AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBig night for Little, Stuart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was going to blog about the battle for two defensive openings, but I’ll save that for later in the week. There’s plenty to talk about today without getting into that.
First, Kari Lehtonen won’t dress tonight. Johan Hedberg will start in goal and Ondrej Pavelec will back him up. But Kari is slated to start on Wednesday against Florida, his preseason debut. He said he’s completely pain free as well as discomfort free. That’s a good sign, so he’ll get some minutes against the Panthers but don’t expect him to play the entire game.
Brad Larsen is close to returning. He’s been skating with Ray Bear the last couple days and that means he’s pretty close to returning to practice. Hartley said he expects Larsen to be ready for the regular season.
We talked earlier in training camp about how Hartley has set aside four games for most of the players competing for openings, and tonight is a big one for some of the young forwards. This is game No. 4 for Colin Stuart and Bryan Little, and game No. 3 for Jordan LaVallee. Hartley reiterated a lot of what I wrote about in Monday’s paper, that he’s looking for this young guys to seize this opportunity. “The games keep getting bigger and bigger,” he said.
I chatted with Little for a couple minutes after the morning skate and he realizes the magnitude of tonight’s game.
“I kind of feel like it’s my last shot,” he said.
He can’t complain about his line. He’ll be playing with Ilya Kovalchuk and Stuart tonight, and I told him that Kovy is a guy who can make him look good. Little’s answer? “He can make me look good, I just have to keep up with him.” Good point.
Tobias Enstrom will be playing in his third game, in what has been an up and down camp for him. He looked great in Nashville, then was inconsistent against the Blues. He’ll be paired with Karel Pilar who also needs a good showing in his third game of the preseason.
As for me, I’ll be doing the game from between the benches tonight which I’m really looking forward to. I just got off the phone with John Kincade about his experience doing sideline reporting there during the playoffs and he said it’s the best access in sports. I’ll be doing a first person story on it for Wednesday’s paper, so keep an eye out for that.
No news on the captain, but I now know where Bobby Holik stands on the upcoming presidential primaries. So I have that going for me.
Services »
Comments
By LAC
September 25, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Really like Little & Sterling… Look for a complete game tonight Nashville will be tough…
Pilar needs a really great game,he is boarder line at best right now. His unwillingness to shoot in open ice has been hard to figure…
By Nate
September 25, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
C’mon Bryan and Bret, show Bob what he needs to see!
By Thrashers27
September 25, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Anyone aware of radio, or TV coverage tonight?
Go Blue!!!
By Bob
September 25, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
So it’s the Stuart/Little show.
And I thought Haydar and Sterling looked like mice out there.
By Craig Custance
September 25, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Maybe we can call tonight’s line the Stuart Little line. Thanks, I’m here all week. Tip your waitresses.
By GaVaHokie
September 25, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
If you get a chance, Craig, tell Hartley to throw Perrin Slater and Dupuis out together… for curiosity sake… tell him it’s a fan request! :)
By R. Stroz
September 25, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
I think we should send Slater, Sterling, and Stuart out together and call it the oh s* line. I’ll let everyone fill in the asterisks :>)
By gretschdrum
September 25, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Hey Thrasher 27
According to the 680AM web site tonight’s game will be broadcast.
By Matt H
September 25, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Craig, you’re in the wrong business, man…
By Craig Custance
September 25, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
Bob - Wow, you beat me to it by 3 minutes. I blame the delay.
By GaVaHokie
September 25, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
If Little plays on the line with Hossa and Kozlov, with Havelid and Zhitnik behind them, would they call it the Sir Mix Alot line?
“Little in the Middle, but they got much back.”
By Thrashers27
September 25, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks gretschdrum!
GaVahokie, that was just plain bad, bad, bad. At least you didn’t mention your Honda, or Anaconda.
