Thrashers

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 02:20 PM | Link to this

Tell the truth Craig, are you happy to be a journalist/beat writer today? Sounds amazing.

By rick

February 12, 2007 02:28 PM | Link to this

This team is in trouble. I cannot believe the so-called defense lets teams just come right on in. The power play defense is putrid. I am a southern boy who loves this game but are there no right-handed players left? Maybe yall know something I don’t. If it doesn’t change soon they can forget the playoffs.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

February 12, 2007 02:32 PM | Link to this

Anyone know what happened to ICEMAN?

eh, whatever.

I liked the new guy last night. Looked pretty good in an otherwise crappy game. I like the fact that they are getting a bit more aggressive on the penalty kill. Belanger seemed to fit right in. Even the Metro/Sim/#17 line looked a bit better to me.

Hedberg looked lost.

I still want a #1 center and an O-Dman

Merry Christmas

By Lee

February 12, 2007 03:45 PM | Link to this

Hey CC, DO you honestly think that the Thrashers are done making moves? And good luck in that Canadian Snow. Oh, and what is the deal with JPVJ? Will Boulton be back up in the press box with you after JP returns?

By Brian

February 12, 2007 04:09 PM | Link to this

Ok - I just got done reading all the DW bashing on the other post but then came over to this one. I am amazed at how all the non-hockey people get to play Monday morning QB on players like Phaenuf, etc. If all the experts out there can explain one thing for me though - if you had a GM who has improved the team every year in it’s existence except one, and is showing that he will improve again this year, would you get rid of him? How many other GM’s in the NHL, NBA, NFL & MLB can say that? Granted this was an expansion team so you only go up from the first year (although look how long it took TB & SJ to go up), why are you amazed that DW is still here?

By God I hope we make the playoffs

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

Well, at least we don’t have to face Ray Emery in Ottawa…

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 04:18 PM | Link to this

I agree Brian.

By Brendan

February 12, 2007 04:31 PM | Link to this

I’d say that the people who are anti-Waddell are unhappy with the rate of progress. They have different “time table” expectations for this franchise. I think there’s some talent in the pipeline. But are the rosters of Chicago and Gwinnett “fully stocked?” … once you consider that the team has never drafted worse than 12th position in its entire history. A direct result of its never finishing higher than the bottom third of its Conference, in its history. (Atlanta drafted 16th in 2005, but owned the #8 position.)

I don’t think NOW is the time to dwell on the past, however. I really don’t. The time, NOW, is to look towards the playoffs, and address the needs of the club as it heads towards the postseason. And especially, so it can enjoy a deeper run into the playoffs. At least, potentially.

By PJ

February 12, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

Brian, I agree with you; as a transplant from NJ all I can say is all the people were complaining about Lou Lamriello when he basically started from scratch in 1987 (with a horrible Devils team) and took his time developing them in to contenders and I believe if you look at them they are the model of an NHL team over the last 13 years. I wish all these hockey “afficianados” would just give Waddell a chance….I’d rather be building a great franchise rather than a 1 and done for the Stanley Cup.

By Matt H

February 12, 2007 04:33 PM | Link to this

Good story on the Bolts: Scott Burnside

Well, bad news for us that they’re burning it up. But good news in that if they can turn it around, so can we.

By Russ

February 12, 2007 04:35 PM | Link to this

And in all these years of improvement how many playoff appearances do the Thrashers have under their belt in a sport where over half the teams get in?

By Craig Custance

February 12, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

Lee: Thanks — and no, I don’t think the Thrashers are done making moves. Belanger helps, but they still need to bolster that PK.

Brian — I think you make a very valid point there.

Matt H — Thanks for the link, Burnside is a great writer and hockey mind. His stuff is always a good read.

Ranallo — You won’t hear me complaining about my job, I almost always enjoy it - although I’m looking forward to seeing the family soon in Atlanta. Even if it’s a quick hitter before Ottawa.

By LAC

February 12, 2007 05:00 PM | Link to this

Last night, except for the first ten minutes, was just sick to watch…

I still do not understand why we teade a top 2-3 defensman for a 4-5 th line boarderline minor league center.

We have to make a POWER move and now.

We are awful on the power play… remember last year, Savard & Bondra were fuel to make the goals flow, this year…BAD !

We need to lose the moose, he is minoe league at best, Bring back Garrnett, we did pretty good last year once he got his feet wet and held us togather during a difficult period, I would MUCH RATHER have him than hedberg, he is awful.

Holik is doing nothing, nothing, nothing, just sick of him, Devries, trade him, Sutton same, dump a couple others.

Problem is this, I came across in the Edmonton paper. they had a head to head sheet Oilers-Thrashers. The BIG item that caught my eye was average age… Edmonton 26, Atlanta 30.

That is correct a30 year is our average age, I always thought we were a “young” up and coming team. The CBC team was point out the early season run we are still riding, and that most teams are shadowing our big players and that we have little if anything in the tank after that.

I am VERY VERY concerned, we may not even be in the top eight when we return home 2/22 against Tampa.

We might not be in even third place in the SE, more like 4th. I want the team to WIN WIN WIN, but even the casual fan can see we have NO spark, NO and I mean NO scoring depth and a leaky defense who has one of the better in the group traded for a nothing center.

We are not going anyplace unless we make MAJOR moves, which means having to rely on the The WORST GM in professional sports today… DUMB don waddell, this guy is a LOSER and the sooner he is gone the better the team will be for it, with him,,,no playoffs again this season… WHY does he keep his job ? He has had long enough and it is time for the BABY owners to act… Playoffs this season after a GREAT start… Highly doubtful.

By Bob

February 12, 2007 05:01 PM | Link to this

Russ, has got it right, again. The last 7 years has been an improvement, against what standard, “The Waddell Bar” that’s set so low, a midget could get over it? lol.

Waddell tanked it so bad the early years, there was nowhere to go but up, and he still managed to take a step back in the middle of it. To the clueless, we still have not made the playoffs once! and at this crucial part of the year where a club needs to be pulling itself together and peaking for a playoff run, we are tanking, last in the league in PK, bottom third in PP.

Brendan’s got it right, again, as usual. The farm is so poorly stocked, Waddell just had to go to the waiver wire! in the midst of his first ever playoff run, to bring a forward in. That is simply incredible. The waiver wire to pick up Hamel, because there ain’t no one down there NHL ready. After 8 years of drafting.

Brendan’s also right that arguing about Waddell’s past is stupid right now, stupid because it’s plainly obvious how incompetent he is, but also stupid because now is the time that Waddell can erase 8 years of incompetence and finally get it right, if he can make the right moves to bring a center and/or dman in here to help this club turn it around and make a playoff run.

