Anthony Stewart’s surprising season
Saturday morning outside of the Thrashers’ locker room at Philips Arena, I informed Anthony Stewart about the little cyber-wager we on this online forum…the one we had prior to the start of the season in which we tried to guess what Thrasher would notch the first hat trick this season. I told him that such players as Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little were the most common guesses. But oddly, no one had picked him.
Stewart raised an eyebrow, grinned and quipped jokingly, “That’s surprising. I think I had four goals in my whole career…”
Yeah…indeed. Why did we overlook Stewey?
Jonas Gustavsson stopped this Anthony Stewart shot, but not the third period blast from between the circles. Stewart now has 22 points on the season (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)
Not too many people are overlooking him now, though as the 2003 23rd overall pick by the Florida Panthers has more than doubled his NHL career scoring totals. His third period goal Monday gave him 10 for the season and the assists 1 minute and 15 second later on Toby Enstrom’s second of the night gave him 12 assists on the year as well.
All in all, he now has 22 points and is a +3 while suiting up for all 35 games for Atlanta this season.
That’s pretty impressive for someone who so many were writing off as nothing more than a depth player…probably spending another year in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves. Last year in while there, he netted 13 goals and dished out 18 helpers in 77 games and had 9 goals and 3 assists during 13 playoff games.
In the 105 total NHL games with the Panthers prior to that, Stewart had just 4 goals, 8 assists for them and was a –4.
So, where does Stewart place credit his sudden…if not surprising…success here this season? Well, just like so many others surrounding this Thrashers organization, he points to the coaching staff behind the bench…specifically, the head coach.
“Craig Ramsay”, Stewart quickly responded when I asked him who has been the biggest influence on his game of late. “I used to be a seven or eight minute player. And to be playing in the minors last year to step in and play fifteen to sixteen minutes this year just says a lot… that he believed in me. And when you have a coach that believes in you just makes you want to play a little harder to prove him right and the doubters wrong”.
“[Ramsay] has been great”, Stewart continued. But he was also quick to add, “He hasn’t been shy to put me in my place a couple of times. But he’s definitely been the best coach I’ve had”.
Stewart’s has spent his entire career battling to make himself a fixture in an NHL lineup, he said, “But now I’m getting my chance.”
Stewart opened the scoring with this blast on October 15 in the game in Anaheim. He would add two more as the Thrashers beat the Ducks in a shootout (AP Photo/Lori Shepler)
Yes, he’s getting his big break…and he’s making the best of it, playing a vital role in this new-look Atlanta Thrashers team. It’s a much more balanced attack that he and his teammates bring to the ice each and every game, one that sees a new hero every other game. Last night he scored once while Toby Enstrom and Fredrik Modin each had a pair. Last weekend it was Eric Boulton with a hat trick…yeah, that still makes me dizzy just to type…on Long Island it was Johnny Oduya and Bryan Little. You get the point.
Stewart’s big game came earlier in the year, as mentioned above, when his three goals helped power Atlanta to a shootout win in Anaheim. But a nice as the individual achievement was for the LaSalle, Quebec native, he was just happy it helped net the two points for his team.
“We were down in the game and for us to [get the win] was big”, he told me looking back on it. “It was nice to be able to come back in that game and then win it in the shootout.”
But on a team such as the one we are witnessing this year, hearing a player speak of team success first over individual accomplishments isn’t really all that surprising. And that may be the only thing we’re not surprised about in regards to Anthony Stewart this year.
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152 comments Add your comment
Brendan
December 21st, 2010
8:53 pm
Don’t like that “late” goal to end the 2nd period, but I still think the Thrashers can bring home a win, here in the 3rd period.
The over/under on “Modin Watch 2010-11″ was 14 goals and 56 games played, with a caveat that all goals and games played be done so as a member of the Thrashers. Any goals and games played after the trade deadline for a member of a different team DO NOT count, towards the contest. I’ve forgotten where Modin is on both the GP and Goals Scored. Anyone got that handy??
Tom
December 21st, 2010
9:35 pm
Tough loss on tired legs. The Thrashers did fight at the end and seemingly came close a couple of times.
The crowd sounded amazing on the radio. I have to get rid of these children and get to Phillips more.
Thrashy Thrashy
December 21st, 2010
10:10 pm
Ramsey must be fired!
Terrible effort from the gutless bestards!
Reincarnation of Sori Letemin destroys life!
R. Stroz as Yogi Berra
December 21st, 2010
11:32 pm
It’s hard to win if you don’t score more than the other team.
