Ice Man

By R. Stroz

January 10, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

Hossa Sucks

By Brendan

January 11, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

Atlanta came into the game, and the 3rd period, (up 1-0,) with the possibility of picking up two-points while denying Florida two-points. Instead, Florida got two-points and denied Atlanta one-point. That’s a nifty little “swing” for them. Not bad for a “road effort” for the Cats.

Mark Recchi continues to show that he deserves a contract from “some” NHL team next year. If he’s serious about wanting to stay in Atlanta, why not “low ball” him on a one-year deal?

Bob & Rawhide, I want to ask you both … “Do you think the Atlanta Spirit Group started the season $8 million under the cap to “punish” Waddell (for the playoff bust) or because of the contraints of Atlanta’s market?” Namely, that they supposedly “break-even” at around $38 million, but can go up to $48 million, because they ‘may’ get $10 million in “revenue-sharing?”

I’m just curious what you think. If you said that it was just to punish Waddell, well … why not just fire him?, if they “lost faith” in him? Honestly. What is thinking of the ownership of the team? If they “don’t trust Waddell at $48 million,” why don’t they find someone that they do trust at closer to the cap limit, on Opening Night. I didn’t say MAXED OUT. Noone is advocating that. That’s a foolish strategy, as we saw in 2005-06.

By erock

January 11, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

I agree with R Stroz…HOSSA SUCKS !!! ALSO WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND LOCK UP KOVALCHUK FOR HIS CAREER WITH A NEW CONTRACT…NOW !!…ALA OVECHKIN

By Brendan

January 11, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

Erock, that can’t be presented to Kovalchuk until July 1, 2009. That’s when he’s first eligible to be re-signed. I hinted at that in my earlier post, from the other blog (Custance/Rogers). Namely, that any “prospective” new GM ought to ask the owners, in the interview process, “Are you prepared to offer $10 million-a-year to Kovalchuk to keep him here through 2018? Because I need to know that right FREKKIN NOW before I accept any position with the Thrashers.” And the owners ought to have an affirmative answer, rather than some drivel about budgets being restricted in the Atlanta market. Well, fellas. What do you do with your “revenue-sharing” dollars? Oh, that’s right. Shhh. “It’s a secret.” Nevermind.

By Downtown ATL

January 11, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this

Do Waddell AND McCrimmon loose their jobs if this team misses the playoffs?

Could this team trade Hossa AND make the playoffs?

And what about these lines?Do Waddell AND McCrimmon loose their jobs if this team misses the playoffs?

Could this team trade Hossa AND make the playoffs?

And what about these lines?

Kovalchuk - Holik - Dupuis Kozlov - Perrin - Recchi Stuart - White - Hossa Larsen - Doell - Thorburn

It’s time to put the “C” to a 1st line test. Kovy is stunning, but in his attempts to cary the team he’s turning up-ice too quickly and turning the puck over 5-6 times a night. Let’s see if Bobby can use that vaunted candor ON THE ICE!

Let’s see Recchi and Slava together. I bet those two plus Perrin can out smart 90% of the D pairings in the NHL.

If Hossa’s playing like a third liner, put him there.

These lines also spread the PK unit out a bit. It might get our 4th line one the ice some more.

Kovalchuk - Holik - Dupuis Kozlov - White - Recchi Stuart - Perrin - Hossa Larsen - Doell - Thorburn

It’s time to put the “C” to the 1st line test. Kovy is stunning, but he’s also turning up-ice too quickly and turning the puck over 5-6 times a night. Let’s see if Bobby can use that vaunted

By Downtown ATL

January 11, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this

Do Waddell AND McCrimmon loose their jobs if this team misses the playoffs?

Could this team trade Hossa AND make the playoffs?

And what about these lines?Do Waddell AND McCrimmon loose their jobs if this team misses the playoffs?

Could this team trade Hossa AND make the playoffs?

And what about these lines?

Kovalchuk - Holik - Dupuis Kozlov - Perrin - Recchi Stuart - White - Hossa Larsen - Doell - Thorburn

It’s time to put the “C” to a 1st line test. Kovy is stunning, but in his attempts to cary the team he’s turning up-ice too quickly and turning the puck over 5-6 times a night. Let’s see if Bobby can use that vaunted candor ON THE ICE!

Let’s see Recchi and Slava together. I bet those two plus Perrin can out smart 90% of the D pairings in the NHL.

If Hossa’s playing like a third liner, put him there.

These lines also spread the PK unit out a bit. It might get our 4th line one the ice some more.

Kovalchuk - Holik - Dupuis Kozlov - White - Recchi Stuart - Perrin - Hossa Larsen - Doell - Thorburn

It’s time to put the “C” to the 1st line test. Kovy is stunning, but he’s also turning up-ice too quickly and turning the puck over 5-6 times a night. Let’s see if Bobby can use that vaunted

By Downtown ATL

January 11, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this

I can only apoligize for those two abominations passing as posts. I hope someone deletes them.

What I meant to say was…

Do Waddell AND McCrimmon loose their jobs if this team misses the playoffs?

Could this team trade Hossa AND make the playoffs?

And what about these lines?

