AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 13 > Entry

Believe In Blueland Not Just Words To Anderson

By Bill Tiller (Rawhide) | Sunday, July 13, 2008, 01:02 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

I would like to start off by thanking Ben Wright over at the Blueland Blog, Rob Koch and the Thrashers organ-I-zation for setting up the meeting and Q&A session with coach John Anderson Saturday afternoon. The invitation was most gracious and I appreciated it very much, indeed. It was also very nice to meet some of the other hosts of blog sites that I, and many of you, frequent… Falconer…the fine people at The Thrasher 411… Big Shooter and Mortimer Peacock of The Blueland Chronicle…Sean Grace over at Blueland Roar as well as his wife Stacy… and the host of ThrashPractice. I’ll be very interested in reading their thoughts on what coach Anderson had to say as well.

Here is a small sampling of how the discussion went…

In regards to some of the tactics in playing style, Anderson indicated that the defenders would become more involved with the attack. More importantly, at least to me, is that the whole practice of allowing opposing attackers a lot of space entering the our zone would be replaced with a system in which our blueliners would be more aggressive…harassing the forwards with their sticks… “mongoosing” them, as he put it. I think it’s also safe to assume that an Anderson O-fensive corps will be expected to back-check more efficiently as well.

My first question to him was just how involved he’s been in the discussion of UFAs as well as possible player trades. He said that Don “asks for his opinion” but really this makes up about 5-7% of the processes. He added, “I don’t want to cause any problems due to my inexperience”….a reference, IMHO, more to the fact that he’s really only been on the job a few weeks, not that he doesn’t have a keen eye to such evaluations. Then he planted his tongue firmly in his cheek and quipped, “I don’t want to screw the team up”.

Obviously, Anderson is very comfortable in focusing his attention on coaching the guys the organ-I-zation provides him.

He also indicated that he and the team are very committed to supporting the youth hockey programs in the area, pointing out that these young payers are “our future season ticket holders”. There was also a sense given that player involvement, schedule permitting, has been discussed as well as the continuing efforts of certain personalities such as Darren Eliot in this area.

Of course, being on the job here for such a short time hasn’t allowed for detailed plans. However, I did get the feeling he truly appreciates the importance of supporting the youth leagues.

Then I enquired as to what he thought was the #1 challenge that this team faced in order to improve from last year’s finish to becoming a contending team. He emphatically replied, “I know exactly what it is. It’s getting them to believe in themselves again”. He continued on with that thought by remembering back toward the end of last season that it was clear certain players lost a great deal of confidence in themselves and in the team. He pointed out how the Thrashers had been atop the division as late as February of last season before entering that terrible slide. “So, if we can be that close in February…I believe that there’s really still something here”.

When discussing the transition from Chicago where so many championships were won and now taking on the role of an “underdog” here in Atlanta…Anderson was quick to respond, “Bad teams do not win championships”…adding, “they might be underdogs, but underneath they are a real good hockey team”. He discussed the situation with the Wolves where players were provided with everything needed to win. From the training facility he described as “insane” complete with an underwater treadmill…players came into that organ-I-zation and then would say, “I don’t want to play anywhere else”. It is that type of mentality that he wants these same players…and any others who may come our way…to take on. He talked about these things as well as treating the players with respect and doing things with one another and also creating a family type atmosphere with the team…that person in the locker next to you is someone you’re ready to go to war with. “And this is why they, (Chicago Wolves), are successful year in and year out”.

It’s the concept of wanting to have players on the team who want to be on the team…and the team’s responsibility to give those players the reason to feel that way.

Along the line of discussion, Anderson chatted about certain coaching jobs, (assistant positions, I believe), that he was considered for but didn’t get over the years…Anaheim, Toronto and in Boston. Those didn’t pan out but this opportunity did. “Well listen, here it is”, the coach went on, “And sometimes things happen for a reason”.

I couldn’t agree more.

Mainly because it seems as though the organ-I-zation is moving in a direction in which it is going to rely more and more on the young players that are coming up through Chicago. He specifically pointed to Colin Stuart, Bryan Little and Brett Sterling as players that will be looked upon as contributing factors in the makeup of the team.

Given what the roster looks like today…unless there is some sort of trade in the next few weeks… half the team that suits up could be made up of players that worked their way to Blueland through the Anderson-led Chicago Wolves. So, who better to get from them everything that they have to offer than the guy who already believes so much in them?

Anyway, if first impressions count for anything I came away from the sit-down chat confident that Don Waddell’s decision to bring in John Anderson was the correct one. He’s the right man for the job here.

I believed that before…I believe it even more now.

Permalink | Comments (124) |

Comments

Commenting is now closed for this entry.

By Just Curious

July 13, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Thank you for the update. I have a question, why do you spell it “organ-I-zation”? It is organization.

By Eliminator

July 13, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

the #1 challenge that this team faced in order to improve from last year’s finish to becoming a contending team.

HOW ABOUT GETTING US A GM WHO CAN BRING IN THE RIGHT PLAYERS!

That is the only way we will ever become a contending team.

By Jonesboro Rob

July 13, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

So because Waddell couldn’t do anything during the ufa signing period we will have to settle for a bunch of minor leaguers from Chicago. Looks like we are in last place already and we didn’t even play a preseason game yet.

