Ice Man

By Tincup9

July 10, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

First

By Sara

July 10, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Well, its nice Boulton wants to be here, but in all honesty, “It’s a great place to raise a family” does not = “It’s a great place to play hockey and win a Stanley Cup.”

But that’s ok - if nothing else at least Boulton’s got a few pre-selected targets for next season. ;)

By Russian

July 10, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

I think our problem right now is WHO is Going to score???? Kovy is number one to score all goals, but he needs help. I really hope that Slava, Army and Crush will be on scoring line. Also Little will be help too. What’s done is done. Let’s see a future. We did not get anybody else on the team. But we got young players like Expo, Bogus, Little, Valabik. I think we need to see what they can do. This season will be very critical for Kovy and Don. If we will succesful and make PO and win first and second round, Kovy will stay here. Don will stay here and save his hairy A*. But we screw the year, Kovy will be leaving as Hossa. I do not know but Don. Anderson willget lot of pressure from Media, but I am going to Angree with him. He will do his job. I am goingf to see Detroit and Thrashers at 10/1. I hope Hossa will be playing.

By Rawhide

July 10, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Oh…and Pavol Demitra has now officially been signed by Vancouver.

By five_hole

July 10, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Drafting Bogosian 3rd in the draft was a no-brainer; the only question was if the Kings would take him or Doughty. The real question should be how well did he do drafting after the #3 pick in the draft? And we won’t know the answer to that for, what, 3 years? What we should be asking is; how did the draft class of 2005 pan out?

In all fairness, it may have been a good draft for him. First we took Alex Bourret, who may be/may not be a good player. After him we took Ondrej Pavelec and Chad Denny, who the organ-i-zation is high on. After that came Andrew Kozek, Jordan LaVallee who looked ok at the end of last year, then Tomas Pospisil, Andrei Zubarev and Myles Stoesz. I count at least 3 picks that have legitimate chances to play in the NHL (not including Bourret). That’s not bad.

It should be noted that his draft classes of 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 don’t stack up nearly as well.

By Bob

July 10, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

see first-hand Hossa’s assimilation into the Big Red Borg

Classic, Rawhide. I love it.

Demitra gone. My entire shopping list is laying in ruins.

Sounds like those tents were a rockin at the festival, reminds me of my youth going to shows and bagging in a tent afterwards. Hippie chicks are cool.

By Tony C.

July 10, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Chad Denny is a fat@ss. I have been underwhelmed.

(says a fat@ss himself)

By Nikita

July 10, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

I’m also underwhelmed by Denny.

I also don’t agree on the Panthers, or on the characterization of the Thrash as down, to the extent that it’s based on the loss of Holik and Recchi. In fact, I would not be surprised if management shed both for personality reasons given how inconsistently and moodily they performed last year. Plus, going younger, blah blah blah, and it’s nice not to have to pay for Holik any more.

Straka is truly gone. Which leave us in forwards with Sundin(possible), Sakic (not bloody likely), Shanny (probably not happening), Forsberg(???), and Selanne (nope), right?

By Viking

July 10, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

A year ago, there were a lot of negative comments on Thrashers blogs about even considering to place a Swedish midget defenseman in the Thrashers line up. While I did not know anything about him, I was not worried about his abilities, since he had been playing for the Swedish national team. Being a “midget” or not. There could have been some adjustments to the rink size, tempo and style of play in the NHL, but I was confident that Tobias Enström would do well. We all know what happened!

The Maple Leafs are about to aquire a defenseman - Jonas Frögren - also with experience from “Tre Kronor” (the Swedish national team). Toronto is taking advantage of the lack of transfer agreements between the NHL and European clubs. Currently, NHL has halted the transaction, referring to that Toronto is not signing him to an entry-level contract - in spite of that he is older (28) than what is considered being a rookie. Plus some more details since he was drafted before current rules. It appears though, that the dispute will be resolved. Frögren has been a solid defenseman for my old home team Färjestad back in Sweden for many years. While some players have NHL clauses, he had a “solid” contract with his club, but their manager Håkan Loob, (by the way a great former player for Calgary), said something like “we do not want to stand in the way of Jonas NHL dream and as long as we are compensated we are fine with it”.

So here comes my point; With the daily diminishing pool of available NHL players, could the Thrashers consider a similar aquisition of an European player besides trade(s)with NHL teams that potentially would cost us players that we rather would like to keep?

Surely there are good ones playing in the ligues of the stronger European hockey nations. Perhaps equipped with international experience, which should more or less guarantee that they also are good enough and ready to jump straight into the NHL.

Thrashers reputation, that seems to prohibit some deals with established NHL players, is likely not a factor to a European who wants to make it over here.

By Tom

July 10, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Viking

Quit with the logic. It is dangerous either on this board or the Thrashers front office.

:)

By Vitamin Z

July 10, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

No Frögren deal.

By Brendan

July 10, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

I’ve voted “C” every time, for the grade. I can’t stress enough just how much damage not selecting Bogosian might have done to the longterm interests of this club. Waddell said he entertained many offers for that #3 pick. Rejecting those offers was, probably, the smartest thing he could have done. I heartily agreed with the bone Hedberg tossed us by re-signing here, on a 2-year contract. For “peanuts.” We now have options in net for the coming season. Waddell at least tendered a “qualifying offer” to Lehtonen, preventing problems for the franchise after July 1st. Desbiens was his “odd man out” choice, insofaras qualifying offers were concerned. I can agree with that, I suppose.

I like the choice of John Anderson as Head Coach. It was the best choice, given the “reality” of the available candidates willing to come to Atlanta. Anderson has coached many of the current and future Thrashers already. That’s a huge positive.

Now, the signing of Ron Hainsey does, potentially, have good longterm value. But he’s not a Tier I defenseman. Five years represents a pretty decent commitment on the organization’s part to Hainsey. I just hope it was well-invested. All things considered, he did well to come away with anybody in Hainsey’s tier group. Think about that. Think harder.

Waddell is operating from a position of weakness. “Quick-fix” solutions can do tremendous longterm damage to a team. I think Waddell has learned this lesson. I think the ownership has learned this lesson. Segue, at #29 in the draft, he selected a high school player headed off to the CCHA, at Michigan State, named Leveille. What does that tell you?

It tells me that the team knows it’s in “rebuilding mode,” not GUN FOR CUP mode. It also shows a maturity on the part of the ownership that “draft picks are the way out of this mess.” Waddell might have found a “sleeper” latter round pick in N. Lasu, from Sweden. Waddell took a local kid in the “shot in the dark” portion of the draft. That’s probably a P.R. move, but “shots in the dark” are just that. Franchise players, generally-speaking, aren’t found in the 4th round. And to expect them to be found there is unreasonable.

