Valabik injury may require surgery
UPDATES BELOW:
Forget what appeared on this blog earlier. The lines below are the special team practice units.
Yellow line: Kovalchuk, Little, White, Kozlov
Dark blue line: Antropov, Peverley, Afinogenov
Orange line: Kane, Armstrong
Red line: Boulton, Slater, Reasoner, Thorburn
Special teams practice is done and the lines are back to normal. Thanks to the lovely Susan for pointing out a very, very rookie mistake.
This will be the last practice in Duluth until Monday. Game in St. Louis Thursday, travel day Friday, game in Ottawa on Saturday and off day on Sunday.
No early word on Valabik’s MRI. He is not at practice. We shall update.
I will check back in following practice, interviews and the drive downtown to the office (another meeting!).
Thanks all for checking in this week. Good conversation.
PRACTICE UPDATES:
The news was not good on Boris Valabik. His injury is to his LEFT ankle (despited the previously reported right leg). The injury is to the upper ankle and is a tendon issue. He was wearing a walking boot on Wednesday. Coach John Anderson said it looks like he will be out for about four weeks. Surgery is a possibility, but a decision on that will be made following another examination.
Ondrej Pavelec will start in goal on Thursday in St. Louis. Anderson would not say who gets the start on Saturday in Ottawa.
Anderson declared Colby Armstrong ready to return. He will play Thursday. The same may not be true for Christoph Schubert, who is experencing “immigration issues” according to Anderson.
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38 comments Add your comment
Joshgekko
October 7th, 2009
10:31 am
Thanks for the constant updates so far this season!
Smoothie
October 7th, 2009
10:43 am
Viv, you’re doing a hell of a job keeping us abreast of the ongoings there in Duluth…something tells me you really like the Ice Forum. Hot coffee, a laptop and hockey…sounds like a great way to start each morning to me!!
I reckon the practice line juggling was more reflective of special teams practice since the “yellow” line is essentially our first PP unit? I wouldn’t mind seeing some different looks at some point this season and a 2nd line of Pevs – Antro – Finny is quite intriguing.
Toby
October 7th, 2009
12:12 pm
Per Ben’s Twitter:
Boris Valabik has a high ankle sprain in his left leg and will be out 4 weeks or so. Surgery might be an option.
Toby
October 7th, 2009
12:13 pm
Agree with Smoothie…writing while practice is going on…awesome work! Thanks : )
five_hole
October 7th, 2009
12:17 pm
Toby addition by subtraction. I don’t wish Boris pain or anything, but he won’t be missed in the lineup.
Smoothie
October 7th, 2009
12:50 pm
I take it Schubert never saw the move coming and didn’t have his “papers” in order in the event he was waived / traded? Can’t he get a temporary work visa from Canada to work in the U.S.? Then again, he is probably a German citizen so perhaps it is more complicated.
five_hole – feel the same way about Boris. Don’t like to wish ill-will towards many players not named Avery or Hollweg, but Boris needs more time in the AHL to work on his game. Blessing in disguise??
J.B.
October 7th, 2009
12:57 pm
I mentioned this on an earlier blog post. can’t remember if it was Chris or Bill’s, but I mentioned how I was happy it was Boris and not one of our other D-man. I think it IS a blessing in disguise and our roster is better of without him at least until he gets his head, and now his ankle, right. Damn, has this been a long week or what? Sat-Thurs is too long of a stretch between games 1 & 2. I’m jonesin’ for some more thrashers hockey over here!!!
Smoothie
October 7th, 2009
1:07 pm
Yeah J.B., this early season sked has been stoooo-pid! I understand getting some “rest” before a 5-game road trip, but this is dumb. We lose some of our momentum going into game 2 and now we have to shake rust after 4+ days of not facing “live bullets” in addition to first period travel weary legs. Although in this case, they should have a full tank of gas starting the game vs St. Louis. Hopefully the Blues will still have the Swedish equivalent of jet lag to start the game!
GaVaHokie
October 7th, 2009
1:17 pm
Sat-Thurs is too long of a stretch between games 1 & 2. I’m jonesin’ for some more thrashers hockey over here!!!
I hear ya… and get ready, because it happens again next week. After Saturday’s game, we don’t play again until next Friday.
five_hole
October 7th, 2009
1:17 pm
“immigration issues”? I didn’t realize Schubert was muslim.
Hey Smoothie Speaking of Avery, are you looking forward to Nov 7? The Rangers will be playing in Calgary, and I’m looking forward to Phaneuf making “sloppy seconds” out of Avery.
Viking
October 7th, 2009
1:19 pm
I am surprised the special teams units training does not incorporate defensemen. If for example Enström or Kubina are supposed to be part of the PP, should they not be participating in the special teams training? Or are they, without color coordinated sweaters?
Where I am from, (Sweden), the setups were (apply a time lapse) generally more in the shape of “Femmor” (= “Fives”) or “Fyror” (=”Fours”) etc. I realize the rotation is different nowadays and in the NHL, but it would make a lot of sense to keep whole special teams units together for practice – whether they are forwards or defensemen.
Spud Webb
October 7th, 2009
1:21 pm
five_hole, I’m looking forward to that!! I’m also looking forward to seeing baby boy HEatly in town in couple of weeks and booign the h&ll out of him.
J(Z)
October 7th, 2009
1:26 pm
I’m sure its a technicality, but if Schubert was in the clear to play FOR Ottawa…why wouldn’t he be able to play IN Ottawa Saturday???
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 7th, 2009
1:27 pm
Viking — I would imagine it also depends on what they’re working on specifically during the practice session. If they’re simply worried about cycling the puck at the side of the net I assume they only need someone available to receive a pass at the blue line while the focus is the forward’s movement in relation to eachother.
I do agree though, it makes more sense for the entire PP unit to work together instead of just the forward line and defensive line.
kracker
October 7th, 2009
1:40 pm
I like the long breaks this week and next week. It gives JA and his coaches time to work on things and lines/pairs needing attention. Following the 5 days off next week after playing the Blues and Sens, the Trash will play 3 roadies in 5 days, then come home to play Caps-Sharks-Caps…there is another 4 off days before the second Caps game.
I want to be the team with the games-in-hand advantage for a change. Usually, as the season progresses, the Thrash will be even with or within a point or two of a few teams – except they will have 2 or 3 or 4 games-in-hand.
Dwayne
October 7th, 2009
1:40 pm
Yall know how I feel about Doris, but wish her/him no ill will. DW and RD should just admit he/she needs more time in ChiTown after his injury heals properly, high ankle sprains usually take 8 to 12 years to heal. Yep, Doris will be ready by then.
Smoothie
October 7th, 2009
1:42 pm
Good point J(Z)!! I would be fine with Peanut & Pops Thursday and then Peanut/Pops & Schubert on Sat. If he is able to play, Christoph may be able to help with certain players’ tendencies.
five_hole — didn’t realize they played that soon. Sure hope Avery gets what is coming his way. I have no problem with Cal-GARY and Dion whipping the Ranjerks and Avery’s behind.
Thrashy Thrashy
October 7th, 2009
2:05 pm
If Mandy Sutton and Doris Valabik were sitting next to Dwayne in a world without legal ramifications, how much would any of you pay to hear Dwayne call them “Mandy and Doris”?
I’d probably pay a couple of bucks. The fight wouldn’t take long, but it would be funny to watch two redwoods fell a bonzai tree.
five_hole
October 7th, 2009
2:31 pm
J(Z) Schubert may be OK to play in Ottawa, but not St. Louis or anyplace else south of the border.
Smoothie I’m hoping the game is on national TV. My guess is that more people will want to see Avery get his a$$ stomped than to actually watch the game. And I’m “crossing the streams”, so to speak, between Chris’s blog & Bill’s blog, but as I was typing this, wouldn’t you rather have Elisha Cuthbert do the player interviews than Natalie Taylor? Um, now I forget what I was typing. “MARGRET THATCHER NAKED IN THE SHOWER! “MARGRET THATCHER NAKED IN THE SHOWER!”
Clemson2388
October 7th, 2009
2:48 pm
For those of you wondering why the defensemen aren’t involved, it may be some 4 man pp practice lines, penalty kill lines, overtime lines trying it without defensemen to see if there is explosion. We don’t really know the SPECIAL situation that the lines are set for. Doubt its the normal PP though
World Be Free
October 7th, 2009
2:55 pm
GaVa- long wait between games; agreed makes no sense. Buffalo dealing with the same issue, Sat-Thursday between games.
Dwayne
October 7th, 2009
3:25 pm
Thrashy times 2, I believe I could take em. All I’d have to do is mention Cindy Crotchby to Dolis, he would fall backwards onto Mandy and I’d kick the crap out of thier gonads.
