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
Flagstaff
February 20th, 2011
3:36 pm
Tom Lysiak– HAHAHAHA!!!
And you know that the black Thrashers would be the only people of color in Winnipeg… and Hainsey would be the only woman… and that there would be more people on the team than there are in the entire city.
Tom Lysiak
February 20th, 2011
3:52 pm
“Not trolling. This will more than likely be my last post. Just wanted to see what fans were thinking about all of this.”
See, that’s where you lose all credibility. If you REALLY wanted to see what the fans were thinking, you would simply READ the blogs, no name or email required. Your town already went through losing a team once and so did we. How do you think the fans feel? You and your Uncle are doing nothing but rubbing it in people’s faces and enjoying yourselves. Just being the pricks that you are.
Flagstaff
February 20th, 2011
3:59 pm
No, but seriously… I like Canada. I really do. But still, it’s unfair to the true fans here who have put up with garbage ownership for years, waiting for a time when the arena would be filled with fans because the team was winning consistently to have it be moved. If we get committed ownership with deep pockets, we WILL become a successful team. I still don’t see the team moving, though it is becoming a very real possibility.
Now, as for the Winnipeg fans out there… I’d really be quite happy if Winnipeg, Quebec City, etc. got a new NHL franchise… through expansion. It would be great for all of us, as you would get a team, and the rest of the league would not only get to keep theirs, but would also get money from the costly expansion fee. It would be nice to see you get a team, but just NOT OURS.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
4:38 pm
Portage – I won’t say anything about bombing ANYONE, but I would suggest going through some of the archives on the AJC, be it Chris Vivlamore’s or Rawhide’s to see just how wonderfully we get treated by jealous and elitist Cannucks in the Peg and Frenchies in Quebec. Again, I won’t excuse anyone talking about bombing Canada in order leak in your Count Chocula, but there’s definitely good reason why we’re defensive down here and unjustly so. Lot’s of Canadian trolls forget or have no clue what demographics live down here and love the Thrashers. I can assure you we’re not like a bunch of Froghorn Leghorn sounding Hee-haws with chunks of old chaw dried to the toes of our boots. Atlanta’s not exactly a southern southern city at this point.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
4:39 pm
justly so rather, geez I suck
neasdengooner
February 20th, 2011
6:12 pm
Going to the box office tomorrow to get three tickets and four tickets for Sunday
Joe Johnson
February 20th, 2011
7:03 pm
box seats for the game. I will be there, too
glovesave29
February 20th, 2011
7:57 pm
Yeah P&M, the NHL is DYING to go back to Winnipeg – despite what you may “remember” of the Jets, the facts are they never were a top drawing team and averaged about 13.5 K. The final season – they were under 12K …and thats with Khabibulin, Tkachuk, Selanne, Zhamnov, Janney, Doan, Teverdosky, Drake and Olczyk on the roster. This during a time in the league where 16 of the 21 teams make the playoffs. Winnipeg’s playoff attendance was atrocious. You have a city with a shrinking populace. We are a top 10 market. Makes so much more sense from a BUSINESS perspective to grow your product in new markets. If done right, it will succeed here. No city would support these moronic owners.
Enough with the troll. Anyone got any thoughts on Souray out there on waivers for $2.25M?
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
8:13 pm
Glove – I’d pick him up, he’d be a solid addition on the blueline. The KEY here is MOVE BUFF UP FRONT!!! We need scoring, period. In fact regardless of if they get Souray, now we have Stuart it’s time to move him up front for the duration of the season until help comes in the offseason. What can we lose? Get Souray, that’d be swell and move Buff to a forward role.
Iron League 13
February 20th, 2011
8:23 pm
You know on the move Buff up front bit….
Without the numbers in front these last two months have been a complete reversal of our November December run. It’s been much worse than that strtch was good. This team’s facing mission impossible here, so It’s time to roll the dice. Yeah the trade deadline is coming fast, and SO WHAT? There’s not so much hockey left how much worse could we possibly lose?
Hockey Biltong
February 20th, 2011
10:11 pm
Calgary laughs at Winnipeg….
Winniphlegm
February 20th, 2011
10:18 pm
Iron League 13 – All Canadians on here are trolls. What do you expect? They’re salivating at watching the Thrashers fail. I’m from Winnipeg…I get sick of almost every Canadian shooting down the U.S. If Portage and Main isn’t trolling, then I’ve got some desert to sell you in Manitoba. Bottom line is that for months Winnipeg watched like the piranhas they are to get Phoenix. Now, a day after Glendale agrees to keep the team for the 20th time in 6 months, Winnipeg turns their attention to Atlanta. Whatever. I’m sorry about the lack of ownership in Hotlanta and I wish you guys the best. Just know that not everybody from Winnipeg is an @$$hole. I am watching your story with interest, hoping that you can keep your team. I love the city of Atlanta and think it’s a great sports town. Even though I haven’t been there for almost 20 years, I still vividly remember the Hawks battling the Heat at the Omni…with Van Earl doing the P.A. Good times. Visiting GT and the college girls there wasn’t bad either!
