Ice Man

By R. Stroz

January 6, 2009 11:42 PM | Link to this

FIRE WADDELL

By Sage of Bluesland

January 6, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this

Look no further for our woes than the “architect” of it: Don Waddell.

He, alone, built this “team” from day one and what are we besides the dregs of the league?

I guess we’re on another “Five-Year Plan”—but, frankly, I’ve lost count of how many we’ve had or where we’re at in our current one…

I’m only disappointed that the few fans still continue showing up and subsidizing the incompetence. Apparently, the ownership doesn’t even understand the pitiful attendance that is currently there now.

It’s time to empty the arena completely. Take it to the next level. Increase the pressure. It’s the ONLY way to effect change.

By B. Thenet

January 6, 2009 11:54 PM | Link to this

Here is a new game for the Thrashers to play:

The next time someone tells a reporter “We need to play a full 60 minutes” or “If we played the whole game like we played the last period” Anyone else on the Thrashers(or in the Thrasher press retinue) can just cold c** them in the mouth.

I am so tired of the same damn excuses for the same damn problems night after night after night.

To hear Jason Williams talk about effort is hilarious. Does he not watch game tape with the rest of the team or something. That guy has mailed it in for almost the whole season. Does he not realize he is one of the people that everyone else is talking about when they say things like that?

Is Jason Williams in some magical “lack of effort” bubble where he thinks he is putting in an effort? Perhaps one of the coaches can point out to him that he is not putting in a full effort every night, and that not scoring goals for almost half the season when you are regularly on the ice with Ilya Kovalchuk is a freaking joke.

By R. Stroz

January 6, 2009 11:57 PM | Link to this

Jason Williams thinks effort means taking a big dump.

By Scotty

January 7, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this

Do “good” teams lose 19 of 25 games, Don Waddell?? Well fool, DO THEY??

Seriously? How does that fool still have a job??

By Thrashy Thrashy

January 7, 2009 12:17 AM | Link to this

Sage,

Some people just go to a game because they can. That building will never be completely empty. Don’t get me wrong. It certainly should be, but it won’t be. Not everyone who goes to a game gives a damn about the product on display.

By Thrashy Thrashy

January 7, 2009 12:21 AM | Link to this

Jason Williams’s best effort of the night was letting Malkin skate unimpeded to the net to set up the second goal.

After all, we’re playing for Tavares, right?

If I’m wrong, please correct me.

By R. Stroz

January 7, 2009 12:21 AM | Link to this

I have an idea for a pool question for the bloggers and a poll question for the AJC.

Pool Question

How many games will the Thrashers win this season?

Poll Question

Will the Thrashers win more than 25 games this season?

Brendan - Would you be kind enough to keep track of the pool answers?

I’ll take 22 wins total.

I’d be willing to bet LAC and I will win the closest to the actual point total at 69, since we tied for lowest point estimate. The only question remaining is whether the Islanders, or any other team, finishes below the Thrashers.

Brendan - If the Islanders finish below the Thrashers, who wins the tie breaker?

By Brendan

January 7, 2009 12:56 AM | Link to this

R.Stroz, LAC would win the “Guess the Thrashers 2008-09 Point Totals Contest” with his guess of 69-points, based on BOTH tie-breakers. First, LAC had the Thrashers 5th in the Division, where you have them 4th. And LAC has them 15th in the Conference, where you had them 13th.

Curiously, Sage’s pick of 70-points does not need any “tie-breakers,” since no one else picked 70-points. Sage linked his 70 projected points to a 5th place SE division finish, 15th in the Conference, and 30th in the league. If Sage had gone with 69 or FEWER points, he’d be in very good position to win the contest.

My GUESS for “Total Wins” is 27. Which is what a projected a few weeks ago. I know that doesn’t really seem like a good guess, but I’m going to guess that certain guys on the team will PANIC they won’t get a roster spot or the dollars they really want, during the offseason, if they don’t step it up in March and April. Perhaps we’ll see a futile SURGE at the end, designed to make people think they’d BETTER PAY FULL PRICE for next year’s season tickets.

I, uhh, don’t think anyone will fall for that one again. It’s as old and predictable as a “pull my finger” joke.

By LAC

January 7, 2009 3:28 AM | Link to this

Boy Brenden I hate the thought of winning the points contest…

I did think there was a somewhat better effort last night, biggest point… their goalie made the BIG saves and ours did not.

This EC guy is just flat terrible, never in position and never seems to start OR finish a play. Boris out of position a lot last night too. I was hoping to see him paste cindy to the glass, but it never took place.

What I do not understand is this… about a month ago, we last a stinker… Anderson called out worthless waddell, Roster CHANGES were coming… OK where are they ? Nothing took place ? Why Not ?

Just more and more proof that waddell is out of his league and these owners are stupid as one celled crustations.

