What could brutally good owners do for Thrashers fans?
In the almost four full seasons that I have had the pleasure of hosting this little blog-thingy, we’ve discussed numerous varying topics here. We’ve debated the skills and value of countless players as well as certain coaching strategies, and we’ve shared thoughts on draft picks and trades possibilities. While we’ve many times found ourselves having to simply agree to disagree on whatever the issue of the day was, there is one subject that most of us have always found common ground on.
That common ground being… our general distain for the current Thrashers ownership group.
However, as Chris Vivlamore has reported recently reported, there are as many as five entities that have express interest in purchasing the team and ridding Thrasherville of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, (Lies, Lawsuits and Contempt) once and for all. That day cannot come soon enough…but I do believe it is indeed coming.
Young Jack deserves brutally good owners for a change. If so, his mom and dad would probably have him at more games (Photo by Keith Woldrop and used with the permission of Heather and Ryan Anderson)
But once that day does arrive…and then eventually passes…there will be quite a lot of work required to undo what the AS. LLC have done to this organization and it’s fan base. The damage is extensive, but not beyond repair.
With that in mind, the question I would pose to you this morning is this: If you had the ear of [insert name of possible new owner(s) here], what changes would you suggest they take under consideration? Such an opportunity could come during a town hall meeting…something Don Waddell and the Spiriteers have denied us the pleasure of this year for some odd reason.
What’s that you say out there? “Ice a winning team and the fans will come”.
Yes, yes, yes…winning more games will do wonders to eliminate empty seats in Philips Arena. But until a history of success is established here, there is going to have to be certain changes made in order to address the very serious issue of attendance.
Increasing the payroll would probably be the first thing many of you would offer up to any new owner. We’ve been at or near the bottom of the league minimum for the last several seasons, and we’ve seen what’s come from operating a franchise on a bargain-basement budget.
It gets you a one-way ticket to the bottom of the standings, an early spring tee-time and many times another trip to Lotterypickville.
So payroll is a good place to start for owners, I’m sure we call all agree. But for the sake of this exercise, what I’m looking from you are no-cost, common sense ideas that will increase attendance and better the overall experience at Thrashers games in the here-and-now.
For example, here are three things I would toss out there that don’t come with a price tag and could very possibly have positive results:
First off, I would remove that hideous black curtain that blocks off the 400 sections atop Philips Arena…the Curtain of Shame, as I refer to it. It was placed there at the beginning of the season in order to move the paying customers closer to the ice as to make the place looking less empty.
Let’s just say…mission not accomplished.
Instead I think it would be a good idea to open it up, even if it’s just for $5 general admission seating. Something is always better than nothing when it comes to selling tickets and bringing in possible new fans. It would make for a great place for the many college students in our area to meet to enjoy the game, or even just for those who are otherwise on a tight budget these days.
Ian, (also known as Badger Bob on this blog), joins his wife, son and friend celebrating an Eric Boulton goal earlier this season. I'm sure they will celebrate new ownership as well (AJC photo)
If you get even 1,000 fans to part ways with an Abe Lincoln to see NHL hockey, then you’ve made five grand that night. Plus, once in the building, those people will add to concession sales.
On top of that, you’ve allowed your product to be viewed by those who might otherwise not pony up the money for more expensive seats…and maybe they’ll like what they see enough to return. If they do, maybe…just maybe… they’ll pay a few more bucks to sit a little closer.
Either way…I would say, “Mr. New Owner, tear down this curtain”!
One other no-cost suggestion I’d make is to start all weeknight home games at 7:30. I’ve been on the fence on this subject in years past, but now I’m convinced the puck drop needs to be backed up 30 minutes.
The logic of starting games at 7:00, so I’ve been told, is to allow families enough time to get the kiddies back home after games in time to tuck them in bed at a decent time. Nice thought, but the thousands of empty seats that greet us every Monday through Thursday night scream that the strategy is not working.
Traffic in Atlanta is a nightmare. And for many, public transit is not a viable option. Cars are our freedom and most of us use them to get to work every day. Trying to get back home afterwards, gather the spouse and tax-exemptions, then get down to the arena for at start time just after 7 pm creates a serious logistical challenge. Especially if your looking to grab dinner before the game.
