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The Latest on Winnipeg... |
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Here is what am hearing from sources. It is important to note that everything MUST happen quickly and therefore rumors and leaks have very brief shelf lives...
* First off...it is important to note how my sources at the NHL are all sticking by what Gary Bettman has said all along. The first choice in these situations is to find an owner and not re-locate the team. The NHL doesn't have this all-out desire to leave Atlanta, but they also may have no choice in the end.
* Personally I remain torn about this issue and will not be thrilled if the team leaves because of so many great people in Atlanta who have given their all to make this franchise and this sport work in that town.
* That being said, part of me will be thrilled when Winnipeg (and eventually Quebec) get themselves NHL teams once again. The passion of the fanbases in Winnipeg and Quebec is nothing short of phenomenal. Seriously awesome. I have received countless emails and voicemails from Winnipeg fans who are so much looking forward to the return of NHL hockey to the city.
What I am hearing...
True North (out of Winnipeg) and Atlanta have begun working out the deal. It isn't done yet and even if it was "mostly done" the NHL will be very careful to announce anything at all until it is completely done....and with good reason...
Remember back to August 7, 2007 when the Doug MacLean group announced they were buying the Lightning in a Press Conference before the whole thing was signed off on by the NHL. The League was not happy about jumping the gun. Then jump forward to Jim Balsillie not following league protocol and it is easy to see why True North and Atlanta and the NHL are being so hush-hush about what is happening right now.
There have been many questions out there as to why the Thrashers are basically in the clear to move and the Coyotes with Balsillie couldn't move at all.
Well it all comes down to the lease on the buildings. Until the bankruptcy in Phoenix the lease was brutal, and the Thrashers aren't tied into a lease at all.
When Phillips arena was built it was paid for by bonds tied to the Atlanta Hawks, not the Thrashers...However, I have been told the NHL has a "unspoken, spoken rule" when it grants a franchise to a new city that the owner try to give it at least 7 years locally before moving the team.
How quickly must this happen?
Very. Due to scheduling the NHL needs to have this all worked out yesterday with approval completed. There is a process here. The deal gets worked out, then the owners approve the sale and relocation. It is believed that the whole thing must be done, by which I mean completely done with approval, by the middle to end of next week.
There is also a "select a seat " season ticket drive/event in Atlanta next Saturday, May 21. So beyond scheduling, the NHL needs the people of Atlanta to know where they stand before such an event could take place.
Will the Thrashers move to Winnipeg?
I agree with almost all the other pundits when I say it looks that way, however we have learned in the NHL that ownership negotiations can be dicey right up until the end. That being said, True North has done everything perfectly and by the book and the NHL likes and believes in this group...while also wishing somehow they could keep the Thrashers in Atlanta.
What's next?
I hear the sides are talking and will talk all weekend. I have heard they are making progress, but it will take a ton of work to pull it off. I will continue to stay on top of this story as it develops.
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