Thrashers

By Jamie Fehr

February 11, 2007 05:10 PM | Link to this

I drove 14 hours to see Lehtonen and the Thrashers and i get Hedberg. Not that i got anything against Hedberg it’s just i drove a long ways to see Lehtonen. Anyway i like the deal for Belanger and i don’t think Waddell is done. I look forward to the game tonight and for Kovy to dangle like he did last night. And one more thing, you guys who think Kovalchuk is having an off year, you guys are not very bright he’s only 2 goals back of the league lead and he’s been playing with Rucchin. I just can’t believe there’s people that dumb in the world.

By Bob

February 11, 2007 06:20 PM | Link to this

Let’s hope that Moose is too rusty after sitting on the bench for a month, we really need this win tonight.

Any word on Belanger in the lineup tonight? Rucchin? Or are we going to be subjected to Kapanen again?

By Bob

February 11, 2007 06:30 PM | Link to this

Of course I’m hoping Moose isn’t too Rusty, I think I have the same blog editor as Falconer.

Speaking of which, Mr. Falcon, what is your opinion of the Belanger. I finally read your blog, which is very cool, but I can’t figure out anything from it.

My take is that Belanger is brought in as a replacement for Kapanen and to help our last place PK unit, and that he will be an improvement. But I am not swallowing this stuff out of Waddell that Belanger is here to play on one of our top 2 lines. He may at first out of necessity, but I think Waddell is saying that for consumption for the other GM’s who are trying to hold him hostage for their top centers.

I must believe that Waddell still will make a move by the 27th to bring a top 2 center in here.

By Brendan

February 11, 2007 06:36 PM | Link to this

Jamie, people tend to forget that Kovalchuk has hit some 70-odd goal posts this year. If even a third of them had gone in, it noticeably changes his goal totals. I doubt anyone really thinks Kovalchuk isn’t one of the two best pure snipers in the league.

People who want to see Kovalchuk traded are those who feels that Atlanta is in a good position to get maximum value in return. Or, they are dissatisfied with his defensive efforts.

I doubt the Thrashers, who sell season tickets in large part due to Kovalchuk’s presence, will trade him before his current contract runs its course. Every great player, at some point, has a season where the production decreased a little. If Kovy had a big-name center with him, he might be running away with the Rocket Richard trophy.

By Keith

February 11, 2007 06:51 PM | Link to this

I know Hamel wasn’t a huge pick up since he was claimed off waivers but he did score 56 goals last season in the AHL. I’ve always liked Hamel and thought he never got a real opportunity in Ottawa. I know most people will say that he was in Ottawa for 2/3 of the season but in many games he got less than 2 minutes of ice and even suited up to sit the entire game. I just don’t get it.

I’m very excited the the Feb. 17 game in Ottawa and I’m just hoping that he gets a little extra ice time that game to “pay back” Ottawa.

I haven’t seen many Atlanta games but would like to know where Hamel will fit into the Thrashers system. I’m guessing he will most likely be on the fourth line but would like to have the fans input.

Denis Hamel’s biggest fan in Ottawa.

By Lee

February 11, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

That is an interesting assessment of Hamel,I don’t know much about the guy and I am also wondering myself where he is going to play. This doesn’t bode well for Kapanen or Boulton. I would much rather have Haydar than Kapanen and maybe this Hamel can really contribute. I know everyone wants the big trade, but seriously guys, we have a great team. And Kovy is playing his butt off right now. I don’t ever remember him playing this well. He might get three or four tonight.

By Lee

February 11, 2007 07:08 PM | Link to this

Hey CC, How cold is it up there?

By sisu

February 11, 2007 07:47 PM | Link to this

So it will be interesting to see how the new boys will play. I think Belanger will shine here and to hear that Nashville was offering us Vasicek but end up with an arch rival player instead is good news.

Atlanta has been historically a place for players to prove other teams wrong in their potential.

By Craig Custance

February 11, 2007 08:23 PM | Link to this

Lee — It’s five degrees. But it’s a warm five degrees.

By Bob

February 11, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Well, that was a great period. Moose is completely rusty. Calgary lost today, they’ll be gunning for us Tuesday. We need to turn this around quick.

What was with Sutton running around like an idiot tonight? That had to be on Hartley’s instructions.

Belanger looks good, he’s going to the net. Not first line good, but a heck of a lot better than Kapanen.

Hamel hasn’t skated much, but I don’t think he’ll stick in the lineup after Rucchin is back.

By Moberg

February 11, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this

Alright, seriously! What does Hartley have to do to light a fire underneath the asses of his players? This is ridiculous! In year’s past, the Thrashers relied on their hearts and not their talents to power them through and come up with big wins. Now they have the talent, but NO HEART!

Come on boys! I love ya’, but how ‘bout a little passion. I’m just not seeing it.

Maybe coach needs to shake things up. Turn the lines upside down. Can’t hurt.

