What do Scott Niedermayer, Roger Clemens and Teemu Selanne all have in common? Well, they sit out the meaty portion of the season and sail in for the glory of the playoffs.
I always thought that was doing a disservice to those in the trenches the whole time, gritting it out in the dull days of training camp and the monotony of long road trips. But the coaches and fans know the value of those guys, and isn't that what's really important?
If you're scratching your head on that tangent, good. If you're not, remember the loyalty, baby.
As for the Komets, don't be shocked if one of them is waived in the near future. The team can carry 19 healthy players. It has 19, plus two (Maxsim Shirokov and Olivier Legault) on injured reserve, with both probably coming off in the coming days.
The severity of Kevin Hansen's neck injury, suffered in Wednesday's 3-2 shootout victory over Bloomington, isn't yet clear, and who knows if he'll end up on IR? But I still think the Komets are going to have to make a tough decision here soon. They're not talking much about that, though.
If I were Olivier Legault, Brandon Warner, Jake Pence or Maxsim Shirokov, I don't know how comfortable I'd feel, especially knowing the Komets will be taking a look at kids out of juniors and college hockey in the next couple of weeks.
- According to the Port Huron Times-Herald, the International Hockey League will field a team at McMorran Arena again next season, despite the raging average attendance of 1,230. Here's hoping they believe a name change will breathe life into the organization. Hey it's worked before with the Icehawks, Flags, Beacons, Border Cats and Wings. OK, maybe not.
- Jeff Reyneart is now Kalamazoo's No. 1 goaltender. The best thing about Reyneart is that he was named to the United Hockey League's All-Rookie Team twice. Amazing that he didn't get a Lifetime Achievement Award, too. Boy, that kind of stuff just sums up the old UHL perfectly.
- Here's something I stumbled across: Video, including a short fight, from a 1957 game between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs. It's a cool look at not only how the game was played then, but how it looked on TV.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
That vid was GREAT!!
I loved how they sat the guys right next to eachother in the box. They should do that in todays game, maybe the NHL will catch on in the US.
Posted by: Junior | February 14, 2008 at 12:36 PM
It will be a tough decision, Maxsim would be my vote if I had to make it now. Warner should be safe. Pence has shown a lot of improvement. Legault will still be a rookie next year and adds toughness.
If I really did have a vote, I'd cut Turdin in a heartbeat. The dumb penalties and turnovers aren't getting any better. Not to mention the lack of points production.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | February 14, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Maybe I'm a little biased because he is a hometown boy but there are a lot of people I would get rid of before Warner. He's got the big shot from the point and hardly ever gets burned. I'd get rid of Bertram before Warner.
Posted by: Ryne Gurney | February 14, 2008 at 01:34 PM
The thing I wonder with the Shirokov possibility is how that would affect Durdin and vice-versa; remember they're good friends and countrymen. I agree on Warner, though, I wouldn't let him go.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | February 14, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Send Durdin with him if he has a problem with it!
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | February 14, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Cut Durdin!! My seat mate and I have coined a new phrase when someone makes a horrible pass or commits a dumb penalty. "That was Durdinesqe" Oh and Ryne you can't be serious about cutting Bert can you? He freakin' carried the team in toughness for about the first 4 weeks fighting everyone in sight plus he isn't that bad of a defenseman.
Posted by: New Komet Fan | February 14, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Bert is the man. Wonder if he smiles of Valentine's Day? He seems a little intense.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | February 14, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Cut Henley he hasnt looked good at all this season. No hitting no nothing. Last nights game he looked like crap. I would of rather seen him ride the pine than watch his lazy play.
Posted by: JIM BEAM | February 14, 2008 at 02:39 PM
I don't think we should cut bert, I just think if it were up to me and it was between Bert and Warner I would take Warner. I love em both though.
Posted by: Ryne Gurney | February 14, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Henly had some big hits last night, but I still don't think he's 100%
Posted by: Ryne Gurney | February 14, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Henleys not looking the same lately, maybe he came back too early.
Posted by: Junior | February 14, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Are they looking to cut a rookie or a vet???
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | February 14, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Warner has shown the most improvment on this team. He has a great shot, aside from that, he plays with his head up, always communicating, he's versitile, can play any position, and does everything he is asked. I dont care if he was from Iraq or Fort Wayne, he has earned his spot on the team, and is a big asset to the Komets.
Durdin's has been overrated from day one. Havent seen many positive things he brings to the table.
Bert....I have been very impressed with his presence. He has improved greatly, and I think he's one of the top defenseman in the league. His points may not show that, but his play does.
Ref stunk last night. How many times did Bloomington have too many men? That holding call on Huk was horrible, as well as the call on Warner..that was soft.
Go KOMETS!!!!
Posted by: Brando | February 14, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I can't believe they would even consider cutting Warner. I think he has proven to be a valuable asset to this team. He seems very confident on the ice and has a great shot. I would vote to get rid of Durdin first. I still can't see why he was the first pick in the dispersal draft this past summer. Did anyone see him chewing out Bourcher last night? It seems like he's always blasting someone else for their mistakes but can't seem to see his own!
Posted by: Teresa | February 14, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Boucher doesn't need to take any crap from defensmen.
All this dogging of Henley is nonsense. At the beginning of the season I said the same thing about Chaulk and you would have thought I beat somebodys sister. The whole blog was angry. Henley doesn't beat the snot out of 3 guys a night and the world comes to an end. He's going to be fine.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | February 14, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Henely's play has been average. The only reason he sticks out so much is because he's 6'7. Not a bad player and I like having him on the team, but I think hes playing below what he is capible of.
Posted by: Brando | February 14, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Im not talking about Henleys fighting Im talking about his game in general lately!!!
Posted by: JIM BEAM | February 14, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Hey Monkey I would not have griped for hitting my sister!
Posted by: kyle hunt | February 14, 2008 at 04:04 PM
On a side note, the ref missed the first penalty of the game, during Conrhole/Bertram fight, you can see in the video, players have to strap down thier jersey, Cornholes jersey was not tied down, that is a 2 and 10 misconduct.
Posted by: Brando | February 14, 2008 at 04:10 PM
If the correct call would have been made, Cornish would not have scored the first goal.
Posted by: Brando | February 14, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Remember, they didn't say they were cutting any of these people. They were mum on the topic. Just makes sense that they're one player over, at least.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | February 14, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I agree with Teresa. Adios Durdin
Posted by: Anna | February 14, 2008 at 05:24 PM
My vote would have to be durdin as well. warner plays strong and i can see him just getting better and better. great deffense, great skater, great shooter, he show signs of havin it all. cant wait to see how far the kid goes! Ber-train did carry the team for the first month or two.... kickin every idiots arse that cheapshotted or whenever we needed momentiom. GREAT deffense!!! Did i mention great deffense...lol and henley, i think, is playin some good deffense. I also think, maybe, he still has to get back into the swing of things, but over all i wont complain. He handled that fight with cornholio very well. As did bert-train. i think we might see one of them go at it again. I did see cornholio make sure Guy was alright when he was slow to get up, that showed some sportsmanship!!!! and im not EVEN goin to get into a disscusion about the ref lol. and before i go...THAT A BOY TERRY!!! awsome night buddy! God i was hopin to throw my hat. He was in the right spot all night. their goalie made some awesome saves against terry!!! he could have easly had 5 goals last night...keep it up k's! and thank you!!
Posted by: Booner | February 14, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Please keep us updated on Hanson's status, Justin.
Posted by: Teresa | February 14, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Everyone should be safe now. Hanson is a girl and will be on the shelf for atleast a month. More than likely till the playoffs. You want to talk about LAZY?!?!? Atleast he found someone small enough to beat up before he tripped on his skirt and hurt his neck.
Posted by: IHL HOCKEYFAN | February 14, 2008 at 05:31 PM
I would like to point out that Bloomingtons goalie played amazing. That could have very easily been a blowout but the goalie kept them in it.
Posted by: Ryne Gurney | February 14, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Marchant &Pence was the choices early in the year to get cut. I would cut durdin,even if he has a good shot-when he does.I was the one whom stuck up for Pence even to compare him to Kevin Schmidt.Why cut King-Kong HENLEY the K,s are 13-2 with him!BUCKOS.
Posted by: mightbite | February 14, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Henley looks to be protecting his injury. Nothing wrong with that. It's obvious by the way he is reluctant to be the first into the boards. He didn't want to fight Cornish, that to was obvious, but had no choice. One needs to have healthy legs in hockey fights and he is good for about ten seconds and then it seems like his legs go. Everyone of his fights this year against sizable opponents his legs have given out. When you have a reputation, but you are also not 100% you don't want to be embarrassed at home, so you just play and hope that the challenge doesn't happen. If the enemy senses the weakness beware, you will be challenged. Back in the days of the Robby Laird, when we played the Toledo Golddiggers in the playoffs, Toledo's Ian NcPhee knew Lairds hand was injured and he couldn't fight as the two of them had had some real battles during the season. McPhee made Laird pay dearly in the playoffs knowing this. The same goes for Henley. The other teams know this and this makes a few of the boys a little less timid. Who cares if he beats an injured player who has a reputation, because he now has bragging rights if he wins.
Posted by: Ron | February 14, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Here's what no one is talking about...what about marchant? He hasen't looked good all year for the most part. Yes, he had two goals but if I was put on Aquino and Chaulk's line i'm sure i could pick up some points too. If we cut a vet maybe there will be another vet who got cut from the CHL or ECHL. I'm not saying that I would do it but if I was the GM I would definatly consider it.
Posted by: Andrew | February 14, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Big Snake-Tidball-Chad Wagner bring them in and lets GOON-IT-UP!!!
Posted by: mightbite | February 14, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Durdin makes me nervous. He coughs up the puck at least 50% of the time and he does take dumb penalties. He is a liability out there and doesn't do any one thing that well. Why has he stuck around this long? I don't get it.
Durdin should go, everyone else should be safe. I admit I gave Marchant a hard time for the first half of the season, but he has actually improved and is playing decent. I just don't think he is a very good face-off guy and Simms puts him on every key faceoff. He lost most of them last night. Chaulk is better in the faceoffs. My opinion.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | February 14, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Justin,
Any news on Indianapolis or Chicago for next season?
Posted by: jkmess11 | February 14, 2008 at 07:25 PM
Brando, I think I saw the ref taking a look at the fight strap while going to the box and it looked like it broke. He must have thought so since he didn't make the call for not having it tied down, but he did check it.
If I had a vote, I would say bye-bye to Durdin. I think he was just over-hyped and there is no way of him living up to his "rep." If they don't want to cut a d-man, I say Marchant. He has improved since the start of the year, but he has had three-four great goal scoring chances and didn't hit the side of the barn!!!
Posted by: Hoss | February 14, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Hey Hoss, what was wrong with his breakaway last night...wide open and couldn't make a good shot on goal. I wish that would have been Aquino or Curadeau on that play. Would have been a goal.
Justin, don't sweat SuperFan. You have the best blog. If I want to be lectured or tortured, I will visit his blog. This is the hip and cool blog for the Komets. Justin Cohn is the man!!!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | February 14, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Lol. Thanks.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | February 14, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Does anyone know anything about Indy or Chicago for next season?
Posted by: jkmess11 | February 14, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Chicago will be announced in mid-march via press release. Don't know 100% on Indy yet.
Posted by: FWKRTJ | February 14, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Henley is playing fine, he is not 100% but he is still a good D-Man. If there is anyone on this team that is not playing up to snuff it is Durdin without a doubt. Let him go and bring in a college kid that wants to be here.
Posted by: Shawn | February 14, 2008 at 11:10 PM
all these durdin haters...come on....he's a great defender....the thing is when he was in quad city he was also pairded with a great defender and then he gets here and has to play with pence who most of the time likes to go on the fly and turns the puck over leaving it to be a 2 or 3 on 1 with durdin the only one back...i still say get rid of pence and who knows....the frankes are dumb thinkin legault wants to come back...who would want to come back when the owners dont let u play and say you have an injured finger...you guys need to get a grip does it really take like 3 weeks to heal up a finger??? you have gloves on for crying out loud!! and im sure he didnt hurt his finger on segals head...we need to give shirokov a shot...the smart thing to do would be not sign any college guys we are umm in first by 18 dont need to shake things up!! GET RID OF PENCE and trade warner for some better talent...heck he barely plays anymore when we have 17 guys anyways!
