AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 29
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Sundin says the Southeast is soft
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These back-to-back games are killer. I understand why Bob Hartley is splitting it up between Hedberg/Lehtonen because I’m wiped out after getting up at 4:45 a.m. to catch a flight back to Atlanta in time for the morning skate and a sit down interview with Hartley, especially since that game dragged on last night. I need a Moose to back me up tonight.
But enough whining, I’ll be refreshed in time for the press meal tonight and ready to go for the drop of the puck. But first let me catch you guys up to speed as to what’s going on.
The only lineup change tonight is Hedberg in for Lehtonen.The Steve McCarthy watch continues, but those of you who think he’s in Hartley’s doghouse or something are wrong. I sat down with Bob today for a story that analyzes his coaching style/tactics and evolution. And part of that addressed the fact that he has “his guys” that he’s loyal to. Guys like Brad Larsen, Greg de Vries, etc. Well, he said McCarthy is definitely one of his guys. He said this is killing him to do, and really, Hartley has no reason to lie about it. McCarthy is unrestricted after this season, so they could just part ways and be done with it. But I really think that Hartley likes McCarthy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes back. I know McCarthy wants to come back, although not if he’s going to sit.
Hartley and I also got into his contract situation and as it stands right now, he’s still potentially in his final few months under contact (his current deal expires on June 30th). He said there has been no talk during this playoff push of an extension, and he’s not worried about it. Some of this stuff will be in the story, so I don’t want to get into it too much here, but he’s pretty focused on the task at hand, not his expiring contract.
Now, back to today, huge game tonight. But really, we’ve been saying that for at least three weeks now. Toronto is getting healthy at the right time, and is getting contributions from everybody. Also, just to mix things up a little bit — Mats Sundin criticized the playoff setup in the Toronto Sun, saying just because a team wins its division, it shouldn’t get a top three seed. Then took a little shot at the Southeast division and the quality of play.
I leave you with a Sundin quote from the Toronto Sun: “”The last two Stanley Cup champions came from that division,” Sundin said. “Try to figure that out.”
