Jeff Schultz

By B. Thenet

December 26, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

The utter lack of talent on this hockey team has nothing to do with payroll, and everything to do with the utter incompetence of Don Waddell, his scouting team, and the two ownership groups who never fired them all.

The simple fact of the matter is that there is a very large group of hockey fans in Atlanta who will not return to Philips Arena until Don Waddell is fired. The sooner DW is gone, the sooner the healing(and winning) can resume.

By sisu

December 26, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

I think money has a role in this, does anyone really think that Reasoner & Thornburn are the answers for linemates to Kovy???? Get real!

By LAC

December 26, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

Well Jeff if I was running this team, don waddell would have been fired years ago.

He is 100% responsible for the complete failure of this franchise.

don waddell has all but killed NHL hockey here. If he remains the team will move within three years.

waddell knows NOTHING about professional hockey, he cannot draft, he cannot sign effective UFA’s and he ignores our own UFA’s. Then he struts around like he is a God or something…

Let me tell YOU this waddell, first off YOU are a career LOSER, you are not an honest person and you are doing everything possible to destroy the team.

You once said You love this team, well THIS team needs a fresh start a NEW direction and having you GONE once and for all.

You need to be a man waddell, RESIGN and let the healing begin, you have done far more damage than you will ever know and YOU are the reason I quit going to games two years ago and I will NOT be back until you are GONE !

By Bob

December 26, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

The worst thing is when there is no real chance for things getting any better

And this is the basic fact.

Nothing meaningful will change here until meaningful changes are made and a real GM is brought in

By B. Thenet

December 26, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

Money has nothing to do with Don Waddell thinking Eric Christensen is a Top 6 forward.

Money has nothing to do with Don Waddell thinking Jim Slater is an NHL hockey player.

Money has nothing to do with the fact that the Thrashers have no size, no toughness, and no speed.

Those are choices that Don Waddell has made. Now when you have a low payroll, the poor decisions of a GM get amplified. So while Don Waddell might be able to hide some of his mistakes in some organizations…he can’t in this one.

By Puttin On the Foil

December 26, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

Waddell is an embarassment. To think the Thrashers stink because of money is to blindly forget the last eight years of the teams existence and why the franchise is in the state its in. Waddell poured the foundation, set the mortar and bricks, put up the studs, the underlayment, the truss’ and the roof…its all him. This franchise has been a failure from day 1 and Waddell is the only one to be blamed. I lived to see the Flames play when I was a kid and even though they never won a playoff game they were light years ahead of where the Thrashers are after eight years. The Flames played to a packed house every night and were the only Atlanta team to consistently vie for a playoff spot year in and year out. I am still a huge, hockey and Thrashers fan, but I can not bear to watch the same old heartless and gutless play night after night. It sickens me. They are an embarassment and Waddell oversees it and condones it… and they will NEVER be any different while he is charge…EVER!!

By 12345

December 26, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

Where are the “sprit” boys ? Off on some beach chasing 10 year old girls, I bet Rutherford is.

I ask this… Just what does it take for this collection of idiots, the worst professional sports owners ever, to fire Don Waddell ? What ????????

Everyone hates Waddell, Everyone knows Waddell is a complete failure in the NHL,everyone knows change is good and what this team needs is change ! So why can’t they fire Waddell and get someone in here who will rebuild this team ?

I have given up on the Thrashers, I do not attend home games anymore, why ? To see them lose again ? That and the fact Don Waddell is still in charge, until he is terminated I, for one, will never step foot inside Philips Arena again !

By J

December 27, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

This is a doomed franchise under current ownership. If Waddell had any character, he would resign; he could use the ownership situation as his excuse to land another job. Firing him will not accomplish anything because no one of any hockey intelligence will take a GM job here until ownership changes. Unless someone locally with money to burn buys out these owner-bums, we will be without an NHL franchise in 2010.

By The Sad Truth

December 27, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

Atlanta has too many rude, foul-mouthed, jive-talking, Ebonics-squawking c00ns running around downtown to make law-abiding citizens of any race want to go downtown to buy Thrashers tickets.

Hockey is great and all, but putting up with that nonsense just isn’t worth it.

By Jason

December 27, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

Jeff

Just curious what your honest gut feeling is on if you think anything at all will start to change, like Waddell being removed of GM duties and more attention being put on fixing this franchise, after the results of the next trial?

I think you stated the latest trial is to start in Feb. For some time, that has been my silver lining for this franchise, that after the lawsuit, and money spent on it, is resolved one way or another, more serious focus would return to this team, and making it a quality one.

By Tox

December 27, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this

I’ve never been bothered by anybody around Philips except for a few panhandlers, and I’ve had that happen at numerous arenas around the country.

