AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKovalchuk’s response and goalie plans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I hate to be short for the second day in a row, but I’ve got a ton to do today, so I’ll get right to the point. Spoke with Ilya Kovalchuk about the benching, and he basically said that it was the coach’s decision and the coach is in charge. He also said he didn’t agree with the decision or that it would lead to him playing any harder because he said he’s already playing hard all the time. Tkachuk said everybody has gone through it, it’s how you respond that defines you as a player. So we’ll be watching Kovalchuk close on Friday against Carolina. I’ll have more on the Kovalchuk situation in a story for Friday.
EDITED (6:28 p.m.): I just finished the story for Friday and was listening to my interview with Ilya on tape. I did find it interesting that this was his initial response to my questions about Hartley benching him:
“That’s his decision. What am I going to do? He’s the coach this year.”
Um, this year? There’s lots of ways to interpret that quote, and for now I’ll go with face value. Whether Kovalchuk was insinuating that Hartley might not be the coach next year is questionable. He could have just been stating a fact. Either way, it caught my attention upon playback. Alright, back to the blog.
With two games left, Johan Hedberg and Kari Lehtonen will each get a start. Hedberg, as we suspected here on the Beat Blog, will start against Carolina on Friday and Lehtonen will start against Tampa Bay in what is starting to look like the game that will decide the division. Jon Sim will return to the lineup for the Carolina game although Hartley said he wasn’t sure who he’d replace in the lineup. That’s quite the quick return for Sim, who will wear a cage to protect his repaired orbital bone. If I had to guess, Eric Boulton might be the odd man out. Eric Belanger didn’t practice and he took a spill in last night’s game that look like it shook him up pretty good. He’s got groin issues, so I’m wondering if he’s still managing that situation. Hartley said Belanger was just resting and he’ll be in for Carolina.
Steve McCarthy is still bothered by a bad back and didn’t practice. I doubt we’ll see him the rest of the regular season. I believe that should catch everybody up to speed. I expect a good performance from the team against Carolina. You can’t say you were THAT surprised last night against Washington - this is a team all year that tends to make things harder than they have to be - why would clinching the division by any different?
Comments
By Russ
April 5, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
I’m going on record right now saying I don’t like the decision to start Hedberg. Lehtonen has been sufficiently rested lately and the team has to do all it can to get that #3 seed. Home-ice doesn’t usually mean a whole lot in the playoffs, but the difference in the opponent if the Thrashers slip to the #7 slot is huge. I don’t want to go against Brodeur in the first round.
By Rob
April 5, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter who you put in goal you will not win the division. This is the BOLTS year again! I’m on my way up to the atl tomorrow so I can celebrate with the LIGHTNING on saturday.
By R. Stroz
April 5, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Rob - What is your last name? I hope you have your name on the back of your Dolts jersey at the game, so I can laugh my arse off while your crying in your beer!
By Nate
April 5, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Hartley is such a baby. This hypocrisy with Kovalchuk has grown stale. Why is he the only guy that gets singled out? There was plenty of blame to go around. And with the division title on the line? C’mon.
By BuzzEng
April 5, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with Craig - this team has done everything they can to make it difficult. Another blogger said it, and I’ll repeat it - they don’t have a killer instinct, especially in critical games. I get the impression that, with any lead at all, they go into a ‘prevent defense’. As my friend, the Florida Gators fan says, “The only thing a prevent defense does is prevent you from winning.
Go Thrashers. Stick ‘em!
By TB
April 5, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
I agree with Nate. I’d love to see Hartley try and hold more players accountable. Only seeing Kari/Moose and Kovy benched after poor play is frustrating.
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
I don’t recommend that the Atlanta Spirit Group award Hartley with a new contract until the conclusion of the playoffs. Somehow, methinks it’s already a “fait accompli, pas announcE.” (Done deal, but not announced.)
I’m reviewing the tape of the game last night, and a few things stand out. Right before the second Capitals goal, Hossa missed a wide open net, inside the goal crease. Imagine if that had gone it? Maybe it’s only 3-2 after two? Also, immediately following the 3rd Caps goal, by Ovechkin with 0:42 seconds left, Kozlov had a glorious chance to get one back, right off that center ice faceoff.
Yeah, that coulda made it 3-3, instead of 3-1, after two periods. And then, there’s the 6-on-3 at the end, that didn’t materialize into a goal. So … maybe this game wasn’t as horrendous as I recall it being. Especially if you factor that a marginal call against Boulton (whose stick was lifted by Novotny) negated a goal by Brad Larsen, with 7:10 left in the third period.
Yeah, yeah. If ‘ifs and buts were candy and nuts’ … then every day would be Christmas. I hear ya. I do.
Well, Craig nailed it, why would this Thrashers team ever choose the EASY ROAD to doing anything???? If the Bolts win this division, I’m gonna be sick. They’d be the weakest division champion in either Conference, in the past decade. And then Mats Sundin would say, “See!! See!!! This is what I’m talking about with the Southeast division.”
