AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThere Is No “D” In Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ve discussed the problems regarding the Atlanta Thrashers’ defensive play quite a bit over the past several days. Of course, when the team goes two consecutive games giving up 20 and 21 shots on goal in the first periods of play, and allows a total of 40 SOGs like they did in Carolina Saturday, that sort of drives the conversation in that direction.
But the truth of the matter, as so many of us who have followed this team throughout the years already know, is that poor defense has accompanied this team since day one.
Let’s review the historical data and compare this year’s version of the Atlanta Thrashers with those of the past, shall we?
1999-’00:
3.82 GA/G, (28th)* …31.0 SA/G, (27th)* … 80.3% PK, (24th)*.
2000-’01:
3.52 GA/G, (29th)… 32.4 SA/G, (30th)… 77.9% PK, (30th).
2001-’02:
3.51 GA/G, (30th)… 35.5 SA/G, (30th)… 81.8% PK, (25th).
2002-’03:
3.46 GA/G, (30th)… 31.6 SA/G, (27th)… 81.6% PK, (25th).
2003-’04:
2.96 GA/G, (25th)… 29.4 SA/G, (23rd)… 85.1% PK, (T-8th).
2005-’06:
3.26 GA/G, (24th)… 30.3 SA/G, (18th)… 72.2% PK, (T-25th).
2006-’07:
2.94 GA/G, (15th)… 31.5 SA/G, (25th)… 79.8% PK, (26th).
2007-‘08:
3.24 GA/G, (T-30th)… 33.9 SA/G, (30th)… 78.8% PK, (27th).
2008-’09, (to date):
3.55 GA/G, (30th)… 32.5 SA/G, (27th)…75.4% PK, (29th).
*Only 28 teams in NHL in the 1999-’00 season.
As you can see…the Thrashers defense has been historically un-good. Even more troubling to me is the fact that the most recent two years resembles too closely the first few seasons.
Also…
Outside of 2003-‘04’s PK%, not once has the Thrashers crack the top half of the league in any of these team defensive rankings.
Of the nine seasons, 5 times the Thrashers have had the league’s worst GA/G stat, one other time it was second worst. True, three of those times came in the team’s initial four seasons…but two have come in their most recent seasons, this year included.
Only twice have they allowed fewer than 3 goals per game and the “high water mark” was the 2006-’07 season in which the 2.94 GA/G was 15th best in the NHL.
Only once has Atlanta had a season’s SA/G stat below 30, (2003-’04), and the best ranking in this area was 18th in 2005-’06 when they allowed 30.3 SA/G. Three times they have been dead last in the shots-against stat…one other time they were second to last…eight of nine seasons the Thrashers have ranked 23rd or lower.
During the 2003-’04 season, Atlanta had the 8th most effective penalty kill when they were successful 85.1% of the time. Outside of that, 24th has been the highest ranking that they have managed here, and they accomplished that in their inaugural season.
Now, has there ever been a time the team ever showed progress in their defense? Well, actually…yes there was.
After icing the league’s worst defense in 3 of the first 4 seasons of play, Atlanta then began to show some improvement from the blueline. In 2003-’04, the fifth season, the Thrashers had the 25th ranked defense when it came to goals scored. Year six, 2005-’06, they were 24th best and in year seven, 2006-’07…the playoff year, their ranking was 15th.
After the 2001-’02 season, in which their 25.5 SA/G stat was at the bottom of the league, the Thrashers then iced the 27th ranked defense in regards to shots against the next year. In 2003-’04 it improved to 23rd, then 18th in 2005-’06.
So, as you can see, there has indeed been a time in this team’s history when actual, real-life measurable progress could be seen from the defensive corps of the Atlanta Thrashers, (2003-2007).
These years were also known as the Bob Hartley era. You know, a lot of us said back on October 17, 2007 that the wrong guy was fired that day. Just sayin’…
Since that time, the defense has turned in quite the opposite direction. Atlanta has finished last year with the highest GA/G stat, the highest SA/G stat and the 4th to worst PK.
They are following up that performance with the worst GA/G stat yet again so far this season, (0.31 GA/G higher than last year)…the 4th highest SA/G stat, and a penalty kill that has dropped to second worst, (from 78.8% to 75.4%).
Players have come and gone… coaches have come and gone… over the past decade of Atlanta Thrashers’ hockey. But there is one thing that seams to have made Atlanta home throughout… below par defensive play.
