AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThrashers’ Mid-Season Report Card
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Thrashers have 43 games under their belt. And seeing how that’s a couple more than the exact mid-way point of the season, it report card time. Since the first quarter assessment, they have played 24 games and posted a record of 7-14-3 in that span. Where it took 16 games to get the first 7 wins of the season, it took another 26 games, last Thursday in New Jersey, before they were able to win their next 7. That is un-good and foreshadows the ultimate overall team grade.
But before we get into the grades, there is this one thing to note…so far in CY2009 Atlanta is 2-3-0. The two wins have come against teams that currently hold playoff spots, the three losses have come versus those who do not. That is a complete turnaround from the 38 games played before the Big Peach dropped at Underground.
Anyway, let’s break it down…shall we?
OFFENSE
The Good: The Thrashers are scoring goals these days at a clip of 2.84 per game, the 14th best in the NHL. This total is up from the 2.52 G/G at the time of the first quarter report card. The power play continues to impress as well, it’s the tenth-best in the NHL at 21.1% effective. That is up from a 15th place 18.3% after nineteen games.
The Little-White-Russian line has continued to impress as the trio have accounted for 48 of the Thrashers’ 124 goals and they have amassed 113 points together. Bryan Little’s 19 goals lead the team, (get better soon Bryan).
Ilya Kovalchuk’s goal scoring is well off his normal pace, (16 in 43 games), however his assists are way up. Last season Ilya had 35 helpers to go with his 52 goals in 79 games. This year, he has 27 assists in just 43 games to go with his 16 goals. At this pace, he’ll finish with something like 31 goals and 51 assist for 82 points, which would be only 5 points off last year’s total. Imagine if Don Waddell had actually been able to get a top-line center and/or top-line RW for him.
It’s also nice to have a Ron Hainsey stepping up into the O-fense. He has 5 goals and 22 points…which is a pace for 42 points. Last season, the Thrashers defender with the most points was Tobias Enstrom with 38. Thrashers blueliners have accounted for 9 goals and 55 points, a pace for 17 goals and 122 points. Last it was year’s defensives numbers were 13 goals and 91 points.
The shots taken per game stat has dipped slightly from 27.6 to 27.4…only Pittsburgh’s 27.3 S/G is worse. However…in the past 16 games Atlanta has launched an average of 28.4 shots on goal, so we are starting to see some improvement there. Either way, it’s better than last season’s miserable 25.8 S/G.
The Un-Good: Jason Williams still continues to struggle. He has 7 goals and 18 points in 41 games so far. Last season with the Blackhawks, he had accounted for 13 goals and 36 points in 43 games played. Erik Christensen has missed some games due to injury, playing in only 29 games… but still, 3 goals, 12 points and a -8 does not a top-line center make. Especially when the team is looking to re-sign Kovalchuk sometime in the next year. That being said, however, Crusher does have 2 goals and 3 points over the last 5 games played and has an EVEN +/- over that time. Maybe we are starting to see something from the kid?
The Ugly: Eric Perrin has been fighting it this year…3 goals, 6 assists in 40 games played and a -10.
The Summary: If the O-fense can continue to get close to 3 goals per game, they are doing their job. The D-men stepping into the play has played a great part in their success…but, after all, that is the John Anderson system. Now, if only the forwards can fall back and play better in the defensive zone as to return the favor.
The Grade: B, (Up from first quarter’s C+).
DEFENSE
Note: OK, first let me warn you…I’m going to put the SA/G in both the “Good” and “Un-Good” categories. There is a reason, so stick with me here…
The Good: The SA/G number of 32.6 is still waaaaaaaay too high. However, that is down ever so slightly from 32.9 from the first quarter. In fact, over the past 16 games, that stat is actually an almost-not-so-un-good 31.7. Take out the 47 shots Toronto took on us just before New Year and that number falls to 30.6 in the last 15 games. In fact, since Dec. 12, the Thrashers have held the opposition to less than 30 SOG nine times including the last three straight. Again, the overall number is still “un-good”, but the trend of late is…well…”good”.
Nathan Oystrick has been impressive since his call-up when Zach Bogosian suffered a leg injury and Boris Valabik only has 6 PIM in the last 11 games.
The Un-Good: Again, though improving of late, the “overall” 32.6 SOG is still un-good, (27th in the NHL). That stat and ranking remains almost the same as it was on the previous report card. Also, a penalty kill efficiency of only 73.9% is quite nasty… however it would be unfair if I did not mention that Atlanta has successfully killed off the last 15 in a row and now is at least better than Toronto’s. Even still, it’s down from the first quarters rate of 74.7%. The goals-allowed per game is an abysmal 3.65, which is dead last in the league and up from 3.47 just prior to Thanksgiving…however, we’ll chat about that in just a bit.
As a team, Atlanta struggles in the team-defense department. True, defensive play begins with strong defensive players, but the forwards on this team consistently fail to back-check as they should and are often caught out of position.
