Bettman wants Thrashers’ owners to get their act together
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman still believes in Atlanta as a hockey market, but the Thrashers have been hurt by ownership squabbles.
Smart, objective businessmen know that when a company goes belly-up, it’s probably not the fault of the minimum-wage schlepp on the assembly line. So it follows that when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was asked about the myriad problems the league’s Atlanta franchise is having, he didn’t point to an underachieving goalie or a failed intern in marketing.
It starts at the top. It always starts at the top.
“Ultimately, the ownership situation has to be straightened out,” Bettman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s difficult to operate a franchise when owners aren’t getting along. It’s even more difficult in a recession climate. A team has to be at its very best. Issues have to be resolved and everybody has to be together so they can interact with fans. But that’s difficult when the owners aren’t together.”
The Atlanta Spirit owners want you to believe all is well. But now somebody above them is saying the same thing as everybody below them.
The Spirit long has been defensive about how their structure and courtroom battles have affected their tenure. They’re currently enjoying success with the Hawks. But basketball always has been a higher priority. The group’s lack of commitment to doing what it takes to build a winning hockey franchise – and their seeming indifference to the problems – have worn on Thrashers’ fans and, to a degree, players. There were several points in negotiations with Ilya Kovalchuk when he and agent Jay Grossman were getting mixed signals from owner Bruce Levenson.
The franchise struggles are not going over well with Bettman. He views hockey’s success in Atlanta as an important part of the big picture in the NHL.
The Thrashers are failing on several fronts. They’re 28th in the league in attendance, averaging 4,000 fans fewer per game in season 10 (13,204, according to inflated announced figures) than in year one (17,205). They have failed to cultivate new fans. They’ve burned bridges with old ones. General manager Don Waddell, the only constant from day one, acknowledges the team will fail to meet financial mandates from the league, which means it will be docked a portion of its take from the NHL’s revenue sharing program.
On the ice, it’s no better. If the playoffs opened today, the Thrashers would be on the outside for the ninth time in 10 seasons. They also just traded the face of the franchise, Kovalchuk, to New Jersey, which leaves the team lacking a marketable star.
Rumors of the franchise being sold and moved are constant. The Spirit have acknowledged only that they have sought to bring in new investors, especially following the expected exit of partner Steve Belkin. The uncertainty has made for an unstable atmosphere.
Spirit owners have long claimed their litigation has had no effect on the teams. Bettman isn’t convinced.
“Let’s put it this way,” he said. “We can always agree to disagree on how much it hurts. But it certainly doesn’t help.”
Bettman remains confident in the Atlanta market, saying: “Ultimately, I believe when this all gets sorted out, the franchise will be in a better place.”
He then stopped and laughed, realizing it was a poor choice of words, given rumors of a move.
“Can I change that? What I mean is the franchise will be in a better situation.”
He would not discuss whether owners have shopped the Thrashers: “Whether a club is or isn’t on the market, unless the club makes an announcement, we don’t discuss those things publicly. It’s just a policy of mine.”
But he did reaffirm that the NHL is “committed” to Atlanta.
“We think it’s very important [for the league] and we believe that whatever issues the franchise has, they can be overcome, and ultimately the franchise can be successful,” he said. “We have a strong track record of addressing franchise problems and not abandoning cities. Look at Phoenix. [The Coyotes went into bankruptcy and were taken over by the league, which is looking for new owners.] I don’t think you need to go much farther down the road than that. But look at Buffalo, Ottawa, Pittsburgh. All three have had problems at some point, but they’ve all been successful.
“When the ownership situation is resolved, we believe the franchise will be able to move forward. We’re committed to the market. Our track record indicates we do everything we can do to avoid relocation.”
Atlanta lost the Flames to Calgary in 1980. When the league awarded a franchise to the city again in June of 1997, it expected to capitalize on the growth of the market and hockey’s expansion in the Sunbelt.
