AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBetter for Thrashers: Playoffs or lottery pick?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kind of a bizarre weekend. After the Hossa trade, I was talking to one of the Thrashers and we were saying how strong the team would be in the shootout with the pickup of Erik Christensen to go with Kozlov. Then, naturally, the Thrashers go out and lose two consecutive shootouts - without scoring a goal.
I really thought it was curious that Slava Kozlov didn’t get the call last night in the shootout. Waddell said he was trying to mix things up after getting shut out in Boston, which I understand. But no Kozlov? I would have loved to ask Slava his thoughts on the decision after the game, but he declined to speak to the media.
The team is playing relatively well, but they still sit at No. 14 in the 15-team Eastern Conference. You have to love the NHL - the Thrashers have now lost seven straight but are officially 3-4-3 in their last ten. That’s why there’s just a spark of hope for Wednesday’s game against Carolina. It comes down to that game. To keep that sliver of hope alive, this game can’t go overtime. It can’t go into a shootout. The Thrashers need a good old-fashioned regulation win. I’m not even sure what one of those is like.
Interesting to talk to people in Pittsburgh, where there seems to be a mixed reaction to the Marian Hossa trade. I don’t think it helps that Hossa isn’t playing. If he had a couple goals already, I’m sure it’d be different. The talk right now is whether or not the Penguins can sign him. They have a lot of young talent now that will get expensive pretty soon. I’m sure Evgeni Malkin is going to want to get paid, and what are they going to do in goal? Plus, do you really want to spend most of your cap on three forwards - Hossa, Crosby and Malkin? Actually, if you’re going to do it, that’s not a bad three.
Ray Shero made the trade with hopes of signing Hossa. He compared it to the Gary Roberts deal last year. If you remember, Roberts waived his no-trade clause and was dealt from Florida to Pittsburgh. He enjoyed the stretch run and re-upped with the Pens. It’s an attractive option - there’s a ton of young talent, sellout crowds and new arena on the way. But boy, I’d be surprised if Marian didn’t test free agency. He’s come this far in the process.
There were a ton of signs for Colby Armstrong and Christensen at the game, and both were cheered loudly during intros. Armstrong was the first visiting player I’ve ever seen get huge cheers when an assist was announced. At one point, the scoreboard flashed ‘Thanks for the Memories’ for Armstrong and Christensen. One Pittsburgh media member found that interesting considering it was Mark Recchi’s first game back in the building as a visitor since the 2003-04 season, but he didn’t get any mention. All he did, it was pointed out dryly, was lead the team to a Stanley Cup and score 500 goals.
So I’m curious - are you guys rooting for a miracle run here at the end of the season, or would you prefer to see some call-ups like Boris Valabik and Brett Sterling get some ice-time to see what they can do? What do you think would be more beneficial for this team long-term - another playoff trip for more postseason experience, or a lottery pick in which the Thrashers get grab one of a group of talented young defensemen?
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Comments
By sl
March 3, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
Lottery Pick for sure. This team badly needs D. Get after Carolina on Wed. Win and keep on pushing…Lose and start the call ups.
By Bob
March 3, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t matter what I root for, the Thrashers have no prayer at the playoffs, never had this year, any reasonable look at this year’s lineup showed that.
The best possible outcome is they continue to play the way they have all year, and the odds in the shootout continue to catch up with them exposing their true record (kind of how Rawhide layed out in his blog). We finish one of the worst three in the league. We have a chance at the lottery, if we don’t get the #1 overall, we get a top 3 pick which should be a solid future player for us. The new GM makes some nice signings, jettisons some scrap from Waddell’s heap of junk he’s built at D, and gets us headed in the right direction. Bada bing, bada boom, in a couple years we’re competitive, Philips is full of fans and we’re the hottest ticket in town, and we have a club we can all be proud of.
By drew
March 3, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
at this point we need the lottery pick. we need defense desperately. i am sure kari and moose are shell shocked at all the rubber they face every night. it would help i our forwards were a little more responsible in the defensive end. some size and grit would help, too. a new coaching staff is a must. nothing this staff has done since hartley’s departure has lead me to believe that they have the answers. the only guy i see worth keeping is steve weeks. our goal tending has kept us in many games where we have been badly outshot. and lastly, waddell needs to seriously re-evaluate his vision for this team or he has to go, too. IT HASNT WORKED!!! Our scouting system obviously needs to be re-vamped, too. we just cant seem to get it right. and last, spirit llc group is a joke. enough said. we have so many issues it’s almost like we are an expansion team. they need to take a look at what the falcons are doing…a totally new group of folks, with a new philosophy from the top down running the show. enough is enough.
By B. Thenet
March 3, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Too bad it took DW this long, but I want to see more of Holik and Thorburn on the same line.
At this point either would be just fine, lottery pick or playoffs. Not a bad year to be toward the top of the draft.
They have not gotten rewarded for their efforts, but I have been pleased with the way the team has played the past couple of games.
These long streaks generally end in a blowout, so hopefully we pour it on vs. the Canes.
By DJ King
March 3, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Valabik, some of us wanted him here at the start of the year. the kid has earned it based on everything I’ve read. I’ve seen enough of Sterling and those types. DW has recently preached about playing more intense, with passion and grit. so why not call up a big physical D man, especially now with Havelid possibly getting hurt. I like Kiwi…and Pops.. but these guys have had their fair shake, it’s time for Boris to get a look. And calling up Desbiens if he is active couldn’t hurt as well. We know what the Haydars can do.. lets have a look at our grit, which we lack. I like the direction we seem to be heading with the new additions, lets build around that, NOT with small soft players. Teams should dread playing us, not waiting and foaming at the mouth, because they never have to pay a price. The Bruins game was one of the few where we actually initiated contact and kept it going the entire game. It looked like some of those lesser Thrasher teams, with players like Petrovicky and Lessard at the helm, hitting anything that moved. You didn’t see fishbowl visors on those guys. they were hockey players. Skill doesn’t always win games, the season isn’t tanked.. but we aren’t gritty enough to have even a moderate chance in the playoffs when the hits and brusies start exploding for real. I say we bring the “fury” back.
By Smoothie
March 3, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Call up a few more young guys and let them “audition” for next year. While we are still mathematically alive for the playoffs, there is not a snowball’s chance in you know where that we will. Time to let the fans see Valabik and more of Popovic, Kiwi, Sterling, Stuart etc. As Brendan mentioned, don’t let someone like Boris play more than 9 games so we don’t lose a year off of his RFA status.
