Trade focus (Part I): Thrashers need help but will they get it?
Rich Peverley and goalie Ondrej Pavelec celebrated a 1-0 win over Washington, but the team needs scoring help.
With the Atlanta Spirit once again busy litigating and lying, I thought this would be a good time for the rest of us to actually focus on their teams.
The Hawks wilted in the fourth quarter in Milwaukee last night and lost. Later today, I’ll post a column on the biggest concern about the team and whether they need to make a trade (answer: yes). But this morning, we start with the Thrashers, the franchise that the Spirit/Team Pinocchio has been trying to sell since roughly five minutes after purchasing it.
On the ice, the Thrashers have been a nice little story. The personnel decisions of Rick Dudley and coaching of coach Craig Ramsay have been impressive. When the team went 19-11-5 in the first 35 games, it was stunning. Some would call it overachievement.
But recently there has been a market correction. Prior to the 1-0 win over Washington Wednesday night, the Thrashers were 1-4-3 in their previous eight games and had only one regulation win in their previous 16 (4-8-4). There have been injuries. There was a difficult stretch of the schedule. Mostly, they just came back down to earth.
They need a trade. They need help. They need a top-six forward. I spoke to Dudley Wednesday night and he agreed. But will an ownership that clings to nickels, except when it comes to paying attorneys, dare to raise the team’s anemic $41 million payroll, which ranks 29th out of 30 teams?
Dudley thinks yes. We’ll see. If the object is to sell or “dispose” of the team — “dispose” is an actual verb from the latest suit — why would Team Pinocchio agree to raise its costs?
Here are some comments from Dudley:
♦ On the team’s salary cap space: “We’re in a great position. A lot of teams are looking to make a run at the playoffs but most are up against the cap in some form or another.”
♦ On whether he believes he’ll be handcuffed in trade talks: “No. I’ve talked to [the owners] about it and talked to Don [Waddell] and there doesn’t seem to be a problem. If there’s a piece out there that makes sense, I think we’ll do it.”
♦ On how he’s affected by the ownership situation: “One of the nice things is I think there’s a little bit of resolution [with Steve Belkin leaving the group]. I think it was a bit of a pain in the [rear] for everybody. Now at least they can make decisions without input from anybody else of any kind. … I’m sure [owners] would like to part with part of the team or all of the team. That’s what I read. That’s what you write. But I don’t think any of us in the hockey operations department can concern ourselves with that. One thing I do know is whether they sell part of the team, all of it, whatever, we can make it a much more viable product for whomever.”
♦ On perceptions that the team was overachieving before: “I don’t believe in overachieving. I believe there are teams where guys play at close to their optimal level. We had been playing as close to an optimal level as any team in the league and that made us a force. Right now we’re not at that level. We were at 90 percent before. We’re probably at 70 or 65 percent now.”
Dudley’s preference is for a right winger but he would take any goal scorer. (Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien continues to lead the team in scoring but he has gone 10 games without a goal.) The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 28. The team needs help.
Can another $10 million be spent on players. Or has that been earmarked for attorneys fees?
Coming next: The Hawks’ biggest concern.
By Jeff Schultz
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83 comments Add your comment
Matt
January 27th, 2011
8:02 am
Jerome Ignila from the Flames would be a very, very nice addition. I wonder what we would have to give up to get him.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
8:09 am
Matt, info on Iginla: He’s making $7 million this year (the smaller problem) and has two more years at $7 million each (the bigger problem). … He’s 33 and not the monster he once was but still is on a great pace (22 goals in 51 games, roughly a 35-goal pace). … Calgary also is one of those “desperate” cap teams. They’ve got no space and the team is struggling.
Fish Bisch
January 27th, 2011
8:14 am
Go Thrashers
docsbro
January 27th, 2011
8:24 am
He also might get rejuvenated with a change of scenery.
Mike W
January 27th, 2011
8:24 am
While I’d be thrilled to see Iginla here too, I don’t think that’d happen. A more possible trade would be for Matt Moulson from NYI. He’s rumored to be on their trading block, and he’d be a nice addition to our top 6.
Telfo
January 27th, 2011
8:35 am
There are some guys available but most of them would require a first round pick at a minimum which is something i am hesitant to give up. we already dont have a 2nd rounder and this team still has building to do, playoffs or not.
