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DEL.ICIO.USPutting Paddock Into Consideration
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Moving right along with our coaching candidates worthy of consideration, I now submit for discussion Mr. Alvin John Paddock.
As you know, the soon-to-be 54-year old native of Oak River, Manitoba was release last February of his coaching duties by the Ottawa Senators. The team had been mired in a slump and had relinquished the conference lead to New Jersey just days prior to his firing. General manager Bryan Murray then took over behind the bench…a position he had held prior to Paddock’s promotion there last summer following the team’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ottawa had gotten off to a hot start, winning 15 of the first 17 games played last fall and were 36-22-6 on the 27th of February, the day Paddock was let go. However, the Senators finished 7-9-2 after that and came within two points of not qualifying for the playoffs at all … this after owning the East’s best record for the better part of the season. They were then used, abused and kicked to the curb by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round of the playoffs.
So, is it entirely possible that the Sens woes were not solely the fault of John Paddock? Eh, it’s possible.
Paddock was a third round draft pick of the Washington Capitals. He made his NHL debut in November 1975 and earned an assist. He was traded to Philadelphia the next summer as the “future considerations” part of a deal that had sent Bob Sirois to D.C. In 1980 he scored a game-tying goal in game six of the Stanley Cup Finals for the Flyers, however the Islanders eventually won the game…and the cup…in overtime of that game.
Paddock’s coaching/management resume includes 3-plus seasons as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets where he also served time splitting duties as coach and GM. After leaving the bench in 1994, he remained as the team’s GM even after they relocated to Phoenix until December of 1996. In ’92 and ’93 his Jets qualified for post-season play as the 4th place team in the Smyth Division but were ousted in the first round both times.
He coached the Hershey Bears in the AHL from1985-1989, winning the Calder Cup in 1988 and he also coached the Hartford Wolf Pack from 1999-2002, again winning the Calder Cup in the 2000.
Paddock’s overall record as a head coach in the AHL is 432-284-65, which also included a stint with the Binghamton Senators. His overall NHL coaching record is 112-160-37-6, however 3 of his five seasons behind the bench, (both full and partial), saw his team finish with winning records.
So, here is a man…not too advanced in years…who possesses both head coaching and general managing credentials.
Your thoughts…?
Detroit Motors On
The Red Wings are the first to qualify for conference finals following their sweep of the Colorado Avalanche. Sara, please…contain yourself. Thursday night’s 8-2 spanking of the Avs sealed the deal for the Wings. Johan Franzen is stealing the show this post-season, eh? Oh, and Chris Osgood is now 6-0 in spring hockey action.
Detroit will now get the benefit of resting for a few days while they await the outcome of the San Jose/Dallas series.
Ah-ah-ah-ah, Stayin’ Alive, Stayin’ Alive
The New York Rangers danced their way around elimination Thursday night with a 3-0 win against the Penguins. Jaromir Jagr notched a pair of goals and added a helper for New York. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 29 shots he faced for his second career playoff shutout. His first one was…well, we ain’t talkin’ about that.
The Pens will look to stop the music on New York’s season Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
Sharks Clinging On
San Jose warded off elimination Wednesday night with a 2-1 win in game four of their series with Dallas. This match-up has seen great team defense in which only 48.25 combined shots on goal have been allowed per game. San Jose has actually outshot Dallas 102-91 but has been outscored 11-7…thus the difference here has been TMT, (Too Much Turco). The Dallas net minder has surrendered but 7 goals on 102 shots in the four games played thus far
As Dallas continues to surge toward a possible Cup Finals…I have to wonder if, upon watching them, a certain number of Buffalo Sabres fans see their “pucker factor” increase…and they start pacing around town aimlessly muttering, “The skate was in the paint…%$#@-it…it was IN the PAINT, I tell you”!
Montreal Circling The Drain
Wednesday night the Flyers took a 3 games to 1 series lead on Montreal, the top seed in the East. Much like the Dallas Stars, Philly is benefiting from a stellar performance by their net-minder Martin Biron who has a .929 SV% in the 4 games play thus far. Montreal has outshot the Flyers 142-96 in the four games played.
In fact, this series would be over if not for an Alexei Kovalev game-tying goal with 28.6 seconds left in regulation back in game one. Rookie goalie Jaroslav Halak started game 4 in place of Carey Price who has let up some goals that were… to put it kindly… unfortunate. Now, Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau has to figure out if he goes back with young Price or tries Halak again, (maybe he can call Bob Hartley for advise).
Comments
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By Sara
May 2, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO! Ahem. Sorry, Mr. Rawhide sir. I’ll try to behave myself better. And Dave you owe me 5 bucks. ;p
Not sold on Paddock. I’m not sure how you just completely tank with a team that talent-laden (although considering what I’ve seen the Wings go through over the years…).
I’m going to hijack your thread instead and throw another name out there - Joel Quenneville. The NHL On The Fly guys mentioned last night that his contract in Colorado is up. Now, I have some of the same issues with him that I had with Brandan’s suggestion of Ron Wilson in that JQ has never taken a team to that elite level. In fact a JQ coached team has never made it past the Conference Finals. However, unless there is some new candidate made available via pinkslip here in the next month or so, I personally think JQ would be the best qualified of the pool of former/current NHL head coaches. I think I’d still be happier going with Anderson or possibly an assistant from some other really good club. But I’m leaning toward Anderson the more time goes on. I like his attitude, I like what I see from the team that he has run for the past several years, and I think he could get both clubs on the same page systemically. Boudreau’s success this season in Washington is likely to make hiring successful AHL coaches the new sexy alternative for NHL GMs. And everyone knows Anderson’s one of the best.
Even though Craig seems to be ditching us, the article he posted yesterday regarding the Wolves was a fantastic read and very telling. (WTG for Craiggers picking up the interview with Jim Nill - can’t imagine why he’d choose Detroit’s farm team as an example. :p) But I think it really highlights a couple of things: one, there is an issue that the Wolves don’t feel overly obligated to ice our prospects at the expense of their club’s success but for two, the Wolves seem like a first-class organization top to bottom. They know what they are doing and in theory any Thrasher prospect has a legit shot with that club - if they are willing to work hard. Apparently at times some of them aren’t. Or perhaps the competition is just fiercer in the AHL because those veterans know it’s their only shot and they aren’t giving it up to some kid who’s gonna head toward bigger and better things soon anyway. Regardless, I point back to bringing Anderson on board here as a way to improve that relationship so that it benefits both organizations instead of just the one.
Alright, I’ll cut off my Brendan-esque novella here with one more WOOT.
By GaVaHokie
May 2, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Ottawa also had issues with defense this season, much like the Thrashers… so, I’d say no to Paddock… next blog. :)
I’d like to request Mike Ramsey, Asst. Coach of the Wild, for your next blog. I’d like to hear your thoughts Rawhide.
I think deep down, Waddell likes the Minnesota system.
By d
May 2, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
So, what do we make of CC’s article on the Wolves/Thrash relationship? I never knew that only two other organizations structure their minor league relationship similar to the Thrash. Why not emulate Detroit’s program of integrating its AHL team into the Wings?
It’s as if Detroit’s AHL team is the 5th, 6th, and 7th line for the Wings - therefore, their prospects can quickly contribute to the parent club. CC contends that the first priority for the Wolves is to win their championship - not necessarily develop prospects to quickly fit into the Thrashers system.
By GaVaHokie
May 2, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
John Tortorella might be fired in Tampa. :) Any interest? :)
I still like the idea of Laviollette as well… come on Carolina, make a bad decision and fire Laviollette.
By GaVaHokie
May 2, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Another knock on Paddock… questionable goalie rotation with Gerber and Emery. Analysts gave him flack for not playing Gerber more often.
By Bob
May 2, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Pass on Paddock, that was a good firing by Ottawa.
