2021/22 Utica Comets and ECHL Talk

[Guttersniped]

We in Utica are familiar with Gauthier. He played for the Toronto Marlies for the seasons '15-16 thru '17-18 and was a noticeable contributor at both ends of the rink. However, was not an outstanding offensive player.

He is now a 26 yr-old, 6'5"/238 lbs center. He has played 177 AHL games and 170 NHL games including the entire '18-19 and '19-20 seasons with the Maple Leafs. He's been a +24 .32 PPG center in those AHL games. He does not get mnay penalties having earned only 40 PIM in the AHL and 47 PIM in the NHL.

Don't really know what Fitz is hoping he will become. Just fodder for the preseason games or is he trying to determine if the guy could be useful as a bottom 6 center in Jersey or veteran center for the Comets?

I don't think he would have a problem clearing waivers. For that matter, I don't think Mankowski would either. Maybe a couple of tweeners for the Devils. Maybe they both get set free after camp. I really think Fitz is trying to add vet placeholders for the Devils for a season while his kids get some heavy game action in all situations in the AHL.

I saw a prediction yesterday that the Comets and Rochester Americans will be the teams to miss the playoffs from the their Division this season. If the Comets don't make the playoffs with the supposed talent they possess, that does not speak highly for that talent pool. It could also mean that the talent was there, but Fitz did not surround them with enough talent to allow them tp prosper. The end result will provide a clearer picture.

Gauthier will for make it through waivers and he’s presumably an AHL player. He played 2 games in Arizona and 18 in Tuscan last year.

Jankowski has played full time in the NHL for the last three seasons and is a better player. More importantly I think Jankowski could be a useful spare forward for the NHL team.

Amusingly Gauthier has shown slightly more offense at the NHL level but it has been so middling there it doesn’t matter. While Gauthier’s Even Strength defense has been good, Jankowski’s ES defense is stronger and unlike Gauthier Jankowski has been a very strong PKer in the past. I see Jankowski in the press box and Gauthier in Utica.

Gauthier could easily be meant for the AHL. If the last time you saw him in the AHL was when he was 20-22 years, then maybe he’s a more advanced player now at 26. You wanted guys with NHL experience for Utica, you don’t like him for Utica?

 

[Bad Goalie]

Gauthier will for make it through waivers and he’s presumably an AHL player. He played 2 games in Arizona and 18 in Tuscan last year.

Jankowski has played full time in the NHL for the last three seasons and is a better player. More importantly I think Jankowski could be a useful spare forward for the NHL team.

Amusingly Gauthier has shown slightly more offense at the NHL level but it has been so middling there it doesn’t matter. While Gauthier’s Even Strength defense has been good, Jankowski’s ES defense is stronger and unlike Gauthier Jankowski has been a very strong PKer in the past. I see Jankowski in the press box and Gauthier in Utica.

Gauthier could easily be meant for the AHL. If the last time you saw him in the AHL was when he was 20-22 years, then maybe he’s a more advanced player now at 26. You wanted guys with NHL experience for Utica, you don’t like him for Utica?

Fred did spend last season in Tuscon but he played 131 games with the Leafs the 2 seasons before that. He is only a .32 PPG player, but he has been +24 inn his 177 AHL GP. He'd be fine, but there are more available with a lot more offense to offer.

Both Vesey and Jankowski would be very good tweeners as well. If Jankowski sticks someone many expected to be a Devil will be coming down, which also might bode well in the long run for that player. Maybe Boqvist? Stupid to keep him there if it means the press box.

- Brandon Pirri is unsigned and has also spent a lot of time in the AHL in the last 4 seasons. He has put up .92 PPG in 369 AHL GP and more impressive has been over a point/game in those past 4 seasons, 139 PTs/131GP. He has played 276 NHL games. He could serve as an emergency forward for the Devilks as well.
- Joseph Blandis1 - Really like this guy. .74 PPG in 216 AHL GP vs 101 in the NHL.
Both of these guys are on the plus side in the +/- column, +27 and +14 respectively.

These 3 are weaker defensively, but are offensive pluses.
- Kevin Roy - .70 PPG in 218 AHL GP vs only 28 inthe NHL.
- Chris Mueller - .72 PPG in 803 AHL GP vs 53 in the NHL. (A West Seneca, NY native)
- Boo Nieves - .54 PPG in 147 AHL GP vs 76 in the NHL. (A Baldwinsville, NY native)

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Fred did spend last season in Tuscon but he played 131 games with the Leafs the 2 seasons before that. He is only a .32 PPG player, but he has been +24 inn his 177 AHL GP. He'd be fine, but there are more available with a lot more offense to offer.

