Off topic, but on the NHL Network a few minutes ago, was a press conference announcing that on January 25th at 9:30pm, the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks will meet each other in an outdoor game to be played at Dodger Stadium.
Part of the festivities included a few words from Bruce Beaudreau.
It seems no matter where or when in hockey, a little Komet relationship can be found. That's what happens when you've been part of something for over 60 years.
I hope the players appreciate the fact that they are part of a piece of the fabic of the sport.
chuckitt
Fri, 09/27/2013 - 9:26am
interesting all the guys who arent komets who are working out. whats the status of those people like thomas and butler??
Blake Sebring
Fri, 09/27/2013 - 10:01am
Thomas is going to Mississippi, Butler is still looking. Hess is going to Fayetteville and Saalfrank to Dayton.
chuckitt
Fri, 09/27/2013 - 11:16am
think butler could be effective here with all the young guys
Alan
Fri, 09/27/2013 - 12:25pm
Chuckitt, I don't give Butler much of a chance.
My opinion doesn't come from the idea that he may not be good enough, but a couple other reasons. First, he's a veteran and I think the K's either have someone else in mind or are going to hold that spot for later in the season. Secondly, he's a ex-CHL player and whether or not it should make a difference, I think the attitude left over from last season's disappointment works against him. Millions of reasons why that is wrong, but I believe , that is the "taste" left over (fairly or unfairly).
I would hope that the K's go after one more sniper as I think they have set themselves up pretty nicely as far as defense, size, speed, youth and toughness go. As far as Butler is concerned, I hope he finds a place and prospers. He always answered the bell and defended, not only the net, but also his team mates while never backing down. He had a great attitude.
One final thought. While this is a younger league, this is the kind of example where a guy may be penalized for being good enough to play past his "veteran" limit.
JR1
Fri, 09/27/2013 - 1:08pm
As a coach???....
Ron Heathman
Fri, 09/27/2013 - 5:03pm
You raise some very good points Alan on Butler. I think he is good enough to play here, but.........
Alan
Sun, 09/29/2013 - 9:54am
Thanks Ron. I hope you are doing well.
With training camp opening one week from today, we are closing in on Komet hockey. Through my last comment I expressed an opinion about the harshness of outlasting one's veteran status. It really wasn't too much of a problem when AA hockey was expanding. This is a different era as leagues are disappearing, member cities in surviving leagues are diminishing, and opportunities are shrinking.
Taking a look at the maps of the old IHL, UHL, IHL 2 ( as some like to call it), even the changing landscape of the CHL, and yes, the ECHL show stark contrast when comparing numbers of franchises.
Expenses usually are the doom of minor leagues and individual teams. My perspective is that the CHL is going to have a hard time continuing as two of the stronger franchises want out, the league now stretches from Ontario to Arizona, and it is placing franchises in places that are gambles at best. Too bad. While the K's were in the UHL, IHL, I didn't know much about the CHL. My respect for the league grew greatly in the two years the K's were members. I enjoyed the quality of play, appreciated the ability to have veteran players, but always wondered how the league could continue with all the traveling.
Time will tell and as the old saying goes, there is nothing so constant as change. Still I wonder if the K's would've left if the league seemed more solid.
Well, as things continue to change, veterans are running out of places to play. Something sad about that in my opinion. Butler has brought it to mind again, as next year more vets will be working themselves out of hockey jobs.
I'm looking forward to enjoying this year of Komet hockey as I sense the K's morphing into a team with younger, hungrier, players and the Coach to lead them.
Comments
Off topic, but on the NHL Network a few minutes ago, was a press conference announcing that on January 25th at 9:30pm, the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks will meet each other in an outdoor game to be played at Dodger Stadium.
Part of the festivities included a few words from Bruce Beaudreau.
It seems no matter where or when in hockey, a little Komet relationship can be found. That's what happens when you've been part of something for over 60 years.
I hope the players appreciate the fact that they are part of a piece of the fabic of the sport.
interesting all the guys who arent komets who are working out. whats the status of those people like thomas and butler??
Thomas is going to Mississippi, Butler is still looking. Hess is going to Fayetteville and Saalfrank to Dayton.
think butler could be effective here with all the young guys
Chuckitt, I don't give Butler much of a chance.
My opinion doesn't come from the idea that he may not be good enough, but a couple other reasons. First, he's a veteran and I think the K's either have someone else in mind or are going to hold that spot for later in the season. Secondly, he's a ex-CHL player and whether or not it should make a difference, I think the attitude left over from last season's disappointment works against him. Millions of reasons why that is wrong, but I believe , that is the "taste" left over (fairly or unfairly).
I would hope that the K's go after one more sniper as I think they have set themselves up pretty nicely as far as defense, size, speed, youth and toughness go. As far as Butler is concerned, I hope he finds a place and prospers. He always answered the bell and defended, not only the net, but also his team mates while never backing down. He had a great attitude.
One final thought. While this is a younger league, this is the kind of example where a guy may be penalized for being good enough to play past his "veteran" limit.
As a coach???....
You raise some very good points Alan on Butler. I think he is good enough to play here, but.........
Thanks Ron. I hope you are doing well.
With training camp opening one week from today, we are closing in on Komet hockey. Through my last comment I expressed an opinion about the harshness of outlasting one's veteran status. It really wasn't too much of a problem when AA hockey was expanding. This is a different era as leagues are disappearing, member cities in surviving leagues are diminishing, and opportunities are shrinking.
Taking a look at the maps of the old IHL, UHL, IHL 2 ( as some like to call it), even the changing landscape of the CHL, and yes, the ECHL show stark contrast when comparing numbers of franchises.
Expenses usually are the doom of minor leagues and individual teams. My perspective is that the CHL is going to have a hard time continuing as two of the stronger franchises want out, the league now stretches from Ontario to Arizona, and it is placing franchises in places that are gambles at best. Too bad. While the K's were in the UHL, IHL, I didn't know much about the CHL. My respect for the league grew greatly in the two years the K's were members. I enjoyed the quality of play, appreciated the ability to have veteran players, but always wondered how the league could continue with all the traveling.
Time will tell and as the old saying goes, there is nothing so constant as change. Still I wonder if the K's would've left if the league seemed more solid.
Well, as things continue to change, veterans are running out of places to play. Something sad about that in my opinion. Butler has brought it to mind again, as next year more vets will be working themselves out of hockey jobs.
I'm looking forward to enjoying this year of Komet hockey as I sense the K's morphing into a team with younger, hungrier, players and the Coach to lead them.