So, I gave Waddell a “C.” Of course, that grade takes into account the totality of circumstance that this club finds itself in. It’s not like they can really go after Hossa, Campbell, or any other Tier I player hitting the prime of their careers. Atlanta just isn’t close enough to a Cup to lure these kinds of players at this juncture. Down the road, I think they will be. But first, the team has to draft well, in each and every round, but especially in the 1st and 2nd rounds. Then the team has to develop those draft picks. The result can be that the Thrashers become one of the youngest, fastest, deepest, most skilled clubs in the whole league. I said, “can be.” And then, it takes commitment on the part of the ownership to fork over the dinero it’ll take to establish player retention. Failure to commit to core players, longterm, with high-dollar contracts, will undo all the previous draft efforts. One-by-one, the players will leave. Players need to know that the organization they play for is committed to pursuing the Cup, not just in word, but in deed as well.

We’re not there yet. We’re basically back to “Step One, Year Two” of an expansion franchise. Tampa had to rebuild a few times. From 1992 to 2002, the team made the playoffs once. They lost, 4-2, to Philadelphia in the mid-1990’s. By 2001, they finished DEAD LAST, again. But in 2004, they won the Cup. Atlanta is in its 2nd rebuilding. Doing it right this time is what is at stake. Rushing this rebuilding effort will be the team’s undoing. It appears, however, that it will be a slow-build. I think it’s the right thing to do.

The time to go “spend, spend, spend” will be when the team is much closer to being a serious contender.

By kracker

July 10, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Viking I have also wondered about getting Euro/Russian players, though in less informed detail than you have stated it.

Tobias was drafted by the Thrash drafted in 2003, so we had his rights in the normal fashion. I don’t know how the just announced transfer agreement will affect signing free agents from the Euro or Russian leagues or even if it is a factor at all.

We need players; I hope all avenues are being explored to find them. Counting on the cap/roster problems of other teams to force them into dealing quality players at a discount seems iffy at best. I feel is is more likely to be a foolhardy effort because there is no gaurantee the Thrashers can get what they need for an affordable cost. After all, those teams with cap pressures will all know the Thrash also have a great need to man their lines. They will be doing us no favors by giving us a great trade deal.

I am still hoping for the best, somehow.

By kracker

July 10, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Oh, Russian are you checking your sources for any news of Nikulin?

By MB

July 10, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Really good post, Brendan. Looking at the team we finished the season with, it was clear that we needed a makeover.

If everything works out, we’ll come out of the summer with a much improved defense, potentially with two puck movers in Enstrom and Hainsey and three stay-at-home types in Havelid, Bogo, and Nikulin. That’s pretty good.

On offense, it’s a different story, but that’s where Anderson and his abilities to develop talent will be most important. I don’t need to run down the list of young potential Thrashers for you…you know who they are. Who among them will prove capable of taking the next step?

The good news is it appears they’ll get every chance to prove their worth (the bad news, of course, is it’s because we have no other choice).

I still gave the off-season a D. We overpaid a bit for Hainsey, I think (though I also believe that Hockey News guy is way off base), and I’m disappointed that we haven’t added a top 6 forward.

By Michael Shapiro

July 10, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

Ya know, everyone keeps talking about D-Wad waiting for teams who are at or above the cap to start trading, but according to NHLnumbers.com ONLY the Ducks and Flyers are above the cap and the Ducks are barely a 1/2 mil above.

Of course, we’re in Atlanta where the owners would never tread anywhere close to the cap, so what’s a 15 mill difference between the floor and the cap?

I honestly don’t know who we’re going to pick up to score. It would be nice if Ilya N. signed and helped to shore up the D along with Hainsey, Bogo, Tob-ee, Nik and fill-in-the-blank (XLB, Stevie Mac, joe the ragman), but who’s gonna score?

If we think that Kovy had it tough last year with no center and the other teams’ defense keying on him, what’s it gonna be like this year? The Professor will continue to mail it in. Can Army and Christie make up the difference? They’ll work their hearts out, but how do you replace the scoring of Hossa and Recchi, and remember that even with them we were outscored far too often….

D-Wad, please make a deal or take door number three and just keep going.

By ThrashDawg

July 10, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

Brendan For what it’s worth I think you are right about Lasu. I saw him play today at the prospect camp and came away very impressed! Not that I am an expert.

By Matt

July 10, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

I don’t think I’ve overheard a larger group of delusional fans in my life. What are you people thinking? “Rebuilding mode” “The totality of the circumstance this club finds itself in”. How in the hell are you in rebuilding mode? Rebuilding from what? Is it from the oh so sucessful ‘06/’07 playoffs when your team didn’t even show up? Give me a break. The loser that put you in this hole continues to make executive decisions. Or does he really make decisions at all? Remember that crappy US squad he took the olympics? They were a complete embarassment. Pack it up. Find a new squad to cheer for. This one is out in less than 3 years.

By LAC

July 10, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

Excellent points by The ALL Knowing One Brenden.

I think waddell has learned from some… of his mistakes. Not trading #3 pick was THE move to make.

This kid looks SOLID and with the new dman our defense is going to be better.

I just wish we could aquire a solid center.

Could… Could Lethonen be on the block ?

Could we get Spezza perhaps ? Solid center and maybe another player or two and move todd white as well… Just a thought.

Will Klee be here opening night ? I don’t see needing him at this point and a draft pick would work.

Is the end in sight for Brad & Steve as assistants ?

Let’s just hope something happens to help our offense, if Ilya II comes our Defense would look really good.

Wonder how many 10-8, 9-6 games Tampa will be in this year ? They have NO defense, so we should fare better there.

What about trading for Cole form Edmonton ? We need scoring folks …

By Rogie

July 10, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

I disagree with the THN article about Hainsey. The writer may be right about the Thrashers talent level and where they may finish, but he neglects to acknowledge why Hainsey could make a difference. Last year, despite having firepower like Kovy and Hossa on the power play, it was dismal. We had no quarterback, the puck movement was slo-motion and it was anemic. Other teams knew this and took liberty with our players at full strength. If adding Hainsey improves the PP and makes other teams respect it, then they will also indirectly help our play at full strength.

By glovesave29

July 10, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

Look for me tomorrow at the camp practice…I will be there with my two little daughters. I have had enough of this incompetence, I am going to confront Waddell with the mess he has made of this team. We all b*** here, but I am taking it to the next level. Will it amount to anything? I am not stupid…of course it will not. I want to see Don (whom I have met before and had good hockey conversations with) and tell him he has made a mockery of our team. We are a laughingstock. Even players resigning here (see Boultons comments) are aware of our reputation. We are the Braves of the 1950’s and 80’s before Schuerholz came on board. No reason to be ugly…Don has always been very gracious with his time to the fans - but I feel the need to release this anger. I grew up here. I died a bit when the Flames left and I cried tears of joy when I watched the Braves take that World Series and the Knights skate in front of a packed Omni with the Turner Cup. I bleed Atlanta. I love this city and we deserve better. We are good fans. Knowledgeable fans. We just choose to spend our money elsewhere when given a inferior quality product. Atlanta has a lot to offer, and with the proper management in place, we can be a desired destination for future FA’s. Ask a former Flame - players WANTED to come to Atlanta. We had great coaches in Boom Boom, Fred and Al and great management with Cliff and David. We were RESPECTED. It can happen again. This does not need to be our future. I have to confront the guy and ask him to go. Wish me luck.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 11, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this

Best of luck, glovesave, in confronting that lisping, bumbling joke of a GM that we have…He has run this franchise into the ground, indeed.

