NASHVILLE - The Lightning's long, strange trip through the American Hockey League has ended.
The team reached a three-year agreement with the Springfield Falcons to be its AHL affiliate, beginning next season. Lightning general manager Jay Feaster declined comment, but he will be in Springfield, Mass., for a news conference at 1 today. The announcement will be a welcome relief for Tampa Bay, which has had a minor-league system that, in Feaster's words, has been on "life support."
"Jay made a comment to me during our discussions that he didn't feel the organization could take the next step without controlling their own affiliation," said Rochester owner Steve Donner, who spoke with Feaster last summer about a possible affiliate deal.
"For the future of the Tampa Bay Lightning, having a primary affiliate is a great advantage to developing young players."
Since the IHL and Detroit Vipers folded in the summer of 2001, the Lightning has shared affiliates. It shared Springfield with the Coyotes from 2001-03, and this season has players in Hamilton, Ontario; Hershey, Pa.; and West Valley City, Utah. The Coyotes contract with the Falcons is still valid. But Phoenix wants an affiliate closer to home (Utah is a possibility), and its contract gives it an out if another NHL team takes over Springfield.
The Lightning almost reached an agreement last summer with Rochester, but Donner decided to stick with long-time partner Buffalo. Feaster also had talks with former Penguins owner Howard Baldwin, who owns the inactive Louisville franchise, and Utah, which is losing its affiliate deal with the Stars.
