Sports Columnists

By Don Waddel

February 26, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

You writing about hockey would be like Custance writing about frog tossing. your retorts are whiny, and i honestly didn’t make it through your ‘article’. try plagerizing..your articles are as redundant as you claim the Thrashers stance on making the playoffs is. I’ll point out what you missed, Hossa had every chance to help Atlanta be a winner. where was he last year when we were IN the playoffs ? same place he always has been during the playoffs..invisible.

By Buzilla Baby Blue

February 26, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

couldn’t wait to write this one could you Shultzy. I assume you blog under the guise of LAC or perhaps Pucks N Snot…

whatever…I’m moving soon and won’t have to read your crap any longer. In fact, why and I doing it now?

By Xshouldcheckyou

February 26, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this

I would say, “Schultz, you’re an idiot,” but that would be redundant. The reason you’ve never heard of Armstrong and Christensen is you’ve never seen a hockey game. Go back to your Jim Beam, and leave the hockey to the real men.

By Left to Right

February 26, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

The root of the problem is the Atlanta Spirit ownership. They are clueless and disfunctional. At this point, I hope Belkin wins the lawsuit-one that seemingly has no end in sight.

Is there some reason the Spirit cannot fire Waddell, Knight and Woodson? Why haven’t moves been made regarding those three? Is there an internal disagreement about doing so? Is money the issue-because the Spririt appear to be badly undercapitalized.

By Labatt

February 26, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

You talk about letting Savard go, and a team, already weak on the blueline, has had a void up the middle ever since!

You do realize that the blueline is defense… not center!

Leave the hockey to Custance please.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 26, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

Schultz is the ONLY one at the AJC who sees through the spin of our bumbling idiotic GM, Don Waddell—you know, the one person who IS the sole and lone architect of this mess that is currently the woeful Thrashers…

Our bumbling Donny has been here since day one and this is what we’ve waited almost TEN years for???

You people need to grow up and learn what the word ACCOUNTABILITY means. After learning such a big word, look in the mirror and see and observe what a mindless sheep looks like—one who laps everything the organization dishes up for your consumption…

Enjoy the price increase! Whoever subsidizes this utter incompetence is a fool…

By Willi Plett

February 26, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

can we trade Jeff Schultz ? seriously..actual hockey fans should not even have to scroll over his garbage. never heard of Armstrong ? haha.. he was the heart and soul of the Pens, and he’ll bring something alien to the Atlanta team. GRIT and character, and all those intangibles we tend to lack on a consistent basis. he’s a gamer. we need more of those.

You missed the point of what DW did during this circumstance regarding the Hossa situation. so i’ll tell you.. he got a return..and that’s what DW did. he had zero choice. cut the guy some slack, you don’t even watch the games you chode. another 1st rd pick in a deep draft and two roster players.. that isn’t bad for a rental we were going to lose. you don’t understand the sport, let alone the business of it. please stop writing for the AJC. you ruin its credibilty.

and ..yeah..please explain icing now Schultzie, it’s complicated.. :) ever heard of Willi Plett ? haha..chode.

By Masha7Player

February 26, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

Schultz, you are not qualified to write about the Thrashers, let alone hockey. It pains us real hockey fans everytime you mention hockey. You are not stupid, just ignorant.

Real fans - and anyone north of the Mason-Dixon line knows that Christensen and Armstrong are actually two very capable players, with size, grit and a good team attitude. Most NHL teams would have both of those guys on their team - and I am not a Pens fan so there is no bias!!

AJC editors - it’s about time to step up your rag of a newspaper and get real writers writing about things they know. Schultz writing about hockey is pathetic!

By Buzilla Baby Blue

February 26, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Since your retarded Jeff I will introduce you to Colby Armstrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv1l_WHqI-w&feature=related

Now this is a minute long, so you will have to pay attention for a long time. AND if you watch it, it will probably be the most hockey you have watched this season.

putz

By LAC

February 26, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

baby blue, since you and NOT a knowledgeable NHL fan, you cannot face facts… When you going to bash Sage or Stroz, they say the same things I do.

don waddell is a terrible GM and the ASG is a complete joke.

When one of your star players wants OUT because your team is not very good, what does THAT say baby ?

I guess you are more likely a sprit owner in guise because facing the paying fans is something a coward like you will not do.

BTW 5-1 Montreal… We are a GREAT TEAM RIGHT ????????

By Jeff Schultz

February 26, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

Checking in early. Interesting that some fans are still OK with a potential playoff-less season and selling off assets. That said . .

JS

By A.S.

February 26, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Not sure if anyone else got the email from Don Waddell. But it was a joke! As Schultz states D.W. is talking about the future and not the present. What about the team now? Is he saying in the email that these two mild players will make up for a superstar and grinder? I dont think thats possible.

Ownership is a JOKE! When are you guys ever going to get serious about this team? How do you expect us to support the team if there is nothing to watch? You trade our superstar player for a couple of decent guys. I am very upset to be a Thrashers fan this year. It is time to become serious about this team and start investing some money!

By will

February 26, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

maybe he can play for the sorry hawks, get your money’s worth. Both $$uk

By Ha!

February 26, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

It’s Hockey. Who Cares?

By EX-fan of BLUE LAND

February 26, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers are going to lay down like a cheap date now, 5-1 again tonight? Every since the AJC started the rumor of Hoosa being traded, they’ve played like a last placed team; while being in the mix for the lead…QUITTERS, and I don’t just mean the players, meanly management!!!! …Carolina pulled away because winning is their mindset, players and management!!! It is not for the Thrashers. LOW Budget Hockey….too much like the Falcons and Hawks. TYPICAL ALT sports will never get any better until this crap stops!!!

By Ernster

February 26, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

“never heard of Armstrong ? haha.. he was the heart and soul of the Pens”

Uh, not quite.

Armstrong is gritty and a gamer, but his scoring and playmaking are very average with no room for improvement. Christensen might pan out well for Thrashers, but again, no all-star potential there either. The #1 pick and Espisito are light years away from stars, if at all. It was a respectable return for a player leaving in two months, but it will do nothing to improve the Thrashers over the next few years. Armstrong and Christensen will leave as free agents in two years or so and if the pick or Espisito isn’t on the first or second line, then it was a nothing trade.

Full Disclosure - I am an Penguins fan and the fact they gave up almost nothing talent wise from their major league roster makes this a good deal for the Pens. Armstong and Christensen are your middling average players that can be had by the dozens each year in free agency. Espisito is high risk/high reward or high risk/no reward king of enigma.

By Crazy Diamond

February 26, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Left to Right said it all. The Atlanta Spirit ownership group has been in a money bind since the Belkin split. Neither league (NHL or NBA) will ever approve an ownership arrangement like this one again. And Belkin, Geron, Sydell, etc all know it. The ownership mess has affected their ability to fire and hire General Managers and Coaches, make trades, pay players, improve training facilities … you name it.

By The Coop

February 26, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

Just because the Thrashers and Don Waddell suck don’t take it out on Schultz. He’s followed the birds from day one and his opinions are right on. So go bite the big one and take DW with you! F’ing IDIOTS!!!! I’m so tired of losing we FREAKING SUCK!!!

By Bob Sacamano

February 26, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

Waddell should have been fired 2 years ago.

Then again, Billy Knight should have been fired the second he didn’t draft Chris Paul.

The problem, Jeff, isn’t Waddell or Knight.

The problem is the idiot men who allowed these overmatched idiots run their teams.

By Greg Mann

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

Leave the hockey stuff to Custance. ‘Nuff said.

By Peter

February 26, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

You talk about letting Savard go, and a team, already weak on the blueline, has had a void up the middle ever since!

You do realize that the blueline is defense… not center!

Leave the hockey to Custance please<<

The point is that the D was weak and when Marc left that made us weak at another position. It’s called reading comprehension.

Jeff has been covering hockey for many years BEFORE the latest Atlanta hockey incarnation. This type of resonse to THE TRUTH is mind boggling but typical of Atlanta sports blogs.

It’s Shultz’ fault that the Thrashers are treading water again this season. Hoss wanted out because we’re not going to win anytime soon. Never if DW stays.

Here’s something unsaid that doesn’t have to be said..

How much longer until Ilya forces a trade? Think Kari wants another season of this??

By Bob

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

Waddell should have been fired 2 years ago

2 years? Try before the lockout. Waddell has proven his incompetence time and time again (I wake up in cold sweats some nights thinking of the litany of bad dmen he’s signed and drafted over the years), even the Spirit boys can see it now. When Hoss won’t sign no matter what they offered him because Waddell can’t build a “winning environment” here, Hoss did us all a huge favor. The owners see that their GM couldn’t retain a star player, we should all thank Hoss for doing that and for shining the light on the true problem.

This season has been the final straw for us on season tickets. We are not renewing until ASG fires Waddell AND allows the new GM to make some moves on July 1st to get this team where it needs to be. Come talk to me in July and show me why I should pay more of my hard earned money to watch your product.

Waddell wasted the first 8 seasons of our existence. It’s a damn shame that we have to start over, but it can be done. There’s plenty of Cap room now and two more of Waddell’s bad contracts drop off this summer in Rucchin and Holik.

You know who I really feel sorry for? Kovy. Anyone hear his interview during the game “I hope to play with Hoss again”?

By rockdr99

February 26, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

Jeff — I wish if you were going to write about hockey you would do your homework — If you want to know about the guys we got, read the blogs on the Pittsburgh Gazette — They are running about 75 percent against the trade — Why, the Pens mortgaged their future for the true definition of rent-a-player, a regular season star who arguably disappears in the playoffs — What did we get, some size and some grit

Where does that leave us, better off but still a rudder-less ship — Championships are built with defense, remember Belliard and Bream — We have to follow this up with an active pursuit of a stronger defense with our huge salary cap differential this summer (are you listening ASG?) —

We have the worst differential in shots on goal in hockey — Without overtime gimmic hockey, our W-L record is terrible —

These are the things you could have written about — But, what are you really, did you even finish .500 in your football predictions (ATS)this year?— If you want to write about hockey, bring some modicum of knowledge sprinkled with a little insight —

By scottBravesFan

February 26, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

Jeff,

Thanks for the column on the Thrashers. I agree this team is going no where fast. And the sad thing is when Kovy is a free agent in a couple of years they will have to deal him too. You would think the Thrashers won the cup last year by the way the ownership has acted. The team is poorly constructed and Waddell should be fired.

By Philips Arena Zamboni Pilot

February 26, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

When I got the email from Waddell, I THOUGHT HE WAS RESIGNING!!! No such luck.

By David Duke

February 27, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Ice Puckey, Bahhhhhhh! Who cares about ice puckey? It pales in comparison to watching paint dry in terms of being interesting. Hat tricks, blue lines, high sticking and wobbly skating, who cares? I’d rather watch women’s street puckey. Much more interesting. Any of you ice puckey fans ever watch curling? Now there’s a sport!

By Jeff

February 27, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this

If you’ve never heard of Colby Armstrong or Erik Christensen, you don’t know hockey at all and certainly shouldn’t be writing about it. If you’re assuming that we don’t know who Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen are, you might be surprised to learn that you’re not any smarter than your readers and shouldn’t pretend to be.

By Casey

February 27, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this

I get so sick of whiny players who demand to be traded to a winning team. If Hossa was such a great player, he would have played like one this year, Hartley wouldn’t have been fired, and the Thrashers would be a winning team. Players who think like that are losers. That’s the way losers think. Things aren’t going well, so they want to go to a team that is already winning. This explains why Hossa disappears in the playoffs. That’s the way Schultz and just about every other sports writer thinks. Thats the reason they never were players. They are basically losers. So, they write about it instead. All they are good at is tearing other people down.

Great players make teams win, not the other way around.

By holton

February 27, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

Grew up a hockey fan, know a good deal about hockey and Jeff, gotta admit, you don’t. This team wasn’t going anywhere with or without Hossa. The guy has showna real lack fire and everyone wishes the whole Heatley thing could have never have happened.

There are several key things wrong with this team.

1. Its an offensive built team, yet it has no offense. The only real scoring threat is Kovi, Dupuis was good to so I’m sad to see him go.
2. They have no defense and if you watch they do not seem to know how to play good defense. I feel bad for Kari and Moose because if they had some stout help they’d look a lot better.
3. Coaching, the coaching is awful, every game I go to I’m yelling at waddell to just have one of his guys camp in front of the net. They set up in the opponents end on a power play and just shoot at the net from the perimeter. The thing Ktachuck brought was a guy who could camp out in front.

Its not about spending more money, Carolina and Tampa have proved it doesn’t take tons of $$ to win a stanley cup. Its about good coaching and good defense, two things this team does not have.

