AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThings are clicking on road trip
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Montreal (for the next couple hours) - So that was the biggest win of the season, right? That’s as well as I’ve seen the team play all year. The defense was strong, the goaltending was outstanding and the offense kept the pressure on Montreal for most of the game. Remember, this was a Montreal team that had been lighting up opponents in the first period, and the opposite happened. The Thrashers were pretty dominant in the first period and set the tone for the rest of the game.
And the most encouraging thing was that they shook off that Montreal goal in the second period like it was nothing. That’s something I haven’t seen from this team all season - well, maybe the Toronto game. But you get my point. They battled back, the confidence is growing and this is a team that is starting to believe in itself.
I saw that a couple of you were complaining about the home-cooking in regards to the 3-stars of the game. How about the home cooking from the scorers? Eric Perrin’s goal was officially an unassisted goal. Really? Hossa drives down the boards, gets a shot off, Todd White whacks at a rebound and Perrin knocks it home, and it’s unassisted? I know the Thrashers filed a complaint to get a look at the replay. By all accounts, nobody on Montreal had possession of the puck, so Whitey, in my humble opinion, got robbed.
Interesting that Hossa was the second star. I’m saving all my Hossa stuff for my story for the paper, but he’s struggling to score right now. But otherwise he’s playing a complete game. He’s logging tons of time on the penalty kill, and is getting plenty of scoring chances. At some point he’s going to have a three point game and everybody will settle down.
The Thrashers had an optional practice today, and one of the guys sitting was Tobias Enstrom. It’s not often a rookie will sit out practices, but when you put in 27:33 of ice time the night before, you’re entitled to time off. He had five blocked shots last night and he and Havelid were great on the penalty kill.
I know you’re tired of hearing it, but there’s still nothing to report on the coaching front. Don Waddell’s focus right now is on winning games, and he believes that bringing guys in and doing interviews right now would be a distraction this team can’t afford to have. Brad McCrimmon ran practice today, and the sentiment around the dressing room that he’d be a worthy replacement for Hartley continues to grow.
Expect Johan Hedberg to continue to man the goal for now. The team is playing strong around him, and he’s making big saves. How about that 6-0 record in the shootout? Also, feel free to blame me if he loses his next shootout, because I asked him about his perfect record. He should be alright, because he knocked on wood while he talked about it. If he plays well, that back-to-back stretch on Nov. 9-10 becomes Ondrej Pavelec’s best shot at making his first NHL start.
I thought Bryan LIttle looked great in the shootout. He thought he got the call as the second shooter because of his familiarity with Carey Price from their time together in the World Junior Championship, but that wasn’t the case. You’ll find out the details in my story for Thursday. But he was surprised, and agreed that he was probably better off not knowing he’d be the second shooter until the moment it happened because nerves might have gotten the better of him. Waddell says Little has five or six great moves for the shootout, so they may just be scratching the surface there.
Kari Lehtonen’s rehab is going strong. No setbacks or anything right now. He’s doing a lot of physical training, although the groin isn’t being tested. The priority is to keep him in shape and let the groin heal. Also, speculation that he wasn’t in good shape at the beginning of the season is being shot down by the team. I haven’t talked to anybody who had issues with Lehtonen’s conditioning this season. The fact is, it’s a different groin injury and just one of those things that happen in hockey.
Comments
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 31, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
yatzee
By JD
October 31, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
winner
By Craig Custance
October 31, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
Am I allowed to play?
By Brian
October 31, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Buzilla - well, I guess if you are going to win, let it be a blog that isn’t on a gameday or right after a game. We still have a chance to win now.
Craig - I commented on the assist that White should have had. But I think Stroz would have a stroke if Todd White got another point, so I’ll accept that the hometown scorers didn’t give it to him. After that though, it better not happen again.
Craig - I also commented on the 3 stars, but Atlanta abuses that more than anyone. Look at the Ottawa game earlier this year at Philips, was that right?
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 31, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
You can play of Big Willy Tillers blog. Apparently I am bad luck…
By David
October 31, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
Maybe they made him the second star to try and get hossa to like montreal? Has the courting already started??? Just kidding….maybe.
Good game last night. It’s good to see (hear) the vets names being called more often.
By Brian
October 31, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
Craig - just don’t let Buzilla win. Don’t you know what happens when he is first to post, or wins, on the last blog before a game or first blog after a game?
