Ice Man

By Alan

November 24, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

This assesment is spot-on, IMHO. Good job!

By five_hole

November 24, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

I would have given a nod to Oystrick. I’ve been plesantly surprised by his play. Other than that, I pretty much agree with your assessment.

In addition, however, I think you should have passed out grades to the special teams. My grades: Power Play - anemic & predictable. We pass the puck around the edges of the “umbrella” but not up the “umbilicle”. My grade is a C-. Penalty Kill has been sporatic at best. We can’t clear the front of the net and teams use us to practice of real games against other teams. My grade is a solid D.

By J(Z)

November 24, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

typo? The Thrashers take an average of 17.6 shots per game…again better than last years pitiful 25.8 S/G

By Russian

November 24, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

C- is very close result what I am thinking. If I am not mistaken last year was a same result on end of season. Atlanta get Third Pick as Bogus. I guest we are going to Right Direction. Finish the season on 29 or 30 position on NHL. Get some young Talent prospect, just make his talent grow, lost him after 3 years and go to loop again. Kind of intersting direction I see. :-(

By diego from lilburn

November 24, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

I agree with your assessment. I was at the Penguins game and the Thrashers appeared to lose the game against the boards in a big way.

Kovy needs to quit passing and start shooting. Did he change sticks or something? I swear it appears like he’s having issues keeping the puck on the blade, like it is bouncing off too easy or something. His frustration with Christensen is apparent and can’t be good for his morale. I think he needs to get selfish for a while and shoot like crazy. In this case, being selfish with shots might be the most unselfish thing he could do!

By Rawhide

November 24, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

J(Z) - Yeah, thanks…fixed it. 17.6 S/G would be not only un-good…it would send the Suck-O-Meter spinning right off it’s foundation.

diego from lilburn - Welcome. Ya know…I knew a Lily from San Diego once. Anyway, good points and thanks for chiming in.

By Bob

November 24, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

C- is very generous. This club is on pace for 64pts and is 1 pt. out of 30th place. D- would be my grade.

I am happy with Little and with Hainsey. And happy with Pavelec’s potential. Kovy looks to be out of there. The rest of them are all just pieces and parts that I could take or leave.

By Jason

November 24, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Can’t disagree with you too much on the overall grade Rawhide. I was thinking about an overall C for the team, but after sitting through that lethargic effort against Columbus I may be leaning for a D+.

It’s like they all went and watched a Woody Allen movie marathon before the game. Scrap the woe-as-me routine and find some sense of self pride and optimistic fortitude. They’ll win more games just changing that alone. The Thrashers could have so easily won that game the other night, if they were not so preoccupied with self anyalizing themselves as the game went on.

They better wake up and stop playing like they’re Milhouse on “The Simpsons”, and more like Bart or Nelson. This team needs some tude!!!!

By Nikita

November 24, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

I swear it appears like he’s having issues keeping the puck on the blade, like it is bouncing off too easy or something.

IMO, a) he’s not taking passes well and b) he’s overthrowing everyone he plays with. I watched him knock one off Williams’s retreating skates Saturday — Williams didn’t see it coming, and couldn’t stop it if he had. But I also watched him just drop the puck half a dozen times for no apparent reason — for whatever reason he’s lacking feel.

And I think Erik Christensen needs to be on another line or sitting. He’s simply not good enough at the moment, and I think he’s bad enough that any of the other centers (skipping the second line, Perrin, Slater, Reasoner, Thorbs) would be an improvement. Perrin’s probably the best choice, and has proven playmaking ability.

On the PK, my instincts were somewhat correct. The first unit has weak defense (Ex/Hainsey) and the 2nd unit has weak offense (Armstrong/Slater). And the backups are some of our worst players, statistically-speaking. I imagine the numbers could be improved if we relied on a combined 1st unit offense (Perrin/Reasoner — slide in Army if Reasoner can’t play) and 2nd unit defense (swedes)— which would basically reconstitute the better PK we had last year. But of course that would leave us weak on the 2nd unit.

By Sara

November 24, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

I think you’re being way harsh on the D. First of all it’s way better from last season just in terms of personnel. So Schneider is this season’s McCarthy. Other than that, though, XLB is playing noticeably better, the Swedes are still playing well, we have Hainsey who’s a beast, and Oystrick who’s playing remarkably well. Given there is always at least one rookie d-man on the ice every night, it ain’t bad.

