David Franke certainly could have said that more tactfully.
So could some of the bloggers who said THE EXACT SAME THING FOR MOST OF THE SEASON. Some of you are being hypocritical about the whole situation considering how you cried about how the Komets needed a heavyweight, someone bigger to take on Goulet and some of the rest. All year Stayzer wasn't good enough or Mac wasn't big enough or whatever for you. Now you're getting exactly what you wanted, and some of the same people are still crying.
Pretty bush all the way around.
God love you, Mac for giving it everything you had every night. The next guy has a lot to live up to.
Comments
I may be in the minority (surprise, surprise!) but I always had the utmost respect and admiration for how Mac conducted himself on and off the ice. The man may only be 5'9"(?)....but always played as if he was 6'6".
Granted, it's difficult to win every scrap, but Mac won and lost with class and grace. Brad, thanks for the fantastic memories the past few years, and for being a class act.
Amen!
Wait a minute here.
When people were calling for someone to help out in the toughness department it was specifically when Mac was out of the line-up and guys were taking cheapshots at Haun and the more skilled players. That was when we were begging for someone to either step-up or go and get someone. Stayzer tryed to but...as we all found out, he is admirible, but couldn't stay on his feet to fight, and Bertram just couldn't do it any longer.
Both those guys were the ones that we were pointed to over and over again as the guys that were here to help ou in the toughness department. And niether could fit the bill while Mac was out of the line-up, or when we went up against a team that had 2 or 3 roughnecks. Schrock did what he could, but can you count on this kid to do it night in and night out agaisnt the Goulets and Parkers that were in the league???
So before you call out bloggers on this.....
No one complained about Mac's heart, his toughness, his job of taking care of the other teams tough guys, because he never shy-ed away once from a battle, he was always there to stand-up for a teammate and always there to do what needed to be done.
Frankes and reporters printed the information about the Stayzers, Bertrams, etc. being guys here to help Mac when need be.
It wasn't the bloggers.
I do agree that there were people begging for a Bigger Tough Guy much of the year. But as memory serves me, it was because Stayzer left, and Bertram was unable to do it anymore, for whatever the reasons.
My surprise tonight was not that the Frankes want a bigger enforcer, is was the way they drove the BUS over Mac and all that Mac did for this team when he was here.
And it seems they are driving that same bus over Haun.
If Haun was a jerk in the locker-room, just come out and say it. They need to stop throwing hints out into the public when Tim isn't able to defend himself. There are 2 sides to every story.
Wonder if Tim would ever speak on the subject or comment as to why he thinks he did not get any "interest" from the Komets this season after his IHL of the Year season in which he carried this team for the better part of the season when the defense was broken, playing 4 defenseman healthy some nights. I would like to hear from him. Not saying that no one hasn't asked him to go on record, I am sure people have. But it would be interesting to hear what he thinks. Since all we have heard is bits and pieces of hints from you Superfan regarding what the Frankes have told you.
We don't always know what goes on in the locker-room or behind the scenes. And I am sure it is for the best.
Maybe one of two things should occur from the Komets on player signings or "no offers" for players. Either say what the story is.....or don't say anything. Because the Haun thing is very fishy to alot of people. Then you have Andy Sherman being 3rd or 4th hand news throwing out there that Tim was a problem in the locker-room after Blake has hinted 3 or 4 different comments about Tim.
This is why it would be interesting to hear what Tim has to say.
Oh well, not a big deal I guess.
I for one am appreciative of Brad MacMillan. For that, I am a hypocrite.....I guess???
Or a hypocrite for questioning Mr. Franke in his rolling over Mac with the Komet bus under the IHL Moniker under the CHL moniker.......
Good Night. LOL
You are so full of crap! I have never hinted one way or the other about Tim, and I'm calling you out on that garbage. That is total BS, Hit, and you need to apologize for that or you can find somewhere else to post.
I've reached out to Tim and I'm sure Justin has as well, and so far he has chosen not to comment. That's his right, too. Why does everybody always have to assume there's something nefarious behind everything? Some vast conspiracy. Maybe he just decided he wants to be the No. 1 guy somewhere. Maybe he decided to take a job at home. Tim has always been a very private person, and you know what, that's allowed.
The only thing I have said on here about Tim was in a response to a question from JR where he posited the question about could it be that Tim might be asking for too much.
Canuck Says:
August 5th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Maybe I previously missed it on the blog - why aren
Too many mental midgets on this blog anymore. I am truly sorry you have to read this negative garbage ALL THE TIME, Blake, I truly am.
Exactly Dan. Why do you think there are so few posters? We too can't stand negativity all of the time.
I'm just glad that the awesomely intelligent bloggers on here have the aged old tradition of name calling to fall back on.... I wish I were that smart...
I was pretty shocked to see almost everyone on the Komet team sit back and watch their teammates get pummeled during the Muskegon game. Everyone EXCEPT Mac. I'll put money on the fact that no one else would do that, even Goulet.
Was Al telling them to sit still? Why? Did he think the refs were going to sort it out? That's very very laughable. The IHL refs were a complete and absolute joke year in and year out. And the suspensions handed out afterwards were also a complete joke. Or were the teammates too scared of fighting or getting penalties or suspended? You all know what that sounds like.
Imagine if this scenario played out in other leagues, what do you think would happen? There'd be more than ONE teammate going after the meatheads pummeling one of their own, and for that I give Mac the respect he deserves. Actions speak louder than words, my friends.
Bloggers never said that Mac "can
The Muskegon fiasco doesnt happen if a line change is made by the Komets removing thier #1 line and putting a line on the ice that could handle themselves against Kromm's goon squad that he put on the ice after the scrum that Mac was involved in the play before...
If that line change is made, Mac watches guys who can handle themselves against Kromms goon squad and then most likely just talks trash once everyone's happily in thier respective boxes and goes with Snake or Lawmaster later in the period/game...
If that line change is made, there is no large suspension for Mac resulting from his departure from the penalty box and Skill players arent left without a true policeman on the ice to take care of things and possibly the Haun incident never happens....
I know this is all what if speculation; but that one decision to leave your skill line out against Kromm's goon squad coupled with a decision shortly thereafter to leave the penalty box lead to alot softer team and alot of the added hardships the K's skill players endured during Mac's absence. Its the only truly bad decision that I think Coach Sims has made in his latest tenure here with the K's. This is not an attack on coach Sims whom I believe to be the best coach at the AA level of hockey... Just my belief on how truly important every decision behind the bench made can have an impact not only on the current game; but the season as a whole.
JR, nail hit on the head. Great Post!
The only thing I will say about this "Mac Conspiracy 2010" is this: Last season we were told that Mac can handle himself against anyone in the league, and he did just that. Maybe bloggers said that he was too small, but like JM said, the wear and tear was pretty evident over the past 2 seasons because he was enough to handle anyone.
So now we're hearing that Mr. Franke is looking for someone that's bigger, makes sense this season, and last season also. Mac probably won't be able to be an offensive/defensive regular shift type of guy in the CHL, w/ them only playing 3 lines. And they can't waste a roster spot on 2 "tough guys". Makes sense, sad to see Mac go.
IMO, Mac's purpose was served in his time here and his body was put through the ringers trying to do it. Seems like a little bit of back tracking from Mr. Franke, that's all and understand why some aren't too pleased w/ it.
If Mac can't skate a 3rd line in this AA league, why was he able to the last 2 seasons in the AA+ league?? That's my only question.
There might have been friction between Mac and David.
The ideal was always having one big guy, one smaller guy just so that no one had to fight everybody. But regarding Mac beng too small, I'll just say this... When the chips are down, I'd take a terrier over a St. Bernard any day.
And God love Stayzer. He did what was expected of him. But it was always even money as to whether his opponent would knock him down or he would simply fall down first.
Sorry, Blake, I have to disagree with you on this one. I don't recall anyone throwing Mac under the bus on this blog for anything except for the Halloween 2009 coming out of the penalty box incident. He cost himself 15 games, and some said that was wring. I disagree, since he was in perfect position to do just that. And re-watch the video...PC was fighting like crazy to get a that whole incident and was being held back by TWO Muskegon players.
I lay this one squarely at Mr Franke's feet. Mac was well-loved and was a well-respected for his enforcer role on this team. We had a very hard time filling it when he was out. Take another class in "what to say to the media", Mr Franke....because that comment sure bombed.
Hey, Blake, I wrote a srmi-book of a comment that said "awaiting moderation":.....never has shown up.....what did I say wring? LOL....I was just trying to out-do Alan....just kidding.
That was my feeling, too, BLB. Sure, there were alternatives to coming out of that penalty box. He could have bided his time until later in the game or at some opportune moment during the next game. I suppose that's what one should have done if they were being smart about things. But some acts are so heinous that they demand an immediate response. I, for one, had no problem with what he did, even after the suspension was handed out. I was just glad that someone there had the guts to do what he did.
And no, I don't remember more than one or two people ever saying that MacMillan was too small. Sure, it would have been nice to have a bigger fighter on the roster, too, but I don't think anyone doubted Brad's effectiveness against all comers.
Well said BLB, 1 guy can not fight every night. Most people wanted to get MacMillan some help & now franke rips on Mac??????????? It was his JOB to make sure the star players are protected.The Halloween thing WAS al simms doing. Everyone knew what musky was doing & you can not tell me that sims did not see that.He just dropped the ball on that one & I don't know why??? Al Sims is a very good coach, MAYBE franke had this thing planned????
http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/1563
Komets new "tough guy" ??????????
