Thrashers

By Boulton's Bruisers

March 11, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the tip Craig. Just called my ST rep and told her my family would not be re-newing. She asked why, and I said because you have chosen to retain Waddell, and that shows complete lack of accoutability, from the Owners on down. I then told her I would be puchasing Falcons season tickets instead. They may suck, but not as bad as Le Trash.

By Archie

March 11, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Mixed feeling as always with Waddell! One day I’ll want him gone the next I want him to stay. I’m not sure what good it would do to fire him anyway, are there any solid GM candidates on the market anyway? If there are, wouldn’t they be quite leery of taking a job with a franchise in a well publicized legal battle?

I can’t wait to hear what these “organizational changes” are. Hopefully one has something to do with “revamping” the minor league development system, and by “revamp” I mean “get one in the first place”!

By trlblzr

March 11, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Craig… did BL address his rather unbecoming performance at the town hall meeting? i still think he’s a dickweed.

By AJ

March 11, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Well it seems to me that the THM with the STH did absolutely NO GOOD!!!! But, he does think we are all smart*es doesn’t he!?!?!

By ThrashDawg

March 11, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Good job Boulton’s Bruisers, and I am sure you will not be back when the team starts winning again with Waddell as the GM.

By HEY HEYHEY Don's gonna stay!!?!?!

March 11, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Dear ASG,

This is the south. We do not care if you have had realtions with sheep. Let Don show the world the photos. That’s the reason he’s staying, right? You couldn’t really believe he’s doing a good job.

Former STH

By Jonathan

March 11, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

I didn’t like the quotes in the story, saying he was keeping his job because the team would be busy. Isn’t every team busy during the offseason? SHould Rick McKay have kept his job based on all the work the Falcons required? Additionally, saying you were a playoff team a month ago. What does that mean? That your record was in the top eight for a few days. From start to now, this has not been a playoff team or a good team since last year’s playoffs

By GSU-Lee

March 11, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

I said a while back that I tought that Levenson would be the only one who might actually be positivley involved with the team, and I think that comment supports that notion, though to a small degree. Maybe Dw can get a great coach to come in here but who knows? I think whoever they find has a lot of work to do. I still vote Beast or Anderson, but I kind of thought Beast would have gotten the job by now if he was the one to get it.

By Barry

March 11, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

After reading some THM minutes the problem with the franchise seems to more of an ownership problem and less a GM problem. It also sounded like Waddell and ownership doesn’t exactly have the best relationship. That’s bad for business. If next year after FA signings and we have a head coach for a full season and things still continue to go south, then I want some changes in the front office.

By beau vighn

March 11, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

That made my decision easy as far as ST renewal. Hello, Braves.

By ThrashDawg

March 11, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

HEY HEYHEY Don’s gonna stay!!?!?! I wonder how you would feel if someone said such horse crap about you? You really need to grow up!

By Bob

March 11, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

The biggest news out of it is that Waddell’s job is safe. Levenson said that he doesn’t believe the team is too far away from where it needs to be and that tearing things down this summer would be very short-sighted

This is, hopefully, great news as it’s the dreaded “vote of confidence”.

If it’s not, and he really isn’t going to fire Waddell and he really believes that Waddell as built a “top notch group of 17 hockey professionals in his organization” (yeah, our scouts are awesome!), then this club and we fans are well and truly screwed.

If they keep Waddell, my season tickets are definitely cancelled as well as many, many others. I hear the Nasty Nest will be collecting sigs on a petition to fire Waddell and save our team outside Section 319 tonight.

By Appreciative THRASHERS Season Ticket Holder

March 11, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Levenson and Mr. Waddell,

I just want to take a moment to thank the two of you once more for kindly (and bravely) taking the time to meet with those of us in the Season Ticket Holder ranks last Friday night.

I do, however, wish to apologize for the rudeness and heckling each of you experienced while respectfully trying to answer our questions. (A dissatisfaction with the current season and the cumulative circumstances is NO EXCUSE to act like rude, foul-mouthed, obnoxious Buffalo Sabres fans with no manners or class toward other human beings.)

The two of you showed us MUCH MORE respect and consideration than we, COLLECTIVELY, showed you gentlemen in return.

I pay for my tickets just like everyone else, and I certainly don’t enjoy losing. However, I dislike people who act like complete jerks, like the classless ones who heckled you in the Season Ticket Holder “Town Hall Meeting” the other night, even more.

I may not always agree with both of you and am not happy about ticket price increases, either, but I certainly respect each of you and your love for our NHL Franchise.

Sincerely,

A Grateful THRASHERS Season Ticket Holder Who Wants to Win THE CUP as Much as Anyone

By GaVaHokie

March 11, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Barry… I completely agree. I can’t blame Waddell for the underacheiving big contract players like Hossa, Kozlov, Holik and Zhitnik when they’re tying up so much of the team’s salary. Waddell’s equally as frustrated and will make the proper changes… it would be different if he was saying “What, I don’t see anything wrong?”

If nothing comes of the changes, then i agree, it’s time for a change.

But right now, my blame is with the veterans.

By R. Stroz

March 11, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

ROLL CALL

Who’s attending tonights game and where are you sitting?

I’ll be in Section 207, Row E.

If you are displeased with the current status of Thrasher affairs, remember to wear black. Also, take the time to sign the petition in 319.

By luckydog

March 11, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

I was one of DW’s harshest critics when he canned Hartley, and for a while I thought I was wrong.

After all, DW’s looser approach seemed to unshackle the offensive players and we looked ok at about the halfway point.

But now it’s all come full circle. Turns out DW’s loose style includes playing roller hockey offense and not a shred of defense. When other teams started to get serious and kick it up a notch in mid-Febraury, we folded like a cheap tent.

To top it off we watch as a 30 yr old all-star walks away, and everybody acts like, oh well, that’s just the way it goes.

No it’s not!!! Kovy and a wretched cast of has-beens and b-listers is never going to get it done. Yet except for a brief moment last spring that has been the only type of roster DW has ever been able to assemble.

Everything that’s happened since last spring — the boneheaded offseason moves, the Kozlov con job, the panic firing of Hartley, the Hossa walk-away, and now these totally clueless utterances from the front office — now makes perverse sense.

The explanation is ineptitude — utter and complete. Levinson is a fool if he believes even half of what he says. DW is a total deer in the headlights at this point.

The numbers DO NOT LIE and they tell the tale. As Shultz pointed out, DW’s long-term track record is as bad as it gets!!!!

By Mark

March 11, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

I won’t be buying tickets to the Thrashers next season, I don’t care who they sign. Thanks for making the decision easy for me, ASG.

By R. Stroz

March 11, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Appreciative THRASHERS Season Ticket Holder

I do, however, wish to apologize for the rudeness and heckling each of you experienced while respectfully trying to answer our questions.

Is refering to some STH’s as SMART ASSES in a room with women and children what you consider respectfully answering questions?

I hope not.

By d

March 11, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Given the disfunctional ASG ownership, is it possible that Bruce has decided not to attempt to replace DW as he knows more qualified candidates would turn the offer down? Further, it appears that DW recognizes that he can increase his chance of keeping his job by not pushing for a team payroll greater than $45 million - as reflected in the lack of mid season signings in ‘08.

I do anticipate the team improving in ‘08-‘09 if they follow through with their promise of making the lines younger and larger.

CC, did you ask Bruce about the possiblity of restructuring the farm team organization (Chicago) such that they can truly become a wholly owned/operated component of the Thrashers?

By Andrew Brunette

March 11, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Mark

March 11, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Most of those big contracts that people like to point out were not performing have something in common. They are OLD with their best days behind them. But Waddell still chose to give them those BIG contracts or trade GOOD prospects for them. Hossa didn’t have the season we were expecting but he also has a historty of coming up small when it matters so I am not too surprised he didn’t fair to well in a contract year. That’s beside the point though, the point is Waddell chose to give Holik and Kozlov big contracts when they were getting up in years and he also chose to send Coburn to Philly for Zhitnik. Yeah, those guys didn’t perform to expectation but who brought those guys here and overpaid for them?????

By trlblzr

March 11, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

hey Appreciative THRASHERS Season Ticket Holder did you sleep through the Town Hall Meeting? perhaps you missed the part where Bruce told one of his paying customers he was wrong and proceeded to argue with him… oh, and the part where he called another paying customer a smarta$$ for voicing a legitimate concern. and you think we were rude? put the Kool-Ade™ down and step away from the bottle…

if this was any other product i had paid for, i’d return the unused portion for a full refund based on his blatant disrespected attitude towards us.

By atldave

March 11, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Craig, any updates on the status of the suit with Belkin? Any expecation when it will be resloved?

By luckydog

March 11, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Ga Va Hokie — Maybe you can’t blame DW for the Kozlov deal, but I can and do.

It’s his job to judge motivation and performance and negotiate accordingly.

Kozlov had a decent season last year but TOTALLY DOGGED IT in the playoff route. His reward was a 3 year deal that flushed millions in cap down the drain.

DW made a conscious decision to gamble that Kozlov would come back big. He was wrong, and I think that’s really been the biggest personnel bust of this season. The guy is just invisible out there and unlike Holik and Zhit doesn’t appear the least bit bothered about it.

Yes, I blame DW.

By Lanny McDonald

March 11, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Just want to make sure that everybody listens to Buck and Kincaid today on 680. Apparently, Bruce Levenson will be a guest.

And apparently, at the Town Hall Meeting, Levenson is quoted as saying “Thrashers season ticket prices are the cheapest in the SE division.”

Well apparently Mr. Kincaid looked this up, by calling each of the teams in the Southeast Division. And guess what? Thrashers Season Tickets are MORE expensive than ANY of the other teams!

Bruce Levenson just got caught in a lie. Can’t wait to see him skate around this issue. Because now we have the Ownership and Waddell lying to our faces.

Hey Levenson, just spit in my face next time you pathetic liar!

By Shean Donovan

March 11, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By bob (other)

March 11, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

As I have said all along. DW is not going anywhere. He is a solid GM.

It is the correct short and long term business decision for the franchise.

By UpperDeck4Life

March 11, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Bob I was thinking the same thing when I read Craig’s notes.

Then I thought, you know what, maybe it’s another job he is thinking about, maybe they are going to make him team president and hire another GM. I mean they can’t really think he is going to lead this team to the playoffs next year with the drafting “skill” and free agent “fore sight” he has shown the last few years…..do they?

By RegDunlap

March 11, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

I’ve about had enough of the whining on these and other threads about renewing/not renewing season tickets/ and or boycotting Thrahser games. This town is notorious for it’s front running fans and you clowns continue to perpetuate the stereotype.

Am I happy with the season - of course not. I’m disgusted with the effort dispalyed by this team. Do we need a change in ownership/management/coaching - major understatment. This organization is horrible.

Do I like the way they’ve treated the STH’s - NO! But, I really don’t care about a few cheap baubles, but, the discount tickets bother me a little. However, we need to put butts in the seats. So be it.

Am I going to abandon the Thrashers -NO! This is OUR TEAM! Otherwise we could all go post on a Hawk blog. Most of us have been fans of this team from Day 1, when they were really horrible. We can all be mad with the way things are going right now and we can continue to vent.

But, if we abandon the team we’ll be the ones hurt in the long run. And as good as Center Ice is - television is a far cry from live hockey.

By bob (other)

March 11, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

As I have said all along. DW is not going anywhere. He is a solid GM.

It is the correct short and long term business decision for the franchise.

By enough

March 11, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

so teflon Don is going to throw some more people under the bus.

By Marc Savard

March 11, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Marian Hossa

March 11, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Braydon Coburn

March 11, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By AJ

March 11, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

YEP. THEY ARE SAYING THAT OUR TICKETS ARE 87% HIGHER THAN OTHER TEAMS IN THE SE DIVISION AND IN THE SECTION THAT I HAVE SEATS IN (311) THEY ARE 117% HIGHER!!!! WHAT GIVES????

By Michael Shapiro

March 11, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

The only good news today is that Zhit will sit once again. Levinson is on drugs if he thinks that D-Wad can do it. We need new leadership (new ownership if they’ll just resolve the friggin’ suit) and accountability…something that the ASG never requires (we could be worse, look at Woodson’s record with the Hawks…then again, don’t you’ll be even more sick to your stomach).

D-Wad will once again squander decent draft picks, hire aging free agents, and put a too slow, too small, to un-motivated team out on the ice for us to cheer, jeer and leer at.

Yeesh.

By Russian

March 11, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Yeap! BIG NEWS! I guest I am going to buy Center ICE package from Comcast and watch Capitals. They are showing much better Offencive Hockey then Thrasher. I am sad, really sad about Owners call. :-(

By Archie

March 11, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

If you guys want to put the heat on management for something… put the heat on them to ditch this relationship with the Chicago Wolves! Somebody smarter than me will have to answer this, but someone please tell me the names of any significant and productive player on the Thrashers who ever played a significant amount of time in Chicago? The lockout year doesn’t count. Our farm team is giving us nothing! Look at Buffalo, Ottawa, San Jose, even the Rangers in the playoffs last year… when they have to call up a player from the minors they’re immediately productive. The guys we call up from Chicago. You hear coaches all across the league talk about how they need “secondary scoring”, “role players need to step up”, “roll 4 lines who can score”. Good teams that go deep into the playoffs get all of these things from their farm system, not from $3 million dollar FA signings. You’re 3rd and 4th line cannot cost $3 million per player, but because our farm system is giving us NOTHING, that’s what Don Waddell is forced to do. So the way I look at it, Waddell does remarkably well considering he doesn’t have a farm system like the other 29 NHL teams do. From that perspective, last year looks like a hell of an accomplishment.

