AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 20
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Enstrom set to make debut tonight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tonight, we’ll continue to see the debuts of some of the Thrashers rookies battling for spots on the roster. In my opinion, none will be more important than Tobias Enstrom. This won’t be his first game in a Thrashers jersey because he played in Traverse City, but this will be his first NHL action.
He showed strong passing skills and was comfortable with the puck in Traverse City, we’ll see how that translates to the NHL game tonight. Nashville is a big, physical team, so this should be a good test for the smallish Enstrom, who is officially 5-10.
“This is what I’ve been looking forward to the whole time,” Enstrom said after Thursday’s morning practice. “Of course I’ll be a little bit nervous, but mostly it’s going to be fun.”
Hartley said the Traverse City experience was good for Enstrom and his adjustment to the North American game.
“Now it’s adjusting to NHL speed and the execution,” Hartley said. “He’s a great passer, a a great skill guy. Now it’s going to be interesting how his size will come to play in the NHL. Tonight, we’re going to get some good answers from him.”
Looking at how practice was broken up, we’ll likely see the season debuts of Bobby Holik, Eric Boulton, Jordan LaVallee, Steve McCarthy and others. Like I mentioned in today’s story, Ondrej Pavelec will start in goal.
It’s interesting for me to see the feedback about the goalie situation. Kari Lehtonen will make his debut on Saturday at the home opener, and so will Marian Hossa. Expect those two, and most veterans to play three games, towards the end of the preseason to get some timing for the regular season. I didn’t see Slava Kozlov on the ice today, but Hartley had already done his media scrum, so I’ll try to find out Kozzie’s status tonight.
But as for the goalie situation, most fans are looking at is as a positive. Hedberg can push Lehtonen, and I think that’s the intent here. I’m not saying Kari took games off last year when he knew he was starting a bunch in a row, but I think pressure from Hedberg should be a positive. But I also think ultimately, like say, by the playoffs, you’d like to have a clear cut No. 1. Like Hedberg said, it should be interesting. Anybody want to predict who will be the opening game starter in goal in 2009?
Lastly, shoot me an e-mail if you’re interested in replacing the IceMan as the fan blogger.