By anonthrashers

July 13, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

How about we give Anderson a chance? You can have a team of top notch talent, but without good leadership the team won’t win. Attitudes get in the way. Lets add a few additions take what we have and let Anderson mold them. Let the team take the ice before you judge it.

http://anonymousthrashersblog.blogspot.com

By Thrashers27

July 13, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Ah, come on Rob…you’d be amazed what can happen when there is actual cohesion among a group of guys. I am cautiously optimistic. There was a lot of talent on the team last year, but there were a lot of negative, off ice elements to this team last year. Those negative elements are now gone. Maybe this team can come together and make a strong showing.

GO BLUE!!!

By Eliminator

July 13, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

First Drury and Gomez don’t want to come here. That leads to Hossa wanting nothing to do with us.

Then Campbell laughs at our offer and we get slapped in the face by him. Even Boyle will give up a no trade clause than get cut and come here.

This will lead to Kovalchuk walking out the door and we lose another key player and have to start another 10 year plan all over again.

If the A$G allows this to continue stop going to games. Anyone who fills up an empty seat is prolonging this.

By Jonesboro Rob

July 13, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Look Sage there are more sheep coming out of the woodwork for you. You now have Thrashers27 and anonthrashers to go along with GaVaHokie and Waddello10.

By Ryan

July 13, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

You’re right the ASG needs to get rid of Waddell.

By Marty

July 13, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Yeah Waddell didn’t do anything during the ufa signing period.

By David

July 13, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Now because of Waddell we are going to watch the AHL Atlanta Thrashers.

By Bryan

July 13, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

I’m not going to any games this year unless Waddell is fired.

By Thrashers27

July 13, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Don’t be ridiculous, Rob. You don’t have to follow blindly to have hope.

By five_hole

July 13, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

complete with an underwater treadmill… really? How does that work?

Let’s see; if Little, Sterling, Stewart, LaVallee, Valabik, Krog and Kudla make the team, we should call them the new “Chicago 7”. I don’t mind some kids on the roster (ala Little & Sterling), but where are the proven tier-1 forwards we need?

Just Curious Organ-I-zation is how the Canadians pronounce it.

By anonthrashers

July 13, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Krog signed with the Canucks by the way, so he won’t be playing with Atlanta.

There is nothing wrong with supporting my team. If all of you negative “fans” stop going to the games that will be better for us all. Thank you :)

By Sage of Bluesland

July 13, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Actually, I thought the coach’s comments sounded pretty good. Unfortunately, the cupboard is relatively bare, I believe.

Oh sure, we’ll get off to a good start—it takes some time for the ‘real’ teams to find their legs. But, once they do, it’s over for the Thrashers. That is precisely why I don’t care about the standings in December or January—it’s by late February/March where the teams separate.

I see they’re working on the various “media” outlets (if you can call them that) with their brand of propaganda. Oh well, it’s all sheep-fodder anyway…

Here’s to the next eight-year “Five-Year Plan”—with a different impending scapegoat!

Cheers!

By Rawhide

July 13, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Just Curious - Like Five_Hole said…it’s just a way to pronounce the word the way our friends up in Canada say it. Nothing more.

anonthrashers - Well done with the blog site & thanks for sharing.

By anonthrashers

July 13, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Thank you. I enjoy your blog and your information.

By Tim

July 13, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Rawhide partially true. English canadian do pronounce it that way. However French canadian pronounce it Or-Ga-Nee-Zaa-see-on. Yeah french canadian tends to be more complex! haha

By Bob

July 13, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, I like his mongoose analogy. At least he has a new plan for our defensemen, that change will be refreshing and it can’t be any worse than what we’ve been subjected to over the years.

Colin Stuart, Bryan Little and Brett Sterling as players that will be looked upon as contributing factors in the makeup of the team

Good, I like Stuart. Sterling concerns me though, he just isn’t an NHL player.

By kracker

July 13, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

I feel bad for you, Rawhide. You post a very informative blog, and the first hour of replies are mostly from the same old bitter losers.

I’m pretty positive about the change of the coach. He has a clean slate and will get the ear of players hungry to put last year behind them. Or if this is their first real chance to make their mark, they will make the most of it to the best of their ability. It may or may not be enough but this should be a busting-@$$ team out there.

Interesting comments by Anderson about the facilities up in Chicago. How do you rate the Thrashers facilities? I had a walk thru the locker room but didn’t get to see the training or medical facilities. The Ice Forum seems to me could be improved on quite a bit from a cosmetic standpoint so it is more appealing to practice in and watch them for the fans. I have no idea how it looks like there except the public areas.

Anyway, just doing the little things to upgrade the facilities so the players have the initial impression they are in a class organization is a smart thing to do. Maybe JA can have an underwater treadmill installed, lol!

From what I heard of the breakfast talks, most observers were positive. Nikulin is same as in the house if DW is to be believed. Getting that done will free up Waddell to go hard for trades for a winger is what I am thinking…..

ding ding ding, my Brendan-post alarm just chimed, so I have to stop :)

By Rawhide

July 13, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Tim - Yes, that’s true…but it’s just so much easier to type organ-I-zation.

kracker - Naw…don’t feel bad for me. It isn’t “multiple” posters acting the part of a fool. Just one who chooses to hold a conversation with himself using multiple names.

