Ice Man

By five_hole

February 8, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Well, at least you didn’t lose your cool with the kid.

Here’s the thing with Kari; while I believe that he has as much potential as any goalie I’ve ever seen, he really has yet to prove it, and even my patience is starting to wear thin. If it had been me talking to Kari, I would have told him; “Don’t worry about the refs, you have just one thing to worry about - THE PUCK. You take care of that and let everyone else do their job.

By Tom

February 8, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Best B*** Slap I have read in a good long time, hopefully someone will tape this in his locker.

By Smoothie

February 8, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

That’s what we need, Lil John behind the net exhorting vehemently in Kari’s ear to keep him focused:

“Watch the puck son, watch the puck. What? Yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

By bart

February 8, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Exactly what he needs, I’m sure they have tried every other method to keep him focused. While we are at it we might ask to have his eyes checked because he can’t seem to stop the long range shots. I’m losing patience also.

By B. Thenet

February 8, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

There is no question he has phenomenal talent, perhaps Top 5 in the NHL when it comes to what he is capable of. However he has yet to harness that potential.

Look, there is a reason that Florida traded Luongo, why Hasek was traded from Chicago, and why so many other top goaltenders end up getting moved early in their careers.

His mental approach to the game(soft goals, inappropriate diving, etc.), along with his physical approach to the game(conditioning, etc.) is far behind where is talent level is.

He appears to have caught up on the conditioning side, let’s just hope he gets the mental part of his game in order before someone in this organization gets tired of waiting. OR that Pavelec comes along much quicker in his progression than Kari did.

By Midfield

February 8, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

My advice as of well before All-Star break stands. Send Lehtonen to Chicago and bring in Pavelec. The status quo does not work. The team is coasting under the play-off threshold. Something has to give. Lehtonen does not seem to dig it. Force him or cut him. He may get scared and prepare himself mentally, or he may never do. But we all know what the most popular definition of insanity is…. Don’t we?

By Russian

February 8, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Do not point to Kari that his fault we lost game yesterday. He played very well 40 minutes and closed the Net. Where is everybody else been???? OF cause, like always, They Facking around. Dupiu has 5 shots on Goal, Perrin did not score to empty net. Come on Kari is not responsible to score a goal. Forwards do and if your Goalie protect the net for 40 minutes, you have to score at least 2-3 more goals. No way, that Kari or Moose are problems on this team. Forwards are BIG (i am sorry they are not a big) problem. I hope Carolina will win today and we will only two points from First place.

By B. Thenet

February 8, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

How many teams have given up more goals than the Thrashers? Last I checked Los Angeles was the only one.

The problem is not our offense. Team D by forwards is part of it, poor D play by veteran defenseman is part of it, and inconsistent goaltending is also part of it.

By Brendan

February 8, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

We will either sink or swim with Kari Lehtonen. And we’ll re-sign him in the offseason, unless there’s an RFA offer sheet. Then, we’ll to decide to match it or take the draft pick compensation. And the draft pick compensation might only be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick this year.

Would you let Kari “walk” for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick in the 2007 draft?

By timmythebrave

February 8, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

KL is not the problem with the team. He did let in a soft ones against both philly and cannucks but we should have won both games anyways. If you score only 1 goal you probably won’t win. Go Thrashers

By Rawhide

February 8, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Russian - Certainly, as you pointed out, there were many reasons wht the Thrashers lost last night and that Kari was not to blame 100%.

This is why I made it a point to illustrate his great numbers in the past week or so. However, it’s the brain farts that are getting a tad bothersome…and, IMHO, that one just stuck out.

Brendan - If your asking me if I think we should get rid of him…absolutely not! That’s isn’t the point.

However, every once in a while…you just gotta take a kid to the wood shed and make sure the point has been made and lesson learned.

By timmythebrave

February 8, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, I agree that Kari losing focus at critical times can drive you crazy. He also can play lights out like he did against Detroit and Washington. He was stopping some crazy shots. When I look at the team overall there are more players than him that need to be taken to the “woodshed” first. Just my $0.02. Go Thrashers

By Done

February 8, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Give me a break,Rawhide. Think for yourself instead of listening to Darren Elliott. He is obvioulsy friends with Moose and it is affecting his ability to discuss the game. Neither DE or You jumped all over Moose when he lost two goals while standing behind the net shooting the puck to the other team so they could score on an empty net. DE has been going on about what a great person Moose is and runnning Kari down for awhile now. Plays are happening and he is talking about Moose and how popular he is everywhere he has been. You do not have any idea how close that stick came to Kari’s face or eyes.
There are 44 qualified goaltenders right now and Moose is number 44. I will be listening to the games on the radio with the TV on mute. I have respect for the radio guys. I am not enjoying DE’s bias opnion right now.

There are six guys on the ice at any point in the game. The game being won or lost is not the netminder every game.

By Tom

February 8, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Done

If I can be so bold to step up for Rawhide.

His point is not to blast the KL’s career, season, or game. It was like talking to a tax exemption who had an A in a class and then failed an easy test because they thought they were too smart to study and it screwed all the rest of their hard work.

KL played a great game with a major screw up that cost us the game. This post was to remind KL that he has to be strong all the time and not let those momentary lapses destroy all his hard work.

For any of us who have tax exemptions know exactly the point that Rawhide was making.

