I had a chance to speak with Komets general manager David Franke after practice today and he said, despite the team's underwhelming 3-2-1 record, he's very pleased and thinks the Komets will be very good. He did mention wanting to see the veterans step it up more, and it's easy to see why -- for example, Colin Chaulk doesn't have a goal yet and Terry Marchant has only one point.
But Franke said no transactions are imminent.
And how about some of the youngsters? Mathieu Curadeau is plus-6. Evgeny Saidachev has a team-leading six points and is plus-5. Jake Pence is plus-7. I wouldn't have even guessed the latter statistic.
Meanwhile, Maxsim Shirokov should be back from his concussion this weekend. Jason Sessa, who is on leave due to an illness in the family, is still at least a week away from returning. And Brent Henley should be arriving in town to join the team Saturday, though he won't play for a couple of weeks.
All good news and I do agree on the vets stepping it up. the younger guys are playing better. but that top line is going to get good and its going to hard to beat them. I still think Shaf needs to step it up to be here. Chaulk needs to shoot every once in awhile onstead of passing it all the time. He does make some amazing passes but sometimes he needs to just go to the net himself onstead of throwing the puck aways so much. Who you think will be sitting this weekend then? And has anybody heard why Granbois got released? they said he was hurt but my friend talked to him and said he was perfectly fine. We didn't we try trading him for rights for someone or something? oh well.
GO KOMETS!!
Posted by: lovelost | November 06, 2007 at 07:05 PM
I am not going to lie. I thought Saidachev and Pence were not going to be that good. But they are showing what they got. Lets just hope they keep it up all year and get us that trophy.
Posted by: lovelost | November 06, 2007 at 07:09 PM
I do not know about you guys but check out the MAHL so far. Few guys from IHL camp there. Kyle Bozoian is one. 22 goals and over 300 penalty minutes in 5 games. here is pointstreaks stats.
http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoreboard.html?leagueid=534&seasonid=2365
This would be a good merge if we could get some teams in Ohio to join. that would really get this league going.
Posted by: lovelost | November 06, 2007 at 08:38 PM
I meant over 300 penalty minutes in 2 games.
Posted by: lovelost | November 06, 2007 at 08:41 PM
Russell Spence is also playing in the MAHL.
Posted by: JungleMonkey | November 06, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Tedstone is too.
Posted by: lovelost | November 06, 2007 at 10:09 PM
Tedstone will be a waste of a roster spot even there.
On another note, Justin Cohn mentioned a player by the name of Marchant.. Is this someone on the Komets roster? I can't seem to remember seeing him play this season... =)
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | November 07, 2007 at 08:01 AM
I thought Marchangt did a very good job in the physical aspect of the game last Saturday. Granite, 1 out of 6 games is a Goneau like ratio, but I thought he showed some signs of life on Saturday.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | November 07, 2007 at 08:46 AM
Marchant and Shafranov have both been no shows so far this year. I have said it several times already, but those 2 are wastes of vet spots.... Chaulk has played fine, he could easily have another 10 assists with all of the chances he has set up for Aquino and Sessa before Sessa left for personal reasons. Chaulk will never be a goal scorer, he is a set up guy. Yes, I would love it if Chaulk shot the puck more, but it is not in his nature.
Posted by: Komet Fan | November 07, 2007 at 09:19 AM
check this out this kid has 11 points in 2 games......
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?encode=TRUE&pid=97422
Posted by: hobo | November 07, 2007 at 09:42 AM
I think anyone that goes to the MAHL with any pro experience will light that league up.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | November 07, 2007 at 09:56 AM
I thought the MAHL was junior hockey?? Guess not.
Posted by: Junior | November 07, 2007 at 10:09 AM
When Brent comes back, that poll should have some different names on it and should be started over. Bertram, Curadeau, Henley, Woods, to name a few...
Posted by: Henley67250 | November 07, 2007 at 10:55 AM
i would write more if i had the time to be close to a computer all day, and im kinda worried to share my oppinion some times...ha ;), but cohny, you do a great job. if i miss something over the weekend i know where i can read up on the team, or who's what... etc.... i had to comment on terry. he did look very good saturday! and heard he had a good game sunday. as far as shaf, well lets let the team continue workin with each other. gotta understand it may take a few weeks to click. chemistry is alot on a team. so i will wait to jugde just yet. go komets!
Posted by: booner | November 07, 2007 at 11:33 AM
And those of you who are down on Shafranov should look at the entire season so far. The first three games he was very slow...the last home game he was one of the 3-4 fastest Komets on the ice that night for most of the night. I was someone who made the comment about him looking out of place for the first two home games, but Sat. he outskated someone from Muskegon to prevent an icing and led a breakaway with Chaulk. He is coming around. I did notice some toughness from Marchant, but as big as he is we still should see more from him....either hit...or score...but doing neither would not be good. GO K'S!
Posted by: Tom | November 07, 2007 at 12:26 PM
News flash: Guy Dupuis will be on the WMEE morning show with Craig and Sam tomorrow. Tune in!