By ranallo10

February 11, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

Three posts by Bob without mentioning “JPVJ”, “Veeshnovsky”, or “The Fiddler”?? Holy crap, the world must be ending.

By Sean

February 12, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

Tough game tonight. Let’s hope we can bounce back in Calgary. Moose looked like he hadn’t played in 15 games. Oh, wait…

By Tony C.

February 12, 2007 04:10 AM | Link to this

Ugh

Although Belanger looks to be a pretty good move eh??

Also, was it me or was the TV picture from Rexall place super crisp and colorful? You always hear the players laud compliments on Edmonton’s facilities (best ice in the league etc) but I really enjoyed their TV production facilities. The 3/4 overhead shots, especially were nice. You’d think an ultra-modern place like th Flatscreen could get some cameras like that going on…. …how many of yall think the team is slowly but surely turning the volume “down” on ol’ hiBob???

Something’s gotta give-this team turns it on and off too much-when they go all-out they’re one of the top 5 teams in the league, but it doesn’t seem that the team plls together very often…we see great individual efforts, but very rarely do we see each line, each pairing come out and really put it out there-all three periods.

anyway, bad loss, I wonder if Cal-gary will wear the Black jerseys for us?

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By The Falconer

February 12, 2007 06:15 AM | Link to this

Bob: re: Belanger. I don’t have a strong opinion about him without seeing him play some in a Thrashers uniform. But it seems looking at his history that he is clearly a PK guy and I suspect that DW and scouts intend for him to help in that department.

Rough game last night, but I’m not shocked. We play 6 good to very good teams on this trip and I think a 2-4 record is likely at this point.

By Bob

February 12, 2007 08:45 AM | Link to this

Just for you, ranallo. If The Fiddler doesn’t make a significant move quick, this club can fall out of first by the end of this road trip, then it’s a free fall after that. We’ve won one game in our last 6. Someone on a previous blog said we’d won 5 times in regulation in our 27, so that’s got to be up to 6 out of our last 30 or so. That is a serious sign of a deep rooted problem here.

There are significant problems here that Waddell needs to fix. The question is, is he up to the task? His poor history shows no, he’s not.

Check the standings out today. We are only 8 points ahead of the 9th place club, Toronto. And Toronto has 3 games in hand on us. In fact, everyone in the Conference has games in hand on us.

You know what we need right now? First, we need Lehtonen to step up and steal some games for us. He had some shutouts early in the year when he was playing lights out. Then we need a significant move out of Waddell. A top d or a top center. It’s time to shine, for once, Waddell. Get ‘er done.

By Pucks n Snot

February 12, 2007 09:08 AM | Link to this

185 goals against. Worst among playoff eligible teams in the EC at this writing. The Thrashers have been a defensive nightmare ever since the founding of that squad and they are still just as bad. Atlanta is nothing more than a top heavy ofensive squad with average goaltending, average PP, wretched PK and worse than wretched defense. Obviously Bob Hartley cannot coach defensive hockey to the level of a Mike Babcock, Jacque Lemaire or Claude Julien - my God even PITTSBURGH is a better defensive team than Atlanta this year! What gives, guys? Your defense is once again going to wind up costing you a playoff spot.

By Bob

February 12, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this

And that may be the issue right there. Russ has been making this point, and correctly, for a while on this blog. We need defensive help.

History shows that Waddell is not up to the task, I’m afraid. Look at Waddell’s history of who has has drafted for defenseman. The blind squirrel found a nut in the 7th round with Exelby, but all busts beyond that. We have made tons of picks on defense since the very first year. Remember guys like Ustrunal?, Luke Sellars, Nikulin, et all that he drafted? Now Falconer is laboring under the misguided notion that this current crop of misfits led by Coburn and assorted other misfirings by Waddell will somehow magically turn out better than all of the other bust’s Waddell has wasted picks on.

Meanwhile, Phaenuf is playing lights out in Calgary, keep an eye on him tomorrow night, that kid is a player. He even takes shoot outs for Calgary.

Take a look at the litany of free agent defenseman Waddell has brought in here over the years. Slegr, Reirdon, the list is a like a waste land of overpaid and useless defenseman. It’s always been our achilles heel, and it is once again.

It ain’t Coach’s fault. As my father used to say, you can’t shine a turd. It’s the guy bringing the turds in here for 7 years now.

By EROCK

February 12, 2007 09:33 AM | Link to this

SLIP SLIDING AWAY…THAT IS THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE THRASHERS…NO DEFENSE …KEEP HAVELID AND X AND THE REST OF THE D-MEN CAN GO

By Sage of Bluesland

February 12, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Shame on you, Bob for telling the TRUTH about our “brilliant” GM and former port-a-potty salesman…

What year, again, is it of his “five-year plan”?

Therein lies your answer…

By jeff

February 12, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Coaches fault for not playing Moose enough to keep him sharp.

