Thrashers

By jake

November 30, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

So who’s not competing, and what have the Thrashers got to replace them?

By John

November 30, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

I think it’s time for Waddell to put his job on the line and really go for something. The thrashers are in this maddening cycle of mediocracy that keeps them on the losing end of games and that needs to change if this franchise is going to succeed here.

By Stevo

November 30, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

If the Thrashers trade Kovy, I’ll be seriously upset. Kovy is the face of the franchise struggling to find itself. I wouldn’t have a problem trading prospects or draft picks for someone who can come in and help this team right away.

I’ve changed my tune on Kari. If he gets back and gets healthy - trade him. I’m seen enough from Pavs to know he can play in this league. The problem seems to be on the Blue line yet again. A goalie can’t expect to face 50 shots every night and get the W. Schneider was a bad deal. Ex and Havelid don’t seem to be cutting it - while they haven’t played poorly, I think we can do better, maybe within our own team.

I agree moves need to be made, but Kovy is the backbone of our team. He isn’t playing great right now, but he is definitely the best scorer we have and we can not get rid of him.

By B. Thenet

November 30, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this

The problem is that the Thrashers really do not have much offensive talent in their system at this time.

The Wolves are doing it all with defense in Chicago. However I think Stuart and Lavallee could add a jolt of energy and grit to the bottom lines.

Without making a deal, the only thing I can see to improve the forwards is to possibly try Oystrick at wing.

Is there a market for guys like Schnieder and Christensen? I really do not know? It would be nice to get something of value for either of them, as they really have no value from a Thrashers perspective.

My main concern is that I do not want Don Waddell to make the Kovalchuk trade, call me an optimist but I have a feeling if the Thrashers continue their close but no cigar play that someone else might be in charge of the Thrashers this offseason and get us more in return for a superstar than a 3rd liner and a healthy scratch.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 30, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Two thoughts:

One, if Anderson is worried about the record, and not more worried about the development of the team and the players that are in this for the long haul, he didn’t do his research before taking this job. These Atlanta Thrashers were and are not supposed to be much better than last year’s team. The point is supposed to be building a team, not closing your eyes and WISHING for one.

Two, if a personnel move is what’s needed to vault the team into an immediate state of competitive hockey, it can’t be the star who is dealt. No NHL team trades their superstar for lesser parts thinking it’s better for the immediate on-ice product. If Waddell and Anderson want to be competitive this year, we’re looking at picks and highly touted prospects being dealt for expiring contracts or players that don’t fit the plans of their current team.

I’m thinking Valabik, Sterling, Pavelec, Oystrick, Kulda and possibly Holzapfel are the players that are on the radar of other teams, and the players that would fetch the most in a trade scenario. I would rather hold on to all of them.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 30, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

Schneider was a bad deal.

I disagree. They gave up a defensive pylon (Klee) who has since been waived, and an excess aged forward (Larsen) who can barely crack most NHL lineups as an energy line player at best. The only loss was a low level prospect who didn’t even qualify for the system’s Top 20 prospects as ranked by HockeysFuture.

Acquiring Schneider brought a defender with experience in an offensive role as a defender (something that’s expected by all defenders in the coach’s system), and he’s much better than all three of the departing players. The added bonus of the whole deal was that his salary pushed Atlanta over the dreaded salary cap floor, so that revenue sharing was not at risk of being lost (or fines incurred).

As a business move, Schneider’s deal was fine. As a hockey move, it appears to be a lateral one at worst, with the potential to be very productive for the youthful defenders on the roster currently. He was tagged as a mentor for Bogosian (and inherently the other youngsters like Enstrom, Oystrick, etc), not the defensive savior.

I wouldn’t have a problem trading prospects or draft picks for someone who can come in and help this team right away.

I would. I personally would rather see this team develop talent and become a competitor organically, rather than trade away any valuable pieces in order to get a chance to make the postseason. I’m sure 95% of the readers of this blog don’t believe the Thrashers would last beyond one series if they even made the playoffs…so short of wholesale changes that turn the Thrashers into the Red Wings overnight, I don’t personally like the idea of seeing the future Thrashers dealt for a future rental Thrasher.

