AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > October > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWaddell should be gone instead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Four years ago, Don Waddell sat behind his desk, pointed at the wall separating his office and Bob Hartley’s, and said, “My future’s in that room.”
I’m not sure what changed. But on Wednesday, a coach who has won a Stanley Cup and led a struggling franchise to its only playoff berth and a division title lost his job, while the general manager who has been here for over nine years, seven-plus seasons and no playoff wins is preparing to hire his third coach.
Don Waddell stays.
Bob Hartley goes.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Don Waddell, the general manager who has drafted 28 defensemen but has only two to show for it on the Thrashers’ roster, stays.
Bob Hartley, who has been trying to shuffle semi-comatose bodies in hopes that defective ingredients can somehow be made into a better soup, goes.
Hartley will get another job. But how does Waddell get another chance?
The Thrashers fired the wrong guy.
At the very least, Waddell should’ve stood up Wednesday and declared, “You know what? I really botched this off-season. Maybe Todd White isn’t a No. 1 center. So I resign.”
Instead, he said this: “I think we’re a better team when we started the season this year than we were last year.”
Everybody waited for the punch line.
The Thrashers figured to lose several pieces off of last year’s playoff team, which was swept in four games by the New York Rangers (tonight’s opponent — kismet!) What few imagined was that the Thrashers would come back so thin, with arguably the league’s worst depth chart at center, a thin and erratic group of defensemen, and no playmaker for Ilya Kovalchuk.
Some people have made way too much of a perceived feud between Hartley and Kovalchuk. The fact is, Kovalchuk told Waddell in the off-season that he’s fine with the coach. He just wanted a center. I dunno. Maybe Waddell misunderstood Kovalchuk, and thought Todd White was Russian for Peter Forsberg.
This is what Kovalchuk said Wednesday about Hartley: “He’s a straight-up guy. Whenever there was something wrong, he always said it to my face, and that’s what I like about him. … I just [told him], ‘Thank you.’ He really teach me a lot of good things, and I think he makes me a better player.”
Everybody else in the Thrashers’ locker room should be so stand up. There are two things this team needs: better players and more mirrors, because they just got a good coach and an even better man fired.
Waddell took heat for mortgaging the future with pre-deadline deals last year. He shouldn’t. Those deals got the Thrashers into the playoffs. But blame Waddell for the holes that existed before the trades, and the holes that remained unfilled after the season.
Player development has been dreadful. There is little to show for nine drafts and 82 players. Of the 28 defensemen drafted, the only two here are Garnet Exelby (eighth round, 1999; blind squirrel, meet acorn) and Tobias Enstrom (eighth round, 2003; just got here).
Michael Gearon, one of the owners, talked about the franchise’s incremental progress. But it doesn’t compare to Minnesota and Nashville. Tampa Bay won a Stanley Cup. Carolina, a transplant, was torn apart and built into a Cup team.
Beyond Kovalchuk, what do the Thrashers have to build around? Goalie Kari Lehtonen is talented but seemingly more fragile by the hour. Marian Hossa will be a free agent. (Good luck convincing him to stay.) Everybody else is either 1) young and unproven; 2) old and sliding; 3) just not that good.
But does Waddell regret any of his off-season decisions?
“We’re only six games into the year,” he said. “It’s way too early to start judging whether a player will be a valuable member of your team or not.”
Oh. So why is six games not too early to decide the fate of a coach?
“It’s how we lost games,” Waddell said.
Is Hartley blameless? No. This is the worst start in franchise history. This team obviously has underachieved. Some players didn’t like Hartley. Some probably were worn down by his message. But doesn’t that say something about the players and personalities that Waddell has assembled?
Bobby Holik said he “sensed a problem toward the end of last year. I told that to Don in our after-season meetings. The last third of the season and in the playoffs, we were not getting better.”
When Holik was asked if the problem was Hartley or the players, he said, “I guess the next few weeks will answer that.”
Gearon would not address Waddell’s job security beyond saying, “From our perspective, it’s important we see progress.”
It’s nice that there’s a standard. It would be nicer if everybody were held to it.
Permalink | Comments (154) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Thrashers / NHL
Comments
By FormerIslesFan
October 17, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Wow…you would think that Schultz has started reading the fans’ blogs and comments for the last few years.
By C Daddy
October 17, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
Right on Jeff, the reason this team is as bad as it is lies at the feet of Don Waddell, and Don Waddell only. Atlanta fans are stuck with another loser GM.
By Sage of Bluesland
October 17, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
This is beyond disgusting…I will continue to urge people to STOP SUBSIDIZING THE INCOMPETENCE…This is the ONLY way to get rid of Don Waddell, he of the eight-year “Five-Year Plan”…
By Bob
October 17, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
Wow. I don’t think I could have written that any better myself. Are you channeling my thoughts?
Folks, every word above is 100% spot on.
Waddell took heat for mortgaging the future with pre-deadline deals last year. He shouldn’t. Those deals got the Thrashers into the playoffs. But blame Waddell for the holes that existed before the trades, and the holes that remained unfilled after the season.
