Are the Lightning changing AHL affiliates?

by John Fontana on May 19, 2011 3:14 PM EDT

News cycles can be dominated by big stories, and of course the big story for the Tampa Bay Lightning is battling the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals. But of course, the league moves on even though the playoffs are ongoing: Teams are looking at next season, hunting new coaches, plotting draft strategies and setting their personal draft boards, and other logistical and business type stuff involving each NHL franchise individually.

No matter that the Bolts are neck-deep in the playoffs, the business of the club and the long-term planning for the team rumbles on as the following rumor shows.

While this article focuses on the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates and questions about their affiliation going forward, there are a couple of other casually referenced forthcoming affiliation changes in store for the AHL clubs.

It's expected that Tampa Bay will announce shortly that they will be leaving the Norfolk Admirals for the Syracuse Crunch, which will leave the Anaheim Ducks looking for a new parent club. They were affiliated with the Pirates from 2005-'08 before heading Des Moines.

Wait, wait, wait... The Lightning are looking to end their affiliation agreement with the Norfolk Admirals? Say what? Syracuse Crunch? I beg your pardon?

The Admirals 2010-11 season was the first season a Tampa Bay Lightning AHL/IHL affiliate ever made the playoffs. It was the Ads first season in the playoffs since affiliating with Tampa Bay as well. We've heard about Norfolk being much happier now with the affiliation than they had been under the regime of OK Hockey.

Things are improving, the affiliate is happy; it's in a logistically sound location compared to the team it is affiliated with. Why change things now?

Bolt Prospects has a conversation ongoing about this on their message board. Reasons are discussed, questions raised... It's a good spot to continue to monitor this to see if it has merit in the end.

This post was written by a member of the Raw Charge community and doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Raw Charge staff.

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It affects us less than Norfolk

But Norfolk is a lot easier to access from Tampa, and it’s easier to access for me (now that I’m moving to NC), so I don’t like the idea. If the Panthers want to move closer, why would we oblige them by moving farther away? Especially if, as you said, everybody’s been pretty happy.

Heel for school, Vol for life!

Go Bolts! Out West, go Preds! Southern hockey solidarity!

by Incipient_Senescence on May 19, 2011 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

This is a surprise to me as well

Outward appearances looked like strong indicators the affiliation was going well and would be continuing. In fact, the Lightning even had some of the Admirals staff (owner included) attend the game last night (info via Twitter).

’Twill be an interesting thing to watch for sure.

"[The Lightning] are uncanny. When they want to get a goal, it's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch. When they are down, it's just like they think, 'we know we are going to score.' I don't know what it is, it leaves [the opposition] flabbergasted." - Mike Knuble, 3 May 2011

by MTBoltFan on May 20, 2011 7:34 AM EDT reply actions

The Ads owner lives in Lutz.

I’d rather have the Ads as our affiliate. I’d like some continuity instead of continuing the hop-skip-jump affiliations like we’ve had for the entire duration of the franchise existence.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on May 20, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Bolts were affiliated with Springfield a few years ago if I’m not mistaken?

by 13_Legion on May 21, 2011 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, first full AHL affiliate… Which is a joke. For a few years, the Lightning just scattered around prospects through the AHL in loans.

They previously were affiliated with the Detroit Vipers (IHL), Cleveland Barons (IHL), and Atlanta Knights (IHL).

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on May 21, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I found out he’s from the area while I was in Norfolk earlier this year. I do know, though, the PR guy for the Ads was on the plane with him coming down, too—and that is out of the ordinary.

I, too, would like the relationship to stay as-is. There are some in the Hampton Roads area, though, that would love for the Ads to be the AHL team for the Caps instead of the Bears.

As you said, John—will be an interesting subject to watch.

by MTBoltFan on May 21, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions