Thrashers

By B. Thenet

February 7, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

I do think 2 teams from the SE get in.

I think the Trade Deadline is going to change the entire face of the SE Division. The Thrashers should get some pieces from the Hossa trade, but I suspect everyone else in the SE will make some kind of a move…Tampa will obviously be a seller…but don’t be surprised to see Carolina be a seller as well. There have been way too many trade rumblings about the Canes in the past couple of months…and Jim Rutherford is a big time wheeler and dealer.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

February 7, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

2nd?

By Buzilla Baby Blues

February 7, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

2nd?

By Bob

February 7, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

OK, it’s not exactly Chipper on a blog

What’s Chipper on a Blog? Is that some form of cream chipped beef (or s** on a shingle as we used to call it)?

I only see one out of this division making it. Waddell refutes your theory saying the other divisional clubs will be playing each other and not able to rack up pts, but the same is true about the SouthLeast clubs, we’ll all be playing each other.

I wish they would have started Moose tonight, Kari inevitably starts wearing down, we saw it start in the last game, probably continues tonight. We better score at least 4 or 5.

By Tom

February 7, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

If we are to take Don’s skill at drafting and compare it to his ability to make predictions I would lay a whole lot of money on only one team to make it out of the division now.

(oh, and his predictions on making the playoffs are also lacking…)

By Boulton's Bruisers

February 7, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

So, how will they make the playoffs?

They won’t.

As far as Waddell’s predictions, he DID predict the Giants to win Super Bowl 42. He was right on that one. Here he is just wrong, wrong, wrong… kinda like 85% of his draft picks!

By David Duke

February 7, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

looks like both ice puckey fans are on this blog. Ice puckey is real big here, isn’t it? Who cares about ice puckey except for transplanted icicles? Go back to Manitoba where ice puckey is a sport. Here ice puckey is seen about the same way ice capades are, a curiosity.

By Talon

February 7, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

They will go to playoffs or win the division if they can figure out how to play for 60 mins a game….

By 30 Year Hockey Fan

February 7, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

I just can’t see the Thrashers making the playoffs. League worst in goals allowed does not a Stanley Cup contender make. Also, the whole “getting to 2 games over .500” being a seemingly impossilbe task is another indicator. I hate to be negative, but I haven’t seen any consistency to think otherwise.

By GaVaHokie

February 7, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

I think Waddell is right… the league schedules are set up for this kind of parody… 14 of our last 26 games are Southeast division games, it’s the same around the league.

By Nate

February 7, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

I just don’t see it. Too many points to make up. With the teams being so evenly matched in our division, coupled with everyone’s inconsistency, I don’t see how two teams in the division will be able to distance themselves from the pack to make the top 8. Division schedule, or whaterver, the other two divisions will have 7 seven teams better than the SE division. That’s it.

By Andy S

February 7, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Bob Since the SE teams will be playing more of each other, I think Wadell’s thinking that the top two SE teams will whip up on the bottom three (the true southleast) and rack up points at their expense. The other two Eastern Divisions have 3-4 good teams each, meaning they’ll just trade points around without any particular one or two teams raking it in.

By LAC

February 7, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

This team as it is now constructed will be lucky to avoid the celler of the SE.

We have a shoddy defense and no scoring… How do you win with that ?

We are lucky to get 20 SOG every game, you simply CANNOT win like that.

This team is really not too good, and again it is a direct reflection of a man who has had too long at the controls here. This team should be a WHOLE lot better, we are the second oldest team in the league, Carolina oldest, Why do we have almost zero draft picks playing here, why do we sign worthless UFA nobody else wants.

We had a winner last season, the IDIOT waddell tore it apart to save $$$ for the Little Boy owners and this is the result.

Once waddell is GONE we can start to rebound from the mess HE had created…

Lastly rutherford snydel, I remember opening night and you saying you “owners” are doing everything to bring the Stanley Cup to Atlanta…

You are nothing but a CHEAP LIAR as you know nothing about running a professional sports team… Tell me rutherford… is this PROGRESS from last season ?

Will Dumb A— beau turner be giving away Ted’s money at the last game of the season, he should because the NHL fans in Atlanta deserve a LOT better than the shoddy product you continue to produce and I would like to see YOU rutherford at center ice and say * I AM SORRY I LIED TO YOU THE FANS ON OPENING NIGHT… YOU ARE RIGHT WE ARE A BUNCH OF LYING IDIOTS WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT PRO SPORTS…WE QUIT !!!*

No THAT would be Solid Progress !!!!!

By d

February 7, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Two SE teams making the playoffs could be challenging. Currently the #7,8,& 9 teams (NYR, Boston, & Buffalo)are playing well, each 6-3-1 during the last 10 games. The three teams in the top 8 that are sturggling a bit (Ottawa, NJ, & Pitts) are so far ahead in points it is difficult seeing how they miss the playoffs.

