Ice Man

By Downtown ATL

November 9, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

here here

By HookyBob

November 9, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Totally agree. Kozlov has both performed and paid his dues in the NHL. He has also set an excellent behavioral example.

Wouldn’t mind seeing an “A” for Hainsey either. He is quietly carrying a lot of weight for this team.

Who’s in goal this afternoon?

By Jason

November 9, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

All solid points above Rawhide. I just don’t think he really wants to be captain, nor am I convinced he’s the right choice. He is too much lead by example, not by words. He is a VERY quiet person by nature, even in the locker room I hear. And this team at times is going to need a captain that will strongly and loudly voice his opinions/concerns and get in any players face if needed. Since his time here, I have never heard/read about Slava taking that type of measure to get his point across. There are too many young guys on this team that may need more than a lead by example approach.

Didn’t he also say in a Knobler article a few months ago that a European should not be the captain for an NHL club.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the guy is great, and has done a lot for the franchise, but I just want whomever the players choose, to even want to be chosen.

By sisu

November 9, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

I think it is time to name a captain, the team needs one. Slava would be a good choice, unlike Holik last season who was all to willing to throw teammates under the bus at times when things were tough. As to leadership qualities? Who was the guy who helped Heats continue his life after a terrible tragedy? Who is the guy who quietly leads by example and shows the way for the young guys? Slava is an excellent choice, I don’t believe we need a very vocal guy for the position, he would be a great choice in my mind.

By Scotty

November 9, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Great choice for captain! I like that he is the leadership by example kind of guy. You can yell and scream and get in players faces all day long, but if you don’t lead first by example then all that other stuff is useless.

By polskidawg

November 9, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Great points, and well thought out arguments as to Kozzie being Captain.

But, I will have to disagree.

I feel like Jason counters with equally valid reason why Koz shouldn’t wear the C - including his own seem preference to lead in a support role.

The team truly needs a C, but who?

60+ more games may suggest a strong, long-term choice in the case of Bryan Little.

By sisu

November 9, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

There was a lot of us who thought that Kovy should wear the “C”, having seen his melt down in a game this season he is not ready, will he be the captain one day? Hard to say due to his style of play, has he earned an “A”, absolutely! Right now there are some young guys who have material to wear the “C” but they are not ready yet.

By Jason

November 9, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

I agree with sisu about Kovy in his present form. The jury is still out on whether Kovy is the right choice for captain IMHO. Not opposed to seeing him get it, but have seen enough on tv and from the stands to be hesitant.

I prefer to see Kovy concentrate on scoring and becoming an all around better two-way player. He has to be that for the Thrashers to have any long term success this season. To me, there is still no definate number one choice for captain. I think Hainsey is showing some great qualities that he may make a solid captain down the road, but he doesn’t even wear a “A” right now.

By Rawhide

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

Jason & polskidawg – Good points from both of you, thanks. However, I would counter that Kozzy being “too lead by example” is even more reason to consider him a perfect choice. Besides, I think he wouldn’t need to get loud and in people’s faces to get his point across. Kinda like what Scotty said, all the “get in your face” is useless id the example doesn’t come first. I think the younger guys on this team would take to heart a controlled “man-to-man chat” off to the side coming from him just as much..if not more so…than if he were to get up in their faces in front of everyone.

I’ll also reiterate that I feel his calm, stabilizing demeanor is exactly the quality this team needs in a leader. I think advise and direction are received better coming from that style of leadership.

I also think he would know when to “get in someone’s face” if the situation called for it. And when he did…it as well would carry more weight. It wouldn’t be seen as “Well, there goes old so-and-so popping off again. That’s all he does”.

As for him saying he didn’t want the C…I recall reading that as well. However, I’m quite certain that if the team overwhelmingly chose him as their leader, he would accept.

That’s just my feeling, however.

By jared

November 9, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

i wanted him captain last year and foretold our mistake when we named holik our lead. slava has deserved this spot for a few years now

By Sara

November 9, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

All valid points but I’ll reiterate what Jason said. Slava doesn’t want to be captain and I don’t believe it will happen. The team isn’t going to select him and neither will Anderson because I am sure they also know his preference. Have you ever watched Slava give an interview? He’s obviously uncomfortable when he does. At Casino Night’s, while he’s always friendly, he does display some noticeable discomfort at much attention.

Being the Captain is not just about being the leader of the team. It is also a PR job. The Captain automatically is you the face of the franchise and that is not a role Slava wants at all. He’s quite content with the “A” and the team will still get all the benefits of Slava’s leadership and presence.

But I will agree no one else has really stepped up enough that we can see. That said, what we see and what goes on in reality in the lockerroom are not always the same thing.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 9, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

It’s no accident he was awarded with an A the last few years. They’re not simply given away to the most experienced players, or those that score the most points.

He has leadership skills, according to the last two coaches he’s played for, so he’s a fine candidate for being the captain.

Was Yzerman, or is Lidstrom, the in your face kind of captain?

By Tony C.

November 9, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

uhh

I’m pretty sure Stevie Y has chewed some @ss in the room.

Lidstrom is a good captain for that organization. I don’t think he’d (A) be given the chance, or (B) be as effective in another organization.

Detroit has had a very balanced euro-to-north american ratio, and in fact has gone heavier on the euro side in the past years. I mean c’mon; more than half of their top-6 forwards & top-4 D-men are euros.

I think that Lidstrom works great for Detroit because of three factors: 1-he’s the best in the business at his position and has been for 10 years.-Instant cred. 2 he’s been in the same organization for his whole career, and has been groomed for the position by not only his predecessor (#19), but also by the entire leadership of the organization. Finally 3-he’s not North American-with so many european players on their roster, it must make things waaay easier to take direction from a guy who has literally been in your shoes.

Now, I’m not saying Lidstrom as he is TODAY wouldn’t be a good leader for any other club in the world, much less an NHL club, but think about it; the culture of DetroiRedWings has as much to do with his growth and consequential success as a captain as does his ability and character.

Not to take anything away from Lidstrom-In my mind only #4 is better All-Time (and even then you could argue the point-you’d loose, but you could make a good case). But honestly, do you think he’d be Captain in oh, say, Philly?

didn’t think so.

Anyway, I think Slava is a good example and obviously a quality human being-but I like the idea of letting the room decide-like Coach has pointed out, if you let it develop “organically” then it’s not only the “true” leader but there aren’t nearly as many ruffled feathers as when mgt just decides “ok this dude is your captain”.

Awesome win today, looks like the guys are getting the hang of it.

GO BLUE !!!

By Jim

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

AMEN

By ranallo10 (in AT)

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

if you let it develop “organically” then it’s not only the “true” leader but there aren’t nearly as many ruffled feathers as when mgt just decides “ok this dude is your captain”.

I agree.

Are we talking Bobby Holik chew your face off in the locker room, or the “get your sh— straight and play like a big boy” type of in your face captain? I know Yzerman had “talks” with Avery, but I honestly don’t know if he had some asschewing moments in his tenure as captain. He never struck me as that kind of guy…always seemed quiet and composed.

On the other hand Holik was an a*, in my opinion, and no captain should be like him. I personally do not get riled up by being chewed out, but rather by following someone I respect ability wise, and personality wise. If you’re an a*, and you tried to yell in my face after a game, you’d have a divided locker room. In your face people don’t work well with all types of athletes, and clearly Holik’s departure and subsequent quotes afterward showed that perhaps this locker room doesn’t need another type like him.

Anyways, the naming of a captain isn’t necessary, if this team can play as a unit. The C is merely ceremonial, it’s trivial in the light of the minute by minute break down of each game. So, 5 functional Alternates is fine in my eyes, as they have earned their spot and the team does or can gain respect from at least one of the five, enough so to play at their best in every game.

