Ice Man

By FRENZY

December 31, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

HAPPY NEW YEAR, BLUELAND!

We certainly have something to be BLUE about!!!!

By Barry

December 31, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

The Kozlov-White-Little line should NOT BE off limits. Little needs to center Kovy. There really isn’t anyone else on the team that has shown any chemistry with Kovy. Just put in some grinding RW and that’s all Kovy needs, but first he needs a real #1-#2 quality center. Who on the team is capable of that? Why Bryan Little of course…no one else. Time for John Anderson to think outsiiide the box.

By R. Stroz

December 31, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

At 9:00 this morning, my father will under-go surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his ascending colon. So, you know where the vast majority of my efforts and attention will be over the New Year.

Bill - Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family tomorrow. Events such as these put hockey in perspective.

By stendec

December 31, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this

Rawhide. Cancer took my father December 23, 1983. Only yesterday. Always will be. My special prayers are with you and your family my friend. God bless all of you. Happy New Year!

By Brendan

December 31, 2008 2:11 AM | Link to this

Best wishes for your Dad, Rawhide.

By LAC

December 31, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this

Stendec,I lost my mother and my best friend in 2998, a terrible 365 days, I hope the next 365 days provide us all with a lot more fun & excitement than 2008 has.

Getting tired of watching us give up so many shots, our D has never been good and it is not getting better, and why 2008 ends with don waddell still calling the shots I just do not know.

If there is anyone in a GM position in pro sports who deserves to be let go it is waddell… maybe Matt Millan in don’s home town, but as for NHL hockey it is long overdue the waddell tenure be ended.

So here IS HOPING, that 2009 brings down the waddell house of cards and that we can get a REAL GM in to clean up the mess and clean house !

Happy New Year…. Cheers Too !

By PUTTING ON THE FOIL

December 31, 2008 6:42 AM | Link to this

I see the analyzing continues. Thought I would drop in from the Falcon blog to say “Happy New Year” and FIRE WADDELL.

By TableHockey

December 31, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this

Rawhide - my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your Dad.

By Bob

December 31, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

To his credit, Moose turned away 43 of the 47 Toronto shots Tuesday night, (a .915 SV%)

Damn. If only we had a goalie with a higher save %, then as Bob (other) says, a lot of problems would be solved and we would have won that game! Damn Moose.

lol, Bob (other) is pretty clueless, but that’s one of the most enlightening comments I ever heard out of him, makes one understand the mindset of some of our fans.

Bill, I will pray that your father endures surgery well and that the surgeons are guided in their work to a successful operation.

By Tom

December 31, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

Oh, and in the what might have been category. Where would we be if Time Warner did not pull the switcheroo.

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2003/09/15/daily23.html

By J(Z)

December 31, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

best wishes to you and your dad and the Rawhide family…it is pretty amazing what doctors can do these days!

By Alan

December 31, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Bill - My thoughts are with you and your family. May your father make a swift recovery.

By five_hole

December 31, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Bill Our thoughts are with your father. It’s amazing what medical science can do today.

By Jim

December 31, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

* Time to wish Donnie well and send him on his way*. Also time to package up the following and send them along with him: Exelby, Schneider, Christensen, Perrin, Bolton, Thorburn, Slater and Williams. Do they really produce anything but simply take up space?

By PJ

December 31, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Rawhide My thoughts are with you and your family today, I pray that your Dad’s surgury is sucessful and that he makes a complete recovery.

By GT

December 31, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

I know a good offense makes a good defense, but I would like to see that switched around. Granted, a higher save average from the goalie would be nice, but I feel the D really needs to step up their game. We are scoring the goals, but allowing many more. I would like stronger D on the team before any more offense is added.

By Bob (other)

December 31, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Bob, the cluelessness resides from the completely empty space inside your head.You are entitled to your opinions and so is everyone else. Arrogance.

By DedicatedHockeyFan

December 31, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

Rawhide:

I wish your father the most positive of outcomes.

For those that do not seem to think DW is a human being, I think it important you know that he lost his father-in-law to a fast moving cancer this past August. All the while supporting his family in their time of need, hiding his own personal grief while constantly caring for them as well as “his day job” for the Thrashers!

