UNH Hockey 2023 Off Season Thread Turn and Face the Strange

[Snively65]

According to the Maine thread, the game is on Youtube.

I believe that one of the Maine games at the Whitt later this season is on NESN.

[boblav1]

Anyone making the drive up to Colby today?

According to the Maine thread, the game is on Youtube.

[Snively65]

Anyone making the drive up to Colby today?

Not I as Bentley is hosting BU for the first time in their “new” arena in Waltham. But you might ask on the new UNH thread as apparently this thread will be closed soon. :-)

[umhockey91]

Anyone making the drive up to Colby today?

[Snively65]

Sounds like we're not going to be here for much longer ... but Snives, if nothing else, your projections for the B's top two lines should frighten any sane B's fan. Coyle was gonna be a stretch as a 2nd line NHL center, but first line?? I don't think Coyle was ever even a first line center at BU (and if he was, it wasn't a great year for them). Frederic probably has a ceiling of a 3rd line wing, and it will be interesting to see how well Debrusk fares without Bergeron (HR is right - even as damaged goods late in his career, he is a HUGE loss). And I've said enough about JvR and his limitations, you folks will get to see those up close and personal for 70 or so games this year IF he's lucky with injuries.

Bruins are praying that last year's 2nd round pick Matt Poitras (Guelph OHL) is ready for prime time a year or two early, as he could fit in long term as a top six center. But he is young (19) and small by NHL standards (5'11" 170 lbs.) and while he's had an eye-opening preseason with the big team, he'll probably get a 9 game tryout in Boston to test whether he is ready for regular season NHL hockey, or will go back to juniors for one more year. IF he's ready, he could be the answer to a lot of Don Sweeney's prayers ... if not, at least there's some hope in an otherwise barren B's talent pipeline. Don't shoot the messenger, but the B's could go from their record-setting RS last season to fighting it out for a wild card playoff spot in the East. Depth of talent everywhere in their line-up has taken a major hit - even if Poitras sticks and fares well - with only the goalie position not impacted directly (although the fall-off of blue line talent and a retired Bergeron will indirectly impact them). And should McAvoy or Lindholm go down to injury for an extended period ... even a wild card slot could be in serious jeopardy.

Hard to believe, after the wagon that was last season ... but cut out Bergeron (1+C), Krejci (2C), middle six wingers Hall and Bertuzzi, Orlov (a potential top pair D) and some effective veteran role players on your bottom six forwards/bottom pair defense in Hathaway, Foligno, Nosek and Clifton, and replace them with over-the-hill vets like JvR, Lucic and Shattenkirk, that's not likely to paint a pretty picture. And with so much draft capital having already been dealt away in recent years, and a bottom-3 in the NHL farm system, an untimely injury to a key player (with young Poitras not quite ready for prime time yet) could spell the end of the road for Sweeney, and possibly even Cam Neely. I only hope that Monty is spared in such a circumstance, given the hard road he's traveled in recent seasons, but the B's are notoriously impatient with their HC's (mostly pre-Sweeney TBF) so he could be in danger too?

If that were to transpire, Jimmy Montgomery could be a candidate for the HC job opening in Durham next Spring ...

Monty as HC in Durham would make our rivalry with UMaine even more entertaining. :-)

[Chuck Murray]

I predict that on opening night Marchand will be LW on first line with Coyle at center and either DeBrusk or Frederic on RW. Then JvR will be on second line with Zacha and Pastrnak. JvR = my UNH content for this about to be dead thread, thanks to Scott. Your thread had a nice run, HR. :-)

Sounds like we're not going to be here for much longer ... but Snives, if nothing else, your projections for the B's top two lines should frighten any sane B's fan. Coyle was gonna be a stretch as a 2nd line NHL center, but first line?? I don't think Coyle was ever even a first line center at BU (and if he was, it wasn't a great year for them). Frederic probably has a ceiling of a 3rd line wing, and it will be interesting to see how well Debrusk fares without Bergeron (HR is right - even as damaged goods late in his career, he is a HUGE loss). And I've said enough about JvR and his limitations, you folks will get to see those up close and personal for 70 or so games this year IF he's lucky with injuries.

