Ladd talks about wearing the ‘A’
This will be a short blog as I am swamped getting all by Thrashers season preview stories finished for Friday’s paper.
As I reported yesterday, it appears that Ondrej Pavelec will start in goal for the season opener against the Capitals. Coach Craig Ramsay said he has made up his mind but would not reveal the decisions. My indications, in part based on his comments Wednesday, are that Pavelec will get the nod. I will report the official news from Friday’s pre-game skate.
I talked to Andrew Ladd about being named one of the alternate captains. This is the first time he will wear an ‘A’ above the junior level. Here is some of what he said:
“It’s an honor to be chosen for sure. It’s not going to change my approach to anything. We have a lot of guys in here that can step up at different times if we need it. … It doesn’t really change anything except now I can go talk to the refs sometime.”
The lines remained the same for the past three days, so here is another look at the combinations:
Modin-Antropov-Dawes
Ladd-Little-Bergfors
Kane-Peverley-Stewart/Boulton
Eager-Burmistrov-Thorburn
Enstrom-Byfuglien
Oduya-Bogosian
Hainsey-Sopel
Meyer-Valabik
One last thing, I thought you might be interested in. I did a question and answer piece with Johnny Oduya as part of the preview. Check out this question and his answer.
Q. What is the biggest difference between last year and this year?
A. I would say the coaching staff and everything surrounding the team I think has gotten more professional this year than last year. That’s something I think is key for the long run. You want to stay consistent. To do that, you have to do the same things over and over again and be disciplined in certain areas. Even with that said, you still want to have fun and be creative and use your skills. I would say the coaching staff has provided us that this year.
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27 comments Add your comment
40yrs
October 7th, 2010
2:35 pm
Way to go Rammer!
hip czech
October 7th, 2010
2:42 pm
I’d be a little more comfortable with a Meyer-Sopel pairing. On paper I like the Ladd-Little-Bergfors line, let’s see if they can get any chemistry going.
hip czech
October 7th, 2010
2:43 pm
Does that line become the ‘L.L. Bean’ line?
TableHockey
October 7th, 2010
2:52 pm
Concerned a bit about the preseason performance of Bergfors – hope the arbitration stuff didn’t throw off his attitude towards the team.
Alan R.
October 7th, 2010
2:58 pm
I think Oduya’s comments illustrate, perhaps, why he was so cold (”it is what it is”) when he arrived in Atlanta last year.
Taking the old coaching staff and throwing ‘em under the team bus. I liked Anderson, but in hindsight, I think he was far too passive. I hope this year is different.
J.B.
October 7th, 2010
3:05 pm
i thought bergfors was the one quoted with ‘it is what it is’, or was it both of ‘em. Very telling comments there.
J.B.
October 7th, 2010
3:07 pm
you should ask more of the players that same question Chris…
PuckedUp
October 7th, 2010
3:29 pm
How long before the team makes a move to correct the lack of scoring?
kracker
October 7th, 2010
3:32 pm
Another player dig at John Anderson? And his other coaches? Whatever, it is good to hear that Johnny feels these coaches are a group of professionals.
Olivia
October 7th, 2010
3:42 pm
I was just looking at McKenzie’s tweets concerning opening night. Burmi is not listed on Atlanta’s list of players for opening night. Is this just an error, Chris? There are only 22 players listed for open night for Atlanta. There is talk about this on HF Boards.
liquid fart
October 7th, 2010
4:13 pm
it was byfuglien who said ‘it is what it is’ and it was taken out of context. he put on a thrashers jersey during his day with lord stanley. i am pretty sure it was a natural reaction of being dealt right after you win the holy cup. it had nothing to do with coming to atlanta, it was in regards to the actual moment of being traded right after you won the cup.
MashaPlayer7
October 7th, 2010
5:05 pm
Actually Oduya DID say that when he was traded here at the end of last season. Buff did say it as well.
sisu
October 7th, 2010
5:44 pm
well, one thing is for sure, everyone wanted changes and they are here now. I am looking forward to the puck drop! Carolina leads the SE after todays game
EB
October 7th, 2010
6:44 pm
I’m for ANY line that equals goals scored and defensive prowess. We have a very tough schedule ahead and starting off the season as we played the preseason is NOT what we need for sure!!
Barry
October 7th, 2010
7:23 pm
I still think starting Pavelec in goal is a bad idea. Mason is a more experienced and established NHL goalie and should be starting against a team like the Caps.
Puck Like A Porn Star
October 7th, 2010
7:44 pm
According to NHL Network, Tampa Bay has a home stand from January 23 until February 25!!! 12 GAMES!!!
Bad news for Thrashers fans.
Meanwhile, the LA Kings will play 10 games in a row, away, from February 1 until February 23. Sheesh!!
Lee
October 7th, 2010
7:57 pm
Toronto-2, Montreal-1. Looks like Toronto will have a better year this time!
Rhythmpenguin
October 7th, 2010
8:17 pm
hip czech, my thoughts exactly! It is ofically the ‘L.L.Bean’ line!
Rhythmpenguin
October 7th, 2010
8:56 pm
So, do Bogo and and Oduya make the B.O. (Body Oder) pairing? =)
rob
October 7th, 2010
10:18 pm
Pavs better play outta his arse and stand on his head…….and not let in more than 3 goals if he starts at the season opener in front of a loud and obnoxious crowd……and the crowd had better be loud and obnoxious and very Thrasher friendly. Time to put the Crapitals where they belong…in the toilet. No bandwagoners allowed, only hometown fans!
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!!
Hockey Biltong
October 7th, 2010
11:17 pm
^+1
Thrashers52
October 8th, 2010
8:58 am
Exactly rob
Tom Lysiak
October 8th, 2010
9:23 am
At the “meet and greet” Wednesday night Oduya and Big Buff seemed very relaxed and outgoing, almost oozing “happy to be here”. Bergfors, not so much to me. He seemed a little strained. In truth, he might not like those type of events or I may have caught him during a bad few minutes. Or, as some have speculated, maybe he is still mad about the trade and his contract situation and he is simply biding his time to get out. I hope it is the former and not the latter. Just a casual observation from someone who was there.
Zombie Steve
October 8th, 2010
9:34 am
DROP THE PUCK
Puck Like A Porn Star
October 8th, 2010
10:58 am
+1 to rob and Zombie Steve
Brendan
October 8th, 2010
12:13 pm
Ladd will be a good assistant captain. That’s a good choice.
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October 8th, 2010
9:00 pm
[...] Andrew Ladd views it thusly: [...]