If the AHL is any indication, it seems like not only do we know where the AHL, and potentially NHL stand on the topic of expansion, but we might have a general idea of where the expansion affilliate teams might be located.
So, that image can be found here on the AHL website. What is notable right off the bat is the divisions are uneven... Atlantic and Central each have eight teams, North and Pacific have seven. This is part of the reason why the schedule is so flawed in my opinion, though this doesn't explain some of the inconsistencies. It feels more like the division system is just aesthetic right now and they are using the old scheduling system in the mean time.
I'll do a blog on the playoff setup with the new division system when I can look more in depth to it, but right now I'm going to focus on those missing two spots. I think the AHL has tipped its hand as to what it wants and where it thinks expansion teams might go. North, so Canada or upstate New York might get a new AHL team, which will probably mean that one expansion team might be in Canada as well. This might be good since Canada's interest in hockey has been on the decline in recent years so the more hockey thrown there is a good way to help Canada's chief export of hockey players. Though part of me wants to shout "Bring back the whalers!" If to be nothing but obnoxious.
The other spot is in the pacific division, where there has been a lot of talk about Vegas being an expansion spot. I was never really a fan of having Vegas as an expansion spot, but it would appear as though the AHL thinks a team might go there, whether it be an AHL team, or an NHL team in Vegas, and maybe an AHL team in Reno. Or maybe California, but if we're being honest, there is no better spot for little affiliate brother to go to than Vegas's little brother.
No comments:
Post a Comment