Season is heading like many games…..cannot hold last period leads.

Prediction….we will finish 6th in the eastern conference & open up against the #3 seed (Carolina?)

By Bob

February 12, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Jeff, at this point, I’d be happy with a 6th seed.

Sage, this latest slide has brought back all those memories of Waddell’s 5 year plan/spinning of wheels. All these names of dmen Waddell has wasted so many picks and signings on keep popping in my head. Adam Burt, Smehlik, our history of defenseman is like a wasteland. Talk about spinning of wheels, that’s Waddell trying to build a defensive corp.

By NZ

February 12, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Can anyone explain to me how Hossa did not get credited with an assist on last night’s (Feb.11, 2007) first and only goal by Belanger – it cost me a critical point in my fantasy league and I am not too happy. I watched the game and it seemed pretty obvious that from the time Hossa shot it and Belanger put it in the net, no one from Edmonton had control. What gives???

By T-Bone

February 12, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Bob, your comments are so right on. I’ve been an STH since year one and have watched the defensive retchedness from six rows off the glass. I’m reminded too that there are some decent Dmen that used to be Thrashers. We saw one last night in Steve Staios and Frankie Kaberle with the Canes. DW has treated defense like Scherholtz used to treat the Braves bullpen, a red-headed stepchild. Finally, Scherholtz has changed his ways, when will DW?

By T-Bone

February 12, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Something like an own goal. The puck actually went in off the dmans skate, thus the unassisted goal to Belanger. That’s what I understood from Elliot anyway. JP Delacamera was too busy adding up the unanswered goals for Edmonton and getting it wrong. JP, they had 5 unanswered, as we scored the first. He was always off by one. You know your team’s playing poorly when stuff like that ticks you off!

By Thrasher_Ed

February 12, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Jeff, Carolina ain’t even close to knocking the Thrashers off, it Tampa Bay that is playing lights out. Watched their game yesterday and they destroyed New Jersey. I think the most pressing concern is our defense. Our play line couldn’t cover me and I’m 39 and can’t skate a lick!! Problem is where do you go for a trading partner? There aren’t a lot of teams falling out yet with 2 weeks til the deadline. I am getting so frustrated as a fan of waiting for the Thrashers to finally go on a serious run. Someone in our locker-room needs to light a serious fire under some players butts and get it going and soon. Maybe crap for brains Waddell, will be able to make a real NHL caliber move to secure. I really want to desperately believe in this team, but I just am not convinced that they care enough. My reason for saying that is that I do not see a consistant effort from a mostly veteran team. We are up one game and down the next.

By Bob

February 12, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

T-bone is right on both accounts. Belanger’s was unassisted as he didn’t really score it, he was just the closest Thrasher to the play, so he gets the goal unassisted. It was kicked in by the Edmonton’s dman’s skate after Roloson made the save.

You’re also right that we get to watch the castaway dman that Waddell didn’t think were good enough, play well for other clubs, we get to watch Sutton et al every night. Waddell let Staios walk for nothing in return, because Waddell didn’t think he was worth the money. Waddell let Kaberle walk for nothing in return, because he though Kaberle wasn’t worth the money. Gee, didn’t I watch both of the guys play in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals last year, one of them walking away with a ring? Didn’t I see Brett Clark the other night in Colorado? Where are all of these draft picks Waddell has wasted. Build through the draft?

There’s one constant here, and it’s not the Coach, we already tried that one.

It’s Waddell. Most of us have known this for a long time, the naive fans that have bought into Waddell’s dribble will hopefully wake up soon and recognize where the ultimate lack of talent is, it’s the guy making the personnel decisions.

Look, Waddell seems to be a real class guy. A good guy of hockey. The way he handled the Heatley and Snyder situation proved that to me, he’s a good and nice man.

“Nice guys finish last”.

By T-Bone

February 12, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Let’s not forget his “success” with Team USA in the Olympics this time last year! Even when he’s drafting talent in a league of one he can’t get it right.

By Bob

February 12, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Leaving Miller off of Team USA was the big brain fart there, but to be fair, Miller was hurt earlier in that year and it wasn’t clear if he’d be healthy in time, although he should have waited. Someone said that was payback to Regier for not being able to work a trade for Biron last year, but that just seems petty and silly, I think it was the injury thing. Or mabye just more incompetence.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

How about you two start complaining about those players Waddell “let walk” AFTER the NHL rule changes.

You’re telling me that Staios (still unproven, no matter how much you want to suck his junk) and Kaberle were good defenseman in the old NHL rules? Kaberle was not a physical presense, and was released pre-lockout. Frantisek Kaberle was the perfect example of a player who completely benefits from the new rules in the NHL. By taking away part of the physicality of the game (clutching, grabbing, hooking, etc) a defensive player who excels at the offensive puckmoving aspect of the game now has a home as a post-lockout defenseman. I know it’s not hard to grasp this concept…so maybe you should think about this in the future when you compile your complaints about a GM who CONTINUALLY is asked to represent his nation.

