stonecoldstevebernier

With free agency approaching and a recent increase in transactions affecting the Comets, I figured it was about time to get this thread going. The Comets 2017-18 season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs, pushing the eventual Calder Cup winning Toronto Marlies to a deciding fifth game and falling in the series 3-2. Utica saw a number of exciting prospects test the waters late in the season, including Lukas Jasek, Kole Lind, and Jonathan Dahlen. All figure to be given ample opportunity this year with Utica who are poised to have the most young talent they’ve had in their lineup since their inception, as Olli Juolevi, Jonah Gadjovich, Petrus Palmu, and perhaps Adam Gaudette could join their ranks. On the flip side, Utica currently faces some question marks at centre as well as being without a true #1 defenseman. Last year’s number one pivot Michael Chaput was flipped to Chicago for Tanner Kero, whose AHL numbers are slightly inferior to Chaput’s while being more of a proven NHL contributor. Cole Cassels did not receive a qualifying offer, and longtime Comet Wacey Hamilton has not been re-signed – although neither is a big loss offensively. Cam Darcy returns, but ideally he is a good #3 guy who can fill in as a #2 on occasion. There’s also the possibility that Adam Gaudette could spend time in Utica, or perhaps Zack MacEwen could be utilized at centre after spending most of his rookie season on the wing. Tyler Motte retains his ability to pass through waivers and could be an option if he fails to make the Canucks out of training camp. To me, the centre ice position is going to be more of a factor than ever this season with the large influx of young wingers – Dahlen, Lind, Jasek, Gadjovich, and Palmu will all be figuring out the pro game and they need skilled centres who can support them through the inevitable learning curve. As of now, it appears that the tandem of Demko and Bachman will return in net, barring the Canucks moving Nilsson or Demko outplaying him in training camp. Evan McEneny will look to have a bounce back season after being sidelined for almost the entire 2017-18 campaign and will likely see some big minutes as he helps anchor what is shaping up to be a young defense group. They lack a true #1 but with McEneny, Sautner, Brisebois, Chatfield, and possibly Juolevi all on the roster, all will need playing time, and all have valuable pro experience under their belts already. Sifers is the lone vet on the back end, with Blujus returning as well to make 7 capable AHL defensemen. COMETS THIS YEAR (as of 3/24): 31-29-6-2, 70 pts (6th in the North) Top scorers: Reid Boucher (49) 28-29-57 Tanner Kero (62) 24-30-54 Zack MacEwen (61) 20-28-48 Brendan Gaunce (52) 16-19-35 Evan McEneny (58) 8-23-31 CURRENT ROSTER: [*recalled, (+) injured] Forwards: #9 Lukas Jasek #10 Tanner Kero #11 Cam Darcy #13 Kole Lind (+) #14 Reid Gardiner #15 Zack MacEwen #16 Brendan Gaunce #18 Vincent Arseneau #19 Seamus Malone #20 Tom Pyatt #21 Brendan Woods #22 Jonah Gadjovich (+) #24 Reid Boucher #28 Kyle Thomas #34 Carter Bancks #36 Wacey Hamilton (+) #37 Dyson Stevenson Defencemen: #2 Evan McEneny (+) #3 Stefan LeBlanc #5 Jalen Chatfield (+) #6 Ashton Sautner* #7 Brandon Anselmini #8 Dylan Blujus #23 Luke Schenn* #26 Jaime Sifers #38 Matt Petgrave #39 Colton Saucerman #48 Olli Juolevi (+) #55 Guillaume Brisebois* #64 Jesse Graham Goaltenders: #32 Richard Bachman (+) #33 Marek Mazanec #49 Michael Leighton IN THE MINORS: Brendan Bradley Ivan Kulbakov Jagger Dirk Yan-Pavel LaPlante (+)

Watched tonight's game live. Goldobin was electric, looked like a threat to make something happen everything he was on the ice. He's playing with a ton of confidence right now and looks determined to create a scoring chance whenever he has the puck... also liked his hustle getting back to his own zone during the 3 on 3 OT. Feeling optimistic about his chances next year after this latest run of play.

Yeah, just the one I believe. He's not out there steamrolling people but he goes to the tough areas and doesn't shy away at all from mucking it up in the corners or in front of the net and like hobart said, he can be a real handful when he does that. Whereas Grenier always tried to be a playmaker/dangler and generally avoided the physical play... although strangely, Grenier fought fairly often. Maybe its just not MacEwen's thing.

Burke's such a tool. I see way too much negativity about unproven prospects out of CA, no need to put down one prospect in order to praise another. Granted, Laplante is a dud, but the QMJHL is littered with undersized forwards that are lighting it up (like Abramov) and players with MacEwen's skill set are tough to find. When I watch him play, he reminds me of what we all wanted Grenier to be. Think he could definitely see some game action next year depending on how he'll stack up compared to guys like Gaudette, Lind, Gadjovich, etc. Could throw Carcone in there too if he can find some better consistency to his game.

This is a really entertaining game so far, love watching the Beanpot. Gaudette is getting a ton of ice time, that whole Northeastern top line is such a threat... would be perfect if we could get Gaudette to sign on this year and get a couple games in before the season's over.

Yeah, he'll be 20 by then so he can. Could give the Comets a decent collection of young d-men. Brisebois, Chatfield, Brassard. Juolevi could be there as well. McEneny's getting a little older but he'll be back and healthy again next season. Maybe another college UFA. Nothing earth-shattering, but promising.

10 points in his last 8 games for Goldy after a PP goal tonight. A more impressive stat: he hasn't gone more than one game without a point all season in the AHL. I've only caught 4-5 Comets games this year but he's been electric every time I've seen him. Definitely more of a playmaker than a shooter though, but we could use all the offensive skill we can get honestly. Still has his ELC in effect for next year so there's time yet for him to crack the lineup. Gotta wonder if they call up him or Chaput for Sunday's game; or perhaps neither if Boeser is ready. Carrying 12 healthy forwards is a little sketchy though. Regardless, I'd like to see him get some more chances with the big club down the stretch so we can properly figure out what we've got in him going into next year, and where he stacks up against the other bubble players we have in the system.

Biega had an incredible game... he isn't great at anything but is above-average at almost every aspect of the game. The perfect depth defenseman and easily our most physical player whenever he gets put into the lineup. Created a number of offensive opportunities, showed good vision joining the rush and distributing the puck... one might even say he played like a man possessed tonight. What more can you ask for from someone who's been sitting in the press box for that long?

Its still early, but the Pedan-Pouliot deal is looking like a smart one so far. He's a good skater and puck mover, doesn't look out of place at all on the powerplay. Pedan was always too erratic for my liking in Utica, a guy who had all the physical tools you could ask for but lacked the hockey sense to use them. There haven't been too many mistakes so far for Pouliot, although his minutes have been sheltered. That will probably change with the Stecher injury, if he's out for a while... gonna be a big test for Pouliot to see if he can handle a bigger role.

One assist and seven shots fired on goal for Brassard tonight vs Hamilton. 0-3-3 in 7 games played now.