A Sign Of Things To Come?
It was a preseason game…yes, I know. But I can’t help but get the feeling that Monday night’s 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes was the type of thing Don Waddell, Rick Dudley and John Anderson had in mind when putting this team together.
Nick Antropov assisting on three goals. Hmmm…assists are what you’re looking for from a center on Ilya Kovalchuk’s line, right?
Pavel Kubina providing a goal on the power play…I’m definitely looking for a lot of that this year.
Mark Popovic driving forward to account for a goal…the kid is doing everything he can to make this team.
Oh, and a defense that allowed but 22 shots on goal…only seven in the first 30 minutes of play.
The go-ahead goal, which came at the 8:31 mark of the third period, was another example of what Thrashers’ fans are hoping to see more of in days to come. Antropov was skating between the circles and found Kovy with a nice drop pass. Kovy then fed Bryan Little who was cutting through on the right side, who then beat Canes goalie Michael Leighton.
Jimmy Slater finished of the scoring with two and a half minutes remaining…Boulton and Kubina with the assists. Heck, even World Be Free and to like seeing that!
Sure, it was just a preseason game…but hopefully it’s a sign of what we are in store for as the regular season unfolds. If so, Thrasherville will be a rockin’ place to be.
OK…Who Ticked Off The Great Thunder Maker?
OK…which one of you ticked off the Great Thunder Maker in the sky and caused him to bring all this rain upon us? Certainly it wasn’t me…I always behave myself!
It’s almost reaching Biblical proportions…the National Weather Service stated that 13 inches of rain in a 36-hour period in the Atlanta area. But wait…as the late, great Billy Mays would say…there’s more! That’s right, more is in the forecast.
It took me three hours to get from my office near 75/285 in Cobb County, to home in Acworth…as HOA president, I had to insect some flood damage to the community…to North Cobb High School to pick up the boys, to getting down to Philips Arena. Most of that time was spent in traffic between Acworth and Kennesaw because US-41 and many side streets were closed down.
Anyway…if you are out and about it in, please be careful. It’s nasty.
And Finally…
I’d like to give a big shout out to Russian, Smitty and World Be Free…all of whom I had the pleasure of meeting last night! WBP joined the Blueland Chronicle gang and myself for the last period, making it an already fun time just that much better.
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90 comments Add your comment
Wayne stuck in AL
September 21st, 2009
11:23 pm
I guess the Toronto-centric hockey media is gonna jump on us already for having so few fans in the stands for an exhibition game without knowing the circumstances…
Sara
September 21st, 2009
11:36 pm
The game sure read like it went mostly well. Not real impressed with giving up a shorty or a PP goal for that matter. Need to keep working on that methinks. And of course, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine (understatement of the year) – we didn’t face quite as potent of a line-up tonight as we put out. It’ll be more interesting the further in the week we go when teams have all pretty much settled into their starters. And certainly looking forward to seeing them in person on Wednesday along with my girls! Now, I’ll excuse myself to go watch Letterman and the POTUS make with the funny.
Brian Rudisel
September 21st, 2009
11:52 pm
I gotta eat my words about Kubina. Sounds like he’s doing some amazing stuff in preseason already, and I’m looking forward to it. Consider him and Antropov (basically the offseason altogether) an addition to the reasons we’ll nab a playoffs berth.
http://bit.ly/18MXkK
World Be Free
September 21st, 2009
11:54 pm
23 inches of rain-those idiots in Toronto would get lost converting that into centimeters.
Great meeting you Bill. Yes, a nice goal by Jimmy, in front of the net no less. I am a fan, at least for this week.
Kubina is a monster. His push will be welcome during those 3rd period penalty kills when we are protecting a lead.
What to do about Postma. The skinny kid can skate and pass. Needs to move in with a good Italian family to load him up on some pasta.
The secret is in goal-we need goaltending. Bad time for Kari to go down with a wonky back. Gotta watch out for those flaming, flying monkies.
ranallo10 (in AT)
September 22nd, 2009
12:51 am
Who started in net?