The problem in the NHL’s second incarnation, however, hasn’t been the sport itself. Attendance in early years and during the playoff season proved that. The problem has been the mismanagement of the franchise, on and off the ice.
Is Bettman disappointed?
“I don’t think it’s ever fair to use a blanket characterization like that,” he said.
But then he pretty much said as much: “I don’t think things have gone quite as well as anybody might’ve hoped. But in sports, things can change, as we experienced in Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Ottawa. Maybe right now the franchise is not going as well as hoped. But we take a longer-term view of things.”
He said the fact the team “made a $100 million commitment [to Kovalchuk] can’t be minimized.”
But he chose to reserve judgment on the impact of the Kovalchuk trade. “That’s something we can talk about intellectually in a year or two.”
It has been 30 years since the Flames moved to Calgary. The scary comparison there: They actually made the playoffs in six of their eight seasons in Atlanta. Foreshadowing? Bettman says no.
“We believe Atlanta is a good sports town and a good hockey town,” he said. “We believe once issues are resolved, the team can move forward and ultimately the fans will respond.”
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190 comments Add your comment
12345
February 7th, 2010
10:49 pm
Wow BG33Brown, can’t you see the mess pal ? LAC/SAGE/STENDEC/NASCAR are
all right, I wonder what roses smell like to you.
AT
February 7th, 2010
11:04 pm
The thrashers management deserves bashing no doubt. But JS wrote the team off long ago. His opinion is meaningless. Tell you the truth, after all the ill-informed Thrashers articles he has written over the years, I wouldn’t ‘include’ him either if I were Waddell or the ownership. So all he can do is blast the franchise from the outside–not a journalist but a simpleton blogger. Maybe one with an axe to grind?
Maxx
February 7th, 2010
11:37 pm
Man, we just need to change the name from the Thrashers to The Knights, that will invigorate the fan base with great memories from our championship minor league hockey team of yesteryear, playing in a sold out Omni. And get new owners
GSUFAn
February 7th, 2010
11:39 pm
Do you even have a degree in Journalism, Jeff Schultz? I would really like it if you got your stuff together and stopped needlessly bashing the Thrashers. As a hometown organization, shouldn’t the AJC try to be supportive?
From my point of view, it seems like the only failing organization is the AJC, since I was at the Thrashers game on Saturday and I could barely move in the lower bowl. No one even buys a paper anymore.
JJ
February 7th, 2010
11:44 pm
JJ is an idiot
goof ball….go racst
Brendan
February 7th, 2010
11:58 pm
I’m not trying to make excuses for Jeff Schultz, or the AJC. But really, how many positive things have there really been to write about, as it relates to this team. And please bear in mind, this is my team. I have no other team. I root for this team. And I want to win the Stanley Cup one. But I simply cannot let my love and devotion for this team blind me to the many missteps this organization has taken.
I’ll admit it. I was a little “late” to figuring out that the GM position was subpar. It wasn’t until the 2002 Draft that I really turned the corner of “no confidence” in Waddell and/or the ownership. I first had suspicions that something was wrong when Audette left. When he was followed by Brunette, I shrugged it off, thinking that Brunette and management had some kind of internal squabble. Staios left, too, over a modest pay raise. But truthfully, at that time, I didn’t recognize Staios as a future longerm NHL player. No, for me, it was the selection of Kari Lehtonen instead of either Nash or Bouwmeester that raised all the red flags. Since then, I’ve just been stunned by the lack of corrective action. So, in Jeff Schultz’s shoes, I’m not sure that I’d have a lot of positives to write about. But when I found some, I’d trumpet them, to try to prop up the sport and team.
But, really … there has to be some form or line of demarcation, when you simply must call for someone’s head on a platter. That Don Waddell remains in the GM chair … is an indefensible sports decision. And one fine day, at some Town Hall Meeting, the STH’s will say, “enough is enough. We want change.” But apparently, and inexplicably, that day is not here. The message received by ownership, at the Town Hall Meeting, was this one: “Everything’s Super. We love the job you’re doing. Stay the course.”
