AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWaddell Needs To Rethink Coaching Search
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last month, Don Waddell indicated that the Atlanta Thrashers would no longer be searching for a new head coach outside of the organization. At the time, most people figured that it was actually a very sound decision. The team had seemingly reversed its fortunes after a miserable 0-6-0 start to the season and had actually poked its head above the .500 mark. So the consensus was, “Shoot, why not let Don stay behind the bench and direct things”. Besides, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Well, it might not be broke just yet but there are some signs of stress fractures and the time has come for the General Manager and Coach to drop the latter from his title.
If your looking for exhibit “A” as to why, look no further then Saturday night’s 7-3 embarrassing loss in Ottawa where the Thrashers once again let up an early goal on their way to being out-shot 44-25. In fact, the Senators second period shot total of 21 was four shy of Atlanta’s total for the game. That is absolutely un-good and unacceptable.
Exhibit “B”? With Washington’s win over Tampa Bay, the Thrashers are now one point ahead of the Capitals for last place in the conference. This is not a position that a serious contender should be in mid-way through December.
Rest assured, this is not intended as “Waddell bashing”. Since stepping behind the bench Atlanta is 14-11-1 and, for a while, the team was playing inspired hockey. The offense was clicking behind Ilya Kovalchuk, the defense had stabilized and the starting goalie Kari Lehtonen was coming back from a month-long injury absence. Many people, myself included, began to think that Don’s presence bench-side was the correct elixir for an ailing team. For a certain time, yes it was.
But the last couple of weeks watching the Thrashers play have made it crystal clear that certain things must to be done in order to have a legitimate chance at a playoff push this season. Things like addressing the fact that we still need a true 1st line center. Todd White has played better of late, but he’s a #2 guy at best. Also, there has to be something done to get another top-flight defender in here. Zhitnik and McCarthy are not getting it done, (combined they are -36), and Klee has been spotty at best. A deal must be made, sooner rather than later.
These are things Don Waddell needs to be concentrating his efforts on from the comfy confines of his office. Ten short months ago he orchestrated just such a series of deals and they were instrumental in landing the Thrashers in the playoffs for the first time ever. And, lest we forget, Waddell said himself that his future was not to be found behind the bench.
It will be pointed out below, I am sure, that the big question would then be…WHO? Yes, that’s true. Anderson? McCrimmon? Burns? Someone else? Yes, there can be much discussion and debate as to what the correct choice is. But until Don Waddell and the ownership round-table opens again the discussion and search phase of the process, the right call has no possibility to be made at all.
The team needed a new direction in October and Don Waddell made a coaching move to give it just that. It has done a good job of putting the poor start behind and flash signs of what it can ultimately be. But we are now at a new juncture in the season. One that will see many wanna-be contenders drop out of the ranks of the hopeful. If the Thrashers are to keep themselves from being one of these teams, a new direction is needed.
Another reason I feel Waddell needs a change of heart in regards to the coaching search is that this team has gone flat. This team needs a new energy, a fresh voice, a different perspective brought to the ice and locker room. Needed is a coach that can inject new life into a squad that, of late, is simply going through the motions with seemingly no focus or purpose.
Also, the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team needs a character…a persona…a definition of who and what they are. Going into the season it was thought that it would be a high scoring, offensive-minded one with solid, if not outstanding, goalkeeping. A fast team, built to out skate and out hustle the opposition. However, it has been shut out a league high 6 times, has been in the lower third of the NHL in goals per game on a regular basis, dead last in goals against per game, has a weak power play, consistently gets beat to the puck, is out-sized and gets out-shot to the tune of 32-25 each game. Worse yet, the team’s -26 goal differential is the worst in the NHL.
Lastly, (as was pointed out by the gentleman who I had the fortune of sitting next to Friday night…a man who has close ties to the team and players), this is not a team that others fear playing against in their home building, Philips Arena. They are 6-8-0 at home and have been shut out twice on home ice. Too many times we are seen as a soft road game. Again, this is indicative of a team with no identity and that needs to be changed if the Thrashers are to be taken seriously as contenders.
A new head coach is what is needed to deal with the issues listed above breathing new life into the team if this season is to be successful.
Don Waddell faced a crucial point in the season two months ago and stepping behind the bench was the right call to make at THAT time. Stepping out from behind it now and placing a true head coach in that position is the right call to make at THIS time.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By stendec
December 15, 2007 11:37 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. Maybe Dawg bowl victory can get our minds off these quitters for a short while. Merry Christmas all. Ho Ho Ho.
By Russian
December 15, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
As I said that season is over for Thrasher. Don or somebody else, I do not care, need to bring young player to system, to game and make them be strong. We have young forwards and Dmen even Goalies, try them. What are you going to lose, Don? Nothing. You know better that team is not going no there. And one more thing, PLEASE bring the Players at least 6’1” or more. That is a Hockey game, not a Midgets Circus. Damn.
By Alan
December 16, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
Waived Haydar. Demoted Little. Demoted Sterling. Demoted Pavelec.
Karma is a b***. Bring ‘em all back. Let’s see where we go from there.
By 12345
December 16, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Can we DEMOTE Waddell to coach/GM in Gwinnett ? He’d ruin that team too !!
My concern is that good hockey fans can see this awful team for what it is… Why can these owners not see it too ?
Don Waddell has had really a very poor record since we got started and we are sinking FAST…
We need a whole NEW direction with this team, Owners/GM/Coach and a LOT of NEW HUNGRY PLAYERS !
