Atlanta and Winnipeg representatives worked throughout Monday night and while there is still some work to be done, sources tell TSN that they are still hopeful an announcement on the sale and planned relocation of the Thrashers to Winnipeg will happen today.
Also, True North co-owner David Thomson boarded a flight to Winnipeg from Toronto early Tuesday morning and the sports and entertainment group is expected to issue a statement on the day ahead at Noon et/11am ct.
The Atlanta Thrashers-to-Winnipeg situation has been an ongoing negotiation and the legal teams involved with True North, the Atlanta Spirit and the National Hockey League are still combing over what should be the framework of an agreement.
But until all parties sign off on a deal, there is no official agreement in place.
As of early Tuesday morning, plans and preparations were still being made for an announcement with an official news conference in Winnipeg.
While those plans are still very much in play, everything remains on hold until there is a full green light which signs off on Winnipeg, Atlanta and the NHL to the level of comfort for all parties involved.
Lawyers on the Winnipeg side signed off on the deal on Monday afternoon and the Atlanta legal team was left to do their due diligence. Once they sign off on the deal, the sale will go through pending league approval.
On top of that, Atlanta Spirit is comprised of seven independent parties making up the ownership group.
If the NHL doesn't get a deal on the table, the league is expected to postpone any announcement and push it up to Thursday, the next available off day from the Stanley Cup Final.
Once an agreement has been reached, True North is expected to launch a season ticket drive.