If fans aren’t bringing the family, 7:30 start times would allow enough time to enjoy a nice sit down meal with friends after work…maybe an adult beverage or two…before they head to the arena in time for the start of the game.
7:00 Saturday starts are fine…and I like Sunday matinees.
There has always been a special connection with the Thrashers players and their fans. With the right ownership leading the organization, that connection can be made even stronger for generations to come (Photo Michelle Rivers)
Lastly, I would like to see any new owner insist that whomever owns the television rights to Thrashers games air all 41 away games. Even if it means they cut back on a few home games on TV, there is no reason that Thrashers fans cannot watch their team play every out-of-town games without having to drop major coin on the NHL Center Ice package.
At the beginning of this season, just after the home opening win against the Washington Capitals and trip to Tampa the following night, the Thrashers embarked on a three game swing out on the left coast. Those three battles in L.A., Anaheim and San Jose were not televised locally, and because of it most Thrashers fans were unable to see two very exciting wins and Anthony Stewart’s hat trick.
That’s really not the way you want too follow up on the excitement that comes with opening the season with a thrilling win over the defending division champs and the anticipation that comes with a brand new NHL campaign.
Again, the best thing any possible new owner can do is to do whatever is necessary to help bring in a winning team. Ws in the standings have a way of curing just about everything that ails a franchise. But there are still things that they could do to mend a lot of wounds that the current ownership cluster have inflicted upon the good people of Thrasherville.
I’ve listed just a few…I’m sure you have some of your own to offer up.
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221 comments Add your comment
ZAvalanche
March 22nd, 2011
4:23 pm
Like any other product on the market, it takes a low figure to pull people in and get them hooked. If non-hockey fans can watch a game for a low price and see the awesomeness of this league they will come back or watch on TV. Simple advertising.
Sean
March 22nd, 2011
4:31 pm
I have NHL Center Ice on Charter in Gainesville, GA. We do not get any coverage for Thrashers games on Center Ice – even though they are listed on the menu. Why? Who knows? Even ATL vs/at Pittsburgh Penguins games (200+ sellouts) is a FSPenguins telecast.
I hate mid-town ATL due to the traffic. I see Gwinnett Gladiator games instead when I feel the need to attend a game. Thrasher tickets are over-priced considering all of the hassle getting to and from and parking and such. The Arena at Gwinnett does it right. No pay parking, easy in and out of lots. A much better entertainment value.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2011
4:32 pm
ZAv: Couldn’t agree more. Welcome one and all to any pre-season game with open seating. Concessions benefit and players don’t sulk when their mistresses are the only ones in the stands.
Joe McGrath
March 22nd, 2011
4:43 pm
@ZAvs or at least only charge $5 bucks. I was at a Caps preseason game at Landover in 2002 and they reduced ticket prices to $5 the day of the game and then between the 1st and 2nd periods announced that everyone “grab a seat wherever.” There were only about 6K there, but it really seemed like a nice jesture on the Caps part.
ZAvalanche
March 22nd, 2011
4:55 pm
Thanks RL and Joe – seriously, free seats for preseason games would be a huge benefit. I would personally wait for hours to get in line to get ice seats. Put a non-hockey-fan on the glass and you will have them forever. A$$G – are you listening?
Mrs. Zoomo
March 22nd, 2011
5:03 pm
$1 beer night on a weeknight would get plenty of the age 21 – 30 crowd in the building!
AtlFlamesFan
March 22nd, 2011
5:06 pm
Please, no Tom Cousins; the original “My hockey team is a commodity to satisfy my debts”.
Cliff Fletcher
March 22nd, 2011
5:10 pm
make the end zone seats in the upper deck $15 for all midweek games-you’ll make the money back in consessions give those clowns somethign to do anyhow.
Joe McGrath
March 22nd, 2011
5:26 pm
@AtlFlamesFan, you may not have a choice. He may be trying to right the wrong he commited in 1980.
