Now it's a sprint

According to AHL transactions:

"3/20/15 Pat Nagle (G) Utica released from PTO."

Nothing reported locally so far.  But if he isn't re-signed to another contract by Utica you have to assume he is coming back.

How ironic that about 10 days ago it appeared as though the Komets could be without an ECHL or AHL quality goaltender and now they may have three.

Even though I'm a little afraid that Center Brett Perlini may become a victim of a "numbers" game,  I want to express my admiration for his effort and overall play.

Here are his numbers:

Indianapolis        12 games     2 goals    3 assists    -9

Fort Wayne         46 games     14 goals  12 assists  +6

When he was acquired I liked his style of play.  He hasn't disappointed.

Just wanted to acknowledge a guy who doesn't get a lot of "print", but is a very, very solid contributor.

The only numbers game that Perlini 'may be a victim of' is on your Komet Fantasy team.

Last weekend you made a series of recommendations on who to sit and who to play.  I think you were only correct ONCE.

You have no idea what roster moves (if any) the Komets are planning.

Never said I was an expert, HAWKS. 

Just trying to create some conversation and learn opinions from other people.  Does that bother you?  Too bad.

Alan..always nice 2 (to..for those who cannot decipher) read your informative posts..with some people. .you can't win...maybe your detractors just doesn't like Perlini..he certainly has come on as of late

Glad 2 hear of Nagle's release. .cannot wait 2 c (see) him back..wow..3 (three) quality goalies..let's go K's (Komets)

Just my input, but I think Risk or Lowry might be looking for a new team. Also I think Komets will hold 3 goalies until playoff roster is due, just to protect themselves against another call-up. If Crowder comes back it might be both of them. Just my 2 cents worth.

Thank you, who/suz.

Nagle's return is now on the Komets webpage and I see where Blake has put it up on the blog.

Like I was trying to say before, it seems as if the team went from famine to feast.

Say, who/suz, I'd be interested in your thoughts on the roster.  Maybe you've even picked up some opinions from your section.

#1 Fan, our posts must've crossed.  Didn't see it until I hit "send " responding to Who's post.

It's going to be interesting, isn't it?  I, too, think they'll keep three goalies.  But doing it just puts that must pressure on the roster.  They are loaded at "center" aren't they?

Komets have too many centers plus too many right hand shooters, thats why I picked Risk and Lowry.

Alan, roster, IMO:

- like suggestion to have Lowry and Rizk sit in reserve; Lowry only if Crowder is still not available, then Rizk when and IF Crowder returns (something tells me he may not return)

- keep 3 goalies thru playoffs

- Barteaux to sit - reserve

my suggestions....roster is 20 and 3 in reserve I believe....might be easier if we send Will back to Lake Erie....do not know it that is possible....again just a guess

Any chance Schrock could sit for the rest of the season?

Schrock is not the best on the ice, but I feel he is a locker room leader.....more than likely will play...probably last season as a player....IMO

we are in a pretty good situation right now.  we have too many quality players and guess what? if lake erie fails to make the playoffs there are a few more who could be  here in the mix.  making a playoff roster is gonna be tuff and you as a coach have to go with gut feelings and whos at the top of their game at that moment.  that could mean that some fan favorites like clarke and rizk and lowry may not make the cut. they are probably fighting it out with the likes of severyn crowder and oulette,    only two people i would cut would be barteaux and lacasse' .  it shall be interesting and hard to condemn any moves made cause gentlemen, we are loaded!!

Sorry not LaCasse. .plays hard..agree with rest

NOT LaCasse because he is the coaches BOY!!! he is not one i would keep.

LaCasse reasons why or just because

Looking forward to the game tonight on MyTV.  Before the game we'll be able to see any new moves the team may have made for tonight.  Looking forward to see how Graham has got his team set up (forward lines).

My take on the defense is that Barteaux will be the odd man out for the playoffs.  But that will depend on the health of the defense and if Lake Erie sends anyone else down.

