Thrashers

By LAC

October 15, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Glad to hear the Good news Craig… Thanks !!!!!

By russian

October 15, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

I hope Hossa will help. I am interesting how is going to sit. i like our rokies 4-th line. they were doing OK against NJ. But I think bob will sit someone from Rokies. Craig, Any news about it.

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

russian — I’ll let you know as soon as I do.

By Thrasher_Ed

October 15, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Craig, Did you see the report from Ottawa Sun that Don Waddell is looking for a #1 Center and a Defenseman? Ask about that report? Any way they dump Rucchin and his $2 million plus salary and look to add another player?

By Thrasher Ryan

October 15, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Where is the Moose? NJ loss is definitely due to Kari. Thank god Hossa is back. I really like the Sterling/Little/Haydar line. Things will turn soon I’m sure. Moose should start against Philly. Kari played like crap against Philly last year.

By ranallo10

October 15, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Haydar is likely gone, when Boulton probably should be. Thorburn too has been unjustly sat though his size is much needed.

Good to know he’s closer to being back. They need him.

By Blueland Warrior

October 15, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Keep the “Kid Line” intact!!! They know each… Haydar and Sterling lit up the AHL last year…I’ll take that for a 4th line! The offense is starting to come around, add Hossa, it will be even better. Once we get our D-lines figured out, the wins will come.

By Bob

October 15, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Hoss to the rescue. Let’s hope he can put some good #’s up quickly and get his value peaked.

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Thrasher_Ed — Yes, I saw that rumor, and I think Mike Russo said it better here than I ever could about responding to those rumors. As for Rucchin, there’s no way they can dump that salary.

By luckydog

October 15, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Can Hossa play defense?

By Buzilla Baby Blues

October 15, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

I don’t believe that Rucchin is hurting us. It may apply against the cap but I am sure the Spirit Group insures the contracts with Lords of London or something. I bet Brenndan can answer that.

Hossa back will obviously help. That will add to the few that actually care this year. Kovy, Little, and Hossa.

Why the hell isn’t Boris up here yet? There is no way he can be worse than either S** or Havalood. Even X has been awful. Kozlov has retired. We would be better off just tying Kari arms and legs to the posts.

…and BOBBY needs to FIGHT.

Even if its against a teammate. Grab Zhithead by the throat and make him understand.

How many loses in a row before Bob is shown the door? If we lose these next two, he will be gone for sure. But who is out there that would take the job? I would want to give the Wolves coach a crack at it.

I don’t want Donnie to pull a Lou and get behind the bench himself.

By Bob

October 15, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

What you saying, Craig? Are you’re saying that Garrioch or Spector sent you an email looking for some dirt and after one of our recent debacles, you sarcastically replied “yeah, we’re looking for a #1 center and a #1 d” and they ran with it? You should squash that, if the true story is that Waddell is satisfied with this lineup and not actively looking for a center or D, eh?

By luckydog

October 15, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Buzilla said: “We would be better off just tying Kari arms and legs to the posts.”

Now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are.

BTW, I think the photo at top of this page sez it all. Sterling looks like he ‘s been shot or something.

By russian

October 15, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

to Thrasher_Ed I heard that rumor also. But who is number 1 center in the market right now??? Fosburg? Markov avaible, yes it is right.

By JayBird

October 15, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Let’s say the rumor is true and the Thrashers are looking for a #1 center and a #1 defenseman. Since Waddell has a skewed view on what a #1 player is, we (the logical people) should look at the available 3rd or 4th line options. He thought White was the answer as a #1 center…enough said.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

October 15, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Good to have you back by the way Craig. Hopefully you can change our luck. Oh, and can you play D? Your not going to solve our size probably but hopefully you will be quick.

On a personal note, Comcast did not take away my Center Ice package. So this will make the third year in a row that I have gotten it free. HA!

The future Mrs. Buziila isn’t exactly happy that I spend my weekend nights watching hockey and my weekends watching football, but hey! Nobodys got a gun to her head…

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Bob - No, that’s not the case at all. Beat writers have to be a little more careful with how they address rumors, that’s all. If I tell you that Waddell is going after a center, I have to attribute it to somebody. I can’t just say — Waddell is going after a center. And like Russo said, spending a lot of time shooting down rumors isn’t good journalism either because in some ways it validates them. Sometimes I will shoot them down (like when Hossa was supposedly being traded at the draft) but usually it’s not good practice.

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Buzilla — Thanks.

So what do y’all think of the new pairings?

By ranallo10

October 15, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

JayBird — good stuff, I liked that post.

luckydog — Sterling looks dead in that photo, I’d be unhappy if that were me.

Craig — thanks for the update, it’s nice to know Haydar will continue his shot up here. Now somehow Thorburn needs to find a spot in the lineup, and Klee needs to be seated more often in favor of Popovic.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

October 15, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

I like the Kid line…

that is all

By Jennifer

October 15, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

I don’t know that either Thorburn or Bolton belong in the press box. I did some math to generate a list of all the forwards and how frequently they shoot the puck. It looks like both those guys are willing to take shots when they get ice time. In this respect they could be much more productive than Larsen or Sterling. I think Sterling will improve if he can keep playing with the rookie line on his natural wing, but there are certainly some other candidates for bench time.

