By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com
BOSTONPlenty of relocation talk in Atlanta over the last week where Twitter rumors and Internet whispers are running rampant that the Thrashers organization is preparing itself for a move to Manitoba. Thrashers blogger and team employee Ben Wright actually went on Twitter himself to debunk the rumors and assure that there were no organizational meetings taking place about a potential move to Winnipeg this summer.But theres little doubt Atlanta could be ripe for the relocation picking with the Phoenix Coyotes sticking in Arizona for another season, and the toxic cocktail of ownership problems and attendance issues crushing a flagging hockey franchise in an incredibly indifferent sports city.Bruins winger Rich Peverley played parts of three seasonsand only one full campaign where he blossomed into a bona fide NHL forward with 22 goals and 55 points last seasonin Atlanta, and was clearly bothered by talk that the NHL wouldnt extend the same league protection to that city as theyve done for Glendale throughout their lengthy battle to remain in Phoenix.Just as Gary Bettman and the NHL acted as foster parents for the Coyotes over the last couple of seasons, Peverley rightfully asks why a Thrashers team with young stars like Dustin Byfuglien and Evander Kane couldnt have the same sort of efforts extended toward them.It would be a shame if they moved," Peverley said. "I think that situation with the organization can be resolved. If you only make the playoffs one out of ten years its obviously tough. With the ownership the situation of going to court for five years it really hampers the organization. What the NHL did for Phoenix hopefully theyll do the same thing for Atlanta because I think its a market that could definitely work.Some guys say it didnt bother them at all and during the season you dont think about it because youre not going anywhere. But some of the guys in the offseason, its in the back of their minds, and especially so for guys that have really planted roots there and have homes. I think that is something Thrashers players really do think about it.The real or imagined specter of relocation is looming over the heads of all Thrashers players, and that cant be a good thing for anybody.On to the links:One day after potting a hat trick against the United States in world competition, Jaromir Jagr-mania is running wild in the New York Times.Pro Hockey Talk has the story on the Mayor of Atlanta staunchly refusing to go through the same steps as Glendale to keep the Thrashers in the fair state of Georgia.Friend of Haggs (FOH) John Manasso has more on the Thrashers potentially uprooting from Atlanta for Manitoba, but says that the situation hasnt even begun to develop at this point.The Boys at Days of YOrr had way too much time coming up with a new billboard for the BruinsLighting series.A piece from TheHockeyWriters.comon whether the Bruins should consider benching Tomas Kaberle for the next round of the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Thats just not going to happen after the kings ransom Peter Chiarelli paid to Toronto for his services, and it absolutely wont go down against the trap-happy Lightning.The Wall Street Journals Kevin Clark searches for answers during a crazy, great Stanley Cup playoff season for the NHL.Steve Yzerman gives credit to the Tampa Bay Lightning ownership group for helping lift the Bolts out of the hockey dust bin this season.TSNs Darren Dreger has plenty in his latest report including the Atlanta situation, a landing spot for Jagr and what on earth the Flyers plan to do about their atrocious goaltending situation?WEEI.coms D.J. Bean said that David Krejci and the Bruins found inspiration in Journeys Dont Stop Believing. Dont stop me if you havent heard somebody get inspired by Steve Perry hitting his high notes before.NHL.com is kicking off their mock draft season, and it looks like the Bruins will be getting themselves a defenseman with their first round pick. I think Ryan Murphy to Boston has a nice ring to it.
Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs