Thrashers Relocating to Winnipeg?

[swerb]

If this happens, I am so getting a Byfuglien Winnipeg Jets sweater ...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_d ... nhl-wp5027

[StewieG]

If they do, that could mean a CBJ move to the East

[skatingtripods]

If they do, that could mean a CBJ move to the East

This has been discussed a lot over the past couple of days.

I guess there are two scenarios if ATL moves to WPG. One is that WPG goes to the Northeast Division, Minnesota moves to the Central and Nashville moves to the Eastern Conference and the Southeast Division. The second scenario is that Columbus is the team that moves to the Southeast Division.

Also, Swerb, one article I read says that they'd be the Winnipeg/Manitoba Moose and not the Jets. A major mistake IMO. Not sure if the article is correct, though.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

I wouldn't mind playing in the east. A rivalry with Pittsburgh might get more NEO fans interested in the team. I'd still want to play Detroit each year.

[swerb]

Yeah, I am all for CBJ to the East.

[skatingtripods]

I wouldn't mind playing in the east. A rivalry with Pittsburgh might get more NEO fans interested in the team. I'd still want to play Detroit each year.

Columbus has the best case for moving to the East. Because Bettman is so anti-relocation, and the Jackets are in terrible financial shape, there are a lot of things that can improve from being in the East. More 7 pm road games so that people will watch the games instead of the 9 or 10 pm west/mountain games. Even if people only watch an hour before the network TV shows come on.

You've got easier opportunities for road fans to travel to Columbus when you're playing Pittsburgh and Buffalo rather than just Detroit. Not to mention, a better shot at the playoffs by playing in the East. Less long road trips where people become disinterested.

Much cheaper travel because of shorter flights and shorter hotel stays. More marketable opponents with guys like Ovechkin and Crosby.

The Jackets have a much better case than a team like Nashville. I'd love to see it happen for the simple fact that it makes sense. Columbus and Detroit are the only two Eastern time zone teams in the West and there's no way in hell they move Detroit from the West. The rival execs would hate that. But, they'd be ambivalent about a CBJ move.

[swerb]

I wouldn't mind playing in the east. A rivalry with Pittsburgh might get more NEO fans interested in the team. I'd still want to play Detroit each year.

Columbus has the best case for moving to the East. Because Bettman is so anti-relocation, and the Jackets are in terrible financial shape, there are a lot of things that can improve from being in the East. More 7 pm road games so that people will watch the games instead of the 9 or 10 pm west/mountain games. Even if people only watch an hour before the network TV shows come on.

You've got easier opportunities for road fans to travel to Columbus when you're playing Pittsburgh and Buffalo rather than just Detroit. Not to mention, a better shot at the playoffs by playing in the East. Less long road trips where people become disinterested.

Much cheaper travel because of shorter flights and shorter hotel stays. More marketable opponents with guys like Ovechkin and Crosby.

The Jackets have a much better case than a team like Nashville. I'd love to see it happen for the simple fact that it makes sense. Columbus and Detroit are the only two Eastern time zone teams in the West and there's no way in hell they move Detroit from the West. The rival execs would hate that. But, they'd be ambivalent about a CBJ move.

That's the argument right there. Good post.