AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US‘07-‘08 Post Mortem Pt. 1 of 3
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Standing in the morgue, pulling on smock, slapping on rubber gloves, sliding on mask… Rawhide stands over the mortal remains of the ’07-’08 Atlanta Thrashers season.
Friends…thank you all for coming. Please, gather around and let’s just get this over with.
There are too many things that went terribly wrong with this 2007-’08 Thrashers season…there is no way to cover them all. But there are a few main topics that we can discuss as this disappointing campaign closes out. Once doing so… we then take it out, shovel dirt on these issues and leave the whole sorted affair buried from this point on.
Yes, I know there is another game to play, but for all intense and purpose…this season is dead, toes up. It has assumed room temperature…kicked the oxygen habit.
First item to discuss: The players. After all, they are the ones that perform or don’t. And this year, more times than not, they didn’t.
However, let’s start off with some good…namely the play of rookie Tobias Enstrom. The young Swede has played in all 81 games thus far, leads the team with 24:26 TOI, averages 25.5 shifts per game, (which is only 0.1 behind team leader Ken Klee) and has chipped in with 5 goals and 38 points. For much of the season he hovered around a +6 or +7, but recently has seen that drop to a -6. Still this is not terribly disappointing considering the amount of time he logs for a team whose GF/GA differential is -59.
The pairing of Enstrom and Niclas Havelid has been as solid of a defensive line we’ve had all year. Havelid is currently a +1, the only Thrasher in the positive who has played for the team all season.
Of course there is Ilya Kovalchuk. His 52 goals so far tie his career high. He has scored one quarter of the 212 goals tallied by the team. Factor in assists and he’s been in on 40.5% of them. For much of the season he was leading the NHL in goals but was slowed after taking a knee-to-knee shot from Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu just after the All Star break.
He didn’t wear the ‘C’, but the ‘C’ in him came through all year.
And now…the un-good.
To say that certain veteran players were a major disappointment would be quite the understatement. Let’s highlight four specifically:
Slava Kozlov: After inking a new contract last summer, the usually reliable forward disappeared quicker than doughnuts at a weight-watchers meeting. He has gone from 25 goals and 71 points two years ago and 28 goals 80 points last season to 17 and 40 this year. If you are one to give him the benefit of the doubt, it’s entirely possible his game slumped because of the poor play around him.
Trying to remain optimistic…certainly next year HAS to better for Kozlov.
Marian Hossa: Like Kozlov, he had a sub-par season before being shipped to Pittsburgh. Was he doggin’ it because he knew he was to be traded and did not want to get hurt? Were his numbers reflective of the supporting cast as well? Was the uncertainty of his future affecting his play? Who knows for sure?
However, the hard reality of his refusal to re-sign with the Thrasher is that he felt the team was not, yes I’m going to say it, moving in the right direction. Besides, how can one truly gauge the future of the team when the organ-I-zation cannot even move to name a head coach?
Bobby Holik: In fairness, the captain’s numbers this year improved from last. 11 goals and 29 points were upped to 14 and 33…similar to two seasons ago. But the glaring stat for Holik is the -15. In the past two seasons he was -3 and -6. Too many times Holik was not the dominating force in the defensive zone we needed from a center.
To be brutally honest, he seemed more adept at shoving a teammate under the bus than an opposing forward out from in front of the net.
Also, the team was in need of leadership in the man wearing the ‘C’. To me, that never really came from Holik.
Alexei Zhitnik: OK, where do we even begin. Let’s go with the -8, which is down from a +1 with three teams last year and his 3 goals and 5 helpers are off from 7 and 38 with those teams as well. To contrast his full season here, in the 18 games played for the Thrashers after the trade with Philadelphia last season he had 2 goals and 12 assists.
Many cheered his arrival a year ago, myself included, but some warned of the price paid. As it turns out, the price was indeed too steep. Compounding the aggravation is how Braydon Coburn has developed with the Flyers this season. That plus we are still on the hook for Zhit’s salary in ’08-’09.
