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Friday, January 4, 2008
Lehtonen: We’re extremely lucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Packed house this morning with first-place Carolina in town. Don Waddell took one look at all the video cameras at his morning presser, and cracked, “Is college football over with?” But we’re hitting the second half and the Thrashers are in position to make a run at it. First the lineup changes for tonight: Kari Lehtonen is in goal, like he said he’d be yesterday. I talked to him for awhile on Thursday, then didn’t use any of it in today’s coverage. Let me look real quick and see if he said anything you might be interested in… Yeah, there’s some pretty good stuff here.
Lehtonen on the home stand: “It’s huge. We’re extremely lucky, I would say. The way we’ve been playing to be in a situation where we still have a great chance to be on top of our division. Of course it’s good to have a home stretch now, I really hope we can make it the same kind of home stand we did last time. We played very well.”
Lehtonen on the Thrashers inconsistency: “It shouldn’t be like that. When we do things great, it kind of slips away from us. We start trying to make it all pretty and we get into trouble. I think we’re all playing better lately and that’s a good sign.”
Lehtonen on the goalie rotation for the second half: “As a goalie, we have to make it easy for the coaches to decide. That means we have to play well and that’s the biggest thing. I know if I play well, I’m going to play a lot. It’s just up to me to produce and do it. It’s a fair game, I would say.”
Alright, enough Kari out-takes. The only changes in the lines will be Kevin Doell centering the fourth line with Chris Thorburn and Brad Larsen. The team is optimistic that Eric Boulton’s sprained knee will only keep him out a week. He’s been around the team, and seems to be walking alright, so that’s a positive. Haven’t seen Jim Slater however, as his illness is keeping him out of the loop. They’re keeping a tight lid on Slates’ situation, other than saying it’s day to day.
How about some insider news around the league? All of us hockey beat writers share notes at the end of each week via e-mail. Here’s what’s floating around my inbox today.
Kristian Huselius heats up in Calgary: Huselius has been skating with Jarome Iginla and the move is paying off for the Flames. He had 10 goals and 24 points in 15 games heading into Thursday’s game against the Sharks. Iginla requested that he be partnered up with Huselius, who is a UFA this summer. “That’s good things when the captain wants you to get going. I knew that, too I had to be better,” Huselius told the Calgary Herald.
Hnidy helps in Boston: Boston GM Peter Chiarelli said he’s been speaking with Anaheim GM Brian Burke for about a month, and former Thrashers defenseman Shane Hnidy was always the primary focus. He got him by shipping Brandon Bochenski to Anaheim. Chiarelli on Hnidy: “He’s got some size, he’s got some character,” Chiarelli told the Boston Herald. “He’s just kind of a well-rounded defenseman.” But we already knew that in Atlanta, right?
Staios relieved: This comes from Jim Matheson in Edmonton: Former Thrasher Steve Staios was relieved when nobody topped his three points in an outdoor game during the Winter Classic. He had a goal and two assists when Edmonton played in the Heritage Classic. “I think everybody in our room knows I’ve got the record for most points in an outdoor game because I told them all a few times. That’s the closest I’ll ever have to an NHL record,” Staios said. Also, Sheldon Souray’s shoulder is acting up again.
Campbell’s price rising: The Buffalo News reports that the Sabres didn’t help themselves with the Brian Campbell negotiations. Campbell presented Buffalo with a five year offer worth $25 million before the season and Buffalo rejected it. Now he’s their best player and he could be worth at least $6 million on the open market. It looks like another talented player may be on his way out of Buffalo.
Raycroft’s future in Toronto is murky: Maple Leafs starting goalie Vesa Toskala is nursing a groin injury, but backup Andrew Raycroft hasn’t been a reliable backup. The team called up Scott Clemmensen for help. Here’s what Raycroft told the Toronto media when asked if he might need a change of scenery. “I’m not going there. I love being here in Toronto and I love the guys more than anything. It’s the closest group of guys I have been around. All that other stuff is out of my control.”
Mason no longer No. 1 in Nashville: The Tennesean is reporting that Chris Mason has lost his starting goalie job to Dan Ellis. Ellis’ numbers have been better and he shut out the Stars on Monday for Nashville’s first win in Dallas since 2003. Nashville also ditched its premium ticket plans.
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