Popular Post GoldenAlien Posted July 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2019 (edited) With free agent signings and trades, the preparation for next season is underway so I figured it's time to start a new Utica thread. An overview of the roster below; AHL-only deals are italicized and qualified RFAs are included but marked with an asterisk. Trades include both in-season and offseason trades. Newcomers: RW Justin Bailey, LW Francis Perron*, C Carter Camper, C Tyler Graovac, RD Mitch Eliot, RD Brogan Rafferty*, LD Josh Teves*, G Mike DiPietro, G Jake Kielly, G Zane McIntyre. Re-signed: LW Vincent Arseneau, LW Reid Boucher*, C/W Seamus Malone, RD Dylan Blujus, LD Stefan LeBlanc. Returning: RW Carter Bancks, RW Lukas Jasek, RW Kole Lind, RW Zack MacEwen, LW Jonah Gadjovich, C Wacey Hamilton, RD Jalen Chatfield, LD Guillaume Brisebois, LD Olli Juolevi, LD Ashton Sautner, G Richard Bachman. Out: RW Reid Gardiner, RW/LW Petrus Palmu (in Europe), C Cam Darcy, C/W Brendan Gaunce, C Tanner Kero, C Brendan Woods, RD Jaime Sifers (retired), LD Jesse Graham, LD Evan McEneny, G Michael Leighton. Traded: RW Darren Archibald, LW Michael Carcone, LW Jonathan Dahlen, LW Tanner MacMaster, LW Tom Pyatt, G Marek Mazanec. Right now, the five vet spots are filled by Graovac, Camper, Boucher, Hamilton and Bancks, and Bailey takes the "veteran exempt" spot (between 261- 320 games of pro experience.) The Canucks have 13 forwards signed and three RFAs (Boeser, Goldobin, Leivo). All three are expected to be on the roster which makes it 16 forwards. Roussel may not be ready until Christmas, but MacEwen could surprise out of camp. Someone like Schaller could get waived to ease the crowd. Vancouver's defense is set with Edler, Myers, Tanev, Benn, Stecher and Hughes, with Biega and Fantenberg being the likely depth Ds. Rafferty/ Sautner could beat out Biega/ Fantenberg, but they would benefit more from starting in the AHL than riding the pine in the NHL. However, expect a lot of movements on this front as Juolevi is projected to end the season with the Canucks. If the youngsters perform well the Canucks could make some room during the season via trades. Brisebois and Teves may also get looks once injuries hit. Possible opening night lineup (rookies in bold): Boucher - Graovac - MacEwen Perron - Camper - Bailey/ Jasek Bailey/ Jasek - Malone - Lind Gadjovich - Hamilton - Bancks Arseneau Juolevi - Rafferty Brisebois - Blujus Sautner - Chatfield Teves, LeBlanc, Eliot DiPietro/ Kielly Bachman/ McIntyre In general, a more experienced bunch than last year's. I'd expect the Comets to go with a rookie/ vet combo in net, so one of DiPietro/ Kielly and one of Bachman/ McIntyre; the other two start in the ECHL. One or both of Eliot/ LeBlanc could get sent to the ECHL as well. However, the team could use an extra centre. The Canucks are at 46/50 contracts if all the RFAs are re-signed and probably want to leave a little wiggle room. Perhaps Utica signs a 3C on an AHL deal and make Malone a depth option. Possible late season additions: RW Will Lockwood, RW Karel Plasek, LW Ethan Keppen, C Carson Focht, C Linus Karlsson, C Tyler Madden, RD Jett Woo, LD Jack Rathbone, LD Toni Utunen. The CHL guys (Keppen, Focht, Woo) will almost definitely join Utica if their seasons end early. The Europeans (Plasek, Karlsson, Utunen) will all be 20 or turning 20 and have experience playing against men; if they're interested in crossing the pond the Canucks might start them with an AHL tryout like Jasek. The college guys (Lockwood, Madden, Rathbone) are hard to predict; Madden and Rathbone may go back for their junior years and all three could ask for NHL deals right away to burn a year off of their ELCs. Edited July 5, 2019 by GoldenAlien 2 8 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 Is it just me, or does that defense lineup look really good? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post naslund.is.king Posted July 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2019 You forgot Loui 2 1 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithers joe Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 gaudette, goldobin and schaller will probably be down there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quantum Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 Great post. It should be noted that Bachman will start the season on the LTIR. He has an Achilles injury and I believe there's a legitimate chance he doesn't play a game next season, stays on LTIR, and retires after next season... it would be a similar situation to Yan Pavel LaPlante last season where he didn't get into a game because of injury and seems to have retired. Also, is it set that Petrus Palmu isn't returning to Utica? I thought Vancouver only loaned him to Finland for last season. My expectation was that he'd return to North America for training camp and go back down to Utica... curious what'll happen with him... since he's still got 2 years left on his ELC and I cannot imagine the Canucks will keep loaning him to Finland for the duration of the contract... I think Sautner beats out one of Biega/Fantenberg to be an extra d-man. He's been pretty damn solid in the NHL and I'm not sure what more he can do in Utica. He's never going to be a defenseman that puts up huge numbers in the AHL. I agree with you on Rafferty, he'll start in Utica but probably end up as the first call up when the time comes. I thought he was great in the NHL games he played at the end of last season and deserves a shot at making the team. With Roussel injured to begin the year, I'm super curious who'll take his spot on the NHL roster. I have a feeling they're going to pull a Sam Gagner and waive Tim Schaller at training camp leaving potentially two open roster spots in the forward corps to begin the year. Of the options, I believe we could see Zack MacEwen and Francis Perron making the team out of training camp. Maybe Justin Bailey beats out Tyler Motte if they want more "grit". Reasoning: MacEwen was been stellar in Utica last season and has shown NHL upside. I think he deserves an extended run of games to see if he can really fit in. He projects as a bottom six NHLer... and with the Canucks cap problems (in regards to the Spooner buyout and Luongo recapture), he's a cheap, young, and at the age where he should be breaking into the NHL. He's huge and would provide size and skill to the bottom six. He'd be a nice addition until Roussel comes back. I think Perron will get a shot with the Canucks too. He was an AHL all-start last season, is waiver eligible, and 23. Hasn't been given a shot in the NHL yet but has shown growth in his game every season since making the leap from juniors to the AHL. If, for some reason, Goldy bolts for the KHL this summer (doubt it, but, until he gets an NHL deal, anything is possible). He could be a stealth waiver wire pick up for another team if he doesn't make the Canucks out of training camp... or he could be a Tanner Kero type. Hard to say but at 23, he's an intriguing player to possibly sneak onto the Canucks roster this season... if not at the start. Justin Bailey hasn't been the most impressive at the NHL or AHL levels but he seems like a solid Utica option and a decent NHL callup option. Doubt he makes the Canucks out of camp but I won't be shocked if he plays games with the Canucks this season. Seems like a Gaunce replacement. Curious who else Utica signs and what Oli Juolevi's role with Utica will be this season too... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 2 hours ago, Quantum said: Great post. It should be noted that Bachman will start the season on the LTIR. He has an Achilles injury and I believe there's a legitimate chance he doesn't play a game next season, stays on LTIR, and retires after next season... it would be a similar situation to Yan Pavel LaPlante last season where he didn't get into a game because of injury and seems to have retired. Also, is it set that Petrus Palmu isn't returning to Utica? I thought Vancouver only loaned him to Finland for last season. My expectation was that he'd return to North America for training camp and go back down to Utica... curious what'll happen with him... since he's still got 2 years left on his ELC and I cannot imagine the Canucks will keep loaning him to Finland for the duration of the contract... I think Sautner beats out one of Biega/Fantenberg to be an extra d-man. He's been pretty damn solid in the NHL and I'm not sure what more he can do in Utica. He's never going to be a defenseman that puts up huge numbers in the AHL. I agree with you on Rafferty, he'll start in Utica but probably end up as the first call up when the time comes. I thought he was great in the NHL games he played at the end of last season and deserves a shot at making the team. With Roussel injured to begin the year, I'm super curious who'll take his spot on the NHL roster. I have a feeling they're going to pull a Sam Gagner and waive Tim Schaller at training camp leaving potentially two open roster spots in the forward corps to begin the year. Of the options, I believe we could see Zack MacEwen and Francis Perron making the team out of training camp. Maybe Justin Bailey beats out Tyler Motte if they want more "grit". Reasoning: MacEwen was been stellar in Utica last season and has shown NHL upside. I think he deserves an extended run of games to see if he can really fit in. He projects as a bottom six NHLer... and with the Canucks cap problems (in regards to the Spooner buyout and Luongo recapture), he's a cheap, young, and at the age where he should be breaking into the NHL. He's huge and would provide size and skill to the bottom six. He'd be a nice addition until Roussel comes back. I think Perron will get a shot with the Canucks too. He was an AHL all-start last season, is waiver eligible, and 23. Hasn't been given a shot in the NHL yet but has shown growth in his game every season since making the leap from juniors to the AHL. If, for some reason, Goldy bolts for the KHL this summer (doubt it, but, until he gets an NHL deal, anything is possible). He could be a stealth waiver wire pick up for another team if he doesn't make the Canucks out of training camp... or he could be a Tanner Kero type. Hard to say but at 23, he's an intriguing player to possibly sneak onto the Canucks roster this season... if not at the start. Justin Bailey hasn't been the most impressive at the NHL or AHL levels but he seems like a solid Utica option and a decent NHL callup option. Doubt he makes the Canucks out of camp but I won't be shocked if he plays games with the Canucks this season. Seems like a Gaunce replacement. Curious who else Utica signs and what Oli Juolevi's role with Utica will be this season too... There's a logjam of bottom six forwards even without Roussel, so I think only 1 Utica guy at most will maybe make the big time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GoldenAlien Posted July 4, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2019 2 hours ago, Quantum said: It should be noted that Bachman will start the season on the LTIR. He has an Achilles injury and I believe there's a legitimate chance he doesn't play a game next season, stays on LTIR, and retires after next season... it would be a similar situation to Yan Pavel LaPlante last season where he didn't get into a game because of injury and seems to have retired. Also, is it set that Petrus Palmu isn't returning to Utica? I thought Vancouver only loaned him to Finland for last season. My expectation was that he'd return to North America for training camp and go back down to Utica... curious what'll happen with him... since he's still got 2 years left on his ELC and I cannot imagine the Canucks will keep loaning him to Finland for the duration of the contract... The Utica Observer-Dispatch reported a few days ago that Bachman was on track to start the season. He injured his Achilles in December which gives him 9 months to rehab before training camp. McIntyre was probably signed as insurance in case Bachman's rusty or suffers a setback, but it's likely both Utica and Kalamazoo will end up with one veteran goalie. Things are pretty quiet on the Palmu front but I'd be surprised if he plays for the Canucks/ Comets again. Ryan Johnson was asked about him at development camp and he deferred the question. But he's been unspectacular in Finland -- his 0.62 PPG in the regular season ranks #75 in the Liiga and #7 on his own team. He was scratched once in the playoffs and scored 0 pts in the other four games. He's unlikely to beat out any of Boucher, MacEwen, Perron or Bailey for a top six wing spot, and he hasn't shown to be better than Lind, Gadjovich or Jasek. Right now, the Canucks have 11 wingers (excluding Roussel), so if MacEwen or Perron makes the team then a NHL player is getting waived down. Any NHL player is better than a guy who was scratched in the Liiga, so there isn't going to be more space for Palmu in Utica regardless of how the other prospects perform. A 5'6" forward who's turning 22 but hasn't dominated anywhere offensively (besides juniors) is unlikely to become a NHL player. For comparison, Zuccarello had 40 pts in 35 GP (1.14 PPG) as a 21 year old rookie in the SHL. Palmu was a fine gamble at #181 but he's more Grimaldi than DeBrincat. On the Canucks' end, there's little incentive to bring back a player with minimal NHL upside. From Palmu's perspective, it makes little sense to leave Finland to alternate between the bottom six and the press box in Utica. I think the Canucks either loan him out again or both sides mutually terminate his contract so he's free to re-sign in Europe. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UticaHockey Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 The goaltending situation in Utica looks quite crowded at this point. I don't see either Bachman or McIntyre taking an assignment yo Kalamazoo as only NHL contracted players on an ELC can be assigned to the ECHL without the player's permission. Plus Bachman was selling his house in Colorado and buying locally in a suburban area outside of Utica. But the level of play from Bachman has been tailing off for several seasons now and then add to it a significant achilles injury tells me that he is no longer number 3 on the depth chart and the Canucks would like to move away from him. He is a good guy but his ability is diminishing every season. Demko credited Bachman for helping mentor him during his first two pro seasons. Maybe they keep three goalies in Utica with Bachman almost taking on a goalie coach role for DiPietro. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY_4_NAZZY Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 4 hours ago, UticaHockey said: The goaltending situation in Utica looks quite crowded at this point. I don't see either Bachman or McIntyre taking an assignment yo Kalamazoo as only NHL contracted players on an ELC can be assigned to the ECHL without the player's permission. Plus Bachman was selling his house in Colorado and buying locally in a suburban area outside of Utica. But the level of play from Bachman has been tailing off for several seasons now and then add to it a significant achilles injury tells me that he is no longer number 3 on the depth chart and the Canucks would like to move away from him. He is a good guy but his ability is diminishing every season. Demko credited Bachman for helping mentor him during his first two pro seasons. Maybe they keep three goalies in Utica with Bachman almost taking on a goalie coach role for DiPietro. Often NHL clubs will loan players to other farm clubs. St Louis loaned Jordan Binnington to Boston's farm team in Providence last season. Wonder if that could be arranged with another AHL affiliate that might be lacking a goalie in the depth chart/system. Obviously this arrangement will need to be made between Canucks/other NHL club and their AHL affiliate. Like you said I can't see McIntyre or Bachman going to the ECHL and I can't see a scenario where both DiPietro and Kielly start in the ECHL together. I look at the Colorado Avalanche and they only have 3 goalies in their goaltending system atm, I wonder if Lake Erie would be interested in a veteran netminder whether Bachman or McIntyre. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post UticaHockey Posted July 11, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 11, 2019 The Comets home schedule all in GIFs. Kudos to who ever runs their social media. Some of these are very subtle and funny. 1 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpn1 Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 3 hours ago, UticaHockey said: The Comets home schedule all in GIFs. Kudos to who ever runs their social media. Some of these are very subtle and funny. Thanks. You are the one that got me interested enough to order the Utica AHL Streaming Service. I have really enjoyed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Wonder if Benning can make a move to get a centre or two on a two way deal? Might be why our wingers are struggling because we don't have some talent down the middle in the farm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Where's Wellwood Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 28 minutes ago, Ghostsof1915 said: Wonder if Benning can make a move to get a centre or two on a two way deal? Might be why our wingers are struggling because we don't have some talent down the middle in the farm? Didn't he already acquire some centres this offseason? According to this, https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/team/vancouver-canucks/transactions we've added Tyler Graovac and Cater Camper who've both put up points at C in the AHL. Gaudette could also start in Utica to play centre. I don't see him beating out Petey, Bo, Sutter, or Beagle if those 4 are healthy and Gaudette needs to develop his game. If an injury happens we also now have Miller who can play some centre. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 3 minutes ago, Where's Wellwood said: Didn't he already acquire some centres this offseason? According to this, https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/team/vancouver-canucks/transactions we've added Tyler Graovac and Cater Camper who've both put up points at C in the AHL. Gaudette could also start in Utica to play centre. I don't see him beating out Petey, Bo, Sutter, or Beagle if those 4 are healthy and Gaudette needs to develop his game. If an injury happens we also now have Miller who can play some centre. It's just with the organizations luck with injuries, I just would like to see better depth and hope that means our wingers do better too. But the shot in the arm of depth on defence might mean Utica can spend more time on the attack so that probably will help too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpn1 Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 2 hours ago, Where's Wellwood said: Didn't he already acquire some centres this offseason? According to this, https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/team/vancouver-canucks/transactions we've added Tyler Graovac and Cater Camper who've both put up points at C in the AHL. Gaudette could also start in Utica to play centre. I don't see him beating out Petey, Bo, Sutter, or Beagle if those 4 are healthy and Gaudette needs to develop his game. If an injury happens we also now have Miller who can play some centre. Miller has good stats when it comes to face-offs. With an injury down the middle he could easily fill in. Great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theo5789 Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 5 hours ago, dpn1 said: Miller has good stats when it comes to face-offs. With an injury down the middle he could easily fill in. Great idea. I like for us to add Zack Smith in a deal to move out LE who is winger that is also very capable of playing center. It would certainly go in line with the way we have been building our team with more size and speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanukfanatic Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 4 hours ago, theo5789 said: I like for us to add Zack Smith in a deal to move out LE who is winger that is also very capable of playing center. It would certainly go in line with the way we have been building our team with more size and speed. If Smith is added he should get waived....again. This is the same guy that got waived in Sept. 2018 and wasn't claimed. He is no better than Ericksson. I am not against us getting him in a trade for Ericksson. But if we do we simply waive him like we should Loui. We don't need another bottom feeding player in this lineup. We have lots of good players and we have too many bottom 6 types. He would get waived imo and properly so. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME Posted July 18, 2019 Share Posted July 18, 2019 Coming soon to a Comets game near you: Comets sign Matt Petgrave. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwags Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 On 7/4/2019 at 11:35 AM, naslund.is.king said: You forgot Loui I'm sure he'll be fine selling hot dogs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Surfer Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 4 hours ago, Qwags said: I'm sure he'll be fine selling hot dogs. Milk Hot Dogs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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