Like the way Makarov has done a better job of late covering up to kill play and get face0ffs.
sgriffith
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:22pm
Agree Blake plus the K's look awful slow tonight or Eville got fast all the sudden. See to me know is the time Schrock has to do something to ignite the K's or better yet kid like Gates or Pepin. Secondly if you are trying to mold your team around who may or may not get called up good luck I for one would want the best players if it means I have them for 10 games give me the best the small guys are a dime a dozen
AC
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:23pm
The coach always has responsibility for his players, but I think his passion and his drive to win and what the komets mean to him can be taken wrong by certain players. I think that's why Marino, auger, and shrock are the leaders because they understand his passion and what that logo means. You need players that have the same passion and drive to win or nobody will get along.
indy ks fan
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:23pm
Szydlowski is -2 so far tonight. Who would have guessed?
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:28pm
It's a 50-50 deal. The players have to move to meet the coach and the coach has to move to meet the players.
Not every player has drive or passion. Some just have talent. ECHL players are all different because they are primarily playing for themselves first, second and third.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:30pm
sgriffith, you could probably comment on that better than any of us. Any thoughts?
I always think they look slow on AmericaOne, too. I can never get a good fix on skating while watching on the internet.
Anonymous
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:31pm
Blake, during your time covering the Komets there have been lots of things that have caused turmoil in the Komet organization, particularly in regards to changing league's, but do you ever remember a time where there was as much turmoil with the team/players as there has been this season?
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:35pm
96-97 was the worst by a mile. You had veterans wanting to fight rookies in practice, in the locker room, on the bus, etc. That was a total mess with coach fighting front office. That was the year they fired Dave Farrish and brought in John Torchetti. Remember, this team is one game over .500. That was the worst team in Komets history. No fun during any point in the schedule.
AC
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:35pm
Maybe these guys just forgot how to have fun and they need to start playing to have fun.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:36pm
Traded a captain that year, too. Not many injuries that I recall, but guys just kind of gave up about halfway through the season.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:42pm
Funny you should say that AC. I agree. I was talking to Coach Graham the other day and we both agreed the players need to quit thinking and just play. That's usually a factor when a team is struggling.
longtimereaderfirsttimeblogger
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:42pm
Blake,
Has it been long enough to name the bad eggs on the 96-97 team ? I thought it might put this year in a little perspective.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:46pm
LOL. Let's just say too many chiefs and not enough indians. That was a year where they tried to put together a really tough team, giving some of the fans what they wanted, and it just didn't work. Too many egos, not enough guys to fight on other teams so they kind of fought amongst themselves.
The next year they rebuilt around Bruce Racine and the MiG Line and shocked everyone by winning the division title. That was an extremely fun year to cover.
indy ks fan
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:47pm
Last year David Franke said that it was only the players under NHL or AHL contracts that were selfish and only thought about themselves. If what Blake says is true and the ECHL contracted players are selfish too then I say get an NHL/AHL affiliation and let the chips fall where they may. You might as well have access to players that NHL teams believe enough talent or grit to play in the show.
sgriffith
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:47pm
Is always hard to tell what is or what is not going on in "a locker room" right now the Komets as a whole are facing a "perception problem" as a whole. Guys wanting out you imediately think must be an issue with the coach, because of Graham calling some of the individuals out publicly. So it is really hard to tell. As for the coach "wearing his emotion" on his sleve for the organization I would think that would be a positive letting the guys there know how much he "wants to be here". Players like Schrock and Auger have real understanding of the history of the K's for some guys coming in have no clue. Some beg for situation where the organization has meaning, while others could care less. Heck some of these guys come from organizations and fan base that didn't really care about them.
Back to the leadership and the Coach the locker room is controled by the players not the coach. Coaches seldom "hang" in the locker room that is why you have to have strong leadership. I bet Al spent very little time in the locker room other than to give a few positive reflections or negative reflections, but it was short. That is why guys like Chaulk and Guy were great leaders. When they talked people listen because you bet the backed it up on the ice. The K's don't have that have that right now you have a lot of inexperience in the locker room and to a degree with Gary. It is something that is developed and just does not happen over night.
Not sure I gave you any earth shattering ideas ther Blake..lol, but as far as them seeming slow they don't look like they are skating just kind of "coasting" and the fact the penalities called are all results of not moving there feet.
AC
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:47pm
They need to remember what it was like when they were playing as kids, when there was no pressure. This city can be a tough place to play.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:48pm
I learned a lot from 96-97. That year taught me anybody can be good covering a good season, but you really find out how good you are and how hard you are willing to work during an awful season.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:48pm
It is definitely NOT an easy place to play for a lot of reasons.
JR1
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:49pm
Why call up a high scoring forward from Peoria and then give a defenseman all the shifts on the 3rd line?
Isnt that doing the same thing the Frankes were complaining about last season when guys got called up to Norfolk? Called up and then dont play....???
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 9:56pm
Don't have an answer for you.
AC
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 10:09pm
Once again Blake, a soft goal may have cost them a win again.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 10:13pm
They sure aren't helping themselves with only one line producing any scoring chances.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 10:16pm
Wasn't Peter Sakaris the lead singer for Chicago at one time?
Opps, my bad.
AC
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 10:16pm
Good point
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 10:18pm
Shane really does a nice job.
