According to sources, the Winnipeg franchise has already reached out to Richards and plans to interview him in the near future for an assistant coaching position.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Prospect of an NHL team in Quebec takes a hit.  Is this posturing or legit?  With all the will they/won’t then talk we in Manitoba were subjected to, you can never be too sure.  Someone might want to tell these guys as the Nordiques Nation is one of the most rabid fan bases calling for their team to return.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Cheveldayoff accepts GM position.  We will learn more at the press conference.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Byfuglien excited to play in new NHL home.  And we are excited to have him on the team.

Globe and Mail:  Winnipeg waiting on a name.  This is a close 2nd in terms of the fan anticipation, behind only the announcement that a team was returning.

Winnipeg Free Press:  The price of hockey greatness.   Which is why it’s nice to see that we have some visionaries in our city.

For more articles and the latest from across the blogosphere including today’s Tweet of the Day, click read more.

Winnipeg Free Press:  NHL schedule to be released within weeks.  How exciting a time will it be when we actually get to see our team scheduled for play next season.  And as Stevie from NYC wrote, the real fun will come when we get to start dividing our seats and choosing our games.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Fans going Wild over tickets to draft.   With St. Paul being so close, not a surprise that Manitoba fans would want to head down to cheer on their 1st draft choice in 15 years.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Chipman to meet with NHL brass.  About the only thing the NHL should do when he walks into the meeting is give him a standing ovation for saving them.

Toronto Star: Winnipeg’s house cleaning leaves lingering questions.  And had they not started fresh, that too could have resulted in questions.  It is Canada.  Question’s will be asked regardless of result.

Global Winnipeg:  True North says 100′s of tickets could go back on the market.  Even if a couple of hundred suddenly come available, I guarantee that those guys would be replaced on the waiting list.

Edmonton Journal:  Call them the Manitoba Monarchs.  I would guess that at this point we are down to  a couple of names left that True North is kicking around, so the time for suggesting new monikers is over.

Times & Transcript:  Ted Nolan wants to coach again.  I’ve always liked Nolan and couldn’t figure out why he’s remained out of hockey for as long as he has.

Windsor Star:  NHL should thank Canadians.  Good points across the board.

Blogs:

SB Nation Atlanta:  No Steve Belkin won’t save Thrashers.   This is why you should always take a twitter “source”  with a grain of salt.

SB Nation Detroit:  Top NHL Relocation/Expansion cities.  While this no longer applies to us (thankfully), we can’t forget about the cities that have supported our re-entry to the NHL in their quest to get NHL hockey back.

Yahoo Sports:  Winnipeg NHL tickets a hot commodity.  Thankfully True North is clamping down and hopefully this will result in local fans getting a chance to purchase tickets.

SB Nation Atlanta:  Nashville Predators offering Atlanta fans special ticket package.   Gotta give the Nashville organization a lot of credit.  Expect the Winnipeg franchise to model itself after the Preds.

Tweet of the Day:

CBC (Poll):  Which Manitoba singer should sing the first national anthem?  Not surprised at that vote.

Globe and Mail:  Ticket drive means big money.  Using facts to prove your point.  Appears to be a novel approach that some pundits could learn from.

CBC:  Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts (9-11).  I really like the idea of bringing in Kris King in some capacity.

Glenn Healy had the “infomercial” (as Ron MacLean called it) for Kris King during the Hotstove, but it makes sense for Winnipeg to talk to him (and that may have happened already). King wasn’t initially thrilled about being traded to the Manitoba capital, but later called those “the four best years of my career.” Not a bad attitude to have around the organization at this time.

Macleans:  The return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg.   If you have some time to kill, here is a nice retrospective of the entire situation.

Tom Pidgeon/AP

Globe and Mail:  Chicago assistant GM offered Winnipeg GM.  Let’s hope firing GM’s doesn’t become a Winnipeg tradition.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Zinger, Chevy due not so dynamic, but will work fingers to the bone.  Don Cherry loves the guys who cut their teeth at the AHL level, and these guys are no different.

Winnipeg Free Press:  NHL ticket brokers offside.   Am I supposed to be shocked that greed played a part in people’s purchases?

Winnipeg Free Press:  Mistake caused by ‘Whiteout’.  Well it got fans feeling nostalgic for the days of the whiteout at the old barn.

To read more articles, blog posts click read more.

Winnipeg Free Press:  True North gets its man, Team powered by Chevy.   Looks like everything is falling into place, if we could just get some indication as to the Team Name……

Leader-Post:  Team’s move to Winnipeg opens doors.  Part of what is going to increase the chances of making this a successful long term venture is expanding our market to include those outside of Manitoba, including Saskatchewan, Northwestern Ontario and the Dakota’s.

Montreal Gazette:  A fine week for hockey in Canada. About midway down the article the author discusses some of the finer points of Sun belt hockey.

Winnipeg to Phoenix? An unqualified disaster. Hockey in Atlanta for the second time? What – the first time wasn’t bad enough?