Zombie Steve
February 20th, 2011
11:08 pm
UNLEASH THE FURY.
Tom
February 20th, 2011
11:26 pm
Sure the NHL and the players really want a team in Winnipeg. “That’s The Ticket”
The why are players specifically putting no trade clauses in their contracts so if the Thrashers end up in Winnipeg they will not go there…
And this is from the Canadian Hot Stove Show
Via Birdwatcher’s Anonymous:
Tonight’s “Hot Stove” segment on Hockey Night in Canada (CBC) discussed the Thrashers ownership situation as well as possible trades for Zach Bogosian. Pierre LeBrun (ESPN) and Ron Maclean (CBC) did most of the talking: both are major media figures with decent credibility. HNIC is the top rated tv show in Canada and given the large Canadian audience was surprisingly negative towards Winnipeg as a possible new location for the team: Glen Healy (CBC) went so far as to say that Winnipeg was such an undesirable destination for players around the league that they were rushing to have Atlanta added to their “no movement” contract clauses so they wouldn’t wind up in WPG.
Brendan
February 21st, 2011
12:00 am
Glovesave29, I’ve never been much of a Sheldon Souray fan. But, he’d probably make our team better. I think the time to make a move to salvage this season has long since passed. At this point, a move to get a player should be one with years left on the contract or an RFA. This season’s over, barring a miracle. Sure, we could go 17-5 the rest of the way. And space aliens could invade Planet Earth and enslave us all.
ben
February 21st, 2011
12:20 am
this team will move but within the area. the league oughta go after asg. I’m no lawyer but i’ll just gaurantee there’s a crap ton of illegal stuff up in here. i’ll bet this has been going on for a while and it just broke for some reason
Uncle Milty
February 21st, 2011
12:30 am
I’m a big boy and can take any flak you may wish to deal. That said, I’ve not insulted Atlanta one iota, nor the US. I’ve family an friends there, and believe it or not, have actually visited your city many years ago and came away quite impressed. The only issue I have with this blog is one article posted here a few months ago that made light of the city that I live in – as far as being a viable future NHL destination. Not only was your Ice Man quite pompous in that article, it also turns out that he was truly blind to the current state of your franchise. FYI, that the Thrashers may be moving has been well known for a few years now amongst some of us.
I wish zero ill will to current fans there and frankly would prefer if the Coyotes were to eventually move north rather than the Thrashers. If it winds up being the Thrashers though, such is life. Your complaint should not be against Canadians for taking your franchise as we’ll be paying full value for the team. The fault should lie fully with the sellers, not the buyer. So anyway, good luck to you.
Badger Bob
February 21st, 2011
12:59 am
Greetings from the Great White North. I am sorry to miss Friday’s game (will still be skiing), but will be at plenty down the stretch cheering for players and booing owners. Watching the Heritage Classic from this side of the border allowed me to see that pinhead xenophobe Don Cherry spew his opinion that ATL to Winnipeg was a “done deal”, so look for the Canatrolling to only pick up steam.
For perspective, however, go to the Winnipeg Free Press page devoted to Jets rumors and you’ll see numerous such predictions and indications for Phoenix’s iminent relocation over the past two years. Keep the faith, Blueland! Hockey is not moving away soon, and our right to a team is worth fighting for! Even a maddening team is better than no team at all!
Mike in Canton
February 21st, 2011
1:22 am
The wife and I have our tickets! Point those grimy fingers at us again ASG, and it might be the last time we fans allow you to.
Mike in Canton
February 21st, 2011
1:30 am
Unfortunately, it’ll probably be the last game I attend until 2012. Shipping out for Basic Training at the beginning of April….
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
1:47 am
Milty – Might want to read this. http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2010/12/8/1536097/nhl-relocation-winnipeg-quebec-city
Mike – I hope there’s a team for you to return to see here in 2012. Best of luck out there, and a pre-emptive thank you for serving our country from all of us.
ZAvalanche
February 21st, 2011
2:36 am
Wish you the best of luck Mike, take care of yourself.
I have a gut feeling, and it could be just because I want it so badly to be true, that Thrashy will be in Atl next season. I really do think so. Based on everything I have read (from both sides of the coin) I don’t see it happening this year. Not to say it won’t ever happen, but not this next year. We as fans are doing pretty much everything we can to prevent this and doing a pretty damn good job I would say. If it does happen it isn’t because of us and it isn’t because of the Canadian fans, as riling as some of them can be. It has been mashed over to a pulp as to why it would/could/should/shouldn’t/wouldn’t happen and it all points (with pronounced middle fingers) to the League and A$$G.
People who have never visited Atl or even GA have a disparate misconception of what the city is like – dirty, run down, rampant crime, civic unrest, uneducated, poor, redneck, and of course, no hockey fans. And of course they are wrong. Point is, Atl is a fantastic city and Hockey needs to be there. A good owner – hell – a decent owner, could turn this around in a single off season, guaranteed and make a freaking killing. Fact: the players like it here. Just look at Pevs, a northern boy who fell in love with the “Dirty South” as many northerners call it. They have a top-notch facility, die hard fans and way better weather to boot, eh. Not to say Canada isn’t awesome, I love it up there, but I will take an Atl winter any day over the nip up north.
I see no reason why Winnipeg shouldn’t have a pro team, same as I see no reason why Atl shouldn’t have one. You gotta think that Bettman is pulling his remaining hair out at the possibility that he might lose 5.5 million person market that has proven to support any well managed sport that calls Atl home. I emphasize ‘well managed’ because that is what it is really coming down to and we all know it, sh!t, the whole hockey world knows it. A$$G has been ‘outed’, but the question is; does anybody have the balls to do anything about it? I want answers and solutions. I want to KNOW definitively, right now so I don’t keep getting p!ssed about guessing, if it will happen. Is there already a deal? If so, just f-ing tell me and don’t string your fans along. Yeah yeah, if you tell us you are going to move the team we won’t show up is your thought GB. Maybe. Or perhaps you misjudged the fans and they will clamor to see every last minute of in person hockey that they may ever see in Atl. Don’t be a wuss, grow a sack and do you job – which at this point is to try and NOT move a beloved hockey team out of a potentially very prosperous market.
ZAvalanche
February 21st, 2011
2:49 am
That is a great article Alan. Thanks for that.
kracker
February 21st, 2011
7:17 am
I hope Kincade is right!!! Tweet….
John Kincade
Attention Thrashers fans! Hope for new ownership partners to save team exists. Expect story to surface. REAL, Seriously interested party
Iron League 13
February 21st, 2011
7:55 am
Winniphlegm – Thanks for the support. No ill will from my end towards Canada just the trolls and even still not really ill will at all just verbal spats.
Brendan – You’re wrong, sorry dude. We are more likely to be invaded by E.T.’s with a hankering for world domination than the Thrashers turn this thing around. Note when I say E.T.’s I mean literally, like “phone home” and “E-li-ot” and stuff, being invaded by them is more likely.
Red Light
February 21st, 2011
8:06 am
Well, it isn’t over in the race for seventh and eighth in the Eastern Conference because there isn’t a single team on this list that is playing its best hockey right now in this crucial stage of the season except for the Devils and Islanders. And, there is no way that kind of strong play can continue over the next 20-plus games. A three-game win streak before the trade deadline would be essential to have a realistic shot, however, since Buffalo, the Panthers and the Leafs all are chasing rather than leading, and Atlanta has had success against two of the three. The time is now!
NHL Rank Team Record in Last 10 games Points earned in last 10 games
18 NY Rangers 2-7-1 Lost 2 5 out 20 points
20 Carolina 3-5-2 Lost 1 8 out of 20 points
22 Buffalo 5-4-1 Lost 3 11 out of 20 points
23 Atlanta 2-7-1 Lost 3 5 out of 20 points
24 Florida 3-5-2 Won 1 8 out of 20 points
26 Toronto 6-2-2 14 out of 20 points
27 New Jersey 9-0-1 Won 7 19 out of 20 points
28 NY Islanders 7-3-0 Won 1 14 out of 20 points
Iron League 13
February 21st, 2011
8:07 am
Kracker – What’s the source? I know Kincade, but well whatever my fingers are crossed.
Iron League 13
February 21st, 2011
8:08 am
Oh I’m sorry, Kracker. Morning reading comp sucking on my end.
kracker
February 21st, 2011
8:15 am
Iron League 13 – John isn’t saying. I imagine he got it confidential or whatever. I think he wanted to get the news out first and give us troops some hope. I do feel sure the interested party[s] has more mojo than that LA movie producer guy. I wouldn’t mind the LA movie producer being a minor partner, though, as he certainly has great passion for keeping the Thrashers in Atlanta.
