AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWords you never thought you’d hear: Sutton saves the day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When the Thrashers finally clinch this too-long-in-coming playoff berth, even if it is by a single point, we will have Andy Sutton to thank. Especially if it’s by a single point.
Believe it or not.
For all the abuse the guy has taken here and elsewhere — some of it justified, some of it excessive — he made two of the biggest plays in one of the biggest games of the season. Not only did he take the shot that Slava Kozlov deflected in for a crucial goal, but Sutton had his goalie’s back at the exact moment we needed it most.
With Johan Hedberg woefully out of position after a save and a scramble, the puck came around the back of the net (was it Sundin?) and was surely headed for an easy wraparound goal. But Sutton flashed through the crease and got his stick in the way, knocking the puck aside right at the goal line.
Without that play, this game isn’t tied after regulation … it’s a loss. And this team would be sitting in the dressing room right now scratching their heads and wondering just how fast a ship can sink.
Instead, Kozlov plays the hero — AGAIN — in overtime for the two points that should virtually do it for us. At 91 points, six up on the ninth-place Leafs … we should feel a lot better about things than we would have otherwise.
Sutton was the hero of the moment, but Kozlov is fast becoming the hero of the season. For their superior numbers and far superior skills, Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa have not even combined for the number of absolute clutch goals Kozlov has scored this season — not only in regulation, but in shootouts. His poise is among the top three reasons this team is in the position it’s in. (I couldn’t tell you the other two without thinking about it for a minute, but I’m sure there have to be two other good reasons.)
The power play actually played with some purpose tonight, moving the puck well and getting off good shots. The physicality was tremendous, with bodies flying and Leafs hitting the ice with regularity. And Ilya really laid a lick on the door frame at the Thrashers benche. Ouch. That friggin’ hurts, dude, running into a door frame. One aspect of Ilya’s game that has been very, very underappreciated is his toughness. He is not a pansy sniper by any means. Since he hasn’t been scoring, I was happy to see him looking for other ways to contribute tonight.
Before I let you guys take the floor, I just want to give a shout out to the dude who kept standing up with his cellphone and waving to the TV cameras: Yeah, we see you, Dillhole. We see you! We see you! We see you! What are you … f’ing 3 years old?! We see you for Christsakes. You’re at the hockey game and you’ve got a cellphone. That’s tremendous. Guess you can die now. In fact, feel free.
Comments
By stendec
March 29, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Finally. Performance at crunch time! The Thrashers did what they had to do. Moose gave up the mandatory soft goal but turned in a decent effort. The guys in blue finally got more than two goals even though the game-winner took a little extra time to score. Kudos! Killer instinct still absent but passable effort all the way around. Crests falling down Florida way heard all the way in South Georgia! If KL gets nod between the pipes he should be allowed two goals but no more if one of them is soft. By the way, soft goals are ones goalies admit they should stop. Like the first Toronto score. Moose would be first to agree. Continue to play hard guys!
By russian
March 29, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
Finally! Two points. Thanks Sutton and Moose. More thanks for Slava. Ok 91 points, we need to win two more games.
By LAC
March 29, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
Iceman… We are 6 up on the leafs…
91 to 85.
Loss by TB friday in Carolina, We win in Boston saturday, Washington wins in TB Saturday night… Then………….
Turn OUT The Lights The Party’s over For Tampa/Carolina/Florida/Washington better LUCK NEXT year… enjoy watching Atlanta Play for The CUP !!!!
By Ice Man
March 29, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Thanks LAC, I fixt it.
By Tony C.
March 29, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
I wonder if we’ll hear some Sutton-love now…. ..seriously, though, That is the Andy Sutton we need. That guy shows up from now on, and I feel a lot better about our chances in the second season-Iceman you are right on about Slava- he is a HUGE cog in the machine that makes winning Thrashers hockey go. I should hope that DW resigns him. Toughly contested game tonight, was glad to see our guys get the win.
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
By Brendan
March 29, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
I think 91-points is a new franchise record. I look forward to the Thrashers breaking their newly set record on Saturday vs. Boston. For those of you who pine for Marc Savard, he’ll be here, along with Kessel and Sturm.
