Thrashers

By Darren

December 19, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Lehman looked lost when he was out there.

I just wish Lehtonen had Pavelec’s mental toughness. There’s clearly a reason Anderson played him in all 24 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs, even if last night didn’t illustrate it too well.

By h

December 19, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Hopefully Lehman and Pavelec are sitting next to each other on the flight to O’Hare…..guess he is just not ready (yet?)…….I really think Williams needs to sit for a while…..bring up a rook or give Crabb more time on one of the top 3 lines…..this team has a lot of bad luck, but good teams turn that bad luck into good luck…..a good team doesn’t hit the post twice and have 2 shots dribble past the goalie only not go in…..good teams make 2-3 goals out of that…..ugh…..so depressing…Thrashers have 4 games during the roster freeze and they should win all 4 (I know…..I DO know better)……if not, start the trading factory and set it up for the next two seasons……

By Russian

December 19, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

If Kari ready to play just put him in the goal. Saturday game will be against team same point as we are and they do ot care about PO as we are. I think it will be great practice to Kari. If Schnider is ready we can make pair of D-men like that: Toby - Haveld Haincy - Valabik Schnider - Oistrik

Pavs will go to Chicago and play there. He need to get more practice and be a good goalie.

By Tony C.

December 19, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

FIRE WADDELL

By Sage of Bluesland

December 19, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

I have a suggestion for the title of your articles, esteemed writer for the AJC:

“Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic”

Simply substitute that for the goings-on in Thrashersland. It’s more accurate, anyway, the changes being made are superficial and they never address the real CAUSE of the problems of this woeful franchise.

Now, Mike, move that chair over there…Don’t you think that looks better?

FIRE DON WADDELL. BOYCOTT THE GAMES IS THE ONLY—THE ONLY—WAY TO EFFECT MUCH NEEDED CHANGE IN THE FIGURATIVE JOKE OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘BLUELAND’…

By Roxy

December 19, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Kari has been out for way to long, although that’s understandable I guess, if he can, I’d put him in Saturday. Send Pavelec and Lehman back down, they’re good players but just not ready for the NHL yet, that’s my opinion.

By Brendan

December 19, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Tony C., is Larry Simmons up to the task, as interim-GM? I’m willing to give him a shot. I also think Chicago would give Atlanta permission to talk to Cheveldayoff. But I hope a permanent GM isn’t named until sometime in the offseason, as that’s when the best crop of candidates is the most likely to appear.

Right now, we really do have the look and feel of a minor league franchise masquerading as an NHL venue. Things will change. But how can the ownership not see that they are alienating the fanbase with their hesitation to fire Waddell? I get it. They have some “weirdo, whacko longevity theory” that they think is the right path. Well, you don’t get the luxury of testing out a theory when you’re bleeding money, and giving away tickets. Or discounting them to the very point of giving them away.* Think about it, Spirit Boys.

How can you be satisfied with these results? Even from a business standpoint, this is … not good. You don’t save that much money by not printing tickets to games.

By Russian

December 19, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

Ex had a broken leg for 2 1/2 weeks. It is horrible. Why did he not called that he is injured. Stupid.

By B. Thenet

December 19, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

I can see where Russian is coming from.

Exelby is tough and wants to help the team, I can understand that.

However, if he was hurting that badly he should have notified the training staff and we should have brought someone up from Chicago to fill in for him.

I feel bad calling out Exelby for some awful performances recenty, knowing now why that was the case.

By GaVaHokie

December 19, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Well, at least you’ll get to see ONE MORE thing you’ve wanted to see since the start of the season… Exelby out of the line-up with Valabik, Hainsey, Havelid, Enstrom, Schneider, Bogosian and someone else (Oystrick) instead.

Let’s see how our Arm-chair GM’s fair on this one… maybe some redemption for the one’s that thought Pavs was the answer for Lehts. :)

By T-Bone

December 19, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Larry Simmons grew-up in my Florida hometown and I can safely say there is not one ice rink in the city limits. He went to UCF in Orlando before hooking up with the Solar Bears hockey club (remember Curt Fraser?). I doubt the dude can even ice skate and he’s going to evaluate talent? He’s the finance guy as far as I understand the make-up of that dysfunctional GM office. As far as I’m concerened, it’s guilt-by-association with anyone currently employed in a management role with this organIzation. Look elsewhere, not within.

