AHL Report: Coyotes get Portland, Panthers return to San Antonio
by Donny Rivette on Jun 26, 2011 5:37 PM EDT
in Florida Panthers News & Analysis
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PrintFrom the Portland (Maine) Press-Herald:
Brian Petrovek, the CEO and managing owner of the Pirates, will make it official at a 1 p.m. news conference Monday at the Cumberland County Civic Center, but informed sources confirmed the Phoenix Coyotes will become the new NHL parent of the Pirates.
So the (reasonable) dream partnership between the Panthers and Pirates - two clubs heavily influenced, past and present, by Kevin Dineen - looks to be dead, if this report is to be believed. Meanwhile, from the same story:
(...) the Panthers, who ended their affiliation with Rochester this spring, are expected to become the new NHL parent of the Rampage in San Antonio.
The San Antonio Express-News wasn't divulging nearly as much info on Friday - in fact nothing regarding Florida - which should come as no surprise considering all of the organizations involved in what can accurately be deemed an enormous three-way trade.
The only solid fact we know at this point is that the Sabres will be affiliated with the Rochester Americans once again. Expect an answer regarding Florida very early in the week.
UPDATE: (6/27, 12pm) The Chicago Wolves and Vancouver Canucks are officially married.
UPDATE: (6/27, 2pm) Portland/Coyotes is now complete.
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The one thing I don’t get in all this is why on earth would Phoenix want Portland? Unless this is an early preparation for the eventual move of the franchise to Hamilton/Quebec City.
Ouch.
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by Donny Rivette on Jun 26, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s harsh but I don’t understand it. Just like I didn’t understand when it was Anaheim affiliated with them.
by panthersfan27 on Jun 26, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Geographically it works best for all those involved.. Portland is much closer to phoenix than it is to florida, san antonio closer to florida etc.. overall sure phoenix could go with san antonio but then what if we have an injury during a morning practice around 11 am.. games at 7.. by the time a kid in portland gets word hes called up, gets his things together and to an airport.. flies the 5+hour flight to florida… its cutting it too close. It’s better off this way to be honest, less fatigue on the kids, less likely for them to not make it to fl on time.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jun 26, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
srly? i coulda sworn it was portland… :| who the hell is in portland then!?
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jun 26, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
ugh, theres only one portland to me and it’s in oregon which would have made sense geographically for phoenix..
as far as the whole relocation theory I doubt that has anything to do with it because i dont believe management would know anything about it yet if it were to happen, and if it were im sure it would happen before the start of this upcoming season if the divisions are in fact being worked on to be realigned.. wouldnt make sense to do all of that work, find out a teams changing cities and then redo it all over again.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jun 26, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Portland Winterhawks of the junior Western Hockey League, and they probably draw more than some AHL teams, to a game.
by MrOmnipotent on Jun 26, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re not alone Rob, I initially thought the Pirates were in Oregon, especially since they were affiliated with ANA
by Chris S Roberts on Jun 26, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
As the Crow Flies
San Antonio is 1153 miles away while Portland, Maine is 1321. Still don’t know why Phoenix would want Portland
Because they heard they were a winning team. har har
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jun 26, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh and geographically, teams out west like teams like Portland back east, cause they’re in a bus league then, with so many games in driving distance. Don’t know if its still the case, but teams like San Antonio had to pay half the travel bill for teams to travel out west, or at least that’s how it was when the initial merger was with the IHL. So teams save operating cash by being back east.
by MrOmnipotent on Jun 26, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
+1 I heard a rumor that Chuck Norris influenced this decision….
by siddious on Jun 26, 2011 3:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, it would have been cool to keep the Dineen-Portland connection, but on the bright side San Antonio is a southern team (FTW!!)
by Chris S Roberts on Jun 26, 2011 1:41 PM EDT reply actions
During the lockout in 05, didn’t a majority of Panthers play for San Antonio? Bouwemester (pardon spelling) comes to mind.
by siddious on Jun 26, 2011 3:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes and the team was despised because of the way Keenan stocked it. Steve Ludzik, former Lightning coach and Panther assistant, was the coach.
by MrOmnipotent on Jun 26, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
This might be a bad move for Florida. The Panthers organization was HATED the last season and a half in San Antonio. All the turmoil with replacing Keenan’s assistants early in the season, replacing Keenan himself, then consistent call-ups, and a poor roster the last season, really wore on the Rampage faithful. Best PR move Tallon can do, if this is true, is hire John Torchetti as the Bulls coach. He’s like their favorite son after having teams perform in the CHL, IHL, and AHL there.
What about bringing a team to Orlando and rename them the Solarbears of old? The Carolina Hurricanes did it with their affiliate the Charlotte Checkers.
by Ad1zzl3 on Jun 26, 2011 8:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Or Atlanta. But the AHL is in no mood to expand.
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by Donny Rivette on Jun 26, 2011 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I was refering moving an existing team to make travel easier when a player is needed. MLB did a good job of realigning their minors to close up the gap for travel. I like the Atlanta idea. Citys interested in acquiring an NHL team should be given an AHL team to see if there will be interest in hockey in that area. This will solve the debacle of what happened to Atlanta and what’s happening in Pheonix.
by Ad1zzl3 on Jun 26, 2011 9:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The (IHL) Atlanta Knights were modestly successful before the Thrashers arrived.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 26, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Those were the days turning on sunshine network when an IHL game was on and hearing your Soooooooolar Beaaaaaaars.
by siddious on Jun 26, 2011 10:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The were one of the top teams in all of minor hockey in attendance each year. The Gwinnett Gladiators are as well, playing out in the suburbs.
by MrOmnipotent on Jun 26, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
AHL can’t expand unless the NHL does. One team per NHL team, and must have an affiliation agreement or go dormant.
by MrOmnipotent on Jun 26, 2011 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Were the Amerks not considering going affiliation-free for 2011-12?
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 27, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll try to dig up the article. Remember seeing it several months ago.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 27, 2011 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions
No Donny, you’re correct. The Amerks were talkin about it, but AHL by-laws don’t allow it. Being a historic franchise for the league, they may have tried to change things,
by MrOmnipotent on Jun 27, 2011 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Was my thought as well; seemed to me they were looking for the league to give them some slack.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 27, 2011 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions
A bit off topic...
I heard a rumor saying that the cats may have a new logo coming soon… any truth to that?
I heard something about a new logo too from a buddy. Also while watching NHL on the fly talking about the Rusty for Soupy trade they said the reason for not having a Panthers logo up on the screen was that they were waiting for a new logo.
by Jimmy 44 on Jun 27, 2011 12:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No truth to it.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 27, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Was hoping the Rampage would hook up with the Duck’s and then Florida can pick up Syracuse from them. The Crunch and the Ducks were not getting along on there partnership at all.
The Atlanta idea seems like a good one for a future AHL team.
Sad that there always seems to be – on the surface – stress between the affiliations. Unless the AHL club is owned by the NHL partner, this is likely going to remain the case.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 27, 2011 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions
BAD...BAD...BAD....
It didn’t work last time……1 st. bad decision by the Panthers! PS. screw Chuck Norris
How does Lebrongo feel about this affiliation with Chicago?
by Chris S Roberts on Jun 27, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
There are some brilliant minds on Twitter, I cant take credit for that one :)
by Chris S Roberts on Jun 27, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
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