The Ugly: Mathieu Schneider and that big, fat hairy -17. Sure, Hainsey is a -18, but Ron has played in all 43 games. Schneider has compiled that in only 30 games, including the -3 he pasted on the stat sheet Saturday. His +/- rating as well as his 3 goals and 5 assists put him on a pace that would net about 6 goals and 16 points and finish at about a -32 for the season…should he remain here that long. Compare this to his previous season in Anaheim where he accounted for 12 goals and 39 points along with a +22…and you see where the major disappointment that most Thrashers fans have in him comes from. Sure, the Ducks and the Thrashers are two birds that are flying in totally different directions…but still, that’s a loss of 23 points and a difference of -54 in the +/- stat.
The Summary: Still too much of the same overall, even though there are some encouraging signs in the SA/G and penalty kill department of late.
The Grade: D+, (Unchanged from first quarter).
GOALTENDING
The Good: Just not a helluva lot to chat about here. Let’s see, Moose has lowered his GAA to 3.62 from .404 at the end of the first quarter. And Kari did get the team’s first shutout the other night. Oh, and there was that strong start in Ottawa for Opie sandwiched between the Boston and Pittsburgh disasters. Other than that…
The Un-Good: The blame for the 3.65 GAA cannot entirely be pinned on the keepers…but a great deal of it can. All three goalies have losing records and GAA and SV% that are below their NHL career averages. The butt ugly numbers:
Kari Lehtonen: 5-11-2 with a .900 SV%, 3.41 GAA and 1 SO.
Johan Hedberg: 6-7-3 with a .887 SV%, 3.62 GAA and 0 SO.
Ondrej Pavelec: 3-6-0 with a .884 SV%, 3.55 GAA and 0 SO.
I’ll start with Opie…he’s right where he needs to be now, in Chicago. Like last year, he was called upon to fill in for an injured Lehtonen. Also like last year, he started out strong, winning his first two starts after making 6 saves on 6 shots in relief of Moose in New Jersey last November. But in his last two losses before being thrown back to the Wolves he allowed 8 goals on only 18 shots in 45:25 TOI. Even with the good start in Ottawa between those two steamers, in his last 3 starts he let up 9 goals on 38 shots, (.763 SV%) during 105:25 TOI…a 5.14 GAA.
Oh, and did I mention, he could be going under the knife?
Grade: N/A - Sent back for remedial classes.
Moose, the backup keeper, is 6-7-3…going 3-4-3 in the second quarter of the season. His GAA is the highest of the three, but he has the best win/loss record of the trio and he’s also the only one to have won three consecutives starts this season.
Grade: C
Kari…His record prior to the injury was 2-5-2 with a .904 SV% and 3.44 GAA. Since returning after 21 games out, he is 3-6-0 and his GAA is a virtual unchanged 3.41 and the SV% is now .900. Kari has not won back-to-back starts since his last two of the previous season. While he will show flashes of brilliance at times…see also the 29-save shutout in New Jersey, the solid 26 saves on 28 shots performance against Boston and the 35 saves from 38 Vancouver shots in a shootout win…he always seems to follow them up with stink bombs. I’ll admit, a lot of the grade that I give him stems from “expectations”…but that comes with the territory of being considered the teams “Premier Goalie”. Unfortunately, that is a label he has all but lost in the first half of this season.
Grade: F
Also un-good is the fact that this organ-I-zation fails to employ a true goalkeeper coach. Steve Weeks acts as such, but…as glovesave29 has pointed out…is normally running drills at practice, not working with Kari, Moose and Opie. This may have something to do with what ails us between the pipes, maybe not. Regardless, this is a professional sports franchise and to not bring in the necessary help for these guys is downright negligent by Don Waddell the Spirit Boys.
But then… that’s pretty much par for the course when it comes to these clowns.
The Ugly: Again, Pavs’ starts against Boston and Pittsburgh as well as Kari’s third period in Florida Saturday. You or I could not have done worse in those situations.
The Summary: If the first half of the season is indicative of what is to come, the Kari Lehtonen era in Atlanta is but months…if not weeks…away from being officially over.
Overall Team Grade: D, (Down from C-).
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 11, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
You’re a machine.
By Scotty
January 11, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this
Kari = 2nd overall pick BUST!
Christensen = BUST! Thanks DW, really got your money’s worth for Hossa, didn’t you?
Schneider = BUST! He should never see ice time in a Thrashers uniform again!
Williams = BUST! Kovy has to be SO happy with that one he’s dying to ink that new contract on July 1, right?
Overall team grade = F
By Sage of Bluesland
January 11, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this
I think Rawhide is too generous with the grading system, as well. Straight F overall. All things considered (including whichever year of the “Five-Year Plan” we are currently on).
However, major kudos to Rawhide for being the ONLY—and I mean only—AJC person who CONSISTENTLY tells the truth related to the utter abomination of a franchise. Schultz doesn’t write on this mess frequently enough. Bradley is ignorant enough to actually ‘defend’ Waddell!
He’s [Rawhide] the only one in TOWN to do it, too. Kincade is a tool. No-one else even bothers.
It’s too bad you’re not the beat-writer, Rawhide. The fans deserve answers for this decade of incompetence. The fans deserve to KNOW what the ‘PLAN’ is for the future—with timetables and estimates.
Otherwise, how can accountability be measured?
Like I said earlier, this franchise is an abomination to the NHL—and serves only as schedule-fodder. That’s it.