A guy like Hemsky, Penner, Versteeg or Mike Fisher would be great though. I would prefer Hemsky as he still has another year on his contract
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
8:38 am
Mike W — Moulson is a free agent after this season, that’s why his name has come up in trade rumors. Isles want to re-sign him but haven’t been able to.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
8:40 am
Telfo — I’d balk at giving up first-rounder also but I don’t think they’d have to. They have some young/cheap players other teams would take.
jerry
January 27th, 2011
8:45 am
Are the Thrashers really relevant now? Or are they like a lame duck president, on their way out?
Buckeye
January 27th, 2011
8:50 am
Maybe a “fire Mark Richt” will get the board going….
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January 27th, 2011
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Don Waddell
January 27th, 2011
9:03 am
As you all know by now, I do not care about this team, and I do not understand hockey. I just keep on climbing up, and doing well. And on the top of that – no accountability for my actions. Like the government, Wall Street folks, etc. Screw up everything, while being compensated very well. Yeah!!
PMC
January 27th, 2011
9:18 am
Since they made the all in trade a few years ago when they were close I would think that would still hold true. I just hope they don’t ruin two years of progress to chase the Keith Tkachuck’s of the world for a playoff sweep.
I like this club, I think they simply need to play better hockey than they have of late. Move the puck, and start scoring when they have opportunities as they did on power plays early in the season.
Rich T
January 27th, 2011
9:19 am
Hey, Jeff. I told you a few months back that we’d find the Thrashers right where they are every season in January. Still I like the nucleus here better than ever before. The only problem is the same ownership has the purse.
Nick Fairley Owns UGA
January 27th, 2011
9:47 am
Who are the Atlanta Thrashers?
hockey suxs
January 27th, 2011
9:48 am
Hockey is terrible. Face it, noboday here cares unless you are a Yankee transplant and foreigners. Football is KING, i could careless about a bunch of figure skaters with sticks. This is the worst time of the year for sports because all that is really going on is Hockey and Basketball. #1 and #2 worse sports in my opinion. Can’t wait until April, so we can atleast get some baseball to hold me over until August when the Dawgs and Falcons start gearing up for the best time of the year. FOOTBALL SEASON. What i can’t wait to see for this Thrasher’s team, is when they pack their bags and head North were Hockey belongs.
PMC
January 27th, 2011
9:50 am
Football season doesn’t interfere with Hockey season.
Rich T
January 27th, 2011
9:51 am
UGA fans who ask “Who are the Atlanta Thrashers?” are the ones who are an embarrasment to the ones who don’t. There are things in life other than the Bulldogs; some even more important.
Thomas Magnum
January 27th, 2011
9:52 am
Another great read Jeff! Love the focus on hockey lately. Keep up the good work!
Hershel
January 27th, 2011
10:13 am
hey hockey sux, you are such a girl! if you havent noticed football sux here in the state and the Thrash at last check are a winning team and in playoff position
Yep
January 27th, 2011
10:17 am
Hockey Suxs said “Hockey is terrible. Face it, noboday here cares unless you are a Yankee transplant and foreigners. ”
I’m born and raised here and I love Hockey, just because you don’t understand the rules is why you don’t like it. You probably don’t like math, reading, traveling or anything else like that I expect.
JSS
January 27th, 2011
10:23 am
Well, everyone knew from the moment that Kovalchuk was sent packing that their explosive scoring aspect was going to be a reach… You just don’t grow them (natural point machines) on trees, Waddell for all of his faults gave us Heatley and Kovy. You can’t rewrite or change that missed opportunity… Is Esposito ever going to pan out? Are the Thrashers “really” in the market to take a “rent a scorer” to make a serious run again?
tonyb
January 27th, 2011
10:24 am
Jeff, I don’t see the ASG adding 7 to 10 million to the payroll. I can see maybe 2 to 4 million. That would land a good rental player with an expiring contract.
I’m hearing that the team is making it known that Hainsey, Antropov, and Modin are available. Antropov has two years left on his contract, and is coming off a hip surgery. I could see him bring a nice return from a contending team. It would be great to move Hainsey, as he has 2 years and 8 million left on his deal. But again, this appears to be more of a blockbuster type move than a rental deal. The team would have to pick up salary if they are trading these guys, as they are bumping against the mandatory league minimum. They could get old UFA with 3rd and 4th round picks, which also may be an option. I don’t think there is much in Chicago to move, maybe Kulda or Postma. But the Wolves history of development for the Thrashers is less than stellar.