By Rawhide

February 8, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

Done - First,…haven’t seen ya before, so welcome! Glad you took the time to post.

The observation I made regarding the play did not come from watching/listening to the game…it came from the 6th row.

As far as the “radio guys”…personally, I agree 100% with you about that. Kamal and Odgers are top notch! …However, as I was driving home listening to the post game show, they even made a comment about it, (although I cannot quite remember who it was that brought up the subject)…

As for the botched play behind the net by Moose last Friday vs. Buffalo, I did indeed point it out…it was un-good!

Regardless, I hope to read more from you in the future seeing as you are a fan of the team!!

By Bob

February 8, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

There are six guys on the ice at any point in the game. The game being won or lost is not the netminder every game

that is a very valid point. In the big picture, Kari did hold the Couv to 2 goals, and the Canuckleheads had 4 of their starting 6 D out of the game, and we only scored 1. There are many problems on this club, White as a top center, Perrin as #2, these guys are not top centers in this league.

But, Kari was most certainly to blame for that ridiculous flop last night in a tie game. That was unacceptable. Yes, there was plenty of blame to go around, that doesn’t mean Rawhide is wrong to take Kari to task.

By Rawhide

February 8, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Tom - Excactly!!

By timmythebrave

February 8, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, I was at the game and the whole team seemed to be in slow motion. Was it just me? (I’ve been known to drink a few at a hockey game) We need someone that will get in front of the net, screen goalie, and slam home rebounds. Why won’t anyone go in front of the goalie unless it is a breakaway?

By timmythebrave

February 8, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

I’m tired of f*** losing!! Argh!!!! We need to get a new center and a whole new defense. The reason we won the division last year is we had a center that could get physical in front of the net(Keith Tkachuk) Someone on the Thrashers needs to step into that role.

By SK

February 8, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

If you watch the replay, you might notice that when Kari took that stick to the face, he was busy watching the puck. There’s no way he could have seen who hit him, and I can’t imagine getting hit in the face with a stick feels particularly good, even with a mask. Masks and padding may protect the goalies, but they don’t take the pain away.

The play happened too fast for him to recover, dive or not. Even if he was diving (which I doubt), it’s not as if he’s part of some elite diver club in which only he and Sidney Crosby are members. I’ve seen several other Thrashers dive at inopportune times, because the fact of the matter is that every player does it. Kids are taught in junior hockey to immediately go down if they feel any contact from an opposing player.

This wouldn’t have been an issue if Kari’s teammates had capitalized on more of their chances. He’s given his team a strong effort in the net for several games now, and one error from him should not have cost them the game.

In any case, Kari’s adult enough to take responsibility for his actions. I’m sure he’s already beaten himself up enough over what happened. No need to add insult to injury.

By ME

February 8, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Kari did not lose the game for us last night. He did what he thought was right. Praise him one day and then kick him the next. Let’s talk about our weak D right now instead of our great goaltender who had one bad game. Hmmmm I seem to remember Kari being the ONLY good player one recent night at the Garden…..

By Stats

February 8, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

First of all, Kari made a mistake. Now is when DW needs to be a real coach. Chew his butt, then put him right back in net on Saturday. When a quarterback throws a bonehead INT, you put him right back in the next series and call a pass play. If you play him inconsistently, the results will be inconsistent. He is the goalie of this team, make everyone understand that.

By Rawhide

February 8, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

SK & ME - Welcome and welcome….points taken!

However, I hope the spirit of my rant is taken in it’s context. I believe I did point out all his recent good play first.

Most importantly, I would start him Saturday…because at this time, I do agree that the Thrashers will “sink or swim” with him in the net.

Personally, I’m betting on the swim part.

Just because I was irked at the play does not mean I have given up on him at all.

By LAC

February 8, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

It’s getting to the point that we the fans don’t care much anymore with such a shoddy product on the ice.

It would be sad to go from First to WORST… but with this collection of players, it shure looks that way…

But emember it is the STUPID GM who put this mess togather and the diaper owners love the cheap while they will LIE to the face of ALL Atlanta fans !!!

Where are you rutherford ? Still a COWARD 1111111

By Lil' Jon

February 8, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Sorry, but attacking/criticizing Lehtonen is wrong-headed. This kid unfortunately sees more shots than Jimmy Caan in The Godfather. The Thrash’s lack of grit and shoddy defensive play have been the real problems, the most consistent facets of this inconsistent bunch.

If more folks would just recognize and accept where Waddell’s gone wrong this season, and start leveling some intense (AND COLLECTIVE) critique on the Spirit and DW, we’d all be a heck of a lot closer to enjoying our team on a regular basis.

And should the day arrive when all of our fantastic, bargain pick-ups finish their wide-open chances to spot us a 3 goal lead, and Lehtonen still falls on his a** to let in 4, then b*** away.

Till then, how about planting the blame where it deserves to be without the sugarcoating and a read between the lines safety net.

By Midfield

February 8, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Ok then. I think the Thrashers organization needs to get ready to set up a triage at Philips on the day they get mathematically eliminated from the play-offs. I mean, hundreds of ambulances and straight jackets, you know, for all the people in denial. Atlanta will need a lot of professional help.

By Brett

February 8, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Kari doesn’t have the mental game together yet. I’m starting to wonder if he ever will.