Yet there are still some who subsidize this! Inexplicable…(well, I do have a category for such)…
By jksaub91
January 11, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this
Any ideas where the Thrashers will move to? Or will the NHL just contract them?
By Brendan
January 11, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this
Another fine blog from Rawhide. We take him for “granted.” If I can add something, it would be this category: “Player Development.”
Not ALL of us knew that this 2008-09 season was a ‘build-year,’ but several of the bloggers did. I’m not here to gloat, congratulate, nor berate anyone about that. But for me, this season was all about developing Boris Valabik, Ondrej Pavelec, Zach Bogosian, Nathan Oystrick, Bryan Little, Brett Sterling, and maybe, maybe Grant Lewis, too. I guess we can toss Jim Slater, Erik Christensen and Colby Armstrong into that mix.
My question to Rawhide and the blog is this: What is your grade and assessment of the player development, which, in my view, was the entire POINT of this season. Well, okayyyy. I’ll make allowances if anyone wants to advance the theory that the point of the season was to get Tavares or Hedman. Fiiine. I won’t belabor that.
For my $0.02, I think Nathan Oystrick and Bryan Little have represented good player development. I am disappointed with Pavelec’s performance. But I’m not “worried” about it. He’s 21-years old!!! There’s still PAH-LENTY of time to get him “NHL-ready.” I’d also like to see what Chad Denny could do, if given an opportunity, in the final 9 games of this season. Atlanta did sacrfice a HIGH-END 1st round draft pick to acquire him in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft.
How have Riley Holzapfel and Angelo Esposito come along, in their development? Will they get an audition in the final 9 games? What about Arturs Kulda? Spencer Machacheck? Daultan Leveille has looked good, from what I’ve seen of him in CCHA action, on NHL TV. He’s just a freshman at Michigan State.
By LAC
January 11, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this
Sage, Please don’t forget the ajc/asg TOOL mike kobler, theguy who will not do what, we the fans demand… Ask waddell about resigning, he is as bad as that other kid glove tool craig custance, both afraid to ask the BIG question !!!!!
Rawhide will ask, if he gets near waddell, he’d get the answer from the sick horse himself.
BTW… What is the date of RAWHIDE night this season ?
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 11, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this
LAC — Your lack of understanding is confounding. Google “what is a beat writer”, it’ll open up worlds to you.
By Sage of Bluesland
January 11, 2009 7:05 PM | Link to this
But the beat-writer can ask tough questions, like:
“What year of your original ‘Five-Year Plan’ are we in now, Don?”
“What IS the plan, Don?”
“Are we ahead of the progress of the Flyers now, Don?”
“Is this team better than last year’s team, Don?”
“Will you guarantee a playoff berth, Don?”
See, there are plenty of questions to ask…but, neglect seems to pervade everything related to this abomination of an NHL franchise, from the ownership to the AJC tools at their disposal. It’s really an insult to the NHL to even call it one, but that is as far as the ‘professionalism’ goes.
Yet who ends up ‘holding the bag’? The FANS. The ones who pay the freight. We deserve so much better than this—from the team to the media coverage.
By sisu
January 11, 2009 7:16 PM | Link to this
Rawhide, nice work again! One thing that is really concerning to me is the fact that Pavs could be facing surgery…
I have been a big fan of Kari in the past but I really feel that he will have a future with another team. I am not sure what we could get for trade value but perhaps a sign and trade would work?
By Bob (other)
January 11, 2009 7:16 PM | Link to this
for those that haven’t heard yet, Kovy was named Captain tonight.
By Rawhide
January 11, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to Kaptain Kovalchuk!!!
By five_hole
January 11, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this
On a thought tangential to Brendan’s, I’d like to see a grade for the management which put this team together, as well as the coaches who mentor and do the “strategerie” (I’m gonna miss Bushisms) for the team. I have to blame the coaches for the team’s “give-a-crap level”, but the coaches get stuck with the talent that management gives them, and based on what I’ve seen, it was “here’s-a-crap-play-them level”.
Totally agree with the ratings, especially in goal. I’ve been an advocate for Kari, but the kid is just too inconsistant to be a #1. All the talent in the world, but his head is an empty net. If they let him go at year end, I wouldn’t be too unhappy.
I almost feel sorry for Eric Christensen. He’s a kid, he’s obviously not a #1 center, yet he was thrown into that role. Who’s bright idea was that?
Our penalty kill has been abysmal (ah, for the days of Brad Larsen & J.P. Viger). Although I do like the kid Crabb.
Our “d” (lower case intentional) is for the most part, young, and breakdowns should be expected. Enstrom, Oystrick, Bogosian & Valabik should do nothing except get better (although how much better is anyone’s guess). I would offer to resign Havelid for another year, maybe 2.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 11, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this
(ah, for the days of Brad Larsen & J.P. Viger)
Wow, I can’t believe someone actually yearns for those two.
By Sage of Bluesland
January 11, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this
And to think, Kari was the 2nd overall pick in 2002 and we WAITED how long for him to show us THIS?!
Don’t ever wonder why we suck. Talent evaluation; Talent acquisition; Talent compensation.