Two things the Thrashers need to do to make the playoffs. One, get everyone healthy and two, keep OP healthy. As you know Jeff, a team can go a long way with a hot goalie.
DawsInATL
January 27th, 2011
10:29 am
Schultzy – any suggestions on some guys we could get, and afford? In my eyes, as a young team, we could use a couple vets to help us shift possession in our favor. And for the fans sake we could use a top 10 goon to sell some tickets
As a guy whose from down here, played football, and loves football. Sitting down by the glass would convert anybody. That said, “hockey suxs” why would you seek out an article on hockey just to comment you don’t like it?
Gareth Bale
January 27th, 2011
10:30 am
Rich T: The guy who posted “Who are the Thrashers?” appears to be an Auburn fan. Try not to disparage in ignorance.
Hillbilly Deluxe
January 27th, 2011
10:32 am
Hockey is terrible. Face it, noboday here cares unless you are a Yankee transplant and foreigners.
I’m a 7th generation Georgian and I like hockey.
It would be nice if they made a trade but the chances of them winning the Cup, this year, are pretty slim. Okay real slim, so I wouldn’t give away the store. If they can get some help at a decent cost, then go for it; otherwise, be patient.
Buzzeng
January 27th, 2011
10:35 am
“…an ownership that clings to nickels, except when it comes to paying attorneys…”
Bravo!
Go Thrashers!!
DawgFan
January 27th, 2011
10:36 am
My experience has been that the people who don’t like hockey really like soccer. Let’s see, in hockey, if you get hit, you get up and keep going. In soccer, if you get hit, you flop around like a dying fish out of water until someone lifts up a yellow or red piece of paper. Hmm…
I’d love to see the Thrashers get some scoring help. Maybe I’m old school, but it pains me to see a defenseman leading the team in scoring.
hockey suxs
January 27th, 2011
10:45 am
Yeah my Dawgs took it on the chin this year, we’ll be back. Funny thing, we had a losing record but still sold out every game. Hockey team is winning and you can’t put people in the seats. I am not the only one with this opinion.
Herschel, football sux in this state, Falcons did pretty good. Playoff disappointment but they are building something special.
Look this article has been up for a couple hours and there is only a handful of you smucks talking about the Trashers. If someone writes a column on anything football, including GT, you have pages of comments. hockey suxs.
Colonel Reb
January 27th, 2011
10:55 am
Hey “hockey suxs,” just because you don’t like hockey and aren’t intelligent enough to understand the game doesn’t mean others don’t. Your opinion doesn’t make it fact.
Otto
January 27th, 2011
11:01 am
Native southerner (Cobb County) here. Hockey is the only sport outside of college football worth watching.
Hopefully management can turn this team around. If a decent product is put on the ice the team will sell tickets. However as a previous AJC article pointed Atlanta residents have plenty of reason to be cynical of their pro teams thanks to their post season record.
Daugherty72
January 27th, 2011
11:05 am
Hey hockey sux……go back to your double wide, cook up some more meth in your bathtub, and start looking for your false teeth……..I love football, but I also enjoy baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, etc….it’s called being a well rounded sports fan……by the way hockey sux, when referring to the Dawgs, remember that you don’t play for them, so it’s not “we”……jack*ss…..
Hershel
January 27th, 2011
11:17 am
Hockey Sux. you really need to lace up some skates and put your money where you mouth is. You are such a jack wagon. your big ole dawgs would be worn out by a typical pee wee hockey practice. don’t get me wrong I actually atteded and graduated from UGA, but as far as excitement goes hockey beats football any day of the week. and for your so called sell outs in Athens, did you actually go? there were so many empty seats it was pathetic.
Alan R.
January 27th, 2011
11:27 am
Hockey is terrible. Face it, noboday here cares unless you are a Yankee transplant and foreigners
Are you hurt that Schultz here is talking more about hockey than, say, recruiting? Or high school basketball?
I’m one of those transplants from a hockey city, but I know plenty of people here who either saw Atlanta Flames games growing up, or were Atlanta Flames season ticket holders. There are even former hockey players who live in Atlanta. I guarantee they’d punch you into next week if they heard some of the filth you’re spewing.
I get it. You don’t like hockey. No one forced you to read this blog, and certainly no one forced you to post here. You don’t see me posting on Hawks, Dawgs, or Tech blogs saying that “no one” likes this or that. I don’t read ‘em. Don’t care for ‘em. The only sport I enjoy is hockey, so I keep to hockey blogs.
Grow up.
Alan R.
January 27th, 2011
11:33 am
But more to the point. Thanks, Jeff, for going to the top and asking some important questions.
JSS
January 27th, 2011
11:34 am
hockey suxs
January 27th, 2011
10:45 am
“Look this article has been up for a couple hours and there is only a handful of you smucks talking about the Trashers. If someone writes a column on anything football, including GT, you have pages of comments. hockey suxs.”
The same 40 people always comment on the UGA and Falcons blogs… So your comment on blogging demographics is mute… Now, that is truly sad, and they say the same things for 15 to 20 pages! You just can’t be that dense day after day!
40 yrs
January 27th, 2011
11:35 am
Well said Alan R My question is witch one of the owners is hockey suxs?
hockey suxs
January 27th, 2011
11:37 am
Herschel – Yeah i was at a couple games this year. Work and family take away a lot of free time to go to games nowadays. A lot of the empty seat BTW where in the student sections. The days when you could get in with a studnet ticket is over now that they scan their ID’s. Jackwagon you’ve seen the R. Lee Emery commercial too, good stuff.
Daugherty, funny comment.
All this not intellegent to understand; it’s i don’t want to understand; hockey is as fun to watch as paint dry. And who said anythign about fact, this is all my opinion. You all have fun watching this team for another year or so, they will be out of ATL in no time. When that happens you all invited to my Good Riddance party.
Jim Viondi
January 27th, 2011
11:48 am
Grew up in Atlanta…loved the Flames, but these Thrashers, uhghh….
Tim
January 27th, 2011
11:50 am
I hope the Thrashers can pick up a good player to make a playoff run! I wish we still had Mark Savard!
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
11:53 am
Rich T — There are reasons to like some of the young players but I think we call agree they need more — and ownership that cares.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
11:53 am
Thomas Magnum — Thanks.
JSS
January 27th, 2011
11:55 am
hockey suxs
January 27th, 2011
11:37 am
“All this not intellegent to understand; it’s i don’t want to understand”
Never thought I’d see some one make UGA Bugkiller (”Bugkiller” etc…) look like even in the vicinity of intelligent on any matter. That was until today! Congrads to “Hockey Suxs” who gets his jolly on watching R. Lee Emery playing a caricature of movie character. Question: Were there no more episodes of “Momma’s Family” on for you to watch?
ZAvalanche
January 27th, 2011
11:55 am
Amen Hershel. There are a lot of teams struggling with injuries right now. The week off will be a total healing effort. Buffy is going to bring it later in the season and Thrashy will make the playoffs. There is no way Iginla will be a Thrasher. Even if their season is down the tubes they are going to keep their franchise player. We need to look elsewhere.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
11:57 am
JSS — Yep, hard to believe this organization once had Heatley and Kovalchuk on the same team. … On Angelo Esposito: I can’t answer that, but the Penguins had come to believe he wouldn’t be a big part of their future.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
11:58 am
Tonyb– I’m sure all three of those guys are available but it’s not limited to them.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
12:02 pm
DawsinAtl — I like the two names that were thrown out. As far as suggesting others, I’m hamstrung by fact I don’t know all of these guys contracts like I used to and so don’t know what “premium” guys are at end of deals (and therefore may be more likely to be traded). As I do a little more research, I’ll try to throw some names out. But look at some of the major teams with cap issues and go from there: Van, Boston, Cal, San Jose, Boston, Philly, Chicago, Ottawa, NJ, Mont, Detroit.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
12:03 pm
Alan R — Thanks. I enjoy talking to Rick Dudley. (Believe it or not, I enjoyed talking to Don Waddell too.)
Darren
January 27th, 2011
12:34 pm
Jeff, two other names that have been bandied about have been Alex Tanguay and (wait for it) Andrew Brunette! Could you imagine an original Thrasher coming back to this team?
Proud_to_be_a_Dawg
January 27th, 2011
12:47 pm
@ Hockey suxs,
If you hate hockey so much, why were you on the message board for almost 2 hours? Here’s an idea, stick to NASCAR and Deer Hunting you ‘neck
Darren
January 27th, 2011
12:49 pm
And to follow up, both will be UFAs at the end of this season.
Matt from MN
January 27th, 2011
12:52 pm
Let’s not bring back any former Thrashers. Need to move forward and not look back (looking back is really, really frightening).
