Thrashers

By Bob

January 21, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

Sounds like a win-win no matter the outcome. Either Kari finally beats Nittymaaki or we get back on track in the Tavares Sweepstakes.

By Brendan

January 21, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this

Okay, Kari. Show us whatcha got!

By Russian

January 21, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

I like to see the 3-d line as:

Perrin-Reasoner-Crabb

and 4-th line as:

Boulton-Crusher-Throburn

Kari will be playing his best game and after that he get rest until January 27. We can do it!!!

By Buzilla in CT

January 21, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

2nd!!!!!!

By Sam

January 21, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this

The fact that the majority of guys showed up for an optional skate is impressive…and speaks to the character of those players.

Interesting that the top 2 D-men in Havelid and Enstrom, who are +8 and +7, respectively, show up…when Hainsey, who is a team low at -13 decides to sleep.Speaks to work ethic to me. Wake him up. Oyster, too. He’s been a scratch for 3-4 games…where’s the fire to get back in the game? You should already be rested.

Older guys like Schneider and Kozlov…and guys nursing injuries like Little…they get a pass.

Hope Kari’s conditioning holds up for back-to-back games. He looked really good last night. Time to beat that Nittymaki curse.

By Alan

January 21, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this

I really hope Atlanta can win it tonight. We pulled out a back-to-back victory against lesser teams of Toronto and Nashville, so here’s to hoping we can pull out the win tonight against Philly, taking our second back-to-back in as many back-to-backs.

This is Kari’s opportunity to show us that he is truly Atlanta’s #1. This is a contract year, so he needs to earn it. A decisive win here with quality goaltending is just what the doctor ordered.

As far as Briere is concerned, that’s truly unfortunate. He doesn’t get the opportunity to give a free sample of his diving course to the rookies we have up this year. That training could be quite useful in the years to come for these youngsters. There’s always next game, though, I suppose.

By MB

January 21, 2009 3:52 PM | Link to this

I know many here don’t care for Alan Muir over at SI.com, but most will at least appreciate him calling out our beloved Donnie in their forecast for the second half of the season:

Here’s the link.

Here’s what he said about the Wadd, to save you a little time:

“Next GM to enjoy the view from a golden parachute: Don Waddell.

He appeared to have Atlanta on the right track just five years ago, but Waddell’s parsimony (letting Marc Savard go to free agency) and poor asset management (trading Braydon Coburn for Alexei Zhitnik; sending first- and second-rounders to St. Louis for six weeks of Keith Tkachuk) sent the Thrashers off the rails. Now nine years into a five-year plan, Waddell’s shoddily constructed squad is nowhere near to being competitive for a playoff spot let alone the Cup, and the system lacks a clear impact player outside of 2008 top pick Zach Bogosian. At some point, Waddell has to be called on his incompetence, doesn’t he?”

By Russ

January 21, 2009 3:55 PM | Link to this

Does Briere flop like he’s being shot while he’s headed back to the doctor, or does he only do that on the ice?

By Sara

January 21, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this

Sam I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Oystrick wasn’t even taken on the trip. It’s a one-game trip and in theory he shouldn’t be needed.

As for Briere, well, all I can say is at least we aren’t the suckers paying him the big bucks to sit on the IR. That’s one non-move for Waddell that sure looks good in hindsight. :p

By Brendan

January 21, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this

MB, thanks for the link. I can’t believe it. Someone actually put the word “incompetence” in print, referring directly to Waddell. Most of the hockey media don’t take the time to bother to CARE if Atlanta is incompetently run. They’re just grateful for the schedule fodder.

The other thing that is surprising, in my view, is how the other GM’s totally give Waddell a pass. At least according to a Toronto-based hockey writer, with whom I correspond. He insists that Waddell’s colleagues completely understand the boat he is in … and think he’s doing at least an adequate job with the resources he’s been dealt. I asked the writer, “What about the word accountability? Doesn’t it still apply?” His response was that, EVENTUALLY, every GM has to take the fall.

