2022-23 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Jersey Fan 12]

“Though it's possible the ECHL is over his head.”

Are you basing that on some comments you read and his -4?

The team lacks both center, aproblem they had last season that went unaddressed, and playdrivers at forward, they lost a ton of their top players and did a poor job of replacing him.

That’s what’s causing the lack of offense on this team.

Basing it on his numbers both here and on a lower tier Allsvenskan team in Sweden. Hard to believe he would have been signed if his last name was Svensson.

 

[Guttersniped]

Basing it on his numbers both here and on a lower tier Allsvenskan team in Sweden. Hard to believe he would have been signed if his last name was Svensson.

Sorry, a mistake on my end. Misunderstood who the post was about.

Drinking while posting is my only excuse.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

2-1 win over Rochester.

Six goals in nine games for Pinho and four for Foote.

Anything else worth noting?

Interesting to see NHL veterans Sheahan and Bjork playing for Rochester. Sounds like the Sabres young players are having the same effect on their roster.

 

[Mgd31]

2-1 win over Rochester.

Six goals in nine games for Pinho and four for Foote.

Anything else worth noting?

Interesting to see NHL veterans Sheahan and Bjork playing for Rochester. Sounds like the Sabres young players are having the same effect on their roster.

Looks like Daws had a nice bounce back game from the prior night when he gave up 5 goals.

 

[BurntToast]

The last two games were more valuable than the other wins.

1) Both were playoff teams and are expected to be playoff teams.

2) On the road (West Coast).

3) Comeback win against the Oilers!

4) The Flames hit the Devils 45+ times and the Devils wavered but fought back on the last game of a road trip!

The won’t win out but they still have ground to gain.

The Devils are at home for Calgary, (2nd game of a back to back), Ottawa, Arizona and then road games against Canadians, Leafs and Sens.

First Back to Back is later this Month, but it’s still a busy schedule. You may play “insert back-up” in one of those games. Crazy things can happen , but the Devils should realistically go 4-2 or 5-1.

 

[Guttersniped]

The last two games were more valuable than the other wins.

1) Both were playoff teams and are expected to be playoff teams.

2) On the road (West Coast).

3) Comeback win against the Oilers!

4) The Flames hit the Devils 45+ times and the Devils wavered but fought back on the last game of a road trip!

The won’t win out but they still have ground to gain.

The Devils are at home for Calgary, (2nd game of a back to back), Ottawa, Arizona and then road games against Canadians, Leafs and Sens.

First Back to Back is later this Month, but it’s still a busy schedule. You may play “insert back-up” in one of those games. Crazy things can happen , but the Devils should realistically go 4-2 or 5-1 record.

Sir, this is a Wendy’s the Minor League thread.

 

[nugg]

I know they had a nice win today, but Oh My do they need good centers in the worst way. Who are their top 4 "centers" at the moment? I know Tyce and Talvetie? are acting as such, but curious. Thanks.

 

[Bad Goalie]

I know they had a nice win today, but Oh My do they need good centers in the worst way. Who are their top 4 "centers" at the moment? I know Tyce and Talvetie? are acting as such, but curious. Thanks.

 

[Bad Goalie]

It's been a real roller coaster in the middle and the Comets have only played 9 ames with a 1oth suspended because thew lights went out, but they played most of 2 periods so the centers that night add up to lineups playing in 10 games.

Brian Pinho
Tyce Thompson
Aarne Talvitie
Nick Hutchison
Nolan Stevens
Ryan Schmelzer

Recently Dineen has been trying to get Thompson and Pinho back out on the wings where they really belong.
Wednesday-
Foote/Schmelzer/Pinho
Dugan/Thompson/Senyshen
Clarke/Talvitie/Laberge
Geertsen/Stevens/Halonen

Friday -
Foote/Thompson/Pinho
Dugan/Schmelzer/Senyshen
Laberge/Talvitie/Halonen
Geertsen/Stevens/Clarke

Saturday -
Thompson/Schmelzer/Dugan
Foote/Pinho/Senyshen
Laberge/Talvitie/Halonen
Geertsen/Stevens/Clarke

Anyway you slice it the center situation is far from good. Waiting to see how Dineen handles the position when Hutchison is game ready again. He's been practicing.

Moreover after Foote, Thompson, Pinho, and maybe Dugan and Senyshen the rest of the lineup doesn't pose a serious offensive threat.

Clarke is being done a major wrong being saddled with the bottom center and a worthless offensive linemate in Geertsen. Senyshen is getting top six play every game.

Personally I'd move Clarke to the 3rd line RW with Talvitie and switch Halonen to the LW. Halonen is a right shot who until signing the pro contract was playing LW. It couldn't hurt to give it a try. If it doesn't work give Clarke that spot anyways and move Halonen down.

