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Atlanta Thrashers Blogger •
The Thrashers have recalled goalie Kari Lehtonen from his conditioning stint with the Chicago Wolves…however his return to the pipes during a game is still up in the air.
Coach John Anderson told the AJC recently that the team will, “see what he looks like on a day-by-day basis”. Continuing, Anderson added, “I don’t want to set him up to fail. I want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready to go and make an impact for us”.
Lehtonen practiced with the team Monday and is expected to join them on their three-game road trip this week in which they’ll travel to Colorado, Minnesota and Chicago.
Given the fact that the Olympic break is right after these three games, I do believe it will be prudent to take a wait and see attitude with Kari. There is no real reason to push the issue at this point given the quality play the Thrashers are getting from veteran Johan Hedberg. I would look for him to get two of these three starts, with Ondrej Pavelec getting the nod in one of the back-to-back games on Friday or Saturday.
If Moose and Opie can carry the load this week then, in essence, Kari would have three more weeks in which to prepare for the last 6 weeks of the season.
There is currently a roster spot open for Lehtonen given the fact that defenseman Christoph Schubert is on IR with a knee injury. The German blueliner has missed the past 10 games. Atlanta is currently working with just six defenders since Boris Valabik went down last Friday in D.C. General Manager Don Waddell has said they believe that Boris has suffered a damaged ACL in his left knee, but are waiting for the swelling to recede before re-examining it. If it is indeed torn, surgery would be required and could mean the end to Valabik’s season.
At that time, a decision will be made as to the need to call up an extra defender from the Wolves.
Back to Kari…Don Waddell has intimated that once Lehtonen is ready to play, he will be looking to move one of the three goalies in a trade. Last weekend, according to a couple season ticket holders I spoke with, he seemed to tip his hand that Kari would probably be the one to go.
At and after a STH town hall meeting before Saturday’s 4-2 win over Florida, Waddell cited Kari’s oft-injured status and seemed willing to part ways with the second overall pick of the 2002 entry draft.
Of course, the big question here is…exactly what would another GM look to part ways with for a goalie who has such an unreliable history. Don’t get me wrong here…when on his game Kari is the best of the three goalies. He showed us last year how much he can help a team after his return from a back ailment that kept him out for almost two-dozen games.
But again…the amount of time spent on the shelf has to be a concern when considering parting ways with decent talent to bring him in.
Coach John Anderson told the AJC recently that the team will, “see what he looks like on a day-by-day basis”. Continuing, Anderson added, “I don’t want to set him up to fail. I want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready to go and make an impact for us”.
Lehtonen practiced with the team Monday and is expected to join them on their three-game road trip this week in which they’ll travel to Colorado, Minnesota and Chicago.
Given the fact that the Olympic break is right after these three games, I do believe it will be prudent to take a wait and see attitude with Kari. There is no real reason to push the issue at this point given the quality play the Thrashers are getting from veteran Johan Hedberg. I would look for him to get two of these three starts, with Ondrej Pavelec getting the nod in one of the back-to-back games on Friday or Saturday.
If Moose and Opie can carry the load this week then, in essence, Kari would have three more weeks in which to prepare for the last 6 weeks of the season.
There is currently a roster spot open for Lehtonen given the fact that defenseman Christoph Schubert is on IR with a knee injury. The German blueliner has missed the past 10 games. Atlanta is currently working with just six defenders since Boris Valabik went down last Friday in D.C. General Manager Don Waddell has said they believe that Boris has suffered a damaged ACL in his left knee, but are waiting for the swelling to recede before re-examining it. If it is indeed torn, surgery would be required and could mean the end to Valabik’s season.
At that time, a decision will be made as to the need to call up an extra defender from the Wolves.
Back to Kari…Don Waddell has intimated that once Lehtonen is ready to play, he will be looking to move one of the three goalies in a trade. Last weekend, according to a couple season ticket holders I spoke with, he seemed to tip his hand that Kari would probably be the one to go.
At and after a STH town hall meeting before Saturday’s 4-2 win over Florida, Waddell cited Kari’s oft-injured status and seemed willing to part ways with the second overall pick of the 2002 entry draft.
Of course, the big question here is…exactly what would another GM look to part ways with for a goalie who has such an unreliable history. Don’t get me wrong here…when on his game Kari is the best of the three goalies. He showed us last year how much he can help a team after his return from a back ailment that kept him out for almost two-dozen games.
But again…the amount of time spent on the shelf has to be a concern when considering parting ways with decent talent to bring him in.
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