AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNHL Playoff Bracketology
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK kids… time to plunge into the playoffs. The seedings and schedules have been set and now we can delve into a little prognosticatorial opining. (Prognosticatorial, yes I just made that one up…like it)?
Anyway, here is my attempt at NHL bracketology…let’s have yours as well.
FIRST ROUND
East
#1 Montreal vs. #8 Boston: The Habs are monsters right now and Montreal took all eight games between the two. Boston deserves a great deal of credit for landing in the post season after losing Patrice Bergeron early last fall to injury and Marc Savard hasn’t played in a couple of weeks. The only real chance Boston has is to stay out of the sin-bin and play mistake free.
Montreal in 5, (This might be generous to Bah-ston).
#2 Pittsburgh vs. #7 Ottawa: Can there be two teams heading in opposite-er directions right now? This series could see more than it’s fair share of scoring if it goes deep but the Sens chances weren’t helped any when their captain Daniel Alfredsson and forward Mike Fisher were hurt last Thursday playing in Toronto. OK, Hossa…here’s what you’ve been wanting, we’re watching!
Pens in 6…maybe 5.
#3 Washington vs. #6 Philadelphia: Quite possibly could be the most fun of the eight series to watch. Philly finished 7-1-1 in their last nine and Washington won the last seven to surge to the Southeast Division crown and the 3rd seed in the east. Flyers finished one point better than did the Caps, but I don’t know too many people outside of southeastern Pennsylvania who are going against Ovie and Co. now.
Capitals in 7 wild games.
#4 New Jersey vs. #5 New York Rangers: The Devils won their one and only game in eight versus the Blueshirts just this past weekend to gain home ice in the Hudson River series. Scott Gomez’s first playoff series as a Ranger comes against his former team. This is really a “pick-‘em” match-up to me, but in the end I’ll take the Devils defense and Marty Brodeur against a team that has struggled offensively at times this year…as if New Jersey’s offense is much better?
Jersey in 6 low-scoring games.
West
#1 Detroit vs. #8 Nashville: Low and behold the southeast region of the U.S. will be represented in the post-season. Nashville, having played the Wings eight times, will have familiarity of the Red Wings to help them…and that could be worth a game or possibly two. But it will only prolong the inevitable. Detroit is stacked and going deep in the playoffs barring something just shy of the supernatural.
Detroit wings by in 5.
#2 San Jose vs. #7 Calgary: Augh! I’m torn here. The Sharks are my pick to make the finals from the left coast, but I hate going against the old hometown boys. And what’s not to like about Iginla, Phaneuf, Kiprusoff and that ilk. However, I will take logic over emotion here. Brian Campbell adds to an already impressive Sharks defense. But Calgary is not without playoff-tested talent, a few former Sharks, (can you say “motivation” boys and girls? I knew you could…) and has the ability to swing the upset here…but won’t.
San Jose in 6 physical games.
#3 Minnesota vs. #6 Colorado: A few weeks back you could have been blindfolded and thrown darts at the logos of 4 teams in the Northwest and had a good a chance of picking the eventual winner. But the Wild got hot at the right time and have no problems playing in, and winning, close games. Peter Forsberg wasn’t able to do a lot for Nashville this time last year but the Avs are hoping for the return of his past glory in Colorado this spring. Get out the Ben-Gay.
Minnie-SOOooo-tah in 7 entertaining games.
#4 Anaheim vs. #5 Dallas: Again, two teams that were heading in diametrically opposed ways of late. The Ducks finished with the third best record in the west, and tied for fourth best in the league with Pittsburgh. Brad Richards should help Dallas, even though he tended to fade down the stretch after his 5-point debut and Sergei Zubov’s absence will be felt. In the end, I think the Ducks blueline…anchored by the likes of Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Mathieu Schneider and Francois Beauchemin…will be too much for Dallas. Oh, and there is this guy named J.S. Giguere, too.
Duck waddle their way through in 6.
SECOND ROUND
We’ll break these series down in a few weeks when the first round is over, but to complete my bracket…
East
Montreal over Devils
Pittsburgh over Washington
West
Detroit over Ducks
San Jose over Minnesota
CONFERENCE FINALS
Habs over Pens
Sharks over Wings
STANLEY CUP WINNERS
San Jose Sharks
And now, your turn in 5…4…3…2…1….(wait for it)….GO!