Laberge is good enough to be a complementary winger to a scoring wing and Clarke can score. Put the 3rd best center with them and maybe you get some more scoring.

I said starting the first day after last season ended that the main thing NJ had to do was get 2 top level AHL centers and 2 forwards to replace AJ and Deleo. They failed in 3 of the 4. They failed to get even 1 center and only came close to replacing Deleo with Pinho. Greer was the mentor and heart and soul of the Comets. They have nothing resembling that type of player period.

Nick Hutchison and Nolan Stevens are bottom 6 centers at best and when you throw Talvitie into that same class this team is hurting big time.

Unless there is vast improvement made among all players not named Foote, Thompson, Pinho, and Schmelzer (he is doing everything he can to be a functional top 6 center) this team will be hard pressed to amass enough points to make the post season. After Pinho (6) and Foote (4), nobody except Thompson has more than 1 goal and he only has. It's no secret that this team has been short on goals.

They really need for Okhotiuk (out since game 1) and Gambardella (out since game 1) to get back in the lineup. Groleau and Blujus have not played badly, but neither is OK. Gambardella fills a key spot on the third line and settling on the best from a Clarke/Halonen contest makes that line a whole lot more dangerous.

*Johnson's return, if for a lengthy spell, will be a very helpful addition.

 

[Zippy316]

In case anyone wants to watch Utica on Friday.

 

[Triumph]

Looks like Laval vs Utica is free on AHLTV tonight.

 

[britdevil]

Utica are out for warmups.

 

[Triumph]

I missed the start of the game, any word on why Thompson isn't playing?

Also this game is nuts

 

[Devils731]

I missed the start of the game, any word on why Thompson isn't playing?

Also this game is nuts

Saw a tweet that he had general soreness during the week.

 

[Triumph]

I don't think I have ever seen penalties called 5-0. Definitely some stuff on Utica that I thought could be a penalty uncalled.

 

[Jack Be Quick]

Nemec with a few blown coverages in the 3rd but the kid definitely has mitts.

He went end to end on one rush dancing around a guy or two and missed just high over the crossbar.

Overall I can't say I was disappointed with the miniscule sample size I saw.

 

[Triumph]

Nemec got 2 rushes in the 3rd like that, was impressive, he's clearly processing the game at a high level but doesn't yet have the skills to make it all happen yet. Russo was on PP1 last night.

Didn't see a lot out of the forwards other than Johnsson. Pinho's good, at least, but they could definitely use some help up front.

 

[Guttersniped]

Nemec got 2 rushes in the 3rd like that, was impressive, he's clearly processing the game at a high level but doesn't yet have the skills to make it all happen yet. Russo was on PP1 last night.

Didn't see a lot out of the forwards other than Johnsson. Pinho's good, at least, but they could definitely use some help up front.

What’s super frustrating is that the need for another tweener play driver center add was painfully obvious this summer. It was bad team construction.

We have 6 open contract spots, there’s zero excuses for it.

 

[Triumph]

What’s super frustrating is that the need for another tweener play driver center add was painfully obvious this summer. It was bad team construction.

We have 6 open contract spots, there’s zero excuses for it.

Feels like they should be able to swing some sort of deal with one of the teams at the 50 contract limit, giving up one of their guys who isn't under contract.

Also now I see why Vegas gave up on Dugan, they're at 50 contracts.

 

[BurntToast]

Feels like they should be able to swing some sort of deal with one of the teams at the 50 contract limit, giving up one of their guys who isn't under contract.

Also now I see why Vegas gave up on Dugan, they're at 50 contracts.

And he sucks..

 

[Bad Goalie]

Feels like they should be able to swing some sort of deal with one of the teams at the 50 contract limit, giving up one of their guys who isn't under contract.

Also now I see why Vegas gave up on Dugan, they're at 50 contracts.

That's not the only reason.

And he sucks..

That's the real reason!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bad Goalie]

NJ recalls Daws to add to Schmid to become the the latest NJ goalie tandem. Good for them.

In Utica not so good.

Poulter was called up on 11/7.
Daws took the warmup last night.
Come game time Poulter was announced as the starter.
Obviously the Comets got word to sit Nico as he was to be headed to NJ following the game.

The kid was a rebound machine. However, his team left him out to dry most of the night and 4 of the goals were not really his fault. He actually kept them in the game in the 3rd period, particularly the last 10 minutes. He was abandoned during the OT and made several huge stops to still keep them in it. It was enough until the "power forward" Foote came in on a 2 on 1 and rather than pass tried to "POWER" his way past the defender, turned it over, and the resulting long stretch pass sent the game winner in alone to seal the deal.