By Sage of Bluesland

November 30, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

It’s really laughable when the proverbial ‘chickens come home to roost’, eh Bwuewanders?

When will you finally send a real message to the ownership and STOP subsidizing the utter incompetence of Don Waddell and his staff?

Otherwise, expect no changes. Expect our draft picks to be frittered on nothing—like it has for the past ten years…Expect nothing but baseless bluster from our buffoonish fraud of a GM…

When will you finally make a statement to the neverending “rebuilding”?

Wake up.

By stendec

November 30, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Who the Hell needs What’s His-Name?

His excuse-ready understudy Kari Pavs (who failed to hold a lead plus gave up fatal third period markers in yet another defeat) whined:

“We played a good first period (if you say so sieve) and then we stopped playing (that should not surprise any Thrasher watcher). It’s a frustration (ya think?). It’s another close game (that is all apologists ask for) and we lost again (apologists do not care if game is close). We need to win a game (no fu+king joke bright boy) and it doesn’t matter how (keeping pucks out of the damn net would help).”

Sign up at bringtheflamesback.com then check out shipthrasherstopoukeepsie.org

By R. Stroz

November 30, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

Knobler - If you have an opportunity, would you ask Waddell if the Thrashers are still farther ahead of the Flyers on a comparative rebuild basis. Last season, Waddell said the Thrashers were ahead of the Flyers in the rebuilding process. However, if one compares the Flyers record last season at this time to the Thrashers record this season, one would find that the Thrashers are way behind the Flyers rebuild.

Then, if you have an opportunity, ask Waddell where the Flyers were in the win/loss column this time last season. I’d bet a dollar he doesn’t know the accurate answer.

The point: Waddell said during the Preds game that the Thrashers are where he expected them to be. If thats the case, Waddell obviously fumbled the rebuilding process in that the Thrashers are WAY behind where the Flyers were last season this time.

By Sam

November 30, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

How can it all fall on Waddell when you have players consistently saying they only played part of the game (today Havelid said we played 20 mintues)? I can only assume it a lack of talent along with a lack of effort.

By Sage of Bluesland

November 30, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

GREAT comment R.Stroz! Many—conveniently—forget another of that bumbling idiot’s comments (Don Waddell) after last season when he stated that we were 20 points ahead of the Flyers of the previous year (who made the playoffs last year).

How quickly many forget! I simply wish our esteemed beat-writer would hold those responsible accountable for their words and their actions.

I won’t hold my breath on that one, I can assure you. The more things change in this joke of an organization—and everything peripheral to it, including the media coverage—the more things stay the same…

A real astute observation, Stroz…The sheep say alot, but it means absolutely nothing in the end—and then they disappear when things don’t go the way of their lofty predictions from their, umm, ‘analysis’…

Where are the sheep, by the way? Stand up for Donny, ya’ll!

By DWTOO

November 30, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Absolutely disgusting. An anemic display. A team that played two time zones away last night has more energy than the home team with a day’s rest. I’m ready to scrap this roster of uninterested players and go to more Gladiator games. They do try and play far more exciting hockey. For $13.00 per ticket.

Mike- Did Schneider get hurt? Gone after the first period and only seven minutes on ice.

And congrats to Tkachuch (please pardon spelling). Always a class act - his acknowledgement of the crowd was great - as was the ovation he received from them.

Hope Hossa or Heatley never reach a milestone here!

By BRIAN

November 30, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

Plain and simple get a star forward aka spezza and trade let em in and a prospect. Next aquire a total thug whos not afraid to get nasty and end someones career. If its an oppossing team no matter the player i want to see the abused for getting near our net. One other thing i want to see is if someone goes down to block one of our shots, we need to take a slapshot if it hits them in the face so be it no one else will think about trying to block a shot after seeing that.