If it’s Kozlov, good for him. The coach and the team feel he would be deserving, if so named (those that are important in the grand scheme of Captaincy, is my point).

Personally I was disappointed when Holik was named captain last season, as I thought Kozlov deserved it due to his experience, on ice ability, and seemingly calm demeanor. Holik was the polar opposite, and I never have respected him. I can respect a person like Kozlov.

By polskidawg

November 9, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - I hear you, but I’m inclined to lean in the direction of Slava as team leader (which he is) and not Slava as C.

Essentially, Tony C, Jason, Jared, ranallo10, Sara etc argue with points that seal the deal for me.

The Thrash don’t have a Steve Y or Lidstrom ready yet (I still think Little has a chance, both in personality and game), perhaps a duel C would work - Koz and ??

The problem is that a effective C (like Lidstrom) brings it each and every game. Who on the Thrash can we say does that currently? I’d venture no one - as of today.

Oh yeah - everyone is spot-on with Holik. Awful choice from the moment the thought hit Hartley (or should I say DW??).

By Nikita

November 9, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

60+ more games may suggest a strong, long-term choice in the case of Bryan Little.

I dunno. Little’s been looking focused/psychotic/very angry lately. I’m glad he’s fired up to score, but I’d hate to see him rip the face off someone who’s failed to deliver.

For the C…Slava’s not a bad choice.

Can somebody sum up the game tonight for me? I see the stats, but unfortunately I only caught the 2nd period on the radio.

By Alex

November 10, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

I agree. When Anderson came up with his naming 5 and letting one emerge we were all wondering why he didn’t just go ahead and name Kovy, as that seemed the obvious choice.

I think we know now that Kovy’s effort has disappointed, while Slava has stepped up big time. Slava has long been my favorite player since I had a chance to meet him personally on a few occasions, and I think he would be an excellent choice for captain

By Brendan

November 10, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

Lots of great points have been argued here on the Captaincy. I very much respect Sara’s argument against Kozlov. I think Rawhide has presented a strong case for Kozlov. And that Ranallo is correct that there’s nothing, necessarily, wrong with rolling with 5 Assistant Captains and letting a Captain naturally emerge.

Of course, there is something else. You all know what it is. We’ve rehashed it over and over again. Kovalchuk is the face of the franchise. He is our most prominent Tier I player. But things still follow him, too. Such as? How ‘bout the utter “meltdown” he had in the Flyers game. We’re on PP late in the period, down 2-0, he sends an ill-advised cross-ice pass that is intercepted and converted into a goal, that makes it 3-0, breaking our backs. Then, #17 takes a series of misconduct penalties, that the Flyers convert into two more PPG’s. A Captain doesn’t lead in that fashion. On the other hand, that was an “isolated” game.

Some will argue … that making Kovalchuk Captain makes it even harder to trade him. Others will argue that not making him Captain just adds to the list of reasons why Kovalchuk won’t re-sign here in the offseason.

I think there’s nothing wrong with rolling with 5 Assistant Captains. By the way, Kovalchuk and Kozlov’s contracts both expire in 2010. Craig Custance suggested that, down the road, Zach Bogosian would make excellent Captain material. Obviously, it’s too soon for him to be Captain right now. If Kozlov were named Captain, I wouldn’t find it an egregious act of irresponsibility. Some other teams have a rolling Captaincy, that changes every month. I sometimes wonder if that should be persued. At least this way, we’d see what Kovalchuk Captaincy would be like.

By Nikita

November 10, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

* will argue … that making Kovalchuk Captain makes it even harder to trade him. Others will argue that not making him Captain just adds to the list of reasons why Kovalchuk won’t re-sign here in the offseason.*

Well, given our history, if we want to keep Kovy we should not make him captain. Plus, honestly, I don’t think his work ethic is good enough.