Kovalchuk - Holik - Dupuis Kozlov - Perrin - Recchi Stuart - White - Hossa Larsen - Doell - Thorburn

It’s time to put the “C” to a 1st line test. Kovy is stunning, but in his attempts to cary the team he’s turning up-ice too quickly and turning the puck over 5-6 times a night. Let’s see if Bobby can use that vaunted candor ON THE ICE!

Let’s see Recchi and Slava together. I bet those two plus Perrin can out smart 90% of the D pairings in the NHL.

If Hossa’s playing like a third liner, put him there.

These lines also spread the PK unit out a bit. It might get our 4th line one the ice some more.

By Downtown ATL

January 11, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this

Brendan

Couldn’t agree more. There are basicaly 5 under 30’s that warrent the A.O. type numbers.

Crosby Heatley Kovalchuk Lecavalier Ovechkin

Add Iginla if you want but he’s 30.

And let’s admit it… this team is almost on Ottawa’s current level if Heatley hadn’t F’d things up. Not that it matters against the loss of a life.

By R. Stroz

January 11, 2008 2:07 AM | Link to this

It’s time for some drastic changes and here are my suggestions:

1) Make John Anderson the coach.

2) Discard Hossa, Holik, and Zhitnik for whatever the market value will bear. Hopefully, we can get a top prospect for Hossa plus a first round draft pick, but at this point, I wouldn’t count on it. Holik might yield a later round draft pick and Zhitnik a bag of pucks.

3) With the 17 million in cap savings, find a real first line D-man under the age of 30 and a real first line center for Kovy.

4) Bring up the Wolves. Has anyone noticed the way Stuart plays? If these are the type of players on the Wolves roster, we need more of them. Bring up Kwiatkowski and Valabik on defense and Sterling, Little, LaVallee on offense to start.

Is anyone else tired of watching the other team skate circles around our team? The Thrashers are too slow. We need speed and size, both of which are readily available on the Chicago roster.

It’s time to dump our lazy dinosours for some hungry Wolves and while we’re at it bring a new coach that knows how to win with them.

Spring is coming and it’s time to clean house. Out with the old and in with the new.

I’d rather lose developing players than lose watching the other team play keep away against our slow, pathetic, overpaid, current players.

By jtt

January 11, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this

Let’s face it we are no better than a .500 team

By Russian

January 11, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

I got only two good things about game last night. First is Kovy goal. It was good. Second, I got Great Seats. Anything else was terrible. Florida made 40 SOG and we did only 26. Kari was OK, but he could not handle SO. Somebody tell me why Don put Hossa to second Shoot outs???? Hossa did not even try it. I saw his move, I can do better. Kovy missed a net was bad too. I know it is early to talk about Saturday game, but I think we will lost to Pitsburgh so badly. I am thinking something like 1:5 or 2:6. Sorry we do not have any attack to the net. :-(

By Scott

January 11, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

R. Stroz right on the mark with that last post. If we aren’t going anywhere good with the current roster / coaching situation (clearly we’re not), then let’s shake things up. Bring up Anderson, maybe he can get Kari’s head together. Bring in some young pups and let’s see what they can do.

What I want to see is a team that competes for 60 minutes every night. We almost saw that last night - definitely a much stronger effort than Tuesday’s debacle. But the first four minutes of the third period, the Thrashers looked like they were on the penalty kill and they were at even strength. I see this all too often. Losing puck battles in the corners, week clearing attempts that barely make it to center ice, where the opposition brings it right back in without much disruption in their offensive pressure / flow, mixed with the occasional icings. Hard to watch. And it happens way too frequently.

I guess the Thrash did compete for 60 minutes last night, but they needed the extra five to get to sixty minutes of effort.

By BG33Brown

January 11, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Stroz I think you are spot on. The way these young kids back check and play hard comes from coaching and want. I have never watched a wolves game in my life (including the years I lived there) but I am a huge fan of John Anderson. So why are all of these kids sitting down there while half of our team continues to act like overpaid underachivers up here.

By 30 Year Hockey Fan

January 11, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Saw it coming a mile away, but then given the history, who didn’t?

By GaVaHokie

January 11, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

I kind of feel sorry for Ovechkin career-wise… certainly not financially (he’s set for life)… but Washington is the only team generating less revenue then the Thrashers. Time will tell if they truly build a team around AO, or if he’s their to sell T-shirts.

Exactly why Hossa wants to leave… he knows we’ll give him the money. He doesn’t want to stay here for sake of being a poster child.

By Peapod

January 11, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

Actually, in regulation we are a .350 team. I think that says it right there.

By Jim

January 11, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

R.Stroz- I completely agree. It is time for a good spring cleaning. Wolves are playing outstanding hockey and we are floundering. Time to give LaVallee, Sterling, Valabik, Little and others a “real” shot, not limited time in a few games. What a bonehead move by DW at the start of the third period, he puts Doell/Larsen/Thorburn/Klee out there and Panthers take total control of the game and momentum. Looked like a 5 on 3. The so called “Energy Line” should be renamed. How about “Opportunity Line” with “Opportunity” referring to chances for the other team. They don’t shut anyone down and they don’t create chances for us. Why in the world are they still on the team and out there in critical situations? Where in the world is the “youth movement” that we heard so much about before the season started? DW is sweating his job and denying the kids a chance. Can anyone be worse that Larsen and Klee?