You have to factor in for the system in that. We ain’t exactly playing the trap here. If the D have to pitch in on scoring, forwards have to pitch in on defending and that’s been a struggle. On overall team D, maybe you’d give them a D+, but I think the actual d-men have done better than that. They certainly have the better +/- overall (Schneider excepted and the fact is he’s the one guy who didn’t get to play during the 5 games the team won so everyone else kind of has an unfair advantage on him there).

And how does Pavs get an A and Kari a D, other than the injury issue?? I’m sorry but that makes no sense. Pavs has faced weak competition overall - the only powerhouse team he had to play against was Pittsburgh (and he lost). The kid is still unproven. I know some people think I’m trying to dog on the kid, and I’m really not. I think he’s good and I think he’s only going to get better. But by the same token, one can’t compare 4 games worth of play for Giant against Kari’s whole career, or even just his nine starts this season, and truly expect that to be an accurate depiction of anything.

five_hole also brings up a good point. Our crappy play on special teams is killing us. Too many PP goals against, especially at crucial points of the game. And how many of those one goal losses could we have gotten at least one point for had the team scored even once that night on the PP themselves?? Insanity.

By Rawhide

November 24, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Sara - And how does Pavs get an A and Kari a D, other than the injury issue??

Pavs = 2-2-0 with a 2.32 GAA and .913 SV%. In the two losses, he has a .934 SV%.

Kari = 2-5-2 with a 3.44 GAA and .903 SV%. In the two wins, he gave up 4 goals, and a last minute rebound goal that sent the Buffalo game into OT.

And I wasn’t comparing it against an entire career…just 19 games so far into this season.

As for the D.

Let’s see…last season they were dead last in the league with a 3.24 GAA. This year, they have a 3.47 GAA. This is not moving in the right direction.

Now, I will say that I agree with you that this year’s D is…and should be…better than last year’s. But I’m just not seeing it on the stat sheet just yet.

By Nikita

November 24, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

I think you’re being way harsh on the D.

Agreed. And I think both Schneids and Enstrom will improve. Neither is completely in his groove, though Enstrom’s getting his bearings and is more or less o.k. now. Within a few weeks I think we’ll see him shooting harder and more accurately, and we’ll see Schneider getting in sync. He also looks better since coming off IR.

And how does Pavs get an A and Kari a D, other than the injury issue??

Yep. Especially if Moose gets a B+. I’d probably give them Pavs: A, Lehts:A-, Moose: C+.

Too many PP goals against, especially at crucial points of the game. And how many of those one goal losses could we have gotten at least one point for had the team scored even once that night on the PP themselves??

Nods. On the bright side, I think a lot of teams see the PP as an advantage and I tend to see the PK and ES as an advantage. Because, over the last half-season or so, we had as good or better of a chance at scoring short-handed as we do on the PP. That’s got to change, but I’m not sure how.

By Rawhide

November 24, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Oh, and technically speaking…I gave Kari an “Incomplete”.

By Scotty

November 24, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Kari get’s an EFFFffffffffff!!!!

By Maal

November 24, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

plus we’re on pace to go 30-43-9…. WOO MEDIOCRITY!@!(#&@(#

By Sara

November 24, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

The first unit has weak defense (Ex/Hainsey) and the 2nd unit has weak offense (Armstrong/Slater).

Not exactly sure where you get XLB and Hainsey as the weak defense, cause the numbers don’t really back that up. Havelid has been on the ice for 12 PP goals against, Enstrom for 10. XLB for 7, and Hainsey for 6. So technically, X and Hainsey are the better pair. As for the forward pairings, well, they’re pretty much equally sucktastic: Perrin has been on the ice for 8 PP goals against, Army for 7, and Slater and Reasoner for 9. (None of which includes 5 on 3s).

By TRON

November 24, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

RAWHIDE………..THANKS…….FOR LETTING THE FOOLS KNOW………..THAT THE STAT SHEETS DON’T LIE…………LETEMIN IS THE WEAK LINK………..THE NUMBERS PROVE SARAH WRONG……….AGAIN……….ROFL…ROFL…ROFL……

By Bob

November 24, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

How could anyone say that Kari and/or our defense is anything other than woefully inadequate? Goodness, are you rating players by their looks, or their ability to play the game of hockey?

This club is one point out of 30th place, girls. Our defense is our achilles heal year in and year out and we’re giving up more goals against, by a large margin, than even last year.

