Is This Waddell’s Last Stand?
First off, let me be very clear on this point…this is not intended to be a “Bash Waddell” piece. However, given just where the organ-I-zation is at this time, I feel it is prudent to at least pose this question:
Is this summer indeed Don Waddell’s last chance to finally ice a competitive, solid, playoff-contending team…not just for this coming fall’s campaign but for the foreseeable future?
And if he doesn’t…is will time be up for him as the Thrasher’s general manager?
First let’s examine the history of the Thrashers during the Decade of Don. The overall record is 273 wins, 367 losses, 53 overtime losses and 45 ties, (accumulated during the five season’s prior to the post-lockout rules change). That amounts to a .436 points winning percentage and an average of 71.5 points earned in the standings each year. There has been exactly one playoff appearance during the nine seasons played…resulting in a four-game sweep to the Rangers in 2007.
Those, my friends are very un-good numbers.
Now, at the end of the 2007-08 debacle of a season, I made it very clear that I was of the opinion that Waddell’s tenure needed to come to an end. The circumstances that led to that miserable year was set squarely at the general manager’s feet, in my mind. And I thought even the Great Octo-Cluster could see that.
Ownership, however, chose to have Don remain.
Also, going into last season, had you told me that Atlanta would finish with the same amount of points…76…as they did the previous season, I would have called that epic failure and surely he’d be gone. But the 76 points amassed this time around are far different from those of two seasons ago…going 22-18-1 in the second half of the season instead of collapsing the way they did in March and April of 2007.
Over the course of the last calendar year, he has brought in such popular players as Marty Reasoner and Rich Peverley as well as draft Zach Bogosian with Atlanta’s third overall pick last year. Sure…many of you will quip that taking Bogey was a no-brainer, but the fact of the matter is that he did so and didn’t trade the pick away. Need I remind you of his wheeling and dealings of 2005?
So, it’s only fair to assume that if Don deserved blame for what has gone wrong in the past, certainly he deserves praise for what has gone right of late…giving rise to the hope for better days to come.
However, as we find ourselves once again enjoying the NHL playoffs from our couches instead of Philips Arena, we enter into a summer in which the Thrashers are seriously but a player or two away from being a serious threat. And what Waddell does, or fails to do, over the course of the next few months will directly impact the chances of that becoming reality…not just hope.
Of course, that “one or two players away” line is also the same as was used 12 months ago…and two summers ago. And that is why I ask the question posed above…is this finally the summer that ownership makes it clear to Don, and the whole front office, that it is time to stop building for the future and start producing results? Certainly, if we are sitting here one year from now and we’re still making the same assertions that all we need is a top-four defender and a top-six forward to complete the team…then even the Spirit Boys have to see that as an object failure…right? RIGHT?
Hope only lasts so long, after all. And it tends to fade into coldness of reality if not renewed by the observation of results.
U.S.A. vs. Russia Semi-Finals
Friday, the United States is pitted against Russia in one of the World Championships semi-finals matchup. Four Thrashers will suit up for their respective teams…Ilya Kovalchuk for the Russian squad and Zach Bogosian, Colin Stuart and Ron Hainsey for the U.S.
Here’s the linkie-linage to watch it.
Falconer’s Interview With Dan Marr Pt. II
The Falconer has posted the second part of his chat with Dan Marr. In it, Marr discusses college and European prospects. As always, great job Falconer!
Upcoming Viewing Parties At TJs
May 17 – Sunday afternoon playoff game…first weekend of the Conference Finals. Also, Tim Ecclestone will provide 4 tickets to an upcoming Braves game to raffle off that day!
June 26 – NHL Draft Party. Details to come.
As always, please RSVP with Trixie.
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116 comments Add your comment
polskidawg
May 8th, 2009
6:45 pm
“Is this summer indeed Don Waddell’s last chance to finally ice a competitive, solid, playoff-contending team…not just for this coming fall’s campaign but for the foreseeable future?”
Great question – in the summer of 2005.
Bad question in the summer of 2009. It means that ownership, coupled with mismanagement has set this franchise back 5+ years.