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Waffleboy
April 8, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Montreal over Boston(in 6) Ottawa over Pittburgh(in 7) Washington over Philadelphia(in 5) New Jersey over NY Rangers(in 4)
Detroit over Nashville(in 4) San Jose over Calgary(in 7) Colorado over Minnesota(in 6) Anaheim over Dallas(in 4)
Ottawa over Montreal New Jersey over Washington
Detroit over Colorado San Jose over Anaheim
New Jersey over Ottawa
San Jose over Detroit
San Jose over New Jersey
By J(Z)
April 8, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Rawhide…1 upset the entire playoffs??? C’mon man :)
Habs over Bruins Sens over Pens (I think I’m really only rooting for this for our draft pick status) Craps over Phlyers Devils over Rangers
Detoilet over Preds (although the wings do have a recent history of closing shop around now each year) Sharks over Flames Avs over Wild
Duckies over StarlessesHabs over Sens Devils over Craps Wings over Avs (oh the memories!)
Sharks over DuckiesDevils over Habs
Sharks over WingsSharks over Devils (in 6)
By Brendan
April 8, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Wow, now I feel bad having NJ eliminated in the 1st round, when the previous two posts have the Devils in the Finals. Look, I respect Lou Lamoriello and think he builds a fine club. But, in my only pick that differs from Rawhide’s, I’m taking the Rangers. Somewhere, wh is smiling. In fact, I’ve got the Rangers over Montreal in the second round, too. But the Penguins to prevails over the Broadway Blueshirts in the Conference Finals, in the East.
Just for clarity, Montreal over Boston in six, Pittsburgh over Ottawa in six, Capitals over Flyers in seven, and NY Rangers over Devils in seven. Then, it’s Pittsburgh over Washington in seven and NY Rangers over Montreal in six. And finally, Pittsburgh over NY Rangers.
In the West, I agree with all of Rawhide’s picks. Detroit over Nashville, I’d say in six games. I like Anaheim over Dallas in six games. I’m taking Minnesota over Colorado in overtime of Game Seven. (Gee, can you tell I want to take Colorado in that series?) And lastly, as much as I want the Flames to win, I’ll take the Sharks over Calgary in six “spirited” games.
In the second round, I’ve got San Jose over Minnesota in six games. And Anaheim over Detroit in seven games. Then, in the CF, I’m taking Anaheim over San Jose.
That leaves … Anaheim vs. Pittsburgh for the Cup, with the Ducks repeating as champions. I know, that’s horrific for our draft pick compensation, I realize!!
Did I ever mention how “flipping a coin” tends to get BETTER RESULTS than my prognosticating? Well, I just did. My coin flip picks went 10-5 last year, while my picks went 8-7. If you want to get “rich” making hockey picks, just take a page out of the Seinfeld Chronicles and Do the Opposite of what I say. If you do, you should be just fine going with the Flyers, Senators, Bruins, and Devils in the opening round and the Flames, Avalanche, Stars, and Predators in the West.
Good luck to all. Don’t forget to flip your coins and see if you, or the coin, was more accurate, in terms of the results. And beeee honest.
By HookyBob
April 8, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
When the going gets tough the tough get going.
I see the playoffs as much a war of attrition as anything. With that in mind I look for big teams who play a punishing game to prevail. I’m picking the Habs and Caps to play for the eastern trophy (Wales or Campbell?). I also see the Caps running out of energy and the Habs going on to play for the cup.
Out west Anaheim is both big and has some rested stars. Last year no other team won more than one game in a Ducks series. I don’t know that they’ll repeat that but they’d have to drop off a lot to loose a series.
In the finals,..the Habs carried by a rookie goalie, and players playing the best hockey of their lives will drink from the cup. Doesn’t hurt to be from Canada and have the richest tradition in sports backing them up.
One other point I’d like to make is that we lost the lottery bigtime. As if this year could get any worse? Not only did we not get Stamkos,…but a team in our division did. Eight games a year (read to the tune of 8-Days a week) Stamkos will be bearing down on Kari. I’d say 2 ready to go D-men are now a priority.
By Rawhide
April 8, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
J(Z) - Yeah, you noticed that…now, I was trying to find logical places to pick upsets, but this year’s really tough for me to do so.
I mean, yeah, one could pick NY over NJ as an “upset” given their 7-1 record against them this year, (that plus a game 7 in NJ might be an easier ticket to find then at the 3 in the garden so it may just be a “home-away from home” game seven for NY)…but I always take defense.
The Flames over San Jose could be another possible upset in the making, as I eluded to. But if I’m not mistakes, didn’t the Sharks go 20 games straight win at least a point right at the end of the year…18-0-2 or something rediculous like that?
But in the end, I have gone on record as saying they are my pick in the west, so the CAN’T lose in the first round.
THEY SIMPLY CANNOT!!
Besides, the Wings are the chic pick to win it all…or just to win the west, so I’m bucking the trend picking against them.
We’ll see.
HookyBob - Yes…2 D-men are a must.
A must right now just as much as they were this time last year….and the year before…….
