Can Winnipeg keep its NHL team this time?

The partying may not subside for quite some time, but when the champagne bottles land in the recycling bins and the bands put away their gear, Winnipeggers might let that small tinge of doubt form a phrase: "Can we keep our NHL team this time?"

Much has changed in Manitoba's capital between the Winnipeg Jets leaving in 1996 and when True North announced a deal to bring the Atlanta Thrashers organization to the city Tuesday.

When the Jets left, the Canadian dollar was in the tank, NHLers' salaries were rapidly escalating, Winnipeg's economy was stagnant, and the city's rink was desperately in need of a replacement.

All of those situations have been reversed, making Winnipeg a viable NHL city again – but still, there are a number of unique challenges the city will have to face in order to keep the team, experts say.