Let’s be honest with this years Thrashers, this is a team with part-time novice head coach, two mediocre goalies, a third line center, and an invisible blue line. Fortunately our wingers are top tier, but they can only take us as far as .500.

By Russ

February 7, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

I’ll say Florida and Carolina get in from the SE. That is what I said in the preseason, so I’ll stick with that rather than putting further thought into it.

The Thrashers won’t make the playoffs because of the worst GAA in the league (as pointed out by 30 year hockey fan above) and because they are going to be out-shot in roughly 65 out of 82 games by the end of the season. Those are two difficult things to overcome in a playoff run.

By R. Stroz

February 7, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

LAC - The only thing Seydel knows about running a sports team is marrying into the Turner family.

By Bob

February 7, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

I think Wadell’s thinking that the top two SE teams will whip up on the bottom three (the true southleast) and rack up points at their expense. The other two Eastern Divisions have 3-4 good teams each, meaning they’ll just trade points around without any particular one or two teams raking it in

I agree with you that that is what he’s thinking, but I think he’s wrong as usual, big suprise there. Who are the top 2 teams in the SouthLeast? We’ve got the Caps with 57pts, us and the Canes with 56 pts, Florida with 55 pts (and the Caps and Florida both have a game in hand on us and the Canes) and then Tampa with 49 pts but 2 games in hand on us and the Canes. Tampa is the only one lagging, but barely, they’re a goalie away from making a run.

All the other Divisions will be playing each other as well, I see everyone trading pts in each Division. Where the difference has been, is the other Divisons have beaten the SouthLeast more than we’ve beaten them, and they’ve racked up pts.

If you laid out the East right now based on pts., the Caps are on top of the SouthLeast but are really in 10th place as they are tied with 9th place Buffalo with 57pts, but Buffalo has 2 games in hand on Washington.

It may very well end up that way at the end of the year and there’s going to be some team’s fans howling looking up at the sole SouthLeast playoff participant limping in with less pts. than the 9th place club that’s going golfing.

By stendec

February 7, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Please people. Read my comments closely. KL has potential! Sure, Thrasher D is terrible but…Stellar netminders overcome awful defenses! If a goalie makes 57 saves but team loses 3-2 is that considered a success? Even if other masked guy only turns aside 17 of 19 shots for win? Sometimes goaltenders ARE the team! That is why inopportune (goal right after team scores) or soft goals are unacceptable. Especially, as noted, with porous defense! GO BLUE!

By R. Stroz

February 7, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Bob - I’m waiting on another DW playoff guarantee; but, this time with a 25% ticket package refund if the Thrashers don’t make the playoffs. He is the coach, he is the GM, he constructed the team, we made the playoffs last year, so, shouldn’t that guarantee another playoff berth this year if he’s a competent coach and GM?

Of course it should. Will we see a playoff guarantee, of course not.

DW is hoping that his pumpkin will turn into a carriage otherwise he is on the street.

By Jim

February 7, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Got this from another site.

“Since the inception of the NHL’s Southeast Division in the 1998-99 season, each of the five teams has qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs at least once. In five of those eight seasons, two Southeast teams qualified for the postseason in the same years. But, of the 13 total playoff appearances only four times did a Southeast team advance past the opening round. In three of those four instances, the Southeast team advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, winning the Cup twice.”

Meaning: it doesn’t happen all the time and at least one team will get eliminated quickly, if not both.

Southeast Division Article

By Tony C.

February 7, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

I don’t think the 2nd VAN goal was on KL-moreso on Perrin…and really really bad defensive positioning (i.e. WTF is Perrin doing trying to keep the crease clear?)

By David

February 7, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

if we end up losing tonight i’m going to be really dissapointed… :/

By B. Thenet

February 7, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Kari Lehtonen gives up another soft goal that costs his team the game.

Two games thrown away in the last 10 minute of the game.

This team makes me sick.

By Alan

February 7, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

(i.e. WTF is Perrin doing trying to keep the crease clear?)

What no one else was doing, apparently. If we had better defense, a center wouldn’t have to act as a defender in our own crease. It was still bad positioning (I believe Perrin’s stick hit Lehtonen), no doubt. I just think he had good intentions and screwed it all up.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 7, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

Only in Atlanta and that silly joke known as “Bwuewand” does an utter incompetent like Don Waddell exist for TEN STRAIGHT YEARS…

Stop the excuses. This is completely unacceptable. Admitting you were dead wrong—and you know who you are—is the first step to recovery…

The ever-increasing excuses are nothing but sad, pathetic, and weak-minded…stop being such sheep!!!

