AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWaddell working the phones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You know, I miss two games and you would have thought I skipped all of October. I was greeted with comments like “Who’s the new guy?” and “I thought you traveled with the team.” Guess what? When I’m making seven figures, I’ll do an entire 82 game schedule. Until then, forget it. But it’s good to be back, and the team was in pretty good spirits today after practice. Bryan Little (hip) didn’t practice, but I got the sense that if it was up to him, he would have been out there.
Pascal Dupuis (hip also) said he’s feeling better. Don Waddell noticed that his hip was bothering him in the Nashville game and Dupuis sat against Chicago. I’ve got to say, I listened to the Chicago game on the radio while I painted the walls of my living room, and Dan Kamal can call a game. He made everything sound exciting, and I know the truth. I’m at all the other games, and it’s not THAT exciting. But it was an entertaining call, it was fun to get a different perspective. Same goes for the TV broadcast of the Nashville game. The best part was being able to Tivo and watch plays over and over again. You can really pick up some subtleties.
The team is hitting the home stretch of its road trip. The way Ottawa is playing right now, they’d better get two points in Montreal. No pressure. Don Waddell said he liked the physical presence guys like Boulton and Thorburn have been providing, but he said his lineup won’t be finalized until a conversation with his coaching staff tonight.
Waddell’s been busy. He said he’s had conversations with nine general managers in the last three days. Some he talked to about the coaching search, others about improving his roster. He’s not ruling out a trade in the midst of the coaching search. Obviously this team could use help defensively and at center. It’s a matter of getting the right pieces to fall into place for both teams. I’ll keep you posted. But Waddell wasn’t at practice today and wasn’t flying into Montreal until tonight. Only he and Delta knows where he is right now.
Waddell has also been in touch with Marian Hossa’s new agent, Ritch Winter. If Hossa is convinced this team is headed in the right direction, I think he’ll sign. If he doesn’t, he won’t. It’s that simple. Waddell remains optimistic that something can get done.
I know there were rumors of a John Anderson interview, but that hasn’t happened. Waddell said he and Anderson met in Chicago, but it was a conversation and not an interview. He said he used the meeting as much to talk to Anderson about the job opening as to pick his brain about the players in Chicago. The usual players are doing well - Oystrick, Valabik, Stuart and LaVallee, although none are on the verge of being called up to Atlanta.
Alright, it’s off to Montreal, my favorite trip on the schedule. I’ll get to some of your comments when I land.
Comments
By Thrasher Ryan
October 29, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
Do I win a cookie?
By Brendan
October 29, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Craig, welcome back. Carroll did a good job.
By BG33Brown
October 29, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Not to sound to sage or LAC here. But DW FINALLY see that we need help at Center and Defense. Well give that man a prize. Only problem is how can the man get a PROVEN top 2 center or Top Pair D Man?
Answer…he can’t without trading Hossa or the new goaltender. So if he does “improve the lineup” it will be another 3rd line center who DW thinks can be a top 2.
The real problem is he had that in Belanger and let him go.
Sigh….
By BG33Brown
October 29, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Not to sound to sage or LAC here. But DW FINALLY see that we need help at Center and Defense. Well give that man a prize. Only problem is how can the man get a PROVEN top 2 center or Top Pair D Man?
Answer…he can’t without trading Hossa or the new goaltender. So if he does “improve the lineup” it will be another 3rd line center who DW thinks can be a top 2.
The real problem is he had that in Belanger and let him go.
Sigh….
By Brendan
October 29, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
Craig, time to put some of that French to use! Here’s a couple of things to keep handy. “L’addition, s’il vous plait.” (Check, please!) Oui, je l’adore. (Yeah, I like it or her.) A bit of an obscure reference there, but ya never know when it might come in handy! And, “Je prends de la biEre brune/blonde.” (I’ll have a dark or light-colored beer. “Brune” means dark colored (think brunettes!) and blonde means light-colored, or if it helps, “think blondes!”)
Okay, on to FRENCH hockey terms 101. “Power Play” = SupErioritE numErique. (Su-pear-ee-orrr-ee-tay nu-mehr-eek). “Penalty Kill” = InfErioritE numErique.” (Enn-fay-ree-orrr-ee-tay nu-mehr-eek). “Goal scored by” = le but marquE par (le boo-mahr-kay-pahr).
“Net” = le filet (le fee-lay). “behind” = derriere (der-ee-air). So, you guessed it, “derriere le filet” means “behind the net.”
“Puck” = rondelle (rohn-dell). “Up through center ice” = on avance jusqu’au centre. (ohn-ah-vahn-ce j-ew-sk-o-sehn-trah.) “1st period” = premiere pEriode.” (Prem-y-air pear-ee-ode). “2nd period” = seconde pEriode (seh-gohnd-pear-ee-ode). “3rd period” = troisiEme pEriode. (Twah-zee-em pear-ee-ode) “Overtime” = periode de prolongation. (Pear-ee-ode de pro-lonn-gah-see-ohn). “Penalty” - punission or transgression. I’ve heard both. (Pu-nee-see-ohn) and (trahn-s-greh-see-ohn).
There will be a test on this material tomorrow night, so I hope you paid attention.
By LAC
October 29, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
Since waddell constructed the team, he has to live with it now.
That being said, he should know by now this team needs 1 or 2 centers and a solid vet on defense.
He is The only person who can or cannot change things with on ice personnel… So maybe he has realized this team IS not that good.
He created this team he MUST fix it before we get even futher behind.
Montreal is going to be VERY difficult, they Blasted Carolina the other night and then Pittsburgh… both on the road. Scored 5 power play goals in Raleigh…
Holik better not hook in the first two minutes !!!!!!!!!!!!
By kracker
October 29, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
Welcome back, Craig. Interesting blog, some folks can calm down about Dupuis being benched, since it was a physical reason. We never know what is going on in that respect and should always keep it in mind that we aren’t that close to the facts. [Where’s the fun in that, ha?!]
Good to hear Don is busy exploring trades and coaches. There is some thought he should make a quick change or wait most of November until the division play is over. I don’t particularly think that, I say get the guy in whenever the agreement is made. Provide all the film & coaches interviews they want and do it.
By Boulton's Bruisers
October 29, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this
Come on Don, get it over with and hire John Anderson! Then you can spend more time working the phones to get us a #1 Center and 2 D-Men.
By kracker
October 29, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what to make of how Craig characterized DW’s visit with Anderson. I suppose nobody knows but DW and Anderson what was said. They spoke about the job and the teams, so I will leave it at that.
I have been voting Anderson in the current coach search poll, not that it means much. I am more concerned about getting points from these games. If we do that, the coaching vacancy will take care of itself. It may be that a team that still has a real shot at a playoff berth would be more attractive to an experienced coaching candidate.
By Hockeyfan
October 29, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
After listening to the radio for the Chicago game I am finding myself wishing Odgers had a different partner…
Good to hear Dupruis sat because of a legit reason and not for something stupid. Hope he is better and back soon.
White better on paper than Bellenger last season.
Craig correct me if I am wrong but doesnt Don and Ritch have a history and it is not a good history?
By Midfield
October 29, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
What a coinsidence. Hossa is waiting to see in which direction the team is going, and I am waiting to see when he is going to play hockey. He is still getting paid, is he?
By Pinball34
October 29, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
Hockeyfan: You are correct about Odgers partner…he sucks. Where is Jiggs McDonald?
By Wreckin & Thrashin
October 29, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Craig, you lazy bum :)
Here’s hoping we can get someone at center… I just can’t think of anyone who is available who would be of use. Well there is Forsberg, but that ain’t happening.
By Bob
October 29, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Waddell has also been in touch with Marian Hossa’s new agent, Ritch Winter. If Hossa is convinced this team is headed in the right direction, I think he’ll sign. If he doesn’t, he won’t. It’s that simple. Waddell remains optimistic that something can get done.
Dude, take a step back and see the forest.
You have a better chance of winning a Pulitzer than Wad has of signing Rich Winter’s client to a contract in Atlanta.
Anyone else think that the Wad gets his just rewards here any plays out the season behind the bench?
By Brendan
October 30, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
Every day, I try to cultivate more Thrashers fans and interest in hockey. But I must tell you something. I’m running into this brick wall more and more often:
“Brendan, do you really think DW should be entrusted to make more personnel decisions, like hiring another coach? Hasn’t he hired two already? Can he really be trusted to make more trades? Especially while the situation reeks of ‘desperation?’ Isn’t every player here his doing? I don’t know much about hockey, but it seems that a lot of people think Hartley shouldn’t have been fired. Maybe the problem isn’t at ice level?”
