AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTo-BEE-us And Tampa Bay
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Very quickly before I opine, this will be a busy week with 4 games and T-Day as well. I will try to keep up and provide a forum for discussion after each game. Now then…
The All Star Case for Enstrom
There was some clamor last week regarding Thrasher rookie defender Tobias Enstrom and the All Star Game ballot. To be honest, if there is one blue liner on this club deserving of such consideration it is the young Swede. Let’s consider some of his contributions thus far.
To-BEE-us has played in every game for the team and has arguably been the biggest success of the group of rookies that landed positions on the team. His +/- ratio of +7 ties him for the top spot on the team with Niclas Havelid, (not bad considering the team is up-side-down in GF vs. GA). His Time On Ice average of 22:58 is tops for the Thrashers. Added to that are his 2 goals and 7 assists. Unfortunately there are no real stats for positioning, back checking and hustle, if there were he would be right up toward the top of all of them. Personally, I cannot think of a sub-par game from him thus far. It seems like every game we just wind him up, toss him out on the ice and watch him perform at a level we might have hope of him 2 years from now.
Now, compare Enstrom with the following:
22:45 TOI, -4, 3 goals and 6 assists. Those stats belong to the Penguins Ryan Whitney. Numbers like -6, 24:12, with 3 goals and 6 assists belong to Bryan McCabe of Toronto. Both of these players are on the ballot.
All Star voting in any sport is never an exact science and making the case for a defender on a team that is dead last in GAA and shots per game isn’t exactly an easy sell, (though one could also point out that it makes his efforts stand out all that much more). But, seeing that this is our year in the spotlight, we might as well use it to illuminate one of our brightest players that otherwise might go unnoticed.
So, here is the link to make your All Star selections. Oh, and don’t forget Kovy, Hoss and Kozzy while your there. Vote early and vote often.
Blueland Braces for Bolts
The Tampa Bay Lightning enters into Blueland Monday night to take on the Thrashers. The Bolts have won five straight and have not allowed more then two goals in that stretch. They currently sit in second place in the division and sixth in the conference with 21 points. They are tops in the NHL with a 3.41 GFA and have 108 assists, (fourth best in the league). However, they are 22nd in team defense giving up 2.99 goals a game.
You will remember the last meeting with Tampa Bay. It ended the 7 game road trip with a brilliant 6-4 come from behind win in which Atlanta scored the last 5 goals of the game and Kovy notched his second consecutive hat trick. The Thrashers are 5-1 since that time and have been playing their best hockey in many a moon.
Tampa owns a 2-1 season-series edge on the Bruisers of Blueland and, outside of the last period and a half of that game on November 3rd, has looked like the more powerful team of the two. But of course, two of those match-ups were during that span of games that we don’t discuss here anymore.
So, given the two teams ability to score, we should look for a 5-4 game.
Of course, now that I’ve gone on record saying that, it’ll be 2-1, right?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Rawhide
November 18, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
I WIN!!!! HA!
Ok,…now we can stop this!
By Matt H
November 18, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t count! I win!
By Matt H
November 18, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t Enstrom be in the Youngstars game? Are they doing that this year?
Also, apropos of nothing much, I really wish they’d bring back the Oldstar’s game…
By Brian
November 18, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
There’s nothing preventing Enstrom from being in the All-star game, well, except the local fans who refuse to vote for him…
The game is in our building this year, think about the message it would send to all the pessimistic people who say a free agent wouldn’t want to play in this city because it’s not a hockey town. If the true fans got behind Enstrom and voted him into the game, that would be a strong message that hockey is alive and well in Georgia.
By Brian
November 19, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
Also, Tobias’ +/- is 15th in the league for d-men and 8th in the Eastern conference. His 9 points are 22nd in the league for d-men and 14th for the Eastern conference. He clearly is doing well considering the 0-6 start as well being a rookie and having to adjust for a few games. This isn’t some hometown bias, he has a solid case.
By Brendan
November 19, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this
I suspect that, outside the I-285 perimeter, Enstrom is flying under the radar like a drug-laden Cessna from Honduras. It is a shame, since his progress is noteworthy. But fans in St. Louis are focused on Erik Johnson. Fans in Los Angeles are focused on Jack Johnson. Fans in Anaheim are going to write in votes for Niedermeyer, even though he hasn’t played a single game. And Niedermeyer will still get more votes than Enstrom. Ballot-casting fans are trained, like seals at Sea World, to vote for Pronger and Lidstrom. I’m not even sure Dan Boyle will get that many votes, and he is every bit in caliber of an All-Star. Until Enstrom scores four goals in a game at Toronto, on a Saturday night, broadcast by CBC, he’s not going to get the votes.
If he continues on this path, however, he’s got to at least get a nomination for the Calder Trophy.
By kracker
November 19, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Brendan is right of course, Tobias has no real shot at a write-in spot. He deserves our votes nonetheless.
Brian are you up to leading the “VOTE FOR RORY” type of campaign for Tobias? That was a sort of joke campaign that worked but Tobias actually has the stats to back it up, there’s just not a large enough body of NHL work for him to be an all star this year.
By Sara
November 19, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
It’s hard enough to get a write-in actually on the roster, even more so if you’re talking rookie. If any rookie is going to make it on the roster, it’s going to be Toews or Kane. I would say rather it might be easier/more effective to try and contact whatever powers that decide such matters (starting with the Thrashers organization would likely be a good start) to let them know we want Enstrom on the Young Stars team. I would think they would make an effort to have at least one player rep from the hosting team but just to be certain… (and personally I can think of two I’d like to see from here).
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Enstrom make it - I think there is a lack of outstanding d-men in the eastern conference (at least in terms of the All-Star game because I always vote for offensive defensemen - and I did write him in) but I’d rather work toward a goal I’m more sure is attainable.
Brendan I wouldn’t (and didn’t) vote for Boyle because I don’t know what his playing status will be given his surgeries so I’d just as soon not waste the votes. That’s something that ticks me off - people wasting votes on a guy with a long-term injury or that isn’t playing like Neidermeyer. Future Hall of Famer or not, even if he returns to the League prior to the end of All-Star voting, he isn’t an All-Star in my book this year since he’s taken virtually two months off so far anyway.
By Hockeyfan
November 19, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
Write in Parros!!!
Enstrom will be in the Youngstars.
By kracker
November 19, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
I agree with Sara and others that Enstrom will be in the Young Stars game, he is a natural for it plus Atlanta is the host city.
A few write-ins for Tobias won’t hurt, though :) I’m sure he would appreciate the acknowledgement from the home fans.
By ToF
November 19, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
I’ll be curious to see how the league works the youngstars rosters. Sadly though, I think Enstrom is doomed to anonimity, at least for this season. Think about it, The Thrashers aren’t exactly media darlings and any outsiders looking at our prospects are easliy going to name Bryan Little over Enstrom. After all, Little is still “technically” our #1 prospect. That being said, Enstrom already has 10 of my votes and is about to get another.
By ToF
November 19, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Forgot to ask: Has Enstrom been tagged with a Blueland Nickname yet? If not, I suggest the Swedish Chef
By GaVaHokie
November 19, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
And remember, the fan voting is only for the Starting Line-up, not for the team itself… so Tobias Enstrom would have to get more votes than Kaberle, McCabe, Chara, Campbell, Gonchar, Whitney, etc… not happening.
By Adam
November 19, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
While I’d love to see Enstrom make the game there’s not a snowballs chance in hell hell make it, I’ll vote none the less.
Throw this in to the props for Enstrom is the fact that of all that players that have played in all 19 game so far his 8 minutes in the box are 2nd only to Kozzie at 2 PIM.
By GaVaHokie
November 19, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
ToF… you’ll just need to vote about 300,000 more times for Enstrom to get more votes than all the Leafs fans voting for Kaberle and about the same for Campbell in Buffalo.
By Thrasher Ryan
November 19, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Rawhide—This is a very important week. We need 2 out of the next 3. Heck, 3 out the next 4 would be even better. For the time being, I suggest we ride the Moose until (and if) he loses, then go with Pavelec. I would think Kari does a rehab stint in Chicago, and when he comes back, Pavelec goes down.
By kracker
November 19, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
If Kari isn’t ready this week, he should be by the first game next week on the 29th vs Leafs.
By GaVaHokie
November 19, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Don’t know if anyone has posted this Hartley article yet, thought it was interesting.
By R. Stroz
November 19, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
**Instead of giving up on an ENSTROM write in campaign, get your fingers in action. Give the kid a chance, he deservers it. We all have complained about the defense on this team for years, now that we have someone, for the love of hockey show him some support. Stop typing on this blog and fill the ballot box. No offense Rawhide.
VOTE FOR ENSTROM!
GIVE THE KID A CHANCE!
NO EXCUSES! JUST SOLUTIONS!**
By R. Stroz
November 19, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Instead of giving up on an ENSTROM write in campaign, get your fingers in action. Give the kid a chance, he deservers it. We all have complained about the defense on this team for years, now that we have someone, for the love of hockey show him some support. Stop typing on this blog and fill the ballot box. No offense Rawhide.
VOTE FOR ENSTROM!
GIVE THE KID A CHANCE!
By Rawhide
November 19, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
HOKIE - Thanks for the article…that is interesting, indeed!
ThrasheRyan - True! Big week with 8 big, fat, hairy points out there. 5 has to be the minimum acceptable to gain. 6-7 even ‘more better’.
Kracker - Yes, Enstrom’s chances are slim….but the point is, as you stated, he deserves votes from us. Think what it would mean to the kid.
Also kids,…..combined with an Islander loss, a Thrasher win would bring them into a 3-way tie for the 8th place in the conference with the Islanders and Boston.
By R. Stroz
November 19, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
puckjunque - We need that prayer!
By Thrasher Ryan
November 19, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
“I have voted for Enstrom, have you?”
By GaVaHokie
November 19, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Rawhide… how have the Islanders only managed to play 16 games though? They have 4 games in-hand on most other teams.
By Rawhide
November 19, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
OK, who put THIS on the Sports Vent?
“When I was young I thought sex would be yucky. I grew up, found the right person and now I love it. Hockey is the same. Try it, you’ll like it. GO THRASHERS”.
By puckjunque
November 19, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Allright everyone, we need some AMENs today so lets have em’.
Bow your heads, hands joined on keyboards
Oh Heavenly Father, Thank you again for listening to our prayers and answering them with great precision. Please continue to guide the Thrashers tonight to outscore and outmaneuver our opponent. Please help them keep the momentum going to kick some lightning a$$! AMEN!!
By Rawhide
November 19, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
A-FREAKIN’-MEN!!! - Another stellar prayer, PJ!
Now, let’s go PUT A BEAT-DOWN ON THE BOLTS!!
By Brendan
November 19, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
A-men. Exinguish the bolts. I predict two goals for Kovalchuk tonight.
By Rawhide
November 19, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Hokie - Schedule quirk, I guess…but take a look at this in that regards:
For the rest of the season the Islander will have only 2 more “gaps” in between games of more then 2 days, Dec. 9-11 and the All Star break in January.
The Thrashers have 5 such gaps of 3 or more day left, Nov. 25-28, Dec. 9-11, the All Star break, Feb. 17-20 and Mar. 22-26.
So, going down the stretch, we’ll have times to catch a rest. Of course, that also means we need to gain as many points NOW as possible.
By ThrasherDawg
November 19, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
Let’s just see the ‘d’ put the clamps on the Bolts for once this year.
By puckjunque
November 19, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
RAWHIDE
Regarding the sports vent…To answer that question we need to know how many adolesents blog in that recently lost their ahh umm innocense, Brian? Buzilla?…was it you?
By Manley
November 19, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
AMEN!!!
Great news Blueland faithful: I get to watch this game all the way in Baghdad! AFN (American Forces Network) plays two or three of the games on Versus each week and tonight (actually, 3 o’clock this morning) they are showing ATL v TBL!! Cannot wait to finally see the team in action. I hope to get a good show.
By the way, all programming on AFN is donated, so Versus and Center Ice give the broadcast rights free of charge. Kudos to them for their support, as well as the other stations that do the same.
LET’S GO THRASHERS
By ToF
November 19, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
AMEN
By Tony C.
November 19, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Manley- That’s great news! Glad to see the guys @ the league and VS. have a heart.
Also-so what if the frostbacks in T-dot are going to vote for their guy?
YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO!!! You vote for your guy…. So vote for Tobbe! And #17 And Hoss And Slava-Matic.
My only toss ups on the ballot are about the goaltenders, and why you can only write-in ONE guy per conference. That’s crap.
GO BLUE !!! #17 OWNS YOU
P.S. vote here
By kracker
November 19, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Manley Hope you got to see it all!! A 4-3 OTW! Our 5th overtime win this year, much better than piling up the OTLs.
A big salute to you and GO THRASHERS!!!
By Jay Bird
November 19, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
What a game tonight! I am still in shock we came back from the dead to tie it up and eventually win. I am still shaking my head at the diving call on Hossa. Unbelievable!
Enstrom is making a huge impact on our team. He is the only defensemen I don’t worry about making a bonehead play. Yes, I know he makes mistakes but the kid is unbelievably comfortable handling the puck. I wish we had another blueliner like him for the other power play unit.
By GaVaHokie
November 20, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Rawhide… we’ve got the Islanders coming up twice the first week of December… hopefully we can take some of that cushion away.