Thrashers now 0-3 in preseason after loss to Nashville
The preseason is half over now and the Atlanta Thrashers have an 0-3 record to show for it. Their latest exhibition season setback came Monday night in Nashville as they fell 2-1 to the Predators. The good news, of course, is that after this week none of it matters at all. Preseason and all that, ya know.
Here’s a quick recap of the game as I heard it via the Predators radio station web feed. (That is, when it wasn’t going blank as it did all throughout the game).
Andrew Ladd makes his way around Patric Hornqvist during the 2-1 loss in Nashville Monday night (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon)
Nashville took an early 1-0 lead when Sergei Kostitsyn tipped a Shea Weber pass through the wickets of Ondrej Pavelec. The goal came on the Predator’s second shot at the 3:06 mark of the first period.
Nashville outshot the Thrashers 8-6 in the opening 20 minutes.
It sounded as though Atlanta began to take control somewhat in the second as much more of the play was in the Nashville defensive zone. Then with 4:30 remaining before the second intermission, Ben Eager took a feed from Chris Thorburn in the slot and one-timed it past Pekka Rinne to tie the score. Linemate Anthony Stewart was credited with the secondary assists.
The Thrashers took 10 of the 18 SOG taken in the middle frame.
Atlanta killed off the only Nashville penalty that was called in the second, giving up not even a shot after Thorburn was nabbed with a hooking call at 8:26
Unfortunately, the third period was pretty much all Preds as they outshot Atlanta 15-6. Shea Weber scored a power play goal to put Nashville up 2-1 while Zach Bogosian sat in the sin-bin for holding the stick. Matthew Lombardi and Ryan Suter got assists on the goal.
Later in the period Alex Burmistrov was whistled for a slashing penalty, but the Thrashers were able to kill that one off. Atlanta went 2 for 3 killing off penalties and had no power plays of their own
In the closing seconds, Dustin Byfuglien leveled Nashville forward Jarred Smithson with a heavy hit. Smithson left the ice and headed directly to the locker room.
Eager and Rich Peverley led the Thrashers with 4 shots each while Nik Bergfors and Nigel Dawes both had 3. Pavelec had a better night than in the Thrashers loss last Tuesday, stopping 29 of the 31 shots he faced.
Are you concerned about the Thrashers offense?
- Yes! 3 goals in 3 games is un-good (52%, 79 Votes)
- No! The goals will come (14%, 21 Votes)
- Feh...it's only preseason, dude (34%, 53 Votes)
Total Voters: 153
Loading ...The two teams will play again Wednesday night at Philips.
Atlanta’s defense is now allowing an average of 28.6 SA/G during preseason so far, a trend that will hopefully continue once these games start counting for real. However, after the 22 S/G performance in Nashville, the offense is averaging 26.3 shots.
In closing, I’ll ask if you are at all concerned that the Thrashers have only 3 goals after three preseason games. Nik Antropov and Jim Slater are yet to play, mind you. Also, given that it’s preseason, the lines haven’t been consistent one game to the next.
Me…eh, if it keeps up much after the real campaign starts I might get worried. But truth be told I think this team is going to have to work their way through games much like what we’ve seen these past two matches where goals are at a premium…at least in the short term until the offense gels and finds it way. Good thing the offense is looking fairly decent thus far.
That…and it’s still only preseason.
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148 comments Add your comment
R. Stroz
September 27th, 2010
11:05 pm
THREE games, THREE goals scored. Anyone else notice a scoring problem yet?
This team lacks a finisher.
Mikey
September 27th, 2010
11:08 pm
Let the wailing and gnashing of teeth begin
telfo
September 27th, 2010
11:13 pm
worrying about it right now is silly. we are playing with half of the top 6 sitting out each game and several guys that wont be on the team. not worried at all.
Derrick
September 27th, 2010
11:17 pm
I know we’ll score more than a goal a game which is what we’re averaging now but I seriously doubt we’ll be an offensive juggernaut by any stretch of the imagination this year. But hopefully with improved goaltending from Chris Mason and defensive play in general we’ll be able to get a lot of 2 to 1 or 3 to 2 wins this year.
Derrick
September 27th, 2010
11:20 pm
Oh and if Dudley could somehow manage to make a move for a 20 plus goal scorer from a team in salary cap trouble, I wouldn’t be opposed to it!
kracker
September 27th, 2010
11:28 pm
Rawhide you are getting really good at Ranallo-ing me! So allow me to re-post because I’d like to hear what you and some others think about this. I was replying to a Brendan comment about Wade Redden’s Whale of a contract…
Redden, omg!! Isn’t it four more years?? To bury the guy in the minors? I guess that’s easy money for Wade, but gee, doesn’t anyone else think this is as bad a cap violation, in principle, as the Kovalchuk contract? Or maybe far worse? I mean, come on, the Rangers demote Redden to the Whales and lop $6.5 million off their salary cap – for the next 4 years!! And yet, so many people were really agitated about Lou Lam saving a couple mil off the NJ cap on the Kovy Kontract! Unbelieveable, in comparison.
Rawhide
September 27th, 2010
11:30 pm
Rawhide you are getting really good at Ranallo-ing me!
kracker – hehehehehehehehheheheh….
kracker
September 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
I meant to add that Redden won’t be playing the last four years of his contract for the Rangers just like Kovy will never play the last years of his for the Devils. I am not seeing a difference there.
sisu
September 28th, 2010
12:07 am
The Redden deal stinks all the way around…see this for more, it is not the only contract that stands out.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/35289-Campbells-Cuts-Wade-Reddenstyle-demotion-sure-to-be-CBA-sticking-point.html
As to the scoring, not too worried but Pavs still loses the game, hope he is the clear #2 at the start of season.
Derrick
September 28th, 2010
12:09 am
I agree 100% about Redden. That’s just another way to get around the salary cap and if the NHL really wants to stop teams from circumventing the salary cap then they definitely have to do something about this. If a guy is signed to a contract then he should count against the salary cap, no matter if you send him down to the minors or not. If the NHL doesn’t step in right away and do something then i fear that this will just be the first of many teams you’ll see doing this.
Cornbread
September 28th, 2010
1:47 am
The Thrashers had 5 fourth liners dressed tonight, Eager, Thorburn, Stewart, Rissmiller, and Boulton. They also had two D-men who will play in the AHL this year and played the back-up goalie on the road. This was a worst case scenario and they hung in there. As my former colleague Tom Callahan said over the intermittent internet feed, “Nashville is playing more of an NHL roster than Atlanta”. And, “Atlanta dominated the second and start of the third”.
What’s worse, Atlanta saw no PP time in a pre-season game! Give me a break! There is always a ton of PP time in the pre-season!
Besides the Thorburn line, It sounded like the only line clicking was Kane, Peverly, Bergfors. Bergfors got fewer calls as did Ladd, Burmistrov, and Dawes. Everyone else, far less. I don’t recall hearing Petterson’s name mentioned, who was listed as “Deveaux” on the score sheet. On D, Bogo and Kulda got mentioned the most followed by Buff.
Worried? Not even close. I’m quite pleased from what I’ve heard from the opposing teams’ announcers over the past two games. They sound solid as a whole. After 10 games and they’ve scored less than 20 and are below .500; then yes, I’ll be concerned.
Barry
September 28th, 2010
2:23 am
I am a bit concerned. 3 goals in 3 games is definately ungood. I know that first game was mostly rookies and draft picks, but these last two games with the regulars playing and only able to score ONE GOAL by Eager! Are you kidding me? Nothing against Eager but I would have expected guys like Peverley, Kane, Bergfors to do a little more honestly. I’m glad these last two games with the regulars we are giving up less goals but when you score 1 goal a game it’s hard for a goalie to pitch a shutout everytime out. I’ve been saying it all summer and still continue to say it…Byfgulien should be playing forward and should have never thought about trying to force him to play D. We have enough young capable D to play in his place like Kulda and Zubarev.
World Be Free
September 28th, 2010
6:10 am
Time to get the projected lineup on the ice and see what they can do for 60 minutes. If a team wants to get out of the gate fast, they need their regulars out there for the last 3 games of the preseason. Time to set aside experiments and act like the season is starting today.
Worried about goals? Yes, but if the team defense stiffens that will offset some of the need for goals. Some teams have to shed salary too, so maybe this is time for a player that can help us now?
The Real Thrash
September 28th, 2010
6:51 am
So if we go 0-6 will that just be preseason too?
How about a little bit of reality Ice Man.
kracker
September 28th, 2010
7:26 am
A team that went 0-3 in preseason last year? The Chicago Blackhawks. They finished 1-3 vs Caps and Wild in their first four games and then went 1-1 vs two Swedish teams. I wonder if the ‘Hawks fans were doing all this nervous hand-wringing a year ago?
So….the Thrash can get a couple of meaningless pre-season wins and equal last years pre-season Stanley Cup winners.
Budder
September 28th, 2010
7:31 am
@WBF: Some teams have to shed salary too, so maybe this is time for a player that can help us now?
Time for the “pencil him in for 20″ pickup? I, too, hope we see something soon. Let’s Go, Thrashers!
Rhythmpenguin
September 28th, 2010
7:40 am
Anyone else notice that Buff has sent 2 guys off the ice…?
Rhythmpenguin
September 28th, 2010
7:44 am
*so far (Carolina and Nashville)
kracker
September 28th, 2010
7:53 am
One was an incidental trip and the other was a hard check, although I missed most of whatever the Nashville guys had to say about it. I did hear their ending conclusion that it wasn’t dirty, just a hard check from a really big guy. Excellent! This is why we want Buff on D, to rattle teeth and to have guys constantly checking on where he is.
Zoomo
September 28th, 2010
7:54 am
I’ve noticed! We’re gonna be a pain to play against, no doubt.
I just have a very queasy feeling about goal production from the team. Pre-season stats don’t matter to me, so it’s not these games that concern me. To me, the final roster will be a solid, gritty team, but the lack of playmakers and finishers concerns me.
Too many ifs.. if Little returns to 08-09 form, if Kane avoids a Sophmore slump, if Pevs cathes fire, if Bergfors really contibutes, we are going to have a hard time basketing the biscuit.
Flagstaff
September 28th, 2010
7:55 am
It is a bit early to push the panic button, but I still think that we need yet another player who can score. Satan looked great in the playoffs last year, and he’s still available.
hip czech
September 28th, 2010
8:09 am
Totally agree with the Redden comments…throw Huet’s contract in the discussion as well.
It’s a total farce that teams can get rid of bad contracts by waiving a player or assigning them to a team in Europe. Redden will never again play in the NHL just because Glen Sather is an idiot.
Not worried about the preseason results…if anything I see a lot more positives than negatives. The team is learning the defensive system first (and if the last 2 games are an indication so far so good).
Didn’t Boston finish last in the conference in goals scored last year and yet wound up in the playoffs?
Tolduso
September 28th, 2010
8:21 am
Same as it ever was (?) but thank the lord Kovalchuk is not out there skating around, doin nothing but wanting to score goals.
Red Light
September 28th, 2010
8:25 am
Huet’s contract with Chicago is no different than Redden’s with New York. The loophole has been established and both players didn’t play up to very lofty expectations. Sure, it’s circumvention, but it’s really no different than what occurs when a injured player is unable to play, ie DiPietro, That salary doesn’t count either when he’s inactive, because of the long-term injury clause. They still have to pay him (via insurance) but the cap swells by an equal amount to the injured player.
All of the players we’ve mentioned as possible acquisitions, while they may help short term, what’s the real upside with bringing in a guy like Satan? Not much. Is he going to push this team over the top? Nah. That’s why I like giving the younger guys a shot (Pettersson) and didn’t like the Modin signing.
Pavs = Patience. Few 22 or 23-year old goalies are consistent. He’s going to be fine, just needs some confidence and some wins. Right glovesave29?
Rhythmpenguin
September 28th, 2010
8:31 am
I wasn’t dissing Buff. Just an observation. If anything it’s a good thing (brutally good =)
Brendan
September 28th, 2010
8:32 am
I’ll reply to Kracker here, too, like from the previous blog. I definitely agree with you, Kracker. This is “salary cap circumvention” if I’ve ever seen it. In my view of things, if a GM signs a player to a contract, it counts against his cap, unless the player’s got a two-way deal. Which I don’t think Redden has. So, I think the correct thing to do is either buy him out … or suffer the consequences on the roster. Is the salary cap not ALL ABOUT DECISION-MAKING?!! Sather had a chance to re-sign Redden after his 1st $6.5 million contract was up. Sather elected to RENEW him, at the SAME price. When, clearly, the price tag, for performance delivered, needed to decrease, by at least $2 million per season. I haven’t checked out the linked article above yet, but I will, and it seems, from the title, that one fine day … the Chicago Blackhawks will stash Brian Campbell in the minors. They already “loaned” Cristobal Huet out to some Swiss or Swedish league. I can’t remember which one at this precise moment. Since the salary cap is all about decision-making, there has to be accountability for it. Otherwise, it’s just a consequence-free environment for GM’s to make contracts as stupid as they’d like, or until the NHL steps in the “nix” them, like with Kovalchuk’s contract FRAUD.
The NHL had a real opportunity to reel in this “dollar cost averaging” non-sense with the Kovalchuk deal. They didn’t. I think setting a limit of “age 40″ is atrocious as a solution to salary cap circumvention. Wait ’til John Tavares gets his next deal. Think Charles Wang, architect of Rick DiPietro’s 15-year deal that pays him until he’s 40, wouldn’t step up similarly to attempt to lock up Tavares until he’s 40, with some 18-year deal? It’s perfectly legal. He’ll get to “dollar cost average” his way into some $6 million cap hit, while front-loading him $14 million-a-year in the beginning. The solution, as Red Light says, is to make whatever the player’s salary is … the actual cap hit. That stops this non-sense, dead in its tracks. After that, it’s no more “loaning” and “stashing” players, if it turns out the GM made a bad contract. In theory, I suppose, some other NHL team, probably a bottom feeder with plenty of cap room, needs Wade Redden. In theory, such a disadvantaged market ought to acquire him, to make their team better than it was. And the return might only be “future considerations,” as a straight up salary dump. But the practical reality is … that a disadvantaged market doesn’t have the money to blow on a Wade Redden, especially with years left on that deal. Even with revenue-sharing. I know someone will come forward to say, “But Brendan, if the player’s contract turns out to be a huge mistake, isn’t it just better to pay the guy off the books and be done with it? C’mon.” Yeah, well … then you’re encouraging more of this fiscal irresponsibility. If your market is wealthy, you’ll be paying LOTS of guys not to play in New York. How is that fair to Columbus? Or Phoenix? Or Carolina? Or Buffalo? Or Edmonton? Or Atlanta? We’re not about to pay a player $6 million to player in the minors, or someplace in Europe. Sather made a bad contract. We knew it, then. We know it, now. There should be “consequences” for that.
NHL Ready
September 28th, 2010
8:38 am
Red light your crazy on Pav’s. He is not NHL Ready he had his chance and showed he cannot play here. Patience for a Team who never had a solid Goalie until now I do not think so. It took them a while to find out Kari need to go. It is time for Pav’s to go. Thrashers made a huge mistake not signing the Moose. A Manson and Moose tandem would have be awesome.
Adam
September 28th, 2010
9:22 am
Brendan – If your market is wealthy, you’ll be paying LOTS of guys not to play in New York.
The way I see it this has worse than “salary cap circumvention” as it is not just paying a player not to play in New York. It’s paying a player not to play in the NHL, which in effect will water down the competition.
World Be Free
September 28th, 2010
9:30 am
Budder-we need one that’s for sure! I am sure Dudley is watching what is and what is not happening especially on the powerless-play.
Rhythm on Buff-yeah I noticed, bet the rest of the league noticed too! Wonder if anyone is still questioning Buff’s move back to D? I just what would happen if the guy got mad?
Pavs is done-Greiss would be an upgrade. My 14-year old half blind and totally deaf dog our be an upgrade. Sorry guys, I am just over Pavs.
lemon drop the gloves
September 28th, 2010
9:31 am
artie played another solid game paired with his old junior mate bogo. Over 17 minutes and a plus 1. i’m in kulda’s corner for sure. he’s plus 3 in his two games (both losses) having logged good minutes. he deserves to be on opening day roster.
DWTOO
September 28th, 2010
9:43 am
After last week’s performance I was ready to throw Pavs under the bus, but, having a week to reflect perhaps it is too early to cut bait with the boy. He’s frustrating, but, as the wise and true sage of the blog (Redlight) as opined goalies do take longer. The good thing is we have Mason to mentor Pavs along with Malarchuk (sp?). We could give it another year to see how it plays out.
Glad to hear Dudley isn’t looking at the waiver wires. We don’t need anyone else’s cast offs. Think we need to concentrate on relieving a salary cap challenged team of a twenty goal scorer.
kracker
September 28th, 2010
9:44 am
WBF – So the Thrashers arena announcer should change it and say “The Thrashers – on the Powerless Play!” He won’t say that but us fans surely will, if the PP stays woefully anemic.
Zombie Steve
September 28th, 2010
9:51 am
A Mason-Moose tandum does sound quite robust…
Spud Webb
September 28th, 2010
9:52 am
The real thrash “So if we go 0-6 will that just be preseason too?
How about a little bit of reality Ice Man”
Yes, if we go 0-6 that is preseason and means NOTHING come 10-8 vs the caps, lol. New coach, new players, new system, Ramsey (call me crazy here) I’m SURE has an idea of what he’s doing. That is the reality of the situation.
Rawhide
September 28th, 2010
9:56 am
So if we go 0-6 will that just be preseason too? How about a little bit of reality Ice Man
The Real Thrash – Um…let’s see. There are 6 preseason games, so if they go 0-6….yes, that’s still just preseason given none of them will count in the standings.
goose
September 28th, 2010
10:07 am
How can you throw pav’s under the bus before he has even gotten on. He has played all of ONE full season and did not do bad. Before last season he had played all of 19 games over two seasons. Just because pavelec is not playing like Roy does not mean we should get rid of him. Give him a chance let him play a few seasons, then decide if he is our next goaltender
TrueBlue
September 28th, 2010
10:08 am
One thing that we should all be happy with is that Ramsay does not seem to keep rolling out the same old crap. He is using this pre-season very wisely by changing up lines, personnel on the PK and PP, and having his boys practice his methods. That is all pre-season is anyways…Glorified practice that people pay 50 bucks to watch.
Though it would be nice to WIN one of these practices, it really is no big deal and I feel that when it comes time to actually play, our boys will be ready.
Joe Friday
September 28th, 2010
10:08 am
Not suprised at all that the team is struggling to score goals. We talked about it before they even dropped the puck on training camp. There is no top line scoring and to bank on guys like Kane and Bergfors to be your top scorers just isn’t going to work.
I think they’ll still make a move here to bring in some top line scoring, they have to. Even if they don’t I’d rather watch a close checking hard fought 2-1 loss than the 5-2 blowouts of yesteryear while Kovy and Max do their figure 8s. If the club can stay in the mix for the 8 spot until the trade deadline, there’s obviously plenty of room to bring in a rental top line forward to make a run.
Rhythmpenguin
September 28th, 2010
10:19 am
goose: I totally agree. Also, Pavs is only 23.
