AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October
October 2007
Off The Air But Right On Target
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Thrashers hit the ice with a jump in their skates more lively then the ricochet action of the new dasher boards in The Bell Centre. The Thrashers actually out shot Montreal 13-2, (not a typo), in the first period and out shot The Canadiens 33-29 in regulation. After falling behind on Kovalev’s power play goal at 8:10 of the second on just Montreal’s fifth shot, the team could have hung their collective heads. Instead, they just kept attacking, keeping the shots coming like bad pick-up lines at a singles bar.
Once Eric Perrin tied the score at the 16:16 mark of the second, Slava Kozlov followed it up 57 seconds later. After stealing an errant pass in Montreal’s zone he slashed between the circles and beat Carey Price like a bowl of egg whites.
Finally, after allowing a power play goal with under two minutes to tie the game, the deal was sealed in the shootout with goals by Ilya Kovalchuk and Little.
So now the Thrashers are now 3-0-0 in games not aired locally in Atlanta.
Too bad, because unless you have the Center Ice Package, you missed a well played game Tuesday night that ended with the Thrashers sitting at 3-2 on The Great Trip-A-Paloosa of ’07 and 4-2 since Don Waddell stepped behind the bench. It also lifted Atlanta out of the Eastern Conference cellar, (again, not a typo), and a scant three points out the eighth playoff position, (wait, let me check that,….nope, not a typo).
Atlanta now rolls into Ottawa on a two game win streak and winners of 3 of the last 4. Equally as impressive is the fact that they have not allowed an equal strength goal in the past two games.
Other items of note:
The Thrashers are undefeated in Canada so far this year. They will put that on the line Thursday.
They are also undefeated in shootouts thus far.
Better then that however, they are now 3-0-0 in games preceded by a Puckjunque prayer.
Kozy has 3 goals in the last two games as well as last week’s shootout goal. Nice to have him up to speed.
Great goaltending on both ends of the ice, Tuesday. That could have been a 5-4 game easily.
Klee and XLB, who have been the subject of great wailing and gnashing of teeth in these parts, both had strong games. Niclas Havelid, while not stellar, was a +2.
I thought Hossa played well. He had eight shots on net, was a +1, and took over on the 5-3 penalty kills.
Tobias Enstrom, (excuse me, to-BEE-us Enstrom, as the TSN announcer called him), again logged the most ice time with 27:33. Just wind this kid up and watch him go.
On to Ottawa now for the Thrashers before a pit stop back home to collect some fresh underwear on the way to Tampa. Of course, if they keep winning, maybe they shouldn’t change anything.
OK, guys,…after an EEE-GREEE-GEOUS typo on my part was pointed out, I’ve revised the post to correctly credit Little with the shootout goal. I was just making sure everyone was awake out there :o)
Quick Shots
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Time for some quick shots after Saturday’s hard fought 3-2 win in Chicago.
KEEPING PACE: The Thrashers are 3-2-0 after the horrific 0-6-0 start to the season. It may not seem that impressive, but keep this in mind. If they were to play at that clip the rest of the way that would put them at 90 points going into the last game of the season. That is painfully close to playoff level numbers, (mid-90s is probably the minimum needed). Stealing one here or there along the way could be the difference between a return trip to the post-season and an early tee time.
COINCIDENCE? NAH, COULDN’T BE: Saturday night’s 3-2 win over Chicago marked the first time all season the Thrashers have held a team to under 3 goals. It was also the first game that Steve McCarthy, (-12), did not play. Hey, I’m just pointing it out. For the record, Pascal (You-Me-And) Dupris, (-4), was also a sitter-downer.
KEEPING BAD COMPANY: We wake up this morning with our team 5 points out of the 8th and final playoff position. Four other teams who made the playoffs in the east last year find themselves today on the outside looking in, (New Jersey, NYR, NYI, and Buffalo). That list includes all three division winners. Early on, you say? Sure. But it’s interesting how so many of the playoff teams have gotten off to slow starts.
NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME PLAYERS: The Thrashers are undefeated, (2-0-0) in games that were not televised locally. In case you’re wondering, Tuesday’s game in Montreal in not scheduled to be aired in these parts. If it results in another victory, who’s gonna be the first to call for a TV boycott of the televised Ottawa game on Thursday?
ENSTROM-ENTAL PART OF THE ATTACK: Tobias Enstrom leads all Thrasher defensemen in points, (4), and +/- rating, (+1). This kid is showing great puck skills and on-ice smarts. Somehow, I don’t think I’m the only one who gets a charge when he and Kovalchuk are on the ice at the same time.
NOT NEGATIVE: Of the 6 players on th correct side of the +/- rating, 5 of them are rookies. Haydar, (+4), Little, (+3), Enstrom, (+1), Popovic and Thorburn, (0). The only exception, Niclas Havelid, (+1). That’s NOT a typo.
WHO DOES NUMBER TWO WORK FOR?: Not surprisingly, Kovalchuk’s 12 points leads the team. But who is the second leading scorer? Why it’s Todd White, (Rstroz just dropped his coffee). His 2 goals and 4 assists put him one point ahead of Haydar and Kozlov. For that matter, he, Kovy and Kozlov are the only three non-rookies in the top six scorers on the team.
SO MUCH FOR THAT LOGIC: My first post cited that I would be using the shots against stat to gauge how the team was doing, (over/under 30 SA/G). Well, so much for that. All three wins so far have us giving up more then 30 shots. (Sound of crinkling paper as I toss out that stat sheet). Maybe I should be looking on the other side of the ice. In games that the Thrashers score 3 or more goals they are 3-1.
KLEAN KARMA: The lucky jersey is 1-0-0, post-wash. Yes, I was wearing it last night. You’re welcome. Also, it needs to be pointed out for the record that Puckjunque is 2-0-0 with the pre-game prayer.
For those of you who crawled out of bed early on a Sunday morning to win the First to Post on Rawhide’s Blog Sweepstakes, ….. what are you waiting for? GO!
Taking Matters Into My Own Hands
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, something had to be done. I’m not the General Manager/Interim Coach of the Thrashers so I can’t do what he can, but I CAN do SOMETHING. I can’t sit McCarthy and his -12 rating down and give Popovic a long look. I can’t put different line-ups out there and see if that works. I can’t pick up the phone and call other GMs and see if there is some deal to be made. Not that any of the above actions would bring a guarantee of success, mind you.
But last night, after viewing the 3-0 lack-luster loss to Nashville on a big-screen in a smoky sports bar, I knew it was time for action. So I just did it. May the hockey gods have mercy upon me, but I did it.
I came home, kissed the sleeping wife and tax exemptions on their collective foreheads, headed straight into the laundry room and, brace your selves, washed the lucky Thrashers jersey.
(I will give you all a moment to regain your composure).
Yes, I just broke down and did it. Gentle Hand-Wash cycle, Tide detergent specially formulated for front-load washers, cold water, with Downy fabric softener, (Mountain Fresh). The jersey was turned inside out to protect the embroidery. It was hung up to air dry, crest facing north toward the Hockey Mecca, The NHL Hall of Fame in Toronto.
I know most of you will question why I would take such a drastic step, that some will view this as jumping into panic mode. Well, like I said, something had to be done and now.
I am hoping that I washed out of it the negative vibes, bad Karma, or just plain bad luck that are bringing with it such things as a weak, ineffective power play, flat-footed defensive play, periods that see the Thrashers take only five shots on goal, (as was the case in the first period last night) or three shots on goal, (as was the case in the third period last night). I’m hoping to wash out the lack of physicality that has us being shove from one end of the ice to the other, the 30+ shots against per game, and the passes to open ice.
Something had to be done. Something had to be done now. So I just did it.
I think I need to go lay down now, I’m feeling dizzy.