By Rawhide

January 11, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Peapod - A very good point! 9 of our 21 wins have come in overtime. Under the “traditional” rules, prior to OT games, the Thrashers would be 12-22-11.

This is a lot of “if-ing” and “but-ing”, … and I’m glad to get Ws in OT at a 9-2 rate…but I think it still highlights the issues the team is facing now.

As for last night, I still contend that if you hold Florida to 2 goals…you should win the game.

By GaVaHokie

January 11, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Ummm… aren’t Stuart, Popovic and Doell from the Chicago Wolves? I think the youngsters ARE getting a chance. So far, Stuart and Popovic are the only one’s doing anything. Pavelec, Krog, Haydar, Little and Sterling got their shots.

The biggest problem with the youth is consistency… no one who’s been called up has contributed on a regular basis.

There’s a 23 man roster limit, so you can’t just “Call guys up”. Most of the guys on the team are subject to waivers or have NHL-only contracts… think financially people.

By LAC

January 11, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

We have to add Klee to the get out of town list, He is SLOW, does NOT hit, cannot PASS and is almost always out of position.

Kovy has to change his shootout style, everyone has seen it, better to come straight in and shoot, he beat the same FL goalie in the last game.

Larsen again ineffective, as was Dotell, White again nothing…

I ask what does it take to make on ice changes ?

Is this waddell clown really as stupid as it now clearly appears ?

But again, it is these “owners” if we had an OWNER… Like in Carolina & Washington this would most likely not take place..

Until we get an OWNER and get rid of these worthless bums who own it now, we will always be a CHEAP team.

How many years have we had a terrible defense ? Last season was better, then waddell goes cheap and we are terrible again, giving up near the top of the league in goals.

I watch a lot of other games… Many teams have young defensemen in their 20’s, most have size and grit.

We have X,having an average year, Enstrom a saving grace this season up until now and Popovic who has not been bad and not been great.

But look at the rest…OLD retreads.

I would much rather have Kurtis Foster than Havilid and Hnidy than Klee, hell even Colburn rather than ZIT !

Who knows… But there were a LOT of empty seats there last night… Maybe, just maybe that is the ONLY thing these STUPID sprit owners CAN see, beacuse they sure cannot see NHL hockey !

By Top_Shelf

January 11, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

“the first four minutes of the third period, the Thrashers looked like they were on the penalty kill and they were at even strength. I see this all too often. Losing puck battles in the corners, week clearing attempts that barely make it to center ice, where the opposition brings it right back in without much disruption in their offensive pressure / flow, mixed with the occasional icings. Hard to watch. And it happens way too frequently.”

Well said and true……

By Tim

January 11, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Brendan Sorry if I missed any update but didn’t the Court rule out that until the ownership thingy is settle, Thrashers management can only sign a player to a 4 years max contract> If that have been changed, please just ignore my post.

By Jim

January 11, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie: We’ve got a lot of consistently bad “retreads” who can be placed on waivers and dumped. Sure we eat some salary but isn’t that better than watching a mediocre at best team struggle and turn off the real fans. With the exception of Enstrom, no other defenseman creates any speed coming out of our own end. Watch the game and see how everyone lines up against us in the center zone when our other defense pairings are on the ice. Larsen is so slow and tentative that it is sickening to watch. I’d much rather see a bunch of spirited kids making some mistakes than the “consistenly bad play” of a handful of retreads. We’d get outshot by the Glads!

By GaVaHokie

January 11, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

LAC… Klee had a pretty big whopper of a hit against Booth last night after dropping his stick, and also while back-pedaling.

By Bob

January 11, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Under the “traditional” rules, prior to OT games, the Thrashers would be 12-22-11

That certainly puts things in perspective, eh?

Brendan, I don’t think they punished him. I think they pulled the reins in on him, once bitten, twice shy, you know? I truly believe Waddell is gone this year. His time is way beyond up. Hoss leaving will be the final straw, I think. I just pray they can settle the ownership mess soon so a quality GM will feel comfortable stepping in here.

The big question left in my mind is what Waddell does with Hoss. Will he man up and do the right thing for the club and trade him for the right assets? Or will he keep Hoss hoping he starts trying when he sees that he’s not going to be traded this year and pray that we somehow squeak into the playoffs?

By Michael Shapiro

January 11, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Hate to only (seem to) post when we lose, but last night was frustrating. Twice we held the lead, twice we gave it up. First 2-3 minutes of overtime looked terrible. First two powerplays generated no shots on goal and we’re now something like 0-12 in our last chunk of extra man time. We must change things and soon.

Does Le Don read this stuff? The Beast? Why does it seem that we, many who have watched or played hockey all our lives, can see the answers and the coaches cannot even see the questions?

While I do like the chemistry that Todd White has developed with Kovy (witness an 8 game scoring streak), his faceoff percentage continues to Zhit (new verb for “suck”). Last night, White was at 42%, compared to Perrin’s 59% and Holik’s incredible 76%. Maybe it’s time to move Perrin up to the 1st line? I HATE having Holik come out to take an important faceoff in our end (or elsewhere) and then have to scramble to keep up with (yeah, right, like he can keep up) top line players. Pairing him with Kovy would be a terrible mistake, so why do we do it on faceoffs? Let’s find a center who can consistently win more than 50% of his faceoffs and put him with Kovy. Right now that’s Perrin.

As for Tobie, I wish he wouldn’t always recycle to our end when he faces some opposition. All it does is give the other team time to regroup or even change lines. We need to show more aggressive behavior. X tried last night (for some of the game) and even Kozzy was a bit inspired to help the Cap get the first goal (then he disappeared to wherever Hossa has been most of the season, freakin’ invisible).

This team has no heart. It was better by a little last night, but with 7 minutes to go and the Cats tying the game, the air came out of our tires. We looked and played flat. No drive to get a game winner.

OK, back off my soapbox and on to the Pens.

By BG33Brown

January 11, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Hokie Stuart and Pop are playing and playing well. I am not sold on Doell. As for Little, Sterling, and Haydar. I think they were all fantastic when given a chance to succeed. Sterling is a LW not a RW. Little while small and diminutive, as least plays solid responsible hockey (that is more than I can say for 75% of our current forwards)

What about Pavelec, he wasn’t worthy of staying?

The fact is…if we are going to play like with such inconsistancy, why not do it while figuring out what we have to work with.

By R. Stroz

January 11, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - With all due respect, I would argue that Little, Sterling, and Haydar didn’t get their fair shots.

If memory serves me, at the start of the season, we had a line called the Wolfpack line. This line consisted of Little, Sterling, and Haydar. The line produced goals and had a positive plus/minus ratio while left intact. During the terrible start, the Wolfpack line was the only line with a postive plus/minus ratio.

Then, Little was pulled off the Wolfpack line to replace Charmin on the top line. Then, Charmin replaced Little on the top line. Next, for some inane reason, the Wolpack line wasn’t put back together. They were either put on lower lines or turned into healthy scratches and subsequently sent one by one back to Chicago. Our coaching staff was too stupid to reunite the Wolfpack line and as a result Little, Sterling, and Haydar failed to prosper.

Now, Haydar is netting hat tricks in Chicago and Sterling has been named to the AHL all-star team. Looking at these results, it appears John Anderson knows to utilize players better than the Thrashers coaching staff.

The main difference between Anderson and the Thrashers coaching staff is that Anderson understands that the forward lines need to be a mixture between size and speed. Anderson doesn’t put three midgets on one line and three goons on the next line. Anderson tries to maintain some level of balance, so the other teams can’t push any line around.

Therefore, if the Thrashers do call up the Wolves, which needs to occur, the Thrashers need a coach that understands how to blend size and speed effectively. John Anderson is that coach.

As far as what to do with the current useless Thrashers such as Hossa, Holik, Larson, Zhitnik and so on, I would trade, release, buy out their contracts, release them or whatever method necessary to dispose of them.

Next, we need to bring up Kwiatkowski and Valabik on defense. Kwiatkowski was named to the AHL all star team and has NHL experience with the Panthers nonetheless. Valabik needs NHL experience and the Thrashers need some meat at defense other than Exelby.

Last, the Spirit owners should love my suggestions from a financial perspective, since disposing of the dead wood would save a pro-rated 15 million, or 7.5 million, for the rest of the year.

The main problem with my suggestion is that the Thrashers won’t be able to bring Haydar back up this season because he will not clear re-entry waivers.

Brendan - I hope the length of this post makes you smile.

By Smoothie

January 11, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

The contrast between Hossa and Kovy was stark last night. Kovy drove the net at full speed with a defender in his back pocket and made a hard cut into the crease to force a shot on goal, and he tumbled over the goaltender. That was pure effort.

Compare that to Hossa’s near-breakaway. He definitely could have angled in, used his body to create space away from the defender, and driven the net - like we used to see all the time. Instead, he glided down the ice, never challenged the defender and flipped a weak backhander into the goalie’s chest. Ridiculous. Some of his unsuccessful breakaways this season have shown indecision but this one just showed a pure lack of effort.

I “borrowed” the above from a guy who posts on the Atlanta Thrashers website and decided it belonged here because it illustrates the contrast between Kovy the Stud and Hossa the Meek. It really is sad that Hossa has decided Blueland is not for him, but considering the horrible defense we put on the ice along with mediocre third & fouth line centers playing on the top two lines, can anyone truly blame Hossa for wanting out of here?

I’m afraid Bob (the original) is right because DW got us into this mess and he AIN’T gonna get us out. It’s probably too late to get good value for Hossa as teams will know how desperate we are to get anything at all rather than lose him in FA for nothing. I just hope the ASG will loosen up the purse-strings to make serious offers at the likes of Brian Campbell, Dion Phaneuf etc.

Also, Jim said it well that teams are not at all afraid of our defense as we have noone other than Tobias who can move the puck up ice. They were stacking OUR blueline with 3 fwds and the defenders were hanging out at the red line just waiting for us like they were lining up for a street brawl. We could not get the puck out of our own end let alone maintain any puck possession in their end. The book is well documented on us and everyone in the East will use the Fla blueprint to get 2 pts from our lovable losers.