Well, that’s not going to bring forth the necessary changes. Perhaps, it really is up to Gary Bettman to reel these guys in. I think Bettman should call them into his office for a very frank discussion over how we expects his franchises to be run. Because really, honestly … the Atlanta market should be a revenue-generator, not bleeding $17 million a year in revenue-sharing dollars. If I were Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the league, I wouldn’t be pleased with these guys.
FlamesFan
February 8th, 2010
12:11 am
I keep hearing remarks such as “Bettmen would not let them move the team from Atlanta”, but what can he do? Al Davis successfully sued the NFL to be able to move his Raiders from Oakland to LA (of course he ended up moving them back to Oakland). So, does anyone know what would be the difference here?
The bew Breed
February 8th, 2010
2:04 am
Come on Brendan, you must admit that through the foolish moves here and there have been some good ones. Heatley and Kovy were no brainers but there have been some misses in their draft claseses (DiPietro). I really like watchcing Kane and Bogo, Though Bogo has had the normal defensive learning curve, what gives?
Wherer did that name come from
February 8th, 2010
2:08 am
The bw Breed? opps. understood what you r last post said Brendan and agree, thank you. Timings are key
kevin
February 8th, 2010
7:12 am
well i love stage town hall meeting set up for thrasher owners can lie n say Uncle wally waddell can stay n ruin team n Kovalchuck was correct sayin we with a 1st rate team in NJ devils.waddell u had 11 years n still excuse why u think fans could not voice at game the morons took signs away askin for waddell be fired at game sat night!
Andrew G
February 8th, 2010
7:55 am
It all starts at the top and the fact that Waddell has been calling the shots for so long is because no one up stairs knows a lick about Hockey. Hopefully the Kovalchuk trade won’t end up like the Hossa one and get no one in return for him (no knock on Colby but, Christensen, Esposito, and Leveille were/are busts for the franchise). So far I love the pick up with Oduya especially and it is great to see the Thrash play with some passion. The last game was the best game/atmosphere since the playoffs. I am not writing this season off just yet………..although history tells me otherwise.
Biff
February 8th, 2010
7:58 am
Hamilton Thrashers here we come! LOL!
Thrashville
February 8th, 2010
8:11 am
You guys can bash me all you want and say what you want (it’s a free blog and a free country) but this is how i see it (and keep in mind my first game wasn’t until the start of the 0506 season so i’ve yet to become a bitter 10 year fan) …
New ownership comes in 0405 – Hockey lock-out, fire sale of almost evey player on the Hawks, restarting from the ground up, should have been the year the Thrash first make the playoffs (looking at how far they’ve come since 1999, they WERE right on the cusp), Hawks worst record in franchise history due to rebuilding – fans are pissed, call for Billy KNightmare & Woody to be fired
Previous years (starting in 1999) – no playoffs for Hawks/Thrashers
0506 – best Thrash team, albeit Pasi blew his knee out and the saga starts w/ Kari and his groin, Heatley traded for Hossa (obvious reasons, he can’t stand what he did here), Bondra brought in w/ Hollik (Thrash have a reputation for bringing in older vets, something that i never could understand) … we basically use AHL goalies the entire season and miss playoffs by 3 points (tie would have gone to Tampa) … so this probably would have been our 2nd straight year in the playoffs for Thrash … Hawks bring in Joe Johnson, ownership dispute starts, basically 7 or 8 to 1 on Joe trade – no other rising star wanted to come here
0607 – Thrash make the playoffs under new ownership, Hawks still up and coming – people still asking for Billy and Woody’s head, basically got a rental out of Tkachuk (sp) to help us into playoffs
0708 – Thrash still in playoff race mid-season, Hossa decides to leave and everything goes downhill (this should have been the start for rebuilding), Hawks make the playoffs finally, Knightmare is gone and people are still calling for Woodys head but much less
0809 – Coach fired, Bogo picked up from draft, Anderson comes in, basically the start of rebuilding and new system, Hawks make playoffs again, rarely a cry is heard now for Woody’s head/Knightmares drafting actually worked out
0910 – Kane drafted, Kovy given the C and management lets him assist in building a team (as they want to resign him), Bibby & Jamal Crawford both take discounts to keep chemistry of the team together, Kovy demands too much money to keep chemistry (or lack of) together, Kovy traded, Hawks best start since 1998 season
Today – rebuilding of Thrash still taking place but improvement
Honestly, there wasn’t any playoffs before 0405 when ownership took over and now we’ve seen playoff hockey for the Thrash and for the Hawks. I’m optimistic in thinking that we’ll see both for this year. You can’t rebuild and have playoffs right away, as seen with the Hawks and also now being seen with the Braves. It takes time and too many people want what is now.
