Thrashers

By thefan

February 17, 2007 03:19 PM | Link to this

bad start by thrashers .penalties,fights,

By thefan

February 17, 2007 03:38 PM | Link to this

nice goal by mccarthy,and finaly power play goal .

By thefan

February 17, 2007 03:50 PM | Link to this

we are tied after first period

By pondscum

February 17, 2007 04:44 PM | Link to this

Good grief,back and forth we go….. But 3-2 Thrash!

By Craig Custance

February 17, 2007 04:48 PM | Link to this

Two power play goals already in this one for the Thrashers, that’s got to be an encouraging sign.

By thefan

February 17, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

3-3 we are tied .

By Skydawg

February 17, 2007 05:48 PM | Link to this

Well..cancel Xmas..this season is over..Thrashers are on a serious tailspin and its out of control at this point. They have absolutely looked pathetic on this road trip. By next weekend they will be in 3rd place in the division and looking up for the rest of the season. Horrific special teams play. They don’t deserve the playoffs the way they are playing right now.

By russian

February 17, 2007 05:51 PM | Link to this

Now we can say: “See you LATER” for First place. We played not bad, but it was not enough to beat Ottawa. :-(

By Pucks n Snot

February 17, 2007 05:53 PM | Link to this

Craig, Northworst has always been one of the sorriest corporations doing business, right up there with AT&T. Unfortunately, they somehow have a foothold on the upper midwest, but even so I fly Delta or AirTran whenever possible. Hey, speaking of sorry, I watched the Atlanta game today and saw them manage to blow 3 seperate leads in a game they absolutely HAD to have, against a team whose goalie was flopping like a beached fish and who they completely outworked from the opening faceoff. Time to face facts ATLers, you are just not very talented and played way above your heads much of the season. Hartley will now become the 2nd coach to take the fall for your GM’s failure to assemble a balanced squad.

By afan

February 17, 2007 05:55 PM | Link to this

ok, first time poster. But personally, I thought the first two Sens goals were Kari’s fault. Both times he allows a bad rebound. Take away those, is the game any different? I think so.

By Jsmooth

February 17, 2007 05:59 PM | Link to this

Why can’t this %@#$! team finish a gol darn game!!!?? Terrible 4th goal given up by Kari and the forwards were just standing around watching while McCammond skated right to the slot.

Started the third with some fire and skated well and even had a few near misses, but then suddenly, they took the puck too deep, miss the net and Ottawa is off and running to the other end. I love Kovy and what he brings to this team, but he needs to learn that a shot that misses the net and caroms off the boards leads to transition the other way. Ultimately, it’s that type of play that costs us every frickin’ game! Instead of getting a shot from the slot and a potential rebound, Kovy skates out of position and fires a bad angle shot that misses the net. No wonder we are terrible at keeping offensive pressure in the other team’s zone. Always trying to be too cute instead of making the high percentage play!

I’m not so sure I still believe in Blueland…hopes are sinking fast. One man can right the ship: Don Waddell. Will he make it happen??

Don’t count on it.

By B. Thenet

February 17, 2007 06:02 PM | Link to this

It really is hard to believe Lehtonen won championships in a Euro pro league. That was the biggest choke job since Dunham sealed the deal for us last season. The first three Sens goals were off awful…awful rebounds.

Mellanby should have had a hat trick will all the chances he had.

What an utterly frustrating game.

By B. Thenet

February 17, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this

It really is hard to believe Lehtonen won championships in a Euro pro league. That was the biggest choke job since Dunham sealed the deal for us last season. The first three Sens goals were off awful…awful rebounds.

Mellanby should have had a hat trick will all the chances he had.

What an utterly frustrating game.

By Tom

February 17, 2007 06:06 PM | Link to this

Don is waiting for the right time to pull out a deal. He is waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting…

Of course a deal a month ago could have made a big difference but that is nothing compared to saving 500,000 in salary and missing the playoffs and the millions in revenue that would come in.

