Cool your jets Thrasherville and remember four letters: WWGD
Just as soon as the Glendale City Council voted 5-2 to pony up the $25 million to the NHL to keep the Coyotes there for at least another year, it was clear that Thrasherville was soon to become the new frontrunner in the ongoing relocation saga. Clearly the media, at least the cyber media, was ready to turn its attention to our team once the dust became settled in the Arizona desert.
The “news makers” of the web need traffic and they’ll direct whatever they can however they can, after all.
And sure as hell is hot, it only took about a day before a rumor was posted in the cybersphere that within 24-48 hours it would be announced the team was sold to TNSE and will be moving to Winnipeg for the 2011-12 season. Making people’s reaction to it even that much more interesting is that the “breaking news” came from a source that so many brush aside as “unreliable”…but that didn’t keep some from pointing to it as the sure sign that the end was near.
Of course that period of time came and went with no such announcement being made and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the story was purely fiction.
“So people just make this stuff up, right?” Bettman told ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun while attending game seven of the Sharks-Red Wings series. “Where’s the accountability from all the people who a month ago were saying that Phoenix was definitely going? Whatever is being written [about Atlanta] is being made up.”
Thus, we are now able to place that fabrication in the same trash bin we have so any other “Relocation Announcement Eminent” rumor.
Now this is in no way, shape, manner or form an attempt to sugarcoat the troubling position Thrasherville finds itself in today with the ownership issues. Nor am I wanting to appear to be “whistling my way past the graveyard” in regards to the fact that the Atlanta Spirit, LLC…our brutally bad owners… may very well be in the process of delivering its final insult and slap to the faces of Thrashers fans.
However, I would simply caution you to not fall prey to some of the stuff being cranked out of the rumor mill while this saga plays out. And don’t allow your emotions to be yanked up and down whenever you read about “impending announcements” from sources that have no names.
In the end, the outcome of this drama will be directed by not the internet pundits or talking heads on sports shows across North America. Nor will the matter be settled by those cyber-warriors who infiltrate blog sites and debate the merits of Atlanta, Phoenix, Winnipeg or [insert name of city here] as an NHL city.
Nope, all one needs to know when it comes to how this is all going to play out are these four letters…WWGD. What Would Gary Do?
In the end I truly believe this all comes down to Gary Bettman and if he intends to make any sort of stand here in protection of an NHL presence in the Atlanta market, or if he and the league lack the stomach for another fight to save the team from relocation and allow the franchise to uproot to move to points north.
There are all sorts of theories and ideas from all sides of the debate attempting justify why Bettman will do “this” or do “that”. To some he simply cannot…could not…would not…turn his back on a market the size of Atlanta, (or Phoenix for that matter), and let it land in one the size of Winnipeg.
To others it matters not the size and potential of the market, but how many fans will pony up the funds to come out and see the team play right now. 17,000 from 750,000 is greater, they would say, then 10,000 from 6 million.
Some will argue…and rightfully so I would add… that Bettman and Co. understands fully the problems in Thrasherville rest squarely on the shoulders of the uncaring, apathetic, dysfunctional ownership cluster flop known as the AS, LLC. Any professional sports franchise would difficulty succeeding given the way the Great Octocluster, (the seven owners and Don Waddell) have run it and the empty seats in Philips Arena are the product of their ineptitude, not a weak fan base.
Others simply see the empty seats and insist new owners are not the answer, a new location is. A new location where fans will show up no matter how much the team under-performs or how badly they are treated by ownership. A place where you’ll never have to see the team president pull out a hand-made sign during an intermission interview on TV that requests fans call and buy tickets.
(Yes…that actually happened here last winter. Why Don Waddell even bothers hiring a sales and marketing staff and doesn’t just go it alone with his brilliant ideas is simply baffling to me.)
Obviously, I side with those who understand the fact that this city not only can provide rabid support for the NHL franchise, it has done so in the past. In the years leading up to the lockout and just after, attendance was not an issue. Fans came out to watch a team on the rise. Unfortunately after the current ownership took over and it was clear the Thrashers were the ugly, redheaded stepchildren to them, and were being operated at bargain basement levels…many fans simply chose not to return.
“If the Spirit Clowns don’t care enough to invest in the team, why should I?” was the prevailing question from those fans.
You may discuss amongst yourselves whether or not those fans were right to do so…but I can’t argue with their reasoning. The Atlanta Spirit, LLC could not have inflicted more damage upon the future of hockey here if they had intended to do so from the day they took over in 2004.
But while the endless rumors, conjecture and premature prediction of possible relocations continue to cloud the subject, there is one thing for certain to happen here. The Atlanta Thrashers will indeed be sold, either along with the NBA Hawks and Philips Arena or alone. As such, we will once and for all be rid of the most dysfunctional band of [insert appropriate descriptive words for the AS, LLC here] ever to own a professional sports franchise.
The $110 million question is, of course, will the new owner(s) be intent to keep the team here… or will they whisk them away to a venue far, far away?
Whether it is the former or the latter, like I said, that’s up to one man in my opinion… Mr. Bettman. And so all eyes will be upon him in the coming weeks as hockey fans here, in Winnipeg and all across the NHL landscape look to see just what will Gary do.
In the mean time, I would advise that everyone cool their jets and not allow themselves to be jerked around so easily by the relocation rumor de jour crowd.
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215 comments Add your comment
AudraM
May 16th, 2011
9:18 am
Once again… Nicely done Bill! In this midst of all the recent “I heard this” and “I read that,” it’s nice to be reminded that, no matter the outcome, it is out of our hands. I, for one, have been guilty of reading everything and worrying about it all and it is stressing me out! … Maybe that’s where the strep throat came from
… Anyways, thanks for reminding me to take a deep breath and relax… And thanks again for lunch the other day! Must do it again so… As soon as I recover 
-AM
matt
May 16th, 2011
9:23 am
Death to the Great Octocluster.
Hockey Biltong
May 16th, 2011
9:30 am
I will buy the team as soon as my money gets here.
LAC
May 16th, 2011
9:31 am
Great AS ALWAYS Bill, this mess just keeps going and going. Get sick of hearing how winnipeg is owed a team. Who would want to live or play there ??? Been there and not much to do or see…
Let’s old Gary gets some manhood about him and does the RIGHT thing for Atlanta…
Just think what a New Commited OWNER could pull off in Atlanta !!!!
DWTOO
May 16th, 2011
9:34 am
Thank You Rawhide! Needed this after reading some 370 posts of venom and drivel on C Viv’s blog. He finally has posted another, far better analysis. Am getting really tired of this crud. Vivlamore and Tucker have done nothing to quell the stupidity of what’s been floating around, except to stoke the fears.
MRS DWTOO and I have repeatedly referred back to the comments of our esteemed blogger and actual journalist, Redlight, who has pointed out not to believe anything printed until the actual announcement. Everything else is speculation. But, it’s hard not to watch – like looking at a car wreck.
Ray
May 16th, 2011
9:37 am
Your most accurate statement in the whole column? “Whistling my way past the graveyard.”
Goodnight Chet !
KLS1
May 16th, 2011
9:47 am
Not optimistic…cash is king. These ASG guys really want to sell adn True North really wants to buy.
With the NHL in ongoing wrangling with one franchise, it is unlikely they will get financially involved with another as well.
hockeygoon79
May 16th, 2011
9:49 am
I was wondering when you were going to chime in on this situation BlogMaster. And a very nice opine at that.
I too am very anxious to see what Bettman does here and in the end that is where this matter rests. Vivlamore and a very interesting piece today regarding the other NHL owners and how they may possibly be of help here too. But we’ll just have to wait and see.
BTW, very nice article on your son I saw posted this weekend. You have to be a very proud papa.
Did the Move Yet?
May 16th, 2011
9:52 am
Here’s the best way to stay current on the Thrashers sale: http://www.DidTheThrashersMoveToWinnipegYet.com/ Live updates 24/7/365.
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
9:53 am
Wow, C-Viv’s blog the other day got ugly fast. The Canadians hating on us, us hating on them etc. I read like a CNN board discussing Obama’s birth country or economic policy. Blog Master has it right and, as usual, gets facts, not conjecture cowardly generated from the comfort of someone’s couch with the intention to p!ss somebody off.
Hockey has thrived in Atl at times. I distinctly remember going to games when I visited my brother there and the house was packed. And you know what, those teams in the early years were not as good as this team we have now. Marketing – everywhere. I recall going to a local establishment and some of the Blue Crew were there, in uniform (grrrr), handing out prizes and such to lure people to the game. It worked – really well. I know what you are going to say – yes I am a hockey fan I an would go to any game in any city I visit, but the cool thing was that I would be sitting by a person who had never been and would ask about the rules and was LOVING it. A$$G has turned this franchise into a “cluster flop”. Bill is right, we will have a new owner – I just hope the team stays.
BTW, thrilling game last night. Thornton and Kesler went at it all night – and it was totally awesome to watch! Congrats to Tampa for a steal on the road. I was unable to watch it as I was camping – in the snow. I should find a way to fire all the meteorologists who said it would be 65 all weekend……
Brian
May 16th, 2011
10:05 am
While i agree that bettman invested time and effort in Atlanta in 1999, he will more than likely allow any relocation to occure for three clear reasons
1. NHL cannot afford to control 2 teams at once, esp. in bad markets where revenue comes nowhere close to compensating losses.
2. Bettman is being pressured by the Canadian media, and its obvious to him that the finacially sav. move is to relocate, rather than attempt mediation or block movement
3. Naming-rights changed earlier this year, could be nothing, could be a move to prepare for rebanding, or no branding
4. NHL tv schedule designed to be effiecent without an Atlanta, (NOT A GOOD SIGN)
5. ASG isnt even saying anything positive, they are merely keeping us in the car till the accident
6. and my personal favorite, check the Website, do you see anything new, rebranding, new stories, nope! just easy to write, cost-efficent garbel from our 4th liners and select-a-seat, because they have the nerve to sell tickets now with our franchise in jep.
in the words of the movie Airplane, I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue
Brian
May 16th, 2011
10:07 am
oh, and ATL is broke, and glendale isnt. it would be irresponsible for Atlanta to hold up a lossing franchise at this time. i realize theres more than three, which just makes me sadder
EA
May 16th, 2011
10:09 am
Bill, you are simply the best. We all needed your wisdom as one who always keeps your head above the fray and looks out for the fans. Your blog, a fan’s perspective, always lives up to its billing. Thanks.
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
10:14 am
OK, so I am a bit slow this morning, but that is a great headline Bill! Lol, “cool your Jets…”. Pun intended?
Rawhide
May 16th, 2011
10:16 am
Audra M – Always a red letter day whn we get a comment from you, my friend. Hope you get feeling better soon.
ZAvs – Hmmm, gee…I really never thought about that.
HG79 – Thank you very much.
Sage of Bluesland
May 16th, 2011
10:29 am
“…A place where you’ll never have to see the team president pull out a hand-made sign during an intermission interview on TV that requests fans call and buy tickets….”
How embarrassing. I don’t recall this one at all…but, with the blustering, lisping idiot, I can’t keep all of his miscues, obfuscations, and outright lies straight.
The league shares a portion of this responsibility, approving the sale to such a diverse cluster of entities/individuals. It was a foundation built on quicksand and should be a lesson to all leagues for the future (if not the past from other instances?).
When the biggest money partner (Belkin) tried to stop the Joe Johnson fleecing, he was told to get out, despite being the appointed partner in charge of NBA operations. Even incompetent Billy Knight refused to shake his hand. It’s funny how things look now, in retrospect, isn’t it? Belkin had the deepest pockets of all the owners–and his noncontribution to the resulting losses have crippled the mere children remaining.
Such foolhardiness! As stated earlier, if this isn’t a pattern of what NOT to do (on allowing multiple parties who individually don’t truly have the means for this sort of enterprise), then I don’t what would be.
As others have stated many times: The fans didn’t fail this organization. The organization failed the fans. The league failed the fans by allowing this collection of children to be allowed to play in an adult world.
