From people that I've chatted with that affiliation is over... and, it has been for sometime. I guess -- depending on who you speak with -- Dolgan and Murray won't even speak to each other. They communicate through dispatches and other people to pass the message along. Its really very toxic according to those folks out there.
I suspect we'll be hearing the Lightning to SYR ramp up now or even Florida. I guess Anaheim would love to get in to SA if they could.
From people that I've chatted with that affiliation is over... and, it has been for sometime. I guess -- depending on who you speak with -- Dolgan and Murray won't even speak to each other. They communicate through dispatches and other people to pass the message along. Its really very toxic according to those folks out there.
I suspect we'll be hearing the Lightning to SYR ramp up now or even Florida. I guess Anaheim would love to get in to SA if they could.
But that raises the question as to why Norfolk/Tampa and SA/Florida wouldn't continue their agreement given that both teams are successful this year. Tough to sell to your fans that you are dumping a winning team in favor of the Ducks.
Last edited by pelts35.com: 03-02-2012 at 01:05 PM.
But that raises the question as to why Norfolk/Tampa and SA/Florida wouldn't continue their agreement given that both teams are successful this year.
Most people I've talked to in Norfolk are convinced this is the last year of the Tampa affiliation. Travel time is being bandied about as the prime culprit, with the nearest opponent a near 6-hour bus ride away. I've already heard plenty of Tampa to Syracuse rumors, with the dominoes going Anaheim to SA & Florida to Norfolk. That would really suck for NorAds fans - they lost Chicago when that team was good, suffered through a couple of putrid years with Tampa, and now that the Lightning have their act together, they get Florida dumped on them.
Most people I've talked to in Norfolk are convinced this is the last year of the Tampa affiliation. Travel time is being bandied about as the prime culprit, with the nearest opponent a near 6-hour bus ride away. I've already heard plenty of Tampa to Syracuse rumors, with the dominoes going Anaheim to SA & Florida to Norfolk. That would really suck for NorAds fans - they lost Chicago when that team was good, suffered through a couple of putrid years with Tampa, and now that the Lightning have their act together, they get Florida dumped on them.
Im not sure if the Panthers are going to move out of San Antonio because at last nights Rampage game they were giving out flyers that said the Panthers were going to have a preseason game against the Dallas Stars in the ATT Center(in SA) on September 21 2012.
Im not sure if the Panthers are going to move out of San Antonio because at last nights Rampage game they were giving out flyers that said the Panthers were going to have a preseason game against the Dallas Stars in the ATT Center(in SA) on September 21 2012.
I wouldn't say that guarantees anything other than a preseason game in SA next season.
All Im saying is why would the Panthers have anything to do with San Antonio next year if there going to be somewhere else.
I will admit though there are those rumors here as well but I know the Spurs organizion keeps hush about alot of things so we might not even here anything till the season is over.
All Im saying is why would the Panthers have anything to do with San Antonio next year if there going to be somewhere else.
I will admit though there are those rumors here as well but I know the Spurs organizion keeps hush about alot of things so we might not even here anything till the season is over.
Teams play preseason games in various arenas. That said it's certainly possible that if the Panthers aren't the parent club for SA next season that the game would be cancelled. That game may have been already scheduled before any discussions of affiliation changes.
Dolgon will have to learn to keep is big mouth shut, if it really is Tampa that signed with them. Steve Yzerman keeps all information close until they are ready for an official announcement. Within the Tampa Bay organization there is no leaking of information or you are canned. Would think SY added opt-outs to any contract to have some control over the affiliate.
Dolgon has yet to mention any team by name as the new affiliate. We can assume names all day, and we know how that works. It has been whispered for months that deals involving Anaheim to San Antonio, Florida to Norfolk, and Tampa to Syracuse are coming. It is old news. All he has said new is that that is an agreement is reached. Heck, it cold even be a return to the Ducks with changes to the contract. Time will tell.
Why, because he wants the NHL parent club that he pays a hefty sum to every season to ice a competitive team? I wish more of the independent AHL owners were that pompous.