By Brendan

February 17, 2007 06:29 PM | Link to this

Okay, at least this was a “watchable” game. That Calgary outing (4-1 loss)was utterly brutal. Things went “generally well.” We had two PPG’s. The Icebirds dictated the play a bit. But Kari didn’t control his rebounds and it led to some goals. The backbreaker for me, was that 1st period goal with 0:31 seconds left. It’s a bad trend, like being outshot, that has become a “calling card” of this team.

Allright folks, since the All-Star game this team is 3-7-1. That’s seven out of a possible 22 points (7/22). Yes, yes. This is an extended road trip. But even so, this team used to be one of the best in the league on the road. The Thrashers have now lost seven of the past eight (7/8) games.

I’m at a loss to know why this team’s goals for/goals against differential is in the negative. I’m at a loss to figure out why, essentially, the same roster from October and November, is getting such radically different results. Is it the coaching?

Bob Hartley does not have a contract for next year. Before you say, “Hartley’s lost the lockerrom,” consider this. Many, if not most, of the Thrashers are in their “contract year.” They’re pros. They’ve got to be thinking about $$$ for the future. Would they seriously be willing to risk all that … just to OUST Hartley?? I’m not really buyin’ that.

Maybe, the other teams tweaked their rosters enough such that they are better than they were in October or November? Maybe the Thrashers banked points before the rest of the teams got their “sea legs” under them, back in October? I don’t have the answers. But I know this. There’s still plenty of time to turn this all around. And even win the division. Six points in the next three games would sure go a LONG WAY towards re-establishing the team as a force in the SE division.

By afan

February 17, 2007 06:33 PM | Link to this

About a month ago I got tickets for the Tampa game this Thursday. At the time I was optimistic this could be an ok game. Although Tampa always seems to just put it to the Thrashers. At any rate, I am now hoping the Thrash can keep it within 3 or 4 goals.

What are the excuses going to be this year when they don’t make the playoffs? Will both Hartley and Waddell get canned? Is Hartley worth keeping? I have seen better fundamentals from the players since he has been here. But who knows. Maybe we should just rebuild again. Or rather we should keep rebuilding.

Someone want to answer the question as to why our so called awesome farm system does not contribute. Aside from Ex, Kari and Slater, is there anyone else on the team that has come from the farm? Thought we were just so overloaded with talent. Whatever.

Also, what is with the lack of response when Kovy was hit in the head? One, I thought that was a penalty for hitting players in the head. Two, I thought teammates usually responded to that.

What’s with all the running over goalies lately. Seems to me that this team has turned into a bunch of cheat-shot artists. Or I could just be really disappointed with the team and the performance since mid-December.

By Jason

February 17, 2007 06:34 PM | Link to this

What a fustrating game to watch. If Gerber had been remotely on his game, we would have lost that one 5-1. The 2 Thrasher goals in the second period just shouldn’t have gone in.

There was absolutely no confidence displayed by our boys. At either end of the ice.

The other teams are going to feast on what is left of us.

By Brendan

February 17, 2007 06:34 PM | Link to this

B.Thenet, Mellanby played a factor in the McCarthy goal. But I agree with you, Mellanby had plenty of chances to bury a few tallies. Look, I’m disappointed by the result, but I don’t really think the Thrashers played “poorly.” This was their game … in a WHILE.

The thing that’s hurting us, as (poster) Chris pointed a few blogs back, was Atlanta’s failure to bank points in those two games vs the Flyers and two games vs. the Islanders. Had the Icebirds taken six points, or so, from those four games, they’d still have a nice little buffer on the division. We are now suffering the effects of losing those “easy” games. Wins and points get harder and harder to come by as the season winds down.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 17, 2007 06:38 PM | Link to this

I’m going to steal from Bob the cleverest moniker I’ve read in some time for our incompetent, blustering little fraud of a GM: The “Fiddler” must go.

Schultz is the only one in the media who has the guts to expose this little fraud for what it is—poor management, poor talent, poor decisions, poor results…As if it’s a surprise there’s a correlation???!!!

It’s past time to send the Fiddler packing and back to doing what he does best: selling Port-a-Potties and spreading manure like “Five-Year Plans” and “Building through the draft” and then capped by today’s gem in the Schultz article: “We’re still in first place”.

