Just talked to Komets General Manager David Franke, and he said the team is talking with forward J.C. Ruid, but a decision won't be coming before next week.
"I really don't know what he's going to do,'' Franke said. "We've talked to him two or three times and, in fact, I just got off the phone with him. He's considering going to Germany and talking to two or three other teams in our league as well, and told me he'd make a decision by next week.''
Ruid, 31, is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward who played for Komets coach Pat Bingham with Asheville in 2000-01, scoring 34 and 75 points in 74 games. He also played for Bigham in Adirondack in 2002-03, scoring 40 goals and 96 points in 71 games. With Wheeling in 2003-04, he scored 20 goals and 59 points in 48 games, also while playing under Bingham.
If the Komets sign him, that would give the team eight veterans with seven allowed to play each night.
"We're not talking to any other veterans right now,'' Franke said. "If he doesn't sign, we'll probably try to go find a non-vet for that spot.''
Even if Ruid signs, that does not necessarily mean the Komets would have to cut a veteran. It's possible, and probably likely, they would carry eight and use one as a supersub. Where else would they find a player on short notice during the season who might have all-around skills?
Franke said it's looking like the Komets will have 25 or 26 players coming to training camp which starts Oct. 2.
I know there have been questions about goaltender Daniel Ljung, but Franke said there's a reason he's coming to camp. Ljung already has a job at Culver Military Academy and could be used as the Komets' emergency goaltender during the season.
``We talked this summer and he just asked if he could come to camp,'' Franke said. "He is from Swedne and has played a lot in Europe.''
