New coach should not require on the job training
That tremor you felt in the late morning was a major management shakeup that rippled through Thrasherville. It moved certain front office members from one position to another…and left in its wake several casualties.
Anderson…out.
Cunneyworth…out.
Nelson and Weeks…out and out.
A general manager other than Don Waddell will hire the new coach, however, as he will relinquish his general manager’s duties to Dudley. Waddell will take on the role of team president…something that has been speculated for a while now.
What do you think of the Thrashers parting ways with Anderson?
- Agree with it: He failed to do the job (72%, 144 Votes)
- Disagree with it: He was not to blame (28%, 55 Votes)
Total Voters: 199
Loading ...In essence, the Thrashers “Rich McKay-ed” Waddell.
My thoughts on that…well, I would have rather had a clean break with Waddell altogether. But I will take this over the status quo. I think his 12 years on the job has been, well, just look at the record…308 wins in 820 regular season games and no wins in just four playoff games.
The other side of that coin is that many see Waddell as a very good PR person, generous with his time to fans and makes himself available to the press for grilling. I hope these qualities will serve him and the team well in his new post.
Could this new arrangement work? Well…if Don allows Rick to do his job without a lot of interference, maybe…just maybe it could.
Of the coach firings, I will say I wasn’t expecting to see the whole crew was sent packing. I personally would have given Anderson into next season to “right the ship”. However, Anderson and Co. inherited a team that finished with 34 wins two years ago and coached them to two 35-win seasons. That’s not the kind of progress that will keep a coach around the NHL for too long…so it should not really come as a big shock.
Regardless, Dudley and Waddell now begin their search for a new coaching staff. Exactly who…well, I haven’t gotten wind of any particular person of interest but I do have one request for Don and Rick.
Please make hire someone that has a decent amount of coaching experience already.
What do you think of the Waddell/Dudley moves?
- Good way to make a change (40%, 76 Votes)
- Waddell should have been let go (59%, 114 Votes)
- Liked it the way it was (1%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 192
Loading ...Of the three previous coaches this team has had, two have entered into the job as head coach here with no previous experience as an NHL bench boss and both were fired taking with them losing records. The one that came here with some experience…Bob Hartley…led the team to better records each year here and coached them to a Southeast Division championship.
In short, I simply do not think that this organization can afford another coach that requires “on the job training” at this level.
Of course, the question is then…who exactly is out there that would fill the bill?
Well, there is Craig MacTavish who has had a year off since leaving Edmonton. I would suspect that over the next day or so Calgary will release Brent Sutter. Not advocating or dismissing either…but those are just a couple and I’m sure you have some suggestions of your own as well.
Oh yeah, and one other thing…while we’re at it, can we make sure there is a true goalie coach on the new staff?
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178 comments Add your comment
Sage of Bluesland
April 14th, 2010
11:02 pm
I would expect nothing less from World-be-Lapdog! I’m sure you defended dandy Don back in the day, too–saying “give the man a chance!”…I’m sure you also lauded Donnie’s drafting, too…
Same tune, same song…same results…
Just be sure to come back and take the medicine when the Waddellites have been proven wrong, again…and again…and again…
Same tune, same song…same results…
Kbatch
April 14th, 2010
11:08 pm
Sage… You may well be correct… All we can do is wait, see, and hope… I am definitely hoping that D-Wad will stay upstairs and let 5ud run the team… Time will tell…
Brendan
April 14th, 2010
11:19 pm
R.Stroz, if Dudley does get total autonomy over this club, then that’s something to consider. But, as far as I can tell, the Spirit Group’s mantra, is a “by committe” approach, whereby Dudley conceives an idea, then has to say, “Mother, may I?” to Waddell. If Waddell agrees, he pitches the idea.
There are drug trafficking organizations with less layers of bureaucracy than this.
Once Waddell is gone, I’ll be back. I detest abstaining from games. There’s no place I’d rather be than Philips Arena, watching my team. But out of options to force change, I’ve done the unthinkable. The Press Conference, today, should have been to:
1. Announce the firing of Don Waddell, John Anderson, Dan Marr, Steve Weeks and Todd Nelson. (Randy Cunneyworth can stay.)