Lastly I wish rutherford Stupidel, would let us know how his little girl chase is doing ? Has he been spotted around any elementry schools offering candy and a ride to 10 year olds ? He should be in jail the A$$ !

By FormerIslesFan

January 7, 2009 3:59 AM | Link to this

Well, on a slightly different note…

I was on a family trip to Long Island earlier this season and saw the Thrashers actually WIN a game when they beat the Islanders. So, I now realize the way that I can go see a Thrashers game and not continue to support ASG is to see the Thrashers at away games. That being said, Lilibeter and I are going to go to Nashville next weekend to see the Predators/Thrashers game. That way:

1. I get to see the Thrashers play live and root for them; and
2. I don’t contribute any money directly to ASG by buying tix/concessions at Philips.

Anyone care to join us? RH, I know you mentioned something about this earlier this season…

By Big Shooter

January 7, 2009 7:50 AM | Link to this

Rawhide -

Thanks for the link about the Thrashers and Penguins draft years from 99-03.

Who was the GM of the Pens during that time you ask?

Some guy named Craig Patrick. It’s not that difficult folks…

By Sara

January 7, 2009 8:07 AM | Link to this

A belated Christmas present I suppose. (Hint: you’ll need to read through most of the article to get to the pertinent paragraph.) Word closer to home is a voluntary desire for departure. Either way, looks like most are going to get what they want in the near future. The remaining question is whether or not it will matter.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 7, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

plus there’s lots of talk that Atlanta GM Don Waddell is soon to be fired, that he can’t make any moves right now if he wanted to

I’ll believe that rumor if/when it finally happens. Remember, this is similar to what we heard in the offseason about Waddell being moved to a higher position within the organization.

Furthermore, where is this “lots of talk” coming from where this website is the first one us Atlanta fans have cited for the possible firing of Waddell. There are way too many people on these boards for me to believe that this hot rumor has gone unnoticed by everybody up to this point in time.

Regardless, does anyone believe Yzerman would dual-GM with Team Canada (Vancouver ‘10) and Atlanta? Do you think Nonis might leave Toronto to run the show in Atlanta? — (obviously, those are loaded questions) — I think the more likely replacements would be Quinn or Cheveldayoff.

By Sara

January 7, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this

ranallo no chance in hell, possibly (it’s not like MLSE is some big step up from Atlanta Spirit), possibly (he’s awfully opinionated to take this kind of position), and not likely (I’m sure he’s already heard the scoop from Anderson and seen enough from afar).

That’s the part I’m looking forward to the most - I want to see who exactly would even be interested in this position.

By Rockem Sockem Thrasher

January 7, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this

I could really use a reason to tune into the Thrash. The team seems to have lost the strong character that was on display earlier this year. Despite the losses they played a competitive game. Now they don’t even show the ability to keep it close.

Wholesale changes need to be made! I say we dress the entire Chicago Wolves in Thrasher jerseys and see what happens!

By Bob

January 7, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this

stroz, I’ll go with the under as well and guess 23 wins total. After the deadline purge of our moveable assets, and the playoff teams stepping their games up, wins will be even harder for this group to come by.

I think I guess 72 total pts for the year, oof, hard to believe that’s going to wildly optimistic. Brendan, care to post what everyone’s guesses for pts totals were now that we’re at the halfway point? It would be interesting context to see who guessed what, so we understand who can objectively look at this club and rate NHL talent.

By glovesave29

January 7, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this

Ranallo, as great as Yzerman would be, I have heard from informed sources that Don’s wife Cheryl is the leading candidate to replace him as GM.

Anyone seen the Thrash website today…the headline reads “Thrashers fall to Potent” - its obviously an incomplete sentence, so mr. webmaster, allow me to fix it. It should read “Thrashers fall to impotent”, because you SURELY could not have mean the Pens are potent…not after losing 5 straight and falling behind FLA for the final playoff spot.

By Rawhide

January 7, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this

Regarding the “talent” level of this team, Ilya Kovalchuk has this to say…

“We’ve got some guys who show up every night, some guys who just decide when they’re going to play or not,” Ilya Kovalchuk said. “That’s our major problem right now. We don’t have enough talent in this locker room to play one game easy, one game hard. We have to be everybody on the same page, everybody hitting people, playing hard. That’s the only way to win the games.”

“We’re not going to point to anybody. Everybody should step up, including me first of all.”

First, I like the fact that he includes himself as one that needs to step up. He’s not just pointing fingers and deflecting blame.

Second, as to the fact that there is not enough “talent” in the locker room…I agree 100%. It just obvious and this is placed right at the feet of the man who is responsible for the makeup of the roster…Don Waddell.

Bob - I’ll man-up and remind you and everyone of my prediction…86 points, 3rd in the SE and 11th in the East.

Un-good.

By Smoothie

January 7, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

For better or for worse, Ilya K should have been made captain of this team by the end of October at the latest. He earned it last year and the fact that JA did not recognize that is, to date, his biggest error in judgment.

This team is such a collective head-case right now that the only way to change it is by bringing in 3-4 Wolves players now so we can platoon every uninspired veteran out of the lineup for several games at a time. Of course we would need to cut 2-3 players and I have no problem starting with Thorburn, Boulton and Perrin. As much as I would like to cut EC, Williams and Schneider, they may actually have a modicum of value come the trade deadline.

By bigjohnthrashfan

January 7, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this

*Sara * You just made my day!!!!!

By steve

January 7, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this

Did anybody notice the look on Anderson’s face after the Pens scored the 2nd goal? He looks like a beaten down man.

By Don Waddell

January 7, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Don Waddell

January 7, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this

Suckers.

By Sara

January 7, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this

ranallo Portzline is no Eklund or Garrioch - he usually knows his stuff. Besides which there’s been some local behind the scenes chatter. One way or another, I expect a GM change - I hear both sides are apparently over this relationship. Whether it’s an imminent change as Portzline believes or whether it will wait until off-season, who knows. I’d think the earliest would be All-Star weekend - allows at least a couple of transition days. Personally I’m hoping they wait until they find someone else (which may be challenging enough anyway) cause I wouldn’t want Levenson in direct charge of this franchise for even one hour. You worry what Waddell would do with trade deadline moves - imagine Levenson making that call all by himself. shudder

By Alan

January 7, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this

Bob - If I recall correctly, I said 85pts. I think my division standing was at 3rd in the East, but can’t for the life of me recall my conference standing (10th? 9th? I forget).

Sara - I believe Pat Quinn would be one of the guys interested. I think Stroz even spoke to him last year at the all-star game, and he said he’d take it unless the Spirit was going to screw around with him. It’s that last part that concerns me, not just about Quinn, but about any potential GM candidate.

It would be pretty cool to have Quinn here, too. The guy has to be pretty elated now as it is, coming off a fantastic run for the gold medal with the Canadian national team. He seems to be shedding his reputation as a guy who doesn’t like to play the kids, which is important for a team like ours that will almost have to be built around the kids in the coming years, if we have any hope of being successful.

All in all, I would embrace him as the new GM of the Thrashers, should he take the position… should it be offered to him. He’s in my top three, along with Kevin Cheveldayoff (Wolves’ GM) and Steve Yzerman (definitely not happening, unless there’s a miracle).

By Bob

January 7, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this

lol at Sara trying to spin this as Waddell wants out and it could get worse if he’s gone.

I know you’ve wasted novels worth of words and your spreadsheets, and who know what all else, trying to defend Waddell and pin everything on the owners, but give it up already, Waddell is, has been, and will continue to be the root of the problem until he is gone.

By steve

January 7, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

On Jason Williams…. My son’s hockey team skated between periods at the Boston game. Williams came into the locker room and signed their shirts that the Thrashers gave them. He told me he bit his tongue so he would not ask him why he is soft and won’t battle in the corners for the puck. My son is only 10 and he sees this too. Pitiful team we have here.

By steve

January 7, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this

On Jason Williams…. My son’s hockey team skated between periods at the Boston game. Williams came into the locker room and signed their shirts that the Thrashers gave them. He told me he bit his tongue so he would not ask him why he is soft and won’t battle in the corners for the puck. My son is only 10 and he sees this too. Pitiful team we have here.

By truehockeyfan

January 7, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this

We can all throw DW under the bus. Until we get ownership who is willing to spend monney this team will always be built on the cheap. These players need to ask themselves why they have such a poor effort every night. That is the hard thing to watch. With the court case starting in Feb I don’t expect anything to happen. After that is settled the asg will sell the thrashers. Hopefully to a owner who is passionate about hockey and will spend money. It is hard to build a team when the owners tell you not to spend money on the team because their lawery bills are so high. How ugly Millionaires fighting over $$$$$$$$$.DW has had to endure all the Bull——-.

By 10yr plan

January 7, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

I went to TJ’s last night to watch the game and had a chance to meet former Flame Tim Ecclestone(thanks for the beer btw) and talk a little hockey. I thought I’d share with you a couple of his opinions. First off, he believes the team was built wrong from the start. Atlanta should have the toughest team in the league which would give it an identity/style of play. We’re still lacking an identity nine years later. As for the draft, he’s a proponent of drafting skilled players and bringing in veteran goaltenders. This will give you a nucleus to build from. Nash over Kari for example. He played for expansion St. Louis in the late 60’s under Scotty Bowman and their goalies were Glenn Hall and Jacque Plante, both veterans. As for the current state of the Thrashers, he took the high road but did mention that he believes Kovy should be captain. Make it his team and watch what he can do. He really feels Kovy is a top 5 player in this league when surrounded by decent linemates. As for the days with the Flames, he was proud of the relationship they had with the city. He felt the city could relate to their physical style of play and attendance backed up his belief. They were not sold due to lack of support but rather a poor real estate market which forced Tom Cousin’s hand. Cousin’s tried to sell locally but no one had interest. Sorry for the long blog but thought it would be interesting to see a former player’s view.

By Bob

January 7, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this

Waddell has to “endure” getting paid $100s of thousands per year to build a hockey club? Spare me. Better GMs have done more with less, drop Waddell’s jock and take a candid look at the situation. He also failed when given max cap, and he’s failed under 3 ownership groups.

Hint: the new owner won’t be spending max cap either, in this economic environment, all clubs will be contracting their payrolls and spending (apparently the Yankmes in baseball are the exception) and the cap will contract next year and beyond as the Canadian dollar continues to weaken and as the worldwide economy continues to falter. All clubs will come closer together under the cap, which is all the more reason we need a competent GM ASAP.

Here’s how I see it playing out:

1)Spirit finally settles the suit with Belkin and have to buy him out for inflated dollars that they can’t afford and that they can’t raise financing for in this economy (banks ain’t lending the Spirit cluster boys money to fund this disaster)

2)They have to sell the Thrashers to raise the cash to pay off Belkin , but a stipulation on the deal is that the new owner has to keep them at Philips

3)New owner comes in and fires Waddell (if he makes it that long) and most likely Anderson, new GM comes in here has Little, Tavares, Bogosian, and Pavelec (and one year of Kovy) to work with and we are on our way to finally building a hockey club in Atlanta

4)Couple years down the road the few remaining Sara, truehockeyfans, and Bob (other)s of the world look back and realize that Don Waddell was the problem all along when they see the new GM do wonders with a limited budget

5)We all live happily ever after, the end

By Rawhide

January 7, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

truehockeyfan - No one here has thrown DW under the bus. He’s put himself there.

There are currently 12 teams with cap hits below the $53.794 million average this year in the NHL…Atlanta is one of them. Only one…the Islanders…has a worse record than Atlanta. Four teams, Vancouver, Buffalo, Carolina and Phoenix, have winning records and hold a playoff spot. Columbus is 18-18-4 and one point off the playoff pace out west. Colorado is 20-19-1 and one point out as well. Three of those teams, Buffalo, Carolina and Phoenix are doing so with a cap hit of $50.6 million or less. And all three teams with cap hits lower than Atlanta… Nashville, Phoenix and the Kings… have better records than do the Thrashers.

So, it can be done…even with restraints on player salaries. If you only consider the Kings, look at what they have done with the league’s lowest payroll…16-17-6 and 5 points out of a playoff spot…you can see that the “Don’s hands are tied” excuse doesn’t wash.

Phoenix is almost spending the exact amount the Thrashers are and are currently 19-17-5 and sitting in the eighth and final playoff spot.

We can scream “The AS, LLC SUCKS” all day long. And they DO…but Don Waddell has been here since day one and has formed this team and made it what it is today.

The Spirit Clowns…for as sorry a bunch that they are…could do a world of good in just one day. Remove Waddell from the GM office and place in someone else…be it Pat Quinn, Kevin Cheveldayoff or anyone else.

Bob - Going back to the predictions…here is what I think I got correct and what I got wr…wrr….wrrrr… er, ah…”less correct”.

Correct: Kozlov would have a bounce-back year. Little would prove he is ready for the NHL full-time. Hainsey would be OK…even good. I thought the O-fense would be better, and they have been for the most part. I thought Bogosian would be worthy of starting in Atlanta in his rookie year.

I think I got those right.

Less Correct: I though Schneider would help solidify the D….NOPE! I thought Williams would be decent and fit in good at the top line RW…NOPE! I thought the team defense would improve overall and lower the SA/G stat….NOPE! I thought Kovy would be on a 50-60 goal pace…who amongst us saw 14 goals after 41 games?

But most of all, I thought Kari would prove once and for all he is the goalie of this team…now and for the years to come. 4-10-2 with a 3.37 GAA and .902 SV% won’t cut it…especially when you consider he has two regulation wins in 16 starts and we are half way through the season.

Very “less correct”!

By JJ302

January 7, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this

ALL HAIL STEVE BELKIN!!!

He can’t be any worse, right?

By Bob

January 7, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

Your candid comments and willingness to stand up for what’s right, are refreshing, Rawhide. Kudos.

