Market Saturation

Move the Marlies.

Move the Barracudda too.

Move any team that operates in an NHL city. Doesn't have to be too far. Just far enough. Let another township have a claim on a team and foster a sense of community pride. Let that team help foster an economy and mean more to that community than it could do in a place where everyone is all glossy eyed for the NHL stars.

Chicago has won the cup 3 times since 2012. Do you think anyone would there would care if the Wolves won the Calder Cup? Do you know who would? Peoria. Davenport. Naperville. Smaller cities that would love to see some hockey. While San Jose, Toronto, and Chicago all might be very large markets, with a huge appetite for hockey, the teams there will always play the second fiddle to the big team. They won't be stars but supporting actors. They are affordable alternatives to

I may not get the economics of it, but there are plenty of states and cities whom could do well for both the AHL and NHL to have access to hockey. Sixty teams across the United States and Canada, with plenty of states getting double or triple duty for hosting means those sports markets have to choose a team to cheer for. But a state like Idaho? North Dakota? Montana? Delaware? They have 0 sports teams to cheer for, so why not have teams there to make heroes of your players rather than stand in the shadows? Why not have your team be a marquee event rather than the "affordable" discount option? Wouldn't having fans that actually care about the team do better to train the players for the pressure of the big league more so? Drive them to be better so they can bring pride to the smaller cities they represent?

The AHL does a great job with this in general, but there are a few teams with serious over lap that could do better to be be somewhere else. At least its something worth considering for the inevitable expansion...

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there are no markets suitable to foster better growth. Maybe the teams are most profitable where they are right now. I just have a hard time buying into that form of market saturation for teams within the same sport.

Best Mascot

Going off of a post from yesterday, I'm going to continue to judge the AHL teams by their aesthetics in the hopes that it will help me choose a team to cheer for. Today it is the mascots. Some of you may be crying foul since the mascots often appear in the logo, but I'll forgive your ignorance since a mascot on paper is not a mascot in real life and what looks good in Microsoft Paint, may be the stuff that gives children's nightmares in real life.

Lets get to it.

Atlantic: Hershey Bears

Discounted tickets for fans of @TheHersheyBears for tonight's game: http://t.co/zVJPNi7Qmj And Coco will be here! pic.twitter.com/LLWKfftkGS

— York Revolution (@yorkrevolution) June 8, 2015

It's name is Coco! Open and shut.

Fine, I'll consider the others. Remember that thing  I said before? About logos looking good on paint but mascots being the stuff of nightmares? Check and mate is the Phantoms mascot, which looks like tye-dye fanatic. I would say google it, but don't. It's like doing a google image search to self diagnose a wart. It can't be unseen. The Falcons mascot is also equally angry.  Penguins was a deranged muppet looking creature with eyes and no head. The providence mascot is also kinda scary. Most of them were scary, but the Portland Pirates pulled up one good design and one bad design so to be safe, they both lose. The Wolfpack and Soundtiger mascots were surprisingly good, but...

IT'S NAME IS COCO AND IT LIVES IN HERSHEY!

North: Toronto Marlies

One more round of congratulations for @IAWildCrash14, our 2015 Mascot of Character! 👏 pic.twitter.com/konoFZWhJD

— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) August 17, 2015

Surprisingly hard. So, easy ones to dismiss, Ice caps. I like the puffin, but don't make it look so sad. Then again, it lives in Utica, so maybe that's just a sad place to be. Senators, you mascot looks like an axe murdering cartoon character. Rochester, your moose looks like its on pain killers. This is an intervention. As for the real contenders, Albany, you were so close but the dog is just too fat and fat people make me sad, but overall really good. Utica, I really like your Alien design, compared to the Lehigh Night Terror, you get it right, but ultimately Marley in his latest state is just simple enough to work. I would say tie, but I think of it this way, which one looks more hugable? Sure, I may want to have a drink with the Utica mascot, but the Marlies mascot is just more approachable. Just don't Google Syracuse Crunch's old mascot.

Central: Iowa Wild

One more round of congratulations for @IAWildCrash14, our 2015 Mascot of Character! 👏 pic.twitter.com/konoFZWhJD

— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) August 17, 2015

Dear god, how many of them want to eat children?

All of them. All of them do. But more importantly, why is the Lake Erie Monsters mascot a bird? And if it had to be a bird, why did it have to be a bird that eats children? What the hell goes on in the
Midwest to make these things acceptable? Wild gets it because the only one that wasn't angry, or had eyes proportional to its head. I'm looking a you checkers mascot!

Pacific: San Antonio Rampage

#TBT T-Bone circa 2002! pic.twitter.com/ovzOWiaE75

— San Antonio Rampage (@sarampage) May 7, 2015

Uhmm, San Diego, I can see the face of a person in your mascot. Just letting you know, it kinda loses the effect... Oh, and if I can trust the words of John Hammond, Condors are on the verge of extinction, and I can see why base on how ugly that mascot is. That said, this was the hardest division to choose a favorite mascot. For one, I don't think the Stars or the Barracuda have one yet. The heat mascot is so stupid I almost chose it on principal alone, but it really came down to San Antonio and the Reign. San Antonio's mascot with its bare white eyes makes me feel like I'm looking at an actual cartoon, and the effect is almost hypnotic. The reign on the other hand have a dark knight who rides an ATV and slays dragsons. It is clear cut winner. But, evidence on the facebook page makes me think that the dark knight might be getting retired, so on the basis of not being sure, I have to declare San Antonio the winner.

Hartford Wolfpack: Games to Gun For

Games to gun for will go over specific games and opponents fans might want to see. Criteria are based upon AHL rivalries, fun teams to watch in the AHL and regional rivalries between the local NHL teams. Consider it a guide for casual fans to know how to get the biggest bang for their buck.

The second team I'm looking at is the Hartford Wolfpack. It's not that I don't like the Wolfpack, or I'm a Falcons fan per-say. I just really hate the state of Connecticut. Plus that whole name change to the Whale was kinda dumb. As if anyone could ever truly replace the Whalers...

But anyway, digressions aside.

Home opener: Oct. 10 against the St. Johns IceCaps.

After a trip to the Calder cup Semi-finals the Wolfpack no longer has Manchester Monarchs to stand in their way for another good competitive run. Their affilliate team, the Rangers have also made the playoffs as of late and recently had a cup run. The opponent? Last place in their division. But they have a new Captain, a new logo, and a new affiliate: the Montreal Canadiens. So they are looking like they might be a bit better this year.

Opponents:

1. Springfield Falcons

Falcons don't like Hartford, Hartford doesn't like the Falcons. Just the way it always has been and always will be. The two cities can barely share an airport. They play each other eight times this season and if you're close enough to go to one, you are probably close enough to go to another. Perfect opportunity to do some taunting.

2. Bridgeport Soundtigers

Again, close enough to taunt and hit up all eight games. If you want to actually go to Bridgeport that is. The other thing about the Sound Tigers is they haven't been historically good, but neither have their affiliate franchise, the New York Islanders. But they're both New York teams so the inherent subway rivalry can carry over into Connecticut and then fun fun.

3.Wilkes Barton-Scranton Penguins

Affiliate rivals, and divisional rivals. Penguins and Rangers hate each other, so it boils down. These teams face each other six times, three of which are at home. This is where those rivalries get born. Plus, if you're local to Connecticut, you have a rare chance to be a fan of both the NHL team and affiliate, meaning you probably dislike the Penguins too, and watch the players learn to hate each other at one level and bring that hate to the national level. Aren't hockey rivalries beautiful?

4. Providence Bruins

 But even if you aren't, then you'll still see plenty of the Bruins. This is one that could divide the crowd a bit with the mix of New York and Boston fans and both are original six affiliates, so the rivalry could be there. The problem is you're not in New York or Boston, but in Connecticut which is a mixing pool with no real loyalties so that rivalry might not be as intense but you can still enjoy seeing the prospects as of both teams take on each other. They play eight matchups, four at home

5. Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Its another divisional rival, and let's be honest, is there any team in the Eastern Conference the Flyers don't get irritate? Most teams have a pest who tries to get under the skins of the opponents, well the Flyers are the pest in the entirety of the NHL. As a Rangers fan or a Bruins fan who is cheering for Hartford, Phantoms are a good choice to watch on the basis of how much their affiliate boils your blood.

Honerable Mention: Albany Devils

They're an affiliate rival of sorts. They play in Hartford twice, and a total of four matchups and they're non divisional so its nice to see some teams outside of the division too, and as far as divisional opponents go, they play the same amount of times as the Hershey Bears, so they can be kinda like a divisional rival... but not. 

PS. Hartford needs to change their white on grey text. Amateur hour up in there.

