Rumors are rampant that the Atlanta Thrashers are in talks with ownership groups in Winnipeg.  Right now I would say there is at least a 50% chance the Thrashers will become Canada's 7th team.  That means there would be a realignment since it would make no sense to have a Western Canadian team in the Southeast division.  In fact, I've heard the NHL is working on 2 different schedules for next season.  My guess is that Nashville would take Atlanta's place in the Southeast and Winnipeg would replace Nashville in the Central.  Seems like that would create a little tougher SE since Nashville held their own this season, although the Thrashers were on an upswing.

I saw this on TSN.ca today and figured I would post it here.  There isn't much meat in the article.

Ex-Whalers owner lobbies to bring NHL back to Hartford

I wouldn't mind seeing the Whale back in the league as long as it wasn't the Canes relocating.  At any rate, very little chance of that happening anytime soon.  Other markets will get a shot at an NHL team before Hartford does again.