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DEL.ICIO.USAtlanta Thrashers: NHL Team of Mystery
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, Sick As A Dog Now
The Atlanta Thrashers continue to be as mysterious a team as there is in the NHL. How can a team go from beating Detroit on their home ice to performing as flat as they have over the past three games? Quite frankly, this past weekend has made me ill watching our team not just lose…but lose by a collective score of 14-3.
Really, about the only bright spot I could find in Sunday’s 4-2 loss to an Edmonton Oilers team that had been struggling was that recent call-up Joel Kwiatkowski was able to get a point in his first game as a Thrasher. Somebody find out what they’re serving on the Chicago-Atlanta flight because everyone who gets a call up from the Wolves seems to get on the score sheet in their first game after getting the promotion. Kiwi played as Zhitnik sat and he helped the defense hold Edmonton to 24 shots. It’s the one thing the team did well all day.
It’s Frickin’ Freezing In Here, Mr. Bigglesworth!
The only thing colder in Atlanta then the temperatures outside has been the play of the Thrashers, especially in their own arena. So far this month they have played seven of ten games in Philips Arena and have a record of 2-3-2 in them to show for it, gaining only 6 points and giving back 11 as one of those two wins took a shootout to gain the “victory”.
After slapping the Red Wings around on their home ice last Tuesday, the Thrashers have gone 0-2-1 in the three games since….being outscored 16-5, (17-5 if you count the “point” earned by Montreal in their shootout win Thursday).
If they don’t find a way to heat things back up soon, do I think that we’ll be enjoying springtime in Blueland?
How about no, Scott!
Who Does Number Two Work For?
The No. 2 two goal worked out by the Edmonton Oilers Sunday resembled a jailbreak as the Thrashers were caught in an atrocious line change. 18-year-old Oilers Rookie Sam Gagner slipped the puck into the net as Kari Lehtonen lay flat out on the ice. It was particularly crappy due to the fact that it came just 66 seconds after Slava Kozlov had tied the game at one each. It was the type of goal that brought from the crowd a series of grunts and groans.
Ouch, Baby! Very Ouch!
There is a litany of things that have hurt the Thrashers of late, one being the power play. In the last three games it has produced a single goal on fourteen attempts. Sunday, Atlanta was 0-5 on the man advantage, one being the 4-minute variety. Those numbers are particularly frustrating as the team had improved the PP to 19.0% effective, 8th best in the league, following Tuesday night’s game in Detroit…a game in which they were 3 for 4 on the man advantage.
When on the power play, they simply need to FIRE THE LASER!
Somebody Help Me. I’m Still Alive But I’m Very Badly Burned
The play of the Thrashers this weekend has placed them again under the .500 mark for the season, (23-24-3). If they were able to simply gain a point Sunday, it would have put them in a first place tie with Carolina in the Southeast Division. As it is, they are in second only 2 points better then the surging Washington Capitals who have gone 7-2-1 in their past 10 games. The Thrashers are back to the 10th spot a couple points under the playoff line.
Like a turtle pokin’ it’s head out, Atlanta held possession of first place in the division for a couple of days then returned to their shell with poor defensive play, weak passing and less-then-par goaltending.
The good news here is that we are still alive and in position to compete for the division title as well as a conference playoff spot. And as the Oilers proved a couple years ago, you really only need to get in and then you have a chance.
As The French Would Say, That Certain “I Don’t Know What”
I don’t know what has happened to Ilya Kovalchuk of late. He has gone goal-less with a single assist in the past 4 games. Sunday, he looked tired…. just didn’t have that jump he has had all season.
Honestly, it would be tough to expect him to continue on the pace he has set all season long without having some sort of slump. Let’s just hope he finds some time to recharge the batteries during the All-Star break, even though he will be a big part of it.
This Is My Happening And It Freaks Me Out!
My family and I enjoyed Sunday afternoon’s game with friends who live near us as well as the RStroz clan. It will come as no surprise that there are several children who sat nearby that will require a great deal of professional counseling from what was seen and heard.
To their parents I offer my apologies.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By sisu
January 20, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
How about the fact that Kovy is being over used? He was on ice for ever on one shift and he cannot do it all. Holik should be waiwed asap! Hossa needs to decide if he wants to be in Atlanta and quit holding the team hostage!
