Too Early For Predictions?
In my previous entry, Sam asked me what my thoughts were regarding the moves made by the Thrashers so far this summer and where the team might wind up in the standings this season. Although I responded with a quick “I think we’ll be better” type of comment, I thought I’d expand on that here.
First off, I do indeed feel it’s way too early to make any concrete projections on any of the teams as of yet. While most of the big signings and trades are more than likely done with, there are still 10 weeks or so before the season begins. So a lot could still happen with this squad and others between now and then. Thus, any pridictions I might make between now and opening night are subject to modification.
With that being said, I do believe that if the team…as it currently stands…was the one that took the ice on October 3 when the Bolts pay us a visit, I do think it’s better than the one from last season.
However, the question here is which team is it better than?
Is it better than the team that limped it’s way to 31 overall points after the first 41 games…the “overall” team that played to 76 points for the entire year…or the one that played to a record of 22-18-1 for 45 points in the last 41 games of the season?
Let’s start with the first one…the 31 points mess of last fall. That team was beset by injuries to Zach Bogosian and Kari Lehtonen for much of that period. It was also carrying around some dead weight…cough Jason Williams cough…who didn’t really cotton much to John Anderson’s way of playing. There were also those…cough Erik Christensen cough…who appearently could not produce as desired because of the ownership issue here.
31 points halfway through a season projects to 62 points overall. So, yeah…I think they are better than that.
How about the 76 points they finished with? Yup, I think this team…right now…should finish better than 76 points.
So…that leads us to the team we enjoyed watching so much between January through April. 45 points over 41 games projects to 90 points overall…and that is the team I wish to compare against for this little exercise.
Now, some will argue that it’s hard to use that as a benchmark from which to discuss an entire season. They were playing without the pressure of a playoff push…maybe other teams were taking them lightly…blah, blah, blah. But the facts are that the “second half” team last year was going up against a lot of squads that were fighting for playoff spots and the Thrashers didn’t do too poorly. I could understand that argument if we were talking about 10 games here or 15 games there…but we are talking half a season here folks. That just can’t be taken lightly.
Plus…if no other modifications are made to this roster… the team that suited up for those 41 games is pretty much the same that’ll do so this fall with two major exceptions. Kubina will play in Garnet Exelby’s roster spot and Nik Antropov will do so in Eric Perrin’s.
If you ask me, those are upgrades. (Sorry Gretchelby…just callin’ it like I see it).
Now, there are some wild cards in the mix here, of course. Like …how will Bryan Little do in his second full season as a Thrasher? Will Evander Kane make the roster…if so, on which line…and how will he perform in his rookie season? Can Kari Lehtonen stay healthy enough to start 68 games this year like he did in the playoff season of 2006-07?
One “intangible” item that will come into play this fall is that of familiarity. John Anderson will not a be a rookie NHL coach this season and, as stated above, with the exception of Antropov and Kubina, the rest of the starting lineup should closely resemble that of the one that finished off last spring. So, there isn’t going to be the “getting used to a new system” excuse or “players are learning how to play with each other” line.
Therefore…given all that…at this time I would say that the 2009-10 Thrashers should finish closer to 90 points than 76 points. The big question in 2 months will be… will that be “closer” below 90 points or “closer” above 90 points.
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151 comments Add your comment
Rawhide
July 24th, 2009
12:55 pm
I want to give a special shout out to my good friend Dawson Divitt…a.k.a. D3…who will now be hosting the AJC Falcons Fans Blog.
Here is is first entry…a darned good one at that. If you are like me and follow the Falcons, I hope you’ll check out his forum periodically!
Congrats Dawson…and best of luck to you!
Viking
July 24th, 2009
1:12 pm
I am happy with our 3 goalie situation. The 2005 season, or whenever the heck it was, should have taught us that goalie depth is important.
By the way, do not drink any beer that contain the word “Ice” in it. I can testify, as Smoothie said, it will give you a headache. There must be something bad for you in it besides the alcohol.