Is he up to the task? I sure hope so, but if hindsight is our guide, the prospect is not good.

Flames picked up Stuart. We sure could have used him. The other GM’s are making their moves. We get a third liner to replace Kapanen and a waiver wire pickup. Come on Waddell, get er done.

By Russ

February 12, 2007 05:10 PM | Link to this

Because of the following: 1)Hartley’s tendency to ride his top players, 2)Hedberg’s performance in his last few starts (not all his fault), and 3)the fact that the firm grasp on a playoff spot seems to be slipping away I am predicting barring injury we do not see Hedberg again until if/when the Thrashers clinch a playoff spot. I am not saying whether I would agree with this strategy or not, just thought I’d throw that out there and see if others agree that Lehtonen might play every game the rest of the way.

By GaVaHokie

February 12, 2007 05:17 PM | Link to this

Ask yourself this Russ? And anybody else (Sage, Bob) Did YOU have any idea who Braydon Coburn was before we drafted him? Had you ever heard of Dion Phaneuf other than what you read on ESPN or NHL.com before the draft? Had you followed Sidney Crosby and Eric Staal since they were 13-14 years old?

It’s easy to play Monday Morning QB when all you have to do is critique the decision Waddell makes, but do you have the mindset to follow guys like Metropolit in the Swiss league? Or have the finesse to steal a guy like Popovic away in a trade for Kip Brennan?

Why don’t YOU give Philly a call about trading us Forsberg? Do you have the contacts? Insiders? Scouts? Do you know how to pull off the deal without giving up too much salary space, yet providing more than Detroit or Nashville has to offer?

You’re crying about not making the playoffs for a team that’s only existed since 1999? Why don’t you go cry to Toronto and see how much sympathy you get.

By Brian

February 12, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

So will all the geniuses who are reading the Hockey News and Edmonton press clippings please state who the 5 best players will be in this year’s draft, or do you only make those claims after the fact? Then again if you can do that you wouldn’t be ranting on a blog. Go to the games, root for the home team and shut your mouths, if you don’t like it watch the Hawks.

By GaVaHokie

February 12, 2007 05:25 PM | Link to this

Bob, Sage and Russ must be like 16 years old if they think 7 years is a long time.

“I’ve been waiting since I was 9 years old to make the playoffs and now I’m 16 and we still haven’t made it!”

Vishnevski was horrible!… he didn’t hit nearly as well as Exelby, and he was out of position far more… he was not a top 3-4 defenseman, sorry. Not on this team.

LAC, Hedberg is a great goaltender… the fact you would rather have Garnett up says a mouthful. Go tell Bill Clement or any other expert that and watch them crack up.

By Lee

February 12, 2007 05:26 PM | Link to this

What a surprise, another blog where fans are far too critical of players, coaches and GM’s. Don Waddell has brought us anything we have that is good. Kovy, hoss (Often regarded as one of the games most complete forwards, and rightly so), Lehtonen, Mellanby and Holik(Don’t count out the effect crafty veterans with playoff experience have). I know we have some holes, but look how tight the east is! From 2nd place NJ (74 pts) to 8th place carolina (63 pts) is just 11 pts! thats it! Nobody has a guaranteed spot, but we are sitting pretty right now boys! Quit being downers! Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Montreal…We are just better than those guys, plain and simple. there WILL be spring time hockey in Atlanta

By Lee

February 12, 2007 05:28 PM | Link to this

Well said GaVaHokie. And Go Hokies.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 12, 2007 05:39 PM | Link to this

Surely you jest when you say the farm is not ‘loaded’ with talent…That impressive pipeline from the minors has been a mere trickle…

Eight years of drafting minor leaguers for our minor leagues…Yeah, I just don’t know what we’d do without our ‘brilliant’ GM.

At this rate, we’ll give him another contract extension…

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 05:40 PM | Link to this

Ike Whitaker for 2008 Heisman (aka—Go Hokies). Well said GaVaHokie, you too Brian.

By dj

February 12, 2007 05:43 PM | Link to this

Bob, You glad lehtnonen got the rest idiot.

By Tony C.

February 12, 2007 05:43 PM | Link to this

I think it’s a case of seeing so much promise and having it consistently paired with middling support. I would say that the cap-era will certainly test all GM’s creativity both for personnel and finance. My main dissatisfaction with DW has been that his stated mission was to “build through the draft”. Yet he seemingly always gone out and signed an overpriced aging/fading UFA to shore up Defense….this past offseason it was the centerman position-I still think the modry/stefan move was a good move to make, Kappanen showed flashes of brilliance but now we have found out why did not crack the top two lines in Dallas….It’s just the deals like Uwe Krupp and this year’s Rucchin move-not that they are bad players just that they are paid big-time money for 3rd-line return. Bondra last year is probably the best result DW’s gotten from a fading vet that I can recall.

As far as “building through the draft” we got two bad-a* wingers and a filirting-with-greatness goalie. A speedy center with promise and an open-ice hitter. Not bad you say, I agree-I just would feel much more enthused if the “role” players had come up through our system a la Buffalo.

I think that outside of signing Savard after Christmas last season when he and his agent let it be known that the time for “home-team” discounts was right then that DW has done a pretty darn good job the past two years…. the Belanger-for-Vishnisky (spl?) is a perfect example; adress a need while gaining cap room-pretty slick….still the after effects of Uwe Krupp and Byron Dafoe are lingering ya kno?

Craig- Nice work on driving through the night I know that driving across Kansas/Nebraska in winter was pretty hairy, I can only imagine that Alberta raises the bar significantly!!!! Take care of yourself and keep up the outstanding work!

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By Jason

February 12, 2007 05:49 PM | Link to this

Great job on the beat so far CC. Nice of the old corporate giant to spring you for a quick charter to Calgary in such wonderful conditions(insert sarcasm).

CC, Do you think there’s a real chance we could pick up a potential #1 center, like we did w/Savard a few years back? If we are going to have to potientially overpay for the present run and avoid bringing in any more 3rd liners, it might as well be for a guy with lots of upside that we can have signed for the next couple. We have enough picks/prospects to get the real deal from someone. Two names that come to mind are Kopitar w/LA and Robert Lang of the Wings. I know Kopitar would be hard, but based on LA’s GM moves already, and the rumors that Lang may be the odd man out if they bring in Forsburg, and him being a free agent at the end of the season, why couldn’t these be realistic options? Those are just two of many names we could make a real push for.

My thought is if you know you need a #1 center now and for the future, find a way to kill two birds today. Cmon’ DW, impress all of us.

By GaVaHokie

February 12, 2007 06:07 PM | Link to this

Jason… Kopitar is the future of Los Angeles, as well as Lubomir Vishnovsky. They’re not going anywhere.

The problem with guys like Robert Lang and Forsberg for that matter, is they are high priced players, and coveted. And for a team like Atlanta, they would be strictly rental players… looking at what Dallas gave up for Nagy today… a first round draft pick and a prospect, and rumors that the price for Forsberg is TWO first round draft picks, I don’t think we’ll be getting any high priced players. And rightfully so, I’d be P.O.ed with Waddell if he gave up that much for a playoff rental.

I think what will work best is getting a guy like Brent Sopel (offensive defenseman) and Josef Stumpel (smart passing, power play Center). Two guys that we could actually retain next year.

By Bob

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

And like clockwork, the few, the proud, the naive show up with the same old tired “well, if you think you can do better, do it!”

Uh, I’m not being paid several 100 thousand a year to make these decisions. Waddell is. That’s why he’s accountable, because he’s paid to be an expert, he’s paid to go scout, draft, negotiate.

The sample against which you numbnuts should be rating Waddell, is the other GM’s who are his peers, not some doofus like me with a keyboard and an opinion.

I bet some of you goofs ride Waddell’s jock because he took the time to talk to you at one of these team meetings. And hey, I understand that, he seems like a genuinely nice guy, a good classy guy. But eventually you got to deal with the fact that he has not gotten the job done.

I will gladly eat every word typed here for one thing, and that is for Waddell to finally do something right and bring us a top line center and a dman that can play and get us a good playoff run set, by this deadline. That’s all I want for Valentine’s Day. Can he get it done? If he does, I’ll be the first one cheering him.

Will some of you sheep still be supporting him if, yet again, he doesn’t? Or will you finally be ready to hold him accountable?

By Brian

February 12, 2007 06:35 PM | Link to this

Actually Bob, my exact words were this: “If all the experts out there can explain one thing for me though - if you had a GM who has improved the team every year in it’s existence except one, and is showing that he will improve again this year, would you get rid of him? How many other GM’s in the NHL, NBA, NFL & MLB can say that? Granted this was an expansion team so you only go up from the first year (although look how long it took TB & SJ to go up), why are you amazed that DW is still here?”

So in essence I was comparing him to the other GM’s of not just the NHL, but also the NBA, NFL & MLB. If he continues to improve year over year, why should he go? Please do explain.

By Brendan

February 12, 2007 06:37 PM | Link to this

“Accountability” matters. At least, I think it should.

In “hypothetical” terms, a GM could do EVERYTHING RIGHT and still not make the playoffs. (Injuries, arrests, accidents, goaltender woes, etc.) But still find himself “fired” at the end of the season.

People would “sympathize” with such a hypothetical GM, and say things like, “He kinda got a raw deal. Some of this wasn’t his fault and was completely beyond his control.” But those folks would be drowned out by the “result-oriented” masses who say, “Did he, or did he not get the team into the playoffs in his tenure?” If the answer is “no,” then folks, generally, welcome the change.

That’s how I’ve seen it happen through the years of following hockey. When a GM is hired, he knows one thing for sure: He will be fired, unless he dies, resigns or retires first. The one thing doesn’t know when it will occur. For Neil Smith, the ax came 41-days into office.

By sisu

February 12, 2007 06:49 PM | Link to this

So what I read is most of you are saying that making the post season is not good enough? What could we trade for a #1 center? The Foppa situation is showing that the price is way too high right now.

What is needed right now is a PP dman. When Savard was brought here he was a cast off that was viewed as a cancer in a team! So maybe we have discovered a center with more upside as so many have written here???

By Lee

February 12, 2007 07:06 PM | Link to this

I’m just sayin, hindsight is 20/20. Anybody can second guess anybody else’s decisions on anything, but somewhere along the line you have t recognize the fact that Waddell has made tremendous moves. The team is in first place and should make the playoffs. So Bob, please lighten up. I mean you are a fan right? Fans show support right? So before you go harassing me and all of the other “numbnuts” on this blog, why don’t you consider two things: 1.Waddell IS a good man, and is the right man for the job. He brought us Hossa, drafted heatley, kovalchuk, lehtonen and this spring will bring us, along with another good man (Bob Hartley) into the playoffs. 2. Do you really think you could do better? Please tell me, what would you do right now, and how.

By mb

February 12, 2007 07:08 PM | Link to this

And let’s not forget, Sisu, that Savard was a castoff picked up for the great Ruslan Zainullin by dumb old Don. Then Savy went and finally had a career year and cashed in, though if DW could have retained him at far less than he received it was indeed a mistake.

Also, while it might not be happening quickly enough for some (yes, yes…the 5 year plan), don’t we think that the likes of Bourret, Haydar, Sterling, Little, Pavelec, Valabik, Popovic, MacKenzie, Oystrick, Manson, Stuart, and LaVallee might someday contribute to the success of the club?

Finally, now that you’ve watched this team all season, with all of its inconsistency, exactly which player out there do you really think can boost this team to a deep run in the playoffs? Yes, DW needs to make some moves…moves that position the team for a strong run next season.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2007 07:22 PM | Link to this

I think I understand you Bob…Don Waddell needs to go out and sign or trade for Marc Savard, Peter Forsberg, Lubomir Visnovsky, Tomas Kaberle, Frantisek Kaberle (and any other brother combos for that matter), Niklas Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara, Dany Heatley (again, we’ll conveniently forget who originally drafted him), Alexander Ovechkin, Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, and maybe Sidney Crosby to sit on the bench. On the current roster Don should only keep Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Hossa, Glen Metropolit and JP Vigier, because they’re the only true talent on the Thrashers.

With those signings, the Thrashers should then avoid all possibilities of injury, and sweep every playoff series until the coveted Cup comes to Atlanta.

All of this will then be followed by another inane post by Bob (and others — I don’t mean to single out Bob) about how Waddell doesn’t do enough and he should be fired for not owning the entire first round of draft picks and making perfect choices for all.

By Poot a scoot

February 12, 2007 07:45 PM | Link to this

Craig, your blog posts are only 1/115th the length of David O’Brien’s. You’re shortchanging us buddy. Get on the stick.

By Lee

February 12, 2007 08:41 PM | Link to this

CC, Just out of curiosity, where did you go to college? I am studying journalism myself, and I was just wondering what matters more: The name of he school the degree comes from, or the degree itself.

By Lee

February 12, 2007 08:50 PM | Link to this

BY the way, Calgary has lost four in a row, Kiprusoff (spelling?) and Iginla have been playing awful-Translation= Kiprusoff- 36 saves, Iginla- hat trick. Calgary wins 6-1.

By Brian

February 12, 2007 09:20 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget Ranollo, Don Waddell must only figure out all these trades at night only. Since we have the Center for Disease Control (CDC) here in Atlanta, Bob, Brendan, Sage & the rest feel that Don’s day job should be working for the CDC, only by night must he complete the trades according to the gospel of Bob. Cure cancer by day, win the Stanley Cup at night. Then Bob & Co will complain that it’s DW’s fault the Braves didn’t win enough World Series.

By Geneen

February 12, 2007 09:27 PM | Link to this

Lee: I’ve been in journalism for 10+ years now. (I’m not in the sports department though.) I’d advise you to do internships, work for your college paper, freelance — get as much practical experience as you can before you’re out in the real world. I majored in English at a big state school in Texas. In my opinion, experience (good clips, good references, etc.) and determination matter more than where you went to school, what your grades were and even what your major was. I’d say at least half of the people I know in the biz were not even J-school grads.

By Russ

February 12, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry if I ever come down to hard on DW. I hereby, steadfastly proclaim to support mediocrity for years on end and if he can lead this team to one playoff appearance every ten years or so with a first round exit I will stand by his glorious achievements like so many others.

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Apparently, in order to be a general manager for the Atlanta Spirit, you must state that you have a five year plan. At least the Thrashers five year plan has worked out better than the Hawks five year plan.

By Bob

February 12, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

Russ, no doubt. Accountability, it’s a concept that seems foreign to some.

Lee, you seem to be faily reasonable so I will respond to you. Yes, I am a fan, and as a fan, I don’t blindly follow the wrong path, when it’s clear to me it’s the wrong path. To me, the best fix for us as fans, is to get a GM in here that knows what he’s doing. There’s been many of us on this blog saying it for years. I really wish they would have canned him a couple years ago and mabye we’d have had a shot at Brian Burke, that’s a guy that knows hockey and look at the turnaround he performed in Anaheim, quickly. He also managed Vancouver well, on a budget.

I firmly believe Waddell is a good guy, the way he handled with class the Snyder tragedy and then Heatley’s outrageous demand to be outright released, proved that to me.

The way he has mismanaged the club for 8 years now, has proven to me that he’s not the man for this job. His many wasted draft picks, poor free agent signings over the years, misteps allowing guys like Staios, Kaberle, Brunette to walk away for NO RETURN, and his inability to make the playoffs, proves that to me.

I have been saying on this blog since game 5 this year that we needed centers and that Rucchin and Kapanen were complete wastes on the top 2 lines. There were a few newbies that came out of the woodwork then that spewed similar stuff, “why are you complaining, we’re leading the league”. Well, now mabye they see why. I’ve been complaining for years about Sutton, he does not belong on our top pair, Waddell thought he did and committed to him.

Again, it’s not my job to do better. It’s the guy who’s being paid 100’s of thousands a year to do it. I compare Waddell to his peers. You new guys compare him to me or some other blogger? Get real. I compare him to what guys like Brian Burke have done, to what Rutherford in Carolina have done. That’s the test for his ability, not if he can do a better job than Joe Blogger.

We need a center, we need a dman. The team has relatively few guys under contact for next year. The club can be rebuilt, and if he’s smart and capable, he should start now by trading not just for a rental, but for a dman and center that are still under contract beyond this year, who can be retained for next year. I think Stuart would have been a good fit here, a contract would have been needed to have been worked out as an extension, but you have to be willing to make moves.

Belanger is a good replacement for Kapanen, that move has been needed all year. Now we need a replacement for Rucchin, someone to skate with Kovy.

We need a dman to displace Sutton off our top line.

If Waddell can get that done, I am praising him far and wide all over this blog, as it will make the team better and he will have done his job.

But if he doesn’t get it done, will you realize he’s the problem? We’ve heard for years that the next Ustrunal, Sellars, Nikulin, plug in the name of every draftee he’s had outside of #1 or #2 overall is just waiting in the minors to come up and make this team better. But now it’s 8 years of drafting and today Waddell has to go to the waiver wire to pick up Hamel. That says it all right there to me, there’s no one to bring up that’s NHL ready, waiver wire pickups are the stuff of a 2nd year expansion franchise. Not an 8th year club making it’s first ever serious playoff run.

So, please don’t question me being a fan. I live and die with this club and that’s why I want better for them I want them to win. Get ‘er done, Waddell, or get gone.

By Bob

February 12, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

To point out how completely silly some of you look with your inane “well, if you think you can do better, then you do it”, nonsense. Consider this.

The next time you complain about Sutton getting blown past by a speedy winger on his way in to score. Or the next time you complain about JPVJ not playing well enough, you better stop and check your hypocrisy.

Because according to your tripe, you have no right to complain, unless you can strap on some skates and do it better.

See how silly that is? Of course, you have a right to complain about a player not doing his job. The same is true about the GM.

Now let’s hope that for once, he can get the deals done by Feb. 27th to make this club a winner.

By Craig Custance

February 13, 2007 01:18 AM | Link to this

Poot a scoot — Your post made me laugh out loud. Good work. DOB is the blog master, I’m just hoping to get some hockey news out there. Maybe I’ll share my favorite bands in my next post.

Lee — I went to Michigan State University, which has a great journalism program. But the most important thing in journalism is work experience.

By Craig Custance

February 13, 2007 01:30 AM | Link to this

Tony C — Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it.

By Hip Czech

February 13, 2007 09:09 AM | Link to this

All these comments about Waddell make it sound like the Thrashers are the most inept organization in the NHL, and it only took 6 years.

Let’s see, Columbus came in a year before the Thrashers, haven’t made the playoffs yet. They must have a real bad GM.

Phoenix? Who did they get for Briere? Oh, really dumb GM there too.

Toronto? Last time they won a Stanley Cup, let’s see, I was watching original episodes of Speed Racer. Extremely dumb GMs there.

Boston signs Savard and Chara and are not going to make the playoffs, fire that idiot too.

Florida? Philly? Washington?

It was fun to see Philly kick Detroit’s butt last night though…

By Bob

February 13, 2007 09:23 AM | Link to this

Hip Czech, actually, you just went through the list of GM’s who’ve been doing as bad as Waddell has been. The guy in Columbus is probably the worst of the lot. Great company to be in, huh? We’re not the worst, we’re not the worst! Personally, I’d prefer to be able to compare how much better Waddell has done to Minnesota’s GM, Pitts’s GM, Carolina’s GM, Tampa’s GM, but alas. I like to think the Thrashers can achieve great things, not search for a couple of GM’s who stink worse than ours.

By the way, Boston’s GM is a new guy from the one that traded Thornton. If you look at this past weekend’s trade of Stuart, does Boston have anyone left from who they rec’d in the Thornton trade? Of course, one could say that Thornton never took them deeper than one first round win during his tenure in Boston, but still, you’d think that the old GM could have gotten more in return.

By Hip Czech

February 13, 2007 09:39 AM | Link to this

Top GMs, in my humble (and probably wrong opinion):

Buffalo

NJ

Nashville (I spent a year or 2 in DC when Poile was building a decent Caps team in the mid-80s)

Carolina (and, I’m not sure here, I think last year was more just the stars aligning than sheer brilliance on Rutherford’s part)

That’s probably the A list, everybody else except for the ones mentioned in my previous post are the B list. The C list are listed in my previous post (oops, forgot the Islanders, add them).

I am not saying that is the end all - to be just as average as everybody else. But the way most people talk, there is nobody worse in the league.

Call it half-full I guess.

By Adam

February 13, 2007 09:43 AM | Link to this

Seeing that this post on the other blog got no response I thought I’d repost it.

I will go on record that I have not only posted here for the last 3yrs that we’ve needed help on D but stated before this season even started that it would come back to haunt us this year. Also as far as Savard goes I’m glad his PIM’s aren’t here any more…

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 games 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 luckydog

February 13, 2007 09:45 AM | Link to this

Last night I watched the Flyers wax the Red Wings, and I found myself wondering: How can we not want Forsberg here if he’s gettable and we believe him to be healthy? The Flyers are WINLESS without him. With him, they are a decent club. The guy is a proven winner. Yet he also is a battler who plays with heart (witness the occasional stupid penalty) and doesn’t mind getting his points on assists. I’ll take my chances with that any day.

By Russ

February 13, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Columbus actually joined the NHL one year after the Thrashers. Nashville started one year before.

By Bob

February 13, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Adam, you’re right on. Russ has also been calling for defensive help. I’ve been pining for a center all year, but hindsight shows (GA) that defense is where we need help the most. It’s been our weak point since day 1.

You also are 100% correct that Waddell was on the competition committe and helped formulate the new rules. Some of these new guys don’t realize that, it’s not like he was caught blindsided. He even had a leg up on the other GM’s since he helped formulate the rules.

Bobby Clarke was the dinosaur who didn’t move with the new rules, that’s why Philly was my preseason pick for biggest drop off this year and it cost Bobby his job. Of course, a lot of that has to do with Forsberg being out, they’re a different club with him in there.

By DBH 1

February 13, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

I only saw a few minutes of the Flyers/Wings game last night, but one thing I noticed about both teams was an intensity and fire that at least at the moment seems to be lacking in the Thrashers.

By Brendan

February 13, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

With respect to the “time table,” you’ll never please everybody. Everyone has a different vision for acceptable achievement and an accompanying time frame for it.

Some people have a 10-year window and others about two seasons, before they want wholesale changes. You have the right, as individual fans, to feel the way you do about your preferences. Sometimes your fellow Thrasher fans are not marching to the beat of the same drummer. Such is life.

It’s not much different than driving down the Interstate. Anyone going slower than you is a “moron.” And anyone passing you is a “maniac.” Because, after all, it’s all according to YOU, with the capital “Y.” LOL.

If you finished DEAD LAST, should it take more than three years to climb your way back to a playoff berth? (Roughly 55% of the league gets in.) I’ve seen two teams not only get back to the playoffs, but win the Cup in that time frame. (Tampa Bay, last in 2001, Cup winner in 2004, and Carolina, last place in 2003, Cup winner in 2006.) Now, is it all that “realistic” to expect a Cup in a three year span? I doubt it. But, it’s not like it can’t be done, either.

I honestly think there’s “room” for dissenting opinions. There’s nothing more “American” than opposing viewpoints in a public forum. You’ll never see me try to suppress another’s opinion. If everyone agreed with every single thing I’ve ever posted, then I might as well talk to the mirror.

This isn’t “Dogbert’s Communication seminar.” Unfamiliar with this? Fair enough. It basically means, “There’s no point to discussing things with other people. They’ll either be AGREEING with you or staying stupid stuff. Hopefully, you’re laughing. I think the “Dilbert” comic strip is pretty funny, myself.

By Hip Czech

February 13, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the correction on Columbus Russ.

Yes, Forsberg would be nice, but I agree with mb saying that any move just for THIS year is pretty pointless. Do we realistically expect this club to win it all this year? I think not and don’t see giving up a couple first round picks.

Make a move for a player that we can sign for a few years at a position we need help at (Brewer?). Then get a forward via the free agent market or an offseason trade to improve this team.

Kovy and Hossa are signed for next year, signing Kozlov would be nice. Pick up a decent D-man now and get a first or second line forward in the summer plus maybe a mid-level D-man and lace ‘em up.

By Bob

February 13, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Brendan, well said. And I think I’ve taken over for your title of most long winded poster, but man am I frustrated with this club right now.

Tampa did turn it around quick. So did Carolina. Anaheim went to the Finals in what, 2003? Then stunk, then Burke came in and turned it around quick. Minnesota made the Western Conference finals in their 3rd year and now with Gaborik healthy again, they’re tied for the lead in their very competitive division. That’s what proved to me that this go slow plan by Waddell was a bust, other GM’s have just blown by him while he’s been fiddling.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Darcy Regier is not a draft genius… most of his stars were drafted pre-lockout, in a league that had clutching and grabbing, and small, speedy players were inaffective.

Give credit where credit is due… Lindy Ruff, Coach of the Year.

And for Carolina, Peter Laviolette the runner-up. Who took a team that was picked to finish last in the Southeast and won the Stanley Cup.

I’d get rid of Bob Hartley WAY before I’d even consider tossing Don Waddell. What more can the man do? Can Bob Hartley really not come up with a way to score on the Power Play with Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Kozlov… is Hartley seriously trying to say that’s not enough fire power to score on the man advantage? Is that Waddell’s fault? So, Waddell has to go out and find a Power Play QB because three guys who lead the league in scoring can’t find a way to put it in the net? Everything you guys are mad about comes down to coaching and strategy.

My question is, how has Brad McCrimmon escaped criticism over the past several years? Isn’t this guy supposed to be the defensive mastermind behind this team?

By Brendan

February 13, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

I like the way you’re thinkin’, Hip Czech.

Matt H., I’ve enjoyed your posts, as well.

