Thrashers make changes, but did they go far enough? (UPDATED)
Hiring John Anderson was one of Don Waddell's many miscalculations. (Jessica McGowan/AJC)
(Updated below with Rick Dudley quotes)
The man who has been in charge of hockey in Atlanta from day one (and failed) now has an even better title with less responsibility.
His close friend is now the general manager.
Together, they will try to set direction and hire a new coach.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Change is good. Change is needed. Change is the only thing that gives the Thrashers a chance for success and hockey an extended lifeline in Atlanta.
But did the Atlanta Spirit go far enough? Or did ownership just make the easiest, most convenient and least expensive fixes it could make, hoping that this all works out?
Let me start with this: Rick Dudley has a pretty solid reputation as a personnel guy. He acquired several of the players in Tampa Bay that ultimately led to the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup (though he wanted to trade Vincent Lecavalier, which ultimately led to him resigning before the title season). He did good work in Ottawa and Chicago.
But fixing everything here will be a chore. Under Waddell, there has been no consistency in objective or design. The pieces seldom fit. It’s not that every draft and every trade failed. There just seldom seemed to be a plan about what kind of team he was trying to put together. If there was a plan, it wasn’t working.
Worst of all, nobody seemed to care.
Great sports teams have a level of accountability – from owner to general manager, GM to coach, coach to player. This franchise lacks it. It was illustrated again this week when Waddell, in summing up the Thrashers’ ninth playoff-less season in 10 years and scrambling for something positive to say, uttered: “I think we did make some strides this year. I know we’ve heard that before, but we did finish above .500, which is something we haven’t been able to do.”
He should know better. The Thrashers’ record of 35-34-13 ranked 23rd in the NHL and, in reality, was anything but above .500. That third category in the NHL standings is a loss category, for overtimes and shootouts. If the Thrashers were above .500, then 23 of 30 teams were above .500.
Is that the standard now?
There are several problems here, problems bigger than the names on the door. Here are three:
♦ Player development is a problem because of the Thrashers’ dysfunctional relationship with their minor-league affiliate, the Chicago Wolves (AHL). The Thrashers don’t operate the Wolves. Their owner, Don Levin, is more concerned about winning games than helping develop players the right way for Atlanta.
♦ Coach John Anderson had to go. He’s a nice guy but he was hired on the cheap. It was obvious at the time, even if ownership and blind Thrashers’ loyalists refused to acknowledge it. He’s not an NHL coach and proved it. There have long been rumors about the Club Med atmosphere around the team under Anderson. Bob Hartley never should have been fired. The problem wasn’t Hartley, it was the players in the locker room. Dudley/Waddell need an experienced coach, a proven winner, with an edge. The team lacks discipline and structure.
♦ I want to see ownership make a true commitment. If it takes money to turn the Thrashers into a winner – be it with a coaching hiring, a free agent signing or improving scouting and player development – let’s see it. There’s a reason the good teams are always good and the Thrashers are always the Thrashers.
Give Dudley credit: at least he understands the issues. When asked about the team’s attendance problems and rumors of a franchise move, he said, “In Chicago that first year, I think I could shake hands with everybody in the crowd. Now you can’t get in. You can’t sell tickets to a bad product.”
Regarding the team’s on-ice fortunes this year and next, he said: “We thought we should make the playoffs this year so obviously we think we should make the playoffs next year. I think we’re at a point now where we can evolve into something pretty good.”
He also believes the team needs to acquire a top-6 forward to make up for the loss of Ilya Kovalchuk.
If the Thrashers ultimately move, it won’t be because the sport failed, it will be because the franchise failed. There’s no reason for that to happen. There’s no reason stars like Kovalchuk or Marian Hossa should want to leave. There’s no reason a team should be turned into a cartoon by bringing in a relic like Chris Chelios.
Change is needed. We’ll see if this was enough.
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160 comments Add your comment
Duke in Dahlonega
April 14th, 2010
2:26 pm
In Fact, Rick Dudley used to play for THE JETS!!! Interesting???
