AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat’s John Anderson Got Cooking?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the names being kicked around here as we discuss the Thrashers coaching position belongs to one John Murray Anderson, the head coach of the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves. So, it’s only natural as we continue our vetting of the candidates that I run his name under your nose.
But, my friends, if Anderson is offered the job behind the bench…his name might not be the only thing of his running under your nose…it could be the smell of some mighty fine food. You see, John Anderson is also a chef.
Yup, the former NHL player and current coach cooks up more than just wins it seems. He is also founder of “John Andersons”, a diner located near the intersection of Youge & Hendon streets in Toronto, Ontario and it is home of the “Banquet Burger”. There is also a second restaurant in Mississauga, Ontario that sports the “Big Puck Burger” and “John’s New Specialty”, souvlaki on a sesame-seed bun!
Oh, Gawd…Somebody get me a bib!
Folks…I smell a great future possibly in Blueland. Maybe he could be persuaded to open a new place in or around Philips Arena. We could all meet up at “John’s Place” near the rink…dine on big, fat, juicy grilled patties of shredded bovine flesh…washing it down with a cold brew…then it’s off to the Big Screen to watch the Thrashers grill the competition!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm….. Burgers and hockey! Utopia!
Anyway, Anderson spent 12 years playing in the NHL, splitting that time between the Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques and Hartford Whalers. The right-winger amassed 282 goals and 349 assists in that time. His career best numbers came in 1982-83 with the Leafs when he notched 31 goals and 80 points in 80 games played.
John Anderson has lead the Wolves to 4 AHL championships finals winning three of them, (1998, 2000 and 2002). In the eleven seasons he has coached the Wolves, they have failed to qualify for post-season play but once, (2005-2006 season).
Not surprisingly, Anderson has won more games then any other Wolves coach, both in the regular season and playoffs.
To some, the biggest selling point to John Anderson is…besides his record at the AHL level…the fact that so many of our young stars have played in the Anderson system while in Chicago. If he could win with them at that level…would it not be logical to think he is the right man to lead them now at this level?
Personally, should he be tapped for the job, I would welcome the news. However, I would also scratch my head in wonderment as to why he wasn’t asked to take the job last fall when the job became available seeing that he made it very clear he was interested and the Wolves owner and GM openly gave their blessing for the Thrashers to talk to him.
And a question for you…should Anderson be hired on, should he be allowed to bring his assistants down with him, if he’s so inclined? After all, part of his qualifications is the “system” he operates that is so successful. Shouldn’t he be able to have his lieutenants helping him to implement such a system with this team rather than trying to sell, teach, explain it to the current staff now?
Regardless, if the team is looking to bring in a new face to the NHL coaching ranks … rather than hiring a cast-off from another team…Anderson just might be the right choice on the menu for the Thrashers. He’s been well seasoned in Chicago and ready to fill the ASG’s order.
Conference Playoffs Set
By now you know that the conference finals are set. It’s a Keystone State Eastern finals and double-Ds out west, (Dallas and Detroit). The Wings and Stars hook up in game one Thursday…Pens and Flyers on Friday night.
If you’re looking to me for any prediction as to how these matchups will unfold…forget it. I’m officially out of the playoff prognostication business. I went 4 for 8 in the first round and 2 for 4 in the second. Worse, the two teams I predicted would reach the finals, Montreal and San Jose, are out! So for now…I’m just a spectator.
I am, of course, handling this with my normal grace and dignity.
Apparently Not A Fan Of Either Western Finalists
And finally, let me dump this on you from Big Shooter over at the Blueland Chronicle. Absolutely priceless!
Why do I think of the Islanders when I look at this?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Russ
May 7, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this
I’m not much better at 7-5 through 2 rounds, but I’ll take a shot at it anyway.
Philly over the Pens in 7.
Detroit over Dallas in 6.
By Bob
May 7, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
I had the Sharks winning it all, and they’re out so now I’ll go with a Pens-Stars final with the Stars taking it.
As Brendan pointed out in your other blog, the Stars fired their GM mid-season this year, something that the perpetually clueless ones kept telling me that no one did and that there is not point to doing that and looked what they’ve done.
Anderson may very well be the guy, I’d rather see him then the junior coach rumor we heard.
By R. Stroz
May 7, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Billy Knightmare is out with the Hawks. Is DW next?
By Bob
May 7, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Stroz, what is wrong with this picture? The Hawks just came off a playoff berth, apparently have a young and upcoming team (didn’t you say they have the youngest lineup in the NBA), but their GM is gone, yet we’re still saddled with Waddell?
By Alan
May 7, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Clearly he was describing the Islanders, Rawhide. I can’t see how piles of s** could relate in any way to the Stars or the Wings.
Wings over Dallas. Philly over Pittsburgh. Wings over Philly.
By R. Stroz
May 7, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Bob - Although the Hawks have come off a playoff berth and several playoff wins, Billy Knight has a history of stupidity which rivals Don Waddell.
Billy Knight skipped over Chris Paul and Brandon Roy to draft Marvin Williams and Sheldon Williams. Knight would not put a balanced team on the court, inside opting for a team full of forwards with no point guard or center.
Put another way, if you were casting a movie called Two GMs, Dumb and Dumber, I’m not sure which GM would be Dumb and which would be Dumber.
Both GMs need to get the gate, so in the words of Bon Jovi,
Ooooh we’re half way there,
By Thrasher_Ed
May 7, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
John Anderson should be the next coach! I’ll take Detroit over Dallas in 5, Pittsburgh over Philly in 6.
By R. Stroz
May 7, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Knight would not put a balanced team on the court, inside opting for a team full of forwards with no point guard or center.
Should read:
Knight would not put a balanced team on the court, instead opting for a team full of forwards with no point guard or center.
By Rawhide
May 7, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
So now it’s official…
Of the four major league teams in Atlanta, the only GM that was employed in that role now from this time last year is….Don Waddell.
Don Waddell….this year’s winner on “Survivor: Atlanta Sports Island”!
Amazing!
By NASCAR Dave
May 7, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
JOHN ANDERSON for COACH.
NASCAR Dave sez DALLAS vs. PITTSBURGH in the FINALS.
By GaVaHokie
May 7, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Rawhide… good one! :) Yet so indicative of Waddell to be a survivor. I bet he’d do well on that show.
I think the ownership trusts Waddell’s insight and connections within the league… that’s why I’d like him in an advisory/Presidential role with perhaps someone else running the GM duties.
Did Larry Brown take the Charlotte job yet? I wonder if the Billy Knight decision is tied into the Hawks interest in Larry Brown?
By Rawhide
May 7, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
I think the ownership trusts Waddell’s insight and connections within the league… that’s why I’d like him in an advisory/Presidential role with perhaps someone else running the GM duties. - See, Hokie, you and agree on that 100%…but I just don’t think D-Dub is gonna allow Levenson to “Rich KcKay” his a$$.
Love to see it happen…I think it’s a win-win…but I would be shocked if it did.
Makes waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much sense.
By Rawhide
May 7, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
It seems as though the ax has swung down upon Paul Maurice in Toronto now….
By Thrasher Ryan
May 7, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I’m officially out of the playoff prognostication business. I went 4 for 8 in the first round and 2 for 4 in the second. Worse, the two teams I predicted would reach the finals, Montreal and San Jose, are out!
Rawhide—An old wise betting man once told me 2 things — NEVER bet on your favorite teams, and if your picks are doing well at the moment, NEVER brag or boast about them until all is done.
I think you became a victim of circumstance #2. See, you were boasting about the “Rawhide Bracket” before Round 2 started — I think this might have doomed you, my friend.
I’ll take Penguins in 7 Games in the East, and Stars in 7 Games out West. I’ll give you my Cup Winner after this round is over.
Oh, and John Anderson would be my selection for Head Coach; and there are many “Quality” GM candidates out there right now — We should grab one of them.
Went to Hawks Game 6 at Philips, that was some CRAZY S+++, man! Wow.
By Brendan
May 7, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Wow. Well, I guess I shouldn’t be completely surprised by the firing of Paul Maurice. How funny would it be if Pat Quinn, the man he replaced in Toronto, became the Atlanta GM and Paul Maurice became his appointed Coach. The Leafs fans would invade this message board to “wish us the best of luck with all that,” as they’ve ALREADY SEEN the results.
I’m not saying I agree with them, however. Quinn and Maurice would still be an improvement over Waddell and Waddell as GM and Coach. Paul Maurice took the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2001. He would install a defensive system superior to “whack-a-mole.” (TM, Poster Sara, all rights reserved.)
