Thrashers

By Brendan

January 9, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this

New York can be pretty cool, when you know you don’t have to live there. And pay their property taxes. Sadly, you won’t evade that Sales Tax. :)

By Brendan

January 9, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this

Isn’t it AWESOME that Don Waddell signed Eric Boulton to a two-year deal, during the offseason? Think he’ll be PROACTIVE with Boulton, and “lock ‘im up” AHEAD of schedule this summer?

Right about now, I’m remembering Pat Quinn’s comments after a Toronto-Atlanta game that featured much thuggery: “Nobody wants to see him (Boulton) play anyway.” Quinn was upset about a hit Boulton made on one of his players. And Quinn was implying that Boulton was a minor league “thug” masquerading as an NHL player. I had almost forgotten about that.

By john10

January 9, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this

Mike

Will Boulton’s broken nose keep him from fighting?

By Tony C.

January 9, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this

Knobes-what’s the word on Hoffman? Do they not bring him up because they want him to get ice-time? Or, is there something the staff sees some things he [Hoffman] will need to improve before he skates @ The Flatscreen?

By Krust

January 9, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this

Mike, wow man you shook the brain. Last home game of the Atlanta Flames 72-73 season a 4 to4 tie with the New York Islanders. (I am almost certain of this)I was at that game and I was 7 years old. My first ever live hockey game in person. The first time I heard the puck strike a stick I was hooked. The crack of the puck against a hockey stick I will never forget it and so the love of Ice Hockey Started, I had to play the game and I could not stop watching as many games as I could. I attended 14 games in 73-74 plus playoffs. From there on 40 games a year with my old man until the death of the Atlanta Flame in 1980. Oh bye the way Fire Waddell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and hire Cliff Fletcher!

By Jameson

January 9, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this

Brendan- What if Waddell knows he’s on his way out. Maybe he’ll leave us with a nice joke, and sign Boulton to a 5 year $20mil contract.

By Sara

January 9, 2009 10:35 PM | Link to this

Brendan Boulton’s contract is also for a whopping $600K per year. At that price, who cares if he’s signed for one year, two years, or ten years? Contracts like his are easy to make disappear if necessary, even in the cap era. Besides, if you compare Boults to other guys in the top 20 in PIMs that have similar average ice time (in other words, the fourth line enforcers) his 7 points on the season are better than the other 8 comparable players (Orr, Stortini, Boll, McLeod, Asham, Thornton, Barch, Hordichuk) other than McLeod, who also has 7 (though his are all goals, which is impressive). He also has a better +/- than most of his counterparts - Hordi’s +3, and McLeod and Asham’s even ratings are the only one’s better than Boult’s -1 (a stat shared by Thornton and Stortini). Yeah, Boults could stand to be a bit more intimidating, but we’re getting bang for the buck with this guy, figuratively and literally. ;)

And Mr. Quinn shouldn’t be one to talk considering Domi and Tucker were on his TO rosters for much of his tenure there.

By Brendan

January 9, 2009 10:59 PM | Link to this

Sara, I was cracking a joke about Boulton’s contract. But it is interesting to look at “league-minimum” type contracts (Boulton’s is slightly above that,) and seeing who is performing well in that pay range. But you’re right, Quinn’s comments were “the pot calling the kettle ‘black.’ How many times did Quinn send Tie Domi out there to take a faceoff in a 5-2 game, with 19 seconds left? Answer: More than any coach should have.

By Bob

January 9, 2009 11:06 PM | Link to this

I don’t want Quinn, I know he’s better than Donnie (ranallo’s girlie is better than Donnie), but we can do better than Quinn.

By Brendan

January 9, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this

Jameson, I don’t think this ownership group has ANY INTENTIONS, WHATSOEVER, of getting rid of this GM. He’s doing what they WANT him to do. And the probability of them finding another GM willing to “execute their plan” is very remote. Most GM’s pride themselves on getting results and establishing a fine reputation. And if these GM’s happen to enjoy longevity at their posts, they know they’re not just collecting a paycheck.