And I’m trying to remember…what else has been a constant with this organ-I-zation since day one?
Hmmmm…?
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Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Russian
February 2, 2009 1:48 PM | Link to this
Those records are Horrible. I could not realize that until you showed them up. what else has been a constant with this organ-I-zation since day one? Answer - OUR GM - Don Waddell
By Jim
February 2, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this
In the early days, we didn’t have the talent on the blue line or in the net to stop the better teams. Hartley was hired to help improve the club defensively. I think that he did but he still had a bunch of re-treads on the blue line. Tamer, Tjarnquist, Trembley, Sutton, DeVries, Klee and the song goes on. Now we’ve got an offensively minded coach who stubbornly sticks to “his system” despite the fact that he does not have the horses to make it work. We’ve got mediocre talent who appear to be “mailing it in” every game. I’d like to see a little change in strategy. Try the NJ/MN/San Jose style and cut down on the extreme embarrassment that we are now experiencing.
By Hotrod
February 2, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
Nice Work Bill.
Kari makes a ton more quality saves than he lets in soft goals. There is no telling how good he would be with solid defense defending the crease.
By Brendan
February 2, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this
Historically, one of my favorite (poster) Bob quotes was the one about which Richard Reirdon-type defenseman Waddell might sign next for our blueline. And Waddell was, himself, a defenseman. You’d think he’d have an advantage in scouting the position. Cheerfully withdrawn.
Shifting gears a bit, I want to say something POSITIVE about our Thrashers this season, along our blueline. I haven’t yet checked, but I have to think that our defensive corps points production has got to be close, if not more than all of last season. And we haven’t hit the 3rd quarter yet in the season. We are getting goals from our defensemen and a lot more assists. I think this can be attributed to JA’s system, as well as it has been able to be played. My personal belief … is that Anderson’s system needs higher caliber players to fully implement. But Anderson doesn’t sign the players. Or draft them. Good point(s). Another “fair assertion” is that Anderson, as Head Coach, has to make the best of the situation with the players that he’s got. One wonders, in that thought … if some consideration should go towards changing the “plan.”
Stop. If you can’t make your system work, maybe you should try a different system? One that corresponds to the players you actually have. When Hartley was fired, Waddell stepped in and ran a “3rd man high” type of approach. It worked to the tune of 11-4-1, and sadly led to the Atlanta Spirit, LLC allegedly giving Waddell a 3-year deal at that time.
Funny, huh? The Atlanta Spirit, LLC, is “world famous” for their ability to procrastinate. Ask them about how well they adhere to appraisal deadlines, offseason contract offers, and trade deadline moves. Bygones. But, they couldn’t WAIT until the end of the 2008 season to make a determination on Waddell’s contract status. (Shaking my head.) That they jumped all over RIGHT AWAY!!
By pond scum
February 2, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
I agree,it’s been awhile now that Anderson chould’ve changed his approach as far as his system.
I’d take a trap system right now. Something has to be better than what he’s trying to accomplish. And he like Waddell,is letting his damn pride get in the way too much to reach real success.
This isn’t the AHL anymore,where offense is king.
It’s time for REAL changes and adjustments. If he can’t accept that, I hope he’s gone with Waddell.
Hartley WASN’T the problem at all,it was the sad sack of a GM he worked for and the sorry ownership who keeps him on their payroll.
WHY do we not ever hear anything from the ownership about the product we are getting?
By Tincup9
February 2, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
A reaction to the firing of the Senators coach I saw on Hockeybuzz…appropriate for us too
“We had this discussion yesterday and I just don’t get it. How many coaches can a team go through before the GM should be held frigging accountable?”
By Alan
February 2, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this
A look on the lighter side: Despite having a menacing mascot, here are five teams that haven’t fulfilled their championship potential
Guess which one of the top five Atlanta is?
By Midfield
February 2, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this
Brendan is right in that whatever the system, unless you have an appropriate set of skills to field, you can’t count on executing it succesfully. But as a hockey blogger I also want the privilege of airing my share of groundless speculation and feel-better-after-scapegoating somebody. Here it is: granted, the roster here could be better; the team looks simply disjointed way too often. I suspect that there are too many players who know that they can get away with cheating the system - whatever the h*ck the system is. Whether it was during the stretch that got Bob Hartley fired (remember him?) or during John Anderson’s far from being happy tenure so far, the problem is - when there is no accountability in the organization, NOBODY is accountable. It starts with the owners, on to the GM, and rolls all the way downhill.
