So, the season is upon us. And with the new season comes a tradition in the mainstream media: ridiculous predictions that are never right. And so, as an up-and-coming blog, we at ThrashCompactor feel it necessary to follow our "expert" bretheren and make absurd predictions that will be wrong anyways but take up blog space.
Today, we dissect the Thrashers goaltending.
What must go right:
For one, Ondrej Pavelec must continue his development as a number one goaltender. Pavelec took steps back forward in 2009-2010, but his brilliance came in spurts; consistency is one of the last missing pieces in Pavelec's game. Chris Mason must be a good mentor to Pavelec and provide a stability in a position where Atlanta has never had any true stability. Mason mentoring Pavelec could be as beneficial as Mason's play itself.
What could go wrong:
As Atlanta fans have become accustomed to, the Thrashers have never had a true number one, save perhaps Kari Lehtenon. The thing about Lehtenon; he played one full season. So, one of the Thrashers ten seasons have featured a number one goaltender. Coincidentally or not, the Thrashers made the playoffs that season (2006-2007). Injuries could play a key factor. Losing either Mason or Pavelec could be detrimental, though the Thrashers have some depth in Peter Mannino and Drew MacIntyre. The bottom line, however, is if either Mannino or MacIntyre are playing NHL games this year the Thrashers are likely in some trouble.
Bold predicition:
By season's end, Ondrej Pavelec is the number one goaltender. That's not a knock against Mason in the least; Pavelec is just an extremely gifted player who, if he puts it all together, could be an elite goaltender in the NHL. Mason will still play a boatload of games this season, but when it comes down to it Pavelec is the goaltender of the future. They have done a reasonable job growing him into that role and now is his opportunity to seize it.
Bottom line:
The Thrashers can finally breathe easy when looking at the crease. They have a proven winner in Mason and a budding star in Pavelec. Not to knock Johan Hedberg in the slightest, but this is a much-improved tandem from last year. Playing a more defensively responsible system is even more beneficial to the goaltenders in Atlanta, something that we haven't seen in a long time. For once, the Thrashers can rest assured they won't have to win games 10-9.
TC
