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Kovalchuk Gets New Linemates- Isn't Demoted
Posted by:
Ben Wright on
December 1, 2008 at
12:50PM EST
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Ilya Kovalchuk's line mates have changed but his role hasn't. Mike Knobler at
the AJC is reporting that Ilya Kovalchuk "got demoted to the fourth line Monday"
but nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, he was wearing a different
color of jersey, but reading anything into that is a stretch at best.
Amidst the recent struggles Kovalchuk has been one of the consistent bright
points. He's shooting the puck more frequently, playing with more enthusiasm,
and he just had a three-game point streak snapped. John Anderson has been more
than happy with his play since the win in Toronto and the line adjustments today
at practice are an attempt to get Ilya rolling at even strength. He wasn't
showing great chemistry with Jason Williams and Eric Perrin, so Anderson is
going to try him with Marty Reasoner and Chris Thorburn. You may recall that
towards the end of last season Kovalchuk played with Thorburn and Bobby Holik
and the trio was on fire. Reasoner doesn't have the size of Holik but he has a
lot of the same grit. Expect to see an increase in ice-time for Reasoner and
Thorburn- not a decrease for Ilya. Anderson has expressed some frustration
lately with the play of his team, but he has had nothing but positive things to
say about Kovalchuk.
The lines as of practice this morning are:
Kozlov- White- Little
Kovalchuk- Reasoner- Thorburn
Armstrong- Williams- Christensen
Boulton- Slater- Perrin- Crabb
Mathieu Schneider is day-to-day with an upper body injury and will not travel
to Montreal and Ottawa. He may rejoin the team on Long Island for Saturday's
game. Boris Valabik will play in his place.
Kari Lehtonen skated this morning with trainers and Zach Bogosian has been on
skates several times, though he hasn't begun to handle the puck or practice yet.
(26) Comments
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Posted by: Russian on December 1, 2008 1:14PM EST
Interesting combination for Forward. I hope it will be work in Montreal.
Also Schneider got injury again. Look like he is not what we are looking for, but it is good for Boris. He needs NHL time.
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Posted by: sanovo on December 1, 2008 1:27PM EST
Good - JA's just trialing scenaro's that may work for this team. I too am of the thinking that you just keep working til you find something that works. Obviously Kozy, White and Little mesh well - now let's try to find a fit for Kovy. All four of these lines offer different strengths and the order in which they play is not relevant - it takes all 4 lines to work and offset the oposing team. We are lucky to have a player like Kovy who can skate with anyone - it's finding those who can compliment their talent with his. Our goaltending has been great and Perrin on penalty kill is a must. If at first you don't succeed...........!!!! Hats off to JA and his support staff. When I look at Thrashers games from years past and compare it to what they are working toward this year they have grown substantially as a team. The discipline and system is the hardest to achieve but then comes the execution. I have every confidence that the 'clicking' will come. Every player on every line has a function to perform and it makes no difference in what line or how early they arrive on the ice, but rather, what they do when they get there!
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Posted by: GaVaHokie on December 1, 2008 2:27PM EST
That makes more sense... thanks for the clarification Ben.
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Posted by: Alex on December 1, 2008 2:37PM EST
I think I liked you better when it didn't seem like you were the company mouthpiece. Is there any reason that you say it's not the "4th line""? At least Knobler had a reason to put that label on it and you just come in and say its not a demotion, but don't offer any evidence.
If it was just switching lines why not leave Kovy in the same color jersey and have Thorburn and Reasoner switch? The fact that Little-White-Kozzie are wearing the color that Kovy used to wear the morning after Anderson said things need a major shakeup is significant in my book
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Posted by: Ben Wright on December 1, 2008 2:39PM EST
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Posted by: Alex on December 1, 2008 3:05PM EST
I agree 4th line is pushing it as whoever plays out of Slater/Boults/Perrin/Crabb is obviously the 4th line, but I think it could defintely be view as a demotion.
The White line has been hands down the best line for us this season, and there's no reason that they shouldn't be the first line. If moving Kovy to the Reasoner line means more ice time for Reasoner and Thor and less for the Williams line then I'm not sure thats a good thing, but the realitly of the matter is that once you get past the White line and Kovy the scoring ability drops off substantially so I'm not sure it makes a difference.
