AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEnstrom 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.
Comments
By Hip Czech
September 20, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
I’m going to re-post this…
I’m undecided about the goalie situation. I know there are a lot of Moose fans on this blog…but honestly, I think decent #2 goalies are a dime a dozen. This may be blasphemy, but Hedberg could be replaced by any number of guys next summer.
So I guess the real question is who the ‘future’ is, and do you trade whoever isn’t? Most of us have been crying for a top line center for some time, personally I guess I would have no problem with Lehtonen or Pavelec being traded for a good center (hello LA Kings…you need a goalie, we need one of your young centers!).
Either Lehtonen is the future and is #1 this year with Moose as the backup and trade Pavelec. Or Pavelec is the future and Hedberg becomes the #1 goalie for this year to keep the spot warm and you trade Lehtonen. Then next year Pavelec starts as the #1 with either a re-signed Hedberg or a different backup.
In 2009? Pavelec
So I guess I’ve convinced myself to trade Lehtnonen and a young D for either Cammalleri or Kopitar.
By Rawhide
September 20, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
CC - I’m interested…. e-mail address????
By LAC
September 20, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Brenden for Blogger…
Would Be A Great Choice !!!!!!!
By Hip Czech
September 20, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
Brendan for blogger…just don’t pay him pay the word
By Hip Czech
September 20, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
blah…meant to say ‘just don’t pay him BY the word’. More caffeine needed
By Bob
September 20, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
Please let us know how Enstrom looks, especially in comparison to Popovic.
I think Lehtonen is your starter opening day, 2009, unless he craps the bed again this year. If yes, then you’re looking at Pavelec as the starter.
I like Hip Czechs idea the best, move one or the other for that good young center we need. This club would become instantly much better with one good top center to skate on the top two lines, and be able to move Holik back to where he belongs, centering the 3rd line (that’s where he’ll wind up this year anyway, but it’d be nice to have a good center up on the top lines instead of forcing Slater or Perrin there like they’ll have to at some point this year).
By Bob
September 20, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
Oh, and definitely Brendan for Fan Blogger.
By Jsmooth
September 20, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Bob, let’s not be so quick to dismiss Mr. Holik’s ability to man the Hoslov line. He does not need to be a 20 goal / 50 point guy to be effective on that line. Hoss and Kozzy will take care of the scoring as long as Holik can win draws, dig pucks from the corner and clog the middle of the slot to force the D to account for him. I think he’ll do great opening things up for Hoslov.
However, I do hate the idea of not having him as the “enforcer” on the 3rd line which will invariably play against other teams’ best scoring line. The sleeper in all of this could be Colin Stuart who could end up as the surprise center between Lars and Frenchie. Or perhaps Slater will step up and fill that void on the checking line.
Go Thrash!
By jen
September 20, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Anyone who is a longtime Thrasher fan will tell you that a good solid DEPENDABLE #2 goalie is worth his weight in gold. Decent #2 goalies are not a dime a dozen. We are really lucky to have a guy like Moose who can step up and play the #1 if needed. After the revolving door we’ve had in the net, I would think we would be greatful for the depth we now have. Could you imagine what Jersey would look like without Brodeur, Vancouver without Luongo? Does anyone know who backs them up? No one cares until one of them goes down. We all know where not having a high quality #2 goalie gets you come April…tee time anyone?
By Rawhide
September 20, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
The one thing I will be looking at during preseason is the new addition on the blueline. Obviouslly, we need more quickness there then last season in order to keep SOGs down below an average of 30 per game. I think we will see major improvements there.
Offensively, I like what I have seen at practice as well has simply looking at stats this week.
As far as Moose and Kari battling for the starting job,…a little healthy compitition is a good thing, but I expect kari to be there opening night.
But talk to me at Thanksgiving,….we’ll see.
By Hip Czech
September 20, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Jen, if you can’t name them then I guess the backups aren’t really that important.
I love the Moose and I’m happy he is here, my point is if we have Lehtonen or Pavelec then whoever the backup is isn’t really that important. Shoot, look what the Thrashers did using FOUR of them in 2005-2006. We almost made the playoffs.
I don’t see any reason to keep both Lehtonen and Pavelec. Decide which one has the better long range potential and deal the other, like San Jose did.
If Pavelec is deemed to be the man then Hedberg becomes a #1 goalie until Pavelec is ready to take over.
By Lee
September 20, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
I like Moose too, but what if we rode he and Leht this year and then had a tag-team of kari-Ondrej, also like San JOse and Nashville
By Bill
September 20, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
You should get Sean Grace to be the fan blogger. He was the team’s fan blogger last year, and was very good. He’s just started his own blog, but I bet he’d be solid here!
Check him out:
http://bluelandroar.blogspot.com/
By Bill
September 20, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Sorry Hip Czech, but Jen is correct. If you recall, right after the lockout we had some problems in goal. If a solid backup is “a dime a dozen” why were we unable to find anyone worth a cr*p after we lost Pasi, Kari, and then (ugh) Dunham?
By Tim
September 20, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
IT say it’s still too early to trade either Lehtonen or Pavelec. Keep in mind that goalie take a long time to devellop and both of them are far away from their prime. Also, Lehtonen have seen NHL experience now. He kinda meet, not exceed, my expectation last season. The big question mark last season was to know if he is able to play a full season without injuring his groin. He prove this to us (thanks largely to Bob Hartley). Now he have to prove he is worthy of being a #2 overall pick. Pavelec has talent, no doubt about it. But he has yet to see a real NHL season yet. Trading Lehtonen now to replace with Pavelec, and I believe we just step back as an organisation. Well at least, for now. But who know, maybe once Pavelec step up into a NHL and prove himself worthy as a number 1, then we can trade wither one of them for whatever we need. But so far, this is a great problem to have.
By jen
September 20, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
HipCzech - Sabourin and Clemmenson were the backups for Luongo and Brodeur last year. Both teams have new backups this year, but can;t remember who they signed and too lazy to look it up right now. Backups are only important when you need them…but the confidence a team gets from knowing they’re not completely screwed if #1 goes down is huge. Almost making the playoffs is not making the playoffs. It took a couple of games before anyone would even play in front of Bekhoel and Garnett, and even then they still looked like deer caught in headlights. This is not a team built on a defense first concept, so for the Thrash to be successful, they have to have quality goaltending night in and night out, and that means having a number 2 who can steal one for you if you need the jumpstart. Sometimes a goalie shelf life is only a couple of years anyway, so having a stockpile of quality talent is not a bad thing (see Philly - thought they were set for a long time with Esche and Nitty, both of whom will be lucky to have NHL jobs this year), freakin’ Theodore…Brodeurs and Luongos are few and far between. Most goalies just aren;t that durable at such a high level.
I think that one or the other could be good trade bait, but not this year. Give Little and Sterling and Holzapfel (sp?) some more time, and next year is a good one for centers anyway, Rolston, Zherdev, Spezza is RFA(*could be poached), Horcoff, I think Connolly is up too(if he can stay healthy)
By charlie
September 20, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
Tim,
IF? we can get atop center for either goalie THEN it is not too early. This team is center starved.
By Jameson
September 20, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with those that think it is too early to trade either Lehtonen or Pavelec. While, if Kopitar was offered for Pavelec, that may not be a trade you could turn down, we still don’t really know what he can do. I can’t help but think this situation is going to wind up like Buffalo’s with Miller and Biron. I just hope we can make something of it when it happens.
By Brian
September 20, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
Hip Czech - nice posts all around. I liked the news on the move of Bouret being sent to the minors. Can you source that? If it is true, it shows DW is making some smart moves. I also like unloading one of these goalies while they are still worth something. Tim, I agree that you don’t know what either will be because they take so long to develop, but I think that same logic is used to trade either of them. Kopitar or someone like that is more of a lock, why take a chance on a goalie that may or may not be good?
Finally, great joke on not paying Brendan by the word. He or Rawhide would be good. Then again, anything would be a step up…
By Jameson
September 20, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
Wish I could hear or see this game… It looks like things got pretty hairy near the end of the first. McCarthy got into a fight. Is that his first major? Anyway, I wonder who took De Vries’ stick to the face.
By Rawhide
September 20, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
BILL - You mentioned Dunham,…..I though I saw something the other day about him retiring,…funny, I thought he quit working that night in April ‘06 in the next-to-last game of the season when he phoned it in and we were then eliminated from going to the playoffs. (sigh),……..
I know, Brian,…let it go,…let it GOOOooooo.
You know,…I was at the mall tonight. Macy’s has their Christmas shop up and running already. At first I thought, “WTF???? It’s Sept-friking-tember for crying out loud”!!!!
But then I started thinking,……Christmas,….winter,….cold,…..frost,…..ice,……ice HOCKEY…..THRASHERS…..BLUELAND…….Yeah BABY!!
IT’S TIME TO DROP THE PUCK, PEOPLE!!
By R. Stroz
September 20, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
Rawhide - The real question on the Christmas store at Macy’s is : Are the AFLAC Ducks in yet?
By LAC
September 20, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
I agree paying Brenden by the word could break the paper!!!!!
Stopped in Nashville onthe way home and a tough game to watch. Nashville is a big team with an edge.
Our goalie whom looked So Good sunday in St.Louis, looked so different tonight not nearly as sharp.
Little/Sterling looked GREAT, really believe they will make the team… They played a solid game no doubt…
Defense was not as good tonight, several of the guys looked out of position quite often.
Well hope to see the regulars Saturday night !!!!!
By Sara
September 21, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
Brian you can check the transactions at Yahoo Sports to verify Bourret got sent down in the first round of cuts - Sept. 18th. That’s where I saw it at any rate.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/trans;_ylt=ArJNQ3k0ZpeZ8ruOfEkCpAB7vLYF
By B. Thenet
September 21, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
Glad to see Sterling stepping it up.
Pucks N Snot for fan blogger
By Sara
September 21, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Looking just at the recaps/stats from last night, that really wasn’t a bad game at all. We scored 3, beats getting shut out. And Nashville iced some of their top players, whereas at forward the best players we iced were Holik and Dupuis (in terms of established NHL regulars). So losing 5-3 to a good team who arguably also iced better players than we did ain’t a big deal.
I’m feeling pretty optimistic about this season. Granted we could use a true #1 center and at least one more really solid d-man. But I think some of these new guys may really surprise us.
‘Course I’m so giddy for hockey to get here, I may be totally delusional at this point. ;) Tomorrow cannot get here soon enough for me!
By Hip Czech
September 21, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
I guess all of the ‘trade’ talk affected Pavelec ;-)
Brian, here is the source for the
Bourret news
Look at the transactions for Tuesday.
Seems we again played mostly the rookies against the everyday Pred lineup. Looks like they did OK. Interesting to see McCarthy get a fighting major. Did he really take on Tootoo?
By Rawhide
September 21, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
The stat that caught my eye was Pavelec getting a 2 minute minor for “illegal play by goaltender”…
I’m wonderin’ what he did,…whack someone accross the head? Do the “how’s your father move” to a Pred’ posting up in front??
Who else is heading down to the open practice tomorrow morning, then to the game at night???
By wh
September 21, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Keeping Lehtonen healthy and physically ready is paramount for this team in light of defense deficiencies - GK see a lot of shots night in and night out. Hedberg should play in rotation until the all star game and then start giving Kari the bulk of the work to get him ready for the playoffs. Bourret had zero chance of making Rangers and they just saw his game in Transverse City. Makes sense to get him ready to go in Hartford.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
September 21, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Ladies and Gentleman,
I would like you all to be the first to see my entry into the Thrasher Fan Video Contest. Yes, I am a huge loser. I realize this, and embrace it.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=17qASXy8Jds
Be kind to me if feel the need to rate it
By Bob
September 21, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
I like the Bourret for Dupuis trade, but it’s no suprise or statement that Bourret was sent down. I think he was expected to spend another year in the AHL.
