One hopes that for the sake of the environment, that the convoy of moving vans that perhaps are awaiting orders to move have not been idling their motors while the Thrashers and True North work out the final points of their eventual deal. For if so, then Manitobans are going to be on the hook for a fair amount of carbon trade credits.
Brunt, one of the nation's preeminent journalists, never produces work that is not well researched, fact checked and verified, so when he added his name to the piece last week, the flag was run up in River City that the NHL was coming home.
As we have all learned over the years, the NHL doesn't like to be scooped by anyone, let alone a Canadian journalist, so since the Globe posted the article on the Internet last week and rolled out the broadsheet there's been a rather cone of silence effect descend on the process at hand.
Still, the inevitability of it all seems as clear today as it was when the Globe went to press last week.
The build up to the announcement, whenever it finally arrives has been such that Manitobans (and many hockey fans beyond the province's borders) have already accepted the team back, so God Help the NHL and Gary Bettman in particular if this doesn't happen, cause the backlash one imagines will be the thing of Armageddon.
The return of the NHL to the Manitoba capital has captivated not only the province, but the nation, providing a feeling that the natural order of hockey is about to come back to centre.
Already the wish list is growing again, Quebec City and Hamilton once again percolating at the top of the list for repatriation of the national game, though Hamilton may yet have that rug pulled out from under its feet by their neighbours to the east, with talk of a second Toronto franchise, located just north of the city in Markham.
Still in an era where the Southern footprint seems to be crumbling, the soaring levels of a Canadian dollar and renewed sense of national fervour for the game has hockey fans across the land eager to see hockey come home.
The trickle down effect is even shifting to the minor leagues, once the NHL announces its plans for Winnipeg, St. John's Newfoundland seems destined to return to the second tier of pro play with an AHL franchise seemingly set for a return to Mile One arena. The Canucks as well, may have some good news for a Canadian city shortly, with the need to find a home for their AHL players with Winnipeg returning to the Big League.
Until Mr. Bettman makes his inevitable appearance to accept the accolades of Winnipeg's fans by bringing the game back (even if it would appear to be under the cloud of failure in a big American market) all that is left to do is speculate, and speculate the hockey fanatics of Manitoba are doing.
From the name of the team (Guess which name is leading the pack), to whether the Thrasher's management team (doubtful it seems) of Atlanta days will be part of the big picture in Winnipeg and even if that famed portrait of the Queen should come back with the Jets (Don Cherry will be so proud), all items it seems are up for discussion and consideration. The radio talk shows, newspaper pages and websites are providing the forums and are full of speculation, some of it fact based other fiction.
And all of it, no doubt steeped in the broth of a soup that could still all go wrong (anyone remember the Coyotes to Winnipeg saga? For those seeking a refresher course we offer up reports here, here and here)
So until they've put the legal seal to the deal, we've culled a cross section of some of that debate as Winnipeg fans cross their fingers and summon the soothsayers for guidance as to when hockey will come home.
Winnipeg Free Press-- Katz vows to lead conga line
Winnipeg Free Press-- Sticking with Jets moniker all about loyalty
Winnipeg Free Press-- Cool your Jets: Thrashers sale likely won't happen this week
Winnipeg Free Press-- Hope for NHL's return renews optimism
Winnipeg Free Press-- NHL dream moving closer to home
Winnipeg Free Press-- True North's hockey man
Winnipeg Free Press-- Largest known portrait of Queen may return to Winnipeg along with...
Winnipeg Free Press-- Bettman stays consistent on message about Thrashers
Winnipeg Free Press-- Thrashers name game
Winnipeg Free Press-- Relax -- deal's not done yet
Winnipeg Free Press-- Moniker of potential NHL team is a critical issue
Winnipeg Free Press-- NHL stars could shine in Winnipeg
Winnipeg Free Press-- Let us not forget our glorious past: Go Jets!