By GaVaHokie
September 25, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Thrashers27… I know, but when could I ever make that joke again? How often do Centers named Little come along? :)
By GaVaHokie
September 25, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t mind seeing Slater in between Kozlov and Hossa a few times tonight… I remember Slater and Kozlov having a lot of chemistry in preseason last year.
By Sara
September 25, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
Lord help us, we’ve gone from quoting movies to quoting lyrics. It’s gonna be a loooonnngggg week. ;)
By Matt H
September 25, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
This thread’s getting a Little out of control.
By GaVaHokie
September 25, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
We’ll have to Boulton down the hatches and Hossa we can get through this week.
I’m getting a Little stir crazy waiting for tonights game.
By Rawhide
September 25, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
What’s all this hub-bub I keep hearing about Little Steward????
Why do we find the need to tease some poor kid because he isn’t a tall or big as the others. He certainly must have feelings!!!!
I mean, when I was ……………..
What???
Little AND Steward?
Oh,…well that’s completely different.
NEVER MIND!
By Rawhide
September 25, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
What’s all this hub-bub I keep hearing about Little Steward????
Why do we find the need to tease some poor kid because he isn’t a tall or big as the others. He certainly must have feelings!!!!
I mean, when I was ……………..
What???
Little AND Stewart?
Oh,…well that’s completely different.
NEVER MIND!
By aroha
September 25, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Dunno who this ‘Steward’ is you’re referring to, but if he’s good, we’ll take him. Lord knows we need it.
It’s too bad Kovy and Kozzy can’t play together…we could throw them with little and call it the Little Russia Line.
By Jameson
September 25, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
I don’t believe it… Kovy scores in the shootout while Kozy misses.
By Matt H
September 25, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
I hereby declare Kovy unjinxed! So sayeth I. So it shall be.
(I like the “Little Russia” line, they’d be a big “hit” in Long Island…).
By dj
September 25, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
After watching tonight’s game (in which I admit I miss the first game due to college football and cute girls but not in that order), I was impressed with Little. I wouldn’t mind seeing in Fridays’ game maybe Kovy, Little, Dupuis skate together. I would have to say that right now Little and Sterling (based on other opinions since I haven’t seen him yet) are in for the forwards. Enstrom played really well to me. I think Pilar isn’t going to make it and the new guy with the long freaking name (i’m too tired and lazy to try to find out how to spell it right now) played pretty solid. I guess we’ll have to wait to friday to see who is still left.
By Brendan
September 26, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this two in a row for Kovalchuk in the shootout?, dating back to the Season finale with Tampa Bay last year.
By R. Stroz
September 26, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this
Brendan - You are correct sir!
By R. Stroz
September 26, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this
Craig - After watching tonights game front and center, which forwards do you think should make the team? How was the chemistry between the vets and the rookies (don’t disclose any info that Holik may get you for later)? Is it possible some of the rookies might bounce a vet down to Chicago or a vet may be moved to another team prior to the season opener due to some of the rookies performances?
By Hip Czech
September 26, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this
Couple comments/observations from last night:
Good -
PK - vastly improved over last year. Slater and Dupuis look REALLY good on the PK unit. Perrin/Kozlov/Hossa are solid, though Hoss still stands around too much in the defensive end on the PK. Compare him in the defensive end to Dupuis or Slater.
D - Wow, this one coulda/shoulda been a shutout. The first goal was shades of the playoff board carom shot, second goal was pretty soft too. Granted, the Preds just missed wide on a number of shots, but overall a very sound defensive game.
I have to give Enstrom his due, the kid looked good out there, the 2 penalties he got were both questionable calls. He can definitely be an offensive force (hmmm…try him at wing?). I don’t know how you cut him, Pilar, or Kwiatkowski, they all looked good.
Average - PP - The Zhitnik goal was the way a PP is supposed to be run. That was pretty. Still STINK on 5-3…we had 1:45 of a 5-3 and still cannot score, shoot, I don’t know if we got a shot on goal during it, maybe late Enstrom finally shot. The PP in the 3rd was downright atrocious, we wasted 1:00 trying to get the puck in the offensive zone.
