Gulutzan expects 3 or 4 Flames prospects for Wranglers

[Reggie Dunlop]

Las Vegas Sun (http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sports/2007/jun/30/566617305.html)

Including a goaltender. Writer mentions Brett Sutter, but that may merely be a case of name recognition. Of the nine junior signees, only Irving is definitely headed back.

It's starting to shape up as the Quad City Squeeze -- too many players for the AHL, same number of ECHL send-downs and (likely) minimal junior assignments. The situation suggests a few of the Flames prospects are either moving out of the organization, or up to the NHL.

A bit early to call, but it appears that way right now.

[Freeway]

Las Vegas Sun (http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sports/2007/jun/30/566617305.html)

Including a goaltender. Writer mentions Brett Sutter, but that may merely be a case of name recognition. Of the nine junior signees, only Irving is definitely headed back.

It's starting to shape up as the Quad City Squeeze -- too many players for the AHL, same number of ECHL send-downs and (likely) minimal junior assignments. The situation suggests a few of the Flames prospects are either moving out of the organization, or up to the NHL.

A bit early to call, but it appears that way right now.

So... It's Kipper and Krahn/McE in Calgary; Worse of Krahn/McE and best of Keetley/Lalande in Quad City; and worse of Keetley/Lalande in Las Vegas. Interesting.

Makes you wonder if guys who spent a lot of time in Las Vegas [Aki Seitsonen, Ryan Donally, Chris Neiszner, Adam Cracknell] will get sent back there just because of familiarity with the coaching staff, or if they may get cut loose, seeing as how the Flames don't really have a lot of spaces...

EDIT: Pro numbers for the aforementioned quartet:

CRACKNELL: 05-06 - 3 points in 6 games in Omaha (after WHL playoffs); 06-07 - 22 points in 31 games in Vegas [missed time due to a broken leg]
DONALLY: 06/07 - 5 points in 18 games in Omaha, 8 points in 33 games in Vegas
NEISZNER: 05-06 - 2 points in 7 games in Omaha, 31 points in 58 games in Vegas; 06-07 - 4 points in 9 games in Omaha, 28 points in 51 games in Vegas
SEITSONEN: 05/06 - 0 points in 7 games in Omaha (after WHL season); 06-07 - 4 points in 13 games in Omaha, 32 points in 59 games in Vegas

[Hemi-Cuda]

so not only will players be fighting for spots on the big club, but they have to earn their way to a spot in QC. sounds like a good problem for the organization to have

[Drunk Skunk]

Definately. What I took is that if there's a call up to the big club, QC will be able to replace him with someone of AHL or near-AHL caliber from the Wranglers. That's a much better proposition than having to call up someone that's not going to be able to contribute.

[tonyrock1983]

i think this is a problem i am going to enjoy.

[Hoody]

So much for all the naysayers saying how much we would hate being at the beck and call of a parent club. We may be, but Vegas is at ours, and with what looks like some dang good talent.

Hoody

[kn]

How many guys under contract do the Flames usually carry?

[Reggie Dunlop]

How many guys under contract do the Flames usually carry?

The limit is 50 organization-wide. I counted 49 at the peak last season.

[Freeway]

The limit is 50 organization-wide. I counted 49 at the peak last season.

Reg, is it possible to see a running tally?

[Wranglers110]

God, I'm excited.

Typical modesty from Gulutzan. I think all Wranglers fans expect this to be a championship winning season, so Gully calls it a "rebuilding year." He's pure class and while I never want to see him leave Vegas, he deserves a promotion eventually. The Flames would do well to keep him in the organization.

[someguy51]

What's fan support like in Las Vegas? Do they get a lot fans to the games? Lots of publicity?

[Wranglers110]

The Orleans Arena only holds ~7000, although the seats are in a horseshoe fashion (no seats behind one goal), which means if there are only 4000 fans it feels packed.

Considering it's only Double-A hockey, I'd describe the atmosphere as very excellent. There's a distinct mixture of fans....I'd say the hardcore Wrangler supporters mixed with general hockey fans who moved to Vegas from cities that had hockey and they just need their hockey fix accounts for probably 50-60% of the crowd......We usually get a sizable number of supporters for the road team....and there's a sizable minority that's new to the sport and learning.

They get a lot of write ups in the paper in terms of stories and game results....minimal to zero advertising on TV or on billboards, etc.....

Still feels like a niche. The town as a whole probably doesn't know much about them, but the arena always has a healthy attendance. Given all the competing distractions for entertainment in this city, there's no other way to qualify the Wranglers as but a success. They sometimes get better attendance than the local AAA baseball team and THAT team has more seats and is more well known.

[icarus]

The Orleans Arena only holds ~7000, although the seats are in a horseshoe fashion (no seats behind one goal), which means if there are only 4000 fans it feels packed.

Considering it's only Double-A hockey, I'd describe the atmosphere as very excellent. There's a distinct mixture of fans....I'd say the hardcore Wrangler supporters mixed with general hockey fans who moved to Vegas from cities that had hockey and they just need their hockey fix accounts for probably 50-60% of the crowd......We usually get a sizable number of supporters for the road team....and there's a sizable minority that's new to the sport and learning.

They get a lot of write ups in the paper in terms of stories and game results....minimal to zero advertising on TV or on billboards, etc.....

Still feels like a niche. The town as a whole probably doesn't know much about them, but the arena always has a healthy attendance. Given all the competing distractions for entertainment in this city, there's no other way to qualify the Wranglers as but a success. They sometimes get better attendance than the local AAA baseball team and THAT team has more seats and is more well known.
Is there any sort of push or incentive to draw tourists to the games? Or is it almost strictly locals?

And do you think there would ever be enough support in Vegas to maintain an NHL club as a result of expansion or relocation?