2023-24 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Zippy316]

I don't really see any of these guys as more than a shot in the dark They are coming off meh full college careers and would be signed as free agents. I don't think they are worth a NJ contract. If they were to sign any of them to an AHL contract, chances are they'd end up in Adirondack unless they blew away the coaching staff in pre-season camp and IMO I don't see that happening. However, there would be no harm in an AHL 2-way contract. Lightning does strike, but it's truly rare.

These are the type of guys that might turn into good AHL players. Maybe not next year, but there’s almost nothing in the pipeline for the Devils to play center at the AHL level the next couple years.

The Devils keep relying on veterans for that role but have a horrible time recruiting any one good to come to Utica.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Let’s hope the Hughes bros and Fitzgeralds chatted up John Farinacci at Brady Tkachuk’s wedding.

He would play in the AHL, not in the ECHL.

I'd love to be wrong. In what capacity do you see him as a Comet?

Farinacci has 61 points in 79 college games, in what world does that player get sent to the ECHL? Same deal with O'Brien.

I looked at O'Brien as a guy they would have to give up the 2nd you were talking about. Would that be the case? or will it be someone else's 2nd? I Don't see Fitz signing a 4th year (+ a BCHL season in the middle) unsigned college guy to a contract as well as giving up a high pick for him. This kid ,has good numbers, but would Fitz take that chance when he won't spend money without worrying about picks who were just as good or better. Why don't the Flyers want this kid? Is he trying to negotiate more than they wish to offer?

Farinacci is coming out after 3 seasons and his draft team doesn't want him. Why not?

I like the numbers both have put up. They are both hovering around the .75 PPG which usually drops off at the pro level to less than .5 or worse. I see them as the kind of guys the Comets already have. The team currently has 5 centers under contract (If Fitzgerald counts as he ia also a LW). None of them are actually the #1 the team needs. They do need a couple more regardless and GP making any new comer a VET under AHL rules wouldn't be ideal.

NJ may have a #1 they'll send down in Tierney, but he'd have to get through waivers. Other than 22 games he has been an NHL player for the past 8 seasons. I'd love to see him here, but believe it's unlikely although they did sign him to a 2-way. He's the only new guy that signed that kind of deal. The only other Devils in questionable status are Holtz, Foote, and Clarke, who are still on entry level contracts. He would make the 6th Vet. Only 5 can play and a VE could join them. Captain Ryan Schmelzer is the only VE as of now.

I don't care how many guys they send here. They will sort themselves out soon enough. If they can't make the grade here, Adirondack is the next stop. Competition for the top 12 forward roles isn't a bad thing. WE all know there will be a few more guys added to the camp roster. IF O'Brien and Farinacci should be 2 of them, welcome aboard!

I see NJ having to trim 2 guys off the roster. They have 14 right now not counting Clarke or Holtz.
Neither has to worry about waivers. Foote is 1 of the 14 and he is a waiver concern like Tierney.

It's August 5. Still plenty of time for the Devils management to hunt for more players. They will have to hunt as the numbers are few. Europe is often a spot NHL teams find experienced undrafted players that fit under the Vet number for their farm. Toronto and Tampa have done such with some regularity in recent years. Others have lured NA players back from Europe. Teams will make cuts and there will be players there as well.

 

[Guttersniped]

I'd love to be wrong. In what capacity do you see him as a Comet?

I looked at O'Brien as a guy they would have to give up the 2nd you were talking about. Would that be the case? or will it be someone else's 2nd? I Don't see Fitz signing a 4th year (+ a BCHL season in the middle) unsigned college guy to a contract as well as giving up a high pick for him. This kid ,has good numbers, but would Fitz take that chance when he won't spend money without worrying about picks who were just as good or better. Why don't the Flyers want this kid? Is he trying to negotiate more than they wish to offer?

Farinacci is coming out after 3 seasons and his draft team doesn't want him. Why not?

I like the numbers both have put up. They are both hovering around the .75 PPG which usually drops off at the pro level to less than .5 or worse. I see them as the kind of guys the Comets already have. The team currently has 5 centers under contract (If Fitzgerald counts as he ia also a LW). None of them are actually the #1 the team needs. They do need a couple more regardless and GP making any new comer a VET under AHL rules wouldn't be ideal.

NJ may have a #1 they'll send down in Tierney, but he'd have to get through waivers. Other than 22 games he has been an NHL player for the past 8 seasons. I'd love to see him here, but believe it's unlikely although they did sign him to a 2-way. He's the only new guy that signed that kind of deal. The only other Devils in questionable status are Holtz, Foote, and Clarke, who are still on entry level contracts. He would make the 6th Vet. Only 5 can play and a VE could join them. Captain Ryan Schmelzer is the only VE as of now.

I don't care how many guys they send here. They will sort themselves out soon enough. If they can't make the grade here, Adirondack is the next stop. Competition for the top 12 forward roles isn't a bad thing. WE all know there will be a few more guys added to the camp roster. IF O'Brien and Farinacci should be 2 of them, welcome aboard!

I see NJ having to trim 2 guys off the roster. They have 14 right now not counting Clarke or Holtz.
Neither has to worry about waivers. Foote is 1 of the 14 and he is a waiver concern like Tierney.

It's August 5. Still plenty of time for the Devils management to hunt for more players. They will have to hunt as the numbers are few. Europe is often a spot NHL teams find experienced undrafted players that fit under the Vet number for their farm. Toronto and Tampa have done such with some regularity in recent years. Others have lured NA players back from Europe. Teams will make cuts and there will be players there as well.

As a center? I didn’t know the team was full up.

He’s a real prospect, Elite Prospect gave him a 4.5 grade last off-season. He’s a good two-way player with offensive upside.

He’s intriguing on the Devils end because there’s some NHL upside as bottom six center.

He’s missed some development time, only playing a handful of USHL games in 2020-21 likely hindered his development a bit.

He started last season with an injury, I don’t know what it was but he played his first game on January 13.

He’s not sitting around because no one wants him, he’s just waiting to become a UFA. He reportedly turned down Arizona.

If you just glance at his stats you aren’t going to get a sense of the type of player he is.

 

[Triumph]

I looked at O'Brien as a guy they would have to give up the 2nd you were talking about. Would that be the case? or will it be someone else's 2nd? I Don't see Fitz signing a 4th year (+ a BCHL season in the middle) unsigned college guy to a contract as well as giving up a high pick for him. This kid ,has good numbers, but would Fitz take that chance when he won't spend money without worrying about picks who were just as good or better. Why don't the Flyers want this kid? Is he trying to negotiate more than they wish to offer?

Nobody has to give up a pick. The Flyers will receive a compensatory 2nd round pick (pick 51 i think) in 2024 for not signing him, which given that he was drafted two regimes ago and turns 24 this November, seems like a good move organizationally.

Farinacci is coming out after 3 seasons and his draft team doesn't want him. Why not?

He doesn't want them. 3 seasons but 4 years because of the loss of the COVID season for Ivy League players, he's eligible to be a free agent so why not?

I like the numbers both have put up. They are both hovering around the .75 PPG which usually drops off at the pro level to less than .5 or worse. I see them as the kind of guys the Comets already have. The team currently has 5 centers under contract (If Fitzgerald counts as he ia also a LW). None of them are actually the #1 the team needs. They do need a couple more regardless and GP making any new comer a VET under AHL rules wouldn't be ideal.

They have more upside because they haven't played pro hockey. The Devils/Comets are not bringing in some magic bullet #1 C at this point in the off-season. They could certainly use the depth.

It's August 5. Still plenty of time for the Devils management to hunt for more players. They will have to hunt as the numbers are few. Europe is often a spot NHL teams find experienced undrafted players that fit under the Vet number for their farm. Toronto and Tampa have done such with some regularity in recent years. Others have lured NA players back from Europe. Teams will make cuts and there will be players there as well.

European seasons start earlier - the KHL has already begun their preseason, I think the SEL and SM-Liiga start soon as well - I doubt there's anyone unsigned in Europe who would help significantly. Most of those signings happen in April and May.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Nobody has to give up a pick. The Flyers will receive a compensatory 2nd round pick (pick 51 i think) in 2024 for not signing him, which given that he was drafted two regimes ago and turns 24 this November, seems like a good move organizationally.



