...and announced here last week, Jonathan Goodwin and Mike Dombkiewicz have now officially signed.
Here's what Komets General Manager David Franke had to say about each:
On Dombkiewicz: ``Mike came in at the end of last season and really gave us an offensive spark from the defensive position. We thought he was definitely one of the guys we wanted back, and he made it quite apparent to me before he left that this is where he wanted to play. I think he's going to find stability with our franchise.''
On Goodwin: ``That was pretty much a no-brainer. He was our leading goal scorer last year and has a knack for putting the puck in the net. He told me he'll come into camp in probably the best shape he's been in. He's going to be one of our go-to guys that we're going to look to score 35 to 40 goals.''
As for Tom Lawson, he told the Komets he expects to sign with Pittsburgh or Chicago to play in their minor league systems.
As for affiliations, they are probably not going to be affiliations but working agreements, focusing on two-way players and the opportunity for some Komets to go to training camps. Bridgeport and Hershey already have Class AA affiliates in the ECHL.
Comments
Great!
Now who is next?? lol
GO KOMETS!!!
Now this is gonna sound pretty funny, but when Chase did his sports news update one morning last week on ESPN radio I heard him say they were close with Goody and Domber, but he also said they were close with a very "surprizing" player. (Here is the funny part) I know it was around 5 AM and I was still sleeping off and on, but I swear he said in a leter update, "Can you say Tommy Lawson?"
Did anyone else hear this or should I be concerned that I "might" have been dreaming about Lawson???!!!???!!!
I'd love to see Tommy Boy back between the pipes.
Hoss- I didn't hear Chase so I can't comment as to what he said, BUt IMO, I would be surpeised to have Lawson signed here due to the fact that St. Pierre is already signed. A that would take up anohter vet spot and I would figure that Lawson would want to come in as a number one goalie and not have to compete for the job.
Hoss
I heard the same thing, he did say Tommy Lawson. Who knows if he had any data to back up that statement or not.
Thanks Shawn! I'm not crazy!!!
I didn't think Lawdog would come back and be another vet for us, but like I said I was half asleep when I heard it.
This does not look like a roster overhaul to me. We better get a lot tougher with the next signings or it will be the same old same old. All talk and no action by the management. Until I see otherwise nothing has changed to me the only significant change is Chaulk not coming back. Out of the D-men signed only Hansen seems to be a rough and tough customer. Look at the Rockford's, Port Huron's and Elmira's and who they have signed significant toughness along with scoring ability...Now tell me I am wrong Blake
Kalamazoo re-signed Tyler Willis for two more years. Don't get any touhger then him.
David, the K's have signed 5 guys from last year's team. One or two more could be coming back as well. So all in all we are looking at 6 or 7 guys from last year. Bingham says there will be 30 in camp. 7 out of 30+...that is a pretty big overhaul if you ask me. You are being impatient with them as far as toughness is concerned. Wait until the next 24 are announced and then complain if you have to.
And to add, Lawson would not be a veteran next year. He only has about 10,000 minutes played.
Yep, Lawson would be a tweener. 10,666 reg seaon mins. played
I still think they should look at Shawn Legault if any of you can remember him. He can score and he's a tough customer. Unless of course he's already signed somewhere else.
It would be great to have the LawDog Back in the Fort. Also if he is coming in and St Pierre is here should make for some serious competition at camp. Am I missing something though, I didnt see that St Pierre was granted a spot before camp even started i hope he has to fight for his spot. lets take the best two goaltenders and have a great season. i for one am looking forward to it.
I just found out someting interesting as far as Lawson goes. It appears that he suffered a season ending knee injury at Lowell in mid March. I wonder if that has healed yet?
I think as far as the goaltending goes, whoever playes best would start. However; if we have a rookie as a back (which I think will likely happen) then St. pierre will once again get the majority of teh action.
Where does this leave Kevin Reiter? I think you could see a package deal with Duhart and Reiter head to Pt Huron. Duhart is not going to play in Ft Wayne.
Would Lawson be considered a new face???? That would make for an awesome 1...2 punch between the pipes; but imo that would not be an "exciting" new face for K's fans... More like a "familiar" face....
Steve,
WHo are we gonna get from Port Huron for those two guys. I would Like to see Reiter in camp as well. That would really make an interesting decision i guess im not sold on any of the three Being the best but am no doubt looking forward to camp.
If the Komets make a deal with Lawson the Reiter is out of the picture.
Blake-after the offers are tendered, teams have up until a certain date to negotiate a contract before other temas can talk to the players, my thought was that it was Aug 1. Am I correct.
If I am that means guys like Reiter, Duhart and Elich are free game to anybody?
I can see Lawson siging wiht Chicago if he wants the chance to move up. I doubt he'd get much time in Pittsburgh, however, Andy Chiodo did sign to play in Europe this year.
A two player relationship is still an affilation under another name. It means that they will send a player down until they need him.
Here's the answer: As long as you make an offer to them by August 1, you own their rights until 90 days after the start of the season.
Actually, Lawson thinks Pittsburgh is his best bet.
Well, if he does I hope he ends up in the ECHL because my wife and I can go see him play in either Cincy or Dayton when Wheeling gets to town.
I'm not sold on Lawson just yet if he were to come back to Fort Wayne. He had a stellar defense in front of him when they won the cup in 2003. St. Pierre had to win a lot of games with a less than stellar defense in front of him. I'm personally not sold either one. I'd give the nod to Reiter. But then again, there is camp and I'm sure coach will pick who he feels is best!
Lawson would be my choice over Reiter and Frenchy. Sounds like Lawson is a long shot though...
What are everyone's thoughts on big goalies? Both Lawson & St. Piere are big goalies. The bigger ones don't seem as mobile to me as the smaller ones do.
I guess that sometimes the bigger goalies don't give as much open net as the smaller ones. On the other hand, the smaller ones are usually quicker. Depends on which way you would rahter have it.
Blake, I trust Tommy that he knows what he wants, but after taking a look at Chicago's depht chart for their goalies, he's got a ton more experience then the two that will be in Norfolk. Tommy should easily be the number three or four goalie for the Blackhawks. As for the Penguins, Fleury isn't signed and I'm not sure on Thibaults health, yes Tommy would be number three behind Caron and Sabourin, but if Fleury and Thibalut come back then I see Tommy as number 5 in Wheeling. Really I think he's better off with Chicago.
Welcome back Goody and Dombo
I asked this question on the other Blog.
Does anyone think Michel Massie could return to the Jungle. After he is one of the only "Total" players we've had since joining the UHL.