Thrashers

By Matt

January 7, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this

Mike:

Don’t see any pride in this bunch. Oh sure, they may talk about effort and how if they played for a full 60 minutes how they could be better. But that’s all it is… talk. After 41 games that talk should have been turned into action.

By the way, if there was a band, it would be playing “Nearer my God to Thee” (For those not up on your history, that’s what the band played when the Titanic went down!!)

Truly, truly sad to see professional hockey in this town in such dire straits.

By sisu

January 7, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this

I think it is time to cut ties to some guys on the roster, just waive one or more of them. Pride is a funny thing, you think getting paid big bucks to play a game the players would do that automatically. Mike, any news on a Captain for this team? I think that is the biggest mistake Anderson has done this season by not naming one. If he was not sure then he should have adopted the Minnesota model of a Captain for month.

Kovy should be busting his a* but I think he has lost hope some time ago…will he be back? only time will tell.

By Sage of Bluesland

January 7, 2009 6:55 PM | Link to this

Another real question I have is what did you, Mike Knobler, possibly do to upset the AJC management to have you assigned to the “Siberia” of the Atlanta sports world. I can’t imagine a worse assignment.

I’d love to look back at some of the predictions made by folks during the offseason…I wonder if cold, stark reality has struck them yet. I recall talk of playoffs and such—I know, it’s hilarious isn’t it?!

Maybe a spreadsheet or two needs to be prepared to show that we really are AHEAD of the growth process and that we’re weally, weally a good team…Weally…

The opponent plays to our wretched level—and results in a few wins here and there. If we got the “A” game of anyone, we’d have significantly fewer wins, no doubt.

FIRE DON WADDELL. KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE OWNERSHIP TO DECLARE WHAT THEIR INTENTIONS AND PLAN IS…INCLUDING MILESTONES AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

Otherwise, you’re wasting your money…unless you’re a fan of the visiting opponent.

This has become a dismal and sad joke of a franchise. Don Waddell’s stench is the worst of all, too…

By Brendan

January 7, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this

Okay, I want to apologize in ADVANCE for this. But this might illustrate the example. And remember, I apologized for this ahead of time.

Imagine your supervisor came to you with a task. And the task was … to dig a ditch. You, being a good employee, grab the shovel and start scooping earth, at a respectable pace. You ask, “Say Boss, how BIG we gonna make this hole?” He says, “Much bigger. Wider, too. Keep digging.” After awhile, you begin to fatigue some. But not enough to wear you out. You ask, “What are we gonna do with this hole, anyways, boss?” The Supervisor says, “Actually, it’s not a hole. It’s a grave.” “Cool,” you mutter. “Who’s going in it?” Your supervisor pulls out a gun, cocks it, points it at you, then says, “You, right after you finish digging it.”

Let me ask you, “How energized would you be to complete the task?” And, as a follow up question, “Wouldn’t you be DEMORALIZED?”

Bad example? Probably. But isn’t this almost apt for what is happening with the Thrashers? Who’s getting contracts next season? Ooooh.

(Pregnant pause)

Who said, “Perrin?” Hmmn. Yeah, maybe not. They could have offered that to him last year. Other teams just may ask about Perrin at the trade deadline. “Havelid?,” someone said. Who’s betting on Havelid getting renewed? Get those hands up high, high in the air. “Jason Williams?” I don’t think Jason Williams would take the contract if Waddell offered it to him right now. “Marty Reasoner?” Marty just may be hoping he’s the sweetener in the trade deadline deals. “Eric Boulton?” Look, I can’t rightly tell you Boulton won’t get a contract; he just might. Waddell seems to like this guy. And Boulton would take the contract. Neither Waddell nor Boulton are overly worried about what will surely be a league minimum deal, if either or both parties still seek it. “Colby Armstrong?” Look, Colby’s got potential. But does he really want to stay in Atlanta? Or is he hoping for an RFA offersheet? Or better still, to have some other team show interest in him at the Trade Deadline, as former Captain Ray Ferraro stated during a somewhat recent telecast. “Eric Christensen?” Sure, he’s an RFA. And he’s probably doing the BEST he can. You’ve been seeing it all season. He’s limited. His value is in the shootout. He’s not getting away, unless Don trades him. Christensen will probably sign a 1-year deal. I don’t think there’s an RFA offersheet headed his way. “Matthieu Schneider?” Forget it. Not for all the tea in China will Matthieu Schneider re-sign here, of his own volition. He’s going to be dealt at the trade deadline for as much as WHOMEVER is GM can get for him. “Exelby?” Look. DW is not going to be PROACTIVE with Exelby, locking him up a YEAR AHEAD of schedule. Not … gonna … happen. Consequences for his poor play?? The USUAL: Absolutely nothing. There are no consequences for BAD PLAY, or being a BAD GM. Not in Atlanta. Next?

“What about Slava? He’s eligible to be PROACTIVELY re-signed?” Uhhh. Let’s just move on. I don’t want to START that topic. Hey, you forgot KOVY!!

No, I didn’t. We’ve beat that to death, a thousand times. DW will offer the moon and stars on July 1. If he can’t get an indication from Kovy’s camp about whether Kovalchuk will re-sign on July 1, by the morning of the June Draft, he could be moved right then, right there. I’d love for him to re-sign, but the MUCH LARGER POINT is … Kovy doesn’t have to score another goal this season to get something close to the LEAGUE MAX out of the Thrashers, as an offer. Think about it.

Think HARDER.

By Mike Knobler

January 7, 2009 8:15 PM | Link to this

Brendan I wrote that those guys are playing for contracts, not necessarily Thrashers contracts. Also, Boulton already is under contract for next season.

As for the digging your own grave analogy, I don’t think it fits, in that doing your job better now won’t lead to the bad consequences happening to you faster.

By fatboy jr

January 7, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this

sisu well i think we a captain too but its not anderson hoo needs to step up its the players

oh yeah and i think kovy will step up next year cuz we espo comin and possibly teveras so he prob will go to the next level and regain hope

By Sage of Bluesland

January 7, 2009 8:41 PM | Link to this

Show the stars…Cue the music…Up ahead lies a signpost…Imagine a world…brought to you by Brendan Serling…(Sorry, Brendan, but for some reason your story had me thinking of what might make a good episode of that classic show)

I wonder if Mike Knobler will ever answer ‘my’ question—or ask any tough ones of the decade-duration GM who doesn’t know what the word ‘accountability’ means…

Yes, if we see either of them, you truly have entered The Twilight Zone…Imagine if, instead of that blustering buffoon Don Waddell, franchise leadership selected a GM with the proverbial ‘Midas’ touch…

Instead, we got the reverse-version, one whose touch turns everything to…to…well, you know what…

By Gina Fingerhut

January 7, 2009 8:42 PM | Link to this

Face it. This is a sad, sorry franchise that ain’t gonna get any better, and there isn’t the kind of support in this town to see this franchise through the bad times (read: Chicago and Boston, each of which who have suffered poor ownership and management).

Just like the players are playing out their string until the end of the season, ownership is doing the same thing. Going through the same motions until they can sell the team to Kansas City. Or wherever.

And the really sad thing is that after ASC dumps this franchise, they’ll probably still have made money off of it - just in appreciation. So they end up ahead, and the hearts of many Atlanta hockey fans’ll be broken. Again.

By Alan

January 7, 2009 9:08 PM | Link to this

and there isn’t the kind of support in this town to see this franchise through the bad times (read: Chicago and Boston, each of which who have suffered poor ownership and management).

There were some games where Chicago only managed to drag in 9,000 people using the same fuzzy attendance counting methods the rest of the NHL does. They didn’t support a crappy team, either.

Way back in the day, I remember my father talking about Red Wings attendance, and how they couldn’t even half-fill the lower bowl in some games. Boy, did they stink. They didn’t support a crappy team, either.

Atlanta fans aren’t unique in the fact they won’t support a crappy product. You’ll find that sort of attitude league-wide. If the Wings ever start to stink as bad as they once did again, you’ll see the fans react there just like you have here.

