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Tailing the Komets

Some updates

Just got off the phone with David Franke so here are some updates:

Kevin Reiter: The Komets are continuing to talk to him and are asking him to make a decision soon so they can go in another direction if need be.

Mario Larocque: Just got back from vacation and Franke plans on talking to him today. He has concerns whether Larocque is willing to take the money being offered under the hard cap.

Jim Duhart: ``I don't think we're going to sign Jimmy,'' Franke said. ``No. 1 I don't think he
can play for the money that we've offered and No. 2 we're not sure if he's the best
fit for what we're trying to do. I've called a few teams I our league to see if
they would be interested but haven't received any responses from them.''

Matt Elich: Still in the mix.

Kelly Miller: ``We're learning toward signing him. I told him to give us another
week to 10 days.''

Troy Neumeier: Signed to play in Lubbock of the CHL with  Andrew Luciuk.

Franke said the Komets probably have around 25 contract offers out to players. A lot will depend on where the player fits under the cap. Every position is slotted meaning players will either take what the slot says they should be offered or they won't sign. He thinks that's one reason why so many teams have only signed a handful of players so far.

As for toughness and aggressiveness: ``I think everybody we're talking to, everybody plays with an edge and are some physical type players. We have calls in with a lot of players and a lot of
them have that element of playing hard and paying tough. We're just waiting to see who jumps on
board first.''

Posted in: Komets

Comments

Hoss
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 11:29am

Well, they are saying the right things. Now let's see if they can get them done.

PLEASE BRING BACK MILLER!!!

Greg
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 11:37am

Sounds like all of the dispersal draft picks are a bust. We got Hansen through Chicago. I think by putting pressure on Reiter he'll pass on signing, Figures with Duhart that they can't pay him what he wants, if he playeda little defense he might be worth more. Hope we can get Elich.
Good luck to Troy in Lubbock.

Tony E
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 11:56am

The guys they have signed so far I am sure have not come cheap. I would be surprised if Duhart stays in the UHL because like Chaulk, he isn't going to make the kind of money he used to. I am sorry it will not work out but with the signing of Richardson, the same type of player, that should have been a clue they were not going to be able to sign with Duhart.

ilovehockey
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 11:56am

I agree with bringing back Kelly Miller. I think that Reiter is a no.

komets29fan
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:02pm

Blake,
I take it still no word on Bozoian or Hunter

Steve
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:04pm

I dont think Duhart will play anywhere else other than the UHL. He wants to be close to his home in Flint if not Ft Wayne. Im begging Komet brass, PLEASE DONT SEND HIM TO FLINT.

Tony E
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:07pm

Steve you may be right but unless the Komets lowballed the offer to him (which I doubt), I don't think anyone close to home can afford him. Muskegon and KZoo have already signed several high priced players.
It also sounds like nobody is too interested in him at this point. He might just call it a career. As far as sending him to Flint, why not? The Komets have no reason to want to make his life miserable and if Flint has something of value that will make the Komets better, why not make the deal?

ilovehockey
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:08pm

Steve, he'd fit in better in Muskegan LMAO

Greg
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:08pm

Steve-Beg Flint not to take him.

ilovehockey
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:09pm

Better yet, send him to chief.

Greg
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:10pm

I would have liked to have seen Duhart play at least one season in Ft. Wayne. I was concerned that for a while the Komets didn;'t have a goal scorer, with Goodwin signed it looks like the K's are going to focus on him being the main person. I hope they can get a couple of others that will fill the net.

Steve
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:11pm

Im a FLint fan, and there is no way id want him near my team. This guy is a cancer and a horrible person.

Tony E
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:12pm

Another thing on Duhart/Flint...
JD in Flint is good for the UHL and good for Flint.
Flint is trying to bring its fan base back. Having Duhart on the roster entertaining the fans is a good thing. The guy wants to make his home in Flint. In a city where many would do whatever they could to get out, this guy is trying to make a life there for himself and his family.
Duhart in Flint is good for the UHL because he will give opposing fans entertainment someone to yell at.
In short...
Duhart in the UHL is good for the UHL.
Flint getting itself back to what it used to be is good for the UHL.
One or both of them out of the league is NOT an improvement.