Who were the Rangers going to send down to keep Bourret? Bourret’s a top 2 line forward, the Rangers top 6 are Drury, Gomez, Jagr, Straka, Shanahan, Prucha, they have Hossa that pushed for top 2 ine minutes. What, are they going to skate Bourret on the top line RW instead of Jagr?
I think the Rangers made the move since they see that some of Jagr, Shanny, Straka are all getting long of tooth, Bourret is a future guy for them.
By Bob
September 21, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
zilla, very nice video. I think the burb is going to preclude you from any showing on the jumbotron, but I like it. I especially like the Gabriel tune.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
September 21, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Thanks Bob
you did mean ‘burp’ right? I thought about that, but it is pretty tame. If kids can handle the “kiss cam” and the countless groin shots on that bloopers reel, I think it should be alright.
We’ll see what happens. As of right now I am the only entry so I win by default
By Russ
September 21, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Buzilla - I just watched your video and about all I can say is that I thought I had a lot of time on my hands…Wow!!!
By Thrashersfan33
September 21, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Hockeybuzz is talking about Glen Metropolit today. Says he was invited to camp by Boston. I know something must be up that he didn’t get signed during the UFA period, but too bad he wasn’t invited to camp by Atlanta. Liked his grit. Most fans seemed to appreciate his efforts too.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
September 21, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Ha ha ha
Thanks Russ. I did take me 4 nights, and my fiance isn’t too happy with me, but f* it. I get to see some hockey tomorrow night!!!!!!
By Russ
September 21, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Buzilla - You earned the right to see that game tomorrow night, congratulations.
Thrashersfan33 - I think most fans did appreciate Metro last season…unfortunately, for whatever reason, Hartley didn’t appreciate him.
By ranallo10
September 21, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
Alright, somebody PLEASE help a brother out…
I’m sitting here in Austria, gearing up for the Kings preseason “tournament” later this month in Salzburg. While I don’t expect your sympathy one bit, I could definitely someone’s help.
1 - Who did McCarthy fight?? Was it a wrestling match, or a true fisticuffs??<\br> 2 - What did Pavelec do to get his minor?? Obviously he didn’t leave the crease (different penalty), so what’d he do??
Any help would be appreciated since I can’t find any information about this stuff here!
Thanks all…
P.S. — The Falconer for blogger, or perhaps nobody (keep all the good posts on one page). I liked the Pucks-N-Snots nomination though.
By Matt H
September 21, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
I think the Falconer (guy’s gotta be an accountant, he pulls some amazing numbers out for his blog) or Brendan would be great choices to assume the role of fan blogger.
However, I also echo the sentiment that perhaps we don’t need a separate blog from Craig’s. It’s kinda nice to have all the threads on one page. It’s more convenient and eliminates the need for cross-posting.
By Sara
September 21, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
The irony with Metro is that at least prior to the trade deadline, he was our #1 center in terms of production. Meaning if you went to NHL.com, et al., and looked up the rankings for centers in the NHL, the first Thrasher you would come to would have been Metro (although he was pretty far down the list). Guy worked his tail off though and frankly, money can’t buy that. Funny how often the hardest working guys on a team are the lowest paid - probably because they know they are the most replaceable.
By hockeyfan
September 21, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
All I want in a fan blogger is someone that actually goes to games and can write in complete sentences. Something that was sorely missed last year
By hockeyfan
September 21, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Tootoo boarded McCarthy and then raked McCarthy’s eyes with his gloves. Fisticuffs ensued.
