Where should each teams AHL affiliate be, ideally?

[TequilaBay]

With the recent news of the San Antonio Rampage being relocated to Henderson, Nevada to serve as the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, I thought this would be an interesting discussion. Also, this thread is largely inspired by the Hockey Guys' "32 teams from scratch" video from a few years back, which I found highly interesting as a geodemography geek.

In your opinion, regarding all 32 (including Seattle) NHL teams, where do you believe their AHL affiliates should be located, ideally? Which location do you believe would both draw fans and make money, as well as be a feasible travel distance between its home team?

Here why I believe they would work best;

No change

Anaheim Ducks = San Diego
Arizona Coyotes = Tucson
Boston Bruins = Providence
Buffalo Sabres = Rochester
Carolina Hurricanes = Charlotte
Chicago Blackhawks = Rockford
Columbus Blue Jackets = Cleveland
Detroit Red Wings = Grand Rapids
Los Angeles Kings = Ontario/Riverside
Minnesota Wild = Des Moines
Montreal Canadiens = Laval
Nashville Predators = Milwaukee
New York Islanders = Bridgeport
New York Rangers = Hartford
Philadelphia Flyers = Allentown (Lehigh Valley)
Toronto Maple Leafs = Toronto
Vegas Golden Knights = Henderson

Minor change

Colorado Avalanche = Colorado Springs instead of Loveland
Colorado Springs has a larger metro population than the Fort Collins - Loveland statistical area and could therefore draw from a larger crowd.

Dallas Stars = Austin instead of Cedar Park
Cedar Park is already in the Austin metro area, this move would just move the team to Austin proper, where it could draw from a larger crowd.

Pittsburgh Penguins = Harrisburg/Hershey instead of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Harrisburg is closer to Pittsburgh than Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and contains a larger, as well as a growing, metro population, and could draw from larger crowds.

San Jose Sharks = San Francisco instead of San Jose
San Francisco metro population is a lot bigger than the San Jose metro population. Not only this, but not sharing the same arena as its NHL counterpart and being able to pull from a different city could help this AHL affiliate stand out on its own, while still being in the same general area (Bay Area) as its NHL counterpart.

Washington Capitals = Baltimore instead of Hershey
Since Hershey would be affiliated with Pittsburgh. Also, because Baltimore draws from the same DMV-area crowd as DC does while also containing a large metro population itself.

Moderate change

New Jersey Devils = Staten Island instead of Binghampton
Staten Island is a lot closer to Newark than Binghampton as its within the same metro area as Newark, plus it's a borough without any sports teams outside the minor league Staten Island Yankees, yet would definitely be able to draw a large crowd for its own hockey team.

Ottawa Senators = Quebec City instead of Belleville
Quebec City would be a perfect spot for an AHL team, since they're not getting an NHL team anytime soon if ever, an AHL team in Quebec City would draw huge crowds from former Nordiques fans, and games against Hartford (NYR affiliate) should be a hit for the AHL for renewing an old Adams Division rivalry.

St. Louis Blues = Louisville instead of (presumably) Chicago
Louisville is only a 4 hour drive away from St. Louis, and has a large metro population without a major sports team.

Winnipeg Jets = Thunder Bay instead of Winnipeg
Thunder Bay is not a large city by any means, but its an isolated city of over 100,000 people in hockey-mad Ontario which would love to have its own AHL team. Winnipeg is only 8 hours drive away from Thunder Bay, and the fans in this small town would embrace this team quickly, and again, not sharing the same arena as its NHL counterpart would help the team stand out on its own.

Major change

Calgary Flames = Regina instead of Stockton
Edmonton Oilers = Saskatoon instead of Bakersfield
This would create a Battle of Saskatchewan in the AHL between the affiliates of both Alberta teams. The Battle of Alberta is fantastic in the NHL, the Battle of Saskatchewan would be fantastic in the AHL, and the fact that the Alberta and Saskatchewan teams would be connected would be the icing on top. Also, both locations are far closer to their NHL affiliates than either city in California is.

