Stephen Brunt - Globe and Mail

An agreement to sell the National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers to a Winnipeg group which plans to relocate the franchise to the Manitoba capital is done.

Sources confirmed tonight that preparations are being made for an announcement Tuesday, confirming the sale and transfer of the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns and operates the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and the MTS Centre arena, which would become the NHL team’s new home.

Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League, is expected to travel to Winnipeg to make the news official.

But not so fast says nearly everybody including Puck Daddy;

The likely excitement in Winnipeg was a bit premature as immediately after the story began circulating, so did the denials. USA Today's Kevin Allen, Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, Darren Dreger of TSN, CBC Sports and Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution all contacted their sources and reported that a deal was not completed. Bettman had earlier refuted rumors earlier on Thursday during his weekly radio show.

Bob McKenzie says that nothing is finalized but then ends on this note:

Don't think I didn't consider owner of Globe and Mail will be an owner of new team in Winnipeg. LOL.

So yeah, I guess we'll just wait and see. Your links after the jump.

Most of the big links today are on the sale/no sale of the Thrashers to Winnipeg so feel free to seek those out if you so desire. I've got you covered with everything else.

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