Coach Al Sims and captain Colin Chaulk retired, and now so has the goaltender who backstopped them to four championships between 2008 and 2012.Desperately in need of offense, the Komets' parent club, the Columbus Blue Jackets, have provided someone.
The Blue Jackets assigned rookie center Chris Francis, who had one goal and two points in four games with Springfield of the American Hockey League.
Last season with the Portland Winterhawks, the native of Las Vegas -- you read that correctly -- had 26 goals and 82 points in 72 games.
"I'm more of a skill guy," Francis said. "I can make plays, shoot the puck. I think I'm more of an offensive guy, try to bring offense to the team."
He is only 5-foot-9, 189 pounds.
"It doesn't affect me at all," he said. "I've been used to it my whole life. I've always been the small guy and I just work on moving my feet and getting around the ice pretty quick."
He was skating on a line with Marc Rechlicz and Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock during practice today.
Speaking of Rechlicz, I asked coach Al Sims what his presence means for Olivier Legault, who is out with a broken pinky finger.
"We'll just have to see how it plays out," Sims said. "We haven't seen Rechlicz play yet."
- The Komets released forwards Matt Ward and Tyler Fletcher, who were both scoreless with minus-2 ratings.
