D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

[brookyone]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Both the Buckeyes and Sioux will have some offensive pop. I'm not sure they'd get votes for a pre season top 10. Won't be surprising for either to appear in the top 10 at times during 2010-2011. I surely expect OSU & UND to intensify the WCHA standings "war" this coming season. I always hope they can do damage to the Cardinal & White and that other team with the hideously dressed coach.

 

[ARM]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

They have a some extremely skilled players in Spooner, McIntosh and Langan to name a few and came on strong at the end of last season.

Spooner in particular is big time. If you asked observers to name the most dynamic offensive player to perform in Ridder Arena last March, you'd hear the name "Natalie Spooner" a lot. For me, it would come down to her versus Blais (who had the opportunity to spend a good deal more time on the ice), with all due respect to Bendus, Scanzano, Bram, Fridfinnson, West, White, et al.

Ohio State as a whole is up there with the best offensive teams in the country. They showed signs of improvement on D, and will probably have to improve a little more to make that Top 10 ranking a reality. But I'd say they in fact were a top 10 team last year by the end of the season. They came very close to sweeping UMD in Duluth last February, and they were the only team to get a win (or even a tie) against UMD once Larocque came back.

The problem that any 4th place team in the WCHA has always and is going to have next season is that they have to absorb so many in conference losses from a schedule where teams play each other at least 4 times. The 4th team in the ECAC appears better on paper because they don't get beat up by the top three in league to the same extent. Assuming the Buckeyes continue their upward trend, the Lams and European imports fuel the expected transformation at UND, Mark Johnson proves last year's Badgers were a fluke, Minnesota gets the impact they expect from their incoming class, the Bulldogs go from great to greater, then the WCHA regular season is going to be a war of attrition. Bemidji figures to continue to get faster and more skilled, and neither MSU or SCSU looks like the typical doormat team found in many leagues.

So the WCHA could have trouble getting 3 teams into the NCAA field, because they could knock each other off all season. But look out for any teams that emerge, because they will be tested.

 

[DCHockey]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Anyone got their pre season top 10?

1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Cornell
3. Mercyhurst
4. Minnesota
5. Boston University
6. Harvard
7. Wisconsin
8. Clarkson
9. Connecticut
10. New Hamshire

 

[Mitterman]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

The "Commitments" thread has had discussion recently about the impact of recent verbals on the balance of power in D-I next year. There really isn't an appropriate thread for that topic right now, so I thought I'd start one.

Yes, BU figures to be vastly improved next year. The same with teams that missed the NCAAs this year like UND, BC, and Wisconsin. Northeastern and Providence have cause for optimism. Niagara and Syracuse were on the upswing. Harvard and Clarkson have strong recruiting classes. All of the Frozen Four teams have reason to believe they will be better next season. UNH may be the one top team that could be losing more impact that they are gaining right out of the gate, and if their depth improves, they may improve overall as well.

Obviously, all of these teams can't move forward in terms of W/L record. Any thoughts on who will rise, who will fall, or anything else about the D-I picture for the coming year?

Looking at Syracuse this year there is Good news and question marks.

Looking at Offense they should be deeper running 3 very good lines with the new additions. The girls from Minn should help .

Goaltending was great for Cuse but with the loss of L.S. their new recruits
especially Drinkwater will have to fill the void right away. Drinkwater has always been a top Goaler in PWHL.

Defense is where the question mark is especially loosing 2 of their best.
The new ones will have to step up.

I am predicting a similar season as last year while flirting with the TOP 10.

Playing Mercy 5 times in a season is always tough but they will have to deal with that if they hope to advance.

GO ORANGE GO

CHA prediction

1. Mercy
2. Cuse
3. Niagara
4. Morris
5. Wayne State

National Guess

1. Mercy
2. MD
3. Boston U
4. Wisc
5. Minn
6. Cornell
7. Clarkson
8.
9.
10. All of the following battling for 8-10; Ohio, Northeastern, UConn, Cuse,
Quinny, Niagara, Harvard, UNH, Providence

 

[Thunderbird77]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Mitterman -

One of the Minnesota recruits for Syracuse is top goalie Kallie Billadeau. She was Minnesota Senior Goal Tender of the Year and would have likely been Goal Tender of the Year had there been such an honor. With the other recruit mentioned, this position should be well covered for the Orange.

 

[Mitterman]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Mitterman -

One of the Minnesota recruits for Syracuse is top goalie Kallie Billadeau. She was Minnesota Senior Goal Tender of the Year and would have likely been Goal Tender of the Year had there been such an honor. With the other recruit mentioned, this position should be well covered for the Orange.

