Peepin' Foes: Atlanta Thrashers

Maybe it's me but it seems that the Rangers are perpetually playing Atlanta. They are down in the dirty sou today to take on the Thrashers (again) in a game that could cement their spot in the playoffs, especially seeing how the Panthers choked last night in Pominville and likely will get beaten up on Broad Street tonight in Philly.

Where We Are: After four wins in the last five games, the Rangers hold seventh place in the East. A win could bring the Blueshirts even with the Pens in sixth, one point behind the fifth place Canes (who will still have a game in hand after tonight). Edit: Zipay has Valley getting the start.

Where They Are: Atlanta is 10 points better than the Islanders, but that isn't saying too much, they are still the fourth-worse team in the league. However, that makes them quite dangerous. They went on a six game win streak earlier this month that included victories over Calgary, Montreal, Buffalo and Washington. They've lost three of their last four

Who To Watch For: Kovy is still a hockey god, even if he is surrounded by a poor team. Slava Kozlov has been hot lately and always hurt the Rangers on the scoreboard, while that idiot Garnet Exelby has always tried to hurt the Blueshirts on the ice. Rich Peverley has come out of nowhere to average nearly a point per game and did you know that Bryan Little has 31 goals?!?

What To Watch For: The new Ranger system opens up the ice and allows odd man rushes and insane opportunities for the opposition so if they get even the least bit sloppy, Kovy will kill them. Kari Lehtonen looked good against the Blueshirts on Graves night so if he gets hot again, he can frustrate the Rangers. Also the Avery vs. Exelby or Zach Bogosian battle should be fun to watch.

What We'll (Hopefully) See: A blowout - a couple of quick goals to set the tempo and the team to keep their feet on the pedal the rest of the way. There is no reason that the Rangers can't do to Atlanta what Anaheim did to Colorado last night (7-2) besides the fact that the Rangers seem to never do that. It would be a nice change of pace. Oh, and another slugfest between Eric Boulton and Colton Orr.

Also Check Out: The team's own blog Blueland, the requisite MSM blog and the in-depth, well thought out fan blog Do The Thrashers Have Large Talons? (I hate the new name so I won't use it.)

 Peepin' Foes: Atlanta Thrashers - The Rise and Fall of a Franchise

The Atlanta Thrashers, a team that once called Atlanta, Georgia, home, had a relatively brief yet intriguing history in the National Hockey League (NHL). In this article, we'll delve into the rise and fall of this franchise, exploring its journey, key moments, and the factors that ultimately led to its relocation.

Birth of the Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers were established as an NHL expansion team in 1999. Named after the state bird of Georgia, the brown thrasher, the team aimed to tap into the southern U.S. market and grow the sport of hockey beyond its traditional northern strongholds.

Image 1: Atlanta Thrashers Inaugural Season

Early Struggles

The Thrashers faced the typical challenges of an expansion team, struggling to find success on the ice in their early years. However, they showed promise with young talents like Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk, who would become franchise cornerstones.

Image 2: Ilya Kovalchuk

Kovalchuk Era

Ilya Kovalchuk emerged as the face of the franchise and one of the NHL's top goal-scorers. His dynamic play electrified Atlanta fans and raised hopes of playoff success. The Thrashers made their first playoff appearance in the 2006-2007 season but were eliminated in the first round.

Image 3: Thrashers Playoff Run

Ownership and Financial Struggles

One of the persistent challenges the Thrashers faced was financial instability. Ownership changes and a small hockey market made it difficult for the team to establish a solid fan base and achieve financial sustainability.

Relocation Looms

As the financial struggles continued, rumors of the Thrashers' potential relocation began to circulate. Fans feared losing their beloved team, and efforts to secure a local ownership group to keep the team in Atlanta ultimately fell short.

Image 4: Fans Protesting Relocation

The Move to Winnipeg

In 2011, the inevitable happened. The Atlanta Thrashers were sold to True North Sports & Entertainment, a group based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The team was relocated and renamed the Winnipeg Jets, marking the return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg.

Image 5: Winnipeg Jets Rebirth

FAQs About the Atlanta Thrashers

Why did the Atlanta Thrashers struggle financially?

The Thrashers faced financial difficulties due to a combination of factors, including a small hockey market, ownership changes, and challenges in building a loyal fan base.

Did the Thrashers have success on the ice?

While they had some talented players and made one playoff appearance, the Thrashers did not achieve sustained success before their relocation.

Is there hope for NHL hockey to return to Atlanta?

While there is always hope, the relocation of the Thrashers left a void in the Atlanta hockey market. Any potential return would require strong ownership and a commitment to building a fan base.

The story of the Atlanta Thrashers is a bittersweet one in the annals of NHL history. While the franchise had moments of promise and excitement, including its lone playoff appearance, financial instability and ownership challenges ultimately led to its relocation to Winnipeg.

The Atlanta Thrashers may be gone, but they left an indelible mark on the NHL's expansion era. Their brief existence in Atlanta serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by teams in non-traditional hockey markets and the importance of strong ownership and community support in sustaining a franchise.

As hockey continues to grow in the southern United States, the story of the Thrashers remains a part of the league's history, a tale of ambition, struggle, and ultimately, relocation.