The area I blame Waddell is for not doing something about the minor league affiliation. I don’t know if that’s something that can change easily. There are contracts involved I’m sure, so we may be locked into that deal. Plus, if we canned Chicago I don’t know if we could get another AHL affiliate.

Please hear me though, the Wolves are what’s killing this team. Not bad drafting, not free agent signings. If we go out and get a big name this summer, what’s to stop him from pulling a Kozlov and mailing it in next year after he gets his payday? It’s not the nature of the game, you don’t build winners through free agency, you build winners through the one thing the Thrashers don’t have… productive minor league affiliates.

By UpperDeck4Life

March 11, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

luckydog I agree about Kozlov, he has not been money well spent. I honestly wonder if the Thrashers would have just given Sterling the LW job on Hossa’s line from the start this season, would we have gotten just the same at a cheaper price?

Other than Perrin, Hossa, Moose and Dupuis, name one vet in the past 3 years that has either been traded for or signed of the FA market that has done anything of impact for this club? deVries….Zhitnik….Holik….White…..resigning Slater, Larsen and McCarthy.

The Thrashers views on adding Vets has blown up in their face. We are the southern cousins of the aging Leafs with not enough Youth on the way to help this team. I can’t believe after watching the Leafs ignore youth in favor of vets and what it did to that organization that the Thrashers thought this was a good idea. In the end….was it Hartley or DW who pushed for the vets though I wonder?

By Rev. Steve

March 11, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Never posted before but had to after reading this story. i have been a hockey fan (and player) for over 15 years and was extremly excitied when the Thrashers came to Atlanta. Not just for the fact that we were going to have a NHL team but maybe that we would have a professional team that would actually care about winning and doing all that would be needed to do that. Besides the Braves Atlanta has never had a team that would do what it takes to win and sadly it looks as though the trashers are taking on that same persona. By stating that Don Waddells job is safe the ASG has shown themselves to be a group that does not care about winning. I have never been one to call for DW’s job but after years of frustration and still nothing being done at the GM level i am done. Before the thrash arrived i was a die hard penguins fan. Now it looks as though i am leaving along with Hossa and Dupuis to a team that cares about winning and doing what it takes to win.

By The Falconer

March 11, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Lanny:

1) The Thrashers have cheapest average price paid per ticket. 2) The Thrashers do NOT have the cheapest ticket prices.

Both of these statements are true. How? Why?

Season ticket prices are not that cheap compared to other franchises. But a large number of tickets are sold at a significant discount—which lowers the average price per ticket sold greatly.

The average price paid per ticket was $37 in 2006-07. Which means that for every $10 ticket they had to sell another seat at $54 to reach that $37 average (which was 2nd lowest in the NHL).

This has been my biggest complaint about the way they price their product. BL is right about average price paid—that’s because of the large mark downs. STH are not realizing that much of a benefit compared to single game purchasers.

By WW5

March 11, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IS A SURE SIGN DW IS IN TROUBLE

By Surly T

March 11, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Wow! I just deleted my significant post from the Schultz blog because it’s all irrelevant. I can’t imagine what Kovalchuk (the heart, soul and bottom line of this team) is thinking.

The sky has completely fallen and I won’t return to Philips Arena for any sporting event:

1. Waddell is here to stay.
2. Incompetence is here to stay.
3. Mediocrity is here to stay.

Any “coach” who blames his players for consistent strategic failures should be fired. Any “GM” who blames the ex-Coach and current players for systemic personnel holes and talent shortages should be fired. I don’t understand the mystery or confusion. CDG said the cemeteries of the earth are filled with indispensable men. That means that no matter how important a person may seem to be to an organization, he could get hit by the proverbial beer truck and the Thrashers will survive. “Bad timing” is no excuse, it’s a red herring.

Seriously, if none of this is Waddell’s fault, then please tell me: upon which donkey should we pin the tail?

Today is a very sad day in Atlanta hockey. Maybe Levenson can be fired.

By Fired Gm

March 11, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

IS THIS THE DREADED “VOTE OF CONFIDENCE?”

By Jon In Athens

March 11, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Worst ownership in the history of Atlanta, and that ain’t easy in a town that once had the Smiths. Utterly clueless from top to bottom, not a single one appears able to lead starving dogs to fresh meat.

No ownership + no management = no chance.

By Dave

March 11, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

I’M DONE. Levenson, enjoy not getting my money to pay Waddell. LEVENSON SUCKS.

GO BRUINS!

By Pascal Dupuis

March 11, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Sam

March 11, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

I’m fine with Waddell staying. The major victory is in putting strong pressure on Levensen and Waddell to make some serious, significant changes to this team in the off-season. And Waddell now knows INTIMATELY the areas that need help…he knows the gaps. No more wondering if its coaching or players. He knows firsthand what needs to be done. If there’s a perk from Waddell coaching all season, that’s it. And no going cheap and young this year. Waddell knows there’s no 2nd chance. Go big orf really go home if we don’t make the post-season next year…and perform decently. I’d say your mission was accomplished, Craig. Jeff Schultz’s, too. Outside pressure and the almighty ACCOUNTABILITY. That’s real journalism, IMO.

By NASCAR Dave

March 11, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

SEE HOW MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE ON HERE VOICING THEIR DISPLEASURE????

WILL THEY(WADDELL AND ASG) EVER GET A CLUE?

THE FANS ARE PI$$ED!!!

THE INCOMPETENCE BREEDS FROM THE TOP ON DOWN.

I’M GLAD HOSSA LEFT. IF HE HAD STAYED HERE HE WOULD HAVE WITHERED AWAY INTO OBSCURITY, TRAPPED IN A FRANCHISE THAT GOES NOWHERE BUT BACKWARDS!!!

F-U WADDELL!

AND F-U LEVENSON!

LOSERS.

By David McDavid

March 11, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Suckers!

By enough

March 11, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Craig

who are they great “hockey people” in the organization that Don and Bruce are referring to.

By Craig Custance

March 11, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

trlblzr: About the Town Hall, he admitted “I’m not a pro at these things.” He said he probably could have handled it differently and appreciated the passion of the fans who were there.

By Greg

March 11, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Well all i can do is a fan is match the commitment ownership has shown to this franchise… none.

Would love a great hockey franchise in this town, but i do not blindly support poorly run operations. Atlanta spirit can kiss my *

By Archie

March 11, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Free agents aren’t the answer guys! They bring nothing but trouble! Look at the New York Rangers, they’ve been signing free agents to huge contracts for decades and where has it gotten them? Last year they were the 6 seed in the playoffs and had a decent playoff run. So they went out and signed Chris Drury and Scott Gomez. How much did that improve their team? What seed are they sitting at right now… 6th seed!

By NASCAR Dave

March 11, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

The major victory is in putting strong pressure on Levensen and Waddell to make some serious, significant changes to this team in the off-season.

OH GOD! PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE KIDDING? WE SAY THAT EVRY DAMN YEAR! FOR THE LAST 9 YEARS! AND IT NEVER HAPPENS! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

WADDELL PROVES YEAR AFTER YEAR HE IS JUST NOT CUT UP TO BE A NHL GM!!!

GOD PLEASE END THE MISERY!!!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 11, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

So who is going to be the first person to go to the games with brown paper bags that say “Fire Waddell”?

By Surly T

March 11, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Attaboy Buzilla!

By Bob

March 11, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Stroz, I don’t know if there’s enough time to organize a “black out” for tonight’s game, mabye for the Calgary game?

Stroz, whoever is getting the sigs in 319 to Fire Waddell, send them downstairs as well, lots of p** off fans down there who paid big bucks for our tickets for this mess.

By Peter Puck

March 11, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Dear Thrashers organ-I-zation: If you can allow Don “The Pope” Wadddell another year; maybe I can get a job there also.

Then, Atlanta can have a pair of the biggest losers in the history of hockey on the same team!

By Gravy Train

March 11, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Does anybody else realize that Rutherford Seydel is Ted Turner’s son-in-law? Maybe that is why HE couldn’t care less!

By STH

March 11, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Great point Falconer!

I am pretty sure the NHL provides the tools to every team that help them forecast their cash flow & profitability based on attendance. I am guessing there is some variable for the number of Season Ticket Holders and how much they pay per seat.

Knowing that variable with some certainty (that is why they send our renewals before the season ends) helps them project their cash flow needs for the season.

I say throw a wrench in the calculation. If you are renewing or haven’t yet decided, WAIT. Don’t take the first offer. Take away their certainty. If they look around in July & August and find they don’t know how much money they will collect or that it is much lower than past seasons, they may offer Season Tickets at a lower rate.

If they don’t, you have lost nothing. There will likely be plenty of seats to choose from and you can always buy single game tickets at a discount.

By Nate

March 11, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

The team has won 15 games in regulation this season with a roster constructed and coached by Don Waddell. How is it that he gets to keep his job? Everybody does realize there are no 4 on 4 overtimes or shoot-outs in the playoffs, right????

By ThrashDawg

March 11, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Nascar Dave, you need an anger managment course! Go ahead all you DW haters get it out of your system. Also, I hope you are not as nasty to your own family as you are about somebody you have never met.

By Russ

March 11, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Here’s a quick statistical review of DW’s tenure as Thrashers GM.

Final overall NHL standings:

Year 1 - 28th out of 28 teams Year 2 - 28th out of 30 Year 3 - 30th out of 30 Year 4 - T-23rd out of 30 Year 5 - 21st out of 30 Year 6 - T-18th out of 30 Year 7 - 16th out of 30 (first out of playoffs) Year 8 so far - T-27th out of 30

So, until this season you could say there was incremental improvement, but the team seems to have reached its’ highest point and now appears to be in rebuild mode.

Now let’s review how DW has fared at analyzing an obvious area of need and bringing in the coaches and players necessary to fix the problem.

Thrashres final ranking in goals allowed:

Year 1 - 28th out of 28 Year 2 - 29th out of 30 Year 3 - 30th out of 30 Year 4 - 30th out of 30 Year 5 - 25th out of 30 Year 6 - 24th out of 30 Year 7 - 14th out of 30 Year 8 so far - 29th out of 30

Ouch! Is it any conincidence the one time this team played anything resembling defense is the only time they had any sort of success at all? And looking at the regularity with which they have finished in the bottom five defensive teams in the league, is DW the man you want revamping the defense this offseason?

It seems to me, if what you are looking for is a GM that can take you to the playoffs once every five years or so with a first round exit being the absolute pinnacle that can be expected, then DW is your man. If you want a little more than that, you may have to look elsewhere.

Please tell me this was the infamous “vote of confidence” before the firing.

I would challenge any of the regular “fact finding” bloggers to find a GM in any of the four major professional sports leagues in the last 30 years who has accomplished so little while retaining their job for nine years. Good luck!

By Rob

March 11, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

ahahhahahah, so were keeping DW. Nice, supposed to be a “deep” draft this year. I cannot wait to see him bungle this up again. Two picks for DW, he will mess this up somehow. Levenson and Seydel are clowns. Who does DW and company actually think they’re going to sign this summer? Who wants to come here, to BlueLand, ahahhahahaha. Kovy will be gone in two years, bank on it. Please, please, please make this end and fire DW. God help us.

By Sam

March 11, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Put you out of your misery, Dave? Do you prefer your lethal injection without or without a sedative first?

Or, less drastically, you could just step away from the keyboard, the Thrashers blog and then never go to another game.

You pick, you screamer.

By drew

March 11, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

do like the falcons did with mckay..move waddell upstairs, hire a new coach, gm and scouts and have a serious look at our relationship with the chicago wolves. we have to start developing our own players. we have built very litte through the draft

By Pucks n Snot

March 11, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

hahahahahahahahaha losers

By Jay Bird

March 11, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Great stats, Russ. Any sane person can realize there is a major problem with management at all levels. Don Waddell seems like a good guy, someone you would like to have a beer with and discuss hockey. But, he hasn’t had a successful run as the GM of the Thrashers. This team needs to hire a GM who knows how to draft talented players who will help us, sign free agents who aren’t past their prime, and make sound decisions on every level of the organization. Waddell should be fired on his p** poor draft record alone but you add in the bad free agent signings also, its an easy decision. For everyone on here who talks about our talent in the minors, our prospects are ranked around 23rd or so. That is not good.

By Bob

March 11, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Year 1 - 28th out of 28 Year 2 - 29th out of 30 Year 3 - 30th out of 30 Year 4 - 30th out of 30 Year 5 - 25th out of 30 Year 6 - 24th out of 30 Year 7 - 14th out of 30 Year 8 so far - 29th out of 30

Ouch! Is it any conincidence the one time this team played anything resembling defense is the only time they had any sort of success at all? And looking at the regularity with which they have finished in the bottom five defensive teams in the league, is DW the man you want revamping the defense this offseason?

yep, that says it all right there.

