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

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

This screams a delaying tactic for the Canucks by not committing to another city. They are going to try to negotiate another deal with Abbotsford all throughout this upcoming season. Perhaps seeing the effect of having some Canucks property on the team on ticket sales will make the city more flexible in negotiations.

Exactly what I was thinking. It also fits with the Utica rumors since they were for 2014/15 and not this upcoming season since renovations/upgrades are being done to the Utica Auditorium.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

So it's more important to saving 180k than to develop our prospects?

Well, I guess that would fit the Flames.

except as both Sureloss and myself have tried pointing out it would cost players like Brust jobs, not Flames prospects. It will simply mean less AHL contracts, no more, no less.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

So it's more important to saving 180k than to develop our prospects?

Well, I guess that would fit the Flames.

Is Brust on an AHL only deal really a prospect?

Are McKelvie, Matczak, Laing prospects?

If we are talking about guys on AHL only deals being replaced by Canucks prospects I am fine with it.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

except as both Sureloss and myself have tried pointing out it would cost players like Brust jobs, not Flames prospects. It will simply mean less AHL contracts, no more, no less.

Brust, Irving, and Taylor shouldn't even be returning next season. We have 3 legit goaltenders that will be looking for room in Abbotsford (Brossoit, Berra, and Ortio if he's still coming over).

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Brossoit and Berra need the net next year. Wotherspoon, Ramage will be coming in on the blueline. Reinhart and Hanowski need top 6 minutes, Ferland needs actual ice time.

You don't even know if a goaltending spot is included. Nor do you know that Berra won't be in the NHL next year.

Also if you had any idea what the Heat roster currently looked like you would know ther eis room for all those players you mentioned, plus some of the Canucks prospects and then still probably more room for AHL deals.

That Abbotsford roster could be pretty barren if Feaster lets most of the RFAs walk like many of us think he will.

[Canada 02]

From a financial perspective, I'm surprised more NHL teams don't share AHL affiliates. Share costs; don't need to sign AHL scrubs to fill out a roster; possibly having a stacked team of top prospects, improving chances of playoff dates.

IIRC, the Flames shared an AHL team with Carolina for a few years, with Kobasew as the captain, and the roster made up of Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Matt Lombardi, Mark Giordano, Ritchie Regehr, Mike Commodore. They were a high end AHL team

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Brust, Irving, and Taylor shouldn't even be returning next season. We have 3 legit goaltenders that will be looking for room in Abbotsford (Brossoit, Berra, and Ortio if he's still coming over).

Stop making assumptions. Christ you are just looking for a reason to complain.

Ortio is not coming over. I am pretty sure he signed a 2 year deal in Finland before this season and Berra could very easily be apart of a 3 goaltender rotation in the NHL.

Also as pointed out multiple times. IT MAY NOT INCLUDE A GOALTENDER SPOT.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

From a financial perspective, I'm surprised more NHL teams don't share AHL affiliates. Share costs; don't need to sign AHL scrubs to fill out a roster; possibly having a stacked team of top prospects, improving chances of playoff dates.

IIRC, the Flames shared an AHL team with Carolina for a few years, with Kobasew as the captain, and the roster made up of Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Matt Lombardi, Mark Giordano, Ritchie Regehr, Mike Commodore. They were a high end AHL team

I thought they only share the Lock Monsters for 1 season during the lockout. But it was a very good team that year.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Stop making assumptions. Christ you are just looking for a reason to complain.

Ortio is not coming over. I am pretty sure he signed a 2 year deal in Finland before this season and Berra could very easily be apart of a 3 goaltender rotation in the NHL.

Also as pointed out multiple times. IT MAY NOT INCLUDE A GOALTENDER SPOT.

I'm pretty sure Feaster did say that Ortio was coming over. Zero chance the flames go with a 3 goaltender rotation.

Other than that, your other post shined some light that i did not think of. Should be interseting for heat fans, could have a quality team next year.

[sureLoss]

Yes it seems unlikely the Flames are going to share goaltending spots with potentially 5-6 goaltenders they will have in NA.

