Who is your pick to win Stanley Cup Finals?
And then there were two…the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruin. These two teams have battled there way through three opponents and number of challenges to get here, now they stand just four wins away from skating the Cup.
It will certainly be the toughest four wins for either of them to get.
Vancouver, of course, entered the playoffs as the Presidents’ Trophy winners of the NHL. Their 54-19-9 record for 117 points was the best in the league. They finished 23 points ahead of the Calgary Flames. Boston’s 46-25-11 mark for 103 points was good enough to take the NE Division crown and the third seed in the east.
The Bruins and Canucks met only once this season with the Bs taking a 3-1 decision on February 26 in Vancouver. Nathan Horton tied the score at 1-1 half way through the second period while Milan Lucic’s wrister at 15:22 of the third proved to be the game-winner. Patrice Bergeron added an empty-netter with 73 second left to play while Tim Thomas stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced to earn the win.
Both teams found themselves in a struggle just to get out of the first round earlier…Vancouver almost blowing a three games to none lead against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks before taking game seven on Alexandre Burrows’ overtime goal. The Bruins fell behind the Montreal Canadiens two games to none before working their way back. Horton’s overtime goal in game seven propelled Boston to round two.
Since that time, the Bruins swept the Philadelphia Flyers and then won a very heated seven-game Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canucks have gone 9-3 since losing game six on the opening round, knocking off Nashville in six and San Jose in five.
Even though they almost choked up their 3-0 lead against Chicago, Vancouver has never trailed in either of this springs playoff series. And learned a valuable lesson in first-round scare with Hawks.
Who wins the Stanley Cup?
- Vancouver Canucks (60%, 167 Votes)
- Boston Bruins (40%, 112 Votes)
Total Voters: 279
Loading ...“They say the fourth win is the toughest one to get, and that’s been the case for us,” captain Henrik Sedin after his team disposed of the Sharks to advance to the SCF. “The other team is for sure treating it as a Game 7, and if you are not doing it yourself, it’s tough to win those games.”
Tim Thomas is 12-6 for Boston during the postseason with a 2.29 GAA, .929 SV% and 2 shutouts. He is 12-4 since the first two games versus the Habs and has played every minute in goal for the Bruins since postseason began.
“I think there were a lot of people thinking I was over the hill”, Thomas said following the 1-0 shutout win against Tampa Bay to clinch the east. “I knew it wasn’t true. But I put in a lot of work last summer. It’s amazing the year I had. I’m just so blessed.”
Thomas has faced 603 shots on his goal during 1,124:41 TOI this spring.
On the other end of the ice is Roberto Luongo, who sports almost identical numbers…12-6 with a 2.29 GAA, .922 SV% and 2 SO. He has seen 528 during 1,075:46 TOI.
Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin’s 21 overall points lead all skaters in this year’s playoffs, (2 goals, 19 assists), while Boston’s David Krejci’s 10 goals currently places him in a first-place tie with the Lightning’s Martin St. Louis. Former Thrasher Rich Peverley has 2 goals, 6 assists and is a +5.
Daniel Sedin is top goal-scorer on the Canuck’s squad with 8. He also has 8 assists. Ryan Kesler has been very impressive with 7 goals, 11 assists and a +6 rating.
Special teams favor Vancouver as they’ve continued their good work on the power play from the regular season. They have been successful 28.3% of the time when given the man advantage while the Bruins PP unit has converted just 8.2% of the time. The Canucks have killed off penalties at a rate of 80.6%, Boston’s PK unit has been successful 79.4% of the time.
Vancouver has taken an average of 31.2 Shots on goal in postseason play and has allowed 31.6 shots to be taken on their net. Boston numbers are 31.8 S/G and 33.6 SA/G.
The Canucks will certainly go into the series with a boost as it was learned Saturday that Manny Malhotra was cleared to play in the finals. His season had ended ten weeks ago when a deflected puck struck his left eye, requiring two surgeries to repair.
It still hasn’t been determined whether or not he will indeed play when the two teams face off for game-one Wednesday night, given he was cleared for full contact practice just last Friday.
“I realize there is a difference between taking two months off and coming back mid-January, and taking two months off and coming back the beginning of June,” said Malhotra, who tuned 31-years of age on the 18th of this month. “The pace and tempo of play is a lot higher, and you have the two best teams in the National Hockey League going at it. It’s been a dream of mine to play for the Stanley Cup, but at the same time I’m not going to put myself out there to be treated like a little brother.”
“I know there’s not going to be any gimmes out there.”
As for who I’m picking in the Finals, everything stats-related tells me this should be the Canucks to win. But I have a feeling this series will go seven games and in the end it comes down to the men between the pipes. So ask yourselves this question…if you had to pick one goalie in the league right now to go with to win just one game, who would it be?
For me, that man is Tim Thomas.
with fingers crossed…Boston in seven.
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108 comments Add your comment
atlthrasher
May 29th, 2011
11:32 am
I say vancouver in 5. Thomas has been letting in too many goals whereas roberto got his mojo back in the 2nd round. Luongo will be the key and boston can’t put pressure on luongo like they did on old man roloson.
ATLREP
May 29th, 2011
11:34 am
After the way I have seen the people from Winterpeg act, I will never root for a Canadian team again. They have no class!
GO BOSTON!
ZAvalanche
May 29th, 2011
11:42 am
Blog Master, your penultimate statement is exactly what I was thinking. Luongo is streaky, Thomas is lights out right now. The only reason Vancouver has made it this far is because of their depth – but that is a serious factor. I’m taking Vancouver in 6, but I hope it goes 7 – nothing like two teams just throwing their bodies and souls into every shift. Nicely penned article – again.
R. Stroztradamus
May 29th, 2011
12:29 pm
The first team to win four games.
Acer
May 29th, 2011
12:44 pm
Both teams are overdue for a Cup. I’m glad that the black, red and gold will have a second Cup winner.
hockeygoon79
May 29th, 2011
1:04 pm
Boston Bruins in six.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
G52PIM228© snow monkeys don't deserve the NHL..
May 29th, 2011
1:40 pm
It’s May 29th, I’m looking around, the Thrashers are still in Atlanta.. Seems Brunt made FOOLS of a LOT of morons..
vanfan
May 29th, 2011
2:05 pm
Vancouver in five. The Canucks will “lose” one game so they can win the Cup in Vancouver.
Steve
May 29th, 2011
2:16 pm
Tim Thomas is a flakey goalie; his old style methods look great some times, but in the end, he lets in goals that other goalies don’t. That said, Luongo can let in some weak ones some times as well, lately, but I think that he will play his best now. Vancouver has been building towards this for a few years now, and are the cream of the league. They are healthy, and in the end, the most talented team usually wins. Give credit to Boston for getting this far, but remember, the east is weaker than the west, and Boston beat weaker teams to get there.
As for you people complaining about Winnipeg……if you support your team you keep it, if you don’t, you lose it. Don’t get nasty with the people in Winnipeg. They live and breath hockey, and much like the Green Bay Packers, supported their team. They lost their team originally because a new rink and great money deal was thrown at the owners, which the small town could not match. The team in Winnipeg will do well. If the odd fan gets enthusiastic, don’t take it out on the rest of them. The people in Winnipeg are ’small town’, and there are some great people there. I am in Toronto, but I love that town; they deserve to have an NHL team.
DB
May 29th, 2011
3:02 pm
The NHL is dead to me.
