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Hockey East - The Off Season

Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

I do not understand everyone placing BU at the top of hockey east just because they have a lot of talent and more talent coming in. I've heard it at the beginning of just about every BU season that this team has a lot of talent, but where has that ever gotten this team? Yes, there was the NC in 2009 and a couple HE title and NCAA appearances but that's it. Usually half way through the season, all that talk of this team has a lot of talent goes back to why does this team not play well with all this talent? BU has had a big problem this decade of getting a coherent and focused team from start to finish.

Realistically, BU will probably place 3rd or 4th in hockey east next year and will probably be another bubble team for the NCAA's. They could come out and surprise us but when this team already seems to lack cohesion now, imagine next year getting a bunch of new freshmen and starting that process all over again.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

ActionJoe said:
I do not understand everyone placing BU at the top of hockey east just because they have a lot of talent and more talent coming in. I've heard it at the beginning of just about every BU season that this team has a lot of talent, but where has that ever gotten this team? Yes, there was the NC in 2009 and a couple HE title and NCAA appearances but that's it. Usually half way through the season, all that talk of this team has a lot of talent goes back to why does this team not play well with all this talent? BU has had a big problem this decade of getting a coherent and focused team from start to finish.

Realistically, BU will probably place 3rd or 4th in hockey east next year and will probably be another bubble team for the NCAA's. They could come out and surprise us but when this team already seems to lack cohesion now, imagine next year getting a bunch of new freshmen and starting that process all over again.
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This is exactly what I wanted to say as well. These last two seasons BU has definitely had the talent and players to make the NCAAs and just for whatever reason, they can't seem to put it all together. Lack of focus, leadership, coaching, so many excuses being tossed out there. If BU misses NCAAs again next year......, I don't know...., don't even want to think about it.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

Huskies01 said:
You need to work on your Huskies my friend. Drew Meunch is never playing hockey again. Injuries. The offense is going to be led by Steve Quailer who had a slow start, picked it up, and then hit more posts and crossbars then should be legal. Except J Daniels to be better, along with Cody, and Vermessch. Tuckerman is an x-factor after missing the whole season and stinking the year before. A full season of Vroylk will be huge. Typically under Cronin one freshman a year has hit over 25 points, hopefully that continues. This team will be led by a sick defense, if everyone comes back, and Rawlings. Though he went out with a whimper, if he also comes back, as long as he continues to show improvement year over year, will be one of the top goalies in the league. He got into some bad habits at the end of the year that are easily correctable.

NU, right now without any early departures from their lineup is knocking on the door of home ice. Losing the three seniors up front will work itself out, to many guys on this team outside of those 3 and Reid had poor offensive years. If they turn it around and play to the level they can, this is a very dangerous team.

edit: the one big/interesting thing is who the captains are. Only one senior on next years team, McLauhglin.
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Fine, given that he's missed a good portion of the previous two seasons, he's probably done as an effective player. Happy? I know our team, I've been to every home game, Beanpot and playoff game the last two years and some road games.

Anyway, now that my inferiority complex is over with -

you pretty much said what I said. I worry about Daniels though. Such an underachieving year and Qualier set him up with goodies most nights. Quailer, unless you watch him, people don't realize how good this guy is on the puck. He knows how to use his size on the rush to slide by defensemen. Rawlings I just think at this point is an inconsistent netminder. I mean, when he's on, he's on, when he's not he's not. Rare that he strings together two good games against elite teams. I say split time next year to keep pressure on him to perform. Can't hurt when Witt is the other netminder.

I mean it's cliche but it depends on those stepping up who need to. Will they? Who knows. I hope. Can't afford another lackluster year from players like Justin Daniels getting outdone offensively by his brother who had to play defense for half the year.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

some little thoughts on next year's final standings.

1. UNH - Basically a good idea to always pick them at the top. They seem to fight for it every year. Lots of guys coming back and DiGirolamo is solid.
2. BU - A bit shaky defense, but still have some scoring. Millan is also back.
3. BC - Pretty good team, even with the loss of Atkinson, Hayes, and possibly others. Goaltending will be a question mark.
4. Northeastern - Could be dangerous if they put it all together. I like Rawlings and Reid.
5. Maine - Still have lots of scoring power with Flynn, and Abbott if he stays around. Alfond is also a tough place to play, and they are very solid at home.
6. Merrimack - The Warriors come back to Earth after DaCosta leaves. Good at home, but younger guys like Collins will have to step it up to replace the scoring lost.
7. Vermont - Most of the team is back and Madore has certainly proved himself as one of the best in the league, especially his first 2 years.
8. UMass- Young team that is still finding themselves. Goaltending is certainly a question mark at this point.
9. Providence - Beaudry will steal some games for them. A key is finding a coach to maybe buy into some new systems to work on.
10 Lowell - Campbell and Edwards both gone. Lots of younger, inexperienced guys. Goaltending was very shaky. Need a coach to help right the ship.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

ActionJoe said:
I do not understand everyone placing BU at the top of hockey east just because they have a lot of talent and more talent coming in. I've heard it at the beginning of just about every BU season that this team has a lot of talent, but where has that ever gotten this team? Yes, there was the NC in 2009 and a couple HE title and NCAA appearances but that's it. Usually half way through the season, all that talk of this team has a lot of talent goes back to why does this team not play well with all this talent? BU has had a big problem this decade of getting a coherent and focused team from start to finish.

