Yes its just preseason, but Boris was brutally bad
Yes, yes, yes…it was only the first of six preseason games. So really, there isn’t too much that should be taken from the 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night. The coaches got to see how several prospects looked in a pseudo-game situation and new game plans were worked on. This will help to make some roster decisions and other game plan tweaks…so, it is what it is.
But there were a few standouts of note from last night, but of the good and un-good variety. And I’ll begin with the positives.
Bryan Little was by far the best Thrasher on the ice last night, and not just because he finished with a goal and assists. He was “on it” every shift and looked very good on and off the puck. If this is what we can expect from Little on a consistent basis this season, he and we will be just fine.
I liked what I saw from Arturs Kulda as well. He’s not a “flashy” player by any stretch of the imagination, but he put in a solid performance. Kulda was one of two Thrashers that finished on the positive side of the +/- rating. He and Freddy Meyer were both a +1 and Meyer chipped in offensively with an assists as well.
A lot of hustle came from Freddy Pettersson and Nigel Dawes too. Freddy “The Fly” scored once from a nice cross-crease pass from Little, had an assist and led the way in shots on goal with 4.
Evander Kane looks like he’s ready for the season to get underway. He didn’t fact in the scoring but had 3 SOG and really stood out on the attacking end of the ice.
And not to be overlooked here is the fact that the defense only allowed 26 shots to be taken on Ondrej Pavelec. I saw some flashes of this thing I’ve heard of called “team defense”…fascinating, really. I’m looking forward to see that develop some more as we move into the regular season schedule.
And now for the not-so-good…
First off there’s Pavelec’s 5 goals on just 26 shots…2 on the first 6 in just the opening six-plus of play. While Opie didn’t have a “good” night to be sure, the fact is that he had in front of him several skaters who will not be on the opening night roster. Some may not even be around for preseason game number two Saturday night.
But for me, last night was really more of a continued process in my loss of faith in Pavs game. He’s kinda the Forrest Gump box of chocolates type of goalie. You just don’t know what you’re gonna get nightly with him.
Simply put, the kid simply does not exude a great deal of confidence when placed between the pipes. This is why I like the Chris Mason signing so much. You’re just going to get a more reliable, dependable, solid performance between the pipes for him.
As I told World Be Free last night, if you’re the kind of person that offers up petitions to the great thunder-maker in the sky, then say some nightly prayers for the continued health of Mason. I simply do not want to have us faced with having to count on Opie for any extended stretch of time.
Again, that’s not based solely on last night…it’s preseason and can be forgotten.
But by far the worst performance of the evening was put in by defenseman Boris Valabik. His –2 doesn’t even start to describe how bad he was out there. He was positioned poorly too often and was just… s…l…o…w. Even by Boris’ standards.
Making Valabik’s showing even that much worse is that if the Thrashers were of mind to deal him away, using preseason to showcase his worth, he didn’t exactly do himself or Dudley any favors.
Trying to be fair, it is possible that he’s still experiencing the effects from his surgery over the offseason. But if that was the case maybe he shouldn’t have been out on the ice.
Regardless, Boris had a bad time of it last night…a brutally bad time.
I’ll repeat what I said at the beginning, though. It was just a preseason game and it served its purpose by giving the coaching staff insight as to where certain players are at this stage of the game. So there shouldn’t be a great deal of wailing a gnashing of teeth as to the overall outcome or any individual performances.
And finally… I was making my way over to section 119 to visit Hockey Biltong and his lovely bride last night when I passed up Cowbell Corner in section 222. Someone from that gang hollered down at me to have a look at something. When I looked up at him, he tuned his back to show he was wearing a Todd White #12 red alternate Thrashers jersey.
Aaaaagghhh…my eyes!! MY EYES!!!!
Anyway, I wondered why in the world someone would have not only purchased a #12 White jersey, but would have kept it after he was finally traded away. But this morning the logic became clear.
Cowbell Corner…cows.
Cows…milk.
Milk…milk carton.
Milk carton….
Well, you get the picture.
