Ice Man

By Bob

March 3, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this

That was me, IceDude, telling you all youse guys was going to like Dupuis. He has the wheels we need.

Just got done watching the Tivo of the game, the boys found a way to get it done in the 3rd, very nice.

Now, Heatley is severely testing my new found Mennonite un-hate for him. The Douche bag can just suck it with that bs he pulled tonight. X looked liked he wanted to take his head off at the end of the game.

I completely agree with you re. Ilya. He is about to enter show time. It’s time to put up or shut up, Ilya. I think he has it in him, let’s do it, kid.

By Scott

March 3, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this

What did Heatley do at the end of the game?

And what the hell is up with no TV coverage? What’s the contact info for sportsouth?

By Jeff

March 3, 2007 2:12 AM | Link to this

Believe me. I am in complete agreement with trying to find info on SportSouth. I can’t even find their website (and frankly, I don’t think they even have one!). If anyone knows SportSouth’s website, PLEASE post it. I would like to know their contract info with the Thrashers and Braves as well as what their plans are for broadcasting in HD.

As far as the game went, I don’t think I will ever be able to figure this team out. As bad as they have looked at home this past month, only to come out and thoroughly dominate one of the best teams in the East is just beyond me. Top notch performace tonight! These were two points that we definitely needed. And we finally won at home in regulation. Its been 40 days since we last won at home in regulation!!

40 Days!!

By Sharon

March 3, 2007 2:51 AM | Link to this

Scott,

I can’t find a website for SportSouth either, but here’s their phone number. It’s listed on the SportSouth page on Wikipedia.com. It works too (haha).

404-230-7300

By Brendan

March 3, 2007 2:54 AM | Link to this

Bernie Mullin said on “breakfast with Bernie” that the team would be keeping two seats unsold for every game, just so the “sellout hex” would no longer apply.

Bob Hartley must have said something to the troops. They found a way to outscore Ottawa, one of the best teams in the league, 3-0 in the 3rd period. That’s 2-0-0 since Dupuis and Tkachuk arrived.

By Brendan

March 3, 2007 2:59 AM | Link to this

May I suggest, “Center Ice” parties? Cozy up to someone who has it. Last time I checked, the price was $119 for the 2nd half of the season, if you want to buy it. Comcast doesn’t give you a choice of broadcast crew. Maybe Dishnetwork or DirectTV does.

I’ve learned one thing from Center Ice. Buffalo’s play-by-play man Rick Jeannearette (Sp?) gives Dan Kamal’s anneurisms a run for the money. Shoot, even the “close calls” in front of the net rival Kamal’s. Jannerette calls every game like it’s Game Seven of the Finals. And every Sabre goal is the cup clincher.

By Sharon

March 3, 2007 2:59 AM | Link to this

Ok, make that Wikipedia.org. Search for SportSouth Network to view their info page or…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SportSouth

I obviously have nothing better to do at 3 am (haha).

By LAC

March 3, 2007 3:05 AM | Link to this

How is that BUM heatley’s probation doing ? Has he qivenany talks about speeding in Ottawa ?

Why is Paul Howard NOT following up on this ?

Why does the FAN not know,this is public record… and Paul Howard should DO HIS JOB,”IF” heatley is NOT doing these measures set down by the late judge, heatley should GO TO JAIL NEXT TIME IN TOWN… Plain & Simple !

Otherwise… Another GREAT WIN !!!!

Real nice to see the NEW Players adding SPARK !!!

With Pitt loss, we are one behind them two back of TB, they play FL at FL sat, then off to Vancouver/CGY/EDM… Gee I hope they provide the SAME scores they had when we were there…

By Tony C.

March 3, 2007 6:13 AM | Link to this

Whoever dug up the SportsSouth # …that’s hot sh!t!!! nice work…nw we just need to find the assistant programming director’s extension as I understand that is the person who actually gets things done in order to air programs….I have ths t say on the Danielle Heatley: the booing really should stop, but if he keeps being surly and kneeing The Kid after it’s obvious that his side is going to loose…well then, we boo him for that reason.

