Thrashers

By Lee

March 1, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

CC, Are Dupuis or Tkachuk particularly good in shootouts? If so, would Hartley push back Kovy a few spots?

By Matt H

March 1, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

“My name’s Hossa… Marian Hossa”

By Bob

March 1, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

Craig, come on, who’s Coach skating on Tkachuk and Kovy’s line, is it Dupuis?

By GaVaHokie

March 1, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Did anyone go to practice today that can tell us how Dupuis played?

By kracker

March 1, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Great stuff Craig! Looking forward to the Saturday article, it will probably be up after the game tomorrow. Looking forward to a great game article on Saturday as well, we simply have to break the week-end sellout jinx tomorow.

Lee: Kovy is a fan fav but if these guys can bury it in the SO, well too bad for Kovy, he drops down the shooter list and can work on it in the off season is my advice.

By Brian

March 1, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

CC - Nice updates, thank you.

Lee - Tkachuk is 1 for 5 this year.

By kracker

March 1, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Oh, glad Keith says he’s pumped to be here - and I’m sure he really likes the idea of competing in the playoffs on what looks to be a competitive team — but OTOH if he figures he will go back to the Blues next season, it’s nice to go back with extra draft picks & Metro in the organization due to his graciously waiving his no-trade clause.

/cynicism

By The Falconer

March 1, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

I was at practice and I wrote about on my blog (http://thrasherstalons.blogspot.com/). Dupuis skated with the Holik line and Sim remained with Kovy and Tkachuk. Dupuis looked fine, but a little nervious in my opinion. I would probably feel the same in his shoes. He will probably feel a lot better after getting a game under his belt.

By JAR

March 1, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Belanger - Hossa - Kozlov The BHOKO line

By Craig Custance

March 1, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

Bob - I thought I already answered that one — sorry if I didn’t. All indications point to Dupuis skating on Holik line. Sim will likely get the majority of time with Tkachuk and Kovalchuk.

By Lee

March 1, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this

Brian, thanks, I guess we are just as good with Kovy in there

By Bob

March 1, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Thanks Craig, and Falconer. I was dying to know that answer as Sim just doesn’t work on that line, in my opinion. But you know Hartley, 1/2 way through the first period he just may switch that out and throw Dupuis up on that line.

By Brian

March 1, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

Lee - Dupuis is 0 for 1, but maybe with a few more chances… Just kidding, I don’t think he will get them.

By Craig Custance

March 1, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

Lee — I forgot who told me, but somebody mentioned the fact that when the Thrashers were in that shootout with Buffalo they saw Sim getting ready to shoot third instead of Kovy, but it never came down to it.

By Brian

March 1, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Craig - I can swear we talked about that on the past blog somewhere. Might have been Manasso’s back then, but Ice Man doesn’t show it.

By Skeletor

March 1, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

I would rather see Hnidy than Sim. Hopefully Dupuis can play the right wing on Kovy’s line, Sim doesn’t belong there.

By Geoffrey Paul

March 1, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Skeletor- are you saying that you would like to see Hnidy as our 3rd shooter in the shoot out? It would be an interesting pick, but I think if BH is going to go with a defenseman it would be Devo b/c he has used him as a 4th shooter in the past. I think the guys I would like to see at this point are Belanger or Slater.

By Brian

March 1, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

Geoffrey Paul - I thought Skeletor was being sarcastic meaning he thinks Sim would be so bad that he would rather have a D from the 3rd pair.

I would take Slater, I might be dreaming here but I could’ve swore he shot once or twice last year and scored.

Brendan - I’m counting on you to back me up here. Do you have last year’s report? While you’re at it where was that blog on Sim shooting or was I dreaming that too?

Some of you guys said you go to practice. Do they ever play around at the end and practice this? Honestly that’s where we would find out these things. At the last 5-10 minutes of practice you might find that someone like Boulton actually scores 1/2 the time.

By Thrasher_Ed

March 1, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or does Tampa seem to get more out of their Big 3 players than we do ours? Lecav, Richards, & St. Louis score more consistently than Hoss, Kovy,& Kozy. Am I wrong on that? Sure seems that way. Man, will the Dolts ever go cold and our Thrashers get Red Hot? Stay tuned Thrash fans.

By Lee

March 1, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Sim eh? Don’t quite know what to make of that. That’s interesting. Hnidy would be a good one too, he is a great puck handler with a decent shot.

By Brendan

March 1, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Brian, Slater scored on one shootout last year. I can’t remember the game, though. Sim shot “Opening Night” vs. Tampa Bay, a move that had most of Blueland shaking its head. He did not score. But Sim was given that chance because in a preseason game vs. Nashville, Sim scored a shootout goal.

Truthfully, I don’t know who the best #3 or #4 shooter might be for Atlanta. PArt of me says, “stick with Kovalchuk.” Another part of me says, “Give Belanger & Tkachuk” their opportunities.

Last year, Greg deVries did attempt a shootout. Hartley gave him that opportunity because he saw deVries score on a breakaway to defeat Philadelphia in overtime. Ummn, it was probably a “freakish, one-time occurrence.” But Hartley must have thought Devo was a breakaway master. The goal WASSSS lovely that deVries scored.

But, to be honest, DeVries would probably shoot 10th, if I were compiling the list. At this point, I think I’d try Tkachuk #3, behind Kozlov and Hossa. Then Kovy #4. Then Belanger #5 and Slater #6. Maybe try Sim 7th or 8th. I cannot recall if Bobby Holik has ever shot in the shootout. I wonder if Havelid can deke? I’ve never seen him try.

By Lee

March 1, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Thrashers Ed, Hossa is getting hot, and now with Tkachuk I think Kovy will pick it up too. we could make a serious run here, depending on Kari.

And what about Belanger in the SO? I bet he would do better than Sim or Hnidy.

By Brian

March 1, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

Thanks Brendan. I knew Slater scored, so I didn’t lose my mind there. And I was only looking at Ice Man’s blogs around the Buffalo game, turns out it was one of his blogs, only after the TB game. So I didn’t lose my mind on that one either. Thanks for having those two for me.

Honestly, I don’t have any opinion as to who should be #3 in the SO. My only question to all of you is - if you are going to name a D to it, why wouldn’t you start with Zhitnik first? That is if you really want a D-man in the SO.

By Bob

March 2, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

DeVries would definitely be the first dman to shoot, then Hnidy.

Caps had a 3-1 lead in the 2nd and let Tampa score with 30 seconds left in the period. Knew it was toast there.

Nice defense from the Spirit boys. “We didn’t negotiate a good contract, it’s not fair”. Uh, claiming incompetence is not a defense, fellas. Anyone think when Belkin wins he’ll just settle with the guys and let them still buy him out at an even higher price, or will he take control of the teams?

By Tim

March 2, 2007 4:06 AM | Link to this

Slater score shootout his goal on Martin Brodeur on that crazy game last season to complete the come back ;)

http://www.atlantathrashers.com/View.aspx?CID01=1ac83804-ad60-4655-921d-43d9e1bc13bf

“If you enjoyed last week’s back-to-back comebacks from the brink, make sure you check out this week’s highlight video. It shows the last few goals in Boston, the first three shooters, Jimmy Slater’s game-winner, and all of the key goals in the New Jersey game, complete with replays, multiple camera angles, and a whole lot of crowd noise. I’ll even make it easy for you”

Copy/Paste for I am too lazy sorry ^^

By Tim

March 2, 2007 4:13 AM | Link to this

-Correction: Slater goal was againt the Bruins..

By Tony C.

March 2, 2007 4:16 AM | Link to this

Ummm….howabout putting Slates in? He’s got such speed he may “compress” things for the opposing goalie and pressure him that way. Also maybe just take #17 to Smoltz’ psychologist about the mental block. Or you could just put a cone out on the ice so he feels like he is on a breakaway….my thoughts on the S/O shooter are this…you want a guy who can really really hande the puck….Simmer is more of a shooter than a dangler…great shot, but when’s he last time you saw #14 stickhandle past a guy? Not trying to be a jerk, but honestly, I don’t think Sim’s skillset translates well to the S/O…maybe McCarthy?

Who knows? What I do know is that I am anxious to see Le Thrash now that they’ve had a couple of practices with the new guys….should be fun. Also OTT. is playing great hockey right now-should be a great test.

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By Lee

March 2, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this

Um, the Slater SO goal was against Tim Thomas of Boston

By Jenn

March 2, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

Craig - looking forward to the Walt article tomorrow for sure. Might even pick up the actually paper!!!

By Brian

March 2, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

Tony C. - Fox Sports (I think) did a write up not too long ago (I have it at home) on how the premier scorers in the league average out to be some of the worst SO scorers. They had a statbox that was great to look at. Of course Kovy’s name was near the top. But it’s not just Kovy that needs to see Smoltz’s psychiatrist.

By He - Man

March 2, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

I would hope that we never see Slater in a shootout. He can’t stay on his skates or keep the puck on his stick. I know he is a favorite with people but he is not very good for a 1st round selection. Who is helping to develop this guy?

By Brendan

March 2, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

During the marathon Lightning-Caps shootout, I was STUNNED that Ovechkin was bumped down to 4th shooter for the Caps.

I want to add something here. Why is it that guys don’t take the “penalty shot” in the same way they do with the shootout? Some players will weave and go wide, etc. But during a game, with the penalty shot, they tend to skate straight ahead, fast as their skates will carry them in on goal? Is there some rule about this? I just don’t see why a penalty shot should be any different than a shootout attempt?

By Brendan

March 2, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Bob, I’m inclined to agree with DeVries as the 1st D-man shooter. But I also think McCarthy, who has a lot of good offensive instinct, should be given a chance to shoot. But, that’s only in an extended shootout.

Hey, what ISSS the longest shootout the Thrashers have ever been in? Who’s in charge of trivia around here? Russ, I’m looking in your direction here.

By The Falconer

March 2, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ed: ATL big 3 = 89 Goals TBL big 3 = 104 Goals

By silverpork

March 2, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Brendan,

Regarding the penalty shot vs. the shootout - some players will tell you the ice conditions are a factor. They only do a dry scrape of the middle of the ice prior to a shootout. A penalty shot, depending on when during the game it takes place, might give the player much better ice conditions, which will affect a player’s decision to deke vs. shoot.

Also, Ovie made an interesting comment about shootouts. He said that scoring is often about reaction in an instant, whereas a shootout is calculated and planned. He thinks his struggles in the shootouts stem from that difference.

By silverpork

March 2, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Brendan,

Regarding the penalty shot vs. the shootout - some players will tell you the ice conditions are a factor. They only do a dry scrape of the middle of the ice prior to a shootout. A penalty shot, depending on when during the game it takes place, might give the player much better ice conditions, which will affect a player’s decision to deke vs. shoot.

Also, Ovie made an interesting comment about shootouts. He said that scoring is often about reaction in an instant, whereas a shootout is calculated and planned. He thinks his struggles in the shootouts stem from that difference.

By silverpork

March 2, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

my comment was so nice, i thought i’d post it twice…

By Russ

March 2, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

Brendan, the longest one I can remember was last season vs. Chicago. I think it only went 5 or 6 rounds…that’s the longest one I can remember anyway, could be wrong. The Thrashers lost that one.

By Russ

March 2, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

I did some research…that game that Slater scored against Boston was in the seventh round of the shootout…that was the longest one the Thrashers have been involved in. The one against the Blackhawks lasted five rounds and is the only other time the Thrashers have gone beyond the first three shooters.

By Tony C.

March 2, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

Brian I’m with you, it’s something that many of the best (and according to Melrose on SC this morning even #99) have a tough time with…Aleksandr O doesn’t have good S/O numbers Crosby is like 2/10 or something close to that.

The reason I think he needs to see Smoltz’ guy is that I heard him interviewed back in Dec/Jan after a S/O win “I am glad Kari made the stop…I can’t do it”

That folks, es no pinche bueno!

As my old man was fond of saying “can’t never could son”

I hate to hear #17 say “I can’t”…”I have trouble there” or “it’s not my thing”…that’s understandable-I’m not saying put lipstick on a pig…but… “I can’t” is no good. That’s all I’m saying about the mental aspect…Whoever posted that A.O. quote-that makes plenty of sense, as seen by the fact that # 17 is money on a breakaway (and he STILL goes 5-hole almost everytime!!! surely if I notice that then the goalies know it too)….so it would seem to support it. If Melrose wasn’t BS’ing about #99 begging off of penalty shots, then hey, that’s good enough for me.

I suggest McCarthy b/c he’s got the handle, the speed and the shot…Hnidy might also be an inspried choice.

Also, due to The Kid’s love of Lil’ Jon I propose that someone get to the PA/DJ guy and have him play “Rep Yo City” or some other Lil’ Jon tune for him during the break before the S/O….I would think it would be good for him to be pumped up to stop the ther guys…maybe I’m wrong. I always scream the “O-KAAAAY!!!” but most people look at me like I even more crazy than they orginally assumed…just a thought…because I have a sneaking suspicion that a S/O is going to play a crucial spot for our season.

Hey Craig, I read somewhere that hiBob has a nickname for you-care to shed some light on that???

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By Brian

March 2, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Tony C. - I just found the article, you will find it interesting how some big names really rank

Craig - Do they practice this that much? If so, what have you seen?

By Bob

March 2, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Yep, Crosby was only 1/9 before last night’s shootout winner, now he’s 2/10. So, it’s nice to know that Kovy isn’t alone in his inability to do it.

I’m calling for a 5 to 4 OT or shootout win by our Thrash tonight. I have to Tivo it off my CenterIce to watch when I get home tonight. Can’t believe I have to miss this game.

By Brendan

March 2, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Silverpork, that’s a good observation. I hadn’t thought about ice conditions. But even with “fresh ice,” I’ve yet to see a player take the “shootout approach” during the penalty shot. Of course, I do suffer from “inadequate sampling.”

Russ, great work on the Thrashers trivia! Way to be on top of it! Last night, during the Capitals shootout, I couldn’t believe they sent out Donald Brashear! Oh mercy.

By He - Man

March 2, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

I HAVE THE POWER!