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Sunday, June 22, 2008
Don’s Summer “To-Do” List
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Don Waddell entered into this off-season with three major chores on his “To-Do” list. Over the course of the past several days he has been able to cross off two of them.
First, there was this little matter regarding a head coach. Waddell took a little while getting around to it but in the end the selection of John Anderson was, in my humble opinion, a very sound choice. As has been stated previously, he has proven his worth at the levels he’s coached thus far…he already has a working knowledge of many of the players on the roster as well as those who will be striving to gain such positions during training camp and pre-season.
I was also impressed with his interview on 680 The Fan just hours after being announced as the new coach. Our own Mike Knobler has a very good write up on him as well.
I must admit that I was surprised to read a few negative comments after his hiring. The main argument against him is that he has no NHL coaching experience. While that is true, even the most successful coaches in the history of the NHL could have the same thing said of them at the very beginning of their coaching careers.
Besides, if the Thrashers had picked someone like…oh, let’s say Joel Quenneville or Ron Wilson…then there would have been some upset that we hired a retread that was let go because they couldn’t reach the top with their former clubs.
So… whatchagonnado?
Now, as D-Dub takes his pencil and draws a line through this particular item on the list of things to do this summer he can also draw a nice smiley face next to it for a job well done.
Next, there was this whole draft-thingy over the weekend. Now, there are many here among us who have expressed concerns over some of Waddell’s past performances in the NHL entry draft…myself included. However, I’m going to give The Don some props here as well.
For one thing, he didn’t trade away picks for players other teams were looking to cast off. But I gotta tell you…when it was our turn to select and the announcement came from Gary Bettman that a trade had just been made, I felt my stomach turn. I mean, if the Thrashers were about to trade away their chance at such a promising blueliner, then the player we got in return better be named Crosby or Ovechkin…and that ain’t going to happen.
As it turned out…it involved other teams and Don Waddell then made his way to the podium.
Whew!
Anyway…the selection of Zach Bogosian was greeted with a lot of cheers from the crowd who came out to Philips for the draft party, (which was very nicely done by the organ-I-zation, I must say). The sounds of approval were probably just as much from relief as it was for the player himself. But in the end…all seemed pleased with the selection.
I am very excited at the thought of watching the 6’-2” 197-pounder throw his weight around next season. Sure, he’s going to have to learn some lessons in his rookie season and there will be mistakes made…this is to be expected. But there are times when a good open-ice check or solid defensive play can really jack up a team. And last year, we really didn’t have much of that. Bogo should play a big part in bringing a more physical aspect to the team’s defense.
As for the remainder of the picks, I really have no problems with any of them. The 29th selection was for Daultan Laveille, a 5-11” 163-pound center that shoots from the left side. I’ve read a few comments questioning this pick. Mostly these were from some who felt the team should have selected a player that could be of benefit this coming season. But let’s be honest here, after the first ten… maybe dozen… draft picks, the chances of finding players that can land roles with the NHL club in year-one are greatly reduced. By the time one gets to 29th, while there are still great talents to be snagged, these are players that still need some seasoning.
After no pick in the second round, the team then moved to restock the prospect pantry by selecting a pair of right wingers, a left winger, a goalie then another defender. One of those wingers, Vinny Saponari, is a local kid who will play this fall at Boston University where older brother Victor now plays.
Whether or not these picks pan out will take a few years to determine. But in the end, they have been given an opportunity and it’s just as much up to them to take advantage of it as it is the organ-I-zation’s to develop them properly. Here is hoping both parties do so.
Regardless, I think Don Waddell and the Thrashers did very well overall. Again, another smiley-face as this second task gets lined-out.
Ah…but that brings us to the third big chore. And this, my friends, may very well be what determines whether or not this upcoming 2008-’09 campaign is a success or not.
Uh-huh…the unrestricted free agent season.
The Thrashers find themselves in pretty good shape when July 1 comes around given the amount of money they have to throw around. And they are gonna need to dip into to quite a bit of it in order to convince the Brian Campbells of the league to turn their heads our direction.
The team needs to lure a couple of high-caliber UFAs into the Blueland fold to properly round out the summer’s activities. That might be a pair of defenders or a defender and top-tier center combo. Either way, with the funds available we should be able to address the concerns in this phase of the operation
Now, this is indeed Don’s job to do. However, it will also take the Spirit Group’s willingness to allow Waddell to spend what he needs to get the job done. And it is a task in which failure is sooooooo not an option.
Like I said…what happens after the first of the month, by way of signings and/or trades, will go a long way in determining how the season unfolds in a few months. Just as important, it may determine how many of you out there are going to rethink your decision to re-up your season ticket packages.
Two down…one to go on Don’s summer “To-Do” list. Let’s hope there is another smiley face to be drawn.
