Friday night February 25, 2011 at Philips Arena – Be there Thrasherville
On Friday night February 25th, 2011 the Atlanta Thrashers will host the Florida Panthers in a Southeast Conference showdown. The scheduled start time for the game is the same as it is for all Friday home games in Atlanta and exactly one week from the posting of this blog, 7:30pm.
If you are a fan of the Thrashers…if you’re a fan of NHL hockey and support the league remaining in this city…. if you have been sickened by what the team’s current ownership has allowed this franchise to become…if you are mad as hell about what you’ve learned recently… then you need to be there.
In saying that, I’m looking at all of you out there in the blogosphere…all of you who frequent this online hockey forum as well as the one hosted by AJC Thrashers beat writer Chris Vivlamore. And that’s quite a lot of individuals, so I’m told.
I’m looking at those fans who normally make it to just a handful of games each season. I’m even looking at those who may make it to but one. If that’s the case…make next Friday that one.
Need a good deal on tickets? Well, simply click –>HERE<– and use promo code RAWHIDE.
I’m also looking at those of you who make it to almost each and every home game as well. Those would include season ticket holders, be it full or partial…my good friends up in The Nasty Nest… the fine people of The Smirkin’ Chicken…all those who frequent the Thrashers Message Boards…the boys at the The Blueland Chronicle as well as the many others who host their own independent Thrashers blogs…and last but certainly not least, the well over 800-member strong Atlanta Thrashers Fan Club.
Yes…I’m looking at all of you.
If you have the physical and financial means to do so…next Friday night, be there!
THEY POINTED THE FINGER AT YOU SO GIVE THEM ONE BACK
As you already know by now, just a few days ago Atlanta Spirit co-owner Michael Gearon pointed his finger at you, the fans of Atlanta Thrashers hockey. He pointed the finger at you citing your lack of attendance as one of the main reasons he and his fellow Atlanta Spirit partners may be forced to consider offers from those who may seek to relocate this franchise elsewhere. He did so just after we were given the good news of Dustin Byfuglien re-signing and just before the team went on a 3 game, week and a half long road trip.
Next Friday will be the first game played back at Philips Arena after he and his cohorts kicked us square in the teeth, gut…and other regions just south of there. As such, it will be the first time you can let Mr. Gearon and the rest of this cluster-flop of an ownership group know just what you think of them since this news story broke. In essence, this will be the first chance you get to shake your finger…whichever one you choose to display…right back at them all.
Really, this is the only way to let the Sucknificant Seven hear from you… seeing how none of them seem to possess the testicular fortitude to stand before you in a town hall meeting forum and answer your questions directly. Team President Don Waddell may at some time do so…say what you want about him but he’s at least been willing to show up and take the heat in person. However, don’t hold your collective breaths waiting for Gearon, Levenson or any other of the co-owners to man up and do so any time soon.
No, they won’t be there…but you should be.
FILL UP PHILIPS AND BE IN FULL VOICE
Yes, Philips Arena needs to be packed next Friday night…packed to the rafters. It should be filled with fans who are not only there to root for the hometown ice combatants, but also with fans who are willing to scream, chant and/or otherwise make it clear to the NHL world that it is not they who have cause this mess to proceed to this point. But rather, this is the direct result of what the owners have done to this organization since it purchased it seven years ago.
And I’m telling you folks…thousands of empty seats will not carry that message for you.
Also by packing out and rocking out Philips Arena Friday night, you can send a message to any would-be investor that this is what the place was like before the Great Octocluster ran it into the ground. And it could be like that again.
You not only need to be there for the game, but you need to show up well before the scheduled puck-drop time. You need to be outside of the arena and inside CNN Center with your signs displaying not only your love and support for the team, but also your feelings for this band of knuckleheads who have all but killed off this franchise.
I’m also guessing there will be a few members of the media there, both of the local and out-of-town variety. Given the events of this past week, I’m sure someone will want to gauge the mood of the fans here. So, you need to avail yourself to any reporter and any news cameraman there to express your thoughts to not only the NHL community around the North American continent, but the sports community in general as well. You need to have your faces in their cameras and your voices should set their audio equipment ablaze.
Now, I’m not saying to be offensive or vulgar in your demeanor…but do be loud, do be clear and do be passionate.
But most of all…do be there!
