Thrashers

By Tom

December 20, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Congrats to Mr. Lehman for getting a nice Christmas bonus.

Play hard tonight boys, this is a winnable game if you show up.

By sydney

December 20, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

The problem seems to be deeper seeded than simply the players or coaching staff, a much better performance upon the recruiting and player evaluation intent would benefit more,dwindling crowds, discontent in the dressing room, management being questioned with due reason as goes the law in sports world, win or at least show some building progress, Curt Fraser was the first mistake and Managements first sign concerning a lack of comprehension of the needs and leadership needed by an expansion team,second mistake was when the Gm Waddell took over the reins without the necessary qualities needed to coach or handle this group of athletes,It is difficult to question the hiring of Hartley as he had a Stanley Cup ring but his style would never prepare this team to be a contender as the ingrediants both on and off ice were lacking and he needed a stong leadership within his dressing room to be able to be successful along with a few top notch veteran players, he has trouble controlling his intent (passing his message) within a dressing room in more than one area, now Anderson is behind the bench and he is deserving of the chance as his past reflects this, was he Waddells first choice, who knows? one thing jumps out here to any interested fan is the fact that there is an immediate need of a complete overhaul within the management side, from top to bottom, new Gm, new development people, new recruters, fresh ideas from others who would probably have a much different approach to the situation and team building.Look at our drafts and you will see some incompetence there, forget Kovalchuk that was easy, pick your staff with logic and put frienship or favors aside, also there is a definite need of a revamped marketing and Public relations intent, there seems to be a complete lack of respect/comprehension for the fans,city etc. this department can do much better,we need more community involvement, anyway we could go on and on,our thirst and love of the sport makes us hope and have the want for the team to be successful not just in wins & losses but overall, then wins usually are a result. Hopefully once this ownership battle is over then maybe and I say maybe we will see a complete change of direction of thought process and new faces in many roles appearing for the better! We see and hear about this one or that one but never about the true ones left since the Boomer passed on, Ubriaco, Paris were both fan favorites and for a reason where is the respect shown these two, excellent ambassadors and community people as they have interperonsal skills and both hold an important piece of the page in Atlanta sports history. Always remember that the Thrashers cannot progress unless they make the proper changes with a clear and precise game plan that can work,my gut feeling tells me that Waddell is history after the settlement of the courts on the ownership issue, hopefully the entire organisation will be scrutinized and multiple changes made either by new blood while moving others to another area or simply eliminating the dead wood! so much food for thought but time to give you some space for others.

Thank you Sydney a concerned fan

By Tony C.

December 20, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

FIRE WADDELL

Take a look at what Burnside & LeBrun have to say on their ESPN page

For what it’s worth, I agree with Lebrun more than Burnside-make it official that #17 doesn’t want to come back (although you’ve got to be thinking this year is killiing him. Although, every once in awhile I see stuff like him laying out to block a shot in the Ottowa game, that makes me hesitate to trade him at all.

GO BLUE !!!

By Alan

December 20, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

FIRE WADDELL

Yes, yes!

make it official that #17 doesn’t want to come back

Really? Got any quotes? Sources?

What, you mean you don’t?

I’m waiting until the 2009-2010 trade deadline to determine that. Til then, be happy he’s here.

By ben

December 20, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

fire waddell

we should keep KOVY

By Brendan

December 20, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

I must confess, I hadn’t thought of trying to move Kovalchuk to a team inside of the lottery draft. That would a temptation. But if I’m the other lottery draft team, what makes me think I’ve got any better shot at retaining Kovalchuk than Atlanta does? In essence, I just caughed up a future “franchise player,” whose rights I’d control for 8 more years, for one-year of Kovalchuk, who would be eyeballing the exit right from his arrival. There’s only one other team in the NHL stupid enough to fit that description: The New York Islanders. They’d be stupid enough to do that. What about TB? They seem stupid, too. But it’s a divisional opponent. Neither TB nor ATL really wants to pull the trigger on that. I’m sure, fans in Tampa would love the idea of Stamkos, Lecavalier, and Kovalchuk, with St. Louis, also, but they don’t have any guarantee of Kovy re-signing, and what if Atlanta converts that pick into Hedman or Tavares? It’s too risky on both sides. What if Kovy did re-sign in Tampa? You wannta face him six times a year? What about L.A.? Well, the Kings might not even wind up in the lottery draft. And, they’d need assurances Kovy would re-sign out West. Or they’re coughing up a sizeable piece of their future for a 1-year run at a deep run into the playoffs. It’d be fun for them to think about. Kopitar, Frolov, Brown, Jack Johnson, Drew Doughty, Patrick O’Sullivan, Bernier in the wings, and Kovalchuk? That’s honestly the makings of a pretty decent, up and coming team. They also have CAP ROOM in L.A.

It’s fun to speculate about things that will never happen. :)

By Brendan

December 20, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

ben, a lot of us have argued that the time to have made moves to keep Kovalchuk came and went in 2007 and 2008 offseasons. It would be awful to wake up one day to see Kovalchuk gone and Waddell still here. At that point, Waddell’s supporters will go off on how Kovalchuk is immature, not a leader, declining in productivity and/or make some half-donkeyed argument about his salary being too high.

D’oh.

To listen to such a anti-Kovalchuk argument is best summed up by “Family Guy’s” Stewart “Gillian” Griffin, who once said, “Do you ever stop to hear yourself talk? My God, I might kill you tonight.”

