Could it be Thrashers are going nowhere soon?
According to this tweet by John Kincade, it would seem that there is possibly an ownership group interested in the Atlanta Thrashers…one that would be interested in not only taking the NHL team off the hands of the Atlanta Spirit, but keep them in Atlanta as well. Not only that, but this group is also interested in the Hawks and Philips Arena too.
I spoke with Kincade earlier this morning and he told me, “All I can say is I can confirm that there is legitimate interest in someone buying control of the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips”.
“Serious candidate”, the co-host of 680 AM The Fan’s Buck and Kincade Show went on to add. “Not like a guy like Rollins”.
When I pressed a little more for additional information, Kincade only said, “There are reasons of confidences shared as to why I am not naming names. I will let this scenario play out”.
OK John, you have our attention. Hopefully this story has some wings to it.
LeBRUN SAYS THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Also on the topic of the Thrashers and their current ownership crisis…last weekend, ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun indicated that the clock is ticking for new owners to be found for the Thrashers.
I did not listen to the “Hot Stove” segment on Hockey Night in Canada, but from what I’ve been told and have read, he indicated that the NHL league office is trying their best to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta, but that there must be new ownership found within the next 6-8 weeks.
Now, I don’t know if that means a deadline has been set to resolve this issue or the NHL will allow the team to be sold to anyone even if that means relocating them…or that the league will step in and take over the problem themselves. Maybe someone who did here the comments can shed some light.
What I do know is that the league is fully aware that the main problem down here is indeed the AS, LLC and they would like to be rid of them just about as much as we do.
NOW…ABOUT LAST WEEKEND
One thing we Thrashers fans have had to learn over the last several seasons is to govern our emotions. When the team is playing very well…as they were last fall…we have to keep reminding ourselves that they really aren’t that good. Eventually, things will moderate out.
The same is true when the team goes through rough patches, the kind every team experiences. Just like when things are going well, things will moderate out. 82 games is a long time and in the end, a team’s true talent level will emerge.
The Edmonton Oilers celebrate Taylor Hall's game winning goal Saturday afternoon. It was Hall's third goal of the period and first hat trick of the rookie's career (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Ulan)
However, when we witness a stretch like the Thrashers are going through for two months now…going 6-14-5 over 25 games, winning only three times in regulation since New Years and only once at all since the all Star game…you can’t help but wonder if what we are seeing is indeed the true measure of this squad. And it’s disheartening to say the least.
Saturday’s latest debacle only adds to the general sense of gloom and doom in Thrasherville. The schedule affords the team a matchup with the worst team in the league…points-wise at least…and did so at a time they really needed it. Those two points in northern Alberta were as close to “must have” as it gets for a team looking to turn their fortunes around and try to get back on the winning track.
But it’s not just that they lost to Edmonton in as much as how they did. It was once again a game where they played well enough to take a lead…2-0 and 3-1…but also found a way to allow just enough mistakes to cost then dearly.
SAME SONG DIFFERENT VERSE
That old familiar sinking feeling began as it normally does, in the latter stages of the second period. With Atlanta up 2-0, Chris Mason, (getting his first start since being injured in Dallas a month ago), failed to shut the five-hole in time to stop Magnus Paajarvi’s shot from the right side.
However, that sickening feeling in the pit of our collective stomachs was eased a bit early in the third when Evander Kane danced his way through the Oilers’ defense and deposited the puck into the net past Devan Dubnyk. And with a 3-1 in the third on the Oilers this season, most teams can pretty much fill out the deposit slips to take the two points to the Bank of NHL Standings.
Yes, most teams…but not these Thrashers.
Just 7 tics of the clock after Kane’s highlight real goal, Chris Thorburn then takes a tripping penalty in the offensive zone…and then the Taylor Hall power play show was underway. The unraveling commenced from there.
“We gave them life”, coach Craig Ramsay said of the third period collapse. “Everything was going in our favor and then we take three penalties and give them those power play chances and get behind”.