A few blogs back, a poster asked which three Thrashers might step up and “surprise” us. Before my post “timed out,” I listed that Andy Sutton has the MOST to play for. This is his contract year, where he’s UNRESTRICTED. This hasn’t been an IDEAL “contract year” for Andy. So, doing something memorable in the final six games games of the NHL regular season and being a standout in the 1st round might get Andy the kind of numbers he and his agent will want come June. Last year, Sutton came on strong down the stretch.
Okay, the lead on the Southeast Division is now 5-points. It’s looking good. But not guaranteed. IFFF the Thrashers do it, I hope they wait until the first home game vs. Tampa Bay to raise the banner to the rafters. Not that it would be bad if they did it during the first Carolina game next season. Either way would be good. I said iffff.
Hopefully Boston will be trotting out some of their AHL talent on Saturday, for NHL evaluation purposes.
And Finally, if you’re interested, D-man Jack Johnson is making his NHL debut on Center Ice tonight in the Kings vs. Canucks game. He looked good in the 1st period. If Carolina misses the playoffs, how much of that failure would you say goes to GM Rutherford for trading Johnson for Belanger and Gleason? Or moving Belanger to Nashville for Scott Walker? Or reacquiring Vasicek? Honestly, considering that Johnson wasn’t going to play for Carolina this year anyway, I don’t blame Rutherford for attempting to fix his depleted blueline.
If Carolina and Edmonton both miss the playoffs this year, how much credit would you give to Anaheim and Buffalo for returning, so strongly, to front-runner positions after falling short last year?
By Jeff
March 29, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this
Great performances all around. Toronto has been playing some good hockey as of late (although not on the road). But a win like this with Moose in the nets, and on the 2nd night of a back-to-back, is clutch hockey. Kovy looked strong tonight, and so did Dupuis…along with the 3 stars. Great crowd turnout tonight…and great crowd intensity.
I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE PLAYOFFS!!!
By Fierce Dawg
March 29, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
Great game tonight. Totally worth a night out of my spring break. I will be comfortable with one more win and/or another Tampa loss. LETS GO BLUE!
By JayBird
March 30, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
Very good win tonight, I loved how physical the boys were. I have been one of the biggest critics of Andy Sutton but he played his a$$ off tonight. He played like he did at the end of last year and the beginning of this year. If Sutton continues this kind of play, it will help us tremendously. What can you say about Slava? The guy is unreal. Let’s get a win in Boston and hope for some help. It would be nice to wrap up the division this weekend but how sweet would it be to win it Wednesday in Blueland?
By rockdr99
March 30, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this
At last a win that can quiet some of the naysayers — If tonight’s game wasn’t stepping up, what will it take — Did we think Toronto would just throw their sticks out on the ice — They were intense and desperate — They flat splintered some wood as they exited after the game — One piece flew five rows up — After the trashing by the Toronto media, was this ever sweet —
I second the motion about Kovy — His drawing the last penalty was huge, and he is doing a lot of the little things recently that will finally make him a complete hockey player — If only we could get him some sticks that don’t break —
Since the trades, our goal differential is 41-33 and that includes the 5-1 debacle against the Sharks —
GO THRASHERS, WIN THE DIVISION
By Rone
March 30, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
Wow. Great game. Let me first give props to #25. I have razzed the guy for awhile, and I have to thank him for saving the game tonight (#4 of 10 on Sports Center). I love seeing that kind of play from him.
I love the Thrashers, and therefore I want them to do well. Sutton’s performance tonight made me a very happy man.
Andy,
Let’s keep it up and get to the playoffs playing with that intensity. I apologize for the harsh words that may have spewed from my fingers in the past. Wish you the best.
Can you here me Hockey Gods? Please absolve me of my sins!
-Rone
By ranallo10
March 30, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
Brendan — minor correction to your post…Belanger was traded to Nashville for Vasicek, not Walker. Walker was acquired by Carolina in July 2006 for Vasicek.
Also, Oleg Tverdovsky was included in that Johnson trade, effectively sending two NHL caliber defenseman to Los Angeles for a Center and a D-Man. To Carolina’s benefit, at least Gleason is only 24.
Just wanted to keep you accurate.