BOYCOTT THE BOYCOTT
To those of you out there who still hold to the belief that some sort of “boycott” is the best course of action, allow me say two things to you.
1. With all due respect for you opinion, you’re dead wrong.
2. Regardless of No. 1, there is still a way for you to help the cause…assuming, that is, if you are truly a fan of the team and support NHL hockey in Atlanta.
Simply join the rest of us before the game in front of Philips Arena and in CNN Center. Be there to voice your distain for the current ownership group to the media. Then, when the rest of us head in to watch the game, you can head into Taco Mac to watch it while enjoying some wings and an adult beverage or two.
If you simply do that, it will not put one single dollar into the pockets of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC.
Maybe none of this will matter a hill of beans to those who make up the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, (Lies, Lawsuits and Contempt). Certainly if they have shown such distain for you over the course of the last several years, it’s not hard to think they won’t really give a damn now.
But one thing is for sure. If hockey fans across this great land of ours tune into NHL On The Fly next Friday night to watch highlights from around the league, and they see a vast sea of empty blue seats on a night it really, really mattered for fans to be there…then all that will do is feed right into the false stereotypes that the Atlanta market is not suited for the sport at this level.
It will also serve as more ammunition for Gearon, Levenson and the rest of the biggest abomination to ever own a professional sports franchise to use when trying to convince Gary Bettman that they have little choice but to consider selling to someone intent on relocating the franchise away from Atlanta. And you don’t want to help supply them with that ammunition, do you? No…I didn’t think so.
Friday night…February 25, 2011…Philips Arena…be there!
For Thrasherville!
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289 comments Add your comment
Fan
February 19th, 2011
8:35 pm
Brendan, I was being sarcastic. I am a die hard Thrasher fan that wishes we had half that support.
Kovy's Agent
February 19th, 2011
8:58 pm
I’m thinking the vibe at tomorrow’s Casino Night will more resemble a wake than a festive charity event. At least the boys should look good given the lack of physical play today.
We Are Asking ATL Leaders To Lead
February 19th, 2011
9:00 pm
Sports Fans: Another loss today…..while it is depressing, we need to be thinking about how our team may be if some new owners come in……we are trying to get ATL leaders to help find investors to keep our team in our town. Please see this page with headshots of the people fans need to have show up very soon – link to facebook is on the home page – the more “likes” we can get on face book, the more impressive it is to (a) potential investors, and (b) the NHL Board of Governors – who must approve any move. Where are Atlanta’s leaders? Please contact them on the “How Can Fans Help Page:”
Leaders Who Need To Step Up Now:
http://www.keepthethrashers.com/fivepartplan.html
KEEP THE THRASHERS IN ATLANTA! If we all work toward the same goal, we can make this happen – a vocal public can be a force for change. Please forward face book links to as many people as possible. Let your voice be heard.
Brendan
February 19th, 2011
9:01 pm
Red Light, the Devils have been 14-1-2 in their last 17, and have won six in-a-row. In your opinion, can the Devils make the playoffs? Follow up question, will the Devils finish AHEAD of the Thrashers?
Follow up question, still, would a Devils run to a playoff spot be the greatest comeback ever?
Rawhide, do you think the 2011 Thrashers will equal the mark of the 2008 and 2009 Thrashers, at 76-points? At present, the team is playing at a .340 clip over the past 24 games. If the team continues at the present rate of a .350 clip, they’ll bank between 15 and 16 points out of the remaining 46 that are possible from 23 more games. 60 + 15 = 75-points. 60 + 16 = 76-points. My gosh, what if we don’t even bank that? We’d actually be BELOW where we were the season after being SWEPT by the NY Rangers, in 2008. Well, 2009, too. Both seasons saw 76-points, when Waddell blustered that the Thrashers were “close, real close” to a playoff spot. It was also the time when Levenson said, “We’re way ahead of where Philadelphia was in 2007, before they went to the CF in 2008.” So, if we finish below the point total for 2008, are we worse off then where Philadelphia was? Yes!! Clearly. The Flyers beat Washington and Montreal before bowing out to Pittsburgh in 2008. The Flyers were again, a playoff team, in 2009. They were bested by the Penguins in six games. Last year, the Flyers defeated New Jersey, Boston, (after rallying from down 0-3,) and Montreal before bowing out in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals.
So, we’re still right on pace with the Flyers, right? And the rebuilding job that Philadelphia’s GM, Paul Holmgren did, after the team finished DEAD LAST in the NHL, and to make things WORSE from them, the Flyers also LOST the lottery draft to Chicago. Chicago took Pat Kane 1st overall. Philly took Jame van Riemsdyk. Painfully enough for Flyer fans, Pat Kane scored the OT winner on Leighton that clinched the Cup. How ‘big’ was that lottery draft win for Chicago??
Brendan
February 19th, 2011
9:02 pm
Patrick Dwyer has scored for Carolina, it’s 3-1, Devils now. At least 12 minutes left in the 3rd period.
Brendan
February 19th, 2011
9:07 pm
Fan, post early. Post often. Where have you been, before?
CHIEF
February 19th, 2011
9:13 pm
IMO This ownership is not interested in anything other than cutting their loss. The largest offer for this team would more than likely come from investors from another city desiring a team. I think the Spirit will play games with any potential local investor and shoot for a lucrative offer up north. They are full of it in reagrding desire to keep team in ATL. Can Tom Glavine put together a group of investors????
KakNiqueTree
February 19th, 2011
9:29 pm
“Saaave Our Thrash-ers!” clapclapclapclapclap “Saaave Our Thrash-ers!” clapclapclapclapclap
kovykickinga**
February 19th, 2011
9:40 pm
If we could find a league that only played 2 periods, we would be awesome and someone would jump at the chance to buy us!
Will the Thrashers still be the “Thrashers” when they go to Canada?
Will they still be in the Eastern Conference?
Forget who will buy the team! What moron would buy season tix for 2011-2012?
kovykickinga**
February 19th, 2011
9:41 pm
FREAKING BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…….
Money
February 19th, 2011
10:08 pm
1972/73: On October 7th the NHL’s two newest teams faced of in New York with the Atlanta Flames edging the Islanders 3-2. A week later the NHL came to Dixie as the Flames and Buffalo Sabres played to a 1-1 stalemate. As expansion teams go the Flames were competitive finishing 7th in the Western Division with a record of 25-38-15 which was better then 4 established franchises, with more the double the point total of the Islanders their partners in expansion.
1973/74: Led by Rookie Tom Lysiak, who finishes 2nd in voting for the Calder Trophy with 64 points the Flames make the playoffs in just their 2nd season with a record of 30-34-14. However, in the playoffs the Flames would be extinguished right away by the Philadelphia Flyers losing the first 3 games by a combined score of 13-3, before losing the 4th game in overtime to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions.
1974/75: NHL begins divisional play with the Flames being placed in the Campbell Conference’s Patrick Division. The Flames continued to play solid hockey posting a winning record for the first time in franchise history with a record of 34-31-15. However, the Flames would finish in last place and would miss the playoffs in a competitive conference.
1975/76: Led by All-Stars Tom Lysiak and Curt Bennett the Flames continue to play decent hockey posting a 35-33-12 record to earn their 2nd playoff berth in their 4-year history. However, the Flames would exit the playoffs without a win again losing 2 straight 1-goal games to the Los Angeles Kings, 2-1 and 1-0.
1976/77: Willi Plett captures the Calder Trophy with a team high 33 goals as the Flames make the playoffs again with a record of 34-34-12. In the playoffs the Flames would be matched up against the Los Angeles Kings again dropping Game 1 of a 3-game series 5-2 in Los Angels. Needing a win to keep their hopes alive the Flames beat the Kings 3-2 to avoid the sweep. However, in Game 3 back in Los Angeles the Flames would be put out with a 4-2 loss.
1977/78: With a strong top line of Tom Lysiak, Eric Vail, and Willi Plett the Flames put together a solid season finishing in 3rd place with a 34-27-19 record. However, in the playoffs the Flames would sputter again as they lost 2 straight games to the Detroit Red Wings.
1978/79: The Flames would finish in last place in the 4-team Patrick Division. However, the Flames were not an ordinary last place team, nor was their season ruined. In fact with a 41-31-8 record the Flames would reach 90 points for the first time in franchise history while making the playoffs for the 5th straight season. However, in the playoffs the Flames would lack spark again as they are swept by the Toronto Maple Leafs losing 2 straight games by a combined score of 9-5.
1979/80: The Flames continued to post winning records making the playoffs for the 7th time in their 9-year history with a respectable record of 35-32-13. One of the highlights of the season came when Jim Craig made his NHL debut just 6 days after he backstopped the US Olympic Hockey Team’s stunning Gold Medal. The debut of Jim Craig would bring a rare sellout to The Omni as he stopped 24 of 25 shots leading the Flames to a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. However Craig would not win another game in 3 starts. In the playoffs the Flames would burn out quickly again as they won just 1 game as they fell to the New York Rangers in 4 games. Despite making the playoffs 7 times the Flames had just 2 postseason wins to show for it. Off the ice the Flames situation was more tenuous as owner Tom Cousins saw his real estate empire crumbling. In order to save himself from bankruptcy he had to sell the Flames. With mediocre fan support and the lack of due to a lack of major television contract, their were few offers from local interest so Cousins turned to Canadian Nelson Skalania, who had the intention of moving the team to Calgary. In a late bid to keep the team in Atlanta actor Glenn Ford offer Cousins $8 million dollars, but it would not be close to the $16 million offered by Skalania who moved the team north of the border.
1980-1999: The Flames would go on to find a loyal fan base in Calgary, as Atlanta became a minor league city. However, in 1988 thing began to change as Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. The trade made hockey more popular in the United States and opened southern markets. Eventually the NHL would make a return to Atlanta as media mogul Ted Turner was awarded an expansion team that began play in 1999.
Bill
February 19th, 2011
10:15 pm
Well I would love to be there but my closed its doors a month ago and the Atlanta job market is not good. I think 10% unemployment may have alot to do with empty seats. The Team started out well but has since gone into the tank. I have to worry about keeping my seat in my house on unemployment. If employers in Atlanta would get off their duff and start hiring more then more people will have money in their pocket to buy tickets and support the rest of the local econmony. I don’t that a group of owners like the ASG is keeping people away its more like the enconmony. I have been to games when there 17000 this year and when there were 12000. Going downtown during the week is hard with the traffic and the start time of 7pm. Spending $35 on a ticket on unemployment is tough.I hate to say but it looks like this team is headed to Canada at some point but I hope not.
WTF?
February 19th, 2011
10:35 pm
I will be there after having gone to Nashville for the Blackhawks Predators game on Thursday. I’ll support the Thrashers until the end.
Iron League 13
February 19th, 2011
11:32 pm
The Thrashers effing stink. It’s like watching a guy in a corolla race a guy in a camaro or some other more clever analogy…whatever. I’m sorry, but kiss this season good bye. This dip is comparable to the pre-Kovy/Heatley era, IMO and just utter garbage as expected. I hate to go on like this, but what a tragic tragic end to a tragic tragic tale.
Iron League 13
February 19th, 2011
11:39 pm
One more thing…
I’m in for saving this franchise, but much of the team is another story.
Smoothie
February 20th, 2011
12:46 am
Y’all might not wanna read Pierre LeBrun’s latest Hot Stove column. Looks like the end may really be drawing nigh unless a new investor comes out of nowhere. 6 to 8 weeks??
Why does my gut keep telling me we’re off to Winnipeg so Nashville can move to the Eastern Conference where they belong?
Brendan
February 20th, 2011
12:59 am
Carolina did lose in regulation. Again, what does that matter … when we can’t handle our own business.
I do hope that Philips Arena is soldout for Friday night’s Panthers game. Just to sellout the arena one last time. Maybe the players aren’t feeling the ‘urgency’ since the fans aren’t feeling the ‘urgency.’
To me, finding a local interest the keep the team here in Atlanta shouldn’t be hard, so long as FUBAS will cut them in on the profits from the venue. But if the Spirit Group, “no, we won’t share venue proceeds,” then I don’t see how any local interest would consider buying the team. But, I don’t know how that gets this team out of the lease it signed, until 2019. How does that work? The owner that relocates the team pays two rents on one hockey team??
Thrashy Thrashy
February 20th, 2011
2:50 am
Per LeBrun:
Also, blueliner Johnny Oduya (one more year on his deal at $4M) is generating lots of interest. If the Thrashers feel they’ve fallen back in the playoff race by Feb. 28, they might move him.
Get him the hell outta here.
EA
February 20th, 2011
5:27 am
I am searching the web. For every article that says the Thrashers are out of here there seems to be one to counter it. It lies in the hands of Bettman. A huge crowd on Friday would really send a message.
Red Light
February 20th, 2011
8:18 am
Brendan: The latest sellout = Michael Gearon!
