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

[OnMAA]

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.

I know you are a UMD fan. Nothing wrong with that. IMHO you are underestimating Wisco. Great new Goaler, Knight and Duggan back, and a good recruit class. It will be nip and tuck with Wisco and UMD all year. UND has never had the talent they have in their stable next year. I think they will make a serious run for that third WCHA spot.

I think Cornell is the team to watch out east with depth. Already good in the back, they are bringing in more and added RJ and BJ in up front from the Olympic camp, along with the MVP from the IIHF U18 worlds. If they stay healthy, they will make a serious run for the top spot. BU will be a new power. It is not just Poulin. They are also bringing in Ward and Wakefield. That is three Olympic team caliber players new into that fold. I can see Ward being the rookie D of the year, and the D with the most points next year, period. You watch.

My top 3 for next year are UMD, Wisco, Cornell, with BU and the Hurst the other two that could be in that mix.

 

[brookyone]

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

I know you are a UMD fan. Nothing wrong with that. IMHO you are underestimating Wisco. Great new Goaler, Knight and Duggan back, and a good recruit class. It will be nip and tuck with Wisco and UMD all year.

I'd agree with this. I can understand voters putting Wisconsin in the bottom half to begin with (I wouldn't though). But I believe they'll establish themselves as top 5 pretty quickly in 2010-2011. You have to give UMD the nod in the WCHA pre season. Too many good teams for me to give them the repeat vote in the pre season prognostications though.

Will Mercyhurst be as dominant in 2010-2011? I'm doubting that myself.

I'm more inclined to put both Cornell & Clarkson somewhere in the 2-6 range...especially early. Actually, I'd have Cornell at #2, Clarkson in top 6 for sure.

 

[sharkie]

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

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?

My information is from someone very high in the pecking order. In talking about the top six forwards, neither one of the MN recruits were mentioned as part of the mix. So you can take that for what it is worth.

 

[CanHockGuy]

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

I know you are a UMD fan. Nothing wrong with that. IMHO you are underestimating Wisco. Great new Goaler, Knight and Duggan back, and a good recruit class. It will be nip and tuck with Wisco and UMD all year. UND has never had the talent they have in their stable next year. I think they will make a serious run for that third WCHA spot.

I think Cornell is the team to watch out east with depth. Already good in the back, they are bringing in more and added RJ and BJ in up front from the Olympic camp, along with the MVP from the IIHF U18 worlds. If they stay healthy, they will make a serious run for the top spot. BU will be a new power. It is not just Poulin. They are also bringing in Ward and Wakefield. That is three Olympic team caliber players new into that fold. I can see Ward being the rookie D of the year, and the D with the most points next year, period. You watch.

My top 3 for next year are UMD, Wisco, Cornell, with BU and the Hurst the other two that could be in that mix.

That's funny, calling Ward a rookie. It would be a crime to steal credit away from TRUE rookies. Taking advantage of a technicality in my books, and it should be changed.

 

[OnMAA]

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

That's funny, calling Ward a rookie. It would be a crime to steal credit away from TRUE rookies. Taking advantage of a technicality in my books, and it should be changed.

I guess you missed the hidden smiley with the Rookie label ......However...I suspect you agree with me on the "You Watch" part...She is one dynamic player, a treat to watch when she is on her game. Seen her play on various occasions with the Martlets....Back to the Rookie part....Not sure on the NCAA rules in her case.....

Two interesting opposites in the NHL WRT Rookies....
....Gretzky at 18 was NOT eligible for the Rookie award back in 79-80 due to his play in the WHA. He tied Dionne for the overall scoring race that year
.... A few years later Peter Stastny from Europe was a rookie by NHL rules and won handily even though he was 20 something and had played International senior hockey for years.

 

[Trillium]

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

That's funny, calling Ward a rookie. It would be a crime to steal credit away from TRUE rookies. Taking advantage of a technicality in my books, and it should be changed.

No doubt she will make a very big impact for BU. However, I seriously doubt she would be eligible for any kind of rookie honours, having previously played college hockey for 3 years. Not unlike Gretzky being ineligible for NHL rookie award in his first year in the NHL because of his previous WHA experience.

 

[WCHFan]

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

My information is from someone very high in the pecking order. In talking about the top six forwards, neither one of the MN recruits were mentioned as part of the mix. So you can take that for what it is worth.

We'll/You'll see! I guess I don't take it for what it's worth. Everyone has an opinion.

 

[brookyone]

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

We'll/You'll see! I guess I don't take it for what it's worth. Everyone has an opinion.

