By UpperDeck4Life

February 12, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Makes me interested to see what we would get for Holik and Hossa. CC do you think that if we are out of the running by the deadline that DW will go into complete sell mode instead of trying to move some and bring some in to improve the team?

By MB

February 12, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Congrats to Kovy, and well deserved.

As for DW’s comments, at least it sounds like he’s aware of the value he has at his fingertips. Now what he does with it…let’s just keep our fingers crossed.

I’ll be interested to hear where he’s been.

By GaVaHokie

February 12, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Hmmm… Don is scouting tonight, well the scoreboard doesn’t exactly narrow it down.

I hope he’s in Boston watching Phil Kessel and getting an idea of how the Carolina “Joe Corvo” Power Play is going to look.

Can’t imagine he’d venture as far as San Jose, but I wouldn’t mind being wrong on that either.

By Bob

February 12, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Excellent. I also think the price for rentals is up as there’s so many teams looking to buy, and few sellers. I see Waddell doing both, moving Hossa for a good return and then also bringing in some help to still try to win the division this year. Just don’t give away too much for Ryder or whomever. It could be a package where we get a couple picks and a young player for Hoss, keep the player, and move the picks for Hoss’ replacement like a Ryder.

Who else has received their renewal package for next year’s season tix? They bumped prices up 10%, meanwhile, they continue to give 50% discounts and incentives to single game buyers.

Can anyone explain to me what the Spirit is thinking bumping prices up 10% for this product?

We’re not renewing now anyway, no way, no how, until after July 1st, after we see if there’s a new GM and after we see what players are signed.

By Craig Custance

February 12, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

UD4L: Yes, I think if the Thrashers are out of it at the deadline, Waddell would likely be in sell mode. But honestly, what are the chances of them being out of it? I’ve seen them lose three straight, and still only be two points out of first. This thing is going down to the last week if not game of the season.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Bob — That’s just disappointing…but I guess it’s what we should expect from the Spirit, eh?

By David

February 12, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Hey, does anybody know the contract details for Zhitnik? Length, money, terms..etc

By GaVaHokie

February 12, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

I think Waddell should steal as many RFA’s as possible… Vermette, Kessel, Ryder etc. If I had to trade Hossa for a first round draft pick, I’d turn around and trade that pick for one of the above. Hell, trade that pick and our own pick for two of them.

RFA’s are the way to go… you either sign them, match the offers or get compensation if they walk on an insane contract offer.

By Jethro

February 12, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Now look here ranallo10, if you were still goin to be in the states next season instead of of chasin that Austrian skirt across the pond, you’d be ticked that they raised seat number 10 by 10% as well.

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Bob - Are you serious? They raised the prices 10% after this season? Somebody in the Atlanta Spirit Group needs to put down the crack pipe.

I’m not renewing until after July 1 as well. I’m telling my rep when the ASG ponies up and spends 10% more on the player payroll and quits selling seats at 50 cents on the dollar after I’ve bought the package, then I’ll consider renewing. Otherwise, I’m not subsidizing seats for someone else.

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

David - Go to nhlnumbers.com, they have payroll stats on every team and some other neat stuff as well.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

David — Zhitnik’s contract hits the salary cap at an average of $3.504M through the 2008-2009 season, (so one more year), but he’s being paid $3.5M.

It hits the ASG wallet at $3.5M, but the salary cap at $3.504 due to the first of four year deal that paid him $3.515M.

Jethro — Seat number 10 is extremely important to me, so of course I’m irritated that they’re raising the prices. Though I’m leaving in July, I’m still worried about my fellow fans and how the inflation of ticket prices will adversely affect this franchise. Whatcha got to say about that!? Wanna fight about it!!!?

By Sisu

February 12, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

I think the ownership is too cheap to spend money, court & lawyer fees are killing them to allow any spending.

By Jethro

February 12, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 - How abouta beer instead?

By Hip Czech

February 12, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Have not received my ticket renewal yet…but I know I am not renewing. Mostly because offspring #2 is joining offspring #1 and heading to college in the fall. Two tuition bills = big pain point.

But more so, I agree with the points that we pony up big bucks for season tickets and then see individual game tickets go for 50% off, and then see bottom bowl seats go for $40 during Thrashers telecasts.

Heck with that…I’m getting Center Ice next year, buying my 2 for 1 Thursday tickets and getting the odd $40 lower bowl seats.