Posted by: Teresa | November 07, 2007 at 01:49 PM
I think this would be why they have over 300 PIMs.
http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=601233
Posted by: Andrew | November 07, 2007 at 03:57 PM
Did they adopt the IHL's "motto" from Pickard, only WITH the goonery?
Posted by: Henley67250 | November 07, 2007 at 04:24 PM
You got a point Jungle Monkey and it is considered "A" hockey I think, so that is the lowest you can get. But one thing they are doing is scoring lots and playing very physical. Sounds to me thats what this league was trying to do. So I think with that league only having 6 teams or whatever that we should either make some sort of farm out of them or even merge. This league really needs something to get back up to 10-20 teams and that would sure help. Especially if Indianapolis, Chicago, and a few Ohio teams join. We could get this with more teams and try to make are selves higher then the CHL and ECHL. Just a thought. It will never happen but something like that needs to happen and that woud be really cool if it did.
Posted by: lovelost | November 07, 2007 at 06:16 PM
I might be the only one, but I am starting to like this 6 team league. I think it will build some decent rivalries. Every game I have been to has been pretty exciting, with alot of emotion. I would like to see Indy,Toledo, or even South Bend join, but they can't branch out to much. They have to keep the teams in the same general area to make this thing work. If they can grow to 12 teams or so in the next 3 or 4 years, with all the teams within a resonable distance, I think you could see this league prosper.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | November 07, 2007 at 06:23 PM
I would like to see Indy & Toledo to make it a eight team league.
Posted by: mightbite | November 07, 2007 at 06:25 PM
With Chicago and Dayton too would be sweet. This is a make or break year. It will either stay they same or branch. We shall see.
Posted by: lovelost | November 07, 2007 at 06:35 PM
I think a 10-12 team league would be nice. Break it up into 2 divisions.
East
Toledo
Dayton
Pt. Urine
Flint
Cinnci
West
Bloomington
Chicago
Indy
Kzoo
Muskegon
That leaves an odd number with the K's. But you get the point. Who know's QC might be begging to come back in a year or two.
Posted by: JungleMonkey | November 07, 2007 at 07:15 PM
yea I think,
Fort Wayne
Muskegon
Port Huron
Indy
Toledo
Dayton
Chicago
Bloomington
Kalamazoo
Flint
would be great.
Posted by: lovelost | November 07, 2007 at 07:31 PM
I'm glad someone else noticed Shaf was much better on Saturday night..and he played well on Sunday as well...he will get better...
Posted by: Mark | November 07, 2007 at 08:04 PM
He did hustle more on Saturday. I jsut hope he does it all season and not just here and there.
GO KOMETS!!
Posted by: lovelost | November 07, 2007 at 08:05 PM
With the possibilities of Indy stretching to Port Huron and Muskegon, the division alignment should be North-South instead of East-West. How about this:
North: Muskegon
Kalamazoo
Port Huron
Flint
Toledo
South: Fort Wayne
Dayton
Bloomington
Indianapolis
Cincinnati
That would make for a nice midwest bus league I think, and if you throw in Chicago, Peoria, South Bend, or Quad City, you may be able to start a Western division...
Anyone heard the rumor besides me that the Chicago Wolves will not be in the AHL next year?
Posted by: Henley67250 | November 07, 2007 at 09:19 PM
I think you'll see everyone adjust and gel over the next month,remember the 5-11-1 run we had in early 2005...don't be surprised if we go through some growing pains.
Posted by: st.christopher | November 07, 2007 at 09:35 PM
I think you'll see everyone adjust and gel over the next month,remember the 5-11-1 run we had in early 2005...don't be surprised if we go through some growing pains.
Posted by: st.christopher | November 07, 2007 at 09:43 PM
Not trying to be negative and I agree w/ all of the league pairings but I haven't seen anywhere where Indy was going to be in the league next year. Is this going to happen??
If the I works out, I would love to see Toledo part of it and I hope that Craig in Chicago can find a spot for the Hounds.
Posted by: Junior | November 07, 2007 at 10:16 PM
Toledo and Chicago yes... Indy no.
Posted by: st.christopher | November 07, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Lets hope we get through season one without a folding chair or two. Wouldn't that be something to have everyone back next season? First time in awhile.
As for who stays, who goes, who sucks, and who will be the constant scab people pick at (IE Guinn, Kiyaga)....a clearer picture will develope as we roll towards 2008. Judging players after 3 games seen, 6 games total, is premature.
Posted by: scoops | November 07, 2007 at 10:43 PM
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Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | November 07, 2007 at 11:10 PM
I have not heard anything about the Wolves leaving the AHL, but in a couple years, their numbers will be dropping from what they are right now. Once the Bhawks get those young guys winning games, people will flood back to the UC like the glory days! From what I heard during last year's talks, Indy was somewhat interested, but stayed in the same league this year. If the attendence numbers climb, which I think they will. The UHL is going to end up looking pretty tempting for alot of franchises. This is pretty fun hockey in my opinion!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | November 08, 2007 at 07:40 AM
I relocated to Indy from Fort Wayne and I would for Indy to get in the IHL, better yet, if Indy, Cinci, Dayton, along with Fort Wayne would be great rival hockey for Indy...