By Sam

December 19, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

I am glad to see Pavs go. The Thrashers played fairly well against Pittsburgh. He let in at least 2 lousy goals. Nothing personal, but he is NOT ready. Maybe now, he knows.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 19, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Look elsewhere, not within.

Oh, hell yeah. Somebody needs to buy that man a drink.

By English Teacher

December 19, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Kari is still the best goalie on the team.

By Thrashers Recaps

December 19, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Do you know where the NHL rules for goalies can be found? You say teams can only carry 2 players, I’d like to also know about that and related rules like trading goalies who are RFAs, UFAs, etc.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

Yes, T-Bone, look elsewhere…We need a fresh, new, and independent set of eyes to come in here and revamp the stench created by Don Waddell…

Anything related to the Solar Bears, Curt Fraser, and Don Waddell needs to be immediately struck from the list of consideration. Now, that is an easy decision to make, isn’t it?

I’m sorry to hear about the news of Exelby—but I think he is more of a problem than a solution. I’ve never howled for his head on a pike like some—I just think he’s done the best with what he’s got, which isn’t great.

I think Havelid is the overrated bum of the bunch, personally…

It will be interesting to see how our glass-groined wunderkind does now that the team turns its lonely eyes to him for salvation…Don’t bet the mortgage on this working out, folks…

(The minute our bumbling idiot of a GM made this immature kid the 2nd pick in the draft—passing up the opportunity to draft either Bouwmeester or Nash—was the first minute I said that all might not be well in Thrashersland…I figured it was a ‘play-for-time’ as the “Legends of Blueland” from the pipeline wasn’t even approaching a trickle…I was right…)

By jcwhitingjr

December 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

No change in management will have positive results for the team unless the ownership is willing to do what needs to be done to turn the team into a winner. There’s a reason DW is still here and that’s because he is doing just what ownership wants him to be doing. Firing DW may be required but the new guy is still going to do just what the owners expect of him.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 19, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

I think Havelid is the overrated bum of the bunch, personally…

Overrated maybe, because he’s slotted in as a first line defender for this team. On a team like Detroit he’d be a solid veteran presence and logging 2nd or even 3rd pairing minutes, with the same price tag.

I think he’s a pretty solid defender, much better than some of the other “veteran” presences on the blue line from years past (Modry, Klee, etc). His one-on-one defense against Crosby late in last nights game is one of the reasons I think he’s worth hanging on to, or at the very least worth trading for picks or prospects come February. I think he could garner a third round pick, maybe low second.

The minute our bumbling idiot of a GM made this immature kid the 2nd pick in the draft

What was it that made you feel Lehtonen wasn’t worthy of the high pick Atlanta selected him with? I’m just looking for your opinion on that, because at the time I was quite happy with him based on his production internationally, and the obvious need for goalie depth within the organization. At that point in time I thought “we have two stud forwards, and now a highly ranked goalie to solidify the team”. Personally I would’ve been happy with any three of the picks.

It’s very similar to how I felt about the Suter/Coburn/Phaneuf draft threesome. Each had their upside, so it was really picking the one that you felt was the best fit for your plans. Goalies and defenders take longer to develop, the team already had two stud forwards, so they chose between Bouwmeester and Lehtonen. By agreeing not to take Bouwmeester they got an extra player in the draft. If someone would’ve offered me a high second round pick not to pick Bogosian, I would’ve smiled, said thank you, and selected Schenn. If I was LA and they said the same thing about Doughty, I would’ve smiled and selected Bogosian (who the entire time I wanted more than Doughty by the way). I wouldn’t have passed on Stamkos though.

But really I’m just curious your thoughts on the situation. I’m not trying to argue that you’re wrong or I’m right or anything like that. This is me being cordial.