Don’t worry though, Levenson is not a complete moron (I hope) that had to be the dreaded vote of confidence (or we’re doomed).

By Beevis & Butthead

March 11, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

SMART A*, yeah, SMART A*

I’m a Thrasher fan now cause the boss likes to say SMART A*!

Yeah, yeah, I want a job working there.

By Midfield

March 11, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Regarding Kozlov, I suspect a few here are abusing the benefit of a 20/20 hind-sight. As I remember, these boards were full of impatient demands for Waddell to sign him before mid-summer at any cost.

By Russ

March 11, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Beavis! You spelled your own name wrong, you dumb a**! Pretty funny, though. Beavis would fit right in with this “organization”.

By NASCAR Dave

March 11, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

ThrashDawg I CANNOT BASH YOU BECAUSE I AM A FELLOW DAWG. HOWEVER, YOU NEED TO QUIT DRINKING THE BLUE KOOL-ADE!

SAM BITE ME, YOU LOSER.

By bob (other)

March 11, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

As I have said all along, DW isn’t going anywhere. He is a solid GM and has a plan under this ownership to build success.

Folks, get with the program, it is a complex business and DW is quite capable.

By NASCAR Dave

March 11, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Folks, get with the program, it is a complex business and DW is quite capable.

PUT DOWN THE CRACKPIPE IDIOT!!!

By BG33Brown

March 11, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

To me the most interesting comment was BL saying that it would be short sighted to get rid of DW…..excuse me?

Isn’t it short sighted to keep him b/c “we are so busy.” I am neither a DW apologist or a “sage/lac” however, I don’t buy that DW is “safe” for one minute. Didn’t they say the same thing about Hartley.

By Russ

March 11, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

bob (other) - Please show me one sign that points toward a plan to build success. Apparently the plan involved having virtually no on-ice success in seasons 1-8. Is year 9 the season where the plan starts showing some results or do we have to wait longer than that?

By Bob

March 11, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

it is a complex business

Uh, no it’s not. It’s quite simple really. Build a winning team and the fans buy tickets. Suck a* for 8 years and the fans leave. Pretty simple business, this ain’t rocket science.

DW is quite capable

Yes, yes, he certainly is, just look at his accomplishments like the ones Russ laid out above!!! What a swell guy, I sure will miss him.

By no need to pay for performance.

March 11, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Yeah so 1 playoff sweep in what 10 years?

Nicely done Don Waddell. Have Another year.

Rewarding Failure is a stupid way to run a franchise.

By Surly T

March 11, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Seriously ThrashDawg? Do you watch the games? Do you buy tickets? Do you know anything about hockey? Do you care about winning? You seem as befuddled and in over your head as Mr. Waddell himself.

By Done

March 11, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

I will wait and see as I am more loyal to the team than the ASG or DW. I have several major concerns.

One is that DW never admits he is wrong. He just blames the players for his mistakes, lack of coaching and inablity to put the team together. Today it is Zhitnik and McCrimmon (to me it looks like he set McCrimmon up to take the fall instead of him). There are key positions missing and that falls on DW.

Second is that something is wrong and the only thing I can see from the outside looking in is lack of leadership. I cannot not imagine how it must be to play on this team this year. How can they keep momentum going with these holes in the line up? These netminders stand there every night and face difficult odds. Instead of the fans appreciating them keeping the team in the game, the fans yell when a goal against happens. The netminders are not the problem with this team when you look at the big picture. Kari usually has a higher save % than the goalie he faces on the other team.

Third I am not optimistic that anything other than 3rd and 4th line players will be signed. Which of our good players will not return? The pattern never seems to change. The team looses players that should have stayed and the hunt begins for someone to fill the spot. Without the ability to put together a team, nothing changes. The downhill sprial continues.

Lastly, for the first time since becoming a Thrasher fan, I am looking at how much it costs me. Our tickets are about average in the NHL. That would be fine if the ASG had the product to go with it. I spend Thousands of dollars a year. In general much of the quality has continued to decline as well. Thrash is gone for most of the game. He no longer leads or plays with the crowd. Something drips from above into my seat every other game.

In general, if the ASG is going to back DW, they had better step up and help him/the team back on track. A new coach, a new contract with the Wolves, signing better players in key places. Then I will say that supporting DW was the right decision.

By Bob

March 11, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Is year 9 the season where the plan starts showing some results or do we have to wait longer than that?

Come on, Russ. Get wit the program, cousin. This is a complex business. It’s take brains like old Hokie’s got and deep thinkers like old other bob to break down this complex business.

Crawl back into your trailer and turn the channel to Jerry Springer and leave the critical analysis to these brain children that have it all figured out.

Wait, I can hear Bruce roaring from his ivory tower now, I guess I’m a smart a* too

By Surly T

March 11, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Attaboy NASCAR Dave! It is incomprehensible to me how anyone can support the Waddell regime with seasons after seasons of failure. Perhaps its the Bobs(Other) and ThrashDawgs of this fan base that allow incompetence to survive.

By The Falconer

March 11, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

STH:

Has there been a GM with a worse track record than DW? Well yes, Elgin Baylor of the LA Clippers must hold all the records.

By BG33Brown

March 11, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers Blog Drinking Game Rules

1. Take a sip of beer every time NascarDave TYPES IN ALL CAPS

2. Take a shot everytime Brendan write a 10 paragraph post of more (only if between the hours of 1-5am)

3. Finish your beer everytime someone says “5 year plan”

4. Take a sip every time Stendec rips on KL.

5. Finish your beer everytime LAC/SAGE/BOB say something positive (that shouldn’t happen to frequently)

6. Take a shot everytime RStroz challenges RoswellThrasherFan to answer the question.

Since this season isn’t going anywhere and apparently non of the bloggers are renewing their season tickets…I figured this would be a great way to release some obvious pent up aggression.

Cheers…and remember don’t blog and drive.

By atldave

March 11, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

CRAIG, from your Q&A session with Levenson, do you get the feeling that the “vote of confidence” is the dreaded vote of confidence before the ax falls, or a “real” vote of confidence and that Waddell will be the GM next year. You must have got some feeling from your session on this isssue.

By John Ex-STH

March 11, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

FOR SALE:

Season Tickets, Lower Bowl, Section 112.

Call Bruce Levenson at 404-DUMBA$$. Tell him John sent you.

By NASCAR Dave

March 11, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

BG33BROWN - YOU FORGOT ONE.

TAKE A SHOT EVERYTIME YOU HEAR “WE JUST DIDN’T SHOW UP”. TAKE 2 SHOTS IF IT COMES OUT HOLIK’S MOUTH. 3 IF IT COMES OUT OF WADDELL’S TRAP.

By PW

March 11, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Archie you are right about the wolves. ASG does not own them, they rent them. They are a winning team and do not want to let go of their best players. Washington pulled their AHL coach. The wolves coach does not work of ASG; he works for the chicago wolves. Big difference. That may be why Don signs a complete team without considering the wolves. I doubt that is the entire reason.

I do not agree that the wolves are the only problem. There are still big holes in the line up that should have been fixed last summer.

By 12345

March 11, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

I was at THM and I do not remember anyone being out of line. I remember the owner, being rude, curt and totally a jerk from hell…

I will not renew my tickets until Waddell is fired, he is the entire reason the the team stinks to high heaven.

By tulsathrash

March 11, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Pathetic. Pathetic ownership. Pathetic management. Pathetic coaching. Pathetic attitude toward the fans. I’m done with the Thrashers. For good!

By Surly T

March 11, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Thrashers offer $10K if Worst Coach/GM will Quit [http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/03/11/worstteacher.html?imw=Y]

By Rone

March 11, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

Midfield couldn’t have said it better. Hind-sight is 20/20.

By BeachGaBulldog

March 11, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

I grew up watching the Flames, was a diehard fan, and when they left, I said if Atlanta ever had another franchise, I would never support it in any way. This organization has been a total F** joke from the very start. I live in another city with an NHL team, so I enjoy seeing on ESPN, or reading in the paper that the Thrashers keep losing. Waddell is an idiot, the owners are idiots, so KEEP ON LOSING!

By Swirley T

March 11, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

DW + (BJ x BL) = (GM + VP)/BS

By LAC

March 11, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

What waddell RETAINED ???????

Now our only hope is a F-5 tornado wipe out Philps so we do not have to watch this mess anymore.

At this point in the franchise history,given almost NO sucess stories,there is no reason to go to Philps anylonger, this UNBELIEVABLE state of affairs will destroy this franchise, waddell is the cancer and these “owners” are the brain tumor that will in effect kill this team in 2-4 years.

This team will NEVER be a contender until New GM & OWNER take over, if not look for attendence to dry up like lakes in North Georgia and the team left with a bunch of dead fish stinking up Philps, heck it does now.

Just a clown act for owners and I would like to see Mr.Potty Mouth levenson show some guts, I’ll meet you any time & any place punk and put my five businesses up against your part ownership spot in asg… How about if Mr.Potty Mouth got some GUTS, I do but you will not respond like the little COWARD you really are…levenson SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Russ

March 11, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Finish an entire bottle of Vodka, one case of beer, and 100 shots within 30 minutes of each other every time the Thrashers win a playoff game…by the way, this works infinitely better than AA if you are trying to sober up.

By Shane Hnidy

March 11, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Glen Metropolit

March 11, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Vitaly Vishnevski

March 11, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Keith Tkachuk

March 11, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Todd White

March 11, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Alexei Zhitnik

March 11, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Thrashy Thrashy

March 11, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

Falconer,

You’re right about Elgin Baylor. I almost posted that earlier, but I didn’t want to admit that any other GM has sucked longer at his job than Waddell. But yeah, Elgin Baylor gets a lifetime achievement award.

By Get The Puck Out

March 11, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

I believe the other day when i was at Barnes & Noble i saw a book that said ” HOW TO RUN A NHL HOCKEY TEAM FOR DUMMIES” IN THE HOW TO SECTION.

By falcon Fan

March 11, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Trouble with the thrashers is they don’t have any blacks on the team.why is that?

By stendec

March 11, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Another typical choke job! Home Thrashers down 2-1 after a period. Moose looks inept. Rest of teammates follow suit. Complete quitters and losers. Waddell returning? Oh joy! Maybe the Falcons will bring back Jim Mora. Junior, that is. Makes as much sense. Hope Iggy and Flames drill Letemin for 10 or more goals. GO FLAMES!

By stendec

March 11, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

Seconds into second period. Guess what? It is now 3-1 for visitors! Way to go Moose. Maybe Hedberg is shooting for double digits tonight! What a total crock. Maybe DeA++hole Hall will say or do something something stupid. Oh, wrong sport. Hard to tell. Team non-work ethics identical. HURRY TO GEORGIA FLAMES!

By Panties in a Waddell

March 11, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

How can a guy who fired Hartley after an 0 and 6 start look in the mirror and continue to crawl behind the bench after winning 1 game in his last 10 (soon to be 11)? Looks like the Thrashers are getting crushed again! Had my last set of tickets with my buddies in a 13 game partial season pack and we all blew it off. Forget about the $75 per ticket, did not want to waste another $10 on parking and the beer it would require to have fun at a Trasher game because the hockey is so bad! Down 3-1 turned it off….. on to American Idol with my daughters. It should prove more entertaining! What a sad state of affairs.

By stendec

March 11, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

Moose is halfway home! It is 5-1 after two physically nauseating periods. Forget my post of several days ago. Do not keep ANY of these ball-less quitters. Including Ilya Kovalchuk! Send ALL the untalented losers packing after this season. Any other players would be preferable. ANY! Hope Flames set new goal record while in town. Falcons on ice! How truly sad. GO FLAMES!

By ThrasherNY

March 11, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

I just had to add a ASG are IDIOTS post in case someone was counting.

We are not on the verge of anything but a losing season. Looking at next year Zhitnik is this years Rucchin and Kozlov looks to take Holik’s place and after moving Little up we have 4 centers so the ‘big name’ center displaces someone. This assumption already pushes Slater to a wing.

GET US A NEW GM!!!!!! Allow him to hire the new coach, capitalize on our good draft position and spend the cap space. This is the perfect time.

Does anyone else remember hearing ownership say DW was expected to produce incremental progress??

By LAC

March 11, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

Whoever this suckers JERK is give it UP, just stupidas HELL, like coward levenson Mr.Potty Mouth !!!!!

By HeyHeyHey Don is Gonna Stay?!?!

March 11, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

Brunette scores again. Man that guy is good - we could use some talent like that. I wonder where one would get a player of that caliber? I bet if you got him when he was just starting out in the league you could have locked him up long term. Oh wait - you’d have to be able to recognize young talent.

By 12345

March 11, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Bruce Levenson, You must have a PHD in Dumb,you have to be the most out of touch person on planet Earth… Just what is your Fu—ing problem ?

You are without question the biggest idiot I have ever come across, 100% stupid as HELL !

Your team SUCKS, Your GM is as clueless as you are and you treat YOUR fan base as if they were from Philadelphia.

I want to know why you do not face your critics, ya too afraid ?