Finding the Winning Formula
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two points is two points. Anyway you get ‘em is good, especially if your wearing Thrasher blue these days. It matters not that it took getting the extra point by way of the gimmick known as the shootout. Going into the Hockey Mecca of Toronto and pulling away with a win is, well, good. Here is a list of what else was good about Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout win as well as some un-good and ugly items needing to be addressed.
THE GOOD: Again, the two points of course. Also, for the first time this season the Thrashers were not, repeat, were NOT out-shot, (36-36 including overtime). In fact, the shots favored Atlanta in the first, third and OT.
Enstrom, with his first goal is also el-goodo. Not to be overlooked was his game-high 28:05 TOI and a +2. Perrin with a goal, two helpers and a +2 is way good as is White’s two-point night. Sterling teaming up with Haydar with the assists on Perrin’s goal was good to see. Our young-uns, (sob), they are growing up so fast. Winning face-offs 36-27 is also a good thing.
But the biggest “good” star is for Kovalchuk, (goal, two assists and the winning shootout tally to go with his +2 rating). Kovy continues to play at an unbelievable level. The difference tonight was that he wasn’t alone out there.
OK, sorry, but I have to…
THE UN-GOOD: While it’s nice that we held three separate leads, it’s un-good that we could not hold any of them. It didn’t come back to haunt us this time but normally it will. Getting out-shot 17-7 in the second and going 0-5 on the power play is also un-good.
I was going to put Slava Kozlov in this section, (-1), but look who showed up for the shootout, (as he normally does). Here is hoping that gives him a jump-start.
THE UGLY: Giving up a goal 13 ticks into the game on the wrap-around by Sundin is ugly, (oh, THAT’S what a top-line center can do). Allowing one just a minute-twelve into the second is also aesthetically challenged. But giving up the game-tying goal with 9.3 seconds left on the clock is the most-est ugly. (New Jersey Devils flashbacks anyone)?
This seemingly unshakable habit of allowing scores at the very beginning AND the end of periods is ugly, no… butt-ugly. Gotta get a grip on that.
There were much more good things then un-good and ugly in Toronto Tuesday night. Not surprisingly, it led to a win.
So, I guess the formula to success is G>U+U = 2 points.
Accountability and Responsibility
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s mid-October and soon we will all be sending the little Tax Exemptions throughout the neighborhood to extort treats from the neighbors. This brings to mind 2 things.
When I was a young skull full-of-mush, the term “Trick-or-Treat” meant something. If someone did not come through with goodies, (or we were given something stupid like, … fruit), then by golly their house was TP-ed or stray-doggie-deposits were set ablaze upon the doorstep. These days, it’s simply meaningless words. What are we teaching our children today? Idle threats pay off with rewards? Where is the accountability? Seems as though Political-Correctness has claimed another victim of a little piece of Americana.
As a parent I try to never miss an opportunity to teach life-lessons to the little ones. When my boys get back in from their Halloween exploits, I show them how the current tax system works. I collect their buckets and scoop 17% right off the top, (21% if there is a Democrat in the White House). For those of you who practice tithing the same principle applies, (only beware of Brother Jerome helping himself to the “Fun Size” Snickers as the plate passes). Trying to raise them to be responsible citizens, you know.
Yes, accountability and responsibility, these are two items that can also be discussed regarding our Thrashers. After Saturday’s 6-2 thumping in Tampa one can ask, exactly where are they to be found on this team?
Bob Harley was held accountable for a 0-6-0 start and he paid the ultimate price. One of the knocks against Coach Hartley was that he relied too much on his older players and didn’t relate well with the younger ones. Yet, it seems as though the one’s he was counting on are the one’s who failed him the most, (with the exception of Kovalchuk). The play of Hossa and Kozlov have been spotty a best. Too many times Ken Klee has given me Andy Sutton flashbacks. Outside of Thursday, Hedberg has hardly been the stabilizing force we’ve needed between the pipes and too many times the “C” on Bobby Holik’s jersey seems to stand for “Cement” in skates.
