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

[Vulcan]

The canucks GM Gillis was interviewed at the game last night and he said they had a number of cities applying to host their AHL affiliate. He also said they would be looking for a city preferably handy to Vancouver.

If so, a deal would tie them up and they wouldn't be moving to Abbotsford.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

The canucks GM Gillis was interviewed at the game last night and he said they had a number of cities applying to host their AHL affiliate. He also said they would be looking for a city preferably handy to Vancouver.

If so, a deal would tie them up and they wouldn't be moving to Abbotsford.

it is not uncommon to see 1 and 2 year affiliate deals in the AHL. For example from what I understand the deal between San Antonio & Florida is a year to year deal. The Canucks in Chicago was just for 2 years... etc

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

it is not uncommon to see 1 and 2 year affiliate deals in the AHL. For example from what I understand the deal between San Antonio & Florida is a year to year deal. The Canucks in Chicago was just for 2 years... etc

Chicago is a different deal as Chicago owns the team and can make their own deals if they want. I take it San Antonio and Florida have a successful relationship.
I guess they could move but it would seem crass to move away if it's a successful relationship.
The one good thing he said was he was looking for a city closer to Vancouver. This would help the Abbotsford travelling and rivalry situation. The baby Oil aren't drawing well in Oklahoma and it would be great if they moved farther west as well.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Chicago is a different deal as Chicago owns the team and can make their own deals if they want. I take it San Antonio and Florida have a successful relationship.
I guess they could move but it would seem crass to move away if it's a successful relationship.
The one good thing he said was he was looking for a city closer to Vancouver. This would help the Abbotsford travelling and rivalry situation. The baby Oil aren't drawing well in Oklahoma and it would be great if they moved farther west as well.

I agree with all of this. I would love to see 2 more teams in the Northwest.

In a perfect world for me the baby Flames end up in Lethbridge, the baby grease ends up in Grand Praire or Fort Mac (whichever is building that new arena) and the baby canucks end up in Abbostford

[Resolute 14]

Neither Grande Prairie nor Fort Mac have arenas suitable for the WHL, let alone the AHL. And the AHL is not going to invade a WHL market. And if they were, Lethbridge would be nowhere near the top of the list.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Neither Grande Prairie nor Fort Mac have arenas suitable for the WHL, let alone the AHL. And the AHL is not going to invade a WHL market. And if they were, Lethbridge would be nowhere near the top of the list.

I never said it would happen. I said it would be ideal for me (as I have no desire to support the Hurricanes)

And haven't one of those northern cities approved a new arena? i am pretty sure it read that somewhere.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Neither Grande Prairie nor Fort Mac have arenas suitable for the WHL, let alone the AHL. And the AHL is not going to invade a WHL market. And if they were, Lethbridge would be nowhere near the top of the list.

Tell that to the Chilliwack Bruins.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Tell that to the Chilliwack Bruins.

That would be interesting, moving the baby nucks to Chilliwack.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Tell that to the Chilliwack Bruins.

Heh, I new Brian Burke's whining was going to be brought up! That is comparitavely similar to the AHL moving into Pincher Creek (discarding how impractical that is), rather than moving to Lethbridge. Close cities, but not a direct invasion into an existing market.

[Ashasx]

Canucks will not have an AHL team for next season.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports
Peoria newspaper says #Canucks farm team dormant next year - we told you that last week.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports
#Canucks will just loan their prospects to other AHL teams - Abbotsford Heat 1 of the teams.


And the Canucks really need help developing their prospects because they have none. They have nothing in the system.

I don't want Canuck prospects taking ice time away from the Flames prospects.

[kyuss275]

I agree with "Ashasx" that i don't want canuck prospects taking away flames ice time. I presume the flames do not want that either. I would also presume that the heat would love to get a couple of the nucks top prospects ( not that they will be great) to try and increase attendance.

Who gets the final call on who Vancouver can send to the heat?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Canucks will not have an AHL team for next season.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports
Peoria newspaper says #Canucks farm team dormant next year - we told you that last week.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports
#Canucks will just loan their prospects to other AHL teams - Abbotsford Heat 1 of the teams.


And the Canucks really need help developing their prospects because they have none. They have nothing in the system.

I don't want Canuck prospects taking ice time away from the Flames prospects.

They won't take any more ice time away from Flames prospects than these guys the Heat have been signing to AHL contracts do. And that is who this arrangement will affect, you will see less AHL contracts on the club.

Personally I think it's a great idea if it draws some fans into the arena.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't want Canuck prospects taking ice time away from the Flames prospects.

I say let Abbotsford take the Canucks' top forwards and only use them on the 4th line.

[sureLoss]

The Heat get final say on who they will accept as a loan, but the Canucks will most likely only offer prospects they feel will fill holes on the Heat and therefore get ice time. The Heat are still a Flames organization and priority will obviously given to Flames prospects. However, the on loan Canucks prospects should help cut down the AHL only deals the Heat need to sign the past few seasons to fill roster spots.

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.

[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?

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

They won't take any more ice time away from Flames prospects than these guys the Heat have been signing to AHL contracts do. And that is who this arrangement will affect, you will see less AHL contracts on the club.

Personally I think it's a great idea if it draws some fans into the arena.

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?

[sec304]

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?

Wouldn't accepting a few dirty 'nucks players help sell tickets and bring the Flames more revenue??

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I agree with "Ashasx" that i don't want canuck prospects taking away flames ice time. I presume the flames do not want that either. I would also presume that the heat would love to get a couple of the nucks top prospects ( not that they will be great) to try and increase attendance.

Who gets the final call on who Vancouver can send to the heat?

When the Flames shared farm clubs in the past the Flames would have "X" number of forward spots, "X" number of defense spots and "X" number of goaltending spots. It will all be outlined in the affiliate agreement. I expect that will be where the Canucks will want their better prospects like Jensen, Corrado, Schroeder (if he sees any AHL time) and Grenier. I doubt the Heat give up a goaltending spot unless the Flames intend to have a 3 headed goaltending monster next year.

I really think this is a good move for the Flames to make because there is a ton of holes on the AHL roster going into next year since many of the RFAs will likely be allowed to walk. Plus with the Flames rebuilding there will be more youth on the big club that will be drawing talent from the Heat.

Plus it will make the team stronger while giving the fans a new reason to go see the Heat. If the Heat win whether there are Canucks in the fold or not it will be good for Flames prospects.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The Flames should refuse to accept any Canuck players. What advantage to the Flames have in training the prospects from other organizations?

Reduced operating cost, Canucks will pay the salaries of the players they will be loaning to the Heat.

For example, this past season instead of paying Brust $60k/yr on an AHL deal, the Heat could have had Eddie Lack with the Canucks footing the bill.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Reduced operating cost, Canucks will pay the salaries of the players they will be loaning to the Heat.

For example, this past season instead of paying Brust $60k/yr on an AHL deal, the Heat could have had Eddie Lack with the Canucks footing the bill.

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

Well, I guess that would fit the Flames.

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.