MeLoveSlava
September 28th, 2010
10:29 am
As far as getting some veteran scoring that is no longer handcuffed by a minor-league coach, THE SLAVA is still available.
rob
September 28th, 2010
10:30 am
A complete new system here, a lot of different faces. Ramsey even talked about “deprogramming” guys. This isn’t gonna be a quick fix here, people. This team hasn’t had any clear cut system that I can see. Throwing a Satan type player in the mix won’t help, it will hurt. He plays NO DEFENSE that I ever remembered seeing. Let what we have sort things out and get a grip on what it is Ramsey wants, and then go from there. I wouldn’t be suprised to be under 500 after the first 10 games, realistically. A better picture should begin to emerge 10-20 I would think. We will see if Ramsey’s ideas are sinking in and if we have the players who can play it. Goalie is my worry now. Mason seems like he might be the real thing, but the season goes to he double hockey sticks if Pavs has to play more than 20 games I think…
Diego from Lilburn
September 28th, 2010
10:36 am
I think Ramsay is doing the right thing with preseason – he’s mixing it up and giving lots of folks a decent chance at showing their quality at the NHL level. We still have several guys playing who are going to be sent down but they are going to be sent down after letting management have a good look at their mettle. I’m ok with that. Also, it seems like our strong Thrashers defense is coming together pretty well. I can’t believe I just said that! The words “strong” + “Thrashers” + “defense” have probably never been strung together before?! Except maybe if someone was commenting on what we needed in seasons past.
Unless all the “ifs” come true we are gonna need that strong defense. I haven’t heard any rumors about a 20+ shooter coming here lately. I guess something could be in the works and we don’t all necessarily have to hear about it in advance. Heck, I’ll be happy if someone shows up at the last hour! We all know we need one. I’m sure management knows we need one also. Hopefully they’re working on it.
J.B.
September 28th, 2010
10:38 am
Actually Kozzy has signed or is about to sign with CSKA Moscow.
Smoothie
September 28th, 2010
10:49 am
Yeah, I’m sure Kozzy would love this system in which you have to hustle every second of every shift!! And I’m the best blogger of all time…ALL TIME!!
If we pick someone up, it’s gonna be more along the lines of a guy who is not afraid to mix things up and crash and bang. So don’t look for any floaters like in the past. As for Satan, not saying I want him, he actually played pretty darn good 2-way hockey for the Pens in their Cup run…but too old and slow. Rather have Modin.
Cornbread
September 28th, 2010
10:58 am
How many PP opportunities did the Thrashers have last night?
Rawhide
September 28th, 2010
11:00 am
How many PP opportunities did the Thrashers have last night?
Cornbread – Zero.
A complete new system here, a lot of different faces. Ramsey even talked about “deprogramming” guys. This isn’t gonna be a quick fix here, people. This team hasn’t had any clear cut system that I can see.
rob – That’s really the way I see it. The preseason is a part of that process too. Ramsay told me a few weeks back that he’d like to get his lines together and let them have some time to gel during preseason. But he added that given the fact he wants to give some prospects an honest evealuation, he didn’t think that was possible.
Also, it seems like our strong Thrashers defense is coming together pretty well. I can’t believe I just said that! The words “strong” + “Thrashers” + “defense” have probably never been strung together before?!
Diego from Lilburn – Kinda makes your head swim…doesn’t it?
Brendan
September 28th, 2010
11:14 am
Adam, you’re right on the money.
Smoothie
September 28th, 2010
11:23 am
Anyone know what Petr Sykora is up to? Is he healthy enough? He’s still only 33 and had a solid year in Pittsburgh for their Cup. What is Allan Walsh tweeting these days?
ChippersLoveChild
September 28th, 2010
11:46 am
@kracker “A team that went 0-3 in preseason last year? The Chicago Blackhawks. They finished 1-3 vs Caps and Wild in their first four games and then went 1-1 vs two Swedish teams. I wonder if the ‘Hawks fans were doing all this nervous hand-wringing a year ago?”
The Blackhawks also had guys named Kane, Toews, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, and Hossa on their squad…. I don’t see any of them lacing up the skates on opening night for the Thrash… not even close when comparing those two teams, unless you want to talk about how we added a few of their bottom six pairing guys in the off-season.
kracker
September 28th, 2010
11:48 am
The NYPost’s Larry Brooks says all us small market, limited budget fans should come to our senses on the Redden waiving and just get over it and see things the right way – his way. What a maroon!
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/don_ac_cost_rangers_for_redden_cut_im51JRJsXZEMhqkpZyFtqI
kracker
September 28th, 2010
11:54 am
You made my point wonderfully, thank you, CLC. Even a stacked team like the ‘Hawks loses in the pre-season because their goal is – and it’s the same goal we have – to look at prospects and invitees and get the new folks up to speed. And the ‘Hawks didn’t have all new coaches last season.
Btw, how’s your dad’s rehab coming along?
Red Light
September 28th, 2010
12:06 pm
In his first three full seasons, Patrick Roy’s save percentage was .889, worse than Pav’s.
Ryan Miller didn’t take over the starting job in Buffalo until he was 25.
Roberto Luongo didn’t have a winning record until he was 26, and just last year (age: 30) broke the .500 winning percentage mark.
In 2008-09, Jaro Halak was 18-14-1 with the Habs and had a 2.86 GAA. Last year at the age of 24, he was 26-13-5 with a .925 save % and a 2.40 GAA. Wonder what would have happened if not provided an opportunity, instead opting for Price all the way along?
In 1995 when the Devils won the Cup, Brodeur (who turned 23 in May of that year) had a save percentage of .902, equivalent to Pav’s career percentage.
99 percent of the time, the guys in front of the goalie mean the most. Why do you think the Thrashers have a long legacy of poor goaltending? Shots against. Too many power play opps for the opponents. Poor backchecking. Need I go on?
litz
September 28th, 2010
12:07 pm
Anyone notice that two Thrashers made the cut for “Best player ever to wear a uniform number” ?
#50 : http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1009/nhl.greatest.players.by.jersey.number/content.52.html
#80: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1009/nhl.greatest.players.by.jersey.number/content.82.html
(Arguably #24 too … but he only played a very few games for us)
ChippersLoveChild
September 28th, 2010
12:07 pm
@kracker… my point was that Chicago had much more than this current Thrasher roster. It seemed like you were implying we could go on a run like them when we can’t. I think our preseason is much more indicative of how we will play this year than the Blackhawks preseason was of them last year.
hip czech
September 28th, 2010
12:19 pm
Good article on the ownership situation in Dallas:
http://www.defendingbigd.com/2010/9/28/1716845/the-future-of-brad-richards-the-dallas-stars-now-uncertain
Yikes, there is someplace with an even bigger ownership mess?