I don’t regret, for a minute, not giving any of my hard-earned dollars into any of these undeserving pockets since 2002…
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
10:29 am
I am going to post here what I posted on CViv’s blog. I really think that we are in extreme danger of losing the team. And once it happens, there is no going back. We must do all that we can do to ensure that it does not happen. In the event that we do end up keeping the team (a scenario that I currently believe is quite unlikely), we will never know how close we came to losing them.
Smoothie
May 16th, 2011
10:31 am
Well done Bill! And good to see another voice of reason calmly pointing to reason amidst this swirling tornado of rumor and innuendo.
As you said, it’s really up to Gary Bettman, the Board of Governors and of course, our very own brilliant Octocluster of cowards. The “good” news is that the ASG is NOT facing bankruptcy as they have very little debt other than the bond repayment which can now be covered by the new NHL TV contract if they so chose. Yeah, their cash flow has taken a serious hit lately thanks to the Belkin fiasco, but that situation is a by-product of their own flawed decision-making.
Thusly, I’m not so sure Bettman will be all that sympathetic to their “plight” of not being able to “stomach” more $20 M losses. $20 M you say? Well, Mr. Bettman says, shall we take a look at your books? Perhaps we can help you with some financing or cost-cutting, such as getting rid of certain useless upper level management!
But I digress, the point is this: most teams which have been relocated before have suffered bankruptcy or were on the verge of financial collapse (see Atlanta Flames circa 1979). Anyway, will Bettman really get duped into thinking the situation is as “urgent” as Mr. Gearon would have you believe? Hmmmm, not so sure.
Hoof Arted
May 16th, 2011
10:35 am
I think Bettman give Atlanta one season to fix this mess the Octocluster has created, much like the Coyotes, (but for differing reasons of course). I also think we will not see a dime from the city government to help the cause, but in all honesty they are in no position to do so.
Crossing fingers, hoping for the best.
Oh and Audra M, Helllllllloooooooooooooooooooooo there…
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
10:37 am
I do not believe that the NHL gives a damn about ASG’s status. The NHL probably is just as fed up with them as we are. ASG’s books mean nothing to the NHL. The NHL would prefer to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. However, the NHL is bleeding money in Phoenix. The Yotes cost them $15M last year and is probably going to cost them that much this coming season. But it could get worse for the NHL. The Goldwater Institute has now questioned the legality of the Glendale $25M subsidy to the NHL and is threatening to sue over it. If they succeed, the NHL could be liable for another $25M for next season. And it would stand to reason that they might even have to refund this past season’s $25M payment.
So, while the NHL would prefer to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta, they want the easy $60M relocation fee they would get by letting them fly to Winnepeg. And as an added bonus, they would no longer have to deal with ASG.
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
10:41 am
Again, I think that our situation is very precarious.
I believe that the 95% figure that Chris has stated is probably pretty accurate. A True North/ASG deal could be done very quickly. The price seems to be already settled, so there really is no negotiations necessary.
I also agree with Chris that the owners are now the key. One angle is what Chris mentioned; that the owners may prefer to sell the Coyotes rather than take the $60M Thrasher relocation fee. In fact, the Goldwater Institute has now questioned the legality of the $25 subsidy that Glendale is paying, and has threatened to sue. If they do, the NHL could be in for another $50 hit for this coming year and last year’s subsidy.
I also see another angle with the owners. Pressure needs to be put on them that sacrificing Atlanta in order to recoup the league’s losses in Phoenix is unacceptable. I believe that the best pressure would be political. We need to go back to Mayor Reed, not asking for an unrealistic Glendale-style subsidy, but instead, a strong statement. Mayor Reed should question the NHL on their conflict-of-interest in sacrificing Atlanta to cover their Phoenix losses. He should demand that the NHL explain why only a few months ago, Gary Bettman was speaking of the “covenant with the fans” of Atlanta; that they would exert the effort for Atlanta that they have done for other NHL cities, including Phoenix, and yet in this short amount of time, seem to be announcing that they are ready to give up on Atlanta. Mayor Reed should ask what would cause such a change in the NHL’s position in such a short time, if it is not the fact that the Coyote sale has fallen apart.
The same should be done by Governor Deal, demanding an explanation from the NHL.
And finally, our congressmen should get involved. Can you imagine what impact it would have on the league if Congressman John Lewis was to publicly question the NHL about their motivation for abandoning Atlanta? A joint statement from him and the Republican Representatives of the northern suburbs, whose have constituents concerned about the loss of the team would be tremendous. The northern suburbs also have an economic stake in this issue. In 1980, after the Flames left for Calgary, EVERY ICE HOCKEY RINK IN METRO ATLANTA SHUT THEIR DOORS! Would we see the closure of IceForum Duluth, IceForum Kennesaw, The Marietta Ice Center (the MIC), The Cooler in Alpharetta, and the newly constructed The Ice in Cumming? The local Chambers of Commerce should be active, encouraging our Representatives to publicly question the NHL about their motivation.
If you are a hockey fan in metro Atlanta, please contact your Representative and local Chamber of Commerce.
Seriously!
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
10:42 am
The idea is to stop the train wreck before it happens. Once it happens, the passengers cannot be brought back to life.
By sounding the alarms, CViv and Jeff Shultz may be the ones who save hockey in Atlanta. And the sad thing is, if the team does stay, no one will know how much of the credit goes to the two of them.
Smoothie
May 16th, 2011
10:46 am
Atlanta Flames Fan – why get hung up on the $60 M relo fee. As Viv pointed out, the league would do better to simply sell the Coyotes to TNSE for $170 M. They get the whole amount to cover losses, not just the $60 M that essentially amounts to extortion by the NHL to use ATL as leverage to save the Coyotes. Bad PR move on the part of the NHL, not to mention short-sighted business sense.
glovesave29
May 16th, 2011
10:49 am
In today’s economic climate, even being a huge hockey fan – I WOULD NOT want mayor Reed to offer millions to the ASG a la Glendale to save the team. The taxpayers of Arizona are not getting a fair shake, and regardless of politics…the Goldwater Institute is correct.
The current currency situation with the Loonie having the greater value is also not likely to continue. The historic level of $0.73 CDN / $1 USD will return soon enough. The issues that plagued the Nords and Jets will return.
Anyone giving creedence to a report coming from Eklund, well…Jeff Schultz said it best…”its like hearing Elvis was spotted at Wendy’s”. His 48 hour window passed 3 days ago. Unfortunately, our esteemed beat writer has not helped, fanning the flames (pun intended) north of the border. Seems as though neither one has an editor to answer to…
Team is in trouble…no doubt. I can see them leaving just as easily and staying put. If I have to go with my gut, I say the Coyotes play one last season in the desert and go back to Winnipeg. That by no means makes us safe…Quebec will get louder soon.
So how many people will go to the ticket selection event on the 21st? Will this be all over by then?
glovesave29
May 16th, 2011
10:58 am
forgot this point…
I WOULD like to see Mayor Reed act like a mayor and work with community leaders and businesses to save the team…much like Kevin Johnson did for the Kings in Sacramento. Stay out of public funds…but I am sure he can work some sort of deal with local business leaders to give them some sort of incentive package should they invest in the Thrashers.
Kenneth Williams
May 16th, 2011
11:09 am
Well worded piece. I think the advice given here to just take a deep breath and watch how this unfolds can also to aplly to those here in Winnipeg. We certainly would love to see the NHL return here but most of us do not want to see it at the expense of another city losing their team.
There are still many twists and turns in this story.
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
11:10 am
@Smoothie
Alot of this stuff does not make sense to me either. Here is an explanation from Mike Ozanian of Forbes.
http://blogs.forbes.com/mikeozanian/2011/05/09/nhl-should-let-coyotes-go-to-winnipeg-and-keep-thrashers-in-atlanta/
“… Given that the Coyotes are losing much more money than the Thrashers, why would the NHL want the Coyotes to stay and let the Thrashers go? Presumably it is because of the $195 million total ($170 million purchase price plus $25 million from Glendale) the NHL would not get to keep much net of its $140 million purchase price of buying the team out of bankruptcy and to absorb losses. But of the $170 million price for the for the Thrashers, only $110 million would go to the current owners, Atlanta Spirit LLC, while the NHL would get $60 million as a relocation fee.”
moe
May 16th, 2011
11:14 am
I don’t know what Gary would do, but I know what Todd Macllellan shouldn’t have done last night. One of the big mistakes was replacing Jason Demers. He had 2 goals and one assist going into the game, he could have made a big difference. Instead, the coach sticks in a player (Huskins) that hasn’t played since February, cold and not used to the playoff intensity at all…
Mr. Heat Miser
May 16th, 2011
11:18 am
It boggles the mind how many people feed off of Ecklund’s speculation. The guy just speculates and rehashes. But the silence from the big poo-bahs is becoming deafening………
#POMPOM
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
11:33 am
@ Moe – my sentiments exactly. My guess is he is injured. They may have listed him as a healthy scratch but we all know how injury reporting in the NHL goes. Too bad the city of Atl cannot afford what Glendale did with the Yotes. How about Alpharetta, Marietta, Smyrna, Duluth, Sandy Springs, Decatur etc. Pull in $$ from the other townships to keep the team there. I just don’t see it happening. It seems to me that keeping hockey, in the long run, it will take an investment but the dividends will pay of in the terms of tax revenue. I also think it will hurt the city badly if Thrashy leaves. I don’t know if there are any Hawks fans here but they should be hoping that Thrashy stays in Atl – otherwise whoever owns the Hawks is going to have to pony up the $$ to pay for the building, thus lowering the ability to buy quality players.
Badger Bob
May 16th, 2011
11:41 am
Wasn’t sure where Blogmaster would go with WWGD. Other thoughts:
What Would Glendale Do? Subsidize! Lord know ATL subsidizes worse, less worthy things, so why not hockey? Besides, I don’t pay taxes in ATL…
What Would Gearon Do? Lie to the fans, do a backroom deal to sell the team, then sue the new owners for not paying enough…
What Would Goodell Do? Undoubtedly a better job than Bettman.
Dwayne
May 16th, 2011
11:45 am
The owner of the other fanchises will step up and help Atlanta as long as we keep wadell as president, ramsey as coach, let Ladd walk and move tiny time to the first line. Where else will thier team get an easy victory every time?
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
11:50 am
No game tonight, what the hell am I going to do? Guess it is cleaning time.
glovesave29
May 16th, 2011
11:51 am
All right, I can hold off any longer. Bill asks WWGD, which OBVIOUSLY means What Would Glovesave29 do?
Rest easy Atlanta, I would keep the team here. I would also give the Coyotes a HARD deadline of 1 Jan 2012 or they go back to Winnipeg. I also move the Islanders to Quebec City. The NYC market is waaaay over saturated as only the Rangers draw well.
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
11:53 am
@ Glove – LOL!
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:08 pm
mayorreed@atlantaga.gov
Recently you have addressed the issue of the possibility of the Atlanta Thrashers leaving our fair city. In your remarks, you mentioned that there is no possibility of Atlanta attempting to arrange for a subsidy similar to the $25M subsidy that the Glendale AZ government is providing to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale. I commend you for your stance; taxpayer money should not be used in this manner.
However, there is an issue that I believe that should concern you; that the NHL is not dealing with Atlanta fairly due to a conflict-of-interest. The NHL in recent years has gone to great lengths to protect the “Covenant with the fans” in order to keep other teams from relocation. Efforts were used to keep teams in Nashville, Tampa, Raleigh, Buffalo, and most recently Phoenix.
The effort in Phoenix is what should concern you. Last year, the NHL became the owners of the Phoenix Coyotes. They have been trying to sell them to an owner willing to keep the team in Glendale. Last year the Coyotes lost $40, of which the league covered $15. Recently, the NHL thought that they had a buyer for the team. However, the deal collapsed when a local public watchdog group, the Goldwater Institute, threatened to sue over the transactions use of public bonds. So, the league ended up being stuck with the team for another year, and will lose at least another $15M.