So, now that we don’t have Hartley to kick around anymore, which one of these players is going to be the one to stand up in the locker room and hold this team, each and everyone one of them, accountable for their play? Certainly, one of them has to. To be fair, each of the players I cited above has the skill to perform at a level that elevates the play of all around him as well as be the grown up in the locker room. We need to see it, and soon.
As for the youth movement on the team, I think it says a lot when the Baby Blue line seems to be holding up their responsibilities more then most others, (Sorry Brian, until a better name comes along I am sticking to it). Case in point, 25% of the 16 goals scored this season have come from players fresh off the farm. The defensive play from Enstrom has been solid as well. While this bodes well for the future what does it say about the here and now?
Ultimately, the one person who is responsible for this team, Don Waddell, will need to make a choice on which direction the Thrasher’s take for the rest of this season. Is he committed to still making a run at the playoffs this year? Certainly there is time left to do so, but changes need to be made, (A genuine #1 center would be a good place to start). If so, at least one of these fine youngsters may need to be offered up to obtain such a player. Or does he plan more for the future, building around these rookies, even at the expense of the ’07-’08 NHL campaign? Personally, I want the “win now” scenario to take form. However, if he opts for the latter, I don’t want the rebuilding in Atlanta to take as long as it did post-Sherman.
Who he chooses as a coach to take on the responsibility of leading the team will go a long way in indicating which route he goes. But ultimately the general manager will be the one held accountable for the success of this team, or lack thereof.
Started With Rangers, Ended With Rangers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(With apologies to the late Pres. Gerald Ford): Ladies and gentlemen of Blueland, our long national nightmare is finally over.
What began with a 4-3 loss in game one of the first round of the playoffs to the Rangers ended with a 5-3 win over that same team. The last time we spoke of a victory was the last game of the regular season, a 3-2 shootout win over Tampa Bay. Seemed like forever, did it not?
So, the post-Hartley era stands at 1-0-0.
A few plays and players stood out to me tonight.
The first goal, scored by Dupuis on an awesome backhanded pass from Brad Larson, was thing of beauty. Garnet Exelby’s strong showing, (21:37 TOI, 1 assists, +2), and playing stand up defense. Moose did very well coming off the bench. For that matter, I thought Kari looked very sharp B.G., (Before Groin). Todd White with a goal and a helper. The Baby Blue line hooked up for another score. And it’s always nice when a power play goal is scored before the announcer can finish citing the penalty, as with Hossa’s.
But the best showing of the night was the overall physical game. I was getting ready to put out an Amber Alert for it prior to last night. XLB’s shot on Prucha was landed just in front of their bench but I felt it in section 106, (OW-ICH)! The Thrashers are a team that cannot allow them selves to be pushed around. Last night they were clearly the more aggressive team. This must continue.
These are all very, very good visuals to take away from Philips. However, there are still some ominous signs that don’t bode well for the future, (I know, I know, I’m raining on the parade).
Once again, we were out shot 36-28, (The 36 being the main concern).
We still have not held a team to fewer then 3 goals in any of the seven games this season.
The Thrashers were beaten in the face off circle by a 36-24 margin.
The Rangers converted 3 of 7 power play opportunities.
So, there is still much work to be done. But at least that fat goose egg has been shoved out of the W column, and that was job number one. The work continues in Tampa tomorrow.
Oh, and if you wondering, we are four points out of the #8 spot in the conference.
Goodbye Coach Bob and Thank You
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just prior to the opening of last season, my oldest son and I attended the open house at Philips Arena. Just after touring the locker room we noticed Coach Bob Hartley standing on the floor with several fans. Now, my son had attended a couple of the coach’s hockey clinics and so of course he wanted to go greet him and shake his hand.
What I remember most about this is, as he stood with the crowd around Hartley, once the coach saw him standing there, he reached over and placed his hand on his shoulder pulling him over saying, “Come here, I know you”. Then Bob called him by the nickname he gave him at one of the clinics. A name that I am not even allowed to call him by because, as he says, “Only Coach Bob can call me that”!