Brendan
May 29th, 2011
3:02 pm
Well, if Red Light could suss this one out, all the way back on October 8, 2010, then go 13-1 in these playoffs, I gotta believe Boston has a great chance to win. My pick to win the Cup was Washington over Vancouver. My 2nd choice was Pittsburgh over San Jose. I suppose, I should be forced to stick with Vancouver, as the only remaining team among my projected finalists. Montreal hosted the Olympics, then won the Cup the next season. Calgary hosted the Olympics, then won the Cup the next season. Vancouver hosted the Olympics, then … won the Cup the next season? Maybe. I definitely think this series can go all seven games. If Game Seven were in Boston, I wouldn’t hesitate to take the Bruins. Vancouver has already won a Game 7, in overtime, versus Chicago. Vancouver disposed of a game Nashville club, after again, failing to close in an elimination game, in Game Five. In the CF, the Canucks rallied in an elimination game, and closed out in OT. That’s a big plus for them, given all the additional hockey they wound up having to play.
Boston is 12-6. Vancouver is 12-6. Vancouver set team records for wins and points, en route to the President’s Trophy. In preseason, I thought Vancouver might be a Cup contender, but I was sure they’d find a way to choke this year. I didn’t envision a President’s Trophy for them, either. And yet, here they are. I was wrong.
For Boston, I never did see them as a Cup winner, in preseason, either. They’d just come off being the 1st team in 33 years to blow a 3-0 series lead, to Philadelphia. I guess, I refused to see what kind of team they truly had. I had Boston power ranked 4th among teams in the East, behind Washington, Pittsburgh and Philly. Boston just barely edged out Montreal in the opening round. But they won. They overcame a 2-0 series deficit, going to Montreal for Games Three and Four. That’s character, right there. Won the next three, then Game 7. I took Philly over Boston in the CSF, and the Bruins made me pay, in a sweep. That was the series, along with Washington/TBL where I lost any chance to catch Rawhide and Red Light. In the CF, I still didn’t believe in Boston. I took the Lightning. Boston won Game Seven, 1-0. Bruins made me pay for not believing in them.
This is a tough, tough pick. I’m a pedestrian 9-5 right now. I average 8.6 wins and 6.4 losses. So, I’m bound to get this pick wrong, anyway. I’ll take Boston. It comes down to this. Tim Thomas has had one of the greatest years I’ve ever seen a goalie have, in terms of being thought of as “washed up.” Boston has lost two elimination games, Game Six in Montreal and Game Six in Tampa Bay. Vancouver lost three elimination games in the opening round, and another in the CSF vs. Nashville. The Canucks inability to close, especially at home … forced them to play a lot of EXTRA hockey. They might catch up to them now. The difference? Boston’s elimination game losses were on the road. Vancouver had a Game 5, at home, vs. Chicago. Failed. Vancouver had a Game 5, at home, vs. Nashville. Failed. Vancouver had an elimination game in Game 5 vs. San Jose … they scored with 13 seconds left in regulation to cheat a certain loss. It should have been another case of ‘failed.’ But, they did it! Fluky-type goal, in mass confusion, but it still counts, in overtime.
Prediction: Bruins in Six. If this thing goes to Vancouver, for Game 7, I think the outcome is different, with the Canucks winning. Boston must find a way to win a game in Vancouver, then hold serve at home.
BRIAN
May 29th, 2011
3:26 pm
BOSTON BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FROM CANADA. HOPEFULLY A CANADIAN TEAM WILL NEVER RAISE THE CUP AGAIN THANKS TO ALL THESE FREAKS FROM LOSERPEG.
Curly
May 29th, 2011
3:40 pm
My original prediction, prior to the playoffs, was the Bruins over the Red Wings. So I’ll stick with the Bruins over the Canucks in Six games.
Baldheaded Thrasher Fan
May 29th, 2011
5:11 pm
Well I thought it would be San Jose and Tampa in the finals so what do I know??
I’ll be pulling for Boston, but my bet in Vegas would be on Vancouver!!!
Flagstaff
May 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
Although Vancouver seems most likely to win, Boston has always been my favorite non-Thrashers team, and I see no reason to stop liking them now.
LAC
May 29th, 2011
5:38 pm
I really don’t care, I care about ATLANTA Staying here !
Hoof Arted
May 29th, 2011
6:03 pm
I’ll take Vancouver in five. I don’t WANT them to win, but I think they are the better team. Most of the time the better team comes out on top.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day tomorrow. God bless our men and women who serve and may we always remember and honor those who have fallen in the line of duty.
injunjoe
May 29th, 2011
6:37 pm
I too don’t want Vancouver to win and I hope Boston proves me wrong. I think it will go six with the Canucks prevailing. But if it goes seven……..
sisu
May 29th, 2011
6:42 pm
Go Bruins…
Chitown
May 29th, 2011
7:56 pm
I get the anti Canadian talk, but let’s relax a little people. There’s more Canadians playing on the Bruins then the Canucks. If anything we should be cheering for the Canucks, with Kesler being probably our best player.
glovesave29
May 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
Steve – Thomas is a flaky goalie? ALL goalies are flakes. Nature of the beast. Gotta have a screw loose to do what we do, and to have the ability to forget almost immediately when we do let in the occasional (!) goal. Disagree with calling him an old style goalie. Go back and look at the films of goalies like Ken Dryden and Phil Esposito -you will see Thomas plays nothing like that style. Perhaps he is closer to a Brodeur, who plays a modification of both styles…but Tim certainly goes into the butterfly position quite often. He just has the shape of a Turk Broda vs. the typical modern butterfly goalie…
ZAvalanche
May 29th, 2011
8:21 pm
I just don’t see Boston being able to handle the depth of Vancouver. It has been reported on many sites, including NHL.com and SI.com that the ‘Nucks are the deepest team. Boston has the edge in one category: tending. I would have said two and the other would have been toughness and physicality, but the ‘Nucks have proven me wrong on that one. Interesting to see if Boston can be more offensive without having to play against a 1-3-1. I’m not sure what Vancouver plays, Glove – perhaps you can help me with this- but I do know it is not a lock-down defense, i.e. – neutral zone trap like Tampa. This will be a very interesting series.
I am seriously jonesing for hockey right now, I love the SCF but it is also sad in that it means hockey is over till October.
In closing – Steve Stamkos, get better brutha, I am sure you are sore.
ZAvalanche
May 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
Glove – Thomas is definitely not old school, as you said. And I totally agree with you one his hybrid style. He isn’t Roy or Brodeur, but he shows flashes of the butter-fly style and in a total 180, he can also scramble like Hasek. This guy amazes me and I am so bummed he didn’t win the US a Gold, not his fault as very few goalies can match up to Sid and being an errant puck, that makes it worse.
Peace to my brothers and sisters in the military (including my Canadian friends), good luck, be safe and come back home.
Jonny Canuck
May 29th, 2011
9:06 pm
Americans of course are known the world over for their good sportsmanship and class… NOT!
CANUCKS IN FOUR!!!
Jonny Canuck
May 29th, 2011
9:08 pm
My aplogies for my previous comment. It was directed at those who took aim at Winnipeg fans and dislike all Canadian teams as a result. Stereotyping is never a good thing.
Peace to you too ZAvalanche. I share your sentiments re: our Militaries. It’s because of them that we have the right to post comments like these.
Take care.
