Thrashers

By Brian

March 11, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Craig - thanks for that update. Those were a couple 50+ footers that we got beat by, but Kari was fantastic on a couple of breakaways and a whole lot else. Not sure what to think.

I am more than confident we will have springtime hockey. I think I will receive my tix tomorrow and I am like a little kid on Christmas Eve.

Ryan - my beloved Eagles got the play-in game. THE FREAKIN’ PLAY-IN GAME!!!

By Bob

March 11, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

When’s Hartley going to learn. Kari’s concentration wasn’t there last night, if he started Hedberg against a weak Caps team, Kari would’ve had 5 days rest before the Thursday’s game, then start Hedberg again on Friday.

I assume he’ll start Kari in one of the back to backs later this week, no sense in wearing Kari down now when we’ll need him every game in the playoffs.

By Brian

March 11, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

Bob - I will give you the concentration thing, because he was fantastic at one moment and then the next it’s a 50 footer getting through. On the 2nd one I was like “oh, there was a screen” but on the replay it seemed both guys were by him and he had a clean look. The first one was just ridiculous.

But does a 5 game rotation fix concentration or fatigue? I think fatigue. If he knows he is going to sit every 5th game it just becomes status quo and how does that fix a concentration problem? Mental fatigue? Call me crazy but if a young gun can’t concentrate you throw him to the wolves (not Chicago! A baptism by fire sort of thing). Again, I don’t know what the problem is but I would love to know what’s going on.

By Let Moose Play

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

One thing that concerned me regarding Kari, was him talking and laughing with Horton, who scored softie #2, while skating off the ice for the 2nd intermission. Sorry but you’re competitors not buddies during the game.

By Brendan

March 11, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Kari is still in just his first full NHL-season. He’s what, 23 years old? I don’t mean for it to sound like I’m making excuses for him, but maybe we’re asking too much from him? If Lehtonen were 29-30, with 7-8 full NHL seasons under his belt, I could understand why folks would be fuming over “mental fatigue.”

Goaltenders take time to develop. And each at his own pace. Kari was drafted at 19?, I think. I hear ya, it’s five (5) years later, in June, we want the investment to pay GLORIOUS dividends already. Thoughts might turn to Cam Ward, drafted 23 spots after Lehtonen in 2002, who possesses a Stanley Cup ring and a Conn Smythe Trophy on his resume. Moving right along.

Uhh, this is the point where the blog could branch off into a debate over whether an expansion team should have ever journeyed down this route in the first place, when proven commodity goaltenders, via free agency (2002-2003), were certainly plentiful. But I hope that debate won’t materialize since there’s no point in arguing about what cannot be undone anyway. Plus, Carolina showed that drafting a goalie in the 1st round can work out pretty well, too.

I still say there’s more than one way to skin a cat. But I digress.

We’re here now and this team must make the playoffs. And really, they should win the division. Martin Brodeur and Miikka Kiprussoff may be able to handle 60 or more games a year. But Kari Lehtonen is Kari Lehtonen. Has anyone ever asked him if he likes/prefers to play 10-12 straight games? If he says “yes,” then Hartley is acquiescing to him. If he says “no,” then Hartley should put Hedberg into a rotation. I believe the rotation is the right thing to do, philosophically, irrespective of the goaltenders’ personal preferences. I also think a coach should talk to his goaltenders and know their tendencies. I mean, it is the coach’s job to have his finger on the pulse of his team.

By Brian

March 11, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Brendan - if we go by the rotation, we should see the Moose either Thu or Fri, right? Good points on Ward, but I don’t think anyone asked Ward if he wanted to play, he just went in and played. Although apples and oranges being a backup, not the franchise player…

By thrashersfan

March 11, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

We shouldn’t even discuss goalie rotation as long as Hartley is coach. If there’s one subject we all scratch our heads about, it’s his “rotation” of his goalies. Has it made sense to any one this yr? I think we can all agree the answer is NO.

And while I’m at it, lets throw in the, putting in the late inning “reliever” for the SO earlier this yr. Was that our “first” SO btw? What a slap in the face to Moose, unless of course, it was decided before the game, but I don’t think so.

I’ve never understood that move nor the way Hartley handles our goalies.