R. Stroz
July 24th, 2009
1:16 pm
Has anyone else seen this on Lehtonen yet?
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-thrashers/thrashers-lehtonen-has-back-surgery-99761.html
kracker
July 24th, 2009
1:43 pm
When will I learn to type the text in notepad and paste it here? Another brilliant post lost due to an internet/ie error of some sort. I’m “working” so I’m not doing it again
The Earl of Bud
July 24th, 2009
1:51 pm
“The Earl of Bud – The Falconer disagrees with your opinion concerning the Thrashers fourth line. Enjoy the read.”
R. Stroz, while I am happy that you seem to follow my posts very closely, the Falconer is entitled to his opinion. But I disagree with some of the things he is saying. First of all, he bases his whole analysis that you posted on saying things like the Thrashers coaching staff protected the 4th line all last year and that they faced the weakest possible opposition. To which, my reply is “duh, that’s why they are the 4th line and only getting less than 10 minutes a game”.
If we play a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, we are not going to put our 4th line (whoever it happens to be) against Crosby or Malkin. We are going to put them up against Goddard, Kennedy & Cooke.
If any team in the NHL had a fourth line that can shut down the other teams #1 line, guess what, that fourth line wouldn’t be playing around 10 minutes a game.
Let’s look at the Thrashers 4th line, TOI, and PK TOI compared to others.
Name – TOI – SHTOI
Boulton – 7:32 – 0:00
Slater – 11:14 – 2:36
Thorburn – 9:35 – 0:02
Compare that to the Penguins
Cooke – 14:12 – 1:41
Kennedy – 13:46 – 0:02
Godard – 4:04 – 0:00
And then look at say the Buffalo Sabres
Paille – 11:54 – 1:12
Mair – 10:34 – 0:03
Kaleta – 8:55 – 0:28
Kaleta split time with Peters who was 4:01 – 0:00
So it seems that if we look further there is really only 1 guy from any given 4th line that is going to get time on the PK, and for us it is Slater. Why would we expect to have all three of our guys be top notch penalty killers when others teams don’t do the same with their 4th liners? And why would we stick them on the 4th line if they can shutdown any other team’s #1 line?
R. Stroz
July 24th, 2009
2:37 pm
Earl of Bud – You are welcome to disagree with The Falconer at your discretion.
That said, here is another Falconer link concerning the effectiveness of Slater on the PK.
http://www.birdwatchersanonymous.com/2009/7/9/942376/thrashers-re-sign-jim-slater
Personally, I’ve always liked Slater as he is one of those players that busts his a$$. However, if he isn’t getting the job done, the Thrashers should try to procure a player which would improve the PK numbers.
Other than the PK, Wadley has addressed the “holes” in the Thrashers roster this offseason, mainly team SIZE.
The following Falconer analysis provided a list of UFA PK specialists. Several have been signed subsequent to analysis.
http://www.birdwatchersanonymous.com/2009/7/4/937696/2009-nhl-free-agents-are-any
ENJOY!
The Earl of Bud
July 24th, 2009
3:22 pm
R. Stroz, I actually don’t have Slater in my top 2 units for the PK, I told that to Sara here: http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2009/07/23/too-early-for-predictions/?cxntfid=blogs_iceman_thrashers_blog#comment-7415
I think you will also see there and in a number of my other posts, starting with the whole Malhotra conversation, that I think the PK should be addressed with signing that 3rd line LW. Given the MM rumors I think Waddudley is trying to sign someone for that. So let’s go find a specialist as you say and make them our 3rd line LW. Pair them with Reasoner for our first unit PK and that leaves Peverley, White, Armstrong, and maybe even Slater for limited minutes. Take the best 2 out of that group and that is our 2nd PK unit. So in that sense we already agree on the PK need to improve and Slater’s role on it.
The 4th line is good (and I even said I can even agree with the argument some put out of Boulton or Thorburn but not both). If Falconer wants to say it isn’t the best in the league, then he has to compare them to the 4th lines of the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, etc. Not by comparing them to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lines of the Atlanta Thrashers.