Bigger issue is the guy added to the Comets roster for tonight and who knows how much longer,NJ boy David Tomeo.
Tomeo has not played a game since the 19-20 season and according to "Elite rpospects" is not currently affiliated with anyone! Seriously? There is not another ECHL guy currently PLAYING, who could have been acquired on loan? If something happens to Poulter, this is the guy they want to take over an AHL crease for a team that does little to help its keeper to begin with?

 

[Bad Goalie]

What’s super frustrating is that the need for another tweener play driver center add was painfully obvious this summer. It was bad team construction.

We have 6 open contract spots, there’s zero excuses for it.

It's even 100 times more obvious now! Schmelzer, a workhorse type #3/4 AHL center is it for the Comets at the moment. He missed the first 4 games and was rusty upon his return. He has 4 assists in the last 4 games and would have more if the guys he fed could finish. He has been the best center skill wise thus far. He's first pair penalty killer as well.

Pinho is playing well for himself, 7 goals. Of his 3 assists I believe they are guys potting his rebounds not from being set up by their center.

Thompson has 3 assists. 1 came on an empty net goal and another on the PP. He only has 2 goals and missed last night's game due to a hangnail ("general soreness"). Give me another break. Hey, plastic man, this is hockey and most guys have some degree of general soreness most of the time. Regardless, he has shown he is not a top level AHL center.

After those 3 the centers here beg the label of center:
- Talvitie is #4 at best. 2 Assists in 9GP.
- Hutchison has 1 assist in 6GP and has missed the last 3 with an injury.
- Stevens has 2 assists. The first came on a long shot that Pinho swooped in to bang home a bad rebound. Then he was out for 4 games with an injury. His latest was again on a Pinho goal where Pinho did the work.

I have been there with you since the summer addressing this issue. Others who have tuned in for a game or 2 have easily arrived at the same conclusion. My head has way many too knots on it from banging it on a brick wall so, it's best to just accept the fact that since NJ has what it considers important for itself, so much for the farm. I don't see a forward in town playing up to the level of pushing anyone out of that lineup.

- Foote has regressed since last season rather than taking over as one of the major offensive contributors.
- Clarke has been relegated to 3rd and 4th line duty after playing the 1st 4 on what seemed to in the top 6. It was then Schmelzer and Laberge when Ryan first came on board, but Ryan quickly moved up the ladder and since then he had been with Geertsen and Stevens or Talvitie and Laberge. Last night he was matched up with Johnson and Schmelzer in the middle.
- Thompson has failed to impress me.
There are no more forward prospects down here.

On another note, Belleville recently signed Cory Conacher, a .93 PPG AHL player over 356 GP. They got him out of the Swiss league where he had 4Pts/5GP. There are guys still out there for franchises that want to look.

 

[Bad Goalie]

With the Devils playing I can see why nobody has checked in on the Comets. It's a good thing.
The Comets flat out stink tonight 8:54 to go in the 2nd and Syracuse leads 7-1. Shots after 1 period were 20-5.
Shots at 8:54 are 8-6 Syracuse, but the Crunch have scored on 3 of the 7 shots.

Pinho has joined the injured. Pinho, Thompson, and Gambardella are out with injury.

As I type this the Crunch have scored again at 7:16. 8-1.
It's a pure shooting shooting gallery. Syracuse allowed to just cut loose from anywhere and they just appear at this point to be shooting at will and not even looking to set up anything they seem to recover the puck aftewr every shot and just unload again

I'm about to put this one to sleep before I puke.

The last point to share is it really shows how much this team depends upon Schmid and Daws. Poulter is a rookie and the backup, David Tomeo, isn't even a pro and hasn't played a game since the 2019-20 season in the NAHL. Really have to feel for Poulter who is the duck in the shooting gallery.

k.

 

[nugg]

With the Devils playing I can see why nobody has checked in on the Comets. It's a good thing.
The Comets flat out stink tonight 8:54 to go in the 2nd and Syracuse leads 7-1. Shots after 1 period were 20-5.
Shots at 8:54 are 8-6 Syracuse, but the Crunch have scored on 3 of the 7 shots.

Pinho has joined the injured. Pinho, Thompson, and Gambardella are out with injury.

As I type this the Crunch have scored again at 7:16. 8-1.
It's a pure shooting shooting gallery. Syracuse allowed to just cut loose from anywhere and they just appear at this point to be shooting at will and not even looking to set up anything they seem to recover the puck aftewr every shot and just unload again

I'm about to put this one to sleep before I puke.

The last point to share is it really shows how much this team depends upon Schmid and Daws. Poulter is a rookie and the backup, David Tomeo, isn't even a pro and hasn't played a game since the 2019-20 season in the NAHL. Really have to feel for Poulter who is the duck in the shooting gallery.

"Brutal!" -Al Trautwig