Syracuse seems to have a problem sticking with an affiliation since the Canucks were with them. With the Ducks for one season? Hopefully if it is the Lightning it turns out a bit better. Don't need to be moving our prospects around every couple of years.
In my opinion it makes more sense to stay with Norfolk. The logic of moving that we, the fans, have heard, is Stevie Y and Julien Brisbois wants more at home practice time for the players. Norfolk is away from the central hub of AHL teams, that they often spend 12 hours traveling on the bus and end up playing 3 games in 3 days in 3 cities. But that logic has been thrown out the door this season... look how well they are doing! And also, before Tampa came to down, when we were affliated with Chicago, the Admirals never missed the playoffs. The players have come out and said multiple times that the bus trips are fine, and they build more of a team bond.
What really make sense for Tampa to stay with Norfolk is the travel from Norfolk to Tampa. Tampa and Norfolk have direct flights to each other daily. To get from Tampa to Syracuse you have to have a connection to get their in one day. With the 50 billion call ups we seem to be having at once lately, this makes alot of sense. Sigh, only time will tell, but for now, us Norfolk fans have to deal with a big mouth Syracuse Owner creating speculations.
It's this kind of thing that seems unlike a potential TB affiliate.
TB locks their **** down.
Syracuse doesn't even make any sense. Portland, ME is much closer to Quebec.
Last edited by Felonious Python: 03-04-2012 at 06:59 PM.
Frankly, I wouldn't want to be associated with an owner that doesn't keep his mouth shut until after the season. This not only upsets the Norfolk fans, the Ads ownership regarding ticket sales, and also the players relationship with fans and friends in Norfolk. Then again, maybe that's his plan....
Syracuse fan coming in PEACE.
We are a passionate bunch who like honest, hard working hockey. If the team is not scoring, at least they should be hitting.
After Pittsburgh and Vancouver left, Cbus came in and the affiliation was good until the end. During the mid to late 2000s, the arena was known as the home of the "Nasty Boys", led by example by Zenon Konopka. He refused to let the team play lackluster hockey, expecting the other players to show the same intensity he plays with. The War Memorial was one of least favorite places for other teams to play in, with the physical in your face play of the Crunch teams and the closeness and loudness of the fans. you might say we fans became spoiled by having a team of hard workers, who may not have won every game but at least showed up and tried. During the final season with Cbus, there was issues but with the lame duck status of the affiliation, that was expected.
We were excited by the prospect of having the Ducks farm team. Their past record was excellent with the teams in Portland. the Ducks even allowed the Crunch to return Jon Mirasty from the Cbus days. Unfortuantely, it has not worked out. Opening night 2011, the Crunch dressed 12 rookies skaters and two rookie goalies. The organization expected the kids to mature quickly, but it was not to be. Mirasty had a falling out with the Anaheim organization and was shipped out, leaving the team without an enforcer until McGratton arrived late in the season. Promises were made for this year.
This season, the on paper roster was awesome. Established vets and talented younger players, even the goal tending issue appeared to have been taken care of. Unfortunately, there has been no on ice leadership throughout the season, and the team looks as bad now as it did in October. The Ducks have tried to help, but the players they have brought in are perhaps too little too late.
As for the ownership, is there anything wrong with an owner who is passionate about his team to the point of declaring he is in it until there is another Calder Cup banner hanging in the War Memorial? Call him a loud mouth, show boat, or whatever. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is the reason there has been hockey at the AHL level in Syracuse for over 17 years now. Not many cities can claim that.
Syracuse fan coming in PEACE.
We are a passionate bunch who like honest, hard working hockey. If the team is not scoring, at least they should be hitting.
After Pittsburgh and Vancouver left, Cbus came in and the affiliation was good until the end. During the mid to late 2000s, the arena was known as the home of the "Nasty Boys", led by example by Zenon Konopka. He refused to let the team play lackluster hockey, expecting the other players to show the same intensity he plays with. The War Memorial was one of least favorite places for other teams to play in, with the physical in your face play of the Crunch teams and the closeness and loudness of the fans. you might say we fans became spoiled by having a team of hard workers, who may not have won every game but at least showed up and tried. During the final season with Cbus, there was issues but with the lame duck status of the affiliation, that was expected.