Thanks, Fiddler…Here’s a news flash for you as the figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland” burns: NOT FOR LONG.

Until the fans step up and stop subsidizing his incompetence, how can you possibly expect the results to be any different??? Count on him making Bob Hartley the scapegoat for the “talent” he alone assembled…

Count on our “braintrust” (and I use that term very, very loosely) to publicly pronounce their faith and belief in him—who knows, maybe they’ll give him another contract extension in the middle of the night like last time…

“Blueland” is burning and the Fiddler thanks your contributions very much…Start doing your job, Craig, and give “Blueland” the accountability it deserves…

By Chris

February 17, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

Good memory Brendan…not a real good performance today. The Sens had several shifts where the dominated puck possession and generated several chances, I don’t believe the Thrashers had one. Things seemed to get progressively worse with the first period being their best.

Even going into the third with the lead I’m sure all had an unsettled feeling. Kari wasn’t particularly sharp as Daren pointed out a couple times.

If they go in to Carolina pull it out, that’s a 2-4 trip. Which is about what should have been expected. I don’t believe BH has lost them either…they are running into some good teams, on the road. At least the special teams for the most part looked better.

By russian

February 17, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

Next three games are very very important for us. If we win all of that, we are going to be on track. If we lose, I will definetly say Good Buy for Play Offs in this year. :-(

By Brendan

February 17, 2007 07:26 PM | Link to this

Sage of Bluesland, please see my post at the end of the “Rate the Forsberg trade.” I talk about our farm club. I think you’ll like what you read.

By Brendan

February 17, 2007 07:44 PM | Link to this

You make good and memorable posts, Chris. Keep it up.

By Thrasher_Ed

February 17, 2007 07:54 PM | Link to this

Let’s face it folks, a lot of this really falls on Kari Lehtonen. If Kari is the BIG TIME goalie we all hope he is, he can and will overcome this 4 goals a night funk he is in. Face it the Defenseman need to make some better decisions in front of Kari, but he must improve his rebound control. The go ahead goal tonight was nothing more than a puck on net at his pads and he coughs up a juicy rebound and the 3 to 2 lead.
I also believe Hartley needs to keep this team pushing, pushing, pushing the dang puck. Too many times we seem to get a lead and sit back on our laurels and then give it up late. There are many areas this team must improve on folks, but the space between Kari’s ears is what worries me most right now. How many games came any team give up 4plus goals?

By Thrasher_Ed

February 17, 2007 07:56 PM | Link to this

P.S. Memo to Don Waddell!! Don’t wait to late to make your A++++ trade! Yanic Perrault and or Bryan Smolinski will do nicely just make the dang trade before it’s too late. Billy Guerin would do nicely and slide Metro to center with B.G. and Kovy.

By Thrasher_Ed

February 17, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

Don Waddell - Do you really want to make a bold move? Talk with Florida’s GM and go get us Olli Jokinen! That might really help Kovy and Metro. He signed for three more years at roughly 5.25 to 5.5 per year. Give up 2 #1’s, Coburn, and whatever we need to save from our current roster. Here’s why it makes sense: Sutton, DeVries, Mellanby, and some others are gone next year anyway. It only makes sense to try to win now and not next year. I think we must truly think RFA’s UFA’s and even signed guys that we could aquire. Hell, bring back Marc Savard while your at it!! With what we gave Rucchin and Kapanen, Don Waddell could have resigned Savard last year and saved himself the trouble finding quality players in trade this year.

By Pucks n Snot

February 17, 2007 09:01 PM | Link to this

Anyone have a clue why Norway, being a Scandanavian nation along with Sweden & Finland, is nowhere near as accomplished in the sport of hockey as it’s neighbors? I know there are some scattered players in the NHL from Norway, but just can’t remember the last time I heard of their national team accomplishing anything.

By Bob

February 17, 2007 09:35 PM | Link to this

Nice to see The Fiddler finally made some moves to right this ship. Just in time for us to keep a hold of 1st place. Oh, wait a minute, I just woke up and reality hit me again.