Realistically, BU will probably place 3rd or 4th in hockey east next year and will probably be another bubble team for the NCAA's. They could come out and surprise us but when this team already seems to lack cohesion now, imagine next year getting a bunch of new freshmen and starting that process all over again.
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Nobody in their right mind expected BU to finish first these past two seasons. Everyone knew the 09-10 team was going to take a step back after losing so much from the national title squad. Obviously no one expected them to start as terribly as they did, but even with that, they still ended up finishing third. Finishing third again this year at least met expectations, if not exceeded them, given what they lost and how young they were. Personally, I picked them to finish fourth. They only lose two players heading into next season and all those freshmen have a full season's experience under their belt now. If you wanna pick them third or fourth because you're already expecting them to underachieve, then go for it. But that's the thing- finishing third or fourth next season would undoubtedly be underachieving. Finishing third this year really wasn't underachieving. Last year I'll give you, but not this year.

As for BU "getting a bunch of new freshmen," I'm not really sure what you're talking about. Next year's freshman class is a whopping three players.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

Here's my prediction of how the league finishes up next season :

Bank on Home Ice = BC,BU

Fighting for Home Ice = MC, UNH, UVM, NU

Fighting for playoffs = ME, UMA

Missing the cut = PC, UML

At this stage of the game I think predicting is difficult due to misc early departures that will occur as well as really not knowing everyone else incoming class. Maybe someone from each team could go ahead and give a run down of their team a little more in depth.

Vermont:

Goaltending : Strength : Madore will return, and after a inconsistent season in 09-10 returned to form for 10-11. The numbers unfortunately did not reflect that as he was hung out to dry on a regular basis from poor defensive play. He will continue to be in net for the Cats and should continue to make it difficult for opposing teams, with a little help from his friends his numbers will also return. Vazzano Jr, had decent numbers in prep school and at one time was ranked top 5 for draft eligible N.A. goalies. Oddly he was never drafted. For UVM he saw very limited ice time, and it's impossible to judge his performance at the collegiate level.

Defense : A huge disappointment for the Cats, the senior led defense was thought to be a strength but fell flat throughout the season. A bevy of miscues, turnovers, poor passing and you name it plagued the VT defense. The Cats lose 3 D-men to graduation, and I'm not sure that's a bad thing. The bright spot in '10-'11 was the play of Jr. Drew Mackenzie and Fr. Nick Bruneteau. Both are solid defensive players with an offensive edge. Fr. Griem looked solid filling in when injuries plagued the Cats at the end of the season, and So. Franzon is a solid blue liner. All in all, the defense is probably the biggest question mark heading into the '11-'12 season. I think this could be a strength, as both Mackenzie and Bruneteau are both returning and will be able to set the tone of the D now that Miller/Medvec/Lawson have moved on.

Offense : The Catamounts are not going to score a lot of goals, nor will one forward breakout and post 40+pts. This team will have to score by committee. The cats lose Downing, Burrows and Stacey who was gone halfway through the season anyways. Downing was the top scorer with 13 goals and Burrows never found his groove on offense. Downings energy will be missed and Burrows was solid defensively. That said, Sneddon will have the luxury of rolling 4 solid lines. Stalberg Jr and McCarthy were the best line last year as So. and will likely make up the top line along with Fr. Decenzo. This line has a lot of potential if they continue to improve. Brickley, White and Lenz all had decent freshmen campaigns, showing a lot of grit and energy. This line will be looked upon to create more offensively as they mature. If they add some size over the off-season they will also be a dangerous scoring line. Brett Leonard, a senior this year will return as a 5th year, Leonard is one of the hardest workers on the team and is very good as a 4th line checker. I expect Leonard to continue in that role and also to be wearing a letter this coming season.

In coming Freshmen :

UVM brings in a fairly large class compared to losses this season. Headlining the class is Zemgus Girgensons, who has been discussed as a 1st rounder. The Latvian is young, and I maybe mistaken but he isn't even draft eligible this year. His academics have been expedited as has his hockey development. This past season, playing for Dubuque in the USHL Girgenson finished with 20g and 47 pts in 47 games. He is a '94. He is joined by Kyle Reynolds who spent last season with the Okotoks Oilers of the AJHL. Reynolds put up an impressive 38g and 78 pts in 49 games, though I really am not sure on the competitiveness of this league relative to the USHL. These two will likely see full ice time with perhaps the lone senior forward Matt Marshall as the 3rd line.

