The Komets have waived forward Rick Varone to clear a roster spot to activate Mitch Woods on Friday. While battling a knee injury, Varone had one goal and six points in 23 games this season after earning the club's co-Rookie of the Year award last year with 23 goals and 55 points in 73 games.
``We're in a numbers situation,'' General Manager David Franke said. ``We were just disappointed in Rick this year. He had such a great year last year and this year his offense is way, way down. Defenisvely he's not gettign the job done, and we want ot keep our rookies. Only six of htejm. He just got caught in the numbers game. Lack of production.
Comments
Keith Rodger won't play this weekend and has another doctor's appointment on Friday.
What's wrong with Rodger? I saw on another post its an eye injury of sorts. Is it visual? orbital bone? bruising?
This isn't a surprise. This is the cut that made the most sense. I liked Rick last year, but his production this year has definitely not been up-to-snuff. I wish him the best and hope he lands somewhere.
Rodger has some scratches on his eye after getting hit with a stick in practice last Friday.
Frankly ... I'm just disappointed in the Franke's this year! And their "lack of production". Isn't it about time the Franke's look at the whole team. Perhaps it's not just one or two guys ... lets look at the team as a whole ... ! And just how long is Woods gonna be around for ?? Will we see him in the fall or is this just a money making agenda by the Franke's ?? What is the point of having him play for a few month?? Heck .. "he won't have his wind" for a while yet ! What a joke Franke's!! .. What a joke!!
No surprise... Good luck to Rick.
Word out of Muskegon from a season ticket holder who passed along the info is that a contract is signed for the 2010/11 USHL season. If fans want to watch pro hockey next year in Musky, it sounds like it will be AAHL hockey since the Blizzard will be playing in LC Walker next year also... Too bad if this turns out correct...
Cut a guy "who isn't getting the job done" in order to bring in a guy who isn't in game shape. Pretty lateral move. I'd appreciate the fact that Varone busted his butt all season playing on a bad knee. Too bad he wasn't born in Huntertown, that they only way to keep your roster spot while being injured I guess.
Good Luck to Varone.
Well said, JM.
That's not a fair assessment. The guy you are referring too is a defenseman playing offense. Much more valuable to the franchise then a one dimensional non scoring forward. Sorry but those are the facts. Wanna coach, call the Frankes.
Puck Bunny--What have you been smoking? You can have your oppinion that's for sure. To bad you have no idea just what you are talking about. That is really very sad. I am sure your remarks are well intended just way off base. Do you happen to be from Kalamahooozit?
... and which parts would I be "off base" on ??? Perhaps its YOU Dschebig that is looking through smoke filled glasses!
Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning! I for one...would not want to be Al or the Frankes, I hate this time of year when we have to cut people that I have grown to like but it is what it is. Get a grip!
Watch out JM, G-hockey (the king of I dont have an opinion, just wanna blast others for thiers) has got you on his radar now.... LOL
I'm sorry folks...Its just hockey...in the grand scheme of life does any of it really matter. We as hockey fans in Fort Wayne have NO IDEA what the Frankes do for this franchise. We are very lucky to have hockey in this city...Please get a grip...GO KOMETS
Does using three question marks help? PB, I see what you are saying, but that's really more in Mitch's control than the Frankes. I'm sure they'd love for him to stick around indefinitely, assuming he plays like we all know he can.
varone is the logical choice. his bad knee is probably keeping him from being effective so you wanna keep him around till the knee goes out for good? also you dont sign a guy to have him play next fall you sign him for now and once woods gets in shape he will show you what varone should have b een doing this year. its tough when someone you like is cut but it is a business and we dont have the luxury of carrying 24 players. i liked varone but he hasnt been half the player he was last year so he is the cut. warner is not expewcted todo the things varone was suppose to do. there are role players on every team. warners is to go both ways and play solid defense which he has been doing. varones role was to be aggressive hit alot and score twenty goals none of which he is able to do because of injury. sorry.
Pure productivity decision. 6 points in 23 games just is not getting it done. Remember he was the one who was putting off resigning here because he wanted to play in Europe, but the Franke's waited for him when they could of moved on. He just didn't perform in his role. If the knee is healthy I would not be surprise if someone picks him up. My question I have now is when Huck comes off IR will they have to make one more roster move?
Puck Bunny- I'll give you a pass and everyone who follows this blog knows why. You have missed a lot of what has been said on here from last summer up to now. That's OK we like everyone on here and want to read what they think. You are no different. Remember this PB "It is not now and can never be personal" Hockey fans are some of the most oppinionated people on the planet. Komet fans may be the most passionate who ever took a breath. We do love our Komets! There are those of us who appreciate what we have. Some more than others. Yes, we would do things different in some situations but it's not my team and not my money that is behind them. I will also admit I am defensive of the Komets their Owners, Players, Coaches and Fans. If you had been following this blog since last summer you would understand the Kalamazoo referance. If it offends you I apologize. If your from Kalamazoo that tough!
Now back to our regular scheduled program.
I never got his hockey card signed/ anyone want 2 of those giant cards they gave out a few years ago? I have Chaulk & Goodwin=FREE= Clean-out the basement.
With muskegon leaving for the ushl, what's gonna be next?
Can someone please explain to me how Woods is going to help the Komets beat Muskegon or Port Huron?
Monkey, 1 fist at a time or 1 check at a time, a goal now and then, the look over the shoulder to see if he is on the ice about to hit you, things like that.
mightbite, my little guy would love the Chaulk card, I'm sure! He'll find some wall space to hang it in his room....Wendy has seen it, that's really a joke. We'll have to take something down to find some room in there. It's already filled with Komet posters. But we'll take a poster down from somewhere or hang it on the ceiling for him!
Varone just couldn't get it going. He was close alot of nights but just couldn't put it in the net. Nothing more than that. It is ok to love a particular player, we all do. But don't take it so personally.
They brought in a tweener, and let a tweener go. That is what this is. They transfered what one guy is making to the other.
Lets give Mitch a chance. He might surprise you JM. And you have to admit the line of Schrock, Mac, and Woody will be incredible if Big Al has the boys to do it. You will be standing and going ape-shat. Come on J-Monk, you gonna be all right there buddy. Might-bite has a Woods jersey you can borrow.
....Can you feel the love tonight,,,,,la la la la la la.
Anyone wanna make a friendly guesstimate on if/whether Woods pummels anyone tomorrow? :) I say no....but I sincerely hope I am wrong, wrong, wrong....in fact, I'd love a Schrock, Mac, and Woods line brawl in the middle of the 2nd period. (have to give myself time to get back downstairs, ya know) If so, it's gonna be awfully hard to get up Saturday morning!!
**BTW, Saturday morning at McMillan, they are giving a FREE 1 hour hockey class to all kids, all equipment provided to use while it lasts, from 11AM to noon. Please feel free to come and bring your friends and their friends! It's Hockey Weekend Across America! (Friday is "Wear your Jersey Day", Saturday is bring a "Friend to the Rink Day", then Sunday is "Honor your Local Hockey Heroes Day")**
Last two games.
Muskegon-1 FW-0
Port Huron-6 FW-1
We need somebody to put the puck in the net if we want to win a 3rd Kup. Woods, Mac, Schrock would be entertaining, but its not going to win games. In fact, Mac and Schrock are the reason I question adding Woods. Same guy x3.. yeah, they all play a little differently, but its the same type of guy. I'll support Woods because he wears Orange and Black, but I question the logic..... and the hype. If Woods skates slow, is winded, and gets a beatdown at the hands of Goulet tomorrow night, I'll have to read entry after entry on this blog about how terrible he is.. (see Stayzer, Galbraith).
JM - Woods is not in the same "league" of fights as Goulet. Why would we hold it against him for recieving a beat down? We have seen Woods play before. and if brings anything close to what he was, then he would truly be an asset to the team.
Was varone providing that offensive punch we needed? his numbers are horrible this year. A trade of him for Woods is a huge upgrade. Even if they have same offensive output, then woods is still an upgrade due to the extra space he will help provide on the ice. Varone can not and would never provide that.
I agree..
I don't have a gripe against the Varone cut, per se.. I'd just prefer a guy thats going to score some goals. Not a guy thats going to do the same exact thing that Schrock already does... and MacMillan does..
Maybe the FuryJacks will give us Rockin Robin and John DiPace and T-rob.....I mean, those guys are too dang old for the USHL. And I bet they can't make payroll once this thing is mainstream in Muskegon over the next couple of days to a week. Once the Jack's fans all get this info on the USHL, LC Wanker Arena will be a hollow cavern night after night.
Sad situation. Can't believe the FuryJacks are leaving us too. Maybe some local Pizza Shop Owners will swoop in and save this league once again. I am sure someone can put together an ownership group and move hockey into some old crappy arena in the midwest and fill the place with 600 fans or so. Kidding.