I just posted this in one of the NJ threads. I'm adding it here for any Utica Fans that actually still read this thread.
The off season injuries to Luke and Simon combined with the slow rehab of Pesce has disturbed the NJ defense. Prior to this info the Devils D looked to be set.
Siegenthaler/Hamilton
Luke/Pesce
Dillon/Nemec
Kovacevic
The info on Luke determined his absence until maybe as early as the end of October or early November. The thought at that moment was Hatakka would step in.
Nemec injured in the World qualifying tournament led to Casey getting a much longer look than most were anticipating. He has been stellar in 2 GP.
Now all of a sudden Hatakka is also out. It doesn't appear to be a lengthy stay.
Pesce is skating and may be ready in a couple of weeks or at least by November
Nemec appears to be expected to go by game 1.
Hatakka is more than day to day but not expected to be a lengthy disability.
It's a roll of the dice as to what the actual status of these guys will be by opening day, but the only missing link may be Hatakka playing for Luke. Some of the fan base is convinced that Casey should be inserted into the top 6 on his offside. The actual outcome will come from the NJ Head Coach and GM.
As to any Devils' D-man coming down. That won't happen. Hatakka and DeSimone were ticketed to waivers and then Utica. Casey was also most likely a Comet. Now we may still end up with Hatakka and DeSimone either right at the start or as soon as the health status of the NJ injured is A-OK.
I don't believe any new Comet prospect or a player from last season was expected to even vie for a spot once Cotter, Tatar ,and Noesen were signed. The only battle was likely to have been between Bastian and Foote. As it looks right now Foote may be returning to Utica.
Kevin Lebanc (RW/LW) was signed to a PTO and has played well. He also could be waived for assignment to Utica as to be available for recall to the Devils. He could also make the Devils.
That would still mean someone would have to come down for that to happen. They could also thank him for his contribution to the preseason and release him.
Personally, I don't see any real big addition to the Comets as the result of subtraction by the Devils.
We might get Casey back when NJ is healthy because they might want him to get big minutes in all situations as I believe was their original plan. That would be fantastic for the Comets' season, but he would be high on the Devils' list for any D-callup. It will be a nail in the coffin lid for the Comets if he is not assigned here. Many more nails will have to be inserted, but he will be the one of the greatest impact.
The Devils have another PTO D-man on their camp roster, Jakub Zboril. He is a 27-yr-old left shooting D-man. He has spent the better part of the past 7 seasons in the Boston organization before being traded to AHL Cleveland. He is an unrestricted free agent.
The Comets do have room for another veteran on their roster that would not be a problem at game time with the number of vets who can play based upon AHL Veteran rules. Lebanc and Zboril are both Vets and if both come down the comets would have 6 Vets. That would mean one of the Comets' 6 Vets would be ineligible in any given game.
Hope that answers your question. Explaining it in full was better than simply saying, not likely we see anyone besides Foote. We've seen him before and know what he offers, helpful, but won't push this team into a serious contender in the North.
This team will be in a fight all season to make the playoffs.
- The D could be good to very strong to very weak depending upon who actually ends up in the top 6.
Misyul
Vilen
Diotte
Casey - ?
Hatakka - ?
DeSimone - ?
White
MacKinnon
Jackson
Zyboril?
- The goaltending should also be strong with:
Daws
Poulter
- It's the same problem up front that we have had to live with in all 4 seasons affiliated with NJ, they have not provided the team with any top AHL level centers. When the Captain, Ryan Schmelzer, was the team's leading point man and no further additions have been made, the Comets will likely still struggle to score.
This list of forwards is not yet guaranteed to be Comets.
Center:
Schmelzer
Dowling
Bowers (C/LW)
Engaras (C/RW)
Bertuzzi - ?
Isley - ?
Melovsky - (C/W) ?
O'Neil
LW:
Mike Hardman (LW/RW/C)
Parent (C/LW)
Willman
Beckman
Gambardella
Filmon
Leberge
Foote - ?
RW:
Halonen (LW/RW)
Stillman
Wendt
Legare
Malone (RW/C)
Ghantous - ?
Kevin Lebanc (RW/LW) - ?