By Nikita

December 19, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

I suspect you’d see Waddell replaced if there were new ownership. But if I could only pick one, I’d pick new ownership by a single owner or a majority owner over a new GM.

I’m really not sure why Lehman was brought up. The kid fits JA’s system, but he’s not anywhere close to adequately seasoned and he looked rough at camp.

Do we know yet when we’ll see Schneider and Lehts?

By Jim

December 19, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Team announced that Pavs and Lehman were sent to Chicago and that Kari and MS are back. If Bonehead (Exelby) has been that badly hurt and has continued to play, then he’s dumb and self centered, not tough. He has been pathetic of late. Slow, out of position and indecisive. He has hurt us more by not telling anyone about the seriousness of his injury. What in the world does Perrin provide to this team? He flies around, gets bumped off the puck, and contributes no points.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Simple—He [Lehtonen] was YEARS away from being able to contribute. Heaven knows we needed defensemen (well, we still do) and I believe yet another stud forward is a wonderful thing.

Hockey likely being the most unpredictable draft-shoot there is—it seems with goalies the risk/reward are even higher. Most of the true greats come not from the top-five…Now, does that mean there are not exceptions, no, but the odds are (not) with you. History shows that.

We took a soft Euro-teen (who still had obligations to fulfill) and ALL we heard from the organization in the ensuing years was, “Just you wait until this kid comes up!” Naturally, the sheep lapped it up (and still do, it seems) while I said it then and say it now: It was nothing but a play for much-needed time by Don Waddell…Nothing—absolutely nothing—was coming from the minors outside of the top five picks of the draft…Donny needed more time—and the soft Euro-teen goalie provided the logical EXCUSE…

Well, we waited…and now we’ve seen…Was THIS worth the wait?! (be honest with yourself when you answer please)

I wanted to build with higher-percentage players—and sign a goalie as a free-agent…If we build a young team loaded with superior forwards, a ‘good’ goalie will come via free agency…(Build it and he will come!)

Yes, you will have to get the checkbook out, but I’d rather take that chance on a PROVEN commodity at the most important position in the end—maybe whose ‘best’ days are behind him (i.e. Khabibulin; Belfour; etc.) but is more than serviceable until all of the goalie draft picks later in the draft develop and see who truly shakes out…

Our glass-groined wunderkind and Don Waddell’s fate should go hand-in-hand—or lisp-in-groin…but we’ve been sold so many bills of goods before, it doesn’t surprise me when folks can no longer see the forest for the trees anymore…Layer upon layer of bluster, obfuscation, and outright idiocy tend to confuse the weak-minded…

By Brendan

December 19, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

T-bone, I think that’s right. We should look outside the organization if we truly want to change direction, to start to take on the look, feel, and direction of a true NHL team. We’re far enough away from the trade deadline … that a new GM could begin to get a real feel for this club, to help reshape its future, with those trade deadline deals.

Sage, didn’t you once make this case before, on Lehtonen? More specifically, that you thought it would be better to pluck the goalie from free agency, rather than invest the requisite years of development? I think that was your position. If it was/is, I agree with that stance. Yes, it surely does mean paying through the nose for a well-established goalie, but you must temper that with, “but we’re not paying the years (time) of investment.” We’re foregoing the developmental years of a high-end netminder prospect, in favor of advancing the club at a faster rate, with a proven netminder. Back int he 2002-2003 time frame, these were the available free agent goaltenders, that could have been acquired, simply by paying their high premium salaries (1) Ed Belfour, (2) Dominek Hasek, (3) Curtis Joseph, (4) Nicholai Khabibulin, (5) Miikka Kiprusoff, (6) Arturs Irbe, and there was a glimmer of a chance, which really didn’t exist, for (7) Evgeni Nabakov. But the point is NOT whether Nabakov was or wasn’t really available. You’ve lost FOCUS if you think that’s the point. The point is … there was a plethora of netminders who could have, and would have, IMMEDIATELY helped the franchise rise to playoff caliber and do damage once there. In 2003, the Red Wings waived the $8.0 million Curtis Joseph. He was ours for the claiming. With two years left on his contract. It was a lot of money. And Cujo brings his own set of “baggage,” but still … there it was. I also doubt Hasek would have come to Atlanta. And I have serious reservations about Belfour ever agreeing to terms with Atlanta. But the others were all possible. Bear in mind, at that time, the organization still had Heatley, Savard, Kovalchuk, etc. Can’t remember if Staios, Audette, Brunette, and Frank Kaberle were all with the Thrashers at the end of 2002. I think Ray Ferraro was the Captain.

