Thrashers preview and predictions with Magic 8-Ball
After again watching 16 other teams compete for Lord Stanley’s Cup last spring, seeing Evander Kane taken with the fourth overall selection in the draft, learning of the trades and signings that brought players such as us Pavel Kubina and Nik Antropov, observing training camp activities and becoming reacquainted with the team in preseason…we have now finally made it through to the other side. One more summer has come and then taken it’s leave of us as we find ourselves now standing at the threshold of the tenth season of Atlanta Thrashers hockey. As such, it’s time for me to gaze into my crystal ball and see if I can properly prognosticate what lays ahead for the residents in Thrasherville.
Well, actually…I don’t really have a crystal ball. I did asked the AJC to procure one for me but the request was denied. The guys downtown were, however, kind enough to forward me this old Magic 8-Ball from the 1970’s. But I’m sure it’ll work just as good…right?
First we’ll review the offense, defense and goaltending… then we’ll get to my prediction on how many points they’ll earn and where they’ll finish in the standings. Let’s begin first with the strength of this team, shall we…the offense.
OFFENSE:
Take a look at the potential top three lines here…Kovalchuk-Antropov-Little…Kozlov-White-Afinogenov…Peverley-Reasoner-Armstrong. On paper, that’s about as potent an offense as we’ve come to see in these parts. Last season the Thrashers attack scored goals at a clip of 3.05 per game…which was the ninth-best in the NHL. During the second half of last season that was closer to something like 3.44 G/G.
Maxim Afinogenov joins a very potent Thrashers offense (AP/Gerry Broome)
I’m very excited about seeing Antropov on Kovy’s line with Bryan Little. This is a guy the captain lobbied heavily to get in here, so you can bet your bottom dollar that Ilya’s all geeked-up about it himself. My only concern is Nik being in the center.
Count me in as one of those who sees the signing of Maxim Afinogenov as a very good thing for Atlanta. Oh, and the price is right too…a mere $800,000.
Also, It’s great to have the likes of Marty Reasoner, Colby Armstrong, Todd White, and Slava Kozlov returning as well as the fourth-liners of Jim Slater, Eric Boulton and Chris Thorburn. There was a good deal of chemistry formulated via their great run to end last season and I think it’s something that will carry over this fall.
And I’m very excited about seeing a full season of The Pevs Dispenser dishing out his passes and serving up good, responsible play in the defensive end of the ice.
So, my first question for the Magic 8-Ball is…can this year’s offense perform at or above last year’s?… shaking Magic-8 Ball…”Outlook Good”!
Next…will Kovalchuk score 50 goals and 100 points?…shaking Magic 8-Ball…”As I See It, Yes”.
What about the power play…can it do better than last season’s 11th best 19.3% efficiency?…shaking, shaking…”Most likely”.
Honestly, John Anderson’s O-fense is going to do just fine overall.
DEFENSE:
The addition of Kubina is a big plus for the Thrashers…not just on the blueline, but on the power play as well. He’s big, 6-4 and 244 pounds, and can use his size well. He’ll probably be paired with Ron Hainsey, who’s entering his second year as a Thrasher. Zach Bogosian gets to officially drop the title of “rookie” from in front of his name and should see Super-Swede Tobias Enstrom alongside of him. Rounding out the defensive corps will be Boris Valabik, Mark Popovic and Anssi Salmela…two will play 3rd line defensive minutes, the third will observe the action from the press box.
Gotta tell ya folks, this has the potential of being the finest group of defensemen this organ-I-zation has assembled. But I say this for different reasons than the offense. Whereas the front lines have been fairly decent at times over the years, the words “Thrashers” and “defensive powerhouse” have rarely ever been used…uh, OK make that “never”…never been used in the same sentence together. But this group appears to be more solid than what we have grown painfully accustom to in these parts.
Look, nobody expects this defense to operate with the efficiency of a finely tuned Swiss watch…but as long as they don’t more closely resemble Swiss cheese, they’ll be fine. Especially if the offense is crankin’ out goals the way I think they will be.
Shots against are usually a problem with defenses past. Normally opposing teams will take 32-34 per game on the average…40+ games are not uncommon. This is especially troublesome when so many come at close range. Last spring this improved some…both in overall numbers of shots taken and proximity. And while I look for that trend to continue, one should not expect anything near the Red Wing-esque 25 or 26 SA/G numbers.