The comments at the end of the article sound like they are straight from RH blog comments made in the past.
da' boomer
September 28th, 2010
12:35 pm
almost hate to read this:
http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=538713&navid=DL|CHI|home
five hole
September 28th, 2010
12:49 pm
I think I’ve seen enough of Ondrej to decide that he’s just not going to be a #1 in this league. Even from a #2, you want consistancy, and I don’t see us getting that from him.
We’re not going to lead the league in scoring, but we seem to have enough 20 goal guys. I think we’ll be OK in offense. Not great, but OK.
Depending on how our big (literally) new defensive acquisition does, we could have a very good defense. So, is “buff” the sound people make when he hit’s them? Anyway, we certainly seem to have depth at defense, something most teams don’t usually have.
Can’t wait for opening night!
rob
September 28th, 2010
1:08 pm
boomer,
At least we were in a position to trade a prospect for a few proven commodities…. Both teams needed what the other had, so… I am comfortable with the way it went, and looking forward to a much better team this year for the Thrashers and all the fans!
kracker
September 28th, 2010
1:24 pm
Nah, Chipper, I just look at pre-season performance as being non-representative of most any team. The sample size of games is small, the rosters are not legitimate NHL rosters, especially the early games…like somebody said, these games are organized scrimmages that we have to pay good money to watch. However, I do look at the individual play of some of the players for encouragement. Like a talented prospect or your goalie or a vet on a tryout like Max last season.
ChippersLoveChild
September 28th, 2010
1:28 pm
Got ya, agree with you there.
Joe Friday
September 28th, 2010
1:33 pm
while I agree that goalies (and dmen) take forever to come into their own (forwards mature much more quickly), I see Pavs in the same light as Valabik. Too many flaws in the game to delude me into thinking he’ll become a Roy, Miller, or Brodeur. Just like Valabik isn’t going to turn into Chara.
Pavs is very poor positionally and goes down way too quickly. He’s got a nice glove, but this season does hinge on the team remaining competitive only if Mason stays healthy. Mason goes down and this is a lottery club, once again.
World Be Free
September 28th, 2010
1:39 pm
JF-right on, exactly why we need a quality backup not Swiss Cheese #31.
Red Light
September 28th, 2010
2:00 pm
Happy birthday Joe Friday!
I’ll just play ignorant for now and say in two years that I told you so!
Midfield
September 28th, 2010
2:08 pm
Granted, I haven’t seen the games. But I wouldn’t start looking at the goaltending as a root cause for losing records in 0:1 and 1:2 games with over 25 SOG against in each. But that’s just me.
kracker
September 28th, 2010
2:23 pm
tweets – ajcthrashers Nik Antropov plans to make preseason debut tomorrow vs. Preds.
NYIslanders #Isles have agreed to terms on a 2 year contract with defenseman Mike Mottau.
Alan R.
September 28th, 2010
2:33 pm
So if we go 0-6 will that just be preseason too?
Yes, because the Thrashers play six preseason games, and have completed three of the six. Six games, six losses, means zero count.
Call me if we open the season 0-6. I might express some concern then. Then again, I might not. We have a ton of new players, new staff, and a new GM. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some bumps and bruises in the standings along the way.
kracker
September 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
Bad news for the Flyers. Michael Leighton will miss at least a month with a bulging disc in his back. They will go with Boucher and either Bobrovsky or Backlund. And Ian Laperriere will be out indefinitely with post-concussion symptoms.
Joe Friday
September 28th, 2010
3:05 pm
“I’ll just play ignorant for now and say in two years that I told you so!”
Thanks for the bday wishes, Red Light. So, you really think Pavs has the goods? I completely hear you about goalies taking forever but he just doesn’t show me that basic instinct the good ones have, would love to hear you rub it in my face in 2 years cause that means we have a great goalie. But heck, we’ve never had a real goalie coach, so mabye the new guy can work wonders on him. Would you at least agree that we don’t want Pavs seeing serious minutes this year?
Derrick
September 28th, 2010
3:18 pm
Here’s a link to the 2010-2011 Thrashers Media Guide courtesy of Ben Wright if anyone wants to download it http://thrashers.nhl.com/v2/ext/PDF/201011_Atlanta_Thrashers_Media_Guide.pdf
hip czech
September 28th, 2010
3:25 pm
So it starts:
“Kari Lehtonen, G DAL
News: Lehtonen skipped practice Monday with a groin injury and won’t get the start Tuesday as originally scheduled, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: This bears some watching given the injury history of Lehtonen, but the plan currently has him playing a full game on Thursday so it doesn’t appear to be too serious.”
Man, why am I fixated on Dallas Stars news today??
Derrick
September 28th, 2010
3:33 pm
Haha yeah maybe you should be commenting on a Stars blog instead of the Thrashers
But it’s really no surprise. If we learned one thing about Kari Lehtonen during his time with the Thrashers, it’s that he can’t stay healthy.
Rhythmpenguin
September 28th, 2010
3:36 pm
Red Light: I totally agree with you about Pavs. Looking forward to “I told you so!” =)
five hole
September 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
I agree with you Joe. I don’t think he positions himself well with respect to the shooter. His concentration seems to be inconsistant. He’s very athletic and quick. He recovers well. But I don’t see #1 potential in him.
So, 2 years ago, I predicted that Little would have a breakout year and score 30. Now, I’m going to predict that it’s Bogo’s turn. I predict that he will score (at least) 15. Write it down.
Red Light
September 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
Let me hearken you back to Detroit, a 2-0 shutout when Pav stopped 40 shots last November. Or, the four-game stretch in January when he stopped 126 of 135 shots, winning three with an OTL to Buf. The team was coming off the 8-1 debacle to Washington when Moose gave up four goals on nine shots. Pav came in and also gave up four more on 28 shots after the team had quit in the 3rd. Then, they beat Ottawa and he gave up one. He stopped 18 of 19 in the 2nd, 3rd and OT session before giving up the game winner against Buffalo on a power play, and then beats Carolina and Toronto. Those wins ran the Thrashers record to 22-20-7 at the time.
Of the goals he surrendered, 26 were on the power play and 3 were shorthanded. When the Thrashers were shorthanded, Pav’s save percentage was .898, while Moose’s was .881. Pav actually had more problems at even strength giving up 15 more goals than Moose on 19 more shots. That’s a classic case of a young kid not being able to maintain focus. That can be corrected, as can him being better on his angles, not over-committing and with stick placement.
I’m not saying he’s the next Ken Dryden, but he sure as heck isn’t the next Damien Rhodes either.
Joe Friday
September 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
I am also looking for a turnaround year from Bogo this year. Even though he’s young, he’s one guy I have hopes for (unlike Valabik). You can see when the talent is there but just needs to be groomed, and I think Bogo has got “it”.