Regardless UVM should be able to roll 4 solid offensive lines, and though there isn't likely to be a single guy that puts up huge numbers the offense should be considerably improved over the 2010-2011 version.

Combined with huge losses at ME/UNH/NU... I see the Catamounts fighting for home ice in 2012.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

Great post JC to start off this thread.
John_Fuller said:
Lowell and PC: A lot depends on the coaching changes this year. Lowell is in a little better position than PC but not by much. Lowell should make the playoffs next year and could be anywhere between 6-10 but no higher. I honestly don't know what to expect from my team next year.
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Agreed with this. As you said, a lot will depend on the coaches for next season, but I really like a couple of the kids Lowell has coming in this year at the forward position. If the new coach is going to change around the system from what had been a rather stale program on the offensive side for Lowell, that would be a huge step. I like kids like Pendanza, Thompson and Arnold all only being sophomores. I think those of us that are Lowell fans definitely saw a step up in goaltending by both Carr and Boulanger about the last two months or so of the year. There's potential there for sure.

I think a couple of major things that will help fill the coaching spot with someone good (I hope) are that the new coach isn't coming into a team that has no talent, and there's actually a pretty good amount of talent (and most of it is young). He'll also be able to start recruiting immediately to help even out the classes (something that should have been done a long time ago). And finally, the biggest part ... will the UMass system give the Lowell program more money. With owning the stadium, we can no longer afford to have the smallest recruiting budget in all of HE (and a third of what UMass has). If those numbers are brought up, I really like where this program could be in a couple of years (with a good coach).
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

..so UML.. who is it going to be?

Bazin or Cavanaugh?.. you are going hard after both aren't ya? :)
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

BU is going to need another 6 NHL ready players to be the best in the league. Not sure why everyone is picking them near #1, unless they have matt's, colin's, and brendan's younger better brothers lacing them up and tearing up their respective junior leagues. One poster said Northeastern might hav a shot, and I am inclined to agree based on what I saw this year from that club. They had a never say die attitude, and kept a lot of games close as well as doing better agianst BC than UNH did.

I shall refrain from making bold predictions here. No one would have saw Merrimack do anything this year. Goes to show how turning one goal game losses into wins translates into a strong season later on.( UNH did this too from 2000/2001 to 2001/2002)
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

Chickens@NU said:
I question the offense. We lose our entire top line that consisted of 46 out of 108 goals and 64 out of 180 assists. HUGE loss in offensive production there.
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BC is in a similar situation with the seniors gone, 2 juniors combined for 50 goals. Arnold, Carey, Mullane, etc. and rookies have to pick up the slack on offense.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

umassfan49 said:
he was denied admission. according to the commitment website he has not committed anywhere. he is also drafted, so he could actually sign a contract following his USHL career.
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No idea how I missed that. It's old news too, apparently: http://warriorrinkrat.com/2010/12/17/saponari-denied-admission-to-bc/

acs64 said:
His present coach is Jim Montgomery, aka Paul Kariya's puck recepient. I'll give ya one guess where Sappy's going. :)
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Only one UMaine commit on Montgomery & Saponari's current team, the Dubuque Fighting Saints: Goalie Matt Morris (2012 or 2013). The rest, according to Heisenberg: Vermont x 2, Colorado College x 2, Alaska-Anchorage x 2, Cornell, Rensselaer, Michigan State, Northeastern (2012).
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

Obviously the freshmen wont have too big of an impact for most teams, but can anyone deny that Vermont has far and away the best incoming freshmen class of any of the HE teams? Very impressed at who they are bringing in.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

TMHUNH said:
Obviously the freshmen wont have too big of an impact for most teams, but can anyone deny that Vermont has far and away the best incoming freshmen class of any of the HE teams? Very impressed at who they are bringing in.
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They've got a very good class coming in, but best in HE? Not sure about that. BC with Billett automatically qualifies into that discussion. Lot of small incoming classes around HE though.
 
Re: Hockey East - The Off Season

umassfan49 said:
he was denied admission. according to the commitment website he has not committed anywhere. he is also drafted, so he could actually sign a contract following his USHL career.
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It wouldn't surprise me to see him commit somewhere this summer once teams rosters are being finalized in June and July. I honestly believe he'll end up at NU or Maine if he chose to return to college hockey but that is just my hunch that he wants to come back and play on a team that can beat BU and JP. I think the most likely option is for him sign with Atlanta and play on their AHL team because he is having a pretty good year at Dubuque. 63 points(17g, 46 a) in 51 games is pretty solid.
 
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