aparch
Registered User
- Apr 3, 2008
- 442
- 10
Gwinnett to AHL is interesting. (The rumored NHL expansion to ATL is delirious at best, but I've been wrong before.)
The Gladiators play in an 11.3k seat arena, which is right sized for the AHL, and would be the second smallest rink in the NHL, smallest if you don't count Mullett Arena in Tempe. (WPG's Canada Life Centre is just 2k bigger than ATL's Gas South Arena.)
The last couple times the AHL ran into "expansion" issues was 2009 when the Chops were suspended for using the franchise as collateral on a loan and the league allowed Dallas to start the Texas Stars as an associate membership (on the plan and hopes that the Chops sold their AHL franchise). Then again in 2015 with the oft reminded Norfolk attempt at going it without an affiliation and being told to enjoy paying for a franchise with no schedule. Would the AHL sell a 33rd franchise? It would add to the league coffers and as pointed out give a kinda/sorta travel buddy to Charlotte...
Back to the Wolves. Unless there are more rumblings that leak before then, I suspect we won't hear a thing until the May meeting.
The Gladiators play in an 11.3k seat arena, which is right sized for the AHL, and would be the second smallest rink in the NHL, smallest if you don't count Mullett Arena in Tempe. (WPG's Canada Life Centre is just 2k bigger than ATL's Gas South Arena.)
The last couple times the AHL ran into "expansion" issues was 2009 when the Chops were suspended for using the franchise as collateral on a loan and the league allowed Dallas to start the Texas Stars as an associate membership (on the plan and hopes that the Chops sold their AHL franchise). Then again in 2015 with the oft reminded Norfolk attempt at going it without an affiliation and being told to enjoy paying for a franchise with no schedule. Would the AHL sell a 33rd franchise? It would add to the league coffers and as pointed out give a kinda/sorta travel buddy to Charlotte...
Back to the Wolves. Unless there are more rumblings that leak before then, I suspect we won't hear a thing until the May meeting.