Hey Aaron, Blow It Out Your…
By now many of you have already seen, read and even commented on this little ditty that was posted by Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch. Basically, it’s a “look ahead” towards the future of the Atlanta Thrashers’ organization, something he’s in the process of doing so for all NHL teams. Well, I thought I’d simply say this about that.
Contrary to what Aaron may think, Reasoner has indeed been signed to a 2-year, $2.3 million contract (AP Photo)
Now, before we go too far into what he has to say, someone really needs to clue Mr. Portzline in on the fact that Marty Reasoner was re-signed almost two weeks ago. That, plus I don’t believe anyone expects Eric Perrin to re-sign here given his comments at the trade deadline.
I guess a little research would have gone a long way here, don’t-cha-think?
Consistency doesn’t seem to be a big priority with Aaron either. At one point he opines, “Kovalchuk is clearly the star here”… (DUH5)…”but he has one year remaining on his contract with the Thrashers and it’s looking highly unlikely that he’ll re-sign”. However, you don’t have to read too much further down the article before you come across this…”If they spend money on free agents and build a respectable club, he might be willing to stick around”.
First of all…way to go out on a limb there, huh? Second of all…so, if Don Waddell can build a respectable team, Kovy just might re-sign?
STOP THE FRIGGIN’ PRESSES!!!! Someone, quick…call Don and tell him we have just found the magic formula to re-signing Kovalchuk! Who woulda-thunkit? Brilliant!
As for his comments about Waddell and the Spirit Boys…well, it really doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to point out that an ineffective general manager who is employed by an inept if not completely detached ownership cluster leads this team.
Yup, we here in Georgia have a pretty good handle on that by now, Portzie… thank you all the same.
I’ll take issue with his comments that John Anderson “is an underwhelming presence on the bench and in the dressing room”. I mean…Anderson is the same guy that turned what appeared to be a disaster of season at the mid-point of last year into a winning record in the second half, right?
I’d say he has more than gained the attention of those in the Thrashers locker room and has successfully achieved his primary mission of last season…getting the players to have some confidence in themselves.
And what’s that you say, Aaron…Slava Kozlov is an “overpaid” forward? Ummmm, the man was only the second-leading scorer behind Ilya Kovalchuk for cryin’ out loud! He had 76 overall points…which was only three off the CBJs leading scorer Rick Nash’s 79… and he got paid $3.67 million to do it. Columbus’s second leading scorer, Kristian Huselius amassed a whopping 56 points and was compensated $4.75 mil.
I’d say Atlanta got the better bargain there, Sparky.
And what’s with no mention of Bryan Little’s 31 goals, 50-point performance in his first full season in the NHL?
One other thing that caught my eye was his insistence that the Thrashers defense was in need of veteran help. Excuse me…but this team played its best hockey of the season AFTER they jettisoned Mathieu Schneider and Nic Havelid, two veteran players.
To be fair, Portzline accurately points out that the Thrashers do need to improve its blueline as to not allow so many shots…Armstrong, Slater and Thorburn should indeed be a big part of the team’s success and, of course, there are his comments about Waddell and The Great Octo-Cluster.
But as for just about the rest of it…?
Well, Aaron can just blow it out his…cannon.
Edit (6/18/200 3:08 pm): Jake has provided this link which would indicate Potzline also posted the piece on June 1. The link that I had indicated a date of June 17. This would explain the Marty Reasoner not being signed reference.
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95 comments Add your comment
GaVaHokie
June 18th, 2009
3:18 pm
Here’s the Craig Custance article…
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/193797
Toby
June 18th, 2009
3:20 pm
Hokie
Im really happy about Dub getting/hiring some help, but I’m hoping Dudley has enough time to give some good input having it be a week before the most important week in Thrashers history. Better late than never I guess…
Alan
June 18th, 2009
3:21 pm
columns are an area for the writers to form their opinions
Yes, but reputable writers will base it on some semblance of fact. One usually does a little research before they write. Unless, you know, Portzline is testing his fiction skills by using the Thrashers. If that’s the case, the least he could have done is have us make an appearance in the finals.
Bob Izumi
June 18th, 2009
3:28 pm
Some semblance of fact? The whole thing is based around fact..Kovie will leave if they don’t give him a good team…they need to address their defense….it’s just that you don’t like it that you’re getting all upset.