For such a “classy” guy, I wonder why the ‘promising-buffoon’ has never responded to one of my emails…and I’ve been professional, too…

By ThrashDawg

July 11, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

glovesave29Good luck today and enjoy the camp, it was great yesterday. Please post how you came out with your conversation with Don. I only seen him for less than 5 minutes yesterday, so good luck in cornering him for a long conversation.

By Buzzeng

July 11, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

I hope someone posts that Proteau article on Hainsey’s locker - should provide some extra motivation for him to prove he is worth the money, and we sure need him to bring his best game to Atlanta.

By I think Waddell is classier than all of you

July 11, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

On one hand you people mock Don Waddell as being a “classy guy”. Yet how much class does a man have when he knowingly is going to confront another man out of anger who he has no personal ties to and takes his 2 little girls along with him to do it? Forget GM of the year, who’s going to win father of the year?

By Dunwoody_Kevin

July 11, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Right on Glovesave! Do it for all of us! Let him know just how we feel! You are THE MAN Glovesave!

By Rawhide

July 11, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Rogie - I agree with ya. To call it the worst signing is a joke. Clearly Waddell wanted Campbell…and I applaud Waddell for giving it a serious go at it, and I appriciated the classy way Campbell responded to the team after…but Hainsey’s signing coupled with Zhit’s departure makes the blueline better, IMHO.

Buzzeng - Good idea….oh, and I fixed the link for ya!

Viking - Good observation about Enstrom….now, who do you see as THIS year’s Enstrom for us?

By Bob

July 11, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

who’s going to win father of the year?

Hulk Hogan?

By Donald Trump

July 11, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Forget GM of the year, who’s going to win father of the year?

Rosie O’Donnell

By Smoothie

July 11, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

but according to NHLnumbers.com ONLY the Ducks and Flyers are above the cap and the Ducks are barely a 1/2 mil above.

Hey Shapiro, check your facts before you post…Calgary is almost a million over and Chicago is $2.5 million over. That’s per nhlnumbers.com as of today.

This has been a public service announcement brought to you by Blueland.

By Smoothie

July 11, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Gee, who didn’t see this coming!!

By Rawhide

July 11, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Here’s an interesting peice by Puck Daddy on the friendly rivalry between Caps coach Bruce Boudreau and John Anderson.

By Bob

July 11, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Smoothie, that is pretty wild dumping Feaster now, wonder if the new owners will name Melrose GM as well as his coaching duties.

Here in town, the Spirit fired their head of ticket sales and marketing

I’m sure that’s because ticket sales are going so great, eh?

By glovesave29

July 11, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

EXCUSE ME? Who the hell are you to judge me Mr. “I think Waddell is classier than all of you”. Read my post again. I did not say I was going to confront him in anger, I wanted to talk to him to show my disappointment in the way he is doing his job. Just because a person in angry about a situation does not mean I cannot have a personal and civil talk with a person. It is an EXCELLENT lesson for my girls - that things can be worked out with words and not fists. That you can speak civily with a person that you disagree with instead of firing off a profanity laced tirade hiding behind ones computer. Nice to be judged by a person of such low moral fiber as you. Get off your high horse to elist. Why don’t you just log off this blog and go home and sit around tonight and congratulate yourself for being such a fine and superior person to the rest of us.

By ThrashDawg

July 11, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

glovesave29 I will have to say I commend you for at least confronting Don on the issues you have with him. This is much better than some on this blog who most likely would not have the stones to do so themselves. It is much easier to make stupid comments on a blog than speak to a person man to man. I would like to ask you one thing though. Do you think that there is anything Don can say to you that will change your opinion of him and the job he is doing? If not, what is the point other than to make you feel better? Please let us know how it goes.

By glovesave29

July 11, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

ThrashDawg - unfortunately, I did not see Mr. Waddell there. I was there from about 9:30 to 10:30, and when I left, I did not see his car in the parking lot. Do I think anything would have become of it…probably not. I would like to hear his side of it. Perhaps he has some points we are not aware of. Who knows. Sometimes the best course of action is to talk things out. I doubt I would tell him anything that is not accutely aware of - but certainly nothing bad can happen when two people exchange ideas…

By Brendan

July 11, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Jay Feaster resigns, from NHL.com. Well, I think we all felt this coming. I had a hard believing the way the Dan Boyle situation was handled was Jay Feaster’s doing.

How long ‘til Feaster finds another NHL gig? And if you were a GM out there, are you chompin’ at the bit to work for those new owners in Tampa? Basically, in Feaster’s own words, “What do they need a GM for?” They’re doing whatever they want to do, without consultation with the GM. I’ll be interested to know how Barry Melrose likes working for them. I suspect everything will be fine, as long as he does whatever they tell him to do. I wonder if they’ll suggest changes to Tampa’s line combinations? You know, something clearly under the purview of the Head Coach. And if that actually happens, I wonder what the results will be if Melrose says, “I’m the Head Coach, not you. I make these decisions. Butt out!” Perhaps that’s just the sort of thing Tampa’s ownership needs to hear.

I think Feaster just couldn’t take it any more. My guess is that the Boyle situation was the last straw. Uhh, as “idle speculation” of course. I honestly have no idea if Feaster is an overbearing personality, but he’s never struck me as that way. He seems rather humble. Just listen to how he praised all the people that helped him get where is, along the way.

By Bob

July 11, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Brendan, I would hazard to guess that Melrose has the new owners ear and this may be one reason Jay is out.

I wouldn’t be suprised to see them add GM to Melrose’s title.

By glovesave29

July 11, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

Hey Brendan, do you think the availability of a good hockey guy like Feaster will change the dynamic of the reported coronation that the Leafs are planning when the Ducks’ Burke contract expires?

By ThrashDawg

July 11, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

I would say that Don most definitely could tell you some things that you/we were not aware of. I would doubt very seriously if he would tell you the whole story even if you asked. I would say he would probably admit to his mistakes, but he would never throw the ASG or former coaches under the bus. I doubt we will ever know the truth as to why things have turned out the way they have. Regardless, it is what it is, now the Thrashers just have to change minds by putting a young, promising and winning team on the ice for years to come. Time will tell!

By five_hole

July 11, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

So with Jay, it’s Feaster famine?

OK, I had nothing from a hockey perspective to contribute, I’m tired of blogging about our management, I didn’t see practice and I wanted to keep my virtual thoughts with y’all.

By Brendan

July 11, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

That’s certainly possible, Bob. And if the “rumored” $2.0 million salary is accurate for Melrose, (one of the highest in the league, I might add,) that’d be in the viscinity of what a GM and Head Coach would cost, combined.