But the main issue on defense is the penalty kill. This particular aspect of the Thrashers’ game has been weak for years…at or near the bottom of the league. If last Sunday’s 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay is indication…giving up 3 power play goals…then this is going to be a major problem.
Solution? Well…stay out of the penalty box, I guess.
One last thing…team defense requires forwards to back check and help in the defensive zone. A lot of the problem in the past has been the lack of this. One of Anderson’s biggest chores this fall is to address this and improve it. Doing so will go a long way in determining the team’s success.
Now, back to the Magic 8-Ball. Can this defense hold teams to at or below 30 shots per game on a regular basis?…shaking Magic 8-Ball…”Signs Point To Yes”.
OK, what about the penalty kill…can it at least look respectable?…shaking, shaking…”Don’t Count On It”.
Goals per game…can it hold teams to 3.00 GA/G or less? …shaking, shaking…”My Sources Say No”.
This defense looks to be bigger and stronger than those of the past. The question is…will it be less porous?
GOALKEEPING:
Early on in the summer, this was seen to be an area of strength for the team. Kari Lehtonen played very well down the stretch and we have the ever-reliable Johan Hedberg backing up. Ondrej Pavelec was available if need be to be called upon in case of an emergency…just as he was during “Kari Down ‘07” and “Kari Down ‘09”. However, it was a given that he would otherwise spend his time with the AHL Chicago Wolves.
The fact that we were so deep in goalkeepers led general manager Don Waddell to openly discuss how one of them could/would be used to trade for a player that could sure up other areas of concern for the team.
Hopefully Opie will have a better showing than he did last Sunday (AP/John Amis)
However…
Kari went under the knife in July to address a herniated disc in his back. Before you knew it, “Kari Down ‘09” came about sooner than expected.
The organization was prudent enough to invite veteran netminder Manny Legace into camp for a tryout…but ultimately Waddell & Co. decided to offer Manny…and his 177-92-18-18 record, 2.38 GAA, .912 SV% and 23 career shutouts… a contract to play in Chicago with the Wolves. According to C-Viv, he chose to try to find another team in the NHL or in Europe.
Pavelec…with his 6-10-0 career record, 3.42 GAA, .890 SV% and as many career shutouts as your or I do, zero….will more than likely be between the pipes on opening night.
Now, all that means is Opie once again has a chance to be a hero. If he can help welcome Kari back…whether that’s in two games, two weeks or two months…to a team that has a winning record, or even just break even, then he’s done his job and everyone is happy.
Returning then to our Magic 8-Ball… overall, how will the goalkeeping be for the Thrashers?…shaking, shaking…”Cannot predict Now”.
I would assume this is because Kari’s return is still yet unknown and Opie’s abilities as the starter is still a big question mark. Quite frankly, the sooner Lehtonen returns, the better.
Recap And Prediction Time
So then what do I predict will be the fate of this Tenth Edition of the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2009-10 NHL campaign? Well, I think that a lot of the good play we saw last spring was not a fluke…that we’ll see more of the same through the course of the season. There was a good amount of team chemistry that was created by their success then and we should see the benefits of that throughout the season.
Shake up your Magic 8-Ball and tell me what it says about the Thrashers playoff chances
- Don't Count On It: Fewer Than 76 (5%, 8 Votes)
- My Sources Say No: Between 76-81 (12%, 19 Votes)
- Very Doubtful: Between 82-88 (30%, 47 Votes)
- Most Likely: 89-94 points (45%, 71 Votes)
- Yes-Definitely: Above 94 points (8%, 13 Votes)
Total Voters: 158
Loading ...The defense looks a lot better to me then what we’re used to seeing…especially that top-four group. While I’m not expecting them to lead the league in stats, if they are simply average we’ll be fine.
Goalkeeping, especially at the beginning of the season, is a concern of mine. But I think…no hope…no pray… that Opie and Moose will be able to handle the first few games until…crossing fingers…Kari returns in a few weeks. Lehtonen showed us last spring what he could be once healthy and focused and I would have been a lot happier if he were starting and not Opie. Sure wish I knew who was in charge of deciding to wait until July to have the procedure done and not earlier on.