By Sage of Bluesland
April 8, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
I ‘usually’ pick on a round-by-round basis (but will alter that this year)…and I have picked the same first round results as our esteemed Iceman. I know it likely won’t happen this way, but I’m going with it.
As for the long-range bracket, I think I would go with the Pens over the Habs in the Eastern conference—only to get waxed by San Jose in the Finals. Then again, since I like San Jose second to our pitiful Thrashers, they will likely get dumped relatively quickly.
I’ll have to try Brendan’s “coin-theory” to see how that turns out…We’ll see.
On a side, but related, note, it really must be nice to have real playoff hockey in your locale. Of course, as long as our bumbling Donny is at the helm making the decisions, that will never happen here in the figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland”.
Don’t believe me? Simply look at the “body” of work compiled in his near-decade here.
Case closed.
By ben
April 8, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
i think the Habs shall win it all
By HookyBob
April 8, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Let me clarify the 2-Dmen comment above. Until last night, I was thinking a good center was one of our top 2 needs, with a 2nd good D-man as third in priority.
Now the center has dropped to 3rd,…we need two good D-men before we even start to think about center. Sorry Kovy.
By Lee
April 9, 2008 4:31 AM | Link to this
pray that the pens go out in the first round, bc we need the help that badly… GO SENS GO!!!!!
By Tony C.
April 9, 2008 6:38 AM | Link to this
I think a lot depends on who’s guys coming back from injury produce the most in the MON-BOS series…I know Price is supposedly come down from Olympus, but the atmosphere in both Boston and Montreal is UNREAL, can the kid hack it? Also, does Bergeron come back anywhere close to effective? Also, let’s not forget Timmy Thomas’ play “when it matters”??
But I think this is finally San Jose’s year. They made their big rental move and it has paid of exponentially from what I’ve seen. I have them as my Cup Champion… in 5 over Crosby & Co. (Who win the Prince of Wales Trophy in 6 over Les Habitant)
Yeah, Stamkos in our own division sucks huh?
Who/where did we hear that DW was turned down by Nylander? Seems curious to me…although I guess A-O really is that much better than #17….certainly he gets way better press. Wait a second yall know I’m #17’s biggest fan….don’t give me any grief.
GO BLUE !!!
By Russ
April 9, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this
Round 1
Montreal over Boston in 6
Ottawa over Pittsburgh in 7
Philadelphia over Washington in 7
New Jersey over N.Y. Rangers in 7
Detroit over Nashville in 4
San Jose over Calgary in 4
Minnesota over Colorado in 6
Dallas over Anaheim in 5
Round 2
Montreal over Ottawa in 5
New Jersey over Philadelphia in 7
Detroit over Dallas in 6
San Jose over Minnesota in 4
Conference finals
Montreal over New Jersey in 5
San Jose over Detroit in 6
Stanley Cup Final
San Jose over Montreal in 6
By GaVaHokie
April 9, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
My buddy and I have a yearly tradition before the season starts of picking the final 8 teams on each side and the Cup winner.
I picked San Jose and the Pens in the final with San Jose winning the Cup.
My buddy picked San Jose and the Sabres with San Jose winning… won’t be the Sabres, naturally.
By Brendan
April 9, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
The NHL TV panel: Darren Pang, Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger, and James Duthie, overwhelmingly took San Jose over Pittsburgh in the Finals. Well, that is to say, Panger, MacKenzie, and Dreger took SJ over Pittsburgh. James Duthie, the Dick Cavot of hockey, took Detroit over the NY Rangers.
Hey, how about that? Someone is taking the President’s Trophy winner to bring home a Cup. We don’t see that kind of “zest” anymore. Only six President’s Trophy winners have actually brought home the hardware.
You want to know who they are, don’t you? Ouch!, my arm!, let go! Okay, there are the 1987 Edmonton Oilers, the 1989 Calgary Flames, the 1994 NY Rangers, 1999 Dallas Stars, 2001 Colorado Avalanche, and the 2002 Detroit Red Wings. In case you’re still a bit curious, the Detroit Red Wings have won the President’s Trophy six (6) times. Five (5) teams have won the President’s trophy twice. They are Detroit, Colorado, Calgary, Dallas, and the NY Rangers. And now you know “the rest of the story,” (Copyright, Paul Harvey News, all rights reserved.)
By NASCAR Dave
April 9, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Some of you silly fools make NASCAR Dave laugh! Listening to your baseless drivel about how things are gonna change around here! Quite laughable, your “faith” in the INCOMPETENT Buffoon, Done Waddell!