Marcus Valdes
December 21st, 2010
11:37 pm
Tough loss, but the “Let’s Go Thrashers!” chant was the loudest I’ve ever heard it tonight!!
h
December 22nd, 2010
8:15 am
The boys were definitely a step behind last night. Mason didn’t do them any favors either. We had 2 teams coming off a game the night before and only one had the energy to win it until the last 8 minutes. I thought the crowd got real loud at the end. It was a great crowd for a Tuesday night. Too bad the boys didn’t take advantage. Winning the next 2 games will make up for this one…..gotta beat Thomas and then beat the Bolts at home.
Hockey Biltong
December 22nd, 2010
8:26 am
Team is gassed playing at such a high level.. Hopefully they’ll get a good rest and be ready for the Broons.
dwayne
December 22nd, 2010
8:54 am
Nip last nights loss in the bud by beating the B’s. Pavs back in net and B’s are having problems scoring. Need this win badly with TB coming. TB has our number right now. Could only listen on xm last night. 4th line didn’t have a good game last night?
Fan from Carolina
December 22nd, 2010
8:56 am
The Bruins were shut out and embarassed by the Ducks on home ice. This is going to be really tough Thursday. Then the Lightning after that. Tough, tough stretch.
Brendan
December 22nd, 2010
9:06 am
Bring on the big bad Bruins. They don’t scare me. Our ol’ friend Marc Savard will get reacquainted with our team. However, I believe the only teammates still here from those days are Jim Slater and Eric Boulton. Won’t be much of a reunion.
Brendan
December 22nd, 2010
9:15 am
I mean to post last night, prior to the Blues game, that if the playoff began yesterday, as the # 2 seed … our 1st round opponent would be the # 7 NY Rangers. And how much differently might that series go, today? (With Christensen and Todd White on the other side.)
Gazing at the standings, http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/standings/conference, I see no team has played more games than the Thrashers, at 36. (The NY Islanders have played the fewest, it just seems like they’ve played 40.) Boston, who trails Atlanta in the Conference Standings, does so because they have only played 32 games. So, with four games-in-hand, the Bruins can really gain some ground on Atlanta with a win. We can’t let that happen. We’re in the playoff field; we must STAYYY there. And that means keeping the Bruins behind us, then hoping that they lose some of those games-in-hand.
Brendan
December 22nd, 2010
9:20 am
By the way, I found a site that has Atlanta power ranked # 6 in the NHL. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/powerrankings. Anyone have us ranked higher? The comments were, “Yes, they are for real, and headed into Christmas with their eye on the division lead.”
Alan R.
December 22nd, 2010
9:32 am
Brendan: TSN has us #5. http://tsn.ca/fantasy_news/rankings/nhl/
Brendan
December 22nd, 2010
9:37 am
Red Light, we’ve got six players on pace for about 20 goals, but one of them isn’t Nik Antropov. Who would have thought that? By the way, I think it’s great that the “depth strategy” that I talked about for so many years has so many Thrashers bunched up between 8-12 goals. The perfect defnition of a depth strategy is to have 8-10 of the 12 forwards at 20 or more goals for the season. For … what is the opposing coach to do?? He can’t play his checking line all night. He’s got to devise some sort of alternative strategy for defending the Thrashers, or any team using a “depth strategy.”
I’m pleased with Modin’s 6 goals in 20 games. That’s better production out of him than I would have expected. That’s about a goal every third game, on average. If he played all the remaining games, scoring at that pace, we’d all be thrilled.
Brendan
December 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
Alan R., good find! Yes, we’re at # 5, somewhere.
R. Stroz
December 22nd, 2010
9:53 am
Anyone else think we’d be better off with Nabby as the “back up” goalie instead of Mason?
Brendan
December 22nd, 2010
9:56 am
R.Stroz, did you have to go there ? Right after the loss? Oh well. But remember, Nabby wanted a 4-5 year deal. That’s a substantive commitment. And he’s not getting any younger. St. Petersburg cut him for a reason, I presume.
Alan R.
December 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
I think Stroz is on to something, but agree that if Nabby is going to ask for big bucks long-term, then we don’t need him.
Mason makes me jittery. I have to wonder if the players feel the same way. The third goal last night was really, really soft.