GaVaHokie
June 18th, 2009
3:29 pm
Jesus… can we stop talking about Portzline? Who gives a rat’s asss?
Alan, leave the troll alone… we’ve moved on to more important stuff… come join us over here.
Bob Izumi
June 18th, 2009
3:32 pm
Perfect example of dumming down of society…see ya folks. Keep the ignorance in motion.
Hockey Biltong
June 18th, 2009
3:36 pm
Alan- Tusen Tak!
Bob – your writer friend used the copy and paste method for his story.What would have been nice, would be to read something informative and ORIGINAL.
Alan
June 18th, 2009
3:36 pm
But Hokie, I’m just getting warmed up! It’s been a while since I’ve had an opportunity to play with fire, and the pyro in me wants to burn something! And hey, why bring Scott Mellanby into this?
Ah well. I’ll leave the troll alone. He obviously has no idea what he’s talking about anyway.
Moving on, I think the Dudley hire is a good one. He brings a ton of experience with him, and we really should have had a guy with his experience run things from the beginning. Ten years too late, alas, but this is a good move overall.
It’s my hope that, with a hire like this, it might pique the interest of some free agents who would have otherwise considered the Thrashers an afterthought.
Rawhide
June 18th, 2009
3:37 pm
Bob Izumi – Ya know…I spell his name correctly for two year, then the ONE time I butcher it…
No offense taken, I assure you. However, I don’t think accedently misspelling a players name constitutes a double statndard in this regard. Now…had I scolded him on the word “re-sign” as opposed to “resign”, maybe you got a point there.
As for the date, again…the piece I read had the 17th as a date… Ooops. But I’m not above having it pointed out that there was a post of it earlier.
But calling Kozlov “overpriced”?? Calling John Anderson “Underwhelming”? Insinuating age, (and that’s how I took his “veteran” comment), to the blueleine?
Again…his opinion, and he’s got a right to it. I just beg to differ. That’s all.
Alan
June 18th, 2009
3:38 pm
Biltong, what will I do with a thousand roofs? I only need one new one!
(I believe the word you were looking for is takk
)
GaVaHokie
June 18th, 2009
3:39 pm
It’s my hope that, with a hire like this, it might pique the interest of some free agents who would have otherwise considered the Thrashers an afterthought.
That’s my thinking as well… he seems to have had success with luring free agents.
I’d be curious what others think of this decision being made a year after Dave Nonis was available?
polskidawg
June 18th, 2009
3:41 pm
Feel the love.
Rawhide – I always enjoy your blogs, regardless of your 1) content, 2) intent, 3) personal bias, or 4) opinion.
Your dedication to the hockey fans of the Atlanta metro by provided food for thought 3 to 4 times (or more) is greatly appreciated by this amateur commenter, and certainly many others.
As for today’s blog – I truly don’t care much about a beat writer in Columbus, Ohio, though I tire of reading the baseless accusation of Kovalchuk being “selfish.” The young man wants to win and fully understands the concept of team success – folks should pay attention rather than regurgitate the uninformed words of other “journalists.”
GaVaHokie
June 18th, 2009
3:44 pm
So many questions are coming to mind now… like who else was considered, or was this decision made strictly on the availability of Rick Dudley? Was the “Bowman Cloud” getting to big in Chicago?
Where is Vivlamore! Paging Chris Vivlamore!
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 18th, 2009
3:47 pm
Smoothie — Good catch, that’s an interesting hire. Custance said it was a Waddell hire and not a future replacement for his position, which I guess is both interesting and disappointing for many readers. I would be surprised if Dudley isn’t being “groomed” (I use the word loosely) to being the eventual GM in Atlanta allowing Waddell to focus on the EVP role (maybe make the Arena even more green).
I’m still holding out hope for Yzerman. I know it’s not going to happen and it doesn’t guarantee greatness, but one can dream, right?
Brendan
June 18th, 2009
3:48 pm
Man, we’re going to have a lot of blog hits today! While Columbus and GM’s are the “topic du jour,” I’m pleased with the job GM Scott Howson is doing in Columbus. I hope the Blue Jackets make the playoffs again next season, and have a very productive offseason, at the draft and in free agency. If they make it in next year, I’d wager they’ll win a game this time. I wished Columbus had drawn Calgary or Chicago as a 1st round opponent, instead of Detroit. That was a rough baptism to the playoffs. But, as they say, you get to the top of the ladder one rung at a time.
Ahh, Rick Dudley. I remember it well, when Sage of Bluesland and I argued the merits of trading among ones friends. I argued that the Thrashers needed everything, even a goalie, but would have been better served to take Nash with pick #2. Sage of Bluesland argued that Columbus could not have OBTAINED Nash, if Waddell’s personal friendship with Rick Dudley had not been in the equasion. Sage argued that Waddell acquiesced on passing on Bouwmeester (with pick #2 in the 2002 Draft,) only to appease his buddy, with whom he had worked in the minor leagues. I thought about it. And ultimately, I asked myself this question, “Would a GM allow a personal friendship to interfere with his obligations to the shareholders, fans, and players of the organization he works for, to do WHAT IS BEST for the team, on Draft Day?” I struggled with that one. I did.
In Calgary, GM Darryl Sutter gave Mike Keenan a job two years ago, when nobody would ‘touch’ him. Sutter took a lot of heat for it, while the media speculated that Keenan wouldn’t last until Christmas that year (2007). Keenan did get the Flames into the playoffs both years he was there. But the team did NOT advance past the opening round. And, just weeks ago, Sutter did fire Keenan.
How did Florida do, during the Dudley Administration? That’s not really a loaded question. Florida’s ownership wasn’t stellar. And we all know that song and dance very well here. I know Dudley was with the Buffalo Sabres, as a player. I think, generally-speaking, he’s well thought of. I do wonder if Larry Simmons, the Assistant GM, is still part of the plans, moving forward. The Custance article, however, calls Dudley an “Associate GM.” And does not mention any announcement of a Simmons firing. So, I assume he’s still here. Perhaps, as Bruce Levenson speculated LAST OFFSEASON, that Don would be getting an “advisor.” Well, the article also says … that Dudley was a “Waddell hire.” So, I don’t suspect the slightest hint of animosity there. They are friends. Does it hurt to have a friend’s advice? Depends on the friend, right? Some friends help us right into the poor house or the unemployment line. Relax. Dudley’s not going to do much harm here. That’s the ownership’s job. So, in general, I like this move. If Dudley became the GM here, one fine day, I’d say it’s not the best choice the organization could have made. But hey, I’d give him, and ANYONE, a fair start, and a hearty “welcome.”
Glovesave29
June 18th, 2009
3:49 pm
Is there aaaaaaany chance this can be the first step in booting DW out the door? At least kick him upstairs and get him outta hockey ops. Someone who will have the cojones to confront the ASG and point out the money that can be made when you get to host a few playoff games now and again.
Don can spend the rest of his days worrying about getting green certification for the rest of the Thrashers facilities and we can have a “hockey man” in charge of the day-to-day running of this team.
2-fister
June 18th, 2009
3:52 pm
Wow, Columbus finally makes the playoffs (last team to do so), and the press starts taking pot shots.
Stay classy.
Bob
June 18th, 2009
3:52 pm
Isn’t Dudley one of Waddell’s cronies from the minor league days? Sounds like the Wad is still calling on the shots for the Thrashers and brought in another yes man who won’t challenge him for the job.
polskidawg
June 18th, 2009
3:56 pm
Sorry – providing, not provided.
Dudley – I’m not particularly impressed, especially since he and DW are such good friends. I don’t think DW needs another yes man to tell him how great he’s doing. He needs a assistant GM who will provide a differing view and fresh input, though with the same goal in mind.
Hopefully it will work.
Sara
June 18th, 2009
3:58 pm
Boy and I thought *our* Bob could be a stubborn, pig-headed pain in the arse. :p My one last comment…the difference between Pork Loin (god that is great) and Billy Boy here is like the difference between Bill and Chris V our local beat writer. We go to Bill’s blog to chat about typical fan stuff and whatnot and while he occasionally delivers a piece of news that he’s found elsewhere, this is mostly just a blog for everyone to come BS on. We look to Chris for actual hard news regarding the team. Thus the difference between a fan blogger and an actual paid beat writer/journalist. It’s Portzline’s job to be the source of actual news about hockey in general and the Blue Jackets in particular and he just received a big old FAIL for his work on that article because while the opinion portion is maybe arguable, the facts were either common sense a 2 year old could figure out or he flat out got it WRONG.
