Lindgren
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2005
- 6,037
- 3,970
No thank you.Relegate the Canucks to Utica and the Comets to Vancouver
Looks like they want Bachman around a second year to mentor DiPietro when he becomes AHL eligible.
Do the Comets players really sleep on their own beds most of the time?
Yes...kinda surprised me too. Goaltending situation will be one to watch at training camp...if Demko lights it up and they can't deal Nilsson, they might lose him on waivers if they try to get him to Utica.a 2 year deal is nice for bachman.
Yes...kinda surprised me too. Goaltending situation will be one to watch at training camp...if Demko lights it up and they can't deal Nilsson, they might lose him on waivers if they try to get him to Utica.
Garteig is a mediocre ECHLer. Certainly not the type of player you give a NHL contract. A Markstrom, Demko, Bachman, Garteig depth chart is just asking for trouble.If Demko does push past Nilsson we can just sign Garteig to back up Bachman and move Nilsson for a pick. He played very well during the WC and we could flip him to another team like we did with Eddie Lack.
Eddie Lack was worth a 3rd & a 7th round pick. Nilsson could return something similar.
With all of the injuries that both Vancouver and Utica suffered through last season they were very healthy at the goaltender position (knock on wood). But look at what happened in Vegas during the first couple months of the season. The bottom line is they have to keep 4 goalies minimum on NHL contracts next season available on the depth chart. Right now that is exactly what they have with Markstrom, Nilsson, Demko and Bachman. DiPietro doesn't count because he will be in juniors and his contract will slide. All of the talk about Nilsson being traded means that either they will need to bring back another goalie in return or they have to replace him with another free agent goalie signing.
If Demko does push past Nilsson on the depth chart that means Nilsson will need to be exposed to waivers and replace Thatcher as the #1 in Utica. He would likely clear but if he doesn't then there is a real problem because you cannot have only three goalies under NHL contracts. Now you are looking at a situation where the Nucks would be forced to make a trade to pick up a depth goalie that has already cleared waivers and hope they don't have to give up much in return.
You beat me to the punch. I was about to post when your post popped up! LOL
Darcy is another Utica contract. He is not a vet. He made the Comets out of camp. Then spent the rest of the season in and out of the lineup injured off and on the rest of the season. 46 GP and 6G/18A/24 Points. or just about .5 PPG. He added 3 Pts (1G/1A) in the playoffs.
This has been my fear all along. Chaput, Darcy, and Cassels. That only leaves room for one more center. I guess I could live with it if they sign a true #1 play maker for the first line. Chaput #2, Darcy #3, and Cassels #4.
The better mix would be (?) true #1, Chaput #2, another (?) play maker for #3, Darcy at #4, and Cassels in reserve. Gaudette to start the season would be great, but he would be the first call-up or might even just simply play his way up. Thus, you still need all the guys I have listed and Darcy and Cassels are backups and will get lots of ice and the Comets would actually have some depth up the middle for the first time ever and the Canucks would have Gaudette and Chaput here for their needs. 2 extra centers at both levels. Who'd a thunk it?
I doubt we see Gaudette unless Benning makes him available due to free agent signings. So 2 new free agent play makers to go along with Chaput, Darcy, and Cassels. The talented forwards the Comets should have will need those 2 new play makers.
Other NHL teams have been signing AHL free agents for their farms and lots of older vets out of Europe since May. They are out there, but the longer one waits the lesser level of talent will be available. face it there are no centers in the Vancouver cupboards. They have to go out and get a couple to help their kids grow and excel down here.
I have to be optimistic until Vancouver proves me wrong. That might not take long, but until such time I'll keep hoping.