Brendan
May 8th, 2009
7:06 pm
Ya know. I don’t support Hillary Clinton in many things. But there’s one quote of hers that I like to reference. Before I begin, put in some ear plugs. Her voice gets pretty shrill. “We have the right to criticize THIS Administration or ANNNNNNY Administraaaaattiiiiionn !!!! (Crack, went the wine glass.)
Okay, that unpleasantness is behind us now. But she’s right. You … are the customer. They are the restaurant owner. If you don’t like the food, should you be concerned the restaurant might close, especially after receiving lousy service? If your answer is, “But this is the only Chinese Restaurant in a 30 mile radius. We better support it,” you deserve to get sick from the shrimp, the next time you go back. Or the chicken. Meow.
As Alan says, “This team isn’t going anywhere.” This lease is unbreakable. Whoever buys this team and attempts to move it, has to pay TWO (2) mortgages. And truth be told, they’d lose money on the one (1) they’re going to before they even BEGIN to start paying off the rent at Philips Arena and the City of Atlanta. No, folks. You’ve got ownership … right where you want them. For ONCE!!!
You …. YOU HOLD THE POWER. You can demand change. Your wallet is your weapon. Demand improvement. Demand something more that “lip service” about “how close we are” to being a playoff team, while the payroll is the 2nd lowest in the NHL, only trailing the L.A. Kings.
Stop for a minute. I could get behind an argument that says, “Looky here, folks. We’re a QUALITY-RUN organization. We have an excellent GM. Excellent scouts. Excellent Coaching. We draft well. We develop talent well. And we win. We’ve been in the playoffs 5 out of the last 7 seasons. We’ve won several playoff series. And STILLLLL, the arena can’t sell out.”
Thaaaaat’s when I blame fans. In that scenario, the fans have nowhere to hide. It’s THEIR FAULT. The teams/organization held up its end of the deal. It was the fans who dropped the ball.
Umm, is that the case, here??? Even remotely??? Or, is the TRUTH … that this organization, from a hockey operations standpoint, isn’t qualified to run an ECHL team. And for once, beeee honest. Don’t make me do it. Don’t make me start it. Don’t FORCE me to resurrect the numbers. Your dog knows the numbers. Your dog knows the names that came and went. Your dog figured out that Don Waddell shouldn’t have returned from the lockout. Don’t even go there.
It’s not that there’s “insufficient hockey interest” in these here parts. It’s that fans have been insulted, lied to, and misled. Wantonly. And brazenly. There ought to be consequences for that. And there are. This team is probably NOT getting the fullest amount of the revenue-sharing dollars for which it would otherwise be able to receive. And its THEIR OWN fault. It’s their “inaction.” It’s their “procrastination.” It’s all “self-inflicted wounds.” If they want to find a culprit. I’ll hand them a mirror. They can gaze all day long, if need be. The answer is staring them right in the face.
Phil Foley
May 8th, 2009
7:42 pm
This team is not going anywhere. A lot of sponsorships, including the very lucrative Philips Arena naming rights deal, are contingent on the Hawks and Thrashers filling the place for 90 or so dates a year.
As far as Waddell goes, it better be playoffs or bust for him next year. Add a TOP 4 D and a TOP SIX defensive-minded linesman, sign Reasoner and pray Kari’s healthy and it’s possible.
But don’t kid yourselves, even with those additions, the team is not going to be an elite team, just a playoff team.
kracker
May 8th, 2009
7:44 pm
IDK either, Tony C.
I like the leveraging idea but I don’t know how much GMs are allowed to discuss the availability of another team’s RFAs, their offer sheets, players eligible for arbitration, getting agents involved, etc….what I am inartfully getting at is that there may be restrictions on the process so that, for example, swapping my LW RFA for your RW RFA may disallowed by the CBA at some point to protect the negotiating power of the players.
Anyway, it doesn’t seem to happen very often. I rarely consider making an offer for another team’s RFA. The Thrashers don’t have so many picks they can afford to give some up as compensation. I guess it’s the same for most teams.
kracker
May 8th, 2009
7:46 pm
Phil Foley, being “just a playoff team” looks pretty good to this fan
Hijacker
May 8th, 2009
7:57 pm
Here we have an ownership, which doesn’t care about hockey (they care about the friggin Hawks) and the teams only GM, who has done a terrible job of building the Thrashers. Ownership is also involved in constant major rule control struggle and still keeps GM Waddell around.