By PoVoxTech90
March 30, 2007 5:58 AM | Link to this
I just want to say…I’m p*ed. I’ve got two free vouchers to any game, and now I’ve picked up a second job. The only night I’m free to go to another game- the last home game…and one of my best friends is getting married that day! Playoff hockey, or get murdered by the bride to be…tough call. GO THRASHERS!!!
By harleyman
March 30, 2007 6:33 AM | Link to this
Nice win. Great game by Sutton, Kovy, and of coarse, Kozlov. Kozlov is definitely in playoff form. I think the team has been feeling a little bit of the pressure so getting this win was huge as opposed to the alternative. Just one question for you guys. Does Kozlov remind anyone else of Reverend Jim on the show “Taxi” during interviews? Gotta love this guy.
By rj
March 30, 2007 7:19 AM | Link to this
What happened to the early season Thrashers team that could score goals in bunches?? They have been coached out of that ability. It disgusts me to see a team trapped in their own end 5 on 5 like regularly happens to the Thrashers.
I would much prefer to watch the Penguins play. They play a smart aggressive style on offense AND defense whereas the Thrashers are always backing up, giving up the blue line, giving up lots of shots and just hoping the goalie plays perfect the whole game.
By five_hole
March 30, 2007 7:46 AM | Link to this
Once again Iceman, you are dead on. Especially about the annoying guy with the cell phone. However, I’m sure he’s one of those guys who goes to the game but doesn’t know what “icing” is, so he probably won’t read your blog.
Was really happy to see Sutton step it up last night. It seems to me that he was hurt pretty badly last fall, and maybe he came back too early. My guess is that he wasn’t feeling 100% until now.
A healthy Sutton gives us a big advantage in the playoffs; most teams will only have 2 d-lines; we could have 3.
By UpperDeck4Life
March 30, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
Kozlov has been worth what, at least 12-14 points to this team this season. Think about that, between his couple of game winners and his clutch shootout goals, that is probably what he has given this team. I think this team will see a drop in points next year if DW doesn’t resign Kozlov. DW should have already been talking to his agent to get him resigned. I agree with you Ice Man that for all their suppior stats, Hossa and Kovy together haven’t “won” as many games for this team as Kozzie has.
By wristshot
March 30, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
The Toronto Star called Kozzie “wizard like.” Here’s the link if you’d like to read it.
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/197736
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this
Good morning Blueland!
First the positives:
I would like to, as someone who has dished out my fair share of abuse to Andy Sutton,….be one of the many sayng what a fine job he did last night! Blocked shots,….hits,…..nice shot from the point resulting in Slava’s goal….the “save” late in the game. Well done Andy!
Great win with high intensity last night. That Toronto team was playing desperate hockey and we handled it.
Moose faced less then 30 shots, (29),…including ZERO in OT.
Heard an interesting stat. The Thrashers are something like 24-2-2 in games that we get two or more goals from the big 3, (Hoosa, Kovy and Kozlov). We got 3 last night!
Now, a negative:
Great win, big win,…HUGE win by Atlanta’s ONLY winning pro team last night! One that brings us to the brink of the playoffs,……the verge of the division title. But what are we treated to on the front of the ajc.com’s sports page? - A slam dunk during a “what-ever” contest prior to the final 4 weekend. GOD-ALL-‘FRIKIN’-MIGHTY!!!
Thanks a PANT-LOAD morons! What DOLTS are making these decisions? Get with it guys! Your a JOKE! Is it no reason why your subscriptions are DOWN!
(the above grilling is in no way an indication on the fine job that Ice Man and CC are doing with the blog sites. Facts are, some of the finest and most in-depth coverage of Atlanta’s ONLY current successful pro sports franchise is found in these two sites. Tax-tag-and-title not included).
GO THRASHERS - BEAN BOSTON!!
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
ICE MAN - While lunching with the Hockey Gods last weekend, they mentioned the fact that certain sacrifices had to be made at Blueland!
Amoung them was the fact that guys like the one with the cell phone waving at the cameras: He MUST be beaten to within an inch of his life,…tossed on the ice like an octapus at a red Wings game.
He cannot be tolerated AT ALL at a thrashers game.
