AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US(Sniff, sniff)…What Is That Smell?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday morning as I prepared myself for work, standing in the walk-in closet just off the master bath, the lovely Mrs. R walked in and stopped dead in her tracks. She sniffed the air and then gave “that” look. You know the one…that soured looked that is usually reserved for when she opens up one of the boys rooms and beholds multiple dirty sock strewn about the floor, and bed, and desk…maybe a ceiling fan blade. Yes, that look.
“(Sniff, sniff)…what is that smell”, she asked as she looked directly at my lucky Thrashers jersey hanging prominently in the front of the closet…unwashed since the Nashville loss on October 25th.
Now, I might have fallen off the turnip truck…but it wasn’t yesterday. I knew what she was getting at. I told her she was over-dramatizing it and a washing was not in order. Bad hockey karma to do so, you know. When she reminded me that it was washed earlier in the season and that it seemed to work just fine as the Thrashers then got on a roll, I stressed to her that these are very tricky things and you can’t just go washing the jersey after a couple of losses. She then asked just how many losses in a row equated to tossing the thing into the washing machine… I simply waived her off citing that this was not a scientific, cut and dry process.
I was firm, I was resolute, I was…lucky she was late for work and she dropped the subject.
Tonight, when I got home from the debacle at Blueland…she stood waiting for me in the foyer. She knew that loss made it three straight for the Thrashers, being outscored 15-6 doing so. She knew the night’s loss was the league leading sixth time Atlanta had been shut out. She stood there, with her protective rubber gloves on, looking for me to hand it over. But I, being the man of the house…being firm and resolute, I stood my ground and told her that in no way, shape, matter or form would this hockey jersey be washed tonight…and that was that!
So, I’m sitting here typing this blog as it goes through the rinse cycle…and quite frankly just don’t know where to begin with this. I mean, for a team that was supposed to be built for speed, it sure gets beat to the puck a lot. And the Thrasher’s offense was supposed to be their strong point yet it can go though periods where team scoring disappears faster then a pizza at a Weight Watchers meeting. Case in point, the Calgary Flames have scored 13 goals in their past two games. The Thrashers haven’t scored 13 goals in their past 6.
Then there is Kari Lehtonen…tsk, tsk, tsk. In his latest Billy Graham moment, (where he gets 18,000 people to scream the Lord’s name all at once), he meandered out to play a puck in the corner and tried to flip it around the back of the net. Unfortunately, it came off his stick with the speed of a snail and Boyd Devereaux was able to swing around, scoop it up and tuck in a short-handed, unassisted, wrap-around goal to give Toronto a 1-0 lead in the middle period. That was really all the Leafs would need on the night as Toronto held the Thrashers scoreless on 24 shots. Mats Sundin scored 3 and a half minutes later and Alexei Ponikarovsky tallied a couple of late goals to rub it in. Nik Antropov finished the night with three assists.
The schedule isn’t kind to Atlanta as they make their way northward to Ottawa to play the conference leading Senators. They will be looking to end a three game losing skid as well as win for the first time this season on the tail end of a back-to-backer. Canada’s capital is not the easiest place to perform such a task, as the Sens are 20-7-3 scoring 102 goals in 30 games. They have beaten the Thrashers both times we have played them, 3-1 and 6-4…Ilya Kovalchuk scoring 4 of the 5 Thrasher goals.
So, now that I’ve gotten the smell off my jersey, time for the Blueland Boys to get the stench off their game and find a way to sniff out some goals and nose their way to some wins, and soon. Otherwise, the jersey won’t be alone in being hung up to dry.
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By vik
December 15, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this
Bobby Holik… a great center or the greatest center?
By R. Stroz
December 15, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
vik - You should put the crack pipe down.
By R. Stroz
December 15, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
Holik is a disgrace to the game of hockey. Not only is he slow, inept, and full of $h!t, now he is merely a cheap shot artist without the nads to fight afterward.
Holik is a disgrace to the organization. If Don Waddell is unable to see this and continues to support Holik by allowing him to continue to wear a Thrashers uniform, then Waddell needs to leave as well. Holik is nothing more than an overpaid version of Hollweg.
By Alan
December 15, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this
Stroz - I think his statement was meant to be humorous.
At least I thought it was.
By stendec
December 15, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Thanks for new blog Mr Rawhide. Good morning. To wit. Sori Letemin on game-losing shorthanded goal: “I have three options of what I can do. Let it go to the corner, and their guy was coming so he’s basically going to get a breakaway from the corner (breakaway from the corner?). The other option, to go there in the corner and get a penalty (preferable to game-deciding goal). Or I put all my chips in and try to get there before it goes to the corner (F+++++G genius). I just didn’t get a good shot at it (do you think? No!). It’s easy to say it was wrong now the way it turned out. That’s the way it is sometimes (does not give a damn).” Truly sad. Straight from A++’ mouth. No additional comments are necessary.
By R. Stroz
December 15, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this
Alan - I hope so.
vik - If you meant to be sarcastic, I apologize, I’m not in the best mood after that FUBAR tonight.
The best thing about tonight’s game was hearing a “Holik Sucks” chant, and neither, my son nor I, were the ones to start it. However, we gladly joined in the effort to promote Holik’s talent level.
By R. Stroz
December 15, 2007 2:07 AM | Link to this
After reading Lehtonen’s comments after the game concerning how to play the puck, I think I would be better off taking proper etiquette tips from Marilyn Manson than decision making skills from Lehtonen.
By ljysfd
December 15, 2007 3:49 AM | Link to this
no matter how the teams do at the arena - the food is always good in the club area
By vik
December 15, 2007 4:11 AM | Link to this
that smell, in case anyone is wondering, is the smell of waddell and holik making [sweet?] love together.
there is no other reason for which waddell would keep a zero skill, 4+ mill cap-hit, turdmuffin.
its parham’s law. infallible.
By vik
December 15, 2007 4:31 AM | Link to this
By the way, is there any truth to the following trade: Hossa, Lehtonen, Kozlov
for
Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom.
I say do it. Just build up on offense, whilst neglecting defense. What hurts the most is losing by shutout. I could live with losing 6 to 5. but 4-0. no.
Waddell, take your attention off of holik’s a* and take note (one-day plan)(dont have time for 10 years-idiot)
Step One(vital): Break up with Holik, and end Flings with Zhitnik, Klee, and Slater. Yeah, i know, slumber parties are fun, but the fact of the matter is they’re even better with real girls. this way, they’re just gay.
Step 2: Start riding Moose. (as a goalie, you perv)what this means: trade lehtonen and pavelec (why)
step 3: trade for young offense (and picks).
step 4:Call up sterling, haydar, and little (why you ask) stay tuned…
By vik
December 15, 2007 4:38 AM | Link to this
step 5: convert enstrom to forward and adopt THRASHENCE(this is going with 5 forwards all the time-sometimes even 6 forwards, independent of actual score)
step 6: Stay Strong: Refrain from going back to the Holik character. Find yourself a nice girl instead. as a result:
Step 7: i buy ticket to game
By hockeyman 3944
December 15, 2007 7:03 AM | Link to this
Indeed, boyz! Holik..never thought he was anything but a hard nosed player…oops that was years ago in New Jersey! Signed a huge contract with the Rangers, (who didn’t back then?), and underperformed. Then he comes here and is basically stealing money from the Thrash…indifferent play and stupid penalties, a deadly mix for a frail franchise. I agree, let Sterling, Haydar and Little play until they puke! These kids are proven goal scorers, they just need time to adjust to the big boys game, and they will. If anyone needs to go, it’s Zhitnick, (way past his prime), Klee, (sixth D on almost any team), Slater?, (middling forward, could be thrown in on a deal somwhere). Moose needs to play and that laughable play by Lehtonen last nigh was right out of a pee wee, no, make that a mite game. FYI Kari…pratice your stick handling and clearing before you try THAT again! I love this team, but the patience is wearing thin!!
