Semin-chanted evening as Thrashers fall to Caps in OT
If you’re a Washington Capitals fan, you no doubt enjoyed Saturday night’s outcome against our Atlanta Thrashers. It was quite a game, quite a night and quite a win. Truly it was some enchanted evening in Washington D.C.
Or, should I say, it was…ahem… Semin-chanted evening.
The Thrashers gained a consolation point on the road, losing in overtime 4-3 on Tomas Fleischmann’s goal 1:37 into the extra period. But is was Alexander Semin’s hat trick in regulation that got the defending Southeast Division champs into overtime in order to win it. Semin’s third, fourth and fifth goals of the season tied the score at 1-1, 2-2 and put Washington up 3-2 in the third period.
Evander Kane took a Rich Peverley pass from behind the goal to put the Thrashers up 2-1 in the second period. Kane had two goals in the 4-3 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
There were several turning points in the game, but none bigger than the one that left Atlanta a player down with over a period left. With Atlanta up 2-1, Dustin Byfuglien was tagged with a game-misconduct charging call. He was whistled for skating into Caps keeper Michal Neuvirth following as rush up the right side with about two and a half minutes remaining in period.
Atlanta missed Big Buff in the third period as they were outshot 18-5 in those final 20 minutes of regulation while down to five defensemen. The Capitals then outshot the Thrashers 6-0 during 97 seconds of overtime.
Following the Thrashers’ third straight loss, coach Craig Ramsay commented, “Your sad when you lose in overtime, but what a battle”.
Andrew Ladd scored a power play goal to opening the evening’s scoring while Evander Kane potted two and now leads the team with five goals.
Kane put the Thrashers up 2-1 in the second by way of a nice behind the goal feed from Rich Peverley, who had two assists in the game and was a +1. Kane’s second tally came with just under 33 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into OT.
“You have to get those wins”, the Thrashers’ first-round draft pick in 2009 lamented. “But at the same time, that point could be huge down the road [when it comes to making the playoffs]. Every point you get means a lot”.
To that point, Atlanta picked up 3 of a possible 4 points from the Caps over the last two weeks. There’s my “silver lining” comment of this post.
As was the case in the two previous defeats earlier this week, Atlanta was undone by some sloppy play in their end of the ice as turnovers led to the first two Capitals goals. Semin scored the first of his three when he intercepted a Chris Mason wrap-around attempt from behind the goal. Semin then blasted home a shot from the right boards before Mason could get back into proper position. Then in the third, Washington was once again the beneficiary of a turnover when Ron Hainsey and Freddy Modin seemed to get their wires cross as Atlanta attempted to clear the zone. The gaff led to Semin’s second goal of the night.
Dustin Byfuglien knocks over Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth on his way past the net. Byfuglien was then taged with a game misconduct penalty on top of the charging call (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The choppy internet feed I was following made it hard to tell which one was at fault, but the Caps play-by-play guys pinned it on Modin, so I’ll go with that.
Modin is now a –7 on the season with just one goal and no assists and has so far been a major disappointment.
Speaking of disappointments, Bryan Little and the score sheet continue to be distant friends. He has but 3 assists on the season, has been held without a point in six of the eight games and has but 13 shots in eight games played. He has no points, 3 SOG and is a –3 during the last three games.
Little is rapidly moving to the front of the milk carton photo line.
Overall, Washington got off 44 shots on Chris Mason while the players in the visiting white jerseys mustered 32 of their own.
Mason turned aside 40 shots on the night in taking the loss. So far he’s been the goalie of record in all eight games and has a 3.54 GAA and .908 SV%. The veteran netminder is certainly getting a good taste of what it’s like to play behind a Thrashers defense, facing 283 shots in 441:06 TOI. That’s the equivalent of facing 38 and a half shots for every 60 minutes played.
And that, my friends, is un-good.
As a team, the Thrashers are allowing a whopping 37.6 SA/G, only Anaheim’s 40.0 is worse. We can gripe and moan all we want about certain players and their performances so far, but to me this is the root cause for most of what ails this Thrashers team eight games into the season. That’s a team stat and all are responsible for it.
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128 comments Add your comment
Thrash
October 24th, 2010
12:53 am
Well said!
Darren
October 24th, 2010
1:00 am
Atlanta came out with great jump. The 1st period looked much better than the 1st period last night!
Mason made a poor clearing attempt on goal one, and Atlanta failed to clear the puck out of the zone when they were, oh, 4 feet away, on goal two. Both mistakes cannot happen.
I’m glad Kane took another step towards being the powerhouse go-to guy that he can be.
backcheck
October 24th, 2010
1:03 am
ahhh poor babies. Yer 1-0-1 against the best collection of great players in the NHL (Caps aren’t a team yet) Your guys battle back late in the third to earn a point. Just as they did against my Ducks BTW. Proving ‘never say die’ is no fluke.
and they concussed Iceman into singin’ Showtunes. I’m not sure you can call this one a loss
Wayne stuck in AL
October 24th, 2010
1:21 am
With all the primetime college football AND the Giants-Phils game, this had to be the least followed game in Thrashers history.
Nate
October 24th, 2010
1:30 am
The excuses of new coach, new system are getting old. I know it’s only 8 games into the season, but it’s already looking like the same old Thrashers of years past. No defense as evidenced by the shots allowed stats, and not nearly enough offense to compensate. Why is it so $#$#*$(*#&$ hard for the Atlanta Thrashers to allow fewer than 30 shots on goal per game? It’s like Ground Hog day. A revolving door of coaches and players with the team play/results staying the same…
Alan R.
