Thrashers

By Stevo

November 26, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. If we can’t win without those players then we shouldn’t be playing in the NHL. Semin is the guy that gets Ovechkin the puck and Green just flat out kills us. Time for another 2 points tonight!

GO THRASHERS!!!

By Bob

November 26, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Wow, we need to take advantage of this!

By Buzzeng

November 26, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

…maybe I missed it, but why are the Caps without these starters?

By ThrasherTim

November 26, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Glad to hear Kovvy stepped up last night. It’s been obvious to the die hard fans that something has been missing to-date - perhaps deferring too much and letting his team discover itself - but we need him now to assert himself and be selfish with the shots.

With all the Caps starters out, we need to keep the pressure on their D and create chances and penalties tonight to inch closer to the division leader. We could use a few W’s in a row to give the fans some hope before the year is out!

By Fred

November 26, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

But they are still in Last Place

By Tom

November 26, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

News gets even better, Jose Theodore will get the start tonight against Atlanta.

Reading the Caps blog, it looks like it is not illness but injuries that has so many guys out of the lineup.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/2008/11/morningskateupdate_3.html#more

By dhj_1962

November 26, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Atl. is not in last place, fred. catch up when you can

By Tom

November 26, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

The URL broke, so lets try again. This is to the Washington Post Capitals Blog:

http://tinyurl.com/5moptz

By the 409ers

November 26, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

FRED check ur stats before u run your mouth. they are in 12th with 18 points, that is obviously not too good but we are not last. a win tonight and we are 4 points out of 8th and 5 points out of the division lead.

By Alan

November 26, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

But they are still in Last Place

Might want to double-check those standings, there. Third in the SE, 12th in the conference, 25th in the league.

Things are bad, yes. Don’t make them worse.

By Ron

November 26, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

The Trashers suck. GO HAWKS!

By Jason

November 26, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

This team is in no position expect a W for just showing up tonight, even with seven regulars out. Put the effort in for 60 min, and good results should follow.

By dhj_1962

November 26, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

THE RON SUCKS! GO THRASH!

By Brendan

November 26, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

It was Jose Theodore in net, Opening Night, who stunk it up for the Caps. May we see a ‘repeat performance!’ PJ, can we incorporate that into a prayer, please?

By dhj_1962

November 26, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

if Atl. plays tonite, like last nite, they will hang 8 on josey and the pussycats

By B. Thenet

November 26, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers need to play like they are going up against an All Star team, not a bunch of AHLers.

If they put in the effort they did last night, good things will happen.

However facing Theodore is a nice plus, hopefully he doesn’t get any flashbacks from his glory days in Montreal.

By Tony C.

November 26, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

B.TheNet-

I reckon as long as Jose doesn’t use his “rogaine” wee won’t have to worry about any flashbacks.

But I agree with the general sentiment here; just because they’re missing regulars doesn’t mean you take the night off.

It’s a great opportunity for our guys to learn a crucial lesson every team with post-season aspirations must learn and master:

Step on the other guy’s throat when he’s down.

It’s not “nice” but it is what winning at this level is all about. Certainly our guys should have finally gotten the message that talent alone is sufficient for success.

Anyway, I look forward to our vis Ovie vs. Kovy night.

GO BLUE !!!

By Terptwin

November 26, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

As an avid Caps fan, I have to admit that I’ll be looking for a silver lining tonight. Playing without 7 starters is a daunting task at any level or venue!

For those who are interested in the ATL, keep an eye on Karl Alzner. Karl is considered to be a blue chip, blue line prospect for the Caps. He’s enjoying his first year on “D” with Hershey. Thus far, Alzner is +15 for the baby Caps.

More Caps news later.

By Fred

November 26, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

And miracle of miracles - it’s actually on television!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Mike Knobler

November 26, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

John Anderson is sticking with his game plan of putting Ondrej Pavelec in goal tonight.

By Russian

November 26, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

We have to shoot puck from anywhere. Ovy is only one left who is talented in Caps. Come on Thrashers you can do it.

By Terptwin

November 26, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

@Russian

Granted, the Caps are very depleted. However, Ovy & Co. still have a few good pieces left — namely Backstrom, Nylander, and Kozlov.

By stendec's brother

November 26, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

I’m the ref tonight. I’m trying to get my brother to blow a gasket so I don’t have to listen to him tomorrow.

By Brendan

November 26, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

OV already has a “hat trick” for the Capitals. It’s 4-1, Washington. With 15:00 left in the 2nd period. Bryan Little has our goal, his 10th of the year. Pavelec is, indeed, in net. Expect a rant, any moment now. This is the guy the team decided to send down to start the year. Right move? Wrong move?

Jose Theodore got the start for the Capitals. And right now, he’s exacting a measure of revenge for the “Opening Night” flop he had. The Capitals are getting some good breaks, and lots of PP opportunities. And yes, the refs have one Colby Armstrong on their “watchlist” as a result of last night’s hit on Blake. Army was in the box when the 3rd Capitals goal was scored.

I must say it … what happened to the PASSION?? Where is the onset of consistency? The Thrashers haven’t been physical, at all.

By Tony C.

November 26, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

Is Elliot still talking about how Pavelec has “it” ?

By B. Thenet

November 26, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

What an embarasing performance so far, especially from Exelby.

By stendec

November 26, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

The sooner the Thrashers exit Atlanta the better! When professional players take a game off consistently it is damn time to go. The debacle tonight was worse than an embarrassment. The no-score offense of Coach John Petrino is back! Skating around without a clue! Defense was totally defenseless! The Thrashers could not even provide a game for the Washington reserve team. That is what it amounted to with the number of Cap injuries. Kari Pavs was as porous as swiss cheese! When a team must score six or more goals per game then the goaltending sux! Need I say more? Apologists will have a million positive things to say about the massacre. I have none. Never have embraced or sugarcoated defeats. Never will! In light of the holiday I will refrain from from telling apologists where to go tonight. Happy Thanksgiving all. The turkeys were already served up. In Washington! What time are the Falcons on?

By kevin

November 26, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

Another subpar effort. It’s the same old things this year as last year. Consistently outshot, horrible penalty kill, uninspired effort. Exelby is by far the first player on this squad. -3 tonight with a terrible play setting up the 3 on 1. This guy doesn’t belong on the ice much less the PK, I believe he is starting to drag Hainsey down. Dress Boris bench Exelby.

Goaltending isn’t to blame, Pavelec never had a chance except for the 1st one.

Hartley, Waddell, Anderson, three coaches and the same type of effort and results. Tells me that Waddell the GM hasn’t put the right players on the ice.

By Terptwin

November 26, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

@stendec et al.

In their defense, the Thrashers did play their 3rd game in 5 nights. Fatigue may have played big role in their performance. Nevertheless, I am surprised they didn’t try to jump on the Caps early.

The new kids gave both teams some life. Bryan Little and Nathan Oystrick are the real deal for Atlanta. The play of Bears d-men Sloan, Alzner and Lepisto was mostly decent.

In the end, the difference maker was Alex Ovechkin. He is a rare player who is capable of taking over games in any venue. Following a slow start, Alex now has 12 goals and 17 assists on the season.

Remember, no matter who wins, it’s just a game. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday guys.

By Steely Dan

November 26, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Terptwin, just ignore stenDICK. He is our village idiot. As you can see, he can’t even focus on acting like a moron for just one sport, he mixes them all up. StenDICK just last night after our win in Toronto was BEGGING John Anderson to start Pavs. Now he says he sucks. See how this pathetic sack of sh!t operates?

Please do not judge all Thrashers fans by this miserable, patheic, moronic, syupid-a$$, idiot.

By stendec

November 26, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

I bid all on this site except one the best of all holidays. Steely Dan - DROP DEAD! Then fall into Hell. You worthless oxygen waste! Commode residue scum.

By Mike Knobler

November 26, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

John Anderson’s take on the game is that it turned at the 1-minute mark. Ilya Kovalchuk fed Eric Perrin, who skated in alone on Jose Theodore.

“I thought Theodore really turned the game around with that great stop on the breakaway on Perrin early on,” Anderson said. “It gave them a lift, picked them up. We caught them off guard right away and didn’t score, and they come right back down and get a power play and score. After that, for a period and a half, we couldn’t recuperate. They were on us like rats on cheese.”

By Steely Dan

November 26, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

See what I mean, Terptwin? He’s a grade-A a$$-wipe. His mommy makes him wear a hockey helmet as he rides on the short bus, so he thinks he knows ice hockey.

However, I hope even he has a great Thanksgiving, as I do everyone else.

By Brendan

November 26, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers aren’t, historically, good on “back-to-back” games. But with seven starters out for Washington, especially Semin, I had higher expectations out of tonight’s game. This was a disappointing loss.

Florida was down, 2-0, for most of the game vs. New Jersey, but managed a point by losing in the overtime, 3-2. Also, the Bolts rallied late to tie the NY Rangers, 2-2. The Blueshirs won it in the shootout. What is the Lightning’s record since they fired Melrose? Karma, dude. And, finally, Carolina lost, 3-1, to Philadelphia.

By Mike Knobler

November 26, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I don’t plan to be blogging on the holiday, but we will be posting a new story.

I’m thankful for all of you. Enjoy your turkey, stuffing and pie.

By Brendan

November 26, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

Mike Knobler, if you’re able to talk about it, (I understand, perfectly, if can’t,) have you had the chance to sit down with John Anderson to discuss Eric Perrin’s future, here in Atlanta? Obviously, the team didn’t renew his contract over the Summer. And, well … unless they re-sign him around Christmas time, or before the trade deadline … he’s looking at playing out his contract and then possibly looking for a new team in the offseason. It’s that … or being traded at the deadline in March.

Yes, I know. Nothing says the organ-I-zation can’t reassess in the offseason and offer him a contract then. But stop for a moment to consider what Eric Perrin might be thinking. Still with me? Last year, at the trade deadline, Waddell seemed pleased with Perrin and wouldn’t include him in the Hossa trade. Instead, Waddell moved Pascal Dupuis. Well, if Waddell viewed Perrin as an important “depth” player, I’m relatively sure, (at least as sure as anyone can really be when discussing Waddell and his plans,) that he would have extended a proactive contract to Perrin for at least another year after this one.

So, what I’m asking is … has Perrin put up the “for sale” sign yet on his house? If he has a house, here in Atlanta? And, in your opinion, is Perrin a bit “demoralized” at not getting a fresh new contract with Atlanta?

By Mike Knobler

November 26, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Brendan Eric Perrin is excited about playing with the No. 1 line at the moment. That’s a pretty good situation for him to be in, and one, frankly, he wouldn’t be in on many other NHL teams.

As for Eric’s future in Atlanta, I wouldn’t rush to any judgments. If I’m counting correctly, there are 10 players on the team whose contracts don’t extend beyond this season. So he’s not being singled out. Waddell extended Tobias Enstrom before this season but told me at the time he didn’t plan to make similar early moves to lock up other players.

The Thrashers don’t gain much from making an early commitment unless the player is likely to be a hot commodity in the unrestricted free agent market. Meanwhile, the players have lots of incentive to earn that next contract.

By Brendan

November 27, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the reply, Mike. Well thought out, as always. But I’d like to add … that if ten (10) players is correct, that’s a lot of holes to have to fill in a roster, if those players don’t want to return. Or, if the team doesn’t WANT them to return. And as much as the savings on a contract like Perrin’s, for example, aren’t likely to be much, it still says something for the continuity of the roster and team philosophy.

Wouldn’t it be better NOT to have to keep teaching BRAND NEW PLAYERS, freshly arrived to the organization, the Thrashers system? And to get these new faces to have to buy into it. It seems to me, anyway, that it might be of some value to have returning players who have already learned the system and who have fully bought into it.

For whatever it’s worth, Thrashers commentator Darren Eliot is forever harping on the chemistry of a team, and how it can be substantively altered. Well, ten (10) roster spots is roughly forty-three to forty-four percent (43-44%) of the 23-man roster. And 43-44 percent … is dangerously close to HALF of the roster.

While it might be true that the Thrashers are hardly unique in that situation, it doesn’t really make it any BETTER. And with lackluster ownership and questionable financing, (a very noticeable 10+ million dollars under the cap hardly reflects a serious commitment to chasing a championship,) how likely is the team to find Tier I and Tier II free agents willing to come to Atlanta to plug those holes? I’m all in favor of drafting players and developing them into stars or useful role players. But what if Atlanta really isn’t very good at that? Maybe there’s some value to have a player re-signed, who can also be traded, if need be, in the offseason, especially at the draft.

I want to extend very Happy Thanksgiving wishes to you and my fellow bloggers!

By Sara

November 27, 2008 4:44 AM | Link to this

Brendan that contract extension issue is one we’ve discussed for many years. It’s usually come back to bite this team in the rear on numerous occassions cough Savard cough. However, I think given where the team is this season, it’s the right move on Waddell’s part. It’s time to take a serious look at our roster and consider a serious overhaul. We’ve got a new coach with a new system that presumably sets the tone for the immediate future. If some of these guys don’t fit, they don’t need to stay here. And that can sometimes include solid players. Just becuase someone is a good player doesn’t make them a good fit in a certain system.

The top GMs like a Holland or Lamoriello bring in players that fit the system that they have, versus bringing in a hodge-podge of guys and then trying to make a system to fit that. The Thrash need to do the same thing. Personally to me this needs to be a “coach’s decision” at the end of the season about who stays and who goes, as well as input on who should be targeted in any potential deadline trades or FA.

By Sara

November 27, 2008 4:54 AM | Link to this

BTW, in Knobler’s post-game write-up, Anderson made a comment about Ovy scoring two of his goals on the PP and how the team can’t mark him one-on-one during a PP cause then they are essentially on a 4 on 3. Except, ahem, every other team we play against puts one guy on Kovy at all times on the PP. Sometimes two. Sorry, but that’s a p**-poor excuse in my book. Someone that dynamic should never be left unattended on the ice. A 5 on 3 situation would be different perhaps, but a straight-up PP or ES, someone on our team needs to be on him like a rat on cheese.