David…just to follow up on your point from the other blog, I agree - that is the key isn’t it? Getting a consistent effort for 3 out of 4 or 4 out of 5 games. But this team so far has shown they cannot do it.

By the fish

February 12, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Maybe we can trade Hossa for Richard Zednick? Not much difference in the way they play right now!

By the fish

February 12, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Maybe we can trade Hossa for Richard Zednick? Not much difference in the way they play right now!

By kracker

February 12, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

David I think Zhitnik is signed thru next season at about $3.5M. Maybe $3.25M.

By MB

February 12, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

And don’t forget, UD4L, the deadline is only two weeks away. That’s only 5 games (6 if you count the one on the 26th) to either take a big lead or fall out of the “race” for the division.

Given the nature of play this season in the SE, there will probably be no more than 5 pts. separating 1st and 4th place, so I think the decision to buy or sell will be up to DW and the ASG, not dictated by the standings.

By Bob

February 12, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

fish, bad form.

By Thorburn's Thugs

February 12, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Freakin’ Hilarious! Buck and Kincade are going OFF right now about the Thrashers, Hawks, and Atlanta Spirit! One thing they keep bringing up is the Thrashers self imposed cap savings of $6 million. Kincade makes a point in that with that money we could have 2 top pairing D-Men.

And you know what? They are right. WHAT THE HELL ARE WE WAITING FOR?

By Bob

February 12, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

fish, Are you serious about your Hossa comments? You do realize he is our best penalty killer and best two way forward? His job isn’t to glide into the offensive zone, score a goal, go to the bench. He’s our best player in all three zones and invaluable on the PK.

By Shane

February 12, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Craig, complete off-topic question. Why is Ilya Nilkulin still listed on the thrashers website as “in the system”? I thought that train had pretty much left the station.

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

the fish - That’s just wrong.

By GaVaHokie

February 12, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

I never understood buying season tickets anyway… it’s just false demand.

Sure the lunch’s and autograph events are great perks. But I had no problem getting playoff tickets last year through Ticketmaster.

Advance All-Star tickets? I got four All Star tickets on Ebay for less than face value of one ticket.

By ToF

February 12, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Thugs We are waiting on a completely new front office staff…still.

By ranallo10

February 12, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Shane — I’d guess it’s because we still technically own his (Nikulin’s) rights based on the CBA his contract was signed under.

By Craig Custance

February 12, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Shane - If I remember correctly, Don Waddell had talks with Nikulin about coming over this summer, but he’s making good money in Russia. There’s no transfer agreement with Russia, so as far as I know, the Thrashers own his rights indefinitely, thus he’s in the system.

By NASCAR Dave

February 12, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

TOMORROW NIGHT IS HOSSA’S LAST NIGHT IN ATLANTA AS A THRASHER!!! BETTER BRING YOUR CAMERAS!!!

JERSEYS 75% OFF AT THE TEAM STORE?

By Mary

February 12, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Fish, that comment is not the least bit funny. One man is happy he survived while the other man is a class act on and off the ice.

Moose is a charmer. I enjoyed seeing him at Casino night. Cartoon Network made a great choice.

By EF

February 12, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

I received my ticket renewal form today. I also happened to be listening to Buch and Kincade after I picked up my mail. Could they be any more depressing about the Thrashers? I hope they are at least half wrong. CC, do you find that the Russian players are more reserved around their fans than the other players? I really felt that way at Casino Night. I would like your opinion. Thanks.

By kracker

February 12, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

I went the half-season route…they are for weekday games and then I buy single games for the weekend matches I want to see. It worked out pretty well ‘cause I like seeing games at home or at a bar also.

By the fish

February 12, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Hey Mary…..which is which?? Hossa’s got to go. There’s no class in telling the ownership for a year that he wanted to stay and now has made it clear he doesn’t. This is not the same player he was a year ago. Trade him for a bag of pucks…at least we get something out of it. OK….sorry about the Zednick comment…glad the dude is still alive, although I’d bet his career is kaput.

By Craig Custance

February 12, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

EF: I don’t want to generalize about Russian players overall, because a guy like Ovechkin seems very outgoing. But if you look at the Thrashers, Kozlov and Zhitnik are pretty reserved, although they each have a good dry sense of humor. Of the three Kovalchuk is probably the most outgoing.

