Just talked to Komets General Manager David Franke, and he said the team is talking with forward J.C. Ruid, but a decision won't be coming before next week.
"I really don't know what he's going to do,'' Franke said. "We've talked to him two or three times and, in fact, I just got off the phone with him. He's considering going to Germany and talking to two or three other teams in our league as well, and told me he'd make a decision by next week.''
Ruid, 31, is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward who played for Komets coach Pat Bingham with Asheville in 2000-01, scoring 34 and 75 points in 74 games. He also played for Bigham in Adirondack in 2002-03, scoring 40 goals and 96 points in 71 games. With Wheeling in 2003-04, he scored 20 goals and 59 points in 48 games, also while playing under Bingham.
If the Komets sign him, that would give the team eight veterans with seven allowed to play each night.
"We're not talking to any other veterans right now,'' Franke said. "If he doesn't sign, we'll probably try to go find a non-vet for that spot.''
Even if Ruid signs, that does not necessarily mean the Komets would have to cut a veteran. It's possible, and probably likely, they would carry eight and use one as a supersub. Where else would they find a player on short notice during the season who might have all-around skills?
Franke said it's looking like the Komets will have 25 or 26 players coming to training camp which starts Oct. 2.
I know there have been questions about goaltender Daniel Ljung, but Franke said there's a reason he's coming to camp. Ljung already has a job at Culver Military Academy and could be used as the Komets' emergency goaltender during the season.
``We talked this summer and he just asked if he could come to camp,'' Franke said. "He is from Swedne and has played a lot in Europe.''
Comments
Ruid would be a huge signing for the Komets! If the Komets do sign him though, i'd have to say Miller is the odd man out and i can't see Miller being a supersub. Or any of the other vets for that Matter. As much as Miller is liked by fans i would rather see him traded for a tweener. Then waste a roster spot on someone that would be considered a supersub. But it doesn't really matter if Ruid isn't signed.
That would be a huge mistake because Kelly brings so much to the table. Where else are you going to find a player that talented who can play so many different positions, provide leadership, win faceoffs, kill penalties and is a great locker room guy? Where else are you going to find anyone else even half as good for the 19th spot on your roster? It's never going to happen. Plus, you know some vet will get hurt and then you're always scrambling to find somebody, anybody to fill in and they aren't available. Why not keep him so he is available.
And, maybe more importantly, who's to say that Kelly doesn't earn a spot as one of the regular seven vets? I would never doubt him on that one. Look at the impact he had on last year's team when he came in.
If he doesn't earn the spot, who better to push everyone else to make sure they keep playing hard? Don't forget Ian Boyce started that way as a Komet in 1990-91 and ended up earning most of the playing time.
Remember, it takes all types of talents and skill levels to fill out a team, and Kelly is one of the most versatile players at this level. He brings so many intangibles that no team can ever afford to sacrifice. Kelly is also the type who won't complain, but work even harder to earn more time and make everyone else work harder.
Sounds like a healthy thing to me. This is something that GQ never had was competition between veteran players. It was always..."These are the Veteran Players we have, and we can't trade, change or sit any of them." Remember last season when we needed a Veteran Scoring Presence and we all heard that crap "Well we can't sign a Veteran because we all ready have 7." I think competition in camp is what this team needs. It pushes guys to play hard and that would most likely carry over to the season and we may actually start the season off hot instead of the last few years when we start out 10 games behind everyone else. I say...things are looking quite good so far. Would love to find a couple diamonds for rookies that can put the puck in the net. I can't wait for the season to start.
I agree
This will be the BEST KOMET HOCKEY TEAM for the UHL!
Ok, assuming Ruid signs which sounds iffy right now, what would the lines be?
Goneau-Richardson-Goodwin = 1st Ruid-rookie-Rudenko/or/Vorhees = 2nd rookie-Miller-Hukalo/or/Morency
Thats my take on it assuming they keep this roster as is right now and play all their vet forwards. I'd like to see either Hukalo or Morency grab the 10th foward spot but give them plenty of playing time. What does everyone else think?
DNL....that sounds like what I would guess...but you never know who else they might find in camp. Some of these younger guys might pan out differently than we expect too. I would bet your #1 and #2 lines are correct. #3 line is probably too early to tell. It should be an interesting pre-season watching what these guys have....
I think with the number of players signed and coming to camp is going to make for a very competitive camp. Right now, getting Ruid to sign will be a bonus....especially if we do carry an extra vet on the roster. You can have the extra vet, just can't play more than 7. Think of it this way, if you have a tire go flat on your car....would you want to use a wimpy compact spare that is only good for a short distance, or a regular full size on that is good for the LONG HAUL? Might cover our collective rears if someone gets injured!
what if they traded frenchy? that would free up a vet spot wouldnt it?
That won't happen.
DROP THAT PUCK!!!!
DROP THAT PUCK!!!!
DROP THAT PUCK!!!!
DROP THAT PUCK!!!!
If Ruid does sign he will play center like he did in Rockford.
I think Miller is a great 3rd line energy guy. I think talent for talent even up Ruid would be better but I don't at all think that Miller doesn't deserve a chance to earn a spot.