The only people that have ever bothered me at Philips have been Bruins and Sabres fans.

By Jeff Schultz

December 27, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this

Hello. Yes, I’m awake. Why? Because I’m sitting in the airport, waiting to pick up my son who’s returning from California and his flight — scheduled for 11 p.m. — is now expected to arrive at 1:47 a.m. He’ll be in a great move. Almost as good as me. … Anyway, to the Thrash: Jason, far be it for me to guess what happens next? I honestly thought Waddell was going to be out as a GM this past summer — and I’m still convinced something was in the works — but apparently plans changed. As for what happens now, here are my best guesses. The Spirit: Regardless of which side “wins” in February, there still has to be a buyout. I don’t know how long that process will be. I suppose it depends on how stubborn Belkin is. I don’t believe there’s a mandate along the lines of, “This must be completed within 60 days.” But I’m sure the league will press the Spirit boys to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. On Waddell: My guess is, he’s out. But that was my guess last summer. On Ilya Kovalchuk: My guess is he’ll be traded in the summer, before the draft, and not until then. There is no real advantage to trading him now, and there’s actually some disadvantages, the most obvious being that there will be fewer suitors in March than there will be in June before the draft when EVERYBODY is redoing their roster (and budgets). I would be stunned if Kovalchuk agrees to sign an extension here. He is going to test free agency. Finally, I don’t believe the Thrashers will make a significant move before the trade deadline, and I define significant as taking on salary. We’ll see how right (or wrong) I am … JS

By This Gets Old

December 27, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

The team will be sold and moved. It will be said that there isn’t support for the team and that Atlanta isn’t a “hockey town” It’s not terribly difficult to make the playoffs in the NHL and Atlanta has done that only once.

Deep down I don’t believe that these [Atlanta Spirit] guys even wanted the Thrashers. I can see a move coming to disband the Thrashers and Coyotes. Either way NHL hockey in Atlanta is in its death throes.

By mantis

December 27, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

Get out of town Waddell, and take the Spirit with you. Oh, wait….

By Crazy Diamond

December 27, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this

We are so screwed.

Ownership is both broke and clueless. There is a belief that management must be changed. We have no hope of making the playoffs without a playoff caliber goalie, defense or offense. The team will not be a mooney maker in the current sports marketing climate - which has even soured for both NASCAR and the NFL. I agree with B Thenet and others.

We are so screwed.

By Pinball34

December 27, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this

I’ve been here since the Flames days, and all of this saddens me…

By Wreckin & Thrashin

December 27, 2008 2:31 AM | Link to this

There is one thing worse than a lack of commitment by ownership… the apathy of its fanbase. I’ve been a hardcore Thrashers fan since day one of the the organization’s existence, and even I have to admit I’m losing my passion for watching this team play night in, night out. This franchise is nearing its deathbed. Kovy’s eventual departure will be its funeral.

By Jason

December 27, 2008 2:51 AM | Link to this

Well Jeff, I was really hoping a new GM would be put in place before any legit Kovy trade rumors around the league start up at draft time. It would give the new guy a chance to evaulate and decide if their is a chance Kovy would be willing to stay long term, or if it(a better deal) is best to send him on. I’m just so ready for DW not to be the one brokering these deals anymore.

If this team just had owners that cared a little more, and had a clue, this mess never had to happen when they took over. The right management runs this team, relocation or being sold conversations never come up.

One more question Jeff- Have you had any recent conversations with any of the owners regarding the state of the Thrashers you can share? If not, do you plan to soon? Believe it or not, there still are a lot of hockey fans around the Atlanta area that have money to spend on a worthy product.

By Big Bill

December 27, 2008 3:08 AM | Link to this

I do not believe the Thrashers will be in Atlanta after the 2009-2010 season. Don Waddell and his bumbling ways and the Sprit group of out of their league crybaby’s, have started the long slow move out of Atlanta.

It is going to happen folks, I believe it more than ever, a GM who is a worthless as Confederate money and owners as crazy as Charles Manson, No Manson might be more sain, have destroyed the NHL here for a second time. Does anyone think the NHL will ever return here ? NO ! Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

Thank-You asg for being what you are, liars cheats and frauds, for what you and Don Waddell have done to hockey in this town I hope your souls burn and rot in Hell, because that is exactly where you b******* should be !

By a$g

December 27, 2008 3:42 AM | Link to this

buy more tickets fools…….it allows us to do more damage to hockey in atlanta

every ticket purchased allows us to continue one day longer with the “lose as little money as you can” game.

the longer we play this game the more convinced the nhl is that hockey is not for atlanta.

buy tickets……and you can help destroy hockey in atlanta too

$uckers!

