2025-26 Utica Comets thread
- Thread starter NJDevs26
- Start date
The Devils have traded Erik Haula to Nashville for a 4th round pick and 2023 6th Rd Colorado selection, 22-yr-old, 6'1"/196 LB, LD Jeremy Hanzel. He will be a 2nd yr pro having played last season with the ECHL Atlanta Gladiators and a 4-game cup of coffee with the AHL Milwaukee Admirals. His ECHL numbers are not at all that impressive amassing 3G/19A/22Pts with 28PIM and a horrendous -24.
Elite/prospects lists him as a Utica Comet. He certainly won't be considered for NJ, but could easily end up in ECHL Adirondack. This trade was to get cap money from Haula's $3Mil+ contract. Hanzel's contract is a 2-yr, 2-way for minimum $775K/$82,500. Assume it's the last 2 years of his original ELC signed in 2023 with Colorado. He was traded to Nashville in 2024 and now to NJ in 2025.
The fact that he plays the left side and Utica already has Ethan Edwards, Colton White, and Topias Vilen on the left side, my guess is he will be in Adirondack. The Comets need RD. Their only RD under contract is Mikael Diotte who did not make the Comets after 2GP and after 5GP with Adirondack suffered a season ending injury. I don't consider him a Comet by any means.
Seamus Casey would be the only RD as of now IF NJ sends him back. Otherwise they need an entire right side. With the threat of losing Seamus at any time if he in fact starts here, means they'd better sign 4 RD besides him
So far possible newcomers to Utica are:
- Lenni Hameenaho - Has signed a 3-yr ELC with NJ and will probably start the season here unless he is ultra impressive in NJ's camp.
- Shane Lachance - Signed to a 2-yr ELC as an NCAA free agent out of Boston University. Played 2 games with Utica at the end of last season.
- Cam Squires - Played 3 games at the end of last season after his Jr season ended.
- Josh Filmon - He has basically been in Adirondack having played a total of 16 games with Utica in the past 2 seasons.
- Jonathan Gruden - Not actually a newcomer as he played 18 games with Utica after being acquired at the NHL TDL. He has 1 year remaining on his contract and will start the season in Utica.
There is a glaring absence of any centers at this time. At this time it's very early, but it's a position that must be addressed!
I will remain patient for a while. Lotsa of opportuinties will be available to the Devils in the next month plus.
Elite/prospects lists him as a Utica Comet. He certainly won't be considered for NJ, but could easily end up in ECHL Adirondack. This trade was to get cap money from Haula's $3Mil+ contract. Hanzel's contract is a 2-yr, 2-way for minimum $775K/$82,500. Assume it's the last 2 years of his original ELC signed in 2023 with Colorado. He was traded to Nashville in 2024 and now to NJ in 2025.
The fact that he plays the left side and Utica already has Ethan Edwards, Colton White, and Topias Vilen on the left side, my guess is he will be in Adirondack. The Comets need RD. Their only RD under contract is Mikael Diotte who did not make the Comets after 2GP and after 5GP with Adirondack suffered a season ending injury. I don't consider him a Comet by any means.
Seamus Casey would be the only RD as of now IF NJ sends him back. Otherwise they need an entire right side. With the threat of losing Seamus at any time if he in fact starts here, means they'd better sign 4 RD besides him
So far possible newcomers to Utica are:
- Lenni Hameenaho - Has signed a 3-yr ELC with NJ and will probably start the season here unless he is ultra impressive in NJ's camp.
- Shane Lachance - Signed to a 2-yr ELC as an NCAA free agent out of Boston University. Played 2 games with Utica at the end of last season.
- Cam Squires - Played 3 games at the end of last season after his Jr season ended.
- Josh Filmon - He has basically been in Adirondack having played a total of 16 games with Utica in the past 2 seasons.
- Jonathan Gruden - Not actually a newcomer as he played 18 games with Utica after being acquired at the NHL TDL. He has 1 year remaining on his contract and will start the season in Utica.
