No playoffs equal big changes for Thrashers

They’ve blown up Blueland.

The Thrashers made three significant moves Wednesday aimed at changing the direction of a franchise that has one playoff appearance -- and no wins -- in its 10 seasons. Long-time general manager Don Waddell was made president of the organization, Rick Dudley was promoted to take his place and coach John Anderson and his entire coaching staff was dismissed.

The moves come four days after the end of another season in which the Thrashers will be watching the Stanley Cup playoffs on television.

“We had this in mind when we brought Rick in a year ago,” Thrashers co-owner Bruce Levenson said. “We thought it was a wise investment to have another voice at the table that had a fair amount of success in this league. ... It became [clear] if we were going to do this, now was the time.

"The decision was made to go into a different direction with the coaching staff and we wanted Rick to head up the effort in putting a new staff together. The timing just seemed right.”

Waddell has served as GM of the Thrashers since its inception, named to the position in June 1998. Last offseason he was also named executive vice president of the Atlanta Spirit, the parent company of the Thrashers, Hawks and Philips Arena. He said he will shift his focus to the business side of the team.

“I’ve said this a couple years now, my goal was to become a president of a team,” Waddell said. “My last couple of years, I’ve been able to do both, without the title. There is no secret our business needs attention to it. We need to generate more revenue. This gives me an opportunity to focus on just that.”

Dudley joined the Thrashers last June and spent his first season as associate general manager. With over 40 years of experience in professional hockey as a player, coach and executive, Dudley most recently spent five seasons with the Blackhawks, the last three as assistant GM. He also served as GM of the Panthers and Lightning, acquiring many of the players that won the Stanley Cup for Tampa Bay in 2004.

“I never anticipated that right off the bat,” Dudley said of his promotion. “At some point along the way, you say if Donnie, because of all the other duties, would step back, if that ever happens. Some people asked me about it during the year. I said it was never even talked about. When you are asked, you say, ‘If he did step back, I’d hope to be the guy.' I’m glad that was the case.”

Anderson did not have his contract renewed after two seasons in Atlanta. The Thrashers were 70-75-19 in his tenure. Assistant coaches Randy Cunneyworth, Todd Nelson and Steve Weeks also did not have their contracts renewed.

“Absolute disappointment,” Anderson said. “From last year, I don’t like to use the word rebuilding mode, but that’s what we were in. Two years later, I think we left the house in pretty good order. We almost made the playoffs. I wish we had. It might have been the difference in my job and some other guys’ jobs.”

Larry Simmons will remain as assistant general manager and Tony Borgford will return as video coach.

The decision not to retain the coaching staff, made Monday night, was unanimous between Waddell, Dudley and Simmons. Levenson signed off on the move and Waddell informed the coaches Wednesday morning.

“Obviously, it’s no fun when you don’t make the playoffs,” forward Eric Boulton said. “I have a lot of respect for all four [coaches]. Unfortunately when you don’t make the playoffs, changes are going to be made.

"Don is very respected and has been here a long time. Everyone has a lot of respect for Rick Dudley. He’s a good hockey mind. He’s going to be great for the city, great for the organization.”

Waddell has been heavily criticized for the failures of the franchise. Still, the decision to move him into the president’s role was not difficult, according to Levenson.

“Don has burned a lot of bridges in this town and his built an enormous amount of bridges,” Levenson said. “He brings a pretty unique skill set. He has the hockey personnel piece and he also has a business-side piece that I haven’t seen in any other GM. We need to rebuild both here. We need to rebuild the business side and we need to rebuild the on-ice product. ...