The two of them stood and chatted for a while. My son was asked how his hockey season was going, if he was putting is full effort into it and if he was keeping his grades up at school. There were thousands of people in attendance that night, but for a few minutes, it was just the two of them. Here was the head coach of an NHL franchise spending time with a 14 year-old kid and displaying a genuine interest.
I’ll never forget that moment. More importantly, I know my son never will either.
Today we learned that Coach Bob Hartley was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers. 0-6-0 to start a season following a playoff sweep will do that in most cases. Some may view this move as welcome news. Some may wonder why so soon, that the team should have made some roster moves first to give the coach something to coach with. Some will scratch their heads and wonder why, if Hartley was shown the door, was the man who constructed the current roster not done the same? After all, Hartley did try to mix things up once it was shown not to work. It’s not as though he started coaching differently with this group of players then when he coached the team to a division championship last season.
But then again, General Mangers don’t fire themselves when things go wrong, do they?
As with any situation where a head coach is fired the question is always if it was the right thing to do or not. My feeling is that the answer to that question can only be given once we know who will replace him. So, on that level I will reserve my judgment.
As for Coach Bob Hartley, I can only wish him good luck and Godspeed in whatever the future holds for him. And thank him for being a positive influence in Thrasher organization, the Atlanta community, youth hockey in this area, and one young man that will not take this news very well.
Let’s Make a Deal (and other “Quick Shots”)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few “Quick Shots” before we get to the main topic:
Shot #1: I’m looking forward to seeing how the new defensive pairings work out tonight. I think splitting up the Hav-Zhit line was the right call. Enstrom with Havelid should be interesting. As Craig pointed out, at least there shouldn’t be a communications issue. McCarthy with Zhit and XLB with Klee look like the other two pairings. Hoss back in the line up should supply some power up front.
Shot #2: The stat that sticks out the most for the Thrashers is the Shots For per Game vs. Shots Against per Game. Going into tonight’s match in Philly, we have averaged 22.0 SF/G, (dead last in the NHL) and have faced 34.6 SA/G, (28th in the league). That gap of -12.6 must be closed rapidly to something more like the league average of 29 in both categories, or it will be tough sledding.
Shot #3: The next nine games, as we know, contain eight road games, so if we are to get better, it’s gonna be in hostile environs. It won’t be easy, but 10 points minimum in that span would go a long way to righting the ship. Either way, when we reconvene in Bluland on the 6th of November we will have very clear indication of just what this team is facing.
Let’s Make a Deal: Finally, it has been reported and speculated that Don Waddell has been testing the waters to see if there is a Center and/or Defender to be had. One could look at this one of two ways. This is welcome news as you see the team needing a serious “tweak” to improve our game. Or, it is an admission that the “smaller-faster” plan is not working.
Given that, I would like to take a twist on a question that was posed just prior to the beginning of the season. It had to do with which rookie you thought would make the greatest impact on the season, Enstrom, Sterling, Pops or Little. Well, if trade talk is in the air, one has to assume that it is at least possible that one of those rookies could be placed on the blocks as part of the package. So, in an odd way, that player could provide an “impact” by bringing us help down the middle or on the blue line.
Personally, I don’t see this as an easy decision to make. The pressure is on to win now, however we have 4 promising young talents currently on the roster who are playing quite well.
So, GM Blogger, which one of the “Baby-Birds” do you put on the block?
Or do you only trade vets and draft picks, refusing to deal any of the young-uns and cultivate the in-house talent?
You Thinking What I’m Thinking?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was shocked. Simply shocked. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. But there was Kari skating toward the goal to begin the game. I wondered, did Moose hurt himself during warm-ups? Was there an illness or death in his family? Surely, something wasn’t right. Were you not thinking Moose was starting tonight? I was.
