AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > January > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAfter all this time, just Kovy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Ten-plus years, seven-plus seasons, few plus-players, the remains of 15 goaltenders and zero playoff wins later, Atlanta sits in unfamiliar territory today: center ice.
Still seeking a presence in their city and direction in their existence, the Thrashers play host to the NHL All-Star Game Sunday night. These exhibitions, complete with skills contests and Alyssa Milano clothing lines, are designed to celebrate the sport and its stars. But more than a decade after the city was awarded a second-chance franchise, there is little to cling to, save Ilya Kovalchuk.
“I know they used to have a real nice team here, the Flames,” Kovalchuk said Saturday. “I think we’ve got a little history. But we never win anything. When you win the Stanley Cup, that’s when [fans] really realize that hockey is interesting. But when you’re not winning in Atlanta, it’s like they really don’t [care] because there’s a lot to do here. Shows, sports, football — that’s their favorite. You need to win here to get their attention.”
Atlanta has its core of hockey fans. It has its singular star. Ultimately for survival, it needs more. Certainly, Kovalchuk deserves more.
He is in his sixth season. He already has scored 239 goals. He ranks second in the NHL in goals with 37, fourth in points with 63. He’s a lock to surpass 40 for the fourth straight season and is on pace for another possible Maurice Richard Trophy as goal champion. (He’s four behind Alexander Ovechkin’s season pace of 64.)
Beyond that, Kovalchuk and his game have matured. Few could have envisioned that a talented but short-fused 18-year-old would ever develop into captain material. But Kovalchuk was one of the few Thrashers who didn’t look catatonic in the playoffs last year. He was the only one who played hard through this season’s 0-6 start, when his teammates seemed determined only to bury a coach. When general manager Don Waddell, survivalist that he is, sought career salvation by firing coach Bob Hartley, Kovalchuk was the only Thrasher who said Hartley made him a better player.
Suddenly, he isn’t merely Atlanta’s best hockey player. He is a centerpiece without a table. Or a room. Or a foundation.
Year 11. Season eight.
The hope was that the NHL All-Star Game would represent more for this city’s hockey fans than a welcome distraction. But now there is all this baggage.
Last season’s quick playoff exit smothered whatever hockey buzz might’ve existed after the division title. Waddell’s low-profile offseason moves did nothing to fuel interest. The slow start, the unofficial player revolt, the firing. The Thrashers got hot, then turned almost bipolar.
It all must wear on Kovalchuk. His early career reputation as being selfish has always been overstated, his desire to win understated.
“He cares a lot more about the team and winning and everything else than people give him credit for,” said former Thrashers captain Scott Mellanby, who is in town for the weekend. “He’s passionate. Last year in the playoffs, I thought he was our best forward. He got a taste of what it’s like to be there, and he doesn’t want to go through his whole career and not have team success. He knows people can be critical of athletes who don’t win, especially as superstars.”
The Thrashers have two players in tonight’s game. Only one seemingly has a future here. While Kovalchuk spent Saturday talking about his season and the All-Star Game, Marian Hossa again fielded questions about his contract and the likelihood of being traded in the next few weeks.
What then? With a weak farm system, Waddell’s uncertain status, a coaching vacancy, unstable ownership, how far off-stage will hockey be in Atlanta next year, with only Kovalchuk pulling the wagon?
Mellanby: “He’s only 24. I don’t think he would even want to try to think of the magnitude of what he means to the team’s future. I just know players want to be successful and know what it feels like to win.”
Asked if he is aware of his responsibility in keeping hockey on the map here, Kovalchuk said, “For sure. But I like that kind of pressure.”
Soon, he morphed into a chamber of commerce member.
“I think everybody will really enjoy it here,” he said. “Hopefully, everybody is in nice hotels and got a nice meal. Afterwards, they won’t say, ‘We’re not going to go back to Atlanta.’ “
Tonight is the diversion. People will need another reason to come back.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Thrashers / NHL
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By Sage of Bluesland
January 26, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Keep up the pressure on Don Waddell, Jeff—you’re the only one who does the right thing by trying to bring accountability to that figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland”…
Mark Bradley actually ‘likes’ our brilliant Donny…He also liked Pete Babcock (who also single-handedly ran the Hawks into the ground during his decade-long incompetence)…I just wonder what Mark has sold out for? It must be cheap.
As for our bumbling, blustering Donny, he of the “Five-Year Plan”, “Building through the draft!”, and the infamous playoff “guarantee”—his decade-long run of incompetence have led to our current pathetic state.
Yet the sheep still swoon and make excuses! Truly unbelievable.
