BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

[defkit]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

JFK back to Providence, takes Donato along for the ride.

I'm still upset with Sweeney for pulling him out so soon. Burning a year on your ELC is all well and good if you are a superstar, but in JFKs case, he might have been better off with an additional year of experience before getting to the next contract.

Gotta give Trent Fredric chops for finding some way to stand out in this search for a 3rd line center. I have to admit I was pretty disturbed by his parents reaction in the stands. Does a mom really like to see her son beat the snot out of someone?

[brassbonanza]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

The only important question for next year is who is on the schedule

Starting out of the gate dropping a pair to Mankato means the boys have no shot at flipping pairwise against the likes of bowling green now.

My understanding is Albie wants to move away from early-season OOC series on the road that are out west and instead try and play them a bit later into the season in November or December.

[PPGuru]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

I understand that Fabbro is expected to turn pro. With three D coming in do you expect any others to leave school?

[mookie1995]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

The only important question for next year is who is on the schedule

Starting out of the gate dropping a pair to Mankato means the boys have no shot at flipping pairwise against the likes of bowling green now.

[buoldtimer]

JFK back to Providence, takes Donato along for the ride.

[Lemonade]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

All four NTDP recruits have signed NLIs and am pretty sure Mastrosimone and Phillips had done so as well. Gorman, an older kid who was drafted by Pittsburgh last year, is the only recruited forward with size in the current class. BU recently was a finalist for high-scoring BCHL power forward Mike Hardman, but he committed to BC.

Doubt very much that Oettinger returns. Dallas was anxious to sign him last summer and I've heard he either will graduate or be very close this spring. Commesso is only a HS junior, so unless he accelerates this summer, he'll arrive in 2020. There's a second D in the 2020 class, Braden Doyle, who is having a standout year for Lawrence Academy. He and Mastrosimone were teammates at Shattuck a few years ago.

USA Hockey story on Zegras.

I would think Oettinger does leave but there is a small chance he may want to stay. Ben Bishop is signed thru the 22/23 season so there is no rush there. Could play BU for 2019/2020 season, then go pro and play a year in AHL then to NHL for 22/23. May not be a bad route for him.

[Rogie21]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

BU has a great incoming recruiting class but mostly defenseman. Class is probably highlighted by Zegras at forward from the USNDTP. They also have three defensemen coming in from the USNDTP with Vlasic, Fensore and McCarthy (assuming they all signed NLI) and Mastrisimone up front all seem ready for college. Not sure any of the other commits (Phillips, Copeland, Gorman) will be coming in next year or will be waiting another year in juniors. A big question mark is if Oettinger comes back for his senior year - he is a captain and the Dallas Stars goalie situation is pretty set right now. If Oettinger comes back for senior season that would be a great transition for Commesso (USNDTP) goalie to step in for Oettinger or do they bring him in early if Oettinger leaves? That 2020 class has more forwards with Tuch (USNDTP), Peterson (USNDTP), Connors, Carrabes in that class and only Cade Weber on D. As always it will depend on who leaves and when they are ready to come in but the BU recruiting pipeline is pretty loaded.

All four NTDP recruits have signed NLIs and am pretty sure Mastrosimone and Phillips had done so as well. Gorman, an older kid who was drafted by Pittsburgh last year, is the only recruited forward with size in the current class. BU recently was a finalist for high-scoring BCHL power forward Mike Hardman, but he committed to BC.

Doubt very much that Oettinger returns. Dallas was anxious to sign him last summer and I've heard he either will graduate or be very close this spring. Commesso is only a HS junior, so unless he accelerates this summer, he'll arrive in 2020. There's a second D in the 2020 class, Braden Doyle, who is having a standout year for Lawrence Academy. He and Mastrosimone were teammates at Shattuck a few years ago.

USA Hockey story on Zegras.

[Lemonade]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

One man's opinion -

1. I didn't think BU was awful Saturday night. I thought the difference in the game was that BU looked like they wanted to win, ASU played like the had to win. ASU did a great job of blocking shots and using their sticks to disrupt passes.

2. On the replay, it looked like the ASU goalie managed to deflect Willman's top of the crease shot with his skate? I thought that was a goal for sure.

3. Now, next year's recruiting class (entering in the fall) is supposed to be better than the current freshman class, right? So, if Bowers and Farrabee return, then we have something? I assume Fabbro is long gone.

BU has a great incoming recruiting class but mostly defenseman. Class is probably highlighted by Zegras at forward from the USNDTP. They also have three defensemen coming in from the USNDTP with Vlasic, Fensore and McCarthy (assuming they all signed NLI) and Mastrisimone up front all seem ready for college. Not sure any of the other commits (Phillips, Copeland, Gorman) will be coming in next year or will be waiting another year in juniors. A big question mark is if Oettinger comes back for his senior year - he is a captain and the Dallas Stars goalie situation is pretty set right now. If Oettinger comes back for senior season that would be a great transition for Commesso (USNDTP) goalie to step in for Oettinger or do they bring him in early if Oettinger leaves? That 2020 class has more forwards with Tuch (USNDTP), Peterson (USNDTP), Connors, Carrabes in that class and only Cade Weber on D. As always it will depend on who leaves and when they are ready to come in but the BU recruiting pipeline is pretty loaded.

