2023-24 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[NJDevs26]

Prior thread:

2022-23 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

Time for the changeover Previous thread end: https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/2021-22-utica-comets-and-echl-thread-part-v.2875907/page-71

forums.hfboards.com

With the minor league seasons over and the draft in two weeks, time for the changeover

Click to read more...

 

[Devils731]

Devils prospect Reilly Walsh could be traded ‘early next season,’ assistant GM says

The Devils drafted Reilly Walsh in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

www.nj.com

Walsh definitely seems like a guy who needs a different organization to try and move forward with.

 

[tailfins]

Devils prospect Reilly Walsh could be traded ‘early next season,’ assistant GM says

The Devils drafted Reilly Walsh in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

www.nj.com

View attachment 720001

Walsh definitely seems like a guy who needs a different organization to try and move forward with.

It's always hard reading stuff like this, even if we already could see it coming. Feels like we're watching Walsh basically get fired. The sooner he can get to another team, the better it will be for him.

 

[Zippy316]

I’d be very surprised if Walsh isn’t moved by training camp.

If Utica is lucky, maybe the Devils can get an AHL center out of it, which they desperately need.

 

[Bad Goalie]

He's an RFA, yet still way below the AHL number of games played to count even as a Veteran Exempt having only played 175 games towards the minimum number of 261. NJ or any other NHL team could use him in their AHL lineup for 2 more seasons without him counting as even Vet exempt.

This fact can kill him because any team can decide he is just right for running their AHL PP while saying they'd like to give him an NHL try, but not feel bad if he can't cut it and place him on the farm. More productive AHL PP QBs have never made it to the NHL. No guarantee he's good enough to just fit right in on an NHL roster. TJ Brennan is a good example.

In 10 professional seasons he played 53 NHL games for 3 different teams (Buffalo,Toronto,Florida) over the course of 5 scattered seasons where he put up .25 PPG. He was not strong defensively and thus, kept being returned to the AHL where he recorded 478 pts in 679 GP which comes out as .70 PPG.

Reilly has recorded 99 pts in 174 GP. Though it's a much smaller sample, his PPG is only .57.

His career GP total does not exactly say he has been overlooked but as has been pointed out the Devils have drafted well and he has likely been passed by 2 top 1st round selections who appear to be labeled NJ Devils. That means there is no room for Reilly, who is not exactly a star defender either. It's his points that make him appear valuable.

What happens next is dependent upon how much Fitz wants to give up on him so early in his career. There is no guarantee that the Devils D-corps will stay healthy and that the careers of every one of them in NJ will actually hold steady over the next couple of years to come. There are also more kids coming led by Casey.

I'd think Fitz will find it important to hold onto him for at least another season, and maybe even 2 by signing him to a 2-yr extension with more $ to reward him for the job he's done up to now. He may also be valuable as trade material enabling NJ to hold onto another player they don't want to lose. If such a deal can give NJ something they feel they need, then so be it. Good GMs don't do favors for players under their control after such a short number of games played. It's up to a player to turn up his game and make himself hard to ignore by upper management. Walsh has not done that.

 

[Guttersniped]

He's an RFA, yet still way below the AHL number of games played to count even as a Veteran Exempt having only played 175 games towards the minimum number of 261. NJ or any other NHL team could use him in their AHL lineup for 2 more seasons without him counting as even Vet exempt.

This fact can kill him because any team can decide he is just right for running their AHL PP while saying they'd like to give him an NHL try, but not feel bad if he can't cut it and place him on the farm. More productive AHL PP QBs have never made it to the NHL. No guarantee he's good enough to just fit right in on an NHL roster. TJ Brennan is a good example.

In 10 professional seasons he played 53 NHL games for 3 different teams (Buffalo,Toronto,Florida) over the course of 5 scattered seasons where he put up .25 PPG. He was not strong defensively and thus, kept being returned to the AHL where he recorded 478 pts in 679 GP which comes out as .70 PPG.

Reilly has recorded 99 pts in 174 GP. Though it's a much smaller sample, his PPG is only .57.

His career GP total does not exactly say he has been overlooked but as has been pointed out the Devils have drafted well and he has likely been passed by 2 top 1st round selections who appear to be labeled NJ Devils. That means there is no room for Reilly, who is not exactly a star defender either. It's his points that make him appear valuable.

What happens next is dependent upon how much Fitz wants to give up on him so early in his career. There is no guarantee that the Devils D-corps will stay healthy and that the careers of every one of them in NJ will actually hold steady over the next couple of years to come. There are also more kids coming led by Casey.

I'd think Fitz will find it important to hold onto him for at least another season, and maybe even 2 by signing him to a 2-yr extension with more $ to reward him for the job he's done up to now. He may also be valuable as trade material enabling NJ to hold onto another player they don't want to lose. If such a deal can give NJ something they feel they need, then so be it. Good GMs don't do favors for players under their control after such a short number of games played. It's up to a player to turn up his game and make himself hard to ignore by upper management. Walsh has not done that.

