1. IMO, the jury is still out on Grahams recruiting of "high end players" until we see what they can actually do on the ice in the ECHL...
2. No way are you "happy as hell" when a guy with as much knowledge of your inner workings goes to a division (and long time) rival...
Alan
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 11:39am
Wow! This has certainly been a week filled with Komet news, hasn't it?
First, on the Colin Chaulk situation. I'm not sure why anyone is surprised with the news that Chaulk has taken the Kalamazoo ass't job. It has and was evident to me that so much time had passed from the announcement of Sims retiring(?), to the hiring of Gary Graham, that way too much time had passed in order to believe that the Franke's would hire Chaulk as an ass't. Chaulk has done what he needs to do in order to achieve his future coaching aspirations. Apparently the path to that goal was not going to begin in Fort Wayne, so he has done what is best for his family and himself. Congratulations go out to him and best wishes on a long and successful career.
Chaulk was always a player ( and I've commented on this many times before) that made everybody else on the ice better. Not many players have that sort of presence. His #91 will hang up in the rafters for sure. His leadership will be missed, as have others, who became "legends" of this franchise.
I, personally, am not buying in to everything that is being read, said, and reported. Without knowing, I believe there is a lot more behind this which will probably be kept quiet for some time later. Still, it is what it is. He's moving along, embarking on a new career in Kalamazoo. The Komets are moving along toward a new era. Best of luck to both as the new season opens.
I wouldn't be surprised that at some time in the future, Colin Chaulk will return as ahead coach here. Neither he nor the organization would be smart in burning any bridges. Things like this happen, and after a period of time, history has shown us many examples. They are all saying the "right" things now. That is the way it should be.
Two more young players signed. One with ECHL experience that should help on the blueline. With everything else going on, these signings took the back seat this week.
My interest is still the next news coming out of Kometland. That news concerns the payoff for the future considerations to both San Francisco and Alaska. I have a nervousness about this as I read. You don't get something without giving something and I wonder who is on their way. I don't believe that "cash" is going to satisfy both teams. If not, then a player or players, or rights to a player or players not yet signed will be transferred. Today there is no news of Rizk or Maggio and I'm left wondering if they will be involved.
Primeval Forest Primate (Formerly JM)
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 1:30pm
I have no doubt that Gary is going to change the culture of Komet hockey.
But will it be a change for the better?
Alan
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 2:10pm
Just saw on the ECHL page where the Stockton Thunder have been announced as the ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. It mentions the Bridgeport SoundTigers as part of the agreement.
Stockton's new coach is former Evansville coach Rich Krom.
It always boggles my mind when an NHL and AHL team located on the East coast teams up with a team from the West coast.
It isn't all that important except I think some fans were thinking the K's might reach an agreement with the Islanders-SoundTigers because of last year's' relationship revolving around Reiter.
justin k
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 3:53pm
Heard that Brittan signed with Hershey on a two way and will be playing in Reading PA. good lick to him Any word on Guenzel or Schaus , was that Hagerty signed with Greenville
hursttech
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 4:12pm
Affiliation options are dwindling.
(Not counting Anahiem and St. Louis because the Missouri Mavericks of the CHL are indirectly linked to Chicago Wolves who are the St. Louis AHL affiliate.)
Here is a list of the last NHL teams without an AA affiliation:
Buffalo , Colorado , New Jersey , Philadelphia
I think you live and die with an affiliation. I believe an affiiation is essential in trying to sell the idea to free agents that there is a path to move up. Another positive is when a talented kid gets sent down, he is very inexpensive against the cap compared to if that same player was a free agent with his same talents.
One downside with an affiliation is with the goalies. It's hard to find a top-notch free agent goalie if you have an affiliation. Free agent goalies that would be your #1 goalie don't want to sit behind some kid sent down while the coach can't do anything about it.
I believe this is why it is taking a while to decide the goaltender/affiliation decision. I think they both go hand-in-hand.
I say we pick one of the four remaining teams and move on. (one of them bleeds orange and black)
Who/SuZ
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 6:07pm
Knew a while ago Mr. Chaulk would not be anywhere in the Komet organization....word has it he was not all that supportive of our prior coach Sims. Seems there was tension in the locker room and on the ice.....while I have only been here for the last 8 years, Chaulk was a good player who should have given it up a couple of years ago.
No affiliation could work and we were certainly held to the fire playing an NHL goalie, most likely down for some type of rehab, who did not do us any good in the long run....I say sign a good independent goalie and go from there.