By Brendan

February 13, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Bob, the volume and frequency of my posts are down 18% in 2007. Slowly, but surely, right? :)

Craig, what fun things have you managed to do up in Calgary? Were the “Hitmen” playing? Maybe take in a little rodeo?

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Hip Czech and mb… you’re mirroring my points exactly! This summer is going to be the biggest free agency market in recent memory. All these guys who are being discussed in trade rumors are going to be the same guys up for UFA this summer… why give up prospects and draft picks when you can sign them on your own terms this summer? This team has the right personel to make the playoffs this year, and teams making it for the first time tend to “test the waters” with what they have.

By Hip Czech

February 13, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie…that might be considered blasphemy with the talk of letting Hartley go before Waddell, but thanks for bringing that up.

It continually amazes me watching other teams PK. They are active and FORCE the play, pressuring the point and the sideboards. We stand around and hope that by taking up space we’re going to prevent goals. It’s kind of like playing zone defense in basketball and not being active in that. I would much rather see pressure and hustle on the PK that leads to a goal rather than what we get now - which is still a goal and our forwards standing still and the defense not clearing anybody out.

The PP is a real mystery. Again, watching other teams kind of sheds some light on our problems. It again is amazing to see how easily other teams can bring the puck into the offensive zone and set up the PP. We rely on carrying the puck through center ice (where we get turned back and have to regroup to try and carry the puck again) instead of a couple sharp passes and in. Or, we dump it in and send the guy who dumped it in to chase it.

A PP QB is not needed, the only thing that would do would be to move Kovy off the point (which would be a good thing). We have the personnel, just utilize it. I kind of liked Detroit’s set up last night with a high/low post thing. Put someone in the high slot and low slot and SHOOT THE PUCK.

By Bob

February 13, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Hip Czech is right on. It seems like every team we play pressures the puck, they continuously chase our guys and pressure in the zone.

Conversely, we never do that while on the PK, our guys just sit back and the PP guys pass the puck around. Why not try to pressure the puck?

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

I think putting Kovy in the high slot with Mell and Hossa on each post with Havelid and Kozlov on the point would work… Kozlov being the sharpest and more creative passer.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 13, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Oh, Bob WILL be the sacrificial lamb for the utter incompetence of Don “Five-Year Plan” Waddell—That you can count on…

If that happens, I only hope our “braintrust” in ownership (and I use that term very, very loosely) sends Don “Build through the draft!” Waddell down to the bench and coach the assemblage of “talent” that he ALONE has compiled.

(Yeah, I can almost hear the blaring of the trumpets as the ‘reinforcements’ from the minors are making their way to the figurative joke otherwise known as Blueland…That’s why our average age of the roster is on the wrong side of 30)

Well done, Don…Maybe one day Atlantans will wake up and stop subsidizing your incompetence. I love the mindless sheep who ‘challenge’ posters to ‘do a better job—give me specific examples’…I’ll entertain that asinine drivel just once for the Waddell-apologists: If you can give me the job of an NHL GM, believe it or not, I WILL field a team…I WILL draft players…I WILL make personnel decisions in a salary-cap environment…and this must really get to you—I couldn’t possibly do much WORSE than our port-a-potty expert who doubles as a wanna-be NHL GM.

Gee, I wonder if life would indeed be worth living if our ‘brilliant’ GM was told to go back to selling port-a-potties…Maybe he could latch on with a perennial powerhouse for one year which could then vault him into the top job for another sucker franchise?

(Oh wait, THAT’s already been done…)

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

You should be the GM for Massengill, becuase you’re quite the Douche.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 13, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

“You should be the GM for Massengill, becuase [sic] you’re quite the Douche [sic].”

Ahh, a nice classy—albeit imperfect—post by a classy individual…

By Matt H

February 13, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Lee- I went to J-school at UGA, and Craig and Geneen are right. If you’re in J-school already, the number one thing you need to remember is “Internship”, above grades or whatever else, if you’re looking for a more expedient cash return on your education. A better program might get you better internships, but just about any large media corporation has a PR person you can get to know by name and finangle things with. I’d highly recommend UGA if you haven’t chosen a program yet. BUT,

The Second thing you should always remember is that Journalism is, always has been, always will be, a trade- one which can be taught and learned easily outside a classroom setting, and one which largely all MSM outlets (soapbox here) do wrong. As I believe Craig mentioned earlier in a post, the news business trades mostly in news analysis, not news itself. (off soapbox)

So, that means experience is king- clips, internships, contacts, etc. If you really like philosophy, go get a degree in philosophy and string for the local paper. I loved my time at UGA going through the J-school, and when I graduated I decided the career of a newspaperman was not for me; but I’d still do it all the same if given a second chance. :)

Also, a short, shucksy thanks to those who’ve enjoyed my posts and said as much (esp. Brendan, whom I gather is the senior in these pars). This is really my one outlet to discuss hockey (aside from my brother, who lives in Wisconsin, and my girlfriend; everything over here is about college football, which I could honestly give a toss about).

By Lee

February 13, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Go hokies.

By Brian

February 13, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

So Sage - who are your top 10 picks for this year’s draft?

By Brendan

February 13, 2007 01:43 PM | Link to this

Matt H., you’re most welcome. Keep posting. When the blog is good, it’s a great place to bounce ideas off one another. When it’s not so good, people start “name calling” and trying to suppress Constitutional-protected Amendments. I’ve always thought of this board as a “friendly place” where even the most novice of hockey fans could come and pose questions and bounce ideas around. Without having to defend them, like it were their doctoral thesis. Or a prosecuting attorney, at trial, trying to convict someone “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

I’ve always tried to cultivate more interest in hockey, and in the Thrashers, in particular. I don’t mind if someone who’s just seen his or her 1st hockey game chimes in to ask, “What’s ‘delayed offsides.’? I’m not going to rip them a new one and tell them how ignorant they are. I’ll try to answer the question as best I can. Some new fans might have questions about other rules, the waiver wire, UFA vs RFA, salary cap concerns, and cap management strategies. In that regard, there’s no ONE CORRECT ANSWER. There are lots of strategies out there, as well as different philosophies about playing the game.

You won’t hear me saying, “I played the game. You didn’t. So your opinion doesn’t count.” LOL. Aye, aye, aye. But rest assured, you’ll see others do it. When someone suggests Bob Hartley try something different, you don’t see me saying, “Really, how many professional victories do you have to your credit?” Likewise, if someone is overly critical of the GM, I don’t say, “How many teams have you managed? And list your championships and the years won, and the players drafted before I’ll consider listening to you.” Oh my. Yep, such opinions exist out there.