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120 comments Add your comment
R. Stroz
September 22nd, 2010
3:50 pm
Or, we could nickname Boris, Aunt Bo, and send Aunt Bo and Opie to Mayberry.
glovesave29
September 22nd, 2010
3:52 pm
Spud – had someone traded for Savvy and he did not pass the physical, I am sure the league would have voided the trade.
Rawhide
September 22nd, 2010
4:01 pm
Spudster – Under normal circumstances (i.e. no cuncussion) I would have no problem with taking Savard and his reasonable $4 million per year salary. But the term is for 7 more years taking him to 40 years of age.
YIKES!!!
Flagstaff
September 22nd, 2010
4:37 pm
“He’s kinda the Forrest Gump box of chocolates type of goalie. You just don’t know what you’re gonna get nightly with him.”
Simply brilliant, Rawhide!
kracker
September 22nd, 2010
9:14 pm
I see Espo as being not ready for the Thrashers at this time and he is dinged up (maybe) or he is having post-surgery problems (worse). There is no reason to waste valuable pre-season ice time on a player that needs to continue his comeback in Chicago. Let him get on down and try to have a productive year there. If he is physically sound and shows he is ready to contribute, maybe he gets a call-up during the season.
R. Stroz
September 22nd, 2010
9:37 pm
Anyone remember that shot Natasha missed last season from the opposite end of the ice?
Pavelec isn’t an NHL goalie. PERIOD.
I
Jack
September 22nd, 2010
9:44 pm
LET PAV GO TO THE KHL
Jack
September 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Well done rawhide. Sorry just started new job and out of the loop. What were the coaches thoughts on the preseason game regardsing players and how there first game coaching the Thrashers. You know Operation RamTorch
Rawhide
September 22nd, 2010
9:55 pm
Jack – I didn’t get to chat with the coaches after the game, but C-Vid did.
—> Point & click here <—
Jack
September 22nd, 2010
10:04 pm
Thank you chief
GaVaHokie
September 22nd, 2010
10:09 pm
Watching the Lightning and Hawks preseason game on NHL Network… Jeremy Morin is playing great. Had a great assist on a Toews goal. And this isn’t a soft game, Tampa rolled out the Superstars tonight, they look pretty damn good too.
Mikey
September 22nd, 2010
10:10 pm
I keep reading comments on blogs about how Boris simply looked “lost” last night. Poor kid, let’s try and help.
Someone get him to the airport and see him safely on a plane back home to Chicago.
Brendan
September 22nd, 2010
10:11 pm
R.Stroz, remember when we had Moose (Hedberg) and Squirrel (Pavelec), and Nastash? I mean, Natalie Taylor.
Brendan
September 22nd, 2010
10:14 pm
R.Stroz, do we have an over/under on when Jose Theodore gets signed? (Not by the Thrashers, but by some NHL team.) During preseason? October? Or before Christmas?
R. Stroz
September 22nd, 2010
10:19 pm
Brendan – After watching Pavelec last season, I can’t call him squirrel. A squirrel can find nuts,
Pavelec can’t find a beach ball, much less nuts.
R. Stroz
September 22nd, 2010
10:25 pm
I’d rather have Michael Garnett in goal than Pavelec.
Seriously.
Mikey
September 22nd, 2010
10:26 pm
R. Stroz, Opie can find a beach ball and nuts too. They would all be in the same place he finds pucks.
Inside the goal behind him.
World Be Free
September 22nd, 2010
10:36 pm
Thrash are using preseason to evaluate talent and I hope the evaluation is over. I wanna see some regulars Saturday night.
I agree with many who say the Opie/Natasha experiment is done. Get a veteran goalie to backup Mason, a guy who can play 20-25 games/season in the NHL without laying an egg every 3 games like Opie does. Use the salary cap space for a quality backup to replace Swiss Cheese #31. Opie and Boris can have fun together in Chicago.
kracker
September 22nd, 2010
11:00 pm
WBF, I do expect to see a few more vets on Saturday. How many more is anoyne’s guess. My guess is about 50-50. I count Modin as a vet. Freddy and Dawes, too, though they may start in Chicago.
Pavs gets a couple more games to get himself ready for the season. I seriously doubt he gets demoted. Any thoughts of trading him would be, in my mind, just idle speculation. Pavs will get this season to study under Mason and work w/ the new goalie coach or whatever they are calling him.