The forward situation is a different story.  Will Heard get sent back?  Meurs? Petryk?  Again, in a perfect world, I'd take Heard but not Petryk and Meurs.  Someone mentioned all the right hand shots the team has.  It's unusual because most of the time a team has more left hand shots.

Will Crowder be OK?  Will the K's have to sit a veteran?  Do you think (gulp) they might try to make a trade in the next week or two in order to balance things out?  All depends on health, of course.

Regardless, let's win this one tonight and two against Missouri.

LaCasse does play hard. but he is just not good enough to take anybody's place.

Locker room leader okay, he can come out of the stands and join the team between periods. Veteran space or not, lets dress the ones that will make the greatest contribution to winning on the ice where the game is played.

I have always wondered how so many people know #79 is so good in the locker room. Who on this blog has been in the locker room when this is happening or have had players tell them of these amazing skills? Just Asking..

Just Asking,  You can keep asking, but I don't think we will ever get an answer that makes any sense.  I like Schrock, but I have felt that his time has been up for a couple of years now.  I believe we should be getting much more from a captain/veteran then what he is able to bring.  Maybe he is good in the locker room and maybe he hustles, but he should be contributing more then that IMO.  Hometown local favorite I guess that is all there is to it.  

Well, you have two choices. You can believe what I tell you or not. Either way, he's staying. He rules that locker room just as much as Chin or Chaulk ever did and they all follow his lead. He's the first guy to say something between periods and after games, and when he's talking, they all shut up and listen.

If you don't believe that, well, that's a you problem because they all believe in him. I can only tell you what I have personally seen. 

For the record Blake does Schrock's on ice contribution merit a roster spot?

Tell me where you are going to find a better 10th forward who does whatever the team needs, and a better penalty killer as a forward? The beauty of him as 10th forward is he can sit there for all but two shifts, never gripe about playing time and then go out and dominate on a PK and do the dirty work.

Do you realize that every player last week in four games was even or minus, except him and he was plus-2? Give me that type of player any day. Do you have any idea how many penalties he has drawn from the opponents over the last two weeks? Those type of efforts win games. It takes all types of players to win titles, and he's a proven winner.

The one thing that has been proven over and over in Fort Wayne over the last 25 years is that it's not the stars who determine championships, it's the role players, the Hukalos, the Hodgmans, the Boyce, Hankinsons, the Drouins in 2010, the Hansens who win.

We sit not far from the K's bench and when things are not going well Schrock comes off the ice calling out his teammates for their actions or inactions, sometimes in not family friendly ways.  Agree with you Blake...all the way.

I kind of agree with the logic that "role players win championships".  And the example of David Hukalo was perfect.  Not at all the quickest, most gifted skater, but played positional hockey as good as anyone.  Perfectly used on the penalty kill.

The thing about Hukalo, though, when compared to somebody like Schrock, was that Hukalo scored (not in quantity but they always seemed to be) "big" goals.  In some instances Hukalo faced some adversity from Komet fans, too.  He was traded for a very popular player (Kevin Kotyluk) .  He hurt his shoulder quickly after coming to Fort Wayne and spent the largest part of that first season on the shelf.

But saying that also means that I think Schrock should be the tenth forward.  One who gets ice time when others need a rest (or in the doghouse) and on the penalty kill.

While obviously no fan of Schrock's you write a compelling argument. I certainly don't agree in your observation of Hodgman being in the category of a role player.

Depends on what year you are talking about. 

Justion Hodgman's numbers as a Komet:

 2007-2008 11 games 8 points  +/- 0

2008-2009 6 games 5 points   +/-  +4

2009-2010 3 games 3 points   +/-  -1

Totals 20 games 16 points

How do you conclude  those numbers as being those of a "role player"?

Probably depends on how you define role player. He was never a first-line player during those playoffs, mostly because he came in late. He was definitely more of an agitator and defensive player in the second year. Just because you score doesn't mean you aren't a role player in some respects. I certainly don't mean any disrespect by calling him that, either. The beauty of Hodgy is he could play any style or role you asked of him, and in different series Al asked different things from him as I recall.