By The Unknown Comic
February 2, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
What is Waddell good for?
Consistency
By Jim
February 2, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
Midfield- good point about lack of leadership and accountability at the top. In any business or sports franchise, those that appear to have been successful have had a leadership at the top that says “we want to be the best and we expect our folks at all levels to perform”. They model that message and behavior and those that do not fit either culturally or performance-wise are out. Never have we heard from Time Warner or Atlanta Spirit LLC any commitment to winning or excellence. All we have heard are the garblings of Levenson when he sticks his foot in his mouth. Mediocrity appears to be acceptable and that’s what we’ve got from the ownership down through the GM, coach and players. It was a mistake to let Hartley go so quickly and it has been acontinuing mistake to keep a GM who has implemented a totally failed 5 Yr. Plan with no hint of “leadership”. For cryin out loud, they forgot to name a captain until we were midway in the season.
By Brendan
February 2, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this
That’s right. The term is “Hockey Limbo.” Population: The Atlanta Thrashers. Curt Fraser got fired. Bob Hartley got fired. Dan Marr is still here. Don Waddell is still here. And, unless they commit a crime SWARTHY ENOUGH to displease the NHL League offices, the ownership cannot be fired or removed. (I suppose, it doesn’t prevent you from rooting for that, however.)
Here’s a surprising admission, for me. I’d like to hear the ownership’s side of things. I really would. Seriously. What if … (throwing my hands WILDLY up in the air, while screaming, “Danger, Will Robinson,”) the owners actually said, “Uhh, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don Waddell set the budget. Not us. He’s the one who handles absolutely every friggin’ aspect of running the Thrashers. We trust his judgement implicitly. He set the budget at $44.5 million and told us he expected to put the team into the playoffs at that payroll. We believed he would. Even so, we even offered to bump that figure up to $48 million, but Don said, ‘No, that wouldn’t be necessary. $44.5 million would suffice for being at least an 8th seed.’”
Okayyyy. That seems just as ridiculous to me as it probably does to you. But … I at least want to hear THEIR side of things. Are the owners … really, truly and genuinely stupid … or are they just willing to appear that way, to further their objectives?
Stop. Is anyone familiar with “American Idol?” Yes, yes, that singing show. Is anyone familiar with a singer from the debut season named, “William Ho?” He was an offkey caterwauler who thought he was an upper echelon singer. The judges did not agree. But if you ask William Ho if he can sing … guess what he’ll tell you? Go ahead, guess! That’s right, he’ll tell you just how FABULOUS he is at it. What if Don Waddell is “William Ho?” Ask DW if he thinks he’s iced a good team, what do you think his answer will be? (A) Heck no, it’s something close to terrible, (B) it’s at least good enough to be in the playoffs, (C) our team is just as good as what a $44.5 million salaried team should be, or (D) Good enough to compete for the division and probably win it, allowing us to HOST a 1st round playoff series.
Well, which answer did you select? You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you? That’s okay. Take your time. You wanna try 50/50? Okay, remove choices A and C. Wanna call Uncle Fester in Boston, Massachusetts, for your last lifeline?
Sadly, I’m starting to believe that Waddell would answer with D. I’m starting to think … that HE THINKS he’s got a very good team that just lollygags too much. If that’s the case, then Waddell is William Ho. Ask Don if he thinks he’s a good GM, he’ll tell you how great he is.
Okay, who wants to be the first person to ask Don if he thinks he’s a great GM? I nominate LAC.
By five_hole
February 2, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
On a lighter note, would anyone like to see theugliest jerseys ever? It’s hard to believe that the Canadians used to wear these horrible things. They’re worse than the “rainbow” jerseys of the Houston Astros or the “flaming gay” jerseys of the Tampa Buckaneers (sorry Bill).
FIRE WADDELL!!!! FIRE THE OWNERS!!!!!!!
By Tony C.
February 2, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
Somebody mentioned this awhile back, that Coach Anderson said he expected it to take “around two years” for everyone to “get” what he’s trying to do.
I wonder if that is the plan this year: really bust @ss one game against each opponent, and then work on one or two plays per game-don’t worry about the score just work on a particular play/coverage.
This approach would explain the play of your 2K8-2K9 Thrashers.
Of course, I may just be trying to say:
FIRE WADDELL
By Midfield
February 2, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
Did Anderson say that signing his two year contract?