By JB

February 7, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

Sage Don Waddell is not incompetent, he is on the Competition Committee and helps put together the US National team, along with doing a pretty darn good job coaching and managing this team under the circumstances. This team probably wouldn’t be where it is today without DW, we may have not have made the playoffs last year without the Tkachuk deal, yes he has made mistakes; who hasn’t? He’s human, give the guy a break, if anyone thinks they could do better managing and coaching this team have at it. Also, we don’t know how much this ownership struggle has limited our management and the Hawks management from making deals necessary to put a very competitive team on the ice. Oh and its BLUELAND not Bwuewand.

As for the real topic here, we will make the playoffs, most likely through winning the division(as I think that is the only way we’ll, or any other SE Division team will get in). We’ll get an added boost from a couple trades that will be made and the added bonus of having the Hossa fiasco off our backs one way or another.

By MB

February 7, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

There will be only one SE team in the playoffs, and it will not be the Thrashers. Nor should it be. Sorry to the faithful, but I would much, much rather play the role of seller during the next month with the hopes and goal of building for the future.

That’s far better than heading into the post-season without any real hope of advancing into the second round.

As for tonight, KL lets in a soft goal and several, most notably Perrin, fail to bury easy goals against Luongo. Note to the entire NHL…if you have the chance for an easy goal against Luongo, you best take advantage of it.

Finally, Sage, we know…and we agree. What say we take the needle off that broken record?

By Boulton's Bruisers

February 7, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

Sage Of Bluesland DEFINITELY sees through the smoke. It’s a real shame so many people here don’t. Sage you are on point about the heat… it needs to be put on Waddell. He created this. He gave us all the excuses. He asked us all for time. “We need time to build.” We waited. We believed. We bought in.

The problem with Waddell is his stubbornness and inability to accept reality. He is in DREAMLAND with that FINNISH draft pick BUST of his!

He (Waddell) refuses to accept the fact that his BEST option right now is to TRADE Marian Hossa! Waddell must ACT NOW! The fans all SEE Hoss wants out… THE TEAM all SEES Hoss wants out…

Let the man go! S%!T, He’s played long enough in this league! He’s earned this chance to get the money he wants….

The fact of the matter is, the Thrashers just CAN’T afford it! We’ll do better with the rookies. I know it in my heart. The fans know it. The players know it…

Sage, What is it going to take for EVERYONE to SEE THROUGH THE SMOKE???

Waddell can only give us the excuses for so long, right?

By R. Stroz

February 7, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

A team with the worst goals for/goals against differential in the NHL does not belong in the playoffs. The Thrashers are currently -30, dead last in the league.

You can blame the coach or the GM; but, in this case, they are one in the same.

Its time to bring in Pat Quinn as the GM and John Anderson as the coach. Waddell and the Beast are in over their heads and too dense to realize this fact.

Spring is coming, out with the old and in with the new, otherwise we will all keep singing the blues.

By R. Stroz

February 7, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

At the next game, it’s time to take a page out of the Washington Capitals fans’ handbook. Does anyone remember the FIRE HAN-LON chant at the Capitals game. The next day Hanlon was canned. The Caps brought up their farm team coach and the Caps have gone from worst to first.

So, I propose a FIRE WAD-DEll chant at the game on Saturday against Tampa. Sara, for this to work, I need the Nest’s help.

So who’s in?

By scottBravesFan

February 8, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

Bob,

The comment about Chipper on the blog is because Chipper Jones, you know future hall of fame who led the league in OPS last year, was posting on the Braves blog the last couple of days.

As for the Thrashers tough loss tonight I’m getting tired of this one goal losses sooner or later we will catch a break hopefully. I still think we are going to win the division. Hopefully we can at least win a game if we make it back to the playoffs. Tough game as was the Philly game. Anyone else getting tired to losing to the freaking Flyers?

By LAC

February 8, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this

Florida a point behind us.

Tampa 4 back, playing better.

When they pass us, we will be in LAST place in the Eastern conference.

And these LYING owners wanted progress, When will you losers sell out and let someone who really cares take us to The Promised Land.

I have to say look what has happened in Washington, the Star player deals with THE OWNER and is happy and is going wild… Our owners are like the three blind mice…

Where are we heading to the cellar folks… I hate it but until this group and GM are GONE we will NEVER be a contender… A sorry state to be in….

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

LAC and Sage… find another sport to watch, like football or something. You should follow the USC trojans or the New England Patriots or something… teams that constantly win so you don’t have to suffer anymore.

It’s wishy washy fans like you that give Atlanta the moniker of “worst sports fans” in the country.

By Jarndyce

February 8, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

How do the Thrashers make the playoffs? Easy. Play defense.

If the Thrashers had allowed shots against equal to the average of the top half of the league, it would have meant about 68 fewer goals against (based only on Lehtonen’s save percentage in the games he played, his gaa would be about 2.29 right now). Applying that to a projection model would put the Thrashers 4 points up in the SE at the end of the season.

Lehtonen’s sv% is .915, better than guys like Turco, Kiprosoff, Hasek, Legace, etc. If this team keep shots down, he’d be top 10 in the league.

By Bob

February 8, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

The comment about Chipper on the blog is because Chipper Jones, you know future hall of fame

Oh, was he a goalie? Forward? Mabye a defenseman? Hall of Famer, eh? Never heard of a person named Chipper, sounds like something some good ol boy would name his dog.

Brutal, a decently played game and we give up at least one point due to our misfit goalie, again. What the heck was he doing falling down after taking Perrin’s glancing nudge with a stick? Pitiful, just plain pitiful.

Lehtonen does not have the mental ability to be a #1 goalie in this league. They should get him Smotzies’ shrink.

He’s got great physical ability, but he just does not have the mental makeup to be a #1 night in and night out. That’s why you see him play great after he gets a a few nights off, or at the beginning of the year, but after he plays more than 3 games in a row, he starts making mental breakdowns, like we saw again last night, like we saw Tuesday night when he cost us at least one pt in that game. Get the kid a shrink.

By stendec

February 8, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

In the immortal words of Jim Mora. Senior, that is! Playoffs? Playoffs? Yeah, right! Tough to win with no goalie, offense or defense. Front office leadership also absent! Plenty of potential. No production! Like all but one of other Atlanta semi-professional teams! Truly pathetic. KL may have his faults but, by God, he can come up with imaginative excuses for goals allowed. Monkey puck still personal favorite. Oh well. Sure many others will be unveiled soon. By the way Letemin, sitting down on job not allowed. Just wanted to let you know. May be different in Finland.

By Bob

February 8, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Playoffs! Playoffs? You want to talk about Playoffs?!?! Playoffs!?

The good news is, missing the playoffs once again will finally rid us of the true anchor that has weighed this franchise down from Day 1, and that is Waddell will be fired and we can get a real GM in here that can turn things around.

Those of us that know hockey have seen since the early years that Waddell and his inability to see talent, his inability to keep the right players, and his inability to sign the right players is the problem here. He said he wanted to build through the draft yet due to his inability to recognize talent and figure out which vets to keep and which to let go we’re one of the oldest clubs in the league with little in the pipeline.

I’ve been saying this for years:

Nothing meaningful will change here until meaningful changes are made and we get a real GM in here that knows how to build a hockey club.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

I’m so tired of you pansy cry-babies… grow a set.

We had two hard fought games against a great physical Philly and Vancouver team. Luongo is a monster.

I think they could have scouted Vancouver a little better. They should have known about Burrows being an aggitator… hell they just featured him on TSN.ca just last week… he’s an up and coming Avery.

If Perrin had finished his shot on net, that game was going to overtime. We would have 7 out of a possible 10 points in the last 5 games.

By Jarndyce

February 8, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

For the record, there’s no way two SE teams make the playoffs.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Ugh… stop talking out your asses people and actually do the math.

It’s still possible for three teams from the Southeast to make the playoffs… Rangers are barely in it and Boston (while having 4 games in hand) has 10 games left against Southeast opponents. The Southeast can certainly help their case by winning the majority of those games.

By Smoothie

February 8, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

GVH — I think you are ignoring reality today. This team has had six (perhaps 7) chances to get 2 games over .500 and THEY CAN’T DO IT!!! That is tell-tale if you ask me. And they haven’t even started their traditional February swan-dive. There is no way they go on the road next week and finally reel off 4 or 5 in a row. If they win more than 5 of the next 8 games (outright, none of this win it in a SO crap they love so much), I will buy you TWO 24 oz Gorin’s beers on Friday, 3/7 against the Wild.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Smoothie… I stand by my statement. :) You don’t have to buy me any beer… I’ll buy my own beer and you can give me “cheers” while saying “i’m sorry I doubted the team.” That’s reward enough! ;)

Remember, that road trip has a four-day vacation in the middle… I’d like to see Waddell have his changes in place before that break so they have practice time.

By Smoothie

February 8, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Fair enough GVH and I will be the first to toast the team with a Bud Light held high should they go on a mid-Feb tear, but I don’t think I’ll need to renig on my Lenten promise to give up beer. But if I’m wrong, I will own up to it and tip a beer to the hockey gods…and probably punch my tkt for the Devil’s Dept too in the process!! If they don’t make a trade soon to get rid of Charmin and/or Zhitnik and/or Hossa, they are screwed with or without divine intervention!

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

I would love this to happen… we get a contract player and San Jose would love their chances at resigning Hossa.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

If there’s two other teams in the league that are just as inconsistent as the Thrash, it’s NYR and Boston.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

If Waddell can trade Hossa for Marleau and then, separately, get Michael Ryder from Montreal. I think we are far better off.

By Jarndyce

February 8, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

GVH, I’ve done the math:

At this point in the season, the average change in projected points to final points is +2, with a standard deviation of about 6. So, 70% of teams finish within a range of -4 to +8 from current projected points to final points. Last season, 4 teams outperformed projections by more than the standard deviation, and only one of those teams (Colorado) was not already projected to be a playoff team at this point in the season.

In order to two teams from the SE to make the playoffs, both would have to outperform the projections by at least 9 points, all else held the same. If only one of the SE teams do that, then that team will obviously win the division, and make the playoffs as the 3 seed. It takes a second SE team outperforming projections by more than the standard dev in order to surpass the expected final points range of either Boston or the Rangers (Buffalo is unlikely to make the playoffs because a SE team will knock them out by winning the division). There exists a possibility of the Rangers performing below expectations and falling near the bottom part of the likely range. The likelihood all of this happening? In very rough terms, about 5%, or once in every 20 seasons.

By Old School Al

February 8, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

I hope every Thrasher fan realizes we are watching one of the greatest spin doctors of all-time ply his trade at Philips in Don Waddell. In the hallowed halls of the NHL headquarters in Toronto to front offices throuhghout the league, this guy is generally cosnsidered a laughingstock…..just like the tean he “built!”

By NASCAR Dave

February 8, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

HOKIE SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE THE CRYBABY HERE. WHY DON’T YOU GO WORRY ABOUT THAT THUG A$$ SCHOOL YOU COME FROM!!!

By NASCAR Dave

February 8, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

GUTLESS LOSERS WITH AN IDIOT FOR A GM/COACH/VP!!! NUFF SAID!!!

GO DAWGS!

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

NASCAR and DAWGS fan! Am I supposed to be insulted? HAHA :)

For one, you didn’t got to U. of Georgia and second of all, you’ve probably been to A LOT of Nascar races. I bet you drive a red pick up with a Georgia sticker and some variation of Calvin peeing on something.

Or are you the same person as Old School Al and David Duke?

By Tony C.

February 8, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Alan:Exaaaactly! RE: WTF is Perrin doing trying to clear the crease

Not that I’m taking it all out on Perrin (Honestly, KL needs to learn he can push guys around), but my point is this:

I realize as the centerman, he [Perrin] is supposed to come back down low on D, but where the hell was Klee??? (Answer: covering the guy that was skating back to the point) Where was X??(Answer: pulled way out of position up around the half-boards)

That Perrin , all 5’10” of him was trying to push Pilatt (SPL? you know the VAN forward parked in the crease in question) and his 6’2” self around speaks to the type of heart Perrin has shown all year. It also speaks to some serious breakdowns in our D-zone. I have seen this too often, Thrasher D-men pulled out of position and a smurfy forward trying to deal with a physical mismatch.

Was very frustrating. We could, and should have won that game.

Now, shortly, we will be n the road for a week or so. These next games @ The Flatscreen are crucial even DW understands it “Yeah. they’re pretty much all four-point games right there”[sic]…so DW seems to have the plan of winning the divisional games=winning the division.

That’s how they did it last year, and praise be the SE is truly the SouthLeast this year. They have a shot.

I’d love to see DW go out and get some blueline help now…and then worry about getting max value for hossa.

I dunno. Boy that was a frustrating loss

GO BLUE !!!

By Smoothie

February 8, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Tony C — right on man, right on point about Perrin doing Ex’s work in front of the net! The reason for Exelby’s absence: he was too preoccupied by his incessant desire to “headhunt” for the crushing hit on the halfboards after the puck has already vanished. I love his physical play and he WILL give up the body (unlike that panzy a$$ AZ), but he must stay at home when the play does not call for a crushing hit along the boards. We need to be lining guys up at the blueline with forwards back-checking, not looking for the hi-lite hit when the other team is putting the pressure on. Hitting in the corner is one thing, but at the half-boards, that’s a no-no and she should know better.

BTW Tony, are you the man who can hook me up with a good deal on Comcast NHL CenterIce packages?? I decided to go with Comcast afterall and I need my HD hockey fix!!

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave… you wouldn’t be the same as Delta Dave, by chance?

By chickenhawk

February 8, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Look at Hokie spewing his nonsense! He must have drank too much Bluesland Kool-Aid! Trashers are done, just like Mike Vick.