2. The team announces that it is undergoing an extensive and exhaustive search for a new GM. And that Rick Dudley is among a “short list” of candidates.
R. Stroz
April 14th, 2010
11:24 pm
Kovy almost squeezed the stick into a toothpick tonight.
That sounds painful.
Sage's mom
April 14th, 2010
11:40 pm
Sagie, up again past 11? To bed with you now, you rude young man!
R. Stroz
April 14th, 2010
11:43 pm
I’ll try to refrain from one liners for a few minutes.
I have a slighty different take on this whole situation.
Since last summer, I believe Dudley has been making the player decisions from behind the scenes. The drafted players were bigger and nastier. The players obtained via trade and free agency have been larger. No more of Waddell’s smurfs.
Dudley has had an entire year to find “diamonds in the rough.” During the next few months, we’ll see who he has targeted. After that, we’ll see if Dudley scouted well.
The only reason Waddell maintained the GM title was to be the “hero” if Kovy was re-signed. OOPS.
Now, do I think Dudley’s decisions have had to receive the Waddell stamp of approval? YES.
Does anyone remember who help screw Waddell into taking a goalie with the second pick of the draft? Cough, Dudley, Cough.
Here’s the real question. What happens when Dudley is eventually told NO. Does Don go flying out of the press box? Does Levenson get a swirly? Does Dudley use Gearon Jr.’s head as a stud finder against the sheet rock?
I guess my few minutes were up a few minutes ago.
Kovyoverrated
April 15th, 2010
12:02 am
Rawhide- Do you think that there was some sort of “come to Jesus” discussion between the NHL front office and the Spirit group about the status of this franchise in Atlanta? From Bettman’s comments earlier this season, I think there was.
Kovalsuck is still winless in the playoffs. In the words of the fat bully kid on the “Simpsons”– “HA-ha”
Thrashers27
April 15th, 2010
12:28 am
Please forgive the sacreligious typo from my previous post…The Great One’s name is spelled with a Z, not an S. Fat fingers on a small keyboard…and maybe a cocktail, or two. Whoooops!
Anyhoo, anybody think he’s a viable candidate? If nothing else he might help add legitimacy to hockey in Atlanta…although he couldn’t really do it in Phoenix. Personally, I think it would be cool to see him here in an iconic role, but he doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be a successful coach in the NHL.
Best of luck to Coach Anderson and co..
Eugene
April 15th, 2010
12:46 am
There is no way Atlanta would bring in a top tier coach. They don’t have the money to spend to bring in someone like Craig MacTavish even though he would be perfect for this team. So for a budget conscious Thrashers team, I’d go for Kirk Muller or John Maclean.
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
6:09 am
Sage – My confidence in this move has nothing to do with Waddell, it has everything to do Dudley. I have been a Duds fan for 37 years, as a player, coach and adminstrator. He’s been a success at every level of hockey, including starting his management work at the ECHL, working his way up.
I can’t stay affixed to Waddell forever, as some of you have. It’s time to move on, as it may be for some of you from this blog, if you are so dissatisfied with the Thrashers. This may not be what we ever totally looking for, but it is a step in the right direction and I’ll take that step over not making any move at all.
Sage, as I have stated in the past, come on down to Phillips, then you’ll have the opportunity to call me or any of us lapdogs or sheep to our faces. We’ll be waiting…..
LAC
April 15th, 2010
6:56 am
NEWS FLASH !!!!!!
Rawhide, Bill Tiller named NEW Thrashers President.
Brenden Named NEW Thrashers GM.
Standec Named NEW Goalie Coach.
Rawhides first move naming Scotty Bowman coach !!!!!
Now THAT WOULD BE THE MOST POSITIVE Progress this Team could EVER DO !
Lastly, did “anyone” read that absolute SICK letter from those two panty waste owners ?
It was simply NUTS !
Sorry Mr.Potty Mouth, as long as you retain that MINDLESS THING waddell, I will keep MY money
as I have for three years now, when you finally get Balls, something you do NOT have, and fire the worthless SOB, then I will return, but never with that Idiot collecting a fat paycheck for being a Complete FAILURE !
