Will the Atlanta Thrashers Ever Come Back? What Hockey Fans in Atlanta Should Know

If you live in Atlanta and still miss the Atlanta Thrashers, you’re not alone. Many local hockey fans still wear the blue bird logo, talk about old games at Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena), and wonder: “Are the Atlanta Thrashers coming back?”

The short answer:
There is no official plan right now to bring the Atlanta Thrashers back to the NHL.

However, there is serious ongoing discussion about the NHL returning to the Atlanta area—just not necessarily with the Thrashers name, and not necessarily inside the city limits.

Below is a clear breakdown of what’s happening, what’s realistic, and what Atlanta hockey fans can actually do and enjoy today.

Where Things Stand: Is an NHL Team Returning to Atlanta?

No official NHL announcement… yet

As of now:

• The NHL has not announced a new team for Atlanta.
• There is no confirmed expansion team and no approved relocation of any existing franchise to Atlanta.
• The Thrashers brand itself (name, logo, records) still belongs to the NHL and history books; there’s no indication it will be reused.

When people ask, “Are the Atlanta Thrashers coming back?”, what they usually mean is:
Will the NHL return to metro Atlanta in some form?

On that question, there has been renewed interest and discussion, especially in the northern suburbs.

Why the Thrashers Left Atlanta in the First Place

Understanding the past helps make sense of the current expansion conversations.

The Atlanta Thrashers played in the NHL from 1999 to 2011, based downtown at what is now State Farm Arena. They eventually moved and became the Winnipeg Jets.

Common reasons often mentioned for their departure include:

• Ownership and management issues
• Financial struggles and attendance challenges
• Limited on-ice success (only one playoff appearance)
• A hockey market that was still developing, especially compared with traditional northern hockey cities

For Atlantans, the emotional takeaway was simple:
The city lost its second NHL team (the Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary in 1980), and many fans were left skeptical that big-league hockey would ever come back.

Is the NHL Looking at Atlanta Again?

Why Atlanta is still on the NHL radar

Despite the history, Atlanta remains attractive in some key ways:

• Large, fast-growing metro area
• Strong corporate presence that could support sponsorships
• A growing youth hockey and adult hockey community, especially in the northern suburbs
• Existing major-league sports infrastructure and experience hosting big events

Recent expansion talk around the league has often mentioned Atlanta alongside a few other cities as a possible future market. That doesn’t mean a team is guaranteed—only that Atlanta is part of the conversation again.

The New Twist: A Potential NHL Team in the Northern Suburbs

Most recent chatter about “Atlanta getting a team back” is actually centered outside the city, in fast-growing areas north of I-285.

Two of the most commonly discussed areas:

• Alpharetta / Forsyth County corridor
• The I-85 northeast corridor (e.g., Gwinnett County, Duluth area)

These locations are attractive for a few reasons:

• Large, high-income residential base
• Established youth hockey rinks and programs
• More available land for a modern, hockey-first arena and mixed-use development
• Many current and former Thrashers fans already live in these suburbs

If an NHL team does come back to the Atlanta area, current talk suggests it would most likely be in the northern suburbs, rather than downtown.

That means:
The NHL might return to metro Atlanta, but not necessarily as “the Atlanta Thrashers” playing in the old building.

Could the Thrashers Name Specifically Return?

From an Atlanta fan perspective, there are two separate questions:

1. Will the NHL come back to metro Atlanta?
2. If it does, will the team be called the Atlanta Thrashers?

Right now:

• There’s no public indication that the NHL plans to revive the Thrashers name.
• New expansion teams typically launch with new branding, tailored to their specific community and arena location.
• If the new team were based in, for example, Forsyth County or Gwinnett County, it might choose a name that reflects that area, not downtown Atlanta.

So if you’re specifically hoping, “Will the Atlanta Thrashers, as we knew them, come back?”
→ That is very unlikely.