By Smoothie

January 11, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

VERY SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE POST!! I THOUGHT THERE WAS A SERVER ERROR WHEN I TRIED IT THE FIRST TIME!!!

ANYONE KNOW IF WE CAN DELETE? BILL, CAN YOU SWEEP UP MY MESS??

By pond scum

January 11, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

This team needs to work on the system it wants to play first off,cause this one isn’t effective enough. The blueliners are left out to dry way to much,cause this system is to offensive driven.No,I’m not advocating a trap system,but some tweaks. The guys trying to make a break out pass from the defensive zone would be better helped by the forwards coming back closer to them.It’s alot easier to make a 15-20ft. pass compared to a 25-35ft. pass. It just helps alot more in supporting the puck and would help the Thrash with overall puck posseion. The Thrashers would be better if they played more like most western teams play,by moving the puck up ice station to station. And what about a better forecheck? All this collapsing is why this team gives up so many shots on goal every game,why they almost always get outshot by their opponents.Dump this collapsing and zone defense, and get the forwards coming back to helping with moving the puck up ice more consistently.Make the other team work at trying harder to take it away from us,no wonder this team has so many giveaways. And I hate to say it,but Toby Enstrom is starting to show signs of wearing down simply cause he’s not used to the NHL grind yet.He’s turning the puck over alot more and easier than compared to the start of the season.Maybe some nights it would be better to ice 7 defenseman.The 4th line centers aren’t having that much effect on the game anyway.You could basically insert any of the other 3 centers we have in Holik,White,and Perrin and you might even squeeze out some more offensive production from the 4th line. As for Kozlov,cutting his icetime seems to be a good thing cause the last couple games he’s been far more effective.Kozzy also seems to play better with guys who can go dig out pucks for him to set-up or play make with.I feel that the Kozzy-Holik-Dupuis line would be a better #2 line,cause they seem to have a better chemistry. As for Hossa,sorry but 1 good game every so often doesn’t cut it.Every one harps on Holik’s money and his offensive contribution doesn’t equal out.I somewhat agree,and to Holik’s credit,he has stepped up his game lately and backing up his words.Hossa isn’t! Hossa is not the same player for whatever reason.If it’s something physically,he needs to be upfront about it.But to me,he’s sulking cause he’s not getting what he wants.I’m sorry,but if he wants to play for a consistent winner,he needs to do ALL he can to help out the cause for a consistent winner and he’s not doing that.If he wants to earn top dollar,earn it the right way.Just because what you did in the past shouldn’t mean you have made it to the promise land and you want all the money,but someone else to do all the work. And considering his postseason performances and now with his sulking attitude….. I hope he gets moved for another top 6 forward to take his spot in the lineup and some other assets,cause some team out there would give that up for him.I used to really like the guy,but his attitude and performance in this contract year has turned me against him and it’s probably more in the minds of his teammates than any of us fans.He took a good clean check last nite and I saw no one rushing to stick up for him,as where you saw the same thing happen to Kozzy and Excelby was right there johnny on the spot. It’s time to move Hossa!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

January 11, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Hossa made the All-Star roster. So did Kovy but that was understood

By stendec

January 11, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Yes, the Thrashers sucked overall! Yes, Marian Hossa has quit trying this season! Yes, the Thrashers have already made non-playoff family plans! But…The home team carried a lead into the third period! That puts emphasis on the golatender. Who is in net? Uh oh! Mr Sori Letemin. Well, he did! Not only that, KL went brain-dead in shootout. Two points to Florida. One point plus a ton of humiliation to Thrashers. Thanks KL! KL had one redemption which was in shootouts. If that has vanished then sit this second (or third) tier goalie! Coddle this untalented loser all you want. This feeble Finn is in LaLa Land! No focus! No concentration! No mental toughness! No talent! No clue! No hope! Sort of reminds me of an Atlanta Falcon. But I digress. One blogger once said the team sinks or swims with KL. If that is true, the depth is now 20,000 leagues with no bottom in sight! A team with a fragile psyche like the Thrashers must have a hard-minded no-nonsense MAN between the pipes in order to succeed! KL is at this point no more than a boy with a million and one excuses for failures. Although none will ever match or surpass the infamous monkey puck! Man, am I upset with these overpaid underachievers right now. GO BLUE!

By R. Stroz

January 11, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

My new name for Hossa is Pooh Bear, which can be taken several ways.

By Russian

January 11, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

to Bob I think Don will wait until a last moment. Probably he will waiting until February 26 - dead line trade. He still think that we can push to PO situation and he does not want to loose Hossa. Second thought, if Hossa will not trade after All Start Game, I say at 2/1/2008, he will stay until 2/26/2008. Don wants to keep him as long as possible. But Hossa does not care about team anymore. He stay and play here for Fun, not for make some progress to team. Unfortantly :-(

By R. Stroz

January 11, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - A great borrowed comment. The comment also illustrates why Kovy deserves to be on the all-star team and why Hossa should have been watching the game on TV.

