Stick a fork in them and pull them off the playoff grill – The Thrashers are done
Ah, yes…late March-early spring in Atlanta. It’s a beautiful time of year in these parts…a time when we, among other things, pull the cover off of the grill that’s weather through the winter on the back deck and prepare it for another season of outdoor cooking.
You name it, it gets flamed up on the grill here in the south…burgers, hotdogs, steaks, chicken,chops, ribs…mmmmmmm, meat is good!
Carolina goalie Cam Ward denies Pavel Kubina during the Canes 4-1 win Monday night (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
But ya know what else got grilled around here recently…the playoff chances for the Atlanta Thrashers. Yup, with the giant flameout on the ice of Philips Arena Monday night they all but went up in smoke in the night skies of Thrasherville. And I assure you, the smell that permeated around the intersection of Marietta Street and Centennial Drive did not smell as sweet as what will surround the cul-de-sac I live on this weekend.
Oh sure, the Thrashers are not mathematically eliminated and technically they remain within “striking distance” of Boston, Philly and Montreal…but the 4-1 loss to Carolina last night pretty much puts the Thrashers on the side of the NHL grill where ya put the “done” meat…no, make that the “well done to the point of charred” meat.
Put a fork in ‘em, folks.
Although the box score will show their only goal was via a power play, for the most part of the evening the Thrashers performance while enjoying the man advantage left the paying customers at Philips steamed and sizzling mad. After Nic Antropov put Atlanta up 1-0 on the first power play of the night, they simply looked lost and confused on the subsequent five they were afforded the rest of the way.
The penalty kill, however, continued it’s strong work of late…killing off all three Carolina power plays. Over the last seven games, Atlanta has gone 20 for 20 when facing being down a man.
Southern hospitality was again the order of the day as the visiting team won …as was the case in the previous five matchups between the Thrashers and Canes. Atlanta took all three in Raleigh by a combined score of 15-7 while the Hurricanes took all three here and outscored our team by a total of…now get this…13-3. In the last two it was 8-1.
Just ouch.
Making matters even more frustrating was the fact that we got a nice serving of “help” smothered in Buffalo sauce as the Sabres downed Bahhh-ston for us…the score of that game hovering above us all night like the blue light of a bug zapper that served only to illuminate Carolina’s grilling of Thrasher meat below.
I tell ya…rooting for the Sabres sorta gives me the same feeling in my gut as eating a jar of potato salad after it has sat out on the back deck in the sun for an entire week…but it’s worth it when they take care of the Bruins for us like that. Of course, it wouldn’t feel so bad if the Thrashers had done more to help themselves. But right now, I think I need a stomach pump.
And so, if last night’s game was considered a “must win” in regards of keeping hope alive for the playoffs…the one tonight in Toronto has to be considered a “must-er win”. Because after that we are down to those final five with three of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference…three teams that the Thrashers are collectively 1-8-0 against so far this season.
Ugh…there goes my stomach again.
And Speaking of Southern Hospitality…
I met a pair of fairly cool Caniacs last night…Liz and Sydney who had driven down from Carolina to enjoy the game, (and unfortunately, “enjoy” the game is just what they did). They sat a few rows in front of myself, Rightshot and “Lola the Lurker”.
When chatting with the pair, Liz showed me a picture of her favorite Thrashers fan…it was none other than our very own Mr. Heat Miser. The picture was taken last weekend during the Thrasherville invasion of Carolina. After the game, MHM was gracious and kind enough to chat with them, even though it was obvious he was still seething from the outcome.
Cool, classy guy that Heat Miser.
Anywhooooo…Liz and Sydney share our passion fro hockey and agreed with me that the two fan bases always have a good time together when visiting the other. We can go, cheer our team, and enjoy the good times in and around the arena without being a group of obnoxious %$#&#@!.
Nice to meet ya both, Liz and Sydney.
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138 comments Add your comment
World Be Free
March 30th, 2010
1:20 pm
Bill-thanks for the Braydon info. Sounds like Philly wants to dump him anyhow. He was rumored out of Philly at the trade deadline.
