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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Hossa finds another gear in playoffs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First, let’s talk some on-ice hockey. Those Penguins are looking really good. A Detroit-Pittsburgh finals seems inevitable and both teams look capable of winning the Stanley Cup. The amazing thing about the Penguins is that they seem to find different ways to win each night. We know all about Crosby, Malkin and Hossa - but how ‘bout that defense? Philly had 18 shots last night. That’s it. Shoot, I’ve seen 18 shots on the Thrashers before I had my laptop unpacked in the press box. That’s a heck of a performance.
And how about Hoss? He scored the game-winner last night and added an empty-netter. That’s five goals in the last four games if you’re keeping track. He’s also been dominant on both ends of the ice and I think it’s safe to say that the Penguins aren’t 11-1 (the best playoff run since the ‘83 Oilers, and that team wasn’t so bad now was it?) without Marian. It also begs the question - would Montreal, who came pretty darn close to landing Hossa, still be around if they made the deal? And, let’s say the Penguins don’t win the Stanley Cup and Hossa walks this summer, is that still a good deal for Pittsburgh?
Other former Thrashers news: Braydon Coburn, who missed Tuesday night’s game, vows to return - just as soon as he can open his eye.
Now it’s Daniel Briere getting ripped for a lack of performance in the playoffs, not Hossa. Ryan Dixon, with the Hockey News, said that Briere is disappearing when it matters most.
Thrashers update: Not much has changed on the Thrashers front. Yes, there’s uncertainty about Don Waddell’s role but that said, I’ve been told he will be running the draft, he is running the coaching search and has full authority to hire the next head coach, with ownership approval. The Thrashers would like to keep the coaching search as discreet as possible as this e-mail from Bruce Levenson confirms: “[Waddell] is running a very private process and neither he nor ownership will comment on individual candidates during that process.” Now that doesn’t stop me from talking to the possible candidates and those who I’ve spoken with have said they haven’t been interviewed. Waddell has said that the plan is to do all the interviews around the same time, so they aren’t at that point yet. Expect two or three candidates to ultimately get interviewed when the team gets to that point. The team also continues to deny the rumors that former Vancouver GM Dave Nonis has been contacted or that there is interest there. One name you’re not hearing, who would be a good option is Kevin Cheveldayoff. The Thrashers already have a good relationship with the Chicago Wolves GM, and they could do a lot worse than bringing him into the fold in Atlanta. He’s a bright hockey mind, well respected in the league, and was a finalist for the Phoenix job last year.
Hartley’s options: Bob Hartley has spent most of May in his Montreal cottage but between now and when he starts running his summer hockey camps, I’m sure he’ll be fielding a lot of phone calls from potential employers. “It’s going to be interesting,” he said when we chatted the other day. But, boy he’s looking good right now, isn’t he? In fact, I’d say he joins Ron Wilson as the best candidate on the market right now. Whether you liked Bob or not, his success with the Thrashers and Colorado is undeniable and it certainly doesn’t hurt his cause that the Thrashers went in the tank this season after he left. I think he’d be a great fit in Ottawa but I want him in the Southeast so I can deal with him eight times a year. I can’t be the only one who misses quotes like “no more Romper Room.”
Mellanby to Vancouver: We knew that Scott Mellanby wanted to stay in the game under the right role, and sounds like he got it in Vancouver. The former Thrashers captain was just hired as a special assistant to new Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis and the hockey operations department. I think that’s a great hire, and it’s too bad that the Thrashers and Mel never could get on the same page to work something out.
The big hangup with the Thrashers was that Mellanby wanted to stay in St. Louis with his family especially while his children were in school. Evidently that wasn’t an issue with the Canucks since Scott will still work from St. Louis. “The bottom line is Mike [Gillis] wanted me to be involved and after speaking with him and meeting with him, I wanted to be involved,” Mellanby said by cell on the way to the airport. “My role will be a little more defined as we go along.”
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