“Time to try something new…” That’s what I always used to say…It might explain the three marriages, but I digress…
We haven’t done a Q&A here since we started Howlings over three years ago. I think it’s high time we tried.
So here it is…your chance to ask anything you like in terms of The New York Rangers, The Hartford Wolf Pack / Connecticut Whalers, The Charlotte Checkers or even the Greenville Road Warriors.
Fire away and you know you’ll get nothing but the truth…so help me Dolan… Well, he seems to think so anyway…
Mitch,
When do you expect an announcement about the Wolf Pack becoming the Connecticut Whalers?
Craig,
Thank you for the question.
I think we’re at a very important juncture with this team. If the Rangers and WhalersSports are not able to come to an agreement so that Howard Baldwin can market this team, it’s our opinion that this will be the last season for the Rangers in Hartford.
The information that we have was that the principles of an agreement are in place, but that the lawyers have it in their hands now…and we all know what can go down when that happens. One thing that I’ve always believed is that lawyers don’t get paid to resolve issues but to exploit them.
The silliest thing about this is that both groups really could benefit from working with the other and hopefully they will get it done shortly and that resolution and an announcement are forthcoming.
Again, thank you for your question.
If the Wolfpack do end up moving, how long before another AHL team will move to Hartford?
Kyle,
Thank you for your question.
It’s a VERY interesting scenario. If the Rangers pulled out, I think then that Howard would work at finding a relationship with another organziation and bringing them there with the same idea.
If I know the thought process behind these guys, I would think that there would be plenty of teams out there that would want to work with Howard and his group. That’s a VERY interesting question indeed…
Mitch,
Thank you for the information. I am a repeat season ticket holder for the Wolf Pack and I’d like nothing more than to see improved attendance.
Do you think that Wade Redden will end up in Hartford this year?
Craig,
If I were betting money, yes, Redden will be in Hartford…but only for a short time. My guess is that the Rangers will work out something that sends him to Europe as was done with some others…Michael Nylander in particular.
Thanks for answering my previous question Mitch.
I had just checked the hartford courant website, and according to this article (http://www.courant.com/sports/hockey/wolfpack/hc-wolf-pack-name-change-whalers-082320100822,0,6810701.story) the name change is not going to happen this year. However, the article does hint that something could happen in the middle of the year.
How likely is the possibility of a name change in midseason? And when the wolfpack do eventually play the Winter Festival at Rentschler, do you think there’s a good chance they would debut the new uniforms then?
Kyle,
Your logic makes perfect sense to me… The article by Jeff Jacobs is right in line with the information that I have and have shared here.
Now the article suggests that Baldwin doesn’t even have control of the Wolf Pack yet let alone renaming them the Whalers. Do you believe at some point this season he will be running the show? I know the CT Whalers is out of the question for opening night, but will Howard be helping market the Wolf Pack before Oct. 9th?
I don’t have a definite answer for that Ben, but I TOTALLY believe that he will wind up with it.
Mitch, Its been a little while now and the CT Whalers thing has seemed to die off. I haven’t heard anything about it. Do you know any new news?
It’s in the hands of the lawyers. It’s going to take some time.