Thrashers

By NASCAR Dave

April 4, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

No Beast, please. No Waddell either.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/replacewaddell/

By MB

April 4, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

CC, doesn’t Tampa Bay hold the 30th spot as of this moment?

Looks like they’re tied with LA at 71 pts., but LA has won one more game (which I thought would give them the edge, if they remain tied).

Keep rooting for St. Louis…GO BLUES!!!

As for Beast, I’ve said my peace before. If he’s the choice, then I hope I’m totally wrong about him. And since there’s little doubt that Recchi knows more about hockey than I do, I very well may be wrong.

By Mac

April 4, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

A loss would definitely be the best thing as far as the draft, but with Lacavalier out the chances for a win just went up quite a bit. I can’t actively root for them to lose, but I’ll be happy if they do. Thinking of Kovalchuk and Stamkos playing together takes me to a happy place, but I’m not holding my breath, since when has this franchise ever had any good luck? If miracles involving lottery balls and Stamkos don’t happen, I’d like Pietrangelo.

As for Beast, I wouldn’t have picked him, but who am I to argue with the guys who work with him everyday? If his hands have really been that tied, I guess it would be interesting to see what happens.

Oh - and a drawing to go to the draft lottery? AWESOME!

By Craig Custance

April 4, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

MB - If we’re keeping it real, I don’t know what the tiebreaker would be for the last spot. Anybody care to look it up?

By Mac

April 4, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Kukla’s Korner posted the tiebreakers for playoff standings last night, and I see no reason they’d determine last place any differently:

To be clear, it’s the 2nd list.

By silverpork

April 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

I’m curious as to why some people are so against the Beast. I realize there are certainly other great candidates, but when so many players are so vocal about their support for him, and so many analysts have said that if DW does not hire him, he will get hired away from ATL within a year or so and given a head coaching job elsewhere, what’s the basis for being so convinced he’s the wrong choice?

By kev

April 4, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

That’s right. Since TB has one fewer win than LA, Tampa is looking at the first pick if they lose and LA loses, or if they win and LA wins. TB will have the second pick if they win on Saturday and LA loses to Anaheim. Would love to see Stamkos with ATL but I won’t be too disappointed with one of the defenders (Doughty or Pietrangelo).

By d

April 4, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

What’s the big deal about the #1 draft pick for the Thrash - just remember these two words: Patrik Stefan.

By A$G

April 4, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

McCrimmon is a good choice. We won’t have to spend any more money. We don’t like spending money. We want you fans to spend money. Come down for fan appreciation night. WE APPRECIATE YOU FANS SO MUCH! You continue to spend your money on our tickets while we stay at the bottom of the league on salaries!

Thank you all so much for your support!

$incerely, A$G

By silverpork

April 4, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

d - I think the consensus amongst pro scouts is that the only similarity between Stamkos and Stefan is the first letter of their last name. Beyond that, two completely different players. Granted, many 1st rounders have gone on to early retirements, but Stamkos seems to be the real deal.

By Craig Custance

April 4, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Kev - I agree that the Thrashers are in good shape no matter what. I really like what I hear about Doughty, although he’s not the biggest defenseman.

By BG33Brown

April 4, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

silverpork I am against the beast b/c these players haven’t done anything to justify keeping any coach on that bench around. If they wanted Beast to be their coach, they should have spent the last 76 games showing that he deserves it.

By B. Thenet

April 4, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

I have not been pleased with Beast’s lack of accountability for the teams performance this year. “Don’t ask me, I’m not in charge”, “That decision is above my pay-scale”, that doesn’t sound like HC material to me at all.

In addition, other than Enstrom and Havelid, our defense took a major step back this year across the board.

It is hard to see this team getting any better with Beast running the team.

By Bob

April 4, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

silverpork, the reason that I and many others don’t want Beast is that Beast has been in charge of our defense since he’s been here. Any more questions? lol. The club needs a complete enema, which we aren’t going to get and they’ll wind up going cheap and signing Beast as he may be the only guy that would take the job under Waddell, which brings me to this…

I read between the lines the info from Craig above about sending a fan up there for the draft, and I’m thinking it’s because they firing Waddell Monday morning, right, so he won’t be there at the draft since he got s** canned, right? Right? Uh…I get the Atlanta Business Chronicle and guess what one John Mannasso reported in there in his article about the Spirit and how season ticket renewal sales are down for the Thrashers (there’s a shocker). Try this on for size, I’ll paraphrase here “in an unpublicized move last year, the Spirit gave Waddell a 2 year contract extension after he took over the coaching reins and went 11-4”. Yes, that was the sound of my head banging on my desk that you heard earlier today. Here’s the link if you have a subscription

Excuse me while I go get liquored up tonight trying to forget what morons we have for owners, they gave Waddell a 2 year contract extension after 3 weeks of coaching and getting the standard bounce after a coach firing. Morons. Did I say they were morons? Morons. Complete and utter morons. We are poly-screwed. Completely and utterly screwed. You just know they’re not going to eat that money. Morons. Friggin morons. Levenson, Levenson, Levenson, You Suck!

By silverpork

April 4, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

BG33Brown, I’d argue that had they played well over the past 76, it would only serve to validate DW’s coaching ability, not the Beast’s. I don’t think you can judge his performance based on the play of the team when he clearly (as Recchi even pointed out) had such a limited amount of control.

I’m not saying he is THE guy, I just think you can’t easily discount some pretty strong support from his peers and the players.

By Sam

April 4, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

What a great recommendation! To have the players who have worked with you for a couple of seasons act as your advocates says a lot, IMO. I thought the coaching question was the one Don stumbled through the most today in his 680 interview.

I wonder if Beast feels he got a bum deal this season (he did) and if he’s looking for work elsewhere. Why not put some feelers out? He’s got very little reason to be loyal to those in charge here, from what I can see. I’m sure lots has gone on behind the scenes that we’ll never know about. But that brings me back around to player recommendations. Says a lot for Beast.

Man, I want to be the STH who goes to the draft lottery….unless we end up picking last, LOL .

By silverpork

April 4, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Bob, you make valid points and there is part of me, like many of you, that wants a total house cleaning, starting with DW. I guess my only question is this - was Beast truly “in charge” of the D, or was he asked to run it within the confines of a system dictated by DW? If he was handcuffed by that system, do we really know what he can do?

Sounds like an excuse, which is basically what B. Thenet said, and maybe it is, but I’m just not ready to toss him out yet.

By 123

April 4, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Sure, let McCrimmon have this job, so we will secure 1 overall draft pick next year. No more sliding to 3d or 4th. Afterall, he was in charge of our defense for so long. Just take a look how many quality defensemen we produced under his wing.

Enough of this crrrrap. Are you @)$@ kidding me??? Bring in a REAL coach. Not a player favorite guy who is dearly loved by every player. Bring the one that can earn respect among players by his actions, by making players work, so they play with 100% effort every game.

McCrimmon….what a joke! Gimmme a break.

By ThrasherNY

April 4, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

CC: Can you explain what the table above represents. I read it as the chance each team has at the #1 pick based on where they land in the standings. My problem is that it doesnt add up. If the bottom five teams have a chance at the first pick there percentages should total 100%. Subtraction tells me that based on the table provided by DW the 26th place team has a ~26% chance???

By MB

April 4, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

ThrashNY, the way I understand it, teams all the way down to 17th have a shot at winning the lottery, but whoever wins the lottery can only move up 4 spots, which is why everyone focuses on the top 5 teams.

I think the 17th place team has like a .5% chance of winning it.

The other end of things is that no team can slide more than one spot, so if we end up 3rd worst, we’ll pick no worse than 4th.

Right?

By Barry

April 4, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

I have one question. McCrimmon was a dman in his day. He is responsible for dmen positioning and strategies right? Well my question is isn’t he partially responsible for the bad play of our dmen all the years he’s been here? I know we haven’t had the best defensive crop on this team over the year, but surely Klee, Zhitnik, and the others should be able to play at least a little better under a better structure than what we saw this year right??? I guess it’s great the players believe and trust Beast but I’m all for reinventing our play style and strategies with a new head coach. For one thing our PP needs to be reinvented. It has sucked for the last 2-3 years with very little improvements.

By brian

April 4, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

these blogs are funny! the only chance the Thrashers ever have to become a good organization is to start over. Waddell has to go back to the minors where he belongs. 8 years and not one good D - pathetic. His draft picks that earn him praise would have been chosen by anyone! Now to the beast, who will be a good coach SOMEDAY. He needs to move with Waddell and keep earning his stripes. The ownership is a joke, so how van anyone under them be considered anything more than a joke. It is time to bring in Pat Quinn and start over. If you do not agree, you know NOTHING about hockey.

By David Duke

April 4, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

When does ice puckey season end? Are the Trashers in overtime or something?

By funcused

April 4, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

Correct me if I am wrong, but during the trade deadline, the time period where we won, what, 2 games, wasn’t Beast handling 100% of all practices while DW focusd on the “future”?

It seems to me that if he was the best candidate for coach DW would have put him in there.

Personally, think it is time for a house cleaning. Get rid of excuses. Fresh coach, fresh players, fresh year and all of it to go along with the fresh coat of paint at the CNN Center.

By moo

April 4, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

Ottawa is considering hiring BOB HARTLEY — a real coach for a real organization. Nice.

By Bob

April 4, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

I have one question. McCrimmon was a dman in his day. He is responsible for dmen positioning and strategies right?

You’re Headed In the Right Direction (copyright ASG, patent pending). Now, Riddle Me This, Barry, what position did Donny Waddell play before he blew his knee in 1980?

By moo

April 4, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

we need to hire Johann Hedberg as goalie coach and let him work exclusively with Lehtonen and Pavelec.

By Patrick

April 4, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

Craig, what’s so good about Stamkos anyways? What makes it so good that if we win the lottery and we get him, that it changes our plans for next season? Why is that?

By A$G

April 4, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

brian….. “The ownership is a joke” No no no not at all. We will cut out 17 million in salary between the UFA’s (this summer) and shipping out Hossa. Our average attendance is down less than 1,000 per night from last season. We held on to most of the season ticket holders with that bs town hall meeting thing when we told everyone we were going to make changes. We can stand to lose alot of ticket sales and still come out ahead with the 17 million we will save. We will get some aging vets that are at the end of their careers. They are cheap and they have name recognition. We will fill the rest roster with RFA’s (they are cheap) ship em out once the are UFA’s and start wanting some money, or 3rd and 4th liners that are a dime a dozen. Salaries stay low and we still sell enough tickets. The joke is on the fans. We laugh out loud at these blogs were the fans are so distracted with which draft position we will get or who will be the coach that they never notice our strategy of holding payroll down and just keeping them believing we will bring in real players in the future.

By Sam

April 4, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/9949/2008prospectssteven_stamkos/

and from The Hockey News:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/12518-Steven-Stamkos-tops-midseason-entry-draft-rankings.html

By Firsty McFirst

April 4, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

First! Just like the Thrashers’ lottery pick! SCORE!!!!!!!!!!

By Tim

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

Must I remind that there is still a draw? Last season, Chicago have the least chance of winning the sweeptake yet they end up with the 1st overall pick. Sure, finishing last have a greater chance of winning the lotterie but it is by no mean a garantee. Now what if the team that won the lotterie is the 27th position which is the one currently occupied by St. louis but not the one currently occupied by the Thrashers? Then wouldnt we said that we should win that last game instead? That’s the beauty of the lottery. While we know that last team get the best chance, as long as you have chance at winning, that’s all it matter.

By Brendan

April 4, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

Unbelieveable that Carolina lost at home tonight to Florida. And with it, they may have not only lost the Southeast Division title, but a playoff berth as well. When Brind’amour went down with a serious injury, we didn’t think Carolina would be much of a factor. But they turned it on. Meanwhile, Ottawa went into a freefall. Carolina deserves to be a playoff team more than Ottawa. Same goes for Washington.

Okay gang, time to start thinking about your “dark horses.” These are not your “picks,” per se. But rather, they are your “longshot” picks for a lower seed to make it to the Conference Finals or beyond.

Who wants to go first? I like the Rangers as a “dark horse” in the East. I know, what if they nail down the #4 spot, then they’re not a LOWER seed. Well, if NJ winds up 5th, then I can take them, now can’t I? They’re also a decent candidate to go far into the playoffs, with Brodeur.

Out West, I’m looking at Colorado. Maybe Foote and Forsberg can make believers out of this bunch, which just missed the playoffs last year? Patrick Roy is gone, but Budaj and Theodore don’t suck. I think they may get Minnesota as their 1st round opponent. If the Aves advance, they may get another crack at the Detroit Red Wings, and that’s always a great series. President’s Trophy winners don’t have a glowing track record of winning Cups.

By LAC

April 5, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this

The Hockey News has a poll up right now to name the BEST NHL GM… There are 10 entries to choose from… and guess who is NOT included… our own Master of Disaster DUMB don waddell, he of the infinity plan.

Just proves yet again what a JOKE GM he is, If we did get the first pick… Can’t you see him trading down for a couple third & fourth rounders, after all those are the type players waddell and Atlanta STUPID Group employ.

Just another sign of the SAD state of affair’s in Atlanta… Guess our post season GLORY is monday night… OH BOY !

What should happen I am still waiting for an answer Craig, as to is waddell aware for the calls for his head ??? You never answered. If waddell holding a press conference an announce he is resigning as GM by noon monday, what a neuse off our necks that would be and real progress will start, but more waddell means more losing, he is just a hopeless LOSER !

By Krust

April 5, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

On a Hockey Rumors Site Coach Hartley coaching Ottawa next season. I got a bad feeling about this one. Marion Hossa signs and Hartley signs with Ottawa. Stanley cup win in 2009. Maybe the Thrashers should hire Hartley back because he was not the problem.

By Thrasher_Ed

April 5, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Anybody still have the link for the discounted tickets from a few weeks ago? Looking for a cheap lower bowl seat for Saturday’s game vs. Tampa!

I hope we win the lottery and get Stamkos. If we get Stamkos maybe we can package some baggage and a pick or too to fill a need area. I would like to see either Beast or John Anderson get the Heac Coaching job next year.

By BeatTheBolts

April 5, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Don’t you think it’s kind of ridiculous to presume that Thrashers players might have a vested interest in throwing the game, Craig? I could possibly see management having that motivation, but not the guys out there on the ice playing for pride. If coach/GM Don Waddell comes to me asks me to try to lose tonight, I crack him in the forehead with the butt end of my stick!

The draft is a big gamble anyways. Unless there is a can’t miss superstar like Lemieux or Crosby available then the fifth guy taken has as much of a chance as being a star as the first guy usually. Sometimes the can’t miss draft superstars don’t have the careers the pundits envisioned for them either (Lindros and Daigle?)

By R. Stroz

April 5, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Thrasher-Ed

www.ThrashersCoupon.com for $15.00 off per ticket

or

go on ticketmaster and use GUIDE as a password

By Tony C.

April 5, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Also, I got some two-for-one vouchers if anyone needs them.

email me:

hispeedtest@hotmail.com

By Rusty

April 5, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

I like Beast. But, I liked Hartley, too. Professional sports isn’t about who you like…it’s about how you win.

If this team really wanted The Beast to be it’s head coach, it would have performed. He ran the practices and did everything a head coach does except he stood at the end of the bench instead of the center during games.

Practice prepares the team for the games and this team rarely arrived at their games prepared. I’m disappointed, too, that Beast failed his audition, but fail he did … or at least the players failed him. If they failed him this year, what makes anyone think they will perform better for him next year.

The Caps did a 180 with an AHL coach. Maybe we should look in Chicago for the next Thrasher bench minder.

By LAC

April 5, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

Love it… Craig will not answer my questions… Why Craig ????????????

By David

April 5, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Waddell isn’t on that list…neither are how many other NHL GM’s? Get over it. He’s not getting fired. Get over it. Move on. Find something more interesting to whine about. The team is losing. It’s tough, but that’s part of the game. He’s not the best GM, but he’s not the worst either.

On a more intelligent note….good finish to the year.

By kevin

April 6, 2008 3:24 AM | Link to this

Wake up BLUELAND,If the THRASHERS don’t make the BEAST the ONLY**Headcoach and get rid of the boring and useless headcoach this team won’t make the playoffs for 10 years!@!@!@!@!@

By Alan

April 6, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

If the THRASHERS don’t make the BEAST the ONLYHeadcoach, we might not have to hear Craig talk about how McCrimmon pulled our players off the ice because the moron blew a gasket and had a hissy fit.

No thanks. He can walk with the rest of our do-nothing free agents.

By Jim

April 6, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

Waddell will be back as GM. McCrimmon will become the coach. Klee and Exelby will continue to give the puck up in their own end and Kari will get shell shocked. Talk about rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

By Christy

April 6, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Craig - First - thanks for the great coverage all season - will you be there for the draft lottery Monday?

Second - Sheesh - I was actually feeling pretty good after last night and then I read your wrap up and now I’m all bummed out instead of enjoying the fact that they at least won their last home game.

Was there really not even one bit of lightness in that locker room? On the one hand, good, they realize they didn’t accomplish all they could have this season. But on the other, good grief, take two minutes to enjoy the fact that even though the season was a disappointment the fans appreciated the evening’s efforts and results.

By Brendan

April 6, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Jim Slater scored his 8th goal, Christy. That’s something “positive” to talk about. Who would have thought that, back at Christmas, when he had a goose egg? Craig ran a blog whose theme was, “Who still has something to play for” and Jim Slater was discussed. Slater, a former 1st round draft pick, 30th overall, from 2002, will be back next year. Or rather, he is still under contract for next season. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Slater could be sweetener in some Draft Day trade. We seem to have an abundance of secondary centers.

When Waddell speaks of Todd White as part of the Thrashers future, I believe he makes reference to the void left by Holik, who is a pending UFA. White’s contract, 4-years/$9.5 million, adequately addresses the role of 3rd line center. We now have Armstrong and Christensen, thanks to the Hossa trade. And it appears that Eric Perrin is now the 2nd line center. But who will play 1st line Center minutes?

Well, we’re all looking at free agency for answers. But if, by serendipity, the Thrashers win the draft lottery and select Steven Stampkos, he could be the one playing our top line minutes at Center.

Depending on what the San Jose Sharks do, Patrick Marleau’s name could surface as a center on the move. I’m not saying that’s the right answer. I’d rather see the Thrashers acquire roster players via draft or via free agency, rather than by trade. When a player arrives as a result of a trade, it wasn’t his choice to be playing in Atlanta. We’ve seen the results of that.

By Brendan

April 6, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Something piqued my curiosity in Craig’s column today, “Waddell shook hands with all the players in the room and thanked them for not quitting when they were out of it.” Does Waddell “normally” shake hands with all the players at the end of the season, or is there … something brewing … like a pending announcement? Could Waddell be wanting more time to spend with his family? Could Waddell be deciding to focus FULL-TIME on the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC? Hmmn?

Allright, with the Capitals winning 11 of their last 12, including the last seven (7) to end the season, is there much doubt who the Hart Trophy Winner is? And now, we’ve got to mention Bruce Boudreau’s name as a potential “Jack Adams” (Coach of the Year) candidate. Though, I suspect that will go to Montreal’s Guy Carbonneau, especially if the Habs wind up with the #1 seed.

As Thrashers fans, we point to the Capitals as a team beneath us who rose above us by changing coaches. While none of that is particularly in dispute, were the Capitals “brilliant” or “lucky” with Boudreau? If Bruce Boudreau were such a fantastic coach, why did he coach over 1,000 games in the minors?

That said, I can’t help but root for the guy. He seems like a “likeable” underdog. The Caps did something ELSE this season that was noteworthy. (What was it?) They re-signed Ovechkin to a 13-year/$124 million contract. There’s no doubt in my mind that that was the source of player inspiration in DC. That’s an owner commited to winning. It took a lot of “guts” to make a contract like that. And then, they made trade deadline moves. Olaf Kolzig is a tremendous goalie, but he’s not a spring chicken anymore. So, they went out and got Cristobal Huet, for a 2nd round pick, as insurance. Great. They get Sergei Federov, to bolster the offense. They picked up Matt Cooke. Green has come along for them. Speaking of “dark horses,” are you SURE the Capitals won’t advance into the second round? Or the third? With the Caps being the #3 seed, and the Penguins potentially being the #1 seed, the NHL could get its wish: Crosby vs. Ovechkin in the Conference Finals. That’s “win-win” for TV ratings. And one of them would go the Finals, guaranteed, in that scenario.

What?? It’s not ENTIRELY impossible. Take a second look at the Capitals. They’re a much better team today than they were at Christmas. Only San Jose is hotter, headed into the Big Dance. Can you imagine … Ron Wilson faces the Washington Capitals, his former team, in the Stanley Cup Finals? That’s an interesting storyline.

By kracker

April 6, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

We need a new person as coach, who I don’t know. I fear, however, that the ASG will go as cheap as possible and that will be McCrimmon. The players like him? Bah, the Falcons’ players liked Mora, too, and that didn’t work to the benefit of the franchise. I want a coach (and a GM) the players respect and also fear a bit, not a locker room pal.

By kracker

April 6, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Craig Here is a great explanation of why the Lightning have a 48.2% chance of keeping the 1st pick instead of the 25% (or 30%) chance listed by the NHL.

Clarifying the draft lottery details

It’s all down to the ping-pong balls now. The Thrash can win the lottery (14.2% chance), maintain the 3rd draft position (56.1%) or move down to 4th if one of the next four teams below them wins the lottery (29.7%).

By Tony C.

April 6, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Ok, here’s a quote from DW that really worries me:

“It was a disappointing season,” he said. “It is important to give our young guys ice time to help our future. Kari was solid tonight, and we think we have a bunch of good, young players. I think we’ll be in good position to add some youth next year.”

Weren’t we adding youth this year? But if it’s something where they realize that band-aid makeovers aren’t going to produce the results everyone’s looking for-then cool. I’m just wary of DW and “youth movement” type talk.

By Alan

April 6, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

Tony - We were adding youth this year, until Waddell decided to gut the team of its young talent.

By NASCAR Dave

April 6, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Well, well, well! Brother RAWHIDE has hit the jackpot once again over his blog!

EVERY single problem on this team is directly ATTRIBUTED to Don Waddell! This guy MUST GO! This is completely UNACCEPTABLE!

Will they fire him BEFORE the lottery tomorrow night? How about let him (DW) SEE the pick WE get, THEN FIRE HIS A$$??? Sounds good to me!!!

DON WADDELL is NOW DONE WADDELL… GOOD RIDDANCE!

With Waddell around, we”ll NEVER be ANYTHING MORE than a mediocre playoff threat at best.

YEAR AFTER YEAR, he FAILS at drafting, signing free agents, addressing needs, building rosters, TRADING… the list goes ON and ON!

The writing is on the walls people! ALL of our STAR-PLAYERS WANT to walk because they don’t Believe in Blueland! This is Waddell’s fault! We CANNOT allow Don Waddell to make this year’s draft selections! He has HAD his CHANCE!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Kovy said it, now the damn ASG NEEDS to STEP UP and do WHAT’S right! FIRE WADDELL!

The New GM can come right in, CUT PAYROLL, lock up our youngsters, and build an NHL ROSTER… something Don Waddell proves year after year, he is COMPLETELY INCAPABLE of doing!

FIRE WADDELL!

NUFF SAID.

By Tom

April 6, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Kolvi has politely drawn the line in the sand with his demand things improve.

Will the ownership recognize that by change it means change the GM spot?

I doubt it. Very depressing.

By Brendan

April 6, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

Tom, I think it would be BETTER if Kovalchuk told the GM exactly WHO he wants. That way, if the GM gets it, Kovy can’t complain about it. He did what he asked, ya know?

For Kovalchuk to say, “get me a Center and hire McCrimmon to coach” is not enough. Kovy has to know that he’s the “face of the franchise.” Now’s not the time to be timid. Players talk to each other. Surely, there’s a Center in the league who has expressed interest in Centering for Kovalchuk—and whom Ilya would also like to see in that role. Pin him down, Don! Find out who he wants. Then make it happen, if it’s “doable.”

Also of interest is Craig’s assertion that McCrimmon turned down the request to be the Head Coach of this team after the All-Star game. The article doesn’t indicate WHYYYY he turned it down, however. We’re forced to speculate.

By BG33Brown

April 7, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this

Today is probably the most important day for our franchise going forward. An unprobable Stamkos win, and I don’t think it would be too difficult to find some talented players to come to the ATL.

If we don’t win the sweepstakes, and don’t make sweeping changes to our front office-no matter how much money we throw at top players like Redden or Campbell, I feel we will have no such luck.

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Come on ASG - BE REAL MEN!!! Cut this clown Don Waddell NOW!!!

This was the year HE WAS EXPOSED for his LACK OF ABILITIES!

We the THRASHER FANS want to WIN, and we want TO WIN NOW! We are READY to move forward WITHOUT DON WADDELL!

Come on ASG, PLEASE make Don Waddell = DONE WADDELL!!!

NUFF SAID.

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Come on ASG - BE REAL MEN!!! Cut this clown Don Waddell NOW!!!

This was the year HE WAS EXPOSED for his LACK OF ABILITIES!

We the THRASHER FANS want to WIN, and we want TO WIN NOW! We are READY to move forward WITHOUT DON WADDELL!

Come on ASG, PLEASE make Don Waddell = DONE WADDELL!!!

NUFF SAID.

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Too funny…. It hurts NOT to laugh at you Hokie!

By Midfield

April 7, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Brendan,

I would have to disagree with you here. I am a staunch Kovy supporter around here, but I think “ask what they want” approach is exactly what keeps losing tradition alive in this city. Yes, there should be players’ buy-in, but it has to be very clear that the players do not run the team. Of course, Don Waddell should still be fired, in my opinion, if only in an attempt to restore some credibility to the franchise. Elliot has just quoted Havelid as saying that without the system he felt exposed and that resulted in inconsistent performance from one game to another. I also remember somebody here quoted Hartley as saying that the pre-season moves were made entirely without his input. I’m sure, the players knew about this, and I won’t find it implausible that this knowledge made it this much harder for Hartley to regain control over the locker-room during that tail-spin in October. This sends a disturbing message out: some are accountable for the result without having necessary means to influence it, and some are simply exempt from any responsibility. Take the three mail-men: Hossa, Kozlov, Zhitnik. As far as I am concerned, all three are equally guilty of underperforming. Yet, Hossa is rewarded by the trade to a contender, Kozzy is the “untouchable”, and Zhitnik is all but beheaded in public. This is not good management.

By Brendan

April 7, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Tonight’s the night, folks. PJ, NOW MORE THAN EVERRRR, we need a prayer to the mighty “Thundermaker.” Tune in to NHL TV to watch it all unfold.

By GaVaHokie

April 7, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Nascar… umm, what was wrong with that statement?

You’ve still proven to know NOTHING about hockey. No suggestions, just criticism with no support.

