The Komets announced Wednesday that center Chris Francis and right winger Marc Rechlicz have been added to the Fort Wayne roster.
Francis, 21, was signed as a free agent during the summer by the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets and started the 2010-11 campaign with the Blue Jacket's AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, where he appeared in four games registering a goal and two points. The rookie center completed four seasons of juniors play with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last year. During 2009-10 Francis led Portland for the second straight year in assists (56) and points (82). Francis hails from Las Vegas, Nevada (5-9, 189 lbs.).
Rechlicz, 22, is beginning his third pro year after stints with Johnstown (ECHL) and Quad City (IHL) last season. During 2009-10 the right winger scored a goal and three points in 68 games with Quad City while ranking second on the Mallards with 170 penalty minutes. Rechlicz began his career in the CHL with Odessa appearing in 15 games during 2008-09. Rechlicz is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (6-4, 193lbs.)
Comments
Glad to see youth...sorry to see youth go to make room for it.
Ward didnt impress too much; but I liked Fletcher's tenacity.
My question, if this is an offensive center why would he be skating in practice with Rechlicz and Schrock? Schrock is ok; but how about putting another guy like O'connor, Naurato, etc... on the other wing??? To me that would make more sense...
So we kept Legault, dropped Fletcher and signed Rechlicz?
So we now have two guys that have one goal between them in the last 400 days... and our team is last in the league in offense?
Makes sense.
++ JM
I'm probably wrong JM but I'm not sure you can waive a player while he is on the IR list.
Somebody out there knows and I would appreciate getting educated on that point.
I've got a feeling that depending on how Rechlicz looks either he or Legault will go also.
You can't waive a guy on the IR. I'm aware of that, but with proper planning, the move could have been made without Fletcher being waived.
How about a 3rd line of: Legault, Schrock, Rechlicz..
Might be better than my dream line of: Worlton, Bolduc, Ken Boone...
Get use to it folks. This is only the beginning. Affiliations will do this. And if I'm guessing right, there's going to be a lot of changeover in the next couple of years.
Rechlicz has nothing to do with the affiliation.
Really? You mean when you're in an affiliation with a higher league team that players move between the teams?! Shut the front door!
I like the pick-up of Francis. His history shows he is a set-up Center. I would stick the kid on a line with OC and Curdy. That's just me though.
Rechlicz.....well.....let's give him a chance. I will reserve judgement until after I see him in a Komet's jersey.
Legault will get the ax once they find another offensive guy to replace him with.....that is, once his 10 day IR has been served properly.
Let's not panic, this is just a start of changes IMO.
Am I upset about Ward and Fletcher leaving....I don't have an opinion either way really.....Fletcher is a dime a dozen energy guy with little if any offensive skills at this point at this level, and Ward was getting pushed around, not setting up scoring chances, and not wining faceoffs.
Someone had to go....and you all know that there are some players on this team that are un-touchable. That is just the way it is. It sucks, but you learn to deal with it.
Who else is in the pipeline??? We'll have to wait and see I guess.....Anton Kharin? Is he or isn't he??? I have no clue. I would love him in a K's sweater....I think all of you would.
Kharin had 15 points in 10 games with the IHL FuryJacks.
He had 9 points in 7 games with the ECHL K-Wings.
The Komets told Blake they have no interest in him....
Really?
I guess he would be at or near the same dollar level as one of super-stars? Is that the reason?
I would hate to cut dead-weight. LOL
Sometimes you have to ask yourself why do certain players always bounce all over and never stick despite putting up points? This guy can't last more than 10 games anywhere?
Really?
He always impressed me strictly as a one-way player with no interest in defense. That won't work here.
No matter who they have picked up I just hope to see 2 good games this weekend. Of course I would also love to see some goals and 2 wins. I kinda liked Rechlicz last year whenever the K's played the Mallards. He does have a few more skills than Legault. As far as untouchables are we talking Drouin and Dupuis or am I missing someone? And I hated to see Fletcher go. Its too early to see what he could eventually bring to the table.
Ya, you're missing one that I can think of, but that's just my opinion. According to some though, he is the all time superhero in +/- stats so he will save the team in time of need.
No....it is that slap shot that makes him a hero.
Kharin played the last 10 games of the season and playoffs in Musky
If he's so great, why don't any of his former coaches just snap him up? Are they afraid he'll get hurt and cost them an IR/Worker's Comp spot all year?
Just because a guy has stats doesn't always mean he's a good fit on a team or in a locker room. Stats aren't everything. I don't definitively know that's the case with Anton Kharin, don't know that much about him at all, but the way he's bounced already in his career those are legitimate questions.
Stats only matter if it is the +/- stat. It has been used as justification for many the argument and we all know it is the TRUE measure of a player's greatness in all aspects of the game! ;)
The Komets have rolled the dice on players with or without stats and who had questionable locker-room relations in the not so distant past Blake.
2 names.....
MVL
Leonard Thomas
I am sure we can add to this list.....but I think those 2 names are relevant in this discussion.
It really doesn't matter if we pursue Kharin or not. I hope we get to keep Francis for more than just 5 games as it states on the transactions page of the CHL website. He could be fun to watch, as long as he is put on a line that doesn't include Rechlicz.
Here are Hit Somebody's updated line combos.
Francis, Curdy, OC
Patrosso, Naurato, PC Buddy
Leo, Schrock, Warner (Zac Ray?)
Rechlicz
Frankie, Cescon
Rodger, Phillips
Guy, Cianfrini
You make it sound like he's played for 10 teams...He has played for 2 teams in his 2 full years out of college and the fans KZoo are saying he wasn't brought back because of salary cap issues. Every where he has played, he has produced.Is he injury prone? Sure but to say he's nothing I have a hard time with.
I agree GM.
We'll see just how well he does and if he proves he actually is something.
They might know something you do not GM. Leave it at that.
1st...Not a kool-aid drinker in thinking that the Komets are the greatest thing ever and 2nd...I'm not talking bad about the decision not to sign him, simply stating that he does produce and hasn't been on a million teams like Blake implied
My opinion is that the K's still need one more center.
I would move Curadeau out of the center postion over to a wing, leaving Thomas and Francis at the center position. I think the team would benefit from a third "true" center being brought in to maximize the talent.
The tough part of such a move would be who to let go. Do you part with one of the defensemen? A forward? Do you sacrifice some toughness?
I think ( just my opinion ) that the K's kind of have a "master plan" for later in the season. They may be willing to "stand pat" a little while into the season to see who may be available from Europe, etc. Remember that they gave themselves a little "wiggle room" with the salary cap in case a player became available later.
Like I said, it's just my opinion but with the moves made this week and while I think we aren't there yet, we are closer.
Blake, I have meant to post this for sometime and I have forgotten to do it.
I just wanted you to know how much I have enjoyed, under the title "Komet Specials", the two videos posted.
Komets: The Early Years, and Komets: 1980's to Present are well done.
I have posted before that my favorite Komet team was the 72-73 Turner Cup team and, my, how the memories came flooding back. When the camera started panning across the team picture I could still name the players by sight.
I would advise anyone who hasn't taken the time to watch these videos to do so. They are well produced, well narrated, and certainly well worth the time.
Thanks for having them available.
Alan,
Just remember there is a center who has a home here and is done playing in Europe in February. I'm not naming names but if I could write on the board I'd surely tell you who I was thinking of.
Too bad that will be past the roster deadline, Kometswin.
YEAH, so there!
Kometswin -While getting him back in time for a play-off run would be nice I do not think it will happen this year... I wish though. Actually, when i heard he was leaving i immediately thought we would see him for the play-offs... but oh well. Still hope we see him in a Komets jersey in the future.