Blue Jackets Change Affiliate to Springfield
by Mike MacLean on Mar 18, 2010 12:03 AM EDT
in Springfield Falcons and Chicago Express
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The Columbus Dispatch is reporting tonight that the Jackets and the Crunch were unable to come to an agreement on a renewal of their affilation. The Jackets will no longer use the AHL's Syracuse Crunch as their farm team, and will instead partner with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL.
On a personal level, I have mixed emotions on this move. I follow the AHL quite closely, and I have always wanted to see the Crunch do well. That said, the past couple of seasons have seen me grow sour on the Crunch to an extent. I enjoy reading Lindsay Kramer's blog- in fact I link to it in a sidebar here on The Cannon. The problem with Kramer's blog though, is the people who comment on it, and the tone of some of his posts. It seems there are never-ending complaints regarding the partnership, with accusations such as: "Columbus doesn't care about Syracuse" and "The Blue Jackets do nothing to help the Crunch".
I call bullshit. The Jackets have consistently made trades and signed players for the sole intent of improving the Crunch. Look at this year. Deals were made to bring in guys like Brendan Bell, Tomas Kana, Greg Moore and Chad Kolarik. These guys haven't even sniffed NHL ice. Those players were brought in to make the Crunch better. Over the years there have been similar deals, with limited success. You can't fault the Blue Jackets- they always, year in and year out tried to make the Crunch a better team.
I am excited for this fresh start. The Falcons aren't one of the marquee franchises in the AHL, and some would argue that they are only in the league because the AHL HQ is in Springfield. I think that at least for next year this partnership could be something special- a new home for some of the incumbent prospects that Columbus has playing in Syracuse, and a change in culture as well. The new prospects such as Matt Calvert, who haven't experienced Syracuse, can be part of the first wave of Columbus prospects who have spent time as Falcons.
At the end of the day I wish the Crunch well, but it really bothers me that parts of the Crunch fanbase and media honestly believe that Columbus never made a complete effort towards making the Crunch a good team. I look forward to cheering for the Falcons and I can't wait to see them in action.
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Glad to see the change. It had to happen. Plus, I’m tired of reading about how the Crunch fans claim we do nothing for them.
Any idea who will pick them up?
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
"Turner, at midcourt...inside it, at the buzzer, GOT IT!!!!"
by Andrew Tolliver on Mar 18, 2010 8:52 AM EDT reply actions
not the change needed or wanted....
sorry, Springfield but I wanted Cleveland to get it, I think this team would really benefit from finally joining the other teams inside the Heartland. Eh, whatever, just means I will continue not to really follow the farm team….shame, I wanted to get some season tickets too.
Skip the Pitt, Move on down to Broad Street....
Philadelphia Flyers / Columbus Blue Jackets, 'nuff said.
by PhillyPhan85 on Mar 18, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Not that simple, PP.
Lake Erie is still under contract with the Avalanche until 2011. The only reason the CBJ can just leave is because their contract is up, so they’re free to look elsewhere.
With the way the Springfield deal is set up, don’t be shocked to see the Jackets moving their AHL team to Lake Erie for 2011-2012…
yeah i get that...
but that was what they really needed, keeping your minor leagues out of state keeps fans from really becoming involved in a team, when its an hour drive to see the Jackets but 12 hour drive to check out the farm team.
Skip the Pitt, Move on down to Broad Street....
Philadelphia Flyers / Columbus Blue Jackets, 'nuff said.
by PhillyPhan85 on Mar 19, 2010 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
But there was no way they could do that this year unless they wanted to pay a lot of money. the springfield contract is for one year. The LEM contract is up after next year. put 1 and 1 together…
I hate the steelers the way a mother loves a child.
by notthatnoise on Mar 19, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh?
“The Blue Jackets do nothing to help the Crunch?” Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it the job of the farm team to help develop the players so they can in turn help the big club? You had it wrong Crunch fans…the Jackets weren’t supposed to help YOU. YOU were supposed to help the JACKETS. Don’t have to worry about that anymore. Welcome to the family, Springfield.
I’m from Central NY, and the Crunch are one of the big reasons why I’m a CBJ fan. Having only “recently” become a proper hockey follower, it was natural for me to follow my favorite college player (Clitsome) to the AHL and then the NHL team he was a part of.
While I won’t change my NHL affiliation (that would be a silly move), I can’t say I’m pleased to watch Columbus remove its association. I do hope that Syracuse lands another NHL connection. Upstate NY features a decent population and a fairly healthy hockey fanbase. With the nearest NHL teams in Buffalo, NYC, Toronto, or Ottawa, anyone in central New York doesn’t have close access to a pro team. Binghamton and the Adirondack team aren’t close enough.
CBJ was a great connection on our side. That said Syracuse has had some NHL affiliation since 1994. I the Crunch getting back to business real quickly. It’s just sad (for me) that this change had to happen.
I think the rumor is that the rangers are looking at the crunch
I hate the steelers the way a mother loves a child.
by notthatnoise on Mar 19, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
You guys will be welcomed in Springfield with open arms. We have a grand world class arena and a good core fan base which we know will grow with success.
Love it! Personally I can’t wait. It’ll be nice having a minor league team that is supportive of its parent team.
Lets Go Fal-cons!
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
"Turner, at midcourt...inside it, at the buzzer, GOT IT!!!!"
by Andrew Tolliver on Mar 19, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
So far there’s been no confirmation on any of the team’s websites, but I have to think with this rumor being ignored, that it must really be true. There have been a lot of rumored affiliates over the last few months in Springfield. Among them…Devils, Rangers, Ducks to name but a few. Nobody I talk to even thought of CBJ being on the radar!
To zekebud: the Crunch draw well (10th in AHL attendance), I’m sure another club will be very happy to connect with a substantial built in fan base.
Following up on a rumor, same day I heard about CBJ and the Falcons, I also heard the NYR re-upped in Hartford for 2 more years.
Thanks for the warm welcome! I hope the deal amounts to much more than just one year with an option!
by Suffering in Springfield on Mar 19, 2010 4:49 PM EDT reply actions
RE: Syracuse
If this is a one year deal, good for them. As a Lake Erie Monster STH and Ohioan, I always enjoyed watching the Jr. Jackets come to town. They moved to the East this year so we only saw them once…
Maybe, they’ll pull up the stakes again in 2011-2012 and move it to Cleveland to replace Colorado though I doubt that will happen. Colorado has been pretty good to us so far even though we have yet to sniff the playoffs…
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