Sara
April 15th, 2010
8:17 am
Since it’s doomsday at work, this will have to be brief … I’m sure there will be plenty of time to discuss and dissect during the off-season. And since the main premise of the blog is a new coach, I’ll stick with that as the topic.
A new coach should:
- believe in defense and know how to teach it (Duh5million)
- not be a player’s coach – this team needs discipline and someone who has a zero-tolerance policy for slacking and taking shifts off
- know how to develop young talent (which eliminates Bob Hartley rather quickly)
I’ll be curious to see what current assistant coaches might come up for consideration ’cause right now, perusing the list of the usual “former NHL coach” suspects, I’m entirely underwhelmed.
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
8:22 am
Stroz-we will see
As I have said repeatedly, I just do not think Dudley would take the job if it required major handcuffs. The ONLY reason I am optimistic is because it’s Dudley. If the GM was Neil Smith, Feaster or anyone else, I’d be just as negative as others have been the last 24 hours.
He’s been in the job since last summer. I believe he was hired to take the job over eventually. The time is now.
Mike
April 15th, 2010
8:26 am
Did anyone else enjoy watching Kovy lose last night or was it just me?
GaVaHokie
April 15th, 2010
8:31 am
What’s done is done… I think we’re far better off, some people don’t… yada yada… moving on.
Here is a list of Coaching Candidates from Darren Dreger with no NHL Head Coach experience.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=318052
Brad McCrimmon… *cringe*
DB
April 15th, 2010
8:38 am
World B…Kincade loves Keenan since Keenan hired him to do video stuff for the Flyers in Philly.
DWTOO
April 15th, 2010
8:41 am
There really is a Waddell fixation here! Than man’s been moved to a position that fits his strengths – PR and schmoozing. He’s history. Dudley’s in charge now and the whole point of this thread is to converse about a new coach.
Think Schultz has a list of viable candidates. Right now tho’ I’m supporting Hartley or Torchetti.
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
8:43 am
DB-that’s what Kincade mentioned yesterday.
Keenan gave EJ MCguire a chance in Rochester too in the early 80’s. McGuire followed him as an assit. in Philly and Chicago.
GaVa-thanks for the list
Matt
April 15th, 2010
8:44 am
Mike Keenan, to me, is the equivalent of Chan Gailey or Larry Brown. Just an vagabound coach that goes somewhere for few years and never really accomplishes anything. Keenan wears out his welcome real fast.
And as for Kincade, he can STFU and go back to Philly and root for his sainted Iggles and Broad Street Bullies.
Dwayne
April 15th, 2010
8:45 am
Blog of the decade goes to JA’s “WTF” right after he got fired. I’ll drink to that!!!
J.B.
April 15th, 2010
8:48 am
i think Torchetti is the way to go; especially if we plan on taking full advantage of Chicago’s cap problems they’ll need to address in the offseason.
GaVaHokie
April 15th, 2010
9:02 am
Subject to change, but here are my Top 3 so far…
Paul MacLean
Bob Hartley
John Torchetti
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
9:10 am
I don’t generally listen to ATL sports radio, just happened to pass on it yesterday, since my CD player is busted.
I never considered Keenan an option here. He is alot like the other 2 guys you mentioned, in the sense that he’s been around probably too long. I think Calgary was his last shot. But he is the 3rd winningest coach in NHL history, so he’s done something right. He is also know for having given a number of people their first breaks in the NHL. One more note-it was scotty Bowman that gave Keenan his original break to professional hockey.
Not sure who I favor as the next coach here. I never thought of Bylsma as a coach, but he’s been good in Pittsburgh. Davis Paine was an improvement in St. Louis. The one name that catches my attention is Kevin Dineen, who has done a great job in Portland this season. He and Dudley had similar styles as players.
Spud Webb
April 15th, 2010
9:13 am
I’d love Teddy Nolan here, but he can’t seem to stop arguing with management in each of his two stops…I would LOVE to see the great One here, won’t happen. Should be interesting to see how much we spend on a coach??? Minor leagues again or are we actually going to get a coach?? I’d have to say I’d love Ken Hitchcock here, I’ve always liked him!!
