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.

 

[Bad Goalie]

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

That would be fair, but they paid Clarke his NHL salary last season on a one-way and he wasn't close to being worth $725K.

Like I said Lebanc might want the 1-way to go down. He hasn't played a game in the AHL since 2017-18. Unless he is convinced playing in Utica is all he's got, I think it would be a hard sell for anything less than his NHL salary.

 

[Bad Goalie]

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) - ?

 

[Bad Goalie]

Tyce Thompson, a major failure in Utica, has been waived by the Islanders and will be assigned to Bridgeport if he clears. I can't see any NHL team even remotely interested.

You should remember the Comets traded him last season after only 15 games to Bridgeport for Arnaud Durandeau. He had no goals at the time and had only scored 7 times in the previous season in 56 GP and most of the 7 were in the 1st half of the season.

Tyce only scored 3 times for B'Port in 51 more GP.

So that was a total of 3 goals in 66 GP.

As poor as the Comets have been offensively they have not missed Tyce for a second.

 

[My3Sons]

Tyce Thompson a major failure in Utica has been waived by the Islanders ans will be assigned to Bridgeport if he clears. I can't see any NHL team even remotely interested.

You should remember the Comets traded him last season after only 15 games to Bridgeport for Arnaud Durandeau. He had no goals at the time and had only scored 7 times in the previous season in 56 GP.

Tyce only scored 3 times for B'Port in 51 more GP.

As poor as the Comets have been offensively they have not missed Tyce for a second.

That’s the nature of these tweeners. They have their moment and maybe they sustain it maybe they don’t. My guess is that Tyce has been limited by injuries.

 

[Bad Goalie]

That’s the nature of these tweeners. They have their moment and maybe they sustain it maybe they don’t. My guess is that Tyce has been limited by injuries.

Maybe so on the injuries, but he just did not make hockey plays when the chances were there all season long for the Comets in '22-23. His start in '23-24 when healthy was terrible. He always seemed to play with a chip he had never earned.

The trade didn't do him any favors either, 14 points in 51 GP. I'd say it looks like his North American career may be over unless he finds a miracle.

 

[Nubmer6]

Maybe so on the injuries, but he just did not make hockey plays when the chances were there all season long for the Comets in '22-23. His start in '23-24 when healthy was terrible. He always seemed to play with a chip he had never earned.

The trade didn't do him any favors either, 14 points in 51 GP. I'd say it looks like his North American career may be over unless he finds a miracle.

If he wasn't an ex-Devils property, we wouldn't give picking him up even the remotest of possibilities.

 

[Bad Goalie]

If he wasn't an ex-Devils property, we wouldn't give picking him up even the remotest of possibilities.

I would hope that makes no difference. He would obviously only be claimed and then waived again to send down. It would immediately be up to Lou to determine if they wanted to put an already proven poor performer back on their AHL roster to flounder once again. If not, the rest of the league gets a shot. If nobody bites, he could be released and on his own.

Utica has enough problems without having to deal with his lack of contributions again.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Workflow from the #NJDevils morning skate in NJ:

Hardman - Dowling - Labanc
Willman - Schmelzer - Halonen
Parent - Engaras - Stillman
Laberge - Malone - Legare

Zboril - Misyul
Vilen - Diotte
MacKinnon - Welinski

Brodeur
Brennan

Well, Comets fans is that a great lineup or what? This group will face the NY Rangers tonight.
Get used to it because minus Bowers, White, and maybe Foote along with Daws and Poulter that is the majority of your Utica Comets lineup for 24-25.

Missing are Gambardella, Beckman, Filmon (injured), Wendt, and maybe Ghantous and Bertuzzi who could easily be in Adirondack.

Until Pesce, Luke, and Hattaka are healed for the Devils, we haven't a chance of seeing DeSimone and/or Hatakka in Utica.

If the Devils continue to break like delicate Christmas ornaments, the Comets roster is likely to become a revolving door between the Comets recalls to NJ and the Adirondack Thunder replacements coming into Utica with little chance for any consistency in the lineup.

Those missing tonight might be in the lineup in game 2 vs the Rangers tomorrow in the Garden. That group will probably see most of the actual Rangers. Tonight's Rangers' lineup is a lot of their prospects, AHL guys, and lower level Rangers.

The Rangers are 3-0 in the preseason while the Devils are 0-4.

 

[mdhockey13]

This does appear to be the Comets roster. Depth pieces for NJ on the Europe trip are guys like Bowers and White and they are probably still Utica bound soon. My question is does this lineup for tonight have anyone who could still make the Devils? Labanc?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Realistically I don't think these guys make the North American opening night roster on the 10th. Labanc looked good tonight but I am not sure it leads to anything more here as I can see another team maybe signing him for an NHL gig or maybe he hangs with the team unsigned. I don't know how hard pressed the Devils were to have guys be warm bodies to fulfill NHL requirements on having at least 6 or was it 7 players above a minimum NHL games played threshold in each preseason game. My rough counts had 6 for NJ and 7 for NYR tonight.

I can see a couple of these guys getting maybe another cup of coffee with the team as they previously have like Willman did last year. I can see Stillman getting up to NJ if he continues to grow a bit. But anyone from tonight is probably someone who would get the call later in the season if circumstances such as injuries come into play.