Comptetitive Disadvantage

I figured I would try to get in depth to a point I made earlier in regards to why the AHL is important, or should be worth your consideration and I figured it merited a longer think piece. But the point was something along the lines of everyone is on the level so the games in a way aren't that different from an NHL game.

So, what this blog is, is me emphasizing that in a bunch of different ways. It will probably be redundant. It will probably be boring. Just stay with me on this though as I try to ramble my way to what will probably amount to an insanely idiotic conclusion.

The only difference between the NHL and the AHL is the stage the games are set at. And the skills of the players, yeah, but it isn't like high school or college where some teams are really, really good, and other teams kinda suck and the good teams pick on the bad teams. They're professionals all the same, waiting to get called up. you won't encounter Olympians competing against the Bad News Bears Go to Japan. Even compared to the NHL, a greater parity can be achieved because if a player was skilled enough to be NHL ready, they would be playing there.

I'm digging a hole here, but here is where the game gets comparable. Scoring occurs due to capitalizing on weaknesses and the mistakes of the other players. It is just as hard for an AHL player to score a goal on an AHL goalie as it is for an NHL player to score a goal on an NHL goalie because their ability to assess and target weaknesses and capitalize mistakes is the same as the players on the other team. So, at each level competitive advantages and disadvantages are assessed the same. 

While NHL has the tv contract, it makes more sense to go to an AHL game because its cheaper for the ticket, cheaper for the beers, cheaper for the snacks. Unless you're a hockey scout or pro, you probably won't have the eye to discern the differences in the play because of how hockey is. Most people think they're trained to  recognize a superior product but that's because TV tells you whats going on to make you think that. At speed, it gets harder and while you can tell at times, it isn't a game like football  where there is less passing and more running at the lower levels. In an AHL game you get maybe a little bit less puck control, so its a little bit more like a national game with bad ice.

In either situation, the threat of scoring is always just as real, just as the threats of fights and hits, breakaways and saves. Is it the same as an NHL game? No, but it can be pretty close and you might not always be able tell.

I know its a hard argument to sell, and I don't know if I made it well. I probably lost some people out there. Hell, I lost myself I think. But the easier sell is, just stop thinking the results can be terribly different. They game can play out similarly and either can be just as fun if you put the same amount of heart and emotion into it.

Best Logo

This is just a dumb side-commentary, just me thinking about what teams I feel like I should invest most of my time, and I'm judging right now on the most shallow criteria possible:

Looks.

I mentioned in an earlier blog where aesthetics are key, so its important. So, my choices for best logos from each division.

Atlantic: Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Fair use

This is kinda a hard one bt the Phantom being the Flyer logo twice was a nice touch. But then again, the competition was a jacked up/drugged out penguin, a decent entry with the Falcons logo, a cat and a dog that don't look distinct enough from eachother, a classy bear, an overly complicated pirate and less effective retread of the Bruins logo.

North: Syracuse Crunch

Fair Use

This one was a little bit easier. There were some very classy ones such as the Rochester Americans which evokes patriotism and reminds me of Captain America. The Utica Comets is distinct and reminiscent of an actual NHL logo in many ways, and the Albany Devils retread is kinda cool in how it works out, almost better that the NHL devils logo. As for the rest, IceCaps are just meh, the Senators are kinda scary looking, and the Toronto Marlies are like the Bruins in that they aren't a fun retread of the NHL logo. Syracuse Crunch however is just a neat superhero design that brings me back to my days as a kid reading Silver Surfer. And since as a kid I didn't read Captain America, the Silver Surfer design is closer to my heart.

Central: Iowa Wild

Fair use: Public Domain

Ugh, I so want this one to be a tie. The Charlotte checkers logo is so nice in how it evokes a real top-grade team feel. Its the sort of logo that can really go on a hat. Simple but distinct. But that said the Wild Logo is just classy. It has that warm, rustic feel to it that makes me feel at home. It is just a great example of how the NHL logo works well with the AHL logo. Plus compared to Insanity Wolf Meme (whom WILL eat your children), angry moose (whom will also eat your children, albietly more slow), the lake monster whom will eat your children provided they go swimming, your friendly cartoon skull and cross-bones adamant on feeding your children poison, and finally biker pig and generic griffin whom probably won't hurt your children, but will probably be dicks to them none-the-less, the wild logo is just pretty and non-threatening. I could look at it all day.

 You have two fantastic standouts among a sea of duds. I don't want to have to choose. Screw it. It's a tie.

