D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

[granddaddyscout]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Just because UND or BSU as examples...may lose to the Big Three doesn't mean they aren't better than their HE, CHA or ECAC counterparts.

You have to remember that the definition of "competitive" to a Badger, Gopher, or Bulldog is a good close game where one of the big three wins by a goal sometimes even in OT. You can't have the inmates running the penitentiary.

The goal is for the lower tier teams to be strong enough to prepare the big three to retain the championship belt, not win it themselves.

 

[brookyone]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

You have to remember that the definition of "competitive" to a Badger, Gopher, or Bulldog is a good close game where one of the big three wins by a goal sometimes even in OT. You can't have the inmates running the penitentiary.

Exactly! But I surely hope for Minnesota to avoid going 1-3 against the Sioux in 2011-2012 even if UND is more competitive with the Badgers and Bulldogs. Gotta get back to .750 at least. Minnesota will just plain need a better start than they had last season.

The goal is for the lower tier teams to be strong enough to prepare the big three to retain the championship belt, not win it themselves.

I think UND will be strong enough to push the top three...not saying I consider UND lower tier anymore at all. BSU was a bigger surprise last season. Not sure the Beavers will duplicate their 2010-2011 success. Tomcikova's still there...I'd probably give BSU the nod over SCSU and MSU in the standings. Cody is gone though...they'll feel that. Time now for Emily E to lead and turn it up a notch.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Yes OnMAA, I agree that top 10 would be a big jump but then again UNH men were picked 4th in HE this year! Personnally I'm not sure if BC and BU will be as strong on the ice as everyone else believes..... someone noted that in losing Schaus and Stack, that BC loses a great deal, and I agree; as for BU, I believe that in losing their seniors, they're losing great leadership and character, which will be tough to replace.....Providi has LaCasse and Northeastern has Snelling so for me they start out ahead of the pack....if UNH can find some scoring combo's , they will get home ice for HE....Minton can be stellar and hopefully the new goalie will push her hard......

IMHO BU will definitely be the team to beat in HE. Their top three forwards (two juniors and a rookie) are returning. Their biggest loss is one of their senior D, but from what I saw at the final four, they are pretty deep at D with good talent in each class. Their main goalie was a rookie, so they are set there as well.

WRT BC, yes the Schaus loss will hurt, but don't forget they had a redshirt goaler who is pretty darn good. Losing Stack might actually be a bigger hole to fill as she accounted for a lot of the offensive production.

To sum it up IMHO, BU will be the team to beat in HE, and a real horse race behind that with NE, PC, BC and UNH all in the mix.

 

[Bumbles]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

IMHO BU will definitely be the team to beat in HE. Their top three forwards (two juniors and a rookie) are returning. Their biggest loss is one of their senior D, but from what I saw at the final four, they are pretty deep at D with good talent in each class. Their main goalie was a rookie, so they are set there as well.

WRT BC, yes the Schaus loss will hurt, but don't forget they had a redshirt goaler who is pretty darn good. Losing Stack might actually be a bigger hole to fill as she accounted for a lot of the offensive production.

To sum it up IMHO, BU will be the team to beat in HE, and a real horse race behind that with NE, PC, BC and UNH all in the mix.

Yes, BU is very fortunate to have their top 3 forwards returning but what worries me is how they're going to replace the 3 seniors that they're graduating. Right now we only have 2 F's coming in and I don't see any of the backups (the 4th liners and F's who sat) being moved up into the top 3 lines. There is a real lack of depth at the F position. The 3 seniors we're graduating not only provided some offense but also leadership, which is always hard to replace.

 

[ARM]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I'm surprised no one is mentioning Harvard in the same breath as Dartmouth as a nibbler at the 8-12 ranking region.

I think I mentioned both Havard and Quinnipiac ahead of Dartmouth. This past year, the Crimson seemed to have issues with both special teams and goaltending; the extent to which they can improve in those areas should determine their ceiling.

It may be a matter of personal perception, but I'd tend to characterize this as a pretty significant infusion / upgrade of talent...