By Rawhide
February 2, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
Five_Hole I was a 10-year old young skull-full-o-mush living in the Tampa Bay area when the Bucs came into the NFL and introduced those Gawd-awful jerseys. I thought…”Hey, I thought football teams try to look tough…not like a bunch of gay caballeros”!
As for those Montreal jerseys….just YECK!
Hotrod - He did play well Saturday, that’s for sure.
Tony C - If it takes players two years to get everyone to know what’s going on…then what happens when a player is traded for or picked up off waivers???
Besides, I think The Peever mixed in just fine so far?
I don’t get the whole “takes two years to get it stuff”.
Brendan - I’d like to see one of the Spirit Clowns address these quaestions too. But then, they would have to man up and face the press to do that…wouldn’t they?
By Bob
February 2, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
Yep, Brendan. That’s what clued me in early about Waddell’s inability to recognize talent. In the 2nd or 3rd year I started going “wait, Waddell was a dman in his day” yet every year he signs Todd RearEnd, Uwe Krupp, Richard Smehlik, Adam Burt, it gets too painful to remember much more.
It’s ok though, guys. Really. They’re going to fire him, after the court case is finally settled. And then we’ll get a new GM who has a little core to work with (pray for Tavares this summer) and it can be fixed, sooner than you’d think, with the right guy at the wheel.
By sc
February 2, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
I know this is inconsequential to Brendan’s rant, but his name was William Hung and he actually had a “semi-hit” albumn proving that even the most clueless person sometimes gets lucky (see Don Waddell and the Thrashers one brief playoff experience). What I can’t understand is how, with the exception of that one playoff year, can an organization after all these years have so little in the way of up and coming prospects. It’s mind-boggling. They hit on Kovy, I still think they hit on Kari (how can any goaltender not be permanently scarred by all the shots he has faced), we all know the horrible bad luck regarding Heatley, Little is turning out pretty good, Enstrom was a good pick in a lower round (good for you Donnie), its too early for Bogosian, we mortgaged the future by trading Coburn for a week of playoff hockey (great trade, eh?). Thats it! There’s nobody in the minors. This is a pathetic draft history. Can we please find somebody who can evaluate young talent? Either fire Waddell or get him some help drafting because it isn’t working. I usually go to about 20 games per year with my kids. I have gone to one this year. Who wants to spend that much money to watch a pathetic product.
By Brendan
February 2, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this
sc, I stand pleasantly corrected. Hung? Ho? It’s a rough terrain.
By Alan
February 2, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this
“They’re going to fire him, after the court case is finally settled.”
That would mean the torrential storm over Blueland has finally come to its conclusion, and the messes Waddell made can finally be cleaned up.
Might light a fire under the collective arse of the team, as well. I’m pretty sure after this mess, Waddell couldn’t even land a job in the KHL.
By Glovesave29
February 2, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this
Alan, you bring up a point that I metioned to Rawhide, Stroz and Brendan at the Ottawa game…and that is if DW is covering for the A$G boys, then he is doing so at the expense of his reputation. I know we here in Atlanta are only too happy to show him the door, but one we are happily free of him, unless he spills the beans on the A$G, he has no future in hockey (and if he does spill, he is a despot and no owner would want him)…so he’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t…which I guess is karma biting him in the rump for what he did to us.
Another question…if JA’s system is soooo hard to grasp, then why are the Thrashers undressed, showered and in thier cars heading home just 30 minutes after practice ends? Should they not be in the film room working to get this? Y’know…the Matt Ryan theory of study, study, study - and when you’re done - study dsome more instead of the Mike Vick “i’ll just wing it and hope for the best” theory? We need someone to get into that lockerroom, lead by example and rip some new orifices in these boys…
By Tony C.
February 2, 2009 9:12 PM | Link to this
Alan, Mr. T & others-I was given to understand that it would take two years for everyone (read on AND off ice personnel) to “get it”. Person I spoke with is a prime sub for Le Thrash and doesn’t like to really bad-mouth things, but the implication I got was that people “could be free to do their job”.
Now does that mean DW is out as GM? I know most of us hope so, but the feeling I got was that in two years, the court case would be decided, maybe not finalized but things that are presently muddy would be much more clear.
I dunno, that’s just what my buddy said-I’ve seen a similar quote posted here or linked to from here as well. Just a tidbit I heard over the weekend.