So? So Sage’s point, if I read him correctly, is that DW made a serious misstep in not recognizing that he needed to build the team in front of the goalie … to make it attractive enough for a Tier I to decide to play for Atlanta. But I leave that to Sage to discuss. I hope I’m not misrepresenting what he has previously expressed at these blogs over the years.

By Brendan

December 19, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Sage, I didn’t see your post above before I made mine. But it looks like I captured the gist of what you said.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 19, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Brendan has detailed my position precisely…Thank you and his writing on this should be required reading prior to any sheep getting ready to make the mistake of buying season-tickets…

We would have been in the playoffs MUCH sooner if we went that route (free-agent goaltender who was a proven commodity)…Instead, we banked it all on the development of the immature glass-groined wunderkind…That falls on one person alone: Don Waddell.

This is NOT an ownership issue. It is the “plan” of the organization. By 2002, we were already into a good three (plus) years of the infamous “Five-Year Plan”…You better believe the complete lack of REAL reinforcements arriving from the barren minors was a factor in the decision to draft that Finnish teen.

I’ll go even one further that made me livid on draft-day, 2002 and put me on the Waddell-watch immediately (and told many about it, too, by the way).

Donny made a ‘deal’ with Florida (to not select ‘their’ guy—Bouwmeester—if they further trade with Columbus)…Well, a very knowledgeable hockey person informed me that the Florida GM (name unrecalled) and Donny were buddies that went way back.

Well, I’m sorry, I’m tired of Donny being everyone’s buddy…I want a hard-nosed SOB as ‘my’ GM, one who is not afraid to tell his ‘buddy’ that, “No, if you want your guy, you better stay right where you are…unless you want to throw in next year’s 1st rounder…”

No, but Donny is too concerned about being liked than to take care of business number one: having the Thrashers’ best interests at heart.

Team USA? Let someone else do that. I want ‘my’ GM focused exclusively on the task at hand.

The local media—well, with the exception of Jeff Schultz—has called this situation out like it is. The roots of our incompetence did not grow overnight—they have been incubated in Don Waddell’s stench over the past decade.

A blind man could see it…

FIRE DON WADDELL. BOYCOTT THE GAMES IF YOU WANT REAL CHANGE. OTHERWISE, YOU ARE ACCEPTING SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS. IF YOU STILL WANT THAT, THEN DON’T DARE COMPLAIN. YOU BOUGHT IT WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE AND WARNING.

By Kaat

December 19, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Thrashers Recaps I believe that teams are allowed to carry three goalies (the Edmonton Oilers have been doing it this season for a while now — Roloson, Garon and Drouin-Deslauriers). Only two are allowed to dress for the game, however.

The NHL Rulebook can be found here: http://www.nhl.com/ext/0708rules.pdf

By Brendan

December 19, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

The roots of our incompetence did not grow overnight—they have been incubated in Don Waddell’s stench over the past decade.

Sage, I grow increasingly TIRED of you pussyfooting around your true sentiments. Especially as they relate to Waddell. Enough of the ambiguities! Stop with the vagaries! Tell me how your RRRREALLY feel. Should Waddell be fired … or not? Support your answer.

I’m telling you, Sage. All Waddell needs … is (say it with me) one … more … year. Look at this track record, selecting defensemen in the 7th round. :)

Sorry. I had a genuinely hard time typing all this. I beg your indulgences.

By GaVaHokie

December 19, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

FIRE DON WADDELL. BOYCOTT THE GAMES IF YOU WANT REAL CHANGE. OTHERWISE, YOU ARE ACCEPTING SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS. IF YOU STILL WANT THAT, THEN DON’T DARE COMPLAIN. YOU BOUGHT IT WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE AND WARNING.

