Blueland blues

Part of the deal that broke the NHL deadlock and lockout three years ago was a hard salary cap -- yes, the very same one that allowed teams like the Atlanta Thrashers and Carolina Hurricanes to compete with even Original Six clubs like Toronto and Boston, even with a quarter of the gate receipts.

But now hockey's post-lockout success -- revenues are up 16 percent from last year, to $2.52 billion -- the salary cap is rising again. The top clubs are now spending $15 million more a year than the Thrashers have ever spent, and it's starting to show. This season, Southeast Division teams are losing consistently to stalwarts from the North, the West and Canada. Detroit hasn't lost to a Southeast Division challenger all year.

What's more, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Stanley Cup winners Tampa Bay Lightning were briefly up for sale this year (does Florida really need two NHL teams?), and the Nashville Predators are in jeopardy of a move. Meanwhile, markets like Las Vegas and Winnipeg are being talked about as potential destinations for what would most likely be a Southern team.

Will the Thrashers get moved on this icy chessboard? Probably not. Atlanta is too big of a sports town, boomtown and TV market for the NHL to pull up stakes. But with several of the top players, including Marian Hossa, ready to enter the free agent market next year, it's going to be tougher than ever to bring the best players here.

And that may leave Blueland feeling blue indeed.