By glovesave29

January 7, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this

Tim is a great guy…I really like talking hockey with him at TJ’s…especially when Eric Vail lumbers in. StL and Bowman were smart enough to build with character players, ones who had won cups before…and also saw the opoortunity to win late in the season and add Doug Harvey to put them over the top. But remeber - an expansion team was GUARANTEED to go to the finals because the original six were in the eastern division and the new teams in the western division…and the cup was between the winner of each division. Had they been organized geographically, things might have been quite different. As for Cousins - he could have kept the team here but his ego would not allow it. He had offers from Turner, Coca Cola and Glenn Ford.

Yes, the owners here are horrible and are cetainly a detriment. But Wadell hired Fraser, signed Rhodes, traded Audette for Piros, let Brunette go, signed a silly agreement with the Wolves and many other errors long before the A$G bought the team.

By Smoothie

January 7, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this

OMG! That’s right, I can’t believe DWad traded Audette!! Audette, Brunette, Kunitz, Savard, Kaberle and Coburn. WOW.

Fire him now before he has a chance to make horrible deadline deals. Even if he is only selling off deadweight vets for draft picks, he’ll prolly still get fleeced or throw in Esposito for a washed up veteran Center in a desperate attempt to try to convince Kovy to stay.

Can I use the word “to” too many times in one sentence? I feel like I just did.

By glovesave29

January 7, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this

Can’t tell if that’s sarcasm or not, Smoothie…but Audette was an all star at the time and about the only offence we had along with Andrew Brunette. Do you remember how bad Kamil Piros was? Not as bad as Coburn for Zhitnik - but we definately got fleeced.

By Smoothie

January 7, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this

Dude, are you serious?? I’ve been on here endorsing DWad’s firing for the last year plus. Considering I just indicted the man’s poor judgment in the second paragraph of my post pretty much tells you where I stand on the issue of firing DWad. If the ASG waits too long (like end of the season), they put this franchise at even greater risk by letting DWad make the decisions and possibly selling off a player like Enstrom for draft picks.

I loved Donald Audette. Watched him play in Buffalo and I just had forgotten he had been traded off the expansion Thrash.

By LAC

January 7, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this

Savard left as a UFA. Kuntz was going to be sent down to Chicago and he had to clear waivers, Anaheim reclaimed him.

So waddell did not trade these two.

However… He made NO effort to even try and keep Savard and why you may ask ?

We had the Great Bobby Holik to play for us !!!!! That was another in a LOOOOONG line of constant missteps by DUMB don waddell.

From what I see, EVERYONE knows how BAD and disgusting waddell is, a career LOSER.

Why in Heaven’s name can these worthless owners not see the damage he has done, But remember Mr.Potty Mouth, or is it The Drunk, levenson, still singing don’s praises over how well he handled the Hossa resigning… Boy that was a great DISASTER wasn’t it ! But with this group what the hell is not a disaster ?

By glovesave29

January 7, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this

Smoothie - I know you want (and have wanted for a while) Waddell gone - just couldn’t tell if you were sarcastic about Audette.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 7, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this

It would be interesting context to see who guessed what, so we understand who can objectively look at this club and rate NHL talent.

This is exactly why I didn’t partake in the “guess the downfall of the Thrashers” contest…it’s a p** match so one person (actually, a few people) can claim “I guessed lower than __” and use it to defend their claim at hockey knowledge. It’s ridiculously childish, and proves absolutely nothing beyond your level of hope for your favorite team’s demise. It doesn’t prove how objective you can be, it proves how interested in your own ego(s) you are that you stick to this guess like it truly means something.

Basically it would work like this…people who felt the team would go to the playoffs would be ridiculed for being blind optimists and called names like “sheep”. Those who guessed low will give themselves a pat on the back for being “more correct” than the others, and get a false sense of superiority over their blatant pessimism or perceived handle on “realism”. Either way it takes the fun out of guessing, and pits one group of fans with a specific mindset against their brethren, who have a different mindset.

It’s absolutely pointless to announce anybody else’s guess except for the person who was closest to the actual record.

Re: Quinn — My biggest concern with him is his “legacy”. He was known as a coach who would play a short bench and focus on veteran players over playing talent (i.e. developing talent). The Team Canada job comes with absolutely no salary cap, and seemingly infinite Tier I prospects to choose from…two things he will definitely not see in Atlanta’s immediate future.

My worries is that if Quinn is given a less-than-stellar farm system, obvious financial restrictions (which will be exacerbated by a still failing economy and ownership’s apparently near-empty pocketbook), and other handcuffs that the market/ownership situation gives him…how will he fare? I don’t mind trying, but I’m not getting my hopes up in face of the crappy situation any incoming GM faces in Atlanta.

No matter, I’m not forgetting that even my hopeful replacement GMs (Yzerman, Nonis, Cheveldayoff — in that order) would face the same obstacles and have even less to prove they can overcome said obstacles. Quinn’s “track record” isn’t exactly appealing to me, and I’d rather those other three get a shot before him. However, I’d rather Quinn before Ferguson Jr. or even Neil Smith.