That falls onto one person only: Don Waddell.
By blue land 101
January 11, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this
fire waddell now!!!!
By LAC
January 11, 2009 10:33 PM | Link to this
rannalo10, who gives a flying F—k about YOUR opinion of what a beat writer is.
The guy covers the team, the fans want answers, he is in a position to ask them, no matter how unpleasant they may or may not be.
The guy is doing an adequate job on coverage, but enough people want waddell gone, so ask it.
Just love fair weather fans like you rannallo10, or whatever, your true colors rise to the surface once again. So go hide with kobler in the corner and let the real hockey fans have at it !
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 11, 2009 11:18 PM | Link to this
LAC — It’s not MY opinion, it’s the number one visited site for the key words “beat writer”, on the worlds most popular online search engine. Try this out…open Internet Explorer, clear out the URL, and type the words “beat writer”. Tell me what pops up.
The guy covers the team, the fans want answers, he is in a position to ask them, no matter how unpleasant they may or may not be.
You’re absolutely right, he’s in a position to ask the questions. Unfortunately for him asking those questions would be tantamount to getting himself fired, on purpose, to appease one dumbass fan who can’t give up on the thought that Waddell should be asked “when are you resigning”. No matter how he words the question, he’s screwing the pooch. It’s pointless for him to ask it too, as we ALL KNOW THE FRICKING ANSWER. What’s the point?
Give it up man…it’s not going to happen. Why do you think Custance didn’t reply to your requests? Why do you think Knobler doesn’t? Have you perhaps thought because you’re asking him to do something egregious, and then belittling him because he doesn’t give in to your demands? That’s a great way to get someone to do you a favor. He’s not going to pander to you.
Just love fair weather fans like you rannallo10, or whatever, your true colors rise to the surface once again.
Fair weather fan? How does my telling you that you’re a douche bag for continually calling out the beat writer (Jebus Christopher, I can’t emphasize that word enough) for not asking retarded questions to Waddell make me a “fair weather” fan? Do I need to find you a definition for that phrase too?
Gosh, I can’t even take you seriously. Sometimes you’re on par with stendec.
By Brendan
January 12, 2009 2:00 AM | Link to this
In my opinion, the closest any beat writer can get to asking the GM this question … is as follows. “Don, do you ever get discouraged by the results?” And, as a follow up question, “Do you ever have days where you feel so disappointed that you just want to quit?” And, keep in mind, friendly tone goes a long, long way in asking question. Leading in with some “buttering” wouldn’t hurt. As unpalatable as it might seem, if a reporter were to open with, “I really liked your offseason moves and concept. There was every OUTWARD APPEARANCE that this year’s team would be better than the record, at this point, indicates. Do you ever get so discouraged that you feel like you’d want to quit?”
Bear in mind, even THAAAT approach is coming dangerously close to crossing a line, whereby its trespass results in the GM ending the interview, abruptly, in anger. An angry GM will cut off the flow of information to the newspaper. As readers of the newspaper, that would be BAD.
By LAC
January 12, 2009 3:56 AM | Link to this
rannallo, it is people like YOU who enjoy attacking others that makes these blogs so pitiful at times.
I don’t give a rats a$$ what you call me, it shows a true sign of weakness, and from your past postings, you are a nobody when it comes to the vast world of professional hockey.
So take your childish attitude and stick it and have a session with your doctor, it seems you are off your med’s and need a new perscription asap !
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 12, 2009 7:18 AM | Link to this
LAC — Dude, you’re the person who keeps making disturbing allusions about Seydel, and blow off the handle every second day about how much you hate Levenson, Seydel, and Waddell. I don’t think you’re the person who should be claiming anyone is making personal attacks when you’re a frequent perpetrator. Seriously, you keep challenging a professional franchise’s owner to a fight…how grown up is that?? Pedophilia and fisticuffs, how mature of you.
I don’t “enjoy attacking people”, but rather tend to DEFEND people that are constantly under attack unfairly. You’re attacking Knobler incessantly and I feel it is unwarranted, thus I defend him because he’s not really allowed to do so himself (he’s supposed to play nice with the readers, he doesn’t have the privilege of being an opinion writer like Schultz is). His job is not to hold the GM accountable or ask for the GMs resignation, his job is to report what’s happening within the organization. He’s doing that.
you are a nobody when it comes to the vast world of professional hockey
Well, you’re right, but I’ve never claimed to be. I’ve never played professional hockey, let alone been a part of a professional franchise in any capacity. Did I miss something though? Are you, or have you, been part of something important outside of being a hockey fan? Are we not on the same level when it comes to our involvement in professional hockey? Does the fact that I disagree with you calling out a beat writer mean that I understand the game any differently than you do?
If you want to talk about hockey, opinions on improving the team, opinions about the sport in general, etc…I’m all for it. I have no problem with such discussions, nor issues with people simply not agreeing with my opinion (ask Alan or Stroz or Rawhide, or anyone else I’ve had civil discussions that didn’t end up in someone using the word “sheep”). I do have problems with people like you constantly denigrating another person who is doing his job and doing it fine. It serves no purpose, and adds nothing of value to the conversation about the team…much like this discussion.