By GaVaHokie

April 7, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Nascar… since you’re so obsessed with me (which is getting kind of gay). Keep an eye on this chart for the next 4 years. And tell me who will make less, and will continue to make less for the next 4 years that has more value than Todd White… keeping in mind UFA and RFA status.

By Brendan

April 7, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Midfield, you do make some very good points there. Kovy can’t “run” the team. He’s not the GM, as he points out in his quote, “I’m not GM this year. He’s over there (pointing to Don Waddell).”

I remember Kovy saying, in reference to Hartley, “He’s the coach this year.” And we ALLL jumped over the ‘this year’ segment of that quote.

Some wanted to argue that Kovalchuk was a “coach-killer.” I disagree with that. Kovalchuk was trying the HARDEST of all the Thrashers in those first six losses. NHL TV’s “On the Fly” Analyst Dave Reid implied that Kovalchuk wasn’t trying all that hard under Hartley, because Hartley made him play defense. Dave Reid doesn’t watch any Thrashers games, aside from the highlights he’s forced to comment on.

But, ultimately, Kovalchuk’s future in Atlanta is tied to this offseason’s moves. With that in mind, I don’t think it’s terrible to get his input. If Kovy produced a short list of names … without issuing an ultimatum … I think that’s reasonable. It’s up to the GM to then make the best possible move, provided that it doesn’t wreck the franchise in the process.

In other words, if Kovy says, “I want Joe Thornton,” that’s not reasonable. There’s no way we could get him from San Jose. If Kovy said, “I want Crosby,” he’s out of his mind. Now, if he actually said, “I want Jagr, Sakic, or Sundin,” … well those are unlikely names, but offers could be made. But none of those players are coming to Atlanta. And they’re all too old to make any kind of impact three years from now, when Kovalchuk’s contract would have been hypothetically renewed. So, we’d be right back to where we are now. And this team doesn’t need any more free agents in their mid-30’s!!! For the love of Pete!!! We should try to get younger.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Hokie — You’ll also notice from Nascar’s link that he/she was not partaking in the blogs at that point in time…or at least not under the current name he/she’s using now.

Much can be surmised from that fact alone.

By GaVaHokie

April 7, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Ranallo10… Classic!! Good observation… we could probably go through that particular blog and make a guess at which one he/she is.

By GaVaHokie

April 7, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Ranallo10… might I point out the next-to-last name on that blog?

By Nikita

April 7, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

I’ve decided that Kovalchuk should neither be captain nor substantially running things. I’m fine with him making requests about his line — for one thing, it’s clear he’s highly capable if he’s happy, but that’s as far as it goes. His play isn’t above reproach — he can be sloppy, he’s a puck hog, and he needs physical backup to take full advantage of that amazing slap shot. His defensive play isn’t stellar, either. And Marian Hossa’s issues weren’t just with management, either. Plus, he occasionally acts like a spoiled brat (which may be shyness, but it doesn’t come across well) off the ice.

Why don’t we pretend this is junior hockey if we care so much about what the team thinks, and let them pick their own captain? Or maybe just let anyone who’s scored 10+ goals vote for captain? Or hey, just let anyone who’s played better than average for the league vote?

Switching gears, I’m getting worried about Don Waddell again…comments to the effect that Todd White would be on the 3rd or checking line scare the &^%$ out of me, especially given the strong likelihood that we’re losing both Holik and Boulton. White is a good player in many ways, but he’s not particularly physical and we’re losing our two most physical UFAs. So a 3rd line similar to this year’s would be two midgets, only one a brawler, with another midget (White). The checking line would be exchanging Slater for White and leaving the line with ?????Larsen???? So I amend my earlier comments about who we need to acquire — either we keep Holik and Boulton or we upgrade with new, large, physical forwards. Or both. But we can’t lose them, fill in with who we have, and expect to do well.

By Russian

April 7, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

I am wondering… What is a player as Stamkos????? Can he play in NHL? I know Ovechik, Crosby, Heatly, Kovy did it. What is about Him? If we get him Is he staing in Junior one more year??? I do not know. May be if we win first draft we can trade it for Bid Name D-men???? Too much questions and no answer at all. We will see who get Number one today. ;-)

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

ANOTHER CLASSIC “Hokie” post!!!

By Midfield

April 7, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Brendan,

I certainly agree that Kovy did not mail it in at any point of the season. In fact, he was the only guy who found unequivocally good things to say about Hartley when Bob was canned. To me this says much more about Kovy’s leadership qualities than smiling (or not) to kids during practice in Duluth as some have suggested here. I guess what I am getting at is monumental leadership void in the front office, and it trickles all the way down on to the ice.

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Still think so, Sparky(Hokie)?

By GaVaHokie

April 7, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

NASCAR… wow, that was a great post. I can’t believe I said that, I was spot on! Thanks for finding that.

By GatorGuy

April 7, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

It would be better for Hockey if LA gets Stamkos. I’m sure Uncle Gary will do what is best for all of us.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

It’s cute, I equate this rehashing of old posts to flirting…

Moving on, who would be opposed to sending both first picks to Los Angeles (my assumed winner of the draft lottery) in exchange for Stamkos? If they declined that offer, would anyone be opposed to sending the second first round pick to LA for O’Sullivan, Brown, or Cammalleri?

Camalleri is the most likely due to his contract situation and recent arbitration ruling, but I would think (read: hope) Los Angeles, IF THEY WON THE LOTTERY, would have an abundance of NHL caliber centermen and be looking to jettison one for a good return.

If I were LA or TB, I’d take Stamkos and decline almost any offer for that pick. If I were LA, I’d hold onto any young player on my roster now.

By GaVaHokie

April 7, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Ranallo… I was thinking the same thing regarding LA. However, Cammalleri is also a LW, so that would probably be their first option. I’m not sure if they’d move anybody… just reshuffle.

LA certainly needs defenseman, but how could they possibly pass up Stamkos?

That Michal Handzus contract was just plain dumb. They’d love to get rid of that I would imagine.

By GaVaHokie

April 7, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

As much as I would love to have Stamkos, I’m perfectly happy with staying where we are, getting either Doughty, Pietrangelo or Bogosian and then trading the 2nd first round pick to Philly for the rights to Jeff Carter.

By Brendan

April 7, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Definitely Midfield. Just look at the Capitals. Everyone likes to point to the hiring of Bruce Boudreau, a guy who coached 1,000 games in the minors, as the turning point. But what was the REAL turning point? Wasn’t it Ovechkin signing that 13-year contract extension?

All of a sudden, the players on the Capitals didn’t have to plot their “exit strategy” if Ovechkin were lost to some RFA offersheet. With AO all locked up, all those Capitals players got reenergized.

Now, look at our Thrashers, going through the same thing with Hossa. Now, I could be wrong here. Had Hossa re-signed some 5-6 year deal, back in November, the Thrashers still could have finished 27th out of 30. We’ll never know.

But if I had to guess, I’d say that contract being successfully resolved would have given the team a bit of energy. Bygones.

To be clear, I don’t blame Hossa. I blame ownership and management. I don’t want to put “percentages of blame” on this situation. They’re BOTH to blame. Let’s leave it at that.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I agree regarding Cammalleri, I would hope he was kept on the LW and Stamkos allowed to play C. I can imagine O’Sullivan could also play wing, but does it really matter?? Having four potential Top 2 Line centermen is a nice spot to be in.

I don’t see Philadelphia trading Carter. I wouldn’t mind Kesler (don’t see him being moved either) for that pick. I’d think if anything we could package a prospect and that pick for someone of importance…I don’t think that trade scenario is too far out of the realm of possibility. I could see Exelby, Sterling, and maybe even White used in such a trade, as they all have a contract and are suitable replacement players.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Did anybody else find it amusing that Stan Hauseman (Thrasher’s blogger at Hockeybuzz.com, and occasional member here) won a uniform at Saturday’s game? It was such an interesting coincidence, I half expected to see “Bill Tiller” and “Craig Custance” on the list of “randomly selected fans”…then I remembered Tiller wasn’t in attendance and Custance is a member of the local media. So I guess Hauseman was all that was left?

Falconer — Did they give you a uniform too??? If so, then there’s a conspiracy at work here.

By Brendan

April 7, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I wouldn’t mind Brown, from Los Angeles. I can’t remember, but I thought he got a contract extension fairly recently. But, I’d really rather draft players than trade for them. Players who are traded here … are playing out of professional obligation rather than by choice.

I hope we get Stampkos. But if not, I’m perfectly allright with Doughty, the defensemen. Trouble is, will he still be there at #3 overall, if that’s where Atlanta drafts??

And yes, I am AWARE that defensemen take much longer to develop than forwards. Well, we’ve got to nail down some blueline draft picks, other than hoping another 8th rounder materializes out of thin air.

Braydon Coburn is gone. Crying about it won’t solve anything. He wasn’t impressive when he was here. And his loss was part of the reason Atlanta got its only playoff berth. What to do with Zhitnik for next season becomes part of the offseason “strategy.” I’d love to get a 5th or 6th rounder for him at the June Draft, but that may be ‘wishful thinking.’ Of course, it is Zhitnik’s ‘contract year,’ and that ought to motivate him to play his best hockey and to report to training camp in better shape.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Brendan — After witnessing Zhitnik’s play for a year and about 15 games, I’m thoroughly convinced the only “motivation” he gets is from being guaranteed a shot in the playoffs. I personally feel he saw that 15 game stretch as his “chance”, (thus why he posted 18 points), and upon the sweep he went back into hibernation (as he’s done most of his career).

Also, I would contend that Coburn was impressive while he was here, just to the wrong people. I found his and Popovic’s play to be fine, and given the limited roles they were playing, I found them to be suitable players in a development role. If Hartley would’ve trusted Coburn with second pairing minutes (and not ridden Havelid and deVries to death, along with Hnidy in the long run), I think Coburn would still be in Atlanta. I pin Coburn solely on Hartley, because there is no excuse for him not getting ice time BEYOND Hartley not giving it to him.

Finally (regarding your post), I think a defenseman isn’t a smart plan with this team, because even with those high draft picks that were defenseman, the minor league “system” has shown no ability to develop defensive talent. Thus, my pick would be on a forward who could use a year at the NHL level IMMEDIATELY.

By Midfield

April 7, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, you said that you were impressed with Coburn, and - in the same breath - you stated that the minor league system has shown no ability to develop defensive talent. If memory does not fail me, it was the very minor league system where Coburn came from to the Thrashers.

By GaVaHokie

April 7, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Ranallo… I’m pretty certain that Philly is going to lose Carter unless they make significant trades. They’re already at $49 million for next season… Carter is sure to make atleast $4 million on his next contract.

Brendan… Dustin Brown is going to be in LA for a long time. Los Angeles a good amount of money to spend this summer.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Midfield — Aberrations are allowed in my above statement, are they not?

I also think Valabik has a foundation to work from, which comes from the “system”. Could they have been better developed to match the NHL system had they been developed through another franchise? I contend they could.

Coburn and Valabik have tools that are hard to teach…size. They both are fine skaters, and needed some positional and situational training/development. They’re cerebral players, and I don’t feel that Chicago was the best situation for them to LEARN how to play defense, but rather thrown into the thick of things and told “do what you can, we’ll tell you what you did wrong during the offseason”.

I’m not completely knocking the Wolves system, but I feel that they’re more interested in players like Kwiatkowski and Brian Fahey than they are Braydon Coburn or Boris Valabik. They have one purpose, win. “Win” at the AHL level doesn’t correspond to “mold talent to NHL standards” (i.e. develop talent).

The learning curve for a defenseman is just as large (in my opinion) as for a goalie…so perhaps this team is better suited using the 2nd and later picks for that position, and drafting a soon-to-be-NHL-ready forward with the first rounders.

This team, historically, has had more successes with their offensive first round selections than with their defensive selections. But, that’s my opinion.

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Like it matters, fellas! Get Real! With Waddell in charge it will only be more of the SAME = An AHL Roster (minus Kovy/Toby) playing and LOSING in the NHL… Why should we look forward to that, Sheep?

We’re not gonna win tonight. That’s what happens when you keep the cancer around (DW)… It spreads. To all facets of the organization.

I still hold out hope Waddell gets FIRED AFTER the pick, you know, kinda like rubbing his nose in it!

HAHA. Waddell is a LIFELONG LOSER with a BIG A$$ head!

NUFF SAID.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Weird, I think Sage sneezed…

Hokie — Good point about monetary restrictions upon Philadelphia, they’ve got little room to wiggle…all for a playoff spot. Yet Holmgrem is being hailed as a great GM for his “win at all costs” mentality. Next thing someone’s going to try to tell me Sather is a good GM.

Anyways…I would think Philadelphia would rather re-sign Carter and move players like Knuble, Kapanen, Hatcher, Rathje, or Gauthier. I’ve got this feeling Hatcher might call it quits, and Rathje was on the LTIR, so he may be able to be wiggled under the Rucchin clause next season, or simply waived.

Philly’s got no monetary restrictions, just salary restrictions. Rathje’s $3.5M being paid as he plays for the Phantoms would be more likely to be used to re-sign Carter.

I think Jason Smith might be the cap casualty that is not re-signed, unless Hatcher retires (which frees up another $3.5M) or one of the aforementioned defenders is traded.

By Breaking News!!!

April 7, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

BREAKING NEWS!!! WADDELL TRADES #1 OVERALL PICK FOR EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING RIGHTS WITH ADAM FOOTE! OTHER SOURCES SAY IT MIGHT BE ROB BLAKE…. STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!

By Hockeyfan

April 7, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Craig What ever happened to a season ticket holder drawing our lottery spot tonight? Did they do this?

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

HOKIE What in GOD’S NAME are you smoking to make you think JEFF CARTER would WANT to come here?

Moron.

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

Well, well, well…. 55% of the responders to the poll feel that WE NEED A NEW GM!!!

Are you LISTENING to your FANS, Atlanta Spirit?

I hope so… because if not, you will see the effects this October…..

Plenty Of EMPTY Seats.

By Sage of Bluesland

April 7, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

“Storstark… and there are people like me [Gavasheep!] who think Waddell hasn’t made a bad decision yet…And, I just opened the flood gates for Bob, LAC and Sage to come walking in with stupid rhetoric backed up with nothing substantial.”

Quite possibly the most ignorant—yet hilarious (!)—statement made on the blog yet…Wow—there goes the credibility yet again, eh, Gavasheep?

Backed up with “nothing substantial”?

Umm, genius, have you seen our record lately? Still wanting to talk of “incremental progress”??? How about that “torrent” of, umm, “talent” at the minor-league level getting ready to light-it-up at the NHL level—the, umm, “Legends of Blueland”???

Wake up and pay attention—and please stop embarrassing yourself…I know it isn’t tough, but hey, I’m here to help…

I also think it’s hilarious that you and your lambchop buddy think I’m Nascar Dave—when it’s obvious the grammar, syntax, and style are completely different…

Don’t believe me and still paranoid? Get the web admin to confirm via email—I’ll be happy to respond to who I am (through that mechanism)…but, yes, I find it funny that some words straight out of my mouth end up in others without the credit due—but, hey, that’s known as having a real impact…

(Sort-of like you, ranlamb, and alanchop lapping up every word of Donny’s, huh?)

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Sorry about that Sage. Must give credit where credit is due. Sage came up with “Sheep”.

But it’s 100% accurate, and quite funny, like Donnie’s glamorous career in the NHL!

NUFF SAID.

By Tony C.

April 7, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

Philly has pretty much come out and said the Jeff Carter is their Captain-of-the-future (much like Heatley was so annointed here-remember that?)…I wouldn’t hold my breath at him [Carter] being moved anytime in the next 7 years.

I’d give it 14-to-1 odds against.

Who oh who can they find to feed #17??? It’s a shame that DW didn’t (or wasn’t allowed to) get a price quote on Gomez-or even Briere (although I don’t want that flopper on my team-give props for his skillset though). Somebody find a list of UFA centRes….or we can all just look at nhlnumbers and window-shop.

I’m all for moving the Pittsburgh pick-but only for the right type of guys. Specifically, I’d like to see us address our lack of quality @ RW. As far as potential UFA additions-what about Hainsey from Columbus? He’s got a wicked shot and decent speed-good size, basically the type of guy we DON’T have. I’m not sure that I’d use our 1st round pick on anyone not named Doughty, Pietranglo or Stamkos (listed alphabetically, not in order of disireability). But I would move both 1st round picks for Pronger. Of course we’d have to make sure Mrs. would be cool with it-we know who wears the pants there.

So I move that we stop b!tching about who and how badly botched this season was-pretty sure we’ve all got a good opinion formed by now. Let me see some possible solutions folks.

I also move against signing Huslieus. I’d rather have Ryder-at least his shoulders don’t dissapear when his shot does.

GO BLUE !!!

Dear tiny infant Baby Jesus-so small & defenseless, yet omnipotent, please use your Baby Jesus powers to help The Thrashers…help clear away that horrible smell from the 2007-08 season-it just reeks and the bloggers are always tearing at it. Baby Jesus- all of 8 pounds, 6 ounces…your little fists all balled up…we ask you to help our management pull on their ears until they hear the “pop”, so that they can get past the 15% increase in franchise value WHOOO!!! LOVE THAT MONEY, and realize that they’re embarrassing themselves and our city….

By Sage of Bluesland

April 7, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

Actually, Dave, I’m honored to see the TRUTH being spread—and if ‘some’ of my words make a difference, then all the better…The many sheep refuse to see—how blind and ignorant they are!

I have pledged to make the figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland” a truly ‘better’ place by letting the light of truth expose the utter FRAUD in our midst.

That FRAUD is Don Waddell—and it is the Spirit…Giving anything to them is doing nothing but wasting your hard-earned money.

There is ONLY ONE WAY to change the behavior: Completely cut the funds. Watch how fast things change if the real ‘fans’ would only act together on a united front!

By Sage of Bluesland

April 7, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Actually, Dave, I’m honored to see the TRUTH being spread—and if ‘some’ of my words make a difference, then all the better…The many sheep refuse to see—how blind and ignorant they are!

I have pledged to make the figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland” a truly ‘better’ place by letting the light of truth expose the utter FRAUD in our midst.

That FRAUD is Don Waddell—and it is the Spirit…Giving anything to them is doing nothing but wasting your hard-earned money.

There is ONLY ONE WAY to change the behavior: Completely cut the funds. Watch how fast things change if the real ‘fans’ would only act together on a united front!

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Gesundheit Sage…you’re full of your sneezes today.

Tony C — I agree on Carter, though I thought it was Richards who was dubbed heir-apparent for the C in Philadelphia. Whatever, they’re set in that position, and I feel monies can be moved in order to retain Carter for a while.

As for things that CAN be done…I have some fandom allegiances to a lot of players on this team, but I truly would not mind two full seasons of the prospects, and a few big name free agents being wooed (not like they’ll sign, but make it obvious we’re trying). I also wouldn’t mind dumping that second first-rounder, but it needs to be a marginal return, not for multiple picks. A bottom 5 pick wont get much in return, but it can get you a solid second liner or more.

Ryder over Huselius, I’m fine with that…but I’d be happy with either. Beggars can’t be choosers.

Hockeyfan — I was wondering the same thing.

By JayBird

April 7, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Damn!!! Hate to see Tampa win the lottery. Hopefully Dummy Don won’t mess up the 3rd pick!

By Russian

April 7, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

They got 3-d round. I think Don is looking for younf D-Man.

By NASCAR Dave

April 7, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

See, I TRIED to tell ya! No one ever listens to NASCAR Dave, but they SHOULD, because I was RIGHT!

We were DOOMED from the start of this thanks to “DONE WADDELL”! Now TAMPA gets STAMKOS! DAMN!!!

NOW’s the time to CUT HIM LOOSE! Waddell, the babbling IDIOT! Before he screws up this pick too! Keep him around, and WATCH him PANIC and TRADE away our prospects to try and MOVE UP! We CANNOT let this happen!

We have 3 1st ROUNDERS! We NEED a NEW GM who can come in and USE THESE PICKS WISELY! DWAD will mess this UP!

I love the THRASHERS! I love them TOO MUCH to watch Don Waddell MISMANAGE them AGAIN, and RUN THEM INTO the GROUND! Enough is Enough! END the INCOMPETENCE!!!

New GM will come right in here AND SLASH payroll, just like Dimitroff and the Falcons! No other way around this MESS Don Waddell CREATED ALL BY HIMSELF! New GM will trade away dead weight and acquire MORE PICKS - 1st and 2nd Rounders maybe, 3rd or 4th Rounders, DEFINITELY. Payroll will DECREASE, DRAFT will be UTILIZED PROPERLY, Emphasis will be put on YOUTH and PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, all skills NOW LACKING in the DON WADDELL ADMINISTRATION…

I know The Atlanta Spirit Group is Not THAT DUMB, are they? To ignore the SAD FACTS?

Bye Bye DONNIE! You are “DONE WADDELL”!

NUFF SAID.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Gesundheit. Man, this pollen is affecting even the blogs…who would’ve thought that was possible.

As for hockey…too bad LA didn’t steal that pick away, it could’ve made moving up a slim possibility. On the bright side, Atlanta didn’t drop the max 2 positions (I’m reaching for straws here).

Doughty and Bogonian look fine, Filatov is my dark horse preference. I think Filatov’s game might translate most similar to Zherdev’s, which would be a nice thing.

Eh, no quick fix for Waddell, let’s see if the ASG makes a move or stays the course. I’m doubtful the first will happen.

By ranallo10

April 7, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Bogosian — my apologies

By Bob

April 7, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

unreal, I cannot believe this day passed and they didn’t can Waddell. Simply, utterly, unbelievable. We are so screwed.

By Tony C.

April 7, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

I dunno about Filatov-he’d fit, but only if we got LOTS more beef up front-even if he fills out the kid’s like 5’10 maaaaybe right? I think with Perrin, Sterling and White we’re pretty much set on smurfs. Even though I love that guy’s moves.

Bogosian has moved up a lot this year on everyone’s charts-I like the video I’ve been able to find….Piertangelo is my pick (assuming that #2 is Doughty), he’s got the size and has upped his O-fense-might even be able to play immediately @ the NHL level. I think that Bogosian could also crack the lineup as a rookie. Again, though I’m drawn to our lack of natural RW’s…This draft is deep, and I’d like to see us go ahead and address needs. I don’t think that C is as bad as it’s been in past years, especially with the revelation that has been Perrin’s play this year. That being said, I still am upset about no Gomez (and yes I think we could’ve gotten him).

On another tangent-do you really think Recchi deserves the C??? After watching him quit on plays the past few games, I’m not for it. I think the younger guys on this team have had all the lessons in prima-donna-hood they’ll ever need.

By Brendan

April 8, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

It looks like it’ll be a defensemen, from the #3 slot. My preference is Doughty. But if it should be Bogosian, that’s going to be okay, too, from the looks of it.

Excuse me for feeling this way, but I’d like to see our organization draft a defensemen who will anchor our blueline for years to come. Otherwise, we’ll have to pay through the nose for free agents. Or hope more 8th rounders pan out.

Sheesh.

Atlanta 4, Tampa Bay 1.

By g-thang

April 8, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this

Wow!! Thrashers get 3rd pick. I was watchin’ it on tv and i knew that we would get the 3rd pick!! Hawks got 3rd pick last year, Falcons got 3rd pick this year, and now the Thrashers!! The Hawks 3rd pick is up for Rookie of the Year. Let’s hope that the Falcons and Thrashers will be just as lucky.

By J.O.S.H.

April 8, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE….. TAMPA GOT STAMKOS,……… THEY’RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, RIGHT?………… AND LA KINGS NEED GOALIE, RIGHT?……… BRUCE, TRADE LETEMIN/SLATER TO LA KINGS FOR #2 PICK……. TRADE PICKS 2 & 3 TO TAMPA FOR PICK #1, STAMKOS…………. THAT MIGHT BE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, RIGHT?………

By Tony C.

April 8, 2008 2:42 AM | Link to this

No way Tampa trades away Stamkos after they lost Richards. But if that trade were somehow possible….You really want to ride Pavlec/Hedberg all year? Besides, If I’m LA, I like what I’ve seen from Labarbra (spl?), enough so that I think Having Doughty join their blueline would be enough of a difference. Besides, Huet’s going to be availible in the summer, as well as Emery (who might just flourish in LA).

Oh well. I guess we’ll see. Most likely, I think we heard DW talking about moving one of the 1st-round picks for a player…I don’t know how attractive that Penguins pick is going to be-They seem to be building steam (especially if you buy the OTT. conspiracy-tanking thing)…which is scary-here’s a draft with at least 2 Damn-near ready for the NHL blueliners in the top positions….where has the team been historically weak? I don’t think that even DW will pass on these kids. But who knows?

what did happen with the STH representative anyway?

By ranallo10

April 8, 2008 3:08 AM | Link to this

Tony C. — I thought the same thing (about the STH rep at the lottery pick) until I saw the ensemble of Hall of Famers they toted out for each team. I’m guessing the NHL said “that’s not good TV, we have this plan…” and put a squash on the fan representative idea.

By Poor White Thrash

April 8, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Waddell has drafted 29 defensemen during his tenure and only five have played in the NHL at this moment.

Exelby, Coburn, Enstrom, Valabik and the heralded Luke Sellars (one game). That means he has a history of being right 17.2 percent of the time as it concerns d-men.

He vacated the No. 8 spot in 2005, traded down to No. 12, then dealt that pick and wound up with Bourret at No. 16.

Do you all remember who the 12th pick was that year?

Marc Staal, who at 21 played in 80 games for NYR and averaged nearly 19 minutes a game, and will be a No. 1 or No. 2 defenseman soon.

And, you guys missed a big moment in Thrashers history when Lavallee took the ice last week. He became the first ever fourth round draft pick in team history to step foot on the ice in an NHL game. That makes the GM 1 for 14 in the fourth round.

Whatever became of Lane Manson?

He played in 10 games for the Wheeling Nailers this year.

Oh, the pain of it all!

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Sage and NASCAR… why don’t you two just stick to the Vent section… that’s all either of you do.

Some of us like to “discuss” on this blog. Why don’t you offer up a legitimate solution besides “fire Waddell”.

I’m still waiting for you two “geniuses” to same something smart.

“Having a real impact”…haha now THAT’s funny. Sage and Nascar have to be the worst duo to come along in awhile.

By GaVaHokie

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

Poor White Trash… Brian Pothier was an undrafted free agent… so technically, six. :)

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

You’ll never see me rehashing old posts for Sage and Nascar because there’s nothing of substance there to find.

But it would be fun to find the old post where Nascar suggested Pat Quinn as coach. That’s literally all it said… “I think we should get Pat Quinn as coach” he didn’t even know why he suggested it.

Sage, if I feel sorry for you, it’s only because you’ve got Nascar on your side… you can call him your personal sheep.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Oh, and Sage… about getting your email and finding out who you are? I could give two sh!ts about who you are.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 8, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

It’s Waddell’s fault we got the third pick….

