Ice Man

By The Joker

December 9, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

So, if the Thrashers can play…

If, if and buts were candies and nuts what a wonderful world it would be.

By The Joker

December 9, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

statisticalerization

Is that anything like stendeceralization, where you scream and shout about the same over and over?

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 9, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

LOUD NOISES!

By B. Thenet

December 9, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Regarding the scoring increase. I suspect you will find that our defensive scoring is up almost 100% from last year at this point. It is not just Hainsey getting it done from the blueline.

By Bob

December 9, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Anyway, in order to get to 94 points, the Thrashers would have to earn 73 of the remaining 112 available to them over the last 56 games

Can we all get on board with the build year now and realize our ultimate goal this year is to finish 29th or 30th in the league and get Tavares (Hedman or whoever)?

By Rawhide

December 9, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

B. Thenet - You’re absolutely correct.

Last season the blueline accounted for 13 goals and 78 assists for 91 points.

So far this season they have 11 goals and 34 assists for 45 points after 26 games.

That would put them on course for 35 goals and 107 assists for 142 points over 82 games.

By Barry

December 9, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

We aren’t making the playoffs with this team, but I want to see this team turn things around and go in the right direction…not the direction of ASG…but an actual winning upward direction. Then maybe next season we can pursuade some key FAs to want to come here and give us a top center and another top 6 forward this team desperately needs.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 9, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Then maybe next season we can pursuade some key FAs to want to come here and give us a top center and another top 6 forward this team desperately needs.

Barry — I really don’t think that’s possible in such a short time. Let’s say, for arguments sake, that Waddell is fired. Best case scenario, let’s say a respected and experienced GM comes in to take his place. Going with that best case scenario, let’s say that the team finishes this season strongly and shows they can string together wins at a steady pace, and that the first 30 games were an anomaly now that they’ve developed chemistry.

Is that enough, in your opinion, to drive the TOP (read, Tier I) Free Agents to Atlanta? Is it enough for two top 6 forwards, a top 4 defender, and then enough to replace the departing pieces?

In my opinion, it’s not. I see the team as having several handicaps. First, as outlined in the first day of the NHL Board of Governer’s meeting, many teams are having issues monetarily. By all accounts, this team is included in that group. This team is currently built monetarily to place last in the league, and all indications are that they are still losing money. Things wont change for the better in 6 months, so I doubt their ability to spend will either.

If the money is hard to come by, I don’t think much will change even if the salary cap drops (which I think it will, but am merely speculating). Bottom line, I don’t believe money will be spent.

So, the way I see it, the team will not spend the money necessary to lure tier 1 UFAs to Atlanta and surround them with a capable cast of players. This team is not in position to succeed with one injection of a superstar forward/defender to the cast they currently have. So, the new GM must build a new team, a successful team, and still find money to spend on a top Free Agent.

I don’t think that’s realistic.

But, let’s assume it is realistic. Bowman comes into Atlanta, gets a few extra $M to spend, and grabs a top FA for Kovalchuk, a top 6 forward, and possibly another defender. Can that team gel immediately?

Tampa Bay has proven thus far that simply throwing together talent, no matter how good, doesn’t make a good “team”. New York has proven that in the past as well.

So, my assumption is that in all likelihood, the pretty horizon is not next seasons, but further down the line. This team can build as a unit this year, but many of the pieces are going to be lost to free agency, trade deadline deals, etc. Thus, the youth needs to be played, developed, and tested at the NHL level. No matter who the GM is, they will face the challenge of convincing a player to sign in Atlanta (face it, nobody seems to want to play here). They will also be faced with the same prospects in the system currently, and will have to work with what they’re given.

Sorry for the long response…I just don’t think it’s as easy as saying “persuade some key FAs” and things are righted.

By NASCAR Dave

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

Yeah, but they still have JENNY SLATER, ERICA PERRIN, and CHRISTENA blocking roster spots… Their time is UP.

By Bob

December 9, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Then maybe next season we can pursuade some key FAs to want to come here and give us a top center and another top 6 forward this team desperately needs

Yep, you need to build a winning atmosphere here to attract the top guys, so we’re not avoided like the plague as it was last summer.

The first step is getting a respected GM in here, that will get the players attention.