Good time to start a new winning streak tomorrow night. Go Thrashers!

By Brendan

March 12, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

Thrashersfan, I couldn’t agree more on Hartley and his decision-making. I’m not convinced that HEEE knows what he’s going to do. If there are any tendencies, it’s that he likes to ride a hot goalie. So, until Kari lays an egg, I’m more inclined to believe he’ll stick with him. The moment he turns to Moose, especially if Moose has a particularly inspirational outing, he’ll stick with him until he lays an egg.

Don’t expect me to take any Hartley quote seriously. Last time Moose started, Hartley was asked when we could expect to see Kari again. Hartley responded, “That’s up to Moose.”

LOL. It ranks up there with with his “From now on, Berkie (Adam Berkhoel) is our guy” quote from last season. Honestly now. Do you really believe that Hedberg could, or would, start all of the remaining games on the schedule? It’s an utterly laughable supposition. Though, when the playoffs start, I’d be really surprised if we saw Hedberg play at all, barring a mitigating circumstance. We all know what mitigating circumstances are. I won’t review them. I’ll just say, “I hope we don’t run into them.”

By Lee

March 12, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

I thought for sure we would see Hedberg. Maybe in Philly? Moose looked pretty good up there at the beginning of the year.

By Bob

March 12, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

thrashersfan nailed it. We all (well, most of us) clearly see that Kari wears down mentally after starting too many games in a row. But as long as Hartley is Coach, it’s just mind boggling what he’s thinking with his goalie (non)rotation.

Hedberg will surely get that start either Thursday or Friday but if he started Hedberg tonight against a weak Caps club, Kari would have had 5 straight nights off to get his edge back/keep himself mentally sharp. It’s helped Kari refocus every time in the past this year that Hartley gave him an extended rest.

It worked in the past, so don’t do it again. Atta boy, Coach.

By BlueLand Billy

March 12, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

This is what I posted over on the Thrashers board before last Tuesday’s FL game.

One fan’s opinion: Kari should start tonight, Thursday vs Habs, Saturday vs Kittie’s, Monday vs Caps, then let Moose play against the Flyers on the 15th. Bring back Kari vs Rangers on the 16th, Sabres on the 18th, Sharks on the 22nd and Pittsburgh on the 24th. Moose goes on the 28th at Florida and Kari the rest of the season.

Maybe BH is thinking along these lines as well but we’ll have to wait and see

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 12, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Moose knuckle better be in net this week sometime

By Ryan

March 12, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Brian, Theeeeeee Play in Game, nice!

By Ryan

March 12, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Brian, Mea Culpa, now I know what you are talking about 100%. An those boys from Niagara have been burned. Sorry, truly and it is not nice at all. Hey, look at it this way CUSE got no bid at all.

By Chris

March 12, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

I think Saturday’s loss is what put Kari in there tonight. We lost points on the gap between us and 9th over the weekend. Lose tonight and that gap will most likely shrink to 4 very quickly.

By Geoffrey Paul

March 12, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Help please fellas. I have bought my playoff tickets, but since dates haven’t been announced yet, I am continuing to book business travel dates and I’m afraid I may have already committed to being out of town during playoff game(s). Obviously our final seeding makes a difference, so they can’t announce exact dates until it is all said and done. However, does anyone know of a way for me to find out the POTENTIAL dates?

By Brian

March 12, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

Geoffrey Paul - We obviously know it is going to the week after 8 Apr. But we don’t even know if we are a high seed or a low seed yet which could flip flop our home games. Last regular season game is 8 Apr for the league, I think the playoffs start the Wed or Thu after.

By Brian

March 12, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

Ryan - I can go into more detail about the P-Eagles but let’s take it offline. Email Craig for my info at ccustance@ajc.com

By Rawhide

March 12, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

GP,……I don’t mean to make light of your situation,…but isn’t this a nice problem to have as aThrashers fan???

Mrs. Rawhide tried to make plans for the family in Florida over spring break last January,….I had to put the Kybosh on that seeing that it was the last week of the season and so much is gonna be on the line.

(sigh),…..she’s going with the boys :o)

By Geoffrey Paul

March 12, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Rawhide. I feel you. It is a GREAT problem to have.