Thrashers Dealt to Winnipeg

[NeverSurrender]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/h ... le2029179/

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.

[Anne_Thrax]

The NHL is denying it. There are so many rumors flying around right now. Fucken a. Things are bad here.

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

Worst sports city in America.

[WOLF]

The NHL is denying it. There are so many rumors flying around right now. Fucken a. Things are bad here.

The NHL is pissed that word got out early, but I'm sure the report is accurate.

Stephen Brunt is an award winning journalist and author, the Globe and Mail is a reputable publication, and the Globe's owner/publisher actually owns a minority interest in True North - the group buying the Thrashers. The info likely came from someone with intimate knowledge of the negotiations.

Looks like the Jets/Moose are NHL bound next year. Though, I have a feeling the team might be named the Winnipeg Falcons, a nod to the team from the 20's who represented Canada at the Olympics.

Now we just need to get rid of: Florida, Phoenix, and maybe Carolina and Columbus.

[Anne_Thrax]

They are still denying it as of this morning. But I was doing my laundry last night and my "believe in blueland" tshirt popped out of the dryer. I want to kill somebody.

[Royal Dudeness]

They are still denying it as of this morning. But I was doing my laundry last night and my "believe in blueland" tshirt popped out of the dryer. I want to kill somebody.

I feel bad for you because you are a legitimate fan, but in all honesty, the NHL had no business ever being in Atlanta. As someone mentioned above, it's a lousy sports town.

Hockey belongs in places where people are rabid for it. Winnipeg and Quebec City SHOULD have teams unlike Atlanta and those other teams mentioned above. Hell, Toronto should get another team.

Bettman is a scumbag who has zero vision for this sport other than to destroy it. I feel sorry for Anne, but this is a great day for hockey. And they will not be called the Jets, they aren't allowed to. Falcons sounds fine by me. There's not much you can call a Winnipeg team though really. I've been there a couple times, and my god, what a shithole. But even though it's a dump, they love their hockey and that's all that matters. Now the problem will be, who will want to play there?

[NeverSurrender]

I disagree about Carolina. The fans were lame at first but have come around. I still miss the Whalers jersey though.

[Tenacious_Dio]

I disagree about Carolina. The fans were lame at first but have come around. I still miss the Whalers jersey though.

Yeah, they've developed a pretty solid fanbase. Winning the Cup helps.

Question for you. What's keeping the Islanders in NY? Besides history, that is.

[ralphwiggumsdealer]

What's keeping the Islanders in NY? Besides history, that is.

Bettman's well-justified fear of receiving page after page of yellow-fonted rants from the Metal Chick

[Anne_Thrax]

I'm still relying on my source for up to date breaking news:

http://www.didthethrashersmovetowinnipegyet.com/


And the difference about the Islanders is , people actually GO to those games. Even though they suck, they will sometimes pull a random win out of their ass. I've always liked that team because of that.

[Tenacious_Dio]

And the difference about the Islanders is , people actually GO to those games.

They finished dead last in attendance.

[WOLF]

The difference with the Islanders is that they have a history/winning tradition AND there is a base of loyal hockey fans there. The biggest issue on the Island is the worst arena in North America. Nobody wants to go to that shithole; the players don't want to play in the shithole. If you build a new facility - which I hear is now a distinct possibility - people will come back, free agents may want to sign with the Isles, and things can be built back up again. The Isles already have a decent young nucleas.

[Anne_Thrax]

.The Isles already have a decent young nucleas.

What they don't have is a knowledge of nuclear physics. You may have just confused all the islanders fans lol.

[NeverSurrender]

And the difference about the Islanders is , people actually GO to those games.

They finished dead last in attendance.

This stat is a little misleading.

First of all the I believe the Coli holds the least amount of fans or close to it.

Second, the attendence was actually pretty good after Christmas, but horrible the first couple months because they raised ticket price and the team was putrid until December 15th.