Brian Rudisel
September 22nd, 2009
12:57 am
@ranallo10
Johan Hedberg.
ranallo10 (in AT)
September 22nd, 2009
1:02 am
Thanks Mr. Rudisel.
Sadtoseeitthisway
September 22nd, 2009
2:53 am
I sat in the next section from your group Rawhide. You fellas were having a good time. Easy to see you thanks to so many empty seats. However, what really impressed me was Popovic. He played like a top tier defenseman both ways, and superior skating skills I didn`t know he had. I hope the coaches saw it, he defintely deserves to be on the roster.
Mr. Catalogues
September 22nd, 2009
3:19 am
Hey Buddy
WishIWasOnTheGlass
September 22nd, 2009
6:19 am
The team looked supa fast and I agree with the poster above that Popovic looked sharp last night.
Anybody know why the Thrashers home page is dishing out news about the Canucks this morning? wtf???
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo73/1bpschevy/wtf.gif
Smitty
September 22nd, 2009
6:49 am
Bill, nice to meet you and your exemption last night. Some promising signs last night. Postma looked pretty good but needs to bulk up a bit. Special teams still need some work but that is what pre-season is for. Looks like we finally have some depth and that mgt will have some tough decisions to make when cut time comes.
Riceowls8891
September 22nd, 2009
7:12 am
Kovy, Antro & Little – the “Will you marry me?” line because I think I’m in love.
DWTOO
September 22nd, 2009
7:44 am
Anyone know what happened to Hainsey and Armstrong? Both left early not to return. I did see Hainsey walk off into the locker room.
Libby
September 22nd, 2009
8:01 am
Enter your comments here
Hi Rawhide,
It looked like you were having a great time last night. Was that dance moves you were making? I loved the pass from Andropov to Kovy to Little. It usually takes us about 1/2 hour to get to Phillips. Last night it was well over an hour.
GaVaHokie
September 22nd, 2009
8:16 am
Random bit of trivia for you… If Popovic makes the team, he’ll be the first player to leave Atlanta and come back.
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
8:20 am
Army & Hainsey both have minor lower body issues and will likely sit out a day or two. Nothing serious at all. In the post game presser, coach just said since it was exhibition, there was no reason at all to put them back in and risk making it worse. Should be a non issue.
Bill – Was wondering if there was a Rawhide twitter feed?
Rawhide
September 22nd, 2009
8:28 am
Consider him and Antropov (basically the offseason altogether) an addition to the reasons we’ll nab a playoffs berth.
Brian Rudisel – I hope you’re right.
Who started in net?
Ranallo – Hmmm….I guess I didn’t mention Moose was in goal last night…sorry.
The team looked supa fast and I agree with the poster above that Popovic looked sharp last night.
WishIWasOnTheGlass – Yup…he’s looking good. Seems to fit in with Anderson’s system pretty well too. But given his days in Chicago with him, that doesn’t really come as a surprise.
I sat in the next section from your group Rawhide. You fellas were having a good time. Easy to see you thanks to so many empty seats
Sadtoseeitthisway – Next time, please come over and say “hi”…
Anyone know what happened to Hainsey and Armstrong? Both left early not to return. I did see Hainsey walk off into the locker room.
DWTOO – I haven’t read anything about that yet…oh, and sorry I missed you and Puckwench before the game. I wasn’t able to navigate my way through the mess in time to get there before 6:00.
Random bit of trivia for you… If Popovic makes the team, he’ll be the first player to leave Atlanta and come back.
GaVaHokie – Interesting point.
Bill – Was wondering if there was a Rawhide twitter feed?
J.B. – I don’t “do” twitter…do you guys really need to know when I’m sitting on the porch? Or eating dinner? Or…well, you get the point.
It looked like you were having a great time last night. Was that dance moves you were making?
Libby – er…uh…ummm…. ah, it was a “happy we scored dance…no wait, a “stop the rain dance”…er, ah…what dance?
Mr. Catalogues – Hey buddy…
Zoomo
September 22nd, 2009
9:03 am
I listened to the Carolina radio feed via the ‘net (which didn’t start working until late in the first period). The ‘Canes radio guy kept calling Moose “Yo-han Ed-Bear”. I didn’t know Moose was from Quebec.
Lee
September 22nd, 2009
9:07 am
oh great game last night, looked like they really had fun out there. that to say, the ‘canes are last in our division. hope they keep it up against the monster predators who are what 3 and 0?? im not sure. correct me if im wrong.
rawhide-which preseason games are on the radio?
Lee
September 22nd, 2009
9:09 am
zoomo-hahaha, good one, he’s swedish!
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
9:15 am
Bill – Was thinking more along the lines of real-time tweets from the games or news tidbits you may pick up before the general populous a la @BenThrashers & @dankamal.
I agree that the usefulness of such a communication tool is devalued when people (a form of communication tools themselves
) post things like “sitting on the porch right now”, “about to eat a hot pocket”, or …well, you get the point.
Rawhide
September 22nd, 2009
9:27 am
rawhide-which preseason games are on the radio?
Lee – I believe that the Grand Kamalian will be calling Wednesday’s game against Nashville…but that’s all 680 AM will being aring for the remainder of the preseason.
Bill – Was thinking more along the lines of real-time tweets from the games or news tidbits you may pick up before the general populous a la @BenThrashers & @dankamal.
J.B. – I’ll take that under advisement. But personally, I might find it distracting…I wouldn’t want to being looking down at my Crackberry while the game is going on…and during breaks I tend to be chatting with friends about the game & the team in general.
NorthStarsDave
September 22nd, 2009
9:30 am
Any news on Afelnegenov….yeah, I know it’s miss-spelled…
And BTW…just think if all of this was SNOW!!!!!
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
10:06 am
Bill – Good point. I have to remind myself you’re not paid to do this.(I’ve said it before, but again EXCELLENT job with the blogging; i actually go to the hockeybuzz site now too).I believe I’d rather watch the game and have a few cold frosty beers than hunt and peck on my phone during the game also.
ChippersLoveChild
September 22nd, 2009
10:08 am
Armstrong tweaked his groin, via his Twitter feed, seems like he will be fine. Postma is impressing me.
Buzilla in CT
September 22nd, 2009
10:10 am
Check out the box score on the Thrashers website:
1st Period
02:41 CAR PPG – Bryan Rodney Wrist Shot – Assists: R. Brind’Amour & S. Samsonov
10:02 ATL PPG – Pavel Kubina Snap Shot – Assists: N. Antropov
18:46 ATL Unknown Wrist Shot – Assists: N. Antropov & P. Postma
2nd Period
17:41 CAR SHG – Brandon Sutter Tip-In – Assists: R. Brind’Amour & N. Wallin
3rd Period
08:31 ATL Bryan Little Tip-In – Assists: I. Kovalchuk & N. Antropov
17:27 ATL Jim Slater Slap Shot – Assists: E. Boulton & P. Kubina
The second goal (18:46) was scored by someone that the Thrashers don’t know? How do you not know? You can’t f’ing guess? You know that it was a wrist shot somehow, but where it came from is a total mystery. I understand that it is preseason but this is THE Thrasher website. A box score from a home game. That is a little embarassing.
I will claim credit for the goal. I hope I can make the team now. I have a nasty wrister
R. Stroz
September 22nd, 2009
10:24 am
Buzilla – For a minute, I thought I was reading the script from My Cousin Vinny.
Zoomo
September 22nd, 2009
10:34 am
The reason for the “unkown” player is that Popovic is not under NHL contract and is not listed in the NHL player database used to record game stats and boxscore results. Technical issue. Can’t credit a player that doesn’t exist in the database.
j nes
September 22nd, 2009
10:35 am
I was also wondering about Max. Whom did he skate with and how did he look?
Darren
September 22nd, 2009
10:36 am
I think it’s because the system doesn’t know what to do with some non-roster invitees, possibly because it doesn’t have a team with whom to associate that player. If you’ll recall, that ugly scoresheet from the Nashville game had two players named “3 Kozlov” playing, when Slava sat out.
In fact, the scoresheet also says “Manny Legaze” backed up Hedberg.
It’s the pre-season. I wouldn’t get too worked up over it.