ZAvalanche
May 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
@Jonny Canuck, thanks brutha! I have no issue with most ‘Pegers, just the ones who come in here and tell me I am not a hockey fan and don’t deserve it. I know my sh!t and will gladly say it. You sir, are a fine individual. Even though I am a US citizen, I am picking and going for Vancouver. They are the better team in my opinion. Lou better be up to par though, Thomas is playing well right now.
And you are so right on your last statement. Just visited Nelson, BC, it was gorgeous!
ZAvalanche
May 29th, 2011
9:35 pm
Jonny – also – I don’t think it will be a sweep, I am taking Canucks in 6. Sure hope it goes 7 though.
johnny17
May 29th, 2011
9:39 pm
glovesave-u meant tony esposito-not phil. he invented the butterfly style.
Mr Bill
May 29th, 2011
11:10 pm
To late for Thrashers to move if you think about it, just think of everything that has to go on in Winnipeg to get ready for season thats only a few months away. Training camp starts in September, they have to get a team name uniforms but before that you have free agency and Atlanta has some free agents also you have a draft coming up plus they have to get a staff in place looks like they won’t keep Dudley or Ramsey also a test ticket drive has to be done to see if Winnipegers will committ to three years of Season Tickets also the NHL needs to consider they have an arena that will hold 15000 and we averaged just over 13000 this season. Just think they are trying to fill up about 1500-2000 more seats not that big of a deal. They need an Arena that will hold atleast 18000 or 19000, also lets say you have 15000 a game that is still average and its not a sell out compared to other arenas. Even if you get 15000 a game and there are another 3-4000 who want to get in well they won’t be able to. That means they lose money. If I were True North I would seriously consider walking away from this because they won’t be able to get good quality players and the end result they will be left out in the cold a financial melt down. If I were them I would have that arena expanded so it could sit more people because its the NHL and not the AHL and right now its not NHL ready, I don’t care what they say.
Brendan
May 30th, 2011
12:22 am
If Vancouver wins, isn’t Ryan Kesler the Conn Smythe Winner? Just tossin’ that out there. He’s American, by the way.
I try not to get caught up in the provinciality of borders and maps. Most of the NHL is composed of Canadians, who play on U.S. teams. I harbor no grudge if the winner of the Cup is a Canadian city. Vancouver has waited 41 years for this. They’ve only had two (2) other cracks at it. And the 1994 Finals … was one for the AGES. Great series with the NY Rangers. It’s just a shame that someone had to lose. Bure and Traver Linden were magical that year, for Vancouver.
With Kaberle back for Boston, some of the edge Vancouver had on the blueline is evened out. My head does tell me … that Vancouver is the better team, with statistical evidence to back that up. President’s Trophy winner. Olympic Gold medal netminder. Ousted last year’s Cup winner (Chicago), with good GM and good Head Coach. Yet, Boston zings me nearly every time. I thought long and hard about taking Montreal. When the Habs got up, 2-0, I felt pretty foolish having Boston as my pick. Bruins won four of five. I thought Philly in six, over Boston. Flyers go swept out by Boston. I thought the TBL was the story in the East this year. But who came away with the 1-0 win, in Game Seven? Boston. I think the Bruins are underdogs, for sure, in this SCF. Every time I’m sure this is the end for them … they win, and prove me wrong. I think Boston will probably enjoy the underdog role.
Let’s face it, the pressure is ENORMOUS on Luongo. The Canadian media will never, truly leave that man alone … until he wins a Cup. That Gold Medal game wasn’t good enough for them. They’d say, “He was shaky.” And truthfully, it wasn’t Roberto Luongo’s finest hour, in the Gold Medal Game vs. USA. But Luongo survived the Chicago series. He survived the Nashville series. He came away with the win, vs. SJS. The thing that has bothered me, truthfully, about Vancouver all playoffs long … is that … for the President’s Trophy winner … they never really looked “dominant.” Not vs. Chicago. Not vs. Nashville. About the 1st time I thought, “Now, this looks like our Cup winner!,” was the San Jose series. But even then, in Game 5, it looked like another loss, in an elimination game. Vancouver has struggled to close out. If Vancouver gets out to that 2-0 series lead, and it winds up going seven, the Canadian media will eat them alive, saying … “They had it won. Two more wins in the next five games, with two in Vancouver. Piece o’cake.” Gotta close. What’s the rule? These are the playoffs, no “pity” points for overtime losses. Gotta keep winning. Even up, 3-0, it’s still not over, for a team like Vancouver. We’ve seen them squander that, this very playoffs. I think, in the end, if there is a Game Seven, the prevailing thought will be this, “Isn’t this what they play for all year? For 82 games, teams vie for the # 1 seed, for home ice throughout the playoffs. If you told the Vancouver Canucks, on October 8, 2010, how’d ya like to play for the Cup, on home ice, in Game 7, they’d all jump up and down for it.” And so, there it is. Who wouldn’t want that?
For Boston, it’s about AVOIDING that. If you’re the Bruins, you gotta win one of the 1st three games in Vancouver. Then hold serve at home. A wise old man once said, “You’re never in trouble, in a seven game series, until you’ve lost a game on home ice.” For Boston, it’s about clinching the Cup in Massachusetts, and avoiding that long, long flight back to British Columbia, for Game Seven. I’ve seen teams lose the first two games in the Finals, then win the next four, or four outta the next five.
In 1970, Chicago got out to a 2-0 series lead on Montreal. It was the Habs taking the Cup in seven. Montreal trailed, going into the third, but won it in regulation time, of Game Seven. Just two seasons ago, we saw the mighty Red Wings get out to a 2-0 series lead, only to have the Penguins take Games 3, 4, 6 and 7 to win the Cup. We’ve seen teams get out to a 2-0 series lead, and need Game Seven to clinch. I seem to recall that in the 1987 Finals between Edmonton and Philly. In 2003, New Jersey got up, 2-0, on Anaheim, but the Ducks won all their home games, to force a 7th game. In 2006, Carolina was pushed to seven games, after being up, 2-0 on Edmonton. This is why they play the games.
Let’s try to have good TV viewership numbers in the Finals, Atlanta. Our team may be gone, for all practical purposes, but let’s at least TRY to give the Commissioner’s office a reason to say, “maybe we should try to salvage the Atlanta market?”
Acer
May 30th, 2011
3:21 am
I find this talk about Americans and Canadians a bit funny, because a Slovak or a Swede will hoist the Stanley Cup. Don Cherry is already depressed.;)
Fan from Carolina
May 30th, 2011
8:56 am
Boston in 6 even though I am concerned the way the Bolts ‘lit up’ Thomas in quite a few of the games. Never expected that.
glovesave29
May 30th, 2011
9:23 am
J17 – yup. you are right – Tony, not Phil (BIG d’oh! on my part!) But Espo was not really a butterfly goalie. He DID get really low with legs wide, but he didn’t drop and cover the low end like today’s butterfly goalies. We wore our pad straps REALLY TIGHT in those days, so the pad would not have shifted to the sides of our legs to make the butterfly possible.
Brendan – appreciate the passion, but Bettman can take a dive into an empty pool for as far as I am concerned. He allowed the ASG to run this like an SPHL franchise for years, then comes in to rescue TB, NSH, PIT and PHX. Only to just throw up his hands in Atlanta. I am ready to embrace the ECHL, then hopefully move up to the AHL and be there to watch a few Calder Cups parading around Gwinnett Arena.
