RPI 2025–26: Off the Critical List and In Recovery

[Engineers]

Perhaps, but i doubt he’ll have positioned himself for the pros this year and I would hope he’d have sufficient appreciation for RPI’s investment in him to contribute a full season. I’m sure Lang has discussed the plan with his advisors and family.

I think we agree that an NCAA team is in a better position to provide a development plan that meets his needs. The difference is I’m not convinced we expect the payback this year. IIRC, Coach Lang said he was contacted months ago regarding Jovanovic. You can be sure virtually every school was contacted. Yet we only pulled the trigger when we had a late opening. Obviously no other school committed to him earlier. If there was a good chance of getting on the ice this year a player anywhere near the one Notre Dame recruited 4 or so years ago, I’m pretty sure there would have been a lot of competition far earlier. I still think Lang is playing the long game - at least as long as anyone can play is this constantly changing college hockey environment. We’ll bring him along slowly and hope we can get something back this year. I’ll bet the focus is on year 2 for the hopefully big payoff for him and the program.

Yes, but I think the fact that he’s coming here rather than playing as an over-ager in the OHL tells us a lot about his timeline. Summer pick-up games, even with NHL players, undoubtedly lack the speed and intensity of play in corners, in front of the net, anywhere you could line up a guy for a heavy check, etc. of a real game. They have to take things carefully with a guy still rehabilitating and working his way back. If he was a good candidate to be a significant contributor this year it would make sense for the major junior team to take a shot. But if this is a season of easing him back to practice then maybe easing him into games (probably with a reduced workload) in anticipation of becoming a regular in ‘26-‘27 that makes no sense for the OHL because his eligibility would expire before they could get the primary benefit. Coach Lang, however, is playing the long game. He can take Jankovic’s transition year back into games as an investment for future seasons. I think that’s the most likely scenario.

i hope it’s not “a lot” of 6-4 losses but perhaps a few that become 4-3 or 4-2 wins later in the year as the team D solidifies.

Lang has a plan for him. He’s going to be a great player for us.

 

[jstadts]

With regards to the coming season my expectations are that we will have a brutal early season record and finish strong.

 

[Ralph Baer]

In honor of Dovar Tinling, today is 10 September 2025. There are 25 days until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 5 October 2025 for the start of next season.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Perhaps, but i doubt he’ll have positioned himself for the pros this year and I would hope he’d have sufficient appreciation for RPI’s investment in him to contribute a full season. I’m sure Lang has discussed the plan with his advisors and family.

I think we agree that an NCAA team is in a better position to provide a phased in development plan that meets his needs. The difference I was trying to express is I’m not convinced we expect the payback this year. IIRC, Coach Lang said he was contacted months ago regarding Jovanovic. You can be sure virtually every school was contacted. Yet we only pulled the trigger when we had a late opening. Obviously no other school committed to him earlier. If there was a good chance of getting on the ice this year (even a month or two late) a player anywhere near the one Notre Dame recruited 4 or so years ago, I’m pretty sure there would have been a lot of competition (NCAA and OHL) far earlier. I still think Lang is playing the long game - at least as long as anyone can play in this constantly changing college hockey environment. We’ll bring him along slowly and hope he’ll be able to contribute something this year. I’ll bet the focus is on year 2 for the hopefully big payoff for him and the program.

We're not breaking any news here. In Sez's excellent interview with our new great coach, Lang said it would be a process with the player,

 

[rvd5star69]

if our pk and pp are improved our w l record should be also

 

[DrDemento]

if our pk and pp are improved our w l record should be also

By several games won at least. My only concern is whether we could actually be weaker than the last couple years at some aspect of the game?? I cannot imagine it and would hate to think it to be the case but until we get a couple games under our belt, who could tell?? With a new coach and 19 new boys on the team, this is truly going to be a very different team to watch.

 

[Engineers]

By several games won at least. My only concern is whether we could actually be weaker than the last couple years at some aspect of the game?? I cannot imagine it and would hate to think it to be the case but until we get a couple games under our belt, who could tell?? With a new coach and 19 new boys on the team, this is truly going to be a very different team to watch

Can’t be any worse than what we have seen past 3 years under Dave.