By glovesave29
January 12, 2009 8:23 AM | Link to this
Knobler’s email address is on his postings. He’s always good about returning them. Just ask him. I am sure he will give you and honest answer as to why he does not address this topic. My guess is is that he knows if he makes an enemy of the teams’ management, he will lose access to those persons and not be able to do his job. Newspapers are steadily losing readership and profits. I would venture to guess that Mike knows this, and doesn’t want to lose his gig.
Congrats ti Ilya for finally being named captain. They should give him a “K” insteasd of a “C” like they do in Russia…that’d be pretty cool. Memory escapes me…is he the first Russian captain in the NHL?
By Nikita
January 12, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this
ranallo — hear, hear!
By Russian
January 12, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this
Kovy is OUR Captian. Good. to glovesave29 Yashin was a Captian in Ottawa.
By glovesave29
January 12, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this
Thanks, Russian. Here’s to Kovy being the first GOOD captain from Russia. Yashin was a prima donna.
By Bob
January 12, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this
And now with Peavley as his center, Ilya is sure to sign that extension next summer!
Rawhide, excellent write up. Did you ever look at the scoring chances allowed stat? I think that would shed some light for you on the real culprit responsibile for our goals allowed (hint, Brodeur’s stats would drop significantly behind our defense).
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 12, 2009 9:12 AM | Link to this
glovesave — According to this site, the first Russian captain was Johnny Gottselig for the 1920s Chicago Blackhawks.
Bure was a captain in Florida. Yashin in Ottawa and New York. Mogilny in Buffalo. Zhamnov in Winnipeg and Chicago.
Kovalchuk would be the sixth.
By glovesave29
January 12, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this
Bob, that would be an interesting study.
On a similar note, I was at a NJD practice a few years back. Brodeur practically ran the thing. He would stop in the middle to discuss things with his defense. THAT is the kind of leadership WE could use.
By Buzilla in CT
January 12, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
I love cat fights
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 12, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
Meow.
By Rawhide
January 12, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
Bob - Good point about scoring chances…and I’m sure you are right about it being a good reason for the GAA.
However… my grade on the keepers, especially Kari, has more to do with the fact that I see too many soft goals allowed. Also, I see too many early game and early period goals being allowed. Case in point, the third period of the game Saturday…as well as how many times he was beat glove-high.
How many times have we seen early goals get scored on us…or worse, the first 3 of 4 shots total getting past them. (See also, last saturday’s 3rd again, the Boston Massacre of Dec. 12…or the Toronto game on Dec.22 when the first goal was allowed early on via a fat rebound).
Again, does the D have a lot to do with how many goals are allowed? Yes, absolutley. But the keepers, especially Kari, have not helped their cause either.
Also, lemme clarify something from my post for everyone. I question how long Kari will be here…I also mention that Pavs MIGHT undergo surgery for his knee. Obviously, if Opie needs to go under the knife then we can’t move Kari right away.
That’s only “common sense”…Hence my “months…IF not weeks” comment.
Regardless, as much as I’ve supported Kari and wished for nothing but what he has the “potential” for…the numbers are what the numbers are. And they do not support the notion that he is the “premier goalie” of this team and the organ-I-zation is well within it’s right to re-evaluate that situation, whether that is this summer, at the trade deadline or now.
(Pavs health considered).
I’ll say again…one of the best things DW did last summer was to sign Kari to but a one-year deal.
By Bob
January 12, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
And they do not support the notion that he is the “premier goalie” of this team and the organ-I-zation is well within it’s right to re-evaluate that situation
I completely agree, one of the things we’ve learned in this build year, is Kari is not and will not be a #1 goalie in this league. He just doesn’t have the head for it.
But please don’t think that we drop a great goalie in and all is well, this club would still be where it’s at, the problem lies deeper than simply at goal.
By glovesave29
January 12, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
Bob, I agree Kari is disappointment. But given his obvious talents and physical attributes, I cannot say that he will never be a number one in this league. Put him behind a stout defense and give him the proper tools (cough, cough - goalie coach) and I do think he could be.
By Rawhide
January 12, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
Bob - But please don’t think that we drop a great goalie in and all is well, this club would still be where it’s at, the problem lies deeper than simply at goal
Agreed.
glovesave29 - Bob, I agree Kari is disappointment. But given his obvious talents and physical attributes, I cannot say that he will never be a number one in this league. Put him behind a stout defense and give him the proper tools (cough, cough - goalie coach) and I do think he could be.
I think you are correct on that as well. One of my biggest fears is that we cut bait on Kari then watch as he excels elsewhere.
However, there comes a time when you have to consider what is best for this team and move on…wishing him nothing but the best.
By glovesave29
January 12, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - completely agree. The best trades are the ones that help both teams AND both players. Some players just need a change of scenery to excel. With Kari - perhaps a sign and trade - OR - a multi-year deal and my ubiquitous call for a coach. Give him a season with a goalie coach…if that fails, see what can be had for him. The problem is, trades for goalies don’t get you much in return (LaBarbera went for a 7th rounder).
