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

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Ben Kuzma @benkuzma
#Canucks clear AHL affiliate relocation hurdle. Purchase Peoria Rivermen from Blues. Expect Heat move to Utica and hello Abby.

Give us Kassian as compensation (he's a bum anyway, right?)

[868904]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Give us Kassian as compensation (he's a bum anyway, right?)

Yeah I hope the Flames get something out of this. We already give the Canucks whatever they want on the ice.

[Ring of Fire]

Interesting fact: the Abbotsford Heat franchise was once situated in Utica and known as the Utica Devils from 1987-93. A homecoming of sorts?

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utica_Devils

[Zulu29]

I'm guessing the compensation will just be cash right?

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

I'm guessing the compensation will just be cash right?

Either that or a raise and relocation fee to Utica for Pierre Monster McGuire. If anything I'm going to miss PMM's reporting from Abbotsford as it's been top notch and better than anything else on the net.

[Canada 02]

Flames claim they will be in Abby next year

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...924/story.html

[Resolute 14]

A vote of confidence?

I guess that pretty much confirms the move to Utica then.

[fastpuck]

Funny thing, I always check the prospects forum, that's the future of the flames, and is generally free of bickering and dumb remarks. I often get tired of the meaningless comments in the main forum. Pierre, you really have done an excellent job over the last few years.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Flames claim they will be in Abby next year

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...924/story.html

Translation: "Hi dirtiest and classless organization in the world, if you want this location, pay up!"

[MissTeeks]

Sorry for the bump:

TEAM Radio‏@TEAM10402m

RT @gordmcintyre: #Heat are staying in Abbotsford next season, says Abbo mayor. City "unable" to make deal with Canucks, Bruce Banman said.

[Muta]

Good. I like them in Abbotsford.

[Cheese]

^^^great news for PMM!

[Canada 02]

I imagine the cost for the city of Abbotsford to break the remaining 6 years of their deal with the Flames is very high, and I would guess they wanted the Canucks to pay a big part of that bill

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Cheese

^^^great news for PMM!

Great news for all of us too, now that we'll all get to enjoy PMM's insight for another season.

[Erick Estrada]

Funny the Canucks don't want to pay the Flames. Gillis seems to have no problem overpaying millions for mediocre players and signing 30 year old goaltenders to 10 year contracts. Where does that leave the Canucks' farm club?

[getbak]

Although a move away from the dirty Nuck fans would probably have been good, it'll be good to get one more year of on-the-scene reporting from PMM.

[Psytic]

Anything that throws a wrench in the Canucks plans is fine by me.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Where does that leave the Canucks' farm club?

That is a good question, apparently the Blues terminated the lease agreement with Peoria before selling the Rivermen to the Canucks. They played their last AHL game on Sunday: http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x143101...ose-AHL-finale

So the Canucks have a team but nowhere to put them. Will be interesting to see if they go for a short term deal in another city (implying they will try again for Abbotsford in the near future).

[Ashasx]

The Flames have a great deal in Abbotsford.

Clearly the Canucks aren't interested in a fair deal.

[MissTeeks]

Official Release:

http://www.abbotsford.ca/Assets/Abbo...$!27s+Team.pdf

“Recently there has been public discussion regarding the potential for the Vancouver Canucks to become the prime tenants of the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Center," said Banman. “Unfortunately, the City of Abbotsford was unable to negotiate an agreement with the Canucks with terms that were satisfactory within the time constraints."

"We would like to acknowledge the open minded and generous approach of the Calgary Flames and Fraser Valley Sports & Entertainment in working with us during this recent negotiation process," said Banman. "Both organizations stepped forward in good faith in 2009 and they have remained proactive partners in the success of professional hockey in our City. We look forward to continuing to work with them next season."
The Heat’s existing contract with the City sees them playing in Abbotsford until 2019.
“Basically it's 'business as usual’ for us here,” said Banman. “We are committed to supporting the Heat while they are our team and will continue to work with the Flames, Heat President Ryan Walter, and Fraser Valley Sports & Entertainment to bring success to the Heat and the community – and I for one am excited to see more young talent joining the Heat next season.”