By R. Stroz
January 20, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
The next individual on the Chicago-Atlanta flight needs to be a coach, John Anderson.
By Smoothie
January 20, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
If I hear Waddell mention a lack of respect for the opponent one more time, I think I’m going to puke!! Since when is any team in the “new” NHL so bad that a home team can simply throw their skates out there and expect to win a freakin’ hockey game????! That is absolutely and positively sickening to hear! If that is the case, half the team should be waived and the Chicago Wolves should be given the chance to play. At least they will give it all they’ve got to prove to Dumba$$ Waddell that they are worthy of playing at the NHL level.
I just don’t understand how this team can float around the ice looking for the perfect breakout or 2 on 1 rush before they exert 100% energy. And don’t blame this one on the defense! Other than Exelby’s egregious gaffe when he took a run at someone at the blueline (thus resulting in a odd-man rush and goal by the young 18 yr old Gagner), the defensive effort was good enough to win this hockey game.
This team does not understand the nuances of hockey and will not put forth the energy and effort to win battles in the corner or forecheck aggressively win the puck is dumped in. Did we have one single shot off of a rebound today? Seems like no one is ever in position (because we don’t crash the net consistently) to jam home or even corral a rebound in front of the net when a shot does find it’s way to a goalie’s pads.
I’m sick, where’s my bucket because I’m going to puke into it just thinking about this team’s lack of passion and fire!!!
By The Other Bob
January 20, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
That really hurt! I’m gonna have a lump there, you idiot! Who plays hockey like that? Honestly!
By LAC
January 20, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Right Smoothie, 100% right.
This team is never going to get better as long as LOSER waddell is in charge, but when you have STUPID AS HELL OWNERS, who are clueless… well this team is well on the way DOWN and many never recover, but they do nothing at all, a sign of pure incompetence !
By Brendan
January 20, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Oilers 4, Thrashers 2 - Steve Staios had two (2) assists vs. his former team. That makes “Mr. Bigglesworth” very upset. And when Mr. Bigglesworth gets upset, People Die!!!” Ohh okay. Maybe they just get re-assigned to the minors and stay there. Or have something closely resembling a ‘permanent seat’ up in the pressbox.
RAWHIDE, I have GOOD NEWS!! Seriously, I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to GEICO. That, and the Thrashers outshout Edmonton, 31-24. “Smashing, baby!”* Other positives? Uhhh. Well. Hey, Slava Kozlov was a +2! **”Groovy, baby!” Kari Lehtonen made 20 saves. “He puts the Grrrr, in “Swinger, baby! Eric Perrin had two (2) assists and was a +1. That’s a positive. “Show me, love!”
There’s more. Hossa, Havelid and Dupuis were all +1. Hossa had a goal, his 21st on the season.
From the UN-GOOD file comes this nugget: Kovalchuk, Klee and Rucchin were all a -2 on the afternoon. Folks, this hurts. It hurt future ticket sales because all the kiddos were here. Had they seen a butt-stompin’ win, they’d be bugging their parents, “Can we go to a Thrashers game! Can we go to a Thrashers game! Can we go to the Thrashers game! Why aren’t you buying the tickets, NOW?!!,” and so forth.
By Smoothie
January 20, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
What?? Steve Rucchin took the ice?? Damn, how much bourbon did I consume in the first period??? I know we looked slow and flat-footed out there, but I didn’t think it was THAT bad!!! ;-)
j/k…I’m sure you meant Recchi.
Can we finally dispense with the logic and conventional wisdom that White Charmin is worthy of playing on the 1st line with Kovy?? Perrin proved today why he is a better center than White. The man hits, forechecks, hustles, fights (not as in fisticuffs), crashes the net, backchecks, makes quick passes on the PP, finishes OCCASIONALLY, and is French Canadian. Okay, so that last one doesn’t really matter. But anyway, how about that guy who sang the natl anthems today…WOW, HE DESERVED A BIG TIME STANDING O!!
By R. Stroz
January 20, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
My wife and I were trying to decide if Charmin was rolling the ice more than he was skating on it today.
Seriously, White seems out of gas. I wonder if he saw this much ice time per game with the Wild.
Lately, he misses goal scoring chances, isn’t marking his man well, and is falling all over the ice.
The best thing about today’s game occurred before the game when it was annouced that Zhitnik wasn’t playing.
By Smoothie
January 20, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
True that Strozzy, it was nice to see Z-man ridin’ the pine today. Thought Kiwi looked more than capable out there and think his pairing with Pops has real potential.
Hopefully, Zhitty will get plenty of rest before the ASG, come out like gangbusters after a week of rest, play like an All-Star, then get traded to a real buyer at the deadline so we can move forward with the development of Valabik, Oystrick and Denny. Enough is enough.
By Alan
January 21, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this
R. Stroz - Look at the bright side: Zhitnik broke even on +/- today. Nevermind the fact he didn’t play.
By Sage of Bluesland
January 21, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
Maybe brilliant Donny will “retool” this “team” for a grand playoff run?!
(and if you believe that, then you’re either more sheepish than I previously thought or I have some wonderful land to sell you)
Baaahhhh, Bluewanders, Baaaaahhh (in my finest sheep impersonation)…Said I wouldn’t say it, but I lied: I TOLD YOU SO.
Getting rid of Don Waddell is the first step to improvement of the team. Unfortunately, there are too many sheep/huggers still loving him…Oh well, you get what you deserve…
By The Other Bob
January 21, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
Sage - Seriously, Man…chill out dude before you burst a vein in your forehead!
Go have a drink and mellow out!
By Bob
January 21, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Rawhide, what kind of editor is checking your work?!?! You had a glaring typo in your Blog Title today, it’s spelled Misery:
Atlanta Thrashers: NHL Team of Misery
By Adam
January 21, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
I am right with all the DW haters but I’m really getting tired of Sage, LAC, Bob et al saying he needs to go. Do I want him gone? Of course I do! But who’s going to come here now?
Until the ownership fiasco is settled what chance does ASG have of bringing in a new GM? Also wouldn’t Belkin need to approve the deal as well? Yea right (insert name here) wants to come here and clean up the mess Donnie’s made and do it with a ASG imposed cap 8mil short of the leagues 50.3. Oh and also while not knowing if he’ll have a job when the courts finally decide on the case.
Finding a coach from outside our system is going to be hard enough…
How about this? Instead of 50+ word posts you guys just say “F’ing DW” We’ll all know what you mean.
On another note. It seems to me this team can only play to the level of their competition. The reason for that is they have no identity. If Beast isn’t going to be officially given the title then bring up Anderson. The coach is where a team is led from and where the identity starts. Actually I’m wrong they do have an identity, it’s that of DW. With the trade deadline fastly approaching DW needs to focus solely on the moves he’s going to make. So it’s time to hand the reins over Don.
By J(Z)
January 21, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Alright, I give up. Lets be honest. This team is not gonna win a cup this year. Blow it up. We’ve got A LOT of valuable pieces who are gonna be free agents (off the top of my head - Hossa, Moose, You, Me and Dupuis, Holik, Recchi). Trade them for picks/prospects. That’s a lot of talent, we can get several (maybe four?) first round picks in this 2008 draft - which I hear is the best in a LONG time. So, I’m ready to throw in the towel. It’ll be the best for our future, we’re not going anywhere this year.
By Frau
January 21, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Oh vel de vulfpack looked goot, now ve just need Boris to make make Avery cry like babooshka.
By Rawhide
January 21, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Sisu - In regards to Hossa, I agree. As I have stated before, I would rather see him stay…and perform to the level of play that we had been accustom to.
(To be fair…he has scored 5 of the teams last 10 goals…although that number is a little distorted as he score the first 3 goals in Detroit).
However, I wish he would put ink to paper or tell DW that it is his desire to play elsewhere. Then, a deal could be made now while the options are greater and the team has a better ability to gain in the trade what we so sorely need…help on the blue line and/or a strong #1 center.
(I will leave it to the blog populous to discuss the specifics there-in).
But, again,…your right. He should make his intensions known and known now wbefore the real “deals” go down with other teams.
