Ok, fine - Chris Thorburn might not be the best player on the ice, but he has always busted his ass for this team and has never, ever taken a shift off. He's very involved on and off the ice, and he, along with his wife and son, call Atlanta home. He's one of the most dedicated players to his franchise, and it has become much, much more apparent after this weekend.

He's been on a bit of a media blitz, if you want to call it that. The Thrashers and 690 the Fan are doing a "We're Not Dead Yet!" tour from what I can tell at local Brandsmarts. Thorburn was out at the one in Stockbridge on Saturday, and got cornered by both Fox5 and 11Alive news.

Buck Landford got some video up on his facebook page of the interview. In it, Thorburn had this to say:

Just for owners to turn their backs on you, it kind of makes you mad. Obviously we don't know every aspect of the deal and where they're coming from. It hasn't been publicly noted in the paper. From everything we've heard, from rumors that we've heard, it's discouraging just knowing that they're trying to dump us. That makes a guy mad.

Obviously Thorburn is upset at the situation. He expanded on that in an interview on 11Alive which aired Sunday night.

For the video impaired, he had this to say:

Thorburn also criticized NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who has not visiting Atlanta while rumors of the sale of Thrashers to Winnipeg's True North Sports have swirled. "You'd like to see the guy at the head of the league present. So it's kind of discouraging," Thorburn said...

But Thorburn sees his team as one with promise and one that can bring wins to Atlanta, if given the chance. "We've got a promising future with the guys we have on our squad now and it's just going to get better," he said.

"Hopefully the league and the ownership we have now can figure it out," Thorburn said.

I think he might be giving the Atlanta Spirit Group a bit too much credit on that last part, but still. He said exactly what needed to be said, and he wasn't scared to ruffle any feathers.

It started off as a rally, but it's important to remember that when you add food and hot dogs, it's a tailgate. Toss in some BBQ and beer, and screw rallying. No one'll move for 3 hours. This is what's going on on Saturday. It's not a rally, it's a tailgate. Bring signs (I shall), bring beer, bring some street hockey equipment, and bring your jersey. Don't expect to interrupt the Herman Cain rally in the park, but do expect to at least make some noise.

For God's sake, BRING FRIENDS. A small turnout, as I mentioned on SBN Atlanta, will bring ridicule. Of course, any less than the ELEVENTY BILLION PEOPLE that Jets fans had show up 15 years ago for their rally will bring ridicule. Never mind that 15,000 people didn't help save their team then, either. My philosophy with these sorts of things is that you need to air your greviences, show people you care... because when the owners do whatever the hell they want to do for their own interests, it makes them look even worse if they blow off a lot upset people.

That, and did I mention that this is a tailgate? BEER. Come out, get sunburned, and have some fun. But remember, be on good behavior - media'll be there. And not just local media - if they show up at all. I'm talking Associated Press. I'm talking TSN. Possibly the CBC. You know someone from Winnipeg'll be down there if they can afford the 10,000 mile plane fare. We want this to be successful in spite of odds being stacked against us.

Here's my helpful list for a successful tailgate/protest/rally/drunk cryfest:

1. Be nice and don't hate on Canadians.

   I know that this one's hard, because a lot of the mockery directed at Thrasher fans is coming from north of the border, but honestly most Canadians are swell people who understand the fact that to grow hockey, it's ok to let other people love the game. That loud contingent of "hockey is CANADA'S SPORT" people is a minority. Just about every Canadian I've spoken to regarding our situation feels terrible. Don't wate good will.

2. Wear your Thrashers swag, and be obnoxious with it.

   It's toasty for jerseys, but wear them with shorts and Thrash flip-flops. Emphasize the fact that we're not currently hovering around freezing. Actually, it's supposed to be 89 freaking degrees out Saturday. EIGHTY NINE.

3. Be angry, but be clean.

   Profane slogans, chants, and signs'll be caught on camera. So don't be that way.

4. Don't just bring hotdogs and hamburgers.

   Let's give Carolina a run for their money. BBQ, specialty burgers, sausages... make a run for the Farmer's Market or Trader Joe's first. Snag some awesome, mouth watering food to make the people in colder environments jealous that they can't do what we can.

5. Suck up to Canadians by drinking their beer.

   No, just kidding. Since most Canadians consider Molson and Coors their version of our Bud and Miller, about the only Canadian beer that's widely available that's acceptable is Moosehead. Just bring some good beer. The more the merrier.

6. If approached by someone from the AP/TSN/CBC/Free Press, be intelligent, be calm, and don't say anything that'll come back to haunt you.

   What you do on camera can haunt you forever anyway, but if you do something stupid on a TV broadcast while representing the group, it's like 10 times worse for everyone. Don't be that guy.

7. If you have street hockey equipment, bring it.

   It's the gulch. Plenty of room to play. Just be careful with in-line skates, because we all know that place is paved for shit.

8. Clever signs are better.

   Some of you guys are sign masters (Virginia, I am so looking at you). Picasso or not, good natured sarcasm's always a winner.

9. If you're a native Atlantan, and someone from the news media talks to you, emphasize the fact that you're actually from here.

   Apparently natives of this city are as common as the Lorax, so imagine a native Atlantan who likes hockey! Brains'll asplode.

10. If you're from somewhere else, really talk up why you love the Thrashers. Very useful if you're from another market.

   Nothing's better than someone saying "I'm originally a ______ fan, but I love the Thrashers now because of _______." If you've turned on your home team, that'd be gravy.

11. If you're Canadian, and love the Thrashers more than your native team, make reference to that as much as possible.

   Imagine the hilarity!

12. Try not to make fun of Winnipeg.

   Keep in mind that these people want hockey as much as you do, and they're sensitive because they've had a team taken from them (like we have before). Not all of them are loudmouth asshats, so be nice. The minority is not indicative of the majority.

13. Get as many people as you know wedged into your car and show the heck up.

   Goes without saying. The more the merrier and hey - have we mentioned the beer?

You know, since I write on BWA and SBNATL, I really can't just let loose on Twitter or either site regarding how I feel about the talks between the ASG and TNSE. But this is my blog. I can write whatever I damned well please here.

And I will.

This ownership - particulary Bruce "Deal with it!" Levenson - are as crooked as the day is long. They're morons. The fact that all of them actually were able to make enough money to purchase the Hawks, Thrashers, and Philips Arena from Ted Turner blows my mind to Calcutta and back.

Money can't buy you class. It can't buy you intellect. And it sure as hell can't buy you morals.

Everyone knows that the ASG has only been able to sell the team for about six months are so. They've been playing the whole "waaah, we've been losing money. Waaaah, no one's ever wanted to buy the team... waaah, we'll DIE if we can't sell it RIGHT NOW" card for that same length of time. They'e been dealing with losses for a while. What's a few more months to properly vet ownership groups to maintain hockey in Atlanta? Hell, book the circus at Philips a few more times. You're fine. You don't have to rush this. You don't have to sell to TNSE RIGHT NOW.

I mean, you care about hockey in Atlanta, right? Wait... if you cared... hm. You'd think about all of the youth programs this'll kill. How many high school and college programs around here that won't grow like they could have before. You'd think about the league's largest fan club and the potential for dedicated fans filling the arena once the team actually plays well.

Hell, you don't even care about your reputation. Obviously not, because if people hated you before, they're really going to hate you now. How does it feel to kill an entire sport in one of America's largest cities? You feel pretty good about yourselves? I'm sure you're thrilled that so many parents'll have to explain to their kids what happened to their heroes. Why people who were growing to love the sport might not ever want to watch a game again.

I'm lucky - I have the Blues, and they'll probably never leave. A lot of Atlantans don't HAVE another team. They've grown up with or grown to love Thrashers hockey. Why the holy fuck you group of idiots can't do what a bunch of ten year olds can do is beyond me.

I hope the NFL and NBA both strike next season, and you miss your chance to make a killing with the Thrashers as the only fall/winter sport in the town. I hope that the only thing that Philips Arena sees is some Michael Jackson acrobatics show and Britney Spears' ass. Enjoy your box seats for those, guys.

We all know that the Atlanta Spirit Group'd love to sell the Thrashers, and have been asking fans if "they know someone who'd like to buy the team, let us know." This, though, might be a blt much:

*Thanks to bud @heilpern on Twitter for the comment that gave me the idea to figure this one out.