Look at Marc Savard…had decent numbers in NYR and CGY, but needed a new home - and we were fortunate here in ATL that this was the place he needed. One of the FEW fleecings we gave to another team…think the Flames might want Savvy back as Ruslan Zainullin never really panned out for them.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 12, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
One of my biggest fears is that we cut bait on Kari then watch as he excels elsewhere.
It’s happened with countless players from the system. Finding the talent isn’t the entirety of the problem, it’s developing the talent into a quality NHL player that has been the problem.
Coburn. Properly drafted, improperly developed, improperly utilized, improperly dealt for veteran assistance. Blossomed in Philadelphia.
Lehtonen, if dealt, will be the next “I can’t believe we let him go”.
By glovesave29
January 12, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Good points Ranallo. Let’s face it, we need a COMPLETE OVERHAUL. I cannot see us getting rid of the A$G, so I won’t broach that subject. But today, it is being reported that the KC Chiefs are going to announce they have stolen Patriot VP Scott Pioli. Yup - mighty Pats and lowly Chiefs…why? ITS THE CHALLENGE. Gives ya hope here…doesn’t it? We need to find a similar man here in hockey who wants this monumental challenge. So obviously, Waddell must get the axe. Hire a Director of Hockey Operations. It’s always good to have another set of eyes / opinion as to the direction of the team - one who empowers and supports the GM, and can act as a liason between ownership and hockey staff. Then bring in the goalie coach. Get serious in FA (I know it is not the way to build a team, but we are soooo far behind, we need some vets here and not the bottom of the barrel ones), and moving our few NHL talent level players is counter productive. Then move the Glads to the AHL. Have your top minor team here where they can practice and meet with the big team. Will give them a decided advantage should the player be called up. Also allows mangement to make sure they are being developed properly.
By Bob
January 12, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
Lehtonen, if dealt, will be the next “I can’t believe we let him go”.
While certainly possible, I just don’t think this is the case with Kari. Kari has all the physical tools in the world to do the job. But goaltending is 9 parts mental and half physical (that’s my Yogi-ism for the day). Kari doesn’t have the mental aspect of it, screw the goalie coach, he needs Smoltz’s shrink.
By Nikita
January 12, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this
Several things, with regard to Kari:
a. There’s merit in knowing who you are, playing to your strengths, and outsourcing your weaknesses. Along those lines, perhaps we should send Kari to someone who’s equipped to address his needs and import the talent we need. Pavelec needs significant development, if he’s ever to be a starter. Moose is done for within a few seasons. Kari is, well, not returning, I suspect. We need to start buying.
b. My hunch is that Moose will be our goalie coach, I would suspect in ‘09-10.
c. I think it would be a mistake to not differentiate between the current and former coaches. Hartley could not develop talent, which is a big part of why M. Waddell brought in so many mid- and late-career players. But Anderson, Cunneyworth, et al., actually know how to develop young players as well as work older players, and I think if they stay in place for a few seasons we will see a big difference in who we keep and how they develop.
On another note, I assume Peverly’s going to replace someone who will be traded. But who? We have a lot of centers. I’m guessing Reasoner and White aren’t going anywhere.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 12, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
But goaltending is 9 parts mental and half physical (that’s my Yogi-ism for the day). Kari doesn’t have the mental aspect of it, screw the goalie coach, he needs Smoltz’s shrink.
I know it’s easy to say, but I would be willing to bet that with an improved defense you’d see a much improved mental aspect to Lehtonen’s game.
He seems to gets p** off now because the team in front of him quits. Imagine how comfortable he’d be with a team like New Jersey or Minnesota in front of him. He may be slightly immature (relatively, of course), but with an improved team comes an improved attitude and thus an improved confidence.
My biggest concern is that by removing Lehtonen (easily the best goalie this team has ever seen, better than Nurminen in my opinion) this team would take two steps back in a position they’ve always had problems with.
Hire a goalie coach — I’ve complained about Weeks before when no goalies seemed to pan out, but glovesave’s perspective gives me enough ammo to consider his services useless to the goalies in Atlanta. Drastically improve the defense in front of him, and work with what you’ve got. If you let him go, don’t bother trying to mis-develop another goalie, find the best one available in free agency and use them perpetually until you can truly develop a goalie.
For what it’s worth, the list of impending UFA goalies isn’t too shabby. Highlighted by Thomas and Biron, there is also Backstrom, Nittymaki, Fernandez, Khabibulan, and Gerber that will all become unrestricted free agents (at this point, some will clearly re-sign). Budaj and Lehtonen highlight the top RFA goalies available.
I’d hate to see Lehtonen traded though, I like watching him play. I’d much rather see him play with a better defense in front of him in Atlanta, than anywhere else in the league.
PS, nice Yogi-ism.
By glovesave29
January 12, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
Bob - are you forgetting that Smoltz had Leo Mazzone coaching him in addition to his psychologist?
Nikita - Moose may be our goalie coach soon…but I think that would be a mistake - he doesn’t employ the same style that Kari and Ondrej use, and we don’t know if he wants (or can handle) the gig.
By sisu
January 12, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/9055470/Is-Savard-the-root-of-Atlanta%27s-woes
By Rawhide
January 12, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this
Awesome link, sisu!
By Buzilla in CT
January 12, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
That is a great, sad article.