By Sunny

November 24, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Slightly OT, but Brind’Amour’s +/- is absolutely shocking.

By Sara

November 24, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Rawhide all my points weren’t directed specifically at you, but more others who seem convinced Pavs is the next Roy or something.

Regardless, it’s still inaccurate to compare Pavs to Kari straight up like there’s been some definitive conclusion. Four games isn’t the same as nine games (hell Kari went 4-0 in his first four starts so he’s gotta be the greatest right?). Besides, Kari beat Washington and Buffalo, Pavs beat the Isles and Panthers - so I mean seriously?? Pavs an A, Kari a D?? (yeah yeah I know semantics, you gave him an incomplete) It would help for Pavs to play more games and actually beat someone really good before being proclaimed THE guy. I’d settle for TO on Tues as a start. :p

By gth

November 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

spot on. thanks for not bashing but putting out the truth.

By THE FISH

November 24, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

You forgot the moron Waddell….F- for the 10th year in a row. Oh and the even more moronic owners who at least are rewarded by losing more and more money with their F- grade.

By Smoothie

November 24, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Okay, rather than assign letter grades to our players, I’m going to use excellent, good, fair and poor to assign grades to our lines. I’ll come back and do the same for our defensive pairings in a separate entry:

Kahlua Line — a solid good and excellent at times…only real problem with this line is a lack of a physical presence who can clog the slot in front of the cage. Otherwise, they do a relatively good job cycling and forechecking considering their size. Ain’t broke, don’t fix.

Kovy’s Line — fair to poor…my grade is for the iteration of Kovy, Willy & Crusher. While they have shown flashes of brilliance at times, the lack of grit and aggressive forechecking makes this line more of a liability than it should be. EC and Willy are skilled finesse type players who do not necessarily compliment Kovy in the right way.

“Checking” Line: fair…the grade for this line would be good if they could get on the scoresheet more consistently. Overall, they do a pretty good job on both ends of the ice, but the line is lacking consistent scoring punch. Thorby and Army are pretty much the same player and they shouldn’t be expected to produce a lot of scoring playing together.

“Energy” Line — fair to good (last 8 games have been very good)…while Perrin certainly helps this line maintain a consistent level of energized and scrappy play, I think he is mis-placed on this line due to his skill level. There really isn’t any reason for Thorby not to play on this line with Boults and Slater. As long as we are not expecting this line to produce more than a goal or two every 5 games, there is no reason to break apart the Greek God line.

Working with options we have, there isn’t much we can do with our lines that hasn’t already been tried. Of course, we could bring up a Stuart or LaVallee to try to inject some additional accountability through the threat of losing playing time. But assuming we keep the same 12 forwards, I think we need to do the following to change our “identity”:

Kahlua Line — stays intact…some teams will push them around and make them less effective with physcial play (see Todd White getting destroyed in a puck battle), but the combo of Little’s hustle and Kozzy’s savvy will help them continue to produce even with Perrin or EC playing in White’s place.

Kovy Line — this line desperately needs a physical, defensively responsible presence so this line isn’t so reliant on the transition game. This line will never cycle and forecheck as well as the others because Kovy’s game does not thrive in that mode. However, adding Perrin and Thorby together could give Kovy just the combo of size, speed and playmaking (Perrin) to make this line more consistent at applying pressure.

Checking Line — not much you can do here but replace EC with either JWill or a kid from Chicago who may better emulate Reasoner’s sensible and intelligent approach to the game. EC does not like to check and his forechecking is dreadful. Hopefully playing with Army will help him find some level of comfort out on the ice.

GG Line — if Thorby is going to get moved up along with Perrin, then you would need to bench EC or Williams in favor of a replacement from Chicago. I like LaVallee for this role as he seems gritty and unafraid to do the dirty work required to make this line effective.

Kovy — Perrin — Thorby

Kozzy — White — Little

Army — Reasoner — Willy \ EC

Boults — Slater — LaVallee \ Stuart

Essentially, this team needs to be more physical at both ends of the ice to make up for their lack of overall talent and ability to score consistently. JA’s system can work at this level if you have the horses. But we don’t have the horses. As a result, we need to inject some gritty determination and “chip on the shoulder” attitude where possible in hopes of cementing this team’s identity.

By Bob

November 24, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Fish, I’d give Waddell a D for this year, but an definite F to the owners for their complete mismanagement, including retaining an incompetent GM.