Bob - LOL!! Some would say “Misery” is indeed the correct word to have been used. But winning cures everything….so some points in the GAH-den would be just what the doctor ordered.
By erock
January 21, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
LETS START OVER WITH ANOTHER 5 YEAR PLAN…WE MAY HAVE NOT WON THEN EITHER BUT THE PLAYERS WE HAD GAVE IT THEIR ALL EVERY NIGHT AND WE EVEN HAD A COUPLE OF PLAYERS PLAYING WITH PASSION…FIGHTING..MADE IT ALOT MORE ENTERTAINING…..BRING BACK HORDICHUK!!!
By five_hole
January 21, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
Did not see the game; maybe I’m glad I didn’t. You mentioned that Ilya looked “tired”. Could it be because of all the ice time he’s been racking up? Hossa was similarly “slow” earlier in the season until he was “freed up” from PK duty. This is either a problem of depth, coaching, or both. The line change “jail break” issue is coaching.
Glad to see that someone had the “cahones” to bench a $3.5 million dollar problem. While I do think Zhitnik played pretty well for a small stretch, he was absolutely atrocious the last few (especially against Buffalo). Considering that Kwiatkowski made a positive impact, leave #77 on the bench for awhile.
By R. Stroz
January 21, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Alan - If I remember correctly, you were sitting in Section 118. Before the game started did you hear the knucklehead before the game in Section 216 screaming in glee that Zhitnik was benched?
If you did, that was yours truely.
By R. Stroz
January 21, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Oops, put before the game in twice.
By Thrasher Ryan
January 21, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
My “Untouchables” List:
Kovalchuk
Recchi
Perrin
Dupuis
Kozlov
Little
Lehtonen
Pavelec
Sterling
Boulton OR Thorburn (we only need 1 of them)
Exelby
Havelid
Enstrom
Everyone else is fair game… including Moose
By Thrasher Ryan
January 21, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Until Waddell whips this JOKE of a team into a competitor, I am going to 2nd what stendec says, and say “GO FLAMES!” Many of us in Atlanta STILL love the Flames… Thrashers are playing like the Trashers, and that can be blamed on the COACHING, or LACK THEREOF. Waddell needs to get his @ss back up in the press box on the phone making calls and dumping the dead weight! Bring in a real coach, like John Anderson!
Oh yeah, GO FLAMES!!!
By R. Stroz
January 21, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Everyone, when you have an opportunity, look at the current plus/minus numbers. Holik is closing in on McCarthy’s -18 rather quickly.
There are some other surprises there as well.
Apparantly, our number one line is having some troubles clearing the puck.
By R. Stroz
January 21, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
BTW, guess who is leading the current team with a +6, Stuart.
Bring up the Wolves, put the retreads on the highway.
By Jim
January 21, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Somebody that they’d puke if DW mentions one more time that the team lacks respect for another team. I’m willing to bet that opposing coaches have a harder time getting their team up for a game against our hapless lads. How in the world can a team of three lines and four defensemen play an entire season against teams that have four fairly effective lines and six defensemen. Sorry guys but Zhitnik, Klee, Boulton, Larsen and Thorburn provide nothing to the team. And, Holik despite his slight uptick in play of late is way past his prime. Not only are we not going to win the cup this year, but we have no shot at the playoffs with the dead wood that we have to carry around. Make a clean sweep and bring in some new, younger talent. They’re doin it in Chicago. Give em a shot up here.
By Alan
January 21, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
I was, and I did. I screamed out “YES!” A bunch of people behind me all laughed, as they were pretty happy about the news as well.
Zhitnik was mad about being benched, too. Do you think maybe that will convince him that he needs to up his game? If this doesn’t work, then his contract needs to be bought out and he needs to be cut loose. He’s not doing us any favors by skating around aimlessly and watching every goal get scored. You’re a defender, Zhitty. Act like one!
By Matt
January 21, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Just a very bad situation, DW can’t do anything that drastic such as trade everyone he can and start over, basically it would be admitting that he has failed to the owners. If that doesn’t cost you your job I don’t know what will.