Waddell failed to assemble an NHL worthy defense in 9 out of 10 (counting this one) seasons. He failed to build a good team through the draft like many others have done before. DW continues to bring in waiver wire crap to help the team (e.g. Fata, Ndur.) He gave ex-coach Hartely a new contract, after Hartley lost the team in the last part of the 2007 season and especially in the 2007 playoffs. Hartley is responsible for killing Lehtonen confidence, which still affects him, today. His love for veteran players led that that horrible Coburn for Zhitnik trade disaster.
Disasterous decisions at the draft (incl. trades) still hurt the Thrashers. a) A 2nd in one of the deepest drafts in recent history was traded for one season of a bottom six Dman Ivan Majesky, b.) Valabik was drafted way to early, c) Kopitar was scouted by Waddell and deemed NHL worthy, yet he traded the Thrashers 2005 first rounder two times. San Jose and the Rangers used those picks to secure the rights on Setoguchi and Staal, while the Thrashers got Bourret (Waddell: “A guy we liked from the beginning on”.) Bourret has been traded twice in the meantime and may never play in the NHL. d.) several scouting reports and comments from his coach indidated that Jim Slater would turn into the player that he’s today, neverthess Waddell wasted a late 1st rounder on a 4th liner, e.) scouting reports are indidate that recent late first rounder Leveille looks like a carbon copy of Slater.
Waddell failed to resign key Thrashers FA at the time e.g. Brunette after the 1st season and Savard after recording career highs in 2006.
Two of four leading executives in Atlanta didn’t have any NHL experience, before joining the Thrashers. Don Waddell isn’t that much better (one NHL GP and one season as the Wings AGM in 98.) We are basically having an AHL management, which is learning NHL business on the job.
The lack of media and fan pressure adds to the misery.
We are desperate for new & capable GM and owners who care for this team.
Brendan
May 8th, 2009
11:08 pm
Hijacker, quality, detailed post.
Shifting gears, Staal, Samsonov, and Jussi Jokinen are taking over this series with Boston, for Carolina. It’s now, 3-1, ‘Canes. I did pick Carolina in this series, amidst raised eyebrows, but I didn’t see it potentially ending in Game 5, for Carolina. Truthfully, this series could be much closer. Bruins hit some goal posts early on. Yes, Marc Savard did score for Boston. If the Bruins lose this series, don’t put it on Savard. He hasn’t disappeared in these playoffs. I can’t pinpoint exactly where it’s gone wrong for Boston. I don’t want to say it’s Tim Thomas in net, either. But whatever it is, they have to win, from now on, if the #1 seed in the East intends to reach the Conference Finals.
In the other series, the Penguins have ridden the momentum of a Game 3 overtime win into a 5-3 win in Game 4. So, now it’s back to Washington, series tied, 2-2, where once again the home team has the pressure to hold serve. Varlamov looked suddenly “human” in this game. Glovesave, by my count, at least three (3) of the five Penguin goals are on Varlamov. The 1st , 3rd, and 5th I thought were on Varlamov. Do you agree? The Capitals needed to get that OT winner in Game Three. It was a missed opportunity. Was it the “turning point” in the series?
This is why they play the games.
Alan
May 8th, 2009
11:59 pm
Just a few years back when the Blackhawks where having some down years, they were playing to a half-full arena.
Just a few years ago, the Wolves were out-drawing the Blackhawks.
Here’s more examples, for our “typical Atlanta sports fan” friend:
Vancouver had a lot of trouble attracting fans in the 80s and early 90s.
So did my hometown Detroit Red Wings. When Illitch bought the team, he had to give away a car at every home game in an effort to attract fans back to the team.
Pittsburgh also had a lot of trouble getting people to show up. They, like Phoenix, were rumored to be on the move just a few short years ago. The fanbase became apathetic as a result. That is, until Cindy Crotchby ended up in their possession at the draft, Lemieux strong-armed Pittsburgh into building a new arena, and the team started winning.
The Islanders currently suck. No sugar coating it. The results at the box office? We all know what that’s like, because we’re living with those same results at our own box office.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I have no problem supporting a losing team, so long as that team is actually playing with intensity, the ownership at least appears semi-competent, and the general manager seems to know what he’s doing. Only one out of three things occurred this past season, and zero out of three during the 2007-2008 campaign.
