AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSundin 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.”
Comments
By Thrashy Thrashy
March 29, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Well, Paul Maurice is right. The play in the Southeast Division is more wide-open and the teams do to tend to score and give up a lot of goals.
The Thrashers have scored 231 and given up 235.
The Leafs have scored 238 and given up 243.
Looks like the Leafs are in the wrong division, eh?
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 29, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Alright. I’ve about had it with Canadians sense of entitlement when it comes to there hockey. The whinning is just unbearable.
Now Sundin is a great player, but don’t you think during a run to get into the playoffs, he might think about shutting the f*ck up and worry about playing his game instead of crying about teams not in his division?
Some of the best talent in the entire league is in the South. Lecav, St. Louis, Ovechkin, Hossa, Kovy, Staal, etc. These guys are tops in the leagues in goals/pts. THAT is the reason they have won the past two Stanley Cups.
If your gonna b*** about the scoring system that is fine. I admit it could use some tweaking, but to condemn a whole division because your team is having a hard time making the playoffs is wrong.
I hope X breaks his jaw with a crushing blow.
Craig, I hope you pointed this article out to the team.
Beat down in the downtown!!!!!
By Russ
March 29, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
I wonder if Sundin thought the Southeast was “soft” last season when Exelby knocked him into next week with a clean body check.
By Moose Is Loose
March 29, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Ha Ha. I’m still laughing at the smackdown Exelby put on Sundin last year. Keep talkin Mats, cuz the X-Man will be ready with the rest of Blueland to send your a$$ back to Canada to watch the playoffs on TSN. Go Blue!
By j nes
March 29, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
I hope XLB flattens Sundin again. Lets go MOOOOOOOOOOSE!
By Moose Is Loose
March 29, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
M-O-O-S-E!!!
By Russ
March 29, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure how to do links, but here is the address of Exelby blowing Sundin up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IPifDAomzQ
By BAF
March 29, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Even though I disagree, I can take Sundin making that statement much easier than I can take some idiotic self-proclaimed hockey fan attempting to make a case that the SE conf is the weakest or softest. Absolutely correct that some of the best offensive talent is found in the SE. What isn’t found is solid defense and experienced goaltending.
Sundin plays the game and in my opinion plays it very well and the way it should be played. I hate the Leafs but he is a class guy. He has an opinion and he spoke it. Maybe to fire his team up. Who knows? But I do hope the Thrashers come out and lay 8 goals on them tonight.
By Tom
March 29, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the link Russ.
I really believe that Matt Sudin was dumb enough to repeat what every one in the Toronto area says to him. The sense of superiority and entitlement over us dumb southerners is everpresent in Canada, and for two straight teams to win the Stanley Cup while their beloved Leafs continue to be a mediocre team just has to stick in their craw. So Matty boy, welcome to the new NHL.
Oh, and guess who fell off my list of favorite players with this inane comment.
By Lee
March 29, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
I have never liked Sundin, maybe just because his first name has an s at the end, but eityher way, Hossa and Kovy need to show up tonight or we are screwed. Craig, you don’t have to answer it if its in the article, but did you ask about other free agents like Belanger, Duper, or Walt?
By ranallo10
March 29, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Do you think Sundin even remembers the last time Exelby lit him up?
By dj
March 29, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Hey Sundin, How soft is Exelby’s Shoulder?? Overrated Swede.
By Bob
March 29, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
This year, the teams in the Southeast have one thing in common: Not one of them have scored more goals than they have allowed.
That’s a very telling stat of how poor the defense is in our Conference, especially seeing how much offense the teams in the Southeast have, everyone still have given up more goals than they’ve scored.
The points system has to be fixed, it’s ridiculous to give out more points in some games than others.
One way to fix it is to make each game 3 pts. 3 pts if you win the game in regulation. 2 pts if you win the game in OT/shootout, 1 pt for OT/shootout loss.
Thanks for the bulletin board material, Mats. Our boys needed a wake up call, this will help.
By Shoot it
March 29, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Russ, Thanks for that link. They don’t get much better than that. And to top it off, when they tried to come after XLB, DeVries stepped in and supported his mate.
Why won’t Boulton stand in front of the goalie and screen like our playoff rental does?
As for McCarthy, with friends like Hartley, who needs enemies.
