text:
I've always had boyfriends, so I never really did the meet-a-guy, go-out-with-him kinda thing. But I made an exception after my daughter's father and I finally put a toe tag on our relationship. I was eager to recover, and as the saying goes, the best way to get over one dude is to get under a new one (so to speak). So when a guy I met at a market asked me out, he seemed like a good place to start.
Keep in mind that this dude wasn't anything close to my type. I guess I was looking for the antithesis of my ex, who is stocky, brown-skinned, and cocky. This fella was tall, lanky, and light-complexioned, but he was also thoughtful and mild-mannered. Maybe that's what I needed, I thought. Someone good and laid back.
We talked about books and music and social issues around Baltimore, where we were at the time. He was so cool. So please explain why, when we met up for our first date proper, he had gold fangs in his mouth? I said gold. Fangs.
You can prepare yourself for a lot of things in life, but you just never expect a 6' 3" black man with Dracula's dental work to be smiling across from you. My mama gave me all kinds of advice about boys but that one just never came up. I'm sure my face was canvassed in shock — really, can you blame me? — but I think I recovered nicely. He pointed to them and broke out in a grin.
"You probably wondering what these are, huh?"
I nodded my head slowly and carefully.
"I wear them sometimes to be different. It's like a form of self-expression."
I managed a phony smile. I knew one thing: he most definitely wasn't getting a kiss goodnight.
Despite my instinct to turn tail and hoof it back to my car, I reasoned that he was still a nice, albeit slightly socially misdirected, guy. So we ambled to the Cheesecake Factory, I trying to ignore the glistening freakiness in his mouth, he letting his eyes fall none-too-inconspicuously on my cleavage, which he no doubt wanted to puncture like two deflating balloons. If he wasn't going to get a kiss, he certainly wasn't going to get close to the girls.
Once seated inside, we ordered and ate and everything went fairly smoothly, sans a few weird looks from the staff and folks at tables nearby. The conversation was thought-provoking, just like it was when I'd met him. But when our waitress didn't get back to refresh our drinks fast enough for his liking, he stood up, cupped his hands, and hollered — like he was at a streetball game in a big ol' park — "Ay yo! The f*ck? You coming back over here or what?"
I was so Jennie in Forest Gump because I repeated her prayer: Lord, make me a bird so I can fly, far, far away…
After the waitress scuttled to drop off our check, which he wanted to split like a cheap bastard — I mean he asked me out, for crying out loud, not to mention the rule of thumb is anyone who shows up wearing any hardware in their mouth besides braces should be the one to pay — this funky nut picked up the little cardboard teepee promoting the dessert specials and used it to loosen the debris between his teeth.
Then. He. Spit. It. On. The. Floor.
The lady at the next table looked at me real disgusted like, similar to the expression a person would have if I had walked a Doberman into the restaurant. I tried to send her the secret woman SOS eye signal, but our connection was on the fritz and she didn't pick up on my need for backup.
By this time, I wanted to push all politeness to the side and let him know that his trifling ways belong caged up in a zoo, not roaming free on the streets of open society, but I also wanted to cause as little of a scene as possible and make it back to my hoopty in one piece. So I paid, he paid, and we left.
That's when he tried to make his move. I felt it in the air before his hand even landed on my booty and gripped it, like it belonged to him and he was picking it up to take home. "Mmm," he cooed. "I been wanting to do that all night."
You know how you can tell a date went really badly? When the woman spots a cop and enlists him to take her to her car so she can make an escape.
True story.
What happened on your worst date ever?
Image via aralbalkan/Flickr
On one memorable first date, I went out with what I thought was a nice country boy. We went to a little bar out in the sticks...it was a pretty drive, at least. We had been there just a little while when a friend of his came in. They proceeded to get roaring drunk and kinda forgot that I was there...which was a good thing. Because they started discussing the merits of having, um...romantic moments with their farm animals. As in which species they preferred. Finally, someone that I knew rolled in, and I talked my friends into getting me out of there. Well, after totally forgetting that I existed, dude noticed that I was leaving...and CHASED US down the road in his pickup!!!
I've stayed far, far away from anyone remotely country ever since.
Well.. I've had two. First, the guy who took me out to the most expensive restraunt around, ordered the most expensive thing on the menu, then 'forgot' his wallet in the car, and I had to call my dad to come get me, and pay for this mans dinner.
Second - The one where he was taking me home after a terribly boring dinner and started to make sound effects. Seriously.. "uh.. what are you doing?".. "Oh, I'm a warlock and I am putting a protection spell on the car" . . .
Restaurant* I can spell. Honest.
I can't believe you had to go to the cops I would have been scared to if he grabbed me without my permission. It is a funny story but not reality.
Lets see my worst date I worked at some apartments and I befriended a resident. He asked me out so I spent the day with him at a beach town. He tried to take me shopping but I declined. It was going well. Then we went out later that night and he got piss drunk accused me of hitting on his friends and threw two beer bottles and a shot glass at my head. His friends all conspired together and rescued me and took me home when he wasn't paying attention.It was a really freaky night. To be honest it wasn't my only one I have had several seem to be nice guys turn completely psycho. I am glad I have my husband and don't have to date because I really don't have a good psycho radar.
OH MY GOSH. I would have left. Seriously, being rude to the wait staff is a HUGE turn off. Anyway, I don't have any funny stories BUT I heard a hilarious one once. This girl was on a first date and this guy took her skiing. On the way down the mountain, she had to pee really bad, so she made him stop the car. She pulled down her pants and leaned against the car to stabilize herself while she was going. When she was done, she realized her butt cheeks were frozen to the car!!! So she told the guy, and they both looked at each other, and then realized the only solution. He had to pee on her frozen butt cheeks!!! Someone said, gives new meaning to being "pissed off."
I laughed so hard at that one. They ended up getting married!
My husband's best friend ripped a huge fart on a first date in a CAR. He told me that there was no mention of said fart, but rather he just rolled down the window. I STILL cannot believe he did that!! Poor girl!


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The Maple Leafs have this thing with waffles…but for the Thrashers, its turnovers.
Monday night in the Air Canada Center, they served up more turnovers than any bakery found in Toronto and were giving them away all night long to those wearing blue jerseys. Taking advantage of the visiting team's generosity, the Leafs then helped themselves to a tasty 5-4 win over the Thrashers.
While there were many candidates to choose from, this night's clear winner of the Platinum Pastry Award for the single most egregious turnover of the game goes to…tearing open the envelope…defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.
For those who were not able to see the play that de-knotted a 3-3 score early in the third period, Big Buff attempted to casually backhand the puck over to the right side boards to Johnny Oduya. Unfortunately, what Byfuglien accomplished was a beautiful pass to Toronto's Nikolai Kulemin…who then neatly tucked the gifted puck under a surprised Ondrej Pavelec.
Kulemin, I'm sure, will do the right thing and follow up with a nice Thank You card to the Thrashers defenseman.
Five minutes later, Tim Stapleton…who should be arrested and charged with impersonating an NHL player…played hot potato with the puck in the corner and lost the puck. That turnover led to a Tim Brent goal, making it 5-3.
An Andrew Ladd jam-in at the 11:01 mark got the Thrashers back to within one, but in the end it was the Maple Leafs that pulled the win out of the oven…even though they failed to put the icing on top by way of an empty-netter.
Forward Fredrik Modin left the game in the second period with an upper body injury. The bad news here is given the Thrashers don't play again until Friday and the way their luck has gone lately, there's a better than even chance he doesn't even miss a game.
The loss drops Atlanta's record to 0-3-1 coming out of the All Star break, 4-7-4 in 2011 and 5-11-5 since the last time they played in Toronto back on December 20.
Their 24-22-10 record leaves them at 58 points along with the Carolina Hurricanes, who were idle Monday. However, the Canes now have three games in hand and will take to the ice twice this week before the Thrashers play again Friday against the Rangers.
Buffalo is only five points behind Atlanta and has five games in hand while the Panthers trail the Thrashers by six with four in hand. Both of those teams have games on Tuesday and on Thursday the play against each other in south Florida.
Meanwhile…back in Thrasherville…rumor has it general manager Rick Dudley has been seen out on his balcony play the fiddle. I don't know if that's true or not, but he needs to bake up some sort of deal soon to help this team before the season is completely cooked. Otherwise, come April 11, these Thrashers will once again be enjoying turnovers and other pastries while they await their tee times.
And as good as turnover pastries are… that would be tough to swallow.
By: Bill Tiller – AJC.com Thrashers Fan Blog
February 8th, 2011
12:28 am
February 8th, 2011
12:43 am
All I can say is Kawoosh … and no, scifi fans, that's not a puddle erupting from a giant stone ring …
It's our season swirling around and around, as it's power flushed by American Standard.
Other than that … there just aren't words in the English language.
None that are printable, at least.
February 8th, 2011
12:47 am
A while ago, it was pointed out to us by a poster that the Thrashers second half of the season contained many "softies." Like? The Islanders, 4-1 loss, the Maple Leafs, 9-3 and 5-4 losses, Carolina, 4-3 OTL, Calgary, 4-2 loss, and it goes on like this. We were also told, "No worries, T-bird fans. The second half of the season contains a much lighter schedule, with much more rest between games, so we'll be sure to bank those points against all those teams beneath us."
Is it 26 games left now?? I guess we'll have to go 17-8-1 in those games to make it into the playoffs. Right?
Okay, what are the odds we're STILLLL $18 million under the cap on April 11th?
February 8th, 2011
1:02 am
Man, this was a tough game to swallow after watching us jump out to a quick start. Overall I felt like we played well and in the end we just had a couple unlucky plays that cost us the 2 points. I know it seems pretty bad right now, but all it takes is a 3 or 4 game win streak and we are right back in the mix.Go Thrashers!
February 8th, 2011
1:06 am
What can you even say after this mess. Just unreal to tank like this afyrt playing solid for two months. We need to forget everything except DEFENSE ! Ramsey's team is a carbon copy of John Anderson from what I see, same thing as last season, Just SICK !
February 8th, 2011
1:55 am
Regardless of Buff breaking his goal-less streak, Ramsey has to bench him the next game for that play. Yeah, you can't bench one of your best players, but quite frankly, if the season isn't already lost, it's about to be. You have to set an example. Buff can't let that happen under any circumstance. If he's a man, he'd take a game benching and come back with hunger. If he pouts, then he's not worth the $6, 7 millions dollar we are about to give him.
February 8th, 2011
2:15 am
The way we're going, we'll be able to bench everybody the last 15 games.
February 8th, 2011
6:33 am
Guys! Don't be so negative!
