image: TSN

Thrashers GM, Don Waddell, said: “injuries are a part of the game. It’s very disappointing for Kovy and for us to lose him.  Now it’s an opportunity for some other players to step up. The time that he’ll be lost, we’ll miss him, but our team will continue on and we’ll win hockey games.”

Kovy was off to a good start this season and had already racked up 10 points (nine goals, one assist) in eight games so I’m sure his absence will be felt.  The team is 4-3-1 and are currently in the #2 spot in the Southeast Division and 10th overall in the Eastern Conference.

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I think that Lehtonen is a very promising young goaltender but I do think he needs more focused training.  I’m not sure about the trainers down in Atlanta but I think that Lehtonen could do a lot better with the right kind of support.

image: Zuma Press

While he posted a mediocre 19-22-3 record and a 3.06 goals against average, he also managed to pull off three shutouts and a .911 save percentage in 46 games.  He is 94-83-17 with 14 shutouts, a 2.87 GAA and .912 save percentage in 204 career games.

He’s been with the Thrashers since they chose him second overall at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and has gone on to become the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, wins, shutouts and save percentage.

I know he’s loyal to the team and many players prefer to stick with the team that drafted them but, if things don’t improve down there, I think Lehtonen should consider leaving.  There is a lot of potential there but sometimes it’s just the wrong fit with a team.

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I know a lot of people have been wondering if he’s coachable after some reports suggested he was hard to work with but I am hoping it’s just a matter of him being very competitive.  I think a good coach could give him the direction he needs.  He led the WHL with 23 power-play goals with the Vancouver Giants and I think that he has the potential to be a 40-50 goal player.  I also think he could work well with Ilya Kovalchuk so, again, it will be interesting to see how the Thrashers fare next season.

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image: TSN.ca

Tanguay is one of my favorite players in the league (if you’re a regular reader, you’ll know I was crushed when the Calgary Flames traded him) so I was thrilled when I saw the highlights last night.  Tanguay, along with fellow veteran, Alex Kovalev and captain Saku Koivu, won this game for Montreal.  Hopefully, this is a sign that the club is ready to fight for a playoff spot.

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I hope Kovy is alright and can rejoin his team soon.  You really don’t want to be without your leader at this point in the season.

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Atlanta Thrashers

If you remember, Christensen was part of that blockbuster deal at last year’s trade deadline when he, along with Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito and a first round draft pick were traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis.

So far, Christensen has 15 goals and 14 assists in 47 games this season. 

image: TSN

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The veteran defenceman, who had two goals and 13 assists in 63 games this season with Atlanta, will add some depth to the blue line for the Devils.

"Niclas Havelid is a veteran defenseman who brings a wealth of experience to our hockey team," New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello said. "We look forward to Niclas joining our defensive corps."

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The 25-year-old is the club’s seventh captain but he will also be just the “fifth Russian-born and trained player in NHL history to become a team captain.”

He has been an alternate for the past two seasons alongside Colby Armstrong, Niclas Havelid, Slava Kozlov and Mathieu Schneider.

"Ilya has earned the opportunity to take a larger leadership role on this team and has grown into this position over his six-plus seasons as a member of the Thrashers," said executive vice president Don Waddell. "We’re very pleased, and excited for Ilya, that his fellow alternate captains approached us and felt he should be given the responsibility at this time. We’re confident that he’ll embrace it and represent the organization and his teammates appropriately."

So far, this season, Kovy has 15 goals and 27 assists in 42 games.  He also is the club’s all-time franchise leader in games played (508), points (508), goals (269) and assists (239).

I think this is the choice that makes the most sense.  Congrats, Kovy!

image: TSN

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Retroactive to October 31, 2008, Kari Lehtonen has been placed on the injured reserve.  The Atlanta Thrashers goaltender has been out of the lineup for more than three weeks – first because of an illness and then because of some back problems.

Lehtonen was off to a rocky start with a 3.44 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.  Maybe things will improve by the time he’s reactivated.

image: TSN

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WOW.  What else can you really say?  Well, I guess you can say that, for some reason, the Atlanta Thrashers seem to just fall apart when they have to play against the Philadelphia Flyers… It was a nightmare of a game for any Atlanta fan to watch their team not only get beat but shut out with a score of 7-0.  Let me say it again – WOW…  Here is the scoring summary:

• PHI: Lupul, J. (01:20 in 1st), Knuble, M. (03:13 in 2nd), Gagne, S. (SHG, 19:45 in 2nd), Knuble, M. (PPG, 01:02 in 3rd), Lupul, J. (PPG, 01:39 in 3rd), Gagne, S. (07:56 in 3rd), Metropolit, G. (PPG, 17:20 in 3rd)

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