By Brendan
February 2, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
Sara and Alan, and other Red Wing fans: In tonight’s Blues-Red Wings game, Versus’ Christine Simpson interviewed Wings GM Ken Holland during the live action. She asked Holland, rather directly, “Will you be able to keep both Franzen and Hossa for next season?” Ken Holland replied, “We’re hoping to get ONE (1) of them signed BEFORE the end of the season. The other, we’ll try to sign in the Summer, when we see what the salary cap will be.”
Okay, guess which one Holland will re-sign? My feeling is … Holland wants to keep Hossa more than Franzen. But Franzen’s been there longer. It’s only right to reward that longevity, in the eyes of “some.” Remember Mike Babcock’s quote: “Marian, we’ve never lost a player that we didn’t want to.” Translation: “We’ll get you re-signed if you deliver for us.” Tonight, Hossa had two (2) goals, and won the game in the shootout. It’s just a FRACTION of what Hossa has done for the Wings alllllll season long. I suspect that Ken Holland knows, and Hossa has probably made it plain and clear to Holland, that he’ll sign for a BIG DISCOUNT. So, based on that, I think … Holland signs Franzen … then re-inks Hossa on a sweet discount in the Summer. Hossa chose Detroit, leaving over $50 million on the table in offers from other clubs. It’s not about money for Hossa. If all the Wings could afford was $5 million, I bet Hossa would take it, just to stay. Detroit’s offer to Hossa will be more than that, of course.
Christine Simpson also asked Ken Holland if the great play by wings prospects in the system, like Abdelkader, will make his Hossa/Franzen decision easier or harder to make, when pondering what new talent he envisions for the 2009-10 roster. In diplomatic fashion, Holland said, “I think it will both help and hurt.”
By Rawhide
February 2, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
Tony C - Ahhhh…. I see.
I thought you were meaning that his “system” was gonna take 2 years “to ger”. Thus my “new player” reply.
sc - “I usually go to about 20 games per year with my kids. I have gone to one this year. Who wants to spend that much money to watch a pathetic product”.
There are many like you with that mindset.
Brendan - “Hung? Ho? It’s a rough terrain”.
I would suggest skating a wide path around that terrain, my friend.
By Clobber Milquetoast
February 2, 2009 10:48 PM | Link to this
Pond Scum said: WHY do we not ever hear anything from the ownership about the product we are getting?
Because they’re only biding out time until their lawsuit is resolved and they (or Belkin, whatever) can sell the team.
What do you expect them to say?
“Dear Thrasher Fans. We have no intention on supporting this team, and plan on putting the franchise up for sale pretty much as soon as we can. By the way, please come to games, and Believe in Blueland!”
By Sharon
February 3, 2009 1:54 AM | Link to this
The Illitches and Holland are the gold standard in franchise ownership and management. They’ve had several players over the years - Yzerman, Shanahan, Lidstrom, Chelios, Hasek, Zetterberg and Hossa come to mind - who took less to play for the Wings. Players really seem to love it there.
Someone mentioned on the blogs that Thrashers fans should have a protest. How about March 20th when they play the Wings? It’s the gold standard versus the sub-standard. The vast difference in competent and committed ownership and management couldn’t be more glaring than this.
I’m sure the Detroit fans, myself included, would love to join in. We do enjoy a good protest and Waddell is the Matt Millen of hockey. Seriously, as a Wings and Thrashers fan it kills me to see such incredible disparity between the two teams. It just magnifies what the Thrashers are not, and what they could have been (or at least aspired to).
On another note… “They’re worse than the “rainbow” jerseys of the Houston Astros…”
Those are my all-time favorites for baseball! For added humiliation, I own a velour version of that jersey (yes, velour). It may be quirky, but it is a conversation starter when I wear it.
By five_hole
February 3, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
For added humiliation, I own a velour version of that jersey (yes, velour). It may be quirky, but it is a conversation starter when I wear it. - Sharon - Well, I’m sure it looks good on you, but it was horrible on the Astros. I always wondered what I would have seen if I had still been taking acid in the ’80s … .
So, with Exelby activated, we have a boatload of defensemen on the roster. Can you afford to have X and Valabik in the same lineup? Should X be a healthy scratch after being injured? Should the kids like Valabik, Oystrick & Bogosian sit, when they need time to develop? Does this mean a trade is in the works?
I like the idea of Thorburn on Kovy’s line. He’s big enough to go into the corners and set up in front of the goal.
