Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

BC only has one senior, a grad transfer. And he's only played in 5 games. So even that doesn't seem like a legit excuse especially when you consider BU is supposed to have more talent than BC.. That is, if David Quinn can actually coach. Something I've never been convinced of.

 

[chickod]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

But the big difference between the BC championship teams was that all of the high-end talent stayed 3-4 years, which created depth and balance across all classes. We saw how BC was affected last season by the glut of early departures, despite returning several impact Seniors.

BU has only dressed 2 Seniors in recent games; however, 1 is a transfer who's new to the program (Melanson) and the other has barely played the last 2 seasons (Diffley). Hickey is injured while neither Olsson, Phelps nor MacLeod can seem to crack the current lineup. Diffley, Olsson, Phelps and MacLeod were all regulars as Freshmen who played out of necessity and were valuable role players; yet none of those Seniors have seen their games improve since then (I'll give Olsson a pass given his injury history). Even Hickey, who is a very solid defenseman, hasn't improved noticeably compared to his Freshman year.

IMO, the lack of development amongst BU's returning Seniors is commensurate with BU's focus with its last 3 classes on recruiting the highest-end talent and prioritizing recruiting over player development. I think (and others would agree) that Quinn is exceptional at recruiting; I also think he's very adept at managing the high-end talent to prep them for the NHL (or AHL in JFK's case ) when they leave BU early. However, I'd really like to see an increased focus on player development, especially of the guys expected to be 4-year players. Make sure those guys improve year after year so that they're playing valuable on-ice roles as upperclassmen to create more roster balance and depth.

+1000 I think many of us have expressed those exact same sentiments over the past couple of years. Apparently the people who "matter" aren't listening...

 

[BU Fan 84]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

But the big difference between the BC championship teams was that all of the high-end talent stayed 3-4 years, which created depth and balance across all classes. We saw how BC was affected last season by the glut of early departures, despite returning several impact Seniors.

BU has only dressed 2 Seniors in recent games; however, 1 is a transfer who's new to the program (Melanson) and the other has barely played the last 2 seasons (Diffley). Hickey is injured while neither Olsson, Phelps nor MacLeod can seem to crack the current lineup. Diffley, Olsson, Phelps and MacLeod were all regulars as Freshmen who played out of necessity and were valuable role players; yet none of those Seniors have seen their games improve since then (I'll give Olsson a pass given his injury history). Even Hickey, who is a very solid defenseman, hasn't improved noticeably compared to his Freshman year.

IMO, the lack of development amongst BU's returning Seniors is commensurate with BU's focus with its last 3 classes on recruiting the highest-end talent and prioritizing recruiting over player development. I think (and others would agree) that Quinn is exceptional at recruiting; I also think he's very adept at managing the high-end talent to prep them for the NHL (or AHL in JFK's case ) when they leave BU early. However, I'd really like to see an increased focus on player development, especially of the guys expected to be 4-year players. Make sure those guys improve year after year so that they're playing valuable on-ice roles as upperclassmen to create more roster balance and depth.

One would think the coaching staff could handle both recruiting of high-end prospects and developing players on the roster.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

One would think the coaching staff could handle both recruiting of high-end prospects and developing players on the roster.

I think the problem the coaching staff has run into is finding the slots in the lineup to ensure the development of four-year players can occur alongside the high-caliber players like Keller, McAvoy, etc. Of course the players on that top level like Clayton, Charlie, JFK, Fabbro, and Harper saw regular ice time as freshmen, and they deserved it. The problem becomes when he overplays the more marginal freshman contributors such as Bellows last year, Kotkansalo and Crotty this year, etc. it stunts the growth of players such as McLeod, Diffley, Phelps, etc. I've said this before too, it also provides a very unclear picture to those players of what they need to do to get into the lineup. Of course none of us see what's going on in practice so we don't have the full picture, but if I'm McLeod I'm sitting on the sidelines these past few weeks saying to myself what the heck else do I need to do to get a shot? I'm a senior, I'm just as good of an offensive contributor as 26 and 5, I'm more physical, and I do a decent job defensively, and I'm an experienced player. The same goes for him last year as well as Diffley - when our D were out there falling asleep left and right, the same thoughts come up. And giving them one shot in one game then pulling them out of the lineup when he takes one penalty or makes one mistake isn't conducive to growth. I'm happy to see Diffley getting a consistent shot these past few weeks and in general he's done a good job. I don't mean to single out 26 or 5 as being particularly bad, they're not. It's just neither has really provided meaningful contributions that make it clear they must be in the lineup each night, yet they continue to be while one or two senior D have sat, along with not giving Switzer a meaningful chance. I worried Chabot was starting to fall into that category this year a bit in favor of Cloonan, though he seems to have found regular PT and has done well. Him and Curry should both be regulars on the 3rd and 4th lines to add physicality and hustle to counteract the speed of other forwards. Plus it helps them continue their development into what hopefully will be two very experienced forwards by the time they're upperclassmen to play alongside the incoming freshmen.