Your list:

North Dakota
Shelby Amsley-Benzie .............G .....................(Warroad) ..............................Warroad, MN
Andrea Dalen .........................F ....................(Linkopings) .....................Ringerike, Norway
Josefine Jakobsen ..................F .....................(Segeltorps) .................... Aalborg, Denmark
Leah Jensen ...........................F .................(E. Grand Forks) ................E. Grand Forks, MN
Layla Marvin ...........................F ...............(USA 18s/Warroad) ......................Warroad, MN
Klara Myren .......................... F ...........(Swedish National Team) ............Gustav's, Sweden
Ceclila Ostberg ...................... F ............(Swedish National Team) ............Leksand, Sweden

... is missing Karvinen, who figures to be the addition with the most impact.

I think it's amazing that no one even mentions UNH...after being the perrenial power in the East for years, with one awful year, they are off everyone's radar...

UNH was trending downward after Birchard was injured in 2010. Then ironically, after years where they were an offensive force whose goaltending would let them down at key moments, they got strong play defensively but couldn't replace the offense of Paton and Long. How do their recruits look this season; given Birchard is now gone, do they have key additions to replace the firepower? Until they do, I don't see them challenging the top of the league. I don't see any similarity to Wisconsin a year ago, because the Wildcats aren't getting any players or coaches back from the Olympics.

IMHO BU will definitely be the team to beat in HE. Their top three forwards (two juniors and a rookie) are returning. Their biggest loss is one of their senior D...

I think the key for the Terriers is how well they replace the leadership of their senior class; if everything falls into place, then they should be golden. That isn't always a given, though.

 

[freak]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I think it's amazing that no one even mentions UNH...

Really? Our top returning (and overall) scorer put up just 20 pts. The blue line had big losses to graduation. While I was impressed with the frosh, one can't ignore the huge talent drain this team has suffered in the past couple years. From what I gather, the incoming recruiting class is considered good, but not great. Certainly nobody seems to think it the caliber necessary to turn things around in a year. If Coach Wood continues to make inroads to Minnesota, and Coach Mac can rekindle his Canadian connections, I certainly don't expect UNH to remain down, but we're probably in for a similar year next year (if only because the competition is also improving).

 

[zoofer]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

ARM, UNH isn't close to mimiccing Wisco from 2010to 2011, I just think they'll be better....and it seems that a few also agree with BU losing leadership, and along with that I would say that IMHO Cornell would've had THEIR year after last but it didn't work out that way so I feel the same will be for BU....Freak, I never worry about what I hear or see about an incoming class because once the year progress' there are so many variables that need to fall into place to be at the top...I think UNH has a good core right now and with more scoring and better hockey sense next year, they will get home ice for HE...then anything can happen.....sorry, I'm excited about next year, not complacent

 

[sfo19]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I just have a question regarding how ridiculously loaded UND is going to be next year. How is it possible that they are only graduating one senior but have a 9/10 person recruiting class coming in? Aren't there limitations on roster size/scholarships? They look like they're going to have 30+ on the roster and should be able to go 4 lines deep. Scary.

I'm WAY late on this reply.... but the reason for the large recruiting class is because of a lack of depth last season. Not having Karvinen make it through Clearinghouse hurt the forward depth as if you go back and look at some line charts, most of the time UND only could fill 3 forward lines. So the additional recruits add in the remaining line and some extra depth. Additionally, not every player is on scholarship, and there are some redshirts, and probably players that choose not to return. Also, with the Euros coming in you never know if they will all make it through the NCAA Clearinghouse, so that way UND is kind of injecting some pre-damage control in case that happens so they are not short on players like they were this year.

 

[rugrats]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I realize that it's a one team show out in the College Hockey America conference, but beyond Mercyhurst, are any of the others (Wayne State, Robert Morris, Syracuse, or Niagara) bringing in anyone to help challenge for the CHA title?

 

[puckskillz]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I'm WAY late on this reply.... but the reason for the large recruiting class is because of a lack of depth last season. Not having Karvinen make it through Clearinghouse hurt the forward depth as if you go back and look at some line charts, most of the time UND only could fill 3 forward lines. So the additional recruits add in the remaining line and some extra depth. Additionally, not every player is on scholarship, and there are some redshirts, and probably players that choose not to return. Also, with the Euros coming in you never know if they will all make it through the NCAA Clearinghouse, so that way UND is kind of injecting some pre-damage control in case that happens so they are not short on players like they were this year.

This provides some explaination why they are red-shirting so many 11's and 12's. Seems like most programs are not pursuing this strategy.The red-shirt philosophy is a tough sell to the top tier prospects who have other scholarship offers and want to complete their undergrad work in four years. Glad to see other programs not using this strategy but understand why they might.