The facination with Kelly Miller still baffles me. I'm not trying to take anything away from the guy, but I just don't see signing a vet who will be your 3rd line center and maybe score 30 points a season. Ruid has never been one of my favorites. I say let Ruid go somewhere else and leave the "chosen one" on the roster before a coup of mass proportion happens. I like Miller, but I just don't get it. Feel free to blast me as long as you can make a case for it. And please, none of this "great locker room guy" nonsense.....
He does all the little things extremely well that other players struggle to do. He kills penalties extremely well. He wins faceoffs. He puts pressure on other teams best players by pestering the heck out of them. He puts pressure on other teams defense by skating with a purpose. He always gives 100% every shift with high energy play. He isn't afraid to play the body or do the dirty work in the corner. With the right line-mates and the right coach (which I think Bingham is) he can put up some points and can make those around him shine. He is more of a role player than a Bigtime Scorer....your right. But I think that he can be a very important part of this team and heck, he might surprise us in a non-GQ system this year.
I talked to some Rockford fans during the playoffs that expressed to me that they feared Kelly Miller during the play-offs more than anyone else we had because of his heart and effort on the ice. They couldn't believe that our idiot coach wasn't using him more often in big situations. That makes alot of us by the way.....
Blake said it all
"He brings so many intangibles that no team can ever afford to sacrifice. Kelly is also the type who won't complain, but work even harder to earn more time and make everyone else work harder"
last year was the first time i remember seeing miller(old age--mind goes quick) the guy exudes professionalism on the ice, every athlete should have his on ice work ethic. You think Herb Brooks would take him, i do.
I think at this point I'm just gonna sit back and wait to see how training camp goes. Alot of things could happen between now and then. Now I just wanna wait and see how this team preforms on the ice. With the subtraction of so many teams in minor league hockey, teams should be able to fill a need if they have one a month into the season. And not like last year where it seems like we were looking for half our team still a month into the season...
I just have a lot of respect for the way Kelly handles himself. If he screwed up, he's never hiding in the training room. If the team plays bad, he'll say it and then say he was the worst example of all. He tells it like it is. While others give excuses, he gives the truth. And I feel he does that on the ice as well.
Kelly Miller is the Kirk Maltby of the Komets. He scores a little, hits a little, does the special teams basically can be plugged in anywhere and not look bad and has a good attitude. Can you "build around" him? No. Can you find a space for him on a 3rd line? Sure.
Well said Tony.
Even if you had 8-10 vets....make them earn playing time. Besides....look at our injury history the last few years.
Does anyone know what the roster limit is this year? Did they expand it?
I would like to see Miller and Hukalo really work on thier defense. Personally I would love to see a very defensive third line.
Lets face it, neither Miller nor Hukalo will score a gob of points. If they do, its common to be on a breakout. Neither are the type to hold the puck down in the offensive zone like some other players on the team. Both, however, are extremely quick and IMO should be used as defensive forwards against other team's top lines. Maybe throw an aggitator in there too. They're quick, great already at PK, and when they do knock the puck loose, can make a good drive at the net. If they can do that, it'll force our 1st and 2nd line (the scorers) to play against the the 2nd and 3rd line players of other teams.
I have to agree with Blake. Kelly is just an all around player. I was extremely impressed with him last year. I say, give him a chance under this new coach and different team and let's see what he can do. You know that the K's have always been an injury riddled team, and the past couple years it's bitten us in the butt. If we have 8 vets, so be it. Keep a healthy one so when they're needed, and they will be, we won't be playing so short handed like we did so many times last year. That was awful. 13 guys suited was not pretty.
Bottom line right now is that Ruid is CONSIDERING playing for the Komets. Granted, since Blake decided to put it in print that the Frankes and he are talking leads me to believe that he may sign.
I think if he signs it will be good, it will give the vets some incentive to work harder in practice for playing time. (Now if we could have only gotten Reiter to push St. Pierre, Oops, there I go again, bashing St. Pierre, Shame on me) I think the more the vets have to compete for playing the better the on ice product will be and the better team the fans will get out of it.
BTW-for all those looking for Chaz Johnson to play with the Komets this season can forget it, he signed to play in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves.
Like I said, who's to say that Kelly isn't one of the regular seven vets every night anyway? If he had played a full season here last year, he might have ended up with 50 or so points. Plus, I think Kelly is still getting better. Perfect characterization, Tony.
I think everyone forgot about the injury Hukalo sustained two years ago. If you ever had a shoulder repair like he did, it takes TIME to get back to normal. I expect more out of him this year because he will have more confidence to make plays and take hits.
One of the reasons GQ traded for him was his playmaking ability. I think eveyone will be surprised.....
Miller reminds me of previous Komets. Hankinson, Lewis,Davidson,to name a few. They didnt hurt the Komets at all.Any other comparisons?
Tis a BEAUTIFUL day! Doug Gilmour (the GREATEST hockey player of all time....at least when I put my blue and white glasses on) has taken a front office position with the Leafs.
And Paul Marice said he plan to play Sundin at least 20 mins a game if he can.
Who cares!!! Dougie is back!!! (Aren't I allowed to be an irrational over emotional fan once in awhile?) LOL
AHEM.......
BRING BACK MIKE PALMATEER !!!!!