Syracuse On The Lookout For New Affiliate

The Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League are currently on the lookout for a new NHL affiliate after the Columbus Blue Jackets cut ties with them this week. According to the Syracuse Post-Standard, Crunch owner Howard Dolgon is inching closer and closer to signing a new affiliation agreement with another team.

Syracuse is shopping around because it looks like its 10-year affiliation with Columbus is over, with the Blue Jackets jumping over to Springfield. The only clue Dolgon has given is that he’s focusing on one team right now, and that a deal could be imminent.

That development could point to Anaheim as a potential partner for a couple of reasons. First, the Ducks do not have an AHL affiliate this season. Secondly, if the Crunch was close to a pact with a team that currently has another AHL affiliate, both Syracuse and the new parent club might want to wait until the end of the season to announce it.

“I’m waiting to hear back from a certain team,” Dolgon said. “I could get a phone call today and then I’ll be ready to roll. We’re pretty sure we have a clear picture where we are going.”