The more I think about it, the more I think Bob is right. For what do ALLLLLL Head Coaches want the most?? Still thinkin’? The answer is: “They want to choose the players to come to their team.” It’s a whole lot easier to get what you want from the grocery store when you’re the guy doing the shopping.

But can a “Melrose divided” stand? It’s not easy to be a Head Coach. It’s not easy to be a General Manager. The one person who has successfully pulled it off through the years … is Scotty Bowman. Even Lou Lamoriello had trouble doing both jobs effectively. And, well, let’s not venture into the Waddell Adminstration, or P.E.T.A. may get involved. (They’re not point to whipping a dead horse.)

As Coach and GM, Melrose’s threats to demote a player to the minors, subject him to a waiver claim, or trade him, are far from idle threats while wearing the GM hat. I doubt the Bolts players will “download porn while at work” with Melrose leaning over their shoulders.

Glovesave28, Cliff Fletcher always has a plan in mind. If he’s going with Burkie next season, then that’s what he’s gonna do. Fletcher hired the Head Coach that Brian Burke purportedly wanted for the Leafs. “What’s the most important decision a GM makes?” Answer: “Generally-speaking, it’s his choice of a Head Coach. Among many other things.”

By Tony C.

July 11, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

I would be very surprised if Melrose was also GM. Now, “senior hockey operations executive” or some other malarkey like that maybe. Melrose strikes me as the type of guy that’d really rather just have a beer with his guys than pour over contracts/financials/boring paperwork etc. I don’t think he’ll be attracted to taking on those responsibilities-now as far as player/coaching options I would be very surprised if he doesn’t want to be very involved in that aspect of the club.

By LAC

July 11, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

Here we go again with thrasherdawg defending waddell among other things.

I, for one, would sure as hell ask waddell why he is still here… I have the guts to ask tough questions to tough problems etc…

Quit defending the defenseless and open your eyes to the one consistant issue the Thrashers have and have had, don waddell.

It he were NOT here, this team would be very different and much better, the TRACK RECORD speaks volumes thrasherdawg, what a goofy name BTW !

By ThrashDawg

July 11, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

LAC You and the horse you rode in on! My name is based upon my love for the Thrashers and the Dawgs. Do you have a problem with that? I see no defense of Waddell in what I posted. You see only what you want to, which is typical of you and your negative attitude towards anything the Thrashers do.

By Hyposcrisy

July 11, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

First one Mr. glovesave29 says “Who the hell are you to judge me.”

Then later Mr. glovesave29 says “Nice to be judged by a person of such low moral fiber as you. Get off your high horse to elist. Why don’t you just log off this blog and go home and sit around tonight and congratulate yourself for being such a fine and superior person to the rest of us.”

That second comment sure did sound awfully judgemental.

By Nikita

July 11, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Yep, more of the same ol’ negativity.

I think I might go to camp tomorrow. Also, has anyone here been to a pre-season game and can tell me how it differs from a season game in terms of logistics and such? I think I’m going to catch the first game in Nashvegas.

By Answer this glovesave29

July 11, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

“Read my post again. I did not say I was going to confront him in anger,”

No, you just said you were going to confront him because you “feel the need to release this anger.”

So what is the difference between confronting him in anger versus just confronting him and releasing your anger?

By Brendan

July 11, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Good ownership is so vitally important to the success of a pro sports team. They have to (1) pony up the dough and (2) make the decisions about who runs the day-to-day operations of the franchise. Without trying to start WW-III, I would have sought a change at the GM position right after the 2002 Draft. Even if I’d kept Waddell, there’s no way he returns after the 2003-04 season. We’d have started the post lockout era with a new GM in place.

With that now out of the way, there’s only so much a GM can accomplish without financing. Sure, he can draft well. He can sign players, responsibly, giving himself more flexibility with the budget that he otherwise would have. He can make intelligent trades. But in the end, it’s the ownership’s money. And when the time comes due to renew a major player’s contract, for 5-10 years, depending on WHO it is, the GM has to get the blessings of the ownership. If he cannot secure this money, he has to let the player walk. And that has tremendous consequences attached to it.

Stop. If you wanted to know how the ball gets rolling towards players plotting their “exit strategies,” that’s it. That’s how it starts. It starts with the ownership’s failure to secure the contracts of the necessary pieces of the Stanley Cup-winning puzzle. The players talk amongst themselves. It’s more than just whispers that “Player X” didn’t get a contract. When an important piece of the puzzle walks out the door, I promise you, the players take note of it. It affects them and their thinking. And thinking goes like this, “Wow, I really thought ‘Player X’ represented our best shot at winning a Cup. I can’t believe ownership/management let him go. They must not be committed to winning. They didn’t even replace him with someone arguably as good. They might do the same to me when it’s my turn. I’m outta here, first chance I get, to choose a team I think is more committed to winning.”

In the end, if a player is performing well for you, and he hits his contract year, generally-speaking, you should lock him up. Now, that’s not some hard and fast rule. What if the player is 38?? Or has been injury-plagued? Maybe you don’t lock him up, due to his age, susceptibility to injury, and point of diminishing return on the value for the money. That’s different.

But if a player is 26-28 years old, headed into his prime years, and there’s every indication that his performance will continue to be valuable, why let him walk? Lock him up, July 1st, of his contract year. (That means 1-year AHEAD of schedule.) That ALSO sends a message to the players. “Priority #1 was re-signing the Superstars.” It sends the message, “We believe in you players.”

But sometimes, it’s not just the money or the contract that causes a player to leave an organization. Sometimes, it’s the ownership’s inability to recognize a problem at the Head Coach or GM position. (Man, it’s starting to get hot in here.) Things like … not hiring a Head Coach for 255 days doesn’t go UNNOTICED. Not firing a GM whose teams have finished in the bottom third of a Conference seven times in eight (7/8) seasons does not go UNNOTICED.

Who is more to blame in that situation? The faltering GM? Or the ownership that fails to address the faltering GM position? Well, there’s probably enough blame to go around for all parties concerned. But I think you know the answer. Willingness to blindly throw money at a situation is admirable. But failure to recognize what is causing the failure is also inexcusable. Part of firing a GM involves making an admission of responsibility for the failure, on the part of ownership. Until any organization can admit that they make mistakes, Step One towards recovery cannot begin. Step One is admitting that there is a problem.

By Bob

July 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

This is much better than some on this blog who most likely would not have the stones to do so themselves

Too funny, every time the few that are left try to defend Waddell, they just step right in it. That’s exactly what happened today, check this out. Was it one of you guys, fess up now and kudos to you!

