Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg

[Brian in Mesa]

Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg

An agreement to sell the National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers to a Winnipeg group which plans to relocate the franchise to the Manitoba capital is done.

Sources confirmed tonight that preparations are being made for an announcement Tuesday, confirming the sale and transfer of the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns and operates the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and the MTS Centre arena, which would become the NHL team’s new home.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Ugh...not so fast according to Bettman... http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-thrashersfuture

 

[Jersey Girl]

That would have been good news for the Coyotes.

I like the Thrashers in Atlanta. Been to that stadium. Great time.

Part of me wants Winnipeg to never get another franchise. :hater:

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Why does the wind blow east in Saskatoon?

Because it sucks in Winnipeg!

 

[puckhead]

Why does the wind blow east in Saskatoon?

Because it sucks in Winnipeg!

How have I never heard that one?

 

[puckhead]

I do feel terrible for the fans in Atlanta. I hope the Yotes can make the most out of this small reprieve.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I do feel terrible for the fans in Atlanta. I hope the Yotes can make the most out of this small reprieve.

Yup.

Sad to see Atlanta lose the Thrashers. Great venue, city and fans. Love the Thrashers.

Still, better them than the Yotes. Sorry, Thrashers.

 

[NJCardFan]

I do feel terrible for the fans in Atlanta.

That's the problem. What fans. There are no fans for any sport in Atlanta. The Braves can't sell out playoff games there let alone support a hockey franchise.

 

[chickenhead]

There but for the grace of Jobbing.com Arena go the Coyotes. There is no reason to think that Bettman was less committed to the expansion market in Atlanta than the relocation market in Phoenix. This is only momentary good new for teams in trouble, because now the band-aid is off in terms of Sun Belt teams moving. And I'm not even thinking of Quebec City, because their arena isn't built. KC's Sprint Center is larger and newer than the MTS Centre. Houston's Toyota Center, where the Aeros play, is as well. Even Hamilton's Copps Coliseum is bigger than the MTS Centre, and I would think a new arena there is something that could get done.

If the Coyotes get new ownership in place and attendance picks up, then destiny is in their hands. Based on the speed with which Atlanta happened--and the "tentative" tenor of Winnipeg's new era--I do sort of worry that we're entering an era of quick moves and teams in holding patterns.