By TB
April 5, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
But I still have faith in Hartley.
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Ya know, I have no idea, none whatsoever, who I’m going to take in my 1st round playoff picks. Except for this. Irrespective of where the Bolts finish, I’m taking their opponent in the 1st round. No matter WHO it is.
Tampa Bay … sucks. They suck. Nope, no discussion. They suck. And if they get the #3 seed, it’s a “blemish” on the entirety of the Southeast division if that’s the caliber of champion it produced this year. It’s also the sort of thing that should force Don Waddell to reevaluate the length of Hartley’s contract extension.
By Rob
April 5, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
No son, your mistaking me for a trashers fan. Without great players to root for on your sorry hockey club I can understand why you need to put your own names on the back of your jerseys. Here in Tampa we sport the names of our one day hall a fame players like Lecavalier. So look for me with my Lecavalier jersey on celebrating another division championship.
By Matt H
April 5, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Oh, Rob.
The Lightning’s year?
Really.
With Holmqvist? Or Denis?
But seriously though, stay in town, get a Chicago dog basket from Mel’s and watch Rick and the Chief make the call.
Because that’s a long, sad 8 hours of 75 you’re looking at if you think it’s gonna be that easy.
By ranallo10
April 5, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
Come on Nate, do you really think benching Sutton, de Vries, or Vigier will do anything to kick start their game? Those players have ceilings that have been met (or exceeded in de Vries’ case, though 3 years ago)…Kovalchuk’s ceiling is within reach, but these types of character issues is what he needs to help him fully utilize his amazing talent.
I think it’s a BIT hypocritical to bench Kovalchuk (your only goal scorer at that point) while letting Vigier continue to kill penalties after giving up Ovechkin’s shot for the second goal. But I definitely understand how the benching MIGHT help Kovalchuk where it wont help the others. It was bittersweet to see him on the bench, but it was smart of Hartley to put him back out with 1:30 left.
On that note, Holy Oblivious French Canadian Batman!!! Why on earth would you (a PK member) NOT watch Alexander Ovechkin, the only true scorer in the game (Semin was sitting), and instead watch the defender at the point? Pothier or Muir (I can’t recall who last passed it) passes it to the left, and Vigier looked like he saw some hot blond behind the glass. FOLLOW THE G-D D-MN PUCK!!! IT’S ALEXANDER F-ING OVECHKIN!!! End result: Ovechkin puts it home with a solid shot that he shouldn’t have been allowed to take.
I’m feeling a resurgence of the “PS” posts…
By Rob
April 5, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
Yeah I will stay in town but only b/c i grew up there and my family that still lives there. Growing up a Braves fan I have to catch a game since they are still my team and no one else seems to care about them in atlanta. Oh and Holmqvist is our man. Denis is only good enough to be a backup much like Grahame was. Neither will cut it as a starter. This is our year again.
By Rob
April 5, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
So explain this to me. If the Lightning win they are the worst division champ ever? How can that be when TB has beat the trashers 5 out of 7 times??? That would make atlanta the worst division champ.
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
No, it makes Tampa’s record against Atlanta an anomaly.
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
No, it would make Tampa’s record against Atlanta an anomaly.
By Blue and White
April 5, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this
By making the Playoffs Hartley got a 1 year contract extension with a minimum $500K payout if he’s fired. Benching Kovy and risking the Division may be a step towards that $500K.
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
CRAIG CUSTANCE, your attention please!!! Your Michigan State Spartans are presently enjoying a 3-2, third period lead on the Maine Black Bears in the Frozen Four. The 2nd game starts at 8:00, on ESPN2. If anyone’s interested. The winners meets on April 7th, for the Men’s Division I National Championship.
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Craig, make it 4-2, Spartans!! They’re on their way to the Finals! Well, there’s still 8:15 left in the 3rd.
By Fred
April 5, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
God knows, I live and die with the Thrash these days, but it’s hard to get REAL excited about our playoff chances when (a) we are the worst team in the NHL when we have a 5 on 3 and (b)we FLAT SUCK in the last minute of a period. Not counting empty netters, we’ve been outscored 17-8 in goals scored in the last minute this year, INCLUDING 7 times when we went on to lose the game by 1 goal (as opposed to only ONCE all year when we won a game by just a goal scoring in the last minute of a period - vs. Boston last week). We’d be 15 points up on everybody if periods only lasted 19 minutes. COME ON GUYS, QUIT PACKING IT IN LATE IN PERIODS!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are two fundamental items that separate pretenders from contenders and Hartley needs to address these things. Both would tend to favor strategy as a solution.
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
Craig, there’s about 2:00 minutes left.
Goaltender Lerg has been sensational for MSU. The net is empty now, for Maine. Less than a minute to go now, Craig. Maine beat St. cloud then Massachussets to get here. They’re a “suprise” entrant into the Final Four. An excellent hockey program, though.
It’s over, Craig. 4-2, final. Gotta watch the nightcap now, to see who ya get.
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
Blue and White, so Hartley’s deal has been announced already? Good for him, if those were the terms.