Apologies for the lack of posts recently. I've been super sick, kind of tired and stressed out at work, and frankly generally bummed out with the whole situation going on here in Atlanta with the Thrashers. It's been tough to read unsubstantiated rumors (some of which have been published by local sources, some not) that have taken the place of actual reporting. It's easier to ask Mr. Unnamed Source what's going on than it apparently is to ask folks who work with the organization or who have some sort of tangible connection to the NHL.

I mean, hell - a rumor started by a high schooler was tweeted as gospel yesterday that the deal was done.

Anyway, the main issue a lot of Thrashers fans are having right now - aside from the fact that the ownership is jerking them around and they can't get any legit news from any media source (except from Phil Foley of the Examiner) - is the odd silence of the NHL. It took Jeff Schultz of the AJC to drag some sort of statement out of NHL Vice-Commish Bill Daly, and it wasn't exactly the "rah rah small market" statements that fans have gotten used to hearing.

Where're the speeches? Where's the rallying cry? Where's what Bettman said regarding Phoenix and the Nashville Predators - who are a strong Southern team that works? Where the hell is this?

“Because we fight hard for every city,” Bettman said. “Because we owe it to our fans. Because if you’re a fan in any city and you watch what we do, or you watch what any sports league does, if we don’t protect you as fans in one place, then maybe you’ll start question how well we’ll protect you in your place. Because we have a covenant with our fans, and our fans need to know that we will stand by them as long as possible and that we don’t just run out.”

Aw, thanks, Gary. You give that to Phoenix. Atlanta gets this from Daly:

Q: Can you understand why Atlanta hockey fans might feel like the NHL is abandoning them, especially given the league’s silence?

A: “Again, what that opinion lacks is any real information as to what we have been doing over a number of years. There have been efforts to sell the club. We feel it is best that franchises not be relocated and we’ve made a commitment to keep franchises in the marketplace. Everything we’ve done with the Thrashers is consistent with that.”

Rally 'round the Blueland flag, boys.

Listen, I don't hate Gary Bettman. I wonder about some of his decisions, but I also recognize that he's the guy fans have to look towards if we want to keep our team. So, Gary. Could we get a little bit more of this, please? Thanks.

Somewhere, some guy's head in Gilmer County just exploded.

Nothing is more sacred to many Atlantans than the World Series title against the Cleveland Indians in 1995. The MVP of that series - and of many of the Atlanta Braves' best seasons - was pitcher Tom Glavine. Glavine hails from Concord, MA and has quite the background in sports outside of baseball. Most Atlantans think of his other dabblings as inconsequential in comparison with his baseball career, and they might be right in the grand scheme of things. It's those other sports that might just help Glavine spearhead an effort to keep hockey in Atlanta.

Glavine lettered in hockey in high school, and was voted his team's MVP his senior year. He had an outstanding season, even by high school hockey standards, with 47 goals and 47 assists. His solid play caught the attention of professional scouts, and he was drafted 69th overall in the 4th round of the 1984 NHL entry draft by the LA Kings. He felt his future would be more secure in baseball, though, and he chose to go with the Braves, who also drafted him in 1984.

Who knows what could have become of Glavine had he stuck with hockey? He was drafted before Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille, for pete's sake. He still enjoys the game, with his son playing for the same team as Nik Antropov's son. The coach? Glavine. Heck, he was even signed by the Gwinnett Gladiators for some PR. He pops up at Thrashers games from time to time, and has been a pretty vocal supporter of the team in the past. It stands to reason that he'd be upset if the team up and moved to the tundras of Winnipeg or to the land of poutine and maple syrup (which actually doesn't sound bad).

So, as someone with considerable clout in the metro area, Glavine is deciding to do what he can to keep the Thrashers in the ATL. No, he doesn't have the money to buy the whole team, but he could be part of a group of investors that actually care about owning a hockey team. Bettman expects the team to be in Atlanta next year, so this gives Glavine time to drum up support.

Does this mean that the Thrashers are saved? Duh, of course not. Does it help a ton to have a local sports god come out and say "hey, I care about this team, I have faith in this team, and I want to make sure that they have a chance"? Absolutely - this might be, from an Atlantan's standpoint, the best news about the team's shaky ownership situation in a long time.

Heck, I'm not a Braves fan (at all) but if Glavine manages to save this team, I will seriously consider buying an uber jersey foul:

Unsurprisingly, like the Thrashers' effort in their last two games at home this season (thanks, guys!) it was dumped in the Gulch parking lot on old, unused train tracks. Hellooo, metaphor.

