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