By Rockem Sockem Thrasher
January 12, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to hear from Coach Anderson and/or DW about how they plan to improve the team beyond the all too frequent line changes.
They aren’t bringing much up from Chicago and the activity on the waiver wire has been very slow.
By Buzilla in CT
January 12, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this
When is Bogo getting back in the lineup?
By Bob
January 12, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
are you forgetting that Smoltz had Leo Mazzone coaching him in addition to his psychologist?
So, what you’re sayin is that Leo’s incessant rocking was hypnotizing Smoltzie into believing he could throw strikes?
Very Interesting!
By glovesave29
January 12, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this
The rocking was to keep away the hemmeroids a la George Brett!
By five_hole
January 12, 2009 8:44 PM | Link to this
Nice find sisu. However, I think the ball of string started unraveling when Dany Heatley & Dan Snyder took that fateful car ride. Snyder was an important piece of the team. His death forced Heatley to ask Waddell to be traded. We got DeVries & Hossa for Heatley. We have nothing to show for the deal & Ottawa has Heatley signed to a long term contract.
As much as I enjoyed having Hossa here, Ottawa got the better end of the deal.
By Rawhide
January 12, 2009 9:15 PM | Link to this
Five_Hole - Here is something that’s rattled around in my head for a while now….
What if….IF…back in August of 2005, when Heatley came to Waddell requesting a trade, Don put his arm around the kid…much like a father would do to his son or a caring uncle would his nephew… and said something like…
“Look Dany. I know you are going through someting rough and painful…and I even understand why you are coming to me asking for this. You are hurt…you want your family’s love an support”.
He continues as the two walk together….
“Dany…we are your family too…you aren’t just a player…you are one of us…and we love you, too. And, we need you…maybe you need us too but just can’t see that at this time because of what you’re dealing with right now”.
Waddell continues…
“Look, Dany….let’s do this. You get into camp, be with your teammates, your friends…your brothers. You saturate yourself in doing for this team what we brought you and Ilya in her to do. Let them minister to you as only they can. I’ll be here for you…coach Hartley, he will be too. I know it. He’s feels the same way about you that I do…that we all do”.
Then, very seriously, very honestly…
“Dany, if you need your mom and dad…we’ll bring ‘em down here, set them up in a place near the rink or your place. I know them…they love you like no other people can and they will be here for you. Give this season a try…trust me on this, son. I know once the juices get flowing in you as the season goes on…and your teammates help you…and your family loves on you…and Dan’s spirit works in you, through you…you’ll pull through this”.
“But you need to let us…all of us…help you”.
Then he finishes…
“But, if by the trade deadline or after the season…it still isn’t working for you, Dany…then I’ll honor your request. We’ll work with you, your family and your agent to get the best possible situation for you…because, after all…we care for you and want what is best. But please, just give us the chance to be there for you”.
Now, I do not now if Waddell didn’t do something like that. Maybe he did and it just didn’t work.
But as I remember it…it all happen so all-of-a-sudden. If he didn’t at least try…then … well, one could only wonder where this team would be now if he had been successful in talking him into staying…
shrugs
Like the wise owl always said on the Tootsie-Pop commercial…”The World May Never Know”.
By Brendan
January 12, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this
I think Heatley just WANTED OUT, Rawhide. The DA’s office wanted to make an example out of him. The hockey-hating crowd wanted an example made of him. The larger national sports media wanted a posterchild of crime from the National Hockey League, so that the NBA and NFL wouldn’t look so bad all the time. Heatley wanted out. His play after the injury, for Atlanta, was not ineffective. He was nearly a point a game.
By Brendan
January 12, 2009 11:19 PM | Link to this
Mark Recchi just scored his 10th goal of the season for Tampa Bay. They lead the L.A. Kings, 2-0, after one period. How many goals does Kovalchuk have? Recchi is making $1.25 million this season.
By Alan
January 13, 2009 12:54 AM | Link to this
How many goals does Kovalchuk have?
How many could he have, if Savard were still playing here?
By Tony C.
January 13, 2009 1:46 AM | Link to this
Wow Mike Chen just got paid for basically condensing three years worth of my posts-nice find sisu!
I remember saying that $5M/per was as high as I’d go on Savard, and the word was that his people were asking for 5.5-6.2M.
But honestly, all you needed to do was watch that line in February of that last season we had Savard to know that the guy was as good as anyone in the game at getting the puck to the open man. I can still see Savard coming in from centRe ice, left-side boards while #17 flashed thru the center lane, curled and wound up just above the left-side dot. Old man Mellanby would be just arriving to drive the center-lane as Savard kept moving left-to-right as he drove forward then a neat little flick-a* and WHAM-that was the sound of the best one-timer in the business scaring some poor goalie senseless.
I wondered who exactly Waddell thought he could get that would replicate the chemistry #17 and Savard had/have (just watch the ASG-trust). Even now, with that powerhouse Bruins squad he’s motoring, when he was asked who’s his all time favorite player to set up, Savard makes the polite noises about how he’s played with some great finishers-lists the names but you see him smile when he says “Kovalchuk”.
I know there were rumors that Savard was having relations with some 17-year-old waittress or whatever-and the story was that he wanted to be close to his kids and his wife hated it here, but I’ve got believe that something could’ve been done.
I just got the feeling that DW drew a “line in the sand” that year, saying “no” to Bondra and Savard-he wasn’t going to cave in to “unnecessarily high salaries”.
And then Steve Rucchin’s old grinder self was ballyhoo’d as the “playmaking center we need to fill Mark Savard’s skates”-WTF-ever.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 13, 2009 5:24 AM | Link to this
Rawhide — Heatley played in 31games after recovering physically from the accident. How many more games must he have played for you to believe the scenario you laid out truly happened?
Your scenario unfolded exactly as you typed…he played with his teammates (31 games), he tried to heal, he was counseled by Kozlov specifically, and he was allowed time to ponder his future in Atlanta. He left for Europe during the lockout, and he clearly realized he didn’t want to come back despite the time he had spent with the team, grieving, etc. Upon returning from the lockout, he chose leaving was the easiest thing for him to do.
The accident happened in Sept. 2003, he requested his trade around Aug. 2005. I think he had plenty of time to decide if he was able/willing to play in Atlanta. Unfortunately he decided he couldn’t play here.
By Sara
January 13, 2009 7:47 AM | Link to this
Tony C far as I’ve always heard, Savy’s wife didn’t not like it here, she flat-out divorced him and moved away with the kids. While I do not think that was the sole issue in determining his signing decisions, it absolutely had to be a factor. Savard is well-known for his love of his kids (though perhaps he should have spent a bit more time at home with them instead of at Wild Bill’s but bygones as Brendan would say).
I still think the Heatley trade that preceded Savard’s departure had larger repercussions. The difference between Heater’s salary and Hossa’s+Devries’ was roughly $5M per year. Under a cap no less. That $5M could have gone a long way to re-signing Savard, another top-tier center if he left anyway, or bringing in a better quality defenseman. But whatcha gonna do?
By five_hole
January 13, 2009 7:49 AM | Link to this
First, it seems like the AJC new format has ruined the blog formatting. Looks like the links still work. Why am I not surprised that the AJC doesn’t test things before they move them to production?
Now, back to the blog. That was really touchy-feely of you, Rawhide (trying the formatting even though I can see it was ruined above). That surprised me, as I expected you would be more of the bomb-them-till-they-stop-bleeding sort. Seriously though, my guess is that Heatley told his agent, who formally presented the request to Waddell. At that point, he had no choice but to “shop him around”.
By glovesave29
January 13, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
I think Heater needed to get away from the constant reminders of what had happened. He was not made a poster child at all, in fact, he was treated quite the opposite…so soft in my opinion. Anyhow, after spending the lockout year in Europe and away from Atlanta, he probably recognized the healing effect of new surroundings…thus upon his return requested the trade.
As far as Savvy, from what I have heard from a friend within the organization…DW did not care for him personally and labeled Marc as locker room poison and was more than happy to see him out of Atlanta.
By Rawhide
January 13, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
ranallo - You are probably correct that his mind was made up…that was just a big “what if” scenario on my part.
five_hole - “bomb-them-till-they-bleed” type??…ME??
Only when those in my cross-hairs deserve it am I such. In Heatley’s case, its something I pray to God I never have to go through, either personally or my sons…it certainly played on his mind and does so even to this day…so that’s why I’ve always given him a certain “grace” or “pass” for what went down at that time.
And I certainly do not put any blame on DW for that situation either.
All Else - This new format….yeck! I’m gonna have Trixie get on the phone with HQ and see wazzup wid dis!
By THRASHYOU
January 13, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
can anyone on here build web pages???? I have an idea and I went and bought the domain name RETIRE37.COM I would like for everyone here to help with this so maybe we can convince the ASG to put that number in the rafters. let me know and i with give you my email. I hope everyone pitches in and we can do this.
By Rawhide
January 13, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this
This will be a good day to tune into 680 and NHL Live…
Don Waddell – will be on 680 The Fan with The Rude Awakening at 9:30am
John Anderson – will be on NHL Live on XM-Ch. 204, (Sirius as well, but I don’t know the channel) at noon
Ilya Kovalchuk – will be on on 680 The Fan with Buck and Kincade at 4pm
By Alan
January 13, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
I didn’t catch Waddell in time to hear everything he had to say, but I caught the end of his interview — particularly the Kovalchuk part. His response, if what he says is true, gives me a little more hope about Atlanta’s chances of re-signing Kovalchuk next season.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 13, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
Alan — I’d wager that most people who feel Waddell is a greedy person trying to prolong his career with Atlanta was intending for just such a response from MANY of the fans.
I don’t think this club will be better if they have to move Kovalchuk, so my hope is that this is yet another thing that helps push him towards re-signing.
By Alan
January 13, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
ranallo - RE: Waddell, I agree completely. Hence the modifier, “if what he says is true.” :)
I’d love to see Kovalchuk stay. At this point, though, I’m neither optimistic nor pessimistic about him staying. As far as I’m concerned, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
I know Kovalchuk hates the fact that we’re a cellar dwelling team. I just hope he’s willing to stay when a new GM comes in and tries to bring this de-railed Amtrak train back on the tracks.