What…me worry about these Thrashers? Maybe, but only just a little
Just a week ago the Atlanta Thrashers were sitting atop the Southeast Division and held the second spot in the Eastern Conference. They were riding a 12-2-2 hot streak and had just come off impressive victories over the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs by a combined score of 13-4.
It all started out well enough Tuesday night as Evander Kane put the Thrashers up 1-0 early in the first period (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Oh what a difference a week can make.
Since that time, they’ve have gone 0-3-1, been outscored 17-8…two of those losses coming against Tampa Bay and Boston, teams Atlanta has been jockeying for position in the standings with. Their play of late has been, in a word…un-good.
Tuesday night, Pittsburgh was the scene of their latest unsuccessful venture. After coming out strong against the Pens, taking 1-0 and 2-1 leads, the game slowly spiraled out of control…slowly at first, then at a dizzying pace. Once Sidney Crosby leveled the score twice in the first period, he along with his black and gold Penguin pals commenced to out-skate, out-hustle, out-grind and out-work the visiting Thrashers.
There was short-handed goal that resulted from winning the puck away from Atlanta defenders behind Ondrej Pavelec’s net to send Pittsburgh into the second intermission up 3-2. It was the third shorty the Thrashers power play unit has allowed during this four game slide.
“That’s just being lazy”, captain Andrew Ladd said of Pittsburgh’s go-ahead short-handed tally. “There is no way they should get a chance like that on a power play.”
Then there was the ‘ol “Win the face-off to start the third period, scoot it up the right wing, have Crosby flop it in front of the net for an easy tip-in score” play that was executed to perfection is just nine seconds. Just the way it was drawn up on the chalkboard, eh?
Mark Letestu shoves Alex Burmistrov out of his way en route to his third period goal (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
And then there was that…that…that “thing” that happened to Alex Burmistrov. First he misplayed…OK, whiffed…the puck in the defensive zone, then he was knocked backwards by Mark Letestu, who then put the Pens up 5-2.
So in summary, Sid’s second score coming in the closing moments of the first, a brain-cramp shorty in the second, Thrashers skaters becoming spectators for the opening nine seconds of the third period, Burmistrov’swhatever that was you want to call it and…bippity-boppity-boo…just like that, a closely fought, tight game turns into a 6-3 cluster-fail and a fourth consecutive loss.
So, if you ask me if I’m concerned with the current state of these Atlanta Thrashers, my answer is…well…yeah. Yeah I am. But only just a little.
Four game losing streaks are not normally the kind of thing that can just be laughed or shrugged off, of course. Especially when in those quartet of games your team has fallen from first place in the division and second overall in the conference all the way down to third and seventh respectively. So there is reason for a certain amount of angst in Thrasherville.
But there’s no need for full-fledged panic either.
One of the reasons the Divine Mrs. R won’t have to pull my head out of the oven anytime soon is this; In the half year or so that Craig Ramsay, John Torchetti, etc. have manned the bench in a coaching capacity with this organization, I’ve grown to trust not only what it is they’re in the process of teaching and preaching…I’ve also grown to trust their ability to nip problems in the bud.
Another is because the oven is electric.
And no, there won’t be any needto pull me back off a high-rise ledge this morning either. Just as I wasn’t quite ready to start penciling-in dates in June that could work for a Stanley Cup victory parade down Peachtree Street last week following the wins against the Devils and Leafs…I’m not ready to start flipping through the possible draft prospects to see who could be had with the number two or three picks this summer after four losses either.
82 games bring with it a lot of ebbs and flows in a season. And as the Thrashers go through some tough spells…and they will…one shouldn’t lose perspective of that.
One thing I am seriously concerned about, however, is the status of one Mr. Evander Kane. As he was being helped off the ice after taking a hit to the knee up against the boards, I began to think of this team trying to snap a four game losing skid against the Big Bad Bruins without the assistance of such a key component to this lineup.
…shudders…
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86 comments Add your comment
Cornbread
December 29th, 2010
2:49 pm
Me concerned? No. The Atlanta Thrashers are still the real deal.
