Since news that True North Sports Entertainment Ltd. is interested in purchasing the Atlanta Thrashers emerged yesterday, more specific information has been slowly leaking into the open. Elliotte Friedman offers a good summary of the happenings so far:
Bettman is getting hammered locally for not standing up for the Thrashers the same way he's fought for Phoenix. But, the two situations are completely different. The Coyotes have a local government bending over for the NHL and a rink that will become a haunted house if the team leaves. There is no city council tossing $25 million US a year at the Thrashers.
Enter True North. Winnipeg may not be the league's preference, but Thomson/Chipman are stable, professional, prepared and enthusiastic, things that are lacking in Georgia.
No doubt the NHL is hoping for a 'Miracle Off Ice' in Atlanta, but it appears unlikely.
There are also rumblings out of Long Island that the Islanders' owners have been eying the possibility of a relocation:
@ChrisBottaNHL Chris BottaNassau Deputy Exec Rob Walker to Newsday: "The Islanders are ready to leave here tomorrow. They were being wooed by other areas last week."
To me, it seems like pure saber-rattling, since the team is currently in the hunt for a new arena, and is probably trying to get the best possible deal it can before committing.
Read on for more links about Kaberle, the Sharks' fitness level, and the action in Calgary.
Report: Negotiations begin on Thrashers sale
Dave Shoalts with his take, over at the G&M's website.
On Franchise Movement
Over at Leafs Nation, Chemmy pleads for a little tact when discussing the possibility of a Thrashers relocation.
How long can Boston go with Kaberle?
Michael Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories ponders whether or not its time to bench Kabby.
Flames drop interim tag from general manager Jay Feaster's title
Erik Duhatschek has the story at the G&M.
Curtis Glencross staying in Calgary
Many of you will have seen this posted in the comments yesterday, but just in case you didn't, Calgary has brought its number of NMCs/NTC's to 10.
Sharks in good shape, coach says
But that doesn't stop Matthew Sekeres at the G&M from taking a shot at Kyle Wellwood.
The Art of the Shot Block - Behind The Net
Looking at the skill (and lack thereof) in shot blocking at the NHL level.
Video: Finland’s Pasi Nurminen falls off plane into hockey trophy
There was a lot of Twitter activity to suggest that the party on Finland's jet got pretty rowdy. This was just the cherry on top.
