Thrashers believe strong finish was no fluke

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As the Thrashers begin to trickle back to the area for the start of training camp next month, last season is still on their minds. And how could it not be? It’s not the poor start or a second straight season of missed playoffs. Rather, it’s that 12-6 finish they keep coming back to. That streak is evidence that there is reason for optimism this season, they say.

But why? What makes that run more than just a random hot streak? And why did it take so long for players to understand the system of new coach John Anderson?

Several players were asked those exact questions.

● Johan Hedberg: “[The coaching staff] made some adjustments from their point of view and the players adjusted a little bit to what we were supposed to do. Confidence is a huge thing in hockey. Early in the year, I don’t think we were on the same page at all. There were a lot of new things and a lot of new faces and it took a while. We managed to understand and play the game in a very positive way in the last two and a half months and we were a very happy bunch. It was way more fun to come to the rink. Things started to roll. We’ve got to keep that feeling and get the momentum from the start.”

● Todd White: “The biggest problem at the beginning of last year is I didn’t think we had 20 guys that wanted to [commit to the system]. On any given night we had guys reverting back to the way the team used to play, as opposed to the end of the year, when we were all committed to doing what we were supposed to do. The best teams play a system and stick to it. All five guys on the ice are committed to it. That’s how you have success in this league.”

● Nathan Oystrick: “Sometimes it takes a little longer for guys to believe in it or believe in a new coach. In all fairness, I love Johnny and he’s a great coach. But it was his first year in the NHL and some guys weren’t sure that it was going to work. But once guys figured it out that it was going to work, everyone started believing and everyone started doing it and we jelled and went on a tear. There are always going to be questions with system. There are always going to be gray areas but those are things that you’ve got to work out. Hockey is a game where there isn’t always a set play. It’s a lot of thinking and you’ve got to react. It worked out in the end.”


Tough schedule

After opening the 2009-10 season at home against Tampa Bay on Oct. 3, the Thrashers go on the road for five straight games. It’s not the ideal way for a team to get off to a fast start.

The Thrashers travel to St. Louis, Ottawa, New Jersey, Buffalo and Montreal following the opener. The schedule has Thrashers general manager Don Waddell cautiously optimistic.

“You can’t bury yourself [early],” Waddell said. “You don’t want to be 1-5. I also don’t mind the places we are going, either. There are no easy games but there are games that we feel confident that we should be able to win.”


Prospect games

The Thrashers will host prospect games against Nashville on Sept. 14 and 15 at the Duluth IceForum.

The game on Sept. 14 will begin at 7 p.m. with the game on Sept. 15 starting at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance at www.iceforum.com. Proceeds will help establish a scholarship for a local youth hockey player.