AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 13
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thrashers Getting Some Air Time
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At 9:30 this morning, Don Waddell was the guest on 680 The Fan’s Rude Awakening. Later at noon, coach John Anderson will be featured on NHL Live…which can be heard on XM Channel 204 and Sirius Channel 208. Later in the day newly named Thrashers captain Ilya Kovalchuk will be on 680’s Buck and Kincade show at 4:00.
I’ll update this as the day goes on to give a recap of what was said. As always, please feel free to add what you hear and your thoughts…
On The Rude Awakening…Waddell basically talked about Kovy being named captain and why it wasn’t done earlier in the season. He cited that with so many new faces and a new head coach, the team felt it was best to take the route they did regarding waiting to officially put the C on his jersey.
Don also spoke about just how happy was when he learned of the decision.
Continuing… the subject of getting a #1 center for their captain was also discussed and that it “will be” a to priority to find one for him. I don’t know if that means now, at the trade deadline or this summer. Last summer, according to the GM, the team wanted to address the defense and thus, Hainsey was signed and Bogosian was drafted.
In all honesty, there really wasn’t as deep a pool for quality #1 centers last summers as defenders.
Waddell indicated that he believed the D was better overall and that the goaltending was “solid”…not great, but “solid”. He also said that this season had been frustrating because of this belief and where the team is now…citing the last two games as an example, the 4-0 win in New Jersey followed by what happened in Florida.
He also discussed all of the “close” games the team has been in and how if the team fails to play the full 60 minutes, then they are going to simply be “average”.
Lastly, he stated emphatically that Kovy was not going to be traded and the full effort would be made to re-sign him. He admitted that it would be a “sell job” because Ilya “is going to get his money” wherever he signs but that there has been good discussions that have taken place between himself and Kovy’s agent to further that along.
As for NHL Live…Anderson chatted with Don La Greca and Jim Dowd and the conversation pretty much revolved around his experiences in his first year of coaching.
The coach used the word “disappointing” to describe how things have unfolded so far, but he still seems to have that positive outlook that, given time and patience, things will come around.
The one most frustrating things for Anderson is the high goals against number. He cited too many “unforced errors” that have accounted for it.
The Little, White, Kozlov line was said to be a “wonderful surprise” to him. Indeed, it has been to us all.
Another term he used for this Thrashers team is “fragile”…pointing to this past weekend in Florida, after following the great game in New Jersey, how the team couldn’t recover from the early goals in the third after tying the score in the second. Funny, “fragile” is a term I have heard very consistently in regards to this team over the past year and a half.
As for Tobias Enstrom, Anderson said he wants the defender to “be more selfish” when it comes to moving the puck up the ice. Obviously, the coach wants him to push the play on his own, as he is confident in his puck-handling skills.
When asked what one of the big differences is in coaching in the AHL and the NHL, he spoke about the money that players make in this league and…consequently…the attitudes that have to be dealt with.
Anderson stated that he is “assuming” Kovalchuk will be with the team long-term and that making the star winger comfortable is key to making that happen…making the experience here as “pleasurable for him” as possible.
One thing that I found interesting were his thoughts regarding the red line passing rule that was dropped after the lockout. He stated that he would like to see the old rule return that prohibited the long outlet passes from the back. His point being that it takes away the aspect of working the puck down the ice with passing abilities.
The old Atlanta Flames and the presence that the team still has on the hockey community was also brought up. The coach stated how he wants this team to be “big and tough”…much like the Flames of that time.
According to Anderson, Rich Peverley may also be the center that the team is looking for on Kovy’s line. I’m guessing we’ll probably see that tomorrow against Ottawa. I think that’s expecting a bit much of the kid…but hey, it isn’t like we are spending a pant-load of money to find out.
Lastly, when he was asked about any 3-year of 5-year plan for his Thrashers, he quipped back that he’s looking for a “40-game plan”.
Kovy On 680: John Kincade wanted to know if there were going to be able to turn things around and Kovy pretty much told him that “that’s what we hope to do”. Kovy also indicated how much he appreciated the trust that his teammates placed in him and that he wants everyone to bring the type of intensity needed to be successful.
Also, Kovalchuk stated that he’s not really been one to yell and scream at guys in the locker room.
