Post by atlantagm on Apr 1, 2017 18:37:40 GMT
Atlanta Gazette Online
December 28, 2019
Atlanta, GA
With only a few days remaining in 2019, the Atlanta Thrashers have proven they may have had the best year, complete with the GM of the Year Award, the #1 rank in the league through this season -- and of course, winning the 2019 Stanley Cup. Speaking to Thrashers General Manager Joe Papp, however, you would think none of these things happened. "You cannot rest on your laurels" he said, "because the GHL is a tough league with a lot of hungry teams. Our success only makes our job more difficult, and that's why Gerry (Meahan) and the staff have to plan like they're fighting every day."
"Look at our last three games. The game in Phoenix, I thought the team came out flat" commented Coach Gerry Meahan. "That's a good team out in the desert and they took it to us. Kudos to their coach and their gameplan, it's clear they came for a fight and we weren't able to come out with the two points" he lamented. The Thrashers now have to look forward to games against the New York Islanders and a New Years Matinee in Washington, facing the Capitals. "Case in point! Those are two teams who aren't as high as us in the standings and could pose a threat to us if we aren't prepared. It's my job to make sure the team is ready because those are easily trap games" the experienced coach indicated.
In addition to fighting battles on the ice, it seems some teams have taken exception with the Thrashers year-long transformation into a heavy-hitting team. General Manager RJ Ryan of the lowly St. Louis Blues noted as such recently in the St. Louis Observer, commenting that "...in our game against the Thrashers (or Jets). I felt our team kept up with the defending champs during the first period, but their 2nd goal, I still think is textbook goalie interference. I don't know what the war room in Toronto was looking at. And all the stick work they were allowed to get away with? I guess they just felt bad for Papp and his team."
When told of the comment from long-time rivals in past leagues, Papp simply shrugged his shoulders. "Winning teams don't make comments like that. Sadly, when we resort to blaming everyone except ourselves for our constant failures, we can never rise to an elite level in this tough league. I respect Mr. Ryan and I know he's trying to build something in a town so starved for success, much like Atlanta was over the past few years. One could argue his plan is simply to copy what we've done in Atlanta, which is to surround our organization with top people, play a certain style we think would be successful..." his voice trailing off, and then leaning back in "...but the reality is they have a bunch of kids on that team. I would hope they would set a better example for those young guys because you won't win a championship whining about officiating or pouting around" he said.
Ryan didn't stop there, and this reporter kept with it, asking Papp about even more incensed comments from Ryan in the Observer, including "...we do have a bit of a history. 10-15 Years ago my team would constantly beat the piss out of Papp and his team. It got pretty embarrassing at times, but I always looked forward to doing it." Papp let out a hearty laugh when hearing this comment, but his response may have been even more dismissive. "Listen, RJ's a passionate guy. I'm no expert, but I have to wonder if his view of reality is skewed. Teams will have up and downs and certainly, 15 years ago, things might have been different" he said. "But let's get back to reality -- his team is in the bottom of the standings and he's talking about last season's Cup Winner. Things must be so bad in St. Louis that their General Manager has to resort to complaining about other teams success vis-a-vis his own. That's just a shame and I feel for the fans in St. Louis, who probably want nothing more than to see an adequate product on the ice. I hope it happens for them." With this, Papp went back to watching the crisp practice called by Coach Meahan, keenly watching the organization's work paying off.
December 28, 2019
Atlanta, GA
With only a few days remaining in 2019, the Atlanta Thrashers have proven they may have had the best year, complete with the GM of the Year Award, the #1 rank in the league through this season -- and of course, winning the 2019 Stanley Cup. Speaking to Thrashers General Manager Joe Papp, however, you would think none of these things happened. "You cannot rest on your laurels" he said, "because the GHL is a tough league with a lot of hungry teams. Our success only makes our job more difficult, and that's why Gerry (Meahan) and the staff have to plan like they're fighting every day."
"Look at our last three games. The game in Phoenix, I thought the team came out flat" commented Coach Gerry Meahan. "That's a good team out in the desert and they took it to us. Kudos to their coach and their gameplan, it's clear they came for a fight and we weren't able to come out with the two points" he lamented. The Thrashers now have to look forward to games against the New York Islanders and a New Years Matinee in Washington, facing the Capitals. "Case in point! Those are two teams who aren't as high as us in the standings and could pose a threat to us if we aren't prepared. It's my job to make sure the team is ready because those are easily trap games" the experienced coach indicated.
In addition to fighting battles on the ice, it seems some teams have taken exception with the Thrashers year-long transformation into a heavy-hitting team. General Manager RJ Ryan of the lowly St. Louis Blues noted as such recently in the St. Louis Observer, commenting that "...in our game against the Thrashers (or Jets). I felt our team kept up with the defending champs during the first period, but their 2nd goal, I still think is textbook goalie interference. I don't know what the war room in Toronto was looking at. And all the stick work they were allowed to get away with? I guess they just felt bad for Papp and his team."
When told of the comment from long-time rivals in past leagues, Papp simply shrugged his shoulders. "Winning teams don't make comments like that. Sadly, when we resort to blaming everyone except ourselves for our constant failures, we can never rise to an elite level in this tough league. I respect Mr. Ryan and I know he's trying to build something in a town so starved for success, much like Atlanta was over the past few years. One could argue his plan is simply to copy what we've done in Atlanta, which is to surround our organization with top people, play a certain style we think would be successful..." his voice trailing off, and then leaning back in "...but the reality is they have a bunch of kids on that team. I would hope they would set a better example for those young guys because you won't win a championship whining about officiating or pouting around" he said.
Ryan didn't stop there, and this reporter kept with it, asking Papp about even more incensed comments from Ryan in the Observer, including "...we do have a bit of a history. 10-15 Years ago my team would constantly beat the piss out of Papp and his team. It got pretty embarrassing at times, but I always looked forward to doing it." Papp let out a hearty laugh when hearing this comment, but his response may have been even more dismissive. "Listen, RJ's a passionate guy. I'm no expert, but I have to wonder if his view of reality is skewed. Teams will have up and downs and certainly, 15 years ago, things might have been different" he said. "But let's get back to reality -- his team is in the bottom of the standings and he's talking about last season's Cup Winner. Things must be so bad in St. Louis that their General Manager has to resort to complaining about other teams success vis-a-vis his own. That's just a shame and I feel for the fans in St. Louis, who probably want nothing more than to see an adequate product on the ice. I hope it happens for them." With this, Papp went back to watching the crisp practice called by Coach Meahan, keenly watching the organization's work paying off.
i'll be doing it all on friday as its teh only day off I have at the moment. Sorry, we are down people and its long late shifts at teh moment. 