Now, I’m not dumping on our Finish net-minder. It’s just that after 5 goals on 20 shots in 40 minutes Thursday night before being pulled, I don’t think I was alone in my feelings that #1 would start Saturday night. But apparently I was wro….uh, I was less-then-correct.
Then, 1:46 into the game New Jersey is up 1-0. (Just an aside here, but will somebody check to see if a law was enacted requiring that the Thrashers go down a goal before the first beer is consumed). Anyway, then I thought, OMG, same song-different verse. Was I the only one of the 15,606 in the arena thinking that? I doubt it.
But just 35 ticks of the clock later the youth movement led the charge. Haydar rips a blast that stunned Marty Brodeur. The assists coming from fellow rookies Little and Sterling. (Can one of my stats-wizards take a look-see at the record books and tell me the last time a goal was scored by a rookie with two assists from rookies. Not only THAT, but a rookie scoring his first goal from two rookies notching their first assists).
The “older” crowd took it from there. Ilya, XLB and The Captain crinkled the twine and in just 28 minutes and 28 seconds, we not only held our first lead of the year we had doubled our goal production for the season. And we all thought THIS was where it all would turn around. We saw speed and passing mixing together and we rejoiced. We saw our defense stone the Devils on a 4 minute PK, allowing just 2 shots in that span, and again we rejoiced. I know I wasn’t only one feeling it, I heard it from you all. It was LOUD!!!! From our youngsters then to our vets, this team started to bridge the generational gap and Blueland was a-rockin’.
But then, it happened.
Half a minute before the second intermission, Kari gives up a juicy rebound and Pandolfo pulled New Jersey back to a single goal and I began to get nervous, almost as if I knew this was going to wind up coming back to haunt us. Now, I will be honest with you all. I felt bad for allowing the doubt to creep in my mind. After all, the team played great overall and we still held a lead going into the third. But still, I had this ugly, nasty feeling in my gut. We were getting out shot 23-14 at that time and just let up one of those dreaded last minute goals. But was I the only one struggling with pessimism at this point?
Obviously not. Here is a post from Stendec Saturday evening, “Oh my God! Thrashers had an offensive explosion. FOUR GOALS! See (Kari) let two-goal edge dwindle to one before second intermission. Figures…… Look for (Kari) to allow two or more in third period! Hope I am off base. DOUBT IT!”
And, alas, unfortunately our friend Stendec was, indeed, on base. He put into print what we all were thinking. When we first saw Kari skate out to start, we all were suprised. However, the 3rd period played out in a fashion that justified our fears. Before we knew it, we were a goal down and we couldn’t get a shot on net in the first half of the final period.
Kovalchuk’s lazer blast with 3:20 left brought us to out feet in jubilation, (oh, and I would be remiss if I did not note his intense play of late. He has justified that “A” on his chest). At minimum, our first point of the season seemed surely at hand. Then….
Exelby holds at 18:15
Elias scores at 19:32
It seemed almost surreal.
It got even surreal-er-er.
As the clock ticked down,…..17, 16, 15,…..somehow the puck makes it past Broduer and slides slowly, S L O W L Y, toward the goal line. I thought it was going in, you did too, just before Marty covered it with his mit. The great Marty Brodeur made the most meaningful save of the night on a shot that was travelling at 0.00000031 m.p.h.
Done. 6-5 loss. 0-5-0 on the season.
Now what are we all thinking? Let me take a Stendecian type stab at it.
Kari must sit. Moose must start. Not just in Filth-adelphia, but Thursday when the Rangers pay us a call. He must start the vast majority of the road trip. Kari must sit, not because he is 0-4-0 against the Flyers with a 3.31 GAA and an .881 SV%., but because Lehtonen has allowed 11 goals in his last 5 peroids. That’s over two per period. That’s just bad,…period.
Now, Moose himself has a 4.50 GAA and an .857 SV% in 4 periods, so it’s not like he’s been standing on his head out there. And surely our defence must reduce the amount of shots our net-minders are facing. But Kari’s in a daze, a rut, a funk, call it what you will. And he has to figure it out. Only not on the ice.