By boohoo

November 30, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

How many times does this go round and round? A coach who can’t even get a captain on a team? Waiting for someone to develop into a leader? Leadership is something you either have or don’t! Kovy never had it never will! Roseter changes? how about putting a for sale sign on them and do what’s eventually going to happen. Anyone who wants to be a winning team doesn’t shop at walmart for its team.

By Steely Dan

November 30, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Sam, one can blame DW because he is the one responsible for ringing those players in. Waddell is 100% responsible for this team during it’s entire 10-year existance. How can anyone give him a pass?

stenDICK, you never fail to amaze. Pavs was probably the only player out there who was holding up his end. He was hung out to dry, especially on that first goal when there was no defender in sight and the player who scored took multiple whacks at the puck before scoring.

Obviously you were not there to see the game. No one who knows ANYTHING about hockey would blame Pavs for this loss. This is why I understand why YOU do blame him.

Pavs stopped 43 of 46 shots taken on him and two were power play goals.

It is so obvious that you don’t know sh!t about hockey.

Sign up for stenDICKisadumba$$moron.com

By Stevo

November 30, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

Trading Kovy does not solve the problem. This is all the Thrashers have been doing for the last 10 years. This team has always been “rebuilding” and trading Kovy would only further that theory. Keep Kovy and see if you can get him some help.

By sick of lousy hockey

November 30, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

The team is pathetic. Waddell is a fool and ownership is even worse since they are footing the bill. I’ve been a ticket holder since day 1 but I don’t even care about this team any more. We know the Spirit don’t? Does anyone?

By LAC

November 30, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

Well, Anderson FINALLY called out waddell. This is waddell’s team, not Andersons.

waddell is a CAREER LOSER and his complete inability to assemble a good NHL roster since when ? It is mind boggling !

Then waddell has the UTTER GALL to say we are where we should be ? What ! What year of which plan are we in now don ?

It has been clear to many The Great Sage, Stendec,NascarDave,Bob and myself, this team is going nowhere, because of cheap waddell and these worthless owners.

What player would want to be here under these conditions ?

Kuddo’s to Anderson for calling out waddell, about time, BIG changes need to be made, starting with the GM position, that is where the whole problem lies.

Until then nothing will change and that is UN-Good !

By Nikita

November 30, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Just my opinion, but…

1. Trade Eric Christensen, Eric Boulton and Garnet Exelby.
2. Bring up Mike Hoffman and Grant Lewis.
3. Trade/purchase a top line forward and reshuffle the roster as needed.

By stendec

November 30, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Please Kari, get better soon! Kovy, please ask to be traded NOW!!!!!!

By Tom

November 30, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

It has been since March 2006 since I have been in Phillips Arena to see the Thrashers. I have listened to or watched nearly every game and still am a fan of the team.

But I will not support the current ownership with my dollars. When they finally get rid of Waddell and then get an honest hockey mind a chance to make personnel decisions you will see me in Phillips.

Not before.

And you wonder what the hell Waddell has given Anderson to work with. Get the feeling that if he does not get support from Waddell will he go public?

Anderson is a winner. Anderson hates to lose. Anderson will do what needs to be done to win, or go down trying.

Believe in Anderson.

By stendec

November 30, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Ready for Hockey 101 Thrasher apologists? A goalie stops 47 of 50 shots or 60 of 63 for that matter. Good huh? Guy in other net turns aside 10 of 12 shots. Not so good huh? Who gets the victory? Who gets the loss? Stupid jerks! Besides, Kari Pavs WAS staked to a lead. Heady stuff for an anemic no-score scumball offense. That includes useless Ilya “Read My Press Clippings From Previous Seasons” Kovalchuk. Drop dead Steely Dan! Continue to embrace and sugarcoat failure. Demand no damn accountability!

By Steely Dan

November 30, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

You dumba$$, no one is saying that losing it good. However blaming a goalie who stops 43 of 46 shots for the loss is something only a duma$$, stupid, moronic, fool like you would do, stenDICK.