Both Vesey and Jankowski would be very good tweeners as well. If Jankowski sticks someone many expected to be a Devil will be coming down, which also might bode well in the long run for that player. Maybe Boqvist? Stupid to keep him there if it means the press box.

- Brandon Pirri is unsigned and has also spent a lot of time in the AHL in the last 4 seasons. He has put up .92 PPG in 369 AHL GP and more impressive has been over a point/game in those past 4 seasons, 139 PTs/131GP. He has played 276 NHL games. He could serve as an emergency forward for the Devilks as well.
- Joseph Blandis1 - Really like this guy. .74 PPG in 216 AHL GP vs 101 in the NHL.
Both of these guys are on the plus side in the +/- column, +27 and +14 respectively.

These 3 are weaker defensively, but are offensive pluses.
- Kevin Roy - .70 PPG in 218 AHL GP vs only 28 inthe NHL.
- Chris Mueller - .72 PPG in 803 AHL GP vs 53 in the NHL. (A West Seneca, NY native)
- Boo Nieves - .54 PPG in 147 AHL GP vs 76 in the NHL. (A Baldwinsville, NY native)

Kevin Roy signed with Laval yesterday.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[Guttersniped]

Fred did spend last season in Tuscon but he played 131 games with the Leafs the 2 seasons before that. He is only a .32 PPG player, but he has been +24 inn his 177 AHL GP. He'd be fine, but there are more available with a lot more offense to offer.

Both Vesey and Jankowski would be very good tweeners as well. If Jankowski sticks someone many expected to be a Devil will be coming down, which also might bode well in the long run for that player. Maybe Boqvist? Stupid to keep him there if it means the press box.

- Brandon Pirri is unsigned and has also spent a lot of time in the AHL in the last 4 seasons. He has put up .92 PPG in 369 AHL GP and more impressive has been over a point/game in those past 4 seasons, 139 PTs/131GP. He has played 276 NHL games. He could serve as an emergency forward for the Devilks as well.
- Joseph Blandis1 - Really like this guy. .74 PPG in 216 AHL GP vs 101 in the NHL.
Both of these guys are on the plus side in the +/- column, +27 and +14 respectively.

These 3 are weaker defensively, but are offensive pluses.
- Kevin Roy - .70 PPG in 218 AHL GP vs only 28 inthe NHL.
- Chris Mueller - .72 PPG in 803 AHL GP vs 53 in the NHL. (A West Seneca, NY native)
- Boo Nieves - .54 PPG in 147 AHL GP vs 76 in the NHL. (A Baldwinsville, NY native)

Other people who have liked Blandisi more than you in the past are lots of Devils fans.

Colorado drafted him in the 6th rd in 2012 but they didn’t offer him a contract after an uninspiring D+1 season and an injury shortened D+2 season. He had a huge D+3 season. Second in voting to Connor McDavid in OHL’s Most Outstanding Player! (It was his age 20 season and McDavid’s age 17 season, but good for Blender.)

The Devils signed him to an ELC in 2015, with the first year burned. He split his time between the NHL/AHL both seasons, gettin 41 games in NJ in his 1st season and 27 in his 2nd.

The 41 games in 2015-16 were more do desperate need for bodies. He was a fun, lovable guy. My brother has his jersey and our support of fringier players had a delightful payoff when someone asked if he was his Blandisi’s Dad. He was specifically cheering for him (“blend it up!”) quite a bit at the time.

Blandisi was the top line LW in Laval. I think he centered in Wilkes Barre. Not sure if he’d make a return to the organization though. I’m surprised he’s still unsigned.

 

[UticaHockey]

Here is a couple of guys that do an AHL podcast breaking down the Comets potential roster and projections for this season.

Disclaimer - I don't know if they base their opinions from personal observations, other scouting reports or just plain stat reading but it is an interesting listen.

 

[NJ Fan 12]

L

Here is a couple of guys that do an AHL podcast breaking down the Comets potential roster and projections for this season.

Disclaimer - I don't know if they base their opinions from personal observations, other scouting reports or just plain stat reading but it is an interesting listen.

Was an interesting watch in terms of them mentioning all the names but seemed more like fans than hockey people. Thought their evaluations were more platitudes than analysis and hard to imagine they've ever actually played the game.

 

[Bad Goalie]

With the Islanders recent announcement regarding COVID policy the Comets are now the only major NY State hockey team not following the New York State Department of Health's COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance. All guests ages 5 and up will be required to present proof of full Vaccination status or proof of a negative test to enter the venue.

