Thrashers

By Geoffrey Paul

December 8, 2005 04:14 PM | Link to this

Lehtonen, Oh Lehtonen, Wherfore art thou Lehtonen?

By JB

December 8, 2005 04:39 PM | Link to this

I would rate it as Spirit LLC calling Waddell in on the carpet and wanting answers If they can`t get 3 out of 4 points this weekend against Columbus and Chicago….heads should roll…..they may wait till Tuesday when the Wings roll into town with the big hockey media to make a move…..Should be interesting this weekend.

By Bob

December 8, 2005 05:06 PM | Link to this

John,

Stefan played pretty well between Hossa and Kovy? I watched that game in San Jose and if that was one of his better games, then it only shows what a disappointment he’s been, and he has been. But I agree, at least he was skating hard that night, so what the heck, throw him up there on a top line, you’re right, he’s a waste with Boulton, et al

I would hope that at least he could find some open ice and do something against woeful Columbus, but the key for Patty is to do it more than his yearly 5 game spurt where he shows promise, only to shrink back into his shell.

If they’re putting him in that spot, it’s got to be as a showcase for a pending trade.

Stefan for some defensive help, we can only hope some other GM is dim enough to take a flyer on Patty.

By icejester

December 8, 2005 05:19 PM | Link to this

I think shuffling the lines will be integral to the teams success over the rest of the season. I think you put Boulton on the left side of Savard so that he can pound some sense into him every time he takes a game/momentum changing undisciplined penalty. He strikes fear into all opponents why not use his “skills” to keep Savard in line, nothing Hartley does seems to be working.

By erock

December 8, 2005 07:29 PM | Link to this

wholesale changes are needed not moving patticake around. he is worthless along with jpvj..modry..devries…holik..boulton…aubin…petrovicky…larsen…sutton…bring up all these draft picks we covet and see what ya got!!!

By Chris

December 9, 2005 08:56 AM | Link to this

This weekend should be telling to see exactly how where the Thrashers are, and what their chances are of recovering. The Blue Jackets and Blackhawks are the two worst teams in the NHL in Goals Scored per game. The Thrashers are going to be looking to turn around their defensive woes against them. At the same time, you know Columbus and Chicago are looking at their games against Atlanta as a chance to turn around their offensive struggles. It should be intersting to see which team accomplishes what they need to do. The Jackets and ‘Hawks need to score against a horrible defensive team and the Thrashers need to shut down these two weak offensive teams. If the Thrashers fail, a lot of hope may go out the window.

By Chris

December 9, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this

— correction —

The Columbus is last in the NHL in Goals For per Game, but the Blackhawks are not next-to-last. They are actually 26th of the 30 teams.

By Brendan

December 9, 2005 11:27 AM | Link to this

Chris, JB, and Bob, good posts.

If anyone is rooting for Don Waddell’s departure, nothing would “hasten” that more than two losses vs. Columbus and Chicago, to extend the losing streak to seven (7) games, and put the Thrashers eight (8) games under .500. And it’s December now.

Then again, what would it matter if the ownership group has had the “Waddell kool-aid?”

If Don is the “new” Pete Babcock, it wouldn’t matter if Atlanta won ten (10) games from this point forward. Don’s “their guy,” in the view of the ownership.

The Thrashers are on pace for a 25-41-16 finish anyways. That’s only 15-more wins from where we are now, with 55-games left to play. Yes, that also means they’re going to lose 40 more games, in some capacity or other (OT, shootout, etc.).

If the Thrashers cannot dispense of the likes of the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks on Philips Arena ice, even though Chicago has been playing better lately, then this team is NOT playoff-bound, nor is it particularly one of the better teams in the NHL.

I don’t understand how an ownership group can simply IGNORE that. They’ve spent $38 million to field this team. This team was “hand picked” by Don Waddell. Don Waddell sat on the rules committee.

One of two things is happening here.

1) Don Waddell cannot effectively evaluate talent, and poses a “clear and present danger” to the future of the club on Draft Day, and on any potential trade deadline deals … or …

2) The problem lies somewhere else. Some blame injuries, especially among goalies. Some blame coaching; that’d be Bob Hartley. (That’s misplaced.) Some blame the “conditioning coaches.” Some blame the “ice quality.” Some blame the scouting. (Uhh, a good GM would recognize a poor scout and relieve him or her of duties immediately.)

Which one of the two options above do you think is happening? Or is it some combination thereof?

By Bob

December 9, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this

It’s been apparent for anyone paying attention that Waddell is the problem.

But we’re beyond beating a dead horse here and Manasso alluded to that in his previous blog post. Let’s let it play out, the heat’s on Waddell and my bet is that the ownership group has decided to see what happens when Lehtonen comes back. If the team goes on a steak then, Waddell’s job is safe. If we stay .500 or below in games after Lehtonen comes back, Waddell is gone.

What I’d like to see is the AJC turn up the heat on Waddell. He gets a free pass from the writers. The Hawks coach got some heat in today’s paper, it’s time to turn it up on Waddell and make him start answering pointed questions.

But you and me and the other guys are beating a dead horse here, it’s obvious we want him to go. Write the Spirit a letter or the AJC sports editor a letter asking them to push buttons.

By Ben

December 9, 2005 02:34 PM | Link to this

If on draft day, DW is still the Thrashers GM I would be shocked. He’s been leaning on the “It’s the money” excuse for five years now. The good news is, we’ll get a high pick out of all this mess. The bad news is, we always get high picks which have only resulted in 2 bona fide NHLers worthy of the high draft status. More good news the cap will go up and we’ll get more tallent. The bad news, DW is in charge of the money. So the birds might end up with Slodry part 2: The Youthfull Years.

But, like I say, I’d be shocked if DW has a job come draft day.

Then again, remember how the Smiths ran the Failcons? Maybe this is that on ice.

By rick

December 9, 2005 04:00 PM | Link to this

this team needs some right handed players. They put themselves in a hole on offense with no right hand shots but ilya.

By Brendan

December 9, 2005 04:18 PM | Link to this

Bob may be right. The key might be the performance of the team after Lehtonen gets back.

I can see that, truly. Otherwise the argument will be, “Waddell’s team, when healthy, was never given the chance to be evaluated.” Remember, the Waddell apologists will be out in force to claim we’ve lost the greatest GM in the league … simply over injuries.

Ummn. Okay. When is the team going to be healthy?? Bondra’s out; no one knows how long. Everyone comes in and out of the lineup.

What if the team, as it was intended to look on Opening Night, never materializes? Does Waddell get a full and unconditional pardon for that?

Why not evaluate the players who have been healthy, and playing, and base it on that?

It’s not like there’s not a body of evidence to consider.

If there are too many inferior, but healthy players, that is still cause for concern.

Now, I’m willing to cut some slack to the minor league “call ups,” but there are players hired on an NHL salary who are expected to play at an NHL-level.

Is that an egregious standard to uphold?

Why are we still taking way too many penalties? Why are we still having trouble clearing our own zone?

A good 9-1 drubbing of the Blue Jackets tonight at Philips might be a good first step. Columbus is without Nash and one of its top defensemen.

Conditions are very favorable for a Thrashers win.

By caillou

December 9, 2005 04:50 PM | Link to this

Who would you take as GM over Waddell? Why?