February 8th, 2011
7:22 am
When are we going to make a trade? The way we are going it will be too late if we don't do something soon! Hell, I thought we should have made a trade before the season started and then the good start had everybody, including the GM apparently, thinking we were better than we actually were. I think the coach said a few weeks back that if Pavalec had not been standing on his head we would not have as good record as we had at the time. Well, Pavalec has come back down to earth and we are in trouble. IT IS TIME TO MAKE A TRADE DUDLEY! In fact, it is six months past due, oh but I forgot do we have enough room under the salary cap? Jeez…enough already…
February 8th, 2011
7:22 am
We need more talent to support the good young players we do have. AHL fill ins are not cutting it. Oh yeah, the money we would have to spend on players is tied up in lawsuits! I really feel for the guys. Most of them are working hard.
February 8th, 2011
7:28 am
OK – I'd like to take a look at some key aspects to any NHL franchise on and off the ice comparing the 2010-11 Atlanta Thrashers organization to the expansion version that was iced 11 seasons ago.
Owenership – Much worse now
Fan Base – Lower (and dwindling)
Ability to retain/attract top end talent – same (that is to say non-existant)
Talent of a completely healthy roster – better, but borderline playoff team
organization depth – marginally better, but terrible for a team in their 11th season
So, someone would have a hard time explaining to me how this organization is in much better shape now to compete in the NHL than they were immediately after they held their expansion draft.
Very, very sad.
February 8th, 2011
7:31 am
Yes, Brendan, the eternal optimist, Cornbread (aka Don Waddell), blustered about having a "soft" February….Uh-huh. So much for that. He/She must be a new fan of this team…or he/she wears that silly blue-flame hair monstrosity…
What a sad joke this franchise is; what it always has been.
But, they DID serve their purpose: filled out a game for someone else to bank points against. Welcome your new/old team: The Atlanta Schedule-Fodders.
That is what we are. Please STOP with the trade-talk–it will do absolutely nothing to alter the environment in this pitiful organization.
February 8th, 2011
7:40 am
Well here we are in that point of the season where the Thrashers have done their traditional fall off. In ways I blame the coaching staff and the players, they are professionals play/coach with pride. But the blame falls on the inept ownership. I have been a season ticket holder for six years, not as long as most, but I am now at the point of reconsidering for next year. This ownership completely ignores and constantly turns their nose up to us. They offer rewards to those individuals who sign up now for a partial season ticket. What does the regular season ticket holder get? (nothing) Where is the loyalty to us for the loyalty we have exhibited to the team (which our money goes to the ownership). If I was anyone of the owners I would have an extremely hard time looking at myself in the mirror!
February 8th, 2011
8:01 am
nothing changes until the league takes over. remember what i said here folks because there is no changing this franchise at this point. you can bitch about coaching and general managers all you want but how can this franchise attract top talent at the managerial,scouting and player levels with the 11 year track record? even if the boys on top opened their wallets right now, it is not going to change anything. the perception of this franchise is crystal clear league-wide.
think about it – aint going to happen
February 8th, 2011
8:08 am
Time to adopt a Las Vegas strategy watching this team. I arrive in Vegas, assume I lost all my money, and if I go home with any, I'm happy.
February 8th, 2011
8:12 am
STH are supposed to get their "electronic" renewal packages this week. Nice timing Elmer Fudds of the A$G. I'd hate to be ticket rep on commission.
February 8th, 2011
8:14 am
From the last blog- you know Smoothie, nobody has denied that Sage is right about his description of what's happened the last 11 years, it's the delivery we have objected to. You and I know we are in trouble from top to bottom and it's time to refocus our efforts. We need to look towards the future, again and try to build the type of team that can play at a higher level for 80+ games and playoffs. Trying to salvage this season is senseless, if we can't score, play team defense or make plays at crucial times. You need guys that can make plays.
Example- Sabres have not been the same since they let Briere and Drury go and why? These 2 guys made plays at crucial times. Our current team does not have players than can make POSITIVE plays at crucial times, so we blow leads and cannot recover when we are down.
February 8th, 2011
8:15 am
Actually, it was also me who noted that we had a nice, soft February and a nice, soft schedule ahead of us. What we've seen in the past week or two is called "Not taking advantage of it" or just "faceplanting" for short. If this team can pull a horseshoe out of its butt to make the playoffs, it will be as the best of the worst 8 in the East… hope you like a shot at Philly in Round 1.
Which is OK, if ownership were sane. This shouldn't, by rights, have been a year to make a playoff run. Under sane ownership, Dudley could collect assets this year, trade some older vets as rentals for more young talent and work on schemes with the realization that next offseason would be time to pick up some more veteran free agents to help the kids — and _then_ see how far we go. But ownership is not sane, so we can't rely on anything actually happening in the right order.
There isn't a trade that's available that would be in favor of the Thrashers right now, but there are plenty of bad ones available. Hopefully we don't make any of those, things don't really need to get worse.
And for god's sake, how many times do I have to tell some of you — this isn't freakin' kindergarten, teacher isn't going to show up and say "now, now, you're not being fair". The league won't ever take over the Thrashers. They're not broke. Let me repeat it: THEY'RE NOT BROKE. That's when the NHL steps in. Not before. And the ASG has plenty of money. They won't go broke. Talk about dreaming…
February 8th, 2011
8:15 am
If we ever hear some kinda crap like "we'll the Thrashers were still losing so much money that we couldn't get anyone by the deadline" from the ASG or management, maybe we petition the NHL as fans for new owners. Maybe we should anyway, a grass roots nonviolent coup d'etat or junta sorta kinda. When attendance hovers around 10k on a good night we all know why. Remember, attendance did MUCH BETTER back in December. Gee, wonder why? Winning = Butts in Seats WAKEY WAKEY A-S-G BUMS!!!
February 8th, 2011
8:16 am
But you are right Smoothie, it is hard to dance with the devil!
February 8th, 2011
8:21 am
We can trade our number 1 pick that we will get for finishing last this year to Pittsburgh for Cindy Crotchby, reunite her with Doris and live happily ever after.
February 8th, 2011
8:23 am
Gathering up all the trade references, here's what I'm seeing in a nutshell.
Sopel could go back to Chicago… Jack Skille possibly in return. Don't think we can give enough to get Dave Bolland.
Most of our best assets will go to Edmonton for either Hemsky or Penner. According to an unnamed GM, "The price is high for those guys right now" which is probably why nothing has happened yet. Gotta think Penner is slightly cheaper, and more of Ramsay's style… two Atlanta scouts were at the Oilers-Preds game last night.
February 8th, 2011
8:37 am
Heard Obama was at Washington-Pittsburgh game over the weekend. He would rather meet wit those DUMB republicans than EVER go see D.C. play the Thrashers… Gee we beat them 4 times this year ! Go figure !
February 8th, 2011
8:37 am
Thank goodness I was able to trade Buff a couple of days ago in my fantasy league, otherwise I would have to drop him just for the sheer principle of it. That has to be in the Top Five of the worst plays in Thrasher history, and that is a loooooooooong list!
February 8th, 2011
8:38 am
WBF – nice one. Think we've been runnin' with the devil for 6 years.
Joe frickin' Johnson…smh. I HATE Joe Johnson.
February 8th, 2011
8:41 am
Riceowls – RIGHT ON!!!
Moriler – We know the league won't buy assets, but I am thinking about the possibility of petitioning them to push them out the door, I doubt they like bad press all we have to do is tell THE TRUTH. I'm going with my gut and saying that in the end the NHL is a business and an entertainment one at that, therefore they should operate like a real business and force the issue. The NHL should then reform there requisites for prospective owners to reduce the risk of this kinda crap happening down the road to any market.
February 8th, 2011
8:41 am
A Trade "is" Coming this afternoon – I can SMELL it in the air!!!
February 8th, 2011
8:41 am
we know the league won't buy this franchise, right now (rather)
February 8th, 2011
8:42 am
Smoothie-the countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting has begun!
February 8th, 2011
8:43 am
We are the "LA Clippers" of the NHL……..the only difference is, Donald Sterling knows how to put a losing product on the court, year after year, and STILL make money….while the ASG, well, need I even go into it, really???
February 8th, 2011
8:46 am
Most of our best assets will go to Edmonton for either Hemsky or Penner. According to an unnamed GM, "The price is high for those guys right now" which is probably why nothing has happened yet. Gotta think Penner is slightly cheaper, and more of Ramsay's style… two Atlanta scouts were at the Oilers-Preds game last night.
This reeks of the same type of desperation moves that were made to bring in Tkachuk and Zhitnik. The situation is almost identical – The team is floundering and falling out of playoff contention. Bring in a veteran or two to stabilize the team for a feeble playoff run that will probably come up just short or lead to another quick first round exit. Of course, everyone want to see playoff hockey, but in a few years would the potential "Penner or Hemsky" trade be seen in the same light as the Zhitnik trade is seen now? If I were Dudley, I'd be very careful what I give up when you are not a serious cup contender.
February 8th, 2011
8:49 am
The Thrashers have begun their March to the off-season early this year: they started in January and have things properly tidied up by the middle of February.
February 8th, 2011
8:51 am
WBF – I don't like baseball THAT much. Maybe by Memorial Day I can get energized. Till then its all about getting into shape for golf season.
February 8th, 2011
8:59 am
Sorry to all the season ticket holders for gettting hosed yet another season. But, on the other hand thanks for stubhub where we can get your unwanted seats for a huge discount because I refuse to pay the set price to see them lose each time even though I go to every home game.
February 8th, 2011
9:00 am
@R.Stoze…I have a theory for you. Cap is low so ASG can pay players under the table bonuses for bad play. The players who help move team will be compensated most
February 8th, 2011
9:04 am
The turnover by Buff was really a bad play. Check out the video to see the look Pavalec gave him following the goal. Not good.
February 8th, 2011
9:15 am
Russ – I shudder to think about another Tkachuk-ish rental. They obviously don't pay off. Rentals often say (at least w/ ASG) that "hey, we shoulda done something a long time ago,probably in the offseason, but we weren't really in the mood and don't really give two rosy red bleeps". Once again, this team needs 4-5 good players to guarantee us a chance, NOT 1-2, but that won't happen.
February 8th, 2011
9:17 am
My 2 cents for today…
Buff has to play as a forward. Stapleton to AHL, Modin to waivers. Recall Postma and put Boulton in the line-up to shake a few cages. lets try this for a few games…
February 8th, 2011
9:21 am
Only trades that make sense at this point are those on one year deals for which we can get a good return…ie…Lad or Buff.
We are going nowhere this year and they won't re-sign…might as well get something for them.
February 8th, 2011
9:23 am
Russ… Penner and Hemsky have another year on their contract and are far more valuable than Tkachuk and Zhitnik. I personally don't think we'd regret either player. It makes sense now and next year.
Another player I'm warming up to is Alex Tanguay… didn't realize he's amongst league leaders in Shoot Outs.
