2021/22 Utica Comets and ECHL Talk

[Classic Devil]

The Syracuse PBP guy was saying he has heard that many of the AHL teams will carry 3 goalies this year. He said the NHL has no taxi squad and the moment they lose a keeper the top guy in the AHL goes up and the AHL management groups feel they have to have a backup on hand that is ready for the chore.

Blackwood is dictating that issue for the Devils/Comets coming out of the gate. If Wedgewood has to remain in NJ that turns Daws into the #1 instead of a trainee under the mentorship of Wedgewood leading to a shared role between the duo. Mitens and Schmid would be the 2 making up the trio of AHL keepers in house. All 3 need to be in Utica pronto to get a competition going if this truly ends up becoming the story.

Well, on the bright side if the Devils do go with a three-goalie unit in the NHL, which I think they probably will, that means there's no real concern of having a sudden call-up from Utica, and the Comets can probably get away with only two goalies. The downside is that means no Wedgewood in Utica.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

The following players were released from their AHL training camp tryout agreement: Nick Rivera, Colin Long, Nick Hutchison, Alex Brink, Greg DiTomaso and Brandon Kasel.

In addition, Patrick Grasso, Jordan Kaplan and Samuel Laberge were re-assigned to the ECHL Adirondack Thunder.

Currently, the team has six defenseman, 13 forwards and two goalies remaining.

COMETS ANNOUNCE ROSTER UPDATE | Utica Comets Official Website

 

[UticaHockey]

The following players were released from their AHL training camp tryout agreement: Nick Rivera, Colin Long, Nick Hutchison, Alex Brink, Greg DiTomaso and Brandon Kasel.

In addition, Patrick Grasso, Jordan Kaplan and Samuel Laberge were re-assigned to the ECHL Adirondack Thunder.

Currently, the team has six defenseman, 13 forwards and two goalies remaining.

COMETS ANNOUNCE ROSTER UPDATE | Utica Comets Official Website

No surprises in the first round of cuts.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

2 Vukojevic, Michael D
5 Russo, Robbie D
10 A Flynn, Brian C
11 Masonius, Joe F/D
13 A McGrath, Patrick RW
15 Gambardella, Joe C
16 Schnarr, Nate C
17 A Greer, A. J. LW
20 Zetterlund, Fabian C
22 Walsh, Reilly D
25 Foote, Nolan LW
26 A Schmelzer, Ryan C
34 Mitens, Mareks G
35 Daws, Nico G
38 A Groleau, Jeremy D
38? Gauthier, Frederik F?
40 Schmid, Akira G
44 Stevens, Luke LW
47 De Leo, Chase C/LW
77 Talvitie, Aarne C
82 A Okhotiuk, Nikita D
88 Bahl, Kevin D
90 Boqvist, Jesper C
92 Clarke, Graeme RW

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Frederik Gauthier waived.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Adirondack:
Add Tyler Irvine, F assigned by Utica, added to training camp roster

https://www.echl.com/news/2021/10/echl-transactions-oct-10

 

[Bad Goalie]

The thing I liked most about Nikita's reaction was it was immediate. There was no thinking or second guessing. Teammate got scummed and he took action.

 

[UticaHockey]

What's the scouting report on Boqvist?

 

[Bad Goalie]

Updated Utica training camp roster. I have made the proper adjustments to the #606 Post explaining where those no longer in camp went.

14 Forwards:
9 Alex Holtz (RW)
16 Nathan Schnarr (C)
92 Graeme Clarke (C/RW)
25 Nolan Foote (LW)
90 Jesper Boqvist (C)
20 Fabian Zetterlund (C/RW)
17 A.J. Greer (LW)
77 Aarne Talvitie (C)
10 Bryan Flynn (C/RW)
15 Joseph Gambardella (LW/C)
40 Chase De Leo (LW/C/RW)
26 Ryan Schmelzer (C)
13 Patrick McGraith (RW)
44 Luke Stevens (LW)

on waivers:
-- Frederik Gauthier (C)


6 D-Men:
38 Jeremy Groleau (LD)
2 Michael Vukojevic (LD)
88 Kevin Bahl (LD)
22 Reilly Walsh (RD)
88 Nikita Okhotiuk (LD)
5 Robbie Russo (RD)
-- Tyler Wotherspoon (LD)


2 Goalies:
35 Nico Daws
40 Akira Schmid

It's obvious that for an AHL team this number is too small. The Devils still have cuts to make, but with their current difficulties there is no way to tell how many players will still be coming down. This situation at the moment already shows why the Comets will easily become short handed with just a couple guys out of the lineup in NJ coupled with the same in Utica. Most of those no longer in camp proved themselves lacking in the necessary talent/skill/skating abilities needed to play at this level.

 

[Bad Goalie]

What's the scouting report on Boqvist?

All I can tell you is that after playing 63 games in NJ over the past 2 seasons, he was considered a good possibility to occupy the #3 center spot for the Devils. It has become apparent that Mercer's emergence has made the Devil's roster out of reach for now.

