After the discussion came up on the blog recently, I asked David Franke how he would respond to people who say the Komets must be cheating to amass such talent.
``That's easy to say when somebody wins,'' he said. ``Everybody thinks you're not doing it legally. We have too much to lose to do that stuff with our franchise and and how we run it and the success we have. The fans come out. We don't pay them to come out. We try to put a good product on the ice. an entertaiing product. Most of the time we do. For the most part we have a product that is appealing to our fans, and they like to see them come out.
``It's not worth it. We operate within the guidelines and we work the guidelines as much as we can in our favor, but at the end of the day we're doing as much as everybody else is doing, and we're paying by the rules.''
He also pointed out that one huge advantage the Komets have is that players who leave always want to come back because they do enjoy playing here so much. Mathieu Curadeau, Olivier Legault and possibly Kevin Reiter would just be the latest examples, but P.C. Drouin, Guy Dupuis, Colin Chaulk, Konstantin Shafranov, Matt Syroczynski, Mitch Woods, Kevin Bertram and Justin Hodgman are just a few of the recent examples of players who have left and returned.
``They like playing here, and they like playing in front of a lot of people and they they get treated well,'' Franke said.
Comments
I agree here.
I thought some of the assumptions people were making were crazy.
Furyjacks last season....well, that was a whole different story.
Does anyone actually think he would admit to cheating? Come on get real.
So if he doesn't say anything, he's cheating. If he denies it, he's cheating. So no matter what a person with a team says, they must be cheating, right?
Not sure why I even bother to ask anyone questions any more, since obviously everybody is lying. That's a pretty cynical way to go through life.
And if the Komets were not winning, somebody would say, ``They are cheating enough!''
People will believe what they want to believe no matter anyone says.
I appreciate Mr. Franke actually answering these questions. It says alot about him that he is willing to answer unwarranted attacks on his integrity.
People will believe what they want? Then what was the purpose of this article?
Franke got to set the rules in the IHL, so naturally he would play by them. Most teams in the IHL couldn't even afford 8 veterans.
unwarranted attacks on his integrity? Wow. little over the top perhaps? Do not recall anyone actually accuse them of cheating. I was in on much of the conversation concerning the debate. Would i be surprised is they were cheating? no.. i said it before.. I said it again. Now that the Franke's have spoken the defenders of their honor will come out of the woodwork.
I appreciate Blake bringing that question to their doorstep. Kinda cool to ask tough questions like that. But jeez.. please do not attack their integrity with common questions that may arise to a rather successful organization. Any team that has the type of the success the Komets have had will have to field inquiries like that from time to time.
To think that people don't push the limits of the rules at any level is very naive. And if you believe that everyone plays by the rules, then I have some real estate to sell you. Sure, some people may be more honest than others, but get real. This is America and we're competitive at everything and if it's allowed within the law, we'll do it to gain an advantage and we'll even try to find a loophole for even more advantages. Again, to sit there and say people don't bend the rules is totally ridiculous. I bet Franke drives the exact speed limit too. I suppose this is saying they're a cheater. Pfft, whatever.
Guys, also remember just because there's a cap does not mean every team is up against the cap. There are teams that spend less than the maximum. Teams that are drawing poorly and are losing money, must have difficulty justifying spending to the cap when they can't draw. The Komets don't have this problem, clearly. Also being such a stable franchise helps them recruit, I'm sure. Hypothetical: if a player is offered slightly less with the Komets than an offer from a historically less stable team (maybe Flint in the past? for ex.) maybe that player chooses a stable situation for less money? Especially if the player has a family to support....
And I guess the Red Wings exceed the NHL cap too......right?
Great points Andy!! Except for the Wings comment.
Who said they were cheating??
I would say, if anything, they were the only teams the last 3 years of the fake IHL that could consistently make payroll, offer the players awesome accommodations, and give the players an environment that they love the play in....
The problem is this.....what other teams, of the big 6-7, that could give the players the same kind of promises?? 2 - 3?? Maybe, and if you had to chose to play in Flint, or Fort Wayne, making the same money, where would you go?? Pretty obvious.
I would never say they "cheated", but I would say they had a huge advantage in the fake IHL, just based on the fact the players knew what they were getting, and not enough of the other teams could say that. That's why I welcome the CHL w/ open arms, they are now in a league where other teams can follow suit and do the same things that the K's can. The competition and HOCKEY will be better because of this, so will the enjoyment of the game.
I just don't see "cheating" happening within the CHL and a CBA and the players union. The rules are what they are. Violate them and sooner or later you will be found out. There is a certain amount of trust in everything. Your marriage or in business you eventually get caught. Ask Tiger Woods. Your word is your bond. Without your integrity you become worthless. Contracts just put your words in writing. Blake asked the questions and the Franke's took the time to answer it. That speaks of class and character to me because he could have declined to get involved. This whole debate about do they or don't they really is like a candle burning at both ends. Just which end do you want to hold on to?
Why would he even address this? Whatever he says will be used to fit the mold of what people already have their mind made up about.
I always wondered how Franke had top of the line tallent, and never went over the cap. Oh thats right, when you run the league it is easy to bend rules. Although the UHL and IHL only had a soft cap. I am thinking that Komets players get some cash money too, so it can't be traced. That being said if it can't be traced then of course Franke isn't cheating, because it can't be proven. I have heard form many sources that Franke pays players with cash as to avoid the caps. I would surely hope that in the CHL that Franke gets caught at his game he plays, after all he isn't the top dog anymore.
Komets fans, ever wonder why the AHL and ECHL don't want Ft. Wayne in their leagues, it is because Franke expects the rules to be bent for him, and to his teams advantage. That in my book is cheating or attempting to cheat....
JM - i understand why you would say that, but i for one think it is a good show of charecter that they are willing to answer the question. I do not believe they will change anyones opinion one way or the other, but to see them at least answer it and give their "argument" is admirable.
I would never expect someone to come out and say.. "oh you got me.. i am cheating" ... but i also think it would be a poor decision to always dismiss the question. facing it and addressing it head on was really cool.
Sadly, JM, you're right....the Franke bashers will say negative crap about this, and the "defenders of their honor" will say good things. Whatever. Since when did it become a bad thing to defend someone you have a vested interest in the future of? I know, I know....the Frankes invented cancer....they are the root of all evil in Fort Wayne and the Midwest... (please catch the sarcasm for anyone who does not know me...)
Hey Cometsbasher,
You may want to check your facts before posting here again. The AHL would love to be here as would the ECHL. The Frankes and the coliseum get offers every year. They would love to play in front of sell out crowds. So before you begin to type again, check the facts and come here with proof. Otherwise, it really looks like you are just a sore loser who is jealous of what the Komets have accomplished. Yes, I did say loser.
Komets123 a post a few above here was a perfect example of what I was talking about. And just because Blake doesn't allow most of the crap posted on other blogs and on other worthless hockey forums to be posted here doesn't mean it doesn't happen. The integrity of Michael and David Franke and even Scott Sproat has been called into question, attacked, assasinated and any other word you'd like to use all over the internet by trolls slandering them just like "Comets" did.
to me, when "not an ihl fan" or "comets" post a troll thread it isn't worth the time to answer. Even a valid point made by them holds very little at this point. However i will say this. Just as over the top as their posts are, i find some people just as extreme and offense in their "defense" of the Frankes.. There is middle ground here..
This whole "to cheat or not to cheat" thing is almost a bit crazy. I atleast entertain the idea that it could happen to any team in any league. Because of that am i bashing the Frankes and accusing them of starving children and creating cancer? no.. simply saying this isn't a perfect world and i have seen too many things in sports to gamble my house on the fact that everyone in this league is honest.
If you feel the Frankes integrity has been challenged because an internet troll said something on a blog then by all means.. defend away. But maybe at some point that goes over board the other way.
who really cares? all i know is ive been able to attend the games for a few years and each year i knew we had a good chance of winning and haveing a good time. couldnt say the same thing back in the late seventies and a few other years.
