Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards

[Hokydad]

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

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

Because in my opinion he does not have the speed to do well in Hockey East. He was a minus 15 in his last ten games in USHL and not dressing. Only after going back to BCHL and even than a very slow start, did he have any success. In a soft league I might add. Football scores on a stcaked team. I saw him play probably 15 times and didnt see him beat one forward one on one, he has the same move virtually every time(listen up HE dmen). he skates down the wing and curls to the boards and tries to hit the trailer or the wide wing.

Put it this way, he went from the "supposed top F in his region" to not even on central scouting after his supposed "thriving at Vernon".

If anone wants to watch him, go to www.ushl.com and the BTV network and purchase a game when he played at the Chicago Steel and see for yourself. Once the other teams figured him out, he was obsolete in that league. It will take York etc less time than that....

Gaudet if relegated to the same role would do better. I dont believe for a second that the BU coaching staff did not see what happened last year and I doubt they have him in any combination ahead of Gaudet, a more complete player.

Gaudet walked on, worked his a** off, suported his team, kept his mouth shut and shined when given the chance. Gill bailed on his team at the first hint of adversity. Gaudet lives for the Beanpot, Gill doesnt know what it is.

 

[candycanes99]

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

Gill has higher upside as an overall player while Gaudet definitely exceeded expectations last year. I don't know if the meteoric rise will continue for Ross or if he's close to his ceiling, but I'd imagine he'll improve a little bit if he gets some gifted linemates.

Hokydad, do you have any inside scoop that we don't have on why he returned to Vernon? Or do you just think he couldn't hack it. He still was a point per game in the USHL, including his slump before he left. The fact that he slumped back in the BCHL before getting back on track could mean that it was something personal or a nagging injury in my opinion.

It's certainly possible for his ceiling to be lower than projected, but it's a little early to say that he won't work when he gets here.

 

[Hokydad]

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

It is lower than projected by the faithfull back here.

Lasy July, www.ushr.com said as follows

7/29/09


British Columbia’s Top NCAA Prospects


The top forward prospect out of British Columbia will not even be playing in the province this season, as ’92 forward Sahir Gill decided earlier this month to join the Chicago Steel (USHL).

Gill, an impact player, has NCAA schools lining up for his services. Boston University, North Dakota, and Minnesota head up the list.

A 4/21/92 birthdate from Terrace, BC, Gill is a quick, skilled 5’10”, 180 lb. left shot forward who as a rookie played a key role on the Vernon Vipers team that captured the Royal Bank Cup title last season. In the regular season, Gill had an 18-21-39 line in 54 games. He did even better in the playoffs, notching 17 points in 17 games.

Gill’s WHL rights are owned by the Kamloops Blazers

He was put on the top line at the Steel and had all the first line PP ice, lined up with a couple older, skilled players.

After 15 or so games, the other coaches had chances to see film and made adjustments and he fell hard. Really only had 3 or 4 good games to start with, which bodes well to my theory, is that he can do ok if comp is average and the pace is slow. Racked up 5 points for example vs US under 17 team and 4 vs last placed Lincoln, which is over 30% of his total points. He had 2 goals in last 10 games, both vs expansion last placed Youngstown.

After that, his scoring slowed and was a minus -9 in his last 4 games. Got taken out of line up once and was out the door like a blow gun. Finger pointing at staff the whole way. BU rightly so stopped it and put a good spin on it.

At Vernon, he played 17 regular season games and had 3 goals. Had 6 goals in 15 playoff games./ Did do well for them in playoffs but only after being put with two other studs and even then only vs soft teams. Put it this way, they won the championship game in a blow out


He went from the cream of the British Columbia crop, their highest rated F on Central Scouting to not even on the final list. He did so for a reason.

 

[Federal League]

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

Got taken out of line up once and was out the door like a blow gun. Finger pointing at staff the whole way. BU rightly so stopped it and put a good spin on it.

Do you have any proof of this? How do you know he was finger pointing? He never blamed them publicly and there were never any articles reporting any sort of fall-out between him and the coaches. This is what I reported back in January:

"Parker said that Gill decided to return to Vernon for family reasons and that it had nothing to do with anyone being unhappy with the Steel. Parker said he knew why Gill left and that he understood the decision."

I'm not naive enough to dismiss the possibility of Parker covering up a fall-out and putting a positive spin on it, but I'd like to know what evidence you have to prove that's the case. And if that is the case, why would Parker cite family reasons? Why bring his family into it? He could've just said that second sentence if it was a cover-up.

 

[Hokydad]

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

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogie21
My sources tell me that Gill wasn't happy with the coaching he received in Chicago and opted to return to the Vernon Vipers whom he helped win the RBC Cup (Jr. A championship in Canada) last year. Vernon is currently the top-ranked Jr. A team in Canada. Once the issue of the transfer fee is resolved, he should be back on the ice with Vernon.

It wasn't a question of being homesick. In fact, as AHR's Paul Shaheen wrote in a column a few months ago, Gill's mother was able to visit him in Chicago where a cousin lives.

Don't understand your worries about forwards. Next year's recruit class of forwards (Coyle, Nieto, Gill and Cisse) is among the best in the country, though Cisse's injury might cause him to take another year of juniors. BU loses two senior forwards--only one key scorer--and very likely Bonino, too.

BU isn't done recruiting defensemen. They'll bring in at least one more. Might have to be two if Colby keeps firing rockets past goalies and his defense tightens up.


Rogie heard the same crap I had heard, snipping and backstabbing on the way out the door because of a healthy scratch. Which usually happens when you are a minus 9 in 4 games with zero points..... very narrow shoulders. Him and Clendennings parents should get an apartment together on Comm ave. That will be the first call to JP and the coaching staff, wanting to know why DW is on PP and not him.

He was in fact finger pointing and blaimng others for his slide and BU said, drop it move on with dignity. The Steel coach is highly regarded and has a very good relationship with BU and was not the issue. the issue is the reason why he went from top F in region to not even on Central scouting, even after he had a supposed good success at Vernon this year. the issue was a little thing called scouting and film, which exposes his game

 

[BUT09]

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

BU loses two senior forwards--only one key scorer--and very likely Bonino, too.

BU isn't done recruiting defensemen. They'll bring in at least one more. Might have to be two if Colby keeps firing rockets past goalies and his defense tightens up.

Have you been paying attention at ALL in the offseason? Bonino signed with Anaheim and already played a bunch of games for them, and Colby signed with Colorado and played for Lake Erie.

 

[Failsafe]

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

Have you been paying attention at ALL in the offseason? Bonino signed with Anaheim and already played a bunch of games for them, and Colby signed with Colorado and played for Lake Erie.

He was quoting a previous post from a while back, when Gill bounced for Vernon.

 

[Rogie21]

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

Hokeydad,

Let's keep it accurate. I heard from one Br. Columbia source that he was unhappy about the coaching in Chicago. Nothing about "sniping and backstabbling"--your words and opinions, not mine.

I haven't seen Gill play once, let alone 15 times. Just a few video snippets last season and this season. I've read a few comments from scouts that rated his skills highly, but felt he needed to play more physically. Following a USHL game, one questioned his willingness to drive to the net, but added "With that said he is going to be a very good NCAA player and help whoever grabs him."

From what I've read about his performance at Vernon this season--and also what I heard from a writer who covered the Vipers--he's been a grittier, tougher player this year, more willing to go to the grade A areas. We'll see about that soon enough.

When Gill committed to BU, USHR reported that "Gill made his final pick from between BU and Northeastern. Other schools that made a push for Gill included North Dakota, Colorado College, Minnesota, and Boston College." The coaches of those schools all have track records for recognizing talent. Could they all be wrong about him? Perhaps, but don't bet on it.

As for first-year expectations, I'm not expecting him to have as much impact as Nieto and Coyle. My hunch is that he'll need to be on a line with highly skilled players (not so likely this year) to be successful. Sort of like Jason Lawrence, except Jason was a finisher and Gill is a playmaker. The 11/09 USHR report suggested he'll play center at BU.

 

[SteveF]

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

potentially one of the best defensive teams in the conference.

i'll take that bet

 

[Hokydad]

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

Originally Posted by Hokydad
BU loses two senior forwards--only one key scorer--and very likely Bonino, too.

BU isn't done recruiting defensemen. They'll bring in at least one more. Might have to be two if Colby keeps firing rockets past goalies and his defense tightens up.

Have you been paying attention at ALL in the offseason? Bonino signed with Anaheim and already played a bunch of games for them, and Colby signed with Colorado and played for Lake Erie.

be honest with you, I dont remember posting that...

 

[Hokydad]

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

Hokeydad,

Let's keep it accurate. I heard from one Br. Columbia source that he was unhappy about the coaching in Chicago. Nothing about "sniping and backstabbling"--your words and opinions, not mine.

I haven't seen Gill play once, let alone 15 times. Just a few video snippets last season and this season. I've read a few comments from scouts that rated his skills highly, but felt he needed to play more physically. Following a USHL game, one questioned his willingness to drive to the net, but added "With that said he is going to be a very good NCAA player and help whoever grabs him."

From what I've read about his performance at Vernon this season--and also what I heard from a writer who covered the Vipers--he's been a grittier, tougher player this year, more willing to go to the grade A areas. We'll see about that soon enough.

When Gill committed to BU, USHR reported that "Gill made his final pick from between BU and Northeastern. Other schools that made a push for Gill included North Dakota, Colorado College, Minnesota, and Boston College." The coaches of those schools all have track records for recognizing talent. Could they all be wrong about him? Perhaps, but don't bet on it.

As for first-year expectations, I'm not expecting him to have as much impact as Nieto and Coyle. My hunch is that he'll need to be on a line with highly skilled players (not so likely this year) to be successful. Sort of like Jason Lawrence, except Jason was a finisher and Gill is a playmaker. The 11/09 USHR report suggested he'll play center at BU.

Thats pretty interesting that you mention Jason Lawrence. If he has half the commitment to the program Jason did, he could have a similar career where he ends strong after a rocky start.

They all could be right but in the end, after seeing him outside the very week BCHL, he fell like a rock and dropped from top in region to not even in top 300 in Central scouting. The clamoring that took place a year+ ago wouldnt be the same today. trust me, Bavis was there for many games and saw what central did..

 

[25 N Countin']

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

i'll take that bet

Yeah, I'm not seeing that yet. Right now, I see a team that struggled defensively and loses it's best defensive defenseman and Shattenkirk as well. While the net effect of Colby leaving and anyone stepping in his spot should be an improvement in effort and defensive responsibility is a positive, I need to see big steps up from Nicastro and Escobedo before I'll believe that.

And frankly, I'm a bit of a Millan doubter now as well. We'll see whether he's a goalie who puts up sick numbers on a loaded team or if he's actually a goalie on par with someone like Fields.

I think we have another rough year coming up, with bigtime potential for a very good 11-12 season. We may be a home ice team due to a weak Hockey East year, but I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't exactly mean we're a shoo-in for the tourney.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

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

Don't you guys think maybe just maybe Fields was better than Millan?

I definitely don't think Millan is in Curry's class either.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

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

Don't you guys think maybe just maybe Fields was better than Millan?

Yes, and it's not even close. Fields stood on his head all the freakin time. And a lot of his teams stunk.

I still think Fields was better than Curry as well.

 

[BB411]

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

IF the season started tomorrow, and IF there was an all freshmen line (which is a pretty good possibility), Gill would be centering with Nieto and Coyle on the wings. No doubt Nieto and Coyle are the ones expected to a great freshmen season, but I wouldnt count Gill out just yet.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

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

Yes, and it's not even close. Fields stood on his head all the freakin time. And a lot of his teams stunk.

I still think Fields was better than Curry as well.

I was waiting for someone to run in and say something like Millan has a title!!!

 

[Agganis]

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

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

Those lines are terrible, you're so dumb...oh wait:

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

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.

16 was solid in his limited time at center, both in the dot and he was better during run of play there than he was at wing. However, next year's third line looks to be better than the previous year and I'm not sure he even cracked the 3rd line 3 times when the team was healthy so I think a few others have a much greater shot of getting the 3rd line center job.

I think the team is above average defensively at the worst, and potentially one of the best defensive teams in the conference.

Disagree, above average in HE is 1-5, their floor is below 5 IMO and I don't see top 2 happening, 3 as best case scenario. But, as always, I'm open to being proven wrong.

Coyle is capable of centering if given the opportunity but that is not what he was brought to BU to do.

Probably true, but there are only two players on the roster brought to BU to play center, so 2 (and 3 during the suspension) other players need to assume the role. 12, 22, 15, 16, Coyle and Gill are the only real candidates (that I know of). If Cisse accelerates to this fall and a freshman line happens Coyle would be the only option to center out of the three top frosh AFAIK, other than that he probably isn't a leading candidate to center.

 

[BB411]

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

Probably true, but there are only two players on the roster brought to BU to play center, so 2 (and 3 during the suspension) other players need to assume the role. 12, 22, 15, 16, Coyle and Gill are the only real candidates (that I know of). If Cisse accelerates to this fall and a freshman line happens Coyle would be the only option to center out of the three top frosh AFAIK, other than that he probably isn't a leading candidate to center.

You are right that it would be either Coyle or Gill, but Parker's plans are for Coyle to start at right wing. He's leaning towards Gill as center for a freshmen line. Coyle CAN center, but as of right now, will not be in the near future (unless Cisse accelerates, which alters things obviously). All of this could change though once these freshmen arrive and start working.

 

[Stories]

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

You are right that it would be either Coyle or Gill, but Parker's plans are for Coyle to start at right wing. He's leaning towards Gill as center for a freshmen line. Coyle CAN center, but as of right now, will not be in the near future (unless Cisse accelerates, which alters things obviously). All of this could change though once these freshmen arrive and start working.

I think we're negating Coyle's best strength: his size. If Coyle is moved to center, he can't use his big body to bang and crash nearly as well as he could on the wing.

 

[Rogie21]

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

I think we're negating Coyle's best strength: his size. If Coyle is moved to center, he can't use his big body to bang and crash nearly as well as he could on the wing.

Not just his size but his strength. At the combine, he was in the top 10 in 10 strength categories.

Why all the interest in having a freshman line? Isn’t the objective to have players who best complement one another, regardless of class?

During the 08-09 championship season, Connolly, Trivino and Saponari, didn’t skate together until the 14th game. McCarthy began the season as LW with Corey and Vinny. Then Trivino went out with an injury and McCarthy clicked with Yip and Bonino.

Three years earlier, BU finished with a freshman line that produced the OT GWG in the Hockey East title game, but Higgins, Lawrence and Yip didn’t become a line until the 18th game of the season.