AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May
May 2008
Wolves Win Wild One
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Chicago Wolves jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins then held on for a 5-4 win in game one of the Calder Cup Finals. Scoring goals for the Wolves were Jordan LaVallee, Bryan Little, Joel Kwiatkowski, Kevin Doell and Jesse “I know NOTHING” Schultz.
The Wolves outshot W-B/S 36-34 and eleven Chicago players found their way onto the score sheet with at least a goal or assist.
Game two of the series is set for Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena in Chicago.
There now…NASCAR Dave will be very happy with me that I didn’t mention anything about Jason Krog and his 2 assists.
Penguins Avoid Endangered Species List…For Now
The Penguins are alive in the Stanley Cup Finals. The 3-2 win in game three sets up the possibility to draw even in Saturday’s game four. It also moved the Penguins home record to 9-0 during the playoffs. Sidney Crosby netted a pair of goals for the Pens and Marian Hossa supplied assists on them both. However, the eventual game winner came when Adam Hall used the backside of Chris Osgood to bank in a shot.
Detroit again outshot Pittsburgh, this time 34-24. As we Thrasher fans know, you can win a game here or there while being outshot, but over the long haul…it’s not really a formula for success.
Regardless, the Pens are indeed alive…alive and well? Ask me after Saturday night’s game.
Luc Bourdon, (1987-2008)
Tragic story out of New Brunswick as Vancouver’s Luc Bourdon was killed Thursday in a motorcycle accident. He was 21-years of age. Condolences to his family, the Canuck’s organization and their fans.
Weekend Reading & Viewing Assignments
ThrasherRyan posted a link to this last night, but…looks like Former Ranger/Current Thrasher/Possible Former Thrasher in the Future Bobby Holik has got some extra money coming his way.
Holly Gunning of Thrashers Prospects Annex had a chance to chat with someone who has played for Peter DeBoer. As you might have heard, the rumor mill has churned out the name of the GM/head coach of the Kitchener Rangers as a candidate for the coaching vacancy here in Atlanta. As always, nicely done Holly.
Mats Sundin wins the Mark Messier Award and chats about his future. The 37-year old will be a UFA come July and pulled a salary of $5.5 million last season.
Rick Westhead of The Star is promoting a way to get some of Canada’s dilapidated rinks put back in order… without Canadian’s having to pay for it. Oh, and did he cite Atlanta among one of the “destitute” franchises?
And lastly… this clip of Mariah Carey shows the pop icon performing the worst “first pitch” in the history of baseball. For the love of God and all things holy…let’s just hope that she never conducts a ceremonial puck drop.
422 Million Miles Away
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
That is how far NASA’a Phoenix Mars Lander traveled from Earth to Mars where it landed over the weekend. That is quite a distance.
However, it pales in comparison to the gap that seems to be separating the level of play between the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals.
In six periods the Wings have outscored the Pens 7-0 and have outshot them 70-41. In fact, the Wings have dominated Pittsburgh in just about every stat except for post-game whining and crying.
This is not to suggest that Pittsburgh is not a worthy participant in the finals. Certainly the Penguins have shown that they are strong enough to be considered among the top two of the thirty teams in the NHL. Their march to the finals was as strong as any playoff push I have seen of late.
But the distance between the best team and the second best…at least right now… is about as vast as that of third and fourth planet in our little solar system.
The Penguins will have game three on Wednesday night and game four on Saturday to close the gap. Personally, I think they have to win both or it’s over. Going back to Motown down 3-1 for a game five…un-good.
Dollar For Your Thoughts
Atlanta councilman Jim Maddox has proposed a $1 surcharge on all tickets to major sporting events and concerts. Well, I guess that’s easier than…gee, I don’t know…cutting excessive spending, maybe?
Anyway, it seems as though it would be used to offset the cost for police and other city workers that are needed to work these events. Other cities have done so as well, and for more than a buck.
But the question I have is…if/when the city gets their financials back in the black, are they gonna drop the surcharge then?
Sure they will, right about the time that they tear down the tollbooth on 400 that was placed there until the road was paid for.
Wolves Go On A Penguin Hunt
Here are links to the Chicago Wolves and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins playoff stats. The two teams are set to drop the puck Thursday night in game one of the Calder Cup Finals.
Jason Krog leads the league in post-season scoring, (9 goals and 19 assists). Ondrej Pavelec’s .928 SV% and 2.17 GAA is a bit better than the Penguins’ John Curry, (.908 & 2.47)
The AHL’s Eastern Conference champs do, however, lead the league in hyphens and forward slashes.
Bettman Considers Pad Size
If things are left up to commissioner Gary Bettman, the size of goalie pads will continue to decrease. Interesting photo of the commish, however. Maybe we could do a “Caption This” with it?
Mine would be: “I swear, before my selective surgery… my ears were THIS big”.
Hossa And The Beast
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thrashers beat writer Craig Custance put out this fine article last Friday about Marian Hossa’s performance during the playoffs with the Penguins. As per usual, a bang up job by CC. But what really caught my attention was the secondary piece in which Hossa’s agent, Ritch Winter, indicated that the winger’s “level of interest of returning to Atlanta would be higher” if Brad McCrimmon were to be the man behind the bench as head coach.
First of all, I think the chances of Hossa returning to the Thrashers are about as the same as Barack Obama picking Rush Limbaugh to be his Veep running mate. But the comments are interesting considering that, if memory serves me right, this follows Kovalchuk and Recchi in support of McCrimmon to fill the coaching void…if indeed Hossa does feel that way.
When those two made the comments toward the end of last season, I passed it off as nothing more than polite, professional “yadda-yaddas”. After all, wasn’t McCrimmon the supposed defensive specialist on a team that finished dead last in goals allowed and shots allowed? The way I see it, if last season was a type of “try it before you buy it” period when it came to McCrimmon…then the results should speak for themselves.
That being said however, if indeed Hossa were to consider allowing Atlanta the privilege of spending $10 million a season or so for his services if The Beast were to be given the job behind the bench… as Winter would have us believe… then what do we make of that?
I mean, if Hossa is so high on McCrimmon being coach of the Thrashers, why didn’t he help this cause more last winter when he had the chance to make a direct impact on that decision with his play?
Also, if McCrimmon was to get the job, and Don Waddell remains as general manager, then isn’t the organ-I-zation pretty much the same as the one Hossa shunned by refusing to resign because it wasn’t heading in the right direction?
While I would enjoy seeing Marian in Thrasher blue again…playing the way he has during the playoffs with the Pens…I just don’t see it happening. No matter who the coach might be.
One last point on this topic: Even though the season unfolded in an un-good way, there have been at least three top players who were a part of the team that have given The Beast a show of support. So is it simply the polite “yadda-yaddas” as I indicated earlier…or is there something more to it?
SCF Game One
Not a lot of analyzing needed for this one. If Pittsburgh is only going to get off four shots in the second, three in the third…19 overall…if they are going to squander five power play chances, then they’re not going to win too many games, (just ask last year’s Thrashers). And they’re certainly not going to win too many doing so against the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Chris Osgood was sharp when he was called upon in shutting out the Penguins and Motown was pretty much clicking on all cylinders Saturday night.
Game two Monday. Is it too early to call that a must win for Pittsburgh?
Wolves Kick Marlies To The Curb
The Chicago Wolves disposed of the Toronto Marlies by way of a 4-2 win in game five Friday night, winning the AHL Western Conference title. Darrin Haydar, Kevin Doell, Bryan Little and Joel Kwiatkowski each scored goals and Jason Krog contributed with two assists. Opie stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced.
The Wolves scored four unanswered goals after spotting the Marlies a 2-0 first period lead. Jiri “Lusty” Tlusty assisted on one of the Marlies’ goals …(yes PJ…I worked that one in just for you).
Chicago will now play the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins who qualified for the finals by beating the Portland Pirates in seven games for the Eastern Conference title.
Is Pavelec Ready For The Move Up?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the issues the Thrashers will be dealing with this off-season…besides hiring a new head coach…is what to do about the backup goalkeeping position. Do they bring back Johan Hedberg for another season or is Ondrej Pavelec ready for that responsibility now?
Certainly Moose has shown himself to be a very serviceable number 2 man between the pipes, however the Swede recently turned 35-years of age and is a UFA this summer. This past season he ended up with a record of 14-15-0 with a 3.46 GAA and a .892 SV%.
Opie has looked very sharp all year in Chicago, finishing the regular season 33-16-3 with a 2.77 GAA and a .911 SV%. During the playoffs he has been outstanding, winning 11 of the 17 games he has started so far and is sporting a 2.18 GAA and .928 SV%. Two of those wins were shutouts.
As you will remember last fall when Kari went down for 6 weeks, Pavelec stepped in and performed admirably. He played in 7 games, starting 5, and went 3-3-0 with a 3.11 GAA and .905 SV%.
Ondrej will be 21 by the time this upcoming season begins. Some may say he needs another year to develop his game. To be honest, that’s what I believed at the end of the last season… but considering the numbers he is putting up this spring, I would say that he has shown he’s ready.
Speaking Of The Wolves
The Chicago Wolves were denied their bid to sweep the Toronto Marlies as they lost game four in Toronto by the score of 6-1. However, they still lead the series three games to one and will look to close things out Friday night at home.
Like Pavelec, Jason Krog is coming up big during the playoffs. So far he has 9 goals to go with 17 assists and is a +8 in 17 games played. Darren Haydar is second in scoring for the Wolves notching 7 goals with 11 helpers, and then there is Joel Kwiatkowski with 6 goals and 15 overall points.
Avs Coaching Vacancy Filled
Colorado has shown that they are hip with the “green” crowd concerning recycling…well at least when it comes to coaches. The club announced Thursday that Tony Granato will be back as head coach in Colorado, a position he held from 2002-2004. Granato had been behind the bench assisting Joel Quenneville the past few seasons.
It took Colorado 13 days to bring their coaching search full-circle after Quenneville left the organ-I-zation on May 9th.
Happy Memorial Day
I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. If you are traveling, please be safe. Over the next few days I hope each and every one of you will take some time to remember and honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our liberties.
Red Wings & Penguins: I Predict…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ok kids, first of all…a show of hands. How many of you, back when the playoffs began, picked Detroit and Pittsburgh to play in the Stanley Cup Finals? For those of you who did…congrats and well done!
Of course, yours truly picked Montreal and San Jose to duke it out…two teams that went down in round two to the teams that then fell in the conference finals. I am, of course, dealing with this in my normal, professional, mature, calm, controlled demeanor.
Nevertheless, given that “success” rate, I’m reluctant to make any predictions here except to say, (and I know I’m going waaaaay out on a limb here), that Sara and Wings Fan in GA are probably going to go with the Detroit.
I think the “logical” choice here would be to go with Wings. After all, they have been motoring their way towards this position from the get-go last fall. They finished the regular season leading the league in such stats as GA/G, (2.18), S/G, (34.4) and SA/G, (23.5). In fact, if you consider those numbers as well as G/G, PP% and PK%, the lowest they ranked in either of those stats is penalty killing…and that was 84.0%, which was good enough for eighth best in the NHL. It would seem given all that, and the fact that they are 12-4 in the playoffs, the Red Wings are simply playing their role in what is merely a coronation ceremony to the cup.
But just ask Hillary Clinton what can happen on the way to a “coronation ceremony” these days.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, 12-2 in post-season, have been putting together quite a run these past several weeks and their numbers during the post season match up pretty well against their opponents. Let’s compare, shall we?
G/G: Pittsburgh-3.64…Detroit-3.44
GAG: Pittsburgh-1.86…Detroit-1.94
S/G: Pittsburgh-32.3…Detroit-36.3
SA/G: Pittsburgh-27.9…Detroit-23.6
PP: Pittsburgh-24.6%…Detroit-21.0%
PK: Pittsburgh-87.3%…Detroit-87.3%
Now, take into consideration the men between the pipes. For Detroit, Chris Osgood is 10-2 with a 1.60 GAA and a .931 SV%. Not too shabby for a guy who wasn’t even the starter for the first four playoff games. On the other end of the ice, Marc-Andre Fleury has compiled a 12-2 record with a 1.70 GAA and a .938 SV%.
Fairly even, eh? So, if you look purely at the numbers, this could be a hum-dinger of a match-up. And if you’ve been paying any attention at all to these two teams, they look like two high-speed freight trains smack-dab on a collision course.
The two teams did not play each other during the regular season but, as you will recall, two players on the Penguins do have at least one game’s worth of experience against the Wings this past year. Marian Hossa remembers it well, I am sure.
One last thought, for what it’s worth…the Pens have won the first three games in all three playoff series this spring. Against Ottawa they went on to win game four. Versus the Rangers and Flyers they bounced back after game four losses to take the series in five. Detroit has come out on top in the opening two games of each of their playoff match-ups and only against Nashville did they fail to take a 3-0 series lead. So both teams are adept at getting the jump on their opposition.
If I were forced to make any forecast on what will unfold… it would be to look for seven very entertaining and close games. Maybe, if we’re really lucky, we will be treated to an overtime “instant classic” game on Saturday June 7th to decide it.
In Other Sporting News
Could the NFL be heading toward the same type of work stoppage that we hockey fans endured three seasons ago?
Middlesbrough defeated Manchester City 8-1 in English Premier League soccer action. That’s right…the Teesiders notched eight…count them eight…goals in a single soccer game. I think that uses up their entire months quota for goals that a team is allowed to score.
You think the TV analyst who stand between the benches during an NHL game are close to the action? Well, this photographer found himself a little too close during a track meet in Utah. WARNING: Not for the squeamish!
Kovy, Penguins, Wolves and Rule of 33
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kovy Comes Through vs. Canada
Ilya Kovalchuk only scored two goals for Russia in this year’s IIHF World Championship. But those turned out to be the two that decided the outcome of the tournament as Kovy and his Russian comrades defeated Canada 5-4 in overtime Sunday.
Kovalchuk scored the game-tying goal with about five minutes remaining in the third period. He then won the game and the gold for Russia 2:42 into the overtime period.
Despite the loss, former Thrasher teammate and current Ottawa Senator Danny Heatley was named the MVP of the tournament and top forward. Heater finished with 12 goals and 8 assists. The goal mark set a new record for the World Championships, besting Eric Lindros’ 11 set in 1993. The 20 points tied Steve Yzerman’s from 1990.
Kovalchuk returned to the lineup after serving a one game suspension for a match misconduct incurred during the quarterfinal game against Switzerland.
March Of The Penguins
Sunday the Pittsburgh Penguins spanked the Philadelphia Flyers 6-0 to take the Eastern Conference Finals four games to one. The Pens will skate into the Stanley Cup Finals with a post-season record of 12-2.
Former Thrasher Marian Hossa finished the game with a goal and three assists. For the playoffs the former Thrashers winger has nine goals and 19 points.
So much for the “MIA during the playoffs” bug-a-boo for Hossa.
Pascal Dupuis also scored a goal for the Penguins Sunday, his second of the playoffs to go with four assists.
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 21 shots he faced to earn his third shutout of the post-season.
Wolves On The Attack
Meanwhile, in Chicago…the Wolves have taken the first two games of the AHL’s Western Conference Finals, thanks greatly to a few players that have seen time in Thrashers uniforms.
Game one played on Friday night saw Chicago defeat the Marlies 4-1 behind Jason Krog’s hat trick. Krog, the AHL’s leading scorer, assisted on Darrin Haydar’s goal that opened the scoring then tallied the last 3 scored by Chicago himself. Ondrej Pavelec stopped 26 of 27 shots.
Sunday’s game two wasn’t even that close as Chicago pounded Toronto 5-0. Krog was again instrumental as he notched 2 and added a helper. Joel Kwiatkowski chimed in with a goal and an assist, Haydar had 2 assists and Bryan Little got in on the fun with a goal himself. Opie stopped all 24 shots taken on him by the Marlies.
Game three is on Tuesday in Toronto.
The Rule Of 33
Are we about to witness something in the NHL playoffs so uncommon that it happens only once every two generations or so? What I am referring to is the so called “Rule of 33”. Only twice in the history of the league has a team blown a three games to none lead in a best of seven series.
The first time it happened was during WWII, in the 1942 Stanley Cup Finals. The Detroit Red Wings built up the seemingly insurmountable lead on Toronto only to see the Maple Leafs storm back and win four straights to hoist the cup.
Fast forward to the days of disco music, bell-bottoms and leisure suits in 1975 and you find the second time it happened. The New York Islanders spotted the Pittsburgh Penguins a 3-0 series lead in a playoff series match-up and then pulled the rug out from under them in the same fashion Toronto did to the Wings thirty-three years prior.
Now, 1975 plus an additional 33 years will land you in…well, today… 2008. And here we find the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars. The Wings built up the three game lead required for the “rule” to take effect and the Stars have followed it up by winning the next two. Game six is now set for Monday night in Dallas.
To find out why the Stars have bounced back, look no further than Marty Turco. In game four he stopped 33 of the 34 shots Detroit took in a 3-1 Dallas win. He bettered that performance with a 38 save outing to help Dallas take game five by a 2-1 score.
After Detroit was able to net 11 goals in the first three games, Turco is now stonewalling the high-powered Red Wing attack and giving his team a chance to win. And that is allowing the “rule” to possibly make yet another showing in the NHL playoffs after waiting the required 33 years.
So, is there something to this whole “Rule of 33” thingy? I dunno, but just this last week I witnesses LAC and GaVaHokie agree 100% on something, (bringing in John Anderson to coach and Dave Nonis to general manage the Thrashers). So, if these two can find some common ground on a given subject…something that some may see as a precursor to the Apocalypse… then surely just about anything is indeed possible.
Will Wolves Success Hurt Anderson’s Chances?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In life, they say, timing is everything. Sometimes that’s a good thing…sometimes it’s un-good. In the case of John Anderson, the latter could be true when it comes to the possibility of landing his first NHL coaching job with the Atlanta Thrashers.
Obviously, the Wolves coach is atop the short list of candidates and the team has been planning to discuss the opening with him just as soon as he is done with the post-season in Chicago.
However, it may be too long to wait for him.
Seeing that Anderson’s Wolves have recently defeated the Rockford IceHogs in seven games to win the AHL’s Western Conference title and are now poised to face the Toronto Marlies for the championship of that league…he may not be through with his current responsibilities for a couple of more weeks.
