No Matter Where Evander Plays It Won’t Be The Right Place
OK kids…preseason play is over and we now await the final decisions from the judges to see who is the last group of players to be voted off of Thrashers Island. The judges of course being John Anderson and his coaching staff…Don Waddell and Rick Dudley will certainly have a say so in this matter as well.
Now, speaking of voting players off of the island, I have to admit that I was a little surprised to see which player was the top vote getter in the Thrashers Fan Poll that I incorporated into Sunday’s blog. At the time of this posting, Evander Kane led the pack with Boris Valabik close behind.
I expected Kane to get some votes, but not be the one with the most votes off the island.
To hear Waddell tell it, Kane is going to get an eight or nine game look-see to begin the season before a decision is made to send him back down to the WHL. My take on this is… if Maxim Afinogenov is signed here… I just don’t see whose place Evander would take in the lineup.
Kozlov? White? Peverley? Armstrong?
I don’t think so.
However, I can see this happening if Colby Armstrong…who has not seen action since leaving early on in last Monday’s game against Carolina…is not healthy enough to play come Saturday. Kane could easily handle his slot in the lineup pending Army’s return.
Outside of that…I think it’s best to sending him on his way to Vancouver unless the team decides to tell Max, “Thanks for your time and consideration to our organization, but we’ve decided to go a different route”.
Either way it goes regarding Evander Kane, he will not wind up where I think he truly belongs right now. I don’t think he’s ready for full time duty in the NHL…and I think he’s proven all he can in the WHL. If he were able to go to the AHL Chicago Wolves, I think that’d be the best for him and the team. But of course, the rules of that league prohibit him from fine-tuning his talents there given his age of just 18-years old.
So, this is one of the tough choices the team faces in the next couple of days.
Speaking of choices…as stated above, we should soon find out if Maxim Afinogenov has passed his audition with the team. Did he have a stellar game yesterday? Ahhhh….no. But really, outside of Rich Peverley and Anssi Salmela, no one did. Salmela’s good showing helped his cause to try and stick around here for a while longer.
Another decision facing the Thrashers has to do with the goalkeeping situation. For weeks now Don Waddell has indicated that he feels Ondrej Pavelec should be the one to start against the Bolts this weekend and probably handle the bulk of the duties until Kari Lehtonen is ready to go.
And for a while there it looked like Opie was becoming that solidifying force the team needs between the pipes. In his first couple of games, he got off to a good showing. In the second exhibition game of the season, he held Tampa Bay to a pair of goals on 34 shots on goals during an overtime loss. In his second game… last Wednesday versus the Preds… he held Nashville to one goal on 24 SOG during the first two periods. That’s 3 goals on 58 shots in five periods plus almost a full overtime period. This is very good.
However, since that time he has surrendered 8 goals on 39 shots in his last four periods of action. That equates to a .795 SV% in the most recent 80 minutes of work. This is very un-good…and unfortunately it is also an all-too familiar pattern with Pavs. Start off strong for a couple of games, then fall of the edge.
Opie gives up one of the five goals to the Bolts Sunday. Tampa Bay returns Saturday and this time...it'll count. (AP photo/ John Amis)
Granted, three of those five goals Sunday came while Tampa Bay was on the power play…one of them resulting from Opie’s handling of the puck outside of the trapezoid…but this still doesn’t instill a lot of confidence that he’s ready to have the keys to the goal store handed over to him just yet. Not to me, at least.
To that point, Don Waddell did say prior to the game that he planned on being in touch with Manny Legace’s agent soon.
Hey Don, here’s a quarter. Call someone who…well, someone who represents Manny.
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105 comments Add your comment
J.B.
September 28th, 2009
2:41 pm
I wasn’t there yesterday… is there some concensus on WHY nearly everyone on the team collectively sucked out loud?
GaVaHokie
September 28th, 2009
2:51 pm
I wasn’t there either, but perhaps everyone thought that Anderson’s system had an “auto-pilot” function.
I wish I had more input, but this is the first time in a LONG time I haven’t actually seen the team pre-season or in camp.
I gotta think we could get by without Afinogenov, personally, but Legace?… I think you have to sign him.
If anything, you need someone to yell at Boris when he’s out of position… this team needs more “chatter” on the ice.
Smoothie
September 28th, 2009
2:52 pm
Ryan Craig of the TBL was just put on waivers to go down to AHL? Do we poach him to be our PK “specialist”? He’s a better goal scorer than Thorburn, Fritsche and Gratton. Hmmmmm…
J.B.
September 28th, 2009
2:54 pm
Per Kevin Allen of USA Today (@kausatoday)on Twitter, Fritsche has been cut.
Matt
September 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
Man, “inhaling vigorously” is NOT want you want to see in the last pre-seaon game.
Opie, needs vastly improved concentration and rebound control.
Boris, big, tough dude, but ya gotta wonder about what is going on in his head sometimes.
Hope that this is NOT a sign of things to come to open the season.
DROP THE PUCK ALREADY!!
Toby
September 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
…and we’re going to keep Popovic
J.B.
September 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
…he also notes that the thrashers are trying to get a deal done with Popovic
Matt
September 28th, 2009
2:59 pm
Isn’t it time to start an Ilya Nikulin thread??
(Shouts of “Oh, Dear God… NO!!!!!!!!!! echo throughout Blueland)
Hockey Biltong
September 28th, 2009
3:05 pm
Hockey Time, that’s what time it is!!! The next game is for real and I can hardly wait. How about y’all????