Lots of good points being made today but I think we all should remember that all playoff teams – even Stanley Cup Champions – go through hot and cold streaks. I do not see this team having a major meltdown. They are young but they are far to skilled with good charachter and great coaching for them to slide like Thrasher teams of the past. This team can just as easily begin a 5 game win streak starting tomorrow.
Right now they are on pace to finish 7th in the conference with 93 points, right where I had them pegged preseason. I am actually a little surprised that they are there at this point as they have performed better than I expected early in the season.
December’s schedule has been brutal. It has taken its toll. They are clearly tired when they make the mistakes that they have and don’t capitalize on the mistakes Pittsburgh made. And, the Thrashers caused the best team in the NHL to make plenty of mistakes. They are playing great early and losing it in the end. That is fatigue. What’s worse, is they have not been able to have the practice time to work on their game and make adjustments; special teams has suffered the most.
Brighter days are ahead Thrasher fans. December is almost over and 2011 is a very Thrasher friendly schedule. This is where I expected the Thrashers to make their move into the playoffs. That they are already there allows them the opportunity to move higher in the standings than I expected. Go on a five game skid in February when they are better than every team they are playing, then I’ll be concerned.
Buzzeng
December 29th, 2010
2:57 pm
Here’s what’s got me worried beyond the poor play of late… games in hand. We’re in 7th place with 39 games played – same as the Crapitols who are +5 pts on us. The Dolts are +3 pts on us with two games in hand (potentially +7 on us) and the ‘Canes are 8 pts behind with 4 games in hand (potentially even). Les Habs are 2 pts behind with two games in hand. I know that a game in hand isn’t equal to points, but our situation is not as strong looking at that additional aspect.
So – the test begins. A 4-game losing streak. How does the team respond? Hopefully better than after a 2- and 3-game losing streak. Granted, the schedule has been tough in December… very tough, and 3 of the 4 teams this week are playoff contenders – but we need to show ourselves we can beat them, not just make it to the playoffs.
I’m going to the Thrashers-Habs game Sunday. If one or both of these teams doesn’t pick up their game in the next few nights, that game could be a battle to see who can lose better. Last time I was there, Les Habs beat the Pens in a playoff game that was very exciting… not looking like it will be the same calibre of game Sunday…
GO THRASHERS!!!!
Red Light
December 29th, 2010
4:11 pm
Alex Bourret signs with the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ ECHL affiliate.
Bourret, 24, split the 2009-2010 season between the Brno Kometa (Czech) and the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL). The right winger recorded an assist in 16 games with the Brno Komenta before notching 46 points (18g, 28a) and 81 penalty minutes in 36 games with the Wranglers.
Cornbread
December 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
Far too much criticism towards any one player after that team loss especially directed towards Bogosian. There were five other players on the ice for his minus 3 and I really can’t fault him for any of the goals. He certainly did not make the mistakes that led to them.
Watch the tape people. That is where the truth is and not on the stat sheet.
Pens 4th was a beautiful play. Oduya pinched on the wall to cut off the pass. Peverly, who lost the face-off was there to cover the pinching Oduya only to watch Crosby skate in the zone freely. Bogo did the right thing by skating towards Crosby to cut him off. Unfortunately he fell to his knees cutting over. He made a great atheletic recovery but it gave Sid the time and space he needed. Stewart let his man Kunitz go and Peverly not only never picked him up but he was affixed on Crosby from a distance the whole time. Pevs was the center. He failed on the face-off, covering for Oduya, and then getting to the slot to pick up Kunitz. Stewart needed to stick on Kunitz better in that situation as well. Poor reading of the play there mainly by the forwards.
The fifth Pens goal was just a rookie blunder by a guy trying to do too much with the puck at the wrong place and time. Burmi was the head man who got the puck out of the zone and skated it back in. That’s not the Thrashers’ game! Everybody else – especially the D – were going the other way. That’s the Thrashers’ system! Burmi had a play to Oduya who was there to take the puck off his hands. Burmi looked right at him and still held onto it and then whiffed big time on the cross ice feed to Bogo. Bad play Burmi. Hardly Bogo’s fault.
The sixth occurred after an egregious turnover by Eager who then took a penalty – which you won’t see on the replay – that allowed Crosby on the ice as the 6th skater. The only fault I will find with Bogo on that one is not taking the stick of Dupuis but it was Oduya’s man Cooke who tipped it in. I would have liked to have seen Cormier in there as well instead of off to the weak side. It was a broken running around play that the Pens took full advantage of by getting the best player in the world on the ice. Hardly all Bogo’s fault.
The first goal was after a turnover by Pevs. He made the right clearing attempt but Letang made an even prettier play skating back in the zone and keeping the puck in off his left boot. Pevs had support from Ladd as well. A little more composer and he clears that puck. Kind of hard I know when you are battling with Crosby on the half wall.
Number 2 was a beautiful play by the best hockey player in the world. What more can you say? You see it time and again with him sneaking in out of nowhere and splitting the D. I don’t know how he does it?
Number 3 was just a flukey turnover that led to the shorty. The right call was made by Toby on the reverse from Buff. Buff didn’t get it over cleanly and it just happened to land on Cooke’s stick. I don’t like to ever see 3 guys below the goal line but I wonder if this is what Coach Ramsay wants them to do while on the PP, get numbers to the puck especially while being pressured? Ladd was with Buff and Little was down low next to the net as well leaving Adams wide open for the blind feed. I think 95% of the time that goal would never happen. It just came at a critical point in the game that the Thrashers’ never recovered from.
I liked a lot of what I saw from the Thrashers last night. Some poor mental mistakes by the entire team led to some ugly goals. I’ll chalk it up to fatigue and not having the practice time to work on their game. But, I believe the ugliest thing about last nights game was the score. They deserved a little better from much of their play.
Alan R.
December 29th, 2010
4:16 pm
Jody Shelley gets suspended for two games for his sucker punch. Lucic received a $2,500 fine for the punch itself, plus another $1,000 fine for flipping off the Atlanta bench.
Why didn’t Lucic receive a suspension, again?
SCPensfan
December 29th, 2010
4:19 pm
Thanks for all the warm welcome posts. I grew up a Pens fan, and got transplanted to SC. E every trip to Philips has been a pleasant one, and 99.9% of the thrasher fans are perfect southern ladies and gentlemen. I have not missed a single game that the pens had in Phillips arena, even in the meek 2001-2004 time frame. I call the Thrashers my second favorite team, and follow them close. Not as close as the pens, but I know what is going on and who is up and down.
Watching Wadell move up and bring fresh blood to the GM position was something I thought woul be great for the organization… So far, I am impressed.
The Thrashers look really really good, and they are young. If attendance improves, I can see them becoming a player at the trade deadline, and then making some serious noise. I love this story. Its one I’m familiar with and I think that leadership is pointed in the right direction…
See yinz soon.
Brendan
December 29th, 2010
4:36 pm
There’s something I’ve got to say, and it’ll bother me if I don’t. (Just hit your down arrow now.) And, well, this might upset some people. Our goal this season … and maybe even next season … is to win one (1) playoff game.
That’s where we are, in my estimation. Seriously. Who wants to hear that? Look, I’ll be honest. I don’t even want to hear that, and I’m the one who posted it. As a “rah-rah” Thrashers guy, I want to talk about making a surprising run, DEEP into the playoffs. And so forth, as a “Cinderella” squad. Of course, that’s what I want. Maybe, you posters do, too. But beeee honest. We’re in YEAR ELEVEN (11). Our budget is BELOW the FLOOR of the salary cap. And we’re where we are, right now, because Don Waddell is a popular enough guy to bring in some capable friends, from his past, like Dudley, who in turn brought in a former Buffalo Sabres teammate like Craig Ramsay, and former Blackhawk colleague in John Torchetti. It’s Ramsay and Dudley putting this thing together, by and large, with not much financial support from the Heptacluster (Copyright 2010, poster Brendan, all rights reserved at U.S. Library of Congress, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepta-?show=0&t=1293657407).
Basing “too much” off one (1) game isn’t a good idea. But, frankly, watching the Penguins systematically dismantle us, in their barn, shows us … pretty demonstrably … how far we have to go, in terms of a being a legitimate Stanley Cup threat. And who thought we were that, anyway, in 2010-11? Oh, put your hands down. That’s just hometown pride/support talking. Who would bet even half their paychecks on this team reaching the CF, right now? That’s the point. Let’s just try to enjoy this. This has been far, far BETTER than I expected, for this point in the season. The Atlanta Thrashers play like a team. A young team, finding its way, but a TEAM, nonetheless. We have a strategy, other than “Hey Hossa/Kovalchuk, shoot!” We might even have a GM who ‘could’ go public with a declaration of intent, otherwise known as a Mission Statement, for this team. We’ve never had that before. Brian Burke announced his blueprint, for the Leafs, during the Press Conference that announced his hiring. What a concept! Burke used the word, “truculence,” I believe, which had the Toronto media BUZZING for weeks afterwards. The word is in the dictionary. When you don’t know what that word means, you just answer by saying “truculence” is the quality or state of being truculent. And that way, you dodge the issue, entirely.
If you can, try to get out to more games this year. The players, Dudley, and Torchetti deserve your support.
Smoothie
December 29th, 2010
4:37 pm
Alan – it’s a fat load a crap is what it is! Down with Colie Campbell!
jen
December 29th, 2010
4:43 pm
I don’t think its Pavs, its more the defense in front of them. Team is beat up and last two games, missing Antro’s big body in front of the net. They need to let him rest up and and get fully back to 100%. Someone metioned that the D pair TOI fro Hainsey/Sopes is something like 12 min and Oduya/Bogo is like 20. Think Hainsey/Sopes need more ice time. They’ve been very solid since Nov.
Didn’t notice Cormier one way or another, don’t think that’s a bad thing. I also think its not unexpected for Burmi to drop off a bit. Schedule is grueling right now and he needs to fill out his frame more in any case. I’m not surprised he’s dropped off a bit.
Bergie’s a goner. Don’t expect to see him around much longer.
Alan R.
December 29th, 2010
4:44 pm
Who would bet even half their paychecks on this team reaching the CF, right now?
To be fair, I can’t afford to bet that much on what isn’t a Sure Thing™
R. Stroz
December 29th, 2010
4:45 pm
Lets put a bounty on the head of Greg Campbell, Colin’s son.
That should make the Bruins game more interesting.
LAC
December 29th, 2010
4:52 pm
Bogosian still needs to go anywhere, but Atlanta.
Where is jack edwards, the LYING SOB announcer of boston, still has NO GUTS !
Brendan
December 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
Jen, last night versus the Penguins, Brent Sopel was the ONLY THRASHER not to get ANY time, whatsoever, on the PP unit. We’re talking zero, here. Was that deliberate? Shrugs. I don’t know. But I know this much. During last year’s Stanley Cup Finals, Sopel was averaging around 20 minutes a game. Twenty.
Now, let me ask you this. “Is the Stanley Cup Finals a time to ‘tinker and experiment’ with defensive pairings and minutes?” I would have to answer, “No, it isn’t.” And it wasn’t. Meaning? Well, it means Chicago’s coaching staff had enough confidence in Sopel to play him a substantive amount of time, at some of the most critical moments of the last 49 years’ worth of Blackhawks Team History.
EA
December 29th, 2010
5:27 pm
We are still growing and maturing as a new team. We aren’t going to win a Stanley Cup this year, but we are still in the playoff mix. We just need to stay there. Every team has a losing streak. Hopefully this is ours and we will move on. I think Bogo is constantly nursing an injury. He sat last week with one. Last year, he played most of the season with one.
cliff
December 29th, 2010
5:39 pm
Bogosian is 20 years old folks-gimme a break
Tom Lysiak
December 29th, 2010
5:45 pm
Red Light – I guess Slater couldn’t get seats on the glass last night, so he watched Crosby from even closer. I don’t know. That play just summed up the night for me.
Saw where the Minnesota StarTribune writer says the Wild were offered Bergfors and Eager. No returning names or picks, etc given. He says he doesn’t see them interested in either.
T
December 29th, 2010
5:54 pm
GO THRASHERS
HookyBob
December 29th, 2010
5:58 pm
I’m on the sharp edge of being worried,..and with the Bruins up next my stomach is just a bit unsettled. Do I need to mention how important this next game is?
The hockey media seem to give the Bruins the edge in the Dec 23rd scrum,..as in it was the right thing for them to do. (How do they overlook the “below the code” shots the B’s players took?) Someone has to stand up to these thugs. Let me change that to,… WE HAVE TO STAND UP TO THESE THUGS!.
So,… I am very hopeful Kane is healthy and able to go tomorrow night. We need our big guys and with Antro out,… I’d hate to loose another big (and tough to boot) body. One reason I’d like see Kane play is visions of Nathan Horton’s nose and lips deformed in much the same fashion that Mat Cooke’s were last April 10th.
Hockey fans probably aren’t known to be too spiritual,…. but I want some “immediate karma” soooooo bad.
Whatever my wishes,…. I subjugate them the task at hand. Our “Boys in Blue” have to concentrate on their game. Play smart, hard-nosed hockey and beat the Bruins where it counts the most,…the scoreboard.
GO BLUE.
HookyBob
December 29th, 2010
6:01 pm
Oh yeah,…make sure Pavs gets some “5 Hour Energy” about 6 PM. We need Pavs to outplay the B’s goalie (in a big way).
injunjoe
December 29th, 2010
6:03 pm
Its going to be cold again tonight RH. Do you know where your cat is?
Brendan
December 29th, 2010
6:10 pm
Alan R., was that double-negative? It means you CAN afford to bet that much.
Rawhide
December 29th, 2010
6:12 pm
Its going to be cold again tonight RH. Do you know where your cat is?
injunjoe – Yes…in fact, I know where all three are. They are outside on the back deck, staring in through the windows on door at me.
Why?
Brendan
December 29th, 2010
6:13 pm
My cat is in the box. We like it that way, otherwise it gets rather messy. But the Thrashers have to stay OUT of the box. Err, the penalty box.
I think there’s an entertainment for men establishment called, “Jack in the Box.” But I won’t swear to it.
(the spiritual) HookyBob
December 29th, 2010
6:14 pm
Bloggers I need your help. Tomorrow evening,….please visualize Horton’s nose and lips being disformed by Evander Kane’s fist (or any fist belonging to a “Boy in Blue”).
If that works we’ll move on to “visualising world peace.”
Regrettfully,..the real visualization needs to be ATL: 3, BOS 2.
Alan R.
December 29th, 2010
7:39 pm
Alan R., was that double-negative? It means you CAN afford to bet that much.
Only if I’m spending your money, and reaping the rewards thereof.
Otherwise, no double negative there.
Flames
December 29th, 2010
9:33 pm
We will be fine guys…Don’t hit the panic button just yet..Just a bump in the road..Cornier will help us down the road when he gets more ice time.
Hokie P. Clisters
December 29th, 2010
10:31 pm
Elrod’s cats always stay outside….which is good considering that they are pole cats.
Jason
December 29th, 2010
10:50 pm
So I have a potentially silly question to ask fellow Season Ticket Holders: Does your rep do anything for you to keep you happy? An upgrade to better seats for a night? Free tickets to another event at Philips? Anything? I just hear a lot from Season Ticket Holders how they are happy with their rep because their rep does this, that and the other, but I’m going on six years and I’m not sure if my rep has done much of anything for me – especially in the past couple of years.
Tony C.
December 29th, 2010
10:51 pm
Why are we sitting Bergfors again?
Tony C.
December 29th, 2010
11:24 pm
I ask the above question because it’s been clear for sometime that he [Bergfors] is going to be traded, and currently his return value isn’t what we would hope. I believe the surest way to improve that return value would be to get him into some games and let him light the lamp, thereby increasing said value.
On the other hand I have personal experience of being on a team where a skilled and (potentially) valuable contributor has had issues with the Coach(es)-it is usually destabilizing at best and can lead to dissension and a lack of G.A.S. from the other players… something we’re all too familiar with here in Thrasherville…
I look at the smashing job Dudley has done bringing in talented and character guys to round out our squad, I believe he will get something nice in return for Bergfors, I just would rather it be a player not a pick.