This is where Atlanta comes into the story. A company in Winnipeg, Manitoba named True North Sports wants to buy the Atlanta Thrashers and move them to Winnipeg. Just a few months ago, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reiterated his “Covenant with the fans” of Atlanta, stating everything would be done to prevent the team from leaving. However, last week Mr. Bettman’s attitude did not seemed to be different, making it appear that everything has been done to try to save Atlanta. Why has everything changed so quickly.
Speculation is that the NHL is not going to give Atlanta the same opportunity to save our team as has been done for others is because the league will receive a $60M relocation fee if the Thrashers move. And with the NHL losing $15M/year operating the Coyotes, they want the relocation fee to recoup their losses in Phoenix.
Mr. Mayor, I urge you to publicly challenge Mr. Bettman to stand up for the fans in Atlanta like he has done in other cities, and demand that he not use a relocation fee of the Thrashers in order to cover the NHL’s losses in Phoenix.
I believe that Mr. Bettman’s actions are an insult to Atlanta and should not be tolerated.
Atlanta Spirit Sucks
May 16th, 2011
12:10 pm
Sage, we need your support…you should love this site about how the Spirit Clowns and their cast of General Managers have screwed up the Thrashers, Hawks, and the Arena.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-Georgia/Atlanta-Spirit-Sucks/114671988618038
moe
May 16th, 2011
12:32 pm
@ZAvalanche You’re right, could be that Demers injured instead, will have to monitor the situation on Wednesday. The games are so close these days, overtime and 1 goal games, every little bit makes a difference now.
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:39 pm
You can use this link to contact your congressional representative.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Cornbread
May 16th, 2011
1:04 pm
As always, a voice of reason and hockey knowledge, unlike say the AJC’s Atlanta Thrashers beat writer. It’s no wonder why this blog is always more popular than another’s.
Bill is right: Video: It is NOT the fans in ATL
May 16th, 2011
1:09 pm
It does all come down to Mr. Bettman, and maybe more importantly, the other NHL owners. Any sale has to be approved. Our best hope is that the NHL sees what Bill has outlined above. Sharing on facebook, forwarding, tweeting, emailing a link to this video can help get the word out.
http://www.keepthethrashers.com/videokeepthrashersreally.html
We will post a link to Bill’s good work on the Keep The Thrashers FB page.
canuckaruckus
May 16th, 2011
1:22 pm
Did the move yet…. thanks a lot. That link made milk shoot out of my nose!
Matt from MN
May 16th, 2011
1:25 pm
It’s OVER. http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-thrashers/atlanta-spirit-true-north-947628.html.
You have no idea the kind of language I’ve just uttered. I am beyond depressed.
Never again will we be able to watch the most awesome game, NHL hockey. Crap.
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
1:40 pm
That makes me sad.
Brett
May 16th, 2011
1:44 pm
WWGD — He’ll take the $60m and run. Atlanta is being sacrificed to keep PHX afloat! Now that it’s come out that ASG is in negotiations with True North it just a a matter of time before the relocation announcement is made! I guess the4 ASG couldn’t find a local buyer who was stupid enough to purchase the Thrashers under their terms. The ASG will have the last laugh at our expense! The NHL will not be coming to our rescue!! Thanks Gary!
Gary Bettman is a $60M WH0RE
May 16th, 2011
1:50 pm
Gary Bettman is a $60M WH0RE
moe
May 16th, 2011
1:55 pm
Very sad news indeed. I was in Winnipeg once in late January, -39 degrees fahrenheit. I walked outside for less than 5 minutes and my nose froze to a point where the tip would have snapped off if I hadn’t found a convenience store to thaw….
Barb
May 16th, 2011
2:02 pm
If the team is moved, I would like Gary Bettman to explain to my kids, and the other loyal kids of Blueland, why the NHL sat by and let their team be taken away. So many little hearts will be broken.
Bye bye thrashers
May 16th, 2011
2:12 pm
The Thrashers are leaving one way or another. The only thing keeping them in Atlanta was the thought that Phoenix was moving to Winnipeg. Now that they’re not… unless an angel investor appears that is willing to keep the team in Atlanta, it’s over folks.
EA
May 16th, 2011
2:17 pm
Nothing has changed. Bettman has to approve ANY sale. As Rawhide said, he is one that will make the final decision.
Winnipeg Jet
May 16th, 2011
2:22 pm
Thanks to everyone in Atlanta. We could not have done this without you!
EA
May 16th, 2011
2:25 pm
I have sent letters to every representative I could think of in Atlanta. The response has been along the lines of ASG is a private company. There is not much they can do. However, that was a few months ago. Keep up the campaign of polite e-mails to gbettman@nhl.com.
Relocationist
May 16th, 2011
2:25 pm
What a great victory it would be to have this lame duck (or lame thrasher) team for one more year with the same GM, the same poorly located arena and the same ECHL roster.
Gary is a joke
May 16th, 2011
2:25 pm
Bettman is a gutless coward. He protects one franchise (Phoenix) while letting another get moved.
Unbelievable.
Atlanta Spirit Sucks
May 16th, 2011
2:27 pm
Want to contact Bruce, come visit:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-Georgia/Atlanta-Spirit-Sucks/114671988618038
Red Light
May 16th, 2011
2:29 pm
The Flames have given Curtis Glencross a four-year contract worth $10.2 million dollars according to reports, a Cap hit of $2.55 million. The Flames now have $55.8 million assigned for 2011-12 already.
Dwayne
May 16th, 2011
2:38 pm
All I ask is that Don Wadell go with the team to Winnipeg.
Brian powdertown
May 16th, 2011
2:43 pm
to bad we don’t have a watchdog watching over this deal we have got to do something!!!!
We've Been Bamboozled.....
May 16th, 2011
2:48 pm
I think the reason why nobody locally has tried to buy the Thrashers is that they don’t want to be tenant to the slumlords that are Atlanta Spirit. You think they’re bad hockey team owners, I’m sure they’re pretty bad as landlords too. I’m sure they’re glad to have the WNBA team here since it gives them some dates during what is essentially a dead period for many arenas.
The ultimate decision on relocation comes down to the NHL and the Board Of Governors. There cannot be that many short-sighted members of the NHL BoG to chase after what would equate to a few million in their pockets. At this point, emailing our state and local officials is a waste of time, we as fans need to start putting pressure on the members of the NHL Board Of Governors, starting the the governors for the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and Nashville Predators. All of these teams will be greatly affected by the relocation of the Thrashers, as their fans and our fans have a history of venturing to each others’ barns. Nashville, besides being the nearest NHL team, is the team that would get screwed over by the NHL if the Thrashers move, as while them switching conferences and joining the SE Division would make the most sense, Mike Illitch’s “gentleman’s agreement” with the NHL means that the Red Wings would switch conferences if the Thrashers (or any other Eastern Conference team moves to the West).
The Real Thrash
May 16th, 2011
2:53 pm
sad to see.
we will never have a nhl team again.
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
2:55 pm
Sorry EA, but the fact that they are negotiating means that they have already been given approval. Unless something drastic happens, the BOG approval is only a formality.
Red Light
May 16th, 2011
2:56 pm
Out of the Sharks’ lineup since Feb. 19 with an upper-body injury, coach Todd McLellan inserted the 32-year-old veteran defenseman into active duty for fellow defenseman Jason Demers in a 3-2 San Jose loss, which put them down 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.
“(Huskins) went in and I thought played a pretty honest game, and we’ll see what we do for Game 2,” said McLellan, adding that Demers was “bumped and bruised, just like everyone else.”
There were conflicting reports that Demers was a healthy scratch, but word from within the Sharks organization is that he is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 16th, 2011
2:58 pm
@Bamboozled
I agree with you that no one wanted to buy just the Thrasher and then have to lease Philips from ASG. However, I disagree with you about politicians being a waste of time. The BOG members in the SE are aware of what losing ATL means to them. Obviously they did not seem to believe that this was more important than taking the $60M cash.
Let your congressmen know how you feel about Atlanta being dumped on to make up for the NHL’s financial losses in Phoenix.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Devil's Advocate
May 16th, 2011
3:04 pm
Hey, we still have the Gwinnett Gladiators!
moe
May 16th, 2011
3:06 pm
Thanks for the update Red Light. It looks like Demers has some injury. Even so, Maclellan should put Justin Braun in instead of Huskins, Huskins is too slow just like Murray and Wallin.
rob
May 16th, 2011
3:09 pm
Sad that so much drama surrounds our team. Makes me sick just thinking about it. ASG sucks. Everything about this deal sucks. If the team somehow manages to stay here another season who else will want to go watch a game next season? We need accountability, longevity, and someone with HOCKEY LOVE running the team. ASG sucks.
Shutterpups
May 16th, 2011
3:13 pm
Great post Bill. This is the first time I’ve visited your blog – was sent over from a link you tweeted. I’m from Winnipeg, and my only “beef” with your article is that you forgot a zero in Winnipeg’s population. Not a huge deal, but when you’re up against a number like 6 million, you need all the zeros you can get! haha.
To the fans of Atlanta – I feel your pain. I loved our Winnipeg Jets and I was heartbroken when they were taken from us. I understand what it’s like to be a fan of a team that’s owned by people who don’t believe in them in a league that doesn’t believe all during crippling economic times.
I sincerely hope that the NHL returns to Winnipeg so that my son can enjoy the thrill of NHL hockey in person, but I am truly sorry that the answer to my wish might come at your expense.
I hope that regardless of the outcome of this drama – the fans of Atlanta hold their heads high and tell the world that geographic location doesn’t automatically determine the quality of your fan base.
steve brown
May 16th, 2011
3:13 pm
If a major market like Atlanta with a metro population of 6 million can lose its team to a Canadian city with a metro population of 750,000 then the NHL is in fact a minor league sport and will forever be during our life times. This is the ultimate litmus test for the NHL, you can’t have one of the top 10 markets in North America get dumped on a second time and expect fans to ever care again. This will be a deathblow to accessing future venture money for the NHL and they will deserve every negative article and comment they receive in the future.
Rawhide
May 16th, 2011
3:21 pm
Shutterpups – Thank you for the kind words, both for me and Thrasherville as a whole. Let’s just see how all this pans out…not looking good right now, though.
I put the extra ZERO in the population for ya, thanks for pointing that out. If you’d like another “ZERO” in Winnipeg, then you can have Don Waddell if the team winds up there.
…rimshot…
Shutterpups
May 16th, 2011
3:30 pm
LOL @ Rawhide. Maybe we can send Waddell to Phoenix!
Rawhide
May 16th, 2011
3:37 pm
Shutterpups – Oh no…you buy the team you get Waddell too. LOL!
Hey, that may be a great way to keep the Thrashers. Insist that Waddell comes with the team. Even TNSE would reconsider that or insist a few million get shaved off the price.
…shrugs…
Well, it’s worth a shot, eh?
Shutterpups
May 16th, 2011
3:41 pm
LOL – I’m going to have to bookmark your blog. Funny is good.
Honestly though – I love Winnipeg, it’s a great city to live in and raise a family in – however that -40º isn’t a myth, why would you want to saddle us with Waddell too?
Brendan
May 16th, 2011
3:45 pm
Rawhide, thank you for writing this well reasoned blog. I think I felt the blood pressure of the whole 20-county metropolitan area ease a bit.
Really Bill?
May 16th, 2011
3:47 pm
Come on Bill. You know better.
The Thrashers are gone folks. Bill knows it and its wrong for him to give you all false hope.
SouthernFriedHockey
May 16th, 2011
3:50 pm
Not sure what to say here with the latest news today. It seems to me that this franchise and the ownership group have made every mis-step humanly possible.
I know for a fact that Atlanta can support hockey. I watched Atlanta support it with the Flames growing up, the Knights after the Flames left, and then the Thrashers.
In retrospect I think the blame falls squarely on the NHL in not properly vetting the ASG. Now we see the very real possibility of our team being sold and relocated so the league can recoup some of the monies that it used to prop up Phoenix.
