AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLecavalier vs. Kovalchuk - who’s better?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pat Burns recently said that if he was starting an NHL team and had the first pick of any player, he’d take Vincent Lecavalier. Alex Ovechkin told me if he could hand-pick any player as a teammate, it’d be Ilya Kovalchuk. It’s safe to say those two are the hottest two players in the NHL right now. Lecavalier is on a seven-game point streak, and all of them are multi-point games (a franchise record). The last NHL player to do that is Mario Lemieux. He has six goals and 19 points in his last seven games. The trio of Lecavalier, St. Louis and Prospal has 80 points - the most of any trio in the league.
But we know how well Kovalchuk has been going. In three games against the Lightning, Kovy has five points (four goals, one assist). He has 15 points in his last seven games and leads the NHL in goals with 16. He almost single-handedly carried the Thrashers out of their brutal start, and hasn’t slowed down since his teammates have picked up the slack.
So take off your Thrashers blinders for a second, and answer honestly. Who would you pick first right now to start a team. Lecavalier or Kovalchuk. And defend your answer.
Morning skate report: No changes from last game. Moose in goal. That was easy, right?
Questions for Hoss: One of the fun parts about my job is that I can satisfy my own curiosity about things about the game by going right to the source. Since I didn’t do the Carolina game, I didn’t have a chance to ask Hossa if he banked that game-tying goal against Florida off Jay Bouwmeester’s skate on purpose (you remember, the one with two seconds left last week). He said it was an accident. Kind of. He faked the shot on Vokoun and realized that if he shot the puck, Vokoun was in position to make the save. He also knew a teammate was coming hard on the other side, so he tried sliding the puck across the crease to a teammate and it hit Bouwmeester’s skate and the rest is history. He said Bouwmeester was coming in too fast for him to try and hit a skate on purpose. But he also said that he does use the opposition for deflections that are sometime viewed as lucky bounces. He said, particularly during 5-on-3s, when defensemen retreat too far back, he’ll use them for a redirect. But that wasn’t the case against Florida. But man, talk about patience. There’s 2 seconds left, and he’s still making the absolute right decision. Good stuff.
Rehab for Kari?: Don Waddell still hasn’t ruled out a rehab stint in Chicago for Kari Lehtonen, but he did say that the goalie would have to approve any rehab assignment. In talking to Kari yesterday, it didn’t seem like he thought a rehab trip would be necessary so we’ll see.
Comments
By R. Stroz
November 19, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Kovalchuk
By Thrasher Ryan
November 19, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Things are back to normal. Thrashers are ATL’s best team. Falcons, Hawks, back to suck. Braves, we’ll see. Thank god for the Thrashers.
Thrashers win, 4-3.
By Jay
November 19, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
To answer your question:
The way Kovalchuk is playing today - Ilya w/o a doubt.
The way Lecavalier has played the past few seasons: Vinnie.
It’s a tough call, but watching Ilya play this year has been nothing short of amazing. The way he’s matured his game has really impressed me. I can’t wait to see what kind of star he matures into, but I’m starting to get a good idea. :)
By tp
November 19, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Considering all of the bad draft picks this team and all the others in Atlanta have made over the years, it’s refreshing to know a local player is in the discussion for being the best in his sport…
I think it’s a straight tie. Lecavalier has more talent to play alongside, but he’s been off the charts in terms of production for a few years. If Kovy can keep up this type of effort all year, he’ll move into #1 for me.
By BAF
November 19, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Overall play, Vinnie. But I’ll take Kovy on my team any day of the week!!
By silverpork
November 19, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Up until this season I would have said Vinny, simply because he’s always been a more complete and mature player. But the way Kovy has played so far this season makes it tough. Ask again at season’s end. If Kovy can maintain this level of play in all three zones from here on out, he’ll have elevated himself above the “pure-scorer” category and will get my vote.
By Sara
November 19, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Kovy - because he’s on my team and I have zero problems being biased about it. :D
By stendec
November 19, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Hi Craig. I would like to explain feelings of older fans. Will explain why blog posts are so passionate. I am legally blind with severe lung disease. Do not have time for five-year or even two-year plans. Falcons now working on decades-long plan! Would love to witness Falcons as champions before I depart this earthly plain. Cheered professional sports titles of Chiefs, Knights, Braves and Flames. Only technicality that Flames were headquartered in Canada at the time! Braves had glory years. Hawks had one opportunity to win it all but failed in 11th hour. No hope for them! Thrashers have my heart. Maybe they can bring Stanley Cup to Atlanta in my lifetime. Two fine goalies on roster! Sports bring me great joy and aggravation. Life-long fans deserve so much better! Falcons quitters. Hawks losers. Braves rebuilding. Thrashers upcoming. Heroes - Chris Chandler/Tommy Nobis, Pete Maravich/Lou Hudson, Phil Niekro/Hank Aaron, Tom Lysiak/Daniel Bouchard and Marian Hossa/Illya Kovalchuk. Bums - Far too MANY for THIS space! Thanks for listening.