You owners are little rich boy b*** who never worked an honest day in your entire life. You clearly show that every day, how did you get your cash ? Has to be daddy right.

At the THM the other night I should, have come up and laid you out for your foul mouthed rant, or at the least given you THE cussing out of your worthless life, only my wife and son stopped me, I’m sure Don Waddell would have stepped in right ?????

So you’re are keeping Don Waddell, Worthless Don Waddell, The Worst GM in All professional sports.

This franchise is doomed, it will never be close to a sucess and when it starts losing $$$ and it soon will you are dead… I really wish you would drop dead at least we could make some positive changes, you are really as little a man as I have ever seen, a total liar and loser.

I will never have season tickets again as long as Waddell isGM and you clowns own the Thrashers, you SUCK worse than anything I haveever seen !

By matt

March 11, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

They’ve been rumored to be the next target of Jim Balsillie for a while now…. I know they’ve had a lot of internal issues with the Atlanta Spirit Group.

By David

March 11, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Will the Atlanta Thrashers be for sale soon?

By stendec

March 11, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Good point from debacle? Letemin did not allow a goal in 20 minutes. Moose ushered five in during a span of 40 minutes. May be worst defensive team I have ever gagged watching next to 2007 Falcons. From first to worst? Almost a lock. Have not seen any team in NHL look THIS bad over such an extended period of time. How about do-over? Start from scratch. Could not be any more painful than this season was. Only get players who will at least lose with pride. Some who pretend to care. These do not. Hope Flames rack up 15 goals on these quitters. GO FLAMES!

By Alan

March 11, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this

Jim Balsillie

You wish for him as an owner? All he wants to do is move the team. Not gonna happen. He will not own this team, and he will not move this team.

Will the Atlanta Thrashers be for sale soon?

To a local interest, perhaps.

By stendec

March 11, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Good point from debacle? Letemin did not allow a goal in 20 minutes. Moose ushered five in during a span of 40 minutes. May be worst defensive team I have ever gagged watching next to 2007 Falcons. From first to worst? Almost a lock. Have not seen any team in NHL look THIS bad over such an extended period of time. How about do-over? Start from scratch. Could not be any more painful than this season was. Only get players who will at least lose with pride. Some who pretend to care. These do not. Hope Flames rack up 15 goals on these quitters. GO FLAMES!

By stendec

March 11, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Good point from debacle? Letemin did not allow a goal in 20 minutes. Moose ushered five in during a span of 40 minutes. May be worst defensive team I have ever gagged watching next to 2007 Falcons. From first to worst? Almost a lock. Have not seen any team in NHL look THIS bad over such an extended period of time. How about do-over? Start from scratch. Could not be any more painful than this season was. Only get players who will at least lose with pride. Some who pretend to care. These do not. Hope Flames rack up 15 goals on these quitters. GO FLAMES!

By BG33Brown

March 11, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

Nascar Russ thanks for the new rules. I will add them to the offical list. However, Nascar everyone drinks b/c you type in all caps again.

By Sage of Bluesland

March 11, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Laughing at the utter ignorance of such sheep as Thrashdawg and Bob (other)…Such pride before a fall…

It IS funny, isn’t it—how Don Waddell never accepts any responsibility for this pitiful product on the ice. Yeah, he’s a REAL CLASSY guy!!!

Stop being such a sheep and put that horse** away (about him being a genuine and nice person)…He cuts and obfuscates to save his own pathetic hide.

Feel foolish for subsidizing the incompetence? You should.

By MB

March 11, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Midfield, you’re spot on that many on this blog stridently advocated locking in Kozlov long-term. And many here have developed selective amnesia in regards to their stance that Savard was a one-season wonder and had no chance of replicating his point totals with Kovy and Hoss. But, as Brendan might say, bygones.

Tonight’s game…just sad. Sad because the Thrashers actually showed up and looked to be trying, yet the Avs made everything look so easy. Easy scoring chances, easy interruption of Thrasher rushes, easy to step into predictable passing lanes…just easy. It was like a warm-up for them. And Brunette inflicting his share of the damage just added salt to the wounds.

Oh, and BG Brown, great game…maybe we can add a swig for each time the word “sheep” is mentioned and for each time LAC blasts the owners (correctly) for lying. But first let’s take a poll of what everyone here drinks so I can buy stock in it…there’s gonna be a lot of boozing going on between now and April 5.

By HairyHeckler

March 11, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

I’m a season ticket holder who forgot to show up for the game. It looks like most of the Thrashers forgot as well.

It is fairly painless to watch these games on the Tivo super fast forward.

By MB

March 11, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

Oh, and what a sad little promotion…the whiteout was little more than a flurry. There was no need for Stroz’ blackout…it would have been indiscernable with all the empty dark blue seats throughout the arena. Free t-shirts to the first 10,000, and I’ll be shocked if they don’t have a couple thousand left over.

We met a group of Germans at the game, members of a hockey club who were in town to see the game. I actually felt sorry for them that this was the contest they chose to attend. I also wondered why they couldn’t find seats better than the 300s…they were certainly available, and you’d think they’d be willing to open the ol’ wallet after traveling all the way here (especially with those strong Euros in the pockets!).

By B. Hartley

March 11, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

ODGERS for COACH <————————————————————————————————————————————- The fans love him and the PLAYERS R.E.S.P.E.C.T him!! ————————————————————————> ODGERS for COACH!!

By NASCAR Dave

March 11, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

WELL WHAT DO YOU KNOW? THE GUTLESS WIMPS ARE BACK AGAIN! DID YOU SEE THEM? NO DAMN PRIDE!!! GAVE UP ON THE GAME IN THE 1ST DAMN PERIOD! PATHETIC LOSERS!

OUT-COACHED AND OUT-CONDITIONED BY EVERY DAMN TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. EVERY DAMN NIGHT! AND THEN WADDELL SAYS IT’S MOOSE AND THE D’S FAULT! WHAT A CROCK OF DOGGIE-POO!!!

WHY NOT JUST SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND ADMIT YOU HAVE FAILED AT YOUR JOB, DON WADDELL??? I WATCHED YOUR PRESS CONFERENCE, WHERE YOU CALLED OUT YOUR DEFENSE.

WELL GUESS WHAT, YOU SIGNED THESE PLAYERS YOU A-HOLE! QUIT DEFLECTING THE BLAME! YOU CREATED THIS DISASTER, NOW YOU ARE GONNA TAKE THE BLAME!

EVERYTHING WRONG WITH THIS TEAM FALLS BACK ON WADDELL. AND YET HE REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY!!!

IT’S TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE FROM THE TOP ON DOWN. WADDELL, MCCRIMMON, ETC.

INCOMPETENCE BREEDS INCOMPETENCE, AND THE ATLANTA TRASHERS ARE INCOMPETENT AS IT GETS!

SAD, PATHETIC, SORRY, GUTLESS LOSERS WITH NO PRIDE LED BY AN INCOMPETENT BUFFOON, MAKING EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE AND REFUSING TO ACCEPT REALITY.

LAUGHED MY A* WHEN THEY BOO’ED THE HELL OUT OF WADDELL!!!

By R. Stroz

March 11, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this

I wore black but the plethora of empty dark blue seats made a larger statement.

Sad to say, but, the Thrashers are looking more and more like an expansion team.

By sick of losers

March 11, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

This team sucks and Levenson is a blind man not to see it. I love hockey but will not spend $20 grand next year on tickets if DW is not shown the door.

For those of you (Bruce) who think we are closer to success than some people think, consider the following:

• The Thrashers have the fewest regulation wins in the NHL • Our goals for/against ratio at full strength is last in the league • We have surrendered the second most goals in the NHL • Our penalty kill percentage is 26th • We have surrendered the second most goals in the NHL (most in the East). We are 25th in goals scored. • We surrender the most shots on goal and take the second fewest; we’ve been outshot in 59 of the 70 games this season and are running a cumulative deficit of 558 shots. • Even though we should be used to being outshot, our winning percentage in these situations is 29th in the league • When we are fortunate enough to be leading after two periods, our winning percentage is about 75%, good for 28th in the NHL. The top ten teams in this category win over 90% of the time.

Bottom line, this team stinks on the ice and, obvioulsly, in the front office.

By home of bad hockey

March 11, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

I hope Bob Hartley is laughing now. The 0-6 start wasn’t his fault, it is the fault of the lousy team DW put together. I’m glad they’ve lost 9 of 10 (yeah Donny, 6 points out of 20 is awesome) as it confirms the job DW has done. Nice guy, but in over his head. I can’t believe he has the arrogance not to offer his resignation. Will he do heart surgery next since he’s probably as qualified to do that as GM an NHL team?

By 10yr plan

March 11, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

Awesome news that BL is keeping Waddell next year. It should really boost season ticket sales! DW let Brunette(Staios also)go because he’s too slow. The ice must be better in Colorado. 17 goals for the year. He’d be 2nd in goals for the Thrashers, not that we need it.

By joyaman

March 11, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

FIRE WADDELL EFFORT BEGINS

Craig:

Despite Bruce’s “show of confidence” statement(which he’s obligated to provide until he/ASG have a better plan/person in mind), the effort to organize Thrashers STHs and fans soliciting ownership to replace Don Waddell as GM began in earnest at tonight’s game.

We collected about 30 e-mail addresses at the Colorado game without much effort. The effort was confined to one side of the upper deck.

Several dozen others accepted paper slips with the url for the organizing web site: http://firewaddell.googlepages.com.

It’s a start…

We’ll keep the blogs updated with any significant developments.

By joyaman

March 11, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

Corrected url without trailing period:

http://firewaddell.com

-joyaman

By Brendan

March 11, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

Kristian Huselius will be here Thursday night. He’s the Flame to scout, as he is a pending UFA. He’d be a welcome addition here.

Russ, Redlight, Bob or Ranallo, can you “ballpark” a salary for this guy, for a Summer contract? Also, how many years do you think he’ll be looking for? Huselius might be willing to accept only four years. In which case, if we’re willing to “overpay” for him, we just might get him. Although, I just don’t see even Tier II free agents wanting to come to Atlanta, until we’re a contender.

By joyaman

March 11, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

Corrected url without trailing period:

http://firewaddell.googlepages.com

By David

March 12, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Had a chance to go to the game and just wanted to say a few things.

Since i don’t get a chance to go to a lot of games, it was an interesting experience.

Sad to see so many empty seats when last year at this time it was packed. It definitely shows that winning matters to a lot of fans. However, a lot of people at the game, including myself, had fun with the product that was sold. So I thank the team and organization for giving a good product. It’s a great arena and I love seeing hockey there.

I counted 12 players on the ice today that i have interest in ever seeing play for us after this year.

-Ilya Kovalchuk- So often he makes plays and out hustles other people. He MUST wear the C next year or it’s a crying shame.

-Recchi- He’s the only “older” player that i see hustle. you watch him out there and the guy puts out 100% every time he’s out on the ice. you have to love that.

-Little- the more i see of him the more i love the kid. He skates with kovy well and does a lot of little things off the puck. I love how he is responsible defensively too.

-Perrin- Seriously, what’s not to love about this guy

-Christiansen (spelling?)- I see a lot of potential in him and i really like the blend of size, skill, and speed he has

-Armstrong- Man he works hard. That goal down low he had was on a hell of a shift and he had a great game.

-Enstrom- when you look at our D you wouldn’t know he’s the rookie

-Klee- I feel like he’s a solid 3rd pairing guy to keep

-Mccarthy- he makes mistakes, but he’s got a good nose for chipping in offensively

-Kwiatkowski- clearly a guy who needs to be on the roster next year

-Lehtonen- you won’t know by the scoresheet, but he came in and played a great third period. when he plays like that it’s clear why we have him. I hope next year is his year.

-Moose- I was thinking about letting him go. But after tonight, i remember why i liked him so much to begin with. Even after 5 goals, the guy stuck in there and battled hard. i wouldn’t blame a single of the goals on him.

Final thoughts on the game…

The perrin, armstrong, and christiansen line was great all night. they consistently played in the offensive zone and had great chemistry.

Exelby…YIKES! was out there and the cause of 4 of the 5 goals. What happened to the guy?

By Tony C.

March 12, 2008 5:04 AM | Link to this

Appreciative STH-

What exactly are you “grateful” for???

A team that is more consistently in the basement of the standings than the playoffs?

A team that reinforces the frostback-elitist notion that good hockey cannot be played below PA?

Ownership that talks down to their most loyal and engaged customers?

or is it because you really dig the fire-breathing bird?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan. I went tonight and I’m going Thursday. I scream loud, I try not to cuss when there’s kids around (something your esteemed owner doesn’t reportedly do), and generally support the home team. Trust me I’m a hockey fan-went to Knights games, Flames games-hell I even went and watched the Macon Whoopee once.

But I don’t know that there’s much I’m “grateful” to the ASG for. I mean Betteman is the one that realized he screwed us and had the All-Star game scheduled for here this year right?

So really, outside of the fact that these guys helped keep NHL hockey in ATL (which is a big deal truly-not discounting that), what are you grateful for? A sub-par product? If so, man have I got some restaurant concepts I’d like you to invest in. Sounds like you’re an easy guy to fleece-errr work with

P.S. WTF was Moose doing starting this game? If KL has lost the room, then he should’ve been traded. We could’ve had Huet.