Having 2 instead of 1 is always a good thing Thanks Thunderbird.
I am not as familiar with this years class as I was last year.
Overall I think it looks like they have improved again creating depth.

 

[binnyrus]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Then there's always the issue of chemistry . . . adding new "big time" players to an existing sold core or vice-versa. For example, UMD . . . many very talented freshman from this year's national championship squad . . . Wilson, Wong, Harss, Cournoyer, Thibault with some established roles and a sense of having to contribute NOW. And, they did.

Now bring in all of the returning Olympic talent . . . I mean there's an entire line . . . Irwin, Holmlov, Winberg and a very experienced and talented goal tender in Martin. Harss went from being virtually unknown to unbeatable. How will last year's players adjust to a lesser role (that's an assumption on my part)? I don't think UMD can expect all of their returning Olympic players to transition as smoothly nor contribute to the extent Larocque did last season when she returned after the break.

Then, from all I can tell they've got a few really highly touted incoming freshman. I know that for UMD it may seem an embarassment of riches but to make it work the coaches and the players will all have to be flexible and willing to be what this new team needs to be successful.

I guess what I'm getting at is sure, teams have new talent, return of Olympians (players and coaches) but a new "team" needs to be created out of all of it. There's as much a psychological talent that's required as on-ice skills. Which teams are best prepared to be successful with that transition??

 

[Trillium]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

hmm...I think there are arguements to be made for a lot of teams. I would rank the preseason top 8 as UMD, Mercyhurst, UMinn, Cornell, BU, Clarkson, Harvard and UW (not in order). It then it gets more merky, with UND, BC, Providence, UConn or Syracuse being strong contenders.

Definitely agree with the same Top 8. I'd also add OSU and Quinnipiac with potential to be challenging with the others listed to crack the Top 10.

 

[Trillium]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I always hope they can do damage to the Cardinal & White and that other team with the hideously dressed coach.

Although I can certainly guess which team you intended to refer to, at least another couple of teams definitely also come to mind.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Here's my best guess.

1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Mercyhurst
3. Cornell
4. Minnesota
5. Boston University
6. Wisconsin
7. Clarkson
8. Harvard

I also like OSU, Princeton, UND, NH, Prov and NEastern.

I think teams like Quinny and Niagra lost top scoring and will need their incoming girls to produce.

 

[Trillium]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Here's my best guess.

1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Mercyhurst
3. Cornell
4. Minnesota
5. Boston University
6. Wisconsin
7. Clarkson
8. Harvard

I also like OSU, Princeton, UND, NH, Prov and NEastern.

I think teams like Quinny and Niagra lost top scoring and will need their incoming girls to produce.

Believe me, Quinny should be getting a whole lot more scoring than they are losing.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Believe me, Quinny should be getting a whole lot more scoring than they are losing.

I hope your right. I've seen a few of their recruits play and out of those no pure scorers. I think their very well coached and it would be great to see them keep impoving. Tough conference.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I hope your right. I've seen a few of their recruits play and out of those no pure scorers. I think their very well coached and it would be great to see them keep impoving. Tough conference.

If you look at the Stats you can see that Quinny won a lot of 2-1 type games. Their average GAA in games won is like 1. The recruit from the Aeros can put serious points on the boards. Just check the PW stats board. She will be an impact player from the get go.

 

[zoofer]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

The parity of all the clubs is exciting...I like DChockey's top ten list...however I think Cornell will return with another great year especially since now they have some experience with their playoff run...I like the fact that UNH has low expectations for a change...stay in the mix and then have a strong February!

 

[sharkie]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

If you look at the Stats you can see that Quinny won a lot of 2-1 type games. Their average GAA in games won is like 1. The recruit from the Aeros can put serious points on the boards. Just check the PW stats board. She will be an impact player from the get go.

The Aeros and SSM recruit are being brought in as top 6 forwards to increase scoring. If they can increase their scoring by one goal per game Quinny will be formidable, provided their GAA stays about the same.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

The Aeros and SSM recruit are being brought in as top 6 forwards to increase scoring. If they can increase their scoring by one goal per game Quinny will be formidable, provided their GAA stays about the same.

I think you'll like burman as well. She's a goer. Colin also is a nice player (great hands) I like both better than the SSM girl who's a solid two way player. SSM's scoring mainly came when Kessel was on the ice and through the PP in my opinion. Hopefully you'll get the same goaltending?

 

[Trillium]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I hope your right. I've seen a few of their recruits play and out of those no pure scorers. I think their very well coached and it would be great to see them keep impoving. Tough conference.

Um, well Quinny's leading scorer last season was only a freshman....who is most definitely a pure scorer. I wouldn't be surprised if she has an even better season next year with the year of adjustment and more intense training behind her.

