Wow, this is a good definition of insanity. 

Yeah. Cause it worked so well before. Right? 😄😄😄😄

Move a team there, if you must (still a bad idea, in any case), but please, for the love of pizza, don't expand any more.

"I think times have changed pretty dramatically and the market demographics have changed pretty dramatically since the first time we went there and then again in 1999," he said. "I think a lot of bigger businesses are in Atlanta [now]."

This is total hogwash. The demographics in Atlanta have NOT changed in the last 25 years (most of that change took place during the 80s). There were also plenty of big businesses there in 1999.

Also, any comparisons to the Braves are pointless. The Braves had a fanbase, they just weren't bothering to sit in traffic and go downtown to watch a game when they could do it from their couch. Many came to see the new stadium and what kept them coming back was success on the field and a location, for many, that didn't involve a commute to a stadium with nothing else in the neighborhood. While a new hockey team and arena might draw some good crowds, without success on the ice, it'll face the same fate. 

If someone truly wants the NHL to succeed in Atlanta they better have full commitment from ownership and the league.

At this point I'd almost prefer an AHL team in Atlanta. That way I could see some quality hockey without having to dish out big bucks for mediocre results yet again.

It's a little surprising to see so much hostility against the league coming back to Atlanta, but also a little amusing.

I've heard whispers about this for years. There's been smoke about all this *for years*. Whether or not it takes off is anyone's guess right now, but if the league is openly talking about it, you can guarantee there's interest and they're vetting potential ownerships. The league clearly learned its lesson after the Atlanta fiasco that was Atlanta Spirit. If you're not familiar with what exactly they did, I'm more than happy to share all the dirty laundry, but a lot of it was covered in articles earlier this year.

At the end of the day, it's not up to any of us. It's up to the league and its owners. If they choose to put a team here, complaining about it isn't gonna do you any good.

As for the AHL comment above? If Atlanta gets another crack at the NHL, look for an AHL team to come to either Peachtree City or McDonough, each about 30mi south of Atlanta with growing interest in the sport. Back in the late 2000s, there were plans for a team (Can't remember which minor pro league, but was not the SPHL) in McDonough and at least one group who was looking to build a small arena there.

One thing is certain: If you don't think the demographics have changed, you need to open your eyes a bit more. Maybe re-read that article. The NHL venue is being proposed in the northern suburbs, where more hockey fans live now than there were even in the 1990s-2000s. The league can find success here, but the number one rule of business applies: Location, location, location. This is why a potential team won't be playing downtown.