AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEnstrom will be part of All-Star festivities
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So I’m not sure which was less of a surprise - Ilya Kovalchuk making the All-Star game or Tobias Enstrom being named to the YoungStars game. Like Don Waddell said this morning in his scrum, if Toby didn’t make it, I’d like to see the defensemen who made it in his place. But congrats go out to Enstrom, who has been a pleasant surprise this season for the Thrashers. I asked him if the long NHL season was wearing him down at all, and he said it wasn’t. In Sweden, he said he played 55 games in the regular season, so he’s used to a much shorter season. But the bottom line, he said, is that he loves playing hockey and relishes the extra games.
Here’s a link to the roster for the YoungStars event, I guess we can’t call it a game.
Mike Babcock put an end to the Scotty Bowman rumors this morning, saying he spoke with Bowman and here’s what Bowman told Babcock: “I’m not going anywhere, I’d like my name on the Cup one more time.”
Babcock seemed to have a healthy respect for the Thrashers. He had some great things to say about Ilya Kovalchuk, saying he’s always loved guys who are so eager to shoot the puck. “We’ll have our hands full,” Babcock said about tonight’s game. “But saying that, we have some good players too.”
Kari Lehtonen will have a challenge tonight as Tomas Holmstrom said the game plan is to create as much traffic in front of Kari as possible. Lehtonen is going to have to battle tonight, because it’s would be hard to find anyone better in the game than Holmstrom at playing in front of the net. “it’s tough to save the puck when you can’t see it,” Holmstrom said, in explaining his plan for tonight. If you haven’t seen it, the video of Kari Lehtonen and Johan Hedberg working on avoiding screens is fantastic. Maybe that’ll help tonight. Some great work being done at ThrashPractice.com
I asked Slava Kozlov if he came close to signing with the Red Wings during the off-season because I knew he liked it here. He said the Wings offered him a two-year deal and that he preferred staying in Atlanta where he enjoys playing and his family is comfortable. Now, if they would have gone to that third year like the Thrashers did, maybe things would have been different. Down in the depths of Joe Louis Arena, Don Waddell’s and Slava Kozlov’s names are painted on the cinder block walls for winning the Cup here. Kozlov joked that he was glad it was still up and nobody scratched it out with black marker.
I got to all the lineup stuff yesterday, and there are no changes. All the scratches for tonight’s game are injury related - Brad Larsen (groin), Steve McCarthy (strained ribcage) and Jim Slater (groin). Eric Boulton said he was feeling a little sore in his first game back, but overall was pleased with the effort against Pittsburgh.
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Comments
By R. Stroz
January 15, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Here’s hoping the Thrashers make Pucks n Snot cry tonight.
By Russ
January 15, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to Toby…well earned.
Now, let’s keep the good vibe going from the Pittsburgh game. Just fluttering around .500 isn’t going to keep the Thrashers in the playoff hunt much longer. I’m looking for at least nine points in the remaining six games before the all-star break. That would give them some good momentum for the stretch drive.
GO THRASHERS!!!!!
By Smoothie
January 15, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Congrats to To-bee-us Enstrom on being named one of the YoungStars for the ASG festivities. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for him and the start of 12 straight years participating in All-Star weekend!!!
By Gsu-Lee
January 15, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
CraigI think the Red Wing Fan is still obvious in Craig’s writing…you sound really excited Craig, i hope whatever else you enjoy the game tonight. Is this your first time in the Press Box at Joe Louis?
By Nate
January 15, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Let’s spank the Wings!
By GaVaHokie
January 15, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
I hope Ilya puts on a scoring clinic tonight! He gets pretty amped up for these major market games.
By LAC
January 15, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Let’s Hope pucks n snot throws up in his beer when WE WIN !!!!!!!!!!!
Can’t believe I’m saying this … Atlanta 4 Detroit 3 in S/O !
Toronto 5 Carolina 2…
We would be in FIRST PLACE…
If we cannot get it togather for THIS GAME… Oh Well !!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s all have a BIG Sneeze for old snot before the game to show OUR Respects !!!!!!!!!
By David
January 15, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Front page on ESPN NHL section…
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3196519
…made me think. Would you ever think about trying to get Jagr for Hossa and maybe somebody else? How much would Jagr help? Can you imagine him on a line with Kovy? ahhh
sorry, i just like to dream
By J(Z)
January 15, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Jagr would only really help us in one category…mullets. We’re noticeably behind in that category…and that’s…ok.
By Brendan
January 15, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
I don’t know that Jagr is the right “dynamic” for the Thrashers. Yes, he’s still a good player, but he’s 36 and extremely well-paid.
