The Utica Comets Thread | Part 34

[orcatown]

Finally got the replay going and watched most of the game against St John's tonight

Workman like effort by the Comets. Backman had good game after some shaky performances lately. Awarded first star.

Others with good efforts

Kenins - his skating allows him to stand out at this level. Starting to generate some points and moving the puck well. Lot like Mike Keane. Very sturdy and tough to get off his feet. There is a player here and the Canucks should be looking to re-sign him. IMO is a lot more likely to be an NHLer than Vey. Might work well with Granlund but you wonder if Canuck management is too committed to Vey.

Prust - makes a lot of clever little plays and shows good leadership. Can see him talking it up and working with the younger players. Seems to be in the right position all the time. Skating, however, is no better than adequate even in the AHL.

Shields - very solid player. Very good pick up by the team. Real nice play on the Bancks goal. Playing effectively with Pedan and does a lot of covering up for Pedan. Knows his limitations and keeps things simple. Defense in general has been good.

Landry - another solid vet. Good mobility and is really helping out Subban in his own end. Important for Subban to have an experienced player to give him some confidence. Subban remains ok in his own end and that's again seems his area of concentration. Might not get the same amount of points but the focus now has to be playing well in own end and quick puck movement of the puck out of his zone. Definite improvement in Subban's defensive game.

Higgins - looked better off the rush and dangerous at times. On a line with Gaunce and Grenier and you could see the chemistry (mostly b/c of Grenier ) was not always there . Line started very well but play got a little fragmented as game went on.

Bancks - as always a good game. Don't think he has had a bad one. However, Hamilton was injured and you hope this won't hurt the play of Bancks as they work so well together.

Others

Friesen - has to be getting the most game time of any forward. On different lines, on the PP (maybe shouldn't be) and out in all critical situations. Maybe the Canucks are trying to make a decision on him. Made a good play on the opening goal leading to the tap in by Zalewski but still had lots of chances and couldn't convert.

Pedan - made too many turnovers to say he was good. Yet he is up to a +15 which shows he is mainly a positive. One thing he does do is get the puck out of his zone quickly with the rush or pass. Helps keep team keep on the front foot. However, does things so quickly that feeds the puck into trouble at times. Other teams seem to try to force Pedan hard to get him to make mistakes.

Gaunce - not as good as lately but he did make some good set ups. Seemed to lack the extra step he has shown in recent games which allowed to get out of traffic and make plays. Still, working hard to play a two way game and his positioning is improving. Confused play of Grenier is not helping here.

Zalewski - scored and was generally good up and down the ice. Mostly on the wing and seems less effective there than at center. Don't think his play has been as good over the last few games. Still more than passable efforts but not controlling play like he was. Injury to his mouth and wearing face shield to protect mouth might be a factor. Thought Kenins was noticeably better in this game.

PP was not good and this might be one area where they miss Shinkaruk's skill. The Comets lack the high end skill component and losing Shinkaruk can not help this situation. Might note that Shinkaruk was -2 in his first game with Stockton and missed his shootout attempt. Game was on Wednesday so likely little chance to prepare.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Thank you for clarifying.



I was not making the point of what Tryamikin can be or is, just how much he would be limited to contract wise in the NHL/AHL. AND if knowing that he still signs it is a good sign of his NHL interest

My response was to Nick Lang. Wasn't questioning your motives. Fully understand.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Finally got the replay going and watched most of the game against St John's tonight

Workman like effort by the Comets. Backman had good game after some shaky performances lately. Awarded first star.

Others with good efforts

Kenins - his skating allows him to stand out at this level. Starting to generate some points and moving the puck well. Lot like Mike Keane. Very sturdy and tough to get off his feet. There is a player here and the Canucks should be looking to re-sign him. IMO is a lot more likely to be an NHLer than Vey. Might work well with Granlund but you wonder if Canuck management is too committed to Vey.

Prust - makes a lot of clever little plays and shows good leadership. Can see him talking it up and working with the younger players. Seems to be in the right position all the time. Skating, however, is no better than adequate even in the AHL.

Shields - very solid player. Very good pick up by the team. Real nice play on the Bancks goal. Playing effectively with Pedan and does a lot of covering up for Pedan. Knows his limitations and keeps things simple. Defense in general has been good.

