I'll go a different direction here because of recent events. If you saw what I just posted on the AHL page, you'll know where I'm going... but there's another twist to add.
It starts in Sacramento. Sacramento State has talked about a new on-campus arena for, well, decades now. An article from last May mentioned that the new athletic director plans to jump-start the process. BTW, they're talking about an arena not just for the school (capacity 5,000), but bringing in the G-League team currently playing in Reno, and possibly minor league hockey.
I found that article because the whisper I heard today is that the San Jose Barracuda would move to Sacramento if it's built with that capability. Thing is, that's too many teams into one building (because you have to figure volleyball and women's basketball move because equality of opportunity) and an alignment like that when basketball will be the main tenant gets awkward.
Besides, the Calgary Flames are doing their usual job of burning a market. Stockton has seen better days with the ECHL Thunder. The game I saw (on a Saturday) last year was, dare I say, morgue-ish, and it makes more sense to me that Stockton changes affiliations or effects a sale so that they'll be with the Sharks when all is said and done.
Now... footsy between the NHL and Seattle means another AHL team in about 4-5 years time. The Seattle area already has two WHL teams (Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips). I can't see both teams surviving in tandem with the NHL's arrival, but I DO see AHL people looking at Everett and wanting in. I think that's a logical result (not one I'd bet all-in on, mind you). That enables the Canucks to move their AHL team to Abbotsford finally. And if Calgary and Stockton divorce, then it's a matter of the Flames finding an arena in that region to get going... or would they try to upset the WHL apple cart more than I'm already suggesting.
Is Boise in play? Utah? Those are key questions in these scenarios.
Thing is... remember the CHL lawsuit? All major junior may have to pay players? Oh, BTW, US teams are exempt from the lawsuit? Imagine the players win that lawsuit, but there's this rift because of the US teams. Could there be a divorce there? Imagine the Northwest markets opening up for ECHL and/or AHL because of that. If one doesn't jump in, the other surely should.
Obviously, the ECHL has issues, and are certainly prone to having more out west. There could also be a solution emerging if we're not careful, too. Just things to keep in mind.