Metro:  Desperately seeking tickets.  With all the tickets snatched up in record time, it isn’t surprising the lengths some people will go to get tickets to NHL games here in Winnipeg.  Our personal favorite:

“Wanted: Jets ticket to home opener. Willing to pay $20 and give you a foot rub. If you buy me a beer, I’ll take off my shirt and paint my stomach white. If you buy me two beers, I’ll paint my toenails blue and shake my pompoms. Sorry, bra stays on. Unless you buy me three beers and I don’t have to pay.”

Blogs:

National Post:  Winnipeg fans spread egg on Bettman’s face.  The mistake Bettman made was in challenging Winnipeger’s to “do something”.  We always give it our best, but when you intimate that we might not accomplish our goal, we double our efforts.

SB Nation:  Why ‘Winnipeg Whiteout’ won’t be name of new team.  Agree.  Just a preemptive move by True North.  Kinda like registering Drive to 13 web site in February.

Letters to Editor:

Calgary Herald:  Sharing fond memories of the Winnipeg Jets.  Well said.  The overwhelming sentimental choice is the Jets, but sometimes decisions have to be made with the head and not the heart.

TSN:  What’s in a name.  Clearly a lot.

Winnipeg Sun:  True North denies whiteout link.  No point in denying your heritage.

Chicago Sun-Times:  Cheveldayoff offered Winnipeg GM position.  Sounds like they have had their eyes on him for awhile.

Winnipeg free Press:  True North makes statement about GM firing.  Does this mean an entirely fresh start for the team?

Winnipeg Sun:  NHL the hottest ticket in town.  I actually had some disbelief when I heard it sold out in 17 minutes.  Expected it by Sunday but not in 17 minutes.  Well done Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Sun:  Bettman is still a jerk.  But I’m sure he’s happy Winnipeg’s back in the league.  Isn’t he??  Just look at his reaction when he read Brunt’s story on his Blackberry.

Winnipeg Sun:  Desperate fans who failed to score hunt online.  There are tales a plenty of people looking online for tickets today.  Heard that there were tickets on Kijiji for Game 1 for $3,200.00.

Edmonton Journal:  McVie happy for Winnipeg.  Seems like everyone who ever was associated with the old team, is coming out in favour of our city.

CBC:  Gauging the value of an NHL team in Winnipeg.   I’d say based on what we saw yesterday, the value is high.

Winnipeg Sun:  Let’s get downtown.   The city’s revitalization was already on its way but this will accelerate it.

Edmonton Sun:  ‘Peg stations battle for hockey broadcast rights.  From the comments I’ve been reading from younger (18-35) readers, they sure seem impressed with 1290′s coverage of the Return of the NHL to Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Sun:  True North purchases Whiteout trademark. That’s an interesting tidbit.  Perhaps people should be excited if True North is bringing back the traditions.

To read more articles, see some video and watch today’s Video of the Day, click read more.

Winnipeg Sun:  Thrashers give kudos to the fans.  Just wait till they get into the arena for game 1.  Going to blow the roof off the MTS Centre.

TSN:  Thrashers’ Dudley not retained.  Appears that True North wants a new direction.

Star-Tribune:  Q&A with Keith Tkachuk.  Still one of the guys who still returns to Winnipeg.

Video:

CBC (starts at 2:53):  Coach’s Corner.  Says it will be a goldmine here in Winnipeg.

CBC (starts at 1:43):  Hotstove.  Eric Francis says it actually took 2 minutes, not 17 to sell all the tickets.

Video of the Day – Kris King speaks about his time in Winnipeg:

Winnipeg Free Press:  We’re not going to say ‘I told you so, but…. Gary said it best.

Revenue is the only financial issue that matters in running an NHL franchise and at an average ticket price of $82 the Winnipeg club will generate just north of $54-million in ticket revenue this coming season. That’s before they sell a beer or a board sign or TV ad.

It’s also in the top half of ticket revenue among NHL teams. The smallest building in the smallest market in the league will make more money off ticket sales than half the teams in the NHL. Ugly Winnipeg with its cold and its mosquitoes can’t thrive in the NHL. Whatever.

Globe and Mail:  Winnipeg hockey fans quick to show support.  Including this guy who screwed up and only bought a single ticket in P3 section.  If any IC readers happen to have an extra P3, shoot me an email, dave@illegalcurve.com .

Winnipeg Free Press:  Most expensive NHL season tickets are sold.  I have to think that they will achieve the target goal of 13,000 by Monday.

Vermont Public Radio (Audio):  New franchise heats up Canadian hockey.  Host Scott Simon speaks with former NHL goalie and CBC hockey analyst Kelly Hrudey about Winnipeg’s new NHL franchise and the challenges of playing a schedule in the Southeast Division while living in Manitoba, 1,246 miles from their nearest division rival.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Local hockey prospect St. Croix gets stoked.  His mom and mine taught together.  Extremely nice family.  Hope he is able to achieve his NHL dreams.  And who knows, perhaps with the 67th pick overall in the 3rd round they will take a chance on him.

To read rest of today’s articles, click read more.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Fans going to great lengths to snare some coveted tickets.  Gotta love the ingenuity of some people.  The True North servers are going to get slammed.

CTV:  Winnipeg could reach season ticket target by end of day.  Wouldn’t be surprised if they did.  Appears panic has set in that we won’t be able to buy coveted seats.

Calgary Herald:  AHL to return to Newfoundland.  Not going to lie.  It will be nice to have a minor league team again and not be a minor league team.

Winnipeg Free Press:  High-performance Chevy.  He appears to be a very good candidate if you want to go away from Dudley and not yet give Craig Heisinger the reins of an NHL team.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Noel best man for the job.  Good point about bringing the culture of the Moose into the NHL but leaving Name behind.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets brand is golden…why tarnish its storied luster.  While I agree with his points it appears that it may be for naught.  The brand may be just a memory.  But who knows, there is an entire generation that adopted the Moose jersey (certainly not anyone above age of 25) so maybe this new team will take off.  Just might take a bit.

Ottawa Citizen:  We deserved better.  I think anyone who has followed the Thrashers drama would acknowledge that the problem begins with the ownership group.

Edmonton Sun:  True North eyes ‘Hawks AGM.  Good news for our team is after 7th pick, we don’t pick again till the 3rd round (67th).

Central Plains Sports:  Local NHLers applaud league’s return to Province.  For local players coming home its always a great atmosphere.  I remember when former 1st round draft pick Pat Falloon used to come to Winnipeg with the Sharks.  Crowd was always very pumped to see the hometown kid.

Arizona Republic:  Glendale economic report kept private.  While obviously not Return of the NHL news, we here in Winnipeg are still keeping an eye on our former team and whenever there is news indicating that something is being ‘withheld’ it usually isn’t good news.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Front-runner emerges for GM of city’s NHL team. That’s a name we hadn’t heard before.

Star-Phoenix:  Saskatoon needs pro hockey.  I’ve often wondered why our sister Prairie province to the West doesn’t have a professional hockey team.  However I would imagine True North took a look West when trying to find a place for the Manitoba Moose and found it lacking.   Having witnessed the support they give to sporting events, that surprises me.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Transition game. True North was already a 1st class organization before it entered into NHL ownership and this will hold them in good stead as they navigate the uncharted waters  while swimming with the big boys.

Winnipeg Free Press:  True North staff can’t keep up with calls, emails from anxious fans.  True North president and CEO Jim Ludlow believes there could be 6000-7000 tickets left for Saturday’s public sale of season tickets.  With the number of panicked calls and emails I received today, this doesn’t surprise me.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Kind words from Randy Carlyle.  I don’t think anyone who was a fan of the Jets could ever consider #8 as an enemy.

Winnipeg Sun:  NHL in ‘Peg jacket, tie affair?  Seems the Moose loyalist and the corporate sponsors are reaping the rewards for supporting the AHL for the past 15 seasons as it should be.  I’ve heard stories of a number of “corporate types” who are unable to secure past their allotment, meaning True North isn’t bending rules.

Winnipeg Sun:  Dudley gets face time with True North.  With the draft just over 3 weeks away, does True North want to take a chance and rock the boat?

Click ‘read more’ for additional all the news links, blogs, and today’s picture of the day.

CBC:  Manitoba boosts funding for MTS Centre.  Spend money to make money.

Winnipeg Sun:  Toews wants Jets to fly.  As Michael Remis of R-Desk fame suggested yesterday in his Go Jets Go piece, so do the majority of the people who are surveyed.

Globe and Mail:  Challenge to arena deal could threaten return of NHL to Quebec City.  Wonder if Quebec City is about to get it’s own ‘Thin Ice’ group!

Winnipeg Sun:  Oddsmakers say ‘Peg hotter off ice then on.  So you’re saying there’s a chance!   Until we get word from IC’s resident gambling expert, Ari Baum-Cohen, we will reserve our gambling predictions.

Chicago Tribune:  Return to divisional playoff round would rekindle rivalries.  The only problem with this proposal is that it rewards teams in weak divisions and punishes teams in stronger ones.  (hello Jets in the Smythe division battling Edmonton & Calgary throughout the 80′s).  However the assertion that the rivalries will develop is 100% accurate.  With exception of Boston/Montreal and Chicago/Vancouver, not too many teams have repeated playing each other during the playoffs recently.  This system would see that occur more frequently.

Blogs:

Puck Daddy:  Will this man be the GM for Winnipeg.  Sure seems to have the right pedigree but that name reminds me a bit too much of a former goalie for the Jets.

Red Light District Hockey:   What will realignment look like.  Here’s another look at the issue of realignment.

SB Nation Atlanta:  EA Sports’ NHL 12 will include Winnipeg instead of Atlanta.  Last game I owned was NHL 93 or 94, which innovated by allowing you to roof it or take a slap shot (I can’t recall).

The Sporting News:   Which Thrashers will fly to Winnipeg.  Lots to get done without a ton of time in which to do it.

The Score:  Winnipeg hockey tickets could get costly on secondary market. I still question the value of seeing the Leafs or Canadiens as “premium” but people have their loyalties and that could cost them.

