Komets, St. Pierre parting ways

Sparky you are fine :-) I didn't feel accused. I just wanted to make sure that I was not misunderstood.
Joseph, I speak a very good english cuz I done been here a long distance. ;-)
Mike, good players will want to come and play in front of 7000 fans in the best building in the league for one of the most respected franchises in all of minor league sports also because they will have the chance to be "the man" on the team. The last 3 years Chaulk has been the man. I have no problem with him coming back and still being captain. I think he has done a good job. I am also not opposed to going in a new direction. The key here is, if these guys go, it isn't a problem as long as good players are brought in to replace them. We can't judge the moves until we see what the exchange is.

Tony: Just so I understand where you are coming from. Have you ever played hockey? The idea is to win, and anyone who is looking to be the "man" should not be welcome on a team that is looking to win. Playing in front of 7,000 fans is only fun when you win. I repeat getting rid of your best is not an inducement to better players wanting to come to Fort Wayne.

Mike-If I understand you correctly as winning is the key, if you had your choice of Sylvain Daigle, who has won 2 Cup, Joel Martin, who just won hhis first Cup, and Kevin St. Pierre, whop has won ZERO Cups, who do you choose?

Greg: I don't know who those other guys are. And, who ever they are they didn't win anything by themselves. Kevin has been the best goaltender in the league for the three years he has been here. Why let him go if it's not the money? So let's come to grips with "Saving money" may be a "new direction"

Mike-So your saying the St. Pierre has accomplished everything he's done in a Komets uniform on his own without any help at all, correct?

Ha, ha, ha. Now I'm laughing too. Someone comes on here and blasts Tony and then says he doesn't know who Daigle or Martin is. Good job.

For arguments sake let's look at Kalamazoo. They had Chad Alban, who many Komets fans thought the world of. A darn good goalie, right? He was there three years and won 67 games his last two years there. The backup in his last season was Joel Martin who played really well in that role. Kalamazoo let Alban go and gave the job to Martin.

Yeah I know. Kalamazoo had a goalie in line, that's why they let Alban go and the Komets don't (maybe). But, still. You don't know until the new roster is set. This might turn out to be the best move of the year.

Jubilation Excitement Yahoos Yeehaws Whoooo Joy Thats my prediction for this year

For the last time, it's a team game. Kevin has been a valuable member of the team. I would say he accomplished more by himself this year. This is due to a little weaker defensive corps than past years. What we are discussing is a moot point however, since Kevin appears to be on his way to retirement or another towm. Komet fans better hope it is not the latter.

Someone just said Frenchy has never won a championship, that is false, he won in the CHL a few years back...now if your talking Colonial Cup..then fine, he hasn't but he is a championship goaltender...

Greg: Sorry I didn't answer your question correctly for a few of the patrons. I don't care who those other guys are, since Kevin is leaving, ownership obviously knows who will win the next one. They'll pick him, wont't they?

Mike, to answer your question yes, I played for 13 years up to AA junior.
When I say the "man" I am not talking about a puck hog or a disruptive personality. I am talking about someone willing to be a leader in the lockeroom and set an example on and off the ice. Like I said, Chaulk was the man on this team for 3 years. He has led by being a warrior on the ice and a leader in the lockeroom. That does not however mean that he cannot be replaced.
You are right, playing in front of 7000 is only good if you win. Well, roughly 63% of the time, the Komets have done just that. I don't have time to investigate every other team that has been around since 1990 but honestly, how many other teams do you think have that kind of record? Maybe one or two? Really it is tough because there haven't been that many TEAMS that have been in the same place for that length of time.
I have a question for those who think this is just a money move. If there is no change in the cap next year, do you have any reason to believe based on past track record that the Komets will not take the money they gave St Pierre and not spend it on at least one other quality player? In other words, do you believe they will cut payroll? Just because they don't want to give Kevin X dollars doesn't mean they will not give it to someone else. Maybe they think they can spend less on another goalie who can also produce a 12-17 playoff record and give more to a big tough D-Man that might just help improve that record in the playoffs.
Again, you can't be too critical of getting rid of someone until you see who they get to replace him. If they let Kevin go and replace him with the second coming of Jimi St John, I might join all of you wanting to chase managemet up the WOWO fire escape. However do you really expect that to happen? When has management not made an honest effort to put a great team on the ice? Even this past season, when things were not working out, instead of sitting pat and letting the season go in the toilet, they busted their tails trying to bring in pieces that would fit. In the end it didn't work out but where teams like Missouri just let their season spiral down, the Komets pulled themselves out of the sewer and managed to have one of the best records in the league for the last 50 games of the regular season. I will not pass judgement until I see what we look like after 20 games next year.

