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Monday, August 18, 2008
Where Does White Fit In Anderson’s System?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
To say that Todd White had a disappointing season with the Thrashers last year would be somewhat of an understatement. Then again, it would be tough to find many not wearing the number 17 on their backs that you couldn’t say that about. The question is, how much of that could be pinned on White himself and how much on the overall play of Atlanta’s offense and the offensive system the team incorporated.
Of course, some may say I’m being kind in even suggesting that there actually was an offensive “system” last season.
Regardless, White’s soft play did seem to attract its fair share of criticism. Numbers-wise, he accounted for 14 goals and 23 assists in 74 games. These aren’t too terribly far off of his offensive production with the Minnesota Wild in the two previous seasons. In 2006-07 he played in 77 games and compiled 13 goals and 44 points. The year before that, those numbers were 19 goals and 40 points in 61 games. However, last year’s -12 was a much lower rating than the +8 and -1 in his two seasons with the Wild.
Obviously, Don Waddell was hoping for more out of the 33-year old Kanata, Ontario native when he was brought in last summer to be the team’s #1 center. Something more along the lines of 20 or 25 goals along with 30 or 35 assists and a +12 or +19.
Don’t laugh…those were the numbers he was able to put up in 2001-02 and 2002-03 as a member of the Ottawa Senators, playing in 80 and 81 games those seasons.
Keeping thing in their proper perspective however, those Ottawa teams produced 243 and 263 goals. Comparatively, the Thrashers last year managed but 216.
Moving forward…where exactly does White fit in with the new offensive system that will be employed by coach Anderson?
Obviously, he isn’t a center for the grinder line given that one of the biggest knocks against him is that he isn’t physical enough. Indeed, when the game moves toward hard checks and aggressive play, White tends to pull a Casper…vanishing into thin air.
Top line? Well, that’s primarily why he was brought in here…but I’d have a hard time penciling him in there again. I feel that Erik Christensen will get a good look for that job. Also…if Bryan Little is consider by some as our future #1 centerman, then why lot let the future begin today?
Third line? I think Marty Reasoner is a good fit to replace Bobby Holik here.
That leaves us with the second line…which is probably the best place for White, IMHO.
So, let’s assume a lineup of Crusher as the #1 center, White is the #2 and Reasoner the #3. Where do you put Little…or Eric Perrin for that matter? Do these players wind up out on the wings?
OK, then the wingers on the top three lines would be Kovalchuk, Williams, Armstrong, Little, Perrin and Kozlov…mix and match them how you see fit. Larsen, Boulton, Slater and Thorburn should rotate around as your fourth line players. Left out in the cold are Brett Sterling and Colin Stuart…and keep in mind Stuart is a player John Anderson says will play a significant role for the team this season.
Clearly Anderson and Waddell have some roster decisions to make here.
But back to Todd White…while it is true that last season did not pan out exactly the way he would have liked, both in regards to his personal numbers and the team’s overall performance, this coming season does provide a new beginning. John Anderson’s O-fensive system could prove to be one he fits into better than the one he was operating in last.
Again…at least there will actually be a “system” for White to operate in. And that might be all the difference he needs.
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