Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

[boblav1]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

USA Today article on recruit Zach Solow.

[NU_Husky]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

Preview of some info on the blog but I wanted to share now: ZAR's points/game rate right now (1.75) is higher than 12 of the last 16 skaters to win the Hobey Baker. Only ones higher were Gaudreau (2), Sejna (1.95), Miele (1.82) and Eichel (1.775). Not saying ZAR is Eichel, but I was floored to see him that close in points/game. ZAR also has more goals now than either Eichel or Miele did in fewer games (32 for ZAR; Eichel had 26 goals in 40 games, Miele had 26 in 39 games).

Per NU Athletics' Instagram post, ZAR also has a higher goals per game average than 27 of the last 36 skaters to win the Hobey Baker (0.84 goals per game).

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

That was the sense that I got in a brief conversation with Mr. Roby between periods on Saturday. Still, you promote both with equal fervor and let the chips fall where they may...

Totally agree. And that's exactly what Union seems to be doing with Vecchione and Foo, much to its credit.

[Gr8Sk8M8]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

They may have a bit of a dilemma by having two guys who are legitimate candidates in ZAR and Sikky.

That was the sense that I got in a brief conversation with Mr. Roby between periods on Saturday. Still, you promote both with equal fervor and let the chips fall where they may...

[Gr8Sk8M8]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

True. Also pretty special when you consider that the first two years he was here, he was not even a top 3 featured player in his own class, with Szmatula, Stevens and Hedges all getting more opportunities on top lines and power play. He wasn't even supposed to arrive on campus until the next year, but was accelerated when Karlsson unexpectedly left late in the process (if my memory is correct).

It's safe to say that, for whatever reason, ZAR, under-performed in the USHL - at least until the last half of of the '12-13 season. That's a fact that he, himself, seemed to recognize in his NESN feature. So, I understand how the coaches may have underestimated what they were getting in a player or, at least, didn't expect him to contribute on the score sheet as he did. IIRC, even in his sophomore year he didn't crack the Top PP until around the Beanpot and that was because of injuries...

I actually had scouted him for Mouncton when he was playing in Jersey and am still puzzled how a NY kid was drafted into the OHL - but I digress. You could see the raw, diamond in the rough talent/ability/potential in his game. He was never afraid to get down and dirty, even as a 15 year old playing Junior B. He always seemed to be on the verge of breaking out but never quite broke through. Some players just need time to grow into their game...

I will say one thing...kudos to Jim and Jerry for recognizing what they had in this kid and for not hesitating to deploy him above where they had projected him to play.

**NB: JM actually alerted ZAR that he could be accelerated when the Szmatula flap was playing out but, in the end, he was accelerated because of Karlsson signing a pro contract.

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

my point was more to.. JM comes from the fundraising, / inside offices at the U. He knows the goodwill bit.
Couple phone calls can get the ball rolling. I know he has to coach but putting a bit of pressure on SID, AD, whomever to get the ball rolling.. c'mon, he can make that happen.. and should. It's a win-win for the U.

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

What's the HC doing.. he least should be pushing/ driving this issue as much as the SID...NU (hockey) marketing in general is lax.

Agree with the second part; not so much the first part. A HC's job is to coach. Publicity, promotions, campaigns, etc. are why we have communications and marketing people.

[northeastern]

What's the HC doing.. he least should be pushing/ driving this issue as much as the SID..

NU (hockey) marketing in general is lax.

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

They may have a bit of a dilemma by having two guys who are legitimate candidates in ZAR and Sikky. If you promote them both, then you dilute the effect of the promotion and it is useless. If you promote one over the other, then you offend the one you're not promoting...

I've never seen this as NU being put in the position of promoting one over the other, and it doesn't have to be that way. Just look at the way Union (Post #980) is bringing attention to both Vecchione and Foo without compromising either. From my (admittedly distant) perspective it's a matter of NU missing the boat on promoting the hockey program in general and two credible candidacies, in particular, before the national media.

At a time when one of the best NU offensive teams ever is playing before seemingly increasing numbers of empty seats at Matthews, shouldn't the powers that be ride the Hobey pony harder than it has apparently been doing, not only for the benefit of the players involved but also to hopefully reconnect the university community with the hockey program?

[NU_Husky]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

Good luck. Just one bit of advice - don't get so bogged down in the stats that you lose sight of ZAR's other contributions. If you look at it as only a statistical race, then you're tacitly supporting an argument that somebody else should win if their stats near the voting deadline slightly exceed ZAR's. ZAR is a 200 foot player who hits everything in sight and can dominate an entire game without a single line on the stat sheet. The other guys are scorers. Despite that, he's also scoring at a better rate.

You're very right. That's just hard to quantify on paper, especially given that we do not have zone-start statistics, hits, or any way to quantify board play. we have blocks, but that is flawed and very imperfect. But your points are valid, and will 100% be included in my post.