They also sold out a lot of their games after the killing of the Penguins, and sold out their last few games even though they were missing any starter that had the tiniest injury and was shelved until next year.

Stats don't always tell the whole story.

[Kid-Wicked]

actually then CAN be called the jets.

the n.h.l owns the rights on everything.

[Tymaster]

Now we just need to get rid of: Florida, Phoenix, and maybe Carolina and Columbus.

Columbus needs the Blue Jackets. The entire downtown economy is based around them. During the strike season many retaurants either closed up shop or came damn close.

[NeverSurrender]

Now we just need to get rid of: Florida, Phoenix, and maybe Carolina and Columbus.

Columbus needs the Blue Jackets. The entire downtown economy is based around them. During the strike season many retaurants either closed up shop or came damn close.

The world does not need the Blue Jackets.

[Anne_Thrax]

Now we just need to get rid of: Florida, Phoenix, and maybe Carolina and Columbus.

Columbus needs the Blue Jackets. The entire downtown economy is based around them. During the strike season many retaurants either closed up shop or came damn close.

The world does not need the Blue Jackets.

He has a point.

[Tymaster]

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sp ... ml?sid=101

Over the years, the public conversation about the Blue Jackets has gradually changed.

In the old days, which in the team's 11-year history might be defined as six or seven years ago, the dialogue between Average Joe and Average Bob would go something like this:

Joe: "So how are the Blue Jackets drawing, anyway? Do they ever have good crowds?"

Bob: "Yeah, they always do. They average about 15,000 or 16,000 a game and a lot of the weekend games are sold out."

Joe: "No kidding. I didn't think they would make it five years here. You don't think they can keep that up after the newness wears off, do you?"

Bob: "Actually, I think if they ever have a good team, they will sell out every night."

That hasn't happened, and now that the Blue Jackets are no longer a mysterious entity that somehow seemed to slip into town when the scarlet and gray behemoth on the north side wasn't looking, the dialogue starts in a different place.

It's "Do you think the Blue Jackets will move?" followed by a confident but flimsy "No, but "

In light of that, it intrigued me that the sports story that received the most hits on Dispatch.com on Monday was about the "Blue Jackets bailout" and how two years after team officials floated the idea of a public purchase of Nationwide Arena to help the team stem its annual financial losses nothing much is happening. Key city and county officials haven't even met to discuss the topic since October.

There were only 26 reader comments on the end of the story and most of those either called the Jackets "a failed franchise" or were vehemently opposed to a public bailout of any kind. Neither is surprising given the team's won-loss record and the government's recent budget woes, although the caustic let-'em-go tone of some of the responses was disheartening.

You shouldn't have to be a hockey fan to see what the Blue Jackets have done for the city, and it has nothing to do with winning and losing. Regardless of how you feel about some kind of taxpayer-funded bailout or who might profit financially from that - another obvious sore point to some critics - that seems like a given. It bothers me that some people still seem to be wearing their vote against the arena when it was on the ballot as a badge of honor, as if they still have no concept what the franchise has done for the community. They got an arena that was privately financed - good for them - but they apparently don't want to admit they have benefited from it.

This is a city that for years was major league in size and potential and minor league in its image and its psyche. It was the largest city in the nation without a team in one of the major professional leagues, and the economic development people can tell you why that matters: When a company is thinking about relocating to the community, the availability of pro sports is one of the questions that is often asked about.

The frustration with the Blue Jackets' losing is understandable. There's no question the franchise would be more successful financially if the team were competing for the Stanley Cup every year. And I understand a financially strapped taxpayer's frustration for what he might see as more breaks for the rich and powerful. But whatever the ultimate solution to this - and I admit that I don't have one - it's also important to step back and look at the larger picture.

There wasn't much other than an abandoned prison in that run-down area where the Arena District sprouted. Now it's a destination for both locals and tourists, and having a major tenant in the arena is an important component in making sure it stays that way.

