2024-25 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[tailfins]

I do wonder if Labanc has any interest playing in the AHL.

It doesn’t seem like he has ever played center or else he could’ve been a nice 1C for the Comets. His offensive production early in his career was really strong, feel like if he goes to the AHL he’d be a nice PPG player for Utica even if his offense has dried up at the NHL level.

Utica has a bunch of guys that can come up to the Devils and play a high energy game in the bottom six. Devils are missing that back-up skill option for the top six though. Having a guy like Labanc in Utica could be a nice just-in-case option for the NHL team.

Mercer is your top six fill-in. Ideal career trajectory for him (as a fan of the Devils, not for his paycheck necessarily), is somewhere between Haula and RNH. A guy you can put out on any line, at wing or at center, and who'll contribute.

The only way someone like that would be in the AHL is if they were a prospect. And, you're right on that - I think the lack of center prospects has been covered extensively here.

There are no waiver eligible guys who could hop into an NHL top six. Older guys who are top six AHL talents tend to either be too slow (skating or processing), too small, or lack the hands to stick at the NHL. Older guys have to be able to play on the fourth line (and probably PK) to have a shot at being called up.

EDIT: on the topic of Labanc, I'm wondering what's in it for him to do the PTO with us. As you say, Utica needs centers. Maybe he's seeing an opportunity for a right shot wing in Utica? But, they have Halonen, Stillman, Wendt and Malone already. I'm sure Labanc is better, but those guys are signed.

 

[Zippy316]

Mercer is your top six fill-in. Ideal career trajectory for him (as a fan of the Devils, not for his paycheck necessarily), is somewhere between Haula and RNH. A guy you can put out on any line, at wing or at center, and who'll contribute.

The only way someone like that would be in the AHL is if they were a prospect. And, you're right on that - I think the lack of center prospects has been covered extensively here.

There are no waiver eligible guys who could hop into an NHL top six. Older guys who are top six AHL talents tend to either be too slow (skating or processing), too small, or lack the hands to stick at the NHL. Older guys have to be able to play on the fourth line (and probably PK) to have a shot at being called up.

EDIT: on the topic of Labanc, I'm wondering what's in it for him to do the PTO with us. As you say, Utica needs centers. Maybe he's seeing an opportunity for a right shot wing in Utica? But, they have Halonen, Stillman, Wendt and Malone already. I'm sure Labanc is better, but those guys are signed.

Right now the Devils are lining up with:

Bratt - Hughes - Meier
Tatar - Hischier - Mercer (Labanc)
Palat - Haula - Noesen
Cotter - Lazar - Bastian

I love the way the forward group is built, however, my one concern would be scoring depth after our top five forwards. Tatar is still a bit of a question mark as number six and the rest of the guys are more complimentary pieces in the top six. In reality, it’s likely if we need Labanc there’s far bigger issues on this team.

Regarding his PTO, I would imagine it’s because he knows he’s going to get games in to showcase himself. Plus I think if I’m in his shoes, I would think there’s a need for one more skilled forward like I mentioned, even if it ends up being on a third line opposite Palat, Tatar, Haula, or Noesen. If he’s willing to be a good soldier and spend some time in Utica, he could be called up if we need a scoring punch too.

 

[Nubmer6]

Right now the Devils are lining up with:

Bratt - Hughes - Meier
Tatar - Hischier - Mercer (Labanc)
Palat - Haula - Noesen
Cotter - Lazar - Bastian

I love the way the forward group is built, however, my one concern would be scoring depth after our top five forwards. Tatar is still a bit of a question mark as number six and the rest of the guys are more complimentary pieces in the top six. In reality, it’s likely if we need Labanc there’s far bigger issues on this team.

Regarding his PTO, I would imagine it’s because he knows he’s going to get games in to showcase himself. Plus I think if I’m in his shoes, I would think there’s a need for one more skilled forward like I mentioned, even if it ends up being on a third line opposite Palat, Tatar, Haula, or Noesen. If he’s willing to be a good soldier and spend some time in Utica, he could be called up if we need a scoring punch too.

I'd swap Meier with Mercer personally, but maybe they'll work. I guess we'll find out soon.

Also, I have confidence that Palat has the ability to step in if Tatar or Mercer can't handle it.

-edit-
Whoops, probably the wrong thread.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

maybe Fitz is playing 9D chess and gave MacDermid the three years so he wouldnt get claimed on waivers. I think Foote definitely gets claimed if he’s waived but I’ve been wrong about that plenty of times. Not sure about Bastian.

Would MacDermid even be a useful player in Utica? I feel like enforcers have a little more of a concrete role in the AHL, but i wouldnt expect him to put up any points.

 

[Bad Goalie]

I do wonder if Labanc has any interest playing in the AHL.

It doesn’t seem like he has ever played center or else he could’ve been a nice 1C for the Comets. His offensive production early in his career was really strong, feel like if he goes to the AHL he’d be a nice PPG player for Utica even if his offense has dried up at the NHL level.

Utica has a bunch of guys that can come up to the Devils and play a high energy game in the bottom six. Devils are missing that back-up skill option for the top six though. Having a guy like Labanc in Utica could be a nice just-in-case option for the NHL team.

They'd have to sign him and my guess he would request a 1-way contract to get the most he could get to play in the AHL. Not sure Fitz is ready to give up one of his contracts for him, but we'll have to wait and see.

I think Foote will need to really impress during camp to make the Devils. While it has nothing to do with waiver status the fact that his new contract is a two way deal this year it tells me the Devils don't believe Foote is a full time NHL player yet and it is up to Nolan to prove them wrong.

It's been up to Foote to really impress for 3 seasons now and all he has done is get injured. It's now or never for him and if he fails I'm not looking forward to watching a guy go through the motions as his dream is likely shot.

 

[Zippy316]

maybe Fitz is playing 9D chess and gave MacDermid the three years so he wouldnt get claimed on waivers. I think Foote definitely gets claimed if he’s waived but I’ve been wrong about that plenty of times. Not sure about Bastian.

Would MacDermid even be a useful player in Utica? I feel like enforcers have a little more of a concrete role in the AHL, but i wouldnt expect him to put up any points.

Islanders did that with Ross Johnston and didn’t stop the Ducks from waiving him.

I do wonder if the Devils beefing up the team with guys like Cotter, Noesen, and Dillon makes them willing to take that chance. MacDermid’s AAV does fall under the limit where he’s able to go to the AHL without a cap charge.

 

[Zippy316]

They'd have to sign him and my guess he would request a 1-way contract to get the most he could get to play in the AHL. Not sure Fitz is ready to give up one of his contracts for him, but we'll have to wait and see.

It's been up to Foote to really impress for 3 seasons now and all he has done is get injured. It's now or never for him and if he fails I'm not looking forward to watching a guy go through the motions as his dream is likely shot.

That’s fair, more than likely it would be a two way with a high salary like 500k.