Wisconsin Hockey 2024 Offseason

[Timothy A]

McClellan wins the 2024 Richter Award

https://www.uscho.com/2024/04/12/wis...adgers-goalie/

What a credit to Kyle and to Coaches Murdock and Hastings for being able to elevate his game to the absolute height of his profession. Perhaps Wisconsin can become goalie U again. This certainly has to get the attention of goalie prospects.

[GoBucky18]

I assune there will be more portal movement tomorrlw and next week. A couple names I wonder if Hastings has been in touch with Charlie Strobel at MN...or even Fish too.

And I do wonder where Whitelaw/Lucious are intending on going. Feel like Bucky needs to at least consider replacing offensive potential.

[digitalbooya]

I assune there will be more portal movement tomorrlw and next week. A couple names I wonder if Hastings has been in touch with Charlie Strobel at MN...or even Fish too.

And I do wonder where Whitelaw/Lucious are intending on going. Feel like Bucky needs to at least consider replacing offensive potential.

I’ve been told Hastings can just pluck anyone off the street and get wins, so we shouldn’t worry about this.

I saw on X that Lucius might be going to Arizona State…

[solovsfett]

I assune there will be more portal movement tomorrlw and next week. A couple names I wonder if Hastings has been in touch with Charlie Strobel at MN...or even Fish too.

And I do wonder where Whitelaw/Lucious are intending on going. Feel like Bucky needs to at least consider replacing offensive potential.

Strobel would be awesome! I’m a bit surprised his dad didn’t steer him to Madison unless Granato didn’t offer?

[GoBucky18]

Not worried, just curious. We certainly all witnessed the offensive production nosedive the last 1/3 of the season, so it is certainly something that needs to be accounted for IMO. Just look at the tourney, the most consistent teams are the ones that advance. Predictability of performance.

I don’t ever remember seeing Strobel’s name on a Wisconsin recruiting target list. But both him and Fish leaving with lots of GP.

Buckberger, prior WI recruit, wins a natty. He prob could’ve helped this year.

[TJ77]

Buckberger, prior WI recruit, wins a natty. He prob could’ve helped this year.

I would have liked to have seen Jugnauth stick around and get more playing time. Didn't understand why he wasn't utilized on power plays instead of Vorlicky and Laatsch. I believe the WHL is more of a scoring league, but to get to Portland and put up 41 points in 41 games and be +40, is still impressive.

[WiscTJK]

I would have liked to have seen Jugnauth stick around and get more playing time. Didn't understand why he wasn't utilized on power plays instead of Vorlicky and Laatsch. I believe the WHL is more of a scoring league, but to get to Portland and put up 41 points in 41 games and be +40, is still impressive.

He went up and put some great numbers. I hope he continues to do well.

I also hope that Hastings gets the D men he wants and they can be successful too.

[WiscTJK]

Based on the roster counts above, there will still need to be another D added and another couple of F. That's just to get to last years roster level.

To get to 25 D/F combined like he had at Mankato, he would need to add 5 total players.

Will be interesting to see how he fills out the rest of the roster and where the scoring comes from.

[Timothy A]

NHL Central Scouting rankings....

D Osburn 87
LW Montgomery 101
Peapenburg 172

Donnie got canned by Buffalo today.

[WiscTJK]

Sam Stange to Omaha. Good luck to him. https://x.com/OmahaHKY/status/1780339254092075018

And Cruz to ASU: https://x.com/SunDevilHockey/status/1780304698253418706

[Timothy A]

Sam Stange to Omaha. Good luck to him. https://*****/OmahaHKY/status/1780339254092075018

And Cruz to ASU: https://*****/SunDevilHockey/status/1780304698253418706

Yes, I hope Stange had a great season on UNO. Urdahl did well there last year

Cruz to ASU is a head-scratcher.

Some of the guys leaving could be about academics. I wonder if that was Jugnauth's deal leaving when he did ending up where he did. His other option would have been to finish out the season and transfer to another D1 school.

[GoBucky18]

As of now, only real consequential decision is on where Whitelaw goes, if he transfers. With Cruz going to ASU, I wonder the level of NIL money thrown at him by ASU, as its not as if ASU is teaming with nationally known athletes right now....and Cruz going there clearly ups the profile of their program. There was some chatyer that wherever he goes, its a bit of a circus.

Two things on my mind with NIL...esp with Hepburn and Storr leaving bball. What the hell is WI doing wrong with their NIL program? Clearly its a negative flr them and the word is out. From what I know, the NIL prgm is tightly controlled by the Athletic Dept and theyve instituted a bunch of rules that are burdensome and not conducive to attracting anyone high profile. I could be wrong but it sure looks that way.

2nd...how does this impact Hastings and the hockey program? Hastings is a hard nosed work ethic 200ft coach that demands a lot from his players. I trust him and his process, but dles that process work in the current landscape? Dles a high flying potent F or C who stays more than one year even entertain WI if they dont open the checkbook?

Heady times we live in. Tough to compete with MI, MN, OSU, PSU not to mention BC Nodak & Denver for top flighters.

[Stauber1]

The Lucius family does not need NIL money
That had exactly zero to do with it

[Almington]

Three things:

One: None of these players left the program or where they will transfer to is determined by academic status. To imply that is the case is wildly inappropriate.

Two: NIL isn’t a major factor in the departures from the program or where the players end up. Right now, NIL isn’t a major factor in Hockey compared to Basketball or Football.

Three: the depth of talent in college hockey is growing every year and the changes are still in flux. I’m not concerned about Hastings and staff getting and retaining the right players for their system to be successful. That may not be the very top talent available, but a group of players playing as a team, going out and trying to win each shift is going to beat more talented teams on paper on a regular basis.

[digitalbooya]

Scott Wheeler on Logan Hensler https://theathletic.com/5326417/2024...-james-hagens/

Hensler, who because of his October birthday has already played his two years at the program, has consistently impressed me with USA Hockey. He’s a player with real quality who just looks like he has it — like he’s going to be a top-four defenseman in the NHL for a long time. He’s got pro size. He’s a smooth skater with good edges and balanced posture on his heels and toes, and he uses it confidently to play strong stick-on-puck gaps and carry and lead in transition. He’s got poise and comfort in all three zones and all four corners of the ice. His head is always up. His level is consistent. He reads the play well and has good instincts on the ice. And he’s got skill and offense, even if it’s not the highlight-reel type. He's a righty. He looks to me like he’s going to be a really good two-way defenseman.