I watched the first preseason game in St.Louis… Joey Crabb and Riley H. Boris,were IMPRESSIVE, why are they now here. Boris might kick a puck in the net once in awhile, but he will PUNISH other players and we NEED THAT we are avery soft team.
I would much rather pay to see a bunch of younsters busting their butts, even if they lose, and learn the NHL ropes,than watch ANYMORE of Holki/Slater/Zit/Mc/Klee/White/Perrin so on and so forth, time to clean house while there is STILL any glimmer of hope.
Tonight was a perfect example of the have’s and the have not’s , the class and the classless… or more simply Winners and Quitters !
By R. Stroz
December 16, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
The Thrashers look like a boat taking on water traveling into the Bermuda Triangle with the captain of the Titantic.
By Jonesboro_Pete
December 16, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this
I wonder where Brian is now, hiding under a rock most likely since he can only bash bloggers who disagree with Waddell !!!
By Alan
December 16, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this
Holy crap, Waddell said something smart! “”I think at this point we have to talk about everything. There’s nothing we can leave on the table because right now it’s not working,” he said.”
Let’s see if smart words = smart actions, come Tuesday.
By Jonesboro_Pete
December 16, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this
AMEN Alan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Brendan
December 16, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this
Rawhide, if the Thrashers make a coaching “change,” I hope it is to do what Scott Mellanby said—namely, to hire Brad McCrimmon as Head Coach. He’s already on the payroll, knows the system, players, etc. But I must be honest. I just don’t see how anyone OTHER THAN WADDELL, the guy who controls their contracts, paycheck, and future trades, could get MORE out of these players. They ought to be EXTREMELY motivated to succeed.
Another point of concern is, if Waddell hires a new Head Coach and then gets “canned” at season’s end, then we’ve got the classic “holdover Head Coach” when a new GM will want to appoint a coach of his choosing. What GM wouldn’t want to hire his own coach?
So, all things concerned, I’d stick with Waddell. He built this team. He’s still got a winning record with it this season, at 14-11-1, and 18-16-1, lifetime. The Spirit Group won’t want to add anymore payroll. Not before the trade deadline anyway. So, I say we “stick it out” with Don behind the bench. He’s the Teflon GM. Nothing ever sticks. And he ALWAYS find a way out. That’s what I’ve learned about Waddell. Just when you think he’s “done for” this time, he pulls a rabbit out of a hat to keep the “magic show” going and the fans clapping.
Keep watching.
By Alan
December 16, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this
Brendan - John Anderson would make a good replacement.
By R. Stroz
December 16, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this
Observations and Suggestions:
Observation (1) Defensive Pairings: Zhitnik and McCarthy have the worst +/- ratios on the team. The only time this season Zhitnik’s +/- ratio didn’t get worse was while playing with Popovic. Since every D-man paired with Zhitnik, except Popovic, has seen their +/- ratio get worse when playing with Zhitnik, we must conclude that Zhitnik sucks and Popovic is better than we realize.
Suggestion (1): Bench Zhitnik, pair Popovic with McCarthy, and see if McCarthy’s numbers improve.
Observation (2) The Wolfpack line was putting up good numbers and had a positive +/- ratio.
Suggestion (2) Reinstate the Wolfpack line.
Observation (3) The Slater-Dupuis-Boulton line, while only together a few games, was putting up good numbers with a positive +/- ratio.
Suggestion (3) Put the Slater-Dupuis-Boulton line back together.
So where does this leave Holik, Larsen, and Thorburn.
Get rid of Holik. Even if the Thrashers have to pick up half his salary for the rest of the season, that’s better than picking up his whole salary.
Larsen become a healthy scratch.
Thorburn needs to be moved into one of the slots on the Perrin-Kozlov-Recchi line. That line needs some size and Thorburn can provide the size. I say keep Recchi on the line, so either Perrin or Kozlov become the healthy scratch.
Well, that’s a start.
By Rone
December 16, 2007 3:34 AM | Link to this
Up late tonight.
Mainly because I saw the score reach 5 to 1, and decided to relieve everyone around me of my ever growing anger.
So, I introduced my friends to Guitar Hero. They loved it, The wine flowed and my mood turned around.
They left my home, and I decided to watch the rest of the debacle. But, to my drunken surprise, as I picked up on the DVR where I had left off, the Thrash make me proud and start making a game of it.
But, alas. We can’t score with a 5 on 3 for 2 minutes to make it 5-4.
I don’t have any answers. But I will say that the Senators really know how to make their fans cringe any time the Thrash are in town.
Passing out…
Rone
By Brian
December 16, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
Jonesboro_Pete - I was at the game Fri night and had a very busy day yesterday, but here I am. The question should be Where have you been all year? Were you hiding under a rock just waiting to come out as soon as you can bash someone? Why weren’t you posting when we were winning? Or are you another one of the gloom & doomers? I’m here posting all the time, win, lose or draw, like a real fan. Since this is your first post, conveniently after a loss, you can’t say the same.
On to more important things, something is going to happen before Christmas/New Years, and it will be big. I don’t know if it is going to be a trade or as Rawhide hinted at, a coaching change. But even DW is saying now as Alan pointed out, “something’s gotta give.”
I have no qualms about any trade as long as it doesn’t involve Kovy or Enstrom. As for a new coach, I would be gunshy about McCrimmon. He is there right now, you can’t possibly think that DW is putting a muzzle on him when it’s both their necks on the line during this losing streak. I would have to think Anderson or another outsider needs to get this club going again, not someone who is here right now for this streak.