He’s trying to make some point that this site is filled with nothing but “FIRE WADDELL” types. Sure we have our regulars who feel that way…but seriously, all parties are able to make their points…most without stooping to childish measures.

So, just leave him alone over in his corner. Honestly, I guess I should feel flattered that he has chosen to spend so much of his free time paying attention to this blog site.

As for JA’s comment about the facilities in Chicago…it was really just a point trying to be made about the team and the owners really making a commitment to the Wolves and the players. The facilities here look to be a very nice place, though take that with a grain of salt because I’ve not personally seen any others.

By kracker

July 13, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Bob, Sterling needs to be somewhere where he gets a fair shot at playing LW, don’t you think? I’m hoping some GM agrees with me, such as Ottawa is overloaded in C/RW (Vermette) but needs a couple of LWs. If Ott resigns Vermette (in arbitration) and Meszaros (RFA) they will be at or over the cap. So I hope DW is looking there.

By SouthsideRob

July 13, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

I am trying to play catch up here, but from the roster at the end of last season, we have lost Holik, Zhitnick, and Recchi and have added Hainsey. I am sure I am missing others. Who else has come and gone?

Thanks for the site Rawhide.

By Alan

July 13, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - You might want to compare notes with Mike, because the four names posting between 1:57pm and 2:01pm look quite familiar, but the messages don’t match the persona of those four people.

Just an observation.

By Rawhide

July 13, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Alan - Thanks…but ya know, we could waste a lot of time over some person looking for all that attention. But why?

SouthsideRob - You could add Steve McCarthy and even Steve Rucchin if you wanna be technical. I think I saw somewhere that Krog was signed with Vancouver the other day. There could be others but that’s what comes to mind right now.

By Alan

July 13, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

True enough, I suppose.

Great stuff from Anderson, by the way.

By Rawhide

July 13, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

Five_Hole - You asked about the workings of underwater treadmills…well, here ya go.

By five_hole

July 13, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

anonthrashers you stepped on my joke. It was probably before your time, but try Googling the “Chicago 7”. This was back in the middle ages, when dinosaurs like Abby Hoffman and Jerry Rubin walked the earth.

By five_hole

July 13, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the link RH. I use an eliptical. It’s easy on the joints and I don’t get wet.

By LL

July 13, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

A very pleasurable post to read Rawhide!

It’s time to let go of last season as it has already passed.

It’s time for all Thrashers fans to unite and start showing support for the team.

We have a brand new season to look forward to.

By LAC

July 13, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Rawhide GREAT artical, There is some positive outlook, these young kids looked pretty decent this past week from what I saw & read.

If we can sign Ilya II, I really think the defense could be pretty good, not Stanley Cup material yet, but a hell of a lot better than what was on the ice last season.

We need to cut off a minimum of 85 GA next season. NJ gave up around 200 last season, and that is the main area we need to be at next season.

We just need to maintain 250 GF, with a 50 goal difference, that would translate into winning & playoffs.

It is so critical we get one more solid Defensman, this Russian might do the trick

I am just upset that these owners promised us all these great changes, so far little has been accomplished, which speaks volumes about this collection of misfits and liars.

Let’s hope Anderson lights some fire under these guys and that they respond, I am very happy holki and recchi are gone they were no help to Atlanta and at the VERY least waddell did not go sign more of that dead weight…

Just think, if waddell did not sign holik, Savard would likely still be here, Yet another example of waddell failing at GM 101 !

RAWHIDE night 10/22, all fans get a RAWHIDE mask !!!! YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!

By Rawhide

July 13, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

LAC - HA! Tht would be a hoot!!…18,000 fans wearing a mask with my mug??? That would be enough to scare the HELL out af any visiting team!!!

Might be too much for the kids, though…lots of therapy needed after THAT!

LL - bowing humbly

By five_hole

July 13, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

And they just keep piling on:

By EF

July 13, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Great article Rawhide. However, I am so tired of reading about Kovy leaving in 2 years. A lot can change in a couple of years. Also, his good friend Alex Ovechkin signed a long term deal without any guarantee of winning a cup. Let’s focus on this year. It sounds like John Anderson is excited and motivated to turn this team around.

By Nikita

July 13, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Damn, I’m sick of the naysaying. That’s all I got for now.Nice feature, Rawhide.

By JB

July 13, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Well, the Atlanta Thrashers have signed RW/C Jason Williams.

The deal is believed to be one year, worth 2.2 million a season.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243386&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl

By rimbaud

July 13, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

TSN reports that Jason Williams has signed with the Thrashers

By Sage of Bluesland

July 13, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

Get that Cup ready!!!

I admire our bumbling Donny’s strategy of ‘raiding’ the teams like Columbus and Chicago (before either of them get good)…It shows outstanding foresight…

Donny Waddell: Pioneer and Visionary. I can’t wait to see the, umm, “fruits” of his next eight year “Five-Year Plan!”…

By PJ

July 13, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

Great blog Rawhide! I’m very excited to see what Anderson does with the team this season. I have always believed that the morale of the team was the root of alot of their problems. When I saw a interview with Anderson a few weeks ago he looked like he was trying very hard to surpress a smile. You could see that he was bubling over with enthusiam about his new job and that type of enthusiasm can be contagious. I know the cup is a long road away and I can live with a team that loses games, I just can’t live with a team that gives up. GO THRASHERS!

By kracker

July 13, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

Wel, that didn’t take long….

