it just doesnt seem like the team’s mentality and confidence is the same as it was before this giant slump. even as a fan, you were pretty sure that the thrashers would at least score 3 goals in any given night (whether we would give up MORE than 3 was always up in the air, and usually happened). now, every goal seems like a breakthrough. I think we just need a small chain of wins for this team to regain its confidence and play like theyre capable of.

1. I think teams have adjusted to the Thrashers’ system. The early season wins followed a pattern – score first goal – opposition then pressed on offense to catch-up, leading to Thrasher odd-man rushes and breakaways and more goals. Teams are now sitting back and waiting for the inevitable Thrasher defensive lapses.

2. Thrasher goaltending was playing over it’s head in October and November. Kari has to be part of the second-half playoff push, or it’s not happening.

I think it would be interesting to see how the numbers look before and after Enstrom and Bogosian split as a pair.

As I recall, the coaching staff wasn’t pleased with the quality of opposing scoring chances during a particular stretch in November (hardy har har), and split the two up. Since that time, Bogosian hasn’t scored a goal, and while Enstrom keeps piling up power play assists, opposing scoring chances seem to be as grade A and as frequent as ever.

It seems like re-uniting the old pairings is the one thing that hasn’t been tried. What do the numbers say?

i hafta admit, i remember those incredible stretches over october & november included a lotta puck luck.
lately, no such luck.
i think the hard work is generally there, but maybe the talent is spotty.
(insert todd white, colby armstrong, slava kozlov etc.)

The mentality has changed. The giant white elephant in the corner is effecting this team on some level to some extent. It may just be the top two lines not getting as deep in the defensive zone or it may be a slight lack of confidence but for whatever the reason the mindset is different.

Watching the Thrashers has evolved in to being about the same as watching my kids Pee Wee games. Five Thrashers chasing the puck around in the defensive end and all clustered in a corner (Unless Kovalchuck is on the ice – he’ll be in the neutral zone). Look at how many goals have been scored by opponents willing to take it to the corner, remain diciplined and then throw it to the front of the net where their team mate is wide open. Unless the Thrashers get Jabba the Hut for a goalie, it’s an easy tap in.
Then in the offensive end it’s the same thing, No Thrashers in front of the net. For some reason, they think that they can outscore opponents by sniping from above the circles. Really, what percentage of Kovalchuk’s or even Bogosian’s shots actually are anywhere close to the net? Yeah, they get lucky once in a while and slip one in, but most of the time it ends up going off the glass and turning in to an odd man rush the other way. The Thrashers need to get back to fundamental hockey, protect the house in front of their own net and occupy the house in front of their opponents net.
Early in the season, there was concern that the Thrashers were getting outshot in several of their games, but they were still winning. Now it seems as though they are simply more worried about beating their opponent on the shot count. They’re going for quantity over quality. I don’t know if there is a stat for it or not, but it would be cool to see how many of the Thrashers goals/shots come from outside the circles?

I am not sure where to begin on this as there is a lot. The biggest disappointment for me with this team is their home record. They have actually been very good on the road (minus their recent road trip), only to come home and play poorly and lose. This is unacceptable and I struggle to find an answer why this happens. Lack of focus and/or lack of preparation is all I can come up with. Right or wrong, this in my opinion would fall on the coach which leads me to my next topic.

My guess is what happens in the next 2 weeks (maybe sooner) will decide if John Anderson keeps his job. Whether or not it is right or fair is irrelevant. Don Waddell has to know if the Thrashers do not make the playoffs this season his own job is on the line. This team is in a serious downward spiral and needs a jolt. They are quickly falling out of the playoff race and cannot get too far behind. A trade could work too but seems less likely. We saw how they played in the first 25 games so we know they can play well and win with this group.

Last but not least, this Kovalchuk contract mess has to have become a serious distraction for everyone involved with the team. I do not know whats the best resolution to it, but it needs to be done quick. I would almost suggest they either trade him right now, or publicly say they are suspending talks until after the season so this team can focus on winning and making the playoffs. The doomsday scenario of this team missing the playoffs and losing Kovalchuk for little or nothing in return is becoming very real. In addition to Kovalchuk, we will almost vertainly be losing Afinogenov, Armstrong, Kubina and Kozlov. On top of that, if all this happens we will be getting a new coach and new GM. It will be very hard to accept a team that is “rebuilding” that never had any success in the first place.