Komets general manager David Franke confimed that Bryant Molle, the rookie defenseman so instrumental for the Komets in their run to the CHL title, has signed to play this season with Reading of the ECHL.

That's a big loss for the Komets, who have yet to sign anyone for the upcoming season.

They are, however, knee deep in negotiations with Colin Chaulk about being a player/assistant coach. He's held that post before and wants to start making strides toward his post-playing/coaching career.

Therein lies the problem, I would think.

Even if the Komets were to promise Chaulk he'll be the team's next coach, which I'm not sure they'd even do without him cutting his teeth elsewhere as a head coach (a la Bruce Boudreau), Al Sims could be here for a long while. As I've reported, I've heard that as long as the Komets continue to make the playoffs, he'll be back.

So, the Komets really need to be careful with this, if they really do want Chaulk to be here beyond his playing days. How long could it possibly take before someone in another city offers him a post? I mean, Gary Graham is now a head coach, and he had almost no playing accolades.

And one call to this guy, and I'm sure Chaulk could land a job coaching somewhere.

Anyway, here's a story you should find interesting on former Komets captain Ian Boyce: Click here.

I'm pretty surprised his son -- click here -- has gone two straight years without getting drafted by an NHL team. One more chance, in 2013.

And, per this previous post, I have now heard that one of the rationales for capping the number of ECHL teams at 26 is to keep the valuation of the franchises high. Despite what the league says, though, these things can and always do change. I certainly don't think the No. 26 is etched in stone.