2010-2011 NHL season

This. Plus the fact that Atlanta Spirit (a.k.a., the Octocluster) has entered into yet ANOTHER lawsuit, basically suing their lawyers from the last lawsuit and saying their incompetence kept them from selling just after the lockout (presumably to an entity that would've kept the team in Atlanta, which is required in their agreement with the league as a first resort). It would probably damage that suit if they tried to sell now, and this suit could be tied up in court for another few years. By that time, who knows what forces will be at play.

 

But isn't NHL ownership supposed to be both profitable and fun? I thought these teams were supposed to be playthings for the rich of the rich? [/bluefont]

 

I hope you're both right. But sitting in that arena sure gave off a doom and gloom vibe.

 

All I'll say about ATL is: imagine how popular Dustin Byugflien and Evander Kane would be if they played in a REAL hockey town? Cap woes and all, I still can't believe Chicago unloaded Buffy.

 

Malkin done for the season. Torn ACL, torn MCL. Why do I get the feeling Crosby will take this as his next great challenge?

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551726&cmpid=pit-twt-pghpenguins

 

I can. No way Byfuglien could stay given serious cap issues the 'Hawks were facing. Good deal for the 'Hawks and, for once, Atlanta seems to have gotten something worthwhile on the market. It will probably get Don Waddell another major contract extension so he can continue to screw up the organization - this deal aside, that is ...

lisa_simpson is probably right. This organization is another of Gary Bettman's pet projects. Atlanta, as a city, couldn't care less about the Thrashers. Same with the Panthers in Sunrise or the Coyotes in the Phoenix/Glendale metro area. Bettman will block any possible moves, which at some point, is just stupid. We may have already passed that point in 3-4 markets.

 

The Kovlchuk deal was alo a great deal

 

He's gotta be healthy first. That's his current great challenge.

 

He will be. I was thinking about April and beyond, not the current moment.

 

Do I have to remind folks here that Rick Dudley is the current General Manager now? Argh.

As for Byfuglien and Kane, Paul Newberry from the AP had an interesting take on the Thrashers' atypically diverse roster: http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551255

From a personality standpoint, I think Kane is more likely to be the bigger name here in town. Buff is a great guy, but he seems a little bit reserved. The roadblock that I think is going to be hardest to work around, in terms of marketing to our local community, is that Kane, Anthony Stewart and Nigel Dawes are all Canadians, and Johnny Oduya is a Swede. Makes it harder to relate.

 

Embrace the diversity. There are three Finns in Raleigh, a point the Whalercanes were quick to embrace during the Olympics. The junior hockey program around the area is improving, but like Atlanta, it had nowhere to go but up.

JC, you're right about the Kovalchuk deal. Never would have guessed it at the time, but it has worked out. Of course, the Devils going right into the tank wasn't exactly forecast ...

 

Worked out for which team? Bergfors has spent a goodly amount of time in Craig Ramsay's doghouse this season. Oduya is solid, if unspectacular, on the blueline, and Patrice Cormier is still a question mark. Hasn't spent enough time playing with the big kids yet to form an opinion.

Incidentally, f--- AT&T UVerse for forcing me to watch the rest of the Bama-Tennessee game because they wouldn't shift the Thrashers broadcast to the alternate FSS feed. Morons.

edit: and of course, five minutes after I post this, Bergfors scores. Figures.