Ice Man

By Spud Webb

September 9, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

This ought to be good. I hope a season ticket holder will update the blog after that meeting. Interested in what Anderson has to say. I don’t really care what DW says. Looking forward to catching practice when camp opens and for the season to start.

By Toby

September 9, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

I would ask why he won’t do what’s good for the team and step down (or up to a front office job) and do what’s good for the future of this team.

Then I would as why our new thirds are maroon when our slogan is “Believe in Blueland : )

By Toby

September 9, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

I have to stop finishing a sentence 10 mins. after I start it. Sounds like I don’t speak much English. Sorry.

Oh…I would also ask what he is going to do to keep Kovy and why he hasn’t picked up any scorers.

By Spud Webb

September 9, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Agreed Toby, *I would also ask what he is going to do to keep Kovy and why he hasn’t picked up any scorers. * Is a great question. Are we going to try to sign Kovy to an extension at some point or are we going to let this get to the Hossa stage after this season? Of course DW won’t have an answer, we all know this. lol, maybe all the STH will get their butts kissed by donnie!!!!!!!!!!

By LL

September 9, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

I will be attending and writing a blog up and posting it up on my blog site….will be more than happy to share the info with Rawhide before it hits the site….

By Scotty

September 9, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

I’d ask Waddell just what kind of pictures he has of Bruce Levenson and who he is pictured with.

That has to be the only reason this clown is still the general manager.

By NASCAR Dave

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

I would go to see what ANDERSON has to say… I could care less what Donnie FRAUDell has to say, probably just the same old damage control BS… What else is new??? LMAO

What a pathetic joke we have here… Dum Bass Owners and an Un-qualified GM…

At least the FALCONS are WINNERS!!!

NUFF SAID.

By Lucas

September 9, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Somebody should bring Jeff Schultz along as their guest ! lol Let’s see Dumb Don sweat !! haha

By Tim

September 9, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

This oughtta be good. Let’s see how they spin this one. There’s not a lot of positives to look forward to so far.

By Larry

September 9, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Is Ruthie Snydel gonna be there? I wanna hear about how we are gonna get the Stanley Cup. That’s always good for a laugh :)

By Rumour

September 9, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

So Sundin could be going to the Lightning. Very Interesting!

By Hockeyfan

September 9, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

The horrible “Believe in Blueland” slogan is being ditched this year. Not sure what it will be replaced by.

I want some popcorn to munch on if Brucie gets to speak again

By Lex

September 9, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Believe in “Maroonland”?

No, I like “Believe in Buffoonland” better.

By LAC

September 9, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Let’s HOPE this meeting is NO HOLDS BARRED on waddell.

Will Mr.Potty Mouth be there for more of his insane and worthless comments or will he be there just to fight with STH’s ?

On the TSN site, they are previewing all NHL clubs. Then people can comment…

All we get is move to Winnipeg, move them to Quebec, They Suck and on and on and on.

Same story different verse, but the Carolina preview, nobody says move them, or they SUCK etc… At “Least” in the past two seasons we won the SE and made the playoffs, They DID NOT, so move them to Hamilton right ?

Just shows us all what a joke this team is leaguewide, because for owners who could not run a koolade stand in Dunwoody and a GM that is the WORST in all pro sports, a formula for DISASTER… Which we will not recover from until a New OWNER comes in cleans house in the Front office and we start wanting to WIN !!!!!

By Dumb as a Box-O-Rocks

September 9, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

I’d like to ask Don Waddell if he plans to continue in the same manner that he has over the past 10 years.

It’s obviously been a great success so far.

By polskidawg

September 9, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Please join us for an opportunity to hear the “inside scoop” on the upcoming season - Here’s the scoop.

10+ years of mismanagement, poor (at best) player development, poor (at best) draft management, poor (at beat) free agent acquisition.

Yet again, this team will go into the season with one hand and leg tied behind its back - suspect defense (though some possible improvement), no secondary scoring (it’s Kovy or nothing) and unproven goaltending.

That’s not being pessimistic folks - that’s the way it is.

Optimistically, my hope is that A) a change is management will occur, B) the D is improve, C) a center or two will be found (EC, BL) and D) coach Anderson will be a keeper.

Even with that - 78 points.

By Todd

September 9, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

I fully expect them to talk all about how this season is going to be great and this and that, but the fact still remains - What are they going to do to bring the Stanley Cup here? You cannot possibly look at this current roster and expect them to make the playoffs, much less win a game there if they even were to make it. This is a BAD move, IMO. They (ASG/Waddell) would have done better by just laying low and hiding as they usually do. Look for some good foot in mouth comments also.

By Bob

September 9, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

That’s not being pessimistic folks - that’s the way it is

Yep, I concur. Realism usually serves one best in life.

I liked this quote from the invite:

You are the Thrashers most valuable asset, and we sincerely appreciate your support and feedback

Mabye they are beginning to “get it”. I’m sure that the huge dropoff in season tickets has been a wake up call for them. Step 2 is for them to realize that Don is the problem, then we can get this ship headed in the right direction.

By Baldheaded Thrasher

September 9, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

I plan to be there and I’d like to know:

1) When is the team going to replace Savard?