 

[DrDemento]

Can’t be any worse than what we have seen past 3 years under Dave.

I feel similarly. Question for all that subscribe to ESPN+ for following the teams. Just received a notice of a substantial price increase (again??) for the coming year. Our local pub may not be picking up the feed as it has in previous years (still to be determined) and I thought about a subscription. But it appears that only ECAC and HE games will be made available and we have several games against teams in other conferences for both the boys and the girls. Is any coverage planned from sources like RPI TV for some if any of those games? Had one experience with games broadcast by Flosports and that will not be repeated by us under any circumstances.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

I feel similarly. Question for all that subscribe to ESPN+ for following the teams. Just received a notice of a substantial price increase (again??) for the coming year. Our local pub may not be picking up the feed as it has in previous years (still to be determined) and I thought about a subscription. But it appears that only ECAC and HE games will be made available and we have several games against teams in other conferences for both the boys and the girls. Is any coverage planned from sources like RPI TV for some if any of those games? Had one experience with games broadcast by Flosports and that will not be repeated by us under any circumstances.

The evil four letter, like all cable channels, is trying to recapture those who have unplugged from cable by selling an all-encompassing streaming platform--- which retails for $29.99 per month. While they are eagerly trying convert their current ESPN+ customers to the new streaming bundle, ESPN+ is still available separately, for $11.99/mo. How long this set up continues, is anyone's guess. It is buried on their website -- in their bundle options -- labelled as ESPN Select.

 

[DrDemento]

The evil four letter, like all cable channels, is trying to recapture those who have unplugged from cable by selling an all-encompassing streaming platform--- which retails for $29.99 per month. While they are eagerly trying convert their current ESPN+ customers to the new streaming bundle, ESPN+ is still available separately, for $11.99/mo. How long this set up continues, is anyone's guess. It is buried on their website -- in their bundle options -- labelled as ESPN Select.

Wicked - saw that offer price and that is the increase of $2 per month they mentioned to me. The all encompassing platform would be an absurd waste for us as it includes other things we have no interest in getting. What was not mentioned but took some digging was that 27 games (at most) of the men's schedule is covered and 23 of the girls. There are many games that apparently (unless I am being told wrong) that will not be available from their streaming broadcasting. ESPN+ was not worth it for us for the past years even though they broadcast most NHL games because we are in an area that they black out not only the NY Rangers games but also the NJ Devils and the NY Islanders. We cannot get these games via Comcast/Xfinity even if we purchase the season NHL package as these are blacked out there also!! Years ago this was not even a consideration because we did receive MSG network. But 4 years ago in a monetary dispute between Xfinity and the Dolan owned MSG that was summarily taken away. I posted only because i was wondering about any other possible broadcasts of non ECAC or HE games that might be available on a platform like YouTube.

 

[rpi82]

Wicked - saw that offer price and that is the increase of $2 per month they mentioned to me. The all encompassing platform would be an absurd waste for us as it includes other things we have no interest in getting. What was not mentioned but took some digging was that 27 games (at most) of the men's schedule is covered and 23 of the girls. There are many games that apparently (unless I am being told wrong) that will not be available from their streaming broadcasting. ESPN+ was not worth it for us for the past years even though they broadcast most NHL games because we are in an area that they black out not only the NY Rangers games but also the NJ Devils and the NY Islanders. We cannot get these games via Comcast/Xfinity even if we purchase the season NHL package as these are blacked out there also!! Years ago this was not even a consideration because we did receive MSG network. But 4 years ago in a monetary dispute between Xfinity and the Dolan owned MSG that was summarily taken away. I posted only because i was wondering about any other possible broadcasts of non ECAC or HE games that might be available on a platform like YouTube.

IIRC ESPN+ had all games from HFH last year, not just the league games. I just checked and the game at UVM will also be on ESPN+. I don't think the exhibition or Mayor's Cup will be broadcast and some of the non-league road games, particularly against Atlantic Hockey opponents, are on the dreaded Flohockey but I don't want to deal with them either. Mankato seems to have some other outfit doing their games but I didn't check to see if they are available game by game.