Yep, completely spot on.
Thanks for getting a quote from an owner. It’s good to see they have their eye on him, even though that is beyond obvious.
The only reason that Waddell wasn’t fired yet and won’t be fired until the end of the season, is that there is no way a GM worth his salt is going to come in here until the ownership feud is settled.
It’s also why no Coach worth his salt is going to take this job under a lame duck Waddell. Everyone in the league can see what Waddell has done, or should I say what he hasn’t done, and hockey people know he’s gone at the end of the year.
Let the season play out, Don’s fired on April 7. Then get a real GM in here and we can finally get on with building a franchise. The only problem is Don is going to have to be the one to trade Hossa and negotiate a good deal for us, but every GM in the league knows he’s a lame duck.
Let’s hope the casual fans aren’t so turned off by this whole debacle that they’ll come back next year. A real GM can turn this around quick everyone, don’t give up hope, when Waddell is gone and they get a real guy, it can be done, quicker than you think. Stick it out fans, stick it out, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel here.
By LAC
October 17, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Jeff you are 110% CORRECT, It is about time people in the media started pointing to the REAL problem with The Atlanta Thrashers don waddell.
I can only hope these owners are reading the blogs and listening to comments, because I, like a number of others, WILL NOT RETURN to Philips arena until waddell is gone and gone for GOOD !!!!
Keep the Heat and Truth up Jeff, you scored a Hat Trick with this one !!
By Kovy 4 cap'n
October 17, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
Wow Schultz got it right! 28 d men drafted an we have the worst d in hockey. Including mite teams. Hartley goes and Waddel stays. Is this a communist country??
By Blitz94
October 17, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
I agree. I would like to see Waddell set up to the plate and take some responsibility.
By Blitz94
October 17, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
I agree. The wrong guy was fired. I would like to see Waddell step up to the plate and take some responsibility.
By B. Thenet
October 17, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers only have 2 draft choices from their own team at D??
What an outrage….
Until you look around at other NHL teams and their own draft choices they have on their D. The Lightning 3, Caps and Canes 2, the Panthers 1(granted he is pretty darn good).
Look, DW has problems identifying NHL D talent(at least bargain priced NHL talent), but that draft pick stat is useless.
If Don Waddell had pulled the trigger on this last February, we probably would not have make all those moves at the deadline to make the playoffs.
Hartley’s act grew old on this team a long time ago, they are a much better team than they have shown so far.
By Kovy 4 cap'n
October 17, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
could not have said it better myself. When did Schultz become a hockey guru?
By krust
October 17, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this
Jeff, please keep up the pressure on Don. Write one article per week.
I read in this blog that people will stop attending games. Don’t do that real hockey fans don’t do that. keep going to the games and protest Waddell some other way.
This year is not over, there are free agents out there who could help us and we have the cap room. A trade could also be made with probably LA Kings.
By Tony C.
October 17, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
I hate it when you’re right.
And you’re right. again
I propose we chant “Fire Donny” for a good 5min. at the beginning of the game.
GO BLUE !!!
By boomer
October 17, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
Wow, first article I have ever read from Schultz that has 100% approval. Jeff, stick with hockey, and run away from football. I have very little interest in hockey, unless I have a ticket - it’s the south ya know, but this was worth pointing out. Jeff, you have found your calling!
By Crazy Diamond
October 17, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
Ownership should fire Waddell and let the new GM hire the new coach.
By The Coop
October 17, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
By The Coop
October 17, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
By The Coop
October 17, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
By joseph casey
October 17, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
Don Wadell should be the one that is fired. Wadell signed a bunch of loser free agents in the off season and expected Hartley to win. Nobody could win with all of these new and weak players. Bob won the division last year, but not with these guys.Hartley took the fall, and owners don’t know any better. The Blueland will be blue with Wadell.
By gogostevie
October 17, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
Everywhere Hartley has been, he’s been a winner.
Can we say the same thing about Waddell? I don’t think so.
Terrible move from a mediocre NHL GM, and yet another step back for the Thrashers.
By stendec
October 17, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
when teams stink coaches are fired - sometimes it is right and sometimes it is wrong - it was wrong in this instance. cheer up bh. be proud you escaped from the asylum. petrino has not been so fortunate. fare thee well, my friend. can you take kl with you. well, i tried.
By Gene
October 17, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
We may compare the firing of Bob Hartley to the firing of Dan Reeves. The Falcons have been turned into an expansion team because of Arthur Blank’s inept leadership. The same thing will happen to the Thrashers, if it hasn’t happened already. Atlanta fans have supported the Thrashers from the beginning, but look for empty seats in the future, including my own.
By Mr. Heat Miser
October 17, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Dang Schultz, I just might halfway agree with you for a change….