“They walked them out and stuffed them in the net”, Ramsay continued. “It was really disheartening to see that. We didn’t get it done killing penalties and we didn’t get it done on the power play”.
“Disheartening” indeed.
It’s this type of loss in this type of fashion to this type of team that can kill off any hopes of climbing back into the playoff race. No they haven’t been mathematically eliminated, so they technically are not “dead” yet…but losing a game like that must certainly put them on life support. As such, whatever hopes they had of living life in the postseason is slipping away fast.
And while we continue to look for someone to step forward to make sure this franchise does not go anywhere anytime soon, it’s seems clear that the team is certainly going nowhere fast…at least as far as the NHL standings are concerned.
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367 comments Add your comment
Iron League 13
February 21st, 2011
12:00 pm
Put me on the PK – That’s nuts. I swear when I was getting ready for an interview I’m off to in a bit, I told myself to come back and suggest the SAME THING!!! Me and you need to start a movement. At the very least we need a VASTLY improved 3rd uniform. I love our Home Jersey. Our logo is too cartoony for me, but not enough for me to say I don’t accept it. I want a more classical timeless kinda look. Simple and tasteful, think Vancouver, Phoenix, Flyers, Colorado, they’ve all got some nice designs. Not suggesting changing colors being generic, just toned down, classic, and not so busy.
kracker
February 21st, 2011
12:02 pm
If [the ASG] can make a bigger profit shipping the team to canada than selling them locally, they will. Count on it. Perhaps so, at least that might be their desire. But if it is well publicized that a credible offer is in play from Atlanta owners, no way will Bettman allow a move. Even leaving Bettman and the rest of the NHL owners out of it, moving the team out from under new Atlanta owners would absolutely kill them in the court of public opinion in this town.
kracker
February 21st, 2011
12:03 pm
Bring back the Batman sweaters! Classic.
Iron League 13
February 21st, 2011
12:07 pm
Someone said they’d be embarassed of our home uniforms, that’s fine. I have grown to like the baby boy blue color. I played on a summer league team with an even more powdery blue than that. Not an intimidating color for ice hockey I must say, hence our monicker, The Smurfs.
Iron League 13
February 21st, 2011
12:09 pm
I really do think altering the look would go VERY far in the perception of things. It very simply displays a change, almost a rebranding. The team name must stay. Thrashers sounds gnarly and is our state bird, rad. Makes me wanna listen to some D.R.I. or Testament. lml
Iron League 13
February 21st, 2011
12:12 pm
Kracker, if I were Bettman I’d threaten to sanction the FASG with cut profit sharing in order to force the possibility of bankruptcy if they try profiteering. Eff them if they do, they’ve killed this franchise and sullied the NHL brand. STEP UP, GARY!!! Do this if they pull such crap.
Mike
February 21st, 2011
12:14 pm
No one buys an arena, an NHL team AND an NBA team, on a whim. A deal like that would take the better part if not a whole year to facilitaate. And why all of a sudden? Because their is a for sale sign on the hockey team? Its just the motions, the Phx deal looks to done, so its the queue for the ASG to now take the stage, announce the team is a money loser, can’t keep it, we tried, etc… He probably already has the cheque from TSNE.
The ASG wants to sell the Thrashers, but keep the Hawks and the Arena. Every night the Thrashers play, it COSTS them money. Thrashers don’t play, and the arena is closed that night, ITS NOT COSTING THEM ANYTHING. Of course they want to get rid of the Thrashers! Not only that, the handful of times they do get another event like monster trucks or a boat show, anything… A craft show would make them more money than a night of hockey.
Hand Ov Thrawn
February 21st, 2011
12:15 pm
Iron League 13, In response to you musical ideas, have you or anyone else noticed that music selection at the bulb is a VAST improvement over last season? Last year i would cringe at most of the music and was waiting around for ABBA to be played at any moment. I want the crowd pumped up…not dancing to ‘dancing queen’.
Chad
February 21st, 2011
12:15 pm
The reason CBC and the Canadian media is so glued to the all of the financial crisis down south is because it’s literally a dissapointment to what could and should be up here. Winnipeg has 750,000 people, with almost every guy growing up playing hockey, or atleast being a hockey fan. A city where it’s “cool” to wear hockey jerseys and clothing. Jets gear still sells like hotcakes and we fill 10,000 seats to a league (pardon my honesty, no disrespect to the AHL) no one really cares about here. We can watch Metallica one night, then Keith Urban followed by AC/DC, but we can’t get an NHL team in one of the busiest Arenas going right now.. The 20th richest man in the world owns our building (and loves hockey from what I hear) and a great promoter in Mark Chipman. Everything is in place for Winnipeg to have a team it’s just the American T.V contract hunt of G.Bettman holding us back. Not trying to stir up debate, just letting everyone know why the Canadian media is pushing so hard for this. And for the record, if Phoenix is staying and Bettman let’s you go… BE ANGRY. -Chad from WPG.
Mike
February 21st, 2011
12:19 pm
Not only that, anyone who bought the Thrashers and kept the team in Atlanta, would go into the deal knowing they’d never make a cent. They’d have to lease the arena, no concession money, partial ticket money, and no other sources of revenue from the arena.
You can only run an NHL team, or any sports team for that matter, if you also run the venue.
We went through the same ups and down in Winnipeg in ‘95. Jets didn’t run the arena, made no money… There was also the rollercoaster ride. This unnamed source is going to buy, then it doesn’t pan out… Ups and downs, then the team left… Its all part of the process
Martin
February 21st, 2011
12:25 pm
Wiiiiiiiiiiinipegggggggg!
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
12:30 pm
Buddha – That’s always possible. Glavine and Smoltz do have money. Glavine played, and was drafted by the LA Kings, before deciding to stick with Baseball. Smoltz is from Michigan, and is no doubt a fan of the sport.
Wayne stuck in AL
February 21st, 2011
12:31 pm
I don’t trust this John Kincade tweet; he was saying the same thing last Summer…not only that, the New York ComPost also said the same thing last Summer–and nothing happened. I’d like to know of Kincade’s source before I get on board.
Puckhead
February 21st, 2011
12:33 pm
At least our uniforms don’t look like the Wild’s. That red and green makes it look like Christmas threwup.
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
12:35 pm
Niklas Hagman is on waivers today. Thoughts? Pass or grab?
World Be Free
February 21st, 2011
12:36 pm
Chad-thanks for your perspective. One other note from the Hot Stove is that some players may balk at coming to Atlanta now for fear of one day having to relocate to Winnipeg. Winnipeg is a nice town with great people, but it is an outpost that may have a tough time attracting talent, similar to Edmonton. I hope you get a team, as long as it is not ours.
Also-FYI-there is actually more NHL fans in Atlanta since most of us are from up north.
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
… Oh. I see the Winnipeg folks found the new blog.
Here’s some additional reading. http://www.examiner.com/atlanta-thrashers-in-atlanta/sorry-canada-beware-of-reports-of-imminent-relocation-of-thrashers-to-winnipeg
Chad
February 21st, 2011
12:47 pm
http://www.examiner.com/atlanta-thrashers-in-atlanta/sorry-canada-beware-of-reports-of-imminent-relocation-of-thrashers-to-winnipeg
I clicked it, the first thing that loaded was Bettman handing Lord Stanley’s cup to a Winnipegger so I decided i would just close it and point that out too.
World Be Free
February 21st, 2011
12:53 pm
The locations and movement of teams is not determined on a blog, it’s determined in the NHL offices. As noted before, the forcus of the league right now is getting a new TV contract. NHL in atlanta is far more important to the league than NHL in Winnipeg, Saskatoon or Quebec City.
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
Your loss, Chad. I’ll summarize:
The Thrashers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Apparently, the NHL has these little things called “rules” governing things like this.
h
February 21st, 2011
1:06 pm
Hagman? umm maybe. He’s due to make $3M next year and he has less goals and points than 7 of our forwards, so is $3M worth it for a 3rd liner? For my money, I think I’d rather have Reasoner back…..he may be 3rd to 4th line, but he can kill penalties, which is something we just suck at, and he can score a few goals as well for a 3rd of the cost. On the other hand, anything that can knock Stapleton, Modin and Machacek out of the line-up is an improvement.