As Brendan points out, WHAT do we have to show for all of those top-five and top-ten picks? Not much but one superstar, a glass-groined wunderkind in goal who has concentration ‘issues’, and a ‘star’ who disappears when the pressure is the greatest…Wow, good return on investment there, eh?
Oh, but just wait, the “farm system” will be sending up massive reinforcements to save the day! Ummm, yeah, right!
Wake up and stop subsidizing this utter and embarrassing incompetence. Funny, isn’t it, our bumbling, blustering Donny doesn’t talk a whole lot to the media anymore, huh? Now I wonder why…
By LAC
January 26, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Sage I agree waddell did get some of it tonight, he was BOOOED real Good..
A couple players turned and looked at him and in the tredition that is Dumb waddell, he looked groundward.
Heis THE only person who can be accountable… For the $ we are paying rucchin(WHO) and holik we could have kept Savard,andthat list goes on and on and on like a stuck record that is theMO of the The Worst GM in hockey DUMB don waddell..
I hope a prey that he is Dumped before thetuesday night game… Would be a REFRESHING change !!!!
By redwingsfan
January 26, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
The only reason Don Waddell hasn’t looked for a head coach since firing Hartley is because of the All-Star game. He wanted to be behind the bench as one of the coaches for the All-Star Game. He is selfish and a crappy coach and general manager that should have been fired years ago.
By Brendan
January 26, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Jeff, what will the Atlanta Spirit Group do to KEEP Ilya Kovlachuk here? I mean, let’s face it. Straight up. Kovy hits the Open Market in 2010, if he isn’t re-signed on July 1st or 2nd, 2009.
Jeff, answer me this? “Do you honestly think anyone OUTSIDE Of ATLANTA will be ‘intimidated’ by a $10.0M to $11.0M cap hit, and an 8-10 year contract for Kovalchuk?
I don’t. I think … these other GM’s will think, “I CAN’T BELIEVE ATLANTA LET KOVALCHUK HIT THE OPEN MARKET.” Someone will pay it. You know it’s true. There’s just a “few” players out there … that a GM would pay WHATEVER IT TAKES to have … and Kovalchuk is one of those “few.” Honestly, 12-years $121.2M isn’t some (NY Islanders owner) “Charles Wang”-driven lunacy anymore. Philadelphia handed Mike Richards a 12-year deal. The Capitals just doled out a 13-year/$124M contract to Ovechkin, to lock him up for the rest of his career.
Considering that Kovalchuk is an “original Thrashers draft pick,” I would think that they’d want to keep him here, FOREVER. But even I realize … “Kovalchuk’s situation” is now entirely in his own hands. Whomever is the Thrashers GM … can offer the league MAX, $10.3M, and Kovalchuk can just say, “No thanks.”
Huh?
Yep, that’s right. You mean, “just like Hossa has said, “no thanks” to whatever it is that Waddell has offered him to stay? Uh-huh. Marian went on 680TheFan and flat out told Perry Lorentino, “The direction of the team is the REASON I haven’t signed yet. I only get to be a free agent once, and I have to make the ‘right decision’ for my next team. For me, it’s no longer about the money.”
Get used to hearing that. It could be the reason Kovalchuk leaves. I mean, be honest, Jeff Schultz. Kovalchuk will get his money, just like Hossa will. Kovalchuk doesn’t have to stay here in Atlanta. Why should he? With two 1st overall picks, two 2nd overall picks, two 8th overall picks, one 10th overall pick, and one 12th overall pick, the Atlanta Thrashers still don’t scare anyone, in their 8th season? Point of fact, the best they can do is “flirt” with .500. And they are the 2nd oldest team in the NHL. How does this happen to an expansion-era team??
Kovalchuk is only obligated to play out his contract, which expires in 2010.
The ownership can’t get fired. Ownership has its priviledges. That’s one of them. “The Eternal GM,” Don Waddell can get fired. But the ownership seemingly doesn’t have a handle on that situation. They seem to defer to Waddell’s best judgement on roster matters and personnel decisions. And unless they fire him soon, he’ll make the Hossa trade or he’ll make the decision to “gamble it all” at the Trade deadline, probably sacrificing more future draft picks and/or former draft picks. Like D-man Boris Valabik, a 1st round pick back in 2004, and LW Brett Sterling, a steal of a latter round pick (155th overall).
Jeff, Waddell can get away with claiming to be a BUYER at the trade deadline since the Thrashers are only a few points off Division lead. Had Carolina run away with this division, Atlanta would today be fielding “best offers” for Hossa and selling off Holik, Zhitnik, Havelid, Klee, McCarthy, Haydar, Krog, Dupuis, Boulton and Larsen for the “best offer” and stockpiling picks for a DEEP DRAFTS in 2008 and 2009.