At what point are ownership groups and the league held responsible? Why, in the past, did the league not step in before? I am beginning to think that word came down in January or early February, hence the teams’ slide. I guess we will only really know after they leave.
Rawhide
May 16th, 2011
3:59 pm
Per C-Viv tweet: “According to a source, there were talks again today with group interested in keeping #Thrashers in Atlanta. Time has become biggest issue.”
EA
May 16th, 2011
3:59 pm
Atlanta Flames Fan, why does Bettman have to give permissionto peoplewho want to discuss business deal.? You may be right, but I am confused. Bettman repeatedly says that he is not in charge of who talks to who about negotiating a deal. You may be right, but it just doesn’t make sense to me. Taking a break from this situation. It is giving me a headache.
Jets fan
May 16th, 2011
4:03 pm
Great article,
I hope you keep your team and we end up getting the coyotes. Ownership is the thrashers problem as it was here in Winnipeg 15 years ago. Atlanta deserves better and taking your team will not be good for either city.
This is just the NHL’s way of protecting their own bad investment in Phoenix. Don’t give up on your team but please hang your owners.
Jets fan
Thesawch
May 16th, 2011
4:13 pm
The board of Govenors will rubber stamp this. It would not get that far and then turn it down. It looks like its a done deal…
Red Light
May 16th, 2011
4:17 pm
Would be apropos if the St. Louis hockey team was sold and then moved to Atlanta, thereby creating the Winnipeg Thrashers and the Atlanta Blues. A minor league organization that deserves a minor league outpost like Winnipeg and a hockey team in our fair city would also be appropriately named since the past ownership groups have created that mood here, not once but twice in 31 years.
No offence intended Winnipegers, it’s more of a fair comment about this organization than your town.
Spud Webb
May 16th, 2011
4:19 pm
New ownership in winnipeg will fire waddell as any smart owner(s) would do. BETTMAN IS A FLIPPING LIAR…he knows EXACTLY what is going on and wants that money. We’ve been lied to and lied to by EVERYONE. WTF ISNT HE TAKING OVER THIS TEAM LIKE THEY DID IN BUFFALO AND IN PHOENIX?? and why isn’t that being explained to us? the NHL should take over until a proper buyer is found down here in the south. IM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PISSED, MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE.
K-Town Dawg
May 16th, 2011
4:25 pm
I don’t proclaim to be the biggest hockey fan, but the dealings of the ASG are underhanded at best. How can they manage to get the Hawks into the playoffs for the last 3 years while claiming they can’t support the Thrashers due to monetary losses?
In the unfortunate event that the Thrashers are sold and move, I propose we run the ASG out of Atlanta. These SOBs have destroyed hockey in Atlanta and left to their own devices may also destroy basketball as well. They should lose their rights to the Thrashers, Hawks, and Philips Arena and should be dispatched of swiftly.
Like I said, I’m not that big of a hockey fan, but what the ASG has done is irresponsible and self-serving. These gentlemen, and I use the term loosely, deserve the wrath and disdain of every citizen of Atlanta and they should be ashamed to call themselves businessmen.
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
4:29 pm
@Jets Fan – nice comments, you show class and knowledge. I hope you get a team too. No kid should grow up without hockey
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
4:33 pm
Spud – are you LAC? Only reason I ask is due to the SHOUTING! LOL. Like Blog Master said, everybody relax and take a deep breath. And a personal “thank you” to the nice Canadian posters here. Yup, I know we took the Nordiques but many of you have handled the on-going situation with class. Then again, some have not, hence the retribution from some of us.
D. Scott
May 16th, 2011
4:38 pm
Regarding the comment that a city of 6 million loses a team to a city of 750K makes the NHL a bush league. The NFL seems to have done quite well without a team in LA while maintaining a team in Greenbay Wisconsin and Winnipeg is approximately 7 times larger than Greenbay, with a similar climate.
That being said, I don’t blame the fans of the Thrashers for being mad, but take it out on who is at fault; current ownership of the team. They obviously didn’t do enough to properly market and manage the team, but to be honest I don’t know how they can’t make a run of it in a city the size of Atlanta. Nevertheless no one else seems to want to take on that challenge either so there must be some dynamics involved that makes Atlanta an unattractive hockey market for prospective owners.
WinnipegFan
May 16th, 2011
4:38 pm
I feel bad about your situation in Atlanta. Having gone through the whole situation with the Jets leaving in 1996 – I understand what Thrasher fans are going through at the moment.
What’s got to hurt the most is the fact that Gary Bettman, and the NHL, don’t seem the least bit interested in fighting for Altanta and they have been for Phoenix for the past 2 years. Once again, I can sympathize with Atlanta. Bettman and the NHL didn’t put a fraction of the effort into saving the Jets as they have in saving the Coyotes.
I think that’s the point. If Bettman allows the Coyotes to return to Winnipeg – he might have to admit he was wrong back in 1996. That isn’t going to happen with his ego. The same can’t be said for Atlanta which is why there’s a good chance they’ll be moving.
In the end, I can’t say for certain that they’ll move. I’d like to have an NHL team back in Winnipeg. However, Gary Bettman has always shown a disdain for Canada and Canadian teams. I have my doubts he’s going to allow a team to move here. I hope things work out for Atlanta fans. I also hope Winnipeg returns to the NHL at some point.
Spud Webb
May 16th, 2011
4:39 pm
Sorry ZAvalanche!! Just very upset. Sitting here thinking about not going to the few games a year I was able to go. Where do I wear my jerseys? How can you explain to the girls what it’s like to be at an NHL hockey game? How I can’t call my brother in philly and discuss the flyers and the thrashers. How all of this is happening, I’ve made some life long friends due to the Thrashers, just a LOT of things suck about this. What happens to Kamal & others?? What happens to the iceman Bill Tiller? JUST SUCKS!
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
4:42 pm
Moe and RL – I thought Demers was injured. There is no way you “healthy scratch” him if he is actually healthy.
steve brown
May 16th, 2011
4:46 pm
D. Scott-the TV ratings tell you that the NHL is bush league. The brutality of the cheap hits tell that the NHL is bush league. Bettman, Waddell and The Spirit scream out that the NHL is bush league. The games are on channel 82 for goodness sake, wake up.
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
4:46 pm
Spud – I totally agree, this is a sh!tty situation all around. I hope it doesn’t go through, but the more I hear nothing from the league the more I worry. And my comment about you being LAC was not an insult, I like his/her viewpoint and it creates some good argument. Glad to see some passion out of Thrashy Nation!
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
4:51 pm
Interesting thought: the Avs averaged only about 1300 more in attendance than Thrashy, had a worse record and there are no rumors of them moving. It is all in the management, as many have stated before. A$$G could have made a killing in Atlanta if they did it correctly.
Fan from Carolina
May 16th, 2011
4:55 pm
WWGD??? The genius that brought us the ‘glowing puck’ to enhance TV ratings?? If that is what we are concerned about, kiss this club goodbye. In reality, this is sad news. I could go to a few games each year with just a 2 hour drive and make it home by 1:00 a.m.. I really like Philips Arena too. It was always a fun experience. Raleigh is 5 hours away and so is Nashville, both which would require overnight stays. This would end my live NHL hockey action most likely. Long live NHL Center Ice! I will follow the Thrashers/Jets and with proper ownership we will see Kane and Big Buff in the playoffs soon.
Red Light
May 16th, 2011
4:59 pm
This post is for World Be Free, who pointed out to me last night that Heatley has become a terrible post-season performer. The stats don’t argue…
In his first 30 playoff games (in Ottawa) since escaping the Thrashers lair, Dany Heatley had 10 goals (3 game winners), 24 assists, a +5 rating and took 91 shots on goal.
In the subsequent 32 playoff games in which he has appeared (4 in Ottawa and 28 in San Jose), Heatley has five goals, 17 assists, a -14 rating and took 89 shots on goal.
It looks as if the fall-off in production can be traced to getting fewer minutes on the power play unit.
2005-06 5:54 pp time
2006-07 5:25 pp time
2007-08 3:27 pp time
2009-10 4:11 pp time
2010-11 2:22 pp time
D. Scott
May 16th, 2011
4:59 pm
Steve Brown – If it such a “bush league” then why do you care? The fact of the matter is that the TV ratings in many Northern markets are very good, especially and most obviously the Canadian markets. Once again I don’t blame the fans in Atlanta for being disgusted with the way it appears that no one is making a pitch to keep the team in Atlanta, but money doesn’t talk it swears. If there was money to be made with hockey in Atlanta someone would certainly step up to take this organization over and run it profitably.
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
5:00 pm
RL – Nice work! That is very telling.
Mrs. Zoomo
May 16th, 2011
5:12 pm
Great blog as always. We’ve been trying to take a wait and see approach as well, like you said it is out of our hands.
to the Commander in Chief Bettmen
May 16th, 2011
5:28 pm
don’t cave-in to terrorist.. teach WPG a lesson just like you did with Captain Blackberry!
Don Wadell
May 16th, 2011
5:32 pm
I am sorry for your loss, it was all my fault!
Just the facts
May 16th, 2011
5:37 pm
Until an announcement is made, relax and let this play out. If the economics dictate a new owner emerge in Atlanta so be it, if no one is interested then what happens will happen. For those claiming that a move to a city of 700K would be an embarrasement to the league, NO,, the emberrassment for the NHL would be the failure of a city of 6 million to support a professional franchise regardless of ownership issues,, do you think Toronto has never endured poor ownership, losing seasons and difficulty with traffic, they still fill the arena at prices 5x that of Atlanta and they have other sports as well,, they are called hockey fans.. As far a Winnipegs cold is concerned,, big deal, put a coat on and act like a man!
Glad's Fans in Denial
May 16th, 2011
5:41 pm
still think your 1000-2000 butts that should have been in phillips doesn’t make a difference now. How about we ship the glads to WPG next year and see if that helps.
chc4
May 16th, 2011
5:50 pm
Putting all this on the Spirit Group is ridiculous. Sure they are terrbile owners. But I can cite alot of cities with poor ownership. Toronto hasn’t made the playoffs in ages and they sell out every game. Granted that’s a traditonal hockey market but still. Making the playoffs once in 14 years is awul no doubt. But they have been competitive most years. When we were in 1st place earlier this past season there was NOBODY in Philips. If Arthur Blank bought this team I have a hard time believing things would be any different.
Nasty Nester
May 16th, 2011
5:55 pm
So Bettman and the NHL get their $60M relocation fee but are still stuck with Phoenix who is bleeding money worse than the Thrash ever have. The only real potential buyer for the Coyotes, TNS, is now going to buy the Thrash and the NHL will forever be stuck with the steaming pile of crap that is the Coyotes. 4 years from now, the city of Phoenix will want their $25 mil back and the NHL will have blown through the $60 mil relocation fee thus making matters even worse for them. No buyer will be found for the Coyotes and the NHL will ultimately just dump the team off the schedule or replace them with a new team in another market.
So think about this Bettman, you have a buyer VERY interested in the Coyotes. They will relieve you of the $15-25 mil a year burden of the Coyotes but you want to ship Atlanta to that buyer leaving you stranded.
If the NHL were selling their house, this would be like getting a great offer but refusing because your renter doesn’t want to leave yet (you can up his rent by 15% for the year though). You are still upside down in the mortgage but hey, you were able to use your grandparents trust fund to float you for a few years. All in all, you are still stuck in the house, now with no money, no trust fund, and a “renter” who still won’t leave. You are F’d as anyone with a brain would tell you.
hockeysouth
May 16th, 2011
6:10 pm
This is MORE than rumours, etc.– Bettman and Daly have had ample opportunity in the last week to squash this & have not. I’m praying they stay, but I think they’ll be gone within the month– just ahead of the sked release.
hockeymom92
May 16th, 2011
6:13 pm
To the kind folks in Winnipeg – some of us have been through the loss of a NHL team in our city already – as the old saying goes – “we have been there done that and have the t-shirt to prove it”. Though it is kind of you to offer sympathies. Not sure what the odds are that it could happen twice in my lifetime to the same city – but I am sure they are quite large. We of course will probably never know, but I will bet my bottom dollar these negotiations with TNSE have been going on for much, much longer than reported. Absolutely everything for the Thrasher’s future hinged on the Phoenix deal and it appears we will not win this one. Only thing I can say to ASG – is remember karma is a……..
Mike
May 16th, 2011
6:13 pm
But at the end, you have to blame the A$G for this problem. I dont follow hockey(Hawks fan) but I respect the sport and had a chance to go to a Thrashers game as well.
I think that ASG shouldnt never brought Thrashers, Hawks and Phillps. Improper Management, Improper Ownership, Improper Leadership from top to bottom for Blue Line Crew and Highlight Factory including let go of some very good stars that was homegrown and overpay others that doesnt deserve it. This group of man know as ASG (and Liberty Media too) needs to sell everything and stop runing Atlanta Sports around here.
I am sorry for getting off-line like that, but for the Winnipeg fans, you will get your NHL team back, its very close. For us in Atlanta, it tells the story that how bad NHL is and they probably will never come back here for expansion ever again. ASG has to go!!
Old School
May 16th, 2011
6:16 pm
Na, Na, Na, Nah, Na, Na, Na, Nah – Hey Hey Hey Good BYE!!!!! Won’t Miss them, Won’t grieve over their loss…..Good Riddance!!!!!!!!!
hockeysouth
May 16th, 2011
6:18 pm
Even if you hate ASG & don’t root for the Thrash, at least it was a chance to see NHL action! The best game on the planet!!!
Matt from MN
May 16th, 2011
6:46 pm
@Old School-you are the classic definition of an idiot.
Owners Just Part of the Problem
May 16th, 2011
7:00 pm
Why hasn’t NHL hockey been a viable option in Atlanta?
The Thrashers ranked in the bottom five in payroll/salaries eight times in its last 10 seasons.
27th 2010-11
28th 2009-10
29th 2008-09
26th 2007-08
24th 2006-07
11th 2005-06
26th 2003-04
28th 2002-03
30th 2001-02
29th 2000-01
From 1998 to May 2010, one person was in charge of all personnel matters, regardless of who owned the team.
From 1998 to May 2010, the same person hired all of the scouting staff and all of those employed or contracted in the player personnel dept. To my knowledge, not a single personnel guy hired in Atlanta has taken another position with another team, except for Jack Ferreira and Peter Mahovlich.
Aside from the Thrashers 13 1st-round selections (12 of whom have played in the NHL), 10 second-round picks account for a total of 131 NHL games played (119 by Pavelec), 7 third-round picks account for a total of 62 NHL games played, and 30 fourth- and fifth-round picks account for a total of 375 NHL games played. The positive is that Exelby, Enstrom, Hordichuk and Nurminen (6th-9th round picks) have accumulated 1,346 NHL games.
After the third-ever Thrashers season (2001-02) was completed of the 100 veterans who signed with or who were acquired by the Thrashers, only 13 stayed with the team for three years or longer (Savard, Kozlov, Larsen, Hossa, McCarthy, Hedberg, Boulton, Thorburn, Havelid, Sutton, Hainsey, Holik and Armstrong).
From 1998 to May 2010, the same person hired all of the coaches and of all the coaches hired as a head coach or an assistant coach, only one has an NHL job (McCrimmon) and only three currently have an AHL job (Curt Fraser, who replaced current Thrashers assistant Mike Stothers in Grand Rapids, Todd Nelson and Randy Cunneyworth). The others were George Kingston, Jay Leach, Tim Bothwell, Steve Weeks, and current assistants John Torchetti and Mike Stothers.
It was not only a budget problem
LAC
May 16th, 2011
7:03 pm
I agree Matt, I was hoping a Tornado would level the nascar place in Hampton, no more of that BS.
Or tear up the Univ of Jorjia feetball place and get their DOG… That would be GOOD RIDDANCE.
Who gives a damn about that worthless stuff ? Just a shame, I will no longer be an nhl fan after this.
Geddy Lee
May 16th, 2011
7:09 pm
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? HELL NO! Once again I feel like the last guy on the Titanic holding the bucket. Let’s wait and see…. Of course, I still believe in Santa Clause, the Easter bunny, and Eskimos.
@Zavalanche No hockey tonight? Put on 2112, drink a beer, and clean that house!
Sage of Bluesland
May 16th, 2011
7:34 pm
What a great post, “Owners Just Part of the Problem”. Amen. I can live with rebuilding and patience….but I cannot continue to put dollars into the pocket of a blustering, lisping, little fraud of a GM, whose fraud is offensive to my very being.
I just hope he has to leave the city from which he has taken so much–and given so little.
Too bad the sheep didn’t revolt and force a change much sooner. It could have been done. But, the Sara’s and GaValambs of the world kept making excuses–and many kept buying them…and buying tickets.
Shame, that.
HookyBob
May 16th, 2011
7:42 pm
If the Thrashers move,…the ASG ought to be tarred, feathered, and escorted out of town on a rail.
Blogger D.Scott hit the nail on the head in that we ought to be mad at the ASG. How can you not make a go of it in a potential market of 6 M people? Poor ownership, management, markteting, scouting, bottom of the barrel payroll,….throw in litigation and you understand why the team looses money. They’ve taken the Atlanta fans for a ride,..its time to take them for a ride.
No buyer interested in keeping the Thrashers in Atlanta? Answer me this,..Who would be fool enough to buy them,…. then have to deal with the ASG on the arena?
I hope whoever buys the Thrashers….plays the ASG desparation and offers them bottom $. They have taken a potential moeny making enterprise and run it into the ground. For them to profit from such dealing would be criminal.
J-man
May 16th, 2011
8:38 pm
I think the worst of all possible worlds is going to be the outcome. The Thrashers will be sold and moved. The ASG will retain the Hawks and Philips.
It’s up to Bettman and the Board of Governors and it always has been but we’re really looking at a hail mary play here for the Thrashers to stay in town. I think that in the end money talks and the NHL will grab the relocation fee for the Thrashers and send them on their way.
Bob in Arizona
May 16th, 2011
9:16 pm
Fight for your team Atlanta and ignore the blood thirsty trolls from Canada. They have been perched on our message boards in Arizona for years crying that only they deserve a team, American fans don’t know anything about hockey, blah, blah blah. The NHL does want a team in the 5th largest market, which Phoenix is. Altanta is also more important than Whine-a-peg is to the NHL’s bottem line. They will never understand that they are a minor league city in a minor league country.
Shutterpups
May 16th, 2011
9:18 pm
I just want to address the comments about Winnipeg’s population. Please remember a few things about Canada:
Although we are the 2nd largest country in the world, we have a population only 1/10th that of the United States at just under 35 million people.
The 750 000 citizens of Winnipeg represent 70% of the total population of the province of Manitoba.
750 000 seems like a small number to the people of a city the size of Atlanta, but in a country of only 35 million people, we’re doin’ ok.
Canada is a massive, beautiful country rich in natural resources and culture, but let’s face it folks… a lot of our land mass isn’t exactly hospital to human survival, lol.
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
9:53 pm
Love to see Geddy Lee post, one of my favorite band members, and yes, a Canadian group
I won’t talk too much trash till I hear the final result. I like Canadians and their country very much. I think 100% of the people on this board can agree that it is 100% of management’s fault. There are worse teams out there that are just fine. I am a grown man and I will cry if Thrashy leaves Atl. I love the city, the people and the culture. I cannot say anything about the Peg as I have never been there, but I do know they are passionate about their hockey. PEASE DON’T TAKE OUR TEAM! Atl has a solid base and if A$$G ponied up the cash to put a great product on the ice this wouldn’t even be a discussion. I don’t really care about the final standings – the fans came out for a long while. Lower ratings hit every team in the league at some point. You can disagree with me on this – but the lockout was brutal to hockey, not on a team level but on the fan level. It was good for the league but killed a large part of it’s fan base. Well-defined teams didn’t see the problems but it ruined some of the smaller markets, and by smaller I don’t mean population, I mean less developed markets.
Geddy Lee
May 16th, 2011
9:54 pm
TAKE OFF SHUTTERPUPS AND ALL YOU WINNIPEG SCOUNDRELS!!!!
THE TEAM STAYS HERE!!!!
IT”S NOT OVER!!!!!
REPEAT!!!
IT”S NOT OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZAvalanche
May 16th, 2011
10:02 pm
Tom Sawyer (Geddy Lee), I agree and I sure hope it is not over.
Brendan
May 16th, 2011
10:11 pm
Suomi says “nij” to Sweden, thus far. About 7 mins left in regulation, of the IIHF World Championships. Ex-Thrasher Niko Kapanen with the third Finnish goal. Sweden scored first, but Finland has scored three unanswered goals since then. The turning point? On the PP, with 7 seconds left in the 2nd period, Finland scored on a perfect shot.
MPS had the goal for Sweden, to begin the scoring.
War Eagle Hockey
May 16th, 2011
10:24 pm
I am not a marketing rep, but I just can’t see NBC shelling out $2 billion for TV rights and then loose
The 8th largest market in the USA. I know they won’t like the NHL moving a team from the 8th largest TV market in the USA to the 8th TV market in Canada.
NBC’s ad revenue is based on “butts in front of TV’s”. How can 700,000 – 750,000 equal 5.2 – 5.5 million. They care about lead up audience, game audience, and followup audience.
For them its the Atlanta market of 5+ million they care about. Surely those at 30 Rock, will not be please if the Thrashers become the Winnipeg Wantabees!
WWGD – He will sure as hell work hard to keep the Atlanta market. The NHL just recovered from loosing ESPN coverage to get back to the NBC deal. He may be an idiot but he is not stupid.
Given the current economy, if he screws up the league again, NBC will ask for a refund or dump the contract, Gary is out, and the NHL will truly become a 5th rate league, again.
I am a season ticket holder. I have signed up for next season. I AM SUPPORTING THE TEAM IN EVERY WAY I CAN!!!!
Atlanta Hockey fans – YOU HAD BETTER SUPPORT HOCKEY!!! SNOOZE YOU LOOSE!!
Brendan
May 16th, 2011
10:52 pm
Sage, let me ask you, in total sincerity, wouldn’t it be better, in your view, that the team be owned by someone who CARES, even if that someone moves the team out of Atlanta, than to continue on like this? Even marriage counselors would step in to say, “Call your divorce attorney. There’s nothing salvageable here.” I certainly don’t want another year under the “Heptacluser,” (TM, all rights reserved, U.S. Library of Congress, 2010-11) uhh, ‘for the sake of the kids.’ No, I want new ownership. And I want the team to stay. I want custody of the house and the children. They can have the cars, the stocks, the jewelry, the burial plots, the fine China, and even the Christmas ornaments. But the team, the draft picks, and the existing contracts are ours, plus at least a percentage of the operating revenues of Philips Arena.
I had hoped that this team would be cultivated properly. That won’t happen under this regime. The only entity that, perhaps, ever CARED for the Thrashers … was Ted Turner. At last check, he wasn’t interested in reacquiring the Thrashers. At least Turner would endeavor to put people in charge who might get the job done.
My love for hockey will never change. If this team leaves, I’ll be disappointed, but I’ll go to Gladiators game. I’ll buy Center Ice, every year. And I’ll wish the Thrashers well, or whatever name they might have, and always know that they deserved a better fate than to be owned by an uncaring corporation and disinterested NBA enthusiasts.
I want to say something else, or it’ll bother me if I don’t. Don Waddell isn’t the worst human being who ever lived, by any stretch. He’s personable. He tried hard. He never meant to ruin hockey in Atlanta. But the simple truth is, and dang it, he’ll have to OWN IT and live with it, he failed to grow the sport in the region. In fact, under his Administration, interest in hockey demonstrably declined, from the Inaugural Season, in which the Thrashers set an NHL attendance record. He can’t pin that on the Tooth Fairy, the Abominable Snowman, or the Seven Dwarves.
