Thrashers

By Cheech

January 14, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this

I can’t wait to see the Thrashers’ newly acquired stars. Who are they again? Stick a fork in this team, they are all done…

By Joshgekko

January 14, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

Im pretty excited for tonight. Not that I expect this team to instantly turn into a playoff team. When your winning as few games as these guys are winning, change is good! Its also good to have to 3rd overall pick back in the lineup!

By JJ302

January 14, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this

I hope Little is wearing some extra protection. Ottawa will be gunning for his ribs!

By Stevo

January 14, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget, the Thrashers are playing an Ottawa team which is not very good either. They are only one point ahead of the Thrashers.

By Tom Davis

January 14, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this

Let-none-in needs to get his head out of his arse and give the rest of the team a chance tonight. Casino Night is over sweetheart.

By Sam

January 14, 2009 1:22 PM | Link to this

With Boulton’s broken nose and the softness of the Sens, this makes sense. Plus, I’m pulling for Crusher. I think he’s looked more focused and confident since he’s come back.

By Sam

January 14, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this

You know, Cheech…if you hate this team so much, why waste your time blogging here?

By Smoothie

January 14, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this

Well, that answers the questions about EC and the injustice of him getting benched despite performing well of late. Those scratches certainly make sense in light of the fact Boultsy is banged up and Jason Williams doesn’t seem to be gelling with anyone.

I really like the speed and grittiness of our 3rd line with Crabb and Slater playing together. I wonder if they will play the majority of minutes against the Pizza Line as our other 3rd line iterations have hardly slowed down Heater, Spezza and Alfie. Hell, are they even playing on the same line at this point?

At this point I don’t mind Schneidy playing a few more games cuz Bogy will make him look a lot better. Plus having Z-Bo alongside will allow Mathieu to do what he does best. For now I don’t mind the pairings of Hainsey & Boris, Havy & Tobes along with MS & Z-Bo. Oystrick will have his day so it can’t hurt for him to sit a bit.

By Tix no More

January 14, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this

Can we get a decent net-minder. Holy crap, EVERYONE knows that is a big weakness.

By GSU-Lee

January 14, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this

What is the deal with Peverley? Is he good? I mean, the guy has hardly any NHL time and he comes here and is playing with Kovy right away? I mean wtf is up with that? Not that there is anyone better to put in front of him but why is this the best we could do? Oh well, I suppose we should give him a chance

By Thrasher Fan

January 14, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

JASON WILLIAMS TRADED TO COLUMBUS FOR AHL DEFENSMAN CLAY WILSON AND COLUMBUS’ 6TH ROUND PICK (AQUIRED FROM SAN JOSE)…PER COLUMBUS DISPATCH

By Mike Knobler

January 14, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this

Clay Wilson is a speedy puck-moving defenseman. He would seem to be the kind of guy who would fit on a John Anderson team. Jason Williams clearly didn’t fit. Columbus is looking at Williams as a guy who can play the point on the power play. That’s a role the Thrashers didn’t need him to fill. It looks like it could be a good trade for both teams.

By Mike Knobler

January 14, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this

Smoothie Yes, you pegged it. Slater-Reasoner-Crabb will be skating against the Pizza Line.

By Mike Knobler

January 14, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this

More on Wilson: Two guys I have spoken with about him described him the same way, “high risk, high reward.” The Thrashers have been hurt by taking too many risks without getting enough rewards, but it might be easier to teach a guy like that the risks you don’t want him to take than to teach a defense-first defenseman to jump into the rush.

By Russian

January 14, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this

Finnaly. Williams moved out. He was absolutely worst player on the team. I do not know about Clay Wilson, he looks like not to BIG (6’0”) and 25 years age. He will be fine in Chickago. Now I looking for Shnieder move someday, but Don has to ask BIgger Price. I am very interesting to see Kovy and HIS Team today. I got TICKETS….. for FREEEEEEEEE :-)

By Alan

January 14, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

Now I looking for Shnieder move someday, but Don has to ask BIgger Price

Indeed. And with D-men of the offensive variety in-demand this deadline, I’m sure we should see a good return. Nothing like what we got for Hossa, but at the absolute least, we should probably expect a roster player or good prospect with a middle round (rounds 3-5) draft pick.

Just my opinion.

By sisu

January 14, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this

So how badly is Chicago hurting for defencemen? it seems like we have added two just very recently is there more coming or is the “minor league” dealing done for now?

By Sage of Bluesland

January 14, 2009 7:42 PM | Link to this

Great, now we’ll have to hear the praises sung by the assortment of sheep as we acquire yet another Columbus “asset”…

Good start on the next ten-year “Five-Year” plan…

By CBJ Fan

January 14, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this

Jackets fan here, was just trolling the site for Jason Williams info… on Clay Wilson, he was not a fit for Hitchcock’s system. Plays smaller than he is, but quick, decent passer, ok 2nd PP guy at point. Won’t play much defense, we actually used him as a 4th line forward in limited action during the brief time he was up with the big club. I hate to say it, but you are basically getting a 7th defenseman with a little offensive skill. Think Ron Hainsey with much, much less ability in his own zone.

By stendec

January 14, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this

Two more marshmallow goals for mother (X) Finn son of a betch Kari Letemin! What a damn oxygen waste. Just had to play him huh John Petrino? Both you and that LaLa Land bestard can jump straight into Hell! Now 2-2 after a period. If the Toiletlids had a damn goaltender they would be up 2-0 not tied on home damn ice. **Mother (X)! Come on Sens. Just eight goals more. PLEASE!

By stendec

January 14, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this

(X) KARI LETEMIN! (X) KARI LETEMIN! (X) KARI LETEMIN! Way to go you mother (X) ball-less son of a betch. Now 3-2 Ottawa on marshallow goal number three. Before you damn apologists start whining about breakaways let me set you dumb a##es straight! The defense did its job. Had the shooter almost prone on the damn ice! It was a damn easy stop for any damn high school goaltender. Not for GDMF worthless oxygen waste Finn! Toiletlids cannot score more than this fraud will allow. Screw him! To Hell with all the bestards. Quitter scum! May their stay in Atlanta mercifully end soon. Cannot be soon enough.

By sisu

January 14, 2009 9:40 PM | Link to this

Peverley has looked good so far, a center that is defensively responsible;)

Penalty kill not looking too good and Kari is Jekyll & Hyde tonight…good save followed by a couple of soft ones.

Interesting to hear that Boris could be hurt…now he is fighting! Go figure…

By sisu

January 14, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this

Fisher is taking lessons from Cindy Crosby on punching Boris’s groin? What’s up with that one????

By Rancid Peter

January 14, 2009 9:44 PM | Link to this

Will Kari also let in stendec’s tiny pecker?

Stay tuned…

By bigjohnthrashfan

January 14, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this

Amen *Russian *: Williams SUCKED!!!

By Toby

January 14, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this

Should of waited to trade him closer to the deadline…would of gotten a third for him.

By stendec

January 14, 2009 10:02 PM | Link to this

New lineup? Who gives a shet? New players? Whoop-de-doo. Same bullshet results! Another totally uninspired travesty by a completely heartless group of ball-less quitters. Kari Letemin biggest fraud ever perpertrated on NHL. Could not earn starting spot on high school hockey team! Damn mother (X) son of a betch. Guy last name of V must stand for Vagina. Total coward! Called out by smaller Sens but ran away with stick tucked between his legs. Must be damn team enforcer. What a nauseauting joke! New captain not worth a shet. Thanks for nothing Ilya “Bags Are Packed” Kovalchuk! Most overrated piece of trash in league. All-Star? PLEASE spare me! Another home ice embarrassment. Wish Pens would have rung up 10 goals. Nothing less than fans of this abomination deserve! How can anyone pay to watch these uncaring oxygen wastes go through the motions? Send them all packing! Where? I do not really give a flying (X)! Just out of Atlanta. I hear Gaza is nice this time of the year. Damn mother (X)! Bring back the Flames or Knights. That was competitive give-a-shet ice hockey!

By Rancid Peter

January 14, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this

stendec has a hard time lining up his flaccid pecker with the toilet when he takes a shet. It’s all over youtube by now.

By stendec

January 14, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Ilya Kovalchuk groupies. Record with new captain is 0-1. At home. Glad all of you are so damn proud. GDMF losers! I guess the last true fan that knew a damn thing about ice hockey left Atlanta with the Knights. All you Toiletlid followers seem absolutely clueless! Not even expansion teams are this pathetic, shetty, gutless, clueless, heartless, ball-less (pick any derogatory word)!

