Kane and Bergfors will try avoid Sophomore Slump Syndrome
We’ve all seen it, heard of it and read of it before…the infamous sophomore slump. A rookie comes into the NHL and plays at or above expectations only to see his performance take a step backwards the very next year. It happens in every sport, pros and collegiate.
What’s the cause of Sophomore Slump Syndrome?
Some may say it’s the simple law of averages at work as stats move up and down from season to season. So it’s only natural some will experience one of those downturns in year number two. Some argue it’s due to the league catching on to the tendencies of a young player, causing him to adjust his game. Maybe it’s a matter of motivation.
Others may cite that it’s a matter of differing roles on the team… diminished minutes on the power play, changes in line formations. Others still see it simply as a cerebral issue…a young athlete who has achieved his dream of playing at the highest level of his sport is now coping with the reality that he must continue to progress if he is to remain there.
Put all those factors in play with a 19 or 20-year kid, add in the pressure from fans & media to perform and – Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo – a youngster could experience something of a slump, regardless of rhyme or reason.
One Thrasher who will be looking to recover from what some might refer to as a “sophomore slump” is Zach Bogosian, the third overall pick in 2008 who began his NHL career the following October. Zach missed two months of that rookie campaign due to a broken leg but came back strong to finish with 9 goals and 10 assists. Even more impressive was his +11 rating, which was the second best on Atlanta’s blueline behind Toby Enstrom’s +14.
Last season, however, Zach missed but one game but saw his point production increased only by 4. More notable was that his +/- rating dropped by 29 to –18. And while the +/- rating doesn’t always paint the full picture of a player’s performance, in this case it really did. At times, Zach simply struggled on the defensive side of the ice.
In fairness to Bogosian, it must be noted that a hand injury was the reason he missed that one game last season and it probably played a big part in his reduced numbers given the fact he was trying to pay through it for some time before being sat out.
Nonetheless, if the Thrashers are not able to adequately address the loss of Pavel Kubina on the blueline, Zach’s third career season will need to be his best so far to help fill the void.
Now some may count Bryan Little in with Bogosian as a player looking to rebound from a case of SSS. Yes, I know…Little played in 48 games scoring 6 goals and 10 assists three years back. But his first full season came in 2008-09 when he dazzled us with 31 goals and 20 assists during the 72 games he played in. Unfortunately though, in his second full season at the NHL level Bryan’s numbers took a bit of a dive to just 13 goals and 21 assists…his power play stats dropping from 20 points to just 6. This even though he took only seven shots on goal fewer than the 172 the year before.
Reason for the decline…well, he spent the bulk of the 2008-09 season playing opposite Slava Kozlov with Todd White in between before being elevated later in the year to Ilya Kovalchuk’s line. That line was arguably the most consistent of the season and the trio accounted for 79 goals and 121 assists… 36 goals and 61 assists came via the power play.
In contrast, those same three players accounted for but 28 goals and 58 assists last season.
Last fall and it took until November 3rd for Bryan to score his first goal…11 games into the season. But even after the “Little-White-Russian” line was dismantled he still continued to struggle, though the effort was certainly always there. Bryan tickled the twine but three times in the final 24 games of last season. The last of those goals was the only one scored in the season-ending 1-0 win over the Penguins. However that broke a 10-game goalless drought, equal to the scoreless streak he began the season with.
Looking forward, both of these players should be looked upon to have better 2010-11 campaigns if the Thrashers are to make any possible push towards a playoff position next spring. It would also help matter is two rising sophomores can find a way to immune themselves from SSS…Evander Kane and Nic Bergfors.
In 66 games Kane put up the first 14 goals and 26 points of his career. He was also a +2 on a team that only had five players finish better than that mark. Plus his contributions on the penalty kill were impressive.
Between the Devils and Thrashers, Bergie had 21 goals and 23 assists in 80 games played. 9 goals and 6 assists came while on the power play. Right after the trade that sent him here and Kovalchuk to New Jersey, Bergie more than made himself welcome in Thrasherville by scoring 6 goals in the first 8 games with Atlanta.
While it’s hard to imagine either of these fine young forwards having a down turn in their production next season, remember how difficult it was last year to think the same of Bogosian and Little.
And finally…there is Ondrej Pavelec who will be entering his second entire season with the Thrashers this fall splitting time between the NHL and AHL the two seasons prior. But I personally don’t place the Czech netminder in the same category as a Kane or a Bergfors, those looking to build upon rookie success. In his first full season in Atlanta Pavs went 14-18-7 with a.907 SV% and 3.29 GAA.
Hopefully we won’t see Opie “slumping” from those numbers as he backs up Chris Mason this season.
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138 comments Add your comment
Rawhide
August 5th, 2010
1:39 pm
Jack – Andrei Zubarev is a defenseman who was selected by the Thrashers in the 6th round of the 2005 draft. He’s played in Russia since that time.
If indeed he is signed and brought over he would more than likely be a depth blueliner…say, Vishnevskiy’s replacement.