Smoothie
January 27th, 2011
12:53 pm
Antro to Boston for Blake Wheeler. We need a RW, they need a C. Assuming Slater is well enough to return by mid-Feb and Cormier & Burmy can continue to handle the rigors of 3rd line C, then I think you do something along these lines. Wheeler is exactly the type of player Ramsay wants on the 2nd line because of his ability to play both ends of the ice. He’s fast (perhaps not as fast as Stewart) but has much better hands than Stewart, who should be playing 3rd line mins.
Ladd-Pevs-Bergy
Kane-Lits-Wheeler
Corms\Modin-Burmy-Stewy
Greek gods + Dawes
Freddie's Falcon
January 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
Pretty cool a lot of Dawg fans like hockey. UGA grad here and Thrashers season ticket holder.
Does anyone seriously think ASG is going to pull the trigger on a trade. Those clowns are hiding out in a cave with Osama bin Laden since their lies have been exposed.
JSS
January 27th, 2011
1:04 pm
This team just screams “We need an explosive center!” Well among other things of course…
Darren
January 27th, 2011
1:10 pm
I know what you mean Matt.. just seems surreal that ANYBODY from that team would still be in the league and worth a damn. But in all seriousness, he wouldn’t be just another, say, Clarke MacAwful-type waiver pickup.. I think he’d still have something meaningful to add, even at this stage of his career.
That said, I like Smoothie’s idea but for the fact that the Bruins don’t have the cap space for it.. Atlanta would have to take more salary back even IF Boston wanted to do that deal.
Smoothie
January 27th, 2011
1:19 pm
Darren – glad you mentioned that. Actually they would because in all likelihood Savard is going right back on LTIR and that will free up and additional $1.5 M or so this season on top of however much they’ve already saved on him up to December. They could always flip Antro in a separate trade this summer to get some picks or some lower line depth if they just want Antro for the stretch drive. I’m not so sure Wheeler will be sticking around BOS in a couple years when he becomes a UFA.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
1:22 pm
Darren — Brunette never should have gotten away in the first place.
Darren
January 27th, 2011
1:24 pm
Good point.. forgot about the additional Savard savings. Apparently they’ve saved about $377k or so already, but that wouldn’t have been enough to cover the difference of the pro-rated Antropov versus Wheeler salaries.. but if Savard’s out again for a long stretch, it might be enough. I just wish we could have the healthy, productive Antropov from last season again.. he had stretches where he was not going to be denied.
Moulson might be the best fit, although I’d prefer they sign him long term if they trade for him.. he likes to shoot a lot, which is exactly what Ramsay wants.
LAC
January 27th, 2011
1:26 pm
College football is an interesting as watching grass grow. BORING as the day is long. Wnet to college and NEVER attended a football game, and to see these kids acting like wild animals over such a NOTHING sport, well, it is shocking.
Hockey much tougher than football, much much more skilled and THE most enertaining sport out there, always action, hitting and scoring, except last night, in a game that never quits.
Football, well I’d rather mow my grass !
Matt
January 27th, 2011
1:41 pm
No, they won’t. There won’t even be a hockey team in this town for much longer.
Matt
January 27th, 2011
1:46 pm
LAC- you must be a northern moron. Football has and always will be #1 in the South. Hockey is tougher than football?? How many 6′4 260lb guys play hockey?!?!?! Scoring??? Please. It’s soccer on ice. Just because they are allowed to fight doesn’t mean it’s a tougher sport to play. The QB is the only player that isn’t physically engaged every single play they are out there.
This is exactly why I hate these blogs. Filled with morons.
bring back furman bisher
January 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
Jeff, just because the owners have refused to talk to you for years because you are a proven untrustworthy snake, why don’t you grow up and start reporting on sports issues instead of your little personal relationship problems with the owners? Nobody cares about that and it’s getting real tired.
Smoothie
January 27th, 2011
2:02 pm
Matt – have you ever attempted to ice skate? If not, then shut it cuz you have no idea what you’re talking about.
daugherty72
January 27th, 2011
2:09 pm
Matt, what’s wrong with liking both hockey and football…….I grew up in the South, been in ATL since ‘95 and have always loved football…… but why do we have to pick one sport to love and then hate and trash all others?…….why in the world would you WANT a local team to relocate ?……if you don’t like it, don’t pay attention to it………
Road Trip
January 27th, 2011
2:13 pm
Does anyone know the status of Dudley’s contract. My recollection, which could be wrong, is that this is the last year of a two year contract. If that is the case, has ownership taken any steps to lock him up for the future?