By Russ
March 29, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
I guess I can do links, who knew? While I’m at it here is an interesting letter from a reader to The Hockey News that I was reading on their website today. If you have a few minutes, take a look and see if this isn’t some of the most ridiculous bunch of crap you’ve ever heard. Reverse Canadian bias…I don’t think so.
http://thehockeynews.com/en/newsroom/news.asp?idNews=23945
By **Moose Is Loose**
March 29, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
The key to tonight’s game is to score EARLY and OFTEN. Get a nice 2 or 3 goal lead early and the Moose will take care of the rest. GO BLUE!
By CM
March 29, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
That hit was incredible..I wish they’d show itin the locker room tonight..if that doesn’t get you fired up..I have to wonder if you even have a pulse.
He’s just tryin’ to get his team pumped. That AND create excuses for his team. Who cares what that jerk thinks..let’s light ‘em up tonight and then see what his excuse is for that!!
LETS GOOOO BLUUUUUE!
By Brian
March 29, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
If you take out the fact that Sundin beat the ‘Bolts 4 times this season, which I am thankful for by the way, the Leafs are 8-7 vs. the rest of the SE division. Sounds like 1 team is weak, the rest play .500 hockey against baby Mats…
By GaVaHokie
March 29, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
I can understand Maurice making those comments, he got his a* waxed by Detroit in the Stanley Cup Final and was later let go… pretty sad when you consider a division soft and they don’t want you coaching in it anymore.
Sundin is probably just trying to get the Thrasher worked up for tonight… let’s hope Sutton doesn’t read the article and start taking stupid penalties against Tucker like he always does.
By GaVaHokie
March 29, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Tonight would have been a good night to bench Sutton and play McCarthy… I predict 3 penalties for Sutton. All of which will be committed on Darcy Tucker.
Plus, I’d like to see Zhitnik and McCarthy working the BLue line on the Power Play than Zhitnik and Havelid.
By GaVaHokie
March 29, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Everybody bring your pillows and your Charmin tonight! We’re soft!
By LAC
March 29, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Hey Sundin… I will be happy to meet yopu before, during or after the game and show you some SOUTHEAST respect.
I agree with Budzilla these canadians think they invented and own the game of Ice Hockey. More than any other professional sport, Ice Hockey is played world wide…Not just Canada, Let’s see LOAF, I mean leaf fans… 40 years, that is correct 40 years since last Stanley Cup, and that was before expansion in 67/68, so I guess those expansion teams are too much for you idiots. Let’s see too, NO playoffs the past few years and a REPEAT again THIS season.
Sundin is an average player at the VERY best, he is SLOW, a poor passer and like most leafs whines and whines when things do not go their way, well Mats you have NEVER delivered anything in Toronto, so shut the hell up and melt away like your team yet again THIS season…
Atlanta 4 Toronto 1.
By LAC
March 29, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Hey Craig… Liked the white T shirt look last night on the FL interview.
You need to let your hair grow, man you’re almost as bald as Mats !!!!
Plus… what were those tickets in your front pocket passes to FL games ????
Anyhow you really laid old don waddell out, He should give you a contract for those GLOWING comments…
I think we all need to pitch in and get Craig a suit & Clip on tie for his next TV interview…
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 29, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Feel free to wipe your boogers on any Leafs jerseys you see in a beer line. Save your loogies for Tucker and Sundin jerseys when you see them at urnial.
By GaVaHokie
March 29, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Sundin’s not allowed to make this argument… at least not this year. Let Peter Forsberg or Paul Kariya complain when they finish in 4th place when Detroit wins their division.
Toronto has less points than EVERYBODY in the playoffs right now.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 29, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Do you know how gay that sounds when one guy gives another guy fashion tips?
By Red Light
March 29, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Hockey is one of the few that changes its rules from the regular season to the playoffs. 4-on-4 OT session for five minutes and then the ultimately ridiculous shoot-out. The traditionalists among us think it’s stupid…and we’re right.
Thrashers have scored five, count ‘em, five even strength goals in regulation in the past seven games.
Zhitnik, Belanger, Tkachuk and Kovalchuk are pointless in last three. AND, Slater now has two total assists in his last 17 games. Dupuis has two goals and one assist in his 12 games for Atlanta.
