'06-'07 Atlanta Thrashers - R.I.P.

After a relatively strong season (to Thrashers standards, maybe not to the league's standards), going four-and-out in the playoffs definitely left a bitter taste in the mouth of Blueland Nation. No one - players from both sides, media, the fans - expected a sweep in this series, no one. So for the Thrashers, the third seed in the Eastern Conference, to come into the playoffs like a black labrador and go out like a canary, it's a disappointment. After waiting seven years to get into the next step of the team's development and character, everyone folds completely. Kinda sad, but, unfortunately, that's the way things go.

Yes - they could've played better. Sure - we could've had those lucky bounces. But what's done is done. Just be proud of your team for getting that far.

Maybe it serves us right. Maybe everyone was too optimistic about everything. Did people realistically expect the Thrashers to make waves in the post-season? I sure didn't, and I love this team more than anything. Regardless, it still hurts that the team unconsciously decided to not be present for (at least) a game in the playoffs. Things like a, sniff, first-round sweep can only serve to motivate what remains next season.

A lot was made of the team finally reaching the playoffs. About how the last playoff hockey in Atlanta occurred 20+ years ago when the Flames were cast out of the city (courtesy of the New York Rangers... hmm). About how the young stars of the team could step up and prove their real worth. About how the Hossas, the Kovys, the Lehtonens, could really make a statement and boost this franchise's value in the city that wants a winner more than anything (save the Braves).

Was there too much pressure on the team's collective shoulders? Perhaps. They'll never tell, and maybe the players themselves will never know. Management made moves to sacrifice the future for now, deserately trading away some nice prospects (we'll see how they turn out in a few years) and future draft picks for some more stability and possibly more names on the marquee. While it seems like the Tkachuk deal didn't pan out exactly as Don Waddell hoped, he (along with Zhitnik, Belanger, and Dupuis) provided the added spark to get the team to the post-season for the first time in its seven-year history.

And wasn't that the point? Playoffs or bust? For a while there, that's what it seemed like. Then it turned into, "Series win or bust." Then, "Regain series control or bust." It eventually turned into, "Show up or bust."

It's one's love for the team that constantly encourages more and that other things get lost in hindsight. Ending the regular season without a playoff berth would've signaled a definite failure of hockey in Atlanta (at least with the management staff). But you know what? We not only made it into the playoffs, but we have a banner to hang as a result of the hard-work that got us there. All of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into each game this season will be rewarded come October when we raise some sort of recognition to the rafters of Philips Arena.

For a moment, at least, the four-and-out playoff run will be forgotten and a sense of pride will be renewed.

Blueland Nation - I mourn as the rest of you do about the past four losses of the team that ultimately ended their season. I lived it all vicariously through the players' triumphs and miscues and run-ins with fate. But please do recognize the bigger picture here. We made the playoffs. We didn't sneak into it, we held that spot almost all season long atop the Southeast Division. Granted, there's a lot of parity in that division, but we commanded (albeit with some level of struggle) it. No one would've expected last September and October that we would've won the Southeast Division. Sneaking in as an eight seed, probably no higher than a six seed, was more appropriate.

But we won the division fair and square. Don't forget who got you there and all that happened through this roller-coaster ride of a season.

I, for one, am proud of you, each and every one of the Atlanta Thrashers, for going the extra distance this season. We didn't have the outcome we all wanted and felt we earned. A exit from the playoffs is inevitable. Either you win sixteen games or lost a series. A series loss of 4-3 or 4-0 results in the same outcome - no more hockey for you! We got into the next round of hockey that some teams are left out of. We got there and we opened the eyes of the league and made everyone consider our chances, examine our team, and really consider us a threat.

Isn't that what it was all about from the start?

Thanks for a great season, Atlanta Thrashers. You made the playoffs and really gave yourselves motivation for next year. Missing the playoffs by a couple of points was a start. The scores of this series should be posted in the locker room and acknowledged before every game next season so that the players are constantly reminded of what's on the line and that there's reason to go on. Right now, it's difficult to think about that, but it's the truth. Go ahead and drown in your sorrows and disappointment. Come July though, we're a new team and we have a new agenda.

Let's hang that banner in October and start anew.

Let's go Thrashers!