For what it’s worth, the rumor is that Quinn is getting interest from Ottawa. I’d bet that if it came down between Ottawa and Atlanta, Ottawa would get the guy. Would that be Waddell’s fault too?

By R. Stroz

January 7, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this

Darn, I’m second place in the pi$$ing contest.

Actually ranallo10, Quinn might take Atlanta. Quinn was the Captain of the Atlanta Flames and knows the guys that still live in town. Also, Quinn knows the microscope in Atlanta isn’t as harsh as in Ottawa. Last, he would only have to do a better job than Waddell, so the makes for an easy relative performance benchmark.

By Bob

January 7, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this

lol, ranallo feeling foolish and doesn’t want to look back at his novellas written in defense of Waddell either. lol.

Yes, why look back and see who guessed right and who was wrong? Pointless. It’s all luck, right? Right? lol.

By glovesave29

January 7, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

Ranallo - can’t speak for the others, but I did it for fun. Couldn’t care less about bragging rights, just looked at the team and made a guess.

Rumor has it that StL and PIT are also looking at replacing coaches - and that Pat is on the short list.

Both the Sens and Thrash have their advantages. OTT is in a “traditional” hockey market and is a better team that is waaaaay closer to winning. Then again, any coach there is on a short, short leash and under the public microscope.

ATL offers a chance to prove your mettle, to see if you can build a team from the ashes. As we have learned (all to well) the GM job here has A TON of job security, and for a man in his mid-sixites, that’s gotta be attractive.

By Smoothie

January 7, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this

Speaking of looking back, who wouldn’t mind having JP Vigier and Serge Aubin playing with Slater on the 4th line again?

Slater at least scored 10 goals playing with that duo. Or was it Vigier and Larsen? Can’t remember if Slater’s 10 goals came in ‘05-‘06 or ‘06-‘07.

At any rate, while Vigier may have been slow of foot, Aubin’s speed made up for it. Both of them were a solidly built 6’0” or 6’1” and 205/210. But above all else, they played HARD. They weren’t afraid to check and grind and dig pucks out of corners. And they actually scored goals from time to time.

How many goals does our 4th line have, Joey Crabb notwithstanding? Thorburns’ 3 don’t count cuz he was playing with Kovy. Slater has what? 2? And Boults has 1? While our 4th line may still create some energy, they don’t create any goals anymore despite JA’s system. Hmmmm.

I’d even take Aubin-Slater-Vigier over our current third line and let Boulton-Perrin-Crabb be our 4th right now. Tell me you wouldn’t settle for those 2 lines if the top 2 were still the following:

Kovy — Little — Sim

Kozzy — Savard — Hossa

OMG!!!!! Don’t you think Hossa might have re-signed if we still had Savard and made the playoffs back to back years??

By glovesave29

January 7, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget DW got into a p**g match with Peter Bondra and he would not resign with us either. He potted 21 goals in just 60 games in a Thrasher sweater. Good third line guy at that point in his career.

By Jim

January 7, 2009 3:52 PM | Link to this

Forget the baloney about “everybody needing to step up”. Has there ever been a time when seasoned “dead wood” could stand up against NHL calibre teams?. Caspar, X, Paper Mache Havelid, Board hands Slater, Don’t touch me Schneider, Fold Up the Tent Perrin and a couple of others are simply not NHL worthy. We may not win 20 games this year but Bruce and Donnie Boy see us “headed in the right direction”. There is a light at the end of this tunnel but it is a train approaching from the other direction.

By Tony C.

January 7, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this

ifs and buts, people.

I would think that there are a number of talented guys around the NHL and some in the AHL that would do a good job with similar resources (we’ll never know til there is a change).

I figure it this way, it may be a job nobody covets, but I’d bet having the chance to run your own show would be appealing to quite a few talented people-I mean what better place to build your resume so you can fleece Mylnyk or MSLE or YES!/MSG out of millions of loonies, or dollars, or euros-however you take your pay-after that payday, it won’t matter that much anymore.

Personally, I’d like to see FUBAS go after Poile’s Assistant in nash-vegas.I don’t think Quinn has the steam to do the GM/Coach thing anymore, and I don’t know that his ego will let him be anything else.

Maybe not? here’s a scenario I could see where Quinn would in fact, come here-We g=win the Tavares lottery, Quinn gets to take his horse from the “Instant Classic” National team 5-peat as well as the guy who potted the game-winner in Esposito.

Couple that with the emErging power that hopefully is Z-Bo and the (again hopefully) continued progress of Little-hey maybe Quinn likes what he sees once he brings in a few of “his” guys.

I’m not really sold on Quinn as a good fit for the financial picture, but I think it’d be a move that would get FUBAS/whoever is the owner “in the right direction”

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 7, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this

Bob — You’re right. You always have been and you always will be.

can’t speak for the others, but I did it for fun.