Ice Man (AJC):  What will you remember about the Thrashers?  The sad reality is that even though people in Winnipeg are beyond excited, there is a fan base that just lost their team of 12 years.

Pro Hockey Talk (NBC Sports):  Winnipeg’s team name will emerge once they sell 13,000 season tickets.  Doesn’t make sense why True North wouldn’t release name if that was the case.  I’m inclined to believe that they are going to go in a new direction.

Audio:

CBC:  Teemu Selanne talks about Winnipeg.  We too are glad he started his career here.

Picture of the Day:

Taken from the above Chicago Tribune article, I really like the way this looks except it could reward teams with weaker divisional opponents.  Let us know what you think.  Sound off in the comments section as to whether or not the NHL should help to develop rivalries by going to a 4 Division alignment.

Drive to 13,000: 2,300 tickets were sold in the last 24 hours, the counter goes up from 1,870 to 4,170. With 5 of 8 presale groups activated, these will be a tough ticket to get for the general public.

Globe and Mail:  Season-ticket campaign going great in Winnipeg.  Anyone one bet that they hit 13,000 by Monday?

Winnipeg Sun:  Buyer beware NHL presale scalpers.  Scott Brown, spokesman for True North Sports and Entertainment says it best “buyer beware”.

Winnipeg Free Press: Superstar Byfuglien looking forward to playing in front of Winnipeg crowd.  If he needs a fishing buddy I’d volunteer, unless he wears that suit.  Will be nice for him to be able to have friends and family from Minnesota come down to Winnipeg for a game.

CBC:  Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts.   Lots of Winnipeg talk focuses on the need to solidify the front office for the team here in the Peg.  He also has thoughts 2-5 about the new team including:

As mentioned, Noel is the frontrunner for the Winnipeg coaching job. But, the Moose wanted to interview Kirk Muller for the position before that hiring. The Canadiens declined permission.

Click ‘read more’ for additional all the news links, blogs, and today’s picture of the day.

CTV Toronto:  Toronto city councillor says the city should ask for a second team. I think all the citizens of Toronto would be behind this initiative, except for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Kilmer Sports Inc. who own the Leafs monopoly of the city.

TSN:  Winnipeg is done but questions remain.  The league needs to stop under appreciating the TV deals it has in Canada.  Not exactly chump change.

CBC:  Winnipeg’s NHL name waits on ticket drive. A friend of mine suggested that True North should have allowed the season ticket holders it is recruiting via the Drive to 13,000 to place one vote for the team’s name as they register to put a down payment for their tickets.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Locking up Ladd should be first priority.  Amazing that without a name or logo (supposedly), True North is already under pressure to lock up it’s RFA’s.  For a great breakdown of the entire Thrashers squad make sure you check out Richard’s comprehensive piece he wrote yesterday.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Drive to 13,000 must be achieved.  I agree with Gary.  For all the doubters who don’t believe Winnipeg has what it takes to succeed in the NHL, this ‘proof of life’ may help quash that type of talk and it appears we are well on our way (approximately 14% sold in under 4 hours).

Winnipeg Free Press:  Chalk up Chipman’s success to the four P’s.  While all are important I think it is clear that True North as an organization exemplifies the 3rd P (Professionalism).

Winnipeg Free Press:  Regrets?  Chipman has two.  We have an easy solution for True North’s Chipman.  Read our retrospective of the day it was announced the NHL was returning to Winnipeg, to see some pictures and video’s of the day’s events.

Globe and Mail:  Hockey’s franchise value in eye of beholder.  They should be thanking their lucky stars they got the reported 60 million from True North for the relocation fee.  Perhaps it’s time to kiss and make up with Jim Balsillie.

Winnipeg Sun:  Corporate Winnipeg sweet on NHL luxury suites.  So much for Winnipeg’s lack of corporate support.  I’ve heard that the waiting list for a box at the MTS Centre is already massive.

Globe and Mail:  Winnipeg gets Thrashers as first reported in the Globe and Mail.  Well Bruce doesn’t pull any punches when discussing how the Globe’s report was discounted by its competition.

CBC (video):  Coach’s Corner.  In case you missed it, Don and Ron had True North’s Mark Chipman on, and the discussion ranged from the name of the team to the Queen.  Think it is pretty clear what Don Cherry wants the team to be called.

TSN:  Jets meter.  With all the news I missed the fact that TSN didn’t get the memo that the only meter we are interested in anymore is the Drive to 13,000.  Amazingly they still won’t allow their meter to hit 100% as they have chosen to await BOG approval.

AHL:

Globe and Mail:  Manitoba Moose headed to St. John’s.  I’m really surprised the team isn’t moving to Regina, Saskatchewan.  Would make it easy for call-ups.

Blogs:

Atlanta Journal Constitution:  Thrashers holding a wake starting tomorrow at 11am.  I still go on YouTube and watch the “funeral” Winnipeg held at Winnipeg Arena when the Jets left.  Gotta feel for the fans in Georgia.

Cross Checks (ESPN):  Breaking down Bettman’s presser.  Very odd that we’ve heard zero out of Phoenix since the Atlanta news broke.

Bird Watchers Anonymous:  The Thrashers chapter comes to a close.  This was one of the best Thrashers blogs you could find and The Falconer led his dedicated bunch well.

Picture of the Day:

True North:  Drive to 13,000.  Well it’s already been a success with 1870 season tickets sold.

Atlanta Journal Constitution:  Waddell’s job, Thrashers name will end with sale.  Interesting that they are retaining the Thrashers name.

Globe and Mail:  Wheeler looking ahead to ‘awesome’ Winnipeg debut.  I think everyone in the city is excited to see regular season hockey in October.

CBC:  Thrashers excited to call Winnipeg home.    Wouldn’t expect them to say anything different.

National Post:  Dudley believes he has future with Winnipeg. Sounds like they will work something out.

Star-Phoenix:  Ashton brothers praise Winnipeg as NHL city.  Love the love we’re getting from Jets alumni.

“I’m a Jets fan 110 per cent,” Ashton said. “Winnipeg is one of the most hockey-oriented cities in Canada. There’s no question now that this team will be one of the favourites in the country.”

For more Jets alumni news tune into a special edition of the Sports Radio 1290 broadcast from 2 pm cst to 4 pm cst, which will include Doug Smail, Phil Housley, Mike Eagles and Fredrik Olausson.

CBC:  Return of NHL hits Winnipeg in its wallet.  Which is why people here in Winnipeg need to stop acting like they’re being given something for free.  There is going to be a significant cost to the community, which while I’m sure it can handle, needs to be recognized as a significant partnership.  We aren’t being given a 170 million dollar gift.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Winner-peg gets it game back.  I would suggest it isn’t exactly at “no charge” since they were forced to way overpay for the Thrashers.

The NHL still owns the Jets name and Bettman said True North’s purchase will include it, if requested, at no charge.

Globe and Mail:  Small-market cities need more than fervent fans.  Let’s be realistic, the NHL was desperate but there has to be a reason they allowed a team to return to Winnipeg.

Calgary Herald:  President won’t make the trip north.  Lots of work in the days and weeks ahead for the True North team.

Click ‘read more’ for additional all the news links, blogs, and today’s  tweet/picture of the day.

Edmonton Journal:  Plenty to do before team hits the ice.  No time for napping, big decisions still need to be made.

Winnipeg Free Press:  ‘Jets is a fine name,’ Winnipeg franchise ‘s co-owner says.  Well that’s one big vote in favour of the name.

Calgary Herald:  Flames president glad to have Winnipeg back in fold.  I’m a big fan of Ken King’s.  When we went to Game 6 in 2004 and had rush seating so had to arrive 2 hours before game time, he came out and thanked the fans for the support.

Vancouver Sun:  Canucks lose the farm thanks to Winnipeg’s gain.  Still lots of questions surrounding the Moose.

Calgary Herald:  Ex-Jet Elynuik can still see sea of white.   One of the best traditions of the Jets which unfortunately due to home team’s wearing dark jerseys is somewhat antiquated.

Calgary Herald:  Flames recall heated rivalry.  If it wasn’t the Oilers it was the Flames that killed our Jets in the 80′s, although we did boot them from the post season.  Oh how I loved that Smythe division.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Now, about that team nickname thing.  I’ve heard from an IC reader that there are die-hard North Star fans who still refuse to wear a Wild jersey.  Something to think about.

11 Alive (NBC Atlanta Affiliate):  There are not enough of us to keep Thrashers. Says one of the ASG owners.

Atlanta Journal Constitution:  Thrashers-to-Winnipeg draws closer.  Appears that this is all but over as we await word from ASG”s lawyers that they’ve signed the deal.

The person said no late offers have been received from any potential bidders to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta.

Toronto Star:  Jets?  Thrashers? Moose?  Many questions as NHL poised to return to Winnipeg.  Didn’t take long for the Centre of the Universe media to start throwing mud on our white tuxedo’s.

CBC:  NHL announcement imminent for Winnipeg.  We’re hearing it could be made at 3 pm but either way, let’s hope this announcement comes tomorrow, regardless of what time same is announced.  For all the latest as it happens, be sure to follow @illegalcurve on twitter.

Toronto Star:  Thrashers to jet to Winnipeg Tuesday?  Appears that it’s time to remove the question mark from the above head line.

Sportsnet:  Thrashers announcement coming Tuesday.  Nick Kypreos took to his twitter to say:

“Barring any last minute changes the plan is to formally announce Thrashers moving to Winnipeg as early as 10 am tomorrow.”

Click ‘read more’ for additional all the news links, blogs, and today’s  tweet/picture of the day.

TSN:  Winnipeg talks progressing towards possible announcement.  I can’t see this announcement happening if not on Tuesday, until after the Stanley Cup.  Gary Bettman has too good a storyline between the Bruins/Canucks to allow it to be sidetracked by Winnipeg talk which would absolutely dominate the Canadian media and likely spillover into the start of the Stanley Cup.

Leader-Post:  I’m still waiting for the big day.  I can empathize with the writer as I myself used a similar “connection to my city” to rationalize following a team.  In my mind, when I moved to Michigan it was “ok” to cheer for Detroit since the Wings had Darren Helm from St. Andrews, Manitoba, Derek Meech of Winnipeg, Kris Draper who played for the Jets and former 80′s star of the Jets and Wings Assistant Coach Paul MacLean.  However no matter how hard I cheered for the Wings, my heart was always screaming “Go Jets Go”.

Winnipeg Sun:  Former Moose goalie wishes it had worked in Atlanta.  People often point to the Hawks, who were in dire straits a few years back and suggest that this is what could become of the Thrashers under good ownership but if so, why has nobody of substance stepped up to take a chance on the team?

Winnipeg Free Press:  Cool your Jets – root for ‘Canada’s team’.  Which is Canada’s team?  All but 1 forward for Boston, was born in Canada.   Vancouver is a mixed bag for Winnipeg hockey fans.  Many of us still remember that they eliminated us from two consecutive playoff series(1991/92 & 1992/93).  Of course many of us cheered them on in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals vs. the Rangers.  I would think that many would support the Canucks by virtue of the fact that more than half their roster came through Winnipeg playing for the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.

The Morning Journal:  Winnipeg deserves the Jets.  Appreciate the solidarity we get from other cities that have experienced the pain and loss associated with losing a professional sports franchise.  Luckily of the teams that relocated to new destinations in the 90′s, Phoenix is the 1 team which hasn’t won a Stanley Cup.  (Minnesota – Dallas, won Cup in 99′.  Quebec – Colorado, won Cup in 96.  Hartford – Carolina, won Cup in 06′.)

Blogs:

Sporting News:  Formal announcement likely Tuesday.  I don’t see how this won’t dominate the news cycle for the next few weeks.

Tweet of the Day:

Picture of the Day – Insulting or Funny?

Stronger ownership and greater interest in Winnipeg therefore is far more meaningful to the league than weaker ownership and less interest in Georgia.

Winnipeg Sun:  Winnipeg franchise names scooped up.  Lots of speculation out there.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Lies, damn lies & NHL Hockey.  I’m not sure if he was listening to the IC Radio show yesterday but it appears that Richard’s rant (basically how NHL needs Wpg more than Wpg needs NHL) has spread to the print media.

Calgary Herald:  The night a stubborn coach grounded the Golden Jet.  Incredible story from the Jets WHA days.  Gotta love former Jets coach Tom McVie.

“I am thrilled,” he says. “Absolutely thrilled. How could I not love Winnipeg? Five months before Fergie hired me to coach the Jets I’m standing on my front porch, yelling at the mailman because I don’t have a job. I can’t even get arrested, right? Then, there I am, five months later, riding in a convertible, hugging the Avco Cup, the whole city’s out celebrating at Portage and Main.

CBC:  Toews likes NHL in Manitoba.  Enjoy hearing the continued pro Winnipeg talk we hear from players in the NHL.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Toews itching to take on city NHL team.  So if he scores against the team here in Winnipeg, does he get booed or cheered?

Winnipeg Sun:  Room for Winnipeg in NHL – Toews.  Considering that the Hawks have a number of Winnipeg connections, I’m sure they would love playing in their hometown, that is until they start getting requests for free tickets.

Winnipeg Sun:  What should NHL team be called?  Shocking.  An article that doesn’t mention the Jets name.  Only problem with his allegory is  he misses the fact that the owners of the puppy are asking you to buy their dog expensive treats.

CBC:  If NHL returns, party at the Forks.  People seem upset that they can’t party at Portage & Main but since we already did 10 days ago, it’s time for a new spot.

Blogs:

Pro Hockey Talk (NBC Sports):  Former Winnipeg Jet Luciano Borsato believes a new team in Winnipeg can work.  More positive sentiments from a former player.  Here are Borsato’s thoughts on a team name;

“Personally, yes. It’s nice to say you played in a city and for a team that is currently in the NHL. Having said that, the original Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes franchise would be a separate entity from a modern Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg franchise, with a different set of records, players, etc. As a business, it would make sense for a new name to be chosen, but I, and most of the former players, would be more than happy to see the Jets name back.”

Matchsticks & Gasoline:  Winnipeg Jets / Atlanta Thrashers Relocation: Lessons learned and why everyone should support it.  Pretty rock solid article.  It will be a shame when we have to go back to disliking the Flames.

The State of Hockey:  Does a move to Winnipeg mean success for the NHL or did the NHL move to wrong Canadian city.  The writer’s concerns have likely been taken into account by Chipman and Thomson before they decided to begin this endeavor.  Had they not thought it viable, they would have continued to make very good money with the Moose in the AHL rather than risk it on a “questionable” NHL venture.

The Atlanta Thrashers ownership saga has been going on for several years now and has certainly been complex, frustrating, and at times, mysterious (ie. The Balkan). Last week, it was reported in The Globe and Mail newspaper that the saga may soon be over as a deal in principle has been reached to bring The Atlanta Thrashers and The NHL to Winnipeg. Similar to what we did for Drama in The Desert- The Phoenix Coyotes Ownership Saga- Illegal Curve has compiled a comprehensive list of the organizations, people and reporters that have been involved in the Drama in Dixie.

Organizations:

Atlanta Spirit Group, LLC - The Atlanta Spirit LLC is a company that owns the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers and the arena in which they both play in, Philips Arena. The group is currently composed of seven partners, led by Bruce Levenson and Michael Gearon Jr.

True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd. – owns the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and the 15,000+-seat MTS Centre.  True North Sports & Entertainment is led by Chairman Mark Chipman, who has always wanted to bring the NHL back to the great city of Winnipeg. David Thomson, one of the richest men in the world, and owner of The Globe and Mail newspaper, is a silent partner in True North.

National Hockey League- The top professional hockey league in the world, founded in 1917 and currently composed of 30 member clubs.

Atlanta Thrashers-  One of 30 teams currently playing in NHL, an expansion franchise which joined the National Hockey League in 1999.  The City of Atlanta previously had another NHL franchise, The Atlanta Flames, from 1972 to 1980, but that team relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is now called The Calgary Flames.

Winnipeg Jets- A team that played in The National Hockey League from 1979 to 1996 and in The World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1979. The Jets left Winnipeg in 1996 for Phoenix, Arizona after the city could no longer support NHL Hockey.  With a modern arena, improved economy and dedicated local fan base, the City of Winnipeg has been ready for an opportunity to get an NHL team back for many years now.

Individuals:

Bruce Levenson – A partner in Atlanta Spirit LLC, which owns The NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and The Phillips Arena. Levenson has been the face and the most vocal member of The Atlanta Spirit Group during the entire ownership saga. Levenson tried to sell The Thrashers to someone interested in keeping the team in Atlanta but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Steve Belkin- a former partner in Atlanta Spirit who was bought out and was involved in years of litigation after he sued the other partners because he thought he didn’t receive fair value for his ownership stake.

Gary Bettman – Commissioner of the National Hockey League.  Mr. Bettman has been less concerned with trying to keep The Thrashers in Atlanta as he was with helping to keep the Coyotes in the Glendale.  It has been pretty clear over the past year that Atlanta Spirit LLC wants out of the NHL and Bettman seems to be okay with that.

Bill Daly – Deputy Commissioner of the National Hockey League and Gary Bettman’s right hand man in New York.  Daly appeared on The Illegal Curve Hockey Show in November, 2010 and said that if Atlanta Spirit LLC could not find a local owner, moving the team could be a possibility.

Kasim Reed - Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia who has certainly not been as vocal about wanting to keep an NHL team in his city as Mayor Elaine Scruggs was about keeping The Coyotes in Glendale, Arizona.

Tom Glavine - A two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher who played most of his career with the Atlanta Braves.  Glavine, a big hockey fan, was briefly rumoured to be part of an ownership group interested in keeping The Thrashers in Atlanta but he later admitted that he was having trouble getting enough investors together who were interested in submitting a serious bid.

Lil’ Jon – Rapper who hails from A-Town, as he affectionately calls it. Another person who was rumoured to be interested in being part of an ownership group to keep The Thrashers in Atlanta. Lil’ Jon is a huge fan of hockey and crunk juice (see picture below). Yaaayuh!

“The Balkan”- a nickname created by John Kincade, an Atlanta radio personality. Kincade said that a local investor, who he he could only refer to as “The Balkan” was interested in buying The Atlanta Thrashers and keeping them in Atlanta. It was later revealed by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that “The Balkan” was someone named J.B. Smith, a Detroit venture capitalist.

Mark Chipman – Governor of the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and Chairman of the Board for True North Sports & Entertainment.  Chipman brought the Moose (at the time part of The International Hockey League) to Winnipeg in 1996 after the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets left for Phoenix.  Chipman was the driving force behind the MTS Centre project, the city’s 15,000+ seat sports and entertainment facility which is the current home of the Manitoba Moose.

David Thomson – Chairman of Thomson Reuters, who is estimated to be the 19th richest person in the world (approximate family net worth of $19 billion dollars).  Thomson is a silent partner in True North Sports & Entertainment.

Reporters:

Stephen Brunt- Globe & Mail Sports columnist who broke the news on May 19, 2011 that a deal was done between True North Sports & Entertainment and Atlanta Spirit LLC to bring NHL hockey back to Winnipeg after a 15-year absence.

David Shoalts – Globe & Mail reporter who has covered both The Phoenix Coyotes and Atlanta Thrashers ownership stories.

Gary Lawless – Columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press who appears to get to the breaking news about this story quicker than most.

Pierre LeBrun –  ESPN.com NHL columnist and CBC ‘Hot Stove’ regular who usually has the goods from the NHL.

Scott Burnside – ESPN.com NHL columnist.

Tim Campbell- Winnipeg Free Press sports reporter who covers the Manitoba Moose. Campbell was the beat writer for The Winnipeg Free Press when The NHL’s Winnipeg Jets were in the city.

