Blues going to Springfield

[GrGriffins]

Vegas wanted their own AHL affiliate because they wanted to direct control over the roster of their AHL affiliate so they could monitor development of prospects.

When Vegas came into the NHL in 2017-18, the Golden Knights did not want to own their AHL affiliate, so they signed a multi-year agreement with the Chicago Wolves. It was only in 2019-20 (this season), that Vegas decided to look into getting their own AHL affiliate for the 2020-21 season. Caught the Wolves by surprise and this is how this got started. Not sure if there was a specific incident that prompted this move or not, I do not know. Axecrew would be the one that could answer that in more detail.

 

[EvilDead]

When Vegas came into the NHL in 2017-18, the Golden Knights did not want to own their AHL affiliate, so they signed a multi-year agreement with the Chicago Wolves. It was only in 2019-20 (this season), that Vegas decided to look into getting their own AHL affiliate for the 2020-21 season. Caught the Wolves by surprise and this is how this got started. Not sure if there was a specific incident that prompted this move or not, I do not know. Axecrew would be the one that could answer that in more detail.

That's what I remember reading on these here boards on the matter.

 

[CupInSIX]

Yes and no and no and yes. Vegas wanted their own AHL affiliate because they wanted to direct control over the roster of their AHL affiliate so they could monitor development of prospects. The Wolves have a known history of not using prospects of affiliates as often as the NHL team would like, so Vegas split and bought the San Antonio Rampage.

Not really. They wanted to grow the game in Nevada and own their farm club.

Obviously having the team in their own back yard is great for managing the cap and giving prospects a bit more help, but development was already fine under their hand picked coach Rocky Thompson* and hand picked roster.

*although they may lose Thompson to an NHL coaching gig.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Carolina taking over the Wolves makes zero sense to me considering the minority owner owns the Checkers and both teams are in North Carolina.

I mean Florida and Chicago makes sense, reason Atlanta/Vegas and Chicago were very good affiliates was because of how tons of flights go from those places to Chicago. Lots of flights go from Miami to Chicago, I also think both the Wolves and Panthers could make it work for a very long time.

If Chicago has many more problems with many other NHL teams, then I think the NHL and AHL need to step in.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Carolina taking over the Wolves makes zero sense to me considering the minority owner owns the Checkers and both teams are in North Carolina.

I mean Florida and Chicago makes sense, reason Atlanta/Vegas and Chicago were very good affiliates was because of how tons of flights go from those places to Chicago. Lots of flights go from Miami to Chicago, I also think both the Wolves and Panthers could make it work for a very long time.

If Chicago has many more problems with many other NHL affiliates then I think the NHL and AHL need to step in.

the only problem with that is Florida left San Antonio because it's not the same time zone.....they expressed an interest in being in the same time zone as Portland and Springfield are or soon will be were when Colorado took over there before buying the rights to the Eagles.

 

[Tommy Hawk]

Yes and no and no and yes. Vegas wanted their own AHL affiliate because they wanted to direct control over the roster of their AHL affiliate so they could monitor development of prospects. The Wolves have a known history of not using prospects of affiliates as often as the NHL team would like, so Vegas split and bought the San Antonio Rampage.

That is total BS. They operate under the same rules as everyone else - FIVE vets can suit up for a game. That's it so the whole "not using prospects" is and has been total BS since they reduced the number of vets to its current level.

Not really. They wanted to grow the game in Nevada and own their farm club.

Obviously having the team in their own back yard is great for managing the cap and giving prospects a bit more help, but development was already fine under their hand picked coach Rocky Thompson* and hand picked roster.

*although they may lose Thompson to an NHL coaching gig.

And have they even announced where the team will play? Will it really be in their back yard?

 

[tank44]

Guessing the StLouis team was thinking this team was in Springfield Missouri or Springfield Illinois and not Springfield Massachusetts. j/k

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Guessing the StLouis team was thinking this team was in Springfield Missouri or Springfield Illinois and not Springfield Massachusetts. j/k

St. Louis almost was in Springfield before, had they not been relocated to Worcester, and that's how the Blues landed the franchise whether it was an affiliation or eventually the entire operation

 

[sabremike]

They could've had a Checker'd future if they'd made a deal with Charlotte.

The Checkerdome joke was RIGHT THERE.

 

[JMCx4]

The Checkerdome joke was RIGHT THERE.

Blues fans still have open wounds from that dark period. Some of us even cry at the sight of Chex Mix.

 

[royals119]

That is total BS. They operate under the same rules as everyone else - FIVE vets can suit up for a game. That's it so the whole "not using prospects" is and has been total BS since they reduced the number of vets to its current level.




And have they even announced where the team will play? Will it really be in their back yard?

At the Orleans Casino (just off the strip) for the first two years, then in Henderson (a LasVegas suburb) when the new facility is ready. So not in their literal back yard like the Jets or Sharks, but close enough that the players won't need to change apartments when they get called up or sent down, staff can work with both teams easily, and when both teams are home a callup can happen within a half hour.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

At the Orleans Casino (just off the strip) for the first two years, then in Henderson (a LasVegas suburb) when the new facility is ready. So not in their literal back yard like the Jets or Sharks, but close enough that the players won't need to change apartments when they get called up or sent down, staff can work with both teams easily, and when both teams are home a callup can happen within a half hour.

Henderson, though, is not a guarantee the way that story has since been developing....there's no guarantee an arena will be ready even after the Orleans sidebar temp facility expires

 

[royals119]

Henderson, though, is not a guarantee the way that story has since been developing....there's no guarantee an arena will be ready even after the Orleans sidebar temp facility expires

Of course there are no guarantees in life (except death and a $5 hot and ready pizza at Little Ceasers), but with Foley's money and influence I'm sure he will find a place to put his AHL team. Two and a half years is pretty aggressive for an arena that doesn't even have permits yet, but I wouldn't bet against him either.