By Sara
May 2, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
d the operative words of your post are the last two - there is no “Thrasher’s system” as far as anyone can tell. So how do you prep prospects for that? CC quoted Anderson as saying something along the lines of that he teaches them to work hard in all zones and be accountable and what more could he really teach them. He’s correct. He’s teaching them the core for any hockey player. It’s why I think moving him up here would really help get the Thrashers and Wolves on the same page. And since the Wolves are the ones with all the success, we need to move in their direction methinks.
Hokie I hate the Minnesota system - blech. And it’s not like it’s gotten them very far. Come on, repeat after me - we want to be like the Red Wings! Cause who wouldn’t? Competitive every single year, way more President’s Trophies than any other team in the league, three Cups in recent memory, seamless transitions between their farm team and the big club, extremely loyal players who don’t ever want to leave, phenomenal drafting (particularly in later rounds), not too mention the most dedicated front office/ownership to be found in pro-sports. They do most everything right. It’s a club built on hard-working and super-smart players (I think that’s the one aspect people miss the most about the Wings - those guys are so smart with the puck and reading plays). Now I know I’m biased about the Wings, but seriously….I would give my eyeteeth for the Thrashers to function like the Wings do. I remember right before the inaugural season, there were a series of breakfast meetings with Don Waddell for STHs. The one I went to, someone asked him if he wanted to model this franchise after the Wings (since he had just come from that organization) and the round-about answer from Don was yes. Well, the Wings went through some growing pains too when they had to re-tool. But even so, I don’t see much resembling the Wings here. Course it really doesn’t help that our ownership has always been the complete antithesis of Mr. and Mrs. I.
But I keep hoping that one day, this far into the post-season, I’m going to be able to watch the Thrashers dismantle teams like the Wings just did the Avs.
By FormerIslesFan
May 2, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Sara,
I’m right with you. I was watching On The Fly last night as well when they were talking about Quenville. I think he would be a great fit, personally (and would continue our tradition of hiring former Avs’ coaches apparently)…
By Rawhide
May 2, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Of the four coaches who are “rumored” to part ways with their current teams, I would personally rank them as follows:
I know a lot of you would put Torts higher on that list…but I personally just can’t stand the guy.
By Alan
May 2, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Rawhide - Here are my rankings:
If you include Paddock:
Paddock did lead last year’s Senators to the cup finals, after all. I attribute the problems the Sens started having later in this season to a poison laden locker room. Emery was a big part of that, but Paddock should have done something about it.
By Jim
May 2, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
I like Laviollette’s offensive system and the wing to wing system for entering the offensive zone. Seems to me that we do indeed need a number of role players with grit who won’t back down and a good shut down defensive system that can protect leads- witness the Devils and the Wild. Give me MN’s system over the frustration of not being able to hold on to 2 goal leads late in games anytime. Give me a little less excitement in the 3rd period and a whole lot more wins. And talking about the Canes, I’d take Rutherford as GM. He handles adversity very well. DW makes excuses for it.
By ranallo10
May 2, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Rawhide — Tortorella wouldn’t make my list…in fact, I’d rather see Fatty Patty in Atlanta again. I hate hate HATES that man, and any self respecting Thrashers fan should too (in my opinion).
Sara — Of course every organization wishes they could replicate Detroit’s recent success, but obviously it’s not too easy…
If memory serves, Mike Babcock isn’t signed to a contract for next year. I’d say he’s the best coaching option “available” (I’m sure he’ll be re-signed by Detroit, if he hasn’t already).
One can dream though, right?
Hokie — If we’re going to steal away an assistant coach I’d rather have Mike Sullivan.
In Ramsey’s defense though, he has done pretty well with a team of nothing special defensemen…so maybe he could bring a useful defensive system to another team with a corps of nothing special (Atlanta).
By Sara
May 2, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Ranallo I hear ya - it just kills me to watch the Wings and (especially this year) realize how far away the Thrashers are from that. And technically Babcock does not have a contract but it won’t be long before he does. Great line about Ramsey though, lol.