By CM
March 30, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Now that’s what we like to see! The much needed intensity level was there last night and it was great to see multiple bodies flying around, too. Kovy was a maniac (even took out the door frame..ouch) and Sutton played huge. Can’t say enough about Slava, though, as he sure seems to have his game in playoff mode. Hopefully that’s catching around the locker room.
Hats off to Moose, I just love that guy. During the 1st intermisstion when Sutton was interviewed, he sure expressed a lot of confidence in Hedberg and to me that’s crucial, and his blocks certainly helped the cause. They played a nice fundamental game and it didn’t seem as frantic as some of their most recent performances. Well done guys, well done.
Now let’s roll on into the Gahden, play some wicked hahd Thrashers hockey and then take care of business next week.
LET’S GO BLUE!!’
(How about the newly painted steps..how cool is that?)
By Bob
March 30, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Rawhide, at least they did have the Thrashers above the fold 1st page in the print edition.
I thought I was the only sitting there saying, sit down ranallo, to that doofus with the cellphone.
Looks like Sutton’s agent reminded him it’s his contract year. Seriously though, he’s fine on a lower pairing when he doesn’t have to play against the opposing top line all night.
Let’s go, ‘Canes.
By wristshot
March 30, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Rawhide, I would assume that the college basketball picture was up front to appease the thousands of people in town for this weekend’s Final Four celebrations. We’ll get our turn in another week or two.
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
BOB - That’s good to hear. I haven’t looked at a “hard copy” of the AJC in 2 years. Had some college kid at my door the other day trying to sell me a subscription,…I was holding my laptop with wireless connection and I logged onto the ajc.com and showed it to him. I asked why I should pay??
WRISTSHOT - I’m leaving town for the weekend,…..they can have the city. But,…our time is NOW as we are making this run,…..should not have to wait for a “oh yeah, by the way,…look who’s in the playoffs” peice from the daily rag! - Big, (sigh),…oh, well!
CM - The steps looked GREAT,…Philips did a great job with that! - UNLEASH THE FURY!
I wonder if we can get Harvey Corman to make a guest cameo at a playoff game for that?
By Bob
March 30, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Unleash the Fury!
By GaVaHokie
March 30, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Why does it take the Maple Leafs coming to town for Sutton to play the physical game he’s supposed to?
By GaVaHokie
March 30, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
The only thing I’m looking forward to more than the Southeast Division banner in the rafters next season is seeing Kozlov get a contract extension! And eventually, down the road, his jersey retired next to that Southeast Banner.
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
Another thing that cannot be OVER stated is that we have got two VERY good goalies going into spring hockey.
I mean,…it seems as though our skaters would have confidence in whom ever is between the pipes on any given night. This is HUGE!
A lot of teams have GREAT #1 goalies, (NJ, Detroit, Calgary, SJ, etc),…but I’m trying to think of another team entering the playoffs that have as good a tandum in the nets as we do…..any suggestions?
By Christy
March 30, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - on the goalie tandem - just one. San Jose with Toskala (26 wins, .908SV%) and Nabokov (21 wins, .914 SV%)
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
CHRISTY - I would agree with that,…thanks!
With much attention given to the likes of Detroit and Nashville,……I wouldn’t be surprised if San Jose is the Western Conference representitives in the SCF.
By GaVaHokie
March 30, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Minnesota has Backstrom and Fernandez… Nashville has Vokoun and Mason… Pittsburgh has Thibault and Fleury… Anaheim has Bryzgalov and Giguere… so, I’d say quite a few teams have good backups… I might even throw in Detroit with Hasek and Osgood; Dallas has Turco and Smith.
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
Good points both Christy and GaVaHokie….
I just looked at the peice about Sundin calling the SE “soft”…..
My first though was, “OK, the SE has ONLY produced the last 2 Stanley Cup Winners”……and the last time someone from his division won the cup was,…what,….Montreal in ‘93???
But looking at this season,……Toronto IS 12-7-1 vs. the SE,….BUT that includes 4-0 vs. TB and 3-1 vs. Carolina. The Leafs then split 4 with Florida nd did the same vs. Washington.
Against Atlanta?? 1-2-1.
He better hope and pray his Leafs don’t face THIS “soft” team in the playoffs.
That is,…IF….the Leafs make the playoffs at all.