By GaVaHokie
November 19, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Lecavalier… hands down, sorry.
By Brendan
November 19, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
Kovalchuk. Not only is he a certified sniper, but he can also skate. Next game out, just watch Kovalchuk skate. Don’t pay attention to anything else. Amazed? He leaves everyone else in the dust. That’s why he draws so many penalties.
Kovalchuk is also a playmaker. He can sniff out a play pretty well. He finds that patch of ice where he needs to be. He is also an enforcer. I’ve seen one Lecavalier fight. It was in the 2004 Finals vs. Jarome Iginla. I think Kovy’s actually tougher. Go back and watch the four playoff games. Who hit harder and more consistently than Kovalchuk? And lastly, Kovalchuk is younger. At the same age, I think Kovy is also faster. Perhaps, he had even more goals.
By Russian
November 19, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
No question for me. Kovy is my man! I hate Tampax :-(
By GaVaHokie
November 19, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
F*** versus has the game tonight… never have I HATED someone for covering hockey.
Actually, I guess it’s more that I hate Dish Network for not carrying it on their basic packages.
By Hockeyfan
November 19, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Craig I wouldnt wanna play Hossa in a game of pool the way he successfully uses bank shots “accidentally” to score.
By Bob
November 19, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
LeCavalier since he’s a center. A really great top center like Vinny can lift the play of their wingers, so I’d prefer to start with a top center when building a club. But Door #2 is a pretty good booby prize, sounds like a win/win whoever you pick.
Brendan, remember LeCavalier dismantling Sutton in a fight a couple years back? That’s one of the reasons I started looking harder at Mandy and what he did, and didn’t bring to the table.
Sweet, VS game should be in High Def tonight, that’s a plus.
By kracker
November 19, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
MY GUY’S BETTER THAN YOUR GUY!…OH YEAH!??…YEAH!??….(ever see the fighting hockey smilies? this would be the perfect spot to insert them)
By Brendan
November 19, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
As Celine Dion, “It’s all coming back to me now.” Yeah, Lecavalier won that fight. Sigh. But if Kovy ever fights Vinny, my money’s on Kovy. Who knows?? It very well could be tonight?!
I wonder how well Mandy is being received out on the Island? Deb Kaufman seems to like him. (She’s the Intermission host.)
Right now, I’m watching Game Six of the 1989 Prince of Wales Conference Finals between Montreal and Philadelphia on the NHL Channel. The Habs have been featured a lot lately on the “Classic Series” segment. Last night, they had the 1993 series vs. Buffalo, a four game sweep that featured three (3) overtime games. Prior to that, they showed a 7-game series between the Habs and Hartford. A week ago, they showed a Habs-Bruins series from the 1980’s. And, a prized jewel that I’ve long wanted, Game Two, in its entirety, of the 1986 Finals between Montreal and Calgary. This is the one that ended just nine seconds into overtime, to set the NHL record for fastest Playoff overtime goal. It’s a goal that always gets listed among the top 50 all-time playoff goals.
By GSU-Lee
November 19, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Craig, I am making this post at roughly 20 minutes til 4:30…anyways, I would o with Kovy. While I think That Vinny might be the best player in all of hockey, I do think he lacks the ability to lead. I really think over the next few years, Kovy will become a Captain and really become a formidabble eam leader.
By Bob
November 19, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
I concur, my money would be on Kovy in that bout.
Isn’t the NHL Channel great? I’ve watched some great old games on there so far.
By jen
November 19, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Right now, without the homer glasses, I would probably have to say Vinny - only because Kovy has not been at his level of consistency for so many years. Kovy is also younger, and I think he’s just now coming into his own as a player. He has shown so far this season he can be the gamebreaker we all knew he was capable of being. Vinny’s been doing this essentially since Kovy came into the league. Ask me this question in two years and you’ll get a different answer. Kovy has all the goods now, and can play in any situation. No one would have dreamed of putting him on the PK until this year. I will say that Kovy’s overall production has really suffered from a lack of quality linemates, whereas on could argue that Vinny’s numbers are slightly inflated from playing with a Hobbit.
Brendan - might have been last year or the year before, but not so long ago, Vinny handed Andy Sutton his ahem ‘helmet’ on a silver platter. He’s not an enforcer by any stretch, but he’s definitely capable of standing up for himself, as is Kovy. Kovy shouldn’t be taking on that kind of role (and neither should Vinny for that matter - but Tampa is even softer than we are in this respect).
I do want to give a shout out to Craig for his HNIC commentary as heard on Sirius the other day - nice to hear a local voice :)
By GaVaHokie
November 19, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Sorry to be a dick, but, who has more playoff points? Kovy or Lecavalier?
And I’m not even going to talk about the past (other than that)… right now, I don’t think anyone is seeing the game better than Lecavalier. It looks like everything is in slow motion around him and he’s in regular speed.
By Craig Custance
November 19, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Brendan — I watched that Buffalo-Montreal series yesterday, that was good stuff. The NHL channel is a welcome addition to the Custance household.
