With the utmost respect to the Atlanta Thrashers organization, its employees, and its fans...?

Question

does the Atlanta NHL franchise have the will power, fan base, and dedication to continue in "Hot-lanta" for the next five years? The Thrashers currently have over 25 MILLION dollars in available cap space (per nhlnumbers.com), rank in the bottom ten from home attendance average in the past three seasons, and have a GM in Don Waddel who has been asked to leave by the franchise, but refuses to do so. The team has made the playoffs once, currently has assigned no captain, and has hired a coach working in the AHL for the past 11 eleven years.

Can the Atlanta Thrashers SURVIVE the next five years? If so, what causes them to hang on? If not, what are the fallouts and repercussions?

Answer 1

I don't know. They could draft a few great players and get good for a while, attracting fans and such, but who knows. They won't really lose their team because they suck and there's an excuse for poor attendance if the team sucks, but it can only go so long.

The will need to do something to reach the cap floor however. Not sure what the NHL does to punish a team if they don't reach the floor though.

They will survive. If they will survive in Atlanta is another question, but if the Panthers can do it, Atlanta can.

Answer 2

They'll probably draft a Crosby and all will be well. I know they have Kovalchuk, but apparently that's not gonna do it.

It honestly makes me sick how many bandwagon penguins fans there are. I almost wish we sucked again. Haha, I know that's irrevalent, but I thought of a larger fanbase sparking in Atlanta after a few good drafts....and one thought led to another...lol

Answer 3

Atlanta should not have a hockey team.  Waddell is a good GM, but it won't matter what players they get.  It's probably hard for the players to get motivated when nobody cares.  Its too bad Gary Bettman cares more about spreading the NHL franchises in every market, whether wanted or not, than where fans are actually going to care and watch even if they suck.  Look at Toronto.  They haven't been good for a long time, but still have their fan base and always will.

Atlanta, Nashville, and Florida should all go where they are wanted.  Send Nashville to a city in Wisconsin, it is a good hockey state and would be GREAT rivals with Detroit, Minnesota, and Chicago.  Nashville is already in the Central, and wouldn't need to change divisions then.

Atlanta and Florida should move to either Hartford, Winnipeg, or Hamilton.  The state of Florida does not need two franchises, especially one in Miami.

Answer 4

Atlanta fans only come out when your good! h**l, they didnt even come out for the Braves when they were still good! ATL fans baffle me to no end! Hockey wont survive there.... End of Story! Once the owners give up, they are gone.... can you say soon?