These are the “blessings” of an NHL which sees .500 teams very much “in the hunt” on Feb.1st. Unless you’re team is the **Red Wings,” you can best characterize your team’s in the 2007-08 season as “streaky.”
By Uh...
January 26, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Brendan, do you always have to use “quotes,” ALL CAPS, and bold letters to accentuate your posts? Your points are usually very good, but we don’t need all the extras.
By Brendan
January 26, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Uh, yes I do. But thanks for noticing.
By Sage of Bluesland
January 27, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
So, our bumbling, blustering Donny got booed upon introductions…Good.
He’s completely out of his league at such an event as the All-Star festivities.
Face it, folks: Our bumbling, blustering Donny isn’t a major league GM—or coach. It’s time he goes back to selling port-a-potties, his true medium…
(and if you wonder why there haven’t been any memorable quotes recently—such as “Five-Year Plan” and playoff “guarantees”, it seems our brilliant Donny doesn’t quite communicate with the media like he once did…See if he keeps his big mouth shut, nothing will spew forth…)
By Blueland MATHis
January 27, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Sage of Blueland + Jeff Schultz = 69
By Mike
January 27, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Please explain to me how you can justifiably say we have a weak farm system when the Chicago Wolves (currently 3rd in the AHL in points) went deep into the AHL playoffs last year (Western Conference Championship where they lost 4 games to 1 to the eventual Calder Cup Champions.) The Gwinett Gladiators are no team to laugh at either. Currently 3rd in their division, and 5th in their Conference.
By Brendan
January 27, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Mike, I agree that Chicago’s potential has yet to be revealed. There appears to be some talent down there ready to come up and contribute. I am thinking of goaltender Ondrej Pavelec and defensemen Boris Valabik, Grant Lewis, and Nathan Oystrick. Also, Brett Sterling and center Darren Haydar appear “capable” of coming up to the bigs to lend a helping hand. Let’s not forget Colin Stuart.
I don’t want to answer for Jeff Schultz, but I’d wager that he’d argue that the Wolves have not cultivated enough “major contributors” through the Waddell years. Though, certainly, they have provided some assistance to the Thrashers. Garnett Exelby and Tobias Enstrom played in Chicago. I think Jim Slater played there, briefly. Kari Lehtonen played a few seasons in Chicago.
I can already see where this topic is headed. Whose job is it, first and foremost, to develop talent for the Thrashers? The GM, in concert with the scouts, who draft it or the Coaching staffs in Chicago and Atlanta?
Unfortunately, such debates take away from the matter at hand. Namely, the direction of the Atlanta Thrashers as it sits at the crossroads of either being “buyers” or “sellers” at the looming trade deadline.
Here’s direction that I’d like to see the topic go: If we are buyers, do you think Waddell can really get ENOUGH for us to be contenders versus merely being ‘participants’ in this year’s playoffs? If the answer to that question is, “No, Waddell can’t enough for us to seriously challenge the Senators, Flyers, Devils, Rangers, etc.,” then some consideration ought to be given towards what “selling off assets” might bring for “reloading” for the future, to give our club a more serious chance whenever it is that we next make the playoffs.
Keep in mind, folks, just “being in the playoffs” is something nearly 55% of the league’s teams experience annually. Is it really worth mortgaging the future over? Is one playoff win more important that the BIG PICTURE of reaching the Conference Finals, then on to the Stanley Cup Finals? I would hope not. One playoff win … is … really … no big deal.
By Sage of Bluesland
January 27, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Well, when the farm teams actually supply some talent to the major league club, then come and talk to me about the “strength” of our farm…
Three non-first rounders on the roster in nearly a decade (including Enstrom, who never saw a day in Gwinnett or Chicago). Wow. Impressive!
Maybe—just MAYBE—they’re minor league teams which are loaded with above-average MINOR league talent whose players will NEVER progress to the NHL? Ever thought of that?
Don’t ASSUME that good minors equals good future. If that were the case, where is this “flood” of talent to help out the Thrashers? It hasn’t been there before and the Wolves have been winning for a while now.
I view the role of the minors as player development only and couldn’t give a rip about records at that level.
Wake up and stop making excuses for the underperformance.
By T-Bone
January 27, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Brendan, I’ve had those same thoughts and came to the same conclusion that giving up more talent to just make the playoffs doesn’t do it for me at this point. I’d rather be a seller and stockpile picks for those deep, upcoming drafts. Of course, that begs the question, what will our less-than-astute scouting department do with those draft picks? When I see a Phaneuf and Kopitar on all-star ice and realize they could have been wearing Thrasher blue will we just squander more high draft picks if the same braintrust is left in place to do the picking?