Pavelic played the puck outside the trapazoid
By Sara
September 21, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Ranallo the Blueland Blog had some decent coverage of the game - although no mention of what Pavelec did to earn his teammate’s trip to the sin bin. But apparently, McCarthy cross-checked someone into the boards, Tootoo took exception (imagine that), and off they went. Ben Wright (who writes the BB) mentioned that McCarthy went off “for repairs” so I guess we can pretty well read between the lines on what happened there.
As for the DeVries high-sticking, apparently he nailed Little.
By Sean Grace
September 21, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
I’ve thrown my giant hat, (that covers my massive mellon head), into the ring for this job. I’d like to be the AJC blogger. I’ve sent Craig an E-mail but he has not responded. I do meet hockeyfan’s hiring criteria. It’s been a few years since I didn’t attend a home game and I can complete a proper sentence unless struck in the head immediately before writing.
Come on Craig, hit reply.
By Brian
September 21, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Sean Grace - considering this is the first time I ever saw you post here, I wouldn’t reply either. It’s like what hockeyfan said above, we want a fan to be the blogger, or just keep it all on one page with Craig…
By Keith Waldrop
September 22, 2007 3:04 AM | Link to this
Another entrant for fan blogger.
and pics from Nashville.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7211823@N04/
By The Villages, FL
September 22, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
I’m a long time hockey fan who grew up in Ontario, Canada. I was a fan when there were only 6 NHL teams.
As far as I’m concerned the jury is still out on Lehtnonen. I remember telling my son, who lives in Atlanta, how impressed I was with Lehtnonen early last year. I made a comment that Kari filled the net so well; there were no openings to shoot at. Later in the year I thought he played way to deep and he started flopping. Consistently players were scoring over his shoulder. That’s saying something with a guy the size of Lehtnonen. I made a comment that I thought this 61 year old could score on him. He may develop yet but not if he plays in the back of the net.
I’m confident that if Hartley had started Hedberg all four games we would have won some playoff games. A team always plays better for some one they trust and they do trust Hedberg. He can start, no doubt in my mind. Lehtnonen needs to earn his minutes. You need two solid goalies especially if you have some one prone to injury. I guess you could say the same for football also. Anyone heard of Vick?
I haven’t had the opportunity to see Pavelec play yet. I have the NHL package but of course Pavelec isn’t in the NHL. Sounds like he is real deal if I can trust you guys.
By stendec
September 23, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
I have never been a Sori Letemin fan! His mind wanders during games. He allows perplexing whoops (soft) goals at the worst possible time. He seems to lack mental toughness and discipline. Hey, if the guy is THIS prone to injuries deal him. I doubt the Thrashers will ever attain the next level (playoff series wins and Stanley Cups) with this guy between the pipes. I am sure he is a nice young man in reality. That is just the way I feel. Drop the puck for real already!
By Sean Grace
September 24, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
Brian,
I didn’t know that whether or not one posts to the AJC blog determines if the merit of a Thrasher fan. Does the fact that I haven’t missed a home game in years make a difference? How about the fact that I have my own Thrasher blog and was the Fan Correspondent on the Thrashers main site last year.
Sean
By Northener
September 24, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
Sean
I’m not sure if you WANT to be included in these blogs.
Sometimes its downright scary how stupid some of the comments are!
Brendan has some good knowledge (that he picks up off Google) and his opinions are ok BUT he loves to throw out these moronic “hypotheticals”.
Ranallo and Buzilla seem to have some good ideas but are still morons too.
Sara; she gets my vote. She is often more right than these other dudes.
And then there are a bigger bunch of idiots named Bob, BOB, boB, bob and a bunch of other Bobs. Wow; you dudes need a real life! What happened? Get thrown out of your “Dungeons and Dragons” chat room?!
Sean
I did enjoy your blog on the Thrashers site last season.
Good luck to you!
By Rae
September 25, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
I am interested in replacing ice man.
Please send me the email address.
By Rae
September 25, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Lastly, shoot me an e-mail if you’re interested in replacing the IceMan as the fan blogger.
I do not see an email address. I am interested in the IceMan fan blogger. Please contact me.