Just talked to Komets General Manager David Franke.
``We've got some stuff cooking here and might have something later in the week.''
Anything new on Frankie DeAngelis: ``We should have an answer from him by early next week.''
Worried about finding another goalie for training camp? ``We'll probably bring at least one more goalie into training camp because Kenny Reiter will be in Bridgeport's camp and I think their camp starts the same as our's does. We might even bring in Larkin Saalfrank if he's available and willing to help out.''
How about a few more defensemen? ``We're working on that as we speak. We're trying to be selective, and Frankie has a big say in this. If he doesn't come back, it frees up a lot of money, but it means we have to go look for an offensive guy back there. Once he makes his decision, other things will fall in line. If the NHL doesn't start the year there will be all kinds of players coming from the AHL. It'll be nuts.''
Won't you then have to decide between guys who might be here all year or guys who could leave as soon as a CBA is reached? ``That's why we've built a good base here where we can take a hit or two. I think we're deep enough to withstand that. Call-ups will happen. It's going to happen now that we're in the ECHL and because we're in the midwest. I've even told some AHL teams to be looking at our players during the year. I want to reward those guys for what they have done for us. This will be a chance to do that if we can get some guys called up during the season.
``It will all become crystal-clear what we're doing within another week, week-and-a-half.''
Comments
What's up with Gerry Festa?
Ah....the old week to ten days thing.
Glad to hear they are still working on stuff.
I found the last statement:
``It will all become crystal-clear what we're doing within another week, week-and-a-half.''
kinda interesting. Could mean nothing or something big is in the works. I guess we will find out in a week to week-and-a-half.
Total speculation, but without knowing if or how many are signed and not announced, it may be time time to put a deadline on DeAngelis.
Honestly, I had given up on him some time ago. Saying that, I must admit that with the current group of defensemen announced, he is exactly the type of defenseman the Komets need. Still, how long do you wait? I am reading in both the ECHL and CHL websites about a lot of defensemen who are signing contracts and off the market. We have been hearing the same chorus for about three weeks now. It's always "by the end of the week or early next week we will know something".
So this is what I'd do. "We need to have an answer on or before next Tuesday. We value you as a player and a person, appreciate all you've done in the past, and hope you decide to come back. We understand the position you're in and hope you understand where we are coming from. We both need to move forward and hope you will help us in that regard. If not, then we wish you good luck in the future as you take our best wishes with you."
Next Wednesday marks approximately three weeks before training camp, and four weeks before the first exhibition game. It is time to focus on putting the rest of the team together.
No one player is that important to hold up the progress of putting the team together. It is time to choose the path you want to take, travel down that path, and not look back.
'
Apparently week, week-and-a-half means about 24 hours.