Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Atlanta Gets Thrashed

The Stanley Cup Finals are about to start but something else is grabbing attention in the hockey world. The Atlanta Thrashers have been sold to True North Sports and Entertainment as part of a $170 million deal that includes a relocation fee. That's right, the team is moving to Winnipeg next season, specifically the MTS Centre where the deal was announced. The team will still play in the Southeast for the 2011-12 season.

This one splits me a bit. It is sad to see Atlanta get another shot at hockey to only lose another team (used to have the Flames franchise till 1980) but I feel happy for Winnipeg getting a NHL Franchise back. As for a team name, it won't be the Thrashers, that's practically a fact. The frontrunner is of course the Jets, the name of the old team that was in Winnipeg. There could be other names considered as well as the renaming process has not been finalized.

This move is no doubt the biggest off season move of the NHL this year, literally. It will take a few years, however, to see if it is the best thing financially for the team.

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