By stendec

December 20, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

What’s-His-Name is back? There is no Santa Claus! Two goals allowed and counting. How many will Toiletlids have to net to win? A half dozen?

By stendec

December 20, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

Only two goals after 40 minutes? I am impressed. Even if it is the Dolts! Offense has failed to finish on no less than 10 plays. Coach put Toiletlids in right positions for goals! Ilya “Bags Are Packed” Kovalchuk a team liability. Again! Third period collapse? Who the Hell knows?

By Jared

December 20, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

Finland!!!! Goals!!!! Loud Noises!!!!!

By stendec

December 20, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

Home team up 4-3 late. Will it hold up?

By stendec

December 20, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

The Toiletlid goalie did his job! Congratulations. Win is nice. No matter who the foe was!

By Steely Dan

December 20, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

stenDICK, you truly are a classless fool.

Sit down and shut up!

Kari played great tonight. After the rough start he held the Lighting at bay while his team was able to get the job done in front of him!

Great job, Kari.

By Russian

December 20, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

Come on Man. Kari played GOOD Game. 39 SOG and 24 GOG in 3-d period it was something. It was not a good game, but Victory is Victory.

By Brendan

December 20, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

A four-point swing for the Bolts … in the chase for the 1st overall pick! Tampa is just awful. How much MORE did they spend than Atlanta to obtain these horrendous results?

Carolina and Washington both lost today. How bad have things gotten for Dallas? They just lost to Ottawa. Marty Turco is not having the the year that he did last May. I’m watching Bufffalo vs. Montreal in OT right now.

By Brendan

December 20, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

Steely Dan, Kari’s an untalented Finn! We should trade him to Dallas for a 7th round pick. If he won, it’s because the other team whiffed on their chances.

Just kidding.

By Alan

December 20, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

And the only reason the Lightning were able to hit Kari so much in the third period is all the penalties we took. The one against Valabik in the 3rd is really a head-scratcher. He’s playing the puck — who, exactly, was he holding?

This, and more, folks! On tonight’s’ episode of “REFS GONE WILD!:”

By Brendan

December 20, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

I loved the music after the Valabik penalty, Alan. Over the PA system, they played Hootie and the Blowfish’s “Everytime I look at you … I go blind.” I laughed hysterically. Well done, MUSIC GUY, at Philips Arena.

By Brendan

December 20, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Tony C., are you in the house? I hear Bolts GM Brian Lawton is holding a press conference tomorrow morning. I got an advanced copy of the press release. (Putting my reading glasses on, to make this seem more “official,”) it reads, “I feel we’re close, real close to putting some good winning streaks together. All we need is 100% determination from all our guys. But we’re just not getting that right now. We’ve got guys taking nights off. And we just can’t afford that. But looking at the skill on this roster, we’re definitely close to winning some games.” — Brian Lawton, GM, Tampa Bay.

…

I obtained this information from a rogue custodian working at Philips Arena who saved this very speech, made by Waddell during the 2nd period of the Nashville game, and sold it to Lawton for $20. Lawton was a “no show” at the GM-bluster training seminar that the league offers during the offseason. Hey, when you cut class, what ELSE is there to do but copy someone else’s homework?

Just so we’re clear, this post is a complete fabrication.

By Tony C.

December 20, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

Alan-

To be clear, what I mean is this:

Rest assured I DO NOT WANT TO TRADE #17.

But if he wants out, then I say get a king’s ransom for him.

By HookyBob

December 20, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

I wish we had Kari in net for the Pens game. If you apply his save % from tonight to Thursday’s game,…..we win 3-2, or, at a minimum, go to OT.

Seems like the thing that makes me appreciate Kari the most,…is to have our other goalies play. There is a significant drop off in our goaltending between #s 1 & 2. Tell me again how many 1 goal games we have lost in the last 6 weeks.

Glad to have you back Kari.

What do the bloggers think of the AK-kid? Seems like Joey is getting lots of chances, willing to play rough, and giving 110%. Another goal tonight.

Also, kudos to Oystrick. He has been a pleasant surprise. Perhaps the only one so far.

Looking forward to Monday’s game. It is a very winnable one.

By Mike Knobler

December 21, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this

HookyBob Got to agree with you on Crabb, who has been all hustle all the time since he got here. Oystrick, too, has really taken advantage of his opportunity.

Lehtonen can clearly be a difference-maker, and the Thrashers need him to be one. (Boy, did they ever in the third period tonight. The 24 shots were the most the Thrashers have allowed in a period. Old record: 23 by Tampa Bay in the first period of a January 2004 game.)

By stendec

December 21, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this

Hey, I said the goalie did his job! You folks want me to pin a damn medal on him for earning a small part of his salary? The Toiletlids defeated the worst team in the league by a goal on **HOME ICE! Better put those Stanley Cup parade plans on hold for now! Merry Christmas! Nighty night all. GO FALCONS! Thanks Ravens.

By Nikita

December 21, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

The refs tried hard to win that game for the Bolts. But the Thrash held up fairly well regardless.

And HookyBob, don’t say that too loud or someone will mock you. You’re not allowed to recognize any kind of good play in a losing game, even when the loss is directly attributable to a single player.

By Alan

December 21, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Tony - That’s not what you said, though. You stated that Kovalchuk doesn’t want to return. Do we know this as a fact? Not at all.