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Monday, March 17, 2008
Valabik coming; Christensen out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m going to rush through this blog because I hear there’s some green beer waiting for me up the street here in Philadelphia. Happy St. Patty’s Day everybody, one of my favorite holidays of the year. Brings back some great memories from my days in East Lansing, but you guys don’t want to hear about the Glory Days.
Some news for you: Don Waddell said he’s planning on making a call to Chicago today that will result in the promotion of Boris Valabik. Don said he didn’t think it’d be a good idea to throw him into the mix against Philly, he’d rather let him get a couple practices under his belt first but expect to see his promotion announced today or in the morning. I’m as curious as you are to see how he’ll do at this level. I haven’t seen him play much, but that hasn’t stopped me from making my own rushed, uninformed opinion of his game.
In the meantime, Mark Popovic will be in the lineup against the Flyers since Ken Klee is a little banged up. Klee didn’t practice today, but I don’t think it’s anything major. Mark Recchi took the morning off. Oh yeah, I haven’t mentioned it, but Alexei Zhitnik didn’t even make the trip. They figured Popovic was the extra defenseman in case something happened, plus they anticipated calling up Valabik, so Z stayed home. It’s amazing how much things can change in one year, eh?
Spoke with a disappointed Erik Christensen today, and things don’t look to good for him. Waddell said Christensen has a sprained MCL and he’ll be out at least a week. It’s similar to the knee injury Marian Hossa had right away with Pittsburgh. Obviously, they’re not going to rush Christensen back, since the games are essentially meaningless. He seemed pretty down about it though, especially considering all the playing time he was getting.
Todd White will be back in the lineup, but look for Jim Slater to move up to fill in for Christensen. I don’t know if Slates or Eric Perrin will center that line, but it sounds like White will ease into things on the fourth line and play some special teams to get his minutes. He practiced Saturday and today and said his shoulder feels as good as it’s been since he re-injured it in practice.
I can see White’s role changing a bit next year. The team hasn’t ruled out bringing Bobby Holik back, and likes Bryan Little and Erik Christensen on the top two lines (assuming a No. 1 center isn’t brought in). If Holik doesn’t come back, then White could be the No. 3 center, but White also said he’s not against playing on the wing which he did in the minors and in Ottawa. But I’d be surprised is he’s penciled in as the center on Kovalchuk’s line again next season. Where do you think the ideal spot for White is? And who are you pairing Valabik with?
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