Bad - Really, nothing. Hedberg’s brain cramp giving up the first goal was about the only real negative.
Pretty solid.
By Hip Czech
September 26, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this
R Stroz….I like McCarthy, but I would be worried if I were in his shoes. I don’t see how you decide between Kwiatkowski, Pilar, and Enstrom. McCarthy COULD be the odd man out.
Dunno about the forwards…Little definitely shows potential but I don’t know if he is ready quite yet. I think the forwards are pretty well set, possibly Larsen could potentially be displaced, though he played for BH in Colorado.
By Hip Czech
September 26, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this
Sorry, forgot one other comment - when was the last time we gave up FOUR shots in a period?
That was impressive, especially seeing it was the 3rd.
By Sara
September 26, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
On a completely unrelated note, Bill Wirtz died. A shame for his family obviously but could have major implications for that franchise. It will be interesting to see what direction they head in now.
Craig great article from last night’s game. But surely you can find one or two more things you can share that won’t make Holik angry. ;)
Nice to see Kovy score one in the shootout. Nice to see the team win too, obviously.
One last observation re: the D - I’m still not sold on Pilar at all. He seems quite capable, but with that heart condition, I just am not sure he needs to be playing anywhere. Yes, I realize he’s been cleared by physicians to play, but then so was Jiri Fischer and we all know how that turned out.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
September 26, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
Craig:
GaVaHokie and I were sitting on the other side of the oppositions bench; glass. (we moved down…) We got a great view of both of Kovys goals!!!!
We spent most of our time on the glass making ‘sissors’ gestures with our fingers to the rookies of Nashville.
One player in particular (Jerred Smithson) joked back that he was ‘staying’ but we begged to differ…
Fun Game…
By GaVaHokie
September 26, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
None of the young forwards impressed me last night… at this point I’d say the job is Sterling and Haydar’s to lose. Little might come up later, but he starts the season in Chicago. Look for Stuart and Lavallee to be cut next round.
Enstroms decision making and passing skills impresses me more and more everyday. So many tough choices to make on Defense… I like it.
By GaVaHokie
September 26, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
Interesting, I don’t remember Mellanby playing last night.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=219203&hubname=nhl
By Craig Custance
September 26, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
One quick updated before leaving for Florida: Karel Pilar was optioned to Chicago. I believe that’s now 9 D-men for 7 spots.
By Craig Custance
September 26, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Bob Hartley said he was really happy with Little’s play. In fact, he was going to send him out fourth on the shootout.
By d
September 26, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
Sounds as if Little has won the job based on BH’s enthusiastic praise during the post game interview. Also, BH appears a lot more upbeat on Slater - particularly on the PK.
Separately, is Vokoun expected to start for Florida this Friday? His addition to that team could spell problems for ATL this season.
By Matt H
September 26, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
First of all, I can’t wait to see our new guys play, especially Little and Enstrom.
Second of all, As Sara said, Dollar Bill is dead.
This can only mean good things for Chicago, a hockey city that my heart aches for; and not just because I was born right by it (I think Wirtz may have passed in the hospital where I was born).
Attendance average of 12,7 per game? That’s pathetic. For an expansion team.
Get those games on TV and lower ticket prices! Do free T-shirt nights! Getcher fanbase back, getcher s** together and get back in the NHL!
Go Blackhawks!
By Hip Czech
September 26, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
well, I would say that out of Enstrom, Kwiatkowski, and Pilar that Pilar was probably the most questionable last night, though he add an assist last night and a few in the first 2 games.
So we are down to:
Zhitnik, Havelid, X, Klee, Kwiatkowski, McCarthy, Enstrom, Popovic, and who is the 9th? Valabik?
