NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

[moose97]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

The absurdity in this is how much the NHL is bending itself backwards to save Phoenix and in Atlanta's case it was pretty much, "Huh, go ahead." That may be because ASG is supposedly planning to only sell the Thrashers and hold onto the Hawks and the arena and after the last few years, who the hell wants to deal with them to keep arena access?

The truth, though, is that the two situations are no where near the same. Here's what I mean:

Consider the 'Yotes. They declared bankruptcy, were bought by the NHL and had several potential buyers (and are now down to one) who want to keep the team in Phoenix. Also, in the interim, the COG is willing to cover the operating losses (to the tune of $50 million so far).

Now, how is that different from Atlanta? the Atlanta Spirit still own the Thrashers, but have stated that they have zero interest in owning the team next year (if fact, the quote was that that they hadn't even considered that as an option). No potential owner (local or otherwise) has emerged who has any interest in keeping the team in Atlanta. And finally, the city of Atlanta has no interest in subsidizing the team losses going forward.

Honestly, there are two choices for the NHL re: Atlanta - sell to TNSE and move them to Winnipeg, or contract.

 

[Kepler]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Honestly, there are two choices for the NHL re: Atlanta - sell to TNSE and move them to Winnipeg, or contract.

I'm a little surprised there wasn't a bidding war for the team. Aren't there groups in Vegas and Western Ontario still looking for teams?

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

I'm a little surprised there wasn't a bidding war for the team. Aren't there groups in Vegas and Western Ontario still looking for teams?

Thunder Bay Thrashers has a nice ring to it...

 

[moose97]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

I'm a little surprised there wasn't a bidding war for the team. Aren't there groups in Vegas and Western Ontario still looking for teams?

Yes, but again, there are serious issues there too. This is all about timing. Literally the only viable option for 2011-'12 is Winnipeg:

Las Vegas - there is a prospective owner, but no arena. One is in the plans, but it's not even off the ground, in terms of financing.

Hamilton, Ontario - Jim Balsille has tried to purchase the Pens, Preds and 'Yotes and move each to Hamilton. At this point, he is likely been blackballed by the NHL with his season-ticket drive prior to approval scheme. There also is no current NHL-ready arena (no suites) in the area.

Kansas City - has the rink (and maybe one of the nicest in the country), but no prospective owner. At least none that has stepped up since the Pens potential move.

Quebec City - Has a plan in place, but it won't be done until 2015, and that's if the government can all agree to the funding. There also has not been a potential owner identified yet.

 

[J.D.]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

So who comes east? Seems like it would be between Detroit, Columbus and Nashville. If the league wanted to avoid sending either the Devils or Islanders to the Southeast Division, Nashville would make the most sense.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

So who comes east? Seems like it would be between Detroit, Columbus and Nashville. If the league wanted to avoid sending either the Devils or Islanders to the Southeast Division, Nashville would make the most sense.

Columbus to the Smythe, Colorado to the Patrick, and Dallas to the Norris.

 

[Biddco]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

The truth, though, is that the two situations are no where near the same. Here's what I mean:

Consider the 'Yotes. They declared bankruptcy, were bought by the NHL and had several potential buyers (and are now down to one) who want to keep the team in Phoenix. Also, in the interim, the COG is willing to cover the operating losses (to the tune of $50 million so far).

Now, how is that different from Atlanta? the Atlanta Spirit still own the Thrashers, but have stated that they have zero interest in owning the team next year (if fact, the quote was that that they hadn't even considered that as an option). No potential owner (local or otherwise) has emerged who has any interest in keeping the team in Atlanta. And finally, the city of Atlanta has no interest in subsidizing the team losses going forward.

Honestly, there are two choices for the NHL re: Atlanta - sell to TNSE and move them to Winnipeg, or contract.

Atlanta has quietly been in trouble for years it would seem. Their troubles have been overshadowed and seemingly under reported.

 

[moose97]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Atlanta has quietly been in trouble for years it would seem. Their troubles have been overshadowed and seemingly under reported.

Those that follow these sorts of things know that the Atlanta Spirit have been trying to rid themselves of the Thrashers since day 1 - a full 6 years ago.

I'll also note that they may go down as one of the worse ownership groups in history - of any sport. I can't wait to see what the select-a-seat night event tomorrow looks like with this relocation news hanging over the teams head... To go through with that, knowing full well that the team won't be around is unconscionable.

 

[aparch]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Atlanta has quietly been in trouble for years it would seem. Their troubles have been overshadowed and seemingly under reported.

Yes and no. It has been in trouble for years, but it's been tied up with the court case for the buyout of one of the owners. One of the owners wanted out right after buying, and the rest of the owners wanted to buy his share. So the seller got an appraisal of the team, and approached the remaining ASG. ASG felt the appraisal was too high, and wanted their own appraisal.

And then years of litigation and court cases raged on.

The year before/of Kovy's trade they finally settled on an amount to buy out the partner.

The whole time the partners were arguing (and trying not to increase the value of the team), the team was safe from relocation talk because "the Atlanta Spirit Group couldn't even decide on lunch let alone a sale/relocation price."

Don Waddell has been caught by this. Sure he's had some rough draft years (lots), and sure he's assembled the best (worst) of what was available at the bottom of the free agency list for way more than they should have been paid... but he was also handcuffed by the inept ownership that controlled his checkbook.

I'll also note that they may go down as one of the worse ownership groups in history - of any sport. I can't wait to see what the select-a-seat night event tomorrow looks like with this relocation news hanging over the teams head... To go through with that, knowing full well that the team won't be around is unconscionable.

You and I know full well that this ownership group is going to plow ahead with the select-a-seat like nothing is wrong. That's been how this ownership group rolls.

 

[moose97]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articl...-complete-decision-on-announcement-looms.html

Yet another national news source saying the deal is done. Being greedy, I'd love to see an announcement tomorrow as a great birthday present for myself...

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Are they going to give into Don Cherry's request and put the large picture of QE2 up?

 

[Kepler]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Are they going to give into Don Cherry's request and put the large picture of QE2 up?

Screw Don Cherry, but that is a must, in my book.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Screw Don Cherry, but that is a must, in my book.

Obviously I didn't see too much of the Winnipeg Jets growing up as my local HNIC/LSDH provider usually showed either Montreal or Quebec (and Vancouver for the late game but I was usually already in bed), but once I heard about that, I thought it was a nice tribute to Canada's history. I do agree that they should put it back up.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

An appropriate song for the Thrashers.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zzVdEyHicz8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[3W]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Obviously I didn't see too much of the Winnipeg Jets growing up as my local HNIC/LSDH provider usually showed either Montreal or Quebec (and Vancouver for the late game but I was usually already in bed), but once I heard about that, I thought it was a nice tribute to Canada's history. I do agree that they should put it back up.

What doesn't make sense to me is, was the Queen not good enough for the AHL? Couldn't they have commissioned a 8x11 photo of Prince Charles or something?

 

[moose97]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

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[bronconick]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Press conference today at 1pm Winnipeg time (whatever that is in real time zones)

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Press conference today at 1pm Winnipeg time (whatever that is in real time zones)

This had better be "the" press conference. Enough is enough. At this point, just let me know when it's official.

 

[aparch]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Press conference today at 1pm Winnipeg time (whatever that is in real time zones)

That's different from what TSN's Bob Mackenzie tweeted.

He said 11am Central, WPG time.


Seems the fans want Jets (which I don't know why, that's reliving the WHL days since their NHL days sucked), and the ownership wants Moose (of which they've spent so much time and effort in branding and marketing).

I would like to see the Moose "called up" to the NHL. The angry moose logo kicks a** and the green and copper jerseys look fantastic.

 

[Kepler]

Re: NHL hockey returns to the 'Peg! Maybe?

Seems the fans want Jets (which I don't know why, that's reliving the WHL days since their NHL days sucked)

The "why" is tradition, but it's inevitable this will go down according to ownership's (cough short-sighted) whims like the Natinals (the fans wanted Senators 3.0). The Moose name is way too cutesy, though the colors at least are nice.

I guess the N decided having the story hanging was more of a distraction than they wanted, so they'd get it out of the way before the Cup finals started.

Anyway, a bigger NHL presence in Canada is a true win.