Coach Anderson Said What?
So…did you catch this segment in Ken Sugiura’s write up of Wednesday night’s 5-4 preseason win over the Nashville Predators?
Another addition under examination for the Thrashers was speedy forward Maxim Afinogenov, brought in last Friday for a pro tryout. His opportunities were limited — his ice time was third-lowest on the team — and he was playing with new linemates (rookie Evander Kane and Tim Stapleton), but he showed Anderson enough.
“I thought he played really well,” Anderson said. “He’ll play more in regular-season games. It’s just the way it went tonight with so many penalties in the game [against the Thrashers]. He’s not a penalty-killer.”
Ah…what’s that again coach? ”He’ll play more in regular-season games”.
Well, if Anderson is going to be giving Max more playing minutes come October 3rd, then that means he’s going to be signed…logically speaking of course?
Now…granted, some may point out the fine print to me here that the good coach did not use the phrase “with the Thrashers” in that statement. I mean, if one chooses to parse words here, one could say that regardless of where he plays he’ll be logging more time on the ice, right?
But that caveat aside…could it be that Anderson just gave us a bit of foreshadowing into the Thrashers near-future plans for Maxim Afinogenov?
Stay tuned.
Boris…Boris…Boris
Boris Valabik did not have himself a very good game Wednesday night. The official line on him was zero points, two shots on goal, 4 PIM and a –2 during his 17:03 time on the ice. But those numbers don’t do it justice.
Which defender is most likely to NOT make the Thrashers opening night lineup?
- Boris Valabik (39%, 34 Votes)
- Anssi Salmela (22%, 19 Votes)
- Mark Popovic (15%, 13 Votes)
- Nathan Oystrick (24%, 22 Votes)
Total Voters: 88
Loading ...When Nashville scored their first goal of the game to cut Atlanta’s 2-0 lead in half, it game 10 seconds after Boris had been sent to the sin-bin for a tripping minor. For the most part he looked out of position and flat.
To illustrate his night in just one play…during the third period, the Thrashers had just killed off a power play and Atlanta’s skaters were looking to switch out. But no sooner than those in attendance heard “Thrashers…FULL STRENGTH” bellow forth from the P.A. system, Valabik had flipped the puck down the length of the ice for an icing call.
Come on back, boys.
Given that…and the strong showings by Mark Popovic…if things continue like this, Boris may find himself viewing the action from the press box next Saturday night.
So…How Did Opie Do?
I’ll answer that question by saying that he did just fine. The line shows he stopped 33 of Nashville’s 37 shots…but really those numbers kind of got skewed a bit late in the game. Nashville netted a pair of goals with under three minutes left after the Thrashers’ skaters looked to already be in the locker room mentally. He saved the first 16 he faced and first 29 of the Preds’ 31 SOG. In the two games he has started he’s saved 66 of the 71 attempts taken on his goal, (.930 SV%).
For the most part, Opie looked sharp and in control.
If he came into the game with the upper hand in the competition for the opening night job, he didn’t do anything to slip in the rankings.
Kubina Not Gonna Stand For That Kinda Krap
One of the better moments in last night’s game came after a low hit on Ilya Kovalchuk. I didn’t get the number of the player who committed the offense, but that’s because Pavel Kubina was on him like Rosie O’Donnell on a lunch buffet…he smothered him, covered him and put him down! I think that’s the kinda toughness Kovy was saying the team needed last spring!
“A”s For Toby And Pavel
Tobias Enstrom and Pavel Kubina both wore an “A” on their jerseys last night. I don’t know if that’s because Armstrong and Kozlov were not in the lineup or if that is indicative of something more.
Thrashers First Decade Per Kincade
I was having lunch with John Kincade Monday…discussing such things as the upcoming Thrashers season, the re-signing of Kovy issue, and the team in general. He classifies his feelings on the 2009-10 campaign as “cautiously optimistic”…where I would say I’m more “anxiously optimistic”. But we’ll discuss that in more detail later.
