Chicago Wolves Title defense, 22-23 season

[Lucky Lindy]

 

[Joe McGrath]

So the first time ever everyone has an AHL affiliate, and Chicago immediately shoots it in the face. Bettman must f***ing love that guy.

 

[Svechhammer]

So the first time ever everyone has an AHL affiliate, and Chicago immediately shoots it in the face. Bettman must f***ing love that guy.

Typical Wolves shit. They ride every affiliation right up to the moment they have a disappointing season and then cut ties with their NHL partner because somehow its their fault the team is bad. Like, the Canes gave them a Calder Cup last year, the 2nd in a row for the franchise, and they cut ties because they struggle this year?

Good riddance

 

[A Star is Burns]

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out for the Canes in terms of an affiliate next year. Also, are we certain the Canes aren't at least partial culprits in things going this direction at all? We certainly have a history of our own to consider in relationships. Are there any other details yet?

 

[Svechhammer]

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out for the Canes in terms of an affiliate next year. Also, are we certain the Canes aren't at least partial culprits in things going this direction at all? We certainly have a history of our own to consider in relationships. Are there any other details yet?

I mean its pretty much the same playbook that Chicago played with St Louis and Vegas in recent years. I'm sure the Canes might not be fully innocent here, but this is very much in the Wolves playbook

 

[Navin R Slavin]

So the first time ever everyone has an AHL affiliate, and Chicago immediately shoots it in the face. Bettman must f***ing love that guy.

Lol. f*** them.

Canes have two different AHL champs in two different cities in, what, the last three full AHL seasons?

Dundo, buy an AHL team and put it in Greensboro already.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Wolves owners bio....heavily tobacco, paper & lawyers....not the preferred modern day ownership profile:

Ownership | Chicago Ice Hockey Team - Chicago Wolves

Meet the owners of the Chicago ice hockey team, the Chicago Wolves.

www.chicagowolves.com

btw: for selfish reasons (and doesn't work geographically but), can Dundon please buy the Florida Everblades and make them an AHL team.

 

[Canes]

I mean the Wolves are clowns but dropping the affiliation with the Checkers never made much sense for us either. Anytime you can have an AHL affiliate in your own state, it's pretty cool and special. Imagine Dallas dropping Texas for like Iowa or Rockford, it'd just be dumb.

 

[WreckingCrew]

I mean the Wolves are clowns but dropping the affiliation with the Checkers never made much sense for us either. Anytime you can have an AHL affiliate in your own state, it's pretty cool and special. Imagine Dallas dropping Texas for like Iowa or Rockford, it'd just be dumb.

Not to mention the Checkers seemed to have a lot more "development" than Chicago, who obviously focus more on vets...but none of our players/prospects has really made any strides the past few years with them. Honestly Kahn and Dundon need to stop their dick-measuring contest, mend their relationship, and do what's in the best interest of BOTH teams. Not sure how long the Checkers - Florida affiliation will last. And if Chicago goes independent then Dundon might be forced to SHARE an affiliation next year? Honestly, that might be his preference, then he can have an AHL team with players from 2 squads, so less-likely he'll have to pay for "vet" guys on those squads. Florida's pipeline is pretty dry, maybe they share the Checkers next year?

 

[gstommylee]

so is there anything the ahl and NHL can do about this situation?

 

[Svechhammer]

I mean the Wolves are clowns but dropping the affiliation with the Checkers never made much sense for us either. Anytime you can have an AHL affiliate in your own state, it's pretty cool and special. Imagine Dallas dropping Texas for like Iowa or Rockford, it'd just be dumb.

I mean wasn't it widely reported at the time that the Checkers dramatically overplayed their hand with the affiliation to the point where they wanted the Canes to basically pay for everything they did while the Checkers owners would still pocket all the proceeds, thinking the pressure of the in-state affiliation would put too much pressure on the Canes to say no?