By MistiBlue

December 27, 2008 6:24 AM | Link to this

If ASG put a quality product on the ice every season game after game, fans would come in droves. But this is not anywhere near ever a below average team.

Would you buy spolied mike at the store ? NO, the Thrashers are long spoiled with the current GM and owners… Fresh milk is a lot better than spoiled, and I believe we have all had enough of he spolied product ASG supplies us with, watching the Thrashers makes me throw up and to think the producer, Mr.Don Waddell has created this entire thing from birth… Too bad it has never grown up, we should be running by this point in life.

By Sara

December 27, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

LOL finally one of the writers at the AJC brings up the point I have been making for eons and everyone glosses right over it to go back to the Waddell rants. The problems with this franchise are at the very very top and until that changes, nothing else with this franchise will. Reasoner and Thorburn play on the top line because we can only afford third and fourth liners. Christensen got pegged as a hopeful first-line center for the same reason. The second line scores, the third line scores, the fourth line chips in an occassional goal and provides a lot of energy. But where’s the top-line scoring? If they actually bothered to shell out the money for truly talented linemates for Kovy, this team would be in a different place.

The foundation is already there. Little, Kovy, Armstrong, Bogosian, Oystrick, Enstrom, Lehtonen, Pavelec, Hainsey, White, Perrin, Crabb, Valabik. Kulda projects to be a top defenseman and Lewis has done well. Esposito has been having a real turn-around season in juniors. The rest is about moving around the right pieces. Fourth line and third line are easy enough - we could change out parts from Chicago and fill those lines with no problem. Kozlov will have to be replaced after next season if he retires. It’s just a matter of dealing with the top-line, which takes money. Money the Six Yahoos either can’t or won’t spend … which brings us right back to this blog from Schultz.

You want meaningful change, start putting pressure on the owners to do something - and I don’t just mean firing the GM. What’s that phrase so many of you are fond of - oh yeah, moving around deck chairs on the Titanic.

By Brendan

December 27, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

All of the problems obviously can’t be attributed to finances. Most of the problems can be traced back to year one. Waddell was here, the Spirit wasn’t. Even in budget-crunching times, a general manager can make things work to a degree if there’s a solid foundation. Waddell poured the foundation. It hasn’t been just about bad drafts or miscalculations in personnel. It’s mostly about never having a successful plan, a structure, an identity

It was hard for me to pick the best part of this excellent, excellent Jeff Schultz article. But the above is my selection. I also want to congratulate my fellow blogger B.Thenet for two excellent posts, as well.

And, Bob is right on the money. “Nothing meaningful will change until Meaningful changes are made, and a new GM is brought in.” To think Jeff Schultz, Brian Burke was once interested in the Thrashers GM position! Too bad, once it became clear Burke would not re-sign in Anaheim, that the GM position would NOT be vacant in Atlanta and that Burke, this time, would have absolutely no interest in it.

Now look, some don’t like Burke—and don’t think much of him. Others do think highly of him. But he’d have to be a step up from Waddell, who never really had a plan, from the onset. And well, c’mon now folks, the FIRST GM of a Expansion Team ought to at least have had a Concept of what he wanted to do. As best as I can tell, this was Waddell’s plan: “Draft 3 forwards, then a goalie, then two defensemen” at whatever the “consensus” best available player at these positions was in the draft, at whichever draft position the Thrashers find themselves. That turned out to be Patrik Stefan, Dany Heatley, Ilya Kovalchuk, Kari Lehtonen, Braydon Coburn and Boris Valabik.

How’d he do? Stop. Don’t answer. That’s NOT THE POINT. The point is, these draft selection don’t reflect a “concept.” Oooooh. Got you thinking, now, don’t I? Burke’s “concept” is “Team Toughness, coupled with top 6 forwards are skilled, top 4 defenders are skilled, everyone else does the plumber’s work.” GM Darcy Regier’s “concept” is “Team Speed, coupled with Team Defense.” The Red Wings draft players who fit their “concept.” Jim Rutherford drafts players who fit their “concept,” in Carolina. By the way, take a look at the Hurricanes offseason moves, and guess what you’ll see? Aside from two free agent signings, the rest were traded players who re-signed in Carolina, plus one waiver claim, who also re-signed in Carolina. See, in Atlanta, when we trade for players, they eyeball the exit upon arrival. They won’t stay. Even free agents like Williams and Reasoner are “iffy” for re-signings. Colby Armstrong and Eric Christensen are RFA’s. The question will be … “how long” will they agree to be re-signed. My guess is … whatever the minimum that is required to hit UFA eligibility. Marian Hossa was never going to re-sign in Atlanta, and Jeff Schultz may have even told us as much on the day Hossa was acquired. I’m not sure Hossa would have re-signed, even if Atlanta had been in playoff contention. I think Hossa, and many other Tier I players, eyeball the ownership and conclude, “These guys can’t walk and chew gum. I’m looking elsewhere.”