World Be Free
September 23rd, 2010
7:47 am
kracker, i just don’t see the upside in Pavs. We both saw his performance the other night, he looks pretty much the same as he has in the past. The question is, can Malarchuk get him in the right direction? I think Clint will get the chance to work with Opie for the time being. As much as I would like to see a change in the backup position, I think we are stuck with Opie for the time being. I am ready for anything.
More vets Saturday and a few fights I hope. Gotta get the blood moving.
kracker
September 23rd, 2010
8:25 am
I’m really looking forward to the Saturday game. The crowd will be a bit bigger, the players will be a bit better and maybe we will get Mason. Plus there is the first tailgate in the gulch to catch up w/ those folks and down a few brews. For my part, about Pavelec, it is IDWT for now.
Pavs is under the gun but geez, how about Carey Price?
Price Booed In Montreal
(from Damien Price of The Spin)
There are two ways out for Carey Price.
One, he can have a strong season and make Montreal Canadiens fans forget Jaroslav Halak. Well, if not forget Halak, at least make it appear that their isn’t as large a talent gap between the two young netminders as some contend.
Two, Lars Eller can be really, really good. Really, really fast.
If neither of those scenarios emerges over the next couple of months, Price could be facing animosity of rather startling dimensions, at least when he plays in front of home audiences at the Bell Centre.
In the Habs first exhibition start Wednesday night against Boston, Price allowed four goals on nine shots and was booed. Afterwards, he wasn’t talking, preferring silence to a description/analysis of either his play or his feelings.
more… http://thestar.blogs.com/thespin/2010/09/the-hot-seat.html
Red Light
September 23rd, 2010
8:53 am
Just looked outside my window to see if the sky was falling. Nope, just another Thrashers fan jumping from the top floor.
World Be Free
September 23rd, 2010
9:00 am
Price doesn’t have much of a chance in Montreal. He was behind the eight-ball before Halak’s run of last season. Now Jaro is gone and the weight of winning, which is always pretty heavy in Montreal is on Price’s back. Price has yet to show me he can handle this weight, at least at the NHL level. Last night’s boo-fest, 3 goals on 6 shots will not help. Not that I am concerned over any troubles with the Montreal Canadians.
Zombie Steve
September 23rd, 2010
9:16 am
playing between the pipes in Montreal seems like the toughest job in the NHL; those fans are ruthless and unforgiving.
I wouldn’t mind seeking Price in Thrasher Blue…. far less expectations down here for him to shoulder….he could do really well here.
glovesave29
September 23rd, 2010
9:21 am
It can always be worse…
Rangers coach John Tortarella is naming possible centers to replace injured Chris Drury on the top line. Two of the names are Todd White and Erik Christensen.
I pointed out Pav’s shortcomings 2 years ago. But the majority of his issues are between his ears. The talent is there. The Thrashers have not invested the time and resources to allow him to reach his full potential. We have failed him more than he has failed us.
Alan R.
September 23rd, 2010
9:25 am
kracker, i just don’t see the upside in Pavs. We both saw his performance the other night
First preseason game of the year, and we’ve already got this? Because one lousy game makes a trend…
Yeah, he had some horrible games last year. However, this isn’t last year. The D he had in front of him isn’t last years D, either.
Like I said, if he’s still this bad in mid-November, then we can panic. Now, though? Seriously? Sigh…
Red Light
September 23rd, 2010
9:37 am
glovesave29
When you’re choosing between Christensen and White as your top line replacement center, that’s rather like picking between the electric chair and the gas chamber, isn’t it? But, of course, it’s not like Drury is a true top line center either.
Glen Sather = more money than sense! Interesting parallel…Gaborik- a $7.5 million scorer with no center…Kovy (as a Thrasher)- ditto.
R. Stroz
September 23rd, 2010
9:48 am
Alan R. – Natasha has sucked for several years, not just one game.
Several years is a trend.
World Be Free
September 23rd, 2010
9:48 am
Alan R-different season, same Pavs. We have a 30-some year old starting goaltender that will need to be spelled during the season. Our #2 needs to be solid if we have any hope of making the playoffs.
Pavalec has a number of issues. If our new goalie coach can correct these issues in short order, then cool. If not, then we need a new number 2, especially since we do not have NHL-quality depth in the minors. If Mason goes down, then we are in trouble. We keep waiting for Pavs to evolve into a dependable goaltender who can challenge for the #1 position, much the same as Habs’ fans are waiting for Price.
Rawhide
September 23rd, 2010
10:02 am
May I have your attention, please…may I have your attention please.
…ahem… Thank you
Tim Ecclestone called and invited us to come out to TJ’s to watch the Thrashers @ Tampa Bay game on Oct. 9. That’s the Saturday right after the season opener. He said he will reserve the non-smoking room in the back for us to enjoy the game.
So, let me know if ya plan to attend.
That is all….
Smoothie
September 23rd, 2010
10:12 am
Hey buddy!
kracker
September 23rd, 2010
10:18 am
In general, OP has played some really good games and some really bad ones. I try to remember that he has just turned 23 years old. That is very young for a goalie. At the same age, Brodeur was starting only half the games for the Devils. His stats were a lot better, of course. My point is that the best goalie in history had not yet secured the starting job at about the same age as Pavelec.
I’m not saying that Pavs will be anything like as dependable and durable as MB but do I think it is too soon to write him off. The new goalie coach Malarchuk should get a chance to do his thing, which basically puts this into a several months long test, I think. Now, if Pavelec gets pulled every game he starts, that is a different matter but if at his worst he is average then he probably stays.
kracker
September 23rd, 2010
10:19 am
I am down for TJ’s!
Rawhide
September 23rd, 2010
10:22 am
Smoothie – Hey buddy…
Pauly Shore
September 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
Hey Buddy
glovesave29
September 23rd, 2010
10:41 am
I’m in…
Smoothie
September 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
Sounds like Pavs was pretty bad in his first game, but then again it was his first game with a fairly foreign defense in front of him. A little early to write him off isn’t it? He’ll be okay. I’m sure he’ll work hard on sharpening his timing and reflexes before the real season starts. Chris Mason’s work ethic should rub off on him don’t you think?
Pauly Shore
September 23rd, 2010
10:52 am
Pavs needs to learn to move like a weasel instead of a fish out of water.
World Be Free
September 23rd, 2010
11:55 am
Smoothie – same old Pavs, this time a bunch of minor leaguers were putting pucks past him. A career backup beat him out for the #1 goalie job last season.
Smoothie
September 23rd, 2010
12:10 pm
WBF – I suppose so, but I wasn’t expecting him to be the starter this season with Mason around. He’s still only 23 right? If he doesn’t improve this year and has another month-long swoon, then I’ll run him out of town. Till then, just give Czech a chance. C’mon Ondrej!
Nikita (in PA)
September 23rd, 2010
12:42 pm
*sigh*
Good god, that was bad. I hate to channel some of the naysayers, but something’s got to change or this season will be one long, uphill, Bad News Bears nightmare.
Where the hell is our offensive talent? Who’s going to score?
And Dear Lord, what is going on between the pipes?
I’m actually not as worried about defense this year, mainly because I am absolutely terrified by our offense.
Switching gears…I watched the Devils/Flyers game, which was notable mostly because NJD didn’t really have their top players, but the Flyers did and they lost. Hedberg wasn’t looking great — he picked it up by the end of the game, but started pretty rough and lost several on bad reads. As for former Thrashers at the other end of the ice, the Flyers need to waive Coburn. Since christmas of 2009, he’s been more of a liability than an asset.
kracker
September 23rd, 2010
12:58 pm
So was the Orpik knee on Franzen a bad hit? Or just too much whining? It turned out to be only a charley horse to Franzen, not a serious injury.
World Be Free
September 23rd, 2010
1:01 pm
nikita-I am normally not a nay-sayer, but I have had it with Pav’s act. But I will be patient- I.D.W.T.
kracker-not the first time for Orpik, Babcock was a bit upset.