Please think of his family too this holiday season. I hope it makes you realize what’s really important in life - definitely not bashing or hating. Any chance of being a little less horrible, at least for a little while?

I wish you all peace, health and compassion in this New Year.

By HookyBob

December 31, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

Rawhide: “Good riddance” is spot on. As noted in the SI power rankings,..“another 3 loss week for the Thrashers”. The critcal word is another. What more can you say? After so long at this level of losing what is there to say?

So let me ask the a begging question,.. What makes anyone think 2009 will be any different? Please don’t shoot this messenger. Have I missed a material change,..or maturation? Someone has to say it (thanks Boortz).

The common quote is “the more things change, the more things stay the same.” This franchise is more predictable:…”the longer things stay the same, the longer things don’t change (ie the longer the fans suffer.)”

In looking around,…does anyone recall the firesales and rebuilding of the Capitals since 2004? Look at them now:

While I remain a Thrasher fan,…I thoroughly enjoy the success (and watching) the Capitals. Call it NHL franchise envy. Does anyone see similarities between Ilya’s enthusiasm of 2002-7 and Ovie’s today? What sucked that energy out of our star and team?

Rawhide: I’m not sure there is anything new to say about our boys in Blue. With that in mind, I give you great credit for keeping this blog active.

We need a change with the Thrashers.

BTW: Gaborik is not the change we need. As great as his potential is,..he has to be healthy to help us. Why would his “fragility” improve here? Spezza on the other hand….. His current contract goes through 2013 so he’d be here awhile.

Go Blue. What is it going to take to get a Gordie Howe hat trick? At a minimum,.. it would reinvigorate the fans.

By Sage of Bluesland

December 31, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

I’ll never stop holding people with responsibility accountable for their professional actions.

Never.

Everyone has problems. Not everyone makes millions making one bad decision after another. Don Waddell shouldn’t be making those decisions anymore for the team I care about. He has done enough damage as it is.

I’m sorry for any personal tragedies in his life—but, everyone has them. My beef is strictly professional.

FIRE DON WADDELL

By Buzzeng

December 31, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

RH - our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Have a happy new year. Like you, I’ll be happy to see the CY2008 Thrasher Year close and hope for better in 2009. I’d say “It couldn’t get any worse”, but my experience shows that saying something like that is the fastest way to make it worse…and I don’t want to know what could be worse than 2008 - it would definitely be un-good.

By DedicatedHockeyFan

December 31, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

Sage of Blueland:

Never did I ask anyone to stop holding people accountable for professional actions, all I asked is for a moratorium on the bashing and hatred. None of us know what is going on behind the scenes and can only imagine how DW has to do a job with a zillion “bosses” that includes the fans - everyone is a critic and I agree that while you pay your money you should be able to say what you want but must the tone be so harsh AND all the time? No, I am not drinking the koolaid nor am I wearing rose colored glasses - I am just a caring human being and until DW can tell the real story of how from Day 1 he has had to do a (in fans minds, less than phenomenal(and in my mind, an always professional) job while dealing with unrealistic owners (starting with Ted and his sole decision to name the team - taking that away from DW’s idea of holding a lottery for the FANS to choose), hands tied as well as having to handle everything on the cheap, I will continue to be a DedicatedHockeyFan to DW, his staff and the Thrashers. My one complaint with the players - you get paid VERY WELL so you need to show up EVERY NIGHT. And for those that act like spoiled, right of passage brats, get over yourselves. You are just hockey players - you don’t save lives.

With regard to “everyone having personal tragedies in their lives”, I pray for yours ahead that you are surrounded by many compassionate family and friends - and I would like to believe DW would be there for you too - as a professional as well as an every day caring human being.

Finally, may I ask how you came to the fact that DW “makes millions”? Last I read in any publication, coaches and owners are the ones that make the big bucks - GMs get grief yet I truly believe are deserving of bigger paychecks for that grief. You can only put the best people on the ice that owners allow you to “buy” - and from Day 1 we all know the purse strings have been tight (for lack of a better printable word).

Again, I wish you all less hatred and more compassion and behind the scenes understanding in 2009.

By Tom

December 31, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

USA USA USA We are up 2-0 in the first.

By Rawhide

December 31, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

Thanks to all for the kind words and well-wishes. Dad is doin fine and resting after a successful surgery.

