Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > May > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhy promote Waddell?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the past several weeks, rumors have floated through the offices of the Atlanta Spirit that Don Waddell was about to step into an executive position similar to that of the abruptly departed Bernie Mullin.
This prompted two immediate reactions from most rational, clear-thinking beings close to (or within) the Thrashers and Hawks: 1) Why promote somebody whose only previous position in Atlanta is largely viewed as a colossal failure? 2) Isn’t the aforementioned Mullin position the same job that led owner Michael Gearon to comment: “Even though we set it up originally to have [general managers] reporting to Bernie, that never really happened. We quickly realized we didn’t need a person between us and them.”
So. Pay an executive salary to a failed executive to fill a position that you’ve previously stated really doesn’t need filling. Perfect.
You want things to change.
We all want things to change.
Hey, maybe they are changing — and just nobody wants to admit it yet.
Gearon finally admitted late last week that promoting the Thrashers’ general manager to a high position within the Spirit group was being discussed. He also suggested that help might be brought in before the draft. He stopped short of saying Waddell would be stripped of draft duties. When asked directly if Waddell was definitely going to be the general manager next season, Gearon said he hadn’t thought about titles yet.
Sorry. Not buying it.
A story posted on ESPN.com Friday night reported Waddell already has been asked to give up his GM duties and accept another management position. Gearon refuted the story. Sort of. But in an e-mailed statement to the AJC’s Craig Custance, Gearon never clearly outlined Waddell’s role with the franchise or the company. It closed by saying: “We are focused on finding a coach, and getting ready for the draft and free agency.”
Nobody, not even Gearon, is disputing that the
Thrashers need fixing. Nobody is understating the importance of this draft (the Thrashers have two first round picks) or that the franchise is at a crossroads (they’ve failed to make the playoffs seven out of eight seasons, haven’t developed talent and their lone superstar, Ilya Kovalchuk, is understandably frustrated).
The Spirit owners probably believe firing Waddell doesn’t make them look good, given how long they’ve defended him. So if Waddell has time left on his contract — which has been reported but not confirmed — they could rationalize it doesn’t look as bad if he is kept in the company (albeit somewhat neutered). And Waddell? He still gets a nice office, a big salary and avoids public humiliation, biding his time until a real hockey job opens up.
Regardless, Gearon is doing all he can do to douse this story. He denies anybody in the Spirit has not spoken to any potential general manager candidate. But a Toronto newspaper already has reported that the Thrashers have made preliminary contact with David Nonis, the former Vancouver general manager.
A lot of people sure seem to be making up a lot of stories.
The Spirit never asked me for a game plan. But if Waddell is out, here’s a starter kit:
• 1) Call Brian Burke. He rebuilt Vancouver. He was the architect of Anaheim’s Stanley Cup. He recently flirted with Toronto, then said he’s returning to the Ducks for another year. But the plans seem murky. (Interesting history: Burke was a finalist for the Thrashers’ job in 1998. He desperately wanted it. But former team president Harvey Schiller was twiddling his thumbs on a decision, and Burke felt compelled to take the only offer on the table — from Vancouver.)
• 2) If Burke says no, phone Scotty Bowman. Offer him the world. If he says no, pay him to draw up a blueprint and suggest candidates.
• 3) 0-for-2? Contract any assistant general manager or personnel director from a franchise with a history of finding and developing talent: Detroit, Minnesota, Montreal, Buffalo, New Jersey, San Jose, Ottawa.
Here’s what you don’t do: Nothing.
Gearon’s statement included this gem: “Don is very highly respected in Atlanta, in NHL circles, and certainly among our ownership group.”
I’d like to see his polling numbers in Atlanta and NHL circles. Eight seasons of numbers don’t support that.
Permalink | Comments (54) | Post your comment | Categories: Thrashers/NHL
Comments
By Sage of Bluesland
May 10, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Another truthful and insightful piece by Jeff Schultz—I couldn’t agree more with every word of it…
Meanwhile, I’m sure that sell-out Bradley is thinking of ways to save our lisping, bumbling, ‘nice-guy’ Donny…I’d still like to know what Mark sold out for—it must be pretty cheap, as that equally buffoonish Pete Babcock had that tool [Bradley] in his pocket, as well.