Sawchuk started the change by getting into a DEEP crouch, Tony took it a step further – but it was Allaire working with Roy that really changed the position. Of course Patrick wore pads and a chest protector big enough for someone one 6′10″ and 300 lbs – but that was legal then!
Russ
May 30th, 2011
9:25 am
I’m 9-5 so far, so if I can get this one I will finish at a respectable 10-5.
I’ll go with Vancouver in six.
Tom
May 30th, 2011
10:02 am
Meh… The talk of the Thrasher’s moving has soured me on the Stanley Cup this year. I stopped watching closely half way through the conference finals.
ZAvalanche
May 30th, 2011
10:58 am
Brendan – nice post. I do believe Vancouver is the better team – but I also think their regular season point total is a bit padded due to the NW division being steaming pile crap this year. Yeah they struggled with a couple of their opponents, but fact is, they won and beat a very good Sharks team. I don’t think much of Chicago this year, they are not nearly the same team that won last year. On the other hand, Boston struggled with what I thought was a fairly weak Canadians team. The Philly win and the Tampa win was impressive. I actually picked Tampa. Seriously, I would have loved to see the fire-power unleashed with a Tampa-Vancouver series. That would be so cool. But this SCF will be Luo vs Timmy, with the Sedins and Kessler as a background story. I picked Vancouver in 6, but I hope they get to win it on home ice, place will be rocking. I didn’t have the $$ to attend game 7 for Devils @ Avs, but damn, that was one hell of a game – and even though this is a football town, ALL of the local sports casters called it the biggest game Denver ever hosted. They greased the lamp poles downtown and had every single cop in the city on duty. I attended the parade, and I can’t tell you how emotional it was to see captain Joe and 77 (Bourque), and 21 – Forsberg, favorite player ever, holding the cup on top of a fire truck rolling down town. Fact is, whoever wins has accomplished something very special – made even more special for the fans.
As for the Olympics I was of course going for the US, but I was torn as many of my favorite players were Canadian, so I really didn’t care who won and it was the 2nd best game I have ever seen. Opps, make that 3rd. 1980 is #2, 2001 is #1. But we have all had this discussion before. And you are right Brendan – the Russian Rocket was amazing in 1994.
Happy Memorial Day everybody! Have some frosted barley malts and enjoy your day off!
World Be Free
May 30th, 2011
11:25 am
Vancouver in 6-Nucks are too talented down low – Chara can’t play the entire games
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
League Average 16,486 17,309 17,475 17.072
Anaheim Ducks 16,363 17,193 16,990 15,168
Atlanta Thrashers 16,229 15,824 14,626 13,607
Boston Bruins 14,764 15,384 17,039 17,388
Buffalo Sabres 18,690 19,950 18,531 18,529
Calgary Flames 19,289 19,289 19,289 19,289
Carolina Hurricanes 17,386 16,663 16,572 15,240
Chicago Blackhawks 12,727 16,814 22,247 21,356
Colorado Avalanche 17,612 16,842 15,429 13,947
Columbus Blue Jackets 16,401 14,823 15,543 15,416
Dallas Stars 17,914 18,038 17,680 17,215
Detroit Red Wings 20,066 18,912 19,865 19,546
Edmonton Oilers 16,839 16,828 16,839 16,839
Florida Panthers 15,370 15,436 15,621 15,146
Los Angeles Kings 16,859 16,606 16,488 17,313
Minnesota Wild 18,470 18,568 18,568 18,415
Montreal Canadiens 21,273 21,273 21,273 21,273
Nashville Predators 15,259 14,910 15,010 14,979
New Jersey Devils 14,176 15,564 15,790 15,546
New York Islanders 12,886 13,640 13,773 12,735
New York Rangers 18,200 18,200 18,172 18,076
Ottawa Senators 19,372 19,821 18,949 18,269
Philadelphia Flyers 19,282 19,556 19,545 19,535
Phoenix Coyotes 14,988 14,820 14,875 11,989
Pittsburgh Penguins 16,424 17,076 16,975 17,078
St. Louis Blues 12,520 17,610 18,554 18,883
San Jose Sharks 17,422 17,411 17,488 17,558
Tampa Bay Lightning 19,876 18,692 16,497 15,497
Toronto Maple Leafs 19,487 19,434 19,312 19,260
Vancouver Canucks 18,630 18,630 18,630 18,810
Washington Capitals 13,929 15,472 18,097 18,277
World Be Free
May 30th, 2011
12:57 pm
I hit “send” before I could note the fact that Atlanta outdrew Chicago AND Boston as recently as the 2006-2007 season. Please stay away when you urinate on them on a regular basis.
We should send this informaqtion to that lying slimeball Gary Bettman.
This league, the Board of Governors, the President that the rest of the stooges involved in this charade should be ashamed of themselves, if they have any shame. What a farce. I hope Bettman and Daly freeze their butts off in Winnipeg.
And here’s a salute to Mayor Kasim Reed-what a clown. Mr. Mayor, would you sit on your hands if the Hawks were leaving town? I would say NOT!
Now that’s a mayor with vision!
World Be Free
May 30th, 2011
1:04 pm
One more thing then I will leave it alone-
I would have no issue with the move if Atlanta had a competitive hockey team and we all stayed away. But this team has stunk for most of it’s 11 years in existence. And whenever we got close, the idiots would trade marquis players for spare parts. How many players left from the Hossa trade? ZERO!!!!! Hossa AND Heatley gone for nothing. The Kovy trade will look like that too in a few mos.
There’s one thing I cannot stand and that’s people that lie. These people are serial fibbers, they can’t tell the truth if they had a gun to their heads! The dirt, slime and stench reeks from the head office all the way to Atlanta.
It is my opinion that this team would have failed in EVERY NHL city except Tronna. You can’t run a team into the ground and expect people to support it. This team was pointed towards and iceberg many years ago. It’s just taken longer to go down.
hockeygoon79
May 30th, 2011
1:11 pm
World Be Free, very well stated. And those attendance numbers back up your thoughts. I only hope and pray that if this relocation does happen, someone will be there to explain just how the Atlanta Spirit morons screwed over the city of Atlanta and the NHL for causing them to lose a franchise to Winnipeg.
No offense at all to those up there, but any time a league has to lose a franchise in a market this size and see it relocate to a place like Winnipeg, it is a step backwards.
Red Light
May 30th, 2011
1:27 pm
Lets also keep in mind that NHL attendance figures are really tickets distributed and in no way reflects actual numbers in the seats, here or anywhere else. Until those numbers are provided league wide, we’ll never know just how bad those numbers are with affected franchises like the Isles, Jackets, Coyotes, Panthers, Avs and Thrashers. I’d love to know.
ranallo10 (in AT)
May 30th, 2011
1:27 pm
“How many players left from the Hossa trade? ZERO!!!!! Hossa AND Heatley gone for nothing.”
Angelo Esposito is still in the Thrashers system … not that it’s saying much, I just like being somewhat accurate.
ranallo10 (in AT)
May 30th, 2011
1:38 pm
As for the blog topic, I’m hoping for Boston in six. I think a 7th team is enough for Canadian hockey fans to be excited about in 2011, but a Stanley Cup would turn their jingoist attitudes up to 11 … if I could trade the Stanley Cup to return to Canada for the next few years in exchange for the Trashers staying in Atlanta, I would do it.