Yankee
February 8th, 2010
8:29 am
Shultz – thanks for continuing to do what the STHs didn’t, holding the fire to DW and the ASG. I asked for STH, fans and media to give it to them and don’t let up. Thanks for holding your end up.
Thrashville
February 8th, 2010
8:32 am
Instead of getting into pissing matches, how about we see what happens this year and next … if no playoffs, then i’ve reached my limit
Paddy
February 8th, 2010
8:33 am
I applaud the Thrasher fans sticking up for their team. It is not their fault they are stuck with ownership from another demension. Schultz is spot on in this article. We may lose this hockey team but it won’t be the AJC’s fault. The Atlanta Spirit is cash poor and and adding to their legacy of incompetence every day.
Brendan
February 8th, 2010
9:25 am
The Bew Breed, you’re right. You’re completely right, there have been GOOD THINGS done by this GM. In a separte post, I’m going to make a laundry list of the positive, good things that Waddell has done, with regards to personnel decisions. Some may agree with me, or not, but I will try to present THE GOOD. But just don’t expect there to be an equal balance, because there isn’t. When posters come here to bash, bash, bash … it’s always the negative. I don’t say things like, “Waddell’s the worst GM in history.” Because he’s not. Mike Milbury is. Doug MacLean is second. You can make a strong case for Waddell being third, or somewhere in the Top 5. I won’t argue. But you won’t hear me say things like, “Every move Waddell makes is garbage.” It’s just not true. He’s made good moves. But in the “big picture,” there has been a dearth of success in the “only season that matters.” Of course, I’m referring the playoffs.
Thrashville, how ’bout we toss next year off the list, and just focus on this year to examine, “playoffs vs. no playoffs?” Deal? I mean. Hear me out, okay? He’s not the “newly named” GM of the team. The time for, “He just needs one more year” arguments ended in 2007. That “play for time” element of the Waddell Administration is over. It’s over. As in … “period, the end.” The “just give him one more year” philosophy is how you lose a DECADE, if you saw the movie, “Jerry McGuire.” Specifically, when Renee Zellweger says to Tom Cruise (McGuire), “We could lose TEN YEARS being ‘polite’ to each other.” And just as in any bad marriage, you can’t get those years of your life back. When I hear women talk about their ex-husbands, like this, “That man took my youth, my zest for life, my credit score, and generally-speaking, faith in mankind” … I sit back and smirk, with this reply, “Yes ma’am. And you watched it happen, didn’t you? Passively. Without corrective action. Your actions, or more specifically INACTION, have consequences. If ONLY you’d done it sooner, you’d be 28, thin and gorgeous, and would quickly land a new and BETTER MAN in your life. Now have a great day to ponder my words.”
Ice Machine
February 8th, 2010
9:26 am
The thrashers are old news in atlanta and have lost the support needed to stay in town. The quicker they leave the better, since atlanta taxpayers are paying some big cash to keep them in town.