Another hockey season over. Wasn't it just yesterday we were all at draft parties, munching on complimentary food and drinking complimentary sodas? Listening to the explinations of the GM and team president and thinking "hey, yeah, you know what, this year might just work?" Where does the time go?

Yes, the Blues have regressed from last season's regression. Eleventh place and four games over .500 for 85 points isn't terrible, but it's certainly not good, either. After a promising start, things started to unravel for the Blues on and off of the ice. Some highlights:

• The Blues going 9-1-2 for their best 12 game start in team history. Way to get those hopes up, boys.
• The defensive injury bug beginning with Sidney Crosby attempting a hand-ectomy on Roman Polak. Every defenseman would wind up missing at least one game, meaning that the Blues were basically playing with the Rivermen's defense for a sizable bit of the season.
• Joe Thornton concussing David Perron, leaving the forward on IR for the whole season.
• TJ Oshie landing awkwardly on, and breaking his ankle during an 8-1 rout by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Special mention goes to Oshie for busting his ass to get back.
• Andy McDonald getting concussed on a freak play in Edmonton, both leading to the Oilers' game winning goal and the Blues being without a top line for about three months.

• This .gif of Carlo Colaiacovo:

• Erik Johnson's last goal as a Blue... into his own net.
• Speaking of EJ, how about that trade with Colorado?
• Chris GODDAM Stewart's fifteen goals and eight assists in the 25 games since that trade.
• #whereisoshie
• The 10-3 drubbing of Detroit, proving that the team can still play despite wasting half of their season figuring out how to recover from injury.
• Technoviking rebounding nicely.
• David Backes breaking the 30 goal mark and being an insane +30 on the year.
• Hopefully ending the season tonight with some sort of a win on home ice.

As you can see, it's been an interesting year for the Blues with lots of positives, some not so hotness, and some pretty nasty things outside of their control. Here's hoping that the team doesn't manage to lose so many man-games to injury next year. When they're healthy, these kids can make the playoffs. As we've seen the past two seasons, though, when they're hurt, they're not going anywhere.

Eh, September'll be here soon enough.

Everyone loves fantasy hockey, right? I mean, there's nothing better (for me at least) watching my team start the year out at the top of the league standings and then imploding and sliding to the bottom. Hell, in real-life that happens every year. But how many of your Yahoo! or ESPN leagues come with some sort of monetary incentive to actually make informed player decisions? Thankfully, none of mine, because God knows I don't want to pay $5 to watch someone else win $250.

This is where Rinkotology comes in. The Pensblog has been doing their Rinkotology brackets for a few seasons now, and it's always probably one of the biggest to-dos on the Bloguin network. This year, they've expanded it to a mini-game option as well for those of you who aren't high rollers.

What're the rewards, you might ask? Well, from the Pensblog guys, here you go:

There are three divisions. The top five in each division will win money:  

1st place: $300

2nd place: $250

3rd place: $200

4th place: $150

5th place: $100

The overall winner of the entire Quest For The Cup will win an extra $700, for a total of $1000.

Well, hellooo, nurse. This's a bit more substantial than the usual fantasy league, eh? All you have to do is choose one player from each of the sixteen playoff teams. You have to have ten forwards, four defensemen, and two goaltenders. As they play, they accumulate points for goals, assists, hat tricks, series clinching goals, and the like. A complete set of rules is at rinkotology.com.

Registration's over on April 13th at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, so get your teams set up, and good luck!

Just an FYI, there's a new way of making comments on all Bloguin sites with LiveFyre. Per an e-mail sent out by our fearless overlords, here's the deal:

It might be worth making an explanatory post on your blog to limit confusion for your readers.  Some important points to hit...

#1 - They will need to either register with Livefyre or sign in using Facebook or Twitter for now

#2 - Integration with their Bloguin user name and password is coming

#3 - Flickr, Twitpic, tinypic, and imgur are the supported image sources, meaning you just copy and paste the URL into the comment box and the image shows up as a thumbnail.

#4- For videos, YouTube and Vimeo work. Just paste the URL, and it works.

Boom - you can share pictures, videos, or whatever now easily in the comments. Welcome to the 21st century, y'all.