By oldref

December 27, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

Very few people actually get it, the A$G never intended to put a winner on the ice. DW is only managing the budget they give him. ASG’s intentions have always been to weather the storm, then sell the team to Winnipeg or Hamilton and still make a huge profit.

A$G is solely responsible for killing the NHL in this market.

By HockeyBob

December 27, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

I am a Canadian who has lived in Georgia for 28 years. I tried out for the then Winnipeg Jets, now the Coyotes. I played college hockey in Canada. I am a Masters Level USA Hockey Coach and from a family where even my grandmother knew EVERY player in the NHL. I played for the Atlanta Flames Old Timer team. I know a little about the game. The problem is not Waddell, not Anderson..it is the owners. Every successful professional sports franchise (or business for that matter) has a solid, experienced ownership. It all starts there. Everyone is dumping on Waddell…you are wrong. You can be the best GM in any sport, but if the PLAYERS and THEIR AGENTS know the ownership is screwed, they won’t sign here. It is that simple. The good players that are here, will leave, and they have. Arthur Blank has proven that if you are a dedicated, well financed owner, you can change the landscape, the environment the desire to be in a certain city. There is no magic…just common sense. I do think however that John Anderson teaches guys NOT to go in the corner in their own end..it is very frustrating to watch….I have personally never seen anything like it. They simply stand still and try to keep the opponent outside the box and never go finish a check. For the casual fan, you win hockey games in the corners…you need what I call PROFESSIONAL wingers/defensemen…the kind of guys who unheraled go into the corner and fights their way out with the puck to give it to the flashy goal scoring center. At my fathers eulogy at his funeral, I described my Dad just that way…he wasn’t a hero (well, to us he was) to anyone, he wasn’t a glory hound, he was just a guy who went to work everyday and did his job…that is exactly what the team attitude needs to be, do YOUR job, finish YOUR checks, crash the net and play D. None of the above is possible if the boss (bosses) are in complete disarray. Until the ownership is stable and willing to compete, don’t blame anyone in middle management.

By R. Stroz

December 27, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

ASG is the pimp and Waddell is their w*******.

Neither are worth a rat’s a$$.

By Eileen

December 27, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Fanatastic article Jeff. You nailed it. I feel sorry for everyone involved. Most especially,the fans. We deserve better.

By Jason

December 27, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

HockeyBob, Sara and others- I agree with you all on the owners being the number one problem. I still hold DW accountable since he’s been here the entire time too. My personal FIRE WADDELL themes are what they are. I don’t believe there is any hope of getting new owners, especially one that wants to keep the team here. A solid new GM is in my eyes the most realistic thing that can happen, and still POSSIBLY have an impact in salvaging this sinking ship.

If I thought that having the NHL in Atlanta was futile, then I would not bother posting and venting about it. But I am 100% convinced the NHL can continue to succeed very well here if the franchise is run properly. I could accept the fact that if this was a good franchise and it still could never draw, then move them to Canada. But I don’t want to lose them to another city because the current owners are Moe, Larry and Curly reborn running them out.

I have also followed hockey for a long time also. I remember going to Flames games with my father in the late 70s. I started seriously following the NHL around 1990 and ever since. I don’t want to lose this team because of the idiots running it, but I am even growing tired of expending “vent energy” to every hockey friend I know about it.

Nice article Jeff. Thanks for responding to my thoughts.

By Beefshank

December 27, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Very few people actually get it, the A$G never intended to put a winner on the ice. DW is only managing the budget they give him. ASG’s intentions have always been to weather the storm, then sell the team to Winnipeg or Hamilton and still make a huge profit.

Amen, brother.

I don’t know if that was the intention from day one, but that’s almost certainly the only remaining option ASG has left with this team. They’ve run it into the ground, and the only way they can get out, while making a buck, is to sell off the franchise to a group who can wipe the slate clean and start all over - because at this point, that’s what it’ll take to make the organization successful.

I don’t begrudge ASG for running a business. After all, that’s what they’re supposed to do. They run the business for their bottom line, not for their team’s fans. It’s the nature of the beast. To be angry about that is to be angry about the earth going ‘round the sun. It is what it is.

But the real shame is that once the team folds/moves, Atlanta once again will be blamed, and be accused of being a non-hockey town. We all know that’s not true, but it’ll happen - just like it did after the Flames left.