Fred, good post! I had no idea it was that bad. I miss the Thrashers team that would get down, 2-0, then win 5-3. I haven’t seen it since November.
By Fred
April 5, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
I do have to amend one thing about the stat. We’ve actually won 3 times in games where we scored in the last minute and won by one goal - but that’s still a 3-7 record in such games.
We’ve gotten a little better since the trades (only been outscored 4-2 in last minute goals), but last night’s combination of allowing a late goal in the second only to lose by one by not converting on a late 5 on 3 just sent me into a “have to look it up to see just how bad it is” mode. Yes, it’s bad!
By Thrasher_Ed
April 5, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this
OK, let me get this one straight Bob Hartley, Kovy is the only player you single out after obvious blunders by you personal favorite Greg DeVries (botched outlet pass leading to goal)>Eric Boulton taking stupid penalties, Vigier being Vigier!! Come on Bob really give us a break playing Ilya would have given us a much better chance to win that damn game. If your such a good hockey coach, why does it always appear we lose out on matchups on Home ICE? Hmmmmm? Kovy was not the only player making dumb mistakes but you punish him and lets not forget US (the paying fans). Jury is out on your latest decision!!
Somebody please explain that horrendous call on the apparent Bobby Holik goal. Penalty appeared to accur after the score???
By kevin
April 5, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
Hedberg has been very good for us this year for the most part and has won some big games. That being said this is Lehtonen’s team and I believe he should be in goal for the last two games which could decide the division. He’s played very well lately and needs to be ready to play seven game series so this weekend is no different. Let’s hope they both play great this weekend!!
By Alex
April 5, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
I agree, Tampa sucks with either Holmquist or Denis and im expecting Lecaviler and St.Louis and the rest of the Dolts to choke the game before the Thrash kick their a*******es out of Phillips. Hedberg wil beat the Canes on Friday he always plays them well.
By Bob
April 5, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this
Fred, thanks for that info. It is an absolute backbreaker to let in a goal in the last minute of the period.
I have been very optimistic of their chances in the playoffs after the 4 new guys were brought in, but the weak PP and lack of playoff intensity with 3 games to go, is certainly concerning.
Lets hope the boys can turn it on here. I am very confident that we beat Tampa Sat. night for the division, and this could be what sets them on a roll.
Unleash the Fury
By Thrashers27
April 5, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Rob, you’re a moron.
First of all, as I’ve explained before, I put my own name on my jersey, because I’m not paying good money for a jersey and putting someone else’s name on it. That’s just dumb.
As far as Atlanta’s “great players” Let’s see: Hossa, Kovalchuk, Holik, Tkachuk, Lehtonen, Kozlov, Hedberg…Should I continue. Those are world class hockey players. Now let’s do TB players: LeCavalier, St. Louis…oh lookie there, they have only two. I’m done.
By Bob
April 5, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ed, Boulton did commit a high stick just a second before Larsen’s goal, Larsen suffers from BHS (Block Head Syndrome) so I can see why you thought it was Bobby.
I think it was a good move by Hartley. Don’t let the trees obscure the forest. Big picture time. Kovy needs to up his game in all 3 zones and now’s the time to bench him, not in Game 5 of the opening round. I think Kovy will respond well and I look for him to have a big weekend.
I have to disagree about Tampa. I’ve been watching them on CenterIce and they are playing very well, but I still think we take them in a 7 game series, but Vinny and the Midget are just very dangerous this year, they’ve been taking games over. They have Ranger back also.
Unleash the Fury
By Dunwoody_Joe
April 5, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this
Hartley is up to his old tricks, again. Sure Kovy misplayed his man on the Caps 3rd but the benching is vintage Hartley.
Sure he maybe taught the kid a lesson—and maybe that lesson will cost the Thrashers’ the division and Hartley his job. We’ll see.
But remember this, Hartley got run out of Colorado for being rough on his young stars who then yanked their support. Kovy maybe has just signaled that he has yanked his support of Hartley with his “this year” comment.
Bob, I think the face of the franchise might just be waving au voir.
By Nate
April 5, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
ranallo10 - I hear ya, but it’s been tried before. If it hasn’t worked by now, it’s not going to work. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kovalchuk asks for a trade this offseason if Hartley stays. His tactics have gotten old. Now, if he’d have benched Kozlov or Hossa…that would be something to wake up the team. That hasn’t been tried before. Benching Kovalchuk didn’t help as the lackluster opening 10 minutes of the third demonstrated. And if you watched the game (or the boxscore), it wouldn’t have been totally crazy to bench Hossa last night.
By LAC
April 5, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
Well poor mats is Done now, his LOAFS lost yet AGAIN… Good Riddence !
Brenden, No more college hockey, go to MSY blog page… I am very interested in your supporting the letting go of Hartley… Specific reason.
I agree the team should be another 10-12 points ahead, but the TERRIBLE off season moves by waddell are what hurt. We had zero offense, still do to some extent, look at the number of goals the past two-three weeks.