By GSU-Lee

April 8, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

What about Vaclav Prospal? That guy owns us and he will be a UFA. I know he might not be Stamkos but he would be an upgrade on Todd White wouldn’t he? 33g-38a this year, that’s not bad. I think our highest scoring center had 45 points, so that will be a big improvement.

By R. Stroz

April 8, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Buzilla - How are the wedding plans going? Any parties on the horizon? Still moving after the wedding?

I’m really just curious about the parties. Have you and Rone invited Andy Sutton?

By Poor White Thrash

April 8, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

Hokie: I was just talking about his draft picks, not free agents. There is not enough room on this blog to discuss his free agent record, which is actually worse than his draft record.

By Hip Czech

April 8, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Here is a list of potential FAs: http://www.nhlscap.com/2008fa_position.htm

not a real strong UFA center class…maybe Langkow, but the bidding will probably be too high for the ASG taste.

Assuming we draft a D-man with the first of our 2 first round picks I would be all for trading the second for a RFA center - Carter, O’Sullivan, Bouchard, Filppula, Pavelski.

That leaves a RW and another D to pick up as FA signings. I like Hainsey as the D man, not sure about a RW…assuming Hossa is out of the question.

By Adam

April 8, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

GaVaHokie Do you really believe there is a “legitimate solution” that includes DW remaining GM?

You can sit there and talk about what you’d do, who you’d sign, who you’d hire as coach and who’d you’d pick in the draft but in the end as long as DW is the GM those are the decisions he’ll be making not any of us.

So if the past is any indicator You’ll be right here next April saying the same things about Sage & Nascar.

By Adam

April 8, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Come mid July if we’re looking at the same bs going into training camp I’d have to take a good hard look at playing in Russia for 2 years if I were Kovy. I certainly wouldn’t blame him for bailing out.

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

HOKIE - I only mentioned Quinn as a GM Candidate. Go back and check if you don’t believe me.

For Coach, I would lean towards someone with ties to the team, ala Jeff Odgers. Don’t know if he’d do it, but at least he’d teach these WIMPS how to GET TOUGH!

By enough

April 8, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

poor white trash:

when teflon don traded down in 2005 he traded over Anze Kopitar also. I guess we didnt have a need for a center that is an emerging superstar.

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

VAGAHOKIE - You STILL haven’t ANSWERED my question!

Are YOU gonna STAND by YOUR STATEMENT that Waddell should BE FIRED?

Come on, we wanna see if you can KEEP YOUR WORD…

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Adam… fair enough, and I agree whole-heartedly. If Waddell goes out and signs Craig Conroy this summer I will sign Nascar’s petition… bookmark it, Nascar!

But, I would also have to hear (which we seldom do) what other options and offers were on the table. It took a lot of teeth pulling and digging by other sources to find out that Waddell made offers to Belanger, Lang and Nylander last summer. All three turned us down.

Todd White was supposed to be a depth move, and instead he got played up as “the answer at Center” as a result of everyone else turning us down. And THAT is why I say we’ll appreciate having Todd White when he’s finally playing the roll he’s supposed to… checking line Center.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 8, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Odgers….seriously?….

I like Odgers a lot, but the man is an not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Not that intelligence is a prerequisite of being a coach…but it freaking helps. More than that, he has NO COACHING experience. Last time I checked, he went from playing to farming, to being a color guy on the radio.

I would go with “Da Rat” Mellanby over Odgers. And I don’t want Mellanby either.

I think I would prefer Anderson from Chicago. He at least has a history of consistent winning.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

enough… in all fairness, Kopitar was from a non-traditional hockey market (Slovenia). As is typical with any sport drafting, GM’s are always looking for reasons to discriminate between players. I, personally, liked what I saw from Kopitar. He was ranked higher than where he went and if Atlanta had stayed put, he would have been considered a steal. So, I’m not saying I agree with the decision to pass him up.

I believe that Alex Bourret was someone that Hartley had targeted. Waddell was smart enough to know he could trade down and still get him.

On the plus side, as a result we got an extra draft pick which we used to draft Ondrej Pavalec.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Nascar… what question?

By GSU-Lee

April 8, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

What do you guys think about Vaclav Prospal? He had 33 Goals and 38 Assists, and he made 1.9 million last year according to to nhlunmbers.com. I would be in favor of drafting defense and either signing Prospal or Langkow (though Prospal had a better year) or trading for Filppula or Carter…but I don’t think either of those guys are options…either way, it is going to be hard to recruit free agents if they think they are coming to a “rebuilding” team…maybe a trade is the way to go.

Oh and Hip Czech, according to Craig Hossa IS out of the question, so don’t get excited if Pitt doesn’t re-sign him.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

I’d like to hear who McCrimmon’s assistant coaching staff would be… but I’m with Buzz on John Anderson or maybe Randy Cunneyworth.

I can’t help but thinking if we had fired Hartley immediately after the playoffs, we’d have Claude Julien right now.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

GSU… definitely I like Prospal, but I think he’d turn us down. He’ll command in the $4-$5 million range which I’d be willing to pay.

I’m sure Waddell will atleast talk to his agent.

Jeff Carter is way more of a possibility than Filppula. Detroit has every intention of retaining Filps and have the cap space to do it. Philly doesn’t have the cap room (currently) to keep Carter. And with the huge contract they gave Mike Richards, they might move him.

By Jarndyce

April 8, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Poor White Thrash and Enough: Don’t forget that when DW traded down in 2005 and passed on Kopitar, he also missed drafting BRIAN LEE (9th, 6 NHL gms) LUC BOURDON (10th, 0 NHL gms), MAREK ZAGRAPAN (13th, 0 NHL gms), SASHA POKULOK (14th, 0 NHL gms)…

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

HOKIE - Quit being stupid, SPARKY! You SAID “If Waddell dosen’t fix things… he should be fired”… So really Hokie, WHAT has CHANGED to make you CHANGE what you SAID??? To think that NOW he SHOULD NOT be fired! You are NOW talking in CIRCLES like that bumbling BUFFOON “DONE WADDELL”!!!

You can’t be on BOTH SIDES of the fence, DUMMY!

BBB - I would take John Anderson too… In the post Chokie references, I even said that… Quinn for GM and Anderson for Coach. Odgers would be a wildcard, PLUS I don’t think he would accept it.

NUFF SAID.

By Brendan

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

I wished we could have held on to Brian Pothier a bit longer. I know. I know. He’s not some Tier I blueliner. But he’s an adequate-enough defenseman. He was lost in the Shawn MacEachern trade with Ottawa. Bygones.

Folks, we have to compare ourselves to Tampa three years down the road. That’s our new “litmus” test. Both teams were essentially dismantled. Both teams finished at or near the very bottom of the league. Now, before you say, “But Brendan, they have the UNFAIR ADVANTAGE of owning the 1st overall pick in the draft,” the roles were virtually IDENTICAL back in 2001, when ATLANTA won the draft lottery and selected Kovalchuk 1st overall. And Tampa pick THIRD that year. Three years later, GM Jay Feaster hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head. The same can happen for Atlanta, with the 3rd overall pick, if the Thrashers GM makes the right moves over the next three years. This is a SALARY CAP. It’s ALLLL ABOUT DECISION-MAKING, provided ownership will finance it.

And there it is. It appears that our ownership doesn’t want a different “decision-maker” at the GM position. But even if they did hire someone ELSE, the ASG still has to finance a payroll. Are they willing to do that? Well, if they’re trying to sell the team, that doesn’t appear likely to happen. Instead, they’ll keep payroll low and attractive to a potential investor.

If that happens, it can still work to Atlanta’s benefit, provided that they finish LAST or close to it, again next season, to own another coveted draft pick. Maybe Tavares?, for example. Doughty this year. Tavares NEXT year? Then pedal to the metal spending in FREE AGENCY to “tweak” the roster, which ought to soon be filled with quality draft picks, from such Favorable draft position in EACH and EVERY round. (Psst! Hey Brendan, St. Louis still owns Atlanta’s 2nd round pick, #33, from the Tkachuk “rental.” D’oh!!”)

But I digress. We must compare ourselves to Tampa Bay. Which team will be better in 2011? It’s up to the ASG. The ball is in their court.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

NASCAR… ummm… before you start calling people idiots, idiot. Do you realize we’re in a trade-freeze period? No changes can be made until July 1st… the only thing Waddell can do at the moment is hire a coach and extend contracts.

Ask me again in July… that gives you a few months to read up on the rules of the sport.

By Brendan

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

Poor White Trash, this just might be my favorite blog post for the WHOLE YEAR:

And, you guys missed a big moment in Thrashers history when Lavallee took the ice last week. He became the first ever fourth round draft pick in team history to step foot on the ice in an NHL game. That makes the GM 1 for 14 in the fourth round.

Dude, why haven’t you been posting here before? Or are you, just under a different handle?

By the way, I do wish Jordan LaVallee the very best. I hope he makes to the NHL next season.

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

VAGIHOKIE - PLEASE explain THIS…

By GaVaHokie
October 17, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

I’ll give Waddell a chance to fix this… if he does nothing… than yes, fire him.

PLEASE explain your STANCE! This hilarious that you are trying to backtrack yourself! YOU are HILARIOUS!

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/thrashersfans/entries/2007/10/16/letsmakea_dea.html#comment-1675192

By Brendan

April 8, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Just in case ANYONE is curious, “Maggie the Monkey” has made her 1st round picks!! (Contain your ENTHUSIAM). So, let’s play, “Can YOU beat a monkey?” Sadly, I know, pretty much goin in, that a “coin flip” will beat my first round picks.

But here are Maggie’s picks: Montreal over Boston, Pittsburgh over Ottawa, Philadelphia over Washington, and New Jersey over the NY Rangers. In the West, “Maggie the Monkey,” whose picks were determined by spinning a wheel on NHL TV last night, are Detroit over Nashville, San Jose over Calgary, Minnesota over Colorado, and Anaheim over Dallas.

Bam! Can you “Take the Monkey Challenge?” Well, okay. You might feel “uncomfortable” doing that, given your animal rights advocacies. Though, I don’t really see the cruel and unusual part of making a monkey spin a wheel. So, to you I say, grab a coin.

Any coin?

Yeah, sure. Any coin. I don’t care if it’s a Susan B. Anthony dollar, or the new Thomas Jefferson $1 coin. Flip it. Assign “heads” to the higher seeded team and “tails” to the lower seeded team. Okay, done yet? Record those picks. Now, make YOUR OWN picks. Let’s see if the coin BEAT you. And beee honest about it.

I went 8-7 last year, picking a lot of upsets that didn’t happen. My coin went 10-5. See, that’s “honesty” talking. You are, ALL of you, capable of being honest. Now have at it! Flip your coins. Then make your picks. And tell me, after Round I, who did better?

Hockey can be that unpredictable. In 2006, the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th seeds all advanced to Round II. In 1998, in the East, the 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th seeds all advanced to the Conference Semi-Finals. That’s why they play the games. That’s why Nashville has “some shot” at winning in Round I. Detroit has a history as recent as 2006 of being eliminated in the 1st round as the President’s Trophy winner. So, it’s not as “crazy” as you might think.

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Do you realize we’re in a trade-freeze period? No changes can be made until July 1st… the only thing Waddell can do at the moment is hire a coach and extend contracts.

CHOKIE - What the HELL are you talking about??? WHERE did I mention ANY Trades???

You get sillier and sillier by the SECOND! Maybe you should SHUT UP and THINK before you post!

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Here is the “Questionable” Post by GAVA

Sorry for the bad link!

By GSU-Lee

April 8, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Hokie, I agree on both points about Carter and Prospal. The thing is, if D-Wad doesn’t completley drop the ball in the draft and picks up a defenseman who can halp at some point next year, then I think we might be able to pay enough money to get Prospal. But since it is a weak market for UFA’s and he and Langkow are the only top-center quality guys available, he could get the Barry Zito treatment and get a lot more money than he is worth simply because he is the best available. But if Belanger, Lang and Nylander turned us down before we finished second to last in the conference, then these guys are not going to want to come here now.

By GSU-Lee

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

Okay, I am sorry because I try not to encourage people who are childish and immature, but seriously NascarDave, your posts are more annoying every time I see one. We all know how you feel about Waddell. We all know you think you are smarter than GaVaHokie. There is no need to keep posting smug ad pointless comments, because it is, like I said, immature and childish.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Ranallo…Again, Nascar links to a post that he did not participate in… and references how “I should know what question he’s talking about”… my question is, how did YOU know what question YOU were talking about?…and again, I see Jameson’s name.

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Hokie - Plllease. Listen and learn. It’s quite simple. Just explain to us why you are not standing by your statement, I’ll give Waddell a chance to fix this… if he does nothing… than yes, fire him.

And i’ll ask again, WHERE did I reference TRADES?

Don’t know Jameson, but I do like to drink the stuff.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Brendan… I agree with all of Maggie’s picks, however I like Dallas over Anaheim… but she’s probably right on that too. :)

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

NACAR…Trades, free agency, anything… teams can’t make acquisitions during the official period known as a “Trade Freeze”!

The only person looking foolish here is you… you don’t understand enough to argue with me. And the more you’re trying to “discredit” me the more you’re proving that.

Do all of us a favor and go back to the Falcons boards… we already have a “bumbling” nuisance with Sage.

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

HOKIE - Again, you are making an A$$ out of yourself!

Who cares about the Trade Freeze! That IS NOT the topic we are discussing! YOU brought that up, and I was asking you WHY you SAID I brought it up!

And you STILL have NOT answered either of my 2 questions!!!

I guess that’s what sheep do then, when they can’t explain their logic… they deflect attention away from themselves…

When you feel like ANSWERING either of my 2 questions, let me know. UNTIL THEN, I won’t hold my breath, and you will CONTINUE to lose ANY credibility you MAY/or MAY NOT have had!

Remember, who started this all at 8:36 this morning?

Don’t dish it out IF you CAN’T face the facts, WIMP!

NUFF SAID.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

NASCAR… you know what’s even funnier?… ready for this one everyone? Get ready to look at the link Nascar posted above…

Here’s what I wrote at 11am on Oct. 17th…

I’ll give Waddell a chance to fix this… if he does nothing… than yes, fire him.

Guess what happened an hour after I said that?

Bob Hartley was fired and Waddell took over as coach!

Classic! Thanks Nascar… go check it out everyone… scroll through it and notice the first mention of when Hartley was fired.

Also notice my first post after it was mentioned.

By ranallo10

April 8, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I wouldn’t be surprised, several others around here are known for doing such things.

Stroz — Stop hitting on Buzilla’s fiance, LEAVE THE GIRL ALONE!

Buzilla — Ever get that ring situation worked out? She’s still calling me…

Adam — You’re right, no matter what we feel should be done, someone else is ultimately making the decisions. So complaining about specific things is … pointless. We are discussing hockey, and things we hope would be done/could be done in order to immediately help our team. Others are complaining. Which to you seems more relevant and useful to a hockey blog?

If you (not you specifically Adam, but the “masses”) want to have a reason to complain, have a nice long hockey discussion with a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. If you’re not sure how to find one, I’ll give you directions:

“Drive down about a mile, then make hard a left turn. Drive another mile, and make another hard left. Go on about a mile, and you’ll want to make a hard left turn.”

I can give you a map if you’d like.

By GSU-Lee

April 8, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

*Some of us like to “discuss” on this blog. Why don’t you offer up a legitimate solution besides “fire Waddell”.

I’m still waiting for you two “geniuses” to same something smart.*

Nascar, Hokie is spot on.

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Oh wait… I think I GET IT! I see what Hokie’s tryin to say!

Hokie thinks Waddell should get another year to make changes - ON TOP of this year we just completed!

So really, on Oct. 17th, what Hokie MEANT TO SAY was:

I’ll give Waddell a chance to fix this… (IN 2 YEARS!) if he does nothing… than yes, fire him.

Oh ok, now I think I understand Hokie Logic - THERE IS NONE! Maybe Hokie pulled a Roger Clemens and MIS-REMEMBERED what he wrote back on October 17th.

This guy has ZERO credibility… glad I went back and researched his posts!

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

OH MY GOD! HOKIE THAT IS CLASSIC!

NOW you are trying to say you were talking about HARTLEY???

LMAO!!!

You are the biggest TOOL on here!

Dude, you were talking about firing Waddell, not Hartley!

You are STRUGGLING for EXCUSES now! This is great!

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Ranallo… it just gives me a headache trying to glance past it and have quality conversations… I just want to talk about players and coaches and get off this Waddell s**.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

I took the time to read what the conversation was that day and why I would have said that. Which if you had done the same, you would have saved yourself the embarassment.

I made that comment after the 6 game losing start to the season… and didn’t Waddell eventually lead them to 1st place in the division?

Please just shut up Nascar… you lost.

By Brendan

April 8, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

GSU-Lee, I don’t like to quote Darren Eliot extensively, but his comment on Prospal was a memorable one, back in November, “Look at Prospal’s numbers! Must be a ‘contract year.’” Now, I know Eliot was going for ‘humor’ there, but there was some truth to it.

Prospal tends to turn it on in some years and not so much in others. (Jeff Blauser, anyone?) I remember last year, I wanted Waddell to take a gamble on Ruslan Fedotenko, at $1.9 million, for a one-year deal. Sometimes these things work out … and sometimes they don’t. This blog was STEADFASTLY against acquiring Jeremy Roenick. (That included meeee.) And yet, the move seems to have paid off for San Jose.

Now, for those of you (over 20% of the respondents) who voted in last year’s OFFSEASON poll about the BIGGEST NEEDED move for the 2007-08 season, in favor of re-signing Keith Tkachuk, that move would have cost us this #3 overall pick. Before we leave this topic entirely, congratulations to Keith Tkachuk for scoring his 500th career goal in the final game of the season for the Blues.

By NASCAR Dave

April 8, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Hokie - You sure your name isn’t John Kerry? Because you sure change your “position” a lot!

Still LMAO at your 2:05 “Revisionist History” post!!! CLASSIC!

By ranallo10

April 8, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I hear you.

GSU-Lee — Word.

I’d like to put this out there so that everyone can get their two-cents in NOW, and not in 5 years when it’s easy to answer due to hindsight.

If you could choose the player taken with this third pick, who would you choose and how would you justify that pick?

I’m putting this out there now so that in a few years people wont say “As I’ve said all along, Waddell should’ve drafted ___ .”

Let’s call it the Phaneuf Poll.

My pick, if he’s on the board, would be Bogosian. He’s physical, he will fight, he has a “booming shot”. If Bogosian is not available, Doughty is my next pick. I feel Doughty is more of a puck handler, and may not be as well rounded of a defender.

But, that’s my initial reaction based on limited footage I’ve seen.

Who’s next?

Brendan — I know you like Doughty, please explain why.

By enough

April 8, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

gavahokie:

where are you getting your info that Hartley targeted Bourret? Hartley is in town. did you ask him? my recollection is that Hartley sent him packing in the first week of camp for being out of shape.

By GSU-Lee

April 8, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Brendan, I here ya about Prospal. In going back and looking over his career numbers a “contract year” seems a more likely scenario. He would still be an improvement over White though…but perhaps that money is better spent somewhere else. The thing is, as far as UFA’s go, he and Langkow are pretty much it, right? And is he (Langkow) really that much better?

-By the way, David Amber has a cool Q and A with Tom Glavine about playing hockey on ESPN.com, I don’t have time to go get th link right now.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 8, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Isn’t there a NASCAR blog somewhere for racing fans?

I am a bit bias because Hokie buys me beers at games, but this crap is really getting old. We have Waddell for at least one more year. For better or for worse. We know that we are going to have a new coach next year. That is certain. Why not discuss that?

We are also going to have a lot of new faces next year on personnel. If we could all please move on and concentrate on the “who can we sign” aspect of things I think it would make this blog a bit more enjoyable for everyone.

Mrs. Buzilla is doing fine. She still hasn’t realized the fake ring. I will try to keep her away from you Ranallo, but like you say, you just to darn hot…

By Alan

April 8, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

You sure your name isn’t John Kerry? Because you sure change your “position” a lot!

Sorry to interrupt this “Bash GaVaHokie” celebration, but I must interject:

John Kerry “changed his position” on several topics, sure. So has Bush Jr. So has H. Clinton. Obama. B. Clinton. Bush Sr. Reagan. Carter Ford Nixon Kennedy Eisenhower Lincoln Washington.

Every politician has “changed their position” before. What’s your point? Is it now en vogue to retain a position, even if it’s a bad position?

I don’t expect a rational answer to the above question. But, if you find the time between bad attempts at being political and bashing Hokie for his opinions - past and present - I’m interested in hearing your explanation.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Enough… just a belief. Typically GM’s scout talent, but certainly they run a handful of guys past the coach and ask “who do you like?”

Again, since people like to blow my statements out of proportion, I’m not saying I agree with the choice, wither it was Waddell or Hartley.

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Enough… here’s a good recap of what happened during that draft and Waddell’s explanation of why they drafted Bourret.

By ranallo10

April 8, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Hokie — Interesting recap, now I’m curious who the other two players were. If I were a GM and my scouts said “here are our top 3 choices”, and I noticed they ALL continued to stay on the board despite our best efforts to maximize our position to draft them (i.e., acquiring picks while moving farther down the board), I would think that just maybe my scouts have issues with identifying talent.

If there was a track record of my scouts identifying hidden gems (like in Detroit and San Jose), then I’d be fine with the scouts having such an opinion. But, the Thrashers don’t have that history in the draft, so I would be wary of my scouts top 3 if at least one wasn’t gone halfway through the first round (when I was originally slated to be the 8 pick).

But yeah, this is hindsight speaking, I’m just curious how much Waddell truly trusts his scouts.

By Brendan

April 8, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I truthfully haven’t seen Doughty play all that much, but I like what I’ve read about him. The words I’ve read that describe him are “intelligent,” “fast, puck-moving defensemen,” and “nice shot.” But the topper came last night from the NHL TV panel that said, “This is the guy you build a defense around.”

Since the Inaugural season, I’ve hoped and waited for a Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Ken Daneyko, Ray Bourque, Dan Boyle (Yes, my man-crush) defenseman to be an upper echelon foundation player for our blueline. Now, that doesn’t mean that Doughty is some “can’t miss” to fill that role. And the same goes for Bogosian. They’re “good bets” not “Can’t miss” prospects. And if we wind up with Bogosian, I’m not gonna cry about it, unless the kid wraps his new, black Ferrari around an iron fence in Buckhead. God forbid.

I hear that the Doughty kid has “good character.” I don’t know how they came to that conclusion, but I like the ‘sound’ of it. If Doughty is “bust,” and people want to blame meeee, as a blogger, I can’t stop them from hurling the slings and arrows my way. But I’m not the GM.

If you want to hear me tell a lie, I’ll offer the following. “I would have taken Phaneuf, if he were still available at #8.” When the “truth” would have been … had Nashville selected Braydon Coburn instead of Ryan Suter at #6, as hypothetical GM, I would have sprinted as fast as my legs would carry me, and tripped up the stairs, bleeding along the way, and with my next gasp of air said, ‘The Atlanta Thrashers are proud to select Ryan Suter!!!” And then the paramedics would have come to rescue me. And thennnn, this blog would call me an IDIOT for passing on Phaneuf. Of course, I didn’t sit on the “Rules Committee,” and consequently would have had NO IDEA that changes were afoot to the rules of the “new” NHL, like Don Waddell did. Even so, Ryan Suter was the #1 rated defenseman in the 2003 Draft. That’s a FACT. Dion Phaneuf was ranked #3 by most accounts. Braydon Coburn was power ranked #2, among the defensemen.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 8, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

I have a question.

Did Ryan Hollweg essentially end Exelby’s career in hockey?

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Ranallo… hard to say, but maybe the other two were Andrew Cogliano and Ryan Parent… that wouldn’t be so bad. Still picked the wrong guy, but if those were the other two… well, you know what I’m sayin…

Damn… Matt Niskanen went 28th that year… Paul Stastny, 44th.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 8, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Do you know what would really suck? If Coburn turns out to be better than Phaneuf. Maybe he is a late bloomer

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Thrashers might have 2 guys from that 2005 draft on the team next year… Pavalec and Lavallee. Further down is Zubarev, which is the guy they tried to bring over last year with Enstrom… maybe Waddell IS getting better at drafting like I said a few months ago… Nascar, can you find that for me?

By GaVaHokie

April 8, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

My bad… it was Nikulin they tried to bring over, not Zubarev.

By Adam

April 8, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

ranallo & GVH - There is a reason the players listed here, and countless more over the years, have turned Waddell and this team down.

I would like to hear what you two think that reason is and what can be done to change it.

By ranallo10

April 8, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Buzz — Yes, I’d agree that Hollweg essentially ended Exelby’s career.

Brendan — Do you happen to know any of the rule changes that were passed on by the Competition Committee? The changes didn’t happen until after the draft, which means they weren’t a spur of the moment “OH MY GOD YOU’RE DOING WHAT!?” type of change. BUT, the rules changes could’ve been discussed for the 2 years prior, and never brought to fruition. Perhaps Waddell also didn’t vote FOR that rule change.

It’s all possible, so thus the point of him being part of the committee that helped form those rule changes doesn’t necessarily mean he would’ve had an insight into the types of players he should draft.

If your scouts say “take Braydon Coburn”, you take Coburn. He has size (which this team STILL desperately needs), he has good hockey knowledge, and he seems to be shining under the right defensive system.

Would Phaneuf have been given a chance in Atlanta? Would Hartley have given him 5 minutes of ice time with Popovic, and only during even strength situations of home games on days with a “u”? Would anything be different (beyond Phaneuf looking good in Philadelphia as Zhitnik rides the bench in Atlanta)? Who knows? So, why base an opinion on it?

Ryan Suter is playing well, Braydon Coburn is playing well, Dion Phaneuf is playing well…nobody missed in that draft, all three players are serviceable second pair defenders. Phaneuf has just outshined his contemporaries, but the verdict (of who is the better defender) is still out.

By ranallo10

April 8, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Adam — I’m sorry, listed where?

If you’re referring to the players we’re talking about making transactions to receive, the players typically have no choice in the matter. Retaining said players is a different story, so if that’s what you mean then let’s discuss.

Or are you talking about UFAs?

By Bobney King

April 8, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Can’t we all just get along?

By Lanny McDonald

April 8, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

John Kerry “changed his position” on several topics, sure. So has Bush Jr. So has H. Clinton. Obama. B. Clinton. Bush Sr. Reagan. Carter Ford Nixon Kennedy Eisenhower Lincoln Washington.

Every politician has “changed their position” before. What’s your point? Is it now en vogue to retain a position, even if it’s a bad position?

Alan, please stay on topic. Thanks.