October 24th, 2010
1:55 am
The excuses of new coach, new system are getting old. I know it’s only 8 games into the season
…but you’re not going to give it time, right?
but it’s already looking like the same old Thrashers of years past.
I guess I’m right.
Any rational observer knows that what you call “excuses” are really “reasons.” Big reasons. New coaches, and about half of the players weren’t in Atlanta last year. Everyone is learning a new system, and Ramsay is continually trying to “de-program” the players, new or returning, of their old ways.
To me, it’s rather silly to jump the gun at this point. We’re all fans, and we’re all going to feel unhappy, angry, sick, or pissed if things don’t go how we want. However, there’s no way a team can win all 82 games in a season. Just getting half of that is an accomplishment in itself.
Calm down. The Thrashers are not the Titanic, and we are not sinking, no matter which self-proclaimed sheep herder decides to make such a statement.
sisu
October 24th, 2010
2:20 am
1 HUGE point earned! Stops the slide of no points recently! From what I read it was not pretty but a step in the right direction….
stendek
October 24th, 2010
2:46 am
Another defeat. More damn excuses! There are no legitimate excuses for this shet. All you idiot morons who savor this as a morale victory can kiss my a$$! There are no morale victories in professional sports. Marshmallow Mason went bellyup in overtime on a Sori Letemin classic. This bum is truly worthless! Another heartless choke job by an untalented bunch of quitters. Par for the course. Congratulations Bulldogs and Giants! A pox on cowards in blue uniforms with chickens on front of em. Appropriate. Nauseating! Losing streak lives. STENDEK
Always Hoping
October 24th, 2010
6:29 am
“With all the primetime college football AND the Giants-Phils game, this had to be the least followed game in Thrashers history”
You’re kidding me right. Despite what you rednecks think there are some people living here who could care less about College Football. Giants-Phillies…..I doubt if many were glued to the TV down here. I preferred a choppy internet feed of the Thrashers over the Dawgs and MLB.
So go ahead and get your recliner ready for the Giants-Rangers World Series…….you’ll be the only one watching. I dread this week as all the rednecks will be flying their Dawgs or Gators flags. Unless you actually went to a particular college, a grown man should not be flying a school flag.
Lee
October 24th, 2010
6:33 am
We can’t dwell on the loss too much. Hey, we got a point and like Kane said, “every point means a lot.” Though we’re 11th in the Conf. right now, we’ve only played eight games, and standings don’t mean much at this point. The team has a long break and they got lots to work on and hopefully they’ll work hard and we can go beat the Rangers.
Heard the TV announcer yesterday say “Another sellout crowd, people are having fun on a Saturday night.”
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we had a sellout….not including playoffs??
jimbo
October 24th, 2010
8:28 am
things happen when D-Buff gets around the net. I give the Thrash 3 more games before they wise up and move him up front permanently. How about a Kane-Burmistrov- D-Buff line?
VAThrasher
October 24th, 2010
8:37 am
Damn shame not to get 2 points, but at least we appeared to compete with a pretty good team. If we don’t start getting fans to our home games, though, none of this will matter.
To: Hoping – “couldn’t care less” – it makes more sense if you think about it.
Go Dawgs
Tom
October 24th, 2010
8:53 am
What was frustrating about this loss was not the shots on goal. Washington only had 4 in the first period, and between the first and second periods had a players only meeting. They came out fired up in the second and kept it going.
No, what bothers me is the turnovers in our own zone. All of the regulation goals by Washington were the direct result of turnovers. So 58 minutes of solid hockey was undone by careless play in our own zone in those 3 instances.
The Thrashers had to earn all 3 goals, Washington only earned the OT goal.
That is why I was disappointed.
Kovy's Agent
October 24th, 2010
8:57 am
Anybody know why on CenterIce, when the Thrashers aren’t broadcasting, they’re blacking out the other the teams feed? This wasn’t the case in seasons past but so far this season it is. Does it have to do with the feud between News Corp and Dish? If this keeps up, I will likely cancel the CenterIce Package. I know it’s sold as a way to watch out of market games but why not allow viewing the other teams feed when the local is not broadcasting? Seems a stupid way to build a fan following.
Rawhide
October 24th, 2010
9:20 am
Kovy’s Agent – The reason the games are blacke-out on Center Ice is because of a rift between Fox Sports and Dishnetwork. Here is the corporate-speak response from NHL Center Ice that fans are getting back when they e-mail them:
Thank you for your email. Based on your location, you are in the Atlanta Thrashers local television territory. Atlanta Thrashers’ games are televised locally on the regional sports networks – Sports South and Fox Sports South; however, on a handful of nights Atlanta’s regional sports networks – Sports South/ Fox Sports South – will not be televising Atlanta games in the local market.
NHL Center Ice is on out-of-market game package. If you are in market for a team, you will be blacked out in NHL Center Ice and will see the game on your local regional sports network.
In past seasons, blackout lifts were implemented within NHL Center Ice so that the Thrashers games could be seen in their local television territory when Sports South/ Fox Sports South was not televising at home.
At midnight on September 30, Dish Network dropped FOX Sports South, Fox Sports South and 17 other Fox Sports regional networks and has refused to reach a fair agreement to distribute Fox programming.
As a result, Atlanta Thrashers’ fans with Dish Network service will miss Thrashers’ games this season until the dispute is resolved.
Also due to this dispute, we are not permitted by Fox to allow blackout lifts, at this time. Thrashers’ games will be unavailable in the local market on the NHL’s Center Ice package, regardless of your cable or satellite service provider.
For more information, please contact Fox Sports. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Thanks,
NHL TV
All I know is that I’ll have $180.00 more in my pocket this year.
World Be Free
October 24th, 2010
9:21 am
Jimbo-you have my vote.