If your question is broader—“Will NHL hockey return to metro Atlanta in any form?”
→ It’s possible in the long term, but nothing is officially confirmed.

Quick Summary for Atlanta Residents

Here’s a simple, at-a-glance view for locals wondering about the Thrashers:

What Hockey Looks Like in Atlanta Today

Even without an NHL team, there is still real hockey to watch and play in and around Atlanta.

Professional and high-level hockey near Atlanta

While team names and affiliations can change over time, metro Atlanta has consistently hosted:

• Minor-league and junior hockey teams, often based in Gwinnett County (Duluth area)
• Occasional college hockey and club-level games

These teams often play at arenas such as:

• Gas South Arena in Duluth (6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097)

If you miss live hockey, these games can offer:

• Affordable tickets
• Easier parking and access than downtown
• A family-friendly environment

Check current local team schedules and league listings to see who’s playing in any given season.

Where to Skate or Play Hockey Around Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and want more than just memories of the Thrashers, you can still get on the ice.

Some well-known ice rinks and hockey hubs in the metro area include:

• Atlanta IceForum (The Cooler) – 10800 Davis Dr, Alpharetta, GA 30009
  • Offers public skating, youth and adult hockey, and figure skating.
• Center Ice Arena – 5750 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30342
  • Convenient for intown and north-Perimeter residents.
• IceForum Duluth (attached to Gas South complex area) – 2300 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30097
  • Popular with youth hockey and adult leagues.

These facilities typically offer:

• Public skating sessions
• Learn-to-skate and learn-to-play hockey programs
• Adult recreational leagues and youth travel programs

For Atlantans who grew up watching the Thrashers, getting involved at a local rink is one of the most practical ways to keep hockey alive in your own neighborhood while the NHL’s long-term plans play out.

How an Atlanta Fan Can Stay Informed About a Possible NHL Return

If you care deeply about NHL hockey coming back to the Atlanta area, these steps can help you stay in the loop and involved:

1. Follow official NHL communications

While rumors move fast, confirmed expansion or relocation news will always come from:

• Official NHL announcements
• Official statements from team ownership groups or arena developers

Until something is announced at that level, any talk of “Thrashers returning next year” should be treated as speculation.

2. Watch local development and arena plans

In metro Atlanta, a new NHL team would almost certainly require a new or significantly upgraded arena, likely part of a larger mixed-use project.

For Atlanta residents, pay attention to:

• Major arena or entertainment district proposals in Gwinnett County, Forsyth County, or North Fulton County
• Public meetings or planning documents that mention professional hockey or major-league tenants

These types of projects often go through:

• County commissions and city councils
• Local planning and development departments

3. Support local hockey now

Fan interest is often part of the argument for expansion. Ways to show that Atlanta is still a strong hockey market include:

• Attending local minor or junior league games
• Joining adult leagues or signing kids up for youth hockey
• Supporting local rinks, especially those building out hockey programs

While it doesn’t guarantee an NHL team, visible local engagement shows that hockey demand in Atlanta is real and growing.

What This Means If You Live in Atlanta Right Now

For an Atlanta resident or visitor, here’s the realistic picture:

• The old Atlanta Thrashers are not coming back as the same franchise.
• The NHL may, in the future, award a team to the Atlanta metro area, but it would likely have a new name and likely play in a northern suburb, not necessarily downtown.
• No timeline is set. Expansion decisions tend to be long, careful processes, and Atlanta is just one of several markets being discussed.
• In the meantime, you can still:
  • Watch live hockey in and around Atlanta
  • Lace up at local rinks across the metro area
  • Keep an eye on official announcements for any concrete NHL plans

So if your question is “Are the Atlanta Thrashers coming back?” the most accurate Atlanta-focused answer today is:

No, the Thrashers themselves are not returning, but the possibility of NHL hockey returning to the Atlanta area in a new form remains open—and is being watched closely by both the league and local fans.