Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

not terribly significant, but given the **** home OOC schedule and the fact that the team took about 10 steps back, there is zero justification for this.

Throw in a terrible economy as well. No justification for this at all.

 

[BU Hammer]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Any chance Parker puts the three highly-touted freshmen together on a line? From what I've read (because I haven't seen any of them in person), they have more talent than most of the other forwards outside of the first line combo of Connolly-Trivino-Chiasson. Why not have two dangerous lines, a checking line and a bunch of bangers on the fourth line?

You could definitely argue that Coyle and Nieto are the most purely talented forwards on the team. I, for one, wouldn't be shocked to see a freshman line, although I don't think that would happen until the second semester both to get the young guys a few reps with some vets, and also because guys are going to be jumbled all over the place to start the season with Trivino's suspension.

 

[Federal League]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

A question for those closer to the situation than I; If Andy Glass becomes a career "healthy scratch" guy, will that be a big surprise compared to the expectations when he was recruited?

Yes. Same goes for Courtnall. No NHL draft pick should be a career healthy scratch.

Any chance Parker puts the three highly-touted freshmen together on a line? From what I've read (because I haven't seen any of them in person), they have more talent than most of the other forwards outside of the first line combo of Connolly-Trivino-Chiasson. Why not have two dangerous lines, a checking line and a bunch of bangers on the fourth line?

You could definitely argue that Coyle and Nieto are the most purely talented forwards on the team. I, for one, wouldn't be shocked to see a freshman line, although I don't think that would happen until the second semester both to get the young guys a few reps with some vets, and also because guys are going to be jumbled all over the place to start the season with Trivino's suspension.

The thing about a freshman line this year is that none of the freshman forwards are natural centers, and none of them played center much this past season. In contrast to BU Hammer, though, I actually think a freshman line would be more likely while Trivino's out than later in the season. You could put Megan on the top line and then make the freshman line the second or third line. Plus (IIRC), Parker has started the season with a freshman line each of the past two seasons and then switched things around. In 08-09, he came back to it later in the year. I guess even once Trivino's back you could see these lines:

Connolly - Trivino - Chiasson
Gaudet - Megan - Pereira
Gill/Cisse - Nieto - Coyle

But ultimately I only see that happening if Gaudet struggles at center, which he did at times last year.

 

[Agganis]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Sorry in advance, long post:

I think the battle for the 5th and 6th defensive spots could be an interesting one to watch. Rosen has a fair amount of upside, and I think a full year working with Boyle could be good for him. I'm interested to see if Noonan can handle the Division I college game our of the gates, and I think we're all eager just to see Ruikka actually put on a jersey.

To me the D breaks into 3 levels:

Automatic starters: 5, 7, 21, and Clendening (should he come, which is anything but automatic)

Competing for playing time: 4, 8, Noonan (I think odds are 8 will be the lone man out more often simply because his offensive style is overly abundant in the top 4)

Injury Relief: MacGregor (I'm always open to being proven wrong)

On defense, Ken's top four seems like pretty much a lock. My gut says Noonan and Ruikka get the bulk of playing time as the third pairing. We'll see. Ruikka getting a lot of playing time wouldn't make a bad story either...

I actually break up the top 4 because I don't see two of the remaining 4 being capable of playing D1 quality defense together:

5-7
Clendening- Noonan/4
Noonan/4-21

or

5-Noonan/4
Clendening-7
Noonan/4-21

A question for those closer to the situation than I; If Andy Glass becomes a career "healthy scratch" guy, will that be a big surprise compared to the expectations when he was recruited?

In the draft pick sense he would be a large bust, however in terms of a scholarship sense, it would put him in a similar situation as Smolinsky.

You could definitely argue that Coyle and Nieto are the most purely talented forwards on the team.

Can you argue that they are not in the top 5? Based on scouting evaluations both are more complete players than Bonino was entering BU, with Nieto probably being closer to Wilson than Bonino. Doesn't mean they will turn out the same way though.