By stendec

January 14, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Ilya Kovalchuk groupies. Record with new captain is 0-1. At home. Glad all of you are so damn proud. GDMF losers! I guess the last true fan that knew a damn thing about ice hockey left Atlanta with the Knights. All you Toiletlid followers seem absolutely clueless! Not even expansion teams are this pathetic, shetty, gutless, clueless, heartless, ball-less (pick any derogatory word)!

By Rancid Peter

January 14, 2009 10:33 PM | Link to this

Limp effort by the team tonight…

…you know where this is going :D

By Jared

January 14, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this

Be careful guys. Stendec will like, totally betch slap you.

By Frank Wren

January 14, 2009 10:49 PM | Link to this

I’m glad to see this blog is moving in the right direction.

Suckers.

By jacked

January 14, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this

wow even the trolls are being trolled. unreal

By Hanson Brothers

January 14, 2009 11:21 PM | Link to this

Thought Peverly was a little hesitant to shoot the puck tonight. Looked like he had a couple of good chances to shoot where JA would probably want him to but instead seemed to be looking where Kovy was to pass to him. JA will teach him quick to shoot more. Liked his effort though. Poor effort by Kari to let in the third goal. By the way did anyone else notice that during the 6 degrees of separation quiz, the guy got the answer to the next to last question wrong and they still gave it to him. They asked who played in the finals of the world juniors and he said Canada-US.

By Russian

January 14, 2009 11:53 PM | Link to this

I was in Arena. I saw empty seats. I saw people that never been a game before. After second period people went home. It was horrible filling. About Pevy #47, he is going OK for first time. He did not do something special. He is not FIRST CENTER. Shiender HAS TO GO. He is very bad.

By Brendan

January 15, 2009 12:37 AM | Link to this

Peverley had one really nice “look,” but he never got the shot away. Tonight, we witnesses two bad teams playing each other. Ottawa even played their back up (Elliot) tonight. Most people do realize that this is a ‘build year.’ What does that mean?

It means … the team is supposed to take its lumps, lose a lot, and be rewarded by the hockey gods via the lottery draft. It also means we say goodbye to some pending free agents at the trade deadline, like Schneider, Reasoner, and Havelid. Maybe even Eric Perrin, too. I’d include Williams, also, but he’s already been traded to Columbus.

Finally, I didn’t hear any “booing” of Dany Heatley at all. Nor did Dany Heatley appear to be emotionally distraught, unable to focus and play in an arena with so many unpleasant memories for him. One wonders what might have been … if Dany Heatley had honestly given the Atlanta market a fighting chance? Whatever his reasons, Heatley wanted out of Atlanta. And in the end, I suppose, a player who doesn’t want to be here is a hindrance.

Bygones.

By dhj_1962

January 15, 2009 6:21 AM | Link to this

d.w.m., 46, 6 ft 195 lbs, athletic, brn hair, blu eyes, 80,000 $$ per year, dont smoke, social drunk..err.drinker. looking 4 lady for special relations. 32 to 40 years old. 5’5” to 5’7”, no more than 130. must be in good shape.

By Stan Kasten

January 15, 2009 6:37 AM | Link to this

Now I won’t go down in history as the worst GM in Atlanta history. Don needs to go back to the latrine business.

By Get The Puck Out

January 15, 2009 7:12 AM | Link to this

It looks to me like we need a GOALIE worse than we need anything right now. I realize that Kovy needs a top line center, but we need someone to stop some of these soft shots that keep getting in our goal. Lets should have stopped one, possibly two of the goals that got by him last night. And the ouote of the night is….FIRE WADDELL.

By Toby

January 15, 2009 7:40 AM | Link to this

Yet another great reason for DW to get fired. He overpays for a crappy player for a one-year deal, and trades him for garbage a month before the deadline. NICE

I’m telling you….DW is still here because A$G needs a low appraisal for the never-ending court case. We’re stuck with the worst GM in sports forever.

By Mark

January 15, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this

So, once again Waddell fails to find a center to play with Kovy. Williams is jettisoned barely half way through the season. It’s too bad we had a center for Kovy with Savard but Waddell was too cheap to see that. Turns out that that $5M contract is looking like a huge bargain right now for Boston who is the best team in the East and Savard is one of the league’s leading scorers.

When, for the love of God, are we going to be rid of Waddell?

By dhj_1962

January 15, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this

why do we beat a dead horse? lets make this blog a dating site.

By elizabet hurley

January 15, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this

does stendeck really have a little winkie?

By j nes

January 15, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this

thats not a bad idea dhj. I am sure stendec could use a date. If any women (or men) out there have a thing for vulgar, uninformed hockey bloggers then send stendec your digits.

By Buzilla in CT

January 15, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

867-5309

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 15, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this

Nor did Dany Heatley appear to be emotionally distraught, unable to focus and play in an arena with so many unpleasant memories for him.

Come on Brendan, that’s just silly talk. 41 games out of the year, countless numbers of practices in the city, driving home EVERY DAY from those practices seeing some of the same sites or driving on some of the same roads he did during that fateful drive.

Skating on a sheet of ice for 60 minutes isn’t going to give him all of the horrible memories, but driving down the same street and navigating the same turn at half the speed will definitely give him flashbacks.

Don’t be silly…Heatley, like any other person, isn’t going to break down on command just because he’s doing something remotely connected to his traumatic experience. If he left for personal reasons it should be left at that. None of us are/were in a position to judge him and downplay his emotional trauma based on our perception of him. It’s beyond unfair to him.

By Bob

January 15, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this

When, for the love of God, are we going to be rid of Waddell?

I think it’ll be after the court case is settled, so let’s keep an eye on that. That’s the most pivotal moment we have coming in our future.

By Buzilla in CT

January 15, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/sportswtnhhartfordperezmeetsNHLcommissioner200901141637rev1

Hartford Thrashers!!!!!

By h

January 15, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this

I thought Peverley played ok last night. He was somewhat agressive and got in front of the net, which is what you want. He also won 80% of his face offs which is huge. Williams leaving is a good thing, but seriously, you can’t blame DW for him not wqorking out at all. Williams was coming off an injury season where he averaged almost a point a game. You actually have to give DW credit for only signing him for one year, and $2.2M isn’t exactly overpaid for those stats. It just didn’t work. I’m not sure we would have gotten much more for him if we waited 6 weeks. Kari sure has given up some softies the last couple of games. Not sure what his deal is. Anyone, other than the whiney idiots like stendec, have any intelligent thoughts? I also think they have to get rid of Schneider very soon as other teams may realize that he looks “done like dinner”….he can’t skate well anymore, his offense is barely better than average, and he can’t play D…..yikes….if we can get ANYTHING for him, we should grab it…..

Hey Hanson, I noticed that he got the question wrong too, then I just thought maybe I heard the question wrong…..

By Kevin

January 15, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

I really think categorizing the whole team as heartless and gutless last night is not correct. Kovy, Little, Valabik, Crabb, and Hainsy hustled all night. The others not so much. I want to see Peverly more, he looked a little lost as did BOgosian, but my guess is his is a confidence issue right now. All in all, the new lineup is like polish on a turd, it may look better but it is still a turd.

By bigjohnthrashfan

January 15, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this

The Thrashers and Hawks have the same two problems:

1) One key firing away from excellence (Woodson, Waddell)

2) TERRIBLE ownership! (you know who!)

By Frank Wren

January 15, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

It’s good to see that stendec’s still sticking up for the little guy.

Or was it stendec’s little guy sticking up?

ZING!!!

By teflon donny

January 15, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

stendec: my office number is 404-878-3800. I like long walks in the park, and talking hockey with flaccid losers like yourself.

Call me anytime.

XOXO

By Nate

January 15, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this

ranallo - It’s beyond unfair to him.

Who says anyone has to be fair to Dany Heatley? Was he fair to the city of Atlanta after the city supported him? Did he do any community service for his crime in the United States? Did he have much of anything nice to say about the fans? Was he fair to the Thrashers? Why should we have to be the ones to take the high road on this?

I say Brenden got it right.

By dhj_1962

January 15, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this

hey buzilla, could not get the link….what did the article say?

By dhj_1962

January 15, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this

found it, how bout the hartford penguins?

By Joshgekko

January 15, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this

Nate

No you dont have to be fair to Heatley. Its your opinion that he’s a bad guy. I just hope for your sake that something like that never happens to you. Or that there’s no such thing as karma if it does. Countless people drive like a-holes on a daily basis in this city, and I believe they will learn there lesson one way or the other. I believe that Heatley learned his lesson as well. There’s no one alive that felt worse about that accident than he did/does.

Fair to the city of Atlanta? I dont even know what that means. Community service wasnt a part of his deal. If the judge wanted him to do community service it would have happened. You cant blame Heatley for that (well you could but you’d be wrong). While I agree with you that it was pretty douchey the way he talked after the trade, I have no issue with him wanting to get away from the place where it all happened. That kind of stuff would have haunted him daily had he stayed.

By Joshgekko

January 15, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

dhj_1962 Not going to happen, they’re building a brand new arena. I also dont see the thrashers going there. Not with the fact that ASG owns Phillips Arena.

By Joshgekko

January 15, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this

Is it me or were the refs rather one sided last night? Especially in the first period. I was at the game so its very possible it was just stuff I didnt see.

How about the missed roughing call when Kozlov was thrown to the ice with the puck nowhere around?

By dhj_1962

January 15, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

i was messing with buzilla, he said hartford thrashers….mario is selling the penguins, cant get a new arena there. so i said hartford penguins. google hatford CT. wants a NHL team, it menyions Pittsburgh and Mario, it also mentions the islanders wore out nassua coliseum. and of course Atl. and a few other teams. and yes, there were some questionable calls.

By Sara

January 15, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this

Joshgekko actually Heatley was given community service - he had to speak publicly to schools/youth groups - I think 150 hours worth of speeches in fact. And to the best of anyone’s knowledge, he didn’t perform even one hour of that service in the state of Georgia.

And considering the connections of Atlanta Spirit went a long way to keeping Heater’s butt out of prison (or more importantly from being deported as a non-resident convicted felon), I think there was just a tad bit of debt owed somewhere.

By dhj_1962

January 15, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this

daniel snyders parents not pressing charges was a big factor too, might have been the strongest factor.

By Brendan

January 15, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this

Of course, there’s a world of difference between living in this city and visiting it, twice a year. Ranallo is no doubt correct about that. I’m just sorry Dany didn’t elect to TRY to stay … and work through it. Bygones.

If Dany Heatley has completed his community service-ordered 150 speeches on the dangers of reckless/hazardous driving, he didn’t complete any of them in the community that he endangered. They weren’t done here, in the greater metropolitan Atlanta-area. I couldn’t tell you where, exactly, Heatley conducted those speeches. Or if he completed ALL of them. If someone put a gun to my head and demanded an answer, I’d guess he conducted the speeches in Canada and has probably completed close to 100 of them, by now. But, what do I know? And PUT DOWN the gun. Sorry. I’m silly like that, from time to time, as I blow off steam.

If not meee, who? If not NOW, when? If we pick, do we not bleed? And so forth. :)

For people who are not fans of Dany Heatley, they can take some measure of satisfaction in knowing that the Senators, to whom Heatley is under contract for the next five seasons, aren’t much BETTER OFF than the Thrashers are now. In case anyone’s curious, the Senators are probably going to relieve their Head Coach and/or General Manager of their assigned duties sometime between now and May 1, 2009. You might inquire as to WHY they’d do something like that. The “one word” answer is: Accountability. More specifically, it can be traced to accountability as it DIRECTLY relates to wins/losses and results obtained since the 2007 playoffs concluded.

Last night, two bad teams played each other. Ottawa won. And Atlanta got ever closed to John Tavares, in the four-point swing.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 15, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this

To be honest, I don’t really know how to discuss the Heatley topic without coming off as preachy. My apologies if that’s how it seems, I don’t intend to.

Sorry for bringing it up Brendan, I merely wished you would’ve picked better words when expressing the statement “I’m just sorry Dany didn’t elect to TRY to stay” (which I still feel is weighted towards the negative, you don’t know if he truly “tried” to stay). When arguing about someone’s emotional state there is clearly only opinions, there is no right or wrong.

So, I’ll leave this as an “agree to disagree”. There’s clearly no way to convince someone to not be angry with a person.

For what it’s worth, I’m not angry with Heatley. I will always understand why he might (key word) have wanted out of Atlanta on a personal level. I also understand on a hockey/professional career level why he would’ve wanted to leave. I completely understand why Heatley could have wanted to leave, and I hold no hard feelings toward him for it. Afterall, I’m JUST a fan, nothing more…thus, he owes me nothing.

By h

January 15, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

Dany “George of the Jungle” Heatley is an a*******clown. He was a jerk when he was here and after all the organIzation did for him, he forced them to trade him…I wish nothing but bad things for him in hockey……he should be booed every time he steps on the ice at Philips.

By Bob

January 15, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this

I’ll boo Heatley every time I see him on our ice, but it’s sad that there was not much booing of him last night, I guess that just shows how many of us long time season tix holders have left.

Heatley’s immaturity and lack of judgement is one thing, but the way he forced his way out of here and showed no loyalty to Waddell and the Spirit, who saved his butt, is very telling of his character. I pray that one day he’ll grow up and change, for his sake.

Has anyone else heard the rumors that Heatley’s father never liked Waddell and never wanted Dany here? I had heard he tried to orchestrate some kind of trade early on. Makes one wonder about the real motivations re. demanding to first be outright released, then to be traded. Did you know that Dany’s first request to Waddell was to be outright released so he could sign where ever he wanted to? No, really, sounds like a really distraught kid, eh? Or mabye on who wasn’t just worried about getting out of this town, but wanted to pick and choose his landing spot.

By Brendan

January 15, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this

Dany Heatley has never, ever spoken to me. I cannot state, with certainty, what his thoughts, feelings, intentions, or aspirations were or are. What I do know is this. He didn’t stay, when he had an option of staying. That is, unless the Thrashers were simply UNWILLING to offer Heatley an RFA contract. Once again, Don Waddell doesn’t consult me on what he does, as it relates to being the GM of the Atlanta Thrashers. All I can do is speculate. And in my view, Waddell wanted to re-sign Heatley with an RFA contract. The truth I believe about the Heatley situation is this. Heatley asked to leave the organization, in some form or fashion. Some say he wanted an outright RELEASE. Others imply he asked to be traded. But he didn’t seem to want to stay in Atlanta. Staying in Atlanta was the option I wished Heatley would have chosen. Bygones.

If I am correct in my “outsider’s view” assumptions, Heatley wasn’t the first Tier I Thrasher to want out of the organization, nor will he be the last. And no matter what a player’s reasons are for wanting to leave, the bottom line is that they are not here now. A GM does the best he can with the cards he is dealt. In the Heatley situation, Sage of Bluesland is fond of saying, “Waddell held all the cards; Heatley was a restricted free agent.”

Truthfully, I’ve talked with enough Thrasher fans to know that several of them are quite HAPPY that Dany is gone. Others see Heatley’s departure from the organization as a missed opportunity. Or an unfortunate reality. I don’t “boo” Heatley. I understood his situation. It was a terrible thing for all parties concerned. For Heatley. For the Snyder Family. For all Dan’s friends and loved ones. For Don Waddell. For the Thrashers organization. For the fans of the Atlanta Thrashers. For the D.A.’s office. For the City of Atlanta. And for the players of the Atlanta Thrashers.

By Dany Heatley

January 15, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Tony C.

January 15, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this

Well I just know how so many fine “Christian” people of the greater metro Atlanta area love to lambaste people for failing to be “good” the way they are! I would expect these fine upstanding glass-house dwellers will always be on hand to boo the Dany Heatleys in their life.

I love the fact that the guy I used to sit next to (who had just gotten his license back in ‘05 after having it REVOKED for driving DUI too many times) would just spend the entire game bad-mouthing Heatley ” Oh, he knows what he’s done…” this tool would say-meanwhile his wife would need to remind him to take it easy on the sauce because they didn’t take MARTA that night.

Also can you blame Heatley Sr. for his no-confidence vote on DW?

Anyway, if you want to boo the guy for being a jerk about things he said about our town once he got to Ottowa, go right ahead, but if you’re going to boo the man (then a kid) for making a horrible mistake, I would suggest you buy a bigger/better mirror.

By stendec

January 15, 2009 6:30 PM | Link to this

Thanks AJC! For what? For that wonderful color photo of an obviously hungover Kari Letemin in net. Do I care if he is a boozer? Hell no! Could care less if he boozes or drugs his way into eternity. Do care that he brings his damn problems into the ice with him! To all the ignorant MFSOB who have attacked me on this current blog. Go take a flying (X) straight into Hell! God bless and amen.

By stendec

January 15, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this

Hey John Petrino! Are you in the habit of allowing hungover players to take the ice at game time? If so, you are not much of a damn coach! It is obvious to anybody with eyes (not Toiletlid apologists of course) that Kari Letemin was hungover while in net during a recent game. Do you condone this shet behavior? If so, you should be tossed out on your a## immediately! Along with that lush Lets (to use his apologist nickname). Such conduct has no place in professional sports. Hell, any kind of sports for that matter! Defend that apologists.

By Rancid Peter

January 15, 2009 7:02 PM | Link to this

stendec is angry again (or maybe it’s just cramps).

Here’s hoping he doesn’t take it out on his little pecker…

By Nate

January 15, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this

ranallo - You, as a fan, and myself, as a fan, are owed everything by Heatley (in my opinion) along with all the other athletes in the world.

Why?

Because without fans there is no hockey for Heatley to play. Hence the topic of relocation that pops up from time to time in the world of professional sports. That way the players can have fans pay to come watch them play. Make sense?

Trivial as it may be, it is the way the entertainment industry works. Just ask Corey Haim…

Joshgekko - I hate to make assumptions, but I don’t think you followed the Heatley situation very closely. As Sara mentioned, he did indeed receive community service as part of his sentencing.

Though I’ve seen no record of his service, I’d like to think someoneone would have covered his speeches for the AJC had they been made locally. Add to that his pompous attitude following his departure and I have no sympathy for the guy. Karma or not (I drive 15-20 over wherever I go basically). I was put on probation for a year for this incident. I was forced to drive the speed limit or risk going to prison. It bothered me, but I didn’t stop driving in the same area because of it once it was over. Not the same thing as Heatley’s situation, but you learn to deal with it and get passed it. That’s how psychologists stay in business. Personally, I believe Heatley used the whole thing as an excuse to ditch Atlanta for Canada (based on his previously mentioned comments after the trade).

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 15, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this

“but you learn to deal with it and get passed it”

Easily said when you’re not in the same situation. I’m thankful I’ve never had to deal with killing my best friend because of a stupid mistake. I hope everyone I know never has to deal with such a thing. But if they do, and they decide to escape their problems by moving away from them, I wont sit back and say “you owe me for all of the years I’ve been your friend, and for all of the support I’ve given you through your tough times”.

Psychologists stay in business because people CAN’T get past their problems. Hence, they hire professional help. If it was as easy to get over problems in life by just saying “learn to deal with it and get passed it”, then psychologists would be out of business.

I appreciate your opinion about this whole topic, I simply don’t agree. If Heatley weren’t being paid to play hockey, he still would be playing. The majority of athletes don’t play because they can make money, but because they’re good at it and typically enjoy playing. That is why thousands of regular semi-athletes strap on skates and attempt to play…not for money, but for the enjoyment of the sport.

Everyone deals with tragedies differently…in this instance, I choose to believe that Heatley choose the flight reaction, instead of the fight. I can’t blame him for that, nor hold a grudge.

And honestly I don’t blame you for holding one…I just don’t agree.

By Nate

January 16, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this

The majority of athletes don’t play because they can make money, but because they’re good at it and typically enjoy playing. That is why thousands of regular semi-athletes strap on skates and attempt to play…not for money, but for the enjoyment of the sport.

ranall0 - That’s just a silly statement. As much as you enjoy doing something you still have to get paid to survive. They may not be a mercenary and do it solely for the money, but I don’t see these athletes be it pro or semi-pro offering to take pay cuts very often either. Players go where the money is, why do they go to the highest bidder? For the love of the game? Not hardly. Why do some choose to play overseas? Because Russian and other European leagues can offer more money. Especially when it comes to basketball and hockey.

And psychologists do help people get passed their problems and some (not all) no longer find the need. Just by observing Dany and his comments, I don’t see a lot of emotional trauma being manifested on his part. Everybody has experienced the loss of a loved one. It hurts, but that’s life. You remember the good times and honor their memory. Slava has been able to do that. Dany has as well. You don’t pack up and leave town. He wanted to leave and used it as an excuse to exit. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one.