If that series were to play out to a game seven, (which would be played on May 27th), it would mean that the Thrashers would be without a coach until about 3-1/2 weeks prior to the NHL entry draft. Given the fact that some quality names have been tossed on the market recently, it may just be too enticing for the Thrashers organ-I-zation to decide to make a move now, rather than wait for Anderson to become available.
I mean, when coaches like Ron Wilson and Joel Quenneville are dusting off their resumes and teams like Toronto, Ottawa, Florida and Colorado are seeking applicants to fill the same opening we are…well, let’s just say we don’t want to be slapping ourselves on the forehead down the road because one of these guys just lifted the cup over his head with another team. Watching this happen with a coach that we knew we could have had … but instead ownership fiddled around …would cause a great deal of wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Also, I think that the ASG is starting to understand that their fan base is just a tad disgruntled. They are feeling it primarily from the less-than-robust season ticket renewals. Thus, ownership may be inclined to move forward with getting a “name recognition” type bench boss in town sooner rather than later.
Now, I’m going to go on the record and say that of all the coaching options the Thrashers have available to them, the two best scenarios is to bring in either Anderson or Wilson. My personal choice would be Ron Wilson. I just think that the best route for the Thrashers to take right now is the one that is navigated by the experienced coach that is already wise to the ways of the NHL. However, having said that, the one exception I would make to that train of thought is John Anderson…who is very familiar with this team and it’s young players.
Either way…both would be excellent choices and the team would be better for it. Also, (and this is just as important), either would move many yet-to-renew season ticket holders to pick up the phone and become just-renewed STH.
Actually, what would move almost every yet-to-renew-ers to become just-renewed-ers would be if either Wilson or Anderson were to be announced as the new Thrashers head coach by a general manager not named Waddell…but I digress.
The Thrashers have been without an official coach since dismissing Bob Hartley seven months ago. Five weeks from now the NHL will hold it’s entry draft…five weeks after that the free agency signing season begins. The league isn’t going to postpone either for the ASG to get their act together.
If…IF…Don, Bruce and Michael get a clue to this fact of life, they might just feel the need to get their rears in gear and get a coach in place soon.
Unfortunately for John Anderson, that might mean that he coached his way right out of a job here.
Like I said…timing is everything.
Post-post edit: The Wolves are indeed playin the the Western Conference Finals of the AHL…thus Anderson sould be tied up in Chicago into June should the Wolve be successful vs. Toronto
Ron Wilson Released From Shark Tank
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you know the way to San Jose? Well, regardless of whether or not you do…Ron Wilson was shown the way out of San Jose. The Sharks decided that four consecutive winning seasons, three 100+ points seasons, two conference championships and a conference finals appearance wasn’t acceptable enough in their eyes.
So, now that he’s officially on the market, let’s put him through the official vetting process.
Ronald Lawrence Wilson was an eighth round draft pick in 1975 by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Between 1977 and 1988 he played played a total of 177 regular season games at the NHL level with the Leafs and later with the Minnesota North Stars amassing 26 goals and 67 assists. He also had 4 goals and 13 helpers in 68 playoff appearances. There were also two seasons played with Kloten and Davos of the Swiss A-League squeezed in as well.
After a few seasons in Vancouver as an assistance coach, he was named as the first head coach of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1993. He lead that team to their first playoff appearance in just their fourth year of play, (I guess someone had a four-year plan out there). They defeated the Phoenix Coyotes in seven games in round one, but were eliminated in the second round by the Detroit Red Wings. Impressive as that may sound he was released after that season.
Wilson was not standing in the unemployment line long as the Washington Capitals hired him and that team earned a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals the very first season he was behind the bench. The Red Wings, however, defeated the Caps in a sweep. In the five seasons he lead Washington, four times they had winning records, twice won the Southeast Division and only twice missed the playoffs. However, after the 2001-2002 season, he was relieved of his duties.
Once again he did not have to wait long for work as the San Jose Sharks hired his services during the next season and he had been there ever since. After failing to qualify for the playoffs that year, San Jose won the Pacific Division twice and came in second twice the next four seasons. In 2005 they advanced to the Western Conference finals but fell short to the Calgary Flames. In 2007 the Sharks were eliminated in the west finals by the Red Wings in six games, (Sara, stop snickering). In doing so, Wilson became the first coach ever to fall to the same team in post-season with three different teams.
Ron Wilson’s overall coaching record is 518-426-101-46 and was 206-134-45 in San Jose, (28-24 in the post-season). His teams have made the playoffs in 8 of the 13+ seasons he has coached. But, the big knock against him is that he has failed to take highly talented teams farther than what had been expected. However, it should be pointed out that the Sharks’ 49-23-10 record this past season was accomplished with a payroll that had a cap hit of about only $41 and a half million. That number ranked 27th in the NHL. Comparatively the Thrashers were 24th in the league with about $43 and a half million.
Now, it is almost a certainty that a coach with the Wilson’s track record will easily find a new place to direct another team in this league, and Ross McKeon of Yahoo Sports seems to think that he just might find that opportunity in Philips Arena.
If we are fortunate enough to land him in Atlanta, we could very find ourselves “moving in the right direction” toward contending for the Stanley Cup.
Just as long as we don’t run up against Detroit, I guess we’ll be OK.
Waddell Movin’ On Up?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The storyline surrounding the Thrashers is starting to look more like a daytime soap opera these days. Call it, The Bold and the Blueland.
See, a few days ago we read about Atlanta Spirit co-owner Michael Gearon, Jr. discussing how ownership was considering changing Don Waddell’s role with the Thrashers. Speculation was that Waddell was moving on up the ASG ladder and possibly a new GM would be on the way.
That news was then followed up Friday with this piece by Scott Burnside in which an unnamed source close to the team indicated that Waddell was being asked to give up his GM duties to take another management position. If he refused, the story goes on, then he would be relieved of his duties and shown the door.
“Just look at the facts, the record”, the unidentified source said, “What choice do you have”?
Indeed.
This is a win-win scenario, eh? A new coach AND a new general manager for the Thrashers? Oh happy day! On top of that…Waddell remains with the franchise in a capacity to help them run a profitable business, (something he has done well during his tenure), and ownership doesn’t have to dirty their hands firing the only GM the Thrashers have ever known.
Then comes Saturday…Craig Custance reports in, (while dipping his toes pool-side and sipping on drinks with little umbrellas in them), and lets us know Gearon called him to say that the whole thing about D-Dub being asked to promote himself up and out of the GM office is “completely false”.
However, what has not changed is the fact that ownership is looking to expand Waddell’s role into a different position with the ASG. Gearon pointed out that Waddell may fill the position of team President that became open last January. Also, any additions will be made for support reasons, not to replace Waddell.
Uh…WHAT?
I thought that Bruce “right direction” Levenson conceded the fact that it was a mistake to split Don’s time between the bench and GM role. Now Gearon is saying that he could split his time between being GM and President?
I think if there is one thing we can all agree upon…it’s that Don-splitting is un-good!
So, in the span of about four days, we go from reading that Don Waddell may be promoted to a higher office in the organ-I-zation, to hearing that Don is going to be “asked” to vacate the GM role and promote himself up or get canned, to hearing that the previous is not so…but DW will stay on as GM but will take on additional roles with the team…even though not too long ago ownership was admitting that splitting Don’s time between the GM office and elsewhere was a bad thing.
Personally, I think Gearon’s latest comments are just an attempt to shut down the chatter while certain logistics are worked out for the transition. And Waddell’s recent relocation to former ASG president Bernie Mullin’s office furthers the thinking that something is indeed up.
However, there is one person who has the ability to put an end to this speculation…Don Waddell himself. He should take charge of this situation and announce that he’s voluntarily stepping away from being GM and concentrate on being Executive VP, or whatever he and the ASG feel would be appropriate. End the speculations and questions and begin the process of moving this team forward.
One of the main points his detractors make of his tenure as GM has been poor drafting, misguided trades and the failure to attract big-name free agent signings, especially on defense. His supporters will point to the organ-I-zation’s ability to run a profitable business, thanks in part to Waddell himself. Making this decision would, in theory, allow him to concentrate on what is good for the bottom line while making way for someone new to deal with the on-ice product.
Is there something fishy about “promoting” someone after 10 years with the track record of “success” that comes with Don Waddell? Uh, yeah…sure there is. A logical question to ask here would be, “Why place Don in a position where he, in effect, has any kind of authority over the person who replaced him”? Yes, I hear ya. But let’s face the facts here. The ASG wants to save face after giving their support to DW and defending him. It is very apparent that if they haven’t released him already, especially after last season, they have no plans on doing so in the foreseeable future.
To me, this should not only happen, but should happen soon. That way that the team can place a new GM as well as the new coach in time to coordinate their activities in time for the upcoming draft and the opening of free-agency season on July 1.
Certainly it should be done before Waddell learns that Jason Blake may want out of Toronto and he goes and trades someone like Little or Stuart and a first round draft pick for the 35-year old forward set to make $4.5 million next season with 4 years left on his contract. (OK, I’m half-way joking…but there IS history to go on with things like that).
There are quality candidates available to fill the void in the front office. But if Gearon, Levenson and the rest of the ASG drag their feet, then guys like, say…David Nonis, are going to wind up in a place like Toronto. Certainly there are other qualified types out there, but you get the picture.
The candidate for coach which most people feel is most likely to be the choice for Atlanta, John Anderson, could be only days away from being officially available as the Wolves find themselves in a tough playoff series with the Rockford IceHogs. So, things could start moving quickly in that regard.
The time is right for the change…and Don Waddell should do the right thing…right now.
Mercy For Maurice In Toronto?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Regardless of if it’s sports, business, a friend, neighbor or family…anytime you hear that someone has recently lost their job, one tends to feel sad and sorry for that person. However, when learning that the Toronto Maple Leafs had relieved Paul Maurice of his duties as head coach, some may feel a sense of relief for him instead of grief.
The 41-year old native of Sault St. Marie, Ontario was fired Wednesday and, as Scott Burnside of ESPN.com indicates, the news should probably cause reason for celebration rather than sorrow. His future with the Leafs had been in doubt ever since general manager John Ferguson, Jr. was shown the door shortly before the trade deadline and Cliff Fletcher took over the job on an “interim” basis. Maurice had coached Toronto for two seasons, both with winning records, (an overall mark of 76-65-22). Regardless, he failed to take his team to the post-season…two years ago falling short by a single point.
Maurice was the selection of the Philadelphia Flyers as the 252nd overall pick in the 1985 NHL entry draft. As a defender for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, he was struck in the eye with a puck while playing in a charity hockey game. The injury still leaves his vision partially impaired. Team owner Peter Karmanos offered him an opportunity to step behind the bench and he began his coaching career with the Detroit Junior Red Wings, (another team Karmanos owned).
He broke into the NHL ranks as a head coach with the Hartford Whalers in 1995 and remained with that organization as they relocated to Carolina after the ’96-’97 season. In 2002 the Carolina Hurricanes advance to the Stanley Cup Finals but were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings in five games.
Paul Maurice’s overall coaching record is 344-357-99-38 in the regular season and 17-18 in the playoffs.
So, shed no tears for Maurice for losing his job in Toronto, a team some would discribe as a mess and disfunctional. Delight in his liberation from the Maple Leafs right now as they try to figure out just which direction they are to go. He will most certainly be given a shot elsewhere and will likely be better off for it.
The question for you is…do you think that place should be here?
The Pat And Paul Show In Atlanta?
OK, I’ll be the Speculator-in-Chief and offer up this scenario.
We’ve already discussed Pat Quinn, his qualifications and interest in the Thrashers organ-I-zation. Given that, and the comments made recently by ASG co-owner Michael Gearon about Don Waddell, what do think about the prospect of Quinn as GM, Maurice as coach, (sort of the Toronto connection in the ATL), with Waddell retaining his role as Executive VP or moving into a newly created CEO or President gig?
Weekend Reading Assignments
Minnesota’s coach Jacques Lemaire is currently pondering whether or not to remain behind the Wild bench.
Darren Eliot gives credit where credit is due in Philadelphia.
Don’t look now, but there’s another Staal brother poised to enter the NHL.
Lastly, and completely off topic, here is a man who knows how to go out in style!
What’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?
Congrats Hawks & Checking In On Old Friends
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THIS Is Why Making The Playoffs Is GOOD
The Atlanta Hawks were a decade removed from post-season. A team that finished the regular season eight games below .500. A team that was only in the playoffs because the Eastern Conference of the NBA was so terrible, so rank, so pathetic that three teams qualified for the championship tournament lacking a winning record. And this bunch was going up against the Boston Celtics…owners of the league’s best record.
A #8 seed vs. the #1 seed…37-45 vs. 66-16…a .451 winning percentage vs. .805… David vs. Goliath… Rocky vs. Apollo…Hawks vs. Celtics Certainly this was a mismatch for the ages.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the Celtic’s coronation. The Hawks players decided that they really didn’t care about the records, the odd or the predictions of their demise. The figured, what the hell…we’re here, what say we play to win? Let’s “shock the world”.
And so, our Philips Arena brethren did what no one thought they would…actually competed and took the Celtics to a game seven. Oh sure, game seven was ugly…butt ugly… for the Hawks. But even with that, they reminded everyone that when you’re in the playoffs, you have a chance…and to have a chance, you have to be in the playoffs.
Now, what in the name of Joseph Henri Maurice “Rocket” Richard does any of this have to do with the Thrashers…the team you come here to read and blog about? Why, I’m glad you asked!
First, to put this in it’s proper context, we need to find the NHL equivalent of the Hawks/Celtics match up. That would be taking the best team in the league, Detroit, and matching it against the team that finished with roughly the same winning percentage as the Hawks. The closest would be .463 and that team was…the Atlanta Thrashers. So, think of what would happen if the Thrashers were pitted against the Red Wings, (yes I know that they are in different conferences), and the Thrashers played them in similar fashion.
Now, remember as the past season began to unravel in Blueland and there were many who express the belief that it was better for the team to NOT make the playoffs, even though it was still in our grasps at the time. It was a hopeless venture anyway, so why even bother with the whole silly notion of actually attending the competition to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. Since we had no chance of actually winning it, some said, then it’s just better we don’t even qualify for the playoffs in the first place and instead position ourselves for a high draft pick.
To that I say, balder-dash…horse pucky…phooey…and B.S., (baloney squared).
The Hawks just exemplified why it is so important to make the playoffs, even if your team has no chance of succeeding…or that’s what everyone ELSE is saying about you.
So I ask you, what do you think is more valuable to that team right now… the hope of what could become of a prospect taken high in the first round…or the experience and confidence that Josh Childress, Zaza Pachulia, Josh Smith and the rest of the team have gained over the past couple of weeks? Personally, I would argue the ladder. And I would argue the same would be true had the Thrashers done the same.
Draft picks, no matter how highly touted they might be, are a crapshoot for the most part. High picks can be busts and those chosen later can prove to be MVPs. But what the Hawks have obtained in these playoffs is priceless and will only prove to benefit them down the road…even in light of the game seven blowout.
One last thing…four years ago, Mike Woodson took then-rookies Josh Smith and Josh Childress to Detroit to experience what playoff atmosphere was all about and to try and give them a hunger for it. Don Waddell might want to think about such a field trip for Tobias Enstrom, Bryan Little and some other young Thrashers.
So, Atlanta Hawks and Hawks fans…The Ice Man congratulateth you for what you have accomplished over the past couple of weeks. Even though you fell short, the experience gained will certainly benefit the players next season. And hey, right now you can say that you are 3-0… undefeated… in Philips Arena during the playoffs. Job well done!
Eastern Finals Choc-Full-O-Old Friends
And there it was…big as day. Marian Hossa slamming home the game winning, series clinching goal 7 minutes and 10 seconds into overtime. Making it even more pleasurable to watch was the fact that Pascal Dupuis gained an assist along with Sidney Crosby. It was Hossa’s second goal of the game and his fifth of the post-season to go along with five helpers.
Making this even sweeter for Atlanta Thrashers fans is the knowledge that somewhere in the same state of Pennsylvania was one Braydon Coburn watching the very same game. He and the rest of his Philadelphia Flyers teammates were looking on as their position in the Eastern Conference Finals had already been secured.
So, we have the pleasure of watching Coburn and the Flyers take on Hossa, Dupuis and the Penguins for the right to play in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Joy. Rapture.
Braydon Coburn…he’s the player TV play-by-play announcers and analyst love to remind us, as well as millions of viewers, was obtained from the Thrashers for …snicker … Alexei Zhitnik. Coburn has, in 12 games during the playoffs, notched 5 assists…the exact same amount Zhitnik had in 65 regular season games and has looked like a dominate force on the Flyers blueline doing so. Zhitnik is…still on our payroll for $3.5 million.
Marian Hossa…he’s the player who forced Don Waddell’s hand to trade him because there was no way he was going to resign with the club he general managed. See, Hossa insists he wanted to play for a team that was…well, moving in the right direction.
Pascal Dupuis…he’s the man who has to feel like the luckiest player in the NHL. He woke up on February 26th in a Montreal hotel room a member of a team that was in the throws of what would ultimately become a death-spiral toward the conference basement…but before he went back to sleep was winging his way with Hossa to Pittsburgh.
Basically, Hossa left for Armstrong and Christensen, (not too bad), and Dupuis was the sweetener that landed us a Junior League center and future draft pick… a player and a pick we can only hope will develop into quality NHL players some day down the road. Pascal gets a legitimate chance to skate the cup around Mellon Arena next month.
Don’t get me wrong…I actually enjoy watching these players do well on the big stage. However, it does kind of make me wonder…what player(s) currently on the Thrashers roster will Don Waddell gift wrap and send off next season for us to watch play in May and June?
For What It’s Worth
Some have speculated that Hawks GM Billy Knight could still be on the hot seat with coach Mike Woodson regardless of the 3 wins in the playoffs. If, indeed, he were to be relieved of his duties that would mean that of the four general managers in Atlanta one year ago, the only one remaining in that capacity would be…Don Waddell.
I refer you back to the last paragraph in the preceding segment of this blog.
Putting 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).
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