I am firmly on record of firing waddell, still think he is the worst GM in NHL, he needs to dump players and add some real talent this summer so next season we will be way ahead and TB already says they will be standing pat.
So Boyle/Souray on defense ?
What forwards ? One more season of Holik and Hossa does need to be resigned before next season…
We will see, seed - 8, Buffalo, 4 and OUT.
By russian
April 5, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
I think it will be BIG dission. Who is going to stay? Coach??? Or Thrasher Star??? I choose Kovy, not because he is Russian, because he is damn GREAT player.
By BG33Brown
April 5, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
HEY EVERYONE Wake up. Kovy is a sniper. That is it. He is at best a streaky 2 way player. Put another way, he is the Sammy Sosa of hockey. The benching was the best decision I have seen in years. Hartley needed to send a message.
Also, did I miss the it-did we lose points for the loss? We control our destiny and now that Montreal loss, we can finish no worse than 7th and I like us against the Devils.
WE CONTROL OUR DESTINY. This is our day, this is our time
UNLEASH THE FURY
By russian
April 5, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
To LAC I am agree with you about 0:4. But I think we will get 7 spots and play with NJ. It does not matter. Holik is Damn expencive for 3-d line. I like to keep Hossa and Kozlov together. Our GM is doing good job. I do want to take him out. Hartly needs to change his hockey vision completely. His system did not work at all. Also I like to add yong players, we are very old team and we lost our power in February. Well everything is started at 4/11/2007. May be another Miracle on ICE happend????? :-)
By rockdr99
April 5, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
LAC still would depress a hyena — Do you get some sort of thrill out of continually bashing Waddell and the team? — If you are wrong again, will you stay off the blog for a while — You are a rich LOSER —-
By rockdr99
April 5, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Hey LAC, we can’t mathematically play Buffalo is the first round — You are already wrong — See you next fall —
By Hanson Brothers
April 5, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
LAC, got to get your facts right. As others have pointed out, we can finish no lower than 7th. Also, Mats and the Loafs are not done, if they beat Montreal they can finish 8th. However I think the Islanders will sneak into the 8th spot. I see Toronto beating Montreal, and the Isles beating Philly on Sat. and a minor league NJ team on Sunday, which will put them in, as improbable as that seemed a month ago. I also have a feeling that Saturdays game will be meaningless after we win tomorrow and Florida beats Tampa.
By Hanson Brothers
April 5, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Russian, we need you to predict a Thrashers loss on Friday and Saturday so we can go ahead and clinch the division.
By russian
April 5, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
to Hanson Brothers if I will be wrong about Friday and Saturday and our team get 4 points, I am HAPPY. I hope it is going to happen.
By russian
April 5, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
to Hanson Brothers Man, I know hockey very well. I watched games not a first year, even not a first 10 years. I am telling you, when team is success and when team is sucking Balls. For rigth now we are Succesfuly Suck Balls….. :-)))
By Brendan
April 5, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
Well, NCAA ends 4/7 then it won’t be mentioned again for months. By the way, Chicago’s draft pick, Jonathan Toews, 3rd overall, 2006, looked good for North Dakota, even in the loss.
Another great pick of mine, eh? The Fighting Sioux didn’t even make the Finals. (covering my head in shame.) Well, BC has a history of choking, Craig. That’s good for your Spartans!, who haven’t been to the Finals since ‘87. In 2001, I think BC ended a 41-year drought from the National Title. They won it, dramatically in OT that year. Chris Galanos, I think, had the winner. Tonight it was Boston College 6, North Dakota 4. If the Sioux had Buffalo’s Drew Stafford, they’d have won. Maybe.
Okay, back to Tampa. I checked, and in 1999, Carolina won the Southeast Division with only 86-points. So, the Bolts can breath easy now. They wouldn’t be the WORST Southeast Division champions in the history of the division. Tampa, when it’s on its game, can be a dangerous team. But how consistently have they been playing at their best throughout the season? In an isolated game, anything can happen. Ask the 1980 Soviet Olympic team what’s possible in a 60-minute game. But over the course of seven games, Tampa’s goaltending will fail them, no matter who they draw. Habs, Rangers, Thrashers … doesn’t matter. This team is nowhere near the caliber of the 2004 squad, even if the big three, plus Fedotenko and Prospal are there. It’s fortuitious for the Lightning to have Ranger back. But he and Boyle are basically what they’ve got. Maybe Sarich brings something, too. I’m not saying they’re undeserving of the playoffs. But to think they could be the division champs is very unsettling. I just haven’t seen it (championship caliber) throughout the year (from Tampa).
That’s why they play the games, though. When it matters most, we’ll find out what the Bolts are made of.
By Brendan
April 6, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
LAC, I think Hartley’s already got his contract renewed. Though, I haven’t heard any announcement yet. What I’m saying is … I don’t think it’s the greatest idea in the world to present Hartley with some 4-year deal. If he returns for another year, fine. He’s far from the worst coach in the league. But many things have bothered me throughout this season.