By Done

December 27, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

A good leader and wise man surrounds himself with experts and people wiser or more experienced than himself. The lack of experience definitely shows in this organization. I agree with Jeff, the failure of this organization goes much deeper than the players. It is the lack of team identity, in ability to build on the current team, inability to sign star power talent so 3rd and 4th line players are expected to play as 1st and 2nd line players, and the arrogance or indifference of the ownership to think the fans owe them loyalty.

The lawsuit has taken a poor situation and made it worse. Impending change of ownership and upcoming expenses undetermined amount of money has an impact on the day to day decisions. I also think they do not want the value to go up because of the payments they will be making in the end based on the value of the organization. The salary they are willing to spend is a clear indication. If they were trying to build a profitable organization, they would have made changes already and learned from their mistakes. All they have to do is look around the league to see how fast a GM is replaced with much less cause than we have here in Atlanta.

As for Don’s laying blame, he does that every year. His inability to keep the valuable players is followed every year by negative comments about them. Then they go to another team and become a valuable asset to that team.

As for Atlanta being blamed, I think the situation has gone past that point. Enough has happened that the truth is front and center. If you read press that comes from other areas besides Atlanta, they are pointing to the real factors. Nothing is being said about Atlanta or The South.

By Vinny Meatballs

December 27, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Wow.

You know what Atlanta, you don’t deserve hockey. What a bunch of fair weather fans you folks are. Seriously.

Just think, the league had to shut down for a year and imposed salary restrictions on the real hockey markets of the NHL, just to accommodate the weak markets like Atlanta. And for what, so a bunch of ignorant fans can act like schoolgirls and cry about not wanting to step foot in the arena because it is in a bad neighborhood or until the GM is fired?

Somewhere Gary Bettman is weeping.

By DW

December 27, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Seriously, who would want my job? AS blows….they will not give me any money to get a proper team in place here….True, I stink at judging talent but you go play fantasy hockey with a $20 million dollar budget when everyone else has a $56 million dollar budget and let me know how you do…….

By sisu

December 27, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Jeff, is there any possibility to hear from the owners? My guess is you could catch them at the Hawks game since they are invisible at the Thrasher games. I like to think there is hope in keeping the team here but the actions of Brian Campbell an others showed that money was not the deciding factor on where to sign.

This team has needed a #1 center ever since Savard left an there has been none out there. The dmen are getting better but there is some developing to be done yet…Toby seems to be in a funk in his sophomore year and he should bounce back soon I hope.

I would love to see someone get the owners point of view on these issues but they have stopped caring about this team a while back. While the NBA team was struggling the NHL team was doing great and getting people in the arena at a steady pace.

February cannot get here soon in enough to shed light on the future of ownership in this town.

By docsbro

December 27, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

You can say what you want about the owners…and they must go. But get real people. DW should have been fired a long time ago. He has been here from day one and from day one the franchise has been a joke. Every decent player we have had here has moved on because DW didn’t have the forsight to see talent. It still makes me sick every time I see Andrew “washed up according to DW” Brunette score a goal.

DW must go!! His arrogance and total lack of sympathy towards the fan base for the sorry product he has provided them is why most fans have given up on this team. I hope Kovy can go to a team and city where his talents will be appreciated. He deserves better than this garbage. He deserves linemates that can keep up with him.

Good article Jeff. It is sad to see hockey die in this city again. It isn’t the fans fault. Give us a product worthy of our money and we will spend, but if you (ASG) don’t want to spend why should we.

By Jeff Schultz

December 27, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

This Gets Old: It wouldn’t surprise me at all if team goes up for sale after the Spirit lawsuit is resolved. But it will be difficult to sell a hockey team alone in this market. The arena has revenue streams, the Hawks have an NBA TV contract. The Thrashers have bupkus. Certainly, finding local ownership will be difficult, unless the team would come incredibly cheap and ASG just wants to get rid of it. …. Jason: I never said a new GM wouldn’t be in place before (and if) Kovalchuk is traded. I agree: that call should be up to the new GM (if there is a new GM). As for my talks with owners: Bruce Levenson and I aren’t exactly the best of friends. I have a better relationship with Michael Gearon but we haven’t spoken recently and most of our talks have focused on the Hawks and big picture of ASG. I wouldn’t expect much out of any member of ASG before February. …. Sara: I’m not willing to let DW off the hook. Yes, problems always start at the top. But on the hockey side, Don has been at the top since day one. The financial restrictions on him now have not been on him since 1999. It starts with him. … As for the “foundation,” you’re overstating how many players are definitely a part of it: No way on White, Oystrick, Perrin, Crabb. Esposito’s still in the juniors and hasn’t done anything at NHL level so he can’t be considered part of the foundation yet. Kovalchuk is almost out the door. That leaves Little, Armstrong (maybe), Bogosian, Hainsey, Enstrom, Pavelec (probably but still too early to really project). …. Brendan: Thanks. You’re correct about other free agents looking at the Thrashers. Players in this league – and in every sport – talk to each other. They know the places to be and the places to avoid … Eileen: Thanks … JS

By 10yr plan

December 27, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Jeff, As always, you’re right on the money. For those of you who blame the owners, they also own the once dead now thriving Hawks. The problem starts and ends with Waddell. Dr. Harvey Schiller is the person responsible for the failure of this franchise due to his hiring of Waddell over the likes of Brian Burke, Cliff Fletcher, and Pat Quinn. Waddell deserves all the blame for a franchise that still does not have an identity but remember who hired him in the 1st place. Michael Gearon, please call Pat Quinn!

By Jim

December 27, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Waddell is in the 9th year of a failed 5 year plan. Enough said. He also has a tendency to hang on to dead wood that he trades for. Why in the world don’t we have a third and fourth line that bangs and hustles. Only Armstrong fits the mold. Thorburn and Boulton were supposed to be the bangers. Somewhere along the way, tsomeone told them that they were skilled scorers. Williams, Perrin and Schneider haven’t hit anyone all season and Slater is a hustling liability. Give us some fresh blood from the Wolves. Stuart, Lavallee and Sterling have looked better than the current dead wood. And, Motzko has 18 goals in 30 games. But old Donnie boy will maintain that they’re not ready. Coburn wasn’t either. Now he’s a stud in the NHL. Get rid of this guy, he has no eye for talent

By Sage of Bluesland

December 27, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Jeff Schultz, for being the ONLY local media talent to tell the truth about this joke of an organization known as the Atlanta Thrashers.

The sheep make all of the sweetest-smelling excuses in the world for the incompetence—but it doesn’t stand up to the light of truth at the end of the day.

Thank you, again, for being the only one to tell the truth about this utter embarrassment and abomination. It’s too bad it might be too little, too late…

WANT DON WADDELL FIRED? SIMPLE—STOP ATTENDING THE GAMES…STOP SUBSIDIZING THE UTTER INCOMPETENCE.

By Brendan

December 27, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Maybe Jeff’s on to something here. If the price swan dives low enough, maybe someone who CARES about hockey will swoop in to claim it, at a fraction of its value. I know. I know. We’ve talked about this, it always breaks down to, “But they’d have to have a share of Philips Arena, too.” Well, what if the price really crash landed at something like $80 million, which is $19 million LESS than it was in 1999. Anyone buying now? Forbes ranks the team at $147 million. Out on the Open Market, it ought to fetch to considerably more than that. $181 million, isn’t exactly out of the question. So, buying for $81 million reflects $100 million in equity, for a buyer only too happy to relieve the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, of an asset they don’t really want. Shoot, that’s almost in the price range of someone who wins the MegaMillions, after 6-7 draws with no winner. Yeah, yeah. Who said the AS, LLC wants to sell it yet?, much less DEVALUED? And Jeff’s right, there’s still Belkin’s “say so” and “share” to factor in. Belkin, technically, owns a percentage of the Thrashers and, as such, would have to approve a sale. Which, I doubt he wants to just “give away.”

I tell Thrashers fans, “it could be worse. We could be the Islanders, with Charles Wang as an owner.” Seriously, I don’t see a way out of it for the Isles. They could build through the draft, but you’ve seen what they do on DRAFT DAY.

With Atlanta, it’s up to Waddell to draft the talent. Then re-sign it. Or trade it away, for what Waddell thinks will be a BETTER or ACCEPTABLE return. This is where those who ABSOLVE Waddell drop the ball. Was Coburn for Zhitnik a good trade, longterm? Was Heatley for Hossa and deVries a good trade, longterm? Was Bourret for Dupuis and a 3rd round pick a valuable “net gain” for what was originally an 8th overall pick, in 2005? Guys like Marc Staal, Anze Kopitar, etc., got passed over while Waddell made deals that “netted” the organization Defenseman Chad Denny and netminder Ondrej Pavelec.

Stop. Do you think, for one split-second, Bruce Levenson, Michael Gearon, Ed Pescowitz, Beau Turner, or Rutherford Seydell directed Waddell to make these moves? Here, now, the choices, to help you along.

(A) Most definitely. The AS, LLC is hands on. (B) They probably did, but Waddell had to approve these moves. (C) Don Waddell made these moves, independently, and without direction, (D) No member of the Atlanta Spirit Group, LLC, has a CLUE who Devin Setagouchi is.

