NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says Winnipeg's MTS Centre already meets most League standards and only minor changes are needed.
"I think this building is pretty much in compliance with our standards as it is," he said during a visit on Thursday, adding that there is a need to ensure the boards and glass in the 15,015-seat arena are in line with new NHL regulations that other arenas in the League also must meet for next season.
"Seamless glass in our buildings does cause more injuries, than an acrylic system so we're moving to acrylic," Daly said.
The MTS Centre, which had been home to the AHL's Manitoba Moose, also needs more camera positions. Some changes have already started, such as enlarging the press box and making way for expanded broadcast coverage.
Daly was in Winnipeg with a team of League officials who deal with such things as broadcasting, hockey operations, communications and corporate marketing.
The sale of the Atlanta Thrashers won't be final until the June 21 Board of Governors meeting, but True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the team and the arena, already has the backing of the executive committee.
"I have no reason to believe that it won't be unanimous," Daly said of the vote.
As for the name of the new Winnipeg team, Daly said he knows some of the options being considered, but nothing has been decided.
"I know a little bit more today than I did yesterday (about the naming issue)," he said, "but, no, I don’t think that decision’s been made yet. It really hasn’t."
Material from wire services was used in this report
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