Komets General Manager David Franke said this evening that the Komets have made an offer to defenseman Luke Sellars who has been in Fort Wayne practicing with the team for a couple of weeks.
"We'll know more later this week,'' Franke said. "He's got some interest from some other teams who found out he was here, but I feel real good about our offer. We'll just let him make his mind up.''
Sellars has not played since Feb. 2, 2004 while playing for Chicago of the American Hockey League against San Antonio when he suffered a severe knee injury. He's had problems with his knee cap ever since, including multiple surgeries.
The Komets have filed immigration papers for Sellars, but it's doubtful he could play before Feb. 24, if he's in condition by then. Sellars, 24, is a former junior teammate of Komets forward Lance Galbraith.
"He tried skating with us last year in Boise and it didn't pan out and he had to have surgery to correct it,'' Galbraith. "He does everything really well. He's a great player. He'd be a great addtion if we can get him in our lineup. Health is an issue. He'd be one of the top D in this league and could definitely help us. He'll be hungry to play.''
Comments
How is the health of the rest of the team. I haven't heard anything lately. So, I guess no news is good news!!
It's February so virtually no one is 100 percent healthy, but they should be ready to go Wednesday. Lots of little things. There's even hope that Bozoian might be able to go after his back spasms.
If Sellars is that bad with his knee why would we try to sign a player that is injured? I know he could bring a lot to the table and that is why he is getting looks by other teams. Blake how confident are the Franke's with Sellars? Also, any word on making any trades? What are some of the areas you feel the K's need to address for the stretch run to secure a playoff spot and what it will take to make a run in the play-offs? On my wish list would be a player like Frank Littlejohn at Missouri. I know that is unlikely to happen, but he sure would bring a lot to this hockey club and be worth it.
heard a rumor this week that the ks were interested again in d a beauregard.. any truth?
I heard from a very good source that the K's have been in contact with DAB too! Boy, would I love to see that happen and I'm sure David would like to play for a contender and get out of Roanoke. He could really help us out down the stretch.
The only problem with getting Beauregard is we would have 8 vets. Who do you sit? You can't sit Chaulk, Drouin, or Luciuk at forward. Right now you can't sit any defenseman either because we don't have enough so that means Neumeier, Dupuis, and Guinn all have to be in the lineup. Lord knows we can't sit Frenchy either! So there's are 7 vets in the lineup. Just curious as to who everyone would sit to have DAB in the lineup.
Quite frankly with how things have gone for us it would not surprise me in the least to see Sellars leave to play elsewhere. Its been that kind of season. The positive things I would think would be giving us a chance because we are giving him a chance. That, and his friendship with Galbraith work in our favor I would think.
A Beauregard type player is what we are missing. Make no mistake about that. I say acquire the guy and worry about who sits later. If Sellers can go and Bozoian's back gets healthy, we could still play 6 defensemen each night. But like anything else, I'll believe its true when I see him.
I'm not convinced it's sane to think or expect Sellars to be able to play every night, especially at first.
As for DAB, talked to someone in the front office who had never heard of it, and doubted it would happen because FW would have to give up a veteran who would probably be unlikely to report so what would be the point?
Why do we want another undersized forward? We've shown that we can win when we play gritty and tough. DAB has no grit, no toughness. Hope to see Sellars in a K's jersey soon. I think he could provide more to the team than DAB. Would DAB even come back? I thought his parting with the Komets was less than friendly.
Are you crazy Monkey Boy? DAB was one of the toughest guys we had the year we won the cup. I'm not talking about fighting, I'm talking about in front of the net on the Powerplay and taking a beating to get put back goals. He has the best hands in the league. I'd much rather have him in the lineup, scoring goals. Get rid of Rob Guinn, and take our chances with the rest of our defense. Everyone comments that Guinn is reliable and plays every game. I'll give him that. It's the quality of play that I question. Have you watched this guy try to move the puck out of the zone or try to keep the puck in the zone on offense. How about his 'Ole defensive style like that of a bull-fighter. Horrible.
it's so awful that he's only plus-11 to lead all the defensemen. The horror.
He benefits very nicely from playing on lines with our best players shift after shift.
I was just giving my opinion on a previous question. Who would you move out of a veteran spot to make way for a much needed frontline player? (If we made such a move?)
If Guinn was so bad, why do the forwards ask to play with him? He's plus 39 over the last two years, and considering he doesn't play on the pp much, how else would you judge him? That's not just playing with better players. Did you say the same thing about Neumie last year? Guys like that are gold in the playoffs. I just have a lot of respect for Guinn seeing what he goes through physically to play EVERY game, and he never complains. Right now I know for a fact that he has three injuries that would keep anyone else out of the lineup, but because he always plays you don't hear about them. He reminds me of Lucyk that way.
I wouldn't mess much with a team that is 20-5-2 over the last 27, at least not the veterans. Chemistry is too critical. They need to find another scorer, but more of a two-way player. The PP has been excellent so that's not a problem, and the scoring has also been up. They need a Michel Massie-type who is not a veteran and not broken down who can do a little bit of it all, including drop the gloves. You might be able to find somebody like that, sort of like a jr. Littlejohn.
Then they need to get two kids out of college, a defenseman and a sniper, to beef up the rookies. They need a couple of youngsters to step up big like a Rumble, a Carpentier, a Miller and a Lindsay. It's the time of year for the young guys to step up and show what they've learned. I think Rumble could be a whale of a player. That kid has some great tools.