He and will watch the Winter Classic tomorrow on the little TV in his hospital room. It’ll be great!

I got home in time to see the U.S. take a 3-0 lead on Canada-land…only then to see them tie the score at 3-3 before the first break. Wow…what a period of exciting hockey.

Now…on to Thrashers at Carolina…and Kovi snaps his scoring slump!!!!

GO THRASHERS!!!

By Alan

December 31, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

Wooo! Go Kovalchuk!

By DedicatedHockeyFan

December 31, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Rawhide - wonderful news and blessings ahead for your father and family in 2009.

God Bless and Go Thrashers!

By Rawhide

December 31, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

DedicatedHockeyFan* - Thank you very much, indeed.

This USA-Canada game is off the chain…4-4 with 14 minutes left in the second…WOW!

And it’s great to see Bogosian back in he lineup for the Thrashers!!!

By Tom

December 31, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Great news on your Dad Rawhide!

One forgets how great hockey can be when everyone is pumped up! The USA - Canada game has been amazing.

By Alan

December 31, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Godt Nyttår, alle!

FIRE WADDELL!

By Steely Dan

December 31, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

FIRE WADDELL!!

Even though he’s a fine human-being, a wonderful family man, probably a great person to talk hockey over a beer with and I wish him much happiness and peace in this New Year.

FIRE WADDELL!!

By Bob

December 31, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

the cluelessness resides from the completely empty space inside your head.You are entitled to your opinions and so is everyone else. Arrogance

Oh I love me some irony. Just think Bob (other), if only our goalies would have had a 1.000 save % tonight, we would have won!

By Bob (other)

January 1, 2009 12:17 AM | Link to this

Another example of your delusional mind. The Carolina game save % was 89%, which I believe was Rawhide’s point in his piece the other day. Our goaltending has been the weakest link of this team.

By Brendan

January 1, 2009 12:45 AM | Link to this

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !!!

I want to offer my continued support and optimism for an excellent recovery to Rawhide’s Dad. And, I want to add, “Enjoy the Winter Classic tomorrow, from Wrigley Field!”

Regarding Don Waddell’s personal situation, I wish him nothing but the best, as he, like many of us, has to deal with his personal family trials. I wish Don Waddell “healing, in his time of grief.” By the way, Waddell was a 2nd period intermission guest on NHLTV, interviewed by Matt McConnell, during the fantastic IIHF World Juniors Tournament game between Team Canada and Team USA, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I will present a transcript of it, later on.

Regarding Waddell remaining on as GM, I want to express my heartfelt empathy for him. Really, truly, he is in an unenviable position. Trying to manage a hockey team, with or without a salary cap, from a position of weakness and financial constraint, is a difficult task for even the most capable of GM’s. Other GM’s look at Kovalchuk, probably, and think, “I can wait until 2010. No sense giving anything up for a player I can obtain for nothing but the cost of his salary, later on.” And these other GM’s know Don’s situation. It’s like trying to play poker against someone who has “X-ray vision.” They can plainly SEE HIS CARDS.

I’m not too sure another GM would necessarily be able to get the requisite “Krytonite” to block the “X-ray vision.”

If fans are calling for Waddell’s head, it’s hardly surprising. It’s EXPECTED BEHAVIOR, in the World of Sports, and sports accountability. GM’s are fired for FAR, FAR LESS. Plainly, DW’s retention is affecting sales and the advancement of this club, in the public’s perception. It’s also hurting the club, in terms of the Sports Agents who handle Tier I and Tier II clients. They’re not putting Atlanta on a serious list of potential destinations for their clients. They only “use” Atlanta, to drive up the cost to their client’s true intended destination. If you were to point this out to Don Waddell, he’d look out the window … or in another direction … and mutter, “I know.” Possibly followed by, “But what I am supposed to do about it? It’s not my money. I don’t own the team. I don’t have a MAX CAP budget, to try to fix things.”