How about Pheonix last night??? Anyone else watch this???? So tell me again, weren’t THEY supposed to lose thier team back to Canada, much like the rumors in regards to our Thrashers??? It goes to show you with some craft GM work (NOT SEEN IN THE ATL) and a little heart and WHAM…you can WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As I was watching that game I kept thinking, that can be us, that can be us!! Please BE US NEXT SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, how about the Stars letting Turco walk…and their new starting Goalie next season……………………….Kari!!!!!!!!!!! Interesting.
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
9:14 am
I too believe Torchettt is in our future. And that is just fine with me. He fits the bill of a coach who doesn’t need any “on the job training,” and he is someone.not named Tortarella that Dudley is comfortable with.
I am tentatively concerned with the whole “working together” thing, as one could read into it as Waddell still having his icy talons of death connected to the team; however, I also know that Dudley doesn’t play very nicely with micromanagers. Overall, we’ll see what happens. Will this really be a new chapter, or is this just a spit-shined turd? We will see.
Joe Bob Friday
April 15th, 2010
9:15 am
“It has been less than one day!”
Lloyd B., you are completely missing the point, many of us get it, but I’ll try to explain it to you one more time.
It has not been one day, it’s been what, a year since Dudley was hired? Nothing changed yesterday re. the GM position other than the shuffling of titles. A year ago, Dudley came in under Waddell and they together have been working on hockey operations and we have seen some improved decisions that I have attributed to Dudley. But nothing further changed yesterday, the status quo remains in place that has been in place the past year. Dudley still reports to Waddell and as we speak right now, Dudley and Waddell are sitting together choosing a new coach, a new coach that Waddell will have final say on. It’s pretty simple, the good news happened a year ago when Dudley was brought in, but nothing further changed yesterday other than a shuffle of titles that has some naive fans believing that as of yesterday, Dudley is now in charge of all hockey decisons. No he ain’t.
Tom Lysiak
April 15th, 2010
9:17 am
Some people cannot be pleased, ever. They beg for Waddell’s head for years, justifiably. He gets neutered and kicked upstairs, and it isn’t good enough. Dudley is not some lapdog who would get involved in a “puppet” situation. He has credentials and respect, inside the game. If you haven’t seen his fingerprints on the personnel moves since last summer, you are blind. If you didn’t see this EXACT scenario unfolding since last summer, again you are blind.
As for the “boycott”, my what a setback. “Stooge of Doucheland” likes to make word plays on other people’s names on here. This sets up a really interesting scenario for him and his “boycott sheep”. He has vowed never to spend a dollar while Waddell is in the organization. What if Dudley hires the right guy and his player evaluation skills put together a “Blackhawks” type product here? Just on principle “Stooge” has to stay away, until Waddell is gone. It’s going to be a hoot watching a really good thing happen here and waiting to see if or how much “Stooge of Doucheland” changes his tune. ASG told you they don’t care about your “boycott”. Waddell has told you he doesn’t care about your “boycott”. I’m REALLY sure Dudley already doesn’t care about your “boycott”. He’ll focus on the team and the fans who show up. Not the whiners who have unhealthy obsessions and fixations with a specific person. This is about Thrashers hockey and not one person. I can’t wait to watch it unfold without the “boycotters”.
“Stooge”, I’m leaving now for a nice long weekend so take all the shots you want. We’ll pick this back up later. Go Thrashers!!!
Joe Bob Friday
April 15th, 2010
9:19 am
The only way that John Torchetti will not be the Thrashers’ head coach next season, is if he turns the job down.
J-man
April 15th, 2010
9:27 am
I’m not on the whole favor of giving a guy with previous NHL head coaching experience the job, but it depends on the guy. Everyone who was fired during this season was fired specifically for a failure to able to work with younger players. Ken Hitchcock, for example, messed up Nikita Filatov so badly that they had to loan him to the KHL to try to salvage the situation. We have a decent amount of young players here and hiring guys like Hitchcock would be bad. I’m neither strongly opposed nor strongly against MacTavish, but he doesn’t excite me. Brent Sutter would be a good choice though, but I must warn that the way he got into the Calgary job was really really sleazy and arguably unethical and I can’t rule out that he’d do the same anywhere else. I could see him being hired here (assuming he gets fired at Calgary) and then, say, 1 year from now Darryl Sutter gets the GM job at, say, Edmonton. Bye bye Brent!