R. Stroz
December 30th, 2010
12:30 am
Just came up with a new marketing slogan to tick off the “Shriveling Diques”
Be American, Support Hockey!
Alan R.
December 30th, 2010
12:31 am
I think most would rather it be a player over a pick; however, I think you forget one thing, Tony. Bergfors has not only landed himself in Ramsay’s dog house, but he was in Lemaire’s dog house last year, while in New Jersey. Two different coaches, two radically different systems and styles, but the same ol’ dog house. By default, Bergfors’ value is low.
However, Dudley isn’t about to give him up for a song. He’s probably getting offers for lower tier prospects or late round draft picks. Dudley would want, and rightfully so, an earlier round pick for the kid. Say, a second or third rounder. We take the pick so we can flip it at the deadline for a rental.
I wouldn’t want Dudley to hold on to Bergfors for that long. First and foremost, we’ve had our own share of nightmares from the last GM here who did that. Second, I think Bergfors may turn into a cancer should we hold on to him for too much longer. I’m not saying Dudley should take a fourth and a fifth, and run. Dudley should get fair value for his asset. We just shouldn’t hold him for too long.
Fozzie
December 30th, 2010
2:16 am
JASON, you’re not the only one. I’m constantly hearing those same stories from other season ticket holders, but I can tell you that I haven’t been getting any upgrades, freebies, or anything of the sort. I’m beginning to wonder if some of those folks are frequently calling their reps and asking for the freebies (although they never say that’s the case.) Who knows…
ZAvalanche
December 30th, 2010
2:41 am
Thrashy fans, do not get too down on yourselves! I am an Avs fan (had glass seats for Thrashies visit to the Pepsi Center) but lived in Atl for 5 years and thus follow them every single day on the AJC and am a huge fan. You all are going through the same situation as the Avs – young, fast team and that translates to a lot of ebb and flow especially on PK situations. You have one heck of a good core and if DW keeps it together, like I hope my Avs do, you are going to have a special team in the next few seasons. I see a number four or five spot for you this year. I was in Atl for the Rangers playoff series and was so disappointed but building a quality franchise takes time and the Buffy move was BRILLIANT!
I have been very impressed with Thrash this season – it will come around. Which brings me to another thought – Kovalchoke who? Moving he and Hossa was a great move but not popular at the time. DW has done a great job and probably gets little notice. My Avs were perennial powerhouses from ‘96 to ‘03 and then we got old and had to start over. It is obvious that DW is building a good team and that your farm situation is working hard. Keep it up!
And for the poster who said that Sid THE FLIPPING AMAZING KID should take a ride with Heatley – show some class. He is good for the sport and a good kid and damn fun to watch play and only behind The Great One and Peter Forsberg (I am a little biased on Foppa though) in the entertainment division.
Also, Thrashy’s “incarceration” made local news in CO and I laughed my bum off! Hope he got out! Kudos to the Gwinnett PD for playing along! So in closing; Buck Up Campers, you have a good team and they are going places. -Peace from Z in CO and Happy New Year!
Rawhide
December 30th, 2010
8:14 am
ZAvalanche – Are you the same person that used to post under the name “ZAvs” a few years back? If so, we met at the Linberg Taco Mac watching the now-infamous 7-0 game-three beating at MSG in ‘07.
Speaking of Thrashers and the playoffs….here’s my 2010 review and 2011 predictions in which I let you know if I think they are destined to make a return to the postseason this spring.
ZAvalanche
December 30th, 2010
12:35 pm
Rawhide – I am indeed the same person! A bunch of us from the forums got together and had a damn good time while watching that drubbing of the Thrashers! I am impressed you remember. I look forward to your blogs all the time, quite entertaining! Always the possibility, in my line of work, that I will land back in Atl and if so we gotta hang again for a game. I really do like this team quite a bit and like I said, they remind me a lot of my Avs – too young to know they may be out matched but don’t care if they are. As for your prediction of 91 points for this year, I think that may be a bit conservative – and I hope it is. I distinctly remember an Oilers team that missed the playoffs with a 96 point season, which is a good record, and I am sure much of Alberta was quite upset.
Anyhow, you and Mrs. R have a safe drive to FL while I wade through the snow! Take care and Happy New Year!