LAC
March 22nd, 2011
6:31 pm
Right Smoothie, and we don’t agree often, but nice to here. Yes I was behind the pressbox about 20 rows, He has just gotten soundly whipped by Ken Houston, and Neil kinda gave him The Neil Boortz Smurk Smile, well Schultz went nuts, trying to use his stick first, then exiting the box and trying to get inside the announcers area. He got pelted with everything you could think of, legally that is, esp BEER. After that he was tossed and gave the OMNI crowd the One Finger Salute as he exited,
Dan Bouchard had a few words for him as well as he left, as well.
Like the book, Babes of Winter,has in it, Dave Schultz was The Omni’s Favorite Villian !
Brendan
March 22nd, 2011
6:42 pm
I found Ranallo10’s post, and many of the others, to be entirely too short. I love reading long posts, so long as they are coherent, with punctuation, and chock full of salient points, and interesting themes. Even if the points are displeasing to read, as a fan of the Thrashers. To me, if you can’t be critical of your own team, then you can’t be objective. And if you can’t be objective, you are now a lobbyist. And Hades is replete with them.
Good job, today, AJC posters! Keep up those long posts! I love reading them.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2011
7:41 pm
Congratulations Brendan. One of your most concise, literate and self-aggrandizing posts since 2007. LOL
ben
March 22nd, 2011
7:47 pm
put clothes on the ice girls. show some respect for mom’s, wives, girlfriends and fiancees of male thrasher fans. either put 37 in the rafters or on a person’s back. allow waddell to leave, and say it publicly. 730 start, radio games on an fm station. allow fans to rename the team through a contest. then, publicly announce that it is discouraged that we yell “KNIGHTS!” We must move beyond the past. keep ramsay, he’s doing miracles with a low budget. away games on tv more sunday matinees. institute “children’s” prices. retire kozlov’s number. the way you get history is by honoring it. tear out the curtain, non working tvs. invite local restaurants: Six Feet Under, Vortex, etc to buy into concessions to give the place an atlanta flavor. also, don’t forget the urban music scene. Hey, it’s not my cup of tea, but, it’s what we’re known for outside the south. also it might begin to open hockey up to more afro. americans. keep the college discounts. straight up bribe the media to cover hockey in this city.
Frosty the snowman
March 22nd, 2011
7:56 pm
***New Jersey– 2 spots ahead of us in attendance with 3 Stanley Cups, yet Kovy calls them a first class organization***
I dont think Kovy was reffering to attendance when saying NJ is a first class organization.
As far as new owners— clean house entirely
Shannon
March 22nd, 2011
7:57 pm
First and foremost consistent play by the Atlanta Thrashers at all games. The Coke couch was cool. What happened to it? Post game video. We are the only ones who do not interview the players after the game and post it on video. More giveaways. What happened to the scarves and things like that? Parties for the kids. Adults say better wine. If not better, charge 1/2 of what is charged. Patio parties before the games. Market the players more. Tampa Bay has at least 2 player appearances per week at different locations. Free tee shirt night. When the ice girls throw ONE shirt, it is a size medium from Ice House. The Atlanta Thrashers experience has declined so significantly. We are lucky to receive a program and inflatable sticks. When was the last STH party? I can’t remember. Pathetic.
glovesave29
March 22nd, 2011
8:01 pm
LAC – if you remember the officials locker room was in the far corner from the Zamboni door. They had to walk between the end seats and those corner overhangs. There was no awning to protect them back then. After a particularly brutally called game between the Flames and Rangers, horrible ref extrordinare Bruce Hood (just the name still ticks me off) got two 20 ouncers dumped on his head by a righteous fan. That was one of my favorite Omni moments…after the Flyers fight, the first time Lysiak came back as a Blackhawk, the Jim Craig game, the time we put 12 behind Rogie Vachon, and the best check of all time when Pat Quinn put Guy Lafleur into the next week.
Sigh, I miss the Flames.
SA Thrashers Fan
March 22nd, 2011
8:06 pm
Amen Ben, there are so many guys shooting pictures of the girls as they lean over to scoop up the ice or fix the net. It is so disprectful to them and the women in the audience. A warm up suit or at least an outfit where the girls are not about to “fall out” is much more appropriate.
LAC
March 22nd, 2011
8:06 pm
Glovesave29, I will never forget bob myers calling questionable tripping & holding calls that cost us against a BAD Detroit team and again against Toronto, where The Flames were a much better team, but could never get over the hump in the playoffs.
