Faille called up; Martin named to A-S game

Blake, any word if Komets will be calling up players to replace Faille and Nagle? They have a tough weekend coming up and they sure could use some help. Any word on Crowder?

Working on it.

Story is updated now.

Congratulations to Martin.  He deserves the recognition.

Good for Faille.  A chance to play at the next level.  That's what every player strives for.

But, in stating that, I also have to recognize the hole that has opened.  Going to South Carolina for two, then to Gwinnet with a less than  steller cast of characters.  Consider the mess if Will got injured.  Does anyone feel comfortable playing with Saalfrank in goal (especially when some more experienced goaltenders have been released lately)?

Offensively the Komets (by my count) are down to nine forwards.  Even if I miscounted, they will have to play Bushbacher, Ouellet, Severyn, Petryk, and Perlini.  Now, of course  Ouellet, Severyn, Petryk and Perlini have played pretty much regular shifts.  But if you total the number of goals they have scored as a group it would total 11.  Faille had 16 on his own.

This is where the GM has to step up.  Whenever a promising player is released from other rosters, he has to jump at them.  I know "chemistry" is a big consideration.  But I would suggest that players know other players from past teams, and besides, isn't team "chemistry" affected by losing players to call ups? I hope that the K's aren't "paralyzed" from their experience last season and won't  be afraid to take a chance or two on some guys.

The K's will be traveling southeast very soon.  If everything stays the same, I see them as being down to about a line and a half.  Down to one bona fide goaltender. 

Before the Faille news I wasn't real comfortable with the roster.  Now with him gone, and the inability to replace Nagle, this may be a real long weekend.

Alan, I agree with you. Saalfrank gets lit up like a christmas tree in mens league, I would hate to see if Will got hurt. Its like Franke wants  to go cheap and lose 1st place this week. Why cant we go get a SPHL sniper for the weekend and take a look at him. Also a good back up goalie.

I know part of the reason. SPHL clubs don't want their goalies being called up and down all the time and have put pressure or asked them to stick with thier clubs. That's part of what happened with Max Strang and with Eric Levine. Peoria told him they didn't want him back unless he was there to stay after he came to Fort Wayne the last time. They even released him and let him sit at home in Chicago for two weeks before bringing him back. I can understand where those clubs are coming from, too.

I'm not sure where you think these wonderful back-up goalies are at, but if you were one, why would you come here when you know Nagle could be sent back any day and then  you are out of a job? Gee, thanks for playing and here's your bus ticket  home. Such is life in the minors. I'd say the boys better play pretty hard in front of Will if they are that concerned about it.

And I'd take a chance on Bushbacher, a proven ECHL player, over an unproven SPHL sniper whom you have no idea if he's interested in playing defense any day. That could be disastrous against a good team.

Blake, I understand what you are saying, but it sounds like the SPHL doesnt want to play the call up game. I thought thats the way it is in the minors. What player wouldnt want to move up and see what he can do. Who knows he might even make the team. If thats the way the SPHL  coaches are (not helping moving better players up) then I dont know that I would play for them. Just my thoughts.

Non-union league, they can pretty much do whatever they want.

ECHL goalies released just about every day. Need a backup.

Rochester did not dress Nagle last night. They show four goalies on roster( like Blake says, "because they can")   One would assume he gets sent back any day.

Question for you Blake,

What is the chances a team like Rochester could call a player up to actually help their ECHL affiliate and hurt that teams competion? I am not sure just who the ECHL affiliate is with Rochester and I am not accusing them. I am only putting out the possibility.

Nothing to stop them but their own integrity.

Two things here. 

1) Although everyone has made good points, the assessment of Bushbacher puzzles me a little.  I have no doubt that he is a capable forward.  Maybe he needs a chance to shine.  But somebody (can't remember now who released him) didn't seem to have any trouble releasing him and with the injuries/callups, the Komets need players capable of putting the puck in the net.

The information that SPHL clubs threaten(?) their players baffles me somewhat.  I understand their reasons for not wanting to "lose" players...and I'm not the one calling for SPHL players to be sent here.  However, I'd sure remember that fact next training camp before I'd invite any SPHL team or coach to take part!

I listed five forwards in my past comment.  There isn't anything you can do about Petryk.  He's sent down from above and seems to do better with Lake Erie than with Fort Wayne.  I think when he breaks out he may be something.  I like Perlini and have since he joined the club.  But if I'm the GM, I'd have to take a tough look at Bushbacher (to be fair, I know he hasn't gotten much of a chance).  I would be taking a real tough look at Ouellet.  He has shown in the past a tendency to be able to take over games.  He needs to do that now.  And I would be thinking real hard about trading or even releasing Severyn.

2) As far as goaltending: Wheeling just released Jeff Wyer.  He's played 2 games, has a 2.00 GAA, and a .923 save %. They had to have their reasons for releasing him but maybe, just maybe it was a "numbers" game.  Maybe he'd appreciate a "look see".  Point is that rosters in this league are pretty fluid and you need to be on top of the situation. He is just another example.

Dschebig.  I know what you mean and where your thoughts lie.  If I'm a player on the Idaho Stampede and my AHL affiliate called up a player from another organization, I'd be pretty upset.

Regardless of anything else: the Komets going into a weekend stretch of games away from home with Larkin Saalfrank as the backup is playing with fire.

Alan, I believe the K's have plenty of firepower.( I think Petryk gets hot) Its back-checking and playing defense that I feel is more important than pulling a sniper out of the SPHL that blue lines. Blake is right, we dont need snipers, we need to make sure we have guys committed to play defense also.  Thats something Bushbacher can do. He will not hurt you on the ice. Thats why he was picked up. If there was a sniper that back-checked also, Im sure he would have been taken but all teams want those guys. By this time of the year, the ripe fruit has been picked. ( except those that may come back from europe early)

 The K's are going to get the best guy they can that fits the role they need, at the time, and in the salary cap.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

They are already third in the league in scoring. They have to be able to win games 2-1, 3-2, 1-0.

I'm also guessing they might have an idea that maybe Nagle is coming back sometime this weekend. I don't know, but that's my hunch. If you signed some other goalie, it might be a waste of a roster spot and they are probably up against the cap, too. they have been for most of the season.

Good for Eric Faille for getting the call up. Very much deserved. My opinion, Let the Komets and Frankes do their jobs. They seem to know what they are doing and dont tend to flip out when a player gets called up somewhere. Sounds like if Alan was our GM, we would be having about as much success as the Indy Fuel. But I forgot that 95% of us FANS that comment on these blogs know how to put together a championship team every year.  Enjoy the hockey that we are blessed with in Fort Wayne and continue to be a FAN. 

Blake, can you please give Orange and Black a hearty "Ding, ding, ding" also?  I was having a so-so day and your Dings, put a big smile on my face. I think Orange and Black deserve same as they are right on the money. My Dings wont mean as much as yours

 Nagle was released from his PTO by Rochester today in AHL transactions. Will he make the bus?  

OK.  It's hard to argue with facts.  The Komets being third in the league in scoring is pretty impressive and a nice change from years past.  But is that statistic a total number of goals, or a goals per game average?  If the former it could just mean they've played more games.  If the latter it is terrific.

Learning to win the 3-2, 2-1, 1-0 games is certainly desirable.  But here's a stat.  Faille was a +18.

No one would argue the imporatnce of team defense.  How's that been working lately?  Besides Ouellet's +8,  Bushbacher is a -2 (as a Indy player, no +/- as a Komet as he's only played 1 game).  Severyn is a -5, Petryk is a -1, and Perlini is a -7.  Let's hope those guys improve in a hurry.

I'm not trying to be the GM.  I don't think Petryk, Bushbacher, or Perlini is hurting the salary cap.  Severyn may be.  Ouellet may be also.  I understand the importance of the cap and the wiggle room it allows.

Just trying to express my opinion amid all the changes.

And by the way, the sound "ding, ding, ding" always occurs before a decision in boxing, too...right before one participant learns that he has won, and another learns he has lost.

Alan, Severyn has two goals both of which are PP goals. Our PP just got clicking, AND were first in the league in points for a reason. Why get rid of players and chemistry that we have now? You have not even seen us play without FAILLE yet. R-E-L-A-X.

Severyn and Perlini are also playing on the checking line so they are always going against the other team's top offensive line. Anything close to even on plus-minus is very strong for them.

Alan needs his daily recommended dosage of Komets stress.

don't try to understand the call-up game, it will hurt your skull.

when Muzzy was here, Vancouver had a goalie in Muskegon and Banneman here in Ft. Wayne.

I don't know if Vancouver needed a goalie or Fort Worth or somebody, but the main guy was in Muskegon and Bannerman got called away, and everybody was like what the heck!

(I think........my skull hurts)

Dschebig, thought it was real interesting Lake Erie signed Toldeo's goalie to PTO after they released Nagle. Coincidence or perhaps helping the Komets. Though he missed no games for Toledo.

Glad to hear Nagle might be back soon. There is talk the Avs are going to take their AHL goalie on their big road trip so Lake Erie might need Will back during that time.

Thanks to RG2, Blake, Orange and Black, Anonymous, and Orangemoon. 

I appreciate your thoughts, have digested their meanings, and will take the advice.

Hoping the K's get at least two out of three over the weekend. 

Alan, if you really want something to digest, start looking at all the AHL stories out there in the past day or two regarding the movement of the AHL west and the ECHL going back east. Norfolk will be moving their AHL team to San Diego( actually Anahiem is) and its looks like Bakersfield ( ECHL)will be moving into Norfolk and then probably Worchester(AHL) will move into Bakersfield.  Manchester( AHL) going to Ontario. Edmonton moving its AHL team out of Oklahoma City. Colorado moving Lake Erie to Denver!!! GASP!!  . Phoenix moving its AHLteam to Prescot Valley( From Portland Maine).  Fresno, Stockton and Las Vegas are all in the mix.  

The NHL ( The west coast teams)want an AHL pacific division. Its going to happen. Its just a start of musical chairs and which city is left with nothing after the first round.

As you can see, having your AHL city very close to the NHL team city seems to be a growing trend.  Philly use to have its AHL team in Philly years ago. Toronto does it. Chicago almost does it. Detroit has its team close. 

Would not suprise me to see Tampa put its AHL team in Naples(where the everblades are) and Florida( NHL) in Orlando or visa versa.

Alan, I/we would like to hear your thoughts on all this 

RG2, while the specifics weren't as clear as you have written, I knew something was going to happen before next season with the ECHL's west.  I'm for whatever makes the most sense.

While common sense might dictate that the Wolves be the Blackhawks AHL team, there probably still is a bunch of "bad blood" from the days when the IHL tried to get big and put a team in Chicago. 

Here's hoping that all the moves make sense geographically and each league benefits from the changes.  ( Personally, I'm all for it but wouldn't want to be the fans of an AHL city that loses its franchise and gets an ECHL franchise in return).

..or no team at all...   which will happen somewhere after it all shakes out.

I find it all fascinating