I’ll then demand that the owners make a deal to Kovy that is similar to Ovechkin or sale the team…business as usual is unacceptable! It will be hard for me to renew next year without some improvement or committment from the LSG.

By Tony C.

September 9, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Somebody please ask why we signed Sterling to a multi-year deal, and how Anderson plans to use him. Like, are they moving Slava to the right? Or do they plan to put Slava in the pressbox? Like it or not, he’s the most established scoring “threat” we have after #17. Also, I’d be interested to hear how Anderson plans to use #17 on the PP now that we have more than one other guy with a nice shot from the point.

Nice of them to offer hors d’oeurves…I wonder if that’s gonna include pigs-in-a-blanket

By five_hole

September 9, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

I only have 2 questions: When do the interviews for General Manager start, and who is on the list?

By Brendan

September 9, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

I’d begin by offering that the entire Town Hall gratuitously turn their backs momentarily, at any point in the proceedings, to allow Don Waddell to have “one free puch or kick” at any member of the ownership group. And that the jury absolve Waddell of any punishment associated with that assault.

And that a Court Magistrate, Police officer, or even Mayor Franklin smile and nod, while handing Waddell a “Get out of Jail Free” card.

Look, as much as I feel Don Waddell bears a lot of the blame, (let’s just say MOST of it,) for where this team is, after eight seasons, I don’t feel any vitriol for him. In a way, he’s never really had spectacular ownership. No, the venom would be spewed first and foremost at Bruce Levenson, who couldn’t figure out that the best way to “start over” was back in April 2007, when this team was swept out of the playoffs. After spending the max cap, by season’s end. I can even somewhat forgive the debacle of the 2008 season, for the purposes of getting Bogosian in the lottery draft. The selection of Bogosian was one that you or I … or anyone waiting the bus could have made on Draft Day.

The time to take stock of this team and change direction, in one clean, fell swoop … was back in April, after the final game of the season. Any GM would have still picked Bogosian and possibly even still made the selection of John Anderson to coach. A guy who wears #17 could hardly mistake the franchise’s “intentions” by firing the GM. Sunch a course of action wouldn’t go “unnoticed.” What #17 didn’t miss or overlook, was 76-games without naming a new Head Coach. The failure to retain Hossa also didn’t go unnoticed by Kovlachuk. Missing the playoffs seven times in eight season hasn’t escaped Kovy’s radar, either. And to think that it has … would be a mistake.

Bygones. Waddell’s staying. Probably for another 3 seasons. I’m convinced that Waddell is doing the best he can, given his abilities and the ownership that he must endure. He has my sympathy. But that’s not going to stop the biggest Exodus since scripture (Copyright, Jeff Schultz, 2008) in 2010.

I’d ask the ownership, “You once said you’d do everything in your power to bring a Stanley Cup to Atlanta. Was that something uttered in the whirlwind of celebration of the Division title? Or, were you SERIOUS? And if you are serious, how do you expect to win the Stanley Cup by fielding a team that is precariously close to the floor of the salary cap? And finally, “Don’t you think that sends the wrong message to several of your key players, not to mention the fanbase, which, by your own admission, is the ‘life-blood’ of the franchise?”

These are the questions I’d submit. I am also politely declining any invitation to attend.

By Lanny McDonald

September 9, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

According to this, Kevin Doell has signed to play in Sweden

By Tony C.

September 9, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Brendan-

Are you an STH? if so, lemme borrow your pass.

I promise not to wear the Safety-Orange T shirt.

Which BTW, if you’re serious about having one reserved I need to know before the end of the month.

The front reads “Fire Waddell” and the back reads “Fans deserve better”…unless you have a better suggestion for the back

By LAC

September 9, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

Yeah last opening night that LIAR rutherford, AKA DUMB A$$, snydel told EVERYONE at Philips “We are doing EVERYTHING possible to bring The Stanley Cup to Atlanta.”

What an F’ing LIAR he is… Is THIS what we deserve as fans ?

What I do NOT understand, can these little whiners NOT see what they look like to the Professional Sports World ?

They look like FOOLS, waddell looks so
out of his league it’s crazy and Please name ONE NHL team that would put up with Dumb don waddell for a second longer ? No other NHL club would tolorate his inability to produce a WINNER for a second longer…

Boy O Boy, Between these worthless lying owners and waddell what DO we have to look forward to ?

By Whiny Fan

September 9, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

I’d ask him if he thinks that Thrashers fans are the whiniest fans in town? Or maybe ask him why does every ignorant Thrashers fan think they have all the answers?

By Sara

September 9, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

You know, for all everyone likes to criticize him, keep in mind how many times Waddell has done these events. How many other GMs around the league do you know of that are willing to sit down in a room face to face with fans and let them just fire away - especially when the majority of the time those fans are likely to be at least a bit hostile?

Questions for Don: 1 - Why are we so close to the cap floor? 2 - Any chance of a roster addition in the near future? 3 - What was the story on Nikulin? 4 - Does he expect problems of the same sort with Zubarev and when might we see him?