Landry - another solid vet. Good mobility and is really helping out Subban in his own end. Important for Subban to have an experienced player to give him some confidence. Subban remains ok in his own end and that's again seems his area of concentration. Might not get the same amount of points but the focus now has to be playing well in own end and quick puck movement of the puck out of his zone. Definite improvement in Subban's defensive game.

Higgins - looked better off the rush and dangerous at times. On a line with Gaunce and Grenier and you could see the chemistry (mostly b/c of Grenier ) was not always there . Line started very well but play got a little fragmented as game went on.

Bancks - as always a good game. Don't think he has had a bad one. However, Hamilton was injured and you hope this won't hurt the play of Bancks as they work so well together.

Others

Friesen - has to be getting the most game time of any forward. On different lines, on the PP (maybe shouldn't be) and out in all critical situations. Maybe the Canucks are trying to make a decision on him. Made a good play on the opening goal leading to the tap in by Zalewski but still had lots of chances and couldn't convert.

Pedan - made too many turnovers to say he was good. Yet he is up to a +15 which shows he is mainly a positive. One thing he does do is get the puck out of his zone quickly with the rush or pass. Helps keep team keep on the front foot. However, does things so quickly that feeds the puck into trouble at times. Other teams seem to try to force Pedan hard to get him to make mistakes.

Gaunce - not as good as lately but he did make some good set ups. Seemed to lack the extra step he has shown in recent games which allowed to get out of traffic and make plays. Still, working hard to play a two way game and his positioning is improving. Confused play of Grenier is not helping here.

Zalewski - scored and was generally good up and down the ice. Mostly on the wing and seems less effective there than at center. Don't think his play has been as good over the last few games. Still more than passable efforts but not controlling play like he was. Injury to his mouth and wearing face shield to protect mouth might be a factor. Thought Kenins was noticeably better in this game.

PP was not good and this might be one area where they miss Shinkaruk's skill. The Comets lack the high end skill component and losing Shinkaruk can not help this situation. Might note that Shinkaruk was -2 in his first game with Stockton and missed his shootout attempt. Game was on Wednesday so likely little chance to prepare.

Last night's game typified the style of play displayed when the Comets win. They bring their lunch pails and go to work. You will rarely see highlight reel goals. They will make a whole lot of passes that don't connect and then recoil and start all over again. Forecheck hard, back check fast, put pressure on the puck, attempt a lot of shots that never happen, miss the net a lot, just keep plugging away and get some goals, get strong goaltending, and come out on top.

Bachman - Strong game last night. No fault on the lone goal against. 6 on 4 off the draw. Would love to see a statistic on the number of goals a opponents have scored directly off faceoffs. There has been a lot of them. This is why he was acquired. Problem has been his inconsistency. When he plays like this, he is very good. When he's been off, he's been way off. Hope after a week off with nothing but practice he's figured it out and pitches this effort the rest of the way. Cannata has been doing such of late. Both on their game will stand the Comets in good shape down the stretch.

Shields/Pedan:
Shields - In agreement on his play. He is Steady Eddie in his own end.
I rail every game at the poor passes made by most of the comets, but Dave is very calm as he eyes the ice, finds the most open man and makes the tape to tape pass nearly every time. Long or short, receiver moving or standing, doesn't matter it's on the tape. If only the rest of the team passed this accurately. In reference to Pedan, he should be buying Shields dinner every night for how he is bailed out for his errors in both ends of the ice by this guy.

Pedan - Since his return from Vancouver he has become a different player. He now tries to rush the puck like a Letang every time he gets it. He's not picking his spots he just has a green light in his head and goes. Problem is he doesn't actually have a plan. He has no idea of what he is actually trying to do. he's just skating the puck. Thus, when shut off he just throws the puck sometimes blindly to anywhere. In his own end it's often dangerously thrown into the slot, middle of the ice, and scoring lanes and he is bailed out time after time by guys who seem to expect it, his partner and/or usually a strong defensive forward like Hamilton, Z, or Higgins. This behavior was repeated several times in the first period. Under this same type of pressure he makes terribly off target passes up ice that becomes an icing or turnover, or passes it 4 feet high. He used to be so dependable on the breakout pass and still does it when he calms down and looks before he leaps like any good offensive D-man does. When he gets loose he reminds me of Jensen, he just carries it and carries it, dekes a guy, strong arms around another, backtracks, goes behind the net, and shoots from anywhere when pressured or worse finally just turns it over and is caught up ice. He was caught badly 3 times last night resulting in odd man rushes that Bachman saved him on. A couple other times a backchecker saved the day on passes to the odd man. It's like he has no idea what he is actually trying to accomplish. Needs to get his *** under control because this won't get him back to the NHL. The old him was tacking towards that destination nicely.