There is a glaring absence of any centers at this time. At this time it's very early, but it's a position that must be addressed!
I will remain patient for a while. Lotsa of opportuinties will be available to the Devils in the next month plus.
He was signed to a 2-yr AHL contract. Sign of NJ confidence? I don't see it.
I'm looking forward to watching him and hoping he adds some higher skill level to the Comets center position than we have seen in the past. Ryan Schmelzer, bless his heart, has been the best the Comets have been able to put forth for the past 3 seasons. He is very good, but he is not a #1 center. At this point he is with Melovsky hopefully rising to the level of #2. NJ needs to find a true AHL #1 and then Ryan becomes #2 and Mellow #3.
Re-signing McLaughlin is not of any help at a higher spot on the center ladder. He could be a decent #3 if they get the #1 and then Mellow starts out at #4 with the option of moving up if his play warrants it. He is a UFA and I see him looking for a better deal if he can find it. His career numbers don't indicate he is an elite AHL center so if NJ is willing to bring him back it might be the best he can get. Only giving him time to figure things out on the open market will determine his future. NJ may not be interested at all so who knows.
I'm looking forward to watching him and hoping he adds some higher skill level to the Comets center position than we have seen in the past. Ryan Schmelzer, bless his heart, has been the best the Comets have been able to put forth for the past 3 seasons. He is very good, but he is not a #1 center. At this point he is with Melovsky hopefully rising to the level of #2. NJ needs to find a true AHL #1 and then Ryan becomes #2 and Mellow #3.
Re-signing McLaughlin is not of any help at a higher spot on the center ladder. He could be a decent #3 if they get the #1 and then Mellow starts out at #4 with the option of moving up if his play warrants it. He is a UFA and I see him looking for a better deal if he can find it. His career numbers don't indicate he is an elite AHL center so if NJ is willing to bring him back it might be the best he can get. Only giving him time to figure things out on the open market will determine his future. NJ may not be interested at all so who knows.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
I’ll leave it to @Bad Goalie to correct my depth chart but the way I see it Utica’s roster next year looks something like:
Hardman (VE) - Parent - Halonen
Gruden (VE) - Lachance - Hamenaaho
Bowers (VE)- Schmelzer (V) - Legare
Filmon - Melovsky - Squires
Malone - Wendt
Vilen - White (V)
Edwards - Casey
Hanzel - Diotte
Malek
Brennan
It looks like the Comets can squeeze in one more veteran player by my count. It’s unfortunate that Hardman played exactly 260 games. With one less game, he wouldn’t even be considered a VE for this upcoming season.
I would hope that additional veteran would finally be a quality AHL 1C, but odds are Devils may look to add some experience on defense instead.
Team looks a little rough offensively. It’s really going to count on the new young guys like Hamenaaho, LaChance, Squires, and even Melovsky to help provide some offense. The vets they have right now seem more of the “Nice Guy, Tries Hard, Loves the Game” player rather than offensive difference maker.
Hardman (VE) - Parent - Halonen
Gruden (VE) - Lachance - Hamenaaho
Bowers (VE)- Schmelzer (V) - Legare
Filmon - Melovsky - Squires
Malone - Wendt
Vilen - White (V)
Edwards - Casey
Hanzel - Diotte
Malek
Brennan
It looks like the Comets can squeeze in one more veteran player by my count. It’s unfortunate that Hardman played exactly 260 games. With one less game, he wouldn’t even be considered a VE for this upcoming season.
I would hope that additional veteran would finally be a quality AHL 1C, but odds are Devils may look to add some experience on defense instead.
Team looks a little rough offensively. It’s really going to count on the new young guys like Hamenaaho, LaChance, Squires, and even Melovsky to help provide some offense. The vets they have right now seem more of the “Nice Guy, Tries Hard, Loves the Game” player rather than offensive difference maker.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
What was the record under Parent? Given the poor start they had to have had decent success with him.
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