Bettman a Fool
February 8th, 2010
9:32 am
Sports is a business and Spirit LLC are TERRIBLE businessmen. Discord in your group and being cheap are formulas for disaster in almost any business. Problem becomes bigger when the NHL commish competes for idiocy with them. This guy couldn’t make money with the NFL as his product. This is the blind leading the blind- I hope they stumble on something good.
Brendan
February 8th, 2010
9:43 am
Okay, this is, by no means, an exhaustive list of the Waddell accomplishments, but off the top of my head, here are the hightlight. The Marc Savard acquisition. Savard was acquired from Calgary for the rights to Ruslan Zainullin. Who? Yeah, I don’t know either. He never set foot in the NHL. It was the fleecing of the decade. Savard, unfortunately, left via free agency for nothing in return. In December 1999, Waddell traded goalie Rick Tabaracci for Shean Donovan. Donovan would ultimately wind up claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh in March 2002. On June 22, 2002 (2002 Draft), Waddell acquired LW Slava Kozlov and Buffalo’s 2nd round draft pick in 2003 for Atlanta’s 2003 Second round pick AND Atlanta’s 2003 third round pick, previously acquired from Vancouver. Note: All draft picks exchanged pertained to the 2003 Draft, not the 2002 draft. And had ABSOLUTELY ZERO to do with the acquisition of Jim Slater. I repeat, nothing to do with Jim Slater. Jim Slater was part of the Columbus-Florida trade that swapped the 1st and 3rd overall picks of the 2002 Draft. That’s how Atlanta got Jim Slater, as inducement, not to pick Bouwmeester, when Columbus wanted Rick Nash. For some reason, there always seems to be some confusion about this, inexplicably.
In case anyone is the slightest bit curious about what Atlanta did with the 2003 second round pick it acquired with Kozlov from Buffalo, here is the answer: Atlanta traded that pick to Columbus, who selected Joakim Lindstrom. Whoopeee. Isn’t your life more complete now, knowing this? So, what did Buffalo do with Atlanta’s 2nd round pick, in 2003, I hear you ask? Fair enough. Here’s the answer: Edmonton selected goaltender Jeff Deslauriers. I think Deslaurier actually plays for the Oilers today. So, what did Buffalo do with Atlanta’s 3rd round pick in 2003, previously belonging to Vancouver? They picked John Adams. (Maybe they were feeling Patriotic?) I’ll continue in the next post…
12345
February 8th, 2010
9:44 am
How on Earth are the taxpayers involved in this ? What a stupid comment !
Hockey is Fun
February 8th, 2010
9:51 am
Thrashville, you must have a lot of patience. Unfortunately, “see what happens this year and next” is not an opinion shared by many others in Atlanta, particularly when it comes to the Thrashers.
I do absolutely agree with Schultz on one point – “basketball always has been a higher priority.” As someone who used to work for two of the owners in the Spirit group, I clearly remember when they talked about the Hawks, their eyes lit up, and you could see the excitement. But when you mentioned the Thrashers, well, it was a very different story. . . I guess hockey was the red-headed stepchild, and, well, it shows.
I recently went to a Gwinnett Gladiators game, and it was great. Inexpensive seats, excitement on the ice, a fun atmosphere. Hockey can work in Atlanta, as long as you have the right “formula.” Hopefully Bettman can help pursuade the Spirit to either “take hockey more seriously” or find someone else who would. Sadly, that could mean moving the team out of Georgia.
I also can’t believe the Spirit continue to live in the “denial mindset.” It reminds me of former mayor Bill Campbell; I bet if you ask Bill if he believes he did anything wrong (yes, even after his conviction), he’d say “no.” If you repeatedly deny, does it become the truth? After a while, you just look dumb. . .