The best news is that they don’t have time to sit around and think too much about last night.
Leafs are 20-4-3 in their last 27 when allowing three goals or less with Raycroft in net. He’s 0-for-10 when allowing four goals or more since Dec. 19.
By pondscum
March 29, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Someone needs to remind the playoff chokes,the Maple Loafs and Sundown that the Bolts/Canes have won more cups than they have in the last 40 something years. Now that all the young talent has/is growing up in the southeast,the Loafs are crying cause the can’t just show up and take the 2 points…..they have to actually play to get them now,not buy them thanks to the cap.
And also,funny how they talk of no defenseman in the southeast division,when was the last time the Loafs actually had a real one themselves to boast about? All I see is old 3 toed-sloth pylons that wear blue and white Loafs jerseys.Tell Sundown when they get a Norris candidate,then he can whine for real about that too.
Futher more,all of Canada and there “selfish” fans can line up and punch a hole in my give a sh!t card with there never ending whining about no teams in whatever city.Cough up the cash and pay the expansion fees like we had to and build your team,I don’t see a problem in it and would be all for it.But as long as they remain jealous and there economy stays where it is……that’s not gonna happen anytime soon. So stfu already.
Hopefully,Coach slides this up so the guys in the locker room can see it before the game.Maybe this time Xlby puts Sundown out for an early sunset.
By Tony H
March 29, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
Gee, thanks “Red Light”. I’m not sure I should go to the game tonight based on your statistical evidence.
Nobody is performing and we have to score at least four goals to win! I wonder if the Thrashers will even show up. Especially those players who haven’t been performing up to par.
Fortunately, statistics is the study of what has happened and, while it may give a clue, doesn’t necessarily apply to the future. So, I guess I’ll go to the game. Maybe it will be a Thrasher victory 2 -1. Then the statistics will change again.
By russian
March 29, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
OK People stop talking about winning now. 10 minutes left to drop a puck. We will talk after a Game. KNock on the wood. We need one point. :-)
By garry valk
March 29, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
I love that everyone is referring to the exelby hit on sundin…the same game the leafs destroyed your thrashers 9-1. Christ i think Belak even had a point in that game.
By Craig Custance
March 29, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
LAC - Thanks for the critique. That was my press pass in my pocket, and I would have thrown a tie on, but wasn’t planning on doing intermission interviews. Next time. I will accept any funds you raise for wardrobe improvements.
By LAC
March 29, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
Craig… We will ALL throw in some $$$ for a Facial before your next On-Camera apperance… Sound Fair ?
Will you be on Loafs TV tonight?
Another weak goal has us tied, whereis our sustained attack ? It seems we are one and out… Need a LOT more pressure in the last two periods…
We HAVE to WIN this game…PERIOD !!!
By LAC
March 29, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
Here we go AGAIN… STUPID rob… I mean ROB schick waves off an Atlanta GOAL when CLEARLY it should be 2-1.
There is NO WAY… That the National Hockey League is NOT instructing officials & replay officials to do whatever they can on a close call or no call, but SCREW Atlanta…
gary bettman…notice BET… Should be ASHAMED… to allow the league to do everything in it’s power to thwart the playoff push by Atlanta.
This is a DISGRACE and should be admitted in a news confrence and RESIGN in DISGRACE plain andsimple.
Slava scores AGAIN… could not take that away huh bet…man.
By Amy
March 29, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this
You all can bash me for this all you want, but I gotta say…
I NEVER stopped believing in my boy. GO SUTTSY!!!!!
By Daniel
March 29, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
my favorite part of slava’s ot winner… the three little hops during his goal celebration. He was absolutely giddy. :)
By Tom
March 29, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
Slava has stepped it up and Andy had a very good game.
We sure were not soft tonight, thanks Mats for reminding us not to get lazy. You could see Walt working the bench the whole game. That is what veteran leadership is all about. I like Cap Rat and Walt together.
Good solid win and now they can sleep in before heading over to Boston…
5 points on Tampa right now, that feels real good…
last note, we need to get Ilya a new stick, the ones he uses break way to often…
By Bob
March 29, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Sutton did have a great game. He does much better when he’s not asked to skate against the opposing team’s top line. Zhitnik did a pretty good job of shutting down Sundin’s line.
