Here's the deal on everybody I could think of:
So far, the Komets have signed Guy Dupuis, goaltender Kevin St. Pierre, forward David Hukalo and defenseman Kevin Hanson. General Manager David Franke said the Komets are also in strong negotiations with defenseman Mike Dombkiewicz and forward Jonathan Goodwin. Franke thinks there's a good chance both players could be signed by the end of the week.
“I really like the Komets' offer,'' Goodwin said. “I've been in contact with a few teams, and I have to call a few coaches back. What the Komets offered me is very fair, and I like Pat Bingham.''
Kelly Miller has not signed yet in part because he'd take up one of the Komets' seven veteran spots. Other players might look sexier statistically than Miller, who was a third-liner for most of last season. Miller brings a ton of intangibles, and desperately wants to play in Fort Wayne again.
“We would love to have him, but the whole deal is whether we take up a veteran spot with him,'' Franke said. “We'll have to wait and see.''
As for the other players from last year, Franke said the Komets are waiting to see how defenseman A.J. Bozoian recovers from hernia and minor knee surgery. It's 50-50, Franke said, whether forward Andrew Luciuk will return. The Komets want to see the results of his back surgery. There's also an issue with amount of salary.
“I've been talking to a lot of teams, I guess, so it's kind of up in the air right now,'' Luciuk said. “Some of the teams are closer to home.''
Luciuk played in Fort Wayne last year while his wife remained in Prince George, British Columbia.
The Komets made a qualifying offer to Ryan Jorde, but Franke thinks it's doubtful the defenseman will sign. The two sides have not talked recently. Forward Darren Rumble has reportedly retired, forward David Carpentier signed with New Mexico of the Central Hockey League and defenseman Mark Lindsay signed with Youngstown of the CHL. Despite repeated calls, Franke said the Komets have not heard back from forward Jamie Milam.
As for the players the Komets picked in the United Hockey League's expansion drafts, the team is talking to defenseman Mario Larocque and will know more early in August, forward Drew Omicioli is expected to sign in and defenseman Brad MacMillan signed with Columbia in the East Coast Hockey League. Franke said it's 50-50 whether the Komets sign forward Jim Duhart or Matt Elich, though they continue to talk to both as the Komets are also doing with goaltender Kevin Reiter.
Franke also said the Komets are looking into possible American Hockey League affiliations with Bridgeport and Hershey as an incentive for younger players to sign and possibly move up.
Comments
I like the fact they are talking to Mario Larouque..he's a tough defense..
Boy, If i were the Komets i would sign Miller in a heartbeat. A vet player doesn't always have to be a high scoring player, Miller brings alot more to the table that can help teams win Championships..
I also like the fact they are exploring the possibility of affilations. Sometimes those hurt you, but they can also help you in recruiting.
GO KOMETS
oh and blake...
where is Drew Omilicoli(sp) signing at
Another possible advantage to having the affilations would be those AHL teams can also send down players here to give someone playing time. If those teams are willing to send down players as needed it could help out if someone here gets injured.....Like Mark said, it can only help with recruiting players if they know that they'll have the opportunity to get noticed and earn a call up.
NO affiliations unless they are with the RED WINGS or RANGERS MAN!
Mark, I don't know. That's what David Franke said.
KW, drop the MAN crap.
First off, great update Blake....
Second...so far our dispersal draft choices seem to be all going somewhere else, which is disheartening...
Third...defense seems to be shaping up well; but I would like to see some action on the offensive side of things...Goody is a good finisher; but he still needs somebody to feed him the puck.
Fourth....Id wait on Miller before you tie up a vet spot on him...I would like to see some young scoring talent signed before the K's sign Miller. Trust me I love the way he plays; but I want to see some of this high scoring tough hockey team start to take shape.
Just some thoughts on the update...some good...some bad...I would really like to see some fresh faces signed...
Warrior Hockey Update
Drew Omiciolli is going to eruope. He didnt want to come to Fort Wayne Mark!
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=46814
Blake -
Thanks for the updates on Dupuis and the HUGE update.
JR -
It sounds like what's happening all around the UHL, with drafted players exploring or taking advantage of other opportunities. I agree, I'd like to see some offensive signings too, but I do appreciate the management's emphasis on defense. We all know what they saw about offense and defense. Goodwin, Omicoli, Elich and Duhart would all help on the offensive side though.
I wouldn't mind seeing some kind of an AHL affiliation - Hershey, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids or someone close.
Sorry, my fingers aren't working.
Should have been "what they say about..."
In the blog, it says Darren Rumble. And then also Kevin Lindsay...
Great to hear some of the moves the Komets are making, or trying to make. If only Milam would get back to them on his plans. I feel like we are all holding our breath on him, like he will make or break the team. (Or is that just me?)
Blake, do you think if we did have an aff. with an AHL team, it would be more likely for Milam to sign with us?
Thanks Blake! It's nice to know what's up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Goody. I would love to have him back.
Rather disappointing Milam has not returned any calls. While I don't believe he would make or break the team. I like his game and would like to see what he could contribute over more games. From what I saw at the end of last season he has some serious skills. Though I think he would get a call up and not be around as long as we would like.
Fixed. Thanks Ashley. I have no idea about Milam.
Jeff, I too would like an affilation team to be in the Midwest also, but I'm sure you'll agree having an affilation that is on terms most favourable to Fort Wayne is going to be one of the main priorities. BTW, what would you think if the Chicago Wolves would be an affliate? I would like it mainly since I have family and friends in the suburbs.
Great update Super Fan Blakes....I agree with Bob about Kelly Miller. He is a guy that does all the little things that makes his teammates better. I would love to have him back. Thanks for the update from the OHIC MAN! LOL
All good news as far as I am concerned. Hope Domber and Goody sign soon.
Thanks for the update Blake.
It has become a Blakes love fest up in here....up in here.
Blake, I would like to hear your thoughts, opinions, etc. on how the team is starting to be put together....Do you think that it is too early to say if some of the players that are on everyone's "wish list" will actually sign? I tend to side with your earlier remark about some of these players waiting until the last minute to come onboard either here or somewhere when they realize there are more players than jobs this year. Maybe some last minute bargains? BTW....I am really happy to see Dupuis back....hoping that we can get Duhart, Goodwin back.....not holding my breath on Milam
Happy to hear about Goody. Sorry to hear about Lindsay and Rumble. They were good players and great guys. Very good friends of mine and will be missed greatly, no matter what you all say. I wouldn't even give it a scond thought to bring Miller back. They are really stupid if they don't. Good Luck to Lindsay and Rumble!!!!!!!
BUT ABSOLUTELY NO DUHART!!!! BIG TIME IDIOT!!
Thanks for the update Blake and while those are all good players we are missing something and since MacMillian is gone to ECHL who are the K's looking to in the toughness department? Port Huron, Rockford, and Elmira all are going to have tough hockey clubs and we right now have NOBODY to mention in that department. Any time management gives the 50/50 quote that really means, no chance in hell of it happening. With Goody and Domber close to signing and Guy in the mix, it is time for the K's to look for those 2 to 3 guys that can bring a little scoring touch along with the willingness to drop the gloves and take care of business. Right now we do not have anyone to mention which imo is a deep concern!!!
Great idea on making a qualifying offer on a player that showed no heart...no guts...and no hustle. Please sign us guys that actually would like to play here and that are not so stuck on themselves that the only thing they can do is tell everyone how other players fear them. He didn't even show up in the playoffs. He will surely be in the NHL next season anyway. He thinks he is so much better than this league and this town anyway. Remember..this was the guy that said that he was playing so bad here because this league was too slow paced for him? Whatever.
Haha no problem Blake.
I hope we get Miller back. But I also hope we can sign Omicoli, that would be great!
David, relax. That has NEVER been a problem with a Pat Bingham team and I don't expect it to be one now. Do you guys remember that it's still July?
It's only July?!?!?! We have hom much longer till a puck even drops???
Uh...how many automated robots have been posting comments Blake?
So we should or shouldn't blog on here? David was just voicing his opinion on what type of player he wants to see. Just like people who are begging for Goodwin, Miller, Lindsay, AJ, so on and so forth. I think everyone is pretty much relaxed here Super Fan.