Despite 0-4 preseason start some Thrashers making it tough to be cut
The Thrashers offense finally showed some signs of life Wednesday night, scoring as many times in the first two periods as they had in the previous three games. However, it still wasn’t good enough to notch their first win of the exhibition season. They are now 0-4 with two more dates on the preseason schedule and have yet to even hold a lead.
You ask me if I’m worried about that…Nope, not at all. As long as these games don’t count, the outcome is academic.
Coach Craig Ramsay given instructions from the Thrashers bench. Although his team has yet to win in preseason, some players are trying to make it hard on him to cut them (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Oh don’t get me wrong, I’d much rather see them win…but that isn’t what the preseason is really about. Craig Ramsay and his coaching staff are getting to see how certain players perform during game-like situations, new players are learning the tendencies of their teammates and line formations are being tried out.
To that point, there are a couple of guys who are working hard to make it difficult for Ramsay to trim them from the roster.
First off there’s Fredrik Pettersson. He’s been one of the few consistently good players during the four games. The kid has great wheels, is good with the puck and is all out hustle all the time. I particularly like the little move he’s got where he chips the puck into the zone off the boards then zips around the defenseman and wins it on the other side. It’s kind of a solo dump-and-chase routine.
Freddy-P makes the squad or there needs to be an investigation.
Nigel Dawes has continued his impressive work too. On this night his efforts paid off in a power play goal, getting his stick on a Johnny Oduya pass through the crease to tie the score at one apiece late in first period. He’s a pesky, scrappy little player or plays larger than his diminutive size.
Oduya finished with a pair of helpers during 17:22 TOI.
Anthony Stewart also keeps making a case to keep him around after this weekend. He finished the game a +2 during his 18:28 on the ice, the only player on either side to finish better than a +1. He’s aggressive, tough and gives you just about everything you might want in a fourth liner.
Given a choice between he and Eric Boulton right now, I might just have to say I’d have Bolts viewing from the press box. Stewie may also be playing Chris Rissmiller right off the roster too.
Then there’s Freddy Meyer, who had another good outing on the blueline. The 29-year old New Hampshire native certainly has performed like he’d much rather earn $600,000 in the NHL than $105,000 in the AHL. He finished with 20:39 worth of ice-time and blasted home a nice shot for his first preseason goal. It came just 16 seconds after Nashville’s Martin Erat’s power play goal put the Predators up 3-1 in the second.
As for Alexander Burmistrov, once again I left thinking that this kid is going to be something in the years to come…but just not now. He still is somewhat undersized and gets out-muscled. He may, however, get a few NHL games under his belt next month if Jim Slater’s mystery wrist ailment continues to keep him out for a while.
Ben Eager notched his second goal of the Preseason in the 4-3 loss to Nashville. He finished off a really nice play in which Zach Bogosian motored his way though center ice into the right side of the attacking zone. He then found Eager streaking across the opposite side and slipped the puck though to him for the one-timer.
Eager’s tally tied the score six minutes before the second intermission.
Having an uninspired preseason so far is one Mr. Ron Hainsey. He hasn’t looked sharp at all in the three games I’ve seen. I’m hoping it’s just a case of working out the kinks before October 8 rolls around.
Ron was a -1 tonight, but I believe he was on the ice for the two Preds power play goals too. For that matter, Brent Sopel was a -2 and I think he was on the ice during all four Nashville goals.
Nik Antropov played like you might expect one to in his first preseason game. The coaching staff limited him to but 12:44 worth of playing time as he looks to work his way back into playing condition.
Atlanta closes out the preseason this weekend with a game in Carolina Friday afternoon and one in Columbus Saturday evening. It’d be nice to discuss a win in at least one of those, but next week is when it really matters.
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127 comments Add your comment
Tom
September 29th, 2010
11:42 pm
Gold!
Hokie P. Clisters
September 29th, 2010
11:47 pm
Sopel is stinking it up also but Hainsey has a more consistent stink…..
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
12:02 am
Hey Bill, I actually thought Burmie played better than Freddy P tonite. Seemed like Pettersson had a huge target on his back and he was getting pushed around a lot, but he works his tail off and he forces the other team to compensate. Plus, he drew that key penalty leading to the PP goal. But considering Thorbs had a less than stellar game, Alex had to overcome a lack of chemistry on his line to get a couple of self-created chances. Although he did get beaten badly on the PK when Erat squeezed off his shot before Burmie could get his stick in the way. As for Ron Hainsey, he was awful. I’m getting very concerned about him as he doesn’t seem to have the strength a D-man should have. Even Freddy Meyer has stronger wrists and hands. Ron needs to spend less time combing his hair and more time doing forearm wrist curls.
Derrick
September 30th, 2010
12:05 am
I repeat my comment from the last blog. Make Hainsey our 7th d-man and play either Meyer or Kulda with the top 6. They’ve definitely played like they wanted spots on the team and I think they deserve them.
jeff97
September 30th, 2010
12:06 am
So far the best chemistry i have seen is between Eager and Thorburn. Having Burmistrov playing on that line was interesting tonight. But we still have not seen all that much chemistry with any of the top offensive players. I thought tonights effort was not as consistant as it was last Saturday. There was more offense, but defensively, we gave Nashville a lot more scoring chances.
Our biggest challenge right now is determining who plays on the top 2 lines and the power play and establishing that chemistry. hopefully we can find some of that in the last two pre-season games, but I dont think we will really start seeing that until the team hits the road.
Derrick
September 30th, 2010
12:07 am
Smoothie – Ron needs to spend less time combing his hair and more time doing forearm wrist curls. Hahaha thats classic.
Hockey Biltong
September 30th, 2010
12:29 am
yup!
JLH
September 30th, 2010
12:35 am
Bill, I agree with all your observations about tonight’s game. I believe Dawes, Stewart, and Meyer are making Ramsay’s roster decisions very tough. Meyer’s goal tonight was just icing on the cake. He was consistently making the right decisions and executing them well. What do we make of Boris’ absence? I think both he and Kulda will be in Chicago. Hainsey & Sopel were awful, and Ramsay referred to the “tough night our veteran defensemen had” at the presser. Sopel may block shots, but he looks like a 7th defenseman to me. I’ve been a Hainsey supporter the last couple of years, but the bloom is fading fast. After the 3rd goal (2nd PP) Hainsey turned and looked at Mason, shook his head and mumbled a few words. At that moment he reminded me of John Anderson. I can’t see Hainsey with the “C” playing the way he has this pre-season.
litz
September 30th, 2010
12:58 am
“I particularly like the little move he’s got where he chips the puck into the zone off the boards then zips around the defenseman and wins it on the other side. It’s kind of a solo dump-and-chase routine.”
