Potential Atlanta NHL Expansion Team Thread

[AtlantaWhaler]

Again, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was called out and asked why I had a negative view towards "non-traditional markets" and I answered it was because with the limit on the total number of teams a team in one market means another city can't have one. Then the back and forth ensued.

I don't believe his post was directed at you. Side conversations happen all the time in almost every thread. I think he was pointing to the hypocrisy of the other poster complaining about the thread not staying on topic (even though the posts were about games-themed THRASHERS NIGHT...lol).

 

[nhlfan79]

Again, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was called out and asked why I had a negative view towards "non-traditional markets" and I answered it was because with the limit on the total number of teams a team in one market means another city can't have one. Then the back and forth ensued.

It's totally fair for you to respond. The conversation then went where it did. It happens, no apology needed. It's just odd that someone who actively participated in that Hamilton tangent now has gone out of their way to object *twice* to more recent posts discussing information that actually is about: (1) the city of Atlanta, (2) the local public's level of interest in hockey, (3) the novel use of the Thrashers likeness and the reaction it created (4) by an ECHL owner who also happens to be one of the two prospective NHL ownership groups, as all somehow only marginally relevant to potential NHL expansion to Atlanta.

That is some spectacular hair-splitting, with a pretty healthy dose of hypocrisy thrown in. I'm just calling it like I see it. I'm 100% ready to move on from this tit-for-tat.

 

[rojac]

My last point on this matter.

It's totally fair for you to respond. The conversation then went where it did. It happens, no apology needed. It's just odd that someone who actively participated in that Hamilton tangent now has gone out of their way to object *twice* to more recent posts discussing information that actually is about: (1) the city of Atlanta, (2) the local public's level of interest in hockey, (3) the novel use of the Thrashers likeness and the reaction it created (4) by an ECHL owner who also happens to be one of the two prospective NHL ownership groups, as all somehow only marginally relevant to potential NHL expansion to Atlanta.

That is some spectacular hair-splitting, with a pretty healthy dose of hypocrisy thrown in. I'm just calling it like I see it. I'm 100% ready to move on from this tit-for-tat.

I had forgotten that the Hamilton sidetrack was in this thread. Personally, i think it was a less of a sidetrack than the Gladiators one. As it at least stayed on the subject of business related to a potential (if only in some peoples' dreams) NHL expansion team whereas the Gladiator sidetrack devolved into people talking about going to the game, posting pictures from the game and talking about the past record of the Gladiators.

That being said, I guess it's fair if you want to condier me a hypocrite.

 

[TheLegend]

Again, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was called out and asked why I had a negative view towards "non-traditional markets" and I answered it was because with the limit on the total number of teams a team in one market means another city can't have one. Then the back and forth ensued.

You got 'called out' for bringing something into the conversation you probably shouldn't have.

In this day and age.... "traditional" and "non-traditional" are almost a meaningless adjective.

 

[TheLegend]

I don't believe his post was directed at you. Side conversations happen all the time in almost every thread. I think he was pointing to the hypocrisy of the other poster complaining about the thread not staying on topic (even though the posts were about games-themed THRASHERS NIGHT...lol).

The Arizona threads being the de facto example of it.

Now...... where were we????

 

[aqib]

You got 'called out' for bringing something into the conversation you probably shouldn't have.

In this day and age.... "traditional" and "non-traditional" are almost a meaningless adjective.

So now we're going on a tangent about going on a tangent. You can go back and see how it evolved. Someone asked me a question and we went down the rabbit hole, but this is an Atlanta thread so I'll just drop this.

 

[hangman005]

Me trying to keep track of the tangents

 

[dj4aces]

So now we're going on a tangent about going on a tangent. You can go back and see how it evolved. Someone asked me a question and we went down the rabbit hole, but this is an Atlanta thread so I'll just drop this.

If this keeps up, we're gonna go plaid...

 

[TheLegend]

So now we're going on a tangent about going on a tangent. You can go back and see how it evolved. Someone asked me a question and we went down the rabbit hole, but this is an Atlanta thread so I'll just drop this.

I know how it evolved. So does everyone else here.

It happens.

 

[TheLegend]

Me trying to keep track of the tangents
View attachment 987034

Wrong meme..... That's your OnlyFans.

 

[FlyguyOX]

The one part of all of this that perplexes me is that the Anson-owned Gladiators got the NHL's permission to use and market the Thrashers name and logo, yet it's Krause's competing group that seems to have the inside track to getting the expansion franchise and has made no secret that he wants to resurrect the Thrashers branding.

So, you have two competing potential ownership groups, one of which is currently allowed to use the Thrashers name, and the other who seems primed to commandeer it.

Haven’t seen that about Krause and thrashers branding. I sure hope not. I like a new slate

 

[AKL]

When is this happening? I'm ready for the Thrashers to be back please

 

[dj4aces]

When is this happening? I'm ready for the Thrashers to be back please

The short answer? Soon™.

Thje long answer? No one really knows.

1. Many believe that expansion won't be announced until the new CBA is agreed upon. Bettman indicated that he wants it to be done by the start of game one of the SCF. However, should any bumps in the road happen, the two sides have until 15 September 2026 to come to an agreement.

2. As the post from The Fourth Period a couple pages back stated, everything on the county level is done and Vernon Krause is expected to make a formal pitch to the league sometime soon.