By LAC

March 12, 2008 5:06 AM | Link to this

Whiteout ???? We wore our Home Blue jerseys last night ?

Just what is Exelby doing ? He was simply terrible last night, perhaps his long hair is causing a drag on his speed preventing him from being in position IE… In Front Of The Net!

He has played BAD the past 20 games, where did his toughness go, like so many this season, he has turned into a creampuff I guess !

What a sorry defensive effort AGAIN last night, just sorry.

Least we remember the man who put it ALL togather and stated “We are better than last season” DUMB don waddell…

This guy just has to go, there is NO reason whatsoever to allow this IDIOT to do anything more to damage this hockey club.

Don’t know who said it… But they were correct, we are no better than an expansion team, team’s in their ninth season are NOT expansion teams, and I bet there is not another team in the NHL that would bring back a GM with the track record of don waddell, he would not last, but that is the OTHER problem, most teams have an OWNER, a man who wants to win and can make the correct moves to insure sucess…

What do we have ? A group of little rich boys, who merely think it’s cool to own two pro sports teams, who gives a damn if we win or not, we own two professional sports teams and that makes up right all the time.

I really wonder if these punks know what a laughing stock they are ?

This franchise is doomed… it will never, never be a winner as long as worthless waddell is around and these little rich boy STUPID owners remain the “owners”.

It’s over boys get out while you still can, winning provides $$$ losing and being CHEAP will cost you in the long run and That will be sooner rather than later I am afraid.

Still waiting for Potty Mouth levenson to put up or shut up, my 6 compaines against his spot as owner… Call it a Georgia Street fight, but poor little boy bruce would never have the guts to stand by his convictions, like do mine… Sage will be the ref… Come on Potty Mouth show us you are a REAL man for once in your unproductive life !!!!!!!

By LAC

March 12, 2008 5:34 AM | Link to this

Some interesting reading from NHL.com with our FORMER player… Seems HE is glad to be in Pittsburgh and NOT Atlanta, have we heard the two new guys say that about being HERE ?????

HELL NO, Why would ANY sain NHL player ever want to play for a loser like waddell or Mr.Potty Mouth ????

Read This It Speaks Volumes !!!!!!

During his rehabilitation, Hossa accompanied the Penguins on their recent three-game roadtrip, which wrapped up last Sunday with a wild 4-2 win in Washington.

“What a game. I had fun just watching it. It looked like a playoff game,” Hossa said. “The guys played really well. We got a lucky goal, but we won in the end and that’s what’s most important. I think that was really a good game for us.

“That was a good trip to get to know those guys. It seems like a really good group of guys in this dressing room. There are lots of younger guys and it seems like this group is pretty tight and that’s very good.”

That chemistry and camaraderie is one reason the 29-year-old Slovakian winger was happy to come to Pittsburgh.

“It was a nice surprise that Pittsburgh got me. I am happy I am here, to tell you the truth,” he said. “It’s a great city to play in and a great group of guys from what I have seen in the past couple weeks. That’s very important. It kind of reminds me of my younger years in Ottawa when we had a lot of young guys and we were a tight group growing up together.

“The same thing is happening here. It’s a young group of guys growing up together and there aren’t many changes. That’s huge,” he said. “Those guys know each other well and they play for each other. We are right near the top of the standings, so that is nice, too.”

Pittsburgh has always been a special place for Hossa. He entered the NHL at Mellon Arena when the 1997 Entry Draft was held in this building.

“I had great memories of Pittsburgh. I was in this arena when I got drafted. That was my first building I visited,” he said. I have lots of good memories from that time.”

Of course, there’s another reason why he’s excited to don the black and gold – skating on a line with Crosby.

“Definitely. That’s why they got me here. Hopefully, I will be a good addition for the Pittsburgh Penguins and I am looking forward to playing with Sid or, if not him, it doesn’t matter who,” he said. “It’s a great group of guys. I am really looking forward to jumping on the ice with those guys.”

Just Shows HOW BAD it is to play for The Atlanta Thrashers, a sad story indeed and it did not need to happen, but with what runs our club, words alone cannot express it any longer, it STINKS !

By Hershey Bear

March 12, 2008 6:47 AM | Link to this

As one-quarter of a four-man season ticket group, we have collectively (and enthusiastically) agreed NOT to renew our season tickets for next season. The ownership must change apparently to rid us of an incompetent GM. Someday someone else will own Philips Arena and this sad hockey organization. Hopefully the next owners will model their operation and team after Anaheim, San Jose, or Dallas! Good-bye Levebson and Waddell!

By hockeyman3944

March 12, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this

This team needs an enema! It starts with bumblef###k Waddle. Old Donny boy has picked up retread and career minor leaguers..these guys are living the dream and picking up an NHL paycheck with AHL skills. To have Leavinsoon give Waddle another year to F##k up this sorry franchise even more will run hockey out of this town…don’t forget a huge percentage comes from the gate to pay these buffoons…no product, no warm fannies in the seats. But wait!! Atlanta is a “sports town” full of complacent suckers who’ll go to any sporting event and these cretinous owners know that, so why try to build winners? These suckers keep coming right back! Speak with your wallets, I’m not renewing my season tickets, the $200 or so I spend a night at “Fluland” will be saved and spent on some real entertainment…Eliot Spitups girlfriend! Dam right I’m pi$$ed off..another losing team in a city thats too complacent to give a f##k…this is truly Loserville!! I’m sick of the whole mess..my wallets now officially zipped up! Hear that sound Leavinsoon…zzzzippp!!

By Sage of Bluesland

March 12, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this

Good for all the real and true fans who actually want and DEMAND a product to be proud of—CUT THE FUNDS AND SEE HOW FAST BEHAVIOR IS CHANGED!!!

It always makes me laugh at the mindless little sheep who keep up the mantra of “Keep supporting our team—there’s nothing you can do but enjoy the game!”…Utter sheep-droppings.

Ignorant little sheep never took an economics class, I’d venture a guess…

By luckydog

March 12, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Midfield, maybe some people here advocated the Kozlov deal (For the record I was not among them after the way he TANKED it during the playoffs last year…I was fine with letting the Stars have him). Anyway, SO WHAT? It’s DW’s JOB to assess the guy and the market and make a good deal —- or not. He whiffed on Kozlov, who has become a total WASTE OF EQUIPMENT.

Perrin and White both have more points and together eat up less salary. Plus, they actually give a crap. Hey, wait a minute — I guess that makes DW a freakin’ GENIUS!!!

By B. Thenet

March 12, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

DW got a ringing endorsement from the team last night, didn’t he?

Exelby and Slater need to sit for a while, at least Exelby has some potential.

By Darren

March 12, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Hey Appreciative THRASHERS Season Ticket Holder,

quit being such a p***

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 12, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Thrashers tanked it when they wanted to get ride of Hartley (some have said), perhaps they voted with their play last night on the news of Waddell staying put?

By ThrashDawg

March 12, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

SurlyT I do enjoy reading these blogs and I do not have to post my hockey qualifications to you. The thing that irritates me is people who do not post intelligent arguments to their opinions, rather they just throw uncalled for insults out and it makes them and the Thrasher Nation look like Bama fans! I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, just state the facts and do not resort to attacking one personally. There is a political party in this country that does the same thing when they cannot debate a subject on facts.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Buzzilla… I’m not sure it was for lack of effort… last night was a good example of “guys who can’t finish a shot to save their lives”. They only outshot us by 5 last night.

Colorado has goal scorers, we do not… Slater had 4 point-blank shots on net last night and couldn’t put it home.

I’m starting to agree with you, if we can move up to get Stamkos, Slater is a goner… White will be checking line Center, Espo on 4th line with Christensen and Stamkos Top 2.

Unless they move Slater back to RW. We are still HORRIBLY lacking on the Right side.

By Adam

March 12, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

Not going to spend another dime on anything Thrasher related until I see some real changes. The last game I went to was on 1/6 against Buffalo. (I took 6 people to that game) I’d have usually gone to at least 6 to 10 more to this point and probably 5 more to the end of the season, not counting playoff games.

Dropping an average of 350 a game I’ll have saved a minimum of $4200. I hope everyone who isn’t happy with the product does the same. Screw wearing black, just don’t show up! EMPTY SEATS SEND A MUCH BIGGER MESSAGE!!!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 12, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

You are forgetting about Little…

Keep Espo in the minors another year until we can wipe ourselves of Charmin

By B. Hartley

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

http://www.hockeyjerseysdirect.com

By R. Stroz

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

Game Summary

Colorado 5, Pittsburgh 2

By Don Waddel

March 12, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

I would like to thank the ASG, all my supportersand all the people who renewed their season tickets. Now get ready for 8 more seasons of losing hockey games!!

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah… Little. Hmmm, maybe we don’t need to draft a Center either.

Perhaps we stay put and draft Drew Doughty (D)… gotta like his size and his stats at age 18.

But, going back to Stamkos…Perhaps Christensen would move back to Wing. However, he’s a decent face-off guy. Maybe Little will play Wing. Either way we’ve got good choices adding Stamkos.

By Bob

March 12, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Brunette scores again. Man that guy is good - we could use some talent like that. I wonder where one would get a player of that caliber? I bet if you got him when he was just starting out in the league you could have locked him up long term. Oh wait - you’d have to be able to recognize young talent.

We were laughing about this at the game last night. Brunette was chased out of here by Waddell who said there wasn’t room for Bruno on our club going forward as we had all these kids coming up that would need the ice time. That was what, 5 years ago and Bruno only wanted a $1.5m contract?

5 years later and Bruno is still skating on the Avs top line with Joe freakin Sakic and scored two goals on us last night.

Another glaring indictment, on our own ice no less, of Waddell’s basic inability to recognize NHL talent and to build a competitive club.

By Woody

March 12, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

WADDELL……..WADDELL…….WADDELL……WADDELL………..YOU S*CK!!!!!

By P**

March 12, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

I have tickets remaining for the season that will be going unused.

I’m beyond livid with the loser attitude and lack of motivation that this ownership group of second rate millionaires is putting out there.

We need real leadership and defense. We have none.

Hell our star player doesn’t care enough to even keep up with the league. Kovi claimed not to realize that the trade deadline is a big deal. Um, how long you been in the NHL?

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Stroz… I finally got to look around for who I think would be a good GM for the team… I’m still not convinced that Waddell needs to go, but IF he goes, which was your question… my top candidate is Jim Nill.

He’s currently the Asst. GM of Detroit… he was a scout for Ottawa during the expansion years. He’s been with Detroit 12 years, and we know what they’ve done over that time period.

He was also the GM for Canada’s World Championship team in 2004… gold medal.

I also would consider Neil Smith), but not crazy about the idea.

My organizational change, taking Buzz’s suggestion of moving Waddell to President… I’d make Jim Nill GM and hire Randy Cunneyworth as head coach.

By Bob

March 12, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Thrashers tanked it when they wanted to get ride of Hartley (some have said), perhaps they voted with their play last night on the news of Waddell staying put?

We talked about the same thing at the game last night? They obviously were giving no effort in the game, but they seemed more discouraged than anything. Can you blame them? If they think that Waddell is really being kept around, they know we’re screwed for next year as well. Might as well tank it and hope you’re lucky enough to get traded out of here. The malaise hasn’t set in yet for Armstrong or Christiansen, they are still trying.

By Tom

March 12, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

So who is going to be the first person to go to the games with brown paper bags that say “Fire Waddell”?

I have the idea. Make this a season ticket holder promotion where a group of season ticket holders be the first to get into Phillips Arena and then start passing out the brown paper bags to fans as they arrive.

Kroger can sponsor it (their logo is right on the bags) and fans always love a promo. Seriously, how expensive can bags be?

Bet that would wake up ownership and if they tried to stop their beloved season ticket holders they would have some serious egg on their face so it is a lose lose for the owners.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

We were laughing about this at the game last night. Brunette was chased out of here by Waddell who said there wasn’t room for Bruno on our club going forward as we had all these kids coming up that would need the ice time.

Yep, and that youth needing ice time was newly drafted Kovalchuk and Heatley (coming out of college).

But I agree, they should have kept Brunette… that was the cheap AOL days with the self-imposed $28 million cap.

On a side note, I also believe that was the year Waddell got it in his head that you don’t have to pay big bucks to get production at Center… Tony Hrkac had 44 points playing in between Heatley and Kovy. That was supposed to be the job of the higher paid Stefan and Ferraro.

By MashaPlayer 7

March 12, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

I am glad to see that people are finally realizing Exelby is a terrible defenseman! I love those big hits as much as anyone, but he is a deficiency on the blue line; always out of position, and never seems to win a battle with those forwards camping out in front of our net.

Also Exelby has been with the franchise since the almost very beginning - any coincidence that the Thrashers defense has been terrible all those years? Guilty by Association!

By Clarence Campbell

March 12, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Don’t know if this has been mentioned already; if it has; it needs to be asked - more importantly, ANSWERED - again: Exactly whom is “BS Bruce” Levenson referring to in the group of “17 outstanding hockey people” that Waddell has assembled? Is McCrimmon in that mix? The radio / TV guys? The guy known as “Rabid Fan” in Section 110? What the hell is THIS guy talking about?

