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Are Waddell’s draft woes overstated?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I received an e-mail complaining about Don Waddell’s perceived inability to draft and it said that only eight (or maybe it was nine) players he drafted are in the NHL and was wondering why I’d never included that fact in a story.
The fact is, I wasn’t sure if it was a fact. So I started going through the Thrashers drafts to figure out how many Don Waddell draftees played in the NHL last season. Even created a spreadsheet (e-mail me if you want a copy). And after some serious data entry, I discovered that of the 81 players drafted by the Thrashers since 1999, 16 played in the NHL last season. The total amount of NHL games played by Thrashers draft picks is 2,962.
I stared at my screen, and realized that this exercise told me exactly nothing. Is 2,962 good? Is it bad? Is it average?
So I decided to dig a little deeper with help from The Internet Hockey Database and Hockey-Reference.com to compare those numbers to the other most recent NHL expansion teams: Minnesota, Nashville and Columbus. I was sure the numbers would prove that Minnesota and Nashville had much stronger drafts. It wasn’t quite that clear. Here’s what I found:
Drafted players (since 1999) who played in the NHL this season:
Columbus (22.5 percent): 18 of 80 draft picks
Minnesota (21.5 percent): 14 of 65 draft picks
Atlanta (19.8 percent): 16 of 81 draft picks
Nashville (14.8 percent): 13 of 88 draft picks
Total NHL games played by all drafted players since 1999:
Atlanta: 2,962
Minnesota: 2,890
Nashville: 2,754
Columbus: 2,615
If the Thrashers kept every player they drafted who played in the NHL this season, this would be the roster:
Forwards:
Ilya Kovalchuk
Dany Heatley
Bryan Little
Jordan LaVallee
Brett Sterling
Jim Slater
Colin Stuart
Darcy Hordichuk
Derek MacKenzie
Simon Gamache
Defensemen:
Braydon Coburn
Boris Valabik
Tobias Enstrom
Garnet Exelby
Goalies:
Kari Lehtonen
Ondrej Pavelec
Notes: Pavelec was the Thrashers first second-round pick to make it to the NHL… Had the Coburn trade never happened, the Thrashers could boast a young top pair of Coburn and Enstrom, two players taken in the same draft (2003)… Only one Thrashers draft pick has played more NHL games than Patrik Stefan’s career total of 455: Ilya Kovalchuk (466).
Conclusion: Trading Heatley and Coburn, and both circumstances were unique, really changes the core of this team. These draft results, while not better, are at least on par with similar teams. What are your thoughts? Is there a better way to analyze quality?
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Hossa finds another gear in playoffs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First, let’s talk some on-ice hockey. Those Penguins are looking really good. A Detroit-Pittsburgh finals seems inevitable and both teams look capable of winning the Stanley Cup. The amazing thing about the Penguins is that they seem to find different ways to win each night. We know all about Crosby, Malkin and Hossa - but how ‘bout that defense? Philly had 18 shots last night. That’s it. Shoot, I’ve seen 18 shots on the Thrashers before I had my laptop unpacked in the press box. That’s a heck of a performance.
And how about Hoss? He scored the game-winner last night and added an empty-netter. That’s five goals in the last four games if you’re keeping track. He’s also been dominant on both ends of the ice and I think it’s safe to say that the Penguins aren’t 11-1 (the best playoff run since the ‘83 Oilers, and that team wasn’t so bad now was it?) without Marian. It also begs the question - would Montreal, who came pretty darn close to landing Hossa, still be around if they made the deal? And, let’s say the Penguins don’t win the Stanley Cup and Hossa walks this summer, is that still a good deal for Pittsburgh?
Other former Thrashers news: Braydon Coburn, who missed Tuesday night’s game, vows to return - just as soon as he can open his eye.
Now it’s Daniel Briere getting ripped for a lack of performance in the playoffs, not Hossa. Ryan Dixon, with the Hockey News, said that Briere is disappearing when it matters most.