Jen — Thanks. It’d be fun to do more local radio, but I’m afraid there’s not a huge appetite for hockey on the Atlanta airwaves.
Stendec — Thanks for the heart-felt post and the point of view. Atlanta needs more fans that passionate about its pro sports.
By David Harlock
November 19, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
On not pulling your weight…
Brad Larsen 15GP 0G 2A -6
JIm Slater 19GP 0G 1A -5
Alexei Zhitnik 19GP 0G 2A -8
Holik 19GP 1G 4A -6
meanwhile…
Brett Sterling 10GP 1G 2A -1
Darren Haydar 10GP 1G 5A +3
you do the math
By Boulton's Bruisers
November 19, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
By Bob
November 19, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
I concur, my money would be on Kovy in that bout.
Isn’t the NHL Channel great? I’ve watched some great old games on there so far.
Bob—Dude i’m still laughing about this post you did last week…
He’ll be here next Thursday, right? We need plenty of signs for him, blueland.
By Tony C.
November 19, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Now I’m pretty sure yall know that I have always been a huge #17 supporter, and yes, I’ll put my money on #17 if he and Vinny dropped em (man that would be awesome to watch!). BUT -and I think even those of us that realize that #17 is the baddesst @ss on the ice, physically big superbly skilled Centres are such rare commodities that if I were building an “all-universe” team using current players, that I’d take Vinny (but I’d still put #17 on his wing).
Now I don’t know if that is the same answer you’d get if it was “you can have LeCavalier or #17. If it’s like that, then give me #17 and then put Big Joe or Datsyuk @ pivot.
GO BLUE !!! #17 OWNS YOU
By Tony C.
November 19, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Now I’m pretty sure yall know that I have always been a huge #17 supporter, and yes, I’ll put my money on #17 if he and Vinny dropped em (man that would be awesome to watch!). BUT -and I think even those of us that realize that #17 is the baddesst @ss on the ice, physically big superbly skilled Centres are such rare commodities that if I were building an “all-universe” team using current players, that I’d take Vinny (but I’d still put #17 on his wing).
Now I don’t know if that is the same answer you’d get if it was “you can have LeCavalier or #17.” If it’s like that, then give me #17 and then put Big Joe or Datsyuk @ pivot.
GO BLUE !!! #17 OWNS YOU
By Tony C.
November 19, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
APOLOGIES FOR DOUBLE POST
By MB
November 19, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
Since Kovy’s been in the league, their numbers are pretty close.
Kovy has 33 more goals during that span, Vinny has 23 more helpers and 1 more GW goal. Kovy’s shooting percentage is better by about a point.
The big difference is +/-, where Kovy is -58 and Vinny is +16. Interesting to note, however, is that in his first four years, Vinny’s +/- numbers were worse than Kovy’s.
So just in terms of being a more complete player, plus, as others have mentioned, the added value of being a center, I’d go with Lecavier (though I’d hate myself for it). I fully expect that opinion to change, perhaps within the time frame of this season (knock on wood).
By stendec
November 19, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this
Hi. Still in second period. Thrasher defense went South from 1-0 lead to 2-1 deficit. This home defeat to remain below breakeven mark would be devastating. Still time. NO MORE IN NET MOOSE! Even though I cannot rightfully fault you on either goal. Come On O. Show some spark!
By dj
November 19, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Kovy Kovy Kovy, 10 third period goals. He scores when it matters the most. Oh yea, where’s that soft center that Bob hates?? White out.
By stendec
November 19, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
Craig. I have never been prouder of the Thrashers! What a rush. From 3-1 down to a 4-3 overtime victory. Two critical points. Power play goals. Breakeven NEVER felt so fantastic! Have a great evening all Thrasher fans.
By Sara
November 19, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
OMG!!! Could it be any more perfect than that!! National TV, dramatic come from behind OT winner! The world now knows how awesome #39 is!! And the CROWD!! I have to give HUGE props to everyone in the arena tonight for making us look good to the world - take that everyone who thinks Atlanta isn’t a hockey town.
10-10 - back to .500! God I love my Thrashers!!!!!
By Brown-Nose Tracker
November 19, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Dear Atlanta Spitit: Hossa does not dive. Please fire D Elliot. He backed the refs, on national TV no less, saying diving should be called more often. Maybe it should,…but Hossa doesn’t dive. If I were Hossa I’d never speak to Elliot again.
By russian
November 19, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
Holly Mother!!!! Crazy game! Holik is idiot. Finally we got two points. Slava was sleeping man. Kovy was Speedy Gonzalis. I did not see speed like that. :-) Very good. We got two points.
By Wreckin & Thrashin
November 19, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
One of the greatest and memorable Thrasher wins I’ve experienced. HELL YEAH BABY!!!
By Sara
November 19, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
I am still on the hockey high!!
I just have to go back to how great a game this was period. Tampa played very well, had some great plays. That St. Louis goal was just sick. I am so pleased that these two teams put on such a good show for all the NHL fans watching. This division takes so much crap from other people but tonight the Thrash and TB definitively showed them all that the SE is no more the Southleast!