Ustrnul, Valabik, Coburn, and the other players you mentioned were all drafted or signed BEFORE the lockout. Prior to the lockout, the premium defenders were either SUPERIOR puck movers (Lidstrom, T. Kaberle, Macinnis) or big bodies (Pronger, Stevens, Hatcher, Chara). I don’t hear you complaining about how the play of Hatcher has “declined” since the lockout, but apparently you don’t notice how physicality is relatively gone from the NHL compared to years past.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not claiming Ustrnul would’ve been a big contributor if the NHL wouldn’t have changed rules, but you cannot say that a player like Phaneuf was EXPECTED to become such a big impact…after all, how many other teams passed on him before Atlanta??

Don’t act like you would do better or know better come draft time than Waddell and his scouts do. Drafting and free agent signing is a science — every year 1 of 30 GMs shows that they got the best combination of both aspects, and were able to win a Cup. This is the new NHL, give Waddell time…stop b*** so much.

And somehow I’m sure you would keep complaining even if Waddell traded for Lidstrom, Neidermayer, Phaneuf, Forsberg, Crosby and Ovechkin. We’d still hear “oh yeah, well what about that time he signed Glen Metropolit?”…you’re like women, constantly nagging and complaining.

By Thrasher_Ed

February 12, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Speaking of Nagy and complaining, the Dallas Stars just picked up Nagy from Phoenix for a winger and a draft pick! As for the complaining, I just want the Thrashers to put up a damn fight and stop playing like a bunch of third rate bush-leaguers trying to play out the string. And for our “Brain-trust to make 1 or 2 TRUE HOCKEY moves to improve this darn team.

By Matt H

February 12, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

And one more thing, you guys who think Kovalchuk is having an off year, you guys are not very bright he’s only 2 goals back of the league lead and he’s been playing with Rucchin. I just can’t believe there’s people that dumb in the world… LOL Preach on, brotherman. :) I’m a huge Kovy fan. I nearly shat myself earlier this season when I saw him go down to block a shot during that Buffalo game. Love ‘im, keep ‘im.

By Hip Czech

February 12, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

Ranallo10…excellent points. Judging Waddell over the past 5 years as one era is not fair.

Waddell was building a competitive team pre-lockout under the ‘old style’. He is now trying to re-tool for the ‘new’ style.

Going into last year was a crap shoot. No one knew what impact the new rules were going to have (well, seems Buffalo had a clue maybe). And woe to those teams who signed big, slow defensemen to huge contracts after 2003-2004.

This is really year 1.5 of the new NHL. So let’s get off the ‘5 year plan’ baloney.

Does Waddell get a new ‘5 year plan’ under the new rules? I don’t think so, but if the Thrashers make the playoffs and have a productive off season does he get the axe? On the flip side, one more signing like Rucchin and then he deserves the axe.

Interesting article about possible trade material

Anybody know how much Nagy is making this year?

By Hip Czech

February 12, 2007 01:09 PM | Link to this

well, forget the Nagy question…Eric Brewer anyone?

By Bob

February 12, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

Hey ranallo. Nice rant, you completely miss the point as usual, but hey, you’re trying. You fail to look at the big picture.

Uh, ranallo, there was a GM in Edmonton and a GM in Carolina who did think that both Staios and Kaberle were good, prelockout, and picked up those guys, guys that Waddell let WALK FOR NOTHING. No return. Those GM’s made a decision to pick those guys up, prelockout. Pre lockout, both of those GM’s out managed Waddell. Are those guys just lucky? I think not, they are better at their jobs. Better than Waddell.

And guess what, ranallo? Both of those GM’s got their clubs to the Stanley Cup finals, post lockout. They both made decisions prelockout, that worked out post lockout. See? Somehow I think you won’t, but hey, I try.

I clearly remember the GM in Edmonton laughing at Waddell wondering how he let Staios go, for nothing in return. Prelockout and post lockout, both of those GM’s, ran circles around Waddell.

Is Calgary’s GM just lucky picking Phaenuf? You bet he is, lucky he had Atlanta ahead of him in the draft, and I’m sure he laughed at his good fortune.

Waddell doesn’t have to do better than my ideas, ranallo. He has to do better then them, the other GM’s. The other GM’s who both pre and post lockout have run circles around Waddell. But you don’t get that, do you? Of course not, that’s why Brendan calls Waddell, The Teflon Don. Because there are a shrinking few, who just don’t get it.

By dave

February 12, 2007 01:13 PM | Link to this

We can not expect Don to be too concerned with the Thrashers, he has more pressing issues to deal with at USA Hockey.

By Ryan

February 12, 2007 01:16 PM | Link to this

Tampa’s going to lap us and its gonna hurt. Poor play and I honestly feel sorry for Moose. He just didn’t look sharp. Just glad that the Grammys didn’t suck so bad last night.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 01:19 PM | Link to this

Hip Czech, it’s an interesting article but I’m not sure how accurate the sources are for it. Waddell has said numerous times that he’s NOT interested in Brewer, yet the Thrashers are listed as teams interested. Where as the Flyers have stated that Waddell has shown interest in Forsberg, yet the TSN article says nothing about them. It’s more of an interesting list of names than it is potential suitors for those players (in my opinion).

06/07 Compensation: Brewer = $2.014 Million Nagy = $3 Million

By Thrasher_Ed

February 12, 2007 01:24 PM | Link to this

Darren Haydar was re-assigned to Chicago this morning. Darn, I was hoping against hope that Freight-Train Boulton or Kapanen was going that way not Haydar. Boulton missed some great opportunities to fight with Edmontons thug last night too.

By Russ

February 12, 2007 01:37 PM | Link to this

As far as Kaberle’s value pre and post-lockout, I posted several times last year that Waddell showed terrible judgment when he let someone like Kaberle walk and signed a player like Modry. After the conclusion of the 2003-04 season it was clear a lockout was almost unavoidable, it was equally as clear that whenever the NHL came back there would be significant rule changes in place to emphasize speed and skill over the thugs on skates that were previously dominating on defense. How was I so sure of these facts?…Simply by being a subscriber to The Hockey News…shouldn’t an NHL GM have a little more insight than a magazine reader?

By Hip Czech

February 12, 2007 01:40 PM | Link to this

Granted the suitors probably aren’t accurate. Interesting that the Oilers are looking at D-men, even with Staios…

Is Rucchin’s injury season-ending?

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 01:47 PM | Link to this

Staios has been with Edmonton for 5 years…you presume to claim he’s the reason they made it to the Stanley Cup finals?? According to you, it had absolutely NOTHING to do with the fact that Edmonton traded for Chris Pronger AND Dwayne Roloson…upgrading over everyone on their roster at the current time. You however seem to think that those previous four years with Edmonton, the Oilers were contenders with that missing piece that is Staios?? Do you really believe the dribble that comes out of your keyboard?

Hey, look back at that 2003 draft class and see who was picked before Phaneuf. Ryan Suter, by your god like GM of Nashville, was drafter immediately before Coburn. Three defenders with obviously different skill sets were picked…one happened to be big, while the other two were smaller. Now look at the history of Atlanta defenders and the PRESSING needs of the team at that time…they needed big bodies to fill the void that was left in front of the Atlanta net over the previous seasons. Atlanta had and has plenty of 6-2 defenseman, but only one 6-5+ defenseman…there is a big difference on ice, and they hoped he would be the better pick. Obviously to this point in time it has not worked out the same. DOes that mean Nashville was more stupid than Atlanta for passing on Phaneuf at the 7 pick??

By the way: Coburn = 38 games played, 10 min average time on ice. Phaneuf = 137 games played, 24 min average time on ice. Who’s getting more chances between the two? Maybe it’s coaching and player development?? Think before you speak Bob.

And lastly, you “clearly” remember the Edmonton GM laughing? It happens all the time, GMs LAUGH at other GMs when they take a gamble on a player and come out as winners. You’re right as usual Bob (note the sarcasm, it’s been laid on pretty thick).

“It’s better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

By Matt H

February 12, 2007 01:48 PM | Link to this

Remember the start of the season? Remember when our special teams were special because they were good? Especially the Penalty Kill. Man, those guys could clear a zone and play a 1-and-a-half man coverage. What happened?

I’ve also been calling for a top D-man trade (even before a new center trade). I think that all the dinged posts by Kovy have called attention to a number of goals that could have been there (given a Marc Savard or somesuch) on top of what he’s got now, which is quite impressive.

Also, Bob, nice guys don’t always finish last. Just look at the Super Bowl and Tony Dungy. Class and winner all the way. Same with Jay Feaster in Tampa (though he’s made some bonehead trades). Heaven FORBID the sports world be left to the Jerry Jones’s, Bill Parcells’s and Mike Keane’s.

Also, I too would like to see the Moose more often. I think it’s important to break Kari in now that his groin is healthy, but Jesus-tapdancing-Christ! A little rest now and then can keep your backup sharp and your no.1 sharper.

The folks playing in front of Kari aren’t giving him the same effort he’s giving them on a consistent basis, anyhow…

By Lee

February 12, 2007 01:52 PM | Link to this

So Ladislav Nagy got traded….When are we going to do something that matters? Belanger looked good in his first outing…but he is not a game changer. We need a scorer, I know the defense has struggled, but I don’t think its the personnel, I think it is coaching, so what good does another D-man do if you don’t know how to use him? Just something would be nice, and I dont think they will miss Vish THAT much.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 02:01 PM | Link to this

I’m not arguing that Russ, but if Kaberle had worn his welcome, was less favored by a coaching staff obsessed with defensive “grit”, and was not producing AT THE TIME for what he was asking for as compensation, it’s not ridiculous to let that player walk. Kaberle is making $2.2 million, but for Hartley would only be used sparingly (on PP and even strength…similar to how McCarthy is currently being treated). Is that worth paying $2.2 million for?? That’s a tough choice, so it’s called a gamble for that reason.

What barometers for a defenseman do you all use to measure success?? Appparently Bob uses overall team success, in which case Carolina clearly has the best defensive corps in hockey. And success of a team directly correlates to good personnel management by the GM, which means (according to Bob’s statements) that the trading of Jack Johnson was a sign that Johnson will never be more useful to a team than Vasicek (via Belanger) or Gleason.

McCarthy was a great pickup for a nothing player (Tomi Santala, who I actually enjoyed watching play). Yet, Hartley underutilizes McCarthy’s skill, and therefore we don’t get to fully see what he is capable of. This can be seen by the amount of time de Vries is on the ice, Modry WAS on the ice, etc.

By Brendan

February 12, 2007 02:36 PM | Link to this

I continue to hope for the best with Don Waddell. Sincerely, I do want “something” to work out for this man. I recognize that not everything is his fault. Truly, I do. But there’s a word that everyone understands. That word is “accountability.”

In the “bottom line” world, people just want to see tangible results. And if you’re an owner, you want to see profits. And well, playoffs equal “free money” for the owners. Players do not get paid after the final game of the regular season.

By Brendan

February 12, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

“Teflon” is a surface on which nothing sticks. Few things tend to cling to Don Waddell. (Hey, watch it, now. Behave yourselves.) He seems to “gratuitously” get a pass from the media. I seem to recall a Mark Bradley article titled, “Fire Waddell? You can’t be serious.”

This is America. We all have choices. But there’s also competition for our entertainment dollars. The Braves have a following. The Falcons have a huge following. But hockey continues to struggle to capture the imagination of the 20-county metropolitan area. But I sincerely believe that a “winning team” would change all that.

You’ll see a lot more fans come out of the woodwork, plus new fans. Traffic on this message board has picked up, noticeably, since the Falcons, Jackets, and Bulldogs seasons have ended. But will all the “new” posters still be here at the end of April? May? Will they be here in June, for the Stanley Cup Finals? Will they chime in on Draft Day? Will they even return on July 1st, when FREE AGENCY begins? Will they disappear when the March Madness NCAA tournament begins??

Will we see hockey fans return to the AJC Thrashers blog on January 1st, 2008?, when football is over. Yet again.

I hope you all stay. Stay to support hockey, and especially your Thrashers. This has been the best season yet. I just hope they can hang on and make the playoffs, where anything can happen.

By Hip Czech

February 12, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

The Waddell-ometer will definitely get tested this summer.

Kozlov is a UFA…who makes about as much as Savard made last year. How much/how long for Kozzy? Does Waddell still not negotiate during the season? Sure would be nice to get Kozlov signed before the open market. He potentially gets a Savardesque salary per year, but the length would be an issue.

Looks like we get to clean house on the D-side. DeVries, Sutton, Hnidy, and XLB are all UFAs (PLEASE, PLEASE sign XLB!). I am not sure what McCarthy’s status is (anybody know?) but hopefully he comes back. With that in mind I suspect pursuing Brewer makes sense if he is worth signing.

Just save a few pennies to sign Hossa after next year!

By Bob

February 12, 2007 02:40 PM | Link to this

ranallo, you are completely out of touch. Where did I say that I “presume to claim he’s the reason they made it to the Stanley Cup finals??” Nowhere, ranallo, once again, you completely miss the point.

I stated the facts. Waddell let Staios walk, for nothing in return, because he felt he wasn’t worth the money. Oilers GM picked him up. Oilers GM took a club to the Finals. Oilers GM > Waddell? Same situation with Kaberle, and countless others like Brunette in Colorado who Waddell also let walk, for nothing in return, meanwhile, years later, Brunette still plays on the top line in Colorado with Joe Sakic. Get it? Of course you don’t.

Yep, Nashville’s GM was the only one dumber than Waddell for passing over Phaneuf. I’ll still take Suter over Coburn and Nashville’s GM > Waddell, their respective track records prove it.

So in your mind, Phaneuf is only better than Coburn because his coach plays him more?

That says it all right there, ranallo.

I tried to make nice with you, since I felt bad picking on someone like you. But hoo boy, mabye I best just ignore you, cause you are out there, man.

Phaneuf is only better than Coburn because his coach plays him more. That says it all right there.

By Bob

February 12, 2007 02:42 PM | Link to this

Matt H, you are right and I am a huge Dungy supporter and I love Manning. They represent the good guys in sport, they are easy to root for and it’s great to see.

