalties on Sutton and Devo were bull. I almost had a heart attack in OT when Sutton skated away from the crease after Kovy’s slap shot bounced back right to Sutton and he never saw it.

Keep your fingers crossed for the next week or two. We need points.

Go Thrashers.

By ranallo10

February 7, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

I’m still not seeing how a “worn down” goalie is able to make an athletic OT glove hand save like Lehtonen did last night. That save was beautiful, full butterfly, high glove side shot, swing that glove hand up and keep ATL in the game…but to you it was quite indicative of how tired he is? I’m still not understanding how you see him as worn down. Give Lehtonen the same amount of games, with any of the defensive corps outside of Atlanta, and I’d put money on Atlanta having more wins than they do currently. Could the Atlanta defensive “talent” be anything more than a 3rd defender for other playoff bound teams?

Vishnovsky? “For goodness sake, tuck your ignorance back in [Bob], it’s showing (or is that your rear that’s hanging out?).” Let me help you out… you meant Lubomir Visnovsky — He’s a defenseman playing for the Los Angeles Kings currently. NHL.com has great lists of player names, positions, and the correct spelling for those players’ names.

Metropolit centering the Hossa and Kozlov line…how did that work out exactly? No points scored from that line, which means they were a non-factor. And how does that differ from when anyone else is centering the line?? I’m not quite understanding the points people are making about Metropolit helping this line.

The PK gave up more goals, no surprise there. The most telling thing is that no matter who is injured, they still give up goals. Does that possibly point towards the defenseman on the PK?? If Vigier was in, they still would’ve given up at least two of those goals, likely all three. HOWEVER, it wouldn’t have been a contest, Buffalo would’ve rolled over the Thrashers. Notice the effective forechecking by the 4th line with Mellanby in JPs spot? Did anyone notice how that line was able to keep the puck in the offensive zone, instead of losing the puck and having to skate back onto defense, giving more scoring opportunities to the opposing team. Maybe that’s just simple effects of having a true power winger on a defensive line, instead of those fringe NHL players. I’ll take Mellanby with Holik and Larsen over Vigier any day of the week.

By Russian

February 7, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

We actually blame to Zebras to loose a game yesterday. But we got 7 PP chances and what we did…. Absolutely Nothing. We scored one goal and made 3:3. If anybody said this was a Play Offs game, no way. It was not close to be PO. We played ugly all three periods and finally when we got point we start to play hockey. Now we are going to 6 games trip. We come back home at 2/21/2007. I think after a trip our GM will decide who is going to stay on team, who is going to trade. I really think, what we can trade Devri and Corbun or Hnidy to very good Center.

By Bob

February 7, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

“I’m not quite understanding the points people are making about Metropolit helping this line.”

There’s a lot that you don’t understand, ranallo. That’s pretty clear. If you can’t see that Metropolit brings offensive skills to that line that Kapanen simply doesn’t have, well, that sheds a lot of light on why you don’t get this and a lot of other things.

VJ plays on our 3rd line, ranallo. Our checking line. Not our 4th. You know, the checking line that plays against the other team’s top line? You know? No, you don’t, do you.

So, you say that VJ may have stopped one of those PP goals, yet Buffablow still would’ve rolled us? Uh, it was 3-3 at the end of reg, Sparky, we stop one, we win in regulation.

You don’t get the wisdom in getting Lehtonen some rest once every 6 or 7 games to make sure we don’t wear him out before the playoffs, when he WILL have to play every game. I understand, Sparky. We disagree, I hope it works out for the club and Lehts doesn’t go down or wear out and heaven forbid we have to then rely on a cold Moose. You don’t get that either, ok.

Thanks for reminding me how to spell Visnovsky, Mr. McGoo. I’ll need to learn how to spell it when (knock on wood) he’s QBing our PP.

By Ryan

February 7, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

I heard a crazy stat last night while listening to the game. The Thrash have only 5 regulation wins in the last 27 games. Is this stat for real? Wow!

By dave

February 7, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Hey, Isn’t it great that DW is on USA hockey’s advisory group? Since he says he is happy with this group of players, at least he has something to keep him busy. Why concentrate on the Thrashers?

