AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 07
Friday, March 7, 2008
White injury worse than suspected
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For those of you who still care about the remaining games, Johan Hedberg will start in goal tonight and Todd White won’t play against his former team. Evidently, when he hit the ice against the Islanders in the game in which he lacerated his elbow, he also hurt his shoulder. The elbow is healing just fine, but the other day in practice White was hit by a teammate and that messed up his shoulder again.
He didn’t think it was anything that would keep him out for too long, but that’s the reason why he’s been in and out of the lineup. He said it really hurt to take faceoffs the other night, and for your No. 1 center, that’s no good.
Don Waddell had a meeting after the morning skate, so he wasn’t available to the media. He’ll address the media at 5 p.m. today, so I might get more information on White’s status then. But the big thing is White doesn’t want to make it worse than it already is. I give him credit for trying to play against Carolina, since it was a big game, but considering Bryan Little was logging most of the minutes on the top line by the end of the game, maybe he should have sat.
The talk around the arena this morning was about the big season ticket holder Town Hall meeting tonight with Don Waddell. I requested access to the event since I think it would be a good story if some of the season ticket holders express their frustrations, but that request was shot down before I could even finish the question. So let me know if anything exciting happens, will ya?
One season ticket holder was angry enough to share his frustration with YouTube.
Since Waddell hasn’t addressed the media yet, I can’t say for sure, but it looks like Popovic and Zhitnik will be sitting tonight against the Wild. They were on the ice the longest after the skate. I’m guessing Little will continue to play in White’s spot on the top line.
Since I posted the blog yesterday kind of late, I haven’t had a chance to respond to some of the comments. Let me do that now:
Nikita: I agree that Holik’s contract gives him more scrutiny. No, I don’t think he’s been awful this year and at times he’s been one of the Thrashers best players. I love what he brings to the team, they could use more physical players like him. The argument I was trying to make was that at $4 million, the team isn’t getting the best return for the investment. I like Holik a lot as a player and a person, but if you have a limited payroll, he’s not a luxury you can afford at that price.
R. Stroz: My line of questioning concerning McCrimmon was two-fold: Was he offered the job, and if not, why not?
Tony C: Thanks for listening. I wish there was more appetite for hockey on the radio in Atlanta, because I really enjoy doing it. I could talk hockey with Odgie all day.
Moo: Those are good questions. I’ve asked about a fathers trip like a lot of teams have done and I think they were looking into doing one around the time Bob Hartley was fired and then it just didn’t seem appropriate. But this team certainly could use some sort of team building exercise.
GSU-Lee: Re: Kovy and the media - I have zero issues with dealing with Ilya. I think he was annoyed about the summer question yesterday, but for the most part he’s willing to work with you. He’s not going to sit around and shoot the bull, and he’s one of those guys who if you’re not prepared he doesn’t want to deal with you. But if you ask good questions, he’s not afraid to speak his mind. Just look at his quotes after the Carolina game. My only issue with him is his quick exits after games that make me send a PR guy to get him. But once you do get him, he’s usually pretty good, plus he has the potential to be even better - just look at how personable he was during the All-Star game. I just think he gets bored with it all sometimes.
Hockeyfan: I’m hearing that Don Waddell insisted on a first-rounder from interested teams regarding Bobby Holik.
Barry: That is true about the 5 D-men, and I’m pretty sure Popovic is restricted, although I have to check that. It’ll be interesting to see how that is handled this summer, because you can’t come back with the same six guys. You just can’t.
Sam: I don’t necessarily think a guy has to have played in the NHL to get respect from the team. Bob Hartley won a Stanley Cup and never played in the league. That said, it certainly helps. I think McCrimmon has the respect of the team, and the fact that he played a ton and was good is part of the reason.
dj: I hear what you’re saying about McCrimmon and the defense, but it’s not like he’s been working with Pronger and Lidstrom back there.
todd: Wow, I never thought of Clark Howard as a solution. Maybe he could put together a winning team on a smaller budget.
Big Al: that’s Kozlov’s defense. His playing time has been sporadic and he’s having trouble getting in the flow of the game. But at the same time, there’s a reason he isn’t getting consistent playing time.
Eileen: I do kind of feel for the new guys, this is a tough spot to be thrown into. But so far, they’re handling it well.
Smoothie: I think some of the frustrations with White are misplaced. Talk to some of the players with the Wild and they miss his two-way contributions immensely. The problem is, he was sold as a the big free agent, play-making center to play with Kovy and that’s not fair. For what he’s being paid (just over $2 million) he’s doing what he should be doing. I’d like to see him as a second-line center with a new right winger and Slava Kozlov and see what happens next season. Then plug a new No. 1 center with Kovalchuk and Recchi.
joyaman: Sounds like you have a better understanding of my job than a lot of people. Thanks for the input.
jjwane: Easy on the all-caps buddy.
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