By Brendan

April 8, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I seem to recall that they were contemplating the expansion the dimensions of the net, adjusting the size of goalie equipment, eliminating the 2-line pass, and addressed the “no-touch” icing and finally … the shootout, and point allocation thereof. There was a LOT tabled in those discussions. Probably even more than I’ve listed. I think, at one point, they were even considering orange-colored ice. I don’t know the official tally on the vote, though. I couldn’t rightly tell if it was 2/3’s majority or if certain things passed by one (1) vote. It’s hard to say. And, obviously, I wasn’t on the committee. (Laughing.) I think they also discussed the “distinct kicking motion” aspect of goals, and also that enforcement of “obstruction” and crashing the goal crease area. With the idea being … that they wanted to protect goalies as much as possible, without taking away from the quality of the game and the physical nature of hockey competition. Which, let’s face it, is fierce. Goalies are a target, even among the most honorable of players. You want to screen them and inhibit them as much as possible. And so forth.

Also, the biggest rule change discussed was the removal of the center ice redline, except as it relates to “icing.”

I wonder if the results of the votes were EVER published? If they were, I certainly didn’t recall ever seeing them. It’s entirely possible that Waddell voted AGAINST several of these rule changes.

By Chris

April 8, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

Adam… don’t expect any answer with substance from Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. They are too stuck up in their “Elitist” mentality.

By ranallo10

April 8, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

Solid response Chris.

Adam — I’m all for open discussion regarding this team, but I’m not all about the whole “Waddell sucks and needs to go” points of dicussion. If you’re being honest and want to know, what part of my opinion shall I explain?

Brendan — So looking at some of the examples you mentioned, would you think that GMs involved in that committee would be wise to start grabbing draft picks that fit into possible changes in an attempt to be proactive? Would it be smart for someone like Waddell to make his decision solely on the size of the goalie, and not on the many other factors he feels would make a good goalie in the future (despite the rules being changed)?

I don’t expect a GM to draft a 6’2 player before a 6’5 player just because of potentially new rules that have been discussed as being implemented in a few years.

By Alan

April 8, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

Lanny - Alan, please stay on topic. Thanks.

And yet you had absolutely no problem with NASCAR’s sentence that I responded to?

I would challenge you to do the same.

By GSU-Lee

April 8, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

ranallo & GVH - There is a reason the players listed here, and countless more over the years, have turned Waddell and this team down.

I would like to hear what you two think that reason is and what can be done to change it.

I would argue that some guys, rightfully so, just don’t see us as a winning franchise. Why would they? The team has to earn some respect, and you don’t do that by getting swept in your inaugural run in the playoffs and finishing in the bottom three the next season. This team has got to finnd a way to build a foundation of young players that they can turn into better than average NHL’rs. They need just about everythinng right now so who knows when or if that will be.

By Sage of Bluesland

April 8, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

The sheep are getting riled up, aren’t they? When cornered with their own bluster and ignorance, they turn a bit nasty, don’t they?

It’s really pretty funny—considering how blind they’ve been for years now, having the ‘wool’ pulled over their eyes by a fraud!

Similar to their hero Donny, all we get out of their pie-holes are pathetic excuses…and continued bluster (which turns out to be dead-wrong)…

I just hope they’re here a year from now when the Thrashers continue to suck. We’ll see.

By Rone

April 8, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Sage, Sage, Sage. I’m sure you’ll be here “when the Thrashers continue to suck.” In fact, there isn’t a doubt in my mind. Hating is your sustanance. When I read your posts, I feel as though you really want them to lose.

By ranallo10

April 8, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

Rone — That’s a loaded statement, because of course Sage wants them to lose. By losing the Thrashers give evidence to what he’s been saying all along, Don Waddell is the problem. The team isn’t going to go 82-0, so unless that happens he’ll always have something to complain about. Once it happens it’ll either be “in spite of Waddell” or “sheer luck”.

It’s easier to complain than to support.

GSU-Lee — I do not disagree with your assessment. I’m not paid to fix this team, so my opinions can only go so far. However, I do find it entertaining to propose ideas on what I feel could make the team better.

By Tony C.

April 9, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this

All I know is that if 15 straight seasons of winning the Prince of Wales Trophy (7 Cups) on hardest possible level on 2K8 on XBox, makes me any sort of an expert, I could run the team better than DW!

C’mon y’all!!!! Stop with the finger-pointing and let’s try and see what could realistically happen for good in Blueland.

I mean, c;mon we post on a hockey blog on ajc.com….clearly we’re hockey geeks. Stop with the p** contests.

What do you think it would take to get Getzlaf??? I’m thinking it’d be worth it.

GO BLUE !!!

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

Adam… it’s simple. Hate to use a baseball analogy, but if you had the chance to play for the Yankees or the Devil Rays, which would you choose? Elite players want to play in large markets with storied pasts and unlimited resources. Young players and aging veterans want to go where they can get the most playing time.

What would Chicago offer Robert Lang that Atlanta wouldn’t? Better hockey market in a better division… not sure. I think Lang would have been better off in Atlanta. He would have had a better shot at the playoffs centering Kovy and Hossa… Chicago was no where close to competing with Detroit and Nashville when he joined the Blackhawks.

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Tony C… no, no, no this is a very serious forum Tony. We are all very important reputable hockey observers. It’s very important that everyone be RIGHT on here and back up their statements with facts and always be consistent with their critiques… I’m joking of course.

Sage, are you willing to admit you’re wrong if Waddell fixes the issues this summer and brings the team to prominence? Or will you disappear like usual until the team sucks again?

When the team is successful, there will be no one to “high-five” you, because YOU will be the guy people turn to and say “Take that tool bag!”

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

Tony… Getzlaf has a five year contract with Anaheim beginning next year, pretty much making him their franchise player. I would say the chances of getting him are the same as getting Iginla out of Calgary.

My guess would be three first round draft picks.

By Adam

April 9, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

ranallo - I’m referring to “Quality” UFA’s.

GVH - So I guess the team should just give up on ever signing a high profile UFA since we’re just the Devil Rays of hockey.

S.Niedermayer must like the sunny So. Cal weather. Arnott must like country music, Dumont too. But we’re the lowly Thrashers. All we can hope for are the Holik’s of the league.

By Adam

April 9, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

GSU - That foundation starts on the blue line and doesn’t need to be all young.

If this team had a solid defense in front of the net and our GA didn’t rank in the bottom 10 every year I’d be willing to bet more top tier players would look at this team little more seriously.

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Adam… we have tried, and will continue to try. Your question was why they don’t sign here… correct?

Neidermayer signed with Anaheim to play with his brother.

Nashville had 106 points the year before Arnott and Dumont signed, so that was a winning club in a high profile division.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 9, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

We can offer players the center of the hip hop universe! It may work with Euro Trash players but I doubt players from Canada would be interested in Rap. Unless its Rush or Bare Naked Ladies they have no interest (not that I blame them, but Rush sucks!!!!)

The best thing Atlanta can offer other than overpaying is the fact that we have a airport that can get them a direct flight to almost anywhere in the world. PLUS they get unwaivering support from a fan base that are as “blind as sheep”.

By ranallo10

April 9, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Adam — The only way I could answer that would be to put myself in the players’ situation. If I were a free agent that could play anywhere I wanted (thus a “quality” player), what would be my reasoning for picking Atlanta?

Unless I had family in the area, my wife preferred the city over someplace like Edmonton, or they paid me an extraordinary amount of money more than other franchises, Atlanta would not be on the top of my list. They have relatively no hockey history, they play in what many consider to be the worst division in the NHL, and they’ve proven nothing in their short tenure in the league.

But as Buzilla said, Atlanta does have a large international airport and a strong hip hop scene.

So I’d agree with what Hokie said above, would you rather play in a true hockey market, or play in the Atlanta market? Depends on the type of player you are…Kozlov (aging veteran, final contract) preferred playing in Atlanta, Savard (star on the rise, big money contract) preferred playing in Boston. If I had never played in Atlanta previously, I’d choose Boston in a heartbeat.

Now, what “quality” free agents have Carolina or Tampa Bay signed? Both have won a cup, and the biggest acquisition (off the top of my head) has been Matt Cullen, who had already played in Carolina prior to his signing. When was the last time a player like Briere, Gomez, Drury, etc (quality UFAs) said “I really like what’s going on in the Southeast, I HAVE to sign there?”

I think offering more money, getting lucky with a quality Free Agent, and getting the team into position to become a perennial competitive and playoff-bound team would help solve that problem. It hasn’t worked (in my opinion) for Tampa and Carolina, and one team (Carolina) adjusted their team to play better without big name players, and the other team flopped.

By NASCAR Dave

April 9, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Some of you silly fools make NASCAR Dave laugh! Listening to your baseless drivel about how things are gonna change around here! Quite laughable, your “faith” in the INCOMPETENT Buffoon, Done Waddell!

Don’t get your hopes up with the 3 D-Men in the draft. NONE of them are NHL ready yet. Plus, Waddell will keep them in the minors 3-4 extra years anyways… (see Grant Lewis, Chad Denny, Oystrick, etc.) But it could also just be attributed to the Thrashers’ inability to scout and draft talent; I think it’s a combination of both that and Waddell’s incompetence.

You might see one of them after Kovy leaves town in 2 years, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Besides, we all know Donnie by now… with the 3rd pick, he’ll take the American Center currently ranked 10th, and who’s stock will drop over the next 2 months also. That’s Waddell for you.

Sucks Tampa gets the STAMKOS kid… THEM and the CAPS are gonna own the SE for the next 10 Years!

At this point, there’s no loss in trying to trade up. Waddell will just F+++ UP the 3rd pick anyways…(see: Phaneuf/Coburn).

NUFF SAID.

By ranallo10

April 9, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

*That foundation starts on the blue line and doesn’t need to be all young.

If this team had a solid defense in front of the net and our GA didn’t rank in the bottom 10 every year I’d be willing to bet more top tier players would look at this team little more seriously.*

I agree. The defense has been everything but enviable since 1999.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 9, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

NUFF SAID DAVE - Other than Slater, what American has Waddell drafted?

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

I agree. The defense has been everything but enviable since 1999.

Which goes along with our other argument of no one wanting to sign here… Ken Klee alone turned us down TWICE before signing here… he’s not even an elite player.

By GSU-Lee

April 9, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Ranallo 10, that “assessment” I made was in response to Alan’s comment earlier, not yours. I wasn’t challenging you or anything

By GSU-Lee

April 9, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Alan, I didn’t mean all six defenders have to be young, I was arguing that the team has got to find a way to build a defense from within, which woul dpresumably require young players. We have Nic Havelid here and a few “veteran leaders” like that are necessary. I get that. My point was that this team cannot solve problems by spending money, because as we sae last year whatever marginal success they have will be short-lived

By ranallo10

April 9, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

GSU-Lee — Understood, I was agreeing with you none-the-less.

By NASCAR Dave

April 9, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Which goes along with our other argument of no one wanting to sign here… Ken Klee alone turned us down TWICE before signing here… he’s not even an elite player.

Yet ANOTHER Glaring Indictment on Done Waddell!

NO ONE wants to come play here - NOT EVEN the SUCKY players! LMAO!

Hokie is getting close on this one, he’s all but come out and said “It’s Waddell’s Fault.”

But deep down inside, I know Hokie knows the “true” source of our problems…

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 9, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

6 of the 9 current scouts have been with the orginazation since its inception. Perhaps its time for some new blood. Maybe we can steal some scouts from the Devils or Buffalo

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 9, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Man are you a one trick pony.

By NASCAR Dave

April 9, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

NUFF SAID DAVE - Other than Slater, what American has Waddell drafted?

BBB - Sure brother, no problem. Let’s take a look…

1999 - Stephen Baby

2000 - Matt McRae, Jeff Dwyer, Evan Nielsen, Mark McRae

2001 - Brian Sipotz, Colin Stuart, Colin Fitzrandolph

2002 - Jim Slater, Patrick Dwyer

2003 - Michael Vannelli, Brett Sterling

2004 - Grant Lewis, Mitch Carefoot

2005 - Andrew Kozek

2006 - Michael Forney, Alex Kangas, Will O’Neill

That’s quite a list, huh Buzilla? Now tell me, how many of these players have actually “made it” to the NHL? I count 3. Slater, Sterling, Stuart - All of whom should probably be sent elsewhere next year. In fact, out of the whole list, Slater is the only one that could get here and stay, and that’s not saying much, because I think he sucks too!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 9, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Waddell is responsible for global warming, acid rain, killer bee’s and Y2K….

NUFF SAID…jack@ss

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 9, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Well.. that is quite a list. I got one more for you

John Albert 2007 6th round

By NASCAR Dave

April 9, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

BBB - Yep. I forgot one. It’s quite sad Waddell puts his “personal preferences” ahead of the Organizations while drafting.

Maybe we should let Maggie the Monkey make all our picks now… couldn’t do much worse!!!

NUFF SAID.

By NASCAR Dave

April 9, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

My point was that this team cannot solve problems by spending money, because as we sae last year whatever marginal success they have will be short-lived

Exactly, because the guy spending the money OVERPAYS and gets FLEECED every damn year! Same story every year… Have you HAD ENOUGH yet, Lee???

By GSU-Lee

April 9, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave, have I had enough of what? Your constant NAGGING and CRIES FOR ATTENTION? Yes, I have. I have had enough of Waddell too, but he is not going anywhere. So we are stuck weith him.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 9, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

where is Craig?

By Ray

April 9, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Craig read one too many NASCAR Dave posts and decided to leave this blog.

By Ray

April 9, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Craig read one too many NASCAR Dave posts and decided to leave this blog.

By ranallo10

April 9, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Nascar — Of those picks, how many were early in the drafts? Slater was a first rounder, but how about the other 18? (I don’t know, I’m seriously asking you this).

Anyways, 19 picks out of 82 shows a United States bias? 23% of the time he’s drafted an American, and it’s now his “personal preferences” to go with a US boy?

I don’t have the time nor patience to argue the stats on that, but I think you’re definitely grasping for straws when you claim Waddell’s drafting of 19 Americans out of 82 picks is the downfall of the team.

By NASCAR Dave

April 9, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Here is another “Excellent” Post

It further explains Waddell’s inability to evaluate talent.

By ranallo10

April 9, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Brendan — I thought this might interest you, but did you realize that all three top defender options are right handed? That would mean that IF they were able to crack the lineup in the next year or two, they would be the only right-handed defender on the roster that can successfully play on a PP line (Klee doesn’t count is what I mean). It’s not a huge deal, I know, but I found it interesting.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 9, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Did Waddell p** in your Wheaties or something? Did his daughter break your heart?

Bottom line. This isn’t a city that can draw top talent. Including GM’s. We have to take gambles. Like hiring a guy who has never been a GM before. And we have had some growing pains. Doesn’t mean you have to like it. And I am starting to get the feeling that you don’t like it.

Now how are you supposed to sign free agents that don’t want to come here? Overpay? I think so. (et Holik)

Any draft is a gamble. We have had a few slam dunks, like every team, but there aren’t too many sure things.

It’s not an easy job and wouldn’t be an easy job no matter who was heading the team.

Don’t get me wrong. If Waddell got fired tomorrow I would ball myself up in a corner and weep for days on end, but he isn’t going anywhere.

Deal with it. You’ll be a happier person for it

By Jarndyce

April 9, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Just for the record, the NHL breakdown by nationality has about 21% US-born. So, quite frankly, DW purported US-bias is actually right at about the norm, it appears.

But the notion that DW is overdrafting Americans is sound. We all know how good the NJ Devils are at drafting, and we also know that they don’t pick many American players at all.

Only 30% of all players chosed by NJ since 1999 have been American…

By NASCAR Dave

April 9, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

but I think you’re definitely grasping for straws when you claim Waddell’s drafting of 19 Americans out of 82 picks is the downfall of the team.

Ranollo - Perhaps YOU are the one grasping for straws… because you seem to be misconstruing my statement. I have no problems with Americans, I am simply answering Zilla’s question. I DID NOT say that is the “downfall”.

A more likely candidate for a downfall could be the 28 Defensemen Waddell drafted, with only 3 of them cracking the starting lineup.

By Seriously?

April 9, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Waddellites need to step off their soapboxes. ASG’s full attention right now is on the Atlanta Hawks. The decision on DW has NOT been made yet. It will not be made until after the Hawks playoff run. But it will be made BEFORE the draft in June. Until then, don’t think you know what’s going on, because you don’t.

By Bob

April 9, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

The next time someone asks you the definition of p** in the wind, simply send them a link to the comments on this blog…

By ranallo10

April 9, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Since when does defending a position or disagreeing with a point make a person a “Waddellite”? Seriously.

I don’t care who the GM is, we could be talking about Jim Rutherford, Brian Burke, Jay Feaster, etc. It doesn’t matter who the GM is in place of this team, I would still support it (and disagree with the people who post IN ALL CAPS or reference farm animals).

If anything my previous post stated, it’s that you (NASCAR) are ridiculous to think that a nationality is the sole cause of a demise of a franchise. (That’s an example of elitist thinking, Chris. Just talk to a Canadian hockey fan and you’ll know what I mean.)

Bob — What’s the definition of continually posting “Don Waddell sucks”, “Done Waddell”, “Nuff Said”, “Atlanta Burns while Waddell Fiddles”, referencing farm animals, etc? Would that be insanity, since those who type such dribble continue to do so though nothing changes? I’m just checking.

So that everyone can be straight…defending an opinion is “p** in the wind” and constant b*** and moaning is “insanity”.

So we’re all fans that have to p**, some just can’t do so due to the straight jackets.

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

The next time someone asks you the definition of p* in the wind, simply send them a link to the comments on this blog…*

Agreed… or any blog for that matter.

I often wonder why people feel the need to voice their opinions to random strangers and why they think other people care?

By Brendan

April 9, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

“Maggie the Monkey” is a national treasure up in Canada. Let’s not disparage her. She’s 18 now, with a life expectancy of 24. Her picks look “solid” this year.

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Here’s something interesting… Mark Recchi to join NHL on TSN Team during playoffs.

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

I think Craig is preparing a blog on draft prospects… I’ve been trying to post video all day of the Thrashers best choices at #3 but it keeps getting eaten.

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Interesting that Ray Ferraro, Scott Mellanby and Mark Recchi have now been the playoff guys for TSN.

By ranallo10

April 9, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Hokie — Have you included too many links? RH’s blog got some of my posts “eaten” due to having more than two links. Maybe break up the post?

By Brendan

April 9, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I would like to have both Bogosian and Doughty. How could anyone complain we picked the WRONG GUY in that scenario!! Any chance the L.A. Kings would trade it to us? (Sure, for Kovalchuk!)

Honestly, I really don’t like dreaming up far reaching trade scenarios, but I do feel like Kovalchuk is here on borrowed time. He’s a professional. He agreed to a 5-year deal. He’ll honor that deal. And, I’m sure, the organization will make a serious attempt at trying to re-sign him. But, truthfully, I think of him as a “short-term” player in the Thrashers longterm future, as long as the ASG controls this team.

I half-expect, in my despair, to hear something from Waddell like, “We sat down with Jay Grossman, Kovy’s agent. We discussed Kovalchuk’s plans for the future. I sat down with ownership. And, just like trying to drive to Hong Kong, we can’t get there from here. We got an offer from the L.A. Kings for their 2nd overall pick, and they agreed to let us take two players off their roster who weren’t named Kopitar, and tossed in the #32 overall pick, as well.”

Stop. Relax. That’s not going to happen. Forget I even mentioned it. It wasn’t serious. It was just frustration emanating from the keyboard. I don’t honestly know how I’ll handle the day that Kovalchuk no longer plays for Atlanta. All I can do is hope that Kovalchuk will still consider playing in this market beyond 2010.

By Brendan

April 9, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, regarding the Rules Committee, it’s difficult to comment on meetings none of us attended. But I would like to think that any GM who attended them was afforded the opportunity to experience the dynamics of the discussions taking place.

What I’m driving at here is … as they gobbled Kung Pao Chicken, Beef with Broccoli, and Pork Lo Mein, washing it down with wanton soup and some fortune cookies, that they pretty much knew how each other felt on … sayy … the orange-colored ice and freakishly shaped nets. And so forth. But you’re right in that, without a confirmed vote, the GM’s cannot simply assume a proposal will pass or fail, and draft accordingly. Had Nashville passed on Ryan Suter in favor of Phaneuf, back in 2003, it would have raised more than a few eyebrows. Everyone had Suter power-ranked #1 among blueliners.

But that being said, generally-speaking, I’m very much in favor of a “proactive” approach. I’m forever advocating locking players up EARLY, trying to save money, etc. I hope the GM, whoever it is, re-signs Eric Perrin this Summer rather than waiting for next Summer, or Christmas time. That being said, Eric Perrin could lay an egg, or blow out a tire, and … not having him under contract past next season would be regarded as a favorable thing. Very few things a GM does are guaranteed to succeed or fail.

Looking back at last Summer, signing Roenick seemed like a somewhat “boneheaded” move by San Jose. And yet, it has worked out for them. The Rangers landing Drury and Gomez, in free agency, seemed like “hitting the jackpot.” It could still be viewed that way, if the Rangers go DEEP into the playoffs. But the regular season numbers of Drury and Gomez aren’t exactly “awe-inspiring,” especially at a $7M+ cap hit price.

By NASCAR Dave

April 9, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

If anything my previous post stated, it’s that you (NASCAR) are ridiculous to think that a nationality is the sole cause of a demise of a franchise.

ranollo - Where did I say that? I thought I said:

with the 3rd pick, he’ll take the American Center currently ranked 10th, and who’s stock will drop over the next 2 months also. That’s Waddell for you.

I’m confused Ranollo… why do you and your buddy Hokie keep saying I said things that I did not say?

If you want to debate, that’s fine. But at least debate on what was actually said, not your fickle interpretation of what you think or wish I said.

You do know how to read, right?

By Sage of Bluesland

April 9, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

It bears repeating…Here is the most ignorant statement I’ve ever seen in relation to the Atlanta Thrashers and Don Waddell:

“Storstark… and there are people like me [Gavasheep!] who think Waddell hasn’t made a bad decision yet…And, I just opened the flood gates for Bob, LAC and Sage to come walking in with stupid rhetoric backed up with nothing substantial.”

Note—the author of this gem is none other than our very own GaVaSheep (note where I cleverly inserted his name to further clarify the clown’s own statement).

So, Donny hasn’t made a bad decision yet, huh? Do you even think before you bluster, GaVaSheep? You’re just like your hero Donny—and that is why he doesn’t talk to Jeff Schultz anymore (by the way).

Maybe you’ll stop the laughably ridiculous blustering here as well? We can only hope…

By Brendan

April 9, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Sean Avery just scored for the NY Rangers, who lead 3-1, very late in the 3rd period. Of ALLL the Rangers the Devils least want to see score a goal, it’s Avery. And, what’s worse, this is the second “bad” goalcrease goal of this period for Brodeur and the Devils.

It’s just one game, however. And for all those people who want to say … “the Devils just lost home ice,” you’re WRONG. Game Seven, if it’s played, will be played in New Jersey, not New York. And no one, but no one, but no one can simply “assume” the Rangers will hold serve, by winning all their home games. It’s absurd.

But just you WATCH and listen. You’ll hear this gem, “Man oh man, they go ‘round and ‘round for 82-games, only to lose Game One, and everything they EVERRR worked for … all season long.” Well, people like that just like to hear themselves talk. Home ice refers the team that will host the most potential games. That cannot be lost … by losing a home game. And where the term “home ice advantage” is used … well … that refers to the game actually being played. For example, tonight, the Devils had “home ice advantage.” That is, they had the advantage of playing on their home ice, and having the final line change, and the preponderance of their fans in attendance.

The Final score, Rangers 4, Devils 1.

By TRON

April 9, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

HEY BRUCE……. TRASH FINISHED OUT THE YEAR 6 GAMES UNDER .500…….. BUT THAT’S “MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”, RIGHT????…… WHEN HARTLEY LEFT THE TEAM WAS 6 GAMES UNDER .500……… SO HOW ARE WE “MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION????……….. THIS DOESN’T MAKE SENSE BRUCE……. IT SOUNDS MORE LIKE YOU JUST WASTED A SH!TLOAD OF MONEY………. MUST HURT PRETTY BAD TO HAVE TO PAY HARTLEY TO SIT ON HIS A$$, HUH????……………… WHO PLAYED YOU, BRUCE????……………IT MUST HURT TO GET PLAYED LIKE THAT……… THAT’S TOUGH……… LMAO………….

By Tony C.

April 9, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

OK.

I think that I’m just not going to read this crap anymore until Craig posts a new blog (which I don’t count on, seeing as how if I were him, I’d be trying to wrangle AJC purse-strings into springing for deadwings tix-that’s his team right?).

I have enjoyed the p!ssing contests to my limit.

So what would you like to see done with the Pittsburgh pick? I think that maybe we should keep it…I don’t know how attractive it will be-except maybe to saay Edmonton? Which if DW were able to swap it for tiny Baby Jesus PLEASE Stoll-that’d be cool and yes, I am factoring in the fact that Lowe is crazy-ish.

Also, I’d do 3 first-round picks for Getzlaf. In a heartbeat.

Somebody find out where Hainsey hangs out in the summer and let’s kidnap him and take him to the Gold Clu…-oh yeah, the city of Atlanta isn’t as fun a place to play as it used to be. Bummer. I wonder what else we can sell people on? Golfing? I’m not really into guys who look forward to playing golf (That are NHLers) other than Savard, and that boat sailed. The Aquarium? Don’t they keep killing their main attractions? Ummm uhh…wow I dunno. Tampa and Miami have beaches to sell-we’ve got Lake Lanier? Isn’t that a big mudpit now?

Boy it looks bad huh? But I bet DW will find someway to capture our interest again by fall-he’s done it the past two seasons right?

Also, Esposito may actually live up to his hype, now that he isn’t going to be asked to live up to Crosby (yes I AM optimistic-what’s the point in fatalism?).

By ranallo10

April 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — Good call, I think I’ll be right behind you on that one.

Nascar — You’re right, I can’t read. I tried this crazy thing called interpretation, and instead of simply reading and creating comprehension devoid of implication or sarcasm used in a post, I simply will read from now on and translate literally.

“Nuff said”…so you’re done talking now, SWEET!

I like this whole “literal translation” thing.

GO EAT A HAMMER. Literally.

By Jameson

April 10, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

Hokie- Sorry I’m late to the game. I’ve been playing catch up the past couple of days since I took off of work. Anyway, calling me NASCAR anything would be an insult, but you’re right, I have been around here a lot longer than whoever that is. I’ve never posted a whole post in all capitol letters. I have explained at least once before that I don’t post much because usually by the time I get to the blogs others have already expressed any ideas I was interested in expressing, but if you do look at my few posts, you’d probably find that what I do post usually brings a lot to the discussion, like when I pointed out that article that showed Anderson had permission to talk with Waddell. Anyway, I’m going to get back to lurking, but I’m not Dave or Bob or Brian, I am Jameson. (I did help to start the Bob trollfest which is how I learned that Jameson happens to be Bob’s favorite whiskey, but that’s the only name I ever post under.)

By Tony C.

April 10, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this

Ok I lied…(but just a little)…I was just thinking isn’t Jared Staal (yes, that clan) the hefty RW that the whole Staal clan agree “is the most talented” availible in this year’s draft? I’d go for it given our (lack of) depth @ RW and the pedigree. I dunno what DW would have to put together to get him though-I expect he’ll be gone before the Pitts. pick is due.

Who else is on yall’s radar in this year’s draft?

NOW I’m done.

By Bob

April 10, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Jameson happens to be Bob’s favorite whiskey

Funny, found a little ocean front bar last night to watch the games in (spring break time) and had them pour me a couple glasses to sip with me beer…my head hurts now, thanks for nuthin’, Jameson!!

By GaVaHokie

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

Jameson… no problem… just trying to flush the rat out of his hole. No offense. I’m starting to feel like I’m part of someone’s college paper on “Blog Rage: the Human Reaction to Internet Trolls”

Ranallo… I probably was trying to make too many links. I’ll post them separately.

Tony C… I like the Jarrett Stoll idea as well. I’d prefer a more consistent center like Jeff Carter… either is fine with me though.

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

I think this is the top candidate.

Zach Bogosian, who’s a physical defenseman with an offensive upside.

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t put it past Waddell to take this guy… hopefully trade down before doing so.

Nikita Filatov, who is small but seems to be everywhere on the ice. Great goal finisher! However, I’m tired of these small “buzy bee” forwards.

Check out this goal as well. Watch how he puts his body in between the puck and the late-coming defenseman.

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Here’s your “tough as nails” centerman for Kovy. He’s listed as a Center, but I don’t see him take one face-off in this highlight clip.

Kyle Beach, tall physical centerman, possibly a RW as well.

Check out this goal. Kind of fuzzy, but listen to the audio to hear what’s going on.

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

Alex Pietrangelo is another option, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find any highlight film of him. You can look up “Niagra Icedogs” on youtube and watch some game highlights… he wears #10 for them.

This is all assuming that Stamkos and Doughty go #1 and #2, which I believe they will.

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

This would make for an interesting locker room story someday.

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

I think we’d be crazy not to take Zach Bogosian. The only thing that makes me nervous is the fact that he climbed from #9 to #3 in just two weeks on the Scouting reports, but I think it’s warranted… he won the OHL’s hardest slapshot competition (98 mph).

Tell me you wouldn’t like taking Kovy off the point on the Power Play and sticking him in the slot with this kind of fire-power.

By Thorburn's Thugs

April 10, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Did anyone else hear Kincade on 680 yesterday - He was recommending we trade Ilya Kovalchuk for the long term success of the franchise. I kinda agree with him a bit there, but I think Ilya will demand a trade first anyways. I think the guy has had enough, you can see it in his comments and in the interviews. And I can’t blame him for that, either.

By Nikita

April 10, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

What’s Kincade’s rationale for that? What does he suggest we trade Kovy for?

By Thorburn's Thugs

April 10, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

GVH I think our Defense could be best addressed via Free Agency this summer. We will probably have to overpay some guys to get them here.

That being said, I would take a gamble on the Filatov kid. The problem is where do you put him, if he is ready next year? He’s a LW, right? It would be sweet if he could play RW too.

And what are the chances we could trade up with Tampa or LA? I know we would have to sell the farm somewhat, getting rid of both our 1st Rounders, and prospects like Sterling or Esposito, but do you think it would be worth it? I kinda do, from what I hear of Stamkos, he’s the best to come out in awhile. It’s hard to not at least take a shot and try to get him.

By Thorburn's Thugs

April 10, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Nikita I think he was talking about trading Kovy for a buttload of picks and prospects, “rebuilding” for the future you know?

http://www.680thefan.com/viewArticle.aspx?aid=118

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Thorburn… just read the article. Kincade’s argument was exactly my argument for trading Hossa. I think they have to keep Kovalchuk. With Hossa gone, they should be able to afford Kovy long-term AND stock the shelf around him.

There was no way to keep Kovalchuk and Hossa and then build around the both of them. One of them had to go, but I don’t think you let them both go.

The key to locking up Kovalchuk is two-fold… first you make him Captain to give him a sense of “pride and ownership” of the team. Quality captains don’t walk away from their teams (ie. Sundin).

Second, you gotta get the guy some help this summer in free agency.

By Nikita

April 10, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Hmmm. Well, I guess that could work. The problem with this team isn’t the talent, though. Especially at the forward positions — we’re actually, if anything, too deep there. All of our younger players could be raised into formidable opponents, and a lot of our veterans have demonstrated that they have the chops to do well in the right circumstances. We do need some holes filled, but what we really need is good coaching and a good coach/GM interface.

That said, Hossa’s problems were also with Kovy. It’s possible he might be a hard resource to manage and the team might be better off moralewise with a more egalitarian workforce.

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Thorburn… another thing, by trading Kovalchuk, you risk falling into another Heatley-Hossa trap. Where the guy leaving is happier than the guy coming.

By GSU-Lee

April 10, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

GVH and Thors Thugs, On the Kinkade article, if I may, I think it is too early to give up on Kovy. The guy is not Marian Hossa. Hossa always seems distant, you don’t get that with Kovy. He likes it here and he is as fierce a competitor as there is out there.I think if he becomes Captain and the team can win a playoff round and not get swept in the second round, then he might see a team with a future and be willing to stay. But if they blow next year, then trade him, because he will not stay

By Russian

April 10, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Kovy will stay with only ONE CONDITION

Money??? No. He does not need lot of money.

C lable on jersey???? No. I tell you couple example about Captians. Chris Chelious was Captian on Chicago. Joe Thronton was Captian on Sharks.

He will stay if he will believe on BlueLand and team and Managment. If he is going to win PO games he will stay here. He is not believe right now for anything. That is reason he said, we need to make a changes on Summer.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

April 10, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

I assume you meant Thornton was Captain with Boston to illustrate your point. He is currently with the Sharks and he is an “A”

By NASCAR Dave

April 10, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

Hello kiddies. It’s your ole buddy NASCAR Dave here checking in from Phoenix! How are things in Blueland? Don FRAUDell been canned yet? Is he DONE Waddell yet? Oh, so now Kovy wants out? What’s next years theme gonna be? Believe in Recchi? Believe in Kozlov? Hahaha. Oh the misery!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Russian

April 10, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

to Buzilla Baby Blues Thank you for correct me. Yes. I meant Boston not Sharks.

By Brendan

April 10, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, I agree with Kincade’s article. I already view Kovalchuk as “gone, but trapped here” for the next two seasons.

Now, if Waddell become Anne Sullivan, “The Miracle Worker,” and gets Kovy his Tier I center, while firming up two Tier I d-men, then all bets are off, and Ilya might reconsider. Such a proposed team might advance into the playoffs and into the second round.

Kovalchuk’s maximum trade value, however, is right now. His “cap hit” is only $6.5 million. That’s a “bargain” for the most prolific winger in hockey today. The thing I DISAGREE with Kincade about … is putting draft picks in the hands of Don Waddell and his scouts. To me, Waddell’s stronger suit is trading NHL for NHL players. I believe that to be the truth.

I’d rather that DW take 3-4 NHL players, who are YOUNG, who are under contract for the next 3-4 years. And believe me, this wouldn’t be my normal approach, as I don’t like to acquire players who didn’t choose to play in Atlanta. But with 3-4 years left on a deal, they can’t exactly “eyeball” the exit, the way that … sayyy … a Cammalleri could, if Don traded with Los Angeles. Brown and Frolov might have lengthier deals, however. Food for thought.

Kincade is also right that … fans would HATE this move. Who wants to see Kovalchuk leave?? Put … your hand … down. Herein is the difference between a “fantasy” GM and a real one. The real GM has to sell tickets. In the “fantasy leagues,” you’re not held accountable for ticket sales, or marketing … or anything of the sort. You just make deals to win. But let me leave this topic and return to the “fantasy” aspect of the Kincade article.

I’d agree with Kincade if he said, “let’s trade Kovalchuk for a slew of draft picks and prospects with a new GM.” Okayyy, provided this new GM is a competent one, I’d go for that idea, in the fantasy realm. If a Thrashers “fantasy” GM opened the floodgates and said, “Step right up, make me an offer for Kovalchuk!,” you’d see a BIDDING WAR. And eventually, the “fantasy” Thrashers GM … would do very well.

By Sara

April 10, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Kincade actually wasn’t the first person to bring up the idea of trading Kovy. Buccigross mentioned it in his article this week as well.

Bottom-line for me - there are good solid players and there are great players. Kovy is a great player and those are rare. We would NOT get a great player back for him, and possibly might not see another great player for years to come. It’s just not worth it to let him go when I think there are other viable solutions to fixing this club with him still here.

There’s also the issue of the fans. I for one can say 100% that if Kovy gets traded, this team is dead to me forever. I’ve had to watch Heatley leave, and now Hossa leave. It happens again, this whole organization can go * itself.

By GSU-Lee

April 10, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

There’s also the issue of the fans. I for one can say 100% that if Kovy gets traded, this team is dead to me forever. I’ve had to watch Heatley leave, and now Hossa leave. It happens again, this whole organization can go * itself.

Sara, I think you would be in the majority. Including me. Whatever team they traded him to, that woul dbecome my favorite team. If they are not loyal to us as fans, i will not be loyal to “them”

By Brendan

April 10, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

But Sara, this is the larger point of Kincade’s article (or Buccigross’). Kovalchuk is already gone, in his mind. Nic Havelid was quoted by Custance in the AJC as saying, “[for him] Enough is enough.” The “him” being Ilya Kovalchuk. The situation is no different from several years ago.

If Kovalchuk would specifically say what Hossa wouldn’t, namely, that if Don Waddell stays, he’s going. That would resonate. Much moreso than what we’ve seen thus far. Right now, Kovy’s only said, “Hopefully we make moves to improve for next season, not only for playoffs, but to play for Stanley Cup.”

That’s much more “relaxed” than … “I’m committed to leaving in FREE AGENCY in 2010 if Don Waddel is not fired this offseason.” Such a quote could be disasterous, on many levels. Player morale … the way any future trades might be worked out, ticket sales. Such a quote really does put ANY GM behind the “8 ball.” Now, ownership shouldn’t have to be nudged in that fashion, to do that which is obvious. But, here we are. Nonetheless.

Regarding Hossa, I still say a better approach would have been, last June, before the Draft, to ask Hossa, “Where do you want to play next season?” Then, try to make the best deal possible with that GM, such that the gaining team can re-sign him to a contract. That’d be the sticking point for whichever team it was. Who really wants to “rent” Hossa?

Trouble is … Hossa would have said, “I want to play in Detroit.” And Detroit wasn’t going to give us the best deal possible. They knew they could get him in free agency, for nothing. When you think of it “that way,” maybe Atlanta did get the best that it could, in the deal with Pittsburgh.

By Midfield

April 10, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Nikita,

I don’t know where this theory came from, but to blame Hossa’s exit on Kovy being a hard a* is by far the most ridiculous thing I have read here to date. I don’t imagine Kovy impeding Hossa’s performance in any way - by, what, perhaps hurting Hossa’s feelings? And if Kovy happened to occasionally tell him, “Dude, it’s time for you to start playing already,” I say, good for him. I wonder who might have hurt Hossa’s feelings back in his not-so-glorious Ottawa days in play-offs?

By Nikita

April 10, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

Midfield, that’s one heck of an assumption you’re making. What I said is that Hossa had issues with Kovy, and that was an issue from the moment he joined the team. What those issues are I did not specify, but it is no secret within the organization that the two did not gel and the team wasn’t big enough for both of them.

My point still stands — if Hossa thought that he had an issue with Kovy specifically, among the general issues of wanting a Cup, wanting vision, and wanting competent coaching, then that may possibly indicate something about what it’s like to work with Kovy.

By Sage of Bluesland

April 10, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

As much as I can’t stand Kincade, I have to concede he (and the others who have pondered the question in the positive) has a good point.

IF Kovy is gone regardless, then it’s best to maximize value for the good of the team in the long run. Fans ‘should’ feel this way, I would like to believe.

However, to even consider letting Donny Waddell have yet another chance at his five-seven-eight year incremental regression plan to rebuild is simply wasting everyone’s time.

If bumbling Donny is still here, Kovy is gone. I’ll bet any sheep who keeps thinking we’re ‘only’ a player or two away from winning the Cup that…

It’s past time to admit the real source of the problem in “Blueland”. It’s staring you right in the face—yet some still make excuses…

Looking forward to them when Kovy departs…I hope some of you are still here then…We’ll see…

By Sara

April 10, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

Brendan I get the premise of the argument - it’s basically Hossa re-visited. Better to get something rather than nothing and in theory (and most likely reality) we can get more “something” right now with Kovy still under a contract for two seasons, than we could with Kovy under contract for one or at the trade deadline a few mere months before he becomes a UFA.

My point is…I don’t care. I am sick and tired of having to trade away superstar players. Granted Heater’s situation was unique nor the direct fault of the organization. It doesn’t change the fact that it still happened. And now we’ve just had to trade away Hossa. Trading a player, regardless of the whys and wherefores, is still voluntarily giving away the player. I’m just unwilling to voluntarily give away Kovy. This is one of the few times where I’m letting emotion rather than reason rule here but so be it. Because ultimately being a fan is about emotion.

There’s also the fact that if we get to the point where we can’t keep Kovy here - one of the few players who is emotionally invested in this franchise himself - then the organization is truly lost.

I really would like someone to research why we have such a hard time getting top talent in here. Is it that we don’t pony up the money (ownership)? Is it people don’t like the style of the team (GM/coach)? Or do people just not want to play in Atlanta itself (no one’s fault)? Who knows - maybe premier hockey players think it’s retarded to wear uniforms of baby blue.

This is a MAJOR issue that someone needs to answer. Because if it’s about players just not wanting to come to the Southeast/Atlanta in general, then the LEAGUE has a huge issue to address - the true long-term viability of a franchise in Atlanta.

I’ll tell you that I have heard from friends of mine who are friends with players both currently here and from the past, that there seems to be an issue for players to come to Atlanta at all. Often the families (read: wives) love it here, but players themselves aren’t always so keen. It doesn’t even seem to be about the competitiveness of the franchise. If that’s true, then we’re all screwed as Thrasher fans, no matter what GM or owner or coach we have.

By Sara

April 10, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

Nikita that may actually make some sense, given that Don mentioned at the Town Hall Meeting that there was more to the Hossa situation than any of us will ever know…’cept maybe now we do.

I would venture to say though, that the problem was Hossa’s issue and not Kovy’s. I’ve never heard anything bad ever said about him from a team standpoint. His love of the game is evident and his work ethic has improved by leaps and bounds. He’s also become a consumate team guy - his quotes about reaching 50+ goals are clear evidence of that. And if it comes down to having Hossa or Kovy - I want Kovy.

By Sage of Bluesland

April 10, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

For all those who state that “Kovy deserves better” [than what Atlanta has offered concerning state of franchise; success; etc.], I have a serious question (and I’m one of those who DOES feel sorry for Ilya in this figuratively miserable joke otherwise known as “Blueland”).

If “Kovy deserves better”, then do the FANS not deserve better as well???

Just food-for-thought…The continuation of the Waddell-incompetence is beyond belief, explanation, and common sense…

This organization will lose its best player in a short time (now)—and the sheep will still be making excuses for Donny…

Or, maybe, then they’ll finally awaken from their slumber and DO SOMETHING PROACTIVE about it???

“Proactive” doesn’t mean—as one lamb suggested—going to the game to protest…The ASG will laugh all the way to the bank at that silliness!

Nope, the only way is to cut the funds completely. Period. End of. That WILL change the behavior.

We’ll see when even the sheep have enough…

By Brendan

April 10, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

Reminder: It’s Boston College 4, North Dakota 0, after one period of play on ESPN2. So much for the NCAA’s #1 defense of the Fighting Sioux. I wouldn’t have thought the Eagles could score four (4) goals in the whole game.

The 9:00 PM game features Michigan (#1 power rank) vs. Notre Dame (4th in the West). Hopefully, that will be a better game. Imagine if Notre Dame wins, and BC holds on? Notre Dame vs. BC for the national title? I doubt any alcohol could be consumed in that one. It’ll be a very “dry” Pepsi Center.

By Midfield

April 10, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

Nikita,

with all due respect, what you write here is a classic innuendo. You hint some issues, but you can’t even remotely articulate what kind of issues you are talking about. This vague as they come comment by Waddell - arguable the least credible source in the entire league at present - that you are referring to does not do anything to clarify anything. These guys were not married to each other. They are big ticket pro hockey players. The job is to put on the gear and rip it - day in - day out. They have agents to deal with all other business. Simple enough? Apparently not to many people.

By Nikita

April 10, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

Midfield, what you write is classic assumption, and once again IT IS INACCURATE. I’m not basing my comments on any public release or event — and I have heard the same thing from multiple people. Cultural differences, egos, playing style, whatever — the gist is that the two aren’t compatible, did not gel, and could not play together cooperatively. That suggests that TWO people had personal issues that played into professional decisions. I think the Hossa trade was a great decision — I just hope that we can buil a great team with our remaining assets.

As for what they’re paid to do…that’s an interesting subject. A certain amount of performance is necessary to getting paid, but that level isn’t necessarily their best. Example: Alexei Zhitnik. Or a nicer example: Nic Havelid during his disaster year. There is, and should be, some leeway for “soft” issues — personality, durability, work ethic, personal issues, etc.

And Sara, I’d also rather have Kovy. I’d like, ideally, to have a happy and productive Kovy. Surrounded by a competent defense and offense.

By Rone

April 10, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

2 to zip - Notre Dame, with 9:39 left in the first. Break out the Communion Wine!

By Rone

April 10, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

Well, thought out posts by some of the best on this blog…

I was ready to throw in the towel as far as this blog was concerned, but saw some great opinions expressed as well as a lot of passion for hockey in Atlanta.

Nascar, and Sage,

“Sheep” is played… So, so, played…

One of you should take a creative writing class if your going to keep posting.

By Tony C.

April 10, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

I had thought that the ego-thing may have been an issue…and I can see (somewhat) Hossa’s issues-who’s the more complete player? Who was an all-star last season? Who was more active in the community? Yet, who do the fans buy more sweaters of? Who has an official (and vocal) fanclub? Who doesn’t come back and mark his man on defenCe?

All valid points.

Yet, I think the more deep seated issue was on display in January in a shoot-out (can’t remember the exact game, but I’ll look it up when I get home)… #17 is up first, and as soon as the ref blows his whistle, even before the announcer is done saying his name #17 is down the ice working on his shot. Now when Maid Marian was up to shoot he circles the puck two or three times waiting for the announcer to say his name, (ref blew the whistle between 1st and last name) and almost salutes the crowd before he begins his run.

Does that make Hossa a bad player? Not neccessarily. Does it mean that the guy has been 2nd fiddle to someone else his whole NHL career? Yup. Seems like he’s ready for the spotlight-or to be in a group of luminaries where they can take turns being “the man”.

Maybe #17 is an a* to work with-in my experience with Russians (no offense to anyone anywhere) they can be very taciturn and reserved. Not always the easiest folks to work with. Who knows, maybe #17’s lack of all around game offended Hossa? Who cares? If Hossa came to DW and said “Me or #17.” then I’m all for DW telling Hossa to go fly a kite. I would give the #17-being-a-tremendous-@sshole position a LOT more credibility if it weren’t for established pros like Mellanby and Ferraro raving about the guy’s heart and will to win. Now, #17 has been labeled with the Prima-Donna tag that the frostbacks love to assign any scorer that isn’t Canadian and doesn’t come back defensively. At first, it seemed well-deserved. he still suffers from that perception even though most of those that still give him that label haven’t seen anything more than highlights of his past few seasons. But I think the votes of confidence from guys like Mell, Heatley etc., speak volumes about #17.

I look forward to “The Hossa Deal” chapter in DW’s book (hopefully published sooner than later as DW glides down 75N out of town), so we can get the real deal.

Again, we’ll never know…I’d appreciate those who have insider-type rumor access to just come out and say things-you don’t have to name names but you can give quotes. Hey it’s a fan blog, nobody’s going to get sued…well check that. I doubt you’ll be sued.

By Brendan

April 10, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this

Notre Dame got up, 3-0, after one period. Stunned and shell shocked, the Wolverines pulled Sauer (goaltender) in favor of the backup, Brian Hogan. The Wolverines popped in two goals in the space of 15 seconds! It’s 3-2, and there’s 8:00 left in the 2nd period. I urge one and all to tune in to ESPN2 and enjoy this one. What if Notre Dame pulls this one off? That’s a huge upset. BC last won the National Title in 2001, in overtime. Prior to that, it was 1949. Or thereabouts, since their last title.

Could BC manage to “choke” yet another title, against Notre Dame? Against Michigan, they’d be underdogs. BC has been to a LOT of National Title games. They lose an alarming amount of them. In the last 15 years or so, they’ve lost a good half-dozen. Maybe this is the Eagles year?

By Brendan

April 10, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

Notre Dame 3, Michigan 2, after 2 periods. This has been an exciting, entertaining game.

Montreal won, 3-1, over Boston. And I think the Red Wings sealed it with an empty netter, 3-1, over Nashville. Calgary and San Jose are scoreless, with 18:45 left in the 2nd period.

By Brendan

April 10, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this

Dallas has just scored a PPG, to take a 3-0 lead on Anaheim. Somewhere, Versus Analyst Keith Jones is grinning like a cheshire cat.

By Brendan

April 10, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Michigan just tied it up with Notre Dame, 3-3.

By Midfield

April 10, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

Nikita,

what I have heard from many people - in the Philips Arena alone - I would be ashamed to even quote. That’s how stupid the stuff that you hear from many people can be. I’m afraid, in order to carry credibility, you’d need to do a little better than that in identifying your sources. Perhaps, Hossa did have a problem with Kovy’s lack of defensive effort. It just happened to coincide with the 180 degrees reversal of tendencies in this department this year: Kovy has played much better two-way game, while Hossa was plagued with turn-overs, and - worse - with static turn-overs, with no possibility to make a defensive play to recover. Perhaps, Hossa was unhappy with Kovy’s bigger pay-check? High taxes? Falling dollar? Atlanta traffic jam? Pollen? Somebody needs to write a book about Hossa’s perceived hang ups. I would not look for it on Amazon.com, though. Sorry, not interested.

By Brendan

April 11, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Correction, Montreal 4, Boston 1. San Jose is up, 2-0, over Calgary. The Sharks outshot the Flames 27-3, in the 2nd period. But Calgary is far from out of it.

As last check, Dallas was upsetting the Ducks, 3-0.

Michigan and Notre are starting the overtime, 4-4.

By Nikita

April 11, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

Midfield, if you’re so disinterested, then perhaps you should quit responding with your misinterpretations of my statements. They don’t gel. They couldn’t cooperate. There were factions. That’s it. Nothing ridiculous about it. And quit it with the Ricky Bobby on Ice impersonation — “with all due respect” doesn’t give you carte blanche to be a jerk.

I don’t care if you believe me — especially the “you” who can’t even display basic reading comprehension. I’d wager my sources are fairly reliable because it would be a business disadvantage for them to be otherwise.

(Tony, I got a more detailed version of “they didn’t get along” from one of my sources, but it was lengthy and complicated and all about cultural and logistical differences in their respective farm systems and resulting styles and strategies of play, and to a lesser extent about ego, and…yawn. Particularly since we have other people of similar backgrounds playing fine together already. The answer I got from another was “Great guys, thoroughly incompatible.” And some perfectly logical comments about the practical implications of having two incompatible superstars.)

By Brendan

April 11, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this

The Pope just might be in attendance! Notre Dame won it, in overtime!!!! It’s the “Fighting Irish” vs. the Eagles of Boston College, for the National Championship, on Saturday, on ESPN2.

The Hail Mary prayer was answered tonight! As Homer Simpson might say, prepare for the “Feast of Maximum Occupancy.”

By Midfield

April 11, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

Lady,

getting personal is never a good idea to compensate for the lack of credibility. As for logistics, language, and all that personality match bull, refer to my previous point: these guys weren’t married to each other. They weren’t even on the same line most of the time. This league succesfully employs people born decades and tens of thousands miles apart from each other. Oh, by the way, I have a business partner, who just told me that you are full of it.

By Nikita

April 11, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Midfield, don’t lecture me on getting personal — you’re the one who started it. I merely responded to multiple misinterpretations of my statements. As for professionalism and so on, two words. Sean Avery. Ask the LA Kings if his personality had any effect on that team. It would be ludicrous to suggest that rapport, morale, and other soft issues don’t have anything to do with how a team works — in fact, it’s arguably what’s wrong with the team as a whole.

Switching gears, my Bobby Holik bobblehead is contemplating me balefully, reminding me that we have these UFAs possibly going or staying. Moose says he wants to come back. Bobby Holik has also suggested he wants to come back, and might do it at a discount. And then there’s Eric Boulton and Mark Recchi, and some other folks I’m sure I’m not bothering to consider. What do you guys think the chances are of those returning? And do you think we should keep them?

Also, I’m enjoying the playoffs thus far. Poor Nashville doesn’t stand a chance, but they put up a pretty good fight last night. I’m also enjoying watching Dupuis/Hossa in Pittsburgh — Hossa is fitting in o.k. with Sid Crosby and playing less well than he’s probably capable of but way better than he played here. And Dupuis still can’t finish, which as far as I’m concerned means we were right to trade him — especially if it really was him or Perrin.

By Lanny McDonald

April 11, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

And Dupuis still can’t finish, which as far as I’m concerned means we were right to trade him — especially if it really was him or Perrin.

And what is your “source” on this?

By Gary

April 11, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Don’t fret Atlanta fans! While Don Waddell prepares for the 2nd rebuilding phase of his 15 year plan, your Atlanta Hawks are going to the Playoffs! Tickets are going fast; act now so you don’t miss out on the Playoffs at Philips!

http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/805898?listview=1&camefrom=NBAHAWKS0708HPPlyfOS

By ranallo10

April 11, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

Lanny — Waddell said exactly that at the Town Hall meeting.

Rone — Ditto, guess I have to go against my last post and stick around. A Custance update doesn’t seem to be coming soon enough.

Nikita — I wouldn’t be surprised in the least bit if Kovalchuk and Hossa had issues, as it was one of my biggest concerns last year when Kovalchuk was slumping and Hossa was streaking. Kovalchuk doesn’t seem to be the type of player that shares the spotlight, but I also think he showed some maturity THIS season in regards to that…specifically when Hossa was slumping at the beginning of the year and couldn’t buy a goal. I recall Hossa scoring one and Kovalchuk was the first to congratulate him from the bench, huge smile and all, and I remember Waddell saying something to the effect of how happy Kovalchuk was for his teammate to get that goal.

IF they had personality issues, Kovalchuk’s my choice. Hossa was (and still is) the more rounded player, but a scorer like Kovalchuk (with his heart, passion for the game, and all the intangibles he displays) is hard to come by. Slap the C on his chest, give the team a season of a true youth movement (which means let everyone not currently on a contract walk away), give the rookies their bumps and bruises in an effort to lock up Tavares (pull a Pittsburgh). And HOPEFULLY in two seasons this team could still have Kovalchuk, have a nice crop of grizzled sophomores, and a tantalizing rookie by the name of Tavares.

Stanley Cup in two years? Nah. An exciting product and hopefully (key word) a foundation for which Kovalchuk can be convinced to stick around? I definitely hope so.

Brendan — Thanks for the updates, it’s like you’re our own personal ESPN Bottom Line.

By Alan

April 11, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Gary - Your Atlanta Hawks are two losses away from losing that playoff spot.

Go back to the Basketball blogs, please. We’re not here to talk about the Hawks, we’re here to talk about the Thrashers. While we’re enduring the offseason, you all may just end up enduring a wonderfully composed choke job. Then you’ll be yelling about the General Manager of the Hawks as loud as we’re yelling about the General Manager of the Thrashers.

What’s more painful? Knowing after the trade deadline that your team stinks too badly to make it to the playoffs? Or a last minute choke job, like what Carolina experienced this season? Personally, I’d say the latter. Hope you’re prepared for the choke job.

By Gary

April 11, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Hi Alan. Watch tonight as your Atlanta Hawks destroy the NY Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Magic # is 2. Game starts at 7:30. See you there!

By Lanny McDonald

April 11, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Alan, Please stop feeding the trolls. Again, this is how you continue to venture off topic. Thanks.

By Nikita

April 11, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

And what is your “source” on this?

Versus. But it’s kinda cute watching Dupuis play his same streaky, unpolished game under delusions of top-6-ness. Good to see the Pens didn’t fall for it, either.

By Alan

April 11, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Lanny - Don’t you think it’s pretty off-topic for you to chide me for “being off-topic?”

Seriously. Go find a job or something. Unless you’re like me. In that case, there’s really no helping you.

Besides, let’s consider the alleged topic of this blog to begin with. Stamkos. The draft lottery has come and gone, and was won by Tampa Bay. They would be fools to trade the number one pick away, considering who will be drafted with that pick. The “topic” of this blog has been up in the air for a few days now. So seriously, there is no “off topic.”

In closing, I must say that you make NASCAR Dave look sane. And that’s saying a lot.

Oh, look… I fed another troll. Woe be upon me?

By Lanny McDonald

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

Alan, no offense taken. Look, it’s not my fault you took Nascar’s bait and the Hawk guy’s bait. It goes deeper, like weeks ago when you fed the “David” troll - you know, the guy that wanted to “buy” the Thrashers. If you ignore people like that, they will go away. Same with this “David Duke” character. I’ve seen him on these boards for years - he’s Racist - check out one of the Falcons blogs sometime, you will see what I mean. Like you said, this is a “hockey” blog, and like you, I am trying to keep it that way, so let’s keep the politics and basketball out of the Thrashers blog, agreed?

On a semi-related side note, I saw Nascar heckling some of the Tech fans over on their blogs recently, so it’s not like we’re the only ones dealing with it.

By Alan

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

And all I’m saying is that if you’re going to police the blog, get off of my a* and go police everyone else you feel is being “off topic.” Seriously, it’s as if I made disparaging remarks about your mother or something. It comes across as a personal vendetta, and just adds to the level of discontent.

This is, of course, assuming that you aren’t a troll as well. The exact opposite is starting to become apparent. If you’re really not a troll, you’ll drop it and we’ll both forget this conversation ever took place.

And all will be right in the world of Atlanta hockey again. At least until the next blog is posted.

By MB

April 11, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Ugh, I can’t wait until Craig posts a new blog.

By Tony C.

April 11, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

Just finished watching the Philly-DC game.

Wow.

A-O is The Truth…hits hard, skates hard, shoots hard…nifty with his stick…just watch his GWG highlight and see each of these attributes on display. Knocks one defender off the puck as he is receiving a pass, sprints to where the puck has ricocheted then he strips the puck from the other defender, waits until he has completely broken Biron down then roofs the puck so hard it comes back out of the net and travels nearly to centRe ice.

Simply incredible. If #17 truly wants to be the best from Russia ever looks like he’ll need to eat his Wheaties.

But I do think he can be better.

By ranallo10

April 11, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — You just had to know he’d score the winner…he’s that damn good.

By Brendan

April 11, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Philly should win a game that it leads by 2 goals entering the 3rd period, especially in the playoffs. They surrendered three (3) third period goals, without scoring any. Now, that 4th Capitals goal was tough. The Flyer player was noticeably injured while blocking a shot. The refs could have blown the whistle right there, before the Capital took a shot on goal. They didn’t. And it went in.

By the way, the Caps fans did what we didn’t during the All-Star game, they got the M-V-P chant going for Ovechkin. Loudly.

Pittsburgh had a mini-collapse, while up, 3-0. The Senators actually rallied to tie it, 3-3. But then took a borderline penalty with less than 2 minutes in regulation. And Hossa got an assist on the GW PPG. Oh boy, there goes our draft pick, moving back 4 more places. Well, unless Ottawa can win four of the next five (4/5) games!

Last year, the NY Rangers enjoyed a 1st round sweep. This year, they’re halfway there, up 2-0, coming back to the Gah-den. I wouldn’t count the Devils out, however. The Rangers must at least split these next two games at MSG.

The Wild and Aves are tied, 1-1, halway through the 3rd period on VERSUS, if anyone wants to watch.

By NASCAR Dave

April 12, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this

How naive are some of you silly fools? Why the hell would he come here? Laviolette. The Canes haven’t even fired him yet. What a stupid “rumour.” Any stupid journalist could create that one… it’s Don FRAUDell a.k.a. DONE Waddell’s USA Hockey buddy. That’s an “easy” first guess. I seriously doubt he would even want to come here!

Until the Thrashers FIRE the IDIOT GM running the show here, NO damn NHL coach WILL EVER have ANY success here. No matter who they are! They are competing in the NHL with an AHL Roster!!! This guy has now finished his 9th year here. We are back where we started in Year 2. In Year 2 we took HEATLEY. 2nd pick. In Year 9 we pick 3rd. How is this Progress??? IT IS NOT!!! Any other job, you would be fired by now for FAILING AT YOUR JOB!

There are plenty of Qualified GM Candidates out there right now. The Atlanta Spirit needs to man up and get rid of this clown. He’s holding our franchise down.

It’s well beyond time to hold him accountable for his Complete Failures at Drafting and Signing Free Agents alone. That track record in itself is absolutely pitiful!

You people need to accept the fact that Kovy’s walkin out of here ASAP. He said what the problems are. It’s the same problem every year. Don FRAUDell fails to “have the right people on the roster.”

How is it fair to allow DWAD to control our 2ND “Rebuilding” Process? IT IS NOT!!! He had his chance. He blew it! He comes up with the buffoonish excuses, and you NAIVE fools BELIEVE it! It’s Mind Boggling!

Don’t get NASCAR Dave wrong… I LOVE MY THRASHERS. Kovy is my favorite player. I want what’s best for our team in the long run. I just cannot take another year of this Incompetence at his job by Don FRAUDell. Enough is enough! This guy is A FRAUD!!!

The LOGICAL choice for Coach is ANDERSON… But we know the ASG can’t use logic… YET. We’ll see if they’re MAN ENOUGH to hold people accountable for their actions (or inactions).

The PIT pick is crap. They’re goin far this year. Glad to Hossa and Dupuis thriving on a team that understands “Progress”. Hopefully someday when Kovy gets out of here he can team up with them on a Cup Winning team, not Sliding into Obscurity STUCK with Don FRAUDell’s TRASHERS, and his “Collection” of 5 Year Plans.

End the Incompetence. Cut this Clown Loose. What a pitiful existence Don’s run this team into.

It’s time to face the facts. Cut ALL UFA’s LOOSE!!! None of those LOSERS are worth bringing back, AT ANY PRICE!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Alan

April 12, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Brendan - Anyone who thought our draft pick from Pittsburgh would be above #20 really is kidding themselves.

By Tony C.

April 12, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

NASCARDave-Dude. You took off the capslok…nice.

By Brendan

April 12, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this

Yes Alan, it was a “throw away” pick, as far as the 1st round is concerned. But, I can’t help but root for Ottawa to pull the upset, since it would be good news for the Thrashers. Who knows, though. #28, #29, and #30, if the draft is a DEEP one, is still fertile ground for finding a player for any team with good scouts.

By Brendan

April 12, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

On ESPN, the National title game is on, between BC and Notre Dame. I urge you to watch. The National Title game is usually a good one.

Right now, it’s scoreless about half way through the 1st period.

By Alan

April 12, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Brendan - That was indeed part of my point. It’d be nice if Ottawa could pull an upset, but it’s not feasible at the moment. Too many critical pieces to their playoff puzzle are injured, I think. But if they manage to do so, we have a middle-of-the-pack type pick. It’ll definitely make things interesting, come draft day.

By ranallo10

April 12, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

Brendan — I watched the game on your recommendation, it was good but maybe college hockey just isn’t my cup of tea. The bigger ice makes things much less exciting, and the lower level of skill makes it simply less enjoyable for me as a spectator.

Now, I never played college hockey, so maybe I am missing something. I usually have the same stance with football and baseball too, so there’s gotta be something that makes me not enjoy the games.

However, I did see Ted Ruth play, the Capital prospect traded for Sergei Federov. Seemed good enough.

Finally, I think ND’s second goal should’ve counted, I don’t like the kicking rule as it stands.

By Brendan

April 13, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

Ranallo, college hockey doesn’t have the “trapezoid” behind the net and they do have the automatic icing call. So, it does take some acclimation, if you’ve only seen pro hockey or Olympic hockey. What I like about the collegiate level … is the passion. No one is getting paid; they are playing for school pride, a chance to get drafted, and to impress their friends and family. The skill set is about equal. The “boosters” are all there. It’s the whole “atmosphere” of it.

Now, I’ve got to be careful. I love college hockey, but I don’t follow college hoops until the March Madness tournament. I don’t make a point of spending my saturdays watching college football, they way I do with Sundays, watching the NFL. I’ve seen probably 3 college baseball games in my life. I’m definitely someone like you, Ranallo, who is more apt to watch the pros than college.

Boston College jumped for joy when Notre Dame took out the lead dog, Michigan, in overtime. But had that 2nd Notre Dame goal counted, it would have been 3-2, with half a period to go. Instead, the goal was disallowed and BC scored about 30 seconds later, to go up, 4-1.

“Distinct Kicking Motion” are words that perplex me. I wish the whole rule would be reworded. I’d settle for, “A goal shall be disallowed if deliberately kicked towards the net, with a full “wind up,” with INTENT to score a goal.” I mean, wouldn’t that simplify things? There’s still room for “trouble,” however. What happens when when a kick is meant as a pass, then hits “something” and caroms into the net, or goes directly into the net. My wording would ALLOW that goal to stand, as there was NO INTENT to score “by kicking.” In this Notre Dame disallowed goal, the player was trying to kick the puck to his stick to shoot it in. The BC player impeded his progress, but the puck slid into the net anyway. There was no INTENT to score while the puck was at his feet. The puck went in, essentially, by ACCIDENT. And the “distinct kicking motion” occured AFTER the puck had been redirected. So I AGREE with you, and Ray Ferraro, and Gary Thorne, the “Fighting Irish” got robbed of a goal. And, possibly, because of it, BC got themselves an easier trip to a Championship.

By Brendan

April 13, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

Alan, if we (Atlanta Thrashers) are to trade a pick in this draft, that second one would be the way to go. I know Waddell gets a good ribbing and isn’t really known for his draft acumen, but there could be a decent player worth drafting in the mid-to-high 20’s. Stay with me. If Waddell could find a team willing to part with an NHL defensemen that plays 20 or more minutes a night, this might be the place to do it. That’s a tall order, however. He’d be more likely to find someone playing 2nd tier pairing minutes, but who is held back, because the top pairing blueliners are Tier I guys. And, again, like with the Penguin player acquisitions, such a player’s development would be unfettered in Atlanta. If you are looking at a Bieksa, from Vancouver, this would be that opportunity. I’m sure the Canucks would like to wind up with two (2) picks in the 1st round.

By ranallo10

April 13, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

Brendan — I’m more of a fan of the NHL’s newest addition to the kicking rule, stating it’s allowed to go in off a skate as long as the player doesn’t soccer style kick the ball (blade leaving the ice). The rule allows for deflections, pushing the puck in with the blade, or those occasions where the player tries to push it to their stick but misses. I’ve never understood (beyond the safety aspect) why a hockey player isn’t allowed to use the most important part of their equipment to score a goal.

As for collegiate hockey, I feel the bigger surfaces tends to slow the game, and I enjoy the tighter atmosphere of the NHL rinks. I’ve seen the Kings play in Austria (a four team tournament this past postseason), so I’m familiar with international competitive hockey with no-touch icing and no trapezoid. It’s just not as enjoyable for me…I like the closer, tighter checking, faster, games. And I like the touch-up icing calls, no-touch slows the game down in my opinion.

By ranallo10

April 13, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

That vulcanized rubber disk is called a “puck”, not ball. My bad.

By Tony C.

April 13, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this

Let’s play some pucky!

By Chris LiPuma

April 13, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Apparently Don Cherry has been talking to Don Waddell about being the next Thrashers coach. “grapes” would bring Smash Mouth hockey to Atlanta for sure!

By David

April 13, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

I think the kicking rules are all dumb. It should be allowed, period. If you can score with your feet, more power to ya.

By NASCAR Dave

April 13, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

NBC announcers all puffy positive about Braydon Coburn! “What a player” they said.

Yep. They’re right.

What a player. Too bad Don FRAUDell traded him for ZHITHEAD!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Tony C.

April 13, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Ok dude. I now want you to pick apart every bad/questionable trade made by oh, say…Wilson out in SJ.

Can you do that NASCARdave?

I mean duh. Hindsight shows that it was a bad move by DW. However, hindsight allows you to see what is at the time, murky at best.

I mean, trading Kiprusof was the worst move he’s made that immediately comes to mind. Turns out that Kipper has done what the two highly talnted men ahead of him on SJ’s depth chart haven’t: take their team to The Cup Finals.

At the time, who (except me and Sutter) knew that Kiprusof was better (to date) than Nabakov AND Teskalaa?

Give it rest dude. Or at least try and find some other moves aside from the obvious blunders. Like say, not putting Thorburn with #17 sooner?

By Brendan

April 13, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

Yeah, the announcer slammed Atlanta for the Coburn for Zhitnik trade. I can’t remember if it was “Enzo” or Pierre McGuire. I’d bet it was Olczyk.

Congratulation to the Gwinnett Gladiators for sweeping out the Charlotte Checkers in the 1st round. And Congratulations to TEAM USA Women’s hockey for winning the World Title in China, 4-3, over TEAM CANADA. And finally, Congratulations to Boston College on their 3rd National Title.

Habs and Bruins are in overtime. The Rangers and Devils are about to start overtime. The Flyers won, 2-0, over the Capitals. The Flyers narrowly escaped with a 2-0 series lead, if they just could have held that 3-1 lead that had, in Game One, heading into the 3rd period. Bygones.

Colorado vs. Minnesota has had nothing but overtime games. San Jose vs. Calgary has been good, too. It’s been a great 1st round of playoff action.

By ranallo10

April 13, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

Stupid lost comments, I hate AJC sometimes…now I’ve lost all my Pulitzer worthy points from my last post.

NASCARDave, hindsight is 20/20, many people disagreed with the Coburn trade then, and now. Zhitnik had 14 points in 18 games while in Atlanta to close the season, then went into a shell and scored 8 in 65GP. Was that unexpected, yes, was it surprising, not really. I wanted to keep Coburn, but I don’t feel Hartley would’ve allowed him to develop into the player he is now in Philadelphia. I expect the same from Popovic, because history shows us that’s what happens (a defender goes through Atlanta, and improves upon joining another system).

I agree with Tony C regarding the futileness of looking at the Coburn trade AGAIN. It serves no purpose, and you’re preaching to the choir.

I’m too lazy to try to remember everything else I said, so I’ll leave it at that.

By NASCAR Dave

April 13, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

TONY C. I was one of the few at the time that opposed that trade. It was too early to give up on a player like that. Nashville wouldn’t move Suter. Calgary wouldn’t move Phaneuf. Waddell panicked, plain and simple. These are the types of mistakes the New GM will have to fix. Fixing all of his mistakes will not be an easy task, either.

By NASCAR Dave

April 13, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

We’ve gotta be on the bottom of Laviolette’s list of places to go.

If he is brought in, the Owners need to promise that if a firing is necessary, Waddell goes before Laviolette. No more scapegoats for Donnie.

This is of course if Waddell is even still around next season… I guess we’ll find out after the Hawks’ season is over.

With Laviolette, if that’s the “deal” - That he has more job security than Waddell, I’m all for it. Otherwise, like I have said numerous times on here before, I prefer John Anderson.

One of my favorite Donnie quotes this year was during the All-Star Game festivities. While talking about Rick DiPietro, Donnie said that had DiPietro been there at #2, he would have selected him over Dany Heatley. I spilled my drink when I heard that one.

But that’s “Our Donnie”!!!

By ranallo10

April 13, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

repost alert

By the way, Zhitnik hasn’t scored so few points in a season since…EVER. His worst season prior to this one was 1999-2000 in Buffalo, where he had 13 points in 74 games. At that scoring clip he would’ve had 11 points in 62 games…3 points better than this past season.

Zhitnik played surprisingly bad this season (duh). There’s no way anyone could have known that would happen…except Holmgren apparently.

By ranallo10

April 13, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

NASCARDave — TO understand your opinion better, please explain how you would spend the $19 million freed by cutting or not re-signing the players you mentioned previously. Take into account that at this point in time we do not know IF Waddell will be fired, so your assumptions must be made assuming the team is under the same current management (even if you feel it’s bad management). Would you build for the future, or would you build for the present? Would you risk losing Kovalchuk in a few years, trade him now, etc, etc.

I’d like to know what you, or anyone else for that matter, would do (assuming the current ASG and DW restrictions are still in place).

By ranallo10

April 13, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

Tony C — See the “elbowing” call on McLaren…your theory is showing some semblance of reality.

By GaVaHokie

April 14, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

NASCAR… the Penguins understands progress? Do you know how many top 5 picks it took to get that team back to where it is? Crosby, Malkin, Whitney, Fleury, Staal… That’s five years being at the bottom… and that’s for a team thats been around over 3 decades and iced some of the best players in history.

By NASCAR Dave

April 14, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

please explain how you would spend the $19 million freed by cutting or not re-signing the players you mentioned previously.

ranollo - DEFENSE gets addressed first. 3-4 Top Pairing D-Men are necessary. This is not up for debate.

Keep in mind we are relying on the Young guys to step up at the Forward positions.

We STILL need a #1 Center for Kovy… but at this point, Defense gets addressed first. Why overpay for a #1 Center for Kovy if he’s gonna walk in 2 years anyways?

Like I have said before Ranollo, Kovy is my favorite player. I would like to lock him up for good, but I just honestly do not see any possible way Kovalchuk Re-Signs here under Don Waddell. This will not happen. Mark my words. Kovy is fed up and has had enough.

Kinda like a lot of us “True Fans”, ya’ know?

GAVAHOKIE - I reference the Penguins because that is what we will be doing here in Atlanta for the next 5 years — Acquiring Lottery Picks and “Rebuilding.”

Now tell me GaVa, Haven’t we heard this before???

Welcome to 10 Year Plan, Pt. 2 - Phase 1 “The Rebuild”…

Still laughing at GaVA’s comment, “Waddell hasn’t made a bad decision yet.” You’re funny, Hokie…

By ranallo10

April 14, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

NASCAR — I’m looking for specifics, not the same thing everyone else has said (several top defenders and a true #1 center). Who would you recommend?

And why say “this is not up for debate”? Once again, does that serve a purpose??

By NASCAR Dave

April 14, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Ranollo - Look. It’s not my job to give Waddell ideas of what to do. If Waddell is still here, HE will be making those decisions. So we will all just have to sit tight and anxiously await this year’s crop of Ken Klee’s, Jiri Slegr’s, Todd Reardon’s, and Daniel Tjarnquist’s.

THEN, we will all be right back here, B* and moaning about Waddell screwing it all up, AGAIN.

And then we’ll hear a clever comment by knucklehead Bruce Levenson about how we’re “Moving in the right direction.”

And then after the roster fails to perform to expectations, Waddell will throw yet another scapegoat under the bus (Laviolette, Anderson, or whoever it will be.)

Are you getting excited yet? I’ve got my Soda Pop and Popcorn ready… I can’t wait.

By Lightning STRIKES

April 14, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Ha HA! We got Stamkos! Ha HA! Eat it, Losers!

By Thrasher_Ed

April 14, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Craig Custance, Craig Custance, paging Craig Custance! Hey man, long time no new blog topic. We have lots of time to talk Thrashers and no new threads to discuss them on. I personally love the idea that Le Thrash may be able to get Peter Laviolette from Carolina if Rutherford leaves for Toronto or perhaps fires him. What do you guys think? Who else would be better? I know the players like McCrimmon but is he really the answer? If so wouldn’t he have had a bigger impact on this season!

By GaVaHokie

April 14, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Ranollo - Look. It’s not my job to give Waddell ideas of what to do.

That’s right Ranallo… those ideas are “golden”, he can’t just share those with anyone.

Where have you heard anyone in the organization say a “rebuild” was going to happen this summer?… links.

By ranallo10

April 14, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

NASCARDave — Come on dude, you have NO thoughts regarding who you’d like to see play in Atlanta? NONE?

I’m not asking you to make the decisions, I’m not asking you to bet your salary on who will be brought into Atlanta, I’m asking you what you feel is the right thing to do with that money. You say bring in several defenders and a #1 center, but I’m asking you to identify who you feel fits that mold (what center that is available would you want? what defenders?).

It’s called an opinion, form one please. I’m attempting to understand what you feel would make this team better, without the generic “Waddell fired, a new head coach, and a new competent GM to build a contender”. What is needed to be a contender? How many years do you feel it will take?? How many years are you willing to endure bad hockey before the goal of “contender” is realized?

Pick a stance man, just pick one that doesn’t involve gloom and doom about this franchise because your abusive step-father is running the team.

What I’m saying is take the emotion out, and give us a solution that you feel is the right solution.

Just try.

By PJ

April 14, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Craig Are you on paternity leave or just a much needed break from the depressing season we’ve had? We miss you man…… Thrasher_Ed BTW, the Laviolette discussion is/was on the Iceman blog over the weekend.

By Tony C.

April 14, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see us make a serious run @ Hainsey, as well as Hannan (if Colorado is willing to part with him). Semenov is decent and hits hard…depending on how SJ does in the playoffs he may be very available. Jancevski from Dallas is a similar guy in a similar situation…although the role I envision for them could (should) be filled by Big Vikki. You could also put Mike Commodore on that list-I’ve always liked his game.

As far as forwards go, I have come to the conclusion that I’d like to see Recchi come back only @ $750k (expandable to 1.25M for performance bonuses) and for only 7-10min a game-don’t know that he’d be cool with that sort of role. If not, peace be with him on down the road. under NO circumstance (including injury), should he be given the C

I’dm not opposed to seeing Holik come back @ $1.65-.80M for two years performance escalators to $3M (That would be a Selke winner/Candidate [first or second runner-up], Prince of Wales & Conn-Smythe winning season-basically unattainable, but don’t let that stop ya from trying, Bob). Oh yes he’s ponderously slow, but he does play better the bigger the game-if he wants to retain the C I need to see that effort more than once a month. Basically that’d be a 50-50 vibe I guess.

Boults= Yes for >/= $700k/yr.

I’d like to see us make a run @ Ryder depending on what he shows me in the playoffs. Also on my UFA-to-be wishlist, I like Vrbata…reasonably prced and I think he’d do well alongside #17 and Christensen or with Slava & Perrin if you move Christensen and Army up to #17’s line. Maybe Dimitrakos as well although I’m much more iffy about his actual level of contribution.

As far as retreads go, Miro Satan might be a possiblility IF he takes a paycut from the $4M or so he made this past year. Brendan Morrison seems like he will be available as well, and may fit in here.

From that Q&A audio link, it sounds like DW envisions a similar forward set-up as I do (with my perrenial Cup Contending Liburn Thrashers on NHL 08 hahahahaha) A bunch of guys who will give you 15-20 G 25-40 A a season, with #17 and perhaps Christensen and Slava surpassing the 20G plateau.

Also, I’d love to see us bring Metro back.

GO BLUE !!!

GO WOLVES !!!

P.S. Yall reckon they’ll actually keep Little here all season next year?

By ranallo10

April 14, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Tony C. — I’d be surprised if Little is not in Atlanta most of next season (60+ games)…I feel he earned a spot on the roster. He reminds me of another SE player, David Booth (FL). Gritty, good instinct, hard skater, and CAN finish when given the opportunity. They’re both good puck handlers too.

As for the players you mentioned to acquire, I’d be fine with many…Vrbata I’ve heard/read issues about his work ethic and locker room fit (Carolina didn’t want him back), but he’s consistent. Ryder is the potential steal, as he’s shown he can produce at a high level, but slumped this past season. I’d prefer Ryder, or Huselius.

Defensively I’d like the team to acquire some better people than you mentioned, with Rozsival and Commodore being the types of players I’d seek. Hainsey I’m a little less knowledged about, so I’ll have to hold judgement on him. Mark Streit is another that I’d be willing to slightly overpay to have on the top two lines. I like his game…and his versatility, he’d be great for the PP.

Of course, this is all assuming this team is not holding a youth movement (such an oft used catch phrase, but seldom executed) geared towards building for the future. I expect a patch job this offseason in the attempt to build a contender (much like this past year), and if the right moves do not come to fruition the team will likely tank yet again.

I’m HOPING Waddell breaks the mold and builds this team for the future by infusing youth into the lineup (Esposito, Sterling, Little, Valabik, etc). I can deal with another bad season if it’s for the sake of giving the young guys some experience.

By Gary

April 14, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

Don’t fret Atlanta fans!

When the Washington Wizards defeat the Indiana Pacers tonight, Your Atlanta Hawks will be going to the playoffs!

I know it’s hard to fathom, but Billy and Woody just out-performed Wadell this year.

Get your tickets now, they are going FAST!

http://www.2008hawksplayoffs.com/offers/april08/intro_flash.html
See you there!

By Tony C.

April 14, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

ranallo-

Agreed on Ryder-I’m just thinking that the guy is going to get more than a few offers-he’s the most impressive RW not named Hossa in this summer’s UFA class.

Vrbata has received more than a little “bad for the room” press…but I wonder how much of it is of the same ilk as “Kovalchuk’s a Prima-Donna irresponsible ‘soft’ Euro” garbage I still see spewing out of Canukia. Gretzky seems pleased with his work, and that’s a team that he has taken great pains to make sure it works as a team…now Vrbata may have just been tolrerated in order to bring some veteran-ish scoring to a team that was sorely lacking it. Who knows? But yeah, my first choice is Ryder. Huselius is kind of similar to Vrbata in my mind-more talented but also known for just dissappearing for months on end. I want DW to stay away from those kind of guys-we still have plenty of guys who take games-hell even weeks-off under contract.