Point taken… you can begin any time… bye!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 19, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

That’s right, I remember you saying that once before. Thanks for the clarification.

I can’t say I disagree with you regarding drafting a goalie vs. going the proven overpaid route. I like youth in a system, but without a solid #1 goalie to man the fort, developing a goalie is a long wait that doesn’t often bear the fruit everyone expects. That’s basically how Holland runs the Red Wings, and it’s worked very well for them. Osgood and Conklin are by no means the elite goalies in the league, but they’re good enough to keep the Red Wings in the game, and occasionally can steal one or two for Detroit when the offense sputters.

Like I said though regarding the draft, I understood the benefit and downside of drafting any of those three players. Nash would’ve made two lines of scoring depth. Bouwmeester would’ve been an offensive defenseman with two stud forwards. Lehtonen could’ve meant a stud goalie with those two forwards.

Obviously it’s worked out the way you expected, so there’s no faulting your opinion on how things should’ve been done. Personally, I was fine with any of them.

So, might I ask what you would hope that our next GM does to rectify this situation? Where should the GM focus? Should he tear everything apart and start anew, sell off the old and bring in the young, or simply keep it as it is now and build through his own drafting with his own X-year plan in place?

What do you think is the best course of action?

By Dr. Kevorkian

December 19, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

What do you think is the best course of action?

Arsenic ?

By Sam

December 19, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wqR17KrLKw

from youtube: “December 18, 2008, Pittsburg Penguin superstar “Sid the Kid” Crosby gives Atlanta Thrasher Boris Valabik 3 solid punches from behind while his teammate Kris Letang held Valabik in a wrestling scrum. Lucky for Crosby, that he couldn’t quite connect flush and thus no injury occured.”

By GaVaHokie

December 19, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Ummm… when we drafted Lehtonen, it was because he was a “can’t miss” prospect… not my words, not Waddell’s words… those were NHL Scouting words.

You guys are speaking in hindsight… as usual… stop pretending that you’re scouting experts because you watched a highlight clip of him during the draft.

And there was no hurry for him, because we had Nurminen and Dafoe as the 1 and 2… oh, and we sucked, and were on a shoestring budget of $29 million under AOL.

By Mike Knobler

December 19, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Re: Three goalies. Teams don’t carry three goalies, because there’s not enough work to go around. It’s not a question of rules, just a question of what makes sense.

It will be interesting to see how the team plays in the next few games with Kari Lehtonen and Mathieu Schneider back. Schneider was playing well just before he got hurt again. I wouldn’t have said that early in the season. Johan Hedberg has generally done a good job in net after his first three or four games; it’s no given that Lehtonen will be better.

Exelby’s injury pushes back a decision the Thrashers will have to make about their defense. They’re going to have Hainsey, Havelid, Enstrom, Schneider, Oystrick, Exelby, Valabik, Bogosian. That’s eight. Valabik has been playing better and better but because he’s young and doesn’t have to clear waivers he’s likely the first to get sent down. My guess is they’ll end up doing that and carrying seven defensemen for awhile. We’ll see in mid-January.

By harleyman

December 19, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

FIRE WADDELL

By Rockem Sockem Thrasher

December 19, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Just read that Angelo Esposito is on the 4th line for Canada’s World Junior Team.

TSN Article

Kovy’s lack of scoring is a concern. But I think that the Thrash are showing some better strength of character as of late. I like how some players aren’t backing down despite a being behind in goals.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 19, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Next, Gavasheep will claim that Stephen Baby was a great draft pick, as well…

Laughable. You were wrong. You’ve been nothing but wrong when it comes to your ‘judgements’ of this team and Don Waddell.

Yeah, and Kincade (another sheep) used to blather about the Thrashers having the best under-21 talent in the minors at one time…That was a long time ago, too…

See, some magazine said so it must be so, right Gavasheep? Go prepare a spreadsheet! (haha!)

By Lanny McDonald

December 19, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

They’ll never amount to anything if they can’t win at home. If you cannot win your home games, you have no chance.

