Deal to move Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg appears imminent

The sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to a group seeking to bring the NHL back to Winnipeg appeared imminent Thursday after Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reported that an agreement had been reached between the Thrashers' current owner, Atlanta Spirit, and would-be owner True North Sports and Entertainment.

The Globe and Mail said the league will confirm the sale and franchise transfer Tuesday. The newspaper is owned by David Thomsen, who is also a key figure in the True North group.However, the Winnipeg Free Press quoted a "high-ranking True North official" as saying the Globe and Mail story was inaccurate but quoted other unnamed sources as saying a deal could be reached in the coming days.

Winnipeg lost the Jets to Phoenix in 1996 but has since built a new arena in hopes of luring an NHL team. The Phoenix Coyotes appeared headed there until the city of Glendale, Ariz., last week agreed to pay the NHL $25 million to keep the Coyotes for the 2011-12 season.

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