He doesn't want them. 3 seasons but 4 years because of the loss of the COVID season for Ivy League players, he's eligible to be a free agent so why not?



They have more upside because they haven't played pro hockey. The Devils/Comets are not bringing in some magic bullet #1 C at this point in the off-season. They could certainly use the depth.



European seasons start earlier - the KHL has already begun their preseason, I think the SEL and SM-Liiga start soon as well - I doubt there's anyone unsigned in Europe who would help significantly. Most of those signings happen in April and May.

Thanks. Nobody is signed yet. We simply have to wait.

As a center? I didn’t know the team was full up.

He’s a real prospect, Elite Prospect gave him a 4.5 grade last off-season. He’s a good two-way player with offensive upside.

He’s intriguing on the Devils end because there’s some NHL upside as bottom six center.

He’s missed some development time, only playing a handful of USHL games in 2020-21 likely hindered his development a bit.

He started last season with an injury, I don’t know what it was but he played his first game on January 13.

He’s not sitting around because no one wants him, he’s just waiting to become a UFA. He reportedly turned down Arizona.

If you just glance at his stats you aren’t going to get a sense of the type of player he is.

"As a center? I didn’t know the team was full up."

I wasn't saying they were filled up. The issue is they have brought in guys that are all similar or less.
The best they got was Dowling. The guy, from all I've gathered from Vancouver posters, has a lot of flaws and is said to be a strong #2, but can't be expected to shine in a #1 role.

Criscuolo is a #2 as well. However, his numbers are very comparable to Schmelzer - . 56PPG and .46PPG

Ryan would be a very good #3 if the team had a solid AHL #1 and #2. He was the Comets #1-#2 last season depending on how Dineen continued trying to squeeze square pegs into round holes to get a decent 1-2 punch in the middle. It never happened.

Shane Bowers appears to be #4 at the moment based upon numbers, .38 PPG in 4 incomplete AHL seasons. A rehabber hoping to regain his former level. We are definitely pulling for that!

Ryan Fitzgerald is listed as a C/LW. He is a guy who was good, but injury has left him coming in as a player on a wish and a prayer plan hoping his rehab has him back at a playing level after missing the last 2 seasons. I extend him every hope, wish , and prayer that he can at least be a player. Is he going to be in the middle? I have to believe they start him out on the wing. His AHL .53 PPG would be a welcome piece, but at this point that can't be expected. It's not clear if those numbers came on the wing or in the middle.

The available group of centers are not more than a hope. That was my only point. They would be throwing a bunch of similar players into a blender and hoping to get 3 centers to carry the load and the 4th to be somewhat productive on a 4th line with some scoring punch. We can hope like Hell for something good to come out of the mix, but that's not how you build a roster. I don't see Fitz going out and signing 2 or 3 of them up. It would be more like 1 and he'd be another hope.
Farinacci has good numbers, but he's had the injury bug too. O'Brien seems to be the top dog in the mix.

Dineen was left trying to work this scheme last season with Schmelzer topping out as the best with Nolan Stevens, Brian Pinho, Tyce Thompson, Nick Hutchison, Aarne Talvitie, and finally Nolan Foote. That doesn't count the AHL 2-way signees that he brought in periodically for a shot. They all failed:
Nick Rivera (2023-24 Erste Liga), Garrett Van Wyhe (finished the season with ECHL Fort Wayne after a trade), Filip Engaras (2023-24 still signed with Utica), and Patrick Grasso (2023-24 Adirondack Thunder). MacKinnon hasn't announced his 2-way signings this season that extend the preseason roster before going to Adirondack and hoping to excel so as to get the call from Utica.

I just hope Fitz hasn't given up with the roster they have, still having to send at least 2 guys here since their current NJ forward roster sits at 14 and Holtz, Clarke, Tierney, Foote, Thompson will get looks up there.