By Spud Webb
February 3, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
Rawhide lol, that headline there is no “D” in Atlanta” is priceless. This is like a re-run from the past nine years!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahhaha.
By Rawhide
February 3, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this
Thanks Spud Webb*…it was either that or “There Is No Defense For These Thrashers”….
Or something to link the subject with Groundhog’s Day yesterday. You know…kinda like the movie Bill Murray was in where he suffered through the same day over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over….
…much the same way we Thrashers fans have suffered through the same poor defensive play from this team season after season after season after season after…..oh, you get the point.
BTW…congrats on that Slam Dunk Contest win back in the ’80s.
By Spud Webb
February 3, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this
EXACTLY!!!! I do hope that Bogo turns into the stud D, physical, rocket shot player he looks like he will be! I hope it’s not too late!!!
By Glovesave29
February 3, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Gonna be ugly tonight. The Rangers and their fans are going to be flying high after watching Adam Graves’ #9 get sent to the rafters. We are fast becoming the official team to play when retiring jerseys. Guess they figure send the fans home happy with the memories of a former great and an all-but-guaranteed win. I dispise the Rangers. I hope we pull one of our “alien” games out tonight.
Congrats to former Thrasher captain Steve Staios for playing his 500th game as an Oiler. Sure could use some of his toughness and grit around these parts…
By bulldog52
February 3, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this
several months back i wrote that the defense coach was the defense coach in chicago with the wolves. and their record on shots on goal was not any better then the thrashers record now. if you don’t coach defense the players don’t play defense.Anderson has always been a offense coach he will not change. His wingers never back check and are always waiting for an outlet pass. If you look at who they have let go over the years Colburn, Foster, etc. they have kept the second teir defenseman. they have in chicago no high quality defenseman have signed players other teams let go. wonder why they don’t play better.It all is in keeping salaries low and hope for the best.
By Bob
February 3, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this
Congrats to former Thrasher captain Steve Staios for playing his 500th game as an Oiler. Sure could use some of his toughness and grit around these parts…
Another of my favorite Waddell moments with a defenseman. Didn’t he just let Staios walk, for nothing in return? The Oilers GM said something like “we’re not sure what Atlanta was thinking, but we’re sure glad to have Steve here!”
Now, who can remember what wonderful UFA signing at defense Waddell made, to compensate for the loss of Staios?
By Rawhide
February 3, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this
Interesting Web Poll question on the Thrasher’s page asking which coach has done the better job. When I cast my vote for Hartley…here are the results at that time:
Curt Frasier: 6 votes - 4.14%
Bob Hartley: 126 votes - 86.90%
John Anderson: 8 votes - 5.56%
Don Waddell: 5 votes - 3.45%
By R. Stroz
February 3, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this
This should finish off the remaining STHers
By hunterj6
February 3, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this
The game… against the Rangers… is tonight. And for those of you thinking; thanks capt obvious…check the previous page. Good job AJC sports! Go Thrash!
Wish Crabb was playin tonight, him and Scott Gomez played on the same highschool team in AK.
By polskidawg
February 3, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this
I’ve been too depressed by the ongoing lack of understanding with this franchise that I don’t even feel like commenting.
I truly hope Bob is correct.
By the way, excellent review of the less-than excellent adventure, that is called Thrasher’s hockey, Mr. Rawhide.
By Glovesave29
February 3, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
Stroz…those $30 tickets are still $10 more than I spend on them from a scalper.
AAHL members get a constant bombardment of emails from the Thrash for similar offers. They offer us TOI after the Thrashers are done for games….trying anything and everything. Well everything EXCEPT giving us a good team. We might actually pay $78 for a $78 seat for a good team.
Oooops, sorry….I used logic.
By Russ
February 3, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
Rawhide - I wish they had the same poll asking which GM has done the better job…oh wait, there’s only one choice. Nevermind.
By five_hole
February 3, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this
Waddell just gave John Anderson the dreaded vote of confidence. Isn’t that what he did just before he axed Bob Hartley?
By Spud Webb
February 3, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
Glovesave29, I do the same thing. I always get GREAT seats for next to nothing (scalping), always have, if I don’t get freebies!!!!
By Rawhide
February 3, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
polskidawg - Thank you…it’s all part of the service!
Russ - I just wanna know who the 5 people are that voted for Waddell??
Five_Hole - Why is it that, as I read that story, I envisioned Michael Corleone and his brother Fredo in Cuba?