By Surly T

March 12, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Fair enough, ThrashDawg, I appreciate your comment. But (and I mean this as politely, respectfully and non-sarcastically as possible), the Thrashers are a team of Waddell’s singlehanded creation, and when you combine his failures to assemble the right kind of talent with his failures as a coach, it is impossible to say Waddell is the right leader for this team. He has had ample authority and ample time to achieve his best. His best is not good enough. Therefore, Waddell should be politely, respectfully, and non-sarcastically asked to leave the organization. There’s no other way.

By R. Stroz

March 12, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - Even though we will agree to disagree on DW, those(new GM & coach) are good suggestions. From my perspective, I hope the moves come sooner than later before people start wearing paper bags over their heads at the games.

By Bob

March 12, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Yep, and that youth needing ice time was newly drafted Kovalchuk and Heatley (coming out of college)

Kovy’s a LW, Heater is a RW. Bruno’s a RW spot. Bruno, at $1.5m was a no brainer to keep for 2nd line duty. Shoot, we could use him today and for the past 5 years and he’d be the top line RW on our club.

It’s just another glaring example of the basic lack of ability on DW’s part to recognize talent and build a competitive club.

But hey, he drafted Garnet Exelby in the 7th round of the draft, how many times have you Waddell apologists held up Exelby as an example of Waddell’s ability to draft?

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Stroz… and unfortunately, those two guys (Nill and Cunneyworth) would be very similar to Day 1 of the Thrashers hiring Waddell, and Asst. GM for the Detroit Red Wings and Curt Fraser, a coach tearing it up in the minor leagues who everyone thought was ready for an NHL job.

You can see how things can spin in circles.

By R. Stroz

March 12, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - Maybe, but I’m ready for a new start.

By R. Stroz

March 12, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Hokie - Would you rather have Cunneyworth or Anderson as head coach?

By ThrashDawg

March 12, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Surly T Well said, and I do not totally disagree with your opinion. It is apparent that DW will be the GM next year and in my opinion, if we are not back in the playoffs next year and a much better team, I like most all the sheep believe he should be gone. This has been a screwed up year!

By TableHockey

March 12, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Hey why are you guys bagging on X - didn’t he get three assists last night? Oh wait - those were assists for the Avs… carry on.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Stroz… are you willing to risk another 7 years with someone new? Or would you rather just wait and see what Waddell can plug in this summer?

Wade Redden, Brian Campbell, Jason Smith, Aaron Ward… a start from scratch team, with a new GM and horrible ownership is NOT going to convince those type of guys to come here.

That’s my take on it… I really don’t care as much as I let on, but I do think it’s a horrible business move to fire Waddell at this point, much like Levenson has said.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Anderson seems to be a better team strategy coach where Cunneyworth appears to be a better individual player developer… it’s hard to say because Cunneyworth is strictly developing guys to play for Buffalo where Anderson is not required to do that for Atlanta.

I just think they compliment each other in that they both deal with similar style players… speedsters. That’s why I want to keep Anderson where he is and bring Cunneyworth. Wither that’s a slap in the fact to Anderson, i don’t know.

I have a feeling we might be losing the Chicago Wolves anyway with the “organizational” changes.

By Nikita

March 12, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

I don’t know if Waddell should stay or not. He can makes some impressive moves, but just as often he isn’t…and he’s been pretty bad this year as a coach stand-in.

By Red Light

March 12, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Brendan:

Huselius made $1.4 million this season, and judging the opinion of Jeff Francis of the Calgary Sun, he’s going to seek much more than that in July. These comments were posted the day before the trade deadline.

Quote: “With the points he’s put up this year, the club couldn’t afford to keep him here next season even if it wanted to.

Truth is the team has been doing just fine without him for the last month when the one-dimensional dispsy-doodler has chipped in with just one goal in his last 20 outings. It confirms what GM Darryl Sutter has been saying about him all along — he’s not a first-line winger.

He’s rendered useless when the going gets tough, he can’t contribute physically or defensively and he has no future here.”

He has one goal and four assists in six games since those comments were posted. Not that I put a lot of stock into what one guy says, but I don’t like the no-defense comments.

By Terry in Dahlonega

March 12, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Can anyone tell me WHY Brad Larsen is on this roster? He is absolutely useless. I would send him and Slater to Chicago. They are wasting roster space that could be used for some Wolves to get a head start on training camp.

But then again, nothing Waddell does makes any sense…

Glad the Braves start soon, I’m getting tired of these QUITTERS.

By R. Stroz

March 12, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Hokie - My concern is without any discernable change in management and coaching, the Thrashers will not be able to attract a Redden, Campbell, or Huselius.

We have had two players (Hossa, Belanger) walk away from the organization citing team direction. Captain Rat has gone on record with similar concerns.

So, yes, I’m in favor of starting over and hoping a new direction will attract players.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Kovy’s a LW, Heater is a RW. Bruno’s a RW spot.

Gee really, I had no idea (sarcasm)

It’s just another glaring example of the basic lack of ability on DW’s part to recognize talent and build a competitive club.

Ummm… Waddell was the one that got him in the first place, for a mere 5th round draft pick… How is that not recognizing talent?

But I was agreeing with you, we should have kept him… And I’m equally as tired of people holding up the Brunette example as the Exelby example.

Here’s one that always slips through… a point in time when the fans were wrong… same year in fact.

Waddell was interested in trading for a young prospect goalie in Nashville named Tomas Vokoun, but there was so much overwhelming fan support for Milan Hnilicka that he re-signed him instead.

Think of the ripple effect that caused in our draft history if we didn’t have to draft Lehtonen… we’d have Bouwmeester instead… then maybe Jeff Carter instead of Braydon Coburn… etc.

By Rob

March 12, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Not sure who said it, but Exelby NO LONGER HAS POTENTIAL. He is a train wreck out there. Tough to watch, for sure. I can’t believe it but I’ve been to the last 5 home games and each time I wonder what the hell am I doing here? The thrashers are FAR from entertaining, no heart, no passion. Which if i can remember correctly is EXACTLY WHAT HOCKEY IS ABOUT. Heart, passion, determination and of course talent. We all know the thrashers have zero talent, but how can anyone explain the lack of effort??? The beer guy loves me, in between my booing and mumbling curse words to myself I always think, geez I need another beer to watch this debacle. I love the looks from the few other fans there when I boo, I think it scares them. I will see all of you again tomorrow night. Should be great to see Ignalia and Phenouf and a team that will destroy the thrashers. Calgary will play with reckless abandon, maybe Waddell can learn something. Please, please, please fire Waddell and make this misery go away.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Terry… because he makes league minimum and is fairly reliable for that price… I’m not a fan.

He was also a “Hartley” guy who’s days are probably numbered. I believe Klee and Zhitnik were too. Hartley didn’t like Coburn.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Bob…psst, over here. I’ll try not to make a big deal about it. He played LW in Atlanta, but he does play RW in Colorado.

By Don Waddel

March 12, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

To all the fans that bash me. Just remember I get to run the team, the owners won’t fire me and you pay my salary. ha ha ha! You pay my salary! ha ha ha! You pay my salary! ha ha ha! One win in the last eleven games no playoffs after eight years! ha ha ha! No playoffs for you and earley vacation for me! ha ha ha! 28th out of 30 teams! ha ha ha! Come on down to Blueland buy my tickets and support me and don’t forget you pay my salary! ha ha ha! I don’t care if we lose. I still have my job. ha ha ha the jokes on you! DW

By NASCAR Dave

March 12, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

WOW, IT’S AMAZING IT TAKES PEOPLE THIS LONG TO SEE THE TRAGIC FLAW WITH THIS ORGANIZATION - DON WADDELL!

THIS GUY IS FLEECING ATLANTA! HOW MUCH MORE OF THIS WILL YOU TAKE, ATLANTA FANS? EVERY SINGLE PROBLEM YOU PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT CAN ALL BE TRACED BACK TO ONE INDIVIDUAL, DON WADDELL.

HE THINKS HE IS FOOLING US WITH HIS SHEEPISH EXCUSES! DO NOT BE FOOLED! THIS GUY HAS HAD 9 YEARS TO BUILD A SOLID TEAM, AND HIS “VISION OF A TEAM” CAN’T EVEN WIN 15 GAMES IN REGULATION?

ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC! A TEAM OF GUTLESS WIMPS LED BY A TOTAL FOOL NAMED DON WADDELL!

HE SUCKS AT DRAFTING, HE SUCKS AT TRADING, HE CANNOT BUILD AN NHL ROSTER, HIS BEST PLAYERS LEAVE THE CITY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SEE ANY POSITIVE DIRECTION WITH THIS TEAM! DO YOU BLAME THEM? I WOULD WANT OUT THIS $H!THOLE OF A FRANCHISE TOO!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! ATLANTA FANS DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS!

JUST ADMIT IT, WADDELL. YOU HAVE FAILED AT YOUR JOB AND FAILED MISERABLY.

THE FANS HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF DON WADDELL’S 5 YEAR PLANS, AND BASELESS PROMISES, AND PLAYOFF GUARANTEES. WHAT A LYING BUFFOON!

ASG NEEDS TO WISE UP, FIRE THIS LOSER, AND SEND HIS A$$ TO THE AHL WHERE HE BELONGS!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Nikita

March 12, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Terry and GaVaHokie…Larsen is apparently under contract through 2009 or 2010 — so he’s gotta be traded for us to lose him.

He is in fact a Hartley guy, but has a reputation as a team player. I don’t know that Klee should be considered a Hartley guy now — he isn’t treated like one by DW. In fact, he gets a lot of praise from everyone for being quietly solid, and putting forth consistent good effort. He’s also one of few D-Men actually blocking shots, so that should count for something.

Larsen is pretty reliable —reliably underwhelming.

By Stanley22

March 12, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Don Waddell has had 10 years to assemble a foundation for a winning team, but he has failed to do so. After a decade, why is this current team second worst in the conference and last in the NHL in defense and PK%?

Simply stated, Waddell and his staff cannot scout, draft, or develop any player who is not a no-brainer. Kovy and Heater were no-brainers, but successful teams must develop third-round and fifth-round picks to contribute. Who have we developed? Slater? McKenzie?

We aren’t filling our needs from within, so Waddell feels compelled to trade Coburn for Zhitnik, which appears to be a really dumb decision one year later. The draft pick from the Hossa trade won’t win us any playoff games next year either, so we’ll begin our second decade as losers once again.

Waddell seems to know how to acquire energy line guys, but not disciplined and dedicated players who have grown and been developed through the organization. I wonder if this team would have quit working had most of the players been groomed from day one in the organization. This team is a patchwork of mediocrity, and they’re obviously not playing for the team.

The fans have been generous and patient, but after 10 years we have zero playoff wins and no hope of any improvement.

Don, I like you, you are well connected, and you have tried your best, but you obviously aren’t capable of applying the lessons and strategies that you learned from the Red Wings to your current position. Let’s try someone new, and that includes the scouting and coaching as well as GM.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

NUFF SAID.

Thank God… does that mean you’re done talking?

By Don Cherry

March 12, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Blaze away, Atlanta….. FIRE WADDELL…..The city hasn’t since this much smoke since General Sherman strolled through on his way to the sea…..FIRE WADDELL…..By the way, I’m still available but you get my dog, Blue, too!

FIRE THIS A* WADDELL AND HIS “17 TOP-NOTCH HOCKEY PEOPLE!”

By Furious Fan

March 12, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

I emailed my “Service an Retention” (Does anybody down there speak in plain English?) representative yesterday after the DW news broke that I would not be renewing my season tickets after (8) years. He did not bother to stop by last night at the game nor have I had a response to my note. Class organ-I-zation, all the way around!

By Don Waddel

March 12, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Slowdown NASCAR, “I FAILED AT MY JOB”. You forgot to read the headline at the top of the page. My job is SAFE! I am a success at this job. I will start the third five year plan soon! The owners love me and YOU are paying my salary. So who is FAILING! DW

By vancouver

March 12, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

I WILL NOT RENEW MY SEASON TIX

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 12, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

But hey, he drafted Garnet Exelby in the 7th round of the draft, how many times have you Waddell apologists held up Exelby as an example of Waddell’s ability to draft?

How about Enstrom? Besides, X was drafted in the 8th round, not 7th. Same as Enstrom. 8th round.

By Don Waddel

March 12, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Sorry Stanely22,

Levenson backs Waddell

Waddell’s job is safe. Levenson said that he doesn’t believe the team is too far away from where it needs to be

It’s my team and I can do anything I want!! DW

By Don Waddel

March 12, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

ya ya, look how good my 8th round picks are. Come down tommorrow night and I will play all eighth round picks. I might just aquire all eighth round picks this summer. Eight is a lucky number in chinese. I can do anything I want it’s my team. Buy tickets, thanks, DW

By Another Former STH... Never Again !

March 12, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Well I have made the choice to never renew ST’s with anything connected with ASG. These people are dumber than the Keystone Cops.

To keep a general manager who has shown himself to be a complete failure at NHL hockey speaks volumes… Then an owner who bad mouths the paying customer and tells everyone we are close…Close to what may I ask of you owners ?