 

[yungblud]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I would guess by the end of next year UND will only redshirt 1 or 2 players. As noted earlier, without a fourth line dressing, three spots right there, one senior leaving and probably 1 or 2 quits/transfers fills a lot of those spots open for large recruiting class. Year after that they will start losing a lot more seniors every year.

Early projections I would believe would look like this:

1. Wisconsin
2. Boston Univ.
3. Minnesota
4. North Dakota
5. Cornell
6. Minnesota Duluth
7. Providence
8. New Hampshire
9. Quinnipiac
10. Mercyhurst/Ohio State

 

[brookyone]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I would guess by the end of next year UND will only redshirt 1 or 2 players. As noted earlier, without a fourth line dressing, three spots right there, one senior leaving and probably 1 or 2 quits/transfers fills a lot of those spots open for large recruiting class. Year after that they will start losing a lot more seniors every year.

Early projections I would believe would look like this:

1. Wisconsin
2. Boston Univ.
3. Minnesota
4. North Dakota
5. Cornell
6. Minnesota Duluth
7. Providence
8. New Hampshire
9. Quinnipiac
10. Mercyhurst/Ohio State

Your projections look pretty good to me...except for UW at #1, which I find disconcerting...even if true.

As for The Sioux...definitely adding depth that will greatly benefit their forward lines. Don't know that it will result in regular ice time for a fourth line, but certainly an advantage in injury situations. Some on last seasons roster could see less ice time in 2011-2012. Not unprecedented from one season to the next by any means. Particularly with a fairly new coaching staff charged with building a strong program...and seemingly off to a strong start towards that objective.

 

[squirt]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Having UNH #8 surprises me somewhat seeing how they did not fair out well this past season

 

[OnMAA]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I would guess by the end of next year UND will only redshirt 1 or 2 players. As noted earlier, without a fourth line dressing, three spots right there, one senior leaving and probably 1 or 2 quits/transfers fills a lot of those spots open for large recruiting class. Year after that they will start losing a lot more seniors every year.

Early projections I would believe would look like this:

1. Wisconsin
2. Boston Univ.
3. Minnesota
4. North Dakota
5. Cornell
6. Minnesota Duluth
7. Providence
8. New Hampshire
9. Quinnipiac
10. Mercyhurst/Ohio State

Looks like we got ourselves a new prognosticator on the Womens boards. I'm sensing a UND connection. Either way welcome aboard.

 

[brookyone]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I would guess by the end of next year UND will only redshirt 1 or 2 players. As noted earlier, without a fourth line dressing, three spots right there, one senior leaving and probably 1 or 2 quits/transfers fills a lot of those spots open for large recruiting class. Year after that they will start losing a lot more seniors every year.

Early projections I would believe would look like this:

1. Wisconsin
2. Boston Univ.
3. Minnesota
4. North Dakota
5. Cornell
6. Minnesota Duluth
7. Providence
8. New Hampshire
9. Quinnipiac
10. Mercyhurst/Ohio State

If the Beavers had been included in the top 10 projections of yungblud I think we'd have to suspect yungblud was granddaddyscout incognito...right Ice?

Just kidding with the yungblud / granddaddyscout suspicion BTW

 

[rugrats]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I realize that it's a one team show out in the College Hockey America conference, but beyond Mercyhurst, are any of the others (Wayne State, Robert Morris, Syracuse, or Niagara) bringing in anyone to help challenge for the CHA title?

Anybody? Oh, I get it.... Not really a conference right?

 

[puckskillz]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Syracuse has a very strong class coming in that could contribute more right away than the '10 class. I am not sure what else is going on within the program (i.e. Syracuse thread) but they have had a couple of good solid classes to build on.

 

[rugrats]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

Syracuse has a very strong class coming in that could contribute more right away than the '10 class. I am not sure what else is going on within the program (i.e. Syracuse thread) but they have had a couple of good solid classes to build on.

Thank you for your insight...

 

[cabguy]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

I too am looking forward to the upcoming season. The incoming class brings alot to the table added to another year of experience for the rest of the team, SU may well be the team to beat in the CHA

 

[brookyone]

Re: D-I Outlook for 2011-2012: Offseason Musings and Beyond

http://www.uscho.com/2011/08/19/nca...-opponents-criteria-for-tournament-selection/

Would this be applied to the women's competition as well?