Marty Reasoner set a career high in goals in 2008-09 with 14. More than half his tallies came at crucial times in close games. Reasoner ranked third on the Thrashers will a +/- rating of +11. When you talking about Reasoner none of these numbers matters. You can't quantify the value Reasoner has to an emerging Thrashers club. Reasoner is not about stats. He's about team.
When Reasoner was signed by the Thrashers before last season it was hardly a "stop the presses" moment. Hockey fans new his name and maybe that he played in Edmonton. Like most, I looked up his stats. Eleven goals in 2007-08. Six goals in 2006-07. Six goals in 72 games? It seemed like a depth acquisition at best. Reasoner's contribution was one of the biggest surprises of the 2008-09 season for Atlanta.
The first thing you notice about Marty's play is its soundness. He doesn't make the sloppy pass, always clears the zone on the penalty kill, and doesn't turn the puck over. He was the most effective Thrasher on special teams last year and also one of the best at winning face offs. He just doesn't make many mistakes on the ice and rarely will a Reasoner line post a minus rating in a game.
The big surprise last year were Reasoner's 14 goals. His most memorable was a game-winner against his former club in Edmonton. His goals are also not of the garbage variety. Reasoner has a very sneaky shot and underrated quickness that make him a threat. Keep it quiet other clubs never consider him when scouting the Thrashers and do not consider him an offensive weapon.
The bottom line on Reasoner is he is the player Thrasher fans want on the ice when a penalty absolutely must be killed off. He is also the player you want to show a rookie how to play the game the right way. Most "sound" players rarely make a peep on the ice. Reasoner lets loose a barbaric war cry worthy of William Wallace's attention when he makes a big play on the ice. His passion, willingness to do the right thing on the ice and ability to put the biscuit in the basket, make Reasoner a very valuable man in Atlanta.
But don't tell anyone about him. Let him sneak up on the NHL.
Your Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace
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