By The Other Bob

February 8, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

I really think a lot of people are missing the point here….

Yes, Kari played well, as point out…but one play cost us. Did others have goofs that could have made the difference? Yes, of course.

That one was just the hightlight, unfortunately.

By Nikita

February 8, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Yep, KL whiffed one. One soft goal of 28 defenses.

a) he’s a baby, so talking about whether he’ll ever figure it out isn’t appropriate.

b) one of 28 is still statistically more impressive than the vast majority of our competitors.

c) A variety of the other players whiffed, say, 10% of their plays. Why aren’t we criticizing them? Say, Dupuis for falling on his face on the breakaway, White, Boulton, and Thorburn for stupid penalties, Zhitnick pretty much for existing. Seriously…the goalie is the last line of defense, which means that any time he’s forced to defend the goal is a time that someone else has failed to protect him.

By Midfield

February 8, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

One play? Both goals were incredible softies. Besides, very few of you seem to appreciate psychological influence of a solid goalie vs. a guy who you don’t know what to expect from at any moment. Luongo was the guy who made Thrashers forwards very uncomfortable, if you’re wondering what I mean, although I thought that they had more clear-cut scoring chances.

By MashaPlayer7

February 8, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

I can see both sides of the Kari debate here. However, even the best scoring teams get shutdown in the playoffs - and it ALWAYS comes down to goaltending to win the Stanley Cup. The great goalies of every generation always makes the big save when it counts - whether the game is 1-0, 2-1 or 7-6.

Kari has to become that guy if the Thrashers are to have success. Kari is a paid professional, has a few pro seasons under his belt, and has the mental toughness of a tee-ball player. He has got to step it up.

Moose is a great goalie and is the ultimate team guy (Darren Elliot’s comments aside, anyone who ever played with Moose will attest to this).

Bottom line is that the Thrashers need to do much better in every facet, but it starts and ends with goaltending. Sorry to rain on your parade Kari lovers.

By Christy

February 8, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

Wow, some of you are taking it to Rawhide like he was anti-Kari, which from what I recall is certainly not the case, either in previous blogs or in that above.

But as has often been pointed out on this blog by many, Kari can be a head case, and it does a team no good to have a goalie who has skills that are beyond brilliant if his mental makeup prevents him from focusing. See Gerber…

The other night against Philadelphia, the 2nd goal nearly right off the face off - he wasn’t focused on the puck - he admitted so himself. This one, he was more worried about who hit him, rather than standing up and making sure that a puck didn’t go in. You play until the whistle blows, whether it’s hockey or football or basketball. You run through first base, because you never know who might bobble the ball. This idea is fundamental to any sport… Kari didn’t keep playing and it was this that cost us that goal, no matter what other contributing factors (X’s head hunting, Klee’s positioning, Perrin’s errant stick) there might be.

And to be honest, I know why all of you are saying that we need to ride Kari and play him on Saturday, but sometimes that talk in the woodshed is followed taking a privelege away. Playing is a privelege, and he should grow up and learn to view it as such. He’s not that young anymore.

And I think I might be channeling a little of stendec….

I’m off. Have a good night all.

By R. Stroz

February 8, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

So, who is going to get mullets this weekend?

By Brendan

February 8, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

Well, it hurts that Atlanta followed a 3-game winning streak with two games that were solid efforts but didn’t result in any points. But as Bobby Holik says, “We don’t get any points for ‘improved play’ or ‘good effort.’ It’s about winning. That’s it. What’s needed are just wins.”

Well said, Captain Holik. I want to emphasize that I’m not someone who throws the team under the bus after each and every successive loss. If you really look at this season, in the aggregate, you’ll see that just about every team has put together 3-game winning streaks followed by 3-game losing streaks. Up the number to four, and it’s still about the same. Almost every team in the league has been “streaky” like this. Right now, Atlanta still has more than just a mathematical shot at making the playoffs and winning the division. Yes, that’s an “indictment” of the division. But it is what it is. And if we win this division, we’re gonna host a playoff series. For real.

But, uhh … folks. If we don’t win the division … and we don’t make the playoffs … and we don’t re-sign Hossa or trade him for “something” of value … wouldn’t you all finally agree … that changes are needed in the front office? You might even want to argue that these changes are needed even if the team does repeat as Southeast Division Champions.

Isn’t the point of running a franchise to build a “championship-cabliber” team, with a window of opportunity? As in … “we’re gonna be serious contenders for several years.”

If this establishment is left in charge, it’ll be the same thing every year: “Tier Two Free Agent signings” in the offseason, coupled “bargain basement” wingers and blueliners found on the cheap, and millions of dollars under the cap on “Opening Night.” The results of which will be? You got it!, a team that’s just good enough to squeak into the playoffs, once a rash of trade deadline moves are made. Is that REALLY the best strategy? Is it??? Beeee honest. You’re ALL, every single ONE of you, capable of being honest.

By Hockeyfan

February 8, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

1) he was tripped by Perrin which is why he fell 2) he is not a puck handling goalie. If he wants to work on that, work on it at practice and during the summer but not during the game. I asked the Don at the Town Hall meeting this season if he could put a Bungee cord on him to keep him in the creasae

By MB

February 8, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Lil’ Jon, great line about KL seeing more shots than Caan in the Godfather.