World Be Free – Dudley has an axe to grind with Keenan as the owner of the Panthers sided with Keenan over Dudley some years ago and forced Dudley out. I don’t see Keenan as having a real chance of coming here, but if he somehow did, I would NEVER go to another Thrashers’ game under any circumstance until he is fired.
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
9:34 am
Dudley still reports to Waddell and as we speak right now,
That’s the thing. Waddell was his superior before, and is still his superior now. However, Waddell has half the power. He is half the man he used to be, with half the responsibility. At least, that’s what his title suggests. Meanwhile, Dudley’s role has now expanded — again, as the title suggests.
I’m still of the opinion that we should wait and see. I still believe that we should give this setup a chance, and see where we end up at the end of the day. Folks, we’re in a “build” process at this present time. We should have made the playoffs this year. We didn’t, and the coaches were fired. Along with doing that, the Titanic’s deck looks a little different than it did before. I’m not happy that Waddell is still here, but I do believe he’s been neutered. I don’t expect anyone else to do the same. I just hope that with these moves, we hit the ground running next year and brutalize opposing teams on our way to the playoffs.
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
9:40 am
Joe, your opinion is yours and mine is mine. Time for all of us to move and see what happens. The other control we have in this situation is whether we want to remain fans or move on to another team.
Zoomo
April 15th, 2010
9:42 am
No way on Keenan. That was just John “I Know More About Everything Than You Do” Kincade’s fantasy because he worked for Keenan.
Interesting that Glovesave mentioned the idea of moving the AHL affiliate to Gwinnett. I know that the notion of that has been considered by the franchise before. Even the concept of putting the best prospects in Gwinnett instead of Chicago, but that was deemed unfeasible because the competition level in in ECHL would impede player development.
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
9:42 am
that’s only control not other control-guess I’d better get back to work.
Savannah Blueland Fan
April 15th, 2010
10:44 am
Reality has hit!!!!! I won’t get to play my favorite drinking game next year! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R. Stroz
April 15th, 2010
10:54 am
Interesting reading.
I’m not trying to stoke the fire here, however, I firmly believe that both WBF and Joe Bob Friday have valid points. That stated, I do have a major concern that I’ll address at the end of the post.
First, I agree with Joe Bob Friday, in that, the renaming of Waddell and Dudley’s positions was largely semantic. Dudley has been making the player moves for an entire season and has been given a year to scout future moves.
Second, I agree with WBF, in that, Dudley didn’t agree to come to Atlanta to be Waddell’s puppet.
I imagine the agreement between Waddell and Dudley goes something like this:
1) Waddell deals with the owners because Dudley doesn’t have the patience to deal with dysfunctional people.
2) Dudley uses Waddell to sell his player moves to the owners when substantive sums of money are involved.
3) Dudley agreed to keep payroll down the first two years until the team turns the corner with a youth movement full of hard working, gritty, talented players. After that, once attendance improves, the purse strings are loosened for Dudley.
4) Waddell had to agree not to infringe on Dudley’s player choices. Although Dudley did agree to discuss the player choices with Waddell prior to pulling the trigger.
Now, this where my concern lies, if and when, there is an issue involving payroll down the road, as in Dudley wants to pony up for a player and ownership doesn’t, does Don vote with ownership or does he back Dudley?
That, to me, is the future Stanley Cup contender question.
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
11:19 am
Our good friend Craig Custance posted an article yesterday proposing Dudley seek out Flyers GM Holmgren and request permission to interview ex-Flyers coach John Stevens.
The more I think about this idea, the more I like it. He was a defenseman during his playing days.
Torchetti is probably the candidate, but the fact that Stevens likes our defense and wants to come hear means something, at least in my eyes.