By Bob
November 19, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Great game Thrash. Kovy is on a roll and a half. Agree that the Southeast Division catches lots of crap, which is strange since two of the last three cup winners have come from this division. Still, 500 looks awfully good right now. Thank goodness Atlanta has the Braves and Thrash to offset the Falcons and Hawks.
By Brendan
November 19, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
MB, Excellent post. MB, I can actually recall a time when the media was being overly critical of the “young” Lecavalier to step up his game, become a leader, improve defensively, etc. It was basically Tortorella who told him, “You’re not gonna ‘coast’ in this league.” As I recall, Torts showed him some “tough love,” a la Hartley (who would bench Kovalchuk). Lecavalier weathered the storm, and collected a Cup for his trouble.
Hokie, I don’t think you’re being “difficult” at all, you’re just making a point. Lecavalier is an outstanding player. I’m trying to think of team that wouldn’t want him? Nope, can’t think of one. They’re both great players. All the biggest talk is always around Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, and the Heatley, Spezza, Alfredsson line. Pushed towards the back are players like Modano, Sundin, Sakic, and Iginla, to an extent. And right in the middle are the Thorntons, Cheechoos, Marleaus, Kovalchuks, St. Louis, and Lecavaliers. The NHL is looking to push its youngest stars. I understand that strategy, but it is sort of bypassing some of its other stars. Like Hossa? Yeah, like Hossa. When was the LAST TIME you saw an NHL promo featuring Marian Hossa? Still thinking??? That’s what I’m talking about. That guy is one of the 20-best players in the entire world. The NHL won’t start to promote him until July 1st approaches.
By Talon
November 19, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Helz yeah! Great game!
By Hooky Bob
November 19, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
I echo Sara’s comments. Fan’s everywhere need to see the hockey that is played south of the Mason-Dixon line. Enstrom looked good..as usual. Makes you realize how much this is a thinking/strategic (while reading and reacting) game.
Craig regarding your blog question I have 2 (contrary) comments: 1) Moot point…these franchises are already built around these two. So its the supporting players (and coach) that matter,.. 2) Great question!,..you can recycle this one 5 or 6 more times this year (games left between these two teams)alone. I(‘m true blue and) go with Ilya BTW.
Hats off to the Thrashers coach (whoever it truly is). I like the thought that each line now has an identity. How about (You and me)Dupuis! Never thought of him as a physical player….until tonight. He was in the middle of lots of action in this game. Makes me wish we still had Metro too.
Here’s a question for bloggers: I know we’ll never trade with a team in our division but what do you think of Lethonen (or Pavelec) for the Capitals Semin (or Backstrom)? (watch these two, the Capitals are our next game.)
Record now is 10-10-0 who’d have put any money on that just a month (or 32 days)ago? I hope our guys haven’t worn themselves out to get here. Also, 5-0 in OT. I sorta like the 1 point for a regulation tie and 2 to the OT winner…but I think it is hurting us this year.
Did anyone else hear that Hartley is coaching 9 year olds in Quebec? I wish him the best. I think he made Ilya a better player.
Tell me more about how to get the NHL channel ( I have Comcast).
Go Blue.
By Brendan
November 19, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Rick DiPietro got his 100th victory. The NY Isles go into MSG, where the Rangers are coming off a five-game winning streak. And the Islanders … win? The Isles are at least five games over .500. Ummn, is this the Charles Wang-owned team? If so, I have to ask you guys … are the Islanders a playoff team?
Now that the Thrashers are .500, and got there BEFORE Thanksgiving, will we catch the Islanders and booth them out of the playoffs by the end of the season?
I wonder how much of the Versus audience turned the game off when St. Louis scored with about nine and a half minutes left? Keep this in mind, this is the SECOND TIME within two weeks the Bolts have blown big leads to Atlanta. The Lightning were up, 4-1, when the Thrashers rallied for a 6-4 win.
And where was the turning point of this season for Atlanta? And I don’t mean the Hartley firing. But wasn’t it that Ottawa game, where the Senators were up, 5-0, mid-way through the 3rd period? Kovalchuk got a hat trick, and the Thrashers closed within one. They ended up losing, 6-4. But the team took a measure of momentum out of that game. Look at the results since? In this string of divisional games, they’re 6-1 in seven tries. They’re 5-0 in overtimes (including 2-0 in shootouts). By the way, Hedberg hasn’t lost a shootout. These points inside the division have been just HUGE. 10-4 since Waddell took the reigns. And with the Panther win over the Capitals, it was important to keep pace to stay ahead of Florida.
By BlueSpark
November 19, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
To eveyone who in the offseason said “TODD F’IN WHITE?!” I say to you, “Yes, TODD F’IN WHITE!!1”
By Brendan
November 19, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
Hooky Bob, you upgrade your service with Comcast to Digital Preferred. You’ll get all the channels in the 200’s, including channel #296, the “NHL Channel.” There’s also an “800” number you can call, if you google it or I’d bet you can find it at www.nhl.com.