Good GMs do look out for their players interest too and make it a consideration, no matter how many games they’ve played for them. They’re widgets not people.

There’s so little PP time and with most teams only using 1 defenseman on a unit, there really isn’t much of a demand for a 2nd unit NHL PP QB vs more versatile all-purpose PMD.

It was different between 1980-2009, which is when the average number of PP Opportunities peaked.

That 28 year period fills up the top 31 years of PP Opportunities, with the unique (short-lived) peak in 2005-06 after the rule changes.

Then you can see PP Opportunities dropped continuously through 2009-14, then the last 9 years have had the fewest PP Opportunities in NHL history.

For example: Calen Addison scored 29 points in 69 GP in NHL for the Wild as a rookie. He had 3 EV goals, 8 EV assists, and 18 PP assists.

He basically ran their PP but lost that job when they traded for Klingberg. He ended up being healthy scratched quite a bit at the end of the season, and was told he needed to improve his game beyond the PP.

Guerin said this about Addison:

Calen knows this. Dean and I both had upfront conversations with him. His five-on-five play has to get better on both sides of the puck. We need him to generate five-on-five and we need him to be able to defend. He worked at it. He knows he’s got to be more competitive in defensive situations. When he was really struggling five-on-five, it’s time to come out, and he was great on the power play, but you can’t play one side of it. It’s a learning process for him. He’s a young player. He’s got one part of the game down — the power play. But there’s a whole other side to it.

Only a select number of defensemen produce on the PP, there just aren’t many spots, and very few could be described as old school offensive power play merchants. And the guys who get clean up duty are even less likely to be that.

Honestly teams shouldn’t draft like that’s a thing, whenever someone is described as a potential 2nd unit PP QB the unit they’re actually talking about is in the AHL.

That said, Walsh has value, so it could work out if we could trade him for a AHL center as some else suggested.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Good GMs do look out for their players interest too and make it a consideration, no matter how many games they’ve played for them. They’re widgets not people.

There’s so little PP time and with most teams only using 1 defenseman on a unit, there really isn’t much of a demand for a 2nd unit NHL PP QB vs more versatile all-purpose PMD.

It was different between 1980-2009, which is when the average number of PP Opportunities peaked.

That 28 year period fills up the top 31 years of PP Opportunities, with the unique (short-lived) peak in 2005-06 after the rule changes.

View attachment 720319

Then you can see PP Opportunities dropped continuously through 2009-14, then the last 9 years have had the fewest PP Opportunities in NHL history.

View attachment 720321

For example: Calen Addison scored 29 points in 69 GP in NHL for the Wild as a rookie. He had 3 EV goals, 8 EV assists, and 18 PP assists.

He basically ran their PP but lost that job when they traded for Klingberg. He ended up being healthy scratched quite a bit at the end of the season, and was told he needed to improve his game beyond the PP.

Guerin said this about Addison:


Only a select number of defensemen produce on the PP, there just aren’t many spots, and very few could be described as old school offensive power play merchants. And the guys who get clean up duty are even less likely to be that.

Honestly teams shouldn’t draft like that’s a thing, whenever someone is described as a potential 2nd unit PP QB the unit they’re actually talking about is in the AHL.

That said, Walsh has value, so it could work out if we could trade him for a AHL center as some else suggested.

"Walsh has value, so it could work out if we could trade him for a AHL center as some else suggested."

I concur. If not now, later on. He can't go anywhere unless traded or not given a QO. I see him either traded for that center or re-signed, maybe even for 2 years with a raise. He can still help the Comets and at the same time be readily available for trade bait. He also wouldn't be effected by the vet rules for either season. He would also be available for an emergency call-up.

I think chances are good he's going to be a Comet or traded for a much needed center.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Sam Anas and Cal O'Reilly are both free agents once again.

O'Reilly will turn 37 on 9/30. His numbers fell off a cliff last season - 18 Pts in 59/GP. I'm not privy to his possible injury status, but I think the clock has finally caught up to him.

Anas just turned 30. Before last saeson he was nothing but elite: 70pts in 63GP with Iowa in 2019-20, 23Pts in 23 GP with the Comets in the 2020-21 shortened COVID season, and 64 Pts in 74 GP with Springfield in 2021-22. Like O'Reilly, he dropped off dramatically in 2022-23. Playing with the Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears he only recorded 21 Pts in 41 GP, but the big decrease in GP indicates injury might have been a big reason.

After a close look at the reason for his decrease in production last season I'd take a run at him if injury was the reason and he has made a full recovery. He did put up 12 Pts in 20 GP in the playoffs which wasn't too shabby. He would at least be a productive #2 if healthy.

Deal Reilly Walsh for the #1 C and the Comets just might be in business.

 

[Guttersniped]

I like Peter Abbandonato and Justin Richards as center UFA signing, both are 25 years old.

 

[Bad Goalie]

I like Peter Abbandonato and Justin Richards as center UFA signing, both are 25 years old.

I have been researching the UFAs that are currently unsigned.

Those under Veteran status:
1) Peter Abbandonato (25) Laval - 66GP 11/35/46
Total games towards Vet status 59

2) Justin Richards (25) Cleveland - 61GP 10/29/39
Total games towards Vet status 161

3) Ethan Frank (25) Hershey - 57GP 30/19/49
Total games towards Vet status 67

4) Tristan Nielsen (23) Abbotsford - 64 GP 14/27/41
Total games towards Vet status 105

Those who qualify for Veteran Exempt status:
1) Gage Quinney (27) Henderson - 66GP 25/34/64

2) Matthew Phillips (25) AHL Calgary - 66 GP 36/40/76

3) John Hayden (28) Coachella - 47 GP 17/16/33

4 Sean Malone (28) Rochester - 53GP 14/17/31

Those with Veteran status:
1) Gemel Smith (29) Syracuse/Henderson
Syracuse - 35GP 13/24/37
Henderson - 19GP 5/11/16
total numbers 54GP 18/35/53

2) Justin Dowling (32) Abbotsford - 56GP 11/35/46

3) Cole Cassels (28) Belleville - 64 GP 12/39/51

4) Tanner Kero (30) Texas - 69 GP 17/33/50

Thinking like a GM, if the Comets could land 1 of the non vets (especially Ethan Frank), that would still leave them 2 more vets. I'd pick up a center, preferably a VE, but would settle for a vet if the VE can't be had.

In short, quality options are currently available. Lots of combos could be acquired.

This would leave a slot open for a historically high scoring wing.

Examples would be:
1) Chris Terry (34) Journeyman LW Bridgeport - 67GP 27/51/78

2) Rocco Grimaldi (30) W/C San Diego/Rockford - 70 GP 33/40/73

Ideally the Comets would get:
1) Non-vet Ethan Frank

2) VE Matthew Phillips or Gage Quinney

3) 1 of Rocco Grimaldi or Chris Terry

The Comets have to get 2 centers. If 1 is a non vet, the option for big points from a vet wing is wide open.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Bowers to the Comets?

 

[Devils731]

Bowers is a 23 years old former late first round pick who has only played 1 NHL game.

His AHL point rate is under half a point a game as well.

His HockeyDB card says he plays center, so that’s something.

I would have hoped they could get something closer to an AHL top 6 guy for Walsh but who knows, maybe this guy is good off the puck or something.

Good for Walsh to get to move on. Devils didn’t seem to believe in him, right or wrong.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Not impressed with Shane Bowerrs.

Everyone including Dineen, McKinnon, and the NJ brass knew the Comets needed to acquire at least 2 QUALITY centers beyond the lone one still on the roster.

Captain Ryan Schmelzer is under contract for this season.
Aarne Talvitie has returned to Europe.
Brian Pinho is a UFA.
Nolan Stevens was on an AHL contract now expired.

Talvitie recorded 14 Pts in 58 GP. His offense will not be missed.

Pinho was acquired last season to play center. It did not work out well to say the least. His scoring went flat out dead for a huge chunk of the season. He played a lot of RW as his center prowess was lacking. He finished with 28 Pts in 53 GP after having put up 12 of them in the 1st 15 games and was a .53 PPG player. Over the course of his 5 yrs in the AHL he is .47 PPG. He ended up basically what he came in as.

Stevens put up 33 Pts in 48 GP for .69 PPG. Over the course of 5 AHL seasons is .50. He had a better season than his lifetime numbers.

Schmelzer recorded 35 Pts in 68 GP for .51 PPG and over the course of his 2 Yrs in Utica he has been a .50 PPG. player.

Schmelzer, who played #s1/2 C for much of the season would have been an excellent #3!
Stevens was approaching #1 numbers by scoring a wave of goals before injury on 2/3 cost him the next 19 games.
Pinho belonged on the wing.

Shane Bowers put up 21Pts in 51 GP for .36 PPG and in 4 seasons in the AHL is a .38 PPG player. He matched his avg. He would have had 4th line numbers here and our top guy did not have #1C numbers. The other 2 at a half pt/game were 3rd line level (but several of Pinho's points came while playing on the wing).

Bowers is not the answer to the Comets Center issue. He is listed by "elite prospects" as a C/RW. That is exactly the same way Pinho was listed last season and his center efforts were lacking.

It's still early and the Comets still need the 2 historically proven AHL centers. They are listed in post #10 above.

The plus on Bowers is that he doesn't qualify as a Vet with only 175 games counted towards VET status.
He is, however, a RFA. That means he's probably looking for a raise. Having not done any better than his past PPG average, it shouldn't warrant much of a hit and he only made $100K last season.
He will also have to clear waivers, but that shouldn't be a problem. As of now he is simply a roster player to be.