Don Waddell should have been shown the door years ago, when his much-blustered “Five-Year Plan” went up in smoke…along with his equally disappointing “building through the draft”…added with “this team [2007-2008 version] is better than last year’s”…
All to the tune of pathetic excuses by the Waddellites out there…I will accept nothing less than his long-overdue FIRING.
How pathetic. Stop subsidizing the incompetence, fans—you’re the real dupes in this…
By atlpaddy
May 10, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
Michael Gearon and these Atlanta Spirit folks seem to be graduates of the George W. Bush School of Management- they love to obfuscate and promote incompetence.
By Josh
May 10, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with Jeff on this one, I want Waddell gone…period. Even if the Thrashers had develpoed some players in the minors to be good NHL players we’d never know because Waddell would either A trade them or B never give them a chance to play. Coburn is a prime example as well as Chris Kunitz who never got a chance here and guess what happened? He went to Anaheim and Brian Burke and is a 30 goal scorer. Lets Hossa go and doesn’t even take the best offer for him. Why didn’t he take Marleau or Cheechoo or even Ryder for him? Good job Waddell!
By LAC
May 10, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
Right Jeff, again correct SAGE !!!
waddell is a complete JOKE.
I know a person within the St.Louis Blues, is a recent call we discussed don waddell for a few minutes.
Nobody denies waddell is a nice guy, but he pointed out, look at the combined track record.
Playoffs/Draft/UFA’s he pointed out.
He has been here 10 years and only 2 winning seasons, his drafting prowess is very lacking and he shuns his own effective UFA’s and brings in lesser replacements, aka Todd White.
This guy knows the NHL, and the general train of thought on waddell is a nice guy, who is not effective at being an NHL GM, and a guy who is often not looking at the correct pieces of the puzzle to make the Thrashers a quality team.
The general idea here is he said, waddell is not tough and gives in too easy to please other(GM’s) and more times than not gets burned in the process. Plus he is not “that” highly respected, like geron so states,this guy knows… geron has no clue.
His last comment was, don waddell would NOT be GM of the Blues or any other NHL franchise when looking at his failure to produce.
Like he said… Just that simple, futhermore he said lastly, as long as the Thrashers have waddell calling the shots, the Thrashers will be only a middle of the road team at the very best and not much more.
So in retrospect, keeping don waddell for any reason is NOT a sound business decision, tough moves demand a tough fighter with the skills and knowledge to make deals and sign quality UFA’s and draft players who will turn into NHL players, waddell has shown NO ability to do so,and keeping him even to sell popcorn is a doomsday event waiting to happen.
But then with these thumb sucking idiot owners what more could you expect, they need to wise up and realize dumping don will make them look a whole lot better than keeping him for any reason let alone a promotion… Good Lord !
By Tom
May 10, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
I said firewaddell.com not promote the bastadd… ugh, can’t the Spirit group get anything right?
By ranallo10
May 10, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
LAC — And the St. Louis Blues are a true model for success?? I do agree with you on one thing…this ownership group doesn’t seemd to have a grasp on how to build and maintain a successful hockey franchise.
Schultz — That TSN report (of a Globe and Mail story) about Nonis was awkwardly timed for Gearon’s deflection of Waddell’s current or future position. But as most stories go, when you read that key word “source” a little red flag should pop up making you think “who? If they’re knowledgeable of the situation why would they be worried to go on record?”
By JMar
May 10, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Heck, if they feel like they can’t fire him, for whatever reason, I’d say the next best thing is to kick the guy upstairs.
By Bob Sacamano
May 10, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
Stop holding out hope that this bunch of morons will do anything right.
Please, you’re only hurting yourself.
Help me help you.
You had me at hello.
I’m I getting through to you yet?
By Darren
May 10, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
What is up with the owners? They can’t seem to do anything right. They fire the best coach the thrashers have every head, let don waddell trade hossa, and when hossa says it was because the thrashers weren’t heading in the right direction that doesn’t light up a red flag i don’t know what else to expect. All they need to know is that if they don’t get rid of waddell and don’t get a qualified coach than don’t expect anny top notch free agents to sign here and no fans in the stands
By Darren
May 10, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
What is up with the owners? They can’t seem to do anything right. They fire the best coach the thrashers have every head, let don waddell trade hossa, and when hossa says it was because the thrashers weren’t heading in the right direction that doesn’t light up a red flag i don’t know what else to expect. All they need to know is that if they don’t get rid of waddell and don’t get a qualified coach than don’t expect anny top notch free agents to sign here and no fans in the stands
By Darren
May 10, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
What is up with the owners? They can’t seem to do anything right. They fire the best coach the thrashers have every head, let don waddell trade hossa, and when hossa says it was because the thrashers weren’t heading in the right direction that doesn’t light up a red flag i don’t know what else to expect. All they need to know is that if they don’t get rid of waddell and don’t get a qualified coach than don’t expect anny top notch free agents to sign here and no fans in the stands
By Think About It
May 10, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Question: How would some of you losers like it if someone came to your place of employment and constantly tried to get you fired?
Answer: You Wouldn’t.
By Darren
May 10, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
Question: What if u were bad at your job? Would u get fired?
Answer: Yes
By HW
May 10, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Think About It You are so right. Shultz why are you blogging about a story Custance wrote? And why would the Spirit call you for a game plan? You have turned into a tabloid journalist. FACTS and TRUTHS is what we want to hear not your speculation versions.
By HW
May 10, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Think About It You are so right. Schultz why are you blogging about a story Custance wrote? And why would the Spirit call you for a game plan? You have turned into a tabloid journalist. FACTS and TRUTHS is what we want to hear not your speculation versions.
By HW
May 10, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Think About It You are so right. Schultz why are you blogging about a story Custance wrote? And why would the Spirit call you for a game plan? You have turned into a tabloid journalist. FACTS and TRUTHS is what we want to hear not your speculation versions.
By The Other Bob
May 10, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Looks like Don Waddell’s staff is back on the blog boards….(sigh).
What simpletons.
The critisizm comes with the job.
But I guess your right, Think about it and HW…we should all just shut our mouths and be happy with the moronic decisions that come from Waddell and ownership…we should all just fall into line like good little Bluelanders and not protest or voice our dipleasure.
Idiots!
By freddie
May 10, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
we should hire scotty boman for GM and let him hire the new coach
By kracker
May 10, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Think About It We have thought about it - we have thought about it quite a lot. We wonder why these moronic owners reward incompetence with a new contract. We wonder why they appear to wish this franchise to fail. We wonder why this franchise is cursed with clueless owners that insist on keeping their smiling but incompetent yes-man in this job. We wonder why we still buy tickets. We can’t answer that so we no longer buy the tickets.
By C Daddy
May 10, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
The Atlanta Spirit is one of the most, if not the absolute most, poorly run business of any type in America, much less a sports business. If Don Waddell was anywhere else (as in the companies we work at) he would have been optimized/rightsized/sh*tcanned years ago. Please God, if you are listening, help us here.
By LAC
May 10, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
ranallo… Can you read ? I was simply telling folks of a person in the Blues Mgt. and what he hears.
I said NOTHING about the Blues, their team or anything about their team.
So why don’t you get a grasp on the overall issue rather than making a fool out of yourself… Ok ?
At least they finished above Atlanta…
By Infect Truth
May 11, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
Harvey Schiller need to have the Governor’s death row pardon arrive two minutes too late then, Jeff. That way, he can be on the other side of someone “twiddling their thumbs” in a critical decision.
Great article, by the way. And yes, stories are circulating that just don’t seem to add up, do they? So, who’s lying? And who’s misquoting? And who’s “mis-remembering?”
Considering that the ASG doesn’t seem to do much of anything well, other than usurp teams and arenas from Texas Autodealers at the 11th hour, I’m inclined to take everyone’s side who isn’t the ASG.
By the way, excellent advice to the ASG. They’ll ignore it, as it makes entirely too much sense.
By ranallo10
May 11, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this
LAC — You gave us paragraphs of opinions from a person employed by the St. Louis Blues. A team who has done what in recent history in the NHL?? His opinions may be of some substance, but how is his opinion of relevance for properly building a successful franchise??
If your barometer for success is placing higher than 28th every season, the Blues finished ABOVE the Thrashers this season, and were thus far more successful.
I guess the ASG should go talk to their owners about how to build a successful team, based on their present season’s standings alone. Maybe your friend in St. Louis management can give them someone to speak with? He could remind St. Louis that Waddell was foolish enough to overpay for Tkachuk, so perhaps the ASG would be foolish enough to pay them (an overpayment in itself) for their advice.
And no, I’m incapable of reading.