Man, all I can say is, every time I see him do that, I go “how’d he manage THAT?”. That is a really nifty move.
As for the team in general … the thing that has me kinda worried is our really really rough passing. If it leaves the stick held by a guy wearing a blue shirt, it’s gotta GO TO A GUY IN A BLUE SHIRT!
The scoring opportunities will come, but we have to get the puck there first, in a controlled manner, before we can actually manage to shoot it …
- litz
Brendan
September 30th, 2010
2:17 am
It’s still preseason for the refs, too. Let’s not forget that. Last week, in Toronto vs. Philly, they missed a call that should have resulted in a Phil Kessel OT winner for the Leafs. Instead, the Flyers won in a shootout. While I’m sure fans who paid to see that game wanted the outcome be correct, it’s still preseason for the refs. This is the time for them to stink it up, too. These games don’t matter, in terms of who wins and loses. It’s about evaluating talent. From what I can gather, from R.Stroz, the referees are still in preseason mode, as well.
What will have me concerned, however, is if this team only wins 2-3 games in October. I think the organization really needs to take its best step forward, as it attempts to win back fans … with Dudley as the named GM and Ramsay and Torchetti as the Head Coach and Associate Coach. The Thrashers, simply put, need to make a statement, EARLY ON, that this isn’t just going to be “Year Four” of the building project. We’ve been there, done that. To really win back fans, and bring in new ones, the team has to win. I hope that, by Thanksgiving, the Thrashers can be the buzz talk in Atlanta.
Barry
September 30th, 2010
4:10 am
Ya I agree Hainsey has not looked good this preseason. Only Boris has looked worse. I think Sopel has played pretty well but having him and Hainsey paried together was a distaster apparently. I wouldn’t mind seeing Hainsey on 3rd D pairing but not with Sopel. I’d say have a Sopel-Buff paired together since they know each other well from their Chicago days. Perhaps an Oduya-Enstrom and Hainsey-Bogosian pairings. I was glad to see the boys start to gel offensively more but giving up 4 goals and 2 PP goals was uncharactersitic of how they played the previous two games. Hopefully these last two preseason games the team can put the good defense along with the starting to click offense together and put two W’s before the season starts. They need to at least get one W this weekend because it would be on their minds for sure still craving that first win as a new team and new system and against Washington just would add to the pressure.
Tony C
September 30th, 2010
5:06 am
When are they going to make fat@ss play forward? If he refuses, do you think we can break even on what we spent for him? (1st round pick)?
Also been heavily disappointed by Hainsey’s play. Maybe we can package him and fat@ss for a legit top-6 forward and a D-man who isn’t afraid to go after the puck in the corner.
My apologies for being so gloomy but wow, color me unimpressed. Ramsay’s just now admitting that scoring’s an issue? How on earth did nobody see that coming?
Tony C
September 30th, 2010
5:08 am
All that being said, Petersson’s been a pleasant revelation.
The Real Thrash
September 30th, 2010
6:45 am
Reason we have the non-winning teams we have in Atlanta:
No expectation of winning. Not in pre-season or regular season.
Do winning teams not care about winning whenever any games are played. Of course. But not in Atlanta!
You are indeed Alfred E. Newman.
BlueSpark
September 30th, 2010
7:39 am
I don’t have the data, but I bet there’s very little correlation between winning in the pre-season and the regular season.
Everybody buckle up: October is not a nice schedule for Les Thrashers. I think it’s going to be ugly early on.
R. Stroz
September 30th, 2010
7:57 am
Put Hainsey on the milk carton!
Cliff Fletcher
September 30th, 2010
7:58 am
Hey Rawhide, nice picture of Sage.
Tolduso
September 30th, 2010
8:07 am
Same as it ever was (?). . . at least we can be thankful for not having Kovalchuk skating around the ice doing nothing but wanting to score goals.
Cliff Fletcher
September 30th, 2010
8:09 am
I did not see the game last night, so I have no opinion of who did or did not play well. I am not happy about being 0-4 in the preseason, though I’d be more upset if we are talking about 0-4 during the regular season. This team is still evaluating who s going to make the last spots.
I still have Pevs as our team captain.
Hainsey the Metrosexual
September 30th, 2010
8:17 am
Smoothie – I combed my hair before the game. During the game, I was working on my manicure and pedicure.
Besides, I didn’t feel well yesterday, having my back waxed was very painful.
Dwayne
September 30th, 2010
8:26 am
Hainsey is missing Doris “pretty” bad.
jen
September 30th, 2010
8:27 am
Was at the game last night. Iltz I think made a comment about the passing, which goes to the heart of the chemistry issue. I think its imperative they get the top two lines figured out asap, because the passes were going to the spots, the players just weren’t there.
Did anyone else notice how hilarious Petterson looked between Nik and Modin? He was like an oompa loompa between two giants.Not to completely belittle Petterson’s play – thought he did well out there, very speedy. was probably the only one who actually chased the dumps and got to them first last night.Burmistov is not ready for the NHL yet….definitely seeing good potential, but he’s just getting beat off the puck. I think if Cormier was healthy it wouldn’t be under discussion. I can see the need for someone with an A name who can pot 20 to re-unite the AK47 line. Kane and Pevs looked goot. Brian Little looked stronger and had some decent looks. They had opportunities in general, but gave up shots to pass too much (something that’s been an ongoing problem).
Flagstaff
September 30th, 2010
8:28 am
Cliff– don’t talk bad about ol’ Alfred like that.
rob
September 30th, 2010
8:48 am
It is nice to hear Mason talking about the games, he is honest about what is going on and very positive about this team. He hit it spot on. This is a feeling out process for everyone on the team. Too many things are being analyzed to worry about winning a preseason game. Would it be nice? Of course. Ramsey has to know how guys react to situations so he knows who he should play when. Guys are getting to play in situations they won’t play in once the season starts because everyone needs to see who works best in any given moment. The emphasis has to be on exposing everyone to as many variables as possible so the staff knows who to play when. Don’t expect miracles yet, and don’t be down on what is going to be a fun team to watch play this season. I wouldn’t be suprised if things weren’t settled and moving smoothly until the end of Oct. The early west trip will be good for them as it will give the team time together away from the distractions and pressure of home.