The trade had to happen and I’m glad it did. hossa was over rated and did not want to be here. Frankly if I was being traded from Pitt to ATL I’d be pumped about living in a city that is not a complete dump(PIT), so maybe these guys can get something going here.

By Brendan

February 27, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this

You guys are hammering Schultz pretty hard for a saucy comment that I interpreted to mean, “Not Gretzky, not Lemieux. Not even Crosby or Ovechkin.” I believe the spirit behind the comment, “For two other guys you’ve never heard of,” is in contrast to the name Hossa, which is a “household name” not just in Atlanta, but anywhere in the league. I don’t really think Schultz was implying that YOU, the regular hockey blogger/posters, don’t know who Armstrong and Christensen are. At least, that’s how I read it. If that really is how Schultz meant it, I’ll let him clarify that for you.

Many Thrasher fans are historically upset with Jeff Schultz because he often writes hockey columns that accentuate what’s WRONG and FAILING with this hockey team. Occasionally, at the most inopportune of times. It has always been Schutlz’ contention, “I just write about what happened.”

Stop. Has a lot GONE WRONG in these eight years? Answer: Yes. That is, if you’re being TRUTHFUL. And you know something? You are, ALL OF YOU, capable of “being honest.” And while I’ve got you “being honest,” is this where you envisioned the team would be … in SEASON EIGHT?, when you giddily bought your season tickets back in 1999, thinking that you were investing in the foundation of what could be a series of Stanley Cup Championships for this city?

That said, not EVERYTHING has gone wrong. Schultz recently posted a column about how Kari Lehtonen has finally showed signs of being a mature goaltender who can be responsible enough to carry the load. And WHAT A LOAD it is!! Sometimes, it’s 40 or more shots a night!! How many of you thought, in season eight, we’d have glaring defensive deficiences like that? But it’s more than just “shots,” is “quality scoring chances” that Atlanta allows. Which is a much BIGGER problem … than merely “shots on goal.”

By Brendan

February 27, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this

Jeff, of course I got sidetracked from what I originally intended to write. Namely, that the the “firesale” never really happened. Not to my satisfaction, anyway. We left “rentable” UFAs on the table, like Captain Holik, Goaltender Moose Hedberg, and Blueliner Steve McCarthy. Not only that, what would someone have paid for winger Mark Recchi? And let’s not forget, that for “throw away” draft picks, minor leaguers like Krog and Haydar, who are also pending UFAs, could have been moved.

So Jeff Schultz, why weren’t they moved? I know that YOU KNOW the answer. They weren’t moved so that DW could obfuscate that the selling of Hossa could bring back pieces that still allowed the team to defend its Southeast Division title.

“Denial” is not just a river in Egypt. The season ended, effectively, with the losses to the Isles, ‘Canes, and Buds in what were “must win” games. I cannot stress enough how points from these games would determine if the team’s UFA’s would be REMOVED or RETAINED for the stretch run. The Thrashers laid an egg. Correction, a GOOSE EGG on that account. Bobby Holik said it best, “If we cannot beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, a low-end team in this league, then we don’t deserve the playoffs.” Well, tonight the “0-fer” continued, with yet another regulation-time loss to Montreal.

Unless “A Miracle Worker” finds his or her way behind the Thrashers bench, this just isn’t going to happen. Not matter how much we beg Helen Keller to assume the post.

DW’s failure to “give up the ghost” and admit the playoffs aren’t going to happen … cost the franchise untold picks and prospects. Certainly, Holik would have fetched draft picks at a minimum. Clearly, Hedberg, as “insurance” for some team, would have netted us some draft picks or a defensive prospect. Even Steve McCarthy could have fetched another latter round draft pick. And Recchi, at this point, maybe even a 1st round pick. Right from the Habs, this very evening. Bygones.

Okay, if this wasn’t a “firesale,” then tell me, again, how Atlanta was a BUYER at the trade deadline? Atlanta actually SHED payroll by these moves!!! What UFAs and RFAs did Atlanta acquire, outside of the Hossa trade, for the playoff run?

Bueller? Bueller?? Bueller????

That’s right. It didn’t. It made some AHL for AHL player deal. Whooptido!! Who the heck is Giroux, anyways? Don Waddell said, “we’ll be BUYERS at the trade deadline.” I have here, the Nineth Websters collegiate dictionary. And even the most LIBERAL of interpretation of their account of this word BUYERS does not apply to this situation, for the Thrashers.

Scott Burnside was right all along. The owners do not have a handle on the GM position of this franchise. And if they don’t make a change … after 8 years … with no playoff series victories … without so much as winning a single playoff game … with a team that has (1) no identity, (2) no heart, (3) limited “grit,” (4) selective “desire,” and (5) total inconsistency, then WHY should anyone support this franchise with real, “legal tender?”

Trust me, the owners will get the message and change. They don’t make any money if they don’t sell the inventory. And when the inventory gathers cobbwebs on the shelves, eventually … the store owner will figure out that he cannot line his shelves with garbage that nobody wants. Moreover, he cannot compensate for the lack of sales by JACKING UP THE PRICE for what is ACTUALLY SOLD to the desperate souls who buy mostly out of pity. Or because … they feel compelled not to break their streak of being able to claim, “I’ve been a season ticket holder since the Inaugural season.” Yeah, that’s wearing a “bit thin” these days.

By dugoutAK

February 27, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this

Schultz, you can’t pretend to be a writer either!

By tbone

February 27, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this

Waddell says there is no quit in this team. What team is he watching? Fire him today! If Waddell is in the house I’ll stay in mine.

By BG33Brown

February 27, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this

Wow….that was a real 14 paragraphs there Brendan. You need to start taking ambien or something.

Schultz, there is no doubt the casual hockey fan hasn’t heard of Armstrong or Christensen. That great b.c usually all Waddell does is add old retreaded names that were good 5 years ago (Zhitnik, Holik, Rucchin, etc).

This is a move that makes us younger (something we were promised after last season) and tougher (which we weren’t today). THere is no doubt we aren’t a playoff team this season. But if the Flyers can make the turn around they did in one off season, there is no reason we cannot.

All we need now is a GM who can sign a good free agent. And DW isn’t that guy-but I appauld him for putting this franchise’s future before his job security.

By hockeyman 3944

February 27, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

Nice move Donny..it took you all freakin season to pull this trigger on this gem? Hossa could see the obvious light here with this sorry a$$ franchise and took the smart move and bolted. He could see the directionless management, the utterly clueless ownership and I’ll give him credit, he was smart to leave. Superb “deal” Donny..ridding yourself of a 56 point man, admittedly, he was dogging it because he wanted out and no factor in the playoffs historically anyway for these two: big deal about Colby Armstrong as someone posted a CHEAP HIT from him on You Tube..big deal! He’s scored a whopping 9 goals and 15 assists as a third liner. Christensen? Almost as good: 9 goals and 11 assists..WHEW talk about making a deal just to make a deal..that’s the best Donny boy could do? WHERE IN THE HELL WAS A DEAL FOR DEFENSE??? Zits is worthless, undersized and lost a step, at least bring in some size from Chicago..Valabik and Sipotz both 6’7”..intimidate and punish at least! This team is losing my interest and I’ve been playing, coaching and been a fan since I’ve been five years old…I’m 54! Make it quick Thrashers, four seasons tickets are hanging in the balance!

By wristshot

February 27, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this

Good article Mr Schultz. The truth really does hurt sometimes and a lot of these fans on here can’t see past their rose colored glasses. We have been a blueprint for mediocrity since day one.

By raindawg722

February 27, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Good trade, but we should have been willing to deal every UFA that we had on the roster. Even for mid to low round picks. After all, Enstrom was drafted in the eighth round. The draft is a crap shoot for this organization and we need as many shots at getting lucky as we can possibly muster.

By mike

February 27, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

I totally agree with Shultz. This team lacks a leader, an identity and focus. I’ve played hockey, grown up in Hockeytown and am an avid Thrashers fan. But come-on guys this team is not a playoff contender. The division is weak and this team, as we sit here now has no business playing for Lord Stanleys coveted cup. The decision to get rid of Hossa was the best for him, the should have gotten someone to fill the leaks in the dike now but thats why Waddell is payed the big bucks, if not to lose them as well.

By Section119

February 27, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Cry Babies! You all act like DW wanted to trade Hossa and that he is happy being $10 million + under the cap by virtue of FAs like Perrin and White. It is ownership. Look at the good teams, NJ, Anahiem, Detroit….all have solid, supportive ownership willing to spend to win.

By hockey fan

February 27, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

If you want a good perspective of the trade go to TSN.CA and read all the posted messages. More than 250 post. They call Atlanta big winners at the trade deadline. Pen’s fans are livid that they gave up so much for two rental player’s.Jeff, maybe you should ask the Beast if he was asked to take the team over Maybe you should ask the ownership if the courts nixed the Holik for Madden trade. The Thrashers won a divisional championship faster than any expansion team. Waddell deserves one more year. If he fails, He will be the first to fire himself.

By atlhockeyfan

February 27, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Hey 199- NJ won, not because of ownership, but more because of a GM that had a blueprint and got the right guys to play that system. NJ was never a big FA player, but rather brought up guys through the draft. All the big names there from their Cup years (with the exception of Stevens who was the awarded compensation from the Blues for Shanahan’s FA signing) came up that way- Brodeur, Niedermeyer, Rafalski, Guerin, Madden, etc. Where have the Thrasher draft picks been? Where is our blueprint? Waddell has given us nothing- 2 home playoff games in 8 years? Time to go!!!

By Derrick

February 27, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

Full Disclosure: I am NOT a Trashers fan.

Anyway, the comments here suggest that:

1. Atlanta fans are delusional about their hockey team.
2. Atlanta fans can’t spell.
3. When the truth is spoken, Atlanta fans can’t handle it.

First of all, the article is correct. Setting aside the poetic license within the prose (which dumb Atlanta fans use to criticize the author, blinding them further of its real message), this team is a team going nowhere. Are they rebuilding or are they contending? Neither. They are stuck somewhere in the middle; that is, mediocrity. It’s like Ilya said in Montreal, it’s lucky they play in the weak Southeast, where they always have a shot. But in any other division, the Trash would languish in the cellar.

Secondly, many of you fans are correct in that this is mostly the fault of ownership. Until this team is sold, there is no hope.

Third, do you fans honestly believe that this team is built to be a Stanley Cup contender? The comments seem to suggest as much. If this team were to make the playoffs, which is a pipe dream at best, they are not equipped to win 16 games in the brutal post-season against the best teams in the East. There are pieces sorely missing, and the acquisitions from Pittsburgh will not put them over the top as some of you think.

What DW should have done was to get rid of Holik, Zhitnik, Recchi, and a host of other vets to stockpile prospects and draft picks. Although this team would be a loser for the next couple of years, it does need to be rebuilt. Then in 3-4 years’ time, you will end up with a strong, young team who might be a Hossa trade away from full contention. Real hockey fans and ownership know this and should be patient during this process. Unfortunately, Atlanta fans demand mediocrity and ownership doesn’t know any better. If I were a fan of this team, I would demand a rebuilding phase and put up with a sorry team. Heck, right now, they are already a sorry team, but with too many high-priced veterans and not enough young stars. Better to be this kind of team with an up-and-coming roster than an aging one. Of course, this would never happen because ownership won’t allow it.

To be perfectly honest, I am glad that Atlanta has a hockey team, which affords me the opportunity to watch the NHL in person. However, Atlanta does not deserve a hockey team because its fans are idiots, the ownership even more so, and the marketing is horrible beyond belief. I mean, if you weren’t a hockey fan, would you have known that the All-Star Game was in town? To say that the game wasn’t promoted properly is an overstatement. And what is the deal with “Blueland?” Give me a break!

By Jeff Schultz

February 27, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Good morning. I’m in Orlando but checking in. Thanks to those who aren’t overstating the “two guys you’ve never heard of” comment. The context I thought was fairly obvious — non household names, certainly relative to Hossa. Just to clarify/restate: As far as actually weighing how much the Thrashers got in return for Hoss, that mostly is going to depend on how Esposito develops and who the No. 1 pick is. But this shouldn’t be about that. It’s about where the team is TODAY. For those who are content with where the Thrashers are, that’s fine —but we’re on different wave lengths. I think a team should be further along after eight seasons and nine years. ….. #### Brendan—- the only reason I can think of as to why other players (Holik, Hedberg, Recchi, etc.) weren’t traded is the weak market. Maybe teams weren’t offering much. Personally. I’m surprised Holik wasn’t dealt, given his playoff experience and faceoff ability. I know Recchi was talked about, but remember he had been on waivers so it’s not like other teams couldn’t have him before. As for Moose, realistically, what’s another team going to deal for a backup goalie at the deadline? But I”m sure Waddell was open to trading any of those guys.

