AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWait…No! We “Own” The Islanders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Holy Crap! We lost to… who? No, no, no…this can’t be…this is all wrong!
See…the Thrashers are supposed to BEAT the Islanders! They are the team…the one and only team in the league…that the Thrashers own. You know, the way the Rangers “own” the Thrashers this season…and the way the Bruins “own” the Thrashers this season…and the way the Penguins “own” the Thrashers this season…and the way the Flyers have “owned” the Thrashers since the Eisenhower administration.
Yeah…you get the picture.
The Islanders came into the game sporting a rather humble 13-29-5 record…worse than YOURRRrrrr Atlanta THRAAAaaa-shers! They were 2-7-1 in their previous 10 games and had won only twice in their last 12. Their 2-1 win against Anaheim last Wednesday snapped an eight-game losing streak. Atlanta had beaten them in the three previous meetings 4-3, 5-1 and 4-2.
Yes, the Thrashers get four “gimmies” for the season and this was the last of the “breezers”!
Only, the New York Islanders didn’t get the memo.
The Isles entered Thursday’s match scoring goals at a clip of 2.40 per game, (tied for last with Ottawa)…they dropped four on us before the first intermission.
Prior to their game in Atlanta, they averaged 29.1 shots on goal per game…they took 30 in the first 40 minutes, 20 in the first period alone.
Kari Lehtonen started the game. He faced 15 shots in only 13 minutes and 17 seconds, giving up four goals. The way Dan Kamal described the first period action, New York was swarming about the Atlanta net at-will and they were forechecking without fear of any repercussions or reprisals.
The Atlanta Thrashers looked like an All Star defensive unit the first 20 minutes of the game. Oh, not the “talent level” of an All Star blueline…they looked and performed the way All Stars ”play” in the game itself. No checking, no hitting, no challenging, and no intensity.
I swear…if this had been a Canadian based team, or an original sixer, or any team from the northeast, or the Great Lakes region, or…or…well, anywhere… the coach and general manager as well as 14 players may have been shown the door before the second period began!
The last 40 minutes…well, they sucked less. Actually, the Thrashers played quite well. Atlanta out-shot the visitors 29-13 the rest of way after the first intermission, including 15-3 in the third. They had stopped the bleeding after the fourth goal in the first, played to a scoreless draw in the second, then mounted another comeback attempt in the third.
Zach “The Bazooka” Bogosian blasted one off the iron just 26 seconds into the final period…showing that there was actually breath in the lungs of this team. Six minutes later, The Peever put one in the goal…just prior to sliding through it. (For the game, Peverley had a goal and 2 assists). Then, at the 8:36 mark, Marty Reasoner’s nifty wrap-around job brought the score to 4-3.
Halfway through the period, Atlanta had taken 11 shots on goal and New York had just as many shots as I had dates with Debbie Hesslefielder in High School…ZERO! And the Atlanta defense was turning away the Islanders advances nearly as effectively as the way she did mine as well.
The Islanders did not record their first SOG in the third until 7:21 left in it. Unfortunately, it resulted in Kyle Okposo’s second tally of the game.
But…just after the TV camera showed two cute kids wearing face paint with FormerIslesFan and the lovely Lilibeter right behind them… with just under a minute left we all saluted Kaptain Kovy as he scored his 21st…10th in the last 13 games…to pull Le Thrash to within a goal once again.
So…it wasn’t over yet, was it? I mean, after all…these were the New York Islanders. A team that has spun the Suck-O-Meter off its axes more times then…then…well, more times then these Thrashers have this season. And after all…we “own” these Islanders this year…right?
Um…apparently not. Not anymore at least.
About the only thing they Thrashers “own” right now is a butt-load of ping-pong balls in this summer’s draft.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Brendan
January 29, 2009 11:50 PM | Link to this
I’ll take the ping pong balls. It’s our method out of this mess. Please, let somebody who cares about this team … step up and buy it within the next few years.
By sisu
January 30, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this
Hard to believe it is the same team on the ice for the first and the third. The trading can start anytime really, no point in waiting to the trade deadline this year. Isles have three veteran players that most likely will be traded so why not get an early start and get something now?
By Wayne
January 30, 2009 1:00 AM | Link to this
Is there any logical reason why this team REPEATEDLY comes out flat in the first period? Is it because the lifestyle of Atlanta is too comfortable? Could it be that the passivity of the area rubs off on the team (and vice versa)?
