The Phoenix Coyotes may have had their best season ever but the NHL isn’t holding its collective breath on Glendale (the ‘burb where they play) or a wealthy prince charming to keep the franchise in the desert. The Toronto Star has a story about two schedules in the wings: one for Phoenix sticking around and an alternate should the team return to Winnipeg. I guess they’ll be the Winnipeg Jets.
Meanwhile, the schedule variation with Winnipeg will also mean a realignment of the Western Conference. Winnipeg moves to the Northwest with the other three Canadian teams and the Wild. The Avalanche will then be pushed into the Pacific with the three California teams and Dallas (another city hundreds of miles from the Pacific Ocean).
It could happen. I know the Avs would prefer to stay and rebuild in the weaker division they’ve dominated for many years.
Winnipeg, eh?
Good teams don’t always want to dominate a weak division; it’s not good for ticket sales. 😉