Sara
September 28th, 2009
3:09 pm
Matt – I’m uber-upset at not having Nikulin this year ’cause we’re one red d-man shy of our own Russian 5. Wonder if we can change Zach’s name to Bogosianov?
J.B.
September 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
Biltong – ABSOLUTELY LOSING MY MIND EXCITED FOR SATURDAY NIGHT!!!!
…not to mention the party that will begin in and around CNN Center that afteroon
GaVaHokie
September 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
Speaking of 1st Round draft busts… Robbie Schrempf is on waivers in Edmonton.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Robbie-Schremp-on-Waivers–Who-is-Interested/1/23263
Russian
September 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
**to JB**
Interesting, that Fritchi has been cut. I think Army is not ready to play and Kane will take his spot.
They are trying to get Popovic. It will be good addition.
AB
September 28th, 2009
3:16 pm
Regarding our goaltending situation, I still cannot understand why a) Manny hasn’t gotten more playing time (40 minutes) & b) why Waddell hsan’t signed him to at least a one year contract. Statistically, he’s the best we’ve got going into the season. I personally believe a Legace/Hedberg lineup though a bit old is better than a Pavelc/Hedberg lineup until Kari “Let them all in” returns. I firmly believe that until the Thrashers find a solid goaltender, they will not be a consistent playoff team.
Smoothie
September 28th, 2009
3:17 pm
Let’s hope the Popovic contract gets done quickly and Big Boris is on the next flight to Chicago. Doubtful.
I reckon Oystrick will get sent down since he has the 2-way deal and has immunity from waivers I believe (under 160 gms played). I would say Salmela but he has a one-way deal and there’s no way the cheap ASG is paying him $612 K to play Top 2 mins for CHI.
Now that Fritsche is gone, I reckon Thorburn is safe, but Gratton may still be in consideration. I think Gratton will get offered a 2-way deal to be insurance for our 4th line. As for Kane vs. Afinogenov, I have no idea at this point. If we are truly serious about improving our special teams, namely the PK, then Kane makes a better option at this time or snatching a guy like Craig from TB off of waivers.
Much like WBF, I’m very much on the fence with Max. We can’t afford his defensive lapses or floating when we need more defensively responsible guys to help limit shots on our questionable goalies. Speaking of which, my gut tells me Pavs is going back to CHI and we will sign Legace to start with Moose backing him up till Kari comes off IR.
J.B.
September 28th, 2009
3:20 pm
AB – If I’m not mistaken, DW said recently that he would be in touch with Manny’s agent shortly.
Daculafan
September 28th, 2009
3:23 pm
Consensus on why we stunk it up yesterday…I’d have to say that we were just flat…we didn’t play well really on either end of the ice…we took several stupid penalties..and were not very disciplined. I’m hoping it was just one of those down nights that all teams experience from time to time.
Boris very un-good. Pavs well…goals 1 and 2..I don’t really blame him for..can’t remember on 3…but 4 was all his fault..he should have stopped it and honestly by 5 I didn’t care.
We’re still not spending any appreciable amount of time in the offensive zone..we’re very much still a “catch them on the rush” type team…we don’t cycle down low enough.
I think Pops earned a spot…give the nod to Max..need Manny…send Kane to Vancouver
AB
September 28th, 2009
3:33 pm
J.B., I know. But I also know Waddell’s reluctance to give the team a chance and will tell his agent, “Thanks for your time, however we just fill Manny isn’t part of the direction we are taknig the club.” Waddell wants Pavelec in goal on Saturday night. Simple as that. As far as yesterday, I hope that was just the eagerness of training camp being over and not how we’ll really play. I forked out a good bit of money for season tickets for a second time, so hopefully like the last time I bought tix, they’ll make the playoffs.
Darkhorse
September 28th, 2009
3:46 pm
Tough for Fritsche. He was given more time than anyone else in camp just about to prove he belonged though. Anderson knows the PK is as bad as a Yugo in a classic car auction, but Fritsche couldn’t show him enough to warrant a contract. Their may be some interesting names on waivers the next few days that may fill the PK role better. Smoothie mentioned Craig as an idea.
Did Gratton play any on the PK this preseason? Is he an option there, or too slow/penalty prone for the PK?
Christy
September 28th, 2009
3:50 pm
J.B. – to expand on Daculafan’s comment…
it’s not just the “several stupid penalties” it’s that there were, if I remember correctly 8 of them, including Boris’ 10 minute misconduct at the start of the 2nd, and Antropov’s 5 minutes for boarding at the end of the 1st. That’s 27 minutes either a man short or with a player out of rotation. I would submit that that scenario is not conducive to a good game.
J.B.
September 28th, 2009
3:55 pm
Christy & others – Thanks for the input. I think it’s easier to deal with a loss like that if there’s a reason behind it. I wasn’t there and didn’t get a chance to listen to the radio either, so it was difficult to get a hold of what was going on soley based on blog updates and tweets. The more I think about it, I’m of the opinion this was likely an isolated incident of a bad luck game. We’ve got too many good players for that to happen consistently…
World Be Free
September 28th, 2009
4:06 pm
I like Frische too. He wasn’t in the lineup last night. Thorburn was
about the only guy who gave 100% last night, but he always does.
Smoothie-thanks for jumping on my Max anti-bandwagon. Now there’s 2 of us.
jared
September 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
im willing to give Kane time to try out on the NHL level. If he does better than average
might as well let him stay, move reasoner down, toss thorburn and slater, add gratton.
