Oilers, Flames and Canucks moving their AHL teams to Canada for 2020-21

[LuckyDay]

I doubt Abbotsford would want the Heat back. Stockton certainly doesn't after they ruined hockey here.

Surrey is talking about building a 10,000 seat arena.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Sad for local fans, but can't say that I'm surprised. Fully expecting the AHL to follow the NHL's rumored example if they make a Canada division next season.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

I doubt Abbotsford would want the Heat back. Stockton certainly doesn't after they ruined hockey here.

Surrey is talking about building a 10,000 seat arena.

AHL-wise, Abbotsford wouldn't accept anything other than Vancouver's affiliate.

Surrey just spent $52mil on an ice skating complex, unlikely they're going to drop money on an oversized arena.

 

[axecrew]

Sad for local fans, but can't say that I'm surprised. Fully expecting the AHL to follow the NHL's rumored example if they make a Canada division next season.

Saw a story somewhere that said there might be an end to the border being closed...instead of a 14 day quarentine, there is some type of advancement on a rapid test that could be used in airports. Thus eliminating the need for the 14 day period etc. Again can't remember where I saw it but it made reference to sports teams that would have to travel back and forth.

 

[LuckyDay]

AHL-wise, Abbotsford wouldn't accept anything other than Vancouver's affiliate.

Surrey just spent $52mil on an ice skating complex, unlikely they're going to drop money on an oversized arena.

I'm not in the area to see that but this was posted on the Canucks boards about a new area

Opinion: Proposed 10,000-seat indoor stadium would catalyze downtown Surrey | Urbanized

 

[JMCx4]

Saw a story somewhere that said there might be an end to the border being closed...instead of a 14 day quarentine, there is some type of advancement on a rapid test that could be used in airports. Thus eliminating the need for the 14 day period etc. Again can't remember where I saw it but it made reference to sports teams that would have to travel back and forth.

Here's one version ... https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/simmons-pilot-covid-19-testing-program-could-see-all-toronto-teams-homeward-bound

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

I'm not in the area to see that but this was posted on the Canucks boards about a new area

Opinion: Proposed 10,000-seat indoor stadium would catalyze downtown Surrey | Urbanized

This sort of thing happens all the time and everywhere.

Surrey had one group which tried to do the exact same thing about 3 years ago and another one about 3-5 years before that. All groups made it clear it can't be done without public money, and Surrey makes it clear to them every single time they won't use much public money on a project like this. It is the time-tested method of attempting to raise public interest in a project which has no chance of going through on its own. Surrey came out with a strategic plan for public works and future infrastructural projects in 2027. This wasn't even included in a mock-up.

It has been tried everywhere from Toronto to Long Island. Very rarely does it work. These sorts of news articles don't come out when they're going to work.

 

[axecrew]

Here's one version ... https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/simmons-pilot-covid-19-testing-program-could-see-all-toronto-teams-homeward-bound

Thanks...not sure if it was that exact story but it is basically the same as what I read.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I imagine the Flames and Oilers will try to look for one of the nearby WHL teams that can't play or they share a rink with their respective NHL clubs.

Vancouver could do either Victoria or Abbotsford/Chilliwack.

That is until COVID is announced over.

 

[Jumptheshark]

From www.oilersnation.com

The 3 NHL teams are talking about moving their AHL affiliates (Bakersfield, Stockton and Utica) up North for the the 2020-21 season if the borders are still close.
The rumors are that there will be a canadian division next season.

I think all Canadian teams will have to do it

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

I think all Canadian teams will have to do it

Considering the other 4 Canadien NHL teams already have their AHL affiliate in Canada, it's down to those three....

 

[JMCx4]

Considering the other 4 Canadien NHL teams already have their AHL affiliate in Canada, it's down to those three....

The old idiom: "It goes without saying ..." does not apply to social media.

 

[GindyDraws]

In the event of a Canadian Division, does the AHL stay at 4 divisions or adopt a weird 5 division setup this season for the remaining Pacific Division teams to avoid excessive travel?

