Sad isn't it?
I have had season's tickets to the Comets since 2013-14. I've never seen anything like it and no one in any kind of position of power seems to give a rat's ass.
Nealy a grand is a lot of money to watch this s**t fest.
2024-25 Utica Comets and ECHL thread
- Thread starter NJDevs26
- Start date
I have had season's tickets to the Comets since 2013-14. I've never seen anything like it and no one in any kind of position of power seems to give a rat's ass.
Nealy a grand is a lot of money to watch this s**t fest.
Whaddagoal
The Sheldon Keefe Era Begins
Any hope of getting a win yet?
Is it a lack of forward depth or bad coaching, or something else why they are literally winless, with a massive hole in offense generated.
Is Utica playing the same system there as the big club?
Did adding Nemec down with Casey not help, there is basically an NHL pairing down there, if you consider Casey as NHL ready. Nemec certainly is.
Is it a lack of forward depth or bad coaching, or something else why they are literally winless, with a massive hole in offense generated.
Is Utica playing the same system there as the big club?
Did adding Nemec down with Casey not help, there is basically an NHL pairing down there, if you consider Casey as NHL ready. Nemec certainly is.
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They just lack too much at forward, specifically centers, playdrivers and playmakers.
The depth was attrocious before Dowling left but losing their only top 6 (top 9?) center hurt an already bad team.
Maybe they thought Willman would do more than have the league worst +/- (-15) but he couldn’t carry a 2nd line with nothing.
Defense can’t save that.
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Don't know how much of this is just paper work by NJ, but on 11/17 the Devils reassigned DeSimone and Dowling to Utica. They don't have to actually go to Utica, but assigned to Utica on paper, their daily $$$ don't count against NJ's cap. Not a big deal, but it is a small savings to bankroll.
On the same date Engaras and MacKinnon were recalled to Utica from Adirondack.
Today Utica recalled Jace Isley and reassigned Dylan Wendt to Adirondack. One ECHL quality forward on a NJ contract in Wendt for what may be a better ECHL quality forward in Isley on a 2-way AHL deal.
Any way you cut this, unless Fitz has something cooking in the very near future, I don't see Dowling or DeSimone in Utica. The Devils don't have enough forwards without Dowling and DeSimone is the #7 D-man. If they actually report to Utica, Fitz either replaces them with AHL talent (Cough! for a forward) or he is getting replacements from elsewhere through some other means.
On the same date Engaras and MacKinnon were recalled to Utica from Adirondack.
Today Utica recalled Jace Isley and reassigned Dylan Wendt to Adirondack. One ECHL quality forward on a NJ contract in Wendt for what may be a better ECHL quality forward in Isley on a 2-way AHL deal.
Any way you cut this, unless Fitz has something cooking in the very near future, I don't see Dowling or DeSimone in Utica. The Devils don't have enough forwards without Dowling and DeSimone is the #7 D-man. If they actually report to Utica, Fitz either replaces them with AHL talent (Cough! for a forward) or he is getting replacements from elsewhere through some other means.
Let's clear the confusion. The Comet forwards are marginal AHL players at best.
- They have no stereotypical playmaking/play driving hockey centers necessary to run the 4 lines a team puts on the ice every night making a team capable of scoring goals.
- They have no playmakers on the wings to make up for the weaknesses in the middle.
- Nobody drives play beyond Casey, Nemec, and maybe Misyul/Vilen.
I can't name a forward who drives play and would be considered very dangerous to the oppopnents.
- They are all poor passers beyond an open neutral zone.
- They are just as inept handling passes.
- They charge up the ice helter skelter with what ends up appearing to have have been no plan.
- They shoot when they should pass and pass when they should shoot.
- They not only don't find open spaec where their mates can give them the puck, but don't seem to know how to loo for it. They go to a spot and basically stand there waiting for something to happen or go to the net and get tied in knots and become worthless there.
-They also don't move around to create space for each other.
- I hate to say this but if there were a test for hockey IQ, I believe these guys would score low. They do so many stupid things and sometimes leave a building of at least 3,000 knowledgeable paying customers of the 3600 on hand all saying, "What the F **K?!?!?" at the same time and then looking at each other with all kinds of dumfounded faces.
- This team does not have a forward who has established himself as an "AHL star".