Thrashers update: Not much has changed on the Thrashers front. Yes, there’s uncertainty about Don Waddell’s role but that said, I’ve been told he will be running the draft, he is running the coaching search and has full authority to hire the next head coach, with ownership approval. The Thrashers would like to keep the coaching search as discreet as possible as this e-mail from Bruce Levenson confirms: “[Waddell] is running a very private process and neither he nor ownership will comment on individual candidates during that process.” Now that doesn’t stop me from talking to the possible candidates and those who I’ve spoken with have said they haven’t been interviewed. Waddell has said that the plan is to do all the interviews around the same time, so they aren’t at that point yet. Expect two or three candidates to ultimately get interviewed when the team gets to that point. The team also continues to deny the rumors that former Vancouver GM Dave Nonis has been contacted or that there is interest there. One name you’re not hearing, who would be a good option is Kevin Cheveldayoff. The Thrashers already have a good relationship with the Chicago Wolves GM, and they could do a lot worse than bringing him into the fold in Atlanta. He’s a bright hockey mind, well respected in the league, and was a finalist for the Phoenix job last year.
Hartley’s options: Bob Hartley has spent most of May in his Montreal cottage but between now and when he starts running his summer hockey camps, I’m sure he’ll be fielding a lot of phone calls from potential employers. “It’s going to be interesting,” he said when we chatted the other day. But, boy he’s looking good right now, isn’t he? In fact, I’d say he joins Ron Wilson as the best candidate on the market right now. Whether you liked Bob or not, his success with the Thrashers and Colorado is undeniable and it certainly doesn’t hurt his cause that the Thrashers went in the tank this season after he left. I think he’d be a great fit in Ottawa but I want him in the Southeast so I can deal with him eight times a year. I can’t be the only one who misses quotes like “no more Romper Room.”
Mellanby to Vancouver: We knew that Scott Mellanby wanted to stay in the game under the right role, and sounds like he got it in Vancouver. The former Thrashers captain was just hired as a special assistant to new Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis and the hockey operations department. I think that’s a great hire, and it’s too bad that the Thrashers and Mel never could get on the same page to work something out.
The big hangup with the Thrashers was that Mellanby wanted to stay in St. Louis with his family especially while his children were in school. Evidently that wasn’t an issue with the Canucks since Scott will still work from St. Louis. “The bottom line is Mike [Gillis] wanted me to be involved and after speaking with him and meeting with him, I wanted to be involved,” Mellanby said by cell on the way to the airport. “My role will be a little more defined as we go along.”
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Gearon: Support coming, not replacements
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Panama City Beach, FL — You know, you try to get away for a few days and naturally, that’s when rumors start flying. The weather has been great here in Florida, thanks for asking. What? You don’t care? You want to know about Don Waddell’s future?
Here’s the latest. I spoke with Atlanta Spirit Co-Owner Michael Gearon this morning from my lovely white plastic chair overlooking the ocean here at The Chateau (only two roaches so far, not bad. And no, I’m not kidding). Like I blogged before, I spoke to Gearon at the Billy Knight resignation presser earlier this week where Gearon talked about a possible expanded role for Don Waddell and more help for the Thrashers front office.
I gave you guys the heads up, and started prepping for a more in-depth story upon my return from Florida on Monday. That’s when I started getting calls from people wondering if Waddell was asked to step down as GM. I’ve already thanked friend, and respected colleague Scott Burnside for that.
Gearon said via cell this morning, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Waddell has not been asked to step down from his post as general manager. He called any reports that say otherwise “completely false.”
What hasn’t changed is the possibility that Waddell’s role could expand into a different position with the Atlanta Spirit and that the Spirit plans on bringing help in the Thrashers front office. On Wednesday, Gearon said they weren’t yet at the point where they had specific titles in mind. Could I see a day where Waddell is Bernie Mullin’s replacement and another GM Is brought in? Absolutely. But Gearon said any additions to the front office is to make sure the franchise has “the right support mechanisms” in place for Waddell, not to replace him.
As for Don, he said he’s in scouting meetings all day today although I’m still hopeful of getting a couple minutes of his time. I’ll let you know if I do. Oh, and if you hear from Bruce Levenson, tell him to call me back. I’ll have my cell at the pool.
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Gearon: More holes in hockey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Interesting stuff this afternoon from Atlanta Spirit co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. He addressed the media about Billy Knight’s resignation but I showed up to talk some hockey. He said ownership was in the process of evaluating things on the hockey side, but he has serious concerns. “There are greater holes in hockey right now than basketball,” Gearon said when prompted to talk about the Thrashers.