This was supposed to be a defense first year. On “Thrashers Live,” Matt McConnell even alluded to that. I haven’t checked, but I think the Thrashers are in the negative for goal differential this year. And this team isn’t offensively-challenged. It’s got two 40-goal scorers and might finish with two 30-goal scorers. Even Mellanby is closing in on 15. Sim nearly hit 20, before getting hurt.
The Thrashers PP, a Hartley creation, was utterly predictable and stagnant for entirely too long. Until the Zhitnik and Tkachuk acquisitions, I wasn’t exactly filled with confidence.
And that goalie rotation! PFFT!! HAHAHA. I still don’t understand it. But there’s so much more. The comments. The quotes. Like, “When will Lehtonen start again?” Hartley answer: “It’s up to Johan.” LOL! Man, I spewed my coke! That was hilarious. That was even better than Hartley’s defense of switching to Lehtonen just for the shootout, by saying, “It’s like a relief pitcher.” No. No, it isn’t. It’s nothing like that. Not even remotely. But ya know, in Hartley terms, “He doesn’t want to sit there, like a loaf of bread, in da freezer.”
I’m gonna stop right there. This post is sounding way too negative. I actually like Hartley. But I don’t love him. I think there’s a world of difference between “like” and “love.” Hartley’s doing what he thinks is best with Ilya. And that’s it. If it works out, people will come out of the woodwork to say, “See!! See!!! I told you so! It worked like a charm. Look how well Kovy’s playing since the benching.” If it doesn’t work, the presently silent and closeted Hartley detractors will step up to say, “He’s gotta go. Can’t believe he got renewed. How soon ‘til Ilya, like Heatley, (completely different circumstances,) asks for a trade?” Which, I think, is kind of an overreaction. Ilya’s not going anywhere. I suspect he likes it here. And Atlanta wouldn’t trade him, barring highway robbery in the return. I mean, if the L.A. Kings offered Kopitar, Cammalleri, Frolov, and Jack Johnson, I suspect Ilya’s played his last game as a Thrasher. But c’mon, they wouldn’t do that. And Don wouldn’t shop Ilya, since he’s such a “cash cow” for season ticket sales.
Uhh, sorry. I wrote ‘War and Peace’ again.
By john
April 6, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this
CRAIG Please explain the high sticking that boulton got against Was. on wed night. didn’t the caps player run into his stick????? that was a bad call or is it just me??? It looked like to me that boulton was setting up for a shot.
By Tom
April 6, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
It is amazing to watch but there with 3 days left to go in the schedule only one team in the league knows what place they will end up in. Buffalo will be first in the east, every other team in the east and west can change positions in the last weekend.
If this was football, baseball, or basketball it would be considered on of the greatest seasons in history. Instead we are lucky they let CC cover us at all.
What a fun weekend we have ahead scoreboard watching. On a selfish note I would love to see Toronto beat the Habs and the Islanders sweep Philly and the Devils. Then the 2 Canadian teams will be on the outside looking in complaining about all the soft teams that made the playoffs. :)
By johnmrog
April 6, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this
I love you Kovy-defending blockheads with comments like “will Hossa and Kozlov make mistakes too and they don’t get benched!”
Get this through your blockheads: Hossa and Kozlov, being human, DO make mistakes. The difference between Hossa and Kozlov’s mistakes and Kovalchuk’s mistakes is that Hossa and Kozlov’s are made infrequently, whereas Kozlov, in his rush and desire to “do his thing”, are made on a regular basis.
Hossa and Kozlov are top-notch professionals who know the game and know their roles within a system. Kovalchuk is an overpaid sniper, pure and simple. Any comparison between Kovalchuk and Hossa or Kozlov is ridiculous, because one of these things is most definitely NOT like the others. Even more ridiculous is a comparison between Kovalchuk (an undisciplined, hot-shot sniper) and Ovechkin (the BEST young player in the league).
Kovalchuk doesn’t have it in him to learn the game, only to “do his thing”.
By Red Light
April 6, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
I agree it is a curious time for Hartley to send a message to Ilya. I believe he’s a control freak and wants to be given credit for everything the Thrashers have done. Hartley should be given some credit, but not all of the credit. Ilya has been much better this year defensively than in year’s past, but he still has a ways to go in that regard.
Sorting out the playoff picture is very intriguing. Follow along.
Thrashers and Lightning have clinched no worse than the seventh seed in the East.
A Thrashers win tonight and a regulation loss by Tampa sews up the division for Atlanta, but we all know it is going to come down to tomorrow night.
A Lightning win and an Atlanta loss tonight means the Thrashers have to win in regulation tomorrow night because Tampa wins the division with just one point. Imagine how hollow it would be if the Thrashers won in overtime tomorrow if that happened?
If the Thrashers lose tonight, and Tampa wins, and the teams are tied late in the 3rd period tomorrow night, Hartley would have to pull the goalie and try to win it in regulation. The problem with that scenario is that you could cost your team the sixth seed.