FIRE WADDELL!

By Trent

December 19, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

Just read that Angelo Esposito is on the 4th line for Canada’s World Junior Team.

Another 4th liner, huh? Well, that fits Waddell’s M.O. - No surprise there.

By MB

December 19, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

No idea where or even if you can view it, but in just a few minutes two potential Thrashers face off head-to-head as the Canadian and Swedish junior teams play in a pre-competition game, featuring Tavares and Hedman. Get ahead of the Christmas/Hanukkah rush and pick your favorite now!

By the way, Sage, points well made on drafting a goalie.

Sam, thanks for the link to the Crosby cheap shots. I was at the game (free tickets, $6 Powerade…didn’t do much subsidizing) and didn’t see the replay. Even from the far end of the ice you could see what a punk move it was, and the replay only amplifies it.

By Brendan

December 19, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie, Sage made these comments in June 2002. It’s not hindsight if he actually made them at that time. In 2002, let’s face it, the Thrashers needed Everything. There was nothing we didn’t need. Including a goalie, Brendan? Hmmn? Yeah, I’d say we needed a goalie, too. It’s Sage’s point, and I agree with it, that the draft wasn’t the best place to find it, since it was going to take YEARS and YEARS and YEARS to see the fruit off the vine of that pick.

What I agree with Hokie about was the budget. Which, I think, was even less than the previously stated $29 million, in 2002. I seem to recall it was more like $26.5 million.

So??

So, Hokie’s right, signing Curtis Joseph, at $8 million, wasn’t on AOL’s radar. But it would have been on the radar of an ownership group committed to a winning product. Cujo wasn’t going to cost draft picks, players, or even prospects. He was only going to cost money. To be fair, Cujo needed ankle surgery during the 2002 offseason, and that might have made some GM’s a bit squeamish. But, here we are, in 2008, and Cujo’s still surprisingly in the league. It’s conceivable, that we could have had him all this time. Now, I hear the next argument, too. Which one?

Defensemen take a long time to develop, too. Yeah, I won’t disagree. Blueliners take a while to develop. Look at Coburn. Look at Valabik. But the #1 rated prospect in the 2002 draft was … (drumroll please) Jay Bouwmeester. It’s true. And had Florida passed on him, we’d have been awfully stupid not to take the “experts” consensus pick for #1, even if it would take a little longer to develop him than Rick Nash. But seeing as how Bouwmeester was going to be a Panther, one-way or another, the choice really was between Nash or Lehtonen. Let me oversimplify. All three players were touted as “can’t miss prospects.” Prospect Bouwmeester would take about 3 years to develop. Prospect Lehtonen would take about 5 years to develop. And Nash would take a year or so to develop. What should a GM, in a “non-traditional market,” that needs to QUICKLY establish a fanbase, do?

Well, I’m willing to listen to ALL viewpoints on this matter. Truly, I am. But from my perspective, I think Nash is the pony to bet on. And there’s no way we don’t get him, unless someone offers “inducement,” like a 1st round pick, to not select him. Had Columbus taken this route, we’d have owned the 4th overall pick in 2003. Which was high enough to go get Vanek, who was selected 5th, I believe, by Buffalo. Lehtonen and Vanek represents a pretty good haul from the 2002 draft, I’d say. (Better than Jim Slater, which is who we got as our inducement.) And if Columbus won’t offer the pick, we get Nash, just like we should. To the squealing girlish delight of poster PJ.

Bygones.

By 10yr plan

December 19, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

Rick Dudley was the GM of Florida at the time and a good friend of DW’s. Bring in Nonis or Quinn to GM.

By Alan

December 19, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

Another 4th liner, huh? Well, that fits Waddell’s M.O. - No surprise there.

Stamkos started off on the bottom last year. Like Stamkos, Esposito is going to have to prove himself to the coach. If he can do that, he’ll get promoted. Just like Stamkos did.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 19, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

After ‘reading’ the information on all of the prospects on that June day, I thought Nash was the one to pick—and I was thrilled that the rumor mill was stating that Florida (owner of the top pick) wanted Bouwmeester.

