Moving East?

Rumors and innuendo, that's our specialty. Let's see what could happen this off-season if you believe plugged-in hockey guys like Ken Campbell:

1. The Phoenix Coyotes return to Winnipeg and become the Jets, Part Deux.

2. The Atlanta Thrashers are sold and moved anywhere west of the Mississippi, like Seattle or even Kansas City.

If #1 and #2 happen there is a good chance the Minnesota Wild would leave the travel-intensive Northwest Division and become part of the Central Division, along with the Blues, Bluejackets, Predators and Blackhawks.

Here's why: Detroit has been whining for years about playing in the competitive Western Conference. They say they're more suited for the East from a TV time zone standpoint. So, if the Atlanta franchise moves West, Detroit would get first dibs at taking their spot in the Eastern Conference. This leaves an opening in the Central Division, something the Wild covet. They'd be reunited with old Norris Division foes Chicago and St. Louis and also have most of their away games on in the same time zone. Winnipeg would take Minnesota's spot in the Northwest Division and rekindle old rivalries with Calgary and Edmonton.

It's a dream scenario for the Wild, but not completely far-fetched.