J Hughes
April 14th, 2010
2:28 pm
Mr Schultz;
So they improve this year in points and many statistical categories after trading their most recognizable player. They appeared to be better this year as players were more comfortable with Anderson’s system. Why do you think any decent coach will come here (not on the cheap) if the leadership has consistentlty proven they won’t spend the $? Why is there no accountability for the GM? Peter Principle in evidence. Good thing I am a Flyers fan otherwise it would be painful to watch.
Delbert D.
April 14th, 2010
2:29 pm
They need to sign a couple more linebackers.
Tucker T
April 14th, 2010
2:32 pm
Jeff
I think it depends on where you promote incompetent employee within the company. Sometimes you just give them a no responsibility job with a nice title like Vice President of something or another and they can’t do much damage. I have seen it work both ways.
Jeff Schultz
April 14th, 2010
2:38 pm
Archie — On Falcons’ analogy. Rich was moved completely out of FB decisions. Dimitroff took over and hired the coach. But it should be noted Rich has his strengths also and also that he did win a Super Bowl as GM of Tampa. Don doesn’t have that on his resume (sorry, not counting that Red Wings won the Cup during his one year as assistant GM).
For the record, I’m not declaring this won’t work. Just don’t quite understand why DW was kept. But we’ll see.
On affiliates: I understand not every situation if perfect. But also know teams like Detroit and New Jersey that are good every year have different situations with their affiliates.
Jeff Schultz
April 14th, 2010
2:38 pm
Paul from Milton — Thanks.
UGASlobberknocker
April 14th, 2010
2:54 pm
No this isnt enough…increase the payroll or it wont matter who the coach is.
UGASlobberknocker
April 14th, 2010
3:01 pm
To the guy above who thinks our “bird” nickname is the problem..Actually, the “bird” teams have done quite well in the NHL.. The ” bird” nickname didnt seem to be a problem with the Penquins last year. Wasnt a problem whern the Ducks won it a few years ago either. Just a hunch, but bad players might be more responsible for the Thrashers record than their nickname.
Cut to the Chase
April 14th, 2010
3:06 pm
Difference: John Anderson would have resigned a long time ago(as coach, GM or whatever)if he knew he would have one playoff appearancein 10 years.
If I ever attend another game, you’ll spot me in my Daffy Duck costume showing my loyalty to ASG’s cartoon network and their president, Duck Waddle.
RG360
April 14th, 2010
3:08 pm
You’ve got to be kidding me. Don Waddell survives the catastrophe that he has created over the past 10 years. Whatever happened to accountability … virtually no results and they make him President ? This is ridiculous. Waddell is incompetent and has proven it with his lack of results in the win column, box office and quality of consistent product. Get rid of him he is a joke in the league and as a result so is the team, the fans and the city. My goodness !!
sugarfoot
April 14th, 2010
3:08 pm
Oh, well. You know, I love hockey. I went to every Flames and Knights game. But, I never got to a Thrashers game. I live right up the road and have not been to a Gwinnett game, either. I am starting to believe that Atlanta really is not a hockey town. I am sorry; but, send them all packing.
just saying....
April 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
Hockey? In Atlanta? Hahahahahahaha. This is a football first city/state and then baseball. Every other sport is, well, just another sport, like it or not.
Birdman from Atlanta-traz
April 14th, 2010
3:19 pm
to the nickname guy who says bird teams are losers..Not really.
teams with Bird nicknames have done well in the professional world in places other than Atlanta.
just in the last 8 yrs or so: Penguins and Ducks have won the Stanley Cup, the Cardinals won the World Series (they have won more Series than any team except the Yankees). In the 2000s, the football Cardinals made the Super Bowl, as did the Seahawks. Thre Eagles made it to 5 NFC Championship games this decade and one Super Bowl. Going back to the 90’s, the Penguins won 2 titles, and the Blue Jays won the World Series. Go back a little further, the Orioles have won the World Series.
I’m thinking now maybe just the Atlanta bird teams suck.
Flintstone v Rubble
April 14th, 2010
3:20 pm
Jeff, I was the first one to praise Mckay…..You owe me a Beer….I want one of those new Gubna’s from Oskar Blues….
Birdman from Atlanta-traz
April 14th, 2010
3:22 pm
Forgot about the Ravens..they won the Super Bowl in 2000
bugman
April 14th, 2010
4:29 pm
Great read, Schultzy.