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2011
8:07 pm
ben – good post. I even agree with the suggestion on the Blue Crew girls. They can look sexy with tight leggings and a form fitting zippy. No need for their boobs to be hanging out when cleaning the ice. Don’t know about retiring Kozlov’s number cuz then you’d have to do the same for Kovy since his body of work is best in team history. How about a Ring or Wall of Fame somewhere? Perhaps along the facade of the 300s opposite the club level. Put Kozy, Kovy and Hossa on there and move on. Retire Snyder’s number cuz its the right thing to do. Next to his banner should be a banner with all of the names of the Dan Snyder Memorial Award winners. You create a legacy by honoring the things that are most important to your franchise.
LAC – I think you and I would be surprised by how much we have in common when it comes to our passion for our teams. I’m just not always keen on how you go about expressing it and I can’t stand it when someone comes to Sage’s defense, but that’s my problem and I plan on letting sleeping dog’s lay from now on. We have too few fans as it is and we certainly don’t need to be clashing with each other on a regular basis. So as Brendan says, bygones. Let’s hope we can all turn over a new leaf with new ownership very soon and shift gears towards a more positive outlool for our team.
LAC
March 22nd, 2011
8:08 pm
glovesave29, The only time the Flames scored 12 goals in a game was against Vancouver, Never against LA. We got 9-0 win against Boston once, where Bouchard stoned Buyck in the final seconds to get the shutout, GREAT ! Wish the Thrashers could do that at home sometime !
glovesave29
March 22nd, 2011
8:13 pm
LAC – i’ll have to dig it out, but I have an old Atlanta Journal with a pic of Vachon getting pulled after we shelled him…I was in the 4th or 5th row behind the net and got on the front page of the sports section waving him goodbye…pretty sure it was 12.
ben
March 22nd, 2011
8:52 pm
LAC et al:
I forgot sisters daughters and young sons of fans too. watching my baby sister get uncomfortable made me change my mind. i love my sister and would never want her to be uncomfortable.
KOVY
Barring injury he’ll be one of the best players ever. He still lives here and he and kozy SHOULD be honored in time the pain of a business choice shall pass for you as it has for me. Heatley, Savy, Hossa, no. well maybe Savy.
Get The Puck Out
March 22nd, 2011
9:02 pm
If you want a different third jersey make the powder blue jersey the third jersey and go back to the original jersey as the home jersey. I like it better than anything they’ve come up with.
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2011
9:05 pm
ben – ya gotta honor Hossa as he was hugely important to our playoff season and “success”. The production of “Hoslov” made Kovy take second fiddle in ATL. How many chants of “Hos-Sa” echoed through the Arena that year? Just sayin’.
KLS1
March 22nd, 2011
9:11 pm
Agree…put clothes on the ice girls, this is hockey after all.
LAC
March 22nd, 2011
9:18 pm
I realize that Smoothie for sure, But…. Sage does make some good points, albeit in a perhaps different way, But, he is like ALL of us, tired of losing, Tired of the Lying and other BS, He, Like EVERYONE, WANTS TO WIN !!!! Can you for just a second, think if we were in the position Vancouver is in ? Best in the NHL, with a Good shot in the playoffs, How Crazy would we be ? WOW ! That would be REAL Fun !
I just hope we show up Friday night and play a decent game of it. Remember, 5 out of 8 against NJ/Phila. not to bad, if refs were legit we would have another for sure and maybe 7 of 8, but I really don’t think the NHL wants us to win, just like the lousy owners.
Glovesave, I went back through my old Flames media guides I have. We scored a 7-2 win over LA in The OMNI in January 1975. Looked through them all and that was the highest number of goals we ever scored against LA during The Flames years here. Did get a 12-4 win over Vancouver in 1976.
This also at The OMNI.
ben et al, what in the hell are you talking about ?, nuts to me !
AtlFlamesFan
March 22nd, 2011
9:51 pm
I think it was a Flames playoff game against the Flyers. After a huge brawl, a Flyer (Bobby Clarke?) went in on a breakaway. The shot clearly hit the goal post, but the out-of-position ref called it a goal. The Flames never recovered from that goal.