We were excited by the prospect of having the Ducks farm team. Their past record was excellent with the teams in Portland. the Ducks even allowed the Crunch to return Jon Mirasty from the Cbus days. Unfortuantely, it has not worked out. Opening night 2011, the Crunch dressed 12 rookies skaters and two rookie goalies. The organization expected the kids to mature quickly, but it was not to be. Mirasty had a falling out with the Anaheim organization and was shipped out, leaving the team without an enforcer until McGratton arrived late in the season. Promises were made for this year.
This season, the on paper roster was awesome. Established vets and talented younger players, even the goal tending issue appeared to have been taken care of. Unfortunately, there has been no on ice leadership throughout the season, and the team looks as bad now as it did in October. The Ducks have tried to help, but the players they have brought in are perhaps too little too late. As for the ownership, is there anything wrong with an owner who is passionate about his team to the point of declaring he is in it until there is another Calder Cup banner hanging in the War Memorial? Call him a loud mouth, show boat, or whatever. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is the reason there has been hockey at the AHL level in Syracuse for over 17 years now. Not many cities can claim that.
It's wonderful to have an owner who is enthusiastic and wants to win. Nothing wrong with that. But, Vinik and Yzerman play things very close to the vest. They prefer to keep their business to themselves until it's time for it to be released to the general public. If it is indeed the Lightning that are going to be the new NHL team for the Crunch and Dolgon is out there spilling beans about a new affiliation, they aren't going to be happy. It makes the organization as a whole look unprofessional and it upsets the players and the fans in Norfolk, who quite frankly deserve to at least finish out this season without the distraction.
Edit:
Just noticed that Howard Dolgon's (@HowardDolgon) last two follows on twitter are EE and Bolt Prospects. Doesn't seem to be a lot of question anymore.
It's wonderful to have an owner who is enthusiastic and wants to win. Nothing wrong with that. But, Vinik and Yzerman play things very close to the vest. They prefer to keep their business to themselves until it's time for it to be released to the general public. If it is indeed the Lightning that are going to be the new NHL team for the Crunch and Dolgon is out there spilling beans about a new affiliation, they aren't going to be happy. It makes the organization as a whole look unprofessional and it upsets the players and the fans in Norfolk, who quite frankly deserve to at least finish out this season without the distraction.
Edit:
Just noticed that Howard Dolgon's (@HowardDolgon) last two follows on twitter are EE and Bolt Prospects. Doesn't seem to be a lot of question anymore.
Nah--- until Tampas Twitter follows them, its still nothing but a rumor to me (and that is not my naive side talking), Its a reporter and a blogger about the organization prospects so it would actually be suspected that they would want to keep tabs on him.
Nah--- until Tampas Twitter follows them, its still nothing but a rumor to me (and that is not my naive side talking), Its a reporter and a blogger about the organization prospects so it would actually be suspected that they would want to keep tabs on him.
I phrased that badly. Dolgon is following them, not the other way around.
Hope he's not expecting an in-your-face nasty boys type of team coming to Syracuse. Yeah, they'll work hard, but neither the Lightning or the Ads are teams known for their "truculence".
With the way the Crunch are not playing physical, five people exchanging pleasantries at a Black Friday Sale is has more hitting than we have seen most games this year.
An honest effort from the team on the ice is all we ask. Not some half hearted, feeble attempt to go through the motions then head to the Armory for post game beverages.
Whether it is Tampa or another NHL team, just put players on the roster who try and the folks from Syracuse will be happy.
With the way the Crunch are not playing physical, five people exchanging pleasantries at a Black Friday Sale is has more hitting than we have seen most games this year.
An honest effort from the team on the ice is all we ask. Not some half hearted, feeble attempt to go through the motions then head to the Armory for post game beverages.
Whether it is Tampa or another NHL team, just put players on the roster who try and the folks from Syracuse will be happy.
SYR is #7 in PP, Right in the middle of the pack for PIMs, You guys have the leading scorer, Palmeri, and another top 5 scorer, an NHL goalie--- it really cant be all that bad.
If you are referring to Nitty as the NHL goalie, he is coming off an injury and is still struggling to get into game shape. There is a reason he was sent to Syracuse from the Sharks organization.