The blame goes to the skaters in front of him, you idiot. This is a team sport. Not just a battle of goalies you dillweed.

Yes, Pavs was staked to a lead, then his defense allowed the flood gates to open and the team took stupid penalties that led to 2 pp goals.

Had you SEEN the game, and if you UNDERSTOOD the game in general, you would know it wasn’t Pavs fault alone for the loss you miserable, mindless know-nothing duma$$!

Hell, even when you do watch on the TV, you still don’t get it. Even when we win, you blast the goalie if he lets in as much as ONE goal.

I want accountability for this mess, from DW. However, unlike you who are just a simpleton, I don’t hold ONLY the goalie accountable.

You fool.

So, you don’t like Kari, don’t like Moose and now you don’t like Pavs.

WHO SHOULD BE IN THE NETS THEN?

Idiot!

By swegs

November 30, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

minus a few players we arent skating, they stand still and watch the other team skate around us. you have to pressure the man with the puck and make him make a decision(hopefully a bad one) not let him skate around untill he wants to pass/shoot it. to me this is what is wrong with our powerplay. although we need to win more battles at full strength as well.

By Smoothie

November 30, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

Trade Eric Christensen, Eric Boulton and Garnet Exelby. Bring up Mike Hoffman and Grant Lewis.

I agree with Nikita that it is time for drastic changes. This team is not gelling as a cohesive unit and there are too many players who are either too lacking in talent or too lacking in heart to be playing NHL hockey. I don’t know if we should trade or get rid of XLB, but he is a 6th / 7th D-man at best.

I would love to see Grant Lewis get a chance to play. And perhaps even Arturs Kulda. But for now, I would settle for Lewis in our top 6. And for the love of all that is holy, BREAK UP THE SWEDES!! We need to spread the talent around. Enstrom is regressing and he would seemingly be more comfortable playing the more conservative role next to a guy like Ron Hainsey. I’d like our D-pairings to look like this:

Hainsey & Toby // Havelid & Schneider // Oystrick & Lewis

As for the offense, if you can call it that, we have too many “floaters” who shun contact and simply coast around the ice hoping for the puck to bounce their way. I would like to bench Williams, EC, Thorby, Boulton and even Slater in favor of some hungry, young blood like LaVallee, Stuart, Crabb, Hoffman and Holzapfel. My lines would look like this:

Kozzy — White — Little

Kovy — Perrin — Armstrong

LaVallee — Reasoner — Stuart

Crabb — Holzapfel — Hoffman

I’m not so sure how much longer I would keep the Little White Russian line together either. If someone like Holzapfel, Stuart or even Brett Sterling impresses enough to move up to one of the top 2 lines, then I would be open to dropping either White or Perrin down.

But the fact of the matter is this team, obviously lacking in legit NHL top line talent, needs an injection of youthful exuberance and scrappy determination from guys who will fight for their lives and the chance to stay in the “big show”. I’m sick of players like Williams, Thorby, Boulton and Christensen either taking shifts off or not finishing plays that should be relatively easy for an NHL caliber player to make.

We have nothing more to lose by making such radical changes as we cannot play any less inspired or with any less determination, resolve and heart. If necessary, use Stuart or LaVallee to further augment the physical aggression quotient on our top lines and slide White and Perrin down into more “specialty” roles where the majority of their mins are on the PK or against the other teams 4th lines.

Chances are this team will not make the playoffs so why not shake things up and get some young guys the requiste NHL experience they will need to grow into potential NHL caliber players?? We have nothing left to lose…we have slowly sunk and sunk and sunk into the depths of the abyss of dismal ineptitude.