Come the June Draft, when the “GM Fraternity” gathers on the rink floor to discuss swapping draft positions and possibly players for picks, their jaws will DROP whenever it is the Waddell arrives on the scene. They’ll turn to each other, in STUNNED DISBELIEF, “Well LOOKY who just walked in. The man with so many lives, cats are envious.”

“Hi Don,” they’ll say. “What are YOU doing here?” “Executing our ownership’s game plan,” Waddell will respond, with a sigh. Kiddingly, another GM will say, “Ya know, Don. Some of us actually have to earn our keep.” Still another GM will tease, “Yeah, Don, some of us ACTUALLY have to get RESULTS.” Waddell will extend his hand, laughing, with this response, “You need to find BETTER OWNERSHIP, then! I offer an offseason seminar on how to HOODWINK your employer.” All the GM’s share a fine chuckle. “So, we’re lookin’ to shop the 1st overall pick,” he’ll say, KIDDINGLY, to evoke a reaction, after having been “hazed” so mightily by his colleagues. Even Waddell knows that he’s not allowed to shop that pick without getting fired. Waddell might, however, be authorized/instructed to move Kovalchuk on the morning of that draft.

By Brendan

January 9, 2009 11:37 PM | Link to this

I’m not enthusiastic about Quinn, either, Bob. Then again, I don’t think this ownership has any thoughts of replacing Waddell, the “perfect guy” for their plan. (Good luck on them finding another “patsy,” if they try to replace him.) Tampa Bay is leading Anaheim, 2-1. San Jose is putting the finishing touches on Edmonton, 4-1, halfway through the 3rd period. San Jose is a fine club. I’m going with them all the way this year, even over Detroit. There was a nice piece on Devin Setoguchi, during the 2nd period intermission. Apparently, he enjoys playing badminton to keep in shape. He’s quite an avid player. In this Summer’s Beijing Games, it was the first I’d seen of badminton in YEARS. There was a huge upset in the gold medal doubles match. But I digress. Devin Setoguchi is who was selected 8th overall in 2005.

Why is that relevant? Well, Atlanta was supposed to select 8th overall in 2005. Instead, they traded that pick to San Jose. Atlanta agreed to move back to 12th position. Setoguch was selected 8th, Brian Lee was selected 9th, the late Luc Bourdon was selected 10th, Anze Kopitar was selected 11th, and Marc Staal was selected 12th overall, by Atlanta.

Just kidding. Just kidding about that Staal pick. Of course, Atlanta REFUSED to select 12th overall, opting to trade with the New York Rangers to move back to position #16, where Atlanta finally selected Alex Bourret. Ironically, the Rangers wound up getting Bourret ANYWAY. At the 2007 trade deadline, the Rangers sent Pascal Dupuis and their 3rd round pick to Atlanta in exchange for Bourret.

It’s now, 3-3, between Anaheim and Tampa Bay. The Ducks scored two late goals just before the period ended, while the Bolts had some serious “brain freeze.” The Lightning led, 3-1.

By Sage of Bluesland

January 9, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget, Brendan, our bumbling idiot of a GM blustered about the Bourret pick:

“We got the player we wanted all along!”

How sad and pathetic.

When will the sheep grow up and stop subsidizing the incompetence?

By Brendan

January 10, 2009 12:35 AM | Link to this

Sage, when the fans realize that Waddell is being left in charge, DELIBERATELY to fail, fans will stop buying tickets. Either (A) Waddell actually knows what he’s doing, and is marching “in lock step” with the ownership’s plan (to sell the team for a PREMIUM on the OPEN MARKET once it is chock full of lottery draft pick selections,) or (B) Waddell is a very limited GM, without any sort of support, who is retained as GM BECAUUUSE he is FORREST GUMP. Or “Jar-Jar Binks.” It’s because he’s inept.