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
11:26 am
Stroz, I understand why people have concerns. I happen to agree with their concerns and the fact that some of the people who are responsible for this team being a mess are still around. The concern you noted is valid, no doubt about that. If the owners won’t financially support the hockey team as they have the basketball team, then there’s little chance of the Thrashers improving. In this case, it does not matter who is GM.
My optimism is Dudley-based, nothing else. I am hoping his experience and professional will translate into improvements in this team, despite all the other issues. If Darcy Regier can do it in Buffalo, dealing with Larry Quibnn and Tom Golisano, then Duds has a chance of doing it here.
All I want to do here is give the man a chance. If Dudley fails, I’ll be the first person to admit I was wrong, just like I have in the past.
glovesave29
April 15th, 2010
11:43 am
Zoomo – you move Gwinnett up to the AHL.
NO WAY to Keenan. He is hated by players. He always leaves after a few seasons, and it takes years to clean up the mess he leaves behind. The only thing good he ever did was reject this horrible jersey the Blue were going to wear…
http://media.photobucket.com/image/blues%20jersey%20keenan%20rejected/spyboy1/TSG%20Blog/StLouisBluesAlt96.jpg
glovesave29
April 15th, 2010
11:45 am
I meant to say “Blues” not “Blue”…guess the spirit of Boom Boom Geoffrion overtook me for a sec!
StateBird
April 15th, 2010
12:06 pm
Said it before, will say it again …. Torchetti and Stevens should be a the top of the list. We don’t need retreads with bad track records (e.g. Keenan, MacTavish, Hitchcock, etc.)
And will repeat support for moving AHL assignment to Gwinnett. The problem in the past was travel with all teams being in the northeast and midwest. However with recent movements to Charlotte, Texas and other parts south now is the time. A move should also save the Thrashers some money. Lets see if DW, the businessmen, can get this done.
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
12:17 pm
you move Gwinnett up to the AHL.
And where do our ECHL players go?
I’m all for having our prospects here in town, but I think the way of doing it is building an arena and expanding the league to have an AHL team here.
Cliff Fletcher
April 15th, 2010
12:19 pm
Dudley admitted on air yesterday something to the fact that the fans have stayed away because of bad product on the ice. Have we ever heard something like that in the last 10 years? Doesn’t sound like Dudley is playing nice with his boss, who is responsible for the bad hockey over the last 10 years. So much for the lap dog talk.
Schroeder
April 15th, 2010
12:57 pm
I may not be the brightest light in the hall,but I would have to assume that since during the season Dudley’s role was ASSISTANT GM and Dwads job was GM.That dynamic has changed,now that he is solely responsible for the outcome, if I were GM and it was my neck on the line I would have final say,keep everyone informed but it was my say-so. I would be curious to know if that is indeed the case. Although the selection of a new head coach is a decision that should be done by commitee,the day to day player decisions and hockey operations should be left to Dudley. That is the only way it will work if Waddell is still in this organization.It remains to be seen if the new President keeps his rather prodigious snout in his job and does not micromanage.I personally believe that it is extremely early to start casting doubt until there is proof of his meddleing.The transition for all concerned takes time,afterall Dwads has had 10 years of screwing this up,do ya think that would stop instantly,once Dudley gets comfortable with this new arrangement,I would give you 20-1 that the WAD man will get his new business cards with the word PRESIDENT on them (couldn’t talk them into EMPEROR) and will suddenly find more regal things to do than the lowly job of dealing with “common” players. I can dream can’t I. (BAA BAAA)
glovesave29
April 15th, 2010
12:58 pm
ECHL is moving the Johnstown Chiefs to Greenville. That’s all of 90 minutes up the road from Gwinnett.
Why build a new arena? The Gwinnett Center is a great place to see a game.
J.B.
April 15th, 2010
1:04 pm
there’s also the cottonmouths in columbus. you could exponentially increase the talent in the SPHL by sending all the ECHL talent to Columbus and our AHL guys to Gwinnett if the Gladiators were to become an AHL team.
(There’s probably about a million issues with this idea of which I’m unaware; primarily just noting there’s another pro-hockey team a short distance away)
Schroeder
April 15th, 2010
1:12 pm
BTW,Glovesave, I would be very interested to hear your take on possible goalie coach candidates. You being a former netminder like myself,but being in South Ga I don’t get nearly as much data.
