It's essentially official now. There will be a noon press conference to finalize the Atlanta Thrashers' sale and relocation to Winnipeg. True North Sports and Entertainment, who just purchased the team, will make the announcement then.
↵This means the Washington Capitals and the other three leftover Southeast Division teams will have a new opponent in the future. For one year, this means the dreaded road trip to Winnipeg will have to happen. The NHL indicated a couple weeks ago that the new Winnipeg franchise would remain in the Southeast Division for at least one season, at which point a more advanced relocation, with Nashville or Columbus likely moving to the Southeast, would be discussed.
↵When that happens, some sense of normalcy will be returned to the Southeast Division. Until then, the Capitals and everyone else in the division have a few extra 1,500-plus mile road trips to look forward to for next season.
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