Florida Panthers = Palm Beach instead of Springfield
Much closer to Sunrise, and much larger population. The AHL could work in Florida.

Seattle = Spokane instead of Palm Springs
Far closer, and both teams would draw from different areas within the same state.

Tampa Bay Lightning = Orlando instead of Syracuse
Much closer, and both Tampa and Orlando draw from the I-4 Corridor.

Vancouver Canucks = Victoria instead of Utica
Both Vancouver and Victoria are within British Columbia, and Victoria is a Canadian metro of over 365,000 people and could draw from Vancouver Island.

Do you agree or disagree with me on this?

Click to read more...

 

[td_ice]

Wrong forum.


Check with a mod to get it moved to appropriate one.

 

[ChargersRookie]

Like the AHL forum.

 

[Martin Veillette]

Nashville should be in Memphis
Saint Louis should be in Kansas City

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

I usually hate these kinds of things because they go into such extreme hypotheticals, but I'll play along for some of them.

Colorado Avalanche = Colorado Springs instead of Loveland
Colorado Springs has a larger metro population than the Fort Collins - Loveland statistical area and could therefore draw from a larger crowd.

The Eagles have a built in fan base that has followed the team through their different leagues since their inception. Colorado Springs has two very well followed NCAA teams, hence why only one minor league hockey team has tried to call Colorado Springs home. The team didn't do well. Keep it in Ft. Collins-Loveland.

San Jose Sharks = San Francisco instead of San Jose
San Francisco metro population is a lot bigger than the San Jose metro population. Not only this, but not sharing the same arena as its NHL counterpart and being able to pull from a different city could help this AHL affiliate stand out on its own, while still being in the same general area (Bay Area) as its NHL counterpart.

The only two teams in the Bay Area that actually play in San Francisco are the Giants and the Warriors (who just moved). The population is spread out, if you want them to move out somewhere, put them somewhere outside of the Bay Area.

New Jersey Devils = Staten Island instead of Binghampton
Staten Island is a lot closer to Newark than Binghampton as its within the same metro area as Newark, plus it's a borough without any sports teams outside the minor league Staten Island Yankees, yet would definitely be able to draw a large crowd for its own hockey team.

Absolutely not. Staten Island is New York sports teams territory. They won't cheer on a New Jersey team. They haven't been even been able to draw a crowd outside of the NYC-obsessed sports markets in Albany and Binghamton. They wouldn't be able to draw flies in the metro area. If you want to move it somewhere closer, the only one that makes any sense would be somewhere like Trenton. The Devils haven't been able to fill up their own arena, what the heck makes you think that their AHL team would draw in the middle of Rangers territory?

Ottawa Senators = Quebec City instead of Belleville
Quebec City would be a perfect spot for an AHL team, since they're not getting an NHL team anytime soon if ever, an AHL team in Quebec City would draw huge crowds from former Nordiques fans, and games against Hartford (NYR affiliate) should be a hit for the AHL for renewing an old Adams Division rivalry.

Absolutely not. Québec City doesn't want to cheer on an Ottawa AHL team. They didn't want to even cheer on the Montréal AHL team in the old Citadelles. They want the NHL or no pro hockey at all. They have the Remparts and that's their team, they don't want to be subservient to anyone else. Old Nordiques fans would not come out to see Ottawa AHL hockey. Old Whalers fans aren't out in force to see the Wolfpack. And I have no idea where you think that games against Hartford would be a hit, because that's pretty outrageous. The only place that really makes any sense for Ottawa is Kingston, ON. It's the only big city in Eastern Ontario that isn't Leafs-obsessed. Putting it in Nordiques die hard territory, which is surrounded by Canadiens territory, makes absolutely zero sense. Edit: Gatineau across the river would also make sense.

Vancouver Canucks = Victoria instead of Utica
Both Vancouver and Victoria are within British Columbia, and Victoria is a Canadian metro of over 365,000 people and could draw from Vancouver Island.