I'm not convinced that the Komets aren't that far away from where they need to be. I've seen some pretty good gradual improvement over the last two months. They might just peak at the right time, sort of like 1993 or 2003. I'm not saying they are going to, but it's possible, and I'm seeing some of the same signs, especially in the locker room.
Think about this: right now they could throw a checking line out there of Hukalo, Miller and Carpentier or Rumble. That would be a pretty good playoff checking line. You'd have two really solid offensive lines in front of that with Chaulk, Goodwin, Drouin, Luciuk, Galbraith and maybe Hunter. They've already got a very good PP and PK, and Frenchy, so it's possible.
Of course, as I write all that they fall behind 2-1. LOL.
Actually, Dupuis leads all defensman at +14. I agree we need a Massie type player. Not that you can find a guy like that very easily this time of year. I think that Rumble is a pretty solid guy as long as he stays healty. I loved the Galbraith, Rumble, Chaulk line. Really the only guys you could move at this point are Frawley, Summerfield, or Huckalo. I don't see the facination with Hunter but its not likely that he's going anywhere. If they aren't going to give Summerfield a chance they should release or trade him. In his short icetime he's looked pretty decent.
Who knows? I might be full of it, but I'm not sure the Komets are that far away right now. Look at it this way, there's nobody who has gotten stronger as the season has gone along and some of the other teams are starting to show some cracks. Every team out there has a major hole.
How about Guinn now?
BLAKE, YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO LIKES Guinn!
asst. to rob Quinn
hey blake...
you wanna get off your soap box now lol jk...
Komets beat Rockford 4-2 tonight..an outstanding effort..
Lets not get fooled on what is taking place. The balance of power is not evenly spread out in this league. There is one group over here, and one group over there....and 2 or 3 teams in between. Our turnaround has been fuled by finally beating up the teams we should, and we play them plenty. Its been a wonderful run and I hope it continues. I give the guys a lot of credit in that. But the K's need to still add a few pieces, useful pieces I might add, and stay away from being Jeckyl and Hyde at home. We are getting production from a number of sources now but my gut feeling is that will only go so far and so long. Ten goal scorers are that for a reason. You can only go to the well so many times with that kind of player in key positions on your team.
To think because we are 20-5 means we're close is crazy. I love what is going on...but we still need to tinker with the engine in order to race with the big boys CONSISTANTLY IN A SERIES FORMAT.
I have stated this before the only guy out there that would fit with the K's right now is Littlejohn. This guys has an awesome shot, is physical, and plays hard. Do I think we could get him, more than likely no but I would be willing to give up something for him even Guinn although I like him and I feel he has played pretty steady all year long. I do not think he is playing as physical as he was last year, but that maybe attributed to the undisclosed injuries Blake is referring to. Tonight's win was huge, but let's not start thinking we have arrived. We have a great shot at an 8 point week again. I am still not that thrilled with Rumble. I know he has played ok, but I still think he is more of a liability than an asset. I think the UHL needs to change this rookie/veteran rule. I seems to me all year we have been more concerned with what rookies we have or do not have. With them taking a roster spot away I think it has really effected our club the most.
David, I agree with you on the rookie/veteran rule and will have more on that later. You are correct about Guinn.
Getting rid of Guinn for a forward is like shooting one foot to bandage the other.
And I have to disagree with the idea we need another player who can do it all. I think that most of our players are like that this season. The Komets are full of veterans who are good all around, but no one that really excells in one place. Everyone is a bit gritty, everyone seems to be scoring lately, everyone seems to chip in defensively, everyone is good in PP and PK. No one is blowing away the league in goals. No one is blowing away the UHL with physical play. I think the only one on defense that can argue for being the best of the league is Dupuis but thats alot to do with his strong offensive presence. The only player on the team that I can say really excells in one area and is top of the league is St. Pierre. He's played better this year than I have ever seen him.
Hey Blake,
What's going on with Summerfield? Is he hurt or just not getting to play? I like his energy and hustle, I'd like to see what he could do if given more of an opportunity.
One thing I have noticed in the last few games I covered is the Komets' forwards are getting in front of the net and staying there. Take a look at Goodwin's offensive production last week. I looked through my photos from those games and there was a disproportionate number of pics of Goodwin getting in front of goalies, on the receiving end of uncalled penalties(in front of goalies) and scoring (in front of goalies).
Earlier in the season, you could look at an opposing net and wonder why no one wearing orange and white was within 20 feet of it. Now, I think the team is picking up the physical play and it is paying off. I think the forechecking could use a little bolstering, but other than that, I like what I am seeing.
Blake-
I have never put much credence in +/-. Just wondering your take. It sounds like it is a big stat for you. Not criticizing just wondering your stance.
Last night from what Bob said, Guinn DID hit somebody and all he got for his trouble was a penalty. For this level of hockey he is a quality and steady defenceman. What you have to grasp is, he has flaws. If he didn't he wouldn't be playing in the UHL.
As for D.A.B. , why did the Komets let him go both times? I never could figure it out.
DAB went his marry way because of "personality conflicts" with management...
I think this is the right line up. Maybe another defenseman, but other than that let's roll. This team is reminding me a bit of last year's, going through a few tough strectches but ready to fight till the end. I can see them pouring it on in these last 2 months before playoffs. It really doesn't matter to me what the regular season record says, it is the playoffs that really count. Keep it up and we will be celebrating another great season.