Hossa Sucks

By R. Stroz

January 11, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

The great thing about the way Kovy is playing in comparison to Hossa is that Kovy is driving Hossa’s new contract lower each game.

By Matt

January 11, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Thrashers Fans, let us not forget the fact that the entire Southeast Division SUCKS. As long as we can suck less than the rest of our southern competitors, we still have a chance at the playoffs. Have faith and HAIL KOVALCHUK..Go Thrashers..

By Thrasher Ryan

January 11, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

New Lines

Kovy—White—Recchi
Kozlov—Perrin—Dupuis
Stuart—Holik—Hossa
Larsen—Doell—Thorburn

By Midfield

January 11, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

There. Thank you Stroz. I’ve been trying to make the point for weeks now: what kind of strategy is that to coast day in, day out in your contract year? To some degree, I can even understand lackluster playing by Kozzy and Zhitnik - they don’t have much to worry about for a while, if at all (depending n their retirement planning). But Hossa? Who needs a proven choker with a skill demo that is guaranteed not to work when it counts the most?

By The Maid

January 11, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

JSmoorth, je vous ai nettoyé le désordre pour vous. Maintenant être plus prudent ou j’aurai à commencer charger Rawhide de Monsieur plus pour mes services.

By JSmoovee

January 11, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Merci beaucoup Monsieur Rawhide

I think you said I’m gonna have to pay the maid?? Damn, I could have read that in college!! I’ll buy you a refreshment (;-)) of your choice at the next Blog meeting!

By Sara

January 11, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

BTW, word is Perrin was hurt in practice today. Did a one on one against Klee, got bumped and fell awkwardly into the goal post. Had to be assisted off the ice. Ungood!

By Thrasher Ryan

January 11, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

New Lines (Version 2)

Kovy—White—Recchi
Kozlov—Stuart—Dupuis
Boulton—Holik—Thorburn
Sterling—Little—Haydar

Bye Bye: Hoss, Lars, Doell, Slates, Zhit.

If Perrin is ok, he Centers Line 2, Stuart goes to LW on Line 3, and Boults gets scratched.

By Smoothie

January 11, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

TRyan — I like your idea of switching Hossa to the third line, but can we move Charmin there too? If we’re going to demote Hossa for not trying, we might as well reward Holik for trying to elevate his game. I absolutely hate that we’re paying him $4.5 mill to play on the 3rd line. But recently, he seems to be playing better…not great but the biscuit is finding the basket.

Problem with that though is lack of grit and tough physical play on the third line as we know Charmin and Pooh Bear don’t like to throw the lumber in the corners. Oh, who are we kidding, it’s hopeless! We’re going nowhere and Blueland is a sinking ship!!

By TR

January 11, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Smooth—Waddell actually had Holik on Kovy’s line in the 2nd last night… You have a valid point, he’s upped his game… the problem was that Kovy (and even Recchi!) were skating cirlcles around his @ss! It just did not work.
IMO, White is the least of our problems right now. Like Brian said, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. As long as he keeps feeding Kovy the puck I will leave Charmin alone.

By Scott

January 11, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

R. Stroz No focus! No concentration! No mental toughness! No talent! No clue! No hope! I understand your frustration and your dissatisfaction with KL is well documented. But in fairness, I think you should strike the No Talent! part, I think we have all seen demonstrations of his talent.

As far as the the No hope, Goaltender is such a mental position, with the right coach and the right organization he could become our version of Luongo (The Fla side).

I thought Bob H did a horrible job managing goalies in the playoffs (and said so when Moose was announced for game 2), and I don’t think DW has done much better since he took over - the only time he changes netminders is when someone is hurt or someone has a bad outing and that undermines the confidence of all of them. He may spin it differently but if you step back and look at it, that’s what he does.

I’m not saying Kari is great and we should keep him, I’m saying he has quite a lot of talent and may yet become a consistently excellent #1 goalie, here or elsewhere given the right coaching.

By Brian

January 11, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

TR - Not to mention that White has an 8 game point streak going right now, getting 9 points in the last 8 games. His +/- has been even during that time, although many of his points came on the PP so he hasn’t been gaining there as much.

By Smoothie

January 11, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

TR — I hear ya bud and I realize Bobby can’t skate with Kovy, but who on this team can??! The thing is: no one except for me I think believes Perrin is better than White. I honestly don’t see how White is qualitatively better…marginally when it comes to certain things maybe.

However, why not try Perrin with Kovy? I think you’ll see that line score even more. Perrin will finish more often and we know Perrin can be a slick passer based on his short-handed scoring prowess.

Also, if you were to move Hossa to the third, White would be able to keep up with both Hoss and the surprisingly speedy Colin Stuart. So put Holik on the 2nd with Kozzy since they seem to play okay together and let Duper do all of the dirty work in the corners.

By ranallo10

January 11, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Per Spector:

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Chris Kuc reports Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon suggests there’s a “strong possibility” he could make a trade soon for a veteran defenceman. Kuc believes it could come as early as today. Tallon is also reportedly close to re-signing forward Patrick Sharp to a contract extension.

Perhaps PJ can put together a prayer for the “veteran defenceman” is Zhitnik.

Call up Valabik to replace his roster spot and I’m happy.

By J

January 11, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

I haven’t written on this blog before, although I read it alot. Everyone is pretty informed and the comments don’t digress into name calling (like the UGA football blog). I wanted to chime in on the comments I always read about the goaltending and share a few thoughts.
The goaltending could be better, but it is not the problem. Kari is playing OK, but inconsistent. The only way he will play better is to play more. I can’t think of any sport where an athlete would get better by playing randomly.

I am a stat junkie, so here are some stats to make my point:

Before last night, Kari was saving .902% of goals. This is a decent (not great) average. By comparison, Brodeur is at .919%, Hasek is at .900% Sabourin (PITT) is almost identical at .904%. These guys are playing for playoff teams.

Here is the sick part. In 15 games, Kari has faced 6 more shots than Osgood (leads the league in GAA) has faced in 23 games. He has faced 102 more shots than Hasek has faced in 22 games. THAT IS TERRIBLE. By the way, Hedberg is not better off. He has seen 104 more shots than Osgood in the exact same # of games.

The bottom line, the Thrashers win only when one of the goalies plays out of his mind or when the opposing goalie has a bad game. If everyone plays “consistently” at their average, Kari will end up facing 30-40 shots, which means 3-4 goals. The math will never work. The Thrashers will not get it done until the shots are reduced. Last night is a great example. Kari saved a high enough percentage of shots to lead the league in save % with .950% (38 of 40). Yet, the Thrashers lose. If the Thrashers were allowing an average # of shots, say 20-25, Kari would have a GAA of about 2.0 -2.5 and would be one of the top 15 goalies in GAA.

Thanks for reading. Keep up the good commentary.

By Smoothie

January 11, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Great first post J and welcome to the blog as an active participant.

The Thrashers may stink but they sure are fun to talk about!!

By ranallo10

January 11, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

J — Great points. What do you feel would decrease the number of shots? My feeling is that an improved defensive scheme (henceforth known as “system”) and a different allotment of defenders would somewhat remedy the shots on goal.

I feel that the defense is the biggest flaw on this team, and a solid defense could vault the team into playoff contention.

By Rawhide

January 11, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

J - Nicely stated and welcome to our little forum!! I hope you post more often!

regarding your points about the goalkeeping and shots,….the biggest issue with the team consistantly has been the fact that we are giving up 33-34 a night and only delivering only 24 or so shots at the opposing goalie.

Get both of those numbers closer to 29 or so and we will be fine.

The problem, IMHO, to getting to that point is that we nedd defenders who will stand players up at the blueline and a true #1. Perrin and White are fine as #2 and 3 guys….Holik as a 4th liner.

Again, welcome!

By J

January 11, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Thanks. Simply put, we are not physical enough. Kari rarely gives up a breakaway goal - in fact he makes some awesome breakaway saves. What happens is that oppositions gets so much traffic in front of him that he loses the puck and give up a rebound. The second goal last night came because no one could see the puck sitting 3 feet out in front of him. We have to get into a scheme that is more physical in pushing out of the crease (we also need the type of players that can do it.)

On offense, just the opposite. Everything we do is on a breakaway or one shot deal. We have no traffic. Last night, my wife even said (very profoundly) - “How come the puck is on their end of the ice for like 2 minutes and on our end for like 10 seconds.”

By J

January 11, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Sorry, leaving work. Short answer to improve - we need to get more physical. Less traffic in front of the net. Last night’s 2nd goal is a great example. On offense, we need more traffic in goal. Less one and done scoring chances. My wife said it best: “How come the puck is on their end for like 2 minutes and on our end for like 10 seconds.”

By R. Stroz

January 11, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

Scott - I think you confused my earlier comments with stendec’s comments on Lehtonen.

stendec is not a fan of Lehtonen.

By Thrasher Ryan

January 11, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Smoothie—I am probably one of the few that agree with you. I think Perrin is better than White. My basis for those lines are this: While I would love to see Perin with Kovy, I think Perrin is GREAT with Dupuis. They work great together on the PK, why wouldn’t a standard line with them work? Me wanting to pair Dupuis and Perrin is the ONLY reason I didn’t put Perrin on Line 1. If I did that, I would need Kovy—Perrin—Dupuis. Now that could be a good line, but it leaves us placing Recchi on another line. I don’t want to split up Recchi/Kovy.

This means new lines are:

Kovy—White—Recchi
Kozlov—Perrin—Dupuis
Sterling—Little—Haydar
Stuart—Holik—Thorburn

Using your lines, we could have an alternate version with:

Kovy—Perrin—Recchi
Kozlov—Holik—Dupuis
Stuart—White—Hossa
Boulton—Slater—Thorburn (or Sterling—Little—Haydar; I’m not sure which line you prefer for 4th line…)

And, don’t forget… we can always try

Kovy—Perrin—Dupuis
Kozlov—White—Recchi
Stuart—Holik—Hossa
Boulton—Slater (Doell is too slow)—Thorburn.

By TR

January 11, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Uhh, I’m getting dizzy looking at all that… Oops I left Hossa out of my first set of line. Who cares? We need to trade his @ss away anyways.

By Midfield

January 11, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

A-a-ah. Let’s sing Koombayah for Lehtonen (and for Hossa, for that matter). It’s nobody’s fault, really. Why can’t we all get along? Forget give-aways from behind own net on the road with a doomed lead, forget a wrister flip from the blue line that inexplicably goes in to squander another lead. Say, we have too many SOG? If I coached against the Thrashers, I’d tell my team not to worry about shot selection, just scramble ant toss everything at him - flip it, dump it, do whatever and wait for him to space out eventually. Some NHL talent…

By Midfield

January 11, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

Correction: not SOG but Shots Against. At least that bottle of wine was pretty good.

By Jim

January 11, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

J.- some very good observations about stats and our inability to physically stop opposing forwards or move them from the front of the net. Last night was the culmination of frustration- names like Booth, McLean, Kreps, Olesz set up the shooting gallery in front of Kari. These guys are hardly NHL top talent. It used to be that a team’s third line was the shutdown force who put the glove on the other team’s top line. And the fourth line was was there to uptempo the game. We’re not getting much from the 3rd or 4th line and our D. is not big enought to move anyone out. Sitting watching opposing teams take the action to us at home where we have the last line change is very, very frustrating. Significant changes are needed.

By Scott

January 11, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

R. Stroz You are correct sir, I did attribute Stendec’s comments to you. My apologies to both of you. The comment stands, I just had the poster I was quoting wrong.

By R. Stroz

January 11, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

Scott - No problem. Smiles Everyone! Smiles!

By Sara

January 11, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

Well at least “J** seems to be feeling me. This team’s problem is the SYSTEM ~ or actually a complete lack thereof. Allow me to enumerate.

1) The PP. That gawd-awful PP that has stunk since about this time last year. Ya know - the one that features Kovy and Toby and Hoss and Kozlov and Recchi? That much talent can’t find the back of the net? How does that (not) happen? Because the system blows. Darren said it plenty last night - lots of pretty passes, no/low shots on goal, and no goals at all. Give it up boys - while we all love Kovy’s bomb from the point, we love any kind of goal more.

2) Our entrance plan into the o-zone is horrid. Either it’s Kovy (or someone) on a breakaway all by his lonesome with no back-up support to bang in a rebound or help secure possesion. Or it’s dumped in with one/none chasing after it. What gives with that? I’ll tell you what…it probably has something to do with needing a line change because they just spent 3 minutes in their own zone…which brings us to…

3) …our play in the defensive zone. Talk about no system. It’s like watching five grown men playing whack-a-mole. Just swing away at it until you knock the puck silly and out into the neutral zone. Except most of the time it never makes it to the neutral zone…it makes it onto an opponents stick. If our guys got a buck for ever tape to tape pass they made to an opposing player, they could all retire today. Pass with a purpose…there’s a novel concept. Now if I just had a copy of a novel…say War and Peace…to knock Beast and Don upside the head with, we might get somewhere.

/end rant.

By The Janitor

January 11, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

Oh, I see the maid has already been in here…nice job, Smoothie!!

Anyway, I get the night off and you all get a new Rawhide blog.

By Brendan

January 12, 2008 2:39 AM | Link to this

Jim, Larsen and Klee are under contract for next season. So, unless they’re traded or bought out, I’m afraid you’re stuck with them again next year.

By Brendan

January 12, 2008 3:10 AM | Link to this

R.Stroz, the length of your post did, indeed, please me. A very passionate post. I’d add, however, that Zhitnik and Klee have a year left on their deals. Buying them out in their “contract years” could make a little more sense. And, well … these players would have to “agree” to be bought out. Ask Rucchin. Waiving them and having them claimed by other teams is another option to the “buy out” process. Larsen has another year left, also. He probably wouldn’t agree to a buy out. His money is guaranteed, and he may not land another NHL contract. Some of the Thrashers deadweight could be packaged in trade deadline deals, if the team appears to be out of the race. It’d be nice of the Thrashers to try to trade Holik to a team with a chance at a Cup, and recoup some form of draft pick from the rental team. Slava Kozlov has a “no trade clause.” So, if you were thinking that we could “rent him,” think again. Now, if Kozzie agree to waive it and go to another team, that’d be different. But he’d be playing two more years with that club, in a trade.

By Brendan

January 12, 2008 3:53 AM | Link to this

Sara, outstanding post! I was just about to say, “This is what Sara has been talking about.” And then, BAM! You beat me to it.

J., welcome to the blog and don’t be a stranger.

Rawhide, sorry for the posts after the maid a nettoyE le blog.

By Smoothie

January 12, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

Sara — whack a mole…now that’s good stuff! And distressingly true of our not-so-cabpable defensive crew. Although the effort in the 3rd agains the Pens tonite was much better and dare I say inspiring!? And the back-checking by our forwards was much better from what I could tell watching the last 25 mins.

Oh yeah, Charmin DOES suck! I’m tired of the fact he never jumps into the play on offense, even when Kovy and Rex are trying to cycle the puck. Hello! You’re the damn center, get into the play when the opportunity is there. No wonder Kovy is always having to skate his a$$ off to get back as he gets “caught” in the corner because Charmin is too soft and scared to play offense. I want Bellanger back!