He has viewed the games from the press box since the beginning of March and many would like to see him waived or bought out if a trade can’t be arranged.
These are but a few of the players who I have chosen to point out from this season we are beginning to examine. Feel free to step forward with your thoughts regarding those mentioned as well as others.
Lastly, I feel it necessary to point out the even though it is fair to call out the performances of these veteran players…it is also just as fair to contemplate the failings of the general manager for the squad that was assembled on the ice.
For me, it’s not as much as the players he provided in as much as the voids that were left. Last summer it was clear the team needed big time help on the blueline…his response, Ken Klee. Oh, a serviceable enough defender, but not the impact player needed to anchor a top defensive pairing. And there is this issue with the #1 center…something that has, for the most part, gone un-addressed since the departure of Marc Savard 2 summers past…unless you call Todd White the answer.
However, Don Waddell is a subject for later in these ceremonies.
But before we even get to him, we will next discuss the coaching situation of this soon-to-be departed season. Or, better stated…the lack thereof.
Until then….
zipping up the body bag over the decrepit remains, pushing corpse back into the cooler to keep ‘til next discussion
Brrrr, it’s chilly in here.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Brendan
April 3, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Okay, Greg deVries doesn’t play here anymore, but I just watched him score the GWG for the Nashville, in a 3-2 win over St. Louis. The win inches the Preds ever closer to that playoff berth. It would be their 4th (2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008) since their arrival in the NHL back in 1998. Yes, the year before the Thrashers came into existence. Now, Nashville has never won a playoff series. But they’ve never been swept, either. They do have four (4) playoff wins to their credit. Not bad for a team that was dismantled last season.
Speaking of expansion-era teams, the Minnesota Wild become the second to win a division, as the Wild defeated Calgary tonight, 3-1. They still have the same Coach, Jacques Lemaire, and GM, Doug Risebrough. And why not? It’s working. The Wild have won nine (9) playoff games since entering the league in 2000, the year AFTER the Thrashers. The Wild were Western Conference Finalists in 2003. Last season, the Wild were defeated by the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Anaheim Ducks, 4-1. They will host their 1st round playoff series. Most consider the Wild to be a serious playoff team, though they are not Stanley Cup favorites.
Columbus, the other expansion team, has yet to reach the playoffs at all. The Blue Jackets are still trying to “undo” the damage caused by the previous GM, Doug MacLean. They will get an extra 1st round pick for unloading one of their UFAs at the trade deadline (Either Federov or Adam Foote).
By LAC
April 4, 2008 3:06 AM | Link to this
This artical from Yahoo NHL… Seems Chicago WANTS TO WIN !
Gee what a nice thought, I wish we were wanting to WIN !
Daddy Wirtz is gone, the sons want to WIN, I sure wish asg would take heed of this type outlook…
A fresh outlook would go a LONG way to making this team be a sucess, with the same old GM it will never take off, it’s like bad as long as waddell is still here.
Good artical, wish we were as aggressive !
Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon expects to get the OK from chairman Rocky Wirtz to spend what he needs in free agency starting July 1. As of right now, Tallon guesses he’ll be in the market for two top-end free agents.
“We need a top-notch defenseman and a top-notch forward,” Tallon said. “I could see (adding) two free agents and two kids. But whatever we do won’t be just for next year. Any additions will be for the long term, too.”
Tallon has been looking for a defenseman to quarterback the power play all season, and his search will continue once the year ends.