By sl

February 27, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Relax people, we were not going anywhere this season anyway and Hoss was gone for nothing if a “deal” was not made. Stop blaming DW. Do you think if Arthur owned this team we would be millions UNDER the CAP! Its all about OWNERSHIP. This group is underfinanced, leveraged to the max, and that is our problem. If you want to petition for change, focus on a ne owner , and notice I did not say “Ownership Group.”

By Derrick

February 27, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

@Mike:

Well said! You are one of the few but truly knowledgeable hockey fans in this area.

By Chris

February 27, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Jeff - good column and mainly on point. The responsibility for what ended up happening here is a direct result of the inability of the owners and GM to put this franchise in a position where someone like Hossa would want to stay.

I would have liked to see some mention however of the excellent job DW did on this deal. This team needed NHL depth and we got two guys who can play immediately. Christensen has been stuck behind Crosby, Malkin, and Staal so it would not be surprising to see him crank up the production with more responsibility and ice time.

By Pucks n Snot

February 27, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

Holton, you pile of reeking PUSS…..Pittsburgh is a dump? Pittsburgh’s downtown is beautiful, with an impressive skyline, 2 of the most renowned sports stadiums in the world, and a multitude of bridges stretching across the three rivers, all nestled between rolling green hills. What does Shytlanta have that compares to that? The horrific GEORGIA DOME, one of the UGLIEST facilities in the country, NO water ANYWHERE,a terribly planned downtown/midtown setup that looks like someone forgot to fill in the gap between the two, and the only bridges you have are interstate overpasses that connect gang territories. WHO LIVES IN A PIT NOW, GOMER?? Oh, and the Hossa trade, well, aside from Ray Shero giving up half his team for a guy he’s not going to re sign, how hilarious to see ANOTHER superstar packing his bags and scrambling for the first flight out of SHYTLANTA - THE WORST HOCKEY CITY - UM, I MEAN SPORTS CITY - IN THE U.S.!!!!! Congratulations, Thrashers - in less than 3 years you have managed to run off Dany Heatley, Marc Savard and now Marian Hossa - 3 of the greatest hockey players in the world!! AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! The other guy was right, too - KOVALCHUK IS NEXT!! You don’t think he’s got his agent already planning his escape behind the scenes? THINK AGAIN, BOZOS! NO ONE - and I mean NO ONE wants to play in the armpit of the NHL that is the TRASH-ERS organization! Bad owners - Bad GM - EXTREMELY BAD UNIFORMS!! A HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!! Give it up, gomers! You had (ANOTHER) chance at the NHL and you BLEW it (AGAIN)….GIVE UP THAT TEAM TO AN OWNER AND A TOWN THAT CAN DO SOMETHING WITH IT! A HA HA HAHA HAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!

By Eileen

February 27, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the tip to go to TSN.CA. It does appear a lot of fans feel we got the better end of the deal on the trade. The common thought on Hossa is that he is a rental player. Time will tell. DW had plenty of compliments as well.

By Billy Knight and Mike Woodson

February 27, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

FIRE DONNY!!!

By ex-paying customer

February 27, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Dear Don,

Thank you for the personal email outlining yesterday’s trade that took place seven minutes before the deadline. I am sure it was a day wrought with anxiety and high emotion for you and I would be the first to say, congratulations on a job well done!

Having said that, what I have to say next brings me great pain. I can no longer support you and the organization you head up. What does that mean, you might be asking yourself? It simply means that I will no longer purchase tickets to any home game, be they season tickets, flex-plan tickets, or single game tickets in way, shape, or form. I won’t attend any more of your “town hall” meetings wherein I get to listen to you drone on about your 5-year…no 8-year…no 10-year plan for making Atlanta a playoff contention team. I won’t come to Philips Arena with my friends or family and consume what easily amounts to well over $100 every time in concessions. To be honest, I won’t even be one of the very few people in the metro Atlanta market who tunes in on television to watch this listless team falter at every occasion.

Let’s face it, Don. This team could have easily coughed up the cash to keep Marian Hossa but that wasn’t the problem. The problem was, Marian is a winner and he wants to play on a club that has an opportunity to win every time they step on the ice. Sure, you guys have that chance too, just not as often (I don’t know, maybe less that 50% of the time???) and Marian saw the writing on the wall. I am betting he was as fed up with your tired old rhetoric as I am. Sadly, he can move on to bigger and better things because it’s all part of the job as a professional hockey player, while I can’t. I am an Atlanta fan, through and through. That’s not going to change anytime soon, but darnnit, you sure are trying your hardest to push me away.

I wasn’t going to write this email today until I received yours and read that you still think you are running a playoff contending team. After watching that drubbing that took place in Montreal last night I just couldn’t take it anymore. Didn’t you fire Bob Hartley earlier in the season because the team lacked that spark, that jump, that certain je ne sais quoi? Here’s the tough question, Don. What are you going to about yourself? The only way the team could look flatter is if they were run over by the bus that takes them from the hotel to the arena to play.

And now you try to sell me, one of your fans, another line of BS with the trade you so miraculously pulled off yesterday. You picked up a “scrappy” forward who’s going to add grit and plays well above his listed 188 pounds. Way to go, you just signed Jeff Odgers Jr to our team. What a welcome addition. You also picked up another forward with excellent stick handling skills who is a magician in the shootout. Wow, way to address needs there, Don. The ONLY thing this team has done consistently well at all year is the shootout. It would have been the last thing I would have been looking to bolster through a trade. Oh well, the team apparently needed another plumber, so congrats on that one too. And then you find some way to pick up mini-Patrik in Angelo Esposito. This cat has been cut from the World Junior team three-years running. Why am I the only one that sees a red flag here? Then you got Pittsburgh to throw in a first round draft pick which you may or may not use. You crafty little b*******. Are you trying to build a playoff team now or does this pick fit in with your “pick a number”-year plan? Somehow, I have a feeling that I am not the only one who’s confused by your sleight-of-hand maneuvering. I am guessing that confusion has trickled down to the players you so cherish and is part of why they are playing with all the enthusiasm of a sack of dog food.