Darkhorse
May 30th, 2011
1:39 pm
WBF-completely agree with you. Bottom line, this franchise was never given much of a chance from the beginning and lucky there’s still a core base wanting to keep them here. Although I consider hockey the most entertaining sport around, the way our current ownership group and the league have handled the situation, it has just about drained all the fan right out of me. Most of that is due to the fact myself and family are all from Atlanta. We never rooted for anyone else very much outside of the Thrashers, Knights and Flames.
That said……not pulling for either team in the Stanley Cup, but Vancouver has the deeper team I feel. Like LAC said, i’m pulling for the Thrashers to stay. I know that’s not likely to be the outcome.
Hockey Biltong
May 30th, 2011
3:03 pm
A well fought series but, Canucks take it….
eugene
May 30th, 2011
3:04 pm
Those of you who pick Boston over Vancouver are conveniently forgetting something. Boston has not had to deal with the kind of defense that Vancouver has dealt with. Who on the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, or Philadelphia Flyers would be considered to be on par with Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, or Dan Boyle? If Tampa had better offensive defenseman, they would have knocked Boston out. That Game 7 could have gone either way. The Canucks’ depth on Defense is incredible. I haven’t seen depth like this since pre lockout days. The two guys they picked up at the trade deadline Lapierre and Higgins have proven to be excellent contributors. If Manny comes back and is able to contribute like he did in the regular season, it will free up Kesler from having to play so much on the penalty kill and taking defensive faceoffs. Luongo doesn’t have to be excellent for the Canucks to win this series. He just has to be average. If the Canucks 4 lines all play to their capabilities they’ll sweep Boston in 4.
ZAvalanche
May 30th, 2011
3:40 pm
Manny is slated to return, has been cleared by the Dr.s and has been skating with the team. Vancouver in 6, as has been stated.
WBF – nice work. I could run some statistical analysis to find out the exact correlation between attendance and overall record, but I don’t need to. I think it is about a correlation of .8 to .9 with the highest possible number being 1. Point is, winning teams draw, losing teams don’t. It is too bad the team may very well be leaving as I think this young core could do some very special things in the coming years. The Avs and Thrashy have had mirror seasons – rocked in the beginning, had some injuries (every coach will tell you that isn’t a factor but common), and then tanked after the AS break. Both teams are very young only difference you ask?………. The Altitude Sports Network isn’t losing $$. Yup, I am pissed that Stan Kroenke isn’t spending to put some vets on the team to coach the youngsters, but that is life. I expect big things out of my Avs next year, and if (**prays to God**) Thrashy stays they need to ramp it up as well. I know the majority of you will support the team in good times or bad (sound like a wedding vow?), but the casual viewer needs a winning team to spend the $$ to go to a game.
RL – attending statistician – I wonder if you have any numbers on attendance for the first half of the season as compared to the second half for Thrashy. I know that Avs attendance declined markedly after the AS break.
On another note, nothing like mowing the lawn, having a lemonade and grilling ribs on this Day of Days (though that moniker should be strictly reserved for June 6th). Had the distinct pleasure, and a bit of a choke in my throat, when the Blue Angels flew over the Air Force Academy for their graduation. Seeing some F/A-18 Hornets (I think that is the right plane) in a tight formation, going that fast is a thing of beauty.
Go Nucks – sorry Bruins. Peace Bruthas!
ZAvalanche
May 30th, 2011
3:46 pm
@eugene – you pose a good argument and I am picking the Nucks, BUT, Boston has the edge in tending I think. I know the numbers are similar but if you came to me and said you have to pick Lou or Timmy, I would take Timmy in a heart beat. IF Chara could play the whole game it might be a different matter and if it was just one game I think he would, but this is a marathon. I don’t see Boston holding up the the depth of Vancouver.
ZAvalanche
May 30th, 2011
4:03 pm
Also, to my Canadian friends, even those who are trolls, I don’t know if you celebrate Memorial Day, which is based in history as a Civil War holiday, but I thank you for your service in WWII. I know you lost a lot of good men as well, and today I am watching WWII movies and hold you and yours in my thoughts. Your grand father’s work on Juno beach was essential. Cheers!
Brendan
May 30th, 2011
4:39 pm
Red Light, have you made your selection? And if so, are you sticking with Boston?
Not Blind
May 30th, 2011
6:29 pm
Re the Thrashers moving. We got screwed by the ASG. Out of towners just don’t have any concept about how badly the ASG has alienated their potential customers. End of discussion.
Re the Finals. Being from the south I was originally pulling for Tampa but as the 2 conference finals progressed I decided that Boston probably matches up better against Van so I was happy they held on. Although Claude Julien is not my favorite coach he DID do an excellent job of adjusting to Tampa’s system whereas Boucher did not manage to adjust to Boston’s pressure.
I am afraid that Vancouver is just too strong and too deep and Boston’s whole roster is going to have to play nearly perfect hockey to win. I don’t think their skill level will allow them to do this. Mostly though, I am just going to enjoy the games .
glovesave29
May 30th, 2011
6:50 pm
Gonna miss the finals – off for two weeks in St. Maarten. Have a great one, y’all!
Married to an American
May 30th, 2011
7:42 pm
Wow, I’m disappointed in the few people who are taking out their frustrations on all Canadians. It’s nice to see that there are people in Atlanta who are passionate about hockey and who are obviously knowledgeable about the game. I’m sorry that your ownership was incompetent. I’m sorry that most people in Atlanta are not intererested in hockey like you fans. I’m sorry that you have so many sports options, that it’s a tough market.
We too have lost two NHL teams and we feel for you. It was when our dollar was low and the NHL economy was in American dollars, so our teams automatically had to make 50% more money than an American franchise. Gary Bettman didn’t think that Americans in southern markets would lend credibility to a league with franchises in Winnipeg or Quebec. I’m sure if he had it his way, we also would have lost Edmonton and Calgary. The NBA was really strong and popular at this time, and Bettman wanted to make the NHL the next NBA. We lost teams to Colorado and Phoenix.
In the past decade, our dollar has become strong and is worth more than the American dollar (only by a few cents). Hockey became even more popular in Canada after the dark days of the 90s when the NHL was absolute crap. All of the franchises in Canada are profitable again, and we have the two most profitable teams in the league. With so many teams in the NHL losing money, our profitable teams have to share their revenues with losing teams. The NHL knows that it has to either make teams profitable, or move them.
In Winnipeg, a mid-priced ticket will sell for $80. The cheapest ticket will sell for $50. There will be no promotions giving away tickets or selling them for cheaper. Also, they will have strong TV contracts with Sportsnet, TSN, and CBC. So even though they will only draw 3000 more fans than Atlanta (during a recession), they will make a lot more money.
As for the behavior of Winnipeggers that some have complained about; They’re excited. They felt that they were victimized in 1995, and this is their feeling of redemption. They should try to be more empathetic though, because they know the pain of losing their team.
Please don’t hold this against us Canadians. It is an unfortunate circumstance. But we are not stealing anything, we’re just salvaging the mess created by Atlanta Spirit.
ex-ex-STH
May 30th, 2011
7:54 pm
Anybody hear what Blake Wheeler had to say today on XM’s Home Ice around 1 PM? I asked this on C-Viv’s blog but its being over-run by a bunch of morons!