Badger Bob
March 22nd, 2011
10:19 pm
ZombieSteve, I’m with you on the third jersey – definitely a fan of it, as pictured above. My wife, partial to the home blue, and my son, in to the throwback dark blue and copper (can we say throwback for an 11 year old franchise?) have different favorites. We’d say the jerseys are about the least of our problems.
Any update on a Laddy contract? That would be a good step in the right direction.
LAC
March 22nd, 2011
10:31 pm
AtlFlamesFan.
That was in 1974 the first Atlanta playoff series. We led 3-0 midway through the second.
Then THAT “goal” and Schultz beat Myre in OT to win the game 4-3 and series, 4-0.
I remember Schultz getting bopped with a Rubber Chicken after the goal !!!
Brendan
March 22nd, 2011
11:18 pm
Just tossin’ this out there, but what if you encountered this sentiment circulating the arena, at your next visit to the Bulb: “I’m not really much of a hockey fan, but I do like to cheer loudly for Thrasher goals, and especially love coming out to see those scantilly clad ‘Blue Crew’ girls. Wowza.”
Not sayin’ it’s right. Not condoning it. Not advocating it. But, yes or no, that’s good for attendance? Yes or no, more Thrasher fans at the Bulb … than that of our opponents … is a good thing? Yes … or no? This the point where you have to decide … if doing what YOU think is ‘right or wrong’ outweighs that which benefits the team, the MOST. Namely, more fans in the stands, wearing Thrasher gear. While you posters mull it over, I’ll just hum the theme song to ‘Jeopardy.’
Red Light, honestly … I think we live in such a ‘quick-fix, digital photo (since 1 hour photo just wasn’t fast enough anymore), instant oatmeal, IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION society’ … that if we didn’t suffer from attention deficit disorder (ADD) naturally, we certainly came to develop it as a CULTURAL PHENOMENON. And for such people, even ‘Cliff Notes’ of the play they’re too damny LAZY to read … are too long-winded and rambling for their limited attention spans. Isn’t there a TWITTER (TM) version of “Hamlet?,” they might opine, grimacingly. Sadly, I think that’s where we are, as a society.
KRUST
March 22nd, 2011
11:21 pm
Lac, you bring back memories the 12-4 win over Vancouver. I still remember. Which leads me to involve the old Atlanta Flames players in marketing of the the thrashers team. I still remember!
sisu
March 22nd, 2011
11:26 pm
Lot’s of good suggestions here, there has been so many things that have changed for season ticket holders over the years. All I really care about is a winning team, spend the money on that and forget the rest and people will go to the games! Of course there is a lot to learn from Tampa’s actions this year, the free new jersey all the STH holders got with the microchips was a great idea. Next give away was a free shirt on each seat at a home game. see link http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551151 (Lightning Introduce Season Ticket Holder Jersey Concept for 2011-12)
I like the current 3rd jersey only if it has the name and numbers, plain it looks wrong. As to the Knights chant, while I do not care either way and do not yell it a lot of people do. It does not bother me one bit but can see why some do not like it. But is there anything in the Anthem that allows you to use Thrashers in it? Carolina yells red for example so maybe we should do the same? Just kidding!
Red Light
March 22nd, 2011
11:30 pm
“Isn’t there a TWITTER (TM) version of “Hamlet?,” they might opine, grimacingly. Sadly, I think that’s where we are, as a society.”
This is one of the greatest comments of all time!
True fan
March 22nd, 2011
11:36 pm
7:30 starts will help. Look around the arena when the puck drops. Look around the arena at the start of the 2nd period. Duh.
Hire a creative crew to run audio/ video. This is so repetitious, predictable and boring. Same videos over and over. Yuk.
Someone has to be the face of the organization. Ramsey? You gotta be kidding me. He is too calm. Win or lose there is NO fire in him.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2011
11:37 pm
The only good thing that happened on the ice tonight was the Devils loss and the Islanders win. Why? Devils are virtually eliminated without running the table and the Isles inch closer to surpassing Atlanta in the standings. Lotteryville for Thrasherville becoming closer to reality.
Oh, and for all of us who picked the Thrashers to finish fourth in the Southeast and 11th in the East.
