Report: Thrashers to Winnipeg is "done" deal
by Donny Rivette on May 19, 2011 9:58 PM EDT
in NHL & General Hockey
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The Toronto Globe and Mail is reporting the Atlanta Thrashers, current property of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group, will be sold to True North Sports & Entertainment, with an announcement of a relocation to Winnipeg, Manitoba coming Tuesday.
We won't expend keystrokes discussing here what presumably led to this situation (leave it in the comments), but suffice to say I personally feel a strong kinship with the Thrashers Faithful after I - and so many other loyal, paying customers - lost the Hartford Whalers 14 years ago. That was a far different scenario, featuring an ownership group who purchased the club with the purpose of eventual relocation, but regardless of details, the sting remains the same.
I've always said that if a relocation was absolutely necessary, sending a franchise to a city which previously lost one was the only route to travel. Now that it is happening, I freely admit those were easy words to pimp. I'm thrilled Winnipeg gets another shot at life in the "bigs", but so many good people - just like us: kids, parents, local hockey programs, and just plain fans - are being left out to dry after a decade of ownership squabbles, complete mismanagement, and a total lack of understanding of the Atlanta market. The Greater Miami region may be similar in several respects, but even the Panthers can rely on folks sidling in from Toronto and Montreal; that was never the case at Philips Arena.
There is so much I wish to say in defense of the fans that summarizing simply isn't practical.
Hats Off to those in the 'Peg who kept the faith since 1996; I've been there, and know first-hand the pain involved in losing the heart and soul of your existence (such as it was).
A terrible day for hockey fans south of the northern border. The NHL groomed, teased, and shat on fans in Georgia and surrounding environs. This sucks on so many levels.
Lots more reaction from our very good friends at Bird Watchers Anonymous here.
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Gotta love when back to back twitter lines read
“LitterBoxCats Donny Rivette
Report: #Thrashers to Winnipeg is “done” deal #FlaPanthers http://sbn.to/iG5srT"
DarrenDreger Darren Dreger
There are still significant issues being negotiated according to Wpg and Atlanta sources. Working on it…but deal is not done. More ahead."
Hmmmmmm…. I remember about a week ago that PHX to WPG was assumed to be a done deal, too. Although this one doesn’t have the city support that Glendale ended up having. ATL is all about the ownership, or lack there of.
Guess we both published this story at the same time, Donny. Haha.
On a side note though, who does everyone think will move over to the Eastern Conference after next season: Detroit, Nashville, or Columbus?
- Go Panthers -
Hence my using the term “report” in the headline.
My own 2 cents? It’s gonna happen.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 19, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Definitely not shooting you down, DR, lol. Just gotta love the rush to be first, especially in the twitter age. Well, gotta love it as long as you’re not a Thrasher or Winnipeg Manitoba Moose Jet fan…
As Dan Patrick says, “first and wrong is still…. first”
With respect, we were very hardly the first; simply posting a link to the G&M. I take no pleasure in discussing this subject.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 19, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Just gotta love the rush to be first
"first and wrong is still…. first"
I don’t think reporting what is going down/said, has anything to do with being “first”. I read quite a few links, before this was posted on this site. This is a divisional team & worthy of being reported on this site….nothing more, nothing less.
OK, i’m sorry that came across as harsh or insulting . As I said before, I’m not looping LBC into that rush. Donny was, as he said, just reposting a report. It was nothing more than me being amused at the fact that in consecutive twitter updates on my feed, one report said “its done” one said “deal not done”.
As for the quote, i shouldnt have assumed people who dont listen or watch the dan patrick show would know that quote is one made sarcastically. in no way am i trying to call anyone out or be negative in any way. I guess I should have just stopped at being amused that two twitter updates were contradictory…
I’m standing by the original report from the G&M.
Curious about the conflicting Twitter updates, however…sure that came from LBC? I only posted one.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 19, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions
No. My first post, the 2nd comment. One was from LBC. One was from Dregger. Now I’m seeing one from MacKenzie saying the owner of the G&M is\would be an owner of the new Winnipeg franchise. Conflict of interest? probably…. but also means he would know more than the average “source”.
Just forget I ever said anything about being first or twitter or anything other than this would suck for those hockey fans in Atlanta, lol.
I think Detroit would be the most likely team to move to the East after next season, but as a Panther fan, I would really want to see Nashville make the move due to our connection with them getting better after each season now and moving to the East would also help them have more success in the playoffs.
- Go Panthers -
by flpanther360 on May 19, 2011 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Geographically, Nashville makes the most sense. Atlanta moves north and takes Minnesota’s spot in the Northwest, Minnesota moves into the Central, and Nashville moves into the SouthEast taking the Thrashers’ old spot.
by MrOmnipotent on May 20, 2011 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Depends on who gets their way in the fight. Detroit and Columbus both want to move to the EC, but the WC owners like Detroit in that conference. What probably makes the most sense from a geographical and time zone standpoint is moving Columbus to the SE.
However, there are other plans that make more sense for other reasons. One of which involves dropping down from 6 games against division teams.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Geographically, as in travel distance, Nashville is closer to the South East than Detroit or Colombus. With the rivalries between the Atlantic being so entrenched, I don’t see them moving one of those teams into the SouthEast, especially when three of them are some of the most marketable on tv at present, with the Rags, the Pens and Crosby, and Philly. Comcast has too much power in this league, especially now that they completely own the TV contract, to be willing to move, as they’re the most likely, as moving Columbus to the Southeast would be absolutely stupid.
by MrOmnipotent on May 21, 2011 3:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Good points all, but keep in mind DET is generally considered to be “owed” a move to the Eastern Conference. Gonna happen, just a matter of timing.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I say those reports are premature…the Thrashers might move to Winnipeg, but there will not be an announcement on Tuesday. Not yet.
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 19, 2011 10:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Might be the case, but my money’s on a move. Being a grizzled veteran of such situations, I’ve heard way too much from folks in the know to bet against it.
Wish it wasn’t the case.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 19, 2011 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. Even with all the Phoenix talk, there was always that if the city comes up with $25 million, the Coyotes live. Atlanta doesn’t seem to have that fall back…
Coyotes will likely move as well, unfortunately. Hate saying it, but unless a local owner shows up, they’re goners too.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 19, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m pretty convinced Winnipeg will get a team, wheter its at Atlanta’s expense or the NHL makes a mad scramble to award Winnipeg a franchise.
I’d post the tweets from @JeffMarek but i’m doing this from a pretty low-tech phone. He went from retweeting the G&M report to saying something along the lines of ‘just got off the phone with TrueNorth, no plans for announcement.’ I just dont see the negotiations being far enough along to put a deadline for announcement.
Gotta report this though, CLG is spot-on.
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 19, 2011 10:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
NHL.com now has a very mini-story on the report. If they have it featured, then there’s a 99% chance that it’s true: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=563305&navid=mod-rr-headlines
- Go Panthers -
I’m bummed for hockey fans in Atlanta. I’m also going to be bummed at all the smug Canadians who consider this a victory for “their” sport (or really a victory of any kind).
Will the league allow them to be called the Jets? And with the ’Peg filled, where will Phoenix move?
Naming the team is another whole issue; Word has it the prospective ownership wants “Moose” (to build on the AHL brand), but really no reason they can’t secure use of the “Jets” name with a little legal work.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
With the lack of an actual suitor in Atlanta beyond 1 speculative one this is probably going to happen. The question is when? The Winnipeg Jet Moose may have a lame duck season in Atlanta before moving, depending if the approvals, scheduling, etc can all be accomplished in a timely manner. And they are right up against that deadline.
I feel terrible for the Atlanta fans, they are the victims of a bad ownership group that was too focused on suing each other and failing to market the team to the community in an effective manner.
A proud Panthers season ticket holder since 1994 and Lightning ticket holder since 2011! Go Florida Hockey!
An incredibly bad decade of ownership. They did nothing right.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Tough sell
This whole conversation reminds me of when I lived in Los Angeles from 1972-75 (now reside in Ottawa) and I could play pickup hockey just about every night in different arenas with all of the transplanted Canadians. The LA Kings games were very well attended by all of us transplanted Canadians. And on the evening of a playoff game, without a TV it was impossible to find out the score of a Kings game.
I guess there just aren’t enough transplanted Canadians in Atlanta and Phoenix to fill the arenas. Trying to sell hockey far south of the border is not an easy thing. And I love hearing of the success stories when hockey really takes off in a southern city in the US.
Unfortunately for Thrashers fans, they were never given a decent product to support.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 20, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
If Tampa can do it
So can Florida.
by Alexander Calloway on May 20, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Amen.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m new here and I thought I’d chip in with something concerning which team moves to the east. According to someone on a fan site who has “inside information”, " The NHL prefers to move Nashville into the SE, not because of travel, but because there is speculation that in the next 2-3 yrs the panthers are most likely going to move, which would again force the NHL to realign the division,"So if the Preds move east you know the reason.:-)
If the NHL attempts to relocate Phoenix even after this, I wouldn’t count on more movement. If the Yotes went to Quebec City, where else is there to relocate to? Seattle? Houston? I doubt it. Anywhere else, even in Canada will not be able to support a team any better than Miami could. The NHL would be foolish to try and move this team.
Not calling you out or anything, but I would be skeptical of anyone from the ‘inside’ saying any team could move, especially 2-3 years down the road. Seems too much like a conspiracy…
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 20, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Kansas City has an new arena waiting for a tenant.
by MrOmnipotent on May 21, 2011 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Supposedly Quebec does too.
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 21, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Not yet built; they are working on getting public financing (which is iffy).
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
KC building is owned by Anschutz Entertainment, who owns a number of hockey teams worldwide – including the LA Kings.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Once Seattle gets its NBA team back
They’ll go for a NHL team.
by Alexander Calloway on May 21, 2011 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d be extraordinarily wary of such a claim. Ownership is solid in Sunrise.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt the nhl would want to loose the tv market in Atlanta as well. Especially after the NBC deal this past year.
by siddious on May 20, 2011 11:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Regardless of the market, TV-wise, the league can’t force ownership into losing tens of millions of dollars every year, especially when a buyer is in place and a (ridiculous) relocation fee is being dangled like a carrot.
If the club goes belly-up the NHL still loses the market. They have the option of buying in – ala the ’Yotes – but have chosen not to go that route.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Let NBC buy the club.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
This is the second NHL team in Atlanta
I think the NHL is willing to cut its losses.
by Alexander Calloway on May 21, 2011 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Remains a BIG market for the TV folks. Can’t be discounted, but NHL is willing to throw in the towel – again.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 21, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
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