I am completely dumbfounded and incredulous.
waddell is it
April 14th, 2010
4:53 pm
Waddell is the problem—he’s incompetent and should have been fired long ago. Instead, he gets a raise and a new job to screw things up even more. When the thrashers get good, I’ll go to a game.
Ted Striker
April 14th, 2010
5:37 pm
The affiliate situation can’t be understated, if only because of the many, many other franchise shortcomings.
It’s like fighting a war when you’re buying all guns at K-Mart. They just don’t care what they sell you.
p.s. Awesome to read a column where no goof ball bloggers are going on and on about players being “thugs.” For the record, hockey players are no more well behaved than anyone else. They just have less tatts, fewer teeth, and hotter (European) girlfriends.
JD
April 14th, 2010
6:11 pm
Is Rick reporting to DW or Owners?
How long is DWs contract for?
Thrashers make changes, but did they go far enough? | Jeff Schultz | Providence Bruins AHL Announcer
April 14th, 2010
6:13 pm
[...] Continued here: Thrashers make changes, but did they go far enough? | Jeff Schultz [...]
Jeff Schultz
April 14th, 2010
6:40 pm
JD — Reporting to both really. Both would have to sign off on budgetary matters, though DW takes marching orders from owners. … As for things like trades, draft, I imagine it’s Rick’s call. …. As for DW’s contract, not sure. Probably lifetime services contract. Kidding. Sort of.
Brendan
April 14th, 2010
7:23 pm
Jeff, this move is not NEARLY ENOUGH change. Waddell has named four coaches, including himself, and now, APPARENTLY, he’s even named a GM!!! When does it STOPPPPPP??????
Waddell decisions are crap. And until he’s removed, Rick Dudley is a “figurehead” GM, who swapped offices, but nothing more. Heaven Help Dudley if Don disagrees with his Draft Day selection at # 8. And see, right there, is the problem. Do you know what a “camel” is, Jeff Schultz? It’s a “horse” as drawn up by a committee. And that committee contains Don Waddell, the “constant” through all these years.
This move is reshuffling deck chairs. If Dudley’s to be the GM, Waddell has to be shown the door. If you work at the offices of the Atlanta Thrashers, and you see Don walking down the hall and Rick Dudley doing the same. Who do you think is in charge? The answer is Waddell. Which means? Nothing has changed.
It’s like Government “reinventing” itself by calling itself by a different name, and modifying its mission statement minutely. This move is pathetic. If you’re going to make Dudley the GM, get rid of Waddell. That’d be ‘real change.’
urm...
April 14th, 2010
7:45 pm
We will have a new GM and a new coach. That is a great improvement. And to you losers who say hockey cannot work in the Atl… I am a huge fan of football (pro and college) and other sports and hockey can easily survive in a town like Atlanta!! I’m sick of people saying that. They just need to show us improvement and the place will fill!
Sage of Bluesland
April 14th, 2010
7:58 pm
I’m almost at a loss for words…almost, that is.
Whoever thinks this is “real change” is the very definition of an ignorant ’sheep’.
This is beyond disgusting.
Nope, I’m still not going to subsidize this incompetence. I refuse to have a single dollar of my money support Don Waddell. It’s simply not happening.
Nice try, ownership–do you actually think we’re that stupid?
(Look in the mirror for the answer, sheep)
74 Dawg
April 14th, 2010
8:01 pm
Jeff,great read. On your 11:19 post,a subtle dig at any current or former employer? Just kidding. I worked for a big bank for a few years,that stuff happens a lot. Particularly with guys who are buddies with the upper mgmt and can’t seem to produce anything…hmm sounds like DW, huh. Wait,maybe the Thrash can get bailed out.
ThrashDawg
April 14th, 2010
8:01 pm
I believe that anyone who says the Thrashers are “just reshuffling the deck chairs” is selling Rick Dudley short. Why would he agree to simply be DW’s puppet? This is in essence what you are saying. I do not believe a man of Dudley’s character would allow himself to be in that situation. Of course Dudley will have to get DW to get approval from ownership, that will be his role. It will be up to DW to sell ownership what Dudley wants to do. Just my two cents.