By MB

February 12, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

Hey EF or Hokie, was Rucchin at the Casino Night?

Just curious to know if he was handing out drinks, dealing winning hands, or in some way giving something back to the organization.

Did that come off as harsh?

By Mary

February 12, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Fish, I agree with you somewhat about Hossa. I just happen to like him and will be sorry to see him go.

By EF

February 12, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Thanks Craig.

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

the fish - There’s also no class by the ownership when they:

1) Make a speech at the opening night game proclaiming, they will do everything possible to bring the Cup to Atlanta

2) Undermine the GM by putting him under payroll constraints that will, at best, result in a .500 team.

3) Ask players to stay on an underperforming franchise in TWO sports.

4) Increase ticket prices 10% again, but don’t increase the team payroll.

By the fish

February 12, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

Stroz…don’t think that I don’t hold the ownership responsible as well. They are ultimately culpable in this disaster called the Thrashers. On the other hand, Waddell has been there 8 years with ca-ca to show for it…time to get rid of that dude in a big way.
Mary, I loved Hossa last year. Couldn’t belive the stuff he did with a puck. Made me forget about Heatly. However, the guy in the Hossa jersey this year is NOT the same guy…a total imposter. I miss the guy from last year; I will not miss the guy from this year.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 12, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Insanity…Like honestly expecting Don Waddell to make consistently good decisions…

Insanity.

(but I AM happy to see more putting a stop to subsidizing Donny and the ASG’s incompetence…Vote with the wallet will finally force our minor-league GM back to selling port-a-potties…)

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

the fish - Now, we are reaching some agreement. I hold the owners and DW responsible for this clusterflop.

I’ve said for months, Hossa is playing not to get injured. However, recently (the last few games), Hossa has stepped up his level of play somewhat.

So here we are cheap owners, a GM that will not stand up to the owners and isn’t the sharpest at scouting talent, and players who are looking for the first bus out of town, not a good formula for success.

By Brendan

February 12, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Not that it’s entirely his fault, but Don Waddell did help drive up the cost of “rental players.” Remember, the six (6) things he eventually gave up for Tkachuk?

(1) 1st round pick in 2007. (2) 3rd round pick in 2007. (3) 2nd round pick in 2008. (4) Conditional 1st round pick in 2008, which he later reacquired in a trade for (5) “future considerations” thought to be a 4th round pick, and (6) Center Glen Metropolit.

By EF

February 12, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

MB, he was a no show. With the way the alcohol was flowing, he would not have been the only one with a headache the next day!

By kracker

February 12, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

Stroz Come on guy, you’re being to hard on the ASG. They did include an addressed, postage paid envelope in my packet.

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

kracker - After looking thru the packet, I couldn’t find where they had the airplane bag.

By Tom

February 12, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

I saw the writing on the wall last year when they stripped us of our discount even though we were charter seat holders.

I am not surprised that they are trying to milk the season ticket holders and then panic’ing when the season starts that attendance sucks.

They lost me, I will go to the occassional game, not spend anything on parking, concessions, and extra tickets for friends and children.

Instead, Center Ice for 149 bucks and a nice new recliner.

Still watch every game but now I do not have to worry about the bank balance anymore.

By Roswell Thrasherfan

February 12, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

rstroz, how can you say that the gm isn’t the best at scouting talent when we have perrin & white totally overperforming, enstrom has taken off, the farm system is stacked, go back a few years and even though he let savard go because of kovy or whoever hated him, he still got him here when no one wanted him, got kozlov for nothing, hedberg to back up, the list goes on. yes he has a limited budget and yes he did what every publication and scout in the land said to do when he took coburn over phaneuf, but if you look at what he has brought in on a tight budget there is no way you can say he isn’t the sharpest at scouting talent

By Tim

February 12, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

From RDS.ca (yes, my french finally come handy me on this board), DW is currently in Tampa Bay scouting Montreal/Tampa game. And when questining about being the second Canadians game DW is attending, DW alsi jokes that he is there to sparks rumors.

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

Tom - That’s the ticket!

By BG33Brown

February 12, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

DW is in Tampa scouting vs the Habs according to ek.

By Tony C.

February 12, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

Moose to Mtl.?

Think about it. As much as the frostback nation wants Price to be the man, he ain’t (yet). Huet is having a good stretch, but after him, they just aren’t ready in net. Huet has also had some really rough stretches this season.