February 8th, 2011
9:26 am
KLS1… Ladd and Buff are RFA… they're not going anywhere.
February 8th, 2011
9:27 am
This is just sick. They've finally done it….no renewal for me this year. I'm done. I'll just get cheap tickets or free tickets for the games I want to go to. No commitment from management and ownership? no commitment from me. I pay too much money to see that crap on the ice. Buff needs to be benched. Sopes, Slodine and Stapleton need to be gone. Probably time to bench Thorburn too. THAT dude should be on a milk carton.
February 8th, 2011
9:29 am
Russ – funny you say that about the inaugural team…
Before this season, I pegged this to be THE WORST season since about the 4th or 5th. I called myself a reformed naysayer when things got good, a first, but, here we go AGAIN. Remember for all the unfounded optimism that came along with Buff/Ladd and Co. prior to this season our good run in Nov./Dec. shouldn't have happened. On previous statistics alone no one could tell anyone that this year was going to be a success with anyreal data. So, that's it…this organization needs an enema and an ATM for a colon.
February 8th, 2011
9:44 am
"Turn out the lights. The parties over." ….as Dandy Don would say.
February 8th, 2011
9:46 am
Buff-n-stuff, I fear what you are smelling is not a trade but the remains of that big pile of crap left on the ice of the ACC in Toronto. That or the AS, LLC gang is about to say something to Thrashers fans. Its hard to figure out which sometimes.
Good lord this is frustrating.
February 8th, 2011
9:46 am
"ya know, if he can dish out pretty passes to is own teammates down low like the one he did to Kulemin last night, it would certainly be of benefit to our offense."
Bill – good one! Unfortunately, the only time Buff passes to teammates is when he flips one to the other team by accident! Seriously, the guy only gives up the puck when he absolutely has to in the O-zone. Not to be construed as a racist, but he's becoming a black hole.
February 8th, 2011
9:54 am
Looks like crap…..Smells like crap….IT IS CRAP.
February 8th, 2011
9:59 am
Somewhere out there, J Roenick is smiling.
February 8th, 2011
10:01 am
Is it bad that I am so speechless at this point that I am beginning to not even care? The first time this team goes up by 2 goals in months and they give it away in 5 minutes…So…who is making the tee time for early ApriL?
February 8th, 2011
10:06 am
It used to be "As long as Waddell is in the house I'm staying in mine" now it's "As long as FUBAS owns the house I'm staying in mine"
I'm done with investing my heart into this team when the Owners & Players don't.
There is no way the League will step in until the Phoenix deal is complete. Even then they wont probably do a thing unless FUBAS goes into bankruptcy. Based on the language we've heard from the side comments given by the NHL brass they'll entertain a buyer that moves the team before doing anything to that's keeps it here.
The person to blame for this mess… Ted Turner. He sold out Atlanta in every conceivable fashion on his way to the greener pastures of Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota or wherever he calls home now.
February 8th, 2011
10:13 am
h: "…No commitment from management and ownership? no commitment from me. I pay too much money to see that crap on the ice…."
Amen, h. A real Atlanta Thrashers fan. I hope more and more join you and give these owners what they deserve. Only the opposing team's fans should be in those stands.
I know Gary Bettman's plate is full, but an extreme boycott could bubble the Thrashers situation to the top of the queue….I'm willing to try and see….
February 8th, 2011
10:16 am
"…The person to blame for this mess… Ted Turner…."
I think this to be more correct than not (as crazy as it may sound on initial glance). The franchise was born into chaos–and it has never had the requisite attention and resources. The last we saw of him was when the name of this forlorn franchise was chosen….After that, gone.
A real shame.
February 8th, 2011
10:22 am
Buf is reverting back to what he did on D in Chicago. He would make lazy plays and disappear for stretches. Moving him up front fixed that, but they also had a hell of a lot deeper d than we have (understatement of the year).
Only trade Dudley should make is for someone that has RFA years left on him, or is signed for at least a couple years past this year. Top 2 dman or top 6 forward, or forget it. No rentals needed.
At the beginning of the year I figured this lineup would play this year and come together as a core under Ramsay's system and then they'd add a couple key pieces by next year to be more competitive. That strategy can still play out, but we need a different coach, he's not up to the task. But something else has changed here. Dudley was very vocal last summer and during training camp about his plans and his players and his coach. Something has changed here. The silence from ownership and Dudley is deafening.
I recommend going to as many games as possible the rest of the year.
February 8th, 2011
10:22 am
Yeah, the Buff turnover was some classic stuff, but as Rawhide noted it was just the crown jewel on a night replete with turnovers. Stupid decision after stupid decision makes one wonder what is being taught, or better yet is anyone still listening? Also, has anyone noticed Bogo looking more and more like Sopes on the ice? Hunched over the puck, afraid to skate with it, looking desperate to get it off his stick like it's a hot potato and usually making a hurried, ill-advised pass? For a 3rd overall pick, his regression is really astonishing.
February 8th, 2011
10:22 am
Everybody is calling Buff out on his bone-headed turn over. However, if you look at the replay of the GWG, you'll see Mr. Kulda pulled a Bogo–he quit in the corner and assumed someone else would take his man who drove to the net and dished for the goal. We need Enstrom now more than ever. Can't they wrap that hand?
February 8th, 2011
10:26 am
Sage…..I'm a huge hockey fan and really don't want to see this franchise leave, but I work hard for my money and I just feel like I am giving it away right now…..I share 2 sets of tickets with a few other guys and right now I have tickets to all of the remaining games except one, but I am so not interested in going, it is disgusting. The boys have been playing poorly for 2 months and nothing has been done other than to call up some poor talent from Chicago. Cormier should be trading time with Boulton, Thorburn and Slater (when healthy) on that 4th line. First line should be Ladd, Little and Bergy. Second line should be Kane, (Penner maybe?), and (another trade or Buff). Third line should be Antro, Peverley and Stewart. If Buff moves up then you need a shut down D man to add to the mix. That means we need 2-3 ready players……don't think we have the assets to make that happen. If we can get guys with years left, it is worth dumping a couple of first round picks and a couple of "not so ready for prime time" players in Chicago (anyone but Postma and Kulda).
February 8th, 2011
10:26 am
Considering this team has always been miserable when it comes to rebuilding and getting worthwhile future assets for stars that get traded, why not trade Byfuglien now for a couple of picks? There must be a GM out there desperate enough to make the playoffs who is willing to add such a difference maker to his line-up…Colorado?? Rangers??
We won't be able to re-sign Buff so what's the point of delaying the inevitable? Just get something now while you can. Buff & Bergy to EDM for Penner & Hemsky? Our defense can't get any worse without Buff, can it? 78 goals in the last 21 games? Perhaps Roenick was right?
February 8th, 2011
10:31 am
Ottawa tried to shop Gonchar. He is 38 years old D-man, veteran and 2 years $5.5 contract. He can be very helpfull for Atlanta. Also Hemsky and Penner will be nice. We need some help as soon as possible. But My opinion, my view is not happend this year. Owners not believe to Hockey team and PO on this year and they will not give Dudly green light(cash) to trade. I think we can go to Lottery Draft and try next year. Like always happend year by year.
February 8th, 2011
10:34 am
Joe, I can't see putting a dime in FUBAS's pocket when there plan is to shed themselves of this "franchise" or in their eyes "The redheaded stepchild they inherited when they married the Hawks".
The day the announcement is made that the team is being sold to an entity, yet to be named, that is keeping them here in Atlanta I will be back at the Bulb with my hard earned dollars. Until then it's the Blackhawks & Av's on VS or Center Ice while going to Gwinnett to get my hockey fix.
February 8th, 2011
10:34 am
Actually, I liked what Kulda did… he separated the man from the puck. Somebody should have been there to pick up the loose puck.
Turnovers and the inability to clear the zone is the biggest handicap right now.
February 8th, 2011
10:36 am
Adam… the Thrashers became the redheaded stepchild with the CBA. That's when FUBA wanted to sell the team; when they were required to spend $40 million.
Otherwise, we'd still be spending $25 million a year on team salary… the CBA; a blessing and a curse.
February 8th, 2011
10:54 am
Here you go… just retweeted from FourthPeriod through Gene Pricipe (Sportsnet)
Lots of talk about Zach Bogosian to Edm and last night two scouts from Atlanta drove to Nashville, in a mild snowstorm, to watch the game
Nashville has also shown interest in Hemsky and Fourth Period thinks that Edmonton wants Ryan Ellis in return.
February 8th, 2011
11:01 am
GVH – interesting. Perhaps Bogey is getting so much PP time to showcase his primary attribute, his hard shot from the point, which EDM sorely lacks without Whitney and of course, the exiled Souray. They certainly need young blueliners and our defense has never looked worse than it has in the last month and a half.
February 8th, 2011
11:02 am
Also, don't forget, we play EDM later this month so perhaps we were simply scouting their dangerous line-up that has gotten them all the way to 40 points in 50+ games!
February 8th, 2011
11:03 am
Hokie, While that is probably true there has never been any real interest in hockey amongst this group of owners. When Basketball is the main focus and most of them don't live here so they don't even attend games. If they did go to games you'd think they may even get taken by the sport the way we have.
The product we are being sold is a direct reflection of their lack of interest. Well I'm not buying!
February 8th, 2011
11:08 am
Downtown ATL Hockey Fan – I am with you…but it's getting harder.
I heard a very telling comment by Darren Eliot. He was discussing a play that Kulda made and mentioned that they ran a different system in Chicago and made that play differently. Why??? Can't we learn from Detroit and even Nashville how important it is to have a consistent style through out the farm system? When those teams have call ups it's a 'plug & play' deal. It does a team no good to have to teach a guy a new system each time he is called up. By the time they get comfortable, they are on a plane back to Chicago. And can someone tell me why we didn't keep Clarke McArthur? He's not Gretzky, but he beats what we have. We have absolutely no depth at any position and none in the farm system. I will continue to support the team, but i truly hate Waddell and the ASG ass-clowns. Did anyone else find it curious that Ted Turner wouldnt sell the team to David McDavid, but he would sell them to a group of idiots that included his half-witted son-in-law?
February 8th, 2011
11:11 am
The point system and W-L-T is what it is. We still have a winning record dammit!!!!
February 8th, 2011
11:22 am
Just tweeted from Ben Wright…
Please, please, please stop with the Hemsky talk. He's not coming to Atlanta. I'm as confident of that as I am of anything.
Rick Dudley will be on NHL Live at 12:30p.
February 8th, 2011
11:32 am
I wonder if Burke threatened to trade Kessel to the Thrashers
February 8th, 2011
12:07 pm
Smoothie-I try to go to spring training every year, not sure we will make it this year. We are baseball fans, no doubt almost as much as hockey.
Buff-n-snuff-LA Clippers!
