There are some reasons why the Komets have 10 defensemen under contract already.
1. This is an Al Sims-coached team.
2. This is an Al Sims-coached team.
3. Last year the Komets played four rookies on the blueline all year -- and got away with it. This year, that probably won't be as much of an option in what is a supposedly quicker CHL. (I'll believe it when I see it.) The Komets are serious about defending a title and trying to win another one and know they'll need depth on the blue line. As has been pointed out, some of these guys can also play forward in a pinch.
4. Three of the four newcomers all played in the ECHL, IHL or CHL last year so they aren't true rookies.
As Frankie DeAngelis said, ``You know if you don't perform, there's somebody just as good as you waiting to get his shot. There's so much talent, there's going to be a healthy competition.''
5. That's a good thing because the Komets don't want to get off to what has been a traditional slow start during recent seasons. Wouldn't that be a nice change?
6. This is STILL an Al Sims-coached team. ``I've been telling everyone to make sure you are in the best shape possible to give yourself the best chance to make the team. There's going to be some battles for jobs.''
OK, so here's a prediction. (Write it down HitSomebody, next to Varone will score 40; Remember I also said Syro would score 35 and everyone would love Schrock). Warner and DeAngelis will both score at least 45 points this season. They'll also earn power play time away from Dupuis and Drouin, giving those two a chance to play fewer minutes during the regular season and be fresher for the longer playoffs. Having three offensive defensemen like Dupuis, Warner and DeAngelis is a huge advantage for the Komets and would be for any team in AA hockey.
Comments
I think (dangerous I know) Rogers is one very tough player. We didn't get a chance to see much of it last year. The players say he is one of the strongest on the team. Maybe, just maybe, he will get that chance to see a more physical side this year.
I respect the fact that your going out on a limb, Blake. That being said, Warner would have to double his point production from last season. He's got 56 points in 3 seasons. I can see DeAngelis hitting that number, but I'll take the under on Warner.
This is going to be tough...
Guy/Danko
DeAngelis/Warner (Seems to be a forgone conclusion)
Phillips/Cescon (Cescon is a darn good defenseman, and Al will make him better.)
Where does that leave Rodger? The 7th guy? I see this coming down to Rodger vs. Warner in the eyes of fans.
At first glance, having 10 defensemen looks kinda odd, but like you said, this is an Al Sims coached team, and Al was a defensemen when he played. Al and David have built an impressive lineup for this season and if everyone is on their game and injury free, these guys are going to look like they have warp engines under their skates! I can't wait...wake me in October!
Rodger was "dog-housed" most of last year and even made comments that he was.
I like Rodger alot. I think I like him more than most do. I see how valuable his game is for the simple fact he is a beast when he wants to be. Maybe he steps up and is the Enforcer???
Never know.......I like him as a D-man that plays the body. But Al played him as a forward most of the season if you remember, or if you watched the games that is......
Right on superfan!
Let's be realistic. There is no way the K's take 10 defensemen into the season. I'm not sure what the CHL rosters are but 10 is two to three too many. Like I said before the camp is going to be very competitive.
The K's need another sniper, tough guy, and goaltender.
Forget about defensemen for now and fill these other holes.
Hit, have you ever played hockey? If you haven't I can't really take your comments to heart.
CHL roster is 19.
One would assume 10 forwards, 7 Defenseman, 2 goaltenders
Rodger is a beast when he gets ice time....the only thing that really hurt him was the love for the extra forward that the roster carries. If he was a little bit better at puck handling from the point, I have no doubt he would get tons of ice time, as he is a really solid physical presence when he is on the ice.
I have played tonsel-hockey and pocket-hockey.....does that count?
If you've never worked the stage at Snickerz, lets cut out the jokes too.. This blog is obviously a place for seasoned hockey players.. lmao..
Alan, Alan.....did you really just say "forget the defensemen for now"? Whoa there, big guy.....can't do that. Never underestimate your defenseman. Mine on my team are the heart and soul of the scoring. We seriously have 5 of our 8 who are defenseman by trade, and they are the ones who do 80% of the scoring on this team (and yes, I am the team's scorekeeper). In my very uneducated and humble opinion, defensemen are very unsung, very tough, and extremely underappreciated. Don't count them out as scoring threats.
Hit .. That is some funny stuff! Made my night
Hit and JM need to get a room! LOL
Hi Blueline Baby. I want to respond to your post.
Let's look at the question of signing more defensemen in a logical manner.
The CHL roster is made up of 19 players.
First, the Komets now have 10 defensemen coming to camp. The very most that will be on the opening night roster is seven ( unless there is some "game" they can play with the IR list).
I'm not really following your point of a dearth of scoring from the blue line as secondly, the Komets have signed every defenseman from last years squad with the exception of Kevin Bertram. ( In 67 games last year Kevin Bertram scored two goals and had twelve assists.) His absence will not affect the K's scoring stats at all. They will miss him for his experience, however.
Thirdly, we know the komets will have to sign two goaltenders so that leaves only seventeen skaters. Also we know that the K's will have to play three "lines" composing of nine forwards (3 lines x 3 players on a line = 9 forwards). Every team plays with at least one or two extra forwards (example last year with Stayzer, MacMillan, Woods).
So lets add this up: so far the K's have signed 11 forwards ( need ten), 10 defensemen of which six were with the team last year (need seven), and one goaltender ( need two).
Its real evident to me that the K's need to bring in one more sniper and a goaltender. They have done a terrific job getting set on defense, and unless someone who just is a "can't miss" and falls into their laps, I would submit that they need to shift their focus on the forwards and goaltender.
I'm not criticizing the makeup of the team but you just can't keep signing defensemen. The ratio of players per position should tell us that they need to bring in about fifteen forwards in order to have a competitive camp. As it stands now three defensemen will have to go.
By the way, the last REAL offensive defenseman was Kelly Peraught (spelling error ). Now if they could find a threat like that then they should bring him in. Trouble is these type of players are far and few between, everybody is looking for them, and they would have to cut one of the familiar players in order to put him on the roster.
Hope I explained myself. Have a great day.
Excuse me - ARE THE KOMETS AN AL SIMS COACHED TEAM???
Think we are set at defense. Another goal guy and a goalie and we are ready. Maybe I will come out of retirement and strap the goalie pads back on again. Should be good for comic moments!! Then Hit has some competion. Plus I come cheap!
Not really knowing much about the CHL I will predict tha the Komets will do very very well against those teams. Beating Dayton 14 times will help also. Does anyone here really think the IHL will ever come back???
JM can't "handle" the "truth"........
LOL.....yes, Alan, you did. And you had not written a good book in a while. Happy to be your muse. :) I do see your point. And yeah, we did not have a really great d-man who could score last season....like on my team. BUT....we will this year. How do I know this, you ask? Woman's intuition. This defense is gonna be the biggest part of this team. I am very partial to defensemen. My son is one (although he is very much transitioning into a 2 way player, which totally rocks.....he's much more valuable that way). He's scored 8 goals in 4 games, and not one has been from even close to that blue line. The farthest one out was about 15 feet from the net. He's had a hard time skating it up, but with coaching, he's getting there. And his defense is still pretty solid. He's keeping up with the Komet AA travel players for the most part (they get by him sometimes, it happens), and he's only been playing for a year.