Checkers AHL-Bound

[Shanahan1414]

Wow, big news indeed...wishful thinking on my part, but it would be sweet if the new ECHL affiliate was the Reading Royals...I'd be there every weekend.

[sheltonpackfan]

latest news I heard is that the Charlotte's ECHL ownership could announce the purchase of the Albany franchise today, but doesnt mean they would stay in the Rangers organization

[Phildagoalie]

If the Charotte Checkers are going to become Caolina Hurricanes' property, then maybe their Albany River Rats could be renamed the Albany Rat Pack.

[mariojr.]

Times Union Center general manager Bob Belber said the odds are overwhelming the downtown building will have an AHL tenant next season, stating an agreement could come as early as Thursday.

“I think it’s over 90″ percent in favor of the arena landing a team, he said Wednesday afternoon.

With the future of the Albany River Rats in doubt long before Wednesday’s announcement that the franchise is moving to Charlotte, N.C., for the 2010-11 campaign, Belber has been reaching out and gauging the interest of other potential AHL teams.

“There are a number of AHL franchises that may not stay where they are next season,” Belber said. “There are a couple of different groups we are negotiating with, which is good.”

Belber said there have been talks with three AHL affiliates located in the Northeast, with negotiations active with two of them. (Belber did not identify any of the parties out of concern for those cities and fan bases and the state of negotiations.) He did meet with one of the ownership groups at Times Union Center on Tuesday.

http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/ar...3944/#comments

Sounds like the Pack to Albany could be a real possibility.

[sheltonpackfan]

another possibility could be the return of the Devils to Albany. New Jersey wants out of Lowell due to the fact they can't average over 2,000 per game.

[mariojr.]

Originally Posted by sheltonpackfan

another possibility could be the return of the Devils to Albany. New Jersey wants out of Lowell due to the fact they can't average over 2,000 per game.

True. True.

Squishy there are rumours of the Pack going to Binghamton or Syracuse as well.

[Shanahan1414]

Originally Posted by sheltonpackfan

another possibility could be the return of the Devils to Albany. New Jersey wants out of Lowell due to the fact they can't average over 2,000 per game.

NJ should fold period, top to bottom.

[mariojr.]

Howard Baldwin, aka The Joker, throwing his hat into the ring?

Howard Baldwin has taken serious steps toward taking over management of the AHL franchise in Hartford. That's what our sources are telling us.

http://www.courant.com/sports/hockey...7219450.column

[Papa]

Holy Shit. It's Harry The Hair Baldwin. Haven't seen him since back in the North Stars days.

[mariojr.]

Mitch Beck with some new info care of Jim Schoenfeld:

Hartford Wolf Pack GM Jim Schoenfeld flatly denied that on Sunday the Rangers were considering Albany or anywhere else.

‘We like Hartford; we have no desire to move anywhere. We have a lease. I thinks its pure speculation. We haven’t talked to them (Albany) or anyplace else.” remarked the thirty year professional in his fifth year as the team’s GM.

Schoenfeld did confirm however, that the team has talked to Howard Baldwin, the one time owner of the NHL Hartford Whalers and founder of the franchise as the New England Whalers in the WHA. Baldwin, who now resides back in Connecticut, spoke with the Rangers regarding his desire to possibly purchase or manage the team. This was first reported by Rich Coppola, Sports Director for WTIC-TV Fox-61 in Hartford.

“We have talked to Howard, but that’s it, just talked. No deals, no agreements or anything else. Beyond that, I can’t comment much more.” said Schoenfeld.

http://howlings.net/