Smoothie-I have to contemplate our UFAs and where we want to go from here. I hope Kubina is part of our future, I think Pavel has played well this season. But you are right-we ahev to get younger and hungrier.
Badger-I am really enjoying Philly’s pain. They have “bought” their way into trouble and it will be sometime before they get out of it. The Flyers will be older and slower next season. Naturally, they will revert to thuggery.
Philly fans were jumping all the Sabres’ fans after they signed Briere. Danny is an “anchor” weighing down the Flyers for the next 5 years. Philly fans are alot quieter now, along with Ranger fans for Drury and the same reasons.
Spend wisely-this actually may be a summer where a team looking for the right players could make up alotta ground quickly.
Jeff
March 30th, 2010
1:21 pm
Amzing the vitroil around here between us fans. I may be wrong, but this is still just an entertainment, and nothing more. No point in getting our whites in a wad over some lousy hockey GMs, coaches and players. If you enjoy hockey and don’t mind seeing an inferior product, then go (and boo if you like). If you can’t stand it, then don’t go. There are a million other things to do in this city. Sorry, but it’s not real life for anyone other than those being paid by the organization.
Jeff97
March 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
Rawhide – The biggest thing missing from this team is leadership and experience. How many guys on this team have been down this road before? Kubina, Reasoner, Hedberg and Max are the only few that I can think of that have any real playoff experience. And I dont see any of them other than maybe Kubina as team leaders. We need players that will right the ship during a game when things are going south.
My wish list for the off-season…A true #1 Goalie..overpay if you have to. We need to get that resolved.(i would even settle for signing a 35 yr old Nabokov and giving Pavs some more time) Re-sign Kubina. A scoring forward with grit and leadership. hard to find, yes. but we have the money and some assets to move.
Rawhide
March 30th, 2010
1:29 pm
How many guys on this team have been down this road before? Kubina, Reasoner, Hedberg and Max are the only few that I can think of that have any real playoff experience.
Jeff97 – There’s also Kozlov, but….
Savannah Blueland Fan
March 30th, 2010
1:32 pm
Everyone is just frustrated because Ryan Miller gave us a gift last night all tied up in a pretty ribbon and the team just spit in his eye.
jimbo
March 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
I agree with many of you, let’s vent our frustration at this totally inept ownership and management right down to Johnny Boy. His comment that we had to “chip and chase” when facing trap type defenses in the neutral zone is absolutely “unbelievable”. That’s the best that old Bone Head could come up with. It is very, very frustrating to watch a pretty decent group of young guys get no motivation or strategic direction from the coach. Throw Teflon Don and Johnny Boy out of here.
World Be Free
March 30th, 2010
1:42 pm
Jeff-agreed
Savannah-just another day at the office for Ryan Miller.
Rawhide
March 30th, 2010
1:56 pm
Savannah-just another day at the office for Ryan Miller.
WBF – I get such a serious case of “Goalie Envy” when I watch Miller play for the Sabres….
Smoothie
March 30th, 2010
2:00 pm
If my attack on Sage is considered “vitriol” among fans, then we have some reading comprehension problems in the class here. C’mon people. I take full responsibility and stand behind my comments. And I also stand behind the loyal bloggers and fans of this team. In my eyes, Sage of Buttland is hardly a “fan”…just a know-it-all troll trying to get a reaction. And he got it, but I’m just trying to fall on the sword.
I think on the whole everyone in this little family of hockey dysfunction gets along just fine. But please don’t stop in directing your anger where it is warranted…right at the top of the pyramid and behind the bench there in Blueland.
Lastly, an interesting stat to make you feel even worse. Since the 5 game losing streak — I’m counting the OTL vs PHX in my analysis so I exluded it from the streak — the Thrashers have only allowed 2 PPG in 9 games. You would think that shoring up the PK would be the big difference maker for a team in need of wins, but it hasn’t been. The team record over those 9 games is 5 – 2 – 2. But in those 5 wins, the PPG differential is only +2 and in the 4 losses, the PPG differential is +3. Go figure. They haven’t choked on the PK, but they’ve choked in every other facet of the game in the last 3 losses.