The Thrash definitely did not take advantage of some very good scoring opportunities against a sub-par (by his standards) Luongo. He was caught out of position several times and our 2nd tier players (Perrin, White, Dupuis) failed to take advantage of it. When you get a clear shot against that guy, you have to bury it, because he typically doesn’t give you too many chances.

As for Kari, overall he played a fine game, and in truth the team D was good (by Thrasher standards) for the first two periods.

I thought the first goal, on the PP, was the weak one. As the puck came out from behind the net and from one point to the other, KL stood up out of his crouch, presumably to see the puck. By the time the shot was coming on goal, he was still moving into position, and that provided just enough room for the puck to sneak in. Or at least that’s how it all looked from my seats, without the benefit of replay.

All in all, those were two points we gave away. No way should we have lost to that team last night, and that’s what is frustrating.

By Thrashy Thrashy

February 8, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

From Carroll’s recap:

“I went to see it from the video,” Lehtonen said. “It was Perrin’s stick that caught me a little bit, and I went on my butt there. Just a little bit of bad luck. I thought it was their guy’s stick, that’s why I was complaining to the ref. I should get up a little bit faster and be able to stop it. I didn’t, so I’m pretty mad about that goal.”

As you can see, Kari is taking a tiny bit of responsibility for whining about the play. Maybe not as much responsibility as I’d like, but he could have insisted that Ryan Kesler hit him and that the ref blew the call.

Anyway, ze Trash have been giving games like that away all year. Despite the Thrashers’ obvious deficiencies in certain areas, I think most fans here would agree that this team should have at least 10 more points to the good in the standings. The fact that ze Trash have been hovering around .500 for a few months leads me to believe that they don’t have what it takes to A) make the playoffs, or B) make the playoffs and win a series (which is really the only possible way this season could be considered a success by me).

By Brendan

February 8, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

Someone just asked me, “Wouldn’t the compensation of an RFA offer sheet for Kari Lehtonen be four 1st round draft picks?

The answer is: Only if the “offer sheet” exceeded $5,859,412.

A team can offer as much as $4,687,530 a year to Kari Lehtonen and only sacrifice a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick as compensation. So, if you’re a GM out there … who thinks all Kari really needs is a decent blueline in front of him, maybe this is your offer? You won’t draft until the 4th round, but now, ostensibly, you’ve got your “goalie of the future” all signed, sealed and delivered.

Should Don Waddell “match” such an offer? I leave that to you to decide. But if the offer exceeds $4,687,530 … then the GM making the offer sheet must cough up two (2) first round picks, one (1) second round pick, and one (1) third round pick.

I heard someone say, “Brendan, honestly, the proper offer should be $3.5 million. What’s that gonna cost in draft pick compensation?” Well, a GM can go as high as $3,515,647 and only have to cough up one (1) first round pick and one (1) third round pick.

If you’re like me, and you think Lehtonen’s value is actually somewhere around $2.5M, the draft pick compensation for such an offer is only a 2nd round pick. That’s it?? Yep. That’s it. But uhh, that “offer” would almost certainly be matched by Don Waddell. Moreover, Kari may not sign it. Once he affixes his signature to an offer sheet, that’s his salary, for either the team gaining him or the Thrashers, who match the offer. Here’s the link, 2007 Free Agent Compensation

By Joe

February 8, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Rawhide…you’re an idiot. Kari got a stick to his neck from his teammate Perrin. Try to play hockey after that.

Always believe in your goalie. Kari is as good of a talent as Kovalchuk and we all need to stad behind him.

The loss was the teams fault and not his. He has been playing extremely well - ask anyone who knows hockey.

Any thoughts of giving up on Lehtonen is like those who gave up on Coburn. And look where it lead us….nowhere.

Lehtonen is our goalie that will win the Cup for us…mark my words…you will be eating yours.

By HookyBob

February 8, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

Kari is,..well Kari. He stops about 5 shots a game that an average goalie wouldn’t. He lets in about 1 shot every two games that an average goalie wouldn’t (too bad that 1 every two games came in back to back games this week).

So,… do we: 1)We fix Kari’s mental focus; 2)Give up fewer shots, or; 3)Score more goals? For those of you who said “Yes”…proceed to “Go” and collect $200.

Rawhide was focusing on # 1 above,..and that is a big part of it. I say get Passi back to coach him. Can you imagine Kari with Passi’s focus/attitude? “Tough as nails would be an understatement.”

As for #2,..We give up as many shots/game as any other team. Almost makes you miss Andy (just joking folks). However, we do need some physcial D-men over 6’-0” (not that Andy was physcial,…but he did block shots). I’d like to see another western Canada raised D-man.

Number 3: Hossa’s slap shot in the Philly game makes me wonder if he isn’t “squeezing the stick too hard.” The old Hoss would have faked a shot, then stickhandled to his left and had a wide-open net. I wonder if others aren’t squeezing a bit too much (especially White & Perrin)?

Finally (#1)We could use an agitator,…a la Esa Tekatin (sp). Oh how I wish Dan Snyder were still with us. Do I hear an “A-men?”

Finally (#2)Is everyone else as impressed with Recci’s game/fundementals as I? I hope he will stick around as a coach when he retires (in 2010).

Finally (#3) Should Vancouver be in the Hossa sweepstakes did anyone see some defensemen they liked? Elder and and Bourdon looked good to me.