But for now, here is Kincade’s “Ten Defining Moments” of the Thrashers’ first ten years.
Because You Asked…
The other day someone posted a question to me about the availability of seats on the Party Bus going to the Sharks game on October 24…i.e. the TJ’s/Thrasherville Express.
Well, the answer is that the response has been very good and we expect that the few seats available will be filled soon. But the good news is that there are still some tickets available for those still wanting to climb aboard.
Here’s the info…it’s sure to be a good time!
I’m just curious to see who wins the Zamboni ride that night.
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104 comments Add your comment
Smoothie
September 24th, 2009
12:30 pm
I agree with JLH’s observations for the most part, but I would keep Boults and Gratton on the 4th line and try to trade Thorburn for a mid-round draft pick. Yes Thorburn is younger, but Boults is still a better fighter. If Gratton can play with that kind of puck awareness and savvy, I’m fine with waiving Boults and hoping he makes it thru to CHI.
As several have said, I think Kane gets his “cup of coffee” playing LW on the 3rd line with Reasoner & Army. If Army is not ready to go, then Mad Max plays in his stead. When Kane gets shipped out to VAN (CBA sucks cuz another year of JR does him NO good!).
As for Peverley, he SHOULD NOT be playing wing. Period. Yes, he can play there and be relatively effective, but his F/O prowess and back-checking as a C is too valuable. Either re-unite the Little White Russian line with Pevs between Kovy & Nik or let White play RW on the 2nd line since he’s left-handed. Pevs can dangle and shoot but playing RW as a righty without being an Army type player makes no sense.
Kovy – Pevs – Antro (love ya Little, but Pevs deserves his shot)
Kozzy – Little – Mad Max
Kane / White – Reasey – Army / Max
Boults – Slater – Gratton
Fritsche or Thorburn is a pick ‘em…
World Be Free
September 24th, 2009
12:35 pm
Ex Thrashers gets on the NHL “blotter”-
The National Hockey League has suspended Phoenix Coyotes right wing Francis Lessard for the remainder of the preseason and three regular season games for a game misconduct penalty assessed last week against the Anaheim Ducks.
J.B.
September 24th, 2009
12:36 pm
Per Ben, no cuts coming today. Lots of ‘em this weekend.
Tony C.
September 24th, 2009
12:45 pm
Other thought I forgot to mention: Antropov is HORRIBLE on the draw. Little should take the F/O and then go to the wing.
Alan
September 24th, 2009
12:47 pm
Great news on Afinogenov! This is a good pickup because Kane is FAR from ready! I’d like to see Thorburn moved back to the middle of the 4th line, with Boulton and Gratton on the wings, dropping Slater. I think we’ve seen all we need out of Slater. He is not really needed here anymore.
World Be Free
September 24th, 2009
12:48 pm
Signing Frische or Max would be OK, but why not go for one of two impact players out there- Mats Sundin or Peter Forsberg?
They are both old and not what they used to be, but still have gas in the tank.
NorthStarsDave
September 24th, 2009
1:11 pm
Forsburg is playing for his hometown team….Sundin will only play in Canada….
Basillie made an offer to keep the Coyotes in Glendale for one more year…then to off to Hamilton….which could mean a move of the Thrashers to the West….
Russian
September 24th, 2009
1:13 pm
**to WBF**
No way. Forget about Matt or Peter. They are Classic History of NHL.
Daculafan
September 24th, 2009
1:24 pm
Smoothie…have to respectfully disagree with your lineups…I think you’re way underselling Whitey…he had 71 points last year dishing to the top two lines…you can’t put him on the third line..that will just be flushing away a lot of points.
I would be more inclined (if you actually switching up from the current looks) to see something like
Kovy – Antro – Mad Max
Kozzy – White – Little
Pevs – Marty the Party – Army
Boults – Slates – Gratton
Toby – Bogo
Kubina – Hainsey
Pops – Oyster\Salmela
Thorburn – Valabick in the press box
I think I’d send Kane back down for this year…I think he needs a little more size and I just don’t think he’s quite ready
Smoothie
September 24th, 2009
1:45 pm
I hear ya Dacula, but I really believe Pevs has just as much point potential as Whitey. 39 pts and a +16 (16!!!) in 35 games with several different line-mates. He gelled with Kovy early on. He was making plays on the west coast with Reasoner & Army. He excelled with Slava and Army in March & April.
