Komets weren't sure why exhibition game in Indy is closed to the public. Probably felt the crowd wouldn't be significant enough to pay the bills of bringing in all the staff.
David Franke said he's going to talk to James Martin later today.
Forward Brock Montgomery is not signed yet, but the Komets have his ECHL rights protected for the next year.
Brandon Marino signed in Brampton. The Komets said continually they were not interested.
Comments
That ought to be fun (playing in an empty building). How ridiculous. I bet the season ticket holders are thrilled, too.
I'm wondering why the league would put up with it. I think it would embarrass the league. Either be a real franchise or, at least, try to act like one.
Im sure they will broadcast this game locally like they do all their home games.... Nuts
Hey, if you're thinking about getting bigger, looking for a center, would like to add some more scoring pop, and have veteran space, then I would suggest Bruce Graham. A center who is 6'6" 234lbs. Going to be 30 yrs old.
...and how did the talk with Martin go??
Frazee and Higgs sign with Gwinnett. I wonder why we let Frazee go. I liked him. If I were a guessing man, i would say he caught a hot streak and was trade bait bc the coach didnt feel he fit in for whatever reason.
Alan, call Graham's agent!!
Why wasn't there any interest in Auger or Marino? They both played great for us. Did they not like it here?
Hmmmm..asked same question quite a while back about Auger and Marino..no responses. ..hmmm
No crowd and empty building? Sounds like last year's playoff game in K-zoo.
While we are (loosely) speaking of crowds, I will be particularly interested in the ECHL acceptance in Norfolk, Manchester, and Adirondack.
Norfolk and Manchester lost their AHL clubs. Adirondack did also but they have been part of the "AA" world before and should know what to expect.
There could be some "reasons" why the K's were'nt interested in Marino. It goes back to the Lang/Vaskivuo trouble. While, maybe he wasn't part of the problem, he wasn't part of the solution either.
I've got no idea on the progress (if any) on the talks with James Martin. I hope he signs. But if he doesn't, I think the Franke's have done a marvelous job putting together this defense. From Nagle on out, the defense looks as strong as I can remember opening a season. Great job!!
I think they're a little short when speaking of forwards. I love the right wings (Sivak, Perlini, and Szydlowski). At center I think they're still a little short but Ouellet and Schaafsma are a nice combination. They still need one more (at least). At left wing they have only Fenton.
Young players can fill the slots, for sure.
As of now the right-handed shots and left-handed shots are about equal in numbers for the forwards. On defense it's four left-handed shots and two right-handed shots.
With about six weeks until training camp, what surprises (if any) may we see the Komets announce?
My opinion is no more surprise signings like Fenton, Sivak, and Schaafsma. If we are to receive 5 players from San Antonio, how could we promise "minutes" to a "proven-AA" player? Schaafsma was a huge addition however the last one we could fit and be able to get into a groove. Its one thing to keep your pipe-hitters happy and your raw youngsters hungry. We need balance and low key role players from here on out. This is it folks, barring a James Martin, I'd say I'd roll with this team with the best this year going into game 1. I get we need to address our issues and weigh our confidence as if we weren't getting any AHL players, however, we know they are indeed coming.
id say the guys going to brmpton are there probably becasue of salary cap space. there they can make big bucks but here they would have to fall to the middle of the pack. weve probably spent a lot of money on defense so far!
I think a player thats going to surprise us all is Josh Ranalli. Check out his highlights sometime. Can score from anywhere. Also I hope Montgomery does get signed. This team is looking good.
Anonymous, I'm happy to read that you think a lot of Josh Ranalli! I've not been able to find a lot about him. I know he's listed as a forward, but from what side does he shoot? The young player that I'm looking forward to see is Adam Pawlick.
I'm not sure the hold up on Brock Montgomery. I'm not sure I get good "vibes" when it is mentioned that, regardless of what happens, the Komets will retain his ECHL rights next season. Sounds as if he has doubts about playing here.
There isn't any doubt that good, young players are the secret in this league. If a team really "hits" on one or two, a tremendous season can be had. Has Gary done that?
I have faith that the Rampage players sent here will be talented. But the very nature of the league is to hope they won't be here for long.
Nice comments by all on the way the team is being formed up. I think it's going to be a very strong and fast team this season - can't wait for training camp.
My take as to why the Indy exhibition game is closed to public: with them televising all their games at home, it would be embarrassing to Indy to pack the house with the best fans in the league - Die Hard KOMET Fans, and no Fuel fans!!! Just my opinion.
The Chicago Bears defeated the Indianapolis Colts this weekend in a pre-season game.
Was it a remarkable fact that Indianapolis lost at home? No, of course not. These games are just "practice" games.
What was remarkable was the fact that the building they played in was open to the public!
(Think of that. Playing a game before the regular season and to allow paying customers in). What will they think of next?
Orange_Koolaid's comments on the roster may be totally correct. As of today there are 22 players listed on the pre-season roster. Reports have indicated that 5 will be added from San Antonio. Of those five, four will be skaters and 1 will be a goaltender. Franke, as reported in this thread, was to speak more with Martin.
Martin didn't sign (at least wasn't announced) until September 11 or 12 last year. So maybe his announcement is still to come. As I've posted before, the forwards are the "weakest" area of the roster so far. I see six truly legitimate ECHL forwards with maybe one or two young players who have me curious.
I don't see Leo Thomas (veteran) making this team, nor would I "trust" his effort any more. Sounds cruel as I was excited when he signed his first season here. Forward Brock Montgomery hasn't signed anything yet. So my point is that there still may be openings (roster spots) for a pretty good forward or two. If Thomas doesn't make the team, then there will be two veteran spots open as well.
Until everything shakes out, no one really knows the position the Komets are in with the salary cap. Remember, however, that the team takes a lesser hit per week with players sent from the AHL.
Today is Tuesday. Recently it seems that either Tuesday or Wednesday is the time for Komet announcements. But who knows? Not me.
Everything above is just a kilo of pure, uncut speculation ( maybe some wishful thinking, too).