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Lightning signs AHL affiliate agreement with Syracuse; Norfolk talking to Ducks?

Norfolk

Just days after winning the Calder Cup, the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals are looking for a new parent club. The one they’ve had since 2007, the Tampa Bay Lightning, has signed an affiliation agreement with the Syracuse Crunch.

The Admirals released a statement on their website assuring fans the team isn’t going anywhere and that they “anticipate announcing an affiliation agreement” with an NHL club “in the near future.”

The Virginian-Pilot reports that the NHL club could be the Anaheim Ducks, who have been the parent of the Crunch the past two seasons.

Lightning VP and Admirals’ GM Julien Brisebois tells the paper the move is being made to cut down on bus travel.

“We have no problem with the city, with the arena, with ownership of the Admirals,” Brisebois said. “I think it makes a huge difference in the wear and tear on the players. A good night’s sleep on a regular basis is important.”

As you can see here, Norfolk’s division rivals -- Binghamton, Syracuse, Hershey and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton -- are a ways away.