DWTOO
February 8th, 2010
10:05 am
Ususally I find Mr. Schultz’s articles far too negative. That’s easy pickings, especially with this origanization. But, this was extemely spot on – and the responses from the commissioner are somewhat re-assurring. I hoping that he’s working behind the scenes to bring in new ownership who will bring in new management.
And everyone – please use Brendan as your example. He can disagree with anyone with class. Acknowledging differences, pointing out his opinion and generating discussion. No name calling, threats, etc.
I’ve been guilty of it also, but, now try to think that I’m talking with someone rather than just typing. It’s easy to be rude behind a keyboard.
And actually most of us are in this together. We all like hockey, we want the best for the Trashers. Some just have more tolerance for the way this club is run.
My opinion – the whole ASG and Mr. Waddell need to be replaced with a single owner. Anyone out there? The Thrash would actually be a bargain.
Brendan
February 8th, 2010
10:05 am
In the 1999 draft, Waddell selected Garnet Exelby, who would play nearly 300 games for Atlanta, as a 7th round selection. In 2000, Waddell used the 290th pick in the draft to land a future NHLer named Simon Gamache. He didn’t stay long. He played only 4 games for Atlanta, then was traded to Nashville, with Kirill Safronov, for Ben Simon and Tomas Kloucek, on December 2, 2003. In the 2000 draft, Waddell also landed Darcy Hordichuck, with pick #180. Hordichuk has played nine (9) seasons in the NHL. Hordichuck was traded for the aforemention Kirill Safronov, along with the rights to the aforemention Ruslan Zainullin, and Phoenix’s 4th round pick, who was converted into Patrick Dwyer, at the 2002 Draft. Okay. That’s GOOD. Yes, it is. It’s GOOD on multiple levels. First off, Waddell uses pick #180 to land a player who stayed in the league for nine seasons. Plus, he converts Zainullin into Marc Savard, via trade with Calgary. And Kirill Safronov helped to bring in Ben Simon and Tomas Kloucek. Ben Simon played 68 games for Atlanta. Simon was lost to free agency, as was Tomas Kloucek. Oddly enough, both Kloueck and Simon wound up signed as free agents in Columbus. Simon Gamache would sign with Nashville as a free agent, then get claimed off waivers by St. Louis.
Brendan
February 8th, 2010
10:18 am
Kloucek, I forgot to mention, played 38 games for Atlanta. In the 2001 draft, Waddell found a nice surprise in goaltender Pasi Nurminen, with pick # 189 overall. That same year, he landed Colin Stuart with pick #135. Now, I hear ya. Outside of Thrasher fans, who knows who either of these guys really are? Fair enough. But I do give Waddell credit for these picks. If Nurminen had not blown out his knee, 2006 would have been a playoff year for Atlanta, not withstanding the Kari Lehtonen groin injury. For Dunham and Nurminen could have carried the load. And if not, the 2001 draft also produced a young goaltender named Michael Garnett. Remember him??? You should. He wound up playing pretty well after being pressed into service.
In 2002, Waddell found Nathan Oystrick with pick #198. I think we’ll begin to see the fruits of that pick next season. At #198, nobody should expect ANYTHING. But it could, theoretically, turn into something decent. I wished we’d kept Colin Stuart, too. The 2002 draft also netted the organization Jim Slater, as inducement, for passing on Nash/Bouwmeester to allow the consummation of a deal between Columbus and Florida for the 1st overall pick.
In 2003, Waddell found a “steal” in Brett Sterling, a Hobey Baker finalist from Colorado College. Unfortunately, Sterling, a pending RFA, has not made the leap to the NHL. I credit Waddell, however, for recognizing that this player was a guy who should have been a 2nd round pick, at #145 overall. See? See how I’m “fair.” Is this “bashing?” Does it sound like bashing??? It shouldn’t. Because it isn’t. While we’re still in the 2003 draft, Toby Enstrom, now a mainstay on our blueline, was plucked from pick #239 overall. Not too shabby, there. At pick #269 is Rylan Kaip. He “could” become a Thrasher one day. He’s still in our system. Fighter Guillaume Desbiens was selected at #116 in 2003. He’s gone now, I believe. And yes, I know you all want to talk about Coburn. But this is the “GOOD THINGS done by WADDELL” post, by me.
