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2006 > September > 30 > Entry
The ‘C’ word
By David Vecsey
| Saturday, September 30, 2006, 12:21 AM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I just hope this wasn’t Scott Mellanby’s best game of the season.
A goal and two assists against Nashville. Three points for Captain Rat! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
And it comes just a few days after I so callously insinuated that maybe the Thrashers would have been better off if Mellanby had retired. I clearly lit a fire under the guy. Oh, and you’re welcome.
I kid. And I will say that though I still don’t know how much Mellanby will have to offer on the ice in terms of production, there is no doubting the drive and the passion of this guy. His legs will certainly give out long before his heart. (Let’s just hope it’s not soon.) Kamal made a good point on the radio in regard to the value of Mellanby with all the young guys around; none of them will dare dog it when their 40-year-old captain is out there busting his hump.
Other observations/thoughts
Do we just let the good times roll after a preseason win? Or dare we point out that the power play again looked (OK, sounded … I was listening on the radio) a little out of joint … 1-for-7, by my count.
I think it’s going to be tough to keep Steve McCarthy out of the lineup. Granted, I’m an offensive-minded fan, I admit, but I love his puck movement and his opportunism. At the least, I’d like to see him get some time on the point with Ilya on the PP. Maybe that leaves too much liability, I don’t know. But when he gets a chance to play, he always seems to produce opportunities. And if I remember right, didn’t Waddell have McCarthy high on his draft list in ‘99? So clearly he’s going to get a chance.
So what does that do for the defense: Sutton, Exelby, Havelid, Vishnevski, de Vries are givens, I believe … Hnidy and McCarthy would be my other two. And when Coburn’s ready, you’ve got a decision to make, because I think they really want to see him with the big club this season.
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By Dave
September 30, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
I’m not the least bit worried about the roster. This is a playoff club with healthy goaltending this year. Carolina is going to have a Cup swoon as every team does since the Red Wings ‘back to back’ Cup wins. Tampa Bay is the only “lock” for the playoffs this year in the Southeast so the Thrashers are ripe for the grabbing. Washington is improved but not there yet, and the Panthers will stink without Luongo. This is the Thrashers year and opportunity. It is very exciting!!
By thrashersfan
September 30, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this
I never give much weight to the pre-season but like you I was quite impressed with Mellanby’s energy last night. And while we’re at it let’s go ahead and add Holik to the list. He too was high energy, agressive and played well. And while we’re still at it with the old guys, put Kozlov on the list. Sometimes we forget how skilled this old guy is, and I think he will make up many of the assists we’ll miss from Savard. Very smooth, very skilled, very impressive. Did you see his slow-mo 1-2 mph shoot-out goal? Effortless. Rucchin, we won’t discuss. He’s still “sore all over.”
By Brendan
September 30, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
The most underrated guy last night might have been Jon Sim. A potential “steal” at $610,000. Okay. Allright. No one should look for Jon Sim’s name atop of the NHL leaderboard. But for the money, I think he could be “good value.”
The Hurricanes traded Oleg Tverdovsky and the rights to their 2005 1st round pick, D-man Jack Johnson. What is GM Jim Rutherford’s thinking here? Jack Johnson was going to a be “foundation” piece on the ‘Canes blueline for the coming years. Yeah, maybe this benefits the Thrashers?? Your thoughts?
Also, next week the rosters will be finalized. For fun, I’d like all who’d care to participate to present your divisional predictions, for both Conferences. And then, your #1-#8 seeds for the playoffs. Some of you are really good at handicapping!
Plenty of close races this year. Predators or Red Wings in the Central Division. Are the Ducks really a “shoo-in” to take the Pacific? Or will the Stars or Sharks put up a stiff challenge? The Northwest Division seems ultra competitive. I think four teams have a legit shot at taking that division. Will the ‘Canes repeat in the SE, or will Tampa reclaim its spot? Or can surprise team, like Florida or Atlanta emerge as the top dog? In the Atlantic, it’s wide open. Could be the Devils again. Why not the Flyers? The Rangers choked it away last year, at the end. Will the Penguins be a lot better than anyone thinks? And Finally, the ultra tough Adams Division. Sorry, I meant “Northeast” Division. Will Ottawa repeat? Or will Boston emerge as the new force in the NE? Or will it be Buffalo??
By LAC
September 30, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
We simply have a sputtering offense… and that is on a GOOD night.
Look at our SOG… have we hit 30 yet ????
I expect to see several defensemen traded to improve forwards… we have too.
Look… If we dumped Sutton/Devries we would have had the $ to keep Savard… Bondra would be worth another look… BUT old waddell does it again…NOTHING for the offense… Playoffs… I fear season 7 will result in the same playoff results as seasons 1-6…
By Brendan
September 30, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this
LAC, if Steve Belkin acquires the team, not even winning the Stanley Cup would save Waddell’s job. Oh, okayyyy. Maybe he’d reconsider if the Thrashers won the Cup. Just remember, very few players are signed past the Summer of ‘08. Havelid, Kovalchuk, Bourret, I believe. Valabik, I think, too. But the point is … a new GM will have almost a “clean slate” from which to start. What more could a prospective GM ask for???
It’s not like he’s be saddled with the old guy’s junk. (Well, I suppose he inherits the draft picks. There’s no undoing that.) It’s a “fresh start.” A new beginning. Meanwhile, we’ve got two more years to hope for the best. Go Thrashers!