So who has center ice? This no televised games is crap. NBC dicked us over on Sunday because the face of “the NEW NHL” is playing the Flyers…kind of insulting to Carolina, I mean however rough their season has been, they are the defending Champions….weak. Then no SpoSo coverage??? wtf?

I know TJ’s up alpHELLretta is a very hockey friendly place-I mean ex- Flames own it right? I remember watching Eastern Conf. finals there in the late 90’s good experience, great crowd. I expect it’s still a good place to catch a game.

So which new guy has mst impressed you so far???

LET’S GO BLUE

P.S. Bob Dupuis’ backhander was nasty looks like you got the straight poop on this guy

By Jim

March 3, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this

Watched on Center Ice. Interviews between periods with Spezza and Tkachuk indicated that ice surface was real bad leading to inconsistent play but the Thrash really stepped it up in the third and clearly took control of a Cup type game. Belanger and Dupuis really add speed but Vigier and Havelid were terrible. New version looks pretty good.

By Tom

March 3, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

My advice to anyone who follows the Thrashers and likes hockey in general is to get Center Ice. I can’t imagine living without it. For $150/season it’s a deal. Every year you’re going to have problems with local TV coverage, the schedule is set in September and they’re just not going to cover every game, the budget won’t allow it. And come on Ice Man, why no Center Ice for you!

By Sphinctor

March 3, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Havelid looks like garbage. I think it would be better to sit him until he can play again.

By Tom

March 3, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Ice Man: Once again on the TV coverage…can you get the lowdown from DW on how the whole contract thing works? Is there anything the Thrashers can do, any pressure they can apply to get some of these games on? Who makes these decisions on not televising what games? And what buffoon decided it would be a good idea to NOT televise 4 of 5 and 5 of 9 at this point in the season? Get us an email address…we’ll flood the SOB. This is REALLY pathetic. You mean to tell me they can’t put something in the contract of the Hawks and Thrashers that late season games can be preempted based on situations…ie like last night’s when you have the crappy Hawks on while the Thrashers, battling for the playoffs, get stiffed? I know, I know…the answer is probably that you have a bunch of neanderthal ‘Necks over at SS that don’t care for hockey anyway. Please see what you can find out for us Ice Man. Thanks.

By TheRatio

March 3, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

I would get Center Ice but whenever they have their free trial periods all of the Atlanta games are blacked out. So why pay $150/SEASON when your home team games are blacked out?

Does everyone have this problem, is there a work around? Hell, I’ll order the package today if it lets me watch the game tomorrow!

Oh and about last nights game, it’s good to see that the Thrashers woke up in the 3rd period. Great win!! Oh and the ice did look awful, the puck was bouncing everywhere.

By poosay

March 3, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

It is time for Tkatchuk to do something! Everyone else new has.

By Mark

March 3, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Bench Havelid….Nice win for the home fans, thanks guys…

TV coverage just more NHL shooting its foot off, no wonder its sinking off the map. But don’t tell the rest of the city, what their missing, keep ticket prices low.

GO THRASHERS, the storm ends here Sun.

By Bob

March 3, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Tom, I completely agree with you and I can’t live without CenterIce. I really don’t watch much other TV during hockey season, there’s always multiple good games on.

Ratio, I can’t remember them ever blacking out Thrasher games on CenterIce. Mabye they black out the opposing team feed on CenterIce if it’s on SportsSouth? Sometimes, there’s just no TV covereage at all, but that only happens 1 time a year, mabye.

By TheRatio

March 3, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

BOB - I have good ol’ Charter Communications, but I believe that shouldn’t matter since Center Ice is Center Ice. Hrmm. I guess I’ll have to look into that.

On the Center Ice website it says…

“Blackout restrictions exist to protect the local television telecasters of each NHL game in the local markets of the teams. Blackouts are not based on arena sell-outs. Keep in mind that blackout policies and restrictions are different for every sports package that your system may carry. “

I understand blacking out the broadcast if SportsSouth is show the game, but if it’s not on TV, then it shouldn’t be blacked out.

