AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHere’s the draft day plan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thrashers general manager Don Waddell sounded like a happy man today, and he appears to have good reason. After all, he’s about to add a big-time defenseman to his team.
Draft days always bring surprises, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Friday will end without Zach Bogosian or Drew Doughty as a Thrashers draft pick. There’s a good chance whichever Atlanta gets will play at Philips Arena this fall.
(Yes, I hear some of you already saying you shouldn’t be happy when you’re picking this high, and you don’t have a coach, and so on. Consider putting that aside for a day or two. The draft is a time of hope, right?)
“There’s four real top-notch defensemen we’re looking at,” Waddell said early in his teleconference with reporters, but when one of them asked directly he confirmed that Bogosian and Doughty, not necessarily in that order, are top of the list. He also confirmed that the Thrashers are looking at defense; the gamble of drafting Russian left wing Nikita Filatov, in this era of no transfer agreement, will fall to some other NHL team.
Waddell is known for draft-day trades, one of which, he pointed out, brought Slava Kozlov. The No. 29 pick in the first round could be trade bait this year.
“We’ve had a lot of talk with teams,” Waddell said, but he added that a trade isn’t likely until deep enough into the first round that teams know who will be available for that pick. The way he breaks down the draft, there’s a strong top seven and a middle tier of four or five more players. “From 12 to 13 to the end of the first round, there’s a solid group of players there,” he said, suggesting that the No. 13-rated player on some team’s draft board could still be available at No. 29.
The Thrashers’ preparation for draft day got serious with a mid-winter meeting in January where the scouts and personnel people met with Waddell and generated a list of the top 60 players. A lot more work took place during seven days of meetings in May, where each player’s pluses and minuses were discussed.
The amateur player scouts aren’t the only ones who have to prepare for the draft. The pro scouts have to be ready with evaluations on almost any player in the league, or in the minors.
“All the homework is done,” Waddell said. “You never know who’s going to get thrown at you at the last minute. We’ve never been thrown any surprises. I’m prepared if a name comes up at the table.”
Don’t read too much into what positions the Thrashers’ Day Two draft picks play. Waddell said those guys are so far from playing in the NHL that “position-wise isn’t as important as trying to get the best player.”
When will he hire a coach? Soon, but almost certainly not by the opening night of the draft. He laughed at the notion and started to dismiss it before deciding to leave himself an out.
“Never’s a bad word to say in this business,” Waddell said. “You never know how things are going to work out.”
Comments
By kracker
June 19, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Fingers crossed for Bogosian.
By LAC
June 19, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
AGAIN MIKE… Will you replace the Sullivan vote with:
Should don waddell be replaced as GM… Yes or No. THIRD REQUEST…..
Who know how waddell will mess this draft up… but HE WILL !
By kracker
June 19, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Oh, btw, can we maybe have, like Mike suggested, a personnel discussion this time instead of a scream-about-Waddell session? Ya know, just for a change of pace?
By kracker
June 19, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Looks like I was too late in my request… :(
By kracker
June 19, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
I like the comments (by Ranallo, I think) about Bogo at the combine and how he is a stud player, highly conditioned with a serious work ethic for a guy his age. Drool…this sounds like a soon-to-be-All-Star, I hope LA is sold on Doughty wanting to play there.
By RS
June 19, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
I expect the Thrashers to take Doughty or Bogosion, but I don’t think there is much of a risk in a team taking Filatov.
That transfer agreement works both ways. When the Russians tried to sue to get Malkin back it was thrown out of court, and they had a signed contract.
He has said repeatedly that he is going to be over here next year and teams pretty much believe him. In fact, I expect someone to move up tomorrow and take him at either #2 or #4.
By Sage of Bluesland
June 19, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Unless our bumbling Donny starts either trading with Division rivals (and fellow GM buddies) or begins trading down and blustering about “getting the player we wanted all along!”…
Fits quite nicely with “Five-Year Plans”, “building through the draft!”, “this year’s team is better than last year”, playoff “guarantees”, and—for his latest gem—“We are twenty points ahead of the Flyers, who made the playoffs this year”…
Wake up, mere sheep!
By kracker
June 19, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
Here’s the Senior Advisor we were supposed to get - going to the Ducks.
NONIS TO JOIN DUCKS AS SENIOR ADVISOR
By kracker
June 19, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Waddell on the coach search from Mike’s article:
Waddell isn’t just selecting players; he’s still selecting a coach. He said he’s unlikely to hire someone today but should be able to do it soon.
“We’ve interviewed everybody we want to interview. We’ve talked to some people more than once,” he said. “We’re down to the short straws.”
OK, we’re ready when you are, DW.
By Alan
June 19, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
LAC - It looks to me that if you’re asking a third time, the request was unequivocally denied the first time. Which is fine by me. The poll request is senseless, since we all know how AJC polls work anyway.
As Al Capone once said, “Vote early and vote often.”