By Tony C.
November 19, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
OK.
I am officially ok with “Mr. OverTime” A.K.A. TODD F’N WHITE!!!
GO BLUE !!! #17 OWNS YOU
P.S. Don’t forget to vote
By Brendan
November 20, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
BlueSpark, if Todd White winds up on the NHL Leaderboard at the end of the season, I’ll welcome it with open arms. The purpose of the offseason free agency period is to “tweak” your roster as best you can. Since Marc Savard left, a guy who is and has been on the NHL Leaderboard, the position of Tier One center has remained vacant on the roster. Todd White is not a Tier One Center. That was the frustration that you saw last Summer. People wanted Gomez, Drury, Forsberg, or Briere.
But Todd White is a fine center, for the money. I think he’s $2.2 million? Or thereabouts. Career-wise, he’s never been a Top Line Center. That’s not his role, at least traditionally. That said, this is at least his second overtime winner on the young season. I’m sure everyone is thrilled with that.
But if you had the option of having Todd White or Drury, Gomez, or Briere, how many of you are still opting for Todd White?, if money weren’t the issue. But, money is the issue. On Hockey Night in Canada, some weeks back, former Thrashers Captain Scott Mellanby implied that Hossa took notice of “money being an issue” for Atlanta. He didn’t say that exactly. What he “exactly” said was that “If I’m Hossa, and I see Gomez, Drury and Briere available on the FREE AGENT market, and I see that my team doesn’t even make an attempt to sign any of those guys, I wanna win. I’m gonna make my money SOMEWHERE in the league. And I want a #1 center so that I can excel and meet my goals.”
I think Don Waddell has an eye for finding talent “on the cheap.” For a $42 million roster, he’s probably done as well as anyone can do. But the cap is $50.3. The ASG will probably finish the year at or around that figure. But they won’t approach it before the trade deadline. That’s another thing fans are concerned about.
I’m the first one who’ll say, “I don’t think this cap is fair to Atlanta, and other similarly-sized markets.” Waddell is doing the best job he can … with the resources he’s allocated. And there it is. One fine day, we’ll actually get to hear the “truth” of HIS SIDE of the story.
By Brendan
November 20, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Craig, did you happen to catch the “NHL Classic Series: 1993, The Penguins vs. the Islanders?” I hope so. That’s a series worth keeping on your DVR, Tivo, or VHS cassette. Notice the “mustacioed” Ray Ferraro! Watch him get quite animated on the bench. And watch him set up the Game Seven, overtime winner for the Isles. It was one of the most tremendous upsets in Stanley Cup history. I think the Penguins bested them by some 32-points from the regular season. And let’s not forget, this was arguably a “dynasty-type” Pittsburgh team, having won the previous two Cups. Hard to believe the closest that Penguin team got was the Conference Finals in 1996. The Pens did lead Florida, 3-2 in the series, and led in the 3rd period of game six. But they faltered and Florida won the series. Yesss, the Penguins did reach the Conference Finals again in 2001, but that was hardly the same team (from 1993). I think 2001 was the year Kasparitis scored the OT winner in Game Seven vs. Buffalo, that ultimately drove Dominek Hasek, permanently, from the Sabres net. If I’m not mistaken, the other goaltender in that Game Seven overtime was … Moose Hedberg.
By Brendan
November 20, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
Okay, I just had to look. It was Moose Hedberg. He played 18 games that year, going 9-9, with a 2.30 GAA, including two shutouts, during the 2001 playoffs. The Pens were utterly outmatched vs. the Devils in the Conference Finals. They were fortunate not to get swept. Pittsburgh managed to bungle one game with a late lead. But that was the best the Penguins could muster.
By Hooky Bob
November 20, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this
Brendon: Gracias,no muchos gacias.
By Brendan
November 20, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this
Hooky Bob, “Mais, je t’en prie.” I mean, “No hay de que.”
By Sam
November 20, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this
With Vinny’s outstanding play in the post season, and until Kovy gets the opportunity to prove himself in the playoffs, you would have to take Lecavalier #1. The post-season is a different animal. Just ask Hossa. Yeah Brendan, you need to watch a few more NHL highlights than I’m sure you do already. Vinny had back to back fights a few weeks ago and really holds his own.
By kaladonis
November 20, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
Another annoying Darien Elliott thing:
Why didn’t he correct that idiot from VS on how you pronounce ToBEEus’ name?
By GaVaHokie
November 20, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
kaladonis… thanks for pointing that out. He also didn’t correct him from saying Thorn-burn instead of Thorburn.
By GaVaHokie
November 20, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
Interesting numbers to play with…
Lecavalier has 1864 career shots for a 13.25% shooting percentage
Kovalchuk has 1516 career shots for a 14.45% shooting percentage.
Lecavalier is shooting 18% this year and Kovalchuk is shooting 23%.
Lecavalier only has 136 more career points than Kovalchuk and Vinny had a four season head start.
