The Atlanta Thrashers played four more seasons than the Atlanta Flames but despite the difference in eras, the fates of both teams were the same. It turns out the two National Hockey League franchises that were separated by two decades had more in common than just being a financial failure.

The Atlanta Flames joined the NHL for the 1972-73 season, along with the New York Islanders, in a hasty plan to push the rebel World Hockey Association away from both centres. By the start of the 1980-81 season, the Flames were gone from Atlanta and playing out of Calgary, Alberta.

The Atlanta Thrashers entered the NHL for the 1999-00 season when the economy was booming and Atlanta was the shiny new cosmopolitan ‘Capital of the South’. Troubled times soon hit the region and by the end of the 2010-11 season, there was no more money to pay the bills. The team, just like the earlier Atlanta NHL club, left town for Western Canada. This time, the new home of the franchise will be Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Flames made the NHL playoffs six out of the eight seasons they were in Atlanta. At the time, a much greater percentage of teams qualified as the number of teams in the league was much lower. The Flames did not win a single playoff series.

The Thrashers made the playoffs just once in their twelve year stay in Atlanta. However, despite being the number three seed in the Eastern Conference in 2006-07, the Thrashers were swept by the New York Rangers in the opening round.

What is remarkably similar about the two teams is their individual single season records. Despite the difference in eras when it comes to offence and toughness, everything from most goals in a season to most penalty minutes to most wins by a goalie are very close between the two teams.

For most goals in a single season, the Thrashers edge out the Flames by two goals. Ilya Kovalchuk scored 52 in 2005-06 and 2007-08 while Guy Chouinard of the Flames scored 50 in 1978-79. The Thrashers give back the difference when it comes to most assists in a season. Bob MacMillan had 71 assists for the Flames in 1978-79 compared to Marc Savard’s 69 in 2005-06.

MacMillan and the Flames have the advantage by eight when it comes to points in a season. Bob had 108 in 1978-79 whereas Marian Hossa had just 100 in 2006-07 to set the Thrashers mark.

Five minutes (just one major penalty for fighting) separate the all-time single season tough guys from each team. Willi Plett gets the nod with 231 penalty minutes in 1979-80. Jeff Odgers set the Thrashers mark in just the second season of the team’s existence with 226.

It doesn’t stop there. For most points in a season by a defenseman, one point is all that comes between the two teams. Ken Houston had 54 for the Flames in 1979-80 and Dustin Byfuglien had 53 this past season, 2010-11, for the Thrashers.

The Thrashers top the Flames for most points by a rookie. Dany Heatley contributed 67 in 2001-02 while Tom Lysiak fell short at 64 points in 1973-74. However, Heatley’s mark was accomplished over 82 games and Lysiak played just 77. Heatley was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy for his efforts. Lysiak came close but fell second in the voting for the Calder in 1973-74 to Hall of Famer, Denis Potvin of the New York Islanders.

Finally, when it comes to goalie wins, Kari Lehtonen’s 34 with the Thrashers in 2006-07 beats out Dan Bouchard’s 32 in 1978-79 with the Flames. Lehtonen played in 68 games to Bouchard’s 64.

If you take each of those seven categories and give each number the same weight, the Flames total 610 and the Thrashers total 601. Just nine units separate the two teams when it comes to individual single season records.

One has to wonder: will the few but proud Atlanta hockey fans get excited each time Calgary plays Winnipeg in the upcoming 2011-12 season?

Note: the Atlanta Thrashers move to Winnipeg is still pending a final vote by the NHL board of governors as of publication of this article. However, it’s just a formality and is a done deal.