2023-24 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Guadana]

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.

Miller, Foote, Smith are for one year only I believe. May be Hatakka, Wotherspoon and Vukojevic too. Nemec will play in nhl next year. So we should wait more than Karpovich only. May be they will find agreement with McCarthy, may be Casey will join Devils and will start his pro career as AHLer. I don’t know whats a plan with Edwards.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Miller, Foote, Smith are for one year only I believe. May be Hatakka, Wotherspoon and Vukojevic too. Nemec will play in nhl next year. So we should wait more than Karpovich only. May be they will find agreement with McCarthy, may be Casey will join Devils and will start his pro career as AHLer. I don’t know whats a plan with Edwards.

If Orlov continues to progress, he should come over at a lovely time.

 

[Guadana]

If Orlov continues to progress, he should come over at a lovely time.

Will see. He signed the deal until the end of 25/26 season, Spartak is pretty good about him and give him opportunities. And it’s much better to play in KHL and develop his game here for now, especially when We have signed Bahl in devils squad for two more years, Vilen is in the AHL already and Karpovich is lookin to join Utica next year(he might). I think Orlov can develop his game in Spartak until Siegenthalers deal will end.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Will see. He signed the deal until the end of 25/26 season, Spartak is pretty good about him and give him opportunities. And it’s much better to play in KHL and develop his game here for now, especially when We have signed Bahl in devils squad for two more years, Vilen is in the AHL already and Karpovich is lookin to join Utica next year(he might). I think Orlov can develop his game in Spartak until Siegenthalers deal will end.

That is what I mean, he will come over at 22/23 years old when we have some gaps.

 

[forceten]

My god. Utica's defense (and goaltending, honestly) are really strong. Orlov and Karpovich will only improve things, and allow us to move on from Russo and Wotherspoon (who have played well for Utica).

But that young D pipeline in a year or two will be something. Orlov, Karpovich, Vilen, Misyul, plus TBD on McCarthy, Casey. And some of the guys on the current roster not listed likely would stick around too if they can.

 

[Guttersniped]

@Brodeur posted this on the trade board (I’m not proud).

Farinacci is from Red Bank, NJ. He’s a Pens fan from a family of Rangers fans though.

 

[Brodeur]

@Brodeur posted this on the trade board (I’m not proud).

Farinacci is from Red Bank, NJ. He’s a Pens fan from a family of Rangers fans though.

Farinacci's sister married Brady Tkachuk and Fitz was a guest at the wedding too (as were the Hughes family). I half-jokingly wondered if various players were recruiting him during the reception.

I'm sure Fitz will kick the tires, but we might be a tough sell after Haula re-signed. If I were Farinacci's agent, I'd probably be targeting teams who traded away a bunch of draft picks from 2018-2021 since there'd be less competition in theory. Boston, Pittsburgh, Florida, Tampa, maybe even San Jose.

 

[My3Sons]

Farinacci's sister married Brady Tkachuk and Fitz was a guest at the wedding too (as were the Hughes family). I half-jokingly wondered if various players were recruiting him during the reception.

I'm sure Fitz will kick the tires, but we might be a tough sell after Haula re-signed. If I were Farinacci's agent, I'd probably be targeting teams who traded away a bunch of draft picks from 2018-2021 since there'd be less competition in theory. Boston, Pittsburgh, Florida, Tampa, maybe even San Jose.

That's a good point. You'd think a college free agent would try to sign where he has a good chance at an NHL spot. The ones that sign "where they want to play" are a bit naive to me.

 

[UticaHockey]

A potential Comet if his PTO earns him a contract offer.

 

[Guadana]

Center? okay.

 

[UticaHockey]

Center? okay.

Hockeydb lists him as a center but Cap Friendly shows him as a left wing so I'm not sure. The good thing is he is 28 years old but will not be considered an AHL vet because he played 5 seasons in the NCAA and got a late start to his professional career.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Utica Comets have signed Free agent Jace Isley to a 2-way AHL contract. Fresh from the WHL Red Deer Rebels. He played 5 seasons and was not drafted. #3 in points for the Rebels with 56 Points in 67 games played. He's a 21-yr-old, 6'2"/201 Lbs left shooting forward. Not the kind of numbers from a 5th yr Jr. that inspires a lot promise.