As for Palmieri and Maroon, they are two of the few bright spots this season. Both should make the Ducks roster next year. Clark on defense has been good as well. After that, inconsistent play is hampering most of the players from advancing further.
As for the power play, it was first or second for some time. Not sure what happened, but all the sudden the defense could not make a cross ice pass without it being onto the tape of an opposing penalty killer. The Crunch lead the league in short handed goals allowed, which have been momentum breakers several times this season.
The players have a hard time sticking up for each other. Too many times to count players who should fill that role have been on the ice when Palmieri or Sexton have taken a borderline hit without any reaction. Last couple of weeks, Palmieri has started to take up his own defense, which takes his more valuable on ice time away as he serves his penalty.
As for the PIMs, they play more physical on the road than at home. First time in watching Crunch hockey since the affiliation joined the league I have been able to say that. The fighting major number is misleading, as there have been less than 10 wins in that total.
On paper, the team should be well into the playoff race instead of hovering near last overall in the league. A HUGE issue is the lack of on ice leadership. To put it in simple terms, there is none.
Hope this helps. Best of luck to the Bolts and the Ads for the rest of the season and beyond.
It's nice to have teams fight over us and fans upset we will leave considering we were the affiliate of last resort since the Atlanta Knights left for Quebec.
On another note... Tic is set to beat all Admiral goalie records this Friday (if he is here due to Garon getting injured tonight).... and the fun part is, if he is there Friday, he is set to break them against the goalie that set them, Michael Leighton. Leighton holds the records for most wins in a row by an Admirals goaltender (8) and most wins overall by an Admirals Goaltender (75) and Leighton is schedule to be in goal Friday night... that would just be so cool if that happened, loved Leights in the loveboat logo, but kinda love Tic better
AHL Norfolk is having its best season as a Lightning affiliate and it might be its last.
The five-year deal between the teams expires after the season and Tampa Bay is considering switching, perhaps to Syracuse.
"I know Syracuse is talking to them," said Norfolk owner Ken Young, who also is keeping his options open. "We're talking with the Lightning. We're talking with other teams. … I'd just as soon we keep it the way it is."
But Norfolk is the southernmost team in the AHL's Eastern Conference. A move to Syracuse would reduce travel time and costs. Syracuse's Post-Standard newspaper reported Crunch owner Howard Dolgon has a deal with an unnamed NHL team.
"No final plans have been made," said Norfolk GM Julien BriseBois. Norfolk (39-18-3) is atop the East Division and on a 12-game winning streak.
"We're in the middle of a great run to the playoffs," Young said. "It'd be nice to work it out as quickly as possible."
__________________
"It's still All In to me dammit." - Felonious Python
Hope he's not expecting an in-your-face nasty boys type of team coming to Syracuse. Yeah, they'll work hard, but neither the Lightning or the Ads are teams known for their "truculence".
The Ads are one of the tougher, more physical teams in the AHL and are third in fighting majors.
Refuting published reports, Tampa Bay assistant general manager and Norfolk Admirals GM Julien BriseBois said "there is no finalized agreement with anybody" about where the Lightning will send AHL players next season.
Admirals vice president Joe Gregory added Tuesday that he had talked with BriseBois as late as Saturday about extending the team's affiliation with Tampa Bay, which runs out at the end of the season after a five-year run.
Syracuse owner Howard Dolgon was quoted Saturday as saying his team had a deal with an NHL club to replace the Crunch's working agreement with Anaheim next season. He declined to give the name.
BriseBois, who acknowledged talking with Syracuse, favors moving the Lightning affiliation to a city more centrally aligned with the rest of the AHL East.
Gregory also acknowledged talking with other NHL teams, and visited Anaheim last week to sound out the Ducks.
"Anaheim is the obvious choice," Gregory said of a candidate to replace Tampa Bay, should the Lightning decline to re-sign with Norfolk.
He said he had spoken with other NHL clubs but declined to name them.
A month ago, Anaheim asked Dolgon to renew the two-year agreement with Syracuse, a relationship that has been stormy since shortly after it began. Dolgon declined.
Even before that, he was talking with BriseBois.
But so were Admirals owner Ken Young and Gregory, who first approached the Lightning about renewing the agreement near the end of last season.
"We would like Tampa back," Young said. "We have told them that. But our No. 1 priority is making sure that the AHL is in Norfolk next season, and we believe that will be the case."
BriseBois has made no secret he believes players can be readied for the NHL more efficiently if they aren't on 10-hour bus rides between Norfolk and Glens Falls, N.Y. The Admirals take that ride tonight to open a three-city weekend road trip that begins with a Friday game.
"Our relationship with ownership, the arena, fan support have all been great," BriseBois said. "Our only issue is that Norfolk is so geographically removed from the rest of the league."
The closest AHL city to Norfolk is Hershey, 318 miles - about 5-1/2 hours by bus - away.
Syracuse has trips of less than two hours to Adirondack, Albany and Rochester, and plays most of its schedule with back-and-forth trips that bring the players home after games.
"It's not a question of how many nights we spend on the road," said Bob Ferguson, Syracuse's assistant general manager and the liaison with Anaheim. "We're away only about 10-12 nights a year."
While he acknowledged the convenience of being back home most nights, Ferguson pointed to the AHL standings.
"Look at the teams that are on top," he said. "There's Norfolk (which leads the AHL with 81 points) and St. John's (second in the AHL East with 75 points), which have long trips. And Oklahoma City (which leads the AHL West with 76 points). They're all clubs that have to travel.
"And we're teaching these guys to be professionals. They'll be traveling in the National Hockey League."
BriseBois has pointed to the additional practice available to teams that play games closer to home. But some Syracuse trips involve as many as four hours each way by bus, putting players back home at 3 a.m. Practicing after that sort of trip could be problematic.
"I think if you ask players, they'd prefer traveling overnight on a sleeper bus, getting in the next morning and being able to practice, then have all day and night to rest before playing the next night," said Gregory, laying out the scenario for a typical trip such as the one this weekend.
Minor league players aren't in a position to dispute management's decision, but the Admirals say they like playing in Norfolk and - perhaps more important - their wives and girlfriends like living here.
On Thursday, after most of the Admirals had skateboarded from their apartments to Scope, they played soccer in the plaza in front of Chrysler Hall, enjoying the 81-degree sun while celebrating a winning streak that had reached 10 games with a 4-3 victory over Hershey a night earlier.
The streak is 12 games now.
It was 38 degrees in Syracuse with a trace of snow Thursday.
"It's wasted energy to be thinking about something that's not in our control," coach Jon Cooper said of a possible move hovering over a team that's playing so well.
"Stuff like that is unfortunate, but it's the nature of the beast. I guess it's part of the business, but this town, in the year and a half I've been here, it's been phenomenal to me.
The fans have taken hold of this team."
Crowds at Scope - two sellouts and three others of more than 7,000 each - reflect that.
A decision has to come soon. "We need to order uniforms and stuff for next season," Gregory said.
But Ferguson cautioned patience.
"Up here, we say three things happen about this time of year," he said of Syracuse. "One, the snow stops falling. Two, the snowbirds come back from the South. And three, hockey rumors start flying."
Bolt Prospects
Norfolk's Eric Neilson (3 games) and Pierre-Cedric Labrie (2 games) were suspended by the AHL for the pre-game fight vs. SF. #oldtimehockey
The Ads are one of the tougher, more physical teams in the AHL and are third in fighting majors.
Actually you're right. Right behind Worcester and Manchester....that's surprising because I don't see the Ads as being that type of team. Would've figured the Marlies would be up there because of Burke and his "truculence" speeches, but then again - he's mostly hot air. There does seem to be an overall drop off from last year to this year though...
Now he is following FLA Panthers official feed and Michael Yormack- owner of Panthers
AP,
Yormark is not the owner of the Panthers. He's the President/COO, Head Snake Oil Salesman of SSE (Sunrise Sports & Entertainment).
Dolgon could be just "diversifying" his options, throwing off the scent so to speak.
I will say, however, if there is a partnership on the horizon between the Turds and Dolgon, I wholeheartedly support it. Between the way Dolgon and Yormark operate, it'd be a match made in Hell.
