Wisconsin Hockey 23-24: Hastily Making Wisconsin Hockey Great Again

[sezenack]

This is full copium. Deion Sanders took a 1-11 team, cut the bad, and brought in players that actually fit his system in YEAR ONE.

The recruiting cycle bull**** argument is something that might have made sense 5, 10, 20+ years ago. With the the transfer portal now? NOPE. No excuse. Get with the times.

If you say that they only have “farm boys” as solo above noted, then it’s on Fickell for not going out and getting players that fit his system. If he’s too honorable, that’s on him for not being willing to go and make the team better.

I find it funny that people on this board (looks at Solo) have harped for YEARS about the hockey team and their expectations, but don’t apply the same logic to other sports. I expect the hockey team to be good. If they lose to Augustana or Bemidji, that will be a major disappointment. The team is loaded with talent. We literally stole 2/3 of Minnesota State’s top point getters and they were a top 12 team. That’s using the transfer portal to get the players to fit your system.

Sanders basically unethically cut the entire team. Sure it'll get results quicker but I respect a coach not wanting to treat student athletes like that.

[solovsfett]

This is full copium. Deion Sanders took a 1-11 team, cut the bad, and brought in players that actually fit his system in YEAR ONE.

The recruiting cycle bull**** argument is something that might have made sense 5, 10, 20+ years ago. With the the transfer portal now? NOPE. No excuse. Get with the times.

If you say that they only have “farm boys” as solo above noted, then it’s on Fickell for not going out and getting players that fit his system. If he’s too honorable, that’s on him for not being willing to go and make the team better.

I find it funny that people on this board (looks at Solo) have harped for YEARS about the hockey team and their expectations, but don’t apply the same logic to other sports. I expect the hockey team to be good. If they lose to Augustana or Bemidji, that will be a major disappointment. The team is loaded with talent. We literally stole 2/3 of Minnesota State’s top point getters and they were a top 12 team. That’s using the transfer portal to get the players to fit your system.

Don’t be dense. My arguments about hockey were different than football. You cannot possibly misunderstand that.

hockey can turn on 1 recruiting class. That’s how quick they can turn things. Football is 80-90 players. And NO. I don’t want a Wisconsin coach acting like a jag-off scumbag and ditching dozens of scholarship players. You do things the right way. Not like PRIME who is a classless *******.

also, if you can’t see how the football coaches make major halftime adjustments that’s on YOU.

jesus

[srkbadger]

[QUOTE=solovsfett;n3828766]

Don’t be dense. My arguments about hockey were different than football. You cannot possibly misunderstand that.

hockey can turn on 1 recruiting class. That’s how quick they can turn things. Football is 80-90 players. And NO. I don’t want a Wisconsin coach acting like a jag-off scumbag and ditching dozens of scholarship players. You do things the right way. Not like PRIME who is a classless *******.

also, if you can’t see how the football coaches make major halftime adjustments that’s on YOU.

Amen to this. Also, let's see where Colorado is after the full schedule.

[solovsfett]

This is a diversion until the puck drops but looky looky. Colorado State up on PRIME at halftime. Colorado State is 0-1 and who did they lose to by 26 points? WSU.

we need to ground ourselves regarding football.

re: Hastings and 2/3 of MSU top point producers let’s not overhype and set unrealistic expectations for Hastings in year one.

I can see 18-20 wins because I think the men’s hockey player talent is superior to what Fickell inherited. VASTLY superior.

[digitalbooya]

Don’t be dense. My arguments about hockey were different than football. You cannot possibly misunderstand that.

hockey can turn on 1 recruiting class. That’s how quick they can turn things. Football is 80-90 players. And NO. I don’t want a Wisconsin coach acting like a jag-off scumbag and ditching dozens of scholarship players. You do things the right way. Not like PRIME who is a classless *******.

also, if you can’t see how the football coaches make major halftime adjustments that’s on YOU.

jesus

You’re implying logic that doesn’t actually apply to the modern day college game. Nowadays you can go pluck whoever wants to come here in the offseason. Recruiting high schoolers actually matters much less now. He pulled in FIFTEEN transfers just this past offseason, including two major players for the offense that were both 4 star recruits.

Players can leave at the snap of a finger and everything is fine, but if the coach doesn’t want them anymore suddenly they are a “jag off scumbag.” That’s a nice double standard.

Idk what your third section has to do with my post. I wish Fickell could get the players to actually play in the first half instead of waiting till the second half to kick their *** in gear. But hey, I guess we just expect different things *shrug*

[druzy192]

Sanders basically unethically cut the entire team. Sure it'll get results quicker but I respect a coach not wanting to treat student athletes like that.

A couple years ago I would agree. But now players are getting paid and hopping from team to team if they don't get enough reps. It's a full blown business from top to bottom with NIL. So I don't fault Sanders for treating it like a biz. I may not like it but if it gets results then more power to him.

And the kids that got cut from the team learned an early lesson in life that results matter. IMO.

[druzy192]

I think Fickell will get it together. Sanders did it his way. Maybe Fickell will learn and get a bunch of transfers next year.. or maybe he has a 3-4 year plan of bringing in players that fit the scheme.

But either way I say his first call this off season should be to Jim Leonhard. Do whatever you gotta do to get him back. Jesus.

[digitalbooya]

re: Hastings and 2/3 of MSU top point producers let’s not overhype and set unrealistic expectations for Hastings in year one.

I can see 18-20 wins because I think the men’s hockey player talent is superior to what Fickell inherited. VASTLY superior.

NCAA or bust.

The offensive lines actually look fantastic.

The defensive lines and goaltending leave a bit to be desired. I’m cautiously optimistic. Here’s to hoping the freshmen are good!

[solovsfett]

You’re implying logic that doesn’t actually apply to the modern day college game. Nowadays you can go pluck whoever wants to come here in the offseason. Recruiting high schoolers actually matters much less now. He pulled in FIFTEEN transfers just this past offseason, including two major players for the offense that were both 4 star recruits.

Players can leave at the snap of a finger and everything is fine, but if the coach doesn’t want them anymore suddenly they are a “jag off scumbag.” That’s a nice double standard.

Idk what your third section has to do with my post. I wish Fickell could get the players to actually play in the first half instead of waiting till the second half to kick their *** in gear. But hey, I guess we just expect different things *shrug*

Remember until the last couple of years coaches could come and go and the players just had to accept that or transfer and sit a year. Now that players can use the transfer portal to better their situations I don’t see that as a double standard. What is lame is Deion sanders pushing out dozens of players on scholarship.
Not sorry.

[solovsfett]

A couple years ago I would agree. But now players are getting paid and hopping from team to team if they don't get enough reps. It's a full blown business from top to bottom with NIL. So I don't fault Sanders for treating it like a biz. I may not like it but if it gets results then more power to him.

And the kids that got cut from the team learned an early lesson in life that results matter. IMO.

That’s not 100% accurate. NIL affects basically the top 1% of players. Jack Nelson ain’t getting NIL $, trust me.

so it’s really a tough argument to make becaus e NIL is for the fab five’s of the world.

players can transfer at will now like coaches leaving but most aren’t doing it for $.

[solovsfett]

NCAA or bust.

The offensive lines actually look fantastic.

The defensive lines and goaltending leave a bit to be desired. I’m cautiously optimistic. Here’s to hoping the freshmen are good!

I think they’ll make the NCAA’s but if they don’t I’m not going to call for firing Hastings. He’s a damn good coach with a damn good track record. He deserves a full 4 years to get the ship turned. Fortunately for him, with 25-26man rosters the turn will come quickly.