Don’t get your hopes up with the 3 D-Men in the draft. NONE of them are NHL ready yet. Plus, Waddell will keep them in the minors 3-4 extra years anyways… (see Grant Lewis, Chad Denny, Oystrick, etc.) But it could also just be attributed to the Thrashers’ inability to scout and draft talent; I think it’s a combination of both that and Waddell’s incompetence.
You might see one of them after Kovy leaves town in 2 years, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Besides, we all know Donnie by now… with the 3rd pick, he’ll take the American Center currently ranked 10th, and who’s stock will drop over the next 2 months also. That’s Waddell for you.
Sucks Tampa gets the STAMKOS kid… THEM and the CAPS are gonna own the SE for the next 10 Years!
At this point, there’s no loss in trying to trade up. Waddell will just F+++ UP the 3rd pick anyways…(see: Phaneuf/Coburn).
NUFF SAID.
By ranallo10
April 9, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Sage — Your post would be worth reading without your side note.
Nascar — Come on, don’t flood every blog with the same post.
Hokie — What did the other 6 teams look like on your list?
RH — I want to see:
BOS vs. NJ
OTT vs. WAS
DET vs. DAL
SJ vs MIN
OTT vs. NJ
DET vs. SJ
DET vs. OTT
Detroit win The Cup.
By Bob
April 9, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Round 1
Montreal over Boston in 5
Pens over Sens in 6
Caps over Philthy in 7
Blue Skirts over Satan in 5
Ducks over Dead Things in 7
San Jose over Calgary in 6
Minnesota over Colorado in 7
Ducks over No Goal in 6
Round 2
Montreal over Jagirls in 7
Pens over Crapitals in 5
Detroit over Asterik in 6
San Jose over Minnesota in 7
Conference finals
Pens over Habs in 6
San Jose over Detroit in 6
Stanley Cup Final
San Jose over Pens in 6
By Russian
April 9, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
I do not like make Prognosticatorial (Man it was good), but I really want to see Final Round between Ovechkin and Datsuk. I know it is crazy idea and most people nor believe to Washington, but It is my wish list. Anyway, I am goign to see closer every game with Pittsburg, because they have Hossa and Dupiu. I will follow Capitals, because they got Russian Four. And defenetly I will watch Detroit, because it was my favorite team since 1994. Well, my Deal is FINAL GAME between Capitals vs Detroit Detroit get Stanley Cup
By Bob
April 9, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
boy did I screw up my West, here’s what I meant:
Dead Things over Nashvegasin 7
San Jose over Calgary in 6
Minnesota over Colorado in 7
Ducks over No Goal in 6
Round 2
Montreal over Jagirls in 7
Pens over Crapitals in 5
Detroit over Ducks in 6
San Jose over Minnesota in 7
Conference finals
Pens over Habs in 6
San Jose over Detroit in 6
Stanley Cup Final
San Jose over Pens in 6
By Bob
April 9, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Man did I screw up my West picks, here’s what I meant:
Round 1
Montreal over Boston in 5
Pens over Sens in 6
Caps over Philthy in 7
Blue Skirts over Satan in 5
Dead Things over Nashvegas in 6
San Jose over Calgary in 6
Minnesota over Colorado in 6
Ducks over No Goal in 7
Round 2
Montreal over Jagirls in 7
Pens over Crapitals in 5
Detroit over Ducks in 6
San Jose over Minnesota in 7
Conference finals
Pens over Habs in 6
San Jose over Detroit in 6
Stanley Cup Final
San Jose over Pens in 6
By Bob
April 9, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Here’s another prediction I can make without screwing it up, hopefully, Hoss will have a heck of a playoffs, you guys that think he’s Maid Marian in the playoffs, watch his play this year, I think you’ll be suprised.
By kracker
April 9, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
While I can’t really root against Dupuis and Hossa, I am Thrashers all the way and the sooner the Pens lose, the better is our 2nd first round pick. Sorry but that’s the way it is for me.
Beyond that, good luck to them…..Funny, there are the Ex-Star Thrashers in the series: Heatley and Hossa. One asked to be traded, the other played to be traded.
By A$G
April 9, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
2: Congrats to Ilya Kovalchuk for speaking up about changes being necessary, because there’s really only two things that may force owners hands here: 1.) The threat of losing another superstar who sees no direction from the front office (see: Marian Hossa); 2.) empty seats.
EMPTY SEATS ARE THE ONLY HOPE!
By A$G
April 9, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
2: Congrats to Ilya Kovalchuk for speaking up about changes being necessary, because there’s really only two things that may force owners hands here: 1.) The threat of losing another superstar who sees no direction from the front office (see: Marian Hossa); 2.) empty seats.
EMPTY SEATS ARE THE ONLY HOPE!
By kracker
April 9, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
A$G has to be Bruce Levenson, right? Yo Brucie! Hire a competent hockey GM ASAP.
By Brendan
April 9, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
I’m nervous now, because Russ has been the most successful playoff prognosticator on this blog since the lockout. Possibly even before that. And too many of my picks differ from his. I mispredict so much, you’d think I’d be used to it by now?
By Don W
April 9, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
I predict the Thrashers won’t be swept in the playoffs this year!
By Brendan
April 9, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
NY Rangers won, 4-1. Pittsburgh is on its way, up 3-0, late in the 3rd period. Aves and Wild are scoreless after one period.
By Tony C.
April 10, 2008 4:11 AM | Link to this
Wow.
Anybody watch the San Jose-Cal Gary game???
I took away five things:
1) Jerome Iginla is that damn good.
2) Flames will definitely only go as far as Kipper will carry them.
3) Cheechoo isn’t the guy his numbers would indicate.
4) Marleau might do well with #17, but they’d need another guy who can finish on that line to really make it a superstar line-basically I’m not sold on a trade for Marleau-unless they don’t make it out of the 1st round-then SJ might just have an irrational (i.e. CHEAP) firesale.
5) Seems like San Jose really really thought they were just going to walk out of the room and skate to a win.
Very exciting finish, but if SJ tries to turn it on and off against these guys, they will lose.
By A$G
April 10, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
2: Congrats to Ilya Kovalchuk for speaking up about changes being necessary, because there’s really only two things that may force owners hands here: 1.) The threat of losing another superstar who sees no direction from the front office (see: Marian Hossa); 2.) empty seats.
EMPTY SEATS ARE THE ONLY HOPE!
By Dany Heatley
April 10, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
empty seats are your only hope!
By Marc Savard
April 10, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Empty seats are your only hope!
By Marion Hossa
April 10, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Empty seats are your only hope!
By Braydon Coburn
April 10, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Empty seats are your only hope!
By Braydon Coburn
April 10, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Empty seats are your only hope!
By Bob Hartley
April 10, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Empty seats are your only hope!
By Andre Brunette
April 10, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Empty seats are your only hope!
By Patrick Stefan
April 10, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
empty seats are your only hope
By ranallo10
April 10, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Wait, what’s their only hope?
By ranallo10
April 10, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Tony C. — Maybe Campbell had a brain fart, but that goal he gave up to Iginla was without an excuse…he froze, and Iginla pounced. I think you’re right, they seemed ill prepared for this first game, but I think SJ will bounce back and take this series.
By glovesave29
April 10, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Wow, I guess the Wild knocked the “w” out of Brunette last night. Let’s hope he gets it back tonight, Andre is just not a becoming name for the former Thrasher!
By Brendan
April 10, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Ottawa’s “D” looked terrible last night. Between Redden’s gaffe and Philips misplay, and the injury to Volchenko, the Senators looked bad. But don’t go blaming this on Gerber. He actually played well. And face a decent amount of rubber.
It’s hard to believe the Senators started the year 15-2.
By Jameson
April 10, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
And I thought OB-Wan Kenobi was our only hope.
By Jameson
April 10, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
And I thought OB-Wan Kenobi was our only hope.
By Brendan
April 10, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Reminder: It’s Boston College 4, North Dakota 0, after one period of play on ESPN2. So much for the NCAA’s #1 defense of the Fighting Sioux. I wouldn’t have thought the Eagles could score four (4) goals in the whole game.
The 9:00 PM game features Michigan (#1 power rank) vs. Notre Dame (4th in the West). Hopefully, that will be a better game. Imagine if Notre Dame wins, and BC holds on? Notre Dame vs. BC for the national title? I doubt any alcohol could be consumed in that one. It’ll be a very “dry” Pepsi Center.
By Brendan
April 10, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Maybe Andrew Kozek, Thrashers draft pick, 53rd overall, can help N. Dakota get back in it?
By Brendan
April 10, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
Boston College won, 6-1, over North Darkota. And Notre Dame got out to a 3-0 first period lead over Michigan. In the second period, the Wolverines pulled Sauer in favor of backup Brian Hogan. They proceeded to score two goals in 15 seconds! In the 3rd period, they have tied it up with Notre Dame, 3-3.
Dallas is leading Anaheim, 3-0. San Jose is leading Calgary 1-0. Nashville lost, 3-1, to Detroit. And Montreal defeated Boston, 3-1.
Is it “wrong” that I’m rooting for Nashville, as the only southern market in the playoff field, to win?
By Brendan
April 10, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Notre Dame is back in the lead, 4-3!! Beautiful goal!! I hope people are watching this. It’s on ESPN2. This has been a great game.
By LAC
April 10, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
I found this interesting…
Bryan Little scored the First goal of the season opening night…
He scored the Last goal of the season last saturday…
Kinda an oddity…
waddell STILL around ??????? WHY ??????
By Brendan
April 10, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Can you believe it, Michigan has scored again to tie it! The shot came from behind the goal line. What a “softie,” as Stendec might say. There’s 4:30 left in the 3rd period.
Sniff, sniff. I smell overtime. Winner gets BC.
LAC, I hold out hope that between now and the June Draft, there still could be changes made. But if there aren’t, and we tank again next year, Tavares might be ours? Doughty and Tavares are hardly draft results we should cry about it, if they happen. And when we lose Kovalchuk, as the argument goes, we reclaim $6.5 million in salary cap. Our payroll could be very, very low in 2010. And our “young stars” would still be in their “capped” rookie contracts.
Think I like talking like this? I’d much rather be talking about how Kovalchuk has agreed to spend the rest of his career in Atlanta.
By Brendan
April 11, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
San Jose Sharks outshot Calgary 27-3 in the 2nd period. It’s only 2-0, Sharks. Calgary isn’t out of this one by a longshot.
By Brendan
April 11, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
Notre Dame 4, Michigan 4, starting overtime on ESPN2. It’s underway. I hope you’re watching.
By Brendan
April 11, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
2..4..6…8, time to transubstantiate! It’s BC vs. Notre Dame for the National title!! Goliath hath been slain! What a year for Notre Dame, who was just trying to qualify for the tournament. The “Fighting Irish” defeated New Hampshire (power ranked #4 in the nation), 7-3 to advance to the second round. Then they beat Craig Custance’s Michigan State Spartans, 3-1, to reach the Frozen Four. And now, it’s a 5-4 OT win over the Michigan Wolverines to play for the National Title. And don’t say “never.” No school fritters away National Title opportunities in hockey like BC, whose only two wins in the past 50 years were in 1949 and 2001. BC has little trouble reaching Finals. It’s winning them that has so frustrated them.
If Notre Dame can beat NH, and both Michigan schools, I gotta start to believe they could pull this off. Prior to this, no #4 seed from the West, or any bracket, had ever made it to the Frozen Four, much less the Title game.
This will be a great Championship game on Saturday.
By LAC
April 11, 2008 6:41 AM | Link to this
I agree Brenden for sure…
But to let our star players leaves means two things… These Liar owners could care less about the fans and don waddell sinks lower into the murky depths of the GM graveyard… Just sick how bad our team is run !
By Gary
April 11, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Don’t fret Atlanta fans! While Don Waddell prepares for the 2nd rebuilding phase of his 15 year plan, your Atlanta Hawks are going to the Playoffs! Tickets are going fast; act now so you don’t miss out on the Playoffs at Philips!
http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/805898?listview=1&camefrom=NBAHAWKS0708HPPlyfOS
By Brendan
April 11, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
LAC, I agree with what you’re saying. But rest assured, there will be those who will argue that every team loses quality FREE AGENTS, why should ours be any different?
Well, there’s a modicum of truth to that. But did Colorado ever let Sakic go? Did the Red Wings ever let Steve Yzerman escape their hallowed halls? Would they let Lidstrom go? Did New Jersey ever tell Marty Brodeur, “Thanks for your years of service, we salute you, but can’t keep you?” And Boston only let Raymond Bourque go because they realized that they’d failed him as an organization, and didn’t want to hold him back any further.
Will Columbus merely let Rick Nash meander out the door, when his contract expires? Did Iginla opt for FREE AGENCY or re-up with Calgary a YEAR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, for a paycut off his projected market value?
Boston tried to make a “new” NHL kind of trade, when they moved Joe Thornton. What they found was … that Thorntons don’t grow on trees, and overpaid for Chara and Savard to compensate for that realization.
When Kovalchuk leaves, if he leaves, it will be because the organization failed him. Kovalchuk has what now?, four (4) 40+ goal seasons. With limited help. Kovy has held up his side of the bargain. And if he’s allowed to reach free agency, he’ll CHOOSE his next team. If he CHOOSES Atlanta, then that’s great! If not, I’m not going to blame him, or call him selfish, or say, “he wasn’t a team player,” or any of that non-sense. I won’t accuse him of being a “Selke Trophy candidate” either, but the closest thing to a player putting this team up on his shoulders and carrying them … has been Ilya Kovalchuk.
And guess what, folks? If he’s critical of management or ownership, we should salute him! He’s right. And he’s trying to make a better product here in Atlanta. Atlanta hasn’t finished in the bottom third of the Eastern Conference seven out of the past eight (7/8) seasons because of Ilya Kovalchuk. Think about it. The problem may not be at “ice level.”