The D-corps is solid. MacKinnon is their weak link, but he doesn't suck. However, I've never seen a hockey team that won games with a stingy D that also scored or set up all of the goals. These guys are often struggling in their own zone because the forwards are terrible defensive zone players. The D-zone success comes from a concerted effort of all 5 guys and the keeper. The Comets keepers are doing what they can interspersed with a an occasional bad goal as happens to ALL goalies, but they have not stunk up the ice keeping the team from winning no matter how many goals their team has given them. It's mostly been the opposite No matter how many saves they make while standing on their heads and robbing the opponents on countless great chances, they get little help on the scoreboard.
The Comets are dead last in goals for. H
- Shut out 4X.
- Scored only 1 goal 2X.
- Score 2 goals 4X
- Their highest ouput was 4 goals in a 5-4 loss.
So 8 of their 13 games they have scored 2 or less goals.
Goalies are under immense pressure due to the lack of scoring suport they are likely get.
- They are #29 out of 32 teams in goals against.
- Utica's PP is #18, but their PK is #32, worst in the league.
These stats don't get better, they get worse.
Don't get me wrong. I am not a doomsday soothsayer. If you have followed my game day postings, I have always praised good plays and serious effort.
I have always backed the boys and wished them the best.
However, I do not just pledge blind adoration. If a guy derves praise, I'll pile it on. If he's doing okay, but not setting the game on fire, I won't put him down, but I also won't be telling you how good he's playing.
If a guy doesn't belong out there based upon what he's doing. I'll say so IMO.
For me DiNeen did not inspire hope. He had a very good team in 21-22, but not only didn'tt get them deep into the playoffs, but when the rest of the league cauhgt onto their game and shut it down, he made no changes to counteract it. That has been his style since day 1. Nothing ever changed for more than 1 game ands then it was right back to the same old same old.
Parent hasn't had a chance to even get his feet wet if he has some ideas of how to make this team better, but so far there has been little difference. The old saying that, "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken s**t" or "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." and many others like it are truisms. If the players are simply not good enough to compete against what they are presented with, then the outcome will be lots more of the same.
Unless NJ does something to improve the status of this team on the ice, this season could be one of the worst the AHL has ever seen. I'm not going to hold my breath.
It is really bad, and a good portion of the posters here won't get it anyways. LOLMy guess was right.
DeSimone and Dowling have been recalled from the paper demotion.
Extra downgrade for the Comets, Foote and Bowers have been recalled.
The game roster on Friday in Syracuse will be interesting.
Remaining centers:
- Schmelzer
- Malone
- Engaras (newly activated and recalled from Adir.)
- Isley (recalled from Adir.)
LW
- Beckman
- Willman
- Parent
- Gambardella
- Bertuzzi
- Laberge (as of last game injured)
- Hardman (as of last game injured)
RW
- Halonen
- Stillman
- Legare
- Probably Parent or Laberge (if healthy) moves over to the RW
The Comets were weak as Hell in the middle to begin with. Now with 2 of their so called top centers in NJ, I don't know what you'd call them. Hardman and Willman are listed as centers, but have always been wingers until Willman played there last game and was invisible.
Their top scorer was Foote with only 9 points in 12 GP.
Casey was tied and takes over with 9 Points in 9 GP.
Halonen has 7 in 13 GP.
Beckman has 6 in 8 GP.
Willman has a measly 3 in 13 GP and after that not a single forward has more than 2 POINTS!
So, that's 3 roster forwards with with more than 2 points (I'm not even going to count Willman's 3) and none in double figures in the 13 games played by the Comets.
White, with 5, is the only other D-man with more than 1 point.
Good luck Coach Parent. Nothing like putting a lamb in the slaughter house. If ever there was a head coaching position one could have turned down this is it. The end result of this season on his resume won't have teams come calling and none of it would be his fault. The word interim in front of the word coach still won't erase how he did.
(Hey, maybe the Hockey Gods will take pity and help turn this thing around. Maybe even they can't bear to watch this much longer.
DeSimone and Dowling have been recalled from the paper demotion.
Extra downgrade for the Comets, Foote and Bowers have been recalled.
The game roster on Friday in Syracuse will be interesting.
Remaining centers:
- Schmelzer
- Malone
- Engaras (newly activated and recalled from Adir.)
- Isley (recalled from Adir.)
LW
- Beckman
- Willman
- Parent
- Gambardella
- Bertuzzi
- Laberge (as of last game injured)
- Hardman (as of last game injured)
RW
- Halonen
- Stillman
- Legare
- Probably Parent or Laberge (if healthy) moves over to the RW
The Comets were weak as Hell in the middle to begin with. Now with 2 of their so called top centers in NJ, I don't know what you'd call them. Hardman and Willman are listed as centers, but have always been wingers until Willman played there last game and was invisible.
Their top scorer was Foote with only 9 points in 12 GP.