By Nikita

November 24, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Not exactly sure where you get XLB and Hainsey as the weak defense, cause the numbers don’t really back that up.

Enstrom and Havs are -1 and +5, respectively, to -1 and -2.

As for the forward pairings, well, they’re pretty much equally sucktastic:

Perrin and Reasoner have been on the PK substantially more than Army and Slater, however. Otherwise their stats are comparable.

How could anyone say that Kari and/or our defense is anything other than woefully inadequate?

Our defense is better than last year because it lacks Klee, Zhitnik, and Stevie Mac, returning players are better (except Enstrom, who is working it out), Hainsey is a stud, and it is giving up fewer shots than it did at the end of last year. Ergo better. And Kari is woefully inadequate by what, his win-loss? His GAA is low, but not ridiculously so — it puts him above average among starter goalies. (And I will add that he played hurt for at least a few games.) He could be better, but that remains to be seen.

Smoothie, interesting ideas.

Working with options we have, there isn’t much we can do with our lines that hasn’t already been tried.

Except reuniting Perrin and the Penguins as the 3rd line. They did very well together last year.

Kahlua Line — some teams will push them around and make them less effective with physcial play

You think we need to consider switching their D pairing? (They seem to play half and half Hainsey/Ex and Swedes, and since they’re smaller perhaps they should be entirely Hainsey/Ex.)

Kovy Line — adding Perrin and Thorby together could give Kovy just the combo of size, speed and playmaking (Perrin) to make this line more consistent at applying pressure.

I love that idea, but I’m not sure how Williams will do if we try to use him in a more checking-type role. Also, he seems to play pretty welly with K.

GG Line — I like LaVallee for this role as he seems gritty and unafraid to do the dirty work required to make this line effective.

Eh, why not? Give the kid a shot.

As a result, we need to inject some gritty determination and “chip on the shoulder” attitude where possible in hopes of cementing this team’s identity.

IMO, our identity so far is Kovy + Lehtonen + a bunch of guys who we don’t care about. I’d rather it be more or less that we roll 4 deep and play a gritty game a la Buffalo. So, yes, chippiness is a good thing.

By Brendan

November 24, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, another excellent blog. Well done. I’d agree with a C- as a grade, but I qualify those comments by adding, “in a build year (TM, Poster Bob, all rights reserved).” Had this team been projected as a playoff team, expected to win its division, and win a round of playoffs, my grade would be a harsher “D.”

But, I understand what the terms ‘build year’ and ‘developmental season’ actually mean. I’m not sure everyone does. Or will. And I’ll leave it at that. I projected 78-points for this team. And they’re not even on pace for that, at the moment. But there’s 60-some odd games still left to play.

I’m in no way trying to make excuses for the Thrashers, but I view the development of Bryan Little, Ondrej Pavelec, Zach Bogosian and even Jim Slater, along with hopefully Boris Valabik and Brett Sterling as the purpose of this season. Again, I think it’s necessary to view the franchise in terms of the totality of its circumstances. Atlanta is NOT in some power position to retool itself quickly. It’s going to be a slowww build. Hey, I didn’t ask a single person to like it. Most don’t. Most want to win now, and win the Cup something close to every year. Our owners aren’t the Ilitches. Their names are Seydell, Gearon, Turner, Pescowicz, Levenson, and Belkin, just to name a few.

Are any of these guys thought to be sports geniuses? Allrightee then. It is what it is.

By Jim

November 24, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

We throw around terms like the “checking” and “energy” lines but do they really serve this purpose? Reasoner is OK but certainly doesn’t shut anyone down. Nor do Army or Perrin. Thorburn is a waste. The “energy” line??? Gimme a break- should be Hoffman/Slater and Stuart with Lavallee replacing Thorburn on the 3rd line. We ain’t getting much “checking” or “energy” from those two lines. Bring in some bangers who throw their weight around.

By ben

November 24, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

i’m back, yes i’m the man who likes LE THRASH no matter what. i’m also a bit of a brain. i find myself at this stage of my life to be highly educated. having said that i must say the obvious.

THIS TEAM SUCKS!

i love ‘em, i need ‘em, i can’t live w/o ‘em.

But i have a minority opinion. Every team has a bad decade, but expansion-era stench is still there.