For the team to be competitive, Waddell need to pick up at least one and probably two more true top 6 forwards. While I realize that this is easier said than done, it never ceases to bother me that the Atlanta Spirit throws this group on the ice under the guise of competing for the division and the Stanley Cup. It's insulting to fans to think that people will buy that
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Posted by: Thrashman on December 1, 2008 3:28PM EST
Cant agree more, Alex. You can shuffle these guys around all you want but what remains is 2 or 3 guys who pose real offensive threats. Lets not forget about a "sured up" defense that still allows as many SOG's this year as last. What I watch at Philips this year is what I've seen for the past eight seasons. Another DW snowjob on hardworking, paying hockey fans. Fool us once, ok. Fool us eight times ?
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Posted by: Erik on December 1, 2008 3:56PM EST
"Amidst the recent struggles Kovalchuk has been one of the consistent bright points. He's shooting the puck more frequently, playing with more enthusiasm, and he just had a three-game point streak snapped." - Ben Wright
Okay, let me introduce myself first off. I'm 14 years old, and I've been watching Thrashers hockey since the end of 2000 (might as well be 2001). I have been reading the official site since 2004 and blog since 2004, contributing to my knowledge of hockey and has greatly helped me with learning new things too. I have trained myself how to skate and play hockey and I can play any position. I also know the game elements and what the game is really about.
To say that Kovalchuk has had enthusiasm lately? Please, PLEASE tell me you are joking. Most of the time, Ben, I think you are right, but Kovalchuk has honestly not shown much emotion for the game lately; only sparks. For shots, I agree slightly, but he has only transited from very low shooting for his skill to what he should be doing. I'm not saying he should be doing 4, 5 shots a game, but at least 2 or something, and some defensive play if you are going to only do 2 shots on the first line with that much play time and skill.
But I don't agree with enthusiasm. He just looks like he's sick of it all, but it has been looking like that for SOME time now. It looks as though he doesn't even like scoring anymore, and that the puck is a hot potato when he gets it, trying to get it to a teammate ASAP.
He really needs to get a message. SHOOT.
---
Aside from that, his move with other players I think was a great move. Also, putting EC with Army might also be a great solution. Kovy might play better with grit, as Ben referred to with Holik (which was an awesome time might I mention, to be a Kovy fan) and Thorburn.
Let's see what happens with that.
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Posted by: Maury on December 1, 2008 4:23PM EST
Interesting coaching strategy, putting your 4th. line jersey, on your marque player, who has not been able to produce as he has in previous years. Their is a message here somewhere. Do you think he took a meeting with Ilya before practice. something, like just go along with this so the guys think no one is secure in their job, but you are playing really well. What a mess.
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Posted by: Zwitter on December 1, 2008 5:17PM EST
I´d like to see Jim Slater more ice time. I think, that he is one of the best player in Atlanta. With Brian Little, Chris Thorburn and Colby Armstrong are the best forwardds in Atlanta.
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Posted by: Brandon on December 1, 2008 5:29PM EST
Will he play 4th line minutes? No
Will he play a 4th line role? No
Was he forced to wear the 4th line jersey at practice? Yes
Clearly a message to your star player. JA had to do something and you might as well start at the top for a team that is not competing 60 minutes/82 games.
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Posted by: Sam on December 1, 2008 8:05PM EST
I think Erik makes several good points. Call it what you like re: Ilya, but Reasoner and Thorburn are 3rd and 4th line guys. Whatever "spark" may happen on that line, its because Ilya decided to provide one.
Ilya this season is nothing like the Ilya of last season who came on like gangbusters to take his team to the playoffs. He was a man possessed. He single-handedly carried this team on his back...and then on his Ruutu-busted knee. Can anyone tell me honestly...with the exception of the TO game... when has Ilya played like that this season?
If Ilya is not injured (because Kozlov took alot of flack last season for bad play when he was playing with a bum knee and shoulder), then he's playing sub-par hockey...FOR HIM. Period.
So, whether its a demotion or a line change or whatever....Ilya can bring a lot more to this team than he's been doing...and Anderson is totally justified in pointing that out, as privately or publicly as he needs to do it.
Ilya is not the only one who can bring more to his game...but he is the one who makes the most difference when he brings that extra effort.
