I will say this.... Start with Marino and Rizk (the only 2 definite returnee's, IMO) and build an ECHL team from there.... A few others get signed for camp (Firman, Wheeler, Gagnon, Dunbar) because they worked their tails off while here...
If Syro wasnt as slow as a tar waterfall and played in zones other than just the offensive one, I would say bring him back... This team needs players who are invested in playing a complete game...
I like the idea of trying to sign Schaus and Guenztel to free agent contracts...
Season tickets are paid for next season and I'm ready for Komets redemption!
Blake Sebring
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 5:56pm
But you were so in love with Caputi and Lasch who never stepped inside the defensive zone. LOL. And you screamed all year that they needed more size! :) I'm confused. LOL.
Syro is never going to be fast, but it would be extremely rare to find a 6-4 guy who can score 30 goals who most likely the AHL wouldn't sign away from you. That's awful hard to turn down and even harder to find.
We'll see.
stick
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 6:01pm
Please no Dunbar, Wheeler, etc......... I don't care how much heart and desire etc. They are "TOO SMALL. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Syro is big and can score. We need him here and in shape from the beginning
JR
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 6:11pm
I came into this season with an open mind in regards to an affiliation and that is the difference... I think many were still clutching on to heroes of the past and did not give some of those affiliated players a chance for much of the season... These are the same guys that Sims has praised as being difference makers (Brittain, Lasch, Caputi, etc...)... Guys that could score and were scoring during a time when the Komets were still well inside playoff position. Syro got a pass, while those guys were maligned....hero of the past....
Guys like Wheeler, Marino, and Dunbar more than held their own in this league from sheer hustle and "want to"...and if those are the only 3 "small" guys in next seasons lineup, then that would be a huge plus... Thats why I said "build and ECHL team around them"....guys with size and skill who could benefit and finish opportunities from playmakers like Marino and Dunbar. And if there were more than a handful of players stronger on their skates than Wheeler, I would be surprised...
stick
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 6:14pm
JR.... What is your fascination with Wheeler? He cannot play at this level. He is just simply TOO SMALL
Blake Sebring
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 6:28pm
I'm with JR on Wheeler. He can play.
Who/SuZ
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 7:10pm
Core players IMO, Smith as captain, Marino for goals and assists, Wheeler for his determination....also Rizk and Auger (all of which I have cited before)...give Firman a chance.....goalies....would love to see Bouch and Charlie....Schrock is most likely also a given and PLEASE, no Syro.....to slow as I have indicated in the past.
Blake, nice summation and the one that stands out most to me is your number 3.....every night was a surprise as to who/whom was going to play....it got old not being able to make associations with players as we have done in the past.
One question for you Blake; you mention increased roster flexibility....is that something you see coming?
kometsfan26
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 7:42pm
No way no how is schrock back......that would be the biggest waste of a spot next year.....he belongs in a lower league.....
Blake Sebring
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 7:50pm
No, probably not. It's all about serving the AHL.
Me78
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 7:58pm
Auger and Marino. That's it. No Boucher no smith no shrock.....time to move on
justin k
Tue, 04/02/2013 - 7:26am
I dont see Schaus or Guenzel coming back next year. I dont think we can pay the kind of money that AHL and NHL teams can, I think JD made something like 600,000. this year.,so who knows how much Geunzel and Schaus made or would have to make to even want to come here. Plus from what I understand guys with AHL experiance can easily go to Europe and play without having to pay taxes on their money and get paid in Euroes to boot which are worth more. I would love to get Schaus in particular back, I think if he stayed the whole season he could be the best Defenseman in the whole league., Maybe the Frankes can work out a deal!!!!!!!
Alan
Tue, 04/02/2013 - 3:05pm
Strange thing that everyone had the answers during the season. Now, as choices are going to be made, it's a little trickier.
To me, the first thing that needs to be done is to decide what path to follow. Affiliation(s) or independemt? The paradox is if yes, how many, and if no, then you'd better pursue players sooner than later.
True , Cincinnati and Reading had two affiliations (and won divisions), but Evansville had two and didn' t make the playoffs. I think Alaska was independent and won the regular season title.
Whichever path is chosen, I think the common denominator is scouting and recruiting. The Komets haven't been too strong at either in past seasons. I'm all for Marino. I've come to the conclusion that Syro should be here also. But herein lies the problem. You can only have four, and others may be considered also.
My thoughts:
1) Beef up your scouting and recruiting, Hire someone whose successful at it and make them an employee of the team.
2) Decide if you want to be affiliated. Decide how many. Do not affiliate with Norfolk or Anaheim as a primary. Anaheim does not have enough prosprcts. ( Komets did not qualify for playoffs and Norfolk may miss their playoffs, too.)
3) Decide on the players to be protected. Don't get caught up in numbers now. That time will come later. Worry about vets and non-vets later. Things will get more clear as time goes on.
4) Scoring and defense is a priority. Size and quickness, too. Find someone who excells at faceoffs. Sorry Chaulk fans, but this team hasn't had a great faceoff guy since Terry Marchant.
5) Leave no stone unturmed. Scour the CHL, the top junior leagues, top college programs, European leagues (sometimes a player just can't adust and would like to get back to North America, and other teams in the ECHL . Make lists of pros and cons Don't be shy, get as many into camp as the rules allow.