By 12345
December 15, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this
Does it take a Great Hockey Mind to see we are outshot in almost every game 2 or 3 to 1.
What does say ?
For Christmas I want Holik Gone and a bunch of the kids in Chicago come up, they would be far more intresting to watch than this retread over the hill gang Waddell has assembled, or yeah… A NEW GM would be real nice to Santa !
By PJ
December 15, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
Hey everyone, we need some good PR puff pieces written up about these guys if we want to get any trade value. Rawhide, get on the phone to CC. After the article about Zhit, we’d be lucky to get a pack a gum for him.
By Brendan
December 15, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
PJ, I actually think that Zhitnik might have more value at the trade deadline. Teams always need defenseman at the deadline. If some playoff-bound team is “thin” along the blueline, due to injuries, they will call about Zhitnik, a guy who has ample playoff experience.
Don’t expect some 1st round draft as the return, however. But at this point, a 4th round and the knowledge that we cleared his $3.5 million off the books for next year would be a moral victory. Though, truthfully, teams would come calling first about Nic Havelid, $2.7 million, with one year left at that price.
By Tom
December 15, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
Brendan
Think of Havelid as the car that is advertised in the paper but never on the lot. Let them call about Havelid but sell them Zhitnik and Holik.
Hard, make a great deal on the two.
I am getting very sick of watching Holik take dumb penalties every game and then flash that who me face followed by some PeeWee Herman whining.
I think that his wheels are gone and that he can not get into position anymore.
By Brendan
December 15, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
I like the way you’re thinking, Tom. But Waddell loves Holik. On July 1, 2005, Don Waddell’s first first move out of the shoot was to ink Bobby Holik to a 3-year, $12.75 million contract. That’s a fact. And Waddell believes that Holik will be a critical component for the Thrashers in the playoffs. To be objective about last year’s playoffs, Holik was one of our better playoff performers.
By five_hole
December 15, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
Look, I don’t want to defend Holik (I think everyone can agree that he’s been horrible this year), but someone has to be the voice of reason here.
I remember his play against the Rangers in the playoffs last year, and he was one of the few that showed up to play that series. And when Waddell signed him for that huge contract, I was thrilled and as I recall, so was everyone else at the time. He’s a big guy who could skate well (back then) had some scoring ability and cup experience.
Now it’s true that since he was signed, I’ve been “less than impressed” by his play, and disappointed that anyone making his salary was relegated to the 3rd line. Do I want to see him gone? Absolutely. Especially with his cap number. On the other hand, we’re small enough as it is. Without Holik, we’re munchkins on the ice. It’s been painfully obvious to me that this “smaller, faster” Thrashers team gets pushed around (a lot) by the bigger teams like Boston & Toronto.
I’m just telling it like it is.
By Midfield
December 15, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
The way I see it, Waddell have long overstayed his welcome as an interim head coach. If he’s not the one who really runs the team, he should get the hell away from the bench, make an anouncement and pay the guy who really is what he’s due. And if he is, he should be fired as both head coach and GM. And whatever the hell else he is.
By Rawhide
December 15, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Midfield - I have to agree with your statement regarding the fact that DW needs to re-think the decision to “halt” the head coaching search. This team needs some help…by trade or bringing back the “Wolfpack”….or by bringing in a new head coach who would bring a different vision and mentality.
This is not necessarily a knock against Waddell, he himself has stated that his future is NOT behind the bench. He needs to be able to wear his GM hat full time and get down to the business of evaluating whom he can make deals with to improve our team at center and defense. Leave the bench duties to a full time head coach.
I give DW a bit of a pass regarding his so-called 5-year plan. The work-stoppage and subsequent rules changes that came out of it could not have seen seen in ‘99 as well as the Danny Heatly situation. Besides, plans are just that…plans…and sometimes have to be modified and adjusted along the way.
That being said, this is year three of the post-work stoppage era and year 8 of active play for the Thrashers…so the clock is ticking and the fans who are restless are justified in their concerns….
Bottom line, again,….it’s time to hire a coach.
By puckjunque
December 15, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
Okay everyone, I know I’m not the only one praying for this team to turn it around. Go Thrashers!!!
Bow your heads, hands joined on the keyboards
Oh Heavenly Father, We are thankful for the blessings you have bestowed upon the Thrashers. The Thrashers are a team with great potential that needs your guidance tonight. Please empower the Thrashes with the confidence and skills they need to dominate and to kick some senators a$$! AMEN !!
By Rawhide
December 15, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
A-FREAKIN’-MEN! Thanks, PJ!
Now let’s so impeach some Senators!
By Alan
December 15, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
Amen, PJ
By kracker
December 15, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
I have good news: My office Christmas party is tonight, so I have the night off and am hoping for a pleasant surprise on my return home. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good hockey night tonight.
And yes, RH, my immediate online assessment last night was similar to yours “DW…find a coach, the team bump in play w/ you as coach is gone. Make a trade…but the Ducks just made a trade with Blues so that avenue is gone.”
HO-HO-HO The resurgance in the play of the Thrash got legs the last game in Ottawa, an almost win, and we won the next game in that comeback at Tampa. Time for a repeat tonight and even get a point or two.
By Brendan
December 15, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
A-men, Puckjunque. It’d be quite a statement to get a win in Ottawa, on the BACK END of a “back-to-back” games.
Ya know, another thought occurs to me about Waddell. Imagine if the Devils’ ownership told Lou Lamoriello that he has a $42.5 million cap with which to work. Wouldn’t Lamoriello’s response be to resign, telling the ownership, “If you’re not gonna let me be a GM in this league, I’ll find an organization that will.” (The actual cap is $50.3 million, lest anyone has forgotten.)
I’ve yet to hear that out of Don Waddell. Perhaps, one day when he is no longer affiliated with the Thrashers, he will talk about it.
By erock
December 15, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Do we not have at least 1 player on our roster that was expendable that we could have thrown to Anaheim to pull off the trade that St Louis pulled off last night ?? So much for Waddell being FRIENDS with Burke!!!
By Leaf Fan
December 15, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
In Toronto’s burying of Atlanta, Alexei Ponikarovsky’s got 2 stitches in his tongue in the second period after Bobby Holik’s cheap shot and came back and scored 2 goals in the third. Wouldn’t you love to have Russian’s that aren’t Pu**y’s ?
By Alan
December 15, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
Leaf Fan - Is that “p***” possessive or plural?
He’s not Russian, but we have him anyway. Too bad Waddell won’t bring him up from Chicago.
By Eileen
December 15, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
I have to ask myself, is there any reason that the Thrashers bother to travel and show up for a back to back game out of town? Can they just call ahead and tell the other team to enjoy the night off along with 2 points in the standings. I hope they can find a solution to this problem. VERY SOON!
By Rawhide
December 15, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
I’ll Amen THAT, Eileen!
By The Janitor
December 15, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
Sweeping and mopping - Goodness, what a mess you’ve made of this place….looks like ya’ll got pi$$ed at something and just threw everthing at the TV….was the game THAT bad?
Anyway,…get on outa here and over to Rawhide’s new blog.
By stendec
December 15, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
Moose gave up five goals (way to go Moose). KL gave up two goals (stellar outing for him). Thrashers looked hopeless on full duration two-man power play (lowest low in already LOW campaign). Sorry folks, team has become Falcons on ice! No heart. No desire. No toughness. No pride. Maybe next year. Maybe next decade. So very disgusted and disappointed. Never expected THIS from Thrashers. Merry Christmas all. Maybe Dawg bowl victory can get our minds off these quitters for a short while. Ho Ho Ho.