AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDon’t Split The Swedes, Please
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
About the only aspect of the Thrashers’ defense that didn’t send the Suck-O-Meter spinning off its axis last season was the pairing of Niclas Havelid and rookie Tobias Enstrom. As we’ve noted before, Enstrom proved to be a stud…logging a team-high 24:28 TOI/G. Nic Havelid’s 20:30 TOI/G was third best. Between the two, six goals and 46 assists were accounted for.
Havelid finished the year at a +2 while Enstrom ended up a -5. These are not stellar numbers, but are a far cry better than McCarthy’s -23 and Exelby’s -21.
By the time we feasted upon our Thanksgiving turkeys last fall, it was clear that they were clicking together and that the communication between the two…in their native tongue of Swedish…was enabling the team to have at least one dependable blueline unit.
I would venture to guess that these two will be the top defensive pairing to begin the regular season in about five weeks. However, given the new faces that will join them on the back line, Hainsey and Bogosian…who just signed a contract with the team…and the new coaching staff that will direct them…what are the prospects that the two will be given an opportunity to pair up with others?
Enstrom with Hainsey? Havelid with Exelby?
I’m sure we’ll see some mixing of the defensive players during the preseason and maybe in doing so we’ll have the opportunity to judge better whether the two should remain paired or not. But to be honest, I am more of the “if it works, stick with it” train of thought when it comes to the two Swedes.
So, unless shown otherwise, my blueline pairings are…Havelid with Enstrom, Hainsey with Exelby and Klee with Bogosian/Valabik.
Early Jump On Weekend Reading Assignments
The Boston Bruins have Yelled for help…signing the 12-year veteran who has lifted the cup twice.
Darren Eliot indicates that school is “IN” not only for our little tax exemptions…but also the new coaches in the NHL. Oh…and that includes The Mullet.
The Washington Capitals will retire the number 11 jersey in honor of Mike Gartner. The ceremonies will be prior to the December 28th game versus Toronto.
Jon Jordan of Hockeybuzz.com measures up Tampa Bay’s acquisition of Andrej Meszaros from the Ottawa Senators.
John Tortorella may not have landed a head-coaching gig after his departure from Tampa, but he and Ray Ferraro will be joining NHL on TSN for the upcoming 2008-09 season.
The Detroit Red Wings and Chris Chelios have come to terms on a one-year deal.
And finally…What if they held a Major League Baseball game but nobody came?
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By harrison
September 4, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
first??
By ranallo10 (in AT)
September 4, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Havelid and Enstrom should stay together, I agree. I wouldn’t mind Bogosian with Hainsey, and let Klee/Valabik/Exelby take the 3rd pairing and PK minutes (hopefully Exelby will turn his game around after a putrid 07/08 showing).
However, if Bogosian isn’t up to the task (or the pairing of him and Hainsey isn’t working), I’d agree that Exelby is the next best candidate beside Hainsey. Klee should rightfully be used as a veteran mentor for one of the two rookies.
Klee and Bogosian on the same line means you have two right-handed defenders…something you don’t see very often, so I doubt we’ll see it here. However, Anderson had a line in Chicago of all right-handed forwards (again, something not seen often), so I wouldn’t put it past him to stray from the norm.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
September 4, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Ooooh, the KHL NHL spat keep getting better and better! Check out the latest here.
It’s like watching a train wreck, and it gets even more interesting when Bill Daly (NHL deputy commissioner) let’s loose.
“we don’t consider the KHL to be a major concern” (Daly)
Tell that to the Nashville Predators management, coach, and fans.
By JLH
September 4, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
we finally inked bogy!!!!!
By Tony C.
September 4, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
Glad to see Boges is signed. As far as pairs go, I’d like to see Klee/Boges for at least the first month or so. I dunno. I’d almost like to see Tobias paired with X, as I’m tired of seeing other guys take liberties with the kid b/c he skates better but isn’t big enough w/o leverage to knock them down; that presupposes that X reclaims his testes from whatever experimental removal procedure he had done.
Ok that was mean. But I think putrid as an assesment of X’s seasonlast year is on the “best-possible-truth” side of things.
Anyway, I think it’s imperative that we not let other teams get away with roughing up any of our guys, especially Tobias.
GO BLUE !!!
By Brendan
September 5, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
Out of the shoot, I do like Enstrom with Havelid. I like Bogosian and Hainsey as the 2nd pairing, and Klee and Exelby on the final spot. Valabik can be up in the pressbox, unless they want to keep him in Chicago.
I have given thought to a goalie (Hedberg) up in the pressbox with regularity. I want to see Lehtonen-Pavelec as the “1-2 punch.” With Hedberg getting a healthy sprinkling of starts. If this team REALLY is going to stun and amaze the NHL … flying under the radar of expectations, then … in my view … we’ll need to do that with our high-end goalie draft picks. With Lehtonen and Pavelec vying for the #1 job, that competition among quality netminders can only produce a better product.