Look, call me crazy, but I think the very 1st next order of business ought to be making Kovalchuk Capain, then re-inking him in 2009, on July 1st, to a contract that announces to the World that a major Superstar has arrived and will be playing in Atlanta for the forseeable future. So, Jagr is not going to be the leader of our team, and has historically been a “coach-killer.” And I certainly wouldn’t want to give Jagr any impression that this franchise is in any way, shape or form, going to be his. It’s Kovy’s team. It’s going to be built around him. I can’t see Atlanta being able to afford Jagr in the coming years, anyway. What isss our goal? To perpetually be one of the oldest teams in the NHL? Kovy needs to be surrounded by young, speedy talent. And that’s it.
By Russian
January 15, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
to Brendan I am agree with you. Jagr is not good enought anymore. He is getting older and injured very easely. Atlanta team build for Kovy and Owners/GM need to follow this way.
By Tony C.
January 15, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Russian is right.
Hrrmmm…..Hoss for J.M. Liles??? (you know DW would love that, he’s one of his USA-Hockey boys)
By HookyBob
January 15, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Priceless: to be at the Joe with my Tharshers hat.
By Brendan
January 15, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Hossa has a hat trick in his “Detroit audition.” I think he passed the audition. It’s 4-0, after two periods.
By the way, this game will be REPLAYED at 11:00 PM tonight, on FOX SPORTS SOUTH. You just may want to roll the Tivo, DVR, or VCR for this one. Then again, this game has been fairly boring, if you’re not a Thrashers fan. This has been a buttstompin’ in Hockeytown.
By Brendan
January 15, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Toronto 3, Carolina 2, after two periods. Colorado 2, TB 0, in the 2nd period. Caps-Sens are tied, 2-2. And with Atlanta up, 4-0, after two periods … the standings could be about to make a dramatic change.
Question: Has a team ever gone from 10th spot to 3rd this LATE in a season?
By Jameson
January 15, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
That is just inexcusable… There is no reason that the team shouldn’t have helped Kari maintain the shutout after the way he played through the first two.
By Tony C.
January 15, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Yeah that turnover hurt….good win, wonder if the message of “this high-level effort every time” sinks in.
That said HUGE win, glad to see Le Thrash crashing the net…The real Zhitnik showed up. Hoss, not Hossa showed up.
KL looked great…the Thrash Line played very very well.
GO BLUE !!!
By Russian
January 15, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
It was a SHOW, BIG ONE. I could not believe that we got two points. Kari played Great game. Hossa got hat trick. I hope it was not Show off before he move to Detroit. Huge 2 Points. We have to keep 3-d position. Let’s Go Thrasher. :-)
By Hockeyfan
January 15, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Toby ties some girl named Sid for most assists on the PP tonight. Hoss and Slava showed up. Detroit became Blueland North tonight
By Thrasher Ryan
January 15, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Well, the sleeeping giant has been awakened. This is what irritates me about the whole Hoss situation… the guy can just turn it on or off whenever he wants too!!! We HAVE to either get him to SIGN or TRADE him ASAP!!! This team NEEDS his contributions right now! If he doesn’t want to sign, Waddell HAS to TRADE HIM NOW. The Trade Deadline will be too late.
By Midfield
January 15, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
So, what’s up with Hossa? Announcers dropped a few hints here and there. Is he going to Detroit or what?
By Brian
January 15, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan - IF he has been keeping it “turned off” intentionally, do you really want him here? Forget signing him, just get the slacker out. After watching him get that hat trick tonight, after barely over a period, I am furious that he could’ve been doing this all year.
By Brian
January 15, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Craig - I forget to give some credit to you, great way to link in the video.
By Russ
January 15, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Great win tonight. Lehtonen was fantastic. It’s amazing how much better this team looks when Hossa is willing to play with more of a physical edge to his game like he did last season. Now, let’s see if they can maintain the momentum of these last two games and put together a long winning streak or if they go back into their usual routine of floating around .500 by losing 2 out of the next three.
GO THRASHERS!!!!!
By shoot it
January 16, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Certainly it is good to see the win and certainly the Thrashers outplayed Detroit for the first half of the game. But let’s face it, we were just lucky that the goaltender played his best game. The rest of the team just continued to not play a 60 minute game. Yes you have to give Detroit credit for stepping up their game in the second half but we will not go far when we can not play solid defense, puck position, in the second half of a game. Great win but not sure any real statement was made by the ‘entire’ team.
By shoot it
January 16, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Certainly it is good to see the win and certainly the Thrashers outplayed Detroit for the first half of the game. But let’s face it, we were just lucky that the goaltender played his best game. The rest of the team just continued to not play a 60 minute game. Yes you have to give Detroit credit for stepping up their game in the second half but we will not go far when we can not play solid defense, puck position, in the second half of a game. Great win but not sure any real statement was made by the ‘entire’ team.