Kovy’s agent-I was pissed last night. This sticks in a big way. I loike the out of market games, but I need the Thrashers too. Great game that I missed.
Ay the refs again and these stupid little penalities for breathing on the opposing players. Let them play!
EA
October 24th, 2010
9:33 am
Bryan Little and the score sheet seem to be distant friends . . Funny. I think last night looks like a step back in the right direction, but with this team, it remains to be seen. We are still missing soemthing. The Thrashers fans are really taking hits for their attendance issues on several blogs. Of course we all know why, but that does not matter. Having said that, the lack of attendance scares me in terms of keeping a hockey team here.
World Be Free
October 24th, 2010
9:34 am
Thanks Rawhide-my dislike for Fox goes back to the days when they were fueding with Ted Turner. They stole all their current on air talent from other networks. A classy organization.
Here’s more on our least favorite ex-Thrasher child “Kovy” -
The intrigue around New Jersey’s worst start in its 28 seasons grew last night when star Ilya Kovalchuk was announced as a healthy scratch for ther Sabres-Devils game. Kovalchuk took the morning skate but players learned when they returned to the arena they learned that the $100 million man wasn’t playing. “It’s between him and I,” said coach John MacLean. “It was my decision-I take responsibility for all my decisions.” Looks like the Devils have a problem child who won’t be fully compensated until I am in my retirement years.
Kovalchuk=Alexi Yashin
George Jetson
October 24th, 2010
9:36 am
“things happen when D-Buff gets around the net. I give the Thrash 3 more games before they wise up and move him up front permanently.”
LMAO ! If the Thrash were “Wise” the guy wouldn’t be here.
Fan from Carolina
October 24th, 2010
9:38 am
I watched the game on NHL Center Ice and it was day and night vs the Sabres and Lightning games, except who are the three players most noted again? Yup, Kane, Ladd, and Buff. Kane is rapidly becoming the Thrashers version of Stamkos. I bet he nets 40 this year. It truly is a shame that management couldn’t get some solid players to fill out the roster.
R. Stroz
October 24th, 2010
10:38 am
May I suggest a bloggers poll for milk carton designee:
1) Modin with a -7 plus/minus and 1 goal
2) Little with an even plus/minus and 3 assists.
I would dare say Modin has been closer to “Charminesque”, excuse me, “Angel Softesque” than Little.
World Be Free
October 24th, 2010
10:41 am
Stroz-Modin plays like he has been hurt before. Footsteps. Something tells me Mr. Rawhide is about the break out the milk cartons.
R. Stroz
October 24th, 2010
10:56 am
WBF – We could start a new award, the “sucking” award. In stead of a milk carton picture, the player would have a pacifier stuck in his mouth.
When a player is hearing “footsteps,” he might as well hang up the skates. He’s done.
LAC
October 24th, 2010
11:04 am
Bryan Little, Trade him. Modin waive. These two are NOT helping the team.
Another Great First Rounder by The Mr.Stupid of Hockey Dumb don waddell, How many #1’s
have been BUSTS ???
Moves have to be made, Little/Modin are at the TOP of the Move list and I see NO improvement coming from either of them.
Better game last night, I must say, maybe it was the Sellout Crowd, something that will likely never happen in Atlanta until a New Owner comes in.
rob
October 24th, 2010
11:05 am
Before this season started, most of us who seem to understand the turnaround that is currently going on with the team stated it would be lucky to get a .500 October out of this group, and it might even take until mid-November to see what this team will really do. Anyone who sees Ramsey and JA as the same type of coach……anyway I am not going to get into a disagreement about it, we are all fans of the Thrashers. This team is going to come together and be good. There are some players…..cough cough ummmm Modin…..who won’t fit and the thing about that now is we have some depth that can fix that. It isn’t going to happen overnight but the efforts against the Crapitals and out west show we can play, it is just a mater of gelling and playing consistantly.
Smoothie
October 24th, 2010
11:16 am
Modin is done. I hate to say it cuz I thought he could score 15-20 if healthy. But he’s too slow to get the time and space for his shot. I’d rather see Spencer Machacek get his shot to finally prove he can play in the NHL. He’s a crash and banger with speed and toughness. Ramsay should be in love with him. Lastly, I miss Mad Max and his passing, especially on the PP. He could not be any worse than Modin! Sigh.
Smoothie
October 24th, 2010
11:17 am
Oh yeah, one more thing: STOP using Modin on the PK!!
Jameson
October 24th, 2010
11:22 am
I didn’t get to follow the game at all until the third period as I was busy at work, but I just finished watching the highlights on NHL.com, and I am astonished at the way penalties were handed out during the Byfuglien incident. First, there’s no way that is charging. He went passed the goal, and clipped Neuvirth, and it looked like the contact was made outside the paint. I don’t think he should have gotten more than a 5 minute penalty, and it looked more like a trip than a charge to me. Also, it was hard to tell from the angle on the highlight reel, but it looked like two or three guys jumped Buff before Erskine pulled off his helmet, and punched him in the head as he fell, and after he landed on the ice, and the only penalty that the Caps were assessed was 2 minutes to Erskine for roughing. If I’m not mistaken, Neuvirth simply got up, and finished the rest of the game, while Buff was sent packing.
Jameson
October 24th, 2010
11:24 am
Is it just me, or has the officiating during Thrashers games this season simply been ridiculous?
R. Stroz
October 24th, 2010
11:39 am
Too many NHL players are diving and flopping like NBA players. It’s a disgrace to the sport.