Winnipeg Free Press-- No press conference Tuesday for possible Thrashers move
Winnipeg Free Press-- Moose may be headed to St. John's if Thrashers land in Winnipeg
Winnipeg Free Press-- Thrashers' likely move to Winnipeg has fans blaming team ownership
Winnipeg Free Press-- Tweet round up: Thrashers fans rally in Atlanta
Winnipeg Free Press-- Businesses already counting $ if NHL hockey returns
Winnipeg Free Press-- Hockey fans' jets burning hot
Winnipeg Free Press-- Hungry for final NHL decision
Winnipeg Free Press-- Thrashers fans holding out hope
Winnipeg Free Press-- Anxious Atlanta players in limbo awaiting word
Winnipeg Free Press-- Call em' Jets! Or then again
Winnipeg Free Press-- Jets fans hungry for Thrashers confirmation
Winnipeg Free Press-- Out in the dark: Thrashers players curious to find out where they'll call...
Winnipeg Free Press-- The Polar Bears? No way, we are the Jets
Winnipeg Free Press-- No tickets issued during hockey rally
Winnipeg Free Press-- What others are saying:
Winnipeg Free Press-- Social media round-up: Thursday's Portage and Main party
Winnipeg Free Press-- Stow your sourpuss attitudes, whiners
Winnipeg Free Press-- Thrashers sale report 'not accurate'
Winnipeg Free Press-- True North seeking debt help from gov't in NHL bid
Winnipeg Free Press-- NHL decision-maker backs 'Peg bid for Thrashers
Winnipeg Free Press-- Local Thrasher suitors discredited
Winnipeg Free Press-- NHL's Coyotes likely won't howl in Winnipeg, Katz says
Winnipeg Free Press-- Hulsizer leaves Coyotes meeting early
Winnipeg Free Press-- Bettman a slick stickhandler
Winnipeg Free Press-- A few Jets questions...
Winnipeg Free Press-- NHL cash call like prostate exam
Winnipeg Free Press-- True North expected to trigger campaign for NHL season tickets
Winnipeg Sun-- Reports are presumptuous: Bettman
Winnipeg Sun-- Winnipeg won't let NHL go again
Winnipeg Sun-- NHL announcement in next few days 'realistic': Katz
Winnipeg Sun-- Atlanta will withstand loss of Thrashers: mayor
Winnipeg Sun-- NHL return remains on ice
Winnipeg Sun-- Paying the NHL piper
Winnipeg Sun-- Thrashers saga shows no signs of abating
Winnipeg Sun-- Canadian hockey fans bare their teeth
Winnipeg Sun-- Steen hopes Thrashers deal goes through
Winnipeg Sun-- Moose deny St. John's move
Winnipeg Sun-- Lawyers will be winners in Thrashers move
Winnipeg Sun-- Thrashers deal awaiting rubber stamp
Winnipeg Sun-- NHL move to Winnipeg 'a step back'
Winnipeg Sun-- Well-deserved party for Jets fans
Winnipeg Sun-- Winnipeg MPs cheer Jets
Winnipeg Sun-- Thrashers move to Winnipeg a win for Quebec, too
Winnipeg Sun-- Thrashers still selling tickets
Winnipeg Sun-- Attempt made to trademark Winnipeg Thrashers name
Winnipeg Sun-- Name that team
Winnipeg Sun-- Cool your Jets
Winnipeg Sun-- Mayor like tradition, wants to see Jets fly again
Winnipeg Sun-- Thrashers to Winnipeg a done deal?
Winnipeg Sun-- Report: Thrashers headed to Winnipeg
Winnipeg Sun-- NHL's calm before the storm
Winnipeg Sun-- Winnipeg readies welcome mat for NHL
Winnipeg Sun-- NHL obsession put in perspective by flood
Winnipeg Sun-- Push to keep Thrashers in Atlanta
Winnipeg Sun-- Thrashers-to-Winnipeg story is bad news for Bettman
Winnipeg Sun-- Thrashers, True North in talks
Winnipeg Sun-- Clock ticking on future of Thrashers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Another chance for Atlanta Spirit to do the right thing
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Anson Carter withdrew interest in Spirit
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Thrashers deal may continue into next week
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Thrashers sale not done, still details
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Surviving predictions of impending doom
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Ownership not 100 percent behind Thrashers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Talks continue with TNSE; no announcement Tuesday
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Fans have ideas on how to save the Thrashers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Talks continue, fans still planning to attend Thrashers ...
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Deal not done to sell and move Thrashers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Down to one group negotiating to keep Thrashers in Atlanta
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Lil Jon happy to spread word, but not investing ...
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- "The Balkan" is Detroit venture capitalist JB Smith
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Thrasher fans schedule event
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Spirit in negotiations about Hawks, arena rights
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Thrashers moving to Winnipeg
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Spirit, True North have begun talks
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Could NHL's other owners save the Thrashers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- No word whether Spirit, True North are in negotiations
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Cool your Jets Thrasherville and remember four letters: WWGD
Atlanta Journal-Constitution-- Chance to comment on latest Thrashers ownership situation
Globe and Mail-- Moving day the least of the Thrashers' concerns
Globe and Mail-- Thashers inch towards Winnipeg
Globe and Mail-- Atlanta Mayor says city will withstand loss of Thrashers
Globe and Mail-- Thrashers move could be impacted by NBA Hawks
Globe and Mail-- Thrashers fans hold farewell tailgate
Globe and Mail-- Bettman: master manipulator or just lucky?
Globe and Mail-- Mayor: Just a 'matter of time' before Thrashers move to Winnipeg
Globe and Mail-- Thrashers failure rests with owners (and the NHL, too)
Globe and Mail-- Thrashers players in the dark
Globe and Mail-- Thrashers fans plan rally to try and save team
Globe and Mail-- Would the new Jets be called the Moose?
Globe and Mail-- Viability of NHL in Winnipeg and Quebec backed by report
National Post-- Thrashers' sale likely down to 'loose ends'
National Post-- Relocation 'may not happen' Bettman
National Post-- The waiting is nearly over
National Post-- A different Winnipeg awaits the NHL
National Post-- Welcome back, old friend
National Post-- Thrashers sale all about the details
National Post-- Winnipeg mayor expects Thrashers deal 'before this week is over'
National Post-- Thrashers' possible move to Winnipeg won't be announced Tuesday
National Post-- Atlanta Mayor prepared for loss of Thrashers
National Post-- Coming home
National Post-- Manitoba won't cover new NHL team's losses
National Post-- Don't fund the New Jets
National Post-- Winnipeg might score NHL team next season
National Post-- Closing in?
National Post-- True North group learning from Balsillie's mistakes
National Post-- NHL hopes spring eternal in Winnipeg
Toronto Star-- Life goes on without Thrashers: Atlanta mayor
Toronto Star-- Thrashers jetting off to Winnipeg? Wait and see
Toronto Star-- Disgruntled Thrashers fans gather to express their anger
Toronto Star-- Wild about 'Winterpeg'? Most NHLers would be
Toronto Star-- Nostalgic Winnipeg Jets fans on pins and needles
Toronto Star-- Thrashers goalie anxious to know where he'll play
Toronto Star-- The final steps for Winnipeg franchise prior to relocation
Toronto Star-- Sports franchises that left and haven't looked back
Toronto Star-- Winnipeg vs. Atlanta? No contest
Toronto Star-- Atlanta Thrashers' move to Winnipeg not complete, parties insist
Toronto Star-- NHL turns its hopes back to Canada
Toronto Star-- NHL, Winnipeg group play down reported sale of Atlanta Thrashers
USA Today-- If Thrashers land in Winnipeg, what would it mean for the NHL?
USA Today-- Atlanta Mayor: "We will get through it' if Thrashers leave
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