If confidence counts, Dudley has Thrashers on verge of Cup
Rick Dudley believes the Thrashers are in the same spot as Stanley Cup finalist Chicago was two years ago.
The new guy has a plan. The new guy has a resume. The new guy certainly isn’t short of confidence.
“I like to think I can do things better than somebody else,” Rick Dudley said. “If you want to call that arrogant, I think I’m as good as it gets at what I do. I like to build. I like to put the pieces together. I like to anticipate. I like to be able to look at a situation and say, ‘That human being could do better in a different situation.’ I’m good at that.”
Rick Dudley leaves you with the thought: Why is he general manager of the Thrashers? Shouldn’t he be in Washington? Maybe NASA? At the very least, he would rock on Celebrity Apprentice.
He is the new guy in charge of hockey in Atlanta. It’s his job to make people believe that an organization with one playoff berth (an abbreviated one) in 10 seasons is suddenly going to become relevant. He has done it before.
What do words count for? Not much. But he talks a convincing game. He has revamped the way the scouting staff evaluates players. He thinks too many scouts get it wrong, partly because of laziness, and he’s probably right.
Soundbite: “They say, ‘Oh, he scored 46 goals, he’s going to be a good player.’ But he may be dumber than a sack of hammers.”
He has raised the level of accountability. Comfort is gone in the building.
He refuses to use a potentially low payroll, which is to be expected from an uninterested ownership group, as an excuse for losing.
“Give me the payroll and we’ll make it work,” he said.
And then this: “We can have the greatest city in the world with the best sports fans and if we don’t win we’re not drawing flies. I know everybody in Atlanta will say this city is not a hockey city. Bull. I look at Washington – it’s a hell of a lot better than Washington. But they put something together that excited the people.”
Are you ready to run through a wall for him yet?
The organization was overdue for a new start. There had been too many false starts, too many excuses. Dudley’s job begins in earnest with the draft June 25-26. He also needs to hire a coach (Chicago assistant John Torchetti is the perceived overwhelming favorite.) But that decision likely will not come until after the draft.
Shouldn’t the coach have some input if, say, Dudley wants to make a trade involving veterans at the draft?
“I prefer coaches who don’t care what their personnel is,” he said. “If a coach wants to be part of the personnel decisions, then he’s always going to hate his team.”
Dudley didn't make it onto the team photo when Tampa Bay won the Cup.
The Chicago Blackhawks are on the verge of clinching their first Stanley Cup since 1961. Dudley helped get them there. He was the Blackhawks’ assistant general manager for three years before coming to Atlanta last summer. Things got ugly in Chicago. General manager Dale Tallon was demoted the month after Dudley left. Tallon goofed when he failed to submit qualifying offers to eight restricted free agents before the deadline, resulting in the team having to pay higher salaries than probably necessary. Still, Tallon’s demotion was unpopular. He eventually left and now is the GM in Florida.
Dudley did most of the ground work for the Lightning’s 2003-04 Cup team. But he resigned late in February of 2002 after a feud with ownership over whether to trade Vincent Lecavalier, who was in the midst of a salary dispute. Dudley wanted to deal the player. His assistant, Jay Feaster, sided with ownership. There went that relationship. The Lightning reached the second round of the playoffs the following season and won it all a year later.
“Would I like to have a ring? Sure,” he said. “But I take satisfaction in the process.”
How close are the Thrashers in that process?
“We’re as close as Chicago was two years ago,” Dudley said.
So Rick Dudley predicts . . .
“We won’t win it this year,” he said, laughing.
Just move in that direction. That’s all anybody wants.
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77 comments Add your comment
TONE
June 8th, 2010
1:55 pm
1st
TONE
June 8th, 2010
1:57 pm
uh oh I was first now i have to go to the Hockey establishment you mentioned to me Jeff.
I hope my huddle house friends don’t get jealous
One thing for sure
June 8th, 2010
2:04 pm
First!
Supes
June 8th, 2010
2:12 pm
Jeff…Teflon Don is still in the building…and the ownership will still NOT give their full support like they do with the Hawks. They care about Basketball, Hockey, they were stuck with it more or less.
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
2:32 pm
Tone — I’m sure you’ll blend just fine.
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
2:33 pm
Supes — I don’t think Don Waddell is a concern. Dudley will make hockey decisions, ownership will make financial ones. But yes, the budget could be an issue. So the hope is that new owner(s) come in who care about hockey, obviously.
