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BU 2020-21 Season: The Road to … Nowhere?

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brassbonanza said:
I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more of our forwards leave, particularly those who haven't been able to crack the lineup.

Rising Seniors/superseniors: Cockerill Amonte Kaufman Quercia
Rising Juniors: Armstrong Boguslavsky Mastro JOB Stevens Phillips Skoog
Rising Sophomores: Zabaneh Tuch Peterson

That's 14 forwards without counting the incoming freshmen. Of those, the 10 bolded players are sharpied in the lineup every night if healthy. Not a lot of space up front.
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So trying to win through the draft as opposed to signing free agents. Got it.

I'd love to see them trade a few forwards for a solid stay-at-home defenseman. Who's available?

BU Hockey: Professional Grade
 
The best names I have seen on defense are Will Cullen from BG and Chase Blackmun from UML. Cullen will be 25! at the start of next season. Three productive years at BG. Blackmun is 22. Three good years at UML for him. Not sure either would be classified as stay at home though. Michael Karow was a pretty good stay at home dman this year!
 
Bomber said:
So trying to win through the draft as opposed to signing free agents. Got it.

I'd love to see them trade a few forwards for a solid stay-at-home defenseman. Who's available?

BU Hockey: Professional Grade
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Huh? Are you advocating Albie cut a crap load of forwards and try to backfill through the transfer portal?
 
defkit said:
Exactly. I see good systems when I watch those two teams along with UMass. At PC, the success has led to improved recruiting as well (at least in terms of landing some USNTDP guys, which I know isn't always the best thing as we have been discussing).
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"Improved recruiting" hasn't resulted in any real improvements, though. Both guys have been there long enough that their history of "success" should have resulted in better recruits. Which should then, in turn, result in something better than the NCAA tournament bubble. It hasn't, and that makes me wary of these guys.
 
brassbonanza said:
Quercia transferring.

Albies entire first recruiting class is gone before they're seniors.
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Wonder if he already knows where he is going
Not very productive but did good job killing penalties
Maybe could find a home at Ohio State with 3 other BU players
 
BU needs to find some players that can put the puck in the net. Matt Brown from UML would be the #1 guy on my list. Just a sophomore and would make a great addition up front.
 
brassbonanza said:
Huh? Are you advocating Albie cut a crap load of forwards and try to backfill through the transfer portal?
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We can put a man on the moon, but we can't get emojis to work on the USCHO Fan Forum. I miss emojis.

I'm just having fun with the New World Order. Teams picking up players from other teams left and right (Like free agency) vs. going with new young recruits (The draft). It is kind of like NHL. All we need is some trades. I'm not advocating for BU to do anything, but to get the most out of the players they decide to put on the ice.
 
Scarlet said:
I'm kinda bummed about Quercia.
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Same here. Frankly, I'm quite surprised.

Even with Cockerill, Amonte, Kaufman returning next season, I expected Quercia to assume a more formal leadership role. By all accounts I've heard Quercia has been a solid teammate who seemingly accepted and embraced his role as a bottom-6 forward. Makes you wonder if there's a disconnect between Quercia and Albie regarding his role on the team, ice time, etc. that was wide enough that resulted in Quercia transferring.
 
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Scarlet said:
I'm kinda bummed about Quercia.
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Definitely agree. He’s the type of player this team needs. Hard working on the ice and great penalty killer. Would have been a great senior leader even if just by example. Just when you’re trying to build a team with more older players, we lose good one. Don’t know what happened here.
 
BU93 said:
Definitely agree. He’s the type of player this team needs. Hard working on the ice and great penalty killer. Would have been a great senior leader even if just by example. Just when you’re trying to build a team with more older players, we lose good one. Don’t know what happened here.
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I have to think that Albie's obvious deficiencies as a coach are a factor. If we're not expecting any improvement out of him, why should the players feel any different?
 
What a FF for UMass. Congratulations to that team - great complete hockey. The OT against UMD was a clinic. Relentless pressure from a group that has skill and really wanted it. I’m hopeful we can play like that again someday. We had 2 wins against that team somehow? We were playing decently then as opposed to the last few weeks of the season.

Looking at at the rosters of UMass and St Cloud - not one USNDP alumni in the game. In fact only 1 in the entire FF (on UMD). Coincidence?
 
BU93 said:
What a FF for UMass. Congratulations to that team - great complete hockey. The OT against UMD was a clinic. Relentless pressure from a group that has skill and really wanted it. I’m hopeful we can play like that again someday. We had 2 wins against that team somehow? We were playing decently then as opposed to the last few weeks of the season.

Looking at at the rosters of UMass and St Cloud - not one USNDP alumni in the game. In fact only 1 in the entire FF (on UMD). Coincidence?
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Keys:
1. Experience and age. Those final four teams are older and that’s huge. St. Cloud had 8 players born in 1996 which is Jack Eichels birth year. Umass had an experience team as well. They don’t get too many blue chips but very good players that stick around for 4 years.

2. Coaching. Team had an identify and common goal and they worked and worked. They just wanted it more and it showed. It was a joy to watch.

3. NTDP on average aren’t staying four years or even 3. The younger teams/blue bloods are struggling against teams that are full of players that are 6-8 yrs older.
 
Yes - it was a joy to watch. As opposed to watching BU at times which is akin to being in the dentist chair.

I think we need to stay away from the NTDP unless it’s a legit freshman 30 + point scorer or goalie (their goalies usually turn out to be great players) There seems to be enough talent out of the junior leagues these days to put together consistent contenders and it will make the team stronger and more experienced year after year. I know - broken record, but just more evidence this weekend.
 
UMass' forechecking was outstanding in the NCAAs.
Remember when BU was noted for its forechecking? May have to go back to the Parker Era for that.
 
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