Cue theme to “Jeopardy!” while bloggers ponder the answers. Okay, I’ll allow a life line. The Bloggers are now calling their Uncle Fester, who lives in Boston, MA, and who knows hockey “Very well.” “Fester, yep, at the AJC blog. We’ve got a DOOZY of a question. Need your help.” Fester agrees to help. “What’s the question, again?” “Does Don Waddell make the decisions about roster personnel? Ya know, things like making trades and drafting players, claiming guys off waivers, that sort of thing. Or, does the ownership tell him what to do?” Fester pauses a fraction of a second, “No, I’d say that I’m pretty sure those guys can’t walk and chew gum in Atlanta. Those are Waddell decisions, and Waddell decisions, ALONE.” “Thanks Uncle Fester!”

“Ummn, the correct answer is C & D.” “YESSSS!!!!”

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 27, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

I’m just curious…did Don Waddell choose to hire himself instead of Brian Burke?

Here’s another question — After being around for the entirety of the Thrashers existence, and guiding the team to whatever measures for success or failure we (the fans) might judge him by — is it Waddell’s fault for two ownership groups and at least three bosses (Kasten, Mullen, ASG directly) not ending his employment with the organization?

He appeases his bosses. If he didn’t, they would fire him. They haven’t, so whose fault is it?

If you worked hard doing the best you thought you could do, appeased your bosses (all three of them over your years at a company), and continued to get no sign from said bosses that you should start gauging interests elsewhere…would you improve as an employee? Would you resign? Would you feel it’s fair for people to sit around, criticize your every move (or lack of move), and call for your head? Or, would you sit back and say “hey, my bosses are happy with me, they pay me the big bucks to do this job, they’re the only people I have to answer to.”?

In my opinion this ownership group is simply unfit to own an NHL franchise. Every “FIRE WADDELL” post justifies that opinion. If it’s so easy even a caveman could see it/do it, why can’t the ASG?

Final question for everybody. Why do YOU think Brian Burke wasn’t hired in Atlanta, but Don Waddell was?

In my opinion, it was because Waddell can control a budget, put on a happy face, and take the blame for incompetent ownership. Burke can’t. That’s probably the only thing Waddell is actually better at than Burke…yet somehow Time Warner decided upon Waddell. As Brendan likes to say, stupid is as stupid does.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 27, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Ranallo’s post is precisely why the ownership group does not deserve your money. Period.

Well, unless you enjoy subsidizing their incompetence.

Stop enabling them. Force them to make their intentions known: Either we’re schedule fodder for the rest of the league or we’re interested in winning a world title.

Stop the funds, and see what they come forth with. It’s just that simple.

By Dawg1

December 27, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

I grew up in Atlanta. Used to come to Flames game when I was a teen. Love the sport and will miss it. Atlanta has almost 5 times the population that we did in the late 70’S with many-many more transplants who grew up with the sport. Yet, we only average about 7,000 more a night.

Have Season Tickets with my brother inlaw. Will miss the sport. You can choose not to go, but if you love this sport, I would suggest going while you still can.

By A$G

December 27, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Thanks Jeff!

Can you help us create a fan boycott.

The best thing for the future of hockey in Atlanta would be if fans chose specific games and nobody shows up. I mean an absolutely empty building. The fans also select specific games and sell the place out. It would let the NHL know that the fans can turnout they just chose not to.

By Jay

December 28, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

I have to admit, Jeff, I used to read your articles and think that you were such a negative reporter in regards to the Thrashers. However, as time has gone on, I now know that you were just telling it like it is. This team is such a disappointment, more so off the ice than on it. The players bust their butts, but you are right, there will be no help in the future. Not with ASG and Waddell making any of the decisions. Patrick Stefan? Alex Bourret? Coburn for Zhitnik? Hossa for Armstrong and little else? Things need to change. FAST. Is there ANY chance someone like Arthur Blank would be interested in the Philips/Hawks/Thrashers combo? Please say yes.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 28, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Anyone who continues to subsidize this incompetence should NOT complain when we lose game after game…

By now, you should KNOW what you are getting with a Don Waddell and ASG-led product.

What we have become is just a way for the opposition’s fans to see their team.

That’s all it is. I don’t know which is more pathetic: This current state of affairs or the sheep which continue to wave the wittle bwue fwags actually at the games?! How cute! They actually BEWIEVE in BWUEWAND!

(Cute AND sad, really)

By Puttin on the Foil

December 29, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

To anyone who believes that Waddell is not the problem and its the owners, isn’t watching the product. The owners don’t devise strategy, coach fundamentals, or inspire heart and desire. The owners don’t devise a “concept” or playing style. They do provide a budget and an administration to utilize that budget into putting a product on the ice. If you hold up Arthur Blank as a shining example of great ownership, did you forget the Vick era and Bobby Petrino? Owners make bad decisions and good decisions but its the people they hire that make the product worthwile or not. Waddell is the guy in charge of establishing a team vision, concept, playing style or whatever you want to call it. For the money he has to spend he can field a competitive team, but what he has assembled a bunch of heartless, gutless, paycheck recipients….not hockey players. Players aren’t motivated by owners….did the Cowboys win for Jerry Jones?….The Yankees for Steinbrenner?….they are motivated by their coaches and GM, the guys that set the tone of how to go to business. This team needs a heart transplant not a cash infusion. Are telling me the Penguins, the Caps and the Canadian teams just have better owners and have more money? Thats cr@p!!! The Bruins have been working with stingy owners for years who won’t pay their top talent, knowing the Garden will be full no matter what, but they field a competitive team year in an year out with very few exceptions. Blame the owners all you want, but its Waddell who making the decisions for this team and if he’s not and won’t stand up to the owners to make the right choices he’s more of a mealy mouthed worm than I thought.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 29, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Blame the owners all you want, but its Waddell who making the decisions for this team

And it’s the owners who are not firing him, or holding him accountable in any way that would be obvious to us fans. He was offered a contract extension last season…what does that tell you?

You can blame Waddell all you’d like, but he’s doing his job in a manner that apparently these owners see fit. If he’s as obvious of a failure as any fan can claim, then maybe the ownership should fire him. They haven’t…does that tell you anything about them?

The Bruins have been working with stingy owners for years who won’t pay their top talent, knowing the Garden will be full no matter what

The ASG is doing the same, but Philips will not be full no matter what. Yet somehow, the ASG had the gall to raise the prices for tickets this season. That’s not Waddell’s decision, that’s stupid ownership.

Are [you] telling me the Penguins, the Caps and the Canadian teams just have better owners and have more money?

Yes. I’d take the owner(s) from any of those cities (with Toronto being the only exception) before I’d take the ASG, as they run business today. They don’t spend money, they can’t hold their own employees accountable, they can’t buy out a forced out partner, they can’t even purchase a franchise without doing their own research. They’re a laughing stock.

If Waddell was the biggest flaw with this franchise, we would all have a much better outlook on the future of the franchise. However, he’s not, the biggest flaw is ownership. You use Waddell’s continued employment as reason number 1817 this ownership group needs to be replaced (or needs a drastic change in their business model as executed with the Thrashers).

By sydney

January 7, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this

Whoa fans, now we have some advising us upon the fact that they have masters degree coaching,from Canada,played college hockey,thus knows something about the game,etc.etc. there is no need to try and justify ones comments by personal information that is not required, this only takes credibility away from your intent, then we hear about ownership & financial areas,from others as well, Listen very closely as I agree with the supporters of solid ground work with a precise game plan in place from day one, build but have the proper thought process in regard to how you want this implemented, Mr. Waddell was and still is the GM hence the responsibility of performance wheel factor elements are they not within his realm from day one? recruiting has been very lacking in foresight & investigation of athletes taken, yet most of the staff are still in place, marketing & ticket sales, someone dropped the ball here, Public Relations is this existant? community involvement has gone where? we could go on & on, now look at the status of the players on ice, I will not become a fan coach & try to tell John Anderson how to coach his team, but one thing rings true here is that the Gm with the help of his staff are supposed to provide quality & potential to the coaching staff, hum mmm! or am I missing something here!!!Personally I would like to see this team move forward in a positive light, it is a must in order to keep the franchise here or to entice potential buyers. The media (wrtten, verbal & visual) coverage of the Thrashers is inadequate and once again management is to blame, Dan Kamal does an excellent job but is lacking a solid analyst with more pertinent comments & the insight is not what it should be for listeners! The Thrashers are sadly like an empty suit at this time, I will stay a fan however with hope that some positive changes will be forthcoming in the very near future,expressing my opinion will not keep me from attending games,maybe this is the key go & demand some answers as most fans in cities with sports teams do! when one business model is not working than another direction has to be taken and this is in no way a personal attack on anyone just the way it is! Don Waddell may be a gentleman, ownership may be full of good people that is for each to decide but it remains that it holds no revelency in regard to performance with execution within the expectations and positive results sports & business world!!!

Something has to be done or as you know if you snooze you lose!! & this darn lawsuit has to end somehwere , somehow then maybe the Gm if he is still in place may start making changes & improving the areas of need which are plentiful!!

By FlamesFan

February 17, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this

The mess begins with the Spirit, but do you blame them for trading Braydon Coburn for Zhitnik? On the NBC game of the week, the announcer said “How in good concience could anyone trade Coburn for Zhitnik?”