I envisioned Stefan (who I still thought could be a good passer for Kovalchuk), Heatley, Kovalchuk, and Nash being spread across either three lines (a stud as the foundation for each of three lines, are you kidding me?!) or as mixed across two very powerful lines that every single team in the league would ENVY.

Two very real power-play units. A dream come true! Win-Win-Win-Win. The sun was indeed RISING in Thrashersland! I was on board and salivating over adding the big kid to our growing nucleus of legitimate talent.

Then the announcers speculated that the Thrashers wanted the Euro-goalie…WTF?! No! Then Florida trades down to 3 and the Blue Jackets all of a sudden have the top pick and the chance to select who they absolutely coveted: Nash.

I was heartbroken…downtrodden…then highly upset when hearing of good ol’ Don’s deal…His golden ‘word’ allowed for Florida to move to 3 and Columbus to 1. I felt used and embarrassed.

Then that bumbling lisping idiot selected the glass-groined wunderkind (which I didn’t call him that at that time—that came later) and I was highly upset.

Talking to friend shortly thereafter, I find out that Donny and the Panthers GM (Dudley, 10yr? Thx!) were buds.

Oftentimes, moments are too big for losers and buffoons…It was that day at the crossroads in June, 2002. Donny needs TIME more than anything else because his “Plan” wasn’t exactly bearing fruit…TIME would be allowed because the ‘promise’ of this goalie-kid who would single-handedly solve ALL of our problems!

I saw it right then for precisely what it was. The moment was too big for Don Waddell—and he made another disastrous decision whose impact is being felt to this day.

Don Waddell is nothing but a loser. Hasn’t he proven that to you with his compilation of decisions?

By Brendan

December 19, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

Sage, I think Waddell and Dudley actually worked together at some point during their time in the minors. I forgot when and where, however. I don’t think Waddell’s “mindset” ever really left the minor league. Cheap budgets, an eye for ‘tweeners,’ and constantly bargain barrel hunting are ‘hallmarks’ of the Waddell Administration. But I digress.

Heatley, Nash, and Kovalchuk would have been formiddable. Heatley’s departure, after the accident, might have actually allowed the team to target a Tier I defenseman, instead of replacing Heatley’s offensive production via Hossa, had the team secured Rick Nash in the 2002 draft.

By Sara

December 20, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

Lehtonen, Ward, DiPietro, Brodeur, Miller, Fleury, Price, Osgood, Leclaire, Turco, Nabakov, Lundquist, and Budaj were all drafted by the teams they currently play for (though Osgood left and then came back). Of those 13 goalies, 7 were first round draft picks. And of course, that doesn’t account for back-ups and other heir-apparents around the League.

Thought I’d toss that out there, just in case our readers thought Waddell was the only GM to be so stupid as to draft his own starting goaltender, with a first-round pick no less.

By dhj_1962

December 20, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

i’m still a kari fan, hopefully the Thrashers play well in front of him. sorry xlb broke his leg, not sorry he is out. MS is back, thats good. offense has a big night, Kovy gets a goal and 2 helpers. DW is fired. Christmas is 5 days early. all is good in ATL. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all 7 of you Thrasher fans.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 20, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Why limit the spreadsheet to just those, Sara? Why not perform an entire league-wide analysis?

That spreadsheet needs some work!

By Port-O-Potty

December 20, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

I think that Waddell once rented Dudley a Port-o-Potty back when Dudley had a summer party at his home when playing with the Sabres.

They go a long way.

By timthebrave

December 20, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

I want Waddell fired as well but I am going to continue to go to games and support the Thrashers. I still have fun at the games even though we are not as competitive as I would like. I supported the Braves, Falcons and Dawgs through thick and thin and I will do so with the Thrashers. Me going to 5-10 games will not make a difference in whether they fire Waddell or not. If stinking for 9 out of 10 years doesn’t get you fired than 1 less fan won’t either. Go Thrashers!

By timthebrave

December 20, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Oh, and please…please…please…. beat the he!! out of Tampa in the battle to not be the worst team in the league. Go Thrashers!