Rob Nolan is signing is Missouri, according to David Franke, who said he's signing for the same money the Komets offered but wanted to be the No. 1 goaltender. Tyler Sims is also about to sign with Tulsa so he won't be in the Fort Wayne mix.
As for what the Komets are looking for to fill their two roster holes, Franke said it's still a back-up/co-No. 1 goaltender and an enforcer.
``We'll be patient. We've got a lot of time. We're checking out some young kids. It's not an emergenchy that we get it done immediately.''
I asked if not getting Nolan would add more money to the other position, and he said not likely, that Nolan would have been getting a raise over what he made in Flint last year, and it would have fallen into the slot the Komets have left under the salary cap.
I've got a call into the coliseum on the ribbon advertising. I haven't heard that it won't be done, and I'd guess we'd have heard about that by now if it was not going to happen. (I know, famous last words).
Comments
Ribbon has not been installed yet, but is still a go.
It'll be done by Sept. 15.
That (LED ribbon boards) will look really cool when it's done. Usually the MC posts photos on their website showing these types of projects.
How about big $$$$$$$$ for a top notch GOON :)
paying top dollar for a goon? jeez.. i agree with you on fighting is fun in the sport.. following the goons is a neat hobby.. but give me a break?!
Spend big money on a good power forward or goaltender. Offer some kibbles and bits to a hungry goon out to make a name for himself.
The team doesn't NEED another top goalie. They NEED toughness, but someone who can play, not just be a goon.
We need a goalie. Boucher is too injury prone.
We need another great goalie. We need another great enforcer. The Komets I am confident will get BOTH and you all will learn to like it!
Is there really a question if another good goalie is needed? It is obvious that Boucher wont play every single game this season (he never has, especially not after playing through the offseason). So then what do you do? Just hope the Ks score 10 goals on the nights he doesnt play and win shootouts? Or is the plan to have the "muscle" keep the puck out ofthe net?
How is Boucher injury prone? Shortest memories I have ever seen.....one season with 2 broken appendages does not make a guy injury prone. The season before that he played 56 games or something like that. Do you say Drouin was injury prone because his wrist broke from a slap shot? I guess your bones are made of steel then.......
boucher had groin problems when reiter was here and he all ways has back problems too.My concern is when his head is not in the game he gets worked up and his mind ventures. If u dont think so look back at him and bert. Just watch when someone scores first on him he throws a fit and the whole mask shaking off is a joke
If you don't have a "GOON" your goalie will get run into :)
Nick Boucher has been nothing short of the team MVP since he arrived in Fort Wayne. Goaltenders get injured. Happens to all of them. Maybe he's fingers are being weakened by the THREE CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS he's wearing.
Not sure how anyone can argue against signing another terrific goaltender. Having only one "no.1" goaltender takes us back to the Kevin St. Pierre days. I think the K's learned from that experience and will be careful not to go down that road again.
Too many unknowns (injuries, suspensions, pressure, fatigue, slumps) scream out for the need of carrying two "no. 1's" instead of a young, untested goalie.
If there has been one position that the Komets have consistantly been good at finding talent and getting them here to play, it has been the goaltending position. Lots of big names have guarded the net in Fort Wayne.
Just thinking..... you all realize that a lot of these guys on Opening Night won't be here when the playoffs begin. At least that is what history would tell us. By the same token, when camp cuts start to get made all over the hockey world there will be some players who will become available again.
Maybe our goaltender, tough guy, and sniper will be someone
who comes to Fort Wayne by that route.
Wow Reiterfan, tell us how you really think about the guy who played a huge role in bringing 3 cups to this city, arguably a bigger role than anyone......just sayin'. LOL
Blake, I have four questions for you.
I was checking on the progress of some signings in the CHL, particularly the Quad City Mallards. I went to the Quad City Times web and found this story regarding the signing of a young player named Kindle. He isn't important in this but I want to quote directly from their story.
By Craig DeVrieze of the Quad City Times, dated August 11.
" Kindle will fill one of the four, or possibly, five anticipated veteran spots when the Mallards make their Central Hockey League debut in October."
Possibly five? Is this part of the negotiations with the Union? If it goes to five will the salary cap increase? And finally if it goes to five and the cap increases has David Franke been factoring in the "increase" as he's been signing players just in case?
That is, I know he's using last years' CHL guidelines ( and the Komets have only three veterans signed, but I bet they used some "veteran" type money to sign Curadeau) will they then have new money to use to go after another vet?
Maybe the Quad City people just have this all wrong. Still it is interesting to contemplate.
Just would like your opinion or even if you could check with Michael or David Franke, it would be appreciated.
No idea, Alan. CHL is not commenting about CBA negotiations, and neither is anyone else.
My educated guess is they are sticking with Drouin, Dupuis and Thomas as their three veterans. When you bring back 11 players from a championship team, everybody wants a raise, and deserves one. Plus, as you said, you bring in a Curadeau, and the salary cap will be lower than what they played with last year no matter what it finally is.