By angryseasontktholder
October 17, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
I have been a season ticket holder since day one and hockey fan for forty years and I don’t remember a more pathetic sight. It is Waddell’s fault—and his arrogance continues. Bill Parcells once said about being able to get the players he needed “if you want me to cook the dinner then let me buy the groceries”. Well Waddell can now cook the dinner with his groceries and I hope he cooks his own goose. When will the brain dead owners see this? When hordes of us supporters stop watching a bunch castoffs and AHL rejects. I am done.
By NASCARfan
October 17, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
Schultz, I think this is the first time in Atlanta sports history in which media and fans are both 100% in the same corner.
The first thing I did when I read the The Skunk had fired a great coach and a great man was wonder aloud, “What is Schultz and Kincade going to say about this?”
And you both are on the pulse, Schutlzie. You both are doing what you should do. You’re being the voice of the fan, our representative to the team.
And right now the message needs to be loud and clear, “We the fans HATE Don Waddell and want him FIRED yesterday!!!”
He is a terrible GM. He is a terrible scout. He is a terrible liar. He’s just terrible. He needs to go, and it’s a shame that the great coach and man that is Bob Hartley had to pay for Don Waddell’s sins.
F-U DON WADDELL!!!
By Gene Griffin
October 17, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
The simple fact is the Thrasher are a hockey team without a middle.They are outmuscled in front of the net all the time.They creat a bubble in the offensive zone when it’s five on five.I never see knock down intesity in front of the net.To be a good hockey club you have to intimidate your opposition.Don Waddell did not address this obvious flaw when we collapsed in new york last year.I love this team but we are undersized. Good luck to Hartley..he was a class act.I hope we get some help.
By Joyce
October 17, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
Thanks for the article and please continue to write on this. It is just horrible that we lost our coach and Don Waddell should have been the man to go. They take our money and the tickets are not cheap, they bring in the draft at cheap salaries with not much talent and then fire a good man that brought us to the Stanley Cup Championship playoff’s. What is wrong with this picture? You have the answers in your article. I will be at the games and I will be there watching Waddell go under. I hear the boo’s coming Waddell’s way.
By Too Funny
October 17, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
It’s funny that the same ownership group would allow a coach like Mike Woodson and a General Manager like Billy Knight to be employed, while a great coach and person like Bob Hartley is shown the door.
By rj
October 17, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
You people are stupid. The guys we have are playing Hartley’s system. It sucks. The record proves it. If Hartley is so good why was he available ? Why was he fired from Col ?
Don has made lots of mistakes, no doubt, but the coach has to find a way to get the most out of the players. Hartley lacks imagination.
I just watched NJ vs Pit. Great game. Hard play. Up and down. Both sides playing with an edge. Great goaltending. Thank god for Center Ice.
By Another Disgusted Customer
October 17, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Spot On Jeff,
Management and the owners would do well by getting in touch with the reality of the situation - particularly as it’s viewed by their fans - - who also happen to be customers. And paying customers are a particularly valuable commodity in a market with many entertainment options and in a sport with little television revenue.
Better than last year - come on? The team (and the product of management’s decision making) has gone backwards - materially.
This reeks of politics, disavowing responsibility, under achievement - the stuff of losers. All confirmed by their performance.
Very, very unfortunate all the way around
By BigBillWard
October 17, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
I have had season tickets since the Flames first game a 1-1 tie with Buffalo in October 1972.
The Flames had a GREAT GM, Mr.Cliff Fletcher a man who could make a deal and draft on the same day, he made no excuses, he made progress… Too bad we had another BAD owner cousins who I consider a liar from the past.
But this is far different…
This is a train wreck, Pi— Poor owners without a clue as to what is going on, a GM who is The Laughing stock of the NHL and a bunch of cream puff undersized players who are AHL third liners at best.
Jeff is Right On with this one.
Waddell is DESTROYING the Atlanta Thrashers, slowly but surely.
No chance Hossa stays after this mess, can you blame him ? NO.
But after all the MESS waddell has caused he is still here and will be the coach… look out another train is crashing.
I simply cannot understand why this guy is still here,he is killing the team. Why in the world do the owners not see it ?
Progress geron would be you putting on a JOCK STRAP and FIRING don waddell
I have had season tickets here since day one, I will NOT renew again until waddell is gone, I guess it will take empty seats to get what needed to be done several years ago finally done… But will you clowns even notice that ?
You sprit owners really are bad for Atlanta in EVERY RESPECT !!!!!
By Paul from Milton
October 17, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
JS’s article is spot on. Just like the Falcons, just like the Hawks, the problems with the Thrashers starts at the top. We’ve had too many high draft picks for this to happen. It’s usually tough for fans when a team is blown up and then remade from the start. But in this case - what do we have to lose?
By Sandy Springs
October 17, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
Last season’s playoffs proved this team has no heart, no character.
This season’s team has that same problem and even less talent. It’s all a mess.
We need a well respected GM with a steady hand and keen insights to get the train back on the tracks. No quick fixes; this will take patience.
By Waddell=worst NHL GM
October 17, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
Fire Waddell!