Sara
July 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
Thorburn has been the 4th line weak link IMO. He doesn’t fight (and when he does it ain’t pretty) and he doesn’t PK (though perhaps coach should *try*). Boulton fights (well enough at least) and Slater PKs (fairly well). But Slater’s also the heart and soul guy of the 4th line. The difference when he was out last season was night and day in terms of overall speed and the 4th line’s ability to cycle the puck and aggressively forecheck. So if I was going to do some replacing down there, it’d start on the RW, not at C. Even if you bring in a RW that replaces Slater on the PK. Personally I’d have preferred it if Waddell had shipped Thorburn to TO and kept Stuart for the 4th line.
The Earl of Bud
July 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
“Personally I’d have preferred it if Waddell had shipped Thorburn to TO and kept Stuart for the 4th line.”
Sara, if you were Brian Burke, who would you ask for? That’s probably why Waddell didn’t/couldn’t ship Thorburn. Considering Kubina is far greater than Exelby, we had to be the ones to add something to the trade.
falcor the forbidden excriment
July 24th, 2009
3:36 pm
Does anyone know anything about Finkle Binkle? We sign him and surely we will win the cup!
The Earl of Bud
July 24th, 2009
3:46 pm
R. Stroz, I just read the Slater article and I just don’t see Falconer’s point. He complains about Slater being so horrible on the PK, but is he that far off from others on the team? Here are the stats he listed by name – TOI – GAA
Peverley – 1.37 – 7.95
C. Stuart – 2.71 – 8.04
Reasoner – 3.44 – 8.39
Perrin – 3.27 – 8.46
Slater – 2.60 – 8.84
Armstrong – 0.83 – 11.41
What’s worse, his “mvp” Armstrong from the other article is at the bottom of the list.
polskidawg
July 24th, 2009
4:04 pm
I’m way behind, but as the roster stands today, I’d say around 84 points. That’s is KL is “healthy” the first week of the season.
The D is the best its ever been, but still lacking. Players like Salmela, Lewis, and to a degree Valabik have the chance to greatly improve the overall D. Bogo is a great work in progress, Enstrom is essentially a puck-mover, Kubina is a solid NHL player (not great) and Hainsey is a powerplay specialist (prone to panic 5-on-5).
The offense looks good, not great, still a bit weak a C, if Anthropoid is at RW. Really, its a bit much to expect White to equal last year’s numbers, to expect Peverly to equal his numbers as a Thrasher (.80/game, though I hope he does), to expect Little to score 30+ goals again (though I hope and he’s capable), and to expect Kozzie to equal last year (he’s been good year/bad year lately).
But really – it all hinges of goaltending. Will KL discover confidence rather than cockiness? Will KL develop consistency? Will KL actually play 50 games?
Buzilla in CT
July 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
Gavahokie made a good point on Willy’s other blog Hockeybuzzilla, that I didn’t think of but does bother me. What’s up with Kari and all the immature stupid sh*t he puts on his helmet every year. This guy is supposed to be an adult, yet he puts like muppets and disney characters on his hat. Hockey masks are supposed to be intimidating. Kill Bill chicks and Lil’ Jon are not stricking fear in our opposition. Christ, even Moose’s helmit is stupid. I understand the moose, but he could have gotten a tougher moose instead of Bullwinkle…
Kari’s last mask of The Joker is a step in the right direction, I have to say.
When he dyed his hair blue, do you think he made the curtains match the drapes?
R. Stroz
July 24th, 2009
4:17 pm
Earl of Bud – At the end of the Falconer’s article, he admitted that Slater was doing better on the PK this season. I agree with Sara, in that, Thorburn is the “replaceable” player. I have been reading the discussions on the UFA PK specialists, such as Moore, Malhotra, and Goc.
Although I don’t recall seeing him play, based on his age, stats, SIZE and his PF efficiency numbers provided by the Falconer, I lean toward Taylor Pyatt as the first option with Malhotra a close second.