This is an issue that deserves serious consideration from serious people who are hell-bent on solving it.

It isn't just a story about hockey. It never has been.

Bob Hunter is a sports columnist for The Dispatch.

[NeverSurrender]

Ironic the dispatch is always dogging the Islanders in their power rankings, and now they are falling apart. Nothing on you Ty, but I think I've met a fan of every team in the NHL except a Jackets fan.

[WOLF]

Announced today that the Manitoba Moose AHL team is being moved to St John's, Newfoundland effective next season. I wonder why?

[Garbageman]

Wonder how that Atlanta rally went today. They said you'd be able to pick your seat for next season.

Regarding the Islanders, the new arena in Brooklyn the current Nets (possibly to be rebranded) are building may woo themin . Brooklyn is technically Long Island. At not, the least it will get them some kind of upgrading at Nassau.

[NeverSurrender]

Wonder how that Atlanta rally went today. They said you'd be able to pick your seat for next season.

Regarding the Islanders, the new arena in Brooklyn the current Nets (possibly to be rebranded) are building may woo themin . Brooklyn is technically Long Island. At not, the least it will get them some kind of upgrading at Nassau.

They are voting August 1st on a new rink with a minor league ballpark and a Casino. The coli doesn't seem to be 'upgradeble.'

http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JS ... =1.2868710

[Gibsonite]

Announced today that the Manitoba Moose AHL team is being moved to St John's, Newfoundland effective next season. I wonder why?

I heard that former premier Danny Williams is behind this and that he has an option to buy the team outright after one year.Shouldn't be a problem since he's worth a few hundred million or so..

I hope this works out better than the last team..Being a Leafs fan myself,it was very disappointing to see how they dicked us around and took the loyal St. John's fans for granted by putting shit teams on the ice for a season or two too long before people lost interest and they skipped town.The first few years were awesome though when we had one of the best teams in the AHL and old Memorial Stadium was sold out every night.Those were the days..

[Woland]

They are still denying it as of this morning. But I was doing my laundry last night and my "believe in blueland" tshirt popped out of the dryer. I want to kill somebody.

I feel bad for you because you are a legitimate fan, but in all honesty, the NHL had no business ever being in Atlanta. As someone mentioned above, it's a lousy sports town.

Hockey belongs in places where people are rabid for it. Winnipeg and Quebec City SHOULD have teams unlike Atlanta and those other teams mentioned above. Hell, Toronto should get another team.

Bettman is a scumbag who has zero vision for this sport other than to destroy it. I feel sorry for Anne, but this is a great day for hockey. And they will not be called the Jets, they aren't allowed to. Falcons sounds fine by me. There's not much you can call a Winnipeg team though really. I've been there a couple times, and my god, what a shithole. But even though it's a dump, they love their hockey and that's all that matters. Now the problem will be, who will want to play there?

if hockey can work in LA, San Jose, Anaheim, Dallas... etc., it can work almost anywhere.

the Canadiens weren't filling out the Bell Centre when the Habs were sucking it up in the late 90s/early 2000s.

it's all about winning. Atlanta is a top 15 market in the US. win games and you get fans.

they made the playoffs once.

[Tenacious_Dio]

Regarding the Islanders, the new arena in Brooklyn the current Nets (possibly to be rebranded) are building may woo themin . Brooklyn is technically Long Island.

Technically, yes. But that's not where their fanbase is.

And why do the Nets have to be rebranded? I went to New York Nets games at the Coliseum when Dr. J was still playing for them.

[Tymaster]

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/ed ... ml?sid=101

Team’s value goes beyond wins, losses
Monday, May 23, 2011 03:08 AM


Recently, there has been much media commentary about our Columbus Blue Jackets’ win-loss record and the related slipping attendance contributing to a growing annual financial loss.