If I so much as hear Don Waddell say ANYTHING like, “it really wasn’t my fault,” … or “honestly, we did a really good job, all things considered,” I’m just gonna hurl. Why on Earth the media gives Waddell a pass … I’ll never know. The guy had two (2) 1st overall selections, two (2) 2nd overall picks, a 3rd overall, a 4th overall, a couple of 8ths, a 10th, and on and on it goes. That players wouldn’t re-sign here ought to have told Waddell what players thought of the job he was doing. To my knowledge, no AJC columnist ever called for Waddell’s head in the morning paper.
David
May 16th, 2011
11:11 pm
If the ASG sells to Winnipeg, I say the hockey fans and I mean all of them, then boycott all of ASG properties the Hawks and Phillips Arena. The only thing these idiots understand is $, so hit em where they hurt.
Sage of Bluesland
May 16th, 2011
11:22 pm
Yes, Brendan, it actually would be better FOR THE TEAM to be in an environment they deserve, as well. No one deserves what we have been through for over a decade now; cursed with uncaring owners both times…and given no chance by a bumbling little fraud of a GM.
The league is not blameless, either. To not properly vet these idiotic clowns is also borderline criminal.
It really is a shame–but that’s life. At least some of the sheep who kept buying into this abomination can reminisce over their wittle “Legends of Blueland” and of Don Waddell’s blusterings…Just think, if a concerted effort of ‘tough love’ was applied earlier, things could have been so much different.
But, it’s not to be…It is what it is…Where is Sara and her spweadsheets when we need them most?
Badger Bob
May 16th, 2011
11:33 pm
David, that’s one boycott I’ll support.
chc4, Canatrolls are not welcome here. Shutterpups can stay. You can “cite a lot of cities with poor ownership”? Then why do you stop at one, and the most ridiculous comparison wrt hockey? Here’s your homework if you want redemption for that useless comment: find a worse ownership group than ASG in all of North American professional sports. Please cite the number of lawsuits filed and outright lies told to support your case. I expect it on my desk in the morning.
Sage Up Late?
May 16th, 2011
11:33 pm
Headline on NHL.com today … “Wholesale transformation makes Lightning winners”
Headline we wish we had seen at some point in time since 1998: “Waddell Steps Down.”
Sage Up Late?
May 16th, 2011
11:46 pm
Harvey Schiller, father of Braves executive Derek Schiller, hired Waddell after one year as an assistant GM in Detroit, when he could have had Brian Burke. One wonders how things might have been altered? Harvey may have known how to fly a plane during his 30 years as a pilot, but his hockey radar must have been broken during the decision in 1998 to hire Captain Queeg.
Archie
May 17th, 2011
12:34 am
This is ABSOLUTELY the worst case scenario. We don’t just lose the Thrashers, but now I also cannot watch the Hawks in good conscience as long as these sellouts own the team. Simply put, the owners are broke, nobody disputes that fact. So from their perspective, it’s either sell the Thrashers (which they’ve wanted to do all along), or keep hemorrhaging money for another few years and be forced to sell all three. So they’re selling out in the worst way. They’re throwing the Thrashers and all the fans under the bus to save their interests with the Hawks. The pitiful part is that they’re gonna lose the Hawks and arena anyway. The Hawks are not profitable either, their expenses are WAY higher than the Thrashers. Any cash from the Thrashers sale isn’t going to change the fact that they’re upside down on the financing from the original purchase. They bought two teams and not one, and one of those two teams is worth way less now than at the time. Also, they’ve lost more money operating the Thrashers than they’re going to make, so they won’t pay their expenses back, and they won’t pay their purchase price back. So now they’re stuck with one team that has to pay the losses on a second team, pay the bonds on the arena all by themselves instead of with a partner franchise (a roommate so to speak), with an ownership that is now without its wealthiest and largest percentage shareholder. So it’s inevitable, it’s a matter of time before they lose the Hawks too, but if they would only sell all three now (or at least a majority interest in all three), then they could have a chance to be successful with all three. Cutting bait on the Thrashers is a death blow to both teams though. It’s a crying shame!
scottbravesfan
May 17th, 2011
3:35 am
It’s official the ASG do not want the Thrashers in the market. They do not want any competition for the Hawks for the winter sports fan dollar. Basically for the Thrashers to stay in Atlanta they will have to build a new arena for them. I guess the Gwinnett Center is too small for a NHL team to play in.
Spud Webb
May 17th, 2011
8:12 am
chc4, you been watching over the last 11 years??? “competitive”? hahahahahahahha woooooooo, not sure what you consider competitive? What do you mean you can’t put all the blame on the ASG? Who should I blame for being one of the WORST franchises in the history of franchises??? They’ve been trying to sell the team for 4 to 6 years depending on who you talk to. I love the tone of the fans are to blame…LOOK IT UP…1 year in the playoffs out of 11 years….2 home playoff games, 2 sell outs, END OF STORY.
Ownwers just part of the problem, great post!
What I need is someone like Red light to get rich and get all of his buddies to buy this team. Now THAT is something folks would pay to see, I GUARANTEE we’d have a winner here and a team for that matter.
JPVJ
May 17th, 2011
8:17 am
Question is: Why does the “cup” guy remain in silence ?? Vive la feuille d’étain !!!!
JT from Columbus
May 17th, 2011
8:18 am
Does the other shoe drop today?
h
May 17th, 2011
8:31 am
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2011/05/lil-jon-bruckheimer-thrashers-owners.html?s=newsletter&ed=2011-05-17&ana=e_atl_rdup
EA
May 17th, 2011
8:40 am
Brendan, I really enjoyed your post. A divorce is what it feels like. Unfortunately, there is not a mate waiting in the wings. I have been thinking about this. The Thrashers were never marketed in the community. Bryan Little has made mention of this in different ways about the southeast teams in general. However, on an individual basis, I was thinking about Tampa. Vinny Lecavalier is so invested in that community that he helped build a wing of a children’s hospital. This ship has been run so poorly from the get go. Is there actually a marketing department? While I admire the Thrashers doing their part in the community for disadvantaged kids, they were never out marketing themselves to a person who would actually buy tickets on a regular basis. The kids of this community don’t even know who they are unlike Chipper Jones or now Matt Ryan. Also, I agree with you Don Waddell is a nice man, but did he save his own job a few times by firing coaches or did he follow through on the player’s demand for a “nicer” coach. Bob Hartley was the only tough coach as well as the only one who acheived a marginal amount of success. The nice guy always finishes last.
Fan from Carolina
May 17th, 2011
8:57 am
EA, excellent post. What Lecavalier has done in Tampa is amazing. We are talking millions of dollars. Nothing in Thrasherland comes close.
Rhythmpenguin
May 17th, 2011
9:21 am
Finally something that isn’t negative! Thanks h!
Michael
May 17th, 2011
9:30 am
Isn’t Glendale City where the failed Winnipeg franchise moved to 15 years ago? And now Winnipeg wants to bring the failed Thrashers franchise to Winnipeg? Like the NBA, the NHL just needs to cut loose some loser franchises.
SportsFan
May 17th, 2011
9:31 am
Bruckheimer is not buying the Thrashers – why does he want to lose money (and not just a little bit of money, 32M last year alone!). The guy makes moves and has interests in Vegas, not ATL.
Red Light
May 17th, 2011
9:51 am
The $32 million loss is fictional. They ran this team on a shoestring budget, had $71 million in reported revenues ending Dec. 2010, so there is no way with salaries in the low $40 millions that they spent as a total of $105 million on this team. With three entities, they can move figures on a balance sheet like Ramsay does forwards.
Alan R.
May 17th, 2011
9:58 am
SportsFan – Atlanta *maybe* lost $8M this past season. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Joe Friday
May 17th, 2011
10:14 am
“Atlanta *maybe* lost $8M this past season.”
Where do I sign up?!
Here’s what disgusts me in all this. The deafening silence from Bettman? WWGD? Run and hide, apparently. Not once has he said he’s keeping the Thrashers in Atlanta. Every time another franchise was in trouble he spoke up and came out in support of the city and it’s fans, every time, except ours.
That tells you all you need to know, right there. Pray for the white knight to come or they’re gone, and Bettman’s ok with that–that’s what disgusts me about this Mickey Mouse league.
Red Light
May 17th, 2011
10:15 am
Joe Friday: See what happens when you serve free pork at the 2008 All-Star Game?
Fan from Carolina
May 17th, 2011
10:26 am
BTW, there is a good game on tonight.
Red Light
May 17th, 2011
10:32 am
Fan…
Tampa Bay won eight straight playoff games in 2004 en route to their Cup win. Currently, their win streak stands at eight games again, and they have won six straight games on the road. In addition, Roloson could break Jacques Plante’s playoff record for consecutive wins by a goalie over the age of 40. I think we can all expect the Bruins best effort tonight and while it should be close for 3o to 45 minutes, the B’s will win tonight!
Your thoughts?
h
May 17th, 2011
10:42 am
Certainly any decent businessman can see that the Octocluster are horrible business people, so why wouldn’t someone want to buy it with the plans of running the business properly. Keep in mind that revenues go up with the new TV deal so that helps the bottom line. I doubt anyone would go into this thinking they’d run it as poorly as the current morons.
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2011
10:43 am
THIS IS A MUST LISTEN
Evidence that Don Waddell is a real douche bag.
Favorite Quote: Don Waddell saying “Goaltending is a myth.”
http://www.tsn.ca/window/podcastcentre.aspx?xmlURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.tsn.ca%2Fpodcasts%2Ftsnpodcast.xml&mp3URL=http%3A%2F%2Fpodcast.tsn.ca%2Ftsnradio%2Fbouchard_051611.mp3
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2011
10:43 am
I’ve said this a million times.
All the ASG has to do to create a “franchise loss” is have “Arena Operations” charge the “Thrashers” an exhorbitant management fee for “hosting” the games.
WAKE UP PEOPLE
ZAvalanche
May 17th, 2011
10:47 am
Brendan – I’m a bit late but 2 hours behind. Nice post. I, of course, don’t even live in Atl anymore but have a huge love for the team and this does feel like a divorce (unfortunately I know how that feels). I as well will always watch the NHL because it is one of the few things on TV that I enjoy (NFL and House are a couple more). There is simply not a better and more exciting sport. I do enjoy the World Cup but that doesn’t come around much. I think everybody here can agree that the NHL playoffs are mesmerizing and our significant others can’t wait till they are over. I seriously had withdrawal last night with no games on so I opted for the 2nd best solution – cooking and Lost episodes followed by some pool at a local bar.
I really hope this doesn’t happen but it seems imminent. If only I could win the lottery and buy Thrashy…..
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2011
10:55 am
After listening to the Bouchard interview, it’s time to resume something:
FIRE WADDELL
ZAvalanche
May 17th, 2011
11:00 am
I am not 100% sure that DW is problem as I he hasn’t been given the means to put together a fantastic team.
Fan from Carolina
May 17th, 2011
11:06 am
RL, I think you are right. This is almost a must win for Boston. They came back against Montreal after losing two at home but this Lightning team isn’t Montreal. Even then the B’s had to win most games in OT. Boston can’t expect the same results if they fall 2 games down again. The thing that really is surprising to hear is Julien’s comments. He isn’t concerned about the 1-3-1. Well, if you want to lose 4 straight, fine. Even Boudeau knew there would be an adjustment.
Thanks also for all your stats you compile so much of the time. Here is another stat that still irks me to no end. Malone, Stamkos, St Louis are all MINUS +/- in the playoffs so far. Yeah, they stink!
Hockey Biltong
May 17th, 2011
11:18 am
Sorry guys, you’ve gotta go with the SE conference!!! Just say No to the Broons…and bring on Lil’ Jon!
Hockey Biltong
May 17th, 2011
11:19 am
The Dolts owned us and now they will own the Beaners.