Here’s my take on the coaches:
Paddock - blew it with one of the best rosters in the league
Wilson - usually has hard-working teams but never can achieve great post-season success
Quenneville - same as Wilson although I personally think he’s a slightly better coach
Laviolette - led his team to a Cup, has a hard-working team (when they aren’t diving anyway)
Tortorella - Biggest…Crybaby…Ever
Anyway, at this point, especially after reading Craig’s last article, I’m putting myself firmly in the Anderson camp unless something else develops.
By GaVaHokie
May 2, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Ranallo… exactly my thinking on Ramsey. Minnesota is very similar in team structure to Atlanta with salary and personnel… hell, they even have the other half of the Havelid-Carney duo from Anaheim.
They’ve been more successful with their roster, so there’s definitely a way to get performance out of the guys we have through proper coaching.
By GaVaHokie
May 2, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
My only concern with Laviollette is wither his success is a consequence of great General managing by Rutherford? Still, my list would be…
1) Laviollette 2) Anderson 3) Mike Ramsey 4) Quenneville 5) Wilson
Anyone from Tampa at this point would make me nervous, Tortorella or Sullivan.
By GaVaHokie
May 2, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Reading into Craig’s article, one concern to have with Anderson… he doesn’t play Little on the first PP unit, he benches Valabik behind Kiwi… and that’s at the AHL level.
With Anderson as coach, would we see Little and Valabik on the trading block the same as Coburn was with Hartley?
By Russian
May 2, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
I just got this news from Russian Newspaper. Krog and Kiwi will play in Russian Team “Severstal” next year. Now two UFA are gone. Anybody get this news???
By Alan
May 2, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Russian - Interesting if true. Though that would be a good thing from the Thrashers standpoint. Those two are kind of “over the hill” players. We need our prospects to have more ice time, but career AHL veterans like Krog and Kiwi are getting all the ice time instead. Lose those two, and Chicago won’t have much of a choice but to put our prospects on the ice.
Just my two cents.
Sara - I’m with you on being firmly in the Anderson camp. I believe we’re going to go younger next season, and he would be the perfect guy to lead the charge. I hope he brings some of his assistants with him. I’m also extremely happy about the Detroit win last night. I’m looking forward to a more challenging Detroit vs. Dallas series.
By Thorburn's Thugs
May 2, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
I hate hate HATES that man, and any self respecting Thrashers fan should too (in my opinion).
Well, considering you are not even an Atlanta native (by your own admission), I wonder how you can justify that statement? Tell us why “any self respecting Thrashers fan” should feel that way?
By Sara
May 2, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Hokie Little and Boris will get playing time if Waddell says so. I cannot imagine he is going to allow the same mistake to happen twice. I’m sure in theory Anderson would play them more, except his bosses have told him to win now in the AHL, not help move along Thrasher player development. Really it’s in his best interest as a Thrasher coach to get those players developed to the best of their abilities - will only help him out in the long run. Besides, how many centers do we really have that are better than Little anyway? :/
By GaVaHokie
May 2, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Here’s a Catch 22… devils advocate… if Anderson wants the Thrashers coaching job, he should prove he can develop Thrasher prospects… Anderson’s success in Chicago isn’t necessarily built on coaching young Thrashers prospects… it’s getting success out of Krog, Haydar, Kiwi, Martins, etc. who will never play for Atlanta. If he’s benching prospects in place of AHL journeymen, that doesn’t exactly prove to me he’s developing jack squat… not only should he not coach the Thrashers, but maybe he shouldn’t be coaching Chicago.
I’m not saying I believe that, it’s just another way to look at it.
By ranallo10
May 2, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Thorburn’s Thugs — What does the place of my birth have to do with justifying an opinion on a coach? I didn’t say “any self respecting ATLien”, I said Thrashers fan. Besides, I wasn’t fully serious stating that any Thrashers fan should agree with me…it was in jest.
However, my opinion was formed due to Tortorella’s behavior on the ice, his attitude towards his players and team, and his overall ability.
