Makaveli_1871 Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 That would be pretty sweet. Then if u can't get tickets to a flames game, you can still go watch the prospects play. Bet those games will prb be sold out too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn_smythe Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 The only chance that this would work is if the hitmen were completely out of the picture. And personally, I'd rather go see the hitmen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DionLover003 Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 huh. i never actually thought of that.. i'd definitely go, and you're right about them playing in the Coral, that way it doesn't disrupt the Hitmen. thats actually a good idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzled_bear Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 If Calgary was able to get an AHL team, that would likely spell the end of the Hitmen. Toronto is able to keep a team like the Marlies due to a massive population and a hockey demand that had made Leafs tickets available to only the 7 richest kinds of Europe, making Marlies games an affordable alternative for Leaf fans. Calgary doesn't have that same population to draw from, and the Hitmen really cover that demographic. Personally, I'd rather have AHL teams in markets in the States, where they will be able to perhaps educate the not-as-hockey-knowledgeable to a great game, at a cheaper price, and help bring more fans to the game. Also, factor in travel costs for having a team on the prairies and you have an inflated expense just for existing. Not trying to kill an idea, I mean, I would like to see some AHL hockey, but if thats at the expense of a WHL hockey francahise, then I don't think its worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapex Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Yea, dont get me wrong. I do love the Hitmen and I love having them here but I think itd be great to have the Junior Flames. It would give us a better chance to see our prospects and to see other teams prospects when they come to Calgary to play the junior Flames. The team would probably have to change their name though as we already have the Calgary Flames. Would be a bit confusing to have two Calgary Flames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock41 Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Not taking our team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_People1 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 They can play at the saddledome, move them or the Hitmen to the Correl center? (its about time that place gets put to good use again) I don't think the Coral meets NHL/AHL rink sizes regulations. It's must be renovated and that's too expensive to do for a Farm team. If Calgary was able to get an AHL team, that would likely spell the end of the Hitmen. Toronto is able to keep a team like the Marlies due to a massive population and a hockey demand that had made Leafs tickets available to only the 7 richest kinds of Europe, making Marlies games an affordable alternative for Leaf fans. Calgary doesn't have that same population to draw from, and the Hitmen really cover that demographic. Personally, I'd rather have AHL teams in markets in the States, where they will be able to perhaps educate the not-as-hockey-knowledgeable to a great game, at a cheaper price, and help bring more fans to the game. Also, factor in travel costs for having a team on the prairies and you have an inflated expense just for existing.Not trying to kill an idea, I mean, I would like to see some AHL hockey, but if thats at the expense of a WHL hockey francahise, then I don't think its worth it. Some good points here and I agree that it's not economical to put the Baby Flames in Calgary. Travel costs, lease agreements, and competition for revenue/attendance to a degree, are all issues. Hockey is hockey to some but to the hardcore, the CHL and AHL offer an alternative within the same genre. I believe both products would draw well enough to keep operations viable but the Baby Flames would definitely take away a few fans from the Hitmen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roasted_marshmallow Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 I don't think the Coral meets NHL/AHL rink sizes regulations.It's must be renovated and that's too expensive to do for a Farm team. Although they also had to renovate the iWireless Center... Some good points here and I agree that it's not economical to put the Baby Flames in Calgary. Travel costs, lease agreements, and competition for revenue/attendance to a degree, are all issues. Hockey is hockey to some but to the hardcore, the CHL and AHL offer an alternative within the same genre. I believe both products would draw well enough to keep operations viable but the Baby Flames would definitely take away a few fans from the Hitmen. I agree. It's too cost prohibitive. Frankly, the Hitmen probably make more money than the QC Flames do, or would even if they moved here. Since the Flames own the Hitmen, that's a better situation for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zirakzigil Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 The only chance that this would work is if the hitmen were completely out of the picture. And personally, I'd rather go see the hitmen. Agree with both. We couldnt keep 3 teams going with good attendance so the Hitman would have to go and I enjoy watching them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanny4mayor Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Interesting idea... To those that argued about the costs, think of it in another way: I believe the Flames own the Hitmen (I could be wrong). The Flames only own the name and affiliation to Quad City. If the Baby Flames would generate more seats than the Hitmen games, maybe this change could be the impetus of a new arena. Flames games - 41 regular games, 4 preseason, 2-16 postseason (hopefully) 45-60 nights Baby Flames - similar numbers The new arena would already be at roughly 40% capacity The Hitmen could stay playing at the Saddledome until it becomes a "white elephant" If they wanted to move the Quad City Flames here earlier than the timeframe of a new arena, then I think bye-bye Hitmen still makes economic sense as the Baby Flames will likely outdraw the Hitmen. (on an aside, Calgary as a city NEEDS a good facility that houses 8000-10,000 seats for so many sporting and non-sporting events. Maybe the Hitmen need a new home (in Calgary) anyways.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roasted_marshmallow Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Interesting idea...To those that argued about the costs, think of it in another way: I believe the Flames own the Hitmen (I could be wrong). The Flames only own the name and affiliation to Quad City. If the Baby Flames would generate more seats than the Hitmen games, maybe this change could be the impetus of a new arena. Flames games - 41 regular games, 4 preseason, 2-16 postseason (hopefully) 45-60 nights Baby Flames - similar numbers The new arena would already be at roughly 40% capacity The Hitmen could stay playing at the Saddledome until it becomes a "white elephant" If they wanted to move the Quad City Flames here earlier than the timeframe of a new arena, then I think bye-bye Hitmen still makes economic sense as the Baby Flames will likely outdraw the Hitmen. (on an aside, Calgary as a city NEEDS a good facility that houses 8000-10,000 seats for so many sporting and non-sporting events. Maybe the Hitmen need a new home (in Calgary) anyways.) You forget that the Baby Flames have higher salaries and cost more to run. People won't pay more to see them, they'd pay the same as they would the Hitmen. The Hitmen however, don't earn salaries and are easy to run. It's cheaper and makes more money to run a WHL team than an AHL team. This doesn't even ntake into consideration the added expenses of travel and whatnot. The Saddledome will be demolished as the Stampede needs that room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conroy24Regehr28 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 I wouldnt buy tickets I would just be saving up for the real flames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunk_Skunk Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 There's more than a couple of people around here that would be happy to give the Flames to Calgary. I'm not one of them, but there are quite a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslinger Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 There's more than a couple of people around here that would be happy to give the Flames to Calgary. I'm not one of them, but there are quite a few. Why is that? Do they prefer UHL hockey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunk_Skunk Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Why is that? Do they prefer UHL hockey? No. I only know one person that prefers UHL/IHL hockey, and quite frankly I fear for her sanity. The most common complaint that I've heard is that Calgary doesn't care about their farm team. Several of the people I've talked to would prefer to be affiliated with a team like Atlanta, that allows their AHL team to sign quite a few of their own players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody1774 Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 I was going to suggest that perhaps Calgary geographically would not work logistically. The team would have to fly out of their time zone for every single road game, and would play a huge chunk of their schedule in the Eastern Time Zone. My guess is that travel expenses would make it unreasonable to house an AHL team in Calgary. Although I am sure the team would do fine in Calgary, attendance wise, it just doesn't make much sense given the current location of the other 28/29 teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmilleville Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 QUAD CITY IS THE HOME FOR A LONG TIME TO COME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conroy24Regehr28 Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 QUAD CITY IS THE HOME FOR A LONG TIME TO COME. thats what they said about Omaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapex Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 thats what they said about Omaha you got that right! and them staying there didnt last long Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslinger Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 thats what they said about Omaha It's a different situation in QC than in Omaha. One big reason is that there are local owners in QC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfrerkes Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 You forget that the Baby Flames have higher salaries and cost more to run. People won't pay more to see them, they'd pay the same as they would the Hitmen. The Hitmen however, don't earn salaries and are easy to run. It's cheaper and makes more money to run a WHL team than an AHL team. This doesn't even ntake into consideration the added expenses of travel and whatnot. The AHL is pretty much geographically centered in the eastern Great Lakes region of the United States. With the exception of Manitoba (a former NHL market) there are no teams even remotely adjacent to Calgary. Given the huge expenses that Calgary and its division rivals would incur, I doubt the AHL would embrace such a move. Chicago, Philadelphia, and Toronto can get away with it only because they're within the prescribed boundaries of the league. The QC Flames are, geographically speaking, a near-perfect match for the present divisional alignment. The AHL is attempting to push even more teams into their existing Midwest footprint to further minimize travel costs. Relocating QC to Calgary would throw a serious wrench into those plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGY_07 Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 That would be pretty sweet. Then if u can't get tickets to a flames game, you can still go watch the prospects play. Bet those games will prb be sold out too. No way, i not with the hitmen around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfrerkes Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 Let's, for sake of this argument, set aside the monumental logistical problems the AHL would encounter by having the Baby Flames in Calgary. Having all three teams (both Flames and the Hitmen) playing in one arena could stretch the market a little thin while creating possible scheduling bottlenecks. The Baby Flames would certainly see an increase over their 3,400/game in Quad City right now, but it would be at the expense of the Hitmen's attendance figures. That would diminish the potential profitability of both teams. The QC Flames will last longer than the Omaha Knights did...but by exactly how many seasons, I'm not yet sure. The attendance has been picking up noticeably during the last month. In fact, if you compare the Friday/Saturday dates from earlier this season to the ones in February, it's approximately a 35% increase. If that trend sustains itself for the rest of the season, and into 08-09...there's no doubt the QC Flames will be around for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tachaudh Posted February 26, 2008 Report Share Posted February 26, 2008 You can't compare Calgary to Toronto, it's 6 times the size. AHL wouldn't work here, just not a big enough market to support it. I'm not saying Calgary isn't a hockeytown, but just bc it's a hockeytown, it doesnt mean you can put up any team here from any league and it would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslinger Posted February 26, 2008 Report Share Posted February 26, 2008 You can't compare Calgary to Toronto, it's 6 times the size. AHL wouldn't work here, just not a big enough market to support it. I'm not saying Calgary isn't a hockeytown, but just bc it's a hockeytown, it doesnt mean you can put up any team here from any league and it would work. It would work without a WHL team in Calgary if all other things were equal...but they're not. The travel alone kills this idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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