Red Light
December 22nd, 2010
10:11 am
St. Louis gave the Thrashers a does of their own medicine last night by forechecking well, particularly in the second period, creating turnovers and taking advantage of a few mental lapses, such as Hainsey’s horrible clearing pass that led to St. Louis’ first goal. In addition, the Blues had some really good offensive contributions from their blueline. Despite one bad goal scored by Byfuglien from behind the net, Conklin was brilliant last night. Thrashers outshot the Blues 39-26. Not sure who votes for the Three Stars, but can’t understand why a 37-save performance on visiting ice doesn’t qualify.
As for Mason, he’s played just three games since mid-November. Tough to be sharp. Third goal? Looked like a good screen to me Alan R. particularly the way Mason reacted.
Brendan
December 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
I smell a shootout in Boston. Hope I’m wrong. I’d rather wrap things up in regulation time.
Brendan
December 22nd, 2010
10:20 am
Back on blog topic, Anthony Stewart has been a total surprise this season. I remember some posters were advocating cutting him, back in preseason. And I remember my voice being one saying Byfuglien shouldn’t play defense. This is why Ramsay is the coach, right?
R. Stroz
December 22nd, 2010
10:34 am
Back off the blog topic, Machacek is burning things up in Chicago. Cormier stats are improving quickly, and Esposito appears to be treading water at best.
If Nabby can be had on the cheap, I’d be alot more comfortable with him in goal than Mason. Nabby is actually from Kazakhstan. Maybe Nik can provide some insight into his psyche. If Nabby is a locker room cancer as glovesave29 has suggested, the Thrashers need to consider the pros and cons in terms of him being a “team player.” That said, I’m not sure Mason is the guy I want as a back up if Pavelec can’t play for a few weeks.
Joe Friday
December 22nd, 2010
10:52 am
“I’m not sure Mason is the guy I want as a back up if Pavelec can’t play for a few weeks.”
Definitely not, but he’s better than Ellis, not as good as Nabokov. Best move would’ve been standing pat with Moose, but whatever. Hi-evah, if Pavs go down, this club drops down a few notches.
One thing dawned on me last night . . . it’s hard to keep up the level of play the Thrash have over the course of a 82 game season and then into the playoffs. It’s the reason that most top clubs coast till after the All Star break and then really kick it into high gear. Ramsay has had the boys skating balls out in high gear for a while and last night you saw the result, tired legs (even given Mason’s soft goals allowed, they still stayed in the game). But that is going to catch up with them as the season wears on . . . this club gets into the a drawn out playoff series with OT games, I worry about what kind of legs they’re going to have left. So, based on that, the sooner they can jettison Eager and Bergfors and get a couple platoon boys up here like Cormier and whoever we get in trade for Eager and Bergfors, the sooner guys can have some nights off and we can get some fresh legs in the lineup when needed (like last night).
R. Stroz
December 22nd, 2010
11:10 am
Joe Bob Friday – Check out the schedule In January and February. There are numerous three and four day breaks between games. The boys just need to hold on until January 9th.
Alan R.
December 22nd, 2010
1:12 pm
Dudley in talks with Byfuglien and Ladd, as per good ol’ Craig Custance.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2010-12-22/thrashers-success-to-come-with-a-price
Also mentions Bergfors.
Red Light
December 22nd, 2010
2:21 pm
“Not far. But they’ve started,” Dudley told Sporting News. “It’s something as an organization we’ve had a tendency not to do in the past. But when you get good, you have to talk to your players.”
But, if you suck, you don’t have to speak with them at all?
Alan R.
December 22nd, 2010
2:26 pm
But, if you suck, you don’t have to speak with them at all?
I’m sure that’s not what he meant by that. It’s just more diplomatic than saying “My buddy D-Wad is an idiot”
litz
December 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
Well, to be fair to Dudley … he had to politically correctly state : “The previous GM didn’t bother to do this kind of stuff” …
- litz
Joe Friday
December 22nd, 2010
3:30 pm
“It’s something as an organization we’ve had a tendency not to do in the past. But when you get a good GM, you have to talk to your players.”
Bingo, Alan and litz . . . sounds like Dudley is getting lowballed on Eager and Bergfors and he’s letting it be known via Custance that he’ll hold onto them rather than give them away . . . good job.
Cornbread
December 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
What have yo done for me lately? I do believe Mr. Mason got the Atlanta Thrashers through a very tough month of October going 6-4-1. For that alone he deserves to be the back up the rest of the season. He is ranked 36th in save percentage. Not great but not bad for a number two either, especially one who has only played 5 games since that first month.
glovesave29
December 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
The truest test of Duds in now in front of him…can he get Buff and Ladd to sign contracts with a “hometown discount”? Since both Dustin and Andrew know how important depth is when making a lengthy drive into the playoffs, my guess is yes. They both will deserve nice pay raises, but I can see them working with management and not tying up too much cash for just a few players…even though they are keys to our success. The key is for the ASG to actually SPEND the money that Buff and Ladd leave on the table…if they don’t, I could certainly see players and hockey ops guys getting really frustrated and leaving.
Disappointing result last night. I cannot blame this on Mason…second goal was the only “questionable” one for me as he didn’t square to the shooter. St. Louis deserves credit…they attacked the point at every opportunity, then with 2 minutes left, they changed their tactics and collapsed in front of Conklin. Buff and Enstrom had nothing but bodies in front of them. We hit Conklin square in the Blue Note too many times last night.
Hockey Biltong
December 22nd, 2010
6:48 pm
I kept looking for the re-direction…they were gassed. Normally the team had enough in the tank to hold the puck in the zone and cross pass and shoot with the goalie twisting in the wind…not last night…. So I hope they recover soon…I know they are well coached. The proof is in the pudding…we as fans,must continue to give them (the players) as much support as we can. This is going to be a great run!!!!!
Tom Lysiak
December 22nd, 2010
7:48 pm
From last night:
Agree with those who say they looked gassed. No excuse, just the way it was.
I still have no clue what boarding is now. It seemed like several times it could have been called on the Blues. Backes slammed Bogey one time in our end, he crumpled to the ice and got up checking his teeth and skated to the bench. Backes had gotten Bogey earlier on the other end and got a roughing call that time. He tried to get Bogey to fight him and Jackman was trying to get Kane to go after kneeing him.
The hockey gods fixed things for Backes when Bogey’s stick got him in the mouth on his follow-through. He went straight to the dressing room. Loved it.
Gotta say that no-goal call on Buff looked like BS. The refs sucked big-time. They could have called 20 more penalties on the Blues, especially the last 8 minutes or so. I was shocked when they gave them the late slashing call.
Tom
December 22nd, 2010
7:49 pm
This should be either great news or really bad news – C Viv on Twitter
Atlanta Spirt, owners of Hawks and Thrashers, have reached agreement to buy out Steve Belkin.
We will either have the ownership united to do great things with the franchise going forward or they will be so cash strapped they will be unable to invest in the team.
“May you live in interesting times” is a Chinese curse.
Red Light
December 22nd, 2010
7:53 pm
While my Web site is being relocated to another server, here’s a piece I just uploaded about how the Blues beat the Thrashers at their own game last night. Good Ramsay observations!
http://tinyurl.com/29lhfmh
kracker
December 22nd, 2010
7:55 pm
I just saw that the never-ending lawsuit has been settled. The official press release [ http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547096 ]has zero details.
I am hoping an investor as been found to replace %&$hole Belkin and now he can buy in. I also hope that the same %&$hole Belkin will be forced to pay the millions in operating expenses that he is in arrears for.
Does anyone have any info on what has happened? Ideas on what goes down going forth?
Hopefully, this will favorably impress Buff and Ladd and the other players to stay and build a Cup contending team.
kracker
December 22nd, 2010
7:58 pm
Red Light, it was good to see you in the food court. There is always a small group there before games, so do stop by if you get to Philips early.
LAC
December 22nd, 2010
8:01 pm
Right WBF… If those “canada” fans are so correct, then WHY have the Leafs not won since 1967 ?
Vancouver, Never, Flames once, when they were under the direction of Mr. Cliff Flechter, MTL, because they ruled the NHL for years, Ottawa never and Edm in the 80’s now 20+ years ago.
We deserve better here. However I am VERY concerned after last nights game. Came down for the first time in awhile and was really disappointed at the result. I am now NOT high on Mason, he just is not a solid goalie at this point.
The remaining games this month are BIG, we either win them and remain near the top or lose them and sink out of the top eight. Guess we WILL see if we are for real or not.
glovesave29
December 22nd, 2010
8:07 pm
LAC – the most amazing part about the Laffs drought is that for a good portion of that time, 16 of the leagues 21 teams made the playoffs.
litz
December 22nd, 2010
8:22 pm
Owners lawsuit has been settled :
http://www.ajc.com/sports/hawks-thrashers-ownership-group-785848.html
Could this, perhaps, be a prelude to some stability, a new investor, or … please … SOMETHING that will give us some more support from above?
