The Wolves Find A Star

It wasn't going to take a panel of hockey experts to tell anyone that the AHL Chicago Wolves have a bit of an advantage compared to other teams when it comes to signing players. Because the Wolves have no affiliation, they're basically free to sign anyone they like as long as they stay within the AHL rules. This has allowed them to sign players like the reigning ECHL Defenceman of the Year Owen Headrick, veteran scoring threat Cory Conacher, longtime NHLer Rocco Grimaldi, and free agent sniper Connor McClennon. Clearly, they have the ability to stock their roster with whomever they choose as they no longer take orders from an NHL team, and they made a big splash in getting a high-profile NHL free agent to join their squad.

The last time that Max Comtois was seen skating in NHL rinks was on a professional tryout with the Vegas Golden Knights. On October 10, the Golden Knights released him from that PTO, allowing him to become a free agent once more after Anaheim opted to make him a qualifying offer in the offseason. Without a team, Comtois and his agent began looking for options, and it seems that the Chicago Wolves made the best offer as they inked him to a deal today with a clause that allows him to sign with an NHL team if someone comes calling. It should be noted that Comtois led the Anaheim Ducks in scoring two seasons ago before that scoring pace fell off in the subsequent seasons, so it's not like he can't play at the NHL level. For now, though, he'll be skating in Rosemont, Illinois until someone makes him an offer.

Comtois has played in the AHL before as he spent 35 games with the San Diego Gulls over two seasons where he scored ten goals and added 15 assists. That's a far better pace than his 38 goals and 48 assists in 210 games with Anaheim, but Comtois was still an effective player for the Ducks at times. The former 50th-overall pick in 2017 can use a little work on the defensive side of the puck, though, and he likely will find that under head coach Bob Nardella and his assistant coach Dave Barr, a longtime NHL defensive specialist.

Comtois will need to show that he can play both sides of the puck if teams are going to consider adding him. While Chicago has stressed that it will focus on putting a winning product on the ice as opposed to focusing on development, it can't be understated that Comtois could use a little work on some areas of his game. Can he score? Sure, as his draft position is evidence of that. Is he a 200-foot player? That's a much more difficult question to answer.

There has been speculation that he may get into the lineup as early as Wednesday against the Texas Stars, but it may be better to hold him out until the weekend when the team travels two hours west to Rockford on Saturday before returning home to re-engage with the Stars on Sunday. Of course, conditioning will play a factor in how quickly Comtois hits the ice for the Wolves, but the weekend would be when I'd play him as it gives him time to get settled and start learning the systems.

Comtois is another piece of the puzzle for the Wolves as they have added some serious firepower since breaking free from their affiliation with Carolina, but I do question their strength of goaltending. Adam Scheel's numbers in Idaho were impressive last season, but the Wolves hardly have a Steelheads-like blue line at this point while French-born Julian Junca appears to be the other goalie that Chicago has on their roster right now, but he hasn't played a second of hockey outside France. Might there be an addition made to the crease? Time will tell.

Chicago did drop a 2-1 overtime decision to Milwaukee on Saturday, so adding a little more firepower like Comtois may help. It certainly seems like the Wolves are going to make a run at the Calder Cup this season which would be impressive, but a handful of players may get signed by NHL teams if they go on a major winning streak. It's a delicate balance that Chicago is playing this season, so it will be interesting to see how their season plays out in Rosemont.

At face value, though, Comtois does make them better offensively, so other teams would be wise to watch out for the Wolves!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!