Smoothie
February 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
Tis really a shame the Thrashers couldn’t have won at least 2 of the last 4 heart-breaking games. None of the teams around them in the standings are doing much of anything and now even the Canadiens are slumping losing 2 more on the road. Montreal only has 9 of 24 games left at Centre Bell and they could be in trouble if Price starts to tire which it looks like he might be, much like Pavelec.
The six teams (MTL, NYR, CAR, BUF, FLA, TOR) directly above or below the Thrashers have a combined record of only 22 – 25 – 10 since February 1st. Rather pathetic really. The Southeast just a month ago was getting all kinds of props for being much strong this year and suddenly a lot of the progress is slip-sliding away. After Tampa wraps up their month-long homestand, things will get much tougher. Don’t count on them as being a lock for the division crown. And they know it as they are looking to trade one of their aged D-men for some forward help. Are teams finally starting to put a body on Steven Stamkos?
Of course, we all know who is hot as Hades and charging fast. And no, I don’t mean Arnold Palmer. Don’t know if the Devils can stay this hot, but they may have a certain dark force on their side!!
Uncle Milty
February 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
@ World Be Free
What you said about Atlanta being vital with regards to an NHL national US television contract would be true if Atlanta didn’t draw flies for hockey ratings numbers. They average 8,000 viewers per game. The Atlanta television market for hockey is worth virtually nothing to the NHL as of now.
Mike
February 21st, 2011
1:34 pm
@ Alan R
Your linked article… How does anyone in the Atlanta media know that TSNE hasn’t applied for relocation a year ago??
Hockey Biltong
February 21st, 2011
1:42 pm
Edmonton laughs at Winnipeg…
Red Light
February 21st, 2011
1:47 pm
Smoothie:
The Lightning may not win the division, but the only other team with a realistic shot is Washington.
The Bolts have earned 18 points in their last 13 games, while the Caps have 17 in their last 15 games. The bottom three can’t make that claim. Canes – 14 points in 14 games. Panthers – 13 points in 15 games. Thrashers – 9 points in 15 games.
So, despite their recent struggles, the Bolts still have earned more points than any other SE team in the past month.
Red Light
February 21st, 2011
1:54 pm
World Be Free:
Two more goals this afternoon for Matt Moulson, who now has 25 for the season! Isles lead Panthers 2-0 after one period in the Presidents Day matinee. Rangers cast-off PA Parenteau now has 14 goals and 24 assists for the season.
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
1:55 pm
Mike – AS, LLC owns the team, not TNSE. How can anyone file for relocation without having anything to relocate.
Answer: They can’t.
World Be Free
February 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
Uncle Milty-the 8,000 homes is about what the team deserves after 10 years of futility. ANY measure of success will get those numbers to increase. All you need to do is look back to the first 4 seasons to see this is a viable NHL market, for the reasons stated earlier-so many northerners living in ATL. You can’t come in last place or close to it every year and expect to have a fan base, unless you are in Tronna. Only Tronna shows when the team sticks, every other Canadian city included.
Everything is about TV money
Smoothie
February 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
“Maybe Stuart would have taken care of business if he was out there on the PK but neither Sopel or Oduya seemed to have a clue (and I like Oduya most of the time actually).”
Stuart played all of :14 on the PK in the 3rd period. Either he was shaken up from the fight and not really all there, or Ramsay is a stinkin’ idiot for not using him to kill penalties at a crucial time. Why else do you trade for a guy like him if you’re not going to use him? I started out with a lot of faith in Ramsay, but two months of losing and the same lame-brain decision-making despite the continual losing have me thinking he’s not up to the challenge. It is not working out and now we’ll be stuck with Rammer too long cuz Duds won’t want to fire him too soon since they’re close friends. Time for our so-called leaders on this team to stand up and LEAD! Ladd, Byfuglien and Enstrom need to talk to Ramsay about making some different damn decisions!