Either way, I see Thorburn as being the expendable piece and a player such as Pyatt or Malhotra being the “final hole” that needs to be addressed for the coming season.
BTW, even though I like Armstrong’s style of play (grit), I don’t feel he is fast enough to be effective on the PK.
Hockey Biltong
July 24th, 2009
4:21 pm
Hey I thought the blue was cool. I can’t say I love his helmut art, but ya know he’s expressing a bit of himself, sooo ya gotta go with the flow.
Now we could pitch in and present him a mask with we like!! Do you think he’d accept it?
I think he should have a helmut with flat black as the base and red and blue flames pealing back, tapered, thin in front and fat at back…
R. Stroz
July 24th, 2009
4:22 pm
Buzilla – I’d like to see Kari put El Kabong on his helmet and start wacking players in the ankle like Billy Smith used to do back in the day for the Islanders.
Tony C.
July 24th, 2009
4:23 pm
Whatever. If I got a chance to wear a helmet with cool tihs painted on it, I’d have like pictures of Darth Vader on one side and the redheaded chick from “that 70’s show” on the other…. Or maybe the old D.R.I. logo on one side and Grandizer on the other-I figure it’s kind of like 70’s van art-cheesy but unique to the owner.
I mean, honestly, outside of SJ-trained netminders (Kipper, Toskalaa, Nabakov) name me one guy who has something scary/creepy on his mask. At least you have to give it up that KL’s mask designs have been better than Esche’s-Jimmy Page on one side and Bosephus on the other? seriously?
Also, except for the fact that he promptly got hurt and then lit up wearing it, I thought KL’s Optimus Prime mask was pretty bitchin.
Buzilla in CT
July 24th, 2009
4:45 pm
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0707/gallery.nhl.goalie.masks/content.8.html
Buzilla in CT
July 24th, 2009
4:52 pm
I like Ollie’s mask
Tony C.
July 24th, 2009
5:13 pm
My point being that when taken by itself KL’s mask may not be super-cool…but what about Biron’s the “Rocky” statue and the Walt Whitman??? scary
Still, Cheever’s mask is the all-time best. ever.
GaVaHokie
July 24th, 2009
5:18 pm
Ugh, Buzz… let’s not talk about Kari’s “drapes” or “carpet”.
What happened with Kari’s Transformer helmet he was supposed to “reveal”? Another gay SciFi helmet… I’m sorry Transformers is WEAK!!
If a ten-story tall Decepticon lands in the middle of Manhattan with a big spinning wheel of blades, I wanna see blood and guts flying… not a “dust” cloud… I wanna see a head roll down the street… not a taxi cab rearview mirror.
GaVaHokie
July 24th, 2009
5:33 pm
I like Turco’s helmet the best… the gargoyle thing always works. Same with Theodore’s Avalanche helmet.
The funniest has to be Giguere’s “terminator duck”… he knows the mascot is lame, but he still makes an attempt to make it tough.
The worst has to be Peter Budaj… that helmet sucks. It looks like he had that airbrushed at Six Flags or something.
ranallo10 (in AT)
July 24th, 2009
6:06 pm
John Graham’s had a NASCAR car and checkered flags…if that’s not playing to the southern hockey fan stereotype (he was in Carolina at the time), I don’t know what is.
ranallo10 (in AT)
July 24th, 2009
6:28 pm
Patrick Eaves has been traded and subsequently waived by Boston. I wouldn’t mind him being claimed by Atlanta ($1.4M, 29 year old, RW), just to see what he can do in training camp. If he doesn’t work out send him to Chicago.
LAC
July 24th, 2009
7:32 pm
Sorry wbf, that is just what I think. Watch Enstrom get beat to the outside a lot this season, he got busted a lot last season.
We HAVE to cut the GA by 40-50 goals, if we do not we will be in the same position as last year. This regardless of how much we score,
remember we were tired with San Jose the overall league point winner, but the defense, is not that better than last season.