Finally (#4) Take a grain of salt with anything D Elliot says. Skip Jethro and David Duke posts. If you can’t do that,..don’t respond (Don’t feed the trolls,..quote from J(Z)).

What do you say we work late tonight and fix all these problems?

Thats all folks.

By Rawhide

February 8, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Wow…no shortages of opinions here. Good thing I actually appreciate dissenting opinions or I might develop a complex! LOL!

I hope Kari starts for almost the same reason that I stated here 6 weeks ago. If you recall, I got a lot of grief about that opinion as well by those who insisted Moose should start. Granted, back then he had just suffered a bad game…last night wasn’t bad…except the one play that even HE said he should have done better with.

Oh, and please, don’t take the post as Keri “bashing”…it was mearly my observation of allowing ONE play on his end to overshadow what has been a very good stretch of games and a fine outing up to that point.

‘Nuff said on my part about it. Continue to fire away if you must.

Lil’ Jon - This kid unfortunately sees more shots than Jimmy Caan in The Godfather. - Great line!! I wonder if Kari gets a shudder down his spine when approaching a toll booth?

Indeed, the fact is that our D gives up way too many shots. It was a same to waste an effort that held the oposition to 28 last night.

Christy - And I think I might be channeling a little of stendec - If you find yourself bolting up out of a deep sleep screaming SOFT, SOFT, SOFT…please get some help!

Hockeyfan - I asked the Don at the Town Hall meeting this season if he could put a Bungee cord on him to keep him in the crease - Brilliant! Personally, I was thinking of the invisible fence and collar method.

Joe - All due respect, my friend…I’m hardly giving up on Kari…quite the contrary and I have a record of sticking up for him…

If there is one part of your post I agree with 100% its, “Any thoughts of giving up on Lehtonen is like those who gave up on Coburn. And look where it lead us…nowhere”.

My wife, however, might agree more with your first point.

HookyBob - Amen on both the Dan Snyder comment and the David Duke comment.

RStroz - So, who is going to get mullets this weekend? - Hope you get one. Anything to cover that dome, buddy!!!

By Jethro

February 8, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

Hooky Bob - Dont ya be puttin me in the same category as David Puke.

I may have sum fun with my writin style, I may pick on Eklund, I may make goofy pithy comments from time to time but I aint no dumb troll. Please take a look at the following examples:

By my figurin, Calgary has already spent 45 million next year and only has 13 players under contract, which includes the Phanuef signing.

They are goin to haveta let sum UFA�s walk and bring up a bunch of rookies to fill out their roster.

Translation, Huselius may be available in the free agent market aftur July 1.

What do you boys think about movin Hosser to them Blueshirts for Cherepanov? Do ya think Ilya could getum to cross the big pond?

Translation, Cherepanov would give Kovy another young Russian as a team mate, which might keep Kovy around when his contract nears expiration. Also, since Kovy and Cherepanov have the same agent, we gotta a good chance at gettin Cherepanov over here, unlike Nukilin.

Now, I don’t talk ugly about any of the uthur bloggers except the outa town visitors, try to pruvide the same courtesy.

By kracker

February 8, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Eklund has Hossa to Habs rumor for Higgins and a first, maybe more, who knows.

Hossa to Habs (e4)

By Jim_Bob

February 8, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Hey there Rawhide and Jethro! How you fellers doin today? I gots myself so darn twisted off that Mr. Jack Daniels yesterday that I missed the whole dang Canucklehead game! what the heck happened? Did we win?

Now I just darn woke up and that Eklund feller’s talkin about some Hossa to the Frenchies for a Higgins package! Dangit, if it’s true, we might otta throw in there Zhit and some young ‘uns! Maybe DW can fleece someone else for a change! Yee Haw!

By Jethro

February 8, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

Hey Jim_Bob, you gettin a mullet tomorrow night?

By Tony C.

February 9, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this

I don’t know. Huselius has been mentioned by Sutter specifically, as someone he wants to hold onto.

Granted, their cap number is going to be ugly, but well, they are on the back end of this group’s window.

Still I wouldn’t mind seeing him with “ATLANTA” going down his left sleeve….

GO BLUE !!!

P.S. Rumor0mongers have Stoll leaving Edmonton…I would like to see DW make a serious attempt to get him. I think he’d be an ideal addition to this group.

But oh, how I wish we had a true agitator, a la Claude Lemieux (yes, he didn’t drop ‘em but tell me that guy wasn’t the perfect agitator! Oh, and about as clutch as you’d hope to be) or ol’ Esa.

I think that it’s obvious that we need help on the blueline, but I just don’t see one player that is available that could produce the dramatic change we need, but as we’ve all seen, DW’s best strength is trading NHLers for NHLers…so I remain hopeful.

we’re far enough under the cap that I wouldn’t be upset if we took on some ugly salary so long as it’s limited to the end of next season…

I hope that we go for defence when we deal hossa. Now if we keep Hoss (who is a different player than this hossa fella we’ve seen much of this season), why not go ahead and trade for some D anyway? I’m not going to cry if we lose certain players, but unfortunately, the pieces we’d like to see gone represent too serious of cap numbers to be palatable…unless say, there’s an injury and we can move someone like a Zhitnik, taking advantage of the other team’s plight.

well, I’m psyched-tomorrow is mullet night? sweet

GO BLUE !!!

