Talked with David Franke today on his way to Kalamazoo to watch the ECHL Riley Cup Finals.
* The Komets are not talking with the Red Wings about an affiliation or anything else.
* They will be talking to Columbus again in the next few weeks.
* The Komets are using a scouting service to help them look at upcoming rookies.
* They have not talked to Todd Robinson, but expect to in the future. He expects Robinson to wait awhile before si
* They are probably looking at bringing one goaltender back, mostly because they need to find one for the future, not because they have any problems with Kevin Reiter or Nick Boucher.
* He said he believes Derek Patrosso and Tab Lardner are leaning 90 percent toward retirement.
* Colin Chaulk will start working for the club June 1 to get training in marketing, sales, player promotions and recruiting.
* The Komets are planning on using a sleeper bus more next season as they'll probably play a more diverse schedule.
* They plan on bringing 35 or so players to training camp.
* Likely won't start signing any new players until June, or at least announcing them.
That's about it. Nothing earth-shaking. Back to tennis results.
Comments
Jimmy Bonneau will be a Komet :)
Why would Franke have any interest in the ECHL finals in Kzoo? Enquiring minds want to know...read between the lines..ok just trying to stir the pot..sorry Blake could not resist
It would be easy for the CHL and ECHL to merge. Just put an "E" in front of CHL and there you have it.
Ok Mightbite I need to know about Jimmy Bonneau. I haven't really heard much about him.
Since 1997 it's been the Kelly Cup, not the Riley Cup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeL9SwmT_wA&feature=related
KometKrazy, here is a fight against Jon Mirasty. He was here 2 years ago but never played cause he got an AHL deal.
USHL is creeping closer. Read the story on wane.com about the new arena planned in Marion.
Don't retire, Tab! Please?
I thought Tab was one of the bright spots of last year's season! He looked like he had so much game left in him...I hope he follows the 10% that wants to come back!
Looks like Laredo is staying and having long time Buck Serge Dube as new coach...well that's part of what Ive heard...Is them lowering of the cap soon to follow?
Laredo is staying if they sell enough season tickets by Friday.
Also, there
nothing earth-shattering? Tab retiring is earth shattering!!!But I heard that on the news a few days ago that it was 90%, so i have been able to prepare myself.
Flint will move to the new arena in Marion
Good luck Marion...
I personally think it is a political pipe dream. The thinking....we will build an arena in Marion, IN and promise hockey, concerts, ice shows, wrestling, etc......but who in that area has the money to support it? There are not enough people around that area any more, and the economy is depressed.
It is a High School Basketball Town.....Period.
I can't see that thing working out at all.
Wonder if K-Zoo fans will spot Mr. Franke??? LOL
I will start the rumor......
He is going to watch the ECHL up close because that is where we are headed.
The CHL is desperate......and our schedule is being classified as DIVERSE for next season.
Those don't sound like good things to me.
And yes.....Sky just fell on my house.....thanks for asking.
LOL
SpiderMan......OUT!!!!
Maybe someone who blogs on here finally took the advice of some other bloggers and bought their own arena and hockey team in Marion to show how it's done.
If it's a USHL team I would go to some games, couldn't make everyone.
Marion can afford a $40 million dollar arena for USHL hockey? Hmm...
ushl hockey. are you people kidding? you thought the ushl or colonial league was bad? you aint seen nothing yet! and why wouidnt the komets go to kazoo? those teams have rookies and free agents who will be available next year so why is it even a question?
Thanks for the update, Blake.
For me, I would like to see Lardner back, would not like to see Columbus back, would like to see both Robinson and Bonneau here, love the idea of a 35 man camp, and not sure what to think about a scouting service. I'm not sure what a scouting service does except prepare "generic" reports on players. It kind of tells me that the Komets organization has lost their contacts in college hockey and maybe in the hockey world at large. I hope I'm totally mistaken on this one.
I'm know I'm going to get killed on this one, and even I had to think it over for awhile, but I would like to see Curadeau back. He has the speed, the talent, and the scoring ability. Maybe without the pressure of having to be "the man" we could see the player of a couple of years ago again. It's worth a shot. I also have an idea that the K's will talk to Luciano Aquino. He would be quite a prize at this level.
I don't know what the salary cap is ( or will be), the exceptions to it, or this rumor of revenue sharing ( which I would hate if true), but I have a feeling that the Franke's feel that they have something to prove this year. Just their motivation for success may translate into a great season.
By the way, I wouldn't read too much in David Franke running up to Kalamazoo to take in a game. It seems like a good way to scout both teams (especially Alaska ), have a little fun, and maybe speak to Pickard and the Owner to glean information from them. At the best, you get to see some players you've never seen, and at the worst you got to watch a hockey game.
http://www.themonitor.com/sports/probably-50667-bees-bucks.html
On Wednesday, Hart outlined a new luxury tax system, agreed to at the owners
"Luxury tax"?? More like a "Success Tax". Remember, folks, there's a salary cap. It's not like the Komets can buy up all the talent like the Yankees do. This isn't to help even the playing field for drawing talent; it's to try to let crappy teams survive. If your team is drawing 2000 or less per game, that's an indication that you are in a lousy market or that you are a lousy marketer, and you should fold or relocate, not that you should latch on, remora-like to successful teams. Interesting factoid - Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Population (2010 Census) 841,502. Fort Wayne MSA Population 416,257. Dayton Gems average attendance 1,877. Komets average attendance 7,460.
Why are people going to get all upset? Because its actually in print and called a "luxury tax"?
The Komets have been supporting teams that shouldn't have existed for the last 5 years, at least this way the other teams are chipping in.
It's one thing to pay it because you want to. It's another to pay it because you have to.
This new "luxory tax" is nothing more than a short term fix that will ultimitally fail. If you can't keep your own business alive, you go out. This does nothing but weaken the league
Killer Bee's miss pay-roll, shut down offices. That 1st luxury tax check can't come soon enough for RGV
http://www.themonitor.com/articles/killer-50689-state-farm.html
This is as bad as last year. Ending up in USHL???
Hey folks it is still only May! Give it a little time (like a couple of months) to settle down. The Play-offs aren't even over with yet. I think things will shape up about August or so.
If anyone can help "Supet Fan" Blake out and keep him out of jail, PLEASE DO! It is a very good cause and I know he would sincerely appreciate every dollar! Nothing is to small!
Actually I just don't want to see him without his shirt!
Enjoy the Stanley Cup and your summer!
Exactly Schebig, it IS only May and the playoffs aren't over yet but we're just bringing to the table what is actually happening in the CHL. Nothing that has been said isn't the truth...There's still PLENTY of time for more fun. I know it's come from idiot bloggers and not Blake but that doesn't change the legitimacy of it.
Is that like waiting until New Years to worry about the team not winning? That worked out so well this season that I definitely have no worries about the league this summer.
You got it RK.
Somehow guys like us RK are guilty by association I think....LOL