Wpgguymb
February 21st, 2011
1:58 pm
Wow! I’m not sure whether to laugh or for feel sorry for the 100 fans in Atlanta. Go ahead have your tiny rally, your poor attendance and pretend you are a hockey city. We all know it’s only a matter or time. i’ve said this before…. In 1995 we had a rally with tens of thousands of people, a telethon, children donating piggy banks and millions was raised…. In the end it didn’t matter the owners and Bettman had their own agenda. Cry all you want it won’t help. Signed, 90s Winnipeg
Smoothie
February 21st, 2011
2:00 pm
The blue uniform change in 2006 had a much more bad-ass look with the old, classic CCM sweater and not these silly form-fitting, ultra light designs. You put the two versions side by side and the old one kicks the new one’s butt. The older sweaters had more of an industrial, we’re taking no sh!te look to them. The new ones, not so much.
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
2:02 pm
Wow! I’m not sure whether to laugh or for feel sorry for the 100 fans in Atlanta
Cry more.
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/funny-pictures-kitten-shoe-loled.jpg
Smoothie
February 21st, 2011
2:07 pm
R/L – that’s what I’m saying…I think Tampa is fully aware of their shortcomings and that’s why they’re looking to make another move. They know Washington IS capable of catching fire, have better goaltending overall and some guy named Alex who is due for a 15-20 goal month. Watch out for the Washington Ovechkins in March. Just sayin’.
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
2:08 pm
Islanders just scored another one. 4-0 up over the Kittens so far.
Flames
February 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
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.
This was my post this morning before this blog even came out… The story from Kincade is true… I will confirm it.
Smoothie
February 21st, 2011
2:20 pm
Flames, if you are right, I will buy you a K-car, a nice reliable automobile! Fingers are crossed. Kincade is still a blustering ass. If he cares about the Thrashers so much, why doesn’t he kick Belue in the teeth every time he steers conversation back to college football or the Braves? So sick of 680 the Fan and their pathetic agenda. Why did you pay to carry the Thrashers if you don’t ever talk about them? Schmucks.
Spud Webb
February 21st, 2011
2:20 pm
ahahahahahah, Joe Friday, classic….”Hopefully we’re not being fed false hope here by Kincade, I can’t remember the last time he made a call correctly, anyone else know of one?”
NO…I don’t ever recall that happening. My question is how in the world would Kincaid get a scoop like that?? Seriously?????? I’ll believe it when I see it also.
Sabres are in trouble, which IS good news for Thrashers. As stated by others, Carolina is the team thats the issue. We have 21 games left (?), we HAVE to go 14-7 or better to make the playoffs, my opinion.
Spud Webb
February 21st, 2011
2:28 pm
Wpgguymb, dude you guys did all that and still lost the team??? Sucks to be you!
World Be Free
February 21st, 2011
2:31 pm
Wpgguymb-your city is an outpost, there’s several reasons you lost your last team.
Have fun attracting ANY free agents or being competitive.
Spud – Sabres are too small, all Darcy’s fault – time for his to take his money and buy a Mighty Taco franchise in Arizona right near the Ted’s out there.
Red Light
February 21st, 2011
2:34 pm
Is it possible that the voting for the Jack Adams Award could include two coaches who weren’t even in the NHL until November and December, respectively? Jack Capuano’s record will be 19-20-4 after today’s win, with 18 of his 19 wins coming since Dec. 16. They were 1-7-2 in his first 10 games, but have gone 18-13-2 since. Lemaire has led the Devils to 15 wins since Jan. 8, after going 1-7 in his first 8 games behind the bench. New Jersey is 15-1-2 in its last 18 games.
Gagne has been a bit of a disappointment for TB, but I think the Malone injury is the reason why Yzerman will look for a second-line type before next Monday. Malone might not be back until the playoffs. Lundin also is out with an abdominal injury, so he might be looking for two more bodies, and has the cap space and the owner to do so.
