Thrashers

By NASCAR Dave

October 13, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Congratulations to COACH ANDERSON on his first NHL win!!! I’m glad ANDERSON finally has a shot to show he can hang with the big boys…

I’m also glad KOZLOV is scoring, because KOVALCHUK has been a Non-Factor all of Pre-Season and through these first 2 games… Looks like teams have caught on that if you take him out of the mix, you can beat the Thrashers…

EXELBY still looks putrid out there… ENSTROM might need to sit in the Pressbox a few games also…

I see we’re still getting OUTSHOT late in games again… Uh-Oh - Don’t keep that trend up…

I think LITTLE needs to Center KOVY’s line still… WHITE seems to be a bit off pace with KOVY at times…

I wish we had some “Real” goons on this squad… The WIMPS were back again… Did you see how they all just sat around and watched as BRASHEAR pummelled the crap out of 18 year old BOGOSIANS face??? BOULTON and THORBURN both leave much to be desired… This team was not TOUGH enough last year, and I hope things can change this year, but so far it looks like the same old wimps… I’m ready for BORIS VALABIK to come back and add some GRIT…

GO THRASHERS!!!

By Tony C.

October 13, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Maybe you should just watch Quebec Val d’Or MJL games DAVE, there’s about 50/50 fighting to hockey in that league.

By Timmy!

October 13, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Dave-

Not sure what games you’re watching. X has looked fantastic so far, same with Todd White. The two of them have been unexpected surprises. You’re right that Toby looks out of place, but I imagine he’ll get back into form in the next 4 or 5 games.

And wishing we had goons? ugh. Please. Old-time hockey is gone and done with. (Also, once Hoffman comes back, we’ll have it if we need it.)

By kracker

October 13, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

I think JA is still testing the line combinations and the pairings. Good for him. If it’s not working like he thinks it should, change the lines/pairs.

I am in no way close to the team but my sense of it is that these players will go with whatever/wherever Anderson wants them to play and try to make it work. These guys are in some combination looking to prove they are NHL players, striving to rebound from a poor season, in a contract year or are just solid team players wanting to win.

Personal ego, at least at this stage of the season, seems not to be a big factor.

By Nikita

October 13, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

I’m sick of hearing people pick on Todd White based on last season, where e was forced to play completely at a disadvantage. This is a new year, and so far White looks great because he’s not forced to grind, enforce, or play a highly physical game.

As for Brashear…the correct response, from the league’s standpoint, is what occurred, wherein the other players grab and hold those of the other team. Anything else leads to CRAZY penalties. Besides which, Bogosian seems to have done a great job of holding his own, and the fights following were payback.

By Sara

October 13, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers took 3 out of 4 points with Kovy kept off the board - so as yet there is no hard proof that taking Kovy out of the equation means you can beat the Thrashers. The more teams focus on Kovy, the more opportunities they leave for his linemates. Eventually they will have to respect what Little or whomever can do. They will have to go back to one on one coverage and Kovy will take advantage. Besides, this isn’t the first year that Kovy has gotten off to a slow start. His goals will most assuredly come.

Timmy I had the same thoughts about Hoffman returning to the line-up.

Mike any word on when Anderson might choose to insert Sterling or Oystrick into the line-up or are they strictly here for back-up purposes?

By Bob

October 13, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

I didn’t watch Friday’s game too well, that’s when Little potted 2, right? Question is, it looked like Theodore let in a softie on him, were Little’s goals top line material, lucky, goalie brainfarts? How has Little looked otherwise? Guess I’m kind of suprised to see him on the top line (as a winger no less) and Williams knocked down

By Justin

October 13, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Kovy was directly responsible for a goal in each game this weekend. Passing is as important as shooting.

By Justin

October 13, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Kovy was directly responsible for a goal in each game this weekend. Passing is as important as shooting.

By Alan

October 13, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Little’s goals top line material, lucky, goalie brainfarts? How has Little looked otherwise?

The first goal (against Jose ThreeOrMore) looked a little soft, but Jose has been soft since last year at the playoffs, when the Red Wings ravaged him and the Colorado team during the western semi-finals.

The second goal had no chance of being stopped, I thought.

As far as how Little has looked otherwise, he’s very quick, gritty, is more than willing to go dig out loose pucks from the corners, and has really handled himself very well these first couple of games.

By TableHockey

October 13, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

I concur with Alan - Bryan Little has grown up a lot since scoring his first goal in the opener against Tampa last year. Much more confident and controls the puck well.

By Ryan C

October 13, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Italic: Looks like teams have caught on that if you take him out of the mix, you can beat the Thrashers…

Dave I have to agree with Sara here, it seems that even if you do take Kovy out of the equation, the Thrashers can still win, which I think was the point and excitement about Friday’s game.

I love that JA stated the crowd was loud on Friday, I think they did an average job, it could definately be louder, and hopefully it will be. I would like to address the fact that people started to file out after the 7th goal, and these were Thrashers fans. It’s 10 on a Friday night people, what’s the rush??? Support your team PLEASE!!!!

By Ryan C

October 13, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Bob, I don’t see Williams fighting to get the puck in, or around the boards, he’d rather skate it in or deflect it, I’m sure this is his game, but it might be the reason JA has moved him to the second line and likes Little for the top line.

Just my thoughts here…

By GaVaHokie

October 13, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Jason Williams has replaced Little on the line with Slava Kozlov and Eric Christensen

Wow, the third game… it happened faster than I predicted. I knew Williams would end up playing with Kozlov… not that the lines are set in stone, but I feel this will work better.

By Old Time Hockey

October 13, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Congratulations on a good weekend. I’ll take road points any day of the week. This team looks much more balanced than any previous one we’ve had. Sure looks like Hainsey is the real deal. As for Bryan Little, he reminds me of one of my favorite players from years past. Don’t want to go overboard trying to compare stats, because he’s not as talented, but he skates and holds his stick and shoots just like Mike Bossy did. Watch some old videos on NHL network. Which brings me to Ilya. I believe he is one of the top passers in the entire league. He just hasn’t had anyone who shares his vision. It was starting to work with Hossa, but we know where that went. I think with the added input of the defensemen from the point, his assist stats will be much higher this year than years past. Lastly, why do we not employ a shadow on Ovechkin when we play them? Every time he steps out on the ice we should have someone glued to him. Let the rest of the team beat you. I know he will get his, but you can not let him beat you because we didn’t rotate correctly and he is wide open. Deny him the puck and make it more difficult for him.

By Jason

October 13, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

I’m also with Alan on what Little has shown so far. On Friday, and in parts of Sat game, he just looked like he belonged. Whether it is confidence, more muscle, improved skill, or something else, he has made a visible transition so far from the player we, and the coaching staff, saw last year. That said, it’s up to him to keep progressing and producing if he wants to keep top forward duities.

I think that is the one reason why Colin Stuart, Valabik, and others from training camp didn’t make the team. They may not have looked worse than last year, but just did not do anything special to look better.

By Nikita

October 13, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Valabik is in a different league than Little. He’s huge and mean, and I suspect that Anderon kept him up as long as he did only to ascertain whether he was capable of playing big and mean without playing badly or stupidly. Which, of course, he cant at this point.

As to friday night’s fans…if/when I actually can afford season tickets, I will make sure to sit in a variety of locations before I buy, because there are definitely better and worse fans. When we came in friday we couldn’t get to our seats, so we sat in the nearest vacant ones in our row — which turned out fairly awesome because the people on either side of us were fairly into it. Over the break we moved into our actual seats only to discover ourselves surrounded by a disinterested family and a couple that appeared to be feuding — they appeared pretty disengaged from the action. We actually moved back to the original seats in the 3rd. Need more fans, need more fans who are actually into it. Otherwise I might as well watch the action on tv.

By GaVaHokie

October 13, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Nikita… you pretty much summed up why I gave up Falcons season tickets.

By Ryan C

October 13, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Nikita, believe this is the good and bad of the Chick-Fil-A deal nights. It allows families to go, however, some are obviously not fans. I actually had people in front of me move, because I think they felt I was being to loud, at a hockey game?? Oh well, I have to say nothing compares to a couple years ago when I found the Nasty Nest in 320, those people are awesome fans, not sure if they have moved or not. I tend to be able to make around 20 games a season, but have not commited to season tickets (I know bad ryan, bad).

Back to hockey, I have to admit, I’m not an XLB fan, however I do see him trying harder, not to get out of position (I said trying). Hainsey, have to say I was skeptical, he’s looked great so far.

How does everyone feel about the new PA announcer, he just needs to be a little edgier, but he has potential? Not sure about the new girl, I couldn’t hear anything she said while interviewing Little Friday night for the first star.

By Nikita

October 13, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

re: Natalie Taylor, she’s competent. I have worked with her. I couldn’t hear her either, though.

By LAC.

October 13, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

TableHockey, Little scored against Washington in a 3-1 LOSS opening night last year… Not Tampa. He scored the teams final goal against Tampa in the last game… Odd one.

I agree, we need more tough guys, Willi Plett types, who can score and throw hard rights when needed, we have been long too much of a creampuff team in terms of toughness.

See where SI thinks Berry Melrose will be first coach fired this season, interesting. They say we finish last, and this time good-bye don waddell… We shall see…

By Alan

October 13, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

we have been long too much of a creampuff team in terms of toughness.

Amen to that.

They say we finish last, and this time good-bye don waddell

To me, the “goodbye” to Waddell is a scenario type affair…

If the team does well - playoffs or not - I think Waddell gets “promoted.” If the team bottoms out and we end up in the Tavaras Sweepstakes™, then I think he’ll be given a parachute and shoved out of his office window. It won’t be a golden one, either.

By Tony C.

October 13, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

In general, Atlanta has crap fans.

I think it’s because so many transplants still hold onto their (old) hometown teams…like that guy that posted the other day about being an ATL resident of 20 years but he is still an NYR fan-doesn’t even pull for the hometown team!

Now, if I move to another city, you can bet I will root for the Thrashers/Braves/Falcons/Hawks whenever they come to town, but every other game, I’ll be cheering for my (new) hometown team.

But real fans are starting to happen. there’s a generation of people like myself that grew up here and are only now starting to develop fan-traditions.

Give it 10 years (with winning teams), and I’m confident that will change.

GO BLUE !!!

By Thrashy Thrashy

October 13, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

When was the last time we read about two Thrashers (in this case, Williams and Hainsey) talking about running a play in a game and making it work?

That’s as encouraging a sign as any about this team. I want guys to have their heads in the game and make adjustments on the fly. That makes a coach’s job a hell of a lot easier. I hope we read/hear more of this.

By Thefan

October 13, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

I think couple of us should organize and go to the game as often as we can .Anybody interested.

By Mike Knobler

October 13, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

Sara The word on Oystrick and Sterling is that Anderson hopes to play them sometime this week. I have a little more depth on that in the story I wrote today (in the paper Tuesday a.m.).

By Hanson Brothers

October 13, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Ryan C I am glad you brought up the PA announcer. I was disappointed in his performance and hope he gets better with more experience. It was annoying that he never announced offsides, usually forgot to announce icing, was slow on the penalties and the scoring. He was calling out Thrashers on the power play even though the Thrashers had just committed a penalty and it was back at even strength. Now while most people posting here know when it is icing or offsides, most casual fans dont. My guest on Friday was at her first game, and she kept asking why they stopped playing and the announcer was not saying anything. So hopefully it will improve.

As for fans leaving after the 7th goal, I have no problem with that when we are up 3 with 4 minutes left. It may not be late for adults but it is for young kids.

I also hope we don’t play Oystrick, Sterling or Hedberg tomorrow. Right now what we need the most is giving lines and teammates more games together to get the system down pat. Changing players and lines will slow that process down and we would be more likely to see what we saw in preseason with all the different lines and a lack of cohesion. So let them sit a few more games and then get them in one at a time.

By Alan

October 13, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

usually forgot to announce icing

You realize the rest of the league mocks the southeast division for announcers doing that sort of thing, right? Yeah, we know it, but we should also be the ones to explain the ins and outs of hockey to our guests who may not know the sport as well as we do.

I’m happy there’s no more “Icing Atlanta” announcements over the PA.

Other than that, I’m sure the PA guy is just making rookie mistakes. I would have hoped this sort of thing would be worked out in the preseason, but maybe he needs a little extra time.

By Tony C.

October 13, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

Also, to amend my previous post:

Obviously the majority of people that read and comment on knobes’ and rawhide’s blogs are for-real fans…

… but yall know the type I’m talking about, the guy with the Roenick Phoenix sweater that says “hit ‘em” while we’re on the PP and then asks what quarter it is when he gets back from getting beers.

By Mikeyy

October 13, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

for crying out loud am i the only sensible person in atlanta to realize that todd white needs to go down in lines. keep williams up there he is a great player just get christensen or little to center thats itt hell why not try perrin

By stendec

October 13, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

It is sickening to see Maryann Hossa on Sports Illustrated cover. Hope there is really something to this cover jinx thing. I despise this guy as much as I do the Thrasher goaltender. Sorry. Forgot that is blasphemy here. Hossa bailed on Atlanta effort-wise while still under contract. Completely unacceptable. Wish Thrashers well this week. Please score a bunch of goals. All of them will damn sure be needed!

By Nikita

October 13, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

Good idea, thefan.

As to leaving…you know, last week I was at Georgia/Alabama, people were streaming out, and I noticed that the guy a few over to my right was also still standing there. We got into a conversation about staying. His opinion, which I share, was that the team can’t leave and a true fan won’t, either. Besides which, you’re not saving much time whn you scoot out early.

…can’t wait to see the game tomorrow night!

By stendec

October 13, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

I feel compelled to respond to post by Stendec Is A Bum. First, I am over 35. Right there. Past middle age actually. On my own. Leave my mother and rest of my family out when attacking me. Have followed sports, most Georgia college and professional teams, all my life. Love ice hockey. From Flames to Knights to Thrashers. My wife and I are both disabled. Are raising our beloved granddaughter in single bedroom public housing unit. We survive. Will continue to criticize highly salaried athletes when I feel such criticism is warranted. No matter what you or anyone else thinks about it. I wish another columnist well but will have deep sympathy for him when his hero worship of a certain Thrasher proves totally baseless. It will. Fans should not silently condone incompetent displays by professionals. I have seen too damn much of that in the last four plus decades! Good evening all. God bless.

By Sara

October 14, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

Ahhh yes Shafee our new PA announcer - from one of the local radio stations again. So not impressed - I mean, I can live with rookie announcer mistakes like the timing of his calls, but that was the most unenthusiastic announcing I have ever heard. I felt like I was watching golf. From what I’ve been hearing from other fans, he has a history of trashing the Thrash on the radio and is a Red Wings fan. Obviously the latter doesn’t bother me, but the former sure does.

By Smoothie

October 14, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

I like this move by JA to promote Little to the first line. He is rewarding his players for exerting maximum effort at all times, which is something Bryan does the majority of the time he’s on the ice. I think the promotion is tacit acknowledgement by JA that he needs a RW who is willing to mix it up a bit more in the corners and behind the net. Now that Little has added an additional 15 pounds, he seems to be holding up much better in the battles waged along the half-boards and in the corners.

Williams is a solid skater and you can tell has a nose for the puck around the net. But he doesn’t seem suited to the type of banging that may be necessary to afford Ilya more room to operate and manuever. I love how Ilya is letting the game come to him for the most part — although I will admit he tried to do to much during that one PP against Fla — and I think having Little on the other flank of White will not only help to free up Kovy, but it will allow White to maximize his speed and quickness for more “backdoor” passing plays.