Well, isn’t that comforting. I soon realized that Atlanta is useful to Canadian teams, which is why they like Atlanta, and Waddell, and they probably do hope the team is mismanaged into a relocation situation. I don’t believe the Thrashers are leaving Atlanta for one second, no matter how bad attendance gets. This team would sellout every night if it had San Jose’s roster. Or Boston’s. And the Bruins even have $2.2+ million in cap room.

All it would really take … to put the Thrashers in the playoffs 8 times in 10 years, winning five to six division titles, and appearing in a few Conference Finals, is a committed owner and a competent GM, who has a vision for what the team should be, and knows how to find some quality scouts.

Stop. That’s the truth, as I see it. An owner with deep pockets, who wants to win, will hire a quality GM. Or a few GM’s, until he finds one that works out. But the point is, he’ll fire the GM for accountability, if the results aren’t there. When this team is stock full of well-scouted draft picks, who are intelligently signed, within an overall concept, it’s bound to work. A team that wins 50+ games a season, to me, seems more apt to sellout the arena than one that doesn’t. We don’t yet know if it’s comparable to the Braves, where winning 14 straight division titles didn’t sellout games, even playoff ones. We haven’t yet had a hockey team capable of winning 14 straight division titles … to know!! For my $0.02, the hockey fanbase in Atlanta is relatively small, but fanatical. They just need a reason to be spending their time and MONEY at Philips Arena. I don’t think “the hockey fan” is about to say, “Well, ya know … it’s been six straight division titles, 3 Conference Championships, and now, a Stanley Cup, … so, I think I’ll DITCH MY TICKETS NOW.” I’m not buying that argument.

By Mike Knobler

January 21, 2009 6:03 PM | Link to this

My bad. Oystrick was out there.

By Mike Knobler

January 21, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this

Latest on Briere: Undergoing exploratory surgery.

By Tony C.

January 21, 2009 6:11 PM | Link to this

Dany Briere rehabs from injury

By Nate

January 21, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this

Brendan - Couldn’t agree more. The BIG difference between Braves sellouts and Thrashers sellouts is seating capacity. Selling out the Thrashers would not be a problem considering they have about 25,000 fewer seats to sell each night. Like you said, there’s enough fanatical hockey fans in this city to start a sellout streak if the team every got competitive on a yearly basis.

By Tony C.

January 21, 2009 7:41 PM | Link to this

Dany Briere’s rehab workout

By Tony C.

January 21, 2009 7:42 PM | Link to this

My bad on the double post

By Russian

January 21, 2009 7:54 PM | Link to this

Only Kari is playing now. Everybody else want to go to break. Poor hockey.

By R. Stroz

January 21, 2009 7:57 PM | Link to this

Tony C. - Briere would have fallen over the rope within two seconds.

By Russian

January 21, 2009 9:48 PM | Link to this

Sheet. It was soo close to win a game. Damn. They played not bad actually. I was very suprise. :-)

By Alan

January 21, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this

Stroz - While Briere wasn’t there in body to teach our rookies how to properly dive, it looks like he was there in spirit. Exactly how many phantom calls did the Thrashers take? What about that Kovalchuk “slash” near the end of the second period?

Overall, I’m happy to have seen such life and intensity out of this bunch tonight. Didn’t give up (yet again) after a three goal defecit. It’s unfortunate they couldn’t have turned it into another game like the one against the Leafs.

By Brendan

January 21, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this

Nice comeback tonight. Midway through the 3rd, the Thrashers squarely had at least one (1) point in their crosshairs. They just never fired for effect. Bygones. Nice game, though. Nothing to overly hang our heads about.

By Sam

January 21, 2009 10:21 PM | Link to this

Exploratory surgery on his groin? Does that make anyone else besides me cringe and cross his legs?

By Mike Knobler

January 21, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this

Sam I agree. Apparently, he says it’s more in his abdomen than his groin.

