AHL franchise decides to go independent.

This type of structure allows NHL teams to control their AHL counterparts and to continue the flow of prospects and players to the parent club so there is continuity between both teams. It's standard practice that assistant general managers are usually named general managers of their AHL squad to be two things.

One is to give open communication to the general manager so that he knows or she knows what's happening with this team and their players.

Two, it allows assistant general managers to learn how to do the job in case they are hired from other NHS organizations or step into the role after a GM is dismissed.

According to Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on the 32 Thoughts podcast, it appears that the AHL franchise Chicago Wolves are going independent.

They have only become the first AHL team to hire their general manager, and it appears that the Syracuse Crunch has gone a similar route of being independent but the Tampa Bay Lightning have their management in firm control.

It remains to be seen if this trend will continue, and if more teams will break away from the ranks of the NHL.