Big Jack
June 8th, 2010
2:38 pm
At least we have a GM with a real plan and talking the talk. I think Teflon Don’s plan never made it to the pouring concrete stage.
Big Jack
June 8th, 2010
2:40 pm
Also if they really cared about the Hawks, a coach would of already been announced. ASG is just a bunch a group of Tools.
Sonny Clusters
June 8th, 2010
2:46 pm
That suit looks just like one Stinky Wintes’ daddy gave to the Goodwill. We was always laughing at that suit.
Andrew
June 8th, 2010
2:57 pm
Kevin Allen is reporting that Afinogenov will probably not re-sign. This would make Dudley’s job a bit tougher. He may have to swing a deal or two during the draft or free agency. Bergfors was great in his short stint here, but we can’t expect him to fill Kovalchuk’s loss.
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June 8th, 2010
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Smoothie
June 8th, 2010
3:22 pm
Jeff, good job man. Well presented take on Dudley and done without unnecessary neagitivity…an acknowledgement of a negative past, but fair and balanced nonetheless…Duds is not afraid to do what may be perceived as unpopular, but then again, success does not always come from a consensus of opinion. Sometimes it’s best to take the path less traveled. If nothing else, Duds should stay true to himself and his vision. If he feels he’s getting jerked around, he’ll peace the eff right on out of ATL.
KLS1
June 8th, 2010
3:30 pm
We’ve had a lot of good players and some great players come through this team, lets hope we can get a coach to make the best of what we have and develop what we get because payroll will be an issue.
Afinogenov is a good player and would be a nice piece to keep, but we can probably get the same production from another player that may actually play defense.
Smoothie
June 8th, 2010
3:39 pm
Jeff, good job man. Well presented take on Dudley and done without unnecessary neagitivity…an acknowledgement of a negative past, but fair and balanced nonetheless…Duds is not afraid to do what may be perceived as unpopular, but then again, success does not always come from a consensus of opinion. Sometimes it’s best to take the path less traveled. If nothing else, Dudley should stay true to himself and his vision. If he feels he’s getting the run-around, then he will simply say “peace out!”
Taylor Hanson
June 8th, 2010
3:55 pm
Thrashers huh?
Taylor Hanson
June 8th, 2010
4:19 pm
I’m surpised you’re only getting about one comment every 20 minutes on this one.
Matt
June 8th, 2010
4:21 pm
Talk is cheap, let’s hope it FINALLY translates into concrete action and improvement. Thrasher Fans have been burned way too many years by talk.
Has there ever been an expansion franchise in NHL hockey that has been this pathetic for this long? The Senators of the 90’s were pretty bad, but I can’t recall any others offhand.
BIGG65
June 8th, 2010
4:26 pm
Uh, hello……..Columbus Blue Jackets anyone. They’ve made the playoffs once in their dismal existence and if i recall correctly, they were swept in the first round just like ATL.
Taylor Hanson
June 8th, 2010
4:41 pm
Back the f’ up.
Atlanta has a hockey team? I thought it moved to Calgary.
Pete
June 8th, 2010
4:41 pm
@Matt 4:21
The Oakland Seals played 9 years in the NHL, 182-401.
Brendan
June 8th, 2010
5:26 pm
Excellent start to the Dudley Administration. I’m about an energetic as I’ll allow myself to be, without having seen any results, other than a Jim Slater contract signing. Which isn’t a bad move, but I still don’t have the financial details on that one.
Jeff, shouldn’t there have been a proper ‘roast’ of Don Waddell the day he was promoted to President? Something along the sides of a 2-3 page spread, documenting all the trades, draft picks, and postseason futility that normally occurs when a GM is removed from power? Or is the AJC saving that for the day when Waddell actually get canned?
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
5:28 pm
Andrew — Afinogenov was a great pickup but — and I don’t mean to make it sound this harsh — I think there’s a limit as to what a guy like that is worth. Let’s face it, it wasn’t long ago that anybody could have had him for song. He’s replaceable.
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
5:29 pm
KLS1 — I agree that the Thrashers have had some good players. The problem is that there also have been too many that didn’t pan out and, maybe more importantly, the team just has never been built well.
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
5:31 pm
Brendan — Think I heard that Slater signed for something like 900,000 and 1 mill, but check Viv’s story. … As for DW, it’s all been said (and written).