 

[Navin R Slavin]

I mean wasn't it widely reported at the time that the Checkers dramatically overplayed their hand with the affiliation to the point where they wanted the Canes to basically pay for everything they did while the Checkers owners would still pocket all the proceeds, thinking the pressure of the in-state affiliation would put too much pressure on the Canes to say no?

Yes.

To be fair, pretty much every AHL team loses money, and it's not like owning an AHL team is an appreciating investment like an NHL team is. But at the end of the day, a good AHL team is really important to the success of the parent org, and the cost of running one should be a rounding error to a guy like Dundon.

 

[WreckingCrew]

Yes.

To be fair, pretty much every AHL team loses money, and it's not like opening an AHL team is an appreciating investment like an NHL team is. But at the end of the day, a good AHL team is really important to the success of the parent org, and the cost of running one should be a rounding error to a guy like Dundon.

Yea, I don't think it falls entirely on either organization completely, both seemed to be at fault for the breakdown AND kinda finger-pointing to the other party. Much like the broadcasting crew, Dundon seemed to view the Checkers as an expense that could be easily replaced rather than an investment. Kahn, especially in the face of Covid, wanted more money / less expense, Dundon understandably wanted him to "pay his own way" kinda.

 

[tarheelhockey]

so is there anything the ahl and NHL can do about this situation?

Bring the two owners together with Bettman in New York for a scheduled full day of discussions. Start the day with Bettman slowly crossing the room and open-hand slapping them each across the face, then telling them to get the hell out.

 

[Canes]

I mean wasn't it widely reported at the time that the Checkers dramatically overplayed their hand with the affiliation to the point where they wanted the Canes to basically pay for everything they did while the Checkers owners would still pocket all the proceeds, thinking the pressure of the in-state affiliation would put too much pressure on the Canes to say no?

Yes, I'm familiar with all the talking points. But unless, we know every NHL and AHL affiliate's financial agreements, I'm hesitant to put much weight behind them.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Yes, I'm familiar with all the talking points. But unless, we know every NHL and AHL affiliate's financial agreements, I'm hesitant to put much weight behind them.

So you are saying we should have facts before making assessments. You do realize this is HF?

 

[HisIceness]

Go back to Charlotte, the Panthers buy the Atlanta Gladiators, the ECHL Gladiators relocate to Greensboro.

There, I just killed 3 birds with one stone.

 

[cptjeff]

I mean the Wolves are clowns but dropping the affiliation with the Checkers never made much sense for us either. Anytime you can have an AHL affiliate in your own state, it's pretty cool and special. Imagine Dallas dropping Texas for like Iowa or Rockford, it'd just be dumb.

One thing to note is that the Canes insisted on far more control over the Wolves than their past affiliates have had-including all the coaching staff, which IIRC the Wolves had always held a really tight grip on before. Sounds kinda like they're not interested in any NHL control of anything after the experience of what literally every other AHL team does and two Calder Cups.

Oh well, let 'em rot. Ain't gonna be easy to put together a roster. As a Greensboro native, just plop a team in the coliseum. Just gotta decide if you're going with Monarchs or Generals.

 

[Unsustainable]

Makes me wonder if an Atlanta affiliation would be possible

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

Makes me wonder if an Atlanta affiliation would be possible

We could call them the Atlanta Stupid Little Hurricanes

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

I would enjoy the affiliate being in ATL.

 

[WreckingCrew]

I would enjoy the affiliate being in ATL.

Then move the ECHL Gladiators to Quebec and have them be OUR ECHL affiliate!

 

[raynman]

Then move the ECHL Gladiators to Quebec and have them be OUR ECHL affiliate!

That’d be so effin awesome

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Then move the ECHL Gladiators to Quebec and have them be OUR ECHL affiliate!

Have a kotkaniemi night for the ECHL affiliate. Have it on 0228 which backwards is……

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I'm probably in the minority, but I don't care at all about our AHL affiliate. Charlotte was cool but not a necessity. Chicago, I was ambivalent. They'll find another solution.