Joe Friday
September 28th, 2010
4:01 pm
“Let me hearken you back to Detroit, a 2-0 shutout when Pav stopped 40 shots last November.”
Now I really don’t have a dog in this fight, I’m kind of in a hopeful mode with Pavs but knowing he’s not going to be an answer for us this year, for sure. But to play Devil’s Advocate, I remember a guy named Norm Maracle shutting out the Flyers one game and we know what happened to him. And there was this kid named Scott Fankhouser who put together quite a stretch of games. Kari Lehtonen was a world beater for 4 or 5 game stretches in a row.
To me, the key to a goalie is who he plays night in and night out over the course of a season or seasons. Pavs shows flashes of brilliance, just like Maracle, Fankhouser, and Lehtonen all did. But none of the 4 of them showed they could do it over the long haul.
But again, mabye the goalie consultant can learn him some tricks, it’s a hope, just not a hope I have for this year and if you made me bet on it, I’d say he’s not turning into Brodeur, but will turn into more like a Boucher type of goalie. Can look great for a few games but you don’t want him as your everyday guy you have to rely on.
kracker
September 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
Sure, Bogosian is ‘it’. He was drafted as a franchise defenseman. He was well on his way to a huge season last year until he the arm or wrist injury, whatever it was. Plus, he has bulked up. Is it really 20 more pounds?! Ramsay will no doubt love working with Bogo. I will be shocked if he is not at or over 20 goals this season.
ChippersLoveChild
September 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
20 or more for Bogo? Really? I’m holding you to that prediction!
Michael Garnett
September 28th, 2010
4:23 pm
Back around Christmas 2005 I had two straight shutouts saving 65 shots in those two games in total. They were a 1-0 win over New Jersey and a 4-0 win over Montreal.
And just look at me now.
Adam Berkhoel
September 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
Michael Garnett is totally overrated.
five hole
September 28th, 2010
4:35 pm
Bogo put on another 20 lbs? He was already quite the scrapper, when he needed to. If he’s packing another 20 lbs (I assume muscle and not Taco Bell) then people are going to back off from him!
Cornbread
September 28th, 2010
5:08 pm
Bogo looks to be 220-225. He’s huge. He’s also seeing a lot of minutes and is likely to get that number 1 position if he can “de-program” and follow Ramsay’s system.
Vitamin Z
September 28th, 2010
5:54 pm
btw…is there no TV schedule for SS yet? http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm
Bob Hartley
September 28th, 2010
6:46 pm
From now on, “Berkie” is our guy.
Brendan
September 28th, 2010
6:48 pm
Rightly or wrongly, I forever remember Wade Redden as the Ottawa defenseman who took the wrong guy in Game 7 of the 2003 Conference Finals, late in the 3rd period, that resulted in the series clinching goal for the Devils. In 2003, Ottawa was seriously the favorite to win the Cup that year.
kracker
September 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
This is pretty big!!! tweet -
telfo1 well sportsouth just had a commercial saying all #Thrashers games in HD…. yet we still dont have the schedule
Hokie P. Clisters
September 28th, 2010
10:13 pm
Mason looks ready. Pavs is inconsistent but durable. Kari? Well the Beatles said it best: Boy, you’re gonna Kari that load a long time……
Hopefully Antro doesn’t have any setbacks. Offense? It would be great if we have at least one big breakout during preseason so we don’t start squeezing the tape off the sticks.
Midfield
September 29th, 2010
7:57 am
Slava Kozlov is reported to have signed by CSKA Moscow – one of his former teams in the previous century.
World Be Free
September 29th, 2010
8:00 am
I just don’t think Pavs has the mentality to be a backup goaltender at this point in his career. What’s in your head (or what’s not) translates to the way you play the game. In Pav’s mind, he’s a starter when in reality, he’s a backup. Set aside some of his faults as a goaltender, I think Malarchuk can work on his faults.
What’s between the ears is what counts the most, especially if you are a goaltender.
Zombie Steve
September 29th, 2010
10:01 am
Glad Kozzy found a place to hang his hat in the motherland.
R. Stroztradamus
September 29th, 2010
10:21 am
For kicks and giggles, I’m going to be optimistic today and set the over/under for Thrasher goals tonight at two goals.
So, which will you take, the over, under, or two goals.
Rawhide
September 29th, 2010
10:26 am
Per C-Viv tweet: “Thrashers defenseman Noah Welch has cleared waivers”
R. Stroztradamus – I’m feelin’ lucky today. I’ll take the “over”. Thrashers score 4.
Smoothie
September 29th, 2010
10:36 am
Stroz – tough one as it is the Predators and they are rather stingy. I’ll go out on a limb and say we score 3 in a “break-out” game. Antro sets up Kaner, Burmie buries one finally and Freddy P gets a greasy 1.
kracker
September 29th, 2010
10:59 am
Over. Unlike Monday, I figure the Thrashers will get some PP time tonight.
hip czech
September 29th, 2010
11:04 am
Probably going to get Ranallo’d…but just an observation from a Nashville game preview blog:
“If Monday evening proved anything, its that the Atlanta Thrashers are just an annoying team to play against. They possess two decent goalies in Ondrej Pavelec and Chris Mason, and play a very scrappy game led by Ben Eager, Andrew Ladd, and Dustin Byfuglien. Atlanta’s not without some skill, either – young defensemen Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom ensure that they’ll be set on the blueline for some time.”
When was the last time you heard terms like ‘annoying to play against’ and ‘very scrappy’.
I say 3 tonight also…
Smoothie
September 29th, 2010
11:08 am
When a team recognized for its “smashvillian” MO suddenly recognizes that they have an image created in their likeness to the South, you know that something good is brewin’ in Blueland.
Hopefully, the UGA fans hoping for some good old fashioned butt-whoopin’ on the gridiron will quickly turn to the Thrashers to get their weekly dose of smash-mouth brutality down at the Bulb.
Dwayne
September 29th, 2010
11:37 am
3 goals and a victory!!!!!!!
Derrick
September 29th, 2010
11:46 am
My heart says to take the over but my head says to take the push. I see it being the same score as last game but with the Thrashers getting the win 2 to 1.
Thrashers27
September 29th, 2010
11:52 am
There is something strange about the fact that a TV schedule has not been released yet. It’s really starting to annoy me too.
J.B.
September 29th, 2010
11:57 am
No Rinne for NSH tonight, per Ben’s twitter feed
Derrick
September 29th, 2010
12:02 pm
Speaking of schedules, the Thrashers schedule to start the season isn’t an easy one that’s for sure. Start out with a home game against the Caps then go on a 4 game road trip including 3 out west to play with the California teams, and included in those 5 games is 2 back-to-backs.
