AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLehtonen sharp in rehab start
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kari Lehtonen’s performance last night is a good sign for the Thrashers. He had a shutout until the final 10 seconds of the game in his first start of rehab in the AHL. Don Waddell, who was at the game, said he liked Lehtonen’s lateral movement and that he looked good in there for the Wolves. I think he finished with 27 or 28 saves and evidently there was nothing he could do on the goal, which came on the power play.
Did any of you watch the game online, I’m curious how you thought Kari looked. Johan Hedberg, not surprisingly, will get the start in goal for the Toronto game. But with back-to-back games coming up with the Islanders and Devils, we’ll probably see rookie Ondrej Pavelec one more time before he’s sent back down to Chicago.
Based on practice, it looks like Waddell might be mixing things up a little for the Maple Leafs. He said he still hadn’t decided for sure what changes we’d see for Thursday, but he wants to get Darren Haydar an opportunity to play. So, if Haydar goes, I’d look for him to possibly play on a line with Little and Perrin, with Kozlov moving to Holik’s line. But again, that’s just speculation. We’ll know for sure at the morning skate.
The Toronto media is starting to make it’s way into town, and evidently it’s just a circus up there with the jobs of both the GM and coach on the line. You think the Thrashers could have the kiss of death for another coach, a week after being the team that ended Glen Hanlon’s time in Washington? We’ll see.
I checked on Tobias Enstrom’s all-star voting number for you guys and and he’s at 3,856 write-in votes as of Nov. 26th. Now that won’t win him a starting spot in the All-Star game, but it’s a pretty respectable total for a guy who isn’t on the ballot and doesn’t have a lot of name recognition outside of Atlanta. It’s too bad they won’t be doing the YoungStars game (from what I hear) this year because I imagine he and Bryan Little would be locks to make that team, especially with the game at Philips.
Let’s say the Thrashers tweak the lineup for Toronto and play Haydar, where would you put him? You think there should be any other changes in the lineup? Should Steve McCarthy get some playing time? Who do you sit?
Comments
By ames
November 28, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
FIRST?
By Chris Lipuma
November 28, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
very good. we need to pad kari’s stats for when we trade him and slater to la kings.
By Sara
November 28, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Ummm Craig what do you mean they aren’t doing the Young Stars game this year??? That’s news to me…and definitely not good news. So if they’re canning the game, what are they replacing it with? And who’s idea was it so I know who to boo!
By sisu
November 28, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Kari will be back and will be the #1 goalie for Atlanta, I hope all this non sense of trading comes to an end sooner than later.
For Haydar to be effective he needs to play on the top two lines. sit Larsen for the game.
Put Mac in for Havelid
By Sara
November 28, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Oh, and thanks CC for getting those numbers on Enstrom - that’s pretty cool. Burnside’s article that you referenced previously showed that Kane (I think it was, maybe Toews) had 4,000 write-in votes. While I’m sure that’s gone up, the numbers aren’t too far off though there is a big difference in name recognition for those two — just goes to show that Thrasher fans kick butt!
By SKL
November 28, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
I watched the Chicago game online last night, and was very impressed with Kari’s performance. Even though Chicago led the entire game, Kari stepped up and made some critical saves to preserve their initial lead until they could score more goals. He put on a goaltending clinic last night, and he played like the goalie Waddell expected him to be when he was drafted. I’m no expert here, but after last night, if Kari can put up a solid performance on Thursday, he may very well be back before the end of the week (especially if Toronto wins tomorrow night).
By Brian
November 28, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
Craig - tried to watch the Wolves game, but their site wanted some ActiveX control and wouldn’t work. Thanks for posting those Enstrom vote totals. We need to show him a great sign of appreciation and this is it (and as Sara says, let’s show them all that Thrashers fans kick butt). If you sit a defenseman, I say sit Zhitnik. I don’t know, he does turn it up later in the year, maybe don’t play with his head now. Put Haydar on with Little, get that chemistry going. Sit Larsen if you have to, not Dupuis if you move Kozzy to the 3rd line.
Oh yeah, just checking the college rankings, my team is getting close to being ranked again, sad to see the #5 team is MSU…
By UpperDeck4Life
November 28, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
Haydar, hmmmmmmmmm, I say make a line with Kozlov-Little-Haydar. Sit either Perrin, Larsen or Slater and play the other 2. Almost want to say Slater, but the 4th line has been decent, wouldn’t mind honestly seeing what a line of Perrin-Holik-Dupuis could do.
CC, why no young stars game this year?