It’s been apparent for a long time that we needed a center and a dman. And there’s no one on the farm to call up.

Nice job, Fiddler.

The good news is that a new GM could come in this summer and really rebuild quickly, there’s a lot of dead weight that Waddell brought in here who’s contracts expire this summer.

By Thrasher_Ed

February 17, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Thank You, Nathan Horton! Less than a minute into OT and scores a winner to keep the Thrash tied for first! Maybe the Fiddler can get Horton or Jokinen as they are Bolt Killers! Seriously we need to win these next 3 games! Will Hartley start Hedberg? Can Kari step up like he did last game in Raleigh, NC? We need him now more than ever!!

By Craig Custance

February 17, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Thrasher_Ed — I can’t see the Thrashers picking up Guerin — I think they need a center or a puck-moving defenseman more than a right winger. Hartley also likes Metro on the wing, rather than at center.

By Brendan

February 17, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

Thrasher_Ed, would you really want to trade with a team within the division? Surely, “equal talent” exists in the Western Conference, no?

By Brendan

February 17, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

I agree with CC, I can’t see the value of acquiring Guerin.

By Brendan

February 17, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

I want to ask everyone: “Do you think Don can re-sign Slava Kozlov this Summer?” If you think the task is too daunting, do you think it’s better to trade him to get “something as opposed to nothing?” Or, do you view Slava as an “essential piece” to the Thrashers playoff puzzle this season, and therefore “unthinkable” to trade away?

By Tony C.

February 18, 2007 01:38 AM | Link to this

I think Slava-Matic can be re-signed if maybe that should be IF he gets very specific language in his contract, and also get assurances that they will make every effort to retain Hoss.

Now as far as price-tag?

I think that $3M a year for a two-year deal is reasonable. I’m not taking anything away from Slava, but much of his success is based on the fact that he and Hoss work very well together. He is, however, the type of player that fits well with whomever you put him with. But I’m sure even he and Hoss would tell you that their play together benefits from the fact that they are together for the past two seasons.

That being said, He still is a very productive player, but he’s pushing 40. That does well from the company’s viewpoint-to try and keep costs down. But let’s look at say high 2’s to 3Mil per year…I have read him as being quoted with really enjoying the area, and he apparently has a house here…who knows? I’m hoping that DW finds a way to bring Gomez here.

Todays game was a positive-for the most part. I think #17 and Metro are developing some chemistry…Sutton looked lost at times, his positioning was a bit tentative. Earlier this year he was very much “owning” his area of the ice…that doesn’t seem to be there. I think Hnidy and McCarthy looked pretty good together…the thing that strikes me so much about this team is that they take so much of the little stuff that they should stand up for (themselves and for teammates), then as we saw with #17 tday, something happens to push the “that’s enough!” button and the guys kind of loose their focus in order to “get back” ….if the team just stood up for each other at the first signs of chippiness…well I would just say that the PK is a good reason not to lash out, but I would like to se Le Thraash get a little bit of sandpaper to go with the smooth-as-glass we’ve come to know.

Kari was fighting the puck all day, and I think that some work on positioning can overcome a lot of the negatives that occurred today….don’t forget that OTT. club isn’t exactly the BlueJackets, they can play even though they aren’t the frrepower embodied outfit of yesteryear.

anyway-I think there is still time to turn it around-but every period counts from here on out.

I’d love it if DW was able to get somebody to put in between Metro and #17…let’s see what he can come up with-its a tough market out there for UFA centremen…or even 2-year/RFA centremen….check out hockeynumbers to see what I mean.

By scott

February 18, 2007 03:14 AM | Link to this

This one hurt. We should have beaten Ottawa with ease. Had the lead and let it slip away time and time again. Terrible.

By Geneen

February 18, 2007 05:37 AM | Link to this

I think the team needs a player like Kozlov (who, btw, is only 34!). Hard working, great at shootouts, a two-time Stanley Cup winner. A quiet leader. It seems that he’s a good mentor for Kovalchuk and is clearly a good fit with Hossa. He brings intangibles to the table that would not be easy to replace.

They just need to bring in someone to fill the big hole in the donut between him and Hossa.

