Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
I think when moving to Abbotsford, the Flames thought it would begin a push westward by the AHL, but as a lone outpost, Abbotsford makes little sense. The team would have a much better chance at surviving on its own as a Canucks affiliate.
There's going to be a domino effect out of this as the AHL is at 30 teams. If Vancouver takes over the Abbotsford market, where is the new Utica franchise coming from? Does Chicago just drop out of the AHL? Or do the Hawks put their farm team in their back yard and Rockford loses? Or perhaps the Oilers give up in OKC (dead last in AHL attendance) and go to Chicago?
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NHL needs to expand to 32 teams eventually anyway, then they'll need another AHL franchise.