By BigAl
June 19, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
JUST ANNOUNCED JOHN ANDERSON IS THE NEW HEAD COACH!
By TJ
June 19, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
Who’s going to take up the goal production of Hossa if the Thrashers draft a defensemen? This team needs defense yes, but they also need goalscorers other than than Kovalchuk.
By BigAl
June 19, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
New coach announced at 10:10pm
JOHN ANDERSON HEAD COACH
By Bob
June 19, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Hey, I’m scooping Knofler, Anderson is our new coach
I wanted the Wings assistant, let’s pray for the best with Anderson. His all offense all the time doesn’t sound like what we need, but let’s pray it works.
By thrashyou
June 19, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
MIKE do you have any info on the rumor that ATL is close to signing ILYA NIKULIN?
By BG33Brown
June 19, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Got to say I like it It was obvious to anyone who watched HIS players come up this season that he taught them hard work, discipline and most importantly-HOW TO BACK CHECK.
I still loathe DW, but at least its a plan. Rebuild and be young b/c no free agent-no top end free agent-will come here this year.
By Jamie
June 19, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Since some of you are slow, ill let you know that john anderson has been named coach of your atlanta thrashers
By Russ
June 19, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Anderson is a good hire IMO. He is who I wanted all along. I know some are concerned about his “all offense” style. More than likely the Thrashers goalies will see a lot of rubber in his system just like they have been, but the difference will be the Thrashers will get their chances too. The ice won’t be so slanted as it seemed all last season. Also, I guarantee he will get his players to play hard for him, something that was debatable at best last season. Unfortunately, I think it is going to be an overwhelming chore for DW to field a roster that any coach can be competitive with on a regular basis. So, please try to be fair in judging Anderson next season and consider what he’s got to work with. If the Thrashers can ever field an at least average NHL roster I truly believe Anderson will be a successful coach at this level.
By kracker
June 19, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Bob, I hope we get Bogosian to bolster that new offense with some solid defense and puck clearing.
By Sara
June 19, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
So nearly 8 months after we fired Hartley, we hired the guy that was ready, willing, and available then?? Brilliance.
At least we have a coach. Baby steps I suppose.
By Brendan
June 19, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
If Anderson continues on an “all offense” approach, Ilya Kovalchuk will probably like it.
Good for Anderson. I’m sorry the organization made him wait so long to be named.
By Sara
June 19, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
Well Knobler just posted an updated story that says Waddell denies they have hired Anderson - or anybody.
sigh this really will go on forever.
By B. Thenet
June 19, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
DW denies the hire, at least for now.
By Brendan
June 19, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
But Sara, if Atlanta had hired Anderson last October, the Wolves wouldn’t have won the Calder Cup. And what’s more important?
Ya know, all kidding aside, I just got off the horn my Sabres fan buddy in Tyrone. When I told him the news, he totally brought me down. “Grrreat Brendan. A minor league organization, with a minor league GM, just hired a minor league Coach. Perrrrfect.”
And I just shook my head, “Can’t we at least enjoy one moment of optimism?” One. I’m excited about the Anderson hire. I like him. This could be allright.
I know what others will say. We went from a Stanley Cup-winning Coach to a career minor leaguer. But ya know what? Anderson won four (4) titles down there. That’s still a nice achievement. I hardly think we should go bereating the man.
I hope he keeps the handle bars, come October!!
By Brendan
June 19, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
What??? He’s NOT hired afterall? I cannot even believe this. Hey, Anderson “not hired” might be a blessing in disguise. If he’s not a member of the Thrashers yet, he cannot be blamed for whatever happens on draft day! He can honestly say, “no one consulted me about my draft day wishes.”
By C
June 19, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Updated story where? Link please??
By 12345
June 19, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
Would it be worth the third pick for Malkin from Pittsburgh ?
What chances are there that Campbell would sign here.
Also saw a report in Hockey News I think, where Paul Mara is projected to land in Atlanta.
This guy is 28, but been with Phoenix/Boston/NYR… Worth it or another retread as some say ?
Who is out there to help on offense ?
By Sara
June 20, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
Right here C
By C
June 20, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
Sorry! Seeing the denial story now, guess it was the ajc site (don’t get me started on THAT).
By Hip Czech
June 20, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
You know I REALLY want to give Don Waddell a break today as you have requested. No potshots, no criticism, nothing.
BUT, first there was the Hedberg, signing/no signing/signing; now we have the coach signing/no signing/?. How in the world are we supposed to feel positive and have faith in an organization that can’t even make hiring decision announcements without totally screwing it up?
This is crazy. A new low in ineptitude.
Anyway, on the bright side (until the train comes through the tunnel) I REALLY hope we wind up with Bogosian and trade the #29 pick.
By ben johnson
June 21, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Where is McCrimmon going?
By ben johnson
June 21, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Where is McCrimmon going?