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According to my sources the Thrashers are all but tied into Winnipeg now, despite the fact a local group is still working to make something happen and should something go wrong for True North in the process the other group could still potentially make this team work in Atlanta...

So let me give Atlanta hockey fans this bit of hope. Even if the Thrashers leave, I wouldn't at all say that NHL hockey won't return to Atlanta. From a dollars and cents point of view there are enough people out there with money who have looked closely at hockey in Atlanta and have seen it trending upward...and upward trends in population bases of this size can snowball in a very positive way. The connection to the Hawks and the building hurt the Thrashers as well...Just in terms of the bottom line...

Will it work in Winnipeg?

There is no question that playing hockey in a hockey town is always an awesome thing. Most players right now that I talk to are saying that as well. However some have come out and said privately it won't be the first place to look to sign. It has been widely written about that Andrew Ladd, a Thrashers RFA, is holding off on his decision until this deal goes through.

There have been several reports that a ticket drive is coming in Winnipeg, and even that it could be part of what could hold up approval. I have learned through sources that True North is trying to get written into the deal the Atlanta Owners don't get any of their money until the Winnipeg team sells 14,000 season tickets. Which is essentially True North slipping their risk back to Atlanta.

Does anyone doubt that Winnipeg won't sell 14,000 tickets? I sure don't. So why would True North even want to float this and make it feel like they have doubt? Surely they know as well and don't have doubt.

I would bet this is in there for one of two reasons:

#1 as an assurance for the Board of Governors
#2 True North's way of tying the return of the franchise to the fans...which is cool on one level, but also allows them an out on another level should ticket sales falter if the team struggles.

Many believe there is no way Gary Bettman would ever be able to move a team out of Winnipeg again. And yes, I agree that taking a team out of Canada is something Bettman won't do. But if this team struggles, taking them to another part of Canada could be an option. And that's something I don't want to see happen.

Surprise Retirement Coming...

One of the greats and one my personal favorites will be retiring shortly. I promised to not out anyone who has been speculated about en masse, but a great guy and his retirement will have a huge bearing on the UFA and RFA landscape as well as possibly affecting if one of his teammates retires as well...

More to come on this for sure...