I like that Maxim wants to stay but frankly i believe he will be the same player he was the last few years
Sara
September 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
Per Ben’s Twitter – Legace has also been released.
ahem – BIG mistake.
jared
September 28th, 2009
4:10 pm
World be Free and Smoothie- make it a triumvirate
Maxim is a name for the organisation i dont think he will perform
Pam on Weck
September 28th, 2009
4:16 pm
WBF – I have apathygenov regarding Max. I’m not convinced he’s the player we need, but also not quite un-convinced. I really enjoy saying his name tho.
Sitting in 219 for opener. Where’s everyone else?
AB
September 28th, 2009
4:17 pm
Yup, figured ol Waddell would cut Legace. Is Kane to young for the Glads? The Thrashers co do a Tommy Hanson esque play with Kane.
Toby
September 28th, 2009
4:18 pm
I wonder if dealings with Manny was a $$ problem…
Rawhide
September 28th, 2009
4:22 pm
Yup…Legace cut. I can only expect it came down to money.
%$#&#@!
Now, fo those of you advocate using Kane up here for 9 games…tell me which player loses ice time to him for those nine games, (assuming a healthy Armstrong, a signed Max).
Ilya Kovalchuk? Bryan Little? Nik Antropov? Maxim Afinogenov? Slava Kozlov? Todd White? Marty Reasoner? Rich Peverley or Colby Armstrong?
Or…do you put him on the fourth line?
Or…do you sit him in the press box?
jared
September 28th, 2009
4:25 pm
Rawhide: Maxim sits…i would delay contract negotiations with him while kane plays
R. Stroz
September 28th, 2009
4:30 pm
With the ASG, it always comes down to dollars and no sense.
Send Kane down, he’s not ready, why handicap the team for nine games?
Christy
September 28th, 2009
4:31 pm
RE the Gladiators – can someone explain to me how a team can be an affilate for two different NHL teams? i.e. wouldn’t one team find it to be an issue if they wanted a certain scheme or player prioritized?
AB
September 28th, 2009
4:34 pm
Toby, Rawhide- For some reason, I just don’t think it was a $$$ with Legace. After he got hurt/cut with the Blues and spent a good chunk of last season in Peoria, I can’t see him wanting a ton of money knowing he was just invited on a pro try-out. I’m sure it may have had something to do with it, but with what he had said in other interviews, he was just happy to be back on a NHL team. (Yes, I know he was just saying that but still). He probably wanted the starting spot (and rightfully so, IMO) and Waddell said no. I mean Pavalec is his man. I don’t get the mgmt of this team sometimes. We’ve been around for 10 years now and we’ve yet to have a consistent, healthy goaltender. And I’m not ripping on Kari. Truth is, if he were on any other club he’d be a back-up and not a starter. After seeing Hedberg in person last Monday and reading about Pavelec’s struggles, I’m very nervous about our chances on a strong start this year.
Sara
September 28th, 2009
4:35 pm
In defense of the organization and without knowing the whole story … Manny may not have wanted to be here based on his position on the depth chart. He came in here to battle for a regular roster spot. Let’s face it – Pavs is likely to get the go-ahead here and Legace wasn’t going to supplant Moose as back-up. Nevermind if Kari comes back … and really one cannot fault Waddell for not making promises he could not keep. Legace cannot be guaranteed a spot with the Thrashers for an entire season.
That said, at this point I’d take him over Pavs but that’s not my decision to make either …
Wings fan in Ga.
September 28th, 2009
4:39 pm
Happy Hockey Season everyone. …
Something off topic here (sorry) – I read somewhere, although don’t remember, that the NHL Network won’t show all of the Hockey Night in Canada games. Have any of y’all heard or read anything about that?
GaVaHokie
September 28th, 2009
4:41 pm
I like everyone else, would have liked to see Legace, but I’m guessing he probably wasn’t willing to sign a two-way deal… seriously, what do you do with the guy when Lehtonen comes back?
And forget about any ideas of “trading Letemin” or “making Moose a goalie coach”… none of that B.S. is happening. The truth is, we got too many goalies as it is with Manino, MacIntyre and Pavelec on top of Moose and Lehts.
Rawhide
September 28th, 2009
4:46 pm
Colin Stuart was just placed on waivers by Cal-GARY.
GaVaHokie
September 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Oh man… we should definitely grab Stuart again… how nice would that be?
World Be Free
September 28th, 2009
4:49 pm
Guess Manny wasn’t an upgrade over the current tandem of Moose and Pavs. I thought they would keep him until Kari came back.
R. Stroz
September 28th, 2009
4:49 pm
Grab Colin Stuart…that’s a no brainer.
Sara
September 28th, 2009
4:58 pm
I 3rd that snagging Stuart back motion.
Russ
September 28th, 2009
5:00 pm
I haven’t seen Brendan around much lately, but hopefully he will get my predictions for the coming season.
82 Pts., 4th in the Southeast, 12th in the East. If Ilya signs an extension before opening night (highly unlikely IMO), please bump my predictions to 85/3rd/10th.
Toby
September 28th, 2009
5:00 pm
As bad as our PK is…get ‘em.
Our goalie situation right now is scary…
georgia girl
September 28th, 2009
5:06 pm
grab Stuart!!!!!! Too bad about Dan Fritsche he seemed to do well during the games that he played in.