Vancouver is on record as saying that the only place they would put their AHL if they were to relocate them to BC would be Abbotsford. Abbotsford makes a lot more sense logically than Victoria as well, no ferry ride, easier callups, easier games, etc.

 

[Centrum Hockey]

With the recent news of the San Antonio Rampage being relocated to Henderson, Nevada to serve as the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, I thought this would be an interesting discussion. Also, this thread is largely inspired by the Hockey Guys' "32 teams from scratch" video from a few years back, which I found highly interesting as a geodemography geek.

In your opinion, regarding all 32 (including Seattle) NHL teams, where do you believe their AHL affiliates should be located, ideally? Which location do you believe would both draw fans and make money, as well as be a feasible travel distance between its home team?

Here why I believe they would work best;

No change

Anaheim Ducks = San Diego
Arizona Coyotes = Tucson
Boston Bruins = Providence
Buffalo Sabres = Rochester
Carolina Hurricanes = Charlotte
Chicago Blackhawks = Rockford
Columbus Blue Jackets = Cleveland
Detroit Red Wings = Grand Rapids
Los Angeles Kings = Ontario/Riverside
Minnesota Wild = Des Moines
Montreal Canadiens = Laval
Nashville Predators = Milwaukee
New York Islanders = Bridgeport
New York Rangers = Hartford
Philadelphia Flyers = Allentown (Lehigh Valley)
Toronto Maple Leafs = Toronto
Vegas Golden Knights = Henderson

Minor change

Colorado Avalanche = Colorado Springs instead of Loveland
Colorado Springs has a larger metro population than the Fort Collins - Loveland statistical area and could therefore draw from a larger crowd.

Dallas Stars = Austin instead of Cedar Park
Cedar Park is already in the Austin metro area, this move would just move the team to Austin proper, where it could draw from a larger crowd.

Pittsburgh Penguins = Harrisburg/Hershey instead of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Harrisburg is closer to Pittsburgh than Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and contains a larger, as well as a growing, metro population, and could draw from larger crowds.

San Jose Sharks = San Francisco instead of San Jose
San Francisco metro population is a lot bigger than the San Jose metro population. Not only this, but not sharing the same arena as its NHL counterpart and being able to pull from a different city could help this AHL affiliate stand out on its own, while still being in the same general area (Bay Area) as its NHL counterpart.

Washington Capitals = Baltimore instead of Hershey
Since Hershey would be affiliated with Pittsburgh. Also, because Baltimore draws from the same DMV-area crowd as DC does while also containing a large metro population itself.

Moderate change

New Jersey Devils = Staten Island instead of Binghampton
Staten Island is a lot closer to Newark than Binghampton as its within the same metro area as Newark, plus it's a borough without any sports teams outside the minor league Staten Island Yankees, yet would definitely be able to draw a large crowd for its own hockey team.

Ottawa Senators = Quebec City instead of Belleville
Quebec City would be a perfect spot for an AHL team, since they're not getting an NHL team anytime soon if ever, an AHL team in Quebec City would draw huge crowds from former Nordiques fans, and games against Hartford (NYR affiliate) should be a hit for the AHL for renewing an old Adams Division rivalry.

St. Louis Blues = Louisville instead of (presumably) Chicago
Louisville is only a 4 hour drive away from St. Louis, and has a large metro population without a major sports team.

Winnipeg Jets = Thunder Bay instead of Winnipeg
Thunder Bay is not a large city by any means, but its an isolated city of over 100,000 people in hockey-mad Ontario which would love to have its own AHL team. Winnipeg is only 8 hours drive away from Thunder Bay, and the fans in this small town would embrace this team quickly, and again, not sharing the same arena as its NHL counterpart would help the team stand out on its own.

Major change

Calgary Flames = Regina instead of Stockton
Edmonton Oilers = Saskatoon instead of Bakersfield
This would create a Battle of Saskatchewan in the AHL between the affiliates of both Alberta teams. The Battle of Alberta is fantastic in the NHL, the Battle of Saskatchewan would be fantastic in the AHL, and the fact that the Alberta and Saskatchewan teams would be connected would be the icing on top. Also, both locations are far closer to their NHL affiliates than either city in California is.