I’ll add another wring to his list from my post yesterday about all this…he called Kari Lehtonen a high-priced underachiever. Now, his underachievedness (making up words is fun!) might be questionable, but high-priced? Since when is a $3M starting veteran goalie high-priced? See – that’s having ZERO clue about hockey and is truly pathetic in someone with a journalism degree who is supposed to be covering hockey. Ignorant or lazy…you can make your own opinion on that.
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 18th, 2009
4:09 pm
Hokie — Once Burke made it obvious he would have a job for Nonis wherever he went, Nonis became unavailable in any form of adviser or assistant GM. He could be the AGM with his friend and boss who he excelled under, or he could try something new and go to a team that might not be lead by someone as good as Burke. I’d say Nonis pulled a Hossa and went where he wanted instead of followed the money…I can’t blame him for it.
Brendan
June 18th, 2009
4:27 pm
Bob, (our regular poster,) I do agree with you. Waddell’s still firmly in charge. I’d argue, he’ll always be in charge, unless they fire him and force him to clean out his desk. And really, if any organization wanted to create REAL CHANGE, that’s what they’d do. And the longer they wait to do it, the harder it’ll be. It’ll take a while for the remaining Spirit employees to realize, “Don’s really gone.” And if they particularly liked working for him, this would be bad news, potentially.
Sometimes, I’m amazed by what passes for a “good boss.” Ask an employee if “Phil” was a good boss, they reply, “Oh yeah. He let us dress down on Fridays. And there was always $500 in the petty cash fund.” But didn’t Phil run the company into the ground, where it was ultimately ‘bought out.’ And now, it’s being relocated?” I repeat, “Phil let us dress down on Fridays. Sometimes, we held barbecues. With sweet tea, and everything.” The point is, Don Waddell has to go. And this Dudley acquisition, isn’t it.
Alan
June 18th, 2009
4:28 pm
See – that’s having ZERO clue about hockey and is truly pathetic in someone with a journalism degree who is supposed to be covering hockey
B-b-b-but, see, “it’s just that you don’t like it that you’re getting all upset.” After all, his entire
stendecian bloviation…er, column “is based around fact.” We’re just “bias (sic) fans” that “refuse to look that far.”It’s like he was channeling a member of the Toronto media or something.
MashaPlayer7
June 18th, 2009
4:28 pm
Hey – Hockey XM just said that Dudley’s title would be Associate GM…not Assistant GM. I think that’s a good sign that Waddell is headed upstairs to be just the President/VP or whatever of business ops and Dudley will be the guy for hockey operations.
I think this is a great move. Those who have been in hockey circles forever will tell you that Dudley’s always been a good talent evaluator..not always the greatest coach.
And I am sure Dudley only comes to Atlanta with a nice contract in place…so maybe the Spirit Duds are opening the pocketbook a little. Maybe there’s a heartbeat in there? and it will snow tomorrow? and pigs will fly?
5-Hole
June 18th, 2009
4:29 pm
ATL…don’t be offended by a daily blog piece on each team on the Puck-rakers (and yes, it does get mentioned quite often by Puckdaddy as someone got excited about above) blog, which is a part of the Dispatch. It wasn’t a shot at the Thrashers, just a brief synopsis of how things look for the team. Portzline does it every day, in alphabetical order, including the CBJ. It was not printed in the Dispatch as it was a part of the blog, which it appears everyone is missing here.
There is also offense taken with the ATL sports town shot. If fans would show up at the games it might lend some credibility to it being a good sports town. The Braves were good for what, two decades and don’t sellout? Trust me, C-Bus is OSU and everything else, so any shot you take at C-Bus for not being a pro sports town, have at it. Now if you talk OH v GA, it’s OH: 5, GA: 4 pro franchises.
Lastly, how is everyone forgetting the overpaid Ron Hainsey in all of this? The CBJ won’t even pay him, but ATL will and weren’t they bidding against no one?
Russ
June 18th, 2009
4:35 pm
I don’t care if Dudley is a friend of DW’s, I say let’s hand complete control of all personnel decisions over to him immediately. Please DW, stay out of it. Excusing the Thrashers first four seasons as an expansion team the bar has been set at 1 playoff appearance and zero playoff wins in five seasons. Give Dudley five years and see if he can reach these stratospheric heights.