Atlanta has about as much of a chance of moving as Whitehorse, NWT has of getting a NBA franchise.
Rawhide
May 9th, 2009
12:00 am
Hijacker – Wow…Nicely done. I was…and still am…a Hartley fan. But the goalie flip-flops in the playoffs killed us. No denying that.
Brendan – Carolina was my “sleeper” in the east…I thought they would surprise some people. But I didn’t think they would be giving Boston the kind of series they are. (For the record, I picked the Bruins in 6).
I’ve been very impressed with the Canes this past week.
Brendan
May 9th, 2009
12:48 am
The winner of NJ/Carolina has gone on to reach the Cup finals twice before, or so reports the “On the Fly” boys. Boston isn’t done yet. But it’s not looking good. The Penguins were almost buried in Game 3. Now, the series could go either way. If Varlamov lays anymore eggs, it’s just going to get harder. I wonder what Jose Theodore is thinking, these days?
Adios
May 9th, 2009
1:15 am
I’ll take all bets that Thrashers will still be here in 3 years. Much to my dismay they will be gone, like the Flames, for all the wrong reasons.
Hijacker
May 9th, 2009
6:04 am
I was ready to clean the house, including Dan Marr, after the IMO most talented Thrashers team (at least one offense) failed to reach the playoffs in 2006.
Waddell get’s the main blame for failing to acquire a capable starting goalie, for promising us that the Thrashers will be in the playoffs that season & for holding on to Hartley. Buffalo was willing to part with Marty Biron that season. I believe that rumored asking price was Atlanta’s first rounder.
In order to compete in then “new NHL”, it became apparent that team need to have a couple of youngsters in the lineup. Just for salary cap reasons alone. Bob was and still is stuck in the old days of the NHL. All this started in Colorado were Hartley’s younger (and talented) players were constantly in the dog house.
GaVaHokie
May 9th, 2009
9:11 am
Alan… In regards to Pittsburgh, Melon Arena didn’t have box suites. I read something to the extent that they could sell out every home game and still lose $7 million a year (approx.).
That has always been the perfect example for me that season ticket holders and sell outs are great, but nothing is more important than the highly lucrative sponsorships and box suites to the health of a franchise.
And before the STHers start “kicking me in the balls”… it’s ALL important.
I wish we could just drop “Thrashers” and become the Atlanta “Coca Cola’s”… go back to the Little League days when your team name was a local car dealer or carpet store.
If that’s what it takes to stop bitching about money.
World Be Free
May 9th, 2009
9:57 am
Alan-you are right on man. The folks in The Great White North are trying to convince us that they will support a team no matter the record. Other than Toronto, I have seen empty seats in Montreal and every other Canadian city when the product is not competitive. And took at the Blue Jays-they struggle at the gate with a better than average product in baseball.
Go Southeast Division-we don’t look too weak now, judging by the playoffs. Eric Stall is an absolute beast.
Alan
May 9th, 2009
1:36 pm
In regards to Pittsburgh, Melon Arena didn’t have box suites.
That’s just it. They weren’t selling out because the team sucked. Box suites nothing, the team before they drafted Crotchby blew more chunks than the fat guy in “Monty Python and The Meaning Of Life.” The inadequacies of the arena notwithstanding, it’s all about the performance of the on-ice product. That product, in the major markets I named, stunk pretty badly in both the past, and in the case of the Islanders (and to a lesser extent, the Kings), the present. Worse than the dump on the corner of I-285 and Moreland Ave.
Thrashers27
May 9th, 2009
1:44 pm
I know this is one of the least likely things to ever happen, but wouldn’t it be awesome if Waddell was able to convince Nikulin to join the team next year and also sign Gabby, Camalleri and Bouwmeester. Just the thought of that happening brought a tear to my eye…If that were to really happen, I would likely cry and pee myself.
frosty the snowman
May 9th, 2009
3:15 pm
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=278109
sharon
May 9th, 2009
4:15 pm
What the hell is going on? Have the owners (all 8 of them) been quietly negotiating to sell the team? If not, then this Vancouver investment group is really overzealous. The Hamilton Thrashers in 2010? Again, what the hell is going on?
I feel sick.
Alan
May 9th, 2009
4:17 pm
Did you read that story? Seriously. Speculative journalism at the Toronto Sports Network at its finest.
There’s no evidence the team is nearly as bad off as Phoenix, nor is there evidence the team is being shopped to prospective buyers. Alas, it makes the teenagers in Toronto and those who have the Canadian flag tattooed to their genitals happy.
Let them be happy about their speculative journalism for now, for they will be disheartened when they wake up and find it was just a dream.
R. Stroz
May 9th, 2009
4:19 pm
If the ASG doesn’t crush that rumor soon, all hell is going to break loose.
1) STH will either sit on their money or start calling to get their money back on deposits.
2) I wonder what the fan club thinks of that rumor.
3) There must have been some discussions that have taken place between the ASG and the real estate developer for him start looking for a venue.
Let the sh!t start hitting the fan.
sharon
May 9th, 2009
4:36 pm
Yes, I did read the story, thank you. Having worked in the U.S. media for many years now, I have news standards… as in, legitimate media sources shouldn’t print garbage rumors. If that’s what TSN is doing then they seriously need to consider their credibility, or lack thereof.
However, it does appear that the Vancouver group is meeting with the mayor of Hamilton to discuss the Thrashers. I’m very curious to know why they think this is a doable deal.
Alan
May 9th, 2009
4:37 pm
I just emailed Chris to ask if he could possibly get the ownership on record about this story. I hope he’s successful.
R. Stroz
May 9th, 2009
4:41 pm
Imagine how this story will effect Kovy’s contract negotiations.
Also, this could be why no players have been re-signed.
The ASG can either crush the rumor or open pandora’s box.
R. Stroz
May 9th, 2009
5:16 pm
Someone should ask the owners. They will be courtside tonight at the Hawks game starting at 8:00.
Alan
May 9th, 2009
5:31 pm
My question wasn’t directed to you, Sharon, but to Frosty. When I begin writing my post, your post hadn’t shown up yet.
Alan
May 9th, 2009
5:34 pm
Received an email from Chris, stating he’s at the Hawks game and will be seeking out an owner for comment.
sharon
May 9th, 2009
5:45 pm
Alan, ok, gotcha.
I can’t wait to hear what the ASG has to say about this.
12345
May 9th, 2009
6:24 pm
First all I can say about Don Waddell is he is not an honest man.
He has lied to all Thrasher fans for many many years and shows no remorse for any of it. Futhermore he continues to hide from everyone
so he does not have to answer for his thousands of mistakes.
The man last season said Zit was going to be a BIG part of our defense this season, two or three days later he was bought out. The trade was one of the worst in NHL history, went straight down the drain.
Don Waddell is so far out of his league it really… is not funny.
He has no idea what to do and who to trade or sign except worthless Jim Slater what a waste and so on.
I do not like dishonest people and I do NOT like Don Waddell, he lies to cover his own butt with no regard for Atlanta hockey fans !
LAC
May 9th, 2009
6:30 pm
Where the HELL is this “new” reporter ASLEEP at the wheel, he needs some answers to this rumor NOW !
Alan
May 9th, 2009
6:31 pm
According to the email I just received from Chris:
“My statement from owner Bruce Levenson is that there is no truth to the rumor.”
‘Nuff said?
kracker
May 9th, 2009
7:20 pm
Ha! Take that, Toronto Star!
Done
May 9th, 2009
7:29 pm
To me there are multiple strikes against this team.
1. The lawsuit. Until it is settled, the ASG is not spending any more money. The value of ASG affects what they have to pay to buy out Belkin.
2. Business men trying to run sport franchises. It is public knowledge that the winning teams have a staff of people with hockey experience in the office. ASG has one likeable guy with limited experience. ASG has poured good money after bad and publicly complained about their losses. Between that and the lawsuit, they need to keep the budget as low as possible.
3. Basketball VS Hockey. Hawks have more of the ASG attention. There is a reason that players won’t resign and are not happy here. Listen to them talk about other owners. Detroit for example, players do not want to leave because the owners appreciate them and show it. Hossa took less money to play with them.