Comets blog,(which is crap) does want me to ask this and if anyone knows please speak up. Not sure what the CHL cap is but lets say 10,500 and with 19 players under contract for the season it comes out to just over $550 a week. Now I know that is not a lot of money, but is there a stipend they get for meals and housing that can be given on top of that? And if so how much can they receive? I thought I heard this at one time but am not sure.
I can honestly say I believe Mr. Franke when he says he is playing by the rules. He has a lot invested into the Komets and he needs to run it like a business, not a hobby. Cheat the business then you cheat the fans and the league and drive your business into the ground and lose your investment. Not a smart move.
whats the difference between Bonds & Clemens????????????
KometKrazy--There are allowances for housing. Married or single also when they are on the road there is a per diem. Even that changes depending on how long they are on the road. It is all spelled out in the CBA. I do not think they have a new 2010/2011 agreement yet. There is just a lot of things covered with that besides the salary cap.
Couple things...
1. Nobody who has discussed any of these topics logically has called the Frankes cheaters, IMO.... Chaulker said first that the Frankes had many more resources than the other teams in the IHL to field competitive teams. Every team has been rumored to have received help from either the Frankes or Kinney's over the last 3 years and they have fielded the best teams during that span. Mr Franke said; "we operate within the guidlines and we work the guidelines as much as we can in our favor..." This is very telling, IMO. It touches on some of those areas that I personally have elluded to as 'loopholes' in the cap. Owners like the Frankes, Kinney's and some we are going to be seeing in the CHL have the resources to "work" the guidlines in thier favor to get the better players to come to thier cities. Is this within the guidlines, yes. Has it been fair to other cities where thier ownership groups have not? No, not in thier fans eyes and thats where the 'cheating" comments come from.
2. Snuff, with all do respect, you dont know your rear end from a hole in the ground when it comes to other hockey forums... You have to have an open mind, be willing to discuss without name calling, and think about what others say on other hockey sites to learn more about the game from other sources. There are some incredibly intelligent hockey minds on other forums, people who have wroked in the business as scouts, GM's, agents, etc... that hear alot and share alot. Just because you are too closed minded or stubborn to think outside your comfort zone, doesnt mean that there are not thousands of hockey fans out there who are willing to do so...
Anyone remember a few years back when Quad City was loading the roster? Look if you are working the rules WITHOUT breaking them then go for it. Anyone here ever get as much as they can from the IRS at tax TIME? The world isn't perfect so for Gods sake lets get the damn season started so we can get away from all this crappy bickering!!! I for one am darn tired of this crap from both sides of points of view!! I think I will retire from all blogs until we can talk about hockey and not moral crappola......Goodbye all
Bah Time.. moral crappola provides half the fun. Debates and borderline arguments are entertaining and thought provoking,.. have some fun with it. ;-) ... don't "cheat" us out of fun..
meant Tim not Time.. jeez. so flustered I can't even type correctly. sorry Tim
JR.... regarding your #2...
Your assumptions about what I know, where I post under what posting ID etc etc... like I said... pure..stinking...
Komets123...point taken. The "trolling" which goes on the FYC/ITB and other garbage forums is far worse than here. I guess we should be thankful it is kept in check for the most part here.
Funny, the Komets have never cheated the cap.... but whenever their is a better team, QC 5 years ago, Muskegon last year, etc... They MUST be cheating.
You can't have it both ways, folks.
I think the biggest question here is, what is Franke gonna do now that he can't run the CHL, and isn't the big dog in a small pit. Franke is a yahoo that likes the rules bent in his favor and if he doesn't get his way he probably says somethiing childish. It will be funny when Ft. Wayne loses at their own game. Now there are, what 18 teams? Now Ft. Wayne has a 1/17 chance of winning a championship, and don't forget that Franke doesn't have the leverage he has had in years past in the IHL.......
CometswithaK--The Franke's do not play the game! Duh... It is played by the players who are coached by Al Sims. They have to do it on the ice. Will they? I haven't got any better idea about that than you or anyone else. I think they have put together a pretty good team. I know we have a really good coach. What will happen this season will happen. Only time will tell. We as fans will either be happy with the outcome or we will not be. It is one season out of many. Me and a lot of other people think/believe it will be successful. Now lets get it on.
I think I'll join Tim for a while.