As for special teams, the power play will be fine, penalty kill…not so much.
Bottom line, I have this team pegged for anywhere from 86 to 90 points and making a run at the postseason. How well the defense is improved and what happens in goal will decide where in that range they’ll fall. For the sake of Brendan’s Points Prediction and Placement Contest… think we will see a team that’ll finish with 88 points, say a record of 39-33-10, and fall just short of the postseason…third place in the Southeast Division and tenth place in the Eastern Conference. Unlike last year, I don’t see them being quite so Jekyell and Hyde by playing very poorly one half then very well the next. I think they’ll be more consistent as the season progresses.
Oh, I almost forgot… one last, very important question for the Magic 8-Ball.
Will Ilya Kovalchuk re-sign with the Thrashers soon, or will we be dealing with this throughout the season…possibly into the summer?
shaking the Magic 8-Ball…”Reply Hazy, Ask Again”.
shaking again…”Ask Again Later”.
shaking again…”Cannot Predict Now”.
Ugh…
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220 comments Add your comment
LAC
October 2nd, 2009
1:56 pm
smoothie, you jimmy’s B—h or what ?
World Be Free
October 2nd, 2009
2:00 pm
Smoothie-short term with Kovy works for both sides. But Kovy’s agent may balk because of the lack of $$$ commitment beyond 2 years. If Kovy gets hurt, he’s screwed.
Schubert pickup-I really like this alot. I think the guy got a bad rap in Ottawa. He can play defense or forward. This is REALLY a good pickup, negates the stupid move of signing Max.
LAC-don’t get me started on Jimmy. Trying to forget hockey’s version of Scott Hamilton is still on the team.
R. Stroz
October 2nd, 2009
2:17 pm
Last night, at the FACE OFF event, I met the President of the Atlanta Thrashers Fan Club. Previously, I had only known this individual by name only; however, last night, I put a name with the face in a rather unique manner.
As my son, his friend, and I were the first people in line for the event, I knew we would be the first in line to procure Ilya Kovalchuk signatures. However, I was incorrect and the reason why is somewhat disturbing. As my son, his friend, and I went down the aisle to sit in line for signatures, two people, WHO DIDN’T WAIT IN THE LINE OUTSIDE THE ARENA, were in front of us.
After sitting for a few minutes, I leaned over and asked the individuals adjacent to us how they found their way in front of us in line for signatures, pointing out that they had not waited in the line outside the arena prior to the event.
The lady with dark hair retorted gruffly to my question with the following answer, “I’M THE PRESIDENT OF THE ATLANTA THRASHERS FAN CLUB AND A SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HERE.”
I couldn’t believe what I had just heard; the President of the Atlanta Thrashers Fan Club’s justification for breaking the line and not waiting like all the other fans was that she was the President of the Fan Club. What kind of role model for a charitable organization is that? Does this individual think she is more privileged or better than all the other season ticket holders? Are the rest of the fans mere plebeians because we aren’t the President of the Fan Club? What a great way to unite the fan base.
But wait, in the words of the late Billy Mays, there’s more. This same individual, on numerous occasions, left her seat. Now, in and of itself, this wouldn’t seem like a big deal. However, when I inquired about leaving my seat to procure additional pucks for the players to sign, the line attendant, my former sales representative, told me if I did so I would lose my place in line. So, I looked over at the empty seat a couple of seats over, looked at the line attendant with a rather perplexed glance, and stayed put in my seat.
So could someone please tell me why there is a double standard?
When I arrived home last night, I looked up the executive membership of the Atlanta Thrashers Fan Club and found the second in command, or vice president, is Sean Grace. I’ve met Sean numerous times and he seems like a good guy. Interestingly, Sean waited in line like everyone else did. I’ll be reserving my membership in the Fan Club until Sean takes over. I’m glad to see Fan Club titles haven’t gone to some people’s heads.
Smoothie
October 2nd, 2009
2:21 pm
LAC, are you stendec’s drug pimp?
Stendec's Pharmacist
October 2nd, 2009
3:18 pm
No, that would be me. LAC is just a blog troll.
