AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA commendation for Officer Tkachuk
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A while back I wrote: “… do I think [Keith Tkachuk] is some kind of “missing piece” that completes this team? Uh, no.”
Let me take this opportunity to say: I take it back. Completely and unreservedly. I take it back with humble apologies.
Over the past five games we have seen first-hand how a big-time NHL player plays. Though perhaps past his prime, Tkachuk still has a combination of speed, power, skill and ill temper the likes of which we, as Thrashers fans, have not really seen. He has that certain greediness that great athletes possess, the greediness that lets him decide when and where he’s going to plant himself on the ice, defying you to do something about it. It’s his space, his game.
For years, we have lamented about a certain soft element on this team, a tendency to watch opposing players skate a little too close to our goalies without offering any kind of in-house policework. For the past few seasons, we’ve watched opponents dump Slava Kozlov with only Ilya Kovalchuk coming to the rescue. How many times has Ilya come looking for a hit on somebody who had taken liberties on Kozzie or Hossa? On Thursday night, Tkachuk basically said, ‘That’s not how it’s going to work around here anymore.’
It was reminscent of Jarome Iginla during Calgary’s run to the ‘04 Cup finals, when he would fight the other team’s best player in each series. Just as a way to say, “I’m the best player on the ice tonight.” In the first round, he fought Mattias Ohlund in the final minute of a Game 3 loss to Vancouver … and Calgary won in seven games, with Iginla scoring twice in Game 7. In the conference semis, he fought Detroit’s Derian Hatcher in the final minute of Game 2 … and Calgary won three of the next four. In the conference finals vs. San Jose, he ran Evgeni Nabokov in the final minute of Game 4 as the Sharks were about to tie the series 2-2 … Calgary won Games 5 and 6. In Game 3 of the Cup finals, he fought Vinny Lecavalier and beat him up pretty good …. although Tampa would go on to win the Cup.
Nevertheless … point made. And until now, we have never had anybody make those kind of points. Let it be known henceforth: You shall not take runs at Hossa and Kovalchuk.
Tkachuk has brought a level of seriousness to this franchise in just five games. The Thrashers are no longer the hapless little expansion franchise that is finding its way through its first run at the postseason. Suddenly, we are a team with a mission statement, with careers at stake in this postseason.
And it’s a trickle-down effect. Ilya’s been better the past five games. Jon Sim scored twice tonight playing with them. The power play has more direction, now that defenders expend their energy trying to remove that stubborn SOB from in front of the net. Did you see Mellanby put the puck right on Tkachuk’s tape in the crease the other night against Florida? It was perfect. KT held his ground and just redirected it into an empty net.
So I take it back. It’s been a treat to watch an old pro at work the past few games.
Comments
By LAC
March 9, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this
Iceman is right, we have been FAR too soft in past years. I was hoping we would aquire Larque, But Tkachuk’s actions were IMPRESSIVE to say the least.
I was hoping X would line one of them up for a SOLID Shoulder hit, but it never developed.
We will need all the wheels turning in FL saturday night, They want revenge and it should be a tough game, we need to skate with them, remember we have been outshot the past two games… If not for Kari, we could have fallen behind, let’s keep it going !!!!!!!!
By Brendan
March 9, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this
Tkachuk has been a great acquisition. If Atlanta advances into the Conference Finals, the 1st round pick becomes #27 or #28. Those are “throw away” 1st rounders. And a 3rd rounder is a total crapshoot. Tkachuk really is a leader, in the truest sense. Maybe best of all, he seems GENUINELY to be happy to be here in Atlanta. Maybe he’ll re-sign? I don’t know. That’s a question for another day. And we’ll need time to evaluate just how our postseason went.
Atlanta is 10-points for 10-points since our new guys arrived. And the next four games could result in another 7-8 points, and really cement our playoff berth, not to mention lead the way towards winning the SE division.
By Ice Man
March 9, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
You know, that’s what I forgot to say, Brendan. This guy’s attitude goes beyond, ‘Let’s make a good run.’ He now sounds like a guy who could be interested in staying if the mood is right. Of course, Mellanby likely won’t be here next season, and that could factor in. (Assistant Coach Mellanby meet Captain Tkachuk, perhaps?)
By Ryan
March 9, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Tkachuck will stay. He is just happy to be in the playoff hunt and sitting in third in the conference.
By Krust
March 10, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
The Thachuck fight shall I say bonded the team. I am not big on fighting, but that was the the right response to the Hit on Hossa. It had to be done and it sent the message you do not cheap shot Hossa, Kovy and Slava.
Well done Thachuck.
By Ryan
March 10, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
If the Thrash can win 6 in a row for the first time ever, then you have to look at Tkachuck taking a stand as a team builder. Lets break the 6 in a row curse.
By krust
March 10, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
I fully expect them to win tonight, Sim, kovy and Keith will come out tonight on a mission. I am pridicting a win. The panthers will be left in the dust tonight. Just wishfull thinking. I say Wadell should try to keep Keith, because I can’t fathom Mellenby trying to make another year at I think 42 years old.
By kracker
March 10, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Yes Ryan, let’s finally get that 6th win cause it’s bigger than the streak, it’s 2 more pts. Our playoffs basically started at the trade deadline.
By caveman22
March 14, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
chuckie blue cheese