Fan from Carolina
September 28th, 2009
5:10 pm
I understand the point of where to play Kane but I can’t help but think of Stamkos last year in Tampa. He just was HORRIBLE at the start and Melrose didn’t help his progress either. At the halfway mark with Tocchet in charge he turned into a legit NHL-er, a real good one! What if he was sent down early in the season as all the gurus and Canadian media insisted?? He would have lost out on all that development. Stamkos is now ready to play his 2nd season of NHL hockey and be quite productive. Kane isn’t quite Stamkos but he is the Atlanta future. Don’t limit his potential development. Most everyone struggles as a rookie but they learn so much! Let him play and see how he develops. Also some one posted earlier about picking up Ryan Craig. Too many injuries and really slooowwww. If Tampa dumped him, the Thrashers don’t need him.
StateBird
September 28th, 2009
5:21 pm
Glad to see Manny go … I don’t know if Opie can get us to the promised land (and I tend to doubt it), but I do know that Manny can NOT. I’ll always take a chance on youth over a no-chance on a aged veteran. That has been one of my major complaints with DW since the inception of the franchise. (Some of that blame can certainly be shared with Hartley.) I used to hear this complaint echoed here but seems like everybody wanted to settle on the average goalie that they knew over the young, but risky, alternative.
p.s. agree that signing Stuart is a no-brainer.
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
5:30 pm
Russ, I’m here. And you are locked in at 82-points, tied to a 4th place finish in the SE Division, and 12th overall in the Eastern Conference. Good luck. Your pick and mine are fairly close. Everyone has until “puck drop” on Opening Night to register a vote. Most people have already voted, if they were going to vote. If you want to change your vote, that is also permitted, until “puck drop” on Opening Night, on October 3, 2009. After that, we cut it off. The contest opened back on August 28, 2009. More than ample time, I’d say, to enter a vote.
I fourth, fifth and sixth that Colin Stuart acquisition. If we get Colin back, it’d be like sending XLB to Toronto for Kubina and Stapleton, plus we got to keep Colin Stuart. I really like Colin Stuart. I was sad to see him traded. But, it wasn’t as if we couldn’t replace a bottom six forward.
Eileen
September 28th, 2009
5:30 pm
Wow, Pavs is the guy? I am definitely feeling very apprehensive about that decision. Not that I wouldn’t be feeling the same way about Kari, but at least he shows some consistency when he is not injured.
Get The Puck Out
September 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
It’s gonna be just like that year when we had a revolving door for goalies. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.
ranallo10 (in AT)
September 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
Before the trade I figured Stuart would be the opening night 3rd line LW. I hope Atlanta has the opportunity to re-claim Stuart so he can get back to clicking with Chicago and eventually Atlanta. If Popovic and McCarthy are back, why not Stuart?
I’m surprised about Fritsche, I thought his PK abilities and combination of experience/youth would win him the job. Apparently I was wrong.
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
5:42 pm
Rawhide, loved this blog topic. It’s true. It’ll be difficult for Kane to be in the right place this season. Which seemingly, as Glovesave29 advocates, would be in the AHL. I still say it wouldn’t kill Kane to have a ‘party year’ in the WHL, cleaning up and setting scoring records. But if he’s pushed prematurely into the NHL, he could get hurt. Moreover, he’d probably play 3rd line minutes–and that’s not properly developing the 4th overall pick of the draft for his future role and function, as a Top Six forward. If Kane makes the roster and stays this year, that starts the clock ticking towards UFA eligibility well before the age of 27. It also means that when Kane turns 21, he’ll be standing there, foot-tapping, Marisa Tomei-style, for his RFA contract. Whereas, if Kane plays in the WHL this season, with or without the 9 game audition, Atlanta gets to keep him on that capped rookie-year contract for ages 19, 20, and 21. Now, ask yourself this question. What would be better? Kane at 18 (now) or Kane at 21, for the same price? (Copyright, The Falconer, 2009, all rights reserved)
If Kane plays NOW, all year, we only get him for ages 18, 19, and 20 on that rookie-year contract. While I’m certainly more in favor of running a team based on hockey decisions, rather than financial ones, it does make a lot of sense to save Kane for next season. Many times in the past, Atlanta has rushed a recent draftee into the lineup … with the result being that the player gets injured. That was true, even of Ilya Kovalchuk. I just don’t think it’s worth it to rush a player’s development.
Dwayne
September 28th, 2009
5:42 pm
broken record, bye bye Doris, send Opie to Chi, sign Gratton, not sure about Max. This is so redundant, what do Wadudley see that we don’t see? Were they hoping someone on the bubble would have a GREAT game to use for trade bait? Or just someone to have a great game to help make up their minds on who should stay?? I want some answers darn it!!
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
5:43 pm
Ranallo10 (in AT), you were not wrong. You just less correct than usual.
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
5:43 pm
I sometimes omit VERBS in sentences, Ranallo.
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
5:46 pm
Isn’t Ric Dudley in charge of player development? Isn’t this where Dudley should put his foot down about Kane, Pavelec, or the possible re-acquisition of Colin Stuart? He is also an ASSOCIATE GM. Shouldn’t he we bending Waddell’s ear, here?
Okay, I heard that!! (Who’s to say he ISN’T, Brendan?) Well put.
Dwayne
September 28th, 2009
5:48 pm
On Kane, send him back, he can’t help the Thrashers win NOW, can Max, I do not know. He has got to be better than Kane, right? If the injury bug bites, (knock on Doris’ wooden nuggets) start using that depth, that everyone seems to think we have.
Just for the record::::I miss Stendec.
Dwayne
September 28th, 2009
5:54 pm
Manny is gone? Kari must be going to see the same guy that Andy Kaufman went to see to rid him of the cancer.
Baldheaded Thrasher
September 28th, 2009
6:04 pm
Brendan, Best guess is 84Pts, 11th Conf, and 4th in Division.
Hope we sign Max..I think once he understands JA’s system he’ll be just fine!