By Hockeyman3944
April 4, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
Hold it! Unzip the body bag one more time awhide..phew! The stench is overwhelming! While w’re in there, I think its instructive to root around in there and locate some more decay. Yes, yes, the obvious smell comes from ol’ Donny boy, way too easy of a target, but what’s this? Even more telling is the stink from the owners of the body bag, the Atlanta Spirit(?). A curious name in its own right considering how they take the spirit out of their customers, not too mention the money out of their patrons pockets by putting sub par teams on the ice/court! They don’t have one clue, its astonishing how they made money in the first place! The problem is: they want us to treat them like the customer folks! Wake Up! The best way to speak to them, other than by hand, is to not participate in their assinine way of fleecing us! Will that send a message…maybe. Will it hurt their pocket book..probably. But the big problem is..if it keeps happening, they move the team because “this isn’t a good hockey market.” So, we’re caught up in this never ending circle jerk and its frustrating but above all, it smells as much as the odor emanating from the bag…please zip it up!!!
By five_hole
April 4, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
I think the telling stat from Bobby Holik was the $4.25 Mil he was getting to generate those 33 points. He’s a big body who wins more faceoffs than he loses, but he takes games off; not something you want in a player, much less a captain.
I’m willing to give Slava another chance; everyone has a bad year. With any luck, maybe Todd White was having a bad year too.
On the good side, you forgot to mention Eric Perrin. I thought his play (especially on PK) was exceptional. Didn’t he lead the league in short handed assists?
By BuzzEng
April 4, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
Let me focus on THE GOOD: Bill Tiller (Rawhide) and his season-long efforts with the blog!!* As a Thrashers fan in North Carolina, it’s near-impossible to find fellow Thrashers fans to cheer with and to suffer with. Bill, you and your regulars on the blog made me feel like part of the community, just by following along. I laughed! I screamed! It made a misearble year tolerable knowing I wasn’t the only one confused or irritated by some of the Thrasher moves, decisions and playing efforts.
So… three cheers to Bill! Let the fan appreciation of him begin early and not end. Three cheers to Craig as well!! I hate to see the Thrashers season end, but will enjoy a stress-free playoff season.
By ThrasherNY
April 4, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
The Good: I will second the cheers for Rawhide as this seasons blogging was surely a highlight.
The Bad: For me the worst part of the year is hearing Kovy use language like “sniff” and “I just want to build something for next season”. After the vote of no confidence issued by Hossa the thought of losing Kovy in the same fashion is a much higher stink factor than the abismal season.
The Ugly: Since our wonderful owners have us managing under a self imposed budget it is imperative we spend ever dollar wisely or else we really dont stand a chance. This season we had Holik and Ruchhin abosorbing 6.5MM for ~35pts, I knew this season would be a challenge in light of those numbers but I thought this would be the last of the pain. Now I look at next season and we have Kozlov and Zhitnik on the nipple for 7.2MM. How exactly can we expect to afford the depth required to be a contender with that type of baggage?
By d
April 4, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Let’s not forget, the Pens finished last place two years ago - and now they are #1 in the East. We just need to find our answer to Crosby and Malkin.
Regarding the ugly, losing Dupuis to the Pens was difficult - he’s already having a huge positive impact for that team.
By Nikita
April 4, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Yep. The Pens have a good system, which allows them to be perennially at least decent. They have a substantial first line that’s paying off for them. On the other hand, in two years they won’t be able to afford anyone and will have to release a significant portion of the team.
The Ice Man blogging — good.
Also good — Kovy, Enstrom, Perrin, Thorburn, Havelid. The Hossa/Dupuis trade and all it brought with it.
Ungood — Kozlov, Ex, Stevie Mac, Larsen, most of our old skool talent.
By Thrasher Ryan
April 4, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Hey, at least Mike “Glass Joe” Hampton is not on our roster!!!
By ThrasherNY
April 4, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
One could argue that we had our answer to Crosby and Malkin in Kovalchuk and Heatley. Except something tells me that five years from now the Penguins wont be back at the bottom of the league.
By GaVaHokie
April 4, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
ThrasherNY… and I’d say we still haven’t recovered from the Heatley tragedy… this team was well on it’s way with Heatley and Kovy… two promising kids, who by now, would have been drawing in high profile free agents.