Darkhorse
May 17th, 2011
12:13 pm
What I feared all along……there could be 10 new owners lined up to purchase the Thrashers and keep them here, but the current evil ownership doesn’t want to have them in Phillips Arena to compete with the Hawks or any other concert they might think they can fill that date with.
What a crock! Even the biased Canadian media has to agree the fans here are getting the complete shaft in the rear from the ASG.
Red Light
May 17th, 2011
12:14 pm
If you look above ZAvs, after the Spirit purchased the team in March 2004 and withstood the lockout, they invested $8.6 million more in players salaries for the 2005-06 season (11th in salary overall) than the prior owners spent. They spent about the same the following year (but then dropped to 24th in payroll overall).
The personnel department was his domain, and his domain only. Had he drafted well outside of the first and later rounds, forged an alliance with an AHL team that would/should/could develop young talent, and had pro/amateur scouts with an eye for undervalued or unappreciated talent, the 2006-07 would have been the start of something, rather than the beginning of a seemingly tragic end.
I respectfully disagree with your assessment.
Uncle Milty
May 17th, 2011
12:17 pm
Ice Man,
have you ever even been close to correct on this story?
First, several months ago you penned a blog mocking both Winnipeg and its chances of landing your team.
http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2011/01/12/could-it-be-the-mayflower-trucks-arent-coming-after-all/
Now, you give Thrasher fans false hope by implying that Bettman may block the sale. Your words though do not match his deeds. WWGD? Here is what he has done. He has given TNSE permission to COMPLETE a sale and the relocation your team to Winnipeg, as per a recent Elliotte Friedman article on the CBC Sports website.
Your naive fanboy enthusiasm is just giving others false hopes. You should be ashamed.
Red Light
May 17th, 2011
12:26 pm
Thanks for the information Uncle Milty…Friedman said the following…
Twice now, I’ve reported that the Raine Group, which is heading the search for new ownership, told prospective candidates they would be able to move the hockey team. That is true.
“You’re half right,” one (big) source said.
What I got wrong was stating that meant Atlanta Spirit would keep the NBA Hawks and Philips Arena. (Raine did not respond to two requests for comment.)
In fact, it appears that the Hawks and the Arena will be sold before the Thrashers.
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 17th, 2011
12:38 pm
I have also heard that the Hawks and Philip’s Op-rights would be sold. I am wondering if anyone attemepted to buy all 3 from ASG and if so, did they tell them that the Hawks and Philips were not for sale? It wouldn’t surprise me. Selling Hawks/Philips to one entity and shipping the Thrash to Winnepeg makes a much larger profit than selling a 3 together.
I wish those who inquired would let themselves be known to the public. It would be a huge embarresment to the NHL if indeed a buyer was there for all 3.
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2011
12:45 pm
Uncle Milty – Didn’t you say the sale announcement would occur in the middle of April?
Rawhide
May 17th, 2011
12:48 pm
Uncle Milty – I’m so glad that you’re still enjoying that blog I posted last winter…one in which I simply was pointing out to Thrashers fans what a sports writer in Winnipeg had to say about the city’s chances of the team moving there. It was a tongue-in-cheek way of shwoing the fans here who tend to run to their anxiety closets clutching their security blankets every time some internet blogger writes a story about this team leaving that someone up there was questioning that happening.
You still have chip on your shoulder about that…shrugs…oh well. Whatchagonnado?
As for this particular piece, I would simply invite you to go back and re-read it, this time applying your reading comprehension skills as well. You will find that I am not sweeping under the rug at all the fact that Bettman may indeed turn his back on Atlanta hockey fans. My point was that the fans here…and in Winnipeg…need to wait to see how the whole story plays out and not continue to lat their emotions be swung back and forth by every “breaking news” story that comes over the internet.
Now, you may very well wind up with this team up in Winnipeg. You may not…who knows.
One thing though, I’ll be here to opine on it one way or another… even if it turns out the way I would rather it not. I’m hoping you’ll have the same intestinal fortitude to do so if you don’t end up with our team.
Alan R.
May 17th, 2011
12:52 pm
I am not 100% sure that DW is problem as I he hasn’t been given the means to put together a fantastic team.
With all due respect, ZAvs, but did you even listen to the Dan Bouchard interview that Stroz posted? Waddell says “Goaltending is a myth.” The Red Wings got rid of Waddell for a reason.
As Foghorn Leghorn would say, “That boy’s as thick as a whale sandwich.”
FIRE WADDELL
Hoof Arted
May 17th, 2011
12:59 pm
Hey Milty boy, good luck in your quest to win the Thinnest Skinned Man in Manitoba contest. Looks like you have the inside track there.
CrazyDiamond
May 17th, 2011
1:06 pm
We are so screwed.
Tom
May 17th, 2011
1:24 pm
If Winnipeg does get the Thrashers can we make it part of the deal that they HAVE to take Waddell for 5 years as President.
That would at least let me know that they would be screwed as bad as we were…
Uncle Milty
May 17th, 2011
1:24 pm
Ice Man,
still full of it I see, and now you are moving the goal lines. The intent of that blog was to mock that Winnipeg would wind up with your team, and that journalists in Canada were wrong.
Yet here we sit with Winnipeg on the cusp of owning your team, and there you sit in denial while GB approves TNSE to complete the purchase & relocation of your team. I’ll be sure to not snarf my coffee through my nose when it is soon announced, as per your advice.
Tom
May 17th, 2011
1:27 pm
Uncle Milty, Quick question:
Rawhide was being very polite with you.
Yet you continue to push…
Is the reason you are posting here because you and your prickish behavior gotten you banned from every blog North of the border and you are relying on South hospitality to let you continue to post?
Let me tell ya’ something about how we do things down here… We will be mighty polite till the moment we know that good manners will not work… But at that time we drop the hammer, hard.
Be a good boy and run along now… You are trying all of our patience…
Tom
May 17th, 2011
1:31 pm
Just had an interesting talk with my wife. If the Thrasher’s move this will be the last real reason to keep my Directv subscription. I can go with the NHL online package, Netflix, and Hulu plus and save nearly $1,000 a year.
Add that to the couple grand I spent going to games and I will be way ahead!
I don’t want this to happen, but as Monty Python taught us, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”…
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2011
1:37 pm
Uncle Milty – Do you think the Balkan is real?
Uncle Milty
May 17th, 2011
1:45 pm
R. Stroz,
“Uncle Milty – Do you think the Balkan is real?”
I’m guessing the Balkan exists in some form but has been unable to get past the NHL/ASG financial approval process. There have reportedly been many tire kickers, though reportedly none have been qualified to get near the point to where TNSE currently stand.
Rawhide
May 17th, 2011
1:49 pm
Uncle Milty – In denial? Moving the goal lines? Are you serious? Again I invite you to re-read what I posted. I make it very clear that relocation is a possibility.
The only thing I know for a fact about what the league has done is allowed the AS, LLC and TNSE to negotiate. Not give “exclusive” negotiating rights, at least not yet, but given the ability to negotiate. That news was confirmed just yesterday afternoon.
But hey, continue to make up my meanings for me. Makes for very interesting reading.
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 17th, 2011
1:52 pm
I wonder how NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol feels about this? He can’t be too happy; just weeks after giving the NHL a $2B contract, the NHL abandons the 8th largest US TV market. This is done to grab a $60M relocation fee to cover their losses of their disaster in Phoenix.
Uncle Milty
May 17th, 2011
1:52 pm
PS: I think Schultz, CViv, & even Mark Bradley have done some incredible local reporting on this story. I’ve no beef with anyone here other than your fanboy blogger who cast the first stone. I’ve been to Atlanta and think the folks there are both fantastic and classy, and apologize again if I’ve offended anyone.
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2011
1:55 pm
Uncle Milty – Care to have a friendly wager as to where the Thrashers play next season?
You seem extremely confident that the team will be in Winnipeg. So just for giggles, if you’re willing to give me 11 to 1 odds, I’ll accept a friendly one dollar wager (think Trading Places) and neither of us will need to hedge our bets. Since you’re so confident, it would be like stealing a dollar.
The Balkan
May 17th, 2011
1:55 pm
You better believe your butt I’m real. Deals of this magnitude do not happen overnight folks.
Uncle Milty
May 17th, 2011
1:57 pm
Yes, you are in denial Ice Man.
This blog questions a possible future for the Thrashers under the presumption that GB or BOG may negate a sale. Yet his deeds have been that he has already approved it by allowing the negotiations to reach this stage.
He did not have to approve a local sale but had to APPROVE a relocation negotiation with an out of town buyer. That is what is occurring now. As such, your blog is 100% offside. Since Bettman has approved the relocation sale process, that means the committee is already 100% behind his approval.
Rawhide
May 17th, 2011
2:01 pm
I’ve no beef with anyone here other than your fanboy blogger who cast the first stone.
Uncle Milty – In all seriousness…and in an attempt to continue with a civil tone, (which I do believe you have maintained throughout our little cyber-relationship of the past few months), allow to please explain why I disagree with that assertion.
See…one of the reasons I felt compelled to pen the story I did last winter was because of the years of crap we here in Thrasherville have had to deal with from on-line cyber trolls from Winnipeg and all over Canada. I’ll grant you that the vast majority of people there do not fall into that category, but you simply have no idea what we’ve and to deal with over the years.
Anyway…with all due respect, it was not I that cast the first stone. But that blog was in response to all those who have insulted and belittled our town and fan base. And was intended for and directed towards fans in Atlanta.
Again, you want to continue to carry a chip on your shoulder about it, that’s your issue. But understand that after a while, when one continues to be insulted from a particular corner of the continent, when you get a chance to poke back…ya take it.
Joe Friday
May 17th, 2011
2:07 pm
Hey Uncle Milty, let’s play what if for a bit . . . what if Mighty Mouse (that would be Bettman) is using TSNE and the Pegger fans as leverage to help spur along a local buyer to buy the team. Just like he used TSNE and Pegger fans as leverage to force the Glendale city council to blink and pay to cover the losses there.
That would suck, wouldn’t it?
But then you’d get your team, that Bettman has promised TSNE, anyway via the rumored 2 team expansion in a couple of years (and then you’ll have a large dose of irony to swallow as you sellout your stadium watching 10 years of futility building from the ground up in an even further diluted talent pool, but hey, Don Waddell will be available then and he’s got experience at managing an NHL startup).
Stroz, I see what you did there!
Joe Friday
May 17th, 2011
2:09 pm
What do The Balkan and JK have in common?
Uncle Milty's Mom
May 17th, 2011
2:09 pm
Cmon, lil Milty, its finally thawed outside, so go out and play and leave these nice people alone.
Uncle Milty
May 17th, 2011
2:10 pm
Ice Man,
I’m not offended, just pointing out that my first experience with your blog was the one smiting Winnipeg and its NHL future.
Many Canadian journalists have taken shots at southern expansion admittedly, though the majority are rooted in the litany of financial southern franchise troubles since emanating from the region. IMO they expanded there too quickly. I personally believe that the NHL US map will look much different 5 years from now.
Best of luck with your franchise.
Rawhide
May 17th, 2011
2:13 pm
Uncle Milty – Very good then…we can just leave it there for now.
Again, as this entire story continues to play out, I invite you back to disuss the situation.
R. Stroz – that was a very interesting inview you posted up with the former Flames goalie. That falls right in line with what Tim Ecclestone told me a couple years back.
Part one of the interview…and part two.
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2011
2:39 pm
I was kind of hoping Uncle Milty would take the bet. It’s not like I plan on motoring up to Winnipeg with paratroopers and the Secret Service to collect.
Bill
May 17th, 2011
2:39 pm
Sorry Thrasher fans….Bettman gets booed in New York, Montreal etc where Hockey is valued at a high level. He would sell his own Mother to make a profit. Guy is worst Commissioner in Pro sports. I do think you are going to lose your team.
Alan R.