Questions for Anderson: 1 - Presuming he’s been looking at tape from last season, what were the glaring issues he saw and what does he plan on doing to address them? 2 - Does he have any preliminary line combos in his head yet?

Questions for either/both: 1 - Are they inviting anyone outside of our system to camp and who? 2 - When are they planning on slapping that “C” on Kovy’s jersey???

I would REALLY like to see that last question asked.

By Brendan

September 9, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

Tony C., I have no pass to give. My suggestion for the back of the shirt reads, “Please NHL. Step in and run this team.”

By Viking

September 9, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

Lanny Doell signed with Leksand, a legendary club with a great hockey tradition in Sweden, which now plays in the second division. This happened back in July. Here is an interview with him about the move. Scroll down, it starts in Swedish, but the actual interview is in English:

Doell interview

By Sam

September 9, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

Amen Whiny Fan. Big surprise the same people who constantly trash the team want to know what goes on in the Town Hall meeting. Oh, I forgot, we are the dumb ones who spend the $$ to support the team. I will be there and ask my own questions.

By Eileen

September 9, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

I see the town hall meeting as a reminder that the season is around the corner. I can’t wait. I received my invite. I am looking forward to hearing John Anderson’s enthusiam and optimism about a new season.

By Tom

September 10, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

Check out this article on the lawsuit McDavid has against TBS…

It makes me wonder what might have been if Turner had not balked on the deal and instead sold the teams to his son and son in law. Would we be b*** about McDavid like we are the Spirit?

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aDtZ.cuTE4uc&refer=us

All I know is that Time Warner is now on the hook for 500 million dollars for breach of contract.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

September 10, 2008 7:29 AM | Link to this

Sorry for the re-post from Knobler’s blog, but I thought this was a partially interesting Q&A from Brad McCrimmon Q&A based on what he didn’t say.

Viking — What’s your take on Fabian Brunnstrom? Do you know much about him, or even Antti Niemi?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

September 10, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this

Tom — Great read…and I’d wager that there would be far less complaining about McDavid than about ASG. From this article alone it shows the ASG needed spurning from a more interested group just to close a deal, and according to McDavid’s complaint they actually used the groundwork and due diligence he performed.

Somehow I’m not surprised.

By Sara

September 10, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

Gee, what an ethical group of owners we seem to have here. Almost too bad he can’t jump in on the “custody battle” we have going here.

By Maury

September 10, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Questions for Anderson What is your strategy going from an organization, with a traditional 1st. place team, that stacked the roster with the best veterans in the AHL, to an organization that got a D grade in roster acquisitions for the summer and a team that is predicted to be in last place for 2008/2009? Will Chicago continue under an independent strategy or will their be more player development, with you as a possible liaison between the two teams, now that you are in the Atlanta organization?

By Viking

September 10, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 I moved to Decatur almost 20 years ago, so I am no expert on current Swedish hockey. But I am trying to follow Färjestad (one of the best teams in the Elite League), with which I spent about 15 season passes, not far behind the penalty boxes. By the way, a great place to listen to foul language and this location also gives you more insight of what is happening on the ice.

Fabian Brunnström actually played last season in Färjestad and put up good numbers. If I am not mistaken, he was hovering around in the really minor divisions for years before that, so he appears to be a “late bloomer”.

To quote Färjestads GM Håkan Loob (formerly Calgary) or whatever his current title translates into: “If they treat him the right way, I think he’s got a good future ahead of him. But if he’s thrown into the NHL too soon, he might not do anything.”

Clueless about Antti Niemi.

By Bob

September 10, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Big surprise the same people who constantly trash the team want to know what goes on in the Town Hall meeting. Oh, I forgot, we are the dumb ones who spend the $$ to support the team. I will be there and ask my own questions

Um, I got the invite and so did several other FORMER season ticket holders that I know. It seems that this invite went to FORMER season ticket holders, they are dying to try to get us back in the fold, but they make the idiotic move of putting Waddell out there to answer our questions.

And question #1 is when are they going to get us a real GM, I won’t even think about wasting more money on this disaster until they get rid of Waddell. Yet they trot him out to try to talk me back into it, that makes a lot of sense. Been there, done that, have the receipts of all the wasted money. With each additional brain dead move these owners make, I go more and more over to the side of you guys that hate the owners.

By Spud Webb

September 10, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Sam & Whiny you don’t have to be a season ticket holder to go and support the team. You do have to be a season ticket holder to get into the town hall meeting. Make sense? lol I think I’ve seen you two at games, on you’re cell phones, telling people to quiet down, asking what off-sides is and telling people to sit down during a fight. ahhahhahahhahhahhahhah

By Sam

September 10, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

Wrong girl Spud Webb. It wasn’t me on the phone. The point is there is there a lot of negativity on this blog. No offense intended. If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it.

By Shannon

September 10, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

I hope the town hall is positive for the team’s sake. Glad to hear former season tickets were included. The more support, the better. In defense of some of the bloggers on here, there was a lot of criticism suggesting season ticket holders should send a messgae by not renewing.

By Spud Webb

September 11, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

My bad Sam, blogs sometimes come off wrong!!! See ya opening night!