2018-19 Utica Comets Thread

[GoldenAlien]

I don’t understand this renewed outrage over Sam Gagner. It was confirmed back in October that he would get sent back to the Marlies if he were called up then reassigned. The loan is for the whole season, not for 15 games. 

[UticaHockey]

28 minutes ago, nzan said:

you really want gagner that bad?

Step back from being a Canucks fan for a moment and think what is like to be a Comets fan this year....a team with the worst goal differential in the league so we really are worse than our record indicates.

 

The timeline for Comets fans this week....

 

Sunday - the Canucks put Leipsic on waivers. Encouraging news because he is a proven offensive player in the AHL and former All Star.

 

Monday - follow Twitter to see if he clears only to find out that LA claimed him. Disappointment in Utica.  But on top of that Carcone is traded a few minutes later and will go to our division rival the Toronto Marlies.  Turning into a sucky day.

 

Tuesday - the Canucks still need to make a roster move to make room for Beagle so unless it's Gagner the Comets will at least be getting a quality player to make the week a little better. But nope it's Gagner to the Marlies and now the sucky week just got even worse.

 

[SingleThorn]

35 minutes ago, nzan said:

you really want gagner that bad?

There are two options ( in my mind ) when things don't make sense. 1) It's not true.....( doesn't fit here ! ) and 2)...we don't have all the relevant facts !

 

I don't really think that the 'close to the family' story is the whole story !

[mll]

That's Florida's team - not in the same division.  Springfield are in the Atlantic and have 27 pts in 21 games.  Comets have 22pts in 24 games.

 

[TomatoPieFan]

By Ben Birnell

Posted Dec 4, 2018 at 8:02 PM Updated Dec 4, 2018 at 8:28 PM

 

UTICA – Some change has helped the Utica Comets of late, especially on the power play.

With help from a strong start on the power play – Utica Comets had at least one goal on the advantage in six of their first seven regular-season games – the Comets had been hovering near the top of the American Hockey League rankings.

There was a lull in November, but with nine goals in their last 31 chances, the Comets’ power play has heated up again over the last six games.

“I think the biggest thing is we’re getting a little confidence on it,” said forward Tanner Kero, who has a team-leading six power-play goals this season. “I think we’re starting to score a few goals, so we’re building that confidence and that trust. ... We’ve been working on it a little bit before each game and kind of dialing in a few things.

“The biggest thing is that we’re shooting the puck a lot more. We’re not trying to overdo anything and overwork it.”

 

 

Utica’s power play ranks third overall at 23.4 percent heading into Wednesday’s game at Rochester. The Comets (10-12-1-1, tied for 5th in North Division) have at least two power-play goals during their recent six-game stretch, including three in Saturday’s win in Laval and two against Rochester on Nov. 23.

“We put a heavy strain on our specialty teams because 5-on-5 we’re ... a good team, but we’re not a great team,” Comets coach Trent Cull said. “We haven’t been generating enough offense 5-on-5, so our specialty teams ... we’re trying to make them great every night to give ourselves a chance to win.”

 

The Comets’ power play has been operating as high as 31.4 percent this season.

Cull said the team has been helped by the return of Reid Boucher (four of 10 goals are on the power play) and Darren Archibald, who provides a strong presence in front of the net. Cull said the team will miss Michael Carcone, who had a goal and five assists on the advantage during the recent six-game stretch. He was traded to Toronto on Monday.

Defenseman Olli Juolevi was leading the power play before an injury. However, Evan McEneny, who had a goal and assist on the power play Saturday, has done well in the role, said Cull.

“I think we just have to stick with what we’re doing,” Kero said. “We’re not trying to overdo anything and just kind of doing simple plays and getting pucks to the net.”

Getting their kicks

at Utica City FC opener

It is not all hockey for the Comets. Many players took the opportunity to see the home opener for the new indoor soccer team, Utica City FC. The team is managed by Mohawk Valley Garden, Inc., which oversees the Comets.

 

 

Richard Bachman and Kero were impressed with their first Major Arena Soccer League experience because they considered it similar to hockey.

“It was fantastic,” Bachman said. “It was fast-paced and hard-hitting. It was even more entertaining than I expected.”

Both said it was nice to hang out away from hockey.

“Any time you can spend with a group away from the rink, away from the hockey atmosphere, it is good,” Kero said. “Team bonding translates into how we play on the ice and in the locker room, so it is good.”

The Comets are also set to take in an NFL game when they visit the Charlotte Checkers this month.

With a day off in between games Sunday, Dec. 16 and Tuesday, Dec. 18, players have the opportunity to attend the Monday night game between New Orleans and Carolina through a connection with Comets General Manager Ryan Johnson.

“It is going to be an unbelievable experience,” said Bachman, a Denver Broncos fan who has been to one NFL game. “Big stage. Monday night. It is going to be something a lot of guys have never done before.”

 

Roll call

Captain Carter Bancks, who missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, was a full participant Tuesday. Cull is hopeful Bancks can return Wednesday..

Cull said Vincent Arseneau, who injured his hand Nov. 9, is expected to see a specialist this week and they’ll see how he progresses.

Arseneau and Wacey Hamilton, who hasn’t played this season due to a concussion, skated in red no-contact jerseys following practice.

Jalen Chatfield, who still has a cast on his left foot/leg remains on crutches and is not expected back before Christmas.

Later Tuesday, Vancouver again assigned Sam Gagner to the Toronto Marlies meaning no player will return the Comets after Carcone being traded.

 

 

[Whorvat]

3 hours ago, UticaHockey said:

I'm waiting for the announcement on December 31st to go something like this.....

 

Jim Benning is proud to announce that starting next season the Vancouver Canucks will be sharing the Toronto Marlies as their AHL farm team. With direct flights to Vancouver and all major NHL cities it will greatly improve the time it takes to call up players when we are at home and on the road. The Toronto Marlies are not only the defending Calder Cup champions but they have a history of winning which we think will be a perfect environment for our exciting young prospects to develop in. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the entire Toronto organization.

I use to care about the Canucks farm team staying in Utica..but fans like yourself have kind of spoiled that view for me. The saltiness from your posts these days is laughable.

 

Guess you folks should get out and enjoy AHL hockey while you can, eh?

 

Edit: Just hope the team does not end up in Abbotsford.

Edited December 5, 2018 by Whorvat

[higgyfan]

As a Canuck fan, I can certainly understand the frustration, disappointment and growing bitterness that the Comet fans have.  I think Canuck fans would feel the same way if the shoe was on the other foot.

 

At the beginning of the season, we were all feeling positive about the direction the Comets were heading in and excited about the incoming rookies.  Since then, we have seen that our rookies aren't as ready as we thought and due to Canuck injuries, the Comets have lost a considerable number of players going to Vancouver to fill the gap.  Gaudette and Motte were supposed to be playing in Utica and there has been a flood of other players that have left the team during the past couple of months.

 

Of course nobody could foresee the excessive amount of injuries in Vancouver and the current struggles the rookies in Utica are having.  Unfortunately for the Comets, it doesn't look like either Motte or Gaudette will join their team and the only way to replace them is through a trade, which is not likely to happen.  This leaves the Comets in a precarious situation, as I believe they already have their quota of veteran players.

 

This is not a good situation for either team; especially for the Canucks, who need a solid farm team to develop their young prospects.  Hopefully the rookies will show an upward trend in the new year and we will see a change in the current pattern. 

[dpn1]

Why are people surprised that Utica is not taking the AHL by storm?  You had to know with the amount of rookies they would struggle.  I like what Johnston said on TSN 1040 that the goal is not to win the Calder cup but to develop NHL players.  That maybe hard for some to hear but it is the reality that is before us.  I watch all the Comets games and will continue because I love watching the young guys develop.  Win or loose, I am enjoying watching.  My feelings are the same with the Canuck's right now.  They are loosing but not by much.  Its just nice to be heading in the right direction. 

[Putgolzin]

44 minutes ago, UticaHockey said:

Step back from being a Canucks fan for a moment and think what is like to be a Comets fan this year....a team with the worst goal differential in the league so we really are worse than our record indicates.

 

The timeline for Comets fans this week....

 

Sunday - the Canucks put Leipsic on waivers. Encouraging news because he is a proven offensive player in the AHL and former All Star.

 

Monday - follow Twitter to see if he clears only to find out that LA claimed him. Disappointment in Utica.  But on top of that Carcone is traded a few minutes later and will go to our division rival the Toronto Marlies.  Turning into a sucky day.

 

Tuesday - the Canucks still need to make a roster move to make room for Beagle so unless it's Gagner the Comets will at least be getting a quality player to make the week a little better. But nope it's Gagner to the Marlies and now the sucky week just got even worse.

 

Yeah I guess.

Its always hard to fully understand what someone else is going through when it’s someone else.

I don’t understand hand-wringing about has-beens and never-will-bes, but maybe that’s just my disconnected perspective.

[Quantum]

16 hours ago, higgyfan said:

I think the real deal was Leips going through waivers to AHL and then traded to Marlies.  TO wanted an AHL player, so when Leips got picked by LA, Carcone became the guy for Leivo.

I definitely think that's what happened.

 

Reports from Pierre Lebrun of TSN say that the Leivo deal was made a few hours before its announcement. My gut says that they probably talked Leipsic and when he was claimed by LA, the Maple Leafs identified Carcone as a secondary option and Benning agreed to move him.

 

Either way, I like Leivo and thought he played well last night. All you can ask for a guy like him who has dealt with a lot of adversity in the last two years as a Maple Leaf -- needlessly so, I may add.

[Boudrias]

1 hour ago, higgyfan said:

As a Canuck fan, I can certainly understand the frustration, disappointment and growing bitterness that the Comet fans have.  I think Canuck fans would feel the same way if the shoe was on the other foot.

 

At the beginning of the season, we were all feeling positive about the direction the Comets were heading in and excited about the incoming rookies.  Since then, we have seen that our rookies aren't as ready as we thought and due to Canuck injuries, the Comets have lost a considerable number of players going to Vancouver to fill the gap.  Gaudette and Motte were supposed to be playing in Utica and there has been a flood of other players that have left the team during the past couple of months.

 

Of course nobody could foresee the excessive amount of injuries in Vancouver and the current struggles the rookies in Utica are having.  Unfortunately for the Comets, it doesn't look like either Motte or Gaudette will join their team and the only way to replace them is through a trade, which is not likely to happen.  This leaves the Comets in a precarious situation, as I believe they already have their quota of veteran players.

 

This is not a good situation for either team; especially for the Canucks, who need a solid farm team to develop their young prospects.  Hopefully the rookies will show an upward trend in the new year and we will see a change in the current pattern. 

I agree with your summary. IMHO the Comets are faced with the same problems Vancouver is. Bottom line both teams are losing. In Vancouver it appears a lot of fans have accepted the rebuild. Comet fans might have a slightly unrealistic expectation, just as Canuck fans do, that prospects are going to light things up from the get go. 

 

When Benning/Linden took over the org had one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL. Bare IMHO. With a NHL team desperate for talent the likelihood that talented prospects would be quickly moved up to VAn was inevitable. I would suspect that as the depth increases the Comets will keep these players. 

 

As it sits now the Comets have Van's top goalie and d-man prospects. The balance of the d-core with Sautner, Brisbois and Chatfield  are 2nd year pros. The offense struggles but then Van's offense is one of the NHL worst. With Dahlen's and Jasek's close of last season who would have not thought they would have been big contributors. Gaudette should have been in Utica. I do not think the situation is from neglect by Benning. There is no doubt that if a choice between what is good for Van versus Utica has to be made then VAn will be the choice. That is a harsh reality. 

 

Why is Gagner in TO? I suspect Benning wants to move him  and has a better chance of show casing him in TO than in Utica. Rumour has 2 NHL clubs already interested. The product of a Gagner deal might easily put a player in Utica.   UticaHockey has made some good points, especially about centers. Unfortunately the alignment of interests between Utica and Vancouver will not always jive. I do not want to see Van's AHL team leave Utica. If it does I suspect the main reason will be economic. I prefer the development +++ of player development in the East. Less travel more practice and gym time.  

[Alflives]

1 minute ago, chilliwiggins said:

I think Benning thought Leipsic would clear waivers, then when he got claimed made a reactionary trade for Leivo because why wouldn't you wait to get Leivo for free just like Leipsic was taken as TO had to do the same thing because of Nylander.

Wasn't Leivo (basically) free though?  Dumping a guy like Carcone from the Comets is a good thing.  Now the younger players, who actually have a future with the big club, will get more ice time.  I see that trade as a win/win for us.  That's me though.   I have issues!

[Alflives]

2 minutes ago, chilliwiggins said:

I suppose if you look at all undrafted or walk ons as (FREE) but are they?   Your getting rid of a player under contract that you see a future in.   Time will tell.

Its not going to help Utica that's for sure.  so if attendance drops in Utica because they are free falling from having a decimated team is that still free?  lol

I wonder if the Utica fans are a lot like us, and want to see the young guys play, and develop?  Maybe they want to see Lind, Dahlen and not Carcone?  I know I'd rather see a developing young guy (who has a future with us) more than a Gagner.  

[Nuxfanabroad]

"Us" are certainly not the U.S., eh?

[Alflives]

11 minutes ago, chilliwiggins said:

Not sure who US is but like most sports its about winning.   If its the US that used to sit in all those empty seats at the game last night well then that would say the masses think differently about your theory.  

What else is there to do in Utica?  Race donkeys?

[stawns]

49 minutes ago, nzan said:

Yeah I guess.

Its always hard to fully understand what someone else is going through when it’s someone else.

I don’t understand hand-wringing about has-beens and never-will-bes, but maybe that’s just my disconnected perspective.

Utica is a development team, if a person is going to be a fan of a development team, especially for an org doing a full rebuild top to bottom, then that's something that person needs to understand.  It's about the process more than the result.  

[TomatoPieFan]

12 minutes ago, Alflives said:

What else is there to do in Utica?  Race donkeys?

Now you're beeing a jack ass yourself. No need to toss insults over a dumb sports blog.

 

As a season ticket holder from day 1 I think most fans realize the AHL is a farm club league and only ask for a competitive team.  I think Vancouver has provided the Comets a competitive team which is a whole different animal from a perennial Calder Cup finalist. Every farm club has its ups and downs and fans just have to accept it.  I just counted and there are 48 ticks available (3300 Season tickets and 3917 max capacity) for this Fridays game. The majority of empty seats you see on AHL TV are corporate season tick holders too lazy to transfer or sell their tickets and now the beer guzzling drunks who come to drink rather than watch the game are starting to dwindle out.

Edited December 5, 2018 by TomatoPieFan

[Nuxfanabroad]

7 minutes ago, chilliwiggins said:

Grammer punctuation cops.  hmm   its the new norm, not from cheers

No it was more of a pun, in fact. Felt the need to differentiate between the two markets, north & south of border. Whether it matters in AHL terms, seems rather unlikely. In the end the NY suits sure care about one market(that is, NHL franchises) more than the other(which p*sses me off!)

Edited December 5, 2018 by Nuxfanabroad
clarity on leagues

[stawns]

22 minutes ago, TomatoPieFan said:

Now you're beeing a jack ass yourself. No need to toss insults over a dumb sports blog.

 

As a season ticket holder from day 1 I think most fans realize the AHL is a farm club league and only ask for a competitive team.  I think Vancouver has provided the Comets a competitive team which is a whole different animal from a perennial Calder Cup finalist. Every farm club has its ups and downs and fans just have to accept it.  I just counted and there are 48 ticks available (3300 Season tickets and 3917 max capacity) for this Fridays game. The majority of empty seats you see on AHL TV are corporate season tick holders too lazy to transfer or sell their tickets and now the beer guzzling drunks who come to drink rather than watch the game are starting to dwindle out.

The biggest issue is that the injuries that have absolutely ravaged the canucks in the last three seasons have a corresponding effect on the Comets.  Then, add some injury issues of their own and it's easy to see why the Comets have struggled.  If the Canucks could have stayed healthy (or even less injured) there would have been a noticeable uptick of the compete level in Utica.  To place blame on the management of the Canucks is completely misplaced as injuries are completely out of their control.

[TomatoPieFan]

17 minutes ago, chilliwiggins said:

Baertschi for Conacher that would help out the farm more than anything.

They were a dynamic duo on the same line during the Calder Cup run.  Conacher was just resigned by Lightning to a one year one way 700K.  He just got AHL player of the month too.