Posted by Tristan Cockcroft, ESPN.com
Four games is hardly enough to make an accurate read on a team, and sure, their schedule is tough this week, but the
Atlanta Thrashers' start to this season can be classified as dreadful. They've lost four consecutive games, their worst start since losing their first nine games of the 2002-03 season, which was only their fourth of existence.
Things might not get much better, either. After games against the Devils on Saturday, in Philadelphia on Tuesday and against the Rangers next Thursday, the team embarks on a seven-game road trip leading into November. It could be an even tougher go if it, particularly if star Marian Hossa, who sat a second consecutive game on Thursday, misses a significant chunk of those games with his groin pull.
To note: Hossa has now missed as many games in the past two days as he missed in any one of his previous six seasons. "Devastating" doesn't begin to describe the loss of a 43-goal, 100-point performer of a year ago, but that's no excuse. The bottom line is, the centers are playing poorly, the power play has been anemic and calling the defense shabby would be a compliment. I look at this team today and see very much the same type of "All-Star on paper" offense, but dreadful defense that characterized that very Thrashers team of five seasons ago. I'll toss the 2003-04 squad under that description, too.
Oh, there'll be better times ahead in Atlanta, sure. If I'm banking much on their players, though, I'm counting on three things: Inconsistency, poor plus/minus and a lack of defensive support for the goalie. The latter means a big "no thanks" to Kari Lehtonen, who will surely suffer in wins, among other things. But I'd call the former two good reasons to consider selling high on a few of these guys when the going gets good.
Incidentally, I'd love to hear how Ilya Kovalchuk owners felt about him dropping the gloves to take on Drew Stafford last night. I'm going to bet there are more of you out there who prefer he hadn't taken the risk of getting hurt -- it's not like he's a seasoned vet when it comes to fights -- than there are those who are happy with the 5 PIMs.
On the other side of the ice, the Sabres snapped a two-game losing spell with a "W" against the reeling Thrashers. Ryan Miller, who dropped back-to-back games to the Islanders to begin the season, stopped 20 shots to toss the shutout. Not a bad effort for the kid; note, his 18-year-old cousin died Monday after a complication from a bone-marrow transplant. Miller might not be quite what you'd call "elite" in terms of the ratio categories, but he's on a well-rounded team, and an outing like this, in an emotional setting for him, demonstrates his poise between the pipes. In no month last season did he have a goals-against average greater than 3.07 (November) or a save percentage poorer than .893 (March), which is remarkably consistent. He's top-10, even if some of the reason for it is his team situation.
Sticking with the "goalie" theme, one reader in my Thursday morning chat spoke of concerns about the Devils' Martin Brodeur, and after his third consecutive loss on Thursday, I'm sure his doubts are only increasing. OK, so shame on me, perhaps, for being dismissive of the question, but again, this is Martin Brodeur we're talking about. Keep in mind he had a 2.70 GAA in 10 games last October, in a similarly slow start, before rattling off 36 wins and a 2.11 GAA from Dec. 1 on. In addition, it must be taken into account that the Devils are in the midst of a brutal, franchise record-long nine-game road trip while the finishing touches are being put on their new arena in Newark, N.J. Once the team returns home, that's the time I'd start putting them a tad more under the microscope, though even then, Marty gets a pass from me. Folks, he's an all-time great. 'Nuff said.
Mats Sundin scored his 390th goal for his 917th point to break a tie with Darryl Sittler for the franchise records in each category, earning all three stars of the game. I've probably patted Sundin on the back enough by this point, so let's note that the important thing to draw from this game, an absolute blowout by the Maple Leafs, was that line shuffling put Sundin between Jason Blake and Alexander Steen. That's actually not a bad arrangement at all, and I'd think if it sticks, it could mean some very good things for Mr. Steen. He needs to be owned at this point.
By the way, how happy do you think Rick DiPietro's owners are this morning, having checked the box scores, seen his Islanders pounded for eight goals, and then realized it was his night off? Backup Wade Dubielewicz took the heat in this one -- all eight goals! DiPietro owners, you can exhale now.
Now there's some of that sleeper potential I saw in Panthers defenseman Cory Murphy in the preseason! The 29-year-old who starred in the Finnish league the past five seasons netted two power-play assists, quelling concerns of his coach, Jacques Martin, that's he's too tentative when taking shots. One goal and two assists in four games -- all on the power play -- isn't a bad start at all, and this kid netted 13 goals and 50 points in 45 games in Finland a year ago. I still say by month's end, this is a name you have to know.
OK, so Chris Mason is going to be inconsistent. Coming off back-to-back standout efforts against the Avalanche and Stars, he served up consecutive stinkers to the Blues and Coyotes, teams that don't overwhelm me offensively. I'm standing tall with this guy; except for the truly elite, no goalie gets through a season without some sort of blip.
Tristan H. Cockcroft covers fantasy sports for ESPN.com. You can e-mail him here.