Buzilla in CT
September 30th, 2010
9:03 am
Hokie. Looks like I will be in town for the November 11th game against the Wild. Gorins Hat Trick. Don’t give me that “I have a baby now” BS
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
9:36 am
rob – you are absolutely right. Ramsay is playing guys in situations they might not normally play, like that failed PK experiment with Modin and Antropov slogging around the ice trying to chase the puck. They couldn’t clear, Sopes made a bad attempt and they were pinned for a minute thirty. Eventually, Nashville connected on a backdoor feed to a streaking Suter. We WILL NOT see Antropov killing penalties in the regular season unless he becomes a F/O wizard. Modin neither. Hainsey has exposed himself the most and will likely get 3rd pairing minutes playing with Oduya, which is an injustice to Johnny who deserves 20-22 mins / game. But someone has to make Ron look as good as his hair!
J-man
September 30th, 2010
9:42 am
Consider me skeptical about Stewart. He hasn’t exactly made the most of his previous NHL opportunities and as a 4th liner, let’s be honest. He’s not likely to be a difference maker. It wouldn’t surprise me if he made the team and then 20-30 games into the season got banished to the Wolves, never to be seen again.
I predict that Thorburn will be cut. It may not happen until next week, but I think he’s gone.
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
9:58 am
“The distractions and pressures of home?” Exactly what are those rob?
They play in virtual anonymity here. There are about five media guys (one employed by the team) who regularly follow the team at home, and there is one on the road when C-Viv is actually allowed to attend. Not to be outdone, there wasn’t a single media person in the arena from Nashville last night.
The only distraction for the players is to try to follow the puck coming out of the empty blue seats in the arena, to get over the disappointment of looking up in the stands and seeing R. Stroz and 2,400 of his closest friends in the stands, and to learn a new system installed by the new staff.
Every team in the NHL now goes through a “feeling out process” due to the cap and juggling rosters every year. The Thrashers aren’t the only team with a lot of new faces in camp. Yes, road trips can often be beneficial to a team that needs to become more familiar with one another, but losing any game can be detrimental to this team’s psyche. Losing is easy. Any team can do it. This team has become too familiar with it, and while you can say, ‘this year will be different because of the guys from Chicago who won the Cup,’ lets not kid ourselves, each one of them have lost in the past too.
Outside of the good stretch in the second period, this team was outplayed last night. The middle of the defensive zone was wide open for much of the night and the hell-bent for leather forecheck we’re supposed to see yielded 1:42 of power play time and few offensive end takeaways.
And, Pettersson had one shot from center ice all night, Stewart had two shots and three hits, and Hainsey led the team with five blocked shots.
Of course, it’s only preseason, so why worry about it!
J-Man: there is no way Thorburn gets cut.
Rawhide
September 30th, 2010
10:17 am
I don’t have the data, but I bet there’s very little correlation between winning in the pre-season and the regular season.
BlueSpark – Really, there isn’t.
The early west trip will be good for them as it will give the team time together away from the distractions and pressure of home
rob – There is a certain logic to that. They can get out on the road and, for lack of a better word, bond together as a team. The same thinking has applied also in baseball for some time.
Did anyone else notice how hilarious Petterson looked between Nik and Modin? He was like an oompa loompa between two giants.
Jen – It was kind like watching PE in middle school…you know, where some kids still look like they are in the 3rd grade and others need to shave twice a day.
I predict that Thorburn will be cut. It may not happen until next week, but I think he’s gone.
J-Man – Ooooo, I don’t know about that one. But hey, you’re on the record and can say “you heard it here first” if it does happen.
The Real Thrash – You convinced me….three straight 1 goal losses in preseason is indeed a clear sign that the season is lost.
We’re doomed.
GaVaHokie
September 30th, 2010
10:20 am
Hokie. Looks like I will be in town for the November 11th game against the Wild. Gorins Hat Trick. Don’t give me that “I have a baby now” BS
I think that game is sold out already. There are a ton of Lattendresse and Miettinen fans in Atlanta.
Cliff Fletcher
September 30th, 2010
10:36 am
Flagstaff-just trying to add some “lightness” to all those fans that have already written off the season becuase of preseaosn losses. Gimme a break!
R. Stroz
September 30th, 2010
10:45 am
Red Light – The players fear THE BULLHORN.
Rawhide
September 30th, 2010
11:06 am
and Hainsey led the team with five blocked shots
Red Light – Although I had not seen that stat, I do recall him getting in the way of a few. Good for him.
Adam
September 30th, 2010
11:11 am
The schedule for October is a very strange one, but one that could be very helpful. Including preseason there are 13 games, 10 are back to back & 9 on the road. I suspect most Sundays will be days off for the team but there are a lot of week days for them to practice with the set squad.
I will be happy if they’re 1-4 after the 1st 5 games of the season and at the end of the month I see them at 2-9 or 3-8, something in the area of 5-8pts. Anything better would be a bonus. I just want to see them in every game and not getting blown out. Many people will be crying in their beer or calling people out but in the end having 8 or less points after 11 games isn’t the end of the world. What is important is that by the end of the month there is real improvement. View October as extended preseason, I know most of those games “count” but if they are really doing well by then I think all will be good.
November is key for this team. 14 games and only 2 back to back, with only 4 within the division. There are 10 at home, 6 of them straight starting mid month. They will need to be within 2-5pts of .500 or 20-23pts going into December and still have playoff hopes. There will still be 57 games left at that point. If they can win at a .625 percentage over those games that’s 71pts. This would put them at 91-94 at the end of the season.
I think that’s pretty realistic, no?
Phil Foley - Atlanta Thrashers Examiner
September 30th, 2010
11:24 am
I think this roster is pretty much set at this point, it’s just a matter of whether Burmistrov gets his cup of coffee or a longer look on the big club before possibly going to juniors.
With Lisin getting released, the Thrash’s roster is down to 29. Odds are Slater (wrist) finds his way onto IR and Kozek (hernia surgery) either gets shelved on Injured Reserve or sent to Chicago (depending on his health at the start of the year). That gets you to 27.
Realistically, it’s between Meyer and Valabik for that final defense spot as the kids (Kulda and Zubarev) are better suited to spend time in Chicago to develop and play every day as opposed to watching a good part of this season from the press box. Boris hasn’t played since the first preseason game. You do the math there. That gets you to 24.
Then it basically comes down to either Burmistrov or Rismiller to get down to the max of 23. If you want to start with just an extra forward and defenseman, you cut both of them. If Slater can go, you either cut Burmistrov and Rismiller or cut one of them and Stewart.
That would give Atlanta the following Opening Night roster (barring a last minute trade).
Forward (14): Nik Antropov, Niclas Bergfors, Eric Boulton, Alex Burmistrov (or Rismiller), Nigel Dawes, Ben Eager, Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Spencer Machacek, Fredrik Modin, Fredrik Pettersson, Rich Peverley, Anthony Stewart, Chris Thorburn
Defensemen (7): Zach Bogosian, Dustin Byfuglien, Tobias Enstrom, Ron Hainsey, Freddy Meyer (or Valabik), Johnny Oduya, Brent Sopel
Goaltenders (2): Chris Mason, Ondrej Pavelec
GaVaHokie
September 30th, 2010
11:25 am
October is ‘brutal’… this team could be in an 0-5 hole very quickly. Too much time off coupled with a Week 2 West Coast swing… ugly.
rob
September 30th, 2010
11:25 am
R/L,
maybe mis spoke that. I meant being able to be out on the road, probably spending more time as a team than if they were at home. Obviously the media and fans don’t put pressure on them yet…. Anyway, I understand all teams go through this, only there really is more to it here as the entire coaching staff is new and they are trying to evaluate, coach, and find cohesion with a team that is all over the map right now. Trying to give those who were already here a new mindset and get the newcomers to want to be here has to be a lot to ask…. That is all I am saying, and I will give them the benefit of the doubt until it becomes apparent to me that this is a failure.
For those saying we need a strong start to make the playoffs….I don’t see a strong start happening. I see the team getting better as they go along and gel with each other, adopt Ramsey’s scheme, and find their roles. None of that has happened yet, but it will, and the team will have some success when it does IMO.
TableHockey
September 30th, 2010
11:33 am
From the web – Todd White and Erik Christensen are expected to be scratches for the Rangers on opening night
Zombie Steve
September 30th, 2010
11:37 am
new coaches, new systems, new team(basically). Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
11:37 am
rob, fair enough. I agree that there are going to be some growing pains with this team but I do believe they need wins and points to establish confidence. Close losses, even with improvement, won’t cut it.
hip czech
September 30th, 2010
12:18 pm
That would give Atlanta the following Opening Night roster (barring a last minute trade).
Forward (14): Nik Antropov, Niclas Bergfors, Eric Boulton, Alex Burmistrov (or Rismiller), Nigel Dawes, Ben Eager, Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Spencer Machacek, Fredrik Modin, Fredrik Pettersson, Rich Peverley, Anthony Stewart, Chris Thorburn
Defensemen (7): Zach Bogosian, Dustin Byfuglien, Tobias Enstrom, Ron Hainsey, Freddy Meyer (or Valabik), Johnny Oduya, Brent Sopel
Meyer please!
Has Machacek shown anything to deserve to stick?
R. Stroz
September 30th, 2010
12:29 pm
Machacek was reassigned to Chicago last week.
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
12:30 pm
Machacek has already been sent down. Meyer earned his spot last nite. He was excellent.
GaVaHokie
September 30th, 2010
12:35 pm
Ben Wright said that a Blackhawks scout has been at the last two Thrashers preseason games… let the speculation begin… nnnn-now!
I agree… Meyer makes the final roster.
GaVaHokie
September 30th, 2010
12:37 pm
Forward (14): Nik Antropov, Niclas Bergfors, Eric Boulton, Alex Burmistrov (or Rismiller), Nigel Dawes, Ben Eager, Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Spencer Machacek, Fredrik Modin, Fredrik Pettersson, Rich Peverley, Anthony Stewart, Chris Thorburn
Ummm… you might want to count that again.
Sage of Bluesland
September 30th, 2010
12:43 pm
Not to fear, folks–we’re just getting started with our third “Five-Year Plan”…The new GM is blustering about making the playoffs–bluster which is sounding familiar to the statements issued by his alleged predecessor.
The more things change in the figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland”, the more they stay the same….losses, incompetent ownership, inept leadership, listless product, dreaming sheep,…Yep, everything is present and accounted for!
(You couldn’t make this stuff up, I swear…)
Joe Friday
September 30th, 2010
12:56 pm
“So far the best chemistry i have seen is between Eager and Thorburn.”
I have not seen a game, but if this is true, our offense is going to be worse than I feared.
Rawhide, if you’re not worried about wins and losses and the lack of offense, you’re whistling through the graveyard, brother. I would not get my hopes up for this year, unless they make some kind of big move here to bring in some scoring.
Rawhide
September 30th, 2010
12:59 pm
Rawhide, if you’re not worried about wins and losses and the lack of offense, you’re whistling through the graveyard, brother.
Joe Friday – I would be worried if the last 3 games looked more like the first one. I just honestly don’t put too much stock in preseason records.
Jake
September 30th, 2010
12:59 pm
I don’t recall ever seeing Hainsey have a good game. He’s the Todd White of blueliners. I’d encourage him to seek employment elsewhere.
Athrasherfan13
September 30th, 2010
1:03 pm
Have lived in the ATL area for the past 4 years and love it. What I don’t love is the bandwagon mentality of the sports fans here. Come on people. If you were a true fan, be it of the Thrashers, Braves, Falcons, whatever, you would attend the games for the sake of the games. Instead, if the team is not performing well, all interest is lost.
Sure, we all like to be associated with winners, but that can’t always happen. Instead, fair-weather fans come onto blogs like this and piss and moan about how bad the team is or how badly it is being coached, or how badly the players are playing or how much money the owners aren’t spending on the team. Well, here a news flash for all of us: None of us are on the team or any pro-level team and probably never will; None of us have coached at the pro level and probably never will; if we were on a team, all of us would suck; and finally, none of us have invested millions in a pro team of any kind…and probably never will.
What we can be good at is being a fan of the game. That means learning the game. Supporting the game and the team. True fans are there in good times and in bad. I had a lot of years invested in the Red Sox and the Patriots when they were less than stellar. Things finally turned around….as they always do.