By Bob
January 16, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Isn’t it just amazing what Hoss can do what he tries. I am going to live in Dreamland and believe that Hoss didn’t turn it on to showcase his skills to Detroit so Waddell would trade him there, instead I’m going to believe that Hoss had a great meeting with the owners on Sunday, he now Believes in Blueland and he’ll be signing soon and we can expect that play from last night for years to come.
Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Lehtonen played a great game. That’s the play he can bring if he can bring that concentration level every night. Mabye a shrink like Smoltz hired years ago would help Lehtonen with that. Seriously. sports psychologists can help guys out, it’s not a talent issue with Lehtonen, it’s mental.
First place. First freakin’ place. I had to say it twice, I can’t quite believe it. I guess we are the SouthLeast this year, but who cares, we’re in first.
How in the world can Waddell trade Hoss now? He’d be run out of town on a rail by the fans if he traded Hoss while sitting in first place.
By Tim
January 16, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
Brian I believe HJossa been tying to play like last night a lot of time this season except that he didnt have much luck this season compared to last night. If he really did turn his game off, he wouldnt keep a pace of a point a game. The guys been trying, bad luck, get over it and find his groove last night.
By ranallo10
January 16, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
He’d be run out of town on a rail by the fans if he traded Hoss while sitting in first place — Bob
Kind of a catch 22, isn’t it? He’ll be booed if he trades Hossa, but he’ll also be scoffed at if Hossa re-signs. If Hossa doesn’t resign but isn’t traded by the deadline, people will call for his head.
Basically we’re at the point in time where people will be mad with the Hossa situation no matter the outcome.
His great game last night is the reason why this team needs him…but also the perfect example of how valuable he could be to the long-term health of the franchise. I’m going to stay in Dreamworld with Bob and think Hossa will re-sign, and that Little will turn into that number one pivot this club so desperately needs.
By d
January 16, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
So, DW is in a bit of a conundrum. Let’s assume MH declares tht he will not re-sign with the Thrash. Does/should DW either
a) pursue a trade, knowing that what ATL gets in return will likely be comprised of LT prospects or a mediocre player in 2008, or
b) forget the LT prospects, we have to keep MH for the balance of the season now that the Thrash have a legitimate playoff opportunity and MH’s skates & stick are heating up?
I prefer option B, given that the Thrash should have plenty of $ in 08/09 season to pursue the UFA market.
By ranallo10
January 16, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Dreamland … my apologies. I also confuse the Florida and California locations!
By GaVaHokie
January 16, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Eklund is giving Hossa an (E4) going to Detroit before the All Star break, but he doesn’t rule out Hossa coming back to Atlanta this summer.
This could be a Tkachuk deal… Atlanta gets prospects and draft picks AND gets Hossa back in the summer. This would make Waddell look very good, no?
By J(Z)
January 16, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
I’ve been saying to trade Hossa for prospects and picks. Then flip those for another guy or two that we may have a better chance to resign (Liles?).
By Bob
January 16, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Oh well, my little Dreamland lasted for a few hours anyway. MacKenzie is very well connected and he wouldn’t report this unless it’s true, he’s one hockey reporter I completely respect, last night was just his audition for the Wings
Man, that has just got to make Waddell look really bad to the owners who also sat in on that dinner.
On the bright side, at least Hoss is doing what’s really good for us in the long run. He is shining a light directly on Waddell’s ineptness over the years and telling them “I don’t believe in Blueland” and mabye that will be the straw that finally gets Waddell out of here and forces the owners to get serious about building a franchise here.
Who knows, mabye we trade Hoss, get some good assets, they fire Waddell and the new GM gets more money to spend, they make some moves that look good to Hoss, and he re-signs here. Could be the best thing for us in the long run, short term pain for long term gain. I have to say, I don’t blame Hoss and I completely understand as I don’t believe in Waddell’s ability either.
By Tony C.
January 16, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
You know, I’m thinking it might just be a real sweetheart of a Tkachuk-deal…I mean of course DW’s beaming cuz he won behind the bench in front of friends family and that @sshole from highschool, but perhaps he just gave the Detroit braintrust the price he’d want for Hoss-and was told “No Problem”…might explain the cat-who-ate-the-canary smile on DW’s mug last night.
Now he can make some moves, maybe get into a strong enough position to make the playoffs, deal Hoss anyway, get Filpula(spl?), picks a prospect or two and gets Hoss back on 1 July?
That’s a reasonable Dreamland scenario.
GO BLUE !!!
P.S. I pretty much agree with the poster’s on MacKenzie’s column that the link points to
By GaVaHokie
January 16, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Bob… maybe this plan was in action when they MET with the owners. To say, “Hey, we’re gonna help you get what you want. We’re gonna trade you to the best team in the league. We’re gonna get some key players in return, and then we want you to strongly consider coming back to us this summer. (insert long-term plan here)… now go win that Stanley Cup and we’ll see you this summer.”
