Detroit Red Wings will move to the Eastern Conference next season, team owner Mike Ilitch said.
Several teams, including Columbus Blue Jackets, who compete to become the team joined the Eastern Conference when the NHL Winnipeg Jets shuffled to the west. But Ilitch told the Detroit News that the Wings were told that they would be transplanted by a team of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
"The commissioner promised that my next," said Ilitch News. "We even have lunch meeting last season, and he has all the people here, and he said," Yes, I promised Mike he will be next to go in the Eastern Conference. "So I look forward to next year Jimmy D (Devellano) on the phone every week to remind them .."
Jets, formerly the Atlanta Thrashers, will play in the Eastern Conference this season but is expected to move west for the season 2012-13.
Former NHLer Alex Radulov was fighting with KHL team Salavat Yulaev coach and demanded a trade.