Florida Panthers = Palm Beach instead of Springfield
Much closer to Sunrise, and much larger population. The AHL could work in Florida.

Seattle = Spokane instead of Palm Springs
Far closer, and both teams would draw from different areas within the same state.

Tampa Bay Lightning = Orlando instead of Syracuse
Much closer, and both Tampa and Orlando draw from the I-4 Corridor.

Vancouver Canucks = Victoria instead of Utica
Both Vancouver and Victoria are within British Columbia, and Victoria is a Canadian metro of over 365,000 people and could draw from Vancouver Island.

Do you agree or disagree with me on this?

Boston's AHL team would sell out anywhere in New England except maybe Bridgeport. During Worcester's AHL Days twice as many people would come to P-bruins at Sharks/icecats games just to see Bruins prospects play at the dcu center.

 

[Tonester01]

The comment about Ottawa and Quebec City is absolutely correct. There would be poor support.
Belleville has a lot of Leaf fans who don't support the BSens and is a similar situation.
It would make more sense to move Ottawa 67s to Belleville and the BSens to Ottawa and play out of the Civic Centre. The call ups would require no travel similar to Leafs and Marlies.
Belleville is an OHL city and Ottawa in the OHL is geographically isolated, so this makes sense for all.

 

[Centrum Hockey]

I usually hate these kinds of things because they go into such extreme hypotheticals, but I'll play along for some of them.



The Eagles have a built in fan base that has followed the team through their different leagues since their inception. Colorado Springs has two very well followed NCAA teams, hence why only one minor league hockey team has tried to call Colorado Springs home. The team didn't do well. Keep it in Ft. Collins-Loveland.



The only two teams in the Bay Area that actually play in San Francisco are the Giants and the Warriors (who just moved). The population is spread out, if you want them to move out somewhere, put them somewhere outside of the Bay Area.



Absolutely not. Staten Island is New York sports teams territory. They won't cheer on a New Jersey team. They haven't been even been able to draw a crowd outside of the NYC-obsessed sports markets in Albany and Binghamton. They wouldn't be able to draw flies in the metro area. If you want to move it somewhere closer, the only one that makes any sense would be somewhere like Trenton. The Devils haven't been able to fill up their own arena, what the heck makes you think that their AHL team would draw in the middle of Rangers territory?



Absolutely not. Québec City doesn't want to cheer on an Ottawa AHL team. They didn't want to even cheer on the Montréal AHL team in the old Citadelles. They want the NHL or no pro hockey at all. They have the Remparts and that's their team, they don't want to be subservient to anyone else. Old Nordiques fans would not come out to see Ottawa AHL hockey. Old Whalers fans aren't out in force to see the Wolfpack. And I have no idea where you think that games against Hartford would be a hit, because that's pretty outrageous. The only place that really makes any sense for Ottawa is Kingston, ON. It's the only big city in Eastern Ontario that isn't Leafs-obsessed. Putting it in Nordiques die hard territory, which is surrounded by Canadiens territory, makes absolutely zero sense. Edit: Gatineau across the river would also make sense.



Vancouver is on record as saying that the only place they would put their AHL if they were to relocate them to BC would be Abbotsford. Abbotsford makes a lot more sense logically than Victoria as well, no ferry ride, easier callups, easier games, etc.

The Tri state area is mostly split between flyers and rangers fans. The islanders have a strong base in Long Island but there is not much support outside of that. The devils support has been very weak despite the cups and the great playoff teams they have had. Their really is no perfect spot for the AHL devils.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

I usually hate these kinds of things because they go into such extreme hypotheticals, but I'll play along for some of them.



The Eagles have a built in fan base that has followed the team through their different leagues since their inception. Colorado Springs has two very well followed NCAA teams, hence why only one minor league hockey team has tried to call Colorado Springs home. The team didn't do well. Keep it in Ft. Collins-Loveland.



