[Rumour] Flames to move AHL affiliate to Utica NY. UPD: Canucks move affiliate to Utica

[jschick88]

From Vicki Hall:

Flames statment on Utica: "We have been approached by representatives in Utica concerning an opportunity for the AHL."
More Flames on Utica: "We understand they are building a case for the AHL to return there."
Still more Flames on Utica:" We are under contract and committed to Abbotsford, and have made no alternate commitments"

https://twitter.com/vickihallch

[Enoch Root]

^ a non-denial denial

[FlamesAddiction]

Does anyone think Saskatoon could be an AHL city? It would be nice to have the farm teams in the Flames back yard, relatively speaking that is.

[Stay Golden]

It seems that a natural move for the Canucks would be to move their AHL team to Abbotsford if it became available so why wouldnt the Flames be smart and make a deal for an exchange of locations to Chicago?
Too logical maybe.
Still closer than NY.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Does anyone think Saskatoon could be an AHL city? It would be nice to have the farm teams in the Flames back yard, relatively speaking that is.

No.

[killer_carlson]

Saskatoon could 100% hold an AHL franchise. Their corporate base is very stong, and likely stronger than most AHL markets.

Whether the AHL would move a team there is another story.

[BloodFetish]

I've always wondered why Madison, WI hasn't had a team. Good population, hockey country, close to other AHL franchises.

You'd think the Badgers and an AHL franchise could co-exist.

EDIT: and I'll add that there are direct flights from Calgary to Milwaukee via United or AA. If Abbotsford doesn't work out and this Utica thing is a hoax it would be on my short list if I'm the Flames GM.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Does anyone think Saskatoon could be an AHL city? It would be nice to have the farm teams in the Flames back yard, relatively speaking that is.

Nope. They have the Blades and are happy with them.

[Freeway]

Pat Steinberg ‏@Fan960Steinberg Spoke to Utica Observer Dispatch. They've been in contact with local mayor. He can't confirm #Flames AHL affilliate will be placed there.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The flip side is that the travel Abby has causes them to miss a tremendous amount of practice time. It also wears them out.

How many times a year is there an emergency callup that has to happen within a matter of hours? Pretty much never.

I would rather have more practice time and less travel for my team.

Great post and good point. Definitely better to have more practice time.

[nik-]

I don't want our AHL affiliate in Chicago. The Wolves are about winning in the AHL, not development.

[Muta]

I still think Boise, Idaho would be a good location.

If we're going to Utica (which I hope not, I love them in Abbottsford and don't want them to move), why not keep the team in Canada and move them to a place like Fredricton, Moncton or Halifax? Hell, even Thunder Bay?

[c.t.ner]

Hmm... Although it would be a shame to see the Flames leave Abbotsford after spending so much money and time investing in the area, but from a higher up stand point this makes far more sense for the city of Abbotsford. I can also see why Vancouver would want the Flames out. The Heat have been doing alright, but if they were the Canucks team they'd be a much stronger financial franchise and that would help ensure the viability of the team with city hall.

It seams like it'd be a win for Abbotsford, a win for the Canucks and a meh for the Flames unless Utica is making a sweet deal. I know PMM can't say anything, but I'd be curious what would happen to Ryan Pinder (I hope that's right), Ward and others?

[Vulcan]

The thing is if the Canucks want to move into Abbotsford, they need to buy an AHL team. They don't own the Chicago Wolves, Don Levin does and he makes money in Chicago. I don't see him selling out without getting something in return. What will he want you say, well he happens to be interested in buying an NHL team and is very interested in Seattle.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...tanley-cup-nhl

[BurningSteel]

after looking at that map it makes zero sense to have a team in Abbatsford

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Muta

I still think Boise, Idaho would be a good location.

If we're going to Utica (which I hope not, I love them in Abbottsford and don't want them to move), why not keep the team in Canada and move them to a place like Fredricton, Moncton or Halifax? Hell, even Thunder Bay?

I personally do not care if they are in Canada or the US, but would like them to move and have their own identity. Adirondack will be losing their AHL affiliate in 2014-15 as the Flyers are moving to Allenville, Pennsylvania that year to play in the new PPL Center.

There are rumors of the Houston Aeros moving to Des Moines, Iowa next year, this comes from the Wild owning the Aeros and them not having an arena deal for next year in Houston.

There are rumors of the Sound Tigers wanting out of Bridgeport, as well as the Rangers wanting their affiliate out of Hartford. It's rumored both the Rangers and the Isles are interested in Adirondack when the Flyers vacate.

San Antonio and the Panthers have been signing 1 year agreements, so you just never know there either. Same in Milwaukee who sign in 2 year intervals with the Predators.

Kansas City could host a team in the Sprint Center.

Maybe Hamilton is an option, as there are rumors the Habs will move their affiliation to the new arena in Laval that is being built by Habs ownership.

Lots of possibilities out there.

[browna]

Don't the Flames also pay for the visiting AHL teams to fly out to Abbotsford, as part of the original franchise relocation deal with the AHL?

I think Quad Cities and Omaha were cases (Quad Cities for sure) of the Flames not happy with the people running the business/making promises to woo them there that never came to be.
Abbotsford was them able to create a new market where they also would be able to keep closer tabs on the buisness side, and wouldn't have to deal with have control issues.
But the location is just far too far for the team to travel, and has been mentioned, practice time takes a hit, and its a steep price to pay for the ability of call ups being 1h flight away and being a bit more familiar with the market on a business side.

[WetCoast]

Abbotsford is a poor spot for an AHL team. You're not going to find much fan support outside Abbotsford.

The commute from Vancouver is almost an hour plus you have to a pay a toll each way over the new Port Mann bridge.

The worst part is that your Heat are being supported by people that live in Surrey.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by WetCoast

Abbotsford is a poor spot for an AHL team. You're not going to find much fan support outside Abbotsford.

The commute from Vancouver is almost an hour plus you have to a pay a toll each way over the new Port Mann bridge.

The worst part is that your Heat are being supported by people that live in Surrey.

I live in Surrey...

I'm just upset because I won't get to watch the kids on the farm anymore, in reality it's probably best for the team to move for the health of the organization.

[Flames_Gimp]

if vancouver gets abbotsford as their affiliate this move sucks!