We are close to 30th in the NHL, how is that, we are close to giving up the most goals in the NHL, How is that, we are close to losing our fan base because of a bumbling GM, how is that ?

If I were an NHL player, I would look at Atlanta as a team not to play for. Simple the GM will not draft the right players, and he will sign only 3rd or 4th line UFA’s which do us no good, he is a horrible coach, he fired the coach after 6 loses and now look at his mess…

Then this ownership or whatever, one owner says he backs Waddell, we’re close he says, in the real world of NHL hockey nobody in their right mind would want to play here.

These owners are the biggest joke in all professional sports, they need to get out and get out now, they are in effect killing this team,I will not attend another game until Waddell is fired or resigns and these crazy owners get out of the NHL ownership business…

Like many have said, Levenson does not have a sound mind and really needs to be in Millegeville for his own good and the good of all Atlanta hockey fans.

Lastly, the people out there who support Waddell and these owners better smell what they’re shovelin because it don’t smell too good !

NHL hockey will be gone from Atlanta in 3 years if these people do not sell or make hard choices, first FIRE WADDELL !

By Economics 101

March 12, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

This is simple. All STH’s should not renew. Levenson; Seydel and the rest of those ASG buffoons don’t get the upfront money nor the (6) months worth of interest. Make them spend to hire a quality coach and in free agency. Talk to their wallets, not their ears. It’s the only leverage we have!

By NASCAR Dave

March 12, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

I SUGGEST ALL THRASHER FANS HIT THE TEAM WHERE IT HURTS THE MOST…. THE BOTTOM LINE.

STOP GOING TO THE GAMES.

STOP SPENDING YOUR MONEY THERE.

DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SUPPORT THIS TEAM.

THEN MAYBE THE OWNERS WILL GET A CLUE AND REALIZE THAT DON WADDELL IS HOLDING THIS FRANCHISE DOWN!

IF YOU STOP SHOWING SUPPORT BOTH PHYSICALLY (BY ATTENDING THE GAMES) AND MONETARILY, THE OWNERS HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO BUT MAKE CHANGES.

THIS IS A BUSINESS, AND THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THIS BUSINESS WILL NOT FAIL. CHANGE BRINGS ABOUT CHANGES.

By Don Waddel

March 12, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Buy the tickets behind the benches first. It looks good for TV when those seats are full. Also, buy a Thrashers jersey and wear it to the game. Thanks, DW

By Don Waddel

March 12, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

ya 8th round picks ya ya…this summer I will look for player with the number 8. Maybe an 8th round draft pick that is number 8. ya ya that should do it. This is our 8th year and the owners are still behind me..ya ya eight is lucky. Buy the tickest, DW

By gategirl

March 12, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

I think you need to complain about something … I have seen complaints about Holik, Zhitnik, Kari, Ex, DW and i wasn’t reading this but i am sure that were complaints about Hartley at the begining of the year.

By Thorburn's Thugs

March 12, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Hey, when is Bruce Levenson gonna go on the Buck and Kincade show? Anyone?

It’s gonna be great when that pompous @ss gets called out on the Atlanta airwaves for the lying little snake he is!

Thanks god for Center Ice… I can just bypass the TRASHER games and watch somre “real” teams play hockey.

By Thorburn's Thugs

March 12, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Hey, when is Bruce Levenson gonna go on the Buck and Kincade show? Anyone?

It’s gonna be great when that pompous @ss gets called out on the Atlanta airwaves for the lying little snake he is!

Thanks god for Center Ice… I can just bypass the TRASHER games and watch some “real” teams play hockey.

By Geneen

March 12, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

THEN MAYBE THE OWNERS WILL GET A CLUE AND REALIZE THAT DON WADDELL IS HOLDING THIS FRANCHISE DOWN!

And then maybe the owners will get a clue and realize they are holding the franchise down! Don’t hold your breath.

Waddell is just a convenient target. There is so much wrong with the entire Thrashers organization, nothing short of a clean sweep — and new owners — will solve its problems.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

I also want to point out how funny it is that people are attributing empty seats on a Tuesday night game to a boycott. :) Yes, I noticed the Nasty Nest was empty, but other than that, come on… seriously.

By NASCAR Dave

March 12, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Don’t hold your breath.

I’M NOT. 9 YEARS IS TOO DAMN LONG! I NEED TO BREATHE!

LAS VEGAS THRASHERS COMING SOON…. THEY’LL PROBABLY MOVE NASHVILLE INTO THE SE DIVISION TOO.

THAT WAY ATLANTA RESIDENTS CAN SEE PLAYOFF HOCKEY.

By ranallo10

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

Thorburn’s Thugs — Do you really expect Kincade to “grill” Levenson when he comes on the air? Kincade’ll do what he normally does in these types of interviews…he’ll ask the normal questions, wording it in a civil manner, not creating TOO much trouble during the interview. He might ask a tough question or two, but he wont delve in too much. However, after Levenson hangs up Kincade will “rip into” and criticize Levenson when he cannot respond. It’s his M.O.

He treats the callers who disagree with him like absolute crap, but during the interviews he’s respectful and doesn’t often push their buttons. I dare him to treat his interviewees like he does his everyday callers, he’d never get another interview again.

So yeah, I’m skeptical of any “grilling” Kincade will do.

By ranallo10

March 12, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

GVH — I’ve noticed a lot less “NIGHT” and “SHOOT IT” being hollered as of late, so maybe losing has it’s benefits beyond the high draft pick.

By GSU-Lee

March 12, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

NascarDave- Do you have to capitalize everything?

By Bob

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

My concern is without any discernable change in management and coaching, the Thrashers will not be able to attract a Redden, Campbell, or Huselius

Yep. And don’t listen to the clueless that think it’ll take 7 years to turn this around. The right GM can turn this around in 2 years, tops. Look at all of Waddell’s bad contracts that fall off this summer and next. Look what Phillys new GM has done. Look how quick Brian Burke turned it around in Anaheim, and got them a Cup. Look how quick Carolina turned it around and won a Cup. Same with Tampa.

Bob…psst, over here. I’ll try not to make a big deal about it. He played LW in Atlanta, but he does play RW in Colorado

Bruno was moved to LW on the FAB lines as Audette was the RW on that line, but he’s a RW, but whatever, the guy was much needed (look at his stats since he left here, but Waddell said he wasn’t worth $1.5m).

And what are you talking about with Neil Smith for GM? Neil freakin’ Smith? Do you even know who he is and his track record? Neil Smith?!?! Now that WOULD be a step backwards.

How about Enstrom? Besides, X was drafted in the 8th round, not 7th. Same as Enstrom. 8th round

Thanks for making my point. So, we have Enstrom, a crap shoot taken in the 8th round and he’s the only one of 27 dmen or whatever (someone with more patience than I looked that up) drafted by Waddell that’s worked out? Yea for Don, 8 more years and mabye we get someone to pair with Enstrom? Woo hoo!

Kristian Huselius will be here Thursday night. He’s the Flame to scout, as he is a pending UFA. He’d be a welcome addition here

Brendan, I’ve never like Huselius’ game, too soft, so no offer from me for him. We need some guys that go in the corner and win a puck, that was disgusting watching the Avs just walk over us last night.

By Alan

March 12, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

LAS VEGAS THRASHERS COMING SOON

More and more these days, I find myself saying WHAT THE F*** to some of the stuff you’re saying. This is no exception.

Also, consider buying a keyboard without a caps lock button next time.

By NASCAR Dave

March 12, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

that was disgusting watching the Avs just walk over us last night.

YEP. THANK DON WADDELL FOR THAT CRAP, TOO. WAY IN OVER HIS HEAD. CAN’T COACH… MCCRIMMON CAN’T EITHER.

THESE PLAYERS QUIT ON THEM SIMILAR TO HOW THEY QUIT ON HARTLEY. OR WERE THEY QUITTING ON WADDELL THE GM?

WHO KNOWS ANYMORE…. THE FACTS ARE FACTS - WADDELL CREATED THIS MESS, AND IN THE END HE WILL TAKE THE FALL FOR THIS.

AS MUCH AS I HATE THE OWNERS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE COMPLETE IDIOTS TO ACTUALLY KEEP WADDELL AROUND!

WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT IS A LAME DUCK GM. WHY HE STAYS ON THE BENCH COACHING AT THIS POINT IS BEYOND ME.

HE NEEDS TO GO BACK UP THERE IN THE PRESSBOX AND START WORKING ON HIS RESUME. HE’S GONNA NEED IT SOON!!!

By ToF

March 12, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Nascar !@#$ OFF! If you would like to add something that is useful to the convorsation go for it. But repetative tirades against the GM in all caps in nothing but pure !@#$ing annoyance. So for the love of god, grow the !@#$ up and and turn the damn caps lock off.

By Terrence Moore

March 12, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

The problem with the Trashers is they don’t have any blacks on the team.

By GaVaHokie

March 12, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

I’m just waiting for Bob and Nascar and Sage and all those guys to leave like they said they would if Waddell stays…

“Goodbye… I’m leaving… I’m not coming back…seriously I’m going to go this time…bye… see you later… you won’t see me anymore…I’m serious… I’m leaving.”

Let the fan cleansing process begin! GOODBYE!!

By NASCAR Dave

March 12, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

By ToF
March 12, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Nascar !@#$ OFF! If you would like to add something that is useful to the convorsation go for it. But repetative tirades against the GM in all caps in nothing but pure !@#$ing annoyance. So for the love of god, grow the !@#$ up and and turn the damn caps lock off.

HUH???

WHEN YOU LEARN TO SPEAK ENGLISH, I MIGHT ACTUALLY RESPOND TO YOU.

By ThrashDawg

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

Nascar Dave As a fellow Dawg you are not making me very proud with your non-stop venom you are spewing! Please for the love of the Dawgs stop the ranting. Please….

By Bob

March 12, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

I’m just waiting for Bob and Nascar and Sage and all those guys to leave like they said they would if Waddell stays…

Dude, don’t lump in with those two guys, I tend to try to form a coherent argument, which I know you just hate, seeing how you got all the brains and stuff.

Fear you not, I’m not leaving the blogs. I’m just no longer buying season tickets until A)they get a new GM AND B)allow the new GM to make the right moves on July 1st.

Then we talk about tickets again.

If those moves don’t happen, then it’s Center Ice and an odd game here or there when it’s convenient for me, and hopefully at 50% off.

But not leaving the blogs, nope, sorry. Watching you and a couple of the other dolts on here talk yourself in circles is pure entertainment worth way more than what I pay for it.

You still have my sides hurting over your brainy idea of Neil Smith for the new GM. Please tell me you were joking with that? Please? You can’t be that inane, can ya? Never mind…

By ranallo10

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

Bob — So your subsidizing your monetary support of Waddell and the ASG into the NHL and Gary Bettman’s pocket?

I thought you hated him too…

And to be fair, I do distinguish your brand of fanaticism as logical and coherent, and different than other fanatics around here. I may not agree with you at times, but that’s a different story.

By ScubaDawg

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

What I want to know: Who’s fault is it that we lost Marc Savard, Andy Sutton, Braydon Coburn, Shane Hnidy, and the like. I know we can’t keep everyone, but there is something for keeping the chemistry together, especially for producers. Bob Hartley was NEVER the problem. It’s either Waddell or, more than likely, the Spirit Group…or both. Until the owners make a commitment to spend money and keep good players here, the Thrashers will be mediocre at best.

By NASCAR Dave

March 12, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

OK ThrashDawg, Oops, I mean GaVaHokie. Because you are the same person, unlike Bob, Sage, and Myself.

Look people, you are getting mad at the wrong guy! All I am doing is telling you the facts! Look at any other team in the league and tell me what other GM with a similar track record as Waddell’s has been allowed to keep their job as long as he has?

If you wanna get mad at the AHL Product they flaunt on the ice, get mad at those responsible for it - Don Waddell. Don’t get mad at me, I’m just pointing out the facts!

Waddell created this, he will be held responsible, and hopefully the new GM can fix this mess created by Waddell swiftly.

We will see…

By NASCAR Dave

March 12, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

SEE? SCUBADAWG GETS IT!

ONE DAY THE REST OF YOU APOLOGISTS WILL UNDERSTAND.

I HOPE.

GO DAWGS!

By Alan

March 12, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

All I am doing is telling you the facts!

Oh really? Let’s see…

LAS VEGAS THRASHERS COMING SOON

Some fact.

By ThrashDawg

March 12, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

OK Nascar Dave here is my feeling in a nut shell about you. You have an opinion, it may be an opinion that most of us agree with. But, they way you express yourself turns alot of people off that otherwise might be on your side. Do you get that? I appreciate your passion, just watch that you don’t come off as that drunk guy in the seat behind my family that is screaming four letter words and spilling his beer all over me. OK?

By Jim

March 12, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

The number of negative posts and the unbelievable anti-Waddell sentiment should tell the Thrash owners that they’d better take another look at the question of retaining DW. If he stays, I see a bunch of STHs abandoning ship including my wife and me. Their trying to throw dog food at us at sirloin prices. Can there be two bigger dogs in the league that Klee-Exelby. They are absolutely pathetic. Someone nicknamed DW- “Teflon Don”. He has to have something on someone.