Clarke and Holtz are ELC contracts with no waiver issues.
I can't see Thompson sticking and don't think any NHL team wants to scoop him up to put in their NHL lineup.
Tirerney and Foote would have to clear. Either or both might be claimed.
Foote has NHL possibilities.
Tierney has been an NHL player the last 8 seasons. I'd love to see him in a Comets sweater. His demotion would not be without an issue here. He would become he 6th Veteran. He is the best center choice.
He would send Dowling to #2.
Criscuolo and Schmelzer get to fight it out for #s 3 and 4.

Wotherspoon and Russo, both Vets, are not coming out of the lineup even though Russo is now on an AHL contract. He's a RD and the Comets only have him locked in as of the moment. Nemec would be 2. Colin Felix is also a RD on an AHL contract. I don't see Colin in the lineup with Vilen, Misyul, Hatakka, and Vukojevic all on the roster. Felix is depth. If Nemec is here one of those guys just listed isn't playing either.

That would leave Tierney, Dowling, Criscuolo, and Gambardella to subtract one from.
Schmelzer is a Vet Exempt. He can play with 5 vets, but 6 vets can not play on any given night.
The first 3 listed there would figure into the 4 centers.
Gambardella is the heart at and soul of the Comets and a top 6 wing.
Not a situation I would like to be Dineen having to look at.

Dowling at $550K, Tierney $400K, Criscuolo $330K are not being paid to sit in the press box.
Gambardella is on a brand new AHL contract after his 2-yr NHL contract ran out. iIt's likely a good one, but not on a par with those 3.

Problems with a team that doesn't even have an AHL threatening roster at the moment. A lot of pieces have to fall in line for this team to be a threat. I hope those pieces come together like a difficult puzzle that few thought could be solved.

 

[Zippy316]

Thanks. Nobody is signed yet. We simply have to wait.

"As a center? I didn’t know the team was full up."

I wasn't saying they were filled up. The issue is they have brought in guys that are all similar or less.
The best they got was Dowling. The guy, from all I've gathered from Vancouver posters, has a lot of flaws and is said to be a strong #2, but can't be expected to shine in a #1 role.

Criscuolo is a #2 as well. However, his numbers are very comparable to Schmelzer - . 56PPG and .46PPG

Ryan would be a very good #3 if the team had a solid AHL #1 and #2. He was the Comets #1-#2 last season depending on how Dineen continued trying to squeeze square pegs into round holes to get a decent 1-2 punch in the middle. It never happened.

Shane Bowers appears to be #4 at the moment based upon numbers, .38 PPG in 4 incomplete AHL seasons. A rehabber hoping to regain his former level. We are definitely pulling for that!

Ryan Fitzgerald is listed as a C/LW. He is a guy who was good, but injury has left him coming in as a player on a wish and a prayer plan hoping his rehab has him back at a playing level after missing the last 2 seasons. I extend him every hope, wish , and prayer that he can at least be a player. Is he going to be in the middle? I have to believe they start him out on the wing. His AHL .53 PPG would be a welcome piece, but at this point that can't be expected. It's not clear if those numbers came on the wing or in the middle.

The available group of centers are not more than a hope. That was my only point. They would be throwing a bunch of similar players into a blender and hoping to get 3 centers to carry the load and the 4th to be somewhat productive on a 4th line with some scoring punch. We can hope like Hell for something good to come out of the mix, but that's not how you build a roster. I don't see Fitz going out and signing 2 or 3 of them up. It would be more like 1 and he'd be another hope.
Farinacci has good numbers, but he's had the injury bug too. O'Brien seems to be the top dog in the mix.

Dineen was left trying to work this scheme last season with Schmelzer topping out as the best with Nolan Stevens, Brian Pinho, Tyce Thompson, Nick Hutchison, Aarne Talvitie, and finally Nolan Foote. That doesn't count the AHL 2-way signees that he brought in periodically for a shot. They all failed:
Nick Rivera (2023-24 Erste Liga), Garrett Van Wyhe (finished the season with ECHL Fort Wayne after a trade), Filip Engaras (2023-24 still signed with Utica), and Patrick Grasso (2023-24 Adirondack Thunder). MacKinnon hasn't announced his 2-way signings this season that extend the preseason roster before going to Adirondack and hoping to excel so as to get the call from Utica.

I just hope Fitz hasn't given up with the roster they have, still having to send at least 2 guys here since their current NJ forward roster sits at 14 and Holtz, Clarke, Tierney, Foote, Thompson will get looks up there.

Clarke and Holtz are ELC contracts with no waiver issues.
I can't see Thompson sticking and don't think any NHL team wants to scoop him up to put in their NHL lineup.
Tirerney and Foote would have to clear. Either or both might be claimed.
Foote has NHL possibilities.
Tierney has been an NHL player the last 8 seasons. I'd love to see him in a Comets sweater. His demotion would not be without an issue here. He would become he 6th Veteran. He is the best center choice.
He would send Dowling to #2.
Criscuolo and Schmelzer get to fight it out for #s 3 and 4.

Wotherspoon and Russo, both Vets, are not coming out of the lineup even though Russo is now on an AHL contract. He's a RD and the Comets only have him locked in as of the moment. Nemec would be 2. Colin Felix is also a RD on an AHL contract. I don't see Colin in the lineup with Vilen, Misyul, Hatakka, and Vukojevic all on the roster. Felix is depth. If Nemec is here one of those guys just listed isn't playing either.

That would leave Tierney, Dowling, Criscuolo, and Gambardella to subtract one from.
Schmelzer is a Vet Exempt. He can play with 5 vets, but 6 vets can not play on any given night.
The first 3 listed there would figure into the 4 centers.
Gambardella is the heart at and soul of the Comets and a top 6 wing.
Not a situation I would like to be Dineen having to look at.

Dowling at $550K, Tierney $400K, Criscuolo $330K are not being paid to sit in the press box.
Gambardella is on a brand new AHL contract after his 2-yr NHL contract ran out. iIt's likely a good one, but not on a par with those 3.

Problems with a team that doesn't even have an AHL threatening roster at the moment. A lot of pieces have to fall in line for this team to be a threat. I hope those pieces come together like a difficult puzzle that few thought could be solved.

I would imagine some of these centers would easily shift to wing like Criscuolo or Dowling.

From a Devils perspective though, I think the point still stands that these college UFAs are exactly what they’re missing in Utica.

This year, they probably won’t make much of an impact outside a middle-six role at best. But moving onto next year, a guy like Farinacci or O’Brien has a real chance to be a viable top six AHL center option, perhaps even be a depth option for NJ. The center group is also so veteran heavy this year that it is a perfect situation to acclimate a young guy.

 

[tailfins]

Tierney seems almost guaranteed to start the year in Utica.

1C: Hughes
2C: Hischier
3C: Haula or Mercer
4C: Nosek, McLeod, or Lazar

Injuries or a time machine seem like the only ways for Tierney to make the big club.

I'd like Fitz to look at O'Brien and Farinacci. But, the Devils haven't been able to get higher profile college players, and I think @Bad Goalie is right that there are are a lot of bodies in Utica at the moment. Feels unlikely that the Devils sign either of these guys.

All that said, here's hoping that Tierney is the 1C that Utica was missing last year

 

[Guttersniped]

 

[Triumph]

Tierney seems almost guaranteed to start the year in Utica.

1C: Hughes
2C: Hischier
3C: Haula or Mercer
4C: Nosek, McLeod, or Lazar

Injuries or a time machine seem like the only ways for Tierney to make the big club.

I'd like Fitz to look at O'Brien and Farinacci. But, the Devils haven't been able to get higher profile college players, and I think @Bad Goalie is right that there are are a lot of bodies in Utica at the moment. Feels unlikely that the Devils sign either of these guys.

All that said, here's hoping that Tierney is the 1C that Utica was missing last year

Lazar is not a center and the Devils will find that out quickly. Also there's a decent chance if Tierney were subject to waivers that he would be claimed.

The Devils were unable to get higher profile college players when their system was full of guys - it isn't anymore. When their system was relatively open at certain positions, they nabbed guys like Lappin and Butcher. The Devils presently have 15 skaters on an NHL contract that CapFriendly lists as non-roster and one is Josh Filmon who is ineligible for Utica. They definitely have room.

 

[My3Sons]

Lazar is not a center and the Devils will find that out quickly. Also there's a decent chance if Tierney were subject to waivers that he would be claimed.

The Devils were unable to get higher profile college players when their system was full of guys - it isn't anymore. When their system was relatively open at certain positions, they nabbed guys like Lappin and Butcher. The Devils presently have 15 skaters on an NHL contract that CapFriendly lists as non-roster and one is Josh Filmon who is ineligible for Utica. They definitely have room.

Lazar is about fifth or sixth on the center depth chart and likely wouldn't be used there outside an injury. They can ice, in order, Hughes, Mercer, Hischier, Haula, (maybe McLeod), Nosek, and then Lazar.

 

[tailfins]

Lazar is not a center and the Devils will find that out quickly. Also there's a decent chance if Tierney were subject to waivers that he would be claimed.

The Devils were unable to get higher profile college players when their system was full of guys - it isn't anymore. When their system was relatively open at certain positions, they nabbed guys like Lappin and Butcher. The Devils presently have 15 skaters on an NHL contract that CapFriendly lists as non-roster and one is Josh Filmon who is ineligible for Utica. They definitely have room.

Re: College UFAs
I’m not sure your point. You didn’t come out and say that the Devils are likely to sign one of the higher profile UFAs. But, if that’s where you’re headed, I hope you’re right. Still, they got Butcher because they had an NHL opening. There is no current NHL opportunity for O’Brien or Farinacci.


Re: Tierney
Could he get claimed? Sure. Do I think he will? No. He cleared waivers once last year. He probably would have done so again if the Canadiens didn’t have so many injuries.

I find it pretty unlikely that a team in early October would 1) have a need for a 4th line center; and 2) decide that they’d rather fill the need with a waiver claim for Tierney vs someone they already have. Tierney would have to be head and shoulders above who they already have - and he’s not.

 

[Triumph]

Re: College UFAs
I’m not sure your point. You didn’t come out and say that the Devils are likely to sign one of the higher profile UFAs. But, if that’s where you’re headed, I hope you’re right. Still, they got Butcher because they had an NHL opening. There is no current NHL opportunity for O’Brien or Farinacci.

Of course they're not likely to sign either guy, there's 32 teams. I think it's unlikely, but I don't think it's impossible. That said, Butcher was a Hobey Baker winner, these guys have just had decent college careers and were drafted - neither one is expected to be an NHL player, and certainly no team is going to be opening a roster spot for them.

Re: Tierney
Could he get claimed? Sure. Do I think he will? No. He cleared waivers once last year. He probably would have done so again if the Canadiens didn’t have so many injuries.

That's just it, injuries around the league are what dictate such a thing.

I find it pretty unlikely that a team in early October would 1) have a need for a 4th line center; and 2) decide that they’d rather fill the need with a waiver claim for Tierney vs someone they already have. Tierney would have to be head and shoulders above who they already have - and he’s not.

Some teams have almost no depth at center, and of those teams, some would definitely rather go with a veteran rather than a young player. We see this sort of thing all the time, waiver claims don't always make 'sense' objectively but sometimes teams just need a body, and especially a center.

 

[tailfins]

Of course they're not likely to sign either guy, there's 32 teams. I think it's unlikely, but I don't think it's impossible. That said, Butcher was a Hobey Baker winner, these guys have just had decent college careers and were drafted - neither one is expected to be an NHL player, and certainly no team is going to be opening a roster spot for them.



That's just it, injuries around the league are what dictate such a thing.



Some teams have almost no depth at center, and of those teams, some would definitely rather go with a veteran rather than a young player. We see this sort of thing all the time, waiver claims don't always make 'sense' objectively but sometimes teams just need a body, and especially a center.

Based on what you know now, do you think Tierney makes the Devils roster opening night? If so, at whose expense?

 

[Bad Goalie]

View attachment 734232

Gee an unsigned European Center. LOL

He's been in North America (QMJHL, good numbers last year in an offense first league) for 3 of the past 4 seasons. He'll just turn 20 in a few days. Those undrafted slippery fellas are still out there.

 

[Triumph]

Based on what you know now, do you think Tierney makes the Devils roster opening night? If so, at whose expense?

Yes. I think McLeod will not be on the roster on opening night.

 

[Zippy316]

By my math, Cal Foote is another VE for Utica as hes at 291 NHL games. Not sure what the Devils plan is here.

 

[My3Sons]

By my math, Cal Foote is another VE for Utica as hes at 291 NHL games. Not sure what the Devils plan is here.

Probably insulation to not have to call up Nemec if they don’t want to? Also maybe a bit of a solid for Nolan to bring in his brother?

 

[Zippy316]

Probably insulation to not have to call up Nemec if they don’t want to? Also maybe a bit of a solid for Nolan to bring in his brother?

Well yeah that’s the intent, but Utica can only dress 5 veterans and one veteran exempt every game.

Dowling, Criscuolo, Wotherspoon, Gambardella, and Russo are all veterans. That’s five. Schmelzer is a veteran exempt. There’s your six players that can play every night.

If Tierney goes down to Utica, Devils are at too many veterans. One would have to sit. If Foote goes down too, they’d have to bench 2 of those guys above to fit both of them.

Maybe there’s an injury we don’t know about, which would make some sense. I’d assume they could also rotate guys in an out for 3-in-3, but typically the veterans are the guys in important roles you don’t want to be sitting out.

 

[My3Sons]

Well yeah that’s the intent, but Utica can only dress 5 veterans and one veteran exempt every game.

Dowling, Criscuolo, Wotherspoon, Gambardella, and Russo are all veterans. That’s five. Schmelzer is a veteran exempt. There’s your six players that can play every night.

If Tierney goes down to Utica, Devils are at too many veterans. One would have to sit. If Foote goes down too, they’d have to bench 2 of those guys above to fit both of them.

Maybe there’s an injury we don’t know about, which would make some sense. I’d assume they could also rotate guys in an out for 3-in-3, but typically the veterans are the guys in important roles you don’t want to be sitting out.

Someone always gets injured unfortunately so the depth still seems helpful. Maybe Foote impresses and can carve out a third pair role with NJ if he has been able to improve his mobility?

 

[Classic Devil]

Well yeah that’s the intent, but Utica can only dress 5 veterans and one veteran exempt every game.

Dowling, Criscuolo, Wotherspoon, Gambardella, and Russo are all veterans. That’s five. Schmelzer is a veteran exempt. There’s your six players that can play every night.

If Tierney goes down to Utica, Devils are at too many veterans. One would have to sit. If Foote goes down too, they’d have to bench 2 of those guys above to fit both of them.

Maybe there’s an injury we don’t know about, which would make some sense. I’d assume they could also rotate guys in an out for 3-in-3, but typically the veterans are the guys in important roles you don’t want to be sitting out.

I don't think the "too many veterans" thing is that much of a problem. They can rotate and there will be injuries.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Let's take a look at this. This is Capfriendly's list so it means nothing, but IMO it's mostly correct.

Listed as Devils D-men:
Hamilton RD
Marino RD
Miller RD
Siegenthaler LD
Bahl LD
Hughes LD/RD
Smith LD/RD

Listed as AHL D-Men:
Cal Foote RD (NHL 2-way) Veteran
Simon Nemec RD (ELC)
Robby Russo RD (AHL 1-way) Veteran
Colin Felix RD (AHL 1-way)
Tyler Wotherspoon LD (NHL 2-way)
Topias Vilen LD (ELC)
Michael Vukojevic LD (ELC)
Santeri Hatakka LD (ELC)
Daniil Misyul LD (ELC)
Will MacKinnon LD (AHL 2-way) The ONLY 2-way AHL contract.

Up front the only 2 players on the Devils 14 listed that might be cuts to the AHL would be Tierney and Foote. Holtz isn't even on the list.

Cal Foote could end up the 8th D in NJ and they would then go with 13 forwards. That means one of the 14 listed has to go or keep Holtz and risk losing Tierney or Foote to waivers as 2 have to go.