GaVaHokie
June 18th, 2009
4:42 pm
Thrashers resign Rylan Kaip… good depth move, worth holding on to.
http://thrashers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=425972
Brendan
June 18th, 2009
5:13 pm
I’m with you, Russ. I’d be perfectly willing to remove “ASSOCIATE” from the GM portion of his title, and have this thing over to Rick Dudley, RIGHT NOW. But, I still don’t think Dudley is “free” from Waddell influence. Isn’t his office, next door?
Brendan
June 18th, 2009
5:15 pm
Is it true? Rylan Kaip was the 269th pick in the 2003 draft?
OtherKevin
June 18th, 2009
5:17 pm
Just a clarification of Portzline’s position: he is a beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch and covers the BlueJackets. His articles do run in the print and online versions of the paper. He is also a regular contributor on the Puck-rakers blog, which is owned by the Dispatch, but is supposed to be an informal, unofficial source of BlueJackets info.
There’s a lot of good info that makes it to the blog before it makes it to print. Often times the bloggers will post hockey stories that there “wasn’t space for” in the print edition. Sometimes they will post expanded versions of those stories. There’s also a lot of speculation and opinion. Nobody should mistake the Puck-rakers blog for a serious newspaper, though it is a fantastic place for people to stay up to date on the BlueJackets. It is not, however, a fantastic place to stay up to date on the happenings in the rest of the league, especially outside of the Western Conference and/or Central Division.
That being said, AP decided to do a nice writeup of his thoughts about each team in the rest of the league so that we would have something to read and talk about during the off season (other than the draft and how much Rick Nash is going to re-sign for). If you don’t like it, that’s fine. It’s opinion, and it’s the opinion of someone who obviously doesn’t have his finger on the pulse of the Thrashers fans (nor does he claim to).
Regarding the article dates, the Thrashers writeup was originally posted to Puck-rakers on June 1st. I noticed yesterday that some of the writeups have also been posted to BlueJacketsXtra.com, which is the Dispatch’s official sub-site for BlueJackets news. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were linked there on the 16th, resulting in confusion about the publication dates. To my knowledge, none of the writeups have appeared in the print edition of the Dispatch.
http://unmotivatedramblings.blogspot.com
June 18th, 2009
5:32 pm
The Dispatch Puck Rakers blog is an opinion column. Every NEWSpaper has an opinion section.
If you chumps are looking for help on the blueline, I hear Michael Vick is still looking for work. Bad Newz for the rest of the Eastern Conference.
Tom
June 18th, 2009
6:16 pm
Almost had an orgasm today reading this in my Google Alerts for the Atlanta Spirit ( http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/05/11/schultz.html ) Stating that Waddell was going to get bumped upstairs by Shultz. Damn me if it was from a year ago.
oh well, a man can dream…
Tony C.
June 18th, 2009
6:27 pm
I like Kaip’s game-but I worry that he has the size to make it translate to the NHL. But watching him in college, the guy is clutch…and you just can’t have enough guys like that on your club.
I see where Gelinas got named “director of player development” over in Nash-Vegas… Makes me wish we could’ve found a similar type of position for Cap’n Rat.
Ogie Oglethorpe
June 18th, 2009
6:40 pm
If they hire Dudley I’ll get drunk for a week! Duds was one of my favorite players in the 70’s! And he’s a great guy, well respected around the league. I met him before-he’s a great dude.
Don’t throw cold water on this one folks, this would be a good move.
rightshot
June 18th, 2009
6:52 pm
ANY new blood in the GM area, even Associate GM should help. New person, new perspective? I believe at one point I heard/read that Kovy wouldn’t sign if Don was gone. Is that true! Maybe Kovy found out HE really runs things this year and is dancing Don on a string. As for the actual topic of the blog, Pork Loin is a Putz.
R. Stroz
June 18th, 2009
8:09 pm
tsn.ca is also reporting Dudley to the Thrashers:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=282256
I wonder if Don knows he hired someone yet? Kind of like when Don didn’t realize Anderson had been hired until the next day.