Hursttech
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 8:18pm
Correction
Three NHL teams without affiliates. Reports are out that Greenville will add a second affiliate by adding the Flyers.
Comments
2 comments:
1. IMO, the jury is still out on Grahams recruiting of "high end players" until we see what they can actually do on the ice in the ECHL...
2. No way are you "happy as hell" when a guy with as much knowledge of your inner workings goes to a division (and long time) rival...
Wow! This has certainly been a week filled with Komet news, hasn't it?
First, on the Colin Chaulk situation. I'm not sure why anyone is surprised with the news that Chaulk has taken the Kalamazoo ass't job. It has and was evident to me that so much time had passed from the announcement of Sims retiring(?), to the hiring of Gary Graham, that way too much time had passed in order to believe that the Franke's would hire Chaulk as an ass't. Chaulk has done what he needs to do in order to achieve his future coaching aspirations. Apparently the path to that goal was not going to begin in Fort Wayne, so he has done what is best for his family and himself. Congratulations go out to him and best wishes on a long and successful career.
Chaulk was always a player ( and I've commented on this many times before) that made everybody else on the ice better. Not many players have that sort of presence. His #91 will hang up in the rafters for sure. His leadership will be missed, as have others, who became "legends" of this franchise.
I, personally, am not buying in to everything that is being read, said, and reported. Without knowing, I believe there is a lot more behind this which will probably be kept quiet for some time later. Still, it is what it is. He's moving along, embarking on a new career in Kalamazoo. The Komets are moving along toward a new era. Best of luck to both as the new season opens.
I wouldn't be surprised that at some time in the future, Colin Chaulk will return as ahead coach here. Neither he nor the organization would be smart in burning any bridges. Things like this happen, and after a period of time, history has shown us many examples. They are all saying the "right" things now. That is the way it should be.
Two more young players signed. One with ECHL experience that should help on the blueline. With everything else going on, these signings took the back seat this week.
My interest is still the next news coming out of Kometland. That news concerns the payoff for the future considerations to both San Francisco and Alaska. I have a nervousness about this as I read. You don't get something without giving something and I wonder who is on their way. I don't believe that "cash" is going to satisfy both teams. If not, then a player or players, or rights to a player or players not yet signed will be transferred. Today there is no news of Rizk or Maggio and I'm left wondering if they will be involved.
I have no doubt that Gary is going to change the culture of Komet hockey.
But will it be a change for the better?
Just saw on the ECHL page where the Stockton Thunder have been announced as the ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. It mentions the Bridgeport SoundTigers as part of the agreement.
Stockton's new coach is former Evansville coach Rich Krom.
It always boggles my mind when an NHL and AHL team located on the East coast teams up with a team from the West coast.
It isn't all that important except I think some fans were thinking the K's might reach an agreement with the Islanders-SoundTigers because of last year's' relationship revolving around Reiter.
Heard that Brittan signed with Hershey on a two way and will be playing in Reading PA. good lick to him Any word on Guenzel or Schaus , was that Hagerty signed with Greenville
Affiliation options are dwindling.
(Not counting Anahiem and St. Louis because the Missouri Mavericks of the CHL are indirectly linked to Chicago Wolves who are the St. Louis AHL affiliate.)
Here is a list of the last NHL teams without an AA affiliation:
Buffalo , Colorado , New Jersey , Philadelphia
I think you live and die with an affiliation. I believe an affiiation is essential in trying to sell the idea to free agents that there is a path to move up. Another positive is when a talented kid gets sent down, he is very inexpensive against the cap compared to if that same player was a free agent with his same talents.
One downside with an affiliation is with the goalies. It's hard to find a top-notch free agent goalie if you have an affiliation. Free agent goalies that would be your #1 goalie don't want to sit behind some kid sent down while the coach can't do anything about it.
I believe this is why it is taking a while to decide the goaltender/affiliation decision. I think they both go hand-in-hand.
I say we pick one of the four remaining teams and move on. (one of them bleeds orange and black)
Knew a while ago Mr. Chaulk would not be anywhere in the Komet organization....word has it he was not all that supportive of our prior coach Sims. Seems there was tension in the locker room and on the ice.....while I have only been here for the last 8 years, Chaulk was a good player who should have given it up a couple of years ago.
No affiliation could work and we were certainly held to the fire playing an NHL goalie, most likely down for some type of rehab, who did not do us any good in the long run....I say sign a good independent goalie and go from there.
Correction
Three NHL teams without affiliates. Reports are out that Greenville will add a second affiliate by adding the Flyers.