Maybe I’ll call them and get the scoop.

By Brian

March 3, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

For everyone who doesn’t have CenterIce - it is only a couple games a year. Taco Mac is not good about hockey but Frankie’s/Jocks n Jills is.

Brendan (and those that do have CenterIce) - Thank you for giving Rick Jeanerette credit. I grew up listening to him and Ryan will laugh when I say Top shelf where Momma hides the cookies!

My second favorite over the last 8 years (I moved here in the ‘98 - ‘99 season) was the guy from Pittsburgh.

The two that I hated the most was Craig from the Caps games and I think it was Potvin from the Panthers. Do they stick those two guys back in a casket after the game?

By Brian

March 3, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, couldn’t be happier with the new lineup. Dupuis almost made me fall over last night with that goal. I missed the whole 1st and part of the 2nd, what was up with the PK?

By Gonnoreah

March 3, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Havelid is horrendous. So are the fan giveaways. The Hossa statue looks like Slater as he is falling of his skates to the ice. Did I mention Havelid is helping the other teams more than he is his own.

By Ryan

March 3, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Brian and Brendan, was driving back from Tenn about a month ago, have XM radio. Listened to Sabres game on the way back. “Where momma hides the cookies”, Jeanerette has been around for a long time. They love that guy as much as Jim Kelly.

By ranallo10

March 3, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/thrashers/entries/2007/03/02/unveilingthen.html#comment-1037452

By Brian

March 3, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Ryan - If you have Cingular you can even get the old LaLaLa Lafontaine ringtone.

On another note, they loved him so much that when everyone was screaming for him to be the TV play-by-play guy and they couldn’t get him out of the radio deal, they became one of the first teams in the NHL to ever have the same guy for TV & radio.

By roh

March 3, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

Iceman - we were at the game last night and the 3rd period looked like we had flown in the Wings and put them in Thrasher uniforms. It was UNBELIEVABLE the team that came out in the third - there was no way they were the same players for 40 minutes of hockey prior to that. We were blown away. LOVE the new guys! But I’m starting to believe Tkachuk really IS a rental. As long as he wants that cup bad enough to get everyone else on board with him, I guess I’m ok with letting him go after hoisting it.

Heatley Shmeatley - the best revenge is to beat them every time we play them and between last season and this season we’re 5-3 on them. 3-1 this season. Knocking them out of the playoffs would be the ultimate payback.

By Zecklar

March 3, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

I think the cheetah girls went into the locker room during the 2nd intermission and gave the guys a little, ahem, “pep talk”. Thus the performance in the 3rd.

By Brian

March 3, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

roh - I am curious as to why people say he is a rental. I think Forseberg made some comments that he wanted to be in Philly, Smyth said he wanted to be in Edmonton (although he is from there) but why Tkachuk? I have yet to see one thing that indicates that.

Would anyone be as upset if he went to any other club in the NHL or just if he went to St. Louis? We knew he was an UFA at the end of the season, that’s the risk.

We certainly have an advantage that if he totally doesn’t gel with this team we don’t have to offer him a penny.

By michael

March 3, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

feedback@nbcsports.com Let em know it’s bull$hit to pull the coverage from us!

By Brian

March 3, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

michael - brilliant post. A lot of people have been focusing on SportSouth but NBC said months ago that they were committed to this game and TurnerSouth/SportSouth back then made a decision based on that. Don’t get me wrong, I still think it is stupid to not cover the other 3 games in so close a time, but I am wondering if even CenterIce will have that game tomorrow. The one Carolina channel that would is just “TBA”.

By Tony C.

March 3, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

Tkachuk is for sure a rental. UFA money is better spent elsewhere (Gomez, Datsyuk et. al.) in the summer. He’s at the end of the road, and I don’t think that you would want to give up two years worth of first-round picks for a guy whose contract would liekly see him round the corner on the big 4-0.

Just my $.02

LET’S GO BLUE !!!

By kracker

March 3, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Bolts lose 2-6 in Sunrise to the Panthers!! FLA on 4 game streak, 6 pts out now.

By Brendan

March 3, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

I had never seen this before, but Ville Peltonen, of Florida, was awarded a penalty shot ANNND the high sticking penalty was ALSO enforced against Tampa Bay. If it was going to be enforced irrespective of the outcome of the penalty shot. By the way, Peltonen scored, and that made it 5-1, and basically salted away the game for the Cats. Tampa is now 1-1 on their road trip.

Boston beat Montreal. The Islanders won big. Sabres beat the Leafs 3-1. I was hoping for Buffalo’s broadcast crew on Center Ice, but it was “Hockey Night in Canada’s.” You should hear their “point/counterpoint” discussions. It was a pity-party over the loss of Ryan Smyth, and the $100K that caused it. The Oilers said, in the offseason, we won’t go above $4.5M. Smyth’s agent said, $5M or we’re done. Then, at the deadline, they demanded $5.5M. The Oilers countered with $5.4M. Smyth then reportedly said, “$5.5, but I buy a private suite at Rexall Place for $100K, so the “net pay” is $5.4M.” Edmonton said, “no.” Then Ron McLean had a nervous breakdown, stopped short of blowing his hankey, citing, “Well how on Earth, gentlemen, will the City of Edmonton ever ATTRACT free agents? They’re budget is $39M and Vancouver’s will be $46M, with the new cap.”

I nearly grabbed one of my souvenir game pucks and hurled at my TV!!! It’s called “revenue-sharing, Ron!!!” And Canadian clubs get an additional stipend to correct the imbalance that exists between the American and Canadian dollar, since all players are paid in U.S. dollars.

There are plenty of small market clubs whose “break-even point” is $35M. But they get $10M in revenue sharing. So, they don’t lose ANY money. Even if they MAX OUT the cap, to $44M. We lost $9 million!! No, ya didn’t. Ya made $1M, since you got $10M in “revenue-sharing.” The point of the lockout was to ensure financial stability of the league. Not to bankrupt small market teams, irrespective of where they happen be located.

Then came the “coup de grace.” Ready?? Ooooh, there’ll be a regular season game in London, England. Which started these giddy Canadians to talk about another “Rendez-Vous” series. And one them said it. And meant it. “There’ll be European expansion by 2010.”

I spewed out my brewski. Ya know, I find it amazing. I truly do. How most Canadians are disgusted by what they call “the watering down” of the NHL product. And yet, they alllll seem to want to ADD MORE TEAMS!! But they don’t stop with more CANADIAN TEAMS. No. No, they now want EUROPEAN TEAMS. Aye, aye, aye. They stopped short of suggesting there might be teams in Anchorage and Honolulu. It’s laughable. Just laughable.

By Brendan

March 4, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

Once you get Center Ice, you’ll hardly watch anything else, especially at this time of year. It’s a great way to scout Western Conference teams and teams outside of the SE Division in the East.

By Brian

March 4, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this

Brendan - I caught the 2nd of the Fla/TB game. Nice one between Craig & Campbell. They did us a nice favor tonight, taking two from the Bolts.

Don’t even get me started on the Canadian crying. I’m glad you were sold on the Empire (now MSG but same crew) but I actually enjoy Coach’s Corner and Satellite Hotstove.

You brought out one thing that I was going to mention in your earlier post. You were talking about blackouts in the traditional sense. But one thing I hate about Center Ice is that even if you get both channels that are carrying a game, they cut the feed on one of them. Granted this doesn’t apply to Canadian broadcasts, but if I get Fox Sports Rocky Mt & Fox Sports Detroit, why do they pick only 1 for coverage. Maybe I don’t want to hear the Avalanche crew.

Tony C. - I completely agree with you 100% and I was even trying to make that point when I said “We certainly have an advantage that if he totally doesn’t gel with this team we don’t have to offer him a penny.”

But if we decide to have Tkachuk be a rental because we would rather have Datsyuk, that does not apply to the argument here. What it sounds like everyone is complaining about is if we go get a player and then THAT PLAYER decides he doesn’t want to stay and thus becomes a rental. And if we do make that decision ourselves, hey we paid mightily for a few months of service, that’s our fault.

