AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAtlanta’s Best Team Today?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When Don Waddell eventually gets around to appointing a new head coach for the Atlanta Thrashers I am sure he will have taken into consideration many factors and will ask many questions. One that thing that I hope he looks into is whether or not there is a head coaching position that is open at a major college that could pull him away before the end of the season. Say like, The University of Arkansas. Do they even have a hockey team?
My goodness!
Two months ago the Thrashers made a coaching move. Since then, the Georgia Tech football team released their coach and the Falcons just yesterday saw theirs up a quit for a gig at Razorback-U after lasting three-quarters of one season. Bobby Patrino basically told Atlanta, “I’m taking my ball and going home”! Home to the college ranks again. I guess he just couldn’t play with the big boys. Head coaches in Atlanta have faired as well this fall as the lawns in the drought.
Anyway, it got me to thinking about the local sports teams in Atlanta, all four major franchises and where they are in the big scheme of things.
Take the Braves for instance. They are still fresh off of a decade and a half run at greatness. I don’t think we’ll ever see anything close to it again. But they have been out of the playoffs for 2 straight seasons and just showed their star center fielder the door. Sure, Tom terrific is back on the staff but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the lefty and the Bravos as a team.
The Hawks…this is a team that last saw post-season when they played in the Omni, before the Thrashers dropped the puck for the very first time. While it’s true that they have played well over the last few weeks, (actually sitting in the 6th spot in the conference), they are still below .500 and not too many would bet on their post-season possibilities.
The Falcons: A team that will see their 3rd head coach in 11 months on the sidelines this weekend cannot be in good shape. From doggie-gate to yesterday’s “out-the-gate” by Bouncing Bobby, combined with a 3-9 record…life isn’t real fun in the Dome’s Birdland!
Why, even Jaw-JUH Tech is now going through the shifting sands of change as Chan Gailey was tossed overboard for Navy’s Paul Johnson.
This leads us to our Boys of Blueland…the only team to see post-season play since Houston dumped the Braves in October of ’05. A quick look at the standing find them at 14-14-1, or break even. However, since Bob Hartley was relieved of his duties, they have gone 14-8-1, which is a level of play that, if continued, would land them in the hunt for Lord Stanley’s cup for the second consecutive season. That would be a great feat for the franchise, for sure. But where would that put them as far as their status in the city?
Consider this: The Falcons have never had back-to-back winning seasons, and the Hawks have not since…what…the first term of the Clinton administration? That plus the Braves are, seemingly, on the backside of their glory days.
That would leave the Thrashers as arguably Atlanta’s highest performing pro team today…emphasis on the word TODAY.
You see, as sports fans in this town have painfully come to understand, success can be fleeting. The Hawks have never been a success since the late ’80s when they were the hottest thing in town. The Falcons? Simply look to each season after they played in post-season. So, the typical Joe Fan out there could say of our Thrashers, “yeah, sure OK…division title last spring, but what are they gonna do THIS season”? And he would have a point.
That is why I think it is so important for the Thrashers to make the post-season again and do well once they are there. Right now is their time. The question is, how long will they have and what are they going to do with the chance afforded them?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Rone
December 12, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
first!
By puckjunque
December 12, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Good Post Rawhide!!
By Thorburn's Thugs
December 12, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Bobby Petrino looks like Howdy Doody
By Rone
December 12, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers have the talent to be contenders this year. Let’s hope we can keep the core (Hoss and Kovy) together for years to come.
Did anyone catch the 3rd period of the Pens/Flyers game last night? It got pretty ugly. Sydney Crybaby slu-footed Biron behind the net, then wouldn’t fight him. Instead, Laraque went out and took an obvious run at Biron. Cheap, cheap, cheap.
By R. Stroz
December 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Who’s attending tonight?
By d
December 12, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
the Hawks have not since…what…the first term of the Clinton administration?
Which Clinton adminstration? :-)
By Rawhide
December 12, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
RStroz - raising hand - OOOh, OOOH!! ME!!! ME!!!
By five_hole
December 12, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
We’re catching a Bruins team that is definitely hurting. Patrice Bergeron is out, as are their #1 (Tim Thomas) and #2 (Mannie Fernandez) goalies. I am not sure if Marco Sturm will be playing tonight or not. We need to be as opportunistic as Bobby Patrino on a new job opening.
I am excited to see what Recchi has left in the tank. And, does anyone know why Moose is starting ahead of Kari? I understand Moose is playing well (and Kari looked shaky his last game), but he’s our #1.
By Brian
December 12, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
I will see you tonight, go Thrashers!
By kracker
December 12, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
The Thrash had this same chance last year and half grasped it. They made the playoffs but then got swept by the Rangers.