Look up Hainsey. I think you’ll like him. Decent size, not afraid to get his nose dirty, above-average wheels for a D-man & a helluva shot from the blueline. lemme see if I can find some youtube of him…ok I found this doesn’t really show his game, but it does show his willingness to stand up for teammates…no need to emphasize how lacking in that we’ve been. The second goal in this highlight kind of gives you an idea of his shot…Hainsey isn’t a super-marquee move, but I think he’s at that stage to really make a big step forward-even if he doesn’t he’s an upgrade from some of the guys we have on the blueline now.

I just have been impressed with his play the handful of CBJ games I’ve seen…two plays stood out in particular-one where he stripped Zetterberg(spl?) and made a nifty outlet pass in a two-count move, and then a BLAST from the blueline (i believe against StL) that made #3 highlight of the night on NHL OTF:F.

Anyway, I’m not saying he’s the best, but I think he’d be a good and realistic UFA target.

By NASCAR Dave

April 14, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this

Well, Vancouver just fired their GM after 3 seasons!

And here we are stuck with Don FRAUDell after almost 10!!! With worse results! At least Vancouver HAS WON a playoff game in that time!

What’s wrong with this picture???

By MB

April 14, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

Lots of holes to fill in a market not likely to lure the top talent, combined with a GM ranked among the worst in the league.

Looking at next season, and a lot depends upon who is named coach, we give the kids a shot and bring in help at RW and D.

At LW, go w/ Kovy, Kozzy, Lavallee, and Larsen, all already under contract for next year.

Yes, we need a bona fide #1 C, but it seems to me like the best young guys are RFAs and will be difficult for us to land. Make offers, sure, but the likelihood for now is we stick w/ Little, Christensen, Perrin, White, and give Esposito every chance to make the team.

At RW, we currently have Armstrong & Thorburn. Haydar and Machachek are long-shots, so we should probably sign Recchi to another year, though at bargain $. Ryder would be a nice pick-up, but not all that likely, so perhaps give a look at Williams or even Byfuglien out of CHI.

On D, bring back Pops and Boris, which puts us at 7 blueliners. The good news is there are some good, young guys out there…Tony C’s guy Hainsey, Ranallo’s guy Rozsival, Orpik, Streit, Finger, Hejda, Mara, Rachunek, Bouwmeester, Weber, Green, Suter, Meszaros…any one of them boosts our current talent level back there. Two would be even better, but you have to figure out a way to make room.

Fact is, we have to lure strong young talent with higher salaries and the lure of being a big fish in a small pond instead of being stuck behind more established players on better teams.

By ranallo10

April 15, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

I’ll take your word on Hainsey, you’ve seen more Columbus games than I bothered to watch last season. I like Nash, I like Zherdev, but I couldn’t find it in me to watch Columbus play unless it was against Detroit.

Klesla would be nice…but I digress.

MB — I agree with everything you stated. To be fair, Rozsival is Brendan’s guy…he’s the one with man-crush #1 (Boyle) and man-crush-lite (Rozsival).

I kid Brendan…

Oh, and if Atlanta could get Weber, Bouwmeester, Sutur, or Meszaros, that’d be a HELLUVA pickup.

By GaVaHokie

April 15, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

Ryder is most likely heading to NYR to replace Brendan Shanahan this summer… atleast that’s the rumor (Spector).

See how quickly top prospects fall out of the picture for Atlanta? And how aging veterans (Shanahan) become the best available?

MB- you forgot about Slater as a possible RW. There’s even been talk of moving White to the wing. I wouldn’t mind our checking line being Kozlov/Slater/White next year.

Also, Rachunek is rumored to be going back to Europe for GOOD after this season.

By ranallo10

April 15, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Hokie — Wouldn’t be surprised to see NYR grab Ryder. He’d do well with Gomez or Drury. Personally I’d have him alongside Drury.

Finger, Mara, Rachunek are three players I don’t want to see in Atlanta. I’ve been unimpressed with all three in the several games I’ve seen, and I think Mara is simply playing for his oversized paycheck. He’s a quality defender, compared to Klee, but he’s not what I’d build a winning franchise around.

(Now watch, he’ll win the Conn Smythe en route to winning The Cup with the Rangers…I know how my words tend to turn on me)

By NASCAR Dave

April 15, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Did you guys hear Don FRAUDell on the Rude Awakening this morning???

What a joke… it was quite amusing to listen to Donnie talk in more circles… Looks like we’re in for another shoddy “patchwork” quick fix job this year… F’in GREAT!!!

But we got another clever Donnie quote when he said something along the lines of “We (the Thrashers) have always been known for our excellent youth in the system.”

HUH? Based on what!?

What a friggin FRAUD this guy is…

By NASCAR Dave

April 15, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

See how quickly top prospects fall out of the picture for Atlanta? And how aging veterans (Shanahan) become the best available?

GAVA - That’s the smartest thing you’ve said in awhile…

Now tell me GaVa, WHO’s fault is that??? Why don’t “top” players like Marian Hossa want to play here??? Soon you might “see the light”…

By MB

April 15, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Good point, GVH. For no real reason, I chose to move forward with players already under contract for next year, and didn’t bring back any of our FAs. What actually happens will likely differ from that.

On D, I figure we’ll be very lucky to secure a bona fide top guy, but if we can get a young solid top 4 player, you can add him to the long-term mix of Enstrom, Boris, Pops, and Mr. 3rd Pick and we may, just may, be in decent shape in a couple of years (with additional opportunities to add/subtract as needed).

By NASCAR Dave

April 15, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t mind our checking line being Kozlov/Slater/White next year.

GAVA - WHAT are you talking about???

Those guys are WIMPS!!!

That is NOT how you construct a “checking” line.

Thorburn outplayed Boulton this year, so he stays. Boulton goes.

By ranallo10

April 15, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

NASCARDave — And your proposed checking line consists of…?

By Alan

April 15, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 - Bold lettering, all caps, and “nuff said.” The defense that will play with this line will commonly be a link to a blog and a link to a petition.

By Brendan

April 15, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

If Tampa’s GM, Jay Feaster, had not signed Dan Boyle (my Man-crush) to a six-year contract, Feaster should have been fired on the spot. Ohh, the length of the contract wasn’t the essential part. Keeping him within the organization was. If Feaster had it all to do over again, he’d have either let St. Louis go or traded Brad Richards, to keep N. Khabibulin and his over-inflated $7+ million contract. Or, a different approach might have been … to not sign Richards to such a “reactionary” LEAGUE MAXIMUM contract, at that time (2005). But Feaster was trying to send a message to the season ticket holders. They got it.

Boyle is off the market, and that’s all there is to it. Focus now shifts to the Tier I’s, Campbell and Redden. Neither of which are likely to consider Atlanta at this time. For Atlanta to win the bidding war, it’d have to be willing to exceed a 4-year contract and spend the money that it didn’t offer to Hossa to Campbell or Redden. My preference would be Campbell. On the Tier II defenseman front, I like Rozsival. I’ve liked this guy for a while now. He’d be an improvement for our club. But Roszival will also command a lot of attention, even from the NY Rangers.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Rangers do with Shanahan and Jagr and Roszival and Avery. I’m not sure if Marcel Hossa is under contract beyond next season.

By NASCAR Dave

April 15, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

NASCARDave — And your proposed checking line consists of…?

Rannallo, let’s try: Stuart-Thorburn-Lavallee

Alan, unless you have something to add to the conversation, please keep quiet. Also, still waiting for you to answer my question from 2 Rawhide blog’s ago…

By Brendan

April 15, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

I caught Don Waddell on 680TheFan this morning. He talked about discussing Kari Lehtonen’s contract within the next 30 days or so. He reaffirmed that Lehtonen remains unrestricted for the next 3 seasons, and was willing to explore 1-year to 4-year deals. He also said something interesting about his backup: “Kari needs a guy who knows his role as backup. Someone who is not trying to take his job, but one who is supportive of him and his development.”

Well, from the sounds of that, Moose could very well be re-signed. I think they should try for a 2-year deal with Moose anyway, and trade him later, if Pavelec becomes the #1 goalie. Nervously now, but if Moose and Lehtonen are Waddell’s intended 1-2 punch in net, that makes Pavelec a very nice “bargaining chip” on the trade market. Perry Laurentino, point-blank, accosted Wadddell, “Don’t you think, to retain your fan base, and to keep Kovalchuk down the road, that you need to make a MAJOR SPLASH in this year’s offseason?” Waddell down-played that by saying that the hiring of the Coach could be a major event and that when that coach is in place, that the Head Coach would be consulted about strategy and player acquisitions at the June Draft, etc. Waddell added, “Yeah, we know we have to win. Period, the end. We cannot fail and expect to keep Kovalchuk,” or words to that effect. And, yes, Waddell shouldered 100% of the blame for the failure of this season. But added, “I’m not someone who dwells on negatives. If I wake up in the morning, that’s already a GOOD thing. And I start from there. We’ll address this roster in the offseason after we have our coach in place.”

Fair enough, folks. I mean, he’s got time before the playoffs conclude to find someone. And, per Waddell, he may be “looking at an assistant coach or Head Coach whose season hasn’t ended yet.” Again, fair enough. But, in the meantime, the cost of contracts will continue to climb. Other GMs who have been eliminated, like Toronto, Columbus, the NY Isles, TB, Los Angeles … and others … are having talks with RFA’s and UFA’s. The longer Don waits to secure Lehtonen or a pending UFA like Holik, if his plans are to retain Holik, the more it’s likely to cost.

I can, at least, understand why Waddell wants to wait for his Coach to accept the job, if consulting him on player acquisition is important. The next Thrashers Coach wants the following: Input on a “shopping list” before the GM hops in the car, bound for the Grocery store. The Head Coach can then say, “That’s not what I asked for; I asked for parsely and you got me cilantro. I asked for a red bell pepper, and you got me green. I asked for plantains, but you got me bananas, and so forth. Or he just might get everything on the shopping list, in which case, it will be difficult for the Coach to complain if the team remains unsuccessful.

Food for thought.

By ranallo10

April 15, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Brendan — Marcel Hossa is now in Phoenix (part of the Montoya trade), and is a RFA as of July 1. I’m not so sure it’d be worth offering him a contract, as the main point in bringing him here was to entice his brother to stay. However, I wouldn’t be opposed to him, as I feel he’s a quality supporting role player, and has some years of good hockey ahead of him. He might not be like his brother, but I think he’ll be a fine player.

Word on the street (Rangers fans I know) is that Jagr, Shanahan and Avery will all be gone next season, for various reasons: Shanahan’s age, Jagr’s contract and slumping production, and Avery’s personality issues. Apparently Avery was well liked by Shanahan and Jagr, so if they leave the word is Avery wouldn’t be welcome back. But that’s just word on the street.

Alan — Funny stuff. Who lines up at center?

By NASCAR Dave

April 15, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Focus now shifts to the Tier I’s, Campbell and Redden. Neither of which are likely to consider Atlanta at this time. For Atlanta to win the bidding war, it’d have to be willing to exceed a 4-year contract and spend the money that it didn’t offer to Hossa to Campbell or Redden. My preference would be Campbell. On the Tier II defenseman front, I like Rozsival. I’ve liked this guy for a while now. He’d be an improvement for our club.

BRENDAN - Neither Campbell nor Redden will be coming here. Mark my words. More than likely, Rozsival will decline us also.

This is what happens when you are mired in mediocrity for so long. People will take less money to go elsewhere, where they feel the team has a better chance of succeeding.

Maybe this could explain Waddell’s uncanny knack of bringing home all these players nobody else wants… (See: Klee, Tamer, Tremblay, Slegr, Reardon, Smelhik, etc.)

He has no other choice when all the “quality” players politely decline him.

But remember Brendan, “We are moving in the right direction”!!!

By NASCAR Dave

April 15, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

However, I wouldn’t be opposed to him, as I feel he’s a quality supporting role player,

Rannallo, Where do you put him?

Again, “I’m looking for specifics”…

By Craig Custance

April 15, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

PJ - Just taking some time to reconnect with the wife and kid after a long and busy season. But I’ll be in Chicago on Thursday and Friday to work on some stuff surrounding the Wolves. I’m also looking forward to chatting with Angelo Esposito who signed a deal and made his debut with the Wolves during their season finale. Heard he looked pretty good, considering the quick adjustment. I’ll freshen up the blog when I get to Chicago at the end of the week. Meanwhile, nice job everybody (and Rawhide) on keeping the discussions going.

By ranallo10

April 15, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Brendan — Good points, I can’t disagree.

Many teams are in talks with their RFAs and UFAs, but I’d say this team really only has one important player to worry about, that being Kari Lehtonen. Recchi’s negotiations can wait, because he doesn’t NEED to re-sign here. Same with Holik. Maybe they’ll price themselves out of the renegotiation and give Waddell the “out” he seems to prefer, the “we offered him this, but he wanted more” type of justification. But if he waits until July and THEN re-signs someone like Holik (which I already do not condone re-signing), then I’d agree that he’s hella overpaid for a player he likely could have locked up months prior.

Lehtonen’s contract is really the only RFA I worry about this offseason from the Thrashers. I’ll be following Sterling’s RFA status, Popovic’s Group VI UFA status, and even Haydar’s and Krog’s UFA status.

I wont be surprised if Popovic, Haydar, and Krog have the type of success Kunitz and Metropolit did once given regular playing time.

By Brendan

April 15, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

If Phoenix can’t re-sign Marcel Hossa, I’d still like to have him. But an RFA offersheet is not the way to go. I also like Carcillo, on Phoenix. What’s Phoenix’s cap situation? Can they afford Marcel Hossa, not that he’s some “high dollar” commodity.

By Alan

April 15, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Dave - I just searched “two Rawhide blogs ago” (NHL Playoff Bracketology) and found absolutely no mention of my name. And no, “quiet” isn’t an option here. First of all, I added to the conversation. Secondly, this isn’t a movie theater.

The audacity of a troll telling someone to be quiet. Laughable.

By Brendan

April 15, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

I’d like to hang on to Popovic, who was drafted by Anaheim. If Steve McCarthy (1st round pick, Chicago, 1999) has to go, then so be it. Exelby and McCarthy like being paired together. If Waddell can really bring in someone like Roszival, along with Streit and Montador (bargain barrel acquisition), then Waddell could consider “packaging McCarthy and Exelby” in some draft day trade, to try to pick up another 2nd round pick, or 3rd round picks. If Waddell moves the latter 1st round pick (from Pittsburgh) for Bieksa or Edler, think what an overall improvement it could really be.

Stop. I’m hallucinating. I should “cut the dose,” etc. But a blueline that now included Roszival, Streit, Montador and (pick one) Bieksa/Edler, along with Enstrom, Havelid and Popovic, is a decent corps. Trouble is, what to do with Zhitnik?

McCarthy is unrestricted this Summer. It’s hard to trade a player like that in the offseason, when the gaining team could just get him of their own accord, completely unfettered. Exelby has two more years left on his deal, however. At something like $1.33 million cap hit, he wouldn’t break anyone’s bank, especially if what some other team out there needs is just a bit more of a physical presence on their blueline.

Yeah, I hear ya. “Exelby is beloved here.” That was evident during the “shirts off their backs” finale at Blueland. “X” got one of the biggest ovations, next to Kovalchuk. Just try to think of it this way … “his loss would be for the ‘greater good.’” Moving “X” and “Mac” as a package deal for some “throw away” late 2nd or middle 3rd round picks … could actually be doable.

By ranallo10

April 15, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Brendan — I wouldn’t mind seeing Marcel Hossa playing with Christensen and Armstrong (if they stay on one line). That’d be a dynamic line with plenty of scorers, all second liners with a chance to overachieve together. I just doubt Marcel would sign somewhere Marian purposefully left.

Also, what would happen to Perrin? If signing a left winger means Perrin takes away Little’s roster spot at wing or center, I would be against it. I want Little on the NHL roster full time, in a scoring line capacity. I prefer him in the middle, but so long as he’s lacing up for the top two lines I am content.

As for trading Exelby, depending on the return package I wouldn’t be against it. He needs a good supporting partner to excel, and for this club he’s rarely had it. He and McCarthy were serviceable together, but not good enough to warrent second pairing minutes. Exelby is a less cranial version of Hnidy in my mind, and thus is expendable depending on the return.

I highly doubt a team would do a sign-n-trade or trade-n-sign for McCarthy. He’ll be available in July, and if they wanted Exelby that bad they’d just go after him. I think the likelihood of McCarthy being acquired in any manner other than a UFA offer is as likely as Atlanta getting substantial return for Zhitnik.

And yes, theoretically Enstrom - Havelid, Rozsival - Streit, Popovic - Valabik is an upgraded defense. If we have a coach who can get them to play defensively sound hockey, I think it could be a competitive defense…but it’s not a playoff contention defense.

By Nikita

April 15, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Various and Sundry…

What I would consider a big splash is actually a pretty small splash — new coach + 2 top D-Men, plus a concentration on fundamentals and whatnot. Top center or wing optional. And let’s be merciless out of camp — waive anyone who doesn’t show up ready to play regardless of salary, unless we can’t maintain proper depth as a result. We have so much depth in the forward positions, and a lot of it’s in people who are coming into their prime age and skill — we should be able to raise good talent and/or toss poor talent in those positions, and can probably do the same in D if we recruit properly.

On to specifics…

NooooooOOOOOOOOOOO! to White and Koz on the checking line. Neither can fight their way out of a paper bag or has significant defensive capability. Which is the whole point of the checking line, and can be achieved more cheaply with young, mid-sized talent.

I also like Roszival. He’s versatile, plays consistently, is smart, and would be a nice addition.

March Recchi is cheap for what he brings — we should probably sign him.

I like Holik at a discount.

Stevie Mac must go, and so should Ex. Our other D players have issues of various types, but none has shown the incredible lack of sense of those two. If I had a nickel for every time I saw Stevie Mac mark the wrong man or Ex misread a pass, I could buy the Thrash by now. You can improve conditioning, but there’s very little you can do about a lack of talent or a lack of intelligence.

By GaVaHokie

April 15, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

I can, at least, understand why Waddell wants to wait for his Coach to accept the job, if consulting him on player acquisition is important.

Brendan… now you’re starting to see the light that Nascar can’t seem to see.

By GaVaHokie

April 15, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Nascar… the point of a checking line is to put your best defensive forwards on the ice to match up with the other teams best line. You’re gonna put two rookies on it? (Stuart and Lavallee).

You seem to have it mistaken with a “checking guys into the board” line.

By NASCAR Dave

April 15, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

You seem to have it mistaken with a “checking guys into the board” line.

HOKIE - Hell, that’d be great. I’m sorry, I just get TIRED of watching DUMP, CHASE, Get outmuscled into the boards, TURNOVER, Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.

Ya know what I mean?

By NASCAR Dave

April 15, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe some of you people want to bring back Holik and Recchi!!!

I think I might actually agree with Rannollo on one thing here…

I would MUCH rather have all the young guys come up than keep bringing back these has-beens. Like Rannollo, I am ok with 1-2 more years of waiting, as long as it is for the sake of DEVELOPING the young guys.

This is, of course, assuming there will be a New GM here also.

If you are gonna do a “Youth Movement”, at least do it right and go with the TOTAL Youth Movement. I think some of us fans deserve to see these “Prospects” Waddell has drafted. After all, this morning he said that is our team’s “Strength” - Our Young Guys.

Well, let’s SEE them then!!!

By Chris

April 15, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Nascar, don’t agree with ranallo10. He’s Elitist. He knows more about hockey than you and the rest of us, don’t you know?

By Tony C.

April 15, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

Dave makes an excellent point @ 17:36.

I thin our 3rd line should be Charmin, Lavallee Larsen.

I say LaVallee because of two reasons-(1) he’s been a checking line forward his whole career, it wouldn’t be like asking a sniper to completely change their game (which is what putting Slava on the 3rd line is). And (2) I look for a good amount of counterattack chances-he’s shown he can finish…now the other winger doesn’t have to be Larsen, but I think that’s the role he’s best suited to. That would put Slater, Boults and Stuart on the 4th line-which I think would work well.

I think KL’s development would benefit more from better coaching than from a cheerleader-of course I could be 100% wrong about that. Hey, I got an idea…why not do both??? Weeks is a nice guy, but I don’t know how much more help he can provide KL…

Just a thought

By ranallo10

April 15, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Haha, thanks Chris, that’s a funny one!

(I hope I’m not the only one who sees the irony in you labeling me an elitist to someone who is on admittedly on an agenda of enlightenment)

Tony C. — I think the third line with White, Lavallee and/or Stuart is fine, but I think both Lavallee and Stuart need some more time in the NHL before they get thrown to the wolves (not Chicago, but the other NHL team’s top lines). But with the roster this team currently has, I’d rather let them learn the hard way than continue to let Larsen play. He served his role, but like Vigier I think he’s clogging up the wings and impeding younger talent (Lavallee and Stuart). As a healthy scratch player, I’d be okay with him, but I’d rather Boulton be my extra player since he can also enforce.

One of the problems I’ve had with Atlanta’s third line over the past few seasons is that they lack in one department, which I feel separates the good teams from the bad…scoring. A good checking line can shut down the opponent’s top line, but also chip in with goals by taking advantage of their forechecking abilities, and forcing errors on the more offensive lines. Look at Detroit and San Jose, both have effective checking lines that double as scoring threats. Jeremy Roenick lead the Sharks in GWG (I believe), and Mike Grier can net a few himself. In Atlanta we briefly saw that sort of line in the playoffs, but at the same time the top two scoring lines were relatively invisible (Kovalchuk being the exception).

Todd White has put up 40 points in the past (he’s been a second or third line center for most teams he’s played for), so he could fit that role of offensively gifted defensively sound player, in my opinion.

That depth is why I would be okay with a player like Recchi on that line. Scoring ability, forechecking ability, but knowledge of the game. Maybe Recchi’s not the best example on this roster, but I think you see what I’m getting at.

By Brendan

April 15, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

I want to genuinely ask every Bobby Holik fan to step forward. Why do you want this guy back?, other than … because you’re a “lifelong” Holik fan? The way I see it, Holik holds the most “value” during the playoffs. But there’s 82 games prior to that. Maybe he’ll notch 15 goals? Maybe. But he’s old … and he’s slow. And he just might be the ‘source’ of acrimony in the lockerroom. Plus, he’s REACHED THE AGE where he becomes particularly susceptible to injury.

Iffff the Thrashers make the playoffs next year, and our new coach has DNA from Anne Sullivan (“The Miracle Worker,”) then I’d wager we could still acquire Holik at the trade deadline or off waivers, if it looks like we need him. Not that Holik would be ‘gung-ho’ to come back to Atlanta, at that point. But I digress.

Okayyy, you’ll say you want him for $1.25-$1.5 million? While that’s probably a decent value for Holik, you could have someone ELSE for that price who can score 10-15 goals, who is a lot YOUNGER and FASTER, without losing the physicality. For $750,000, you can have a 4th line Center like Jim Slater. That’s about right.

Look, Todd White is not a menacing force, likely to put many NHL players on their keysters. But he’s an adequate 3rd line center. He brings “playmaking” and “offense” and “sound two-way play” for our neutral zone. That’s his role. At $2.3+M, he’s a much better value than Holik was at $4.25 million. And White is capable of playing 2nd line minutes, when called upon to do so. We can’t get THAT out of Holik, no matter what ‘pittance’ we pay him.

By Nikita

April 15, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

Why do you want this guy back?

I’d like him back at a discount, which is not the same as saying “I’d like Bobby Holik back at $4m.”

But he’s old … and he’s slow.

Yeah, no. At his age, he is faster and a more physical player than most people 7 years younger. Toward the end, when we were getting our asses kicked and half the team looked completely dispirited, Bobby Holik was one of very few players enforcing and playing the body. We need that desperately — I’d like to see the whole team doing it, but if they’re not going to then I don’t want to see one of few players who are doing so lost.

And he just might be the ‘source’ of acrimony in the lockerroom.

“Might” and $1.29 will get you a coke. Besides which, we already know of at least two other sources of acrimony — a) why alternately blame Holik as the sole cause? b) Holik may be improperly deployed — that doesn’t mean he can’t be redeployed successfully.

Plus, he’s REACHED THE AGE where he becomes particularly susceptible to injury.

Oh, whatever. Holik is one of the most durable players in any league. He’s too ugly to injure.

Holik is an odd duck, no doubt. But I like his skills and toughness, and I’d be glad to have him back a) at the right price, b) on a short-term contract and c) assuming he’s not taking up space that should be deployed elsewhere.

By Nikita

April 15, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

Why do you want this guy back?

I’d like him back at a discount, which is not the same as saying “I’d like Bobby Holik back at $4m.”

But he’s old … and he’s slow.

Yeah, no. At his age, he is faster and a more physical player than most people 7 years younger. Toward the end, when we were getting our asses kicked and half the team looked completely dispirited, Bobby Holik was one of very few players enforcing and playing the body. We need that desperately — I’d like to see the whole team doing it, but if they’re not going to then I don’t want to see one of few players who are doing so lost.

And he just might be the ‘source’ of acrimony in the lockerroom.

“Might” and $1.29 will get you a coke. Besides which, we already know of at least two other sources of acrimony — a) why alternately blame Holik as the sole cause? b) Holik may be improperly deployed — that doesn’t mean he can’t be redeployed successfully.

Plus, he’s REACHED THE AGE where he becomes particularly susceptible to injury.

Oh, whatever. Holik is one of the most durable players in any league. He’s too ugly to injure.

Holik is an odd duck, no doubt. But I like his skills and toughness, and I’d be glad to have him back a) at the right price, b) on a short-term contract and c) assuming he’s not taking up space that should be deployed elsewhere.

By Alan

April 15, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

If you are gonna do a “Youth Movement”, at least do it right and go with the TOTAL Youth Movement. I think some of us fans deserve to see these “Prospects” Waddell has drafted. After all, this morning he said that is our team’s “Strength” - Our Young Guys.

And this is where I agree with you, Dave. See, I’m not all that unreasonable. You actually said something different here, and something I can completely agree with. I was enticed by the prospects of a “youth movement” this past season. Then all our youth got moved - save for Enström …moved to Chicago. That didn’t make me very happy at all.

I like Recchi and like what he brings to the locker room. However, I think he should be the least of our priorities. Let’s get younger and stronger first, then consider veterans.

By NASCAR Dave

April 16, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

CHRIS - Hey, “It is what it is!” I don’t agree very often, but in this case we seem to be in agreement. Seriously, I wouldn’t mind it (Youth Movement) if it was gone about in the right way - we TRULY stick with the young guys and ALLOW them to develop up here.