[Rover]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

Next man's opinion...

1. BU outplayed ASU for much of the 1st period. Numerous grade-A scoring chances. If they scored a couple of goals in that stretch, the complexion of the game totally changes. I don't think this BU team has issues front-running (not like it's happened often this season), but seems to get down on itself when they outplay the opposition and have nothing to show for it. It's the 4th home game where this has happened - 2nd Maine game, BC and Lowell were the other games where I felt this was also the case.

I thought BU did a good job rushing the net and taking it to ASU on Saturday, but they suffer from Milan Lucic syndrome, which is an inability to knock home the puck no matter how good the chance. The effort is there. The ability....well, it worries me when the top scorer is a defenseman and only one guy has double digit goals (10 leads the team) as we enter February! A team with good effort and good goaltending but trouble hitting the back of the net = a .500 team, which is exactly what we have.

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

Could be a grad transfer candidate though I doubt there would be a Minnesota State-level suitor for him. Connor was a very, very solid backup and put up some great performances in that role. Max unfortunately has not and the one shot he got this year was so disastrous that it likely necessitated bringing Purpura in early to be able to give Jake some nights off.

It was really pleasing to see Lacouvee have as great a year as he did last year @ Mankato, and having some AHL success this season in Laval. He certainly played well at times @ BU but had challenges putting it all together when he & Maguire shared duties in 2015-16.

[mookie1995]

I don't disagree with this statement, but I think it minimizes how McAvoy uses that skating ability. He was so good at covering the rushing forward, making sure he pushed him wide to force him behind the net, use his stick skills to take the puck, and start skating up ice with it, all without really even breaking stride. I don't know that I've seen any other defenseman at BU that was able to make that play so effectively. I think it is a reason he has had success at the NHL level already.

Happy Gilmore also did everything better, except skate

[brassbonanza]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

Back to the goalies. Prawdzik was at the Beanpot luncheon (usually for seniors). Is he going to be a grad transfer? He is behind Purpura in the pecking order. If it is Oettinger and Purpura next year, Prawdzik won't see the ice. He has worked so hard, it would be nice to see him get to play some. It does not appear that it will be at BU. But maybe he can do a Lacouvee?

Could be a grad transfer candidate though I doubt there would be a Minnesota State-level suitor for him. Connor was a very, very solid backup and put up some great performances in that role. Max unfortunately has not and the one shot he got this year was so disastrous that it likely necessitated bringing Purpura in early to be able to give Jake some nights off.

[defkit]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

No more first round, so it’s home ice for the quarterfinals or on the road.

Sean

Right - I forgot. Thanks for the reminder.

[defkit]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

Fabbro does everything better than McAvoy but skate.

I don't disagree with this statement, but I think it minimizes how McAvoy uses that skating ability. He was so good at covering the rushing forward, making sure he pushed him wide to force him behind the net, use his stick skills to take the puck, and start skating up ice with it, all without really even breaking stride. I don't know that I've seen any other defenseman at BU that was able to make that play so effectively. I think it is a reason he has had success at the NHL level already.

[Harry Cleverly]

Re: BU Terriers 2018-19: Albie in Charge

Next man's opinion...

On paper next year's incoming class is very talented and deep. But like recent years past, they'll likely be pressed into significant roles right away based on roster turnover. Fabbro is definitely gone, whereas Oettinger, Krys, Bowers are 50/50. Farabee is definitely a flight risk, but I've heard he's more likely to return. Wouldn't be surprised to see at least 1 of Oettinger/Krys/Bowers return (if might not be whom many of us think) and someone whom I didn't mention depart early.

Fabbro does everything better than McAvoy but skate.

Contractually, Dallas is set in goal. Oettinger could come back, with the Stars blessing.
Colorado could encourage Bowers to stay and develop for another year.
Krys should not go anywhere.

Farabee is getting better and better. He is going to be a good two-way pro. Another year in college, especially if he can become a dominant offensive threat, would be really good for his overall development.

What we don't know is how quickly they want to start their rookie contract clock? It appears to have worked for some, but it has not helped JFK at all.

Back to the goalies. Prawdzik was at the Beanpot luncheon (usually for seniors). Is he going to be a grad transfer? He is behind Purpura in the pecking order. If it is Oettinger and Purpura next year, Prawdzik won't see the ice. He has worked so hard, it would be nice to see him get to play some. It does not appear that it will be at BU. But maybe he can do a Lacouvee?