Potential Atlanta NHL Expansion Team Thread

[nhlfan79]

Seems to me that Bardis knows it ain't happening, but what do I know?

His very public implosion over the past couple of weeks has been a sight to behold. It's like watching a car wreck in real time.

 

[dj4aces]

Seems to me that Bardis knows it ain't happening, but what do I know?

Perhaps? No real news could simply be causing a lack of confidence as well. Really, there could be any reason for it. The only people who know for sure are those anonymous individuals who may be looking for other options, whatever that means.

His very public implosion over the past couple of weeks has been a sight to behold. It's like watching a car wreck in real time.

I've apparently missed the meltdown... what's going on with Bardis?

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

I've apparently missed the meltdown... what's going on with Bardis?

I think he means that, rather suddenly, he wants to turn his rink (which was rumored to be a practice facility for Carter's potential team) into pickleball courts.

If this all leads to Carter's bid canceling, it's another example of this guy being all talk. I love his passion for the Atlanta hockey market, but over the past 15 years, this guy just can't put it together.

 

[dj4aces]

I think he means that, rather suddenly, he wants to turn his rink (which was rumored to be a practice facility for Carter's potential team) into pickleball courts.

If this all leads to Carter's bid canceling, it's another example of this guy being all talk. I love his passion for the Atlanta hockey market, but over the past 15 years, this guy just can't put it together.

I gotcha, that makes sense. I don't think it affects Carter's bid though. His press release last year detailed some big money behind his bid.

Sad to see The Cooler go, but the team would need a better and more modern facility anyway.

 

[covfefe]

Cool, then we agree calling Hamilton a "town" is nonsensical

Agreed. Warzone is much more appropriate.

 

[nhlfan79]

I've apparently missed the meltdown... what's going on with Bardis?

I was talking about his secretive plan to convert The Cooler to pickleball without giving anyone any prior notice, leaving the entire hockey-playing community in the lurch. I'm not a part of it, but I've been told that there is some out-of-control discussion thread on Facebook in which his son is making outrageous comments back at the people who are upset with the news, while the daughter is utterly tone deaf to the whole situation. Apparently, the wife is now out there saying she doesn't even like pickleball, which everyone has assumed is the impetus for all of this.

On top of all that, Bardis was totally unprepared when Channel 46 News showed up last week at the rink to do a story on the closure/conversion. To hear parents and the leadership of the Atlanta Fire youth hockey program tell it, they are claiming that he made false assertions when interviewed about him owning that program. I personally don't know the truth about that, but I can say that there are definitely two versions being told that are wholly irreconcilable.

 

[dj4aces]

On top of all that, Bardis was totally unprepared when Channel 46 News showed up last week at the rink to do a story on the closure/conversion. To hear parents and the leadership of the Atlanta Fire youth hockey program tell it, they are claiming that he made false assertions when interviewed about him owning that program. I personally don't know the truth about that, but I can say that there are definitely two versions being told that are wholly irreconcilable.

Now see, this is the trainwreck I was looking for. I read the story but didn't see the report, but it's a little funny to me to hear that he was unprepared for the media. I mean, he had to know his cunning plan would only get so far before someone phoned in with a tip.

I guess we'll find out soon exactly what happens next with the Fire, whether or not they actually follow through with turning The Cooler into The Pickleball Place No One Cares About, and the fate of the competing bids to bring the NHL back here.

 

[nhlfan79]

Owner of Alpharetta ice rink submits plans to turn rink into pickleball courts

The owner of The Cooler in Alpharetta has submitted plans to turn the ice rink into pickleball courts.

www.atlantanewsfirst.com

 

[aqib]

TL;DR:
* Pagnotta states that Forsyth officials "provided an update" on Krause's development, but doesn't exactly say what that update is.
* He further states that these plans for The Gathering sports and entertainment district are expected to be brought to the league "in the near future".
* Pagnotta believes Krause's group is "well ahead" of Carter's group, and some folks in Carter's group are "beginning to explore alternative options".

No matter how you slice it, it sounds like things are gonna get very interesting, very soon.

Is there a Plan B for the development if they don't get the team? Like when the Markham Ontario arena was scrapped they still did a big mixed use development on the site.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Is there a Plan B for the development if they don't get the team? Like when the Markham Ontario arena was scrapped they still did a big mixed use development on the site.

Not that I've heard. Krause seems so confident in the proposed site that it's already graded (I think...I haven't seen it). He does seemingly have the County's backing and winning votes which would be the largest location hurdles.

 

[dj4aces]

Is there a Plan B for the development if they don't get the team? Like when the Markham Ontario arena was scrapped they still did a big mixed use development on the site.

In 2023, I believe Krause and//or Forsyth County commissioners stated that a NHL franchise wasn't necessary to have the development. But I think we all know the whole point of having an entertainment district like this is to attract the NHL.

 

[aqib]

Not that I've heard. Krause seems so confident in the proposed site that it's already graded (I think...I haven't seen it). He does seemingly have the County's backing and winning votes which would be the largest location hurdles.

So would he build an entertainment district/mixed use development if there is no team?

In 2023, I believe Krause and//or Forsyth County commissioners stated that a NHL franchise wasn't necessary to have the development. But I think we all know the whole point of having an entertainment district like this is to attract the NHL.

Yeah but its not like investing in Atlanta area real estate isn't lucrative without an NHL team.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

So would he build an entertainment district/mixed use development if there is no team?


Yeah but its not like investing in Atlanta area real estate isn't lucrative without an NHL team.

As far as I know, future development (as owned by Krause) is contingent upon getting awarded an expansion franchise. All the renderings and agreements with the county have included an arena anchored by an NHL team.