And Buzilla, a chickenhawk is a derogatory slang term for a Hokie, but thanks for trying!

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Okay, I’m through the looking glass now… I know who “all” you people are.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

February 8, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

Hokie - Delta Dave doesn’t post here.

And I have to agree with you. I am getting a bit tired of “fans” of the Thrashers going to pieces after every loss. I know some are just consistently negative, so I really have no idea why they post on a fan’s site. I hope that the players don’t read the blogs like the Braves players do. I understand getting upset by certain things but some of you guys just don’t like anything every. That’s what makes sports in general so interesting. You never know what is going to happen and individuals and teams may surprise you.

chickenhawk - that is priceless. You are my new favorite blogger.

By Bob

February 8, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Hokie, I love your optimism. Really. You are a fan, and are pulling for and believing in your club despite what the facts show. That is admirable.

Word to the wise though, you have got to temper your expectations, it’ll soften the eventual blow when reality sets in for you.

First, there is only one team from the SouthLeast going in this year. You’re dumbing yourself down with Waddell thinking more than the division winner is getting in, it just ain’t gonna happen. In fact, I’d put it at 50/50 that the division winner winds up with less pts than the 9th place club and that is going to be one sad day.

More importantly, this club is very fragile. The Couv had almost all of their defense out last night. Everyone is beating them lately, yet they shut us down. Our offense is now stagnant, our power play is faltering, our goalie is a head case, our #2 forward is headed out of town leaving the GM behind in disgrace, we have no head coach, our ownership is acting like they’re in kindergarten, our defense is pourous at best.

The Emperor has no clothes, Hokie. You need to take a look at what Waddell has done and more importantly, what he has not done, in the clear light of day.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Bob, it’s not even about being a “sheep” and blindly routing for the home team… those 7th and 8th spots are wide-open.

Teams won’t even start clinching their divisions until March 20th… teams will be pulling their goalies in the 3rd period of the last game trying to get into that 8th and final playoff spot. And I expect WSH, CAR and ATL to be in that mix with NYI, NYR and BOS.

There’s 25 games left, 14 against SE opponents. That’s 50 points still up for grabs.

You’re not even a “fairweather” fan… you’re just straight-up “badweather”… who buys season tickets for something they don’t like watching? Baffling.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Buzz… I knew you had a friend that came on here and busted your balls once about your Islanders jersey… thought maybe it was them.

So, Nascar Dave is real… scary.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Sorry, i meant your Devils jersey… so sorry.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

chickenhawk… go stare at your poster of naked boys fondling Kris Beech’s balls.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

All you fairweather fans… next year, just buy half-season tickets, October through January. Obviously there’s no reason to watch beyond the All Star Game.

By R. Stroz

February 8, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - This isn’t all about fair weather fans, it’s about big talk and little walk.

Think of it this way:

You meet a girl, you date for awhile and she says she wants to finish graduate school before she settles down to get hitched. Well, you’ve waited five years while she finished graduate school and she says you know I need some more time. The next year she says, “I guarantee you will get married this year.” As the year rolls along she says, “Well maybe not this year, I just meant real soon.”

Then the next year rolls around and the big day draws closer and she doesn’t show up in her wedding dress; but, she does show up. You decide, well at least she’s getting serious finally, so I’ll wait another year until she gets it all together.

The next year is here and she is making no promises, the wedding cake hasn’t been ordered, the site hasn’t been booked, and yet she still says, “we are going to make happen this year.”

Do you start to lose a little faith in her at this point?

By Jarndyce

February 8, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

I believe the Thrashers have a real shot at winning the SE and making the playoffs IF they can make two things happen:

1) Control the puck. If they control the puck, they’ll cut down on chances against, and create chances of their own.

2) Improve special teams. Right now, even with the pp improving, the special teams, as a unit, are near the bottom of the league.

By Bob

February 8, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

You’re not even a “fairweather” fan… you’re just straight-up “badweather”… who buys season tickets for something they don’t like watching

Dude, save the namecalling, I don’t think you’re a sheep, I believe there’s someone else that bandies about insults. I think you’re a fan, and not seeing the big picture here. This is gonna hurt you a lot when they miss the playoffs, again, and they fire Waddell and reality hits you, finally.

However, the day they miss out and on April 7, when they fire Waddell, is going to make me a happy Thrashers’ fan, because that’s the day I know that our fortunes will go up. When we finally get a real GM in here.

I have news for you, Hokie. a bad fan is one that would continue to support this management and buy tickets to an inferior product. I guarantee you that I am not being duped into signing up for next year by buying playoff tix rights (Playoffs! Playoffs?) when the rep calls me in the next month or so. We have already decided that there is no way we sign anything about next year’s tix until after July 1st. After they prove that 1)they get a new GM in here and 2)that they give the new GM the money to work with and sign some real players, not Todd White and Ken Klee.