Honestly, I think we should reward/use those who display the steadiest temperaments and the most exemplary qualities. That means no Kovy because he’s still occasionally a stompy-footed brat. It would exclude Lehts, if he were eligible. But I would support slapping the A on any of the following: Hainsey, Perrin, White, Havelid, Kozlov, Armstrong.

By Tony C.

November 10, 2008 3:25 AM | Link to this

Ok and a nother thought;

Litle with theC(give it a minute, or/and the room’s vote)?

I can dig it.

Z-Bo as the A-for-ATTITUDE?

I wouldn’t be against it.

BTW: saw actual praise of our little club on NHLOTF:F; I bet it gets better, I mean Z-Bo and The “Hammerr” come back soon and maybe finally get a consistent mind-set.

Coach is talking playoffs, but I’d bet the under so far.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 10, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this

Matt Carle was traded from Tampa Bay along with two minor leaguers (Boyd Kane and Nate Raduns) and a 3rd round pick to Philadelphia for Steve Downie, Steve Eminger, and a 4th round pick.

By Sara

November 10, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this

ranallo Stevie Y was never an in-your-face guy. He’s been known as someone quiet but when he speaks, the entire room listens. Often when the team was struggling, Stevie started his talks by pointing the finger at himself first before ever pointing it out in the room (and I’ve never heard talk that he singled guys out by name although lockerroom stuff generally stays in the lockerroom). The dynamic often in the Detroit room that I’ve come to understand is that the coaches do the @ss-chewing, the captains motivate. They do it through “pep talks” but more than anything by the example they set day in and day out. Both Scotty Bowman and Mike Babcock have also talked about how they almost never had to deal with smaller issues among teammates or in the lockerroom because those issues never got any farther than Stevie or Nik.

And let me clarify that I don’t oppose Slava for the “C” in principle. He would make a good one based on his qualities and cred. But everything I know and have seen about Kozzie suggests it’s not a role he would be completely comfortable with. He comes across as more of a one-on-one guy, taking aside someone to talk to them rather than addressing a group. And the role of Captain extends beyond the lockerroom into the public, which is probably Kozzie’s #1 deterent.

By Russian

November 10, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this

It is just my opinion. I like to see Hainsey as a CAPITAN. He is very good D-men and have some good reputation on the team. But I can live without Capitan whole season if Thrasher will play like two last games. ;-)

By Smitty

November 10, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

I agree with Brendan concerning a rolling captaincy or a co-captain system that Buffalo had with Drury and Briere. Hainsey, Kozlov or Kovy might work with that type system. Do not be too hard on Kovy and his temper. I have seen a lot of captains get misconduct penalties. Kovy has been here the longest and he is the face of the franchise It might be too early for Little even though it is good to see he is becoming the player we hoped he would be.

By Get The Puck Out

November 10, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Just let the “A’s” take it monthly or every five to ten games and you’ll see who’s better fitted to be Captain. If the team gets behind Slava i think he would be a great leader. I don’t think it’s something that needs to be done immediately, but i think it’s something that needs to addressed in the second half of the season, especially if we make a playoff run and need leadership in a playoff run. They always say cream rises to the top…

By maali

November 10, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

hey just fyi, i don’t have my phone today, so if anything goes down don’t txt. shoot me an email if you’re able, yes?

By Paminski

November 10, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

If we continue to win, why make any changes? Maybe we don’t need a “C” and just need to keep our “A’s”.

If a decision must be made, I like Slava. I see players like Little and Christensen emulating his style. He is more of a mentor-style leader.

By NASCAR Dave

November 10, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

This has been an impressive stretch of games the guys have put together here recently, however, I am still Un-Impressed with the following players who need to be traded…

SLATER/ CRISTEN/ PERRIN/ HEDBERG

Go THRASHERS!!!

By Andrew

November 10, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Hey guys, what about Matheiu Schneider? The man is a great mentor, leader, and doesn’t care about stats as long as the team is winning/happy.