Albert
February 8th, 2010
10:24 am
I’m in the thrashville camp. Shultz is way to negative and always looking to blame someone.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:28 am
Thrashville — I’m pretty much the messenger in this column. This is Gary Bettman saying these things. And I wouldn’t refer to other readers as “bumbling fools” just because they may agree with me or Bettman. Fact is, those “bumbling fools” are in the majority and you’re in the minority.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:30 am
Sara — Thanks for the comments. And yes, I’m sure Bettman has said harsher things privately.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:30 am
ChippersLoveChild — Thanks.
Brendan
February 8th, 2010
10:30 am
Okay, where are we now? Ah yes, 2004. Boris Valabik is a pick that I cannot say, at this point, has been good or bad. I’m leaning towards bad. But, the guy has had a broken foot and now a torn ACL. So, how much of him did we really see this year???? Not enough to really make an assessment of him. At picks #40 and #76, respectively, landed blueliners Grant Lewis and Scott Lehman. At #186, is Dan Turple, a goaltender. Many people forget that Turple was part of the trade with Ottawa, for future Captain Shawn MacEachern. Lost in that trade, however, was Brian Pothier, whom I genuinely liked. And I took a bashing for suggesting that we should have kept him. I stand by my support of Pothier, who would play very capably for Ottawa during his time there. Bygones.
In the 2005 draft, Thomas Pospisil was found with pick #135. There’s some chance he could be a call up. At #116 was Jordan LaVallee, whom I genuinely like, and hope will be a Thrasher one fine day. With pick #41 is Ondrej Pavelec. I’m hesitant to list him here, however. Why? Well, in my view, we never should have traded our 8th overall pick to acquire pick 49 (Chad Denny), nor should we have traded pick #12 for #41, that produced Pavelec. Instead, I thought we should have either (1) selected a player (Setoguchi, Marc Staal, Anze Kopitar, someone, etc.) or (2) traded it for a coveted RFA. Bygones.
In 2006, Waddell found Bryan Little, whom I think is terrific, but having a bad year. I want Little locked up, longterm, at a HUGE Discount. At #43, is Riley Holzapfel, a very promising young player. At pick #200 is another promising young player named Arturs Kulda. Let’s see what becomes of that. Again, I’m pushing the GOOD things Waddell has done.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:31 am
Eagle– Thanks. Good point on the Falcons’ fans.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:31 am
Rich from the Sports Buffet — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:32 am
Thanks Bob.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:33 am
Rob — I’d love to talk to Bruce Levenson and have him address these issues. Why don you call him and set it up. On second thought, don’t waste your time. He’s not big openess or accountability.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:34 am
Reid — Agreed. It’s good news that Bettman still expresses confidence in the Atlanta market.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:35 am
Kovy’s agent (and no you’re not) … Thanks for the comments. It’s good that the team is working hard. But a team needs talent too.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:35 am
Thanks, Bartdunwoody.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:36 am
JJ — Rick Dudley is a good personnel guy, certainly has a better track record than Don.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:37 am
Statebird — I believe the NHL is committed to wanting Atlanta to work as a market. But I also think league’s power is somewhat limited. Bettman can’t make trades or draft for Thrashers.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:38 am
Scott — “Kovalchuk would not negotiate with this team in good faith because he, like Hossa and others before him, rightfully questioned ownership’s committment to competing for the Stanley Cup…” … Right on target with that comment.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:39 am
Goldtimer — No. If he ever bought another team, it would be the Braves.