We have a responsibility as a fan. To support our team. If you are not going to support them, don’t comment about it…simply ignore them and/or the game completely. I’m sure the players and coaches don’t read this stuff, and if they do, they take it with a grain of salt. Do you think THEY like playing in front of an empty house?
And I’m not putting responsibility of fan loyalty only on us as fans. The team and players and coaches also have a responsibility to to the fans also. Recognize them, especially the few that actually show up for the games. The Rangers are a perfect example when they salute their fans after each game in the Garden. Respect has to be 2-way.
Bottom line is: Be a fan of the game. Be a fan of the team. They can’t win everything…especially this year with new coaches and a turned over team. Dump the gloom and doom. Expect an awful October, a better November and fighters in December and thereafter. Give them time to know and learn each others tendencies and get their timing down. We’re only a little over 2 weeks into the preseason and the camps, with a new system and new personnel.
Give this team a chance. I know you have heard it before, but remember…..you or I an any of those positions, would not make a difference in the world. But as true fans, supporting this team, we can help make a difference.
Peace. Out.
Cliff Fletcher
September 30th, 2010
1:10 pm
Sage is back-the first sign of gloom!!
Spud Webb
September 30th, 2010
1:20 pm
Athrasherfan13…we do support our team, hence we’re on this blog everyday. If we didn’t go to the games & or watch them at home, then you wouldn’t see us on here everyday. After what we’ve seen the last 10 years, how would you like us to spin it?? Like this………
Man, we looked great out there, got the h&ll kicked out of us, but I’m going to put these Thrasher colored glasses on & say, we’re going to win the cup!
I understand what you’re saying, but the folks on these blogs do support the thrashers!
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
Well, Sage is back. I guess hockey season has officially begun. Don Waddell passed by me last nite (I was the only one sitting at the top of section 304) and I thought about telling him about Sage and his e-mails. Then it dawned on me that Donnie doesn’t know how to work a computer…he graduated from the John McCain school of doing business. Keep all the numbers in your head and things will work out.
Hainsey the Metrosexual
September 30th, 2010
1:45 pm
Athrasherfan13 – Would you pick up my hair gel before the next game?
Russ
September 30th, 2010
2:00 pm
Hainsey is very valuable to this team, he is the one they way overpaid a few years ago to make sure they reached the salary cap minimum.
If scoring is a problem, I hope they don’t even consider putting the key offseason acquisition (Buff) back up front where he belongs. That would just make too much sense. From the sounds of thing, he is on D because that is where he says he wants to be and the Thrashers are just trying to keep him happy. So, if Kane decides he would like to take a whirl at being the netminder, I can only assume that is where he would be. I was cautiously optimistic about this season until this franchise regressed by making a decision like this. So, I will now put in my predictions for Brendan’s contest and I will base it with the assumption (keeping fingers crossed) that they will come to their senses early in the season and put Buff where he belongs.
90 pts/3rd in division/10th in conference. If Buff stays on defense for more that about 20 games look for the Thrashers to fall considerably short of these numbers.
Acer9
September 30th, 2010
2:06 pm
Let’s not go nuts. The Thrashers faced NHL opposition and not 3 tier or lower teams in the pre-season (drawing a soccer pre-season comparison.) I’m not concerned at all. You have a new team with new coaching staff, a new system and new players.
jimbo
September 30th, 2010
2:20 pm
Hainsey accidentally blocks shots by stumbling around. He’s starting to look more and more like Chris Tamer. And where are Modin’s wheels? He’s doin a great Army impersonation. Get D-buff in front of that net!
World Be Free
September 30th, 2010
2:20 pm
Martin Gerber is available off waivers-comes back at 1/2 price and would be an upgrade over Swiss Cheese #31.
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
2:24 pm
Colin Stuart has been sent down to Portland by the Sabres. You’re killing me World!
World Be Free
September 30th, 2010
2:35 pm
Talked to my Sabre “brothers” – Colin did not do much in Buffalo, had little chance of making the team though Mark Parrish is pushing for a final spot on the club.
Mikey
September 30th, 2010
2:41 pm
I’m not too concerned, it is only PREseason after all. But if they don’t get something going this weekend it will make for a long week before the season opener.
Darkhorse
September 30th, 2010
2:44 pm
I’m kinda glad we are seeing the Thrasher’s deficiencies becoming obvious to everyone. I hope it forces management to make adjustments before the real season starts. One of the worst things that could have happened here is if a slurry of 4th liners and guys who weren’t gonna make the team anyway were scoring bunches of goals and we won our preseason games. That certainly would not have kept up all season. It would have kept the blinders on management in recognizing their is a legit scoring concern here, along with a mental young goalie, and some challenges on D.
Darkhorse
September 30th, 2010
2:51 pm
Rawhide just retweeted that Kamal is leading to believe Bumistrov and Meyer are very close to making the final cuts. If that turns out to be true, then Valabik is either not healthy enough to contribute yet, or a trade is coming with him and others going.
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
2:52 pm
“I’m kinda glad we are seeing the Thrasher’s deficiencies becoming obvious to everyone.”
You mean Ron Hainsey? Too bad we can’t do anything but bench his butt!
Sorry to keep taking digs at Ron, but he should have had a relatively good game last nite playing with the steady, reliable Stanley Cup winner Brent Sopel. Had he not stunk up the joint in his other home game, then I wouldn’t be coming down so hard.
And to be fair, we came back against a Nashville squad who invariably reverts to the trap when they get the lead. After playing an aggressive, forechecking 2 – 1 – 2, Nashville quickly dropped back into their 1 – 2 – 2 trap to protect the lead. It didn’t work. That’s when things started to click and the extra space DZ blueline gave them speed coming out of the zone to get them going. Passes were connecting and the onslaught was on.
The problem is that Trotz came out of the 2nd intermission with guns ablazing using a 2 – 2 – 1 forecheck and our D, especially the Hainsey / Sopel pairing came unglued. But I am heartened by the fact that this team was able to shred the defensive trap without having to dump and chase exclusively. Something that didn’t happen very often, if at all, under JA.
Sure we’re gonna struggle at times early in the season to find out offensive stride, but we’re gonna be fine. As long as we can keep Hainsey off the ice versus other team’s top lines.