By GaVaHokie
November 20, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Craig… I’d like for you to talk to Klee and Zhitnik… I’d like to know what they’re doing differently since Hartley left. I actually can’t complain much about them anymore. :)
By ThrasherNY
November 20, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
GaVaHokie nailed it with the stats above in that Lecavalier has more experience. We can all see how much better Kovy is getting each season. I argue his production would have been on par with this season if he had the proper linemates. I think Kovy is the more dominant player currently and given he is three years younger it becomes a no brainer.
As a fan who has only limited chances to view the boys this season I cant thank VS enough for picking up that game. Slava made the entire thing happen with his heads up ‘spin’ on the hooking call and Enstrom was a fenom out there driving the net and covering the above mention Vinny.
I cant wait to return to BLUELAND for Friday’s game! If the gods are truly in my corner I will see my boy Kovy continue his dominance and lose a perfectly fine hat all in one night.
By Midfield
November 20, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Don’t know about Klee, but it seems to be simple enough about Zhitnik: he is playing less minutes and slowly getting his conditioning in order at the same time. So, perhaps he will be ready to really play in the 2nd half of the season.
By Midfield@yahoo.com
November 20, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
By the way, Kovalchuk gets overlooked for completing his rushes even when he is behind the puck. In the game with Carolina he was the third man to join the rush on the second Hossa goal. It made it much easier for Hossa, because Ward could not commit one way or the other. Same thing yesterday on White’s goal. He reached the level when his presence on the ice alone is bad news for the opponents.
By Brian
November 20, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
How funny. Todd White scores the OT winner last night and someone here feels the need to talk about Marc Savard…
Midfield - great point about Klee. The 95% here that isn’t bitter has been so happy about White we haven’t noticed that Klee is doing fine.
By ranallo10
November 20, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
R.Stroz — Though I know you don’t want to concede anything to Todd White, I think you should start bringing some toilet paper to the games. From now one WHENEVER White scores, you can throw your Charmin to the ice…that’d be quite entertaining.
Brian — Such is life. Nobody’s apologizing however for being wrong. I do however like BlueSpark’s response. “Yes, TODD F’N WHITE!”
Anybody — While at the game last night I began to look at the top line of each team, and see how good our line looked compared to the top line in Tampa. Position by position, which would you rather have?
Right wing — St. Louis or Hossa? I choose Hossa.
Center — Lecavalier or White? Obviously Lecavalier.
Left Wing — Prospal or Kovalchuk? Kovalchuk, no contest.
So of the top three positions, we have two players better than their counterparts, and they have one.
Compared to the top line in all of hockey (Ottawa)?
RW — Hossa or Alfredsson? Hossa
C — Spezza or White? Spezza
LW — Kovalchuk or Heatley? Toss up, but personally I say Kovalchuk.
The sum of the parts makes the whole, and combined Hossa and Kovalchuk can make any of our lines comperable to the top lines in the league. Would Spezza or Prospal be as good without the linemates they’ve had for years? Probably not (Spezza would still be good, but Prospal is a second liner anywhere else).
White’s obviously the outlier, but he’s showing he can hold his own on this roster.
I’m REALLY liking this top line, and am easily eating my words regarding their successes.
By MB
November 20, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
In the spirit of the season:
I am thankful that the Thrashers are back at .500.
I am thankful that the exciting win that brought them back to .500 was actually carried on television, nationally, no less.
I am thankful for my wife, though not thankful that celebrating her birthday kept me from watching said game.
Which made me thankful for my VCR (still living in the past), until I started watching the game at which point I became very, very un-thankful for the piece of $%&! tape that rendered the game completely unwatchable! Gah!!!!!
But I digress…I am also thankful for the first pass out of the zone that successfully reaches the blade of someone wearing a Thrashers sweater.
I am thankful that the Moose and the Giant have allowed the Kid to rest the Groin.
I am thankful that Hoss is coming around, that White is coming through, and that Enstrom and Little are coming of age.
And finally, I’m thankful that the unbridled excitement of a Kovy rush on net is no longer followed by unnerving dread over missed defensive assignments, but instead a steadily growing appreciation for the man’s evolution as a player.
Here’s to the Thrashers!
By ThrasherNY
November 20, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
Like where you are taking us MB.
I am thankful that Hossa and Kovy are getting to showcase their talent by being on the ice at the same time and forcing defenses to try and cover them simultaneously.
I am thankful that we retained Dupuis as his efforts make the ‘Grind’ line exciting to watch.
I am thankful that Tobias has the smarts to play top minutes in the NHL and that Little has the instinct to be a great center for Kovy one day.
I am thankful my early season discussions of Todd White’s talent are now making me look a fool.
I am thankful that if the season does boil down to the last couple games to decide a playoff birth it wont ride on the likes of Dunham but instead ‘The 8th Wonder’, ‘The Moose’ and ‘The Kid’.
I am thankful that my collection of 6 Kovalchuk sweaters can be worn with pride and regocnized in all of the land.