Section 119
June 8th, 2010
5:34 pm
After 37 blogs/columns the last month about the Hawks coachng search, glad to see that someone at the AJC (other than Iceman) acknowledges the continued existence of the Thrashers. Will be interesting to see what Dudley does/can do to revive this listless franchise and whether he can repeat his successes in Chicago and TB. He certainly didn’t have the ASG morons to deal with in Chi & TB, so good luck with that …
ScottBravesfan
June 8th, 2010
5:40 pm
Taylor Hanson,
Yes we get it you are very clever. Atlanta’s hockey team is terrible and most people don’t care about it. How is it working out for you? Being clever that is? Does it make you feel special? At least Thrasher fans can actually sell out playoff games. The Hawks have to pray that they have enough people in the building that they can then lie and say they have a full house even though there are thousands of seats empty.
Anyway, I like the way Dudley is talking and his attitude. If anyone can turn the Thrashers around it’s going to be this guy.
Brendan
June 8th, 2010
5:48 pm
Normally, the most important thing a GM does is hire a Head Coach. Normally. But in this case, the most important thing Dudley has to do … is EDUCATE THE OWNERSHIP. That’s right. If he is going to differentiate himself from the previous occupant of the GM chair, then he’s got to forget about seeing how long he can possibly milk a paycheck out of the Spirit, LLC, and instead focus on (1) executing the IDENTITY for this team, (it’s never had one before), (2) assessing the roster, (3) drafting players into the ‘concept’ or ‘plan’ that Dudley envisions, (4) crafting a game plan for Free Agency, come July 1. And oh yes, somewhere inbetween, he does have to hire a Head Coach.
Now, I wholeheartedly agree with you, Jeff Schultz, that Torchetti has long been Dudley’s selection for a Head Coach. Obviously, he knows the guy very well, and liked what he saw. If Torchetti refuses the job, then I hope Craig Ramsay won’t see himself as “sloppy seconds,” as I feel Ramsay is just as worthy of the job as Torchetti, if not moreso.
Jeff, I can tell you what the Red Wings plan is. I can tell you what the plan is for ANY TEAM Brian Burke has managed. So, the $64,000 question is, “What is Dudley’s plan?” And when will he go public with it? Brian Burke goes public with his, at the press conference announcing his hiring.
I think it’s a fair question for Dudley to have to address. If he’s saving it for the PC that announces the Head Coach, fine. That’s as good a time as any for a Head Coach and GM to announce how ‘in lock step’ they are, moving forward, with an IDENTITY and BLUEPRINT for the NEW House of Thrashers. In the old blueprint, Dany Heatley was the foundation, and Ilya Kovalchuk was the roof, and players like Bondra, Holik, and Savard were the furnishings within the house.
That house was essentially bulldozed. I just hope they pour the foundation correctly this time. Make sure there are no surveying errors. That there’s no 100-year flood plane off the back patio. And that we purchase “title insurance,” for the gold-plated faucets, Corian countertops, and berber carpets that get installed. But most of all, that the county issue the “certificate of occupancy.” If this house isn’t able to be lived in, why attend games? LEED certification be darned. I expect this architect and this foreman to be competent and capable. I expect the Spirit, LLC’s dictionary to contain the word, “accountability” in it.
Am I asking for too much? I don’t demand Stanley Cups. I demand an honest effort, in the process, of chasing a Stanley Cup. Don Waddell, to me, was more concerned with maintaining his paycheck than educating the ownership about the dynamics of running an NHL franchise. This GM, Dudley, must point to his chair and name plate and say, “The next GM to sit in that chair … will tell you the SAME THING that I am, right now. This or that or the other … is what MUST BE DONE.” And if the ownership refuses, resign. So everyone knows why. Dudley will land another job after this one, if the reason he got fired was because the ownership refused to exit from its “minor league habitus” in favor of running a ‘big boy’ NHL franchise. One with vision, commitment, and accountability.
J.K. Sockey
June 8th, 2010
5:52 pm
I guess you weren’t in a position to ask him what the deal is with is hair? I mean, it looks like a half completed wool knit cap.