This can be turned around pretty quickly, by the right guy, but times a wasting…

By Brendan

December 9, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Just throwing this out there, but in any of your opinions, do you honestly think Pat Quinn is still interested in Atlanta? (Quinn is a well-known, available commodity for GM. But is NOT my choice.) If I were he, I wouldn’t be interested. I’d get interested in Atlanta ifffff the team had different ownership … or if the owners’ business model changed, and their finances could sustain it. All dubious things, in my view.

Remember something ELSE about Free Agency, folks. Stay with me, okay? It’s not just about throwing ungodly sums of money at a player, just because that player is available. It’s about tweaking your roster with a missing element or two of your “team concept.” Teams aren’t constructed via free agency. At least, they shouldn’t be.

In theory, the GM is supposed to have an overall CONCEPT of what he wants to do. Still with me? For example, in Buffalo, GM Regier’s model was “Team Speed, coupled with Team Defense.” In Anaheim, GM Burke’s model was “Team Toughness, Top Six skilled forwards, Top Four skilled blueliners.” The team’s objective was to win puck battles in the corner boards, then have enough skill to score once it possessed the puck.

I couldn’t even begin to tell you what Waddell’s “vision” was for this club. Unless the goal really was “Team hodge podgedness.” Put a gun to my head, I say, “Offensive Entertainment Value” was the concept. It sure hasn’t been defense. No team in the NHL, since 1999, has surrendered more goals than Atlanta.

By Brendan

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

Before this blog is sent packing, I must get in the “Simpsons” quote: “Oh Kent, statistics can be used to prove anything. Forty-percent (40%) of all people know that.”

It got me to thinking … I’d bet … that I can PROVE Waddell is the best GM in the NHL at finding defensemen in the 7th round. And that little nugget would ERASE the losing record of the Waddell Administration, how? Shrugs. But, he just might be the KING of 7th round blueliners! Go Zach Redmond!

By Don Waddell

December 9, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

I’m looking for some extra dough. If you’re willing to grease my pockets, I’ll nominate you for the GM position with the Thrashers.

By Jarndyce

December 9, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

“They say it’s easy to lie with statistics. It’s much easier to lie without* statistics.” —R Hernstein.

Energy and focus, on every shift, in every game. If the Thrashers bring that for the rest of the season…

Well, they still won’t make the playoffs. But it would be a great sign of prosperity and playoff futures. We saw how the team responded after Anderson’s “making monkeys out of us” comments. What remains to be seen is what Anderson does after the first game where the Thrashers wear their monkey hats again.

Energy and focus on every shift, in every game. If the current players won’t bring that, then I’d gladly take less-skilled players from Chicago who will.

By Bob

December 9, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

No thanks, Governor, err, Don.

statistics can be used to prove anything

If we have 100% of the guys giving 110% 100% of the time, we win 100% of the games. 75% of the guys giving 110%? 75% of the games. So, that’s what we need, we need 100% of the guys, giving 110% and we win 100% of the game

Am I the only one that thinks of the Thrashers every time they see that commercial? Think about it, that’s the only way we win games this year, when all the guys skate balls to the wall the entire game and just outwill the other club. Can’t keep that up game in and game out, but what the hey.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 9, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Brendan — If I were a top flight unemployed GM out there, I wouldn’t take Atlanta either. Just like if I were a top flight NHL free agent. Most NHL cities have a lot more to offer me, a supposedly top (insert hockey role here), than Atlanta can offer. So without any real ties to Atlanta, I would go elsewhere unless Atlanta were my last option (Quinn).

Three snow days per year, relatively no night life, and easy access to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport?! WOOHOO, SIGN ME UP!

It’s a fine community for settling down, having a family, etc. The problem is, how many players at the peak of their career are interested in such things?

Then you’ve got the lack of media coverage, fickle fans, crappy ownership, and middle of the road talent pipeline…

By Alan

December 9, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

60% of the time, we win every time.

By Bob

December 9, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

relatively no night life

You needed to get out more when you were here, you might have stayed!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 9, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

*You needed to get out more when you were here, you might have stayed! *

Firstly, the night life in most American city pales in comparison to that in Europe. That being said, Atlanta pales in comparison to many of the other major cities with NHL teams. If nightlife were my cup of tea, I’d be looking to sign with any team within driving distance of NY.