6) Start the work now. Get your ideas put together, make a plan, and then work the plan.
Comments
Good wrap up.....
I will say this.... Start with Marino and Rizk (the only 2 definite returnee's, IMO) and build an ECHL team from there.... A few others get signed for camp (Firman, Wheeler, Gagnon, Dunbar) because they worked their tails off while here...
If Syro wasnt as slow as a tar waterfall and played in zones other than just the offensive one, I would say bring him back... This team needs players who are invested in playing a complete game...
I like the idea of trying to sign Schaus and Guenztel to free agent contracts...
Season tickets are paid for next season and I'm ready for Komets redemption!
But you were so in love with Caputi and Lasch who never stepped inside the defensive zone. LOL. And you screamed all year that they needed more size! :) I'm confused. LOL.
Syro is never going to be fast, but it would be extremely rare to find a 6-4 guy who can score 30 goals who most likely the AHL wouldn't sign away from you. That's awful hard to turn down and even harder to find.
We'll see.
Please no Dunbar, Wheeler, etc......... I don't care how much heart and desire etc. They are "TOO SMALL. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Syro is big and can score. We need him here and in shape from the beginning
I came into this season with an open mind in regards to an affiliation and that is the difference... I think many were still clutching on to heroes of the past and did not give some of those affiliated players a chance for much of the season... These are the same guys that Sims has praised as being difference makers (Brittain, Lasch, Caputi, etc...)... Guys that could score and were scoring during a time when the Komets were still well inside playoff position. Syro got a pass, while those guys were maligned....hero of the past....
Guys like Wheeler, Marino, and Dunbar more than held their own in this league from sheer hustle and "want to"...and if those are the only 3 "small" guys in next seasons lineup, then that would be a huge plus... Thats why I said "build and ECHL team around them"....guys with size and skill who could benefit and finish opportunities from playmakers like Marino and Dunbar. And if there were more than a handful of players stronger on their skates than Wheeler, I would be surprised...
JR.... What is your fascination with Wheeler? He cannot play at this level. He is just simply TOO SMALL
I'm with JR on Wheeler. He can play.
Core players IMO, Smith as captain, Marino for goals and assists, Wheeler for his determination....also Rizk and Auger (all of which I have cited before)...give Firman a chance.....goalies....would love to see Bouch and Charlie....Schrock is most likely also a given and PLEASE, no Syro.....to slow as I have indicated in the past.
Blake, nice summation and the one that stands out most to me is your number 3.....every night was a surprise as to who/whom was going to play....it got old not being able to make associations with players as we have done in the past.
One question for you Blake; you mention increased roster flexibility....is that something you see coming?
No way no how is schrock back......that would be the biggest waste of a spot next year.....he belongs in a lower league.....
No, probably not. It's all about serving the AHL.
Auger and Marino. That's it. No Boucher no smith no shrock.....time to move on
I dont see Schaus or Guenzel coming back next year. I dont think we can pay the kind of money that AHL and NHL teams can, I think JD made something like 600,000. this year.,so who knows how much Geunzel and Schaus made or would have to make to even want to come here. Plus from what I understand guys with AHL experiance can easily go to Europe and play without having to pay taxes on their money and get paid in Euroes to boot which are worth more. I would love to get Schaus in particular back, I think if he stayed the whole season he could be the best Defenseman in the whole league., Maybe the Frankes can work out a deal!!!!!!!
Strange thing that everyone had the answers during the season. Now, as choices are going to be made, it's a little trickier.
To me, the first thing that needs to be done is to decide what path to follow. Affiliation(s) or independemt? The paradox is if yes, how many, and if no, then you'd better pursue players sooner than later.
True , Cincinnati and Reading had two affiliations (and won divisions), but Evansville had two and didn' t make the playoffs. I think Alaska was independent and won the regular season title.
Whichever path is chosen, I think the common denominator is scouting and recruiting. The Komets haven't been too strong at either in past seasons. I'm all for Marino. I've come to the conclusion that Syro should be here also. But herein lies the problem. You can only have four, and others may be considered also.
My thoughts:
1) Beef up your scouting and recruiting, Hire someone whose successful at it and make them an employee of the team.
2) Decide if you want to be affiliated. Decide how many. Do not affiliate with Norfolk or Anaheim as a primary. Anaheim does not have enough prosprcts. ( Komets did not qualify for playoffs and Norfolk may miss their playoffs, too.)
3) Decide on the players to be protected. Don't get caught up in numbers now. That time will come later. Worry about vets and non-vets later. Things will get more clear as time goes on.
4) Scoring and defense is a priority. Size and quickness, too. Find someone who excells at faceoffs. Sorry Chaulk fans, but this team hasn't had a great faceoff guy since Terry Marchant.
5) Leave no stone unturmed. Scour the CHL, the top junior leagues, top college programs, European leagues (sometimes a player just can't adust and would like to get back to North America, and other teams in the ECHL . Make lists of pros and cons Don't be shy, get as many into camp as the rules allow.
6) Start the work now. Get your ideas put together, make a plan, and then work the plan.