This is what I would assume a probable 5 division layout would be:

Atlantic
*Bridgeport
*Charlotte
*Hartford
*Providence
*Springfield
*Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

North
*Binghamton
*Cleveland
*Hershey
*Lehigh Valley
*Rochester
*Syracuse

Central
*Chicago
*Grand Rapids
*Iowa
*Milwaukee
*Rockford
*Texas

Pacific
*Colorado
*Henderson
*Ontario
*San Diego
*San Jose
*Tucson

Canadian
*Belleville
*Bakersfield (Relocation by Edmonton)
*Laval
*Manitoba
*Toronto
*Stockton (Relocation by Calgary)
*Utica (Relocation by Vancouver)

 

[Mrfenn92]

Makes sense. Could see the Ahl teams facing each other the day of before the parent clubs play.

 

[JMCx4]

... This is what I would assume a probable 5 division layout would be:

Atlantic
*Bridgeport
*Charlotte
*Hartford
*Providence
*Springfield
*Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

North
*Binghamton
*Cleveland
*Hershey
*Lehigh Valley
*Rochester
*Syracuse

Central
*Chicago
*Grand Rapids
*Iowa
*Milwaukee
*Rockford
*Texas

Pacific
*Colorado
*Henderson
*Ontario
*San Diego
*San Jose
*Tucson

Canadian
*Belleville
*Bakersfield (Relocation by Edmonton)
*Laval
*Manitoba
*Toronto
*Stockton (Relocation by Calgary)
*Utica (Relocation by Vancouver)

You left out the footnote for all those asterisks ...

* - DNP (Did Not Play)

 

[GindyDraws]

You left out the footnote for all those asterisks ...

* - DNP (Did Not Play)

Mostly because that would've required me to include (Coach's Decision), and I was too lazy.

 

[210]

I'd think you're more likely to see six divisions than five...and, yes, that would make the alleged Canadian division much larger than the others.

 

[hockeyguy0022]

FYI, Sasktel Center/Blades have a clause that doesn't allow any higher level hockey unless it's the NHL.

 

[210]

FYI, Sasktel Center/Blades have a clause that doesn't allow any higher level hockey unless it's the NHL.

Considering neither team would be playing in front of fans and there's no risk to the Blades' business I can see something being worked out between all the parties involved.

 

[axecrew]

I recently read something where it said that all 3 of these teams probably are NOT moving to canada this season due to the cost of doing it.

 

[JMCx4]

I recently read something where it said that all 3 of these teams probably are NOT moving to canada this season due to the cost of doing it.

You clearly read too much.

 

[wildcat48]

Thanks...not sure if it was that exact story but it is basically the same as what I read.

A couple of the airlines have worked with a company from Maine (Promerica Health) to develop a test where people can take getting off the plane and get results on their phone via text or email within an hour. It's an option but with governments getting ready for shutdown I do not suspect we will see the US/Canada border reopen before May at the earliest.

 

[axecrew]

You clearly read too much.

Yes well....it's better then those to whom reading is an abstract theory...lol. What can I say...it amuses me.

 

[UticaHockey]

I recently read something where it said that all 3 of these teams probably are NOT moving to canada this season due to the cost of doing it.

You read well. Scott Howson confirmed in an interview with a Utica TV reporter today that all 3 Canadian NHL teams with US based AHL teams will keep them in the US this season.

Full Story: AHL President Says Comets Will Remain in Utica This Season

 

[axecrew]

You read well. Scott Howson confirmed in an interview with a Utica TV reporter today that all 3 Canadian NHL teams with US based AHL teams will keep them in the US this season.

Full Story: AHL President Says Comets Will Remain in Utica This Season

Thank you I'm glad to know that all that schooling paid off....lol. On a serious note I wish I could remember where I read it. I just remember the article talking about how cost prohibitive it would be for those 3 teams to make a 1 year trek up to canada. and how they probably didn't feel comfortable spending the money in these times.