Secondly, I don’t consider college night at Hole In The Wall night life, nor do I consider a Virginia Highland snob-fest nightlife, either. Of course, if I were of the same persuasion as Midtown Melvin I might’ve enjoyed the nightlife in Atlanta much more…

But true, there are some nice places to go. From what everyone says, Lehtonen seems to know a few good spots.

By R. Stroz

December 9, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

McDavid wins big

By The Joker

December 9, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

The Spirit boys should move to Chicago and get involved with the Illinois political machine.

The Spirit boys’ behavior would be a perfect fit for Illinois politics.

Crooked and Drunk

By Brendan

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

I found this to be the most depressing part of the article, “The decision does not mean McDavid now owns the teams. They remain in the hands of the Atlanta Spirit, an eight-member group of investors.”

I think I heard a collective blogosphere groan.

By Bob

December 9, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Well, he’s got an extra $300m laying around now if he wants to take the hockey club off their hands. lol.

What a coup for McDavid, I’m sure his car dealerships are suffering, couldn’t come at a better time for him.

By Brendan

December 9, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Bob, you read my mind. $316 is MORE THAN ENOUGH to buy the Thrashers, if he so desired. Funny thing is, if I were the AS, LLC, I’d sell!! I’d stand to make $50 million in pure profit. I’d sell it for $181M, which more than offsets the $131M I paid for it. That’s a $10 million yield, per year. Not really a bad investment, eh?

Now, how do we get McDavid re-energized to purchase them!

By Tony C.

December 9, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Having worked in nightclubs and as a promoter in this town as well as others, I agree with ranallo… Atlanta once upon a time (96-01) was beginning to have a decent nightlife scene, but once the Franklin administration passed the Buckhead Life group’s “Kill the clubs” legislation (all clubs closed by 0200, increased liqour license fees, even more of those abrud food sold vs. alcohol sold precentage taxes, rezoning commercial areas, etc. etc. say what you want about Campbell, at least he understood that conventioneers want to go out, and that ATL’s convention business was it’s only real shot at developing into the “international city” they like to think of themselves as) in order to bring in all those glistening new “upscale” properties that are going to remain empty IMHO for quite awhile, they pretty killed any chance of ATL developing a truly cosmopolitan nightlife.

By Nikita

December 9, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Yeah, well, no matter what Atlanta is, it is not comsmopolitan. But it’s far more cosmopolitan than many of our competitor cities.

Glad to see McDavid won. How soon till the Spirit declares bankruptcy?

By HookyBob

December 9, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Three comments.

Rawhide: No blog that quotes Twain is complete w/o this gem: “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are a fool,…than to open it and remove all doubt.”

Does anyone remember the “rally caps” our boys wore a few years ago for shootouts? Seemed to help. Maybe we should try that for an entire game this year. :)

The latter comment proves the former.

By Tony C.

December 9, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

Just so we’re clear; I’m not trashing ATL, but rather the powers that are ruining a good thing..

By ranallo10 (in AT)

December 9, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

So we’re clear I too am not trashing Atlanta, just calling a spade a spade.

By The Joker

December 9, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

How the Spirit Boys look after they lost to McDavid, boy you like pigs?

By sisu

December 9, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

Ok, so following along with free agents. Consider that the argument has been made that even with over paying for free agents there is no guarantee that they would come here. So how do you sort that out? The easiest solution is to make a trade where the player has no say so and hope that they are at the most a RFA. On this current team there is no good trade bait than one or two guys.

What if the following happened? What if Crusher has damaged his shoulder for good and he becomes “damaged goods” where he could only be a shadow of the player he could be? Then a major trade that brought him here starts to look average at best.

My point? There are no guarantees but maybe just maybe the team can just work out of this by another 5 game win streak! Oh heck, let’s just go for 6 games to break the magical barrier of 5:)

By sisu

December 9, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

One other thing, remember the dman that everyone wanted? Are these stats that would have helped this team? http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1923

I am not sure that he would have changed much plus think of the money that would have been invested…pretty even with Hainsey.