TableHockey
September 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
Apparently Brett Sterling is looking pretty good to secure a spot on the Pens. Here is a write up on the opener last night from the Pens website:
As everyone expected, Crosby showed a lot of chemistry with the new talk of the town, Brett Sterling, and set Sterling up for a very nice wrister in the back of the net 13:28 into the second period…
[later in the article]
Speaking of Brett Sterling, the player garnishing the most hype in Pittsburgh as of late, the Los Angeles native continues to make a strong bid for an NHL roster spot with the Pens on opening night against Philadelphia with another strong performance last night. Sterling has created some buzz amongst Pens fans by having a great camp, scoring three goals in two scrimmage games in training camp. In a game situation, Sterling lit up the scoreboard with two points, including a goal with Sidney Crosby. Sterling was also part of two very nice offensive rushes with Tyler Kennedy that resulting in scoring chances that could have resulted in even more statistical production from the 26 year old Sterling.
alex
September 23rd, 2010
1:45 pm
espn article confirm what i am guessed, that buff ultimatum to play on deffence, why dud. and ram. bow to this, again we short on decent forwards, almost sure kulda, ours best defender (in my opinion) should be forced to go to ahl because of that. remember last season, chelios instead of kulda cost us at least 4 points in the run for playoff, but idiot don been in charge last year. i expect better from dud and ram. don’t need to go on losing streak, before reverse this decision, unless trade is coming.
R. Stroz
September 23rd, 2010
2:02 pm
I always thought Sterling should have been given a chance to play his regular wing position with the Thrashers.
Instead, he was put on the opposite wing.
More wasted assets.
Bygones, again.
Viking
September 23rd, 2010
2:07 pm
Kracker and World Be Free,
I have a hard time with acronyms. What the heck does IDWT stand for when you talk about Pavelec?
kracker
September 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
Viking, it means In Dudley We Trust. (for now)
Brendan
September 23rd, 2010
2:22 pm
Well R.Stroz, as Red Light often says, “nobody develops talent like the Atlanta Thrashers.” If Brett Sterling can make it in Pittsburgh, I’m delighted for him. I praised Waddell for drafting him, something like 144 or 145 in his draft year, after being a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award at Colorado College. He didn’t make the most of his opportunities here. I hope he can do that in Pittsburgh. I’m rooting for the guy.
Re: Goaltending, I do tend to think that we shouldn’t expect much within 5 years of drafting one. However, it has been 5 years for Pavelec. So, we should start to reap the benefits this season. I wouldn’t want to ditch Pavelec yet. (1) Some goalies, like Giguere and others, are “late bloomers,” and (2) we haven’t seen him play 10 regular season games yet this season. However, if there is doubt … if there is a lack of confidence in him on the part of the coaching staff and management …, and if it continues …. (If being the operative word,) then I notice that Jose Theodore is still un-signed. Washington just extended Neuvirth (sp?) to a 2-year deal, and with Varlamov as the # 1, I can’t see Washington signing UFA Theodore. I honestly have no idea what Theodore’s plans are for next season. He’s been off the radar of offseason discussions. I’m not sure why. I don’t know what Theodore would cost, but it wouldn’t be in the range that he did last year. What’s the trade value on Pavelec? I know his agent used to squawk about why his client wasn’t the # 1 goalie in Atlanta, and when would he be getting his chance. I haven’t heard Pavelec’s agent in quotes much in the AJC these days. If it’s even remotely true that Pavelec would like to be traded … it’d be worth looking into. But, really, I doubt we’ll see any movement between the pipes until and unless either or both of the Thrasher goalies just play themselves out of a job. Who knows? Maybe Theodore would still be available!
World Be Free
September 23rd, 2010
2:37 pm
Viking-we are trusting Dudley’s judgement on Pavs for now.
Brendan-the question with Pavs is very simple; do we trust him to be the #2 goalie? Forget the player for a moment and concentrate on the postion, the importance of having a backup that can step in and spell the #1. Moose had the mentality to be able to sit on the bench then come in and play well when called on. Can Pavs do this? Can he step in and carry the load if Mason goes down? Is he going to take the first 10 minutes of every game to warm up?
Focus on the position and ask yourselves whether Pavs has the makeup of a relief piture, sometimes starter.