Get The Puck Out
March 30th, 2010
2:01 pm
Take the “DON AND JOHN SHOW’ and tour somewhere else. This same ole’ song and dance is gettin’ really, really old. Good thing that they are not on the Gong Show, cause i’da gonged em’ a long time ago. Nuff said!
Jeff97
March 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
Rawhide – yeah, just goes to show how easily I forgot about him.
It is just hard to imagine how a team so close the playoffs can perform so uninspired as a group at home. And I am tired of excuses like “we played nervous”..thats all coaching and leadership as far as I am concerned. (or lack thereof.)
Stephen
March 30th, 2010
2:14 pm
I am a fan who secretly roots for the Thrashers to make the playoffs and so badly want them to do well. Although I will not go to a game, buy products, or watch on TV until I actually believe a change has been made. I regard the 1st step to be the firing to DW and a clear picture shown to the fan base who the Thrashers will be. Will they be a big bruising defensive team, a fast puck movement team with lots of 20 goal scorers, or a team built around a few superstars? Fire Waddell, make up your mind and lets grow hockey in Atlanta but until then I will be a quiet fan who shows no support wishing that I could openly support our hockey team.
LAC
March 30th, 2010
2:18 pm
Don’t worry folks…. don waddell has TWO four plans on the drawing board, one on how to lose more star players and the other how to destroy the fan base and NEVER make the playoffs !!!!
I have a ONE SECOND plan for waddell YOU ARE FIRED !
Sage of Bluesland
March 30th, 2010
2:21 pm
“…And he got it, but I’m just trying to fall on the sword….”
Our “hero” to the rescue…Wow–such arrogance! We should all “bow down” to your selfless acts for the greater good…
(Please)
It is good to see you finally ‘getting it’ and calling for the head of Don Waddell…Oh, and to one of your lapdogs, ask Matt Millen how that ‘fan-reaction’ worked out for him in Detroit…
Basic economics, folks. Stop subsidizing the incompetence and watch how fast the behavior will change…and if it doesn’t change, then it’s not worth being here. Period.
(Unless you’re the type who is just happy to be in the league; to be in the room with the big-boys…if so, then you’re not a fan of the Thrashers. Period. Fans of this team should be exhibiting tough love to the ownership and stating that this product is not acceptable.)
Rawhide
March 30th, 2010
2:38 pm
Stephen – Good to know you’re out there … and it’s equally good to see a “lurker” step forward from the shadowy back of the blogoshere at post such a well stated comment.
LAC – Tell me something…will Don Waddell’s third “five year plan” begin at the end of this, the Thrasher’s tenth season of play…or are we already halfway through the third five-year plan given Waddell was hired in 1998?
World Be Free
March 30th, 2010
2:48 pm
Bill-with goalies, the secret is to give them some support. We don’t support our goalies, so Miller may look like Moose if he played here fulltime.
Smoothie-you have my support dude.
Smoothie
March 30th, 2010
2:51 pm
Arrogance…takes one to know one you stooge.
Basic economics. Ha! There is nothing basic when it comes to the clusterpuck of an operation known as the ASG. Sports franchises have been defying the tenets of “basic economics” for a long time now as they are often nothing but a rich-boy’s hobby (see Dan Snyder) or a tax write-off for a syndicate of stupidity a la Atlanta Stupid Group.
You make it seem like it is so black and white when it is absolutely not. How many STH have already defected and guess who is still the GM? Do you really think the majority of people attending the games regularly are paying anything close to full price?? I don’t think even you’re that obtuse.
This is the 7th year of utter insanity wraught by the fools of the ASG. Who knows when they are going to wake the hell up and make changes that improve their standing in the NHL. For now, they seem content to make a little money off the Hawks and concerts while the Thrashers serve as a convenient little tax shield from full corporate taxation.
thebigharybeast
March 30th, 2010
3:03 pm
You know, I often wish us blue collars fans could take up a mass collection and buy this team ala a Green Bay Packers. Let the people own it. Im a notorious lurker here and like everyone else just want someone to give a dang upstairs.