I assume the Bruins were not willing to give up anyone better and the Devils were giving Walsh a chance in a new environment as it was obvious he no longer fit in their NHL plans.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Best of luck to Reilly Walsh. I hope you have a better shot at the NHL with Boston. The door shut rather quickly for you with the signing of Simon Nemec. It is s shame you were never even given a sniff of a chance.

The city Utica and the Comets' fan base will remember your efforts here and thank you for the memories you gave us. The most illustrious being the goal vs Laval with 2 seconds to go. Laval collapsed after that goal and under the pressure the whole team exerted in the OT. Have to say the crowd volume (the roof nearly came off the aud) that never let up after your goal and the OT winner was key as well.

 

[Guttersniped]

Well, I got all of this season’s Colorado line-ups with Shane Bowers. He played a handful of games at center.

Providence annoyingly doesn’t post theirs. I found a reporter who posted about half of Bowers’ line-ups with the Bruins. He never played center with them.

Spoiler: His Colorado Eagles line-ups

I included Bowers (SB) +/- and shots, as well as the team shots, for each game too.
October 14 (6-3 W @ Texas)
SB +1 SH 1 (COL 34 SH)

2nd Period: COL 3 - TEX 1

October 15 (1-5 L @ Texas)
SB 0 SH 0 (COL 31 SH)

October 21 (6-2 W vs Calgary)
SB 0 SH 2 (COL 30 SH)
2nd Period: COL 2 - TEX 0

2nd Period: COL 4 - TEX 0

October 22 (2-4 L vs Calgary)
SB 0 SH 5 (COL 35 SH)

October 26 (4-3 L @ San Diego)
SB +1 SH 2 (COL 27 SH)

October 28 (3-2 W @ Henderson)
SB +1 SH 0 (COL 21 SH)

October 29 (4-2 L @ Henderson)
SB +1 SH 1 (COL 22 SH)

November 3 (0-2 L vs Onterio)
SB 0 SH 5 (COL 31 SH)

November 5 (7-3 W vs Onterio)
SB +1 SH 4 (COL 35 SH)

November 8 (3-2 W vs Texas)
SB 0 SH 0 (COL 29 SH)

*Called Up November 10th*
Colorado Avalanche Nov 10th (5-3 W vs NSH)

And Bowers got injured from a hit by Tanner Jeannot after playing only 1:46. He was out until December 14 and then sent back to the AHL (whomp whomp).
December 16 (4-3 W vs San Jose)
SB +1 SH 3 (COL 30 SH)

December 17 (5-2 W vs San Jose)
SB +1 SH 1 (COL 28 SH)

3rd Period: COL 4 - SJ 1

December 20 (1-2 L vs Bakersfield)
SB -1 SH 1 (COL 24 SH)

December 21 (4-3 W vs Bakersfield)
SB +2 SH 2 (COL 27 SH)

2nd Period: COL 2 - BAK 2

3rd Period: COL 4 - BAK 2

December 28 (5-3 L @ Iowa)
SB -2 SH 1 (COL 18 SH)

December 30 (1-2 L @ Iowa)
SB +1 SH 2 (COL 35 SH)

1st Period: COL 1 - IA 0

January 4 (4-2 L @ Coachella Valley)
SB -2 SH 2 (COL 19 SH)

January 6 (2-1 W @ Tucson)
SB 0 SH 0 (COL 27 SH)

January 7 (6-1 @ Tucson)
SB -1 SH 3 (COL 38 SH)

1st Period: COL 2 - TUC 0

January 13 (1-2 OTL vs Rockford)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL 22 SH)

January 14 (3-1 W vs Rockford)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL SH)

January 17 (3-7 L vs Ontario)
SB -1 SH 2 (COL 29 SH)

January 21 (5-4 W vs Henderson)
SB +1 SH 0 (COL 34 SH)

January 22 (4-3 W vs Henderson)
SB -1 SH 0 (COL 35 SH)

3rd Period: COL 4 - HSK 3

January 27 (1-4 L @ Texas)
SB -1 SH 1 (COL 25 SH)

January 28 (5-1 W @ Texas)
SB +1 SH 1 (COL 22 SH)

January 31 (5-2 L @ Ontario)
SB 0 SH 4 (COL 45 SH)

February 3 (2-1 W @ Henderson)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL 33 SH)

February 4 (3-2 SOW @ Henderson)
SB 0 SH 2 (COL 39 SH)

February 10 (3-4 SOL vs Texas)
SB +1 SH 0 (COL 31 SH)

February 11 (1-5 L vs Texas)
SB -1 SH 1 (COL 26 SH)

February 14 (1-4 L vs Bakersfield)
SB -1 SH 6 (COL 33 SH)

February 15 (5-1 W vs Bakersfield)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL 38 SH)