Smoothie
October 2nd, 2009
3:22 pm
BTW, those Cal-GARY throw-backs were sa-weeeeeeet! I think I will adopt the Flames as my Western Conf team eventhough I don’t care for J-Bo and Phaneuf. But I got mad respect for Jerome and some of their grinders.
Hopefully they deliver 6 hearty beatdowns to Heatley and the Sharks.
Baldheaded Thrasher
October 2nd, 2009
3:41 pm
R Stroz…I don’t know the age of your son and his friend, but upu might have told here in civil terms that she does not have any rights to act as she pleases, also that she was the rudest person you had net that day.
The next time she excercises her rights and skips to the head of a refreshment line, my foot may inadvertently mind you send her on her fat ass.
Brendan
October 2nd, 2009
3:41 pm
I hope everyone read Ranallo’s 8:57am post, http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2009/09/30/thrashers-season-preview-with-the-magic-8-ball/comment-page-2/#comment-11709. That’s important. He makes a great point. Remember the 2007 trade deadline moves?
Remember WHYYY they were made? The 2006-07 season began with a stated “playoff ultimatum” hanging over Don’s head. Katy Temple and Darren Eliot began the 2007 season preview by stating, “This season must end in playoffs. Nothing ELSE will do.” I’m not hearing that now. Not exactly. What I’m hearing is John Anderson saying, “If we don’t make the playoffs the season would be a failure.” What I didn’t hear was, “We’re all getting FIRED if there are no playoffs.” Seasonal failures, even repeated ones, don’t seem to get too many people fired at the Thrashers. Just Bob Hartley and Curt Fraser. And maybe some assistant coaches.
That’s a potential difference. In short, “it might be OKAY to fail.” That’s different from an ultimatum. So, we had a playoff ultimatum in 2007. But there were no firings, other than Hartley, in 2008 or 2009, which were seasons that ended with the team housed within the lottery draft. What was so magically ’special’ about the 2007 season, that it had to end in playoffs?, but the 2008 and 2009 campaigns were A-OKAY to be outside of them? At least in terms of accountability.
If it’s true that Waddell’s job is at stake, then Ranallo is 100-percent correct. Waddell might try ANYTHING. I’d hope that Waddell would be above that. I’d hope that ownership learned its lesson about ultimatums back in 2007. It’s one thing if Brett Sterling or Jim Slater or Colin Stuart (who is departed from the team) gets lost in a deal or trade. It’s quite another to lose Bryan Little or Ondrej Pavelec in some desperation move to take a stab at the playoffs. That’s just plain ‘bad management.’
I understand things from Waddell’s perspective. He’s got to do what his bosses want. If they tell him, “sell the farm.” Or “Bet it ALL on red, out in Vegas.” Red is the call, apparently. I’d be exasperated. I’d like to ‘think’ that ownership was BETTER than that. I’d like to ‘think’ that WADDELL is BETTER than that. But the truth is, maybe they’re not. What if they’re not?
There will be life after Kovalchuk in Atlanta. It won’t be the death knell for hockey. As Bob says, “bring in a new GM, new owners, and watch the stands fill up correspondingly with the wins.” There are prospect players worth keeping. Holzapfel, Machacek, Lasu, Redmond, Grant Lewis, Kulda, Kaip, Leveille, Eric O’Dell. These players should NOT be packaged in “desperation moves.” That’s just plain, got to stop. It’s got to be “off the table” of ideas. Atlanta can move forward with players like Bryan Little, Nik Antropov, Ron Hainsey, Toby Enstrom, Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane, and Todd White.
Brendan
October 2nd, 2009
3:48 pm
Glovesave29, good luck in your quest to repeat the feat of last season, where you projected 76-points. Glovesave29, you’re in at 86-points, 3rd in SE division, and 9th in the conference.
Thrasher Tim, a hearty welcome aboard! Don’t be a stranger to the blog. This is the place where we Thrasher fans gather to express our love and utter frustration of our team. You’re in at 91-points, 3rd in SE Division, and 9th in the Conference.