By Thrasher_Ed

February 18, 2007 07:55 AM | Link to this

Brendan, To be honest with you, I don’t care who we trade with, we just need some help. Jokinen in my opinion is a great option. Florida is nowhere near as talented a team and they are several years away. Granted they have a lot of UFA’s and with the right signings they could be competitive next year. Basically, saying I hope Don W. would not over look options like Jokinen. Think what it would be like for Kovy and Metro. Trade with whom ever you can. I believe that no trades within the division stuff is a bunch of crap, it limits your options. Besides you never know with the economics of today’s game and all this court mess how competitive tommorrow may truly be. We need to act for today and not be so totally worried about next year! Obviously, it has created some discussion, which I am glad to see. By the way, great job on your recent articles Craig C., I like your insight on the Thrash!

By dj

February 18, 2007 07:57 AM | Link to this

To everyone who though Kari lost this game for us the 2nd goal was rebound from a hard slapshot that he actually but to the side of the net, Kovy and McCarthy allowed the OTT player to skate through them and pick it up. The 4th goal was horrible that two players followed the least dangerous player up the boards and allowed the guy behind the net and the forward in front of the net to have a 2 on 1 downlow and Sutton missed the pass completely. You can’t allow that pass through, Sutton should have done a lot more to stop that pass and he didn’t. This game was lost b/c have bad team defense and lack of effort. We played hard for 45 minutes of the game. Ottawa played hard for 60. They won.

By Tom

February 18, 2007 09:14 AM | Link to this

The inability to finish. Whether it’s a period or the game, this team has not been able to finish since game one of this year. And with the veteran “leadership” on this club you would think that wouldn’t be a problem. Game after game how many times have we seen a goal scored with less than a minute in the period? And holding a lead in the 3rd? I’m confident we’re near the bottom in the league in winning percentage when tied or leading after two periods.

Yes, we banked a ton of points in the first two months, but as the other teams coaches figured out the best lines, the best personnel, our squad has regressed. We’re still mixing and matching on a nightly basis in a desparate attempt to find some magic. Good grief, yesterday we had a guy who was a healthy scratch the last two games centering the 2nd line! This is not coaching . It’s hoping and praying something will work. We all see the same stupid mistakes game after game, and with Kari playing just average at best in goal the results have turned bad. I hate to say it, but I have little faith that Hartley has a clue, and even less faith that DW has one either.

By Thrashersfan33

February 18, 2007 09:51 AM | Link to this

Why does hartley insist on mixing up Kovy’s line so much? Why not keep Sim on the Right and only switch the center until Steve comes back? Keep continuity where you can. Trade or not, they better get their act together soon. Hopefully they do before March 1st so my decision on whether or not to renew my season tickets is made easier.

By rj

February 18, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

It’s the coach ! I don’t know of any other team that is able to be trapped in their own zone when they are playing 5 on 5. Last night the Sens trapped the Thrash in their own zone for an extended period of time. The Thrash players went into a penalty kill type of formation and let the Sens pass and position themselves for multiple scoring chances.

No cutting off of the obvious coming passes, no pressuring of the puck carrier unless he was behind the net, no nothing except ‘deer in headlights’.

By the end of next week the Thrash will be in danger of moving to 9th in the conference.

“HEY WADDELL !!! THEY ARE NO LONGER IN FIRST PLACE !!!!!”

By Brendan

February 18, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Thrashers_Ed, Jokinen has three years left on a 4-year/$16M contract. For Florida to give up what they consider a “key ingredient” of their future would take a lot. I can’t speculate as to what it’d take for the Cats to part with him, but they’d especially be leery of trading him to a division rival. That’s my opinion. I could be wrong. It’s my underlying belief that teams don’t like to trade within the division because they see each other so frequently. And if they lose the trade, their fans base will scream “bloody murder” for the deal having been consummated. I think it’s fine to trade within the division, so long as you FLEECE the other team for a bag of hockey pucks.