By Russian

February 13, 2007 01:47 PM | Link to this

I think what might happen if Thrasher did not make Play off in this year: 1. Fire a Coach. Yes, it will be first reaction. 2. Fire GM. 3. Relocate a team to Canada. It will be worst scenario. Now about a game to night, we have a chance to win if: 1. PP is going to work. I do not know how, but we have to score. 2. PK is going to be stronger, not a last place on the League. 3. Kari will stay on the net. 4. Coach will keep a same lines

By Sage of Bluesland

February 13, 2007 01:48 PM | Link to this

“So Sage - who are your top 10 picks for this year’s draft?”

Brian—I’ll share my ‘secret’: I’ll look at the morning paper on draft day and see who the consensus top-ten prospects are…Real scientific, huh?

Yet, Don is ‘brilliant’ for drafting Heatley, Kovalchuk, and Lehtonen! Spare me the obvious, Waddellites!

No, Waddell-apologists, true brilliance from a GM is finding players when the consensus top-ten are long gone.

Unfortunately, we have a GM who has stocked our minor leagues with, umm, minor leaguers with nary a legitimate reinforcement for the parent club to be found…Thus, we rely on old, overrated bums of yesteryear (or never-were’s) to fill out our roster to go along with the crown jewels of our top three picks of past years.

This vaunted talent “pipeline” that our brilliant Donny is alleged to have built has slowed to a mere trickle…Yet, the sheep swoon!

Oh well, just another typical day in Blueland…

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2007 01:50 PM | Link to this

“Ahh, a nice classy—albeit imperfect—post by a classy individual…”

Yeah, I try. :) I saw it and I went for it. Couldn’t help myself.

Actually that is how you spell douche.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2007 02:10 PM | Link to this

Garnett Exelby, Pasi Nurminen, Jim Slater were not consensus Top 10 picks… the team has only been drafting for 7 years. It’s still early to judge guys like Oystrick, Bourret and Little who also look promising.

What’s the difference between Waddell getting good first round picks and bad late round picks, versus Buffalo that gets bad first round picks and great late round picks?

When Buffalo takes Mika Noronen in the first round, Henrik Tallinder in the second, and gets Maxim Afinogenov in the third, that tells me you got lucky. Because the guy you took in the first round didn’t amount to crap and your best player came out of the third round.

Show me a GM who’s confident about their 6th round picks and I’ll show you a guy who’s good at Poker.

By ranallo10

February 13, 2007 02:15 PM | Link to this

You’re one to speak, Sage, as you are obviously the embodiment of class. Keep up your optimistic posts, eventually someone will reference them in a suicide note.

I find it amazing that you give time to this blog — you seem to hate everyone associated with the Thrashers.

Just a tip, in order to cut down on the reading that others must make to understand your points…just write “PS - Waddell sucks” and everyone will know your stance on the topic. It’s worked well for me with my Vigier complaints.

By Bob

February 13, 2007 02:17 PM | Link to this

If we’re going to win this game tonight, Kari is going to have to stand on his head. Calgary is tough at home, only 5 losses I believe. They lost 4 in a row and are in a dogfight, and will be after it tonight.

Tonight is a pivotal game in our season, I think. This is the kind of game that our boys need to win, if we can continue to entertain hopes of a decent playoff run, once in the show.

If we get blown out, it does not bode well for our chances.

Which club shows up tonight? I will be pulling for Kari to step up, and Hossa to have a huge game. We really need it.

By Bob

February 13, 2007 02:22 PM | Link to this

Dude, if Exelby, Nurminen, and Slater are the best you can do to try to convince me of what I don’t already know (that Waddell sucks at his job), then my good man, you might want to rethink your position. Talk about overvaluing your own guys. Exelby is average at best and Slater just plain stinks. Nurminen was drafted overage and coming off known knee problems (what, 26 years old when he was drafted) and went bust when the fatty blew his knee, again. THAT? is your thoughts on Waddell’s prowess?

I’m beginning to understand now.

By ranallo10

February 13, 2007 02:27 PM | Link to this

Brian Berard…

that is all

By ranallo10

February 13, 2007 02:31 PM | Link to this

“Bryan”…sorry

By Sage of Bluesland

February 13, 2007 02:33 PM | Link to this

“Actually that is how you spell douche.”

However, why was it capitalized before?

I saw it and I went for it. [I] Couldn’t help myself.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2007 03:05 PM | Link to this

Bob… I’m not the one holding the draft against Waddell… I don’t hold the draft against any GM, good or bad… it’s about how you fill out a roster with prospects, free agents, vets, whatever… it’s also about getting fans in the arena which is growing every year.

Buffalo built a team through the draft, good for them, but they lost the Eastern Conference final to Carolina who stacked their roster with a combination of prospects AND veterans… Brindamour, Recchi, Stillman, Cullen, Weight, etc.

But whatever, I’m done with this argument… you guys are very much in the minority. Not just in Atlanta, but the entire hockey world. Anyway, Sage stopped making good points a long time ago and started correcting my spelling.

By gretschdrum

February 13, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this

Craig,

Great job with the beat writer’s gig. Just look at the number of posts today. This may be a record number of posts for the Thrashers’ daily blog. Your replies and hands-on attitude is a welcome addition around here…even if you are bad luck. We can’t seem to get off the schneid since you’ve been on board. :)

But seriously, one thing that Manasso did was semi-regular interviews on XM Home Ice. Are you planning on doing this? Or, have you already done it and I just missed it? Regardless, please post info if you do the XM show or any local terrestrial radio. I’m sure the folks around here would appreciate it.

By Lee

February 13, 2007 03:36 PM | Link to this

Matt H and CC, thank you so very much for your insight. I really appreciate that. I will definitely pursue an internship. i may actually get one this summer. Speaking of which, if I want to be a beat writer, would it be wise to intern with a paper, or just any media outlet. The one i could probably get is Fox 5 sports, i have a connection there.

By Bob

February 13, 2007 03:42 PM | Link to this

I will agree to disagree with ya Hokie, especially about who’s in the minority. The only ones that I know of that hold Waddell in high regard, are the diehards that are at every game, especially those guys in the upper deck, I’ve talked to some of them, good people, but they really buy into the sunshine Waddell blows up their rears at those meet and greets.

You’ll take the blinders off, eventually.

By ranallo10

February 13, 2007 04:03 PM | Link to this

Bob, yet another interesting post…so, according to you, the fans that attend every game and appreciate what the Thrashers are as a club CURRENTLY are less correct than a person who spends time b*** and moaning on a blog forum about a GM they pay to watch.