A poster on the Nasty Nest site went to a breakfast this morning with Waddell and Anderson and Waddell got slammed by a season ticket holder for being incompetent and Waddell also slammed the AJC, Schultz and Burnside

Good to see he’s getting the heat directly now, people are p** and they’re gonna have a lot of empty seats this year, but they deserve it for keeping an obviously incompetent GM in charge. I find it hi-larious that he thinks he’s doing a good job, although what’s he gonna say, and I find it hi-larious that Burnside and Schultz, the two guys that have Waddell nailed to a T and bring heat on him are the guys he doesn’t get along with. lol.

By MB

July 11, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

I, for one, would sure as hell ask waddell why he is still here…I have the guts to ask tough questions to tough problems etc…

LAC, have you taken the opportunity to ask those tough questions of DWadd?

I know you frequently would ask Custance to ask them for you, which would have exhibited poor judgement for a reporter in his position. And I seem to remember that you didn’t respond when there were offers of a pass to the Town Hall meeting in the spring.

So I’m wondering if you’ve asked the tough questions of Waddell and, if so, what were the answers?

By ThrashDawg

July 11, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

OK, here it is once and for all! I wish Don Waddell would resign or get fired so I do not have to read the same crap on these blogs from the same people bashing him over and over day after day. All I care about is the Thrashers winning games and building a franchise that we all can be happy with. Do you think that is possible? I am just sick and tired of every comment being laced with sarcasm about the GM. The negativity is sickning. Oh! and Bob I doubt whoever it was that asked Don the tough question today was LAC or Sage of Blueland!

By Tim

July 11, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

ThrashDawg, do like me and just come back from time to time to read 1/10 of the blog comments when your sane =)

Otherwise, keep your positivism! For I am a fan to the Atlanta Thrashers first before I am a fan/hater of Don Waddell and the ASG. And I like John Anderson optimism! Sure he have to say that, but this early even before the season start? He must be very confident of himself and his system. Now let see how he is going to unfold his cards. One good thing thought is that during offseason, we are tie with all the other 29 teams in the NHL at 0 pts. Until the end of next season, there is no reason why I give up on the upcomming season.

By LAC

July 11, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Well as Sage would say The sheep are loose for sure !!!!!

I was a STH since the start… but after the waddell folly ran off the tracks and has not been rerailed, I have little or NO confidence in his judgement what so ever… No more ST’s !

Like so many say, simply look at the track record, that’s easy enough… It does NOT add up to sucess.

In business & sports you get rewarded for moving forward, what a catchy phrase ???, winning and if you do NOT produce or win… well you are dismissed.

Here you are rewarded for failure, which I find mind numbing…

I own & run businesses and I reward those who produce and if you do not or do not make course changes to increase productivity, well you are gone… real simple.

If you tim or thrasherdog, think I am so negative, why are so many others in step with me ?

I wish like hell we were talking about our great playoff run, our great season and our new UFA’s, THAT is what I want to talk about, but when you do not and have not had that and have no prospect of that, what can you do ?

Go check all the publications who laugh at us, NHL players NOT wanting to play here, NHL players wanting to leave here, all the bad rap and tell me that everything is just peaches & cream.

I want to win just like we all do, but until this franchise has the balls to make critical changes to correct the proception and direction of the franchise, we will continue to muddle around with don waddell and his inept decisions year after year and drift into the NHL abyss….. The proof is there, this is not wishful thinking for one second… Let’s win, but with a new GM !

By Sage of Bluesland

July 11, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

All it would take is for that lisping, bumbling idiot to be completely separated from EVERYTHING related to the Thrashers—and I would relax and be the Sage that I was when we first listened to that false prophet’s promises…

(You remember, the “Build through the Draft!” and the “Five-Year Plan”).

The ownership must do the absolutely correct thing. I don’t want that idiot upstairs, downstairs, or anywhere near anything related to the team that I care about. He has ruined it enough as it is, for Heaven’s sake!

Fire the idiot—and an amazing thing will happen: CONFIDENCE WILL BE RESTORED.

P.T. Barnum was 100% correct—just read these blogs and mind the sheep-feces—the people WILL come back IF they perceive that things are headed in a ‘different’ direction (hopefully the right direction).

Waddell has had his chance. He’s had about three times his chance. He is a classless buffoon who hasn’t responded to a single one of my ‘professional’ emails.

How he has the sheep-wool pulled over so many of you, I’ll never know…A blind man can see this one a mile away…

By Alan

July 11, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

MB - I think the answer to your question is “no.” But maybe LAC didn’t see it. If that’s the case, here it is again:

LAC, have you taken the opportunity to ask those tough questions of DWadd?

By LAC

July 11, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

Hey alan, I am NOT a STH any longer, so I am not privy to meetings etc…

Plus my business travel does not allow me to go to Duluth.

But BELIEVE ME,,, if I could I would, so put that in your sheep pipe and smoke it OK ?

Hey Sage, Sheep have pipes ???

Thanks Bob/NascarDave you guys rule !!!!!!

By Alan

July 11, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

so put that in your sheep pipe and smoke it OK ?

You continually mistake me and others for something we’re not, but I guess that’s your mission objective. Continuing to prove that you are blind, I suppose. You’ll have to let us know how that’s working out for you sometime.

At least the other enlightened people around here know where I stand. I’ve gone blue in the face expressing it in the past, so I don’t feel I should do so again.

Meanwhile, you can have your sheep and your pipe back. The sheep wouldn’t eat my lawn, and I don’t smoke. :)

By Big Bill

July 11, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

Holly Cow Alan knows it all doesn’t he everybody ! Tell me Alan, I read these blogs and when adding them up both for and against Waddell, the against crowd wins. I really like how you single out people who you disagree with, how novel. Problem is guys like you are okay with losing and okay with someone who have shown that. Who will Alan go after this weekend, Bob or NASCARDAVE ? Stay tuned for more of the Alan is always right show and those against Waddell are crazy !!!

By Tim

July 11, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this

Alan Nice reply lol! I cracked a laught on your last paragraph.

LAC this meeting mostly target people who havent renew their STH. So basically it is to give them a chance to ask those question you wanted to ask for so long. And actually some people ask those question. See the Falconer blog, tacks practice blog for the answer.

And in case if you missed, our number 7th pick, the other Zach, Redmond by his last name, look like a very solid pick so far in training camp and might be a steal in the Enstrom category. So still nothing to cheer about in the upcomming season?

By Sharon

July 12, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this

Part of firing a GM involves making an admission of responsibility for the failure, on the part of ownership. Until any organization can admit that they make mistakes, Step One towards recovery cannot begin. Step One is admitting that there is a problem.

Brendan, you just nailed it. Excellent post.

By Brendan

July 12, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this

I caught the tail end of the “Buck-n-Kincaid Show” on 680TheFan, and they were talking about the Spirit Group having a bad reputation in the NBA (and presummably the NHL). They were principally talking about Josh Smith, and suggesting that J. Smith wanted an offersheet that Atlanta couldn’t match. I don’t know, specifically, what allegedly made J. Smith say that, “wishing for an offersheet Atlanta couldn’t match,” but if that’s true, it’s not a good thing. Then Kincaid talked about trading Kovalchuk, right now, for a king’s ransom, as what’s best for the longterm interests of the franchise. Obviously, Kincaid has rejected the possibility that Kovalchuk will re-sign here in 2010. Kovalchuk re-signing here is actually what would be best for the longe-range interests of the team.