With Zach back for a full season it will help, but the GA has to go DOWN !
Syd
July 24th, 2009
11:48 pm
Youare quite correct in stating it is too early to have much thought process concerning predictions, but I will go with one here! do not let the last part of the season cloud yur thoughts, look at the Islanders who played bett r when there was no pressure and usually teams play better,yet the Thrashers & the Islanders will not make the series, unless something drastic happens, I predict John Anderson will be on the hot seat for his job this year, he has to make a run for the series otherwise see yaaa….Waddell aso will have to come through otherwise Rick Dudley will have his position or maybe kevin Chev. in Chicago (Wolves) will step up, something has to happen if this team does not make a solid run for a play-off spot and no one can deny this fact! Just not a normal situation in Hot Atlanta, no team depth, too many ifs,time to make some changes and drastically if this season does nshow the necessary improvement, I still feel that their recruiting is flimsy and the tableau proves this aspect, Give Waddell some dollars and see if he cannot utilise this with diligence in regard to players & additions. Hopefully for the Thrashers fans in la la land this year will bring you satisfaction but do not hold your breath, they will find a way to mess up and it will not be the fault of the players!!!!!!! S
Tony C.
July 25th, 2009
8:10 am
Yeah I’d take a flyer on Eaves-he’s been an effective checking-line forward, but I still remember when he broke in with Ottowa-didn’t he have like 30 goals??
ranallo10 (in AT)
July 25th, 2009
8:20 am
20 goals in 58 games his first season in Ottawa, followed by 14 goals in 73 games. Since then his numbers have dropped off.
Tony C.
July 25th, 2009
9:09 am
Well. Maybe he wasn’t as good as I remembered. His numbers have gone down, but I don’t know if that isn’t a chicken-or-the-egg scenario: Numbers down because role on team changed (2nd scoring line-to-checking line roles), OR role on team changed because production went down?
either way, I feel better having something resembling scoring depth, rather than scrambling to put guys who you hope can finish on the ice. For example: no offense to the guy, but Glenn Metropolit as your #1 pivot=FAIL
World Be Free
July 25th, 2009
9:25 am
You know LAC, when you make point you do a great job. I think there is still some work to do on this team, so we both agree that we are not there yet.
Personally, I think Toby is too small to play in the NHL, he looks like a little kid out there. I think Anderson did a good job last year of protecting him. I was pushing for Seidenberg so we would have more NHL quality defensive depth in Atlanta. Same with pushing for other vets.
I totally agree on cutting down on goals. This team has been one of the worst in the league the last 8-10 years on letting in goals.
Fan from Carolina
July 25th, 2009
9:35 am
Upgrades over last year? Not so sure. Everyone seems to forget that the other division teams feel they have made upgrades as well. You know the Caps are mad from last year. The Canes are never easy to eliminate, even Tampa Bay will be much better with a healthy defense and no Melrose to start the season. How can the Thrashers improve from last year over these clubs? Since you are asking for predictions, no playoffs again this year. Nowhere near enough has been done.
World Be Free
July 25th, 2009
10:38 am
Fan form CArolina-I think a number of us feel that more needs to be done. But don’t forget how well the Thrashers played down the stretch with the current team.
They were better on the road and home. Adding a ton of free agents is no assurance that you will be better; look at TB last year and NY Rangers every year. Carolina got better by complimenting their current team with additions here and there.
We have alotta young players that might break through and make an impact. Then again, you and others on this blog may be right about the possibility of another bad year and no playoffs.
Rawhide
July 25th, 2009
12:51 pm
Fan from Carolina – It’s always good to get a perspective from outside of Thrasherville. I will stand by my comments that the team has upgraded from last spring, however.
Tony C.
July 25th, 2009
1:49 pm
Yeah, I can’t believe that the addition of Kubina isn’t worth at least a 3-goal swing in goal diff.
GaVaHokie
July 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
I would definitely be interested in Patrick Eaves… not sure why his numbers have dropped off so much… perhaps his head injury in 2007. Can’t remember if it was a concussion or not.
