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.
Comments
Since I haven't seen his name come up much this off season, I doubt Reiter is in the mix. Sims seems pretty gung-ho on Degagne.
How do you say his name? Like Eric GAGNE, or Gag-ne? Or neither? Last I heard of Kevin Reiter, he was the radio broadcaster for the Florida Everblades in the playoffs. Probably not the same one though. Oh well, pish-posh. I don't care who the man between the pipes is, Sims will make sure he's a goodie...
I would say like Eric Gagne, or Simon Gagne from the Flyers to stick with the hockey theme, although Eric is Canadian.
I just find it amazing that now players have all these "options"available to them to sign with whoever they want. A few months ago everyone (including Blake) was talking about how players would flock to sign in the new IHL because their options would be limited, because there would be fewer teams in minor league hockey. Anyone else want to offer any other suggestions now about why this is happening? Could it be that we are the last option for players such as Chewdoruk and Pilkington and many others who have turned down Fort Wayne this summer?
Who's the 100 pt stud the Frankes had to lunch Thursday ? It's signed, sealed and yet to be delivered to Komet fans.
Any hints?
chris richards
Gary Coleman?
Tony Euro?
Sidney Crosby! :P
Whi is the 6-9 guy that Chase was talking about on wowo Friday???
Make that who is.....sorry
Ricko, Ricko, Ricko, your man crush on me is flattering even if it is a little creepy.
Tom,
players are afraid to sign because their agents are filling their heads with junk. I talked to someone fresh out of juniors a few weeks back and he said his agent told him that the IHL might fold before the first season finishes. Of course that is nonsense but when you hear stuff like that it is going to scare some people. PERHAPS, and I say perhaps, the quality of play may not be as good the first season as alot of young "second tier" type players fill out the rosters but once the league survives this year and the landscape of minor league hockey evolves over the next couple of years you will find that there will be more than enough quality AA players to fill out the IHL rosters.
tim, the guy chase was talking about was lane manson but i dont know if thats the right guy or not. he seems to fit the bill.. anybody got ideas on who the 100pt guy is or is you know who just starting a rumor?? and believe me, i dont think we need reiter. hes a slacker!
Will they announce when single game tickets go on sale before they actually go on sale?
I say let's bring this DeGagne in and see what the kid can do. If he's a flop we have McWhinney to fall back on if need be. Imagine a D line of Manson and Henley. WOW!!!
Tony,
I understand what you are saying, but the Frankes should have seen all this coming. They've been around for a long time. They should be held accountable for giving us "A" hockey this year. What you are saying essentially to Fort Wayne fans is to "put up" with the next few years and then we will get "AA" hockey back in Fort Wayne. We deserve more than this. Come on, you can't blame the agents for looking out for themselves and their clients.
I doubt that having guys like Chaulk, Robin Bouchard, Guy Dupuis, Tyler Willis, etc. is going to make the IHL fall into the "A" category. This league will be fine. As long as there are top-tier "AA" type players in the IHL and the teams are financially able to pay the players, then this league will be fine. No one needs to panic. It is normal to have anywhere from 6-10 guys signed at this point. I would venture to say they have others on board that they are not announcing right away as they are trying to spread the news out a bit so that the Komets stay in the headlines, on the blogs, on the news, and on our minds. Why tell us everything all at once.
The one thing that bothers me is...why haven't the brass in the IHL solved the issues such as playoffs, trophies, further rules, records, etc. etc. etc.? Seems to me they have lots of loose-ends out there before we get to training camps.
Tom, I do not think this will be an A league. I think what you will see are a bunch of guys you have never heard of playing this first season, guys who have never played together before. That in itself might bring the quality of play down a bit until the teams and players get to know each other. This is something new to Komets fans because it is the first time that the team is joining a league at a time it is pretty much being built from scratch. But keep in mind that these same kinds of fears happened when the Komets joined the UHL. Everyone complained about the drop to a lower level league but once you got to know the characters and who the villains and heroes were, it was just like old times. The entire hockey landscape is going to be different by the end of this decade. The Komets will have a chance to go back to AAA hockey when the time is right. As a fan you of course have the right to stay away until then. Nobody can force you to buy tickets and your life will continue whether you go to hockey games or not. I do not think the Frankes have to be accountable for anything. They have kept hockey going with a succesful record for years and I believe that will continue. They are doing the smart thing which is to wait for the doors to open up for them rather than trying to squeeze through those same doors now. There will be at LEAST 2 AAA leagues in the next few years. The AHL is not the place for the Komets because that will be an eastern league. Fans need to understand there is alot more going on in the hockey world than meets the eye.
The alternative to all of this of course if for the Komets to fold. Would that be a better choice?
tony...are you my long lost brother? took the words right out of my mouth, except i wouldnt have used so many.!!! lol
Sorry LOL that late at night it takes me longer to get where I am going.
For once, I agree with Tony... The Komets will be playing at the AAA level by 2010, whether the IHL becomes more of a AAA league or in another league if this one fails. The AHL is more of a Eastern league than anything. We will see ALOT of transition at all levels of minor league hockey in the next 3 years, I guarantee that. I would stake ALOT of money on the fact that we will see several Midwestern teams leave their present leagues and join the IHL IF the IHL proves itself to be legitimate in the enxt 2 years. The first year is always the toughest so this year will mean EVERYTHING to the IHL as far as proving itself. If it does, the IHL will expand to 10-14 teams within 3 years. I am very confident of that..... Then we will all see the hockey and rivalries that we have begged to see for years.
I hope everyone's predictions about playing in a higher league become true. I am still a little optimistic though. Why wasn't a re-alignment done when the original IHL folded. I know the different IHL teams spread throughout the different leauges, but I think then would have been a good time to look at reorganiztion of the different leauges. If a new "re-alignment" is whats best for different the leagues, teams, and owners, then I hope the powers that be make it really happen. It just seems that what I consider common sense or good business sense never happens in hockey. I have been happy with hockey in Fort Wayne even when they moved to the UHL. Having lower level hockey is better than no hockey at all.
Thanks Chuckitt for the name. Tony E you said it all just perfect so these other people will have to understand that the landscape of minor league hockey is changing for sure!! Any time there is change you have growing pains....so lets all just be patient and live with it for a short period of time. The Frankes know what they are doing and i trust them one heck of a lot more than some of those other Bozo types owners that we have seen in the UHL. We all have opinions and that is mine. If you disagree that is your right........but believe me things will be just fine soon. Take care all and lets go Komets whoever you are!!!!
we need an affiliate. i think the Komets should leave one defense spot and one forward spot open to a affiliate team. I think we should get a higher affiliate like AHL/NHL or even CHL/ECHL (even though were consider the same rank) and/or get one from a junior team (Indiana Ice) or a MAHL or some league that has players out of college/juniors. I would Prefer getting a affiliate with a MAHL league so that we won't lose are players and leave a few spots for thiers, and it would give these young guys a chance at making it. what does everyone think. it was just something that popped in my head because i was thinking of Flint getting one with the RedWings and Thrashers.
Fort Wayne signed Degagne and Reiter
Should we be excited? I am not sure what to think if this is true. Reiter was good with Missouri, but was he as good as French Fry? I am sure I have seen Degagne, but I have to admit I don't really remember him.
I guess this makes 2 capable goalies. I would have liked to seen McWhinney back because I think he had lots of promise in him, he just needed a legitimate shot in goal, not as a guy that plays maybe once every month or so like French Toast would allow him to do.
Where did you find the signing at, Signing?