I once thought as Kincaid does on this matter. That is, “get what you can, while you still can” for Kovalchuk. Here’s why I don’t think that’s such a good idea anymore. Well, take a look at what happens when you trade players into Atlanta? For instance, the 2007 trade deadline. Zhitnik, Dupuis, Belanger, and Tkachuk all either (1) opted to leave/refused to re-sign, (2) signed elsewhere, or (3) eventually forced a trade. Folks, Dupuis did re-sign on a 1-year deal last Summer. That he wouldn’t agree to a contract longer than one season reflects that (1) he didn’t have a lot of confidence in this organization or (2) that the organization didn’t have a lot of confidence in him. In either case, it doesn’t add up. Dupuis is an important “role player.” He should have been retained, if at all possible.

With Belanger, he refused to re-sign, opting to sign with Minnesota. With Tkachuk, that was a “straight-up” rental, with no real possibility of re-signing in Atlanta. That’s the truth. And had Waddell re-signed him, Zach Bogosian would be a St. Louis Blue today. Which leaves us with Zhitnik. Completely demoralized, and on the 17th fairway, he wasn’t happy here, and agreed to the buyout. That’s a critical component. The player must AGREE to the buyout. Think Steve Rucchin, who wouldn’t agree to it. And Hossa, well … we all know how that played out. Hossa came here as a “sign-n-trade.” When Hossa was in his final year of his contract, he had his eyes on the door. And there it is. Slava Kozlov, obtained in 2002 and under contract until 2010, probably reflects the only trade where the player continually agreed to string of longterm contracts to play in Atlanta.

Okay, if we trade Kovalchuk … it’ll be just like the 2007 trade deadline moves. When the players who didn’t originally sign to play in this market hit their “contract year,” they’ll have their exit strategies well in hand. Well, barring major changes in ownership or management.

If we trade Kovalchuk it will reflect the ultimate failure of the franchise’s existence. Think about that. This is a former 1st overall pick, a bonafide sniper, and a true Superstar, who will one day score 70 goals in a season. He hasn’t even hit his PRIME yet. And there’s plenty of cap room earmarked to accommodate him when it comes time to re-sign him. To not re-sign him is to hit “rock bottom.” And to trade him is to admit that you are going to hit “rock bottom.” There’s no black Ferrari this time, folks. This would be straight-up failure to run a franchise, proof undeniable, of all the many and various missteps this franchise has undertaken. But we’re not there YET.

We just got Bogosian. We may yet get John Tavares. Waddell’s drafting has improved somewhat. And if we develop players better, under John Anderson’s watch, then we might actually have a shot at some good depth players. Wellll, as long as the Spirit Group is committed to keeping the right players that it drafted here, with BIG and LONGTERM contracts, then it’s Atlanta’s best hope for the future, and to keep Kovalchuk.

Face it, folks. Right now … the chances of retaining Kovalchuk falls somewhere between “slim” and “none.” I’d rather that “slim” not get up and walk away. Forget about season tickets for the moment, who is going to buy individual game tickets, on a whim, once Kovalchuk is no longer part of the hockey landscape in Atlanta? For a lot of the fans, losing Kovalchuk will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. That’s why Waddell cannot even consider trading him. If Waddell actually got an offer, it would have to be for players who waived no trade clauses to choose to come to Atlanta of their own volition. Under those terms and conditions, “maybe” it becomes something Waddell and the owners could consider. But if players wanted to come here, en masse, Don Waddell’s door would be battered and worn from Free Agents banging on it. We have over $20 million in cap room. Is Don Waddell’s door “dented?”

By LAC

July 12, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this

Excellent post Brenden as USUAL. You stick to the point of view and none of the personal stuff losers like tim/alan and others whose only claim to fame is to call out one person and rag it to death.

Guys you are BOTH lost in emotion so to speak. I, like Brenden, look at facts, not what if’s. So the facts of this matter loom very much against the incumbent GM for his lack of building a winner here.

How many 5 year plans do, we THE FANS, have to endure ? I would like to yelling at the top of my lungs at winning and winning and winning, I guess alan & tim have not a clue.

While the camp is a real good process in development, I want to see results this fall and not more of what we saw last season.

We have some good young players, like I have stated here before… I’d rather lose every game with youngsters than have holik’s and recchi’s or zit’s again. That is a proven failure, but remember tim & alan this is NOT GM 101… If it were waddell gets a BIG F.

Lastly Sharon hit it right, until these “owners” or whatever they are, wake up we are not going to improve, I wish it were otherwise, but it isn’t.

Tlee me tim & alan…how many FLAMES games did you two ever attend ? Those were the days of good hockey, maybe not champions, but damn solid hockey, just ask Dave Schultz the night Ken Houston broke his jaw… Now that WAS a winner and I could not talk for three days…

I just wish we were the same type team run by professionals, but we are run by idiots of the highest degree.

By Tim

July 12, 2008 4:57 AM | Link to this

I live up North in Canada. Been a Nordique fans since I first took interest in hockey. The rivality between Nordique and Canadien is still unmatched yet and anytime both team were on the same ice, that is the good ol hockey Thrashers have yet to be able to provide.. maybe except the season where we missed playoff by 1 points.

The Nordique moved to Colorado and I’ve been a big fans of Sakic and the Avalanche even today although most of my favorite players on that team stop playing or on the verge of retiring. And there again, they have a unique rivality with the Detroit Red Wing which give us a show everytime they on the same ice.

LAC, I do agree with you. Should we dont have DW at the helm, most likely we wont find ourself in this laughable situation. Until this season, DW have failed this team, I can give you that much.

He have made stupid mistake, like signing Holik to a ridiculous contract that prevent us eventually to resign Savard. Should Holik and Savard goes UFA at the same time, I bet Savard would still be a Thrashers and not Holik. This is a huge mistake, it’s done and it’s in the past. No point of dwelling into it.

Drafting Patrik Stefan, I know a lot of you guys consider that a mistake. If DW was as bold a Burke, we would have the Sedins twins instead. Howevr giving the context, Stefan was the safest bet at that time. The Sedins have personnally told the media that they would played only for the same team and that if not, they would stay in their Sweeden. However, remember that was Thrashers 1 draft ever and DW was still a rookie back then.

Then, there is the unfortunate tragedy of Dan Snyder. Now just try to imagine. If that night never happen, big if here, don’t you think it would have been easier to retain Danny Heatley providing that he and Kovy were good buddy? That also wouldn

Now some people said we should have draft Nash instead of Lehtonen. So far it’s a none issue as both never live to their expectation. Since the 41 goal seasons, Nash have been struggling to find his own game until last season where he got a career season. But then again, giving how the Thrashers played last season, I think Lehtonen have show what he can bring to this team if out D is more stable. Yes this is Don fault also. He acknoledge by drafting Lehtonen that a good team need a good goalie. However he forget that even Brodeur need a good defence and a solid system to help him. So, for a while, we were all offence and no defence.