I gathered many didn't seem to think he would be all that effective on the wing and Tatar and the signing(?) of Vesey eliminates the space for a guy who needs to be on the ice.

I believe some felt him too soft for a wing spot as well.-

That's what I have gleaned from the off-season posts and articles I have read. I'm sure there are many veteran Devils posters who could expand upon my answer

 

[NJ Fan 12]

How do you figure that? Seems like to this point his career has been that of a borderline ECHL/AHL defenseman and there is a reason he was playing in Ukraine.

 

[NJ Fan 12]

What's the scouting report on Boqvist?

He is a skilled forward who likely won't be in Utica for long. Much like Kuokkanen when he was with Carolina, he may be blocked from the NHL with NJ due to the presence of guys like Hughes, Hischier and some of the other top six forwards.

But think he will either be back in New Jersey shortly (after the decisions are made on Holtz and/or Mercer staying with the New Jersey for the full season) or could be part of a package for someone in a trade similar to the way New Jersey obtained Janne.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

2 Vukojevic, Michael D
5 Russo, Robbie D
9 Holtz, Alex RW
10 A Flynn, Brian C
11 Masonius, Joe F/D
13 A McGrath, Patrick RW
15 Gambardella, Joe C
16 Schnarr, Nate C
17 A Greer, A. J. LW
20 Zetterlund, Fabian C
22 Walsh, Reilly D
25 Foote, Nolan LW
26 A Schmelzer, Ryan C
34 Mitens, Mareks G
35 Daws, Nico G
38 A Groleau, Jeremy D
38? Gauthier, Frederik F?
40 Schmid, Akira G
44 Stevens, Luke LW
47 De Leo, Chase C/LW
77 Talvitie, Aarne C
82 A Okhotiuk, Nikita D
88 Bahl, Kevin D
90 Boqvist, Jesper C
92 Clarke, Graeme RW

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

What's the scouting report on Boqvist?

Wheels for days, clearly an NHL level skater and then some. Everything else is just ok. He’s not a high skill player but he can generate offense with his speed and hockey sense. If he can either add more offense to his game or became a two-way force, he’ll have a good career as a bottom-6 journeyman IMO.

 

[Classic Devil]

Updated Utica training camp roster. I have made the proper adjustments to the #606 Post explaining where those no longer in camp went.

14 Forwards:
9 Alex Holtz (RW)
16 Nathan Schnarr (C)
92 Graeme Clarke (C/RW)
25 Nolan Foote (LW)
90 Jesper Boqvist (C)
20 Fabian Zetterlund (C/RW)
17 A.J. Greer (LW)
77 Aarne Talvitie (C)
10 Bryan Flynn (C/RW)
15 Joseph Gambardella (LW/C)
40 Chase De Leo (LW/C/RW)
26 Ryan Schmelzer (C)
13 Patrick McGraith (RW)
44 Luke Stevens (LW)

on waivers:
-- Frederik Gauthier (C)


7 D-Men:
38 Jeremy Groleau (LD)
2 Michael Vukojevic (LD)
88 Kevin Bahl (LD)
22 Reilly Walsh (RD)
88 Nikita Okhotiuk (LD)
5 Robbie Russo (RD)
11 Joe Masonius (RD)

3 Goalies:
35 Nico Daws
34 Mareks Mitens
40 Akira Schmid

It's obvious that for an AHL team this number is too small. The Devils still have cuts to make, but with their current difficulties there is no way to tell how many players will still be coming down. This situation at the moment already shows why the Comets will easily become short handed with just a couple guys out of the lineup in NJ coupled with the same in Utica. Most of those no longer in camp proved themselves lacking in the necessary talent/skill/skating abilities needed to play at this level.

We do need to get Utica a bit more depth. How many of the team's veteran roster spots are occupied?

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

South Carolina:
Add Alex Brink, F signed contract

https://www.echl.com/news/2021/10/echl-transactions-oct-11

 

[UticaHockey]

As Jimmy Buffet said it's 5:00 somewhere. Apparently not in New Jersey though.

Time to announce the final cuts.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[Bad Goalie]

We do need to get Utica a bit more depth. How many of the team's veteran roster spots are occupied?

Chase De Leo (veteran)
Brian Flynn (veteran)
Robbie Russo (veteran)

Frederik Gautheir (veteran) IF HE CLEARS WAIVERS

Wotherspoon, if he is assigned here, would be a veteran

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Chase De Leo (veteran)
Brian Flynn (veteran)
Robbie Russo (veteran

Frederik Gautheir (veteran) IF HE CLEARS WAIVERS

Wotherspoon, if he is assigned here, would be a veteran

Gauthier cleared waivers today but hasn't been assigned to Utica yet. Probably when Wood or Thompson return.

Wotherspoon hasn't been released from his PTO, so he is considered non-roster.