What this team needs is a guy willing to go to the net and that is something we have not seen too much.

By Brendan

December 9, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

There are no guarantees that the sun will rise tomorrow. But most of us plan accordingly.

The point?

Clean your own house, and it stays fresh.

Uhh, translation? You draft your own players, then re-sign them at “market value.” That’s how you TCB. What you don’t do, in my opinion, is go trade for players whose hearts and interests lie ELSEWHERE, effectively trapping them here against their will. From the moment of their arrival, they’re eyeballing the exit, a la Marian Hossa. Unless you can convince them that it’s really foolish to leave. I think they call that “The Stockholm Syndrome,” whereby the terrorists convince their hostages that their movement is just, valid, and proper, to the point where the hostages are now sympathetic to the cause.

If trades must happen, I’d hope we try for 1st round picks. Lots of ‘em. Clean our own house. Sweep our own porch. And budget accordingly to accommodate their “fair market value” for the future when their contracts come due. And by that, I mean PROACTIVELY, a year AHEAD of their RFA eligibility. This achieves two important things: (1) it saves money, more than likely and (2) it announces how serious the franchise takes player retention and commitment towards winning. Think about it. Think HARDER.

UFA signings are a bit different. If you successfully sign a UFA, you got a player who chose to be here. That is, that player and is agent weighed their offers and thought Atlanta was their best option. Now, UFA’s who only sign for one-year (Williams, Reasoner) aren’t exactly sure that Atlanta is their best longrange project. Also, GM’s who only offer 1-year deals to free agents aren’t exactly wheeling out the Welcome Mat, either. (Think Boulton. In years past, Vigier, Aubin, and Petrovicky.)

By The Joker

December 10, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this

When is the ASG appearing before Congress for a government bailout?

By Steely Dan

December 10, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

Looks like Scott Burnside is on the same page with Rawhide about whether or not DW is the man to perform any possible trade for Kovy over the next 14 months or so.

By Greg

December 10, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Knobler,

I like the statistics run down, gives a little hope for Anderson’s system. But as the Thrasher’s continual woes seem to be on the defensive end, can we get a similar breakdown for defense? And specifically, can you draw a line between the goalies and the D?

Thanks.

By dhj_1962

December 10, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

atl has great nite life, uh, hooters, gold club and mardi gras

By dhj_1962

December 10, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

can you draw a line between the goalies and the D? dont need a line, need a brick wall.

By Alan

December 10, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

dont need a line, need a brick wall.

I don’t think we need Waddell to construct that brick wall, though. The structural integrity of everything else he’s built was compromised from the start. What makes the brick wall any different?

By dhj_1962

December 10, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

HE WOULD MAKE THE BRICKS OUT OF MUD, NO STRAW.

By dhj_1962

December 11, 2008 5:46 AM | Link to this

moose 3, rangers 0, thrashers 2. sick, at least KL would have taken the stick if his had broke(first goal), at least Kl would not have cleared the puck right into the chest of a ranger(2nd goal) and what in the HELL was he thinking on the 3rd goal??? he pushed it right to gomer.

By Lew318

December 11, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Folks, numbers normally don’t lie and in this case they provide a realism on the direction this team would have to take to make the playoffs.

I think we need to realize whether Donny has admitted it or not this team is rebuilding; Ray Charles could see this. We have brought in a coach that has built teams and systems that win and you must give it a chance.

Anderson wasn’t given the horses to make his system work as well as he would like. We have a mediocre set of players playing with one of the top 10 players in the world. We need to build on this.

The most telling issue we as fans need to think about is why management is millions below cap. The focus here of the Management team (owners) is the Hawks and basketball not hockey.

My guess is Waddell is under a great deal of pressure to win and we have a coach with a past winning record coaching here for only 30 games trying hard to turn this team around.

We could make the playoffs if this team plays hard and skates for 45-60 minutes a night. They are professionals with a good, great, skill level and they they have to work harder than others to make something happen. They need to believe in themselves and play with confidence. You saw their ability in the first period of last night’s game against the Rangers.

We as fans need to continuing to push Waddell and his management to spend their money for better players and make statements to the world that this team is going to compete and they support Anderson’s direction. Have you ever heard Levinson and Donny state that in the press recently?