Actually I have to disgress, he did try to solve the defensive issue by drafting Coburn. Yes yes, people screaming that we took Coburn instead of Phaneuf. But back then, Coburn was rated higher then Phaneuf. OT: IF Bogosian will have a better season then Doughty and it take the later longer to develop for some reason, do you think LA fans will scream at their GM for choosing the wrong defenceman? Will have to see I guess.. End of OT. And with the recent developpement of Coburn, one can say that it wasnt a bad pick. Only bad thing is Coburn is developping with Philadelphia instead of Atlanta. And meanwhile, who do we get? Zhitnik. That’s another one of DW mistake and sign of bad management. But hey, althought this is a event by itself, part of it is cause by the Snyder/Heatley accident. Remember, should that accident never happens, thing would have been very different. Noneless, DW still have a chance to make things turn right but he took the wrong decision to get us our first playoff ever and we all know the rest. That was the price we paid to make the playoff and I can say it’s too much because we still paying for that mistake even today.

So, for the time since that Thrashers set foot in Atlanta, I can give the management a big fat D on a A-F scale. D because we can actually draft in the lower pick (Exelby, Pavalec, Enstrom, Kulda, Redmond (look very solid so far, and Brendan, I think he even have more upside than Lasu who you are so fond with), Lasu, etc). But otherwise, we failed on player retention. We failed on detecting troubles early and react faster to solve those problems. We failed on providing fans a quality and consistent products.

All this is the past and I dont want to dwell into it. I can rename all those mistake 100X and repeat the five years plan 100X and it wouldnt change it. It’s the past. it set in stone. can’t change it. Do I wish to see a new management? YES. Is that what happenening? NO and the prove is DW is still Thrashers GM. However I will still support the team I am rooting for.

Since the Draft, it is a whole new season. There was change. A new coach to being with. That means new system. So there is no way to predict how we will finish this season. If the system works and JA is able to sell it to his players, then making the playoff is not a impossible thing.

Our Defence was pathetic last season. Unable to produce points on the scoreboard and unable to prevent opponent to score goals on us. This season defence have been revamped. And based on DW interview yesterday, Bogosian will be in the line up when the season start. How much factor will he be? That’s the 1,000,000 dollars question. And it’s seem that Nikulin will come over once his contract have been translated. It is said that both monetary and conditions are already set and that the only thing left to do is to prove to the NHL that he have a opt-out clause in his current contract. And if what he said in the interview is true (and that’s another IF) then he did made a lot of offert to those free agent that we’ve seen on board and blog, however when a 32+ years old ask for a 5 years contract, that’s where DW stay away from those player and let other teams (such as TB) get em. From that, I figure that DW have learned his lesson with Holik. As much as I would have like to see Rolston with our team, there is no way I can offer him a 5 years contract. Same with Demitra, Redden (6 years?), Naslund, etc. And that was a good decision by DW. If the contract lenght was a 1-2 season, I most definitively have no problem with.

Oh, did I even mention we draft a defenceman who is more then 6’0” hight, 200+ pounds, able to skate, shoot puck, made pass, sound defensively as opposing to a traffic cone, can hit and fight. yay, took us 10 years to have a bona fide defenceman (if I am not counting Coburn).

Now if DW stay within his schedule and do all the things right and admit that we are in a reconstruction (yes, again), then I would say go ahead but your next big mistake will cost you your job. And so far, that havent happen yet contrary to what this board have been saying. And if all those bad mistake made him a better GM, then I see no point of replacing him. But no matter who is the coach or GM, my first allegiance is to my team which is the Atlanta Thrashers and what they need is positive thinking and they can get that only if we are behind them to cheer for them.

By Alan

July 12, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

none of the personal stuff losers like tim/alan and others

Pot, meet kettle.

Tlee me tim & alan…how many FLAMES games did you two ever attend ?

I was born in June of 1980. In Detroit. How many Atlanta Flames games do you think I had an opportunity to attend? I know I’ve stated both my age and the year I was born here at least once before.

You keep calling Tim and I out, even after I’ve said I want Waddell gone. I’m guessing all the times I said I want Waddell gone has been completely ignored by you and two or three others who continue to beat that argument into the ground. But by all means, continue to open your mouth and shovel feet into it. I hear British Columbia has a steady supply coming in for your consumption.

By Sage of Bluesland

July 12, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Oh, and finally, an “overall” grade? Easy. F. As in “Failed” promises.

So many failed promises over the past decade.

Drafting Bogosian was a no-brainer that even I could have done (as with Heatley and Kovalchuk). No credit given for having the 3rd pick of the draft and not blowing it or trading it.

One failure after another in the figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland”. Donny created that joke, too…

Oh well, we fit nicely within our role in the league: schedule fodder for real teams and a southern location for their fans to see their team.

This is what we are—despite the ASG and Donny’s bluster to the contrary. They don’t deserve anyone’s hard-earned dollar…

By MB

July 12, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Good post, Brendan, and I’m glad to see that you’ve moved to the keep Kovy side of things.

I’ve read some compelling posts from Bob and you (earlier) about why we should trade Ilya now. Truth is, Bob might be right about it, but I can’t get there.

I fall back to the precept that the team that gets the best player usually wins the trade. Can’t help but think of the Joe Thornton trade. Sharks get big Joe, Bruins get Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau, and Brad Stuart. Each were/are solid players in their own right, but there’s little doubt as to who “won” that trade.

Kovy’s an elite player in this league, and until he slams the door in our faces, I’m all for doing everything we can to convince him to stay. Scary thing is thinking about who’s responsible for making that happen. Sigh.

At worst, theoretically, if he’s heading into FA clearly with no intention of re-signing here, we still should be able to get a good return on him, though maybe not the max value we might get for him now.

By five_hole

July 12, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

I can’t understand why anyone would want to trade away an elite player like Kovalchuk now, when he is still signed for this year and next. If we can make improvements and he still wouldn’t want to resign here, we could always move him at the trade deadline, when his trade value would be the highest anyway.

There is zero reason to move him now. I repeat; we still have his contract for 2 more years.

By Tim

July 12, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

five_hole The thing is 2 years is not very long. This season and next. If we want to keep Kovy, either we step uo and make the playoff this season AND next, then there is a chance Kovy might consider resigning here. Trading Kovy this season is where we can get the most value back for him. If we failed the playoff this season, then we’re basically in the same situation as we were with Hossa. It would be a gamble on his last season contract. I doubt he would negociate contract extension unless if we perform godly good. If not, then we will have to trade him before deadline and we will most likely getting players like what we got with Hoss. So it is normal to start talking about trading Kovalchuk now. And hey, if we dont have a competitive team, and when he become UFA, Brendan I bet if Kovy do not resign with us, he will take a pay cut so he can play in Washington. Of course, it’s great to know that DW will do whatever it take to keep Kovy. Even in the coaching hiring process, he involve Kovy in it. Now DW also did what he could to get Hossa under contract and we all know that it has failed. LAC, you dont need to remind me, we’re in this situation because of mismanagement. Yes I know!