Perhaps an “underappreciated” player that Dudley likes?
Thrashers27
July 25th, 2009
5:07 pm
Carolina Fan,
You’re failing to consider that this team showed leaps and bounds of improvement in the second half last year once Anderson’s system took hold. There were clearly two Thrashers teams that played in Atlanta last season. The one that buried any chance of a post season in the first half of the regular season and the team that proved it could compete with nearly any team in the league in the second half of the regular season. So, the real question is which team has been improved upon.
I’d say it’s the second team and that they will make the playoffs.
ranallo10 (in AT)
July 25th, 2009
6:43 pm
I don’t think you can argue that the last months of season were “easy” for the Thrashers, considering 3 of the other lottery teams (NY Islanders, Tampa Bay, Colorado) couldn’t replicate the same late season successes Atlanta did.
I’m not saying that’s an indication of how well Atlanta will play over the course of a season, but I’d say that stretch shows signs that the team is able to improve, and is on the way currently.
Brendan
July 25th, 2009
6:47 pm
I’m not going to call it a “bad season” if the Thrashers miss the playoffs again this year. I’ll call it a “bad season” if Kari … well. You know. I’ll call it a “bad season” if Ilya is vocally displeased with the organization and winds up salvaged for what we can get at the deadline. I’ll call it a “bad season” if the Thrashers goals against is up over 260 again. I’ll call it a “bad season” if the PK is in the bottom third of the league, with little sign of improvement. I’ll call it a “bad season” if we have to hold a firesale, that includes shipping out Armstrong, Kubina, Lehtonen, Moose, Slater and Thorburn. I’ll know it’s a really “bad season” if Slava Kozlov approaches the Thrashers to waive his no trade clause to be moved at the deadline.
But I won’t call it a “bad season” if the Thrahsers finish with a much anticipated 84-86 points, where players and prospects continue to mature and develop, in their various roles. What if Bryan Little scores 35 goals? What if Ondrej Pavelec gets called up and “dazzles” us? For that matter, what if Lehtonen shines, in an injury-free season? What if Kovalchuk scores 50 this year? But we don’t make it in… is that a “bad season?” What if Enstrom has a year that more closely resembles his rookie campaign? What if Big Boris finally has a coming out party? (Watch it with the mid-Town jokes.) To me, those would all be GOOD things. What if Kane actually makes the roster, and becomes a Calder trophy candidate? Is that a “bad year?” I say, “no.” It’s just disappointing not to be in the playoffs. But from where I sit, this is YEAR THREE of the four year building process. And the budget speaks to that, as well. Holding picks #3 in 2008 and #4 in 2009, speak to that, too. It’s a slow build process. And maybe Kovy will be “on board” with it? It’d go a whole heckuva lot better if he were. His re-signing is the pot of honey that can help to bring all the free agent bees, years down the road.
Brendan
July 25th, 2009
6:54 pm
Carolina, as I recall, was essentially “out” of the playoff picture until they won 9 straight games down the stretch to climb all the way to sixth spot. But it’s not as if the Hurricanes were in 4th, 5th, or even 6th spot all year long. They were well outside the playoff picture at Christmas. Carolina, along with Pittsburgh and St. Louis, were the three best teams beyond the midway point of the season. Carolina NEEDED that big run at the end, just to get in. I was getting nervous for Rutherford’s job. That would have been three straight years outside of the playoffs, since winning the Cup in 2006.
For the record, I loved what Carolina did before the trade deadline, and the results afterward. The NHL Network is running the Carolina-NJ series lately. That was one of the top three series of the playoffs. Game Seven was incredible. And Carolina’s next series was equalling heart stopping, with an overtime in Game Seven versus Boston. The CF, not so much. But they got there. Which is remarkable progress from where they were at Christmas. I’d have laughed at the suggest they’d be among the final four teams, around the Holidays 2008.
