The New Jersey Devils announced they’ve reassigned forwards Graeme Clarke and Shane Bowers to the American Hockey League.
The Utica Comets have three games remaining in the AHL regular season and are amid a playoff chase, despite being in last place in the AHL’s North Division.
Certainly, receiving two of their top players in Graeme Clarke, who is the Comets’ leading goal scorer, and Shane Bowers, who is one of their better 200-foot players, will help Utica accomplish the unlikely.
The Devils recalled Clarke last Thursday in search of more offense after Devils star forward Jack Hughes‘ season came to an end after receiving shoulder surgery.
The Devils wanted to see what they had in their top forward prospect at the NHL level after they were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. In three games this season, Clarke didn’t register a point, totaled two shots on goal, and took two penalty minutes in an average of 11:23 of time on ice.
Bowers didn’t register a point in eight games, either. Although, Bowers was deployed more in a checking role, whereas Clarke was given an opportunity to play on the Devils’ top line alongside captain Nico Hischier and All-Star Jesper Bratt.
Clarke’s registered 24 goals and 47 points in 64 games with Utica this season. Bowers has registered nine goals and 13 points in 40 games.
In the AHL playoff race, there’s one spot left in the North Division, a turtle race between the Comets, Belville Senators, and Laval Rocket. The Comets’ playoff fate is a bit out of their own hand as Belville and Laval play each other in the coming days.
The Comets have two games left against the division-best Syracuse Crunch who are motivated to keep their perch atop the AHLs North Division with the Rochester Americans on their tail.
The additions of Clarke and Bowers should, at the very least, give Utica a jolt in the lineup despite their unlikely chances to clinch a playoff berth.
With 73 points in hand and three games left on the season, the Comets are chasing the Rocket — two games remaining — who own 74 points, and the Senators who own 76 points with three games left on their season.
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