By Sage of Bluesland

November 29, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Thank goodness for Tampa Bay and Florida, as they accompany us at the bottom of the conference’s standings…

What year, again, is it of Don Waddell’s “master plan”?

Oh, check that, ‘rebuilding’ again?

Wow. When will a very clear message be sent to ownership that this is wholly and completely unacceptable?

Well, unless to some these results are in line with their expectations for a team nearly a decade old now?

Wow.

By Brendan

November 29, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Sage, I’m tellin’ ya … this is EXACTLY what they want. They want the ability to be able to obfuscate that … if it just weren’t for thissss, or thaaaat, then the team would be rockin’. And then, get into the lottery draft and claim that we solved the Tier I Center issue for Kovalchuk with that draft pick.

Watch.

When that happens, smirk. And think of me, Sage. For I told you so.

By sisu

November 29, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Ok, one thing that really bothered me last night was the performance of Moose. He had a zero save percentage after the first shot, We have yet to see a goalie “steal a game for the team”!

Pavs has played well but he is still young. He will benefit from more time in the AHL.

By Nikita

November 29, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Yep. After watching last night’s game, my lovely husband turned to me and said “I hope Kari comes back healthy. And soon.” Let’s face it, ya’ll — people love Moose, but he is a career backup goalie. His success thus far is due to temperament and work ethic more than to raw skill. And Pavelec is good — but he’s not that good yet. Our sink or swim goalie should be Kari Lehtonen.

However, I’m going to sort of agree with Don Waddell here. We are close. From my perspective, we have made improvements and the team is gelling more. Incremental improvements will make the team competitive.

IMO, Perrin on the top line is working out great for now. However, it highlights to some extent that we have a few players who are not working out, or may be in the wrong place. How long do we wait for Christensen, for example? That third line needs to work. Also, I think we need to make Eric Boulton redundant with someone who can keep up with Jimmy Slater, win some fights, and put up some goals.

On this specific game: a. Kudos to Nathan Oystrick, And kudos to his line on that awesome goal. It highlights what the team can do, even the smaller, older, supposedly less talented, etc., players, when they hustle, play solid hockey, and work hard to overcome routine obstacles. b. Smart move scratching Crush. Crabb did fine. c. I’m really sick of stupid play, though. Too many men on the ice is a great example, and there really is no excuse. d. Also, this team needs to take the game rather than chase it.

Sily random observations: “Don’t you want me” is not one of the better songs I’ve heard on the organ. But kudos to the organ guy for switching things up. The arena show is getting pretty stale.

By THE FISH

November 29, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

I was screaming for the Thrashers to decline penalties last night as their power play is horrific. On four power plays they were -1 and seemingly outshot. What a joke the Thrash has become. Last season for me. Feeling like a fool that I seem to be only one of a handful of suckers that renewed in Sec. 115. Next season I plan on taking the 3G that I spent on the Thrash and going on a few road trips to see games in all the great venues like Detroit, Montreal, Toronto….and no Thrasher games….I’m done.

By Sage of Bluesland

November 29, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Good for you, FISH, stop subsidizing the incompetence—as that is ALL you are currently doing…

By five_hole

November 29, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Oysterick is going to make it difficult when Bogosian gets healthy again. Hainsey may be our #1 d-man but I think #2/3 are Havelid and Oystrick, top dog depends on the game. Do you sit Schneider who makes $5.8 mil, your only big hitter in X, or Enstrom, who just signed a big contract, or do you stop the development of your future #1in Bogo?

I’m in agreement with Nikita. I like the Moose, but he’s got limited talent, and can’t be counted on for long stretches. I like Kari, but he can’t stay healthy, and we can’t count on him. I say give Ondrej his chance.

I also say keep Crabb in the lineup. I like the kid’s hustle. He makes things happen and goes to the net; two things in short supply on this team. Christensen can ride the pine for awhile. If there’s anyone else in Chicago close, I say bring them up & give Williams a rest, too.

By Hockey Biltong

November 29, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

Why is it that every time the rink p.a. announces “Thrashers on the power play”, that seems to be the cue to turn over the puck for a short sided rush on goal.