The only two teams in the Bay Area that actually play in San Francisco are the Giants and the Warriors (who just moved). The population is spread out, if you want them to move out somewhere, put them somewhere outside of the Bay Area.



Absolutely not. Staten Island is New York sports teams territory. They won't cheer on a New Jersey team. They haven't been even been able to draw a crowd outside of the NYC-obsessed sports markets in Albany and Binghamton. They wouldn't be able to draw flies in the metro area. If you want to move it somewhere closer, the only one that makes any sense would be somewhere like Trenton. The Devils haven't been able to fill up their own arena, what the heck makes you think that their AHL team would draw in the middle of Rangers territory?



Absolutely not. Québec City doesn't want to cheer on an Ottawa AHL team. They didn't want to even cheer on the Montréal AHL team in the old Citadelles. They want the NHL or no pro hockey at all. They have the Remparts and that's their team, they don't want to be subservient to anyone else. Old Nordiques fans would not come out to see Ottawa AHL hockey. Old Whalers fans aren't out in force to see the Wolfpack. And I have no idea where you think that games against Hartford would be a hit, because that's pretty outrageous. The only place that really makes any sense for Ottawa is Kingston, ON. It's the only big city in Eastern Ontario that isn't Leafs-obsessed. Putting it in Nordiques die hard territory, which is surrounded by Canadiens territory, makes absolutely zero sense. Edit: Gatineau across the river would also make sense.



Vancouver is on record as saying that the only place they would put their AHL if they were to relocate them to BC would be Abbotsford. Abbotsford makes a lot more sense logically than Victoria as well, no ferry ride, easier callups, easier games, etc.

you're also forgetting, Esche has to be compensated for Utica since he was the only one willing to make the market work, BD,Abbotsford is a definite no on any league radar, btw, Gatineau/Hull is junior territory, so good luck convincing the Q to vacate that market

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

The Tri state area is mostly split between flyers and rangers fans. The islanders have a strong base in Long Island but there is not much support outside of that. The devils support has been very weak despite the cups and the great playoff teams they have had. Their really is no perfect spot for the AHL devils.

They're the only NJ-only team out of the big four leagues. The Giants/Jets are in NJ, but they're the teams for the entire NY metro area. I can see why the NHL put a team there since they have been profitable for a while now. As of last season, they were still in the top half of the league in net income. But, confining an entire team into one smaller state that is squashed between two huge markets is something that ought to be avoided. I would easily trade the Devils and the tens of millions of dollars they bring to the league in income and the hundreds of millions they bring to league in exchange for Québec City, who like Winnipeg loses money or barely breaks even each year but makes up for it with dedication and fan showmanship.

 

[JMCx4]

With the recent news of the San Antonio Rampage being relocated to Henderson, Nevada to serve as the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, I thought this would be an interesting discussion. Also, this thread is largely inspired by the Hockey Guys' "32 teams from scratch" video from a few years back, which I found highly interesting as a geodemography geek. ...

Do you agree or disagree with me on this?

You should add "ice hockey arena geek" and "sports business model geek" to your resume, then reconsider your suggested changes.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

you're also forgetting, Esche has to be compensated for Utica since he was the only one willing to make the market work, BD,Abbotsford is a definite no on any league radar, btw, Gatineau/Hull is junior territory, so good luck convincing the Q to vacate that market

You're looking at a thread that say where would each team's AHL team be IDEALLY. You look at where some of these teams are put? Florida's AHL to Palm Beach of all places. This is where they would ideally be. This doesn't take into account travel, arena availability, everything. No crap Gatineau is junior territory. But geographically it works very well, which is the entire point of this thread. You see the OP where AHL Calgary and AHL Edmonton is put into the middle of the Prairies? This is about geography, Hutch. Read through it again.