By Brendan
September 26, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Hokie, that was funny! Gotta love it when the media pulls out “file photos” for sports coverage. It could have been worse? They might have posted a Thrashers celebration with Marc Savard.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
September 26, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
I agree. Pilar didn’t do much. I really hope Boris makes the team.
Zhit/Hav X/Enstrom Boris/Klee
I know that isn’t going to happen but I want some size damn it!!!!
By Matt H
September 26, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
d If Vokoun doesn’t end up starting in Sunrise this year, this should be the last year the Panthers are allowed to compete in the NHL. They’re sort of like the reverse Red Wings- every year I’m like “Not a bad roster, they could do something.” (as opposed to “THIS will be the year the Wings tank”). And then they fall like a tree in the woods with no one there to hear it.
There were sure some spirited meetings between the Thrashers and them last season, though. I generally look forward to those games.
By Brendan
September 26, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
So, I’m flippin’ around the morning news, and there’s Ray D’Alessio, sports reporter for CNN Headline News, doing some fluff coverage of hockey. It’s the video package from the Islanders-Rangers game, when goaltenders Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya square off. But his lead-in was, “Well Robin, in case you were wondering, hockey has started back up.” In the spirit of, “so all we have to show you for highlights are fights.”
Look, for all I know, Ray D’Allessio is a hockey fan. But I sort of resent the implication that all hockey is … is a bunch of thugs, gooning it up, “WWE-Style.” Okay, the Islanders-Rangers rivalry is a long and heated one. But bench-clearing brawls are not commonplace in today’s NHL. Speed and skill are the hallmarks of the “new NHL.” Somehow, I don’t think that concept made it into D’Allessio’s “hockey coverage.”
By Buzilla Baby Blues
September 26, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
How many forwards and how many defensemen will we carry this year?
Only two goalies right? Lehts and Moose
By JayBird
September 26, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
Craig, you do a great job and all of us appreciate everything you do. That being said, I hate you…for getting to watch the game from ice level last night. WOW!
By Chris
September 26, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
The team usually carries 13 forwards, 7 defensemen and 2 goalies on the roster (22 total, the limit is 23) - but only 20 can dress for a game, so 1 forward and 1 dman are usually healthy scratches, sitting in the press box in street clothes.
Teams don’t like to carry rookies and scratch them frequently, they’d rather the kids stay in the AHL and get the minutes to develop.
My guess is that Boulton and McCarthy will be the most frequent scratches.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
September 26, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
thanks Chris
By Buzilla Baby Blues
September 26, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Here is MSNBC’s prediction for the Thrash this coming season:
Outlook: Atlanta was embarrassed by the Rangers after finally making the playoff grade last spring. Playing in the soft Southeast Division will benefit the Thrashers, though a weak defensive corps could prove their downfall.
Prediction: 81 points, 4th in Southeast, 12th seed in East
4th in the SE!!!!!
12th seed in the EAST!!!!
Blashphamy!
By GaVaHokie
September 26, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
I guess MSNBC expects us to pull a Carolina Hurricanes… go from first to worst.
Hey, MSNBC… you’re cut!
By R. Stroz
September 26, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
MSNBC just provided the poster board material for the team!
By Hip Czech
September 26, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
81 pts!?!?!?
OK…SE division prediction time:
1 - Atlanta 96 pts 2 - Carolina 93 pts 3 - Washington 90 pts 4 - Tampa Bay 86 pts 5 - Florida 79 pts
The Thrashers should stay the course of the past 2 years, I don’t see them taking a step back (unless there is a serious injury bug).
Carolina still has the weapons to compete for a playoff spot. They might squeeze in as a 7-8 seed.
Washington is close, but not quite there yet…kind of like the Thrashers 2 seasons ago.
Tampa Bay will have to ride the storm out while Boyle is out. Someone will have to step up and unless they also trade for a goalie the miss the playoffs.
Florida is a real question mark. Vokoun will make them better and they have some talent but they have to prove they can put it all together. They could just as easily push 90 pts as 80, but someone has to finish last.
