Komets trade Eric Faille

I'm sorry to see Faille go but the guy comming our way is a big boy. It will be interesting to see if he can develop into a dominate power forward.

Good for Faille.  Hope he finds success with the Marlie chain.

I don't think I'm surprised at this.  I figured that he would look for an AHL contract after last season's stint with the Stars.

Elite Prospects has Montgomery listed as a right wing, 6'1", and 187lbs ( not 217).

Let's get Martin under contract, then need to work on the scoring department.

To me, while it is great for Faille and his future, this is a step backwards for the K's.

Any definitive news of Lacasse, Clarke,Lowry, or Severyn?

I have been told by an excellent source (and I mean excellent) that the K's are shooting for 27 players in their camp.  The addition of Montgomery and Mantagna will make 18 players participating, so far.  According to the July 21st story, the Komets are expecting 5-6 players (including a goaltender) from the San Antonio camp.  Mathematically that leaves (at the most) four  players left to sign.

I am hoping that Martin will be one, and if he is, the new number drops to three.

All of the above is just "numbers".  Granted, nothing is set in stone.  Yet it begs the question of , "just who do they expect from San Antonio"?  What is the thinking regarding the three vet spots that are, so far, unused?  Again, according to the July 21st story, they have been assured of six spots in the San Antonio camp.    Usually those spots are enticements for players and their agents to sign with Fort Wayne. Are those guys already here?

If 27 players is the "benchmark", then the next four signings better be "home runs" and of the four, three better be pretty good forwards.

I think up to this week, that the K's have done a terrific job recruiting.  The lost Leach but got Southorn.  They lost Embach, Crowder, and Pistilli.  They got Ouellet, Sivak, and Fenton.  Now with Faille gone, his spot needs to be replaced...and in reality maybe three more.

Alan, are you kidding me? " a step backwards"???  All we had with Faille was a protected player up to a point. Not signed.  If we had a small chance of signing him and we get a guaranteed good player in return, then I would say we gained. Every player at this level is replaceable.  Faille was a better player( for us) before he went to Texas. When he came back, he was not as affective as prior. No loss IMO. I enjoyed watching him play as much as anyone.  

 Brock has a nose for the net and he is 3 years younger( then Faille). Put him with the right line and he may suprise all of us. 

The purpose of a blog is to promote discussion.  No problem at all with you expressing your opinion. 

I understood that Faille probably wouldn't return this season, but I'm not sure I think Montgomery is the answer, or even part of an answer.  I also understand that the k's mgm't didn't have much of a choice in this thing and they probably felt they did the best they could in this situation. But everything being equal, I think Faille is way more talented than Montgomery.

The one thing in all of this is we are forgetting the limited training camp spots that are available.  Now two more have been eaten up by Montgomery and Mantagna.

This is the reason I posted that the K's have taken a step backwards:  While I'll never be convinced that Montgomery will match Faille, his acquisition isn't the point.  The point is that up until this week, the K's have been putting together a roster that has been constantly improving.  Since the Kucera, Ouellet signings they have been building a pretty talented roster. So far, not this week.

Now look, Montgomery may become the greatest thing since "sliced bread".  I don't know.  No one has a crystal ball in front of them.  But I doubt very much that if things were different, they would go after him on the "free agent" market.

Maybe a couple of new signings will be announced on Wednesday that will change my mind.  But so far, this hasn't been a particularly good week for the roster.

Alan = Clueless

Hawks..while I do not agree with all the hockey talk discussed here..it is interesting to read..except when folks belittle others..it is a hockey discussion blog...when old be nice to keep it that way. ..best of luck K's!

Hawk, Alan has a lot of insite on what it takes to build a team. if we cold get 3/4 of the players he wants we would go very far. lets here how you would build a team 

I keep thinking we need another centerman and hopefully a veteran/proven one. Whats all of your thoughts on Zack Torquato? Good playmaking guy that still has not signed anywhere. Just an opinion.

I'm not trying to create any commotion.  On the contrary, I'm only expressing my opinion.

Defensively, the K's have done a super job.  Nagle at goaltender, and defensemen Kucera, Sol, Daniels, Southorn, and Boak are one heck of a combination.  A Martin signing would arguably be the best collection of defense in my memory.  (Levi has the size but was a -19).

Offensively Ouellet, Sivak, Fenton, Szydlowski, and to a certain extent Perlini are a very good start.  But no matter how you stack it, they only compromise a line and 2/3 of another.  Even if the K's could've signed Faille, it seemed likely to me that he would be up in the AHL soon anyway.

