he Lightning will log a few more air miles starting next season to face a division rival.The league officially announced Tuesday a sale agreement that would move the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg beginning with the 2011-12 season. The plan is for the new Winnipeg franchise, which does not have a nickname, to remain in the Southeast Division for at least next season. The league is expected to realign divisions for the 2012-13 season, with either Nashville, Columbus or Detroit among teams likely to move into the Eastern ConferenceThe move will not become official until approved by the NHL Board of Governors at their next scheduled meeting June 21.Assuming the transfer of the Thrashers franchise receives the necessary approval by the board, it means Tampa Bay — along with the three other teams in the Southeast — will travel to Winnipeg three times during the regular season to play division games.The Lightning also had been under contract with True North Sports and Entertainment, the parent company that will purchase the Thrashers, to play a preseason game in Winnipeg in September, but that game no longer will take place, according to a Lightning spokesman.
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