mad dingo 6 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 http://sports.yahoo....rashers-7003048 So it looks like today might be the day, so long Atlanta :flush: I will be there for the party. Rain or Shine. Got a pack of joints and a backpack full of beer! 1 wings1110 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OzWing19 24 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Press conference in Winnipeg at 12pm ET. It's official. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NvrFrgtRussian5 85 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 rumors are flying. NHL brass has been spotted on flights, 11am CST 12pm EST announcement will be officially made. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hatethedrake! Report post Posted May 31, 2011 rumors are flying. NHL brass has been spotted on flights, 11am CST 12pm EST announcement will be officially made. I think Bill Daly's head could be spotted from Pluto. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
acidroach420 25 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 espn article But the NHL will not realign its divisions for the 2011-12 season, meaning Winnipeg will play in the Southeast Division, a league source confirmed to LeBrun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Via Twitter May 16th TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzie I'm of opinion that IF realignment is required, DET won't move to East, at least not in short term, maybe ever. West teams like DET in West. Just sayin' I see it coming. They will take Nashville and move them into Atlanta's spot in the southeast then move Minny into the Central and Winnipeg into the Northwest. Geographically this makes the most sense. What I would like to see is: Edmonton-Calgary-Colorado-Vancouver- Winnipeg Minny-St. Louis-Columbus-Nashville-Chicago Islanders-Rangers-Jersey-Boston-Philly Detroit-Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal-Buffalo Pittsburgh-Washington-Carolina-Tampa-Florida This makes sense geographically (except maybe Pittsburgh) but requires to many teams to move. espn article It says that they won't realign THIS YEAR. And that is because the schedule is almost complete and they would rather have Winnipeg travel 1,000,000 miles next season than have a bunch of schedulers have to start over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 True North just officially announced the purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers, pending approval from the Board of Governors next month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Bettman: "This isn't going to work very well unless this place is sold out EVERY night." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cevari 68 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 R.I.P. Atlanta Thrashers. Not surprised, a bit sad because Atlanta would've been a great market to get a hold on. Mainly happy for Winnipeg though, can't imagine how happy the fans there are. Especially considering they had a team and lost it before. 1 evilmrt reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Has anything heard any discussions on the MTS centre? I have heard great things about it in terms of being busy, hosting concerts, etc. However, I thin it only seats just above 15,000 for hockey...that doesn't sound like enough to suppport an NHL team, wondering if there have been any comments on that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 In the 7 years I lived in the Atlanta area, I only went to a handful of Thrashers games, and none of them were completely sold out. I feel bad for the fans who enjoyed going and developed a relationship with the team and its players, but this is another example of why there are just some places hockey will never, never work. The South on the whole, is more into NASCAR and collegiate sports. Transplanted Northerners (like my family) will get into it because they're coming from areas where hockey exists and is strong, but it's next to impossible to make it really, really work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R-Dizzle 119 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Bettman didn't look too thrilled. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Well, not many details released...looks like much depends on the Governors meeting on June 21st, although the NHL Draft is in 3 weeks...I'm not sure how a nameless/logoless team can draft players? Would they still be operating as the Atlanta Trashers or Winnipeg Thrashers or what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 I see it coming. They will take Nashville and move them into Atlanta's spot in the southeast then move Minny into the Central and Winnipeg into the Northwest. Geographically this makes the most sense. What I would like to see is: That's exactly how I see it going down. Figure Gary will keep the 2 teams asking to move east the most (i.e. Detroit & Columbus) out west instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 I would also add an editorial comment here: If Winnipeg can sell 13,000 season tickets (average price 3rd highest in the NHL) with a 3-5 yr commitment, make tidy profits and be successful under the post-lockout economics....we're going to see a march northward for teams like Phoenix and Florida. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings1110 184 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Well, not many details released...looks like much depends on the Governors meeting on June 21st, although the NHL Draft is in 3 weeks...I'm not sure how a nameless/logoless team can draft players? Would they still be operating as the Atlanta Trashers or Winnipeg Thrashers or what? Ive seen in multiple sources they will pick up their AHL teams name and logo, so i think that will be it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Well, not many details released...looks like much depends on the Governors meeting on June 21st, although the NHL Draft is in 3 weeks...I'm not sure how a nameless/logoless team can draft players? Would they still be operating as the Atlanta Trashers or Winnipeg Thrashers or what? Not sure there is an issue here, they'll turn their attention immediately to naming the team now that they have worked through the acquisition. The team will be named in relatively short order and the governors meeting to approve happens before the draft, so that's a non-issue. Ive seen in multiple sources they will pick up their AHL teams name and logo, so i think that will be it. I've "heard" that through various sources as well, but I honestly don't think they have spent time on determining a name and I doubt it will end up being the Manitoba Moose. I really think it will be the Winnipeg....something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Not sure if this is posted already but I thought this was kinda funny.. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Thrashers-still-selling-season-tickets-1-hour-be?urn=nhl-wp6063 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Ive seen in multiple sources they will pick up their AHL teams name and logo, so i think that will be it. Bettman said they wouldn't stand in the way of the team using "Jets". NHL owns the rights to the name at they will make it available to them. . . Not that they'll have any issue selling tickets, but it would be pretty cool if their first UFA signing July 1 was Teemu Selanne for a one year deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings_Dynasty 267 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 1 failed experiment down, 2 to go. I'm looking at you Nashville and Phoenix. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WorkingOvertime 536 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 1 failed experiment down, 2 to go. I'm looking at you Nashville and Phoenix. Nashville? I'm happy for the Winnipeg fans, and sad for the Atlanta fans (although Winnipeg has many more). Regardless of the situation, I can imagine how the Atlanta fans feel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P. Marlowe 748 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 1 failed experiment down, 2 to go. I'm looking at you Nashville and Phoenix. At least they have good teams that compete for playoff spots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 1 failed experiment down, 2 to go. I'm looking at you Nashville and Phoenix. I would throw Miami on there before Nashville actually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grwingfan 21 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 1 failed experiment down, 2 to go. I'm looking at you Nashville and Phoenix. Nashville? If you said Phoenix and Miami I would be with you but Nashville?!?!?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted May 31, 2011 Seriously though folks, we need to start working as hard as the Jets fans did to get their team back in order to get us to go East! Join the movement to get Detroit in the Eastern Conference and look at what our community can do to influence the league! 1 evilmrt reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites