2022-23 Utica Comets and ECHL thread
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- Nov 20, 2006
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Simon Nemec heading for the World Juniors. Will be great seeing Nemec, Luke Hughes and Topias Vilen all playing key minutes for their respective countries.
If the Devils didn't plan to use Mason Geertsen in NJ, his signing was a total blunder. The guy is worthless to the Comets. He gets shortchanged on the number of shifts he plays at the AHL level because he offers so little in the way of offensive help of any kind to a team desperate for scoring. His salary would have have been much better invested on at least 1 and maybe even 2 of the centers they should have acquired.
One can only hope.
The organization has a tremendous number of defense prospects at this point and as you’ve pointed out they just don’t have the capable centers they need to help the wingers and to control the center of the ice. It seems obvious to me to reshuffle that deck and move at least one defense prospect for a center prospect. Bahl can’t crack the NJ lineup and Okhotiyuk won’t have it any easier. Walsh has had his spot in the pecking order come under threat from Nemec, etc. Building up thr middle is a truism in hockey. I’d like to think the organization gets this and that this season’s roster makeup was a bit of an oversight.
If Hughes is in NJ, somebody has moved on, probably Severson.
Graves hasn't been taken care of either. If Graves stays, they still need Bahl. If Graves goes as well, they will need the likes of Bahl, Hughes , and Nemec. That's an awful lot of question marks with no depth to replace it if it doesn't all go as close as the hoped for plan.
The Devils are in a position to really start making some noise in the NHL. Playing 3 rookies (Bahl at the moment would still be just like a rookie if this is the kind of play he is going to get this season) in your D-corps is quite a challenge for an upstart franchise to keep pace with their intended forward progress. Especially since the unit playing now is one of the NHL's best. OK will still be on an ELC and not have to worry about waivers. Trading him would leave Jersey missing a competent call-up.
I'm not even convinced Nemec will be ready yet. Hughes is not a surefire thing either. Getting rid of your depth and depending upon rookies at both levels to carry on what has been established is not wise at this point. Walsh is the only guy of the 3 you mention I would make that kind of deal with. He is the least likely to help the Devils.
With the Defenseman they are playing with now, they can afford to cook a couple of real good apparent sure fire prospects in the AHL (Nemec and Hughes). Bahl will need to take on much more NHL responsibilty. It would require one of Severson or Graves to be willing to accept a franchise friendly shorter deal at similar money. This is an issue that Fitz gets paid to get right. If they expect the rookies to seamlessly replace Severson and Graves instantly, that's a might huge gamble. Maybe they expect to become way more explosive offensively than they already are and that will cover the mistakes 3 rookie D-men are sure to make. You know Fitz doesn't want to take a step backwards after the way things look now going forward. Being as GM is not easy. The wrong move or two can take you from the penthouse to the outhouse overnight.
- Dec 20, 2018
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They added what should have been one even if he’s not playing center, Brian Pinho is listed as a center.
Also the plan might have been to play Thompson at center and he definitely needed a season in the AHL after losing a year (and more) to injury.
It was really impossible to replace all the talent the team lost so a step back was inevitable but I’m not going to imagine excuses for them not spending money on this.
Do better next year. The NCAA pro scout talent recruiter, Al Santilli, is new. He was with Pittsburgh but left after the regime change.
It’s generally understood that Severson is Dead Man Walking after the Marino trade.
I don't think they expect to return Graves or Severson if I had to guess. If they can get both back on short term deals I expect they would although if they had to pick one my guess is they would try to keep Graves over Severson at this point. I agree they really have a number of question marks on defense for next season, but as you've pointed out, they have essentially nothing in the pipeline for center and they have to figure out something there. Trading for a semi-promising center prospect or two from the strength of the defense pool just makes more sense to me than drafting a few in 2023 and then waiting two or three years for them to start arriving. Maybe they get Salminen in two years but that looks to be about it at the moment.
I'm sure the fast start to this season has changed the outlook of the front office but I hope they don't overestimate where they are and clog up the cap with more middling depth veteran types. They might take a step back next season but even if they are playing Bahl and Hughes regularly on defense they would seem to have too good of a team to drop out of the playoff picture if the goaltending holds up. I'd like to think the team can readdress the Utica roster makeup with the stability at the NHL level. The fans deserve it and the prospects do as well. The reality seems to be that even with the patchwork roster this season the team isn't terrible even if it isn't good. It can't be lost on the management that if the team could improve its goal scoring somewhat they would be a pretty good team which would obviously be a better environment for the young players.
Agreed and Walsh is the odd man out.
Prognosis for 2023-24 defense in Utica:
- Wotherspoon (Already signed for $325K)
- Blujus (Signed a 2-yr AHL 1-way this season. He'll be on hand)
- Okhotyuk (Still on an ELC, not waiver eligible, a very good established young D-man who can be a good callup.
- Vukojevic (Still on an ELC, Competent at the AHL level)
Open ? marks:
- Nemec ( is he really ready? Do they even have to force the issue. The kid will be 19 until February.)
- Hughes (Fan base is in a frenzy to see him. Fan base doesn't run the team. Some AHL time to see what this kid actually has down before dumping him out on the big stage.)
- Vilen (Does he opt to remain in Finland if he doesn't make the NHL, which he won't. So many Europeans chose that option for more $$$ than their 2-way pays them in the AHL.)
- Mukhamadullin (Ditto Vilen)
- McCarthy (Still has another year of NCAA eligibility. He can see what the Devils have just like the rest of us. He could play in Boston again next season and try the free agent route. Think he'll come out and take a chance on becoming the Devils best callup option in another year or 2?)
- Walsh (RFA. Still NJ controlled. Will depend on the decisions these other guys are free to make.)
- Groleau (RFA. Still NJ controlled. Bottom of the list)
I agree on Severson. That only answers the 1st option I addressed.
No matter the approach they take. 3 rookies in that D-corps is not wise for any NHL team without depth to fill in if it doesn't work out quite as planned.
As to Thompson and Pinho they are not centers. The Comets game night roster in their own program and on AHL.com lists him as a RW. I don't care what the sites that list them and follow their seasons statistically have them playing. If Pinho entered the pros as a center and they tried to keep him there it would explain why in 4 pro seasons he got 2 games with the Caps and why eventually Hershey put him on RW before letting him walk as a free agent. Even here in Utica he has looked much better in the 2 games he was a RW before being returned to center.
Thompson has been a mess, 3 goals in 15GP. He is not a center and it's become obvious. He was moved to RW while the center roles have been filled by Schmelzer, Stevens, and Hutchison along with Pinho. He still hasn't snapped out of it. Don't know what we might see when Talvitie returns to the lineup. He had been playing on the wing before he left the lineup and that wasn't looking good.
Maybe they kick Schmelzer or Stevens to number 1 and let Pinho move out to the wing. I doubt that one. I think Dineen will, leave Foote/Pinho/Thompson together and let them play it out come Hell or high water.
Pinho should have been acquired as a scoring wing to help replace Greer, Zetterlund and Holtz. Foote and Thompson were supposed to lift their games to make the replacement complete. Alex got 4 points in the 3 games he played here.
- Pinho's numbers are close with 8 goals and 14pts/17GP.
- Foote has 10pts/19GP compared to his .58 PPG last season. A slight drop off.
- Thompson has 9pts/15GP. Compared to his .94 PPG in a scant 16GP his crrent .60 is not enough.
- Clarke was basically a .5 ppg last season. He's currently 9pts/18 GP. He hasn't lifted his game a single bit, but is at least even with last season's pace.
To be considered as future Devils these numbers won't get them there for any longer than it takes for their contracts to run out. They are all still under contract for next season. Pinho would have to be re-signed. Halonen is the only other forward under contract. That makes 4 forwards.
Stillman will be added next season.
Talvitie will be an RFA and if not qualified it wouldn't be a loss.
Any other forwards beyond these 5 and possibly 6 with Talvitie?
NJ is going to have to acquire quite a few guys and if they are all the quality of Hutchison, Stevens, and Senyshen the roster could be worse than this one.