This is the policy for the NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Buffalo Sabres. The Comets Division rivals who they will play against more than any other AHL team, the Syracuse Crunch and Rochester Americans have the same policy.

Come on Esche get on the ball and make the announcement. We don't care what the Devils may do. This is our city and our state. You need to insure the safety of your building, its fans, and obviously most important to you, ------- Your TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Your sellout record is less important the health and lives of your fans, arena personnel, the Comets staff, and the Comets themselves.

P.S.
No makeup games this season for teams who have to cancel games due to team infections. Team members and personnel can't go into Canada without proof of vaccinations.

The Aud is a petri dish if not protected. There are too many unvaccinated people in this community to not take steps to protect against them. They have a right to their belief, but they don't have a right to infect others.

 

[Bad Goalie]

@Tao Jones
I updated the post. Utica IS the ONLY NY State NHL or AHL team NOT to adopt the said policy.

 

[UticaHockey]

With the Islanders recent announcement regarding COVID policy the Comets are now the only major NY State hockey team not following the New York State Department of Health's COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance. All guests ages 5 and up will be required to present proof of full Vaccination status or proof of a negative test to enter the venue.

This is the policy for the NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Buffalo Sabres. The Comets Division rivals who they will play against more than any other AHL team, the Syracuse Crunch and Rochester Americans have the same policy.

Come on Esche get on the ball and make the announcement. We don't care what the Devils may do. This is our city and our state. You need to insure the safety of your building, its fans, and obviously most important to you, ------- Your TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Your sellout record is less important the health and lives of your fans, arena personnel, the Comets staff, and the Comets themselves.

P.S.
No makeup games this season for teams who have to cancel games due to team infections. Team members and personnel can't go into Canada without proof of vaccinations.

The Aud is a petri dish if not protected. There are too many unvaccinated people in this community to not take steps to protect against them. They have a right to their belief, but they don't have a right to infect others.

It is shameful that the Comets have not announced yet what if any plans they have for COVID related attendance restrictions. They keep pushing both season ticket and individual game ticket sales on social media and never respond to questions asked about any potential restrictions. Both the unvaccinated and the vaccinated deserve to know what the plan is before committing to buying tickets.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

With the Islanders recent announcement regarding COVID policy the Comets are now the only major NY State hockey team not following the New York State Department of Health's COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance. All guests ages 5 and up will be required to present proof of full Vaccination status or proof of a negative test to enter the venue.

This is the policy for the NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Buffalo Sabres. The Comets Division rivals who they will play against more than any other AHL team, the Syracuse Crunch and Rochester Americans have the same policy.

Come on Esche get on the ball and make the announcement. We don't care what the Devils may do. This is our city and our state. You need to insure the safety of your building, its fans, and obviously most important to you, ------- Your TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Your sellout record is less important the health and lives of your fans, arena personnel, the Comets staff, and the Comets themselves.

P.S.
No makeup games this season for teams who have to cancel games due to team infections. Team members and personnel can't go into Canada without proof of vaccinations.

The Aud is a petri dish if not protected. There are too many unvaccinated people in this community to not take steps to protect against them. They have a right to their belief, but they don't have a right to infect others.

Unless I counted wrong, there are seven away games in Belleville, Laval, and Toronto.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

With the Islanders recent announcement regarding COVID policy the Comets are now the only major NY State hockey team not following the New York State Department of Health's COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance. All guests ages 5 and up will be required to present proof of full Vaccination status or proof of a negative test to enter the venue.

This is the policy for the NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Buffalo Sabres. The Comets Division rivals who they will play against more than any other AHL team, the Syracuse Crunch and Rochester Americans have the same policy.

Come on Esche get on the ball and make the announcement. We don't care what the Devils may do. This is our city and our state. You need to insure the safety of your building, its fans, and obviously most important to you, ------- Your TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Your sellout record is less important the health and lives of your fans, arena personnel, the Comets staff, and the Comets themselves.

P.S.
No makeup games this season for teams who have to cancel games due to team infections. Team members and personnel can't go into Canada without proof of vaccinations.

The Aud is a petri dish if not protected. There are too many unvaccinated people in this community to not take steps to protect against them. They have a right to their belief, but they don't have a right to infect others.

Simple answer. If you think it's safe go to the games. If not, don't go.

That onerous and arbitrary government continue to set standards - particularly in places like New York and New Jersey - is troubling.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Simple answer. If you think it's safe go to the games. If not, don't go.