By Johan H.

February 9, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

Rawhide, do not worry. I am starting Saturday night. I will lead my brothers to victory. I will talk to Kari for you. It will be ok.

Thanks,
Johan

By HookyBob

February 9, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this

Jethro Please accept my apologies. I guess I need your comments spelled out (ie interpretations).

By Jethro

February 9, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Hooky Bob - No problem.

Smiles Everyone, Smiles.

By Yardie

February 9, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Kick him out of town by all means. Trade him away for garbage like the Panthers did. By all means. He’s a great goalie with no D in front of him. Put the heat on your GM not on a young goalie. Dumb article. Put some thought into your job.

By Nikita

February 9, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Agreed, HookyBob.

1. We need better defense, and what we need is also LARGER, YOUNGER defense.

2. Recchi is an absolute treasure. At his age, we shouldn’t commit to him long-term, but he is just playing phenomenally for us. He plays hard and smart.

3. We need a strategic goon/enforcer/pest. Not an idiot who makes illegal hits and takes game-losing penalties.

I think we’re lucky to have TWO exceptionally talented goalies. Statistically, Lehtonen is better, and he rarely has whole-game meltdowns as Hedberg can do occasionally. But it doesn’t really matter — they’re both already very good, but could be mentally tougher.

Whoever made the comment about the front office…yes. definitely. regardless of how things go this year, we’ve had many, many years of getting substandard picks in exchange for top picks, and we now have a team that is smaller, slower, and older than virtually every other team in the league.

By puckjunque

February 9, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Could I have some AMENs please?

Bow your heads, hands joined on the keyboards

Oh Heavenly Father, Thank you for listening to our prayers and for keeping this team healthy and blessed. Please guide the Thrashers to take the ice tonight with a confident attitude and determination to emerge victorious in regulation time. Please give the Thrashers the spirit and energy they need tonight to step up their game and kick the lightning’s a$$!! AMEN !!!

By Nix

February 9, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Amen, PJ!!!

By ilyak

February 9, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

THE COLD HARD HARD FACTS!!

d is the biggest problem. last year we were a 500 team if you look at goals for/against. shots…thank god for goalies that stop them. this year we are again at 500. 500 teams make the playoffs and lose in the first round. if we make the playoffs we will lose in round 1. the owners and gm have created a 500 team. stl has a better record and a few years ago the were gutted for sale, sold and rebuilt. i am getting bored watching this team. ilya is the only thing worth watching. go 17

By Alan

February 9, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

AMEN, PJ!

By Rawhide

February 9, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

A-FREAKIN’-MEN!!! Thanks, PJ!

GO THRASHERS!! Go BELT the BOLTZ!!

Yardie,…yes, you’re absolutely right….I called for Kari to be kicked out of town……It’s right there in black and white…”kicked Kari out of town”!!!

(sigh)….

Kari gets nod tonight!!! I like this decision….hope the offense can produce more than 1 or 2 goals! Kari, for the most part, has been very strong the past couple weeks and if he can stay hot we’ll be fine!!!

By Tim

February 9, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

One doesn’t need to look very far to see that even elite goaltender will pull those kind of trick in critical game that will eventually cost them the game. Anyone remember Luongo’s last goal against in the 2007 playoff? Now which one is more critical? And did the Canucks all scream trade Luongo after that goal?

As I said before, Kari is Kari. As of now, he can be incredible just like he can play as weak. However I did notice something in his play of late. Even after allowing those “soft” goal, he still keep his head in the game to keep the game close. The old Kari would have give up and open the floodgate. Kari is still evolving and let face it, he’s still a 24 years old kid and still far away from his peak. And as some of you guys point out, we float or sink with Kari. He is the last line of defence, and unfortunatelly, we rely too much on him.

On another Topic: It seem clear to everyone that Redden won’t be back with the Sens next season! Anyone want to see him in the Thrashers Uni?

By Alan

February 9, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

I’d love to see Redden in Thrashers Blue. Whether or not Don and the ownership are willing to try and sign him is another matter entirely.

By Brendan

February 9, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Nikita, glad to see you still posting. And yes, that was me who made the “front office” quote. I agree with you, #17 is the best part of watching Thrashers hockey. But it’s time to change the philosophical direction of the team from older players … to a younger, faster skillset. That said, Mark Recchi is a player I would keep on a one-year deal, barring a “fantastic” trade deadline offer for his services.

Tim, yes I agree. We will sink or swim with Kari Lehtonen. He’s not going anywhere, at least not while DW is the GM. He draft Kari. He’s responsible for him.

Speaking of GM decisions, it’s “easy” to just say, “I’d like to have Wade Redden.” Is our team BETTER with Redden? Answer: Of course it is. “Is it ‘right’ to pay him $6.5M or MORE DOLLARS to have him? Answer: “No.” If the Atlanta Thrashers must go spend $6.0 million on a free agent defensemen, it’d be BETTER to have Brian Campbell. Of course, I’d like to have Rozsival and Campbell, if we’re opening up the wallet to “spend, spend, spend.” But if Redden’s price tag is $7.0 million or more dollars, I’d say, “pass.” He’s not really even worth the $6.5M he gets now. This kind of money limits our “depth” potential. If DW could land Redden for $5.0 million, then I’d start to think it’s worth doing.