Now that is a good one. I am former Buffalo Braves' fan, watched the Braves become the Clippers at the end of the 1978 season. They have stunk ever since! We only have 21 more years to catch up to the Clippers' futiliy.
February 8th, 2011
12:10 pm
Da boomer-the system issue between the Thrashers and Chicago Wolves has been a hot button here for some time. It is stupid to have a developmental system that varies from the parent club. Most good teams, playoff teams have some level of control over what style the farm team plays. here are a number of things that need to be changed, once of them is the farm club.
Several posters have suggested we get an AHL franchise in Gwinnett exclusive to the Thrashers. That would be great!
February 8th, 2011
12:16 pm
WBF – can you take me with you? I'll ride in the trunk with my clubs and play golf while you watch high schoolers shag fly balls!
I love seeing the Braves do well, but I'll never be as big a baseball fan as I was growing up. Even having played it through HS, I just can't get fired up about it like I used to. Too sad to see hockey start it's departure I guess.
February 8th, 2011
12:17 pm
WBF – Thanks. It seems just too commen sensical to be overlooked. I like the AHL/Gwinnett thing. We need to have all the farm teams onthe same page.
February 8th, 2011
12:20 pm
Smoothie-my son is a huge fan; not just a fan but a student of the game. Lots of good golf places in ORlando!
da'boomer- yeah we have all been sdaying th esame thing for a long time. Not sure how much longer our agreement with Chicago will go.
February 8th, 2011
12:25 pm
Sage of Bluesland "…The person to blame for this mess… Ted Turner…."
100% correct sold hawks and thrashers to a group including his close relative for discount price. i think mcdavid intended to buy for 100 mil. more. money didn't matter to turner. his intend been gift for friends and relatives to help them make money after they dump particularly thrashers to new buyer. i lost all respect to turner after that because of consistent torture of Atlanta hockey fans. why not buy hundred pounds carat gift for you son in live and not playing games with thousands loyal hockey fans. this is despicable Mr. liberal.
February 8th, 2011
12:40 pm
"The cat is out of the bag. We now know the Oilers and Thrashers are talking trade, with Zach Bogosian heading to Edmonton. What we don't know is what the asking price is.
There's been plenty of talk about the Oilers perhaps attempting to acquire Tobias Enstrom, but I actually think Bogosian is a better fit. The 20 year-old defenseman is 6′3″, 215lbs, and he comes with both toughness and some offensive skill. He's a little Chris Pronger-like, which is good enough for me (don't tell me Oiler fans wouldn't love Pronger if he would have stayed). The Oilers have nothing like him currently, with the exception of perhaps young Martin Marincin, who is at least another year away from the NHL.
Would Bogosian for Hemsky straight up be a fair deal? I am thinking no. Teams don't give away 3rd overall picks who have the potential of Bogosian. Scouts from Atlanta have been following around the Oilers for the last three games. Perhaps they have some interest in a player like Ladislav Smid to go along with Hemsky? Speaking of players hard to assign a trade value to, Hemsky is tough to analyze. Players who can score at about a .95 point-per-game clip are hard to find and acquire, but Hemsky has only this year and next until he's UFA eligible. He's also injury prone. Some people feel Hemsky in a deal is worthy of a 1st round pick and a roster play, and others see his value being much lower. I almost think his trade value has to be considered on a deal-by-deal basis.
Of course, we don't know for certain if the Thrashers interest is in Hemsky. They could be targetting Dustin Penner…but that being said, Hemsky is the more dynamic player, and the Thrashers need something dramatic to improve their offense. Penner's value in a deal is thought to be comparable to Hemsky's, but once again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Atlanta needs the playoffs this season. The Oilers need a young leader for the defense. The Thashers don't have the time to be patient while a young d-man takes time to develop; the Oilers have all the time in the world. It seems like a perfect fit between the teams."
February 8th, 2011
12:45 pm
I just have to say this re: the Bogosian rumor. I am fully aware he has not played well last year or most of this year. I know he has been injured a lot, so it might be fair to say he might be injury prone. But, the kid played well his first year, so he has the ability. I think it is fair to say that he has not been coached as well as he could have been. He deserves some blame, but he might also be a good candidate for a sports psychologist.
I also know this. The kid was rushed to the bigs. He is still only 20 years old. I know you have to give up something to get something too. But another panic trade would be a mistake. If you can get fair value considering his draft spot, age and potential, then fine. If not, I don't want to watch another young defenseman develop in another city for years to come.
Having said that, the potential is there that we might have to watch ALL these players from other cities via Center Ice pretty soon…..
February 8th, 2011
12:46 pm
Dudley Dodges Interview, Reschedules For Future Considerations
February 8th, 2011
12:47 pm
Whoops Russian, I was typing that while you were posting it.
February 8th, 2011
12:48 pm
Hate to say it, but Bogosian is as good as gone. Wanna know how I know? Because I have two jerseys: one with Reasoner's name and the other with Zach's. Kiss. Of. Death.
Russian – if that is coming from Hockeybuzz, I guess we now know there will be no deal with Edmonton. LOL
February 8th, 2011
1:04 pm
Smoothie-Danicing with the devil II?
Ironic how the Thrashers started strong and are fading fast.
New Jersey started just a little slow, but coming on strong.
Never thougthh there would be a chance they could pass us.
Another 76 point season?
February 8th, 2011
1:17 pm
The day I got Bogosian put onto the back of my jersey was the day he started to be terrible…ugh.
February 8th, 2011
1:18 pm
Here were the line combos for the last three ES Toronto goals:
Cormier Little Bergie Kulda Sopes
Ladd Thorbs Bergie Oduya Big Buff
Cormier Stapes Bergie Kulda Sopes
I realize there may have been line changes going on during the plays (as I did not see the game), but no doubt Ramsay was shuffling lines after Modin went out. Was it really necessary to keep rolling 4 different lines, which turns into 5 and 6 with all the shuffling? Just bench Stapleton & rotate go with Burmy-Thorbs-Peverley as your extra line. If Ramsay isn't going to make smarter adjustments, then we will continue to lose rolling 4 lines with such inferior talent & youth.
February 8th, 2011
1:18 pm
Smoothie – We would sit at Bogey's table on Casino Night, if we were going, that would guarantee the trade! MRS DWTOO is the kiss of death – last year she sat with Armstrong and Hedburg. GONE!
February 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
TrueBlue – same here. Reasoner didn't exactly light it up last year either. But has 10 goals and 20+ points this year for a team challenged to score goals. Ay carumba.
February 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
I have a Mickey Mantle jersey, safe to say I don't have to be concerned about The Mick being traded.
February 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
**to Smoothie**
Oh, yes. I know that. Hockey Buzz is very big Liar, especilly Eklund.:-)
February 8th, 2011
1:27 pm
WBF – ha, I chuckled on that one. I need to make my next jersey a vintage LaFontaine jersey (Buffalo of course) as I wore 16 in HS anyways. I can't curse him by doing so although his kid is pretty good right? Perhaps I should spare his children and go with Adam Oates.
DWTOO – I may buy your wife a tkt to sit with Modin, Oduya and Mason!
February 8th, 2011
1:27 pm
Everyone needs to remember Chicago is "really" not part of the Thrashers in any way. We only have an agreement with them to allow our prospects to play there in the AHL. They in no way play any Thrasher style hockey period. remember Brian Little a few years back saying he had to watch video
of Atlanta games to see how to play "our" system ?
That is a BIG problem I think. We need prospects learning The Atlanta way to play hockey games, not from a place for them, just to play, and that is what Chicago is, nothing more. They learn NOTHING there about Atlanta.
We really need our OWN AHL team in Birmingham. Run by Atlanta for Atlanta. But as we ALL
know as long as these LYING owners are still in control, that will NEVER happen.
But that is one thing that does need to change if we EVER get a commited owner.
Bring Back The Birmingham Bulls !!!!! Then they can be close and drive over if needed.
But that is way too simple for the LIARS that own this franchise, Can there be any more STUPID owners in All of professional sports ? Oh, lastly… Where is Worthless waddell HIDING these days ?
When the liars were exposed, he disappeared, Wonderful !
February 8th, 2011
1:29 pm
Russian, that wasn't even Eklund… that was an Edmonton blogger on Eklund's site… even less credible.
… No offense Rawhide.
February 8th, 2011
1:30 pm
R.Stroz, what's the tune that the AS,LLC songbird sings?
February 8th, 2011
1:31 pm
It's pretty sad when the only classic jersey you can wear for the Thrashers is maybe a Dan Snyder jersey… maybe Ferraro… Odgers?
Kovalchuk, Hossa, Heatley, Lethonen… can't really wear any of those proudly.
February 8th, 2011
1:43 pm
Only if they say "Chicken Parm" or "the Sheriff" on the back Hokie!
February 8th, 2011
1:44 pm
Booger for Penner? Meh. I disapprove.
February 8th, 2011
1:53 pm
Kevin Allen set them straight…
From twitter…
Eklund… Just did a podcast with @kausatoday that will be posting shortly. Nothing to the Oilers/Thrashers Rumors at this time…
February 8th, 2011
2:07 pm
I don't know what's more surprising: that Eklund would admit to being wrong or Kevin Allen actually agreeing to discuss anything with that hack??
February 8th, 2011
2:07 pm
I don't believe a word that comes out of Eklund's computer. I'll wait for Kevin Allen to say something.
February 8th, 2011
2:11 pm
@LAC. I've been pitching about the Bham connection for years. BJCC sits empty. Bham has hockey history. Bham only has Barons AA SLB, nothing else to do in Bham after football season ends. Bham averaged 3K for weeknight ECHL, had 5-10K on weekends. Bham ECHL franchise was sold to owners who lied to the fans saying they were intent on keeping the Bulls in Birmingham. It was later made known they bought the franchise knowingly to move it to Atlantic City.
February 8th, 2011
2:12 pm
Brendan – CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP
February 8th, 2011
2:14 pm
best trade scenario dw form Atlanta to Siberia for a pack of shovels at least it's going to improve Atlanta in case of snow storm, also ted turner should go on trial for treason against loyal hockey Atlanta fans, because he decided to sell thrashers for discount price to bunch of clowns including his friends and relative knowing they don't care and going to dump franchise at first opportunity. SAGE OF BLUELAND is 100% correct.
February 8th, 2011
2:15 pm
Watched this excuse for a hockey team last night up to where they were ahead 2-0. Turned it off and said they will give it away. Turned it back on later and Walha ! They could 'nt hold a 20 point lead. Watched a Bantum game last week(13-15yr old) much more entertaining.
February 8th, 2011
2:19 pm
I could write eklund's blog for him. It normally goes something like this:
"Just got off the phone with someone close to one of the teams in the NE Division. He tells me there's a buzz going around about a top six left winger from that team being dealt away to a team in the west, Pacific Division or NW, I'm not allowed to say just which at this time.