What are your realistic expectations for how many points they’ll come out of those first 5 games with?
Rawhide
September 29th, 2010
12:09 pm
Dustin Byfuglien is scheduled to be on NHL Live sometime during thier show today.
It can be heard on XM 204 as well as Sirius Radio. Also on the NHL channel (Comcast 294).
Red Light
September 29th, 2010
12:14 pm
Thrashers27: Please choose one?
Option 1
Play-by-play man Matt McConnell is a restricted free agent and has not come to terms, thus delaying the forthcoming TV schedule announcement.
Option 2
Jerome Jurenovich is reportedly trying to determine whether or not he should be involved in the broadcasts this year, or accept an offer to play Ichabod Crane in the remake of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Option 3
The TV networks that carry the Thrashers probably aren’t too concerned about their estimated 4,000 viewers right now.
Derrick: I’ll take five points out of the first five games.
Smoothie
September 29th, 2010
12:25 pm
R/L – I would be ecstatic if we could take 5 of 10 pts in that slate of gms. A record of 2-2-1 would be just lovely indeed. Gonna be tough though fo’ sho’. Pavs better be ready for those B2B games on the road!
Rawhide
September 29th, 2010
12:26 pm
Red Light - I understand the Penguins have re-assigned Brett Sterling to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
World Be Free
September 29th, 2010
12:31 pm
The countdown is on for teams trying to get under the cap.
Derrick
September 29th, 2010
12:34 pm
Smoothie- My thoughts exactly. If we could somehow manage to come out of those games with 5 points I would be extremely happy, especially with the guys still trying to learn the new system and all.
J.B.
September 29th, 2010
12:43 pm
Byfuglien will be on around 1:20 according to the thrashers facebook page
Red Light
September 29th, 2010
12:45 pm
Bill:
That’s what it said on TSN.ca. Time and size are against him.
Red Light
September 29th, 2010
12:53 pm
World Be Free
Here’s a beauty from Lamariello. Salvador, now at $2.9 million vs. the Cap, is undergoing tests this morning for something. He was pulled in last night’s game after one period. So, if he can be put on IR, that won’t count vs. the Cap, leaving NJD more time to make a deal. Crafty but a little too obvious.
Knowing full well that he needs to shed salaries, three former No. 1 picks – defenseman Matt Corrente, center Jacob Josefson and left wing Mattias Tedenby — remain on the Devils 29-man roster as of today. With Anssi Salmela injured, and Salvador undergoing tests, Corrente could make the Devils roster to start the season, while the Swedes may have to step in once a forward or two is dispatched via a trade or the waiver wire.
Because of your love of acronyms, I am divulging a new one: NTBC for Now That’s Beautiful Circumvention!
Rawhide
September 29th, 2010
1:22 pm
If you’re not able to make the game and have XM Radio….the sports scroll on my XM radio is showing that the game will be on channel 204 tonight.
hip czech
September 29th, 2010
1:33 pm
Is Boris Badenov in the lineup tonight?
Rawhide
September 29th, 2010
1:36 pm
D-Buff on NHL Live:
On playing defense, he indicated he wants to play that position, saying that he would “like to establish myself as a D-ma”. Continuing, “I enjoy defense more than I enjoy playing forward”.
He added that there is a little bit of an adjustment, though…he has to make sure he doesn’t join in the rush up ice all the time and remember to stay focused on his defensive duties.
Byfuglien said that the team is starting to gel some…”Everyday we’re getting better and better and coming together more and more”.
On coach Ramsay…he indicated that he’s doing a good job teaching the new system and getting old style of play out of their system.
Lastly, Buff said he’s looking forward to catching some Hawks basketball games here as he enjoyed watching Bulls games in Chicago. He also enjoyed White Sox baseball games, so maybe he he’ll follow the Braves too.
As for football, he said he really didn’t get into it as much.
Smoothie
September 29th, 2010
1:40 pm
Lame interview and a waste of internet bandwidth! Give the people Dustin vs Roenick, 2010!! If I wasn’t live-blogging the interview, I would’ve fallen asleep at my desk!
GaVaHokie
September 29th, 2010
1:47 pm
I yawned so hard I think I broke my jaw.
World Be Free
September 29th, 2010
1:51 pm
Buff is a quiet guy, so I am not surprised.
Red Light, I think Lou is on a short leash after the Kovy marathon fiasco. Not sure how much the players will go along with this hi-jinks if they are forced to sit out because of the cap issues.
Colin White is available-or so I hear.
DWTOO
September 29th, 2010
1:59 pm
Most of the interviews on NHL Live are pretty much softballs/fluff. However, it is better than what we here on the flagshi% station of the team. XM is pretty much a cheerleader for the league and for the most part that’s OK. At least it’s hockey and it is informative if not confrontational. Wouldn’t expected a question about JR anymore than I would have expected Buff to say “Who cares he’s a horses posterior”.
Smoothie
September 29th, 2010
2:00 pm
WBF – to be clear I’m blaming the interviewers more for the lame, trite questions. No imagination really. Most hockey players are a bit quiet. I think Buff would’ve had something smart to say if asked about JR.
Cornbread
September 29th, 2010
2:11 pm
ATL 3 – NSH 0
hip czech
September 29th, 2010
2:15 pm
c-viv reports:
The lines in practice were much the same as yesterday’s practice.
Modin-Antropov-Pettersson
Kane-Peverley-Stewart
Ladd-Little-Dawes
Eager-Burmistrov-Thorburn
Boulton-Rissmiller-Bergfors
What has Bergfors done to get in Rammer’s doghouse? Hopefully it’s just giving Pettersson a chance to show something and Bergfors will man the top line come 10/8.
Joe Friday
September 29th, 2010
2:40 pm
“What has Bergfors done to get in Rammer’s doghouse?”
I’m assuming that line isn’t skating tonight, so mabye they’re holding Bergfors out as they don’t want him getting hurt and queering the trade that’s lined up. That 1 yr. $900m contract is ripe to be able to send the other way to a cap stressed team so they get a roster player while we take a top line forward off their lineup.
I’ll take the over on the goals, law of averages says they have to score some once in a while, even with that lineup (PU!)
Derrick
September 29th, 2010
2:45 pm
Yeah for real, I mean putting Bergfors on the 5th line with Boulton and Rissmiller?! What, he’s not even good enough to be on the 4th line? Give the guy a chance to play on one of the top 2 lines, please!
J.B.
September 29th, 2010
2:49 pm
i bet nj wants bergfors back… there may be something to that.