To answer this question…Vancover in 5. They got the talent and manpower to steam roll Boston.
glovesave29
May 30th, 2011
8:39 pm
Sorry Married – you seem like a nice person and had thoughtful, rational points…the vitriol here toward Canadians NEVER existed until trolls from Winnipeg came down to our site to rub the loss of our team in our faces. The silliness could have easily been avoided had the efforts of a few idiots from north of the border been kept to themselves. The issues we were discussing were ALL hockey related, then someone comes to spit in our faces. I don’t condone the responses (on wither side) – but this is a fight we did not start. If Canadians want to come here and talk hockey – they are welcomed. Just ask that they keep it civil…
Not Blind
May 30th, 2011
9:05 pm
Married, more than once we spent over $400 for the pair of us to take in a game. We must be stupid.
EA
May 30th, 2011
9:17 pm
Did anybody hear that ridiculous interview with R. Seydel? ” We did our best, we offered Kovalchuk big checks”, blah, blah, blah. All you have to do is listen to that nonsense and realize the total joke this group is. I am so angry and sad. He takes no personal responsibility. How he can say those things when his partner says he doesn’t know a thing about hockey? When asked what he has to say now, he says “Go Thrashers”. Does he mean that literally?
Married to an American
May 30th, 2011
10:00 pm
I will never condone ignorant comments by stupid people. However, there are idiots everywhere who like to leave inflammatory comments. Most people in Winnipeg would never be so offensive. The problem is that normal people do not go on a website from another city to leave comments. There will be more inflammatory comments because the jerks leaving them are deliberately looking for an audience to offend. And of course it’s easy when they’re faceless and far away.
After reading through these comments, I can see that there are a lot of passionate hockey fans in Atlanta. The reason why I came to this site was to see the local perspective and what kind of reaction people from Atlanta are having. I was honestly surprised that it is getting this coverage. When I am in the US, I usually don’t see much coverage for hockey, except for Detroit and Minnesota.
I just feel bad that these hard feelings exist between our two countries. I lived in Quebec City when the Nordiques moved to Colorado and people were upset like yourselves. In the following years, most former Nordiques fans cheered for Colorado because it was their players and their team, and that connection will always exist.
I hope you can accept that 99% of Canadians have no interest in offending you. I will apologize on behalf of my country for the others. I also hope that some of you make a trip to Winnipeg to see your team, or Tampa when they are down there visiting.
Red Light
May 30th, 2011
10:18 pm
Brendan: I am polishing up my pick and will post the link tomorrow. Very, very tough choice in this series. A lot of countering factors both ways.
Sharon
May 30th, 2011
10:19 pm
I’d love to see Boston win, but I expect Vancouver to take it.
Sharon
May 30th, 2011
10:43 pm
Now let’s address what’s become an unsavory issue on this blog…
Canadians, why are you here? Whether you’re friend or foe, it doesn’t matter because you’re still a constant reminder of Atlanta losing its team. You’re still the circling vulture just waiting for the last gasp. You would think that common sense would make this clear, but yet you’re still here.
I’m not interested in you, your city, your hockey history or your former and future franchises. I’m only interested in MY team, the Atlanta Thrashers, and that’s why I come to this blog. If you need attention or discussion that badly, then start a blog for YOUR team(s).
Again, Canadian friend or foe… you simply don’t belong here.
Brendan
May 30th, 2011
11:16 pm
Red Light, if we go by stats and depth, and not intangibles, then Vancouver probably win this thing in six or fewer games. But, if we look at how badly the Canucks have faired in elimination games, and the lights out play of Tim Thomas, Boston has a better chance than most people think.
If I had to bet my mortgage, I’d take the Canucks. But since I don’t have to do anything of the sort, I’ll take Boston. At least, it’ll give me some reason to cheer for them. Red Light, side note, who’s the Conn Smythe winner? Tim Thomas, the American. Or Ryan Kesler, the American?
Could Tim Thomas win the playoff MVP, even if the Bruins lose?
Married to an American, I’ve enjoyed reading your posts. You are welcome anytime. It’s just a shame that Atlanta Hockey blogs are soon coming to an end. Permanently. I didn’t catch if you are from Manitoba or live there, but if you are, I want to wish the Thrashers good luck up there. All I ever, ever asked for this team … was for an ownership to care for it, nurture it, and give it some ‘tough love,’ when it was required. At long last, it appears that I’ll be getting my wish. But I never thought it would take relocation to make that happen. Ted Turner was out, almost as soon as he was in. He was the one who bought the team, initially, saying, “I regretted not buying the Flames for $15 million, many years ago.” On the name ‘Thrashers?’, Billionaire Ted said, “It’s my team. When you come up with $99 million to buy the team and operating rights to Philips Arena, then YOU can name it.” That was pretty much the last we heard of ol’ Ted. Then he sold everything, as AOL/Time/Warner phased him out. They didn’t know how they came to own the Thrashers, and sure didn’t know what to do with them. So, they sold them. To these clowns. This team, and this market, never had a chance, Married to an American. I’m not sure why the NHL chose to put a team in Atlanta, when they had absolutely no intentions of properly vetting any of the various ownership incarnations that is has had. Bygones. I know this much. In Winnipeg, they won’t have Don Waddell as GM or Team President for 11 seasons, without a playoff win. But, just try to imagine if they did? And every day, fans on blogs called for Waddell’s head, while True North retorted, “Don Waddell is very respected in NHL-circles. He’s not getting fired. We’re raising ticket prices. Deal with it.” Meanwhile, fans who were season ticket holders … watched the seats to their left and right being put on sale for 50-percent off by November. So, the next year, they didn’t renew, waiting for November to come, to sit in their exact same seat, discounted by 50-percent. This is what passed for ownership. Just try to imagine what would have happened if Waddell had been fired. A rush of ticket sales, at FULL PRICE, increased revenue-flow, and the possibility that the biggest EXODUS since scripture of pending free agents … could have been avoided. Savard, Kaberle, Hossa, Kovalchuk, Kubina … they all bolted, knowing ownership was a cluster. They can’t very well say, while under contract, “Look, the ownership is lost. They don’t know what they’re doing. The roster is a mish-mash of soap slivers, crushed together to make a ball. That’s not how you take a shower.” And that’s before we look at the Bobby Holiks and Slava Kozlovs that we got. Oh well. There’s not even really a legacy here, to speak of. The Atlanta Thrashers had nine (9) Top 10 overall picks with which to build the franchise into a contender. They didn’t so much as win a playoff game.
From the bottom of my heart, I hope the Thrashers succeed in Manitoba, and one day win the Stanley Cup. Somebody has to give this franchise some love. I think True North will do what is required to make them win, and have a fighting chance, out there in free agency. I’m confident they’ll install a GM who will run the team at the NHL level. Good luck, Thrashers. You’ll be missed here.
What about a possible return of the NHL to Atlanta? Frankly, if the NHL cannot properly vet an ownership group, to understand the dynamics of the sports landscape here, then I don’t want them to return. I was here and attending IHL games (Knights) before the NHL arrived. It was working pretty well, like that. Fans came out. The ownership TRIED to win, and actually produced a Turner Cup, in 1994. The NHL drove the Knights out of Atlanta, and up to Quebec. Hopefully, an AHL team will arrive, or the Gwinnett Gladiaors (ECHL) will be upgraded. The prices are reasonable, and they don’t allow failing GM’s to fester for a decade, in a consequence-free environment.
eugene
May 30th, 2011
11:50 pm
I’m Canadian and I live in Atlanta. Some of the behavior of Canadian fans at the Thrashers games showed their lack of class. Holding up signs saying The Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg or like those two idiot french canadians who wore Nordiques jerseys saying the Thrashers were going to become the Nordiques. It’s painful to lose a team. Most of the Canadians trolling on here haven’t had to dish out tens of thousands of dollars supporting a team with crap ownership. You can’t tell me that Atlanta doesn’t have good hockey fans. I met fans that paid for 10 lower level season tickets. Each seat costs 4K, that’s over 40K/season. You’re going to try and tell me those fans aren’t passionate about their team? I spent over 20K this past season on the Thrashers and management rewarded my loyalty by telling me to renew my tickets and put a deposit down up until a few weeks ago when the news about True North broke out. I do feel some kind of bitterness and resentment and pouring salt on the wound doesn’t make it any easier.