That onerous and arbitrary government continue to set standards - particularly in places like New York and New Jersey - is troubling.

The standards being set by government keeps individuals who only care about themselves from infecting the rest of us. Those individuals are the reason COVID keeps spreading. It was reported in the Utica Observer Dispatch this morning that while a number of NY counties are seeing a decrease in COVID cases since the latest surge began, Oneida County, almost always listed among the ones with the highest number of cases per capita, showed an increase of 19% in new cases over the past week.

The Adirondack Bank Center (the Utica Aud) needs to join the rest of the NHL and AHL arenas in NY State and require proof of vaccination or negative tests for admission to the venue. It eliminates what people "think" and replaces it with the best concrete proof for the safety of all involved.

People have a right to be stupid and ignore public health standards, but they don't have a right to harm others with that stupidity. YOU don't have that right! There is a point where the safety of the masses is more important than the selfish rights of those that wish to disagree. We have virtually eliminated the diseases that were a scourge of the nation for eons through the development and inoculation of the population and then the mandate of future inoculation for children before they can enter school. Thus, no more polio, small pox, diphtheria, etc. Idiots fought that as well, but I'm betting you and practically every one of the others protesting against the COVID vaccine, which has yet to become a national mandate, are inoculated against all of those diseases. You buckle up to avoid the large fines. You don't smoke in public places. I'll support the policies that make our communities safer for ALL of us including you.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Matt Loughlin said during the second scrimmage that Utica camp would open this week.

 

[Guttersniped]

Simple answer. If you think it's safe go to the games. If not, don't go.

That onerous and arbitrary government continue to set standards - particularly in places like New York and New Jersey - is troubling.

Yeah, this whole concept of public health is so oppressive. I can’t conceive of any greater good and like to focus most on my personal grievances though.

Next thing you know government overreach will insidiously start to try sets to standards with food, drugs, manufactured products and workplace safety too.

I’m exercising my right to think that any adult who complains about stuff like masks and vaccines is a big f***ing baby. That’s pretty simple too.

 

[My3Sons]

Yeah, this whole concept of public health is so oppressive. I can’t conceive of any greater good and like to focus most on my personal grievances though.

Next thing you know government overreach will insidiously start to try sets to standards with food, drugs, manufactured products and workplace safety too.

I’m exercising my right to think that any adult who complains about stuff like masks and vaccines is a big f***ing baby. That’s pretty simple too.

Sometimes people forget that their rights end where the rights of others begin.

 

[Guttersniped]

Sometimes people forget that their rights end where the rights of others begin.

I hate stepping into Internet COVID debates (there is zero rewards in it), this already more than I want to do, but I can read so many comments and not break. (And it’s probably apparent that I can get testy at times. Probably a low blood sugar thing. I’m blaming that.)

 

[My3Sons]

I hate stepping into Internet COVID debates (there is zero rewards in it), this already more than I want to do, but I can read so many comments and not break. (And it’s probably apparent that I can get testy at times. Probably a low blood sugar thing. I’m blaming that.)

The good news is Utica camp will open and hockey will take center stage.

 

[Bad Goalie]

The good news is Utica camp will open and hockey will take center stage.

I'm glad the Devils are aware of the Utica Comets opening camp this week (some date). At least they know they can start sending players here.

Nothing has been announced in Utica. This has been the worst off season in terms of news about the Comets ever. Our newspaper isn't even printed here. If something happen after 4o o'clock on Monday, it doesn't get printed in the newspaper until Wednesday. Might just as well not have a paper. The "news" is always 2 days old, which doesn't make it news at all.

The local TV stations do broadcast current news and they haven't announced it yet either. It's Wednesday. If "camp is going to open this week", they haven't got much time left.

 

[My3Sons]

I'm glad the Devils are aware of the Utica Comets opening camp this week (some date). At least they know they can start sending players here.

Nothing has been announced in Utica. This has been the worst off season in terms of news about the Comets ever. Our newspaper isn't even printed here. If something happen after 4o o'clock on Monday, it doesn't get printed in the newspaper until Wednesday. Might just as well not have a paper. The "news" is always 2 days old, which doesn't make it news at all.

The local TV stations do broadcast current news and they haven't announced it yet either. It's Wednesday. If "camp is going to open this week", they haven't got much time left.

They probably want to wait until NJ starts sending out players. Maybe after Friday night's game?

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[UticaHockey]

Another SPHL guy. Sounds like the Thunder are running with a very tight budget this year.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Matt Loughlin said during the second scrimmage that Utica camp would open this week.

Already answered.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]