By Matt H

October 15, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Ditto, Buzilla. I hope we see a lot more of/from Haydar.

By GaVaHokie

October 15, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Forsberg probably won’t sign with anybody for a LONG time… probably closer to March.

Jason Allison, Jeff O’Neil, Andrew Cassels (maybe?), Jamie Lundmark, Alyn McCauley… not a whole lot out there that’s unsigned.

By JeffG

October 15, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

I got great tickets for the game through work. Section 113 row R. Fantastic view until it became apparent that the Thrasher’s had left something in the locker room between the second and third period.

As soon as X got the holding call late in the third I turned to my wife and said “we just lost - lets go”.

At this point my only real hope is that we get a good shot at drafting Tavares next year. It would be great for the Thrashers and for hockey in Atlanta. If we could resign Kovy and Hossa next year we could be a cup contender in a year or two. But defense wins championships and we just don’t have the D.

By Turd Ferguson

October 15, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

We didn’t lose the game because of Kari, we lost because our entire defense is awful. We lost because we got outshot again. We lost because we lost more face-offs, had more penalties. We lost because the team has no fire; Kovy excluded.

If anyone needs to go, it is not Bob, it’s Don. Tell me, what better coach is available, Bowman? He’s not coming back.
No Don made a quick fix last year to make the playoffs and totally screwed the pooch in the offseason. He should Waddle his a$$ out the door, and soon. His offseason moves will take time to fix, and Hartley has the knowledge, skill, and respect to get it done. Sadly, Atlanta does not.

By russian

October 15, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Hossa is back. I guest lines will be: Hossa - Perrin - Kozlov Kovy - White - Slater Dupie - Hollik - Larsen Sterling - Little - Haydar I like to see Boulton and Thorburn on lines. Slater needs to sit and Larsen too. Thorburn is big player and he will very help on front of the goal, like Holstrom in Detroit. Why did not he (Bob) see that??? defence pairs willbe fine. Sweden line is interesting pair. Mac and Zhitnik willbe OK too. Kari must take a break. Well, let see what we will do in Philly

By Chris

October 15, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

So Bob is starting to make some smart changes - but there’s more to do. The X-KK pairing doesn’t work, we already know that. Popovic should be playing over Stevie Mac. Thorburn should be playing. Larsen and Slater are the weakest forwards right now, too bad they are also Hartley favorites.

Keeping the rook line together is good, but if Bob sits them again in the 3rd preriod, what’s the point?

By GaVaHokie

October 15, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

I didn’t get to see Saturday’s game (wedding), so I can’t comment on the Rookie line, but I’m glad they gave that line a shot and it worked.

I think it’s time for Larsen to sit and play Boulton and Thorburn with Holik.

By Thrasher_Ed

October 15, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

Craig, Russo’s article was good. Any feeling about whether or not Darren Haydar sticks with Atlanta or goes back to Chi-town?

By Barry

October 15, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Not sure sitting Thornburn and Boulton would be a good idea against the grittier team of Philly. I hope beyond hope that Moose gets the start against Philly. Kari has looked sooo inconsistent this year and has never beat the Flyers or Nittymaki EVER!

By GaVaHokie

October 15, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

There’s no reason this defense should be struggling… Havelid, Zhitnik and Klee are veterans. It’s gotta be something in the coaching. If not Hartley, than certainly Brad McCrimmon.

Change the players as much as you want, but when the defense is consistently bad every year, it’s time to stop looking at the ingredients and start looking at the formula.

By Chris

October 15, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

Craig, good info as always. Always up front on the how and why. The loyal readers applaud you.

On pairings: I don’t think apples with apples is the best way to do this. Very concerned that Havelid with Enstrom will be prone to long stretches of opposing team’s cycling. Ex and Klee can handle that, but the “attack” suffers with them. Why not mix and match?

By Buzilla Baby Blues

October 15, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

You are wise GaVaHolik.

Your like Yoda with a bad haircut

By GaVaHokie

October 15, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Buzz… a couple more Gorin’s beers and some cigarettes and I’ll SOUND like Yoda too.

As far as line pairings, I just don’t know what you do with Todd White anymore. I still think Jeff O’Neill would have been the wiser pick-up. He could have provided more of what Tkachuk offered on Kovy’s line… that line should be Kovy O’Neill and Sterling.

Again, as soon as they realize Kovy doesn’t need a playmaking Center, we can get the show on the road… Tkachuk, Guerin, Bertuzzi, O’Neill… these are the types of guys Kovy needs… space-eaters!

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Re: The rookie line - I just want to be clear. The rookies skated together at practice today which leads me to believe that’s how it will play out in Philly. Hartley won’t confirm lineup stuff until the morning. Like you guys know, this stuff is subject to change. The pairings, however, he did confirm.

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Good stuff today from Jennifer at Southeast Shootout, where she breaks down who is shooting the puck.

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - I think you should give the White/Kovy line a little more time. White made a great play to set up Kovalchuk’s second goal on Saturday night. That line’s biggest issue as at right wing.

By LAC

October 15, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

Oh NO… Don’t talk like we would have the Number #1 pick….

Dumb don would trade down for a couple fourth and fifth picks…

What a master GM we have…

Please send White to the Wolves… Please !!!

By Bob

October 15, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Havelid, Zhitnik and Klee are veterans

They are all over the hill veterans and there’s not a #1 or #2 dman amongst them. They’re all 3/4 guys.

It’s gotta be something in the coaching. If not Hartley, than certainly Brad McCrimmon.

Look up a little higher in the arena, and you’ll find the answer.

Change the players as much as you want, but when the defense is consistently bad every year, it’s time to stop looking at the ingredients and start looking at the formula.

It’s time to start looking at the formula alright, the guy that mixes the guy that buys the ingredients for it is the problem. You can’t make s** shine

Ranallo, I knew it’d be a matter of time before we found the subject of your ire this year, and you have a good eye for this years’ JPVJ Achievement Award

Of course, you’ve got so many to choose from, but it’s much better placed this year. Klee is just this year’s Reardon, Smehlik, et al But hey, mabye it’s Hartley’s fault for not coaching him up, eh?

By R. Stroz

October 15, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Did Klee have a +18 last year because he was in the penalty box?

By Bob

October 15, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - I think you should give the White/Kovy line a little more time.

I think he’s right on, White is not the center Kovy needs, or that we need on a top 2 line here. His days in Ottawa and Minnehaha were both marked by the same play, won’t go in the corners, won’t mix it up, doesn’t create space. He would make a good 3rd line defensive center if we could move Holik for someone.

White made a great play to set up Kovalchuk’s second goal on Saturday night.

Even a blind sow finds an acorn, once in a while. I kid! sort of…

That line’s biggest issue as at right wing.

Concur, but just because Sterling is even worse, doesn’t mean that White’s a good fit with Kovy.

This is what I mean, there are so many problems, we all have many solutions, most of which are very valid, to fix things.

The one underlying problem is the guy that signed these players. Nothing meaningful will change until that one consistent underlying problem is fixed.

By Frosty the snowman

October 15, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

Concerning the D pairings, it does not matter who is paired with who, they are all garbage.(Enstrom may develop)We have never had a #1 d man. It is not a secret that since our inception we have had one of the highest goals against every year.

Kovy DOES need a playmaking center. Look at numbers when Savard was here. The PP was also 7th in the league with a playmaking center.

Todd White is not the answer. Little will be when he develops.

The worst part about the loss to NJ is that they looked terrible and we still lost.

Nothing will improve until a competent GM is brought in, not one who shops at the dollar store for players.

By Brendan

October 15, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Klee should remain in the pressbox. I don’t like the pairing of Klee and “X.” I’d rather see Popovic. Better still, I’d like Klee thrown in as a sweetener in some sort of trade out west to bring in a Center.

By GaVaHokie

October 15, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Bob… I still don’t think there’s anything wrong with the roster, especially at $42 million, I’m fairly impressed… it’s the chemistry… it’s the strategy… it’s the coaching.

Why can’t anyone figure out where to stand when Kovy takes a slapshot from the blueline? How many times has he taken that shot now? “White, stand at the top of the crease, keep your stick out for the redirect… Sterling set up on the Left post, get ready to slam home any rebounds. Enstrom, stand along the boards at the blueline in case the puck comes back along the boards, keep filtering it to Kovy.”

By HairyHeckler

October 15, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

I agree. Klee should sit and let Popovic play.

By Ilya k

October 15, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

WOW…..someone actually put up a post that made sense. YES we need a #1 dman and someone to play with Kovy. And leave Kari in goal. We won’t get to the big dance with Moose so we may as well give the chance to Kari. If he fails then add a #1 target to the above list. Thanks for the input FROSTY

By Ilya k

October 15, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

p.s. cheers to Kovy for the way he is playing. Maybe he should be cap’n. Does anyone here really believe that changing the 4th line winger or center will really make a big difference? Are you the same ones that yell SHOOT on every power play?

By Ilya k

October 15, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Question to FROSTY or anyone else? Is the problem the GM or does he have his hands tied by the ownership battle?

By GaVaHokie

October 15, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Ilya K… neither.

By Bob

October 15, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

The worst part about the loss to NJ is that they looked terrible and we still lost.

Bingo, I was thinking the same thing at the game Saturday “we can beat these guys, they’re not playing too good!”. Oops.

Nothing will improve until a competent GM is brought in, not one who shops at the dollar store for players.

Double Bingo. Of course, you’re preachin to the choir, cousin.

Bob… I still don’t think there’s anything wrong with the roster, especially at $42 million, I’m fairly impressed

Dude, you have to lay off the pregame beers. I bet you’re thinking the ice girls are hot too? I kid! Sort of…

By Bob

October 15, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Is the problem the GM or does he have his hands tied by the ownership battle?

It’s quite obvious that the problem is the GM. We’ve had different coaches, many different players, the one constant here is Waddell.

Think about it, who decided that Zhitnik and Havelid were sufficient for our top pair? Who decided that Klee was a good signing?

Who decided that White was a good signing? Who decided that he could pencil in Holik on a top 2 line for this team?

Ownership has given Waddell the funds to work with, if he had to work at the minimum cap #, which is $34m if memory serves, then yes, that would be an unreasonable handicap.

When a competent GM is finally hired, we can get on with building a franchise.

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers salary cap number is pretty close to league average. And ownership has shown a willingness to add more salary later in the season if the team is in the mix. I wouldn’t pin current struggles on the ownership.

By Adam

October 15, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Hartley needs to go. Waddell wont go until the management issue is solved.

I don’t care who gets hired to coach as long as the players respect him and he is willing to mix up some things to see what works not just talk about doing the and falling back to what is comfortable.

Hartely has his name on the cup once. I believe someone in the other post said his name is on it a couple of times. The Av’s team his was with could have been coached by the equipment manager and done about as good. He was fired because the players didn’t respect him and it looks like the same is holding true here.

We need change and we need it now. Hell I hope Don does pull a Lou and coach the team himself the when we’re in the cellar and the ownership BS gets fixed we can be rid of him too!!!

Lastly if Rucchin’s salary is insured the use it and some of the cap space to get a #1 D man in here. F getting a center we need D and we need it yesterday.

By ranallo10

October 15, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

And ownership has shown a willingness to add more salary later in the season if the team is in the mix.

Later in the season means ultimately less financial impact. That financial impact is the thing the ownership group seems most worried about (in regards to adding salary).

In February, a $2M contract is prorated so that the player is only paid $500K (based on the number of games remaining, I just threw out a SWAG dollar amount). Of course ownership can add $500K in February, but they cannot add $2M now.

This is why I still pin the ownership group’s financial situation as having SOME impact on the CURRENT struggles. The further into the season we go the less of an impact it is upon the restrictions for Waddell.

It’s part of the problem, but not a huge handcuff.

By Turd Ferguson

October 15, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

I would pin a lot of the problems on Waddell. The decision making of that man is crap, and if he recommends to the ASG to can Hartley it would be inly to save his own butt.
Such a disappointment after a tremendous finish last year.
Hossa back will help, but until we quit getting outshot, outhustled, and over penalized, the team won’t be able to count on a winning streak of any proportion.
Did you see Heatley’s comment about stopping their 1 game losing streak (feelings about Heatley aside)? It is a completely different mentality. And right now I don’t think the players feel they can win. Heck, just look at how long it took us to actually have a lead in a game.

By Turd Ferguson

October 15, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

In Waddell’s defense, at least he is not as bad as the Hawks GM, Billy Knight.

By Craig Custance

October 15, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

ranallo - I think that’s a fair assessment.

By Yogi B

October 15, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

Thrasher problems: Deja Vu….all over again.

By Off the pipe

October 15, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this

The problem is Waddell. Scotty Bowman couldn’t take this lineup to the playoffs.

When are we finally going to get a new guy in here? Even Columbus got rid of MacLean.

By JayBird

October 15, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Here are my lines for tomorrow night:

Donald Audette—Ray Ferraro—Denny Lambert

Kelly Buchberger—Andreas Karlsson—Johan Garpenlov

Shean Donovan—Patrick Stefan—Andrew Brunette

Dean Sylvester—Per Svartvadent—Hnat Domenchelli

Defensive pairings:

Petr Buzek—Steve Staios Maxim Galanov—Frantisek Kaberle Chris Tamer—Yannick Tremblay

Goalies:

Norm Maracle Damian Rhodes

Hopefully Curt Fraser will mix the lines up and he can find the right combination to win a game!

Damn, I forgot its 2007 and not 1999. From seeing our record and how we have played, I got confused!

By LAC

October 15, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

If we come home from the long road trip coming up winless… waddell HAS TO BE FIRED…

I hope they turn it around and win them all, but this defense is AWFUL.

Why was Hindy not resigned ????

He is tons better than klee, Hnidy is doing WELL for The Stanley Cup Champions…

place them on waivers PLEASE !!!!!

I would much rather see Boris and Denny here, they may make mistakes, but they are young and learning, and they could not be worse that the two fore mentioned guys…

Like Bob said, until we get a NEW GM,this mess will continue, when O When will these idiot owners ever open their eyes ?????????????????

I still remember on OPENING night theowner at center ice, promisingto do EVERYTHING to win the Stanley Cup… Problem is until waddell is gone He Lied !

By TB

October 15, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

I’m so happy Hartley switched up the D-pairings. Maybe he’ll even try changing the PK??

Do you think there is a reason he doesn’t try changing the D up during a game?

By Thrashers27

October 15, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Anyone else annoyed that they cannot get NHL Center Ice through Charter Cable? Man, they suck!

By Sage of Bluesland

October 15, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

That was a terrible blast from the past, JayBird…Wow, that was the very beginning of our buffoonish GM’s first ever “Five-Year Plan”…

The difference then: We expected to be terrible. We didn’t disappoint.

Now: We sold out to just get into the playoffs with that banner of the ‘SouthLeast’ division.

The constant: Don Waddell. Change the coaches all you want, but the defense, like in 1999, is atrocious.

I’m actually missing Staios, Trembley, and Kaberle…

By R. Stroz

October 15, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

I’m beginning to think Hartley is reading the boards for coaching ideas, such as line pairings. Maybe, we should diagram a power play and put in a link that takes him to the diagram :>)

By ranallo10

October 15, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

Sage — So the answer to my question is…?

I’m still waiting bud.

By thrashersfan

October 15, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

Beautiful JayBird, absolutely beautiful!

By Jameson

October 15, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

I think I’m with everyone calling for Sterling to watch a game from the press box. IIRC, it wasn’t until after he got benched in Chicago that he started tearing up the AHL.

By JayBird

October 15, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

Sage, it is terrible to think about that team. You know what is even worse? That team didn’t go pointless in its first 5 games, they had 2 ties and 1 win after 5 games. I didn’t do the research but I’m willing to say the goals for and goals against isn’t too terribly different.

You look at that 1999 team, they had two defensemen that are better than anything we have now. Steve Staios and Kaberle are both good defensemen right now. I would love to have Brunette and Donovan as well.

By Bob

October 15, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I know you just hate it that you’ve wasted a novel’s worth of words defending Waddell, but quit p** in the wind and Git with Da Program and head on over to www.firedonwaddell.com and you might recognize a poster’s name there (I bet the guy you’re looking for found his way over there the way I just did, too funny!).

By Bob

October 15, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

You look at that 1999 team, they had two defensemen that are better than anything we have now. Steve Staios and Kaberle are both good defensemen right now. I would love to have Brunette and Donovan as well.

Wow, does that put things in perspective or what. Year 8 and our defensive personnel are no better than in Year 2. I would take Kaberle and Staios straight up for Zhitnik and Havelid right now. Don’t know that it’s an significant improvement either way as all 4 of them are 3/4 guys, but what the heck. One step forward and two steps back

Dial the way back machine and remember Waddell’s reasoning why he wouldn’t pay Brunette $1.5m or something and let him walk for nada? That’s right, The Don said he was going to take up ice time from those right wings we had coming up that were going to need the ice time. And today we have nobody at right wing for Ilya’s line. Bruno would look pretty good digging pucks off the boards and flipping them to Ilya or stickin his big rear in front of the goalie to screen for Kovy.

By ThrasherNY

October 15, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Here we are just five games into the season and I think the Waddell and Hartley ney sayers are gaining traction. Yet again our special teams (Hartley) and defense (Waddell) are terrible.

This Thursday I will proudly take my post at the local watering hole up here in the NYC draped in Blue.

I am just hoping to not be hearing the blues on my walk home.

By kracker

October 15, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Thrashers27 About charter cable not carrying center ice…thanks for reminding me, they said they might have negotiations w/ NHL finished by today so i’m calling in (charter sucks)

By Thrashers27

October 15, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Kracker, let me know what you find out. Charter Cable definitely sucks the big monkey!!! I have had so many problems with them. They actually allowed me to order Center Ice package and tried to bill me for it. Morons!

By gretschdrum

October 15, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Kracker and Thrashers27 I just spoke with the jackasses at Charter. Still no official word yet but the guy I talked to said they ARE expecting to have Center Ice available but maybe not for a few more days. This sorry excuse for a company should be getting more negative press for stunts like this. They did the same thing earlier this year with MLB extra innings as well. It’ll be interesting to see if they’ll let customers buy the package at the discounted price.

By Brendan

October 15, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Buzilla, so far, I still have Center Ice on Comcast Cable. The “sales pitch” message has disappeared. The “special” as of last week was $20 off, for $149.00. If you have Comcast and want to buy Center Ice in December, it’ll go down to $129.00 for the season. Allegedly, supposedly.

Falcons are losing on MNF. I missed the Sabres-Leafs game on Versus tonight. I wanted to check out the Intermission Reports to hear what they had to say about the Thrashers. Did anyone catch it?

By Brendan

October 15, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

JayBird, that post cracked me up! It does “feel” that way sometimes, doesn’t it?

It’s a sad feeling when you know we had players here that were worth keeping. Staios and Kaberle come quickly to mind for defensemen. But let’s not forget we had Brian Pothier, as well. (Jiri Slegr, also.) I believe Waddell traded Pothier to Ottawa for Shawn MacEachern. The “deal” with Staios, as I recall, was that Steve wanted a 10% raise. Either Waddell or the ownership said, “no.” It’s not like Staios’ salary was $6 million at the time.

I won’t swear to it, but the last time I checked out Andrew Brunette’s salary, he was making $1.6 million in his final year with Colorado. Wouldn’t it be nice to still have him, even at his age? For me, the very 1st time I ever questioned Waddell was the Donald Audette deal. He wanted $2.3 million, his “fair market value” for 2002, and Waddell or the ownership said, “no.” When that piece of the puzzle walked, I was stunned, wondering how we were supposedly “building” while letting “the functional pieces” go. If you’ll recall, Audette was doing pretty well as a Thrasher. Now, I can see that Waddell was “frustrated” over all the league suspensions Audette was getting.

Peter Buzek up and left, as I recall. He was the Thrashers’ very 1st All-Star game representative.

I can still remember Damian Rhodes being announced as the 1st-ever Thrashers signee in June of 1999. The other goalies were Norm Maracle, Scott Fankhouser, Scott Langkow, and Corey Schwab. Schwab would remain in the NHL for a few seasons as a backups for a few clubs. Then Frederic Cassivi came in. Then Milan Hnilicka. Even Byron Dafoe got a shot here. I think Cassivi is still in the league somewhere. I want to say … either the Capitals or BlueJackets organizations. Every so often he gets called up to play a game, here and there.

That 1999 Draft saw Atlanta take Patrik Stefan (1), Luke Sellars (30), Zdenek Blatny (68), David Kaczowka (68), Rob Zepp (99), Derek MacKenzie (128), Yuri Dobryshkin (159), Stephen Baby (188), Garnet Exelby (217), Tommi Santala (245), and Ray Dilauro (246). That ‘99 Draft saw the Thrashers enjoying the 1st position of each round of the draft, and represented a glorious opportunity to either draft the best possible talent available or move those picks for “proven commodity, NHL players.” Derek MacKenzie was with the organization up until this Summer. Tommi Santala got traded to Vancouver in the 2006 trade deadline deal that brought Steve McCarthy here. I believe Stephen Baby got traded somewhere, but I have forgotten the details of that move.

What are your thoughts on those picks?

By JayBird

October 15, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

You forgot Rick Taberracci’s tenure too. I totally forgot about him. We have had some good players come through here and we didn’t hold on to many of them. The Frantisek Kaberle deal still p** me off. He was a pretty good player here and has flourished in Carolina. Here is a link on the Thrashers website to look at rosters per season. Pretty interesting. Beside the player’s names, it has their current team, if they are still in the NHL.

[http://thrashers.nhl.com/team/app?formids=PropertySelection&component=%24HistoricalPlayerSearchComponent.%24Form&page=TeamHistoricalPlayers&service=direct&submitmode=&submitname=&PropertySelection=1]

By LAC

October 15, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

Brenden, The Leafs gave up 4 3rd period goals and lost in OT when McCabe shot the puck in his own net… Their Defense is bad too.

Baby went to TB last season for Delmore in a minor league deal where the players were not on the NHL rosters of either team.

I agree Staios and Kaberle are heads and shoulders above zit and hav.

You will also look up and find several Former Thashers with their names on The Stanley Cup…

I am still in a fog on why he gave up on Kuntz who was a star with the Ducks !!!!!!!!!!!!!

In ALL honesty… it is now time to Fire waddell, give Hartley the rest of the season to salvage something and try to… Yes REBUILD again !

What Shocks me most of all… We the Fans can see the problems, Why can ownership NOT see the problems ?

Time to admit a MISTAKE now and turn it around before you start losing fans and MONEY !

By Thrashers27

October 15, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Brendan, you failed to mention my all time favorite goalie, possibly my favorite Thrasher, Pasi Nurminen. Damn, it was fun to watch him play.

By JayBird

October 16, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

Pasi was awesome, one of the only reasons to go to the games. He stood on his head so many times, it was ridiculous.

What about Tomi Kallio? I was looking through some old boxes and found his bobblehead from a few years ago. I guess I missed Hnat Domenchelli bobblehead night!

By Brendan

October 16, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

The ex-Thrashers with Cup rings are Frank Kaberle (‘06 Canes), Pascal Rheaume (‘03 Devils), Chris Kunitz (‘07 Ducks, though Atlanta was a “blip” in his career,) and Jiri Slegr (‘02 Red Wings).

LAC, what a collapse by Toronto!! I sure hope that game wasn’t in Toronto! Even if it wasn’t, that’s going to be an unpleasant trip up the QEW back to Toronto for the Leafs fans who made the trip. Poor McCabe. He’s not really a fan favorite as it is in Southern Ontario.

LAC, I’m tellin’ ya what I think. I think the Atlanta Spirit Group ADORES Don Waddell. I think that they think they’ve got the perfect GM for their vision and strategy. I think that they think is wayyyy too early to make any kind of move at the GM position. And even if they do fire him, the next GM cannot really make major moves until the trade deadline and offseason, when several contracts expire.

By R. Stroz

October 16, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

Observation Time:

Mike Comrie is paid 3.375 million.

Eric Belanger is paid 1.75 million.

Total for these centers = 5.125 million.

Todd White is paid 2.1 million.

Eric Perrin is paid .75 million.

Total for these centers = 2.85 million.

The difference is 2.275 million.

At $58/seat, the 2.275 million would be cost neutral on seat sales alone (forget about the extra merchandise and concession sales) at 39,224 tickets for the entire season. Now just for kicks, divide 39,224 ticket sales into 41 home games and the result is 957 tickets per game.

Now, wouldn’t a winning team add an average of 957 tickets per game. You bet your a$$ it would.

The next question is how much will a losing team decrease tickets sales per game. We will soon find out. I bet the result will exceed 957 tickets per game.

That’s a double whammy!

Penny Wise and Dollar Foolish!

By R. Stroz

October 16, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

An Afgan warlord knows more about hockey than the Atlanta Spirit owners.

By Brendan

October 16, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Oh definitely, “the Frantic Finn” has a special place in the hearts and minds of Thrasher fans. But his loss was absolutely not the fault of Don Waddell. The guy got injured in a most unfortunate incident while practicing with his Finnish National team. Waddell-backers would certainly point to Pasi as a “great move” by this GM. He was a latter round draft pick who blossomed here. One wonders just how far the 2005-06 team might have gone with a healthy Pasi Nurminen all year, when Lehtonen went down with a groin injury, then Mike Dunham with a groin injury. Then Steve Shields with a groin injury. Then Michael Garnet with a groint injury. That ‘05-06 team missed the playoffs by 2-points. I think an arguement can be structured that had Pasi Nurminen been our starter, healthy all year, that Pasi would have gotten the 3-points we needed to be a playoff team.

For people who want to keep Waddell as GM, they’ll trumpet Pasi Nurminen to the rafters.

Another Thrasher that appears to be doing well for himself is Jeff Cowan, with Vancouver. Would you guys want him to still be here?

By Brendan

October 16, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

LAC, I had forgotten about the Delmore deal. I remember when there was some talk about, “wait ‘til Baby gets here.” Whatever happened to all that talk? I don’t think he ever played a game here. Did he??

By R. Stroz

October 16, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

Brendan - Nope

By Brendan

October 16, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

Oh, c’mon now, R.Stroz. I happen to know some Afghan Warlords were 100% against the selection of Patrik Stefan. They wanted one of the Sedin Twins, and absent that, Martin Havlat, who wound up selected 26th overall. A different Afghan Warlord expressed some interest in Steve McCarthy, who went 23rd overall.

So, let’s not short-change the Afghan Warlords and their knowledge of hockey. They may not have the Internet in those caves, but word through their grapevine travels quickly. :)

By Thrashers27

October 16, 2007 3:28 AM | Link to this

When I sing the praises of Pasi Nurminen, it has nothing to do with Don Waddell. Nurmy was just, plain fun to watch! The guy played with so much heart. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if Kari played with half the heart that Pasi played with we’d be unstoppable. We miss you Pasi!!!

By Tony C.

October 16, 2007 5:49 AM | Link to this

Stroz- Your 12:15 is spot on.

Howabout

Brad Stuart & Bellanger instead?

Anyway, Looking forward to tonight.

GO BLUE !!!

By Craig Custance

October 16, 2007 7:13 AM | Link to this

Tony C. - Belly’s lighting things up in Minnesota. He’s a streaky player who has trouble staying healthy, but I think it’s fair to question not bringing him back at that price. The Kozlov-Belanger-Hossa line carried the team for a stretch late in the season, and Belanger helped the PK as well.

By Bob

October 16, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

I’m tellin’ ya what I think. I think the Atlanta Spirit Group ADORES Don Waddell. I think that they think they’ve got the perfect GM for their vision and strategy.

Brendan, I think that a couple years ago, you are spot on. But I think the bloom is off of Waddell’s rose with the owners. I know people like to scoff at the Spirit boys, but they didn’t get where they are in business by being blind. I have little doubt that they also can see the problem and I have no doubt they’ll take care of it.

Waddell-backers would certainly point to Pasi as a “great move” by this GM. He was a latter round draft pick who blossomed here.

And I will point out that the reason that Pasi was drafted so late, is that he was overaged (wasn’t he about 27 when we drafted him?) and plagued by knee injuries. In fact, he had just come off of major knee surgery when we drafted him.

So, Waddell took a big gamble on him, a gamble that other GM’s did not take. And Pasi’s knee blew out.

The past is a damn good indicator of future performance.

Excellent analogy, Stroz. Penny wise and pound foolish indeed, that could well be the epitaph on Waddell’s tenure here.

By GSU-Lee

October 16, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

Belanger should be here. By the way, does anybody else think that Dupuis is trying to make too many individual plays?

By jen

October 16, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

All hail the Brabarian! I so miss Jeff Cowan. He was all the offense for Vancouver in the playoffs last year…Go Jeff!

Was really shocked to see them let Belly go. He fit in really well here, and I think, given the price, it was a bad deal. White may have had some potential (and still does, I mean its only been 5 games and Minny’s system is completely different from ours - or lack there of, as some would put it). It does irk me that Belly could have been had a. for less cash than White and b. for less contract length than White. Uncle Bob has got to quit juggling the lines…he can juggle the d-pairings, they’ve had 5 games to try to generate something, but I don’t think the forward lines have had 5 shifts to try to get it together. Pick some combos and go with it. It can’t get any worse.

By LAC

October 16, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

Bob & Stroz & Brenden…

ALL better at GM position than the current resident… 110% Sure !!!!!

By rj

October 16, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

After the Buffalo win last night I commented to the wife “The Thrashers used to be able to make that sort of comeback at will.” Did the Thrashers forget how to play like that or have the opponents figured out how to stop them and Hartley has no Plan B ?

By Tom

October 16, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Kari talking about his troubles:

It’s hard, but it’s our job to perform. I know I’m a good goalie, I just have to remind myself of that. Everybody has to play better, and that includes me.”

Does it look to you like the boy is in deep denial. Everytime he is asked about his troubles in net it is yes I am having trouble but so is everyone else. I do not know about you but that does not play well in the lockeroom doing this passive aggressive BS.

Tell the world I am struggling and working hard on it, and leave it there. Do not subtly undercut your teammates. If you are p** at their effort, call them out on it. They will respect that.

But this passive aggressive BS has to stop. No more I suck but so does everyone else stuff Kari.

By Bob

October 16, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

By the way, does anybody else think that Dupuis is trying to make too many individual plays?

Yep, as is Kovy. But how can you blame them? They can both see they don’t have any linemates, at least each one cares enough to go try to get it done by themselves.

By maestro mocenok

October 16, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Hossa-Hossa-hou. Today we are finaly goin to win. Marian will strike hattrick after three superb breakaways. But the coach and teammates have to realize that he has to get the puck every shift and looking for him with passes like demitra does. And Kova has to shot from every position like at previous seasons. Thats only way to score more goals. I am really full of expectations next from match. I guess Hossa is still the king.

By Michael Shapiro

October 16, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

You want to add one more DW miss to the fire? How about picking that stiff Braydon Coburn when the very next player in the draft was Dion Phaneuf? How would our blue line look with him on it?

By Craig Custance

October 16, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Morning skate quickie: Moose will start tonight. Rookie line intact. Popovic, Boults and Thorburn are your scratches. Also look for a roster move soon, Don and Bob don’t usually keep three extras. Hossa is fine, and will play tonight.

By Mehoff

October 16, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Why are they continuing to sit Boults and Thorburn? They played better in their 4 minutes of ice time than the rest of the team has in 5 games.

By Tim

October 16, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Michael Shapiro, that debate has been discuss before and I see nothing wrong there, especially since at that time, Coburn has more value then Phaneuf. It’s just like asking why the Sens draft Daigle instead of Pronger in 1993. Fact is, that was a easy choice for the Sens to made however it didnt turn out the way it should.

By Rawhide

October 16, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Also look for a roster move soon, Don and Bob don’t usually keep three extras. Hossa is fine, and will play tonight.

Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Interesting………

By Brendan

October 16, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Bob, I hope you’re right about the ASG. My feeling is … these guys really do want to win. But are they really willing to cut DW loose? They’ve backed every move he’s ever made. Perhaps, in a way, they’d feel like firing him is an “indictment” of themselves. And well, they simply don’t make mistakes.

Discuss.

(I’m just throwing out a topic. I don’t have any agendas beyond my stated ones, “create awareness of hockey in general, and the Thrashers in particular.”)

By Bob

October 16, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Good mabye Moose can steal one.

Yeah, why play Boulton or Thorburn when the midgets are doing so well?
Goodness gracious.

It’s the GM and scouts job to see why Phaneuf is better than Coburn. It’s just another example how this GM is not getting the job done. Of course, there are dozens of examples, but that’s just another one.

Hey, Coburn plays for Philly now, I think he gets 2nd pairing minutes up there, that’ll be fun to watch him tonight.

By Brendan

October 16, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Tim, I think you’re going to find this true in any draft year. No matter where you pick in the draft, a better player was potentially there that the GM missed.

Drafting is an inexact science. Even the best of teams occassionally mess up a draft. But when you look at the aggregate, certain patterns definitely appear. Some teams have excellent scouts and add components to their future rosters in just about every draft. Ottawa, Detroit, New Jersey and Carolina come immediately to mind in that regard. Not so much for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Certainly, a case can be made for Havlat in ‘99, but he didn’t get picked ‘til 26th overall. Certainly Anze Kopitar and Staal were available to be selected by Atlanta. Dany Heatley sort of fell into our laps when the Isles took DiPietro with the 1st overall pick in 2000. The year we got Kovalchuk, we “won” the draft lottery. So, we’ve had fortune and misfortune on draft day. But, I’d have to offer up … that this team has not drafted as well as it should have in the early, critical and formative years of the franchise’s existence. I don’t blame Waddell for Patrik Stefan. I don’t credit him for Heatley and Kovalchuk. These were “consensus” type picks, if you looked at NHL Draft publications for those years. It’s not as if Waddell went off the board to snare some prodigy from some high school in Minnesota with the 1st overall pick, who then set the league on fire.

“Consensus” type picks mean … if he was right, he flung his fishing pole into an aquarium and caught a fish. If he was wrong, so was everyone else. I think you’ve got to look at the latter rounds and see what successes were found to judge a GM’s acumen, over a period of years. Pasi and Exelby were largely Waddell’s best successes there. He might be able to point to Sterling and Enstrom down the road.

But, it is tough to think about what might have been in previous draft years. The better GM’s do tend to find the “Diamonds in the rough.”

By Bob

October 16, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, at first glance, my hopeful eyes also read Craig’s report as “trade!”.

But I think all he means is that either Boulton or Thorburn is going to be sent down (or Haydar or some other guy). He’s just saying we’re carrying 3 healthy scratches, so one will be sent down, and probably a forward since Popovic is our only extra dman.

By Brendan

October 16, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Oh no! That means Klee is gonna play.

By Tony C.

October 16, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

Amen.

I haven’t been a fan of the Klee deal ever.

GO BLUE !!!