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Posted by: Frank L on December 2, 2008 1:37AM EST
JA said he wanted to bring up some guys from the Wolves I guess Don told him no this is his team. To bad for JA he is going to be judged as a NHL coach by this team.
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Posted by: Phil on December 2, 2008 1:41AM EST
Kovy is just sitting back and not trying to get injured so he can be traded....just like Hossa did....great stats previous years but when it's time to get traded they are just gonna relax until they do get traded, then the stats will show.
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Posted by: lordstan57 on December 2, 2008 2:22AM EST
When you consider a talent like Kovy.... whatever line he's on, or should I say, whoever's on his line, THAT is the 1st line.
Icetime will certainly dictate as to whether or not a 'message is being sent'.
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Posted by: griga262 on December 2, 2008 8:16AM EST
You can juggle your lines all you want, but when your GM has given you a minor league team, all you can do is win a minor league title at best.
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Posted by: Anonymous on December 2, 2008 8:43AM EST
I tought Anderson said he was going to bring up some wolves to help score?
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Posted by: Ben Wright on December 2, 2008 9:42AM EST
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Posted by: Anonymous on December 2, 2008 1:01PM EST
either way atlanta sucks and will loose tonight to montreal
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Posted by: Steve on December 2, 2008 2:01PM EST
I agree with most everyone here that Kovy is not playing with the heart I have seen in previous years. I think that putting Kovy with Thorburn again was a smart move; they had success toward the end of the last season. Why not work with your successes? I think Reasoner can be as good as Holik; Holik had 15 goals last year which is not stellar, but he was our faceoff guy more than anything. We now have other guys who can fill that role. I think our defense still needs to improve, and we need to possess and control the puck more. I went to the Columbus and St. Louis games in the last 10 days, and the play in both games were sloppy. Our guys were sending the puck out of our own zone, and not bringing up with effective outlet passing. The Toronto victory was nice to see, but they are struggling like us; so that wasn't much to expect. However, we lost by one goal to Nashville and two goals to Washington, and the efforts were better in both games. Again, our guys need to play a solid game for 60 minutes not just one or two periods or parts of the 3rd period like I saw in the Columbus and St. Louis games.
One other thing I have noticed and Anderson made the same comment; some of the referee calls are not coming when they should. We can't control that.
Pavelec has played well; very little rebounds from the other team. In the St. Louis game, the Tkachuk goal was garbage!!! That goal should not have happened! I didn't see the go ahead goal by St. Louis but it seems that the defense is still letting too many shots to come through. We were outshot 33-16 in the Columbus game; and 46-30 in the St. Louis game. If our defense is going to allow that many shots, we may win some, but we may lose more. I know that everyone is making a big to do about Kovy, but our defense has got to get better too. Exelby is playing better this year, but he is still not in the best position when key goals are scored by other teams. He is hitting, blocking shots more, but there have been times when he is too far up, and he is leaving his defensive partner alone to fend off a break which has led to eventual scoring. Anyhow, nice to see Havelid finally score 1, but I would rather him have more assists and defend better. I don't know. It is a lot of things. Christensen also needs to follow through with his chances and score more. For him to have 1 goal this late in the season when he was touted as a great acquisition is really disappointing. Anyway, I just hope these guys find a way to pick up the enthusiasm and play the entire 60 minutes with enthusiasm. Not sure what will happen with Kovy. I have wondered if he is playing like he is playing like Hossa so that he can be traded. Hossa is on fire right now; so different than when he was here before the trade deadline. There has already been talk of trade rumors which is not surprising. I don't think that DW or JA want him to leave, but it is more about what Kovy wants. Time will tell. There was definitely more enthusiasm last year at this time on Kovy's part, but who knows. He is not the only one; Lecavalier is off his usual numbers by 20 points too right now. So, we are not the only team who has a star that is struggling. Carolina is also struggling some, but they are in 2nd in the division.
Ben,
I know you can't say much about all of this as you work for the team. I am still hopeful that our guys will come out of this funk.