The McLeod issue is a really big deal when looking at the lists. If he's gone as some seem to think WILL happen, that solves a lot of problems. Now only one of Holtz, Foote, or Tierney needs to go.

Or they try to get Cal Foote through waivers and all of the forwards can stay if McLeod is gone. That way they carry 14 F and 7 D.

There's a lot of possible jockeying depending on how camp goes.

We also have to keep an open mind to what Fitz still might do.
- Does he sign anybody else?
- Is there still some kind of trade in the offing?
- Is there a trade of AHL players for an AHL center? Say Russo and 1 other F or D for that C.

More mind games for the fan base to play. LOL

 

[Bad Goalie]

I don't think the "too many veterans" thing is that much of a problem. They can rotate and there will be injuries.

Agree , but the guys making mucho dinero on those NHL 2-ways won't be happy rotating. If you include forwards in the rotation that weakens the team as the forward depth is not that strong and you are removing strength you do have.

It's not a pleasant situation for the coach. Dineen doesn't like an abundance of players because that way he doesn't have to worry about offending players. He sent his 2-ways to Adirondack and kept close to an NHL sized roster. He currently only has 12 forwards on either 2-way NHL or 1-way AHL contracts. They can't be sent down, but some can go up. He only has 2 forwards on AHL 2-ways. The forward depth at the moment is REALLY WEAK! Taking one of the VET forwards out of the lineup hurts. If Tierney is here, one of himself, Dowling, Criscuolo, or Gambardella sits along with one of Russo, Wotherspoon, or Foote also sitting out.

Schmelzer or Foote can play with 5 Vets. They can both play with 4 Vets. With Tierney in House and Schmelzer and Foote in the game, 2 of the Vets still sit. Dineen would have to roll his dice to determine who sits and which 6 of his 8 plays from the guys he needs most on his game night roster.

By my math, Cal Foote is another VE for Utica as hes at 291 NHL games. Not sure what the Devils plan is here.

 

[Bad Goalie]

By my math, Cal Foote is another VE for Utica as hes at 291 NHL games. Not sure what the Devils plan is here.

It's 296, LOL 155 AHL + 141 NHL, but yeah he's a VE.

 

[Guadana]

Agree , but the guys making mucho dinero on those NHL 2-ways won't be happy rotating. If you include forwards in the rotation that weakens the team as the forward depth is not that strong and you are removing strength you do have.

It's not a pleasant situation for the coach. Dineen doesn't like an abundance of players because that way he doesn't have to worry about offending players. He sent his 2-ways to Adirondack and kept close to an NHL sized roster. He currently only has 12 forwards on either 2-way NHL or 1-way AHL contracts. They can't be sent down, but some can go up. He only has 2 forwards on AHL 2-ways. The forward depth at the moment is REALLY WEAK! Taking one of the VET forwards out of the lineup hurts. If Tierney is here, one of himself, Dowling, Criscuolo, or Gambardella sits along with one of Russo, Wotherspoon, or Foote also sitting out.

Schmelzer or Foote can play with 5 Vets. They can both play with 4 Vets. With Tierney in House and Schmelzer and Foote in the game, 2 of the Vets still sit. Dineen would have to roll his dice to determine who sits and which 6 of his 8 plays from the guys he needs most on his game night roster.

With Vilen, Misyul, Hatakka, Vukojevich and Nemec its not a problem to sit one of Russo or Wotherspoon. And if Cal is in the Utica roster, Dineen can build defense by his mood. Its a great defensive roster for AHL club. I know, forward depth is bad, but its better to have good defense. And luke you said, it would be great if Fitz will trade D for C.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

With Vilen, Misyul, Hatakka, Vukojevich and Nemec its not a problem to sit one of Russo or Wotherspoon. And if Cal is in the Utica roster, Dineen can build defense by his mood. Its a great defensive roster for AHL club. I know, forward depth is bad, but its better to have good defense. And luke you said, it would be great if Fitz will trade D for C.

I came here to say this, the Utica defense is going to be excellent as long as New Jersey doesn't run into a rash of injuries. Any other year, Karpovich is likely signed.