As soon as he goes, he’s very likely coming back and its Roberto Luongo’s worst nightmare. You’re asking yourself who or what am I talking about? Dustin Byfuglien could be coming back at Vancouver and the two of them could be seeing each other more often than even before. Still you’re asking what am I smoking? It sounds very probable that the Atlanta Thrashers are going to be relocating to Winnipeg, and if this were to happen make no mistake Winnipeg would be moving to the Northwest Division.
The City of Glendale committed to one more season in Phoenix Tuesday night, willing to put up $25 million to cover losses. True North, the owners of the MTS Center in Winnipeg quickly turned their attention to the Thrashers, mainly because they cannot find local investors to keep the team in Georgia. The latest talk is Atlanta could be relocating and sold to True North very soon, mainly because the NHL wants to get to work on the schedule for next season.
Byfuglien recently re-signed with Atlanta, together with Andrew Ladd, Evander Kane and others, the city of Winnipeg could be getting a very attractive young aggressive team this year. If this becomes true, the Canucks and Winnipeg would be natural rivals, but the best rivalry would be against Minnesota, simply because both cities are within driving distance.
Major ramifications in different cities and leagues
If the move takes place, minimum three leagues and cities would be affected by this. Winnipeg would likely move to the Northwest, Colorado Avalanche could move to the Pacific, with Dallas maybe going to the Southeast. The other option could see Nashville move to the Southeast, and Winnipeg playing the Central Division. One thing is for sure Winnipeg would not play in the Southeast.
Winnipeg’s AHL team the Manitoba Moose will move to either Chilliwack, Saskatoon or Regina. If they moved to Saskatchewan, the junior team in that destination could relocate. Reason why I think Chilliwack could get the Moose is because their WHL relocated to Victoria. It would be a natural rivalry between Chilliwack and Abbotsford plus it makes sense for the AHL and the teams traveling out west.
How Soon could this happen?
Atlanta at best last season were drawing fly’s, even when they were winning earlier in the season, nobody seemed to care. The NHL will not take care of the Thrashers financially like they have Phoenix. if this move takes place it needs to be done no later than May 31. The NHL schedule is always completed in June, and it will take minimum of two weeks to get done. The NHL has to know by now what they will be doing regarding relocation, but the team that’s moving to a different division would likely be compensated.
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