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
David, the other possibility is that Rockford and Quad Cities lose so much money that there will be no owners left to bring them back to the IHL and the team ends up folding. If you were a fan of that team is that a risk you would be willing to take? If you were an owner of that team would you be willing to risk losing everything you have worked years for jumping into something you know is going to change radically in the next few years? The only reason Quad Cities has a prayer of surviving is because Calgary is going to offset financial losses. I am not sure if Rockford has a similar deal.
I have no problem with the Komets becoming a AAA team but I am glad they are not doing it now.
The players jumping to Europe is out of the Komets control. You can't expect players to sign in Fort Wayne when they can make a larger salary and play fewer games overseas. That is what happens when you enforce a hard cap.
As far as players go, assuming Chaulk is healthy, would you not say that the Komets already have one of the top centers and top defencemen in the league?
There ARE a ton of goaltenders floating around so there is no rush whatsoever to sign one.
They have signed one maybe 2 according to a very good local source that has a blog that is similar to this one.
Where is Super Fan anyways? We need the info...MAN!
Anyone seen any future Komets at any local diners? I wonder if our little friends brother has called him lately? I miss KW so much. He is so misunderstood. OHIC MAN!
He has not shown himself since I pointed out how he seemed to find a new grasp of the English language. Last I heard he was taking remedial cyberslang 103 at IPFW.
He must be taking the same classes that Rob Guinn took at IPFW.....
Had to go there....sorry.
Tony, I hope that my comment did not come across as confrontational that was not my intent with you. If it did sorry, I agree with how you spin it as how others may spin it.
David I did not think you were being confrontational at all. I understand you are wanting the best possible hockey in Fort Wayne and I also understand why you want the Komets to try to move up to the AHL. I am just concerned that unless the Komets get a deal like Calgary gave Quad Cities, what can happen is the owners would end up in such debt that they would be forced to sell. Of course with a ton of debt very few buyers would be interested and that is when teams vanish. In my opinion, the risk is far larger than the reward right now.
Hit, Hit, Hit.... LOL. I guess we can let that one slide ;-)
Intotheboards says that Youngstown is hosting an exhibition game against ECHL Cincinnati. That's something that might help the product for IHL. How about Muskegon vs. Grand Rapids. Kalamazoo vs. Milwaukee. Chicago vs. Fort Wayne. These are the matchups (that we should be seeing in the reg. season if we were in the right league) that people want to see. Remember when the Padres came to town to play the Wizards. Look how many came to that game. They packed the place out. Expect the same if the "I" came up with similar matchups for preseason...
Problem is J-Rid, What your talking about is sending "AAA" hockey up against "AA" hockey. The exhibition is essentialy against two "AA" teams just different leagues. ECHL and CHL. As a matter of fact the Phoenix team in the ECHL will play a Airizona team fro the CHL as well. It's a good thought though.
The Twins played against the Wiz Kids (Bigs versus "A") as did the Fathers playing against the Wiz Bangs. A little different than like when the ICE of the CHL played against the Komets in the UHL a few years back in preseason. As I recall at that point, the difference in play between the C and the U definitely favored the UHL.