Waddell, you’ve been Rich McKayed…FINALLY, of course there would have been one better option…FIRED.
five_hole
June 18th, 2009
8:38 pm
Ahem, There is another blogger using the pseudonym 5-Hole. Please be aware that I’ve been using this name for a few years now. Thanks for understanding.
Dudley to the Thrashers? Picture me doing backflips. No, wait. Picture me looking like (Brad Pitt; Tom Cruze or Daniel Craig) doing backflips. But it’s still me.
Waffleboy
June 18th, 2009
9:24 pm
**5-hole**- I assume you’re from The Columbus area, but doesn’t Ohio have six major professional sports teams(Blue Jackets, Bengals, Reds, Cavs, Indians, Browns)? I have to say, that Atlanta getting worked up over a piece written by a Columbus hockey writer is sad. Hell, I’d rather live in Columbus, Georgia than Columbus, Ohio.
BuckeyeBrave
June 18th, 2009
9:28 pm
Do you really expect us to take your critique of Portzline’s analysis of the Thrashers seriously when you can’t even figure out the date he posted the item to his blog? Enjoy becoming the only city to ever lose not one, but two hockey teams to Canada!!
Brendan
June 18th, 2009
10:06 pm
The Dudley Years in Florida: 2002-2004. No playoff berths.
2002: 22-44-10-6, 60-points, 4th place, Southeast Division.
2003: 24-36-13-9, 70-points, 4th place, Southeast Division
2004: 28-35-15-4, 75-points, 4th place, Southeast Division.
Can we say, “incremental progress?” Sorry. Couldn’t resist. “Incremental progress” is blog CODEWORD for “sucking, while being outside of the playoffs, usually with disgraceful ownership.”
Panthers Draft History, under Rick Dudley: Most significant picks listed.
2002: Jay Bouwmeester, 3rd overall, Petr Taticek, 9th overall, Rob Globke, 40th overall, Gregory Campbell, 47th overall.
2003: Nathan Horton, 3rd overall, Anthony Stewart, 25th overall, Kamil Kreps, 38th overall, Stefan Meyer, 55th overall, Martin Lojek, 105th overall, James Pemberton, 124th overall, Tanner Glass, 265th overall.
2004: Rostislav Olesz, 7th overall, David Shantz, 37th overall, David Booth, 53rd overall, Evan Schafer, 105th overall.
Okay, clearly he didn’t mess up lotery draft and “consensus” picks. Landing David Booth at 53rd overall strikes me as impressive.
Coaches under the Dudley Administration: Mike Keenan, John Torchetti, and Dudley himself. Just like Waddell had to come down to coach it. I think Dudley was gone by the time Jacques Martin was hired to coach. Perhaps Mike Keenan hired him. But I’m not sure about it.
Panther Facts: Last playoff appearance: 2000, a sweep by the New Jersey Devils. Outscored, 12-6. Last playoff win: April 17, 1997, over NY Rangers, 3-0, in Game One of the opening round. Deepest Playoff run: 1993, lost Stanley Cup Finals to Colorado, 4-0.
Does this mean, “Dudley’s a dud?” No, I wouldn’t say so. I think he’s well-regarded, in general. (Note: Per the Spirit, LLC, ‘Don Waddell is well-respected in NHL circles.’) Things weren’t exactly ideal in Florida. They’re not exactly IDEAL, here, either. This team needs a magician for a GM. I like Dudley. I’d welcome him, as I would anyone, as a “fresh, new opportunity” if he actually became the GM one day. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hope for better. And, speaking truthfully, I’m not encouraged by Waddell choosing his successor, conceptually. I think the next GM of this team … should have ‘no ties whatsoever’ to the Waddell Administration. From this moment forward, Dudley was a “Waddell project.”
Would it have been better to announce Dudley’s arrival at the Draft, for maximum publicity? Shrugs. I don’t know. What does it really matter? I don’t think there was anything wrong with announcing the hire of John Anderson prior to the 2008 Draft. But what do I know?
pond scum
June 19th, 2009
12:22 am
I agree,I don’t like the idea of Dudley’s past ties with DW….. but he is pretty well respected as you pointed out around the NHL. Very interesting news,didn’t see this one coming about Dudley at all. Many of us seemed to feel the same way.Maybe DW has been told “this is it,your replacement is on board to take over when/if you fail our goals of making the postseason, resigning Kovy ect.” OR maybe he’s got an offer to go elsewhere or retire. But,it’s a true “step” of the ASG in acknowledging that it’s going to take someone else besides DW( or atleast help him) to right the ship for more than 2-3 months. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy and excited at the real progress we had since the day Kovy was named captain….. but it’s gotta keep moving forward in the right direction,no excuses no more!
