AHL Affiliate Thread - Send them the Wolves

[Chrispy]

Wait, this still hadn't been announced yet?

Carolina still hasn't announced it, no. Florida spilled the beans, but Charlotte and Chicago were the only options left.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Every time I see an update to this thread, I hope that there's an actual update, and there never is.

Every time I see an update to this thread, I hope that there's a good update, and there never is.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Well, I'd say we all want to know the story. Hopefully it comes out soon when we officially announce our plan.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Sadly predictable shenanigans

 

[vorbis]

wonder if there are any shenanigans going on with the owner of the Checkers being a minority partner in the Canes, and Dundon's option to buy up the remaining whatever percent coming up soon

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

If Chicago helps keep the boat afloat then Im cool with it.

 

[WreckingCrew]

So much for getting to watch Sellgren, Bokk, and all those other prospects develop...now I'll have to cheer for a conference opponents players

 

[tarheelhockey]

Well, I'd say we all want to know the story. Hopefully it comes out soon when we officially announce our plan.

This big secret going to have to involve one hell of a plot twist for this not to come off as a faceplant by the Canes.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

If Chicago can support itself and provide more of an affiliation bonus to Carolina, where is the faceplant? Plot twist or no plot twist.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Balls

 

[tarheelhockey]

If Chicago can support itself and provide more of an affiliation bonus to Carolina, where is the faceplant? Plot twist or no plot twist.

The faceplant is putting the difference in affiliation bonus ahead of the long-term growth of the Hurricanes brand and the general growth of professional and amateur hockey in North Carolina.

Make no mistake, there is a pipeline of hockey interest from Charlotte to Raleigh and vice versa. I am an example of that as are several other regular, long term forumers here.

 

[A Star is Burns]

We'll see what comes out. That Tweet would lead one to believe that Sara knows or has a good idea and thanks it's worth waiting to hear. Whether what she thinks and what comes out eventually makes us feel that way, we'll see. I'm also willing to bet they have loads of data that backs up Charlotte not being as important as it's made out. That data may prove incorrect, but I bet even with whatever story comes out, they weighed that impact as well. But hopefully we actually find out sometime this lifetime.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

The faceplant is putting the difference in affiliation bonus ahead of the long-term growth of the Hurricanes brand and the general growth of professional and amateur hockey in North Carolina.

Make no mistake, there is a pipeline of hockey interest from Charlotte to Raleigh and vice versa. I am an example of that as are several other regular, long term forumers here.

What size pipeline are we talking 500-1000 people who have developed a definite regular money spending interest? Maybe another 1000 that may be a shirt and go to game once, maybe twice a season? All together we’re looking at 150 thousand in revenue for the Canes from this pipeline, maybe. I would confidently put money down that the difference in money in a Chicago deal is more than 150k. Even if some of those fans fall off or we don’t gain a few because the pipeline is lost, the Canes still come out better on the deal.

 

[emptyNedder]

We'll see what comes out. That Tweet would lead one to believe that Sara knows or has a good idea and thanks it's worth waiting to hear. Whether what she thinks and what comes out eventually makes us feel that way, we'll see. I'm also willing to bet they have loads of data that backs up Charlotte not being as important as it's made out. That data may prove incorrect, but I bet even with whatever story comes out, they weighed that impact as well. But hopefully we actually find out sometime this lifetime.

1. Looks to me like Sara got the message through Forslund and Kaiton—the front office will treat you as they see fit. She let Forslund tell his story, but didn't really editorialize. This seems more of the same. She is early in her career, so I can't say I blame her, but it would be interesting to ask some old-school questions on occasion.
2. I think most owners learned the data lesson of Donald Sterling—treat everyone including the fans poorly and still make out. Karmanos is an example close to home.

 

[HisIceness]

This is bullshit. I hate this. I'm even more pissed now that Norfolk left and Atlanta never made the jump to the AHL. Not that those things would solve all the problems with travel but our closest opponent is Hershey. I bet travel costs factor into this somehow. Being a Hockey fan in the South can really suck, and this a good example of it.

What really pisses me off is this. How loyal will the Panthers be to Charlotte? Not likely especially if Orlando or hell even Atlanta opens up the door. Then what, we go back to the ECHL, or not have a team at all? There's nothing good that comes from this as far as I am concerned. I only hope to see this is a one year thing, if not, someone is going to hear from me.

 

[GoldiFox]

Maybe it's as simple as Charlotte saying they won't play without fans while Chicago committed to playing no matter what. Assuming the entire thing isn't canceled. Will have to wait and see.

 

[tarheelhockey]

What size pipeline are we talking 500-1000 people who have developed a definite regular money spending interest? Maybe another 1000 that may be a shirt and go to game once, maybe twice a season? All together we’re looking at 150 thousand in revenue for the Canes from this pipeline, maybe. I would confidently put money down that the difference in money in a Chicago deal is more than 150k. Even if some of those fans fall off or we don’t gain a few because the pipeline is lost, the Canes still come out better on the deal.