By ranallo10
April 11, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Gary — Why pay for another playoff sweep? What a dubious distinction to make the playoffs with a losing record (and 6 games below .500)! Stick to your Hawks blog, we’re definitely sticking to our Thrashers blog.
LAC — Would you agree that if nothing is done (GM wise) before the free agency period that perhaps this ownership group is oblivious, and more to blame than their GM/puppet Waddell?
By ranallo10
April 11, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Brendan — I’d rather you use your key phrase “sign and trade” than see you continue to talk about trading Kovalchuk, or Kovalchuk leaving in a few seasons.
And I disagree, Kovalchuk leaving this team doesn’t help the franchise, no matter what. Unless the player coming in return is named Crosby or Ovechkin, it does not help this team to flip Kovalchuk for any player/pick combination.
Also, regarding the ownership group suddenly waking up and realizing that they’re to blame due to a star player leaving…if it didn’t work after the Hossa debacle (yet to be determined), then what makes you think it’ll work again?
Waddell knows that if Kovalchuk leaves he is right behind him. The ownership group better damn well know that if Kovalchuk leaves the remaining fans they still have are right behind him as well.
By Brendan
April 11, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Ranallo, I don’t mean to butt-in, but I think the level of culpability is something close to equal. I’ll agree with you that no GM could win the Stanley Cup under this ownership. At least, at present, with restrictions like “no 5 year deals,” etc. And the appearance of “self-imposed” budgets.
But, likewise, I cannot dismiss the possibility of a different GM obtaining better results. The GM is a “decision-making” position. It’s exceedingly easy to second guess a GM, who often has to make a decision without much of a safety net. Someone else’s vision could be been better than Waddell’s. That’s not really some exaggeration, given the results we’ve had.
No offense, Sage, but I’m confident that Sage of Bluesland could replicate finishing in the bottom third of the Conference 7 out of 8 years, with one playoff berth, and zero playoff wins. Sage of Bluesland, an admitted draft-day strategist whose “master plan” is opening up the morning paper and selecting based off their recommendations, or that of the NHL’s Central Scouting, could land eight players into the NHL over eight years of drafting. Digest that one, yet?
Again, Sage, I’m not trying to belittle you. The point is, Waddell has underachieved. I’ll be the first to say, not everything was his fault. How COULD everything be his fault?? It’s almost impossible for ONE PERSON to be solely responsible for everything that has transpired. There are just too many other factors at play. But somebody has to be held accountable, no? The person, outside of ownership, who carries the most weight, has to be the GM. That hardly absolves the coaching staff, the scouts, and the players, but there it is. All those entities fall under the purview of the GM, who hired them.
When the Titanic sinks, it’s not the cook who gets blamed. It’s not the bartender. It’s not even the night watchmen, whose job it is to look out for icebergs. The Captain, whose decision it was to barrel through at full speed, is who is to blame, and who must go down with the ship.
By Brendan
April 11, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Ranallo, we can only hope there’s an “evolutionary process” going on, as it relates to the ASG’s learning curve. People like to argue about how much Waddell has “learned from his mistakes.” Shoot, even I’ll say that he’s shown some improvement, like not maxing out the cap on Opening Night, etc.
Who knows? I can’t rightly argue that the ASG will wake up and smell the percolations. There’s a reason that Bruce Levenson was rated the #1 “April fool.”
By ranallo10
April 11, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Brendan — What you’re saying is that if you have a sinking ship, and the ship is full of holes, that the easiest person to blame is the Captain, and not the ship itself.
I understand, I do not argue that Waddell is of some blame, and that any number of people could have replicated his successes and failures. I also agree that any other GM could possibly have done better under the present circumstances…but is that what we really want? Marginally better??
I’ll agree with you that no GM could win the Stanley Cup under this ownership. — That’s the bigger point. I don’t care who that GM is, the way the ASG is currently running this franchise, the team will only be able to prosper IN SPITE OF the ownership group.
A new GM is just another 5 year excuse for the ownership group to field failure. If they do not change their business model for this franchise, the Thrashers will never be more than SE Division Champions (as of now, a somewhat dubious distinction considering the competition).
Just remember, I cheer for the Thrashers…NOT the GM, ownership group, or even the coaches. So long as the team fields players I can support (presently there are about 5 whom I enjoy watching), then I will continue to support this team emotionally. Financial support is a different story.
By Brendan
April 11, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
How did the ship get full of holes?, is what I’d wonder. I recently saw a movie called, “Shaft.” Uhh, no. It’s not that kind of movie. Nor did it have anything to do with Richard Roundtree. Instead, it was a film about an elevator that could “think” on its own, fused with human issue and DNA, apparently. It somehow ESCAPED an Oscar Nomination. (Satire sometimes isn’t readily seen, at first glance.) At least Naomi Watts looked hot in it. But I digress, the larger point I wanted to make was that “ships don’t do any thinking” on their own. A ship will never dock itself. Or embark of its own accord. Someone drives the ship. Someone makes the decisions.
And, you’re quite right, Ranallo, the person driving the ship may not have been the one who financed it! And these financiers don’t fill me with awe, vis-a-vis their hockey “acumen.” Now, what I cannot criticize is their ability to see a business opportunity and “cha-ching,” cash-in on it. Which is what I think their goal was … ALLL ALLLLLONG. “Let’s be ‘caretaker’ owners for 5-6 years, then flip each team for $50 million. Then we’ll vacation in Tahiti and bathe in the money!”
It’s hard to argue that they won’t achieve that business objective. Pretty smart, on their behalf. Good for them. Buy low. Sell high. Seems like a winning formula, that I cannot question. But as a “fan,” that is, someone who CARES about this team, and its direction, I feel as helpless as the next fan. I don’t own Home Depot. I don’t own Coca-Cola. I don’t own any entity that I could take the equity out of … to go purchase the Thrashers and begin to ‘right this ship.’ My only vehicle to effect change … is to financially abstain, in hopes that the message will be received. Everyone understands the word “cancellation” in the business community.
I don’t like it. I never thought it would ever come to that. And if I go to games, chanting Waddell’s name 3x, following up with a “Nasty Nest” tradition, I suspect the ASG will look at me as a disgruntled “nutcase” they’d rather not have in attendance. And their next course of business will be to raise ticket prices, in hopes of keeping ‘riff raff’ who chant disparaging things … out of the building.
Umm, just ignore that last sentence. According the ASG’s Public Relations specialist, they just adore hardcore, blue-collar hockey fans.
By ranallo10
April 11, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Brendan — My analogy sucks, I know…but you understood my point. You can’t look at the entire picture and pick the immediate caretaker as the primary blame, but pass the buck on the person who ultimately signs off on every decision made. If the CEO of the company of which I’m employed continually employed incompetent VPs, and continued to tell their customers “we’re on the right track” while in the midst of failure…do you think that CEO is the route of the problem? Firing the VPs might help the problem, but unless the incumbent VP is the next Bill Gates, the VP is destined for failure.
Back to hockey, unless the next GM found is Ken Holland, I don’t think this team will succeed without a business model/strategy change from the top down.
I don’t think the ASG treats the Thrashers as a product to flip in years, as there are too many strings attached. However, I feel they are simply along for the ride with this team, because the Arena is their money maker. If the team is still bringing in more than the NJ Devils (who have how many more Stanley Cups and Conference Championships??), then why would they worry about the on ice product? They’re making money from this team, I guarantee that (unfortunately I can’t back that statement with fact, as my wire tap isn’t working just yet).
And if you cared what I would do, I’d say “thanks Waddell, you’re a great guy, but we need to go in a different direction”, I’d offer him a position as GM Consultant and whatever Mullin’s old title was, and finally I’d begin my hunt for a GM and ultimately a fresh coach. Mike Sullivan interests me as coach, and as GM I would have to look into someone like Dimitroff for the Falcons (a scout/draft guru, with some knowledge of General Management). It never hurts a GM to have good knowledge on personnel selection/scouting, and draft management.
By Brendan
April 11, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
I don’t know, Ranallo. The ASG might ALREADY have a buyer lined up for the Thrashers. My wiretap request was denied by the Federal Magistrate, on the grounds that I had not established “probable cause” that the Spirit Group, or Waddell, willfully and intentionally attempted to break any laws.
I pleaded with the judge, “But ‘Your Honor,’ look at the body of the draft picks? The quality players who came and went, either via trade or failure to re-sign.” His Honor lowered his glasses and said, “Mr. Brendan, it is not against the law to be ineffective. Or incompetent. Or inattentive. Or lazy. Or stupid. Or obnoxious. Unless it is through gross negligence. What’s more, you have NOT ESTABLISHED any criminal intent or ‘malice of forethought.’ Come back to me when you have, and perhaps I’ll consider your wire tap request.”
By ranallo10
April 11, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Did you show him the photos? I’m sure that would’ve worked.
Seriously though, I can’t see the ASG selling a single team without giving up any rights to the Arena. The only way they’d do that (in my opinion) is if the new owner planned to move the team elsewhere. If that’s the case, I would hope the NHL would step in just like they did in Nashville.
I wouldn’t buy the Thrashers without getting a portion of Arena profits…but that’s because I want Atlanta to continue to be the Thrashers home. I’m sure any interested group would have to purchase BOTH the Hawks and the Thrashers, as well as negotiate for the Arena. Otherwise the cash cow (Philips) is lost.