As talks to finalize a sale between True North Sports and Entertainment and the Atlanta Spirit Group continue on for the ownership of the Atlanta Thrashers, the franchise continued planning for the 2011-12 NHL season as fans rallied to show support for its future.
Two days after a Globe and Mail report stated that a deal for the Thrashers to move to Winnipeg was done, the team went forward with its planned Select-a-Seat event allowing fans to choose their seats as part of season ticket packages.
Outside Philips Arena, in the parking area known as "The Gulch", about 300 fans attended the "Save the Thrashers" rally according to Yahoo!'s own Jay Busbee, who writes for the From the Marbles and Devil Ball Golf blogs. Fans chanted, expressed their support for the 11-year old franchise and anger towards ownership, and some even burned a Winnipeg Jets banner.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution spoke with a couple of fans at the rally:
For some, today's events in Atlanta was an opportunity for some fans to say goodbye and reminisce about the franchise, while at the same time continuing to wait and hope until an announcement, good or bad, is finally official.