I really didn’t think the defense looked that bad after Havelid went out and the pairings got shuffled. I say move Zhitnik to the first pairing with Enstrom and see if they can generate more offense (we need to find out if AZ is worth keeping around next year). Let Popo and Kiwi get more minutes and let Ex and Mac watch from the pressbox. We need to treat this as a pre-training camp situation and find out who is worth a darn before Free Agency.
By drew
March 3, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
at this point we need the lottery pick. we need defense desperately. i am sure kari and moose are shell shocked at all the rubber they face every night. it would help i our forwards were a little more responsible in the defensive end. some size and grit would help, too. a new coaching staff is a must. nothing this staff has done since hartley’s departure has lead me to believe that they have the answers. the only guy i see worth keeping is steve weeks. our goal tending has kept us in many games where we have been badly outshot. and lastly, waddell needs to seriously re-evaluate his vision for this team or he has to go, too. IT HASNT WORKED!!! Our scouting system obviously needs to be re-vamped, too. we just cant seem to get it right. and last, spirit llc group is a joke. enough said. we have so many issues it’s almost like we are an expansion team. they need to take a look at what the falcons are doing…a totally new group of folks, with a new philosophy from the top down running the show. enough is enough.
By curiouser and curiouser
March 3, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
We’re already going to be calling up the kids like Valabik, what with our blue line dropping like flies (Klee and now Havelid). So no worries there.
Looking at the numbers real quick:
1) Forget 8th place; it’s win the division or go home. The Flyers have one more point than Carolina and two games in hand on them; by the time we reach 8th in the conference, we will have won the division.
2) We have 65 points; that’s 8 points back with 15 games to play, while Carolina has 14 games left and 73 points. That gives us a maximum of 30 points we can obtain, so we can never have more than 95 points.
3) If Carolina wins 11 out of their last 14 games, we cannot catch them; they’ll have the 22 points they need.
4) If Carolina wins 7 out of their last 14 (their current pace), they will have 87 points. To get 87 points, we need to win 11 out of our last 15.
Realistically, this is what we need to have happen to win the division:
— We must go on a rampage AND — Carolina must hit a huge losing streak.
I think you have to take this day-by-day. Every team in the NHL has been streaky this season, and Carolina was no exception. If we beat Carolina Wednesday, that could trigger the start of a huge slump.
Oh, and if we lose to Carolina? It goes totally out of our control and we need to hope for them to choke to have any chance to get back in it.
If someone isn’t telling the Thrashers this in the locker room over the next few days, they’d BETTER be. This will be the most important game of the season so far.
Wait and see…
By Ron
March 3, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
This years draft pool is very deep in talent. Looks like the Thrashers should draft in the top 5. This would be great except for the fact that Don Waddell is the guy who makes the decisions on who the Thrashers pick. So, any draft, regardless of position, is going to be a crap shoot.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 3, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
F yeah I want to tank the rest of the season and get some draft picks. Bring BORIS UP NOW! Sent Zhitty to the outhouse. Bring up all the kids you want to take a look at.
Boris! Boris! Boris!
By Bob
March 3, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
This would be great except for the fact that Don Waddell is the guy who makes the decisions on who the Thrashers pick
Is that a fact? Please say it ain’t so.
If Waddell is in the house, I’ll be stayin in mine
By curiouser and curiouser
March 3, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
As far as whether the playoffs would be better? Playoffs are always better than tanking for a pick. Tanking is your final option; remember, picks are just picks, not guaranteed quality players coughSlatercough.
Also keep in mind here, the current ownership group favors the Hawks over the Thrashers. Playoffs will provide additional revenue and potential incentive to actually offer salaries for players we’d like to keep, as well as draw attention from casual fans in a city that’s been “baseball first” for so, so long.
I do not trust this ownership group not to pull a Flames if the Thrashers ever turn back into a poor gate draw (see: Kansas City Predators); I don’t think we can afford a rebuilding season, so we have to push until we’re mathematically eliminated and then start bringing in kids.
Fortunately, it should only take one or two games to figure that out. :D
By Alan
March 3, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Craig - Honestly, I think we should stick a fork in the season and call it a year. The draft looks promising right now, with Atlanta sitting at 27th in the league. And with all our young guys that appear ready to break out of Chicago (Stuart, Doell, LaVallee, Valabik, Oystrick …not to mention Little, Sterling, and Haydar), I think next season is going to be pretty spectacular. Atlanta must play their cards right in the off-season, though. We definitely need to re-sign Dupuis and Recchi, I think, as well as extend Lehtonen. We need to think about Kovalchuk’s future with the organ-i-zation. And most importantly, we need to think about our coaching situation. It’s just not working out. McCrimmon is not the answer… and the more I hear about Anderson, the more I fear he’s not the answer we need either. Waddell isn’t the kind of head coach we should have either (in other words, he better not become a permanent fixture behind the bench).
This city is hungry for a team - any team - to break out and win a championship. Or just win, period. The ASG needs to recognize this and do what it takes to make our team competitive in Atlanta, as well as in the NHL.
By Smoothie
March 3, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Hey Craig — any timetable on when we might hear some news on the injury status of Klee, Havelid & Whitey?? I certainly hope none of the injuries are serious, but I wouldn’t mind if they miss a few more games (3-5 games) so we can get a closer look at Little with Kovy and perhaps Mac, Popo and Kiwi playing top two pairing minutes.
By J(Z)
March 3, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
It’s still too soon to call up the kids. I think if they play more than a handful of games they lose a year of RFA status. So, its not worth doing that yet. Maybe in the last 2 weeks of the season. But definitely, I’m in favor of locking in a top 3 draft spot. Of course, its a lottery, so anything can happen.
By Bob
March 3, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
And with all our young guys that appear ready to break out of Chicago (Stuart, Doell, LaVallee, Valabik, Oystrick …not to mention Little, Sterling, and Haydar)
Huh, where have you heard that all of those guys appear ready to break out? Little is the only one on that list that seems to be NHL material, we’ve seen Stuart, Sterling, and Haydar up here plenty. Valabik reportedly doesn’t have the wheels to skate at the NHL level (although I heard he has the fists, but you can’t waste a D spot on a goon. Where have you heard anything about the other guys being NHL ready?
Waddell tried to have a youth movement this year, oops.