All this has been done using only one of four allowable veteran spots.

If I had been told that the K's were bringing thirty guys to camp, this wouldn't be a discussion.  But I was told twenty- seven.  And we know some guys will becoming from San Antonio. Personally, I'm anxious to see what Pawlick can do.  Maybe another forward also.

The unknown is who will come from San Antonio, and who the K's have signed but not yet announced.

The facts are that the K's have three veteran spots open. When was the last time you ever heard of a Franke based team not using most of it's veteran spots?

I don't care whether anyone agrees with me or not.  Or if some think I'm "clueless".  This hasn't been a great week for the roster (but, and I repeat BUT, this week isn't over with).  Rational discussion is always welcomed.  Logic makes me think I am correct, but if you can use facts to explain why I am wrong, I will change my mind.

Colorado has already announced that they intend to send us 2 d-men, 2 forwards, and 1 goalie.  BTW, I altered my name to avoid future confusion.

Anonymous- Zack Torquato?? are you kidding me???!!    actually im kidding. He would be a great pick up. Top level player in this league. Gets points when needed. Not after his team has 5-0 lead and just building stats. 

 Alan, is my favorite blogger and he knows it.  He is the Ying to everyone else's yang.  

Im guessing, probably pretty close , that Faille was only going to sign if he had a two-way contract. That means the Komets would ask San Antonio how much interest do they have in signing Faille to a two -way. Obviously Toronto did ( SA did not)so im sure Faille's agent recommended he go that direction. In other words, the Komets have no chance on this guy unless San Antonio has interest.  I think getting Montgomery out of this is pretty good/shrewd. Thats my point.      With that being said, is Montgomery actually signed or do we just have his rights at this time? There has been no announcement either in the ECHL or ELITE Prospects site at this time. 

The Ks have been trying to get Torqu for a few years, but he like the Wheeling, Wilkes-Barre conection. He would be a very good fit for the Ks. Who knows stranger things have happend. If the Ks want to steel a guy  or two from Wheeling I would steel David Makowski also. If you are into past guys then Ratchuk for that matter. 

We only have Montgomery's rights right now, Torquato is rumored for Europe, and Ratchuk is already signed by Cincinnatti.

All in all, Alan really wants Martin to sign and I totally agree. With San Antonio sending us two defenseman, I think we could be set and management already will have some tough cuts to make. The Frankes want more size up front. I think we need to look for a guy like Brittain (signed in Indy) that always crashes the net. If you look at Montgomery thats what he likes to do. I still only like five of the forwards that have been signed. I believe we need a little more scoring.

While we await more Komet news, I've run across some baffling things (at least to me). 

On 8/11 the Alaska Aces announced two player signings.  Both were goaltenders ( Troy Redmond and Steven Summerhays).  You may remember Summerhays.  He played at Notre Dame and also (two games) for the Komets.  These were the first "announced" signings for the Aces this season.  Isn't it odd the different paths ECHL teams take in the offseason?  The K's sitting with 18 and the Aces with two.  Now I realize that many teams depend on their AHL affiliate to fill their rosters.  No problem, and that would explain a lot except it seems the Alaska affiliates are not yet determined.

They know what they're doing.  Have been a lot more successful in the ECHL than the Komets.

One other curiosity is that the Toledo Walleye open their "home" season on Nov 7th (as opposed to the Komets 11/16 or 11/17).  In fact, they play 11 of their first 12 games on the road.  Is their building that busy that this is the best the ECHL could do?  Of course that means they will have a ton of home games later, but I would think the league would take the computerized schedule and manually tweak it where applicable to create more sense.

You can’t have a team of all high end/top line players.   (Remember the Vaskivuo/Lang debacle.) 

You also need those 2nd and 3rd line guys who are willing to play a specific ‘role’.  I would assume the Frankes know what ‘types’ of players they will be getting from San Antonio/Colorado.  (Heck they may even know specific players.)  At this point the Komets may be focusing on filling out the roster with those role players.

And then there is the salary cap.  With the players already signed, the Komets can’t have much wiggle room to sign many more high end players. (Especially if they re-sign Martin.)

Who cares how many vets are signed.  Player quality should be 1st priority.

Good discussion.  I_Post_here_now makes some very good points.

Player quality should always be the first priority.  I, too, am amazed that the K's have managed the salary cap thus far.