Posted by: kometfan | February 15, 2008 at 12:07 AM
the smart thing to do would be not sign any college guys we are umm in first by 18 dont need to shake things up!!
That is exactly what you just send Komets fan. Then you say GET RID OF PENCE?? That would be shaking things up, correct???? I'm done dealing with people on this board. There is a reason the Franke's own the most succesful minor league hockey franchise in the last 20 years or so. I'm going to the game tomorrow, and I am hoping to be sitting with Rich and enjoy Eddie Campbell's antics, but for this board I am done. I'm tired of just being a straight Komet fan on this blog. Someone is always looking for more, and that I can't give them. I have found another avenue to speak about hockey and that is where my focus is. Enjoy your bickering back and forth, but I'm done with the situation on this blog. GO KOMETS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | February 15, 2008 at 01:52 AM
I dont know why they would bring in anybody from a lower league thats untried in this league, thats a big unknown,If someone has to go then so be it, thats coaches' decision and I'm fine with it, thats his job to know. I'm not going to second guess Al, I do agree about Durdin, not my call tho. Jerad do not, I repeat do not let a few chase you off this blog if you want to be here, this is part of life, putting up with people that you just cant understand how they can think the way they do! Remember, always fight for what you believe! I can't believe were back to the Marchant, Pence bashing again, even Bertrain was brought up as an example, Holy Crap!
Posted by: kyle hunt | February 15, 2008 at 06:56 AM
See you at the game Jerad!!!
Posted by: Rich | February 15, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Justin, I'm a little slow, but that has to be the greatest start to a blog entry you have ever done! I have a feeling the real bloggers on here won't be jumping ships anytime soon.
Posted by: Hoss | February 15, 2008 at 07:56 AM
Justin, I'm a little slow, but that has to be the greatest start to a blog entry you have ever done! I have a feeling the real bloggers on here won't be jumping ships anytime soon.
Posted by: Hoss | February 15, 2008 at 07:56 AM
come on "kometfan" pence doesn't turn the puck over as much as durdin. and warner AND pence are two way players. they dont just go out there and do their own thing...they do what they are told! I wish i could seriously give you a blog misconduct right now...and jerad, i almost give up on some of these people as well, but i ignore it for the most part until i feel i HAVE to deffend some good talented players!!! we are kickin some arse right now!!! enjoy the hockey in this town and root for us to get even better. i dont really "love" durdin, but i still cheer for him and hope he has a good night! I say, with whatever happens, GO KOMETS! trust our coach...that's why he has the job and we dont. like kyle said.... and jerad...i cant make it tonight, but the next game you should stop by 221 and say hey...good luck tonight K's!! not that ya need it lol.
Posted by: booner (BLOG REF) | February 15, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Jared I agree with what Kyle said besides you are one of the people on here that i can actually relate to when to this board. Don't let them chase you out
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | February 15, 2008 at 08:26 AM
The True Komets Fans have to stick together!!!
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | February 15, 2008 at 08:29 AM
The problem I have with Jared's statement is that the two amatures don't count twoard the 19 man roster. Basically you get two bodies. That helps incase the Komets have problems with injuries ala the year they came back to beat Rockford in the semi's then got pounded by Muskegon in the finals. One reason is there were 4 key guys out with injuries. These rookies won't hurt and with a big leasd in the standings, you can rest guys for the playoffs if they are nursing injuries. Besides, anyone remember Jamie Milam or Adam Kostichka? These are the types of players that the Frankes and whoever coaches find and they have made impacts.
Posted by: Greg | February 15, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Hoss, thank you, I thought it was subtle but clever.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | February 15, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Hey IHL Hockey Fan...first of all learn how to spell Hansen's name correctly. Secondly are you even serious with that post? Hansen plays even when he's not feeling 100% but ALWAYS gives 100%. That guy has more heart than half the guys on the team. If you don't believe that put down your hot dog and beer and actually watch a game this season. He is always diving to block shots, doesn't matter how hard or where it's coming from, he's always getting creamed by the puck. I'm sure the kid goes home black and blue every night. So seriously...take it easy on the brew and pay attention to the game.
Posted by: Livin' the Life | February 15, 2008 at 12:56 PM