Llaplander
May 31st, 2011
12:28 am
I’d say Glen Hall was the first of the butterfly goalies. I used to watch St. Louis when he and Plante played – 2 completely different styles.
Sorry to see the Thrashers leave, The management you have is about as bad as Vancouver had in the 80s and 90s. Even though Vancouver lives for hockey they repelled fans in droves. Traded away draft picks and good young players for has-beens.
Still, if you like hockey go for an AHL team. The AHL has good teams with good players at a price people can afford; I started going to Abbotsford Heat games (near Vancouver) because I can afford $50, not $500.
ZAvalanche
May 31st, 2011
1:01 am
@Married – classy and respectful. Cheers to you! Yup, sucks to lose a team, but it aint over yet
though damn close. I have no problem with Canadians, and in fact, I like them a lot – actually looking for a job in Canada. I am pulling for the ‘Nucks, but just because I think they are a better team and am starting to gain a lot of respect for the Sedins. Two years ago they would have folded like origami but they have matured. Foppa says he is proud of his brethren 
Kesler is a man on a mission and a if they win the Cup he, in my books, is the hands on fav for the Smythe. If Boston wins, it will be because of Thomas. This will be very interesting and it is killing me that I have to wait another two days.
@Glove – Enjoy your vacation!
Sharon
May 31st, 2011
2:59 am
How sweet, ya’ll have made some new friends. I’m sure they’ll stop by in droves once the big announcement is made.
Hopeful
May 31st, 2011
7:36 am
Today, I’m hopeful a plane, with only Atlanta Spirit owners, will crash into an open field killing no livestock.
Hopeful
May 31st, 2011
7:46 am
Today, I’m hopeful that the Hawks cheerleader complains about Seydel “putting his arm around her” after game six of Hawks playoff loss to the Bulls, and, as a result, Laura kicks Rutherford’s butt to the curb.
R. Stroz(tradamus) For Real This Time
May 31st, 2011
8:13 am
http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2011/01/22/the-atlanta-spirit-legacy-lies-lawsuits-and-losses/?cxntfid=blogs_iceman_thrashers_blog#comment-48389
Please Read…Alot came true…..didn’t it.
Red Light
May 31st, 2011
8:34 am
Like a few others, I am taking the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup in six games.
http://sportssoutheast.com/index.php/red-light-report/59-nhl/254-stanley-cup-finals-prediction
R. Stroz
May 31st, 2011
8:37 am
Go BRUINS
GO TO HELL Atlanta Spirit
Rawhide
May 31st, 2011
9:19 am
Looks like there is going to be an announcement at noon today…nice.
I’ll be driving home from Florida at the time, listening via XM radio. It looks like the news isn’t good. However, look for a new blog to be posted shortly after as I have one waiting in the “can”.
In the meantime, for those of you not from Thrasherville…here is a little something to watch. It will give you a great deal on insight as to the type of idiocy we have had to put up with for 7 years.
Red Light – Admit it…you went with Boston because I did, ensuring that I cannot catch you in our postseason predictions.
ranallo10 (in AT)
May 31st, 2011
9:34 am
The Thrashers will truly be missed. We’ll now see how far this team can go with an owner/ownership group who cares.
Badger Bob
May 31st, 2011
9:36 am
“We’ve had a good run”?? What a twit!! Rutherford, true fans are in their seats for games. I sat behind you. I know how little you were there.
No more big purple gift certificates for my wife on Mother’s Day. Hello, Spa Envy.
Cornbread
May 31st, 2011
9:37 am
Today is the day I stop being a fan of the game.
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 31st, 2011
9:41 am
T-minus 2 hours, 20 minutes until the NHL becomes the #5 sports league in America.
Reminds me of when NASCAR wanted to “grow the sport,” so they built the Hall of Fame in Charlotte instead of Atlanta, which is a “dangerous” city. Fast forward to today, when the Georgia Aquarium welcomes it’s 3 millionth visitor and a recent expansion of its campus, while the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte is firmly in the red.
Hooray for short-sighted sports investors!
JT from Columbus
May 31st, 2011
9:43 am
I agree with you Cornbread. I’m Done!!
Badger Bob
May 31st, 2011
9:51 am
Thrashers fan free agency starts at noon today. Who will be the first big signings? Will the Buffalo contingent return to the Sabres’ fold, or stay in the south? Will Red Light declare his intentions to be a Pred, or will he be lured back to the bright lights of Broadway? Track all the action right here…
Don Rickles
May 31st, 2011
10:02 am
All this time I thought his name was RutherTURD.
moriler
May 31st, 2011
10:03 am
This will be my last post. I have noted elsewhere and will reiterate it here: the NHL will not exist to me until there is a hockey team in Atlanta again. Good knowin’ y’all; I’m not going to hang out for the Weeniepeg trolls to come in.
If the AJC had a competent IT group they’d have already banned the Canadian IP ranges.
Puckhead
May 31st, 2011
10:07 am
Now what am I going to do for date night?
Zoomo
May 31st, 2011
10:07 am
Bettman and Co. have failed us.
Heartbroken for my son, for the hockey youth of Atlanta metro area, and for all the fans. A despictable outcome.
Tincup9
May 31st, 2011
10:20 am
+1 Moriler
Kleed
May 31st, 2011
10:23 am
The official announcement about teh sale to Winnepeg will happen today. Time to close ” a fans perspective ” down.
DWTOO
May 31st, 2011
10:30 am
Know what? I don’t care who wins the Cup. I’ll probaby get over it, but, right now I have absolutely no interest in the NHL. Wow, this is really disheartening. Will probably settle in on July 1 when FA period starts.
Never hoped for anyone’s demise, but, wouldn’t mind seeing the obit for any memeber of the ASG, Bettman, Daly, et al.
FRENZY
May 31st, 2011
10:32 am
I agree with cornbread.
“Today is the day I stop being a fan of the game.”
BlueSpark
May 31st, 2011
10:34 am
I don’t give a shot who wins. I will never watch another NHL game again.
FAQs for Fans - Today's Announcment
May 31st, 2011
10:39 am
This page gives an update on the little-to-no-remaining hope to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta – suggest you read this page and also use the Winnipeg Deal Made Months Ago Link:
http://www.keepthethrashers.com/faq.html
Sad day for hockey fans.
Matt from MN
May 31st, 2011
10:41 am
Is there any way to hurt the ASG owners economically? I want to boycott each and every business they own. Admittedly, Levenson’s company and Seydel’s law firm, I probably will never do business with, but I can boycott the Hawks, and all events at Philips Arena.
Burn in Hell, ASG. Cowards and Liars.
Thrashers27
May 31st, 2011
10:48 am
All is not lost, folks!!!
