I covered the Bob Hartley/Don Waddell Death Watch in this morning's edition of The Ice Sheet. The score as of around noon EST: Hartley = "dead," Waddell = "new interim head coach." Ben Wright over on the Blueland Blog has some details and immediate fan reaction from the Thrashers faithful, who have seen what was a playoff team last season go oh-for-six with zero points this season. TSN's Bob McKenzie helps fill in the blanks on Hartley's dismissal. Reaction from Thrashers fans on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution sports site is pouring in.Waddell, the Thrashers' executive vice president and general manager, coached nine games for the Thrashers (3-5-1) in the 2002-03 season after he fired Curt Fraser 33 games into the season and before he hired Hartley as his replacement. Previously, he coached from 1987-92 in the IHL, making the playoffs three times.
Waddell is scheduled to meet the media this afternoon, so I hope one of the Atlanta hockey writers asks him the obvious question: If the Thrashers turn this thing around while he's behind the bench, is Waddell prepared to pull a Lou Lamoriello and remain head coach/general manager/ruler of all he surveys for the rest of the campaign? It's not like the Thrashers don't have talent on this roster; it's just that Hartley couldn't figure out how to get an Atlanta team that's all offensive flourish to play Tkachuk hockey.
Previously on FanHouse:
NHL Coach's Hot Seat
Thrashers: Waddell and Hartley Won't be Fired