I’m sure you did glovesave. I’m sure MANY people did. I didn’t because I suspected that a few participants would use it against those that disagree with them, or that have a more positive outlook on the Thrashers team and their potential. Today my suspicions have been proven correct…one of the usual suspects is already trying to establish dominance by pulling out his internet wiener and trying to find the appropriate measuring stick.

Hopefully Brendan understands the purpose of the request, and respectfully denies it.

Stroz — To be honest I didn’t think you had a chance to win the thing in the first place. My assumption was that 70ish point guesses were simply pessimistic based on the dislike of Waddell and some of the players…afterall, no team had less than 71 points last season, so I didn’t think it was a fully realistic guess. Nonetheless, you didn’t have to enter the contest for us all to know yours is bigger than the rest of ours (the females competitors excluded, of course).

but I think it’d be a move that would get FUBAS/whoever is the owner “in the right direction”

Right now, the “right direction” to me is an ownership group who does slightly more than faking that they care. I can deal with another Waddell (i.e. 10 years of the same product with one playoff appearance)…but I don’t think I can deal with an ownership group that just sits back and acts like we’re all idiots, and doesn’t ever show the slightest bit of accountability within their organization.

The ASG treats the fans and the city like we’re 3rd graders. Seriously, they raised ticket prices and scolded a season ticket holder for debating the prices…what the hell?

By Brendan

January 7, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this

I can tell you that the highest guess was 93. And the lowest was 69. Alan, if you want to know you’re exact guess, I can slide it to you via back channels.

I devised the contest largely as something I hoped would be “fun.” I think it was. Many people participated in it. I also did it to help alleviate the LULL of INACTIVITY of the team’s offseason moves. And let’s face it, there wasn’t a lot going on during the Thrashers offseason.

By R. Stroz

January 7, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 - Actually, I hoped my point guess was too low. I picked 69 as a joke, a bad joke, and conversely Jethro picked 96.

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 7, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

Stroz — I thought as much when it came to the number…I know you all too well.

Brendan — You’re always good for drumming up some conversations, that’s why Rawhide pays you the big bucks.

By Brendan

January 7, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this

And I’m still waiting for that FIRST PAYCHECK. Am I patient, or WHAT???

By Alan

January 7, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this

Brendan - You can post it here if you’d like. I’m more than willing to admit that I’m wrong. It’s that big “w”-word that I’m feeling in regards to this season so far.

I was optimistic about Williams and Schneider, and really thought Kari could get us through. I didn’t think we were playoff worthy, but I did think we had the potential to at least give the real contenders a run for their money.

Instead, Schneider and Williams appear to be big busts, Kari just isn’t playing well enough to justify retaining him next year, and the only thing the real contenders (as well as the wannabe contenders) are doing is running us over. Un-good, on all fronts. Maybe Kari will pick it up a bit, and Schneider becomes more responsible… and maybe even Williams will follow the Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow down the Yellow Brick Road and find a heart.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll even win the lottery.

There’s no way in hell we’ll win 30 more games and make a playoff berth. Just not happening. I remember citing the Caps earlier this year, and how they made a miraculous late November turnaround last year. Just not happening for the Thrashers — especially not this late in the season.

We’ve taken a dreadful turn for the worst here. It’s worse than I ever thought it would be. And if anyone else has looked at the upcoming schedule, I’m not so sure we’ll even double our win total unless we get TONS more effort than we’ve seen thus far. Judging on what I’ve seen so far this year, I’m not so sure we’ll see that effort this year.

By Rawhide

January 7, 2009 8:50 PM | Link to this

Medium bucks, Ranallo…I pay Brendan the MEDIUM bucks!

Trixie, however…now she makes the BIG bucks!

By ranallo10 (in AT)

January 7, 2009 9:07 PM | Link to this

My bad.

By Tony C.

January 7, 2009 9:23 PM | Link to this

Ok, so our resident FUBAS employee has hinted loudly that DW & FUBAS are ready to move on-super!

I would still like to have an OPERATION:Pink Slip night.

I work nights, so a weekend night would work best for me, I realize most of us have found better things to do on weekend nights.

By The Joker

January 7, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this

Trixie, however…now she makes the BIG bucks!

Do you have any pictures of Trixie with Levenson? We sure could use a new GM.

By Brendan

January 7, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

Alan, it was 85-points, 3rd in the division, and 12th in the Conference. I don’t think anyone who participated in the contest was Wrrrrr. Uh, not correct.

Nobody knows how a season will play out. There are injuries. Trades. Waiver claims. Sometimes, a tornado hits the arena and some games have to be played at a neutral site. What?, it’s possible. Sometimes an ownership goes bankrupt. Or the team is sold. Or whatever.

