Will hockey ever come back to Atlanta?

[bravesfan]

I know Atlanta has lost two hockey teams in past but there is somewhat of a market in this town. Even during the 2008 recession the thrashers were still averaging over 13000 in attendance, and even before the recession they were averaging around 17000. I believe there is a genuine market that would welcome the NHL back to Atlanta.

 

[elocomotive]

I'd put the chances at slim to none. The trouble with Miami and Atlanta isn't that the arena doesn't sell tickets - people like events. The trouble is fewer people are watching on TV than are actually at the game.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Atlanta might get an MLS team ... so theres that lol

 

[dash]

It's November 1st, not April 1st right?

 

[bravesfan]

Well I guess that's settled

 

[jstewismybastardson]

It's November 1st, not April 1st right?

it would be pretty badass if they called the new Atlanta NHL team the flaming thrashers (... not the gay kind)

 

[bravesfan]

it would be pretty badass if they called the new Atlanta NHL team the flaming thrashers (... not the gay kind)

either that or the Flaming Jets

 

[DragonfromTO]

Not for a while. Even if there's expansion they've already had two shots at it, there will almost certainly be other cities that get a shot before they give Atlanta a 3rd.

 

[awaz]

Not for a while. Even if there's expansion they've already had two shots at it, there will almost certainly be other cities that get a shot before they give Atlanta a 3rd.

Keep in mind this is the nhl we're talking about though. You can pretty much throw logic out the window.

 

[juliansteed]

Probably not in our lifetimes. Maybe in 100+ years or so. We'll never know.

 

[forty_three]

Keep in mind this is the nhl we're talking about though. You can pretty much throw logic out the window.

Like how a team in Atlanta that averages better attendance moves without a fuss but the Yotes get a five year battle to stay put in an arena no one wants to drive to?


What's the youth hockey scene in Atlanta like? Unless USA Hockey is getting a lot of registration from an area, they aren't going to help much. Hockey needs to be more than just a spectator sport. They want to grow from participation.

 

[dash]

Like how a team in Atlanta that averages better attendance moves without a fuss but the Yotes get a five year battle to stay put in an arena no one wants to drive to?

The Thrashers would have likely stayed in Atlanta if either the owners at the time or Atlanta city council would have ponied up $25 million (like Glendale city council did).

 

[bravesfan]

Like how a team in Atlanta that averages better attendance moves without a fuss but the Yotes get a five year battle to stay put in an arena no one wants to drive to?


What's the youth hockey scene in Atlanta like? Unless USA Hockey is getting a lot of registration from an area, they aren't going to help much. Hockey needs to be more than just a spectator sport. They want to grow from participation.

The youth scene is similar to Tampa, Nashville, and Charlotte. Participation numbers have doubled over the past 10 years, I would expect it to continually grow at a similar rate for the next 10 years as well.

 

[blindbaby]

I'd put the chances at slim to none. The trouble with Miami and Atlanta isn't that the arena doesn't sell tickets - people like events. The trouble is fewer people are watching on TV than are actually at the game.

Grow up. This isn't Romper Room.

 

[forty_three]

The Thrashers would have likely stayed in Atlanta if either the owners at the time or Atlanta city council would have ponied up $25 million (like Glendale city council did).

Yeah, but Atlanta wasn't using the Thrashers as an anchor tenant in an ill-conceived real estate gamble either.

Glendale wasn't paying 25 schmill for the Coyotes. They were paying to keep their dream alive.



Their stupid, stupid dream.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Iirc before the thrashers left for winnipeg the ownership group partners were suing each other and were walking away from control of the team

The nhl did not want to be in control of another team and could not find a new local buyer and had so much "skin"vested in glendale that it brokered a quick deal with true north

So thrashers were more or less a victim of timing

 

[bravesfan]

Iirc before the thrashers left for winnipeg the ownership group partners were suing each other and were walking away from control of the team

The nhl did not want to be in control of another team and could not find a new local buyer and had so much "skin"vested in glendale that it brokered a quick deal with true north

So thrashers were more or less a victim of timing

That sums it up, same situation with the Atlanta Hawks

 

[forty_three]

The youth scene is similar to Tampa, Nashville, and Charlotte. Participation numbers have doubled over the past 10 years, I would expect it to continually grow at a similar rate for the next 10 years as well.

I just looked up the registration numbers as they were for 2012, and Georgia is roughly the same as Tennessee. Not bad. Nashville seems like a strong market. and roughly the same as Kansas which is often talked about for expansion.