That was good playoff hockey the boys played tonight. That level of play will get them into May.
5pts up on Tampa. Sweet.
By LAC
March 29, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Well MATS… were YOU even on the ice tonight ?
Slava, Slava, Slava what else can you say !!!!!!!!!!
Give Ilya BIG CREDIT for the breakaway that burst of speed drew the hook.
TB in Carolina friday night, Wash in TB Sat. They lose those two and WE win Saturday… CHAMPIONS OF THE SOUTHEAST
Also Mats… where will YOU be in a couple weeks ????? In Bed ???? Ha-Ha-Ha !!!
By Brendan
March 29, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
Way to put the Florida game behind us, get a win, and earn three (3) points in two games. This is, after all, what several of us thought would happen. Granted, we thought the win would be at the expense of Florida, not Toronto. But why quibble over desireable outcomes?
1-0-1 in the past two sounds good to me.
Now, if we could only get Tortorella to GUARANTEE that the Bolts will win the Southeast division! That’d be sweet!
As Bob says, “5-points up on Tampa. Sweet.” To quote Peter Griffin, “Man, this lead is friggin’ SWEEET.”
Okay, Boston lost tonight. Did that officially eliminate them? If so, maybe we’ll see some of the Bruins farm team on Saturday in Boston.
Calgary leads Minnesota, 4-2, with 1:00 left in the 3rd. Looks like the Western Conference playoff field is set. It’s just a matter of positioning now.
By Brendan
March 29, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Kozlov has been essential over these past few games. It’ll be sad if these are his final regular season games with Atlanta. DW will need to pull off a coup to keep Kozlov in this Summer’s budget.
Amy, I do not see Sutton returning next season. (He will be priced out of Atlanta.) But you never know, right? If Andy is willing to sign for less, I guess it’s possible. Enjoy him while you can, Amy.
By Brendan
March 29, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
Is 91-points a new franchise record? If so, woo-hoo!!
By russian
March 29, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
Two points. Russian People are HAPPY! Slava Kozlov is Good Man. Save our asses.
By B. Thenet
March 29, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
I loved how Sundin is whining about playoff seedings two to three years later.
Mats, when you win a Stanley Cup…THEN you can question the talent and teamwork needed to win one.
Very solid performance coming off a game yesterday. Holik,XLB, and Sutton have their playoff game faces on.
By Hanson Brothers
March 29, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
Brendan, after reading your comments I was interested to see if Boston was officially eliminated. I thought it would be easy to answer. It wasn’t but the answer is yes, going to the final tiebreaker. The only team they could catch is Montreal, whom they are 10 points behind. If they win out and Montreal loses, they tie in points. Next tie break is head to head. They would be 4-4, all in regulation if Boston wins next week in regulation. The final tiebreaker would be goal differential, which there is no way Boston could win since they are -60 and Montreal is -8. So the not so simple answer is yes they are eliminated and maybe we will see some minor leaguers Saturday, though I am sure they would be playing hard to earn a spot for next year.
By Hanson Brothers
March 29, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Russian, are you ready to change your mind yet about the Thrashers making the playoffs.
By Brian
March 29, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
Tony H - Don’t mind guys like Red Light and me throwing too many numbers out here. Why, you can use statistics to prove any point you want to prove. 40% of all people know that…
In other news, great win, we needed it. Keep it going in Boston.
By Tony C.
March 29, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Dude.
That was cool. I think that we saw some playoff type hockey just now-and ATL came out on top against a bigger, stronger TML squad.
As far as Slava-Matic’s game winner-I don’t think I’ve seen as much enjoyment and emotion from him in a long time-I was super happy for him. Looks like the Flatscreen gonna be a pretty rockin barn in the 2nd season…which is good….now if we can just work on that gawdawful PA music selection….
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
P.S. LAC do you run a spa or something?
By thrashersfan
March 29, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
A lot of positive things tonight but really, that game could have gone either way. Moose was the difference and he should give us a lot of confidence if we make the playoffs (sorry, just not going there until they’re actually make it).
Thrash gave up leads twice as they just can’t put a team away. BTW, has everyone noticed the solid play of Hnidy? He starting picking it up when Havelid was out. You can literally see his the confidence.
5pts up on Tampa! And thank you Slava!