As Rawhide pointed out, >95% were happy with this team a month ago. And when we ripped off the 11-4 streak, it was the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” and “let’s keep this going” attitude. So no one can say “I told you so”. But now we are 0-4, which is awfully close to 0-6. And we know what happens at 0-6.
On the bright side, we are still only 5 pts out of the playoffs. If we win the next two (to have played the same amount of games as the ‘Canes), we would only be 4 pts out of the division lead. That next big trade or coaching change can be just around the corner and we can easily be back in the lead again.
The question is can we make the big move and get back in the race? History says yes. Players get traded all the time, or it can be a coach. But if we do make it work, you can’t blame the GM. But if we backtrack this year, I go back to my original statement. Either DW is going to win this year or not. Sorry for the Brendanesque post, but let’s be objective fans, not emotional libs. Either the GM gets us out of it and keeps moving forward or he’s gone. Just don’t get emotional and jump the gun before something good happens (whatever good may be).
By Sara
December 16, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
What this team lacks more than anything else is a system and gameplan. They’re scrambling around in both zones (when they actually get their skates moving) and blindly passing pucks. No sense of purpose whatsoever. That was the initial gameplan of DW when he took over - go out there, cut loose, have some fun with it. At the time, it was a good idea because it’s what they needed. Now someone needs to take control of this team and guide and lead them.
What or who the answer is I don’t know. I still hate to hire someone right now when we could get something better during the off-season. I’m not convinced however that McCrimmon is the answer given he is, for all intents and purposes, in charge of this debacle we are currently witnessing. It’s hard to say with certainty, since none of us really know what is going on, but he’s the one running the practices, which is where gameplans and strategies forumlate.
I’d say at this point there are two options. Attempt to make a trade or two to bring in a better d-man and “something else” - most likely a center but I think maybe a tweak at wing could work. The other option is to just bench or send down some of the bigger screw ups (Zhitnik, Mac, Holik even), and let some kids come up for the rest of the year. See who is ready by year-end to really make it up here, see then what we have, and fill in the holes accordingly. The second option at least is easier financially since the kids are all pretty cheap.
One problem I’m having though is identifying exactly what the problem is. Something isn’t clicking on most of the lines. In most cases I think that “something” is hard to define. Is it Perrin, is it Dupuis, is it Boulton, Slater, Thorburn, Larsen, Kozzie? I think most if not all of those guys bring something good to the table - they aren’t necessarily bad players individually. But collectively they aren’t quite working out. So how do you fix what you can’t quite define as broken?
Holik will be gone after this season - regardless of how good he is on face-offs and how much experience and leadership he brings, you can’t really be a leader when your @ss is sitting in the box on a regular basis for the dumbest stuff. Zhitnik’s lost it and I guess Mac never really seemed to have it (although pairing him with Pops does sound like a better plan than pairing Pops with Zhit - Mac can at least get his butt moving). Problem there is we’re stuck with Zhit unless we buy him out at season end (some of you need to get a clue - NO ONE is going to trade for him).
This is just frustrating beyond belief to watch. While I’m sure this isn’t fun for anyone in the organization right now either, at least they have the power to make changes. We, unfortunately, are just stuck with whatever they give us.
By Concerned Season Ticket Holder
December 16, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
So, each year we find ourselves in a similar position, consistently inconsistent play from a team of professional athletes. These players are being paid a great deal of $$$$ (even though the $$$ is worth little in the open market.
Where is Hossa? Hiding behind a statement that he wants to play for a winner. How much is this super star being paid and how much is he contributing. He is playing out his contract, he is not hustling like he did last year and certainly not the player we traded for Heatley (by the way, did you see Danny play last night? Marian is not in Danny’s league this year). Hossa needs to commit to this team and play like it. He owes it to us. if he doesn’t, then get rid of his s…y behind and trade him to winning team where the boy can be happy.
Koslov: Seems to be skating is cirles with no objective Zhitnik: Age seems to have taken hold, he is a shell of his former self. Holik: A straight shooter when it comes to stating the obvious (how bad the team is playing and the reasons, but not skating worth a damn and certainly not contributing.Maybe an age thing here as well. Lehetonen: great potential with minimum leadership ability. He doesn’t play with a great deal of mental discipline. Moose: Playing as best he can, but he can’t carry a team that is not scoring or keeping the game in the offensive end, neither can Kari.
The team continues to bunch around the puck and showing little discipline about staying in their lanes. Hve you noticed that when they try to bring the puck out of the defensive end there is no oner cross ice to pass to?
Did you also notice we rarely have anyone standing in front of the net! the team figures it’s a better scoring angle from the side or behind the net.
I know I sound frustrated, but this team is showing some hustle but no heart/confidence. If we are incapable of consistently winning then blame the GM and owners for not bringing in the talent. If you don’t have the talent then you have to hustle more to win. Does this team have the heart for that?
If this level of play continues then we will have one of the worst seasons ever. No one expected the team to be playing this poorly after 7+ seasons.
By Concerned Season Ticket Holder
December 16, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
Sara: What you stated is right on….What a mess
By wristshot
December 16, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
I’m a little concerned, as well, about McCrimmon taking the reigns of this team right now. I admire his fire but he’s been here for quite some time and the team still manages to find itself in these flat spots. I think it might be time for a whole new coaching lineup, some fresh blood, different faces and emotions around the locker room. Everybody said Calgary was crazy for hiring Mike Keenan but the Flames are playing like world beaters right now.
