AHL has a framework for a Feb. 5 start

As everyone scurries around to finalize details for NHL camps to open over the next few days, we got a bit of news from the American Hockey League on their restart for 2020-21.

The Stockton Heat, the Flames’ primary affiliate, are part of the AHL. Presumably following the Flames’ camp ending on Jan. 12, they would be assigning their cuts to AHL camp in advance of the Feb. 5 start to that league’s season.

The next step will be seeing which teams intend on operating for 2020-21. While the Flames own the Heat outright, as several NHL clubs own their AHL farm teams, several of the AHL’s clubs are independently owned and may not have the financial resources to operate for a season without revenue from fans.

AHL clubs not owned by their NHL parent franchise include:

Last word was the Heat were intending to play in 2020-21, but plans can always change.