Flames
February 21st, 2011
8:33 am
GOOD NEWS!!!! I was at the Thrashers Casino Night at Club Opera last night and I spoke with several friends. There are SEVERAL local people interested in buying the team and/or investing in them. I also spoke with Andrew Ladd and he told me that he wants to stay in Atlanta for a long time and that he loves it here. He told me that his agent is currently in negotiations with the Thrashers for a long term deal.
Iron League 13
February 21st, 2011
8:41 am
Yeah, thankfully Vivs reported on it correctly. I read that Rollins guys crap over a year ago…NOT NEWS, I could see the self promotion even then. He’s not, I repeat NOT a real movie producer. Google Lightning Pictures and Stephen Rollins and I’m certain you’ll get it. That’s my point, that’s EXACTLY what that guy wanted was for us to do stuff like this. For cryin’ out loud he said he was on the Knights and I think the Thoroughblades (I think), gimme a break. Skating in their hockey camps is NOT being a professional hockey player. In that case I’d be one too, but so far as I know not one kid playing metro Atlanta youth hockey has made Div I, let alone the pros from my generation or earlier, that came a bit later. He’s full of crap.
Rawhide
February 21st, 2011
8:52 am
New blog to be posted at 10:00 am. We’ll discuss not only last weekend’s debacle in Edmonton, but also what John Kincade told me about his recent tweet regarding a possible ownership group for the Thrashers.
kracker
February 21st, 2011
9:02 am
Excellent, Rawhide!
Flames
February 21st, 2011
9:05 am
Rawhide! I spoke with Jon last night as well. I heard the same information from another source inside the organization! Plus I will be at the game Friday night. I can’t wait to read your post!
Rawhide
February 21st, 2011
9:06 am
Sorry…that should have read 9:00 am. Blog is up and running now folks.
Joe Friday
February 21st, 2011
9:13 am
Did anybody watch the presser last night of Bettman speaking after the Heritage Classic? I watched and it and Bettman was really pissed off at this question and walked off the stage after it. Who else saw it? I don’t know how to take his reaction, he was so visibly pissed off at it (he seemed to get even more pissed after the reporter asked a follow up, not listed below that was something like “in reference to what Gearon said”, here’s the question and answer:
Q. A question about Atlanta, lots of talk about Winnipeg on CBC tonight, everywhere. What’s your take?
COMMISSIONER BETTMAN: I don’t think there’s any new news about Atlanta. I know there was an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, but I hate speculation. I hate the stories, because it raises people’s expectations when they shouldn’t be.
If and whenever we have something to announce I promise you I’ll announce it. But let’s keep our eye on the ball. We just had a great event. And I don’t know what the CBC said. But if that’s what they were spending attention on during this game, I think they’ve taken their eye off the puck.
JMT21
February 21st, 2011
9:17 am
Full Disclosure. Winnipeg Resident Post.
Glenn Healy from HNIC has little to no credibility. He knows nothing of Winnipeg except from what he remembers from 15 – 20 years ago. Ron Mclean and Don Cherry are the only ones that have ANY credibility regarding the NHL and how canadians perceive them. The vast majority of the current players in the NHL also have no idea just how much has changed in Winnipeg. If you want a real perspective ask former players throughout the NHL about what it was like playing in front of Winnipeg fans.
To my fellow Winnipeg posters on this forum. Taking joy in another teams misfortunes in the hopes of having a team back in Winnipeg is weak at best. It’s seems that Atlanta is filled with very knowledgeable hockey fans which is WAY MORE than can be said about those “fans” in Phoenix.
I don’t know how the ownership thing will play out for Thrasher fans but filling the arena for every remaining game is a very positive step to show the league and your owners that Atlanta fans deserve a team. I point again at the Coyotes whose team may still be in jeopardy from staying and all their fans do is stay away in droves.
Keep up the fight Thrasher fans, it isn’t over until it’s over. Winnipeg will get a team one day and when the Thrashers come to Winnipeg and play the Jets. I’ll be there.
Flames
February 21st, 2011
9:18 am
As I mentioned earlier on CVIV blog,I spoke with Andrew Ladd and he told me that he is close to signing a long term contract and that he loves Atlanta… He wants to make this his home. Last nights Thrashers Casino night was a big success.
Uncle Milty
February 21st, 2011
11:40 am
Allan R,
why would a negative fan blog be of interest to me? The reason the NHL should consider Winnipeg as an NHL destination is because they’ll have the 20th richest person in the world as a part owner. The NHL wish to continue doing business with that man’s companies, unless you’ve never heard of TSN and Sportsnet – who are NHL broadcast partners that is, you should understand that concept. It matters not what some fan blog thinks of Winnipeg, but it does matter when a current NHL broadcast partner has his money backing them.