Dwayne
September 28th, 2009
6:08 pm
mmmm, no goalie, 12 pts, 42nd Conf, 9th in div. I’m not an optimist anymore.
Thrashers27
September 28th, 2009
6:10 pm
So, if Stuart comes back and fills the hole @ third line LW, who gets bumped? Do we say no to Max and move Pever to the RW on the second line? For the record, I would love to see him back again. I loved his hustle and great work on the PK. I’m just not sure there’s room for him now.
Dwayne
September 28th, 2009
6:31 pm
I like that Thrasher27, wasn’t Stuart good on the PK, didn’t he and Pevs play pretty well on the PK together?
Sara
September 28th, 2009
6:37 pm
Thrashers27 – I’d put Stuart on the 4th line with Slater – who also doubled as his PK buddy. More speed for that line = good thing.
Thrashers27
September 28th, 2009
6:40 pm
I like that idea Sara…probably bumps Thorburn and Gratton, but I’m okay with that.
HookyBob
September 28th, 2009
6:47 pm
WBF: Look around, I think there are more folks on the “no Max” bandwagon than you think. In the last blog I noted he couldn’t finish any better than Jimmy. While its a treat to watch him skate,…I’m hardly in his corner.
Stuart has great wheels, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is faster than Max. Colin is also good (perhaps excellent) on the PK. Considering Max’s injury history, and Stuart’s youth,…I say “Claim Stuart and cut Max loose.”
Pavs in goal still gives me angst. However, I thought several of yesterday’s goals were more on the D than him. For two all he could see was Malone’s behind. Stamkos can really shoot,….he hit the pipe on his first goal. His second (on a power play) was a great feed from Malone near the goal line. (Methinks the Vinnie, Malone, Stamkos line is going to put up a bunch of points this season.)
What have Pavs and Moose done in the preseason that Kari hasn’t been able to do in several seasons? The answer,….make Kari Letonen look really good (no offense Mr Stendec). I’m rooting for a quick return and, after that, a healthy season. Lets hope our defense can keep quality chances lower, and the front of the net clearer, this season. Come on Pavel, you are a big part of making this happen.
Still thinking about the puck in our zone,…seems like last year our clearing passes were often intercepted just inside our blue line,…keeping us on defense longer and making fatigue a bigger factor. I read somewhere awhile back that part of Anderson’s system was 3 or 4 plays starting with quickly executed up ice passes. Now I’m wondering if that system might have a weakness in those interceptions.
Who ever noted the Thrash can never do much with cycling the puck,..I am so in agreement. I think Slater, Boulton & Thorburn are our best line at this. They definitely were yesterday.
Kane,….. I’d like to see him make the team. Problem comes with who gets bumped down. I’ll take that problem anyday though.
Brenden thanks for your comment about not getting too worried until at least Halloween. I have been diagnosed with “emotion control disorder” after yesterday’s game. Seeing Kovy break his stick on the boards yesterday (after a good chance came to nothing) makes me think he may have the same disorder. It was ungood to see him reverting to the “do it all by myself” style.
Stroz, thanks for the invite in an earlier blog. Once we get my meds figured out I’ll come see you and Rawhide. I do believe I owe you a beverage of your choice from back when we drafted Bogosian.
Cornbread
September 28th, 2009
6:57 pm
What does that say about the talent level at Calgary and Atlanta that they have no room for Colin Stuart and yet ATL does or fans think so?
Hockey Biltong
September 28th, 2009
7:01 pm
There may be a trade in the works. Hold on to your hats…..
B. Thenet
September 28th, 2009
7:02 pm
What does it say about Dudley and Waddell that this entire offseason they did not bring in a single player to address our PK issues, but instead traded away one of our more productive PKers….who Waddell foolishly left off the roster to start last season to begin with.
Not happy with losing someone that gave us one of our better G performance this preseason.
World Be Free
September 28th, 2009
7:03 pm
HookyBob-I think the anti-Max group will need a bigger wagon. Not that our vote matters.
Sara-thank you for your perspective on what probably went down with Manny. There is a loggjam in goal with no clear no. 1. The wildcard here is Pavs, whether he can grab the job and hold it. He and his agent have been looking for NHL time, now they have it. Time for the man to step up, take the job and hold it. That’s what is expected of a no. 1 NHL goalie.
I still think Kane needs to go back to juniors for one more year. He’s just not big enough. I was watching him last night, he was getting pushed all over the place. It’s not fair to expect him to be an NHL-er before his time.
Happy trails to Theo Fleury. Don’t you wish every player had his heart, drive and desire. Boris should watch some of his tapes.
jared
September 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
Kane is rosebud
Get The Puck Out
September 28th, 2009
7:15 pm
His back my heal but i betcha he has a groin problem simply because he will try to get back as soon as he can and not be properly conditioned. It’s a big problem with him. Goalie problems againnnnnnn……………
12345
September 28th, 2009
7:37 pm
Going to another long season people, nothing was done to improve the team… Well let’s say not nearly enough, 98% out of 100%, Bad offseason yet again. When will we get the GM we deserve instead of this absolute bafoon who knows nothing about professional hockey. Anyone on this blog would do a 1000% better job than this clown we are stuck with.
BTW “Don” what year plan is it this season ?… One thing for sure
another toilet season like the past two, which proves Don Waddell
is the worst GM in professional hockey.
Lucky to get 60 points this season…
B. Thenet
September 28th, 2009
7:41 pm
Good Lord 12345, this team did not get 16 points worse this offseason.
If anything not getting Legace means that Pavelec and Hedberg will have to be brilliant to keep us in the playoff hunt. I don’t like the move, and feel the same way about DW, but come on. We are going to outscore the opposition plenty of nights.
Rawhide
September 28th, 2009
8:10 pm
For those of you in need of a good hockey fix…right now on The NHL Network, (Comcast channel 296), the Chicago Blackhawks are playing HC Davos in the Victoria Cup in Zurich. It’s not live…played earlier.
The best part about this, though…it seems as though there are no announcers. Just the normal crowd noise.
Sara
September 28th, 2009
8:23 pm
Biltong – Boris straight-up for a number 1 goalie??
rightshot
September 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
Does Pavs have a two way contract? If so, do you start him and put in Moose every two or three games in an attempt to counter act Pavs lack of consistent play. IE win two lose three.
Bob
September 28th, 2009
9:01 pm
If this club goes into the season with Pavelec and Moose as the goalies, and Kari stays out for an extended time (sounds like at least 1 1/2 months for him), then it’s the same old dance of digging such a deep hole by Thanksgiving that they won’t be able to climb out of it.
What goalies are out there? I’m ok with letting Legace go if he wasn’t the answer, but they can’t drop the puck with Pavelec and Moose as the go to guys. Moose is over the hill and Pavelec is too green.
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
9:01 pm
I agree with Sara’s suggestion to put C. Stuart on the 4th line, if we do sign Max Afinogenov. I had been of the same mindset as Ranallo, that Colin Stuart would be on the 3rd line for Opening Night. If Max isn’t signed, I think that’s not a bad place for Colin Stuart, assuming, of course, that Waddell does claim him. Maybe he’s waiting for “re-entry” waivers to get him at half price. Or is that not an option, since the season hasn’t started yet?
My stance on Max has always been this. I’m in favor of it, provisionally. The provisions are: (1) Kovy agrees and wants it/asks for it, and (2) that the cost of the contract not be “cost prohibitive” for adding players at the trade deadline. Now, if you asked me, “What if Kovy wishes weren’t part of that equasion?” I’d say … invite Max to camp, and if you like what you see, sign him. If not, don’t sign him. What I can say about Colin Stuart that I cannot say about Max is … Colin Stuart understands John Anderson’s systems. Plural. He’s been there, done that, seen it, got the T-shirt, owns the subscription, and the monthly calendar … for John Anderson’s systems. It seems like a “no-brainer” to reacquire him. Even if it’s just to stick him up in the presser. Just knowing that he’s there, ready and able to be called up at a moment’s notice, is a nice comfort.
Curly
September 28th, 2009
9:02 pm
I agree with HookyBob – cut Max loose. He did not impress me last night. No room for him anyway. Max would need to play on the top two lines, which would most likely mean moving Peverly down to the third line. Peverly on the second line is better than Max on the second line; and better value.
WTF – After the whooping we took last night we cut two players that were not even in the game… go figure. I thought Fritsche was our best PK’er. Oh well looks like more of the same this year.
As for OP – not good. Could not freeze the puck and could not control his rebounds. I think Moose should get the Start on Opening Night.
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
9:04 pm
12345, are you wanting to enter a guess of 60-points, 5th in SE Division, and 15th in Conference?
Baldheaded Thrasher
September 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Brendan, In case you missed my earlier.
Best guess is 84Pts, 11th Conf, and 4th in Division.
ex-STH
September 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
Brendan, I would like to enter my guess at 70 pts, 5th in the SE and 15th in the east. This team will tank after Kovy is gone at the trade deadline. The only way Kovy stays is if there is a trade in the works, now, moving a goalie (Pavs, Lehts, Mac or Moose) and Doris V and possibly White for a number 1 goalie. And, we all know thats not going to happen!
World Be Free
September 28th, 2009
9:30 pm
The more I think, the more I am disappointed in dropping Frische. I have been pushing for him since he was invited, because I knew he could play both ways. I guess this bothers me because of what I saw last night. We get rid of a good penalty killer, Max is still in the picture. Max should be gone and Frische still around. I hope we get an explanation for these decisions.
I am normally pretty positive, but the events of the last 24 hours are not favorable. I would like Colin Stuart back, but I doubt it will happen.
Smitty
September 28th, 2009
9:58 pm
Cory Schneider in Vancouver might be the goalie Sara mentioned
StateBird
September 28th, 2009
10:27 pm
Did anybody watch that PK disaster Sunday?
Did anybody watch the PK with Stuart last year?
Its a no brainer:
Sign Stuart
Cut Max
Send Kane to Vancouver
Thrashers27
September 28th, 2009
11:11 pm
Wow! One bad, pre-season game and all of the sudden the sky is falling?!?!? Relax, folks. Sure, that’s not the kind of outcome you want in any game, but it was a pre-season game. From what I read all of the lines were discombobulated, plus we were missing two key pieces in Army and Hainsey. Not long ago there was a resounding positive uproar on this blog and suddenly it’s all negative. Yikes!
At least wait until a month into the season to go into gripe and panic mode.I believe it was Axle Rose who said “All you need is patience…ooooh.”
LAC
September 28th, 2009
11:13 pm
Has Kane scored a goal in the preseason ?
Defense again looks like the biggest liability we have had from day one.
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
Ex-STH, you’re entered at 70-points, 5th in SE Division, and 15th in the Conference. Baldheaded Thrasher, you’re entered at 84-points, 4th in SE Division, and 15th in the Conference. Russ, you’re entered at 82-points, 4th in SE Division, and 12th in Conference.
I’m still missing a few regular’s picks, but they may be waiting to see what teams over or at the cap might jettison our way, in a last second move. Votes are not due until “puck drop” on Opening Night.
I’m missing votes from Glovesave29, who entered one of the correct guesses last year, at 76-points, and Bob, and NascarDave, and Sage of Bluesland, Adam, Christy, BG33Brown, B.Thenet, Darkhorse, Toby, Thrashdawg7223, FrostyTheSnowman, 12345, and Sadtoseeitthisway. And Sharon and Eileen, too. I also don’t have a pick from Nikita or Sara. Or GaVaHokie. Come to think of it, I don’t have one from Michael B. Shapiro or Redlight. Buzilla, I don’t see one from you, either. FIF, I don’t see one from lilibeter. Jackie Blue, are you out there? Smitty, I have no guess from you, either.
Curly, Get The Puck Out, Pucksdeep, Puck Junque (PJ), Matt, Other J.B., PensFan, Reverend Whittaker, A2B (or AB), Wingsfan in GA, Jared … I have no votes from you guys.
Sharon
September 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
Cutting Legace is just ridiculous.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Brendan
September 28th, 2009
11:42 pm
Thrashers27, that’s exactly right. It’s an 82-game season. If this team is 5-6 games under .500, “NHL-Style,” at Halloween, then there might be cause for concern. But even thennnn, it’s not OVER. It’s not.
Remember 2004? Tampa Bay wasn’t anywhere near the #1 seed in the Conference, yet that’s where they finished, and won the Cup. Just last season, the Penguins fired Michel Therrien, when they were 13th in the Conference, sometime around New Year’s Day. The Penguins finished 4th, defeated the #5 Flyers in six games, then beat the #2 seeded Capitals in seven games, then swept #6 Carolina, en route to winning the Cup over the mighty Detroit Red Wings, in seven games. Pittsburgh was 13th in the Conference when they made the Coaching change to Dan Bylsma. In 2007, the Ottawa Senators struggled around Christmas, and might have been under .500. They went to the Stanley Cup finals that year, losing to Anaheim in five games.
Okay, stop. I’m not comparing the Thrashers to the Penguins, Lightning, or any other previous Stanley Cup winners. I’m merely pointing out what is still possible, even at a late juncture in the season. We could look at the St. Louis Blues, who were one of the hottest 2nd half teams, in a season where it looked like they were headed to the lottery draft. In a miraculous run, they finished sixth!! Which might have been the highest they were ranked all year. Carolina was something like 10th or 11th in the Conference around Christmas time, and they finished in the Conference Finals! And down the stretch, they won 9-straight games to re-enter the playoff field. In the 2006 season, the New Jersey Devils were 17-points out of 1st place on New Year’s Day, but they wound up winning their division. That’s incredible.
So? We’re not those great teams I just mentioned. Maybe not, but there’s never a reason to trash a whole season in October. Not even if you’re the Atlanta Thrashers. Look at last season, for Atlanta? I forgot the record now. But the last 20 games or so … looked fairly decent. I think Atlanta won something like 12 of those games, when there was nothing to play for. For me, like I’ve said, this year will be a successful one if Bryan Little continues to shine. Maybe he’ll score 35 or more goals? Maybe Pavelec will have a Michael Garnett-like turn-around? Maybe Kari Lehtonen will win 25-30 games? We just don’t know. Maybe Zach Bogosian will make Team USA and be competing at the Olympics. Maybe Toby Enstrom will be an Olympian, too? These are positive things to look for. This is Year Three of a 4-year building project, barring something unforeseen. I think the Thrashers are still $8 million under the cap. Even if Waddell were a genius, it’s tough to put together a playoff team, that far beneath the salary cap, on Opening Night. People talk about more than 50-percent of the league making the playoffs. But it’s a short distance even between the #1 and #8 seed. Sometimes, it’s only 10-11 points. And it’s not far fetched to say that 3-4 teams will miss the playoffs by 4 or fewer points. We might be one of them. Finances might be the reason. But I honestly think … that even these owners would spring for more money at the trade deadline … if it really looked like the Thrashers could make the playoffs, in a year where their Captain is un-signed.
Sara
September 28th, 2009
11:54 pm
Smitty – I’m not referencing anything in particular …
Brendan – I don’t “do” predictions … insta-bad karma every time – same reason why I never ever draft Kovy on my fantasy teams .. there’s always at least one player I jinx into a major injury (guess who had Bogosian last year)
Thrashers27 – the lines at the last game were the closest to the predicted “actuals” we’ve had of all the games. And not having Army and Hainsey should not be the difference between a win and a 5-1 smackin’. No way the team should have looked as overall bad as they did in that game. Even then, it wouldn’t be that big a crisis except that a strong start this season is CRUCIAL and that game isn’t exactly giving anyone the warm fuzzies.
NYC
September 29th, 2009
12:19 am
Keep Kane, sign Max, trade Whitey. His stock will never be higher.
Tony C.
September 29th, 2009
2:00 am
Cutting Legace makes long-term sense. Carrying 3 goalies to start the season b/c the #1 is recovering from surgery is a prudent thing to do in the short-term. I think Legace is at the point where if he’s going to put himself through what it takes to be a pro goalie, he wants to do it in the National league, not in the minors.
I agree on acquiring Stuart, but Afinegenov is a kind of tantalizing player… Coach seems to be hoping he could be a sort of “super sub”…much like a utility infielder in baseball-a guy who can produce when placed in multiple types of roles as the season progresses and needs (injuries/suspensions/etc) arise. I don’t know if he can do that, but I think it’s a distinct possibility-unfortunately Afinegenov doesn’t exactly have a lot of familiarity with his teammates…
I too was disappointed with #17’s return to “me against the world” form the other night Hooky, I also have to say to me that the #17/80/10 line just doesn’t seem to be as successful as we’d hope. I believe (and I know others’ll agree) that
#17/47/80
#13/12/10
Make for a better top-6 if we assume that Afinegenov/Kane (bet on the latter) is your guy on the “open” 3rd-line winger spot.
Also agree that the “Gods” line was the most effective line on SUnday-It just seemed that guys weren’t familiar with each other and then decided individual effort, not team play would win the day (not just Kovalchuk-I saw Little as well as Bogosian succumb to this among others).
Valabik is my 7th defenseman, and I do think that if he’s open to it, having Kubina mentor him is a great idea.
I’m going to try and goto some practices this week, and will give what reports I can.
Also, I agree that STamkos’ PP goals aren’t really “bad” goals allowed by Pavelec, but the Konopka goal (and I’ve seen two others this preseason like this against Pavs) that just trickled through/between his arm & body is a save an NHL-level goaltender must make. His tendency to over-play ( perhaps he’s too aggressive? I defer to the more knowledgeable) the initial shot left him reeling to make a 2nd save-which also comes from having too many “juicy” rebounds….Our D is improved, but it still isn’t really showing me the “clean” slot I’m hoping for.
Still, I feel better about this season than I did the beginning of last season.
Good arguement for Kanee staying (Stamkos example)-I could certainly see #9 thriving once the light goes on so to speak.
Hockey Biltong
September 29th, 2009
2:33 am
Sara- Yes, to Boris and one other if needed. We have the depth in D except for G….
Thrashers27
September 29th, 2009
2:46 am
Sara–I thought I read that Kovy, Antro and Little were split up for most of the game and there was some other shuffling as well.
One other thing to consider is that maybe Coach doesn’t want to tip his hand too early. Wouldn’t it be great if they come out and bust Tampa right in the mouth come next Saturday. Maybe he was setting Tampa up to expect a cakewalk. Who knows…but really I don’t think anyone has reason to throw this team under the bus yet. Geez, the regualr season hasn’t even started yet. Anyhoo, I’m still very optimistic about this year’s squad and looking forward to seeing the boys play once the games are worth two points.
World Be Free
September 29th, 2009
5:31 am
Team defense was the problem Sunday night. Poor backchecking, poor coverage in the slot, not covering the points and big rebounds all contributed to the 5-1 loss. That’s why I thought Fritsche was safe.
thasher fan
September 29th, 2009
6:56 am
said it before. thrashers gave away exelby and he really held the team together and provided the spark. sometimes people are bigger than just numbers. just saying
Baldheaded Thrasher
September 29th, 2009
7:36 am
Brendan that’s 84pts, 11th in Conf, 4th Divison. Not 15th in Conf.
Christy
September 29th, 2009
7:40 am
Brendan – from November on last year I felt that my overly enthusiastic and optimistic guess of 93 for last season was an instant jinx… I can’t do it again. I think I’ve fallen into the same thought process as Sara and bad karma.
Thanks for asking though.
sisu
September 29th, 2009
8:05 am
I have thought about this now for a day and maybe the ugly preseason game makes the team play better? Who knows but it is a little early to say the sky is falling. Yes a lot of regulars played, yes they got their butts kicked. At least it will take away from we feel good and there is nothing to work on for a week.
Let the season start already!
AB
September 29th, 2009
8:18 am
Tony C.-
Your right, carrying 3 makes sense short-term, but honestly we should have let Hedberg go instead and started Legace. There was a reason we let Colin go the first time.
Eileen
September 29th, 2009
8:28 am
Thrasher 27, that’s correct. That line was split up Sunday. The reason fans panicked over that loss is because it looked like WAY TOO MANY games last year. Particulary when Kovy tried to do it on his own. Also, Enstrom has a really good shot, but for some reason, he will not shoot on the PP enough. PP was all passing and no shooting.
Glovesave29
September 29th, 2009
9:09 am
Brendan – waiting for the final roster to shape up before I submit my pick. Never know who will spring up on the waiver wire. As for “Taking Calgary’s retreads” comments from earlier…just because a player doesn’t not fit with one team, that doesn’t mean he is not an NHL caliber player…the league is littered with guys who were cut elsewhere – Savard, Peever….
JLH
September 29th, 2009
9:28 am
Eileen – I must have missed something on Sunday. I thought the 17/80/10 line played together the whole game. I believe there were a couple of times, due to the PP or PK, where they weren’t together, but that was about it. I agree with you – it looked like our bad habits, particularly on the PK, were back in full force, with Kovy trying to do too much at times and too little at others. I think a couple of more preseason games would benefit this team tremendously.
Brendan
September 29th, 2009
11:47 am
I checked my sheet, Baldheaded Thrasher, and I entered it as 11th in Conference. So, the disconnect was me typing it here. You’re registered at 84-points, 4th in SE, and 11th in the Conference.
Viking
September 29th, 2009
1:32 pm
Brendan, unless something good happens, my prediction is 10th in the Conference, 3rd in SE, 88 points.
I had higher hopes for a better PK squad on paper, which would have generated another 10 points. I believe this makes at least this much difference, if not more. I am just hoping the coaching team has gained some insight from all their PK video watching that will justify my 88 point guess. A good PK strategy should also in some ways carry over to the general defense, so I’ll will hold my thumbs… (Swedish version of crossing the fingers).