Thrashers

By Brendan

March 5, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

I suspect Hartley will ride young Kari quite a bit from now ‘til the end of the season. I hope Belanger is fine. He’s been a great acquisition by Waddell. I’d like to see McCarthy playing more, though.

By ranallo10

March 5, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

I hate reposting my old dribble, but I wanted my $.02 heard on Waddell.

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/thrashers/entries/2007/03/04/backinfirst.html#comment-1040758

Good luck to Boulton, he’s been playing with an understood fire as of late.

By Chris

March 5, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Great updates Craig - big league coverage all the way as always.

Boulton had a stretch of nice games before the deals - I think in those few weeks he was doing more with his ice time than Vigier usually does with his. Dupuis’ addition might make this a permanent move if Boulton can play well - don’t need JP as much on the PK.

By Mac

March 5, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

I’m glad to hear Boulton gets to play, he’s been playing very well lately. But why does he get a shot, but not McCarthy? It can’t be because of Havelid’s stellar play. In the last 6 games, Havelid has been on the ice for 13 of the 14 goals allowed. That’s unbelievable. Going as far back as the All-Star break, he’s been on the ice for 35 of 53 (excluding empty net and shorties), a whopping 66%. Has anyone asked Hartley about this? I just can’t understand how he gets top minutes with those numbers. Why not try giving him a game off to rest? What happened to players earning their minutes? I’d really love to hear Hartley talk about Havelid’s struggles.

Now I’ll just hop on down from my soapbox to say nice crack on Belanger’s body fat. :)

By Bob

March 5, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Good news all around. Dupuis is going to get 1st line PK time now, that’s a good thing. I like his hustle as well as Belanger on the kill. I like the revamped PK overall, we were all calling for it to be less passive and attack more, and voila.

Lehtonen keeps this play up, they can go deep.

Florida is on a roll and playing tough, but this team is also on an upswing. 4-2 Thrashers. Eddie the Billionaire chased in the 1st.

By ranallo10

March 5, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or does it feel strange that the Thrashers have to worry about bandwagon fans? It’s almost like Buffalo pre-lockout. Fickle fans are great — a team shows a sign of success and they latch on until the team gets cold again.

It’s kinda like Waddell haters on this board. He does a few things they like, they preach to high heaven about how great he is, or how well he did with _. But if the perceived moves become less and less in frequency, those same people begin moaning about him all over again.

It’s a vicious cycle.

By Beau Vighn

March 5, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Don waddell is still a joke as a GM. If not for job security he would have probably traded away a handful of players and stocked up on some more 4th rd. draft picks. Congrats to the boys. They are playing excellent hocket right now. The measure of a Cup team is winning games that you should win. We will see how the Fla. game goes.

By Brendan

March 5, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Good GM’s make consistently good moves. If Don Waddell is a ‘great’ GM, it’ll be more and more obvious over time. If it isn’t so, that too will become obvious over time.

By Brian

March 5, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Beau Vighn - Based on the fact that DW was just nominated the 6th best GM in sports, I wonder why you think his job security was at stake?

By Skeletor

March 5, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

CC, next chance you get can you ask Hartley about Havelid. Why he continues to get top minutes with his lackluster play. He has assisted on more goals for the other team than the thrashers. Hartley said he wouldn’t play favorites and also that we would not go to war with water pistols, yet nothing has been done about Havelid. I like Havelid but he is not playing good at all.

bye the way thanks for all the great work you are doing.

Also, will the team not let you fly on the chartered plane?

By JMar

March 5, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

Before anyone comments on Waddell being the 6th ranked GM by Forbes, take note of the fact that Billy King, generally acknowledged as one of the worst GMs in the NBA (outside of Atlanta), is in the top 5. The guy who is constantly mocked for giving huge contracts to crummy players like Samuel Dalembert, Aaron McKie, and Kyle Korver, traded for crummy players with fat contracts like over-the-hill Glen Robinson and Chris Webber, and STILL being unable to find a single complementary player to win a championship with AI.

By farthammer

March 5, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

Craig - Great job again. You’re on par with DOB’s blog in my book, just may not have as many Thrashers fans as Braves fans. At the very least, you’re blowing Steve Wyche out of the water, but that’s another story.