Landry and Subban were solid. Subbie had a couple poor passes, but covered up himself. He got taken wide once, but I think it was Higgins who poke checked it off the guy's stick as he angled into the slot. St. John's was not about to be beaten by Subban on plays from the point. They have learned the hard way. So, he wisely used their subtraction of himself to get the puck to his opposite point or to other open guys, wise play.

Thought Fedun was the best D-man on the ice both offensively and defensively. Negrin got off to a very uncharacteristic shaky start and made 3 early first period passes to the enemy below the circles. A save, a takeaway by a forward, and a stick check by Fedun saved his bacon. He settled down and played the way he has been playing after that.

Higgins/Gaunce/Grenier:
Agree Gaunce struggled a bit last night. Needs to get used to Higgins style compared to Shink. Higgy carries and controls the puck where Shink could not do it. That means Gaunce has to find space for himself to receive the puck from Chris or move to create space for him. Grenier was totally out of synch. He has been carrying the puck with the intent to set up Hunter. Last night he carried it into the zone, up and down the boards, into the dot, to THE NET and wouldn't shoot. His last second frustrated forced passes were turnovers. He had the shot based on the coverage being caused by Higgins and Gaunce, but wouldn't shoot. As the game wore on it became reversed, they took away his previously open lanes and now when he had the pass, he shot into pads, traffic, and wide. It's like they explained to him, "You've got a lane to the net. Use it and take the shot!" So he kept doing it even though it wasn't there.
I think I finally have him figured out, he has all the skills to be really good: size, speed, great wrist shot, and good footwork, puck control, but his hockey IQ is subpar. In fact it may be below average. He just can't figure out what to do in most instances. It's not laziness, selfishness, uncaring, or lack of enthusiasm or effort. It's a total blank slate when pressed to make a simple decision. If this is it, the NHL is only a dream.

Kenins/Friesen/Zalewski:
This line was dangerous, but lacked cohesiveness and finish. Kenins is no longer bothered by injury and works his tail off for 200 feet. That matches up well with Z who does likewise. Kenins lacks a quick release so can't get it off in traffic. Z is always trying to set someone up and no one on his line, especially Friesen, finished his setups. I figured Friesen would be like a bat out of hell upon his return because he wants to go back so badly. The more he presses and overplays the worse he plays. He has to get back to his hard nosed forecheck, backcheck, drive the net, etc. The line was new as were the others. Some time will be needed for them to gel.

Archibald/Cassels/LaBate:
Held their own. Had some chances. Kept their opponents in check. Arch was the most dangerous. Wisely took the smart way out vs 6'7", 265 LB veteran, doesn't lose, fighter John Scott. Threw a couple, grabbed on, and went down after taking a couple good shots. Scott didn't invite him to fight. He just appeared, grabbed Archi, spun him around, and started throwing 'em after Arch had sort of missed a hit and ended up getting a kneeing penalty. Scott took offense and did his job. Cassels showed some speed for the first time. Took the puck from his blueline, made a moev or two, took it to the net and was back on D with the 2 D-men when St. John's approached his blueline. Hadn't seen that before. LaBate was baited all night by 3 different players and finally had enough in the third and held his own landing 2 good ones in a short scrap. Can't figure this one. The kid was a college player. They can't fight. He's had several already this season. He must be a yapper or a player who makes the little unseen agitator chips, pokes, slashes, elbows, glove in the face, etc., particularly in the scrums where you can't see what the guys inside the mob are doing. Seems like someone is always after him.

Prust/Hamilton/Bancks:
Very good line. H and B forechecked their normal game and Prust weaved around and picked up the poor pass attempts caused by it. Bancks and Hamilton both scored goals. Prust picked up 2 assists. All 3 killed penalties. Hamilton was injured in the second and didn't return. He was helped off the ice with both legs wobbling badly. Looked like a knee to the head from my angle. Not good. Concussion could remove a real key cog from the hard working machine.

