Update: Chris Vivlamore via twitter: According to a source there have been talks with a group interested in keeping the Thrashers in Atlanta.
Gary Lawless of the Brandon Sun: The NHL is working on a schedule that involves the a team in Winnipeg and one for a team in Atlanta.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Curtis Glencross’s deal with Calgary is for 4 years and $10.2 million, a $2.55 million cap hit. Also contains a no-movement clause.
- Nick Cotsonika via twitter: Bill Daly has already said that he can’t guarantee that the Thrashers will play in Atlanta next year.
- Chris Vivlamore via twitter: Vivlamore confirms that the Atlanta Spirit and the True North Sports and Entertainment are in negotiations about the sale and relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers.
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: A deal isn’t complete, but talks are on-going and team could be moved to Winnipeg for next season.
Technically, NHL owners do not have to seek league approval to sell a franchise. However they would have to get permission to negotiate with a party interested in relocation. Once an agreement in principle has been reached, the NHL’s Board of Govenors would be asked to judge the acceptability of the new ownership.
NHL bylaws require that an owner seeking to relocate a team submit a written application to the commissioner by Jan. 1 of the year preceding the proposed move — “unless a majority of the consents to a later filing date.” That clause and caveat leave open the question of whether a move, if a deal is reached, would be for the 2011-12 or 2012-13 season.
It’s been rumored that the sale price is $170 million. The Atlanta Spirit report they have lost $130 million in total, about $20 million in annual losses.