This past Saturday, John Niyo of the Detroit News was able to ask Red Wings senior vice president Jimmy Devellano about the possibility of the Wings moving to the Eastern Conference in the near future.
“Where do things stand?” Devellano said. “We’re gonna be right where we are next year, We’re gonna be right where we are this year for next year. Beyond that, I can’t comment. But next year, we’re right where we are.”
And beyond that, I asked, is he still hopeful the Wings could make the move? Fingers crossed?
“Fingers crossed, toes crossed,” he said, laughing. “Saying prayers.”
The Wings have had the desire to move to the Eastern Conference for a variety of reasons including travel, natural rivalries and TV start times. In addition to the Red Wings wanting to move East it was reported in the Columbus Post Dispatch a few weeks back that the Blue Jackets also share the same desire that the Wings do. Many believe however that the Wings would be the first in line to make that move to the East if the opportunity were to present itself. That opportunity could come sooner than later IF the Atlanta Thrashers were to relocate to Winnipeg therefore causing an imbalance of teams between the two conferences. It would seem plausible that at point the NHL would be forced to move a Western Conference team to the Eastern Conference.
Like Mr. Devellano, Wings fans in favor of a move East will also have to keep their fingers and toes crossed.
Source: Detroit News