I believe him to be an arrogant a* behind the bench (I remember him taunting Hartley), complaining after seemingly every penalty or goal against. I believe he’s an arrogant over-demanding a* towards his players (talked smacked about Perrin leaving the team to pursue what was in his best interests). His attitude rubs raw many fans, so I can only imagine the kind of coach he must be…and I don’t believe that kind of coaching helps a locker room. I believe his overall ability as a head coach is overrated. With one significant injury his 07/08 team went from a playoff contender to the worst in the NHL. The only excuse in his defense is the injury to Boyle…everything else that happened is his own doing. He had 4 Tier I players (Boyle, St. Louis, Lecavalier, Richards) and couldn’t get the team to produce as a cohesive unit. His one championship came upon the back of a hot goalie (Khabibulan), and he’s had limited successes since that goalie’s departure.
All of these traits bother me as a hockey fan, especially his behavior behind the bench. As a Thrashers fan, I wished Tampa Bay would lose every night just so that Tortorella would be at risk of being fired. All of those things I stated are my “justification”.
Hokie — If the man writing your check wants you to win now, and also pays the contract of players like Steve Martins, Brian Sipotz, Andre Deveaux, Brian Fahey, etc, I think you’d what is in your best interests by playing those players instead young prospects.
By Thorburn's Thugs
May 2, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Ranallo My bad! I misread your post. I thought you were saying that about Quinn! Quinn has longtime Atlanta respect — I thought you were trying to say Thrasher fans should dislike Quinn.
As for Tortorella, you’re right. He’s a prick. I don’t like his “dirty hockey” either.
Sorry about that, man! My apologies.
By Brendan
May 2, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
I’m going to agree with Bob and “pass” on “The Paddock.” I like the guy. I wish him well. If he gets hired here, we could certainly do worse. But he’s not my 1st choice, or on my “short-list.”
Rubbin’ my chin … truthfully, I’d like to go off the board to select two guys who MAY NOT EVEN BE AVAILABLE.
Does anyone rememer Don Luce and Craig Ramsay (not Mike Ramsey)? They were “checking/shutdown specialists” playing for the Sabres in the “hey day” years in the mid-1970’s. I know Ramsay was with the Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant Coach when they won the Cup in 2004.
In any event, these two know each other (laughing) and can probably can work well together. And, above all, THEY CAN DEVISE A SYSTEM that will reduce the goals against, and possibly allow Kari Lehtonen to finally get a “nightmare-free” evening’s worth of sleep. But for all I know, they’ve retired, or are under contract elsewhere, etc. Sorry, I was watching Game Six of the 1975 Finals between Buffalo and Philadelphia on the NHL Network when the idea came to me. Flyers won that game, 2-0, to clinch the Cup. The names again are Don Luce and Craig Ramsay.
But I’m with RAWHIDE in that I’d like Peter LaViolette as my top choice on the list of Five. LaViolette, then Ron Wilson, then Joel Quenneville, then John Tortorella (offense first system, surely to be loved by Kovalchuk) and finally, “The Paddock.”
By Thorburn's Thugs
May 2, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Ranallo, I tried to respond to you but the filters must have snagged my post. Basically, I must apologize. I misread your post. I thought you were saying that about Quinn, who has longtime Atlanta respect. I couldn’t understand why you were saying Thrasher fans should hate Quinn.
But since I now understand you were talking about Torts, I would agree. I don’t like his “dirty hockey”. I think he is a piece of S+++ too.
I think my post got snagged because I called him (Torts) something that rhymes with “Nick” but starts with a “P”. Why they snagged that, I have no idea.
But again, my bad man, and I apologize.
By Alan
May 2, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Thorburn - It’s at 4:52. It didn’t get filtered, it’s just hard to see with another novella by Brendan immediately following it. :)
By Thorburn's Thugs
May 2, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
Alan, I’m blaming Rawhide.
And Tortorella is still a PRICK.
By Rawhide
May 2, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Thorburn’s Thugs - Alan, I’m blaming Rawhide. - You hurt me, man!