By GaVaHokie
March 30, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
As it stands, no team in the Northeast division, since it’s inception in 1994, has ever won the cup.
Montreal won the cup in ‘93 as a member of the Adams Division… Toronto was in the Norris division.
By Ryan
March 30, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
91 points..new franchise record old one of 90 set last season. Franchise record for wins is @41 set last season as well. Thrash are now with 40 wins with 4 games remaining. Lets keep it going!
By Bob
March 30, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
Unleash the Fury!
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
GaVaHokie - So then,….if I’m getting this right,…NO TEAM in the Northeast Division has won the cup since it’s inception in ‘94?
Would that mean, then, that the NE is the ONLY division NOT to win the cup since that time??…Let’s see, TB and Carolina in the SE, NYR and NJ in the Atlantic,…..Out West,…..Dallas in the Pacific, Colorado in the Northwest,…Detroit in the Midwest.
Yup,…looks like the only “softie” in the bunch is the Northwest.
Go take your seat Mr. Sundin.
Better yet,…go make your tee-time!
By kracker
March 30, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
On GWGs other than in the SO: In one respect it’s an overrated stat unless the final score is 1-0. If the credited GWG is, say, the fourth goal scored by the winning team, what you actually have is four GWGs. Each single goal means not too much without the other three goals.
By sammy
March 30, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
What a game last night! So intense, but we have to be able to forecheck better and get th puck out of our end better. Agreed about the idiot w/ the cell. Go Thrashers!
By Brian
March 30, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
GaVaHokie - That was a great stat you added in there that no team from the NE has ever won the Stanley Cup.
Let me add one more to make things worse now that you have me thinking about that. Buffalo in ‘99 was the only team from the NE to even play in the Cup finals.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 30, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
Skate in the crease baby!
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
“Yup,…looks like the only “softie” in the bunch is the Northwest”.
Uh, of course I meant, the NorthEAST!
By Brian
March 30, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
Buzilla - As much as it hurts to remember that I must say THANK YOU!!!
There used to be a website with a perfect photo from above that showed that but Bettman and the NHL’s lawyers shut it down. I regret never saving it as a jpeg.
By GaVaHokie
March 30, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Rawhide and Brian… it’s a little trickier than that. The league has been realigned several times. Toronto actually was in the Central division in ‘94. The Quebec Nordiques were in the Northeast, who are now the Avalanche.
But yes, no team while under the Northeast title, has ever won the cup.
You can look it up at www.hockeydb.com
By GaVaHokie
March 30, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Buzz… it took 3 overtimes, Buffalo had all night to win… no excuses! :)
By Ryan
March 30, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
It was a great series though!
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
GaVaHokie,…true,…true enough.
But remember, the whole point was that Sundin called the SE “soft”.
I was merely pointing out that his team, Toronto,…plays in a division made up of 5 teams that, none of which, have won a SC championship in 14 years.
The division he was calling “soft” has owned the cup for the past two seasons.
He also called Atlanta’s division “soft” just prior to playing the Thrashers, and I found it interesting that the only team that they had a losing record against in the SE was,……Atlanta. Why would he go and take a swipe at the division we play in prior to playing us???
Anyway,….on to Bean-town to bean the Bs.
Thanks for the link!!!
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
RAWHIDE, don’t forget that teams from what is TODAY known as the Southeast Division, between 1996 and 2006, won the EASTERN CONFERENCE five (5) times in those ten (10) seasons. (Remember that there was a lockout that cancelled the 2005 season.) So, teams currently housed within the Southeast division have won the Eastern Conference fifty-percent (50%) of the time in the past decade.
By Matt H
March 30, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
KEEP KOZLOV!
He looks like C3P0 and talks like Mr. Spock!/ Don’t dare get him angry or he’ll hit you with a puck!/ Put him in a shootout and he’ll give you one good reamin’!/ Keep him in the lineup, Bob, cos’ he is f***’ steamin’!
KEEP KOSLOV!
By Matt H
March 30, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
Boy, is it Friday…
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
I stand corrected, Ranallo10. I strive for accuracy, but I do make the vast majority of my posts without actually doing the research. And when I make posts off the top of my head I’m bound to make a few inaccuracies. But I’m glad you caught it.
Now, let’s not forget tomorrow’s game is an afternoon start.
