Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
There are changes for the New Jersey Devils this offseason, and the Utica Comets are feeling the effects.
New Jersey has failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs three times in the past five seasons and has only managed one series win during that span. The Comets have missed the playoffs for the third straight year, leaving the Devils eager to shake up their AHL affiliate.
Sonny Mehta Hired as the Devils’ new general manager on April 16, replacing tom fitzgerald. Mehta, who comes from the Florida Panthers and is known for aggressive roster moves in recent seasons, brings that same mentality to his new position. Mehta also brought Braden Burch Joined from the Panthers as assistant general manager; a large part of Birch’s responsibilities will include serving as Utica’s new general manager.
Since then, the work has barely slowed down.
defensive player Anton SilaevSelected by the Devils with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, he signed an entry-level contract on June 1. The 20-year-old, who is 6-foot-7, has three full seasons of Kontinental Hockey League experience with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.
goalkeeper Nico Dawes He received a two-year contract extension after appearing in 44 games with the Comets in the 2025-26 season. Dawes will be entering his sixth season with the organization. forward Mark McLaughlin and Xavier Parent Also signed a one-year contract extension with the Comets captain. Ryan Schmelzer Signed a new contract with the AHL through the 2026-27 season.
defensive player Etienne Morin Trade from Calgary Flames Simon Nemec June 23. Morin, 21, is a 2023 second-round pick who played 42 games as a rookie for the Calgary Wranglers in 2025-26. An intriguing advance Amadeus Lombardi On June 25, Lombardi was traded in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings. At just 23 years old, Lombardi finished his season with the Grand Rapids Griffins with 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists). Another deal sends a goaltender Jacob Markstrom and forward Angus Cruickshank Go to Florida to find a forward. Jesper Boquist, Evan Rodriguez and Ben Steves. Steves is a 2026 AHL All-Star with the Devils and was part of Charlotte’s run to the 2025 Calder Cup Finals.
The Devils also revamped their depth chart through free agency. They signed one of the top players on their AHL roster on the opening day of free agency, signing a power forward Riley Tuft. The 6-foot-6 Tufte played in 64 games with the Providence Bruins in 2025-26, scoring 32 goals and finishing tied for third in the AHL standings. defensive player Vladislav KolyachonokHe also signed a one-year contract with the Devils after last season with the Texas Stars.
Maybe some of them can break through and become full-time contributors in the NHL. That’s Mehta’s hope.
“At some point, I think the Devils are in this position right now where we need to take some chances on guys,” Mehta said during a media conference call earlier this month. “We need to find the players. We need to find the strengths. We need to find the hidden gems, so to speak.”
In addition to Schmelzer, AHL contracts were awarded to forwards Jack Maloneand Charlotte’s Eamonn PowellCleveland’s Justin Pearson and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Zach Gallant and Gabe Klaassen.
Recently, the Devils announced Leo Longo Serves as their new director of goaltending after spending 10 seasons with the Florida State organization and gaining extensive experience working with AHL goaltending prospects. AJ McLean Also will be a new assistant coach in New Jersey, coming from Syracuse University. new goalkeeper coach Dan Stewart Joins after working with the St. Louis Blues and Springfield Thunderbirds.
Time will tell how these moves are implemented, who goes where, and who might compete for full-time jobs in New Jersey. But the Comets are expected to play a key role in this transition period in New Jersey. Mehta is from Florida State and the Panthers have prioritized a strong operation in Charlotte.
Mehta recounts early discussions with Devils managing partner and chairman David Blitzer. Utica came up quickly.
“[Blitzer] “He raised Utica himself,” Mehta recalled. “[Utica] It needs to be a bigger priority for us, where we not only think about the success of the organization in terms of wins and losses, but also player development. So while we use what I call this decision-making process in the NHL to focus on our decisions, we really do the same thing in the AHL. I mean, when we pull up the NHL roster on the screen and there’s the AHL roster right next to it, we think it’s all a big deal and we try to use the same roster strategy in Utica.
“Overall, we’re very focused on Utica. That’s our top priority.”
About two decades in the American Hockey League, TheAHL.com feature writer Patrick Williams also currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. In 2016, he received the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of the league.
