Report: Rangers pursuing Amerks for 2011-12; what next for Panthers?
by Donny Rivette on May 22, 2010 7:32 PM EDT
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PrintThe Biz of Hockey is reporting the New York Rangers may end a 13-year affiliation with the AHL's Hartford Wolfpack - a club which Blueshirts parent Madison Square Garden founded and has owned since the loss of the Whalers in 1997 - in order to hook up with the disgruntled Rochester Americans, currently partnered with the Panthers. What a week, eh?
Just this week, Amerks ownership stopped ever-so-short of vowing to sever ties with the Florida Panthers, stating - among a myriad of reasons - veteran player contracts (read: AHL lifers) were not being paid by the Cats per a verbal agreement. OK, they actually did vow to sever ties.
Can they be blamed? Given the inordinately large number of management changes in Sunrise since Florida and Rochester mated in 2005, it's tough to clarify who (Keenan? Martin? Sexton? Heck, Cohen?) to nail that charge against. Presumably it was under JM's regime, as such a deal would only have been struck in the aftermath of the Buffalo Sabres abandoning the dual-affiliation and going the solo route with the Portland Pirates.
In any case, it's hardly been news that Amerks fans and ownership have been less than enamoured with the Panthers' performance in regard to their American Legue stablemate, and finding anyone who believed an extension is forthcoming is an exercise in pain management. Of course, Cats' GM Dale Tallon just arrived, but whether he can - or more correctly chooses to - smooth over the crisis is anyone's guess. Florida and Rochester are joined at the hip for at the very least one more season.
And what a season that may be: Jacob Markstrom. Colby Robak. A.J. Jenks. Marc Cheverie. Scott Timmins. Evgeni Dadonov. And potentially whomever goes third in June's Entry Draft. But I'm sure the Rangers have a few nice prospects as well; Slats has always put shrewd drafting ahead of all else.
As for the Rangers, word on the street says they are not happy with their arrangement with the Wolf Pack (yes...the club they own) and are actively pursuing greener pastures. More on this to come.
Updates:
- Keith's on it at Let'sGoAmerks! with his own questions...
- Jim's in with initial Ranger reaction at Blueshirt Banter (but modesty demands that you skip the first sentence)...
- Bob Matthews of the D&C doesn't like much about the Florida Panthers in general...
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Rochester has Tradition as one of the......
Winningest teams in AHL history……We need to keep them in the Panthers stable….Their fans are avid and they are used to a winner…….They started last season with the leagues best record only to be depleted on a regular basis by the Panthers’ injuries……Why are the Panthers ALWAYS on the top of the list when it comes to injuries on the ice…..we need to look at that…..ALSO VOTED THE WOOSIEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE… LEAST AMOUNT OF FIGHTS AND NEVER FEARED BUT CONSTANTLY PUSHED AROUND……yOU WANT A WINNING TEAM IN SOUTH FLA. GET BIG AND TOUGH……AKA PHILLY. I LIKE GUDBRASSON FOR OUR 1ST PICK….He looks like the next Pronger…..nasty……….Let’s put a team on the ice that people DON’T want to play…Then you wouldn’t be seeing other teams taking liberties with our top players……Richards/ Booth perfect example…… Cmon Panthers…….Steve McAntyre can help in this regard…He’s the T^oughest guy in hockey…FEARED BY ALL….Skate ..Skate….skate , STEVE…… GO PANTHERS !
I’ve had my eye on the “injuries” issue as well; does seem to be a pattern to it year after year.
by Donny Rivette on May 23, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I just hope once July 1st hits we can all be excited for both teams.
by keithwozniak on May 23, 2010 12:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
A number of opinions from media around the league seem to feel Tallon will be far more active going the trade route as opposed to big signings. Just an observation.
by Donny Rivette on May 23, 2010 1:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
may be a stupid question, but if we were to end the affiliation, do the Panthers-drafted players on the Amerks go to the team that would be our new affiliate? or do they stay in Rochester as our property?
Players under contract with Florida would shift to the new affiliate.
by Donny Rivette on May 23, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The players leave Rochester and go wherever the Panthers new affiliate is.
by keithwozniak on May 23, 2010 6:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
51 | 24 | 16 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
51 | 27 | 20 | 4 | 58 |
|
Winnipeg
|
53 | 24 | 23 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
51 | 23 | 23 | 5 | 51 |
|
Carolina
|
54 | 20 | 25 | 9 | 49 |
(updated 2.5.2012 at 9:10 AM EST)
Eastern Standings
| GP | W-L-OT | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
49 | 32-12-5 | 69 |
|
Boston Bruins
|
50 | 32-16-2 | 66 |
|
Florida Panthers
|
51 | 24-16-11 | 59 |
|
Philadelphia Flyers
|
51 | 30-15-6 | 66 |
|
Pittsburgh Penguins
|
52 | 30-18-4 | 64 |
|
New Jersey Devils
|
51 | 29-19-3 | 61 |
|
Ottawa Senators
|
55 | 27-21-7 | 61 |
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
52 | 27-19-6 | 60 |
|
Washington Capitals
|
51 | 27-20-4 | 58 |
|
Winnipeg Jets
|
53 | 24-23-6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
51 | 23-23-5 | 51 |
|
New York Islanders
|
51 | 21-22-8 | 50 |
|
Buffalo Sabres
|
52 | 22-24-6 | 50 |
|
Carolina Hurricanes
|
54 | 20-25-9 | 49 |
|
Montreal Canadiens
|
52 | 19-24-9 | 47 |
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