By Midfield
March 29, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
Kovy needs to work on his back-hander. He had an empty-net chance (I think it was in the second), which he missed by a mile. If he gets this and a shoot-outs going, watch out. The guy was flying tonight. Thanks for the break-away leading to the final 4 on 3 power play. Not a small change in the big scheme of things.
And - almost forgot - to the ‘go-leafs-go’ people. Guess what: we’re in, you’re out. Mr. Darcy, give us a kiss.
By russian
March 29, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
To Hanson Brothers Hahahah. I am now. Yesturday could not sleep until 1AM. I was thinking about a game and practice. I really wished to win this game. When Sutton stop that puck I forgive him for one more year to play for us. Yes, now we need to beat Boston and we absolutly can do it.
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
Hanson Brothers, time to get the “booster club” going, eh?
“Old time hockey. Eddie Shore!”
Folks, Boston has nothing to lose but bringing up his farm system for NHL evaluation. With less than 10 games left in the season, it won’t affect their “restricted” free agent status, as far as their draft picks are concerned.
Hopefully, it’ll be an NHL vs AHL type game. Then again, there are guys at Boston who WANT to return next year, and need to make a showing. This is a very DISAPPOINTING YEAR for Boston. In preseason, I explained to a poster named Tryztoll that the Bruins committed a LOT of money to free agents last Summer. And that it could limit what the Bruins do at the trade deadline, or even force them into being sellers. And worse yet, that if they don’t make it, all those “super paid” players will all be a year older next season. Chara’s, at $7.5 million, has four (4) more years left on his deal. Savard has three (3) more years left at $5.0 million-per-season.
Teams that try to “buy” it are taking huge risks, that can derail them for years to come. Boston is a great hockey market. Even if they fail, hockey interest will always be high. How stupid do they feel about the Thornton trade now? Primeau and Stuart are in Calgary. I think the Bruins got Ference? Did the Bruins re-sign Marco Sturm?
By ranallo10
March 30, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
Darcy is still my least favorite Leaf. Too bad Sutton didn’t leave another piece of Tucker’s face on the glass in front of Rabid Fan. Seeing Tucker bloody last year was the happiest I’ve ever been in someone else’s misery…it almost made that brawl filled, lopsided loss worth watching. Almost.
Official KEEP KOZLOV ticker: ?
By ranallo10
March 30, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Brendan — Marco Sturm was re-signed, yes. Tough loss there, I would have loved to see the Thrashers pursue him in Free Agency.
By Hanson Brothers
March 30, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Got the foil on and ready to go Brendan. Now coach?
By R. Stroz
March 30, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
Red Light - Your statistics just got b!tch slapped.
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
Hanson Brothers, “Yeah! Let’s see whatcha got!” Gotta get a win! Two-points!!
(Hopefully we make it through the anthem. I like to hear the song.)
By R. Stroz
March 30, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
Hanson Brothers - Do you think the Thrashers fans can get away with mooning those individuals who wear the other team’s jerseys?
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
Anything’s worth a shot, R. Stroz.
… Remember that great Peterborough game? I told Jackie St. Claire he should get his wife back, even if he had to BEG HER to come back.”
GM: “I advised him against that.”
“Ohhh, I think he SHOULDA! She was a DYNAMITE BROAD!!
(Good Lord, look what we’ve started.)
“Reg, you know one of these days, we’re gonna have to get divorced.”
“Listen Francine, someone’s gonna buy the Chiefs. We’re goin’ down to Florida ….”
By R. Stroz
March 30, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
NEW NHL RULE - The Atlanta Thrashers must be screwed out of a minimum of one goal per game. The following rule can be implemented in one of two ways. The first way is to take away a perfectly good goal by any means the offical can create. The second way is to give the other team a goal after the official should have whistled for play to stop. This rule will allow Canadian teams an opportunity to reach the playoffs.
By john
March 30, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this
When was the last cup raised north of the border???? 12-13 years??? Last two cups from south of the mason dixon line and from the southeast division…. nuff said!!! GO THRASHERS
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 30, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Feel free to sabotage the Maple Leafs blogers at the Toronto Sun.
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey/home.html
Hit’em Where It Hurts!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Hanson Brothers
March 30, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
“Dave’s a killer!”