So in order to save his job he is either going to make some big moves and forfeit the future like last year for him to make the playoffs and possibly save his job, or he will “RISK IT ALL” when it comes to his personal future and make some major moves with thoughts of next season and beyond (unfortunately, why would he do that, because he probably won’t be here next season to enjoy them if he does do something good like that for the franchise)
Lets be honest with ourselves, this isn’t a team that PROBABLY won’t do much in the playoffs even if they do happen sneak in by playing in the weakest division in the NHL. (See last year’s embarassment in NYC)
Unfortunately as well, other GM’s around the league can probably feel the desparation and he probably won’t get the full value he deserves in any of his deals involving players we can call expendable.
D-Day (Decision Day) is quickly coming upon us for Mr. Waddell. Hopefully he will think of the Atlanta franchise more than he thinks of himself in this most critical time in the history of the Atlanta Thrashers Hockey Club.
By Matt
January 21, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
By the wahttp://www.chicagowolves.com/team/stats/y,
your telling me that @ a plus 10 and over 100 PIMS, we couldn’t use that type of player up in Atlanta, at least teams may think twice before doing whatever they want, whenever they want to whoever they want.
The Thrash get manhandled and abused way to much. Maybe some size, toughness and an attitue adjustment would make a difference. At least someone agree and tell me Valabik could do the same job of Klee who is not too far off from Zhitnik’s “effectiveness”…
I would rather watch some young guys actually playing with heart and trying to make a difference than a “veteran” team who just play each game knowing they will be playing the next no matter how they preform without much accountability. At least they would give us something to cheer about and care about.
Anyone care about Klee or Zhitnik or Holik for that matter??
By Rawhide
January 21, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Five_Hole - Yeah, Ilya has been putting in a lot of time…even strength and special teams. One cannot blame DW too much for riding him, though. I mean, where would this team be right now if he was not having the type of season he’s had thus far? I shudder to think.
I’ve worried if he would get worn down come late February or so…but it does not surprise me that some wear is showing now. I think the All Star break is coming at a good time for him. Even though he’ll be participating, he won’t have to travel to do so and the game it’s self is not as physical as a real one.
So, in essence, after playing Thursday he and the rest of the team are “off” ‘til Wednesday night. Also, the team plays only one road game between Thursday and the 15th of February. So that should help too.
BUT…it is very obvious that Ilya will need some help and, fill in name of under-performing Thrasher(s) here, will seriously need to “up” their game. The way the defense is playing the team really needs 3 or 4 goals a night to have a chance…and Kovy can’t do it all.
By stendec
January 21, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
there was once a fiefdom of flame. became too hot for area. chilled out in north. eternal glory came to relocated fiefdom. pox came to site abandoned. said site eventually paled to blue kingdom. pox continues in kingdom. alas. no happiness ever after. good night suffering fans. think good thoughts. if thrashers get swept by ranjerks send ‘em packing. amen.
By The Other Bob
January 21, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Kovy no longer leads the NHL in goals scored as AO has 2 goals so far in the score-a-thon in Pittsburgh.
4-4 mid way through 2nd!
By J(Z)
January 21, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
He’s still tied…but you’re right, this game is only halfway through! I have no doubt in my mind that the Caps are gonna pass us. 2 points back, 3 games in hand. They’ve been the 4th best team in the NHL since their coaching change. If they could only get a goalie they’d run away with this thing. Ollie is NOT the answer for them. Brent Johnson may beat us a lot, but he’s not the answer either. If they trade for someone (Emery?) they’d be scary! The young trio of Green, Ovechkin, Backstrom (7 assists in less than 5 periods!) have been incredible the last month or so.
By J(Z)
January 21, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
scratch that…Alexchin did pass Kovy by 1. Awesome game to watch, 6-5 Craps win in shootout. Backstrom first rookie ever with back to back 4 assist games. And they’re now tied with the Thrashers. :(
By Brendan
January 21, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Well folks, add the Capitals to the list of team who expect to be BUYERS at the trade deadline. I think they’ve got some cap room, too.
By R. Stroz
January 21, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Lets see, what did the Capitals do to fix their ship:
1) Fire Coach
2) Bring Up Minor League Coach
3) Sign Major Player
Now, lets review the Thrashers attempt to fix their ship:
1) Fire Coach
2) ….