Likely another of MacKinnon's off-season signings that get sent to Adirondack in hopes they can develop enough to be useful when the numbers in Utica fall below acceptable.

There is a lot more promise in a few of those unsigned NCAA free agents whose NHL draft teams are not signing. Worth at least a gesture from Fitz. He's got an available spot or 2 he could venture a shot at. Maybe he/they even sparkles enough to sign to a 2-way NHL contract for a couple of seasons and after having helped the farm and having no room in Jersey, trade him to an NHL team that could add him/them to their prospect pool.

Of course that player/players would have to have found no takers from the franchises that possibly will have room for prospects in the future. At this point those guys can't get too picky since their clocks are ticking and the NHL teams that drafted them have no use for them. It's best to take an offer that gives them a chance to excel allowing for them to become valuable to some NHL teams who got to see them playing in the AHL. Utica is a spot where centers would get that kind of chance.

 

[BurntToast]

@Bad Goalie

Your AHL team just beat the Island Boys and the silence is much appreciated.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Last night the Comets lost to the Rocheater Americans 4-3 in OT.
Kallgren went the distance in goal.
Utica got goals from:
Xavier Parent
Cal Foote
Travis Broughman

Today the Utica Comets cleaned house from their training camp.

To ECHL Adirondack:
Tyler Brennan (G)
Jeremy Brodeur (G)
Vinnie Purpura (G)

Colin Felix (RD)
Will MacKinnon (LD)

Filip Engaras (C)
T.J. Friedman (C/F)
Erik Middendorf LW
Yushiro Hirano RW)
Jace Isley (LW/F)

Released:
Matt Stief
Ryan Orgel
Ryan Smith
Travis Broughman

Currently the Comets roster is as follows:

Erik Hallgren (G)
Isaac Poulter (G)

Robbie Russo (RD) - VET
***Cal Foote (RD) - VET EXEMPT. The news down in the next post removes Foote from Vet status!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tyler Wotherspoon (LD) - VET
Topias Vilen (LD)
Santeri HaTakka (LD)
Daniil Misyul (LD)
Michael Vukojevic (LD)

Justin Dowling (C) - VET
Kyle Criscuolo (C) - VET
Ryan Schmelzer (C) - VET EXEMPT
Joe Gambardella (LW) - VET
Shane Bowers (C)
Max Willman (C/LW)
Graeme Clarke (RW)
Tyce Thompson (RW)
Sam Laberge (LW)
Ryan Fitzgerald (LW/C)
Chase Stillman (RW)
Xavier Parent (LW/C)
Timur Ibragimov (RW)
Eric Cooley (RW)

Still waiting on the final status of Holtz/Foote/Tierney/Halonen/Daws.
Holtz is an apparent lock in NJ.

Based upon the injuries, Tierney appears to have a spot in NJ. Comets could really use him in the middle, but he would become the 6th Vet along with 1 VE jamming up continuity as only 5 Vets can play at any one time along with 1 VE. It's an issue that Dineen would have to work out. He would have to clear waivers before Dineen would be put to the test.

Foote is also injured and would also have to clear waivers to come down

Halonen is a Comet once he's healthy as Daws will also be.

Nemec is the $64,000 question. The Comets cut themselves down to 7 D-men of whom 2 have Veteran status, but only 2 total are RD indicating they may know something. If Nemec sticks in NJ, that gives the Devils 8 D-men. If that means Nemec rotates in and out of the press box, that's not the way to handle a 19-yr-old upstart when he can play every situation in the AHL making him even more valuable when he does get to NJ..

 

[UticaHockey]

@Bad Goalie

The Comets do have a log jam of vets but this should help. The AHL changed their development rules a couple years ago where a player under 25 years old will not be considered a vet regardless of how many games they have played.

 

[Bad Goalie]

@Bad Goalie

The Comets do have a log jam of vets but this should help. The AHL changed their development rules a couple years ago where a player under 25 years old will not be considered a vet regardless of how many games they have played.

That is fantastic!!!!!!!! All 6 will be in the lineup without a doubt.

I fear center will still be the weakness. That is yet to be determined. However, with a strong D-corps and hopefully Kallgren holding down the fort with an assist from Poulter until Daws arrives to help, maybe this crew can find some success.

