AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThrashers Second Quarter Report Card
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First of all, a big thank you to Cousin Cletus for filling in for me the other night. He had a good time with it and I hope ya’ll did too.
The Thrashers return home tonight for the tail end of the home and home series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Wednesday’s 5-4 overtime win brought the Boys of Blueland to within 3 points of the division leaders and kept them within striking distance of a playoff spot in the conference.
As we sit at the halfway point in the season, the Thrashers have amassed 41 points. Double that you only have 82, which won’t get ya to the playoffs. So there is some ground to gain. The way I see it, we should be somewhere in the mid to high 60’s after the next 20 or so games. That would mean gaining at least 25 or so points in the third quarter.
Of course, playing in the Southeast Division isn’t hurting our chances either seeing that no one is really running away with it. As we sit today, 90 points could win this thing!
So, with that said, it’s mid-season report card time for the Thrashers! Let me know what you think & how you would grade them in these categories, or if you can think of other areas…list them as well.
I’ll be back Sunday to discuss tonight’s game as well as the Buffalo as well, (I wonder if those boys are thawed out yet from New Years Day)…
OFFENSE
The Good: Ilya Kovalchuk. How many Thrashers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Well, I dunno, but once in place, Atlanta only needs one player to light the lamp…#17. He still leads the league in goals with 33 to go with his 57 overall points. On pace to score 66 and tally 114 points, Ilya is the NHL’s MVP to-date. Marian Hossa has continued to play well, but not yet up to what is normally expected from an all-star caliber forward. He currently sits with 14 goals and 22 assists in the 38 games he has played. Mark Recchi has been a Godsend since arriving in Blueland delivering 6 goals and 12 points in his 12 games. Eric Perrin’s play of late has been very good and Bobby Holik has started to contribute with a goal in each of the last 3 games. When Todd White is “ON”, he is very good, but those times come and go too often.
Also, on their last report card, the Thrashers G/G was an abysmal 2.56, 22nd in the NHL. Today it is improved to 2.73, which is 15th best in the league. And they have only been shut out twice in the second quarter of the season. First quarter they were blanked an unacceptable 5 times. Both are improvements, but could be better still.
The Un-Good: Their power play continues to sputter at 15th best in the NHL at 18.2%. While that’s up from 16.0%, 19th in the league, that number needs to get to about 20%. The shots on goal average has not shown significant improvement either, currently 26.1 per game up from 25.7 previously. That is still only 25th best. Jim Slater is still seeking his first goal, though he has been sidelined for the past week.
The Summary: All in all, today the offense looks better then it did six weeks ago. Kovy’s play still is a big part of that. But the addition of Recchi, which now gives the team two solid scoring lines, has helped the overall goal production. Power play and shots on goal still must improve. If the grading were solely regarding Kovy’s play, it would be an A+.
The Grade: B-, (Up from a C-)
DEFENSE
The Good: Tobias Enstrom continues to lead the team with 24.03 TOI. He has thrown in 3 goals and 21 assists as well. The D pairings of late have seemed to play better, especially in the past 2-3 weeks. Alexei Zhitnik has been more like the player he was last March, though still too slow. The Thrashers as a whole have seemed to cut down on the amount of time spend in the sin-bin, even considering Wednesday’s game.
The Un-Good: The 3.29 GAA again is second worst in the NHL to Tampa Bay, (it was 3.39 last Thanksgiving), and the 32.1 SA/G is only 1/10 a point better then it was on the last report card.. Penalty killing has gone from a league worst of 72.6% to 77.3% but is still better then only Carolina. To be honest, I was a bit surprised that these numbers were still as bad as they are given the play of late, but a couple games, (Ottawa on the 15th of December and Boston last Monday), have a tendency to skew the stats. But, it is what it is.
The Summary: The team defense was awful in the first quarter. Statistically it isn’t much better now. However, it has shown stretches of better play recently, (giving up 2 or less goals in 6 out of 7 games at the end of December), but we still need to cut down on the shots that get through to our net-minder. Having to score 4 goals a game on average to win games is a tall order.
The Grade: C-, (Up from a D)
GOALKEEPING
The Good: Kari Lehtonen returned from his injury in early December by blanking the Islanders and has taken over the starting role. Since his return, he has a 7-5-0 record and has lowered his GAA from 4.49 to a semi-respectable 3.10. His save percentage has risen to a .904 from .879. His stretch of games from Dec. 18th to the day after Christmas saw him give up only 2 goals per game and then he returned from a bad outing to shut out the Bruins in his next start.
The Un-Good: As strong as Johan Hedberg has been in his back-up role, his record since the last grading is 2-3-1 and his 2.96 GAA has increased to 3.19 and he has a .879 SV%. This isn’t a criticism of Moose because he’s great to have in a support role, but the numbers need to improve when called upon.