By GaVaHokie
March 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
I think you play hard until the 14th… that gives us 3 divisional games (Car, Fla, WSH). If the Thrashers tank those games, that gives them 9 games to get an early start on training camp.
By Mathias
March 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
LOTTERY pick.
This team is fatally flawed. There is no, I repeate no way that they should make the playoffs this year. Looking at their record under the old point system makes them look like an expansion team. (Ottawa Senator expansion levels of badness) Waddell must be fired. It’s ridiculous that he has not been able to develop talent for this team. Give a new GM the chance to build with draft, free agent pickups. Heck, if Philly can do it, so can we.
By Alan
March 3, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Huh, where have you heard that all of those guys appear ready to break out?
I’ve watched games? You can stream the games over the internet. At least I’m looking at the farm. Also, Waddell has also said he’s impressed with Valabik’s development this season, and he’s near the top of his list for a call-up. Take that how you will, but that’s just one example.
Waddell didn’t have the patience to have a youth movement this year. Before we started inundating our lineup with AARP members and after firing Hartley, however, we had a strong run. As much as I like Recchi … it was after we picked him up that we sent some of our youth to the AHL level. We played .500 (or worse) hockey ever since.
Take my amateur scouting for what it is, or form your own opinion. Don’t just make a blind assessment based on what other people have said, though. Either way, with the vehement hatred some of you folks around here have for Waddell, you’d think my assessment wouldn’t do any worse.
Can’t win for losing, though.
By NASCAR Dave
March 3, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Well, lookie here…. THE WIMPS ARE BACK! GUTLESS, PATHETIC, WIMPS!!!!
No heart, no fire, no passion. NO DAMN REVENGE ON THE HIT ON ILYA!!! ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL!!!
DWAD HAS NO CONTROL OVER THIS SAD-SACK PATHETIC EXCUSE OF A ROSTER HE CREATED!!!!
IF HE CAME IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS, I’D TAKE HIS @SS OUT IN THE WOODSHED AND GIVE HIM A SOUTHERN @SS-WHOOPIN!
FIRE WADDELL!
FIRE WADDELL!
FIRE WADDELL!
NUFF SAID.
By Fuego
March 3, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Lottery pick. Not even a question.
This team isn’t making the playoffs. DW is delusional if he thinks a team ranked 28th out of 30 teams in the league is going to make the playoffs. Even if Carolina and Washington crash and burn and we someone how win the division and make the playoffs, we’ll be swept out just like last season. That’s a waste of time - it accomplishes nothing, and it’s more embarrasing than just missing the playoffs in the first place.
Bring up the young guys - I love having Bryan Little here. Bring up Sterling and Valabik and Lavallee and whoever else. Let them play because they sure can’t be any worse than the vets on this team right now. Let the young players get some experience, and we aim for the 1st overall draft pick in a very deep draft that could help our franchise a lot. Even if we can’t get Stamkos, there are some very solid d-men in the first round.
But what we REALLY REALLY should do is get a new GM. And a legit coach.
By NASCAR Dave
March 3, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
FIRE WADDELL!!!
By Glen Metropolit
March 3, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Suckers.
By timthebrave
March 3, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Only losers would rather have a high draft pick over playoffs. Why would you want a number 3 pick over a playoff spot? I’ll take a 15 pick and a chance in the playoffs anyday! With more revenue from playoffs and increased attention from playoffs we might be able to keep the players that come here. Instead of drafting high and hoping that it is a good player.(which it probably won’t be)
By timthebrave
March 3, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
To make it to the playoffs they are going to have to play lights out for the next month or so. If you win 11 out of 14 to end the season there is no reason that you can’t keep the winning going in the playoffs in the weak a* East. I want it to happen bad! Will it happen is another question.
By Midfield
March 3, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
I personally think that the question is posted incorrectly to begin with. Calling up guys who are hungry to play and sitting down guys who don’t should not be a function of a draft lottery calculation, but a function of keeping the players accountable. Thrashers look like a bunch of office guys on a company picnic - coaching staff included. Everything is easy: Hossa did not want to play hard, so he got a trade. Lehtonen seems to be nonchalant about his horrible amateur give-aways, as long as he can remind everybody how big of a talent he is - then and again; and the list goes on. The team like this cannot compete, it only can coast, and that’s what you have. It became a typical Atlanta franchise, a dog and pony show, not a team trying to win something.
By Brendan
March 3, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Craig, as of this morning, Atlanta ranks 27th out of 30 teams, per Yahoo.com. To make the playoffs seems like quite a longshot. So, why not “audition” some Chicago Wolves … provided that you don’t lose a year off their RFA eligibility, and see what develops?
As a Thrashers fan since the inaugural season, I have to take the leans years with the fat ones. No team wins 82 games, if you follow. No one should expect miracles. I am concerned, however, about the organ-I-zation’s decision-making process. It seems quite APPARENT that the team has mismanaged some of its resources. That’s what upsets me.
“Business plans” that make money are all fine and good, but if, at the end of the day, your clients no longer BELIEVE in your company’s product, one might expect the inventory to “languish” a bit on the shelves, as the cobwebs form. And in sports, isn’t “belief” from the fanbase pretty much driving the ship? Think about it. THINK HARDER.
It is in this vein that I urge the ASG to “take stock” of their hockey situation. Right or wrong, making a change at the GM position, ANY CHANGE, sends a message to the fan base that it won’t be … “stay the course” as a philosophy for the coming seasons.
Honestly, I don’t think Thrasher fans mind “rebuilding” so long as SOMEONE ELSE is given the opportunity to do it. And the new GM hires the coaches, scouts, equipment manager, etc. With a hard salary cap in effect, all the Thrashers really need to do, to reverse their fortunes, is make BETTER DECISIONS.
That’s it? Yep, pretty much. Better decisions tend to lead to better results. Better results tend to lead to increased fan attendance and hockey awareness in the community. And increased attendance, and increased TV viewship, tend to lead to more profit for the owners. Creating a “stir” is what it’s all about. If you can achieve that, the rest falls right into place. But it allllll starts with letting someone else make the decisions, especially on DRAFT DAY.
By Brendan
March 3, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Midfield, would you support making Slava Kozlov a healthy scratch up in the pressbox? Or, is it “too late” for that?
By The ASG
March 3, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
So you bloggers don’t think we know what we are doing.
You think we should fire Donny. Why would we fire Donny? The guy is more obedient than a family dog. When we say jump, Donny says, “how high?” When we tell Donny to sell tickets, Donny issues statements that would make Buzz Lightyear laugh. Every time we see Donny on television or in the press, Donny has a new “To Infinity and Beyond” line to feed the fans.