Wow, not bad for ‘casual’ fans. All I can say is … the owners run the team. And they trust Don Waddell to make roster moves and coaching changes. If Don Waddell needs to be removed from the post, it’s up to them to do it. If they don’t, then they must live with the consequences of that inaction.
Maybe things will turn around with Don Waddell behind the bench? He does control their fate. He decides who gets traded to Phoenix for a 3rd round pick. He decides who gets put on waivers. He decides who sits and who plays. He decides how many minutes each player gets. He decides who will play on the power play unit. And he decides who gets a contract extension and who doesn’t. So, who’s gonna get more out of this group than Waddell, the guy who writes they paychecks?
These “drive by” hockey fans also suggested that the players “sandbagged it” to get Hartley fired. Well, I don’t buy that. Not really. I don’t think they quit on Hartley so much as they failed to be motivated by him. Or maybe they tuned him out, like a broken record. But like-minded fans also apparently think that these players can get Waddell fired by turning in the same performance that they did under Hartley’s reign.
Hmmn. Your thoughts? I didn’t know how to respond to the allegation. I’m thinking that Waddell can trade a player someplace really undesireable, where they’ll play four to six (4-6) minutes a game, if they sandbag it on him. We’ve got four or five 3rd line Centers that come to mind. I’d like to get an assortment of opinions on that.
By the way, many devout hockey fans thought the Thrashers phoned it in to get Hartley fired. I didn’t mean to “paint that” as the observations of only those with a passing interest in hockey. It’s probably something that can’t be proved either way.
By Tony C.
October 30, 2007 5:34 AM | Link to this
Kamal could make picking lettuce sound exciting
By Midfield
October 30, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this
Brendan,
if any of those rumors are true, these players are useless. As far as I am concerned, professional players have one job only: play hockey as hard as they can to the best of their abilities. It’s their agents’ responsibility to take care of other business. I’m not shilling for Wadell or Hartley here, but - again, if this is true, we have only one pro here - Kovalchuk. The rest of this bunch can go play for the overgrown pee-wee whiners league for all I care. This is sad.
By GaVaHokie
October 30, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
I wish Waddell had signed Robert Lang over the summer… he’s turning out to be a steal at $4 million.
By UpperDeck4Life
October 30, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
I have an idea about a small trade that could really help Kovy and give him the kind of player that does the “little” things to get the job done around the net. Why don’t we offer the Avs a mid to late draft pick and bring Andrew Brunette back to the Thrashers and put him on Kovy’s RW. I know his wheels aren’t the best anymore, but I just have a gut feeling that pairing them together would do something for this team. Just an idea…what do you guys think?
By Russ
October 30, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
UD4Life - Brunette would definitely help, especially on the Power Play, but Colorado paid a lot of money for Smyth and Hannan this summer and are off to a solid start. They are in buy mode not sell.
By GaVaHokie
October 30, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
I still think Joe Pavelski is a good player to target out in San Jose. He’s averaging only 11 minutes of ice time, but he’s got 23 shots on goal with 6 points.
I see him as a Bellanger type player, for even less money.
By kracker
October 30, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
I don’t think we have to wait until the trade deadline for the possibility of a trade. Wasn’t the Thornton-San Jose deal done in late November 05? So it had to have been in the works for some time before that.
Of course that one worked out better for the Sharks but my point is a deal can be done at this time of year, particularly a deal involving a major player changing conferences. That major player in this case would be Hossa.
By kracker
October 30, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
GaVaHokie Yeah, too bad we don’t still have Bellanger. Pavelski is a center?….Yes, he is. So who do we have that the Sharks want?
By Russ
October 30, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Dick Tarnstrom to Atlanta? http://www.spectorshockey.net/rumors.html
Wouldn’t be a substantial improvement to the blue line IMO. I wouldn’t give up more than a fourth or fifth round pick.
By GaVaHokie
October 30, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
kracker… probably a draft pick and a prospect.
By GaVaHokie
October 30, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Dick Tarnstom… interesting. I remember asking Waddell about Tarnstrom last year when he was playing overseas.
He’s been keeping track of him. Waddell was only mildly impressed by his performance in Europe.
Not sure this would be a good move… too much of the same again. McCarthy, Enstrom and Tarnstrom… all similar players.
