Here's the deal on everybody I could think of:
So far, the Komets have signed Guy Dupuis, goaltender Kevin St. Pierre, forward David Hukalo and defenseman Kevin Hanson. General Manager David Franke said the Komets are also in strong negotiations with defenseman Mike Dombkiewicz and forward Jonathan Goodwin. Franke thinks there's a good chance both players could be signed by the end of the week.
“I really like the Komets' offer,'' Goodwin said. “I've been in contact with a few teams, and I have to call a few coaches back. What the Komets offered me is very fair, and I like Pat Bingham.''
Kelly Miller has not signed yet in part because he'd take up one of the Komets' seven veteran spots. Other players might look sexier statistically than Miller, who was a third-liner for most of last season. Miller brings a ton of intangibles, and desperately wants to play in Fort Wayne again.
“We would love to have him, but the whole deal is whether we take up a veteran spot with him,'' Franke said. “We'll have to wait and see.''
As for the other players from last year, Franke said the Komets are waiting to see how defenseman A.J. Bozoian recovers from hernia and minor knee surgery. It's 50-50, Franke said, whether forward Andrew Luciuk will return. The Komets want to see the results of his back surgery. There's also an issue with amount of salary.
“I've been talking to a lot of teams, I guess, so it's kind of up in the air right now,'' Luciuk said. “Some of the teams are closer to home.''
Luciuk played in Fort Wayne last year while his wife remained in Prince George, British Columbia.
The Komets made a qualifying offer to Ryan Jorde, but Franke thinks it's doubtful the defenseman will sign. The two sides have not talked recently. Forward Darren Rumble has reportedly retired, forward David Carpentier signed with New Mexico of the Central Hockey League and defenseman Mark Lindsay signed with Youngstown of the CHL. Despite repeated calls, Franke said the Komets have not heard back from forward Jamie Milam.
As for the players the Komets picked in the United Hockey League's expansion drafts, the team is talking to defenseman Mario Larocque and will know more early in August, forward Drew Omicioli is expected to sign in and defenseman Brad MacMillan signed with Columbia in the East Coast Hockey League. Franke said it's 50-50 whether the Komets sign forward Jim Duhart or Matt Elich, though they continue to talk to both as the Komets are also doing with goaltender Kevin Reiter.
Franke also said the Komets are looking into possible American Hockey League affiliations with Bridgeport and Hershey as an incentive for younger players to sign and possibly move up.
Comments
What a night lol. A great baseball game and now this. Some good news here. I hope Duhart signs but if they are worried about Miller and a vet spot I guess the same may apply to Jim.
But my oh my...the tension on this blog. You guys need a vacation!!!! ;-)
I want my week at the Guinn ranch like everyone else has had......
All I am saying is Let's make sure we hold Franke to his word on a more "TOUGH" hockey club and "BRING BACK THE JUNGLE" mentality. Words mean nothing actions and signing guys that fit that description do!!!!
Blake,
I see in your article that 1-0 Joe will no longer be with the team this season. Is there a reason why?
Also you need to fix the clock on the blog, it is not 5:36AM it is 8:36AM, you have it on West Coast time.
I'm with shawn as to why Joe Franke isn't coming back, My wife really wants to know.
Great to see Domber and Goodwin are close.
I'm okay with holding off on Miller for the time being, but I don't think the wait should be too long unless Miller isn't getting anyother offers.
I wouldn't mind seeing either Bozoian or Luciuk back. If healthy. Bozoian would still be a rookie I believe or at least a tweener and I thought Luciuk was a pretty consisant forward last year. He came close to scoring 20 goals if I'm not mistaken and he scored most of them from around the net.
as for the dispersal draft picks, losing MacMillan I think hurst because he would bring some grit to the team. Omicolli might have been a decent player but I bet after the Danbury debacle he wants to get out of Dodge. I hope the K's can sign both Elich and Duhart because we don't have any goal scorers signed yet. I'm surprised Reiter is even talking to the Frankes. With St. Pierre being signed I would figure that would scare Reiter off, but I guess I have to wait and see.
Hopefully that was an inoffensive post.
I have no control over the clock, but I'll look into it again. Joe Franke not returning was a mutual decision from what I understand.
Why don't we all just relax and wait and see who they sign as far as toughness. I'm sure it's probably going to be someone or some players we've probably never heard of. A new fan favorite(s). Young, hungry and trying to make a name for themselves.
BTW, I forgot to speak on the Affiliaton thing. I for one am not thrilled wiht it because it leaves a team in the Komets case short handed if a team calls some one up. Then the K's go scrambling to find a replacement. I know they have to do that in the case of injury, but I just don't like it. How many more game does anyone think Rockford could have won if half their line up wasn't called up to Milwaukee?
Lol I just saw the Darren Rumble thing at the top. I think he is coaching now somewhere.
The affiliation thing won't be too bad. They are right that it will help in recruiting if players know an AHL/NHL team is keeping a regular eye on them.
The Hershey idea would be historic. The two oldest minor league hockey franchises working together...
Have a great day everyone. Last day in Winnipeg before leaving for Regina.
just got back from vacation at the guinn ranch, ran into his brother carpentier and his little sister, affectionatly known as kw, great to see the dupuis and domber news! now we need some snipes and we DO need to hold the frankes to their promise of restoring the jungle! go komets! welcome back blake!