By Jarrod Skalde
November 20, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
in the doghouse:
Holik 20GP 1G 5A -7
Zhitnik 20GP 0G 2A -9
Slater 20GP 0G 1A -5
By Tony C.
November 20, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah I almost forgot:
What about the forecheck of Dupuis setting up the Larsen goal???
That’s the first time in a long time I can remember a Thrashers forward going into the corner, knocking his man off the puck and it looked like Yeap, that’s how we practice it. Not surprising, but expected-huge difference. Just a great play by Dupuis…Complain all you want about Holik’s paycheck, but that line is getting it done.
GO BLUE !!!
By GaVaHokie
November 20, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Hopefully Dupuis learned from that… go for the body THEN the puck… and we’ll see it more often.
I think Enstrom learned something about keeping guys away from the net… stare at the guy dead in the chest, don’t look at the puck. Just like in football, get your arms right under the shoulders.
This has been Coach’s Corner with GaVaHokie.
By Brendan
November 20, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this
Sam, did those Lecavalier fights make it to hockeyfights.com or YouTube? I should very much like to see them. If Vinny is a good fighter, I want to give him credit for it.
Todd White is currently ranked 91st on the NHL Leaderboard, after 20 games, with five goals, nine helpers for 14-points and is a +4. Marc Savard is ranked 33rd, after 18 games, with four goals, 16 assists, for 20-points, and is a +2. Let’s keep an eye on it. Okay, who’s putting money down on White besting Savard this year? Why not put $2 on it? He’s only six points back?? And if White wins, we can all count the $2.8 million saved off the cost of Savard’s $5 million-a-year contract. While Savard very well may wind up in the top 5 for assists this year, I suspect he’ll do about $5 million worth of defensive damage to the Bruins. Which is why I think he isn’t worth that kind of money. Whereas, I don’t think White will do $2.2 million worth of defensive damage to the Thrashers. White strikes me as a defensively-sound player.
But we’ll see. That’s why they they play the games. We’re only 20 games in. The Hart Trophy, Calder, Vezina, Plus-Minus award, and Art Ross Scoring Champion have hardly been decided after 20 games. Sheesh.
By Brendan
November 20, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this
For fun, check out cbs.sportsline.com/nhl players and stats. They power rank Todd White as the 17th best Center in the NHL. They rank Marc Savard, 24th.
In case you’re curious about Sid Crosby, they’d got him 6th, behind (1) Lecavalier, (2) Brad Richards, (3) Rod Brind’Amour, (4) Mike Richards, and (5) Joe Thornton.
Bryan Little they power rank 68th. Eric Perrin got 62nd. Holik was 95th, and Jim Slater 148th overall, for Centers.
Since I mentioned them earlier in Mellanby comments, how are Gomez, Briere and Drury doing? Gomez is power ranked 27th among centers. Briere is 41st. And Drury they classified as a Left Winger, on pace for 12 goals this year.
Eric Staal was ranked 18th, behind Todd White. Jason Spezza they have as 74th-best Center in the NHL, behind Eric Perrin and Bryan Little. Our beloved Michael Cammalleri is power ranked 29th overall. Former Thrasher Eric Belanger is 30th. Patrick Marleau is 56th. Past Crosby, #6, the top 10 are Vaclav Prospal, (8) Pavel Datsyuk, (9) Mats Sundin and (10) Mikko Koivu. Someone named Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks, is ranked #15. Anze Kopitar was #13.
So, what do you think of CBS.SPORTSLINE.COM? Do they have their finger on the PULSE of NHL Centers, or what? :)
By Tony C.
November 20, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
I think their 1-6 rankings are right on…although you could flip-flop 4 and 5.
GO BLUE !!!
By Brendan
November 20, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
Last season, Sidney Crosby won the Hart Trophy for League MVP. He’s fallen all the way the 6th?? And that’s just among centers?? Or, is this the “classic case” of inadequate sampling … of just 20 games?
By kracker
November 20, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Craig Shouldn’t the latest poll have Tobias Enstrom instead of Steve Rucchin as a best addition choice?
By Bob
November 20, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Great comeback last night, too bad I didn’t get to see it. Freakin DVR cuts off right after Kovy ties it up. Boo. Thank goodness for the NHL Network, I love that On The Fly show.
I am Thankful for a .500 record. It’s really quite amazing if you think about it.
And I’m Thankful for Hockey, for our heroes fighting in far away lands, and for all the good Lord has blessed us with, Have a great holiday all.
By BlueLand Fan
November 20, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
With everything else great that happened last night, I thought the effort shown by Dupuis was strong.
By GaVaHokie
November 21, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
How do they have Briere at 41st… that’s a head scratcher.
By GaVaHokie
November 21, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
Off topic… I can’t wait to pluck guys off the Senators roster next summer… Kelly, Vermette, Meszaros and Eaves, all free agents… Senators have $41 million committed to next years roster.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 21, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
Good story about why Avery is a douche
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21842916/
By GaVaHokie
November 21, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
Do I dare summon Sage and Bob? Your magnificent GM’s Burke and Murray have screwed themselves. Regier already messed up… how’s that Vanek contract looking now?