Viking
September 22nd, 2009
10:43 am
Zoomo,
A little Swedish lesson: I did not hear it, but the phonetics you write suggests that they might actually have pronounced Hedberg’s unamericanized. Maybe it could be written “Yoohan Hehdberj”.
Similarily, Björn Borg’s last name should really be pronounced “Borj” – “Bjuhrn Borj”
By the way, imagine the pronounciation trouble (and more) my first name (derived from the Vikings – hence my blog name) cause over here; Kjell
Viking
September 22nd, 2009
10:45 am
Darren, it appears that they have prospect tryout score sheet writers in action too.
Buzilla in CT
September 22nd, 2009
10:47 am
That is very interesting about Popadapolis.
How did the two yutes do?
Russian
September 22nd, 2009
10:54 am
Yeah, it was a good Game. It was ugly Weather.
Finnaly I met Rawhide and talked to him.
Also I met Max Afinogenov and talked to him about Atlanta and Thrashers. He is very nice person. He was kind of shocked when I called him, but after that he was told me that he wants to get on team. He likes here and waits Wednesday to play. I wished him good luck.
five_hole
September 22nd, 2009
10:54 am
I’m starting to get pumped about the season. The Thrashers actually have depth this season. I don’t think that word has been used here in the last 10 years. Depth. OMFG. We’re talking about pushing guys like a Koslov, Peverley, etc to the THIRD LINE! We’ve got guys like Popovic and Postma pushing the D. We’ve got Legace pushing for a spot in goal. Granted, he’s “old” but still . . . .
And Bigger is better! Andropov & Kubina bring size, which is something else we’ve needed. It’s like . . . . . it’s like Christmas in September! This is better than getting the Schwinn (back when bikes only had 3 speeds).
I am psyched for the start of the season.
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
10:56 am
I’ve read a few mixed reviews with respect to the “syncronicity” of our top line. However, it is pre-season and it will take some time for the boys to get on the same page. And if Antro can dish out 3 assists despite their chemistry issues, then I’m not worried at all.
Good to see Popovic doing well. Many ’round these here parts liked him real good you see before he was jettisoned in favor of Schneider and Oysters on the half shell. Of course, there was a lot of uncertainty facing the team going into 2008-’09, but it looks like Popo’s hard work in the weight room and with his nutrition & fitness along with his better than good play in the KHL may in fact pay off in the form of a NHL contract. Annsi & Nathan: be very afraid.
Not to mention that Postma kid can really play. He skates like Dean Youngblood and has the potential to melt more hearts than Derek Sutton if he keeps this up. I reckon he will end up being the first call-up ahead of Salmela when we have some injuries or god forbid, the flu bug! My guess is that Valabik & Popo will be our third pair to start with Oystie getting the nod for bench-warmer since he’s so good served “cold” if you catch my drift. Of course, my guess is strictly based on what I’ve read…we shall see in person tomorrow night.
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
11:05 am
Speaking of depth, and not just depth, but “OMFG depth” (copyright five_hole), check out this potential blueline depth chart for Chi-town:
Postma \ Salmela
Kulda \ Lewis (if healthy)
Welch \ Vernace
Denny….I bet they try to move Lehman back to forward since we have so much NHL experience at the AHL level. Crazy.
Sara
September 22nd, 2009
11:07 am
Actually I’d say there’s no excuse for the Thrashers website not getting the scoring correct. Yahoo sports showed Popovic with the goal.
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
11:11 am
Russian – That’s exciting. How did you happen to run into Max? Was he in the press box for the game? I’m sure he was surprised a fan greeted him in his own languated and appreciated the well wishes. Glad to hear he likes it in Atlanta thus far and wants to play here. I can’t wait to see him on the ice.
Russian
September 22nd, 2009
11:11 am
Little bit more about Last game. I saw First Game in Nashville. We lost 0:5 and last game. It is completely different teams and play.
What I like and do not like:
1. Nik is good Passer. I hope he will stay with Kovy rest of the season. But he is not a Center. This line should be: Kovy – Little – Nik or Kovy – Pever – Nik.