February 17 (1-2 OTL @ Calgary)
SB 0 SH 5 (COL 32 SH)

3rd Period: COL 1 - CGY 0

February 19 (3-5 L @ Calgary)
SB 0 SH 4 (COL 25 SH)

February 24 (4-2 W vs Abbotsford)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL 27 SH)

3rd Period: COL 4 - ABB 2

His Colorado stats (the red line was where his injury was):

Spoiler: His Providence Bruins line-ups

I included Bowers (SB) +/- and shots, as well as the team shots, for each game too.
March 2 (1-7 L @ Bridgeport)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 26 SH)

March 4 (1-0 W @ Hershey)
No line-up (boo!)
SB 0 SH 1 (PRO 11 SH)
March 5 (1-3 L @ Lehigh Valley)
No line-up (boo!)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 26 SH)
March 10 (3-6 L @ Springfield)
SB 0 SH 1 (PRO SH)

March 11 (3-2 W vs Hershey)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 27 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
March 12 (5-3 W vs Hershey)
SB -1 SH 2 (PRO 38 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
March 15 (4-2 W vs Syracuse)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 25 SH)

March 18 (4-1 W @ Springfield)
SB -1 SH 2 (PRO 36 SH)

March 19 (3-2 SOW vs Springfield)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 56 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
March 25 (3-1 W @ Cleveland)
SB 0 SH 0 (PRO 18 SH)

3rd Period: PRO 2 - CLT 0

March 26 (5-2 W @ Charlotte)
SB +1 SH 2 (PRO 29 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
March 29 (4-3 SOW @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton)
SB -1 SH 3 (PRO 32 SH)

3rd Period: 3 PRO - 3 WBS

March 31 (0-5 L @ Hartford)
SB -1 SH 0 (PRO 25 SH)

April 1 (2-5 L vs Bridgeport)
SB 0 SH 2 (PRO 23 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
April 5(3-1 W vs Hershey)
SB +2 SH 2 (PRO 30 SH)

1st Period: PRO 1 - HER 0

2nd Period: PRO 2 - HER 0

Also:

April 7 (3-1 W vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton)
SB +1 SH 2 (PRO 25 SH)

3rd Period: PRO 3 - WBS 1

April 8 (3-5 L vs Hartford)
SB -2 SH 2 (PRO 38 SH)

April 14 (2-7 L @ Springfield)
SB -1 SH 3 (PRO 41 SH)

1st Period: PRO 1 - SPR 0

April 15 (5-3 W vs Bridgeport)
SB +1 SH 2 (PRO 29 SH)

2nd Period: PRO 1 - BRI 1

April 16 (7-3 W vs SPR)
SB +2 SH 3 (PRO 37 SH)

AHL PLAYOFFS
April 28 (0-1 L vs Hartford)
SB -1 SH 0 (PRO 14 SH)

April 29 (1-2 L vs Hartford)
SB 0 SH 2 (PRO 30 SH)

May 3 (3-6 L @ Hartford)
DNP
May 5 (0-4 L @ Hartford)
SB -2 SH 3 (PRO 32 SH)

His Providence stats:

 

[Bad Goalie]

Well, I got all of this season’s Colorado line-ups with Shane Bowers. He played a handful of games at center.

Providence annoyingly doesn’t post theirs. I found a reporter who posted about half of Bowers’ line-ups with the Bruins. He never played center with them.

Spoiler: His Colorado Eagles line-ups

I included Bowers (SB) +/- and shots, as well as the team shots, for each game too.
October 14 (6-3 W @ Texas)
SB +1 SH 1 (COL 34 SH)
View attachment 721686
2nd Period: COL 3 - TEX 1
View attachment 721687
October 15 (1-5 L @ Texas)
SB 0 SH 0 (COL 31 SH)
View attachment 721688
October 21 (6-2 W vs Calgary)
SB 0 SH 2 (COL 30 SH)
2nd Period: COL 2 - TEX 0
View attachment 721691
2nd Period: COL 4 - TEX 0
View attachment 721692
October 22 (2-4 L vs Calgary)
SB 0 SH 5 (COL 35 SH)
View attachment 721701
October 26 (4-3 L @ San Diego)
SB +1 SH 2 (COL 27 SH)
View attachment 721704
October 28 (3-2 W @ Henderson)
SB +1 SH 0 (COL 21 SH)
View attachment 721706
October 29 (4-2 L @ Henderson)
SB +1 SH 1 (COL 22 SH)
View attachment 721709
View attachment 721708
November 3 (0-2 L vs Onterio)
SB 0 SH 5 (COL 31 SH)
View attachment 721711
November 5 (7-3 W vs Onterio)
SB +1 SH 4 (COL 35 SH)
View attachment 721725
November 8 (3-2 W vs Texas)
SB 0 SH 0 (COL 29 SH)
View attachment 721727
*Called Up November 10th*
Colorado Avalanche Nov 10th (5-3 W vs NSH)
View attachment 721730
And Bowers got injured from a hit by Tanner Jeannot after playing only 1:46. He was out until December 14 and then sent back to the AHL (whomp whomp).
December 16 (4-3 W vs San Jose)
SB +1 SH 3 (COL 30 SH)
View attachment 721736
December 17 (5-2 W vs San Jose)
SB +1 SH 1 (COL 28 SH)
View attachment 721738
3rd Period: COL 4 - SJ 1
View attachment 721739
December 20 (1-2 L vs Bakersfield)
SB -1 SH 1 (COL 24 SH)
View attachment 721744
December 21 (4-3 W vs Bakersfield)
SB +2 SH 2 (COL 27 SH)
View attachment 721749
2nd Period: COL 2 - BAK 2
View attachment 721750