I asked him if Don Waddell’s role would change and he said they are considering it. The ownership really respects Don’s ability to manage an organization and Gearon said Waddell’s role could expand in their organization in that capacity. If that’s the case, they might bring somebody else to help out in hockey operations.
“That’s something we’re focused on. We don’t want to spread Don too thin,” Gearon said.
That could mean a promotion for Waddell within the Atlanta Spirit and a new general manager for the Thrashers, although Gearon didn’t go that far. But it sounds like Gearon and the Atlanta Spirit are determined to bring in more support on the hockey side of things.
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Philips Arena atmosphere no surprise
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, finally got the AHL story in the paper today. Something about a local basketball team exceeding expectations kept pushing it back. My brother, who moved to Atlanta a few years ago, is officially on the Hawks bandwagon and bought me tickets for tonight’s game, so I’ll be there. I’ve heard the atmosphere is unbelievable, and that people are surprised about how Philips Arena has rocked during the home games against the Celts.
But seriously, are any of you guys? This may be a bandwagon town (let’s save that debate for another time, shall we?) but Atlanta knows how to come out for an event. The NHL playoffs last year proved it. Philips Arena was LOUD during games one and two, and the players still talk about that atmosphere. And look at how this town came out for the NHL All-Star Game. And now, the Hawks are an event, so I’m not the least surprised that it’s a great atmosphere. I’m looking forward to seeing it first-hand tonight.
As for the Wolves story, I tried to be even-handed about it. I’m sure some people weren’t crazy about it, but I tried to get as many voices in there as possible. In talking to Don Waddell about it, he said he could make a good argument for the Chicago relationship as well as a good argument against it. And he’s right, you could. I just tried to put some things on the table and let you guys make the decision if it’s good or not. I think Kevin Cheveldayoff put it best when he said: “It’s very subjective, you can look at it different ways but that’s why it is unique. Not every way is right, sometimes it’s going to work and sometimes it’s not. People tend to, when you want to write about the positive stuff, find everything that has worked. When they want to write about the negatives, write about what’s not.”
That sums it up about as well as anything I could say.
Things are quiet news-wise on the Thrashers front as you might expect this time of year. Don Waddell has waited this long to hire a coach, so look for him to wait until all the AHL/NHL playoffs are over to make sure every possible candidate is weighed. I’m hearing that Providence (AHL) coach Scott Gordon could be in the mix, so add him to the names that are being thrown around. Gordon was named the AHL’s most outstanding coach in April.
I’ve been focusing this week on a training session in the basement of the AJC where we’re brainstorming for ideas on how to become a better paper. Personally, I think it’s a simple solution: More hockey. Right? I’ll try to hop on the blog more often next week when I’m between training sessions.
But how ‘bout these NHL playoffs? I told you Johan Franzen is the best player in the game. At least I meant to. And Pittsburgh looks pretty darn good. I know one thing I’m not hearing right now: Marian Hossa is underachieving in the playoffs. Three goals and eight points in eight games is pretty good production. If he continues that pace and the Pens make it to the Stanley Cup or win it, the demand (and contract) for Marian is going to be huge this summer.
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Cushy job, owners who love you, a good paycheck…he’s already got a ring as an Assistant GM in Detroit, why wouldn’t he be content with appeasing the owners and lining his pockets while in Atlanta? Do you over exert yourself at... read the full comment by ranallo10 | Comment on Are Waddell's draft woes overstated? Read Are Waddell's draft woes overstated?
Now that was a Brendan post!... read the full comment by Tony C. | Comment on Are Waddell's draft woes overstated? Read Are Waddell's draft woes overstated?
Good discussions so far, gang. I’ve particularly enjoyed Falconer’s comments. I’d just add this … (1) drafting is an inexact science—sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don’t. And sometimes you missed... read the full comment by Brendan | Comment on Are Waddell's draft woes overstated? Read Are Waddell's draft woes overstated?
mE GUSTO LS MUCHACHOS CON GRANDES CULOS.... read the full comment by Tony C | Comment on Are Waddell's draft woes overstated? Read Are Waddell's draft woes overstated?