Kevin Oklobzija

@kevinoDandC

In dairy products, homogenization is very good.

In the American Hockey League, homogenization would also be very good, but it won't be happening with the schedule any time soon.

The five California-based teams will continue to operate under their own NHL-backed agenda and play fewer games, 68, while the league's other 25 teams will still play 76.

In an ideal world, it's not what AHL president Dave Andrews would want. But for now, members of the league will live with it. They're content, at least in the short term, with the possible inequities in terms of competitive balance come playoff time.

With five teams playing 10 percent fewer games, the California-based players will have endured far less wear and tear, and will have had the benefit of longer recuperation times throughout the season.

"It's not a perfect situation, but the alternative was unacceptable," Andrews said.

The alternative — which the AHL faced head-on at last year's mid-winter Board of Governors meeting — was an alternative league.

The Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, with the backing of the NHL, devised a move of their AHL affiliates to California. They wanted their prospects closer to the parent team, and they wanted them traveling less, playing less and practicing more.

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If the AHL couldn't find a way to accommodate a Pacific Division with California teams playing only 68 games, then they'd start their own league. The AHL steadfastly believes an alliance with the NHL ensures long-term stability and profitability, and couldn't afford to lose the 30-for-30 set-up (one AHL affiliate for each NHL team). Getting the California teams to play 68 games was a victory for the core AHL, because those teams actually wanted closer to 60.

At some point, Andrews said, "finding common ground in terms of length of schedule" will be a priority. They definitely won't all agree on 76 games. That's never happening. Getting everyone to 72 might be a challenge, since many teams need 38 home games to maximize revenues. Other teams would be happy to shave off two or even three more home games and go to 72 or 70.

"We're not closer as of today, but we're not trying to be closer as of today," Andrews said at Monday's State of the League address during All-Star Classic festivities in Syracuse. "I think it's going to take us a little bit of time, and I think there's going to need to be movement downwards in terms of schedule length with the core of our league, the 25 teams, and maybe some movement upward with the other five teams."

Money is also a reason they're not rushing to find a common games-played number. Andrews said two of the California teams — the Ontario Reign and San Diego Gulls — are among the top revenue-generating teams. He also said each California team is "doing better financially" than they did in their previous homes (the Kings were in Manchester, New Hampshire, the Flames were in Glens Falls, the Sharks were in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Oilers were in Oklahoma City and the Ducks were in Norfolk, Virginia).

While there has been criticism by fans, media and, quietly, some teams about a set-up that allows five teams to play a different number of games than the vast majority. Andrews said the AHL's board of governors isn't clamoring for change.

"We're comfortable with that agreement; we wouldn't have entered into it if we weren't," Andrews said. "Having said that, I think over time we will migrate from either end toward a homogeneous schedule.

"We're not in a position, and don't want to be in a position where, three months in, we say, 'OK, you're in our league now. Yeah, we said you could play that, but now you have to play more games. That's just not the way it's going to work."

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Also from the State of the League address:

Playoff reward for players: The AHL and the Professional Hockey Players Association recently signed a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. Maybe the biggest win for players: a guaranteed playoff pool.

In the past, playoff shares were based on ticket revenue. If Grand Rapids and Hershey met in the finals, the shares would be pretty nice, since they play in large buildings in front of big crowds. Last year's final between Utica and Manchester left a much smaller pool simply because of available tickets. Utica seats only around 3,800.

Winner shares now will be around $19,000.

To do so, the league will now "sell" playoff rounds to each participant. The teams can then market the games and distribute tickets however they want. Teams will now have much more flexibility within their own markets, Andrews said.

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Two-referee system: The new officials' agreement between the NHL and AHL will ensure two referees for every game by 2018-19.

The reason there aren't two for every game now (the system used by the NHL since 2000-01): there aren't enough referees capable of working at the AHL level, Andrews said.

The NHL has implemented an enhanced development program and is working to fast-track the best young referees and linesmen.

One reason there are rarely two referees for Friday games: the refs also work NCAA or major junior games.

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OT dry scrape: The AHL will continue to have a "dry scrape" before overtime. The NHL scrapped it last year.

Andrews said the league board still believes the product is better when players have better ice.

While the NHL alleviates the need for the dry scrape with a vast shoveling crew, AHL teams don't have that luxury.

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Expansion: If and when the NHL expands, to 31 or 32 teams, the AHL will add the same number of teams.

Cannone carries Central All-Stars

Native New Yorker Pat Cannone and the rest of the All-Stars from Central Division won the inaugural American Hockey League All-Star Challenge on Monday night in Syracuse.

Central defeated Atlantic 4-0 in the final game, a six-minute affair played 3-on-3.

Cannone scored a total of three goals in the four games played by Central and was named most valuable player.

Cal O’Reilly of the Amerks played for the North Division All-Stars. They were eliminated in their final game of the round-robin tournament by a 4-1 loss to Atlantic.

Final records: Central 4-0, Atlantic 2-2, North 1-2, Pacific 1-2.

Kevin Oklobzija covers hockey for the Democrat and Chronicle. Email him at kevino@gannett.com