By Cam

March 4, 2007 7:25 AM | Link to this

Havelid and DeVries are spent. They must not return next year!

By drew

March 4, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this

Question: is there any place I can watch the game today? Regarding the ice surface,this goes back to the days the Flames. That stupid circus has always been in town for two weeks in February and they re-do the ice surface afterwards. The new surface is never good. You can be guaranteed two things at Philips/Omni in March - choppy ice and the smell of elephant poop.

By B. Thenet

March 4, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

The only place you can watch the game today is inside the arena…no TV coverage at all thanks to NBC.

By michael

March 4, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Drew, benchwarmers on clairmont and briarcliff rd. They always have the Thrashers and have the center ice package. The staff are thrash fans.

By Brian

March 4, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Michael & Drew - as far as I can tell since NBC is not bringing a single camera into the building, local coverage for both Atlanta & Raleigh have no plans since they thought NBC was going to be covering the game, therefore CenterIce won’t have any game to televise. I called TJ’s and they said they have no feed that they can even show.

Tickets are sold out as well and I am not dealing with the scalpers on this one.

By Brendan

March 4, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

I can’t even believe Center Ice is not carrying this game. I am going to call Comcast to complain.

By Tom

March 4, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Listen on NHL Radio and get some work done this afternoon. You can get to it from the Thrashers home page.

By Brendan

March 4, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

That’s been the plan, Tom. But it’s sad that it came to that.

By Tom

March 4, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

well, it is still better than yardwork. lol

By Skydawg

March 4, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

There’s your Kovy goal IceMan….WOOHOO!!!!!!

By Brian

March 4, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Well, I finally talked to the right person and we can stop blaiming NBC, Comcast, SportsSouth and all the rest for not seeing that game today.

First of all, NBC was supposed to carry the game, so don’t blame SportSouth, Comcast, CenterIce or anyone else because NBC had committed to doing the game and therefore it is on NBC, not anyone else.

Now as for NBC, well, the Pens-Philly game started at 12:30pm, the Wings-Avs game started at 12:30pm, and I still have my magnetic schedule from opening night with the original time and wouldn’t you know it, the Thrashers game was supposed to start at 12:30pm. Well, the Thrashers moved the game to 2pm which was outside of NBC’s programming grid and they already have 4 other teams scheduled to play at that time. So NBC dropped the game since it wasn’t going to be played at 12:30pm. They can’t show anything if nothing is being played.

The question now is why did the Thrashers move the time and refuse it to go back to the previously scheduled 12:30pm start time?

By Bob

March 4, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

Tkachuk is a rental because HE SAID he and his family love St. Louis, they will stay there.

NBC dropped the game, but NOT because the Thrashers moved the start time. The start time was 12:30, NBC dropped the game, then the Thrashers announced that because NBC dropped the game, they would move the start time to 2:00pm to be more fan friendly.

By retnav

March 5, 2007 5:46 AM | Link to this

I want to leave a comment on a little college hockey team north of Atlanta. I told the AJC writers to keep an eye on them but not one drop of ink was written on the team. Kennesaw State’s hockey team just won the ACHC national championship on Saturday night in Indiana. They play at the ice forum up in Kennesaw. The team has played such teams this year as Georgia, Tennessee, Clemson, Vandy, and beat them. So congrats to the Owls!!! For more info on them you can go to www.ksuicehockey.com

By retnav

March 5, 2007 5:59 AM | Link to this

O I forgot to mention that Bob Hartley’s son mans the nets for them.

By GaVaHokie

March 5, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

To all the naysayers who criticize Don Waddell… Forbes Magazine just recognized him as the 6th best GM in all of professional sports.

The only hockey GM’s that finished higher were Jay Feaster and Lou Lamorello.

By Jay

March 5, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Brian,

The only reason the Thrashers moved their start time was due to NBC dropping coverage. (That’s what was in all the press releases I read.)

Them dropping us for the Wings/Avalanche — I can forgive that, as that is a GREAT rivalry.

Not to say I’m not upset by it, but I can forgive NBC for that one.

By Brendan

March 5, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

I wonder how well Don’s “achievement” is being viewed by his peers. I mean, if Don’s peers were without a playoff berth for 3 or more seasons, they’d expect to get fired. And therefore, be ineligible for any GM accolades.

As I understand it, they calculated this honor based on information COMPARED to a PREDECESSOR. Don doesn’t have a predecessor. It’s also calculated based on wins in the postseason. Again, not applicable. Waddell doesn’t have an inferior postseason history to haunt him.

And it’s also based on regular season win percentage vs. median salary of other teams in the league. Okay… there Don has shown improvement. The team has more wins and points now than compared to last season.

So, effectively, based on that, and various salary factors, Don is one of the best GM’s in the league? I wonder if, down in Naples, they put to vote who the GM’s thought were the best three GM’s in hockey. And each GM gets to nominate three names. (Presummably, they could not nominate themselves, otherwise every single one would vote themselves to be the best.)

Call me crazy, but I doubt Don Waddell winds up on that list. Lou Lamoriello? Yes. Jay Feaster? Hmmn. I could see that. Ken Holland? Yeah, I could see that, too. Jim Rutherford? Not a bad choice. How ‘bout Kevin Lowe and John Muckler? There’s at least room for some argument.

Next year, by the very method of calculation, Chicago, Columbus, Philly and L.A.’s GM’s will be nominated. Surely, they will have better regular season records, better win percentage than their predecessors, and possibly even playoff results! Something as opposed to NOTHING will surely put them over the top.

I don’t put too much stock in the way Forbes ranks a GM. Does Forbes own any teams? And if Forbes owned a team, would they hire Don Waddell? If not, then even they don’t put too much stock in their own stuff.

By GaVaHokie

March 5, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

I wonder who’s opinion cares more weight in the world.. Brendan’s or Forbes?

By Matt H

March 5, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Anyone else out there with Charter Cable and Center Ice care to shout out? We’re upgrading to the digital cable on Friday.

Should we go ahead and shell out for the “second half package” or is there a cheaper “playoff package” we should wait for?

Also, on a related note, anyone else out there care to shout a big “Yea” or “Nay” for Hockey in HD? Is it really that different?

By Brian

March 5, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Matt H - I didn’t know you can get CenterIce for Charter digital. I have been having problems for a long time with Directv, maybe it is time to switch. If you are thinking about doing it now though, I would seriously recommend you look at the schedule and ask yourself how many games are you going to watch for $120? If it is just a few, I would say go to a sportsbar. The playoffs on the other hand, now you have something worth it. But you will see EVERY Thrashers game on SportSouth (until they reach the Cup finals if I dare say it).

As for HD, I don’t have it but my buddy does and the football games are unbelievable. But what channel that has a hockey game is in HD? I don’t think any. It brings up a good point as to how Bettman screwed up by not going with ESPN for that reason alone.

By Russ

March 5, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Matt H - Center Ice is great during the reular season, but IMO was a little disappointing during the playoffs last year (unless you have Versus to go with it). I have upgraded my package with Dish Network to include Versus, so now I should get all the playoff games. Last year, without Versus, I missed the entire Conference Finals and the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final plus any other game televised on Versus in the first two rounds.

By Matt H

March 5, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Brian- Yeah, Charter’s got Center Ice. I made good and sure to ask them when I talked to them yesterday. I’ll probably wait to see if they have some kind of playoff package available.

The problem with living in Athens is that, believe it or not, there really aren’t any sports bars in this town. Just a ton of bars, with TV’s that never show anything other than college football, occasionally basketball, and golf.

My girlfriend and I had a heck of a time finding a place to watch a game earlier in the season before my cable got hooked back up (the last-second Carolina heartbreaker).

As for HD, I think HDnet, is it called, carries some hockey in HD? Also, doesn’t VS? But I think you need an HD set-top box (and of course an HDTV) to view it, and it’s broadcast on a different “Channel”, like VS HD or something like that? I’m still really not sure how the whole HD thing works.

If someone could provide a testimonial, that’d be great, because I’m hoping to upgrade in the next couple years, and how I can best get my hockey fix will help determine which direction I go.

By Matt H

March 5, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Thanks Russ, Brian.

By Brian

March 5, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Matt H - didn’t know you were posting from Athens. Taco Mac seems to be taking over this city, they are up to 6 or 7 now, throw in the Jocks n Jills/Frankie’s and the independents like TJ’s and you don’t have to go far here. I would seriously research that HD question because my friend has a hard time making sure he can get the channel in HD even for ones that do. That is only for network channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) & ESPN. You can’t just flip on TBS or the History Channel and watch HD from what I know.

Now that I think about it, DON’T get it for the playoffs because I have a link that you can watch games online. They don’t have the selection during the season but during playoffs it is great. I can help you get an account to do it. Thanks Russ for reminding me, but I watched the Buffalo/Carolina game online last year.

By Bob

March 5, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Brendan, you’re right on. But so is Forbes. DW ranks high from a business standpoint, because he spent so little money each year. Also, being the only GM and an expansion, he started slow and the record, however low a bar it was, did improve every year.

You definitely have to get the HD package to watch hockey. There are tons of games in High Definition, contrary to more bad information you got up there. Almost every team is in high def, except Atlanta, and word is SportsSouth will start showing high def for next season. HDNet is good for some games, but the big think on DirectTV is that they show the VS feed in high definition (I expect next Monday’s Thrashers game to be in High Definition) on channel 95 (you only get it if you get the High Def package). For a while there, we’d get high def hockey games each night, but they’re putting NBA on there a few nights a week now.

By Brendan

March 5, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

Well, I’m just one person. So, how many of you think that Don Waddell really is #6 out of all the GM’s in all professional sports? In other words, how many of you AGREE with Forbes?

I’m just asking.

By Bob

March 5, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Oh, also, it’s not just VS games in high def that they show on channel 95, but you get the odd Colorado Fox Broadcast or the MSG or TSN high def broadcast of their games, even Florida games are in high def on their some times. It’s hit or miss on what game you’ll get on which night, but definitely worth it!

If you’re a football fan also, you have to go with DirectTV as they own the SundayTicket and you get tons of games each week in High Def.

By Brendan

March 5, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

I just checked the poll linked to Chris Vivlamore’s article on GM Waddell being ranked 6th among all major GM’s. The poll asked which guy has done the best job of running an Atlanta-based professional team. With 406 votes, or 75.46%, the respondents chose the Atlanta Braves’ John Schuerholtz. With 113 votes, was GM Don Waddell. That’s about 21% of the vote. McKay had 13 votes. And poor Billy Knight got six (6) tallies. And truthfully, one person, (Billy Knight,) voted for himself six times.

Forbes ranked Schuerholz, a previous manager of 14-straight Division titles, five appearances in the World Series, and one World Series win, at #42. Forbes’ #1 choice? Kevin McHale. Uhh. No, I think I’m done. What more needs to be said?

By Brian

March 5, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Brendan - I do agree with Forbes. I have outlined my arguments on the other blog. It’s probably better to go there and read it directly because Bob only repeats some of the things I said and misinterprets some information (such as the reason DW is good is because he spends so little).

By Brian

March 5, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Brendan - You clearly have access to the sports section and can read the w/l column. But Forbes is judging who the best GM is and this is a business periodical and like it or not, sports is a major business. Have you ever once looked at the financial statements of any team from the NHL, NFL, NBA or MLB?

If you haven’t, what logic are you using to dispute or prove the value of this list?

By Brendan

March 5, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

I am lookin’ at an article written last summer (05-24-06) by Tim Tucker that states that the Atlanta Spirit Group LOST $20 million (in ‘05’-06) and that they anticipate losing another $20 more this season?

I’m confused by Forbes’ selection. Consider the following.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/0524owners.html.

By Bob

March 5, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Brendan, you’re right, of course. Kevin McHale? Say no more.