Most of us here love the Thrashers, but we also dislike the crappy product. Most of all, we dislike the general manager that tossed together this crappy product, which apparently had absolutely no quality control applied towards it while it was being assembled.

There are definitely good pieces to the product, as well as pieces that have the potential to one day be good pieces… but we’re also stuck with some pretty awful pieces. Pieces whose quality is questioned.

That doesn’t make those who are staying away bad fans; rather, it makes them dissatisfied fans who aren’t going to put up with it any longer. This also doesn’t mean those of us attending aren’t dissatisfied, it just means we’re not paying full price to see a product that isn’t worth the full cost of admission.

This is the stance that was taken in Chicago, in Detroit, and - most recently - in Washington. Washington turned it around, and they pack the people in now. It wasn’t like that before.

By Brendan

January 7, 2009 9:44 PM | Link to this

Well, the employee isn’t going to shovel any faster, either. He’s probably just going to quit. Pretend the shovel is a hockey stick (TM, J.P. Dellacamera & Darren Eliot, Fox Sports South, all rights reserved), and the employee is wearing a Thrashers jersey, and the BAD analogy becomes slightly more apt.

Slightly.

(Bear in mind, I did apologize and admit it was a bad analogy.)

OMG, Don Waddell gave Eric Boulton a 2-year deal! Awesome.

By Tony C.

January 7, 2009 10:47 PM | Link to this

Tell ya what, Boulton is one of the few guys on this team that goes into the corner and isn’t afraid to take the hit to make the play (and can still make the play afterwards).

When’s the last time we saw Perrin do that? I like the guy, but like too many other guys on this squad, the effort is hit-or-miss at best

oh yeah,

FIRE WADDELL

By Brett

January 8, 2009 7:40 AM | Link to this

Fire Waddell

By Jarndyce

January 8, 2009 7:41 AM | Link to this

Perrin, simply, is done. Don’t forget that he’s 33 years old, and a 33-year-old is already a couple of years removed from the beginning of the end. Add to that the fact that this is only his third year in the league, and you have a marginal player at the tail end of his ability to add to value to any lineup.

By h

January 8, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this

I think Perrin is almost done as well….he is playing for a contract, and he may not get a very good one. Boulton is by far the least talented player on this team. It used to be Larsen, but now it is Boulton. I am shocked that Williams has been so brutal. The bad thing is that he will get just enough points this year to earn himself a better contract elsewhere….to me if you can get anything for Williams and Perrin, you take it. Same for Schneider, unless behind the scenes he is really helping develop our young defensemen, then maybe you think twice. Right now, Boris “the brutal”, Oystrick and Bogo need all of the help they can get. Hainsey is a great offensive player, but if you can’t pair him with a good stay at home d-man he will end of giving up more than he gets…..id this season over yet?

By Toby

January 8, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this

Change isn’t coming until the courts settle the ownership dispute which probably isn’t coming for some time.

By Nikita

January 8, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

I don’t think Perrin is done. I think something is wrong with him (I suspect it’s both physical and mental), and I would bet he’s done here.

His last few games have been fairly good, and he was hustling his a* off at the beginning. So we’ll see.

Williams, though…I think he’s talented. I just don’t think he’s a great fit here.

I hope we trade Ex and Erik Christensen. I doubt we’ll trade Schneider — it’s not worth trading someone off the waiver wire. But I assume he’ll go to free agency. I think Chris Thorburn and Jimmy Slater should hope they get traded — their chances of development anywhere but here are better.

By Hotrod

January 8, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this

I agree with Toby. This thing is stuck in the mud up to its axels.

By Jarndyce

January 8, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this

Nikita: Don’t think that because Schneider passed through waivers that he has no trade value. Remember, the Thrashers passed on him, too. Not because they didn’t want him, but because they didn’t want his $4M price tag without an offset in salary obligations.

If you move Schneider now, the other team takes only a $2M hit to their cap number. There are teams that would likely be interested and more able to absorb the salary at less that half the season than they were at the beginning.

As for Perrin, he has the heart, no question. He just doesn’t have the skills or the legs.

