Craig Ramsay acknowledges a mistake.
When hired as coach of the Thrashers, Ramsay came with a set of objectives. No. 1 was to play with a ‘Go’ mentality. No. 2 was to teach his players to be better without the puck.
He achieved the first early in the season -- which led to stretch of games where the Thrashers won 10 of 12 games and were in solid playoff position. The coach now says he moved too quickly to the second at the expense of the first -- which led to a run of only five wins in the past 21 games and currently being out of the playoff picture.
“It didn’t work very well,” Ramsay said. “I truly believe now the last few games we have taken some pressure off our people by saying ‘We just want you to get going. Let’s get going again. Let’s get up the ice.’ ... It’s been much better. We haven’t had the results that I think we could have gotten, but the shot totals are back up. The up-ice pressure is back.
"We’ve had more shots from the blue line because we won more battles in the offensive zone. We’ve done a lot of things better because the pace has been better.”
One of the beneficiaries of the return to the up-tempo pace has been Zach Bogosian, according to Ramsay. The defenseman was the subject of trade rumors Tuesday. Reports even said his relationship with assistant coach John Torchetti was strained.
Bogosian said Wednesday he did not know where such reports came from. Ramsay did acknowledge “misunderstandings” between player and coach, but said any issues have been resolved.
“When Zach [plays up-tempo], he’s effective,” Ramsay said. “He can be a problem for the opposition. Does that lead to some errors? Yes, it does. ... I don’t think that John is mean to him. I don’t think he’s overly vocal to him. I think John is just trying to do what’s best for Zach and for everyone. I trust John to pass on the appropriate information in the appropriate way. I think misunderstandings occurred. They have been dealt with, and I see nothing but good things."
Bogosian, the 20-year-old former No. 3 overall pick, was a healthy scratch for three games before the injury to Tobias Enstrom. Bogosian returned to the lineup with Enstrom out with a broken finger. In Saturday’s loss to Carolina, Bogosian scored with 1:24 remaining to force overtime. He assisted on Dustin Byfuglien’s power-play goal in Monday’s loss to Toronto.
“[Against Toronto] Zach was busier than he’s been, probably all year,” Ramsay said. “He skated with the puck. He took some shots. He got a couple of points. He was as effective as he’s been all season. I like that. There were times in the Carolina game when he looked like a difference maker. He showed the speed. He wanted the puck. We heard him yell for it. … The last two games I’ve been very pleased with Zach."
Injury update
Enstrom's return may be close. The All-Star defenseman was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. Although he did not take full shots, he was stick handling and passing despite the broken finger on his right hand. He has missed the past six games with the injury that was expected to keep him out 2-4 weeks.
“There were not high hard slappers, but he’s getting darn close,” Ramsay said. “I don’t know exactly, but he’s getting close. Today was a test to be involved in it.”
- Fredrik Modin did not practice Wednesday after leaving Monday's game in the second period with an upper-body injury. Ramsay said the forward was examined by doctors for "previous sore spots" and could possibly practice Thursday.
- Johnny Oduya and Evander Kane were given maintenance days. Jim Slater (concussion) and Freddy Meyer (upper body) also did not practice.
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