The Golden Knights have "expressed an interest in purchasing a franchise in the AHL and ultimately moving it to Las Vegas," according to David Schoen of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. AHL President & CEO David Andrews indicated that the Golden Knights "have discussesd buying a team with other owners, but no plan was in place." The team currently is affiliated with the Chicago Wolves and has a five-year agreement through '21-22. The Wolves are independently owned by Don Levin and Buddy Meyers and are "one of the league's most successful and stable franchises." AHL teams are "increasingly seeking to exhibit more control over their minor league club and provide players with access to the same training facilities as the parent club." The Sharks, Maple Leafs and Jets in recent years have "relocated their minor league teams to the same city" they play in. Chicago is around 1,750 miles from Las Vegas, making it the second-longest distance between AHL and NHL affiliates; Utica is nearly 3,000 miles from Vancouver and the Canucks. Meanwhile, there "doesn't appear to be a 'for sale' sign hanging on any doors at the moment" of any AHL clubs (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/28).