By MS WADDELL
January 27, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
I LOVE DON
By Brendan
January 27, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
T-Bone, I was PLEASED to see one of my longheld points of SPECULATION confirmed by Don Waddell this weekend. Which one?
Remember when I posted, right after Kari’s dredded groin injury in 2005, that had Waddell owned the 1st overall pick in 2000, that he likely would have selected Goaltender Rick DiPietro over Dany Heatley that year? The blog topic at the time was the “prowess” of DW’s draft history, and how so many bloggers were PRAISING HIM UP & DOWN for his selection of Dany Heatley in 2000. Citing him as a “draft day guru.”
Well, this VERY WEEKEND, Don Waddell looked into a camera, on the NHL CHANNEL, and admitted that Rick DiPietro would have been his choice, if he had the top pick in 2000.
I knew it! I suspected that allll along. Well, beeee honest. How many of you would have given Waddell a “pass” for “passing on Heatley?” Hmmn? Oh my goodness. What just happened to your HONESTY? You would have NEVER left DW live it down … that he “passed” on Heatley. And ya know it.
And ya know it. You’re all capable of being honest. Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that Don Waddell actually meant, “If, at #2, Rick DiPietro were still available, (meaning the Islanders took Heatley,) I would have selected him.” Okay, then what?
That means he “passes” on RW Marian Gaborik, D-man R. Klesla, and LW Raffi Torres, and LW Scott Hartnell. Would you have been “fine” with that?
By the way, T-bone, this “rant” wasn’t directed at you. :)
By Fan
January 27, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
We can always count on Jeff to present such a positive article while everyone is in town for the All Star game. For the rest of you, give it a rest for the weekend. If you have been to Philips this weekend, you will see that hockey is alive and well in Atlanta. It is also a great sight to see every age having so much fun. I am beginning to feel that everyone on this blog needs a happy pill!
By Jeff
January 27, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
When thinking about the future of the Thrashers, one can’t help but feel frustrated at what will occur. Hossa is gone at the deadline (hopefully to a Western Conf team). We gain a few draft picks and maybe a solid defenseman. We then either squander those picks by drafting players who simply won’t pan out; or, best case scenario, will pan out 2 or 3 years down the road. When Kovy’s contract is up for renewal he will certainly demand more many than Hoss will now. And what’s to say he won’t feel the same way Hoss does? Honestly, if you were in Kovy’s shoes, why choose to stay in Atlanta when you can hit the FA market and pick your team AND pick your salary?
As much as I have backed Waddell in the past, I feel his time here has run its course. The fact is, 8 years is more than enough time to put together a solid winner (especially with two No. 1 picks and two No. 2’s). Granted, Waddell wasn’t given all the money in the world to work with, but the multiple botched draft picks are inexcusable.
Here’s another thing to ask ourselves as Thrashers fans. How does the complete confusion and uncertainty in ownership help us woo a GM who is willing to take on this reclamation project?
By Remie
January 27, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
What a bunch of hot air know-it-alls!!!!! You guys don’t know squat - you remind me of playgound bullies who just need one b*** slap to send you cowering. Don’t you get sick of whining all the time? Oh no, I forgot, that’s the only thing you CAN do!
By terry
January 27, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
You have 2 superstars. Kovalchuk and Hossa.
Like the Preds, Thrashers made a dumb deal at the deadline. Just to grow Hockey through some possible advancement in the playoffs. At least the Preds had more hope.
From the article here “Tonight is the diversion. People will need another reason to come back.”
I’m from Vancouver and while we are appreciate of others love for our sport…it is time we took it back more.
Hockey is the greatest game in the world and nothing comes even remotely close.
Perhaps though, you would have to be from Canada to understand.
I think Hockey has a problem in the USA is that it is perceived as a foreign sport and discriminated against. There is much discrimination in the USA. Some patriotic way but the people are very nice.
People are the same everywhere. Just differences in ideas. Think time the NHL pointed north more. We sure desire more teams in Canada and could support quite a few, especially in Ontario with the population.
For the Hockey fans in Atlanta, wish you could experience the Canadian way of Hockey.
But Atlanta is not a Canada and never grew up with the sport. You are partial to what is more natural to you.
I think the future of Hockey is more to its natural areas and Europe. Cater to the devoted than trying to spread the gospel.
By Marty
January 27, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Terry, I think we understand how great hockey is. Go blog on one of the Canadien sites.
By terry
January 27, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Hi Marty
By the way, Canadian is with an “a”…unless you are a Montreal Club
Cheers