 

[Centrum Hockey]

you're also forgetting, Esche has to be compensated for Utica since he was the only one willing to make the market work, BD,Abbotsford is a definite no on any league radar, btw, Gatineau/Hull is junior territory, so good luck convincing the Q to vacate that market

Vancouver Does not owe Esche anything if they find a spot in British Columbia they can use one of their opt outs and say thanks for their support.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Vancouver Does not owe Esche anything if they find a spot in British Columbia they can use one of their opt outs and say thanks for their support.

and how'd that work for St. Louis and San Jose, Centrum. the Canucks are pretty entrenched in Utica now

 

[Centrum Hockey]

and how'd that work for St. Louis and San Jose, Centrum. the Canucks are pretty entrenched in Utica now

Both teams once they left Worcester left the arena dark.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

You're looking at a thread that say where would each team's AHL team be IDEALLY. You look at where some of these teams are put? Florida's AHL to Palm Beach of all places. This is where they would ideally be. This doesn't take into account travel, arena availability, everything. No crap Gatineau is junior territory. But geographically it works very well, which is the entire point of this thread. You see the OP where AHL Calgary and AHL Edmonton is put into the middle of the Prairies? This is about geography, Hutch. Read through it again.

geography what, BD...... WHERE and in what universe, will there be no independent owners of any minor league franchise, independent of league.... you still haven't solved the issue as 7 NHL teams, 8, IF you include Seattle, that either aren't developmentally focused on the 1 to 1 to 1 alignment of 32 to 32 to 32, as AEG Global isn't focused on arena management either, as what's being reported in Stockton, since they run that arena, not the Flames.

did you also forget Edmonton was in danger of losing their AHL Franchise, and THE ABOMINABLE 5 WAY affiliation they went through

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

geography what, BD...... WHERE and in what universe, will there be no independent owners of any minor league franchise, independent of league.... you still haven't solved the issue as 7 NHL teams, 8, IF you include Seattle, that either aren't developmentally focused on the 1 to 1 to 1 alignment of 32 to 32 to 32, as AEG Global isn't focused on arena management either, as what's being reported in Stockton, since they run that arena, not the Flames.

did you also forget Edmonton was in danger of losing their AHL Franchise, and THE ABOMINABLE 5 WAY affiliation they went through

None of this post makes any sense, like usual. This is thread about where AHL teams would ideally be placed, which concentrates on geography, demography, and nothing else. So all that useless stuff that you brought up that isn't demography and geography, get it out of here. Edmonton losing their AHL affiliate has absolutely nothing to do with this thread. Take your random franchise history knowledge and put it to good use in a thread that in some way relates to it, which certainly isn't this thread.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

None of this post makes any sense, like usual. This is thread about where AHL teams would ideally be placed, which concentrates on geography, demography, and nothing else. So all that useless stuff that you brought up that isn't demography and geography, get it out of here. Edmonton losing their AHL affiliate has absolutely nothing to do with this thread. Take your random franchise history knowledge and put it to good use in a thread that in some way relates to it, which certainly isn't this thread.

because it's a speculative topic, and doesn't fit into your theories either..... SINCE WHEN Has Gatineau ever been a professional market, using your speculative theory that Ottawa picked Belleville to replace Binghamton, where were you when New Haven was jettisoned in favor of Bridgeport, and didn't survive.... Sherbrooke, and Fredericton, NB come up to mind as failed pro markets, too ie Montreal vs Quebec City.

how many times has Baltimore been brought up over the years after 4 failed franchises.

the answer is there's no ideal placement realistically for any AHL Franchise, there's too many factors in play

 

[JMCx4]

... This is thread about where AHL teams would ideally be placed, which concentrates on geography, demography, and nothing else. So all that useless stuff that you brought up that isn't demography and geography, get it out of here. ...

As soon as the OP ended with: "Do you agree or disagree with me on this?" (not to mention: "Which location do you believe would both draw fans and make money ..."), this thread was opened up beyond geodemographic limits. Caveat inquisitor.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

because it's a speculative topic, and doesn't fit into your theories either..... SINCE WHEN Has Gatineau ever been a professional market, using your speculative theory that Ottawa picked Belleville to replace Binghamton, where were you when New Haven was jettisoned in favor of Bridgeport, and didn't survive.... Sherbrooke, and Fredericton, NB come up to mind as failed pro markets, too ie Montreal vs Quebec City.