I mean, who ever thought we would have to argue over who is the better captain? That is a great sign for this franchise and it looks as though we might have finally turned the corner to start the JA era.

By Spud Webb

November 10, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Loving every minute of this past week with the Thrashers!!!!!!! This is nice. Didn’t like my beloved sabres to lose to them but it’s a win win situation for me. I have thought over the years why can’t the Thrashers play as well vs the rest of the league, they ALWAYS play buffalo hard and tough. Those games usually are 4 of the more entertaining of the year! It is great to see the team coming together and playing hard. Good for Slava and Brian Little, the hard work appears to be paying off!! What is the goalie situation? Are we trading somebody or what is going to happen, does anyone have any insight to this?

By Brendan

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

Ranallo, didn’t the Bolts trade Dan Boyle to get Matt Carle? And that he, Carle, was going to be their “longterm” Boyle replacement. After all, Tampa had just signed Boyle to a six-year contract before they threatened him with a waiver claim if he didn’t accept a trade elsewhere. And now, Carle has already been shipped out? Wild. Oren Koules, ladies and gentlemen. Meanwhile, San Jose, and Boyle, are kickin’ buttinsky out West.

So, who won the trade? Uhh, I mean the Philly-T.B. trade. No, wait. Let’s include the Boyle trade to San Jose in this, by Tampa. They converted Boyle into Brownie and Eminger, essentially. Discuss.

By dhj_1962

November 10, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

hey spub, buffalo beat them 10-1 and 9-0?? last year…just a thought, next time Atl plays philly, DO NOT PUT KL IN NET!!!!!!!!!!!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 10, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Personally, I think Philadelphia won the trade. Eminger and Downie are immediate impacts, where as Carle and change are long term better for the franchise.

Really I consider Carle the gem, Downie the return piece, and Eminger “sweetener” for the deal. Wasn’t Eminger a former 1st round pick?

By Spud Webb

November 10, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Agreed Ranallo, Downie wore out his welcome up there (according to my brother, lives in philly). They were ready for him to get out of town.

By PJ

November 10, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Slava – Captain? Hmmm I don’t think so. For one thing, I don’t see him as having any leadership skills. He appears as more of a follower than a leader. What did he do when the Hossa and Holik cloud of doom appeared last season? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Please someone correct me if he spoke up and gave some encouragement for his team that I just don’t recall. Do players seek him out for advice? Boast about his performance? Not very often from what I read. Also, Sara has a valid point about the capataincy being a PR role for the team as well. Yes, his performance has improved this season but IMO, that is not enough to make a season- long decision. What if he gets injured? What if his hot-streak fizzles out? What have we got then? A leader? A go-getter that inspires a team to keep fighting and kick a$$? I’m just not seeing it.

So who then? If I had to choose today, it would be #17. Even though he is a hot-head at times, I’ve seen him carry this team more than any other player. To assign someone else is insulting and guaranteed to discourage him from extending his contract here.(Yes, I am still a hopeful sheep) So let’s just continue with 5 A’s and let the leader…….overwhelmingly emerge.

By Alan

November 10, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

(Yes, I am still a hopeful sheep)

I too am hopeful that Kovalchuk stays.

Baaaaa.

By Nikita

November 10, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

I’d prefer he stays, but I don’t think he’s C material. Not just because he loses his mind and throws stuff when things go poorly. Because he is not a two-way player, his work ethic is poor, and he looks like he didn’t show up prepared to play this year (see the Army photos —- mmmm, sexy beer gut). Because he can be difficult to his teammates. Because he is a diva, and requires that others accommodate his special quirks to bring out his special talent. Don’t get me wrong — he’s a highly valued asset, but he’s probably not the best choice at captain.

Plus, given that the captaincy is jinxed, I would think those of you who are worried about retention wouldn’t want him to have it.

I hereby nominate Tyler Perry’s momma. Mr. Jheri Curl is currently pulling more minutes than any other player. He is experienced, a two-way player, has playmaker qualities, is a hard worker, and is motivated to work the system rather than make it conform to him. Oh, and he’s comfortable with the press and is ranked, what, 5th? among defensemen in scoring?

By Brendan

November 10, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I believe that’s right, re: Eminger being a former 1st round draft pick. And I also agree that Philly won this trade with Tampa Bay. Sometimes it’s good to get a player who merely fell out of favor with his camp, but other times, the problem just got moved to YOUR team. I’m not sure which is the case with Brownie. But Matt Carle struck me as a capable defenseman, for the long range future. I am truly surprised Tampa Bay made this move. I’ve been surprised by many of their moves.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 10, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

To assign someone else is insulting and guaranteed to discourage him from extending his contract here.

If it were that easy he would have the captaincy already. Perhaps the delay is because he’s not followed in the locker room, or because he truly doesn’t want the C, or because other people are BETTER candidates for the job. There’s all sorts of reasons one can come up with why Kovalchuk isn’t the captain yet, and none of them mean he’s going to huff and puff his Captain-less way to free agency. If he’s the true leader of this team, he’s been given plenty of time to show it. If someone else earns it more than Kovalchuk, so be it.

This is, obviously, a team and coach decision. We are not privy to ANY of the leadership qualities any of these players bring to the table. We’re able to assume based on what we see in the media, or on the ice. So, looking for examples of Kozlov standing up or talking someone down or what-not is not going to come, unless someone like Knobler experiences it and writes about it.

I know, this is a blog, we speculate here…but making statements about someone’s leadership abilities becomes useless when it’s all based on said speculation and assumption. It’s an opinion, nothing more. We don’t know how someone will react if not given the captaincy, just like we only know based on what the players say publicly how they feel about receiving the C.

I don’t remember Kozlov saying he didn’t want it, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I just don’t remember it.

Holik, in my opinion, was a bad captain. He admitted it himself. If Kozlov isn’t fit to be the captain, he wont be the captain. Same with Kovalchuk. If the players are choosing, they’re selecting the best candidate. If the coach is choosing solely based on his opinion, he might choose another dividing personality like Holik, or he could make the right decision.

Either way, I trust their opinions of who should or should not be the captain, because they’re much more informed about their usefulness in that position than I’ll ever be…even having met a guy once in a bar or at casino night or wherever.

For what it’s worth (nothing), I would like to see one of the Ks as Captain. Kovalchuk due to the fact I believe he’s the heart of the team, and Kozlov because I think he’s the perfect lead by example type of player, and still plays at an elevated level. I’d lean towards Kovalchuk for several obvious reasons such as age, hopeful thoughts it’ll help persuade him to stay, etc…but I don’t think either are bad selections.

I’ll be disappointed if Schneider is selected as captain, simply because I don’t expect him to be back next season, so it’s a wasted year.

By Rawhide

November 10, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Pavelec goes back to Chicago

By Alan

November 10, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Burnside actually has something nice to say about Atlanta.

See #5.

By Sara

November 10, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

*Burnside actually has something nice to say about Atlanta.

See #5.*

No wonder it was so cold down here this morning. Hell done froze over. :p

By Eileen

November 10, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

We need a captain who encourages it’s players individually to promote the team in Atlanta. The players are not visible enough to those who do not follow hockey.

By Brendan

November 10, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

In the final paragraph, Burnside mentions that Waddell might want to shop Lehtonen and let Hedberg mentor Pavelec. While I never quite fully understand Don Waddell’s way of thinking, not even IIII would really think Waddell is even thinking about trading Lehtonen. This wasn’t some other GM’s selection, at 2nd overall, it was his.

