AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKovy for MVP?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back-to-back hat tricks? I really thought that would be tough to beat, but Ilya Kovalchuk’s real accomplishment came when his performance in Tampa Bay cracked the top three on SportsCenter’s top plays. You know he’s doing something special when he can get a hockey game into the ESPN highlight mix on a college football Saturday. That was unbelievable, and everybody after the game was talking about how it started in Ottawa. This team, right now, feels like they can come back on anyone.
Now, if they wouldn’t get off to such sluggish starts, they wouldn’t need superhuman performances from their Russian superstar to bail them out, but we’ll let that slide for now. I’m not going to be the one to throw cold water on an exciting comeback.
Kovalchuk’s drive has been with a singular goal, and that is to get back to the playoffs. Even when the team was struggling, he knew exactly how many points behind the final playoff team the Thrashers were. Even last night, he was excited, not with six goals in two games, but because the Thrashers got their first division win.
In the summer, Don Waddell said that he’d be happy if the team was .500 after this 14 game stretch. He knew that after 14 games, the team would have played a quarter of its road games and that after that schedule is pretty favorable. Well, here were are and the Thrashers are 5-9. They’re 5-5 in their last 10. And they’re 5-3 under Waddell. And they’re only three games behind the Rangers for a top eight spot in the conference. Okay, they’d have to leap frog seven teams to get there, but this team buried itself with that 0-6 start and is showing some serious resiliency right now. And simply put, Kovalchuk is the reason why.
A breakdown by The Falconer points out that Ilya Kovalchuk contributed to 54.3 percent of the Thrashers points this season, more than any player in the NHL. How about that as an argument for MVP? Shoot, my plane is boarding, I’ve got to run. But is there a better player right now in the NHL than Kovalchuk?
Comments
By gretschdrum
November 4, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
I win
By GSU-Lee
November 4, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Zetterberg has had a great year in Motown, and he has been a model of consistency. But Kovy’s run is more exciting because of the way the team was playing. Zetterberg has had some terrific players around him to help him lead the league in goals, points, etc. BUt I believe Kovy is now tied for the league lead in goals. Kovy IS the MVP right now, no doubt. He has carried this team on his back and has done it differently than in years past. He is distributing the puck, scoring goals, scoring shootout goals-remember how bad he used to be in the shootout?- What he is doing is unbelievable. I will say too, this drive Kovy has is what is pushing him over the top, and it is fun to be a part of
By GSU-Lee
November 4, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
Oh and by the way, HOssa scored a goal…
By ThrasherNY
November 4, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly:
The Good: Yet again Kovy takes this team on his shoulders and carries them to the promise land. After the Ottawa game I found myself convinced that Kovy determined to make the 50+ goals mark this season and he sure helped his cause last night. I cant believe I am saying it for yet another season but can anyone imagine what his stats would be liked if he had decent linemates? I love the play of Little last night and cant wait to see him and Kovy develope chemistry in years to come. I will even credit Perrin with a great pass on the first goal. Is anyone confused who are franchise player is after this season.
The Bad: While it is exciting to watch us come back and fight to the finish it is not the ideal situation to find yourself in each night. Heart cant overcome a lack of fundementals.
The Ugly: We scored 3 goals on 5 shots in the third period. We were yet again outshot 3/2. You cant consistantly win with poor special teams and that ratio of SOG.
To leave on a high note. Pavelec looked good in his NHL debut.
GO THRASHERS!!!
By Hooky-Bob
November 4, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Ohhhhh…My life would be complete if I could have been in either Ottawa or Tampa and gotten to throw a hat on the ice.
With Kovy we have been witness to something amazing. Kovy, incredibly physically gifted, has matured mentally to where he is a “team” force. Often it is noted how a player makes those around him better. That’s the level Kovy has reached.
When he came to Atlanta we marvelled at his skill & enthusiasim. He learned from others. Does Hartley get some credit? How about Tkachuk? I say yes to both.
Lead on Kovy…we’re behind you 100%.
By Matt H
November 4, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
Nice to see Perrin working out. Nice to see Kovy in Hart form. Nice to watch a gutsy win. There is hope.