Smoothie
October 24th, 2010
11:42 am
Jameson – spot on man. If you watch the replay it is clear that Carlson’s stick was in Buff’s right skate thus affecting his balance as he attempted to cruise by. An off-balance Buff let his left leg get a little loose and made contact with Neuvirth. But I have no clue why he had his leg so far outside the post. But if you watch carefully, Neuvirth jumps backwards after Buff is already past him. How does a leg whip or trip cause you to propel backwards into the crossbar!? Neuvirth should have gotten 2 mins for diving / embellishment and no way should Buff get bounced from game.
Hoof Arted
October 24th, 2010
11:48 am
Little should be on the milk carton. More is expected from him, especially since he’s making twice the money Modin is.
That’s not to give Modin a pass, but if you ask me Little has been the one missing and should be placed on the milk carton.
Jameson
October 24th, 2010
11:57 am
If we do scratch/waive Modin, I’d really like to see a line of Ladd-Little-Pettersson.
Smoothie
October 24th, 2010
11:59 am
I know folks are disappointed in Little’s offensive production and there is no excuse for his inability to hit the net or get his shots, but Bryan’s defense, especially backchecking, is soooo much better than the guy who graced the milk carton for the better part of a year last season. Give Litts till mid-Nov to find his game. If not by then, send out an APB for his missing confidence.
Thrashers27
October 24th, 2010
12:18 pm
Great idea, Jameson!
Modin out, Pettersson in. Let’s see what the kid brings. Can’t be any worse defensively and I’m sure he’ll put up some points.
Thrashers27
October 24th, 2010
12:24 pm
I may have to retract that statement about Pettersson…just looked at his stats and through five games he has one goal on three shots and is -2. Through those same five games, Machacek has 1 G, 3A on 7 shots and is +3. Let’s give Spence a look-see.
Mikey
October 24th, 2010
12:42 pm
Could it be that we are missing Bogosian’s presence in the lineup this much? The SOG have gone up since he’s been out.
As for the milf carton, I wound’t put anyone on it just yet. Still early.
But if Bryan Little doesn’t step it up he’s the one to go on there. Totally MIA.
Thrashy Thrashy
October 24th, 2010
12:48 pm
The milf carton?
I’d like to see that pic.
Anyway, I’m thinking that the whole team is on the milk carton because, despite what some of you sheep may bleat, this whole team is a bright and shining example of the incompetence this organization has always shown. Hello, Winnipeg.
Jameson
October 24th, 2010
12:54 pm
27- I have to problem giving Machacek a look, but it really seemed like Little and Pettersson had possibly the strongest chemistry of the team in preseason, and that’s something this team needs more of… Especially Little.
litz
October 24th, 2010
1:30 pm
I think it’s definite we are missing Bogosian’s presence … not only on the ice, but on the bench as well.
He may be young, but both he and Kane are clearly club leaders on and off the ice.
Those stupid giveaways are so darned frustrating … it’s like watching the opposite of all our offensive passing during the preseason … instead of passing it to the other team’s guys in their zone, we’re doing it in OUR zone … and that rarely, if ever, ends well.
90% of the time, it’s a slapshot, and a goal.
As for Buff’s penalty … he barely clips their goalie (who, on the replays, quite obviously dives) and gets 10+game …. and Ovechkin plows into ours, shoulder first, and crushes both him and the goal against the wall … and gets 2 mins for interference.
I dunno what game the refs were watching, but it wasn’t the one our team was playing in.
Mikey
October 24th, 2010
1:42 pm
That would be milK carton.
MilKKKKK.
Oh my….
Brendan
October 24th, 2010
1:50 pm
The Thrashers were fortunate to get that goal from Kane, his 4th goal scored against Washington. The Capitals must be his favorite opponent. E. Kane leads all Thrashers in goals, with five. Andrew Ladd kept up his points streak. He’s the leading point getter for Atlanta, at 8, with three goals and five helpers. Our plus-minus leader is Chris Thorburn, at +4.
From the Capitals game boxscore, at -2 were Modin, J. Slater, and T. Enstrom. At -1 were Sopel, Hainsey, Anthony Stewart, and Byfuglien. The two +1 players were Chris Thorburn and Rich Peverley.
Kane had two (2) goals and Andrew Ladd had the other. Bergfors did play, had an assist, 3 shots, and played 15:14. Bryan “Milk Carton” Little had 2 shots, no points, and played 18:09, and was “Even.” Burmistrov was “even,” with no points or shots, and played 16:24.
Here’s how the D broke down.
1. Oduya: 26:27, “even,” with 2 shots
2. Enstrom: 26:06, -2, with two assists
3. Hainsey: 21:36, -1, with no points or shots
4. Sopel: 17:24, -1, with no shots
5. Meyer: 17:00, “even,” with 1 shot
6. Byfuglien: 14:31, 01, with 4 shots
Brendan
October 24th, 2010
2:04 pm
Can I put Alicia Keys on the MILF carton?
Nate
October 24th, 2010
2:50 pm
Alan R. – It’s your prerogative to keep looking at things through rose colored glasses. I’ll keep hanging around to bring you back to reality when we’re at game 77 and the team’s “reasons” are still your “excuses” for the team’s poor defensive play.
Rawhide
October 24th, 2010
5:01 pm
Mikey – er, um…yeah. That was…well…mmmmmm…yeah.
If I were around this afternoon I would have had Trixie fix that for you. But I think that proverbial horse is already outa the barn.
Sorry dude.
Everyone – As for anyone on the milk carton, like I said…Little tops my list so far. But I think we need to at least get outa the month of October first. Maybe Bryan will show up before we have to put out an ABP on him and place his picture on the side of any milk carton.
Sames so with Modin or anyone else, although Freddie-Mo has been exceptionally un-good to date.
dwayne
October 24th, 2010
5:10 pm
I picked the over on Modin because I wanted to stay positive….baaaaabaaaaabaaaa
stendek
October 24th, 2010
5:19 pm
New coach no better than old one. Lack of give a damn attitude still firmly in place. Marshmallow Mason sure to surrender four or more goals per outing. Pavs may be next Kari Lehtonen. Plenty of, ahem, potential which remains cloaked by injuries. Scoring? Uh. No. A goal per game might be overly optimistic. Truly a group which deserves no fan support of any kind. Really sad. Wanted to like these guys. Lack of caring has turned me off. Too bad. STENDEK
rob
October 24th, 2010
6:09 pm
If you are turned off already, why post?
glovesave29
October 24th, 2010
6:10 pm
This is certainly worth a laugh…
http://stars.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=541319
I tend to think that NFL commissioner Goodell will step in soon with regards to this Fox / Dish Network issue. As on November 1, over the air Fox stations will also be blacked out. I cannot see the NFL standing by idle as they lose 17 million viewers. Advertisers will also raise hell as they are paying Fox to deliver a large audience…losing the 17M will not be taken lightly on Madison Avenue. Fox has the upper hand now as they also have the World Series coming up…but once that is over and they start messing with the NFL…well lets just say I wouldn’t want to be the poor secretary who takes the call from the NFL offices!
Always blaming the goalie. A simple accusation from a simple mind!
stendek
October 24th, 2010
6:51 pm
Just to aggravate you Bob!!!!!!! STENDEK
World Be Free
October 24th, 2010
7:03 pm
If Little would have hit the net from 10 feet in front of Mike Smith, Friday night’s game would have been totally different. He takes too many shifts off. Trade him to Western Canada, send him home.
Joe Friday
October 24th, 2010
7:04 pm
Waive Modin and skate Buf with Little and Bergfors and watch the space open up for their games and this offense to take off. Put him in front of the goalie as well and watch that take off. Bring Kulda up. When Cormier is ready, find room for him.
goose
October 24th, 2010
7:30 pm
I would love to se modin waved (though it might just be a little early to judge) and petterson brought up, or maybe they are giving Modin till Cormire is healty to get his act together. But this is A$G they are not just going to throw away 1 million dollars just because it is under performing.
alex
October 24th, 2010
7:31 pm
breaking news: asg, llc. send memo to coach ram. not to develop e. kane to star status otherwise they couldn’t afford his future salary because of shortage money. just kidding, but seriously when i see young players with potential on other side i see asg cheap.
Brendan
October 24th, 2010
8:16 pm
Alex, Waddell said we couldn’t re-sign Kovalchuk because we HAD to keep E. Kane and Z. Bogosian. Hmmn, interesting premise. He couldn’t re-sign Kovalchuk if he’d offered the MAX for 12 years. But when the UFA contracts of these two come due, watch Waddell “spin” it that we’re better off without them. I still hold out hope that this team will be sold to a local interest in the Spring of 2011.
Zoomo
October 24th, 2010
8:22 pm
Boy, Modin’s turnover was horrid!
Not an awful game, but certainly not one to make me feel like this team can be a playoff team. Like everyone else, I’m hoping that we’ll gel and get on a roll.
Chris16
October 24th, 2010
8:37 pm
Well speaking of Kovy,He got to be feeling like he is playing with thrashers,the way the devils are doing right now. But he does have alot of cash slowing him down on the ice.
AtlFlamesFan
October 24th, 2010
8:47 pm
GWG was a result of a juicy Mason rebound. He seems to have an issue on controlling rebounds, but not as bad as Lehtonen’s.
joedaiceman
October 24th, 2010
8:55 pm
The 1st game of the season the Thrashers looked every bit the playoff bound team. Crisp passes, dominate in the offensive zone, great D. Now I do not think they could beat a good AHL team. It is really pitiful. Dudley the genius was oversold as the answer to the problems for this team. Hopefully a miracle occurs, or exit the Thrashers from Atlanta.
R. Stroz
October 24th, 2010
10:22 pm
I figured out why the Thrashers haven’t put Antropov on IR, if they do, they’ll fall even further below the salary floor.
At this pace, the Thrashers will have to trade for Redden just to reach the salary floor.
Brendan
October 24th, 2010
10:30 pm
R.Stroz, how is it that the Thrashers have not been penalized a draft pick and a hefty fine for being UNDER the floor of the cap? I cannot understand how this situation is permissible under the CBA.
Hockey Biltong
October 24th, 2010
10:41 pm
Moriarty, what’s with the negative waves????
Tom
October 24th, 2010
10:48 pm
Hey, life sometimes sucks to be a Thrashers fan, BUT…
it is better than being a Devils fan these days. I just spent some time on one of the Devil’s fan blogs and they are sounding suicidal. They do not understand why the team is losing and Kovy got benched and are calling for the head of the coach.
Reminds me of old times…
litz
October 24th, 2010
10:54 pm
Glovesave – a significant chunk of Fox’s hand evaporated with the New York Yankees …
A Texas-Giants series just doesn’t have the numbers pull a Yankees-Giants one does.
In fact, any time you remove any of the big east coast markets, the Series numbers drop like a rock.
Now … the NFL on the other hand … you’re right on the money there …
Sage of Bluesland
October 24th, 2010
10:56 pm
“…Dudley the genius was oversold as the answer to the problems for this team….”
Isn’t that the truth?! Too bad he hasn’t worked for the other 30 or so teams in the league, as all he can do is trade for folks he’s particularly familiar with….Great…
It’s not going to work, folks. It ALL starts at the top, despite the cheerful bleating emanating from the ignorant…All of these “moves” are merely rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic…
Book it, sheep.
docsbro
October 25th, 2010
7:07 am
Anybody else notice Modin looks a little bit like Dexter? Anyway, I think my biggest gripe with the team so far has been the inconsistent effort. You can say all you want about what player is not scoring or how many shots and so forth. But the team does not always even show up. You can fix “positioning” and strategy but you can’t fix effort.
I was hoping this team would at least always come out skate around and HIT people!! I thought these guys where going to make themselves a team that would leave an impression on other teams and they have not. Let’s start with finding guys that will give max effort the whole game, Boulton has many deficiencies in his game but effort is not one of them. Lets get out there and HIT somebody, make them not want to play against us.
jimbo
October 25th, 2010
7:45 am
Little was OK on the wing with a center to set him up. He appears to be trying too hard to make plays. Just skate and shoot, man. Use your talents. But for Freddy Slo-Mo, the wheels are gone and when is his supposedly “great shot” going to be on net? Get him outta here!
glovesave29
October 25th, 2010
7:55 am
Litz…good point about the Yankees hurting Fox’s cause. A Texas / San Francisco WS will still likely pull a larger audience than any show going up against it.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Rammer is a respected hockey man – who left a pretty good team to take this opportunity. Same with Torch. Results are certainly disappointed so far, but I have hope for the future.
HP Drifter
October 25th, 2010
8:21 am
Never thought I’d see Thorburn getting almost 18 mins a game, oh right. . . .he is now one we are expecting to score goals. Who’d thunk it ?
Flagstaff
October 25th, 2010
8:33 am
docsbro– I saw a bit of Regis Philbin in Angel Soft.
World Be Free
October 25th, 2010
8:47 am
Joe Friday’s 7:04PM post from sunday night hits the nail right on the head. I could not have said it better.
Paminski
October 25th, 2010
9:00 am
Does it mean I’m completely disillusioned when I start looking forward to posts from stendek and Sage?
TrueBlue
October 25th, 2010
9:45 am
The signing of Modin was the most pointless event of the entire summer. A professional tryout? Maybe. A full-on signing? NO SENSE. He has not only been injury plagued his entire career but it is obvious he has lost a step…or a mile in his game. He is slow and does absolutely nothing for this team. I’m sorry, but Dudley was 100 percent wrong in signing him…I kind of see this signing as “trying to help out an old friend” kind of signing. What a mistake.
World Be Free
October 25th, 2010
10:01 am
Modin would have been a good depth player, but not a regular.
sisu
October 25th, 2010
10:25 am
The team is inconsistent to say the least but it is early in the season. I have no idea why they play like crap at home? Maybe they need to stay at a hotel on game days?
Zombie Steve
October 25th, 2010
10:56 am
The Modin signing is beginning to look more and more like cronyism….
GaVaHokie
October 25th, 2010
11:02 am
Mannino, Meyer and Burmistrov not at practice today, according to Viv’s tweet.
Let the speculation begin… Mannino is confirmed, sent to Chicago AHL.
No word on the other two yet.
Mikey
October 25th, 2010
11:03 am
Take a look at this
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/FoxCablevision-Dispute-May-nytimes-56894097.html?x=0
NYC may not get to see the World Series? Even with the Yankees out, I would think this would get some attention to this whole mess.
World Be Free
October 25th, 2010
11:27 am
sisu-you are correct, very early in the season. There are a number of teams playing poorly at home this season, don’t know why.
Darkhorse
October 25th, 2010
11:32 am
Still plenty of time to turn the page and have a great season, but w/o the consistant effort and more than a “head barely above salary cap sea”, this won’t be close to a playoff team.
I just don’t get why there is a lack of trying on half the roster so far.
Zombie Steve
October 25th, 2010
12:32 pm
LOL at Koval-ho getting shown the bench by NJ.
World Be Free
October 25th, 2010
12:32 pm
The turmoil in New Jersey makes me very happy, especially for Alexi Kovalchuk.
GaVaHokie
October 25th, 2010
12:41 pm
Kovalchuk isn’t the problem in NJ… he’s the hardest working player on the team. It’s believed he was scratched to motivate the other players to step it up.
… but yes, it’s very very funny.
GaVaHokie
October 25th, 2010
12:47 pm
Burmistrov missed practice today to deal with personal issues, per C Viv… he’s not going back to Juniors.
Still no word on why Meyer was missing from practice.
kracker
October 25th, 2010
12:58 pm
Hokie…you are thinking that the other NJ players are not suitably motivated? I don’t recall player motivatiion generally being thought of as a problem on the NJ Devils team. Hmmm….what is different in NJ this season from the previous years….?
JB
October 25th, 2010
1:01 pm
I’ve read the theory about motivating the other devils too, but you don’t bench a marquis player that costs that much for motivational purposes unless he’s the one that needs motivating. Kovy screwed up off ice in some manner.
kracker
October 25th, 2010
1:03 pm
I’m pretty sure….well, Trixie isn’t missing (is she?) but, for sure, Trixie gets my vote for going on the milf carton. Call it sort of a test drive.
ThrasherTim
October 25th, 2010
1:07 pm
Tom above said it well. A great effort in D.C. undermined by mind-boggling mistakes in our own zone that led to all 3 Semin goals. We had zero shots in OT – well, we had a 2 on 1 but Meyer totally missed the net while someone else (I think Thorburn?) drove the net. Nice work Freddy.
I am most frustrated by the defense so far. Bogosian shouldn’t be missed this much – he hasn’t played well in awhile. But Johnny O and Hainsey are turning the puck over way too much and Hainsey needs to work on his “slap” shot from the blue line. Every time he shoots, it gets blocked and cleared the other way.
While it’s too early to get panicked, we have got to figure out the defensive situation. You know what else is ‘off’ from last year? Face-off wins. It seem we are a full 6-10 percentage points off to-date on our winning % — or am I dreaming?
Maybe Pavs coming back will really fire up this team. I still think Ramsay/Dudley know what they are doing and won’t let laggards like Modin play this poorly for long without taking action.
And finally — Direct TV coming today to put Dish out of their misery. No effective response from them for a 6-7 year customer. I’ll save $300-$400 over the next 12 months too. Too easy to change over Dish. You will be out of business or bought out in a few years.
Thrashers27
October 25th, 2010
1:12 pm
I believe Wednesday night’s game should begin with Boults promptly grabbing Avery by the collar and pounding him to a pulp. That will take him right out of the game and he won’t have it in him to pester anyone. I’d rather see Kane pound the little turd, but wouldn’t want to risk losing him for the entire game.
World Be Free
October 25th, 2010
1:12 pm
Kovalchuk is the hardest working individual on the Devils. Not sure if his individual hustle translates to team wins. For once, I’d like to see him take a check to make a play that assists on a goal instead of one that results in another Kovalchuk shot.
I don’t hate Kovy, I just like to see the “first class organization” in disaray. The team concept has taken a holiday in New Jersey.
Poop Head
October 25th, 2010
1:16 pm
Look, we all know Koval-choke held the Devils hostage for a big contract, the problem is chemistry between the blue collar workers on the team vrs the one prima donna they have.
The More Things Change…
October 25th, 2010
1:17 pm
• Peverley, Little, Antro and Bergfors without a goal so far.
• Ladd leads all forwards in points and time on ice.
• Thorburn leads in plus/minus rating
• Kane refuses to pass the puck
• Hainsey’s minutes down by 7 per game from past two seasons
• Modin on pace for a -82 plus/minus rating
• Shots against up 4.5 per game (29th in the NHL) and PK percentage (27th overall) with defensive guru behind bench
• Outscored 10-3 in first period of games
• Tied for 27th in goals allowed
• Have yet to out-shoot an opponent
What, me worry?
Zombie Steve
October 25th, 2010
1:18 pm
Thrashers27 – Boults jumping Avery in itself would be worth the price of admission.
The Devils' Advocate
October 25th, 2010
1:23 pm
“the problem is chemistry between the blue collar workers on the team vrs the one prima donna they have.”
Then, kindly account for the 6-1 loss to Buffalo without Kovalchuk at home, and a much better performance with him last night at MSG, when he scored the lone goal?
Zombie Steve
October 25th, 2010
1:26 pm
Jaromir Jagr almost killing Sean Avery –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B53W-7tk4Uw
GaVaHokie
October 25th, 2010
1:32 pm
And finally — Direct TV coming today to put Dish out of their misery. No effective response from them for a 6-7 year customer. I’ll save $300-$400 over the next 12 months too. Too easy to change over Dish. You will be out of business or bought out in a few years.
Yeah, I feel your frustration but I looked at the math too… I’m afraid during months 13-24 you’ll be paying all that $300 back to DirectTV.
I pay $54 a month for Dish Network HD Silver package… it was about $81 for the same program line-up with HD/DVR set up for DirectTV. That’s just for the Digital Starter package, adding HD and DVR.
For about the same price ($84), I could have every channel Dish Network has to offer… I’m waiting it out. As long as I have the games online, I’ll live.
I probably won’t reconsider switching until AT&T U-Verse becomes available in my area. I’m not getting myself locked into anymore 2-year deals.
FormerIslesFan
October 25th, 2010
1:40 pm
GaVaHokie: Just be aware that U-Verse does NOT have Center Ice. It’s my only complaint with that system thus far.
BlueSpark
October 25th, 2010
1:59 pm
Could it be the “activate the D” system this (and the previous) coach employ are leading to turnovers, odd-man rushes against, and out-of-position players? And too many men penalties?
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
October 25th, 2010
2:12 pm
Mr. Kracker – It is very flattering to be remembered and mentioned that way. Thank you, you’re very sweet.
However, I no not meet the maternal and/or age requirements needed to officially be placed into that “classification”.
Hockey Biltong
October 25th, 2010
2:14 pm
Direct Tv has center ice, but it too has been foxblocked….fyi!
Thrashers27
October 25th, 2010
2:23 pm
I have U-verse too and I’m not really happy with it. Besides the fact that they don’t offer Center Ice, it’s kinda clunky to operate and it freezes up a lot too. Not to mention the “temporary” phone line that is running through my backyard and has been for six months. I’ve called and called, but they don’t respond. If hockey season hadn’t just started and I wasn’t moving soon, I’d just cut the line out and be done with ATT altogether.
GaVaHokie
October 25th, 2010
2:38 pm
Thanks for the info guys…
FIF and Thrashers27… wouldn’t you be able to do NHL Game Center online through AT&T U-Verse?
Has anybody here used XFinity yet?
I kind of want to stick with what I got and see how the whole Apple TV and Google TV thing shakes out. I’d like to see what services roll out from that.
For example, it would seem if you had Google TV running off Wi-Fi AT&T or Comcast, you could subscribe to NHL Game Center and stream the games to your TV.
Thrashers27
October 25th, 2010
2:46 pm
Sure, Hokie, you could get Center Ice online if you wanted as long as you have a computer system that would support playing it through your TV.
I’m trying to set up my system right now in anticipation of running all my TV and entertainment through the web, or movies off of my hard drive. That way I can thumb my nose at all cable TV providers. It’s turning out to be quite an undertaking, but I hope to have it figured out sometime soon.
