Regarding the rumors on Kevin St. Pierre and Colin Chaulk: Nothing official has been done and can't be announced until after the league meetings in Las Vegas the third week of June, accoridng to General Manager David Franke, who also cautions fans that, ``We're evaluating everything and there are going to be changes that will be made. How many I don't know. There will be a new look to the club next year for sure. Whether it invovles these other guys, we're not at that point yet.''
In other words, don't be shocked if it does involve these players, which is exactly what anyone could have told you the day after the season ended as well. These things happen when a team finishes sixth overall and gets knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
This stuff could also be bargaining positions as well -- from both sides. It could also be an attempt by the team to cut down on salaries. Franke said he wouldn't be surprised if the UHL came down with fewer veterans for next year and a lower salary cap as well. He's not saying it's going to happen, but that it wouldn't shock him. These are things owners have to prepare for.
``We're evaluating,'' Franke said. ``The coach has been meeting with most of the players. All of the players who have left he has met with. He's meeting with the players who stay in town. Nothing has been cast in stone.'' As for the players, it would stink to see them leave, but Colin has been here for four seasons and Frenchy for three -- those are eternity numbers at Class AA hockey. Same with six years for the coach, and management has made clear it doesn't want to make a change there. So, what do you think? Somebody's favorites are going to go.
Comments
Please change the subject since it's obvious you aren't going to convince the other.
I came here for an argument.
An argument is not just the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says.
In order to agrue with you I must adopy a contrary position.
Younger and hungrier. I don't care what needs to be done to get to that point but that is a good direction to head.
Wow jungle takin a shot at season ticket holders....
I've got to agree with Jungle Monkey. Carpentier wasn't the rookie we thought he'd turn out to be. He was a decent third line player that should smoe grit. Hunter did show sparks of being able to play on the number one line but was not consistant enough to stay there. I could see bringing them for another look to see if they gel with new team, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. And by the way komet23fan, I am a season ticket holder.
I'm not here to defend anyone, but look at it this way..Carpentier had a decent ROOKIE year, I'll use Dusty as an example, he only had like 30 pts his rookie year. Dusty was a 3rd line guy also, why don't we give him a couple of years to develop..you just never know, he may be a diamond in the rough...only time will tell...GO KOMETS
And if we keep him around for two or three years and he still isn't that great we've only wasted.... 2 or 3 years.
By the way JR, I too am a season ticket holder. Which in no way makes me an authority on anything other than sitting on my can and drinking beer.
It's good that you know your limitations and stick to your strengths JM. A man after my own heart.
So were you taking a shot at yourself or by your last statement just proving your point ???
JR, no offense was meant to anyone. I was just making the point that the opinion of season ticket holders doesn't make something fact. My opinions are just that "opinions"... Komets23fan seems to think that since some "alleged" season ticket holders agree with him/her that it must make it true. I think that there are some very knowledgable season ticket holders. There are also quite a few who are morons. I would rate myself somewhere in the middle.
I know that this is easier said than done but here is would be my approach to building a championship team in the 'new era' of the UHL by position:
Please understand this these are only my opinions and not meant to offend anyone. I will always be a Komet Fan no matter what kind of team we have on the ice.
Coach - Coach Puhalski has had great success behind the bench but if we are looking to go in a 'different direction', I believe it is hard to do that with the same coach and same systems. This is a common theme in pro sports. Good coaches in every sport move around each year because teams want a fresh start or a new attitude.
I believe that on the ice you start with 2 key ingredients: Great leadership and great goaltending.
Leadership - Every successful team has great 'on ice' leadership. I know that there has been a lot of debate over the question of whether Colin Chaulk can be replaced. In my opinion he brings everything you would want in a captain. How many other players do you know that have these qualities: great leadership (mostly by example but verbally when neccessary), puts up a lot of points, great at face-offs, plays physical, drops the gloves when the need arises, well spoken classy individual who represents the organization well.
Bottom line - I would make signing Colin my first priority.
Goaltending - Obviously you need a 'stud' goalie to make it to the finals. Can St. Pierre fill that role? Sure, if he can stay healthy. Are there other goalies out there that can fill this role? Yes. i.e. Poole, Robinson, Daigle.
I believe the key, however, is to find a capable backup. We have not had, in my opinion, a solid backup for some time now. It would provide a little peace of mind on the team and allow our #1 to rest at key times without the feeling that we would need to score 5 or 6 goals to win.
Forwards - With the red line being eliminated and other changes over the past few years, speed is obviously very important. Of course everyone wants a big power forward who has speed, can play physical, and fight. I know that these guys are rare but they are out there. One that comes to mind is Kevin Kotyluk. Big, can skate, good stick handling, can drop em. (I know that there has been discussion about his negative attitude in the past but just giving an example of someone who fits the on ice role)
I would also get a sniper like DAB or Bobby Stewart. Next I would look for another big forward. This guy wouldn't have to be the fastest or the most skilled but someone who could camp out in front of the net and bang in the corners. Kind of like Johnson and Watson did to us in the playoffs this year. How many goals did they score from right in front of our net? Then fill our the rest of the forwards with young, hungry speedsters.
Defense - Bring Troy back. He has great leadership and even though he doesn't fight he hits and plays physical EVERY game. I think that Guinn, Dupuis would be great additions. Both play good defense and can put up a few points as well. I would bring in some big physical defensemen who could move people out from in front of the net and really bang in the corners. I'm thinking of guys like Kevin MacDonald or Sean Gagnon. I would like to see a little more aggressiveness overall on defense.
I know that the Frankes are very hard working and run a first class organization and that they bring in players that reflect that image.
As a fan I would like to see us be bigger, more physical, and play with a little bit of a chip on our shoulders. It seems that we always 'react' to the physical play of other teams. I would like to see us take the initiative with other teams, especially at home. Now I'm not suggesting that we field a team of goons or dirty players here, just a more aggressive style of play.
One of my favorite years was when we had the 'Ice Patrol' of Bawa, Kaminski, Fletcher, and Butters. They were exciting to watch and we still had the talent to go to the finals that year I believe. It's hard to describe, but that was when we really had a mystique about playing at the Coliseum and the whole idea of "The Jungle" was born. We knew, and other teams knew, that no one was going to come into our barn and push us around.
Sorry if this was too long of a read. Again, these are just some of my opinions and not meant to ruffle any feathers. I will always be a proud Komets fan!
Go K's!
Whole_n_one....preaching to the choir mostly here. I have said it all year...others have too. The bottom-line with what you say is that it boils down to the coach. None of the other stuff we want in players, style, and atmosphere will happen with the current coach. He has a one-dimensional style and sticks to it. It is what you said "React". If hockey is to change to what we all want...the coach must change first. That is the only way we will all be happy.