May 17th, 2011
2:47 pm
Bill – There is a giant basket full of eggs in front of you. Don’t count them just yet. The number of chickens may surprise you.
hockeygoon79
May 17th, 2011
2:53 pm
Bill, don’t even waste you time with this Milty buffoon. He’s obviously just one of those pompous a-holes we’ve come accustomed to from that side of the border. Everyone with more than two active brain cells and the ability to think for themselves understands your post, this clown just thinks his side is about to win so he’s doing a great deal of chest-thumping.
If, (fingers crossed), the team is able to stay in Atlanta and Weenerpeg gets the rug pulled out from under them (again), he won’t have the stones to show back up here. That would take character.
h
May 17th, 2011
3:01 pm
Poor Uncle Milty sitting in the 51st state……I think there’s a decent chance we’ll keep out team, but you never know. It cerainly does look bleak. It will be interesting to see if Winnipeg ever gets a team…..and if they do, it will be interesting when the US dollar comes back (and it will…maybe not today, but in the next few years) and then Winnipeg will be just like Edmonton….nobody and I mean NOBODY will ever want to play there…….full arena or not…….best of luck. I hope you get a team, just not ours.
glovesave29
May 17th, 2011
3:01 pm
I tend to trust the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Perhaps there IS something to this story. I gotta think the NHL would REALLY like the ownership tie-in to both the Hollywood and Hip-Hop communities. Can you see a day players sign here because they (or their wives) have a head start into the movies via Mr. Bruckheimer? Certainly would make it easier to court the free agents, would it not?
I do find this discourse you are having with the troll rather amusing. Check the blogs for the Winnipeg Free Press…there is 1/10th of the activity on their blogs vs. ours. Same was true a few years back when the Pens were supposed to be moving…then the Preds…then the Coyotes. He came here to stir up trouble, when we all showed to be knowledgeable fans (quite the opposite as to how we are portrayed in their media), he tried to turn the tables on you and got defensive. I fail to see how ANYONE cannot comprehend the HUGE dose of sarcasm in your blog. Some people just like to get angry and / or start fights.
What the NHL SHOULD do is to offer Winnipeg and Quebec City a time line. Give them a date of lets say…2016. By that time they must have a suitable arena (sorry, much as your argue – the VERY NICE and VERY CLEAN MTS Centre is just too small for the NHL) either in place or under construction, ownership and sponsorship in place – then they each get an expansion franchise for the same cost as either the $60M transfer fee, or the value equal to the lowest valued franchise.
There are those who argue the league is too watered down already, and that is a valid arguement. However – cracks are showing in the KHL. Players are breaking their contracts. Some are not getting what they are promised. I see the league falling off to the equivalent to the level of the AHL. More talented players who now stay home in Russia will move to the NHL. The Russian government has got to stop letting players sign contracts tax free. Their govt needs the cash! Even with some additional expansion and the inevitable product issues, the NHL will still be, FAR AND AWAY the best league in the world.
The NHLPA need also step in and remove this silly rule that player salaries be in US Dollars. Salaries should be paid in the same form of the city in which they are employed, and the source of the team’s income. Right after that, remove the silly trapezoid behind the net (anyone see any of those great goalie passes that led to fantastic scoring attempts in the recent WC’s?) then force the AHL to take younger players already drafted by NHL teams…its so silly that Burmistrov was OK to play in the NHL, but not the AHL..a team should be able to allocate a resource in any means it deems necessary.
Sorry for the Brendanesque posting….
Brendan
May 17th, 2011
3:13 pm
EA, excellent post. And thank you. Whatever the Thrashers, as an organization were going to do, they would have done by now. And now, perhaps, that ship has sailed. Although, I don’t think anything’s official just yet.
The Thrashers are my # 1 team. If they leave, I’ll have to find another. But, I don’t want to think about that now.
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 17th, 2011
3:23 pm
I am so fed up, I do not know if I am going to watch any of the CF or the Cup Finals. I may not ever watch NHL hockey again.
Brendan
May 17th, 2011
3:26 pm
Glovesave29, you never have to apologize for anything you do. Especially, if it’s a blog in my honor.
Swede
May 17th, 2011
3:31 pm
//Tom
No, lets get a deal with winnipeg where they get Waddell as a gm for 10 years?
Brendan
May 17th, 2011
3:33 pm
Atlanta Flames Fan, and what purpose would that serve? If the team leaves, you’re not allowed to enjoy hockey anymore? If anything, we should ALL watch the CF, to show NBC that Atlanta isn’t just the 8th biggest TV market, but rather, that it’s a market that will tune in to WATCH HOCKEY. I will watch every game. Including the Cup clincher. Then the Draft. Then the Frenzy in July.
If it turns out that we’ve lost our team, there’s nothing we can do about it. We didn’t run it into the ground. You can attribute that to the ownerships, plural, and Don Waddell. Don’t pin it on Dudley. He’s been here little more than a year. If only the NHL would have stepped in to run the Thrashers during the litigation. Oh well.
Tom
May 17th, 2011
3:35 pm
From Kevin Allen -
For what it’s worth, a group interested in keeping the Thrashers in ATL has submitted a term sheet to Thrashers owners spelling out an offer
The 2nd group interested in the Thrashers is serious, but not as far along in the financial process as the True North group.
via Twitter
ZAvalanche
May 17th, 2011
3:41 pm
@Glove, lol on your last line, but you are correct in your post. And RL I have not been able to watch the video yet and I appreciate that you respectfully disagree, that is what this is all about. You have fantastic posts and are the RSM (resident stat master). But I believe DW has been given pretty much zero to work with as far a money is concerned.
Uncle Milty – you make me laugh but seriously, shut the hell up until you have something to add that is about hockey. And as have been said, Mr. Tiller is showing you some Southern Hospitality but you keep bashing him and his writing (by the way the post you mentioned is several months old and things were very much up in the air). Yup, things are getting much more serious but why be an a$$ about it? If you haven’t noticed, you speaking as a Canadian are representing your country and giving your friendly neighbors to the south a bad taste in our mouths regarding Canadians. Grow some balls and be civil. Both of us want the NHL in our cities, but you know what the difference is?……we are civil about the argument.
ZAvalanche
May 17th, 2011
3:42 pm
I will also add, Milty, that 99% of the bloggers here have not bashed the Peg. I have not and will not give my discourse on a place I have not visited.
ZAvalanche
May 17th, 2011
3:45 pm
@Tom – thank you for the update. A nice ray of light
Peter Forsberg
May 17th, 2011
3:46 pm
I want the team to stay in Atlanta.
glovesave29
May 17th, 2011
3:59 pm
I HAVE been to Winnipeg. As a 12 year old goalie for the Atlanta Junior Flames. I stood in my crease while the “Star Spangled Banner” was booed. After taking a big lead, I watched fans toss coins on the ice as we played. The rink manger cleared the place out and we finished the game in front of empty seats. A city counselman came into our locker room and apologized. That’s a tough thing to get over for a kid….
The point is I don’t hold the entire city responsible for a few idiots. I am sure a vast majority of those in Winnipeg feel our plight right now. We just get the morons like UM thinking they can hurl bombs from a distance under a silly pseudonym. I beleive in Karma….
Brendan – I made that statement with full repsect and admiration, my friend.
Gomer Pyle - Calling Uncle Milty
May 17th, 2011
4:01 pm
SURPRISE…SURPRISE…SURPRISE
Rhytnmpenguin
May 17th, 2011
4:10 pm
I love this blog and all the regulars on! Thank you everyone, especially our esteemed blog master for some great hockey discussion and a few laughs! =)
glovesave29
May 17th, 2011
4:15 pm
AJC blog re: Thrashers move – 200 postings
WFP blog on the same – 18 postings
Rather telling…
hockeygoon79
May 17th, 2011
4:19 pm
glovesave29, how many of those 18 are from that putz Uncle Milty?
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2011
4:20 pm
Uncle Milty didn’t take my bet.
CRAP.
Joe Friday
May 17th, 2011
4:24 pm
“CRAP.”
Yes, I believe Uncle Milty’s mom needs to change his big boy pants after he heard the news . . . that’s ok, Milty. You can have an expansion club in 2 years and build from the ground up, mabye sign Jagr as a UFA? Dan Ellis in goal?
glovesave29
May 17th, 2011
4:24 pm
JB Smith / Equity 11 is the Balkan
EA
May 17th, 2011
4:28 pm
I really wish I could understand what Miitty @ Co. want to come on here and taunt the good folks who support hockey in our city. If the shoe were on the other foot, I can’t say I would gain one ounce of pleasure out of another human being’s sadness losing a sport they enjoy. Canada no more owns hockey than we own baseball. It is just so silly.
On another note, I am remaining optimistic. However, I did read one article/rumor (there are so many with no real facts) that said if our team is moved, Nashville would occupy the south east. Having been to a few games there, I would feel a little less of a loss and still be able to see all of our familiar teams. I hope that is not the case, but one has to prepare in case of relocation. Also the players who have been so vocal about loving Atlanta (Thorburn, Enstrom, to name a few) as well as Dan Kamal, Darren Elliott and many of the employees at Philips have been on my mind all day. Tough time for all of them..
Tom
May 17th, 2011
4:48 pm
EA – I have a good friend who is an off ice official in ATL. He spent years in both NJ and ATL waiting for the opportunity and will be heartbroken if the team moves so kudos for recognizing all the people in the background that will lose their livelihood and/or there connection to the sport in the NHL.
SomaAtl95
May 17th, 2011
4:49 pm
So, now there is a name attached to a local buyer. A$G can’t play the “There is no local interest” card anymore. JB Smith should be referred to as the “Anti-A$G”
Maybe we get a few years of people coming to talk hockey and not to tell we suck and do not deserve “their” sport. Seriously, if losing the Jets was so hard for them to deal with, why on earth are they taking so much joy in the possibility of screwing another area over? Isn’t that ultimate Douchebaggery?
Tom
May 17th, 2011
4:51 pm
SomAtl95 – The ASG seems to think the movie Major League is their blueprint for success…
Peter Forsberg
May 17th, 2011
4:52 pm
Only one good thing to come out of this if the Thrashers move – A$$G lost a crap ton of money and it was all their fault.
Puckhead
May 17th, 2011
4:55 pm
If JBS does save the Thrashers, you gotta feel for the folks in Winnipeg. What a rollercoaster ride. Dont forget the mess in the desert is still up in the air. This may workout for the NHL afterall.
ZAvalanche
May 17th, 2011
4:55 pm
Oops, sometimes I moonlight as Foppa.
SomaAtl95
May 17th, 2011
4:56 pm
That explains the sudden and shattering losing streak – the Thrashers wanted to keep as much clothes on the group picture of the A$G that much more – it all makes sense now… (Gotta love the Major League references)
Seriously, I hope this is a great sign. Alan R – Kudos on your hints and thanks for being so upbeat on “the twitter”
Rawhide
May 17th, 2011
5:04 pm
“The Balkan” is indeed venture capitalist from Detroit JB Smith, per John Kincade. Here is a new blog to discuss just that.
Cathy
May 17th, 2011
8:03 pm
Thanks for a measured and insightful commentary, Rawhide. I’ve followed your comments for years over at the Blueland Chronicle. I’ve been a die-hard Thrasher fan literally since Day 1 — I was there on 9/18/1999, the night Philips Arena opened for the first time for a pre-season game with the Rangers — I still have the commemorataive hard hat key ring they gave out that night. Yes, I’m a Yankee transplant and a Ranger fan for over 40 years but for the past 11+ years, I have been a citizen of Thrasherville. This past year was the first time since 1999 that we didn’t make it to a single game and the first time in 7 years we didn’t have some kind of partial season plan — not because we chose to boycott but because my husband’s been out of work for 18 months. The NHL and that whore Gary Bettman need to be called to account and made to explain how they sat back and let that steaming pile of excrement otherwise known as ASG screw over the loyal Thrasher fans and then sold us down the river for $60 million. If this goes down the way it looks like it wiill, I will never spend another cent in support of the NHL…goodbye CenterIce…seen the inside of MSG for the last time. SHAME!!!!