|
|
Post by thepuckman on Sept 23, 2008 16:36:15 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by newguy on Sept 23, 2008 17:34:20 GMT -5
That's likely the end of Combs being back.
Lake Erie won't play him unless they sign him...
I think that was inevitable.
Any Spirit fan couldn't be happier for him. Good luck. What a great kid and great story.
|
|
|
|
Post by Frogger1 on Sept 23, 2008 18:34:42 GMT -5
Did I miss something or are you reading more into this than I am. Where does it say Lake Erie signed Combs? All I see is COL assigned him to Lake Erie. By itself that doesn't mean he's on the Monsters team. He could easily be let go after they get a look at him. Again, maybe I missed some detail within....
|
|
|
|
Post by ohlfan06 on Sept 23, 2008 19:00:30 GMT -5
Frogger you're exactly correct. Usually when a player is reassigned they have to "tryout" at the team they were reassigned to. The Monsters don't start their season until Oct 11, that gives them plenty of time to take a look at Combs and see if they want him to stay or if they feel another year of juniors would benefit him.
I think newguy was somewhat jumping the gun. Most of us don't expect Combs back. Combs does have talent, however whether or not that talent is yet suitable for the AHL we don't know.
|
|
|
|
Post by bpfox on Sept 23, 2008 19:10:55 GMT -5
You can't look at this move in the same light as TJ Brodie, Adam Comrie and Nick Crawford. They only had two options. Play in the NHL or be returned to the OHL. I don't think any of us thought those guys were going to make their respective NHL teams this season. With Jack, it's a different story. It is pretty much standard operating procedure to send AHL eligible players to the AHL camp when the decision is made they are not ready for the NHL. The seasons are staggered to serve that purpose. After AHL camp if Jack does not get offered a contract he will have the choice of going the ECHL route or return for an overage year with the Spirit. Some players decide they are ready to give it a go even if it means a year or two in the ECHL. Others feel that returning to junior will improve their options down the road. My gut tells me if Jack does not make the AHL club he will be back in Saginaw.
|
|
|
|
Post by Frogger1 on Sept 23, 2008 19:13:04 GMT -5
BP, I agree. I bet he will be back
|
|
|
|
Post by newguy on Sept 23, 2008 19:45:23 GMT -5
I agree with BP on the fact that he won't go to the ECHL, but instead will come back to Saginaw.
But I think Lake Erie will sign him, I didn't imply that they had...I just saw it more as writing on the wall.
I do think the league itself will see a decline in OA talent. There's far more money in European hockey than there used to be. More money, more teams, and more opportunity. Having a guy like Tyler Haskins as an OA will be more and more of a rarity.
Let's face it, the Spirit might have realized that last season, which is why Zaborsky was a good bet to keep. The Rangers didn't have room for him then in Hartford, the Spirit hadn't scouted Europe or looked at improving. I'm actually defending Edwards (gulp!) here, because he only had so much time to figure out the league, how it works, etc. Europe wasn't a top priority then and shouldn't have been. But as much as Zaborsky contributed -- would the Spirit not have been better with an OA AND a European. It's really rare teams do that. Jonas Fiedler being one such player in Plymouth, and for a brief time, the legendary Meidl in Oshawa.
If the Europeans they have now are not impact players, then that's completely and totally on him.
But I guess my point is, Combs may have an opportunity overseas as well if the Avs don't sign him and keep him in Cleveland. I wouldn't rule it out. The Spirit had best prepare not to have him all season and maybe the signing of Bochek is the start of accepting that.
|
|
|
|
Post by donjohnson on Sept 23, 2008 20:07:58 GMT -5
put me on record as saying Combs will not be back...he'll play ECHL if he doesn't make Lake Erie.
|
|