Cp8
January 27th, 2011
2:17 pm
How about we let Dustin play some wing and call up a d-man, since we finally have some depth there?
Also@ Hockey sux, Football games are 60 minutes as well as Hockey, but their clock runs in between plays. Hockey teams go at for the WHOLE 60!
Matt
January 27th, 2011
2:48 pm
Smoothie and Daugherty 72- yes as as a matter of fact I can ice skate. I never said to pick one. I never said I didn’t like hockey. I’ve attended many Thrashers games. The fact is they have no marquee players and attendance sucks. You can’t even compare the popularity of hockey and football in the South.
Never said hockey players weren’t tough either. I played hockey as a kid. It’s very tough and you have to be skilled to play it. I also played football and it was my experience that football was the tougher, harder, more physical game.
I also played baseball and trying to hit a 90 mph FB while trying to not get fooled by the CB or the Ch with a round bat from 60 ft a way with a baserunner moving in your field of vision is the most skill of all.
Trades (Part II): Should Hawks deal Josh for point guard? | Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
2:58 pm
[...] (It’s trade talk Thursday. For Part I on the Thrashers, click here.) [...]
ken
January 27th, 2011
2:58 pm
Jeff – I enjoy your reporting. You present the facts and are not afraid to call it like you see it. Keep up the good work. As for a trade, Dudley will have a top 6 forward deal done by the trade deadline. How about picking up Alfredson from Ottawa??? He is disgruntled and they are going to be sellers.
Hockey Rocks
January 27th, 2011
2:59 pm
Hockey is one of the best sports to watch live. Southerns do like hockey. GO THRASHERS!
Gary
January 27th, 2011
4:21 pm
Man am I tired of seeing your outrageous remarks. Seriously what credibility does this man have? You’re a writer covering sports teams that gives the most slanted and subjective point of view….each and every time you hit the keyboard. I mean its gotten to a point where you should almost be a writer for TMZ or something. People come on here to catch up with the teams of Atlanta, not to hear what you THINK is going on behind the scenes…because we all know you are totally clueless as to what’s actually going on.
Secondly, don’t tell people to do something that you’ve never done…like actually go to the arena and spend any money with the hawks or thrashers. they’re both exciting teams to watch and it’s not always about championships but yet actually going there and having a good time- I go out to about 15 games of both Hawks and Thrashers each season with my family and every single time we leave, we wish we could’ve stayed longer. You say everyone over at Philips Arena is liars…you’re a liar. I work with an outstanding ticket sales/ and a service rep that has shot me straight from Day 1. I’ve actually been to events with the front office members who are also stand up guys and never once was I lied to.
The city of Atlanta hasn’t had a hockey team like this…forever. yea they made the playoffs once before but that team can’t be compared to what’s out there now. Give these guys a chance. Not to mention, I’m pretty sure you were the one who was high and mighty on the team when they were actually doing well. Whata know, they hit a little slump and the first one to bash them is the man with the keyboard sitting in his lazy boy chair- typical bandwagon shenanigans Schultz. I expected better out of you but then again, I really didn’t. Maybe if the ASG owners saw you and some other people in the seats for once rather than complaining about what they don’t have, maybe they would be more inclined to spend on others. it’s just a thought for your one track mind.
you’ll probably sit back and laugh at this… and then brainstorm for your next article about a bogus trade proposition that’s not even possible or an article bashing the teams, yet again. That really seems like a sweet life Jeffery, ripping on other’s decisions and how they run things. Well guess what, nobody cares about what you think and you can guarantee that I won’t view your articles ever again because I would hate to put another “hit” in the back of your back pocket.
Report the facts like you’re paid to do or go work for Hard Copy…
Sincerely,
Your biggest hater
Twisted Wrister
January 27th, 2011
5:15 pm
Looks like Levenson or his son is blogging again. I wonder when they will sue each other.
Too harsh
January 27th, 2011
6:05 pm
Jeff
So harsh and unfair! I personally know MG (along with have a nice family) he is one of the finest and ethical people I have been around. As for Bruce I do not know as well but he has put a lot of his personal net worth into the organizations. I know the group is not perfect but the way you are coming down on them is unprofessional and does not serve our community well. You are too good of a writer to go down this road.