By LAC

July 13, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

Sage, Is this signing a… Step in the RIGHT direction ?

He scored 13 goals last season or 1 goal ever 6.3 games… Hummm…

todd white scored 14 last season, so that is 27… Great move by the all knowing all seeing one !

By JB

July 13, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

Hey LAC; if you would have done a small, teeny little bitty bit of research you’d find out that Williams missed some time(35 games) with a sports hernia last season. He had surgury and came back on fire in Feburary last year. He was on pace last year for about a 55-65 point season.

Do research next time buddy, it’ll give people less headaches trying to wade through your crap.

By kracker

July 13, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

I’m only bothering to correct the kneejerk pessimists for the record: Williams scored 13g + 23a for 36pts in 43 games, some of those games were following surgery and rehab for a sports hernia. Following his return to play on Feb. 27th, Williams scored 6g + 11a. His numbers last season for 80 games would project to 24g + 43a for 67pts.

In Rawhide-speak this is “good”

By JLH

July 13, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

Actually JB, 36 points in 43 games comes out to a 70 point season…… sounds good to me. And with just a one year contract he will have to show us his best. If he doesn’t, then we have an open spot for Sterling, or Esposito, or Holzapfel, or Machachek, or Stuart, or Lavalle, or Haydar, or …. in 2009-10. Seems pretty safe to me with plenty of upside. If we had signed Demitra, we would have been pretty happy to project him at 70 points. What line did Williams play on last season?

By PJ

July 13, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

Thanks Kracker for that breakdown! I found it useful so don’t feel like you’re feeding the trolls.

Rawhide I alway thought you were making a dig at the ASG when you emphasized the “i” in organ-i-zation from the old expression……There is no “i” in TEAM. So it’s Canadian….aye?

By Tony C.

July 13, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

So yall reckon the #17 line is:

17/Crusher/Williams? If so, that gives you this possible line-up (Forwards only, I’m waiting for big boy camp to see how the D shakes out): 17/Crusher/Williams

Slavamatic/White/Army

Wolves Line (Sterling/Little/Lavallee\Stuart)

Gods Line (Boulton/Slater/Thorburn)

This leaves Perrin as a scratch, which I don’t like, but I’m not too keen on a line of Sterling/Little/Perrin …two smurfs and an NHL average-sized guy? No pinche bueno methinks. So, loving Perrin’s scrappiness and let’s face it, the guy don’t suck on the PK, let’s adjust that line up.

17 Line (as above)

Slavamatic/Perrin/Army (good feeling about this line’s possible chemistry /identity)

Larsen/White/Stuart (heh. yep the dude is still on the roster)

Sterling/Little/Slater (speed if nothing else, one shooter, a pivot who seems to like going into the corner, and a guy with wheels and a decent bit of sand)

On the smurfy side, but if you roll four the way I saw Anderson’s Wolves during this year’s playoffs (that I saw, admittedly not as much as I’d wish to) that lineup has potential to wear you down death of a hundred cuts-style.

I don’t know that I’d put Williams on a line with Slava & Perrin, but the guy is kinda clutch; of 13G last season (41 GP) 4 were GW’s.

Anyway, DW moved up a letter grade for me, I like the fact our FA forward is under 30 (turns 28 in Aug), reasonable term for both parties (hey try it-you might like it). Now he’s not as hefty a guy as I’d like, but there just aren’t as many scoring PF-type guys available as you’d like. I don’t think this was a bad signing; to use a baseball analogy-this wasn’t a home run, but this was a solid single that moves the moves the runner up.

Mr T.-nice work guy! It’s great to hear that Anderson’s keying on the “vibe” of the club, as it was super apparent that last year’s team was a house divided at best. I think we can all relate to a work experience were morale was low, and certain co-workers took every opportunity to play up the negative aspects and it sucked to goto work; conversely, I expect you might also have experienced situations where a motivated and motivational leader has overcome similar negative aspects and made coming to work a much more positive and fufilling experience. I mean as much as corporate ‘team-building exercises” just blow when run through by somebody just marking time until 5, sometimes they can be enjoyable if run by someone who respects your bilities and intelligence, knowing what “mickey-mouse” details to move to the bottom of the pile and which techniques/activities can actually accomplish their objective: making the employees form closer bonds to each other as well as helping them learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses ( or “challenge areas” hahah!) and how to get best results out of their collective output.

Seems like the Walrus (I’m hoping he’ll re-grow the ‘stache) has his work cut out for him, but he also seems to be pretty darn sure he can overcome it. Which is key.

If you made it this far, apologies for the novella.

GO BLUE !!!

By Smoothie

July 13, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

I like this move by DWad and I too will elevate my off-season grade to a C+ as a result. Under the circumstances, I think this is a smart move and the price is right…give him a year, and lots of motivation, to prove himself for a LT deal. If he can bang in 20-25 goals playing with Kovy, it’ll be more than worth the 2 million he’s getting.

I like these lines:

Kovy — Crusher — Williams (good blend of size, speed and skill with Wms joining the 1st line)

Slava — Little — Perrin (I think people are forgetting how valuable Perrin was for us last year and I think his work ethic will make it tough for JA to leave him out of the Top 6)

Stuart / LaVallee — White — Thorby (I feel a lot better about using TW on the 3rd line if he has size surrounding him and both Stuart & Thor are 6’3” and up)

Boults — Slater — LaVallee / Thorby (JA may mix and match based on chemistry and you have to think the Greek Gods line will get some time together again)

If we can pull a trade for Vermette, then I think you’ll see Perrin slide down to play third line with White & Army, which could make for one of the more effective, antagonizing checking lines in the NHL.