By ranallo10
May 2, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Thorburn — I AGREE! No worries about the misunderstanding though.
By LAC
May 2, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Paddock did not coach Ottawa last season Murray did, He was promoted to Head Coach last summer when Murray became GM.
By Tony C.
May 3, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
after reading yall’s post-Ill agree that the deadwings are very successful-playoffs for the better part of two decades-that bring said, I’d rather not be “just like Detroit”… don’t get me wrong they’re very successful, but I would point to the fact that Detroit is very much a player in the FA market-especially in goal. Granted they get maximum value for their FA pickups, but I think DW has pretty much tried to follow the Detroit model; develop a few cornerstone prospects, get FAs at key-need positions (see Lang for example in Detroit, Holik for us), plug the holes left over with “role-player” type guys and a couple of internal prospects you have a good feeling about.
well DW hasn’t had the best success following that model.
Realize that Detroit sucked for years and years, it took ownership to personally meet with Yzerman and beg/con/extort him to stay-part of the reason he is such a revered player is because he decided to finnish what he started so to speak, staying with the only NHL team he’d known. Then they made some trades that took a healthy bite out of their farm to trade for some NHL help-Shannahan was a trade pickup, and the Russian Five were made possible by enormous bribery. Bear in mind that their payroll pre-cap was consistently in the top three as well.
Have they adapted well to the post-cap realities of developing from within? Certainly, but again they replenish via FA as much if not moreso as with internal development. With the success f the Yzerman/Bowman/Federov years, Detroit has now rejoined the ranks of the elite, something they hadn’t had in Hockeytown since #9 left. So you find that UFAs may take a little less, might play a little harder (see the Hossa audition) for them than they would dream of doing for ATL. Now, if you consider superior international scouting as “development”, then I will listen to your argument. But I feel that the Swedes and Finns on Detroit’s squad are very much similar to our own Toby Enstrom (tiny Baby Jesus please tell that boy to pull the trigger more on the power-play), DEVELOPED by his club team back in Europe.
Now I could be wrong, I loathe the deadwings, so they may have more home-grown talent than I thought playing for them, but from what I see, their model takes a lot of FA and treasure-hunt success with international scouting.
It’s a model that DW has shown much less acumen with than the folks he used to work for show. Let’s talk Buffalo if we want to talk about internal development turning into NHL success-not for nothing but how well do you think Buffalo would’ve done this year if they’d held onto any of the big-name FA they let walk?
By Sage of Bluesland
May 3, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
It makes me laugh all of this talk of “systems” and Don Waddell!
Maybe when Kovy leaves will all of you realize that the organization has been run completely into the ground by that bumbling idiot.
But, then again, maybe not…Oh well, I thought even sheep had the ability to learn simple things…
By LAC
May 3, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Right as ALWAYS Sage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By wah wah oiu oiu
May 3, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
habs inside/out says we’re still better than le thrash.
By Hockeyfan
May 4, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I like Paddock. I dont blame Ottawa’s collapse on him (look how horrible they did after he was let go).
BTW, he liked Atlanta when he was here for the All Star Game other than the driver Friday night that got lost and was driving the wrong way on one way streets…
Tortorella is almost at the bottom of any list that I would compile for coaching any team.
By Sara
May 4, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Tony C.
Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Franzen, Hudler, Filpulla, Meech, Kronwall, Kopecky, Osgood, Drake, and McCarty were all drafted by the Red Wings organization (although the last three had left at some point and have now returned). Draper came in via trade in 1993, Maltby came in via trade in 1996, Chelios via trade in 1999. Rafalski, Cleary, Samuelsson, Lebda, Lilja, Hartigan, Hasek, and Downey are all free agent pickups made within the last 2-3 years and of course they brought in Stuart at this year’s trade deadline.
Six of their other drafted prospects have also seen some games with the big club this year, including Helm who joined them late in the season and is a line-up regular in the play-offs.