AC
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 10:18pm
25 or 6 to 4
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 10:21pm
Wasnt' sure anyone else was going to be old enough to get that one. Thanks, AC.
Blake Sebring
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 10:22pm
Tie ballgame! Not sure how Marino put that in from that angle.
Comments
Muse would have stopped it, right Blake?
Like the way Makarov has done a better job of late covering up to kill play and get face0ffs.
Agree Blake plus the K's look awful slow tonight or Eville got fast all the sudden. See to me know is the time Schrock has to do something to ignite the K's or better yet kid like Gates or Pepin. Secondly if you are trying to mold your team around who may or may not get called up good luck I for one would want the best players if it means I have them for 10 games give me the best the small guys are a dime a dozen
The coach always has responsibility for his players, but I think his passion and his drive to win and what the komets mean to him can be taken wrong by certain players. I think that's why Marino, auger, and shrock are the leaders because they understand his passion and what that logo means. You need players that have the same passion and drive to win or nobody will get along.
Szydlowski is -2 so far tonight. Who would have guessed?
It's a 50-50 deal. The players have to move to meet the coach and the coach has to move to meet the players.
Not every player has drive or passion. Some just have talent. ECHL players are all different because they are primarily playing for themselves first, second and third.
sgriffith, you could probably comment on that better than any of us. Any thoughts?
I always think they look slow on AmericaOne, too. I can never get a good fix on skating while watching on the internet.
Blake, during your time covering the Komets there have been lots of things that have caused turmoil in the Komet organization, particularly in regards to changing league's, but do you ever remember a time where there was as much turmoil with the team/players as there has been this season?
96-97 was the worst by a mile. You had veterans wanting to fight rookies in practice, in the locker room, on the bus, etc. That was a total mess with coach fighting front office. That was the year they fired Dave Farrish and brought in John Torchetti. Remember, this team is one game over .500. That was the worst team in Komets history. No fun during any point in the schedule.
Maybe these guys just forgot how to have fun and they need to start playing to have fun.
Traded a captain that year, too. Not many injuries that I recall, but guys just kind of gave up about halfway through the season.
Funny you should say that AC. I agree. I was talking to Coach Graham the other day and we both agreed the players need to quit thinking and just play. That's usually a factor when a team is struggling.
Blake,
Has it been long enough to name the bad eggs on the 96-97 team ? I thought it might put this year in a little perspective.
LOL. Let's just say too many chiefs and not enough indians. That was a year where they tried to put together a really tough team, giving some of the fans what they wanted, and it just didn't work. Too many egos, not enough guys to fight on other teams so they kind of fought amongst themselves.
The next year they rebuilt around Bruce Racine and the MiG Line and shocked everyone by winning the division title. That was an extremely fun year to cover.
Last year David Franke said that it was only the players under NHL or AHL contracts that were selfish and only thought about themselves. If what Blake says is true and the ECHL contracted players are selfish too then I say get an NHL/AHL affiliation and let the chips fall where they may. You might as well have access to players that NHL teams believe enough talent or grit to play in the show.
Is always hard to tell what is or what is not going on in "a locker room" right now the Komets as a whole are facing a "perception problem" as a whole. Guys wanting out you imediately think must be an issue with the coach, because of Graham calling some of the individuals out publicly. So it is really hard to tell. As for the coach "wearing his emotion" on his sleve for the organization I would think that would be a positive letting the guys there know how much he "wants to be here". Players like Schrock and Auger have real understanding of the history of the K's for some guys coming in have no clue. Some beg for situation where the organization has meaning, while others could care less. Heck some of these guys come from organizations and fan base that didn't really care about them.
Back to the leadership and the Coach the locker room is controled by the players not the coach. Coaches seldom "hang" in the locker room that is why you have to have strong leadership. I bet Al spent very little time in the locker room other than to give a few positive reflections or negative reflections, but it was short. That is why guys like Chaulk and Guy were great leaders. When they talked people listen because you bet the backed it up on the ice. The K's don't have that have that right now you have a lot of inexperience in the locker room and to a degree with Gary. It is something that is developed and just does not happen over night.
Not sure I gave you any earth shattering ideas ther Blake..lol, but as far as them seeming slow they don't look like they are skating just kind of "coasting" and the fact the penalities called are all results of not moving there feet.
They need to remember what it was like when they were playing as kids, when there was no pressure. This city can be a tough place to play.
I learned a lot from 96-97. That year taught me anybody can be good covering a good season, but you really find out how good you are and how hard you are willing to work during an awful season.
It is definitely NOT an easy place to play for a lot of reasons.
Why call up a high scoring forward from Peoria and then give a defenseman all the shifts on the 3rd line?
Isnt that doing the same thing the Frankes were complaining about last season when guys got called up to Norfolk? Called up and then dont play....???
Don't have an answer for you.
Once again Blake, a soft goal may have cost them a win again.
They sure aren't helping themselves with only one line producing any scoring chances.
Wasn't Peter Sakaris the lead singer for Chicago at one time?
Opps, my bad.
Good point
Shane really does a nice job.
25 or 6 to 4
Wasnt' sure anyone else was going to be old enough to get that one. Thanks, AC.
Tie ballgame! Not sure how Marino put that in from that angle.
Scored it up! LOL