By Thrasher_Ed

July 14, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

Guys, Digging a little deeper on Jason Williams Stat’s. I find this to be a promising signing. Look at what the guy did for Detroit in 80 games in the 05-06, 21 Goals, 37 Assts, for 58 Pts. If we can get that production this is an awesome signing! Past 2 years he has had 13G,23A and 15G and 17A. I like the signing.

By Tony C.

July 14, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

Ed- Bear in mind that was a season he rode shotgun with Stevie Y and Robert Lang.

He’s a playmaker who can finish, but sometimes his work on the point on the PP can be an adventure to watch-I actually saw CBJ picking on him on while on their PK; all clearing passes went to his side-but this is in his first season in the capacity as well. Let’s go ask some ‘Hawks fans what they think/thought.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this

I think everybody needs to wake up… ERIC CHRISTENSEN is NOT a #1 Center!!! JASON WILLIAMS is NOT a Top Line RW!!! Theses are MORE CHEAP FIXES!!!

This (Williams) “could” be a decent pickup, but he is 2nd line material at best, and we only have him for 1 year before he’ll walk… I see hardly any “offseason moves” to get excited about here… Sounds to me like we’re just gonna “Make Do” with what we have… Going CHEAP AS HELL, As USUAL!!!

Just not enough evidence for me to upgrade my initial grading of their transactions, though… And we all know what a failure it’s been thus far now, don’t we???

And WHERE the HELL is NIKULIN??? Is he coming or NOT??? What’s the Holdup??? Do you need $1000 to help translate??? WTF!!!

Makes me sick that KLEE and LARSEN are STILL on the roster… Pathetic… Buy em out, Donnie - You have all that Money to spend, right??? If you BUY OUT KLEE and LARSEN it costs what??? 2 Million??? DO IT!!!

RAWHIDE - My goodness brother, you got some crazy little propaganda troll runnin around on your blog, huh??? LOL It’s really quite laughable to say the least!!!

NUFF SAID.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this

Actually, I guess buyout period is over… The best we can hope for is a waiver claim for KLEE and LARSEN… DAMN!!!

By Nikita

July 14, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this

It makes me sick to watch you bash Ken Klee, NASCAR, which apparently you continue to do merely because he isn’t the second coming of Jesus. Larsen fell down on the job last year — and his stats haven’t ever been that good. Ken Klee, on the other hand, put in about 1/2 the points he put in for other teams, which is in line with nearly every other player on this team last year. However, with the D disintegrating last year, he was our third best D player, which reflects really poorly on everyone who isn’t Enstrom or Havelid — 10 years older, immensely slower, and MUCH BETTER than two players in their contract years. More minutes, too. Mentally steady, capable of reading the puck, physically aggressive — all things we lacked terribly last year. We need him. We don’t expect or need him on the top lines, and I’d love to see him sit because we have better talent on the ice — but he neither deserves, nor should be waived. He’s done a good job for us, and with a better group should serve us well this year.

Like the Williams signing. Hopefully it’s followed by a top center signing or trade as well, but it’s good stuff.

By LAC

July 14, 2008 2:56 AM | Link to this

Nikita, I believe NASCAR is right.

Ken Klee was a below average defenseman last season, I remember three games he cost us with bad ill timed passes, that ended up in our net.

Hedberg saved him one night in Carolina when he made a perfect centering to Eric Staal right in front of our net…. In overtime !!!

He has no future here this season and I agree should be moved. Larsen is a disaster and should be waived or whatever, he is finished.

I wonder if waddell may be trying to make a big trade… Could #32 be gone ? Maybe it will be sign and trade… Where ? For who ?

The Williams move was ok, but we need much more and what with all the trades that were made, why were we not trading ??

We need to…

By LAC

July 14, 2008 3:02 AM | Link to this

Ok jb, so my comments are crap ?

What are yours AH ? You the “new” hockey God on the blogs ? Sound more like a waddell A$$ kisser to me, Give me a break OK ?

By Tim

July 14, 2008 3:40 AM | Link to this

I find it funny. It is obvious that we cannot rebuilt our team via FA. There is not a single team that can built championship with FA, not a single one. Those who have attempt failed miserabily. Anyone notice a patern? DW havent sign any over the hill kind of player and even with JW, who have a long injury last season, he is being cautious. A one year deal to assess. If it work, great, lets talk about extension. If not, well at least we’re not stuck with him. So what’s so horrible about this signing? It’s a smart signing and definitively improuve the outlook of our team from yesterday.

Oh, anyone expect that we can find a #1 center or #1 RW in FA? Beside Hossa, I havent seen anyone tagged with #1 next to his name. There was however a few #1 D tagged and we went after them, it’s not working however, what else can we do?

If you want a #1 center and #1 RW, you have to developped your own. That’s pretty much how a championship team do it.