In the “B” scenario, Waddell just feels “unlucky.” In the “B” scenario, Waddell ACTUALLY BELIEVES that his moves/decisions will work. And when they fail, the ownership willingly projects an incompetent visage, in lieu of the fans DISCOVERING what the ‘real’ plan is. In the “A” scenario, both the GM and ownership DON’T CARE about the product, or how fans feel about the product. They are all about the PROCESS of their “plan” being implemented. In the “A” scenario, Waddell is a willing accomplice in retaining another 2-3 years worth of pay, until the team is sold, with the appeals process of the lawsuit finally being exhausted in 2011.

Aren’t these GREAT scenarios? (Shaking my head, disgustedly.) Tampa Bay just defeated Anaheim, 4-3. Every Lightning point helps the ping-pong balls bounce in the Thrashers direction. If Atlanta wins the lottery draft, scenarios “A” and “B” worked for the ownership—and their plan.

By Jameson

January 10, 2009 12:35 AM | Link to this

Brendan- You’re right, I guess, for the sake of my joke, I should’ve left out the part about him realizing he was out, but even joking, it’s hard to imagine anyone offering that contract unless they knew they were out.

I just hope the Thrashers don’t turn it on here at the end, and manage to make my points prediction. I’d hate to miss out on Tavares. Can you imagine Thrashers team icing a top two lines of: Kovy-Tavares-Espo Kozy-White-Little?

By Brendan

January 10, 2009 12:44 AM | Link to this

Former Beatle John Lennon once sang, “It’s easy, if you try,” vis-a-vis one’s ability to Imagine.

By Brendan

January 10, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is down, 3-1, after the 1st period. Kari gave up a penalty shot goal. Un-good. Those two (2) late goals, didn’t help any. It’s not like the Thrashers played a HORRIBLE period. But I think Kari is struggling. Rich Peverly was claimed off waivers by Atlanta. He’s a Center.

This isn’t exactly a season altering move.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 10, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

Bob — Funny, the Future Mrs. 10 (in AT) liked that one.

Don’t forget, Brendan, our bumbling idiot of a GM blustered about the Bourret pick: “We got the player we wanted all along!”

Sage — I would also say that’s also an indictment on the scouting staff present at the time. By the way, that was Dan Marr, who’s been part of this team since it’s inception.

Every GM hires scouts, those scouts are paid to weed out the legit players from the potentially crappy ones, and ultimately advise the GM on who would be the best selection. If you’ve seen a War Room in action, there are often sheets of names and the people at the table go around giving a verbal thumbs up or down based on where they rated the player in question in comparison to where the team is picking at the time.

It’s completely possible every scout in that room decided that Bourret’s skill sets better fit the needs of the team, and that the other players were merely points above him in the scheme of things. Waddell trusts these guys for such opinions, which is why he could honestly say it was the player they wanted all along (if he was ranked 8 on their big board, getting him at 16 is a steal).

The point is that Marr and his cohorts have been nothing but average (at best) during their entire tenure with the Thrashers. This irks me because it’s been apparent, in hindsight, by viewing the (mis)development of talents such as Bourret, or any plethora of names you want to choose from their draft history, and seeing the development of the players drafted before and/or after them.

Why it bothers me is because those picks, or the responsibility of picking those players, is the GMs. He hires the scouts, and entrusts them with the duty of finding the best player for their future plan. Marr and C.o don’t tend to find the best players compared to the competition (again, average at best, complete misses at times, and some lucky diamonds in the rough).

One of my complaints about Waddell (and it’s been like this for a while, if you actually remember) is that there has been no improvement or “accountability” on the scouting staff. Marr, as the head of that staff, is the person who gets the brunt of my blame.

Average drafting/scouting is not good enough for me, as I’m a person who believes in drafting and developing your own talent. In my opinion Marr and Co. are average (I’m being very lenient right now), and Waddell has not stepped forward and enabled his scouts to be better than average.

Sorry for the long windedness, I thought it was fitting.

By Hockeyfan

January 10, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

Mike maybe Kari is right about not liking some of the penalties taken but maybe the other players might not like Kari letting soft goals like say the 3rd and 5th today in Florida. Just saying…

By Mike Knobler

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

Brendan It’s going to be interesting to see what the Thrashers do with Peverley. He’s a scoring line center, or at least that’s the way the Thrashers see him. With Christensen and Williams not working out the way the Thrashers had hoped, Peverley could wind up skating with Kovalchuk.

Season-changing? It’s kind of late to change this season without adding the next Gretzky or Messier. Peverley certainly isn’t that. But he’ll give me something new to write about and you something new to watch, and, perhaps, the Thrashers will get marginally better.

By B. Thenet

January 10, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this

The difference between Eric Boulton and Kari Lehtonen, is that Eric Boulton is not going to throw Lehtonen under the bus for actually costing us a game….while Lehtonen threw Boulton under the bus in a winning cause.

I find it very hard to believe that Anderson did the following:

1. Did not call a Time Out at any point during the 4 goal onslaught in the 3rd period.

2. Kept Lehtonen in the game as long as he did.

By Lew318

January 10, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this

WHAT A TERRIBLE TEAM EFFORT IN THE THIRD PERIOD OF TODAY’S GAME AGAINST FLA.

JUST WHEN YOU THINK IT CAN’T GET WORSE THIS TEAM FINDS A WAY TO PROVE YOU WRONG!!!

How can the players accept a paycheck for their effort? God for the fans, the season ticket holders it’s absolutely terrible.

By B. Thenet

January 10, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this

BTW, we have a group of forwards that cannot, or will not, play a lick of team defense….so DW decides to pick up an offensively oriented forward via waivers.

Does this team have problems scoring goals right now?

DW is a nice guy, who has for the most part treated the fans with respect dealing with them face to face…..but I just do not understand what goes on in his head.

By Natalie Taylor

January 10, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this

Tonights Keys to the Game

Starting Moose at goalie.

Letting Lehtonen work off last night’s alcohol consumption on an exercise bike.

Scoring more goals that the Panthers.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 10, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this

The difference between Eric Boulton and Kari Lehtonen, is that Eric Boulton is not going to throw Lehtonen under the bus for actually costing us a game

Not publicly, at least.

However, I wouldn’t say Lehtonen was throwing Boulton under the bus. He was voicing a complaint about getting a 4-minute penalty in the waning minutes of a game your team is leading.

I don’t fault Boulton for going after Rupp (dirty punch/elbow in the first fight broke the mans nose), but as Anderson said and Lehtonen alluded to, that wasn’t the way of going about paying him back.

Knobler — I agree with your take on the Peverley claim. I wish Jokinen would’ve been claimed a while back, and Peverley is completely underwhelming (seriously, has anyone heard of him before?), but I see it as a move that is marking an imminent trade of a forward. Williams makes the most sense based on his comment towards the quietness of the team, his underwhelming play, and his contract status.

I could see Williams dealt to Columbus in a minor deal.

By Russian

January 10, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this

Shnieder, Williams, Throuburn, Kari and Crusher (may be) have to trade ASAP. They are played use HORRIBLE. Defenitely, Don Waddell HAS to FIRE ASAP.

By Brendan

January 10, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this

Mike Knobler is 100% correct. The time to salvage the season has come and gone. It was around Thanksgiving. By now, the course is set. And Knobler is right, Peverly gives us something new to talk about.

On another note, it was hard to tell where today’s game started and last night’s ended. Both were played so magnificently, with such consistency, and commitment to defense, coupled with stellar goaltending.

I wonder how well sarcasm comes off on a blog? Folks, this team, which once won 5 games in-a-row, is NOT, as Waddell claimed during the 2nd period intermission of the Predators game at Philips arena last November, a GOOD team. Point of discussion, something close to ALL BAD TEAMS manage to win 5 games in-a-row, in the course of an 82-game schedule. It happens.