The team very much represents those who own and control the team. No matter how much heart a player has, when your bosses are inept, eventually they are going to bring you down to. Its why no one wants to play here. It is very much a disease rotting the oragnization and the team from the inside out.
We are watching our franchise die each and everyday.
Joe Friday
March 30th, 2010
3:22 pm
“this younger generation is the instant gratification generation, not wanting to put forth the effort required to make something bad better or even good.”
Preach it. And if that makes up grump old men, so be it, but at least we get things done and aren’t afraid of work.
“How many STH have already defected and guess who is still the GM?”
Thousands of us have, but remember this: I “think” Waddell’s contract is up at the end of this year. Remember, the rumor was that after he fired Hartley and went on that 10-4 run as coach, he went to ownership and said “see, I can do it” and they rewarded him with an extension. The extension is rumored to be up at the end of this year. So, we already know that the owners are cheap and trying to save money (they made Waddell coach all that year so they wouldn’t have to pay two coaches, and then went the cheap route with Anderson. So, assuming all that is true, which it seems to be, then logic would dictate they are being penny wise and pound foolish and figured they’d let Waddell run out his contract so they wouldn’t have to pay 2 GMs. My hope is that they finally get rid of him at the end of this season when his contract is up, and the statement that thousands of we former season tickets holders have made, will be recognized and will force them into a move.
“they seem content to make a little money off the Hawks and concerts while the Thrashers serve as a convenient little tax shield from full corporate taxation.”
I see things like this said often by people that don’t own a business. Let me assure you that no one buys a business and runs it to take losses to offset their gains on other businesses. It simply isn’t true and it’s a fallacy that people hold onto thinking “well, it’s a tax write off for them and that’s why they own it”. It’s bunk. A business owner, or anyone, will take their short and long term capital losses and use them to offset short and long term capital gains. But there is no one that does this on purpose. Given their druthers, any business person would prefer to make money on each and every one of their enterprises and investments and happily pay their taxes on the profit from each.
Let me put it this way, if the Hawks and Phillips make the Spirit Squad $50m per year, but the Thrashers lose $50m per year, then the Sage Seven plus Belkin just made a whopping 0 for that year and they wouldn’t have to pay taxes but they also made zip (sports franchises aren’t appreciating year over year anymore, so they can’t even be banking on that cap gain coming in the future). The Illustrious Octomess would certainly prefer to make $50m off the Hawks and Phillips and break even on the Thrashers, pay their taxes, and still bank $30m that year, split up amongst the Wonder Bread Boys to take their wives to Tahiti.
Paying $20m in taxes and banking $30m is preferable to a net zero, yet having to pay no tax.
Sage of Bluesland
March 30th, 2010
3:23 pm
“…How many STH have already defected and guess who is still the GM?…”
That’s really the point: Not ENOUGH have turned away. TOO MANY have applauded Don at these silly town-hall meetings! That is a huge problem. The owners must walk away from one of those Rawhide-Waddell-Lovefests thinking that Donny is doing a great job!
I agree on the indirect tax-benefit for an unprofitable enterprise, but that can only go so far. It’s like buying another house to get the interest write-off…simply doesn’t work in the long run…
Nope, sports is no different than any other business. It IS basic economics at the end of the day. There will be exceptions to the rule–those that are carried by the others but for only so long.
Rawhide
March 30th, 2010
3:35 pm
Sage – In all seriousness…I’d like to know when I have ever said I think Waddell has done “a great job”? I’m quite certain I have constantly been on the side of relieving him of his duties as GM since I have hosted this blog for the past 2-1/2 years.
Please do not confuse my desire to attend games…and my wish that others would too…as a belief that Waddell is “doing a great job”.
rob
March 30th, 2010
3:40 pm
Sage, are you from Winnepeg (or Whiney-peg as that is what they do about their lost team)?