Russian – Thanks.
kracker
August 5th, 2010
1:41 pm
Russian said —> “We have to wait and see official sign.”
Sounds like the Nikulin situation again.
Russian
August 5th, 2010
1:45 pm
*to kracker*
NO No No No. Nikulin anz Zubarev situation is completely different. Zubarev wants to come here and play. His contract is finished with KHL team. He is going to be here. I have no idea what his skills and stats. I ask my friends from Russia to send me something. I will post any information if I find out it.
J.B.
August 5th, 2010
1:51 pm
to add to Russian’s comments, another difference is that Zubarev probably isn’t a d0ucheb@g like nikulin has shown himself to be.
Scotty
August 5th, 2010
1:51 pm
Looks like Eklunds got more than just a “leg up” on certain stories today.
http://twitter.com/Eklund/status/20405002890
Jack
August 5th, 2010
1:52 pm
Thank god that picture makes him look 12. Thanks for the link
kracker
August 5th, 2010
1:52 pm
Thank you, Russian.
Smoothie
August 5th, 2010
3:22 pm
Just about official!
@dchesnokov: “Zubarev’s agent told SovSport the player received an offer of a two-way contract from the Thrashers. Zubarev is expected to sign by weekend.”
R. Stroz
August 5th, 2010
3:34 pm
The Thrashers have some “low cap hit” trading chips lined up at this point.
The question is “who” are the chips on the way to another team.
glovesave29
August 5th, 2010
3:50 pm
WBF – EDM is in a corner because they must also await the trial of Khabibulin on his “Extreme DUI” charge that is scheduled for late September in Arizona. Seems as though Nik had more than a few too many (would not take a field sobriety test, and hours later bloodwork showed him with a .016 blood alcohol level) and he was doing 70mph in a 45mph zone. Jail time is anywhere from 30 days to 6 months.
He will spend his time in the Maricopa County tent jail facility. The prisoners live in a outdoor yard, sleep in tents, wear pink striped clothes and eat expired foods. Not exactly a good situation for a man who is trying to get prepared for a grueling NHL season.
IF and WHEN Nik returns they have 3 goalies under contract who cannot go to the AHL without going though waivers. We all know EDM is almost as cheap as the Octotards. They are not going to bury Nikolai in the minors or buy him out. One of the other goalies will needed to be traded…LATE in training camp.
ben
August 5th, 2010
4:01 pm
Someone psted on an earlier blog how the team was going to make up for lost goals. If Max doesn’t come back are there any rumors of trades in the works? Especially with that story about Buff moving back on D, I have got to think that there are goals coming from somewhere. Is Cromier that good? I’ve accepted that Kovy has maybe 5 40 goal seasons left, and that the team made a good choice in the end by letting him go. But I still think goals have got to come from somewhere.
Midfield
August 5th, 2010
4:18 pm
Heatley did not do any time here after what he had done, so I won’t necessarily bet on Habibulin or Cormier spending much time away either.
World Be Free
August 5th, 2010
5:03 pm
Glovesave-I hear Bulin is a total jerk, I guess his Arizona road trip confirms this. Edmonton should have known this when they signed the guy to a fat contract. Pur him on waivers!
Somaatl95
August 5th, 2010
5:04 pm
Re: lost goals – Pretty sure that Duds is working on a solution for that. Seems as if every glaring hole that D-Wad left gaping open is slowly being patched by “Studly” Dudley. I think we have not seen the last of off season moves for our Birds in Black and Blue. Of course all of this activity during this off season is for naught if there isn’t a winning product on the ice. I’m sure most of you agree we have made more and better moves in the past 4 months than were made from announcing the team till this past season. What is the key to getting all of our ingredients to gel into a winner? Better Team Effort? Better Defense? Better Goalie? A system that holds players responsible for mistakes and rewards them for finding dirty spots to shoot? About the only thing I can see is that there are no “Superstars” on this team so everyone will do their share.
This team reminds me of the 1991 Atlanta Braves, and that is a good thing!
Smoothie
August 5th, 2010
5:26 pm
Utter & complete Swedish domination: Klingberg and Wentzel-Pettersson decide to get medieval on Finland’s a$$: http://www.usahockey.com/Season/TournamentGameStatsUserView.aspx?EventID=2476&AgeDivisionID=1806&GameID=29659&TeamID=9690
Looks like Carl might feel as though he has something to prove?
Flames
August 5th, 2010
5:59 pm
Something is in the works. Everybody is so tight lip today. I’m expecting another trade. I’m trying to get some information. I will let You know when I find out. Sorry J. B. I’m working it.
Jack
August 5th, 2010
6:25 pm
FLAMES you rock!!!!! Thank you for trying
World Be Free
August 5th, 2010
6:50 pm
Haven’t heard from Dudley in a long time. Mike Mottau is still out there, along with Willie Mitchell and Kim Jonsson. Solid NHL defenseman; why not?
icy nards
August 5th, 2010
6:52 pm
I’m officially more interested in the Thrashers this fall than the Hawks.