Johan Hedberg must be our starter.
Period.
The Good, The Ungood and The Ugly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Four games in and its time for the first run at, THE GOOD, THE UN-GOOD, AND THE UGLY regarding the Thrashers.
First, THE GOOD.
(Pause for effect)…
OK, now for THE UN-GOOD.
POWER OUTAGE: The Thrashers are 17 for 24 in PK situations, (70.8%). Meanwhile their power play is a woeful 1 for 19, (5.3%), the 5th worst in the league. To be honest, it hasn’t even looked THAT good. Now, most of us are not surprised one iota that Atlanta struggles on the power play, same song different verse from the previous season. However, it is being exacerbated by the lack of ability to ward off the opposing team’s PKs. (And yes, exacerbation is legal in this state).
Now, I have a theory regarding this dilemma. We are told that this team is supposed to be faster. However, when we go on the man advantage, we are standing still. Maybe we need to try utilizing some of that speed?
OK, just give me the “DUH” Award now.
We move the puck around the perimeter nicely. The problem is that the other team is just fine with that. They can sit in their 4 corner defensive posture and never feel the need to waste one ounce of energy chasing someone down who dares drive the puck to the net or push some big body out from in front of the goalie.
This probably also explains why the other team seemingly scores right after we get off the PP. The entire team has had 2 minutes of rest. Even the one’s who were on the ice.
ZONED OUT: Most NHL video games I have played, uh I mean that my KIDS play, have a stat showing how much time the two teams spend in the opposition’s zone. I don’t know if the NHL keeps such stats, officially or otherwise, but if they did we would be getting “out-zoned” by a 2-1 margin.
For all of our “speed” we cannot seem to link together 3 passes once we have gained the blue line. At the same time our opponents could file for Homestead Exemption in our defensive end. The most consistent display of speed I have seen has been when our defenders are chasing forwards around our end of the ice for a minute or,…seven.
On the offensive side, speed means nothing if your not moving to open spaces for your teammate to pass the puck to you or if your not keeping the puck on your stick.
Yes, this is basic. But right now this is where we need to start.
DEE-DEE, GET OUT OF MY LAB: Somebody go and find Dexter’s Lab and see if he can produce the chemistry this team needs. Right now, we got none of it! Outside of momentary flashes, no line or defensive pairing seems to be working.
In baseball, when a team goes through a hitting slump a manager will sometimes pick his lineup out of a hat to try to shake things up and change the luck at the plate. Maybe Hartley can do the same. Heck, maybe he can put is centers in the middle of the locker room and have them pick, one by one, their line mates. Kind of like the kids picking teams on the ponds.
THE UGLY
The Thrashers are, to-date, the only team with a goose egg in the POINTS category and have been out scored 17-4 doing so. We have been out shot by an average of 22.75 to 35.5 per game. We have an overall -7 plus/minus as a team, (Only Vancouver is worse with a -10).
I could go on. I could discuss our lack of team size, the fact that we have played 240 minutes and have YET to possess a lead or that for WAY too much of those 240 minutes our team just looks out-matched, out-prepared and out-skated.
Or, you could.
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Coulda-woulda-shoulda…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You could say that the Thrashers played much better against Ottawa then they did in their first two games. And you’d be right.
You could say that Kovalchuk played like a man possessed. That his goal was a great individual effort, truly highlight film material. Again, you would be correct.
You could say that, (minus Ken Klee looking Sutton-esque on Kelly’s goal less then 2 minutes in), the Thrashers almost resembled the team we saw push their way into the playoffs last year. At least for 2 whole periods, yes they did.
You could point to the fact that the Thrashers outshot Ottawa 24-23 in the last two periods. That they are showing signs of getting into equilibrium the “shots-for”/”shot against” line. And once more, “You are correct, sir”!
You could explain how the Kovy-White-Sterling line played exiting hockey throughout the game. Not too many would disagree.