“You broke my heart, Fredo”!
By R. Stroz
February 3, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this
I just wanna know who the 5 people are that voted for Waddell??
Don Waddell, twice; Dan Marr, three times
By Brendan
February 3, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this
I have to love that Anderson wants to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. When I read that, I instantly thought, “Well, then help get your boss fired, John.” That’s STEP #1 of the solution. Bear in mind, any team’s Assistant GM will still come up with Hedman or Tavares in this Summer’s Draft. As they would have, with Bogosian at #3. I know. Bad ownership. Etc. But at least firing Waddell indicates an “awareness” of what’s transpiring. There’d at least be a modicum of accountability.
It would send a message to the players. The message would be, “It’s a new Day. It’s a new GM. And the guy who drafted you or signed you … isn’t HERE any more.” Some players should be nervous. Other players should start to celebrate. The ones celebrating … and the ones who want to win.
By HookyBob
February 3, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this
Big game up north tonight. I’m expecting an exciting, crisp, hard-hitting hockey game. Too bad MSG isn’t the venue. The venue is the Prudential Center, where the 2nd place (in the Eastern Conf) Capitals are visiting the 3rd place Devils. My challenge is which game am I going to be watching.
Which game are you going to be watching?
By HookyBob
February 3, 2009 6:27 PM | Link to this
Big game up north tonight. I’m expecting a crisp, exciting, hard-hitting game. Too bad MSG is not the venue. This game is at the Prudential Ctr where the 2nd place (in the Eastern conf) Capitals take on the 3rd place Devils.
My challenge is which game to watch. Which game are you going to watch?
Bonus Question: When did the Thrashers last play in a “big” game?
By Tony C.
February 3, 2009 10:45 PM | Link to this
How’d Kari look tonight stendec???
If you don’t agree that he was the difference-maker for tonight’s win, give me three good reasons why not. -P.S. you can’t use his nationality or drinking proclivities as “good reasons”.
Loved Little’s wrister and of course, the long-awaited return of…. SLAVA-MATIC
FIRE WADDELL
By Alan
February 3, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
Incoming whiny post by the resident crack addict about Kovalchuk and Lehtonen, and how horrific they played.
You know, despite the fact that we won, and Lehtonen made 39 saves.
By stendec
February 3, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this
Kari Letemin could not close the deal in regulation! Allowing the tying goal with less than a dozen seconds to play. What the Hell is that shet? Rebounded in the shootout but this one almost feels like a loss. Had to hand those damn Ranjerks a point they did not deserve! I proclaimed that none of the Toiletlids could hit the damn ice on a faceoff drop. Never knew exactly how right I was until now. Right captain, captain my a##, Ilya Kovalchuk? I would be downright ashamed to miss a wide yawning empty net so badly! I guess two points are two points. The tempo was set when a Ranjerk shot beat the Toiletlid netminder in the opening seconds but somehow did not go in. Those who saw the game know what I am talking about. Would have been a lot different night had that one found the back of the net!
By stendec's shrink
February 3, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this
Why are you fixated on tioletlids?
Did your parents take your tioletlid away for getting it dirty?
Did you stick your head in the tiolet as a child?
Did you gurgle dirty tiolet water?
Did you brush your teeth with dirty tiolet water?
That’s why you have all those crappy fillings.
No wonder you’re always full of shet.
By Rawhide
February 3, 2009 11:11 PM | Link to this
stendec - I saw the game…and I still have no idea what you are talking about. Kari was flat out amazing tonight and the 2 points are directly the result of his play.
39 saves on 40 SOGs. To borrow NASCAR Dave’s phrase… “NUFF SAID!!
As for the missed open netter by Kovy…no one in the world feels worse about that right now than he does. He burries that 999 times out of 1,000. Tonight was just that night.
Besides, that was nothing compared to Stefan’s flub in Edmonton 2 years ago.
By Alan
February 3, 2009 11:12 PM | Link to this
I see our little druggie didn’t fail to disappoint!
Go to Charter Peachford. If you can’t get help there, please, get help somewhere.
By stendec's nurse
February 3, 2009 11:18 PM | Link to this
Someone put the laughing gas in stendec’s oxygen tank.
By LAC
February 3, 2009 11:36 PM | Link to this
stendec, This is getting SO OLD… Let it GO !
The last two games #32 has been outstanding, the NYI game, TERRIBLE, but this constant ranting is complete BS… Gee Whiz !