Detroit did spend big before the cap but that was allowed back then and frankly for all the money that organization pulled in, paying a big chunk back out in player salaries is only fair. Holland also used to trade away first and second round picks at the deadline constantly to bring in the big free agents. The Wings’ only 1st round pick on the roster is Kopecky from the 2000 draft. Five 2nd round picks, and everyone else comes from the 3rd round or later. So when you draft that well, you can afford to use those higher picks as sweetener I suppose.
I wouldn’t really want the Thrashers to be a complete carbon-copy of the Wings - I’d actually like them to be a bit grittier. But the main elements Detroit has: a successful system that the team adheres to religiously; productive drafting, especially beyond the first rounds; solid player development within the club and it’s affiliates; and a reputation that makes highly skilled players want to come to and not leave the team. I mean think about how crappy Detroit is as a city and yet all these players still want to go there. Now that’s the stuff I want to see out of our organization.
By Sara
May 4, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Btw, most of you will remember that at the beginning of the season I had done some research on drafting by the teams. I’m about half-way through updating that research to look at the final numbers for the season for each team as well as a “how they were built” segment overall to see how much of each roster is comprised of drafted talent, free agents, or trades. I think it’s interesting stuff overall but I am also curious to see how Southern teams do in terms of attracting free agent talent because of player perceptions about the Southeast. And of course, once I get it all pulled together in my spreadsheets and online, I’ll be sure to come share.
By Brendan
May 4, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I think Tier I free agents will come to Atlanta if the following conditions are present: (1) the Thrashers are a contending team, and/or (2) the player values privacy and anonymity about town, and/or (3) the player’s “mindset” is “I play for money. I will play wherever the best money is offered.” (Right or wrong, these players tend to be of Eastern European descent.)
Tier II free agents will come to Atlanta if the following conditions are present: (1) the offer is multi-year, and is lenghtier than anyone ELSE’s offer, at a very acceptable rate (Think Todd White, 4-years/$9.5 million,) and/or (2) the team is contending for the Cup.
Non-Tier I or Tier II free agents will come to Atlanta (1) because they need a job, somewhere-ANYWHERE in the NHL, and/or (2) because some GM took the time and trouble to inquire about them. Players want to play where they feel they are WANTED.
By Rawhide
May 4, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Sara - Please do share once your work is complete…I look forward to it. For those of you interested, Sara’s efforts were on display as her “extra credit” assignment in last November’s Thrasher Math 101 class. I strongly recommend review it as it was very fine work, indeed.
Now, a couple of scheduling notes…I am planning on posting a new blog tonight discussing the Hawks playoff success and how it relates to the Thrashers. Later in the week we’ll get back to reviewing possible coaching candidates. John Anderson being the topic of discussion.
By kracker
May 4, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Considering the sparseness of the flowering in the barren wasteland that is the Thrashers defensive zone, one has to be inpressed with the play of 19-yr old Arturs Kulda. Who would have predicted a year ago that this kid would be getting top-4 playoff minutes on one of the premier teams in the AHL? Kulda got his chance due to injuries and callups late in the season and has made the most of his opportunity with the Wolves. He’s said to be playing smart by keeping it simple and is making good outlet passes and also joining the rush at the right time. He is even getting some PP minutes. Drool….
Kulda has 1g on 9 shots, 2a, 3pts and is +1 with 12PIM in 6 playoff games. This follows an assist, a +3 and 10 PIM in five regular season games for the Wolves. He got assist on Little’s second goal of the playoffs in the Wolves win last night over the Rockford Icehogs. I won’t mention that the win was the 100th playoff win for the Wolves.
It’s not the big leagues but I’m pretty pumped at having a quite young defenseman progressing so nicely. The Thrashers must get Kulda signed by June 1 or he goes back into the draft. Paging DW….
Holly Gunnung wrote a nice piece on Kulda and also Holzapfel, Machacek, Esposito and Postma in HF Boards Thrashers CHL prospect season review
By Wintirwolf
May 4, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Well, Add one more nail to the temple of the Penguin as Marian Hossa sends the Penguins on to the semi-finals. Please make note that there will be a Large vase of flowers as well a box of chocolates for the Atlanta Thrashers management from the Penguins in Thanks for getting them much closer to the Stanley Cup.
By Eileen
May 4, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Marian Hossa is the star of today’s game which send the Pens to the finals. Pasqual Dupuis had an assist and made great defensive plays. It never stops hurting. This follows an article I read in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the Flyers acquring Braydon Coburn last year. The Flyers call the deal a steal. Go Flyers! I can’t take any more!
By Brendan
May 4, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Eileen, I understand how you feel. You wish Dupuis, Hossa, and Coburn were still here, too. Fine. I agree. But I don’t see what wishing them ill would do? They’re gone … because the Thrashers mismanage assets. What? There wasn’t “cap room” for these guys?? C’mon. There was. And you know it. And you also know under whose purview roster management falls.
Atlanta was forced into making asset salvaging moves. Could we have re-signed Dupuis? I don’t know. Maybe, but I doubt Dupuis wanted to stay. Unless he got the “high sign” that he’d be playing on 2nd line minutes, plus got overpaid to do that, that’s the only way Dupuis was going to remain a Thrasher. Why begrudge Hossa the right that he’s EARNED to finally “pick” the team for which he plays? So … he didn’t want to “languish” in Atlanta during the prime years of his career. I can’t say as I blame him. Braydon Coburn is what hurts the most. He was a pending RFA, and wasn’t going anywhere without Atlanta receiving compensation.
But our system failed to develop him. He didn’t get good minutes. He may not have received proper coaching. He was traded for Zhitnik. This is pure “mismanagement of assets.” Atlanta made that trade to ensure a playoff berth. Mission accomplished. It worked, for a short-term gain, longterm loss.
It is what it is. I wish Braydon Coburn nothing but the best. I’m sorry Atlanta didn’t give him a “fair opportunity” to develop here. How is that his fault? Defensemen take longer to blossom than forwards, and, perhaps, Braydon Coburn more than other defenders.
I was thrilled for Hossa to score the OT winner for Pittsburgh. But, at the same time, I am saddened by that result, as it forces Atlanta’s draft pick to slide farther and farther back.
By LAC
May 4, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Yet more and more proof of how totally stupid don waddell and these thumb sucking owners are…
We have nothing to look forward to, the closest we will ever get to the playoffs, let alone winning, is TV. Just proves more and more what a complete disaster the Thrashers are and it will not get better anytime soon.
I look for waddell to trade down our pick and really f—- things even more.
Hossa & Dupis have to be so happy to out of Atlanta and the players who we got have to be sick as hell.
Untill waddell & owners, including Mr.Potty Mouth are ALL gone we can expect nothing except more losing and bad rosters that rival a AHL team… Too Damn Bad ! We Deserve Much Better !!!!!!!!
By ranallo10
May 4, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
LAC — I’d be willing to bet Hossa doesn’t even think about Atlanta, much less miss the city or the team. I’d also be willing to bet the only thoughts Dupuis has about Atlanta are regarding the selling of his house and the moving of his family to wherever he signs next.
By ranallo10
May 5, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
kracker — Regarding Kulda: The thing that worries me is his lack of a contract (which I hope doesn’t drag out as Pavelec’s did). However, in that Gunning article she mentions how he was paired with Bogosian all season…that very much intrigues me. If Atlanta could take Bogosian with that #3 pick (he’s my choice of the defenders available), it’d be great to pair those two in Chicago NEXT season, hurrying up Bogosian’s development and keeping their chemistry in tact. Three years from now Bogosian could be called up, with Kulda having a year’s experience at the NHL level…I wouldn’t complain about that.
I also took from Gunning’s article the types of coaches the Wolves currently have…and I liked it. I think this article further shows the sort of role players will have in Atlanta IF Anderson is hired. The better you play, the more time on ice you’ll get. I can’t complain about that.
By Eileen
May 5, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
Brendan, you hit the nail on the head when you said it saddens me. I only wish the best for Hossa, Dupuis and Coburn.