By John Mc from Long Island
October 17, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
I have the NHL Center Ice package and just found out about Coach Bob Hartley’s firing. I was livid, not because I’m a Thrashers fan. I’m a Ranger Fan but more importantly a fan of the game of hockey and always thought highly of Bob Hartley. I thought the team, gave up a lot before the past trade deadline. Jeff Schultz claims that the deals that the Thrashers made “…got them into the playoffs…”. I’m not too sure about that. I think that the Thrashers had a fairly decent team before the trades were made and were capable of making the playoffs without pulling the trigger, so to speak. I didn’t even know the GM’s name until I connected to the AJC sports website just now. It’s incomprehensible that the GM has the gall to say “I felt, watching every game, it wasn’t going to change. And I needed to do something about it,” General Manager Don Waddell said on a conference call with reporters. “I never predicted I’d be making a coaching change six games into the year.”
Makes me want to spit. Is this guy, Teflon Don or what!
By Brian
October 17, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
People, people, people what good is it to fire the GM once the season starts? I agree that he needs to shoulder a good bit of blame for this, but changing the GM will make no difference on the ice, but changing the coach might. Hartley was not without fault either, the line flip flops and the goalie switching; how was anybody supposed to get any chemistry going with their line mates, or a goalie get into a groove? Both men were at fault for this mess, but folks it’s always easier to fire the coach, instead of 22 players, and the GM has to do the firing. If this team continues this way Waddell will get his as well.
By Don
October 17, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
Well done Mr. Schultz. When you drop the snarky comedy act (which frankly isn’t very funny) and show some passion for sports you’re hands down the best sportswriter on the AJC staff.
By Thrashy Thrashy
October 17, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
You can’t fire the GM and keep the coach. A new GM would want his own man on the bench. This way, Waddell gets to show how “wonderful” his team is by coaching them. When he gets fired, we’ll have a clean slate. That’s the best thing for the organization, but it’s a shame that Hartley had to work for this chump.
By Anthony Z.
October 17, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
Tony C.
You can take your UNoriginal, UNintelligent, Pathetic, Goofball chants and shove them up your UNDEReducated @$$ !
It is self-centered, clueless dumb@$$es like you who ruin the atmosphere at Philips Arena for fans who actually care about THE TEAM.
By R. Stroz
October 17, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Wait another six games and fire the new coach, Don Waddell.
By John Mc from Long Island
October 17, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Thrashy Thrashy,
Good Point! Let Mr. Waddell either turn the team around or tighten the noose around his own neck. Perhaps that’s the deal that the owners made with Waddell before they discussed Hartley’s firing. Bob Hartley will be one of the first coaches hired by another team. His experience and demeanor goes a long way.
By G Roberts
October 17, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
The wrong guy was fired. This must have been a personality issue. The Thrashers are younger and have less experience than last year which translates a lot of experienced players went to other teams. Bob Hartley was the best thing that has happened to the Thrashers.
By Jeff S
October 17, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
I lived in Denver in the 90’s and was a season ticket holder for several years, including the Avs (Nordiques) first year in town when Hartley & Co. took the Stanley Cup. Granted, he had great talent and he can be intense, but that group of players wanted to win and drew off Hartley’s intensity. This group of players and the GM seem to be intent on doing what most professional athletes/GM’s on losing teams do…point their fingers and whine about how everything and everybody else is the cause (right MeAngelo?)…instead of looking in the mirror.
Can’t the owners see the Thrashers started down the right road when they hired Hartley and if Waddell did half the job the GM did with the Avs in filling the roster with young and veteran players alike who wanted to play his system and give it their all, the Thrashers might be looking at the Stanley Cup soon instead of the basement.
Hey owners…it might not be too late. Listen to your fans…dump Waddell and give Hartley a call.
By dj
October 17, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
Nice try to win us over the draft stat. Your Stanley Cup champions (You know Jeff the big silver thing you pick up after you played two months of the most brutal hockey in your life) Anaheim have how many drafted D-man???? ZERO. This team started hot last year then kinda fizzled….The PP hot then fizzled then hot then sucked in the playoffs same for the PK. IT’S the system. The same team last year who started hot finished not so hot. There is one consistency in that…the coach. I though Hartley was given the toughest job in the NHL. After the Heatley accident, Hartley did an excellent job of keeping this team together and the year we missed the playoffs by two points was our year. But, things become old and that same voice doesn’t settle in and the glow of being a Stanley Cup champion coach isn’t at bright. Something needed to happen and good they made a decision. Now go win a freakin game Thrashers.
By John Ferguson Fan
October 17, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
Bottom Line — The problem fired the Coach. The Atlanta Spirit is aptly named. Atlanta is the worst sports town in America. The Hawks and the Thrashers are doing their part to keep it that way. Waddell is a man with no vision and no integrity, He must be removed immediately.
By R. Stroz
October 18, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
OK, let me make sure I’m reading this correctly, the most unproductive, overpaid and slowest player on the team goes behind the coaches back and tells the GM the team is not getting any better after the season ends.
For the love of hockey, someone, anyone, give Holik a mirror. Talk about someone not getting any better. Please take the C off Holik’s jersey, he doesn’t deserve to wear it. The least Holik could have done was had a face to face with Hartley.
Holik is an overpaid and oversized chickensh!t. In order to clean this mess of a team up start with Holik, the future frontman for the GEICO caveman commercials.
By Decatur
October 18, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this
Nobody is talking about the owners, a collection of people who can never seem to agree with each other. I am sure Don is doing the best he can with what he is given to work with. The Spirit group needs to sell their interest in Atlanta’s sports teams. Someone who loves hockey, or someone who KNOWS hockey should own the team. The Spirit group does not care if they have the best product on the ice, or court.
By R. Stroz
October 18, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
Decatur - You seem to have the owners number. However, Don Waddell loves to run his mouth about the great things he has done for the Thrashers.
Both Dumb Waddell and Billy Knighmare run their mouth’s about their “five year plans”, which never seem to work.
By Tom
October 18, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
http://www.firewaddell.com
The future is now, are the Atlanta Spirit men enough to do the right thing? Even Jeff Schultz see’s the truth so it must be self evident.
By R. Stroz
October 18, 2007 2:33 AM | Link to this
Maybe the nasty nest can start a new chant, Waddell, Waddell, Waddell, you su#k.
By carl Rockburne
October 18, 2007 2:43 AM | Link to this
Schultz is right on the money. The easiest thing in the world to do is fire the coach. Wadell has orchestrated a terrible draft year and the trades he has made have not been much bette. Unfortunately or fortunately we have to offer Hossa to see what we can salvage.
By Brendan
October 18, 2007 2:46 AM | Link to this
What?? No peanut gallery of “Jeff Schultz is a no talent hack!” posts? Amazing. You guys are slipping. (Laughing.)
Excellent article, Jeff. Ya know, folks, many of you seemed to love to “dump” on Schultz with his 1st two hockey articles. Many of you called him “negative.” Some of you accused him of “sabbotaging” the upcoming season. Some thought and advanced the notion that Schultz was trying to drive hockey out of town. (A completely false allegation.) But when you want accountability, I told you Schultz would be there.
Well, here he is. He has delivered. If you read the comments on the “Are you Glad Hartley is Gone?” blog, you’ll see that the hockey fans in this town have made their feelings known about Don Waddell as GM, and this decision to fire Hartley. I’d have to think that someone at the Atlanta Spirit Group has had these comments “summarized” for them. But if you’re lazy, 97% wanted Waddell fired with, or instead of Hartley. The thing the Atlanta Spirit Group won’t be able to simply ignore will be the empty seats at Philips Arena. I take no pleasure in that revelation. I want to see a packed house while the team wins, makes the playoffs, and advances deep into the playoffs.
Anyone holding their breath for that this year? I agree with Schultz that Hartley is hardly blameless. It’s all been covered in intricate detail in that other blog, ad nauseum.
Waddell has outlived the life expectancy of a GM in his 8th season, of his 10th year, with one playoff berth and zero playoff wins. Before you think I’m “dumping” on Waddell, not everything was his fault. And “reasonable” people can see that. But this is a “results-oriented” business. Waddell will now have the opportunity to salvage the season as Head Coach and GM. This is roster reflects his vision, that he, alone, created for this team. Let’s see what he does with it. If he turns it all around, won’t that be something? If he can’t … he had a pretty long run in the NHL. No one should cry for him. For what it’s worth, I think Don Waddell has done the best job he is capable of.
If you said, “Well, that’s simply not good enough.” You’re hardly alone.
By Splinter
October 18, 2007 3:24 AM | Link to this
Sell the team, Jed!!
By R. Stroz
October 18, 2007 3:26 AM | Link to this
Kovalchuk told Waddell in the off-season that he’s fine with the coach. He just wanted a center.
So DW goes out and brings in Todd Charmin White, a worthless 2 million dollar bargain bin center for Kovy. Is DW that stupid or is he just trying to pi$$ Kovy off. Remember the year before DW brought in Rooch, another worthless 2 million dollar bargain bin center for Kovy. DW doesn’t learn from his mistakes.
If there is a next time, Kovy should stipulate a really good center or he walks.
By Dumbing Down
October 18, 2007 5:36 AM | Link to this
YES!
By thefish
October 18, 2007 7:02 AM | Link to this
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By BigBillWard
October 18, 2007 7:05 AM | Link to this
I have read the blogs,just like us all. They, 96% have one constant, Fire Don Waddell.
Ok, this is NOT a fire Waddell post, I agree he MUST GO, but rather a post to see why the owners will not react to the FANS !!! Remember us the ones who pay the BILLS !
In business, and this after all IS a business, when you have an employee who cannot do his job in a productive manner, what action do you take… he is let go.
If your customers complained, like they have over this and it is all here to see, why would you ever permit this employee to conduct business on YOUR behalf and allow you to first, look completely stupid, make a BAD sitution worse, and how can after a long period of time… 8 years of really poor management, would he be allowed to stay.
