Several reports in recent weeks have indicated the NHL will have some form of radical realignment in 2012-13, when the Winnipeg Jets will shift from the Eastern Conference to the West, where they belong.

It is widely assumed the Detroit Red Wings would move to the Eastern Conference.

And while nothing is official, as the Board of Governors will continue to discuss possible scenarios when they meet in December, Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold might have let the cat out of the bag during a radio interview. He told KFAN of Minneapolis that the Wild would be in the Central Division along with Winnipeg, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Dallas and possibly Columbus.

He didn't mention Detroit, which leads one to assume the Red Wings would in fact be in the East.

Leipold didn't say this was a done deal, but by the tone of his remarks, he seems fairly certain it will happen.