By Sara
May 7, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
RH I was just coming to announce that myself. I actually like Maurice a lot. Moreso than any of the other NHL veteran candidates mentioned to date. He took his Canes to the playoffs 3 times, making it to the Stanley Cup finals once (and have been the only team in recent memory to have actually won a game against the Wings in the SCF). Although they certainly clunked hard-core following that run. He’s had a winning record the last two seasons in TO, lack of playoff berth aside. He tends to be strict and enforces a hard-working ethic, but without trying to rule with a complete iron fist. It might be the balance we’re looking for. I also don’t recall Carolina practicing for any summer Olympic sports while he coached them either.
And, best of all, he knows how to work under a totally dysfunctional ownership group. Perfect! :D
By GaVaHokie
May 7, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Has anyone noticed this yet? Who has given us more praise the last several years than Barry Melrose?
By ranallo10
May 7, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Repost alert:
“As an owner I have to be responsible for one person in Hockey Operations and that is the General Manager of the team. I thought that the team needed a change in direction. I know that change can be healthy and it was my determination that this move needed to be made. I want the [team] to return to being one of the elite teams in the league.”
Do you think we (Thrashers fans) will EVER read such a statement while the ASG is at the helm?
Tom Hicks is a smart owner and successful businessman, the ASG are just successful businessmen.
It is in the Hawks best interest that Billy Knight is fired. The day he wouldn’t shake Belkin’s hand is the day I realized he has no grasp of common sense.
Trivia question:
How many current GMs in this major professional sports have single-handedly crippled an ownership group by way of a personnel transaction?
By Brendan
May 7, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
I’ll repost my picks. I’m taking the Penguins over the Flyers in seven games, though I’ll be rooting for Philly. In the West, I’m taking Dallas over Detroit based on my belief that the Red Wings typically find a way to lose. Since 1993, they’ve been an annual contender to win it all, yet they only have three (3) Cups for all that potential. Ahhh-mazing. I’m not opposed to Detroit winning it all. I don’t like Dallas. I’m rooting for Detroit. My pick is Dallas in six games over Detroit.
Hey, if I’m wrong on both of these, it means the teams I was rooting for actually prevailed! Detroit vs. Philadelphia would be a rematch of the 1997 Finals, which were swept by Detroit. Detroit vs. Dallas is a rematch of the 1998 Western Conference Finals, won by Detroit, 4-2.
I’ll make my finals pick when it happens. I’m 8-4. My coin flips are likewise, 8-4. I knew, going in, that I would probably lose to the coin flips when it was all said and done. The coin, a 1972 penny, says the Finals will be Detroit vs. Philly. We’ll see.
By Alan
May 7, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Hokie - Interesting. (e4+I)
By GaVaHokie
May 7, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Seems the rumor mill has Melrose going to Tampa Bay to replace Torts… there are so many options for him, it’s impossible to speculate.
By Rawhide
May 7, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Wherever Melrose goes…every night will be Mullet night!
By ranallo10
May 7, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Hokie — With the lovefest Melrose has given Atlanta, I would be highly disappointed if he wasn’t pursued for the current coaching vacancy. In fact, I think so highly of his hockey insight that I wouldn’t mind him coaching and being an eventual GM replacement.
By Brendan
May 7, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
I’d welcome Melrose. Seriously. I think, if nothing else, he’ll run to the media to tell us what we already know about this ownership and management.
By UpperDeck4Life
May 7, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Hey Rawhide everything I have heard and read is pointing to the front runner being Pete DeBeBoer from the Kitchner Rangers in the OHL. Seems that Waddell really wanted him after canning Hartley, but he wouldn’t leave mid season and Waddell has had to wait until the Rangers season is over.
By GaVaHokie
May 7, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
UD4L… sometimes the easiest answer is the right answer, and I think you might be right… there seems to be a solid trail leading to DeBoer.
By UpperDeck4Life
May 7, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the triple post, my computer seems to have messed up while I was posting. Anyways, think back to the last 2 AHL coaches to get posts, Pens and Caps, both mid season. I think that should be a huge clue to Anderson not getting it. We could have had him midseason and didn’t jump at it, the Caps did pull up their AHL coach a few weeks later.
By GaVaHokie
May 7, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Hmmm… what about Waddell being bumped up to Advisor, and Barry Melrose as GM/Coach?
Still think it’s DeBoer’s, but it’s been awhile since he was an option… thing’s change.
By Bob
May 7, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
I’m having deja vu, all over again.
If we get stuck with a junior coach with no pro coaching experience, that will be the straw that breaks this camel’s back.
By Alan
May 7, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
If we get stuck with a junior coach with no pro coaching experience, that will be the straw that breaks this camel’s back.