The only thing we care about is the Income Statement and the Statement of Cash Flow. As long as we are generating enough revenue to cover operating and interest expenses, we could care less how the team is performing. To us, the team is a toy to show our kids. We take our kids to the locker room before games to show our kids and our kids’ friends how wealthy we are.
We really do care about our fans though. This year, we are rewarding our new fans with half price tickets. See, we know that our fans will spend money on beverages if we can get them in the arena.
We care about our season ticket holders too. Next year, we will have one of the top five hockey prospects in a Thrasher uniform. What could be more exciting than a top five draft pick for our season ticket holders to watch all season?
Earlier this year, Rutherford and Bruce made statements about doing our best to bring the Cup to Atlanta. The NHL has told us they will bring the Cup by once a year for our fans to look at while our ticket representatives try to push ticket packages. We also plan on selling lots of soda and beer Cups. So the next time you see Bruce drunk off his tail on television doing a between periods interview about bringing the Cup to Atlanta, just remember, you’re refilling his cup.
Atlanta, thank you for your support.
By Bob
March 3, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
I’ve watched games? You can stream the games over the internet. At least I’m looking at the farm
Gotcha. FYI, look at the Wolves record over the past decade. Pretty damn impressive, eh? They’ve won a Cup, been to the Finals more than once. Perennial playoff club. Unfortunately, all that means is that Waddell is an excellent judge of AHL talent, which is THE problem, he just can’t sign NHL talent.
If Waddell thinks Valabik is the man, that’s like the kiss of death. Waddell couldn’t sign or draft a dman to save his life (and please don’t hold up Exelby as an example, he’s pitiful beyond the occasional rock em sock em hit, Enstrom can skate and is pretty decent with his skating, but his size and weak shot hold him back from being a #1 guy). So, over 10 years, Waddell has developed one dman worth keeping (Enstrom) yet we’re to trust that Valabik or one of the other many dmen in our system that he drafted or signed is going to pan ok?
Any wonder why we continue to lead the league in shots against and goals given up year in and year out?
By NASCAR Dave
March 3, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
AWESOME TRADE, DWAD! 2 MORE NON-FACTORS WEARING BABY BLUE!
AND YOU GIVE UP DUPUIS, YOUR BEST PENALTY KILLER?
“ARMY” AND “CRUSHER” MY A$$! MORE LIKE 3RD AND 4TH LINE SCRATCHES!!!
I ACTUALLY AM CONSIDERING SEASON TICKETS FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT IF AND ONLY IF WADDELL IS NOT AROUND.
AND FOR THE ASG, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT FEEL THE SAME WAY AS ME. TAKE A HINT…..
By GaVaHokie
March 3, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Timthebrave… you’re making too much sense for these Waddell-haters to follow along. :)
I can’t believe anyone would want to throw away a season for a draft pick… unbelievably pathetic some of you people.
By GaVaHokie
March 3, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Just because 5-10 people come on here to bash Waddell doesn’t make it popular opinion.
By Midfield
March 3, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Brendan,
I would support benching Kozlov, as well as anyone else anytime, if there’s a consistent ‘coaching’ policy in place. Kovy used to get benched by Hartley. Anyone here thinks this was unfair? Anyone remembers Hossa being benched for his quite lengthy coasting? Locker room control is more important than perceived player value. Once you lose this control, you’re almost guaranteed to lose the season in this day and age.
By Shoot it
March 3, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
I think the Thrashers chose to build around the wrong guy. They should have offered Hossa a 10 year deal and moved Kovalchuk. I love his game but he is not the kind of guy you can build a team around. Hossa is a much better overall player, the kind of player you can build a team around. K is a piece you add to your team to get it over the top.
By GaVaSHEEP
March 3, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
“BAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!”
Get right on fueling the fire, guy. The ASG thanks you for your hard-earned money.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 3, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I am a tad confused. Are the people on here that hate the owners, and the GM, and the players…do they want the team to stay here in Atlanta. Do you think by not going to games, not watching them on TV, is going to help? Would you be happier with the Hartford Thrashers?
I go to games, and watch them on TV, and blog because I like the entertainment of a local hockey team. I am glad that people have different opinions, and I will admit that I don’t agree with all of DW moves. BUT, all of us, not even Craig has the clairvoyance to know what is going on behind the scenes. What scouts are saying? What guys are problems in the locker room? So I do not agree with calling for everybody’s head constantly.
Lets say you do fire Waddell. Who would you want to come in here and fix everything? Who do you think will come? What ‘great coach’ is going to want to come here and coach?How many people do you think are in the market to buy a struggling hockey franchise in the south?
By Brendan
March 3, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Shoot it, ESPN.com writer Scott Burnside once wrote that in the “House of Thrashers,” Dany Heatley is the foundation and Ilya Kovalchuk is the roof. So, in a way, Burnside would agree with your assessment. Trouble is, the foundation up and left and its replacement cracked.
Any thoughts on who the new “foundation” player might be, if Kovalchuk is still the “roof” on the house? Anyone vote for Enstrom in that capacity? How about Lehtonen? Anyone vote for Bryan Little? Who said “Pavelec?”
The answer just might be … “depends on who we select in the 2008 lottery draft.” Maybe it is, or could be, either Doughty or Stampkos. I can’t rule that out.
By curiouser and curiouser
March 3, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Plus, don’t forget the real problem with all this talk of “tanking for a draft pick”: you have to convince the players to tank. Guess what? They won’t do it. They play the game to win, every time, and let all the management stuff work itself out in the offseason. Sometimes they don’t try as hard as they should, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to win.
The only time you’ll be able to convince them to take it easy is after they’re already mathematically out of the playoff picture. That simple. Even then they’ll try to play spoiler when they’re up against a team who’s still in it or scrambling for position.
By Brendan
March 3, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Buzilla, this store is not relocating. Right now, the store owners are hopefully trying to make a BETTER PRODUCT, and not say, merely re-packaging the same product with a new box, and a coupon for 15% off at the website store.
No store will try to continue to sell inventory that people no longer want. They’ll pull the existing inventory from the shelves … and restock it. And the people will come when the shelves have been restocked.
By Sam
March 3, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
We know what Sterling can do this year. He’s been unimpressive this season. Get another look at him in camp.
Same for Boris…another camp look.
Both should be in Ray Bear’s summer nutrition and conditioning camp, along with Armstrong, Christenson, Kari and Toby. Although, for a kid who played only 55 games in the MoDo season last year, Toby’s conditioning must be great…he’s continued to play with amazing consistency in this longer season.
There’s no honor in playing for a draft pick. I like the honor in hockey. Play for the win, not the tie or the loser point or the freakin’ draft pick.
Go big or go home…literally.
By Colby Armstrong
March 3, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Suckers.
By Alan
March 3, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Bob -
a. I’ve watched Valabik. Again, on streaming games from the Chicago Wolves. He’s an interesting player to watch. Seems to be more of a stay at home defenseman. Something we need. People (stendec) rail game in and game out about how Kari “blew it” or “gave up (a) softie(s)”. Those people might mention defense in passing, but it’s more of an afterthought than anything. What are you basing your dislike of him on? Because Waddell thinks he’s come a long way? Preposterous.
b. Enström was not developed in the Thrashers system. He played in the Svenska Elitserien since he was drafted. He played for MODO Hockey. They are one of the best Svenska Elitserien teams right now. So technically speaking, the good folks in Sweden developed him for us. And a damn fine job they did, too, I might add.
By NASCAR Dave
March 3, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
HAVELID OUT FOR THE YEAR! BRING UP BORIS!!!
By Bob
March 3, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe anyone would want to throw away a season for a draft pick… unbelievably pathetic some of you people
Sparky, the season is over, it has been for quite some time. If you don’t understand that, I won’t call you names like pathetic but I will thank you for the insight into where you’re coming from, dealing with reality isn’t one of your strengths, eh?
Just because 5-10 people come on here to bash Waddell doesn’t make it popular opinion
If you don’t understand that popular opinion amongst the fan base is that Waddell’s time is up and we’re going nowhere under him and that the season tix holders are jumping off this sinking ship if he stays at the helm, then again, I won’t call you pathetic but I’ll thank you for the further insight into why you just can’t seem to grasp the obvious here.
Let me help ya out here. Take a look at the email that Levenson just sent out today. Want to hazard a guess why he sent out that email? Uh, it ain’t cause season ticket renewals are going well, Nostradamus.
Every guy I talked to in my section at the last game said they were either not renewing or leaning that way. Every one placed the failure at the feet of our illustrious GM.
There’s also a well known statistical theory that if one person writes something, there’s 100 unspoken others who hold the same position, (politicians use this to gauge the opinion of their constituencies when they get letters coming into their offices about hot button issues).
Now, I won’t call you pathetic for not knowing that, but I will get shivers down my spine knowing that there’s 100 other fellow fans who share your same inability to grasp reality.
By morgdad
March 3, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Better off for the team to get the lottery pick but bad for Waddell, missing the playoffs probably means his job - but then again who knows with this ownership group.
By Bob
March 3, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
I am a tad confused. Are the people on here that hate the owners, and the GM, and the players…do they want the team to stay here in Atlanta. Do you think by not going to games, not watching them on TV, is going to help?
zilla, the Spirit boys also own the Arena rights. There is no way, 0 chance, not gonna happen, that they sell and move the Thrashers. They would be cutting out 43 dates a night out of their arena schedule and giving up all the appreciation in the capital value of the Thrashers that they gain each year they hold this club (remember, the Thrashers were a throw in on the deal after they paid for the Hawks and the Philips Arena rights).
Philips Arena was just announced as the #2 most profitable venue in the United States.
The Spirit boys have been fighting in court for over two years over what to pay Belkin or who owns the teams. Do you know how much money they are spending in legal fees over that time? Millions. Do you think they would be fighting and spending millions over losing entities? Of course not.
Yes, it will help we the fans to not buy tickets. It will force them to change and make this a more competitive club. The Spirit has shown the willingness to spend the necessary money. They spent max cap the first year out of the lockout. They went to max cap last year after the Tkachuk/Zhitnik et al deals. They held under the cap this year, and who would blame them, since they didn’t win even going max cap the first two years.
The problem is the GM. The Spirit have no impetus to do anything different as long as people keep lapping up an inferior product. If you hit them in the pocket, they will change and improve the club, the necessary first step in doing that is the Spirit getting a quality GM in here.
There are plenty of quality GM candidates out there, just to start there’s 29 Asst. GMs in this league that would jump at the chance to be an NHL GM, 1/2 of whom work for good quality organizations under experienced GMs.
This is about the Spirit wanting to run the Thrashers like a business, and like Brendan likes to say, Don Waddell is their perfect lackey to do it. He’s a good company man. If you’re a fan of the Thrashers, and not just a fan of the Spirit’s bottom line, then you’d demand a GM that was a good hockey man first, not a company man. We get that NHL quality GM in here, this thing can take off. As long as Waddell is here, you can expect more of the same ol same ol.
If I had a chance to address the Spirit in the boardroom I’d remind them that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Waddell’s had 10 years, year after year of the most goals and shots given up, it’d be insane to keep him in charge and expect different results.
Time for change. Do we have to march on the Spirit boys like the good people down in Clayton County are doing to their school board?
If Waddell is in the house next year, I’m stayin in mine (copyright goes to the blogger, who’s name I forget, that came up with that)
By Hockeyfan
March 3, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Craig ask the Don what the Wild offered for Holik last week. And who wanted Zhitnik and what they were offereing. Just curious… = )
By Bob
March 3, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
What are you basing your dislike of him on?
I have heard that his skating is awful, and that will hurt his chances in to compete in the NHL. In the AHL, you’ve got a slower pace than in the NHL, you can get away with being slow as a dman. NHL forwards would eat him up, if he can’t skate. And that’s what I’ve read about him, bad skater.
Enström was not developed in the Thrashers system. He played in the Svenska Elitserien since he was drafted. He played for MODO Hockey. They are one of the best Svenska Elitserien teams right now. So technically speaking, the good folks in Sweden developed him for us. And a damn fine job they did, too, I might add.
Gotcha. Can we send all our prospects over there?
By Nikita
March 3, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Buzilla, re: stuff behind the scenes…I have a source with the ASG, and his take on the trades is that he hopes they help alleviate problems at every level of the organization, but mostly within the team. From his perspective there are issues among the owners, team, coaches and from each of those groups to people in the other groups. Basically, due to the issues at all of those levels, nothing much could be done about the team other than to ride the team for failing to produce and trading out some of the stronger personalities. But he claimed that some members of the team were barely speaking, and rarely playing together, and it made things very tense and uncooperative behind the scenes.