By ranallo10

March 12, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

ScubaDawg — Not many Atlanta fans would agree that Andy Sutton was a missing piece this year. By most of us fans, he was not sorely missed. I doubt his production (or lack there of) was missed by this team.

While I personally missed Hnidy’s contributions and would rather him on the roster than Klee, he’s not exactly tearing it up in his new location. He signed in Anaheim (bad career decision looking at their depth on D), and subsequently got traded to Boston.

Also, Hnidy played one full season with the Thrashers, and often with different line mates (at one time Sutton was asked how it was adjusting to a right handed shooting defenseman as his partner, to which he [not surprisingly] responded that he doesn’t change a thing). I doubt much chemistry was created between him and the other departed line mates of his, like De Vries, Sutton, etc.

Finally, of the 4 players you mentioned, three left via free agency. The key word being free. They could have left because Waddell didn’t offer them a contract, because they disliked Hartley, because they disliked Atlanta, because…(you get my point?).

I understand your point (Waddell’s roster turnover has lead to bad team chemistry, which in turn has lead to a bad on-ice product), I just think your argument needs…strengthening.

By NASCAR Dave

March 12, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Ok, ALAN please expand on this….

Will the Atlanta Thrashers be for sale soon?

To a local interest, perhaps.

What do you know, and what are your sources? Please tell.

By ranallo10

March 12, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

“perhaps” … key word.

By GVH and Teacher

March 12, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

HABS INSIDE/OUT site says there are too many homosexual animal abusers that watch Hee Haw all the time. Get a job, and wear some socks. Hoylanta is for losers, smootch.

By Hockey Jerseys Direct

March 12, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

http://www.hockeyjerseysdirect.com

By Katie Couric

March 12, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

BREAKING NEWS: If you sit in Sections 319 or 320 for hockey games at PHILIPS ARENA, it has now been confirmed that you are indeed dumber than mule feces.

We’ll have further updates as these idiots continue to make ill-conceived comments and act like they are smarter than self-made millionaires.

By Brendan

March 12, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Jim, actually the person who bestowed the nickname “Teflon Don” was me, back in 2005. I never thought it would “stick.” Bah-dum-bum. But yes, you’re right. How is it that Waddell keeps his job?

The only “serious” answer I have … is that he must be keeping the franchise solvent. I couldn’t righly tell you what the Thrashers make, if anything. I can offer “guestimates,” but the truth is … that I don’t know. And I’m not sure how Forbes thinks they know. I’m sure The Internal Revenue Service knows.

But uhh, getting them to disclose that would take an “Ex-Parte Order.” Which isn’t going to happen, unless you successfully convince The U.S. Attorneys’ Office that Waddell’s actions, or those of the Atlanta Spirit Group, have crossed the line into the criminal. And well, no matter how INCOMPETENT you might view Waddell, Billy Knight, and the ASG, nothing they’ve done has actually violated any laws.

And just in case you’re curious, it’s not against the law to be stupid, inept, incapable, unpopular, weird, obnoxious, or rude. That is, unless Proposition 237 passes, and we all hope it does. Nathan, can I get a “ruling?” The proposed Amendment didn’t make it to the Primary ballot. But, keep your eyes peeled for the November elections.

And remember, “Vote No!” on Waddell, by voting “Yes” on Proposition 237.

By R. Stroz

March 12, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

Kiwi put on waivers.

By ranallo10

March 12, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

Stroz, where are you seeing that report?

By R. Stroz

March 13, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

ranallo10 - tsn.ca

By R. Stroz

March 13, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

ranallo10 - Here’s the link, I’ll probably screw the formating up, but I’ll give it a shot.

Kiwi put on waivers

By ranallo10

March 13, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

Thanks bud. I know Chicago fans will be happy to see him back, he has 17 goals and 42 points for them (and is an alternate captain). Hopefully this means Valabik will be called up soon.

Desbiens was sent down to Gwinnett earlier this month, and Denny called up to Chicago recently. So if you want to see a good few fighters, check out Stoesz or Desbiens in Gwinnett. Oh yeah, they also play hockey there.

By R. Stroz

March 13, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

Wow, I did it right the first time!

That feels sooo good.

By Alan

March 13, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this

I finally found it on TSN’s Ice Chips section. I’m willing to bet this is just him being sent back down to Chicago.

By Turn Out The Lights The Franchise Is Over !

March 13, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

Out STR called the other night. Wanted to know when we would be renewing out ST’s we have had the past 4 seasons. I said, I will not renew, then I was asked why, I responded, because of owners who are complete jerks and clueless as to Don Waddell. She proceeded to tell me, Don Waddell is a great GM and is going to lead the Thrashers to the playoffs…..

I about threw up, I was stunned, then I said no way do we renew, until Waddell is gone and new ownership comes into play, I am sick and tired of paying my money to see a bunch of second stringers try to play NHL hockey… When the person in charge cannot produce and produce on a regular basis, it is time to replace them. She said, So I assume you will not be renewing your ST’s I said Hell Yes and hung up, the last I will deal with asg !

By robo

March 13, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Why is Waddell still behind the bench at games? The season is over- he should be doing his GM job full time searching for a top notch coach and let the assistants run the team the final 10 games. Their season is somewhat similar to the Hawks with one common denominator- same mediocre ownership will yield a mediocre product. Not much to look forward to with these teams unless real changes are made.

By GaVaHokie

March 13, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

That’s a good sign that Valabik might come up… they’ll need Kiwi in Chicago if we start making call-ups… I just hope he passes waivers.

By GaVaHokie

March 13, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Bob… if you’ll read my statement again, you’d see I said “I’d consider Neil Smith, but I’m not crazy about it”. Still waiting for your suggestion. At least I put something out there.

Neil Smith ended the 54-year Stanley Cup drought in New York, for one. The Penguins almost hired him last year and he’s been a consultant for them the last couple years.

The Islanders situation was just bad altogether… Wang is a nut.

The reason I’m not “crazy” about the guy is the chaos he caused at the end of the ’90s for the Rangers… building those expensive rosters with no results. Mike Keenan leaving town, etc.

Is that a good enough explanation? Want to continue questioning my intelligence.

Give me your GM and coach candidate with as much explanation as I’ve provided please, so we can all be overly critical about it.

By Sammy

March 13, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Is it sad that we hope that Kiwi is not claimed on waivers because he has looked better than most of the regular thrash d-men?

I normally go to 8 to 15 games a year but after buying tickets to game 5 of the playoffs not getting to use them and watching this mess this year, I do not plan on going back until a plan is in place. I know that we have had plans: the 5 year plan and the youth movement this year but those were not real plans. IMO I would like to see skating, puck moving d-men with larger, happy to shoot, and get in the crease forwards. Have the ability to get it out of one end and keep it in the other.

I will keep a close eye on things and if things seem to moving in a positive direction then I will be happy to return to Phillips.

By Atlanta in FLAMES

March 13, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Hey little bluebird losers, are you ready for your beatdown tonight?

Once again, the “real” Atlanta hockey team is here to show you losers how it’s done!

Go Flames!

By Atlanta in FLAMES

March 13, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Hey, please start that LETEMIN kid!

We’re going for a 10 spot tonight!

Go Flames!

By Nikita

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

in the crease forwards

Yeah, we have a bunch of those. They all play on the same two lines, though.

By GaVaHokie

March 13, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

I wonder if ‘Atlanta in FLAMES’ is the same as NASCAR Dave is the same as Sage of Blueland, is the same as sucker…

What a raging psychopath you are.

PSYCHO

NUFF SAID

By GaVaHokie

March 13, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

People don’t get sucked into thinking everybody here agrees that Waddell should be fired because at least 5 of the people on here are the same person.

…at least.

By GSU-Lee

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

Atlanta in FLAMES, does it make you feel better about yourself to trashtalk the 14th place team in the east? Lehtonen will probably start tonight, but if you do get 10, which may actually happen, it will be because we do not actually have a defense, nor have we since…well…ever. In fact, if Lehts decides to go crazy tonight, he could beat you guys by himself. And we all know what’s going to happen, the Flames are going to finish string, look sollid for the last two weeks before burining out in the second round of the playoffs, so don’t get too excited.

By NASCAR Dave

March 13, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Hokie - Get a life nerd. Vick wants to know why you are late for the dogfight.

NUFF SAID.

By MB

March 13, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Stroz & ranallo, while you were on the TSN site, did you check out the goal of the year video with Nash and Toews?

Unbelievable.

By ranallo10

March 13, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

MB — I had seen that previously, but I agree that both were amazing. I was a little more impressed with Nash’s because he was seemingly toying with the defense, brought it past something like 4 guys at an average pace, and still made the goalie look silly.

But yeah, one of those deserves an ESPY.

My favorite Thrashers goal this year is probably Kovalchuk taking it coast to coast against Carolina and deking three defenders before putting it in. Wasn’t there also one where Kovalchuk slapped it out of the air while falling (not as good as Holik’s last season, but still rather impressive)?

NASCARDave — Did you honestly just resort to calling someone a “nerd”?? Come on dude, that’s just lame-o.

By Alan

March 13, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

ranallo - I liked the Colin Stuart coast-to-coast effort against Buffalo earlier this season, myself.

By Bob

March 13, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

People don’t get sucked into thinking everybody here agrees that Waddell should be fired because at least 5 of the people on here are the same person.…at least.

Dude, you got issues. Paranoia, The Destroyer!

This is the last time I respond to you, you’re going in the same ignore group as the other couple of misfits. There are at least 20 other competent Asst. GMs out there, most of whom would jump at the chance. I prefer it’s someone that’s been working under a Burke or a Gainey so they’ve learned how to build a successful club. The new GM needs to hand pick his own coach, it’s ludicrous to suggest a coach without knowing the system and vision the GM brings, they have to be on the same page (which is why it was ridiculous for Waddell to claim “youth movement” last summer yet retain Hartley and give him an extension). GM first, then he brings his coach so they can build a system together.

Hokie, if you don’t understand that the season ticket holders who have been subsidizing Waddell’s incompetence for 8 years now aren’t overwhelmingly done with Waddell and want him gone, then you are completely out of touch (there’s a news flash). There’s two Fire Waddell web sites up, the one is collecting signatures of current season ticket holders who want him gone, and they’ve got a lot of sigs already just from the one game on Tuesday. I’ve taken the temperature in my section, and the guys all want him gone and most have already said “no more tickets till he’s gone” to their reps, myself included.

Happy trails to ya, Hokie.

By Thrasher_Ed

March 13, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

According to the Thrashers site, Kiwi is in the starting line-up. Kovy has been moved down to play with Holik and Thorburn, or Holik and Thorburn moved up if you prefer. Kozzy will skate with Little & Recchi. We need something positive tonight for us as fans and the team.

By NASCAR Dave

March 13, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

EXCELLENT POST BOB!

Hokie is disillusioning himself. It’s really quite sad to watch…

By Buzilla Baby Blues

March 13, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Is NASCAR a sport?

By ranallo10

March 13, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

There’s an online petition to fire Mick McGeough, as well as Gary Bettman.

Those online petitions and fire so-and-so sites just mean some group of people were angry enough to create a website, that doesn’t mean the person is bound to get fired. I understand people don’t like him, wont buy tickets, etc etc, but that doesn’t mean the franchise will just up and fire him.

Even though it doesn’t mean much, I signed the McGeough website last season, has anyone else?

Does anyone know if there is a “buyout the ASG” website?

By NASCAR Dave

March 13, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Is NASCAR a sport?

Yes, and when the drivers get mad at each other, they will ACTUALLY FIGHT!

UNLIKE THE GUTLESS WIMPS IN BABY BLUE!

By Sage of Bluesland

March 13, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

So, little GaVaSheep thinks I’m posting under different names?!

What an ignorant lambchop!—you’re just as wrong about that as you have been in your incessant defense of our bumbling Donny.

It must hurt you and RanalloSheep to realize how WRONG you have misjudged the very control center of the team you allege to care about.

I can’t tell you how THRILLED I am to hear of how many STHs are saying, “Thanks, but no thanks!” to the arrogant organization who doesn’t deserve any support whatsoever.

Many people are finally waking up to the nightmare that is the blustering Don Waddell!!! At this rate, only those frequenting Phillips will be bona-fide sheep…

Wake the @#$% up, Atlanta. STOP SUBSIDIZING THE INCOMPETENCE.

~Sage of Bluesland~ (original signed for you, GaVaSheep!)

By Carl99fan

March 19, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

Are you kidding me??!!! As a transplanted Philadelphian, I love hockey…I want so much to be able to root for this Atlanta team, however, retaining Waddell for another year is ridiculous. Eight years and zero playoff wins…are you kidding me!!! In a heartbeat, I’d buy season tickets if I thought the team was headed in the right direction. Get rid of the GM, bring in an experienced coach and try to create a successful franchise. I can’t even watch anymore. Waddell has to have the worst career record for GMs in NHL history…Hossa, Savard, Brunette, Coburn, Kunitz, Stefan, Sellars, Tampa Bay, 37% winning percentage since 1999…and the list goes on and on…