I know your bloggers don’t want to hear about
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
6:44 pm
Bring back furman bisher … You really think this is all about someone not talking to me?
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2011
6:47 pm
Too harsh …
1) I don’t know Michael Gearon’s family (other than his father) and agree he’s a nice guy.
2) I agree that Bruce Levenson has put in a lot of his personal net worth into the organizations.
3) They lied.
Steve - Thrashers Fan
January 27th, 2011
9:30 pm
Ditto Gary…very well said! It is becoming more and more apparent with every article that you clearly have a personal issue with the owners. Last night’s game had a play-off like atmosphere with a rowdy crowd supporting a team that shut out the Capitals. Dudley has built a young and exciting team and it’s a shame that someone like you can’t get behind this team and ultimately support our city. Someone needs to unleash the fury on you…Go Thrashers!
Brendan
January 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
Bruce Levenson was given a math problem to solve. It was 33 divided by 4. Since the answer contained a remainder, he sued the instructor over the hassel of it all. Film at 11.
Brendan
January 27th, 2011
11:42 pm
But this morning, we start with the Thrashers, the franchise that the Spirit/Team Pinocchio has been trying to sell since roughly five minutes after purchasing it.
That’s not Jeff’s opinion. That’s been something uncovered in court documents. I honestly don’t mind that FUBAS has been trying to sell the team. I just wished they’d been successful! Imagine if a local billionaire had acquired this team? At least this team would be cared for enough not to allow a GM without a playoff win to persist for decade, then get PROMOTED. It is what it is.
So, what’s the truth? As best I can surmize, we had 8 guys who wanted a NBA team, but couldn’t afford one by themselves. So, they pooled their money together, to prevent David McDavid from getting them. They had to acquire an arena and be FORCED to take on an NHL franchise, to make it happen. That they didn’t want to own the Thrashers is clear. I just don’t understand … how the NHL couldn’t do a better job of vetting their ownership around the league. Atlanta is hardly an isolated incident. There’s been the Phoenix saga, for seemingly ages. There were the bleak, dark days of John J. Rigas, with the Buffalo Sabres. The Tampa Bay Lightning came to be owned, briefly, by Len Barrie and Oren Koules, two bozos who ran the team like it was a ‘Fantasy League.’
Hopefully now … Commissioner Bettman will further scrutinize who owns teams in his league. He’s got to be disappointed by the Columbus and Atlanta franchises, now in their 11th seasons, without a playoff win. It’s one thing to make a mistake with an established franchise, in a traditional market. It’s quite another to make that mistake as an expansion team … in a non-traditional market.
Jeff, keep on doing what you do. Things are what they are. These hockey fans deserved better than what they got … after the Atlanta Knights left to pave the way for the NHL to Atlanta.
Too harsh
January 27th, 2011
11:53 pm
Brendan. You have no idea what you are talking about… You write from a point of view that makes absolutely no sense
Brendan
January 28th, 2011
11:10 am
Too Harsh. You’re right. You’ve argued persuasively. I retract all my statements. Team ownership is irrelevant. And so are results. And markets.
Matt
January 28th, 2011
1:46 pm
“Hockey is terrible. Face it, noboday here cares unless you are a Yankee transplant and foreigners. Football is KING, i could careless about a bunch of figure skaters with sticks. This is the worst time of the year for sports because all that is really going on is Hockey and Basketball. #1 and #2 worse sports in my opinion. Can’t wait until April, so we can atleast get some baseball to hold me over until August when the Dawgs and Falcons start gearing up for the best time of the year. FOOTBALL SEASON. What i can’t wait to see for this Thrasher’s team, is when they pack their bags and head North were Hockey belongs.”
Lol he could “careless” wow… that’s about all you need to know… way to show off that education hockey suxs… clever with the “x” instead of the “ck” too, so original and witty. Damn, if I could only be as cool as you… or perhaps you’d type it “kewl,” I don’t know, please help me, I’d love to learn from you!
DawgDad
January 31st, 2011
1:36 pm
I think there might be some money on the table for a good player returned in a trade; I don’t think the owners want to try to market a basket case for a team. I don’t think they want to load up with a franchise-player contract, either.
Thrashers have youth; whether or not it will pan out remains to be seen, but theoretically they can part with a #1 draft pick and be fine as long as they receive a multi-year performer in return. They need to get someone in here right now who can make a difference in securing a playoff spot. Is Staal available? St. Louis? (just joking)