3. Whether some folks want to admit it or not, Carter and his investors are still in it, though according to the post referenced above, the belief is his group is now in a distant second place in the race to purchase a franchise.

There's still so much we don't know, and I'm hoping we hear more soon, but news will come when it comes.

 

[sneakytitz]

Also interesting to see how well Savannah has done in regards to attendance so far during their existence

ECHL 2025-01-25

Ownership that cares. We vacation to Savannah/Tybee once a year and a lot of the bars there are loaded with Ghost Pirates swag. They're a big deal down there, and proof that hockey in Georgia can thrive with the right owners!

Also, worth noting, Enmarket Arena can only seat 7,300 officially for hockey - the Ghost Pirates have never averaged less than 7,400 for attendance. I think every home game in their existence has sold out. This is their 3rd season, IIRC.

 

[AKL]

The short answer? Soon™.

Thje long answer? No one really knows.

1. Many believe that expansion won't be announced until the new CBA is agreed upon. Bettman indicated that he wants it to be done by the start of game one of the SCF. However, should any bumps in the road happen, the two sides have until 15 September 2026 to come to an agreement.

2. As the post from The Fourth Period a couple pages back stated, everything on the county level is done and Vernon Krause is expected to make a formal pitch to the league sometime soon.

3. Whether some folks want to admit it or not, Carter and his investors are still in it, though according to the post referenced above, the belief is his group is now in a distant second place in the race to purchase a franchise.

There's still so much we don't know, and I'm hoping we hear more soon, but news will come when it comes.

Are both groups looking at the Alpharetta location? I saw something a little further back that said both groups want the Thrashers branding too, right? I know some fans want a clean slate but does it sound like the Thrashers stuff is pretty likely?

 

[sneakytitz]

Are both groups looking at the Alpharetta location? I saw something a little further back that said both groups want the Thrashers branding too, right? I know some fans want a clean slate but does it sound like the Thrashers stuff is pretty likely?

Anson's group is in Alpharetta. About 10 minutes up the road is Krause's spot, in Forsyth County (hence Gathering at South Forsyth). Alpharetta is in adjacent Fulton County.

No clue about Anson's intention but I have heard rumblings that Krause, who was a longtime Thrashers season ticket holder, wants the Thrashers name and branding back. The NHL still retains the copyrights to it, that did not transfer to Winnipeg.

 

[aqib]

Anson's group is in Alpharetta. About 10 minutes up the road is Krause's spot, in Forsyth County (hence Gathering at South Forsyth). Alpharetta is in adjacent Fulton County.

No clue about Anson's intention but I have heard rumblings that Krause, who was a longtime Thrashers season ticket holder, wants the Thrashers name and branding back. The NHL still retains the copyrights to it, that did not transfer to Winnipeg.

Is there any polling on what the fans overall think? I get the owner is the one who eventually decides but just curious.

 

[sneakytitz]

Is there any polling on what the fans overall think? I get the owner is the one who eventually decides but just curious.

Not officially but logistically, I think most fans would prefer Anson's location because it's closer to just about everyone and incredibly accessible as is, no matter where you live. Both spots are in the center of a heat map of former Thrashers season-ticket holders so it's a wash in that regard.

There are (2) 3-lane roads right in front of Anson's proposed spot and it's flanked on both sides by large highway exits (also (2) 3-lane roads). MARTA (our rapid transit system) has a bus depot about a mile south of it, so anyone wishing to take the rail could get there with a single bus hop or park at the bus depot and take another bus (about 250 spots). There is also parking a plenty right outside of the site so they could operate like the Braves do with nearby businesses/office parks but with far more parking.

 

[aqib]

Not officially but logistically, I think most fans would prefer Anson's location because it's closer to just about everyone and incredibly accessible as is, no matter where you live. Both spots are in the center of a heat map of former Thrashers season-ticket holders so it's a wash in that regard.

There are (2) 3-lane roads right in front of Anson's proposed spot and it's flanked on both sides by large highway exits (also (2) 3-lane roads). MARTA (our rapid transit system) has a bus depot about a mile south of it, so anyone wishing to take the rail could get there with a single bus hop or park at the bus depot and take another bus (about 250 spots). There is also parking a plenty right outside of the site so they could operate like the Braves do with nearby businesses/office parks but with far more parking.

Sorry, I meant in terms of the name. Like Winnipeggers were pretty adamant about being named the Jets again even though it seemed like Chipman was strongly considering Manitoba Falcons. Quebec seems pretty set on Nordiques if they ever got a team back. Is there a consensus among Atlanta fans that it should be the Thrashers again?

 

[dj4aces]

Sorry, I meant in terms of the name. Like Winnipeggers were pretty adamant about being named the Jets again even though it seemed like Chipman was strongly considering Manitoba Falcons. Quebec seems pretty set on Nordiques if they ever got a team back. Is there a consensus among Atlanta fans that it should be the Thrashers again?

There was a Twitter poll by the NHL to Atlanta guy -- I don't recall if it was done by the original guy or the one who has taken his place, but the majority of respondents voted to keep the Thrashers name.

However, there have been no formal polls by either Krause's or Carter's camps, but when the league takes further steps towards awarding a franchise, I'd fully expect such a formal poll to take place.