The thing about a freshman line this year is that none of the freshman forwards are natural centers, and none of them played center much this past season.

12 wasn't a true center and Coyle is listed as a RW/C. I think there is a distinct possibility of it happening.

For lines no matter how I slice it I end up with 3 lines that are all solid 2nd line quality. A freshman needs to burst onto the scene or some returnees needs to improve significantly if the team is to have a true first line, but our 3rd line always seems impressive (especially in the 2nd scenario).
My stab:

Connolly Trivino Chiasson
Pereira Megan Nieto
Glass Gaudet Coyle
Gill Santana Gilroy

or with a frosh line:

Connolly Trivino Chiasson
Gill Coyle Nieto
Pereira Megan Gaudet
Glass Santana Gilroy

Should Cisse come Gilroy is the odd man out, but in the first line scenario Cisse would push Glass to 4th line who would then push Gilroy off the 4th line.

 

[defkit]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

I think Megan will be the surprise with a big increase in production. In fact, he could be the teams leading scorer. Just a hunch. Among the freshmen, I see Nieto contributing immediately, with Coyle needing a little adjustment time. Gill could be an instant hit, but after Trivino, I'm hesitant to get too excited about a Junior B player from up north. Cisse? Would be thrilled if he comes this year.

 

[BB411]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Just thought I would give up a bump to thoughts on nexts years ;ine-up, considering the recent dismissals and recruiting additions.

Just a SWAG at this point

Up Front
LW C RW
Connoly Trivino Chaisson
Pereira Gaudet Coyle
Courtnall Megan Santana
Gill Nieto Gilroy

Reserves Glass -

D
Warsofsky - NiCastro
Escobedo - Clendening
Noonan - Ruikaa

Reserves - Macgregor / Rosen /

Millan –
Rollie


Any thoughts / errors?

Two main things to add: Coyle is capable of centering if given the opportunity but that is not what he was brought to BU to do. I expect to see him at right wing. If this freshmen line becomes a reality, I expect to see Gill centering it, with Nieto and Coyle at the wings.

I would hate to see Courtnall make this lineup over glass, at least in the beginning. Glass has the occasional moment of brilliance and can be effective on that ice. Courtnall has yet to show me what his role is going to be (and most likely from lack of experience). But I have to give glass the start over Courtnall. Make it Glass's spot to lose, or Courtnall's to gain.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Coyle is better than Gill. Gill is the one who will need adjusting and his speed or lack there of will be exposed.

 

[candycanes99]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

What does the power play look like next year? After Warsofsky and Nicastro, who mans the points? Penalty kill might be even scarier...

 

[BU Hammer]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

What does the power play look like next year? After Warsofsky and Nicastro, who mans the points? Penalty kill might be even scarier...

My guess is Clendening will man the second unit, with either Ruikka or Rosen as the fourth man on D

The forward look is pretty tough to call right now. The first line is likely set, but the second line could be all over the place...

My best guess:

Connolly - Trivino - Chiasson
Nieto - Megan - Coyle

Warsofsky - Nicastro
Clendening - Ruikka/Rosen

It's also possible Connolly drops pack to a point position on one of these units, in which case I'd guess Nieto or Coyle gets bumped to line one, and Pereira or Gaudet end up on the second unit.

Regarding the PK, Trivino, Connolly, Megan, Gaudet, Pereira and Santana all were solid to varying degrees (read: Trivino=fantastic, most others=acceptable).

On the defensive side, I can't imagine any of the top pairings being much worse than C. Cohen and Shattenkirk were as a group this year. A big number of the breakdowns last season were by D-men, not forwards. Despite all that, their PK still worked at an 81 percent clip, which is just fine for a team built on offensive D-men.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Could be a long year for BU

 

[BU Hammer]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Could be a long year for BU

I kind of beg to differ. I really don't see the PK taking much of a step back at all. Just about all of the returnees proved to be very solid defensively -- albeit inconsistent game-to-game -- last year. I think those inconsistencies were the result of the general focus issues the team had, and assuming those issues are fixed -- and that is an if -- I think the team is above average defensively at the worst, and potentially one of the best defensive teams in the conference.

I don't think it would shock anybody if Nieto and Coyle have near-Kreider-like freshman seasons, minus the ridiculous explosion down the stretch. If those two can provide top-six offensive output, you have 5-8 (Connolly, Trivino, Chiasson, and maybe Megan, Pereira, and Gaudet, depending on how they perform) legitimate top-six Hockey East forwards, and that's more than most teams can boast.

Mix in a motivated Kieran Millan with Rollheiser as a high-upside backup plan, and I definitely think this is third best team in HE right now...assuming all those players are, you know, actually eligible to play...

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

I hope so

Just think that if you toss in these 6 young players and add Gill and expect them to night in and night out be difference makers vs older Hockey East players, it might be a stretch.

Connolly - Trivino - Chiasson
Nieto - Megan - Coyle


I hope you are right

 

[candycanes99]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

My guess is Clendening will man the second unit, with either Ruikka or Rosen as the fourth man on D

The forward look is pretty tough to call right now. The first line is likely set, but the second line could be all over the place...

My best guess:

Connolly - Trivino - Chiasson
Nieto - Megan - Coyle

Warsofsky - Nicastro
Clendening - Ruikka/Rosen

It's also possible Connolly drops pack to a point position on one of these units, in which case I'd guess Nieto or Coyle gets bumped to line one, and Pereira or Gaudet end up on the second unit.

Regarding the PK, Trivino, Connolly, Megan, Gaudet, Pereira and Santana all were solid to varying degrees (read: Trivino=fantastic, most others=acceptable).

On the defensive side, I can't imagine any of the top pairings being much worse than C. Cohen and Shattenkirk were as a group this year. A big number of the breakdowns last season were by D-men, not forwards. Despite all that, their PK still worked at an 81 percent clip, which is just fine for a team built on offensive D-men.

Clendening of course, but I'm not liking the 4th D spot. Obviously we don't know what we'll get out of Ruikka, but I don't think either of those choices would move the quickly enough with good vision to deserve PP ice time.

I do think we see someone drop back to the point, but what makes you think Connolly is the guy? Chiasson's shot could be useful back there, but he's also valuable around the net. Coyle played the point all last year, but there's no way Parker would put him in that role right away imo.

As for the PK d-men, as bad as the Cohen-Shattenkirk pair was, I assure you it can get much worse. Let's just hope they get early confidence, because a bad PK early can snowball.

 

[BU Hammer]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

I hope so

Just think that if you toss in these 6 young players and add Gill and expect them to night in and night out be difference makers vs older Hockey East players, it might be a stretch.

Connolly - Trivino - Chiasson
Nieto - Megan - Coyle


I hope you are right

I do expect they'll struggle early, especially amidst the suspensions, but I think it could unfold, well, just like every other BU season -- slow start, but a strong finish as the young guys get acclimated.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

I hope so

Just think that if you toss in these 6 young players and add Gill and expect them to night in and night out be difference makers vs older Hockey East players, it might be a stretch.

Connolly - Trivino - Chiasson
Nieto - Megan - Coyle


I hope you are right

BU is going to need things to break right. More than you can say about any team for any year. Forwards will need freshmen contributions and everyone coming back will have to step it up. Defense is even more interesting. They are trotting out some guys that don't appear to be very good or at best are unproven. They'll need one or two to emerge from nowhere like a Patch Alber did for BC last year. Nicastro has to improve quite a bit to help BU as he is a top returner and was ok last year in the time I saw him. Add in the lack of depth behind those guys on D and injuries are going to have to be avoided for Jack's team to avoid a big drop. If the 3rd pairing stinks, Jack is going to have to rotate 5/overplay the defensemen he does find suitable and that will be bad news in the long run come the end of games and the end of the season.

All in all, I think BU has some talent, I think enough to grab home ice. Luckily for them HEA is going to stink next year. 1 definite great team (BC). A few bad teams (PC, UML, UMA). Maine has a "?" in net and Timmay. UNH has goaltending ?s as well and lost some good players but could be another team that gets home ice. MC, UVM, and NU probably good some nights, mediocre other nights but wild-cards nonetheless.

This will need to be a lunchpail crew that does all the little things right. Even looking at the forwards I'm not blown away and there are some marginal guys in that lineup.

Still, outside of the conference, BU is not going to make any noise in the NCAAs and could get smoked if they run into a good team in the NCAAs.

 

[Rogie21]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Connolly played the point regularly for Omaha, before BU, and has played there a few times as a Terrier. I think he's the first choice to be Clendening's PP partner, unless Rosen steps up. I suspect Coyle will get a shot there, too. Once he's settled in, we could see

Connolly-Trivino-Chiasson
Nieto-Megan-Pereira

Warsofsky-Nicastro
Coyle/Rosen-Clendening

I'm concerned about a third-line center. Gaudet won 60% of faceoffs last year. Is he enough of a playmaker? I know he was pencilled in at C4, before his injury, but played wing most of the time. If not Gaudet, perhaps Coyle, who played C as well as RW last season--more time at C as the year went by. Gilroy had a game or two at center, but I don't recall him doing anything special there.

For 5 on 5,

Connolly-Trivino-Chiasson
Nieto-Megan-Pereira
Glass-Gaudet-Coyle
Gill-Santana-Gilroy
Courtnall-Cisse-???

Warsofsky-Nicastro
Escobedo-Clendening
Noonan-Rosen
Ruikka-MacGregor

Needless to say, BU's success will depend heavily on the freshman and soph classes (including red-shirt Gaudet). I'd expect Nieto and Clendening to be the most likely newscomes to be significant contributors. Both have ample experience against college players and excelled in the U18s international tournaments.

 

[BU Hammer]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Connolly played the point regularly for Omaha, before BU, and has played there a few times as a Terrier. I think he's the first choice to be Clendening's PP partner, unless Rosen steps up. I suspect Coyle will get a shot there, too. Once he's settled in, we could see

Connolly-Trivino-Chiasson
Nieto-Megan-Pereira

Warsofsky-Nicastro
Coyle/Rosen-Clendening

I'm concerned about a third-line center. Gaudet won 60% of faceoffs last year. Is he enough of a playmaker? I know he was pencilled in at C4, before his injury, but played wing most of the time. If not Gaudet, perhaps Coyle, who played C as well as RW last season--more time at C as the year went by. Gilroy had a game or two at center, but I don't recall him doing anything special there.

For 5 on 5,

Connolly-Trivino-Chiasson
Nieto-Megan-Pereira
Glass-Gaudet-Coyle
Gill-Santana-Gilroy
Courtnall-Cisse-???

Warsofsky-Nicastro
Escobedo-Clendening
Noonan-Rosen
Ruikka-MacGregor

Needless to say, BU's success will depend heavily on the freshman and soph classes (including red-shirt Gaudet). I'd expect Nieto and Clendening to be the most likely newscomes to be significant contributors. Both have ample experience against college players and excelled in the U18s international tournaments.

FWIW, Parker had very good things to say about Gilroy in the faceoff dot, and as a third-line center, I think Gaudet would do just fine, especially if he gets between a couple fellow grinders like Pereira and Santana.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Gaudet will finish with a better career than Gill will

 

[BU Hammer]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Gaudet will finish with a better career than Gill will

I'd be interested in hearing your reasoning behind that. It doesn't sound outrageous to me, just curious what makes you so sure.

 

[Rogie21]

Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

Gaudet and Gill are very different types of player. Gaudet plays a rugged game and is a good finisher (10 goals on just 40 shots). Gill is a playmaker who thrived at Vernon with the Jones Bros--both finishers headed to Quinnipiac. If Gill acclimates quickly to D1, he could be a nice complement to Gaudet.