The Summary: Don Waddell has pretty much made it clear that Kari Lehtonen is the #1 net-minder. Lately, he has played like the role fits him more times then not. This is good, but can he do it starting 30+ games over the next 41? Well, that’s the question. We have the luxury of a solid back-up guy in Moose as well as Opie in Chicago if need be, but folks…how Kari does over the next 12 weeks will determine whether or not we play more then 2 games in April.
The Grade: B-, (Up from C+)
ROOKIES
The Good: Again, Tobias Enstrom. As noted prior, his 24.03 TOI leads the team and he has become such a fixture on the blue line that it’s tough to continue viewing him as a rookie. His 3 goals and 21 assists place him as the Thrasher’s #3 scorer, tied with White. Colin Stuart has played well in his three games with a goal and assist.
The Un-Good: Popovic going down was not pleasant, but Steve McCarthy has helped fill the void only going -5 in that span, (I know…).
The Summary: Enstrom’s play continues to impress, and Stuart as done well in the few games since being called up, but gone are the likes of Sterling, Hadar, and Little to Chicago and Popovic has yet to return to the line up since he went down. With Eric Boulton’s injury, Kevin Doell will get a call up, so we’ll see how he does. If the grade were only for the two remaining, it would be an A again.
The Grade: B, (Down from an A).
EXTRA CREDIT
The Thrashers are 9-1 in overtime so far this season, the only loss coming via the shoot out in New Jersey. If the Thrashers gone only 5-5 in those 10 overtime games, they would only have 37 points and be as low as 4th place in the division and 14th in the conference. Also, they would be 8 points off the lead in the Southeast Division had one of those losses been on Wednesday night to the Hurricane. Those are HUGE points!
For this, they earn an A+ for the project.
OVERALL GRADE
B-, (Up from a C).
Note: Stats are through Wednesday’s games.
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Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Festus
January 4, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
CLETUS!!! You can run but you can’t hide!!!
By Alan
January 4, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Overall, I agree with your grading. I wouldn’t have bumped defense up though (Give ‘em the ‘D’ they earned), as it’s still horrible. We’re letting far too many shots get to the net. The only bright spots as far as D is concerned is Enstrom and our PK unit, which is getting better.
Our SOG could be higher, but a good defense could equalize that just as well.
By Top_Shelf
January 4, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Good overall ratings..Defense is still slow and ends up chasing the puck in their zone.
I watched Carol1na steal the puck when we tried to skate across the blue line and set up seemingly endless cycling the other night. The Thrashers aren’t big enough to play ‘dump and chase’. We miss Tkachuk and Sutton here.
By Top_Shelf
January 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Would also like to see defense clear the crease instead of allowing Forwards to jam at rebounds.
By Jsmooth
January 4, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Now that Ryan Smyth is out for 8 + weeks with a leg injury and Joe Sakic is on the mend out in Colorado, does anyone else think they would make a logical trade partner should we decide to part ways with Mr. Hossa? I’m thinking something along the lines of this for a trade:
Hossa & McCarthy (or Popovic)
in exchange for:
M. Hejduk & JM Liles (or Scott Hannan) and a 2008 2nd round pick
Thoughts?? Feedback?? Talk amongst yourselves please.
By puckjunque
January 4, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
This is a huge game for us tonight. I NEED some Amens please!
Bow you heads, hands joined on the keyboards
Oh Heavenly Father, Thank you for listening to our prayers and for the many ways you have answered them. The Thrashers need your guidance tonight to stay focused and energized as a team. Please help them be confident, take the lead early so they can dominate and kick the canes a$$!! AMEN!!!
By Jsmooth
January 4, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
AMEN! Thanks be to Ilya Kovachuk!
Please Lord, remind our hard-working Bluelanders to SHOOT THE DARN PUCK MORE AND CRASH THE NET WITH RECKLESS ABANDON AND FERVOR. Get the Canes on their heels early and don’t let up on the gas pedal!
Go Blue!
By puckjunque
January 4, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
A-FREAKIN-MEN!!! YOU SAID IT SMOOTHIE!!!
By Brendan
January 4, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Depending on where we are at the trade deadline, we’re going to demand more than that from Colorado, and they’ll rightly refuse to pay it.
The Aves just got Scott Hannan in free agency this past summer. Unless they’re very unhappy with him, I can’t see him getting traded. The Aves made a good run at a playoff berth last year. But if they’re not careful, they could screw up their future for an essentially meaningless playoff berth this year.
Look how patient the L.A. Kings are being. They know they need a goaltender. They could have traded for one. They didn’t, because they know what they have in Brown, Kopitar, Frolov, Cammalleri and Johnson. If they want to take a shot at John Grahame, TB, I think he just got put on waivers. When Bryzgalov was put on waivers, Phoenix was ahead of them in the pecking order of “needy teams.” Now Phoenix is two games over .500 and no longer in the Kings’ way.
Keith Jones, analyst on Versus, suggested that Marian Hossa would re-sign in Atlanta after being “rented” for two 1st round draft picks. I could certainly live with that if it happened.
Rawhide, good job on the report card. I agreed 100 percent with the grades. I’d add that the PK numbers improved a bit, but not nearly enough. This is an offense-first built team. Which is odd, since Waddell was a defenseman in his day.
With that in mind, keep your eye on John Tortorella in TB. He just might become “available” soon. And his philosophy is “safe is death.” It means he thinks the best defense is a good offense. I’d say that Torts has the wrong idea, and that defense wins championships in hockey, but he’d flip me the finger. Ya know, the one with the Stanley Cup ring on it.
By Brendan
January 4, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
A-men, PJ. This is another big 4-point swing for the standings. Let’s give our boys some home town support tonight. It’s a Friday night, so if the game’s not soldout … guys grab your girl and get two tickets. Girls, bug your guy to focus on hockey, now that UGA’s stomping of Hawaii is history.
Just because Marian Hossa doesn’t “believe in Blueland” doesn’t mean YOU shouldn’t.
By Brian
January 4, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
A little off topic here, but it’s hockey. Check out the top 10 markets for the Nielsen ratings of the winter classic:
Buffalo 38.2
Pittsburgh 17.7
Minneapolis 5.1
Denver 3.7
T5. Providence 3.5
T5. Las Vegas 3.5
St. Louis 3.3
Boston 3.2
Sacramento 2.9
T10. Richmond 2.8
T10. Hartford 2.8
Definitely some surprises there…
By Smoothie
January 4, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Brendan — thanks for pointing out what Jonesy from Versus was saying about Hossa. I must’ve missed that between the 2nd and 3rd periods when I was flipping channels…I should be ashamed to admit this but I was checking out the Hawks vs Cleveland. It was good timing as I got to see Lebron get bopped in the nose with the basketball…pretty funny stuff.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Torts coach the Thrashers because I respect his aggressive, double-forechecking style which puts so much pressure on the other team’s defense. We’ve always struggled against them and to tell you the truth, I’m not sure how we’ve managed to beat them the last few times. Oh yeah, the will of one Ilya Kovalchuk might be the reason.
PJ — I like the fact that the “Smoothie” moniker is catching on. You can call me that anytime. I will continue to shout “Amens” from the rooftop with a lusty and barbaric yawp every time you render unto us another rousing prayer.
By Rawhide
January 4, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
A-FREAKIN’-MEN! Great job, PJ! You give good prayer!!!!
Now let’s go put a HAMMERING on the HURRICANES!!!
I’ll be watching from a place called Sneakers down here in Jax!
GO THRASHERS!!
By Rawhide
January 4, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Smoothie - Funny how you used the term “lusty” when you were speaking to PJ…..given here attraction to a certain Maple Leaf!
Was that a Freudian slip?
By Brendan
January 4, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Brian, definitely some surprizes there! Richmond?? Sacramento?? Vegas is surprizing, but not as much with “expansion talk” buzzing about that town.
By Smoothie
January 4, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
RH — perhaps so, but I’m always down for some Freudian slip…it’s how I roll! I have no idea what I’m saying. I’m just being silly.
In fact, one of my favorite phrases is “bluster lustily” as in The fans of Blueland blustered lustily as their heroes of the ice stormed the cage and stuffed home the game-winning goal against their despised foes from Raleigh
By Smoothie
January 4, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Brendan — I’m with you…how in the world did Richmond get on that list?? I’ve lived there and don’t recall anyone ever saying a word about the game of hockey. However, they do play minor league sticks there…I recall a VCU basketball game getting cancelled due to condensation from the ice underneath the hardwood.
By Brian
January 4, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Brendan & Smoothie - how does Buffalo more than double Pitt? Of the 72,000 there, over 90% were from Buffalo, few from Pitt. There were also over 11,500 Sabres fans at HSBC Arena watching it on the screens there. I hate to say this, but in terms of what makes a hockeytown, we struggle to even get 11,500 for weeknight games to Philips, Buffalo gets 11,500 to their arena for a game that isn’t even played there…
By Alan
January 4, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
AMEN, PJ!
By PJ
January 4, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Brian Sacramento?? Just curious to hear your take on all the Brian Campbell buzz, surely you have an opinion. Who would be your top three choices for Defense aquisitions if it were up to you?? (from those going UFA 2008) You going tonight?
By Smoothie
January 4, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Buffalo is an incredible hockey town…incredible sports town. The fans are SOOOOO passionate that it’s almost scary. I’m a reformed Bills / Sabres fan from Albany, NY so I can only imagine how bad off the true Buffalonians feel after 4 straight SB losses. And I’m sure they all see Bobby Hull in their nightmares during hockey season!
Too bad so many of the most obnoxious fans who come down to Philips happen to be drunk, knuckleheads wearing “Slug” jerseys…can’t wait for Sunday!!
By Jsmooth
January 4, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Ooops! Make that Brett Hull!
By Brian
January 4, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
PJ - most folks up there are having doubts about Campbell (meaning the fans, not the media or Sabres mgt.). So, I would have doubts about paying him $6m/year. But, what an addition he would be here with Enstrom on one pair and him on the other with say Exelby. I won’t be there tonight though.
Smoothie - I’m a reformer too. Went to school up there and had plenty of classmates from Albany, Binghamtom, etc.
Can’t…stand…Siena
By Nix
January 4, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Amen, PJ!
Let’s go, Thrashers!
And don’t forget - this is OUR house - so play like it!
By Rawhide
January 4, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Right on Nix - Remember:
This is OUR home ice, these are OUR fans. You will NOT have a good time tonight! We will pressure you. We will attack your net! We will pursue you, hunt you down and hit you so hard your parents will be sorry they even MET! We will chase down every puck. We will knock you down and laugh when we make you cry like little girls! We don?t care what your record may be or from where you came! When you play your next game, whether that is tomorrow?the next day?or the day following, you will still feel what we did to you tonight!
We do this because this is OUR ice!
Because THIS is Thrasher hockey!
These are OUR fans!
THIS is BLUELAND!
By Russ
January 4, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
The countdown for 52 points in 41 games starts tonight.
GO THRASHERS!!!!
By PJ
January 4, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Rawhide Go Thrashers!! You know just how to get us pumped up for the game! I hope we see some Thrasher Hockey like we saw the night you wrote that. (Ottawa) Furthermore….if you don’t stop with the leaf humor, I’ll post the pictures!
By Brendan
January 4, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
The NHL Channel is running a re-run of the Winter Classic at 4:30 on Saturday and 2:30 on Sunday. The Saturday time is subject to change; it will occur immediately after the World Jr. Tournament game ends.
Right now, on the NHL channel, Sweden is facing Russia, in overtime, with the winner going to the Gold Medal game and the loser to the Bronze medal game. It’s channel #296 if you have Comcast Cable.
By Brendan
January 4, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Brian, I would have thought there would have been more Pittsburgh viewers, too. If my geography is correct, Buffalo is only about a 3 hour drive from Pittsburgh.
By Brendan
January 4, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
Mikael Backlund just scored for Team Sweden to win the game vs. Russia. I saw the name “Forsberg” on the back of one of the swedes. I’m assuming that’s a relative of Peter Forsberg, lest “Forsberg” be the Swedish equivalent of “Smith” or “Jones” here in North America.
O…M…G… these Czech babes giving the presentations to the “stars of the game” are absolute “centerfolds.”
By Brendan
January 4, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Canada vs. the USA will be on at 10:00 PM, after the Thrashers-Hurricanes game.
By Russ
January 4, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately the countdown stays at 52 points needed with 40 games to go. Thrashers blow two 2 goal leads…UNGOOD!!!!!
By Brendan
January 4, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Russ, this loss particularly hurts since Carolina is a divisional opponent. Russ, can you put together a mathematical formula for how many points we need to deny SE division opponents en route to getting our needed 52-points?
Off the top of my head, I’d say Atlanta needs to take 70% of the points available from all the intra-divisional games, while denying the SE division opponent a point at least 30% of the time in those wins.
By Smoothie
January 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Shooting the puck: F
Forechecking: F
Cycling the puck: D
Sustaining pressure: F
Passing on the PP: B+
Knowing when to shoot from the point on the PP: C- (Kovy boosts this grade)
Screening our own goalie: A
Turning over puck in our own end: B+
Taking away the blueline: F
Will to win in own building: D
Giving up 2 goal leads: A
We are teetering awfully close to dropping out of this race…it’s time to ante up and kick in like men!
By Rawhide
January 4, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Somebody help me out, here…..I was watching the game from a table in a very nice sports/bar down here….it was the Carolina feed.
Anyway, that 2nd goal Carolina scored, the guy was parked right in front of Kari. It looked to me that he lifted his leg and the puck deflected off his skate while it was in motion,…kicking action? maybe.
I thought for sure Toronto was at least going to review it but did not.
Now, I didn’t have the “closest” view of it, so you guys tell me….
By stendec
January 4, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Okay. THAT IS IT! Too blasted upset to sleep. I will not fault KL for 5-On-3 goal no matter how much I WANT to. WILL FAULT HIM FOR MORE DECISIVE THIRD GOAL! Tough-minded goalies do not allow that goal. I truly want to like KL. Guess I never will. So disgusted now I do not even know what else to type. Must-win home game slowly swirls down blue toilet. Where is the fire, will to win, pride and determination of guys in blue? Did not see any tonight. Not to worry. KL has a bagful (netful?) of excuses. Guess one of them was a damn monkey puck. Maybe third goal? Somebody alert Tarzan. Or at least Cheetah! F++K excuses. There were NONE for this debacle! This one will hurt throughout home stand. Want to see Moose in net next time Thrashers skate onto ice. Minus any hairy primates, of course!
By just curious
January 5, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
stendec, were you at the game tonight? b/c if not, you had some guy sitting behind me channeling you. cool trick.
By Nix
January 5, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
Ok, that just sucked. And to cap off my evening, I had to deal with a flat tire on my way home.
What was that? Does the entire team need to be put on bipolar meds? I’d almost rather they’d suck for the entire 60 minutes, instead of getting my hopes up for the first 20 minutes.
What’s it going to take to get them to play with focus, determination and skill for an entire game?
By Thrasher Ryan
January 5, 2008 6:25 AM | Link to this
Hello Rawhide and Blueland. This “L” can be pinned on WADDELL. This was A NO-BRAIN MOOSE start!!! Moose beat the Canes on Wednesday and you start KL, who through his entire career has SUCKED against Carolina? KL sucks against Philly and Buffalo as well. MOOSE MUST START AT LEAST NEXT 2 GAMES!!! KL is NOT MENTALLY READY for a playoff push! Even the common man, with no hockey knowledge whatsoever, could tell you that you ride the hot goalie. But idiot Waddell must have missed that memo.
Marian Hossa should be traded immediately. I get so tired of watching him gracefully skate around the ice and just give up on pucks in the offensive zone. He’s half the man (or boy) he was last year. GOOD F#$%@&% RIDDANCE!!! He’s coasting from paycheck to paycheck. Playing games at 50-60%. Waddell ought to wise up and do something now. THE TRADE DEADLINE WILL BE TOO LATE. Check Russ’ #’s, DON. YOU NEED A MIRACLE ON ICE TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!!
NO MORE EXCUSES FOR KL. Thrashers give him 2 goal lead = TWICE. UNTALENTED FINNISH PUNK CAN’T HOLD LEAD!!! MENTALLY CHECKED OUT IN @ND PERIOD!!!
QUESTION—When the HAWKS make the playoffs and the Thrashers DON’T, DOES DW GET THE AXE???
Hope to see Moose in net on Sunday NOT making AMATEURISH mistakes like Baby Excuse maker KL.
RE-SIGN KL??? Maybe as a backup with an “EL-CHEAPO” Deal, as Brendan would say.
By Rawhide
January 5, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Guys…let’s look at some simple facts here:
Compare the two games against Carolina. One started by Hedberg, the other by Lehtonen.
Wednesday night: Moose let in 4 goals on 36 shots, (2 of those shots in OT)….2 of the 4 goals were PP goals.
Friday night: Kari let in 4 goals on 33 shots…2 of the 4 goals were PP goals…the last one was a 5-3 PP goal.
These are VERY similar number guys!
While letting up 4 goals isn’t excactly praise-worthy, folks, you cannot say credibly that Moose played better then Kari did against Carolina this week. The numbers just don’t back it up! - This isn’t a defense of Kari or slight on Moose…it just is what it is…
You wanna find a goat, try Bobby Holik for flipping the puck over the glass while killing off a PP. Try looking at the offense that scored a couple goals, then stopped working.
Now, on a positive note…for those of you not attending Sunday’s 2:00 game against Buffalo and without the Center Ice package…there is a way to watch the game apparently.
Yahoo.com, it seems, will be showing the game for those who are members. If you have an account, simply log-on as you would to get e-mail, then go to the NHL sports page of their web-site and view the game, (you will see the video camera icon near the box score of the game).
If your not a yahoo.com member, simply create an account, it’s FREE!!
By R. Stroz
January 5, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Holik is a lazy idiot.
Hossa is a figure skater minus the short skirt.
Whoever is responsible for not benching these two bums should be terminated.
By Nix
January 5, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the yahoo tip, Rawhide.
As for your points, they’re valid. It was the entire team I was angry at last night, not just Kari. They did not make it easy for him. I’ve not gone and rewatched the game (yes, I’m a dork who tapes the games I go to so that I can catch stuff I didn’t see and view the goals from all the angles), but it did seem during the game that some of the penalties we got were complete crap, but that last delay of game one we deserved and I’m still wondering what Holik was thinking. But aside from that, it did feel like the team stopped trying during the 2nd period and never really started again. And I’m tired of it.
I will say this - the Thrashers have really brought home to me why my parents would get so angry at me when I was a kid and didn’t give something my all. If they were giving it their all and kept getting beat, then fine - that’s DW’s fault for not putting together a strong team. But when we know they’re capable of more and they just don’t bother… ARGH!!!!
By Tony C.
January 5, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
ANYBODY GOT 3 TIX TO SUNDAY’S GAME??
I’ll buy ya a big beer too boot!
hispeedtest@hotmail.com
GO BLUE !!!
By Smoothie
January 5, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan is right: time to unload Hossa for some capable defensemen or at least one defender and a forward so we can make an honest run at the playoffs. It seems rather obvious to me that Hossa is saving himself and playing not to get hurt. He avoids contact and never lowers the shoulder anymore. I haven’t seen him make his patented power move to the net in weeks, perhaps a month plus! I’m sorry but Eric Perrin is 2 times better than Krapanen and as good if not better than Bellanger. There is no reason on God’s green earth that this line should be underperforming like they have been. Just wait for the Avalanche to come a callin’ and pull the trigger Don!
By Smoothie
January 5, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
RH — unfortunately, we have no beef on that 2nd goal scored by the Caniacs. It may have ricocheted off his skate but the replay did not indicate any sort of forward kicking motion that could be construed as “intent to kick”. Now, the call on Enstrom, that’s a different matter!
By puckjunque
January 6, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Is there anyone out there to give me an AMEN?? We really need them!!
bow you heads, hands joined on the keyboards
Oh Heavenly Father, Thank you for listening to our prayers and for the support you have given this team. The Thrashers need your continued guidance to keep them healthy, strong and driven with an unrelenting energy to crash the net and score goals. Please lead the Thrashers to dominate at Blueland today and to kick the Sabres a$$! AMEN!!
By PJ
January 6, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Just an interesting tidbit, Yahoo Sports posts a Hot/Not Fantasy Hockey list for the last 14 days and guess which Atlanta Thrashers appeared on the list???
Our own Kari and Zhity!
A big Thank you is in order to the person who put up the bribe to get there names posted in a favorable light with the emerging trade deadline. THANK YOU!!
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
A-men, *PJ. We’re moments away from the puck drop.
Folks, what do you think of this deal? We re-sign Recchi RIGHT NOW, on a one-year deal for $850,000, with an incentive for a point a game that kicks in another $750,000, for a total potential cap hit of $1.6 million.
Too much? Too little? Kick in some kind of incentive for 75-games played? Just make it an even $1.0 million, and remove any and all “incentive clauses?” Recchi’s current salary is $1.75 million. The Thrashers only have to pay him $540,000 of that money. The danger of the incentive is that, well, should he continue to play on Kovalchuk’s line, he just might get 82-points next season.
Mark Recchi in on record saying that he’ll give Don Waddell top priority in the offseason, when he is an unrestricted free agent. I believe him. If I were 40-year Mark Recchi, I’d like to play on Kovalchuk’s line, too.
Or, do you think we should just let him go? Figuring that this is truly Recchi’s *last hurrah *, and he’ll be 40 and slower next season, not to mention too susceptible to injury at that age to invest any more money on him?
Just curious. Discuss.
By Nix
January 6, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Amen, PJ!
Trying to get the game up on yahoo now.
Let’s go, Thrashers!
By PJ
January 6, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Brendan, As thrilled as I am at how well Recchi is playing, I fear that he might be riding on a surge of addrenaline trying to prove himself and that once he gets “comfortable” we will see less eneregy and drive from him. I like the productivity incentive clause that you mentioned. It would keep him on his toes and basically put us in a position to get what we pay for. The down side to that is EGO. You don’t play in the NHL as long as he has and not take offense to someone asking you to prove yourself. As for being 40, so far, so good.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Harry Neale and Rick Jeanerett have been discussing Atlanta’s goalie situation, saying that “Lehtonen was supposed to be the cure all for Atlanta’s goaltending. But he’s 7-10 while Headberg is 10-8. Harry Neale also said, “Marian Hossa is in the same boat as (Brian) Campbell. He needs to be re-signed.”
By Nix
January 6, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
I’m getting a message from Yahoo that they’re only showing the game in certain areas. And mine, apparently isn’t one of them. Any of you watching the game? If so, can you give us updates?
Thanks!
By PJ
January 6, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Nix - I got the “not available in your area” from yahoo sports too. I’m in North GA.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Sure thing, Nix. It’s 1-1 in the first period, with about 1:30 left. Buffalo’s announcer crew was commenting on Atlanta’s PK woes.
Thomas Vanek has a deflection goal for Buffalo, while Marian Hossa has Atlanta’s lone goal, unassisted. Buffalo’s defender had the puck behind the net, and played very carelessly with it, allowing Hossa to block a clearing pass. Hossa corraled the blocked shot and swooped around the side of the net on a “wrap around” and got Miller to open the wickets. Hossa went 5-hole on him. The period is now over. Atlanta 1, Buffalo 1.
By Nix
January 6, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
PJ, I’m in Chamblee - I’m guessing the game’s not sold out, so they’re not letting ppl in the area watch it for free. Hmph.
Brendan, thanks for the update!
By PJ
January 6, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Nix - you can “listen” to the game at NHL.com, then watch the progress by clicking on “scores” and then clicking on “play by play.” It’s not the same, I know…. It should be available on XM radio or if you feel like going to a sports bar. Oh wait, they open on Sunday in Ga??
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Darren Eliot was just on the Sabres’ intermission show. He made a nice accounting of himself. He talked about the need to build more ice rinks in Atlanta. He said, “Basically, with kids aged 10 and under, there’s always been an awareness of the Thrashers and hockey. But to sustain that growth, we need more than just six sheets of ice in Atlanta, for 4 million people.”
Good point. That’s very true. It’s hard to find ice time in Atlanta.
Sabres Color Analyst Mike Robitaille asked if Atlanta has any trouble generating revenue from corporate sponsors. Eliot answered, “With Home Depot and Delta Airlines, they’ve been very good.” Mike Robitaille added, “Of course, nothing beats winning. If Atlanta could go on a TEAR, that’d really help things.” Eliot smiled and nodded, adding that last year, the team made all kinds of moves at the end of the season to get into the playoffs, but then got swept out. And that the club has been real streaky this season, wins-wise. Darren Eliot added that Atlanta is and always will be, a college football town. But, he added that Atlanta is an ‘Event-driven town,’ so the All-Star Game will be well attended here in Atlanta.
The Buffalo announce crew was very friendly and kind to Darren Eliot. I think he once played for Buffalo, and may have actually been a teammate of Mike Robitaille, but not Rob Ray, who is also a commentator on the Sabres broadcast crew.
The play-by-play man is the incomparable Rick Janerette and the color analyst is the very familiar to Hockey Night in Canada crowd, Harry Neale. Neale’s voice is as unmistakeable and Janerette’s. Sabres are on a power play to start the 2nd period.
Harry Neale just said, “Mark Recchi must think he’s died and gone to Heaven, first playing with Crosby, and now Kovalchuk here in Atlanta.”
The score is still 1-1, with 17:00 left in the 2nd period.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Moose just ROBBED Buffalo’s Jason Pomminville, where the “population” remains the same as his previous shift.
By the way, Marian Hossa has had a tremendous game thus far today. He appears “dominant” on the puck, not hesitant and squeamish of injury.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Slava Kozlov and Bobby Holik were on the ice and pressing when Pascal Dupuis scooped up the puck behind the net and banked one in off Miller. It’s 2-1, in favor of Atlanta. It’s our first lead of the game.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Kotalik was just robbed by Moose. Really, truly, Kotalik should have scored for Buffalo.
By PJ
January 6, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Gotta love the MOOOOOOOOSE calls!
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
PJ, Philips Arena is *still buzzing from the *HIGHLIGHT REEL-like goal by Colin Stuart. My goodness! That was Kozlovesque, *shootout style.
Colin Stuart took the puck at his own blueline and just turned on the AFTER BURNERS and deked through the whole Sabres team, including Ryan Miller, who is now missing his jock strap. That … was beautiful! Miller was “undressed” on that goal.
Where’d be we get Colin Stuart again? Answer: 135th overall, in 2001. Maybe Waddell has another one? Stuart’s goal was “unassisted,” just like the previous three Thrashers goal.
GOAL!!! Hossa!!! A beautiful 2-on-1 with Perrin. Henrik Tallinder, of Buffalo, gets caught. Hey, Colin Stuart got an assist on that goal, too! It’s 4-1, Thrashers.
By PJ
January 6, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Brendan Gotta love the way Hossa is playing but am I the only one who is wondering if he is auditioning for his new team or if he’s stepping up now that trade deadline is approaching?
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
I believe Buffalo is winning the shots on goal battle, but the story of this game is the netminding of Hedberg and the conversions by Hossa into goals for Atlanta.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
“MacArthur Park” just scored for Buffalo. He was recalled from the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. Good for Clark MacArthur. But Atlanta can’t let up now. There’s no excuse for not getting 2-points this afternoon, when you’ve enjoyed a 4-1 lead in the 3rd period.
PJ, I definitely am thinking that Hossa is looking to impress people between now and the trade deadline. Sometimes, I do wonder what he is thinking. If he wanted to leave, I’m sure Waddell could have arranged a trade in the offseason to the destination of his choosing. At the terms and conditions of his choosing. Instead, Hossa chose to put his teammates, GM, Coaching staff, ownership, and fans through these murky waters of uncertainty for his future.**
Buffalo is really pressing now, with 9:00 left in the 3rd period.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Todd White just got called for “interference” with about 3:00 left in regulation time. It’s still Atlanta 4, Buffalo 2.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
I don’t believe what I just saw. With an empty net, and Hossa looking for the hat trick, Bobby Holik decides that the best way to kill this penalty was to fire the puck all the way down the ice to his own zone, where Buffalo would recover the puck. Thankfully they didn’t score on the play.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Thrashers win, 5-2, on Kovalchuk’s empty-net goal. On the NHL Channel is the “Winter Classic: Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo,” from Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
I heard a rumor that Chicago will host Detroit in Chicago for the next outdoor game (Winter Classic). Is this true?
By Russ
January 6, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Good win today. 50 points needed with 39 games to go.
I think Colin Stuart is making a strong case to stay with the Thrashers and for Slater to be sent to the Wolves. I’m not sure if he would have to clear waivers, but I don’t think it would be a big loss at this point if someone else claimed him.
GO THRASHERS!!!!!
By PJ
January 6, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Brendan, Thanks for providing the visual on the blog. Maybe Santa will get me Center Ice next year if I’m real good. If you find any good highlights on the net, please post where.
By Thrasher Ryan
January 6, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Brendan—What a game! That was a good old-fashioned whoopin’! I love it when the Thrash play like this! MOOSE WAS OUTSTANDING. The MacArthur shot was a serious rocket-blast. Can’t fault Moose for that! We gotta let Moose go on a little run here. He should start against the Flyers on Tuesday. Maybe go with KL Thursday vs. Florida.