Like I said:

If this is about adding a few grand to the bottom line at the expense of thousands of fans, then that is a faceplant. We're talking about the kind of thing that can generationally shift a 12-year-old from being Hurricanes to being Panthers fans for the rest of their lives, or potentially even send the Checkers over the edge to relocation and eliminating that kid from being interested in hockey at all. Not to mention we're making it harder to execute callups/send-downs, and eroding team control over player development.

That's a pants-on-head stupid thing to do for an increase in the affiliation fee, in the context of an organization with a nine-figure budget.

Apparently Sara knows something that will somehow make this make sense. It must be a doozy because right now it looks really bad.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Meh, I guess it looks "really bad" for like a moment in time. This seems like the type of thing most outside of us hardcores don't care about and move on from pretty quick.

I also think the call ups thing is damn near a non-factor. If Vancouver can handle Utica, among other examples over the years and currently, we can handle Chicago.

I do greatly prefer the team in NC, and I more importantly prefer the level of prospect control we had. But I don't think it will ultimately be a big deal.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I also think the call ups thing is damn near a non-factor. If Vancouver can handle Utica, among other examples over the years and currently, we can handle Chicago.

“Can handle” is different than “would prefer”.

 

[Vagrant]

my hope is that there are substantial and tangible reasons for the divorce between the parties, because it seemed like everything was going so well previously. i think the only thing that would make sense would be if the hurricanes are attempting to purchase a local echl/ahl team and in order to do so, dundon had to divest from his interest in the checkers as part of the application process or something. tough to come to any meaningful conclusion, but charlotte seemed to take it incredibly personally at the outset which makes me curious.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Seems to be like Dundon is a span of control guy, and he's gonna work whatever deals he needs to work to have the most control possible.

 

[Chrispy]

Seems to be like Dundon is a span of control guy, and he's gonna work whatever deals he needs to work to have the most control possible.

I agree that seems like Dundon's history so far.

But that makes this decision odd, because I can't think of an AHL franchise that pushes for autonomy more than the Chicago Wolves.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

I agree that seems like Dundon's history so far.

But that makes this decision odd, because I can't think of an AHL franchise that pushes for autonomy more than the Chicago Wolves.

Which is why this feels like a temporary move towards a more permanent move to a situation over which Dundon has more control. Team purchase/relocation seems like one possibility, especially since COVID times might put some AHL orgs under serious stress; I'm sure there are others.

 

[HisIceness]

Like I said:

If this is about adding a few grand to the bottom line at the expense of thousands of fans, then that is a faceplant. We're talking about the kind of thing that can generationally shift a 12-year-old from being Hurricanes to being Panthers fans for the rest of their lives, or potentially even send the Checkers over the edge to relocation and eliminating that kid from being interested in hockey at all. Not to mention we're making it harder to execute callups/send-downs, and eroding team control over player development.

That's a pants-on-head stupid thing to do for an increase in the affiliation fee, in the context of an organization with a nine-figure budget.

Apparently Sara knows something that will somehow make this make sense. It must be a doozy because right now it looks really bad.

This this this this and more this.

It's hard enough being a fan of this team in this city, much less being a fan of Hockey in general. There was a time where I was certain Fox Sports Carolinas was going to blackout Hurricanes games here because I was sure it was just me, @Unsustainable, and whoever else posts here from Charlotte (I know there's a few more of you but your names escape me as I'm typing this) that was watching. In fact they actually did this once some time ago. They were airing some bullshit replay of an SEC volleyball match and finally got to the Canes about halfway through the game. Then they went right to some other bullshit, like a coaches show or something, right after the game.

Now that the Canes are actually watchable, and the Checkers are still the defending champs, Dundon and co. are going to screw over Charlotte Canes fans like myself to save a buck or two. If it's just this year, then fine but they better get back together. If this is a long-term thing, I'm not kidding when I say someone is getting a nasty e-mail from me, and it won't be pretty and it will likely get me blocked from ever sending them an email again but I don't care, it needs to be said.

I never, ever once considered the idea that the Hurricanes would break ties w/ the Checkers. The thought seemed ridiculous, but here we are and the timing for this could not be worse. Hopefully, they will wake up and understand there are way more cons than pros here, but hey at least they can bus to f***ing Rockford and Milwaukee

 

[Chrispy]

Which is why this feels like a temporary move towards a more permanent move to a situation over which Dundon has more control. Team purchase/relocation seems like one possibility, especially since COVID times might put some AHL orgs under serious stress; I'm sure there are others.

Agreed, I just don't see the reason to leave Charlotte for a dalliance with Chicago in the interim.