I am not saying you should have kept Hossa. Let’s face it, you had a gun to your head and you did the right thing. You dealt him and got something in return. What I am questioning, however, is your insight into what this team needs to contend today. Please stop signing small, soft Euro players and get some people in here who can clear the puck from in front of the goal and beat the crap out of people, thereby making them pay with their bodies, every time they come into our zone. Newsflash: this isn’t Europe, and a team built 100% around speed is going to fail 100% of the time.

It’s become evident to me that you are incapable of building a playoff caliber team and it’s for that simple reason that I am instating my economic boycott of this organization. I can think of no other way to send my message of displeasure. Unfortunately, as a fan of the game of hockey, and more importantly a die-hard Atlanta fan, this puts me at odds with what I want to do versus what I need to do. But, as you well know, sometimes you just have to suck it up and do what you think is right. Why don’t you do us all a favor and serve yourself with that same level of introspection and come to the realization that the right thing for you to do is just quit?

Thanks for your time. Good luck with the rest of your season.

Sincerely,

An ex-paying customer

By Ilya k

February 27, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

THANK YOU JEFF SCULTZ! …….. I am amazed with the idiots on this site! Fellas, we have the absolute worst team in the nhl. The only reason we are 28th not 30th is because of our shoot out success and goaltending(just look at the stats for goals for/against and save percentage, it tells the story). Don Waddell, not the owners, made the Heatley for eventually these marginal players yesterday. Don Waddell traded Coburn for Zhitnik. You say Schultz knows nothing about hockey. OK…. I have played for 35yrs and am still playing. I have reffed for many years. I have coached for many years. I have worked at ice rinks for many years. He is correct. This team is a horrible mess. Put you pom poms down and wake up! Do you want hold on to the delusions or see change.

By Red Light

February 27, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Jeff’s point has validity whether or not you agree that Atlanta was the big winner in the Hossa Sweepstakes.

Since the 2001-02 season, the center position has been a point (or lack of them) of contention with this team, not to mention the laughable defense that keeps parading onto the ice for this team.

Players listed as centers, not including Kozlov’s occasional moves to the pivot, have a whopping total of 505 assists in five seasons, or 101 assists per year. In fact, in 2005-06 when Savard had 69, the rest of the centers had just 40.

Like baseball, hockey teams must have strength up-the-middle, which includes the center position, goalie position and the two defensemen. Regardless of your opinions about Lehtonen, this team is and always has been weak in the middle.

In terms of wins since 2001-02, the team has ranked 30th, 20th, 19th, 20th, 15th and now they are tied for 21st in the NHL in wins.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that isn’t exactly the steady progression we hoped for.

My problem is that I believe the management of this team is reactive rather than proactive. Unlike Rutherford in Carolina who often makes precursory deals in advance of the deadlines, Waddell has reacted in each of the past two seasons. Last year, his team began floundering in January and he waited to two deals and overpaid. This year, we all saw what just happened — and to his credit — he got more than many expected but as many have pointed out — he didn’t address the defensive shortcomings of this team and got a center who has 33 career assists in 143 NHL games.

Last year, he dealt a No. 1 pick and now he gets one in return. But, Pittsburgh’s pick will probably be in the last 10 of the first round if not lower.

Last year, we all started to believe that the “future is now” for the Thrashers and 12 months later we are asked to look forward to the future.

Look, I am thrilled to have an NHL team in this city and will continue to show up because I enjoy the sport. But Schultz brings up a valid point, in that Hossa walked because he didn’t like what he saw for the future here. Say what you want about him, but I do know that it is going to take more than Armstrong and Christensen to replace Hossa’s value to this team, at least in the regular season in terms of point production.

One thing Waddell did accomplish with this deal, is that he enabled the Penguins to transform themselves from having a nice season (despite the injury to Crosby) to being one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference.

But, I do credit Waddell for clearing cap space and not knuckling under to the craziness of extending long-term deals to several players on the roster like some other teams have done lately. Once he had no leverage at all with the cap, and now he has a ton of it. He may not have been a buyer on Feb. 26, but he damn well better be one on July 1 or I am certain there will be more dissenters than just Schultz.

By Fred

February 27, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Too bad Pucks n Snot couldn’t have been buddies with Heatley and been in the car that night.

We “ran off” Heatley? Damn man, you ruin making some valid points by saying something ridiculous like that - showing you are nothing more than a hick yourself.

By Hockeynumb

February 27, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

You’ve missed the boat on this deal. Armstrong and Christenson are character players and great team mates that can only help a team that needs more grit. You have to have these young guys around to compete. The Thrashers are now better IMO with these additions. Armstrong especially is a real aggitator and he loves to make the big hit.

I like this deal for the long term. I believe Waddell has finaly made a strong move to take this team forward. Hossa was a liability in the dressing room. If a player wants to go let him go and get that attitude out of town.

These new additions are going to surprise some people in this town.

By Please Don be Done

February 27, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

I took 9yrs to build the worst team in hockey and now we will raise the ticket prices. Ha ha ha ha ha ……..ha ha ha ha ha….ha ha ha ha ha…….

By kkamins

February 27, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

being a penguin fan … i have to say much better trade for thrasher’s than pens. armstrong, christenson and esposito will add a lot of depth. christenson in the shootout alone is amazing … as close to a sure thing as you can get. armstrong is a great character and will make everyone better… and is a great player (1st round draft) in his own right.

By Brendan

February 27, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Jeff, Recchi and Hedberg cost almost nothing for the gaining team. They couldn’t or wouldn’t toss Atlanta a 3rd round pick for these players? That’s “something” as opposed to “nothing.” Right?

Now, with Holik, it’s still not a lot of money at this juncture in the season, but still … he was worth a 2nd or 3rd rounder to a contending team. Holik is a proven playoff commodity. I have to believe that Waddell just “didn’t shop” him … because he couldn’t possibly fend off the ONSLAUGHT that trading your Captain would bring, while still “claiming” to be chasing a division title. This is called “politics.” DW needed to just “give up the ghost” and get what he could get.

As you can see, Thrashers fans, for the most part, get it that we’re not ready to win the Cup yet. Point of debate, we’re not really even ready for the playoffs. So, it makes more sense to rebuild than it does to “mortgage the future to fix it.” Credit Thrasher fans for their continued Patience and Understanding of the situation.

A new GM will fix a lot around here. Unfortunately, that new GM can’t fix the ownership. And it all starts from the top. Ownership has to find a quality GM … so that the new GM can mold and shape this team properly.