Besides, it’s cheaper to get into games you want to go to if you’re not a season ticket holder, by 50% some nights. I only do the 1/2 season anyway, but weeknights I sit there and watch them advertise my seats for 1/2 price after they sucked you and me into buying the full season at a what, 5% discount or the box office price? That’s just good management right there, eh?

By Bob

February 8, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Hokie, one more thing, since you seem to like to give people advice, take some yourself:

Take a step back away from the blog for a few, because you’re making an a* of yourself calling your fellow fans names. You may be the last one here that doesn’t see the problems, deep problems with this club, but don’t attack your fellow fans. Have a couple beers, chill, and have a nice weekend. Fair enough?

By R. Stroz

February 8, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

Besides, it’s cheaper to get into games you want to go to if you’re not a season ticket holder, by 50% some nights. I only do the 1/2 season anyway, but weeknights I sit there and watch them advertise my seats for 1/2 price after they sucked you and me into buying the full season at a what, 5% discount or the box office price?

Bob - Call your rep and listen to he/she squirm when you ask for a 45% refund. I have. It’s fun.

By GaVaHokie

February 8, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

I’ll admit, it’s Friday and I’m ready to go home and drink some beer… it’s been a bad week.

Stroz, every GM in every sport for every team says that every year. Paul Maurice, before the season started, said this years Leafs was going to be the best team he’s ever coached in his career. John Smoltz at Fanfest said the Braves are going to win the World Series this year…

Holik, Zhitnik, Kozlov and Hossa are World Class Athletes… they should perform at a higher standard… a Power Play that has Recchi, Kovalchuk and Hossa should score every time it’s on the ice … stop making DW the first “go to” when the team loses by 1 goal to Vancouver in a very close game that Luongo stood on his head for.

As for name calling, I’m not taking s** from chickenhawk and Nascar Dave. :) The rest of you, I’m sorry if I offended… I’m a bit high-strung today.

And I’ll leave on this…

This is the most exciting part of the hockey season. Enjoy it! Personally, I don’t give a s** if more than one team from the Southeast makes the playoffs as long as the Thrashers are there… Cheers! TGIF.

By BG33Brown

February 8, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Can everybody calm down. Please. Hokie is one of the best bloggers on this site. Period.
He is correct in that we have played extremely well since the allstar game and KL has done well too. Now KL is nowhere close to being a stud but I am impressed that he is at least battling lately. Not waiting for the puck to get to him.
While I am as frusterated as everyone else…the fact is we can make the playoffs or we can fall flat on our faces. Unfortunately, I suspect we are doomed to this .500 hockey were all we do is tease the fans. Its like going to a strip club.
As for not renewing my tickets. I will certainly be renewing b/c .500 hockey is better than no hockey. Will DW keep his job…I suspect not. Correction, I hope not. But I am not a fairweather fan and I continue to believe in blueland.

By Thorburn's Thugs

February 8, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Remember that old song… “Problems, problems, problems all day long”?

Yeah that describes this team. Problems all over and a fickle GM who refuses to address the problems.

By my count, we are ELIMINATED with 8 more Regulation losses.

By David

February 8, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

I agree that fickle is a good way to describe DW, but I definitely do not believe he is incompetent as some people do. I don’t think, in a business as competitive as this, that you keep your job for that long without being at least decently good at what you do. And I think DW is good at a lot of things that we don’t see every day.

IF the team keeps playing at this high of a standard, THE WINS WILL COME! So let’s all take a chill pill and enjoy the game saturday. :)

By NASCAR Dave

February 8, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

HEY VAGA-HOKIE REMEMBER WHEN THE DAWGS BEAT THE HELL OUTTA YOUR HOKIES IN THE CHICK-FIL-A BOWL???

WELL I DO!

By Alan

February 8, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

What is this, pick-on-Hokie day?

And what do the “Dawgs” have to do with ice hockey? Their ice hockey team isn’t even in the NCAA.

By huh?

February 8, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

Its time to bring in Pat Quinn as the GM….out with the old and in with the new

wouldn’t that be out with the old, in with the old?

By Jethro

February 8, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

I think NASCAR Dave is comin over from one them football blogs and them fellers are really nasty to one anuther.

Our bloggers have a sumwhat more civil, less pursonnal discussion. Hopefully, NASCAR Dave will pick up our more civilized style and start to blend right in.

By Jethro

February 8, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this

*Its time to bring in Pat Quinn as the GM and John Anderson as the coach. Waddell and the Beast are in over their heads and too dense to realize this fact.