Sage of Bluesland
March 30th, 2010
3:46 pm
No, you have been moreso on the ‘right’ side in this argument, Rawhide, I have to admit…Compared to that clown Bradley, you have been closer to Schultz–and the truth–on the whole subject (Bradley treats Waddell the exact same as he did with Babcock; thus why I think he’s been bought off with something…he deletes my comments on the matter so I must be close to the truth, eh?). I just, ohhh, ‘interpret’ a glimmer here and there of forgiveness–and don’t like it a bit…
I would only like a blog that begins AND ends with the facts on what Ownership/Waddell have done to run this organization into the ground…
(that’s me being facetious for those who may be confused)
Smoothie
March 30th, 2010
3:47 pm
Joe / Bob – but they have other businesses that presumably ARE making money so they can make their cash calls and such for the ASG. I’m not saying they’re losing money on purpose, but when you don’t have stability within your own ownership structure, it’s easy to see how their current state of affairs has become the short-term business plan. I’ve worked for a large company with hundreds of different properties and it’s not uncommon for them to carry B/E properties because of the cache and prestige that comes with them while other smaller, less glamourous properties make all the profits. I’m not saying anything other than the fact that it is probably far more complicated than some would have you or want you to believe. Business is never black & white but rather an endless series of opportunity costs / decisions.
Badger Bob
March 30th, 2010
3:47 pm
Illustrious Octomess – nice one, Joe!
Sage of Bluesland
March 30th, 2010
3:48 pm
(I think my response just got lost? Oh well)
No, Rawhide–you have been more ‘correct’ than wrong on the subject…I just ’sense’ a bit of ‘forgive-and-forget’ when it comes to the ups-and-downs of the team and with Donny….especially those delusional upticks…
Smoothie
March 30th, 2010
3:57 pm
The NFL has evolved into big business, but the owners still wield more control than the NFLPA. To say that the original NFL and eventually AFL didn’t start out as the CC hob-nobbing hobbies of filthy rich men like Lamar Hunt, Ralph Wilson, Tex Schramm, Al Davis, Ford, Rooney etc, would be an outrageous mis-statement of the truth. Once owners started selling teams for huge profits at sale, then more and more wanted in on the action thinking they could skate by with modest profits and a modicum of success on the playing field before selling it to the highest bidder 10 years later. Pro sports has been more like a real estate business as opposed to a manufacturing company that must have a real competitive advantage or economies of scale to make them profitable year after year as going concerns. When there is actual competition and not profit sharing like you have in all the big 4 sports, then you have a real business. Pro sports is still very unique within the landscape of big business in America.
rob
March 30th, 2010
3:57 pm
Jeff,
Hockey isn’t just a mild form of entertainment for everyone. Some of us (maybe more than some of us) grew up with this game, playing outside from the time we got home from school ’til mom called us in (for the second or third time). It isn’t just entertainment, it is a part of some of us. I will continue to go to games even if the Thrashers aren’t good, because of my love for the game. Will I boo when they are bad? Of course I will. I called for them to bring the pee wee teams back out during that 8-1 Caps monstrosity to the delight of many sitting around us. Didn’t keep me from cheering Kane when he hit someone on the boards that same game, and didn’t keep me from coming back as many times as I could afford to the rest of the season either. Do I despise the ASG? Ummm yeah, but the Thrashers are the home town team and that is who I cheer for, and as a fan I take their play to heart, because they represent this city where I live playing a game I have played since someone could shove a stick in my hand. So while some consider it merely entertainment, that is good too we need all the fans we can get, others are a little more into the sport, and therefore the team.
Rawhide
March 30th, 2010
4:02 pm
Sage - Trixie rescued your 3:46 pm post from Blog Purgatory.
Anyway…I hear ya, truly I do. And we are both big enough to simply agree to disagree on certain fine points.
As for ‘forgive and forget’…eh, I like to try and be fair when I observe what is going on. Now, thet doesn’t mean I’m always correct in what I see and opine about…but when the team does good, I like to say so. When there is a trade or deal that is made that I agree with, (case in point the Kubina for Exelby trade or the Avinogenov and Antropov signings), I say so. Same true with those that are complete disasters…(see also, Coburn for Zhitnik).