And while I LOVED all the physicality of the Toronto game, perhaps this will be a lessoned learned that when you are playing back-to-back games, you need to conserve a little bit for round two, especially if that round two is coming against a division foe. We could have been 5 points back from the Caps and first in the division right now, instead of nine points out. And while that certainly isn’t insurmountable (we dropped a ten-point lead later in the season the year we won the division), digging a hole is no good place to be.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 27, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

you need to conserve a little bit for round two, especially if that round two is coming against a division foe

I disagree. Simply put, every game should be played as if it is the most important game of the year. Conserving energy in a game and not playing all out will lead to less than inspired hockey, and players taking nights off so that they can be well rested for whatever game they deem important.

As a coach, I would remind them after a game like Toronto that while their hustle was nice, and the results was what we wanted, they need to reproduce that night in and night out. The Toronto game shouldn’t be the exception, it should be the norm.

I understand what you mean, but I think it doesn’t matter if the team loses the first or the second game of the back-to-back, the important thing is to guarantee 2 points out of the two games, and work your hardest to earn 4. Playing conservatively could give your team 0 points, and a helluva tongue lashing.

By Bob

November 27, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

I must say it … what happened to the PASSION?? Where is the onset of consistency? The Thrashers haven’t been physical, at all

In the Leafs’ game, they Thrashers outplayed the Leafs. They simply worked harder. But that level of play cannot be kept up night in and night out, and over an 82 game haul, the level of talent evens out those things.

So sure, it’s nice to see the hustle in the Leafs’ game, but they can’t do that every night and it was understandable how they were tired last night.

By Brendan

November 27, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Sara, I definitely AGREE with that. Lou Lamoriello, Ken Holland, and Jim Rutherford have a working “concept/model” and draft players into it. Without trying to be ridiculous, what’s been “our draft concept?”

The answer just might be … we just started out on one, in Year Ten, Season Nine. If that’s the case, fine. If John Anderson is going to have serious input in the upcoming drafts and will advise Waddell about the kinds of players he wants for his system, then let’s see what that brings.

I almost want to say, “Wouldn’t Kevin Chevaldayoff be the ideal person to do that?,” since he was with John Anderson all those years, down in the minors, while the Wolves were winning Championships. But then my thoughts turn to … “But didn’t Waddell ESSENTIALLY stack the Wolves with Thrasher draft picks?” In fact, Waddell even went out and signed unrestricted FREE AGENTS just to put them in Chicago. Kyle Wanvig, Jason Krog, Darren Haydar, Alexander Giroux, Karel Pilar, Joel Kwiatkowski, Freddie Brathwaite, etc.

So, what’s changed? How much of that was Chevaldayoff versus the bulk of those roster decisions being Waddell’s, for the Chicago Wolves? Maybe that’s the problem? Waddell was running three (3) teams: USA Hockey, the Chicago Wolves, and the Atlanta Thrashers. A Waddell-divided, CANNOT stand. (Sage of Bluesland’s favorite quote of mine.)

But what I’m thinking now is … if John Anderson won Championships in the minors with Waddell draft picks, then he’s got the players he needs. Anderson took those very players … and taught them his system. And it worked. In the minors. No gurarantee of NHL success, however.

To me, what Anderson’s system looks like is a “2-1-2” that converts, often, into a “2-2-1” system, whereby the defense pinches in along the side boards. It’s a very aggressive type system, in that it takes chances defensively. The lone blueliner left back has to guard the fort. It makes us very vulnerable to a 2 on 1, if the defenseman is caught up ice, in the offensive zone. On the other hand, that 4th attacker (D-man) in the O-ffensive zone really gives Atlanta an edge in pressing the other team. It can lead to the other team needing to take penalties. If our PP Unit were more dangerous, it could really work out well. I think that’s the overall plan.

Then again, Anderson’s system hasn’t exactly worked out all the kinks and isn’t clicking on all cylinders. But, it’s still early. We’re not even in December yet. Maybe Anderson’s true goal was more of a “3-2” system, or even a “2-3” system. I’d like to ask him, “John, what HAS the plan been?”

By dhj_1962

November 28, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

for Atl. to get going, they need to ride Moose for as long they can, if they want Opie to play regular, leave him in Chicago. no one needs to hear about Opie didn’t have a chance on this goal or that goal, he has lost 3 straight?? i do believe…Moose is a pro, let him play in back to backs…don’t all the other players on the Thrashers play in back to backs?? i don’t want to hear excuses either.