By jdub

November 30, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

I really have nothing to say, except that I’m so frustrated with this team that I won’t even cheer for them anymore. Whenever something negative happens, they quit. I have never seen such a poor display of sportsmanship out of a group of players. It’s like they all want us to feel sorry for them because they don’t have superstars on the team. I’m a HUGE Trash fan, but these guys make me so mad, that I quit watching them two weeks ago, which is sad, because the season just really got going. If you want to see a bunch of talentless, pity-me, quitters, just come on down to Blueland and see what it has to offer. One night in that place will make you wonder what in the world the Spirit Group is thinking as far as putting together a hockey team. I have, and will, always support the Trashers. But I cannot watch them anymore because they ruin my night. What if I went to work and just didn’t feel like working? I’d get fired, but these guys can just quit and still get paid. The only thing that makes me happy from this entire situation is that they are getting embarassed on a nightly basis on a national stage. Once again, I will continue to support the Trash, but I WILL NOT SUPPORT QUITTERS!!!!

By Stevo

November 30, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

Let me preface this by saying I think John Anderson is doing a good job with what he has to work with, and I think he is a damn good coach. He’s a proven winner. But - all this offense first strategy isn’t working. The team needs to get back to the basics and worry about defense. You can’t continually give up 35+ shots a night and expect to win the game. Even with all this offense first strategy, the team continues to be outshot. Not only does the team need personnel changes right now, but it needs a tweaking in philosophy, not a major overhaul.

I still believe this team is on the verge of great things. The 2nd line seems to be clicking so common sense says to leave it alone, but I believe Little would be better suited either Centering the top line, or playing RW to open up the ice for Kovy. I’m disappointed that Army hasn’t been more productive. He needs to step up and be either a first or second line player. I think the Thrashers are a great winger or center away from being a good hockey team, and for now, it’s up to Don Waddell to make that happen. On second thought, we might be screwed….

By jdub

November 30, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this

I really have nothing to say, except that I’m so frustrated with this team that I won’t even cheer for them anymore. Whenever something negative happens, they quit. I have never seen such a poor display of sportsmanship out of a group of players. It’s like they all want us to feel sorry for them because they don’t have superstars on the team. I’m a HUGE Trash fan, but these guys make me so mad, that I quit watching them two weeks ago, which is sad, because the season just really got going. If you want to see a bunch of talentless, pity-me, quitters, just come on down to Blueland and see what it has to offer. One night in that place will make you wonder what in the world the Spirit Group is thinking as far as putting together a hockey team. I have, and will, always support the Trashers. But I cannot watch them anymore because they ruin my night. What if I went to work and just didn’t feel like working? I’d get fired, but these guys can just quit and still get paid. The only thing that makes me happy from this entire situation is that they are getting embarassed on a nightly basis on a national stage. Once again, I will continue to support the Trash, but I WILL NOT SUPPORT QUITTERS!!!!

By Brendan

November 30, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Tbis is a “build year (TM, poster Bob, all rights reserved.)” In a “build year,” the developing team (A) wins the Cup, (B) wins the Conference Championship, (C) wins the President’s Trophy, (D) wins its division (E) Trades the face of the franchise, or (F) takes its recurring lumps, as part of the process?

Still thinking?

And the answer is … Sorry, I’m going to make you think this one out.

Trading Kovalchuk is the worst possibility. Look outside. See a tree? Are they any Kovalchuks growing on that particular tree? No? Well, then … that’s why you don’t trade a Kovalchuk. Trading Kovalchuk is how you destroy a franchise and demoralize a fanbase. When the 2010 trade deadline rolls around, if Kovy is unsigned, that’s when he’ll be traded … and when the organization will announce that Waddell will not be back for the 2010-11 season. That’s my opinion. I hope I’m wrong and they address the GM position sometime between now and the conclusion of the season.

My opinion of Thrashers ownership is rather unfavorable. Likewise, the retention of Don Waddell is indefensible, from a sports perspective. I spent years and years advocating that Waddell be removed from power. You know what the results are. Your dog knows what the results are. Your dog … could write a book report on it, at this point.