So, what do you do if your Hartley? Pull the goalie and try to win the division, or try to get the point to finish sixth. I know it’s conjecture, but what do you do? You want to face NJ or Tampa?
Interesting because the Rangers play at Pittsburgh a half-hour later than Atlanta’s game.
The same could occur in Toronto tomorrow. The Leafs must win in regulation or they are done. So Maurice will have no choice but to pull the goalie in the 3rd if the game is tied. Toronto could eliminate the Canadiens in regulation, and then watch themselves get eliminated if the Isles won their final two games.
These scenarios illustrate the very reason why the current point system is a joke! It needs to be re-evaluated.
By Rawhide
April 6, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
Red Light - I totally agree with your feelings that the point system HAS to be addressed. I mean, how many times during the season do you find yourself thinking,….”golly, I sure hoe that Carolina / TB game does not go into OT because then they BOTH gain against us”.
I personally am a propponent of the 3 points for regulation loss / 2 for OT win & 1 for OT loss. That way every game is worth the exact same amount of points.
If they went with the system that only wins and losses are counted, fine. I don’t really like that, but it would be better then the current system.
I know if the NHL went with the 3 point games, most traditionalist would not like it because of what it would do to records and all that….and they would be right. But let’s be honest, with the elimination of ties, the record books have been skewed already with all of these OTL points floating out there. Plus, “goalie win” stats are already falling because of it: see also Marty Brodour.
By Christy
April 6, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
Wow. Honestly, can’t believe some of the comments. How can any of you mention benching Hossa? Do you not watch the games? You don’t bench a world-class two way player who does everything he can, does it right and always tries.
Ilya pretty much mailed it in after scoring his goal in the first. Is that the message you want to send, that it’s okay to do that? You bench the star player because no one is above reprimand. I missed a couple of days while out - so I have to ask - was this the reaction on the blog when you saw that Koivo got benched in Montreal? He came back the next game with two goals and a better attitude. That’s not what I see coming from Kovy and it’s somewhat disappointing.
Ranallo - I get what you are saying about Vigier not looking for Ovechkin -but forgive me for what might appear to be a blasphemy - Vigier was one of maybe 5 players on Wednesday that played the entire game. The only line that seemed to play hard, from beginning to end, was the Holik line. Not to say that Hossa and Slava didn’t make efforts, etc., but whenever the tempo was up and the Thrashers were on the move it seemed like it was right when Holik’s line was on or had just come off the ice. Then again, maybe I was so distraught after the 2nd period that my brain refused to comprehend what was before my eyes.
By Hnidy's Knights
April 6, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
Starting Moose tonight is the right choice. Bob, you are right on about Kovy getting benched. I like that move too. Kovy definitely plays with fire in his eyes after he gets called out like that. Hartley knows what he is doing. I hope he does get a new contract. My question is, what is up with Hossa? He has almost been non-existent for a couple weeks now. Is he hurt? Get Er Done tonight, boys. As for tomorrow nights game, anyone I see there wearing Lightning gear will get a fat loogie on their back, compliments of me. GO THRASH!!!
By Hnidy's Knights
April 6, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
M-O-O-S-E! M-O-O-S-E! M-O-O-S-E!
Thrash win tonight, 4-2.
By harleyman
April 6, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
CC.- While I commend your hustle and great blog, I think some comments made by players and coaches should be kept under wraps to avoid any distractions that may occur by putting them in print. Speculating about what Kovy meant can only result in distraction. We all are guilty of saying things off the cuff and usually no positive comes from it. I’m guilty as charged myself. I do, however, think Hartley holds Kovy to a little higher standard because he realizes the potential the Kid has. I do think the coach should hold his self accountable, which I think he has during press conferences, but maybe not in actions as some of the other bloggers have stated as well. I hope the team realizes that playing as frantic as they did the last 6 or 8 minutes against the Caps is what it will take in the playoffs as well as the rest of the season in order to be successful. The veterans should be letting the whole team know about the sacrifice and leaving everything on the ice the rest of the way out. Go Thrash! Kick the Canes arse!
By Dave
April 6, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
Brendan apparently has lost all objectivity, which is good to see actually, that his heart is 100% Thrashers blue. However to say the Lightning suck is going over the edge a bit. Of course the goaltending is nowhere near Khabibulin’s ‘04 efforts, that is obvious. You don’t think Lehtonen is Khabibulin quality, do you?? I hope no one is that delusional. Tampa Bay will not win the Cup but Atlanta will not either. First year teams rarely go all the way. The young players have to learn what it takes. Carolina’s core of players was there years earlier before years of injuries, and Tampa Bay was there before their Cup win. The Thrashers are a very deserving playoff bound team but everyone needs to be realistic. You can hate Tampa Bay but be realistic about the talent on that club. If an underperforming Fedetenko or Prospal heats up, the ‘average’ goaltending of Holmqvist will advance the Ligthtning far until their eventual demise against Buffalo in round two or three. By saying Tampa sucks you are saying that Atlanta sucks. Does ‘pointless vs Tampa Bay’ Kovalchuk suck because he is psyched out when he plays Tampa Bay? That is just plain wrong. Both teams are very deserving. Sundin can whine all he wants to about the Southeast but all I see are finalists and Cup winners from this division, from Mellanby’s Panthers to the Canes to the Lightning. The Southeast is very competitive and the past playoffs prove it. If Sundin and the rest of the Canadian whiners were in this divsion they would be whining about another division. That spells “LOSER” in my book. Mats needs to take a real long look in the mirror because I believe he is on a 12 game goal-less streak at the moment. Real clutch coming down the stretch!! You see Hossa or Lecavalier choking in the final dozen games?