We have the product we need on the ice – we need the same quality of performance now off the ice, too.
kracker
December 22nd, 2010
8:48 pm
Jeff Schultz’s take on the settlement:
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/12/22/atlanta-sprit-settles-lawsuit-this-can-only-be-good-news/
Red Light
December 22nd, 2010
8:49 pm
Thanks kracker. Good to see you, Zoomo, Biggie Shooter, Mr. & Mrs. DWTOO and Rawhide’s gang. Saw World Be Free and his Missus, as well as R.Stroz and bride. Great night when Bluenote sat in front of us too!
As I frequently battle 400 traffic to get to the games, I run right up against the start time most of the time, but I enjoyed the Gorin’s stop last night. Have a Merry Christmas!
Tom Lysiak
December 22nd, 2010
10:37 pm
HAHAHAHAHA – The Islanders beat the Lightning in OT tonight.
Bonus, the Devils are now tied with the Islanders at 20 points, plus having played two more games. Awesome!
R. Stroz
December 22nd, 2010
10:49 pm
BEL-KIN……BEL-KIN…..BEL-KIN…..YOU SUCK
YOU WILL GET NOTHING AND LIKE IT.
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
SomaAtl95
December 23rd, 2010
12:37 am
Looks like the former Octo-cluster is set to stage some sept-a-shenanigans!
TrueBlue
December 23rd, 2010
3:01 am
Can I just say, after years of reading this blog on a daily basis, the best part of my Tuesday night, after a terrible loss to the Blues, was meeting Rawhide in the parking deck. Even after such a terrible loss he seemed like a really awesome and down to earth guy. Thank you for the awesome blogs you provide for us day in and day out.
Brendan
December 23rd, 2010
3:45 am
I believe Red Light called Nabokov going to the Lightning, re: the TB-Isles talk above. It would seem a logical move for the Bolts to try, cap-permitting. I don’t think Nabokov has yet been signed for the NHL in 2010-11.
Honestly, Ilya has to be shaking his head about being in 30th place in the NHL, at Christmas time. This isn’t usually how things shake out, after a team acquires one of the most sought-after free agents in recent hockey history. If I recall correctly, I read this somewhere, “Ilya Kovalchuk is the first Tier I free agent to hit open market before he reached his PRIME years, so many NHL franchises will be scrambling to acquire him. An opportunity like this rarely arises.” I wish I could actually pin that quote down. Oh, not that major moves in free agency haven’t back-fired before, in all four major pro sports leagues. But, rarely, has it been so pronounced. But I should add, immediately, that the Devils’ woes are hardly ALL Kovalchuk’s fault. Their defense is decimated and they’ve been without their BEST player, Zach Parise, for more than half of their season. I guess … the summer long contract dispute just really accentuated this particular move in free agency. By the way, as has been presented here several times, the Devils do, at some point, have to cough up a 1st round pick, because of their salary cap circumvention. They won’t opt for 2011 to be that year, if their season continues in this fashion. I think they have until 2013?? to sacrifice that pick. But sacrifice it, they will.
HP Drifter
December 23rd, 2010
8:25 am
You are right on Brendan — the team (NJ) is in their current position because that is what the team has earned for many reasons. Kovy is just 1 player on a team and it is refreshing though not surprising to read your reasonable comments. Also, add in the mix the coaching/staff (which may be suspect) and this brings forth another dynamic.
On to the Thrashers -> I am quite concerned about the the play or lack of play from Bogosian. 36 games in — 5 pts., minus 6, some rookie like errors. Was he all but a dream ?
comments daily
Rawhide
December 23rd, 2010
8:25 am
TrueBlue – Truly the honor was all mine. Thanks for stopping to say ‘hello’.
OK kids…new blog time. Let’s chat about Bergfors being banished to the press box lately.
Ward
December 23rd, 2010
8:29 am
I find the Bergfors saga interesting, yet typical on any team where “reward” is playing time and “bench”(healthy scratch)is the punishment. Obviously there is something going on in the “chemistry” of this team. Whatever it is it seems verrrrry healthy and shows on the ice every game.Bergfors must be clueless and after watching Eagers display his six minutes and a misconduct when released from the healthy scratch department a few games ago…I conclude similarily for him. We can trust this group of professional coaches (and general manager)much more over matter such as this than ever before (remember Don Waddell making Kovy captain and poster boy for the franchise over the obvious dissatisfaction of a good guy, John Anderson? Anderson had some heavy weights on his shoulders….Kovy, Waddell and some forwards not buying the checking game as we see this year. The three Swedes doing a lot of ice time now seem to understand the Ramsay “treatment” so it certainly isn’t an international conspiracy!!!