That’s my take….
By d
September 26, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Granted, the Thrashers are soft at center and the blue line, but are equal to slightly improved from last year. While Carolina, Florida, and Philly will pose a stronger challenge, the only scenario I see leading to a 12th place finish for the Thrash are injuries to Hoss, Kovy, Kozy, and/or Kari.
By Russ
September 26, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
I think it’s debatable whether the Thrashers are going to be better or worse than last season. My guess is they will be similar to the last two seasons, either just making the playoffs by a few points or just missing out…but come on!!!, 81 points, that’s a 16 point drop-off from last season. I don’t see how anyone can say the current roster is that much worse than last season, unless they think the Eastern Conference has improved that much.
By Sara
September 26, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
Hokie and Brendan - cut ‘em some slack, eh? It’s not like there’s a plethora of stock photos of Kovy celebrating shoot-out goals running around. :p
On to the SE predictions - I predict the SE ain’t gonna be quite so soft this season. Too hard to tell what this team might do, TB and Carolina stood pat (not bad decisions there really), and FLA and Washington improved so… However, I also predict it’s going to be a lot of fun watching it all develop!! I’m geeked.
By Brendan
September 26, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
Sara, by my (unofficial) count, Kovy’s had three shootout goals. I think the first one was vs. Nicholai Khabibulin. (May have had some “insider, Russian camp” knowledge on what to do for that one.) Then, last year vs. … was it Holmqvist? Or Denis? Then this one, last night, which won’t count because it’s a preseason game.
I suppose slack cutting is in order. Credit Hokie for spotting that one, though! It was kinda funny!
By jen
September 26, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Losing Boyle is gonna kill Tampa. He is huge not just in terms of what a great player he is (one of the most underrated dmen in the league imho), but also in the locker room. Tortarelly likes to ride his horses more than Uncle Bob, so I can imagine he’s scambling trying to figure out who can play 30 min a nite on the bluelline right now. Its a great year to be a hockey fan in the southeast because the teams are so evenly matched and have all been around long enough now to really hate each other. SE predictions (honest ones)
By silverpork
September 26, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
I think a lot of people are underestimating Florida. Remember how well they played post-All-Star break? They had one of the best PP’s in the league too. They only got better in the off-season. I think they will surprise a lot of people this year.
By Bob
September 26, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
I think 4th in the SE is more likely than 1st. But neither one is where they’ll wind up, is my guess. I’m seeing the Thrash 2nd or 3rd in the SE and hanging around the 8 seed in the Conference.
I will say that both Tampa and Carolina underachieved last year, and I don’t expect that to continue. I think we overachieved last year and we’ll take a step back this year, how far remains to be seen. Our defense is woeful, once again. I think it’s pretty obvious that Havelid and Zhitnik’s best days are behind them. Exelby is what he is. Klee is a step down from Sutton, but not by much. Enstrom can move a puck up ice, but he is going to get run over on defense. Popovic/McCarthy/Kiwatchamacallit aren’t going to scare anyone. I think our defense is going to cause us to struggle again most of the year.
Florida was the best team in the SE at the end of last season, they’re going to be improved this year.
Washington has also improved, but I still see them in the 5 slot.
Overall, the other teams in the SE will be giving us better competition so with the unbalanced schedule that will hurt us in pts. Rangers are going to be scary good. Philly is improved. Islanders are improved. Buffablow is still going to be tough. Ottawa is an elite club. I’m having a hard time thinking of more than a handful of clubs in the East that are worse than us.
I think this club’s best chance is to hang around the 8 seed and then hope mgt. signs off on Waddell making some deadline moves to bring in some rentals for a run.
By jen
September 26, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Florida has burned me horribly the last couple of years. I;ve kept picking them to have breakout years, and I’m not getting trapped this year. Their biggest issue is that they play like horse manure against the rest of the SE division, and with scheduling what it is, you won’t make the playoffs if you can’t win games within the division.