Devils still have a long way to go but confidence is a dangerous thing, and they have it, and when Parise comes back, look out!
Blues 9, Ducks 3!
Detroit, not Nashville will move to the Eastern Conference.
Matt from MN
February 20th, 2011
8:50 am
Another example of “Snatching Defeat from the jaws of Victory” yesterday. This team is just maddening.
Portage and Main
February 20th, 2011
8:57 am
“Thats it! Back to Winnipeg”
Puckhead
February 20th, 2011
9:11 am
Watchout for Fla and Toronto they are at 57 points with game(s) in hand.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
9:57 am
Smoothie, Agreed on the Nashville to the southeast thing and the Peg to the central. Looking like it’ll happen more and more with every game…anywho. Divisions and Conferences ARE POINTLESS. Here’s why…
There’s nearly always in every league teams filed so to speak under the wrong catagories due to them being grouped according to location. So for my OCD personality, I hate seeing it. It’s like filing things alphabetically, but cheating on a few when you can’t make room for them in the correct areas. Stupid.
Look the new all-star format helps. The schedule can stay similar in order to cut travel expenses. The playoff format could remain except all 30 teams would compete against each other all year in the standings, that’d make the post-season more credible too, IMO. Why not we already went to inter conference play and changed the names of both the divisions and conferences. I say do it.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
10:20 am
Brendan – On the lease breaking thing…
I think that sounds right that there’d be a penalty, however I think it’d be 100% legal AAAND a lot of money, but definitely NOT for the full term. More like a big lump sum, probably equivelent to a a year or two. Perhaps the league could force the F.A.S., LLC to eat it since if you think about itthey pay rent to themselves. Plus, if everything is sooo very bad financially for the F.A.S., LLC then not only would they sell for a minimum, but even a loss because if $10 million is what the lease generates, but the supposedly lose $20 on the team alone, then they should be happy to cut that loss knowing full well that there’d be an opportunity to get an AHL team or something else in there within a few years. Of course I’m probably giving those add wizrds too much credit in the common sense dept. If it’s a matter of bankruptcy and Bettman won’t step in (mark my words he won’t with PHX going on), they’ll sell what they can.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
10:21 am
equivalent (rather)
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
10:23 am
Do I have dyslexia or just really bad typing on a laptop? I dunno, but I hate typing on this thing.
Flagstaff
February 20th, 2011
10:27 am
I’m going to support this damn team until the bitter end… whether I like it or not!
Portage and Main
February 20th, 2011
10:33 am
This team is going to look great in Jets jerseys… Everybody in Canada knew this sunbelt experiment was a failure and here, today, we have two teams on the brink of oblivion…. GB loves his yotes, and has fought tooth and nail to keep them where they are. GB only wishes he had 6 more ownership groups like TNSE in wpg, cause the wagons are heading North. The NHL is failed in the sun and will be returning to the promise land.
EA
February 20th, 2011
10:44 am
Tampa Bay sold out last night. Nashville sold out last night. Raleigh sold out Friday night. All with current competent ownership. Two Stanley cups in the last ten years. Yeah that sunbelt experiment has really failed.
jen
February 20th, 2011
11:02 am
Arg…stuck on a last minute trip to NY for the entire week. Since the Isles are playing the Caps on the 26th, I could show up there with a protest sign. Think anyone would notice?
Smoothie
February 20th, 2011
11:03 am
IR13 – its a shame really but I’m not sure the NHL is viable as a 30 team league. At least in markets like Nashville, Raleigh and Columbus, its the only game in town after football ends as college football is huge in the latter two. The NHL probably should have never gone away from the history rich division names of Adams, Patrick, Smythe and Norris. Six teams in each might have been better with less dilution of the product and perhaps a better TV deal that focuses on rivalries more than Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
Honestly, do we really need hockey in Atlanta, Columbus, Miami, Nashville, Phoenix and Tampa? Hockeys expansion to the south has done nothing to help TV ratings on the national whole and big numbers even the Olympics have been driven by huge markets in NY, Philly, Chicago and Pittsburgh’s crazed Crosby-sniffing fans. Kudos to Carolina for building a decent fanbase, and Nashville too, but it’s not like the NHL is really thriving BECAUSE of expansion. At some point the NHL is gonna wanna make some money and the short-term success of Winnipeg, aided by a huge relocation fee I bet, will help the league recoup some of the dough it lost in the PHX fiasco. The economic playing field will never be more level with the dollars being almost equal and its tough for Atlanta and Miami to compete with Canada’s govt subsidized national TV deal. Really, in this case, none of the variables favor Atlanta. So I say:
Screw you Ted Turner and the bison you rode off on. And eff you Time Warner for making a crooked deal to a group of a$$ clowns who have no business near a sheet of ice and go to hell AS, LLC for making the destruction of Calumet Farms look like child’s play compared to ur litigious BS!