By Craig Custance
April 6, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Harley - I’m sure you’re not the only one who has that opinion, but it’s not my job to protect the team from distractions. If Hartley was worried about distractions, then he wouldn’t have benched his star player. It’s my job to report what happened and get responses from everyone involved. If we only printed Hartley’s side and not Kovalchuk’s, I wouldn’t be doing my job. It’d be irresponsible. And Kovalchuk’s comments weren’t off the cuff. He had all night to think about the benching, and he knew I was coming to talk. By that time he could have certainly thought up any response he wanted. I do appreciate your comments though, thanks for weighing in.
By Tom
April 6, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Harley
I back Craig 100 percent on his reporting of the comments. Especially in a 1 paper town with scant television coverage, it would be very easy for Craig to play fast and loose with what and when he reports it.
We need for Craig to be the honest and forthright reporter he has been. That is his role, just report and not become part of the story.
If he was told this off the record, then he would have to sit on it, but Ilya knows the difference and he put it out there. Craig would be failing to do his job if did not report it immediately.
I commend Craig on getting the story out quickly on the blog and in the paper the next day.
By georg H. Jehle
April 6, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
What a luckloster play recently they dont look like playoff contenders, what’s with this team. If they keep playing like this in the playoffs they wont even make it past the first round
By Red Light
April 6, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Harley:
If the Thrashers are worried or distracted about what Craig is reporting, then there is a much bigger problem with this group than we thought. And, lets keep in mind, Ilya’s choice of words “he’s the coach this year” shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as face value either. It’s not like we are dealing with a person that has a strong grasp of the English language or carefully choosing words to infer anything about his coach.
Lets move on. It’s an issue only if the Thrashers lose their next two games and Kovy disappears. Otherwise, it will be forgotten.
On the other hand, maybe it’s Hartley who is trying to motivate Ilya and his recently lifeless team?
By Tony C.
April 6, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Another thing I’d like to mention from the mouth of #17
“Yeah Kozzie (Slava-Matic) is an incredible player, veteran with great hands….I hope they re-sign him this summer, it would be foolish not to.”
17 said that during an intermission interview during the boston game….Seems like #17 is very conscious of what business trends exist…so we will see if he recgnizes the tremendous opportunity to grow the #17 brand during the 2nd season.IMO, of course he’s ging to be a bit catty about being benched- (A) it’s pretty embarrassing, getting sent to your room in front of thousands of viewers and your home-town fans…(B) I do believe he is a very passionate layer, look at how he has changed his game-I’m sure he feels that the changes he’s made this season were huge-and for him I believe they are. Look at his goal total, I think it’s like 18 less than last year (That’s and entire season of Jon Sim goals kids)!!! #17 has been a lot more physical this year, and though we do see some episodes of the prima-donna (think the lower-lip call from a few games ago), generally he is much more gritty this year. He’s even made some key defensive plays! So I’m sure that being benched after he’s made such efforts are going to not sit well with him, even moreso than perhaps it should.
Like I mentioned on the other blog-day, I’m quite impressed with Coach’s assesment that we didn’t really need thse two points …
“ehh YouKnowLike, Kovy he’s going to go @pesh!t after I do this…and ehh…Ilya’s a force of nature when he’s p!ssed so YouKnowLike I think ehh he might get a hat-trick or something against Carolina or Tampa. So that’s why I do this-when I talk up Ovechkin after the game, you know that Kovy is going to ehhh, prove me wrong. he has those two points in his stick”
So anyway, looks like Le Thrash like to make things very interesting/difficult-no problem, it wil just make winning these next two games that much sweeter.
I vote we get Larry Robinson after hiBob finally looses the room-but Coach should be given an extension…I mean c’mon you tell me “We’re going to replace Savard with Steve Rucchin and Niko Kappanen.” and after I spit my coffee out, I say “OK” and somehow make it work? He deserves it.
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
By tim
April 6, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
all you bandwagon jumpers can go ahead and jump ship after 1 stupid loss. this fire wadell..reload next year garbage is crap…thrashers will win the division and make some waves in the playoffs. this team has got a lot of young talent that will continue to get better. they are an exciting team to watch. i’m excited about watching playoff hockey that matters to me. GO THRASH!!