By Brendan
January 30, 2009 1:29 AM | Link to this
Wayne, it may be attributed to being AWARE of their situation. This is an organization in ‘limbo.’ It’s in a holding pattern, flying circles around Hartsfield, just hoping that one day, it can land. The Thrashers Hockey Club can’t turn the corner until the lawsuit is resolved. It won’t fire its only GM, despite the results, and Tier I players and ‘household name’ GM’s won’t jump onboard the Titanic. All it can do … is keeping marching time off the clock.
At least there’s the draft to try to salvage things. Many organizations can’t afford to build ‘the correct way.’ That is, slowwwwwly, through the draft. Why not? Empty seats during the process. Owners need revenues from ticket sales. Fans, pretty much everywhere, want to have a compelling reason to attend games. When the main reason to attend games is … to watch prospects develop, in lobsided losses, it tends to hurt the gate.
Now, here’s a moment of honesty to consider. How often do you do your best work while demoralized? All time? Most of the time? About a third of the time? Hardly ever? Never?
“Malaise” is also a good word. It conjures up images of the Carter Administration. But I digress. An organization in limbo … suffers from “malaise.” That’s what’s goin’ on, folks. Sure, this summer, we’ll sign some free agents. The next crop of Jason Williams, Marty Reasoners, Jon Sims, Mark Recchis, will be out there. They’ll need an NHL paycheck. They’ll hang on until the trade deadline, and hope to get shipped someplace good. Don Waddell will still be the GM.
He’s “useful” to the ownership. He finds players like Glen Metropolit to plug holes on the roster, at bargain barrel prices. Come June, he’ll draft Tavares or Hedman. It is what it is.
By Barry
January 30, 2009 1:42 AM | Link to this
Draft picks won’t help this team right now. New management and owners will help this team. Also the players are playing like they have mailed it in, given up, don’t give a crap. They probably look at the standings and think to themselves “no way in hell we make the playoffs…might as well go try and play some hockey…sorta.” I don’t know if the standing is posted on the walls, but if they are it needs to be torn down. Coach Anderson needs to tell everyone “forget the standings, forget the playoffs, forget the negativity, I just want you guys to go out there and give full effort and try to win this next game. Figure out what you gotta do to win and to stop what the other team is trying to do and win the game.” Then the next game say the same thing. Thrashers just need to go out and try to win games and not worry about anything else.
By Alan
January 30, 2009 6:06 AM | Link to this
“The way Dan Kamal described the first period action, New York was swarming about the Atlanta net at-will and they were forechecking without fear of any repercussions or reprisals.”
The reason is, we don’t do enough of this: “Get out there on the ice and let ‘em know you’re there. Get that f’in’ stick in their side. Let ‘em know you’re there! Get that lumber in his teeth. Let ‘em know you’re there!”
Maybe it’s time for us to call in the Hanson’s.
By Tincup9
January 30, 2009 7:35 AM | Link to this
As bad as the losing is - the lack of effort is worse. If this team quits on us, we will quit on it.
Ownership needs to look no further then their own front office to understand why they are losing money
By DWTOO
January 30, 2009 7:49 AM | Link to this
You’re right Tincup. It’s not the losing - it’s the lack of effort. The first ten minutes last night were horrendous. There was more intensity in the warmups. And by the time the third period came along it was too little too late. I will support a team that at least plays hard. I’ve about had my fill of this display.
Two other points. 1) It’s time to trade KL. At times he plays lights out (see Stars game) and other times he looks like he’s playing Lower A in the AAHL. No offense to the AAHL. We need a goalie that’s going to show up and Kari hasn’t shown that he has what it takes. And I’ve always been a supporter of his. 2) Maybe Anderson isn’t the coach we need. Success in the AHL doesn’t necessarily translate to success in the NHL. Thought this was a good choice at the time and was excited about his assistant coaches too. But, now I’m not sure. There’s something seriously lacking here and motivation is at the top of the list. I really didn’t expect a playoff team, but, neither did I expect to see a bunch of quitters on the ice. That’s what I see here.
By Ned McGrath
January 30, 2009 8:00 AM | Link to this
Buncha Pussies!
By Sage of Bluesland
January 30, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this
I cannot fathom why people would want to simply throw their money away on this insulting product…Well, unless they’re the other teams’ fans…
Well-deserved as one of the jokes of the league. Yet people still prop them up?!
Unbelievable.
By Glovesave29
January 30, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
Two plays last night were a microcosm of the entire season…and it has little to do with talent - it’s coaching and desire and being professional.