Higgins and Prust bring a very key element to this team and it's why you need veterans despite so many deniers to this fact. They are always in position. They pass the puck so smoothly, quickly, and accurately. They win the puck battles. Passes don't bounce off their sticks. They pick up their checks in their own end and get the puck out when there is no clear option. This coming from guys who were never NHL stars. If you want to play at the next level, you need to learn from guys who play that game. They may have slowed a step, but it matches up quite well down here. Prust has lost 2 or 3 by the middle of every shift, but he still never compromises his line mates or his D. Call it the mentorpede if you wish, but in the AHL these kind of players are essential to the development of the prospects. They were not procured for the Comets this offseason and it has hurt the prospect's progress. They are still short the play making center (O'Reilly) and the strong never beaten always in position D-man (Huskins). That's why they don't have one explosive line and the PP is so terrible, #23 in the league and #29 at home. It's also the cause of the running around by D-men in their own end. That steady guiding hand on the ice, the, "Ah, that's how it's done." when observing, and the firm word on the bench are all missing.

 

[VanJack]

Yes, in a perfect world Prust and Higgins will survive Monday's deadline and be available to the Comets for the playoff stretch drive....but suspect some playoff-bound team in the NHL will take a flyer on one or both as playoff insurance....at least Canuck owners would be happy.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Yes, in a perfect world Prust and Higgins will survive Monday's deadline and be available to the Comets for the playoff stretch drive....but suspect some playoff-bound team in the NHL will take a flyer on one or both as playoff insurance....at least Canuck owners would be happy.

Wouldn't be a bit surprised by any of this. Higgins especially could help someone. Not sure about Prust. He is noticeably slow and really slow after about 20 seconds.

 

[WTG]

The AHL feed is beyond terrible

I'm just gonna watch Boeser

 

[a Fool]

Friesen wearing the C?

 

[go comets]

Friesen wearing the C?

Yes he is....

 

[WTG]

Subban with a absolute cannon to put the Comets ahead.
https://streamable.com/4v2f

 

[Bad News Benning]

Subban scores in his last game as a Comet. assists to Prust and Pedan.

 

[Baby Pettersson]

Subban with a absolute cannon to put the Comets ahead.
https://streamable.com/4v2f

"I'm just going to watch Boeser" he says.

 

[WTG]

"I'm just going to watch Boeser" he says.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Think Green is coaching out his ***? Subban scored the winning goal and his forwards on the ice at the time were Higgins, Prust, and Bancks, all LWs.
Didn't hear the game since I was at a hockey game, but Bancks has played right wing to accommodate Stewart, LaBate, Archibald, Kurtz Higgins, Prust who have all played in the absence of Jones who usually plays on the RW with Bancks and Hamilton. From this grouping I'd assume with Hamilton out tonight, Prust was centering that group at the time or someone was caught on the ice on a change.

Would love to see a post of the lines. I know Hamilton was out and Marino was in.

Higgins/Gaunce/Grenier (listed as starting line)
Prust?/Zalewski/Bancks? (the wings were together Friday and Z would fit well with these two as he forechecks as hard as Hamilton)
Archibald/Cassels/LaBate (Friday night)
Kenins/Friesen/Marino? (Kenins and Friesen were together Friday and Marino is all that's left.
Green may very easily shifted his lines around again, but this would be an educated guess.

Jones obviously still out and Hamilton went out last night.

The Comets play in Hershey tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. EST and have exactly 12 healthy forwards thanks to signing Marino to another PTO on Friday afternoon.

I'd say the D was:

Pedan/Shields
Sautner/Fedun
Ehrhardt/Subban

The Comets went 0/3 on the PP lowering their average even more. They fell from #23 to #27 in the league over the last 2 games and remain #29 at home. Losing their top PP scorer in Shinkaruk and having no play maker speaks volumes to these numbers. Maybe Benning could manage an AHL pickup to fill this center role. This team has no chance in the playoffs (if they end up there) with a PP this dismal. They would be playing a top tier team, likely Toronto, and without a PP they might as well mail in the series. It would be a monumental challenge with a great PP.

SOG for the game were 42-22 Comets with 19 in the 3rd showing they didn't let up any, but instead poured it on trying to get the win.

Three stars for the night were:

#1 Subban
#2 Stolarz ( 40 saves on 42 shots, heck of a night)
#3 Cannata (21 saves on 22 shots)

Comets spoiled a sellout crowd for the Phantoms.

Speaking of sellouts, last night was the 40th consecutive sellout for the Comets!

