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The Thrashers today recalled Kari Lehtonen from his conditioning assignment with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Nothing to get terribly excited about - it just means Kari's two weeks in Chi-Town are up. It will, however, be very interesting to see how the team handles three goalies.

about 1 month ago Monkey_tiny aaron b 11 comments 0 recs  | 

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I guess we have to play him to shop him. But considering how critical these next 3 games are, it really worries me that we are going to play a guy in goal who knows he’s gone.

by srvadt on Feb 7, 2010 6:27 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I’m a relatively new fan of the NHL and Thrashers. I’ve heard about Lehtonen a few times before. Has he just been a big bust for us? Are we considering moving him because Pavelec?

Thanks.

"Hey Fat Kid...the monster is right behind you! RUNNNN!!" -The Host

by bwellnjonesco on Feb 8, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Kari

Lehtonen was drafted #2 overrall in the 2002 draft, so of course expectations were pretty high. Injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential so far.

He shows signs of brilliance but does lose concentration and lets up soft goals. With poor defenses in front of him he played pretty solid…with a career save percentage of 91.2% to put that in perspective…Martin Brodeur’s is 91.4%, Roberto Luongo’s is 91.9%, Cam Ward’s is 90.5%.

Save percentage is a tricky stat, it really leaves out the quality of the shots faced. Kari’s goals against average per game is 2.87 compared to Brodeur’s 2.21, Luongo’s 2.55, and Ward’s 2.80. This also is a very tricky stat, but when you compare it to the save percentage stat you are left with the obvious…..Kari saw many more shots come his way than the others.

The Thrashers style was and uptempo, offense first style for all of Kari’s time in net. So, he didn’t have the benefit of a Devil’s style D in front of him, he had to constantly be under full concentration and on his game to be ready for the barrage of shots that was surely headed his way.

For the most part, when he was healthy, he was great for us. But he has had chronic back and groin injuries, injuries that rarely go away 100%. So, with years invested in relying on him to stay healthy, it appears management is prepared to part ways and go with someone who they can depend on to stay relatively injury free. Even though a healthy Kari is still the best netminder we have on the roster. (Even though Moose is playing REALLY well right now).

by Cracker! on Feb 8, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Good work. Beat me to it.

Being a Thrashers fan - it's kind of like being punk rock in a hick town.
Birdwatchers Anonymous

by aaron b on Feb 8, 2010 2:54 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Something that is never really addressed...

is that Kari doesn’t really take training that seriously. Only once in his career has he done so and he played 60+ games that year.

by Blut-0 on Feb 8, 2010 3:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Part of the reason

I’m glad we are not committing anymore money to him. He doesn’t put in the work that is expected of a professional. To bad, if he did the work off the ice he might have prevented the injuries and who knows how good he’d be right now.

by Cracker! on Feb 8, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed about Kari

Not surprised to see Lehtonen subject of trade rumors. I am glad that Waddell, Dudley, and owners are ready to get rid of him!

by BTF on Feb 8, 2010 9:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Rumors do not equal reality all the time. While I’d say that there’s probably a 95% chance Lehtonen will be traded, I’d put it at 5% that it will actually be Hedberg. Don’t count your chickens until they are hatched and don’t believe hockey rumors.

by Zontar on Feb 8, 2010 9:16 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

At the town hall, Waddell all but said it would be Lehtonen. It’s not really much of a rumor anymore…

by timmyf on Feb 8, 2010 9:41 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yep

Making a new post on the front page for this.

by timmyf on Feb 9, 2010 8:42 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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