The point of this season was to develop the draft picks at the NHL level. That’s not the organization’s stance on the matter. They can’t come out as say such things. But just like in any election year, you’re supposed to read between the lines to decipher the truth. Playoff obfuscation and bluster … is what helps to sell tickets at the beginning of a season. When there are 82 games to play, all 30 teams still have a shot. The bluster’s effectiveness diminishes greatly by New Year’s Day. When promotions start to include “all you can eat food” or “free parking,” or “tickets to some other event at Philips Arena” if you buy Thrashers tickets at full price, would be tell-tale sign, to just about anyone, how things are going.

But stop for a minute, okay? If you’re the owners … and you just want to get into the lottery draft … you’d do EXACTLY what the AS, LLC has done. Which is?? (1) Keep the payroll low, (2) Obfuscate about playoffs in October, (3) find the worst team in the league from previous seasons and claim the team is in a better position than they were, (4) hire a new coach to inspire hope, and finally, in the future, (5) retroactively claim it was “build year” all along, (6) retain your GM, since you’ll be paying him anyway.

By the way, normally Don Waddell-friendly Gary Green, from “On the Fly,” opined rather harshly about the Thrashers this time around. He said words to the effect of, “John Anderson is very upset. This is same ol’ Thrashers from October.”

By Stevo

November 30, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

One last thought and I’m done for the night. Reading ESPN.com/NHL they have an article on free agents still out there. I’m not a fan of Shanahan, and not sure he could help the team a whole lot. But what about Mats Sundin? He would be an upgrade from Jason Williams at center. Would he be a viable option for a short term solution?

By Jeff Craig

November 30, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

I agree with the coach it is time for a change. Thrashers have a great base, but I think it is time to trade Kovy. Let’s fine someone who wants to play on both sides of the ice. It is frustrating to watch a talented man like Kovy not get excited when he scores. Look at the Predators game he scored and he had the look of like who cares? Kovy will never be Ovechkin, who likes to score & play defense. Next time you are watching the team, watch the lines when Kovy is not on the ice. They skate better.

By Chris

November 30, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

It’s time for Waddell to go…Bring in Pat Quinn as the GM.No,He is not too old.

By Nikita

November 30, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

More thoughts…

On the Spirit, and on silly stuff:

AYCE seats are so ridiculous. And personally, that kind of thing is a huge turnoff. I am not 400-pound minivan driver who cannot distinguish between NASCAR and hockey, and I suspect very few of Atlanta’s future hockey fans are, either. Also, every time I mention this people freak out, but face it — we’re in a build franchise and we’re at the mercy of a bad economy. The Spirit needs to stop charging a high premium price with the left hand while comping or deeply discounting with the right. Fill that lower bowl, and demand will push the prices up naturally.

On John Anderson: he’s a great choice for a build year. He’s one of few people who could fix Atlanta’s fundamental lack of ability to develop its own talent. But he needs some horses to do it with, and I suspect he needs the latitude to hold his roster accountable.

On the roster: I think the talent is generally there, and I don’t think we’ll know for another month at minimum how the fresh blood will pan out. But we need to lose a few players, either because they don’t fit the system (Boulton) or they aren’t working out (X, EC). We absolutely must have a top-tier forward of some sort, preferably a LW. We also need a 3rd-line grinder, which we should be able to pull up from Chicago.

By Chicken Dinner

December 1, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner! The Thrashers are money in the bank. Over in the 1st. Empty Netter to get the Over in the game and the trifecta with the loss. Also trifecta with Nashville. Thank you DW for a very profitable year!

By JRY

December 1, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

This team needs to be imploded!!!!! Nobody is off limits. That being said Waddell can’t be the one trusted with doing it. We need a GM with focus and a plan. Listen to how Brian Burke laid out in three steps what he wants from his team. The players have no doubt what he wants. I bet if you ask a Thrasher what does the GM want and you get a big “shrug!” Thrashers fan til the end but P**!

By 12345

December 1, 2008 3:49 AM | Link to this

What Waddell needs to do is Resign so somebody with some hockey knowledge can come in and right this sinking ship !

What was said… What year plan is this ? X,Y or F ? Which year Don, which plan ?

For the sake of the franchise please Resign today Waddell the NHL would be much better served without you in it !

By angrybirdfan

December 1, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this

Ok so I have read all the blogs posted above mine. Fire Wadell, trade Kovy, trade Kari, blame Pavi….blah blah blah. You can not blame a goalie for lack of support, hell in some cases people can sue for that. Its hard to stop 50/50, even for say Luongo. Now trading Kovy, hmm who does that leave? No one…duh….you can not trade your franchise player and still compete, at all. At least the games are close (most of them) and giving up an empty netter in a 6 on 5 shows that we are not gritty enough. Now Kari, hmmm injury prone and at best a good backup for some team…let him go in a trade. Let’s bring in a gritty veteran to give the team leadership and a spark. Oh and we do not need a thug to confuse the issue, nothing wrong with playing hard clean hockey, oh and we have a thug Bolts. XLB suffers from lack of a good line mate, hard to provide spark with no one to step up with you. Waddell has to go…complete lack of progress in 10 years. Coach Anderson has it right and kudos for calling Wadell on his incompetancey!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 1, 2008 7:29 AM | Link to this

Now Kari, hmmm injury prone and at best a good backup for some team…let him go in a trade.

Uh, why? If he’s “at best a good backup for some team”, why not just keep him around as a backup here? If he’s injury prone and at best a backup, what return value would you get?? Who in their right mind would trade anything of value for a goalie who has proven little at the NHL level (though has flashes of brilliance), and who has been injured in each season he’s been in the NHL?

Crap doesn’t usually have trade value, especially when the GM in question is not known for giving up crap in a trade, but rather the opposite.

By WW5

December 1, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

kovy and letemin should be used as trade bait. last 2 years both were drags on the team, not only in play but in attitude also. neither one wants to be here. don’t know why most on this board don’t want to say it, but they both act just like hoser did.

By Freeman

December 1, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Things must change. This is the worst of all worlds - they don’t play hard, and they’re not very good to begin with.

I’ve always supported Waddell, but he must go. Jason Williams is such a non-factor, he must go. One of the goalies must go, I don’t care which, just do it quickly. Slater at least tries hard, but he can’t help it that he sucks. He must go. EC is a talent, but doesn’t do anything with it. Bye. The are Eric Perrin-type players all over this league. We won’t miss him. And finally, I would trade Kovy, only beacuase we’re gonna lose him anyway in free agency after next season.

My season tix are for sale, cheap.

By Bob

December 1, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

“It’ll get so far out of hand that we won’t be able to reel it back in.”

Gee Coach, I guess you don’t agree with Waddell and the Puck Bunnies that we are close, eh?

This build year is going right on schedule. They’re actually a little bit behind the pace I figured them for, but all the better in the race for the ultimate prize of this season, the #1 overall pick. They’ll really tank it at the deadline after they make some trades, but on the other hand, who’s going to give us anything for Schneider or Williams? Doesn’t much matter if we only get midround picks for them I guess.

I feel sorry for the poor suckers who paid full price for season tickets for this mess, once again.

Nothing meaningful will change here until meaningful changes are made and a real GM is brought in

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 1, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Bob — Speaking of that #1 pick, I assume you heard that Hedman has been injured?

By Bob

December 1, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

I want Tavares, need someone to replace Kovy up front, isn’t Hedman a d?

By Nikita

December 1, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry, but I still think we are close. We are 1-2 players from having the talent we need, and everything else is work ethic and heart. The team doesn’t have much of either. For whatever reason they are sandbagging.

Jason Williams is such a non-factor, he must go.

Mmmmkay.

One of the goalies must go, I don’t care which, just do it quickly.

I don’t agree — most clubs keep at least three goalies. But we do need Kari healthy and playing constantly.

Slater at least tries hard, but he can’t help it that he sucks. He must go.

No way, unless we can make his loss our gain. Slater is a good mid-range player who hasn’t been properly developed.