But uhhh, let’s be “real,” folks. We’re not a market that attracts major free agents. And that’s not just because we’re Atlanta. The reason we cannot attract “major free agents” resides in the fact that we are not a serious Cup contender. It’s further excerbated by “unstable and inept ownership.” And there it is, with no sugar-coating. A major free agent will consider going to a market like San Jose, a relatively “small” and “non-traditional” hockey market, precisely because they ARE Stanley Cup contenders.

PJ, A-men! Another great prayer! Four “big” points are on the table tonight with Tampa Bay. Go Thrashers!!

By Tony C.

February 9, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Oh and vis-a-vis Hossa trade to Montreal:

Why not Hossa for Komisarek (other than Gainey won’t deal him) I’m for this because of this quote:

*”I got into hockey mainly because I was a big guy and a physical kid,” Komisarek says. “I played other sports like soccer, basketball and baseball, but those sports never really allowed me to use my size.

“I have always taken pride in being physical and trying to block shots. That is what my team needs me to do. Every game I get the tough guys on the other team talking to me and chirping at me [trying to fight], but for me to go off the ice with one of those guys instead of, say, [Jaromir] Jagr or one of the other team’s top scorers, doesn’t make sense. You have to look at the tradeoff.”*

Sound like somebody we could use?

GO BLUE !!!

By Thrasher Ryan

February 9, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

It’s 0-0 after 1. KL in goal. Kozlov was awarded a goal but the eye in the sky in Toronto recalled it upon further review. Oh well. At least Kozzy’s trying.

Brendan—Agree, agree, agree! I would rather have Campbell than Redden. Redden is too expensive and is just not worth it. Campbell, however, is worth every dollar.

Tony C.—Ranallo and myself were discussing Komisarek the other day. He is the only Hab I would want; I don’t think the Habs would let him go though. He has 1 year left on a contract and is very affordable. However, a Hossa trade could change things, but I doubt it.

Man, could you imagine if we had BOTH Campbell AND Komisarek? Wow. In our dreams!

Thrasher offense needs to wake up now!

GO BLUE!!!

By PJ

February 9, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

Carolina 1 - New Jersey 6, 2nd period almost over.

By Thrasher Ryan

February 9, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

1-0 Lightning after 2! Ungood!

KL can thank Havelid for the goal! A Havelid giveaway = Lecavalier goal!

Kozlov returns to the 2nd line tonight:
Kozlov—Perrin—Hossa

Zhitnik looks like crap. No surprise there.

Is the team at Philips tonight? I see them out there, but I see NO OFFENSE at all. What gives?

Is it too much to ask for 3 or 4 goals to help out KL? Damn, the kid has played his a$$ off, so far.

I hope to god adjustments are made between periods! This performance is ABSOLUTELY unacceptable!

GO BLUE!!!

By Thrasher Ryan

February 9, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

1-1 after 3! Going to OT!

Still handing out all these “bonus points”! D+++!

GO BLUE!!!

By PJ

February 9, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Thrasher Ryan, Did someone pick Zhit in that pool? How bout’ that??

Carolina lost so we are tied at 58 points!!! Go Thrashers!!!

By Thrasher Ryan

February 9, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

Thrashers WIN 2-1, OT! Zhitnik with the game winner. The Vegas odds on that must have been out the roof!

Well, i’ll take this win and thank KL for it. He was on his game tonight, no doubt. KL stole a game when the Thrasher offense failed to show up.

There’s just too much irony in Zhit gettin the GW…

By Thrasher Ryan

February 9, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

PJ—Yeah, Jsmooth picked him, and he won our contest about a month ago with Zhitty’s 1st goal. He’s got a beer on me sometime in the near future.

So glad the Exelby—McCarthy line is back!

Can we PLEASE put Slater back at 4th line Center? Larsen is too slow! Slater was always in the right spot!

By Brendan

February 9, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

The two-game losing streak is over!! It’s a two-point swing; we get two points while denying them one-point. Think of it as 3-1, Thrashers, for the evening.

But uhh, Florida won, 6-3, over Boston. Frekkin Bruins led three times in that game. Boston’s defense and goaltending let them down.

Carolina lost big, something like 6-1, to New Jersey.

Did YOU know???: The Florida Panthers have never, ever won a division title. This year would be their first, if they get it. In 1996, the Florida Panthers won the Eastern Conference (defeated the Penguins, 4-3,) and have a banner hanging in their arena for that achievement. But, they didn’t win their division that year. The Panthers actually finished 3rd in the Atlantic division in 1996. (In 1996, the Southeast division hadn’t been created yet.) The Florida Panthers have missed the playoffs for the past six straight seasons. Their last playoff appearance occurred in 2000, when they were swept in four games by New Jersey.

For you absolute “trivia buffs,” True or False?: The Tampa Bay Lightning entered the league in the Norris Division of the Campbell Conference (Today, Central Division, Western Conference)?

By The Other Bob

February 9, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

Rawhide…feel free to take Kari to the wood shed more often! THAT BOY RESPONDED WELL!!!!

By Tony C.

February 9, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this

He dure did didn’t he Other Bob?

Un fact, I think someone has realized that he is the man and can control the game.

Now if he can get the guys in front of him to stop taking entire periods off…well we might be paying in May.

Seriously, the zone-time tonight was ATTROCIOUS.

It may have evened out in the OT wash, but it seemed like we played the entire 2nd in our end.

But hey, don’t look the OT-win in the mouth right???

GO BLUE !!!

P.S. Who was 1st star?

P.P.S. Was Lehtonen using the KillBill or Optimus mask?

By Rawhide

February 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Zhit was #1 star…Kari #2…Hossa #3…

Now if I can only get my tax exemptions to respond so well Other Bob… LOL!

By Nix

February 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Kari was the only guy in blue out there who looked like he’d ever played a hockey game before. I can’t believe he didn’t get the 1st star of the game. Tony, it was Hossa with the 3rd star, Kari with the 2nd, and Zhitnik with the 1st. The mind boggles.

By Brendan

February 9, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

Nix, they almost always give the 1st star to the guy who scores the OT game winning goal.

Anyone else watching this awesome San Jose Sharks-Nashville Predators game? It’s 2-2, heading towards the 3rd period. Colorado vs. Vancouver has been good, too. Nashville and San Jose have met twice, recently, in the playoffs, and the memories apparently are lingering.

By Nix

February 9, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

Brendan, be that as it may… Zhitnik played like crap for 60 minutes. Kari was on top of his game for 61 minutes. But we won, and that’s what matters.

By R. Stroz

February 9, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

HOLY ZHITNIK BATMAN

By R. Stroz

February 9, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

I agree Nix. Kari stood on his head tonight and deserved the first star.

Havelid was playing for Tamps tonight. Someone needed to tell Havelid the Thrashers were in the BLUE jersey.

By Rawhide

February 9, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

RStroz - Quit stealing my headers!!! ( .\/. )

By Brendan

February 9, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

LOL, R.Stroz. Hey, Havelid has sort of become one of our better plus-minus players.

Nix, the “3-stars” are so subjective that the NHL won’t even recognize them. I think they’re chosen by the local media. But you’re right, in objective terms, Kari was the 1st star. According to the “rules” of the “3-stars,” a guy who had been “benched” after his 1st shift, only to return in the overtime, to replace an injured player, who scores the winning goal … is the 1st Star of the game.

It is rather funny. Actually, what is the “purpose” of the 3-stars of the game, anyway? Half the time, the players selected don’t even take their cursory skate on the ice, especially when they’re the visiting team. The guy winds up getting “booed” anyway.

By Brendan

February 10, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

Look how ‘troubling’ Marian Hossa’s plus-minus has become.

I wouldn’t have thought he’d closed in on McCarthy and surpassed Bobby Holik.

By Nix

February 10, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

Brendan, if I had to guess, I’d say that the “purpose” served is to make a bunch of guys feel like they’ve had a meaningful role in a game that they’re too old/lacking in talent to have contributed to in any other way.

But maybe I’m just cynical.

By Brendan

February 10, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

Congrats to San Jose Head Coach Ron Wilson on his 500th career win. That’s quite an achievement. Wilson previously coached Anaheim, in that club’s infancy, and the Washington Capitals, whom he led to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998.

By kracker

February 10, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Gee RH, I think you used more BOLD than Stendec when talking about Lehtonen.

Maybe it worked.

By kracker

February 10, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Brendan That’s a pretty dismal +/- tally. Three of the team leaders aren’t even on the team right now. Even Kovy has taken a big step backward this year, his goal of being a plus player will have to wait until next year unless he can be a plus player in the playoffs.

I wonder how many minuses they piled up in that one Sabres game?

By Brendan

February 10, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Kracker, in the 10-1 loss at Buffalo, believe it or not, Enstrom was a +1 in that game. Colin Stuart was “even.” Klee was a -4, as was Kovalchuk and Zhitnik. The guys at -3 for that game were Exelby, Hossa, and Recchi. The -2 guys were Kozlov, Popovic, and Todd White. The -1 players were Boulton, Doell, Dupuis, Holik, Perrin, and Thorburn.

But uhh, the larger concept is … why are our “star players” in “double-digit” minuses? This is what, I believe, is elevating a guy like Eric Perrin’s “value” to the team and to the trade market. Here’s a guy whose supposed to be on the 3rd line, who is 4th or so in team scoring, who hovers around the “even” mark, all season long.

Eric Perrin was signed on July 1, 2007, as “insurance” for Todd White. Perrin was happy to come to Atlanta … since he didn’t have a contract offer from Tampa Bay, his previous team. Don got him on a 2-year deal. This offseason, I think it would be appropriate to approach Perrin, a UFA in 2009, about re-signing with our club through at least the 2010 season. Your thoughts?

By kracker

February 10, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

[Chuckle] yes, that was one baaad game. A net of -32 is, I hope, a franchise worst.

Oh heck, yes, we extend Perrin! He is a bargain compared to what we are paying other players. Such as Perrin having two more points than Slava [thru Friday] at about 25% of Kozlov’s salary. And he has all those SH assists, too, those are huge. Even at a -4 he is better than most of our regular forwards in +/-.

By Nikita

February 10, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Re: Perrin, he’s cheap, he’s scrappy, he’s relatively solid, and he is determined to play like a pro. Which we desperately need right now — Perrin is one of the few players really slugging it out for the duration. His major detriments are his size and his occasional errors. Due to his size, he’s more likely to get injured than he should be. I say keep him.