Makes sense, doesn’t it? I’m flashing back now to the Holik-icanes and the p**-off Recchi interviews and Boulton’s rage issues and all that — it was a very angry and tense team, and it now plays more cooperatively and seems more relaxed.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 3, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
People bashed Chara when he was coming up too. He turned out to be pretty good
By curiouser and curiouser
March 3, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
To spell out what Nikita’s hinting at: when there are 20 guys in a locker room, and they all know that one or two guys are playing “not to get hurt”, it makes everyone more p** than they normally would be, especially when they are forced to defend those players in public (because you don’t air your dirty laundry if you can help it).
By Plenty of Empty Seats
March 3, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Interesting questions, plenty of passionate hockey fans, terrific blog. Thanks Craig.
In my view, the season is over. And unfortunately unless something miraculous transpires with the owners and management I have very little confidence in the organization’s ability to select, compensate, coach and retain competitive talent. This is evidenced by their (8 year) body of work.
Further, after 65 games Altanta is last in the NHL in SOG differential with a minus 493. For your reference, Detroit - the NHL’s goal standard is + 683. Most certainly management knows this, but what did we get for Hossa - 3 young forwards, hmmm… And yes, yes we know about the trading deadline, but this has been an issue for two years.
If you’re nutty (like me) then go to www.thn.com and do a comparative analysis of roster payroll, but sit down while you do it. To illustrate - Holik, Kozy and Zhit all make more than Zetterberg and Holik makes more than Malkin.
There are interesting questions pertaining to the ASG’s legal situation and their desire to perform financially, but if one looks at how the Thrashers have spent nearly $44 MM this year and compares their spending to other teams, I might be a bit tentative pulling the trigger too.
So… I’m sadly one of the folks Bob mentioned - that will be supportive, but not as a season ticket holder - particularly when folks off the street are buying $90 seats (next to me) for $40.
PS - Just for kicks who leads forwards in the NHL + / - category? Yep, Heatly’s tied for first with + 31. What was he in Atl, before he was traded? (-19,-8,-8). What’d we get for him again…
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 3, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
So your saying Hossa was playing “not to get hurt”…then he got hurt 13 minutes into his first game.
By Alan
March 3, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
I have heard that his skating is awful
Stream a few Chicago games. See for yourself. You can’t just sit there and say “he sucks because I heard he sucks.”
Can we send all our prospects over there?
Only if we draft more Swedes who happen to play for MODO.
By J(Z)
March 3, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
As for tanking. Obviously I don’t want the players to tank. Nor will they. Players will always be trying their hardest. But for the good of the future of this organ-I-zation, I will root for the team to lose as many games as possible the rest of the season. The playoffs are not realistic. You realize we haven’t won a game in regulation in OVER a month, right?
(Begin Jim Mora soundclip) Playoffs???
By Nate
March 3, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
lottery pick for sure. this team would get swept again in the playoffs.
By Bob
March 3, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
trading out some of the stronger personalities
So was the team p** at Hoss for mailing it in all year? Probably. Reason #743 that Waddell should have traded him before the start of the season.
By Sara
March 3, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Everything I’ve heard from fans in Chicago about Boris wasn’t encouraging. I really don’t think he’s an answer to our problems, or even an improvement. Being a big guy and hard hitter doesn’t really help out our defense - that’s more about being positionally sound and keeping up with the other team - areas I’ve heard Boris struggles with.
shrugs Just sayin’.
By Bob
March 3, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
So your saying Hossa was playing “not to get hurt”…then he got hurt 13 minutes into his first game
Kharma’s a b***, ain’t it?
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 3, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
I think we should trade both of these years pick to try to get the top pick in next years draft. I want Taveres.
Gretzky-Lemieux-Crosby-Taveres
Problem is we have no idea who is going to get next years pick…
By Alan
March 3, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Everything I’ve heard from fans in Chicago about Boris wasn’t encouraging.
That’s why I started watching some games. I heard this last year and started watching then. He’s much improved. I think he’s got a serious chance at making the team next season.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 3, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Maybe Boris’s game fits better in the NHL than the AHL.
By ranallo10
March 3, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
If you hit them in the pocket, they will change and improve the club.
Bob — I hear what you mean, but earlier in your post you stated that the ASG are shelling out millions on attorney for the ongoing battle for ownership. If they’re willing to throw away millions of dollars for the rights to own Phillips Arena (with the nice bonus of the Hawks and Thrashers), what makes you think that 100 or 200 non-renewing members of their fan base will convince them to start spending more?
There’s no easy solution, but right now your thought seems to be that cutting their budget (by not giving them revenue from your tickets and concession purchases) will lead the owners to in-turn spend MORE money on the franchise to field a more competitive team.
It doesn’t make sense.
Neither does financially supporting a product that doesn’t get better, which is where you’re finding yourself. I understand your conundrum, and it’s obvious where you feel the solution is (stop spending money in hopes the ASG “learns”)…I just don’t necessarily agree with it.
By GaVaHokie
March 3, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
I have heard that his skating is awful, and that will hurt his chances in to compete in the NHL.
You’ve seemed to hear a lot of things you don’t know for yourself.
Stop calling me Sparky, grandpa. I’m 33 years old.
By MB
March 3, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Um, draft lottery, please!
The playoffs would bring in a little bit of $$ for the ASG, more humble pie for the team, and more heartache for the fans.
Selecting in the first 3 picks of this year’s draft, according to the “experts,” brings in a player highly likely to become an NHL contributor…even with DW selecting (I know, I know…famous last words).
In the meantime, I agree with the strategy of bringing up a select few of the young guys.
While we saw some of them at the beginning of the season and in training camp, they’ve since logged a full season of play and coaching, and hopefully have made some progress towards realizing their NHL dreams.
Bryan Little, for instance, sure looks like a better player to me in the past two games than he did at the beginning of the season.
So bring ‘em up, give ‘em several games to show what they have, and update their prospect profile. This will only help in developing the organizational needs assessment as we look forward to the draft and free agency period.
By JB
March 3, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
It does not matter. As long as the Clampets still own the team they will go no where.
Anybody want some really good seats, center ice 11 rows up from the glass? Mine will be available next year.
By GaVaHokie
March 3, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
ranallo… it’s simple… they should either watch the team or don’t. Because they’re going to get money from Home Depot, Budweiser, UPS, Heineken, Geico, and Bank of America.