J-man
October 7th, 2009
3:57 pm
Smoothie – the kind of thing that happened to Schubert happens all the time with non-US and non-Canadian citizens. Basically I think he had clearance to play for a Canadian team and come to the USA for games and now that he will be on a US based team, he requires different paperwork with the US government. I don’t think there is anything Canada can do to help here. This kind of thing happens in baseball all the time and it should be resolved by tomorrow, but I can’t promise that. Worst case I’m sure he’ll be OK for Saturday’s game.
GaVaHokie
October 7th, 2009
3:58 pm
Well, next week just got even longer… just noticed that neither Atlanta or Ottawa is televising Saturday’s game… so no SportsSouth, Center Ice, Fox Sports… nothing… just radio.
Don’t miss tomorrow night’s game!
Midfield
October 7th, 2009
3:59 pm
Viking, I doubt very much that Anderson had the mentioned special team lines practice 4 on 3 and 4 on 2. I’m sure, defensemen were involved one way or another. Is that right, Chris?
GaVaHokie
October 7th, 2009
4:16 pm
Gearon Jr. was just on 680 the Fan… he was asked about the Winnepeg rumor, and of course denied it. He didn’t go into much depth, just saying “I have talked to no one in Canada about selling the team”. Kincade futher elaborated that the Rob Koch (Thrashers PR guy) said, “Winnepeg better offer an idea of how to fill Philips Arena 40 nights a year.”
Alan R.
October 7th, 2009
5:03 pm
Hey Koch, here’s an idea. Ice some consistent winners over the next few years, and even the players will have a hard time reserving tickets guests.
This isn’t to say this year isn’t a start. We’ve only seen one game, after all. It’s still an idea, though.
That idea actually comes from a friend of mine living in Winnipeg, thusly qualifying that part of the prerequisite of the statement.
Viking
October 7th, 2009
5:06 pm
Schubert is being paid by the new employer in the US, even if he still would play a game on Canadian soil. The US work permit is likely the hickup.
The Earl of Bud
October 7th, 2009
5:25 pm
Viking just beat me to it and hit the nail on the head. It doesn’t matter as much where you work, but what country is your company based out of. The Senators are a Canadian company, thus he already has Canadian papers, even if he travels to the US. The Atlanta Hockey Club is an American company and he probably doesn’t have American papers, even if he were to do physical labor on another country’s soil. A former company of mine had some foreign employees and it was a #$@! to set things up.
Like everyone else, I don’t miss Valabik.
For an Olympic season that crams things together in other parts of the year it is stupid that we are having these long breaks in the beginning. As a CenterIce subscriber what drives me nuts right now is that there is maybe one game on a Mon, Tue, Wed or Fri night but then 24-30 teams are playing Thu and Sat.
Why does it always seem to be an Ottawa or Montreal game that doesn’t get shown by either team these last couple of years? I understood the Chicago scenario back when it happened but c’mon already.
Brendan
October 7th, 2009
6:06 pm
I realize it seems like YEAR between games, but it’s kinda nice to be 1.000 pct, and undefeated, including our record within the division. I wish it could last a while longer!
GaVaHokie
October 7th, 2009
7:55 pm
Well, Ottawa is paying half of Schubert’s salary… can they pay for the first couple of games?
Jeff
October 7th, 2009
8:21 pm
Tough break for Boris Valabik. I hope he recovers fast and comes back strong.
Curly
October 7th, 2009
9:03 pm
Think about it. If the Thrashers sent Valabik down to Chicago, like they should have; He wouldn’t be injured now. He could be playing for the Wolves and getting his act together.
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Jeff
October 7th, 2009
11:10 pm
Curley stated: “Think about it. If the Thrashers sent Valabik down to Chicago, like they should have; He wouldn’t be injured now. He could be playing for the Wolves and getting his act together.”
No Curley, Valabik would’ve needed to clear waivers to be sent to Chicago (AHL). They’d be stupid to waive Valabik because he’d almost certainly be claimed by some team.
That said, Valabik can be sent to Chicago for conditioning once he returns for his injury. They can send players down for conditioning without waivers coming into play.
The Earl of Bud
October 7th, 2009
11:54 pm
Curly, the ice is just as slippery in Chicago as it is here, so Valabik can fall down anywhere and get hurt. You can’t say he would only slip on the ice in Atlanta.
Jarndyce
October 8th, 2009
12:28 pm
Curly: Think about it. If the Thrashers had sent Valabik to Chicago, he might have suffered a high ankle sprain walking down the jetway.
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