Chris Vivlamore- Reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution who has covered the Atlanta Thrashers ownership situation on the ground in Glendale. Vivlamore broke the official news that True North Sports & Entertainment was negotiating with Atlanta Spirit LLC to buy the team and possibly relocate it to Winnipeg.

John Kincade- Radio Show host for WCNN 680 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kincade hosts “The Buck and Kincade Show”.

IC Radio on Sportsradio 1290 – Rich, Drew, Ez & Michael have been bringing all the latest info, every Saturday morning from 9 am to 12 pm cst.
“Deal will close in two weeks” – This positive expression of hope has been uttered countless times over the past few years as every bit of news leads someone to inevitably say that the deal should be done “within two weeks”.

Jets-O-Meter – Is a creation of Darren Ford, later modified and used by TSN, which when it goes up or down a few points, is liable to send 1/2 of Winnipeg into a frenzy.

And that in a nut shell are some of the people, organizations and reporters that have been used while the drama in the dixie has unfolded.
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If you feel that something has been left off the above list, feel free to send us a tweet@illegalcurve, email us or leave us a comment.

Globe & Mail:  Why Bettman fights for Phoenix.  The implication is that GB’s ego is keeping the Coyotes in Phoenix.  I’d suggest it was the 25 million that was forked over from the COG.

Atlanta Journal Constitution:  Down to one group negotiating to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta.   I think this is the ASG doing what it needs to do to appease the NHL (exhausting search for local ownership) as well as attempting to gain some leverage vs. True North.

Penn Live:  NHL should return to Winnipeg.  Nice to hear the comments of a team beat writer, who has been to Winnipeg and can give a non-biased view of the city.

Toronto Star:  The Spin. Not too surprising that the ASG is trying to get as much out of True North as they can get.

Finally, hearing whispers that negotiations between Atlanta and Winnipeg over the future of the Thrashers may be slowed by the difficulty in reaching a sale price. The team is valued at about $60 million by industry analysts, and the Winnipeg group backed by Mark Chipman and David Thomson may be wondering why they are being asked to pay $160 million or more.

TSN:  Can’t debate Winnipeg’s love of Jets name.  Perhaps if we want to win a Cup we are best off leaving name in the past.  I’d ask for readers thoughts but you have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Jets name in a previous IC poll.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Keilback would like shot at another WRAPAROUND.  One of the best guys to do play-by-play.  I really hope he is given an opportunity.  Give him a listen as he calls Teemu Selanne’s goal to break Mike Bossy’s rookie goal scoring record.

Click ‘read more’ for additional news links, blogs and today’s tweet of the day.

Winnipeg Free Press:  NHL team would mean fight for radio rights.  Since the Illegal Curve Radio show is broadcast every Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm cst on Sports Radio 1290, it isn’t difficult to figure out which station we think should get the broadcast rights.

Atlanta Journal Constitution:  Lil John not interested in investing in Thrashers.  One can’t help but think of the parallel between Dave Chappelle’s Lil John sketches, where periods of lunacy are punctuated by briefs periods of lucidity and this Thrashers mess.

Winnipeg Sun:  NHL’s calm before the storm.  Friesen has done an excellent job covering the NHL’s return to Winnipeg.  If this is in fact the calm before the storm, I cannot imagine how crazy it is going to get in Winnipeg, when the actual storm hits.

CBC:  Is Winnipeg itself biggest obstacle? I was hoping Morrison was talking about Winnipeg’s skepticism that the NHL will actually allow a team to return to the Manitoba capital.  I don’t think there is any questions fans will step up to the plate.

Montreal Gazette:  Winnipeg readies welcome mat…again.  I used this analogy on air during the Illegal Curve Radio show last Saturday and both Ez and Leah gave me blank looks, but Winnipeg feels like Charlie Brown and we keep expecting the NHL (Lucy) to pull away the ball but we want our shot regardless.  Let’s hope this time we actually get a chance to punt the ball.

Blogs:

We Love DC:  Atlanta, Winnipeg and how it may affect the Caps.  Taking a look at how this move could shakeup the Southeast.

Midwest Sports Fans:  Franchise relocation’s that never happened.  Lest people count their team before it arrives, here are some examples from the past of team’s that were supposedly moving, but didn’t.

Eye on Hockey (CBS Sports):  Gary Bettman says don’t buy into Winnipeg hype.  A classic non-denial denial by the Commissioner of the NHL.

“True North is going about their business and they’re taking a businesslike approach,” Bettman said. “We are pleased with that, but there’s nothing to report. . . . I never say never about anything. There is no deal right now.”

SB Nation Atlanta:  Save the Thrashers ‘Rally’ needs shocking turnout to avoid ridicule.  Its a damned if you do and don’t situation.  If they don’t get a ton of fans, then they will be ridiculed as being a bad fan base.  Even if they do have a great turnout, I’m not sure it’s too little too late to save the franchise, so the effort might be wasted.  At end of day, always better to give it a shot.

Tweet of the Day: