NHL teams showing interest in Wolves

There are big changes coming for the Chicago Wolves on the heels of the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg. Not least among them is a whole new roster on the horizon.

“We had a great relationship with Atlanta,” Wolves general manager Wendell Young said. “It’s sad to see the guys go; it’s going to be a whole new crew next season.”

But while it will be difficult parting with all those familiar faces, there already are several suitors lining up for a chance to replace them.

And they’ve come a knocking in bunches.

“They know what we have to offer from our Hoffman Estates practice facility to the Allstate Arena to the way we treat players first class,” Young said. “It’s good. We’re the good-looking girl.”

The list of suitors — NHL franchises that would like the Wolves organization as their AHL affiliate — has been culled from a handful to the final two or three, and Young said he expects a decision to be made within a week or so.

One of the franchises reportedly showing interest is Vancouver, which would make for a wild dynamic in Chicago.

“It would be an interesting thing,” Young admitted. “But that’s all to be figured out in the next week.”