Okay. Fair enough. But ya know what ELSE? Don Waddell could quit, like Jay Feaster, in Tampa Bay. Feaster had it “up to here” … and he resigned in disgust, unable to endure another day of it. Waddell hasn’t resigned. He may not “like” his working conditions, but he hasn’t quit. And because he hasn’t quit, he’s still accountable for his decisions and his management of the team. Public criticism is part of the “GM-landscape.” I don’t think he even listens to it. He tunes it out. What GOOD would it do Waddell, to listen to people call him a moron? He knows what the results of his Administration are. It doesn’t bother him. He trudges on. He keeps on trying, as best he can. Other GM’s, probably would have quit by now. So, either Don needs the money, or he “likes” being the Thrashers GM. But in any case, he’s not to be “exempted” from criticism, even harsh criticism. Or calls for his firing. His retention ISSSS hurting this club. He might not think so, but it is. Sooner or later, the ownership will start to realize … they can’t even give the tickets away. It’s at that point, that the ownership will have no other choice than to reevaluate the business plan. And that would probably include firing Waddell, just to win back some public trust and confidence.

By Tom

January 1, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

After watching the World Juniors Canada vs USA I have one thing to say.

Lose, Baby, Lose…

Let’s keep the underperforming players, and bench those who are hustling. Send Little down to Chicago for a little seasoning. Bring back Pavs and mess with his head.

Just Lose

It will be the only way to keep Kolvalchuk.

Because next year we add Tavares and Esposito who both have speed and skill, especially that Tavares kid. Put them together with Ilya and then we have a chance to see something special. A true first line.

And Ilya might just stay around if that is on the table.

By R. Stroz

January 1, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this

HAPPY NEW YEAR

FIRE WADDELL

By Smitty

January 1, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this

Rawhide Good news regarding your Dad. Best wishes for swift recovery. Great Jr game last night between Canada and USA. Sure would be nice to get Tavares. If Thrashers keep on playing the way they are we will have a good shot at him. That is one of the few good things about this year. My hope for the new year is that the person keeping track of the point predictions we made for the Thrashers before the season started loses them. Enjoy the Winter Classic.
Happy New Year

By five_hole

January 1, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this

Happy New Year to all.

We blog about keeping Kovy or possibly getting Tavares, and talent is important, but if you want to see what really matters, just look at the Falcons. They were a joke a year ago and then the ownership went out and got a first rate GM and an innovative coach. What a difference a year makes.

I don’t even want to talk about fire DW. I want the ASG to sell to new management. We need changes from the top down.

By Tony C.

January 2, 2009 5:16 PM | Link to this

Ugh.

By Nikita

January 2, 2009 5:49 PM | Link to this

Yawn.

My Fire on Ice predictions, since the gloom and doom here is just boring me to tears…

First, let me say that I never would have guessed that the Thrashers would be hotter in ‘08/’09 than they were last year, but HD and a sports team that is treating them slightly better than the average high school team has resulted in flattering filming.

Now as to predictions: 1. Slava Kozlov, Todd White, and Bryan Little will continue to be hot only because of their on-ice performances. Koz’s appearance has been greatly improved by Code Red and what appears to be a stint in a tanning bed, but unfortunately the league won’t allow him to skate helmetless and therefore show off his silky mane.
2. Assuming Marty Reasoner gets dentistry to replace his missing teeth, he will remain smokin’ off the ice and smokin’ because of his performance on it.
3. “Union rep” Garnet Exelby will continue to thrill the crazy lady with all the YouTube videos. But he’ll probably play just as badly once he gets off IR, and we can forget any idea of trading him. 4. Eric Christensen will be stone cold on and off the ice. Look for his trade to a place with much hotter scorers overall.
5. The Thrashers remain well-represented in goal, with Ondrej Pavelec bringing some nice backup hotness to the 1-2 punch of Kari Lehtonen and “sexiest backup goaltender in Atlanta history” Johan Hedberg.
6. The Thrashers also remain pretty well-represented on defense, with the smoldering and very angry Valabik/Oystrick combo, and the recently de-mulletized Ron Hainsey. But Toby’s gotta work on his haircut and deathly pallor — it makes me wonder if Kozlov is thriving on his blood or something.

Oh, and…’fros are back! I predict in 2009 we will see Bryan Little, Chris Thorburn, and Jim Slater sporting the frizzy, unkempt look. And maybe the return of “Hockey Love!”

We have a game tonight against one of my favorite teams, incidentally. Go, Thrashers!