We’ll probably get more money from the revenue sharing too… so that’s kind of a plus.
So, unless you and all 200 hundred people in your section are ready to drop your season tickets, shop at Lowes, bank at Wachovia, and do all your shipping with Fed Ex. Then don’t waste your breath trying to make a statement… ASG will be fine.
By kracker
March 3, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
People keep writing that the Thrash are 27th in the league. We are 3rd from the bottom, ranking 28th currently, with 65 pts., trailing only the Kings and Bolts for worst record.
By Brendan
March 3, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Dayum, JB. I know you must be hurtin’ inside to be willing to give up ‘premium seats’ like that. But, “out of options,” I can’t and won’t blame you for your decision. Not at all. Has anyone from the ASG contacted you, at all, to discuss why you’ve made this decision? I mean, those seats are several thousand dollars, apiece. I realize that this may be ‘chump change’ to an elitist organization that cares more for “successful business plans” than moving, directionally, towards a Stanley Cup. It’s fairly clear where non-corporate entities rank in terms of where ASG interests lie. But still, if there’s 500 more JB’s out there, perhaps the loss of revenue will be felt. At least, the “thought” might occur to them about why so many have decided not to return. Perhaps if they knew the reason, specifically, they “could” pay a modicum of attention to us?
But perhaps, the true answer is … they could care less if the door hits us on the backside as we exit Philips Arena.
By Russ
March 3, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
I find it humorous that anyone is even discussing the playoffs as a possibility any more. The team would need to go roughly 13-2 the rest of the way. The best stretch the Thrashers have had all season was the first 10-12 games after firing Hartley, and even then they didn’t look like a team capable of going on a 13-2 run. What makes anyone think they can now, when they are currently on a seven game losing streak and are having obvious chemistry problems adjusting to the new acquisitions? That being said I would never support quitting for the sake of a higher draft pick. Besides, I am confident the team DW has put together will secure a high draft pick whether they are tyring or not.
By kracker
March 3, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
If these players didn’t tank it in the three games just before the trade deadline, they gave a good impression of it. The games just prior to those games, the Feb 15 SO win over the Devils followed a SO win over the Caps and an OT win over the Lightning set us up as challenging for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, the really poor play in the next three games, vs NYI, CAR and TOR, effectively sealed the fate of the team to that of draft lottery participant.
DW should have sold to get us more picks but he didn’t. He stated in one interview that he could have gotten two more first round picks but chose to not sell off. Oh, and we also lost the next game on draft deadline night to the Habs with another poor effort. Since deadline day the guys have played with much more fire, they competed well and earned 3 pts for three OTLs.
By Eklund
March 3, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Hello, just reminding everyone that you still have time to send me your $20 and earn “Season Ticket Holder” status on Hockeybuzz.
It’s just gettin kinda quiet around here, ya know?
By R. Stroz
March 3, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Ironicaly, when the season started, some of us thought the last game of the season was going to determine the conference winner, now the last game of the season may determine the lottery winner.
So on April 5th, we may actually hear Stendec pleading for Kari to letemin.
By bob (other)
March 3, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
We are still in it. IF we can win the next 3 and Carolina also loses their next two (one against us), then we are only 2 points out with same number of games played and 12 to go at that point. WE can be right back in it by the weekend. We play Carolina and Washington enough to still win this. In fact, Floriad is not out of it either. The team in our division that gets hot in March will win the division.
By Sage of Bluesland
March 3, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
I’ll take a top draft pick and a new GM, Thank ya’ very much…
Do we really need another playoff debacle like last year??? What a joke!
By HookyBob
March 3, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Craig Good question,..especially since its a moot point. I agree withn “Russ” that we are headed for a high draft pick whether the team tries or not.
A better question: Should we, the fans, vote with our wallets? As a Minnesota native, a part of my heart left when the North Stars did in 1992. The “state of Hockey” can’t/won’t support pro hockey! Let me tell you they will support hockey,…but it has to be good hockey.
However, when it comes to hockey, those fans have a lot of other choices. In Atlanta we don’t. Should we support hockey even if it is sub-par? Answer me that folks.
By Bob
March 3, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
But perhaps, the true answer is … they could care less if the door hits us on the backside as we exit Philips Arena
I choose false. There is no way Levenson would have sent out that letter today if they didn’t care. And believe you me, we aren’t talking about a couple hundred non-renewals here. Deadline is this Friday. I guarantee you they are thousands behind last year’s pace.
The owner doesn’t personally scribe a letter to his season ticket holders less than one week after Waddell sent out a similar letter, unless they are panicking. And there would be no panic over a couple hundred non renewals.
Did you also see where they just instituted new season tix holder benefits for the remainder of 2007-2008? They are in full scramble mode. And it’s lame, it’s just a get in 30 minute early gate for season tix holders only. Hossa ditches them, the team Waddell has built is bad, and they jacked prices up on us. It’s the perfect storm of ineptness. Season ticket holders are jumping off this deck faster than the Titanic’s.
They will make the right moves as they’ll be forced to, no season tix sales, corporate sponsors bail as there’s no one there to watch the games.
Everyone just needs to sit back and Missouri ‘em Show Me Spirit boys. New GM, let him make the right moves July 1st, then we can talk about tickets for next year.
By HairyHeckler
March 3, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Saw the the ASG note and the amazing new early entrance to games. Wow. 30 whole minutes.
I’ll be holding off on my ticket renewal Friday. I’m sure they aren’t going to make the playoffs and I’m doubly sure they aren’t going to give my seats away yet.
It is going to take something more to get me to come back to the table this year. Give me 2-for-1 Thursdays and meals with every Wednesday or Tuesday game.
I want to support hockey, but not carry it.
By Bob
March 4, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this
I want to support hockey, but not carry it
Bingo. Build it, and they will come
The old architect’s house was poorly built. We need a new architect, Spirit boys.
By Jarndyce
March 4, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
This conversation is the exact reason why it was important to trade guys like Holik, Hedberg and Recchi. Unfortunately, I’m beginning to believe that DW wanted to do just that, but that the ASG prevented him from maximizing trade value in order to “not give up on the season.”
Truth is, however, that the season is already lost. Casual fans aren’t going if there is no playoff excitement. True fans would likely rather come out to see the prospects and a young, energetic team trying to get better instead of the same team they’ve watched sputter and crawl through the season. Give me Ilya, Armstrong, Perrin, Christienson, Little, Sterling, Slater, Entrom, Popovich, etc., and let them fly around the ice creating havoc, and we’ll have an entertaining end of the season, knowing that next year we have several high draft picks and more prospects ready to show up.
This was a long-term opportunity squandered for short-term, well, nothing really. Very disappointing.
By Bob
March 4, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
the ASG prevented him from maximizing trade value in order to “not give up on the season.”
So Waddell is a lame duck GM already? Possible. They may have tied his hands knowing that they’re firing him at the end of the year anyway. I figured they had him on a short leash all year after they made him coach the rest of the season out “you built this mess, you go down there and fix it”.
Doesn’t really matter, the new GM will come in and blow it all up, as well he should. It’ll take a bit of work to undo Waddell’s 10 year’s of missteps. But assuming they hire the right guy though, it can be done.
I read this morning a rumor that Toronto is interested in prying Brian Burke away from Anaheim. He’s the best GM in the league, so that rumor probably has legs, mabye we can get him instead of Toronto. lol.
By Paul
March 4, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Here’s a link showing Esposito’s stats for this year
http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/langen/index.php?page=11194745&typ=reg&an=0708&v=v2&report=PlayersRecordsPerTeam&sortby=A&sortbymode=DESC&filterid=Que&subfilterid=
By Smoothie
March 4, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
that cutting their budget (by not giving them revenue from your tickets and concession purchases) will lead the owners to in-turn spend MORE money on the franchise to field a more competitive team. It doesn’t make sense.*
ranallo — gotta take you to task on this one man. It’s a business. And businesses have to spend money to make money. When a business starts out, it starts out “in the hole” and grows from there. If the product / service is good and the pricing is right, the profits will come. Then you plough those profits back into the business and so on and so forth.
And eventhough this business has been a going concern for 9 plus years, that doesn’t mean you can’t incur some “debt” in the interest of turning your business around when it is not performing. The ASG, if they are truly shrewd businessmen, will realize that and commit to doing what it takes to improve the product while not diminishing the value of the overall experience which a season ticket holder is purchasing.
While professional sports is truly a different kind of beast, the consumer in the end, will dictate whether or not a business is successful. It’s not okay to simply expect the consumers / fans / tkt holders to simply accept mediocrity and feel privileged just because they are lucky enough to have a franchise in their city to support.
By Tony C.
March 4, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
OPERATION: Believe In Tankland IS GO!
By ranallo10
March 4, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Smoothie — I don’t disagree with you regarding business models, but that’s assuming the Thrashers is the bulk of the business. The venue (Phillips Arena) is this ownership groups money maker. The Thrashers are their ant farm/pet project. The Hawks MOST LIKELY (I can’t confirm nor deny, so I assume) make them as much money as the Thrashers. Last I heard the Thrashers were worth somewhere near $130M, which I think was 29th in the league. If they ONLY owned the Thrashers, they’d be worried and incur many more expenses in order to turn that profit margin around and improve the overall value of the franchise.
BUT…
If the Thrashers are worth $130M, the Hawks worth AT LEAST $130M, and the venue (number two in the nation) is worth a sh!t ton of money, I doubt they care about $180K lost by season ticket holder non-renewals.
I’m completely skeptical regarding their “interest” in retaining us Season Ticket Holders.
They’ll do what every business does, flounder to try to retain those who are leaving, and attempt to salvage a few new STH to make up for the leaving STH. In the end they’ll be FINE, and people who left will still be sitting their b*** and moaning because nothing meaningful has changed.
By Smoothie
March 4, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
ranallo — fair enough. And I share you concern about the depth of committment by the AGS with respect to the Thrashers. I guess you could argue that the ASG IS the problem and until the ownership changes, we are up the creek.
Afterall, they are the same guys who put too much faith in Billy Knight…how anyone keeps their job after missing on Chris Paul (I’m sorry, but no one can convince me he wasn’t a no-brainer as I watched every game he played at Wake Forest for 2 years and he was without a doubt the best player in the ACC as a SOPHOMORE!) is simply beyond me??
Perhaps these guys really don’t know what the hell they are doing and nothing will change like you said. I just hope we are all surprised by their renewed willingness (see Arthur Blank) to build a winning organization(s) in this city. If they are and they do, I think they will be very pleased to see just how many hockey fans there will be once the quality of the product is improved along with the overall service and intangible quotients (which are certainly lacking — e.g. concessions, over-discounting etc) at their cash-cow of an arena.
By Tony C.
March 4, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
I tend to think you’re right about the “tanking” right before the deadline kracker-they had the emotional win over NJD, then DW gave it one last shot with hossa-he didn’t go for it, and I imagine that the room very well could have decided: “F him, he’s been coasting half the time this year anyway-let’s just make sure he gets shipped out.”
Unfortunately, one of the popular kids got shipped out too-but I think DW may actually resign a crucial “glue” guy (Dupuis-who gets #9 when/if he comes back??)for the room. Outside of #17, Larsen, & X I don’t think there is ANY sort of “player continuity” established-and P.S. one of those guys was learning a new language for the first 4 years of his tenure here!!! This does not help create an atmosphere conducive to sustained competitiveness.
I.E. does anyone know what “Thrashers Hockey” is about? Because you can bet your @ss that newbies (be they rookies or FA vets) that join DET, MTL, COL, ANA etc., etc. get a very clear impression of what that team’s brand of hockey is, and what they as players are expected to contribute to it.
Now, we don’t have decades and decades of history to look towards, but I think that ANA, even give their relatively “new” status very much have a team identity.
Granted, I think that even DW would tell you that they have one of, if not the, best GM in the business.
Still, I think that our team can be quickly turned around with the right subtractions and additions.
Also, I side with the STH guys that say they won’t re-sign without leadership change within the club.
I love bacon cheeseburgers - BUT - when I get one that tastes like crap, I don’t ask for another one made the exact same way!
Does this stop my love of bacon cheeseburgers? No. Does it stop me from ordering them from the taco mac @ Brookhaven? Yep. Because I’ve gotten crappy bacon cheeseburgers three times running. Do they still sell a buttload of bacon cheeseburgers? I expect so….vote with your wallet Ladies & Gents-I can’t blame you.
By Don
March 6, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
DRAFT PICK? DRAFT PICK? LOTTERY? WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT DON WADDELL AROUND TO MAKE ANOTHER DRAFT PICK!? THAT’S WHY WE’RE IN THE SHAPE WE’RE IN!