Komets general manager David Franke made the trip this weekend to Missouri and Wichita.
``If we need to make changes, we're going to make changes,'' Franke said. ``I'm sure there will be changes made. If that means we have to change some faces, which will happen almost assuredly, that's what we'll do. We can't continue to go along the way we are now. We don't have everybody on board for one reason or another.''
Asked if Al Sims' job was in jeopardy, Franke said, ``No, absolutely not. I have faith in Al. We're in this together and we have to do whatever we have to to turn this around. I know he's very frustrated and disappointed. Al is safe. He can't go out and play the game. He can only encourage and teach so much. Right now, I don't know how strong the heart of the club is, and that's something we're going to have to study this week.''
Comments
Interesting.... Mr Franke is questioning the heart of this club.... What a freaking Negative Nellie!!!
I got blasted for saying 2 days ago.
I guess it wasn't that crazy of a thought.
And if he is thinking it and saying it.....then it must be the case.
We have some heart-less, gutless players, and if that is the case......get rid of them..
I will be watching closely to see if there is any teeth to what he is saying.
If he cuts Legault and Rodger and the rest stay.....that would mean that he has no heart and guts to do what he needs to do.
We'll see.
Hit, I wonder if he will say it to the players faces??? LOL!
Ill believe it when i see it....He's right changes need to be made, but are they going to be the right changes,...so what if PC won't report if traded...there has to be someone out there that will play with better effort for less money....LET HIM GO
Yep.
Where is Burgee?
The goal for this year at this point is to make the playoffs. This team is 3 players and and an attitude change away from doing that.
Maybe.
The Frankes have done this before.....
Remember last season in Flint Wayne. They turned that team around and got them to the finals. They can do it again.
Speakibng of Flint.... Hit, I think you should wear your Gens jersey untill the Komets turn things around...
Great Idea....
Will do buddy.
Wonder how long they will allow that before I get booted by a POed 96 year old Red Coat all hopped up on Viagra wearing 25 pounds of depends.....
I will wear the Flint Jersey. Maybe that will inspire the rest of you to continue to go to the games.
Who knows.
Awesome....
Hit, that would require the red coat to climb steps...lol I think your safe...
Now a county cop on a power trip.......
Hopefully Legault stays in the line-up and out of the stands.....or I could be in trouble.
LOL
At least we are joking and laughing.
Laughter is the best medicine, or is it Foo Foo's and Double Nut Fruit Cakes?
Does this area still own snow plows??? My drive into work tonight at 5:30 was ridiculous...
Also, did you guys see the footage from the Metrodome's roof caving in??? Must have been one heck of a storm up there...
Gordon Bombay: "You think losing is funny?"
Les Averman: "Well, not at first, but once you get the hang of it."
Just wait until Christmas......
This team will have the rest of the league right where they want them.
Serious question...
How many of our players would be in the starting lineup for any of the top 5 teams in this league right now? I am going to go out on a limb and say zero. I am not even sure our goalies would.
Its hard to fix a team mid season in the CHL, the Thunder (Wichita) failed miserably in their attempts the past three seasons, the amount of players you'd need to get in can't be done, with the Visa rules and the fact that players aren't going to jump onto a last place team if they think they won't get any playoff pay. Even with the everyone but one playoff format, the K's have dug themselves a big hole. The one thing in the K's favor is that they are viewed as a first class organization and in lieu of propping up team like the K's did in the past, they can use that money to try and get some ECHL / Euro players in here.
Still, Sims has never been able to do well in the CHL, much like a few other AHL / old IHL coaches who were used to having the talent provided to them, instead of building a team ready to go at the start of the season.
The one factor in the K's favor is that they play most of their games against the old IHL teams. The IHL teams, including Fort Fun, are a combined 48-50-6 (a .490 record, 43-37-5 without the K's, a .530 record). The rest of Turner conference is 46-30-11 (The CHL teams from last year, a .592 record). The South / Berry conference is 105-86-16 (a .546 record). Just looking at those stats, its clear the old IHL teams are the weak sisters at this point, Fort Wayne has beaten one CHL team (Arizona) and is 4-7-0 against the old IHL teams, 1-5-1 against the CHL teams, and 0-4-0 against the CHL Turner teams. They've got 14 games against CHL teams (and none of them are against Arizona, the one CHL team they've actually gotten points from) and 34 against old IHL teams, so at least they've got most of their games against the weaker teams. Still, they've got an uphill battle to get past EVille or QC for that final spot. They won't get there with their current crop of vets, that's clear.
Big changes need to be made and adding a Division III NCAA kid won't be the cure. Apologies in arrears for the blog.
Al?
RLR
If anyone can find the players at this point in the season, its the Frankes. The K's have alot of contacts in the hockey world and as you've already pointed out the have a good rep for treating thier players right. Does Wichita have almost 60 years of hockey to fall back on with more than 20 under the current ownership group?
You are correct, the hole is deep; but it may only take one or two additions/subtractions to make this team take off...
Love how Mr Franke questioned heart. If he says it to their faces he will get beat up apparently. Arguing on blogs with people over the claim of heart and pride is pretty much settled now.
I do not expect the komets to turn the season around and win it all. I do however hope and expect my season tickets to be worth their dollar amount now. Change some faces. Win a few games. Show me what Komet hockey is all about for the remainder of the year. I am happy with that.
so good luck finding some players Franke! can not be an easy task this time of year. I do have faith in their ability to get players here though.
Isn't there a limit on the number of contracts a team can offer during the season? Is that a part of the labor agreement or am I just completely making that up? If is is a rule, what is the number and how close are the K's to maxing out that number?
We the fans need to stay on a positive note. Mr Franke will find a new face or two hope it will do the right thing. I know that Dave can maybe get it done. So lets GO KOMETS.
The season is 1/3 over already. Turn out the lights, the party is over.
Small changes can make a difference, if they are the right changes. Just look at Arizona. At the beginning of the season, they were one of the only teams that was worse than the Komets. They got a couple of guys from Rapid City and now they are 10-10-3 and in the middle of the pack in the Berry Conference.
Here is what i think should happen:
Cut:
P.C
O'Connor
Phillips
Add whoever, we need new faces.
We cannot do this through trades, we need young kids that will put there all on the ice every game.
Really?!? Franke starts off with "If we need to make changes". IF?!? Has he watched any of this season?
We need Chaulk, Syro, and Woods
Waive Icy! I'm sick and tired of him showing up mid way thru the 1st period.... Lets face it, if our mascot isnt giving 100% by showing up for the start of the game then how do we expect our players to??? Think about it....
I'm sure theres a Frog, Bunny Rabbit or Turtle mascot somewhere that would die to show up at the start of the game and pretend to rack himself 632x a game...lol C'mon, whats the first thing you think of when you see the Ft Wayne Komets logo? A Turtle, right? I do..... :)
Disclaimer: This post was completely in jest and no animals were harmed in the formation of said post...
Phillips and OC???
Nope.
If I were to pick 3......
PC
Curdy
Warner.
We need to revist the deal that got us Lardner...we really got screwed!
We need to INSIST that Missouri take someone in return!