In return for said LW, the team in the NE Division would receive a defenseman as well as a top prospect or #1 pick this summer.
If that team is, say, Edmonton giving up a #1 then that would be of great benefit to the team on the receiving end of the deal. Personally, I think the Senators could use that the most, but I'm only speculating they are the team involved in the rumor.
I'll check back in later with updates".
How's that?
February 8th, 2011
2:20 pm
part of the control of the team is selecting the coaching staff for the ahl team. clubs that do this enble the minor league coaches to move up to the parent club as an assistant-a doorway to the big leagues. who is the head coach in chicago?
February 8th, 2011
2:25 pm
Hoof Arted… you forgot to throw in the word 'domino'.
February 8th, 2011
2:28 pm
(from another source)
My main complain about the Thrashers- Wolves relationship is the lack of control that the parent NHL club has over it's minor-league affiliate. AHL ownership is not even the solution. I strongly believe that members of the parent NHL franchise Hockey Operations staff must be involved within the AHL franchise Hockey Ops.
Here's a quick AHL-NHL owners & Hockey Ops check of the other Southeast teams:
Carolina: Peter Karmanos (NHL); MAK Hockey, LLC (Michael Kahn, president/CEO) [AHL]. No direct Canes HockeyOps involvement, although Checkers HC+ GM Daniels has a history within the Hurricanes organization.
Florida: Cliff Viner & Stu Siegel (NHL); Curt Styres (AHL). No direct involvement according to my quick research.
Tampa: Jeff Vinik; Ken Young and Tides Baseball, LP. Julien BriseBois (AGM in Tampa; GM in Norfolk.)
Washington: Ted Leonsis; HERCO. Bears GM Yingst & Caps GM McPhee work as a tandem in the AHL.
No Southeastern team owner owns their affiliated AHL team. Every other team, beside Atlanta and Florida has some of connection to the AHL franchise. Tampa finally got the message! I don't think that the pre-Yzerman Bolts- Admirals relationship was a tied as it is now.
Complaints of the past about the weak supply of quality prospects from the Thrashers to the AHL don't make sense anymore. The improved record at the draft table have led to an influx of decent young players. In that regard, I question why the Wolves need Krog and Haydar. If it were up to me, I'd install a member of the Thrashers Hockey Operations staff (will be hired) who's main task will be to create the best development environment for Thrashers prospects in the AHL. Any refusal from the Wolves side will see a termination of the affiliation agreement or it's not renewed, depending on the situation.
February 8th, 2011
2:29 pm
Yep I said it. I also said if the Thrashers don't take advantage of their February schedule than I'd be concerned. Am I concerned yet? Getting there.
But I also said the Rangers and Canes should be more concerned with their schedules. In case you have not noticed, the Rangers have been falling as fast as the Thrashers have. I'd still much rather have the Thrashers schedule this month, especially the way they have been struggling, than those of NY or NC.
It all could come down to the final games in April between the three. Time for the Thrashers to take advantage of February so it does not have to.
February 8th, 2011
2:48 pm
GaVaHokie, you are right. I forgot to work that in. OK so here's the update.
"Just got off the phone with my contact. He's certain that any such trade between a NE team and PAc or HW trade partner could set off a domino effect in regards to other possible deals. The prospect/draft pick heading east could be used to secure a backup goalie desperately needed for the playoff stretch.
Also, I'm getting word that the Thrashers have indeed been in talks with the Edmonton Oilers lately. Rumors I've gotten have Bogosian heading to the Canadian rockies in exchange for Penner or Hemski. Picks and prospects are also on the table-(HF2).
However there is just as muck likelihood that Atlanta will look to keep their third overall pick from the 2008 draft in house given his strong upside once his defensive game finally develops. So we'll have to stay tuned".
February 8th, 2011
3:07 pm
y'all forgot every other day or so the blog that's simply an ambiguous headline with 'more to come' as the only content.
February 8th, 2011
3:26 pm
acer, nice work. owning the ahl affiliate is a big headache, another balance sheet the parent club has to worry about. what the nhl team needs is an exclusive arrangement with the ahl team to ensure they have creative control in the minors, coaches, style and playing time under the system that will be used by the big club. let somebody else own them preferably someone local since most ahl teams are in towns or small cities, have the local flavor and feed the affiliate quality prospects.
February 8th, 2011
3:27 pm
These rumor people are nothing more than snake oil salesmen.
We deal with enough of "their types" between the ASG owners and Waddell.
February 8th, 2011
3:28 pm
Here we go again. Thrashers will NOT make it into playoffs again. Nobody wants to buy them, no player wants to stay here. Completely screwed up ownership, management. Now what?????????
February 8th, 2011
3:29 pm
This team is making Chuck Norris cry.
February 8th, 2011
4:14 pm
If there is any saving grace to be had right now… Carolina is heading out on a pretty rough 5 game road trip. NJ twice, Philadelphia, Tampa,Atl. Then home to play,
Philadelphia/NJ/NYR/Pittsburgh and finish 2/11 in Montreal. Those will not be easy games for them at ALL, let's hope they lose a whole lot. But we better damn sure whip their butts Sunday no if's and's or butts about it.
This losing HAS TO STOP, PLAY Defense for crying out loud, Play Defense !
February 8th, 2011
4:22 pm
Needed for medical purpose;
1- hair club membership
2- throat lozenges
3- alcohol
4- blood pressure pills
5- alcohol
February 8th, 2011
4:22 pm
did I mention alcohol?
February 8th, 2011
4:28 pm
How can anybody say the Thrashers have an easier schedule than Carolina ? I think Carolina has a better shot at gaining more points. The Thrashers find a way to win the games that don't mean much, ie Washington. But when they play the teams below them they can't get it done.
February 8th, 2011
4:32 pm
No way you trade Bogo unless you're trading straight up for a top 3 or 4 pick in the last few drafts so if L.A. wants to trade Drew Doughty, pull the trigger. That might happen 7 years from now but it ain't happenin' now. As much as Bogo needs to progress, you simply cannot trade him for anything less than a can't miss and can sign – or two of those. That ain't happenin' either so the train leavin' town will have a Hainsey or a Sopel or an Antropov, to name a few – IF we're able to get a dance partner. Btw, throw in Mason too. What a bust.
February 8th, 2011
4:40 pm
Hockey Biltong – Heat Miser informed me that a vuvuzela can be used as a funnel for alcohol.
February 8th, 2011
4:55 pm
LAC…don't forget about the Sabres. They have five games in hand.
February 8th, 2011
5:00 pm
msg-the league has to step in and get this house in order. no indication any where that this can be repaired without gary bettman's intervention. and everyone in the league knows it, everyone with a brain that is.
February 8th, 2011
5:11 pm
Cliff, WAKE UP. The Thrashers BELONG to the ASG. The NHL can't just step in and thinking otherwise is just dumb.
February 8th, 2011
5:14 pm
Wow! Our boys in blue suck soooo bad now, I had to move back to Iowa. Henceforth, I shall be known as "Thrashers27…in Iowa".
"Yep, 'nuthur Yankee goin' back up north."
I will miss having the ability to see my beloved Thrashers play in person, but I will certainly continue to follow them from afar…even when they suck.
Now, as for that sucking thing…KNOCK IT OFF, BOYS!!! WE ALL KNOW YOU GUYS CAN PLAY BETTER…YOU CAN PLAY WITH ANY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE!!! WE'VE SEEN IT!!!
Now get out there and win! I want playoffs!
I'll still be around Atlanta once in a while, so I hope to see some of "y'all" around.
February 8th, 2011
5:26 pm
February 8th, 2011
5:41 pm
the Heat Miser is a wise man. You can also put it to your ear and hear the trees falling in the forest, you just can't see them…….
February 8th, 2011
5:55 pm
Not Blind – That was a rude response, don't insinuate people lacking intelligence unless they're being motherbleeps first. That's just good manners. Anywho…why can't the league step in? The Thrashers are a FRANCHISE, like a brand name car dealership or the run of the mill fast food joints and yes CORPORATE CAN STEP INTO THOSE TOO I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN. But that's all about predetermined rules of operation and such.
That said, I dunno if they could do anything about how these teams are operated now, but like I said before they seriously need to reform their selling practices. Prospective owners should be pretty serious fans first and foremost themselves on top having all the necessary means of capital, but I'm just a lamen, what do I know? The league SHOULD NOT sell to groups like ASG or that Wong guy with the Isles, team flippers (that should be a big HELL NO). I don't see how hard it is to figure out if a guy/gal/group cares enough to succeed, but again, what do I know?
Anyways, yes current absentee owners bankrupting a franchise may have to answer to the original owner of said franchise if they are negligently jeopardizing it especially if they are marring the brand.
February 8th, 2011
6:04 pm
From Sports Business Daily: Average viewership of Thrashers games on FS South and Sports South this season is 6,000 households per game. Presumably, that's many of the same people who attend the games! Only Florida is rated worse.
So, which station will broadcast the games next season?
February 8th, 2011
6:08 pm
I find those numbers "Hard to Believe"….even with the teams recent troubles.
February 8th, 2011
6:09 pm
True Blue, wait 'til we pull the trigger on Bogosian for Sheldon Souray, or some equally ridiculous trade. I'm at the point where I'm afraid that Thrashers organization reads our diatribes and might make a stupid trade in a futile attempt to assuage us. Maybe we should all start posting about how wonderful everything is … so there's no need to make any changes. At least this way, if the team does get sold, the new ownership still have some pieces in place, from which to start.
Honestly, if the season is lost, why make it worse for next year by giving away a former 3rd overall pick? Honestly now. Honestly … what good are lottery picks in the hands of the AS,LLC and their staff? We just "firesale" them, or move them in "salvage jobs" to recoup what we can, at the deadline. We don't have a Savard, Hossa, or Kovalchuk to bargain this deadline. Our biggest assets are Buff, Ladd, Pavelec, Enstrom and Bogosian. And it's way too early to bail on Zach. Central scouting wasn't wrong about him. He's a Top 10 overall pick, for sure, from his draft year. He just needs (1) time and a (2) mentor. And he'll be fine.
February 8th, 2011
6:09 pm
Trixie, help.
February 8th, 2011
6:13 pm
Red Light – BET THE FARM PICKS AND ALL!!!
February 8th, 2011
6:14 pm
Red Light – great article!! I concur 100%. What more do we have to lose? For chrissake's we can't nurture our young talent anyway and waiting another 3-5 years for more 1st rounders to develop (maybe) will lead to nothing but more STH departures and increased apathy by the remnants of the fanbase, if you can call it that.