Tom Lysiak
February 20th, 2011
12:01 pm
It’s also interesting that LeBrun says we turned down two first-round picks, plus a prospect for Bogo.
Tom Lysiak
February 20th, 2011
12:29 pm
The front page of the AJC.com has a story on Chic-Fil-A (locally owned, and a personal favorite!). How about Truett and Dan Cathy rescue our franchise? If they can’t do it alone, how about them and Bernie Marcus? I know, I know…..one single owner is the only way to go, but I’m looking for any viable local options now since Arthur Blank seems uninterested.
Portage and Main
February 20th, 2011
12:42 pm
I agree with Smoothie, all teams listed have done very little for the NHL. NHL currently a 5-6 rated sports option in the USA and remains stagnant. The product has thinned out considerably and when you have reported 16 teams in the league losing money… you’ve got a serious problem. The NHLs ownership selection is a joke and seems to always burn them in the end. The NHL seems to attract corrupt ownership grps. NHL has no business being in many of these sunbelt states… Sick and tired of watching many teams playing to a few thousand fans, free tickets, gimmicks and other nonsense. Too many signs pointing to this being ATL Thrashers last season. I say good riddance to them. I am glad they will be coming to wpg. This city will explode in excitement.
Portage and Main
February 20th, 2011
12:54 pm
And to Rawhide stating NHL can’t give up on this market… The vast majority of the market have given up on the NHL and this is ATLs second try at making it work. The fine city of wpg will gladly welcome the Thrashers. And, yes, as Uncle Milty stated, you need to inform yourself on the history of the jets demise which had nothing to do with lack of fans, spirit etc. With the latest news out that “ATL needs to find an ownership grp willing to keep team in ATL in 6-8 weeks” suggests they already have someone in mind or the team altogether has been sold…. I am leaning towards they are already spoken for and TNSE will be scooping them up.
Tom Lysiak
February 20th, 2011
1:15 pm
Now that is a comforting thought, winnipeg exploding…..
R. Stroz
February 20th, 2011
1:16 pm
It must really suck to be from Winnipeg. You don’t have anything anyone else would want.
The only thing Winnipeg has is one rich guy that everyone sucks up to.
Portage and Main
February 20th, 2011
1:23 pm
Stroz… whatever it takes. This frozen craphole has nothing, except ICE and hockey spirit. Thrashers are done.
Thrasher 4 LIFE
February 20th, 2011
1:26 pm
This is our team and we aren’t going to let snobby Canadian fans
take them away from us!!!!!
RISE UP ATLANTA!!!! Be there for the Panthers game!
We will get investors or a new owner. Mark my words, you Winnipeg snobs!
steve brown
February 20th, 2011
1:28 pm
How do you know a boycott won’t work. We have had sellouts before and look what good it has done. Not a soul in the stands would send a message to all owners and leagues everywhere that if you mess with the fan base for years and years we have the power to pull the plug on the owners and the league. As a prospective owner a total boycott would show me more passion and unity in the fan base than anything else.
BlueThrash
February 20th, 2011
1:40 pm
On a mini-vaca to Orlando and went to the Lightning-Panthers game last night in Tampa. All I can say is this — so THAT is how to run a hockey franchise? Can someone bring the ASG folks to Tampa Bay for a game so they can see this? A team-sponsored 5k run in the morning. Events outside in the Fan Plaza before the game. Concession stands in the arena that were not only open, but selling good food with cheerful people. Oh yeah – did you know that Philips doesn’t have to remove the caps from the bottles of soda and water even though they tell you it is an NHL rule? I too was shocked….the vendors there seem to not have ever heard of such foolishness. I just always believed the vendors when they said that – but I looked it up today and lo and behold can find nothing from the NHL mandating that arenas remove bottle caps. Stupid ASG…one more annoying thing to inconvenience fans. Anyway, not only does Tampa Bay put a great product on the ice, they really seem to care about the fans and trying to pack that arena. From ticket prices, to specials, to give-aways, fan events…I had a great time even though I hate the Bolts. ASG Sucks.