I think the k's have an idea on who will get sent here, too.

...and "veteran vs non veteran" isn't as important as the complete team picture.  Yet I still will find it amazing that the K's don't don't sign at least two more vets based on their history.

But if it were up to me, I wouldn't let the Vaskivou/Lang debacle frighten me.  There were lots of circumstances going on all at once then.

But great discussion and Anonymous, I agree with you as well!

I get what you are saying as in role players but lets look at our offense right now. I only have confidence in Sivak, Fenton, Ouelett, and Sydlowski. Perlini can be a spark if he is with the right people. I dont believe Thomas, Pawlick, or Grieve are the best fit even on the third line but I could be totally wrong. Like I said earlier, a good playmaking big centerman is what i think needs to be found.

anonymous, Alan, I post her now,   ditto on everything you have all said.

How about Matt Marquardt?   Not sure if Florida protected him or not. Big LW PF so you can run a smaller center 

Yeah I actually looked at him yesterday. Looks good. We will just wait and see how it everything plays out.

Earlier, "just my thoughts" suggested looking at defenseman David Makowski.  I did, and the following is what I like about him.  He's young, he has a very nice +/- ratio, and he is a right hand shot.  So far only Boak and Daniels are defensemen who are right-handed shots.

Also RG2 brought up Matt Marquardt.  He's a veteran, plays left wing, and has solid stats.  I think he would be a very solid addition.  As far as I can remember the Komets have only one LW listed (P.J. Fenton).  They have some they list as forwards but not specifically left wing.

Just for "kicks and giggles" I was wondering if the K's had any interest in Justin Daniels.  He wouldn't solve any of the scoring deficiencies, but could contibute in a couple of roles.  Besides, maybe having the brothers together would be valuable to both of them.  I don't expect it to happen, and the K's need help elsewhere, but it could be pretty neat.

Just to make a point without ANY judgment at all, doesn't it seem strange to everyone that we had all that "Schrock is wasting a veteran spot" talk last season, and now, so far, there is very, very little movement on those veteran spots?

Maybe they're going to spread the announcements out since there is so much time to go before training camp.

David Makowski would be a great addition Alan. I have been keeping track of him the last seven years. He has very good upside and has been very well coached. 

Alan:  I think Justin Daniels re-upped with Toledo.  Not certain of this, though.

Also, let's start a new thread guaranteed to generate discussion, hate and hard feelings:  Who's this season's captain?  I think James Martin is the only Captain/Alternate from last season who hasn't already retired or signed elsewhere.

I hadnt heard that San Antonio would send 2 forwards and 2 defensemen (plus the goalie of course) specifically. They haven't had much turnover there, though their AHL deals have largely been unannounced. I'd expect to see Meurs and Beaupre back. The other forward wouldn't surprise me if Petryk was sent to start. The SA coach loves him so it wouldn't be for long. They signed a new defenseman from the WHL, Justin Hamonic, bet you see him. The goalie will most likely be Spencer Martin, a top prospect, third round pick from 2013. He's very talented, obviously young though.

If the Rampage send five players to the K's, I'm not sure that I'd be a big fan of Petryk or Beaupre coming here.  I don't think Beaupre would be staying here for long, and Petryk has better stats in the AHL than the ECHL (neither of which are very good).

I think, instead, I'd like to see "prospects" show up than either of those two.  I think Meurs has the stats to warrant starting the season in San Antonio.

Looking forward to seeing a young, aggressive, goaltender but still wondering how this all plays out. 

I dont see Petryks name listed anywhere in either Colorados "in the system" or on the current San Antonio roster. I thought he was property of LEM last year, not Colorado.( like Joey Leach)

 Curious as to why his name is even mentioned? 

RG2, I think we're all just speculating a little.  Last Wednesday passed without any new Komet additions or roster news and I think we're just wondering what comes next.

This can be a "goofy" time of year for the fans.  While I'm excited to see Ouellet again, along with Sivak and P.J. Fenton, I remember some guys who I was very excited to see sign, then became very disappointed.  Just to name a few would include Derek Patrosso, Brandon Naurato (sp?) and Jesse Bennefield.  If I took some time I could think of more but you get the idea, right?

So sometimes when my optimism gets into high gear, I have to remember the "disappointments" and put the brakes on a little.  (Sometimes I think that's why I like to see the vets sign.  There is more of a "history" with them.  But even with a "history", there is no guarantee attached).