I mostly lurk on this site and enjoy reading all the knowledgeable posts and banter, but I have to chime on this one.
I live in the Metro Atlanta area and to call Forsyth County "Atlanta" just isn't realistic. Forsyth county is about 41 miles north of the arena where the Thrashers played. North of Forsyth and you're in the foothills of the mountains; so not a dense population and, well, mostyl rednecks that I can't imagine are interested in hockey. That 41 miles is not accessible by any means of public transportation and the interstates/state routes to get from the ATL area to Forsyth Co. are riddled with some of the worse traffic in the country. I cannot foresee anyone in Atlanta (or South of Atlanta) fighting very hellacious traffic to go see hockey. The Thrashers failed whilst being located right in midtown ATL. I know ownership played a part, but I just don't see that area being able to sustain any type of pro franchise as it's just not easily accessible. It is a booming county for sure, but not any sort of metropolis.