First play was in the first. We were down 1-0 when Valabik handed the puck to the Isles in the high slot. To make matters worse he went after the theif in the white jesey instead of covering the open player in the slot. You are taught as a pee-wee, as a bantam…goalie takes the shooter, d-man cut off the passing lane. Kari squares up to Bailey off the left post….but nooooooo - so does Valabik, thus leaving Okposo wiiiiiiide open for an easy goal. Like or hate Kari…that one is not on him.
Second play was in the the third. Puck caroms around and comes to Peverly in the deep slot. Danis is on the other post and all Rich can see is open twine. But Martinek is a professional. You don’t stop until the puck crosses the line or the ref blows his whistle. Martinek lunges for the puck and deflects it wide…perhaps saving the game for his young goalie.
And that is the story of the Thrashers…dumb plays and half efforts from us, and hustle and heady plays against us.
By Jim
January 30, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this
Brendan has given us a rallying cry for the last 32 games of this debacle- More Ping Pong Balls. Knobler hit the nail on the head with his article about the game. Send the tape of the first two periods to the league office and appeal for the the right to sign the top two draft picks. Those two and about 10 UFAs might get us back into the NHL. What a bunch of inept, gutless, pansies. Sick to watch.
By ukyo
January 30, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this
I don’t think the system is to blame here. Maybe Anderson is having issues motivating the team, but his system obviously works. When there is effort from our guys the results are there. This whole “AHL system doesn’t work in the NHL” argument is weak and unfounded. We are still on a pace to meet or exceed the highest goals for this franchise has ever seen… and this is in a year where our “fans” said we have no offense from the get-go. No, the system is not to blame. It’s the lack of effort from our guys as a team that led us to these results.
By Buzilla in CT
January 30, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this
Is Taverese Spanish? I know the player is Canadian
By stendec
January 30, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this
Know what defines a losing franchise? The wait till next year mind set! Know what? Next year will never come! If this group had Wayne Gretzky and Bernie Parent in their prime it would only be a mediocre team! Professionals are generously compensated to perform the very best that they can at all times. Not a third, a half or even three-fourths of the time1 Have the hockey players done that? Any of them? I rest my case. I now concede the floor to all apologists. Atlanta is back to being Loserville, USA with the exception of Falcons and possibly Hawks. Thanks, THRASHERS and Braves! Falcons need defense. Hawks need offense. Braves need pitching. Thrashers need a miracle! I still contend that Kari Letemin lacks all the qualities a top line goaltender requires in order to succeed. People tell me my act is old. How many years have we allowed this underachieving high round draft pick to act like a spoiled brat? How many more years should we allow him in order for him to reach his (highly questionable) potential? I hear Hamilton is a nice place. Maybe he can get his issues straightened out there. Four goals in less than 20 minutes are unacceptable. Irregardless of apologist excuses!
By DWTOO
January 30, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
ukyo - I was referring more to the motivational side than the system. I really like the mand adn there’s nothing wrong with Anderson’s understanding of hockey - it’s getting these guys to play it for 60 minutes. They are really letting him down.
And with all the line/defensive pairings he’s making appear to be desparation move. I’m sure he’s beyond frustrated and really deserves better than his team is giving him. It just comes down to old cliche - you can’t fire the whole team. Well, maybe in this case the team and the GM and keep the coach.
By Alan
January 30, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this
“It’s the lack of effort from our guys as a team that led us to these results.”
Indeed, that is part of the problem.
The other part is, we seem to go out and get guys who cannot or will not exert the effort and high amount of intensity that is required for a successful game.
Win or lose, I don’t care, so long as we try, damnit. And our players just aren’t doing that for 60 minutes a game, every game. We always seem to lapse in this department for at least a small portion of every game, and we cannot afford to do it!
By Matt
January 30, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
Would someone please, please explain to me why in the world Tobias Enstrom does not SHOOT the puck?? Doesn’t he see what happens when you put the puck on net? (See Kovy’s goal in last minute).
There is way, way too much passing the puck around the perimeter.
This was my first game this year. (Free tix as I will NOT spend money on this horrible product.
Defense was generally horrible as noted by the posters above. How many times do you have to learn that turnovers in your own end are going to cost you?
On the offensive side, I told the guys sitting next to me after the 4-0 goal, “Watch, they’ll finally show up in the 3rd period”. Where is that kind of offensive intensity and pressure every period?
I think a lot of this has to with the players being lazy. I see too much trying to poke the stick out to get the puck and not enough skating hard after the puck.
By MarriedASwede
January 30, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
First, let me say Fire Waddell
Its not Kovy’s fault. It’s not Anderson’s fault. It’s all on Waddell, but come on, you know this.