Brendan
February 8th, 2010
10:49 am
At the 2006 trade deadline, Waddell made a VERY GOOD move, I thought, in gaining blueliner Steve McCarthy for essentially nothing. At the time, Waddell had almost no cap room and landed a defender who would score 7 goals for us down the stretch. I credit him for McCarthy, a former 1st round pick, 23rd overall in 1999. McCarthy would turn into a bust LATER ON, but at the time, it was a GOOD MOVE by Waddell.
In 2007, Waddell drafted Spencer Machacek at #67. At #205, he found Paul Postma. Again, we’ll see if these picks can make the leap from the minors to the pros. Or if they’ll just be ‘tweeners.
In 2008, Waddell make a “find” with a 5th round pick in Niclas Lasu, from Sweden, #124. I can’t wait to see him. In the 7th round, he made have pulled off another coup, in the selection of Zach Redmon, a defensemen. Waddell does tend to find blueliners (Enstrom, Exelby, Redmond) in the 7th round. The jury’s out on pick #29, Daultan Leveille, currently enrolled at Michigan State University.
In 2009, Waddell landed Carl Klingberg at #34 and Jeremy Morin at #45. These two have real potential. But we won’t see it for another 3-4 years.
Okay folks, I think that about wraps it up. If I left off something GREAT or GOOD that Waddell did, let me hear it. I didn’t mean to leave something off the list. Okay, we should include Heatley for Hossa/DeVries. That’s getting “value” for Heatley. Fair enough. What else? Peter Bondra? Meh. It was “okay.” Don’t say “Andy Sutton,” and his shot-blocking abilities. I’m just not gonna listen to that kinda thing.
Okay, was I “fair?” I think I was. I think I listed a fairly comprehensive list of Waddell’s achievements, roster-wise, for the Thrashers. He also did nice things in the community, for which he should be recognized. Oh, and the Statesman-like way he handled the Snyder tragedy was utterly exempliary. I give him a 10+ on that one. And everyone should, if they can PUT THE PREJUDICES ASIDE just long enough … to be fair.
Do I, poster Brendan, think Don Waddell has done enough to merit another day in the GM chair? Honestly? “No, I don’t.” I can’t lie. I can’t ’sugarcoat’ things for him. The standings and results are what matters. Even if there is a playoff berth this season, it’s not enough to overcome the balance of the body of work he’s done here. Losing players like Savard, Hossa, Kaberle, Audette, Brunette, Staios, Pothier, Donovan, and on and on … is a “vote of no confidence” by the players. And if the players “don’t believe in Blueland,” what message should that send to the fans of the Thrashers? Well, in my humble view, it says … “clamor for his head.” That man had his chance, folks. He owned nine (9) Top 10 overall picks, including six (6) housed within the lottery draft, with which to build this club. For whatever the reasons, he didn’t do it. No berths in the CF of CSF. No playoff wins. And “joke” status among the league’s ranks. I know Waddell has his fair share of fans. I think he’s a nice man, who tried VERY HARD. I believe that Waddell CARES. I also think … he’s just not good enough. And there it is.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:55 am
SCN — Thanks. People will support winning teams.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:56 am
RomeDawg — The run of hockey stories obviously was largely tied to Kovalchuk’s impending trade and then the trade itself. Feel safe in saying that ratio won’t continue.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:57 am
Brendan — A commissioner can’t dictate a team’s moves. He can only stress the importance of success.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:58 am
Thrashers Fan — No, I don’t want this team to fail.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
10:59 am
LAC — Thanks. I appreciate the fact the NHL was quick to set up the interview with Bettman for me after I requested a few minutes with him.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
11:00 am
BG33Brown — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2010
11:00 am
Tween The Pipes — Thanks. No question the league has been aware of problems for a long time.
Brendan
February 8th, 2010
11:04 am
Jeff Schultz, doesn’t the Commissioner have to step in to appoint someone to run the team, if the current GM is incapable of doing it? I mean, for the “health and stability” of the franchise?