My information is from someone very high in the pecking order. In talking about the top six forwards, neither one of the MN recruits were mentioned as part of the mix. So you can take that for what it is worth.

I was wondering about the context. Top six forwards overall...US and Canada? Top six on this squad?

 

[WCHFan]

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

I was wondering about the context. Top six forwards overall...US and Canada? Top six on this squad?

My take is he doesn't think the Minny kids are as talented as the other Quinny recruits. I think he'll be pleasantly surprised by the talent of the Minny kids and in my opinion will be as talented as Quinny's other recruits.

 

[sharkie]

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

My take is he doesn't think the Minny kids are as talented as the other Quinny recruits. I think he'll be pleasantly surprised by the talent of the Minny kids and in my opinion will be as talented as Quinny's other recruits.

I was speaking of top six forwards for the squad. As far as talent of the Minnesota recruits to Quinny, it was not my opinion as I do not have one because I have not seen all the recruits. It was from someone very high up who was relaying the information to me. I hope the Minnesota recruits are as talented as you say as it will make the team even better.

 

[ARM]

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

Interesting to review posters' opinions from a year ago. Boston College appears to be the team most frequently overlooked.

 

[brookyone]

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

Never expected the SCSU Huskies to struggle as severely as they did. Figured them for last in the WCHA but not one stinkin' W to show for the entire season.

 

[SCSU2039]

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

Never expected the SCSU Huskies to struggle as severely as they did. Figured them for last in the WCHA but not one stinkin' W to show for the entire season.

Tell me about it! It was one long *** season for SCSU. I don't think anyone thought they would be as bad as they turned out to be. I knew it would be a real tough year but never expected a 1 win season. They just never seemed to be able to get it together throughout the year.

The only good thing about this season is it will be hard to do worse next year...right?

 

[ARM]

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

The only good thing about this season is it will be hard to do worse next year...right?

Players like Gilbert, Mott, and Nelson started to show some signs of life later in the year, so if VanDenakker and Friend can hold down the net, there should be some upward movement.

 

[papulaisle]

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

Changing the subject. Fans of North Dakota- ALL fans, administrators, officials, etc. , might consider looking closely at how their team was NOT included (in the playoffs.) And if, as it seems from my reading of these pages-all the threads, folks do believe the best eight teams did not make the playoffs, off season might be the time to address such.

As a Dartmouth fan, I, of course, want to be selected fair and square. And I think we were this year. But I also don't want to feel that, "fair and square" ends up with not necessarily the eight best women's teams. No one would.

In that from my own reading, many seemed to believe N D was, perhaps, the superior team,that needs to be resolved.

This conclusion may have been drawn, even acted on, in a thread I haven't seen or read. If so I apologize for the repetition.

 

[freak]

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

But I also don't want to feel that, "fair and square" ends up with not necessarily the eight best women's teams. No one would.

Are you suggesting the elimination of auto bids for conference tourney winners? Because it is conceivable that a Cinderella team takes an auto bid, which most would not consider one of the eight best teams.

 

[dave1381]

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

Changing the subject. Fans of North Dakota- ALL fans, administrators, officials, etc. , might consider looking closely at how their team was NOT included (in the playoffs.) And if, as it seems from my reading of these pages-all the threads, folks do believe the best eight teams did not make the playoffs, off season might be the time to address such.

As a Dartmouth fan, I, of course, want to be selected fair and square. And I think we were this year. But I also don't want to feel that, "fair and square" ends up with not necessarily the eight best women's teams. No one would.

In that from my own reading, many seemed to believe N D was, perhaps, the superior team,that needs to be resolved.

This conclusion may have been drawn, even acted on, in a thread I haven't seen or read. If so I apologize for the repetition.

Yes, this has certainly been discussed in other threads.

I wouldn't go as far as to say selections and seedings were unfair to anyone given the system. Everyone knew what the rules were, for the most part, and then the committee applied those rules. UND was one tie short of Dartmouth, and they were not selected.

But yes, I do think the system will get looked at in the offseason. The criteria often get tweaked. Major changes seem more likely this year given the controversy, how much it affected one conference, and how represented that conference is on the current committee. We'll see what happens.

 

[dave1381]

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

Interesting to review posters' opinions from a year ago. Boston College appears to be the team most frequently overlooked.

Hmmm no idea how I ever had Clarkson at UNH at 9 and 10. Their falls from grace were quite predictable, as was UND's rise to at least a borderline top 10 team.

Your comparison of Cornell and Mercyhurst was quite accurate, as was your judgment of Wisconsin. I definitely agreed with you at the time.

UMD we've discussed in other threads -- more of them overachieving last year rather than them underachieving this season.