This is the point in the college hockey season when I start to wonder what attrition--other than graduating seniors--the Pioneers will suffer before the start of the following season. Sam Brittain and David Makowski represent the sum total of seniors which will depart through graduation.
An annual rite of the month of March is the exodus of non-senior class college hockey players to the siren sound of beckoning professional playing careers. Personally, I will be interested to see if either Josiah Didier or Joey LaLeggia takes the money and runs to professional hockey.
Didier is a draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens. Every team at every level of hockey needs a big, "stay-at-home" defenseman. Didier is such a player. His skating and puckhandling will never remind anyone of Paul Coffey, nevertheless Didier can be a dominant physical presence in his defensive zone, has the ability to clear the crease of both rebounds and opposing players and can make a decent first outlet pass more often than not. I think his future in professional hockey would be as a "third pair" defenseman, meaning he'd need to be willing to tangle with other teams' tough guys if the situation arose. Whether or not Montreal feels Didier is a prospect capable of making it to the NHL, and how quickly Montreal wants him to start his pro career, will be factors in determining whether Didier leaves Denver in March.
LaLeggia is a draft pick of Edmonton. As is their recent custom the Oilers are having, yet again, another dreadful season. LaLeggia is generously listed on the DU website as being 5-10/185. There aren't many NHL defensemen either that short and/or light. Edmonton needs help in every phase of the game. Because of that, LaLeggia may feel now is as good a time as any to try his hand in the professional ranks. I don't think LaLeggia is big enough to play as a defenseman for a career in professional hockey, but he has enough speed and puckhandling skills that a switch to a forward position is realistic. Edmonton may be understanably wary about the fact LaLeggia's point totals have dropped each of the past two years.
Speaking for myself, Didier and LaLeggia are the two players whose potential early departure will hold my attention once Denver's season ends. I don't know if either or both will leave, but I'll be watching with interest.