But these are all just parts and pieces to the “whole”. And the “whole” is what is is…a decade-long epic FAIL.
Now, if what Bob/Joe Friday belive is true…that Waddell’s contract extension is et to expire…then there is no way on God’s green earth that he should be se-signed. However, there will be a time to address that here…but not until after the season is over. We are, after all, in the midst of a “playoff push”…don’t laugh…and even though I give the team little chance of succeeding given last night’s result, that is my focus right now as far as blogs are concerned.
ThrasherTim
March 30th, 2010
4:04 pm
In a season that started off with so much hope as:
* The team started off 14-7-1 after finishing last year 12-6 (combined 29-13-1)
* Management signing Antropov & Max to improve a team Kovvy had input on
* The team and Kovvy were saying in public that a deal would get done
* Special teams were in the top 10 the 1st 20 games
* Even media were starting to believe we had a young, improving team
Since then:
* Stretch (25% of the season) where we didn’t get a regulation win
* Kovvy gone
* Power play is almost powerless
* Another 6-game losing streak during a playoff stretch drive
* Listless performances at home – in half-filled buildings
* Less likely we’ll make the playoffs in a historical weak Eastern conference
* Looking at 2 more players walking in UFA (Kubina, Armstrong)
* Even Peverly has slowed down dramatically from his point per game average – hmmm, did the slow down occur right after he signed his new contract?
Sure we have money to sign players next year but again…who wants to come here unless the paycheck is large enough? It’s hard for coaches and management to put the hammer down on players’ efforts when we’re simply happy they are signed to play here. We have no winning tradition and no packed arena to make players want to come here.
I am hoping beyond hope that Duddley is making good calls behind the scenes with some of the scouting and youth evaluation. Perhaps we can be next year’s Colorado and the core of young players we have can grow together but as of today, this season is a total disppointment unless we win out, get in the playoffs and win at least 1 game.
somaatl95
March 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
As I have said in the past, a losing team is something all Atlanta Pro Teams (with the exception of the Flames that is) go through. They may not win the whole thing (as the Braves managed to finally do once, in 1995) but they build excitement. As much as I would love seeing the Cup hoisted in Blueland, I will settle for years of playoff appearances. I’d much rather read about everyone bitching and complaining that we can get close to the cup, but not quite yet. Made the World Series that much sweeter in 95, and this city will go insane when the Falcons finally win a super bowl (if the ‘Aints can do it, anyone can). There may be a slight pandemonium when the Hawks win their first Championship, but that is neither here nor there. I love this team of ours and want them to stick around for a long time to come – and even though people on this blog rarely respond to what I have to say it is a sheer joy to be able to know what my fellow puck-headed friends are thinking about their Thrashers and I am thankful that Rawhide gives us a forum to discuss in and occasionally drops a line in as well.
In the words on Rodney King “Can’t we just all get along?”
And this is for you Brendan, cause you respond to me the most: Fire D-Wad!
Rawhide
March 30th, 2010
4:16 pm
somaatl95 – Nicely played…
Joe Friday
March 30th, 2010
4:19 pm
“There may be a slight pandemonium when the Hawks win their first Championship”
Is that what the kids are calling a riot these days?
“I’d much rather read about everyone bitching and complaining that we can get close to the cup, but not quite yet.”
Amen, brother.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 30th, 2010
4:23 pm
Joe Friday-I think they call it “Freaknick”
Smoothie
March 30th, 2010
4:25 pm
somaatl – can’t disagree with anything you say. As a transplant, it’s harder for me to give a crap about other sports. I used to be a big Falcons fan but eventually realized I would much rather spend my money on hockey as it is a much more exciting sport. Plus, living here in ATL made me start to resent football as it’s all anybody wants to talk about, especially the ass clowns on AM Radio. As for the other two sports, I’ll never be more than a once in a while casual fan because the other two bore me to tears. And I played baseball through HS!! I guess once you become addicted to golf and you get further and further removed from your youth, you start to narrow your focus to the things you truly love or enjoy.
