Devils GM Sunny Mehta and Comets GM Braden Birch have begun revamping the AHL franchise. Here’s a look at some of the early summer roster changes.
Out With the Old
Utica’s goal leader last season, Angus Crookshank, was shipped off to the Florida Panthers in the Jacob Markstrom trade. Defenseman Calen Addison and forward Dylan Wendt were not tendered qualifying offers and walked to free agency. Lastly, UFA forwards Jonathan Gruden, Nathan Legare, and Mike Hardman were not brought back as of the writing of this article.
That does not mean none of them will return. Free agent center Ryan Schmelzer signed a new AHL one-year contract on July 2nd according to the Comets website, a move that hasn’t been confirmed on Puckpedia as of Monday. Forward Jack Malone and netminder Jeremy Brodeur re-upped with new AHL deals on July 3rd and RFA goaltender Jakub Malek signed a two-year, two-way extension on July 6th.
In With the New
Diminutive winger Ben Steeves joined the roster as a piece of the Jacob Markstrom swap. Steeves was an offensive force for the Charlotte Checkers last season, scoring 23 goals and potting 45 points in 72 games and easily replaces Crookshank’s production. Steeves signed a one-year, two way contract with the Devils yesterday, so could be a candidate for a call-up to New Jersey at any point during the seaason.
A flurry of trades and signings in and around the draft and the beginning of free agency brought in some players who will be fighting for a spot in New Jersey, but may spend some time in Utica. Amadeus Lombardi is a 23-year-old center, who can play wing, and is looking to make the jump into the NHL after being a nearly point per game player for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL the past two seasons. Sunny Mehta specifically mentioned Lombardi at his press conference as not only “depth”, but a “bet” as a player who’s shown promise of being ready for the next level.
Another depth “bet”, 28-year-old 6’6” winger Riley Tufte has been one of the AHL’s most prolific goal scorers, finishing tied for third in the league last season with 32 twine touchers in only 64 games. Tufte provides a different element to Lombardi as a large, netmouth presence with a scoring touch and will be an interesting player to watch in camp.
Lastly, left-handed defenseman Vladislav Kolyachanok is a 25-year-old, 6’1” puck mover, who will be competing with trade acquisition Declan Chisholm for a roster spot. Kolyachanok is an intriguing player. An analytics darling in small sample sizes at the NHL level, Kolyachanok has bounced around the Coyotes, Penguins, Stars, Bruins and their AHL affiliates in his short career.
Other players were signed to AHL contracts. Former teammate of Shane LaChance at Boston University, Jeremy Wilmer finished his collegiate career with Quinnipiac, and despite a season-ending injury his senior year, the undrafted, crafty winger put up 41 points in 38 games in his last full NCAA season. Center/winger Gabe Klassen put up 17 goals and 36 points in 59 games for the Wilkes-Barre Penguins last year. Former Red Wings 3rd round draft pick, Zach Gallant also signed an AHL deal. A highly physical energy forward, Gallant has split time between the AHL and ECHL after a stint with the U Sports McGill’s hockey program.
The Comets also signed 24-year-old defender Eamon Powell. A former fourth round pick of the Tampa Bay Lighting, Powell, known for his edgework and aggressive style, put up 7 points in 23 games for the Charlotte Checkers last season after five years at Boston College.
Another AHL signing, goaltender Seth Eisele has been one of the better netminders in the ECHL, finishing last season with a 18-7-1 record, 2.37 GAA and .919 SV% in 29 games for the South Carolina Stingrays. The 26-year-old will likely be competing with recently re-upped Jeremy Brodeur for platooning time between Utica and Adirondack and takes Tyler Brennan’s place down the goalie depth chart without the use of a NHL roster spot.
If there are themes in most of these moves, they seem to be the targeting analytical darlings and players who have excelled at the lower level and may be ready for the next step up, whether it be star AHLers, who may be ready for the NHL, or star ECHL and NCAA players, who may be ready for the AHL. It’s a fresh approach compared to the middling state Utica has been mired in for years. We will soon know how it plays out.
Your Take
What do you think? Post your comments below.