But if some trade is going to be a “wash,” that is, each team gets what it needed, that trade takes on additional risk if the trade backfires. Say, with some career-ending injury, or something. Now, obviously, that can happen in ANY deal. But would the Panthers really want to face Jokinen 8 times a year? Especially with an “ax to grind” against them? What if Don gave them Ondrej Pavelec in that deal? And then Pavelec becomes one of the premier goalies in the league. And won’t see a “big contract” for another few years. So, that’s stealing a great goalie from the Thrashers, AT A DISCOUNT. He’s the “Glass groin insurance policy,” (along with Hedberg,) to borrow from Sage of Bluesland.

Hey, any team would like to have Jokinen. He’s a find. But, that’s why he’s locked up, at a $4M cap hit. We’re better off trying to draft a player of his caliber than to trade for it, or get in some “bidding war” in the Free Agent market.

I’ve got a knowledgeable hockey friend up in Western Canada. And I asked him point blank what he thought the Thrashers should do. I fully expected him to say, “trade, trade, trade.” But instead, he said, “Brendan, to be honest, I wouldn’t have thought the Thrashers would be bad. They have a lot of talent on their roster. What they need to do … is PLAY BETTER.”

By Thrasher_Ed

February 18, 2007 02:27 PM | Link to this

Brendan, That’s a good assessment of my proposal! i can accept what your saying about that potential deal too. I just want us to get into the playoffs so badly. This team has gotten in my blood and I want it sometimes more than I think some of them do. It is not a good thing to mortgage the future at the expense of the present, but we also need to get there (the Playoffs this year). Your friend in Canada is probably right given the UFA’s we have after this year. An responsible GM, can makeover this roster fairly quickly to improve our chances next year and beyond. Guess I like to create thought prevoking situations for the bloggers to discuss.

By Brendan

February 18, 2007 03:28 PM | Link to this

That’s exactly what the blog is for, Thrashers_Ed. Though, some others will try to make it about writing a Master’s thesis, where hyperlinks, graphs and charts must accompany your stated positions. And must be proven beyond a shadow any discernable doubt. LOL. I’m glad you’re here, Ed. Keep posting. Tell your hockey friends to come, too. Everyone’s welcome. Even the most novice of hockey fans should feel at home at newspaper blog. It’s for the whole city.

By Brendan

February 18, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

RJ, if the problem really is Coach Hartley, who should be the one to say something to him to effect change?

Should it be Don Waddell, as GM? Generally speaking, managers manage … and coaches coach. It’s a bit of a “tight rope” act. Obviously, they’ve got to consult each other a bit. If the coach wants to play a “prospect” more than 9 games, the GM might intervene to say, “Uhh, no. I don’t want to lose a year off his restricted free agency so that you can have your player for a 10th game.”

I’ve always thought that the best GM’s are the ones who thoroughly research their choice of a coach, then turn him loose to do his job. After all, that’s why the GM hired him. In theory. It’s not the GM’s job to do any coaching. Though, Waddell has done it before, back in 2002-03. I’m kinda curious to see how the team would respond to Waddell behind the bench. But I digress.

Philosophically, I’ve thought that it’s the GM’s job to shop for the ingredients at the store, but it’s the coach’s job to do the cooking. The cook should be consulted about the shopping list, though. Even if the cook is consulted, when the shopper gets home, the cook can say, “these aren’t the ingredients I asked for.” As in, “I asked for salsa, but you got me tomato sauce.” Then the GM returns home with some onions and peppers, looks at the coach and says, “What, no good?”

And what role should the captain play in all this? I mean, can he really say, “Coach, the players and I met in a closed door meeting. And we really think we need to shift the strategy a bit.” Hmmn. Do Mellanby and Hartley have this kind of relationship? Or would that be the inmates trying to run the asylum?

If the Thrashers woes really are Coach Hartley’s fault, should Don Waddell be absolved for having hired him? Oh, here we go! Those who love Waddell will say, “No, Hartley was the best available coach at the time, as well as being an EXCELLENT CHOICE. Hartley just didn’t succeed.” Those who don’t particularly care for Waddell will say, “This is STILL all about accountability. How many more coaches have to be fired before the ownership realizes the problem isn’t at ice level.”