Any chance of you doing cutting an audio promo for my podcasts? I’ll double whatever 790 is paying you!
bobby's cox
June 8th, 2010
6:17 pm
this coach that they are talking about hiring…just double checking, he is the blackhawks assistant coach? i hope so, we better not pull an assistant coach from the wolves
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
6:34 pm
Section 119– I mentioned to somebody the other day about how strange it is that Thrashers’ coach search has been so far off the radar. But I think that’s for 3 reasons: 1) So many other issues being addressed; 2) Sense that the job is probably Torchetti’s; 3) Hockey just generally falling off the map.
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
6:37 pm
Brendan — You can never ask too much. … I know it’s been speculated that Ramsay is being interviewed largely to be brought in as an assistant. As for whether he would make a lateral move, it’s not out of the question. Factors: 1) Money and contract term; 2) A sense that he might have greater responsibility here; 3) He’s a long-time friend and former teammate of Dudley’s.
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
6:38 pm
J.K. Sockey — I’m not in the position to ask anybody about their hair.
Brendan
June 8th, 2010
7:06 pm
Jeff Schultz, that would be wonderful! Getting Ramsay and Torchetti sounds somewhat ideal! Ramsay can only help us, defensively. He and Don Luce were staples in the Sabres system, in the 1970’s checkline. I don’t know much about Torchetti. But if Dudley is high on him, then I’ll trust it. For now. This organization is at the crossroads. It’s time for ‘real change.’ But I don’t know that this ownership group is capable of it. Their previous philosophies have not impressed me. And who knows? The Hawks could be sans Joe Johnson and a suitable replacement for him, which would be the Hawks about back where they were, when the Spirit got the teams! To think, Jeff Schultz, all that patient building with Billy Knight and Woodson … netted them three playoff appearances and no trips to the Conference Finals. That was a lot of investment for such little returns. But not half as bad as what they invested in Waddell … for zero playoff wins. But let me quickly jump off that topic, as it is a sore subject for most people.
World Be Free
June 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
Jeff, I haven’t been able to say this to you before on hockey-nice job. Good article on a general manager that, if allowed to do his job could very easily become the best GM in Atlanta, quickly.
That's just 2 bad.
June 8th, 2010
7:12 pm
That wirey looking, mangled up mess on his head looks like a patch of steel wool.
alex
June 8th, 2010
7:17 pm
OK, look like finally they found good drug for prolonged 10 years disease, but many doubts if it be enough to cure with two cancer tumor (asg+dw) still not removed. good luck dud. at least we have hope, alternative – relocations. thank you jeff
Scheff Jultz
June 8th, 2010
7:19 pm
I used to be a serious flames fan. I was at the knights/ft. wayne game when the knights won the championship and I have never been to a thrashers game. It seems ice hockey in atl just can’t get it together. It can’t build a solid structure and remain strong. I don’t know what’s the problem.
Taylor Hanson
June 8th, 2010
7:54 pm
Sell out playoff games? You mean all 2 of them that they’ve hosted at Phillips? That’s some accomplishment.
Being clever is working out well. It is certainly beating the hell out of not being clever. Thanks for asking.
Sage of Bluesland
June 8th, 2010
7:55 pm
I’m not buying the bluster just yet; reminds me too much of Ken Herock upon his arrival in Suwanee in the late 80s (”Don’t worry about the 49ers, I’ll outdraft them.”)…
Nope, I’ll believe the bluster when the ownership takes owning an NHL franchise seriously. Exhibit A to them not is that buffoon Don Waddell still has a job in the organization.
Nope, take the bluster and a dollar–and buy a cup of coffee…I’m not buying (except the coffee)…
LAC
June 8th, 2010
8:53 pm
Sounds good, but as long as that SOB waddell and Atlanta STUPID Group keep ownership, nothing will happen that will allow the team to get better.
Look at Chicago, once old man Wertz died and sons took over with FRESH ideas, the franchise took off and in 24 hours could be winning The Stanley Cup.
There will NEVER be winning here until waddell is gone and The Stupid Group is out of the picture.
Still hopeless in Atlanta, Sorry to say…. But facts are facts !
And we keep signing Has Been Players, like Slater… Never won with him and will NOT win with him, a total waste of $ for two years, but remember how CHEAP this ownership group is… They could CARE LESS , about Hockey !!!!!
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
9:33 pm
World Be Free — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
9:34 pm
Thanks Alex.
Jeff Schultz
June 8th, 2010
9:35 pm
Sage of Bluesland — That’s understandable. You have every right to take a wait-and-see approach.
KLS1
June 8th, 2010
10:19 pm
This team needs some swagger so I’ll take it, even if it is from the GM. It will be pretty sad if we tank after all the talk…
We’ll know 10 games into the season if the performance can match the rhetoric.
Sherwin-Williams
June 8th, 2010
10:33 pm
Dudley’s serious; he’s already ordered the Thrashers’ mascot to paint his @ss.
Brendan
June 8th, 2010
10:38 pm
That’s the Sage we know! Honestly, I’m thrilled that Dudley is so optimistic and energetic. I just hope he doesn’t run into brick walls. At least when Dudley says he wants to win the Stanley Cup, it’s not with that same bile-inducing lip-service we get from the rest of the Spirit, LLC. Remember Rutherford Seydell, during the banner raising ceremony in October 2007? I swear, from my 300-level seat that night, I even heard the Capitals players snickering, when Seydell declared, “We’re going to do everything in our power to bring the Stanley Cup right here to Atlanta!” Caps players just stared at each other and rolled their eyes, probably thinking, “I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a Thrasher jersey.” And ya know, “that’s a wonderful image for any franchise to enjoy among NHL players.” Thank God there’s a draft every year, to sprout hope.
That said, I’m going into this offseason optimistically. If Kovalchuk Kozlov, Afinogenov, Armstrong, and Kubina are not returning, or not properly/suitably replaced, should I even have hopes of a .500 season? What did we finish with that year? 83-points? 84?? 85??? I can’t remember. But if we don’t keep moving forward, then the playoffs won’t happen next season. Who are our biggest name players?
I’m just asking a question. I think the answers are Kane, Oduya and Bogosian, and maybe Hainsey. Perhaps, Enstrom. We don’t even know if Hedberg will be back. Pavelec is an RFA, who is still un-signed. Relax, his qualifying offer isn’t due yet. Bergfors is an RFA, too, I believe. Cormier may be going to jail. At least, Kozlov won’t be back. That’s something to look forward to. Unfortunately, Todd White is still under contract. And buying him out might sound good, until you watch his cap hit on our books for the next two seasons.
Just Curious
June 8th, 2010
11:17 pm
Hey Jeff…..You come around yet to the idea that Dudley picked Lou’s pockets clean in the Kovy deal? That was simply a MASTERPIECE of dealing an offense-only player that maybe 3 or 4 teams could even afford at his asking price! And look at all we got for a 20-something game rental that turned out to be a BOMB…
Wad’s name may have been in all the papers….But we all know it was Dudley who masterminded the Kovy Dump. I LOVED it when it happened, and I love it even MORE now that we have a rear-view mirror. Wouldn’t we be the typical fools left holding the proverbial bag on June 30th if it weren’t for Dudley? Yes, we would.
What say you, Jeff? Has “The Deal” grown on you yet?
365 day moratorium on mentioning Don Waddel
June 9th, 2010
12:01 am
Nice aritcle but Waddel is still a festering boil. On XM radio Dudley said Waddel is in on every decision. I think he was quoted in the slater article.
Donny ..do ATL Hockey a favor…at least SHUT the HE double hockey stick up for a year and don’t come out of your office. As the king of spin YOU should appreciate the benifit of the perception of a Waddel-free line-up.
Reid Adair
June 9th, 2010
12:53 am
Rick Dudley certainly has a great attitude and sounds committed to success. I just hope Don Waddell and the ownership don’t hold him back too much.
JD
June 9th, 2010
7:21 am
Riiiiiigggggghhhhhht…we are one piece away. LOL. Watch the Cup Finals. Our talent level is no where close it needs to be to seriously compete for a Cup. Macheesemo does not win championships. Let’s just make it to the playoffs and win one game. Jeez.
JD
June 9th, 2010
7:23 am
Yes…and I don’t want to hear D-Wads name mentioned or see his fat face for a very long time. Thanks for listening.
Overweight hillbilly Gladiators fan
June 9th, 2010
8:23 am
Who cares about the Thrashers. I’m a Gladaitors fan. Tickets are cheaper and I don’t have to drive my broeken down pick up truck downtown were all the bums, thugs and crime is at.
Barack Obama
June 9th, 2010
8:29 am
If the Thrashers are in need of hope and change I’m the man they need to see. I like the idea of playing on frozen water with no oil on it.
rob
June 9th, 2010
8:31 am
It is about the attitude. He expects to win. He is saying he wants to win and it is his responsibility to win. He knows the limitations with the Octoidiots and dumbwad and still says it will happen.
