AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 09
Friday, November 9, 2007
No comment on media training
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s always fun to talk to a team fresh off their media training. I entered the dressing room this morning after the practice down here in Ft. Lauderdale or Sunrise or wherever the arena is, and immediately discovered the strategies the Thrashres were taught in Duluth when the league sent a media training staff to Atlanta. Evidently there’s a group that does a league-wide tour so NHL players learn the proper way to interact with predators like myself.
And it’s a good thing, because these hockey players are bombarded by the crush of media in Atlanta. So here’s what I learned from the players. Evidently, no comment is out. Ken Klee said it’s preferred to say, something like “I’d rather not discuss that, but I’d be happy to talk about ‘fill in the blank’” To which Bobby Holik said, “I’d be happy to talk about me.” I’m beginning to suspect that the media training didn’t sink in with Bobby. He seems to show some empathy towards the job we have to do, saying “I have a job to do, and you have a job to do. Even when you ask stupid questions.” There you have it.
Ilya Kovalchuk is a go tonight. Losing him would have been a huge buzz kill for this team and likely would have sapped them of any momentum they’ve picked up in their last five games. The Thrashers are 4-1 in their last five games, would you like to guess what they’d be in those five without Kovy?
But he’s back, and playing a Florida team that’s solid at home. The Panthers are 3-2 in their last five games, and this is a pretty decent Florida team. Especially defensively. You’ve got to love what a guy like Jay Bouwmeester brings to the table to lead the defense. The Thrashers could use a 6-4 blueliner, that’s for sure. I’m also looking forward to seeing Cory Murphy. When we were down here for the exhibition season, I chatted with Brian Biggane, who covers the Panthers for the Palm Beach Post (one of our sister papers). He said Murphy was going to sneak up on people this season, and he’s been a great addition to the power play down here. He has a goal and nine assists so far this season. That reminds me. When I was in Buffalo watching some hockey at a sports bar up there, a guy told me that he was close friends with Murphy and that the Thrashers were interested in him this summer. Don Waddell shot that one down via e-mail a couple weeks ago. Man, if you can’t trust random drunk people in Buffalo sports bars, who can you trust?
Carroll Rogers continues to do a great job pitching in with Thrashers coverage, her story “Dirty jobs go to Thrashers’ 4th line” is a great read. Great stuff from Odgy at the end. Speaking of that line, Jim Slater said they are now the “Greek god” line. Why, I asked? Because, he said, they all have sculpted bodies. I don’t know about that nickname for the three of them, I think Zeus would have a goal by now.
On that note, I’m going to finish up this Kovalchuk feature. I’ll get at your comments in a little bit.