It’s sad that the attention span of our professional athletes seems to have decreased to microscopic levels but it’s time to face that reality. We need a coaching staff that can hold their interest level long enough to play like an NHL team once again.
I think Concerned Season Ticket Holder hit the nail right on the head. Hossa looks like a guy who has already moved on mentally. He knows he’s going to get a huge contract where ever he goes so he’s on cruise control in a Thrashers sweater. The upside of this character flaw is the fact that he is an absolute gem in the trading market. Poor season numbers not withstanding, every team in the league would give their eyeteeth to have a guy with Hossa’s pedigree on their roster.
By 12345
December 16, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Well, Well, Well The Great Brian does it yet again bashing another fan who you disagree with.
Well Mr.Brian, I was at the game friday too and it was bad.
Sure we would ALL like to be posting how great it was Trouncing Ottawa in Canada 7-3 with US winning or another great Shootout win or great goals or saves… But this is NOT the case here.
You are so one sided it’s nuts…
You dump on ANYONE who you either do not like or has a differing thought than you.
I liked the Hiding under the rock fit you pretty well, you read came out and bashed again as is YOUR stoic trademark.
See the team for what it is Brian… A bad one and quit dumping on people you disagree with, Sounds like you need a fresh bottle !
By Baldheaded Thrasher
December 16, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Enough is enough and I can’t stand anymore. I wanted DW to sign Kozlov and look at the results. I didn’t think we should try to keep Savard, but DW hasn’t filled that hole in 2 years??
Sara-Is right that none of the lines are clicking! DW or the owners need to make a decision now rather than at the end of the year. Either fire DW or let him hire a new coach.
I really don’t have a dog in this fight on which will work. The owners are either committed to trying to bring the cup to ATL or we will be like Nashville in a couple of years. This is their decision and not the fans. As a lifelong ATL native I’ve seen it too many times!
Since I am spending my money to support this time I can only vent my frustrations with what I see on the ice, and I don’t have a clue with what is going on in the locker room or behind close doors, but enough is enough.
1) There has to be a bad apple that is spoiling the bunch. The team has too much talent to be where it is at right now.
2) If the veterans don’t want to play than so be it. I hear that Boris can’t skate, well guess what I would rather see him try to skate than watch a veteran stand around and not skate.
3) If Hossa doesn’t want to play here then trade him and get some value while there is a chance. (We might have to wait later on in the season to get the most.)
4)Everyone knows our shots on goal are woeful, and blames it on our defense, but our forwards sure do turn the puck over alot, and really don’t seem to have a clue on how to play defensively.
5) Kovy, Tobias, White, Perrin, and Rechhi are the only ones that seem to want to playe the game. (Holik says he does, but the numbers speak louder!)
I figure we hve until the end of the year for something to happen. I refuse to believe that the owners are going to be sitting around smoking cigars when blueland has become the iceberg that that has tore a hole in Philips. The staus quo is UNGOOD
* I can’t stands it anymore. Enough is enough.*
By Sara
December 16, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
Maybe I’m off the mark here but I think people are over-inflating Hossa’s worth on the trade market. Yes, we can get a lot for him but it’s going to be prospects/picks which may or may not pan out and lower-level players. What team is going to give up a top-line center or #1 d-man for Hoss? Who has that kind of depth, outside of perhaps Anaheim? (who by the way isn’t going to take him because they are trying to dump salary, not increase it and no they aren’t going to give us Prongs for Hossa.)
Giving us a top player (which is what this team needs), even if it’s a prospect guaranteed to be a top player, doesn’t make sense from someone else’s standpoint because you’re basically making an even swap - top player for top player. Plus with Hoss being a UFA, another team would have to have a guarantee that he would re-sign with them after this season. Well if Hoss wants to go to a guranteed contender, who does that leave on the field? Very few teams now are perennials - Ottawa (yeah right like he’s going back there), Detroit (a potential viable option as they have some depth), the Rangers seem to be coming around, TB (that trade isn’t happening). In fact, I wouldn’t bet on DW trading Hoss anywhere in the east if possible to avoid.
Bottom line, I don’t think we can secure the assets we need with a Hoss trade. Like I said, I could be wrong on this, but I’m not overly optimistic here. Which means we may be screwed on trades unless we cough up youngun’s from Chicago (really good ones) ~ the only other really marketable assets we have are Enstrom and Kovy (not happening). Maybe X if someone is really hot for that kind of player (although we can’t afford to lose our best/virtually only hitter).
By drew1956
December 16, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Hey Donnie, Did ya miss this one?
Andy McDonald, a key member of the Anaheim Ducks’ Stanley Cup championship team last season, was traded Friday to the St. Louis Blues for Doug Weight, Michal Birner and a seventh-round draft pick next year. McDonald, in the second year of a three-year, $10 million contract, had 27 goals and 51 assists in 82 games last season and played in his first NHL All-Star Game. He has four goals and 12 assists in 33 games this season.
By Sara
December 16, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
OK, enough with the griping. Solution time. Here’s what I’ve got.
First - coaching - leave it alone. I don’t want anyone who’s currently available and I don’t care if we end up ranked 30th this season, I want a good coach. LT way more important than ST here.