Kippersoff - will most likely retire but may have a change in heart?
Ramo - still to be signed
Berra - will most likely need AHL conditioning
Brossoit - first pro season will need time in the minros
Ortio - will need to prove he can adapt to the NA game after a poor showing first time around
MacDonald - will most likely be in the NHL but may lose his job if someone can take it from him

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Stop making assumptions. Christ you are just looking for a reason to complain.

Ortio is not coming over. I am pretty sure he signed a 2 year deal in Finland before this season and Berra could very easily be apart of a 3 goaltender rotation in the NHL.

Also as pointed out multiple times. IT MAY NOT INCLUDE A GOALTENDER SPOT.

Pretty sure Ortio has no contract with HIFK next season, and they already have 2 goalies signed, but do continue with the insults.

[dammage79]

Yeah, Feaster said Ortio was going to be playing in Abby this year. At least I think he said that, no, I am pretty sure he said it.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I'm pretty sure Feaster did say that Ortio was coming over. Zero chance the flames go with a 3 goaltender rotation.

Other than that, your other post shined some light that i did not think of. Should be interseting for heat fans, could have a quality team next year.

no Feaster said Ortio was good enough to come over. Big difference.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I get the draw for Abbotsford. What happens if the nucks want Lack, Schroder and Gaunce on the heat? Lack would get starting time and the other 2 centers would probably get top 6 time. Granted i think Lack is the backup for Vancouver next year. The 3 players i mentioned are the only 3 prospects i know of the nucks. Do they have anybody better or close to them?

The Flames/Heat would have final say on who they accept. They won't accept someone who would take away ice time from a Flames' prospect.

Lack should be Schneider's backup in Vancouver, and the Flames already have the goalie situation in Abbotsford set for next year, so there won't be a place for a goalie. The Canucks will need to find somewhere else for Cannata.

I'm sure they would gladly accept Gaunce. He's a top centre prospect, so he wouldn't be taking away ice time from anyone in the Flames' long-term plans anyway (since it's a position where the Flames are weak, and Horak should be in Calgary for the whole season). He would also be a good draw for the Nuck fans who want to see one of their top guys.


The Nucks will probably put two forwards and one or two defencemen on the Heat next season, and spread the rest of their players around to other teams. They'll likely only have about a dozen players they'll need to accomodate, so if they put 3 or 4 in Abbotsford, they'd just need to find 5 or 6 other teams to take a player or two.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by getbak

The Flames/Heat would have final say on who they accept. They won't accept someone who would take away ice time from a Flames' prospect.

Lack should be Schneider's backup in Vancouver, and the Flames already have the goalie situation in Abbotsford set for next year, so there won't be a place for a goalie. The Canucks will need to find somewhere else for Cannata.

I'm sure they would gladly accept Gaunce. He's a top centre prospect, so he wouldn't be taking away ice time from anyone in the Flames' long-term plans anyway (since it's a position where the Flames are weak, and Horak should be in Calgary for the whole season). He would also be a good draw for the Nuck fans who want to see one of their top guys.


The Nucks will probably put two forwards and one or two defencemen on the Heat next season, and spread the rest of their players around to other teams. They'll likely only have about a dozen players they'll need to accomodate, so if they put 3 or 4 in Abbotsford, they'd just need to find 5 or 6 other teams to take a player or two.

Gaunce will not be AHL eligible as he will still be considered 19 for CHL purposes. I expect Jensen & Corrado to be in Abbotsford though if these rumors are true.

but it looks like someone may have jumped the gun too, that same twitter account is saying AHL sources are now saying something is in the making and the Canucks will have an AHL team next season.

https://twitter.com/News1130Sports

[Alberta_Beef]

Elliotte Friedman getting in the mix

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC

Haven't seen the source of it, but apparently there's a report Canucks will not have a dedicated AHL affiliate. Yesterday, there was...

a belief Canucks were going to Utica. I guess we'll see what happens.

[Alberta_Beef]

Also it sounds like today is the deadline for the Canucks to decide where there AHL franchise will play, if anywhere.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

I'm sure the Canucks will put their most NHL-ready prospects in Abbotsford since those are the ones that they would be calling up the most.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The Flames should refuse to accept any Canuck players. What advantage do the Flames have in training the prospects from other organizations? A rival that has disrespected the team for the last 4 years?

What disrespect are you reffering too?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

What disrespect are you reffering too?

Comments like "we don't consider [the Flames] a rival anymore".