Moose makes sense to move. I’m sure it will not be the most warmly received move in the room, but depending on what he brings back, it may be quickly forgotten.

$5 says #17 scores (at least) 2 tomorrow.

GO BLUE !!!

By R. Stroz

February 12, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

Roswell Thrasherfan - We can start at the first draft: Patrick Stefan.

Now lets skip to the present to save a few novels or I can over the last few years of free agent signings (Bobby Holik, Niko Kapenen) and draft picks (Alex Bourret).

How about last years signings:

Ken Klee? Pylon

And you really don’t think Charmin is good, do you? One of the reasons we are getting outshot just about every game is due to our first line centers inability to mark his man, procure the puck, and move the puck up ice to the wings.

I will give DW credit on Perrin. Perrin has been a steal for the money.

If DW’s scouting is so good, why after eight years, do the Thrashers still have one of the worst defenses in the league?

By kracker

February 12, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

Yes, BG33, I saw that….and Canes are up 2-0 on the Bruins tonight, I don’t feel the Canes have gone fully into seller mode yet.

Tomorrow’s game vs the Caps is huge for the Thrashers. I feel it will have a large effect on DW’s thinking of whether or not to do a deal before the deadline if he gets one worked out.

By Bob

February 12, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

lofreakinl at RoswellThrasherFan. The funniest part is, he really believes it.

So, it seems that Montreal has made some offer to Waddell for Hoss that has his interest piqued, wonder who it is? Has to be roster players.

By Terry in Dahlonega

February 12, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

Hossa/Holik/Zhitnik/Sterling to MTL for Higgins/Ryder/Komisarek/Streit.

What’s the cap change on that?

By Sara

February 12, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

So you know how I loves me some stats. I did a very small sampling of NHL bluelines (like, the ones belonging to the top of the heap currently) to see how they were built.

Detroit - Of their top 7, 3 were FA signings, 1 came in his rookie year, two took 4 years to develop prior to making the team, and the other is Lidstrom.

Ottawa - One FA signing, one trade acquisition, 4 drafted - two entered rookie year, one took two years to develop, the other 4 years.

Dallas - Two FAs, two trades, one with 1 year development, one with 2 yrs, one with 3 yrs.

San Jose - Two trades, two FAs, and then one each taking 1, 2, 3, and 4 years to develop.

Philly - 5 trades and two FAs.

New Jersey - 5 FAs, one waiver wire pickup, two draftees that both were developed for three years.

What I get from all that? There is no “one right way” to build a blueline. Defensemen seem to need a bit of “seasoning” on average before being NHL ready (although I may make a summer research project out of that to see if it truly is so), and Holmgren raped Nashville (and us - but we all knew that already).

And I swear, if I hear/see one more person gripe about Stefan, I may scream. Anyone recognize this guy? You know - the one ranked 1st overall coming into the 1999 NHL Entry Draft?

By Sara

February 12, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Terry without trying to figure out what their pro-rated salaries would be, I can tell you the combined total year cap hit for our four guys is $15.14M versus a total year cap hit of $6.95M for the Montreal guys. That should give you a picture. I can’t imagine how much liquor/crack would have to be consumed by a GM to make that trade actually happen. Nice thought though. ;)

By Roswell Thrasherfan

February 12, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

r.stroz, i point to the coburn over phaneuf pick as every scout and publication in the league said that was the right move and you come back with patrick stefan? do you not realize he was the consensus first pick by all of the same league wide scouts. what is laughable about you is that you complain we have stefan, then you complain about the man we traded stefan away for, kapanen. that’s right, kapanen wasn’t a free agent signing as you claim, he came from dallas with a pick for stefan and modry. as for alex bouret, we traded him away for dupuis, did you not think that was a good move? klee is a stay at home defenseman, what are you expecting him to do? as for your name calling of todd white, do you really think that the reason shots against are so high is because of a first line center? because the first line center doesn’t pass it to the wings is why the shots are so high? that was the funniest thing i read all day. just remember the general manager that you and bob hate so much for whatever reason just got a 3 year deal while you poor folks won’t even be in the arena after you cancel your tickets

By R. Stroz

February 13, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this

Roswell Thrasherfan - Let the fun begin:

I didn’t mention Coburn and Phanuef because there was no point in doing so. Like everyone else, I was aware of the scouting reports. So, I started with an old example and moved to recent history.

