Thread: Winnipeg in talks to acquire Thrashers

Originally Posted by O'Fuego

The sense of entitlement has reached critical mass up in that part of the world hasn't it. I think its a bad idea and the whole deal if you look into some numbers kindda makes the deal stink of a rat and its not just Bettman the usual suspect.

Either way, I'm happy for the fans of Winnipeg having a team to an extent, but a little turned off by some of the 'yay we got OUR game back, and we should have because its OURs, victory, victory, victory, me, me mine mine' crap coming out of there.

I'm a fan of growing the game and while I think mistakes have been made, it sucks for people living in a non-traditional market that came to love the game and are losing it because of the efforts of failed millionaires. As Kings fans, that should be something we can relate to because we get the same crap, have teetered on the same edge and live in the same sort of market. But I know from growing up in SoCal how well loved the sport is among so many....even if it won't ever be #1 in the city.

I'm also on another note, as someone who is passionate about hockey and also of mixed afro-american decent, big on growing diversity in the game, and having a team in Atlanta with a very diverse population was a positive thing in my opinion. Slowly but surely the presence of teams in diverse cities will lead to diversity of interest and participation in the game. And this is a significant step back. The more limited you keep this game on a regional and ethnic basis...well...the more limited its going to be on a financial basis in the long term.

I hate when fans up there insinuate that they on an individual basis love hockey by default more than any of us just because they had the 'frozen pond in the backyard blah blah blah'. I was lucky enough to have played on a frozen pond and outdoor rinks in Switzerland but I don't think it makes me any more entitled to the game than my buddy who grew up playing roller in Antelope Valley.

It takes time, it takes patience and it takes good ownership dedicated to icing a quality product and it will take hold. Winnipeg will on the front end be full of fans waiting to get in, but what happens when the going gets rough again and it will, and the Canadian dollar goes through its own recession etc etc. Just like Atlanta, Winnipeg has had a chance before and likewise couldn't pony up to save it when push came to shove. So this being a slam dunk no brainer sureshot....I don't buy it. But enjoy Winnipeg while the team is there.

Originally Posted by Iron Duke

I'm generalizing here, but, it's odd to see how a lot of Canadians seem to view the sport. I've spent all 31 of my years in So Cal, and have been a die-hard hockey fan for 23 of those (when we first had Prime Ticket). I love the sport with a passion, and I LOVE to see the sport spread to new areas and teams placed in new places all over the continent.

I'm sure it may be a vocal minority, but I don't get that impression from a lot of Canadians at all. It is 'their' sport, it should be played in 'their' cities, and I sometimes get the feeling that if most of the league folded, and was comprised of 8 Canadian teams, New York, Boston, Detroit and Chicago, they wouldn't be bothered in the least. Just seems awfully short-sighted to me.

Being passionate about hockey, it's easy not to take the long view. It's easy to just be happy that the 'Peg is getting hockey back, rather than care about the few fans in Atlanta who are bummed. The thing you guys need to understand is that Canadian's don't care if Hockey is the biggest sport in the world. It's fine being 'our game'... Heck, that's how it's even marketed up here to play off of Canadian pride. I couldn't care less if some non-traditional hockey markets fail, because at it's core, it's the game that Canadians love. Given the relative health of the NHL, the league would be just fine trimming down a few teams... AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN IN CANADA!!!

Originally Posted by jerseydevil

Probably not, but hell the NHL made $60 million in 'relocation fees' so it's a win win for Bettman & bunch. So, hockey fails in Winnipeg again(hurm irony alert there) and someone else buys/relocates the team...that's at least another cool $60 million son! Ca Ching!!!!

And there's the rub... and that's the kind of thinking that has spawned the teams that should not be. That's what displeases the hockey gods more than anything. That's what leads to Canadians being fiercely protective of their game.

Make sense now people? I'm not arguing whether it's wrong or right, just saying how it is.

Dunno. I think about Winterpeg, lol, and I can't think, but help think about Edmonton and how many players just don't want to live in a cold city.

Then again, a lot of players have refused to move to Los Angeles.

Not sure if it was mentioned but Bryzgalov said he wouldn't go to Winnipeg and Don Waddell has confirmed that he won't either.

BTW, it's funny to me that the fans in the Peg just got an NHL team back in their city and are still finding something to complain about because there's a chance they might not be named the Jets. Some on HF are even saying they won't support the team and that True North better not mess up. Those people should be kissing the collective asses of True North right now.

And another one I like. That evil Bettman is out to get Canada again by "threatening" Winnipeg with the statement that they need to sell out their games otherwise the whole thing won't work. Sorry if the truth hurts fellas.

Originally Posted by Byatch1979

Being passionate about hockey, it's easy not to take the long view. It's easy to just be happy that the 'Peg is getting hockey back, rather than care about the few fans in Atlanta who are bummed. The thing you guys need to understand is that Canadian's don't care if Hockey is the biggest sport in the world. It's fine being 'our game'... Heck, that's how it's even marketed up here to play off of Canadian pride. I couldn't care less if some non-traditional hockey markets fail, because at it's core, it's the game that Canadians love. Given the relative health of the NHL, the league would be just fine trimming down a few teams... AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN IN CANADA!!!



And there's the rub... and that's the kind of thinking that has spawned the teams that should not be. That's what displeases the hockey gods more than anything. That's what leads to Canadians being fiercely protective of their game.

Make sense now people? I'm not arguing whether it's wrong or right, just saying how it is.

I can understand the mindset, but I don't think it makes 'sense.'

'Hockey is for everyone,' unless you live below the 49th parallel, in which case, **** off, nobody cares if you like the game.

Again, I think it is extremely short-sighted, both financically and socially.

Originally Posted by NastiMarvasti

And another one I like. That evil Bettman is out to get Canada again by "threatening" Winnipeg with the statement that they need to sell out their games otherwise the whole thing won't work. Sorry if the truth hurts fellas.

I found that pretty amusing as well. The whole time they were trying to get the team back the fans yelled that they'd sell out every game and the team would be back where people care.

Bettman says they need to sell out games so the team can be financially stable and supported....

"NOT FAIR! Bettman sucks! Why do we have to sell out the games!?!"

Originally Posted by Byatch1979

Being passionate about hockey, it's easy not to take the long view. It's easy to just be happy that the 'Peg is getting hockey back, rather than care about the few fans in Atlanta who are bummed. The thing you guys need to understand is that Canadian's don't care if Hockey is the biggest sport in the world. It's fine being 'our game'... Heck, that's how it's even marketed up here to play off of Canadian pride. I couldn't care less if some non-traditional hockey markets fail, because at it's core, it's the game that Canadians love. Given the relative health of the NHL, the league would be just fine trimming down a few teams... AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN IN CANADA!!!



And there's the rub... and that's the kind of thinking that has spawned the teams that should not be. That's what displeases the hockey gods more than anything. That's what leads to Canadians being fiercely protective of their game.

Make sense now people? I'm not arguing whether it's wrong or right, just saying how it is.

It's like not sending your kids to college because they do a good job around your house. What's better for the kid?

Originally Posted by UnholyGoalie

I found that pretty amusing as well. The whole time they were trying to get the team back the fans yelled that they'd sell out every game and the team would be back where people care.

Bettman says they need to sell out games so the team can be financially stable and supported....

"NOT FAIR! Bettman sucks! Why do we have to sell out the games!?!"

Most of them don't realize that Bettman has done a far better job of running this league than those guys who have trophies named after them.