Now they really count. The Atlanta Thrashers will hit the ice tonight for the first time in the 2008-09 regular season. After posting the league’s worst preseason record (1-5), the team will open the season hosting the defending Southeast Division Champs, the Washington Capitals.
Whatever your opinion regarding the Thrashers’ ranking in the Eastern Conference, you have to admit this is fun. On the ice you will have the NHL’s top two goal scorers from last season squaring off against each other one-on-one. Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk finished 13 goals behind Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin in the final standings. However, Kovalchuk’s numbers may have been a bit skewed last year due to the lack of offensive production around Ilya. Only one player scored more than 20 goals for the Thrashers last season, leaving all of the opposing defensive attention right on Kovalchuk.
Tonight Todd White and Jason Williams will each get their chance to prove their worth playing with Kovalchuk. It wouldn’t be surprising to see either Williams or White have a big game tonight, as all the focus will center around Kovalchuk.
But the left-wing position isn’t the only place these two teams mirror each other. The Capitals are looking to break in a new goaltender, Jose Theodore. Theodore had his coming-out party a few years ago with the Montreal Canadiens, but has struggled since. After the departure of Cristobl Huet, Washington found itself desperate to find a new goalie, and Theodore was its selection.
In the other net the Thrashers hope that Kari Lehtonen improves from his tough year last season. Lehtonen struggled with a groin injury throughout last year’s campaign, but now that he’s 100-percent he must re-earn his stripes with fans.
Not only would the Thrashers love to dethrone the Caps from their Division Champion perch, but first-year head coach John Anderson probably wouldn’t mind taking the hardware from his coaching counterpart this season. Last year Washington coach Bruce Boudreau was named the NHL Coach of the Year.
A Jack Adams Trophy for Anderson would imply the team largely surpassed expectations, which have the Thrashers in the Eastern Conference basement, and he won’t have to look far for a blueprint for success as the biography on Boudreau is as close to Anderson’s as you’ll find. Boudreau won the division in his first year of coaching an NHL team, and just like Anderson, was a top AHL coach who paid his dues before coming to the NHL level. The one difference: Anderson gets his guys from Day 1.
Anderson was hired in part to improve the league’s worst defense. In doing so, Anderson made three big moves that changed the face of the Thrashers’ defense entirely. Atlanta signed free-agent Ron Hainsey, drafted Zach Bogosian No. 3 overall, and traded away for two time all-star Mathieu Schneider. All three will benefit from Anderson’s attack-first defense as shown from their brief time playing under Anderson’s system in the preseason.
In only one game with Atlanta, Schneider was able to record an assist on a power play goal, showing his scoring potential to the fans of Blueland. The only concern early will be how well his body holds up. Schneider didn’t practice with Anaheim all preseason before getting traded, but did work out on his own and looked ready to play in his only game a week ago against St. Louis. Even if he isn’t full strength right away, his knowledge and leadership will help a young team looking for guidance in the locker room , especially the locker mate right next to him, Zach Bogosian.
That only scratches the surface for the questions around this team, but hopefully there will be more answers after tonight’s game. If you are looking for a more in-depth look at the team go check the Thrashers’ season preview also at www.scoreatl.com/sports/pro-sports/thrashers. Check back in after the game for a recap along with a preview of tomorrow night’s game with the Florida Panthers, and check back throughout the year with Scoreatl.com for NHL updates, division updates and Thrashers posts.
Boral can be reached at jboral@scoreatl.com.
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