They can announce all they want, but the BoG and Bettman still have to approve. Bettman says he wants to make ASG hurt. What better way then to pull the deal out from under them.
I’m holding out hope that Bettman will make the right thing happen and I have written to him again to let him know of our expectations. Keep pushing everyone. It’s not over yet. E-mail GBettman@NHL.com and let him know we’re looking to him to right the wrong of allowing the octodouches ruin hockey in Atlanta.
Red Light
May 31st, 2011
11:29 am
I picked the Bruins so Rawhide couldn’t catch me, so that I would stay with my convictions from my Oct. 8 post choosing the Bruins to win the Cup, because Smoothie is a closet Bruins fan, and because I just think they have something special going for them this year. I do feel bad for Rammer that he won’t be a part of it this year, because I do believe he had a lot to do with some of the players development there.
I understand and respect everyone’s feelings about the potential sale, but as I followed the game for 35 years prior to the Thrashers existence, I am not giving up on the game or the league. Will I miss the NHL not being here, darn right, but I can’t control what happens? I attended more than 300 games during the last 11 seasons and met a ton of great people in the organization, in the dressing room, in the stands and in the press box. The people I have met, the friends I have made, the hockey we discussed, and the ups and downs we shared are a lot more valuable to me than the sport or the team — and my life is richer because of it. I thank many of you here for that, and I think you know who you are.
But I also like what Thrashers27 just said. Stranger things have happened. Where there is a ray of hope, no matter how small you believe it to be, there is a chance for a reprieve.
ZAvalanche
May 31st, 2011
11:35 am
There is no way this can be good.
Zombie Steve
May 31st, 2011
11:52 am
“The Atlanta Thrashers had nine (9) Top 10 overall picks with which to build the franchise into a contender. They didn’t so much as win a playoff game. ”
that hurts….
Thrashers27
May 31st, 2011
11:59 am
…in related news:
In the years to come, Atlanta will subsequently be awarded a third NHL franchise. In a respectful nod to the two previous teams the new team will be…wait for it….wait for it………………………………………….
“THE ATLANTA FLASHERS”
Sorry, just trying to put inject some humor into a sad situation.
Thrashers27
May 31st, 2011
12:16 pm
Listening to Gearon on 680 now. It’s making me so angry!!!
Badger Bob
May 31st, 2011
12:19 pm
RIP Thrashers.
Go Canes and Glads!
Screw you, ASG!
ZAvalanche
May 31st, 2011
12:21 pm
I am watching this and it sucks.
ZAvalanche
May 31st, 2011
12:23 pm
I have no beef with my Canadian friends, I am just bummed.
ZAvalanche
May 31st, 2011
12:24 pm
OMG, he “honored Bruce Levinson” – *GAG*
Badger Bob
May 31st, 2011
12:25 pm
Calling Levenson “honorable and professional”?? That’s almost more painful to hear than anything else. With these kind of lies, TNSE isn’t off to a good start…
ZAvalanche
May 31st, 2011
12:26 pm
The absolute vitriolic BS Bettman just spewed is unbelievable.
Badger Bob
May 31st, 2011
12:28 pm
“No real local purchaser emerged”? Bettman, why don’t you admit “No local businessman is fool enough to do business with the AS crooks”.
Badger Bob
May 31st, 2011
12:32 pm
Bettman throws ASG under the bus. Nice. We just need more buses now.
Sell 13,000 season tickets by BoG meeting June 21. Do they really think a guy with $22 billion won’t secretly buy how ever many it takes to make it work?
ZAvalanche
May 31st, 2011
12:33 pm
Agreed Bob, they are going to do whatever they need to reach that number.
Joe Friday
May 31st, 2011
12:37 pm
Red Light, I hear you and time may eventually heal this wound (Nashville is only 3 1/2 hours and the Hawks will be in there twice each year), but I’m a fool me once kind of guy, what the NHL has done here is reprehensible and I really think I’m done with the NHL. Screw Bettman, but the bigger question for us here is where was the Mayor, Governor, Chamber, and Atlanta Sports Council in this? Abandoned by all, this is the travesty of it, this deal was done months ago, the charade of these past few weeks was simply done to make it look like they tried to keep them here, but with the Spirit holding onto the Arena and not giving away rights to the potential buyer, they effectively blocked anyone from being able to buy the club and keep them here.
We will never set foot in Philips Arena again and I’ll make a point of outing these owners to everyone in my network, ad infinitum. That’s how we get them back for what they’ve done, hit them in the pocketbook. Our memories will be long and lasting on this one. Hell hath no fury like a hockey fan scorned.
Big Daddy (formerly waffleboy)
May 31st, 2011
12:42 pm
The real damage being done here is caused by the fact that everyone seems to be complicit in a back door deal to send the Thrasher back to Winnipeg for a mere $60 million dollars to the NHL. The long-term consequences of this deal will be a forced contraction of the NHL within ten years. Canadian dollars will never be able to sustain the league. They never did. Even the Original Six only had two Canadian teams.
Brendan
May 31st, 2011
9:55 pm
Rawhide, I nominate Joe Friday’s 12:37PM post for “blog comment of the year.” I never once heard so much as a peep out of the Atlanta Sports Council about this situation. And just how do we make up for the loss of income tax revenue over $55 million, the salary of the opposing team, coming into our State to conduct business, 41 events a year? Plus the league minimum that the Atlanta Spirit, LLC would have paid our T-birds. That’s a staggering loss of revenue to the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia. I don’t care what they say about “concerts will sellout Philips Arena, while hockey couldn’t.” Really, what’s the annual revenue of the concert acts? Is is $55 million, on average, the way an opposing NHL roster would be? Some crickets chirp. Off in the distance, a coyote howls, then some tumble weeds roll by. And who makes money off of concerts? The band does. The vendors do. Those who possess operating rights of Philips Arena do. But how much of it actually winds up in the hands of the State of Georgia? The answer is, “Not nearly enough.”
Bygones. This team is gone. I thought I’d be angrier, and more disappointed. But, in the end, I think I feel about as bad as any fan of the L.A. Clippers might, upon hearing the news that the NBA was leaving for Kokomo, Indiana.
Truthfully, my love for the Thrashers, and my desire to have them competently run, are being satisfied by True North Sports Entertainment. I just hope they actually achieve some success there. If they have to endure another “5 year plan,” only to be relocated 10 years later to Kansas City, or wherever, is a fate that is just too cruel. If you stop and really think about it, what GOOD has come to this franchise since inception? 11 inglorious seasons and relocation to market whose NHL history is less than impressive.
I’ll be watching on Center Ice. Yes, I’m still too much of a hockey fan to simply walk away from the sport. I’ll be rooting for the Thrashers in Winnipeg, wishing them well. My new adopted team … will be the Carolina Hurricanes, followed closely by the Nashville Predators.
Brendan
May 31st, 2011
10:07 pm
Waffleboy, imagine if the Thrashers legacy, from 1999 to whenever, in Winnipeg, is ultimately to be lost to contraction?? What a waste of a franchise, that certainly deserved better.
I’ll also be keeping a close eye on Columbus, our Western Conference counterpart, also mismanaged by a Village Idiot named Doug MacLean, in its infancy. Scott Howson has been at the helm since 2007, with a playoff berth, but no playoff wins. The BlueJackets managed to lock up Rick Nash, however, where the Thrashers couldn’t lock up either Hossa or Kovalchuk.