2025-26 Utica Comets thread

[NJDevs26]

Reset for the new season

 

[Bad Goalie]

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.

 

[Bad Goalie]

This post was from @My3Sons
Hopefully they sign Melovsky?

 

[Bad Goalie]

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.

 

[Zippy316]

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.

 

[Zippy316]

 

[My3Sons]

What was the record under Parent? Given the poor start they had to have had decent success with him.

 

[Bad Goalie]

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.

Let's do a little editing here.

1. Parent can't be considered a center. He has played 2 seasons + 14 games as a Comet. His best game is as a LW. His RW play has been decent but he is restricted there and you can see it every game he plays on his off side. He actually crosses the ice to the left side in order to play his game when in the O-zone. He has played a few games in the middle, but both coach's recognized he is not an AHL center. His points are mainly picked up on the left side.

Scratch 1 of your center options.

2. Lachance is a also a LW. He will be a big body at the net front on PPs and in normal 5 on 5 play, but he's not a center.
Gruden actually ended up playing the last few games in the middle, but in watching he is also not a center unless desperate times call for desperate actions.

Scratch these to as center options

3. Melovsky is actually the only true center on the roster besides Schmelzer and apparently you and I both recognize that based upon his Jr. career he should be in the lineup but starting out at #4 until he proves he needs to go any higher on the depth chart. However, playing with 2 other rookies it's not likely he will get the chance to grow his game all that well. Rookie wings usually end up with veteran centers and rookie centers usually get to work with experienced wings. Those 3 would end up trying to just keep their heads above water. Based upon his past performance, Filmon will actually have to fight like Hell to stay in the game day lineup. With the addition of a couple acquisitions he may be looking at some more time in Adirondack unless he impresses right from the get go.

4. Right now Schmelzer, who would be a damned good #3C on a good AHL team, is currently the best center the Comets have signed and Melovsky may very well be #2. Malone, whom you have as an extra is the 3rd best!

This is the problem in Utica. NJ has tried to pigeonhole guys onto the roster as centers who really aren't. If you look at their position on hockey sites most of them are listed as either LW/C or RW/C meaning they have played there before and can be penciled in times as an emergency replacement, but most of their professional career they have not played in the middle.

Last season Hardman, Bowers, Willman, Parent, Gruden, Legare, and Gambardella were in the linup as centers. They were crammed in somewhere along with Schmelzer (72GP/23G/21A/44Pts - #1 on the Comets), Malone (57GP/9G/4A/13Pts), and Engaras (48GP/3G/8A/11Pts).
McLaughlin, normally a center, was addedd at the deadline and he was in the lineup until the end of the season (16GP/0G/6A/6Pts). He's a UFA, but is also not a VET or VE.

Aside from Schmelzer, the actual Utica centers were abysmal at producing Points? The pushins were like fish out of water when asked to play center. A hockey team is only as good as they are down the middle. Schmelzer played with a plethora of wings as Coach Parent kept trying to put who could benefit from playing with a guy who could feed them. The other wings were supposed to be able to help the other centers become a line that might be able to score some goals. The resuult was a 31-33-6-2 finish placing them last in the North Division and 26th in the AHL.

I believe right now NJ sees Schmelzer, Melovsky, ?, and Malone as the Utica centers. Gruden listed as a RW/LW on hockey sites was played at center in the last few Comets games. If NJ sees him as a center things will start out just like every season where the centers beyond Schmelzer are out of place in their spots on the depth chart. Gruden needs to be back out on a wing where he belongs

If that is NJ's center construction for next season it will be another scratch and claw season just to stay out of the cellar. They need 2-TWO PROVEN AHL CENTERS. Paired up with Schmelzer and Melovsky this team could be a playoff team. NJ has the money to bring in 2 good guys. To not do such would be negligence of the highest order. They have made things worse on a sliding scale for the last 3 seasons after their rookie group in 2021-22 played out. There are no centers in their system to elevate in cases of emergency as we saw last season. NJ posters claimed they didn't need them since there were so many other Devil players who could slot in at center. How did that work out? Justin Dowling played 52 games in NJ last season because he was the best the system had to offer.

What's Fitz doing now? Trying to find Centers for the Devils!!!! He hasn't drafted any or they would be in Utica cooking. He hasn't signed any top AHL centers who would have been better adds than Dowling. The Center slot in NJ after the 2 big ones, Hischier and Hughes, is empty of quality NHL centers. His failure to build any in Utica in FOUR (4) SEASONS is criminal. The AHL is where players develop in most NHL systems. You have to draft them to make it happen.

5. Harden is not a VE. He has played 260 games. To be qualified as a VE he would have to have played 261 Games. The cutoff is 261-320 for VE and 321+ is the number to be a VET.
So, as of now they have 2 Vets (Schmelzer and White) and 2 VEs (Bowers and Gruden). Thus, they have room for 2 more VETS or VEs. I would hope the spots are reserved for 1 center and the way things look right now 1 D-man.

6. If Hanzel and Diotte are penciled in as the Comets final pair in the TOP 6 D-men, the D will be in big trouble. It would mean the top 2 pairs would have to be slpit up to pair these 2 guys with someone who can carry them.
Jeremy Hanzel has played 1 professional season and it was comprised of 61 GP with the ECHL Atlanta Gladiators and 4 games with the AHL Milwaukee Admirals. I get the feeling he is Adirondack bound.