By ranallo10

February 7, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Bob, how long ago was it when you were 23 and playing an athletic event? If you can remember back to then, tell me how hard it was to get a good nights rest in order to play that sport every other night. In case you can’t remember that far back, let me help you understand it in a different way. Kari Lehtonen is a world-class athlete, in the years in which the human body is at it’s peak in terms of muscle development, fatigue recovery, etc. Go ask Kari Lehtonen if he’s tired tomorrow. He doesn’t play tonight, so he rests. It’s a simple equation…every back to back game, you bring in Hedberg, every game that has a break, you play Lehtonen. I’m putting this in the simplest terms I know, maybe you’ll understand it eventually. KARI LEHTONEN IS 23 YEARS OLD. If you think that a 23 year old athlete gets fatigued playing every other night, you’ve never been an athlete.

I gave the blame of two PK goals directly to de Vries, I NEVER said Vigier would’ve kept one from happening. Rather, I attempted to give him the benefit of the doubt that it was POSSIBLE that one goal might not have been scored. But I guess your feeble mind quit reading there, as you clearly didn’t notice the remainder of that paragraph. Perhaps you got distracted by the word “Vigier”. Maybe I should just write “Vigier” followed by whatever gibberish I want, and you’d respond “You’re wrong Ranallo, you said ‘Vigier’”.

Refer to the post I made about the usefulness of Mellanby on the line with Holik and Larsen.

Vigier, Vigier, Vigier

And seriously, you’re arguing the fact that one person considers the designation “4th line” as a checking line when you personally refer to the checking line as the “3rd” line?? Maybe I misjudged you — here I was thinking you actually had valid points that simply differed from mine. Yet you seem to just have points, be them valid or not.

You remind me of a commercial I once saw. I’m sure most people have seen it too…the one where two mechanics are attempting to fit a battery into a car, and are just using a sledge hammer to wedge it in. Then there is a flashback to the mechanics childhood, and he’s hammering a square peg into a round hole, whilst his mechanic friend continues to say “just keep hammering, it’ll fit”.

Just keep hammering your ideas, one day they’ll fit.

By Dave

February 7, 2007 01:01 PM | Link to this

I have a question for the AJC. Why is there a fan blog called Ice Man that is never used?? Is this NHL coverage? More like ECHL. Isn’t anyone ashamed of this? Is this the worst hockey coverage in the country with an NHL team?

By jeff

February 7, 2007 01:06 PM | Link to this

Thrashers Goaltending & Defense allow WAY to many 3rd periol & last 5 minute comebacks. How many 3rd period leads have they let slip?

Lehtonen needs rest & he needs to “stand on his head” once and a while to pull out close games. Moose needs to play down the stretch more.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 7, 2007 01:18 PM | Link to this

I love the ‘Nero/Waddell fiddling while Rome/Blueland burns’ analogy, Bob—PLEASE keep using it as our train starts to come off the track right before our very eyes…

Only in the figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland” is incompetence rewarded with a contract extension…

By Mark

February 7, 2007 01:31 PM | Link to this

Dittos on Coburn playing more, for a great bunch of D on paper isn’t adding up to much on the ice. The Zebras took that game, but thats part of the game, we need more O. The ‘Ilya taking a slappper from the top of the circle’ is not an offense. I thought we brought Melamby in to tip shots and do some screening. If you saw Sim’s goal last night, Miller didn’t pick it up til it was too late. We have these great goalies come in and throw a huge save % on us because they can see it coming from 30 ft away. Secondly , this team doesn’t handle the puck well enough to play perimeter offense, throw it at the net and bang it until it goes in thats our style. The Devils scored twice by enlarging the goal with someone in the post, deflecting it past Kari. Today this team makes the playoffs, but I hate to say, just like the Braves, one series and done. Come on Bob get the power play together…

By Hip Czech

February 7, 2007 01:45 PM | Link to this

Realistically I think we need to somehow milk 28-30 points out of the remaining 26 games in order to get in.

Whether we can do it or not…

By Hip Czech

February 7, 2007 01:57 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Thrashers slide directly corresponds to the disappearance of the Iceman…come back Iceman!

My suggestion for the PP is get Kovalchuk off the point. Constantly shooting 60 footers just isn’t going to cut it. Put 2 D-men out there and move Kovy down the wing. Put Hossa in front (or behind) and Kozlov on the other wing.