By Wreckin & Thrashin
November 4, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
From here on out, it’s Ilya Kovalclutch
By Jason
November 4, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Craig….Based on your blurb the other day, just curious on your thoughts about Pat Burns as a potential possibility here? Would he be a good fit with this paticular group of players? Not breeding a rumour here, just wondering what Burns might bring to the plate after a few years off from coaching.
Loved the heart/grit shown in the last two games, but hope the team can just bring it right out of the gate going forward for a change.
Tough, gutsy debut by Pavelec. Who should get the call on Tues? Moose or the rook?
By ranallo10
November 4, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Jason — My vote would be for The Wall (Pavelec). He’s a better goalie, and has the skill to truly HELP this team win. Hedberg in my opinion is a solid number 2, but not good enough to consistently start. I’d hope that Waddell/McCrimmon use Pavelec and Hedberg like Wilson in SJ did with Nabakov and Toskala…a platoon.
Hedberg’s heart and experience can keep this team in games, while Pavelec’s raw talent and size (he fills a ton of net) can continue to help this team win.
By Tony C.
November 4, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
#17 OWNS YOU
Seriously.
He’s the best player on earth right now. No really. The best part for me is that he’s been pretty much a one-man show so far this season. Watch out if he ever gets that “realiable scoring threat” on the same line…other than Hoss. Although the passing between the two is just super silly. Whoever DVR’d the game please let me know….so I can get a copy.
GO BLUE !!!
By Pinball34
November 5, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this
Trade Lehtonen while he’s still worth something…
By GaVaHokie
November 5, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
It seems like old times… Kovy and Heatley used to contribute something like 60-70% of the Thrashers total shots back in the day… that’s not a good thing when one player contributes 50% of a teams offense.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 5, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
What is the record for consecutive games with a hat trick?
By ranallo10
November 5, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
Pinball34 — A goalie with an injured groin is worth a used puck to the other NHL teams. You wont be seeing Lehtonen traded anytime soon. If he bounces back and is playing well while healthy, his value rises to both the other teams AND to the Thrashers…herein lies the problem, as his playing well means he wont be shipped off.
Thus, I doubt you’ll witness a Lehtonen trade this season.
By Sara
November 5, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Buzilla I haven’t been able to find anything concrete, but I think 2 games is the record. I found some kind of listing of Bondra’s accomplishments on an Avalanche message board but unfortunately the guy doesn’t cite his original source - although the info looks legit. So I’d say Kovy has tied the record and could break it if he does it again versus the Craps (oh please oh please oh please).
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 5, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
I’ve been looking around to find out what the record is but I can’t find it.
By Chris
November 5, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
In Dec ‘81 - Gretzky had back-to-back 4 and 5 goal games - In fact, it was part of a 15 goals - 10 points in 5 games stretch.
He had 10 hat tricks that season and recorded 50 goals in a stretch of 39 games.
By Tom
November 5, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
Here is a dumb question, but what if we traded Hossa for Savard straight up right now? Heck, I would even add Kozlov for Kessel, Ference, or Sturm into the deal to make it work.
Ilya and Marc have a chemistry and Boston is still stuck in a .500 level season without a win on the road. Their management is willing to make big moves and they need to make the playoffs this year.
By Tom
November 5, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Last player to post hat tricks in consecutive team games: Alex Kovalev, Pittsburgh, 2001-02 (Nov. 13 at New Jersey and Nov. 14 vs. NY Islanders)
Last player to post hat tricks in consecutive team games, both on the road: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh, 1995-96 (Oct. 26 at NY Islanders and Oct. 28 at New Jersey)
via http://thrashers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=342271
By Thorburn's Thugs
November 5, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Can’t wait to watch the Thrashers/Crapitals game on Tuesday. Oh yeah, it’s not on TV! WTF!!!
By GaVaHokie
November 5, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
According to Eklund (grain of salt), the Thrashers are looking at a Blackhawks D-man.
Perhaps Brent Sopel? I know Waddell was looking at him over the summer.
By ranallo10
November 5, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Hokie — knowing Eklund’s “sources” the person probably meant the Wolves, not the Blackhawks. Waddell must be interested in Kwiatkowski so Eklund figures he’ll trade someone to make it happen…OH WAIT…
I hate Eklund.
By ranallo10
November 5, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Hokie — If you care, I posted a response on HB.