Stop. Waddell traded Patrik Stefan, his former 1st overall pick. Different circumstance entirely. And forgiveable. Stefan never made it off the 3rd line. That’s the way that cookie crumbled. Waddell traded Heatley, his former 2nd overall pick, in an unusual set of circumstances. Again, unfortunate, but forgiveable, given the totality of circumstance. If Waddell trades Lehtonen, what does that say? It says, “The Atlanta Thrashers Hockey Club drafts players 1st and 2nd overall, but then trades them away.” Sometimes, before they even reach their RFA eligibility. I won’t even mention Coburn, at 8th overall. It’s a tell-tale sign that things aren’t moving according to plan, or that the team is mismanaged.

The way I see it, if Kari Lehtonen is your backup goalie, then you’re pretty foritified at the position. It doesn’t make any sense to trade Lehtonen, UNLESS he tells you, flat out, I won’t re-sign here next year; I’ll go play in Finland, if I have to. That’d be different. But I don’t believe that’s the case. He custom-built a house here in Atlanta. He gives every outward appearance of wanting a longterm contract with the Thrashers.

This is one time when … I have to disagree with Burnside. If Waddell shops a former 2nd overall pick, he’d better get a windfall in return. And the return had better be “locked up” players on 5-year deals, so they can’t eyeball the exit, a la Marian Hossa.

By Hotrod

November 10, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

I don’t know all the personality dynamics that make a good captain but someone needs to do it.

As far as Slava,I think he has earned it, but I really think Kovy deserves it.

By Tony C.

November 10, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Here is the article that is fueling a lot of the #17 trade rumors

By Brendan

November 11, 2008 4:54 AM | Link to this

A while back, we mused about John Anderson’s system emphasizing offensive contributions from the blueline. I have forgotten last year’s stats, but I seem to recall it was only something like seven (7) goals all year from our defensemen.

Here are the totals this year, for Atlanta defensemen: 5G, 21A, for 26-points, and a -12, per Yahoo Sports. Hainsey has 3G, 7A for 10-points. Schneider has 1G, 3A, for 4-points. Enstrom has 1G, 5A, for 6-points. (Attention Russ,) Havelid has 0G, 5A, for 5-points, and Exelby, who was just on 680TheFan yesterday morning, regaling us with tales of his travels, including an “alleged” sojourn into a Mexican prison in Cabo, has 0G, 1A, for 1-point. “XLB” is quite a character. He’s on 680 fairly often. And, by the way, the 680TheFan “Rude Awakening” show absolutely loves Ron Hainsey. They think he’s going to have his own talk radio show when his career as a hockey player is through. They got him to open up and comment on Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, etc., … which for Christopher Rude, is something just shy of Nirvana. But I digress.

Five goals from the backline, before Veterans’ Day, has almost equaled all of the goal production from last season. Indeed, Anderson’s system has pressed the D-men into more scoring situations. I like it. Exelby said that Anderson’s system is “very aggressive” and is “designed to win games, 5-4.” Exelby said, “We like to get after it. We’re not going to sit back like Jersey and Minnesota, patiently waiting for a break in 1-0, or 2-1 type game.” Exelby did well on yesterday’s show, I thought.

Now, minus 12 (-12) isn’t a good blueline stat. However, Matthieu Schneider, alone, reflects -11. Take him out of the equasion and the rest of the blueline’s stats are -1. Hainsey, -1, Exelby, -1, Oystrick, -2, Bogosian, -2, Valabik, even, Enstrom, even, and Havelid, +5.

So, Happy Veterans’ Day. Thank each and every one of them for their sacrifices to make our country safer and better, to the extent that is possible.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 11, 2008 5:33 AM | Link to this

Speaking of veterans…has anyone heard from Manley in a while? Isn’t he back in Georgia now?

By Tony C.

November 11, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Last I recall, he was in town but wasn’t sure where his next assignment was. I could be 1000% wrong.

By Kaat

November 11, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

I agree with you and appreciate this great post about steady Slava.

By Rawhide

November 11, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

I’m glad you did, Kaat…and thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts as well.