As for the Columbus writer- His opinion is of no care to me,it’s obvious the man didn’t do ANY homework before making the piece. Most of his “opinions” are pretty much common sense any real fan can see/understand.
But, slamming on us when his hometown Jackets finally just made the postseason for the first time ever AFTER we did? His Jackets have had MORE GMs than ours,better ownership,practically a monopoly on the market there seeing they are the only PRO team in town, finally hiring a more CREDIBLE coach than we’ve had, obtaining MORE freeagents(sign,trade,whatever needed). They SHOULD’VE beaten us to the punch in that regard IMHO.
They was swept out in the 1st round just as we was. But we will always NOT be the LAST NHL TEAM TO MAKE THE POSTSEASON until some franchise gets moved or expansion comes about.And if it wasn’t for Mason, I highly doubt they would’ve even made it then.
Overpaid? Slava overpayed? What about Peca,Modin,Huselius,Foote,Commodore? I’m sure Nash isn’t going to hang around as easily as he thinks. Nash is pretty much in the same boat as Kovy,does anyone really think that if the Jackets fail to make the postseason next year again he won’t bolt -just as if the same can be said for Kovy?
Yes, it is his opinion….. but it only proves 2 things to me,he’s lazy and a liar.
OtherKevin
June 19th, 2009
12:39 am
pond scum, what is Portzline lying about?
Regarding Nash, he’ll be re-signed before Xmas, probably before the season even starts. He actually likes playing in Columbus and is very heavily involved in the community here. He actually just won the NHL Foundation Award tonight in Las Vegas for his work in the Central Ohio community. He has repeatedly and publicly stated his preference to stay in Columbus. The only reason he wouldn’t stay is if they tried to screw him on the salary (which they won’t).
Don’t believe the rumors coming out of Toronto. As everyone knows, any player with a genealogical line that even briefly passes through Ontario is “rumored” to want to play for the Leafs. Rarely is it ever true. Look who’s spreading that rumor anyway (hint…Doug MacLean).
On the subject of management, we have had exactly two GMs. One of them was Doug MacLean, which barely counts. It was his mismanagement and meddling (trying to play coach and GM at the same time when there was already a coach) that contributed heavily to the Jackets not making the playoffs until this season. If you don’t believe me, just look at how many teams have interviewed him since he left Columbus. None. HIs one shot was that cluster of a deal that almost went down in Tampa Bay. It has taken two years for Scott Howson and Ken Hitchcock to undo most of the damage that MacLean did while he was here, especially in the form of overpaid players/bad contracts. The Jackets turned the corner last year, and 09/10 looks to be even better.
I know that it’s easy to look at a couple statistics and facts about a particular team and THINK that you know what is going on or what has happened in the past, but I assure you that it takes a lot more effort than that to truly understand any team, or their position. Anyone who thinks otherwise (like you) is lazy and a liar.
tsquared
June 19th, 2009
11:23 pm
Being a NJ transplant in 1984, I was starving for an NHL team here, but the Thrashers fed me farts instead of food for so long that this inaugural season ticket holder finally gave up! I’m still looking for a winner here, but Don Waddell and Awful Eight have no answers. It’s time for this franchise to either be bought by a Marty Blank act-a-like who REALLY wants a hockey team to succeed in the Sweet Sunny South- or move the team to Vegas or Hamilton (or Medicine Hat!). Then we Yankee and Southern icepeople can go back to rooting for authentic puck-handlers in Newark and New York and wistfully think about the ‘good old days’ when we thought hockey in Atlanta was thought feasible.
World Be Free
June 20th, 2009
9:00 am
Brendan, the NHL draft is a crap shoot for every team. Take a look at any draft and you will see good teams making bad moves. It’s alot like the MLB draft, you just can’t accurately judge a kid at 18. You are drafting potential, a projection of what a player might be.
