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Tailing the Komets

Not a lot is going on

The Komets might announce a couple signings by the end of the week, but these are likely to be more rookies and role players than stars. It's starting to get toward crunch time when players who are hoping for spots in AHL training camps will have to make some decisions.

With seven players signed and only three veterans, the Komets have roster spots and money available. General Manager David Franke and coach Al Sims hope to have the team's goaltending positions figured out next. They continue to talk with Shawn Degagne who hopes to receive a doctor's clearance later this week after having shoulder surgery early last season. Degagne is already playing and working out, Sims said. “If everything looks good and he is cleared, we'll look to make the next step,” Sims said. “He's a real competitor.”

Franke said the Komets also have a few other goaltending options, and it's unlikely the team will fill one of its seven veteran spots in net.

Sims said he'd like to bring around 30 players to training camp, creating competition for the final five or six spots on the roster.

“The middle of August is usually when guys are looking for American League deals, and then they have to decide what they want to do next,” Sims said. “That's usually when you get the better players because these are borderline AHL players. You have to make sure you have some money for that time of year so you can get a guy like that.”

The Komets have made offers to dispersal draft picks Justin Chwedoruk, Chaz Johnson, Frank Littlejohn, Mike Sgroi and Mike Kautz, but Brett Pilkington and Sergei Durdin have said they will sign with the ECHL.

“The important thing for me is go get in touch with all the agents and let them know we're interested if their guys don't get an AHL deal, an we have money to spend,” Sims said. “If we get some AHL camps to offer as well, we'll be that much further ahead.”

Sims and Franke said the Komets currently have spots in two AHL camps, with Worcester and Syracuse. Sims said he's continuing to look for more options.

Franke said recently signed assistant coach Colin Chaulk and captain Guy Dupuis are also pitching in to help recruit players and sell them on Fort Wayne.

Posted in: Komets

Comments

JR
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 2:04pm

Do believe that Littlejohn has signed with Elmira and is getting ready to help run thier tryout camp...

Rick
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 2:31pm

Thanks for the update, Blake, and welcome back to reality. Glad the inmates didn't tear down the asylum while you were gone, but it did get a little rough for awhile.

Tony E
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 2:36pm

Blake was there any mention of Mcwinney? I hope they did not put all of that work in with him last year to see another team reap the benefits. I know that everyone equated his progression to his connection with St Pierre but when it comes down to it, Dan had to go in the net and stop the pucks and for the most part he did that.
Ah Chaz Johnson....grrrr...well maybe class guys like Guy and Colin will crack some sense into the kid.

lovelost
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 2:36pm

Littlejon has signed with elmira. i was hopng we ould get pilkington.

lovelost
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 3:24pm

Mike Sgroi would be a good fighter to get.

Ashley
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 3:38pm

I hope they can get McWhinney back. I don't think he's a #1 goaltender quite yet, but give him another year under his belt, he very well could be.

Mark
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 3:56pm

Yes, Littlejohn is signed in Elmira...I think they did that to retain his rights...

Blake
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 4:44pm

That's what I think, too. Who knows if Frank and Martinson will get along?

Ashley
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 4:46pm

Blake, here is an article that I found that Neumie signed with a team.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/article2841456.ece

Tony E
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 4:47pm

I was in favour of signing Littlejohn too until I realized that for as long as he has been around even on some decent teams, no team he has gone into the playoffs with has EVER made it out of the first round!

Junior
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 5:27pm

Welcome back Blake......

Bob
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 7:03pm

Blake,

Welcome Back! I hope your vacation was as enjoyable as mine. (They always go so quickly!!!)

Can you tell us if McWhinney is being considered for one of the goaltending spots? I would like to see him get an opportunity to get some more PT and develop his skills more.

Try to keep cool, this weather is brutal!

Burgee
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 7:26pm

Welcome back and Happy Birthday.

Blake
Tue, 08/07/2007 - 11:43pm

McWhinney is in the mix, but I'm not sure how serious.

Had a good vacation, but it's not my birthday, though I do feel remarkably older being out in this heat. Not sure where that got started.

Junior
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 11:58am

He's our new guy Travis getting jumped by our buddy Chaz... what a quality guy that Chaz is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3J9I3bM3WM

Greg
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 12:02pm

Yeah, but in Johnson's defense, Granbois did try go to knee to knee and I think that would make anyone upset.

lovelost
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 12:07pm

but he plain jumped him. hit him from behind.

Greg
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 12:21pm

I won't question that, but Johnson did follow Granbois down the ice trying to get him to go. And had that been a Komets Granbois tried to knee, well I'll let everyone else answer that one.

Greg
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 12:23pm

Think of it this way, in the new and improved IHL, this thing will happen more often because there's no instigator rule. Johnson wouldn't even have to have asked for the fight he could have legit jumped Granbois and gotten maybe just a 5.

Tony E
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 12:31pm

I guess the question would be, is Johnson "coachable"
Where he was before that type of goonery was condoned and encouraged. Sims is old school. Back when he played their certainly were the goon/enforcers running around but the guys he played with like O'reilly, Wensink, Secord etc all stood face to face with the guys they fought. None of the from behind and stick slash stuff that Johnson is known for. So can Johnson change his act to meet the coaches expectations or is he a true loose cannon. There is no doubt he has ability to play but you cannot win when one of your more talented players can't control himself and winds up in the box anytime someone looks at him wrong. Those kind of guys kill you in the playoffs.

Greg
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 12:54pm

That's a way to look at it, but I go back to the new IHL. Now players don't have to worry about the "code". If players fell they were wronged they can exact revenge with limited punishment (as long as the don't go crazy and I don't see Johnson as that type of crazy, Big Snake on the other hand???).

Junior
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 2:14pm

I'm really looking forward to Travis Granbois being a Komet. I've heard a lot of good stuff about him from QC fan's, if you can stand listening to them. He won't be another Morency, but he doesn't back down from anyone, even if he does get his bell rung.

Steve65497
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 4:24pm

Dont count on Chaz johnson playing in Ft wayne....

Jungle Monkey
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 8:12pm

Chaz can stay as far from Fort Wayne as possible.

Junior
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 8:13pm

I'm not, I could care less.....would rather see someone that plays the game the right way.

Jeff
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 8:23pm

For those of you interested, Tony, Blake, and others,

I found this link which shows some of the new NHL uniforms and the Reebok form-fitting design.

http://hockey-blog-in-canada.blogspot.com/search/label/jerseys

A handful of jerseys have been released/leaked so far. Boston looks to be going back somewhat to its old style and the NY Rangers maintained their look. The LA Kings, once again, have no idea what royalty colors should be or what a REAL crown looks like. According to some bloggers on this site, the Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators came up with aprons for uniforms.
The Quad City Flames' new white uniform is also on there, if anybody really cares about Quad City that is.

J-Rid
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 8:38pm

Enough talk about the skaters! Let's talk goalies! C'mon Frankes, I don't want us to play empty-net all year!...

Ricko
Thu, 08/09/2007 - 8:54pm

Reiter should fix that problem for you.

Greg
Fri, 08/10/2007 - 8:55am

I just saw a picture of Massie and he's going to play in the LAHN this coming season.

J-Rid
Fri, 08/10/2007 - 10:34am

Reiter would fix that problem IF THEY ANNOUNCE IT!!!...

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