Our team was PRICED to be a cellar dwellar. Generally-speaking, “you get what you pay for.” It’s not a mystery to Don Waddell, the ownership, or lucid members of the Thrashers fanbase, as to why this team cannot put forth a superior quality game with any sort of consistency. As I, and many other bloggers posted, if you MISSED the Devils game, then you MISSED it. That was the Thrashers best game all year. And will be the best game the Thrashers play all season. No one should expect a repeat performance of that Devils game. That was the aberration. That was the “exception that PROVES the theory.” And theory is … this is a bad team. It’s a lower echelon team. It was built to BE a lower echelon team, on a shoe-string budget. None of this is particularly in dispute. The opening night budget of $44.5 million. The failure to locate a Tier I Center and a Tier I blueliner … were never adequately or competently addressed. On PURPOSE. DELIBERATELY.

The ownership is not trying. They don’t care. And if you were a player on the Atlanta Thrashers, how on EARTH could you BEGIN to think … you have any sort of PURPOSE in this market. And consequently, you’d be DEMORALIZED. While you plot your “exit strategy.” BEEEEEE Honest. This franchise just doesn’t have the resources, the brain trust, the wherewithall, or the INCLINATION to try to be an annual Cup contender. The evidence is ALLLLL around you. Wait ‘til the July 1 “free agent frenzy” starts. And Atlanta gets nothing but the COLD SHOULDER.

Every … single … one of you … is CAPABLE … of being honest. I don’t blame this players. They’re limited to begin with, and they have no purpose other than to fail, in order to acquire a lottery draft selection. All the players … really want … is to MATTER. And until the ownership sees a reason or a purpose to turning all this around, firing Waddell, and hiring a GM who will be enabled, monetarily, to succeed, it’s a “going through the motions” type of season … and type of market. And every … single … player … in the league …. knows it. They talk to each other. The only players coming to Atlanta this offseason … are the ones who need the money … or have no other NHL market interested in their services. In the past, that would favor a market like Atlanta. But now, players don’t “blink an eye” about signing on with a European team, where they pay NO TAXES. And in those Euro leagues, such players actually have a chance to win. They have a purpose, unlike in Atlanta.

By Sage of Bluesland

January 10, 2009 6:03 PM | Link to this

What we need now is one of Sara’s spreadsheet’s to show us what we are seeing is an illusion—that the Thrashers are weally, weally a good team!

Put that with the tripe from the Nasty Nest group of lambs.

STOP SUBSIDIZING THIS UTTER INCOMPETENCE. THIS ORGANIZATION IS NOT INTERESTED IN WINNING. STOP GIVING THEM YOUR HARD-EARNED DOLLAR.

By B. Thenet

January 10, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this

After reading Lethonen’s comments after the game, I don’t know who is more delusional….DW or Kari.

By Brendan

January 10, 2009 7:24 PM | Link to this

B.Thenet, Kari is the more delusional. DW may just be … a “willing accomplice” to all this. I would have thought better of Waddell. At a minimum, I thought he cared about the team. But all he’s really doing … is telling himself, “I’ll just make the best team I can with the money they give me.” When he should be saying, “If you don’t give me the resources I need to make the moves to better this team, I’ll quit. And good luck finding another Patsy to implement your ‘plan.’ You won’t find one. So, you might as well give me the money/resources.”

But … that conversation between Waddell and the owners … may never come. We’ll never know WHAT they discuss. For Waddell, this job reflects Waddell’s best earning potential in his life. It’s rare to find a business owner … who doesn’t DEMAND results. Waddell found one. And, shrugs, he likes the money. I guess, in the end, the money matters more to Waddell than the future of the franchise. I guess I can’t fault him too much. Priority #1 in life ought to be to take care of your family. Still, over the past 10 years, I think Waddell has made enough money to spend over 10 lifetimes. Is “greed” one of the seven deadly sins? I’ve forgotten.

By stendec

January 11, 2009 12:23 AM | Link to this

To the hungover ball-less quitter Kari Letemin that got so juiced up after his once in a liftime shutout: You are a mother (X) Finnish (X) sucking son of a betch! You are beneath pathetic! Your post game comments leave no room for doubt. They exposed you as a complete brainless idiot! I was hoping for 10 against your talentless a## but you let me down. You are a cancer! You are a total team liability. You could not start for a halfway decent high school squad! Take a (X) leap into Hell. Your sorry a## will not be missed! Damn mother (X)! Anyone that defends him can go (X) themselves. This crap cannot be defended! Eight mother (X) goals. Like that team GGA now mother (X) apologists?

By stendec

January 11, 2009 12:45 AM | Link to this

GGA was supposed to be GAA. Sorry. So angry right now. Long after yet another in a long line of infamous Kari Letemin gag jobs! Here are quotes I alluded to earlier (thanks Mike):

“When there’s seven goals the goalie needs to have (I hope the bestard means stop) a few of them (you think so you Finnish mother (X)?). I don’t think there’s anything that stands out as something I should (?), every day (?), have stopped. But when there’s so many goals, that’s pretty bad (what the Hell do I need to say about that comment?). We just have to forget this (ream the fans once again) and go forward (downward the (X) sucking bestard means) but it feels bad (take another drink you will feel much better) after a great game against New Jersey (which failed to take you scum seriously and who can blame them?).”

Send the Toiletlids packing! Bring professional ice hockey back to Atlanta. This crap is not it! Somebody beat the (X) out of Kari Letemin. It will not improve our record but I will feel a Hell of a lot better!

By Steely Dan

January 11, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this

Stendec, you are truly a disturbed individual in need of professional help.

By bulldog52

January 11, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this

PEVERLEY GOOD AHL PLAYER BUT NOT SO GOOD AT NHL LEVEL. iS THERE A RECORD OF KARI DRINKING SUCH AS I SEE IN THE BLOG? DUI OR HAS STENDEC BEEN OUT DRINKING WITH KARI AND HE HAD TO BUY? DEFENSE COACH WAS NOT VERY GOOD IN AHL WHY DOES ANDERSON THINK HE WOULD BE GOOD AT NHL LEVEL? IF YOU LOOK AT THRASHERS D IT STINKS LOOK AT HOW COACH WANTS THEM TO PLAY IT IS NOT ALWAYS PLAYERS FAULT.ANDERSON OFFENSE COACH DOES NOT KNOW DEFENSE FROM REAL FENCE,

By kopfjaeger

January 11, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this

This ownership sucks ! Little was the #2 star in the NHL two weeks ago. 6 goals in 3 games ! Awesome ! Yet, instead of highlighting his accomplishment on the jumbo during intermission fans have to sit through another video of some stupid 21 y/o “net” girl. my buddies and i already go to the Cheetah for pre or post game and get enough of that. we pay to sit in the seats because we’re hockey fans ! They also have one of the best players in game , but won’t bring in somebody to free him up. A guy like Avery might be the biggest d-bag in the NHL, but if he was on the same line as Kovalchuk, #17s shots-on-goal would go through the roof. And you can’t place all the blame on #32 for giving up seven goals last night when he has ZERO defense to help him out. At 46 a guy like Chelios is still a better defenseman than anybody that’s ever played for this team. Spend some money and give Anderson the tools he needs or sell the team to somebody that will.

By Kilroy

January 11, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this

Any southern redneck within one hour of the rink ” i sort of liked it the ONE TIME i went , but i didn’t have a clue as to what was going on. ”

Hey, Thrashers’ Marketing Morons, how about teaching them the rules instead of playing f-ing dodge ball ! That’s how you create a fan that will actually support the team instead of going once every two or three years like it’s the circus coming to town.

By anon

January 11, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this

Kari likes to party. It doesn’t appear to be much of a secret.

By GaVaHokie

January 11, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this

Peverley looks like he can finish his shots. Should be mildly interesting to see. I’m not expecting much, but as I’ve said the last couple of weeks, ANYTHING to change up the team chemistry is a good thing, no matter how small.