But returning to the blueline, I hope there’s still a chance that Klee gets traded. Don’t hold your breath for that. But, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Klee tossed in as “sweetener” on some deal. And if that’s the case, I think Valabik claims a spot on the 3rd pairing. Well, I can’t say that without knowing what we got back in that “hypothetical” trade.
John Anderson won his Championships primarily with Thrasher draft picks. Yeah, it didn’t hurt that he had some free agent acquisitions like Krog and Haydar. But if John Anderson is going to be the Jack Adams Coach of the Year, he’ll need to replicate what he did with his Wolves. If I were Anderson, and my roster looked a lot like what I used to coach in Chicago, I’ll tell ‘em, “We did this before, in the AHL. Now, let’s do it again, in the NHL.” And let that be rallying cry.
By Barry
September 5, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Havelid-XLB? Sorry Iceman but excuse me while I hurl. LOL. I’ve given up on XLB. I want him off this team. He was horrible last season. Some games even worse than Zhitnik. He played great our playoff season. Not sure what happened to him though the following season. The only thing he seems to bring to a team is hitting and he didn’t do that all that well last season. Anyone remember the total missed hit at the blueline against the Oilers last season that turned a 3-2 into a 3-1? Poor Kari. I agree that Havelid-Enstrom should not be split up. It will be interesting to see where Hainsey, Klee, Valabik, and Bogosian (if he makes the team) fits in with D pairings.
By Bob
September 5, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
I like your starting pairs, but the sooner this club has Bogosian on the top pairing, the better off it will be.
Now, I don’t expect that but Phaneuf became one pretty quickly as did Coburn as soon as he got out of here.
By Nikita
September 5, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
I’d like to see Ex fire-saled. I don’t get the Ex love — never have. Even at his best, his stats were pretty bad, and while he can hit he can’t hold down a zone, read a puck, or outmaneuver a reasonably nimble opponent.
As to pairings…I think the Swedes should stay together, but I also think we need to consider how defensive our defensemen are. So…Enstrom-Havs/Hainsey-Valabik/Klee-Bogo. Each pair has relative size, at least one scoring partner, at least one brawler (except the swedes), and a mixture of experience and youth. Ex can ride the pine or mix in as needed. And hopefully ultimately Valabik and Bogo will be competent enough not to need replacing/assistance.
I really don’t see a place for Ex. I was going to suggest that he might do well on the Power Play, but no — he doesn’t score in any configuration, and he doesn’t immobilize the opposition in any kind of strategic way. I’d like to see him get enough play, though, to be attractive for trade.
By Ted
September 5, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Brendan, sure Anderson won his championships with Thrashers’ draft picks, but that was in the AHL…not the NHL. There were no Sydney Crosbys, Alexander Ovechins, or Detroit Red Wings to play against. The young Thrashers will have a tough year and be forced to learn as they go. While hopefully, they will have some more heart than last years team, I don’t see Anderson even being considered for the Jack Adams Award.
By Brendan
September 5, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
I’m not betting on that either, Ted. But this is why they play the games. If the Thrashers win the division, or make the playoffs, that’s when the consideration for such an honor might kick in. This is a build year. Developing the AHL talent is an important first step.
Without any further changes, this might not even be a .500 team. If this team winds up in the lottery draft, then that’s what happens. And they’ll hopefully add another meaningful piece to the future roster in June.
By hockeyman3944
September 6, 2008 5:22 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the input guys..Bogo needs to go back to Junior. I saw him play preps not more than three years ago, good player, nice career on the “O”, he’s 18, no need to rush him and expose him. Give him a year, get rid of Klee, bring in a more serviceable D and bring Bogo up later in the year…my humble opinion.
By Alan
September 6, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
bring Bogo up later in the year…my humble opinion.
No can do. He’s either in Juniors or with the big club. And he wants to do everything he possibly can to make the team this year. I’m certain Anderson will give him every opportunity in the world to make the team as well.
By Sara
September 7, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Why is there still a question about Bogosian making the club this year? Business is going to dictate this call - without Bogosian, this club does not hit the cap floor. Therefore, Bogosian makes the cut.
By Bob
September 7, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
The Blueland Blog says that Sportsouth is going to be showing some Thrashers’ games in HD this year, that is great news, I wonder how many games?
By Tony C.
September 7, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Also, by that same logic hockeyman, I saw Pascal Leclaire play three years ago, horrible rebound control and waay out of position most of the time. No way he’s improved enough in three years to warrant being the #1 keeper for an NHL team right?
I realize the kid’s young but some guys can make the “big step”.
By Brendan
September 7, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Sara, I think that’s an excellent point. If Atlanta stashes Bogosian back in Juniors, they must add salary. Of course, I think they can and were planning on doing that anyway. My guess was $44.5 million for “Opening Night.” I based that on the belief that this team would cash in on some bought out players or some sort of trade when teams over the cap were forced to jettison salary. I really hope it isn’t a trade. I don’t even want to give up 3rd round picks for some aging, over-priced player with a year left on his contract. What a waste that would be. At least a “bought out” player who signs here came of his own volition. No one put a gun to his head. He chose Atlanta. That’s a scenario that works for me.
By glovesave29
September 8, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Not sure how to get to the salary cap floor? Here’s THN’s suggestions…
Nolan Pratt, 32, D. Nothing flashy, but can eat up 10-12 minutes a game.
Stephane Yelle, 34, C. Great on faceoffs, can block shots and play a shut-down role.
Jeff Hamilton, 30, C. Can produce if given top-six linemates and minutes.
Geoff Sanderson, 36, LW. His touch has dried, but the speed can still be effective.
Bryan Smolinski, 36, C. Not nearly as quick or productive anymore, but very crafty.
Martin Gelinas, 38, LW. Well-conditioned winger is happy and capable in any role.
Richard Matvichuk, 35, D. Once a big shut-down artist, he has some gas left in the tank.
Jassen Cullimore, 36, D. His big wingspan is still an important NHL commodity.
Glen Murray, 35, RW. Bought out by the B’s, will provide ‘O’ if he can stay healthy.
Brendan Shanahan, 39, LW. On the right team in the right role, he’ll still score 25.
Yelle has just signed with Boston, so yank him off of the list…
By ranallo10 (in AT)
September 8, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Hamilton signed an AHL contract with the Wolves. Scratch him off the list.
By Tony C.
September 8, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
So what would yall think would be a “fair deal” to get Murray down here? (Assuming he would, that is)
By Alan
September 8, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Tony - Between $1.5 mil and $1.75 mil, which includes the “overpay” factor. Anything more than that is too much.
By Sara
September 8, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
ranallo Hamilton could still be signed by an NHL team.
And I think Yelle got picked up by someone already.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
September 8, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Tony C. — I wouldn’t offer him a penny unless a roster spot was cleared for his addition. If so, then I’d be in the $1.5M range, max of $1.75M.
Sara — You’re right, I oversimplified my comment. By “AHL contract” I meant he was free to sign an NHL contract with any team interested, but clearly since he’s now signed by Chicago no NHL teams have shown a great enough interest in his services to entice him to remain a UFA. But you’re right, anybody can sign him to an NHL contract.
By Brendan
September 8, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
At this point, I have to admit … I’m against any move that blocks the ascension of a draft pick who could otherwise be developed in the NHL this season, in a clear “build year.”
I hear ya. Those of you who disagree. And that’s fine. Hey, diversity of opinion is what makes discussions pretty cool. :) Perhaps there are silent voices out there who really want Shanahan or Smolinski or Gelinas. I don’t blame you. You probably see such players as immediately better than some guy who played on the Chicago Wolves last season. Fair enough. You want to see wins. Fair enough. You want to see a product worth watching. Fair enough.
But a funny thing happens when a coach tells a minor league player, “We cleared a spot for you on the roster. It’s now your ‘NHL paycheck’ to lose.” Wouldn’t such a hypothetical player be EXTREMELY MOTIVATED not to lose his spot? After all, the goal of such a player is to reach the NHL and stay there. Plus, they’ll do it with a familar faced coach who has nurtured this player in the past.
But Brendan, you just want the team to lose and wind up in the lottery draft, don’t you? I want no such thing. Here’s what I want. I want the team to win with the players that it drafted and coached up. I want our organization to start to be known for “player development” and “player retention.” If we did these things better, we’d be quite a model for the rest of the NHL. I want our future payrolls to be filled with contracts for players that we drafted and re-signed. Preferably, AHEAD of schedule.
Like Kovalchuk? YES! Like Lehtonen and Pavelec? YES! Like Little and Enstrom? YES! Like Sterling? … okay, look. I don’t know. But I hope so. How do you know if your child can swim? You take him to the deep end of the pool, let ‘im go and see if he sinks or stays afloat. And ya keep at it until he gets better. Should anyone be expecting Michael Phelps? Okay, no. But it starts somewhere. This is where we are.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
September 8, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
You take him to the deep end of the pool, let ‘im go and see if he sinks or stays afloat. And ya keep at it until he gets better.
However, you don’t drop the child into the pool and say “I expect you to learn without the use of your right leg”. That’s basically what’s been done for Sterling (playing on the off wing), so if he’s not going to be given a fair chance he’ll never be able to prove he can swim.
By Brendan
September 8, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I agree. Sterling should be given a “fair” chance. Let’s see if it happens. I hope Colin Stuart gets a fair chance. I hope Jordan LaVallee gets a fair chance. I wished Mark Popovic and Braydon Coburn had been given a “fair chance” on the blueline. Bygones.
Let’s see if the longevity being afforded to the GM and Head Coach positions actually brings forth “learning from past mistakes.” I’d welcome improvement and better decision-making. I love the Thrashers and I want them to be on the right path for the future.
By NASCAR Dave
September 8, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
We don’t need YELLE, HAMILTON, or MURRAY… We have LARSEN and SLATER… My oh my, what would we do without them??? LOL
By Lanny McDonald
September 8, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
Rawhide, I don’t know if anyone posted it yet, but I found this piece on Arturs Kulda.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=380554&page=NewsPage&service=page