By Brendan
April 6, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Dave, I did call Tampa a “dangerous team” when its on its game. I call into question their consistency and whether or not they’ve show championship caliber flair throughout the year. It just doesn’t strike me as a championship season for the Bolts, even as a division titlist. If Tampa wins the Southeast division, I would rank them 6th out of six in that capacity. If the Thrashers win the Southeast Division, I wouldn’t rank them last among the division winners. I like what I’ve seen in the Thrashers vs. Devils. The Thrashers even split with Buffalo. I think Atlanta could be better than the Vancouver Canucks. I wouldn’t say the same of Tampa Bay.
Last night, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a game that Detroit very much needed to help lock up the President’s Trophy. That’s an isolated game. And a game Detroit should have won. But it doesn’t mean Detroit is an inconsistent team. It means they lost one game … at a critical moment, against an inferior opponent, who is playing with nothing to lose. Well, unless you count Chicago’s position in the “lottery draft.” Are the Blackhawks better than the Red Wings? Uhhh. Don’t spend too much time dwelling on it. This is what happened to Atlanta vs. Washington on Wednesday night.
UNLEASH THE FURY!
By luckydog
April 6, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Call me a fool, but it won’t bother me if we lose these next two and go into the PO in 7th and face the Devils. Why? 1) We’ve matched up well with the Devils the past two seasons. Yes Brodeur is clutch but they lack scoring punch and if Kari keeps us in the games I really like our chances. 2) Home ice is no particular advantage for this team 3) Tampa Bay, our likely opponent if we win the SE, has more or less owned us the last couple years with their high-pressure style and Vinnie and Marty making big plays. 4) I think we’ll do better with an underdog mentality. 5) We’re a team of short streaks. Perverse as it sounds, coming off a 3-game loser in the playoffs may not be as bad as coming off a 3-game winner.
By Hnidy's Knights
April 6, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
Brendan, So it’s Boston College vs. Michigan State, eh? I thought North Dakota would beat BC. My question is, didn’t the Thrash draft somebody last year that plays on UND? I thought I read that somewhere. Just wondering.
BELIEVE
By Tony H
April 6, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
If memory serves me correctly Kovy has been benched several times before in the past couple of years. Sometimes he comes out and plays with fire in his eyes the next game and other times, well….. Wonder if Hartley has tried any other approach to improve his overall play. Public embarrassment doesn’t always work well with some players - maybe another way would work better. Obviously, if it worked well with Kovalchuk it wouldn’t have had to be repeated.
I truly believe that Kovy is a gifted player who has improved his overall play greatly this year. Yeah, he still pulls boners but who doesn’t and he is still young. Up until this year he was never expected to be anything but a sniper. So why not deal with the matter quickly and privately on the bench, in the tunnel, at practice or wherever and put him back on the ice where he can potentially help the team.
I doubt seriously if Hartley would have benched him IF we had not already made the playoffs.
By Russian
April 6, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
TO Craig Custance Please open another blog and we close conversation about Kovy said that, but Hartly did this. We need to think about Carolina game and Tampa. Let’s GO Blue.
By Brendan
April 6, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Hnidy’s Knights, I think you’re thinking of our two USHL Sioux Falls picks. But I don’t think we have an UND picks in the system. Unless they are “walk-ons” with Chicago or Gwinnett. Which is possible. I didn’t check.
By jerry
April 6, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
It’s about time somebody got benched after watching the so-called leaders on this team take entire periods off so many times this year.
By Phillip
April 6, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Why single out one guy Hartly!? The whole team looks tired and burned out!
By Brendan
April 6, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I think it might just be won by Michigan State this year. But I’m horrendous at my collegiate picks. I’m just happy the CCHA is being represented in the Finals!! I wish it were Miami of Ohio, but I can’t have it all. One of these years, the Redhawks will win it all. I might make the trip to Oxford just for the party!
By Brendan
April 6, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Hnidy’s Knight, I just looked at an NHL.com feature, “On Campus,” and it says the North Dakota has three (3) Thrashers draft pics on it. So, that’s a big “mea culpa.” You were right and I was wrong. Forward Rylan Kaip was selected by Atlanta, 269th overall, in the 9th round, of 2003.
Andrew Kozek, 53rd overall, was taken in the 2nd round of 2005. He plays Left Wing.
Michael Forney, Left Wing, was selected 80th overall in the 3rd round of 2006.
Sorry for the erroneous post.
By harleyman
April 6, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
I do appreciate the coverage of the Kovy benching. I just feel it can become a distraction if you let it like everything else. Hartley didn’t like Kovy’s play. Kovy got benched. End of story. If Kovy responds tonight against the Canes on the ICE good or bad, then that is what we should blog about. Not little quips made one way or the other. I’m a Thrasher fan first and foremost so that’s why I don’t like any negative vibes. That was all I trying to say and I appreciate everyone’s opininon.
By Brendan
April 6, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Dave, are you still up in this house? I jus’ wanted to say that Tampa doesn’t suck. They just got down 7-0, to a non-playoff bound team, on their home ice, in a must-win game. I must objectively say, Tampa’s a very good team.