It’s not this season that we will play for a championship game. This season is all about making mistake and learned from it. If we made the playoff, that’s a bonus. But I want the youth we have to learn from this season and grow from it. DW made too many mistake in the past and put us in this situation where we wont be a contender for at least 2-3 more season, more if Kovy decide to walk away. But noneless, so far this off season, DW havent made any mistake yet. If this is the DW that we will get for the next 4-5 season, then I am happy with him as the GM. Of course, now that I say this, he will make a blunder! Doh!

By Tony C.

July 14, 2008 4:19 AM | Link to this

If it’s for-real, I like the Williams deal.

By five_hole

July 14, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this

I’m reading the Jason Williams signing as a “value” deal. Waddell felt he got decent value for the money and Williams (a month removed from the start of free agency and his options dwindling) signed a 1 year deal in hopes of enhancing his value for next year.

It does take some of the pressure off, assuming that we are trying to trade a d-man for a winger.

Welcome to Atlanta, Mr. Williams. As of now, you’re our #1 RW. Of course, there’s no real competition for the position.

By Hip Czech

July 14, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this

I like the Williams signing, the guy was putting up numbers last year before the injury…now trade for a center.

Why is every move we make done in shadows and back rooms…first the maybe/maybe not Hedberg signing…maybe Anderson, maybe not…the maybe/maybe not Nikulin signing…Williams signing at 11:00 on a Sunday night.

I realize there are circumstances with Nikulin, but just once it would be nice for us to announce a signing/move in prime time, no hesitations, no qualifications.

By Bob

July 14, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Williams can produce when healthy, that’s for sure. The questions that surround him are that he’s injury prone. I see only one full season played out of 6. I see you guys wrote that he had a groin pull last year, but what about prior years, all groin injuries?

By Rawhide

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

Good morning all…as for Jason Williams, the bottom line is does he make the O-fense better? I think that answer is yes.

13-23 numbers in 43 games for before his sports hernia issue.

In the previous season he notched 11 goals and 15 assists in Detroint before heading to Chi-town…where he finished the season with 15-17 numbers in 78 games.

His last full in Detroit saw him with 21 goals and 37 helpers plying in 80 games. I’ll take that.

By Smoothie

July 14, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

13-23 numbers in 43 games for before his sports hernia issue

Rawhide — may I respectfully point out that Mr. Williams groin “issue” was sandwiched in between two different stints of active play during the season. He started out en fuego last Oct, cooled off in Nov / Dec and then injured the groin. He came back in late Feb fully recovered and actually played quite effectively down the stretch netting 6 g and racking up 11 assists in roughly 20 games played.

In most of the hi-lites I’ve watched of him, he was often on the ice with Patrick Sharp, Dave Bolland and even Jonathan Toews. And of course, he played left point on their top PP unit I think. So it’s not as though he is a third line player who is getting his first chance to prove he can play Top 6 minutes.

Obviously, anytime a player misses significant time due to injury, you will have reservations about his ability to stay healthy. But I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since he’s only 27. The fact that he has scored 20+ goals as a 25 y/o gives me hope that he has 30+ goal upside given the chance to play with a guy like Ilya K. Admittedly, he’s not a bonafide # 1 RW, but let’s be realistic here (LAC, Nascar etc), this is certainly an improvement over Scott Mellanby at the age of 37 or Jon Sim.

By Tim

July 14, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Bob, only last season was he getting injury for long period.

in 2005/2006, he played 80 out 82 games. It was said that it’s lower body injury at that time.

in 2006/2007, he played 78 out of 82 games. Missed 3 games due to a concussion and 1 game because of a charley horse.

Then, last season, he played only 43 games due to a sport hernia and groins injury. So if we take the last season out of the equation, the previous 2 season before, he only missed 6 games out of 164. That’s not what I would consider injury prone. Not to mention that last season after he came back, he played really strong down the road.

Also, like I said earlier, DW only sign him for 1 season so that if he have any reccurent injury, we are not stuck with him a la Rucchin.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2006&hubname=nhl

By Jim

July 14, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

I am a Flyers fan transplanted to Atl. I really enjoy the Thrashers and the negativity on this site reminds me of home. 2 years ago the Flyers were in the same boat. Bunch of kids and bit players took their lumps. Then, they brought in a successful coach from their AHL team to work with the kids that he and they were familiar with and dumped the bad attitudes. They struggled but the kids got to play. The following off-season they hit the free agents (over-paid for Briere) and now everybody looks at their plan as smart. If the Thrashers struggle this year but these young kids show signs and then the go out and get 1 or 2 studs next year they will be fine. P.S. does anyone else think Hossa wasn’t the answer anyway? I am not a big Waddell fan but who has he gotten rid of that played well and had a good attitude anyway?

By jwayne

July 14, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

MARK IT DOWN LA VALLEE WILL BE A STUD. HE HAS ALL THE TALENT JUST NEEDS PLAYING TIME

By Nikita

July 14, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

I think Williams is a good signing. However, in general I’m sick of naysaying, and of viewing each signing as though it’s the only signing occurring, ever. There are so many variables which aren’t determined yet — there are the players we acquire, the ones we trade, the ones we raise. And I would suspect that this year the raising will be especially key.

By Rawhide

July 14, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Smoothie - You may indeed point out such…well said.

Jim - Welcome my friend. It was a few months back that I compared the Thrashers situation to that of the Flyers. We can only hope it follows suit. That was an exciting team to watch this past post-season.

jwayne - I will have Trixie, my secretary, “mark it down” in the official book of predictions! Here’s hoping you’re correct!