Smoothie
October 2nd, 2009
4:17 pm
Stroz, agree with your sentiments aobut protecting “the farm”, but there is no harm in trading White, Moose or even Lehtonen when healthy should Pavelec shine. I want the best team on the ice and despite his 73 point career high, White’s value has never been higher and he is 34. He won’t get nearly as much PP time this year and he’ll be lucky to get 50+ points. I’m not saying he’s not capable, but with Finny, Kane and Antropov in the mix, he will have a hard time duplicating last season’s performance let alone 75% of it.
Darren
October 2nd, 2009
5:05 pm
Give me 3rd in the SE Division.
Alan R.
October 2nd, 2009
5:18 pm
Smoothie, you mean this Craig Anderson, right?
Brendan
October 2nd, 2009
5:52 pm
Darren, you’re entered at 3rd in SE Division. Good luck, sir.
Glovesave29
October 2nd, 2009
5:56 pm
Hmmm, Stroz – wonder is she is the same rude you-know-what that was making friends (SARCASM ALERT) at TJ’s the night of the Ducks / Wings playoff game.
Schubert in – could it mean (puh-leeze) bye bye Boris? It’s nice to have a player who can play both O and D…
R. Stroz
October 2nd, 2009
6:02 pm
Glovesave29 – BINGO
Brendan
October 2nd, 2009
6:05 pm
Glovesave29, at 86-points, 3rd in SE, and 9th in Conference, what would that do to Kovalchuk? That’s a pick outside of the playoffs. But it would reflect a 10-point improvement over last season. You and Don are the reigning Kings of Prognostication, this would be interesting as an actual result. It might not mean, definitively, that Kovy was gone. Especially if during the 2010 offseason, Kovy got the remaining names on his wish list.
Remember something, folks. If Kovy really does want to stay, this contract of his is the only leverage he has to make THESE OWNERS ice the team he wants for the future. Kovy doesn’t have until June 30, 2010, to make them field that team. He can wait well past July 4th’s holidays, just to see what Free Agents get signed by Atlanta. If Kovy doesn’t like what he sees, it hasn’t hurt his market value any. In fact, the longer he waits after July 1, 2010, the more GM’s will desperately spend to get him. What would Brian Burke offer? What would the L.A. Kings offer? What would it mean to Phoenix, to land a player like Kovalchuk? Obviously, that won’t happen. But if it were solely about money, Kovy will get the league max, from some market.
As far as Atlanta paying it, well … this isn’t one of those times where we need to agonize and scrutinize whether we OVERPAID for Kovalchuk. Kovy isn’t some “risky outsider,” advanced in age, who doesn’t understand our systems. If Jay Grossman (Kovy’s agent) has offered years and dollars as a counter offer, it’s just about adding signatures to that contract. If I ever find out Kovy’s signing hinged on acquiring Zherdev, and the Thrashers let him walk to the KHL, while having $10 million in cap room, I’ll never shut up about it. I repeat. I’ll never shut up about it.
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 2nd, 2009
6:17 pm
“You and Don are the reigning Kings of Prognostication” — LAC’s name is Don? That would explain a lot. I thought he won one of the contests last season, perhaps I’m wrong.
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 2nd, 2009
6:20 pm
I think it’s pretty obvious Zherdev’s issue was monetary (and possibly ego), considering they got a lesser player who was willing to tryout for the team and sign a very manageable one year contract ($800k). I’m guessing Zherdev wanted guaranteed money and lots of it, because he knew he could make it in the KHL. So my take on the situation is that money forced Atlanta to have Afinogenov instead of Zherdev…and honestly that’s yet another reason I get upset with the ownership and how they force the GM to look for every sale possible.
World Be Free
October 2nd, 2009
6:27 pm
Glovesave-Leafs’ fans think Luke schenn is the next coming of Dennis Potvin. I say he’s a better than average youngerst who will be a serviceable NHler for 12-15 years, no better. I actually feel for the kid, with the high expectations people have of him.
World Be Free
October 2nd, 2009
6:32 pm
Dwayne-I heard he called out Braves’ fans for not coming to the games. I guess the 9.8% unemployment, money crunch and foreclosures don’t have an impact on baseballs’ “needs”. I want to the game Wednesday night, 2/1 night. Can you believe $24.00 for an outfield seat? Even 1/2 price at 12.00 is too much.
Tony C.
October 2nd, 2009
7:22 pm
And that ladies and gentlemen, is not a threat to be taken lightly!