By Rawhide
March 30, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
BRENDON - How true! Given the STRENGTH of the SE and Nashville and Dallas a contending team…I would say hockey is alive and well down here,…ya’ll!!!
CC just piped up on his blog with a play-off clinching scenario,…I got one that would clinch the SE division by the time we return to the office Monday!
Oh-boy OH-BOY!!!!! What a FUN 48 hours we could be in for!!!!
By Ice Man
March 30, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
I thought the same thing about Sundin when I read the story last night … pretty big talk from a guy who captains team that hasn’t won the Cup in 40 years.
By Bob
March 30, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
I think Boyd should thank his captain for the extra bruises he’s sportin today.
Go Golfin Go!
Unleash the Fury
By Brian
March 30, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
GaVaHokie - I was actually thinking that earlier because I remembered that when the ‘92 playoff format came in there were only 4 divisions still and Pittsburgh got moved in with the Adams teams for a short time.
Brendan - I was thinking the same thing because I remembered Fla in ‘96 and unfortunately the Caps in ‘98. Kudos to you because I forgot the ‘Canes first trip to the Cup finals in ‘02.
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
ICEMAN, Hockey Night in Canada ran a poll right before the Feb. 1st Thrashers-Islander game which asked this question. “Do you think the Leafs will win a Stanley Cup before the draught reaches 54-years, equalling the NY Rangers?” Eighty-two percent (82%) of the respondants replied, “no” So, there’s a Cubs-like frustration goin’ on in Toronto, which fancies itself as the North American version of MECCA, for hockey purposes.
When 82% of (more than likely, Canadian respondants,) those polled think Toronto won’t capture a Cup in the next 14 years, it’s quite a telling statistic. And statement. I wonder how GM John Ferguson, Jr. took the news? Will he still be the Leafs’ GM on Draft Day this Summer?
By Brian
March 30, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Brendan - I wouldn’t worry about comparing the Leafs to the Rangers’ streak of 54 years without a Cup. Reason being that if the Leafs haven’t won the Cup by 2021 (54 years since their last Cup) the Blackhawks streak will have reached 60 years.
So let me ask you, who do you think will win a Cup first, the Leafs or the Blackhawks? Under the current state of affairs I say the Leafs…
By Lango
March 30, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Did anyone else pick up on the battle that Tkachuk had with the Leafs defenseman when Slava scored the game-winner? Tkachuk distracted him just enough and that allowed the puck to slide over to Slava off the block of Hossa’s shot. The defenseman knew he just got schooled and took a slash at Tkachuk’s ankles after the puck went in the net. Great stuff!!! Go Thrash! See you at the first home playoff game!!!
By Brendan
March 30, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
That’s a tough call, Brian. I think when Chicago made its mid-season philosophical shift towards playing more youthful players, it got better. At least for a while. Then they added Bondra to help out. He did okay, but wasn’t the solution. I don’t know if GM Dale Tallon is the answer for Chicago. I’m told Chicago’s drafting has improved somewhat. But I haven’t been paying attention to it.
If (Toronto’s) John Ferguson, Jr. is fired in the offseason, who knows what’s coming in behind him? If it’s Scotty Bowman, out of retirement, then I definitely think the Leafs would be in capable hands. In this new era of salary cap, the GM position is critically essential. I’m not sure that athletes can overcome managerial stupidity. A badly-coached team or a team that engages in utter folly on draft day, or in trades, or in contract signings, might be too much for even the most talented of players to surmount.
I didn’t answer the question, did I? At least I think I obfuscated well. If you put a gun to my head and said, “Choose!,” I guess I’d say Toronto wins a Cup before Chicago does.
But, keep in mind, that a 10-year kid right now, might be playing for the Leafs at age 24, when the record might be equalled. It’s all so wide open. This “new NHL” is one in which any last place team can expect to make the playoffs within three years and even win a Cup in that time frame. We’ve seen two (2) living, breathing examples of that, housed right within our own division! Though, to be fair, there’s only been one champion in the post-lockout era. (Carolina.) I don’t want anyone to get too hung-up on this term, “new NHL.” The larger point here is “good decision-making” can lead to relatively quick success. With a level economic ice surface, a shrewd GM can take a “nuthin’-happenin’ club” and turn them around in the space of a season. Especially if “dead weight” player contracts are up, can be bought-out (only applicable immediately after the lockout), or successfully traded away. (Think Modry.)