Plus, they have always preferred to keep some flexibility so they can go out and make a move for whatever they may be missing, or if some player comes back from Europe, there's a major injury or whatever. It would be crazy to load up your entire roster now and not leave yourself some flexibility if you needed it later.
In recent years they used that to bring in players like Chwedoruk, Woods, Drouin, Miller, etc.
Thanks, Blake. Yea, I understand the advantage of having some flexibility so if "tweeks" are needed or someone comes along that will make the team better they have the resources and freedom to make some moves.
Also.... after I posted I went back to double check the quote. I got the quote word for word, but then I noticed something. In the story it also mentions that Kindle came out of college last year and played twenty-six games with the Mallards. Well, something didn't make sense with the story as Kindle wouldn't be close to being a veteran. He would be a "develpomental player". Maybe they used the word "veteran" where they should have used "developmental player" instead.
Just as an afterthought: I wish this CBA negotiation would get done and announced so everyone would know what rules we're playing by!
Thanks again, Blake.
Kindle is a veteran. Despite what the article may or may not say, he is a 8 year guy...
Thanks for clearing that up for me, Andy Sherman. I re-read the article and I was wrong thinking he was a young player. You are correct and I appreciate you pointing it out. It makes my original question of four or five veterans relevant again.
The last CBA took 18 months to negotiate. It'll be done when it's done.
How about a Goalie-Goon???
Sign a guy that plays in net, and deals out beatdowns....LOL
http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/sports/Hockey_Goalies_Fight/#291646
Man, that one Goalie got undressed.....literally. LMAO
I guess the moderator didn't like my comment???
I said, trying to be funny, (insert laughter)......
Why not sign a Goon-Goalie???
I then attached a great fight clip with 2 goalies from the USHL between Chicago and Green Bay where one Goalie basically undresses the other, literally. It was great.
Hockey Fight!!!
http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/sports/Mega_Russian_Hockey_Fight/
Maybe Nick can bring these Goons back from Australia with him???
http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/animals/Kangaroos_Boxing/
I am thinking we might want to "Go Get Johnny???"
http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/sports/15_year_old_hockey_fight/
Wish we could have this guy......wow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsFywoS8pP8&NR=1
Why not take another shot with jaromir?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlTa7sG5254&feature=related
I will stop now.....sorry.
i like boucher and it is true that he is the reason that we have three rings but all i am saying is that in the past years if we didnt have another good goalie and would not have had the chance to even be there last year haun was big when nick wasnt doing good and reiter well that year was special but we need a guy that can pick up the slack when he has his off time happen every year so far
There was no point last year when "Nick wasn't doing good", he was hurt. And I'm sorry but Haun didn't "give us the chance to be there", he filled in, and then so did Nick when Tim got suspended for 7 games and then missed what.....another 8 games just before the end because of a concussion. Lets not forget that Tim was hurt last season too. Reiter was great during the regular season, but faltered during the playoffs, especially in the finals (when it matters). Laplante was hurt all year, and it's tough to play consistent through that. It seems some bloggers LOVE giving more credit to the other guy playing with Nick sometimes. I've listened to people shine on Haun since he came up for Laplante. Yes, he's a good goalie. But it's weird the Goalie of the Year didn't even get a qualifying offer, isn't it? Not good in the room-direct from the players. Tell me, where were the other goalies when the Cup was won. Oh ya, on the BENCH. And the thing with Bert? Stop bringing that up.......it's ancient history. Talk about beating a long dead horse. His mask coming off? There was debate about that when it happened, with varying opinions on it. Why don't we get him to settle that one! Lastly, only guy I've seen lose their head in the pipes for the Komets last season was Haun, on numerous occasions. If anything, I think Nick looked indifferent at times as opposed to how he used to be. I know there was some significant family off ice issues going on with him last season. Listen, I liked Laplante and Reiter a lot; Haun not so much. JMO. But constantly reading some guys crapping on Nick is like looking a gift horse in the mouth I think. He has helped accomplish a lot for the organization in his short time here, I think. I remember an interview from this years playoffs, where he basically said he didn't care about the regular season, and that anyone can win in the regular season. It's who can win in the playoffs, who can handle the pressure. The goalie is the most pressure filled position, and the most important position on the team. We've had goalies over the recent years here (no names) that had great seasons, but couldn't get it done when it mattered. Is winning not enough for us now? I dunno. It's nice to have 2 great goalies. But with the lower cap, is that really possible? You don't NEED 2 great ones to win. It's proven year after year in various leagues. Is it nice to have 2 great ones? Absolutely.....a luxury I hope we have again this season, but I'm confident in the fact that we have 1 great one back already. If Nick had went overseas, then I would be very concerned, even if we got Nolan. Nolan has 1 year experience, and has not learned how to win yet.....experience is invaluable, not when the team is going good, but when the times are tough. OK, enough from me :-)