I was in Norway last winter, turned on the sports channel and saw Pavel Brendl playing for a 2nd level Swedish team. This was the “star” that was drafted behind the Sedins in 99.
pond scum
June 20th, 2009
5:51 pm
OtherKevin- thanks for proving my point, I knew all I had to do was feed you the rope….. you’d hang yourself.
Slava Kozlov an overpaid,aging vet? Yeah,Kozzies alittle long in the tooth now….. but what is Modin? Peca,wasn’t he signed to a big deal coming out of the lockout by the Jackets coming out of the lock-out? Pretty sure he was,as was Adam Foote. He calls Hainsey “serviceable but overpaid”(which I agree), so what is Mike Commodore? Just because you made a postseason berth doesn’t give you freelance to act like your the 2nd coming of the Oilers dynasty teams.
Here’s his 1st LIE- ” Coach John Anderson is an underwhelming presence on the bench and in the dressing room,not nearly a strong enough personality to get Kovalchuk to play in a team concept”. Those wre his EXACT words, if his lazy ass would’ve done some homework he’d found out that WE was one of the HOTTEST teams in the entire league coming down the stretch the last 2-3 months of the season,only being trumped by the Pens.
Kovalchuk had his best “all around” stat season probably EVER under his coaching,all the while being captain and kicking Bryan Macabes butt for a questionable hit on one of “his” players. NOW,does his statement make ANY sense? ASK ANY FAN here,over at any other site for the Thrashers this same very question….. you’ll get the same answer,Kovy is the spirit of this team. The guys could’ve mailed it in easily…… BUT THANKS TO ANDERSON AND KOVY THEY DIDNT!
Ok,so he then goes on to say “we don’t deserve to win some nites because we can outscore the other team?” LMFAO,what an idiot your defending…… that’s the WHOLE CONCEPT. We are NO different than any other team in the league, they are nites when we “could’ve,should’ve won” but lose and there are nites when we win and maybe shouldn’t have. It’s called “part of the game”.
Yeah, our franchise is at a crossroads you could say….. but wasn’t the Jackets in the same very boat 2 seasons ago as U pointed out earlier? What is it, cause we are in the south we aren’t capable? That’s not a lie though,that’s being a hypocrite.
Kovy has put to rest all the malcontent rep stuff Portline is trying to slam him with. And don’t forget,he has scored more goals than anyone else in the NHL since his rookie season…including your Nash. He(Kovy) has publicly stated “he wants more help”. My guess is he’ll get it,hopefully the right help…… that and how we do in the w/l column will decide his fate with us. How Portzline knows this already is beyond any of us human beings.
LIE#2- Atlanta may find it difficult to resign Marty Reasoner. OK, that was too easy… he had a career year here and it’s not like we didn’t have the cap space. A 2 year,2.3 million deal is a very good deal for him. He might’ve gotten offered double that by a team desperate for help like the Jackets….. but I guess we’ll never know forsure.
YOU say Nash resigns before Christmas….. who says Kovy doesn’t do the same here? Yes, I seen him rewarded for his work and it should be rewarded,but c’mon man he can do charity work like that in ANY NHL city and still get noticed for it.
As for the rumor spreading, Portzline is guilty of the very same thing your slamming Maclean for. Does Portzline have a crystal ball that has told him Kovy’s not coming back? We know all to well how the great white north views us and our markets down south.They hate us so much as to go and start rumors of team after team in the sunbelt moving here and there because of attendance issues,but when these same teams are compared tit for tat in the attendance stats,many are surprised that some sun belt teams have OUTDRAWN many teams from up north,even some original 6 franchises.
I do follow hockey pretty well, I did say you have had better GMs than us. MacLean is another Waddell,but so far Howson HAS DONE A BETTER JOB THAN BOTH. Hitchcock compared to Fraser,Waddell and Hartley(debateable) has a better record in the NHL. Anderson is going to keep getting better,that you can bet on.
So you need to take that last paragraph in your last entry up above and take it to heart FOR YOUR OWN SELF. SeemsMr. Portzline has you all trained up on trying your best to kill yourself by throwing stones in glass houses after 1 winning season,up there in the “almighty,monopoly” known as columbus,ohio.
Seems like you folks would’ve learned a lesson by now that your hometown teams can’t compete with the southern teams. Well, atleast Buckeye fans know this forsure or are they Portzline readers also?