Great news that JPV is sitting and Boulton is back in. Hopefully Boulton plays well and stays in, or JPV gets the message and starts playing better once Bob gets him back in there. This time is playing great and I’d love to seem them get all the points this week

By Brendan

March 5, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

There will always be “bandwagon” fans. That’s the nature of the beast. When a team is faltering … the fans find something else to do. Some other way to spend their entertainment dollars. When the team is thriving, those fans are more likely to return. Just look at the traffic on this message board since Football season ended? It’s wayy up.

But how many will still be here after the Thrashers are eliminated (whenever that occurs)? How many will be here on Draft Day? How many will be here on July 1st, when free agency begins? How many will be here the week before preseason starts? And through the preseason, to comment on roster move decisions?

The people who post here on all those occasions I just listed cannot be called “bandwagon” fans. If they are critical of their team, they have every right to be. If they are heaping bountiful amounts of praise … they have every right to do that as well.

It doesn’t make you a bad fan to be critical of your own team. “Blind faith” is a lot to ask of folks these days. It used to be that a fan could place “unconditional love” onto the home team. Not that I think the Thrashers could be relocated by ANY stretch of the imagination, but teams leave. They get up and go. Sometimes, in the cover of darkness, as one Baltimore Colts fan pointed out to me.

“Bandwagon” is a term that, to me, means … you’re just here for the “good times.” Well, this Thrashers team has had mostly “lean” years, not fat ones. And yet, many fans (and posters) have been here through it all. If there are more fans and more posters now that the team has a shot at the division title, the playoffs, and even the Stanley Cup … good! The more the merrier! Maybe they’ll stay???

By LAC

March 5, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

waddell BEST GM !!!!!!!!!????????????

Like the Troops told the Germans NUTS !

The guy is BAD at BEST… Just check therecord, and THIS season still could fall by the wayside too if we let our guard down.

Now…This question to BLOGGERS…

If, Pittsburgh moves to Kansas City… Which Western team should move to the eastern confrence ?

I say NASHVILLE, would make best sense, move Washington to NE Division and it would REALLY be a SE division.

Let’s heard YOUR Thoughts !!!!!

By Brendan

March 5, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

I am lookin’ at an article written last summer (05-24-06) by Tim Tucker that states that the Atlanta Spirit Group LOST $20 million (in ‘05’-06) and that they anticipate losing another $20 more this season? This from a sworn affadavit?

I’m confused by Forbes’ selection. Check out the link.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/0524owners.html.

By moo

March 5, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

The race is on to move to KC between Pittsburgh and Nashville. Ya, the crowd shows up but it’s all about the big money from the corporate world and Nashville is a zero there.

Nashville is looking to move and would LOVE to land in KC. When that started looking real, Mario got nervous and is going to slip in there first.

Columbus will come east before Nashville. They are in the Eastern Time Zone.

By Tony C.

March 5, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Dude.

If Nashville moved to the SE…wow. That would be cool. I would love to make some road-trips to support Le Thrash. As it stands now, Raleigh and Tampa are pretty decent little drives but adding Nashville would give you three teams within a gas-tank’s distance. D.C. would be neat to go visit but the traffic there and back is brutual. Miami is a similar pain in the neck, but moreso for distance than for traffic the whole way….although traffic once your in Miami metro is crap.

Anyway, that would be neat.

Hey the game’s on TV tomorrow! Howabout that!

Anyone gotten the “playoff pre-sale” email from the folks @ marketing? I like the fact that they waited until the last 15 games this year rather than outting that out a month and half before the end of the season as the did last year.

What’s up with no McCarthy? Is Coach afraid of having two decent PP units? From an economic stand point I can understand it…I mean are you going to pair him with Sutton? really? Because right now you have most of your top-paid Defenders playing (Zhitnik, DeVo, Havelid & Sutton make the most), so if that’s the answer I understand that. Still I would like to see McCarthy out there.

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By Brian

March 5, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

LAC - Moo hit the nail on the head. It’s all about time zones. Nashville is #3, behind EST teams Columbus & Detroit.

Brendan - Don’t believe everything you read. You are getting one piece of info and there are multiple pieces to these puzzles. Some have been mentioned earlier in other blogs, but you are looking at the skin of the apple.

By Beau Vighn

March 5, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

His job was at stake because the Thrashers have failed to make the playoffs in their existence.teams such as Fla, T.Bay to name 2 have been very successful by acquiring players not 4th rd. draft choices. Helen Keller and ray Charles could see that if he missed the playoffs this year he was in trouble. And BTW Mrs. Waddell, tell me one team he has put together that has won anything.

By Beau Vighn

March 5, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

BRIAN, Nmae me one team that your Father has put together that has won anything. Helen keller and Ray Charles could see that if he didn’t make the playoffs this year he was in trouble. Fla, T.Bay just to name 2 teams have been very successful in a shorter mount of time than Atlanta. That is because they acquire players instead of 4th rd. draft picks.

By Brian

March 5, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

Beau Vighn - This is his first gig as a GM at this level, would you except other examples? If so then look at the Orlando Solar Bears.

By LAC

March 5, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

MOO, There is nothing about Nashville moving or even considering it, Nothing.

Pittsburgh, for all intent, gave notice today to Pittsburgh, it is all over in Pittsburgh.

Yes Columbus & Detroit are in EST, soon to be EDT, but Nashville is close to us and Carolina…

One could point out Detroit or Columbus going to Atlantic and Boston move to NE where they should be anyhow.

But Nashville would be great logic for a TRUE SE division…

Should be interesting tuesday night for sure… Say Atlanta 5-1.

By Tim

March 5, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

Neau Vighn: Every year in the NHL, there is 29 losers so the Thrashers are not the only team that havent won anything and that’s inclued the Panthers. However, with the team progression, making the playoff and having a good run will be easier with every passing years. we got rid of 2 prospect this season but there is more to come. Btw, did you guys notice that XLB is not a 1st round pick. Darn, he’s not even a 4th round pick. Having high pick is good for it is easier to find a good players. But there are others players who got draft late (like Drury) that will work hard to stay in the NHL and blossom to be a good players. I see that in Sterling for he have been quite a surprise!

By Beau Vighn

March 5, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

I think he was in charge of the World Jr. team a few years back. How did that turn out? I can save you some time looking it up. It wasn’t good. I had season tickets since the team’s inception. After watching us let good players go to other teams, Steve Staios ring a bell, and of course my all time favorite D. Hordichuk, and for what a 3rd or 4th rounder. We led the league in acquiring middle rd draft choices and watching teams that came into the league around the same time we did win the Cup. Needless to say I gave up my primo tickets and will not return as long as this idiot is in charge of the team. Thank God for the Center ice pkg.

By Beau Vighn

March 5, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

I realize that only one team will win the Cup each year but for crying out loud we don’t even get to go to the dance. In order to “kiss the queen” you gotta go to the dance. I know the draft is a crap shoot but why ship out good players like we have done in the pass for basically nothing in return. Donny boy has always talked about building for the future but that building process better be expedited if you want to put butts in the seats. The price of tickets are too high to watch a team not even have a chance because of an idiot GM. And BTW , did anyone else think that Heatly showed his rear end the other night?

By Brian

March 5, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

LAC - you better believe the Preds might move

Even if they stay, there is no way they would pull them East and leave Columbus or even Detroit West. Do you like waiting until 9:30pm to watch your local team play? That’s what the Wings have been doing for years.

I can’t figure out what you are saying about the Bruins. Haven’t they always been in the NorthEast division?

On a side note, can you imagine if Pit does move and then wins the Cup their first year in KC? It the Nordiques all over again winning their first year in Colorado.

By Bob

March 5, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Brendan, you’re right, the Spirit is losing money hand over fist, which is why I’m even more impressed that they still went to the Cap and brought on more salary for this run. Anyone that wants Belkin to win isn’t looking out for the best interests of this club.

By Brian

March 5, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Bob - I would love to see your analysis of how you have determined the Spirit are “losing money hand over fist” Unless of course you are basing that statement on 1 article out of the paper that doesn’t take into account all aspects of a business model…

By ranallo10

March 5, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

I love you guys…don’t ever leave me

By Brendan

March 6, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this

Craig, can you ask Tim Tucker to double check his notes from his May 24, 2006 article? Maybe he’s got an update on the team finances? Just say the topic came up in your blog and you wanted to know if there were any updates about the Thrashers finances?

On second thought, why does it matter? Forbes isn’t a sports magazine and never has been. Nevermind.

By Bob

March 6, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

I don’t disklike you as much anymore, either none too, ranallo!

Brendan, you are right, don’t pay attention to goofy up there, this guy’s on the wrong side of any issue that comes up and is constantly misinformed. I think The Fan reported the Spirit is making money, so it must be true Even the Spirit has said they’re losing money year after year and estimated losses this year at $20m, just like you said, which again impresses me that this group went to the Cap at the deadline in the effort to make a run here. I am firmly in the Spirit camp after that and don’t want to see Belkin get awarded the right to buy them out.

Where they win as owners is if the franchise values go up. Bettman is doing a good job of squashing that for the NHL what with his VS contract and other missteps, but they bought the Thrashers so low, they will come out ok on the teams if/when they sell. Buy low, sell high, absorb the operating losses while you hold the clubs offsetting profits from their other enterprises (their real jobs). I know some like to toss insults at the Spirit guys for being out of their leagues, but I think they know what they’re doing.

Even if you don’t like them, they’re the lesser of two evils compared to Belkin. At least from a fan’s standpoint.

By Jennifer

March 6, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

LOL, “less body fat than an Olsen Twin” has to be one of your best lines yet. It’s nice to see your sense of humor come out here.

By skeletor

March 6, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Brian, so far you are 0 for 2 on the arguments, you are not going to win this one either. Time to throw in the towel.

By Brian

March 6, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

Wow, and my whole self esteem is based on the approval of someone who calls themself “Skeletor” too. What will I ever do now?

By Bob

March 6, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

0 for 2? Methinks you need a new abacus, it boggles my mind how this one guy can be so wrong on so many issues.

Try 0 for about 10.

You’d think the blind sow will eventually find an acorn though, so keep swingin’, Brian.

By Brian

March 6, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Bob - what have I lost? Can you please number those 1 thru 10? Oh right, you can’t back up what you say… But you still say it. Please Bob, offer evidence when you make claims, it will keep us away from your name calling techniques. Start by naming the 10 arguments that I lost.

By Brendan

March 6, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

I meant to say earlier, if the good folks up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada want to adopt the Thrashers, I say “good!” The Thrashers need all the good thoughts, well-wishes, and fan support it can get. But something tells me they won’t be making the how many thousand miles trip to Philips Arena to come buy tickets or to tailgate. But if they want to post, “Go Thrashers!” on their website, it’s fine by me. :D

By The Falconer

March 6, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Brendan said: Good GM’s make consistently good moves. If Don Waddell is a ‘great’ GM, it’ll be more and more obvious over time. If it isn’t so, that too will become obvious over time.

Show me a great GM and I will still be able to find mistakes. Take Lou Lamarello in NJ. His free agent signing after the lockout were just terrible: Malahkov, McGillis, Mogilny—he had to give up picks just to move that dead salary.

Brian: The Thrashers lost substantial amount of money while spending to the cap last year. They will lose money again this year too unless the team makes it to the SC Finals.

By Brian

March 6, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

The Falconer - what are your revenue projections for the Thrashers this year?

By michael

March 6, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

the jury is out Brian, you lose.

By Brian

March 6, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

michael - you’re right, I won’t confuse anyone with facts since you already made up your mind…

By The Falconer

March 6, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Brian: Sometimes there are limits to what I can say. This is one of those times. The Thrashers are VERY unlikely to make money this season.

However, I would point you in the direction of a recent article in the EDM paper which showed that the per game revenue for ATL was actually down in the first half of the season (of course this doesn’t include a lot of things like corporate, concessions, parking, etc.)

By Old School Bluelander

March 6, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Since the Thrashers “officially” retired the old navy blue/burgundy jersey, can we now “officially” call it the throwback jersey? Would like to see it come back in play a few games during the season…

By Old School Bluelander

March 6, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Also, whatever became of Braveheart (or Thrashheart)? Haven’t seen him at games for a couple of seasons now. Anyone know?

By Bob

March 6, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Brian, look, before this gets even uglier, we need to get you going here.

We’re about to head into the playoffs and fans from the opposing teams are going to start showing up. We can’t have our opposing fans taking liberties with us by thinking we’re all toothless and barefoot dragging our sisters to the games, after they show up here and read these blogs.

So first, there’s this useful new tool on this here internet thingy that may come in handy, when you want to find what the real facts are on various issues.

Then, here’s some light reading for you, the playoffs are coming so Let’s get Brian up to speed and how about a little history on our club

That’s a good start, you have questions, come back and ask, we need your blog skills game ready in 30 days!

By LAC

March 6, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Brian… Nashville is not moving, sellout every game, check the boxscores please.

Boston isin NE…MY mistake. If…Nashville came to SE, Washington would got to NYR/Phil/NYI division.

Columbus would likely go to replace Pittsburgh… 80% that Kansas City and Sprint Center will be new home…Will they survive in KC ?

Go watch Devils games on TV… LOOK at ALL Those empty seats, I mean against Philadelphia a week or so ago, the entire end zone was void of paying customers,,, How do THEY Survive.

Remember they were The Colorado Rockies and before that… The Kansas City Scouts !

By Bob

March 6, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

LAC, the Devils are opening a new stadium, I think it’s supposed to be ready for next season. It’s on a rail line, the current stadium isn’t and it’s a huge drive for the fans, so that’s why they’re moving.

Bluelander, Thrasheart told me at a game once, after he was gone for a while, that he was miffed about how they treated him at the arena. I’m not really sure why, something about making him pay for the makeup, or them not reimbursing him, or something. I wish he would come back, I liked his act.

By Brendan

March 6, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

I’m pretty sure the Devils had some “hold over” free agents from BEFORE the lockout. Including injured players. Lou did a masterful job just to get the team UNDER the cap. Has he been “infallible” since the lockout? No. Who is “infallable?” I think he paid too much for Elias, too.

But on New Year’s Day 2006, his team was 17-points out of 1st place in the Atlantic Division. All preseason reports I read had the Devils at “maybe” #8. Most projected them to be outside of the playoffs last year. They won the division and became the #3 seed. The ended the season on an eleven-game winning streak, then continued with a sweep of the 6th seeded Rangers in the opening round. They lost to the eventual Cup winner, Carolina.

All in all, I’d say Lou managed pretty “OK” for a GM whose team was thought to be the “poster child” for teams hurt by the salary cap. But “infallible” he is not. Most GM’s would have to have Lou’s resume.

By Rone

March 6, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Thrashheart wanted to be paid for his services. Keep in mind he wasn’t hired by the Thrashers to wear a skirt, he just did it because he liked it. My guess is that he thought that he was more important than he was, and the Thrashers traded him to Medievel Times for a couple of smoked turkey legs.

By Brendan

March 6, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

I meant, “would love to have” Lou’s resume.

By Bob

March 6, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Rone, that’s what Thrasheart told me too, that he expected they’d at least give him free seats, yet they wouldn’t and started making him pay for the makeup job. I still liked him, eccentric fans are part of hockey. I’d like to see him make a comeback around playoff time.

Thrashheart, if you’re lurking, time to put the skirt on again! Raaaarrrggghhhh!

By The Falconer

March 6, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

I heard Thrasheart moved away. OK with me, it got a bit old after a while.

re: GM Lou. All three free agents I cited were were signed after the lockout—which LL helped negotiate and thus should have know better than any other GM in the NHL. All three free agents were disasters.

Yes, LL has a great resume, I’m just saying even the best of GMs make some bad decisions from time-to-time. We humans tend to have very selective memories, it is just the way we are.

By Brian

March 6, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

LAC - I just provided a reference that what poster/blogger MOO said had some merit. Good points on NJ you make. As well I heard that they have to pay some rev share to the NYR by moving into their market. I am not sure of that one but it always came up whenever there was talk of Hamilton getting a team, so I know that is something legit.

I also want to know if that guy who chugs the beer during “Welcome to the Jungle” expects the Thrashers to give it to him for free.

By Brendan

March 7, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

Four game winning streak. Sole possession of 1st place. And the #3 seed. I’m lovin’ the post trade deadline results!