By Tony C.
November 28, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
good news. now let’s see how KL does next time out…so you reckon 2 more starts for moose and 1 for Pavs???
GO BLUE !!!
By Hip Czech
November 28, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
McCarthy for Zhitnik, that’s an easy one. You’d be crazy to sit Havelid.
No Young Stars game? That’s the one thing I can make (my All Star tix are going to my brother as a Christmas present).
By Tony C.
November 28, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
And couldn’t Haydar play with Little & Slava??? I realize it’d move one of them to their off-wing, but I think Haydar could do it, & I’m confident Kozlov would be able to do it (relatively) easily. Just a thought.
By bob (other)
November 28, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
We don’t have enough people voting. Kovy basically got the same number of votes in week 2 as in week one. If every STH voted 5 times it would be close to 50,000 and if you get your friends, much more. Let’s get busy folks. Vote and recruit voters!
We need to have a starter in the ASG in our home city.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
November 28, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
They aren’t doing the young stars game this year? WTF!!
Is it just the skills and all-star game? What about the old timers game?
By Hip Czech
November 28, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Kovy-White-Hossa
Perrin-Kozlov-Haydar
Dupuis-Little-Thorburn
Boulton-Holik-Larsen
I have no idea who’s on an off-wing with that lineup…but put Kozlov at center, that’s the main thing.
By d
November 28, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
The Leafs looked great last night against the Habs - 46 shots vs. 30. Toskala cost Toronto the game.
That said, I would think losing to the Thrash following ugly games in Phoenix and Dallas would be the straw that broke the camel’s back for John Ferguson.
By Hockeyfan
November 28, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Taken from the official NHL press release on the All-Star game
The 2008 Celebration marks the first time Atlanta has hosted NHL All-Star activities which will feature the YoungStars Game, SuperSkills Competition and All-Star Game.
Craig is this not the case?
By kracker
November 28, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Oh, so there is no more Young Stars Game. Why is that? Is it a cost-cutting measure or what?
Thanks, Craig, for the idea for a reference for when Toronto flys down: The Circus is in Town.
By Craig Custance
November 28, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Hockeyfan — I could be wrong, I don’t think the NHL has officially released the All-Star game festivities schedule. But from what I’m hearing, the YoungStars game won’t be a part of it.
By Brian
November 28, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
I did a google search and was on nhl.com and I can’t find a thing on the schedule of events for the all-star game at all. It’s almost like they are purposely not releasing anything about it…
By Sara
November 28, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
I e-mailed my ticket rep..thus far no answer. Which is funny because if I e-mail him that I need some more tickets for a game, I get a written response within 5 minutes and a debit to my bank account within 10.
I am really upset about this potential decision. Actually “upset” is the nice word. Maybe I need to go find Rawhide blog from the other day to get the rest of my feelings out.
By Hockeyfan
November 28, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
Craig it was mentioned last night at the volunteer meeting… Just saying
By bob(other)
November 28, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Sara, Unfortunately the Thrashers and our ticket reps have limited information and no control over the All Star Game as it is an NHL event, controlled exclusively by the league.
If there is an issue it has to be taken up with the league office which deals with all events and marketing.
Hope that helps.
By FormerIslesFan
November 28, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
CC I found the same information that hockeyfan did on the Thrashers’ website. Here is the quote from the link:
“Crosby. Ovechkin. Thornton, Hossa…and you! The stars of the NHL are coming to Atlanta in 2008 with the NHL All-Star game to be played at Philips Arena. The 2008 Celebration marks the first time Atlanta has hosted NHL All-Star activities which will feature the YoungStars Game, SuperSkills Competition and All-Star Game. And don’t forget to vote for Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Hossa and Slava Kozlov so the Thrashers will be well-represented when they host the NHL’s most star-studded affair.”
I would hate it if they did remove the YoungStars Game too…
By Alan
November 28, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
I have a friend in Winnipeg who has expressed his displeasure at Haydar’s lack of presence in the lineup. I believe his exact words were “A guy like him needs to play. They need to stop scratching him and either play him, trade him, or send him back to the minors.” I think he’ll be pleased to see him play.
By GaVaHokie
November 28, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
I’m sure they’ll have the Young Stars game or Bettman is getting worse and worse by the second… the whole point is to showcase the up and coming players in the league.
By ranallo10
November 28, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
I’m with UpperDeck4Life on the Haydar situation. Put him on the top two lines, but don’t push down Kozlov. I thought Haydar was a RW, so there’s no “off wing” play here. (When it was Sterling-Little-Haydar, Darrin was on the right side).
So yeah, my lines would be:
17 - 12 - 18
13 - 10 - 38
11 - 16 - 9
27 - 23 - 36/29
Boulton hasn’t seemed effective to me, even as a fourth liner. I think maybe he could use a break if Larsen isn’t sat.
Defensively I wouldn’t mind seeing McCarthy relieve Zhitnik until his funk is fixed.
By Hip Czech
November 28, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Let me guess, Philips is booked with a monster truck pull on Jan 26th? Or, is that the doodlebops thing they are giving away tickets to?
By Redneck
November 28, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
Nowe u luuk hear, them there munstur truucks r at da dome on Janary 12 u dumme.
By GatorGuy
November 28, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
For $195 per seat, there better be a young stars game!
By Brian
November 28, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
It’s not just Enstrom & Little from the home city, but the 2 from Chicago are real up & comers too. My bet is that there is some squabble with the TV coverage for the Sat events…
By ranallo10
November 28, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
Wow, guess Waddell had good timing on bringing Enstrom over to Atlanta — The Swedish Elitserien is contemplating backing out of the transfer agreement.
By Brendan
November 28, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
I’m guessing Pavelec starts the December 2nd game at NJ. Call me crazy, but I think that Islanders game is a big game for Atlanta. I think we’ll have to bounce the Islanders to make the playoffs. So, winning in regulation is like a 4-point swing. We’ll host the Islanders on December 5th. Taking both games in regulation would be sweet. I won’t be booing Mandy. But I won’t cheering for him, either.
Craig, I definitely think a convincing loss in regulation would get either Maurice or Ferguson, Jr., or both, fired. In Toronto, they demand accountability. It only gets worse when the team’s last sniff at a Cup predates the ‘67-68 Expansion when the league jumped from six teams to twelve. Recently, the Toronto Sun reported the Maple Leafs owner called the hiring of JFJ “a mistake.”
Thud. The guy’s still on the payroll as the recognized GM of the franchise. If we take the Leafs by four or more goals, someone will be fired. The waters are just too “chummed up” right now for utter stagnation in the Canadian “Mecca.”
I honestly have no idea where to put Haydar. I guess I’d reunite him with Brayn Little, on that line. Call me crazy, but I’d keep Zhitnik in the lineup, just demote him to the 3rd pairing, and limit his ice time as much as possible. I like Steve McCarthy, but he’s a -13. If he’s used, I hope he’s used sparingly, and on the PP, when Enstrom isn’t quarterbacking it.
And for the love of Pete, let’s get out of 30th spot on the Penalty Kil!! Waddell said he’d review these past two losses and make adjustments. I think there ought to be accountability for that.
By ranallo10
November 28, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Come on Brendan, he in essence said it was a mistake to hire an inexperienced GM, not that hiring JFJ was a mistake. He was saying it was wrong to throw an inexperienced person into the fracas that is the Toronto media, as well as the fan expectations. He also said that JFJ has improved during his tenure. He never said “I regret hiring JFJ”, he just admitted he jumped the gun by hiring a rookie GM. The Canadian media is already having their own field day out of that quote, don’t fuel that fire.
By Brendan
November 28, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
Point well-taken, Ranallo. But it’s still an odd quote to make, given the current state of affairs for the Leafs. Consider that Peddie could have said, “We took a ‘real chance’ on hiring an inexperienced GM.” Instead, he used the word, “mistake.” I cannot recall a time when an owner used that particular word when describing someone still presently on the payroll. That’s what I’m saying. Certainly, the “mistake” comment is taken a bit out of context. And the ownership did clarify the remark. They basically said that throwing an inexperienced person into the Toronto Market might not have been, “conceptually,” the best way to go.
But the use of the word, “mistake” is glaring. I should think he could have used the word, “risky” in its stead. No?
By kracker
November 28, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Philips’ calendar doesn’t mention the Young Stars game. Empty day on Friday, Super Skils competition on Saturday, All-Star game on Sunday.
Philips’ January 08 calendar
By Brendan
November 28, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Imagine if the Atlanta Spirit Group said, “The prior ownership made a mistake hiring an assistant GM to take on the responsibility of an expansion team, in a non-traditional hockey market.”
Some of you would mistaken for Australians, since you’d be “hopping mad” about such hypothetical remarks. And probably, you’d demand a retraction. And we’d alll really be thinking that Waddell was about to be fired. Be honest.
By kracker
November 28, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
Hmmmm, looks like you have to manually change the Philips’ calendar to Jan. 08.
By ranallo10
November 28, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Good point, “mistake” is not the best choice of words.
With the way their team has been managed during his tenure, I hope he DOESN’T get fired. I love to hate Toronto.
kracker — Click on the Skills Competition and you see “Please note that the NHL has not finalized the starting time for this event. Stay tuned for an official announcement…”
By bob(other)
November 28, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
Folks, the schedule for All Star weekend will be finalized and released in due course. We’ll all find out the details when the NHL is ready to let us know that. In the meantime, we can expect a major event and associated activities outside of the 18,000+ ticket holders, most of which are not Thrashers fans, thus why as STHs same seats are not available.
Chill folks. It’s going be to fine.
By LAC
November 28, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
Alan, I believe Hydar is out of options…
Which means that he would have to go through waivers and surely be picked up by someone out there.
By Alan
November 28, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
LAC - I don’t think he was sure of what options were left. Regardless, lets see the kid play and see him shake things up a bit. It just seems counterproductive to have a guy like him and just bench him.
By Sara
November 28, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this
re: Young Stars game I heard back from my ticket rep and this is the gist of the explanation:
The League is planning on combining the Young Stars and All-Star game to improve the quality of the ASG itself. As such, they intend to “beef up” the Skills competition.
He provided me with this latest schedule:
Saturday, January 26th at 9:30AM - 1:00PM - “Rock and Skate” - Team practice sessions and a possible youth-oriented concert
Saturday, January 26th at 7:00PM - 9:00PM - Dodge/NHL Super Skills Competition
Sunday, January 27th at 6:00PM - 9:00PM - 56th NHL ALL-STAR Game
So perhaps they intend to take the brightest of the young stars in the league and put them on the roster for the ASG instead of just using a plethora of veteran talent? That’s about all I can surmise from that statement.
By Thrashers27
November 28, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry, but Mac has looked awful every time he has stepped onto the ice this year. Not only do I think he should continue to sit, but I also say we should cut him loose.
What happened to the Steve McCarthy that scored five goals in around 16 games the year we picked him up?
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!!!
By R. Stroz
November 29, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this
Only Bettman could screw up an all star weekend.
By Jsmooth
November 29, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
I agree that it’s time for Haydar to get another shot to bolster our second line scoring, which has been conspiculously absent in the last few games. I really think Little is about to break out but he needs someone in addition to Perrin who can keep up and Haydar is certainly speedier than Kozzy.
I would love for Kozzy to catch fire on that second line but I am not convinced he is the right fit for that line. Of course, without a true finisher on that line, it may not matter what the combos are. But I have a sneaking suspicion that a speedy line of pesty gnats like Little, Perrin and Haydar could really give Toronto’s 3rd and 4th line fits.
As far as who sits, you have no choice but to sit Larsen. With the way Dupuis is playing right now, perhaps having Kozzy on his line to help set him up for an easy goal or two would really spark this team. Holik is playing better of late and this third line could be interesting with the speed of Dupuis and the playmaking of a Kozlov.
As for the 4th line, we need to keep it intact as is as long as possible since it is our only line with a real physical presence. But I vote for benching Zhit to see how Stevie Mac plays with the young Popovic for 4 or 5 games straight. If Mac continues to struggle, it’s time to either unload him for a draft pick or send him down in favor of Valabik or Oystrick (anyone who can take the body once and a while!!).
Sorry for the long post…guess I’m trying to make up for being a lurker for such a long time.
Regards, J
By Jsmooth
November 29, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Hate to see the YoungStars game go away but then again, outside of the fanatical hockey fans who post regularly on message boards, who is really watching that game? Here’s an idea (revolutionary for sure): let the GMs determine the best 11 or 12 young players from each conference (6 fwds, 4 def and 1 / 2 goalies) to play in a glorified scrimmage of 4 on 4 hockey for 20 mins and start it an hour or so before the All-Stars come on the ice for warmups. Then have the “4 stars” of the scrimmage (determined by the TV media at the game) join the All-Star teams of their respective conference as participants…in other words, give them a chance to “earn” a spot on the team. What the heck! It sure would add some intrigue to a boring game of pond hockey.
And let me retract my lineup suggestion for tonight. I too, after reading some other bloggers suggestions, would be intrigued by a lineup that would keep Kozzy on the LW with Little and Haydar. Perrin may fit better on the 3rd line because he is so physical. And his good hands and playmaking vision may be the perfect complements to the speedy Dupweeeeeee!! I love saying his silly name.