For Thrashers fans, November is usually a very depressing month in which one's hopes, expectations and excitement are quickly transformed into despair, frustration and pessimism. But not this year! Not by a longshot! In fact, the month of November, in which the Thrashers stored away 9 wins and 2 OT loser points -- against only 3 losses -- for the cold winter months ahead, was the most successful since 2006 when they earned a playoff berth. October of 2006 was only slightly more successful in terms of points earned percentage as a record of 8 - 2 - 3 meant a PP of 73.1% and gave the team their quickest start to a season ever.
As we turn the page on November and head into December, optimism and hope are again words being used in association with the Thrashers. There are many reasons to explain the reversal of fortunes for our beloved Blueland Army. But the most principle reason for the recent success, and the renewed media attention that comes with winning, is the acquisition of several off-season free agents. But of the 3 newest key contributors (I won't include Kane in this since he was drafted rather than purchased), who has provided maximum bang for the buck? On this Wednesday morning, I shall ruminate on who of the trio of new comrades is looking like the best deal this side of the nearest Tuesday Morning store in East Atlanta.
But before I delve into the details and provide some statistical fodder for discussion and comparison, I shall leave you with this lovely blog entry detailing the accomplishments of the newest hockey glamour boy, Maxim Afinogenov. Here in the words of our team's esteemed beat writer from the AJC, Chris Vivlamore, are the truly impressive achievements of Mad Max whilst wearing Thrashers blue (and burgundy....uggh!):
How remarkable has Max Afinogenov been this season?
-- He has 11 goals, eight in the third period.
-- He has four goals in the final minute of a game and five in the final minute and a half.
Here’s a look back at some of his heroics already this season:
*Scored with 5.5 seconds left Monday to give the Thrashers a 4-3 win over Florida.
*Had an assist on Rich Peverley’s game-winning goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Philadelphia.
*Scored the game-tying goal in the third period of Friday’s game against Carolina, in which the Thrashers went on to win 6-4.
*He assisted on Nik Antropov’s goal, the game-winner, in the 2-0 win over Detroit on Wednesday.
*Pulled the Thrashers to within a goal when he scored with 17 seconds left in 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Nov. 21 .
*Scored with 42 seconds left to force overtime against Boston on Nov. 19, a game the Thrashers lost 4-3 in a shootout.
*Scored with 22 seconds left in the second period to tie the score on Nov. 15 against Edmonton, a game the Thrashers won 3-2 on Slava Kozlov’s third-period goal.
*Clinched a 5-3 victory at the New York Rangers on Nov. 12 with an empty net goal with 13 second left.
*Scored with 1:31 remaining to clinch a 3-1 win over Ottawa on Oct. 31.
*His highlight-worthy goal in the third period helped clinch a 4-2 win at Buffalo on Oct. 17 – a game in which he was booed in his return.
It’s even more remarkable when you make such a list.
Indeed it is C-Viv, indeed it is!! I'll be back later today with not only my own contributions to this wonderful story of redemption and vindication, but also some thoughts and certainly praise for our other important free-agent acquisitions, D-man Pavel Kubina and Center Nik Antropov.