 

[WTG]

I was watching Boeser's game the AHL live feed was damn bad. No audio feed for the first period. No time clock.

So I have no idea what the lines were.

 

[VanJack]

Subban scores in his last game as a Comet. assists to Prust and Pedan.

Fearing you could be right.....maybe not tomorrow, but eventually....Like Shink, I don't think Benning is really sold on him....would be shocked if he ever gets called up to VanCity....First star tonight...if ever there's a kid who could play d in the NHL at 5'9", 185, it's Subban...great wheels, great shot, can run the pp.

 

[alternate]

I'd have no issues with trading Subban. Still a long shot to make it, even with the good developmental season he's having. Don't want to dump him for a 6th rounder or anything, but he's not someone that should be in any way untouchable.

 

[WTG]

I'd have no issues with trading Subban. Still a long shot to make it, even with the good developmental season he's having. Don't want to dump him for a 6th rounder or anything, but he's not someone that should be in any way untouchable.

I wouldn't mind moving Subban in a package for a better under 22 player.

But the way Benning values our prospects scares me.


Subban is a boom bust prospect. And it's looking right now he's turning into a boom rather than a bust. At least that is how he's trending. That alone makes me want to keep him. Because the canucks so desperately need a boom/bust prospect to go our way. That is also why I wanted to keep Shinkaruk so bad.

 

[SgtToody]

I'd have no issues with trading Subban. Still a long shot to make it, even with the good developmental season he's having. Don't want to dump him for a 6th rounder or anything, but he's not someone that should be in any way untouchable.

At this stage shouldn't we be giving some of these prospects a chance and reward for their efforts ? Benning has fallen to the ceiling in my opinion when it comes to talent evaluation, as he continues to let wild Willie ride Vey, Bartkowski, et al into the sunset...

 

[VanJack]

At this stage shouldn't we be giving some of these prospects a chance and reward for their efforts ? Benning has fallen to the ceiling in my opinion when it comes to talent evaluation, as he continues to let wild Willie ride Vey, Bartkowski, et al into the sunset...

The only way Subban gets a shot is if they tie a can to Desjardins and elevate Green....still, what Subban is accomplishing in his rookie season is actually far more impressive that what Shinkaruk and Gaunce were/are doing in their second seasons in Utica imo...he's playing a far tougher position and still generating offense...seems to be rapidly improving in his own zone.

 

[Ernie]

We'd be fools to trade Subban. Sure, there are questions whether he can play an NHL game. But with his talent level, he could be a star.

But Benning is a fool, so we'll probably see him star for another team.

 

[Pip]

I'd have no issues with trading Subban. Still a long shot to make it, even with the good developmental season he's having. Don't want to dump him for a 6th rounder or anything, but he's not someone that should be in any way untouchable.

I don't see any team giving up good assets for him at this stage in his development. May as well keep him around. I agree that he shouldn't be untouchable but it's not like we should be actively shopping him.

 

[go comets]

I wouldn't mind moving Subban in a package for a better under 22 player.

But the way Benning values our prospects scares me.


Subban is a boom bust prospect. And it's looking right now he's turning into a boom rather than a bust. At least that is how he's trending. That alone makes me want to keep him. Because the canucks so desperately need a boom/bust prospect to go our way. That is also why I wanted to keep Shinkaruk so bad.

Subban is a keeper, the kid is improving defensively. No reason to trade him. Kenins in my opinion needs to be resigned. Playing outstanding hockey. The comets all time record when leading after 2 periods is 69-0-4-0... That is a sign of a team that knows how to win!!!

 

[WTG]

Subban is a keeper, the kid is improving defensively. No reason to trade him. Kenins in my opinion needs to be resigned. Playing outstanding hockey. The comets all time record when leading after 2 periods is 69-0-4-0... That is a sign of a team that knows how to win!!!

You never know with Benning.

I agree with you though, Subban is a gem.

 

[Wilch]

Subban is a keeper, the kid is improving defensively. No reason to trade him. Kenins in my opinion needs to be resigned. Playing outstanding hockey. The comets all time record when leading after 2 periods is 69-0-4-0... That is a sign of a team that knows how to win!!!

Kenins and Subban are both Gillis players.

Benning is likely going to trade them for dime on the dollar.

 

[UticaHockey]

Subban has really improved his decision making in the neutral zone and in his own end. A dramatically better player from earlier in the season. I hope they don't deal him away.