Joe Friday
February 20th, 2011
1:49 pm
Anyone left that doesn’t believe there is already an agreement in place to move them unless a white knight rides in at the last minute?
Uncle Milty
February 20th, 2011
2:07 pm
quote = Smoothie “Screw you Ted Turner and the bison you rode off on.”
The Provincial symbol for Manitoba is…. a bison!
The stars have aligned my friends. Stay thirsty.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
2:11 pm
Smoothie – Fully agree on the 30 teams being TOO MUCH. The southeast teams not including Washington, but throwing in Nashville, cuz it’s more S.E. than D.C. were all crapshoots. That’s not to say it can’t work, especially here in the potentially best market south of the Mason Dixon (again save D.C.) and east of the Mississippi, but again uncalculated, wanton expansion and voila, here we sit. This is why I lump the NHL in with Time Warner, and the F.A.S.,LLC. so far as where culpability of this abysmal failure of a franchise is concerned. You gotta work hard to make things work and I DOUBLE DOG DARE ANYONE to show me out of the aforementioned groups who actually has so far as this team goes.
I truly believe the southeast can support professional hockey in at least the towns with NHL teams in them already, BUUUT not the NHL with perennial mediocre products I’m talking ECHL, AHL. We are a sure shot for mior league success NOT NHL success. Northern transplants are the bread and butter, but they love the teams from their real hometowns, Detroit, New Jersey, NYR, Chicago, etc. And so the only reason they come outside of when those sorts of teams are in town is usually if they LOOOVE hockey so much that they’ll adopt the Thrashers when they’re not playing their childhood teams. The Thrashers have to be pretty damned good on a consisten basis to bring in those types all of the time, but that’s NOT the case with a good minor league team. Transplants tend not to have the same kind of allegiances where that’s concerned hence minor league hockey being a sure shot in Atlanta and this has been true for 20 years at least.
I could really elaborate on how the NHL cheapened it’s product with 30 teams. I can admittedly say I wish towns like Quebec City and Wwinnipeg have the right demographics and I wish they could have made it work back in the day. I can admit now and not ever, even if I had billions of dough to blow would I own a team in about 1/3 or better of their present locations (Atlanta included). Remember by my count only about 1/3 of the league is even in truly traditional markets, the rest were co-opted as far back as the original six (ie, NYR) and even still laregly aren’t hotbeds for hockey regardless of snowy winters or not. It’s a risky business in the big leagues and demands love and an ATM for a colon.
Portage and Main
February 20th, 2011
2:16 pm
I’ll drink to that Uncle! Wpg has waited far too long for the return of the jets. GB put NO effort in keeping them in wpg. GB was quoted as saying we will do everything we can to keep the NHL in wpg… 5 days later they were sold to clowns in PHX. The deal is done. The Buff signing is no coincidence… the guy just elevated his NHL status to god-like here in the peg. TNSE saw him as quality player and prime marketing asset for jets fans….it’s a cold icy and sunny afternoon in wpg and the jets are about to land.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
2:20 pm
Excuse the typos I suck bad bad bad today
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
2:28 pm
Portage – I haven’t read your posts and don’t know if you’re here to troll…hope not. Anywho, I agree, you guys are getting this team. I’m happy the NHL is likely returning to the Peg and maybe Quebec City in a little while, but I’m not happy you’ll likely be getting this team which never had a chance instead of a team like Phoenix (ie, the return of the Jets) who deserve it.
Anyways if you’re here to thumb your nose like a pre-k brat and say “nanny, nanny, boo, boo” then go *#$@ a duck.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
Uncle Milty – When you start ripping off second rate Mexican beer slogans (second rate quality beer, I actually dig the adds) you lose respect for unoriginality. You’ve been officially relegated to permanent generic rip off dweeb for using said sloganeering in a lame context whilst attempting to sound righteous. Shove it.
Portage and Main
February 20th, 2011
3:12 pm
Iron… just responding to some bad comments posted here about wpg and “Bombing Canada”. Not trolling. This will more than likely be my last post. Just wanted to see what fans were thinking about all of this. I wish it was phx instead and Thrashers were staying…. Thats on GB. All the best anyways.