[beanstalk]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

I was looking at how high on the all-time scoring list ZAR could realistically end up. It obviously depends how far they go in the HE tournament, but say they lose in the quarters and play some combination of 5 playoff games in the 2 rounds, he'd have 7 games left. At his current points per game pace that'd give him 12 more points and 153 for his career, which would put him 10th all time. Cracking the top ten would be pretty special, considering everyone else in the top 10 graduated over 20 years ago.

True. Also pretty special when you consider that the first two years he was here, he was not even a top 3 featured player in his own class, with Szmatula, Stevens and Hedges all getting more opportunities on top lines and power play. He wasn't even supposed to arrive on campus until the next year, but was accelerated when Karlsson unexpectedly left late in the process (if my memory is correct).

[beanstalk]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

Knowing both of the players, and Gaudette, who deserves to be in the conversation too, none of them would be upset if their teammates were promoted over themselves. I could see JM not wanting to promote one or the other, however.

I will be having a feature on ZAR's candidacy next week on the blog, I strongly feel that he has the best case out of any other candidate. I'll be looking at ZAR/Vecchione/Kelleher as the top 3 candidates, where thir production is coming from (PP vs SH vs EV) and comparing their quality of competition by both opposing teams combined SV% and combined opposing records. I'm excited to do the research and look into it. I'll post it here obviously and hopefully it circulates around to the powers that be.

Good luck. Just one bit of advice - don't get so bogged down in the stats that you lose sight of ZAR's other contributions. If you look at it as only a statistical race, then you're tacitly supporting an argument that somebody else should win if their stats near the voting deadline slightly exceed ZAR's. ZAR is a 200 foot player who hits everything in sight and can dominate an entire game without a single line on the stat sheet. The other guys are scorers. Despite that, he's also scoring at a better rate.

[Thiessen'sBetter]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

I was looking at how high on the all-time scoring list ZAR could realistically end up. It obviously depends how far they go in the HE tournament, but say they lose in the quarters and play some combination of 5 playoff games in the 2 rounds, he'd have 7 games left. At his current points per game pace that'd give him 12 more points and 153 for his career, which would put him 10th all time. Cracking the top ten would be pretty special, considering everyone else in the top 10 graduated over 20 years ago.

[NU_Husky]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

They may have a bit of a dilemma by having two guys who are legitimate candidates in ZAR and Sikky. If you promote them both, then you dilute the effect of the promotion and it is useless. If you promote one over the other, then you offend the one you're not promoting. I almost think they were waiting for one of them to break away from the other in scoring, so they could throw all of their eggs in that basket. For those of us who watch all or nearly all of the games, ZAR is clearly the more complete player and he's a senior, so he is the candidate who deserves the full court promotion. However, the team is still fighting for HE playoff position, and then will be seeking to repeat as HE champs and secure an NCAA birth. JM probably does not want the official university apparatus to promote one over the other while the team chemistry is so good. Therefore, as silly as this sounds, it may be up to NU_Husky and other NU fans to do the promoting right now, by sending clips and tweets to Buccigross (who seems to be in the Vecchione camp) and others. A grass roots campaign is needed - suggestions welcomed.

Knowing both of the players, and Gaudette, who deserves to be in the conversation too, none of them would be upset if their teammates were promoted over themselves. I could see JM not wanting to promote one or the other, however.

I will be having a feature on ZAR's candidacy next week on the blog, I strongly feel that he has the best case out of any other candidate. I'll be looking at ZAR/Vecchione/Kelleher as the top 3 candidates, where thir production is coming from (PP vs SH vs EV) and comparing their quality of competition by both opposing teams combined SV% and combined opposing records. I'm excited to do the research and look into it. I'll post it here obviously and hopefully it circulates around to the powers that be.

[beanstalk]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2016-17 -- Great Expectations

I'm sure what you say is true. Just puzzled at why the SID and/or other powers that be aren't more pro-active/out in front on behalf of the two NU kids the way Union and others are for their respective players. Credible Hobey candidates and, by extension, the program itself would seem to fit your reference to deserved exposure. I'm just not seeing much from my perch.

They may have a bit of a dilemma by having two guys who are legitimate candidates in ZAR and Sikky. If you promote them both, then you dilute the effect of the promotion and it is useless. If you promote one over the other, then you offend the one you're not promoting. I almost think they were waiting for one of them to break away from the other in scoring, so they could throw all of their eggs in that basket. For those of us who watch all or nearly all of the games, ZAR is clearly the more complete player and he's a senior, so he is the candidate who deserves the full court promotion. However, the team is still fighting for HE playoff position, and then will be seeking to repeat as HE champs and secure an NCAA birth. JM probably does not want the official university apparatus to promote one over the other while the team chemistry is so good. Therefore, as silly as this sounds, it may be up to NU_Husky and other NU fans to do the promoting right now, by sending clips and tweets to Buccigross (who seems to be in the Vecchione camp) and others. A grass roots campaign is needed - suggestions welcomed.