By Brian
March 31, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Brendan - you did dodge that question a little, but then again I intentionally preceded my answer with “under the current state of affairs”
One thing you brought up is Scotty Bowman. The Buffalo guy in me says Scotty is not the cure-all for any team he goes to. He also is probably very happy being retired and isn’t ready to go through the grind of another season. But let’s just say that BH isn’t renewed, and DW does have ties to Scotty, how great would it be to have him behind the Thrashers’ bench? I have dreamed of that scenario but is it too far fetched?
By ranallo10
March 31, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
I agree with you Brian, it’s a farfetched scenario but would be quite welcome.
By Paul
March 31, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
I really like Coach Hartley. Bet Leafs dont think we are “soft” after that game. Blackhawks need to bring Tony Esposito out of retirement. Dale Talon too! Huge 2 today. We are almost there.
By Brendan
March 31, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Scotty’s getting up there in years. He has nothing left to prove. If he ever un-retired, it would have to be something other than money driving him to that decision. I’m not sure, but Scotty may have started out in St. Louis. Then he was with Montreal, Buffalo and finished with Detroit. But he didn’t win cups in St. Louis or Buffalo. I wonder how much that eats away at him?
Maybe not at all. Maybe it does, occasionally, sneak into his thoughts. If St. Louis wanted to dump Larry Pleau as GM, I wonder if Bowman could be romanced into it? I don’t see anything that would drive Bowman to want to come out of retirement for Atlanta. But a fool can a dream, right?
By Brian
March 31, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
Brendan - correct me if I’m wrong but weren’t the 2 Cups in Pit in the early 90’s split between Johnson & Bowman?
By Brendan
March 31, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
Yes, Scotty Bowman got a Cup with Pittsburgh, too. I forgot to list that. Bowman was around for a long, long time. It’s hard to remember all of his successes. The guy’s got nothing left to prove. Imagine what he could command as a “hockey consultant?”
By Brendan
April 1, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
Brian,
I just took a look back at Chicago’s drafting. In 1999, their 1st round selection was steve McCarthy, 23rd overall, today a healthy scratch more often than not, for the Atlanta Thrashers. Their 2nd rounder was Dmitri Levinski. (???) Michael Leighton, (name rings a bell,) was taken 165th overall. In 2000, they had two 1st rounders. Mikhail Yakubov, 10th overall, and Pavel Vorobiev, 11th overall. I know nothing of Yakubov. Vorobiev split time last season between Chicago and Norfolk.
In 2001, they took Tuomo Ruutu, 9th overall, (actively on the Hawks roster,) and Adam Munro, 29th overall, in the 1st round. Their 2nd rounder was Matt Keith. Keith splits time between Chicago and Norfolk.
In 2002, their 1st rounder was Anton Babchuk. (???) Their 2nd rounder was Duncan Keith, who I think is on their roster. I was watching Chicago vs. Calgary recently on Center Ice and I swear I heard the name Duncan Keith mentioned.
In 2003, They took Brent Seabrook 14th overall. Seabrook topped all Blackhawk blueliners with 32 points in 69 games in 2006. Their 2nd round pick was a goalie named Corey Crawford, who I think plays in Norfolk, their farm club. With the 211th overall pick, they took another goaltender, Mike Brodeur. (Any relation to Marty, I wonder??) He played with Greenville in 2006.
In 2004, The Blackhawks took Cam Barker, 3rd overall. They got four (4) 2nd round picks. Dave Bolland, 32nd overall, Bryan Bickell, 41st overall, Ryan Garlock, 45th overall, and Jakub Sindel, 54th overall. Bikell and Bolland were with their OHL clubs in 2006.
In 2005, they got another prize prospect in Jack Skille, 7th overall. And last year, 2006, the Blackhawks took Jonathan Toews, a highly sought-after player, with the #3 pick in the draft. Their 2nd rounder is Igor Makarov. (Could it be a descendant of the famous Markarovs, of Olympic gold-medal lore?)
Sorry for this long, non-Thrashers post.