The Komets have placed veteran forward/defenseman Blair Stayzer on waivers. If he is not claimed in 24 hours by another International Hockey League team, he'll be a free agent. Stayzer had one goal and 34 penalty minutes in 13 games this season. He's been on the 30-day injured reserve list since Dec. 4 with a concussion, but is now ready to play, Komets General Manager David Franke said.
``This is just because we needed to get down to 20 men on the roster,'' Franke said. ``He's healthy now and able to play. He got cleared by all the doctors, but we coudn't find a spot for him here either on defense or forward. We're going to let him go and see if he can hook on with somebody else in our league. We don't have any bad feelings about him or anything like that. It was just a numbers decision.''
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maybe now he will get with another IHL team come back and Mac can give him a lesson on how to fight......he was just too wild armed...flailing his arms all over the places
Good guy and team player...Not only was it a numbers game but a I am sure it help their pocket book to...Hope he gets a chance somewhere
This stinks. I really liked Stayzer, and I never thought I'd say that after how much I hated him last year. He put effort out on the ice when the vast majority of our team was coasting around on the ice. In addition, he stood up for teammates while others were fine with letting them get pummeled. His reward? He get dumped. I understand it being a numbers game, but I'm not sure I agree with which number was chosen to be let go. I'm sure some of the faithful will say I don't know hockey because of the statistics he had, but I do know effort and he always gave it, even when it wasn't the cool thing on the team to do. I hope he does very well with another team, whether he can fight or not.
I said from day one that I didn't understand why the K's used a "veteran" spot on him. Look, I have nothing against the guy and I hope he catches on with another team and has a successful season. I just couldn't figure out why the K's selected him in the dispersal draft of the K-zoo players. People said he was valuable because he could play up front and on defense, they argued he was a "tough guy", and could provide a "big" body on the power play. Ok, Stayzer could play shifts both directions and there is value to that, but to spend one of your veteran spots on him was something that did not make sense to me.....now what does this mean for the future roster? The K's now have a veteran spot to fill and my instincts are screaming at me that they have a player ( and I don't mean Mitch Woods ) all lined up to come in. We'll have to wait and see if I'm correct. In my opinion they need another sniper and a player who provides a real physical presence. Am I on the right track?
he might have not been a good fighter but at least he showed up when the rest ran and hid. sorry to see him go. this puts some pressure on bertram and rodger to start dropping the gloves and play tough. im sure there are more moves on the way as we need another scorer but it should be a tweener.
Couldn't find a spot for him on defense or as a forward? I can find 3.
Warner
DeAngelis
Woodard
I won't complain as long as they fill the vet spot with somebody who's going to be a difference maker. For those of you that viewed Stayzer as a waste of a vet spot, explain how Kevin Bertram differs.
I hope Stayzer ends up in Bloomington or Dayton. He's a good defenseman that will play hard every night. I can respect that. Good Luck Stayzer..
The last 14 games, the entire team is minus-11. Bertram is plus-6. That's a remarkable stat, especially considering they can't score five-on-five (23 even-strength goals in those games). There has to be something said for keeping the puck out of the net, especially since he and Phillips are probably out there against every team's top line.
I don't have a beef with Bertram, I just think he and Stayzer are similar type players. Aside from being injured, Stayzer played hard every night and attempted to stick up for his teammates. Bertram plays through injuries and is a tough guy, I just don't see the huge difference that people can justify one guy using a vet spot and not the other.
I would have liked to see what Blair could have done on defense.
i have to admit though it would have been fun to see the lineup of stayzer, woods, and mac!
Blair is a 'Great Guy' very gutsy player. Those in power who must make these calls have a huge responsibility. I am glad I am not one of them. You all will have plenty of opportunity to criticize the call be it pro or con about it. If the win we will all be happy if they lose, well we can all be armchair GM's or coaches. I like all of you hope he lands someplace. He can play the game. There are teams in the IHL that have veteran spots open. Can they afford Blair? That is a good question. I can think of several that should make room for him. Best wishes Blair.
Interesting move since he was the closest thing to a heavyweight we've had this season. Okay, so he was hitting the ice so fast, even the linesmen were surprised. But he seemed like a good guy who at least was trying. Good luck to him. I hope he gets a shot somewhere.
Not a good move=unless they bring in Andre Roy
Dale Purinton is only 33 and would be a good defenseman at this level. We all love us some Fort Wayne boys!
Dale is not an option. He's got a family and is happy where he's at.
that is terrible. he is a hard worker. that is more than i can say for a couple of others on the team. seriously are there some parents dropping dollars on the ks to keep their kid?!?!?!
go and ditch someone who will sacrifice himself for his teammates. good job!!
i hope blair gets picked up on another team and comes back to haunt the ks. :(
Is Dale living back in Fort Wayne? What's he doing these days, Blake?
Dale is living in Canada (I think in Victoria) with his wife and I believe four kids.
Ooooh this makes me mad! (insert Yosemite Sam impression here) Now who's gonna be the guy who is willing to go to the net and take some abuse? Ok, the guy couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag, but I was surprised how much I started to like him. Especially since I couldn't stand him as a Kwing.
Hey Blake, I noticed that Henley hasnt played for Hatford (AHL) since November 19th...I'm not saying this is the big D-maqn the K's are trying to get in here; but have you heard if he's injured or just not playing??? I couldnt find anything one way or the other and am just curious...thx
Oh, and I'm definetly not happy about a guy being released who has done everything asked of him since joining the K's while never complaining (as far as I've heard)... Seems like a TRUE team player... Good Luck Blair!
This move is partially because he is a veteran and partially because Warner and Woodard are essentially doing the same job he can do, I am really meaning they can play defense and offense, and I would bet that both Woodard and Warner make less coin....doesn't mean that Woodard won't be let go next, since we now have a veteran spot wide open begging for more scoring to enter this team's lineup. Luke the Destroyer? Paging Luke the Destroyer......Luke, was that interview a smokescreen or an introduction???
Joking you Super Fan.....but I would bet this move was to free up space for a another move to come. How safe is Mr. Varone at this point fellas??? and Ladies???
Our Man Mitch is on his way back too, that means someone else has to go. Wonder what Syro's outlook is in the AHL? Will he stay up there much longer? If he comes back, someone else has to skate home. Lots of possibilities out there I guess. It is getting interesting.
Best of luck Blair. I agree with you JM. I would have kept Blair.....but you know how this team loves its local boys....and heros.
i don't really have an opinion on this move.
Henley is out for the year with an ACL tear.
I know one guy I would have taken who was available that a lot of you would not have liked because he doesn't fight, but Rod Aldoff was recently a free agent. He signed with Rapid City in the CHL. There's a rock-steady guy who just plays a good game.
That stinks.
Who is it then?
They always bring back former Komets. Arthur Kiyaga has been taking Tai Chi I think....sign him. LOL
I don't know if it is anyone specifically. I believe they are looking for someone who fits as a big, physical defenseman, but so is everybody else. I think they'd love to find someone like Kevin MacDonald, someone like that.
I hoped they sign a guy with a short name! Purely personal. :)
Big Physical Defensemen....???
I heard Blair Stayzer might be available......
Steven Later hasn't played much in Corpus Christi this season..