There is no word on the coach yet because he wants Torchetti and has the decency to not talk publicly about it til the Hawks are done! And his comment about being responsible for the players on the team being his call and NOT the coaches speaks volumes about who is in charge here.
I love reading all the comments on Shultz when there is a hockey article. All the morons come out. If you don’t like hockey or the Thrashers, why are you wasting your time posting on a blog about them? Sad really.
Schultz,
Any chance we may hear more about what Dudley thinks the team needs in terms of players to complete the roster to his liking? Obviously Kubina signing or not will be key as we need him or someone like him on the blue line. And a center for Antropov is needed. Sounds like they are looking at going with Pavs in net again which may make for an interesting season, but a more defensive oriented system could well help him there as well.
Thanks for a good look at what the future here might hold though.
bugman
June 9th, 2010
8:47 am
Nice article. It’s great to see a new face with the same message (sarcasm folks).
I hope that Duds can get the job done but am with several of you thinking that talk is cheap.
Sonny, Duds wears those striped suits in hopes that he looks a tad slimmer.
Ain’t werking tho.
kracker
June 9th, 2010
8:58 am
I really like the idea of Ramsay as assistant coach. The winters in Atlanta are a lot nicer than in Bhaston.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2010
9:34 am
Just Curious: Picked Lou’s pockets clean? No. Obviously it didn’t work out for Devils because they flopped in the playoffs (although that wasn’t Kovy’s fault if you watched the series, but Kovy-bashers might not agree). As for what the Thrashers got in return, let’s wait and see how the players develop. You can’t judge much on 6 weeks (or however long it was after the trade). The real key to the deal is Patrice Cormier — will he be a player or a felon? Dudley thinks the former, obviously. Just my opinion.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2010
9:35 am
365 days — Obviously Don is on hockey decisions but it’s still Rick’s call, his structure, his plan.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2010
9:35 am
Thanks Bugman.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2010
9:37 am
Overweight Hillbilly — Love the Glads. Actually, I love all minor-league sports teams. Different feel at the games, no question.
Putting On The Foil
June 9th, 2010
9:37 am
Wow. Schultz writes a positive article on the Thrash. Things must really be changing.
Joe Friday
June 9th, 2010
11:15 am
“I prefer coaches who don’t care what their personnel is,” he said. “If a coach wants to be part of the personnel decisions, then he’s always going to hate his team.”
I love hearing Dudley’s my way or the highway attitude and his obvious confidence. Hi-ever counselor, I do not like that quote above about the quote. You have to have a coach that matches your skill set, or you can say players that match the coach’s scheme. This is especially true in hockey. Let’s hope he’s blustering there and really will match his players and coach’s scheme up.
Jeff97
June 9th, 2010
1:11 pm
Jeff – I have criticized you in the past, but give credit here for a good article. Based upon Dudley’s past resume, i think that there is hope for this franchise. We do have some good young players and I think that we will see that the Kovy deal will be beneficial for us in the future. Don’t be surprised if we end up with a few of the Blackhawk players from this year as Chicago is only a few million from the cap for NEXT season already and have a lot of FA and UFA’s. (not too mention Dudley’s ties there and if he hires Torchetti) Versteeg/Sharp/Bolland etc..some of those players have to be avail.
I grew up with hockey in the Northeast and there is nothing like playoff hockey. If Dudley’s succeeds in bringing in a winner, we will pack Phillips…I went to both those playoff games in 2007 and there was nothing quite like it
Brendan
June 9th, 2010
2:43 pm
Rubbin’ my chin, I don’t know folks. Call me crazy, but I think the coach should be involved in the personnel decisions. Just hear me out. If the Coach is asked to make Thankgiving Dinner, he should at least be able to make out a shopping list for the ingredients he needs. And it should be the GM’s job to go get what’s on the list. Bearing in mind, that the GM hired the Coach. (At least, most times.)
Did the GM hire Julia Child or Rachel Ray? See, that matters. Me, I might hire Giada de Laurentis. But, no matter what cook I hire, I know that when I go to the store known as “The Draft” and “Free Agency” that I should get the ingredients the cook needs to make dinner.