“Looking good, Billy Ray.”
“Feeling good, Louis!”
Brendan
March 22nd, 2011
11:43 pm
R.Stroz, unless I missed it, I never got your response to my question, “What has been the best ’salvage job’ the Thrashers ever had?” I gave A – H as choices. Here’s a link to the post, again, which was in response to your 11:49PM post, on ‘Playoffs Buried Under a Snowman’ blog, on March 19th.” http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2011/03/19/buffalo-builds-snowman-to-help-bury-thrashers-playoff-hopes/?cxntfid=blogs_iceman_thrashers_blog#comment-54879
I think I went with Kari Lehtonen for what is ultimately Andrew Ladd, via Ivan Vishnevskiy. I reserved the right to change that to Rich Peverley for Blake Wheeler, at a later date. Boris Valabik for Mark Stuart was my runner-up choice, as an immediate answer.
Brendan
March 23rd, 2011
12:00 am
Thank you, Red Light. And I’d like to nominate your 11:37PM post as a “Blog Comment of the Year,” making reference to the all-time classic comedy, “Trading Places,” with Dan Ackroyd, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Lee Curtis. I find the comment to be most apt!
As for “Hamlet,” I love every long-winded, rambling line of it. I would read it, and re-read it, in its ENTIRETY, however and whenever the urge strikes me to do so. It’s a classic. But, I suppose, if the only way people can relate to it, today, is via Twitter versions, then try this one on for size: “We’re all children of the slain ‘Father King.’”
One time, I was flipping through the AJC TV guide, only to read the following summary for the movie, “Urban Cowboy.” Ready? “Rowdy friends amuse themselves riding a mechanical bull. Debra Winder and John Travolta star.” Thud. Ummn. Is THAAAAT what the movie, “Urban Cowboy” was about??? That’s the effect of Twitter (TM) on popular culture.
Tony C
March 23rd, 2011
6:52 am
I don’t know that there’s any “quick fix” short of some miracle run to the Eastern finals…
That being said, it seems to me that from a marketing/promotions side, I would think the following would be pretty easy to accomplish without significant financial burden.
1) Take the gag order off the players (granted pro atheletes have been trained to be as inoffensive as possible, but seriously outside of Hainsey & Byfuglien, these guys come off as xannax zombies when interviewed), and put them out there-I don’t care what station, put them on, even if it’s just to segue into “The Dawgs Report”…no such thing as bad publicity at this point.
2) As has been pointed out several times-get the local Uni’s involved-college night Wednesdays…something. I would think having $5 400-300 level seats will result in much tap beer being bought/consumed. The need for additional security is most likely offset by tap beer sales (cans is a good idea too Smoothie).
3) Seriously stop with this pipe-dream that 7pm weekday start times are viable. It’s not. Reasons described above. Just look at the difference in the stands between 1st and second periods.
4) Take a page from the Braves and do a pre-season caravan all over. I mean all over. Goto Macon, B’ham, Chattanooga, Athens etc. Bring hot chicks and have crowd participation events (most people that have never tried have no idea how hard it is to lift a shot more than 6″ off the ice)-the creeks don’t freeze around here, people just don’t have any frame of reference for how skilled these guys are-give the people a chance to see for themselves how tough it is to make a tape-to-tape pass or get a one-timer to go anywhere close to where you want it to. (you will need to bring a sheet of that Mylar simu-ice stuff, and yes it’s not going to survive the tour)
5) Never ever ever blame the fans for your ineptitude. Don’t be afraid to be seen. Basically, look at the FUBAS management model and do the exact opposite.
Cliff Fletcher
March 23rd, 2011
7:24 am
i think we are pretty much all in agreement with what the issues are with the thrashers and who is at fault. smoothie, i concur with your post on other members of the blog that we have differed with before on their delivery, though the message is pretty much just the same. we all agree, it’s the level of respect or lack thereof that we show each other that’s the big difference here. whatever, it is a free country.
this is a pretty good blog, better than the one across the way that is for sure.
Red Light
March 23rd, 2011
7:57 am
OK, this is likely an upcoming topic, but lets say the Thrashers do land in the lottery and miraculously get the top pick in the draft. The question for the panel is what type of player (no draftees’ names are necessary) do you think the Thrashers need to select with the No. 1 pick?
