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

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by 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?

Isn't a poorly managed conference rival what we want?

Also, having call-ups one hour away seems like a good to me.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Perhaps Canucks slide into Utica?

My prediction is this is grandstanding and a deal still gets done.

[greentree]

Originally Posted by 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

That's a good observation. But I wonder if the Flames simply refused to budge, cause that deal they have is never going to be matched, anywhere. The 'sucks will for sure end up with their farm team in Abby, though, and the Aquilinis will likely purchase the rink. Eventually.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by greentree

That's a good observation. But I wonder if the Flames simply refused to budge, cause that deal they have is never going to be matched, anywhere. The 'sucks will for sure end up with their farm team in Abby, though, and the Aquilinis will likely purchase the rink. Eventually.

yeah, but



happy for PMM and looking forward to his insights again next season.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by greentree

That's a good observation. But I wonder if the Flames simply refused to budge, cause that deal they have is never going to be matched, anywhere. The 'sucks will for sure end up with their farm team in Abby, though, and the Aquilinis will likely purchase the rink. Eventually.

Based on the flavour of the comments (although there is motivation for them to say that) I'd say the Flames were likely absolutely willing to be bought out, but you are right, I'm sure they weren't going to comprimise on the number what so ever. And that's what the city and the Nucks were likely trying to come to an agreement on, how much of it comes from the city and how much from the Nucks.

There would be no point to the Flames budging on the buyout, would make no sense as this isn't in their best interest and would be terrible business if they did. Nucks and the city need to decide how much comes from each pocket as they both will seemingly benefit from this arrangement when it goes through.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Another thought I just had is, I wonder what the odds are of the Canucks making their franchise dormant and splitting an affiliate with the Flames?

Calgary will have less of their prospects playing at the AHL level next season and the Canucks don't have a huge stable at this point, either. Could be coined as an unholy alliance, though.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Another thought I just had is, I wonder what the odds are of the Canucks making their franchise dormant and splitting an affiliate with the Flames?

Calgary will have less of their prospects playing at the AHL level next season and the Canucks don't have a huge stable at this point, either. Could be coined as an unholy alliance, though.

I dont see what the Flames, who are successfully running their own team already, would get out of that deal.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont see what the Flames, who are successfully running their own team already, would get out of that deal.

Money mostly. And a more competitive team.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

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).

I guess Utica would be the obvious choice if that was indeed the Flames plan B..

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Money mostly. And a more competitive team.

True, but if money were the determining factor then this deal would have gotten done already.

[FlamesAddiction]

I remember a couple of years ago, the AHL and some NHL teams discussed creating a western wing of the AHL, but so far the Flames are the only team to follow through. It would be nice if the Canucks maybe found a western city and helped get wheels turning again. If it is successful, then maybe the Flames and Canucks could eventually swap.

[Plett25]

There's a pretty new 5,000 seat arena in Chilliwack that lost its WHL team a couple of years ago.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Plett25

There's a pretty new 5,000 seat arena in Chilliwack that lost its WHL team a couple of years ago.

I was thinking about that, but Peoria pulled in an average of 5,000 per game this season (20th in the League), which supposedly wasn't good enough.

Of course, the Utica Arena only has a capacity of 4,000...so, who knows what teams are thinking.


The Wild just announced that they're moving their AHL team from Houston to Des Moines, so Houston could be looking for a replacement (unless they're going to buy the Coyotes, which would create an opening in Phoenix). The Aeros have been a top-ten attendance team in the AHL. If not the Nucks, you'd have to think someone would be willing to put a team there (the Houston Oilers, perhaps? OKC has the worst attendance in the AHL).

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by getbak

I was thinking about that, but Peoria pulled in an average of 5,000 per game this season (20th in the League), which supposedly wasn't good enough.

Of course, the Utica Arena only has a capacity of 4,000...so, who knows what teams are thinking.


The Wild just announced that they're moving their AHL team from Houston to Des Moines, so Houston could be looking for a replacement (unless they're going to buy the Coyotes, which would create an opening in Phoenix). The Aeros have been a top-ten attendance team in the AHL. If not the Nucks, you'd have to think someone would be willing to put a team there (the Houston Oilers, perhaps? OKC has the worst attendance in the AHL).

The problem with Houston is that the reason the team is leaving is because the Rockets increased rent from $24,000 per game to $42,000 per game.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Locke

True, but if money were the determining factor then this deal would have gotten done already.

Also, why would we want our young players playing WITH Canuck prospects? We need to breed a hatred of them.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Really excited that the team is staying in Abby. I've known for about a week but couldn't say anything. Is it the best for development? Probably not though.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont see what the Flames, who are successfully running their own team already, would get out of that deal.

Except for money, I don't think Abbotsford is a good location for the Flames' farm team. The location sucks for travel and the fan base just isn't growing there. If the Canucks want it they can have it (after paying up of course ).

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Another thought I just had is, I wonder what the odds are of the Canucks making their franchise dormant and splitting an affiliate with the Flames?

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Really excited that the team is staying in Abby. I've known for about a week but couldn't say anything. Is it the best for development? Probably not though.

The only confirmed things are:
-Minnesota moved the Houston Aeros to Iowa.
-Vancouver now owns the Peoria Rivermen.
-The Chicago Wolves have no parent, the St. Louis Blues have no affiliate.

[Alberta_Beef]

just a reminder the Utica rumors were for 2014/15 not next season. Utica is upgrading the Aud and I do not think it will be ready for the 2013/14 season.

The Canucksaffiliate could potentially play in Vancouver next year and share an arena with the Giants.