The Colorado Eagles have been approved as an expansion franchise for the 2018-19 season.

The Eagles will be the new primary development affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche when they begin play in the AHL’s Pacific Division at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo., in October 2018.

Unless any realignment is made during the summer, this will mean nine teams in the Pacific Division.
If the league decide to balance out the Pacific and Central Division’s, it’s fair to assume Texas Stars and San Antonio Rampage would be the teams discussed from a location standpoint.

Originally founded in 2003, the Colorado Eagles franchise has won three league championships, as members of the Central Hockey League (2005, 2007) and they are the reigning Kelly Cup Champions (ECHL).

I speculated that should the Eagles replace San Antonio Rampage as the Colorado Avalanche’s affiliate, that the St. Louis Blues would step in.
That’s what has happened though it’s slightly surprising that the Blues and Rampage have agreed a five-year deal to take effect from 2018-19.
This will certainly give some stability for St. Louis who haven’t been able to develop their prospects as they would have liked during a strained relationship with the Chicago Wolves.