In some companies if an employee gets a couple complaints from customers concerning their work not being top notch, he will be let go.
This is a perfect example, the customer…THE FANS have expressed more than enough displeasure with Waddell, his track record is terrible. So… Why do the owners not respond to THE FANS of Atlanta by resolving a SERIOUS problem ?
I don’t get it, what more evidence do they need ? How many more negative comments, futhermore, The comments about Waddell, are now spilling over and making the OWNERS look REALLY BAD, now is THAT the type of employee you should have in YOUR employ ? NO !
Any responsible business owner would put a STOP to this right now and NOT let it go any futher. It is far better to rid yourself of a BAD employee(Waddell) now, take your lumps and move on, to keep him will result in more and more erosion of an already fickle fan base and those who care have voiced one SOLID response, Don Waddell MUST be removed ASAP form your company.
If it were mine he’d have been gone 4 years ago, I. like many others,am at a complete loss to see what is taking you owners so long, do us a favor Fire Waddell TODAY before it is REALLY TOO LATE !
By jrock
October 18, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
not only should wadell be fired, so should the lousy scouting staff that supplies those lame draft picks
By Fred
October 18, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this
How long before we start hearing talk of some dolt buying our team and moving them? Honestly…. Bunch of disgruntled fans, good young players, incompetent management from the top all the way down….. If we dont get a real coach, a real GM, and either makes some trades or sign a free agent who can play, i GUARANTEE Hoss will walk after this season. That’s assuming they don’t trade him. The firing was knee jerk. I’m not really sure if i think it was a bad move or not. Depends on who they hire. But i absolutely think the bigger problems are the RETARD Gm we have, and a a lack of motivation on the ice. With the exception of Kovy, everyone else looks like they are clock punching out there. No grit, no heart, NO WINS. Somebody do something before we lose our damn team altogether.
By SALGUY
October 18, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this
TSN reporting Atlanta Thrasher news confrence today at 11AM… What does THIS mean ???? Hummmmmmmm
By Jay
October 18, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this
Maybe it’s time for a combination Head Coach/GM. I think that a scenario might be Don Waddell introducing Pat Quinn as the replacement head coach AND new General Manager.
Otherwise, I could be GM. Have you seen my Yahoo Fantasy Teams?
By Tommy
October 18, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this
Everyone likes to pile on Atlanta as ‘a bad sports town’. But given a situation like this, can anyone really blame us???
Between Mike Woodson, Billy Knight, Don Waddell, and Bob Hartley, the Atlanta Spirit only had one head coach/GM that has ever won a postseason game.
That one was fired yesterday.
Stuff like this makes it very, very hard to cheer for them.
By bmoc
October 18, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
I will NOT be at Blueland anymore,not until Waddell is gone once and for all…
Can you hear all of us gearon ?
Progress is firing a GM who should have never been GM in the first place What does he HAVE on you guys ?????
You have not a clue as to what progerss is or ever will be !
By Dawggy Style
October 18, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this
I have always admired Hartley as a coach, but, if a team is going to play without passion and purpose, then something has to happen. A change in coaching philosophy may generate a spark, and I’d expect changes in personnel (Slater, Zhitnik, etc.) to be forthcoming as well if players who know better continue to play so poorly.
Time for a reality check for those of you still missing the key points:
Firing Waddell and hiring a new GM would have certainly brought a quick end to Hartley’s career in Atlanta as well. A new GM would bring his own coach with him.
You can’t hire a quality GM once the regular season starts and, even if you could, what’s he going to do except maybe trade Hossa sooner rather than later. If Waddell does stick around, when to trade Hossa and to whom will be his primary issue throughout this season.
The veteran players on this team need to step up and be accountable to themselves and to the rookies on the roster. I have been pleasantly surprised with Kovy’s hustle and desire, but others (Havelid, Zhitnik, Holik, Kozlov, and even Hossa) need to show some enthusiasm, grit, leadership and hustle during the games. The rookies will be rookies, but at least they appear to be giving maximum effort.
By LAC
October 18, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
I noticed the Rangers NHL site, proudly proclaiming that They Are Returning to THE SITE of PLAYOFF GLORY tonight at Philips Arena.
Futhermore, they bash the Thrashers, albeit not an outright slap in the face,but not nice either,that’s for sure, for being LAST inthe NHL and it is a PERFECT place to start a three game road trip.
I want to hear Sam Rosen and Joe’s take on the problems here,also Al & Stan between periods, bashing waddell, Stan Fishler has not had kind words in the past about waddell, I expect none tonight and for GOOD reason.
Is there really a news confrence at 11am today ? Could it be that the owners have finally had a brain fasrt and all agree, it’s time to FIRE waddell ???? here’s hoping,
Will miss coming to the Arena until the Stink of waddell is cleared out of The Philps !