Nikita - And I would suspect that this year the raising will be especially key - More and more that does look like the case. The Williams deal, IMHO, simply boulsters the top two lines and allows these players to gain playing time without the weight of the world tossed on their shoulders to have to do it all.

BTW…were you at the Ice Forum Saturday?

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

RAWHIDE Hey, this MARTY/DAVID/RYAN character is now posting under my name on KNOBLER’s blog… Isn’t this a breach of the terms of service??? What do you think will happen if I find out when I contact the AJC today regarding this matter that this is a Spirit employee??? LOL. This could get good… Stay tuned!

By glovesave29

July 14, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

I think Williams is a good signing, but it leads me to other questions. Who wanted a one year contract, the team or the player? Is it because of the injury, or the players uncertainty to play here…kind of a tire-kicking contract. I’d like to know. Anyone hear anything along those lines?

I am glad Anderson is behind the bench. We need some new blood and eneregy. Based on how he played back in the day, he is going to be a ball of energy…but then, Curt Fraser had that “energizer bunny” playing style too, and that got us nowhere. Rawhide, any indication of what we can expect here, other than an uptempo, offensive style? Is he a better coach for the up and coming newbies, or a guy who is better with the vets? Chicago was a hard guage as they are not your typical AHL team, they are more an old style IHL team with more than their fair share of vets.

I look at the times of these postings - seems more than a few of you have wicked cases of insomnia!

By MashaPlayer 7

July 14, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

All I know is that Jason Williams is a dang good XBox EA NHL Hockey ‘07 player.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

GLOVESAVE - I saw where this troll did the same thing to you, too. In that post, he used the phrase “Don FRAUDell”, which is a term I created… Do they not know that RAWHIDE sees the IP address of every post??? LOL. Reading Knobler’s blog is like reading 1 person talking to himself over and over again… Because that’s what it really is!!! LMAO!

By Nikita

July 14, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

BTW…were you at the Ice Forum Saturday?

Alas, no. Horse duties kept me home.

By TNT

July 14, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Everything I’ve seen says Krog went to Europe. I can’t find anything saying he went to Vancouver.

By Rawhide

July 14, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

TNT - the only places I have been able to find such information on Krog is Wikipedia as well as on this message board.

Take it all with a grain of salt. I haven’t seen any official word on it, though.

By glovesave29

July 14, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Just a little hockey based humor here to break things up a bit…

Giant Squid Thrown On Ice

Mark Cuban Buys Sports

By Bob

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

Admittedly, he’s not a bonafide # 1 RW, but let’s be realistic here (LAC, Nascar etc), this is certainly an improvement over Scott Mellanby at the age of 37 or Jon Sim

Yes, for what was left, I like this signing. Certainly better than Mellanby. I like Williams, I’d like to know why only one year though, his choice or ours?

Bob, only last season was he getting injury for long period

Good, I was looking at just 49 games played in 03-04 also, mabye he was a healthy scratch for the other games? Also the prior year, only 61 games in ‘02-03, mabye a scratch again?

If last year is the only one he’s been hurt, then that’s a good sign. 36pts in 43 games is great production.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

I agree with LAC…

RAWHIDE Night at Philips!!!

RAWHIDE does the best job of any of the Thrashers bloggers, anyways!

GO RAWHIDE!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Brendan

July 14, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Another one-year deal. I can live with that. But if this Jason Williams puts up the numbers, he deserves to have contract negotiations during the season, despite the Waddell-policy not to negotiate during the year, unless the player’s name is Hossa. Same goes for Nikulin, if he does really sign here. Why let players hit the open market, if you like the way they’re playing? But I digress.

I like this signing. Waddell is doing the best he can, given the situation he finds himself in.

By LL

July 14, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

How did this go from being such a great story about our new head coach to the Jason Williams signing?

By Rawhide

July 14, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Here’s the official announcement about the Jason Williams signing from the Thrashers web site.

Oh…and Stevie Mac has gone to the KHL.

MashaPlayer7 may have the best scouting report yet.

LL - That’s how things progress around here…gotta roll with the flow.

By Smoothie

July 14, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Now that we have brought JW into the fold to add RW scoring punch to our lineup, it’s time to start thinking about a potential trade to bring in more forward help. Considering we may have just PO’ed the Senators by snatching Williams away from them, is it realistic to think that we could work a deal in which we send either Exelby or Klee and a draft pick to OTT for Antoine Vermette?

Looking at the Sens roster, they only have 3 D-men signed to a contract who played significant mins for them last season: C. Phillips (30), A. Volchenkov (26) & C. Schubert (26). They inked veteran Jason Smith, but considering they only have two other D-men signed (Lee & Nycholat) who aren’t exactly steeped in NHL playing exp, it would seem reasonable that they might show serious interest in Exelby as a legit 3rd pairing addition. Any displaced Sens fans reading this blog?? Please give us your .02.

By Brendan

July 14, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Ted Nolan Voted OFF the Island. GM Garth Snow cited “philosophical differences” as the impetus for the move. Ahh, that Charles Wang. He and Garth Snow owned the 5th overall pick in the draft and traded down, twice, to land at #9, for some “throw away” second rounders. Now, they’ve decided to let Ted Nolan go, with a year left on his contract.

Let’s see who snatches him up. He may have to wait a year or so. When some Head Coach or other gets fired, around Christmas time, Nolan’s name will probably resurface.

You’ll remember that Ted Nolan and former GM Neil Smith were hired on the same day in 2006. Smith was fired just 41 days in office, for “philosophical differences.” Namely, Smith wanted control over team personnel matters. Well sheesh, that’s what GM’s do. Smith hadn’t received the memo yet that said, “You are a figure head. You do what Charles Wang says. That’s how you collect a paycheck.” And, eventually, when Garth Snow turns to Charles Wang in a meeting and says, “Ya know, Charles, I think the move you’re proposing isn’t a very good idea,” Wang will say, “Well then, we have ‘philosophical differences.’”

By Nikita

July 14, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Good for Stevie Mac, and even better for us.

Interesting ideas, Smoothie. The question is, which one? It depends on whether the Sens want to gamble on Ex/add his smashing power or take a sure, but older, more conservative, thing. I doubt either would want to be traded. But it makes sense for us, since both are entering their final contract year (I think).

As for Williams, I like short contracts in general. I suppose if we had too many they could backfire and we could have to shed players for salary a la Pittsburgh. But I think that day is a long way off, and meanwhile anybody who isn’t an extremely high-value player works best as a short-termer.

By NASCAR Dave

July 14, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

No big loss on MCCARTHY…

SMOOTHIE - I suggest we give them EXELBY and KLEE, and keep our picks for VERMETTE… But if only 1 of the 2 goes, I say it’s KLEE… At least EXELBY can beat some a$$ when he wants to, KLEE, well, uh, No…

BRENDAN NYI has no idea what they are doing anymore… I laughed my a$$ off when I saw ole CLIFF FLETCHER fleece the hell out of them!!!

But, at least their owners understand how to make “Changes”, you know what I mean??? :)

By LAC

July 14, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

RAWHIDE… You are NOT a local blogger, you are INTERNATIONAL in scope, you have kept the Thrashers & NHL front & foremost since the seasons end with some of the most thought provoking ideas & comments any blogger could ask for.

The fact so many are showing such PASSION for the Thrashers, Pro or Con, is proof beyond a shadow of a doubt that the NHL does belong here and we have strong supporters, like RAWHIDE, who continue to make us ALL think hockey and want this team to be a sucess…

Great job by THE International King of Bloggers, One Bill Tiller… Good Job Bill !

By Tony H

July 14, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

I agree completely with LAC regarding Rawhide! And it is very obvious that there is a great deal of hockey passion in the Atlanta area. Keep up the good work!!

By Alan

July 14, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

glovesave - I see your links, and raise you these:

NHL Players Protest New Goaltending Penalty

Goalie Clearly Living In Net

Interesting news about McCarthy. I wish him the best.

By glovesave29

July 14, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

Yes, Alan - I remember those two well. I have had a subscription to the Onion for years and it is always good for some laughs. Although, a better subject of the first article would have been Norm Maracle, instead of Cujo, don’t you think?

By Smoothie

July 14, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Dave — I certainly would be okay with moving BOTH Klee & XLB ASSUMING the Nikulin deal goes through. But keep in mind, we would then have a dearth of NHL experience not only on the 3rd pairing, but in part, on the 2nd pairing. Can we really assume Ilya N. is ready for 18-22 mins / night playing alongside either Hainsey or Enstrom? I think I would rather trade the younger XLB to get Vermette so Klee can help mentor Bogosian on the 3rd pairing at 15 mins / night. I hate to split Nic & Toby, but we are paying Hainsey $4.5 mill / yr so I would expect him to play top pairing mins.

Hainsey / Havelid

Enstrom / Nikulin

Bogey / Klee

Valabik

Oystrick

Do we re-sign Popo for insurance? Even if we want to, I’m not sure he’d be keen on a 2 way contract. I’d like him to be our 7th D-man so Bobo and Nathan can work as the top pair in Chicago to start the year out.

By Alan

July 14, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Ouch, glovesave, I thought I had forgotten all about him. Reoccurring nightmares are imminent!

By Nikita

July 14, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Ilya N. is ready for 18-22 mins / night playing alongside either Hainsey or Enstrom?

Doubt it.

Even if we want to, I’m not sure he’d be keen on a 2 way contract.

Maybe for Anderson — they have a good relationship.

By glovesave29

July 14, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Sorry Alan…I guess mentioning David Harlock, Johan Garpenlov and Per Svartvadet wont help to quell the nightmares!

By Alan

July 14, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Ilya Nikulin isn’t referred to as “the best Russian defenseman not in the NHL” for no reason. He would be ready to play top line with Enstrom, no question.

By Tim

July 14, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Bob If we look at his 2002-2003 season, he was playing for the AHL. SO I guess back then he was a journeyman between AHL/NHL until 2005/2006 when the Red Wings feel that he is ready to step up. Injury report only listed him missing 45 games in the NHL, and 39 of them was from last season.

By Bob

July 14, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Ilya Nikulin isn’t referred to as “the best Russian defenseman not in the NHL” for no reason. He would be ready to play top line with Enstrom, no question

Whoa Nellie, let’s keep the horse in front of the cart there.

So Nolan got canned? Islanders are just as bad as us with their mismanagement, yeah, we’re not the only ones that suck eggs.

By Big Shooter

July 14, 2008 3:25 PM |