February 8th, 2011
6:14 pm
I am a lifelong hockey fan and this team has pretty much become unwatchable. This is about rock bottom for despair. Think of the Falcons with coaches lying and leaving and Vick headed to jail but without a commited owner like Blank. The team has been horrid losing 4 important games all to teams below it in the standings. The owners are an absolute joke unwilling to spend and then pointing to the stands and questioning why fans wont show up and watch this product. There is no commitment to winning. None. The concept of disposing of the team is the ownership attitude. They are more committed to lawsuits than winning. The sad thing is there appear to be no viable buyers to rescue the fans. Perhaps an open petition or letter to Bettman asking to save our franchise is in order signed off on by as many season ticket holders and fans as possible will get some attention. Hockey can succeed here but not with this self destructive joke of ownership.
February 8th, 2011
6:15 pm
Not Blind, the NHL cannot be happy with the stewardship of this franchise. I don't know if they have the ability to fine them or otherwise punish them, but perhaps a withholding of revenue-sharing dollars from the league would send a message. Knowing Bruce, he'd sue the NHL and Commissioner Bettman for trying a move like that. He'd point to the Leafs, Coyotes, and yesteryear's Blackhawks and Rangers as shining examples of how teams fail, in terms of wins and losses, and an inability to advance deep into the playoffs. Levenson can point to markets like Florida and Columbus, and even Boston and NJ in their lean years, for a woeful lack of attendance, without those owners in those markets being punished.
February 8th, 2011
6:36 pm
Bob McKenzie has an interesting piece on Bogosian. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=353002
"there has been a fractious and counter-productive relationship between new Thrasher assistant coach John Torchetti and Bogosian and it may have festered too long before being addressed internally by the Thrashers."
"the whole dynamic between Torchetti and Bogosian has been much talked about in NHL circles"
February 8th, 2011
6:37 pm
Well, I think I've harped on ASG plenty and will continue to do so, but I think there's some validity in harping on the NHL too. I've recently started stating the obvious about feeling out prospecitve franchise owners commitment which should rank just as highly as the necessary funds to acquire such a thing, still I've got another gripe with the league….
CARELESS EXPANSION. I'll be the first guy to speak up for the hockey initiated transplants of the north and relocated Cannuckians too (yes, their down here) in these "non-traditional" markets, yankee kids like me and the aforementioned hockey hungry demographics deserve professional hockey in their new locales so long as it's viable. Having said that, yes, yes I wholeheartedly think sunbelt hockey has been viable over at least the last 20 years and moreso now. Even still, it's an uphill battle (that really goes without saying) and the league's gotta know that as well as anyone. So in Bettman and Co.'s pursuit of far reaching expansion where was there commitment? Where is it now? I don't need to elaborate, we all know what I'm saying, but did they ever really strategize? Did they ever attempt to make certain it would succeed so as not to hear the guaranteed "I told you so(s)". No. they didn't and that's both pathetic and tragic.
February 8th, 2011
6:39 pm
they're down here rather…grrr happy fingers and english variations/mergers or whatever
February 8th, 2011
6:41 pm
where was their commitment rather….sorry if I screwed up more with there/their/they're
February 8th, 2011
6:45 pm
Brendan – I like that revenue withholding idea. Sanction em basically, good i-deer.
February 8th, 2011
6:46 pm
Worst sporting year ever. Started with the Broncos then Thrashy and the Avs started off well so I thought "ok, I can deal with that 2/3 isn't bad". Then stuff hit the fan and now I end up getting teary-eyed pretty much every night.
February 8th, 2011
6:47 pm
Excellent point. In retrospect, not only did they expand too fast, but too much. The league would be much better off with four divisions with seven teams in each, or 28 teams, than 30. Ideally, it really would be better off with 24.
The interesting thing to me is…if the Coyotes, Islanders, Panthers, Thrashers, etc. relocate, than what are the viable options? Quebec, Winnipeg and Kansas City all had teams and watched them leave. Why try that again?
That leaves such places as Portland, Seattle, Omaha, Las Vegas, a second team in suburban Toronto? Those choices don't excite me, and don't exactly scream hockey. Maybe the league should consider dropping two teams?
TY Smoothie!
February 8th, 2011
7:02 pm
"From Sports Business Daily: Average viewership of Thrashers games on FS South and Sports South this season is 6,000 households per game. "
Last time I saw figures was mabye a season or two ago and it was 2800 households per game. These #s should be an eye opener for those deluding themselves into thinking the compelling reason that the NHL will keep the Thrashers here is because we're the 8 or whatever TV market. I guess we can look for professional curling to take hold here as well, we're the #8 TV market, right? Doesn't matter if no one wants to watch it . . .
So how come we have to hear about the fractious relationship between Torch and Bogo from a writer in Canada if it's such common knowledge?
No way they trade Bogosian unless the return is huge. You know what, I had forgotten he was the #3 overall pick (his play made me forget)
February 8th, 2011
7:03 pm
I hate to say it, but markets like Detroit, Boston, and NY Rangers have sucked LONGER and BEEN MORE IMPORTANT to the NHL than Atlanta. Any Red Wing fans remember the '80's? They were the DEAD THINGS. The Bruins got down for a while in the 90's, and early 80's, if I'm recalling correctly. The Bruins last Cup was 1972. The NY Rangers went 54 years, from 1941 to 1994 before they won a Cup. And NYC is the # 1 market in the country. No NHL President or Commissioner stepped in to help the Rangers. And can't we say that a market like Chicago was important? They just went 49 years between Cups, back to 1961. That franchise was, perhaps, the most mismanaged of ANY significant market team.
It pains me to say it, but I don't see help on the way. The "help" will be new ownership. And new ownership doesn't guarantee anything. I remember back in 1997, when the NHL announced plans to award expansion franchises, with Atlanta one of the markets of consideration. When it was finally announced that Atlanta would be getting a team, I jumped for joy and began immediately plotting how long it might take to win a Cup. I sat there, earnestly plotting lottery draft finishes and pieces acquired from them, and speculating that if … all goes according to plan, that 2006 or 2007 could be a CF or even a Stanley Cup season, if the team were properly assembled via the draft and trade deadline moves. I was immediately counseled by a Blackhawks fan, "All the plotting and conjecture in the world won't matter if you don't get the right ownership. Who's going to OWN this magnanimous franchise in Atlanta?" I said, "we don't know yet, but I have to think Ted Turner is in the running. And he's a billionaire. He likes to win. Look at the Braves. This Stanley Cup is comin' to Atlanta, I tells ya."
Shoulda listened to that Blackhawk fan. He was wise. He was well experienced in the ways of pathetic, hopeless ownership. If the NHL wouldn't help Chicago, an "Original Six" market saturated with hockey fans, then there's little hope for us. We must pray for a sale. A sale is our salvation.
February 8th, 2011
7:13 pm
Seattle, Portland, Vegas could all support teams. Kansas and Omaha I doubt could. Houston might be able to as well. Austin and San Antonio are out of the question. Toronto could handle another team. Salt Lake maybe. It would most likely have to be a City that already has the infrastructure.
February 8th, 2011
7:23 pm
It is a viscous cycle. Ownership won't invest without serious fan support and the fans won't support a poor product and it is difficult to attract big talent, obviously, without the big paychecks. Add to that the development it takes drafted players to actually be good in this league.
Additionally there is no real leadership on the team whatsoever. Floundering.
February 8th, 2011
7:33 pm
I really do wonder if the NHL needed to expand past 24 teams, Red Light. That's four divisions of six clubs. Makes the division champion a bit more relevant. The league nicely divides into 12 teams per conference. And maybe the concept of a 7-team playoff field, per conference could be explored?
The way a 7-team playoff system works is for the Top 3 seeds to get a 1st round bye. Teams 4-7 then play # 4 vs. # 7 and # 5 vs. # 6 play in a best-of-five series. The winners meet in another best-of-five series for to establish the 4th seed. Then we play # 1 vs. # 4, and #2 vs. # 3, in the usual best-of-seven series. The winners meet in the CF and one emerges into the SCF from there. People would still scream, "seven out of 12 make it in! That's too many!" But with a salary cap and parity, it should be a very dynamic finish to the season, with tie-essentially establishing the Field of Seven that go to the playoffs.
I never like identifying which markets should stay and go, Red Light. At first glance, there are a lot of teams in the NY/NJ area. Is that saturation? With teams in Buffalo, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Ottawa, do we really need one in Columbus? What is the purpose of hockey in the middle of a desert, unless people there were screaming for it, with 5-years worth of pre-paid season tickets? When people say Nashville, Tennessee … how many of us think hockey?? That's four. Two more to go. Anaheim, they say, is a suburb of Los Angeles. I don't know if that's true. But those are two teams in pretty close proximity, not separated by a national border. That's five. Is Miami, FL known as the hockey Mecca of the south? Ten years and counting, without a playoff berth. That's six. NYI, Columbus, Anaheim, Miami, Phoenix and Nashville. That leaves 24 clubs. Personally, I'm glad there are 30 markets. And those markets could get healthier if the NHL's accountants would just be HONEST about their bookkeeping. If the cap were set at $50 million for the next five years … pretty much all markets could catch up.
February 8th, 2011
8:12 pm
Why are so many folks getting so upset on this blog. In order for us to have a chance this year the equation was simple. We needed to score around 3 goals per game (248 goals) and give up less then 3 per game average (some where around 210-220) to have a playoff shot. If everyone on our opening day roster scored their career best in goals, we would have gotten around 185 goals – we are having a good year based on those numbers. Our goals against average is 3.16 through 56 games. Again, no surprise based on us being one of the worst defensive teams in the league for years and we only added Buff (not known for his defense) and Sopel. No real defensive upgrade.
Combine the poor opening day talent to achieve these goals with the lack of depth and no farm system to speak of, and we probably got more out of this team then we should have expected.
With that said, we are heading in the right direction, just under manned. Let's not make stupid trades now. We should focus on the next 2-3 years. The issue is not how we look now, but whether this group of GMs, VP and scouts can assess talent for the future and build the depth we need to compete.
February 8th, 2011
8:17 pm
Haaaaa!!! The Hawks are getting killed by the Sixers in an empty arena. Serves the ASG right. Put all your eggs in the Hawks basket and they still suck. Karma???? It's like letting the world know you have a favorite child and ignoring the other one. Losers.
On another subject, that Acer nugget about Torch and Bogo explains a lot to me. Not good.
February 8th, 2011
8:18 pm
This team is making Chuck Norris cry.
February 8th, 2011
8:37 pm
How about Zac, Antro or Stewart, and a prospect for Penner and Hemskey.
And then maybe our first to the blackhawks for seabrook
February 8th, 2011
8:53 pm
"With that said, we are heading in the right direction, just under manned. Let's not make stupid trades now. We should focus on the next 2-3 years. The issue is not how we look now, but whether this group of GMs, VP and scouts can assess talent for the future and build the depth we need to compete."
