Even though the Senators inked a contract extension with Binghamton in 2014 that runs through the 2018-19 season, rumours have been floating around the interwebs these past few weeks speculating on the future of the relationship between the Ottawa Senators’ and their AHL affiliate in Binghamton.
Where those rumours originated, I have no idea, but today, PostMedia’s Bruce Garrioch indicated that the “talk in AHL circles is the club is investigating relocating the franchise to the Yardman Arena in Bellevile for the 2017-18 campaign.”
According to Garrioch’s article, the City of Belleville’s mayor signed a non-disclosure agreement and letter of intent back in January with an undisclosed group to bring hockey back to Belleville.
Although an agreement has been made with an architectural firm to draft renovation plans, “the biggest stumbling block to get a deal in place would be Belleville city council’s approval of millions of dollars in renovations to the arena.”
In other words, this is no sure thing and that’s even before Ottawa finds a way to get out from underneath its existing agreement with Binghamton — although as one Twitter follower pointed out, apparently there are rumours out there that the New York Rangers are interested in moving their AHL affiliate from Connecticut and revitalizing the Binghamton Rangers, so who knows?
Binghamton has spent the last 14-seasons as an affiliate to Ottawa and the pinnacle of this relationship was Binghamton’s 2011 Calder Cup championship.
Despite that success, the affiliation has had its share of peaks and valleys.
Putting the 2011 Calder Cup and Kaspars Daugavin’s ‘Rooster’ speeches aside, the affiliate failed to reach the postseason in seven of its seasons and on four other occasions when it qualified for the postseason, the organization bowed out in the first round — including in 2004-05, when its arguably had its strongest collection of talent thanks to the NHL lockout.
The advantages of moving from Binghamton are straightforward. Belleville’s a shorter distance from Ottawa and being situated in this province, most recalls won’t involve a player having to cross the U.S./Canadian border. Similarly, fans in Belleville can actually access most of Ottawa’s games on television thanks to the new TSN regional broadcast agreement.
The Senators organization certainly seems to be trying to push its presence down the 401 recently.
Big thanks to #Sens Nick, Mark, Kyle, Mika, Zack, Jean-Gabriel, Chris & Cody for coming to @Ridley_College today! pic.twitter.com/4IzwbiNjsC
— Eugene Melnyk (@MelnykEugene) April 22, 2016
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