When the salary cap was instituted, lots of the NHL writers on ESPN and such made a statement, that is oh so true. That statement is something akin to the fact that “A lot of teams attribute their misfortune on the small vs big market argument. With the cap, that excuse is gone — inept GM’s will be exposed for who they are.”
Fact is we only have 2 players who would be a definite on just about any NHL roster: Kovy and Bogosian.
Its not good when your GM’s plan is to sign unsigned leftovers, or collecting some other teams “trash” via waiver.
That being said, I am not and will never be a STH, but my son does enjoy going to games, so we will go. We went to the Montreal game a couple of weeks ago, and it was great. Guess I got lucky that night to see them actually play.
By IceDave
January 30, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
Give it up Fans Hopefully and Mercifully I think the Thrashers need to go the way of the Dinosaur!!! Check it out - Since the Thrashers have been in existence they have the worst record in the NHL - Nobody is worse not even the Islanders or the Blue Jackets Waddell obviously has no clue, in all the seasons of losing he has only drafted 2 all star caliber players in Kovolchuk and Heatly, an he lost Heatly!! While the GM of the Red Wings can find better talent picking last year in and year out!!! See Datsuk and Zetterberg. I still like the Flames they had a good GM when they were here, whereas Waddell is just a buddy of the ownership (See Matt Millen, Detroit Lions) and He can count on the excuse We are building for the Future, but as long as Waddell is here it will always be the future, teams that win build for the NOW!!!
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 30, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this
“Fact is we only have 2 players who would be a definite on just about any NHL roster: Kovy and Bogosian.”
You forgot Little, Kozlov, Armstrong, Enstrom, Havelid, Hainsey and Lehtonen.
I know you might not think they’ll be able to crack an NHL lineup, but those are just a handful of the players that could easily make the roster for any other team in the NHL. The roster might be bad, but it’s not nearly as bad as you just summarized it.
By IceDave
January 30, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
Hey Matt, Know why the Thrashers always have a good 3rd Period, It is because when the other team has a comfortable lead and they can coast, notice how when the Thrashers get close the other team can pick it up again and put the game away!!!! It really isn’t the Thrashers skating harder Hell they are skating as hard as they can - They just Suck!!!!! and the other team lets up It is not like you would want to run the score up on a bunch of retards!!!! and you know to do a job as bad as Waddell you have to be retarted!!!
By Bob
January 30, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
How bout that monkey puck last night? Did anyone else get a flashback, complete with the cold sweats btw, when you saw Kari snap his trapper at that puck and it found it’s way behind him? I lol’d.
One step closer to the promise land. I am very pleased with this build year. Little has proven himself worthy. Bogosian has grown exponentially. I think the time he spent on IR watching from the press box helped his game tremendously, he’s gonna be a good one. We are sucking mightily, as expected, and we’ll wind up with one of the top two picks. The court case is finally going to be settled, setting the plate for either a sale of the club to a real owner, or these owners getting serious about building the club, not keeping it’s value down to minimize their exposure to Belkin.
Either way, it’s a great day in Blueland, and one step closer to finally getting the real fix in place here, a real GM.
By IceDave
January 30, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this
OK Ranallo10 I give appropriate credit, The Thrashers would go undefeated in the AAHL, Probably would also in Duluth if not too many Gladiators showed up, Might even break .500 in the AHL, Yes they do have a few talented NHL players but all in all there is a reason they are in last place - lack of talent (see Waddell) Poor coaching -bad strategy and lack of motivation, but if the talent isn’t there no amount of strategy and motivation will equate to a win. In matchups our 1st line is as good as the other teams 2nd line our 2nd line = their 3rd our 4th = AHL’s 2nd line and etc…
By Bob
January 30, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this
Oh, I forgot, in case anyone still suffers under the delusions, we’ve also learned in this build year that Lehtonen is not a #1 goalie in this league. Kari can show brilliant stretches for 5 games at a time, then it’s the mental breakdowns, it’s been that way with him since Day 1.
Hello Pavelec, the net is yours next year.
By IceDave
January 30, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
All I can Say to this Belkin Mess IS Go Thrashers and take the Hawks with you Please make it far away!!!
By ranallo10 (in AT)
January 30, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
“In matchups our 1st line is as good as the other teams 2nd line our 2nd line = their 3rd our 4th = AHL’s 2nd line and etc…”
True. That’s what happens when a team is built on the cheap through free agency…the team has an overabundance of third line talent and not enough top line talents to fill the void.
Kovalchuk is the only player on the roster who could crack most team’s top line. Little and Kozlov could play second line almost anywhere. Armstrong, Bogosian, Hainsey, Havelid and Enstrom could be role players on second lines, but ultimately would be 3rd line talent for a DEEP team (depending on the roster, obviously).
I would be 100% fine if the team made a dedicated effort to developing the young talent now (that means bringing up players like Holzapfel, Machacek, Sterling, Stuart, Lavallee, Kulda, Lewis, etc). However, it’s not going to happen, so I’m instead fine watching Little, Bogosian, Oystrick, Valabik, etc play while the veterans play out the final year of their contracts.
By TrueBlue
January 30, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this
How could you possibly forget to mention that the Isles havent won a game on the road since November….?
By LAC
January 30, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this
Joey crabb back to Chicago…. Why ?
Always Hustled, something White/Kozlov seldom do…
Just another act in the continuing circus that is asg and Thrashers… With ringmaster don waddell at the controls.
Gee don… When will THEY shoot you out of the CANNON !!!!!
By Rawhide
January 30, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this
TrueBlue - “How could you possibly forget to mention that the Isles havent won a game on the road since November…”?
Really?…WOW. I missed that one. That takes it from a “Holy Crap” type loss to a “Whisky Tango Foxtrot” kina defeat, now doesn’t it?
LAC - “Joey crabb back to Chicago… Why”?
That’s a head-scratcher for me too. I liked his hustle and effort while he was here. I was suprised to see that too.
Maybe they are thinking of giving Sterling or Stuart a shot?
Maybe there is a trade immanent??
Otherwise…I dunno.
By Spud Webb
January 30, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
they were forechecking without fear of any repercussions or reprisals. No kidding, this is how we play, year in and year out. ZERO HEART. How many years has this gone on now??? We are the biggest group of sissies I’ve ever seen. SO FRUSTRATING. Now we send Crabb down??? WHAT IS THAT? He’s the only guy I see hustle, EVERY SINGLE SHIFT. UGH, IM TIRED OF BEING THE LAUGHINGSTOCK OF THE LEAGUE, PLEASE< PLEASE STEP DOWN DON.
By Bob
January 30, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
Did anyone stick around long enough to watch Christensen turn the freakin puck over on a breakaway? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before, at any level, without some kind of great backcheck. He was free and clear inside the opposing blue line, and he just plain fumbled the puck and away they went the other way.
He should have been waived immediately following that game. What a waste of space this guy is, we got fleeced so badly by the Pens, what was Montreal offering us in the deal that they thought was done for Hoss? Waddell strikes, once again.
By Alan
January 30, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this
Bob - I read on another site from a person who was at the game that said the incident happened right in front of him. Christensen never had the puck under control to begin with.
By stendec
January 30, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
There is only one short term effort worth attempting. Swap out the Wolves for the Thrashers. Do not cherry pick! A total exchange without exceptions. That means Kari Letemin and Ilya Kovalchuk too! I have been advocating this all season. Let the fine folks in Chicago enjoy these wonders for awhile. Apologists seeking losses for a high draft pick will probably be appeased. The win total will probably not be much different. It is not the losses alone we have been griping about all season. It is the total lack of effort! The Wolves will have fire in their guts and give 110 percent on the big stage. They will be proud to play at this high level. Evidently Thrasher players feel like they deserve to be at this level for some reason so any effort (or lack thereof) is fine and dandy. It is not! I will pay to watch the Wolves lose by a goal in a competitive contest. My days of shelling out a dime to watch prima donnas with chickens, uh, Thrashers, on their jerseys are long gone. That is just my opinion. All fans truly expect is the best effort possible win or lose. We have not gotten that from the Thrashers. We would from the Wolves!
By Bob
January 30, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this
Christensen never had the puck under control to begin with
That’s the point. Dude was free and clear and couldn’t stickhandle a freakin puck on a clean breakaway and lost it to the guys behind him. Simply pitiful.
By Brendan
January 30, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this
Sara, you’ve probably already seen this. But I thought you might want to revisit it again. It’s the operating revenue for the 30 NHL teams. Look who’s last? Carolina. Could Jim Rutherford get canned at the end of the season if the team misses the playoffs again, for the 3rd straight year? The ‘Canes got a big win over Tampa Bay recently. But they’re only something like 3 games over .500, and are far from assured a playoff berth. The Florida Panthers might have an inside edge on the ‘Canes this year.
By Alan
January 30, 2009 10:29 PM | Link to this
Indeed, Bob. That’s the point. I think I’m about ready to give up on him. You would think he would find some way to corral the puck, or at least fire it on goal instead of just straight up turning it over.