You could also say that the Thrashers actually played with a lot of effort and energy Wednesday evening. Uh-huh, yes they did.
The problem is, after you said all that our team still has exactly as many points in the standings as chances that a Red Wings fan from Livonia, Michigan, could land a date with Charlize Theron.
ZERO.
Now you could, if you wanted to, also point out that the three teams that we have played are a collective 11-0-0, outscoring their opponents 33-14. It is so.
You could also remind us all that not only are the Senators undefeated this regular season but they were also went undefeated during pre-season. Yes, yes they did, not that it matters. But it does bolster the argument that they are the class of the East, the team to beat.
So now the defending Southeast Division champion Thrashers shuffle off to Buffalo to take on the defending Northeast Division champion Sabres who have …why… exactly as many points as we do. That’s right, a Goose egg. Then on Saturday night we get the defending Atlantic Division champ New Jersey Devils who are …what’s this?…1-2-0 on this young season.
Well, I guess now you could say that, finally, it’s about time the schedule affords us a chance to get better by playing some of the “weaker” teams of the conference.
Yep. That’s what you COULD say.
From Rawhide to Ice Man
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hello Blueland: You know me as Rawhide.
Before we get started, I would like to give a shout to my predecessor, Dave Vecsey, for all his work and attention to this blog. It is one of the reasons I started posting in the first place. We all appreciate everything he brought to the discussion and how he conducted the forum. Well done, Dave.
As for me, I am honored and thrilled to be afforded the chance to pick up where Dave left off. What I hope to do here is simply set the stage for an open dialogue regarding our home team, one that stimulates cerebral activity and interest in our hometown combatants on the ice. For those of you from Livonia, Michigan, that means I want to simply chat about the Thrashers.
I don’t claim to be a “Stats Wizard” or “Hockey History Wonk”, there are many out there that I will rely on for those roles (Brian, Brendan, GaVaHokie, the 45 “Bobs” et. al.). What I hope to bring to the discussion is a simple observation of what I see going on with the team from the vantage point of a typical fan, nd set the table for others to offer their enlightened viewpoints as well.
I am a native of Metro Atlanta, (yes, there are still some of us around), who pulls for the home team and wants them to succeed. I have enjoyed hockey all my life, but the past 5 years I have been completely sold on this great sport. My two sons play at the local rink and I enjoy watching it at all levels.
So, without further ado,….lets cut to the meat and potatoes of this thing.
Here are three big keys I see as vital to how this team fares in the upcoming NHL campaign. Please let me know yours:
“Over / Under” shots per game = 30: I’m gonna keep track of our record every time we hold the opposing team to 30 shots a game or less. It will come as no surprise that whenever we hit the “under” we have a greater chance at winning. To do this, Le Thrash will need to be much faster on the blue line than last year. (Case in point: Opening night we gave up 40 SOGs and lost. This is un-good). I think we are faster on defense, but do we still have the muscle?
Center of attention: I did not like seeing Eric Belanger leave the team this summer. The additions of White and Perrin are good, but I still think we needed to add one more strong center man to the squad. Strength down the middle is a must in any sport. This, more than anything else, is where we will succeed or fail. Personally, I’m crossing my fingers for success here, but look for this to be a position Don Waddell is addressing come the trade deadline, if not earlier.
Balancing act: Last season Hoss notched 100 points, Kozlov had 80 and Kovy 76. Very nice, indeed. The problem is that after that the closest point total among Thrashers who played here all year was Mellanby with 36. This will not do. We need 5 guys who can bring at least 60 points to work with them this year. Yes, that’s a lot of points but last year Buffalo had seven such players. The Ducks had 8 players with 44 points or more, though none hitting the 100-point mark. During the course of a season, one or two guys can slump at the same time, but not four or five. Also, it makes it dang-near impossible for a defense to target 1 or 2 guys to shut down.
OK kids, I recall Zilla has a $5 bet on who will post first on my blog, so….
On your mark…
Get set…
(Wait for it)…
GO!
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