3rd Period: COL 4 - BAK 2
View attachment 721751
December 28 (5-3 L @ Iowa)
SB -2 SH 1 (COL 18 SH)
View attachment 721759
December 30 (1-2 L @ Iowa)
SB +1 SH 2 (COL 35 SH)
View attachment 721765
1st Period: COL 1 - IA 0
View attachment 721766

January 4 (4-2 L @ Coachella Valley)
SB -2 SH 2 (COL 19 SH)
View attachment 721769
January 6 (2-1 W @ Tucson)
SB 0 SH 0 (COL 27 SH)
View attachment 721770
January 7 (6-1 @ Tucson)
SB -1 SH 3 (COL 38 SH)
View attachment 721771
1st Period: COL 2 - TUC 0
View attachment 721772
January 13 (1-2 OTL vs Rockford)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL 22 SH)
View attachment 721781
January 14 (3-1 W vs Rockford)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL SH)
View attachment 721784
January 17 (3-7 L vs Ontario)
SB -1 SH 2 (COL 29 SH)
View attachment 721797
January 21 (5-4 W vs Henderson)
SB +1 SH 0 (COL 34 SH)
View attachment 721799
January 22 (4-3 W vs Henderson)
SB -1 SH 0 (COL 35 SH)
View attachment 721801
3rd Period: COL 4 - HSK 3
View attachment 721817
January 27 (1-4 L @ Texas)
SB -1 SH 1 (COL 25 SH)
View attachment 721802
January 28 (5-1 W @ Texas)
SB +1 SH 1 (COL 22 SH)
View attachment 721803
January 31 (5-2 L @ Ontario)
SB 0 SH 4 (COL 45 SH)
View attachment 721804
February 3 (2-1 W @ Henderson)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL 33 SH)
View attachment 721805
February 4 (3-2 SOW @ Henderson)
SB 0 SH 2 (COL 39 SH)
View attachment 721807
February 10 (3-4 SOL vs Texas)
SB +1 SH 0 (COL 31 SH)
View attachment 721806
February 11 (1-5 L vs Texas)
SB -1 SH 1 (COL 26 SH)
View attachment 721809
February 14 (1-4 L vs Bakersfield)
SB -1 SH 6 (COL 33 SH)
View attachment 721810
February 15 (5-1 W vs Bakersfield)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL 38 SH)
View attachment 721811
February 17 (1-2 OTL @ Calgary)
SB 0 SH 5 (COL 32 SH)
View attachment 721812
3rd Period: COL 1 - CGY 0
View attachment 721828
February 19 (3-5 L @ Calgary)
SB 0 SH 4 (COL 25 SH)
View attachment 721813
February 24 (4-2 W vs Abbotsford)
SB 0 SH 1 (COL 27 SH)
View attachment 721814
3rd Period: COL 4 - ABB 2
View attachment 721830
His Colorado stats (the red line was where his injury was):
View attachment 721831

Spoiler: His Providence Bruins line-ups

I included Bowers (SB) +/- and shots, as well as the team shots, for each game too.
March 2 (1-7 L @ Bridgeport)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 26 SH)
View attachment 721614
March 4 (1-0 W @ Hershey)
No line-up (boo!)
SB 0 SH 1 (PRO 11 SH)
March 5 (1-3 L @ Lehigh Valley)
No line-up (boo!)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 26 SH)
March 10 (3-6 L @ Springfield)
SB 0 SH 1 (PRO SH)
View attachment 721621
March 11 (3-2 W vs Hershey)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 27 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
March 12 (5-3 W vs Hershey)
SB -1 SH 2 (PRO 38 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
March 15 (4-2 W vs Syracuse)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 25 SH)
View attachment 721622
March 18 (4-1 W @ Springfield)
SB -1 SH 2 (PRO 36 SH)
View attachment 721623
March 19 (3-2 SOW vs Springfield)
SB -1 SH 1 (PRO 56 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
March 25 (3-1 W @ Cleveland)
SB 0 SH 0 (PRO 18 SH)
View attachment 721624
3rd Period: PRO 2 - CLT 0
View attachment 721627
March 26 (5-2 W @ Charlotte)
SB +1 SH 2 (PRO 29 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
March 29 (4-3 SOW @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton)
SB -1 SH 3 (PRO 32 SH)
View attachment 721628
3rd Period: 3 PRO - 3 WBS
View attachment 721630
March 31 (0-5 L @ Hartford)
SB -1 SH 0 (PRO 25 SH)
View attachment 721631
April 1 (2-5 L vs Bridgeport)
SB 0 SH 2 (PRO 23 SH)
No line-up (boo!)
April 5(3-1 W vs Hershey)
SB +2 SH 2 (PRO 30 SH)
View attachment 721632
1st Period: PRO 1 - HER 0
View attachment 721634
2nd Period: PRO 2 - HER 0
View attachment 721635
Also:
View attachment 721636
April 7 (3-1 W vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton)
SB +1 SH 2 (PRO 25 SH)
View attachment 721638
3rd Period: PRO 3 - WBS 1
View attachment 721640
April 8 (3-5 L vs Hartford)
SB -2 SH 2 (PRO 38 SH)
View attachment 721641
April 14 (2-7 L @ Springfield)
SB -1 SH 3 (PRO 41 SH)
View attachment 721642
1st Period: PRO 1 - SPR 0
View attachment 721644
April 15 (5-3 W vs Bridgeport)
SB +1 SH 2 (PRO 29 SH)
View attachment 721645
2nd Period: PRO 1 - BRI 1
View attachment 721647
April 16 (7-3 W vs SPR)
SB +2 SH 3 (PRO 37 SH)
View attachment 721648
AHL PLAYOFFS
April 28 (0-1 L vs Hartford)
SB -1 SH 0 (PRO 14 SH)
View attachment 721695
April 29 (1-2 L vs Hartford)
SB 0 SH 2 (PRO 30 SH)
View attachment 721696
May 3 (3-6 L @ Hartford)
DNP
May 5 (0-4 L @ Hartford)
SB -2 SH 3 (PRO 32 SH)
View attachment 721697
His Providence stats:
View attachment 721832View attachment 721833View attachment 721834

It's like I said, C/RW. Chances are very good he's better on the wing instead of trying to put yet another square peg at the entrance to the round hole and expecting it to fit like they did last season with Pinho and Thompson, not to mention the Thunder centers they tried to cram in. None of them made it into the round hole.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Shane Bowers signed to a 2-way 1-yr contract. $125K to play in Utica.

I've said my piece on him. He's a depth player and will have to get a close look before I see him as much more. Still waiting on 2 proven quality AHL centers . He's not one of them.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Today's news sees the Comets D-depth having shrunk.
The day started with 10 D-men with last year's guys combined with newbies.

Groleau and Hayes were not QOed Now the number is 8.

Geertsen is a UFA. Methinks he's going elsewhere. 7

IMO Nemec should be a Comet, but my opinion is worth zip. maybe 6

RD Russo
LD Wotherspoon
LD Vukojevic
LD Vilen
LD Hatakka
LD Misyul

RD ?-Nemec

These guys are all signed for the season and only one is a RD with ?-Nemec a second. Groleau and Hayes were also LD.

NOT GOOD.

 

[Bad Goalie]

On the forward side of the coin 3 more are gone.
Jayce Hawryluk
Brian Pinho
AArne Talvitie

Aarne went home to Finland.
Pinho and Hawryluk are UFAs.

I would just as soon see Pinho on his way.

Hawryluk would be a good piece to re-sign. He made $170K last season on a 2-way. He's a good veteran forward fit for the $$$. problem is if they acquire Vets to fill the critical center spots there's no room for him. If they pick up a Center who has not reached VET status there would be room.

The team currently has 1 VET up front in Gambardella and 2 on D with Russo and Wotherspoon. Schmelzer is a Veteran Exempt. He can play with 5 Vets so, there is room for 2 more. If Fitz can sign a couple of the vets on the list Hawryluk would be over the limit.

There is a possibility of hooking up 2 Centers that are not yet Vets, but have put up good numbers. Then there would be room for a couple of real high scoring forwards.
e.g.
Chris Terry 78 Pts in 67 AHL GP
Rocco Grimaldi 73 Pts in 73 AHL GP

There are a few more of these out there, but they won't be there for long.
The same is true for the quality non-Vet Centers. There are few more who only played in the AHL least season, but were not offered QOs. They are coming off ELCs and are now free agents.

AHL teams don't wait long to scoop theses types up and Fitz did say center depth for Utica is on their plate. Hawryluk would be a last gap signing if he was still there.

I'll wait to see.

 

[beekay414]

Looks like we signed Kyle Criscuolo and Justin Dowling for Utica

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Looks like we signed Kyle Criscuolo and Justin Dowling for Utica

And Erik Källgren.

 

[Guttersniped]

Looks like we signed Kyle Criscuolo and Justin Dowling for Utica

Hoping for a bit better but it’s something.