Many people (including myself) believe one of the incoming recruits is the very best player available out of Ontario this year. She was Top 3 in scoring in the PWHL each of the last 2 years, with much less ice time than the others in the top 5-10. She is most definitely as much of a pure scorer as you can find, having racked up considerably more points than Quinny's current leading scorer both years they played together with the Aeros....she's scored many a goal from her butt, stomach, knees, you name it. The puck somehow always ends up on her stick, she has unbelievable hands and puck protection skills, she can set up a play as easily as score, has a tough in-your-face style, and a knack for game-winning/turnaround goals on a consistent basis. No one is more fun to watch. The other Aeros recruit isn't exactly chopped liver either, with nice hands, hockey smarts and an unbeatable work ethic every shift. The D from Stoney Creek should prove solid on the blue line too. Sounds like many other bright lights in the recruiting class as well from the US.

I don't see any reason why the goaltending will not be as good as it was this year....she didn't play any differently this year than she played her 3 years in the PWHL. Definitely not an anomoly there, she is a proven game stealer.

Unless there are unexpected roster losses due to injury, etc, I would be shocked if Quinny are not Top 4 in the ECAC....in what should be a very tough conference at the top end.

 

[dave1381]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Here's the top 10 I wrote to myself in late March, except with Poulin at BU, I'll move them up a spot. White space between teams represent what I think are larger gaps.

1. UMD
2. Mercyhurst

3. Wisconsin
4. Cornell
5. BU
6. Minnesota

7. BC
8. Harvard
9. Clarkson
10. UNH

The biggest difference I've noticed between my rankings and the others is that I have BC and Wisconsin closer to their 08-09 performance, while others seem to have these teams closer to their 09-10 performance.

 

[JosephPSchmoe]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Admitting in advance to being a frequent sufferer of anal/cranial inversion, I offer my humble opinion:

In the WCHA, I think it's the Bulldogs' season to win or lose. I didn't think Minnesota was as good as their record throughout most of last season (have at me) and obviously Wisconsin has issues to work on. The rest of the league will continue to improve. The middle of the WCHA pack is up for grabs again with OSU taking its share of those mid-level games and probably being a spoiler against the top two or three teams now and then, too. I don't see ND being as strong as some others do. Yes, they have the Lams and Karvinen. But I just don't think Idalski's much of a coach. The Sioux are perennial bottom-dwellers and always have been under his direction. I don't think the addition of Elander to the coaching staff adds that much. I see it as UMD, Minnesota and Wisconsin in that order unless the Badgers decide to self-destruct again this season in which case OSU takes the #3 spot.

Picking Mercyhurst in the east is a no-brainer, but where the rest shake out will be interesting to watch. I like Cornell if they can hang onto the mojo from the championship tournament. I have no idea what BU will do with Poulin. Will she make those around her better or will she end up flying solo most of the time, and will that be enough? I think UNH is a good team, but cracking the Top 10 will be a challenge next season. The rest of the east teams are best left to someone who knows them better than I do.

National title? UMD has to be a favorite to repeat, but it wouldn't surprise me a bit if the hardware goes east next season. If that's going to happen, I'm guessing it stays in Erie.

 

[ARM]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2010-2011: Offseason Musings and Beyond

White space between teams represent what I think are larger gaps.

1. UMD
2. Mercyhurst

3. Wisconsin
4. Cornell

Looking at your rankings, I'd slide the first gap down a couple of spaces. For Wisconsin, pretend last season never happened. Would their roster from last season have missed the NCAAs had Johnson been behind the bench? Doubtful. They have quite a bit of talent in place, Duggan and Knight return, and if their frosh goalie is as good as advertised, there isn't the separation between the Badgers and Bulldogs that people expect.

The perception is that MC + Agosta means championship, but I like Cornell at least as much and probably a bit more. The Big Red won as many tourney games last season as Mercyhurst did in three seasons with Agosta and looked more impressive doing so. They have the edge over the Lakers on the blue line and in net, and adding Johnston and Jenner and more depth strengthens areas of need for Cornell. MC gets better offensively, but offense wasn't their problem.

I didn't think Minnesota was as good as their record throughout most of last season ...

I agree with that. The Gophers figure to be similar to 2008-2009, where the key will be how well/quickly they can integrate a strong rookie class.

I don't see ND being as strong as some others do. Yes, they have the Lams and Karvinen. But I just don't think Idalski's much of a coach. The Sioux are perennial bottom-dwellers and always have been under his direction.

The exception was 2008-2009 when they started 12-7-2, and then suffered some key injuries and collapsed down the stretch to finish in a tie for 5th. The Sioux under Idalski have never had the talent to win; now they will, so we'll find out how good of a coach he is at this level.