Spring is coming, out with the old and in with the new, otherwise we will all keep singing the blues.*

huh? - You have a point, how about in with some older (Pat Quinn) and in with some newer (John Anderson):+)

By The Knights are Defunct

February 9, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

Who cares? With their idiot fans yelling “Knights!” before every game as an unwitting tribute to their division rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, their fans don’t deserve to go to the NHL playoffs. Maybe the IHL playoffs, along with such cities as Kalamazoo and Fort Wayne, but not the NHL playoffs.

By NASCAR Dave

February 9, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

huh? - You have a point, how about in with some older (Pat Quinn) and in with some newer (John Anderson):+)

JETHRO HELL YEAH BUDDY! I’M DOWN WITH THAT!!!

ALAN IT’S COOL, BROTHER! NO WORRIES. HOKIE KNOWS I’M JUST HECKLING HIM! HE BASHED THE DAWGS, DUDE.. IT WAS MY DUTY TO BARK BACK!!!

GO THRASHERS!

By Alan

February 9, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

Actually, the tribute isn’t to the Tampa Bay team, it’s to the Atlanta Knights. It’s a home town thing. If you weren’t a fan of the Knights, or never saw an Atlanta Knights game, you’d never understand. It’s a unique part of Atlanta hockey history.

By LAC

February 9, 2008 2:39 AM | Link to this

No GAVA I want to see the Stanley Cup on Philips Ice in the worst way.

Since TB/Carolina won it, I believe it is our time. But… We need real off ice leadership…

Fairweather fan… NO WAY bud, Was a Charlotte Checkers fan in the 60/70’s, Flames while here and Knights and Thrashers, bet I’ve been to a Whole lot more NHL games than you, besides I hate football… I just want to win and after 8 seasons or so we really are not a lot better than an expansion team…

Our defense has been bad since the start of the team, forwards run hot & cold, we continue to bring in older players and sign third line UFA’s and allow players who really helped us walk without any offer.

You have to look at the person leading the way don waddell, he’s most likely a nice guy, but as a NHL GM he is in WAY over his head.

He has had long enough to make a go of it, last year was last year, and this year has been tough… but change must be made, maybe YOU gava should follow say, the putt-putt tour and leave the serious blogging to the REAL NHL fans of Atlanta…

By Tony C.

February 9, 2008 6:01 AM | Link to this

Anyway

Before the sensitivity broke out. Hokie had some good points.

Trust me, you get one or two guys that make it hurt to be in front of the net, and KL will suddenly look like the nova you see flashes of.

The problem is, we have guys that are almost there…one more truly stong punishing defender (and I’m not talking to rival Pronger) that DOESN’T get pulled out of position as easily as a sailor on shore leave in Manilla more than oh say once a period.

Trade for D and/or give one of the kids a shot. I don’t mean Kiwi either. I actually miss Hnidy.

are the mullets gonna be blue?

GO BLUE !!!

By The Kings are Defunct

February 9, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Alan Yes, I understand it. I was a Knights season ticket holder the ENTIRE time they were here. It was cute the first season the Thrashers were here. “Hey, we are proud to have graduated to the NHL, but we were the core.” That was fine the first season. Now, it’s just a stupid thing to do. The players HATE it BTW. Since the Knights moved to Quebec, there’s no other way to look at it other than a moronic tribute to the IHL or to Tampa Bay. It used to be cute. Now it’s just stupid.

By Star of the Zanarkand Abes!

February 10, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

I’ll keep yelling “KNIGHTS!!” as long as any Thrasher fan keeps wearing Atlanta Flames gear. History is history, and I’m proud of ours! LET’S GO THRASHERS!!

By GaVaHokie

February 11, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

LAC… if you’re a life long hockey fan you should understand that the Thrashers are not that old of a franchise… there are teams that have been waiting a lot longer than us to win a Stanley Cup. Two original six teams are in 40+ year droughts… go tell a Leafs or Blackhawks fan that you’re getting tired of waiting and see what reaction you get.

Nascar Dave… yeah, sorry the Chik Fila bowl doesn’t bother me that much…besides, it didn’t matter who won that game, they were both losers that year. Va Tech won’t do anything until Sean Glennon graduates. I’m sick of watching that kid.

By GaVaHokie

February 11, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Oh… forgot to talk about Pat Quinn. As much as I like the guy… if you hate Waddell trading away “the future” you’re REALLY not going to like Pat Quinn. He gives away draft picks like candy and trades guys like Alyn McCauley and Brad Boyes (1st round 2000) for overpriced talent like Owen Nolan.

By The Knights are Defunct

February 11, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

Only Flames fans dumb enough to wear their jerseys if/when the Thrashers ever play Calgary.