12/9/22
Utica Comets (7-7-3-1) at Rochester Americans (11-8-1-1)
Forwards:
Halonen/Stevens/Dugan
Foote/Pinho/Thompson
Halonen/Stevens/Dugan
Geertsen/Hutchison/Senyshyn
D-pairs:
Okhotyuk/Russo
Wotherspoon/Russo
Groleau/Walsh
Goal - (50) Daws
Thompson called for checking to the head.
Comets to the PK 1:35 into the 1st period.
Utica Comets (7-7-3-1) at Rochester Americans (11-8-1-1)
Forwards:
Halonen/Stevens/Dugan
Foote/Pinho/Thompson
Halonen/Stevens/Dugan
Geertsen/Hutchison/Senyshyn
D-pairs:
Okhotyuk/Russo
Wotherspoon/Russo
Groleau/Walsh
Goal - (50) Daws
Thompson called for checking to the head.
Comets to the PK 1:35 into the 1st period.
Amerks score on the PP. Tipped in from right in front. Poor Pk contiues to bite them. Rochester 1 shot and 1 goal.
Nolan makes an ice move to put himself at the bottom of the circle and then noodles a shot on goal. The good work blown by a shitshot.
Wothersppon with Houser on his belly facing him head first and he shot the puck into the side of the net. The entire top 2/3 of the net wide open and he doesn't even get the shot on the net. Huge opportunity goes to waste.
Wothersppon with Houser on his belly facing him head first and he shot the puck into the side of the net. The entire top 2/3 of the net wide open and he doesn't even get the shot on the net. Huge opportunity goes to waste.
Comets now called for too many men with 3:12 to go in the 1st.
Penalty killed but Amerks keep the pressure on.
:52 to go in the period.
Foote misses the net on a good chance for the 2nd time in the period.
1st is over
!-0 Rochester
SOG: 6-6 Rochester.
Penalty killed but Amerks keep the pressure on.
:52 to go in the period.
Foote misses the net on a good chance for the 2nd time in the period.
1st is over
!-0 Rochester
SOG: 6-6 Rochester.
2nd is underway.
Gambardella works his ass off behind the net and hits Clarke off the edge of the net and he whiff. Same shift and Clarke busts in from the blueline fakes out the defender and wires a shot from the bottom of the circle and Houser holds on.
Gambardella works his ass off behind the net and hits Clarke off the edge of the net and he whiff. Same shift and Clarke busts in from the blueline fakes out the defender and wires a shot from the bottom of the circle and Houser holds on.
Comets to the PK for the 3rd time. Comets yet to get a PP.
Amerks missing on great set ups.
1 minute gone and Daws shuts down play.
LOSE THE DRAW AND DAWS A NICE GLOVE SAVE ON A SHOT FORM THE TOP OF THE CIRCLE.
Lose the draw again. 2 shots go wide and the Comets get it out.
Daws attempts to clear it off the glass. the shot has steam and the Amerk battles to keep himself from wearing it in his face.
Cleared out the rest of the way and the kill is successful.
Amerks missing on great set ups.
1 minute gone and Daws shuts down play.
LOSE THE DRAW AND DAWS A NICE GLOVE SAVE ON A SHOT FORM THE TOP OF THE CIRCLE.
Lose the draw again. 2 shots go wide and the Comets get it out.
Daws attempts to clear it off the glass. the shot has steam and the Amerk battles to keep himself from wearing it in his face.
Cleared out the rest of the way and the kill is successful.
Man, the Comets have virtually no idea what they are trying to do on offense.
Amerks hit the crossbar and out of play.
TV TO
12:25 to go.
Amerks hit the crossbar and out of play.
TV TO
12:25 to go.
Daws a huge sliding save vs a cross ice pass. Malone can't believe he was robbed.
Shots have grown to 16-8 Rochester. Comets have had no sustained offense. Their offense consists of gaining possession and maybe one pass or not. A shot and back the other way.
Huchison tries a wrap around . It goes right through the crease and as usual there is no Comet present to take advantage of the opportunity.
Shots have grown to 16-8 Rochester. Comets have had no sustained offense. Their offense consists of gaining possession and maybe one pass or not. A shot and back the other way.
Huchison tries a wrap around . It goes right through the crease and as usual there is no Comet present to take advantage of the opportunity.
TV TO
7:26 to go
Comets have had 2 shots this period.
Very boring period for the Comets. Daws their only active player. He's holding them in this one for sure.
7:26 to go
Comets have had 2 shots this period.
Very boring period for the Comets. Daws their only active player. He's holding them in this one for sure.
Daws was 1st star in the Comets last game. They won 7-3 and yet their goalie was named the first star in the other team's barn. He made 43 saves while acing 46 shots. It's not quite tha bad tonight, but shots are 21-8 Rochesterwith 4:12 to go in the 2nd.
They are hard pressed to complete 1 pass and the receiver eventually turns it over turns it right over. Their #1 move is to dump it in as if it's an accomplishment.
Clarke gets in again and of course misses the net.
Schmelzer gets 2 for goalie interference which was an Oscar move by Houser who was not in his net.
Back to the PK
@ on 1 for the Comets and thopmson is stopped.
Off the draw a point shot and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>G-O-A-L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEMEC from the blueline and Houser just whiffed on a shot he saw all the way in. Comets finally won a faceoff and it paid off!
Sometimes teams just don't deserve what they get. It would seem like that for the Comets tonight.
Wotherspoon in and again a Comet misses the net. All of this on the PK.
Maybe this was a case of the hockey gods saying no way Houser. That was just not right refs. Here take that.
Period ends with :22 left on the Amerks PP.
1-1
SOG
Comets - 6 5 - 11
Amerks - 8 13 - 21
Clarke gets in again and of course misses the net.
Schmelzer gets 2 for goalie interference which was an Oscar move by Houser who was not in his net.
Back to the PK
@ on 1 for the Comets and thopmson is stopped.
Off the draw a point shot and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>G-O-A-L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEMEC from the blueline and Houser just whiffed on a shot he saw all the way in. Comets finally won a faceoff and it paid off!
Sometimes teams just don't deserve what they get. It would seem like that for the Comets tonight.
Wotherspoon in and again a Comet misses the net. All of this on the PK.
Maybe this was a case of the hockey gods saying no way Houser. That was just not right refs. Here take that.
Period ends with :22 left on the Amerks PP.
1-1
SOG
Comets - 6 5 - 11
Amerks - 8 13 - 21
Mud skating Comets are without a PP after 2 periods. Amerks have had 4 and got heir goal on the 1st one early in the first. Ice was still wet.
Theyhavebeeb off since Sunday and are skating like they are fatigued. I know they are ot all that fast, but they are slower than usual and seem mind dead.
Theyhavebeeb off since Sunday and are skating like they are fatigued. I know they are ot all that fast, but they are slower than usual and seem mind dead.
3rd about to get underway.
Penalty is killed. Schmelzer out of the box also misses the net from in close.
Comets repeatedly coughing it up in their own zone on this shift and the Amerks are all over them. Shot down the ice. No icing because of course the shot wasn't hard enough. LOL
Penalty is killed. Schmelzer out of the box also misses the net from in close.
Comets repeatedly coughing it up in their own zone on this shift and the Amerks are all over them. Shot down the ice. No icing because of course the shot wasn't hard enough. LOL
Hutchison off to the box for high sticking.
PK #51 minute gona nd the Comets have not toiuched the puck. :28 to go and the puck is out of play. The Comets still haven't touched the puck on this kill.
Win the draw and clear it down.
They killed it. # on 1 for the Amerks 2 cross ice passes and it's in.
2-1 Amerks.
I'm betting that's game.
PK #51 minute gona nd the Comets have not toiuched the puck. :28 to go and the puck is out of play. The Comets still haven't touched the puck on this kill.
Win the draw and clear it down.
They killed it. # on 1 for the Amerks 2 cross ice passes and it's in.
2-1 Amerks.
I'm betting that's game.
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