Brendan/Others NO, NO, NO to Holik!!! Good call on Recchi Brendan, last signing indeed! I prefer NO signing. Rather that spot be filled by a Chicago Wolve. Recchi’s too old… it’s time for us to go YOUNG. Yes, GAVAHokie, like Pittsburgh.

Rannollo Also for my line above, we can put White there too, but I would rather have Perrin and try to trade White. Somebody will take him. Perrin I just “trust” a little more than Charmin. Agree on Larsen - He’s GOTTA GO. Clogging up the wings as you said. Good one.

I say Slater goes with him; Popovic too. I’d rather have a D-Man that can score a goal than Popovic. Both he and Slater have “modest” trade value.

By NASCAR Dave

April 16, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this

ALAN - That’s what I’m sayin man! DEVELOP a Thrashers SYSTEM and you don’t HAVE to bring in all these journeymen veterans!

I honestly don’t think the fans would mind dealing with it (a youth movement)… I wouldn’t.

My only problem with this Alan is that I think it’s not fair to allow Waddell to be making the decisions this time around. He had his chance to “build”. He had time to “develop” players. To allow him to take control of our 2ND rebuilding phase is ENTIRELY unacceptable!

Alan, we have seen Waddell’s results. I (and I think you) feel it’s time for some “New Blood” in the Thrashers headquarters.

I just hope the ASG has the GUTS to make the RIGHT decision…

I know me and plenty of other Thrashers fans spending money is depending on it.

We will see…

By Alan

April 16, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this

We have the same wants for this organization, Dave, but two different ideas on how to achieve it.

On the flipside, can anyone really say we actually built a team? I personally remain unconvinced that we ever built one. We never completed the first building stage that we’ve gone through since the inaugural season, as far as I’m concerned.

You can’t re-build if you never laid a proper foundation, am I right?

I don’t want Waddell here, and don’t want him making the decisions. However, I have different thoughts on how to go about seeing him resign. But we won’t see a firing until after the owners pull their collective mind out of the basketball hoop. Assuming we see one at all.

By Nikita

April 16, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this

On the flipside, can anyone really say we actually built a team? I personally remain unconvinced that we ever built one. We never completed the first building stage that we’ve gone through since the inaugural season, as far as I’m concerned.

No, I can’t. IMO, if anything we’e unbuilt dozens of people who knew how to play hockey before we bought their contracts.

By GaVaHokie

April 16, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Recchi’s too old… it’s time for us to go YOUNG. Yes, GAVAHokie, like Pittsburgh.

That’s a perfect example of my next argument. The best teams have a perfect balance of young and older experienced players… Pittsburgh is no exception. Gonchar, Roberts, Sydor, Sykora, Gill.

You gotta have a handful of veterans. But yes, we are an old team trying to play a young man’s style of hockey.

On Holik… I’d ask Kovy what he wants. Does he want to continue the Holik and Thorburn experiment into next season, or has he had enough with experimenting?

By GaVaHokie

April 16, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

I think we’re building a young foundation now…

Kovalchuk (25) Armstrong (25) Christensen (24) Lehtonen (24) Pavelec (20) Valabik (22) Enstrom (23) Thorburn (24) Slater (25) Esposito (19)

And Machachek and Holzapfel looking pretty promising, and a possibility of Bogosian/Pietrangelo/Filatov in this years draft.

Even if Kovy leaves in two years I think we’re getting the right foundation of players… keep in mind there were 28 other teams that did better than us that didn’t have Kovalchuk on their team… blasphemy I know… but just saying.

By Chris LiPuma

April 16, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Word on the streets is that Don Waddell was in Calgary talking to Don Cherry about the Thrashers coaching position.

By GaVaHokie

April 16, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Word on the streets is that Don Waddell was in Calgary talking to Don Cherry about the Thrashers coaching position.

Doubtful… I would imagine he’s in Russia scouting the World U-18 tournament.

Speaking of… Filatov leads all scorers with 2G 4A in just two games.

By Lanny McDonald

April 16, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Speaking of… Filatov leads all scorers with 2G 4A in just two games.

Can this kid play RW too?

By GaVaHokie

April 16, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Lanny… not sure.

Here’s a highlight I just found from the Russia vs. Germany game that was just posted today.

Filatov almost had 2 shorthanded goals in 15 seconds. The 1st goal was a breakaway on the Penalty Kill, the second one on a penalty shot after being tripped up on a full strength breakaway… he missed the penalty shot.

The key thing to notice is the fact that he created two breakaway chances in 15 seconds.

By Lanny McDonald

April 16, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

I ask because think of this..

Kovalchuk-Little/Esposito-Filatov

I’m starting to think we go that way with that pick.

By NASCAR Dave

April 16, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

By brian
April 4, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
these blogs are funny! the only chance the Thrashers ever have to become a good organization is to start over. Waddell has to go back to the minors where he belongs. 8 years and not one good D - pathetic. His draft picks that earn him praise would have been chosen by anyone! Now to the beast, who will be a good coach SOMEDAY. He needs to move with Waddell and keep earning his stripes. The ownership is a joke, so how van anyone under them be considered anything more than a joke. It is time to bring in Pat Quinn and start over. If you do not agree, you know NOTHING about hockey.

I AGREE BRIAN. Bring me Pat Quinn as GM and John Anderson as Head Coach and I’m happy.

It’s really simple… So what’s the problem??? Why the holdup???

By ranallo10

April 16, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Lanny — I’m not always a big fan of trading down in drafts because I am typically the proponent of taking the best player available…but there are circumstances in which I would be fine swapping picks to pick up a player who fits your precise needs. With the pick this team has, we are in a tight spot (in my opinion). There is a load of talent early on, but the team has many needs. Unless something can be done to move UP for Stamkos (no chance in my mind), then I think this franchise might be best served to acquire a few extra picks by sliding down a COUPLE (not many) spots in the beginning of the draft.

This is what I mean…

Let’s assume Stamkos - Doughty are the first two picks. Then let’s assume the scouts and GM for Atlanta do not have a big crush on the next two defensive prospects (Bogosian and Pietrangelo), for some weird reason. For argument sake, let’s say they feel Bogosian’s broken wrist will hamper him, and Pietrangelo is not well-rounded enough of a pick to take at number 3.

Would it be wise for them to just take those players, or rather entertain an offer from, say the Islanders, to move down two spots to number 5 in the draft? What could happen is two things (again, in my opinion):

1 — The Islanders draft a d-man, the Blues a d-man, and Atlanta is left with an offensive player to choose from. I’d guess Filatov is the best available forward (I don’t like Beech), so let’s assume Filatov is taken.

2 — The Islanders/St. Louis do not draft a d-man, but take a chance by drafting someone like Filatov earlier than anticipated. Atlanta then has a top 3 defender drop into their laps.

The reward could be a later round pick (likely 4th or later), and the ability to thin out the prospects to limit your chances of taking the wrong person. This could also help the team select who they truly want (kinda like the Bourret pick, but this time not dropping 20 picks, but only 2 or 3 max) while gaining some return from that original #3 pick.

Keep in mind that my scenarios above have two assumptions that are necessary…Atlanta is not 100% sold on a particular prospect at #3, and Atlanta trades down to #4-5.

I don’t think anybody this team NEEDS will slide past 5, that’s why my assumption is based around that pick.

Brendan — Which would you say you enjoy the most as a hockey fan…the Trade Deadline, Entry Draft, or the Free Agency period, or the Training Camp/Season Opener period?

By GaVaHokie

April 16, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Lanny… it’s a tough call for me.

I’m almost of the mindset that if you want a player like Filatov, just trade for someone like Afinogenov or Zherdev and then draft one of the top 3 defensemen in the draft.

I’d far more regret losing out on a guy like Bogosian than Filatov.

By ranallo10

April 16, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I agree regarding the regret factor, I’d much rather miss on a potential 30 goal scorer than a potential 30+ point positive +/- defenseman.

With the #3 pick I wouldn’t condone taking Filatov, but with acquiring other picks and taking him #5 I’d be content (not ecstatic, but content).

Lanny — In two years, that line would be rather disgusting (in the good way)…IF Filatov were taken, I’d like to see these lines in two years time:

Kovalchuk - Little - Filatov

Holzapfel/Sterling - Esposito - Armstrong

Lavallee - Slater - Machacek

The fourth line and extra winger would be harder to predict, so I’d just say long shot prospects like Lucenius (C), Tuomainen (W) and Stuart (W). Someone like Desbiens and Thorburn for the rough stuff would be a good extra pick, or RW on that line too.

Defensively the team (in two years time) could look like this:

Enstrom - Havelid

Valabik - Zubarev

Kulda - Lewis

Extras: Denny/Oystrick/Lehman

The defense would still be the weakest point, based on current prospects, so I’d contend it wouldn’t be wise to draft anything but a defender if that #3 pick is held onto.

That was fun fantasizing, but I think certain veteran players will still be on the roster, even if their role is no longer needed. But remember, in two years time Kovalchuk will be 27, Havelid 36, and Enstrom 25.

By Lanny McDonald

April 16, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

Ranallo and GVH, good points. From those clips you showed me he kinda reminds me of the young 17 year old Ilya we brought over here. Sure the kid is small, but he will grow just like Ilya did. That’s who I am leaning towards - Filatov. But I’m old school, and you can never have too many Russian snipers, IMO. If it is a D-Man, Doughty looks like the best to me.

Ranallo, I would trade up for Stamkos if we could. That might cost a prospect like Little or Esposito, along with the Pittsburg pick and pick #3.

Lots of options.

By Jason

April 16, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Looks like Martin is going to be back as GM for the Panthers. The rumours have been floating around for some time that he and Olli Jokinen don’t see eye to eye, and Jokinen could be put on the trade block. I think he has something like four years remaining on his contract. Don’t hold me to that.

Question to everyone is would you consider trading the third pick for Jokinen? You could combine other players or picks if you wanted, but 3 for Olli would be the meat of it. I’m not sure I would do it, but it would give you a real and established #1 center for Kovy. I know teams don’t usually trade big players within their division, but the third pick might cause them to think about it.

Thoughts?

By GaVaHokie

April 16, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Ranallo… you forgot Christensen in your projections.

Lanny… I’m saying Bogosian because I fully expect LA to take Doughty at #2.

Jason… not to a division rival like Atlanta. I’d expect Jokinen to be traded to Calgary, San Jose or Vancouver.

I don’t believe Marleau’s new contract (with no trade clause) kicks in until July 1st, so you could see the Jokinen for Marleau deal during this years draft.

By GaVaHokie

April 16, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Here’s an option… if we take Bogosian or Pietrangelo at #3. I wouldn’t mind this kid with the late 1st round pick… Tyler Ennis. His skating seems smooth, much like Enstroms. He has great stick work.

By ranallo10

April 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

Great question Jason, I’m curious to see other people’s responses.

Personally, I’d say do NOT do it. I don’t think Jokinen WANTS to leave Florida, so his trading will likely mean he is not going to play for this team in the long run. I’d rather Bogosian and whatever prospect this team would need to give up than an unhappy Jokinen for two years (he’s signed through the 09/10 season, $5.25M and $5.5M).

That trade would be an all or nothing sort of move, that could catapult this team to immediate success, but would greatly jeopardize the long term goals for the franchise. So, I’d be against it (unfortunately, because Jokinen is damn good).

By ranallo10

April 16, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Hokie — Thanks, I thought of him while writing that second line, but forgot obviously to add him somewhere. He’d be a great third line center due to his faceoff abilities, and could probably take the draws for the second line (in place of Esposito). I’d probably play him there, but I want to keep Esposito in his natural position. So maybe Christensen could take the draws then play the wing (like Zetterberg does).

If that late first round pick is held onto, I wouldn’t mind taking the last Staal (Jared) early simply due to his pedigree. If he’s still on the board in the second round, I’d take him there too. I think he was ranked in the 30s at mid-season (for North American skaters), so maybe he’d still be on the board for that second round pick.

By ranallo10

April 16, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Hokie — I also forgot to mention Pospisil, who I think might be a decent PWF right wing on the third or fourth line, eventually. He’d be one of those “long shots” I mentioned earlier.

By GaVaHokie

April 16, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

I’m going to post this again, just because I love watching it. Just think of having Bogosian and Enstrom playing the point on the power play and then moving Kovalchuk to the slot.

By GaVaChickenhawk

April 16, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

http://www.ajc.com/thrashers/content/shared-gen/ap/GeneralHockeyNews/HKNHurricanesSamsonov.html

By GaVaChickenhawk

April 16, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

coulda grabbed him off waivers last year

By Brendan

April 16, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I’d say I like the DRAFT most of all, followed closely by the FREE AGENCY period. There’s just … so much opportunity … for the all the teams to makes changes and tweaks.

My all-time favorite period of the season … is the 1st round of the playoffs. I’m in HEAVEN right now. Every night, I’ve got 3-5 series going on. These are the games we’ve waited all year to see. They carry the most relevance. Everything, thus far, has been to get to this point. The drafting, the player development, the trades, the free agent signings, the coaching staff, the GM … it’s all about what happens right now! This is the time for the owners around the league to “cash-in” on the fruits of their decision-making.

They chose a GM, who then hired a coach, who then helped shape and mold the players and strategy. I have a deep appreciation for what went into getting these teams to this point, and beyond. It’s my belief that teams must afford themselves a 3-year window to win a Championship. A lot can go wrong, even if your team has made the right choices along the way.

Sometimes, Steve Smith inadvertantly shoots the puck into his own net, in Game Seven, for example.

By ranallo10

April 16, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

The reason you should contemplate a new handle on these boards, unless you’re trying to tell us something.

P.S. — How many playoff wins does Carolina have with Samsonov?

By ranallo10

April 16, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Brendan — I have to agree with you there.

By Brendan

April 17, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

They’re going CRAZY in Nashville. As in, “Tennessee,” the only truly southern market in these playoffs. They’ve caught the fever. That’s for sure. The #8 seed in the Western has just tied the series, 2-2, with Detroit.

But … (you knew that was coming) the Predators have Nev-vah won a road playoff game. So, to win this series, they’ll have erase that stat. By the way, Greg deVries scored the game-winning goal. (And Hasek was chased from the net. Hasek looked bad on the last two goals from Game Three. I thought the Wings might go with Osgood to start this game.) The Devils are now on the brink of elimination. Dany Heatley and his postseason dreams are ka-put-zo for another year. The Senators owner was interviewed and said, “Bryan Murray’s position is secure, win or lose.” Hockey Night in Canada expressed “surprise” at Nonis’ firing. I am nothing but happy for Marian Hossa to be in the second round of the playoffs. Hossa has 8 million reasons to be motivated to put up big numbers in these playoffs. What? Like you didn’t know a playoff flop could HURT his next contract? I’ll never “boo” Hossa. There’s no reason to boo him. His “sin” is that he wants to play for a team committed to winning. What player doesn’t want that? I wish him well. And I thank him for 2.75 years of service to the Thrashers.

By GaVaHokie

April 17, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

Brendan and Ranallo… the draft is my favorite in every sport, I think. It’s history to me.

It’s hard to picture what Michael Jordan would look like wearing a Trailblazers jersey. Or Peyton Manning wearing a Chargers jersey.

It also makes me angry that Crosby is only a Penguin by dumb luck (lottery balls from the player lock-out) and Stamkos is only going to be in Tampa Bay from dumb luck.

By GaVaHokie

April 17, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

Ranallo… I said before that Waddell’s only chance of getting Hossa back this summer is to help him win a Cup right now, this season. He shopped him to two big contenders (Montreal and Pittsburgh)… maybe if Hossa can get this off his chest, he’ll feel more comfortable helping build the team in Atlanta.

Not saying I want that, but I wouldn’t HATE that either.

By GSU-Lee

April 17, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Hokie, I understand what you are saying about Hoss, but he is NOT coming back this summer. I actually asked Craig straight up in person and he literally laughed at the thought of Hossa returning. Laughed, for real. That should say all you need to know about Hossa and Atlanta. If he wins a cup in Pitt, or comes close, I think he would be more apt to take less money to stay there. I mean, why the hell wouldn’t you want to play there? Malkin….Crosby…defense….goalie…we don’t have any of that.

By Alan

April 17, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

goalie…we don’t have any of that.

Uh. Come again? Lehtonen is one of the best in the business. Put quality defenders in front of him, and watch that .916 Sv% become a .930 or .940 easily. Watch his GAA go from 2.90 to something closer to 1.70.

By Boulton's Bruisers

April 17, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

We’ve been out of town for a few days - Waddell been fired yet?

Hokie — Don’t wanna burst your bubble, but Hossa will NEVER be back here again. EVER.

Glad I cancelled our 4 Thrashers seats and got 4 Falcons seats. The Falcons understand how to make the proper changes.

Looks like the Trashers are dedicated to Keep On Being Losers. How sad.

By GaVaHokie

April 17, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Bruisers… it’s not bursting my bubble, I would rather spend that (Hossa) money on defense.

*Glad I cancelled our 4 Thrashers seats and got 4 Falcons seats. The Falcons understand how to make the proper changes. *

There’s that fairweather attitude we love so much in Atlanta! We’ll see you in two years when the Falcons suck again and the Thrashers are winning… just ribbin’ ya! :)

By Boulton's Bruisers

April 17, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

We’ll see you in two years when the Falcons suck again and the Thrashers are winning…

Sure enough, with a New GM in place, you will probably be right!

Until then, My New TV and Center Ice will suit me just fine.

By MB

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

While I’d much rather see the home team achieve success, I have to admit being absolutely thrilled that Ottawa got swept, especially after all of the hullaballoo around them after their great start. And Spazzo and Heatler disappearing made it even sweeter.

On another note, Scott Cullen on TSN is busy putting out his off-season notes. Looking at the pick we got from the Pens, he throws out these names…Joe Colborne, David Toews, Daultan Leveille. Colborne has the size, Toews the pedigree, and Leveille is a burner. Fun to read about them, if nothing else.

By GaVaHokie

April 17, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Boulton… I canceled my Falcons season tickets just in time for Vick to go to jail… sigh.

I was getting tired of the Matt Schaub over Michael Vick feuds in the crowd… I decided I’d enjoy it much more on my new TV at home with professional commentary rather than “fan commentary”.

By GaVaHokie

April 17, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Okay… changing the subject to something more interesting than the usual DW bashing.

Waddell has said that he sees a few coaching candidates with the current playoff teams… let’s look at the possible list.

Just glancing through I see.

Jim Playfair (CGY)

Mike Ramsey (MIN)

Tony Granato (COL)

Rick Wilson (DAL)

Paul MacLean (DET)

Doug Jarvis (MON)

I think that Mike Ramsey seems interesting… he was part of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team (probably a Waddell connection there)

Ramsey was also an Asst. Coach with Buffalo in the late 90’s and is considered a great youth developer.

By Midfield

April 17, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Brendan,

I would thank Hossa for 2 years and change of service to the Thrashers. You are welcome to thank him for the remainder of roughly 0.5 years of coasting in search of the way out. I personally did not enjoy watching that. Besides, his contribution to the Ottawa sweep is secondary at best. It’s Malkin, people. By the way, I believe that Malkin’s contract is up, and it will COST Pens to resign him. So, do the Hossa math.

By Nikita

April 17, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Yep, Hoss isn’t coming back. I don’t want Dupuis’s delusions of grandeur back, either.

By GSU-Lee

April 17, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Alan, see here is the problem with your argument: you are basing it on things that have yet to happen. If kari was going to be some great goali, we would have seen it by now. He does not dominate a game like goalies in nthe upper eschelon do, and I would love nothing more than for him to prove me wrong. But until then, I stand by my comments

By TRON

April 17, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

RUMOUR OVER ON BRADLEY’S COLUMN………. LETEMIN TO LA KINGS FOR CAMMELERRI……… LETEMIN TO OTTAWA FOR SPEZZA WAS ALSO MENTIONED………………..

By Alan

April 17, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

If kari was going to be some great goali, we would have seen it by now

I’m pretty sure we’ve already seen it. Then again, people tend to see what they want to believe. I see Kari as a great goalie, and you see him as not all that great. Strikes against the two of us, it seems. But you cannot argue that we don’t have a good goalie. Even if he’s not great, he is still good.

By Thorburn's Thugs

April 17, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

Can we trade Waddell and his entire staff to the Chicago Wolves for their entire staff?

By Tony C.

April 17, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

tHUGS-Sure, we could do that, IF we wanted to have a Chi-town lynch mob after us….and remember it’d be AHL fans-even more rabid and delusional than NHL fans….

By Brendan

April 17, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

Midfield, I stand corrected. “Two years and change” sounds about right. But I still can’t bring myself to blame Hossa for his decision, without reeking of hypocrisy. If I knew, clandestinely, that the Red Wings were going to offer me 8-years/$64 million, provided that I stayed healthy, playing in a lame duck market, I might not fully exert myself, too. Although, right now, he’s fighting for that extra million dollars a year, in the playoffs, with Pittsburgh. Detroit’s hypothetical offer might only be 8-years/$56 million, with a lackluster playoff campaign.

By GSU-Lee

April 17, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

Alan The thing is, I like Kari. I want him to be the guy, but I just don’t know. Maybe we should just worry about the defense and seewhat happens.

By Brendan

April 18, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this

Folks, to be honest, we can’t really evaluate Lehtonen fully, until we see what he does with a real defense in front of him. In other words, not ‘whack-a-mole.’ (TM, Poster Sara, all rights reserved.) In Atlanta, he’s sometimes facing 41 shots a night, and is doing an admirable job. All things considered. I’d have nightmares, if I were he.

This is what scares me about the RFA offersheet, especially if it comes from Detroit. Hasek is 43, and just look at his last two games. Osgood is no spring chicken, either, at 37, I believe. Maybe Detroit does have a goalie in their system. But if the Wings swoop in with an only slightly inflated offer, like $3.75 million, with extended length, like 5-6 years, that might be enough to secure a 24-year old goalie, drafted 2nd overall. Ya know? That’s almost a “coup d’Etat.”

Ohhh, but we’d get draft picks!! They’d never do it!!, some might argue. Pfft. Yeah, the Red Wings, (lest they bow out here, in the 1st round, with Nashville,) are looking at drafting 24th or higher. If Detroit wins the Cup, they’ll pick 30th. Hardly “can’t miss” territory in the draft.

So, what’s the compensation for stealing Lehtonen with an offer over $3,515,647 but below $4,687,530? Hold your hats, folks. It’s only a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick. So, what are we really talking about? We’re talking about picks #24, #54, and #84 in the draft, in the hands of Don Waddell and his crackerjack scouting department.

Ooops.

Yeah, oops is right. We’re effectively getting NOTHING for Lehtonen. And the return, in a trade, for a 2nd overall pick … should exceed picks #24, #54, and #84 in a draft, no matter how DEEP that draft might be.

If this contract is mismanaged, I’ll blame the ASG first and Waddell second. The ASG has chosen to leave Waddell in charge—an indefensible decision. And if the 2nd overall pick from 2002 walks, and joins Stefan (‘99), Heatley (‘00), Coburn (‘03), Bourret (‘05) and, potentially in 2010, Kovalchuk (‘01) among the high 1st round picks that don’t play in Atlanta, just think how hard people will be laughing at us.

And why shouldn’t they laugh? It’s our DECISIONS that have landed us where we are. We could be re-signing Kari Lehtonen right now. We could have re-signed him at Christmas time, for a ‘song.’ Bygones.

By Alan

April 18, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this

Maybe we should just worry about the defense and seewhat happens.

Now you’re talking. Let’s put a better D in front of the kid, and see if his numbers look better next season.

For now, first thing is first. Re-sign the kid, now.

By GaVaHokie

April 18, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

I wanna see links for those two rumors… I don’t believe either one.

If we traded Lehtonen to LA, then I want Cammalleri and LaBarbera.

By ROBO

April 18, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

DOSEN’T MATTER WHAT D-MEN YOU PUT IN FRONT OF LETEMIN…………WHEN YOU HAVE AN EMOTIONAL, IMMATURE STREET PUNK IN GOAL, BAD THINGS ARE BOUND TO HAPPEN………………..

By Brendan

April 18, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Hokie, you’d better get more than that for Lehtonen. Cammalleri was a 2nd round pick and I couldn’t tell ya where Labarbera was, but combined, they are not worth a #2 overall pick. (Think P. Marleau, J. Spezza, E. Malkin, D. Heatley, Sedin Twins, J. Bouwmeester, etc.)

I know many of you want to throw the “bust” label on Lehtonen. But if Lehtonen were traded to Detroit, I promise you he’d win 35-40 games.

By Tony H

April 18, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

What happened to Craig? Did he OD on hockey, take a sabbatical or leave the AJC?

By Alan

April 18, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Sabbatical, Tony. See this comment for details.

By ranallo10

April 18, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Brendan — If Luongo only got Florida Todd Bertuzzi in return, I don’t think Lehtonen would be able to get any of the players you mentioned.

Not many goalies are worth the players you just stated. In my opinion.

Look at it from the aspect of the other team…would you give up a player like Jason Spezza for a POSSIBLE number 1 goalie? Remember, Lehtonen is just like many other bad market goalies, where he has done FINE as the number 1 with a bad defense, but hasn’t proven he’s a TRUE number 1. Luongo has been the only exception, that comes to mind, of a goalie for a bad team that was obviously as good as he appeared.

I like Lehtonen, I think he’s a good goalie and I hope he stays in Atlanta, but if I were Bryan Murray I’d laugh in your face if you offered me Lehtonen for Spezza. You’d probably hear (in the midst of my laughing) phrases like “Huet will be a free agent, Lehtonen has 0 playoff victories, Emery has an attitude but is a fine goalie, Gerber is still under contract…” (you get the point).

And as I said before, Los Angeles has Jonathan Bernier, so they shouldn’t trade for any young goalies (Pavelec), and if they need a more proven goalie they should try for Huet. Otherwise Lehtonen isn’t a big enough improvement over Labarbera, Quick, or Ersberg. At that point, Bernier would be better served playing in the NHL next season (instead of giving up Cammalleri for Lehtonen).

By Brendan

April 18, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Well, all the more reason we should hold on to Lehtonen, rather than making a stupid trade for T. Bertuzzi, like Florida did. Or risk Lehtonen to the RFA offer sheet.

We’ll either sink or swim with Lehtonen. It’s too soon to quit on him.

By Brendan

April 18, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, I think you confused my post as a Lehtonen for Spezza trade. I was merely giving examples of #2 overall draft picks. Would anyone trade Spezza for Cammalleri and Labarbara?

We’ve come this far with Lehtonen, why not keep him? And, hopefully, develop a “defensive system” other than ‘whack-a-mole.’ Yes, yes. We play a “zone defense.” Uhh, but we don’t play it very well. And the proof of which can be found by going to NHL.com, select standings, then sort by GA (Goals Against). Then do it for all eight seasons of Thrashers existence.

By Ranallo

April 25, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Habs inside/out really is a great site, won a prize there. Gavs, sorry about the CHeating, how can I make it up to you? Love ya, love ya, love ya, hairy a* and all. Go Habs Go.

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April 30, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

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