Are The Wolf Pack Returning To Hartford?

What's going on guys? 

Today's post isn't a concept post but more of some speculation regarding the American Hockey League franchise in Hartford, Connecticut. My backyard if you will...There has been a lot of doubt these past few months as to weather there will be professional hockey in Hartford next season with the Connecticut Whale's lease at the XL Center being up at the end of this season. The New York Rangers have said that they would like to keep the franchise in Hartford but lease talks have been halted due to the fact that the current lease to operate the building is up in August. AEG, the company that currently runs the XL Center, has operated the building since 2007 (Before that, Madison Square Garden Inc. was in control of the building since the Whalers packed up for North Carolina) was among three companies the Capital Region Development Authority were accepting bids from to operate the building come august. The other two Companies bidding were "The Bushnell", a local company headed by former Hartford Whaler, Bob Crawford and Global Spectrum. A company that is owned by Philadelphia Flyers owner, Ed Snyder. And after months of mulling over the bids, the CRDA finally chose a winner last week...The Winner was Global Spectrum.

Now that all the craziness is all set and done, now comes the time to find an keep/find an AHL franchise in Hartford. Reason being is that the arena management contract deal can't really be finalized until one is secured. Global Spectrum has until March 1st to keep the current AHL franchise or have one relocate or the deal will be voided.

MSG has expressed that they want to stay in Hartford because of the success of their prospects and the close proximity to NYC. Shortly after the arena deal was announced, there has been talks that a lease deal with the CT Whale is very close from being done.

Now here is the part about the name of the franchise...

If/when a lease deal with the current AHL franchise is finalized, one question that comes to mind is what name will we be rooting for come next season? When Howard Baldwin was run out of Hartford late this past off season, his group allowed AEG to use the CT Whale's name and logos. Now that AEG wont manage the arena or the team, Baldwin may not let GS use the CT Whale brand. If not. What will they be called? Well, a few days ago, MSG renewed the "hartfordwolfpack.com" domain. Renaming the team the Hartford Wolf Pack would seem like the easiest option due to the fact that MSG still owns the rights to the Wolf Pack name and logos.

So hopefully sooner, rather than later, a decision will be made so Hartford Hockey fans can have a name to root for.

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I'm sure this story might not make sense to some of you because I am not great at writing thing like this. So, if you have any questions or need any clarifications, feel free to leave a comment and I will gladly answer!

-Scott