By GaVaHokie
October 30, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
If they could move McCarthy in the deal, I’d say go for it, but not sure why the Oilers would want McCarthy, except to shed salary.
By Jenn
October 30, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
That same link that Russ posted also says that Bondra has officially retired and been named GM for Team Slovakia.
By Russian
October 30, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
No way for Dick Tarnstrom!!! We already have same crap as Klee, Havelid and Mac. We need someone better.
By Marcus
October 30, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
I agree that Kamal is a great play-by-play guy, we’re lucky to have him in Atlanta. If only he would move on to TV and replace that JP Dellacammerra guy…. he doesn’t know anything about hockey and makes it so BORING!! With Kamal, you’re on the edge of your seat at all times and it’s so fun!
What the Thrashers need is a BIG win… not another one-goal squeeze-by…. tonight will be a good test, so GO THRASH.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 30, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
Great deal…
$15 for upper bowl $30 for lower bowl
password to use is “FRIEND”
http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/crgss6?camefrom=CFCATLTHRASHERSE_T102907
By Sam
October 30, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
I always turn down the volume on my TV and listen to Kamal and Odgers. IMO, I get a TON more info from the radio braodcast. Kamal names players on the ice…both teams. I don’t know the other teams well enough to know everyone’s number and the TV guys rarely provide that info because (I guess) they figure you can see it yourself. I’ve listened to alot of other teams’ broadcasters on both Center Ice and XM radio and Kamal and Odgie do a really class A job. Lots of info, details and best of all, good hockey sense.
I don’t think Anderson will get a shot because he’s got no NHL experience as a coach. Guys like Holik, Zhitnik and Kozlov have time and experience in this league. It’s going to take a special kind of man to earn their respect and keep it. Otherwise, we’ll be right back at players tuning out the coach’s message. Waddell’s got to factor that in.
And Craig, either you’re covering the Thrashers beat or you’re not, man. Pansy-a$$ house painter, LOL.
By puckjunque
October 30, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
* Thanks Buz* good 2 know.
Could one of the Tivo-geeks with extra time on their hands please tell us what Carolina did right to beat Ottawa on 10/11? Ottawa gets 5 days rest before we visit them on 11/1…Really.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
October 30, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Oh,
This is a one day sale for the Washington and Carolina game. So if you are thinking about getting tickets do it now.
By ranallo10
October 30, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Sam — In my opinion I think Kamal would actually be better off not trying to pronounce every person’s last name, but rather focus on the action that is happening. He can easily substitute “Tampa” or “Atlanta” for most of the names he says, and give more important information like “hit the post” or “deflected the shot”.
Kamal’s problem (again, in my opinion) is that he’s trying way to hard to be excited about everything. What is everyone’s biggest complaint about Central and South American announcers for futbol matches? It’s that they’re yelling about everything…”THE DEFENDER, PASSES TO THE WING, WHO PASSES BACK TO THE GOALIE, WHO PASSES IT UP TO THE WING, WHO DRIBBLES THE BALL, PASSES BACK TO THE DEFENDER!!!!”. It’s overkill, and ruins the game.
I remember listening to an ATL game against Tampa last season, in which the Lightning won in overtime off a goal by St. Louis in transition. I was so irked by the fact that Atlanta had the puck, shot it, and apparently it rolled directly to St. Louis who scored on a breakaway. However, Kamal was too busy having a heartattack because an Atlanta shot was near the goal (it missed wide), and by the time I knew there was a change in possession, St. Louis had scored and I could hear the audience cheering. Meanwhile Kamal (having calmed down by this point) said simply “St. Louis scores, Tampa wins in OT”.
As a listener, that’s horrible information. Absolutely horrible. How’d it happen? He gave no statement about Tampa even getting the puck. To this day I can’t even understand if he was watching the game, or simply yelling for some more fries.
In my opinion, Kamal is no BETTER than JP Dellacamera, or Darren Elliot, or Jerome Jeronovich. All of them are bad at some things, good at others, and basically average compared to other coverage in the NHL.
By Sam
October 30, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
And, of course, you’re welcome to your opinion. You listen to Dellacamera and I’ll listen to Kamal.
Peace on Earth.
By ranallo10
October 30, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
Haha, actually Sam, I wish I could listen to neither. Mute doesn’t do the game justice however.
I’ve brought this to the updated Custance blog, feel free to read my “Between the Creases” pitch.