4. Loosing the wrong players. We all have out list of players that are doing great on another team that DW got rid of for not being a good player. DW tears down the team every year instead of building on what is there. The year of the goal tending problems, I think we had one of the stongest teams. Savard wanted to sign (so he said at a home town discount). After hearing DW talk about Savard in an interview, I knew he was not going to keep him.
5. DW is a horse trader. A good trade is more fun than a winning team. Unfortunately, they are often not good trades.
6. Not putting together two scoring lines. For the last two years, Kovy has been on his own. Imagine what he could do if he had a center (which is not named as a need) and winger to work with consitantly. Kovy is the play maker, defense and scoring on his line. Alex O asked for support and got it.
7. Defense does not defend the goaltender. He is there to stop the pucks and they are there to lay on the hits. Brodeur’s defense control his rebounds and don’t screen him.
8. When you look at the roster from year to year, the majority of the team is ranked as 3rd and 4th line players at best. Players that should be developed for first and second line players end up on the checking line.
Is DW going to loose his job? NO WAY!!! He is just as much of a sympton as a cause right now. He does what the ASG wants. Kovy will leave and DW will say it was good for the team, Kari will tear it up somewhere else as well, Koslov will not resign as he has already been blamed for the last season and publicly questioned resigning, and Slater will tear it up when he leaves too. Pavs is being treated like Crosby – expected to be the best without having to prove himself which sets him up. He already has attitude. The weight will rest on Little and Army if they survive.
LAC
May 9th, 2009
7:49 pm
Ok Alan, who is Chris and how did HE get the DRUNK owner to respond ?
Alan
May 9th, 2009
8:06 pm
LAC: Chris Vivlamore. You know, our new beat writer.
To my knowledge, he just approached him at the Hawks game and asked. *shrugs*
kracker
May 9th, 2009
8:07 pm
Alan, what’s up with this? “Co-owner Levenson won’t comment.”
http://www.ajc.com/thrashers/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/05/09/thrashers_move_ontario.html
Alan
May 9th, 2009
8:18 pm
Your guess is as good as mine. I only know what I read. Now I don’t know what to think.
Sigh.
R. Stroz
May 9th, 2009
8:19 pm
No comment = UNGOOD, it is along the lines of taking the fifth because you don’t want to incriminate yourself.
If these a$$wipes sell the team, I’ll post Waddell and Levenson’s addresses and phone numbers for everyone.
Tony C.
May 9th, 2009
8:21 pm
Great.
Color me p!ssed. I can’t believe that moron owners/management are going to cost us an NHL franchise again.
I was having a good day.
Alan
May 9th, 2009
8:24 pm
Perhaps the “no comment” is just “I’ll tell you, but you can’t publish it” — ie, keep it ‘off the record.’
I was hopeful. Then, I felt as if the story was untrue. Now, I’m mad.
kracker
May 9th, 2009
8:26 pm
Well….Levenson is at a basketball game watching his other team. He is perhaps already sloshed if that is his regular thing to do. He gets asked about a Canadian news article. Saying “No comment” is the easiest and safest thing to say for the moment. I’m waiting for more before I jump to conclusions.
Slappy McNutsy
May 9th, 2009
9:43 pm
If not this season, then next. Or the season after that. If not Hamilton, then Kansas City. Or Hartford. Or wherever.
Unless there is a major, major turnaround in the management of the team which translates to better play and better attendance.
But really, what do you think the odds are of that? Honestly?
Downtown ATL
May 9th, 2009
9:48 pm
The NHL relies on Fan’s belief that the franchises in their area are around to stay. Their long term strategy should be the development of Hockey as tradition in non-traditional markets. That takes 25-30 years. If they allow 2 franchises to abandon viable, albiet growing markets the casual fan in places like Tampa, Miami, Nashville, Columbus, Dallas, Anahiem, San Jose are lost.
Sage of Bluesland
May 9th, 2009
9:57 pm
In a way, I hope the Thrashers do move–as no real hockey town will support his continuous incompetence….Bumbling, blustering Donny will be back where he belongs: the minor leagues.
(Either that or going back to selling Port-o-Potties, which is his true medium)
Feel stupid, fwag-waving set? You should. I never stop laughing thinking of you and your ‘hope’, all in the face of fact and common sense…Cheers, Sheep!