Instead, Heatley demands a trade, talks bad about the city… not the team… the city. We get Hossa in return, who was getting paid more money and doesn’t mesh with Kovalchuk. Doesn’t resign, gets traded and talks bad about the organization.
This team desperately needs to fix this problem this summer. It needs a top-flight line (ie. Heatley Spezza Alfredson) that can be locked up for years to come.
Here’s my solution…If they can’t find a way to get Stamkos, trade for the rights to Jeff Carter… lock him up long-term… then sign Michael Ryder.
By Jason
April 4, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Ya know, Rawhide, we won last year when we had someone that never updated the blog. I’m not sayin’…I’m just sayin’.
By Rawhide
April 4, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Thanks to all who have express kind thoughts in regards to the passing of my wife’s grandfather. To that we know learn that her grandmother passed this morning.
36 hours apart…wow.
So, if I’m not around for a while I know you’ll understand.
Thanks also to those who have expressed your nice thoughts about the blog. I cannot tell you how much that means to me.
But the truth is, the best thing about this little blog thingy is all of the comments posted below my rantings…I really enjoy reading them all…even Jason’s :o)
Post Motem Pt. II and Pt. III Monday will post soon. I look forward to your feedback and thoughts on those as well.
GO THRASHERS!! - TRAMPLE TAMPA BAY!!
By Bob
April 4, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
36 hours apart…wow
My sincere condolences. It’s amazing how often that happens with very old couples, one goes and the other one says, I’m coming with ya, honey.
I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there, I did not die.
By Alan
April 4, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
My condolences, Rawhide. I hope you have a safe trip!
By Russ
April 4, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
My condolences as well Rawhide…and great job on the blog all year.
By Brendan
April 4, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Condolences to Rawhide and the Devine Mrs. “R”.
By Brendan
April 4, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
The Florida Panthers control the fate of the Southeast Division. They just defeated Carolina in regulation time. You heard correctly. Carolina’s regular season is over. They wait, now, to see if the whole season is over. The ‘Canes need for the Cats to knock off the Capitals later on this weekend, in regulation time.
What an odd scenario. Carolina can be eliminated, entirely, or they just may stillll have won the Southeast Division. I can’t ever recall such a scenario, can you???
And for the Capitals … one point vs. Florida and they win the Southeast Division for the third time in the brief history of the division.
Boston leads Ottawa, 2-1, with 1:22 left. The NY Isles just defeated the Rangers in a shootout. The Isles led, 2-0, in the shootout and the Rangers converted on their next two tries to force a sudden death shootout. Richard Park scored for the Islanders. The Rangers can still clinch home ice with a regulation time win over the NJ Devils.
Ottawa, with Carolina’s loss, has clinched a playoff berth. That’s a shame, because down the stretch, Carolina was far more deserving of that playoff berth than was Ottawa, who are in a full freefall, lest they pull a miracle here, vs. Boston.
Those fans in Raleigh was stunned at what they saw. Florida 4, Carolina 3.
Bruins win!! Boston has just clinched a playoff berth! Marc Savard will finally taste some playoff hockey.
By peter lindstrom
April 4, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
DEFENSE.
So many times this season as well as last year were talking about a breakdown in defense. Who will coach the defense next year??
By Brendan
April 4, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Wait, isn’t Savard hurt?
By Brendan
April 4, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Rawhide, were you surprised that neither Edmonton nor Vancouver made it into the playoffs out west, and that the essentially dismantled Nashville Predators did? (Nashville was an expansion team in 1998.)
Rawhide, were you surprised that a team that finished DEAD LAST in the league in the previous season rebuilt itself into a playoff team the very next year? And what would you say to those who trumpet Atlanta’s “incremental progress” over 8 seasons, with only one playoff berth to show for it? Philly duplicated Atlanta’s entire franchise achievement in the space of one (1) season.