Another point for Peverley. A pretty good game from the Thrashers. My impressions: They’re a far cry from being as good as Philly, but they still played well.

The winning goal was a defensive breakdown by Atlanta. Three-on-three turns into one-on-zero. Kari Lehtonen said he didn’t know where the rebound went and just couldn’t react when he did see it.

Philadelphia played pretty well for 50 minutes. The Thrashers played pretty well, too.

I don’t get to go to Montreal. That’s the bad news. The good news is I’m off until Monday. Have a great weekend, everybody.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 22, 2009 4:35 AM | Link to this

“but clearly he’s sore where we hoped that he wouldn’t be”

Um…ew

By GaVaHokie

January 22, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this

Philly and Boston are having their “moment” this season… you can just tell when a team is having “their year”. Just like Pittsburgh last year and Ottawa and Buffalo the years before that.

All in all, great momentum going into the All Star break… hopefully we can start up next week rejuvenated.

By R. Stroz

January 22, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this

stendec - Are you ok?

We haven’t seen anything from you for several games.

By Bob

January 22, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this

Kari Lehtonen said he didn’t know where the rebound went and just couldn’t react when he did see it.

I bet Moose would have known where that rebound was going. But can’t fault Kari completely for the club giving up yet another odd man rush against.

By Bob

January 22, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this

stendec - Are you ok?

The Swedish Meatball broke his spirit. Finns > Swedes = sad stendec

By j nes

January 22, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this

Havelid blew it last night. After he allowed his man to get a shot on goal, he niether attempted to clear the rebound nor attempted to tie up his man. Cosequently his man scored as he watched the puck go into the net. A poor poor play from a “veteran” defenseman. I am no hockey coach, but i know a lack of effort when I see one. I wouldnt be mad if he had at least tried to do SOMETHING! Unfortunately I think that play cost the thrashers more than just two points. It cost them momentum going into the break and it cost them a chance to get a huge win over a team that stomps them on an annual basis. Very disappointing….Am I the only one who noticed this? I know the TV guys don’t like to rip the players but I thought it would have been worth mentioning.

By GaVaHokie

January 22, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this

Knobs… any chance you can talk to ownership if they’re in danger of a similar situation as Phoenix or Nashville? Take a look at this article if you haven’t seen it yet.

By Michael Shapiro

January 22, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this

One quick question about Danny Briere’s “groin” injury**….anybody see him in a fight with Cindy Crosby lately?

Sorry, just couldn’t resist.

Go Kovy and Little. Have fun in Montreal.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 22, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this

I miss the “HaveNOT” rants.

By Standac

January 22, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

Another (x) loss for the Toiletlids and Ilya Bags are Packed Kovalsuck. Letemin did it again. Only Toiletlids worth anything are jock washers. Don Fraudell should be happy with himself and his complete waste of air AHL team.

By Hotrod

January 22, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

That Philly team is relentless in their play. Wonder what upset Coach Anderson the most on Philly’s 4th goal, the lack of defensive pressure on Kari’s left side or the big rebound from the first shot?

By Alan

January 22, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this

Hotrod - Probably both. The guys up ice let Philly get away with another breakaway on Lehtonen, though. Really, I blame both the horrid D coverage in our own zone, as well as Kari for not corralling in the rebound.

By stendec

January 22, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this

I have cooled down. Sort of. Kari Letemin is a no good sorry son of a betch Finn and always will be! Team fought so damn hard to erase the 3-0 hole that bestard LaLa Land scum put it in. Succeeded. Only Letemin refused to cooperate! Fourth goal was a (X) disgrace. Bench the (X) son of a betch! He can go (X) himself along with John Petrino. Speaking of the supposed coach. How about these words of wisdom:

I think we’re on the way up (when you are at the mother (X) bottom there is only one way to go you damn moron). We showed a lot of poise tonight (I guess a defeat by two goals with Letemin in net is a morale victory for this clueless bestard). We showed a lot of different things (another loss is not different I have seen them plenty of times before) of character (no character in a mail-in job you scumball) in the last three or four games (even a blind dog stumbles across a bone every once in a while). I’m excited (if a talentless last place teams excites him he should move to Detroit) about after the All-Star break (for the dozens more losses to come right reject).

