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?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
178 comments Add your comment
Tom (Capital T Tom)
April 15th, 2010
1:24 pm
I have talked with people associated with the Gladiators and can say they have looked into the economics of moving to the AHL and it does not make sense. They are a profitable and successful concern in the ECHL and want to keep it that way.
lilibeter
April 15th, 2010
1:27 pm
Stroz…I think you are spot on in your synopsis of what you believe Dudley’s and Waddell’s agreement to be, and based on what I’ve been reading from other fans on other sites, Dudley is 100% not here to be anybody’s yes-man. Were that the expectation, he would have stayed far, far away from Atlanta.
That being said, somebody really needs to keep me off of those other sites because I do NOT have the correct temperament to deal with ignorant people. Hey wait a minute, maybe that is the very reason why I’ve been having so many issues with D-Wad!
Zoomo
April 15th, 2010
1:40 pm
Just listened to Dudley on NHL Live. Interesting. Said one of the reasons for firing of Anderson was lack of development of Little and Bogosain. Also, says he has to have a coach who can adjust the style of play to fit the opponent and make in game adjustments. Sounds like he areed with Kozlov’s comments about the coaching staff.
NHL Live hosts brought up Don Lever. I didn’t know that Lever was one of Dudley’s assistants whne he was in Boston. Like I said interesting stuff.
Smoothie
April 15th, 2010
1:40 pm
After listening to Rick Dudley on NHL Live, don’t discount the possibility of Don Lever (currently of the Wolves) getting a look as they are former associates in Buffalo. And for those of you familiar with your beloved Atlanta Flames, he scored 14 G in 28 games for them in 1979-80. That would be an interesting way to reconnect with the former Flames’ and the hockey history in this town.
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
2:07 pm
Smoothie-Duds and Rammer were close during their playing days in Buffalo too. Don’t discount the influence of Punch Imlach on both guys.
Not sure about Don Lever, he’s been an assistant for a long time, again back to Buffalo days. There’s gotta be a reason nobody seriously thought of him as coaching material to this point. However, the Flames connection with Lever would be neat.
Always Hoping
April 15th, 2010
2:09 pm
Lever would be a good choice as he spent many good years behind Lindy Ruff in Buffalo. Back in the day he played for Vancouver and had some good years before moving around the league. Playing for Vancouver in the early days made him a better coach.
Should the Predators go quick in round 1 is there any chance of us talking to Barry Trots?
Paminski
April 15th, 2010
2:30 pm
Zoomo – I have to agree that Anderson didn’t seem to know how to develop Bogo and Little. It seems odd since he was developing our players in the AHL. But then again, maybe not so odd considering the Thrashers performance year after agonizing year.
glovesave29
April 15th, 2010
2:37 pm
Tom – the Thrashers carry a bulk of the costs for the Gladiators when it comes to salaries. It would take a minimal change in ticket prices at their average of 5,166 per game. A single dollar per ticket per game is $185,976 for the season. Plus, you got players coming up and down…how great is it for them not to have to rush around, pack up their things, catch the flight. They stay in the same apartment, just drive to a different arena for work. Plus, you can have the AHL team work more closely with the NHL team in both on ice and video practices.
Alan – my guess is the Chiefs will lose thier affiliation (it happens all the time) with the Wild in favor of a team in the Central League – or maybe one of the western teams in the ECHL. It makes geographic sense for them, as well as the Thrashers / AHL Glads to use Greenville. Maybe you take the open ECHL franchise to Birmingham. They has the Tiger Sharks for years. Maybe try to affiliate with the Memphis RiverKings of the CHL. There are certainly options.
JB – the SPHL is miles below the ECHL in terms of quality. Columbus is close, and actually has a long history there, but it makes no sense. ECHL talent would destroy any SPHL teams.
I am on board with those who think DW is out of the way with hockey related issues. First of all, why make the change at all if its going to be status quo? It would eventually come to light, and the team would lose any shred of credibility that they have left (which unfortunaltely aint that much!) RD has a ton of experience, plus his reputation is on the line. It’s not his first time at the roadeo, so he doesnt have to take the gig with all of the strings attached just to get his foot in the door. He’s not going to be a puppet. Not his personality. No reason to do so anyhow…he’d just take a similar gig with another team who was not placing supposed strings to the job.
Schroeder – nice to have another member of the blue paint club on the boards! I am just hoping we even GET a goalie coach. Steve Weeks did play goal in the NHL, but others who have gone to Thrash practices can attest that he almost never worked with the goalies. He ran drills.
Smoothie
April 15th, 2010
2:59 pm
Did anyone watch Hockey Central last night? Apparently, JA was on there giving his side of the story, so to speak. Kind of threw Kovy under the bus for trying to do too much himself and not being a good leader. I believe the Falconer will have more on this at his blog if anyone wants to check in over there. Also, Anderson whined about how players had a hard time playing in front of so few fans / empty building. Anyone hear that? I think it’s the waaaaaaaa-bulance. C’mon guys, you’re paid to play hockey 100% effort every time you step on the ice, your remaining loyal fans don’t want to hear that bullcrap.
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
3:30 pm
glovesave – Why try to predict that which hasn’t happened yet? Sure, the Wild might pull their affiliation, but all that is meaningless at this point.
And isn’t the CHL below the ECHL in terms of quality and player development anyway? I could be wrong, though.
I like the idea of having the AHL come to town for the Thrashers, but I’m against ridding ourselves of the ECHL.The AHL currently has 29 teams, which means there’s room for one more.
If the person who said the Gladiators aren’t interested in becoming an AHL franchise is to be believed, then the only option for getting the AHL close to home is to expand that league.
Rawhide
April 15th, 2010
3:41 pm
Smoothie – Regarding your 2:59 pm post. I cannot reveal the source, but the part about players complaining that it was hard to play in front of a 1/2 full arena….that is actually spot on correct.
Many of them would lament that it was tough to get “jazzed” or “pumped” knowing that there would be just as many…if not more…empty seats than full. It was, in their words, easier to play in front of a packed house than an “empty nest”.
Not sayin’ that’s reason to take a trip on the waaaaaaa-bulance or not, but that’s a part of the story that I’ve been told is true.
glovesave29
April 15th, 2010
3:49 pm
Alan…is this not what this whole blog is about – our thoughts and ideas? Just having some fun and throwing some ideas out there.
The CHL and ECHL are pretty much at the same level. The ECHL makes the claim they are higher, but they did the same with the old WCHL – but when they merged with the ECHL, the western teams won 3 Kelley Cups in the last 6 years.
J.B.
April 15th, 2010
3:51 pm
glovesave – Re: Columbus; really i was just pointing out geographic proximity of another pro hockey team that nobody had mentioned. I’m certain any SPHL team would get anihilated against AHL or ECHL talent.
Sidenote: Cottonmouth games are a blast. Great atmosphere down there. I highly recommend it if y’all want to check out some minor league action other than Gwinnett.
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
4:02 pm
glovesave – Of course the blog, much to the behest of a few perpetually sour apples, is about having fun. I’m just of the opinion that we shouldn’t be trying to usher out the opportunity to bring in a new team. The “promoting the Gladiators” and “kicking the ECHL guys to ________ city” doesn’t jazz well with me. We should want to grow the sport here in every way possible, not shuffle teams and players around.
Just my take.
Zoomo
April 15th, 2010
4:04 pm
>>It was, in their words, easier to play in front of a packed
>>house than an “empty nest”.
