BeerGuyJordan

Utica is the one that amazes me. Low attendance, smallest city and nowhere near their affiliate. I understand that there are different approaches to the AHL game, usually focused of growing the fanbase, and/or success as a talent pipeline. The Comets aren't really doing either for the Canucks, who actually own the team. When Utica wasn't part of the big 2015 move west, I was puzzled. Albany makes sense for the Devils, geographically, and the league feels like it impugns their honor if they don't have a team in the city where they're headquartered, so, sure...Springfield. Syracuse, Milwaukee and San Antonio have been relatively successful pipelines, and have strong local fanbases, and it isn't like the parent teams are in such hockey hotbeds that they have great local alternatives. Bakersfield and Stockton need more time to see if the newness wears off and results in a drop. Is there something I'm missing, with Utica?

I mean, I'm not ruling anything out, at this juncture, because Utica.

True, but their attendance average 12th for the past five seasons, for AHL teams. I think the ECHL's financial structure would allow them to work. Moving to the ECHL would put their numbers in the top 7, for that league. Portland's attendance would still be low, even for the ECHL. Yes, they have a geographic advantage, but I would actually argue that St. John's still has a stronger case.

So the Belleville Senators and Laval Rocket (AHL) and Worcester Railers (ECHL) will debut in 2017. The IceMen have until Oct 1 to pull the trigger on Owensboro, but my money is on a relocation, since their arena games resulted in the SPHL poaching the market. So that essentially leaves two openings in the ECHL. I think Portland and St. John's might be good fits.

Thanks for the link, I'd been following the story, but ECHL team news can be tricky to gollow. I can't say I'm even slightly surprised Owensboro backed out, since that's a lot of money to spend on a team that might pull stakes in a few years. On a related note, there's this nice ECHL prospective market that just opened up in Portland, Maine.

This has been worked out for some time. They originally announced a plan to move to nearby Owensboro, upon completion of the new arena, there, at the start of the 2017-2018 season. Right after the announcement, the SPHL approached the arena management about an expansion team in Evansville. The short version is that the arena decided to terminate the lease early, so that the new SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts could thake the ice for this upcoming season. This isn't a Las Vegas situation, since arena issues are all worked out. It is worth noting that, since the Evansville/Owensboro area might not be able to support two teams, either the ECHL or SPHL will possibly relocate their team after a few seasons of competing for the fanbase.

The MiLB is making Foley look like a creative genius, by comparison, and I loathe his options.

Are we witnessing the birth of Vegas-jacking? Like Duck-jacking, but with neon lights and more apathy.

Yep, only the last dozen-and-a-half (or so) games of 06-07. He was an attempt to create some extra depth at the deadline. Put up 15 points and another 4 in the playoffs for the Preds. Interesting fact: In the last game of the regular season, he assisted Kariya's game-winning goal against the Avalanche. A loss that knocked them out of the playoffs for the first time since they moved. I remember an Avs fan I know was apoplectic at the irony.

While I personally like Tugboats, I doubt anyone would set themselves up for a "Let's go Tugs" chant. It's no Austin Peay, but still.

Yeah, I think we're in agreement on that one. The fang effect just didn't execute well. I'm hoping they use the upcoming jersey change-over as an opportunity to hone the look in more.

I'm actually inclined to agree, with San Jose. Nashville's uniform, in a vaccuum, might be better, as pictured. I really prefer the new identity, overall. They've gone from just a face in the crowd to a set that stands out more. The simplified logo looks better and I like that they've embraced the Music City identity, without going full-tilt with country music. They made an unorthodox choice to go with athletic gold as their primary, and it's been a huge hit, with the fans. The current set could use a little tweaking (two shoulder logos, improve the striping, lose the Saturday gold helmets), but I like the overall feel better than the bland look we had before.

It's like the jersey has a raging erection for how bad it is...

For now, this is absolutely an understandable argument. He made some great play and won a Norris as a Hab. That being said, he is a player who has either just started, or is about to enter his prime. He's going to be paired with Roman Josi, in a move that will likely crank what was the most productive D-Line up to 11. Also considering that he's entering a 5-year no-move phase with a defense that is, arguably, a better fit for his style of play. I'd be surprised if people still see the Preds as wrong, when his career is over. Weber is another matter, though. He still has some good hockey left in him, but his best years are, almost certainly, behind him. He'll provide some great leadership, and will play in a way more in-line with what management wants. That being said, he has a cumbersome contract that will most likely turn him into a cap-suck in about 5 seasons. I don't know that he'll have enough opportunity to establish red and blue as a "right" look.

Right? Still, one of my favorite all-time movies.

Randy Johnson in anything other than Mariners or Diamondbacks. (Though I would consider AZ "more" right).

The name was excellent. The colors weren't the problem, and while I agree that this is the best jersey they had, it's largely because so many of their uniforms were garbage.

He doesn't look bad in it (though, few would, that is a great looking sweater). But, yeah, so close to the trade and having been a Predator for over a decade, it just feels wrong.

That is bold. I think they are one of the better dressed teams. Not in my top five, but probably in my top ten. I will also agree that they have one of the best color schemes, especially since they deviate from the standard black/blue/red/white/yellow (gold) that it we see over and over (yes, I am aware that my favorite team is also guilty of this). Bar none, though? They're easily, top five, though.

Agreed, but number 2 is where it started for me.

Something, something, touched by an angel?

"When Doves Cry" would work better as a headline, IMO.

I forgot to mention that all teams will wear their dark jerseys on the road only until the holiday break. After that, dark will be worn at home.

You just kind of summed up religion in the bible belt...

http://theahl.com/mobile/?bblh=mSafari&t=mobile_news_article&s=&p=202959 The AHL put out their post GBM release. Nothing crazy on the alignment changes, but it is worth noting that the AHL now has a 16-14 imbalance, as well, only with the West being more padded. The biggest change is the fighting count for suspensions. Yet another nail in the coffin for enforcers. I think it's a solid move. With true enforcer-role players being uncommon in the NHL, these days, I see it having a much bigger impact on AHL, where goons are more common. In short: Fights before, or immediately following the first face-off are an automatic game misconduct. In their tenth fight, a player gets a game suspension. Another game for fights 11-13. Beginning with the 14th fight, 2 game suspensions will be handed out. If the opposing player is ruled as the instigator, the fight doesn't count towards your total.