Or am I horribly offbase here?
rob
June 9th, 2010
4:26 pm
if Duds is really gonna take responsibility for the team, I think that means he finds a guy to coach the way he wants it done, and picks the players he thinks fit that style. That way a failure is on him, not the coach or the players. Now their actions have accountability….to him, and I bet he holds them accountable…that is a good start IMO
Raymond
June 9th, 2010
5:45 pm
To say that Dudley built the Lightning is fiction at best, out right lying at the worst. Let’s talk draft. Dudley had the number 1, 3 and 5 draft choices the 3 years he was with Tampa. How many of those are playing in the NHL? None. How many players did he acquire with those picks that played in the NHL, none. Second rounds, none, 4 – 9th, none. He has 1 NHL player for a total of 33 draft choices, Artyukhin. And drafting is supposed to be his strength. 7 of the players on the stanley cup champion team were acquired by Dudley. That’s 1/3 of the team. But let’s not forget, he was also the guy who didn’t want to sign Brad Richards and let him reenter the draft. Think the Lightning would have won without the Conn Smyth winner? Oh, and he was the guy who had traded Vinny Lecavalier for a bag of pucks before management stepped in. Think they win without Lecavalier? He was the guy who was given the choice of Kevin Weekes and Luongo in a trade and picked, you guessed it, Weekes. Had the choice of Chara and Biron (no, not Martin, Matheau.) Picked Biron. You will quickly learn. This guy is someone who has no talent, screws over his team and then tries to take credit for what others do. As a Lightning fan, I thank God every day that Dudley is back in the division.
Brendan
June 9th, 2010
5:54 pm
Raymond, you must not hold back. Tell us what you really feel. By the way, I liked the passion in your post. And I enjoy all viewpoints on Dudley, whether “rah-rah” types or sharply critical. I’m coming in with an open mind. I want to see what Dudley does. And I want to see if he’s inhibited by Waddell and/or the ownership.
In my “dream reality,” a GM has total control of a team, while the ownership works on its tan, on the beach, somewhere in the Carribbean, where they serve drinks with little umbrellas in them. And a good stiff breeze …. uhh, duh, cut! Cut! I’m just bail right here on this post.
Raymond
June 9th, 2010
6:06 pm
Made a mistake – Kudroc was the selection over Chara. He gave up Aucoin for Biron – in another one of his deals that built the Lightning. Aucoin is still playing in Phoenix, Biron, well he’s not playing in the NHL anywhere.
Brendan
June 9th, 2010
6:50 pm
Raymond, every so often we have the debate in Atlanta about whether it’s better to have a 3-5 year “window of opportunity” vs. a one-n-done, but Championship season, essentially over the same period of time. All Lightning fans should rejoice in the fact that … YOU DID IT!! You won the Cup. No small feat, really. Ask Vancouver, St. Louis, Washington, Buffalo, Phoenix, etc., who’ve all been in the league a minimum of 30 years.
I think, at the end of the day, however you get there, winning the Cup is the most important thing. It’s what every team strives for. The Florida Marlins have sucked for most of their existence. But, it’s also true that they’ve NEVER LOST a playoff series. And they hold more World Series wins than the Braves. (It’s a sore subject; I won’t dwell on it.)
My point is this. Look at all the ownership incarnations of the Tampa Bay Lightning. They’re up. They’re down. They’re up. They’re down. So, when you’re on an upswing, you’ve just got to hope your team delivers the goods. Segue to tonight’s game. Imagine how much it would suck if the Blackhawks lose the Finals, for their fans? Cupless for 49 years. Ruddlerless for several years at a stretch during those 49 years. Chicago has to come away with this Cup. They’ve come too far to fail. Yet again.
On the other hand, Philly was not expected to be here. Not really. But the fact that they are … coupled with the reality that they are writing, perhaps, the greatest Cinderella story ever told, makes this 2010 Cup one of the most important Finals in many, many years. No matter what team any hockey fan might follow.
What does this have to do with Dudley? Well, he may not have to endure this ownership for all his time at the helm. We don’t know what will happen, in that regard. If Dudley sees new ownership come to power, and he survives the transition at the GM post, then all sorts of potentially wonderful possibilities open up for him. Including, having a respected, accomplished advisor in his corner.