I guess that explains the 4-0 drubbing in the 3/23 game, the biggest game in years. 14,000+ wasn’t enough to get them pumped up. geeez…
Smoothie
April 15th, 2010
4:16 pm
Bill – I don’t doubt that they felt a lack of “inspiration” if you will, but at the same time it’s there job to win and create excitement. The fans that are left don’t want to hear that crap. They want to feel appreciated when they are skewered constantly for actually wanting to see the Thrashers be successful. The players know this I am sure and won’t ever come out and say that they can’t get pumped up to play in front of 9,000 people, but they also better know that it’s up to them to play 100% no matter what and keep butts in the seats.
glovesave29
April 15th, 2010
4:18 pm
Alan – I understand your trepidation. The ECHL version does well here, so why fix what is not broken. But if you think of it from a logistical standpoint for both the player and the team, and throw out all of the other issues, it does make total sense. Have the AHL boys practice against the NHL team. Keep a closer eye on prospects. Have easier access to call ups…
JB – went to a home and home series between the Whoopee and Cottonmouths a few years back. I had a blast! They have a loyal fan base – which of course was a figment of my imagination, because according to all Canadian media – we down south cannot understand or appreciate hockey.
Rawhide
April 15th, 2010
4:22 pm
Smoothinator – Oh, I agree with your point regarding the players should always give 100%. I was just pointing out that there are some players that openly expressed that feeling.
Ya know, when I heard JA make that type of comment, my first thought was…”Well, OK…wouldn’t that then be the job of the head coach to properly motivate them”?
Smoothie
April 15th, 2010
4:31 pm
Big Willy – so true, so true. Perhaps John is only hurting himself by disclosing this little nugget of info. He may be viewed as someone who can’t motivate his troops in the face of adversity.
I just want to know though, what happened to the team that came off that bus on Feb 6th after nearly getting stranded on I-95 before their game against Fla? For awhile, I thought they were becoming a tight-knit bunch of guys who were rallying around each other to overcome such obstacles as an empty Club section later on in the season.
Got news for them: even if they are good next year and play well, there will still be tons of empty seats in the Club section and upper end zones during the week. People just don’t like dealing with the traffic and headache of a a 7 pm game in this town. Look at how many off “travel” days the Braves have on Mon and Tues t/out the season. Their marketing dept knows that its a tough sell no matter how good you are…money is made Thurs-Sunday in this town.
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
4:32 pm
I completely agree with all that, glovesave. I just see no reason to oust a league that does well here. Atlanta is a big city, so why not have both minor league affiliates here? That’s all I’m saying
World Be Free
April 15th, 2010
4:55 pm
Smoothie-thanks for the info on Anderson’s interview.
On the one comment bout not enough fans-as a former player I have to tell you that line is a bunch of garbage! The player is affixed on his game and his opponent’s game I never heard the fans, unless there were a few (handful) in the stands and someone was yelling at me personally or all the opposing team’s fans were being hostile. Other than that, you don’t really notice the fans too much.
Player better and win and people will show up. That’s been this team’s problem for years and why soooo many people have left. You can list a good number of our fellow bloggers.
Rawhide
April 15th, 2010
5:40 pm
I completely agree with all that, glovesave. I just see no reason to oust a league that does well here. Atlanta is a big city, so why not have both minor league affiliates here? That’s all I’m saying
Alan R. – The Cobb County Wolves? I’m down on that!!
Alan R.
April 15th, 2010
5:49 pm
Or Peachtree City, Bill! Or McDonough, Conyers, Douglasville, etc. No reason for the northside to have a hockey monopoly
Lee
April 15th, 2010
6:06 pm
The Dekalb District Devils.
R. Stroz
April 15th, 2010
6:47 pm
The Woodstock Wolves sounds like the best idea.
Hokey Clisters
April 15th, 2010
9:52 pm
How bout the Fayetteville Figure Eights?
ben
April 16th, 2010
1:09 am
THE ATLANTA SPRAWL
DWTOO
April 16th, 2010
10:18 am
When the Gladiators had the “Name the Team Contest” submitted:
GWINNETT ROAD RAGE