Any word on whether the discord betwixt Kaner and unnamed veterans that was discussed a few days back has subsided? Still “too big for his pants” as someone put it?
hip czech
September 29th, 2010
2:49 pm
I’m still holding out hope for the Bergfors for Zajac deal going down
J.B.
September 29th, 2010
2:58 pm
yep, that’s what im hoping for too. i feel pretty confident, realistically, nj is going to do alot of burying salary rather than trading if they can.
Joe Friday
September 29th, 2010
3:02 pm
I’m telling you, there’s smoke here. That $900k 1 yr. contract for an immediate roster player allows a cap stressed team to still ice a roster and get under the cap after they let move one of their highly paid top line guys. Figure in as well that I see about $4m in available self imposed cap space for the Thrashers (move a $900k guy out, that means you can bring a $5m guy in) and the mind bogglingly strange move of Buf to d, holding Bergfors out of tonight’s game . . . I see a move of Bergors (and mabye a D) out and a top line forward back to us
My sources tell me so, signed Deep Throat
Smoothie
September 29th, 2010
3:06 pm
Joe F – if that happens, it better be Valabik!!
Jeff Gillooly
September 29th, 2010
3:09 pm
Some guy named Lou Lamarillo just gave me a job to cap some knees of New Jersey Devils players.
For some reason, Lou told me my title would be team trainer.
hip czech
September 29th, 2010
3:15 pm
JF, I agree and speculated before that the Bergfors negotiations dragged out because something like what you outline was in the works. Otherwise that signing makes very little sense.
NJ makes too much sense, they are familiar with Bergfors and need the cap space. They can move Parise back to center to leave them Parise, Arnott, Rolston as the top 3 centers, which isn’t bad.
Joe Friday
September 29th, 2010
3:19 pm
NJ makes the most sense, they get Bergfors back who Lou apparently loved to begin with and we give them the space they need, there’s smoke here and where there’s smoke, there’s Flames! Signed, Deep Throat.
J.B.
September 29th, 2010
3:22 pm
does zajac have a NTC?
Smoothie
September 29th, 2010
3:23 pm
I thought Rolston was a RW? Perhaps he plays both.
The only problem I see with the NJ scenario is the fact that they are thin up the middle. Parise’s been playing LW in the pre-season, has he not?
hip czech
September 29th, 2010
3:26 pm
more fuel….
“The Thrashers are still looking for their first preseason win and while preseason standings don’t count for much of anything the players still hate to lose. Rich Peverley said today that they really feel like they need to win tonight and get the offense going.
The line for tonight are (in no particular order):
Kane- Peverley- Stewart
Modin- Antropov- Pettersson
Dawes- Little- Ladd
Thorburn- Burmistrov- Eager
I didn’t catch the defensive pairings but Arturs Kulda will be the scratch (Rissmiller is out up front) leaving Bogosian, Enstrom, Oduya, Hainsey, Sopel and Meyer. Chris Mason will get the start against his former team.”
No mention of Bergfors at all…he must be at exit 12 of the NJ turnpike by now.
Smoothie
September 29th, 2010
3:27 pm
Projected depth chart has Zajac, Arnott, Zubrus and Pelley as the 4 C in New Jersey. There is little else in the way of experience on the pivot for the Devils. I just don’t see Zajac coming back for Bergfors.
hip czech
September 29th, 2010
3:29 pm
Parise played his first couple of years as a center, no? I thought Rolston played center with Minnesota also.
Hey, no mention of Boris either!
Hockey Biltong
September 29th, 2010
4:09 pm
one word….PasiNurminen
Brendan
September 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
Rawhide, bummer for Sterling. I was hoping he could make the squad. Maybe he’ll see some call-up action. Of course, he’ll have to pass waivers on the way down. Maybe the Thrashers could claim him, and stash him in Chicago?
Sara
September 29th, 2010
5:31 pm
Brendan – I do believe according to the CBA, if a team picks a player up off of waivers, they have to keep him at the NHL level. Waivers are for the benefit of the players – to give them an opportunity to still play (and get paid) in the NHL.
The fact the team is 0-3 in the preseason doesn’t bother me. The fact they have only scored 3 goals in 3 games however does.
five hole
September 29th, 2010
6:04 pm
Hockey Biltong Don’t be dissin’ my dog Pasi. He’s the best starting goalie the Thrashers have had to date.
Brendan
September 29th, 2010
6:45 pm
Well, Sara, then looks like we won’t be claiming Sterling! (Though we certainly have plenty of cap room.) But why couldn’t Atlanta claim the player, then cut him? That’s forbidden? I suppose, the Thrashers could claim Sterling, then package him as sweetener in some deal. Perhaps, the CBA would allow the player to once again be demoted to the minors by the gaining team in the trade? I honestly have no idea what the CBA says about that.
Likewise, I’m not concerned about 0-3. Or even 0-6. It’s preseason. And the purpose of which is to evaluate talent for roster decisions. If we start the season 0-3-3, I think I’d be somewhat concerned about that. We’re not the kind of team that’s expected to rachet it up come New Year’s Day. So, we need to bank points in October and November, before the rest of the league gets their “sea legs” under them.
Derrick
September 29th, 2010
10:39 pm
Well another game, another loss. And yeah I do realize that it’s only preseason but I think we can all agree that it would be nice if they could find a way to win a game before the regular season gets here.
R. Stroz
September 29th, 2010
11:04 pm
A few quick thoughts:
1) Hainsey should join the Blue Crew. Actually, I take that back, the Blue Crew has more toughness than Hainsey.
2) Eager and Dawes played extremely well.
3) For those of you not at the game, the refs SUCKED.
mikey da mug
September 29th, 2010
11:26 pm
Hainsey – good on PK, bad on PP – Team looked much better than previous 3, but same result. Wonder who’ll be cut w/ Meyer looking good on D, and Fredrik 1 & 2 both holding their own.
mikey da mug
September 29th, 2010
11:27 pm
Rawhide – good to met you after the game… hope to see you next week.
Hokie P. Clisters
September 29th, 2010
11:29 pm
OK…we scored 3 goals. Our next goal should be to secure a “W.” Hainsey is our “official” weak link on defense….unless Boris somehow gets on the ice.
Derrick
September 29th, 2010
11:35 pm
Make Hainsey our 7th d-man and play either Meyer or Kulda with the top 6. I’d take both of them over him right now.
Rawhide
September 29th, 2010
11:39 pm
mikey da mug – Great to meet you too. Here’s a new blog just for you.
Hokie P. Clisters
September 29th, 2010
11:39 pm
Derrick – I agree 100%.