...and announced here last week, Jonathan Goodwin and Mike Dombkiewicz have now officially signed.
Here's what Komets General Manager David Franke had to say about each:
On Dombkiewicz: ``Mike came in at the end of last season and really gave us an offensive spark from the defensive position. We thought he was definitely one of the guys we wanted back, and he made it quite apparent to me before he left that this is where he wanted to play. I think he's going to find stability with our franchise.''
On Goodwin: ``That was pretty much a no-brainer. He was our leading goal scorer last year and has a knack for putting the puck in the net. He told me he'll come into camp in probably the best shape he's been in. He's going to be one of our go-to guys that we're going to look to score 35 to 40 goals.''
As for Tom Lawson, he told the Komets he expects to sign with Pittsburgh or Chicago to play in their minor league systems.
As for affiliations, they are probably not going to be affiliations but working agreements, focusing on two-way players and the opportunity for some Komets to go to training camps. Bridgeport and Hershey already have Class AA affiliates in the ECHL.
Comments
Fleury will be signed by the Pens - no questions. They are building the team around him and Crosby. He already has his own bobble head night on the schedule this year. How can you not sign a guy who has reached that career mile stone? Just kidding.
And I can foresee Sabourin backing him up next (2007-08) season. He has potential. I just don't think he could get the butterflies out during his 21 minutes of fame last year. Well I guess 4 goals in 21 minutes is not a good legacy of fame but...
So I guess if that all happens, maybe Pburgh would be a good fit for Lawson. He might be in WB-S in a year or so. I expect Caron & Tee to be gone after this season. Enough about my other life back to the Komets.
http://www.theuhl.com/press.aspx?rid=1710
I'm very..very excited that Goody and Grizzly are coming back!!! I wonder who is next?
comming off injury, lawson will be lucky to get a contract. he will sign with whoever is willing to take a gamble on him. i dont see him stepping back down to the uhl unless no one wants to gamble. big goalies may not be quicker but they are better at cutting down the angles and they fill up a lot of space. st pierre will play as much as the coach will let him. maybe bingham believes in splitting time or maybe he likes the vet or maybe whoever is hot. itll all depend on his style so its not worth debating until he tells us his thoughts.
I come home to this news :-)
My thoughts are just because these guys have signed contracts doesn't mean they can't be cut in camp if they don't fit the mold. So even if 10 guys from last years roster are signed and brought to camp doesn't mean they will be around when the season starts.
On Lawson...damaged goods...too many injuries. Him in the Penguins system is an interesting thought. They are high on Saborin and I think Chiodo is still in their system as well.
Caron's Contract was bought out (which I didn't know yeasterday) and Chiodo is going to play in Europe. That being said, right now if Lawson sings wiht the Pens, he's the number three goalie behind an iffy Thibault and Danny Sabourin. Until Fleury is signed I don't count him in the mix and I've heard no news on contract talks since Fleury refused his offer.
No Offense intended here...But I once heard "Bob Chase On Sports" report that "The Notre Dame coach....Tony Dungy...was fired...." So Tommy Lawson could have been Tommy Nemeth or Tommy LaSorda for the matter....LOL
Reply to HS!!!
Or was it, Troy Neumeier could have been Ty Willingham or Tae Domi (sic) and would that matter? Mazel Tov!