Examples:
• A play-making center like Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom.
• A big powerful No. 1 defenseman like Nashville’s Shea Weber.
• A sniper like Steven Stamkos.
Basically, your job as mythical GM is to fill what you feel is this teams’ biggest need. This should be interesting.
Red Light
March 23rd, 2011
8:00 am
If the playoffs started today, here are the match-ups. In my opinion, there are more upsets coming our way in April and May.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=pla&intcmpid=nhln-button
Tony C
March 23rd, 2011
8:02 am
Oh yeah, not matter how much of a har…errrrr how enamored Your GM is of a certain player, never let the player’s wishes become more important than building and maintaining a cohesive team identity. While the Byfuglien has grown on me as a rover, I still feel we’d be better served with him up front. Either that or sign a serious shutdown guy to cover up the gaps .
also, mandate that the players that are single live here in ATL during the offseason (I mean hey they can take a two month vacation, fine-but I want people to run into the guys at the gas station/grocery store/tag office) and strongly encourage the married guys to make a home here that they are again strongly encouraged to utilize during the offseason. I’m convinced that half of the reason that Philly is doing as well as they have these past few seasons is directly linked to the fact that Carter went out and literally made the other guys live downtown in his neighborhood-now about 3 years ago there were some boys-will-be-boys moments but the camaraderie that developed from that has paid some big dividends. Now I’m not taking away the skill and the job that Laviolette has done, but seriously, if you’ve got one guy packing his bags for the Riviera the day after out-bound physical and all but 6 guys fleeing to “home” at every opportunity, well, you don’t make this town anything more than a place to do your time and cash your checks.
World Be Free
March 23rd, 2011
8:24 am
Red Light-the teams in the 5-8 slots in each division have been playing playoff hockey for the last month. Philly could not beat a shorthanded Caps team last night, even after the Caps stopped skating.
Last night, Nathan Gerbe and Danny Briere showed us what you can do with not alotta size but alot of heart and determination. Briere scored a beauty of a tying goal last night, Gerber hustled all night long getting both goals in a 2-0 road win. Anthony Stewart should be placed in a room and shown tapes of both player’s efforts. effort and desire can overcome a lack of size in today’s NHL.
Uncle Milty
March 23rd, 2011
8:44 am
Could it be the Mayflower trucks ARE coming after all? Talk about karma!
What could brutally good owners do for the Thrashers? A name and locale change for starters. Just stopping by to say hello.
Rawhide
March 23rd, 2011
9:10 am
Uncle Milty – Good to know you’re still around….but to answer your question, no they aren’t coming. However, as always, your welcome to keep checking in.
Now, refresh my memory…last we chatted you said something about only needing until mid April to wait before hearing of the news the Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg????
You still sticking by your guns on that one?
Midfield
March 23rd, 2011
9:19 am
I wonder if Uncle Mitty is actually the Peggy character from the Discover Card commercial with Stanley Cup keeper Phil in it.
ben
March 23rd, 2011
9:21 am
what time is it in Winnipeg? Are the Canatrolls up yet?
d
March 23rd, 2011
9:30 am
I like all of this talk about embracing Atlanta’s hockey history. I think the only time they have ever done it was to have Boom Boom drop the puck for the very 1st game and they also had him give Kovy the Rocket Richard Award..which I thought was ironic. Speaking of the Geoffrion…has anyone noticed how well his grandson, Blake is performing in Nashville? Talking about market t-ball – having the grandson of the most recognizable and beloved figure in Atlanta’s short hockey history on the team..there will be a special place in hockey hell for asg, ted turner and don waddell
Tony C
March 23rd, 2011
9:31 am
Red Light: My vote is for the playmaker-because while you can teach a guy how to improve his shot, you really can’t teach a guy how to see just a little bit into the future the way gifted playmakers can-this goes for all passing sports-basketball futbol hockey…you can’t teach size and you can’t teach vision.
Although, there’s some UFA guys and Burmistrov’s continued development to make me second guess that choice and choose a sniper.
Zombie Steve
March 23rd, 2011
9:39 am
The Blue Crew is fine the way they are