ThrashDawg
April 14th, 2010
8:05 pm
Sage, real change would be new ownership. If you really think having DW’s head on a platter would make a difference you are nuts! It’s the ownership dude.. I am not sure Scotty Bowman would make that big of a difference with these clowns.
Dave Bliss
April 14th, 2010
8:05 pm
Is there another GM in any other major sport who had the job for 11 years without winning a playoff game? If so it couldn’t be more than a few.
Ownership is a joke…
Admiral Ackbar
April 14th, 2010
9:13 pm
Too much credit is given to Dudley for his, alledged, role in making the Tampa Bay Lightning winners. GM Feaster and Coach Torterella and Captain Dave Andrechyck were the reasons why. Dudley is a d-bag. No progress will be made on the Thrashers next season. We will be in the same place next year contemplating what went wrong.
GT Fan
April 14th, 2010
9:25 pm
Don is the one that should have been fired. Thanks Jeff for info.
Don is like that nut at GT that’s a disgrase to the program, Paul Hewitt. Fire PH !
Thrashfan
April 14th, 2010
9:31 pm
I like the move Dudley built winners in Tampa and Chicago why would we complain about him here? Moving DW up like a McKay move makes sense because he kept a team some what profitable in a market like Atlanta. The fact that our own posters say to move the team and would rather talk football says this is not hockey country. That’s why he has been here so long. So let him do what he does best and focus on the profit margins which is what ownership cares about for the hockey side.
Finally please do not call for Hartley back. No one pines for him in Colorado after they fired him also. We can finally move on from the DW years and now we want to go back to one of his coaches? Makes no sense. I want to see who Dudley brings in as coach. IF it is someone from his days in Tampa or Chicago I am sold. If it is a fresh face outside of the box I am probably going to be sold as well.
Jason
April 14th, 2010
9:42 pm
Your right, Jeff. They didn’t go far enough, what they really need to do is move to Macon and change their team name to Whoopee.
LAC
April 14th, 2010
9:45 pm
Jeff, You ARE the ONLY constant on the AJC Sports staff that holds the Thrashers Owners/GM’s feet to the FIRE.
It is much much better to read your point on comments rather than that A$$ Kissing that asg TOOL chris whatever his name is does. He should be FIRED at once, the WORST ever to cover hockey here… Just a total WIMP.
You bring out true facts and points that NEED to be addressed and it brings out concern among the fans who want to see the team WIN.
But when you have Idiots as owners and a complete LIAR as GM… well it is a disaster in the making and has been for ten+ years now.
Things WILL NOT CHANGE, not one bit, as long as waddell is here the team will stink.
Ted Striker
April 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
Maybe Rick Dudley should call up Suzanne Yoculan and see if she wants to coach a new sport. She’d be as likely to get the team to “.500″ as the last guy.
Krust
April 14th, 2010
9:55 pm
I think the time is now to hire Bob H Back. I loved when Bob would bench Kovy for poor defensive play. Bob had a seat for him at the end of the bench. Priceless. To watch Kovy Pout was great. Maybe anither season ticket holder could comment
Jeff Schultz
April 14th, 2010
10:05 pm
74 Dawg– Naw, I was just responding to Section 119 saying I made him spit up his coffee, laughing. So I actually was sort of thanking him for the compliment, in my own strange way.
Jeff Schultz
April 14th, 2010
10:07 pm
Admiral — Dudley put most of that team together (including acquiring Andrechuk and hiring Tortorella). Just sayin’.
Jeff Schultz
April 14th, 2010
10:07 pm
LAC — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
April 14th, 2010
10:08 pm
Striker — Playing the Suzanne Yoculan card? Admit it: You’re obsessed with her, aren’t you?
Brendan
April 14th, 2010
10:28 pm
Thrashdawg, I think Dudley’s here because he was being pushed out of Chicago, and Duds and Waddell are pals, going way back, who could work together for an NHL paycheck. If Dudley were to actually be given full autonomy over this club, I’d say it’s a step in the right direction.