By Nikita

January 8, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

I don’t agree on Perrin — he had both the skill and the legs last year. This year he has some sort of issue. I suspect he’s both not happy and possibly injured.

But Schneider…I don’t see any reason to move him unless it’s to give the kids more room. But then he can’t mentor Bogosian. Who really needs mentoring. And isn’t gonna get it from Hainsey.

The problem, as far as I can tell, is that the people you’d most want to trade (just about anyone over 30, for starters) is also someone you need for stability and/or to keep the team from being incapable of winning anything. (Nic Havelid is a good example — he needs to be traded to a more appropriate team for his own good as well as ours — but we need his dependability on the blueline right now.) Anyone who is younger and steady you obviously need for the future. So that leaves very few obvious trades.

But I would like to see the team do the following — I think if they want to “win” they’ll do this now, and if not they’ll do it for ‘09-10:

1. Invest in at least one $2-5 million, mid-20s, well-developed center. Spend as much as it takes.
2. Trade/let expire everyone over 30 and the following: Erik Christensen, Garnet Exelby, Jim Slater, Chris Thorburn.

By lin

January 8, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this

DON MUST GO….DON MUST GO…DON MUST GO THIS MUST BE THE CHANT AT EVERY GAME

By Scott13

January 8, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

First post for me, but longer time reader.

Someone commented on lack of support for Thrashers during down times. While I have only been to a couple of games in person, I have watched Thrashers on TV a lot since they were formed and consider myself a fan.

But I just can’t seem to watch full games with the Thrashers now. While I don’t like the losing, I can at least stomach it when the team is competing.

Unfortunately to me it seems the Thrashers are just not willing to compete this year. They shy away from physical play, they let other teams run over them and take shots at teammates with little or no retailiation, and they look lost much of the time. Frankly I lose interest as the games seem to drag along.

But worse for me is this team does not fight back. I would be OK with the losing if they would just fight back once in a while. I guess they are trying, but just don’t see the evidence.

As a result, I watch far less hockey now. Hardly watch a Thrashers game anymore and have really lost zest for other games. But when I do watch other teams I see players that immediately respond to shots taken at their teammates, that hammer opponents into the wall and fight hard for pucks. Not even talking about skill or winning, but effort and desire.

I cannot remember any Thrashers teams that has been more disappointing to me, even the first couple of years. Yeah, they lost but at least they fought back. Maybe it is the lack of physical players and size/toughness—but I really miss a team that even when losing I could enjoy watching.

I think it is time to get rid of some of thie players that Thrasher players keep talking about not putting out the correct effort. While in the few games I have watched I could guess at a few, no doubt it is obvious to teammates and coaches who they are. If they cannot be cut or sent to the minors, at least make them inactive (no matter who) until they can be traded later this year. This is far worse than the malaise I felt many showed during the Hossa lame duck period.

So maybe they are not big enough or tough enough, but a least get out there and go down fighting. Aren’t some of those guys fed up? Show it, be scrappy even if you get whipped. Slam guys hard, make them hate to see you coming, or sit on the bench.

By Sammy

January 8, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

A new promotion has been announced at Blueland. The 1st (20) people at the game will get the opportunity to play in that night’s NHL game. Too bad that the Thrashers will only be able to dress (17) players for the game.

Fire Waddell

By I.C. Wiener

January 8, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this

FIRE WREN!!!

By Sammy

January 8, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this

To Scott13

I have been an avid Thrashers fan since the beginning. I supported the 5 year, 7 year and even the 10 year plan. I lost my interest this year once Don Waddell was not let go. I will not spend another dime on the Thrashers until Don Waddell is not with the team. My lost of interest is not with the players or coach but with a GM that has no accountability with himself. He reminds me of Matt Millen except that Don Waddell has been given more time than Matt Millen. Even if the team starts winning I will not support as long as Don Waddell is associated with the Thrashers.

By Nikita

January 8, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this

re: physical play, I really do think we have primarily a morale issue. But the last few games (Pittsburgh aside — it looked o.k., but not great) the team has been unbearably soft.