Bruins are praying that last year's 2nd round pick Matt Poitras (Guelph OHL) is ready for prime time a year or two early, as he could fit in long term as a top six center. But he is young (19) and small by NHL standards (5'11" 170 lbs.) and while he's had an eye-opening preseason with the big team, he'll probably get a 9 game tryout in Boston to test whether he is ready for regular season NHL hockey, or will go back to juniors for one more year. IF he's ready, he could be the answer to a lot of Don Sweeney's prayers ... if not, at least there's some hope in an otherwise barren B's talent pipeline. Don't shoot the messenger, but the B's could go from their record-setting RS last season to fighting it out for a wild card playoff spot in the East. Depth of talent everywhere in their line-up has taken a major hit - even if Poitras sticks and fares well - with only the goalie position not impacted directly (although the fall-off of blue line talent and a retired Bergeron will indirectly impact them). And should McAvoy or Lindholm go down to injury for an extended period ... even a wild card slot could be in serious jeopardy.

Hard to believe, after the wagon that was last season ... but cut out Bergeron (1+C), Krejci (2C), middle six wingers Hall and Bertuzzi, Orlov (a potential top pair D) and some effective veteran role players on your bottom six forwards/bottom pair defense in Hathaway, Foligno, Nosek and Clifton, and replace them with over-the-hill vets like JvR, Lucic and Shattenkirk, that's not likely to paint a pretty picture. And with so much draft capital having already been dealt away in recent years, and a bottom-3 in the NHL farm system, an untimely injury to a key player (with young Poitras not quite ready for prime time yet) could spell the end of the road for Sweeney, and possibly even Cam Neely. I only hope that Monty is spared in such a circumstance, given the hard road he's traveled in recent seasons, but the B's are notoriously impatient with their HC's (mostly pre-Sweeney TBF) so he could be in danger too?

If that were to transpire, Jimmy Montgomery could be a candidate for the HC job opening in Durham next Spring ...

[Snively65]

Did Marchand do something wrong to cede his spot as first line winger?? There's lots of reasons why JvR isn't a top six forward any longer (and when he was earlier in his career, it was usually with crappy Toronto teams). But he has become a survivor, and offers enough as a second unit PP guy to keep playing and cashing an NHL paycheck. B's will have bigger issues at center, where Zacha is NO way a first line center on a Cup contending team, and with his slot as 2nd line center vacated by his move up, there is no one qualified to replace that slot, either.

Monty is gonna have to earn his corn this season in the "coaching up" department, while Sweeney needs to get his head out from his nightmare of an offseason and start filling up some suddenly-gaping holes in their line-up.

In other news, former Chicago Bears All-World middle linebacker Dick Butkus passed away yesterday ...

I predict that on opening night Marchand will be LW on first line with Coyle at center and either DeBrusk or Frederic on RW. Then JvR will be on second line with Zacha and Pastrnak. JvR = my UNH content for this about to be dead thread, thanks to Scott. Your thread had a nice run, HR. :-)

[Chuck Murray]

Maybe JvR will be a good fit on the Pastrnak-Zacha line. Been a long time since JvR has played on a top two line, maybe since UNH? He needs 54 games to tie Langway for all-time UNH NHL games, although Langway has an additional 56 WHA games, which would require JvR nearly two more full seasons to match.

Did Marchand do something wrong to cede his spot as first line winger?? There's lots of reasons why JvR isn't a top six forward any longer (and when he was earlier in his career, it was usually with crappy Toronto teams). But he has become a survivor, and offers enough as a second unit PP guy to keep playing and cashing an NHL paycheck. B's will have bigger issues at center, where Zacha is NO way a first line center on a Cup contending team, and with his slot as 2nd line center vacated by his move up, there is no one qualified to replace that slot, either.

