Lots of reports Atl -> Wpg is a done deal

[pixburgher66]

Apparently he just arrived (I should've just went to twitter sooner, best source for up to date info). Starting at 1215ET

 

[pixburgher66]

What The Atlanta Thrashers Could Have Been | Blog Archive | Houses of the Hockey | Blogs | TheScore.com

Great read.

 

[pixburgher66]

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/h2idzmrj Shared by IllegalCurve

I think they're a little excited! This is awesome, seriously just awesome.

 

[pixburgher66]

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/h2idzmrj Shared by IllegalCurve

I think they're a little excited! This is awesome, seriously just awesome.

 

[pixburgher66]

Yep, basically agreed upon that they'll be playing one year in the Southeast division (wow that's rough). I still think Columbus is the team that moves. Just don't know which division it'd be. Do you think they'll totally realign?

 

[pixburgher66]

Bettman is very depressed. Such a sullen tone to his speech.

 

[puckhead]

lol.... Bettman's not used to getting applause

the rat takes a shot at Balsilie in his opening remarks.
"Mark has been working with us for several years - quietly, and obviously very effectively"

 

[BlueandWhiteForever]

Bettman really looks thrilled doesn't he LOL

 

[dash]

Bettman is very depressed. Such a sullen tone to his speech.

Great to be professional, Gary (day before the Stanley Cup finals are about to begin as well).

Sure glad he got a five year extension...

 

[pixburgher66]

Thrashers still selling season tickets 1 hour before Winnipeg event - Puck Daddy - NHLBlog - Yahoo! Sports

Like he said, just an example of how poorly run the Thrashers were.

 

[elocomotive]

Yep, basically agreed upon that they'll be playing one year in the Southeast division (wow that's rough). I still think Columbus is the team that moves. Just don't know which division it'd be. Do you think they'll totally realign?

I think if Winnipeg does play in the Southeast Division for a year (which seems to be the going theory), it is indicative of some larger design to institute significant or major realignment.

Otherwise, why wouldn't the NHL just exchange two teams (like Winnipeg and Columbus) to cut down on travel costs/time for both the franchises involved. Or shift Winnipeg/Minnesota/Columbus to accomplish the same.

I think the odds of Phoenix moving in 2012 are pretty good and we'll see some sizable changes in the divisions - maybe even some major players changing conferences.

 

[elocomotive]

Thrashers still selling season tickets 1 hour before Winnipeg event - Puck Daddy - NHLBlog - Yahoo! Sports

Like he said, just an example of how poorly run the Thrashers were.

That's hilarious!

The best part of the convo...

THRASHERS: I'm sorry, what was the purpose of this call?

PD: To find out if you guys are selling season tickets to a team that's no longer there.

THRASHERS: Well, they haven't formally announced anything, and anyone who purchases season tickets will actually get a full refund, so there's no risk to purchasing season tickets.

PD: Besides putting down a deposit for a team that no longer exists, I can see no risk in this investment.

 

[dash]

Like he said, just an example of how poorly run the Thrashers were.

You can only use the bad ownership excuse so many times, though. This is the second time a team has failed in Atlanta. The problem isn't that they don't have diehard fans in Atlanta, they just don't have enough diehard fans along with casual fans interested in attending hockey games.

 

[pixburgher66]

I made the mistake of going to the Thrashers forum on their site (definitely just called them trashers on the presser...woooow), and read a post from a mother who had to console her 5 year old son as he cried for hours. Now I'm sad.

 

[elocomotive]

Does anyone know - is Winnipeg's NBA mascot in attendance at the press event?

 

[puckhead]

Home | Drive to 13,000

get 'em while they're hot!

 

[jstewismybastardson]

just like i figured 13000 season tickets (and equivalents) is the benchmark for Board of director approval

 

[pixburgher66]

Toews on NHL players needing to give Winnipeg a chance: ``People will get to know what a great hockey town this is. Everyone wants to talk about the cold weather and that it’s not easy to live here with the winter and stuff like that. But a lot of guys don’t realize the atmosphere for hockey and treatment players will get here beats a lot of the best cities in the NHL. In the next couple of years I think players will be privileged to play in this city.

 

[pixburgher66]

Toews on NHL players needing to give Winnipeg a chance: ``People will get to know what a great hockey town this is. Everyone wants to talk about the cold weather and that it’s not easy to live here with the winter and stuff like that. But a lot of guys don’t realize the atmosphere for hockey and treatment players will get here beats a lot of the best cities in the NHL. In the next couple of years I think players will be privileged to play in this city.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

$39 to $129 dollar tickets
reasonable

3 year committment required
steep