zebras,sprite step off and em Winnipeg

As I was returning from Ft Stewart on a story that would make anyone angry,I first would like to say that I respect and honor our troops and what they do.Its when the government decides to destroy a community it makes me a little angry.That being said not unlike a clearly bored Zebra who like many of us want to just leave Atlanta,one thing is Certain the Thrashers are not..I run into people from time to time who are to say in the know when it comes to Atlanta sports,I am not a sports journalist however but at times I am in the company of those who are.This rumor of the thrashers moving to Winnipeg hurts myself and a few former Whaler fans down here who chose the Thrashers as their new team to love honor and cherish.For those of you who don't know being a Whaler fan was something special we Gordie when I was little we also had Hull,Pronger,Ron Francis,the list goes on and on.It was the only Pro sports team in town,even today on St Patrick's day in Hartford hundreds of fans still March in Whaler Jerseys,I went home a few months ago and you can still buy Whaler Jerseys,and a brand new line of whaler hats and T shirts at Lids.I understand the rumor of a team returning to a great Hockey town Hockey should of never left Hartford or Winnipeg or Quebec City,these are city's that have kids lacing up hockey skates years before and after the teams arrived and left. Its insulting to me that as a Journalist certain RUMOR writers lend credence to an B.S. rumor by a morning show dj with no credibility. Doing and overtime stint last night at the Sprite Step off I asked my
friend "In the know" and he brought up a point that unlike Hartford,Atlanta is a different situation. Atlanta is one of the largest markets in the US and it would be utter nonsense for the NHL to approve a sale to another much smaller market,the NHL WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE THE SALE AND MOVE.Gary Bettman is commited to the Thrashers staying,Don waddell said they are not moving.Also if it were to sell the team would stay here,Atlanta has a few people with lots of money would love to own the Thrashers,I am not quoting or starting a Rumor but,Arthur Blank would be a great owner for the Thrashers,or Ted Turner,or the Liberty group.Owners with proven track records of building winners and respecting a city that had hockey leave once before,and will not let it happen again.

I knew it would come now ...what

After carefully(yes carefully) placing a microphone on Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas an email came across my Blackberry,Ilya Kovalchuk traded to New Jersey devils for two snickers bars and a pack mule. The news was devastating but expected and the return is yet to be seen. It was where I got the text message that was ironic,as I tried to keep my cool in front of The Black Eyed Peas, the room in the backstage area of Phillips Arena had various pictures of the Thrashers throughout their tumultuous history. The most disturbing picture after getting the text message, A giant wall sized picture of the Stanley cup and next to that picture,a picture of Ilya.... WILL.i.AM company kept me in good spirits with the answers to our goofy questions (granted they were sent in by viewers and not by the crew present.) It was still hard to ignore sitting in the very building that Ilya had spent for years.

I will not go on to cheer Ilya in New Jersey,not like I did when Ronnie went to Pittsburgh. The main difference Ron Francis didn't want to leave he really did love the organization, the city, proof being he still works for that same organization today. I am warming to the idea that this New Thrashers identity that DW talks about.
I saw both games and frankly am impressed with our new additions. No way were we going to beat the Caps no question,but the Florida game I have to say I was pleased.

Post Ilya I walked over to the Thrashers shop in the Arena yesterday and as I passed by the pillar that had adorned Ilyas mug was being taken down,finalizing he was no longer a face in this building or in this city. I also noticed that Ilya's Jersey is now 60 bucks and I debated whether I should buy one to burn,but decided to purchase but to no avail an Evander Kane Jersey but to my disappointment one does not exist.

Here is something I believe Evander will be the most popular force in Atlanta in the coming years.According to the salesperson I wasn't the first to ask about a Kane Jersey,and I won't be the last

Elias in ATL?

I usually take what Eklund says with a grain of salt but,if New Jersey is interested or is seriously involved. Think about this; if it were Patrik elias and prospects Elias would definatley help us now.He is a plus seven,has 50 or more points in his last three seasons.And has scored 30 goals or close to it in multiple seasons. He has Stanley cup experience and would be a good fit on any line on the thrash.

I used to bleed green now I bleed Blue

First and foremost I am and always will be a Hockey Fan,this blog in part will be about hockey,and whatever other ramblings I see fit to argue. I grew up in Connecticut and yes I was a Hartford Whaler fan(always will be), I still wear my Whaler Jersey with Number ten on the back on ST Patricks Day, and on occasion you can find me whistling Brass Bonanza. I was there on April 13th, 1997 and remembered the pain I felt and the emptiness that still remains as Kevin Dineen said goodbye to all of us who bleed green. For years I went without a hockey team to follow and cheer for,so I followed Local players like Chris Drury and supported whatever team he played for, but alas ... it wasn't the same. Those of you reading this outside Connecticut would say why don't you just follow the ...gulp! Carolina ...oh man I can't even say it it makes me want to vomit in my mouth a little bit. That will never happen. Ever! I have since left the nutmeg state for warmer pastures and found myself on a warm night in January inside the Phillips Arena. I bought myself the best ticket possible and watched the Atlanta Thrashers beat the snot out of the Buffalo Sabers.I couldn't believe it there was this Guy Kovalchuk and Hossa and even some former Whalers on the team and in the organization(more on that later).I fell in love with Blueland and what a perfect match for a Whaler fan. Horrible ownership,rumors of the team leaving town, and players who don't want to be here. I suddenly felt right at home and it leads me to my blog here today. Since I was little and my dad first taught me to lace my skates up and control a puck with wooden stick Hockey has been a passion. I am no where near an expert on the game,but I am a fan and I will use this blog to call out players who aren't doing well,don't want to be here and are in it more for the paycheck ...and less for the game. Which leads me to the first topic of Discussion..... Ilya Kovalchuk. I will start off by saying this Ilya,you are the reason I got back into hockey restored my faith in a captain of a team,you remind me of my all time favorite player Ronnie Franchise,loves the city, his team and wants to bring a Stanley Cup to Atlanta, and for all of your faults;lack of defensive play,cherry picker you still are one of the most natural goal scorers I have ever seen and the most exciting player to watch when you feel like playing. I said when you feel like playing I never took you for being a Hossa or Brendan Shannahan type but it was clear last night against the Lighting at times you were incredible and Nitti monkey shut you down at other times you looked like guys I played with on my roller hockey team,that being said even they had more spirit then you. Clearly if what John Kincaid said was true you aren't in for the money, and yes the ownership and DW are terrible but if you expect the same anonymity somewhere else like you have here you can forget about it. I hope you go to Toronto or New York or Montreal these fans will rip you a new one the second you don't produce.Thrashers fans for the most part are fickle and most of them are more worried about what the Fuckhead Betty next to them is wearing than what your doing on the ice.So I say go Ilya Go you will always be favorite of mine and I hope you do well but I want someone who wants to be here...Like Ronnie Franchise....