The “overall issue” is the ownership’s lack of dedication to forming a successful franchise in Atlanta. You can squabble about what decisions they do and do not make (such as complaining about the GM), but in the end the overall issue is that they do not seem to care about doing what is right, but rather what they feel is right.
They’re a group of self-made men with no concept of building a hockey franchise, and they rely completely upon the opinion of a man who has had fleeting successes as a GM, and great successes as an assistant for an NHL dynasty (and successes in the minor leagues) to lead their hockey team. Their perpetual incompetence only means this team will do nothing but fail. I know that’s something you and I can agree upon.
By Sage of Bluesland
May 11, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this
“…great successes as an assistant for an NHL dynasty…”
False. How many YEARS was our lisping, bumbling idiot of a GM an assistant in Detroit???
One. Uno.
Some “successes”…
By ranallo10
May 11, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
And how many championships did they win while he was an assistant??
But yeah, way to take an entire post and pick one sentence out of it as inaccurate.
Remove two fricking letters and you’d understand the point…but of course that’s not your MO, is it?
And out of curiosity, what does the lisping matter?
By Sage of Bluesland
May 11, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this
Then stop implying concepts which are completely false…
“And how many championships [sic] did they win while he was an assistant??…”
In the famous words of Ronald Reagan, “There you go again!”.
At this rate, some of your other sheep will actually believe that Don Waddell had something to do with the ‘building’ of the juggernaut which was/is the Detroit Red Wings.
I’ve seen some lambchops write it, so I do know the power of propaganda.
(Oh, and to answer your question, the Wings won one championship while Don Waddell was an assistant, his ‘only’ year there…The same number of titles as Bob Hartley won as coach of the Avs…)
Feel better?
By DW
May 11, 2008 5:10 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe you guys keep defending me! What a great thing I have going in Hotlanta! Free agency’s coming up, where’s Trembley and Rhodes? Got to fill some hole you know. That #3 gotta be worth something!
By ranallo10
May 11, 2008 5:26 AM | Link to this
“Then stop implying concepts which are completely false…”
Clearly you didn’t read beyond the word “successes”.
The point is that they (ASG) are relying upon a GM with limited successes in his entire hockey career. It wasn’t a glowing review, nor a scathing indictment, it was the facts. He was part of a championship team in Detroit…did I say or imply he was the reason?? No, I didn’t. My implication was that the smartest hockey mind in the Thrashers organization is DON WADDELL. Since you don’t like him, and many feel he’s inept, perhaps you can take that as me saying it is a PROBLEM that he’s their top hockey adviser.
But no, how could I expect you to understand such an implication? You’re too busy trying to label people as sheep or find a clever way to say “obfuscate” or “lisp”, instead of understanding that many of us actually have some things we agree with you about. Try re-reading the posts, even your boy LAC’s, maybe you’ll understand the focus wasn’t what Waddell has done, but rather what the ASG hasn’t.
I’ve tried to give you a clue, but I doubt you’ll take it…you’re too obsessed with your mission of enlightenment (I can’t type that phrase without laughing).
By David
May 11, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe I am saying this, but….for once I agree with Schultz. The Spirit are protecting their own, don’t fire him, promote him to a position where he can’t mess up anthing else. He should be gone but they have to save face. Makes sense. Either way, get him out of the rink and give the coaching job to the Beast. Come on guys, for a group allegedly smart business men, you are really dragging this out and lossing fans day by day.
By okoou
May 11, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Hire Billy Knight to run the Thrashers and give Waddell the GM spot for the Hawks.
doesnt matter if they dont know the other sport as they clearly didnt know jack about their own sports.
the spirit gets to “feel good” and keep their spirits up without making any actual decisions which is clearly what they are all about anyway.
By scooter
May 11, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Hey Goatse- Decent article. Sounds like you actually know a thing or two about hockey.
This is a tried and tested management tactic, although not a very effective one. Any chance the AJC will kick you upstairs too?
By Infect Truth
May 11, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
On Custance and Rawhide’s blog, we’ve discussed this “Bernie Mullin Position.” Schultz is right. None of this makes any real sense.
The ASG so much as admitted that the “President” position occupied by Mullin didn’t serve any purpose—so it was eliminated. Now, it’s being “resurrected?” What’s worse is … they’re serious. I think that the ASG REALLY DOES want Don to “oversee” both the Hawks and Thrashers, budget-wise, roster-wise, etc.
And folks, that can’t be good! For the new GM’s of the Hawks and Thrashers would still have to answer to, and consult with, Don Waddell. So, let me see if I have this right. Now, the next hockey GM would have to get Waddell’s “approval” to make the moves that show him up?
How could this be GOOD for anyone?? It’s not good for Waddell!! He’s got to oversee somone charged with un-f##king what he’s done. As in, the new guys says, “Here’s what you should have done, Don. Now approve it.”
If you’re the new GM, you need Waddell’s acquiensce for things like budget, roster decisions, daily operating expenses. How humiliating. Who is going to AGREE to work in such conditions??? Who????
This whole concept is utter folly. Look, Spirit dudes, if you gave a Waddell a 2-3 year extension … then that’s what you did. Eat it. Or make the Wadster join the broadcast crew. Or let the man spend more time with his family. What’s wrong with that?
But don’t TEASE us with the PROSPECT of making REAL CHANGE only to keep “status quo!” You just took the product and renamed it. Suddenly, it’s NEW?? If you want to turn the corner to a new day, you must bid Waddell “goodnight” tonight. Anything other than that, and you haven’t really done anything. Except kid yourself.
By Done
May 11, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Something tells me that Waddell will still have a hand in hockey. Moving him up and getting someone else to report to him is not the answer. He will still have to keep justifying his decisions by blaming others.
Ownership says they like the way he keeps a budget then put him over the arena. I don’t care if he stays with AS. Everyone needs their job. He just needs to get out of Thrasher Hockey all together. He has already done too much damage. They are going to have a hard time getting players from free agency with Don in the GM seat. AS has to show they are making changes to crawl out of the hole they dug.
By kracker
May 11, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
David The Spirit are protecting their own, don’t fire him, promote him to a position where he can’t mess up anthing else.
Oh, if they would but do that…I think these owns are just too arrogant to admit they don’t know squat about running a hockey franchise and feel firing the GM they just gave an extension to would be a tacit admission that they are indeed incompetent.
Give it up, ASG. Hire a big money GM and then get the F out of the way.
By ranallo10
May 11, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I cant believe this but Peach Tree bath house has been closed, whT ARE WE hEE hAW HOMOS GOING TO DO NOW, PICK UP a player in a locker room. Hotlanta, our sports teams suck, we suck you suck, suck sucks. Waaaaaa.
By Ronald
May 11, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
you know how stubit the ownership is to let Waddel to keep stewing the team up what he had done is’nt good look that the draft pick he have done only four is doing good or ok he have stew up big time and they said they don’t want to stared over what the hell are they’er thanking they need to bring someone in that’s know how to bring good leadership and someone who know what they are doing are they that arrogant as ownership or stubit
By NASCAR Dave
May 11, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
SO, what’s the deal???
Has Don FRAUDell been FIRED yet???
Is he DONE Waddell yet???
Can we look forward to brighter days yet, or are we stuck with the jackass STILL???
NUFF SAID.
By nahjay davnpooh
May 12, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
who cares about the thrashers? hockey sucks.
By badhatharry
May 12, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Jeff: agree 100% To fellow posters don’t just post here, send your comments to the spirt boys. owners@atlantaspirit.com
By Alan
May 12, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Shultz - I’m not sure if this was mentioned in the comments posted above, as I’ve just read this story for the first time this Monday morning. However, I feel compelled to remind everyone that Waddell came out of the Detroit organization. He was their assistant GM. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try nabbing an asst GM from them again, just that we should probably be more careful who we tap for the GM position.
By David
May 12, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Wadell has been asked to step down I have been writing pretty much after every 3 or 4 games since Season 3 with the Damian Rhodes Fiasco and pleaded his boss then Stan Kasten please fire wadell.
After we lost Audette and brunette I begged please fire waddell
After we bicked up Byron Dafoe I begged please fire Wadell
After we fired Curt Frasier I asked please fire Wadell
After we lost Micheal Garnett Ibegged please fire Wadell
After I saw Dunham play his 1 game with the Gladiaotrs I begged please fire Dunham and Waddell
after we lost Marc Savard I begged please fire Waddell
aFTER WE LOST HARTLEY..(HARTLEY WAS A SCAPEGOAT) After we lost Hossa, I begged please fire Waddell,
Now that other people are finally waking up I beg again…. PLEASE FIRE WADELL!!!!!
By NASCAR Dave
May 12, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Shultz - I’m not sure if this was mentioned in the comments posted above, as I’ve just read this story for the first time this Monday morning. However, I feel compelled to remind everyone that Waddell came out of the Detroit organization. He was their assistant GM.
ALAN - He was Asst. GM for 1 year. WHO CARES??? He still sucks at his job!!!
NUFF SAID.
By ranallo10
May 12, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
NASCAR Dave — He wasn’t defending Waddell, but rather clarifying that Waddell was an assistant GM from a highly successful team. He’s warning that perhaps the ASG (if they go that route for finding the next GM) should be more selective with what assistants they pick.
Read.
Comprehend.
THEN Respond.
By NASCAR Dave
May 12, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
SCHULTZ - Don FRAUDell is similar to Hillary Clinton…
They both need to do the “noble” thing, and step down… however, both of them are being stubborn and letting their pride get in the way.
Some people just can’t see when they have FAILED, huh???
By Alan
May 12, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
ALAN - He was Asst. GM for 1 year. WHO CARES??? He still sucks at his job!!!
Hey Dave, you missed a part. I also said this:
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try nabbing an asst GM from them again, just that we should probably be more careful who we tap for the GM position
Jump the gun much?
By Jim
May 12, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
We’re entering the ninth year of a flawed five year plan and still Don gets praised by the ownership. What ever happened to results, performance, accountability. Time to move him out of the organization.
By Brendan
May 12, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
Jim, San Jose Sharks Head Coach, Ron Wilson, has over 500 NHL wins. He just got *fired.
Why???
Answer: Accountability. Wilson never advanced his team past the Conference Finals. And now … he’s got to pay the price for that. San Jose DEMANDS more. Atlanta doesn’t.
Don’t cry for Wilson. They’ll be lining up for him! Including Atlanta! We’d love to have the “Marty Schottenheimer” of hockey.
By chief of smoke
May 13, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
This is a no brainer Waddell has failed. I would love to have someone who failed like Ron Wilson behind the bench vs someone Waddell picks
By Bob
May 13, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
It is absolutely ludicrous that after what, 3, 4 years of infighting at the Spirit with Belkin that they still have no resolution.
It is absolutely ludicrous that Waddell still has a job.
It is absolutely ludicrous that they would promote Waddell to oversee a new GM, a new GM that is needed because Waddell failed at his job.
So, what should we expect the Spirit to do? I think par for the course for these clowns is to promote Waddell and bring in some lame “improvement” that will have to answer to Waddell.
By ranallo10
May 13, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Bob — Perhaps they’ll hire Ludacris as the new GM?
By Thrash-n-Dawgs
May 13, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Scotty Bowman… if only… if only. That’d be a dream come true.
I’m with you Schultzie. A lot of times I get the feeling that “The Spirit” lacks spirit. Frequently, they have an air about them that suggests their motto is “Profit first, winning second”.
By the way, entirely unrelated, but we the fans lack a distinct culture and tradition. I think we should start throwing peaches on the ice and come up with our own song(s) and chants.
Just an idea…
By NASCAR Dave
May 14, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Don FRAUDell been FIRED yet???
Is he DONE Waddell yet???
Has DAVE NONIS or PAT QUINN been hired as GM yet???
JOHN ANDERSON or RON WILSON been hired as Coach yet???
Has LEHTONEN been re-signed yet???
WHAT THE F+++ IS TAKING SO DAMN LONG???
WHAT are we WAITING on???
F+++ING DO SOMETHING!!!
NUFF SAID.
By Remie
May 19, 2008 2:44 AM | Link to this
“NASCAR DAVE - YOU ARE SUCH AN AS*HOLE You have really been smelling your own exhaust TOO LONG YOU JERK” The owners are smarter than you and all you little sniffers put together - they could buy and sell you many times over and they’re gonna listen to you, punk? You need to get a life jerk.
By REMIE
May 19, 2008 2:55 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah, “SAGE (must be his color, not his intellect) - YOU ARE AN ASHOLE TOO you and NASCAR DIPSHT should get together and put each other out of your misery, you miserable bast**ards” Everyone knows people like the two of you: know-it-alls who can’t do squat except p**, moan and personally degrade under the cloak of an anonymous blog you cowardly jerks.