Thrashers

By Brendan

February 7, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this

What’s important now, is to develop prospects. After the trade deadline, I think we’ll see more of the Chicago Wolves players.

By Kaat

February 7, 2009 5:56 PM | Link to this

Mike I just wanted to say I appreciate your interaction and participation with the readers on this blog. It’s really great. Craig Custance was awesome at that, and you are too.

Re: Peverly with Kozlov and Little. I’d like to see that in a game. Just to see what happens. At this point, I think Anderson is like a caveman rubbing two sticks together and hoping for fire. Try anything at this point. It sure can’t make things worse.

I’d also like to see more of Kozlov and Kovalchuk skating on a line. Again … just to see what happens. I know they were together briefly Friday, but why not give it a go again?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

February 7, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this

Developing talent is the only point right now, so I’m glad Little and Peverley are continuing to get their chances on top lines. I’d still like to see Little CENTERING with Kovalchuk and maybe Armstrong, but as long as he’s getting top 2 line minutes I can’t complain.

Hopefully soon Waddell will be calling up some of the other young guys to get their lumps at the NHL level (if even for a few games), and maybe we could see Machacek or Holzapfel (good ol’ Wood Apple) playing in Atlanta.

By Jason

February 7, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this

Well Mike, I completely agree with player development. I’m really hoping some of the UFA will be on their way out over the next few weeks and room will be made for the younger guys to play.

I know I may regret it due to the awesome weather here this weekend, but I will be at the game tomorrow to watch the debacle against the Flyers unfold.

By A.S.

February 7, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this

Is Lehtonen playing tomorrow?

By LAC

February 7, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this

Did anyone else see Stan Fishler tonight before the NJ/LA game talking about the NJ win last night compliments of Our Atlanta Thrashers ?

What got me was he really took about a minute to BLAST the Thrashers as THE WORST TEAM IN THE NHL, While NYI is last now, they have solid prospects, Atlanta does not. Then…. He nailed and even said it…”The biggest problem in Atlanta is there GM he has been there since day one and frankly is to BLAME for the Thrashers ills… Then he noted the Thrashers have perhaps THE WORST owners in the NHL as well.

It was outstanding that someone like Stan would Tell It Like It Is on The Thrashers and don waddell.

I thought about this, if someone kidnapped waddell and sent asg a ransom note they would most likely not realize who waddell is !!!! That is THE sad part of it, we are The WORST TEAM IN THE NHL all compliments of don waddell !

Are we moving in the RIGHT direction yet don ?

We are beyond hope, but let’s hope he trades to get Ken Klee back !

By Sage of Bluesland

February 7, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this

LAC,

He must not have gotten Sara’s spweadsheet to pwove that Donny is weally, weally an ‘above-average’ GM!!!

Silly, wittle, sheep…

Oh well, enjoy what you deserve—yes, anyone who continues to go to these games DESERVES what this organization is shoveling…

By sisu

February 7, 2009 9:15 PM | Link to this

once again Sage you bring personal attacks against people. Let’s just talk about the team not each other huh?

By sisu

February 7, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this

Stan Fishler who is he? the points are valid about the owners and DW but to say we have no players? He must be smoking something…

By josebenzaca

February 7, 2009 10:05 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t matter. Once the lawsuit is finalized, the Thrashers will be sold. Whether they stay in Atlanta is the question.

By RS

February 7, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

Stan Fischler is the very definition of an old coot.

By krust

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

As I was watching last nights game, something that the great one said about the NJ Devils came to mind. About 20 years or more ago after the Edmenton had defeated the NJ Devils 12 or more to 1. The Great One declared the NJ devils to be a mickey mouse organization. Well this has to said about the Thrashers. They are truly mickey mouse from the top to the bottom. In fact Don Waddell is Mickey Mouse. Fire Everyone. Starting next week in a Maryland court could spell the end to the crap ownership running this team.

I might not agree with Stan Fishler all the time, but he is right, this team and Gm are the door mat of the league.

By Brendan

February 7, 2009 11:48 PM | Link to this

Stan Fishler is an old school hockey guy. He’s been around for quite a while. He’s far from wholly ignorant. He has his biases, like anyone else. He learns towards his Home teams, to put it mildly. Though, he is critical of them when that is required. (When it comes time to fire the Coach, GM, scouts, etc.) But I digress.

The question to ask is: “How ‘brilliant’ does a person have to be … to see that there are problems in Atlanta?” Ya know, on a scale of 1-10. I’m gonna say … a ‘2’ on the brilliant scale. I know. I know. “But Brendan, you’re picking on the very bottom rung of the brilliant scale.” Hmmn. I guess I am.

The next question to ask Stan Fishler is … if he thinks water is wet. Or if day will follow night. Or if the world … is round, as opposed to being flat. The answers to these questions are on a par with an observation that the Thrashers are poorly run.