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
1:17 pm
The Chiefs’ affiliates are the Houston Aeros and Minnesota Wild. That doesn’t have anything to do with the Thrashers.
Not sure why we should share our prospects with Minnesota.
Can the Gwinnett Center handle two hockey teams? If not, we’ll need another arena.
Don’t get me wrong. I am wholly in favor of moving/creating our AHL affiliate here. I’m not in favor of getting rid of one hockey league to house another, all the while dumping our ECHL players on another affiliate’s team. It’s sorta like adopting a kid and dumping your old one at an orphanage.
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
1:17 pm
Schroeder-along the lines of what I have been thinkg and hoping.
Dudley is not a first-time GM or administrator.
Smoothie
April 15th, 2010
1:18 pm
According to Mike Russo, the leading candidates may be Torchetti and Craig Ramsay, both of whom I like: From Minny Star Tribune Russo’s Rants:
“Dudley is one of the game’s great talent evaluators. He built the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Cup team even though he doesn’t have a ring to show for it and Dale Tallon credits Dudley for helping him rebuild the Blackhawks. This could be a very good move for the future of the Thrashers.
Next up Dudley will hire a coach. The top contender in my opinion is Blackhawks assistant coach John Torchetti, who was brought into Tampa Bay, Florida and Chicago because of Dudley and played for Dudley on the old ACHL Carolina Thunderbirds. Torchetti was nearly hired a few times by the old Wild regime to coach Houston. He’s a former interim head coach of the Panthers and Kings.
On those Thunderbird teams Dudley coached, he used to also drive the bus. From a 2002 feature I wrote on Dudley, Torchetti told me this: “I used to stay up talking hockey with him until 3 or 4 in the morning while he was driving the bus,” Torchetti said, laughing. “I learned so much from him about conditioning, demeanor behind a bench, how to deal with players, the hard work needed to win and loyalty.
“Loyalty is what hockey is all about.”
Dudley has an immense amount of respect for Torchetti, a true player’s coach, tactician and teacher.
You can bet Dudley will be interested in talking to Boston Bruins assistant coach Craig Ramsay, too. When Dudley managed Florida, Dudley fired Mike Keenan and took over behind the bench. But he tried incessantly to get Jay Feaster and the Lightning to let Ramsay come across Alligator Alley to coach the Panthers. Feaster wouldn’t allow that (division rival, in the middle of the year — were the obvious reasons), so Dudley replaced himself with Torchetti (coincidentally, that story broke while I was here in Minneapolis for the All-Star Game — I edited pretentious clause, ha).
But Dudley gushes over Ramsay.
Until these teams are eliminated in the playoffs though, you can bet the Thrashers’ coaching job will be on hold.
I bet you never thought you’d get so much Thrashers info on a Wild blog. Hey, it’s the offseason and I wanted to freshen up the blog.”
ben
April 15th, 2010
1:22 pm
Ahl here:
That would never work because it would be comparable to the Thrashers in terms of levels of play. And people would opt to see the cheaper AHL over the thrashers. I read an interesting article about name changes. That should happen here in ten years. What I think is the NHL told ASG to “promote” Waddell to what he’s good at and find a replacement GM. And so they got Dudley, a great hockey mind and a friend of Don’s. Maybe they can’t fire Waddell straight up. Maybe he has a bizzarre contract. I mean, if ASG knows nothing of hockey, then Turner’s boys knew less. No, I don’t actually think the man has photos or anything.
I think this is a step in the right direction. I think the next step is to hire an assistant coach in the playoffs right now, and sign him to 2-year deal. Put in the contract that failure to get into the top eight gets you fired. This was a playoff caliber team before Kovy got / became a distraction. The payroll needs to go up. Also, keep good ties with Kovy and Hartley and Kozzy. When Kovy retires put his name in the rafters. Also, when Waddell does leave put 37 on someones back or in the rafters. That’ll be when this team has truely moved on and left that accident in the past. We can visit past, but we shouldn’t live there.