Tony E
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:13pm

Steve that surprises me but I know he has rubbed alot of people the wrong way. I just take him for what he is, an entertainer.

Steve
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:13pm

A more likley destination for Duhart to go to would be either Pt Huron or Elmira.

Steve
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:16pm

Duahrt's act is old......he drives more talented players away, he believes that he is the only reason people come out to the arena. He will not conform......not even in Ft Wayne.

ilovehockey
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:16pm

Sounds to me like Richardson might be able to put a few goals away too, along with Goody. I'd rather have several that can score than having only 1 big scorer. Then if they leave or are hurt, the team isn't in total destruction mode again.

Tony E
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:17pm

Port Huron I can see. Elmira, heck he would be closer to home playing in the OHASR league.

Steve
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:18pm

In elmira he would be reunited with Robbie Nichols, and they should have some cap room left with only 1 high priced player signed.

Tony E
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:23pm

It could be. I am sad something could not be worked out. I thought he might want to take a last shot at a cup before calling it a career. Then again Fort Wayne is no sure thing this year with a revamped roster.
It does look like most of the draft picks are bust but since they were done before a coach was hired, it isn't surprising. Duhart and some of the others may not fit into Coach Binghams system.

Blake
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:36pm

Bozo and Hunter are off the radar.

As for the draft, who ever signs many of their draft picks. It's usually because the players are coming from such bad situations that they want out of the league.

If they can get Reiter, Elich and Larocque, that would be an excellent draft, especially considering Hanson is essentially a draft pick.

eric_smiff
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:43pm

Any word on Drew Omicioli

Blake
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 12:47pm

Supposedly going to Europe. They haven't talked to him recently because I believe that's what he told them.

komets29fan
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 1:04pm

Blake,
What does off the radar mean? Hunter and Bozoian weren't asked back or what?

Blake
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 1:33pm

The Komets believe they can find better players.

JR
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 2:18pm

A few comments....

1. I would like to see that big presence of Laroque in front of the crease; but I wouldnt over pay for it. I'm sure that Bingham can find a big tough defenseman who can play to fill that spot.

2. I think between Duhart and Elich, I would sign Elich. He was the guy in the first dispersal draft I wanted the K's to pick. He's quicker than Duhart and can score (put up decent #'s in Flint & Roanoke)

3. Hopefully the K's can persuade Reiter to join the K's. With the team they are building, two outstanding goalies would be awesome.

4. If they are leaning towards signing Miller, then that would make me believe that the K's must have some good tweeners and rookies on the radar...

Just a few thoughts...

Tony E
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 2:27pm

Just thinking out loud...
Is Miller a first line player on a championship team? Can you afford him if he isn't?
I ask not because I think I know the answer. I have not seen enough of him to know.

komets29fan
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 2:29pm

Why should they pursue Reiter? Obviously the guy is not interested so move on an find another back-up. Also I think the Komets are stupid b/c they don't think Hunter was good enough. Matt coudl actually play hockey unlike some of the other guys from last season and one of those they made an offer to. Luckily he didn't take the offer (Jorde).

Mark
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 2:44pm

Tony E.-

Doesn't matter if Miller is or isn't a 1st line player. I believe Miller would be an asset to the Komets on the front of a grinder type player, who has lots of speed and is an excellent PKer. And not to mention a fan favorite. I'm glad they are leaning towards it..

JR
Mon, 08/07/2006 - 2:45pm

I thought they would at least invite Bozoain to training camp. I thought Hunter had 2 short stretches during last year where he showed some spark other than that he was an ok 3rd line guy and he was hurt alot. I like where the K's seem to be going with this team and I believe that Hunter and Bozoain would both be better off signing somewhere where they know they are gonna play....

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