Second - ST roster solutions. Waive Holik’s lazy butt to Chicago and bring back Little (we all know who’s sweater the C should end up on). Let Larsen keep the press box warm (companion to be named shortly) and put Haydar back in with Little on the third line. For now I’d keep Dupuis there and leave Boults-Slates-Thorby on the 4th line with the job of annoying the sh*t out of other teams. Hit/check/hit some more/yap a lot/get in the goalie’s face. On D, waive Zhit (yeah I know we’re paying $8M for two AHL players - ask me if I care) and bring up either Oystrick or Kwaitowski. Both are putting up some respectable numbers with the Wolves (although some of those impressive numbers are in the PIM column - but that’s different from Holik and Zhit how??). Put Pop back in once he gets healthy and let Mac go hang with Larsen. There - temproarily fixed. Will it work? Who knows but I like it better than the cr@p we’re seeing now.
Now…on to long-term solutions with the roster. Holik - gone after this season. Go buy a number one proven center (I’ve got my early eye on Comrie). Put him on the second line with Kozzie and Dupuis (or upgrade Dupuis if we can - depends on money, and this is not a top priority to me). Little-Sterling-Haydar back together and they have all got to ready by next season or they are never going to be (except Little, but I think he’s basically ready now except for that whole growing up/maturity thing that comes with age anyway). Boults-Perrin-Thorburn - I like the grit Boults and Thorby bring, and I like Perrin. This of course all assumes we can somehow manage to hang on to Hoss. If we can’t….well, most of us will be slitting our wrists anyway so who cares.
As for D - buy out Zhitnik and go buy a proven, #1 d-man under the age of 32. Get Oystick up here. We’re looking at X-FA acquisition, Toby-Havelid, Pop-Oystrick, Klee as the seventh man.
Kari and maybe Moose back. Yes I know - I can hear the griping coming on already. BUT I am not ready to throw Pavs to the wolves (yeah, I know bad joke). I want this kid to get a bit more seasoning before we unleash the NHL on him again. Don’t want to screw this one up! And if we tighten up our defensive play, it is going to make things a LOT easier for Moose and Kari. Kari is never going to be Brodeur, but he could be an Osgood - steady with good D in front of him and capable of stealing games on occassion (yeah I know, we aren’t going to have Detroit’s D but I think what we have can be more than servicable).
Anyway, there you have it. My solutions to our dilemmas. It’s not necessarily all that simplistic and there are some other scenarios to consider, but as a rough draft, it works.
Rawhide should Atlanta Spirit call you for my contact info for the next GM, you know where to find me. ;p
By Alan
December 16, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
First - coaching - leave it alone.
Disagree. Waddell needs to pick one. Coach or GM. Then he needs to do that job. We have coaches in the minors who can take the reigns just fine. John Anderson for instance.
Second - ST roster solutions.
Agreed. That sounds like a good start.
Kari and maybe Moose back.
Again, agreed. As I’ve stated elsewhere, the reason they endure so many SOG is because the defense (with Enstrom and Havelid as exceptions) is off in la-la land somewhere. Good defensemen keep the SOG from getting high. Low SOG means the goalies don’t have to blow a vein trying to secure the net alone. And that’s how Moose and Kari looked last night. Definitely not ready to call for their dismissal… though I’d like to see what Pavs can bring to the table.
Maybe I’m too hard on Waddell, but overall, this is really frustrating as fans to see the team decline like this.
By Thrashers27
December 16, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Time to say goodbye to Mac and Zhitnik. Those guys are stinking up the ice.
Bring up Boris!!!
By shannon
December 16, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Kovalchuk is a one man team. What is Hossa doing? Kovy is only person I think sould go to the All Star game. The Thrashers need to work out their problems and start playing better.
By PJOSKI
December 16, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
The Trashers play like a team that does not have a gameplan. They looked lost out on the ice against BOS and OTT. They are a very fragile team at this time.
If you are employed and a company is paying you a salary to perform and show results, you better know what will happen if you don’t perform and show results.
DW is no coach. I question his reasonsing and thought process as a GM. Coburn should never have been traded to PHI. DW simply doesn’t understand that defense wins hockey games. Any NHL team can score a goal(s) on any given night.
You don’t perform and show results. Guess what??? Atlanta needs a new GM, a new COACH and needs to trade, waive or outright release some players.
IT IS TIME TO FORMULATE A GAMEPLAN FOR THE FUTURE AND THAT TIME IS NOW.
Keep your eye on the PUCK…
By Brian
December 16, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
12345 - you complain about how I bash and dump on people, but I am trying to find the part of your post where you are not bashing and dumping on me.
What’s even funnier is that I referred to my post where I said the GM will win or get fired and you say I am one-sided…
For the real Thrasher fans
Sara & Wristshot - I posted some stats about Hossa’s production I don’t know how he’s doing it, but the guy has been a pt/game player. He even got 2 points last night. That has to be worth a ton in the trade market. Who are the other disgruntled players around the league? Not that I want someone else’s problems, but if Heatley and Thornton were available in past years, someone must be up, right?
Baldheaded Thrasher - great post all around, objective and rational.
Alan & Sara - I wouldn’t be upset over a coaching change at all. Let DW handle one or the other, and if it’s trades he must do to fix things, focus on that. But fix it.
Thrashers27 - Unless the thinking is that Zhitnik will turn it on after the all star break, I can’t think of why to keep giving him TOI which turn into PIM. I would rather lose with Boris than lose with Zhitnik at this point. But maybe Boris can spark us to winning?
By Alan
December 16, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Thrashers27 - I agree. Bring up Boris. It will be hard as hell for other teams to steamroll over us with a 6’7” defender in their way.
By Brendan
December 16, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
I definitely John Anderson deserves his shot at an NHL gig. With the Spirit Group give it to him??
I don’t know if McCrimmon is actually running this team, or if it’s Waddell. Or what. But if the team tanks it can “clean house” in one fell swoop this offseason. And like Sara said, there’ll be more candidates to approach in the offseason, where there aren’t so many restrictions.
By Scott
December 16, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Roster: Trade, release, or just send down to the minors (if their contract’s allow it) Holik and Zhitnik, or just healthy scratch them. We fired the coach after an 0-6 start, let’s hold the man with a C on his sweater responsible as well. Plus he hasn’t played well at all, and he takes stupid penalties at critical times.
I’d love to see a legitimate #1 center and a first tier D-Man.
Coach: John Anderson - Give him a contact only to the end of the season so a potential new GM isn’t saddled with a coach he doesn’t want. He’d be great with some of the youngsters, might be able to give Kari the confidence he needs to play at a CONSISTENT high level. And what the heck, at least we’d see an explosive offense most nights. Let’s be realistic here. Without some shoring up of the defense we’re probably not playoff bound, and definitely not going deep into the playoffs.
By Alan
December 16, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Scott - Exactly why I think Anderson deserves a shot. He’ll definitely have a lot of pull with the youngsters, since he’s used to coaching a lot of them. I’m sure even seasoned NHLers like Kovy and Hossa could learn a thing or two from Anderson. As an added bonus, Anderson is part of the Atlanta organization. It’s not like we’re going to lose anything to bring him up and give him a shot.
By Brian
December 16, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Alan - I agree with you that Anderson should get a shot, but what we do lose is the $$ that the Spirit will have to pay him that they wouldn’t have to otherwise. Given we have a self-imposed cap, you have to believe that has something to do with the decisions being made…
By Sara
December 16, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
One flaw with the Anderson thinking. If you bring him up, Chicago has to replace him. So you can’t just call him up to the end of the year - that’s not fair to him because then he may have no place to go. (Granted he could and likely would get picked up by someone else but why uproot him and his family for that?) It’s got to be an all or nothing. And if potentially a new GM does get hired, he may want his own coach anyway. Not sure I want to sacrifice Anderson for all that.
By Alan
December 16, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Sara - The problem with that, is there’s no assurance Waddell will be fired at all. As far as any of us can tell, ASG loves him and would have no qualms with re-signing him. I understand the downsides you and Brian have raised, but there are some obvious upsides as well. Figuring out if there are more downsides than up is another matter.
No matter how you slice it and who you bring up, though, one thing is certain… and that is we need a dedicated coach.
By Thrashers27
December 16, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
Let the assistant coaches run things in Chi-town for the rest of the year and allow Anderson a chance to prove himself in Atlanta. If things go well then we have our next coach. If not he goes back to Chicago and we find a new guy during the off-season. I’m sure Anderson would like that kind of a shot.
By Dumbing Down
December 16, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
They need a real owner first!
By Alan
December 16, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Haydar sent to the Wolves. Looks like reassembling the Wolfpack line isn’t going to happen.
By Thrasher Ryan
December 16, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this
This team is pitiful. It’s over, folks. The sooner you accept it, the better of you’ll be. NO PLAYOFFS. Too bad DW WILL NOT get fired. Atlanta Spirit does not know crap about hockey. They put their trust in Waddell to do what needs to be done. However, DW cannot do what needs to be done. That is the problem. DW is a stubborn SOB who will not take suggestions from anyone. We are stuck with Waddell. THAT IS WHY THIS TEAM IS DONE. Season ticket holders, I suggest you call and ask for a refund. We need to let Hossa go. Trade him for a good young talent and a pick. Call up Pavelec. Trade Lehtonen, Zhitnik, Holik, Larsen, Slater, Dupuis, Kozlov and get what you can. It’s time to rebuild the entire system; the one that DW has pillaged by trading away our young assets for overpriced has-beens in a last ditch effort to get to the playoffs. I agree with Russ. DW is about to panic and make some crazy deals to try and save his @ss. He will trade away our youngsters (Sterling, Little, Haydar, Valabik, etc.) I feel SO sorry for you season ticket holders. I have followed this team from the start. Before that, I followed the Flames. Until Waddell is gone, I WILL NOT be spending my money going to Philips. It is time for accountability, DON. You have only yourself to blame…
By 12345
December 16, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
No BRIAN I have been a Flames Fan and a Thrashers Fan for a LONG TIME… Were YOU there in The OMNI opening night in 1972 ?
Atlanta 1 Buffalo 1.
Did you know Morris Stafew scored the FISRT Flames goal in History, No Brian I am a Well Travelled NHL fan who knows the game very well.
I just think YOU like bashing people for no reason,stick to the topic of the blog and this will not happen.
Does anyone have a comparision of goals against and goals for last season VS this year ?
It seems like our defense is simply not as good as last season.
Gone Hnidy/deVries/Sutton.
In Klee/Enstrom/Popovic.
I would have to take Hnidy over Klee most every time, he was steady last season,made few mistakes and added a physical demention that Klee does not have.
deVries was good for the most part, and could join in on the offense when needed.
Sutton, good at blocking shots, but way out of position a LOT of the time.
Enstrom… Behind Kovy He HAS to be Best Player on the team… Without his play and GREAT puck handling skill,where would we be ? GREAT ADDITION !
Klee, another 5-6th defenseman on any other team, fairly slow and adds NO physical game.
Popovic has been steady for the most part up to the injury.
X has been Hot and Cold, Havilid has been below average so far and Zit and Mc well you know the story.
Then the offense…
We lost much more than we gained… White & Perrin are more roll & defensive players than first or second liners, Perrin has helped a LOT on the PK recently and White has had some good moments… But we HAVE to get most second & third line scoring.
I am at a loss to understand where Slava has gone… He has been invisible at times this season…Many times and he is a GOOD Player.
Holik has to go… He is simply TERRIBLE and Slater is NOT far behind him… Simply NO production from him at all.
So what do we do now ?????
The Falcons are a wreck, Hawks trying but still a long way to go after years of awful play, Braves who knows now and The Thrashers…
We have to make some changes, guess it is now time to move players… We are STILL within striking distance but this recent play CANNOT continue until the first of the year or this season will likely be NO playoffs.
By erock
December 16, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Haydar sent to the Wolves. Looks like reassembling the Wolfpack line isn’t going to happen.Anybody care to venture a guess as to what Waddell is going to do next.Is he going to just play out the rest of the season until the trade dealine and then give away the farm or what? Sounds like to me that it is real obvious he has NO CLUE what his plan is !!
By Rawhide
December 16, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
12345 - Ask and ye shall receive:
The Thrashers after 32 games last year were 18-9-5. They had 108 goals for, (3.36 G/G), and 95 goals against, (2.96 GA/G)…on their way to scoring for the season 246 goals and letting up 245…both right at 3.00 per game.
This year after 32 games the Thrashers are 14-17-1 scoring 86 goals, (2.59 G/G), and letting up 112, (3.47 GA/G).
The numbers are almost completely reversed.
By Brian
December 16, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
12345 - why haven’t you posted at all this year until today/yesterday? You’ve been a fan since 1972 but only found this blog this weekend? Or do you only come here to bash people? Although making statements like deVries was good for the most part, and could join in on the offense when needed does take away from any credibility you still have as a “first time poster”…
Thrasher Ryan - given we are only 5 points out of the playoffs, I think you are the one hitting the panice button.
erock - what leads you to believe DW will give away the farm? Are you pining for Alex Bouret? Yeah, Coburn was a loss but even the gloom & doomers were happy over that trade.
By BG33Brown
December 16, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
If your John Anderson, knowing everything that we know (which by the way he does) why would he take this job? He was interview on XM about a month ago and said “I want to be in the NHL, but it needs to be a good fit/good job.”
Do any of you regulars think he would honestly “just come up here”.
I don’t.
By Rawhide
December 16, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
BG33Brown - OK, I’ll bite…
For what it’s worth, in my humble opinion, I would have to think that if DW call John Anderson tomorrow and offered him the job, he would accept it quicker then Rosie O’Donnell can get to a buffet.
“Good fit/good job” talk is all PC stuff…there are only 30 NHL head coaching jobs to be had and only a handful open up each year. Besides, how better of a situation could he ask for to jump to the bigs then one that affords him the chance to coach so many that he is already familiar with?
If he’s serious about wanting to coach in the NHL…he takes it.
By Thrasher Ryan
December 16, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
Brian—I’m not hitting the panic button. I’m using logic. Unless this team goes on a run of like 15 straight wins, its pretty much over. Waddell made this monstrosity, and only he can fix it. But that stuff is hard to do when you are coaching games 3-4 nights a week! Where do you have the time? When the Anaheim deal went down, Waddell was on the bench for warmups for the Toronto debacle. He stright up missed out on that one. I too like 12345 above have lived here a long time and remember the Flames well. Season Ticket holder every season at the Omni. THAT was a well constructed team. Waddell is nowhere even close to putting together a solid team. Year after year he consistently brings in these “journeymen” players who would have no career on any other team. There comes a point where as a hockey fan we get sick of it. I’m glad your back defending DW, though, although you gotta be running out of excuses by now. Also, its funny how the Kari apologists are suddenly MIA as well. The future? Yeah, right!
By BG33Brown
December 16, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
Rawhide I hope you are right, i hope it happens. I think he would be a HUGE help to this club. But what is the point if your GM won’t let you succeed with young players b/c the GM is fighting for his job. (Or at least i hope he is)
By Brendan
December 16, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
There are 50 games left. With a 100-points on the table, so anything is still possible. Better play will manifest itself in better results. Right now, it is a matter of more than just bad bounces and missed opportunities. However slightly, I think our PK has improved over the last three games. Baby steps, I guess.
Enstrom deserves to be in the All-Star game as a “write-in.” I’ve cast dozens of votes for him, so far. I hope he gets serious consideration for the Caldery Trophy. Even in the 7-3 loss at Ottawa, Enstrom was a +1.
By Thrasher Ryan
December 16, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
Brendan—I’ve been voting for him too. And Kovy. However, I refuse to vote for Hossa and Kozlov. Sad, but true.
By Brendan
December 16, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this
I can’t type tonight. Make that, “Calder Trophy.”
By Brendan
December 16, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan, if you vote for Kovy, Kozlov and Hossa, it improves Kovlachuk’s chances of being in the “starting lineup.”
Food for thought.
By GaVaHokie
December 17, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
Would 12345 and Jonesboro_Pete… (or is it Jameson or Bob trying to make us think that more than just the two of them don’t like Waddell)… please zip it.
You don’t have a clue how anything works and you have no grasp of what hockey market you live in. There is no hockey market here… Kovalchuk and Hossa will always be the dog and pony show… no matter who is GM. Anyone else who comes to this team will be guys struggling for ice time and will be expected to over-acheive… when they don’t, you get exactly what we’re seeing now… case closed.
The day a GM comes in here and starts spending money on guys like Jagr, Shannahan and Gomez will be the day the team gets sold for internally combusting.
