Komets General Manager David Franke said tonight veteran forward David Hukalo won't be able to start playing until early November as he continues to recuperate from off-season shoulder surgery. Franke said the Komets are looking to bring at least one more forward to training camp and the team, "Is talking to a couple of kids."
Franke also said he expects Tyler Sims, Tim Haun and Matt Wagner to fight it out amongst the three of themselves for the back-up job to Nick Boucher.
Comments
Happy Birthday Blake!
First off, Happy Birthday, Blake. I guess I'm not sure I understand the article. Is Franke going to bring in one more forward and, besides that, they are talking to a couple of kids, or does it mean that the forward they bring in will be one of the kids? If Hukalo is going to be out for a while I hope they bring in someone who has at least the same skill level. I'm not sure untested kids will fill the bill. Remember that Hukalo is a tremendous defensive forward who always plays the penalty kill, had his best offensive output last season, and always seemed to get the "big" goal when it was needed. I don't think a young kid can do all those things. I got faith in David Franke and Al Sims but I'm just sayin'.....
Happy birthday Blake from your former look alike. The hair grew back though. BTW, just saw in the Rangers pre game notes that Brent Henley will be in the lineup tonight wearing #78. The best place to try to find the game online might be on Justin.tv. No kidding, that's what the website is called.
I don't really know if you can replace a Hukalo at this skill level. I would like to believe if that person was out there who was better than Huk at this level and willing to play at this level, the Komets would have him here and signed for camp already. If there was someone better than Hukalo, knowing the Komets front office from what I've seen them put on the ice over the past few years, I'd believe that person would have Hukalo's spot. I think they will find the best "band aid" available at this time to take care of the loss until Hukalo can be back in his spot.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Blake :) Another day older and still in debt! Less hair and more weight. Your looking good kid! Nothing but best wishes :)
I can't believe you guys believe anything Burgee says any more. Either that, or somebody sold him a bill of goods, because it's not my birthday.
Birthday-Gate, somebody is fibbin and it aint me.
I hope that Hukalo's recovery goes well. Having him on the ice is a huge bonus for us, especially on the PK.
Blake, Happy B-Day...whenever it is.
Komets PA, please contact me regarding the recent show.
Blake-We just have to get Burgee's meds straightened out. Well at least I will not miss this years BD.
Does there really need to be a Hukalo replacement? We were all trying to figure out how all these pieces were going to fit onto this roster anyways as it looked like someone we all like would not make the team, this just buys the decision making process a little time....right? This will allow a player or 2 to make the team that we all thought would be sent packing due to roster size, veteran limits, and rookie minimums. I don't see this being a problem at all.....let me show you...
I am not saying this is the exact pairings.....but:
Chaulk, Syroczynski, Woods
Thomas, PC, Shafronov
Varone, Saidachev, Whitehead
MacMillan, Fill-in-a-rookie D-Man or Forward?
Guy & Danko
Rodger & Warner
Bertram & Stayzer
Boucher
Sims
Hukalo comes back and who knows, maybe someone else is injured, maybe someone else is too old, you never know....rosters change.
Legitimate question, Hit Somebody. My thought is that if you know someone is going to have trouble in the beginning of the season, you don't assume he will be OK after a few games. If I were the GM I would go out and find a player who can put the puck in the net, not caring right now if he was considered a veteran or a tweener. I would worry about the roster later (when I aboslutely had to). There are still a lot of good hockey players out there and I would scan the transactions of each NHL team and who they have released as well as the AHL releases after they have opened their camps (next week). I have always believed that the gemes in the beginning of the season are just as important as the games at the end. The points you get in October are the points you may not have to get in April.
I agree with you, Alan, and also with Hit, for that matter. You both have relevant points and I think you're both right. The only part of bringing in someone that I don't like is WHAT IF this new guy turns out to be great, puts his heart and soul (and probably blood) on the ice for the K's every night, becomes a fan favorite, then all the sudden Hukalo is good to go again? Do we throw this guy out like garbage to try to be picked up by another team? I completely understand that's the nature of the beast with hockey and all professional sports, it just sucks for someone if that's the situation. Remember last year the talk that arose when we did that to bring back a player or two late in the season? Just sucks after you see a guy go out there and do everything right then get tossed off like the bandaid he, in reality, is for the team.
Since it's not really Blakes birthday, I think Burgee was just trying to let us know that he wants some cake. In that subtle Burgee kind of way. As subtle as Kanye West.
In checking the posts it was Alan that said it was Blakes BD.
Anyway, you all have some great thinking about the roster. Remember Al Sims will be visiting camps in the next few weeks. He will find some diamonds in the rough for sure. Also there could be some vets cut and looking for a place to play.. I like the ones we have but the team is a ever evolving group. The #1 thing, I think, Al & David look for is quality individuals with great character. Real team players. They have done it for many years. I hope they can do it for many more.
It was Burgee that said it was Blake's b-day first. I agree with what Hit, Alan, RunningKomet and Dschebig has said about the team. I really liked Dschebig's sentence "real team players". The Komets have done a great job with bringing in good quality guys, and I'm sure that this season will be no different.
Well, Gee. If everyone agrees with me I must be wrong!! No, just kidding. To try to answer RunningKomet. No way, if a new guy turned out to be great and then Hukalo came back, that wouldn't mean that the new guy or Huk would be let go. It would spell the end for someone else on the roster though. You're always trying to get better and better. That is the nature of the beast. Sometimes the decisions are pretty tough. I've always admired coaches who, when they knew they had to make a tough cut, tried to find that player another job in another organization. I always thought doing that showed class...... In response to Dschebig....it was Jim (Burgee) Hawthorne who, in the first post, wished Blake a happy birthday. I fell for it and echoed his thought in the very next post. I'm not the penalty giver, (Burgee is), but if I were I'd give him two minutes for "unblogsmanship conduct."
Everyone Bring a package of Hostess Cup Cakes for Blakes Birthday to the first game and leave them at the comcast information booth attention Blake Sebring.
Please donate something to a local food bank instead.
Great idea Blake
Sorry Alan, your correct it was Burgee. I didn't scroll up far enough. Shame on me I'll take my penalty. False rumor speading 30 seconds.
Schebig must sit in box and feel shame, all brought on by himself.
Burgee can I please come out and play. After all I did admit my mistake. Where can I get some of that suntan lotion you drink? I have my own meds. Wendy's doggy cookies and suntan lotion, what a diet!