Shame on FUBAS if inking a one-year deal for Zherdev was a condition they balked on. However, seems to me that KoVALchuk got the rest of his workout squad jobs at his company… maybe The Kaptain didn’t like what he saw/heard/felt from Zherdev? I think it very odd that ALL the rest of the guys that were part of that workout group are playing in the NHL but only one went to the KHL…. I would say there’s probably a good reason (aside from Zherdev not being named to the Nat’l team and wanting to play for a portion of their coaching staff so as to get noticed.).
Stroz-I have a hard time believing your luck. Not such a hard time believing the story, just you seem to always get a winner ya know?
But hey, if I did yeoman’s work to assemble and organize/regulate a fan club that the FUBAS people have been too inept to do-bet your bottom I’d take full advantage of the perks… however, I would also probably not berate others or blatantly abuse said perks- tra-la….
LESS THAN 24 HOURS UNTIL THE FLATSCREEN IS ON.
who’s geeked?
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 2nd, 2009
7:27 pm
I would imagine she volunteered for her job…I have no pity for her having to deal with difficult individuals because she should’ve known what she was getting into.
Dwayne
October 2nd, 2009
8:20 pm
Braves blogs are full of people not liking how they are treated at the park, attendants are bad, stupid music playing all the time…Would you like to here :come on people clap your hands!!!!!clap,clap,clap,clap,clap,clap, clap….over and over again?
Dwayne
October 2nd, 2009
8:22 pm
Fire Boobie Cox, and take Don Wadell while your at it!!
Brendan
October 2nd, 2009
8:49 pm
The sad thing is, we’ll never know. I heard some posters advance the idea that Kovy NEVER asked for Zherdev. If that’s actually the case, then I can’t get angry. Well, other than it being a missed opportunity by the organization to recruit an available free agent, with no loss of draft picks or prospects. If Kovy really didn’t want him, and SAID SO, then I wouldn’t blame Waddell for not pursuing him. Truthfully, I couldn’t find a quote from Kovy that said he wanted Zherdev. And I can’t find a quote from Waddell that Zherdev and the Thrashers ever entered into contract negotiations. I found ‘rumors’ that they were. If someone can actually find a source with a Waddell quote that he and Zherdev’s agent were trying to workout a deal, then that helps things along. We can, at that point, say … well Waddell was in negotiations with Zherdev. So clearly, the Thrashers were interested and made an attempt/overture. If that is so, then the issue is all but confirmed to be about MONEY. For me, personally, if Waddell did enter into contract negotiations with Zherdev … I would tend to believe it was due, at least in part, to appeasing Kovalchuk’s wishes. Whether Kovy ever stated those wishes or not. Come to think of it, Kovy never said, “Get me Antropov.” He texted, “Good Job,” to Waddell, for getting it done. We never saw a quote from Kovalchuk that read, “Get me Max Afinogenov.” We never saw a quote from Kovalchuk that said, “You better get Kubina here.” So, not surprisingly, we don’t really see a quote from Kovalchuk that ever said, “I want Nikki Zherdev here.” But that doesn’t mean Kovalchuk didn’t want him here. What we heard was, Nikki Zherdev saying he was working out with Kovalchuk in the offseason and that Nikki said Kovy said he would love to have him here (in Atlanta) next season. But Nikki joked, “We’ll have to see about that.” It keeps us guessing what the truth was. But if Kovy liked Nikki enough to be his regular workout partner, I don’t think it’s an unreasonable stretch to suggest he would have been happy to have him as a Thrasher teammate. Bygones.
Ranallo, LAC won the Budget Contest last year. A poster named “Don,” not THAT one, and Glovesave29, both guessed 76-points last season, with different tie-breakers.
Glovesave29, your guess of 86-points is joined by Smoothie and HookyBob. Smoothie and HookyBob have it tied to a 4th place finish in the SE Division, whereas you have it tied to a 3rd place finish. HookyBob predicted 13th in the Conference, and Smoothie went with 11th.