Inside the AHL had them as the #43 (Dowling) and #49 (Criscuolo) top UFA forwards.


Dowling is playing as a top 6 center here:

Spoiler: Photo for posterity

…and I can’t get the San Jose Barracuda feed to load.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Justin Dowling's AHL numbers are .72 PPG in 509 AHL GP
In recent years say OK #1 stuff.
'18-19 53 Pts/62GP
'19-20 3Pts/3GP > Rest in Dallas.
'20-21 all with Dallas
'21-22 14 Pts/15GP > Rest in Vancouver
'22-23 46 Pts/56GP
My concern is he is a C/LW. How many of those GP are as a LW?
I'm not crazy enough to try and find let alone paw through 13 years of records to find out.

Kyle Criscuolo's AHL numbers are .56 PPG in 367 AHL GP.
Those are #2/3C numbers.
Last year he had 29 points in 60 games spread between Grand Rapids and AHL San Jose.
Ryan Schmelzer put up .51 PPG (6 yr career .46) and Nolan Stevens .69 PPG (career 5yrs .50). These 2 are career AHL players as is Criscuolo. All three around the .50 career number.

Kyle is a VET. As a Vet his numbers should have been at the level of Dowling or higher not melting in with Schmelzer and Stevens. These are not AHL top 2 numbers. There were non-vets available with much better numbers than these and that would have left the roster open for a high scoring VET winger.

If NJ is still looking for that better guy, okay. Kyle can battle Schmelzer for 3/4 and Bowers can be depth C and in the mix with the wings. That's where he currently sits until he proves different.

I listed a bunch of those possibilities a few posts back in this thread.
Including these 2 there are only 2 other forwards signed to NJ contracts and they are nothing special, Halonen and Shane Bowers making 4.

Foote, Holtz, Thompson, and Clarke are in limbo at the moment. New Jersey has 11 forwards are not going anywhere. They will bring in at least 2 more, maybe 3. Can't count on any of these 4.

Also, Fitz may not be done toying with his roster. A trade could take some of that number right out of the picture.


Aside from Halonen and Bowers, the Comets have:
Joe Gambardella
Ryan Schmelzer
Sam Laberge
Xavier Parent
Timur Ibragimov
T.J. Friedman to go along with Dowling and Criscuolo.

After Schmelzer, Gambardella, Halonen, and Laberge, 3 are ECHL Adirondack/Utica tweeners and Bowers is a huge question mark as to where he will fit in anywhere in the top 12 forwards. With the current list he is the #4 center.

I hope management is not done working. This roster still needs stronger additions. They already have the bottom and some depth. Need to add to the top. July 1, so a bit more time, but not a lot. Every AHL team is constructing their roster. Only the teams with management who doesn't really care as Vancouver was prone to do will drag their feet until the fields have been stripped.

 

[Bad Goalie]

What free agents are still available?
There are 3 non vet centers:
Alex Limoges 54Pts/68GP with Manitoba
Ethan Frank 49Pts/57 GP with Hershey
Peter Abbandonato 46 Pts/66GP with Laval
They should be taking a jet to grab these NON-VETS.

2 VE centers:
Gage Quinney 64Pts/66GP Henderson
Matthew Phillips 76 Pts/66GP Calgary (AHL)
Scoop up either of these 2 Schmelzer can play RW.

A Vet C/W in Rocco Grimaldi (30) 73Pts/70GP with San Diego/Rockford
A Vet LW in Chris Terry (34) 78Pts/67GP with Bridgeport

1 guy over the limit for VE/Vet status? So what?
Vancouver did it twice. Few problems
NJ did it in '21-22 and it worked out just fine. Someone was always hurt or "resting".

There are very good players out there. Someone has to take on the task of bringing them in. This roster is not going to be flush with NJ prospects!

 

[Guttersniped]

What free agents are still available?
There are 3 non vet centers:
Alex Limoges 54Pts/68GP with Manitoba
Ethan Frank 49Pts/57 GP with Hershey
Peter Abbandonato 46 Pts/66GP with Laval
They should be taking a jet to grab these NON-VETS.

2 VE centers:
Gage Quinney 64Pts/66GP Henderson
Matthew Phillips 76 Pts/66GP Calgary (AHL)
Scoop up either of these 2 Schmelzer can play RW.

A Vet C/W in Rocco Grimaldi (30) 73Pts/70GP with San Diego/Rockford
A Vet LW in Chris Terry (34) 78Pts/67GP with Bridgeport

1 guy over the limit for VE/Vet status? So what?
Vancouver did it twice. Few problems
NJ did it in '21-22 and it worked out just fine. Someone was always hurt or "resting".

There are very good players out there. Someone has to take on the task of bringing them in. This roster is not going to be flush with NJ prospects!

Rich got richer.



And Ethan Frank has already re-signed with Hersey.