Who own the Thrasher?
By Matt H
March 30, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
L. O. L. dj
By Ryan
March 30, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
Brendan, the Thrash have set a new record for points @ 91. Last season it was set @ 90. The Thrash have a record for wins @ 41 last season. They are now @ 40 with 4 games left. Could be a very good end to the regular season for the franchise.
By Matt H
March 30, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Also, pondscum, “Line up and punch a hole in my Give A S** card”?
Awesome. :)
Sutton hasn’t had a game that good in a long, long time. It was good to see. Good to see X keeping his game up, I’ve loved watching the emergence of him and Boulton down the stretch. Great game by Moose. He was the difference between the “ropes” and the “beer-soaked floor” for most of the game.
I think we all want to see more sustained pressure down low, and crisper passes out of the defensive zone… But it’s kinda hard to gripe after such an exciting OT heartstopper like last night.
Also of note, our last two opponents have played really, really well. Daren Eliot made the comment that TOR has one of the best blue lines in the league, and last night it showed.
I don’t think Boston will have that kind of fight in them, but WSH might and the final two against CAR and TB will be tough rows to hoe, as well as rough hoes to tow.
Dr. Klahn: Put this man in cell #1, and give him a drink! Guard: What do you drink? Prisoner #5: I don’t care…
By Tony C.
March 30, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
So um, are we still gonna bash Suttsy?
Howabout b!tch about Big Bobby’s paycheck?
Or try to perceive the reason behind Coach’s Guardien manuevering???
OR
Do we speculate about possible pairings and line combos? Or who you would like to see re-signed…What UFA’s you would go after this summer
Can we just take a look at some of the B’s games and decide what you would attack? (Personally, I think you’ve got to work a strong-side lock on the Savard line-he’s never liked that and I haven’t seen his line defeat it yet-granted I don’t watch too much B’s hockey)…?
Who do you think’s going to win the West?
Myself, I’ve got it Sharks in 6 over Anaheim who survived Vancouver in 7 to get to the finals….I think SJ is just too damn deep to be taken out…they may loose in the conference finals, but I mean think about it -Toskalaa is their backup netminder….Marleau is their #2 Centre!!! Their key rookie, Vlasic-he’s quietly (from a media-hype standpoint) having one hell of a season, look at his +/- and TOI numbers…ridiculous, I mean outside of that Phaneuf of Nature up in Cal-gary, when’s the last time you saw a Rookie have that sort of a season as a Defenceman??….other reason for SJ to be the heavy favorite…They went and got Guerin…he don’t suck. I think that SJ will be good for several years to come, but the team and management all know that this year is their best shot for the foreseeabe future-Thornton will be gone in a year or two, Nabokov or Toskalaa is gone after this season-Michalek’s contract runs out shortly as does Erhart’s (Spl?)…..so I think that for SJ, much like our home team “The Future is NOW”…just they’re at a bit higher level than Le Thrash…
But that doesn’t mean I won’t come up with reasons why Le Thrash wil beat SJ if we should meet up again this year ;-)
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
By Red Light
March 30, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
They aren’t “my” stats. They are “the” stats. And, here’s another one:
By earning four points in their final four games, in order for the Thrashers to lose the division title, the Lightning would need to win every game and the Canes couldn’t win it.
How’s that one Stroz?
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Ryan, I think you are right. Many blogs back, I think the Thrashers were at 69 points. And I said to Brian, something like, “maybe we go 15-7 down the stretch, to finish with 99-points.” That’s still theoretically possible.
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Hanson Brothers, “Own-z. Own-z.”
“Dave’s a killer! … Dave’s a MESS.”
” … A Bounty?!! A bounty??! Reg, you can’t put a bounty on a man’s head!”
By Brian
March 30, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
Brendan - if we go 2-2 in our final four, that’s 95 which is pretty darn good by you. I’m still gloating for the prediction last year that it will be the Lightning, not the ‘Canes who give us the most trouble this year in fighting for the division lead. But if the Habs get in the 2nd season I will take credit for calling that one too.
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Brian, I’d settle for 95-points, that’s 13 games over .500, “NHL style.” If it happens, it’s quite a different perspective from posts surrounding the offseason re-signing of J.P. Vigier. Probably my favorite of which was, “J.P. Vigier?? Stanley Cup, here we come!!”