EA
March 30th, 2010
4:35 pm
Michael Gearon Jr. is on 680 the Fan right now. You can call and speak to one of the owners.
Smoothie
March 30th, 2010
4:37 pm
Go for it Sage, now’s your big chance!!
somaatl95
March 30th, 2010
4:44 pm
LOL, Thanks you guys
Atlanta wouldn’t react like Detroit or LA after winning it all in Basketball, too many people getting to the parking deck to protect their ride (Hell, I would)
I grew up in Gwinnett County and was the dorky younger brother of a High School Athlete (my brother was a pitcher for the Brookwood Baseball Team in the 80’s, I tried High School sports in the 90’s and managed to break every bone in my wrist, ending a sporting career for me) and grew up suffering through Braves games and Falcons games, as my father is a die hard fan of both teams… and that was the only reason I drank the Braves kool aid in the 90’s and Falcons Juice in the past few years, after so many years of suffering it was nice to see everyone in the town (and the media) get behind those guys. And they deserved it.
That being said I witnessed my first hockey game during the 92 Olympics and was hooked. I had the pleasure of seeing the Thrashers first home victory (Against Calgary no less- oohh the sweet irony) and spent this decade, you know, actually learning the sport. I just wish our knuckle-headed friends to the north would stop trying to poach our team and look at Atlanta sports overall – once the Thrashers start winning (consistently) and one day hopefully soon they will, the Arena will fill up with casual fans and not fill up with Fairweather Fans of the away team (see the every Pens game in Philips this season)
Just like the Braves, Falcons, and believe it or not, Hawks. All it takes is a GM with a 3 year plan (Establish, Execute and Polish) and a coach willing to change things up and adapt and we will be winners. Until then I will be here with you guys. As much as everyone hates Sage for expressing his opinion, remember they are all like A–holes, everyones got them weather you like it or not. I imagine he will be a different character when there is a change. Even Stendec has been positive as of late (for the most part) so anything is possible.
PEACE!
Smoothie
March 30th, 2010
4:55 pm
Atlanta has the potential to be a great sports town, but there is soooo much going on. Tough for the average person to enjoy a little bit of everything. I’m sure a lot of us are drawn to hockey because it is a bit more accessible (due to the team’s struggles) with lots of comps, free-bies and discounted tkts floating around. But knowing that what I get out of the hockey experience is mostly positive (fast, exciting game, friendly fans, good camraderie, Bill’s parties etc), I don’t feel as though I’m wasting my money. Someone’s got to take care of the great beer vendors at Philips Arena and the hard-workin’ boys at Gorins!
Badger Bob
March 30th, 2010
4:57 pm
Got the Gearon 680 post too late. Any reports on what he said? Anything of substance?
Smoothie
March 30th, 2010
5:11 pm
Unfortch, 680 the Fan’s audio link doesn’t work here where I work so I can’t report back. Hopefully someone heard some of the BS he was shoveling…I would imagine it was more of a Hawks love fest if I had to guess what they talked about.
Rightshot
March 30th, 2010
5:15 pm
As a lifetime Atlanta resident, Even back before the Braves and Falcons started playing well, everyone knew this was a fair weather town when it came to sports. people like to cheer for winners.
I truely believe that once the Thrashers start winning, more fans will come. More importantly, more season ticket holders will come.
I whole heartedly want donnie boy gone and the Octocluster with him. BUT I will still attend games and still support the TEAM!
If that makes me a sheep, then Baa Baa Baa!
somaatl95
March 30th, 2010
5:27 pm
If we are the sheep, Rawhide is the Sheppard ! Baaa baaaa baaaaa
Yung JB from MTL
March 30th, 2010
5:36 pm
THANK YOU FOR THIS ARTICLE RAWHIDE! Remember what happened last time? 4 wins in a row? Haha I pointed it out the first time, this is my second stint. Anyways I’m still believing in my thrash until the end of the 3rd period of the 82nd game! 3 teams that we can catch, still need a good run.