I think, on some level, even Waddell knows the Thrashers are poorly run. That is, unless he really is William Hung. But, he appears fiercely loyal to his scouting staff. Eventually, he had to fire Curt Fraser, whom he basically asked to fall on the sword for the first few years of Thrashers existence. Hartley, I think, was a firing Waddell didn’t want to make, because it was a product of failure at a time of high expectations. Unlike with Fraser, Waddell expected Hartley to guide the team on deep playoff run. Waddell hired Anderson for the same reasons he hired Fraser. Waddell doesn’t expect Anderson to take the team to the playoffs. He just ‘hopes’ that he might. We’re in YEAR TWO of a plan that cultiminates in 2011.

By truehockeyfan

February 8, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this

will someone please tell toby and slava it’s ok to shoot. It seems that both of them are afraid to shoot. We don’t put enough pucks at the net and when we do finally shoot we always miss the net. What happened to the old fashioned wrist shot that would always seems to hit the net. just a thought.

By stendec

February 8, 2009 9:29 AM | Link to this

Will not post again for a long time. Lost fire for sports. Only son of niece murdered. The Heavenly angel was only a few months old.

A parting gift for all my Thrasher friends. Yes, I said friends:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Atlanta-Thrashers-Pictorial

“There’s a place…where I can go…when I feel low…when I feel blue…when I’m alone.” The Beatles.

God bless.

By Tom

February 8, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this

Stendec

My prayers go out to you and your family.

Tom

By dave the fan

February 8, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this

Don Waddell = Mat Millen

Atlanta Spirit = worst owners in the history of sports

Not only can’t they run either team, they can’t even handle their own partnership. Just a total embarrassment to the city and themselves.

But the truth is they never cared about the Thrashers ( neither did McDaviid) for that matter.

Someone that does care will buy them in the next year or so, the only question is will they stay in Atlanta. I mourned the loss of the Flames, but frankly at this point I will not lose any sleep if the Thrasher leave. Atlanta/ Georgia great football town, good baseball town, getting better basketball town, Hockey town? Maybe not.

By Nate

February 8, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

Hmmm…to say Atlanta is not a hockey town means you didn’t pay attention to the playoff attendance. I know it was just two games. But you don’t get a standing room crowd and fans chanting, “Let’s Go Thrashers!” over and over 30 minutes prior to the opening faceoff in a non-hockey town. The fans are here. They just need a team worth cheering for.

I didn’t see the Blackhawks selling out a few years or ago. The Red Wings were a joke to 30 years ago. It’s not fickle fans. It’s a crappy on-ice product bring down hockey in Atlanta. Give the city a team and the sport will thrive here.

By Flips Dunmore

February 8, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this

Mickey mouse organization? From top to bottom, there’s no question that the thrashers are the worst-run franchise in the league.

Forget the poor player development. Forget their inability to attract quality free agents. Forget all of that.

Look instead at the hideously ugly third jerseys that the team debuted this season. You know there had to be other proposals. And they picked that? They chose that thing… And probably thought it looked good.

So incredibly out of touch.

Seriously, is there anything this team can’t just screw up?

By ea

February 8, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this

Mike, please let us know if Ilya’s wife had a boy or girl and if baby and mother are doing well. I know we all wish him and his family the best. The baby is such a bright spot for him in a dismal season.

By FormerIslesFan

February 8, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

stendec, so sorry, my friend. While I may not always agree with your posts, I appreciate your fire. Lilibeter and I are so sorry for your loss.

By bentavius

February 8, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

i was going to watch the game this afternoon but i figured why bother. how sad.

By Alan

February 8, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this

As much as I disagreed with your broken record postings on the Thrashers, I would never wish ill on your family.

Sorry to hear about the son of your niece, and it is my hopes that the wounds heal. My thoughts go out to you and your family.

By Alan

February 8, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this

Oh yes, and also: Congratulations, Kovalchuk, on the new addition to your family!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

February 8, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

“Seriously, is there anything this team can’t just screw up?”

Uh, they do a fine job picking Ice Girls.

I would’ve said the Thrash routines too, but once they stopped playing “Bombs Over Baghdad” (Outkast) during his dance routines, the performances just don’t live up to my expectations.

By Hotrod

February 8, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

Stendec - what a body blow. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Thanks for the link. I clicked on the Knights and saw the pics of Manon. I saw her first start.

By RS

February 8, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

According to life.ru, the baby is a boy and they have named it Philip. Surely not after Philips Arena.

By fanfan

February 9, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this

What I forcasted a year ago, and again 5 months ago is coming to life now. Congratulations to you guys, who can finally see no light at the end of tunnel for this team. Sell,sell,sell and invest in The Hawks to bring them higher!