Here’s my idea for you — treat this like any other consumer revenue driven venture. If you didn’t like a restaurants menu, would you continue to dine there expecting the menu to eventually change to suit your needs?? If you don’t like McDonald’s, DON’T BUY THEIR PRODUCT. Much like food…hockey is consumer revenue driven. So in turn, if you don’t like Waddell and the decisions he does (or does not) make, don’t watch the product. Stop watching the game on TV, stop attending the few games that you already do (I assume you attend few because, if you attended more than a couple games, you would realize that the Thrashers most celebrated/fanatical fan is right next to the glass in section 110), and stop purchasing anything Thrashers related. While your lack of support alone will hardly be noticed, you’ll definitely not be questioned to be a hypocrite for paying for something you despise.

In my opinion, less fans like you and more “diehard” fans would only benefit the Thrashers. You are the type of fan to boo if the Thrashers lose a game…diehards are the type of fans that boo if the referee blows a call.

“What’s the difference?” you might be asking. The difference is that a true FAN supports their team, while a fan like you knocks their team every time they show an imperfection.

Maybe now you’ll understand my beef with you Bob…you’re a disgrace to all hockey followers who consider themselves a “fan” of a franchise. A fan supports, where as you denigrate.

By Brian

February 13, 2007 04:05 PM | Link to this

Hey Bob, if the minority are those of us that hold Waddell in high regard, why was he invited back on the TEAM USA group? It sounds like you are in the minority.

By What about Bob

February 13, 2007 04:12 PM | Link to this

Yo Bob, the 1st place Preds are looking for fans. It’s only a short drive for you up I-75.

Bob’s new team

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2007 04:20 PM | Link to this

I’m not an “upper-decker”, although I chat with them as well, and I’ve never attended a meet and greet… there’s no sunshine up this backside.

Believe me, if I didn’t like Waddell, I’d let you know. I’m just not at the level you’re at with my displeasure with the team… when I think of the issues the team is having, my first thought is not towards Waddell, more so to Hartley and the individual players themselves.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 13, 2007 04:27 PM | Link to this

Nope, a true ‘sheep’ supports their team unconditionally…I can assure you if the incompetence continues—and the playoffs continue to be out of reach due to one pathetic excuse or another—the “fans” will indeed stop subsidizing the inferior product. Problem solved.

Wow, “disgrace” is such a big and heavy word for you! How ignorant you sound when you’re being condescending…But, hey, it fits you perfectly!

(Hope that wasn’t too long-winded for ya’?)

By Brian

February 13, 2007 04:39 PM | Link to this

Whereas you Sage jump on & off the bandwagon…

By Bob

February 13, 2007 05:03 PM | Link to this

I hear ya, Hokie. Coach certainly has his share of the blame, I think you pointed out the PK and no pressure on the puck also, that is a head scratcher for me as well. Let’s hope he shakes that up.

Let’s get a win tonight.

As to the mindless clap trap once again up there spewing the weak tired old if you don’t like it just shut up and follow another team, you’re not a fan nonsense, grow up and deal with reality. Fan doesn’t mean you support blindly, fan means you are a fanatic and want the best for the club.

By Bob

February 13, 2007 05:04 PM | Link to this

Sage, don’t waste your words on that kid, with the alter egos on the board.

By NotBobNopeNoWay

February 13, 2007 05:06 PM | Link to this

Yeah Bob, you tell him. Bob’s the man. Don’t worry about ranallo et al, he’ll be back to doing his homework soon.

By Brendan

February 13, 2007 05:15 PM | Link to this

As a general statement, I think there’s room for criticism of anyone in the Thrashers organization. I don’t think it makes you a “bad fan” if you have questions or concerns that you want answered. In a way, aren’t the owners, players, coaches and managers, etc., beholden to the fan base that supports them?

As I’ve seen it in print, seventy-six percent (76%) of the league’s revenue comes from ticket sales. With that in mind, I think a GM or Coach or owner or player is responsible and accountable for progress.

I’m not saying “throw the team under the bus” because they didn’t go get Forsberg or Brewer. Or whatever. But I still do think that “accountability” applies. I mean, would you honestly support a team that misses the playoffs for 10-straight years, without writing a letter to the local paper or the owner to urge some form of change? And include statements like, “I won’t be renewing season tickets until there is a change.” There must be “some” line of demarcation for you?? Some “goal line” that is crossed where you say, “enough already!”

I can appreciate such a fan’s displeasure. I really can. I suspect the rising level of frustration surrounds the “time table” for advancement out of the bottom third of the Conference and into the playoffs. This team has been in 1st place since Opening night, I think. Okay, they had an OTL, and maybe someone else won to take a 2-1 lead in the points. Fiiine. But basically, it’s been a division leader all season. That’s no small accomplishment. But we’ll all scream if they slide into 3rd place and 9th overall. Merely getting out of the bottom third of the Conference is probably “insufficient” progress for even the most die-hard fans. We’re not there yet. Hopefully, that won’t happen. But if it does, I don’t think Thrashers fans are out of line, or “bad” because they then clamor for a change. Who can argue that Waddell or Hartley or the assistant coaches … “didn’t get their fair chance.” Especially Waddell. This Spring will conclude his 7th full season at the helm. Teams do fire GM’s after 3-years tenure, especially without a playoff berth. It happens. It’s not unheard of. It’s about “accountability.” I bet the St. Louis Blues sneak into the playoffs in 2008. Certainly by 2009.

By ranallo10

February 13, 2007 05:19 PM | Link to this

So disgrace is the “big word” you felt I used when I used a nice SAT word in denigrate. Let me ask you, did you have to use the internet to find out the definition of denigrate? I tend to forget that you’re easily distracted by one point in a persons entire blog…maybe you recall the “Vigier, Vigier, Vigier” idea I’ve had in the past. Of course, I’m not sure you can remember past posts since you just referred to me as “that kid” — clearly identifying your elderly demographic. I ask again, how is AARP working out for you?

Also — I never said follow another team, I implied you should stop following this one. I would be happy if people who claim themselves “fans” (people like you) would stop negatively supporting a product. There’s a difference between constructive criticism, and incessant bit-ching (I’m tired of my word being censored). Don’t presume to think that I would be any poster other than ranallo10…I take full responsibility for my opinions and criticisms of you (and others) on these boards. Besides, I would’ve named my alter-ego something more like “Fiddling Bob” to identify exactly who my audience is.

By Jameson

February 14, 2007 01:57 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie, Well, I can’t say that I hate DW as much as everyone on here seems to. I think I’ve seen him do a few things that I loved and a few things that I hated, but give me Paul Holmgren’s number, and I’ll ask him about Forsberg.