1 big thing has changed since the Jets left Winnepeg that would help a new franchise. When the Jets left, a bi-partison US Congress / President were in the process of balancing the budget and a decreasing US debt. As a result the US $ became very strong vs. the Looney. Since then reckless US spending / debt has significantly decreased the value of the $ (bad for us, good for CA). This trend will continue for the forseeable future. This means that the disadvantage Canadian teams had in the past would be greatly reduced. This coupled with a more equitable distribution of league revenues and a salary cap mean that Hockey probably could succeed in Winnepeg...
IF THEY BUILD A NEW STADIUM!!! 15k seats won't cut it.
I would love to see hockey return to Winnepeg. And the Moose to fold, and BB return to the Sioux, and the SIOUX to subsequently win 23 strait national championships.