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 18, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
your still a douche Jeff
By David
October 18, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
I have a better idea: move the Thrashers out of Atlanta. The NHL is a fraud to have teams in Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Nashville, Phoenix, the Bay Area, plus TWO in Los Angeles, and not have teams in Hartford, Quebec City and Winnipeg. I don’t care, move teams into those three cities, plus Hamilton, Saskatoon, Portland (Maine, not Oregon)…ANYWHERE THAT IS A REAL HOCKEY TOWN, NOT WHERE IT’S 80 F-ING DEGREES IN JANUARY! The NHL has sold its soul to the devil, and I for one can’t stand it. I’ve had it with southern hockey! It’s time for the NHL to return to its roots and move back to areas where it’s actually cold enough to play hockey outdoors.
By RELee
October 18, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
To David, first, hockey was in the first 3 cities you listed, and it failed. Second, the NHL has brought hockey south because of all the transplants that have moved here and it is succeeding. If you don’t like hockey, that’s fine. Just go on back to the Dome.
By Hip Czech
October 18, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Wow, what a past few weeks..family health issues (most important), 0-6 start, Hartley canned.
I agree that Waddell should have been the first one to go. No question.
However, I agree with an earlier post that Hartley’s system left a LOT to be desired. I HATE the dump and chase, and we seem to do it from our own zone. Our offensive breakout is chip the puck up the boards and hope our wingers get to it so they can then dump it in. It stinks.
The power play has been abysmal forever. How hard can it be to get decent shots with a man advantage?
One last rant….what on earth does Brad Mccrimmon do? If you ever go to a practice he just skates around, never says anything and never talks to any players. Weeks at least works with the goalies, Mccrimmon does absolutely nothing.
By rane
October 18, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
stupidity + banging your sister + rudeness + being a jerk + foul mouth + poor understanding of hockey = R. Stroz
By Peter
October 18, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
One of Waddell’s biggest mistakes was to let Marc Savard go. He tried to imply that his success was due to Kovi. Looking at what he did in Boston last year we now know that was not the case.
Also Holik has been a horrible presence on the ice, when they gave him the ‘C’ I flipped. Scott Mellanby he is not.
By Emperor Levenson
October 18, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
EXECUTE ORDER 66
By Bob
October 18, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
from the watch out what you wish for files, Sportsnet has talked to good ol Fat Quinn and he’s ready to come
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss
By Holik-A-Holic
October 18, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
**FFFFFFF I RRRRR EEEEEE F I R R E F I R R E FFFF I R RR EEEE F I R R E F I R R E F I R R EEEEEE
DDDD OOO N N D D O O N N N D D O O N N N D D O O N N N DDDD OOO N N
N N OOO W W W ! N N N O O W W W W ! N N N O O W W W W ! N N N O O W W
N N OOO W W !
The wrong man took the heat!
By Holik-A-Holic
October 18, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
**FFFFFFF I RRRRR EEEEEE F I R R E F I R R E FFFF I R RR EEEE F I R R E F I R R E F I R R EEEEEE
DDDD OOO N N D D O O N N N D D O O N N N D D O O N N N DDDD OOO N N
N N OOO W W W ! N N N O O W W W W ! N N N O O W W W W ! N N N O O W W
N N OOO W W ! **
The wrong man took the heat!
By Brian
October 18, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
The wrong guy was not fired. The problem is that not enough guys were fired. Hartley and Waddell needed to go. The last 10 games, in my opinion, have been 10 of the most important games in franchise history. Obviously, the team laid a gigantic egg in the 4 playoff games to end last season. They then went out and laid an even bigger game in the 6 games kicking off the season following their first playoff appearance. A season that saw record ticket sales, a genuine interest in hockey from fans who were previously apathetic to the sport, and a playoff banner hoisted to the rafters. They had a chance to build on the success of last season and then came out and fell flat on their faces. Certainly the coach has to take the heat for a heaping portion of that failure. The GM has to take the rest of the blame.
By Will
October 18, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
Instead of chanting “Goalie, Goalie, Goalie, you suck” we should ALL chant “Waddell, Waddell, Waddell, YOU SUCK!” mercilessly.
By Rastaman
October 18, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Fire all of them, and take this stupid Yankee game away from the south! More Stock car racin’ less stupid hockey!
By NASCARfan
October 18, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
David you are an idiot and a imbecile.
By chief of smoke
October 18, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
jeff your 100% correct
By Brian
October 18, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
dj - great stat on the fact that the Stanley Cup champions drafted ZERO defensemen on their team. As many here know, I am originally a Buffalo guy and I know that only 3 of their D-men were drafted by them. Besides, how many D-men are playing for the Wolves right now that DW drafted?
Jeff S - um, that Colorado team you claimed to have watched win the Stanley Cup their first year in town, they were coached by Marc Crawford. Hartley didn’t come along for a few years later.
Brian - ok, this is getting like all the Bobs, but your point is exactly as I would say it. If the new coach doesn’t make a run, DW will get the ax as well, so let’s not get upset that he didn’t get fired. Besides, if the new coach wins, it will show that the talent was here all along, so why fire the GM that got the talent (if they win). And again, as you say, if they don’t win, DW just put his head in a noose, so it seems everyone will be happy here.
By LAC
October 18, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Screw you rastaman I see enough cars on 285 everyday, racin if for The uneducated fools of the world like you, who like your worthless life, are going around in circles to NOWHERE !
By Brendan
October 18, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Scott Burnside strikes again. If you haven’t read this one yet, it’s worth a read. He even credits AJC Columnist Jeff Schultz with a quote.
By Jenni
October 18, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
Will, how would you like it if we all come to see you during your shift at Arby’s and chanted like a bunch of crude, classless, high-school-dropout, dumba$$ primates about your amorous activities at Swinging Richards and how you should lose YOUR job?
Idiot.
By Brett
October 18, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Hey Jeff, You are 110% correct on this one!
By Brett
October 18, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Hey Jeff, You are 110% correct on this one!
By Section 109 Sonny
October 18, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
Glad to see everyobody finally woke up as to the real problem with the Thrashers, spin doctor Don Waddell. Now, when is this clueless ownership group - who ARE they, by the way? - going to show this buffooon the door? My stomach - not to mention my wallet ( a season ticket holder since Day One) - can’t take much more of this!
By rj
October 18, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
The biggest mistake Waddell has made was not firing Hartley in Feb 07 when they were in the big slide. A real coach would have gotten that team into the playoffs without the GM having to trade the future away. A decent coach would have inspired his team to win some games against the Rangers.
What this team needs is some Jeff Odgers type of spirit and grit. Hartley for sure couldn’t inspire it or more likely doesn’t believe in it.
By BiscuitsNBaskets
October 18, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Indeed, the wrong man was fired first. However, how much great theatre will there be with Waddell behind the bench, realizing just how backward his “better” roster has gone? Oooooo, this’ll be a peach. Too bad Don will be on the road for the next few weeks, where the Philips fans won’t be able to get at ‘em. Yet, how depressing is it that I’m actually rooting for more losses so the “Spirit” will pull their head out of their rears and realize who the real culprit of this fiasco is.
By Sage of Bluesland
October 18, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
BigBillWard—what a great post! Yes, this IS a business and the ownership is NOT listening to the most important factor of all: the customer. The customer who PAYS for everything.
This will become a management-course lesson in how not to deal with customers.
The Waddell-sheep are running scared—and must be shocked that the vast majority is becoming more and more vocal on the utter incompetence of their hero, our bumbling, lisping, buffoon of a GM…
In my best Patrick Henry pose and voice, “Not another dollar for this incompetence!”
That WILL force the ownership to change, when there are 5,000 people in the stands…Then again, if it takes this type of radical action, is this ownership or organization even WORTH it to begin with?
You just might know the answer to that—if you search deep down and trust your instinct…
By Luke
October 18, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
I hope that once we are 0-20 and Don is gone we can get Hartley back in Blueland. After all, he put it on the map!
By aj
October 18, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
AMEN JEFF!!! GET RID OF WADDELL!!!! HE IS THE JOKE OF THE TEAM!!
By Mark
October 18, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
I am actually rooting for Atlanta to have a really, really, really bad year this year. Why? Two words: John Tavares. This kid is just lighting it up in the OHL this year as a 17 year old after lighting it up as a 16 year old last year. He has been compared to everyone from Mike Bossy to Wayne Gretzky to Crosby. He should be a can’t miss, total stud. The only problem / question is his draft status. He misses the ‘08 draft cut-off by 5 days but his lawyers are working to get him in the ‘08 draft and they might make it happen. Some people think he’ll top 200 points in the OHL this season. That’s about 40 points more than Crosby put up in his final season in the Q. If he ends up coming out in the ‘08 draft it would be amazing to watch this kid play in Atlanta for years.
By Nunya Business
October 18, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Jeffie. You’re full of crap. We ARE a better team than EVER before. Sage b*** about DW’s 5yr. ‘plan’. Yea. It was a ‘plan’ not a promise. I don’t think we could have a better GM. He’s done a great job with what he’s had to work with. I’ve heard several times that players and agents like to deal with him because he’s fair and honest. He drafted Kari, Heatley and Kovy. Yea. He makes some moves that make me scratch my head sometimes. But, I bet if I could get an explanation from him, I would agree with his decision. Overall, I think he’s done a great job. This is the best team we’ve EVER had. People love to go headhunting when we’re not winning.
By Hockeynumb
October 18, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
I’m tired of supporting this team under the current regime including the cast of players we have right now. Get rid of Kovalchuk first and get some better grittier team players. He has some good value in the market and this team has to rebuild again right now. Kovi showed his true colors last year in the playoffs running around the ice after Avery. He is not a franchise player IMO.
By Mark
October 18, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Hockeynumb, Kovy has been one of the only players that looks like he gives a damn out there. If anyone should be traded it is Hossa. He’d bring a really good return and is a UFA this summer. I seriously doubt he is going to sign here now after everything that is going on.
By Bob
October 18, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
That WILL force the ownership to change, when there are 5,000 people in the stands
When? You must not hav