Rumours and reports persisted Tuesday that the owners of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers are contemplating a possible move to Winnipeg -- a city desperately hoping to return to the league.

On Monday the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that the owners of the Thrashers are in talks with True North Sports and Entertainment, the Winnipeg-based group that owns the city's MTS Centre and the AHL's Manitoba Moose.

TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger confirmed there are talks underway between the two groups, but said no agreement is imminent.

Thrashers president Don Waddell on Monday said the team's owners were exploring "all options" for the future of the team, but wouldn't confirm that talks were taking place with True North.

The Winnipeg group, which is led by businessman Mark Chipman and billionaire David Thomson, has declined to comment on the reports.

Winnipeg has been without an NHL team since 1996 when the Winnipeg Jets were moved to Phoenix as the Coyotes.

While the struggling Coyotes have been viewed as representing Canada's best chance for adding another team to its roster, the city of Glendale, Ariz. managed to come up with US$25 million recently to keep the franchise for another season.

Word that the Thrashers -- a team that has struggled with ownership problems and an inability to put together a playoff-level squad -- could be contemplating a move north, instantly ignited excitement in the 'Peg.

The Winnipeg Free Press reported that the NHL is even planning two different schedules for next season based around whether the Thrashers remain in Atlanta or move to Winnipeg.

Last week, Thrashers co-owner Bruce Levenson told The Associated Press he was still looking for a buyer who would keep the team in Atlanta, but said "nobody has pushed forward with an offer."

Earlier this month the Conference Board of Canada issued a report stating that Winnipeg and Quebec City -- two cities vying to regain their status as NHL cities -- still had major obstacles in their way.

While the populations have increased in both cities in recent years, along with the average household income, both Quebec City and Winnipeg lack a key component: strong corporate support for an NHL franchise.

In 2009, the study said, there were only 17 major corporations in Quebec City and 30 in Winnipeg, meaning the teams would require a deeply committed fan base to stay afloat.

However, the strength of the loonie is another factor working in favour of both cities. When the Jets and the Nordiques packed up and moved south in the 1990s, the Canadian dollar was only worth about 70 cents US.

Since NHL players are paid in U.S. funds, costs skyrocketed at the time.

Now the loonie is at par or slightly above, with most economists expecting it to stay there for some time.