Thrasher Jim, your pick of 91-points joins Alan, JLH, Scotty, Toby, and Hockey Biltong. All of the aforementioned have it tied to a 3rd place SE Division finish, except for Hockey Biltong, who has it linked to a 2nd place finish. Alan and JLH picked 8th in the conference, Scotty and Jim picked 9th in the Conference, Toby picked 7th in the conference, and Hockey Biltong picked 5th in the Conference. So, Alan and JLH have identical picks, and so do Scotty and Thrasher Jim. Good luck to all of the 91-point registrants!
Denny and Thrashy Thrashy both have 87-points, 3rd in SE Division, and 10th in the Conference, but Denny tied it to a 40-35-7 record to help break that tie. If Denny correctly picks the points, Division Rank, Conference Finish, and exact record, he is NOSTRADAMUS!!! No doubt about it.
I never got a Conference rank from Spud Webb on his pick of 85-points and 3rd in SE Division.
Darren picked 88-points, tied to 3rd in SE Division, and 9th in the Conference. We’ve got a logjam there, too. Rawhide and Viking have identical 88-points, 3rd in SE Division, and 10th in Conference picks. Five_hole has 88, tied to 3rd in SE and 8th in the Conference. And Get The Puck Out has 88, tied to 2nd in SE Division, and 8th in the Conference.
The most unique pick I received in this contest came from Tony C., who picked 90-points, tied to 2nd in SE Division, and 6th in the conference, with Kovalchuk winning the Rocket Richard Goal Scoring trophy, John Anderson winning the Jack Adams Coach of the Year Award, and Slava Kozlov winning the Masterton Award. By the way, poster Andrew picked 90-points, 3rd in SE Division, and 8th in the Conference to differentiate himself from Tony C. So, now ya know!
Brendan
October 2nd, 2009
9:06 pm
Sigh. Okay, look. I should ammend something here. You all have friends out there. Are there any ‘friends’ of yours … that you’d never want to work with? (Leaning in) Now beeeeeeee honest. You have some friends like that, don’t you?
Imagine that you have a friend named … uhhh … “Fred.” Yes, that will do. And Fred is a heckuva guy. You could drink beer with him, play golf or tennis with the guy, but “Fred” is quite possibly the laziest, most undependable human being you’ve ever met. And you’d never want to be paired with him to do complete an important project at work. And/Or, as his boss, you’d never entrust him with an important project at work. What if Kovalchuk felt this way about Zherdev?
I know. I know. That sounds like “grasping” and “reaching.” But I don’t know the truth. I don’t know Ilya Kovalchuk … to know what his thoughts are. All I’m saying is … if Kovy leaves … and at some point thereafter … says, “Ya know, when I was negotiating with Atlanta, I told them I wanted Zherdev. And the Thrashers had $10 million in cap room, but wouldn’t get him. That’s when I knew nothing had changed or was going to change. I made up my mind to leave at that point.” Man, I’m telling you … I’d be livid, if that represented the TRUTH of the matter. I’d be FUMING.
B. Thenet
October 2nd, 2009
9:56 pm
So far I think the Rangers, Leafs, and Habs will all have problems keeping up with us. .
StateBird
October 2nd, 2009
11:39 pm
Brendan – My picks are 91 pts, 3rd divison, 8th conference
Thanks for keeping up the chaos! Go Thrash!
Brendan
October 2nd, 2009
11:59 pm
Statebird, your pick of 91-points, 3rd in SE Division, and 8th in the Conference is registered. It is an IDENTICAL pick to JLH and Alan. Toby has 91, 3rd, and 7th. Scotty and Thrasher Jim have 91, 3rd, and 9th. What a photo finish it might be for the six of you!
Brendan
October 3rd, 2009
12:03 am
If the Florida Panthers are going to surrender 55 shots a game, they’re not very likely to get the result they got tonight. And that was a win, via shootout. Tomas Vokoun with 52 saves on the night.
Dwayne
October 3rd, 2009
6:14 am
Brendan, you got my picks??? 96/2/7????
Dwayne
October 3rd, 2009
6:55 am
Nice article in the Savannah Morning News….Ilya declaring…”This is our year” I’m getting fired up!!!!
World Be Free
October 3rd, 2009
9:30 am
Dwayne-right on about the Braves’ stuff.
That “everybody clap your hands” drives me nuts.
I feel like a dog being told to sit for a biscuit.
five_hole
October 3rd, 2009
9:35 am
From what I’ve been reading; Schubert may be big, but he’s not really a fighter. Plays above average on the PK (which should be huge for us). Has good straight-line speed, which means he doesn’t maneuver very well. They say he has a cannon of a shot, but rarely hits the side of the barn.
Only 10 more hours!!!!!!!!! (gotta lay off the capuchino).
five_hole
October 3rd, 2009
10:02 am
Saw this on cnn/si.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/allan_muir/10/02/wheels.off.predictions/index.html?eref=T1#
Pretty much, Alan Muir is an ass. I have never seen him write one nice thing about the Thrashers, or any other team south of the mason dixon line.
Tom
October 3rd, 2009
10:40 am
I have to give the Bruin’s marketing department props for there new ad campaign. This one is my favorite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUgXzJwT-Bg&feature=related
GaVaHokie
October 3rd, 2009
10:41 am
I’ll say 88 pts, 3rd in the SE, and 9th in the Conference… hope I’m wrong.
GaVaHokie
October 3rd, 2009
10:42 am
Alan Muir sucks… and he looks like Sid Vicious.
GaVaHokie
October 3rd, 2009
10:44 am
I’ll say 88 pts, 3rd in the SE, and 9th in the Conference… hope I’m wrong.
My weakened stance has everything to do with goaltending, btw.
Tony C.
October 3rd, 2009
10:48 am
Where is this savannah morning news article?
I looked on their site but could not find it
Glovesave29
October 3rd, 2009
11:00 am
Brendan – although I think we miss the playoffs, I see Kovy re-signing because we will challenge until the waining days of the season for the #8 spot. That shows improvement and that the team is moving in the right direction. We just need to shore it up between the pipes.
I have us 3rd because I don’t buy into the Koolaid that is being served over the Lightning. The same “experts” put them in the playoffs last year and they were a disaster. They are better, but will still be in the basement of the SE. Florida’s losing Bouwmeester will hurt more as the season drags on. They will start strong because Vokoun is a horse, but they will fade at the Olympic break.
Five_hole – I pulled for Rio because my company is based in Brasil and I visit often. We’ve had many Olympics here in the USA and it’s time for someone new to give it a whirl. Brasilians are great people and I wish them the best. The Rio airport only allows one plane on the tarmac at a time, once one plane leaves the ground…the next can leave the terminal. THAT will need to change if they plan on getting all the teams, media and fans into the city on time. Hotels are needed too. Crime in the favellas will need to be addressed. But they handled the Pan American games and World Cup just fine, so I am sure they are up to the task. I spoke with many friends there yesterday and by noon they were already several beers into the day…after the announcement, the Cachaca was poured freely long into the night.
Zoomo
October 3rd, 2009
11:14 am
Here’s the link to the Kovy quote and article.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=500891&cmpid=rss-NewsinEnglish
five_hole
October 3rd, 2009
11:15 am
Glovesave29 Not sure but I think this may be the 1st Olympics in South America, so all things considered, I wish them well. The Olympic games means a huge economic windfall; just look at what the games meant to Atlanta. It was 3 years before I moved here and people were still talking about it. It’s how we got the new baseball stadium.
Agreed that Brasillians are great people, and the word is that Brasillian women are the hottest in the world.
Zoomo
October 3rd, 2009
11:29 am
Per Ben Wright: Ron Hainsey is under the weather and was told to rest at home. He’ll be a game time decision tonight. If he plays Boris will sit out.
World Be Free
October 3rd, 2009
12:20 pm
Sciambi is leaving Braves broadcast booth. That’s a blow for sure.
Sharon
October 3rd, 2009
12:25 pm
Yes, Opening Night! We’ll be in the cheap seats but we’ll be there.
Brendan, I’m going with 93 pts. I think goaltending will be the weakness, but I’m hoping that management will resolve the issue if Pavs tanks early. I’m a dreamer (haha).
rightshot
October 3rd, 2009
12:54 pm
Is it 7:00 yet!
Dwayne
October 3rd, 2009
2:52 pm
4 more hours….
Dwayne
October 3rd, 2009
3:03 pm
Tony C. I bought the paper this morning to check on the high school school scores. I was surprised as hell to see it. I tried to find it by going to Savannahnow.com and could not find it.
R. Stroz
October 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
200th