ECHL/AHL Merger

[Thunder God]

Do you guys think that the ECHL and the AHL Merge together because less travel! Like Hershey playing against Reading or Charlotte playing against South Carolina Stingrays. Tell me what you guys think?

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[No Fun Shogun]

Not really, as it'd really make no sense to do so from either league's perspective (or the NHL's). The entire point of the two leagues is to serve as different levels of development, and most ECHL ownerships likely lack the capital to afford the higher payrolls and other costs associated with the AHL.

 

[mfrerkes]

An ECHL/AHL merger not only makes zero sense, but it is highly impractical due to the number of franchises involved. An NHL team only needs one AAA-level farm club. Unless your plan also includes rapidly expanding the NHL to 45+ teams, merging the AHL with the ECHL is pointless.

 

[CrazyEddie20]

Do you guys think that the ECHL and the AHL Merge together because less travel! Like Hershey playing against Reading or Charlotte playing against South Carolina Stingrays. Tell me what you guys think?

No. Freakin'. Chance.

You do understand that these are two separate leagues, playing at two separate levels, with two wildly disparate salary caps, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and purposes of existence, right?

 

[Gearhead82]

ECHL/CHL would be more like it.

 

[mk80]

It would never happen. The two leagues serve as different levels of developement, plus the CBA's and numerous differences as far how payrolls, vet limits, ect. are concerned.

A CHL/ ECHL merger is more likely whenever the CHL finally falls over the cliff.

 

[Sports Enthusiast]

No. Freakin'. Chance.

You do understand that these are two separate leagues, playing at two separate levels, with two wildly disparate salary caps, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and purposes of existence, right?

Not disagreeing with you that they are two separate levels however I would say the talent gap is fairly close now to where you have guys one year signing in the AHL and next year in the ECHL and vice versa. The only real difference is the prospect angle. The ECHL doesn't get many of those.

 

[easternrefugee]

Not disagreeing with you that they are two separate levels however I would say the talent gap is fairly close now to where you have guys one year signing in the AHL and next year in the ECHL and vice versa. The only real difference is the prospect angle. The ECHL doesn't get many of those.

The talent level is HUGELY different between the two leagues. A rookie at the AHL level would most likely be a first liner at the ECHL level. Simply put the more talented rookies go to the AHL while less talented 4th liners end up in the ECHL. Comapring the two league is like comparing apples and orranges. They are both fruits and some may be substitued in various receipes but the are completely different.

Add to the fact that the ECHL is essentially a warehouse for 4th line AHL guys and nothing more and the differences just keep adding up. the only posiiton in of any significance to the NHL are goal tenders. NHL temas like prospect goal tenders to play ONE year at the ECHL and if they are good then TWO years at the AHL level and then onto to the NHL. I was told that by hocley ops people at the AHL level in reference to goal tenders specifically.