By Boulton's Bruisers
January 16, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
I would do: Hossa/Zhitnik/Klee to Detroit for Datsyuk/Kronwall. Kovy would be stoked to play with Datsyuk.
By GaVaHokie
January 16, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
It also gives the Thrashers a sure fire chance to see how Hossa performs in the playoffs (in case the Thrashers don’t make it)… Detroit will surely make the playoffs. And if Hossa disappears again, Waddell might decide the Hossa playoff urban legend is true and turn his back on the contract offer.
By ranallo10
January 16, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
The latest negotiations between Waddell and Hossa’s new agent, Winter, never even got to the stages of discussing dollars or term.
This is why I feel it’s just a Canadian reporter saying what people want to hear…
More than one report from varying parties have come out saying the contract has been agreed to and terms have been set, it’s just awaiting Hossa’s consent. If that’s true (I’d believe more than one account, which I have seen), how can McKenzie’s be true too??
I wont be surprised if he gets traded, but it’s very fitting for this to come out the night after Hossa scores a hat-trick against the best team in the NHL.
Sources say Hossa is telling friends that he expects to be traded before the NHL trade deadline on Feb. 26.
So your sources are telling you what Hossa is saying to other people. The sources could be Hossa’s friends (which mean little, look at the Forsberg rumors), or they could be people who are friends of friends of Hossa’s. It’s like the telephone game…how true or accurate is it?
In turn, do you really trust those “sources”??
I know I’m in some stages of denial regarding this story, but I just don’t trust this person’s account of what he “knows” or is “reporting”.
By Bob
January 16, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Bob… maybe this plan was in action when they MET with the owners. To say, “Hey, we’re gonna help you get what you want
C’mon, I know we’re in Dreamland today, but FantasyLand is over there around the corner…
You can’t really think that? If the owners did that, they are completely incompetent, and they are stabbing all us season tix holders in the back by throwing this season away. No way that happened.
As to the playoff questions, as Hoss has said all season, everyone in the league knows what they’ll get from him as a player. Hockey people know that Hoss is a top 10 forward in this league. Look up his playoff stats in Ottawa, they are not a disappearing act by the biggest stretch of the imagination, he just became the scapegoat for all their early exits.
All I want to know is who MacKenzie’s source is. I bet it’s Rich Winter.
Craig, MacKenzie scooped you big time on this!
By ranallo10
January 16, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I’d bet his source is a Toronto Maple Leafs assistant to the equipment manager.
By GaVaHokie
January 16, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Bob… I do believe it, because it happened just last year with Tkachuk. John Davidson told KT, “We want you back, and this move is going to help the future of the team.”
We can still make a move that keeps the team competitive. Who’s to say this is the only move we make?
By Brian
January 16, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Look up his playoff stats in Ottawa, they are not a disappearing act by the biggest stretch of the imagination, he just became the scapegoat for all their early exits.
Bob - let’s do that and look at his playoff stats. Hossa has 7 trips to the playoffs. In 2 of those trips, he has 26 points in 30 games played. The other 5 trips to the playoffs Hossa scored 9 points in 25 games. Are you saying that 9 points in 25 games in 5 trips to the playoffs is worthy production for a top ten forward? That is the bulk of his playoff resume. Looks like a disappearing act to me and not a stretch of the imagination to call it that at all. He had 2 good years in the playoffs. The other 5 years he simply disappeared.
By Smoothie
January 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
GVH — I like the way you’re thinking regarding a possible “Tkachuk” deal (I asked this question of the bloggers on the Rawhide blog) in the works. Hossa seemed way to relaxed and happy during the 1st period intermission last night. Even when he’s being interviewed as the 1st star of a game at Blueland has he ever looked so “smiley” and anti-stoic.
Perhaps a deal in principle has been reached and the owners have agreed to deal Hossa to the Wings no matter where we stand in the division race come February 26. As long as we get a RW replacement and/or a solid D-man in return (along with a 1st rounder) as temporary Thrashers, everyone is happy in March. Then when July 1st rolls around, Hossa inks a 3 yr deal worth $22 million!
After last year’s KT deal, it’s pretty obvious that Bettman doesn’t much care about possible collusion!
By GaVaHokie
January 16, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Brian and Bob… if Hossa is a “scapegoat”, then you would have to think if Ottawa traded Hossa for Heatley, keeping most of the key players on the team in tact, they would have made it to the Stanley Cup final by now. ;)
By Brian
January 16, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
GaVaHokie - good one ;) Seriously, those 2 good years he had they went far into the postseason which means the whole team was racking up points. Again, the bulk of his playoff resume only supports the whispers of his choking in the second season.