HillMan: That's the problem, if you don't blow up the scouting staff, now in place for the most part since the beginning, then how do you expect them to assess talent now better than before? Just because Dudley showed up? Ever hear of anyone from this organization hired by another NHL besides McCrimmon? No, you say, because it hasn't happened, ever!
February 8th, 2011
8:54 pm
I wonder how the fan club is liking tonight's game at Philips.
February 8th, 2011
8:59 pm
Zac is only 20 – he has more talent then Colburn and we know how that trade worked out. He has the talent to be a top 2, our coaches need to coach him up. Zac, Toby and Buff are the 3 D-men we shouldn't trade. The only forwards we should make untouchable should be Little, Kane and Ladd. Beyond those 6 and OP, all should be available. The issue would be what can you get for the remaining stuff?
February 8th, 2011
9:02 pm
Good news for me is soccer starts for the kids teams and I am coaching them both, and they are taking skating lessons so they can play hockey in the fall, so I can use the excuse I am too busy and tired to watch the team become even more demoralized. Poster above refferenced Duds pre season constant talking and outlook……where did all that go? Has the ASG already pummeled even him into the ground in a short time?!?! How about for shootarounds we get the guys life size cutouts of the MORONS running things here???? Since they don't pay any attention to the team they would never know!!! I am sure the next ASG suit will be against the fans, for not supporting their team…..the NHL, for not giving them a Stanley Cup…..and probably followed by Ted Turner himself, for, well, that is why they hire lawyers, to figure out why to sue someone…..
February 8th, 2011
9:10 pm
I will continue to watch. I am and always be a fan of the sport. And though there are ups and downs I am not a fair-weather fan. Doesn't mean I have to like it though.
February 8th, 2011
9:41 pm
The good news is that the Devils beat the Canes. The bad news is that it happened in OT so the Canes are officially are in 8th, one point ahead. The other bad news is that Ilya and Co. are now just 14 points behind the Thrashers.
February 8th, 2011
10:05 pm
Red Light, Brendan and others talking careless expansion…
Yeah, again I truly support the expansion in to markets with LARGE amounts of hockey initiated transplants. That's exactly why Atlanta is a good market, plenty of em and for every hockey knowledgeable transplant that drags a southern buddy to a good game, the interest grows, cuz HOCKEY IS UNDENIABLY RAD. It can and does work, but yes that hockey knowledgeable transplant is vital in helping spread the bug in most cases as the alien nature often overwhelms the uninitiated. It also goes without saying that they will be the bread and butter for an indefinite amount of time. That said…
No, if I were Bettman I would not have tried to make a 30 team league by expanding to the sunbelt or anywhere, unless….I had a seemingly bulletproof plan for success. I dunno what that would take exactly, but I have an idea that it would take lots and lots of careful analysis by intelligent consultants, hand holding/fostering of such a market, etc.. However, I do not trust a guy's strategic abilities that green-lights expansion teams named after a bad, derivative hockey version of The Bad News Bears just because they were owned by Disney. Not complaining about the market, rather the wanton pushing of the league and the eagerness to sell teams even if it Mickey Mouse's the league in more ways than one up in so.
Anyways, I don't think contraction would be advisable now, that'd kill any kind of momentum this league has gotten and overshadow everything else. The options for floundering teams is simple, find a way to be competitive and maintain a fanbase to stay in the black otherwise relocate.
Relocate to where? I dunno, but Las Vegas…that's the only one named that I'd vote off the list immediately. I've got family out there and even was married there. I like it, but I don't see there being a large enough population to guarantee interest, especially with the distractions.
February 8th, 2011
10:32 pm
I hate 3 point games. Carolina gets a point and suddenly improving New Jersey wins… Again !
February 8th, 2011
10:56 pm
This team never had the mettle, just one fairly good win streak. All the gushing over Dudley and Ramsey is now exposed for nothing more than hope against hope. I watched the stands start to fill when they were winning, now they are starting to empty. Should we expect anything from ownership or management to turn the tide? Not in a million years. The fans want a winner, they want to bicker and sue and argue. I've meet hundreds of fans that could do a better job than these bums. At least the fans care. That can't be said of the owners, and I hope it can be said of the players.
February 8th, 2011
11:18 pm
New ownership ??? HA ! Who would enter into any type of business venture with the ASG ???? You buy the Thrashers and the ASG is your landlord. How do you think that's going to work out ???
Face it, we are stuck until the ASG goes bankrupt or sells the WHOLE PACKAGE.
February 9th, 2011
7:40 am
not blind, people are looking for suggestions on how to improve the thrashers. my suggestion is based on the fact that the current group has no legitimacy with the rest of the league and the only way the team can survive is if the league intervenes in some way. the alternative is waiting for the team to turn around under the current circumstances. do you think this will happen? if so then may you are the person that needs to wake up my friend.
February 9th, 2011
7:44 am
new jersey is getting goals from rookies, the young players are getting the devils back in the hunt. having lemaire as your coach doesn't hurt either.
February 9th, 2011
8:06 am
I don't know how these arena/team packages work, besides it would clearly cost less to pay yourself to play in your own arena. Yes, that sounds odd, but umbrella companies do that all the time…I know I worked for one I still can't tell if it's smart or just silly games, but I'm leaning to the latter. Anywho, why would a prosepctive owner have to have the arena too? I know it would be more profitable, but this is a newer trend (pretty sure) and it never stopped anyone that wanted to own a team before. I just don't think that's THE deterrent, rather the location may not be so appealing for a hockey nut(s) with deep pockets looking to splurge. Not knocking Atlanta, but honestly if I didn't live here and had the ability to procure a franchise I wouldn't pick a southeastern franchise. Just sayin'. Anyone on the market knows it's gonna be a labor of love to do so. That may be kinda telling…are there any mega-millionaire(s) or billionaire(s) on the market that would buy a franchise for reasons other than profitability, such as passion for the sport and to be competitive? Again, I think the biggest deterrent besides the ASGs games is the city. We all know the sunbelt stigma is very real and is held in large numbers.
February 9th, 2011
8:31 am
Iron League-good post
I stil consider the large numebr of transplants here, makes sense that an NHL team should thrive in atlanta. I had ticket 10 packs the first 2 season when the team was horrible, the seats were may up on top couldn't get better seats. Then the well-documented problems started; and so we have arrived where we are today.
Sabres exposed the Lightning last night. Talked about how slow the Lightnings' defense is, well they looked very average last night. Roloson also looked like a 40+ year old goaltender when the floodgates opened in the 3rd period. Buffalo is not an offensive power either. You beat Tampa Bay by getting on their slow defense. Bergeron has a great shot, but he is a liability in his own end, in corners and in front of the net.
February 9th, 2011
9:25 am
Iron, can explain the silly stuff the "umbrella companies" ? I am not familiar.
February 9th, 2011
9:25 am
I still wish Todd McCellen had become coach here. San Jose shutout Washington last night and I was really surprised to see Buffalo, who a blogger pointed out has 4 games in hand, SPANKED Tampa in Tampa 7-4. Why can't we do that ?
I wonder if we can even compete in the upcoming game against Edmonton…
February 9th, 2011
9:27 am
"having lemaire as your coach doesn't hurt either."
This. Good coaching always always always lifts the talent level of individual players and makes the sum of the parts greater than the whole.
I will say it again, this core group of guys we have is fine and proved it when Ramsay's system was working. When other clubs scouted us and implemented schemes to counter us, Ramsay was not able to change it up and that's why we're at where we're at. And the players are now frustrated and are tuning him out (yes, he's lost the room, it's pretty evident), and this is the drain we circle. I had my eyebrows raised at him early on this year when he'd miss simple basic things in games like changing out his guys when the other club iced the puck, or failing to change out his center on key defensive zone faceoffs. Ramsay sees like a great assistance, x's and o's guy at the practice rink, but not a good big picture guy and no ability to make on the fly changes in games to counter what's going on out on the ice.
Finish out the year and play out the string with these guys, get a new coach in here and add a couple key pieces from cap challenged clubs–need at least one top line RW and one shutdown dman and let's hope we can watch the improved club here in Philips next year and not only on CenterIce.
Why's Dudley so silent? Skipped out on his interview yesterday as well. There's some dark undertones coming out of this club . . .
February 9th, 2011
9:28 am
Another comment… How did the NHL give Tampa a 12 game homestand in a row ???????
I have never seen anything like that before and they play the entire month of February at home,
Talk about an UNFAIR advantage…
February 9th, 2011
9:57 am
joe friday-we have had 11 years of subplots and dark undertones. current addition is no different that was has forced so many fans to the sidelines.
February 9th, 2011
9:58 am
Tonite is the nite we turn it around, I can just feelz it!! I guarantee that we finally don't lose tonite!!
February 9th, 2011
9:59 am
"Why's Dudley so silent? Skipped out on his interview yesterday as well"
Kevin Allen ran long on his interview, Duds got to board early for his flight to St. Louis to talk Scott Mellanby out of retirement! Capt Rat-Trick will set us straight! Actually, he should probably be the next coach after Rammer & Torch get themselves canned.
February 9th, 2011
10:23 am
you know, Captain Rat could be the Sage of Bluesland. He's not coming anywhere near this club as long as Waddell is still here, but I like the idea, he'd bust their chops and get them in gear . . . good hockey guy
February 9th, 2011
10:30 am
ZAv – Here's my example, I think you are saying you don't know what I mean by "umbrella company"
In my case it was the drilling and blasting company I worked for, which in turn owned 3 properties and two subsidiaries. One was a rock drill dealer/service/parts company and the other was an explosives distribution company. My company (the parent) rented to the rock drill dealer and bought drills, parts, service, etc. from them and pretty much vice versa. We bought our explosives from our explosives distributor while they rented us our own land at another location while paying us vehicle maintenance and repairs, etc. That's just the tip of it. What I'm getting at is we were ONE company running under the guise of 3 seperate companies with 3 sets of books run by a single CFO aided by occassional consultants. Anywho…I think you get it.
So, the ASG owns 2 teams plus operating whatever for the arena and I'm guessing those teams pay rent of some kind basically to themselves. ASG is an umbrella corporation of sorts, IMHO. One group of owners 3 sets of books (that are really one, don't let em kid you) money going from the left pants pocket and into the right. BTW, it should be noted that this is likely a convenient way to play financial shell games.
February 9th, 2011
10:31 am
Mel is in his first or second year as an assistant. Lets not put the cart before the horse. He wouldn't come back here for any reason, unless the entire organization is overhauled from top to bottom.
February 9th, 2011
10:39 am
ZAv – That's partially my definition of an umbrella company, though it has other more commonly understood meanings. In case running several companies thourgh one owner and having them loosely affiliated is the same thing if you think about it there are lots of self-protectionistic (yes, I made that word up I think, but it makes sense to me) kinda benefits in my example and the ASG's.