Monty is gonna have to earn his corn this season in the "coaching up" department, while Sweeney needs to get his head out from his nightmare of an offseason and start filling up some suddenly-gaping holes in their line-up.

In other news, former Chicago Bears All-World middle linebacker Dick Butkus passed away yesterday ...

[Snively65]

I don't pretend to be an expert (lol) at this stuff but I thought he fit in pretty well. As a whole, and of course, the sample size is terribly small at this point, I felt the Bruins will really miss Bergeron (obviously).

Will Marchand fit the bill as team captain? Was also great to see Milan 'looch' out there..crowd went nuts when he scored. Was impressed with Michigan's John Beecher; will be interesting to see if he makes the initial cut to start the season.

Ullmark didn't have the best game; couldn't stay past the 2nd as I mentioned but it was great to see the two vR's square off . BTW, I thought TvR looked pretty decent; he made alot of great passes and held his own. Kind of bummed Ovi wasn't there; he always makes things feisty!

ps without looking, didn't Sonny Milano play for the Beagles?

Apparently no collegiate hockey for Sonny who went straight from U.S. National Team to a year with a couple of AHL teams before jumping up to the NHL with the Blue Jackets.

[Snively65]

Crickets today out of Amesbury, Mass.

Preliminary NESN schedule released from HEA basement bunker in Amesbury, Mass., yesterday. First BU and second Q games at the Whitt listed, along with four others for our Cats.

[HockeyRef]

Maybe JvR will be a good fit on the Pastrnak-Zacha line. Been a long time since JvR has played on a top two line, maybe since UNH? He needs 54 games to tie Langway for all-time UNH NHL games, although Langway has an additional 56 WHA games, which would require JvR nearly two more full seasons to match.

I don't pretend to be an expert (lol) at this stuff but I thought he fit in pretty well. As a whole, and of course, the sample size is terribly small at this point, I felt the Bruins will really miss Bergeron (obviously).

Will Marchand fit the bill as team captain? Was also great to see Milan 'looch' out there..crowd went nuts when he scored. Was impressed with Michigan's John Beecher; will be interesting to see if he makes the initial cut to start the season.

Ullmark didn't have the best game; couldn't stay past the 2nd as I mentioned but it was great to see the two vR's square off . BTW, I thought TvR looked pretty decent; he made alot of great passes and held his own. Kind of bummed Ovi wasn't there; he always makes things feisty!

ps without looking, didn't Sonny Milano play for the Beagles?

[Snively65]

JVr I thought looked decent out there...had the first.goal of the game (TvR on the ice for that). Had to leave before the OT. At least...they are still skating.

Maybe JvR will be a good fit on the Pastrnak-Zacha line. Been a long time since JvR has played on a top two line, maybe since UNH? He needs 54 games to tie Langway for all-time UNH NHL games, although Langway has an additional 56 WHA games, which would require JvR nearly two more full seasons to match.

[HockeyRef]

... and BvR on the second crew of ice sweepers during breaks in play. The "perfect" UNH #2 experience ...

JVr I thought looked decent out there...had the first.goal of the game (TvR on the ice for that). Had to leave before the OT. At least...they are still skating.

[Snively65]

Perhaps of interest to non-STH and road warrior fans, will HEA headquarters in Amesbury, Mass., announce the upcoming season’s HEA games on NESN this coming week? Announcement was made on October 4th before last season, in which UNH made it into seven NESN games. Wondering if the NESN TV truck will be parked outside the Whitt for one of the two nights that Rand Pecknold’s team visits? Or does NESN only televise HEA opponents?

Crickets today out of Amesbury, Mass.

[Chuck Murray]

Heading to the TD to see the brothers vanRiemsdyk play..JvR on the second line TvR second D pair.

... and BvR on the second crew of ice sweepers during breaks in play. The "perfect" UNH #2 experience ...