2. Kubina is good D-man. We were lucky to got him from Toronto. I do not like Hainsy got injure.
3. Pops could make a team. I will be suprise if he will not. He is going to play with Boris.
Buzilla in CT
September 22nd, 2009
11:11 am
I remember when I left Atlanta, y’all were in a drought and fighting with the rednecks in ‘Bama and the panhandle (Redneck Riviera) over who has the rights to what was left of the sludge in Lake Lanier. Now I hear that children are waterskiing to school, hillbillies making boats out of kegs cut in half, and spaghetti junction is a giant water slide. Hopefully an arctic blast will come charging down the jet stream and freeze everything for you. Make Atlanta into one giant ice rink! It could be a winter wonderland with mint juleps.
Maybe I should come back for a visit and set things right.
GaVaHokie
September 22nd, 2009
11:17 am
Smoothie… I’m pretty sure Salmela got an NHL only contract… so, we’d probably have to put him through waivers, buy him out or trade him… I’m guessing.
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
11:17 am
Did somebody say mint juleps!? Where? I smell me some Maker’s!!
R. Stroz
September 22nd, 2009
11:19 am
NHL players wanting to play for Atlanta…yeah, yeah…the next thing someone will tell me is that it’s going to rain for forty days and forty nights.
Uh-Oh!
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
11:21 am
Oooopsies! You’re right GVH. If capgeek.com is accurate, tis Oystrick with the 2-way and not Salmonella spread. Looks like we’re stuck with Anssi for the time being. Perhaps that’s why he’s loafing thinking he’s a lock for a job. He better step it up a bit tomorrow night! I reckon we’ll see him, El Z-Bo and perhaps one more long hard look at Postma.
Russian
September 22nd, 2009
11:22 am
Damn, I press wrong button and my post moved out.
**to JB**
Max was walking into Gift Shop and I stopped him. I think he was with his son.
Well back to Game.
4. Postma is good. He is our future. He has to back to Chicago and eat more Chicken Pasta.
5. Vernace will be in Chicago, no questions to ask.
6. I like Fritshi also, but it will be very difficult to make a trird line spot.
7. I wanted to see Manny on Goal, but he did not paly. Moose did everything to keep score low.
I hope on Openning night we will see lines:
Kovy – Little – Nik
Slava – Pever – Max
Armi – Reason – Kane
Bolt – Slater – Fritshi
Tobi – Bogus
Pasha(Short name of Pavel Kubina) – Hainsy
Pops – Boris
Pavs – Manny
I give you White a break and Moose will be rest also.
World Be Free
September 22nd, 2009
11:29 am
I had the same thought you did about Frische on the 4th line instead of Thorburn. He has more offense and is a better skaters.
Does Valbik have a 2 way or do we have the option of sending him down? To me, Boris is the odd man out right now.
Max was a wasted invite, in my opinion. We can talk about what he’s done in the past (years ago), but Max is still Max.
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
11:34 am
Russian, excellent reporting! And I love your dead-pan sense of humor. Russians rule! Hope to meet you some time down at the Bulb. I like your line-up a lot and have no problem letting White rest while Kane gets his try-out. Seems like Maxim is as excited as his son was to get some Thrashers merchandise…Kovy jersey perhaps?? It’s great that you got to meet and talk with him. That will make him feel right at home.
Spasibo!!
GaVaHokie
September 22nd, 2009
11:39 am
Valabik is one-way.
Ben Wright got the highlights video posted on the Thrashers main site.
http://thrashers.nhl.com/
Alan
September 22nd, 2009
11:50 am
Just because a player has a one-way contract doesn’t mean they can’t get sent down to the AHL. It only means said player will get paid the same salary regardless of what league he’s playing in.
Therefore, any one of our guys with one-ways – Valabik, Salmela, even Kovalchuk could get demoted, but pull the same salary. Those players with two-way contracts will earn a certain salary in the AHL, and a different salary in the NHL.
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
11:52 am
Smoothie – I’ve said this before on the blog too. Russian never fails to provide excellent input. I always find the posts intelligent and entertaining. Excellent job Russian.
mutton
September 22nd, 2009
11:54 am
I just watched the highlights at the team site, and I gotta say, Kubina is sportin’ one hell of a shiner. Anyone else see that?