By player:

Marty Reasoner, Slava Kozlov, Bryan Little, Nathan Oystrick, Cakes, Army, Boults and Slates have been pretty tough and consistent. Eric Perrin, in good phases, also lays down some hurt for a little guy. Kovalchuk can play hard, but often doesn’t.

Todd White, Jason Williams, and Erik Christensen are relatively non-physical players, which would be fine if they consistently played smart and were matched with other players who could bring a more physical element to their play. Only White does. Ron Hainsey can also go soft, though I’m generally happy with his play. And both of the Swedes can get overwhelmed.

I tend to think the big bodies (Valabik, Thorburn) are, well, in need of further development. Thorburn stated that he was trying to play a less physical game and avoid unnecessary penalties per the coach’s directions — what that also means is that he’s still playing the body, but with some restraint. Valabik is inconsistent and his positioning needs more work. He’s also too tepid occasionally. Schneider is also trying to hone his game.

By LAC

January 8, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this

But Sage, you have to remember that Mike Kobler is an ajc/asg tool.

He is flatout afraid to ask waddell if he plans on resigning, he will not touch that question at all. He is one person who IS afraid of don waddell.

We all ask that EVERY day, but Mr.Kobler will not step up to the plate and do his job for the fans of the Atlanta Thrashers.

He will not even acknowledge me when I ask. I call that letting the fans down !

We want the question asked, we want an answer, what is Mr.Kobler afraid of ? Will he lose his job ? Will don waddell neve speak to him again ? That would be nice, So Sage we will be left wondering once again, as we have ALL season, Why won’t Mr.Kobler stand up for the Thrasher Fans who DEMAND answers to the questions WE ask ?

So Mr.Kobler, I expect you to hide once again and not ask the question like you have all season long… So Sage, simply put he is a ajc/asg TOOL, who cares not for the fan one bit !

It’s NOT that tough Mr.Kobler, not tough at all !

By Sara

January 8, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

*It’s NOT that tough Mr.Kobler, not tough at all ! *

Probably no harder than spelling his name correctly even one time in the 6 you typed it in your above diatribe.

So you’re having a hissy fit over how badly a hockey team is playing and the continued employment of the GM you don’t like, and taking it out on a beat reporter and he’s a tool?

By Bob

January 8, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this

My No. 1 answer would be player development, primarily among the defensemen

Yep, as I’ve been saying since last summer, the only point of this Build Year is to develop some guys, lose some games and get us into position to get Tavares. My keys for this year have been to see if Little can develop into a regular NHLer (big yes here), see if Enstrom can continue to develop (oops), get Bogosian a year of experience and watch him grow (on hold, but he’ll be back soon) and see if Kari can be a #1 goalie (oops).

So, take that tact with it, root for the guys but understand that each loss takes us one step closer to the ultimate prize of this build year, Tavares.

By Ryan C

January 8, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure that Mr. Knobler attacking the current regime would help him get information for us either. I don’t think it’s his job to attack the management of the Thrashers for unhappy fans.

It wouldn’t make for much of a story to sign in and get his take on the games played, without the insight he gets from the team and management, of which I’m sure he would not have access to, if he decided to start upsetting the balance of things. I for one think Knobler does care and would love to get the take on things, however he’s a hometown reporter, not an ESPN analyst who can afford to upset the team or it’s management.

LAC, why don’t you buy a $200 ticket to Casino night and see how many people you can attack and upset before you are removed? This way you are supporting a charity, not so much the Thrashers and you can make yourself heard.

By BlueSpark

January 8, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this

Any of you who think firing Waddell will make a bit of difference with the current owners are fools. No GM worth his salt would take this job.

By Brett

January 8, 2009 3:52 PM | Link to this

Perrin and Dupius made a great tandem last year. Dupius’ speed made up for Perrin’s lack of speed. Perrin has better hands and finishes better than Dupius. These two together had great chemistry and covered each others weaknesses. This year Perrin has had to rely on his ability alone and his weaknesses have been glaringly obvious.

By Jarndyce

January 8, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this

Knobler’s job is to get as much information on the team as possible, and relay that information to the public in a coherent and intelligent manner. His best weapon in that job—outside of his writing skill and smarts—is having access to the players and team.

I can write with skill and smarts about games and what I see at practice. If Knobler starts antagonizing the GM and staff, he and I will be on relatively equal footing in our abilities to report on the team (not skills, mind you; he is a pro, after all).

And we’ll get paid the same for it, too.

By Old Time Hockey

January 8, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

You can play a little soft if you have the talent to skate and make plays. If you are a marginally talented team like our Thrashers, you have to go back to basics. Be in the right position, finish off plays, work hard. Watch the game tonight and tell me how many times you see a Thrasher have a guy lined up for a hit and he’ll just peel off and avoid contact. The point of body checking is not to hurt or injure the opponent, but to alter their timing and make them rush and hopefully make a mistake. Any size player is capable of putting a body on any other player. They don’t have to be bigger or stronger. Most times a bump is all that’s needed.

What does the video coach do for this team? Do they show the players film of themselves, or is it just used by the coaches? It would seem to me that if they show individual players particular plays during the game and say “what could you have done differently here?”, that they would correct some of these problems.

This is far from the least talented Thrasher’s team, but definitely have put together some of the worst efforts we have seen in years.

By Brendan

January 8, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this

I’d bet that the firing of Waddell would send the message that the players really want to hear. Namely, that some CARE and ACCOUNTING start to take place. Their play on the ice will almost certainly improve, as a jolt of INSPIRATION is infused into the lockerroom. Right now, the hockey organization is set adrift, floating on the current. Aimlessly. All the players really want … are some OARS and a destination. They’d like feel some sense of PURPOSE.

I don’t think they’re (the players) asking for “too much.”

By B. Thenet

January 8, 2009 5:42 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers org, especially DW, have no love for the AJC.

Since they started holding the management and ownership accountable, which I think has been done quite well over the past couple of years, it seems to me that the Thrashers org goes out of its way to leak or report trades and other transactions to other media outlets before the AJC.

It is funny the same people that would attack Craig are attacking Mike, might be a good sign for Mike as TSN sure liked what they saw out of CC.

By lin

January 8, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this

Blue spark

Do your homework. You have no idea what you are writing about and you know what I mean

By stendec

January 8, 2009 9:57 PM | Link to this

Is that score correct Mike? WOW! The 4-0 score is not a surprise. The team which wound up with the four goals is. Kari Lehtonen did not allow a puck to get past him for 60 minutes? The usually impotent offense slammed home four shots? The defense was sharp for one game? Sorry that Florida-Oklahoma matchup had my complete attention. Will catch most of replay later on. This is one replay of Thrashers I will not mind viewing! Hope this was not one of those once a season efforts. Oh well. Kudos all around. Very nice job. Is another streak too much to expect? Now if only Florida can knock off those damn Yankee bestards! Good night everyone.

By What The Puck

January 8, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this

stendec

Oklahoma = Yankees?

Go look at a map you senile moron.

By Natalie Taylor

January 8, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this

Tonights Keys to the Game

First, stendec doesn’t watch the game.

Second, the Thrashers score more goals than the other team.

By jason

January 8, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this

I know you’re not the real Natalie Taylor - she never actually gives keys to the game.

By Mike Knobler

January 8, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this

Mr. stendec must have been looking over my shoulder when I wrote my game story.

By MB

January 9, 2009 12:47 AM | Link to this

I was about to join in on the making fun of Natalie Taylor, but then I remembered that Erin Andrews started out the same way…pretty cute girl who doesn’t know jack…and realized that Erin already has, and Natalie may soon have, every guy’s dream job most likely making more than we’ll ever earn.

By bulldog52

January 9, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

re bogosian. he is not ready for the nhl have seen him play 2 games in the wolves lineup he looks lost. unsure of himself cnnot control puck at the point. needs a lot more time in chicago before he can contribute with the thrashers.

By Nikita

January 9, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

I agree on Bogosian. He needs more work. Unfortunately, with his contract as it is, I think we can only send him to Chicago for two weeks — other than that it’s the Thrashers or juniors.