Lets start with the Dupuis related transactions.

1) Dupuis could have been had for FREE earlier in the year when he was placed on waivers by Minnesota.

2) Instead, the Thrashers traded their first round 2005 draft pick, Alex Bourret for Dupuis.

3) Bourret was a busted DW pick. Bad scouting report wouldn’t you say.

4) Even worse, the Thrashers could have had Kopitar or Mark Staal if they had kept the eighth pick in the 2005 draft.

5) But, DW traded down to the 16th pick and procured Bourret.

You could say the scouting report on Dupuis was good; but, why not procure him without a trade.

The next subject: Stefan and Kapanen

Yes, we did trade Stefan and Modry for Kapanen, my oversight.

Stefan and Kapanen both sucked, enough said. We drafted one sorry player and traded him for another sorry player. Net gain, zero.

Third subject: Klee = Pylon

Klee is a stay at home defensemen, who is as slow as Sutton. Cost savings, yes. Improved defense, no. Furthermore, if our farm system is so stocked, why not bring up a defenseman from Chicago? Why not play Popovic. Why not bring up Valabik? I guess they aren’t ready.

Fouth subject: Todd White

What do you think the center is responsible for in the defensive end of the ice. Please tell me. White can’t mark the other teams center and move him off the puck nor dig the puck out behind the net.

Also, how many times have you watched White miss an open net? How many times have you watched White on his backside?

Last subject: DW

I don’t hate the guy. I just think he could do a better job. Even if we agree to disagree on DW’s prowess as a GM and say every bad choice is negated by a good choice, then DW is a .500 GM, which is the team’s winning percentage. Are you happy having a .500 team on average each year?

Now, you may argue that DW is on a limited budget. I’ll agree with that. DW shouldn’t take those constraints willingly. Unfortunately, DW takes whatever the owners dish out. He should fight for a better product. He is from Detroit, so he should know a good product fills seats.

If a premier player, whose father is a coach, realizes what is going on with the franchise and wants to leave, that should tell you that the owners and GM are happy with a mediocre team and that is all the Thrashers will ever be, a .500 team.

If you are happy with mediocre, spend your money accordingly and buy full price tickets.

I’m not happy with that scenario and will not accept price increases with no improvement in the team.

By R. Stroz

February 13, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this

Brendan - I hope you enjoy my version of War and Peace. It is really difficult to be serious for that period of time. Please note, I invoke the after midnight long post rule developed for Brendan.

By Dwight Gooden

February 13, 2008 4:52 AM | Link to this

R. Stroz- Excellent post, and great points. Thank you for taking the time to methodically point all that out.

Bottom line is that Waddell has been given more than ample time to build the Thrashers into a contender. 8 years and zero playoff wins later, we sit here as the oldest team in the NHL fighting for a playoff spot while thanking the Lord above that we are in the weakest division in all of hockey, and the division winnner will actually be granted the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Hossa is now as good as gone now, we all know this. I just hope that Waddell, given his track record, doesn’t swap Hoss for too many draft picks.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Kopitar was considered a gamble by all the teams in the draft… that’s why he went slightly lower than expected… he was coming from a non-traditional hockey market, Slovenia.

By trading down in that draft, we picked up a second round pick which we used for Ondrej Pavelec.

By trading Bourret to NYR, we got a 3rd round draft pick last year which we used on Spencer Machachek who has 59 points in 55 games in the WHL this year and seems to be on the fast track to go pro.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Stroz… I don’t recall Dupuis being on waivers. I know he was traded to NYR for Adam Hall.

You guys are stressing yourselves out over something you barely understand and grasp.

By Bob

February 13, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Roswell, please keep up. Larry Babbling Brooks, one of the most misinformed writers around the NHL and the source of many an inaccurate rumor and baseless speculations over the years, wrote in his blog that Waddell got a 3 year extension.

Thereafter, Custance went to the team and Waddell who both denied it was true.

Stroz is spot on with everything he said. For me, the inability for Waddell, who was a defenseman in his playing days by the way, to build a defense, is the most glaring problem over the years. Year after year he goes and signs UFAs like Smehlik, Adam Burt, Todd Reirdon, now Ken Klee, the list goes on, you’d think a monkey throwing darts at a board could assemble a more competitive d after signing so many defenseman.