February 9th, 2011
10:40 am
In this case running (that is)
February 9th, 2011
10:41 am
RL, Smoothie was being facetious, I think. I thought it was especially funny as Mellanby is literally in Blues land and like Sage, he hates Waddell and the owners. Kind of a funny juxaposition there . . . and we need laughs, or we'd cry, and we can't do that, cause there's NO CRYIN in HOCKEY, Sally!
February 9th, 2011
10:44 am
Yeah, we need an ass-chewer in the worst way. It is more than just mildly irksome that we can't beat TOR, NYI, CAR or any of the teams we're just as good as. The difference is confidence and focus. This young team has such a low confidence level that the minute adversity creeps in, they get flustered or let down. They may not give up and fold completely but there is something missing. Leadership, coaching, accountability…those are probably more an issue than the dearth of talent. But it sure would be nice to have another top-6 scorer and some added depth to the blueline to fill in that talent void.
February 9th, 2011
10:44 am
I don't know about the room but it sounds like Rammer has lost this blog or some of it.
February 9th, 2011
10:47 am
The two posts preceeding my last one were with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Of course Mellonhead wouldn't come back here for anythiing. But he's in my opinion the best captain we've had so far. That's the sort of mettle and experience we need in the room.
R/L – c'mon man, you've spent enough time with me to know when I'm joking right? He just likes to bust my chops cuz I'm such a free-wheelin' stream of consciousness guy sometimes!
February 9th, 2011
11:06 am
ZAv – Afterthought sorry, I do this a lot….
My company was an ESOP company (employee owned) with a President, so my company started the subsidiaries with our own money, yet somehow seperated the ESOP while simultaneously including it. SHELL GAMES likely what ASG is doing to. I can not divulge further insight as there WERE when things were good only about 400 people working in this heavily regulated industry statewide, that number is MUCH MUCH smaller now.
February 9th, 2011
11:07 am
doing too (that is)
February 9th, 2011
11:13 am
Since the loss of confidence in Ramsay has sort of become a topic, I would like to add something that I have noticed. I don't think he works the refs very well at all, unless he is doing it when the cameras aren't on him. I have seen several times this season where they will show him on the bench after a terrible call/no call doesn't go the Thrashers way and he doesn't usually give the officials much more than an eye roll. Right or wrong, chewing their a$$es will usually get you a call or two later in the game and Ramsay doesn't seem to have the fiery personality to do this.
February 9th, 2011
11:18 am
TY Iron, seems like a strange business practice to me.
Russ – I don't know any coaches who don't get in the ref's faces. Pretty common practice when you think you got the shaft.
February 9th, 2011
11:22 am
Looks like Tobes is healthy enough to shoot the puck lightly at practice so that's a good sign I suppose. Hopefully his finger/hand is strong enough by the middle of next week to get back in there. He probably won't be the same player, but an 80% Enstrom is probably better than a 100% Meyer, Kulda and balances things out across the pairings. Buff would certainly benefit I think.
February 9th, 2011
11:24 am
ZAvalanche – Are you saying he does get in their faces? I don't live in the area, so I can't go to games, but it doesn't come across on TV that he voices his displeasure with bad calls the way he should IMO.
February 9th, 2011
11:27 am
I misunderstood your post. But I have seen him get pretty p!ssed before.
February 9th, 2011
11:30 am
What? Facetious? Smoothie?
Guys, despite the Chicago Trio being here with their Cup rings, the easiest thing to do in sports is to lose. Sopel, Buff and Ladd come here, look around at this roster and can easily say…lets see…we played with Toews, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa, Kane, Versteeg, Bolland, Kopecky, Brouwer, Campbell and Hjalmarsson last season, and this season…
I am certain they were shocked that this team was able to go 12-2-2 during a 16-game stretch, they were having fun, winning games and playing with confidence, and then, REALITY!
Little, Bogosian, Enstrom, Boulton, Thorburn, Pavelec, Slater, Antropov, Hainsey and Peverley are used to losing. Nik is the only one of those guys who won an NHL playoff series during his career, and most of the others haven't even been in one. So, what's the frame of reference for those guys? Losing!
That's why the entire culture needs to be overhauled. Minor league affiliates teaching the same system of hard work, accountability, puck pressure and winning championships with Thrashers prospects in the lineup. When you are called up, we expect you to play the way WE as an organization taught you. If the team can't attract top-end free agents, then you have to rely upon muckers, grinders, P-I-T-A s (pain in the a$$es), tough guys and youngsters with talent (Kane, Little, Burmistrov, etc.) to score.
That might not be the best recipe, but it might be the only recipe to succeed. We all keep propping up Nashville, because even though they don't win playoff series, at least they're in them regularly despite no top-flight talent other than Weber, Rinne and a several of their young prospects.
February 9th, 2011
11:30 am
Earlier in the year you guys were saying Rammer for Coach of the Year, now you say he has lost control of us. We just suck and even Lombardi couldn't motivate us!!!!!
February 9th, 2011
11:35 am
After thought, again….
I'm done after this, I swear and I don't think I'm giving too much away (yet). As I said my company was ESOP, therefore it was an employee stock driven vehicle. Our ESOP founded 2 successful subsidiaries which were seperated from our stock IMMEDIATELY (scummy right?) so as not to pay out larger sums of money to retirees/quitees/laid-offees, whatever. Funny that those subsidiary company assets were often included in our ESOP reports to boost our stock for credit and such, but again conveniently seperated too. Whatever the president wanted to report in the red he did and in the black as well. Money manipulation, period.
Basically what I'm getting at is that a company like ASG can easily funnel funds to areas needed (for reporting net worth for a number of reasons). It's not hard, but convoluted and hard to pin point without a painstaking audit aided by wronged insiders giving helpful hints. I wholeheartedly believe that ASG does something like this to the Thrashers.
February 9th, 2011
11:50 am
Tampa with a giant meltdown last night, I enjoyed watching that! NICE
February 9th, 2011
11:51 am
WBF – Thanks for the kudos, sorry for the delayed response that was wrong of me.
February 9th, 2011
12:11 pm
Russian brought up the possibility of trading Enstrom to Edmonton. Sorry, I'm late to the party on this topic. If that happens then Smoothie and I are gonna have hemorrhaged tear ducts and very sore throats maybe holes in walls and broken hand (shrugs). I kid of course, but I'll be beyond peeved I don't care who we get in return.
February 9th, 2011
12:20 pm
I wish Scotty Bowman could coach this collection of "talent" to determine where our problem lies.
Is it the chef?…the ingredients?…the kitchen?
I think it's a healthy dose of all of the above–but especially with the kitchen. I see folks complaining more and more about the coach lately…and that rings of deja-vu all over again.
I think it's more like what happened to the Falcons defense against the Packers: Bring the blitz and Rodgers gets rid of it quickly to a wide-open receiver; Play back and Rodgers threads needles….The end result was the exact same no matter what.
I think the analogy should be heeded for this poor coaching staff. Do you honestly think it matters what 'system' they run out there? Every such system has weaknesses to be exploited by those with more weapons.
I'm not saying it's all on one factor or another–they all contribute. Those blaming the coach (only) seem to be factoring some elements a bit too simplistically.
Personally, I think the factor 'dearth of legitimate talent' (i.e. the ingredients) to be a huge factor. Despite what some sheep's spweadsheet may say, our talent evaluation-acquisition operations 'umbrella' has been beyond pitiful.
(but, then again, you could say that about the ownership, too–or 'the kitchen' with which they operate).
It's a vicious circle, isn't it? My meandering point, you ask? It's much too shallow to simply blame the coach or his system.
February 9th, 2011
12:20 pm
spud web//
bolts lost their cool and the rookie coach count not get them back on track-very telling 3rd period for tampa bay from a leadership standpoint.
February 9th, 2011
12:29 pm
Excellent points Red Light! Damn yer smart!
February 9th, 2011
12:38 pm
j/f-Lemaire was one of my favorite players in the 70's, one of the smartest players I ever saw. So it is no mystery that he is a hall of fame coach. And why? Lemaire ALWYS has the respect of his players, there is never a question of why is boss. You could have called them "Jacques Lemaire's Minnesota Wild" when he coached in Minneapolis.
Iron League-a number of great posts today-keep up the good work.
Sage of Blueland on Scotty Bowman-arguably the greatest coach ever. But remember, Scotty has a blemish on his record too, his time with the Sabres. Scotty was GM and coach for most of his tenure in Buffalo. While he was successful in trading for number one picks, he was unable to bring a winner to the Sabres. And remember since he had both positions, he was not only the chef but he was also the guy picking the groceries.
History has shown that Scotty's greatest successes as a coach were with veteran teams that already knew the ways of the NHL. Could he identify our problems? You bet, in a New York minute he could.
Ironic that both Dudley and Ramsay cut their teeth under Scotty Bowman with the Sabres.
Pretty good post too Sage.
February 9th, 2011
12:39 pm
Give Bowman credit for developing guys like Housley, Andreychuk and Barrasso, the latter of 2 won Stanley Cups later in their careers. Nobody is perfect but Scotty was pretty close-pretty nice guy too.
February 9th, 2011
12:59 pm
WBF–I didn't know that about Scotty Bowman…Interesting….Reminds me a little of the 'great' Bill Belichick–but many seem to forget he was run out on a rail from Cleveland at one time…
Reinforces that it's not one factor or another which is the end-all; it's the combination of factors and their timing which are everything.
I'm convinced Bowman (or someone highly qualified and universally respected) would not succeed in Atlanta under the current circumstances…Too many other 'bad' factors weighted against the 'good' that he may bring.
Factor in "luck" as well, especially with the top draft picks and 'who' is available. Wouldn't an Ovechkin or Malkin-type player looked good in 1999?
…Using another Falcons analogy: They have the 1st overall pick in 1988 and take Aundray Bruce (recognized as one of the all-time busts). Dallas gets the 1st overall pick in 1989 and takes Troy Aikman, who would lead them to multiple titles and is a great player at the most important position in football. I'm not saying Troy Aikman in a Falcons-uniform would have done the same–not at all! I think he would have either held-out or demanded a trade, first of all, after the consistent losing took its toll. Sometimes with those top picks, it's sheer luck.
(But I guess you could say that about most of the NHL draft, as it's such a gamble–even the 'top' picks…)
February 9th, 2011
2:23 pm
Leafs GM Brian Burke has dealt Francois Beauchemin back to the Ducks for the Joffrey Lupul, a prospect, and a conditonal 4th rounder. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/story/14667643/leafs-send-beauchemin-back-to-ducks-for-players-pick
I'm a little bit surprised, but not overly to see Burke move Beauchemin out. Burke was the one who really wanted him in.
February 14th, 2011
8:15 am

subset: commoncrawl


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