By B. Thenet
October 31, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to see the Thrashers win on local TV instead of hearing about it on the radio.
I did like the move of putting Little on the SO. He is great when he gets inside on a goalie, like his goal on Lunqvist earlier this year.
Don Waddell is a pretty good coach, he did a fine job with a very bad team the last time he took over the reigns. Right now, I don’t know if I want him to hire a coach…so McCrimmon might be a good fit to continue the status quo.
We are going to need Hossa to finally break out of his slump if we are going to have a chance against Ottawa.
By Brian
October 31, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Ok, let me post that link again
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 31, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
damn, I thought I had some time on my hands
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 31, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
I just got some very good Thrashers news…for me and my friend Rone anyway. They are finally planning on showing our videos on the jumbotron. They are going to show “Opening Nightmare” on Nov. 6th and “Blueland Strikes Back” (claymation video) on Decemeber 7th against the Rangers.
So keep an eye out!!!
By Brian
October 31, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
Buzilla - I will be in attendence on the 6 Nov game, looking forward to your video…
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 31, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Sweet! And Bob said they would never play my video because of the “burp” I put in the end.
I will not be censored!!!!!
By Bob
October 31, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Sweet! And Bob said they would never play my video because of the “burp” I put in the end.
Dude, they’re gonna so bleep that out, just like DaveFM does on my favorite Green Day song.
I know you’re tired of hearing it, but there’s still nothing to report on the coaching front. Don Waddell’s focus right now is on winning games, and he believes that bringing guys in and doing interviews right now would be a distraction this team can’t afford to have.
No, not at all, thanks for the update. No news is good news in my view on this topic. Leave Waddell behind the bench, if he feels comfortable in a couple weeks with leaving McCrimmon in charge, then go back upstairs and let the season play out from there. I see no point in bringing in Anderson or Quinn et al right now.
By Jim
October 31, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
Watched the game on Center Ice. The Montreal commentators (English) pointed out that Waddell was letting the creative guys move the puck into the offensive end and that the team looked much different from Hartley’s old “dump and chase” club. They also focused on the fine work that Havelid, Hossa and Enstrom were doing on the penalty kills. Subtle stuff that really made a difference. Looks like the coaching change really does make a difference. Team is a lot more fun to watch right now. Lots of passing, movement and shots on goal.
By LAC
October 31, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
The goal by Slava was a classic…
Pulled him in then a SOFT touch right through the 5 hole… Since he saw that move earlier, Slava had to try a different move and was just a bit off… But Little looked great as did Ilya, what a neat move to drift to the side and then shoot back real crafty.
Now something has to be done about these refs in Canada. They did everything AGAIN last night to steal the game from Atlanta, the Klee high-stick was a complete JOKE, never came close to the Mtl player…
I wish the NHL would suspend a few of these refs a few games so they understand, Southeast teams get the same treatment as the Canada teams do… Really bad calls last night against us I thought.
By Hip Czech
October 31, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Buzilla, I was hoping they would show the claymation video for the first Rangers game…better late than never I guess. That’s cool.
Tampa Bay is in the same situation with Dan Boyle that we are with Hossa, only worse because they have some serious cap issues. It will be interesting to see if they move Boyle and when.
I wouldn’t necessarily want to trade with them, in division and all (although a deal involving Lehtonen might not be bad if he weren’t hurt), but signing Boyle next summer would be sweet.
By ranallo10
October 31, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Senator’s Spezza Suffers Groin Pull
By kracker
October 31, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
Buzilla I saw Opening Nightmare on youtube (I forgot mine and had to go back home so I got caught in the jam on 85 coming down, it was horrible) but did not see the claymation vid, what are the youtube links?
By Boulton's Bruisers
October 31, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
GaVaHokie—since you asked…
Yes—and it’s almost over! Thrash are doing better on road trip than i thought! We still have to go to St. Louis and Columbus in December, but that’s it! No more grueling road trips. This could turn out to be a very good deal for us!
By kracker
October 31, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Boulton’s Bruisers Yep, pretty good so far on this long trip, if we can get 2 more points WOW that will be great. I’m not particular how we get them, but….I am going down to TB for the Saturday game and we are due for a win there. This will be our THIRD game AT the Bolts in a 4 week span, so finishing the trip with a win would be sweet and even it up a bit for later in the series with them.
Coming home with 10 points would be fantastic after the 0-6 coach-killing debacle of a start.
By kracker
October 31, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this
Ranallo While Spezza being out may or may not help us tomorrow, it probably doesn’t help the Sens for sure…our old pal Randy Robitaille may be centering their top line….As we have seen with Hossa, groin injuries hurt the skaters not just Thrashers goalies and can take a while to fully heal. It’s just part of the game.
Speaking of goalies, let us not forget we are living on our No. 2 goalie with a very raw backup traveling with the team. I’m as big of a Moose fan as anybody but he is older than he used to be and could hit his personal wall for consecutive games at any time. Thrash fans, with respect to our net situation, continue to hold your breaths.
By Sam
October 31, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this
“Brad McCrimmon ran practice today, and the sentiment around the dressing room that he’d be a worthy replacement for Hartley continues to grow.”
Maybe that’s part of the plan to not aggressively pursue another coach right now. Waddell can watch firsthand and see how McCrimmon manages the team and how the players interact with him.
Plus, the ownership is saving salary money they’d be paying the new coach (as well as the old coach who’s still under contract).
Awesome game. What happened to all the folks who said Waddell was the problem and Hartley got shafted????
By GSU-Lee
October 31, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Craig and everyone else, are you not severely bothered by the Hossa “I’m not feeling it” crap? I know I am. Would John Smoltz ever say that? HELL NO! He would pitch BOTH games of a double header if Bobby asked him to, and that is what a leader would do. Hossa loses major points for that one, but I guess if he honestly felt he wasn’t the best guy for the job than there is a more serious and evident issue at hand: Has Hossa lost confidence in himself?
By LAC
October 31, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
We have a Five game trip in January I believe…
By Thrashers27
November 1, 2007 2:47 AM | Link to this
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!!!
By kracker
November 1, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
LAC There are no long trips in Jan this season. We have a 5 game trip in Feb. It’s when the circus usually comes to town, which is normally when our longest road trip of the year occurs and we typically play the western teams. This year for the circus trip we get 5 eastern teams and it’s broken up with 4 off days after the first 2 games. Sweet.
By Tom
November 1, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
LAC
Looks like Kracker has you over a barrel on that observation… :)
By GaVaHokie
November 1, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
I still think November is the most grueling part of the schedule… eight division games in a row… that’s make or break. We could sky rocket to the top of the division or dig a hole impossible to get out of.
By Hip Czech
November 1, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
I think Pavelec should get the start tonight, for a couple reasons.
1) this is a game we are ‘supposed’ to lose any ways (or so most people have stated).
2) having a rookie in goal may force a little more defensive discipline, which never hurts against Ottawa
3) Spezza looks like a scratch
If not tonight, then definitely in Tampa on Saturday. Moose struggled mightily last visit to St. Pete and Pavelec has already played there so the butterflies may not be as big. Also, historically the game AFTER a long road trip is usually a clunker so maybe it might be nice to have a well rested Moose for the Caps on Tuesday.
I hope he starts one of the next 2…
By kracker
November 1, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
I vote for skyrocketing toward the top of the division. It’s so much more fun when your team isn’t the disdained doormat of the league.
Last night the Panthers and Devils both won, putting both of those teams back ahead of your Thrashers — but by winning they took down the Canes and especially the Bolts for us. I want to beat Ottawa tonight but for sure I want to payback TB on Saturday for two losses already in their building.
By wvubru
November 1, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
I’m not the least bit concerned about Hossa and him telling DW he wasn’t feeling it. Yes, professionals and the really good ones know when they are in a zone and when they are struggling a little bit even though they may be doing their best. That is what happened in Montreal. And I applaud Hossa for not letting his ego get in the way and did the team thing by letting a rookie take his spot in the spotlight. That led to a win. This is what leadership is all about.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 1, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Kracker
Here is the link to where it is on the Thrashers site.
http://thrashers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=18007
By B. Thenet
November 1, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Hey Craig, someone told me that DW disputed your version of events before the shootout on the radio this morning. I did not hear it myself, but just relaying what I have read on the internets.
If that is the case…do you have anything to say about it?
Based on the quality of your reporting, I know who I believe. I have a feeling that if the Thrashers weren’t under the NHL microscope in Canada, DW wouldn’t have tried to spin the story.
Considering the Thrashers won the game, I don’t see the big deal either way.
By ThrasherNY
November 1, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
This year highlights available on NHL.com are just fantastic. The give you the entire game and good commentary.
In Montreal Kozlov was inches away from netting his shot in the shootout. He just didnt get enough extension but he had the goalie beat. Price had no chance against Little; the move was that sweeeet. The play by play guy knew Kovy would go high glove side and so I suspect that Price did as well…FROZEN…is the best way to describe it, Kovy’s release was just that quick.
A couple weeks back I was looking at these next two games as inevitable losses. Stopping a hot Montreal squad has put us back in the drivers seat and my crystal ball now sees a couple wins.
Lets hope I picked up the crystal ball and not the snow globe this time.
GO THRASHERS!
By ranallo10
November 1, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
ThrasherNY — I watched Kovalchuk’s shootout shot about 5 times in slow mo, and his shot was so quick you couldn’t see the puck after it left his stick until the puck was on the ice behind Price. That’s damn fast!
However, I thought it was a five-hole shot (doesn’t matter) based on Price’s reaction.
By puckjunque
November 1, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
You’re not the only one predicting a win….
By GaVaHokie
November 1, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Eklund rumor… It seems Modano is ready to waive his no trade clause… interesting. Thrashers and Stars have been trade partners before, even though the Kapanen/Stefan trade didn’t work out for either side.
By ThrasherNY
November 1, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
ranollo10: I watched it numerous times as well to try and see if he indeed went high glove. It is so fast I cant see the puck and Price has no reaction so you get no clue there.
By Craig Custance
November 1, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
B. Thenet - That’s interesting. Nobody said anything this morning at the skate. I’ve got Marian on tape telling the story, so I’m not sure where the mixup is.
By Bob
November 1, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
are you not severely bothered by the Hossa “I’m not feeling it” crap? I know I am…Has Hossa lost confidence in himself?
I don’t think that’s it, look at the entirety of his season here I think you’ll figure out what the issue is. My guess is what I’ve been thinking all year after watching his “effort” in games. He’s trying to force Waddell to trade him now. I think that even more after reading Craig’s quote from Waddell today that it’ll be “months” before he considers trading him. I see that as a return shot across Hossa’s bow saying “get in gear, you’re here till the deadline”.
I’ll say it again, they should move Hoss now, the return will be higher than what they’ll get at the deadline, and if he’s being a cancer in the room with his half a* play this year and turning down shootouts, then you have to get him out of the room. He really can bring us a good return, I think it’s in the club’s best interest long term to move him.
By Bob
November 1, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
I’ve got Marian on tape telling the story, so I’m not sure where the mixup is.
Hmm, bthenet, what radio show did Waddell say that on? If true, it adds fuel to the speculation that Hoss wants out, since if he declined to shoot, Waddell wouldn’t want that info out there as it weakens his hand if the other GMs know that Hoss wants out. You can’t demand as much in return if the other GMs know he has to move him.
By B. Thenet
November 1, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
This morning on 790 around 9:30, according to my source(I feel like Eklund). I was already at work so I can’t confirm.
Craig, one other thing. You have any idea why the entire NHL seems to be scouting the Thrashers right now. Looks like DW is dangling someone out there, and plenty of people are interested.
By ThrasherNY
November 1, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
Hossa not wanting to take his shootout goal is not that big of a deal. He played a great game including some great PK time that got us into the shootout.
That said I consider us to be in a Hossa recession and the fact that we are winning without his productivity is just another point of optimism for me. His effort is there and the stats will soon follow. While I think we are shopping someone I am confident it is not Hossa. Waddell needs Hossa if we will make the playoff this season. I look for Hossa to “be feeling it” tonight.
Could DW be shopping Sterling for a Dman? This seems to be the most logical trade option to me?? Pure speculation on my part.
By Bob
November 1, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Wow, he’s trying to kill the story right here in Atlanta, I figured you were going to say it was some radio outlet up in Canada land.
My guess is that Hoss has already demanded a trade and Waddell did the same as when Heatley came to him, told him to shut up about it and he’d do his best (remember Heatley’s original request was an outright release, which Waddell wouldn’t give him, rightly so, then Waddell was able to work the deal without it being known out there that Heater had demanded a trade). If the other GM’s know Hoss wants out, they’ll lowball Waddell.
I will not dog Waddell when he trades Hoss, it’s the right move, let’s hope he can get a great return. If there’s one forte that Waddell does have, it’s when he makes NHLer for NHLer trades.
Craig, you may want to put the kabosh on the story, I think most reasonably informed people believe you, but Waddell may want it kept quiet so he can max the return we get for Hoss.
By ranallo10
November 1, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Bob — it’s a two way street. Perhaps Hossa didn’t say “i wasn’t feeling it” but rather said “I can’t score on that kid tonight”. Afterall, he’s in the top two on the team for shots, but has two goals to show for it. Simply put, I think whomever said his confidence COULD BE low is more accurate than your assumption.
Barry Melrose and Don Waddell, two people who know more about hockey than any of us, have both said the statement “teams try to pick your pockets when you’re underachieving” (or some form of that). Waddell wont trade Hossa NOW (as you want him to) because he wont get fair return. Waddell wont trade him until two months from now because he knows what the playoff situation looks like for his team, and can thus find more suitable trading partners then.
There’s no proof in your statement “You can’t demand as much in return if the other GMs know he has to move him”. Waddell doesn’t HAVE to move a player. Come trade deadline, 20 teams will be knocking on the seller’s doors asking for anybody imaginable, and offering the moon. Waddell can get plenty then, he doesn’t NEED to move Hossa now.
By Bob
November 1, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
There’s no proof in your statement “You can’t demand as much in return if the other GMs know he has to move him”.
Huh? If a player demands a trade, the other GMs know they can pick the selling GMs pocket as he’s backed into a corner. You can’t be that clueless, can ya, Sparky?
Waddell can get plenty then, he doesn’t NEED to move Hossa now.
This is true. Waddell doesn’t have to move him now, and I imagine that’s why he made the comments Craig reported today about “months”. He can wait till the deadline if he wants. But the right move is to move him now. Why? I’ll type slower…because the return will be higher now and you rid yourself of a guy who might cause dissension in the room. You think the other players don’t see Hoss doggin it? Let’s hope Waddell can get to Hoss and explain to him he can more easily move him now if he raises his level of play to what we all know he can do. Tonight would be a good start seeing how Hoss is back on his old big stage in Ottawa, lots of media eyes on him. Time to turn up the juice Hoss.
By ranallo10
November 1, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
“If a player demands a trade, the other GMs know they can pick the selling GMs pocket as he’s backed into a corner”
Which player has demanded a trade? I know you’re not completely deft, so perhaps you can clue us all in on this. Point us all to one statement of “__ demanded a trade from the Thrashers organization”, and you’ve got proof for that statement.
Assuming a player HAS IN FACT DEMANDED Waddell to trade him, why or how would any other GM in the NHL know about this demand (unless it’s gone public)?? You really think Waddell is that stupid to tip his cards by telling the NHL GM’s “Hossa demanded a trade, I’ll honor that demand, so what will you give me???”.
Seriously, who’s the clueless one here Grandpa?
As for Hossa “dogging it”…you are the only person on this board that continues to claim Hossa is “mailing it in”. Some people have questioned his injury status, while others have questioned his mental status (and Craig even interviewed Waddell about this). However, The Program is the only person to assume Waddell is playing poorly to be traded. So, I’ll take you up on that statement.
Hossa is playing bad right now, statistically. He’s not succeeding in every situation for which he NORMALLY succeeds. Because of his track record, he will receive great compensation for the Thrashers (if traded). However, because the Thrashers are playing poorly, Hossa is playing poorly, and EVERYBODY CAN SEE THAT, no GM will come to the table for Hossa with anything substantial to offer.
Tell me the last time an impending UFA SUPERSTAR was traded in October, or early November, and you’ve made a good point. Then show to me that this example trade garnered more in return than any similar trade made after Christmas (when the playoff picture is more clear). Finally, give an example that isn’t an abnormality, such as Hossa for Heatley. Until you can come up with proof to back your opinion, you’re completely off your rocker in my opinion.
By GaVaHokie
November 1, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Bob’s just stirring the pot, he doesn’t really believe that… he’s just trolling on this one. I know when he really means what he’s saying.
This isn’t the X-Files… stop making more out of this then there is.
By ranallo10
November 1, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Good point Hokie, now I’m going back to read the tabloids (aka Eklund).
By Brian
November 1, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
You can’t be that clueless, can ya, Sparky?
Hokie & Ranollo - I can tell you are proving Bob wrong, he always reverts back to name calling when he has nothing meaningful to say…