Mikael Diotte will be starting his second pro season which will be considered his rookie season. He started the season with Utica and was deemed not AHL ready and sent to Adirondack after 5 games. In Adirondack he played 2 games and suffered a season ending injury. I can't see him as an AHL regular to start the season. Maybe they carry him to start and give him a look, but I thik he starts out in Adirondack.

At best these 2 are 7/8 on the depth chart. That means it is essential for NJ to acquire 2 proven (hopefully) AHL D-men. That would only give them 6. Casey is a question mark based upon Fitz's actions in the off season. If he does end up here, he is likely the first call NJ makes when they need D-help. Vilen may be on the radar, but I would guess Seamus. In any case that means the Devils need to find 3 AHL level D-men for the upcoming season.

Tory Dello finished the season with Utica playing 14 games and accumulating 4 assists and finished at -1. He is a UFA and if re-signed wold not count as a VET or VE.

I say UFAs Osipov and Strand don't fit on that bill. They were scrap pile additions last season and while big and physical they were not good D-men, not good skaters, poor passers, and had poor puck handling skills. They were carried whenever possible, but that ended sooner than later due to Casey callup and injuries at home.

There are UFA guys out there who have played consistently in the AHL but have not accrued enough games to reach VE status. Usually they are guys who developed late after either College careers or a couple years in the ECHL and the NHL team they are with has their own prospects that they will sign first and there's no room for these guys. They can be very useful to AHL teams who need non-Vet players to play on their game day roster. It requires good scouting to find the right ones.

7. I notice you have the Comets keepers as Malek and Brennan. I know they are the only ones signed after Daws, but if NJ deosn't sign Poulter (RFA), that will be even more egregious than any other move they have made concerning the Comets. He has been their most consistent keeper since he got here
full time in '23-24, but was also very good in his 13 '22-23 games. You can't look at numbers for Utica's keepers the last 2 seasons since the team in front of them was not good defensively.

Schmidt and Daws after '21-22 struggled in the AHL. They would play a good game and then stink up the ice. As I said, Poulter, was almost always solid and gave his team a chance to win which they were very poor at accomplishing. On many occasions the Utica goailes have been left totally on their own and Isaac came out on top in more of those occasions than not.

Daws and Schmidt would give up goals on terrible long wrist SOG. Some were from terrible spots to surrender goals on. E.G. from the side boards on shots that were no better than corner dumpins or weak point shot wristers hoping for help in front, but they went in without any help. Whereas Poulter usually had to get beat by good chances and gave up way less BAD goals then the other 2. In fact last season Poulter and Brodeur ended up the best pairing.

Brennan has had poor play and injuries limitting him to 13 and 29 game seasons in Adirondack. He has backed up a couple times in Utica, but has not played a minute for the Comets. He is bound for Adirondack and may be gone after the ELC runs out this season.

Though a little long winded, I hope that was of some help to you. The Comets roster needs some serious work in oder to escape the doldrums they gradually sank into through the last 2 seasons. I'm not sure they'll get it.

 

[Bad Goalie]

What was the record under Parent? Given the poor start they had to have had decent success with him.

31-25-5-2. They were often very good in stretches in the 2nd half of the season. The scoring abilities of the guys acquired for this team were terrible. The lack of centers played a big role in that but some of these guys couldn't score if the other team played without goalies. Their puck skills were that bad.

Unfortunately most of the forwards acquired for last year are still signed for this season. They only lose Willman, unless God forbid, they re-sign him and Sam Laberge. Have to love Laberge's effort and physicality, but he is probably out of the lineup if they bring him back. Filmon is the guy he would push out, which isn't a bad idea, LOL. The lack of centers beyond Schmelzer is still a major problem. Rookie Matyas Melovsky is currently the only center addition and he's on a 2-yr AHL deal. Malone is still signed, but he is also on an AHL 2-yr deal. He is at best a #4C and should be a #5C. Missing 2 centers if they expect to compete.



Waiting to see what happens in the coming weeks.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Just looking at the roster and I see this as what we have now under contract.
LW:
Hardman
Parent
Gruden
Lachance
Bowers
Filmon

RW:
Halonen
Hameenaho
Legare
Squires
Wendt (AHL deal)

I'm sending Filmon and Wendt to Adirondack.
Bowers, Gruden, and Lachance batlle it out for the last 2 LW spots.

How would it actually play out based upon the past?
Bowers get shifted back into the middle with Schmelzer, Melovsky, and Malone.
Wendt #5 RW and Filmon #5 LW are the 2 spare forwards.

They acquire a center and Malone becomes #5

All NJ has to find is a top level center and 3 D-men. They currently have 2 Vets and 2 Vet Exempts.
Get a #1 Vet center and a good top 4 defender.
Can't count on Casey even getting assigned here and if he does look for him to be this year's Nemec; here a short while, called up , and never seen again.
The D would be good with Casey, Vilen, White, Edwards, new VET guy, 2 other acquisitions. Based upon Casey as a question mark the 2 D-men acquisitions should be 3.