Gatineau isn't a professional market. But neither was Victoria when the ECHL showed up and they did very well there financially until a new group pushed the WHL in. Lehigh Valley had never hosted a professional team, they're doing very well. Palm Springs has never hosted hockey period. Sherbrooke and Fredericton hosted AHL hockey with the same amount of success as Portland, ME. The rest of what you're saying as so many grammar errors I have no idea what to make of it.

As soon as the OP ended with: "Do you agree or disagree with me on this?" (not to mention: "Which location do you believe would both draw fans and make money ..."), this thread was opened up beyond geodemographic limits. Caveat inquisitor.

It was a pretty bad OP when it gets into hypothetical situations of this extreme. Disregarding ownership issues, market issues, arena issues is bound for trouble.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Gatineau isn't a professional market. But neither was Victoria when the ECHL showed up and they did very well there financially until a new group pushed the WHL in. Lehigh Valley had never hosted a professional team, they're doing very well. Palm Springs has never hosted hockey period. Sherbrooke and Fredericton hosted AHL hockey with the same amount of success as Portland, ME. The rest of what you're saying as so many grammar errors I have no idea what to make of it.



It was a pretty bad OP when it gets into hypothetical situations of this extreme. Disregarding ownership issues, market issues, arena issues is bound for trouble.

disagree.... BD:

YOU CLAIM TO KNOW the League, but Lehigh Valley doesn't get a franchise until the Spectrum collapses, and that franchise is the same philosophy that exists here because it's Philadelphia controlled. same management company, etc..... that same philosophy was and still is here..... that's why in 1997 the Phantoms were created because the Flyers knew leaving a market like ours was a mistake in 1982-83... there was no arena in Allentown.....so it went to Adirondack

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

disagree.... BD:

YOU CLAIM TO KNOW the League, but Lehigh Valley doesn't get a franchise until the Spectrum collapses, and that franchise is the same philosophy that exists here because it's Philadelphia controlled. same management company, etc..... that same philosophy was and still is here..... that's why in 1997 the Phantoms were created because the Flyers knew leaving a market like ours was a mistake in 1982-83... there was no arena in Allentown.....so it went to Adirondack

Who cares how a franchise comes into a place. They're doing well in Lehigh Valley. Just because the franchise moved there because the Spectrum was shut down has nothing to do with Lehigh Valley's worthiness as an AHL market.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Who cares how a franchise comes into a place. They're doing well in Lehigh Valley. Just because the franchise moved there because the Spectrum was shut down has nothing to do with Lehigh Valley's worthiness as an AHL market.

again, you have no clue how a franchise operates, then....in any professional market or league even when it's pointed out to you, stop slamming former markets and apologize to their fanbases

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

again, you have no clue how a franchise operates, then....in any professional market or league even when it's pointed out to you, stop slamming former markets and apologize to their fanbases

Again, you make absolutely zero sense. Lehigh Valley is a great AHL market, and how they came into being is absolutely irrelevant. Ontario, CA is a great AHL market, it doesn't matter than Manchester, NH was also a great AHL market and that Manchester never would have needed to be relocated if the NHL started shifting towards building teams through prospect development over free agency. So take your useless HockeyDB research of AHL franchises and go somewhere else, and learn some grammar skills while you're there.

 

[GindyDraws]

Again, you make absolutely zero sense. Lehigh Valley is a great AHL market, and how they came into being is absolutely irrelevant. Ontario, CA is a great AHL market, it doesn't matter than Manchester, NH was also a great AHL market and that Manchester never would have needed to be relocated if the NHL started shifting towards building teams through prospect development over free agency. So take your useless HockeyDB research of AHL franchises and go somewhere else, and learn some grammar skills while you're there.

BuT tHe PoRtLaNd PiRaTeS...