Canucks' AHL affiliate may move from Utica

[UKNuck96]

4 hours ago, Captain Canuck #12 said:

I've noticed there's a big divergence in this thread between the fans who think: A. that the most important thing for our prospects is that they be located nearby so that we can maybe watch them live and they can get to Vancouver quickly if needed for a (home) game; and, B. that the most important consideration for our prospects is that they be located somewhere where they can spend minimal time travelling to their games and maximum time practicing and developing their skills.  Which kind of thinker are you, A or B?

I’m b, reason because with a schedules have to align for it to happen. If you are an east coast team (or Cali team) less of an issue as even an Away game by either team probably still has them nearby, Vancouver doesn’t get that luxury. 

[70seven]

16 hours ago, UKNuck96 said:

Because as a developmental league an AHL team in Vancouver would spend more time travelling and get the least amount of practice time. For player development you want them on the ice as much as possible which is why Utica is a perfect spot for them 

Makes sense. Tnx!

[Junkyard Dog]

16 hours ago, UKNuck96 said:

Because as a developmental league an AHL team in Vancouver would spend more time travelling and get the least amount of practice time. For player development you want them on the ice as much as possible which is why Utica is a perfect spot for them 

On the flip side if there was an AHL team in BC the players in the AHL would already get used to the travelling and wouldn’t have to go through that sort of adjustment physically and mentally when called up initially since they’d already be used to it. 

[UKNuck96]

4 minutes ago, Junkyard Dog said:

On the flip side if there was an AHL team in BC the players in the AHL would already get used to the travelling and wouldn’t have to go through that sort of adjustment physically and mentally when called up initially since they’d already be used to it. 

Learn how to travel vs learn how to be a pro hockey player.
 

Whilst you can adjust certain elements of regime and sleep etc you cannot practice to get better at travel and the impact of crossing multiple time zones on your body clock 

[Junkyard Dog]

24 minutes ago, UKNuck96 said:

Learn how to travel vs learn how to be a pro hockey player.
 

Whilst you can adjust certain elements of regime and sleep etc you cannot practice to get better at travel and the impact of crossing multiple time zones on your body clock 

Canucks are still able to get practices in even with the travel. We still have players stepping in, developing and learning to be pro in the NHL. 
 

So in retrospect you can in fact learn to be a pro hockey player even if you have to travel more. 
 

In a regular AHL season they play 6 less games and usually end the regular season 5-10 days after the NHL regular season. 
 

In 2018-19(the last regular full season) NHL season started on October 3rd and ended on April 6th. The Playoffs started on April 10th

 

The same year the AHL season started October 5th and ended on April 15th. The playoffs started on April 17th. 
 

Thats 5 days longer from the start of regular season to start of the playoffs while having 6 less games than the NHL roughly speaking. More loose than the NHL schedule. 
 

So overall, under regular circumstances, an AHL team in BC would have a bit more a loose schedule than the Canucks. Then you topple the fact that we’ve had players develop here in Vancouver you can come to the conclusion that we could in fact have a AHL team here.  
 

In a condensed schedule though this sort of travel is problematic as demonstrated by our horrific start to the season.  At that point it’s short term vs long term argument about an ongoing situation which is hard to have a conversation about. Next year is a fluid situation too for both the NHL and AHL. A lot of it is up in the air.