AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 02
Friday, May 2, 2008
Philips Arena atmosphere no surprise
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, finally got the AHL story in the paper today. Something about a local basketball team exceeding expectations kept pushing it back. My brother, who moved to Atlanta a few years ago, is officially on the Hawks bandwagon and bought me tickets for tonight’s game, so I’ll be there. I’ve heard the atmosphere is unbelievable, and that people are surprised about how Philips Arena has rocked during the home games against the Celts.
But seriously, are any of you guys? This may be a bandwagon town (let’s save that debate for another time, shall we?) but Atlanta knows how to come out for an event. The NHL playoffs last year proved it. Philips Arena was LOUD during games one and two, and the players still talk about that atmosphere. And look at how this town came out for the NHL All-Star Game. And now, the Hawks are an event, so I’m not the least surprised that it’s a great atmosphere. I’m looking forward to seeing it first-hand tonight.
As for the Wolves story, I tried to be even-handed about it. I’m sure some people weren’t crazy about it, but I tried to get as many voices in there as possible. In talking to Don Waddell about it, he said he could make a good argument for the Chicago relationship as well as a good argument against it. And he’s right, you could. I just tried to put some things on the table and let you guys make the decision if it’s good or not. I think Kevin Cheveldayoff put it best when he said: “It’s very subjective, you can look at it different ways but that’s why it is unique. Not every way is right, sometimes it’s going to work and sometimes it’s not. People tend to, when you want to write about the positive stuff, find everything that has worked. When they want to write about the negatives, write about what’s not.”
That sums it up about as well as anything I could say.
Things are quiet news-wise on the Thrashers front as you might expect this time of year. Don Waddell has waited this long to hire a coach, so look for him to wait until all the AHL/NHL playoffs are over to make sure every possible candidate is weighed. I’m hearing that Providence (AHL) coach Scott Gordon could be in the mix, so add him to the names that are being thrown around. Gordon was named the AHL’s most outstanding coach in April.
I’ve been focusing this week on a training session in the basement of the AJC where we’re brainstorming for ideas on how to become a better paper. Personally, I think it’s a simple solution: More hockey. Right? I’ll try to hop on the blog more often next week when I’m between training sessions.
But how ‘bout these NHL playoffs? I told you Johan Franzen is the best player in the game. At least I meant to. And Pittsburgh looks pretty darn good. I know one thing I’m not hearing right now: Marian Hossa is underachieving in the playoffs. Three goals and eight points in eight games is pretty good production. If he continues that pace and the Pens make it to the Stanley Cup or win it, the demand (and contract) for Marian is going to be huge this summer.