Lewis re-signed in Missouri for this season....
http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/90966
Komets new "tough guy"??????
last on was a mistake :(
this guy signed with Bruce Richardson's team
I have great respect for Mac. I don't think anyone ever questioned how tough he is. I have said in the past that it is a shame that he had to be our only "heavyweight" for the past few seasons. It sounds like they are going to get a bigger guy to handle the duties this year but I would like to see a few guys brought in to handle the toughness. I don't think you can put the burden on 1 guy every night to step up. I know that we have Cescon and Schrock as well but, again, you can't ask those guys to go up against someone 6' 3" to 6'5" and who weighs 230 - 250 lbs. I'm looking at these teams in the CHL and, even though it is supposed to be a faster league, most of them have some aircraft carriers to protect their skill guys. I'm sure that we can find a few guys to handle that role in Fort Wayne so that we don't continue to ask just 1 guy to all the dirty work. The chances of 1 tough guy being injury free and healthy the whole season are very very slim. The team looks great so far.....we just need some muscle.
Just a question here because I'm not sure, but don't the rules on fighting in the CHL follow the IHL's? In other words they really crack down on it, discourage it, give instigator penalties, etc.?
That was supposedly one of the major differences between the IHL and the other leagues, "let 'em at it"?
If that's the case then the need for tough enforcers should be reduced. Not eliminated, just reduced because there should (I stress should) be less need for them. This means the enforcers also have to be able to play their position with some degree of skill in comparison to the rest of the team since they will be doing more playing and less fighting.
It's just a question and a thought or two. Having not seen a CHL game I'm curious.
I've read and re-read and went back and read the statement again. I have to be honest with everyone, I didn't take Franke's statement the same way everyone else seems to have had.
I remember a year or so ago, we had some conversation regarding how tough it is to "read" a statement and make judgements on it without being able to look in the person's eyes, hear the tone of their voice, listen to the inflection in their words, and see the body "signals". Written words are just naked, to be taken in the context of whatever mood or inclination the listener wishes to place them under.
Before I go on, let me make something perfectly clear: I thought Mac did a great job with his role. He never backed down, he fought everyone, provided the "protection" to the skill players that the Komets lacked. Another thing I want everyone to remember is this; two playoffs ago (with a broken hand from fighting) he played straight up as a winger and competed exteremely well. He was truly an asset. Also, I had no problem with him leaving the penalty box vs Muskegon. The biggest problem was when he "touched" the official.
What came first? Did the Franke's disinterest spur Mac to look elsewhere or was there some other reason for them to part ways. I don't know and wouldn't even care except that it could have a bearing on Mac ending up in Colorado. ( Colorado is an easier drive from Alaska, by the way.)
I'll close with this, unless I am sorely mistaken, none of us bloggers were witness to Franke's statements.
To the point where maybe Mac and the Franke's had problems, or even whether Tim Haun was well liked in the locker room. I would ask you this: How many of you "love" your boss and how many of you get along wonderfully with each one of your fellow employees at work?
Nineteen players on a roster really limits the things a GM can do. The smaller salary cap hamstrings them also.
I'd say all in all that Franke has done a pretty good job with this roster so far. He's had to contend with Chaulk leaving, Shafranov retiring, Syro retiring, Hukalo retiring, Hodgman moving on to the Toronto Marlies, and dropping Chewy ( who did everything asked of him-played on the third line, hustled 100% of the time and still put the puck in the net.)
Lets get another sniper, and Rob Nolan. No more defensemen.
all of this is why i dont come on here much anymore. some of you act like you know nothing about hockey. haun wasnt offered a contract cause they didnt have the money to have two number one goalers. he deserved to be the number one guy somewhere. as to mac, great guy great heart but you cant relie on him to be your heavyweight. look what happened last year, he started getting frustrated and got a couple suspensions and he was so worn out from taking it to and from bigger guys he wound up with lots of missed time due to injuries. so a bigger guy was needed plus mac didnt come thru with the scoring they were counting on like he showed from the previous year. so take off the orange colored glasses people and start thinking of it as what it is, a business. dont like the frankes? then stop supporting them with your attendance and jersey buying. pretty simple.
So which is it, are we supposed to "know" hockey or "know" business???
The Frankes have never mentioned money when it comes to the discussion pertaining to Haun (at least nothing that I have read), that has been purely speculative on the blogs. All that has been said is that they werent pursuing Tim Haun for next season...
Size had nothing to do with the space that Mac provided the skill players for the K's the last couple of years... Finding a 6'5" (or whatever) player to protect your skill is all well and good IF the guy can play a regular shift (and lets face it, those guys are at a higher level, unless they are carrying baggage)... If he cant then a player like Mac will give your skill players twice the amount of space because he can play one... I would be 10x more worried about a guy like Mac than a big oaf who gets 2 shifts a game...whats the coincidence you'll be on the ice with the oaf for retaliation???
And lastly...... Will people stop telling others not to go to the games if they dont like the Frankes..... It is possible to love the game of hockey, dislike the Frankes, and still catch a live hockey game..... Sometimes reading people whine about other peoples comments on here is like watching my kids whine about who got the bigger piece of pie. You may not like it; but its all good....
I quit eating sweets 1 1/2 years ago & have never felt better except for my torn rotator cuff. I hope the Komets soon sign there "tough guy" so we can cry about him :)
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=35715
Komets new "tough guy" ????????????