Back when Sunny Mehta was initially hired by the New Jersey Devils to oversee all hockey operations, one aspect of the organization he was eager to address was making the AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, relevant again. He noted that ownership -- specifically David Blitzer -- was keen on it being a focal point to improve.
Though the season hasn't even begun yet, Mehta has already succeeded -- at least on paper.
Perhaps the most important addition to the Comets was not a player, but new Assistant General Manager (and Comets' General Manager) Braden Birch, who was poached from the Florida Panthers' organization and is widely regarded as Mehta's right-hand man. In Birch, the Devils added yet another analytics-inclined brainiac to the organization, someone who is keen on acquiring players who help the Comets outscore the other team.
From a personnel perspective, things couldn't be much different than they were last season. 13 unrestricted free agents were let go (including notables Brian Halonen, Calen Addison, and Colton White), with Utica adding a ton of firepower in their place.
The Devils brought on the likes of Colin White, Riley Tufte, and Amadeus Lombardi, all of whom have played at or near a point-per-game pace at the AHL level. Lombardi is a likely candidate to play in the NHL to begin 2026-27, but the other two are surefire AHLers who will contribute to the team's top nine.
Also brought over were Anton Silayev (who signed his entry-level contract), Ben Steeves, who put up 45 points in 72 AHL games last season, and a number of other promising AHLers and ECHLers who are ready to take the next step. They also brought back Xavier Parent, Topias Vilen, Jakub Malek, Marc McLaughlin, and captain Ryan Schmelzer, and acquired former second-round pick Etienne Morin.
Sunny Mehta has already made great strides in fixing the Utica Comets
On paper, this roster is a very strong one in the AHL, especially when also taking into account the likelihood that high-ceiling prospects Lenni Hameenaho and Seamus Casey will likely be starting the year in Utica. Going from a team whose best per-game producer (Hameenaho) put up 0.7 points per game to a team that has point-per-game or near-point-per-game production from multiple members of the forward corps should be game-breaking.
It's a new age for the Comets, who not only will be relevant in their own capacity, but will aid in developing future NHLers for New Jersey. Bright times are ahead.
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