Sara
July 26th, 2009
8:09 am
Carolina is the quintessential blue-collar team. The only truly star player they’ve had is Eric Staal. What they accomplish is done via hard work in all facets of the game. When they’re checking hard, forechecking like mad, battling for pucks in the corners, they are a tough team to play against. I’ve always admired that and it’s one of the reasons why I scoff when people around here focus so much on the names on the backs of the jerseys. Teams can do a lot with a “little” when the system is sound and everyone is giving 100% 100% of the time. (I love those commercials.) Nashville’s the same way. No elite players over there. Minnesota kinda sorta had Gaborik but while I hate trap hockey, they made it work because they worked. Consistent effort for at least 60 minutes has been the single biggest lack on this team since year 1. The effort level was attrocious under Fraser. It improved somewhat under Hartley, a lot at the beginning, less so as his schtick wore on the players. Even Anderson commented on the “give a damn” level last season, until the team finally got their heads in the game. You can have all the talent in the world but you ain’t winning squat unless you’re willing to bust your tail to get it. Detroit learned that under Scotty Bowman. It’s why they have players up for Selke’s all the time – because they play hard on both ends of the ice. Hopefully the Thrash learned the lesson last season of what they can accomplish when they’re willing to work for it.
R. Stroz
July 26th, 2009
8:34 am
Brendan – Since the premise of Rawhide’s article is predictions, who has already been eliminated from the when does Kovy sign contest?
World Be Free
July 26th, 2009
9:56 am
The thing I like about the Hurricanes is their coach, Paul Maurice. The fans and media ragged on him relentlessly when Maurice coached in Toronto, the guy never really had a chance. He goes to Carolina and takes the team deep into the playoffs without adding a ton of free agent talent.
I am not saying he’s the best coach; just an example of someone who leaves Toronto for a better situation and success.
You are correct Sara-they are REAL blue collar, you gotta love their work ethic. This was the same type of work ethic I say in the Thrashers the 2nd haf of last season and the basis for my optimism for the coming season.
Brendan
July 26th, 2009
1:23 pm
R.Stroz, guesses of July 10, 15, and 22 are over, by Five_hole, Hockey Biltong, Jameson, and DWTOO. Up next, is Rawhide at August 5, 2009 and Alan, August 29, 2009. Kracker and Hokie’s guess is Sept. 7, 2009, followed by Nikita, at Sept. 9, 2009. The guesses end after September for dates in 2009. Then to jump ahead to June 2010.
Red Light
July 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
Take a flier on Patrick Eaves? He’s a second-line center in Atlanta!
Jameson
July 26th, 2009
4:04 pm
Hokie- And according to Wikipedia, that head injury was caused by a check from our very on Colby Armstrong.
Jameson
July 26th, 2009
4:06 pm
While I know it’s unlikely that the team could sustain it all season even with the upgrades, should the team play like they did in March and April, that would put them on pace for around 103 points. (If my math is correct.)
Alan
July 26th, 2009
6:45 pm
Upgrades over last year? Not so sure.
So, what you’re telling us is Exelby is better than Kubina, and Antropov won’t bring anything to this team? Color me very skeptical of your statements.
I’m not thinking playoffs. I might be hoping for them, but certainly do not expect them. I expect improvement. On paper, we have improved. Let’s see how well that translates to the on-ice product.
R. Stroz
July 26th, 2009
6:45 pm
Brendan – Thanks for the update.
Have you ever thought of going on Jeopardy?
Brendan
July 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
Anyone can do Alex Tribec’s job. Let me demonstrate. And the Category is … “Loser’s to the Nth power.” “This Thrashers netminder collected $10 million over three seasons, playing only 81 games.”
Bzzt! “Yes, R.Stroz.”
R.Stroz: “Uhh, who is Damian Rhodes?”
“Correct, you control the board.”
R.Stroz: “I’ll take whining Canadian crybabies for $200, Alex.”
(Boy, we could have field day with this category.)
Rawhide
July 26th, 2009
10:03 pm
Brendan – Now, now…you remember the last time we played Jeopardy on this blog, don’t you?