Graham is saying some of the same things fans were last season.... Need more speed, net front presence, more toughness, etc... Hopefully the roster reflects the talk...
He is also talking favorably of an affiliation; but management did not last season. Have the Frankes truly changed their tune in this regard???
AJ
Thu, 06/27/2013 - 7:36pm
Exactly...it will be interesting to see how everything plays out. Sims said all those things were needed for a winning Echl team during his interview after the last game. So it seems the coaches have a plan that makes sense. I hope this coach is allowed to make that plan a reality.
Alan
Fri, 06/28/2013 - 11:15am
I'm not sure that Gary Graham would've have been my first choice, but admittedly, I came to that conclusion knowing very little about the man. Everything I have read and heard suggests that he just may be "the right man, at the right time" for the job.
I'm not sure that anyone can argue that there are many challenges ahead of him. His style seems to bring a no-nonsense direct approach to the front office, players, and the fans. In the above interview he used words such as a "new identity", "younger", "hungry", "faster" team. He wants his team to be filled with "hard working" players. He wants players that have "character" and possess "passion" and "enthusiasm". He states that his team will bring an "up tempo", "fast team" game on defense with the transition game dictating that his defensemen will be part of the rush.. Speed is a "top priority" and "chemistry" is important.
All of these aspirations are laudable. I hope that he can acheive them.
So far I haven't heard how he expects to score goals. If my memory serves me correctly, the Komet team last year was third or fourth worst in the sixty year history of the franchise in goals for. The power play was just a mess and I would submit to every fan that until these two areas are addressed, my hopes will be dampened. I realize that there is plenty of time to build this roster, but I think it should bear mentioning that a huge weakness of the 2012-2013 Komets was goal scoring, and cure it.
The first two paragraphs of my comment began with the words "I'm not sure". While wishing Gary Graham and the Fort Wayne Komets all the luck in the world, I hope his words turn into action and his team scores lots of goals and wins lots of games.
As things stand now the jury is still out, fans like me will have to be patient, but the same thought still persists. That thought remains... "I'm not sure".
Leroy
Fri, 06/28/2013 - 12:52pm
Alan,
It is good to "see" you posting again. I will be keeping an "eye" out for your future post. All kidding aside I look forward to your perspective this year with 20/20 vision!.....and always remember "It"s a Miracle"!
indy ks fan
Sat, 06/29/2013 - 7:12pm
I find it interesting that Bakersfield hired Troy Mann to be their head coach this week. Mann has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach for Hershey in the AHL. He also has been a head coach in the ECHL for two seasons previously.
There is no way that Coach Graham has the connections to NHL/AHL organizations that Mann has. There is no way that Coach Graham has the knowledge regarding players that played in the AHL last year that are now free agents and looking for work. If you are a graduate of a junior league looking to move up or a former AHL player looking to get a fresh look, are you going to play in Fort Wayne for a coach who has no history in helping a player make it to the AAA level or are you going to Bakersfield where the coach has proven connections? I see a lot of skill players choosing the Condors while the Ks roster is made up of SPHL graduates and other ECHL rejects.
Bronsin
Sun, 06/30/2013 - 12:32pm
He also got passed over for the head Coaching job in Hershey. Congratulations?
We only have 2 players signed, both were rookies, not exactly ECHL rejects. And the only exciting signing the Condors have is a rumored signing of Hellyer from Quad City.
chuckitt
Sun, 06/30/2013 - 9:50pm
all coaches know what it takes to be a winner, younger faster ect ect but to find enuff of those guys is the real problem. knowing what you need and what you can actually get are two different things. as far as gary and his connections, i think the connections of the komets organization and their gm are a lot stronger than just hiring a coach with some connections. i love all the negatives that come out before anything even resembling a training camp roster is put together! makes for enjoyable reading!
Comments
Graham is saying some of the same things fans were last season.... Need more speed, net front presence, more toughness, etc... Hopefully the roster reflects the talk...
He is also talking favorably of an affiliation; but management did not last season. Have the Frankes truly changed their tune in this regard???
Exactly...it will be interesting to see how everything plays out. Sims said all those things were needed for a winning Echl team during his interview after the last game. So it seems the coaches have a plan that makes sense. I hope this coach is allowed to make that plan a reality.
I'm not sure that Gary Graham would've have been my first choice, but admittedly, I came to that conclusion knowing very little about the man. Everything I have read and heard suggests that he just may be "the right man, at the right time" for the job.
I'm not sure that anyone can argue that there are many challenges ahead of him. His style seems to bring a no-nonsense direct approach to the front office, players, and the fans. In the above interview he used words such as a "new identity", "younger", "hungry", "faster" team. He wants his team to be filled with "hard working" players. He wants players that have "character" and possess "passion" and "enthusiasm". He states that his team will bring an "up tempo", "fast team" game on defense with the transition game dictating that his defensemen will be part of the rush.. Speed is a "top priority" and "chemistry" is important.
All of these aspirations are laudable. I hope that he can acheive them.
So far I haven't heard how he expects to score goals. If my memory serves me correctly, the Komet team last year was third or fourth worst in the sixty year history of the franchise in goals for. The power play was just a mess and I would submit to every fan that until these two areas are addressed, my hopes will be dampened. I realize that there is plenty of time to build this roster, but I think it should bear mentioning that a huge weakness of the 2012-2013 Komets was goal scoring, and cure it.
The first two paragraphs of my comment began with the words "I'm not sure". While wishing Gary Graham and the Fort Wayne Komets all the luck in the world, I hope his words turn into action and his team scores lots of goals and wins lots of games.
As things stand now the jury is still out, fans like me will have to be patient, but the same thought still persists. That thought remains... "I'm not sure".
Alan,
It is good to "see" you posting again. I will be keeping an "eye" out for your future post. All kidding aside I look forward to your perspective this year with 20/20 vision!.....and always remember "It"s a Miracle"!
I find it interesting that Bakersfield hired Troy Mann to be their head coach this week. Mann has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach for Hershey in the AHL. He also has been a head coach in the ECHL for two seasons previously.
There is no way that Coach Graham has the connections to NHL/AHL organizations that Mann has. There is no way that Coach Graham has the knowledge regarding players that played in the AHL last year that are now free agents and looking for work. If you are a graduate of a junior league looking to move up or a former AHL player looking to get a fresh look, are you going to play in Fort Wayne for a coach who has no history in helping a player make it to the AAA level or are you going to Bakersfield where the coach has proven connections? I see a lot of skill players choosing the Condors while the Ks roster is made up of SPHL graduates and other ECHL rejects.
He also got passed over for the head Coaching job in Hershey. Congratulations?
We only have 2 players signed, both were rookies, not exactly ECHL rejects. And the only exciting signing the Condors have is a rumored signing of Hellyer from Quad City.
all coaches know what it takes to be a winner, younger faster ect ect but to find enuff of those guys is the real problem. knowing what you need and what you can actually get are two different things. as far as gary and his connections, i think the connections of the komets organization and their gm are a lot stronger than just hiring a coach with some connections. i love all the negatives that come out before anything even resembling a training camp roster is put together! makes for enjoyable reading!
Well said Chuckitt !
Well said Indy Ks fan!!