By Alan

January 7, 2009 10:49 PM | Link to this

Indeed, Brendan, no one knows. It’s the little things. What you expected from players, and what they give you are two different things. And if you’re expecting a nice rack of ribs, and instead get handed a Krystal burger, well…

… That’s kinda how I feel right now.

By Brendan

January 7, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this

Don Waddell says, and Ilya “echoes,” … “We can’t take nights off. Guys have to give 100%, every night (TM, Atlanta Spirit, LLC, all rights reserved).” Well, do you buy that? Or … is that simply the COMPANY LINE, stated verbatim? My position is in bold-face type. I don’t really think that the effort is consistently lacking. What I think is this: The players know this franchise is a joke that is headed nowhere fast. They’re playing out their contracts, while trying to put on a “happy face” about it.

Who … does their BEST WORK … while DEMORALIZED? They are TRYING. It’s not the greatest assembly of talent in the league. And the ship is rudderless. The monitoring station … is UNMANNED. They’re on a runaway train. What are the players supposed to do … when the very OWNERSHIP has quit?

Does ANYONE wash a rental car?

C’mon now. I think you know the answer.

By R. Stroz

January 8, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this

Brendan - You can’t wash the car if there are water restrictions, or in this case money restrictions, such as being out of money.

By R. Stroz

January 8, 2009 12:18 AM | Link to this

With all the empty seats in the arena combined with Schneider’s 5.75 million salary, I imagine the Spirit Clowns have told Waddell to dump Schneider as soon as possible. Frankly, the Spirit Clowns can’t afford Schneider any longer and his salary has served its purpose, meeting the salary floor.

By Brendan

January 8, 2009 12:34 AM | Link to this

Very true, Stroz. But what I was driving at was this: The players don’t feel any sort of reponsibility towards this team … because they feel DISCONNECTED from it, largely or in part because the ownership doesn’t CARE. The EVIDENCE of its neglect can be traced directly to its ineffective OVERSEER remaining in charge, through nine (9) seasons. If you were a player on the Thrashers, what would YOU think about the ownership?, if not this: “They’ve quit. Look at the budget. Same GM. Same Scouts. Same trainers. They’ve forsaken the team.”

The reason that nobody washes a rental car … resides in the fact that no “renter” feels any CONNECTION or RESPONSIBILITY for its care. They don’t own the car. They don’t CARE what happens to the car, after they return it. They go on to their next venture in life. And so will most, if not all, of the team’s pending unrestricted free agents. They’re on to the next team. They’ve already given instructions to their agents to research the best possible fit for them, in terms of finding a team for the 2010 season. The players tell their agents, “find me a team up north, with cap room, that I can help. Preferably a contender.” Or, maybe their “wish list” includes a warm weather venue, with ample golf courses. Whatever the players’ wishes might be … the agent sets about his task of satisfying his client, at the maximum salary for his client … and himself. And there it is. It’s “checkout” time.

By Bob

January 8, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

lol at ranallo, you and a couple of other goofs have spent untold amounts of your time on here yelling at me and others for being too pessimistic, and for just hating Waddell and not being able to see the big picture.

All the time, I’ve told you, no, that’s not true, I have nothing against Waddell other than the fact that he’s incompetent and will never be able to build this club into anything, as he simply does not have the ability to do so.

So, when we get the benefit of hindsight and can take a candid look at who guessed what and whose opinions were correct (ahem, while you’re yelling at me the whole time for being an idiot and for just hating Waddell and for not being objective), you want to run and hide, as usual. Pretty standup guy you are, eh? But not suprising to me, it takes a real man to admit when he’s wrong.

An objective look at it, in hindsight, shows that those of us who know and understand hockey told you that this club would stink this year.

Brendan, I could sit here preseason every year and tell you with 90% accuracy who is a playoff club and who’s not. Sure, there may be one club that suffers drastic injuries that skews their result, but over the whole, it’s pretty easy (if you understand hockey and can look objectively at your own club) to predict who will finish where, who will be successful and who won’t.

Do I expect the goofs who yelled at me and others and told us we were wrong to stand up now and admit they were wrong? Of course not, that takes cahones and means you are willing to be objective.

By Sage of Bluesland

January 8, 2009 7:09 PM | Link to this

When things go south, the rah-rah sheep disappear. What an amazing coincidence!

At least we don’t have to listen to their condescending ignorance. Go prepare a spreadhsheet!

Stay gone, sheep…Take your delusion elsewhere…

FIRE DON WADDELL. STOP SUBSIDIZING THE INCOMPETENCE.

By Nikita

January 8, 2009 7:33 PM | Link to this

Nice fight from Thorburn. Better than usual, though that’s really not his skill.

I love Darren Elliott’s comment about Clarkson playing to New Jersey stereotypes, though sadly they didn’t seem to involve somebody’s uncle putting anyone in concrete shoes.