2007-08 Atlanta Thrashers Preview
By Eric Redner, Contributing NHL Editor
(Sports Network) - The Thrashers made a playoff appearance for the first time in team history last year and did it in style by winning the Southeast Division. However, it was a short-lived postseason run as the team was swept by the New York Rangers and only managed six goals while giving up 17.
Atlanta made several moves to get themselves into the playoffs last year. The team dealt promising young defender Braydon Coburn to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Alexei Zhitnik. In the biggest move the club made to get into the postseason, the Thrashers sent a first round draft choice in 2007, a third round draft choice in 2007, a second round draft choice in 2008, a conditional first round pick in 2008 and forward Glen Metropolit to St. Louis for power forward Keith Tkachuk. However, Atlanta got back the first-round pick in 2008 as the team shipped Tkachuk back to St. Louis.
While those moves helped to push Atlanta, which started off the season on fire, into the playoffs after a late-season slump, the team lost nine of 12 games in February, it did not come without cost as the team had to give up some of its youth and future building blocks.
Also, the team lost a veteran leader in the offseason as Scott Mellanby retired after 21 seasons in the NHL. In addition, there is still no certainty that center Steve Rucchin will be back to play. He suffered a concussion in February and missed the final 25 games and the playoffs. Rucchin has a history of concussions so it is possible that he might not return.
However, the strength of the team is still intact as the potent offense remains and will be the heart and soul of the club.
Led by Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa, who had a career-high 100 points last season, the team also brought in Todd White, signing him away from Minnesota on the first day of free agency. Also, Brett Sterling, who was the rookie of the year in the AHL last season, will most likely make the big-league squad and a productive year for him will mean good things for the offense.
Goaltender Kari Lehtonen showed flashes of brilliance last season, but still blew several games for Atlanta. He broke franchise records in wins (34) and shutouts (four) last season and if he can keep his head, not let bad goals blow his concentration, and continue to improve his play he will help Atlanta compete for the division championship again and hopefully win a playoff game or two.
The big weaknesses on this team are lack of scoring depth and the defense. The second line has a top-notch scorer on it in Slava Kozlov, who finished last season with a career-high 80 points. Aside from that, though, there really is no threat left. Again, Sterling could change that if he can bring his minor- league success to the NHL.
Defense, though, is the major weakness of this club. It's undersized and there is not really a No. 1 guy back there. Zhitnik brings experience that is sorely lacking and Niclas Havelid is good, but aside from those guys it's mostly a crap shoot at the blueline. The team has brought over Tobias Enstrom from Sweden and he is viewed as a highly-skilled offensive-defenseman. He could wind up being a power-play quarterback on a team that sorely needs one.
Just like last season, this team will live and die with its top-scoring line and Lehtonen. If those key elements can stay consistent and the team gets a bit of help from the supporting cast, a playoff appearance, and hopefully a few wins in the playoffs, should be well within reach.
FORWARDS - Much of the success for Atlanta will rest with the Kovalchuk- White-Hossa line.
Kovalchuk appeared in every game for the Thrashers last season, but saw his production slip a bit. After producing 52 goals and 46 assists in 2005-06, he only managed 42 goals and 34 assists last year. However, with the addition of a playmaking center in White, Kovalchuk, one of the premier left wings in the league, should produce in the 50-goal, 100-point range.
White was signed in the offseason after spending the previous two years in Minnesota. He had 13 goals and 31 assists for the Wild last season.
Hossa, as mentioned earlier, had the best year of his nine-year career. He became the first Thrasher to eclipse the 100-point plateau and we can expect more of the same from this talented right wing this season.
Kozlov is a bona-fide threat and he led the team last season with eight game- winning goals. What would really help the team is for Bobby Holik to find his offensive game again. Despite playing all 82 games last season, Holik finished with just 11 goals and 18 assists, which is the lowest point total of his career. However, he is 36 years old and there might not be much gas left in his tank.
The third line should consist of Jim Slater centering Brad Larsen and possibly Eric Perrin to start. While the trio is competent, the line is not exactly going to scare opposing defenses.
Again, Sterling could change the equation amongst forwards. He posted 55 goals and 42 assists in 77 games with the AHL's Chicago Wolves last season and should he bring something close to those numbers it will give Atlanta some much-needed depth at forward.
DEFENSE - There are three things that Atlanta is missing on defense: a No. 1 defenseman, as well as size and speed. Aside from that I guess you could say they are okay.
Zhitnik and Havelid will see the most action as both players averaged at least 25 minutes of ice-time per game and coach Bob Hartley will need them to shoulder the load again this season.
Garnet Exelby, who will be entering his fifth season, continues to improve his play while Ken Klee had a good season last year, but at 36 years old he can't be asked to pull as much ice time.
Mark Popovic, who spent most of last season with the Chicago Wolves, should be on the bench to start the season and good play from him will improve the club's defense.
As mentioned before, the club brought Enstrom in from Sweden and his offensive skills could help a power play that despite the offensive talent up front, finished tied for 22nd in the league last season. Also, the team ranked 26th on the penalty kill.
Trading Coburn for Zhitnik will hurt Atlanta in the long run as the kid is a potential No. 1 or No. 2 defenseman.
GOALTENDING - Lehtonen had his best year last season since the Thrashers took him with second overall pick in 2002.
He finished the season 34-24-9 in 68 games with four shutouts and a 2.79 goals against average.
However, he still shows signs of inconsistency as he lost seven of nine starts in February, which almost cost Atlanta the Southeast Division crown.
Also, his first playoff debut was less than spectacular as he gave up 11 goals in the two games he appeared in, but to be fair, no one played well in Atlanta's brief playoff run.
Lehtonen has the skills to be one of the premier goaltenders in the league. Another full year under his belt will do wonders for him and the humbling playoff experience will help in his maturation process. If he can keep his focus and kick his game up another notch, Lehtonen could help make up the slack from Atlanta's lackluster defense.
Reserve netminder Johan Hedberg came to the team as a free agent from Dallas last season and posted a 9-4-2 record in 21 games. He can be counted on as a competent backup to Lehtonen and can play full-time should Lehtonen falter or get injured.
WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - Atlanta had been building its club through the draft, but last season the Thrashers traded away some of that youth and draft picks in an attempt to win in the present. Of course, that didn't exactly work out the way the franchise had planned.
Atlanta still has its core nucleus with Kovalchuk and Hossa, and should again compete for the division. However, the defense and special teams are suspect and Lehtonen still needs to prove his worth. If the weak spots on the team turn out worse than expected it could be a long season for the Thrashers, who could struggle to make the postseason, let alone win a playoff series
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Hockey
Atlanta Thrashers 2007-08 Season Preview
Atlanta Thrashers 2007-08 Season Preview
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