It don’t take a rocket scientist to figure out where the problem is when we were built by a guy whose plan was to build through the draft and have us as perennial contenders by Year 5, has us sitting in this spot today in Year 8 having 0 playoff wins, 2nd oldest club in the league, and one of the 2 star players walking away from the team because he doesn’t like the direction, with very little in the pipeline for youngsters to come up. It just takes some common sense and an objective clear look at the club you root for.

It’s not about hating Waddell for me, I don’t hate him. I think he’s actually a good guy in hockey, I have great admiration about the class way that he handled the Snyder death and his family and the way he handled Heatley’s outrageous demand to be released. I think Waddell’s a good guy.

I just think he’s in way over his head. So for me, it’s about loving the team and wanting the best for them so we can win. And I know that’s not going to happen with Waddell at the helm, that’s why I want him gone.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

And yet Ken Klee refused to play for Atlanta on two separate occassions… so what does that say about hockey in Atlanta when someone like Klee doesn’t want to play here? Are players supposed to be excited to come play for an upstart team in a non-traditional market? Face it, the Atlanta Thrashers are the Toronto Raptors of hockey.

Not to insult the fanbase but it is what it is in Atlanta because of the popularity of the sport, not because of ownership and management.

Waddell and ownership is proving to us right now they’re willing to put up the bucks to keep guys like Kovalchuk and Hossa, and we should see the same with Lehtonen this summer… and we complain about them not spending money on talent, but we complain that they OVERPAID for Holik? Those two arguments don’t even go together.

By Hip Czech

February 13, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Commenting on Sara’s link to the list of top draft picks for 1999…out of the 28 listed that are not named Sedin, how many have hit it big?

Connolly and Havlat come the closest, and both can’t stay healthy. Just goes to show what a crap shoot the draft is. It is not often a Kovalchuk, Heatley, Crosby, or Ovechkin come along. When they do, you have to have a top 3 pick to get them.

And how about that guy at #17?

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

What did Heatley say when he got to Ottawa? “It’s great to be in a town that loves hockey and know’s what’s going on” (to paraphrase)… and even more recently, he said “Atlanta is a town that loves it’s weekend sports” aiming at poor attendance on weeknight games. Never heard him say anything about how the team was run.

It comes down to a simple question. Does this town support hockey?… No… thus the management and ownership has to spend accordingly. I think we’re pretty damn lucky to have the team we’ve got for the little amount of money it generates.

… and you think giving up season tickets is going to make management spend MORE money?

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Hip Czech… people complain about our draft picks, but they want to bring in someone like Pat Quinn who consistenly gives away draft picks and prospects for established players…ie. Alyn McCauley and Brad Boyes for Owen Nolan.

By off the post

February 13, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

I always laugh at the people like rstroz because they are so quick to point out someone like Patrick Stefan. But then why don’t they glorify Don Waddell for picking Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley? If they say something like “oh, it was a top 5 pick and everyone knew they should have been picked there”, then they can’t call him out for picking Stefan because he was said to be an overall #1 by all the same people who said Crosby and Patrick Kane should be an overall #1. If you are going to slam the guy for Patrick Stefan, then you better be willing to throw a ticker-tape parade down Peachtree Street for him for picking Kovalchuk.

By Tom

February 13, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Interesting following Sara’s link to the 1999 propects for the draft that Steve McCarthy was ranked 17… here is the write up.

1. Steve McCarthy, 18, Trail, British Columbia, 6-0, 197, defenseman with Kootenay of the WHL. An offensive-minded defenseman, McCarthy had 19 goals and 33 assists in 57 games for Kootenay. At 6-feet, though, he lacks the size teams seek at that position.

Lacks the size teams seek at that position. No wonder he is playing for the Thrashers…

By off the post

February 13, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Nothing says Monday Morning Quarterback better than a statement like “if we would’ve picked this player instead of that player two years ago, we would be better”. Can anyone go to the AJC archives and find where rstroz was feeding us a player profile on Staal or Kopitar two years ago? That sounds like a job for Brendan, Brian or Sara to go look at the archives. Find one single post where anyone from these blogs predicted that we should take a player before they were drafted. Or are there only mmqb’s around here? And if you are only going to be a mmqb, don’t spew all the hatred around here, just have fun watching the games.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

off the post… I’m not sure if you could find it, but I’m sure you could find several people talking about how we need to get rid of Kovalchuk when he was a contract “hold-out” a few years ago.