Once again the voice of reason speaks. Thanks Tony. No, that's not sarcasm.

By the way, I want to ask the masses about a name nobody is mentioning. What about
Troy Neumeier? Let him go? Bring him back? Offer him an assistant coaches or other position in the organization?
Opinions?

Uh Oh. If I am the voice of reason we are alllllll in trouble! :-)

Troy is already an assistant coach. I don't think he had a really good year and after his injury I think he's out the door. That would be a shame because I think he's another of the real good leaders the K's have had recently. I think he'll make a great head coach some day.

Tony: Great comments and I hope you are right. I don't live in Fort Wayne but I have seen quite a few games. Fort Wayne and it's fans deserve a good team. My point of view is that of a hockey player wondering why such drastic moves seem necessary at this point. Injuries were a major part of the disappointment in the playoffs. They are hard to avoid sometimes, just ask Buffalo. All I am saying is, before the meetings even take place, moves are being made. Ownership must believe they can replace the talent for a certain price or why take the chance?
Its been fun. Go Komets Go.

Hi Mike. Actually I don't live in Fort Wayne either (near Detroit)
Chances are scary but it can be fun as a fan. There is some excitement at the prospect of seeing so many new faces.
Nobody knows what next season will bring. It could go really well, really bad or somewhere in between. As a fan you kind of have to decide whether or not you have faith in the organization or not. Like you said, ownership must believe they can replace the talent. Fans have to decide if they believe in management.

That makes three of us. I live near Lima, Oh

near Toronto,Ontario, don't hold it against me.

I haven't been on lately, so I thought I'd throw in my two cents.
I'm like most of you guys who don't like to see St. Pierre go - he has been good for the team and good for the community.

Remember, though, there is a dispersal draft coming and teams can only protect 15 players and 1 goalie. That means there will be talent available - there should be a quality front line goalie available if not from the draft, from free agency.

Also keep in mind the Komets have had a great track record of having top-notch goalies, either as free agents or from affiliations ... Paul Hoganson, Don Atchison, Brian Holderness, Murray Bannerman, Bob Janecyk, Steve Janaszak, Pokey Reddick, Bob Essensa, Stephane Beauregard, Bruce Racine, Kevin Weekes, Ray LeBlanc, Peter Sidorkiewicz, Alain Chevrier, and Tom Lawson - to name just a few - I know I'm forgetting a few.

Of course, for argument's sake, there's also been goalies in this town like Brad Shelstad (won NCAA title, couldn't stay with the Komets in the 70s), Garth Malarchuk, Rick Tabaracci, John Blue, Jimi St. John, Gregg Naumenko (this guy was a backup in the NHL this year), Steve (?) Wagner, Tom Draper, Marc D'Amour, Dusty Imoo, Bob Gaudet (although he did score a goal with FW in 1981-82).

I haven't been on lately, so I thought I'd throw in my two cents.
I'm like most of you guys who don't like to see St. Pierre go - he has been good for the team and good for the community.

Remember, though, there is a dispersal draft coming and teams can only protect 15 players and 1 goalie. That means there will be talent available - there should be a quality front line goalie available if not from the draft, from free agency.

Also keep in mind the Komets have had a great track record of having top-notch goalies, either as free agents or from affiliations ... Paul Hoganson, Don Atchison, Brian Holderness, Murray Bannerman, Bob Janecyk, Steve Janaszak, Pokey Reddick, Bob Essensa, Rick Knickle, Stephane Beauregard, Bruce Racine, Kevin Weekes, Ray LeBlanc, Peter Sidorkiewicz, Alain Chevrier, Doug Teskey and Tom Lawson - to name just a few - I know I'm forgetting some.

Of course, for argument's sake, there's also been goalies in this town like Brad Shelstad (won NCAA title, couldn't stay with the Komets in the 70s), Garth Malarchuk, Rick Tabaracci, John Blue, Jimi St. John, Gregg Naumenko (this guy was a backup in the NHL this year), Steve (?) Wagner, Tom Draper, Marc D'Amour, Dusty Imoo, Bob Gaudet (although he did score a goal with FW in 1981-82).

I guess I'm trying to say that while I hate to see Frenchy go, I also believe there will be another good one to come along.

Mike, You are talking to the biggest Leafs fan outside of the GTA. The Fan 590 is on my computer 24/7 and I spend 3-4 weeks a year in Toronto. How did you get interested in the Komets?

Jeff I didn't see Gregg Naumenko up this year. Who was he with? Last time I had looked he had played for 5 or 6 teams this past season. He was up with the Ducks a few years back before coming to the Komets.
Something I have always wondered about Tom Draper during his brief time in Fort Wayne. He played 10 games and had 10 penalty minutes. This was before the rule where clearing the puck over the ice was a penalty. What the heck did he do to earn 5 minors or two majors in 10 games?? If you look at his career he had some strange penalty numbers. In 1997-98 with Quebec he had 68 penalty minutes!!

Tony: Too wierd I'm a Red Wing fan. My first book was "Hocky here's Howe" My best friend has a relative on the team. We love to travel to see the Komets play. I still play quite a bit myself as an oldtimer. It's a great game. It has been fun going back and forth with everyone today. And thanks to Jeff for those last comments. I'll close with two more comments, fighting is not what the game is about, but I would sooner see the gloves come off than eyes come out. And I think Troy has been a great player, he may become an even greater coach (he's not the relative)
Have a great weekend
Mike

Tony- Draper could have gotten a Misconduct which carries the weight of 10 mins.

Draper had a misconduct

Gheesh well DUH-MEE!! Maybe I AM an boob? I guess after trying to figure out the 68 minutes in penalties. Of course Ron Hextall had twice that several years he played. I go around with folks about fighting but as a goalie myself, I loved watching goalies who would take care of their own crease rather than skating away when the brawl starts. There was a reason nobody parked in front of Billy Smith. You didn't have any ankles left if you tried.

Tony E -
I know I saw Gregg Naumenko's name as a backup goalie (emergency goalie maybe) with the Atlanta Thrashers this year. Didn't they have a "goalie of the month" club with all the injuries this year?

I thought of another name of a short-term FW goalie. Does anybody remember the name Guy deNoncourt? He played at the end of the 73-74 season, after Marc Boileau was hired to coach the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team picture that year has Guy and Robbie Irons, but he also dressed for a game when Don Atchison was still with the team. I even found on an old Komet program I bought with a Guy deNoncourt autograph.

Does anyone know what the circumstances were when he came here? Was Irons or Atchison hurt at the time? I've always wondered.

While I'm on a roll, how about a few more short-term goalies - Andre LePage, Norm LaPointe, Tom Mohr, Dave LeGree, Rick Wynn, P.J. Flaherty, Bruce Aberhart, Gordon Hubley? Some of these guys were injury replacements - Mohr, LeGree, Wynn, Flaherty and Aberhart.

Tony E -
Wasn't Don Cutts - who mostly played for Muskegon but also briefly for Fort Wayne - known for that too? That's a great name for a slashing goalie.

Jeff,
Cutts was before my time ( was 4 or 5 when he played in Fort Wayne) but judging by his statistics, he had enough penalty minutes to support what you are saying. That is a great name lol.
Don't forget that great backup Jughead Jud Lambert!