Last year, the Buffalo Sabres were the #1 seed and Ottawa won the Conference. This year, Buffalo wasn’t a playoff team and the Senators backed in to the playoffs, thanks to an improbable win by Florida over Carolina. It’s possible for Ottawa to finish 8th.
Other playoff teams from last year to falter were Tampa Bay, the #7 seed, and the NY Islanders, the #8 seed, from last year. And, of course, the Southeast Division Champions, Atlanta, failed to return.
Philly, Boston, Montreal and either Washington or Carolina will be the new entrants into the playoffs this year.
If the Panthers defeat the Capitals in regulation time, GM Rutherford and Head Coach Peter Laviolette better send their colleagues down in Miami a basket full of goodies.
Carolina has no excuses. They were at home, playing against a non-playoff bound opponent. The disappointment they are feeling must be immense.
Nashville is losing to Chicago, 3-1, in the 3rd period. The Predators just might be content to stay there, as this way, they’d avoid facing the San Jose Sharks for the 3rd straight year in the playoffs. You’ll all recall that in 2004 the Predators took the Red Wings to six games. It was a great series. And truthfully, the Predators should have won Game Two of that series. That would have tied it up, 1-1, with the next two games in Nashville, which the Predators won. But instead of having a 3-1 series lead, it was tied, 2-2, and the Red Wings took it from there.
It looks as if it may be Calgary vs. San Jose in the 1st round. That’s a rematch of the 2004 Western Conference Finals, which Calgary won, 4-2.
By Russ
April 4, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
Brendan - It’s funny you should mention the “incremental progress” that DW supporters (an ever dwindling group) have always presented as an argument for the tremendous job he has done developing this franchise. As their argument goes, until this season the Thrashers had improved every year but one in their existence. Ironically, with the complete free-fall from 97 points to the mid 70’s this season, it is entirely possible the Thrashers could produce 2-3 more points in each of the next 5 seasons and the DW apoligists would still have their argument intact…”this team has improved in 10 out of 12 seasons in the league. All the while there would still be one playoff appearance and 0 playoff wins in 12 seasons. I shudder to think…ASG please do what’s right and get rid of this clown.
By Sage of Bluesland
April 5, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this
Very true, Russ and Brendan…Excellent analysis and conclusion.
“Progress” in 7 of 8 years he’s (our bumbling Donny) been with us—and we’re so lucky to have such a ‘respected’ hockey person represent our franchise with such class! I’ve seen the sheep say this time and time again.
Pure emotional tripe is what it is. Too bad they don’t factor in the laughingstock-factor…or the embarrassment factor…or the “Five-Year Plan” factor…
Another season mercifully ends for this pathetic joke of a franchise. The rot starts at the very top and works its way to every level of the organization. Anyone who pays money for this product is subsidizing incompetence—and is a large part of the problem, as well.
They are doing nothing but ENABLING Don Waddell to continue to run this team into the ground.
By Brendan
April 6, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Here’s what I suspect is true, Russ. Employees of Waddell post here and desperately want him to remain the GM, since he probably has some “casual Fridays” dress code in effect. So, if he gets fired, and a new GM comes in, they won’t be able to wear bluejeans at the end of the week.
By Mike
April 6, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Has anyone mentioned EXELBY in the discussion of players that did not perform?
I’d cut Exelby and Zhitnik and get two top defenseman. My pairings would be
FREE AGENT ONE - FREE AGENT TWO Havelid-Enstrom Klee-McCarthy
Pops/Boris on the bench, Exelby and Zhitnik gone.
I think with a minor change or two to the group of forwards and a MAJOR overhaul of the D-men, we can win again.
When is everyone going to realize that Exelby is a liability and simply being able to hit and fight doesn’t make you a good hockey player. That stench everyone speaks of is coming from a few different places, and EXELBY is a main contributer to that stench of failure.
EXELBY sucks.
By Sharon
July 12, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
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