I remember thinking that this team could squeak into the playoffs. I won’t run from my prediction, which was that the team would finish tied for 8th. Just another instance of me being wrong. No “revisionist picks” on this front. Feel free to laugh at my preseason pick that Calgary would win the NW division. And that the Flyers would be a playoff team. I think I had Ottawa winning the NE division. Sabres fan, feel free to SWELL with pride. You ousted the Sens in the playoffs and prevented them from claiming a repeat division title.
That’s the “fun” part of the blog. It’s a long season and perspectives can change RADICALLY. When the preseason started, there was anger that Don Waddell still had anything whatsoever to do with the Thrashers organization. Right now, most Thrasher fans are enamored with his four trade deadline moves. I’m not quite sure what the perception of Don’s offseason moves were.
McCarthy was re-signed, but has largely sat during the stretch. Who thought Vigier would be back this season? Stefan and Modry are gone, and so is Niko Kapanen. Free agent signing Jon Sim netted nearly 20 goals, before getting hurt, at a paltry sum of $610,000. Larsen was re-signed. The other free agents were Kyle Wanvig, Glen Metropolit (now with St. Louis), Jason Krog, Vitaly Visnevski (now with Nashville), and … uhh … sorry, I’m drawing a blank. There were others, I believe. Can’t remember if Hnidy was a holdover contract or a re-signing. Popovic got a 2-year deal, with next season being “NHL only.”
One thing is for certain. With Belanger, Dupuis, Zhitnik and Tkachuk, this is a much better roster than the one that decimated the NHL back in October. Granted, in October, many teams still don’t have their “sea legs” under them just yet. But, as we always say, those games in October count just as much as those in March.” And April.
By pondscum
March 30, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
Good to see the happiness return,we was alittle gloomy.
And thanks Matt H,all I got to say now to Sundown now is; If this,if that….If his mother would have used her mouth instead,I wouldn’t have to listen to his stupid a* today.
And never thought I’d see the day when we’d be raking leaves up in spring neither.
By Bob
March 30, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
Probably my favorite of which was, “J.P. Vigier?? Stanley Cup, here we come!!”
lol.
You have a heck of a memory.
By Brendan
March 31, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
It was memorable, Bob. Truly memorable. Two more huge points today. But Tampa won, and so did Toronto, in OT, vs. Pittsburgh. I wish we were playing sooner than Wednesday. I want this playoff berth wrapped up already. Now, we sit and wait … and watch. And hope for losses by the buble teams.
Hey, do we want Toronto to miss the playoffs? Or do we hope they sneak in, and upset Buffalo for us in the 1st round? I suspect that Sabres fans want to face Carolina. Uhh, for revenge from last year. The Sabres may get the Bolts. I hope the Thrashers don’t get the Rangers. I H8 sitting with Ranger fans. Again, the team I want to draw is Tampa Bay.
Montreal beat Buffalo, in regulation time. Habs are inching their way to the playoffs. I guess they’re another potential 1st round opponent. Boy, wouldn’t they be just giddy on St. Catherine’s St. to have drawn Atlanta. They’ll think they’re moving on in five or fewer games.
I just don’t want to watch the Thrashers on CBC, and listen to all that whining when we beat them. “Geez, eliminated by another SE division team. Why did the league AGREE to expansion?? Why???”
… The next sentence … “But the NHL should expand to Winnipeg.” Three sentences later, “And by 2010, there’ll be EUROPEAN teams in the NHL.” Honestly, sometimes when I watch “Point/Counter Point” segments on Hockey Night in Canada, I wonder if these guys don’t moonlight as comedians on the circuit.
And they retain their jobs after all that egregious speculation. Truthfully, I’m waiting for them to say that Earth should colonize Mars, so that the Martians can have an NHL team. But what if the Martian team wins the Cup before the Leafs or Habs do? Then this same famous foursome would lobby for contraction. This, AFTER the new Martian stadium is built.
… And on it goes.
By Apex
April 2, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
For Matt H
Dr. Klahn..”These men don’t know where they are…but DO care..Now these men know where they are, but don’t care” Prisoner #1 “where are we?” Prisoner #2 “I don’t care”
CONGRATS THRASHERS AND FANS!!!!!