By Sage of Bluesland

November 24, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this

No, the stench that surrounds this pitiful organization isn’t “expansion-era”, my friend. I attribute the stink to one Don Waddell.

His decision-making has placed us where we are, where we have been, and where we are going…which is nowhere fast…

It’s so obvious it’s not even funny anymore. A dollar spent on this team is a dollar wasted.

But, Don and Bruce thank you for your subsidization of their incompetence…

By Tony C.

November 25, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this

I would move Thorburn to RW on #17’s line-at least the guy knows he isn’t going to deke his way into the zone. Williams seems to have the skills to hang with Ilya, and as somebody mentioned it looks like #17 is ready to stab Christensen in the eye if/when he launches another puck up and over a wide-open goalmouth. So why not put a big grinder on the “top” line? I see all the other combinations that’ve been tried have worked out just crappily.

Also, he [Thorburn] seems to get the idea “go to the net with your stick on the ice” which a lot of guys who play with #17 don’t seem to get.

I got the feeling watching the CBJ game that Coach would have something drawn up for the guys during the 1st intermission-seeing as how my DVR went on strike, and judging from the comments I saw everywhere, that did not happen.

Also, am I the only one who feels that #17 is grading the team himself? Something along the lines of “If I go down again, can these guys at LEAST tread water until I come back?” Now that may seem churlish, or selfish to you-but think about this:

Let’s say your company continuously sends you projects to complete that are already over-budget and three weeks late. Now, at first, you want to make a good impression and you do, but you also bomb half of the projects because you freak out at the deadlines, lack of support etc. Then, after a few years of this, you finally are getting good at making something happen with only the barest of bare essentials. But it’s eating at you. You are always given the weak sisters of the company, or ones that’ve perfected the art of coming into work just enough to keep the benefits going for their latest medical leave reason(s). You see Dany, that horn-dog Marc and even that weird Marian guy all go on to better paying, more enjoyable jobs with rival companies…they email you from time to time and when you catch up at the HFH fund-raiser they all tell you how much happier they are now that they don’t work at your company.

So let’s say they do another major re-org at your company, and they even bring in that John guy that’s been tearing it up @ the Chicago office, lots of promise-even new office furniture…but… the same crappy workstations, the intranet is still slow as sin, and by the way, they still haven’t fixed the copier!

No rational person would fault you for updating your resume and telling that annoying recruiter that yes, you would like to see what other options are out there.

Now, if he’s already eyeing the exit, I don’t know what you do if you’re DW.

The guy [DW] has shown that he will happily torpedo the team and his subordinates in order to keep his gig. But even “Teflon” Don Waddell should get canned if #17 walks. Period.

Anyway, even if #17’s updating his resume, he needs to pot some more goals if he wants to land that dream job in Manhattan.

GO BLUE !!!

By Brendan

November 25, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

Sage, the fans are voting with their wallets. Look at the arena. Look at all the “special promotions” going on. Free food give-a-ways?? On 680TheFan this morning, I heard there was in a “free parking” special. I hear talk of “seat upgrades,” too. Do these sound like the actions of a team that is selling out to the rafters, night after night?

No, they know what they’ve done to this team. They know how fans feel about it. They just don’t care. Or, the lawsuit has hampered them far worse than imagined. Their choice to retain Waddell, from a sports-perspective, is indefensible.

If the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, is losing money as badly as is claimed in the McDavid lawsuit vs. TBS, I wonder if Belkin isn’t on the verge of some epiphany? But uhh, I somehow doubt that. I think there’s a lot of propaganda and other misrepresentation going on. Why ELSE would Belkin want, so badly, to own teams bleeding money?

Still thinking about it?

At this point, what I hope for … is someone to make the Spirit Boys an offer they simply cannot refuse. With different ownership, things would change. With this same ownership, the only options are rebuilding through the draft, waiver wire claims, and player development. It is … what it is.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 25, 2008 5:15 AM | Link to this

At this point, what I hope for … is someone to make the Spirit Boys an offer they simply cannot refuse.

It’s funny how that one decision would make all interested parties on these boards happy. Think about it:

Those upset with the performance of the team, the lack of spending, the asinine owners, etc would have a new group to criticize if the team continues as it has for the last decade. It would highlight again that mediocre owners with little interest in the on-ice success of the team will ultimately lead to the same results we’ve seen under the past two regimes.

Those unhappy with the GM would likely be appeased because any owner interested in WINNING would likely understand that Waddell is an average GM at best, and that if they want to win (instead of keep the bottom line low, as the current ownership group seems to care most about) they need to bring in a better GM to run the show. As it often happens with ownership changes, the new owner(s) bring in “their guys” and purge the franchise of all factions loyal to the previous owners and their way of running the club.

The new owner(s) would have to understand they need a payroll higher than 29th in the league, and commit to selling the product to the community by showing people they truly care about the only measurable form of success that fans care about…winning.

In my opinion the best thing for this franchise would be to rid themselves of the current cluster** ownership group. Short of that, an entire paradigm shift is in order — the bottom line/profit margin thinking owners would need to shift to understanding that in order to create a competitive club you need to spend more than you’re currently making off of the franchise.

By LAC

November 25, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

Sage Correct as Always !!!!

Dumb don waddell IS the main reason this team STINKS !!!! There is NO other reason.

Look at the TERRIBLE track record, it speaks for itself. A buddy of mine knows Sam Rosen, Rangers TV guy, he told him everyone in the NHL cannot believe waddell is still here, He said, ” A properly run franchise would not tolorate continued losing, but look at ownership and you see why Atlanta is not a winner.”

Pretty much says it ALL. don waddell is a CAREER LOSER, he does not know how to win and he has zero CLUE as how to manage an NHL team, he could not put togather a neighborhood street hockey team that would win… He is just that DUMB !!!!

Still cannot believe slater was a first round draft pick, he is worthless, look at the others… Hope Bilken gets them, then maybe we WILL finally move in the RIGHT direction !

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 25, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

A properly run franchise would not tolorate continued losing, but look at ownership and you see why Atlanta is not a winner.

I would completely agree with this statement. Proper owners would do the right thing and work towards placing this franchise into position to succeed. This ownership groups doesn’t appear to care about success as measured in wins/losses/playoff wins, but rather they seem to be most interested in being out of the red.

Again, if you dislike the GM who are the only people capable of removing him from that position? Your ire should be focused on that group of people, as it’s not the GMs fault he’s making his bosses happy enough not to be fired.

but look at ownership and you see why Atlanta is not a winner — too true.

By jerry

November 25, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

It’s hard to get a shot on goal when you are always in your own end. Is there a statistic for the amount of time a team spends inside its own blue line? The Thrashers must lead the world in it.

By Scotty

November 25, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

jerry, I don’t know if the NHL keeps such a stat but I bet if they did so the “time in zone” stat would be 2-1 in favor of the opposition.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 25, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

One of my short list coaches for Atlanta, Mike Sullivan is now employed….

Brendan — This is a solid backup situation in case Tocchet gets caught speeding, leaving the country, or standing outside of a casino during “scouting” trips.

By Nikita

November 25, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Looking forward to the game tonight. Too bad I’ll only be hearing it on XM, rather than watching it.

By Nikita

November 25, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

What I’d like to see tonight:

Kovy - Williams - Thorbs/ Koz - White - Little/ Perrin - EC - Armstrong/ Crabb - Reasoner - Slater

Incidentally, I think we need to get EC back onto a lower line, preferably one that isn’t primarily a scoring line. But his major strength isn’t being used right now — the Thrash haven’t gotten into a shootout yet.

By Russian

November 25, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Crabb will not play today.

By Alan

November 25, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

From Yahoo’s first NHL quarter power rankings:

22. Atlanta Thrashers (7-10-2, Previous: 19) – The fact the team has five alternates but no single player designated as the captain tells you everything you need to know. The Thrashers desperately need a player to lead them, and he’s simply not in the organization.

That’s interesting, to say the least, because I kinda feel the same way. No one is actually taking the reins and leading the team. From the looks of things I can see, it’s as if the five assistants are expecting each other to take over and lead. I understand why Anderson is doing it this way, but he might need to force the issue and make someone lead.

By Bob

November 25, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Alan, I fixed the typo from that article you quoted:

The Thrashers desperately need an owner or manager to lead them, and he’s simply not in the organization

By Alan

November 25, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I think that works too, Bob. Unfortunately, it’s not like we can promote a player to either position…

Though it would be interesting to see the team owned by, say …Hedberg? With Kozlov as GM?

It could work.

By R. Stroz

November 25, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Well this is kind of harsh, but here it goes:

In a class (league) of 30 students (teams), the Thrashers are tied for the worst point total:16.

Where I went to school, the Thrashers organization would have earned a F.

By Brendan

November 25, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

LAC, I definitely see Waddell as a major cause of the failure of the team to build into anything that could be considered a Stanley Cup contender. But I do wonder what kind of budget the NEXT GM might enjoy? If it’s still $10+ million under the cap, then the next GM is going to have to be something close to Houdini to right the ship. But I wholeheartedly agree with you, LAC, that firing the GM is what sends the message that status quo is insufficient.

It’s not as if Don Waddell can go crying in his morning Cornflakes that he was NEVER given an opportunity here. That’s just a plain, flat out lie. Even without a budget, that man had seven, now eight with Bogosian, “Top 10” picks with which to build this franchise. The results are what they are. Who made these picks? Who traded these picks? Here, now, are some choices. A) Pinocchio. B) The Easter Bunny. C) The Tooth Fairy. D) Muslim militant extremists, aged 17 to 41. Or E) Don Waddell, Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, CEO, Board of Governors, and all around Hockey Czar.

Btw, the correct answer is C, “The Tooth Fairy.” I’m telling you, if you’ve never actually seen the Tooth Fairy in action, you’re truly missing out. So, give yourself some credit.

Ranallo, Mike Sullivan is probably an excellent choice for what the Bolts are looking for. If/when Tocchet slips up next, Mike Sullivan will assume the position.

And you’re right, Ranallo, that replacing the ownership is best way to reverse the fortunes of this club. Unless, the next owners are buying the team as an investment opportunity, just like the AS, LLC did. (That’s my guess, anyway.) Ideally, someone who CARES about hockey, and has the finances to make winning a Cup a reality for the Atlanta market, will take over. Just changing the GM isn’t enough. Now, that’s a very good 1st step, mind you. But if, as owners, they don’t hold up their end of the bargain, then the poor GM’s request to have the contract of (insert valuable player’s name here) renewed will be denied. And once a franchise-type player walks for nothing in free agency, or forces a move at the trade deadline, it will be a clarion call that the franchise HAS NOT turned the corner … and ALLLLL Tier I players will become leery of coming to the Atlanta market. When good players leave a team of their own volition … it sets off alarm bells. That should not happen. The player must be paid what the market value is. At wherever the market sets the value. Failure to do so will brand the organization in such a way that is difficult to overcome. Don’t blame the player for leaving. Blame the ownership for being inept, ignorant, or financially suspect. Or all of the above. Really, truly … running an NHL franchise isn’t rocket science. So long as you’ve got the money to do it, and the brains to find suitable candidates to fill the GM slot, you’ll probably succeed. Good GM’s hire good coaches and scouts, and assistant coaches, and even equipment managers. That’s the truth, as I see it.

By Tony C.

November 25, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

I had a dream: there were actually enough hockey fans in ATL to buy the club a la’ Edmonton or Green bay w/the Packers.

By Brendan

November 25, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

What a game in Toronto! I have not seen the Thrashers play this physical in quite some time. A Kovy fight! An Exelby fight! Colby Armstrong laying out Blake. Someone else tagged Grabovsky, or whatever his name is. Hedberg played well! The PP Unit had a good night.

What is it about Toronto that brings out the beasts in us? I think … it’s the atmosphere of the “Mecca” that is Toronto. Ya know, it’s hilarious. Leafs fans see us (Thrashers) as GOONS. They think we “goon it up” every night, like the Flyers, circa 1975. It’s hilarious. Yeah, we’re THUGS?? Half the time, we don’t even respond when someon runs one of our guys. But against Toronto we get our feathers ruffled.

Toronto broadcasters said that Don Waddell informed them that Zach Bogosian would not be returning to his Peterboro Juniors team, but rather, would stay in the NHL all year long. They also indicated that, in a rare situation, an 18-year old is being allowed to play in Chicago (AHL) for two weeks to rehab his injury. Niiice.

Now watch, here comes the “brand new” Rawhide blog!

By Rawhide

November 25, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the lead-in Professor…here is the new blog as advertised!

By Alan

November 25, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

Food for thought: Schneider was a +3 this evening in Toronto. Is that a typo in the TSN boxscore of the game? I didn’t have an opportunity to watch the game, but it sounds like he was pretty good defensively this evening. If that’s the case, then I hope he keeps it up. With that kind of play by everyone on the team, maybe we can make an ascension from the depths of the standings.