Kari Lehtonen was recalled from the Chicago Wolves yesterday after completing a two-week conditioning assignment in which he went 1-1-2 with a 2.67 GAA and .899 save percentage. He practiced with the team today in Duluth and while no plans have been finalized for getting him into the goaltender rotation, he says he’s ready to play.
Here is a very quick Q&A I did with him after practice:
How did you feel today?
“It was good. It was a different speed than practice in Chicago but it was fine. It was good.”
How would you say things went in Chicago?
“I think everything went well. I got back to playing games again and getting used to that was a big part of it. I think I’m ready to play here. I’m excited too.”
When you were leaving to go to Chicago you thought the hardest part of coming back would be reading plays and tracking the puck. Were you right?
That was a big part of it, then the other thing was the focus. It was hard to keep your focus. The mental part of playing hockey was tough because it’s been a long time since I had to keep focus like that.
Some other practice tidbits:
- Niclas Bergfors (or Bergie as his teammates are calling him) practiced with Antropov and Little who were his linemates in both games this weekend.
- Bergfors and Johnny Oduya are staying in a hotel for the time being. Bergfors was on NHL Live today and said he plans to use the Olympic break to get settled. Oduya will be in Vancouver playing with Sweden.
- Boris Valabik was undergoing some tests today and his status will become more clear tomorrow. From what Thrashers EVP and GM Don Waddell told season ticket holders on Saturday it doesn’t look like he’ll be back anytime soon.
- The Thrashers didn’t have a team Super Bowl party but most players said they watched the game.
- Wes Goldstein from CBS Sportsline thinks the Thrashers might be better without Kovalchuk than they were with him. Do you agree or disagree? Atlanta went 24-23-8 with him this season (21-20-8 if you don’t count the games he was injured), so we’ll see what the post-Kovalchuk record is at the end of the season. If Saturday night’s game was any indication of how they’re going to play I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.
having 3 goalies will be interesting. may the best goalie win!
and then trade the third one.
a quick aside… i just turned on VS to watch kovy in his new uniform and the info reads as this “Live, New Jersey at Philadelphia. Niclas Bergfors scored two first-period goals to pace the Devils in a 4-1 defeat of Philadelphia on Dec 12…”
just thought that was kinda cool.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
so who do you guys think will be the one traded? i hope its not kari because i think he is still better than pavs. i hope that we make a move to get some extra scoring after we lost kovalsuck. Who do you think could be a possible good fit and who would we trade?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think the last two games have been two of the best games for the Thrashers since earlier in the season. The team played with a purpose and if it had been anyone but the Capitals, the Thrashers would have won.
That’s great for Kari. He’s been working hard and it’s good to see him get back in the lineup. I’m hoping he plays soon and shows what he’s got. Moose and Pavs have been great all season, but when Kari’s healthy, he’s great.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I agree with Mr. Goldstein, if someone doesn’t want to be here, we don’t want him. I think we will be better defensively, however we will have to score by commity and make our PP’s count. Regarding our goalie situation I think either Kari or Moose will have to go although it will be a tough decision (although a large part will have to do with how Kari plays). I think there are two possible teams looking for a trade one being Chicago and the other L.A. (who might look for an experienced backup heading into the playoffs). Thanks for your wonderful updates Ben.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ben, does it look like Oduya will stay with Hainsey?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Jonny, I think you may be correct in that either Kari or Moose will have to go. Pavelec still needs a year or two to see what he is really capable of. If Kari comes back on fire then it will most likly be Moose to go help a playoff bound team. Too bad for Moose – a class act who knows his role. if Kari flops then he will go–We are so much better defensively w/o Kovi but Maxi better wake up and stop turning the puck over, forcing low percentage bad passes and start playing d-fense as well or he may be on his way out of here as well. We have alot of good (not great) offensive talent that will now be free to shoot more and not have to worry about getting the puck to Kovi. We are in dire need of 1 or 2 pure left wingers–Does anyone know if any of our centers played left wing in the past?? Looking ahead to the summer it seems we will be looking for a 1st or 2nd line left winger– The UFA and RFA list is limited–some great names but a lot of veterans with their best years behind them. Also 2 very good left wing draft picks available this summer but will be gone by the time we pick –DW may want to consider trading down to ensure one of the left wingers that will go in the top ten.–I am excited to see who will step up or as you commented , they all really need to step up and all contribute. If that happens we all may be surprised of what they are capable of. Rich
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
3 goalies, and we r all ackin who we should keep… amybe teh question is who is the most tradeable.
Moose has really been a stabilizing force and a great leader and locker room guy, but isnt he a ufa at the end of the yr?
Pavs has been stellar at times though he did have a slump in there for a bit, and he is the youngest, i wonder if he has to pass through waivers if he was sent down. that would really force dw
Kari is probably the most talented, bu thow motivated is he and how motivated will he stay, and ofc, how healthy is he and will he stay?
this is a tougher 1 than it looks for dw. which teams r even in the market for a goalie right now? montreal? the caps? chicago maybe?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
As far Goalie needs.. Buffalo is need of a good back up for Ryan Miller
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I trade Leht’s.
Johan is a HUGE asset to this team, on, and off the ice.
Chemistry, and Leadership cannot be understated going down the stretch, and Moose provides both. Noway, nohow do I break up our current tandem at this point. Tough call I know, but Ondrej has EARNED THE CONSIDERATION!
He is the future. Make the best deal you can, and move Kari.
I love the way Bergfors skates…… beautiful, powerful, seems to be very skilled w/ the biscuit.
Johnny has shown me excellent “jump”, and “ice savvy”……
I like Em’ both.
GO THRASHERS!!!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
would be foolish to trade Moose…his locker-room impact is unmatched…I almost consider naming him captain…Luongo’s captain in Vancouver…why do we have to trade nayone…i say send pavs down to the AHL…he was great in OCT. and NOV. but he hit a wall in DEC. but he showed what he’s capable of but he need smore schooling yet….let Kari and Moose do their thing
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
JD–Great idea about Moose named captain–I never even considered that–I agree with all the comments about Moose needs to stay-He may need a little more money–in order to keep him– I suspect there are a few teams around the league who would scoop him up in a heart beat and pay him more than the 1.1 mil we give him– Just saw Kari is going to Dallas–put the “c” on Moose and start getting a new contract together . Rich
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
http://www.bluelandblog2.com, ho doyou do it?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0