I think the only problem with Cinci is they would be with PH in attendance. For some reason once the IHL left that city, the attendance has been horrible and I don't know why...
Posted by: jkmess11 | November 08, 2007 at 08:03 AM
The team in Indy belongs to an ametur league, and I read in the Indy Star last year that the team has a legal obligation to play 07-08. After this season the ownership could make a shift to some other league. According to what I read they were still drawing about 3,500 people a game at the Pepsi Center. Pretty good for a team with a bunch of kids not getting paid to play. I miss the trips to Indy to watch the K's and Ice face off. It would be great to get that rivalry back.
Posted by: hockeyfun | November 08, 2007 at 08:07 AM
What I have heard, is 06-07 was to be the last year for the Ice to be in the USHL and the Pepsi Coliseum. The Pepsi Coliseum kicked the ICE out and when the Ice renewed their one year contract with the USHL, they then had to renegotiate their agreement with the Pepsi Coliseum. Infact, I heard someone was going to built a 5,000 seated arena for them because the Ice couldn't agree on terms with the Coliseum.
What I have heard is the Coliseum told the ice if they couldn't get their attendance to 4,000 a game, then they were out. They average 2,500 a game. The ice hold three games at the Conseco Field House and they sell out. That is how they are getting a high average.
The few games I go to a year in Indy, everyone wants professional hockey back...
Posted by: jkmess11 | November 08, 2007 at 08:23 AM
That would be awesome, thanks for the information pertaining Indy.
Watch out for Youngstown and the CHL. The CHL/Building ownership has cut ties w/ the team after this year so they will be free to go where ever they want. It's a bit out of the I's geography, but they draw a great crowd and would be a welcome addition to the IHL.
Cincy really strugles w/ attendance. They've had their shot at the AHL and it didn't work out. I don't know if there are enough hockey fans in Cincy to support a IHL team.
Getting Indy in would be huge, but they could use a newer arena to play in. The USHL team sells out Conseco Fieldhouse????? 3 times a year??
Posted by: Junior | November 08, 2007 at 08:55 AM
Youngstown needs to go to the ECHL.
The only reason Indy sells out at Conseco is because they have a huge sponorship those nights. I believe one night is big brothers big sister, and Citizen Gas as a large employee night one other night. So I feel most of the attendance is corporate attendance..
Posted by: jkmess11 | November 08, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Great info JKMess. Thank you!! I had very little info and I appreciate the insight.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | November 08, 2007 at 01:24 PM
for the k's Youngstown is only 4hr & 30min drive however, for other teams it might be farther then what the IHL would want to expand to. W/ all of these teams it's great to look into but until it happens I'll take the wait and see approach.
Posted by: Kevin | November 08, 2007 at 01:49 PM
yeh, but how long of a drive will it be for muskegon to go to dayton or indy? i think the ihl will limit it to around 4 or five hours drive time. that would make it nice to go to any road game.
Posted by: chuckitt | November 08, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Teams should stick to Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. chuckit is correct, road trips should only be 4 or 5 hours long so they don't take a toll on the players physically. Youngstown would be a good addition, but no one wants them to be the Elmira of the league. They would need an in-state rival like a Columbus or Dayton or Toledo.
Remember this is all speculation. We hope there is expansion in the years to come, but for right now, I have no problem with the 6 team league we have. Hockey is Hockey. As long as we have it in the Summit City, no matter how many teams we play against, I'll still be going to the games, having a good time...
Posted by: Henley67250 | November 08, 2007 at 02:22 PM
I think once they break down into divisions, it shouldn't be a problem for Muskegon and Indy to be in the same league as that is concerned. Limiting the trips teams would have to make with a 5 hour transit would be good with the use of a north south or east west division. Once again, this is all speculation. Just wish we had some hockey in town this weekend!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | November 08, 2007 at 02:53 PM
I have a few tickets to sell or trade if you can do this here?
Posted by: mightbite | November 08, 2007 at 03:51 PM
what section and row mightbite? all the games or just a few?
Posted by: brando | November 08, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Mightbite's 2 seats are some of the best in the house. I should know....I sit right behind him. :-)
Posted by: RaVeN | November 08, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Good thing you sit behind him...
Posted by: brando | November 08, 2007 at 05:43 PM
Indy would be nice to have back, but Pepsi Coliseum needs to be renovated. Conseco is a very nice place to watch a game, but I'm sure that the rent is much more.
While I cannot confirm it at this time, I was told that improvements (major ones) are in the near future for Pepsi Coliseum.
Posted by: Bob | November 08, 2007 at 08:19 PM
I heard the samething about the Pepsi Coliseum. Major improvements were coming this off-season and that it was mainly aimed at Minor League Hockey and the possibility of getting back into a league like the IHL. Aren't there certain standards for arenas that the IHL requires now? I would bet that Indy is getting ready for IHL hockey again. Wonder if the Hounds owner might jump to Indy with his team? He has a franchise and needs an Arena for his team. Seems like a fit to me.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | November 08, 2007 at 09:11 PM