That quote was from Leo Durocher, a notorious a-hole, but a guy who won. I was trying to make a point for the clueless one up there, but suffice to say, I agree with you, it’s easy to root for a guy like Dungy.

By The Falconer

February 12, 2007 02:49 PM | Link to this

re: Kaberle. The Thrashers matched Carolina’s offer. Kaberle wanted to go there. He was my favorite non-star player. I have his autographed picture still in my office.

re: Valabik. I’m not a fan of this pick. I was let down when we drafted him. I had seen him play a junior hockey before we took him and was not wowed.

re: Ustrnl. Was voted best hitter in the junior league. Had solid potential, some guys can’t translate it to the NHL. Never played with the level of urgency needed. He is a guy who may have had the tools but lacked the drive. The exact opposite of guys like Snyder and Vigier who have great drive and border line skills.

re: Nikulin. Apprarently not that interested in learning English. I’ve heard some rumors that his agent sat on Atlanta’s contract offer. There a LOT of shady things that go in the RSL between agents and clubs. He has now fired that agent and has a new one. This summer is the last chance if he is ever going to come over here.

re: Zubarev. Unlike Nikulin he has a show more interest in coming to the North America. I’m really excited about this guy. He had a strong WJC this year.

By Matt H

February 12, 2007 02:49 PM | Link to this

Correction: Heaven forbid the hockey world was full of Mike Keenan’s.

Hockey could use a few more Mike Keane’s.

+/- is, I think, the best and first way to rate a player, especially a defenseman. If you’ve got a low +/- rating, you’d better be scoring, biotch. Or maybe you’re just not playing that many minutes, you’re developing, what-have-you.

Then, consistent effort, hard ice-time, good puck movement or strong on-ice physical presence.

The Thrashers have some good, solid middle-corps defensemen (two of whom have been injured for long periods of time). I think they need a couple more iron men, or at least one “Hero” class defenseman (who can be a consistent +12 to +17), in order to really excel.

You can’t tell me BH doesn’t know what a world-class defenseman looks like, cos he coached Ray Bourque to a cup. It seems like his affinity for Greg DeVries has cost the team some games this season, though. Man, the s** that guy has done this season…

By Brendan

February 12, 2007 02:54 PM | Link to this

I’ve always been “open” to hearing Don’s side of salary negotiation and dealings with owners. If Staios, Kaberle, Brunette and Audette were instances where Don wanted to retain the player, but the owners said, “No.” Then, that’s what happened. And I can even understand that. But it’s quite another if Don, who sat on the rules committee, and knew changes were coming even when he drafted Valabik, said “Naw, I think I can do better.”

And again, that’s fiiiine, too. Provided that you do actually find better. That’s kinda, sorta, the whole point to being a good GM. You’re always tweaking the roster a bit to improve your chances. Well, unless you’re sitting on a DYNASTY or something. Then you do NOTHING; your FLAWLESS team has amassed championships for you, so why “fix” it?

By Matt H

February 12, 2007 03:05 PM | Link to this

Bob-(whew) I’m glad you don’t subscribe to that crap. I know I’m in the minority, but how someone wins is more important to me than the mere fact that they do.

Word up, Brendan… This board helps keep me sane at my boring-a* job. And hockey helps keep me sane in this crazy-a* world.

Hi, my name is Matt, and I’m a hockeyholic.

I’ll admit it. During the lockout I tried to fill the void with many things. Even… college football. (shudders)

Thank God those dark days are gone.

One love for hockey. :) And Go Thrashers.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 03:12 PM | Link to this

Yes Matt, Hartley technically coached Ray Bourque to a cup. How long was Bourque under Hartley’s tutelage? How long was Bourque a superstar defenseman before going to Colorado and winning the cup? Hartley knows how to stick with what he sees as talented players, or useful players, which seems to be the only way that players like de Vries, Vigier, or Larsen ever keep a job in the NHL. There ARE roles for such players, but those roles are limited. Now, look at all the defenders EVER under Bob Hartley, and tell me which one was DEVELOPED by Hartley and has the possibility of being someone special. I’m asking a serious question here, because I can’t think of any.

Coburn has only played 38 NHL games…can you truly measure his worth in that short of a period? Phaneuf has played in 137 games…he’s had more opportunity to prove his worth to his team, and has taken that opportunity and made the most of it (to this point).

Give Coburn 100 more games, and then we can see if he’ll be the top 4 defenseman Waddell thought he was drafting. DO I personally think he’ll ever be “better” than Phaneuf…no. Both players have different styles, play a different game. It’s like comparing Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa…while both play wing, and both score points, Hossa is clearly the more rounded player. DOesn’t make him “better” than Kovalchuk though.