By BG33Brown

February 13, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Hokie, I love reading your posts. And agree with you on ALMOST everything.

I don’t think the Thrashers are the “raptors” of the NHL. There are SO many northern’s down here (me included) that what we need is an owner willing to “lose a buck or two” spend the extra $6 mil on a Center or a Top D man….thus creating a winning team and starting to build a fan base.

No one changes teams to root for a loser (of course all of us bloggers are exceptions to that rule).

Atlanta is dying for a winner….in any sport. Tampa Bay and Carolina weren’t hockey towns until they started winning.

By Alan

February 13, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Lacks the size teams seek at that position. No wonder he is playing for the Thrashers

That was 1999. That was a completely different NHL than the one we know now. Look at Enström, who despite his small stature is really shaking it up out there.

So long as McCarthy plays hard, I’m happy to have him on the Thrashers.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

BG33Brown… most of the time I’m playing devil’s advocate, just to get people to think differently.

I would certainly rather Waddell get a top flight Center than spend a combined $3-$4 million on guys like Jesse Shultz, Chris Thorburn, Eric Perrin, etc. but you have to build depth and after you’ve done that and paid Kovy, there’s not much left to deal with. On top of that, top players want MORE to come here and to this date, we’ve yet to land a major UFA… Holik being the only one to come on his own free will.

… unless you want to count Dafoe, but let’s not.

By THRASHYOU

February 13, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

CHECK OUT THIS REPORT FROM thefourthperiod.com

http://thefourthperiod.com/news/atl080213.html

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

I always joke, if it wasn’t for Widespread Panic, Elton John, NSYNC, Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys over all the years selling out Philips Arena, we might still be watching 15-57-7 hockey teams to this day…

And some of you say nothing’s changed? I’d say our 43 wins last year is quite a drastic difference from the early years. Since AOL left, Atlanta has nearly doubled it’s spending and doubled it’s win column.

By R. Stroz

February 13, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

off the post - It appears you are one of those guys who likes to take one or two lines, use them out of context, and babble that other people amuse you.

So lets review the key part of my post to Roswell Thraasherfan

I don’t hate the guy. I just think he could do a better job. Even if we agree to disagree on DW’s prowess as a GM and say every bad choice is negated by a good choice, then DW is a .500 GM, which is the team’s winning percentage. Are you happy having a .500 team on average each year?

For those people who have difficulty understanding this premise, it means:

Some of us are going to agree to disagree and no matter what the point and counter-point is, no one is going to change anyone’s mind. As such, the only empirical data we have to observe is the success, or lack thereof, of the team.

We currently have a .500 team and one playoff berth, in what, eight years. Some people may consider these results a success. Some people don’t think these results are a success. I tend to fall into the later category.

By the way, when DW does “get it right,” I’ll be the first to say, that was a good pickup for the price, current example, Perrin. I happen to think DW has more misses than hits, and, as a result, we are stuck with a mediocre team.

By off the post

February 13, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

It has been well documented here that the team has improved every single year except once from inception with Don Waddell at the helms. There is a hate club that seems to think otherwise though.

By Boulton's Bruisers

February 13, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

R. Stroz — Good post at 1:03AM. Right on!

Atlanta is dying for a winner….in any sport.

Brown — That’s right. Atlanta sports have been this way for decades. If you produce a winner, the fans WILL come. No doubt about it. Always been that way.

If the ASG has a problem with declining ticket sales, then they need to look at the product they are peddling on the ice.

If you produce a winning product, you will have no problems consistently selling out games.

If you win, they will come…

By R. Stroz

February 13, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

off the post - This isn’t a hate club. This is a we all want to see a good hockey team club. However, there is a difference of opinion on the route.

By R. Stroz

February 13, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - Concerning your post:

And yet Ken Klee refused to play for Atlanta on two separate occassions… so what does that say about hockey in Atlanta when someone like Klee doesn’t want to play here?

It may say there was a lack of interest in Klee at his current age and speed, so he decided why not go to Atlanta, they are willing to write me a check.

By Bob

February 13, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

actually, yes, there were a few bloggers that have been on the AJC for quite a while, before you guys, so you don’t remember, who did exactly that. I want to say Russ is one, mabye Tony C. I believe Brendan as well. But I definitely recall guys dogging Waddell for trading down for Bourret.

Now, I have neither the time nor the care to go look it up, but I do recall that happening.

But that’s neither here nor there in my book. The #1 most inane thing I think someone around here can say and has said in the past and here it goes again is “if you can’t do any better than the GM, then shutup”. That is so mind boggling inane, it’s actually funny. Should we never complain about Lehtonen because we can’t play goal any better?

Goodness, no one’s paying a blogger dick for writing their opinion and venting around here. Waddell is getting paid $100’s of thousands to lead this club to where it stands today. I think the paying fan certainly has the right to demand accountability for his dollars and his loyalty that are being given to someone that’s in over his head as GM.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Stroz… I think Colorado would have kept him, but we were offering more money. Something we have to do (ala Holik) to get them to come here.

By GaVaHokie

February 13, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Damn, Lundqvist just got 6 years $6.6 million a year from the Rangers… the goalie values are getting jacked-up.

By Bob

February 13, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

It has been well documented here that the team has improved every single year except once from inception with Don Waddell at the helms*

No it hasn’t. That’s an even more ridiculous assumption, we were so bad for so many years, you’re claiming that where we stand today at .500 in the worst division in hockey and no playoff wins in our history and the 2nd oldest lineup in the league is “improvement”? lol

This isn’t a hate club. This is a we all want to see a good hockey team club

Bingo. There is no hate, other than hating to see our club that we love flounder, when we should be so much better off by now. There’s a lot of accountability demanded by the real fans that know this game, accountability for the guy that built this club to be replaced as he’s in over his head, that’s plainly clear to all that know this game.

Now let’s get to something pertinent here, Waddell was at the Habs game again, obviously they have made a serious offer for Hossa that has our interest piqued for Waddell to take off the day before a “big game” to go scout them.

By R. Stroz

February 13, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie

Damn, Lundqvist just got 6 years $6.6 million a year from the Rangers… the goalie values are getting jacked-up.

All the more reasons to tie up loose ends before the entire rope unravels.

By ToF

February 13, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

“Real fans”…what a phrase. I read those words more often than other tatistically, we have improved sthan any other on hockey blogs/forums (yes, more often than Crosby). But, what exactly makes a real fan? Is it being the person who complains the most about their current team? Is it being the person to dismiss a statement simply because they don’t agree? Or is it being the person who supports their team through the thick and thin no matter what? No person should ever be proud of defining themselves as a “Real” fan, because, all a real fan is, is someone who will cheer their players on. Their may be different strata of intensity of fan, but we are all fans. It doesn’t matter how long someone has followed the game or how in depth their knowledge is, all it takes to be a fan is a set of vocal chords and an open heart (an open mind doesn’t hurt either). My brothers and sisters, we are all fans here and should act like it. Accusations of ignorance and self-proclaimed bravado should be relegated to D!@K measuring contests; they have no place in civil debate.

By off the post

February 13, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Off the post: It has been well documented here that the team has improved every single year except once from inception with Don Waddell at the helms

Bob: No it hasn’t. That’s an even more ridiculous assumption

Thrashers points by year = 39, 60, 54, 74, 78, 90, 97

It shows that we see an improvement in every year except one, why does Bob want us to believe otherwise? Instead he relies on statements like “Now, I have neither the time nor the care to go look it up, but I do recall that happening.”

Why don’t you people just watch the games since you have no logical reasons for your biased stances.

By ToF

February 13, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Gah, random ctrl+v in my first sentence. Supposed to say: “Real fans”…what a phrase. I read those words more often than other than any other on hockey blogs/forums

By Brendan

February 13, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

Perrin’s goal got called off. I know I might be splitting hairs here, but Perrin didn’t kick the puck in with his skate. I had always thought that was the rule. I didn’t think “distinct kicking motion with the knee or shin” was the rule. But that’s how Toronto interpreted the rule.

I realize this sounds like “sour grapes,” but I do think the officials missed this call by intepreting the “spirit” of the rule rather than the actual rule. Now, I heard the Washington broadcast crew cite something to the effect of “a player may not direct the puck into the net with anything other than his stick, with a distinct kicking motion.” If that’s really the rule, then fine. It wasn’t a goal. But I swear, I’ve even seen a player “head butt” the puck into the net, and it counted.