In contrast, White struggled through periods of lackluster play throughout the 2nd half. He was a -9 for the month of January (worst on team for forwards) when other players like Kovy, Pevs and Army were heating up. I’m okay with Little White Russian to start the season, but eventually I think Whitey’s minutes will need to be managed more closely to preserve him for the stretch. He is 35 and not quite in the shape that Kozlov is.
I certainly could be wrong, but one thing I feel confident in saying is NO to the Russian Natl Team top line combo you suggest. Defensive disaster especially with Nik losing F/O and puck possession 70% of the time. Peverley may not be a point per game guy, but he will get us the puck when we don’t have it, stop odd-man rushes on the back-check and get to the net with his speed. Pevs is 5th best forward IMHO.
Hockey Biltong
September 24th, 2009
2:45 pm
North Stars Dave; step away from the Zamboni exhaust pipe…….it’s hurting you.
Viking
September 24th, 2009
2:48 pm
I have not seen any preseason games, but here comes my opinions based on last season and the comments made by some of you guys;
1) I believe this season could be Thrasher’s best ever, and like JLH just implied, this is not the time to use the very tough – and important – beginning of the schedule to use as some kind of Kane development camp. I guess those of you that suggest he should have his 9 game experience must not feel the same excitement I have over the upcoming season. I doubt Kane is a better seat count improver than a good (and crucial for both the season and re-sign efforts) start of the season. If I am not mistaken, he just turned 18 and extremely few players are ready for action in the best league in the world at that age. It sucks that he can not go to the AHL, but I do not believe he is ready for
NHL and first pick hype and marketing possibilities should not take precedence over common sense.
2) Valabik in possession of the puck (among other negatives) scared the heck out of me last season and it appears that he will continue to be a weak link in the chain to season success. Same thing here, this season has potential and do not waste it on player development. Chara comparisons seems like they are just based on his size, living up to former pick expectancy and hope. Chara did not really come out of the closet until he had a sejour with my old home team Färjestad during the lock out season. And I do not even think that would make Valabik much better. If Boris has not learned how to skate at NHL level by now, together with his inferior passing abilities, please do not occupy a roster spot hoping for the best.
3) It has been reported that the coaching staff has been watching videos of good Penalty Killing. If this does not translate into good performance by our players, we are still in trouble. I still do not get why a PK specialist has not been acquired. They do not cost that much and they are in my opinion greatly under-appreciated. PK players will generally not generate good point stats, but should still be on any GM’s mind. UFA Fredrik Sjöström, one of the PK best’s in the league, a main part of Rangers’ PK success last season, went to Oilers for 750 000 per year / 2 years. To me, it is astonishing that Rangers let him leave and that a bidding war between PK deficient teams did not occur. Many games are lost because of poor Penalty Killing!!!!
4) For defense, Salmela appears to be the best one to be happy about aside from the not automatically qualified defensemen. He showed glimpses of greatness last season and seems to be a perfect fit for the “Anderson system”.
5) I liked the potential of Popovic before and he seems to have improved. I bet he will be great.
6) Goalie depth is important – as we know from past experience – whatever situation they can figure out to keep the depth (including Legace) could be the difference this season.
7) I have optimistic thoughts about Afinigenov.
World Be Free
September 24th, 2009
3:11 pm
Gretzky resigned from the Yotes-Janet won’t move to Hamilton. But then again, who would want to move to Hamilton-that dirty, scummy, slimey sewer of a city.
Daculafan
September 24th, 2009
3:15 pm
Smoothie – Good point about the defensive responsibility of that first line combo…didn’t consider that when I threw that out there, that’s a VERY valid point. So with that in mind I could see keeping the top line as it stands now intact and moving Max to the opposite side of Kozzy…that puts White/Reasoner/Peverley (take your pick almost) to anchor the center.
J.B.
September 24th, 2009
3:22 pm
Steve McCarthy is a Thrasher again. Can’t say I see the logic behind that move at all.
Toby
September 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
Daculafan…
My lines are close to yours. I’d do..
Kovy – Pevs– Antro
Kozzy – White – Little
Army – Slates– Mad Max
Boults – Marty the Party– Gratton
Toby – Bogo
Kubina – Hainsey
Pops – Oyster\Salmela
Thorburn – Valabick in the press box
I know I’ve said this before, but I really don’t understand why coach is breaking up that 2nd line after last year.
J.B.
September 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
what exactly does ‘future considerations’ mean? trying to figure out what we gave up to bring a mediocre former thrasher back into the fold.
… but a nice guy from what I’ve heard
J.B.
September 24th, 2009
3:27 pm
press release says Mac’s going straight to the wolves. i feel a little better. …just a little.
Brendan
September 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=499675. Thrashers sign Steve McCarthy, a name from the past.
Smoothie
September 24th, 2009
3:34 pm
http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/700160
Speaking of former Thrasher d-men, here’s a nice pic of XLB after a pre-season fight…guess he got popped pretty good!
Guess Stevie MacAwesome is desperate for some cash so he’s willing to do his time in Chicago…could be an interesting call-up if injuries (shudder) were ever to decimate our blueline.
The heat is glowing hotter than ever for Valabik, Oystrick, Pops & Salmela…Chicago could be a beast of a team to play against with the likes of Krog, Sterling, Stapleton, Macho-check, Esposito, Crabb?, Gratton / Boults?, Postma, McCarthy, Kulda, Lewis, Welch, MacIntyre etc.
R. Stroz
September 24th, 2009
3:47 pm
Too many d-men, I smell a trade brewing.
Smoothie
September 24th, 2009
3:48 pm
Dacula, I certainly wouldn’t mind letting Kovy, Max and Nik terrorize teams from time to time with their “mad” skillz, but only if it is used with utmost discretion (i.e. when we are home and have the luxury of matching up after an icing or last line change advantage). It’s certainly nice to know we have options and I agree that you have two nifty ingredients for a new variation of the White Russian line…call it a Double White Russian if you will. Go with your traditional White Russian if you want your vanilla, but solid tasting version. Or splash in some Peverley who has the pizzazz of a spicy but smooth amaretto to liven up your stoic white Russians!!
Viking, I think you make a very good point and I hope the coaches follow thru on their promise to ice the most talented team that gives us the best chance to win early and often. However, I still think Kane can get his “cup o’ joe” in the NHL without sacrificing depth. Sign Fritsche to a 2-way contract and try to sneak him thru waivers. Gratton can stay on as the 13th forward till JA decides it is time for the Crabb dance reunion tour…might as well re-assign Crabb sooner than later since he should still be exempt from waivers.
Smoothie
September 24th, 2009
3:50 pm
Stroz – please let it be Valabik!! He doesn’t fit this system!!
Pam on Weck
September 24th, 2009
3:51 pm
Steve McMinus? Say it ain’t so.
Rawhide
September 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
Steve McCarthy? … gasp!
Let’s see…in the debacle that was the 2007-08 season, Stevie-Mac played in 55 games for the Thrashers and scored one goal and 6 assist on 41 shots on goal. He had 48 PIM and was a …gasp… -23.
Un-good.
Many people do not remember, however, the Steve McCarthy of 2006-07, the playoff year, when in 46 games he scored 4 goals and 12 assists on 51 SOG. Mac had 24 PIM and was a…gasp… +4.
Not so un-good.
On February 24, 2007, McCarthy and the Thrashers played the Carolina Hurricanes and lost 4-1. Steve would not play another minute that season…instead being relegated to the press box… because after that game the Thrashers announced the now-infamous…gasp… Coburn for Zhitnik trade.
Very un-good.
Tom
September 24th, 2009
4:35 pm
You know how it is bad for an alcoholic to be put near a bar and told to sit still?
Well, I think the analogy applies to Don Waddell and mid level defenseman. He can not stay away from them. It has to be a disease. Is there an recovery meeting for bad GM’s?
GaVaHokie
September 24th, 2009
4:38 pm
You know how it is bad for an alcoholic to be put near a bar and told to sit still?
Great analogy… and for the amount of money you spent on 6 bottles of Pabsts, you could have bought one nice bottle of wine.
Rawhide
September 24th, 2009
4:43 pm
Per Dan Kamal’s Twitter…Legace will start tomorrow and McIntyre will play in the third. Afinogenov will see significant ice time.
jared
September 24th, 2009
4:45 pm
wow we had coburn……. DW you are an idiot. Go thrashers…. i need sleep
mid-ga-hockey fan
September 24th, 2009
4:59 pm
Am I the only one that smells somthing fishy? We are getting quite heavy in the defenseman category, we add McMinus,and delay roster cuts,look for a package of players to be moved soon,possible D-man-forward-goaltender package to free up room for Kane.I have no idea for whom but I believe the emergence of Pops,Gratton,and Max has thrown a large universal spanner (monkey wrench)into the works and given DW the tools to go shopping.Great position to be in,I hope the deal includes Boris,Slater,Thorbs and Moose.
mid-ga-hockey fan
September 24th, 2009
5:17 pm
WOW,Boris and Moose in same sentence,Where is Rocky and Natasha?(can you say mooose und squirrel)
mid-ga-hockey fan
September 24th, 2009
5:18 pm
I watch entirely too much TV.
jwizzle
September 24th, 2009
5:19 pm
I would have to politely disagree with the praise (even mildly-warm praise) given to Opie. He looked sharp in the first period for sure, but fell a little to fast at the middle of the third. Perhaps he was in “locker room mode” but he should play every shot like its the first of the night. I would also like to say that it’s not entirely his fault, the defense was shaky in the third, to put it nicely. Overall, I am excited with the team as a whole I witnessed last night. I can’t wait for Oct. 3rd!
R. Stroz
September 24th, 2009
5:23 pm
Well, I think the analogy applies to Don Waddell and mid level defenseman. He can not stay away from them. It has to be a disease. Is there an recovery meeting for bad GM’s?
Yes, a good firing.
Glovesave29
September 24th, 2009
5:29 pm
With all of the veterans in camps all over the NHL on a tryout basis, I cannot see any trades in the works for our lowest line defensemen…i think they are all Chicago bound.
Kaat
September 24th, 2009
5:35 pm
Interesting post, IceMan. I, for one, am dying to know if Afinogenov will make the team.
Re: Antropov pronunciation: A native Russian pronounces his First + Last name: Nikolai Antropov
(I am sorry if I mess up the link. http://forvo.com/tag/hockey_player/ <– find pronunciations by native speakers of Kovalchuk, Kozlov, Antropov, and many more! Very helpful site. If there is a name/word you wish to be pronounced in just about any language, you can request it.)
Kaat
September 24th, 2009
5:44 pm
Addendum to the name pronunciation debate: Hear Ilya Kovalchuk’s name pronounced by two native Russian speakers.
Vyacheslav Anatolevich Kozlov pronunciation of his name also by two native speakers.
ranallo10 (in AT)
September 24th, 2009
6:03 pm
Kaat — Interesting link, thanks. It’s a bit strange to hear a person from Finland pronounce Ilya Kovalchuk and believe it’s as accurate as possible.
Alan
September 24th, 2009
6:20 pm
I like this move.
Kaat
September 24th, 2009
6:32 pm
Well, Ranallo, the two people pronouncing Kovy’s name (in the direct link I provided above) are in Russia and identify themselves as Russians. One guy — skvodo — has been helping me with pronunciations for my Russian language classes. But there are Russians who read this blog and I am sure they can confirm (or deny) the accuracy of those two pronunciations. They can probably even tell if the person is a native speaker or not.
Scotty
September 24th, 2009
6:34 pm
Kamal says Afinogenov will be getting “significant icetime” Friday and Sunday? I’m sure the Thrashers will soon send someone out to tell us that Dan actually meant “Antopov”.
Dwayne
September 24th, 2009
6:56 pm
Smoothie….I really believe Pevs has just as much point potential as Whitey. 39 pts and a +16 (16!!!) in 35 games with several different line-mates. He gelled with Kovy early on. He was making plays on the west coast with Reasoner & Army. He excelled with Slava and Army in March & April.
…..How do you remember all that stuff???
All I know is that Pevs made everyone better, once he joined, the team started playing like, well, a team.
I do not see how JA could be pleased with Opie last night. I did not see the game, or hear the game. 3 goals in the 3rd is crap. Wondering if the Thrashers, tried to control the puck a little more with a 3 goal lead, or did they keep the pedal down, leaving Opie out to dry. Like they did Kari most of the time. Not sold on Opie, maybe will find out tomorrow night.
Dwayne
September 24th, 2009
7:07 pm
Mr. Bill, I just left Karin Beckman a voice mail. I want 2 lower level tickets. Hopefully I’ll hear from her soon.
Dwayne
September 24th, 2009
7:08 pm
To finish up on not being sold on Opie, maybe Legacy is a better option.
Smoothie
September 24th, 2009
7:50 pm
Dwayne, I’m a freak!
Rawhide
September 24th, 2009
7:56 pm
Kaat – Great links…very interesting inseed. Thanks. As for the Thrashers signing Afinogenov…I think they will. Honestly, I think JA did indeed slip up with that comment. Waddell and the Thrashers then engaged in some damage control today. Just my opinion.
Scotty – Very funny. I guess we’ll be reading some tweets in the morning clarifying that Dan meant to say Nik…not Max.
jwizzle – Respectful dissent is always welcome here. Nice first post.
Dwayne – Karin is good for calling back. Glad you can join us. It’s sure to be a blast.
five_hole
September 24th, 2009
7:56 pm
McCarthy?!?!?!?! WTF? Why would we trade to acquire a veteran defenseman (McCarthy?) unless we don’t have confidence in our top 7 d-men and felt we needed depth. Does ANYONE feel that way?
Of course, this was DW pulling the trigger.
Tony C.
September 24th, 2009
9:11 pm
Alan if that was you poo-poo’ing that Haggis guy from Boston’s column Nice work!
For anybody that needs some aggravation in their day:
http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/bruins/joe-haggerty/2009/09/24/kessel-deal-opens-door-possible-kovalchuk-pursuit
I really feel that he’s going to sign and soon, you could see him evaluating the other guys on the ice, and he seems to be pretty pleased-I paid special attention to his behavior/body language while he was on the bench-our Captain basically was on his feet whenever he was on the bench unless his line had just come off and he was catching his breath.
I feel good about our chances of retaining #17 and I also wouldn’t be surprised to see us make a move for Hiller out of Anaheim-he’s on his walk year and CLEARLY has what it takes to succeed in the NHL. We may even see #32 sent out that way-of course we’d probably have to eat a bad contract in return, but I’m not going to be to surprised to see us make a play for one of the better backups out there.
Pure conjecture on my part-hey, maybe I could get a job @ WEEI
Alan R.
September 24th, 2009
11:47 pm
It was indeed me, Tony. Thanks!
Rogie
September 24th, 2009
11:48 pm
McCarthy may do better in Anderson’s uptempo system than in Hartley’s or Waddell’s systems. He certainly isn’t a top 4 defenseman. He’s just depth…maybe a short-term insurance policy in Chicago for our power play if Hainsey or Enstrom gets nicked up. When we originally acquired him, he rejuvenated our power play by his ability to move the puck. You just can’t give him regular shifts as he’s a liability in the defensive zone.