Burke lost Penner and now he’s gonna lose Perry because Niedermayer has him by the balls. If Nieds comes back, they’re over the cap and have to make a trade. He couldn’t work out a trade for Bryzgalov and let him walk for nothing.
Murray is going to lose the majority of Kelly, Meszaros, Vermette, Redden and Eaves… paying his top line a combined $23 million, with Fischer making $6 million!!
Waddell has nothing but money to spend next year with Bobby saying bye-bye and only $23 million committed.
By Brian
November 21, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Hokie - be careful, you are playing with fire. If we have 1 loss they will come out and preach their gloom & doom about how bad things are here. Bob will come up with some excuse again that he is coincidentally out of town while the Thrashers are winning and thus that is the reason he isn’t posting all his anti-DW blogs…
By GaVaHokie
November 21, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
The only team I think that’s sitting prettier is Chicago… Dale Tallon will be one to watch the next two years.
By Brendan
November 21, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
A lot of the quality GM’s have made some “head scratcher” moves. Most folks have Lou Lamoriello power ranked at or near the top. But I questioned the 7-year, $42 million he gave Elias, a guy coming off a serious injury. One of my personal favorites, GM Rutherford, traded away top D-man prospect Jack Johnson in a move that reeked of desperation. GM Burke has allowed the Selanne and Niedermayer situation to fester quite a while. While, I’m sure Burke must be thinking, “Hey, if I take these guys on in January I won’t have to pay them the whole enchilada,” it could be “too late” for Anaheim having any shot at home ice for the playoffs. Waiving Bryzgalov is a stunning move, especially since he landed with Phoenix!, where he’ll surely see him many more times. Senators GM Murray went ahead with Heatley deal ahead of schedule. I won’t say that was a bad move. They needed to lock up Heatley. They may lose Redden, unless he’s re-signed. But the Senators are one of the best drafting teams of the recent years. They continually manage to restock the shelves from an unfavorable draft position. And if the Senators actually win the Stanley Cup this year, it will be hard to argue that GM Murray didn’t do his job. Burke got a Cup last year. The cap is designed to prevent dynasties. Not exclusively, mind you. The owners would tell you it’s to “create economically healthy franchises.” They might utter something about “parity.” Which very well may have been true with $39 million cap, but at $50.3, not so much.
No GM is infallible. What?? Not even Waddell??? Yes, not even Waddell is perfect.
By Brendan
November 21, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
The Washington Capitals appear to have a bit of “wiggle room” as well, in the coming years.
By Thrasher Ryan
November 21, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Fedoruk clears waivers…
By **Islander Invasion**
November 21, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
Sat, Dec 1st. Ready for your beatdown?
By Brian
November 21, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
Ready to learn that you can’t bold your sign on name???
By bob (other)
November 21, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
Vote for Ilya in the ASG. We have to get a home player in the starting line up. Currently 7th in voting with 26K. Crosby has 94K. If every STH and additional fan voted 5 times it would be between 50 and 100K. Get after it folks.
By BlueSpark
November 21, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
I was actually one of the people saying “TODD F’IN WHITE?” in the offseason (as in “Never heard of him”), but I think he’s doing a fine job for a $2.2 million defensive-minded center. I was disappointed that there was no talk of Drury or Briere. As for the power ranking him, I think anybody would get an offensive boost centering Kovy and Hossa.
Weren’t the last 3 thrasher goals against TB all 5-hole? Seemed like each player held the puck until they saw an opening. I wonder if that’s the scouting report on Holmqvist.
Who’s leading that Islander invasion? Jason Blake? Ryan Smyth? Alexei Yashin? Oh, that’s right, Andy Sutton!
By Brian
November 21, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
BlueSpark - you bring up an interesting question. How should Andy Sutton be greeted at Philips? There is always the debate about Heatley coming to town. But does Sutton get booed, laughed at, or just greeted with a collective yawn?
As for White, it is mathematically impossible to have a $7 million dollar player at every position on the ice and still have reserves. We already have two $7 million players (Kovy & Hossa) not to mention guys like Kozzy, etc. Why is White considered a defensive-minded center though?
By Brendan
November 21, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
The “On the Fly” broadcast crew ripped into Holmqvist for surrending the OT tally by White. Their exact words were, “He’s gotta stop that.” Meaning, the shot by White, in tight, from such an odd angle. Clearly, the “On the Fly” boys could have said, “Wow, what a great shot by Todd White, picking the five hole like that.” They went the other way … suggesting it never should have gone in.
Personally, I don’t care how our OT goals are scored, so long as they go in … and count. :)
By ranallo10
November 21, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Why is White considered a defensive-minded center though?
Because that’s how he identified himself during his first few interviews coming to Atlanta. He had a scoring touch in the minors and in college, but has been more focused on defensive responsibility since coming to the NHL.
His solid plus/minus and low scoring totals let people hastily tag him a “defensive-minded” center. I prefer “defensively responsible”.