Finding a good fit for an AHL team is really difficult. Omaha had a history of hockey but arrogance of management (compete with the long established junior & college team rather than work with them) quickly put off the locals, by the time the ship was righted it was already too late. Quad Cities 'traded up' from the Ducks to the QC Flames, but when the team was average and failed to qualify for the playoffs, it felt like people longed for the Ducks. Like said above, with the Flames bleeding money and Abbotsford willing to eat losses the move to B.C. made financial sense.
As for a new location I could see Glen Falls, Kansas City, or another established AHL market that is losing or just lost their team (eg Houston). Doubt that the Flames will get another sweetheart deal like they did with the Heat, so it may be best to relocate to Glen Falls where you know the team will be appreciated and likely at least break even.
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