 

[Guadana]

That is fantastic!!!!!!!! All 6 will be in the lineup without a doubt.

I fear center will still be the weakness. That is yet to be determined. However, with a strong D-corps and hopefully Kallgren holding down the fort with an assist from Poulter until Daws arrives to help, maybe this crew can find some success.

Dowling, Criscuolo, Schmelzer, Willman and Bowers is a solid AHL level center set. Nothing out of mind, but nothing really bad. And its not like Devils really have important wingers prospects in AHL to develop this year.
And yeah, they are not trying to win calder cup. I believe the most important task is development of defensemen. They should be alone in the tranches but they should carry the team.

 

[UticaHockey]

Looks like Nemec will start the season in Utica. In addition to being an ever improving prospect it enabled the Comets to dress a balanced lineup with 3 LD and 3 RD every game.

 

[My3Sons]

Looks like Nemec will start the season in Utica. In addition to being an ever improving prospect it enabled the Comets to dress a balanced lineup with 3 LD and 3 RD every game.

I’m sure there will be some uneven play early on with the defense having so many prospects to develop but that is a lot of talent on Utica’s blueline.

 

[UticaHockey]

I’m sure there will be some uneven play early on with the defense having so many prospects to develop but that is a lot of talent on Utica’s blueline.

Vukojevic to me is the obvious odd man out. Who the other scratch will be will be an interesting choice. It will work itself out soon enough when injuries and call ups start to occur.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Kinda selfishly hope Nemec doesn't get called up for a little bit. Would love to see him a couple times when the Comets visit Rochester beginning of November.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Wotherspoon - Nemec
Hatakka - Vilen
Misyul - Russo

This is pretty unfair to have these 6 in the AHL, Foote will be joining them eventually.

 

[UticaHockey]

Wotherspoon - Nemec
Hatakka - Vilen
Misyul - Russo

This is pretty unfair to have these 6 in the AHL, Foote will be joining them eventually.

I would probably replace Russo with Foote and have Robbie as depth to start the season.

 

[Bad Goalie]

I would probably replace Russo with Foote and have Robbie as depth to start the season.

Foote HAS to be in the lineup on the right side along with Nemec.
Vilen is LH. Has he consistently played as a RD in Finland? He played LD in his playoff game with the Comets last season.

The left side is deep (Wotherspoon, Hattaka, Misyul, Vilen, Vukojevic) and anybody who can play the right side might even things up a bit with a talented 8-man D-corps, but cramming the 20-yr-old rookie kid onto his off-side if that's not his normal side wouldn't be the best way to handle him.

Agree Russo could rotate in and out, but I would say only if there is a right side guy who deserves the ice time. Vuk was scratched most of the time he has been here when the D was healthy. He has also been sent to Adirondack for short stints.

As has been noted injuries and call-ups make things a lot easier and the Comets have always seemed to have injured D-men. Thus, it might not be as big of a deal as it seems.

Kinda selfishly hope Nemec doesn't get called up for a little bit. Would love to see him a couple times when the Comets visit Rochester beginning of November.

Off the topic, but do you live near the "Flower City"? As an ex-Rochester homeboy myself, I'm simply curious.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Foote HAS to be in the lineup on the right side along with Nemec.
Vilen is LH. Has he consistently played as a RD in Finland? He played LD in his playoff game with the Comets last season.

The left side is deep (Wotherspoon, Hattaka, Misyul, Vilen, Vukojevic) and anybody who can play the right side might even things up a bit with a talented 8-man D-corps, but cramming the 20-yr-old rookie kid onto his off-side if that's not his normal side wouldn't be the best way to handle him.

Agree Russo could rotate in and out, but I would say only if there is a right side guy who deserves the ice time. Vuk was scratched most of the time he has been here when the D was healthy. He has also been sent to Adirondack for short stints.

As has been noted injuries and call-ups make things a lot easier and the Comets have always seemed to have injured D-men. Thus, it might not be as big of a deal as it seems.


Off the topic, but do you live near the "Flower City"? As an ex-Rochester homeboy myself, I'm simply curious.

Yeah, recent transplant. My wife and I moved here from Colorado last month, and I’m real excited to be walking distance to minor league hockey.