Fair use

Pacific: San Diego Gulls

Fair Use

This was perhaps the easiest of them all. Attitude Barracuda, is just a 90s video game reject I feel, Rampage is classy but lacks flair, Condors is too complicated, Heat and Ontario retreads suck, and while the Stars retread works, it isn't enough to overcome the originality of the Gulls logo. It feels like its out of a Mighty Ducks movie, which brings the AHL back to a more kid friendly state of mind. At least one infinitely more kid friendly than the Central division.

Springfield Falcons: Games to Gun For

Picture courtesy of Dinur, creative commons

Games to gun for will go over specific games and opponents fans might want to see. Criteria are based upon AHL rivalries, fun teams to watch in the AHL and regional rivalries between the local NHL teams. Consider it a guide for casual fans to know how to get the biggest bang for their buck.

First up on the slate are the teams I'm closest to locally. Since I have studied the Falcons Schedule more, in part due to work obligations, I have come up with a list of top 5 opponents to target in regards to games to see.

First things first.

Home opener: October 10th

Opponent: Hershey Bears

Analysis: This is a great game to go see. Its on a Saturday, the team is still optimistic and hopeful as they don't have a losing record yet, and they're playing against a team that has won the Calder Cup the most throughout history. Springfield and Hershey are pretty much the AHL's version of the Original Six so its a great game to go to, filled with history and a divisional rivalry. Plus these teams will only meet up 4 times throughout the year so this is a great chance for people in  the Springfield area to see a team they won't have too many chances to see.

Opponents to watch out for:

1. Hartford Wolfpack.

This is the dead give away. They face each other eight times and the beauty of the rivalry is they are so close geographically you can drive to Hartford and catch all eight. And the two teams clearly aren't on good terms, as their twitter accounts will show. Hartford and Springfield are always going to be a fun game.

2. Providence Bruins

If you live in Mass, you're probably a Bruins fan, which is what makes the 14 times these teams meet so special. It's a rivalry without hate. Good competitive hockey while Bruins fans get a chance to see the prospects that will be called up when injuries happen. Plus, they are a divisional opponent so even if your interest is more invested in the Falcons, its still an extra edge to the competition.

3. Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

This is a good one to love to hate. The Flyers are a big rival to the Bruins, you love to hate them, and the Phantoms are a divisional rival to the Falcons. A lot of hate to go around. If the Wolfpack is the most hated rival, Phantoms would do well as a second place team in this instance. 

4. Wilkes-Scranton  Penguins

Like the Phantoms, but probably a little bit less hated by the NHL Bruins fans. They're also a divisional rival so its good to help support the rivalry.

5. Syracuse Crunch

Not a divisional rival, or an affiliate rival, but their affiliate did go to the Stanley Cup last year, so they are worth checking out. Plus they have a pretty good reputation for starting fights, which means there will be a high likelihood of a fight. They play the Falcons only four times so it would be a good one to shoot for if you can.

Honorable Mentions: 

Bridgeport Soundtigers - They're also very local, southern Connecticut, which helps the rivalry. They just haven't been competitive. They made the playoffs once and got knocked out in the first round, and have had last place finishes three times since 2011. It's nice to go to for a nice win though.

Hall of Fame

Recently the AHL announced their own Hall of Fame nominations I am neither old enough nor have I been knowledgeable enough to be able to talk at length about any of the nominations. But it is an interesting piece of history.

Credit: AHL website

My knee jerk reaction was to think this was a really cool way to honor players and coaches and build upon the AHL's history. Second knee jerk reaction was why are people from the NHL hall of fame also being inducted? Then third knee jerk reaction was well, its whoever made the AHL special, though I'm still a bit confused at what exactly the criteria is that separates an NHL nomination from the AHL nomination. I've discussed the volatility of the league before and this was a smart way to ground the AHL a bit with names.

It seems like teams change their names, change locations, affiliations, lose players to moving up or trades. It's nice to keep track of the players who are good enough to make the AHL special, though perhaps more likely those players are probably owners, coaches or managers of AHL teams. Right now I'm trying to dig through it all to get a good glimpse of that history, though its pretty dry. They also seem to have a lot of ground to cover before they will get to the players and coaches of recent years that seem to make the Hall of Fame situation special for fans who might grow up watching the AHL. (It might even behoove them to add on a more contemporary inductee to their list to compliment more historical inductees while they get caught up.)

I would say, since its all online, pay it a visit. I'll be trying to get caught up before the season, and maybe look into doing some blogs on the history of the AHL teams / players. Ra-Ra.