Montreal-82pts:My hated team cause I live here and I hate its fans and organisation. That said, goalie instability and lack of offense might help us.
Philly-82pts: Worst goalie situation in a while. Laviolette will continue playing Boucher because he’s his American baby goalie, lets hope the other teams will take advantage and help us.
Boston-80pts, 1 game in hand: Closest team, yet farthest. It all depends on Rask’s play. They are playing good hockey, but their offense is bad.
You can look at it this way: If any of these 3 teams get 2 60-min losses in a row and we get 2 straight Ws, were at least #8!
GO THRASH
Red Light
March 30th, 2010
5:36 pm
Since the resumption of NHL play after the lockout for the 2005-06 season, the state of hockey (apologies to Minnesota) in Atlanta has deteriorated beyond compare in terms of captivating your fan base. Except for those franchises located in Phoenix, Denver and Uniondale, L.I., the combination of the Thrashers on-ice product and the management team has forced, yes forced, hockey fans to seek the refuge of the Center Ice package on cable or satellite. Lets take a look at how it happened, because we are all aware of the whys.
In 2005-06, the Thrashers played in front of 15,000-plus crowds 22 times. During the playoff season, that number swelled to 28, 30 if you include the two playoff games. In 2007-08, that number remained fairly strong with (25) 15,000-plus crowds
Then, the Second Depression hit, both financially for the fan base and with the realization that despite the GM’s assertions, the combination of Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen doesn’t equal the contributions of a certain Slovakian forward. In 2008-09, the number of 15,000-plus crowds decreased to 19, and for the first time since the lockout dipped under the 50 percent mark of its total number of 41 home dates. This year the departure of Kovalchuk and other franchise transgressions, have enticed just (12) 15,000-plus crowds to visit Philips Arena for Thrashers games. Four of those have come in March.
So, lets recap those numbers: 22-28-25-19-12. That’s 106 games and the team’s record in those games is a somewhat respectable 52-54, not including the OT/SO nonsense.
Now, I’m no psychologist, but I do know that if a player skates onto their home ice to the murmur of the “crowd”, looks up to find seas of open seats, then I’d be a bit depressed too. After the 6-game losing streak, the Thrashers win three home games and then win a game at Philly to climb back into the race, and then they basically have to beg people to show up with $25 and $10 seats for the next two games, which yields little more than 14,000 in the stands and one goal in six-plus periods on the ice. Then, another road win in Carolina and you’re welcomed home by yet another bleak crowd.
One day, this entire group is going to wake up to the realization of what might have been. You supposed to buy weakness and sell strength. In order to get stronger, you can’t continue to let the same people repeat the same mistakes.
“Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. You don’t fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.”
This organization has that premise down pat!
EA
March 30th, 2010
5:44 pm
Smoothie, I missed the first segment about the Thrashers. The second segment was all about the Hawks. All of the callers asked about the Hawks. Kincaide said Gearon was not afraid of the tough questions. Whether or not he only took Hawks calls on purpose, I can’t say. I read about Gearon being on 680 on the Blueland blog. Maybe they will put an audio on the website.
Savannah Blueland Fan
March 30th, 2010
6:34 pm
Maybe the first question was “Why do the Thrashers choke?” and the announcer says “OK enough about the Thrashers, let’s talk basketball”.
LAC
March 30th, 2010
6:59 pm
Bill, To be real honest… Who Knows !!!
This guy is NOT a straight shooter with the fans and when he makes these “plans”
known to the public… It proves to be dishonest at the best, because what he says… NEVER
comes to pass !
These “plans” are worthless as the person spewing them out… To be honest, what year is this and what plan is it ? X, Y or Z ? I wish I knew, but this up and down play this week has been damning and shows this is not a playoff team, We need a completely NEW direction.
Thanks…. Bill !
kracker
March 30th, 2010
7:27 pm
Anybody know the TV broadcast situation? Is this a “Leafs TV” produced game? It’s listed on both Sportsouth and Center Ice but both feeds are black screen
erock
March 30th, 2010
7:36 pm
IT IS ON SPORTS SOUTH