BTW, when I called to cancel my overpriced Spectrum cable connection they not only cut the price in half but also put me on a plan that also included streaming subscriptions to ESPN+, Paramount, Disney, etc. so I was able to save the $10 a month I was paying for ESPN+.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Wicked - saw that offer price and that is the increase of $2 per month they mentioned to me. The all encompassing platform would be an absurd waste for us as it includes other things we have no interest in getting. What was not mentioned but took some digging was that 27 games (at most) of the men's schedule is covered and 23 of the girls. There are many games that apparently (unless I am being told wrong) that will not be available from their streaming broadcasting. ESPN+ was not worth it for us for the past years even though they broadcast most NHL games because we are in an area that they black out not only the NY Rangers games but also the NJ Devils and the NY Islanders. We cannot get these games via Comcast/Xfinity even if we purchase the season NHL package as these are blacked out there also!! Years ago this was not even a consideration because we did receive MSG network. But 4 years ago in a monetary dispute between Xfinity and the Dolan owned MSG that was summarily taken away. I posted only because i was wondering about any other possible broadcasts of non ECAC or HE games that might be available on a platform like YouTube.

I share your sentiment 100%. I do not believe there is another option, as the ECAC sold its soul to the evil four letter. The non-conference road games of course are the issue for following RPI.

 

[DrDemento]

IIRC ESPN+ had all games from HFH last year, not just the league games. I just checked and the game at UVM will also be on ESPN+. I don't think the exhibition or Mayor's Cup will be broadcast and some of the non-league road games, particularly against Atlantic Hockey opponents, are on the dreaded Flohockey but I don't want to deal with them either. Mankato seems to have some other outfit doing their games but I didn't check to see if they are available game by game.

Comcast used to be amenable to a retention phone call with an offer but no longer. Thanks for the information

 

[DrDemento]

I share your sentiment 100%. I do not believe there is another option, as the ECAC sold its soul to the evil four letter. The non-conference road games of course are the issue for following RPI.

Thankfully a few are HE games and most likely will be streamed.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

CHL doing the hockey equivalent of taking their sore a ## ball and going home....and one of the dumbest things imaginable.....banning NCAA coaches and scouts from receiving passes to their games.

https://x.com/SchlossmanGF/status/1965793108169568336

 

[Engineers]

CHL doing the hockey equivalent of taking their sore a ## ball and going home....and one of the dumbest things imaginable.....banning NCAA coaches and scouts from receiving passes to their games.

https://x.com/SchlossmanGF/status/1965793108169568336

What a bunch of idiots. They’re fighting the inevitable.

 

[rpi82]

CHL doing the hockey equivalent of taking their sore a ## ball and going home....and one of the dumbest things imaginable.....banning NCAA coaches and scouts from receiving passes to their games.

https://x.com/SchlossmanGF/status/1965793108169568336

I really don't get the logic. They aren't going to prevent players from going to colleges if they so desire. What they should be doing is selling themselves as the best path to a hockey future - either college or pro. In addition to their traditional pool of future pros they can now get the very best players that previously would have gone to the BCHL or USHL in order to maintain NCAA eligibility. Sure they might lose a few top players early, but the overall quality of play will be as good or better.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

With a new coach a new system and so many new players, I will be happy with .500 season.
We just don't have the information to expect any more than that.
Of course I hope for much more than that.

 

[Ralph Baer]

In honor of Jack Gorton and Taryn Rathwell, today is 11 September 2025. There are 24 days until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 5 October 2025 for the start of next season.

 

[sezenack]

Well said. I think a lot will come down to goaltending and defense. Good news our new coach has a history of very well coached teams. Particularly on the defensive side. I think 18-20 wins is within reach. I like our depth which we didn’t have with smith past couple seasons. Yeah we lost hotson and Caron but I think we will actually score more this year with a more balanced offense. Wallace and tapper alone will match hotson and Caron. Coach lang will have these boys playing hard right from the jump. No more of this shit with us being down 3-0 after the first period under Dave. I truly believe this program will become very good again.

18-20 wins is insane. Zero chance. Wallace and Tapper are not as good as Hotson and Caron. The only player on the roster capable of hitting 30 points on the year is Tinling. They'll be good eventually but not this year