Bob, for every player you can name that has somewhat excelled upon leaving Atlanta, I can name some that have not. I can also pick any random team in the NHL and tell you several players that made an impact on a new team upon leaving. There’s a reason the saying is “hingsight is 20-20”. To assume that any GM can predict a players success, couple it with their predictive value to the team, outbid every other team for said players, AND HAVE A TEAM THE PLAYER WANTS TO PLAY FOR, is all ludicrous.

If you were Andrew Brunette, would you have stayed in Atlanta after the 2000-2001 season? Apparently Bob, you’re forgetting that there is more to signing/re-signing a player than just money.

By Brendan

February 12, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this

Matt H, remember October? When the Thrashers would trail 2-0, or even 3-0, and not only would Atlanta recover, they’d win the game!

Does that “climate” still exist now? I do wonder why. It’s essentially the same roster. Vish is gone, Belanger is in. McCarthy is back, so is “X” and Sutton.

By The Falconer

February 12, 2007 03:44 PM | Link to this

Someone once asked DW a question about what player do you wish you could have back (or something to the effect) and he said Staios.

re: Phaneuf. One of the bloggers who does shift analysis pointed out that in his rookie year Phaneuf did NOT play against the other team’s top line. I’m not saying that he isn’t good (I’d love to see him an ATL uniform) but he was protected a bit.

By Hip Czech

February 12, 2007 03:54 PM | Link to this

Brendan, the question is will there be a AJC blog for us fans to contribute to during the playoffs, the draft, the FA signing period, training camp?

A big reason for the lack of fan base is the PITIFUL coverage this team gets. The Thrashers are going to be the ONLY playoff team we have this year and they still rate page 3 coverage at best. Shoot, we can’t even get a blogger to make it through a whole year (Ice Princess, Iceman, where are you?).

I’d love to see continual hockey discussions, let’s hope we have the chance.

By Matt H

February 12, 2007 03:56 PM | Link to this

ranallo- Good point, and I can’t. I wasn’t trying to say he makes great D-men. I was just saying he doesn’t have an excuse for not reporting this need to Waddell because, unless Hartley’s totally dense, he knows what a great defenseman looks like, and what one can do for a team. I agree with you. Although I like Bob Hartley a lot, there are things about him that are just plain head-scratchers.

Brendan- Legs. Will. Grit. Cohesion. Not enough of one or too much of the other in the wrong places at the wrong time. I think I posted earlier that the Thrashers have yet to embrace their “identity”, even though they hit upon it so often in the season.

Holik, Mell and Rucchin are not speedsters, and have trailed in the doldrums of the season. They’re weak down the middle and on the blue line, and that is causing them to fail, because they’re so friggin’ skilled on wing and in goal.

It’s easy to be good at the start of the season. It’s not so easy now. Injuries. Fatigue. Trade fears. A bad season. Your wife doesn’t like the climate.

Coaching. Management. This is what they’re here for. Teach them how to win, give them the right tools. Let the players own the game and let them feel that ownership. Unless you’re exploding with talent from every seam (or you have Marty Brodeur), it has to be about the organization, from top to bottom.

And I don’t think the organization has caught up with the team yet.

So we get flashes of brilliance. And then we get Philly.

That’s my take on it, anyway.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 04:05 PM | Link to this

I like your analysis Matt, good stuff. My favorite part — “Your wife doesn’t like the climate.”

Good stuff.

By Matt H

February 12, 2007 04:21 PM | Link to this

Thank you, thank you! Tip your waitress! :)

By Brendan

February 12, 2007 04:48 PM | Link to this

Hip Czech, I think the blog will still be here. It’ll just be the same crew as last Summer. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) But I’d like to think that hockey’s visibility will increase this year and correspondingly attract more posters.

This is our 2nd playoff race, after all. Even if Atlanta doesn’t make it in, it’ll be very close and exciting down the stretch. But, I still think they will make the playoffs. I still think they have a shot at the division title, and as high as the #2 seed in the Conference.

Huh? Thirteen (13) of the last 20 games are at home. The road opposition isn’t that tough. ESPN.com once projected this team’s point total to be 103. I no longer especially think that’s gonna happen. But I’d say 94-98 seems about right. Even at 94-points, that should get us in. And if it doesn’t, it will be very disappointing.

By Adam

February 12, 2007 05:11 PM | Link to this

For all of you who have posted that Waddel needed to re-tool after the lockout due to the new rule changes please remember that he is on the competition committee and played a large hand in making these changes.

At this time only 6 teams have allowed more goals than us. Lehtonen has a .909 sv percentage but he’s faced 1513 shots and has the highest goals against in the league.

How many more game do you think we’d have won if he’d seen only 10% fewer shots because we had a Blue line that did it’s job???

By Brendan

February 13, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

I don’t know, Adam. Atlanta’s squandered a lot of points in the waning moments of regulation and overtimes. I’m the sort that believes that it all sort of “evens out” at the end. I hope I’m right about that.