GaVaHokie
October 25th, 2010
2:51 pm
Thrashers27… you should buy Google TV and then tell me what you think of it.
GaVaHokie
October 25th, 2010
2:53 pm
Freddy Meyer has an injury… Burmistrov is settling his immigration papers.
Toronto media wouldn’t let the “Kovy scratch” situation die… seems Kovy was late to a meeting on Saturday.
World Be Free
October 25th, 2010
2:59 pm
I am just lovin’ every minute of what’s happening in NJ, no matter who is at fault. Lou Lam, the model “manager” tried to sneak Kovy and his 50 year – $100M contract in the back door. Now the coach is about to take the fall. Lou Lam has come the Jerry Jones of the NHL.
GaVaHokie
October 25th, 2010
3:00 pm
Rawhide… clever title to your blog today… I guess “Semin explodes all over the Thrashers” would have been too graphic?
Red Light
October 25th, 2010
3:08 pm
Pretty good Hokie, but I prefer: “Semin’s Outburst Douses Thrashers Chances for Road Victory?”
Old Time Hockey
October 25th, 2010
3:19 pm
Big Buff is awesome on defense. Big, mean, fast and a rocket for a shot. Give it a little time (like 20 games) to see what he can really do. We don’t need him to “create space” for other guys on offense, the other forwards just need to skate and they will find the space. What a bunch of Monday morning quarterbacks. I’m still going with Ramsay and Dudley over jimbo (nothing personal jimbo, you just don’t know hockey, apparently).
Cleveland
October 25th, 2010
3:34 pm
Ooooo Peter thaz nastay!
J-man
October 25th, 2010
3:34 pm
GaVaHokie – I got a free preview last year of Game Center and was not impressed. In my opinion it’s a poor value for the money. They have 3 different settings for the video resolution. The lowest resolution worked fine but was quite small. The middle resolution, smaller than DVD resolution by the way, worked fine too. The “high def” (not really, but that’s what they call it) resolution which is about DVD resolution (720×480) kept dropping frames. I have AT&T’s fastest non-Uverse internet connection too and it still dropped frames. It was not fun to watch. It’s your choice, but paying all that money to the NHL for a low resolution product is not what I had in mind. Whether it’s worth it to you or not most likely depends on how obsessive a fan you are and how picky you are about video quality.
Zombie Steve
October 25th, 2010
3:38 pm
Buff has been ok on defense – I liked his performance in the Tampa game (bout the only thing decent about that game). He doesn’t even have to be in every play, his mere presence had the TB forwards crapping their pants most of the night.
Poop Head
October 25th, 2010
3:40 pm
To The Devils’ Advocate, he has already poisoned your team, whether he plays or not makes no difference. You need to exorsixe the demons!!! Hallelujah!! Amen!!
R. Stroz
October 25th, 2010
3:41 pm
Every year the Thrashers find it necessary to procure a super soft forward.
In years past, it’s been
Niko Kapenen
Todd White
Jason Williams
and this year, we have Freddy “Angel Soft” Modin.
Some things never change, despite the name on the GM plate.
Rawhide
October 25th, 2010
4:15 pm
Rawhide… clever title to your blog today… I guess “Semin explodes all over the Thrashers” would have been too graphic?
GaVaHokie – Too graphic? Eh, maybe just a skosh.
Every year the Thrashers find it necessary to procure a super soft forward. In years past, it’s been Niko Kapenen…Todd White…Jason Williams..and this year, we have Freddy “Angel Soft” Modin. Some things never change, despite the name on the GM plate.
R. Stroz – Well, at least with Modin we aren’t strapped with his contract fof 4 years, ala White.
Smoothie
October 25th, 2010
4:22 pm
Bill – I hope 4 MONTHS doesn’t end up being too long for Modin!!
R. Stroz
October 25th, 2010
4:25 pm
BTW, my nickname for Sopel is Spicoli, the dude from Fast Times at Ridgemont High fame.
Red Light
October 25th, 2010
4:27 pm
R. Stroz…
You missed another key soft contributor from days gone by: Tomi Kallio and the first-ever No. 1 draft pick!
Red Light
October 25th, 2010
5:30 pm
Name the seven Thrashers players that have played 125 or more games with the team since its inception that own a plus/minus rating? Only one is on the current roster because Enstrom is now -1 through 254 games.
Red Light
October 25th, 2010
5:35 pm
True or False: Except for Ontario, the Thrashers have had more players from Europe than from six other Canadian provinces (Quebec, Alberta, BC, Sask, Manitoba and Nova Scotia)?
glovesave29
October 25th, 2010
5:43 pm
Although there is this Fox issue…Dish is just a better value than DirecTV. I have multiple TV’s running on a single box, and the HD and DVR upgrades are free.
I read Eklund’s reasoning about motivating the Devils by sitting Kovy. Not buying it.
dwayne
October 25th, 2010
6:16 pm
they sat koval-choke because he is a turd in the punch bowl.
Ice Daddy
October 25th, 2010
7:52 pm
I think when Semin scores three goals, it is called a pearl necklace instead of a hat trick. Line? What line??? Oh that thing behind me?? Oops….sorry….
Brendan
October 25th, 2010
10:50 pm
Ice Daddy, maybe when Semin scores a hat trick, they could play some ZZ Top in celebration?
Poop Head
October 26th, 2010
6:59 am
That should be “turd in a cess pool”
Rawhide
October 26th, 2010
9:09 am
OK kids…new blog time.
R. Stroz
October 28th, 2010
8:57 am
LAST!
Rawhide
October 31st, 2010
10:40 am
R. Stroz – Nope.