By Bob
December 17, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Guys, McCrimmon is the coach, has been all along, Waddell’s just filling the spot. I firmly believe the Spirit told Waddell, get down there and fix it or you’re gone, after Hartley was fired. Hell, they never even contacted anyone to interview for the position.
There is no, 0, nada point in bringing in another Coach now midstream under a lame duck GM and start the players on a 3rd system in the first 1/3rd of one season, that would be completely futile.
Waddell plays out the string behind the bench, and if we miss the playoffs, he is fired. And that is the best thing that could happen to this club, folks. I’ve been saying it for years, nothing meaningful will change here until meaningful changes are made and we get a new GM who knows how to build a hockey club in here. The new GM can hire his own coach, make some moves (lots of contracts up next summer and lots of cash freed up) and turn it around quick, look what Burke did in Anaheim.
By Midfield
December 17, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
If McCrimmon is running the team, Waddell must name him the head coach now. The team is coasting and this ‘who’s the suite behind the bench’ game does not help.
By Bob
December 17, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
(or is it Jameson or Bob trying to make us think that more than just the two of them don’t like Waddell)…
Now you too with this mindless paranoia? Listen, I like my opinion far too much to play those games and use other names and I’m not 16 yrs old and certainly don’t have the time to spend writing nonsense on here all day long.
I know that you and a couple other goofs on here really hate to deal with the fact that one day you’re going to have to face up to what I suspect you already know, that it’s Waddell who is to blame, but it’s true. You can always trace organizational problems directly to the top, that’s where the buck stops.
Nothing meaningfull will change here until meaningful changes are made
Believe that or not, your choice, but drop the mindless paranoid accusations and deal with what the real problem is, the GM that has built this 8 years of mess.
By GaVaHokie
December 17, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Bob… you mean the Burke who just traded away a young Andy McDonald for an old Doug Weight because he got his team in cap trouble? And will have to do the same thing again if Selanne comes back? And will have to do it AGAIN if he wants to sign Corey Perry to an extension, most likely in the $5-$6 million range?
He’s lucky he won the cup last year, or he wouldn’t be looking so great right about now.
Ottawa better pray they win the cup this year. They’re gonna have cap casualties next year. (Kelly, Vermette, Eaves, Meszaros, Redden)… They’re gonna look like Toronto in 2002 and Buffalo in 2007 saying “we coulda, shoulda, woulda.”
By GaVaHokie
December 17, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Seriously folks… you can’t have a better financial situation then this. Look at all the “red” that comes off the books next year and the mere $23 million we’re on the hook for in 08-09.
By Bob
December 17, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
He’s lucky he won the cup last year
lucky? Hokie, that is all that matters! Winning the Cup You’re dogging the defending champ because he had to make a move to bring back the best defenseman in the league You funny.
Look at all the “red” that comes off the books next year and the mere $23 million we’re on the hook for in 08-09.
Yep, a competent GM could come in here and turn things around quickly next summer.
By GaVaHokie
December 17, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Yep, a competent GM could come in here and turn things around quickly next summer.
Yeah, someone will come in here and do a “Daniel Briere $10 million deal” to make a big splash with the fans and screw the team financially for years.
By GaVaHokie
December 17, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
You’re dogging the defending champ because he had to make a move to bring back the best defenseman in the league You funny.
How would all these moves look if they hadn’t won the cup? No one cares right now because they did win it.
By ThrasherNY
December 17, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
Random Thoughts:
Bob is correct this is Waddell’s time to sit behind the bench and stand behind the team he assembled. If we make the playoffs he stays if we dont I pray that he goes.
This team is preforming exactly as one would expect looking at our roster. We are intentionally under cap and we have the following underperfoming contracts dragging us down further.
Rucchin at 2.4MM not even playing; wouldnt want him in the lineup if healthy.
Zhitnik at 3.5MM is double digit negative. A trade to save last season in desperation is coming back to haunt us who would figure.
Holik at 4.25MM while making a well rounded contribution he is also double digit minus and only looks to contribute 30 pts or less.
If you benchmark us against teams spending the full cap amount and scratch the above problems it accounts for 15MM to spend replacing a 3rd line defensemen and center. Which means we could have signed Briere at his ridiculous salary and spent 5MM aquiring a top dman.
If it was the goal of ownership was to win a cup then this season would be considered a lost cause. We would trade Hossa and Zhitnik as a package if possible to shed the 10MM in salary and bring the kids back up for the experience. Then rebuild next year with the 25MM in our pockets. Sadly though this team will stop at no expense, including leveraging future seasons to make the playoffs again. It means too much to the bottom line not too if you are an owner only looking to make a profit. I dont own the team so I cant exactly say I blame them for this outlook. It is the reality of being a Thrasher fan that we may not see a cup for many years.
While void of cup potential this team does have the most exciting player in hockey. Cheers to Ilya for his stellar play. It is truly exciting to watch.
By Russ
December 17, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
Hokie - How would all those moves look if they hadn’t won the cup? I guess it would look a lot like Waddell mortgaging the future for a first round sweep. But they did win the cup…big difference. Basically the Ducks make room for Niedermayer by trading McDonald for Weight. Hmmm…McDonald for Niedermayer and Weight…I think I’d do that deal any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
By The Maid
December 17, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
Oh plaire, j’essaie de nettoyer et épousseter dans ici. Aller à Rawhide de monsieur nouveau blog.
Oh mon! Cette jupe courte et petite est trop tendue!
giggle