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

I think the problem the coaching staff has run into is finding the slots in the lineup to ensure the development of four-year players can occur alongside the high-caliber players like Keller, McAvoy, etc. Of course the players on that top level like Clayton, Charlie, JFK, Fabbro, and Harper saw regular ice time as freshmen, and they deserved it. The problem becomes when he overplays the more marginal freshman contributors such as Bellows last year, Kotkansalo and Crotty this year, etc. it stunts the growth of players such as McLeod, Diffley, Phelps, etc. I've said this before too, it also provides a very unclear picture to those players of what they need to do to get into the lineup. Of course none of us see what's going on in practice so we don't have the full picture, but if I'm McLeod I'm sitting on the sidelines these past few weeks saying to myself what the heck else do I need to do to get a shot? I'm a senior, I'm just as good of an offensive contributor as 26 and 5, I'm more physical, and I do a decent job defensively, and I'm an experienced player. The same goes for him last year as well as Diffley - when our D were out there falling asleep left and right, the same thoughts come up. And giving them one shot in one game then pulling them out of the lineup when he takes one penalty or makes one mistake isn't conducive to growth. I'm happy to see Diffley getting a consistent shot these past few weeks and in general he's done a good job. I don't mean to single out 26 or 5 as being particularly bad, they're not. It's just neither has really provided meaningful contributions that make it clear they must be in the lineup each night, yet they continue to be while one or two senior D have sat, along with not giving Switzer a meaningful chance. I worried Chabot was starting to fall into that category this year a bit in favor of Cloonan, though he seems to have found regular PT and has done well. Him and Curry should both be regulars on the 3rd and 4th lines to add physicality and hustle to counteract the speed of other forwards. Plus it helps them continue their development into what hopefully will be two very experienced forwards by the time they're upperclassmen to play alongside the incoming freshmen.

I think Quinn could have deferred one of the Freshmen D to come next season, which would have ensured more PT for Diffley/MacLeod. However, with 3 Senior D this year, a potential early departure in Fabbro, and only 1 incoming D next year, it seems the coaching staff felt it was a lower risk to carry 9 D on this season's roster and play the 3 Freshmen D regularly. I think the rationale is that the Freshmen D will be more experienced next year when they, along with Krys (and hopefully Fabbro) will be the heart of the D corps.

 

[Agganis]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

I think Quinn could have deferred one of the Freshmen D to come next season, which would have ensured more PT for Diffley/MacLeod. However, with 3 Senior D this year, a potential early departure in Fabbro, and only 1 incoming D next year, it seems the coaching staff felt it was a lower risk to carry 9 D on this season's roster and play the 3 Freshmen D regularly. I think the rationale is that the Freshmen D will be more experienced next year when they, along with Krys (and hopefully Fabbro) will be the heart of the D corps.

Agree with virtually everything you have said today. The number of undrafted/4 year players on the roster has never been a problem under Quinn, and has always been in line with the 2009 NC team that fans like to point to as the standard.

The development of the 4 year players, specifically forwards, has left something to be desired. The Carpenter's of the world are crucial, 4 year players who enter as 3rd or 4th liners but add scoring to their game as they grow to become top 6 players, need more of the Roberto, Olsson, Phelps, and Cloonans to turn into that. Next potentials are Curry, Chabot, Crone, Amonte, and Cockerill.