Starting Lineups:
Kovy—White—Recchi
Stuart—Perrin—Hossa
Kozlov—Holik—Dupuis
Larsen—Doell—Thorburn
Colin Stuart has earned a right to stay here. He looks VERY GOOD.
A GREAT VICTORY FOR THE THRASHERS!!!
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Russ, Colin Stuart was a +3 and Hossa played more minutes than Kovalchuk. Also, Havelid “almost” played more minutes than Enstrom in this game. Many Thrashers were a +2 on the afternoon. Hossa was. Kovy was a +1. The only minus on the day was Kevin Doell.
If Slater were claimed off waivers, it would only save about $180,000, cap-wise. But it would also clear Slater from next year’s roster. I think Slater’s departure would be better served as “sweetener” in some form of trade. Remember, when selling Slater to another team, you have to play up that he’s a former 1st round draft pick and that his role is a 3rd line Center, who is inexpensive.
Slater may benefit from a change of scenery.
By Thrasher Ryan
January 6, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Brendan—Your Recchi numbers look good to me. I would be ok with those. You also brought up an interesting point about waiving Holik. That could turn out to be a VERY WISE move. I have a feeling somebody would claim him. Brendan, what is your initial assessment of Doell? 1st assessment he looks kinda slow to me. What do you think?
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
I suspect Doell is still a minor leaguer. I made an error earlier in the plus-minus stats, Chris Thorburn and Brad Larsen were also a -1, along with Doell.
PJ, on the NHL Channel, it’s the BRONZE MEDAL GAME: USA vs. RUSSIA. The NHL Channel doesn’t cost nearly what Center Ice does. As a “savings tip,” if you can squirrel away $3 a week over the next 40 weeks, that’s enough to buy at the discounted rate this January/February. And if you have Comcast Cable, well … just ask Buzzilla.
Waiving Holik also “could” also prevent any future contract negotiations with Holik. Holik may be more inclined to sign with the team that claims him, or he’ll seek out a contender. If Waddell wanted to re-sign Holik badly, he would have done it by now. Of course, he still may reach out to Holik in this offseason. But that could mean that he’d return, as Captain. Instead of rightly giving the Captaincy to Kovalchuk.
Russia scores!! Cherepanov got the goal. 1-0, Russia. You’ll recall that he was the top prospect who slid all the way to 17th spot, when finally claimed by the NY Rangers in last Summer’s Draft.
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
It’s already 3-0, Russia over the United States in the bronze medal game. Back to the NFL playoff game.
By Rawhide
January 6, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
Yahoo.com did NOT cyber-cast in our area??? What a crock!
I understand black-out clauses, but the game wasn’t televised locally and I gotta think a Sunday afternoon game against Buffalo was sell-out…
UN-GOOD….
By Nix
January 6, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
Brendan, thanks again for the updates. Sounds like I missed a great game.
By PJ
January 6, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Brendan It’s not entirely the cost of Center Ice that is my problem, It’s that if I get Center Ice then my spouse gets every god-forsaken college football package known to man in trade…. Tony C are you listening??? My Comcast bill would be??? Thrasher Ryan Welcome back to your old self! Your evil twin showed up a few days ago, good to see you back.
By Christy
January 6, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
Hossa played like he was playing all of last year. I don’t know if he was auditioning or not, but I do wonder if having Stuart on the line, with the extra speed, gave him the extra edge he’s been needing. He was pushing people off the puck all over the place. He seemed to be on the ice every other blink and that first goal was BEAUTIFUL. Even the Buffalo fan next to me had to acknowledge. Of course, he was also condemning Kalinin to a fiery afterlife….
as for the sell-out or lack there-of, it was surprisinglin empty in there. Maybe 14K in attendance?
By Brendan
January 6, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Ahh PJ, the sweet dance of ‘compromise’ that is marriage. And to think, with an investment of $1 in the MegaMillions lottery, none of it would ever be relevant, EVER AGAIN. Let me get you started, 9, 27, 37, 46, 52 and 7 as the MegaBall. Good luck. (And if ya win, I get season tickets FOR LIFE as part of the deal.)
Christy, very well observed about Hossa’s performance. Truly, this was the Hossa of 2006-07, who has largely been “MIA.” Perhaps he was listening to Michael Jackson and “is starting with the ‘man in the mirror’” about consistency. He IS part of the Thrashers’ difficulties this season, irrespective of whether he’s willing to acknowledge that.
By The Maid
January 6, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Ma bonté! Rawhide et la famille sont retournées. ..Thank Dieu! Non plus de Cletus à la maison!
Non tout le monde, aller! Se déplacer à son nouveau blog!
By Smoothie
January 7, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
Brendan — yeoman’s work my friend, yeoman’s work…well played.
Merci beaucoup! And I WAS AT THE GAME!!