So I am hoping they do what we all want and also for the reasons you stated. I am a total fan, I want them to force some attention on themselves and away from the underachieving other local teams of all sports. Even the Braves have been underperforming for a while, even as they won the last five or so division crowns, they lost the playoff series, usually by getting swept. Onlt the Dawgs have performed well the last quite a few years years.
While we are on the subject of attention getting, I hope they play so well that even the Thrashers flagship radio station, 680 the fan, will have to give them proper and co-equal coverage to the extent that is possible. It is something of a chichen-and-egg thing. Which must come first: Fans having interest and expressing their desire to talk hockey, thus setting a portion of the sports talk aganda or the local radio sports personalities alloting a consistent, regular amount of time to develop local interest in hockey by talking about the sport? I feel the sports guys should and must take the opportunities to talk up hockey during these times when the team is winning.
By Brian
December 12, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
five_hole - the B’s looked good against Buffalo on Mon. But, they have had a win 2, loose 1 trend lately, and that Buffalo win was their 2nd in a row…
By kracker
December 12, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
I will be there tonight. It is good to hear the Bruins are in a weakened state with goalies out. I guess those troubles go around to everybody, so it is our turn to take advantage of what is for us good fortune.
By five_hole
December 12, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Thanks Brian. I heard that. With regards to the Thrashers getting the attention/love that they deserve, frankly I have mixed emotions. Hockey will never get the attention that Football does in the South. Ever. However, it would be nice if 680 (the flagship station of the Thrashers) would talk Hockey more than 1/2 hour before the puck drops. It would be nice if all of the away games were broadcast. And it would really be nice if the rink anouncer would stop with “The other team’s a man short, so we’re on the … . P O W E R P L A Y”. It’s really embarrassing when teams from places like Boston come to play.
By puckjunque
December 12, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Let’s have some AMENs people!
Bow your heads, hands joined on the keyboards
Oh Heavenly Father, We are thankful for the many blessings you have bestowed upon the Thrashers. Please unite them as a team tonight to fortify our defense, energize our offense and to kick some bruin a$$! AMEN !!
By Rawhide
December 12, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
A-FREAKIN’-MEN!!!! Wow, that’s some good prayin’!!!
Now, let’s go put a BEAT-DOWN on the BRUINS!!
By drew
December 12, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
rone - saw sid’s move last night. what a p—-y!that kid needs a beating in the worst way. does he wear lipstick?
By drew
December 12, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
rone - saw sid’s move last night. what a p—-y!that kid needs a beating in the worst way. does he wear lipstick?
By ranallo10
December 12, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Alex Auld defeated the Thrashers several times last season, I don’t doubt he could do it again with a better team this season.
The Bruins are no slouches, let’s hope the Thrashers show up tonight.
By Brian
December 12, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
ranollo - I will stop by if you are going…
By ranallo10
December 12, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
I’ll be there.
By Russian
December 12, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
to ranallo10 I am going also. Whole family. :-)
By ranallo10
December 12, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
Russian — Cute, a ton of little Russian’s running around! Where will you be sitting?
By Manley
December 12, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
AMEN!!!
Can’t listen to the game tonight but looking forward to reading some good feedback about Recchi’s debut and how the new lines work out.
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!
By Darren
December 12, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Arkansas actually does not have an ACHA (read: club) or Div. I team, nor does Mississippi.
However, there are tons of club teams in and around the Southeast, including UGA, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State in Georgia, and the Div. I UAH Chargers in Huntsville.
By Rone
December 12, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
Amen!
Drew, I would have loved to see Biron VS Crosby last night. And yes, he does wear lipstick.
By Brendan
December 12, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
Rawhide, another good and intriguing read. I agree, the Thrashers are probably the best ATL-based team going.
But honestly, look at the ownership of all four major pro sports clubs. Answering honestly, would any of them rank above a “5” on a scale of 1-10? The Braves? I might give ya that one.
Honestly, wouldn’t you like to see what Waddell could do with the full force of the cap? Instead of $42.5 million. I’m jus’ sayin’.
By Capt. Caveman
December 12, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
WOW, I really have to agree with you on this one.
But your blog still SUX!!
LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!
Buddy!!
By Brendan
December 12, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
Recchi just drew a penalty. Oh by the way, he’s already scored TWO GOALS for Atlanta and is now looking for the “hat trick.” Boston got out to a 2-0 lead. “Un-good.” But it’s 2-2 now, and it looks as if the Thrashers could have a lengthy PP advantage late in the 2nd period.
By stendec
December 12, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
S++++Y non-effort! Thrashers let everyone down big time. I anticipated days for this crap? Moose played so poorly I thought KL was between pipes. Two verified soft goals. Possibly three. Totally unacceptable! Home team did climb out of 2-0 hole but failed to hold lead. Thanks Moose! Team has absolutely no pride on home ice. Teams love coming to Atlanta. They get little resistance. Points are so difficult to come by. Two? No. One? Hell no! Zilch! Is this beginning of spiral? Thrashers have gone bellyup for at least six straight periods. True fans deserve SO much BETTER! Merry Christmas all. GO DAWGS!
By R. Stroz
December 13, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
The Thrashers now have a triple double in the plus/minus ratio stat:
Holik -11
Zhitnik -13
McCarthy -16
Whereas,
Little was a +2 and
Haydar was a +4
The wrong players are being demoted.
By Russian
December 13, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
bring back Little. He will play on second line. Perrin will be fine with #9 and 38. Holik (Son of B***) will going to 4-th line. Slater goes to Chicago. team was suck completely. We had so f*** lucky to got 2 man advantage on second period. 3 SOG on first, I could not explain this CRAP.
By BiscuitsNBaskets
December 13, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
Here’s a little simple math:
3rd in the division.
13th in the Conference (that’s 5 spots out of the playoffs, BTW. And three from the bottom.)
26th in the League (that’s 5 from the bottom.)
No coach. Holik stealing a paycheck. A team so inconsistent it consistently says it needs to work on its inconsistency.
Rabid fans. WAY underappreciated. Deserving of a winner. And insulted by sloppy home play.
Atlanta is NOT, as many national media folks say, a hockey graveyard. If hockey can work in Carolina, Tampa Bay, or Dallas, it can doubtlessly work here. It all depends on who’s minding the store, and who’s on the floor.
Waddell, get back in your office and find a real coach who can inspire. Your interim glory days have ended.
By Alan
December 13, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Atlanta is considered by “the media” as a “hockey graveyard” due to the apathy the locals appear to have towards hockey. Yes, there are some people who are rabid Thrashers fans… and others (like me) who are rabid over more than one team (Thrashers and Red Wings for me). But if you ask random people if they watch hockey, oftentimes you’ll get responses like “Hockey? That old thing is still around?” or “Atlanta isn’t a hockey town. Let’s talk about basketball instead.”
The team needs some success in order to gain more fans, but the city needs to become more receptive that hockey is a sport, it is still around, and it is here to stay.
Moving the Flames away from Atlanta is quite possibly the worst thing ever done for hockey in this city.
By Tony C.
December 13, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Yeah when they traded Lysiak it was bad. I wad only like 5 but even I understood “Why’d they trade him…are they quitting???”
My Dad: “yes son, they’re quitting…The owner is a bad businessman.”
Me: “But what about the hockey?”
My Dad: “Well son, maybe one day we can get a big-league team that is run right.”
twenty-something years later, we’re still waiting
But at least this team has some bright spots…I think we’d all agree that A.S. (LLC) could be doing a lot better job.
GO BLUE !!!
By Alan
December 13, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Tony - Yeah, I know what you mean. I wasn’t born until ‘80 near Detroit. But I made it a point to research the history of hockey in this city (high school report, I think).
Bottom line right now, I think, is getting the public more involved. MARTA bills itself as the way to get to Falcons and Hawks games. Thrashers? No mention. The Thrashers could buy advertising in the stations and on the trains. It’d be a change of pace from seeing all those hair care adverts. Local TV ads would also help. Radio ads on stations like Project 961 and 99X would also help get fans in the door. Who knows, we might even sell out some games this season if they act now.
To the ownership: Pay more attention to the Thrashers. I understand you have a commitment to the Hawks, but where’s the love for the Thrashers? Unwilling to spend money until the trade deadline will only hurt our chances to make the playoffs. Especially with Carolina so close.
By Brendan
December 13, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Trying to be “fair” to Waddell, if he only has $42.3 million while the rest of the league has $50.3 million with which to spend on “Opening Night,” Waddell is operating at a decided disadvantage.
I think “reasonable” can see that. It’s not Waddell’s money. Now, if I ever find out that Waddell set the budget at $42.3 million, then that changes things. But, I’m pretty sure the ASG set the budget.
There’s something else to consider here. (Everyone leans in.) The Atlanta Thrashers couldn’t reset its price structure such that seats in Section 411 now cost $75 and expect to sell many of those seats. And if the seats along the glass rose to $500 and those behind the player benches rose to $375, who is gonna pay it?
But in Detroit … or Toronto … or New York … they’d find enough people to pay it. And then the cap would rise again, because revenues rose, and markets like Atlanta, Buffalo, Phoenix, Nashville, etc., would get screwed over again. No matter WHAT the revenue-sharing dollars might come out to be.
As it stands right now, Atlanta is only $8 million over the FLOOR of the salary cap. I don’t know exactly where the Thrashers “break even,” but if someone put a gun to my head and said, “Spout a number,” I’d guess it’s around $38.5 million. So for Atlanta to go up to $50 million in team salary would put financial losses, *hypothetically, at $10 million or more dollars. We have NO IDEA what the revenue-sharing dollars formula is or figures actually are. It’s a secret so guarded that not even the FBI, CIA, NSA, State Department, Homeland Security or Interpol have been able to penetrate it.
Commissioner Bettman endured over 12 hours of rigorous “Chinese water torture” and wouldn’t give it up. (I tease. I kid. I joke sometimes.)
But even if revenue-sharing were something like $8 million for Atlanta, taking on 50 million dollar’s worth of salary would still reflect hypothetical financial losses.
So? So our market, despite a salary cap, is operating at a disadvantage. And that disadvantage extends to things like the availablility of Marquee Players in FREE AGENCY.
The NHL’s response? “Let’s just continue to raise ticket prices. Our loyal fanbase PAYS WHATEVER WE SET AS THE VALUE. Let’s raise the cap again!! Why not make it $77 million?” And then there’s talk of allowing GM’s to trade players while absorbing some of the value of their “bozo” contracts … on top of this?? Where’s the accountability here, people? I wouldn’t spend $75 to sit in the 400’s. And neither should you. Luckily, absolutely no one is seriously advancing that price structure. When the league’s cap was $39 million, the Conference Finals were Buffalo, Carolina, Anaheim and Edmonton. Obviously, at that price structure, it was working, in terms of “fair, level ice surface.” Last year, it was Buffalo, Ottawa, Anaheim, and Detroit. That’s still doing relatively well, in terms of getting smaller markets invovled in the Championship picture. But let’s see what the Final Four will be this year, and every year the cap continues to rise.
Again, if revenue-sharing pumps $15 million back to the Thrashers and markets like Atlanta, I’ll shut up. They’re not really losing anything in that case.
By Thrasherbob
December 13, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Alan, When companies shell out money for advertising, the first thing they ask is who IS their target audience (and of course, the budget). While A.S. does alot to attract families, they cancelled their kids club program with applebees. Anyone - Any idea why?? Furthermore - the next target area, in my oppinion, would be single people in their 20’s and 30’s that have dispossable income, perhaps college grad/ career types. The radio stations - good idea, Marta - bad idea.
By R. Stroz
December 13, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
Brendan - I know how to save some money, find a team or teams dumb enough to take Holik and Zhitnik off the payroll.
Savings = 7.75 million
By Thrasher Ryan
December 13, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
RAWHIDE—Where you at dude? You said we get a new blog after the Bruins game. You are slacking off my friend, just like Holik and Zhitnik!
By Brendan
December 13, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
R.Stroz, you’re on the right track in that proper management of a roster can overcome OVERPAYING for marquee players.
Before the cap came into existence, low-end market teams were able to compete in the league. And huge spenders like Washington, NYR, Philly, Toronto and Boston didn’t necessarily have the results that one might think would correspond with that kind of spending.
Pre-lockout, the small market strategy was: “Draft flawlessly and pay salary within acceptable limits of the player’s ‘Tier’ group.” It worked for Tampa Bay, who won the Cup in 2004. In a way, hasn’t this strategy returned for the small market teams? It’s going to take quality drafting, responsible contract negotiations, and sometimes, selling off ‘high-end’ players, like a Hossa or a Holik, to try to get less expensive, yet “quality” players or prospects, or high-end draft picks. That’s called “managing a roster.” Not only that, you must “coach ‘em up.”
By Alan
December 13, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Thrasherbob - Did you investigate the MARTA demographic, or are we operating under the assumption that MARTA is full of lower class people with no disposable income?
Even if you want to think all 20-30-somethings with disposable income drive cars everywhere, where are all the billboards? If you look around town, you’ll see there isn’t many at all.
Attract the fans, the curious, or even the out-of-town folks who might be in town at the same time their favorite team is. Whether they ride MARTA or drive around everywhere shouldn’t matter. The point is, a lack of advertisement is not making the general public aware that a hockey team is even in this city.
By Rawhide
December 13, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this
ThrasherRyan- Working on it as we speak…I’m sitting in the parking lot as the youngest tax-exemption finishes up with his ROTC rifle meet….the janitor will be in shortly.
By The Janitor
December 13, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
(sweepin’ and moppin’) - Geet on outa heer now, TR….unless’n you wanna grab a mop and help out!
By Thrasher Ryan
December 14, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Sure thing Janitor, Let me chug down this last beer and i’ll be glad to help you sweep up.