Let's step back from the perspective of sports commentary and discuss the nonhockey merits of our team and what they mean to central Ohio. As chairman of the Columbus Chamber board of directors, I am proud of the well-funded public-private effort that is under way to bring more jobs to our region. If we were to lose our major-league professional hockey team, we would lose the engine that drives one of the most vibrant areas in any city in Ohio — the Arena District.

Our image would be tarnished as we work to more effectively compete with other cities to attract new businesses.We need to think about what the Blue Jackets organization contributes to our community — beyond entertainment.

It spawns jobs and spending in our city. It is a class act, from ownership, to the business management team, to the coaches, to the players.

The players: Show me any other sport or team that gives as much of their personal time and money to those in need in our community as the Blue Jackets players do. The Blue Jackets Foundation alone, supported by player participation, has raised millions for local charities.

Regardless of wins and losses on the ice, this team is a winner off the ice. As we continue to engage in endless rhetoric, I am very disappointed to have heard more than one local elected official say: “We don't want to lose the Blue Jackets.”

I strongly suggest that this community cannot lose the Blue Jackets. It’s time for talk to be replaced by action.

Let's fix the arena-financing issue. Let's continue to support the Jackets. If we do, this team will be a winner on and off the ice. Most importantly, central Ohio will be the biggest winner.

JACK PARTRIDGE

Columbus

[Tommy]

Wonder how that Atlanta rally went today. They said you'd be able to pick your seat for next season.

Regarding the Islanders, the new arena in Brooklyn the current Nets (possibly to be rebranded) are building may woo themin . Brooklyn is technically Long Island. At not, the least it will get them some kind of upgrading at Nassau.

New arena isn't fitted for a hockey rink. I shit you not.

[Tommy]

They are still denying it as of this morning. But I was doing my laundry last night and my "believe in blueland" tshirt popped out of the dryer. I want to kill somebody.

I feel bad for you because you are a legitimate fan, but in all honesty, the NHL had no business ever being in Atlanta. As someone mentioned above, it's a lousy sports town.

Hockey belongs in places where people are rabid for it. Winnipeg and Quebec City SHOULD have teams unlike Atlanta and those other teams mentioned above. Hell, Toronto should get another team.

Bettman is a scumbag who has zero vision for this sport other than to destroy it. I feel sorry for Anne, but this is a great day for hockey. And they will not be called the Jets, they aren't allowed to. Falcons sounds fine by me. There's not much you can call a Winnipeg team though really. I've been there a couple times, and my god, what a shithole. But even though it's a dump, they love their hockey and that's all that matters. Now the problem will be, who will want to play there?

if hockey can work in LA, San Jose, Anaheim, Dallas... etc., it can work almost anywhere.

the Canadiens weren't filling out the Bell Centre when the Habs were sucking it up in the late 90s/early 2000s.

it's all about winning. Atlanta is a top 15 market in the US. win games and you get fans.

they made the playoffs once.

Atlanta just might be the worst pro sports town in the United States. Miami tries hard to win this distinction though.

[Garbageman]

Regarding the Islanders, the new arena in Brooklyn the current Nets (possibly to be rebranded) are building may woo themin . Brooklyn is technically Long Island.

Technically, yes. But that's not where their fanbase is.

And why do the Nets have to be rebranded? I went to New York Nets games at the Coliseum when Dr. J was still playing for them.

It may not be where their fanbase lives, though it's accessible to most. If they aren't going to get the people out on LI to get them a new arena half as nice as the Barclays Center is purported to be, you can't blame them for moving there. Especially if a train station 10 yards away easily connects the arena to the LIRR.

And ask Nets ownership why they want to rebrand. The Nets are usually seen as classic... classic losers! A new look, new arena, and their new ownership that includes Jay-Z would make them more competitive with attracting players.

Regarding Columbus: that's another situation like Phoenix where the NHL team is the only major resident in a new building. Bettman seems willing to work with moving a franchise losing money as long as they aren't leaving an expensive building built especially for an NHL team dark. If there were NBA teams sharing those buildings like in Atlanta, it might be a different tale.