And we lose a lot of board battles. We desparately need to clean up our passes out of our zone. Nashville showed us a better passing game last night.

By holla

November 30, 2008 3:25 AM | Link to this

All I have to say is Whiskey Tango FoxTrot…… figure it out D dub!!!!

By Brendan

November 30, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Like him, hate him, distrust him, adore him … at least Brian Burke tells you what the plan is. In his Press Conference, he laid out what the Maple Leaf strategy will be under his stewardship. But much moreso than that, he said, “This isn’t a business to make money. I’ll be prudent with it. It’s not my money. So, it must be spent wisely. We’re going to be intelligent about our contracts.” Burke continued, “My Christmas freeze begins December 9th. Two weeks before the league freezes the rosters. Families should be together at Christmas.” Burke added, “But anyone who doesn’t want to do community outreach, while I’m here, will be gone. In this market, players have to get out there to interact with the public.” And finally, he laid out his game plan. “Top 6 forwards will be skilled guys. Bottom six will do the plumber’s work. Kill penalties, generate energy, and fight. Same deal on defense. Top four players will be skilled and the bottom two will do the plumber’s work, which is still very important. We’re going to be aggressive in our pursuit of the puck. Ideally, we’ll possess it. But we’re going to put out an entertaining product for the fans, whether the team wins or loses. We’re going to justify that ticket price.”

Stop. Wasn’t that refreshing? I’m not asking anyone to like Brian Burke. But admit it, it’s refreshing to have someone representing the organization explain, in detail, what the strategy is. And talk about the budget. And talk the players and how the GM views the “concept” for the team.

When has that EVVVVVER happened in Atlanta? Don Waddell throws a hodge podge team together, grabbing at whatever pieces he can get. Then asks them to gel. When half the team is in their “contract year.” Free agents don’t sign for more than year or two, except for Enstrom or Hainsey. Reasoner came on a 1-year deal. Same thing with Williams. Kari re-upped on a 1-year deal. Boulton took a 1-year deal, grateful for that.

Okay, Todd White took 4-years. I guess we can point to that one, too. Perrin’s in his final year. And Kozlov seems to know that his contract could, theoretically, be renewed over the Summer, as it has a year left. But I digress.

John Anderson did not hold a press conference to explain his system. Don Waddell did not hold a press conference to discuss the budget, strategy, and “concept” of our team. Once upon a time, the Atlanta Thrashers had a “Top Six that featured Jon Sim, Keith Tkachuk, and Ilya Kovalchuk on the top line, and Marian Hossa, Eric Belanger, and Slava Kozlov on the second line.”

Where are we now? And what’s the plan, going forward? Just a press conference to announce it … is all I’m really asking for.

By Buzzeng

November 30, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

RH - it was a holiday and game highlight to meet you in person and thank you for the great work you do with the blog! Thanks for keeping this long-distance Thrashers fan “in the loop”. Hope to see you again Dec. 20! Great meeting you, too R Stroz! Go Thrashers!

By Sara

November 30, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Rawhide and Stroz pleasure to see you as always. Very nice to meet the Divine Mrs. R and JLH as well.

Brendan Don Waddell over the years has done plenty of talking about this, that, and the other when it comes to the development of this team. He’s talked about being smart with contracts, he’s talked about what kind of team he wants to build (which, admittedly, has changed a time or two). The words from Waddell also used to be more free-flowing before the Atlanta Spirit days - in that organization, one must watch one’s words carefully. The budget in particular is not a topic I imagine DW wants to go anywhere near in a public forum. Plus, let’s face it, when you are operating on a tight budget, it’s virtually impossible to do much future planning, since you essentially have to wait and see what kind of sales might develop over time. It’s a tad difficult to find Saks 5th Avenue quality on a Wal-Mart budget.

Besides, as the DW Hater Club would be quick to point out, it isn’t about talking the talk, it’s about walking the walk. What a GM says isn’t nearly as important as what a GM does.

One last observation on the Burke topic. Anyone else besides me find that last part of his quote a bit odd…justifying the ticket price with an entertaining product, win or lose? Ummm, shouldn’t an “acceptance speech” as it were be more along the lines of “we’re going to turn things around and build a winner here in TO”? The words “lose” or “loss” shouldn’t be found anywhere in such a speech, unless directly preceded by a negative.

By Brendan

November 30, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

I think what Burke was imparting was that … no longer will the team lose in a boring-to-watch, uninspired fashion. I grant you, that’s an odd thing for him to discuss in a Press Conference that announces his arrival on the scene. But, I would think things are much different up in the “Mecca.” Up there, when you lose, it’s bad. And it’s worse when you lose in a boring manner. Toronto fans expect a lot. That’s the way it is. And every year that they don’t win, they seeminly get madder and madder about it. I, actually, am not going to fault the Toronto fans over that. They have a RIGHT to their feelings and expressions.

Another thing occurred to me. (Everyone leans in.) How long is Brian Burke’s new contract? Stop. Before you SHOUT OUT the answer … ask yourself this question: “Isn’t this supposed to be a NATIONAL SECURITY SECRET?,” like it is in Atlanta.

Burke’s new deal is (everyone shouts it out, as it is well-publicized) for SIX YEARS. And just think, I didn’t even have knife or shoot someone to obtain that information. No “Chinese Water Torture.” No electrocution. No threatening the lives of family members. Not even an idle threat of a I.R.S. audit. I didn’t even have to tie someone up and make they listen to hour after hour of Wayne Newton music. It was information that flowed FREELY and OPENLY from the Maple Leaf organization. Well, I guess that’s Canada for you. It’s like … this whole other country. We have no right to judge their security measures, I suppose.

But I must tell you. I am STUNNED at this revelation. Just STUNNED. I’d tell you how long John Anderson’s contract is … but then … bad things would follow. Very bad things. Unspeakable, really. Heavy is the head that wears the CROWN of information. Especially as prvileged as that. Cursed is the person who knows EXACTLY when Waddell’s contract expires. When you have this kind of knowledge, you need a Secret Service Escort and a plane called “Air Force One.”

And just think … if the organization actually published it, it’d get about as much attention paid to it … as a discarded beer can in DeKalb County. It would a “hiccup” on the Atlanta Sports media’s radar.

By Sage of Bluesland

November 30, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

The reason our bumbling little fraud of a GM doesn’t ‘talk’ much anymore is very simple: Every time he opens his mouth, he either issues famous last words or his foot goes squarely in.

More often, it’s the former. See, he doesn’t talk to Jeff Schultz anymore—because Jeff is the ONLY ajc writer to do his job competently (i.e. he actually holds Waddell accountable for both his blustering words and his buffoonish actions).

Wake up, Atlanta, and stop subsidizing the utterly ridiculous incompetence which is going on in that figurative joke otherwise known as “Blueland”…

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 30, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

That’s cute, you added “utterly ridiculous” to your normal post. You’re definitely shaking things up.

By Sage of Bluesland

November 30, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Cuter than your continued defense of Don Waddell? No way, sugarplum!

By five_hole

November 30, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

I was at the game this afternoon. My thoughts:

Jim Slater played most of a shift missing a hockey stick. No one noticed.

Ondrej Pavelic is sueing the Thrashers for non-support.

X may have found a full time job with his Ron Burgandy schtick. He does a better job at that than his other job as a defenseman.

Joey Crabb deserves more than 10 minutes of ice time. At the same time, Jason Williams deserves less than his 17 minutes of ice time.

Who lit a fire under Todd White?

The ice girls really look good in those red outfits. Or less.

Do we even practice the penalty kill?

It is not true that Schneider takes both a stick and a cane on the ice. He usually leaves his stick on the bench.

We played a pathetic Blues team that played yesterday, and made them look like Detroit on 3 days rest. We played a good first period. Unfortunately, we showed up for the 2nd & 3rd. Somehow, Todd White took a tripping penalty at the very end of the 1st period. At the 20:00 mark. That’s how we opened the 2nd, and it never got better. If they release Williams, Reasoner & Schneider and play scrubs for the rest of the season, we’d be better off.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

November 30, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

Aww, name calling that doesn’t involve farm animals, that’s a new one for you too. You’re definitely breaking the mold today!