[solovsfett]

I think Fickell will get it together. Sanders did it his way. Maybe Fickell will learn and get a bunch of transfers next year.. or maybe he has a 3-4 year plan of bringing in players that fit the scheme.

But either way I say his first call this off season should be to Jim Leonhard. Do whatever you gotta do to get him back. Jesus.

Leonard’s defenses would get carved up by the new air-raids. It’s just a fact of the modern game.

Tressel was assistant coach of the year last year in Cincinnati. I don’t recall Leonard ever winning that award. Tressel uses man coverage. That’s a foundation of the 3-3-5. Wisconsin doesn’t have the horses to run that but they’re going to coach the kids up by the end of the year to at least be decent at it. When the Fickell recruits come in (and look at how many dbs he has coming in over the next 2 years) you’re going to see a radical change in this team’s defense.

[digitalbooya]

Remember until the last couple of years coaches could come and go and the players just had to accept that or transfer and sit a year. Now that players can use the transfer portal to better their situations I don’t see that as a double standard. What is lame is Deion sanders pushing out dozens of players on scholarship.
Not sorry.

I guess we just think differently on the matter. It might be "lame" in the sense that these players were promised money from a prior coach. But Sanders' job is to win and transferring that money to players that will help him win is a button he is able to press.

I think they’ll make the NCAA’s but if they don’t I’m not going to call for firing Hastings. He’s a damn good coach with a damn good track record. He deserves a full 4 years to get the ship turned. Fortunately for him, with 25-26man rosters the turn will come quickly.

I never said anything about firing coaches. I've remarked on my expectations. My expectation is for this team to make the NCAA tournament. There is too much talent on this team for the expectation to be any lower than making the tournament. We've got the 1-2 punch for centers (Silye-Stramel), some nice scoring wingers (Lucius, Fitzgerald, Whitelaw, DSP), some nice depth pieces (Lindmark, Bantle, Stange, Horbach, etc), and one goalie with a good track record at a prior school (McClellan).

The questions for me are if Cleveland, Schulz, and Palodichuk can make a significant impact on the defensive side as freshmen. Also, can Dexheimer, Vorlicky, Kehrer, Jugnauth improve to more than what we have seen? There's some talent there and I trust the coaching staff to have them ready.

[Timothy A]

My expectation is for this team to make the NCAA tournament. There is too much talent on this team for the expectation to be any lower than making the tournament. We've got the 1-2 punch for centers (Silye-Stramel), some nice scoring wingers (Lucius, Fitzgerald, Whitelaw, DSP), some nice depth pieces (Lindmark, Bantle, Stange, Horbach, etc), and one goalie with a good track record at a prior school (McClellan).

The questions for me are if Cleveland, Schulz, and Palodichuk can make a significant impact on the defensive side as freshmen. Also, can Dexheimer, Vorlicky, Kehrer, Jugnauth improve to more than what we have seen? There's some talent there and I trust the coaching staff to have them ready.

I expect guys like Bantle and Stange to be more than depth pieces. These guys have plenty of ncaa experience and can score too based on their history.

I am super excited about the goaltending from a coaching standpoint. Moe probably over-achieved based on TG's PATHETIC goalie coaching/handling and D zone scheme (scheme? LOL). I just don't know behind McClennan if there is true D1 talent there or not. I would have liked to see them bring in another G with some experience.

[digitalbooya]

I expect guys like Bantle and Stange to be more than depth pieces. These guys have plenty of ncaa experience and can score too based on their history.

I am super excited about the goaltending from a coaching standpoint. Moe probably over-achieved based on TG's PATHETIC goalie coaching/handling and D zone scheme (scheme? LOL). I just don't know behind McClennan if there is true D1 talent there or not. I would have liked to see them bring in another G with some experience.

Bantle and Stange will probably play 3rd line. I’ll be shocked if they are higher based on who their competition is. Stange has been a huge disappointment from where I thought he would be.

Where did Moe even go? I remember him in the transfer portal, but no news after that.