 

[Bad Goalie]

I would hope the Devils give Lebanc a contract and try to assign him to Utica. If he cleared waivers, he would be the Comets 5th Veteran by AHL rules. I'd certainly prefer him over Zboril. If Kevin doesn't clear waivers no sweat to the Devils.

I see no reason why guys like White or Bowers couldn't be back in Utica by the 11th. Anyone needing to clear waivers (e.g. White) can be waived right after they finish up in Prague. Upon return to NJ, they can ride off to Utica. There's they have 6 days until the 11th. That's ample time uless NJ plans on the boys going on a European vacation.

NJ has a game on the 1Oth. They'll be home in plenty of time to get ready for that which will allow any Comets to get to Utica.

 

[HBK27]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841142920692343235

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841143394023662058

 

[My3Sons]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841142920692343235

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841143394023662058

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bad Goalie]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841142920692343235

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841143394023662058

That's where Beckman has been. Either I missed that or it hasn't been deemed important enough to post.

 

[HBK27]

I would hope the Devils give Lebanc a contract and try to assign him to Utica. If he cleared waivers, he would be the Comets 5th Veteran by AHL rules. I'd certainly prefer him over Zboril. If Kevin doesn't clear waivers no sweat to the Devils.

Who are the 4 current vets and what are the AHL rules?

 

[Bad Goalie]

Who are the 4 current vets and what are the AHL rules?

Justin Dowling
Ryan Schmelzer
Joe Gambardella
Colton White
All 4 of these guys have to clear waivers and it's most likely they will again.

A player is considered a VET if he has played in 321games or more at the NHL, AHL, and recognized European elite Leagues (e.g. KHL, SHL, LIIGA, ELH, Del, NL)
Only 5 players of this status may participate in an AHL game.

A Veteran Elite player (a player who has played between 261 games and less 321 in the list of leagues above.
1 VE may be in the lineup with 5 VETs. More than 1 VE may participate as long as the total of VETs and VEs don't exceed 6.

I have been hoping the Devils would hold off on this final VET spot for GD center. If they don't, Lebanc would be a good choice at this late date unless they can pick up a better choice released from another NHL franchise.

Zboril hasn't even been a good AHL D-man.
Andy Welinski has played exclusively inthe AHL the las t 3 seasons with a total of 5 different teams and was signed by the Devils to a PTO which if sent to Utica would be his 6th to start season 4.

Both of these guys would qualify as Vets and neither is one for whom you want to give up that spot.

Oh, and goalies are immune to this rule.

 

[Bad Goalie]

10/1/24 New York Rangers 5 Utica Comets (NJ Devils) 4

This was the listed roster, but I cannot find the lines or D-pairs.
I know some guys did not play the positions they are listed as.

16 Nathan Legare RW
62 Kevin Leblanc RW
73 Dylan Wendt RW
75 Filip Engaras RW

48 Brian Halonen
67 Xavier Parent LW
79 Samuel Laberge LW
39 Mike Hardman LW

41 Jack Malone C
83 Matyas Melovsky C
84 Tag Bertuzzi C
49 Ryan SchmelzerC

33 Jakub Zboril
32 Andy Welinski
55 Mikael Diotte
72 Will MacKinnon
81 Jackson van de Leest
93 Daniil Misyul

65 Isaac Poulter
51 Tyler Brennan

Scoring
Jakub Zboril (1) from Daniil Misyul (1) and Nathan Legare (1)
Kevin Lebanc (2) Unassisted
Kevin Lebanc (3) from Samuel Laberge (2) and Jalub Zboril (1) Power Play
Brian Halonen (2) from Kevin Lebanc (1) and Ryan Schmelzer (1)

Goalies:
Isaac Poulter - 2 Periods played / 30 SA / 4GA /26 SV
Tyler Brennan - 1 Period played / 7 SA / 1GA / 6 SV

Rangers were gooning it up:
Bo Grouix
Jackson van de Leest
Both 5 for fighting

Sam Carrick
Mike Hardman
both 5 for fighting

Nathan Legare
Connor Mackey
both 5 for fighting

The goaltending on both sides was far from stellar when looking at most of the goals scored.

The Comets get 1 more game before coming home. They will play in Philadelphia Thursday, Oct. 3 for their 3rd game in 4 days.
They are then scheduled to play Syracuse in Utica on the 4th. UticaComets.com has nothing listed about it, but the Rome Sentinel has and tickets are on sale at he Aud.

It will be interesting to see how NJ handles the reassignments for that game unless they intend for the Adirondack Thunder to play that game without any Comets. As of the moment none have been assigned here yet. There is also no indication that anyone is working out at the Aud in preparation for the contest.

 

[Bad Goalie]

The reassignments are underway.

• Igor Mburanumwe and Landon Sim have been released from their amateur tryouts.
• Andre Ghantous, Kevin O’Neil, Jace Isley, and Tag Bertuzzi are re-assigned to the Utica Comets (AHL) training camp.
• Dylan Wendt and Tyler Brennan have been loaned to Utica”
• Michael Hutchinson released from his PTO