EC is a talent, but doesn’t do anything with it. Bye.

Yep.

The are Eric Perrin-type players all over this league. We won’t miss him.

Nooooooo! Without Eric Perrin, we’d have been 30th last year for sure. Eric Perrin is one of the rare players that thoroughly embodies the correct work ethic and works whatever position he’s put in.

And finally, I would trade Kovy, only beacuase we’re gonna lose him anyway in free agency after next season.

It’s not time yet, unless we want to go ahead and concede the season.

By Sara

December 1, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

I wish Anderson the best of luck attempting to change his roster. He’s got a long battle ahead of him and while the face-to-face battle will be with Waddell, the real battle is going to be between Anderson and the Six Yahoos.

The budget isn’t going to change. It won’t move up, and they certainly aren’t going to let it move down. So at best Anderson can try to get Waddell to make an even-up trade salary-wise consisting of mid-level players going out and other mid-level players coming in and hope that the new guys will at least work harder than the last ones did. You could call up players from Chicago but at this point that would also mean sending players down to Chi-town to make roster space. One, that means putting players on waivers and risking losing them for nothing (which may or may not matter). Two, it will result in additional salary (because I do believe a player not on a two-way contract must still be paid his NHL salary even while in the minors). And while the salary of call-ed up players is negligible in the grand scheme of things generally, the Six Yahoos have become such penny-pinchers I’m not convinced they’d be willing to spend another $500K at a minimum.

Fire Waddell tonight and hire any GM you like to replace him (if you can find one to take the job - requirement number 1 - nod your head and say “yes sir” every time your bosses open their mouths). Wal-Mart budget will never equal Saks Fifth Avenue squad, I don’t care how savvy of a shopper you are.

By Maury

December 1, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

What a mess! This needs more than a tweak. Fans have no idea what they have in prospects because they don’t get called up and Chicago does not give them development ice time. LaVallee, brings the type of game that is sorely needed in Atlanta and demonstrated what he is capable of in his two game NHL stint last April, and barely plays in Chicago. Bryan Little was also underutilized in Chicago and has done well on a failing team. The whole system needs to be revamped. You can’t have an independent AHL team. The two teams are at cross purposes.

By Shannon

December 1, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Mike, was it really a demotion to put Kovy with Thornburn? Last year, they had a little luck playing together at the end of the season. Can you explain the sweater color for practice? Thanks.

Also, was there a lively team meeting today. I hope so and I hope the message among other things was no more excuses. Work hard for 60 minutes or you are out of here.

By rj

December 1, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

I really think the ownership issue has more of a negative impact on the players than we all think. It seems like the more successful teams have a great INDIVIDUAL as an owner [ think Red Wings, Caps, etc]. Somebody the players don’t want to let down. Somebody that motivates the entire organization. Somebody that makes everyone feel a part of a winning team.

I don’t think the ASG fills any of those needs. I don’t think Waddell should resign or be fired until the ownership issue is resolved. Until then we are screwed.

The days when Kovy, Heatley and Savard were lighting the lamp seems like a fantasy I must have made up. Sad.

By Phil Myre

December 1, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

I quit going 3 years ago and now I’ve even quit watching. It’s sad. I grew up watching the Flames and I was so excited to have NHL hockey back in town. But these guys stink and DW has proven himself to be inept at best. The owners contiunue to back him year after year which I assume means they think what he’s putting on the ice is a good product. It’s not good enough for my money and it’s now to the point where it’s not even worth my free time.

By kristin nowak

December 1, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

when is kari lethonen going to come and do conditioning means come down to chicago and play a few games until he is ready to skate again and be able to goaltend again and then be sent back up to atlanta thrashers and then ondrej pavelec back down to the chicago wolves.

By Hockey Is Life

December 4, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

Hey, here’s an idea! Let’s trade Don Waddell to, let me see, Bolivia. Until that nitwit is gone, Blueland will keep giving us the blues.