By Chris

February 27, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Regarding Holik - remember there has been talk that he’s not exactly Mr. Popular in the room - maybe it is just talk - but if true and you are a contending team would you give up a pick to get a guy who clearly isn’t very effective anymore and might destroy chemistry? No way.

By Pierre

February 27, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Esposito plays for Patrick Roy’s Quebec Remparts in the Junior Hockey league. He has been cut 2 years in a row from the Canadian junior team representing the country in the Junior world championships…. not good for a 1st round pick! Rumors is that the kid is lazy. The Thrashers have so many holes that I wouldn’t know where to start if I had to improve this team. Today, Feb 27th, we are weaker than we were yesterday. In the last couple of weeks, it is easy to notice that the team has given up. When you are outshot 49-10 vs a bad Islanders team, you must point the finger at your coach, period. That team was not prepared . One of the worse defense in the league, no punch offensively ( Kovy, that’s it ) and bad ownership. It doesn’t look bright for the next 3-5 years…

By joyaman

February 27, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

DW gets B for the Hossa deal and F for failing to get value for Holik and Moose, when there was demand out there for them [ask Don]. This, at a time when the club is clearly in need of a rebuild and its first-ever mission statement. It’s great that the Thrash just got a little younger and tougher, but is that the direction we’re going in as a team? Not neccessarily. It was just the best of the three deals in total value. This is not the way to direct the structure of a hockey team.

By Austin

February 27, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

And to think I actually complemented you after the last article. I should have known the last one was a case of “even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.”

The fact is, we were already out of the playoffs and seeing what Washington did yesterday certainly didn’t help. So it would be extremely foolish to attempt to keep Hossa or pick up a rental or two to take a shot. We weren’t looking to help the team today. There were no top-line centers or top-pairing defensemen available for more than a rental (Brian Campbell). I’m glad we dumped Hossa for future help and we got rid of his salary and barely added any back. This leaves us plenty of money for the offseason to go out and get that number 1 center and a solid d-man or two. Especially after we get rid of Holik’s salary as well.

We add grit, future help, and give ourselves lots of room to sign some real good help in the offseason. And we did this all for a player who didn’t and wasn’t going to sign with us and didn’t even want to play for us. I fail to see any problem with this.

I love how you only stop in to write about something related to the Thrashers when something bad (or when something you think is bad in this case) happens. We get it, you don’t care for the Thrashers and only like writing negative things about them. Your schtick is getting really old, not to mention it just makes you look like a jackass.

By Jenn

February 27, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Jeff - I won’t disagree with your estimation of Don Waddell’s previous plans, but I think you’re being unfair now. That trade finally set us up for the future. Hossa was never going to re-sign, for reasons you pointed out, but now we have an excellent prospect, a first round pick, and two really great young (and sizeable) players. His options were to either sell the future, much in the way he did last year, or start building one. I didn’t see you address any other option, and so personally I can say I think he did a fine job with the trade.

By Hey Hey Ho Ho DW has got to GO

February 27, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

I’m done with season tickets until they get rid of Waddell.

9 years and this is where we’re at? I don’t blame Hossa one bit for fleeing this incompetent GM.

Guess what, I’m fleeing too. NO more season tickets or any tickets for me and my family until they get rid of Waddell.

The Thrashers are the laughing stock of the NHL. Thanks, DW. Great job.

By Sasquach

February 27, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

This is what someone who knows about the sport says about the trade: http://www.tsn.ca/fantasynews/columnists/scottcullen/?ID=230661&hubname=fantasy_news

By Jack

February 27, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Holton…you have to take your head out of your azz ..Pittsburgh a dump…WOW you really are an idiot…Getting Colby and the others is a great deal for Atlanta..the Pens need to win the cup for this to be good for them….

By vlad

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

I was hoping to see another winner in this town while I am still alive. It doesn’t look very promising. Senior management of all of our franchises need to be flushed with an enema. The braves needed it the least, perhaps, but they moved their general manager finally. He had truly lost the ‘touch’. The Falcons have tried to address it and it is now wait and see. Wadell has certainly not distinguished himself through his trades and any team that gets so many extra man penalties is not well coached. Finally, the gruesome twosome running the Hawks should have been exorcised a couple of years back. Especially the general manager.

By vlad

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

I was hoping to see another winner in this town while I am still alive. It doesn’t look very promising. Senior management of all of our franchises need to be flushed with an enema. The braves needed it the least, perhaps, but they moved their general manager finally. He had truly lost the ‘touch’. The Falcons have tried to address it and it is now wait and see. Wadell has certainly not distinguished himself through his trades and any team that gets so many extra man penalties is not well coached. Finally, the gruesome twosome running the Hawks should have been exorcised a couple of years back. Especially the general manager.

By joyaman

February 27, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

*”You’ve missed the boat on this deal. Armstrong and Christenson are character players and great team mates that can only help a team that needs more grit. You have to have these young guys around to compete. The Thrashers are now better IMO with these additions. Armstrong especially is a real aggitator and he loves to make the big hit.

I like this deal for the long term. I believe Waddell has finaly made a strong move to take this team forward. Hossa was a liability in the dressing room. If a player wants to go let him go and get that attitude out of town.

These new additions are going to surprise some people in this town.”

-Hockeynumb*

Hockeynumb:

Please don’t look at a single deal such as this one in isolation. Eight/nine years of isolated (non-congruent) deals, some decent like this one and many bad ones as well, only prove to underscore DW’s inability to build and draft toward an identity for this team.

While a single deal might look good from a trade value perspective, it has to be part of an overall plan. Such a plan cannot morph/pivot every time a deal is made. Sure we can all look at this deal and pretend to start plotting a future direction based on it, but the next move (or lack thereof) will only come back to bite us in the rear as is takes this team in yet another direction - frequently downward.

The truth is that DW did a decent job of salvaging an extreme UFA situation that was of his own making. Nothing more. This was only round #3 of DW’s Save my Job campaign: Do the right thing with Hossa, while continuing to peddle false hope for the playoffs to the owners and fans, by not doing the right thing with the other UFAs.

Even the martini-swilling ASG country club boys should be able to see through this one. -Joyaman

By Barmy

February 27, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

There are a lot of problems with this article, as many have pointed out, but Schultz’s main point is correct: Waddell is piloting this ship nowhere, and a team run by a guy who can’t develop young talent and can’t keep established talent is never going to compete.