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
I think the problem lies with the fact that in order to “demote” a player on a 1-way contract, he will have to clear waivers and then you risk losing the player to another GM who is looking to poach (think Rich Peverley). I bet the Preds would love to pay us back for that and would probably have some interest in a puck-mover like Salmela for their third tandem.
World Be Free
September 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
Mutton-yeah we were talking at the game about the shiner. Don’t know where it came from, but he looks tough!
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
12:09 pm
Per NHLSCAP.com: “Whether a player has a 1-way or 2-way contract has absolutely no effect on his waiver status – it has to do with the number of years since the player signed his first NHL contract and the number of NHL games he’s played since signing”
Guess I was incorrect in my guessed assertion on the 1-way versus 2-way nature of a contract. Using the # of games or # of years criteria, it sounds like there is less risk associated with sending down Salmela, who will likely not have to clear waivers due to his lack of tenure.
Midfield
September 22nd, 2009
12:17 pm
Viking, there must be a few hidden Swedesh settlements scattered along the Appalachian, eh?
World Be Free
September 22nd, 2009
12:41 pm
And I would like to see Salmela stay instead of Boris. Not sure I will get my wish.
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
12:48 pm
WBF – I would not get your hopes up on Boris getting sent down. The organ-I-zation seems duly invested in seeing through the BoVal project in hopes of harnessing the potential of the next Zdeno Chara. Luckily, we may have the next coming of Paul Coffey in the form of Paul Postma.
Viking
September 22nd, 2009
12:52 pm
Midfield, this settlement has the character of heritage hermitage.
Smoothie
September 22nd, 2009
12:57 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-rangers-averyinjured&prov=ap&type=lgns
Sean Avery, please get acquainted with Karma, she’s a real bitch!!
Smitty
September 22nd, 2009
1:04 pm
WBF
The league is getting away from the smaller faster skaters. There are still some but there is a definite shift towards the bigger players again. We might need Boris. I think they will give him one more year. He looked a lot better the end of last year.
Midifeld
September 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
Sean might have made a comment about Ray’s girlfriend before the morning skate. His timing is off sometimes – kind of like in the series against the Caps.
AuburnZ
September 22nd, 2009
1:51 pm
Rawhide–nice to see you again last night. I don’t normally post, usually just read and lurk, but since you talked with our group for a while I thought I would post today.
The passing looked better and the defense seemed more in tune with the team. Pops looked like he is doing everything possible to make the team.
five_hole
September 22nd, 2009
2:01 pm
Smoothie I can’t wait for Avery to play Calgary. I’m sure Phaneuf has a very long memory. And, as the saying goes, “Revenge is a dish best served cold”.
Rawhide
September 22nd, 2009
2:16 pm
AuburnZ - It was great to see you all as well. I agree with you about Popovic…gonna be hard to keep him outa the lineup. Team defense looked good too…yeah, yeah, yeah…preseason and all that. But only allowing 22 SOG is something I’ll take anytime.
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
3:00 pm
Pavs in goal Wednesday vs Nashville per Vivlamore’s twitter post.
…really thought they’d want to see Legace in action next.
Russian
September 22nd, 2009
3:05 pm
This is very strange. Why will Pavs start tomorrow? It is only one explanation, that he needs more game time to be a Number 1. Why do they keep Manny? Interesting.
GaVaHokie
September 22nd, 2009
3:09 pm
Coach said they wanted to play Pavs two more times in the last three preseason games. Waddell said they expect Pavs to be the starting goalie to start the season.
Starting to think we’re wasting Manny’s time.
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
3:10 pm
My only guess is that they want to see Pavs in goal at home and figure there’s still two games after that to still have a look at Manny Legace. It may have something to do with not keeping OP out of the game for too long… not sure.
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
3:26 pm
If what Hokie says re: Coach’s plan for Pavs holds true, that still leaves a game to have a look at Manny correct? Three preseason games remain; two @ home and one away? Is McIntyre still on the roster? I can’t see how they won’t cut/reassign a goalie tomorrow or Thursday…
J.B.
September 22nd, 2009
3:29 pm
Re: wasting Legace’s time… he’s not doing much else right now, I guess…
lee
September 22nd, 2009
3:37 pm
thanks bill.
GaVaHokie
September 22nd, 2009
3:49 pm
I can imagine Drew MacIntyre’s agent might be feeling the “Alan Walsh” syndrome right about now.
MacIntyre gets one game… the first game after a summer off… with all scrubs in front of him.
kracker
September 22nd, 2009
3:50 pm
I know they have Legace as a fall back guy, which we may need depending on how long it takes Kari to rehab, see if the surgery was effective, etc. DW is on record as saying he expected Pavs to start Oct 3. If so, do we carry 3 goalies for a while? Would Legace go down to Wolves? Or Moose?
Legace might not be our next Byron Dafoe but he could be close. I see him as an alternate backup and I hope we don’t have to play either backup as a starter for a long stretch to begin the season. Maybe we can out score ‘em for a while.
GaVaHokie
September 22nd, 2009
3:52 pm
Perhaps they want to see how Pavelec fairs against Nashville in comparison to MacIntyre?
Afterall, Legace has seen plenty of Nashville over the past several seasons (Central Division).
Thrashers Tickets Suck
September 22nd, 2009
3:56 pm
So I just paid 200 dollars for opening night and if you are a member of the ATL Thrashers facebook group, they are offering lower level tix for 30 bucks. I made a nice comment on the rip off to season tix holders and people like me and it was deleted.
Don’t think I will be going to more games after the first one.
Bob
September 22nd, 2009
4:19 pm
FB or just breathing, that $30 deal is for anyone. I feel bad for the season tix holders again, but they have to do what they have to do to get butts in the seats. I look at it this way, they’re taking money out of the scalpers pockets, I’m sure you can get lower level seats for $20 or $30 day of game outside from the homies, might as well drop the price and collect the cash themselves.
If the team is good, the fans will start to come back and then they’ll forego the good seats for $30 type deals (except for the weeknights, they’ll have to keep giving those away to get people to go down there with the horrific Atlanta traffic and 7pm starts).
Dwayne
September 22nd, 2009
4:28 pm
I hope Unknown Wrist Shot, gets another start!!!! He looks awesome in Thrasher colors!!!
Anyone seen Stendec??? He ripped Mark Rictchted, whatever his name is, on the UGA blog after they were beat by Ok. St. I sure do miss him.
Dwayne
September 22nd, 2009
4:34 pm
Any tickets for the Oct. 24th bus ride/Sharks game left??
World Be Free
September 22nd, 2009
4:38 pm
Smoothie-I tend to agree with you on Boris, though I wish it were different. Boris reminds me of Slater, in the sense that the organization is going to stand by him becuase he’s a high draft pick. It’s not that I think he’s peaked, I just think he’s too slow. He reminds me of Dave Andreychuk; they both move with the speed of growing wood. He’s going to have to grow a pair to be anything close to Z in toughness. I will say that.
Smitty-I can hang out on Boris for another year, but he just reminds me too much of Jay McKee. Guys that big need to be taking the opposition out on a regular basis. Totally agree on the transition back to big guys, the old NHL. Kinda explains why Briere has lost some of his effectiveness, along with some nagging injuries. I don’t like Philly, but I have to say I am cheering for Briere to have a bounce back season. He’s a good dude.
Bill-sorry to have jumped off the Slater Red Flyer Wagon so soon, but it’s Jimmy and I just can’t take him seriously.
World Be Free
September 22nd, 2009
4:48 pm
I think the goaltending situation is the most interesting – and most crucial aspect of this training camp. Moose is very popular, Legace seems to bring some veteran leadership, Pavs is inconsistent and Kari a physical basket case. Somebody has to step up; this is an opportunity to 1 of the 4 to seize the number one position.
So I’ll throw the question out there-who do you people feel will be the number one goalie opening night?
Can the guy who has it Oct 3 keep it past November 1?
I would have liked to see Kubina play against Staal last night. Pavel vs. a real, physical number one center. If I were Toronto, I would have kept Kubina to teach Luke Schenn how to play defense. So who will mentor Schenn now? LEafs fans, as “great” as they are supposed to be, don’t think that far.