No, there is no silver lining here. This is a last place team with no goaltending and only, I say this generously with reservations, one or two players with marginal NHL talent. I may be wrong about the talent. These quitters would be hard pressed to upset an upper echelon college squad! It would be a damn upset.

Letemin went bellyup on the first three goals then torpedoed any momentum the team might have had by whiffing in the fourth goal. Sealed comeback failure plus another in the L column. Thanks sieve! The ball-less drunken Finn with issues can go straight to Hell and take the entire bunch of gutless mother (X) with him! Can we swap these worthless oxygen wastes for the original Flames or Knights? Bring back the original guys. Even at their age they will outperform these whining losers. At the very least they will damn lose with grit and fight. Not like these betch dog Toiletlids! By the by, thanks for the quote Mike. Have a blessed day.

By stendec

January 22, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this

The Flames and Knights had more damn pride than to drop 13 straight to any mother (X) team! That is a fact not a supposition. Happy with that 5-3 choke job apologists? Enjoy the multitude of debacles to follow after the break! That damn blue paint (hair dye) seeped into the miniscule brain of Kari Letemin. What a mother (X) fraud! Even the Hawks could whip this uncaring bunch. On the court or on the ice. Now that is pitiful! I have been remiss on site. Been meditating over loss of Moreno. Prayers are out that overrated loser Stafford winds up in Lion jersey! Think the Lions could use Letemin? He would damn sure fit right in!

By Brendan

January 22, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this

If the ownership fails to meet the standards for full revenue-sharing, whose fault is it? Put your hand up HIGH in the air … if you think it is the FANS’ FAULT. Keep ‘em up. I want to count them all. That’s it. Way up high. Don’t be bashful.

All of you who are presently airing out your pits can now relax. Put your arm down. And you’re WRONG. The fans aren’t wrong for finding something better to do with their time than spending their evenings at Philips Arena, watching the 27th-29th ranked team in the NHL, depending on who you ask, for what is starting to become an ANNUAL OCCURRENCE. You can blame Waddell, if you want. Certainly, he’s an easy enough target, and must shoulder his portion of the responsibility. But the lion’s share of the blame for a lack of backsides occupying seats resides with the ownership, themselves. They’re the ones who can’t buy out a partner, in over 3 years. They’re the ones who can’t offer a settlement to a lawsuit once it is no longer ‘cost-effective’ to continue fighting it. They’re the ones who don’t mind or care that Kari doesn’t have a full-time goaltender coach. They’re the ones who are pleased with Dan Marr’s scouting through nine (9) seasons. They’re the ones who leave Don Waddell in charge, despite the results. And unless I’m vastly misinformed, they’re the ones who set the budget. Ya know, the budget that would hinder even the great Scotty Bowman’s abilility to ice a high caliber annual contender.

Don’t blame … the fans. There’s nothing, at all, wrong with the hockey fans in the 20-county metropolitan-area. I’d say that there were … if the Thrashers had been in the playoffs for the past five seasons, advancing into the latter rounds, and nobody gave a cr#p that they’d done it. In thaaat instance, I’d say, “Yes, the fans are at fault.” The team is winning, is intelligently constructed, and all signs point to continued success on a grand scale, yet nobody will come watch them. If that happened, then yessss, the fans would be at fault.

That won’t happen. Hockey interest in this area … is strong. All that is needed is better ownership to install BETTER management, and to GET OUT OF THE WAY while financing it. That’s what good ownership would do. Instead, we have what we do. Don’t make me resurrect the “trivia” portion of my interview with Bruce Levensen at The Onion where I asked Bruce if he knew who Devin Setoguchi was. After pausing and rubbing his chin, he asked if he could have some choices. So I offered him (A) She’s the hottest, sexiest model that Europe has produced in YEARS, (B) he’s the latest whiz-bang fashion consultant, responsible for a line of custom-made designer hang bags that are sweeping the nation, (C) he’s currently a member of the Phoenix Coyotes, logging 18-minutes a game, or (D) he’s the 8th overall draft pick from the 2005 Draft. Bruce asked if he could have a lifeline. So I said, “Sure.” Bruce selected 50/50. So I took away choices A & B. After pausing, he asked if he could use his final lifeline to call Ed Pescowitz for help. I laughed hystercally, and said, “sure, phone ‘im up.” When Ed answered the phone, Bruce said, “Hi Ed, it’s your best friend and confidant in life.” Ed responded by saying, “Who is this?” After about 3 and a half minutes, Bruce successfully convinced Mr. Pescowitz it was really him. Ed wanted to know why he was calling. Bruce asked him if he knew who Devin Setoguchi was. Ed responded by saying, “Do I get some choices?”

I interjected, “Yeah, it’s between (C) he’s an active member of the Phoenix Coyotes or (D) he was the 8th overall pick in the 2005 draft.” Ed sighed and said, “I honestly have no idea.” Bruce laughed at him and called him a ‘bad owner.’ Ed replied, “Why are YOU calling me, again?” Bruce pressed him for a “Final answer,” and Ed shrugged and said, “I’ll say he plays on Phoenix.”

Bruce thought it over. I reminded him there is a ‘time limit’ on the question. So, Bruce said, “Well, I’ve known Ed a long, long time. He tends to get things wrong a lot of the time. So, I’ll say, “D,” he was the 8th overall selection in the 2005 draft. I leaned in to ask, “Are you SUUUURE? Is that your ‘Final Answer?’” And Bruce assured me that it was. I turned towards to AJC Bloggers to confirm the response. They nodded that it was correct. I said, “Bruce, that’s exactly right! You won the ‘trivia portion’ of our interview.” Mr. Levenson wanted to know what he’d won. I paused, briefly, and said, “Partial enlightnenment. The Paul Harvey, ‘Rest of the Story’ (TM) can be found by reading up on the 2005 draft or checking out the AJC.com hockey blogs.

By Thrashy Thrashy

January 22, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this

stendec,

I think Anderson’s happy that they won three out of four going into the break. Most coaches of teams that have generally played like garbage in the (symbolic) first half of the season would be happy to see better effort before the break.

Letemin coulda played better last night. Some of the goals were fluky, no doubt. Even so, Letemin gives up a lot of fluky goals. The reason why the Thrashers won three games in a row is because he didn’t do that crap. He turtled against Niittymaki again, but at least the boys tried to get back in the game there at the end. They could have been choke job son of a betch mother (X) losers and played out the string in the third. They’ve done that plenty of times this year. However, they didn’t do it against the Flyers last night.

By GaVaHokie

January 22, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this

Summary of Brendan’s post… It’s not the fans fault if Atlanta doesn’t meet the attendance requirement for revenue sharing.

Brendan… I’m not exactly sure anyone said it WAS the fans’ fault.

By Brendan

January 22, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this

You are corect, Hokie. No one said it was the fans’ fault. And a better summary might have been, “It’s the ownership’s fault if it doesn’t get full revenue-sharing this season.”

By Top Shelf

January 23, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

From the Hockey News website today:

Worse Than I Could Have Imagined:

Atlanta: “The Thrashers are as inept on the road as they are at home. No team has allowed more goals than they have. And Ilya Kovalchuk looks like he wants to reverse-defect back to Russia. The only way this situation gets worse is if GM Don Waddell is allowed to remain GM next season.” Link: Article

By stendec

January 23, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this

Greetings Mike. Start Letemin. Start Letemin! Start Letemin? Well, you all got your wish. Guess what? He damn sure let em in! The Toiletlids actually showed a small amount of grit (surprised the Hell out of me) to climb out of a deep 3-0 hole imposed upon them by that future Hall of Fame start him guy Kari “Hiccup” Letemin. The biggest untalented fraud ever produced by the Communist country of Finland! I know, I know. It is to me. What did we ever do to them that was so bad as to deserve Letemin? Must have been a doozy! A mental excursion into LaLa Land led to the fatal fourth goal in the closing minutes of a 5-3 streak-ending debacle. Another defeat. Another (scarce as a Bigfoot sighting) winning streak shot to Hell! Thanks to that Finn son of a betch. The bestard did not need any excuses of his own. The damn apologists stepped up to the plate (onto the ice?) for him. It is amazing that this oxygen waste reject from a funny farm surrenders four goals (the first three of the game) but is still considered by the braindead imbeciles on this site as God’s gift to damn goaltending! Most refuse to blame this sieve for any of the goals allowed. The only one I reluctantly absolve the scumball for is the last one. The empty netter. Four more go directly onto his personal resume. An excuse for every goal. Know that puck gets lost in sun sometimes. Sheesh! Bad bounces. Bad breaks. Bad ice. Bad karma. Bad monkey pucks. Bad facemask logo. Bad teleportation. Bad doggy. But I digress. To these apologists the son of a betch has never been beaten for a legitimate goal! These damn losers all belong in Detroit. And they can damn sure cart off Letemin and the other gutless Toiletlids with them. By the way, keep starting the untalented Finn. After all, it is another in an endless procession of build years! Glad the Falcon management did not take that easy out after the meltdown of 2007. Only fans that do not give a damn continally utilize the wait till next year refrain. Do not provide these so-called professional athletes with an excuse to fail by proclaiming another build year. Damn build years are for college teams after 90 percent of the starters graduate! How many years are fans supposed to patiently wait watching a laughingstock group of uncaring quitters? Two? Five? 10? 50? Just let me know. I waited patiently on the Flames. So patiently that they won the Stanley Cup in Calgary not Atlanta! Think Manitoba might want the Toiletlids? Did not think so! God bless. Amen.

Ilya Kovalchuk looks like he wants to reverse-defect back to Russia. Thanks Top Shelf.

By Alan

January 23, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this

Kovalchuk looks a whole lot happier now that Peverley is here. Although I don’t expect that guy to notice. He probably looks at the numbers and makes assumptions.

Can’t say I blame him. For the first time ever, I’ve been turning off the games when they look out of hand, and the team doesn’t look like they’re competing.

By Tom

January 23, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

Friend forwarded me an email from a ticket rep from the Thrashers.

Here is the opening paragraph:

I need your help; what would make you want to buy season tickets? Please do not be afraid to say anything; every idea is a good idea, the only bad idea is the one I don’t receive.

Does it reek of desperation? You be the judge…

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 23, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this

Alan — I’m not sold. Peverley is having a nice streak, but 5 games does not make a season. He’s playing out of his mind right now, but can he sustain a ~1.0 ppg rate for an entire season? In my opinion, that is what Kovalchuk’s line needs (another +70 point player).

I think Peverley needs a larger body of work before we can accurately gauge Kovalchuk’s “happiness” (based on outward appearance) towards Peverley as his linemate. Sure, I hope (as I will always do) that this attempt at a linemate works out long term, but I feel much more confident that a top tier center will still be a high priority in the offseason.

By Alan

January 23, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this

ranallo - I’m merely pointing out that Kovalchuk looks a whole lot happier with Peverley out there, not that Peverley is the solution Kovalchuk has been looking for since Savard left. I’m not convinced yet, either, but you have to admit that Kovalchuk has been far more energetic since his arrival.

Or it could be the Captaincy. Or Williams playing elsewhere. Could be any of those, too. But regardless, he looks a whole lot happier now than he did a couple weeks ago.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 23, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this

Tom — I’m curious how your friend replied to that email.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 23, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

“But regardless, he looks a whole lot happier now than he did a couple weeks ago.”

True, he does. Hopefully it lasts.

By Top Shelf

January 23, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this

Hey Tom, here’s what you can tell the ticket rep:

1)How about getting Thrasher merchandise in the local stores? Do I need to go online of go to Phillips to get a car tag or Thrashers decal?

2)How about insisting your “flagship radio station” 680 The Fan talk hockey? The only hockey talk is 30 minutes before a game.

3)How about telling the TV sports reporters to show more than just fights on the local news? How about the other NHL scores?

By Top Shelf

January 23, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this

I think the Knights did a better job marketing their team than the thrash does.

By Alan

January 23, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this

2)How about insisting your “flagship radio station” 680 The Fan talk hockey? The only hockey talk is 30 minutes before a game.

This is why I don’t bother to listen to 680. I stream in Toronto’s 590 for hockey talk. I’d listen to NHL Home Ice, but I’m not a XM subscriber.

The Knights did a hell of a job marketing. It seemed like everyone knew who the Knights were, whether they were a hockey fan or not. The Thrashers? Horrible marketing. More billboards would be a nice start. Merchandise in local stores is a good idea, too. More television spots — and not just on SportSouth, either. MARTA goes right to the gates at Philips, so why not advertise in stations or on the trains? The Hawks are advertised there, after all, and there are tons of people from the northern suburbs who use MARTA to get to the Braves shuttle for games.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out how to get more butts into seats, from a pure marketing standpoint. The next part of the equation is to improve the on-ice product.

By Brendan

January 23, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this

Tom, here are some ideas you can forward to the ticket rep. (1) Ticket sales can be tied to performance of the GM duties. So, just making any kind of change at the GM position would probably trigger a rash of ticket sales. (2) if the GM must be retained, no matter what, you guys could try selling season tickets in the following manner. “Buy 3 at full price, get two more season tickets free.” It’s a diguised 40% discount. But it really could work. The league will count it as ticket sales. And that will probably help with their “attendance” figures, in terms of revenue-sharing dollars. (3) “Free parking” nights might bring in some fans. Who knows? I wouldn’t have thought parking expenses were an issue, but if it is, then this would alleviate that problem. (4) Give-away product nights. In the inauguaral season, they gave away Thrashers water bottles. That seemed popular. It won’t cost a lot to do, either. (5) Free seat upgrades. In other words, you buy a $28 to $35 seat. If there are vacant seats at the club level, you get to sit there.

That’s a good start for the sales ticket rep.

By stendec

January 23, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this

Want to keep Loseland from becoming Emptyland? Long past time for some post Beatlemania campaigning! Center a marketing strategy around Ilya Kovalchuk. I know he is not friendly to fans and cannot speak English worth a damn but IK is the only Thrasher known outside of Atlanta. Slap his likeness on everything from arm rests to wrist bands. People may not flock out in groves to see the lousy team but they might want to glimpse IK. Folks like myself used to purchase an entire album of music to obtain one favorite song. I guarantee there are sports fans in Atlanta and the surrounding area who know zilch about ice hockey but are familiar with the name of the captain. The Hawks have a solid public relations program but I cannot name one of the damn players on the team. So tell that to the Thrasher public relations geniuses. If a team cannot be marketed successfully (the Thrashers cannot) then target a specific player or players. Anyone but Kari Letemin! That campaign would be a bust before it got started. Get sick to my stomach every time I see his ugly Finnish mug on SportsSouth! Think positive people. Embrace statistics! Shrug off wins and losses. Let the Falcons get the victories. The Thrashers lose 7-1 but by golly they had a 32-29 lead in total shots on goal and managed two more faceoff wins. Talk about damn impressive! To Hell with the final score. Uh huh. See how out of touch you apologists are in regard to sports?

By MB

January 23, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this

Tom, in answer to your question, yes, that e-mail definitely reeks of desperation. And while several have already suggested some good marketing ideas in response, to me the only thing that would move me towards considering season tickets is improvement of the on ice product.

Towards that end, the things that can be done in the short-term (relatively speaking): 1. Upgrade talent - If you want me to spend money, the ASG needs to spend some money first; spending at the bottom of the cap has given us a talent level near the bottom of the league. Don’t even bother calling until you’ve done this (and no, ASG, giving me your word that you’ll address it in the off-season is no good…you’ve burned your bridges there). 2. Address management concerns - You know it, we know it, the rest of the hockey world knows it…the Thrashers are among the most poorly-run organizations in the NHL, if not professional sports in North America. Is it ownership? Is it the GM? Both? Man up and fix it, beginning with settling the ownership squabble in February.

That’s it for me…just two items. The marketing stuff? Start putting a quality product on the ice and you can have Howdy Doody handle your marketing…winning is what puts butts in seats in Atlanta.

By Bob

January 23, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this

Does it reek of desperation?

Why yes, yes it does.

Answers (already given to reps by multiple former STH):

get a real GM

get some players

By Tom

January 23, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 Not sure if he did reply but he told me he was tempted to say, 50 dollars, 2 tickets inside the bowl, for the rest of the season. Oh, and that 50 dollars was for the season, not per game.

To everyone else, those are some great ideas. I will send him over to look at it, or maybe he can send the rep the link.

By Sharon

January 24, 2009 7:17 AM | Link to this

For the most part, it’s hard to promote interest in a losing team so I don’t envy the Marketing Dept (regardless of their competence level).

Given that, if the (potential or casual) fans won’t come to you, then go to them. Atlanta has plenty of sports bars so send the Blue Crew girls out on the town. A few of them could hit a bar and hand out tickets, t-shirts and a promo guide (and a little charm, haha). They could also do a jersey drawing per bar. It may encourage some folks to come out to a game, but in the least it will garner some attention. It’s cheap, it’s easy and skimpy outfits sell (haha).

A fun thing that some teams do is send out players to deliver tickets to a lucky few STHs. I’d be thrilled if Kovalchuk showed up at my door. Of course, this is dependent upon fans already having purchased tickets. It’s fun nonetheless.

These are smaller supplementary suggestions to the broader ideas already stated in the blog. But either would add a little personal touch to their marketing plan.

By Sharon

January 24, 2009 7:20 AM | Link to this

For the most part, it’s hard to promote interest in a losing team so I don’t envy the Marketing Dept (regardless of their competence level).

Given that, if the (potential or casual) fans won’t come to you, then go to them. Atlanta has plenty of sports bars so send the Blue Crew girls out on the town. A few of them could hit a bar and hand out tickets, t-shirts and a promo guide (and a little charm, haha). They could also do a jersey drawing per bar. It may encourage some folks to come out to a game, but in the least it will garner some attention. It’s cheap, it’s easy and skimpy outfits sell (haha).

A fun thing that some teams do is send out players to deliver tickets to a lucky few STHs. I’d be thrilled if Kovalchuk showed up at my door. Of course, this is dependent upon fans already having purchased tickets. It’s fun nonetheless.

These are smaller supplementary suggestions to the broader ideas already stated in the blog. But either would add a little personal touch to their marketing plan.

By Sharon

January 24, 2009 7:29 AM | Link to this

Oh, damn the double post (haha)!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 24, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this

“A fun thing that some teams do is send out players to deliver tickets to a lucky few STHs. I’d be thrilled if Kovalchuk showed up at my door. Of course, this is dependent upon fans already having purchased tickets. It’s fun nonetheless.”

Exelby delivered tickets to two STH this past season. One of them happened to be my neighbor from the season prior.

I’m sure most people would’ve been more excited had Kovalchuk been the delivery boy (or Hedberg for the females), but Exelby is well liked by many fans despite his defensive deficiencies.

By Sage of Bluesland

January 24, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

Win and they will come…

Continue to employ that bumbling, blustering little fraud of a GM and you get what you deserve.

Simple, end-of.

By NASCAR Dave

January 26, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this

Oh, come on now SAGE, don’t bash the sheep!!! Remember, they are getting what they paid for… LOL!!!