Spud Webb
September 30th, 2010
3:03 pm
Hate to tell you folks, Hainsey isn’t going anywhere and for sure won’t be on the bench or pressbox.
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
3:14 pm
When did Lisin get released? I’ve seen nothing about it. He didn’t even play in one game!
World Be Free
September 30th, 2010
3:15 pm
Spud-very accurate-again, we are talking preseason not midseason.
Rawhide
September 30th, 2010
3:19 pm
Red Light – C-Viv said he learned of it when he arrived at the practice rink today.
Also, he just tweeted that Pavs will be in goal tomorrow against the Canes…not surprising. Mason will then start Saturday in Columbus I would presume.
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
3:20 pm
Just waiting for the post saying that maybe we should trade Hainsey for Zach Parise or Travis Zajac!
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
3:20 pm
Thanks Bill!
Ron Hainsey
September 30th, 2010
3:25 pm
They can’t bench me because I’m very adept and experienced when it comes to one on one drills. If anyone wants more “in depth” information, I’d be more than happy to meet you for an interview.
Rawhide
September 30th, 2010
3:26 pm
Scott Burnside has posted his Thrashers preview at ESPN.com. Bottom line, he’s forcasting an 8th place finish in the Eastern Conference and our second trip to the postseason.
Phil Foley - Atlanta Thrashers Examiner
September 30th, 2010
3:40 pm
Sorry Hokie, I left Machacek in there, didn’t mean to. He’s obviously in Chicago now. Besides that error, the rest of the list stands as what the opening night roster may look like.
I’d say Stewart, Burmistrov and Rismiller are the ones on the bubble and it’ll come down to whether there are 22 or 23 on the opening night roster. The staff seems to like Pettersson and Modin and Dawes aren’t going anywhere.
On defense, my guess is that it’ll be Meyer. Boris hasn’t played since the first game and doesn’t fit into coach Ramsay’s fast, quick go-go-go defensemen strategy. Barring an injury, the kids (Kulda & Zubarev) would be better suited getting playing time in Chicago rather than sitting in the press box.
It’s interesting that the Chicago scout was in the press box for the last two games. Keep one thing in mind, Chicago does play Nashville in the second game of the season, although no matchup is set against the Hurricanes.
Chicago solved their cap issues (and the $4.1 million overage penalty that was assessed by the league for Over-35 performance bonuses last season) by placing Cristobal Huet on waivers and shipping him to Sweden. Nevertheless, the cap remains a challenge for the Blackhawks going into the season. They could move a mid-level salary to give them some maneuverability over the season. The question is who?
Nate
September 30th, 2010
3:44 pm
Anybody care to do some research on the positive/negative correlation (if there is one) between losing, or in this case winless, preseasons and the regular season performance? I know there is a negative correlation in the NFL like only a handful of teams in NFL history have gone winless in the preseason and then went on to make the playoffs.
Rawhide – Nice to meet you last night by the way. Wish the outcome had been better, but at least the effort was there. Really didn’t see the improved defense some have been talking about though. The Thrash still seemed to get bogged down in their own zone too many times.
Not so fast!
September 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
Nate – I don’t think so. The Buffalo Bills routinely went 0 – 4 in the pre-season during their Super Bowl appearance era. But keep tryin’.
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
4:23 pm
As we all know, the first Thrashers hat trick was scored by Dean Sylvester, November 22, 1999
As some may know, the most recent Thrashers hat trick was scored by Ilya the Terrrible, February 15, 2009
So, in Brendanesque fashion, name the Thrashers player that scores the next hat trick and include the day and month (in case of a tie)
The correct guess gets a free subscription to Smoothie’s blog or a pair of club seats and a parking pass (during the season in which it occurs).
Rawhide
September 30th, 2010
4:31 pm
Red Light – Hmmmm…..I’ll got with Evander Kane. As for the tie-breaker I’ll say it’ll be vs. CBJs on November 4, 2010.
Tough to decide between the two prizes, but since I already have a subscription to Smoothie’s Blog I’ll to with the tix and parking pass/
Joe Friday
September 30th, 2010
4:33 pm
Ladd gets the hattie, 11/17/10
Spud Webb
September 30th, 2010
4:36 pm
HOLY CRAP Red light, impossible……..crystal ball says…..Little gets it, at home, Wed Nov 17, 2010 vs the panthers.
Spud Webb
September 30th, 2010
4:37 pm
ahhahhahahahahha, well Joe and I have decided the correct date of the 17th, just different players!!! Classic.
Flagstaff
September 30th, 2010
4:39 pm
Cliff– Just kidding!
Spud Webb
September 30th, 2010
4:45 pm
WBF, Mark Parrish pushing for a spot isn’t good news to me as a sabre fan. That along with the “other” Niedermayer brother looks to be making the team. UGH
Another note, less time for Miller in buffalo this season, “Buffalo will play an NHL-high 22 sets of back-to-back games this year, so it’s reasonable to think Lalime could make 16-20 starts.”
mikey da mug
September 30th, 2010
4:47 pm
Thrashers 360 TV Program Debuts on SportSouth
http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=539149
Nate
September 30th, 2010
4:53 pm
Not so fast! – You’re gonna have to do better than that. One vague recollection of a single team does not make for good statistical analysis. But keep tryin’.
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
4:55 pm
Spud, Joe Friday
Really? Against Tomas Vokoun coming off three days rest? Are you out of your minds?
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
5:01 pm
Shouldn’t we simply guess when the TEAM might score its first hat-trick of the season???
And you better act now before I start charging for all of that amazing content on my blog!! Get your guesses in ASAP!
Spud Webb
September 30th, 2010
5:03 pm
Take it easy Red Light! Maybe I figured Tomas will be hurt?? ahhahahahah
Nate…here you go, 33 of 44 Super Bowl champs had .500 or better record in preseason of SB winning year.
Red Light
September 30th, 2010
5:11 pm
I’ve got a much more pertinent stat for you Spud…nine NHL teams have won the Stanley Cup since the Thrashers joined the league, and Buffalo wasn’t one of them!
Spud Webb
September 30th, 2010
5:14 pm
good grief…that is a just mean man. MEAN…I’ll bite…Red wings suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
5:28 pm
I wish I had the optimism of Scott Burnside and the balls to predict that the Thrashers will turn into this year’s Cinderella story, but I’m not quite seeing it. I think the arduous schedule (especially in Oct) and a slow start may put this team too far behind the 8-ball. But they’re gonna make it close at the end…it should be an entertaining ride for this team of young, hard-working upstarts!
Brendan, without further ado, I give unto you my prediction for this upcoming season. And yes, final answer:
39 – 33 – 11 for 87 points; 2nd in SE; 9th in East
SE Division: WSH (115) – ATL (87) – CAR (86) – TBL (83) – FLA (79)
five hole
September 30th, 2010
5:49 pm
Red Light I’ll say it’s Professor Plum, in the libray with a candlestick. No, sorry.
I’ll go with Mr. Bergfors, against the Wild, November 11.
Tony C
September 30th, 2010
5:54 pm
1st hat trick this season: Peverly-6 November vs. Ottowa Senators.
I hate to be so pessimistic, but I just am not seeing the needed scoring-I realize it’s a virtual rebirth of the franchise & lots of unfamiliar people and plays don’t lend themselves to best results….but wow, the games I’ve seen the boys just looked clueless or unengaged. Last night was a bit of a turnaround, so I’m hoping to see some lightbulbs go on soon.
Still don’t like fat@ss on the blueline (especially if the rumors he demanded to play there are true-we have past precedent to show us how easily “star” player’s demands are met by DW), still worried about these line combinations-if chemistry is a problem (and by all accounts it is-not in a “that guy’s a d*^chebag” way, but moreso “who is that guy” way), then let’s find some groupings and stick with it.
glovesave29
September 30th, 2010
6:23 pm
Smoothie – don’t use such complicated insight here, as Sage’s head might explode. Other than complaining about Waddell, he knows absolutely nothing about hockey. He thinks the dump and chase is a dating strategy.
Dwayne
September 30th, 2010
6:27 pm
knoweeeee hat trickeeeee for anybodeeeee!!!!
Nate
September 30th, 2010
7:04 pm
Spud – Now THAT’S a good effort. Now if we can only find the NHL statistical cousin.
Brendan
September 30th, 2010
7:07 pm
Programming Note: Guesses are not due until “puck drop” on October 8, 2010. However, guesses are welcome and have been registered. You may change your guess up, until “puck drop” of opening night.
Russ, you are registered at 90-pts, 3rd in SE division, and 10th in the Conference.
Smoothie, we welcome your entry at 83-points, 2nd in SE Division, and 9th in Conference.
Believe it or not, the Thrashers roster is not yet set. So, you may wish to revise your entries before 10-08-2010.
The budget contest ended on September 20, at 11PM. I think everyone who wanted to vote took advantage of that opportunity before the deadline closed. We did have to set a deadline for that. So, as a reminder, that contest has closed. There is only one remaining guess. It will come from R.Stroztradamus, after puck drop, on “Opening Night.”
Red Light, I’d like to enter the “hat trick” contest by going way, way out on a limb. I like Chris Thorburn to stun the world, with his 3rd line play, recording a “hat trick,” that include a short-handed goal, against the NY Rangers on November 11, 2010.
Brendan
September 30th, 2010
7:09 pm
Glovesave29, “dump and chase” is what WNYers do when drinking Geneseo and hard liquor.
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
7:13 pm
Oh Professor, that would be 87 points, thank you!!
R.I.F.
glovesave – nicely played, I got a pleasant little chuckle out of that. I could elaborate on the same theme using the term “trap” but I’ll refrain for once and demonstrate a bit of decorum.
Dwayne
September 30th, 2010
7:21 pm
I hope I am wrong but……81 points, 3rd, 11th,
glovesave29
September 30th, 2010
7:29 pm
Smoothie…”trap”…ha! A world of possibilities there! I’m thinking along the lines of “Silence of the Lambs”. Leave it at that…
five hole
September 30th, 2010
9:27 pm
Brendan I noticed we picked the same date but 2 different teams, so I double checked; we play the Rangers in NY on Oct 27, they play here on Jan 22, 2011 and Feb 11, 2011 and we go back to NY on Apr 7, 2011. We play the Wild here on Nov 11.
Did you mean to pick the Wild or did you want the Rangers on a different date?
five hole
September 30th, 2010
9:29 pm
Glovesave29 My dating strategy used to be the “trap”.
Rawhide
September 30th, 2010
9:32 pm
mikey da mug & Nate – Very nice to have met you both Wednesday night.
My dating strategy used to be the “trap”.
five_hole – Mine was the dump and chase. I’d get dumped then go off chasing another
Putting On The Foil
September 30th, 2010
9:45 pm
Brendan, 92 pts, 2nd SE, 7th Conf. Final Answer.
AtlFlamesFan
September 30th, 2010
9:54 pm
Off subject, but I just came across this. I had always hoped that Brett Sterling would do in the NHL what he did in the AHL (score goals), but he never did. Now the Penguins just released him. Anyway, here is the article from the San Jose Mercury:
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks/2010/06/23/sharks-playing-a-role-in-deal-thats-sending-dustin-byfuglien-to-eastern-conference/
Sharks playing a role in deal that’s sending nemesis Dustin Byfuglien to Eastern Conference
Posted by David Pollak on June 23rd, 2010 at 9:30 pm | Categorized as Uncategorized
Dustin Byfuglien is headed from Chicago to the Atlanta Thrashers and the Sharks have helped make that happen.
The deal was done: Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brett Sopel and Akim Aliu from the Blackhawks to Atlanta for two draft picks this weekend — 24th and 54th overall — along with Marty Reasoner, Joey Crabb and Jeremy Morin. All part of Chicago’s effort to get its payroll under the NHL’s new salary cap of $59.4 million.
But everything was put on hold when Atlanta ended up having more players under contract than the allowable limit. To remedy that, the Sharks agreed to take two of those contracts off Atlanta’s hands — along with a 7th round draft pick this weekend — for “future considerations.”
The players involved are minor leaguers, defenseman Michael Vernace and left wing Brett Sterling. Both of their contracts expire June 30 and the Sharks aren’t expected to hold onto either player.
What? You think the Sharks wouldn’t expedite a deal that would move Byfuglien — who scored three of Chicago’s game-winners in the Western Conference finals – into the Eastern Conference? Self-interest? Absolutely.
Plus an extra pick in this weekend’s draft.