On this blog, we all speculate. It’s fun. It’s what we do. We put on imaginary GM hats and Coaching hats. But the truth is, if any one of us were actually made GM of a franchise, we would all do well to have some trusted allies in the business, with whom to consult regularly. I wouldn’t even trust myself to be a GM. I’d want to run a trade past someone whose opinion I trust before pulling the trigger. I’d need a Red Light to slap me across the face and say, “Brendan, you make this trade for Brian Campbell, giving up the 8th overall pick. Have you lost your mind?” Then I’d say, “By God, you’re right! Good thing I ran this past somebody.” I’m not really worried that “The Emperor isn’t wearing any clothes” with Dudley, just yet. Do I think that about Waddell? YES. I have some belief that Dudley will do a better job, even if Waddell is advising him. But rest assured, if Dudley makes stupid moves, that are truly of the “calculated variety,” and not say missing on a “consensus draft pick” by NHL Central Scouting, I’ll be all over him like white on rice. Stupid moves are stupid moves. Moves that “seemed right at the time” that didn’t pan out are excuseable, to some extent. Right now, there’s a debate about Tyler or Taylor, at 1st overall. What if one of them is the next Patrick Stefan or Daigle? Then, EVERYBODY ELSE was wrong, too. I can forgive that sort of mistake. That’s an honest mistake. But bad contracts and bad trades are something over which a GM has more control. With that in mind, we will begin the evaluation process of Rick Dudley. So far, his only contract is a Jim Slater re-signing. Reports in the AJC say that the Kovalchuk trade, for Cormier, a 1st rounder (#25), Bergfors, and Oduya, along with swapping 2nd round picks (#55 for #38) was all Dudley’s doing. As was the Artyukhin acquisition, at the deadline.
That’s not a lot to go on, just yet. But I will be optimistic, moving forward. The draft will tell us a lot. And free agency, or a lack of movement in free agency, will also tell us what the score is. I don’t really favor going hog wild in the Frenzy, as that’s how teams get into cap trouble quickly, along with Buyer’s Remorse.
Brendan
June 9th, 2010
6:54 pm
I don’t remember if Dudley was the architect of the Lehtonen trade, with Dallas. Does anyone know? But the AJC reported that the Kovy trade was all Dudley’s doing.
Sage of Bluesland
June 9th, 2010
7:48 pm
Thanks for that much-needed dose of reality, Raymond. Post of the year–and one that should be bookmarked for two or three years from now to see if the sheep are changing their tunes on the “In Duds We Trust” mantra going on around here…
As I’ve said before, I’m not buying the bluster…Been there and been force-fed that before…Fool me once and all…
(Some sheep never learn…but I guess that’s why they’re sheep…)
Brendan
June 9th, 2010
11:10 pm
Congratulations Marian Hossa. Chicago wins the Cup in overtime, on a goal by Pat Kane. Final Score: Chicago 4, Philadelphia 3, 1OT.
rob
June 10th, 2010
8:03 am
Sage,
Do you just cut and paste the same old tired a$$ post? Doesn’t it get old? Or are you just that unoriginal? Do you even like the game of hockey? All this hostility you hold towards the Thrashers and their fans can’t be good. Didn’t you post a while back you were going to follow some other team? (can’t remember which one it was and don’t care) You should do that, maybe a new team to follow will give you a new outlook?
Brian Rudisel
June 10th, 2010
7:26 pm
Does Dudley know the mess he has to clean up? Don not only was an inoperable cancer, but he destroyed any chance of quality free agents wanting to play for us. Our future is in the draft and prospects, young talent, and hidden gems similar to what we got in Peverley.
Dudley has to do everything. Find an entire coaching staff, find the missing pieces of the puzzle in our roster, find the right kids to draft. He IS the organization, and his to-do list is pretty daunting. He’s pretty confident, but given the track record of the organization, there’s a lot of talk every year, and another long offseason.
rob
June 11th, 2010
8:34 am
Dudley watched from inside the organization for a year before becoming GM. Not sure he would have accepted the spot if he didn’t feel he could do it and that it would really be his calls being made instead of a puppet. I could be wrong, but I hope not. Hockey can succeed and grow here given the right leadership, and hopefully this is a step in the right direction.
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[...] Craig Ramsay, so it was just a matter of waiting for Torchetti. Also, for what it’s worth, Dudley said earlier this week that he didn’t expect to have a head coach in place before the J…, and he didn’t feel it was important. We certainly can debate that. It doesn’t hurt to [...]
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