Casey was tied and takes over with 9 Points in 9 GP.
Halonen has 7 in 13 GP.
Beckman has 6 in 8 GP.
Willman has a measly 3 in 13 GP and after that not a single forward has more than 2 POINTS!
So, that's 3 roster forwards with with more than 2 points (I'm not even going to count Willman's 3) and none in double figures in the 13 games played by the Comets.
White, with 5, is the only other D-man with more than 1 point.
Good luck Coach Parent. Nothing like putting a lamb in the slaughter house. If ever there was a head coaching position one could have turned down this is it. The end result of this season on his resume won't have teams come calling and none of it would be his fault. The word interim in front of the word coach still won't erase how he did.
(Hey, maybe the Hockey Gods will take pity and help turn this thing around. Maybe even they can't bear to watch this much longer.
Whaddagoal
The Sheldon Keefe Era Begins
Thank you, this is very helpful for us who haven't followed the AHL team in detail but were puzzled at that start
I don't know, I don't want the know, and anyone who DOES know, please don't tell me
Jersey Fan 12
Positive Vibes
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I don't know, I don't want the know, and anyone who DOES know, please don't tell me
Do we even know if Jace has male siblings?
At a certain point you have to simply make a trade for reenforcements at the AHL level, right?
It seems to be the only option, but who is available to trade that would get back better than they gave? Who would actually want any of the guys Utica would want to get rid of? The guys here that have value they won't deal: Nemec, Casey, Misyul., Vilen, Halonen(?), Beckman, Parent,.
Who out there would actually find any of these players so valuable they would give up a player better than what's here: Filmon, Stillman, Legare, Laberge, Willman, Hardman, Wendt, Malone, White, MacKinnon, Diotte?
I'm saying at a certain point you have to throw away a 6th or 7th or something for a few quality AHLers to not decimate the development of your dmen and goalies
I get it, but do you really believe that a 6th or a 7th is going to get you "a few quality AHLers" with the emphasis on "FEW" and "QUALITY"?
I really don't think so.
I really like the idea, but do you have an inside skinny on this? LOL
You don't think a 6th for example could get you at least 2 AHL all star types to make the lineup go and help development across the board?
Idk how expensive AHL trades are, not my area of expertise at all
In the current hockey news, an article about the Capitals AHL pipeline in Hershey. Caps GM states" We want our players, our prospects playing meaningful games against good competition" wonder what New Jerseys thoughts are.....
Bet you'll never get an answer. it certainly can't mirror that one.
I'm going to start a NJ timeline as to when NJ acquires actual C/F help for the Comets.
It will look like this daily.
From the opening night
10/11-11/20 - None
11/21 NJ C/F help - None
11/22 - None
It will look like this daily.
From the opening night
10/11-11/20 - None
11/21 NJ C/F help - None
11/22 - None
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11/22/24
Utica Comets @ Syracuse Crunch
Forwards:
(79) Laberge (16) Engaras (11) Legare
(5) Gambardella (26) Schmelzer (24) Halonen
(20) Willman (13) Malone (61) Stillman
(34) Beckman (67) Parent (39 Hardman
D-Pairs:
(6) White (17) Nemec
(83) Vilen (22) Casey
(93) Misyul (3) MacKinnon
Goal - (1) Poulter
Period 1
Crunch take a penalty at 3:00.
SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schmelzer a one-timer from the left circle.
Schmelzer (1) from Casey (9) and Beckman (5) 3:36
1-0 Utica
Nemec in the high slot flat out handed the puck to a Crunch and Poulter made the save 1 on 1 or this game was tied. An absolutely horrible give away.
End of the 1st
Comets 1-0
SOG:
13-10 Utica
Difference in the period was Poulter. He faced 3 less shots, but his saves came off much more difficult attempts including 2 very short rebounds right on top of him.
Schmelzer's goal is the 1st goal for the Comets vs Syracuse in this, the 3rd game between the 2 this season.
Utica Comets @ Syracuse Crunch
Forwards:
(79) Laberge (16) Engaras (11) Legare
(5) Gambardella (26) Schmelzer (24) Halonen
(20) Willman (13) Malone (61) Stillman
(34) Beckman (67) Parent (39 Hardman
D-Pairs:
(6) White (17) Nemec
(83) Vilen (22) Casey
(93) Misyul (3) MacKinnon
Goal - (1) Poulter
Period 1
Crunch take a penalty at 3:00.
SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schmelzer a one-timer from the left circle.
Schmelzer (1) from Casey (9) and Beckman (5) 3:36
1-0 Utica
Nemec in the high slot flat out handed the puck to a Crunch and Poulter made the save 1 on 1 or this game was tied. An absolutely horrible give away.
End of the 1st
Comets 1-0
SOG:
13-10 Utica
Difference in the period was Poulter. He faced 3 less shots, but his saves came off much more difficult attempts including 2 very short rebounds right on top of him.
Schmelzer's goal is the 1st goal for the Comets vs Syracuse in this, the 3rd game between the 2 this season.
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Period 2
G----------O----------A----------L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:41
Beckman crossing in front of the cage tips a shot from the point by Hardman.
Beckman (3) from Hardman (1)
2:41
2-0 Comets
6:58 - Nemec gets 2 for interference.
Comets cleared the zone 5 times
Poulter made 1 save.
9:37 - MacKinnon called for holding. He tackled a crunch going through the crease.
10:13 Crunch score on the PP. 36 seconds into the PP.
2-1 Comets
When you have the worst PK in the AHL you might want to stay out of the box.
MacKinnon and Roman Schmidt drop 'em at 16:52.
holding each other off and exchanging rights every so often until the refs step in and end it.
5 each for fighting.
Gabriel Fortier gets 2 for tripping at 17:30.
Comets to the PP.
Comets 0 shots.
End of 2
2-1 Comets
SOG:
10-8 Utica
2-period total
23-18 Utica
G----------O----------A----------L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:41
Beckman crossing in front of the cage tips a shot from the point by Hardman.
Beckman (3) from Hardman (1)
2:41
2-0 Comets
6:58 - Nemec gets 2 for interference.
Comets cleared the zone 5 times
Poulter made 1 save.
9:37 - MacKinnon called for holding. He tackled a crunch going through the crease.
10:13 Crunch score on the PP. 36 seconds into the PP.
2-1 Comets
When you have the worst PK in the AHL you might want to stay out of the box.
MacKinnon and Roman Schmidt drop 'em at 16:52.
holding each other off and exchanging rights every so often until the refs step in and end it.
5 each for fighting.
Gabriel Fortier gets 2 for tripping at 17:30.
Comets to the PP.
Comets 0 shots.
End of 2
2-1 Comets
SOG:
10-8 Utica
2-period total
23-18 Utica
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You’re welcome Utica. I tuned in for the first time this year with 3 minutes left and they score the go ahead goal and finally win a game. Nearly gave up the tying goal with 2 seconds left too lol
Period 3
Comets leading after 2 periods is the 1st time that's happened all season.
White gets 2 for cross checking. 5:55
Niko Huuhtanen PPG at 6:04.
9 seconds into the PP.
2-2
It's been all Syracuse since the drop of the puck to start the 3rd. Comets acting as if they have no idea how to play with a lead in the 3rd period. They had to know the Crunch would come with all they have.
WOW!!!!!
Poulter all alone swipes a great scoring chance from 15 feet. That's the save of the night at either end.
3 shots and the Comets SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hardman (2) from White (5) and Engaras (1)
10:06
3-2 Comets
15:20 the Crunch score.
3-3
Comets to a PP with 2:13 to go.
Joel Teasdale 2 for tripping.
PPG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hardman
with 1:13 to go and it's 4-3 Comets.
18:47
Tomkins to the bench
COMETS WIN
C_O_M_E_T_S WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C-O-M-E-T-S wi-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many times can I express joy?????????????????
Comets win game #1 in their 14th try and it damned well wasn't easy!
Poulter the difference IMO! He made several brilliant stops.
Comets leading after 2 periods is the 1st time that's happened all season.
White gets 2 for cross checking. 5:55
Niko Huuhtanen PPG at 6:04.
9 seconds into the PP.
2-2
It's been all Syracuse since the drop of the puck to start the 3rd. Comets acting as if they have no idea how to play with a lead in the 3rd period. They had to know the Crunch would come with all they have.
WOW!!!!!
Poulter all alone swipes a great scoring chance from 15 feet. That's the save of the night at either end.
3 shots and the Comets SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hardman (2) from White (5) and Engaras (1)
10:06
3-2 Comets
15:20 the Crunch score.
3-3
Comets to a PP with 2:13 to go.
Joel Teasdale 2 for tripping.
PPG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hardman
with 1:13 to go and it's 4-3 Comets.
18:47
Tomkins to the bench
COMETS WIN
C_O_M_E_T_S WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C-O-M-E-T-S wi-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many times can I express joy?????????????????
Comets win game #1 in their 14th try and it damned well wasn't easy!
Poulter the difference IMO! He made several brilliant stops.