Rawhide
September 22nd, 2009
4:48 pm
Any tickets for the Oct. 24th bus ride/Sharks game left??
Dwayne – Yes there are. Here’s a link with info to order tixs and get on board. Hope to see you and many others there…it’ll be a blast!
World Be Free
September 22nd, 2009
4:51 pm
Kracker-I keep forgetting Dafoe played for us, along with Last Call Norm, Steve Shields and a host of others. Shields was a great fighter.
World Be Free
September 22nd, 2009
5:06 pm
I know we already have alotta players, but will management risk the temptation of some of the players that will be available via waivers right before the start of the season? Hummmm?
Dwayne
September 22nd, 2009
6:09 pm
Thanks Bill, I’ll call her before the end of the week.
ukyo (THS)
September 22nd, 2009
6:35 pm
A bit late to the party, but I fell compelled to post (finally). I’ve lurked here for a long time but have only posted once…
Last night’s game was a good one. I was very impressed with Popovic! I still can’t believe Peverley didn’t bury that shorty on his breakaway. I honestly feel if it’s one on one, Pevs versus the goalie, the lamp will be lit. I was shocked when he held the puck just a little too long and didn’t get the needed elevation.
The team over all played great. Passing seemed to get better as the night went on. Kubina’s goal was ugly. He had an entire open net but didn’t get all of the puck and ended up with a lucky bounce off Leighton that went in. Hey… we’ll take it. Same thing with Popovic. That was picking up the garbage all the way. But… the Antropov, Kovy, Little goal was almost too perfect. I wish that was televised so I could video capture it. Excellence in execution all the way. I hope we see a lot more of that this year.
I was worried that Little would be too busy trying to get the puck to Kovy and would be skipping out on good chances to shoot. I hope he keeps doing exactly what he was doing last night. Honestly I would like to see Little back on the line with Kozzie and White. Put Peverley up on the first line with Antropov and Kovy. If the Little White Russian line played anything like they did last year, we would have an offensive explosion!
I guess that’s all I have. Back to lurking. Great blog, Rawhide. Oh… I saw you last night heading out the tunnel over between 210 and 211 before the game started, but I couldn’t get over there before you were out. I’ll try to catch up with you for a reintroduction at the Nashville game.
@Russian -
What section were you in for the game against the Hurricanes?
Hockey Biltong
September 22nd, 2009
6:38 pm
Marta worked just fine last night!!!! I was worried about submerging, but no sweat!!!
Rawhide
September 22nd, 2009
7:06 pm
ukyo (THS) – Thanks, but it’s never too late to join this party…and there’s no cover charge!
Great remarks on the game last night…escpecially the Peverley breakaway chance. I would think he nets that 99 times outa 100.
I won’t be there tomorrow night, but I will Sunday…section 119. Please do come over and say “howdy”!
Oh, and now that you’ve posted a comment, you can’t go back to lurking. You’re now officially a part of the frey!
Dwayne – You’re welcome…all part of the service!
Hockey Biltong – As always, a pleasure to see you and the lovely Mrs. Biltong last night! Glad you got home OK on the train.
Thrashers27
September 23rd, 2009
2:43 am
I was thinking about Salmella earlier in the week…If he is sent down and is exposed, I doubt anyone will grab him. Even if he were to be snatched up off of waivers I don’t think it would be worth crying over. At this point I haven’t seen any more promise from him than I have out of Postma, Popovic, Oystrick, Kulda, Boris and any number of prospects we have waiting in the wings. It seems like a bad thing to expose Anssi to the waiver wires, but I think it speaks well for the team when a guy like that isn’t a shoe-in to make the squad.
GaVaHokie
September 23rd, 2009
8:34 am
ukyo… don’t be a stranger!
Thrashers27… I get what you’re saying about Salmela, but I’m not sure I’m ready to trust Postma or Kulda to an 82 game season. As impressive as they’ve been, I still think they’re going to Chicago on Thursday. If Popovic continues to impress, than Oystrick may be going with them.
I’m ready to predict that Boris, Popovic and Salmela get the 5, 6, 7 spots.