Avsrule2022
"No more rats"
if that was the case, then why hasn't that already happened?
The guy with money to burn hasn't showed up yet.
if that was the case, then why hasn't that already happened?
and maybe, there isn't oneThe guy with money to burn hasn't showed up yet.
and maybe, there isn't one
Within the next few years I feel that the ECHL will be getting smaller not larger. Look at the attendence and there are about 5-7 teams that might not be around. Might even be smart for some to drop down to the SPHL (Norfolk, S. Carolina, Greenville) They don't need to replace Colorado, but they do need to shore up some of the franchises the presently have.
ECHL contraction wouldn't surprise me.
Adirondack has more players from their unofficial affiliates Tampa Bay/Syracuse than they do from their official affiliates New Jersey/Binghamton. New Jersey has assigned only Ken Appleby (0 GP) and Colton White (3 GP) to Adirondack this season and both are back in Binghamton. Injured Chris Calnan is the only player from Binghamton who is currently assigned to Adirondack.
With AHL clubs giving PTOs to ECHL players who are not playing for their official affiliates and NHL/AHL official affiliates not being required to provide a minimum number of players to their ECHL affiliates the 31/31/31 model doesn't seem necessary.
That's an interesting perspective. The NHL has seemingly shown no more than a passing interest in building up the ECHL, and it's been primarily for the purposes of on-ice official development & prospect parking. I agree with previous posters that the ECHL's focus should be on stabilizing rather than expanding; but just like the NHL, the ECHL owners' decisions are driven by the almighty expansion dollar.... With AHL clubs giving PTOs to ECHL players who are not playing for their official affiliates and NHL/AHL official affiliates not being required to provide a minimum number of players to their ECHL affiliates the 31/31/31 model doesn't seem necessary.
what others 2 teams could move?All it takes for the ECHL to come to OKC is an available building with an ice plant and a guy with a bunch of money to burn. Colorado's ECHL franchise will be available next year along with probably one or 2 others. If not, the ECHL would grant an expansion franchise to pretty much anyone with a plan. What happened in OKC with the AHL doesn't matter, the ECHL is a different animal. If there was one spot in the US that could slide right in to Colorado's spot, it's OKC.
Tulsa & Wichita leap to mind. Probably not both, but one or the other. That would relieve the Steven Brothers of a second franchise, after they sold the Americans to Jack Gulati last season.what others 2 teams could move?
That's an interesting perspective. The NHL has seemingly shown no more than a passing interest in building up the ECHL, and it's been primarily for the purposes of on-ice official development & prospect parking. I agree with previous posters that the ECHL's focus should be on stabilizing rather than expanding; but just like the NHL, the ECHL owners' decisions are driven by the almighty expansion dollar.
what others 2 teams could move?
would the team in San Antonio move from the AHL to the ECHL like we've seen before
would the team in San Antonio move from the AHL to the ECHL like we've seen before