You can’t really say that. What if this junior coach “we get stuck with” actually turns the team into a success?
Time will tell, of course. But it’s something you’re not taking into consideration.
By GaVaHokie
May 7, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
UD4L… that’s part of the problem with the organizational structure… Anderson is on the Chicago payroll, not Atlanta. The Penguins and Caps were able to pull up their coaches at no extra cost.
By Rawhide
May 7, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
UD4L - No probs…it just helps my bottom line anyway… :o)
I took care of it for ya, though.
Now, CC just posted a new blog discussing some things he was told by ASG co-owner Michael Gearon, jr regarding Don Waddell’s future with the Thrahsers.
This falls in line with what Hokie was saying earlier…
By ranallo10
May 7, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Alan — Perhaps Waddell had in mind three candidate options…McCrimmon, Anderson, DeBoer. Due to their situation and the bottom line (always a factor with the ASG) Waddell may have convinced the ASG (as Levenson said he regrets accepting) the permission to continue on as coach in order to properly evaluate on of those three options.
Maybe he wanted hard proof why things weren’t working for Hartley, or what McCrimmon was doing that wasn’t working for the defense.
Or, perhaps he was biding his time.
I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that he had two candidates in mind (Anderson and DeBoer) and a quick fix at the helm (McCrimmon), and waited/evaluated too long until it was too late to hire any of them.
From what I’ve heard and know of the two of them (little about DeBoer beyond one glowing article), I prefer Anderson as Head Coach and DeBoer as GM being consulted by Waddell.
That’s the logical answer within the realm of probability.
Ideally Bowman would come in, clean house, hire a young GM to groom, hire Mike Babcock, and sign Kovalchuk for 7 more years.
By GaVaHokie
May 7, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
ranallo… or perhaps it was the $400,000 issue… that’s all ownership was willing to spend at the time on a replacement… Waddell had to look at the viable options… I would say McCrimmon, Anderson and DeBoer fit that bill.
It might not be the same situation this summer, especially if Hartley gets picked up by Ottawa.
Melrose certainly isn’t going to coach for $400,000.
By Bob
May 7, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
You can’t really say that
Sure I can, watch, I’ll do it again: If we get stuck with a junior coach with no pro coaching experience, that will be the straw that breaks this camel’s back.
All kidding aside, what I mean is that if they go down the path with this junior coach with no pro experience, it will be for one reason and one reason only: cause it’s cheap.
And if they go cheap after the 9 years of futility they’ve put us through, that will be the straw that breaks this camel’s back. I’m heartened to hear Gearon say today that they know there are more holes in the Thrashers than the Hawks (and this was said in the context of talking about the void that was just left at the Hawks GM position). The question now is, how do they fill these holes and who is allowed to fill them?
What if this junior coach “we get stuck with” actually turns the team into a success?
Sure that could happen. And Scotty Bowman might take over as coach of this club this summer and “turn the team into a success.”
Either one is a possibility, however, is either one likely? Nope.
By Alan
May 7, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Which is more likely, Bob? The junior coach making this club better, or Bowman taking over?
No need to respond — I already know the answer.
By Bob
May 7, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
No need to respond — I already know the answer
Good, I’m glad you agree and I also hope that Bowman will work out well for us, in the small chance they can talk him out of retirement.
By bulldog52
May 10, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Anderson would make the thrashers better.He has proven himself over the years both as aplayer and now a coach. Everbody had to be a rookie NHL coach at one time.I say give him a shot he is better then some of the retreds that are talked about.
By Tony C.
May 10, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
I think I’m with whomever said to bring Deboer in as GM rather than coach.
Quenneville has basically let it be known that TorontoMapleLeafs is his preferred destination.
So, let’s just be clear; while DeBoer’s developmental skills would seem to be above reproach-we’re talking about the NHL here. The best of the best, not just on the ice but behind the bench. Now I’m not saying their aren’t coaches of great merit at other levels/leagues (Larianov @ Columbia for example hint, hint or Anderson at the AHL level or even Harald Luckner from MoDo), but I’m REALLY leery of promoting a guy straight up from Juniors….has he even been asked to be part of a National Team staff? Now of course I may be missing out on this guy entirely-but I’d like to get a guy who’s had some exposure to elite competition.
You might say “OK but by that rationale, why on earth would you let DeBoer be GM??”
Because my friend, I am convinced I could do as good a job as DW if I had a decent rolodex-and this DeBoer fella has shown a proven eye for talent, and a program for developing said talent.