But this ownership didn’t even … put out a job announcement!! No candidates were considered for the Thrashers GM chair. Instead, Don Waddell appointed his successor. Where ELSE does that happen??? Bizarro World? Where hamburgers eat people and fish live on land? Look, I think Dudley can be a capable GM, if he’s given the tools. And really, here are the only tools any GM really needs to be successful, from ownership.
1. Give him the money.
2. Get out of his way … and let him manage. If he doesn’t do that properly, fire him. Accountability works.
If the AS, LLC does these things, and abandons this “by committee” approach, I’ll declare them to be FABULOUS owners, who learned from past mistakes.
So, and here’s a brutal moment of truth … “Has the Waddell Administration ‘officially closed’ with ZERO playoff wins?” Gasp. What’s that I hear? The sound a GIGANTIC pause, as you contemplate if the “Waddell Administration” is truly over? See … that’s the problem. And there’s just no ’sugarcoating’ that. Who’s really in charge? Who has the FINAL, FINAL word? Isn’t it still, Waddell?
Brendan
April 14th, 2010
10:33 pm
Jeff Schultz, I know one thing for certain. Rick Dudley will MAKE SURE that the qualifying offers to RFAs Bergfors, Little, Pavelec, and MacArthur will be tendered in a ‘timely manner,’ so as to avoid those players becomes unrestricted free agents, like what happened to Dudley’s former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, last Summer.
Another dissatisfied customer
April 14th, 2010
11:02 pm
Here’s to hope and change and another President that I have absolutely no confidence in. At least this guy won’t screw up my health care.but will probably affect my blood pressure. With out a major change at the top, evern Bowman would not be able to turn this team around. AS, please sell the team to someone in Atlanta that knows and loves hockey. Stick to the crap you know, like bad hairdoos, green arenas and Jexebel parties. Btw, I want a recount, there may still be some hanging chads. Back to watching the playoffs and wishing the Thrashers were there.
Frannie Kookla
April 14th, 2010
11:17 pm
Our hearts are sad as our playoff hopes sank
To our friend Waddell, we owe many thanks
Ole “stendek” was right
With all his apocalyptic might
That DW skates a good figure eight to the bank
Tim
April 14th, 2010
11:26 pm
For all of you who think that DW should be run completely out of town… GET OVER IT AND YOURSELVES WHILE YOU’RE AT IT! I read somewhere in this blog that WE need to fire DW. If WE had that power, WE would’ve taken care of it years ago. Move the f_c_ on people!
Be happy that change, real change is upon us. When was the last time any of you actually heard from Rich McKay. Look, DW make actually have some skills that the Thrashers can use… and AS are too cheap/poor to pay a guy to sit at home.
I guess you just won’t be happy until he lays bleeding in the gutter and his children are sold into slavery. The only other explanation is that you just need something about which you can complain. Let’s all start complaining to AS about that silly “no bottle cap” policy. Has anyone actually ever witnessed a bottle being thrown on the ice or seen one used as a weapon?
Brian_Johnson
April 14th, 2010
11:59 pm
I hope the Thrashers don’t move. The ownership needs to change if we will ever expect to get a winner here. But who is going to buy the Thrashers and play in “their” arena? I’m worried.
gcs
April 15th, 2010
12:11 am
This is NOT good enough. I will not attend another Thrashers game as long as Waddell has a position with the team.
.
Slarno
April 15th, 2010
12:21 am
NHL insiders are saying the team is for sale. Is Waddell a short term President during a potential transition this summer?
Eugene
April 15th, 2010
12:40 am
The Thrashers need to hire a coach that can communicate with the younger players and still garner respect from the Veterans. Craig MacTavish fits this role perfectly but if they were to go on the cheap, they should take a chance and give a guy like Kirk Muller or John Maclean a shot.
LAC
April 15th, 2010
6:17 am
Good Heavens tim… waddell IS the problem here and it will NOT change until he and his foul odor
are out of here for good. He has single handedly killed hockey in this town and if for a second you
think things will change with him looking over Dudley’s shoulder… Then sir you are SADLY mistaken.
Nothing changed yesterday, the lying THING is still here !
Thrashers' search: Pondering Chicago assistant (and Hartley) | Jeff Schultz
April 15th, 2010
6:31 am
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