Downtown ATL
May 9th, 2009
10:00 pm
Assuming Slappy McNutsey is not a casual fan, his comment is a perfect example why the NHL must limit franchise moves to the most dire of circumstances. The NHL has to limit the offseason rumours to trades and draft picks. What kills me is the Canadian glee at the struggles of non-tradiotional markets. Eklund may be a rumour monger but his passion on this topic is why he is a better publication than the xenophobic Hockey News.
Downtown ATL
May 9th, 2009
10:09 pm
Hey Rawhide. How about an profile on and interview of our beloved Sages. Seeing what makes dude tick would be one fascinating read. Hell… add in a couple more of our familiar unhappy posters you might win a pulitzer.
kracker
May 9th, 2009
10:11 pm
Well good. Finally some sanity from a team source.
http://www.ajc.com/thrashers/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/05/09/thrashers_move_ontario.html
This all really gets soooooo tiresome.
Rawhide
May 9th, 2009
10:12 pm
Dowtown ATL – Hell…I’m game if he is.
Brendan
May 9th, 2009
10:13 pm
Capitals had the Penguins in Ovetime of Game 3, with the chance to go up, 3-0, in the series. Instead, they lost that game, and Game 4. That set up tonight’s game. The Caps took a 2-1 lead into the 3rd, but Pittsburgh popped in two goals to take the lead, 3-2. Who else BUT OVECHKIN scored to get the equalizer with about 4:00 left in regulation. That forced overtime. The Capitals took a penalty, and almost killed it off. With 0:01 left on the penalty, Malkin scores off a deflected pass to Crosby, that hit Caps D-man Tom Poti and eluded Varlmamov.
So, from down 0-2, to up 3-2, with the chance to close it out in Pittsburgh, is the situation in the series. I wouldn’t count the Capitals out just yet. If Washington can manage to win Game Six, they’ll have home ice for Game Seven. The difference in the series … is two overtime wins by Pittsburgh. Had the Capitals scored those two overtime winners, the series would be over right now.
Malkin’s legend grows, with this overtime winner.
At Christmas time, neither Carolina nor Pittsburgh was among the playoff field. After Christmas, these two were the hottest teams in the East. If you follow trends like that, and ignore seedings, picking Pittsburgh and Carolina to meet in the CF seems like a good idea. If that was your strategy coming into these playoffs, you’re probably grinning like a Cheshire cat right about now. Carolina and Pittsburgh need only one (1) more win to meet in the Conference Finals, for the right to play for the Cup.
Pittsburgh fans saw their team reach the Finals last year, but be told they’d be “lucky to make the playoffs this season.” It took a coaching change to make the playoff berth happen. And now, it’s looking like the Penguins are poised and ready to replicate their 2008 playoff success. For Carolina, I do wonder if maybe, just maybe, Jim Rutherford’s future might be reexamined in Raleigh. Since winning the Cup in 2006, the ‘Canes didn’t make the playoffs in 2007, or 2008, and it wasn’t looking too good for 2009. Carolina won nine of its last eleven (9/11) games to make the playoffs and move all the way up to sixth (6th) position. What a long, successful journey for Carolina since December. They got there with some waiver claims, like Samsonov and Jussi Jokinen, and having some of their key players step up when it mattered most. I have forgotten their trade deadline moves.
Slappy McNutsy
May 9th, 2009
10:14 pm
Passionate fan of the game, casual of the Thrashers. Grew up going to Flames games. Had Knights season tickets. Was at Thrashers opening night. But: have been unimpressed with the Thrash since Don was named GM and Damian Rhodes was taken as the teams first goalie. I *should* be a rabid Thrashers fan, but have never been. From ugly logos (and this year’s third jersey? ugh!) to the poor management, I’ve never been able to get behind this team. And that’s a shame – because I’m sure there are many other folks out there who feel exactly like I do.
And if/when they move the real shame of it will be that Atlanta will be blamed and not the terrible ownership and management this team has suffered since day one. And I don’t think this city will get a third shot.
kracker
May 9th, 2009
10:41 pm
Slappy. With all due respect, I don’t feel like you do. Eaxctly or otherwise. Let’s all take a deep breath, Ok?
Gee, I really hate the offseason. May it next year be a shorter offseason for us all.