Go Falcons Go
February 21st, 2011
2:37 pm
Who cares about the NHL……… all these bums get paid millions of dollars for doing what???? Are they savings lives or really helping people. If you ask me….. they are just taking more dollars from your pockets Atlanta fans. Long term deals being signed by owners who are supposedly broke (Look what Dallas is doing…….. NOT signing Richards because they have no owner in sight). Should we as a public keep supporting the owners league (Because that’s all it is) meanwhile we have people who are without jobs/ on welfare/ going to fight wars! As for hockey in Canada………let them have it. Why start up a keep the thrasher site when they are already leaving….. we sold Kovalchuk last year….. didn’t Winnipeg do the same with Selanne?
Go Falcons go…….
Red Light
February 21st, 2011
2:41 pm
Don’t count out the Blues yet Brendan! Up 2-0 on Joe Friday’s Hawks late in the 1st period today.
Jason
February 21st, 2011
2:43 pm
Yes, Go Falcons Go, because Matt Ryan delivers babies on the interstate and Roddy White does neurosurgery in his spare time….
Alan R.
February 21st, 2011
2:43 pm
NFL lockout comin’.
Go Falcons, alright! LOL.
UGASlobberknocker
February 21st, 2011
2:46 pm
Even tho every time I send him a critical email at 680 he takes it personally and blasts me back,, Kincade knows his hockey and wouldnt tweet this unless he was pretty sure….so I hope he’s right
Buff-n-stuff
February 21st, 2011
2:49 pm
KRACKER – Mason may have been from a town nearby to the Oliers Arena, however, he had no business being in goal, again, POOR COACHING DECISION…..Ramsay takes this one for the team. He should have called a T.O. after they tied the game and actually “lit the boys up” and re-iterated the level of play that was needed the rest of the game to “GET THE 2 POINTS”….I am a Ramsay fan, just tonight, he actually contributed to the loss and could have possiblu stemmed the tide by injecting some verbal lashing to the boys during that 3rd period.
We are “NOT” out of this playoff chase by any stretch, but if we lose to the Sabres this week, we can tune up the band.
Smoothie
February 21st, 2011
2:52 pm
Thrashers have re-defined futility over the past months, but especially so in the last 10 games going 2 – 7 – 1 with 4 goals scored in their 2 wins. Strangely, the Thrashers managed to outshoot their opponents for this stretch of 10 games (31.2 vs 30.3).
Now some of that has been a byproduct of always being behind late in the 3rd, yet the Thrashers have lost two games recently where they’ve only given up a total of 42 shots (CAR & EDM) yet have yielded 8 goals (not counting ENG). In the last five, the Thrashers have averaged 35.8 SOG while only yielding 27.0 against. However, while scoring a respectable 15 goals (3 per), they have given up 3.6 per game for a save percentage of .867. That is Thrashers hockey history in a nutshell. Fade in February thanks to bad defense and even worse goaltending. Fun!
Tom Lysiak
February 21st, 2011
2:56 pm
I wasn’t aware of Capuano’s record (thanks RL!), but I had been watching the Devils. Lemaire turned them around completely. I’m too lazy today to go research it, but the only player moves I remember them making, was trading Langenbrunner away. Unless I am wrong that is purely C-O-A-C-H-I-N-G.
That is what concerns me with the Thrash. I wasn’t fired up about Rammer before the hiring was made. I was hoping for Torch, but I figured Duds knew something (LOTS) that I didn’t know. During November and December I was realizing that I was wrong all along. Then, things unraveled quickly. I just don’t understand the defensive lapses. That was supposed to be Rammer’s forte. I figured we’d lose a ton of 2-0, 3-2 games this season and look for scoring help right about now. I just really wonder about the motivation and readiness to play now compared to last fall. Maybe it is what someone mentioned above, the distraction of a possible sale and move that is to blame and not Rammer. I just can’t believe the difference in the team from fall to now, even with the injuries.
Hockey Biltong
February 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
Go Falcons, Roddy White goes to Thrasher games, you dipstick.So does Brian McCann. They get it, how about you?
And talk about billionaires arguing with millionaires….sheesh. NFL in rare form once again…