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Posted by: super on December 2, 2008 2:49PM EST
Sam
Did miss the last part of last years season. Kovy and Thorburn played great togather. You can't sit behind a computer and think you know all about hockey. Thorburn is a good player , he is not a 4th liner. The more ice time you give him the better he will become. Reasoner is another good player, maybe these 2 players will be a spark for Kovy. I will go as far as saying that they should try this line as a power play unit.You have to give this a few games together to see what happens.
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Posted by: jordan on December 2, 2008 3:46PM EST
wow so many negitive comments ... not happy with the way our play is now but sure not open to anything new . i love the change in lines i think its a great idea and a good pairing . chris and marty are both great player and will only show that more with more ice time . way to go anderson
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Posted by: hockeyman on December 2, 2008 4:01PM EST
Some Atl issues: 1) They don’t have close support on the take-in. Have you noticed as soon as they get inside the blue-line they run to the boards and stop.. wait... look.. no one there to take the pass, to make a break… a break for the net… what is that. The two big guy in front of the net… I am not going there. If they want to get around the big lumberjacks they need a close hand off. That means evenly paced skaters that can work together. And, a great passer and stick handler is needed behind the play to setup the breakout. 2) Since Atl lacks size - in the oppositions end, they need to have plays that keep the puck and players moving along the boards. Every time they try to block out the opposition by body shielding they lose the puck. 3) The news is out that on the Atl power play the opposition goes right to the puck. Alt needs to spread out, make very quick passes on the tape, put some traffic to the net and let the shot go. 4) In the Alt zone, anticipate the play of the opposition, get in front of the potential opposing puck recipient and cut the play off. Too many times I see Atl standing behind the opposition and letting them receive the pass. The opposition then has the advantage since they can make the next move. 5) Have you noticed other teams when the puck gets in a bind they surround the play with 3-4 players. I don’t see that with Atl they usually have only 2 players which normally leads to a turn over to the opposition - Atl players need to count the opposition in front of them and move closer to the mass with careful positioning to cut off any play from the mass to the outside. 6) Size matters in today’s NHL - if you don’t have it you must play smart - Atl needs to play smart use their speed to keep moving - and, that also means you must have passes that stick. 7) Overall Atl has some very dedicated players that want to win and they could be a very good team. However, to make the best of it, they must use what they have wisely by adapting to the style, size, and play of the opposition.
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Posted by: Steve on December 2, 2008 5:13PM EST
Good point, hockeyman. Another big issue I saw at the 2 games I went to was that our players were waiting for the other players to pass or shoot instead of pressing the opposition to make a mistake or try to intercept the puck. The only guy who I saw trying to attack the puck was Eric Perrin. Every time I watch Perrin, he tries to make something happen. I like him; he is gutsy and has work ethic. I know Falconer on Thrasherstalons likes him too. If all of our players went after the puck we might control the puck more or force more turnovers. Instead our players have been laying back off of the puck which allows the opposing team to have more opportunities for shots and scores.
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Posted by: exThrash on December 2, 2008 5:13PM EST
Some good comments both ways again!! However, I don't see how ANY Thrashers fan can criticize Kovy and it is crazy that Anderson (a minor league coach) thinks he should put him on the 4th line.
Kovy has carried this franchise for quite a few years now, with statistics way above the stature of this team (currently tied worst in the NHL). He has seen teammates come and go (arguably less skilled, such as Hossa and Heatley) and watch them fight legitimately for the Stanley Cup, while the Spirit Group hangs him out to dry with ever decreasing talent around him. I say thanks for all you have done for the team and I hope you get traded to a good team somewhere where you can fight for the Cup. For the franchise to treat him less than the star he has been is a disgrace, but are we surprised? Jordan, be careful with your throwing around the term 'great'. It's not a complicated science, we are getting below average performances from below average players, that don't (yet!!??) play like a team.
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Posted by: Erik on December 2, 2008 8:20PM EST
Jordan:
Maybe so many negative comments because what has been happening lately is mostly only negative?
exThrash:
Wow, no wonder you are an exThrash:
"However, I don't see how ANY Thrashers fan can criticize Kovy and it is crazy that Anderson (a minor league coach) thinks he should put him on the 4th line."
I don't see how any ex-Thrash fan can even be talking.
You should criticize Kovy if he's doing bad. Right now he is. Anderson is making the right move because, well, Ilya is sorta sucking. Not saying he's doing horrible, but for his skills, he should be doing WAY better.
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