Can you smell The Komets started informal preseason practice at McMillen Park Ice Arena on Monday morning. Today the crew included Colin Chaulk, Leo Thomas, Guy Dupuis, Konstantin Shafranov, P.C. Drouin, Nick Boucher, Brandon Warner, Keith Rodger, Rick Varone, Matt Syroczynski, Ryan Potts, goalie Tommy Shear and local player Greg Leffler. Kevin Bertram was there on Monday.
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Comments
Alan, I agree with most of what you said, but as far as Woods and MacMillan being similar players and one of them not making it through the entire season, I think there is a big assumption there that both will remain healthy the entire season, hence there not being a need for the other. Secondly, what are you basing your bet on that Hukalo will be bothered by the injury again since it "depends on the player and type of injury" and that it "just doesn
CRAP! *inJury
Hi RunningKomet. You are absolutely correct. I want nothing but the best for David Hukalo. I have no "inside information" but you must remember that when Hukalo was traded to Fort Wayne for Kevin Kotyluk he injured his shoulder after a few games and was out the rest of that year. He has had shoulder trouble ever since. I'm not being pessimistic, I'm being realistic in my thinking that his history with shoulder problems seems ongoing. Look, I hope this surgery solves all of his shoulder problems but as I said before sometimes just getting hit wrong can create more problems. Hockey is a sport that is hard on shoulders. Players get hit, their bodies get torqued, and the shoulder area is always at risk..... The reason I'm not sure Mac and Woods will make it through the season is nothing more than my belief that they are essentially the exact same player. You are only going to carry 10 forwards. Chaulk, Thomas, Druin, Varone, Shafronov, Syroczynski, Hukalo, Saidechev, (and you guys seem to like Whitehead). That is nine right there plus, besides Whitehead, you still need to dress four rookies. Rodger is a rookie, Whitehead will be a rookie, and if Tyler Sims stays he would be a rookie. That would mean a rookie defenseman would probably be kept. I bet the Komets go with more than just the minimum four rookies. Do the math. It just doesn't add up. If you can dress 20 players a game-then maybe. I know they changed the rules this year.....Dschebig, you are correct. I am a huge Al Sims fan. A great coach, teaching coach, and a coach who is well respected by players and agents. He is such a breath of fresh air when you compare him to Greg Puhalski. Sorry for the long post but if I'm asked for an explanantion of something I have posted then I want to be complete, concise, and clear with my response back.
No need to defend your post, you had good information. As far as the IF Woods or Mac would go, I'd rather we kept Mac. He showed at the end of last year that he can be so much more than just a pair of fists out there. In addition, each time I heard him speak, either on the radio or on Blake's video posts on here (What are they called? "Fat Guys on Hockey"?), Mac just seems like he is more of a student of the game to me and like he really is about the team. I could be TOTALLY wrong though. I don't know either of them other than what I see on here or hear through the media. I've HEARD things about Woods to the contrary, but that's just hearsay and, again, could be COMPLETELY WRONG. I like both players, but if I was forced to go with one or the other, I think I'm throwing my vote towards Mac.
By the numbers, Woods was the better player, and he was more fun to watch on the ice as an agitator. But I was a bit miffed by his "I'll probably retire at the end of this season" remark. Okay, so most people seem to think he'll change his mind once he gets out there. I just prefer to take people at their word. Speculating and second guessing just takes so much energy. :P
I think there is a difference between Mac and Woods. Woods is an agitator. MacMillan is the enforcer. That is the big difference. Other difference is this, Woods can be put on the topline with a guy like Chaulk and chip in 20-30 goals and be the physical forward that the team needs. He is quick, he has to not take stupid penalties though. That is the key. MacMillan proved his value in the playoffs last year. Without is play in the K-Zoo series, the Komets would have lost to the Wings. MacMillan was huge offensively and defensively. He can play a role however you need him. And he plays 130% every shift. There is room for both of these guys on this team, both will contribute hugely, and the other teams will have a double pain in their rears every game this season. Plus, look around at the other teams in the league, they all have 2-4 tough-guys on their team. We have 3 that we know of, there can never be too many guys that aren't afraid to drop the mitts or do the dirty work. Both Woods and Mac can do both of those things, and play solid hockey too.
No worries from me. This league is loaded this season, and the Komets won't have a cake-walk, and this will be an awesome season to watch because the league is so competitive, mark my words.
Who is dayton gems fighters?
Yeah, dumb penalties are what they are. On one hand, Woods is the kind of player who pushes the envelope, so he's going to get them. He wouldn't be nearly as much fun to watch if he didn't. He's closer to the Sean Avery mold than the typical enforcer. MacMillan, I think, is better at just beating opposing players to a pulp.
I can't agree about the "I'll probably retire at the end of the season," statement really bothering me. Hasn't Shafronov made the same statement saying he'll be done either after this year or next? I still definitely want him on the team. There are a lot of cases where people play their best when they know it's going to be their last go around (Michael Jordan and Brett Favre are not included on that list).
Shafranov's announcement didn't bother me because he's 41 (whoa, is that right?!) and it is expected, not to mention that he's been playing consistently up to this point. Woods is young. He quit hockey once as a teenager, saying he didn't even think about it until the following fall when he realized he had missed an entire season. Okay, fine. He was a teenager. And he did well here, of course. Then he leaves the Komets for the ECHL is hopes of making it to the AHL... only to quit after playing 12 games. Okay, fine. He went home and decided he wanted to work in law enforcement, which is a very honorable choice. Except now it's fall again and he's signed with the Komets... but says he'll probably retire at the end of the season... I think I'm justified in saying "What the...?"
Don't get me wrong. He's my favorite player, and I want him to do whatever makes him happy. It's just kind of hard to figure out what that is. :S
I couldn't agree more, Wendy. Shafranov has been a dedicated player his whole life. He has played for the K's twice in his career. His career has taken him to many leagues over two continents and many international tournaments. Comparing his wish to play one more year before his retirement hardly can be compared with a player who each year seems unsure of what he really wants to do. I salute Shafranov for wanting to play one more year and then retire. He is a quiet guy who plays hard each game. He is a smart, skilled hockey player and I wish him much success this year and for the rest of his life. Wendy, I know Woods is your favorite player but I'm wondering what it is about him that makes him sway back and forth so much. I hope he does not become a distraction to this hockey team. Time will tell. He is young and maybe he will settle down and really find out what he wants in life.
I wonder that too, but then it isn't like he's the first 23-year-old to have a hard time deciding what he wants out of life. Let he who is without indecision throw the first stone, ya know? But assuming he makes the team, whatever his feelings are, I know he's mature enough to not let it be a team issue.
I'm sure everything you posted is true, Wendy. I am glad your favorite player is back with the K's. You seem like a dedicated, passionate fan of the Komets and I respect you for it. I hope you and all the others have a great '09-'10 season.
I think I'll put my trust in Coach Sims to make a good call on which way Woods is "leaning". He hasn't seemed to stear us wrong too much when putting a team together and I think by now he is pretty good at recognizing any signs of people not wanting to give everything they have for the team. Hopefully Woods really wants to be here and is willing to give it everything. If not, then I don't want him in a K's uniform taking up someone else's spot, fan favorite or not.