Derrick
September 30th, 2010
10:03 pm
Red Light I’ll go with Evander Kane on October 22, 2010 vs. the Lightning
Smoothie
September 30th, 2010
10:18 pm
If y’all crave a little more late nite reading material because you can’t sleep, or perhaps you’re a hockey analysis junkie and can’t get enough, then check out this entry from my blog:
http://thrashingbirds.blogspot.com/2010/09/oodles-and-oodles-of-os-you-knowand-xs.html
I’ve transcribed my notes from last nite’s game in which I was the only occupant in the far upper deck attack-zone-once end of the arena. Enjoy my absurd addiction! If you dare.
Brendan
September 30th, 2010
10:23 pm
Smoothie, my mistake. I wrote down 87, 2nd, and 9th, but typed 83-points. It’s corrected now.
dwayne, you’re in at 81-points, 3rd, and 11th.
The voting on the “over/under” on Modin has 8 votes, so far. Four (4) selecting “over” and four (4) selecting “under.” The over/under is Modin potting 14 goals and/or playing in 56 games.
Brendan
September 30th, 2010
10:29 pm
Puttin on the Foil,, you’re in at 92-pts., 2nd SE, 7th Conf. Final Answer.
Five_hole, I’ll go with October 27, vs. the Rangers, in New York, with Chris Thorburn. How’s that for a wild hunch?
Brendan
September 30th, 2010
10:40 pm
I just noticed something. We have three (3) posters with the same guess. Putting on the Foil, GaVaHokie, and HockeyBiltong all have 92-points, 2nd in the division, and 7th in the Conference. Rythempenguin and Viking both have 92-points, 2nd in the division, and 8th in the Conference. Two more posters ALSO have 92-points. Glovesave29 and five_hole both have 92-points and both have 3rd in the division. But Glovesave has 9th in the Conference, while five_hole has the T-birds finishing 8th. Jack has the Thrashers with 93-points, 2nd, and 7th.
Paminski and Mikey both have 91-points and 2nd in the division, but Paminski has the T-birds 8th and Mikey has them 7th.
Tom, for some reason, I don’t have a division rank in your guess of 97-points and 5th in the Conference. Did you make a SE division rank, and I missed it?
World Be Free
September 30th, 2010
10:56 pm
Spud-Sabres added some muscle (heart) which is what they needed the past few season. Leopold was the only bad addition, he is a stiff.
Badger Bob
September 30th, 2010
11:39 pm
Next hat trick? Nik Antropov, December 20, in Maple Leaf Gardens.
And Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun will still claim he’s a stiff…
As for points, the jury is still out. Apparently we need to figure out if the pre-season reacord matters.
Badger Bob
September 30th, 2010
11:57 pm
Poster LTL on the Blue Jackets site had some answers to our “does preseason matter” angst. One excerpt, the holders of the best and worst records from the 2009 – 2010 preseason, hints at the meaninglessness of preseason records:
Best preseason record in the East: Toronto
Worst preseason record in the East: Pittsburgh
Worst preseason record in the West: Chicago
So would you rather be Toronto or Chicago last year?
Derrick
October 1st, 2010
12:09 am
Anyone know if the game with Carolina is going to be broadcast on the radio by either our radio guys or theirs?
five hole
October 1st, 2010
8:29 am
Brendan If you’re looking for Thorburn to score a hat trick, I’d call that a wild hunch. And I sincerely hope he does.
Buzilla in CT
October 1st, 2010
8:49 am
Hokie – Kari isn’t hurt…again. He played last night and got the first star of the game. He will win the Venza this year. You team is weak…and Tavares will be in the top 5 this year in scoring…so suck it
Alan R.
October 1st, 2010
8:56 am
Put me down for: 91pts. 2nd SE. 8th Conference.
J.B.
October 1st, 2010
8:59 am
Nigel Dawes with a hattrick Nov. 21st at home versus the Islanders
rob
October 1st, 2010
9:02 am
Bogosian in Ottawa Nov. 9th
Spud Webb
October 1st, 2010
10:12 am
Here we go, over the top, Brendon, 96 points. Second in the division. 6th seed. I said it. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hainsey the Metrosexual
October 1st, 2010
10:17 am
Oh no, I can’t play today. I left my hair gel behind.
R. Stroztradamus
October 1st, 2010
10:19 am
Brendan – I’m waiting to make my point and standings prediction until the final roster provides more clarity.
Dwayne
October 1st, 2010
10:26 am
When Duds makes the trade to NJ for Parise or Sajak, I will update my guess.
Rawhide
October 1st, 2010
10:29 am
It’s still only preseason, but a Thrashers win this weekend would be nice.
Zoomo
October 1st, 2010
10:36 am
I’ve been a perennial optimist when if comes to the Thrash (baaah), but I dunno, I have a bad feeling that we are going to have a number of things go in the toilet this season.
I’m convinced we are doing the right thing, building with gritty, character players, but I predict the lack of scoring will be diluted even more with some key injuries, etc. and it will take a huge toll. In the end, the projected scoring from Little, Bergy, and Kane turns woeful.
Oh how I hope I’m wrong.
79 Points (35-38-9) 4th and 12th
Brendan
October 1st, 2010
11:03 pm
R.Stroztradamus, I thought you were going to say that you wanted to delay your vote until the 82nd game of the season.
Alan R., you’re locked-in to 91-points, 2nd in SE division, and 8th in the Conference, with no over/under on Modin.
Spud Webb, you’re registered at 96-points, 2nd in SE division, and 6th in the Conference, with no over/under on Modin.
Zoomo, you’re confirmed at 79-points, 4th in the SE Division, and 12th in the Conference. Your guess is the 2nd lowest made in the contest. East Point Bob has 60-points, with no division rank or conference rank.
Tom, if you’re out there, I have no SE division rank for your guess of 97-points and 5th in the Conference.
Picks may be made and changed up to “puck drop” of the Thrashers 1st regular season games. After which time, the contest is closed. Still, you’ll see people try to weasel-in with a pick at Christmas. AS IF it would count. Never seems to stop them from trying, though. Reading and comprehension are some of the better hallmarks of Western Civilization.
Thrashy Thrashy
October 2nd, 2010
12:51 am
I’ll go with 90 points, 2nd in SE and, what the hell, 8th in the East.
Modin? Over. I think Ramsay will manage his ice time well. I get the feeling that Rams is a stickler for that sort of thing.