As for those of you who blame Hossa for the team’s lack of competitiveness, give me a break! You do realize that Hossa is only on the ice for about a third of every game, don’t you? He can’t make up for the failings of his teammates, and he can’t force his GM to build a competitive team. In the NHL, no single player can elevate a team from basement-dweller to Cup contender — not even Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin could carry this Thrashers team into the playoffs.

I don’t think Hossa is necessarily looking to land with team that is a Cup contender now, but he is looking for one that has a plan involving putting a competitive team on the ice sometime before his career is over. If you were working a dead-end job for a company going nowhere, wouldn’t you look for a new employer? That’s where Hossa and the Thrashers were. Hossa already has a lot of money, and now for the first time in his career he has control over which team he plays for. I can’t blame him for wanting a little personal satisfaction.

Surely ASG deserves some of the blame here, but if Waddell doesn’t have a plan and ownership appears to be backing him then what’s a player to do? And even if Waddell is fired, without committed ownership they’re never going to attract a top-notch GM.

The Thrashers are in a really tough spot right now — poor management, poor ownership, and little to build upon with a fan base that justifiably demands a playoff-caliber team going into year nine of a five-year plan. Unless ASG makes a strong enough committment to the team to attract a top-notch GM, I don’t see this team going anywhere anytime soon (and even then, a lot of top-notch GMs would want to tear the team down and start from scratch, especially considering this one’s age).

By NASCAR Dave

February 27, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

SCHULTZ! DID YOU SEE THE GAME LAST NIGHT?

DID YOU SEE MONTREAL THROW RECCHI INTO THE BOARDS AND THE THRASHERS DID NOTHING?

HOW PATHETIC! THIS TEAM IS A BUNCH OF WIMPS! STAND UP FOR YOUR DAMN TEAMMATES!

THIS TEAM HAS A BAD COACH AND THEY HAVE CONDITIONING PROBLEMS. THEY RUN OUT OF ENERGY EVRY DAMN GAME BY THE 3RD PERIOD!!!

I AM GETTING TIRED OF EVRY DAMN TEAM IN THE LEAGUE BULLYING US AROUND! MAKE THE OTHER TEAM PAY FOR TAKING LIBERTIES ON YOUR TEAMMATES!

BREAKING NEWS! THEY DO ALLOW FIGHTING IN THE NHL…… WHY CAN’T THE THRASHERS MAN UP AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN????

GUTLESS, PATHETIC, LOSERS WITH NO HEART OR PRIDE.

NUFF SAID.

By Jim Basil

February 27, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Isn’t the comments in this article exactly the point. Atlanta fans know nothing about hockey! per the article, a 1st round pick, Angelo Esposito (Who’s a stud in the making) Christiensen and Armstrong are solid, young, 2-way players! Maybe when Atlanta DESERVES a hockey team, is the day top players will stay!

By GaVaHokie

February 27, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

A team that’s not making any money doesn’t spend any money… it’s all a big circle. You get what you give.

By rob

February 27, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Waddell is a mess. He should be run out of town. 8 years and virtually no talent in Atlanta, Chicago or here in Gwinnett. Wonderful, he got another first round draft pick. He will mess that up also. The guy can’t draft and nobody wants to come play here. HE HASNT DRAFTED A DECENT DEFENSMAN IN 8 YEARS. WHAT? Enstrom was luck and we all know that. I’m amazing at how much respect Waddell has around the league. HE IS A JOKE. FIRE DON.

By Asad malik

February 27, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

“Departing: Hossa and Pascal Dupuis. Arriving: a first-round pick, a top prospect (Angelo Esposito) and two other guys you’ve never heard of.”

Why are you writing this article if youve never heard of them? You waited 1 day to write this, lets see how they play WITH the players they received actually in the line-up. Then you can whine and do what your good at…

By WW4

February 27, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

YOU THINK SHULTZ ARTICLES ARE REDUNDANT, HOW ABOUT LETEMIN : 3+ AGAIN!

By Derrick

February 27, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

@Asad Malik:

Don’t you read the comments? Can’t you see just by reading the article that the statement was made for dramatic emphasis? Figures that the idiot Atlanta fans would take such a statement literally.

BTW, it’s “do what YOU’RE good at,” not “doo what YOUR good at.”

Typical.

By Sori Letemin

February 27, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Actually, I “let in” 5 last night. But you were close!

By Gerry

February 27, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Jim Basil, if you can read, you will realize many on this blog think the trade is a good one. You are just another northern jerk trying to make a ridiculous point.

By Ken

February 27, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Schultz..you obviously do not know the first thing about hockey or the Thrashers..like every other AJC sports writer..Hossa leaving did not change anything about this team..the apathy runs deep in Blueland…if anything..bringing in youth should spark something in some of these guys…get a clue

By NASCAR Dave

February 27, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

SCHULTZ SINCE YOU ARE AT BRAVES SPRING TRAINING, DO ME A FOVOR PLEASE.

GRAB TOM GLAVINE, ASK HIM TO TEACH KEITH BROOKING HOW TO SKATE, SO HE CAN SHOW THE THRASHERS HOW TO HIT SOMEONE!!!

THIS TEAM ISN’T “TOUGH ENOUGH” TO PLAY IN THE BIG BOY NHL!!!

WIMPS…

By Thrashy Thrashy

February 27, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

Waddell has got to go. I think any self-respecting Thrashers fan believes that. Waddell had to move Hossa because he understood that ownership would not pay Hossa long-term. The Thrashers were crap WITH Hossa this season, so trading him now will just help Ze Trash get that much crappier to secure a higher draft pick. Waddell should not be allowed to make that pick, but this trade is a good trade.

As for trading Hossa for guys who aren’t well-known to the general public, is Marian Hossa that well-known? I’ll make a conservative estimate and guess that 90% of people in the metro Atlanta area have no idea who the guy is. I personally don’t give a damn about not getting a “name” player in return. Household names in hockey don’t exist in most of the U.S. Winning is what matters. Waddell hasn’t done that. That is why he shouldn’t be allowed to run this team.

By WW4

February 27, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WHATEVER THE THRASHERS DO, WHOMEVER IS COACH OR GM, AS LONG AS LETEMIN IS GOALIE, THE OFFENSE WILL HAVE TO GENERATE AT LEAST 4 GOALS EVERY GAME TO HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN IN REGULATION.