On D, my guess is the plan was Somerby, McAvoy, and Hickey were going to depart the team this summer (at least that is what I expected), so bringing in three 3rd round picks at D would perfectly fill those holes, and you can't really defer someone taken that highly, they'd rather go to a different college than to juniors, so having one extra D this year is much preferable to losing one of them forever.

 

[Tater]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

Yes. Well there's a "party" at a local bar, I'm not sure that there is a traditional rally IN MSG. The band is playing around 6pm at an "Alumni Pep Rally" and given it's two hours before puck drop, I'm assuming this is it.
Registration deadline was apparently this past Friday, but I just registered just fine.
(I wasn't planning on going, but I guess I am now lol $15)
http://bostonu.imodules.com/s/1759/...6875&ecid=6875&crid=0&calpgid=525&calcid=1283

Over 200 are going to this.

If anyone is interested in pre-pre-gaming, BU2K and I will be next door at The Blarney Rock until the BU event starts at Stout.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

I kinda miss the Tuesday before Thanksgiving game against Harvard.

 

[ericredaxe]

I kinda miss the Tuesday before Thanksgiving game against Harvard.

Agreed.

 

[DLG]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

I kinda miss the Tuesday before Thanksgiving game against Harvard.

Hopefully on hiatus because we play them in first round of beanpot

 

[Scarlet]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

Just bought my ticket to the UML game. $25. Why doesn't anyone complain about ticket prices anywhere else?

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

Hopefully on hiatus because we play them in first round of beanpot

We usually don't play them the Tuesday before Thanksgiving when we have them in the Beanpot first round. We did in '15, didn't in '12 or '09.

 

[ericredaxe]

We usually don't play them the Tuesday before Thanksgiving when we have them in the Beanpot first round. We did in '15, didn't in '12 or '09.

It has been hit or miss on the Tuesday before turkey game for a handful of years now. We also subbed in Bentley and Holy Cross once or twice somewhat recently.

Harvard / BU that Tuesday was a staple for a long time ... not sure why it has at least partially dried up. Maybe attendance for that game has slipped more than it has in general. I was always a big fan of it and thought it was a great night for a game.

 

[Rhett Hot]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

It has been hit or miss on the Tuesday before turkey game for a handful of years now. We also subbed in Bentley and Holy Cross once or twice somewhat recently.

Harvard / BU that Tuesday was a staple for a long time ... not sure why it has at least partially dried up. Maybe attendance for that game has slipped more than it has in general. I was always a big fan of it and thought it was a great night for a game.

A sizable student population has to travel further these days for turkey day than in past years due to the shifting makeup of the student body (opposite side of the country/international) so they leave early to justify the cost.

 

[ericredaxe]

A sizable student population has to travel further these days for turkey day than in past years due to the shifting makeup of the student body (opposite side of the country/international) so they leave early to justify the cost.

Although taking a look, last years Harvard game that Tuesday is listed as 4.5 k attendance... as good or better than most of the weekend home games so far this year.

Would love to see them keep that Tuesday game. Okay Harvard every year we don’t play them in the beanpot and pick another local team for those years. (Bentley, Holy Cross etc)

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

Anyone know? Are they doing the holiday skate this year? Haven’t seen anything about it yet...

 

[Rhett Hot]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

Anyone know? Are they doing the holiday skate this year? Haven’t seen anything about it yet...

Yeah, got an email about it last Wednesday
Sunday 12/10 1-3pm

 

[ericredaxe]

Yeah, got an email about it last Wednesday
Sunday 12/10 1-3pm

Thanks. Did you have to register? This is the first year I did not get an email about it...

Edit: Actually just found it in my spam!

 

[Rogie21]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

A bit of Red Hot Hockey info:
BU will broadcast the game on TerrierTV.
Terriers will once again have their game day morning skate with Hockey in Harlem at 11:30 a.m.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Boston University - 2017-2018 season - thread numero uno

Thanks. Did you have to register? This is the first year I did not get an email about it...

Edit: Actually just found it in my spam!

mookie got his email and was bummed
don't return until the 12th...