By Nikita

July 12, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Dupuis is an important “role player.

Ha. Dupuis is a joke who can be easily replaced by any moderately good rookie.

By five_hole

July 12, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Tim we agree to disagree. We have at least a year and a half to negotiate with him. I hope that we can lock him up to a contract similar to Ovechkin’s. If not, in a year and a half, he will still have max value at the trade deadline.

By LAC

July 12, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Well alan as Paul Harvey says…

Now we know The Rest of The Story with you, Just quit trying to be so cute and try to keep up with the rest of us…

Just a joke you act like a little punk you are and cannot accept the facts as they are, go annoy others alan, I take you as a little worthless punk OK ?

By glovesave29

July 12, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Gotta agree with you Sage - drafting those guys was a “no brainer”. What’s worse is that those are decisions that are based heavily on the work of the scouting staff. So this would mean that he is taking the credit for the work of other, which is lowwwwwwwww

By the gospel according to glovesave29

July 12, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

“those are decisions that are based heavily on the work of the scouting staff. So this would mean that he is taking the credit for the work of other, which is lowwwwwwwww”

So since all those bad picks were also the work of the scouting staff, according to glovesave29 Don Waddell has not made a single bad pick. It was his scouting staff that made all those bad picks. To place blame on Don Waddell would be lowwwwwwwww according to glovesave29.

By glovesave29

July 12, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

No the good picks are the work of the scouting staff. He should not take credit for their good picks. But everytime they gave a pad pick it was brilliant Donny FRAUDell who had to approve that bad pick and that is why he must be fired today. I don’t have time to explain all this to you nimwits. You are all ignorant so just stop posting here.

By glovesave29

July 12, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

That previous comment is not mine. I have never referred to Don by that name, nor have I ever referred to any of you in a negative fashion.

I played in college and had several members of my team drafted. I understand how this works.

By Sunny

July 12, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

A quick correction to something posted earlier: a player does not have to agree to a contract buyout. That is strictly up to management.

By Sunny

July 12, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

A quick correction to something posted earlier: a player does not have to agree to a contract buyout. That is strictly up to management.

By ThrashDawg

July 12, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

If anyone on this board is a punk it is the likes of you Lacks All Class. Oh! and I hear you and Sage like sheep. I bet you dream of sheep at night!

By horacio

July 12, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

i mean i don’t understand this man. why do no players want to come here? the owners? the g. manager? what is the problem here man? I would agree with some of the people posting above that we have some good players man. but we need more players and need to move some players out, but we do nothing? i just do not understand what is going on here?

By LAC

July 12, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

Wow alan, let’s see…

Another Loser Always Nutty sound OK with the play on words ?

No then, who is left on the UFA market at forward ???

Is Shannahan still an option ?

Let’s see a center added…

By R. Stroz

July 12, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this

Anaheim Ducks sign UFA defenceman Steve Montador to a one-year contract.

Did anyone notice this signing yesterday?

By Rawhide

July 13, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

Yeah, Glovesave29 - I know the 6:27 pm post wasn’t you…just the village idiot who obviously hasn’t read the Visitor Agreement…specifically the part that points out very clearly that, “Impersonating any person or entity, or falsely stating or otherwise misrepresenting your affiliation with a person or entity”…is forbidden.

It’s not only against the rules that are agreed to in order to join in with the discussion, but it is also classless and immature.

I allow a great deal of latitude when it comes to the conduct and discussion in here. But stealing someone elses username is out of bounds.

So, anyone wishing to join in to the discussion…feel welcome. But if one simply wishes to act a fool…then move it elsewhere.

By Tony C.

July 13, 2008 6:04 AM | Link to this

You go Rawhide

By ThrashDawg

July 13, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Just to clairify, this is not Alan. I was born in 1964 not 1980 and if anyone posted under my name I would point it out as glovesave29 has done.

By Jonesboro Rob

July 13, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Sage you are right they are a bunch of sheep. Now they are saying they don’t want anyone who isn’t a waddellite posting on the other blog.

I say fine! Let them have their crummy blog over there and we will just stick to reality.

Watch it will only be a matter of time before all those waddellites do come over here when they wake up and see the light.

I will enjoy the day when they have to ask Rawhide for permission to stop being a waddellite and give up their sheepskin.

By Jonesboro Rob

July 13, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Hey Anderson, It might not been explained but as head coach your duties in Atlanta include 1) take blame in press for sorry assemblage of a team, so waddell does not have to! 2) get fired, so waddell does not have to! 3) kiss waddell butt

By Eliminator

July 13, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Waddell is just a big stupid idiot. The A$G has to wake up and fire this clown.

Until we get a new general manager this franchise is going nowhere. I hope we don’t have to lose Kovalchuk for everyone to realize this.

Whoever goes to a single game this year at the arena is just subsidizing their stupidity and lack of business knowledge.

By Ron

July 13, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Isn’t it bad enough that we have to listen to these idiots but now we have to listen to these idiots and they are also thieves.

I’m just glad we have Rawhide as our blogmaster as he will not give in to the blinded Spirit employees who keep coming on this blog.

By Jonesboro Rob

July 13, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

We all know that Eliminator but the Atlanta Spirit Group cannot see that. Or maybe they can and Don Waddell is just blackmailing them. Or maybe it is all these waddellites who come to the blog. If they think we are going to believe them they must get this confidence from somewhere. It is probably because they already convinced the Spirit Group to keep Waddell that they think they can convince us too.

By Rawhide

July 13, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

OK, kids….while our friend is busy holding a conversation with himself and his many personalities…here’s another blog entry for you all.

By Bob

July 13, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

in a year and a half, he will still have max value at the trade deadline

Nonsense. A player does not have “max value” at the trade deadline prior to becoming a UFA. The teams that trades for him gets his services for 15 games or so, and then that single playoff season if they get it.

Kovy has max value today, as he has two years left under his contract, and the receiving team would have two years to convince him to re-sign there.

By Brendan

July 14, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Bob is exactly right on this point. Kovy’s trade value is at its zenith right now. By the trade deadline, 2010, the return will be 1st and 3rd round picks, and perhaps some conditional additional pick. Perhaps, it could include some prospect playing in the AHL.

By Jack

July 14, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Honestly, I think the Thrashers can pull together and defy the odds. The Pens did it. The Flyers did it. Why not our team?? Oh wait that’s right, because they have Don the dumbarse Waddell in charge. Hopefully he’ll sit back and shut up so Anderson and the boys can play some hockey and prove to the NHL that the Atlanta Thrashers are for REAL!!!

By Brendan

July 15, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this

Craig Custance’s TSN Blog is up and running.