Rick Dudley
August 5th, 2010
6:57 pm
Don’t worry, people. I’m looking. Just making sure that noone as dumb as a sack of hammers gets in.
Jack
August 5th, 2010
7:06 pm
But Rick, Waddell is already in the organization,
Hockey Biltong
August 5th, 2010
7:32 pm
think of our assets and where our numbers in depth are. that will be the fulcrum of the trade…
I look forward to seeing all of you when the puck drops.
philips’ will be awesome with a strong and loyal following…..
kracker
August 5th, 2010
9:14 pm
Nice Andrew Ladd interview on fan960, he talks Hawks and Thrashers.
BenThrashers Great interview. RT @Fan960Jason: Andrew Ladd killed it today. #Thrashers forward on The FAN earlier. http://twurl.nl/u3wez7
Brendan
August 5th, 2010
10:25 pm
I’ve liked Ladd since his first interview, right after the trade. He brings in the “right atmosphere” for creating the change of culture that is necessary in the Thrashers dressing room. I just hope he’ll re-sign at the end of next year for a nice, long contract.
kracker
August 5th, 2010
10:33 pm
Brendan, Ladd has has great success for a 24 year old. If the Thrashers progress as we are all hoping (and even sort of expecting) and if Ladd likes the city and the area, he just might favor signing for 4 or 5 years. Sort of settle down, so to speak.
Money may be an issue. Team ownership and the funding they can provide remain a big question, as does the revenue the on ice product is able to generate but those are topics for another day.
Brendan
August 5th, 2010
11:04 pm
Kracker, I hate to say this, but this season pretty much HAS TO be a breakout year for the Thrashers. Otherwise, we’ll go through this again. Players who won’t commit past RFA years. Trying to deal what we’ve got to get players who didn’t agree to sign here. Snaring Tier II players out on the free agent market. That’s got to change, at some point.
Will it even be next offseason that we try to move Ron Hainsey? If some team has a defender making $5 to $6 million a year, then moving that player to Atlanta for Hainsey’s $4.5 million is a savings for them. But, for all I know, Hainsey has an NTC.
kracker
August 6th, 2010
7:16 am
“A new twist in NHL’s arbitration plot”
James Mirtle’s take on why Clarke MacArthur got awarded $2.4M in arbitration.
….When it came time to meet with an arbitrator, the Thrashers simply asked for the award to be presented immediately, based on the player’s demands, so they could then walk away from the contract.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/nhl-arbitration-in-crisis/article1663772/
Mirtle also talks about the Tim Kennedy award and subsequent buyout by the Sabres.
Russian
August 6th, 2010
7:34 am
Mad Max moved to Russia. He got contract for 5 years with SKA St. Peterburgh. He will play with Nabokov (Goalie) and Grebeshkov (Def). Look like Max wanted Money, not a Stanley Cup.
kracker
August 6th, 2010
7:42 am
Awww….bye bye Max, your rushes up ice last season were fun and exciting. But we all make our choices.
World Be Free
August 6th, 2010
7:44 am
Good for Max, thanks for a great year. Time for everyone to move forward.
Brendan, there is no dopubt that this is a make year for the Thrashers. It is tough to wash away the memory 8 bad years, but this has to do it to move in the right direction. We keep talking about trying to make this team a preferred destination. Winning and commitment are the only ways this will happen. The current RFAs have to get signed to deals that go beyond the UFA years. Hainsey is here, nobody is going to take that contract.
Toby
August 6th, 2010
8:22 am
5 years?!?!? That’s crazy. It’s no wonder why all the NHL teams backed off. Would of liked to have Max back, but that’s 3 or 4 years too many.
Rawhide
August 6th, 2010
8:30 am
Russian – Do you have a link or source for that bit of news?
World Be Free
August 6th, 2010
8:31 am
Happy Friday all-still can’t believe we were able to get rid of Todd White.
TableHockey
August 6th, 2010
8:53 am
Thanks for posting that Kracker – funny stuff. Love the line:
“…maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing if he gets this silly award,” Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley said. “We kind of encouraged it.”
Was hoping Max was our easy short term goal solution but can’t blame him for going to Russia since that would put him closer to his tennis girlfriend.
J.B.
August 6th, 2010
8:56 am
i wanted max to come back to atlanta too, but 5 years is just ridiculous. if that’s true, then i wish him the best in St. Pete.
Rawhide
August 6th, 2010
9:03 am
Happy Friday everyone…I hope everyone has a great weekend set up.
With the news of Max heading back to Russia and other Russian players dealing with contract issues, here is a new blog for you all to kick around.
Midfield
August 6th, 2010
9:13 am
This is a bit from Sovsport.ru and a video with the announcement. Of course, they’re announcing Afinogenov’s contract whithout Max present but with Nabokov making a cameo appearance. Makes perfect sense.
http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/401370
Zombie Steve
August 6th, 2010
9:40 am
Very disappointed that we couldn’t get Max back in blue – but 4-5 years is impossible. Have fun in the motherland, Max.