Maine Black Bears 2026 Offseason: Missing Out on Mistlebacher

[walrus]

He allegedly scrapped with Lipinski and was subsequently scratched for attitude issues. The hip injury also played a part, but that’s why he was AWOL for the latter half of the campaign. What good is elite talent if they’re going to be stuck up divas who don’t buy in?

Not sure how he didn't buy in? He was scoring enough goals to get on the Hobey ballot.

 

[Orono1993]

There was a very good chance that Poirier would have been a one-and-done guy no matter what. Whether the Hurricanes gave him the Nadeau treatment, or a bigger school came calling with a $$$ bag, him being a mercenary was an entirely reasonable projection for a player of his skill.

Sure but I was thinking the one-and-done was if he signed a pro contract. He’s staying in college hockey, and for whatever reason either him or his people or the Canes, think there are better development opportunities elsewhere in NCAA. If it (1) wasn’t the right league for him and he couldn’t fit in with US college lifestyle/demands, or if (2) he was given a financial offer he can’t refuse elsewhere- it would be one thing. But this is category (3); playing at Maine wasn’t compelling enough- even being close to home and his gf, even with the Alfond and fan support, and $50 million player facility.

How much NIL $$$ could we really be talking? With all factors that go into maximizing career prospects, I can’t imagine that a $40k-$80k pay bump tips the scale enough to be a true reason someone (with the pro earning potential he has), goes to a new school and program to acclimate; especially when it’s proven he can put up NUMBERS at Maine

To put it in perspective- would’ve been great to keep Bradly, but his 3-yr contract was $920k/yr when he signed out of Freshman yr. Now THAT is an offer that a 19 yr old player can’t refuse

 

[Orono1993]

He allegedly scrapped with Lipinski and was subsequently scratched for attitude issues. The hip injury also played a part, but that’s why he was AWOL for the latter half of the campaign. What good is elite talent if they’re going to be stuck up divas who don’t buy in?

I thought the rumor was that the Lipinski scrap was in the fall? Has anyone heard for certain that he was AWOL/scratched for reasons other than his hip?? It did happen so suddenly and strangely

 

[amkirby10]

Regarding Poirier, I dont think we'll ever know for sure as fans what happened. I thought he was a hard worker on the ice, he backchecked frequently and made a lot of good defensive plays, but that doesn’t mean that he couldnt also have been a bad teammate. Or maybe others were bad to him and he didnt want to stand for it; who knows. We probably never will. At the end of the day he's leaving Orono, and we could speculate until the cows come home on why that is.

 

[McGoverners]

Sure but I was thinking the one-and-done was if he signed a pro contract. He’s staying in college hockey, and for whatever reason either him or his people or the Canes, think there are better development opportunities elsewhere in NCAA. If it (1) wasn’t the right league for him and he couldn’t fit in with US college lifestyle/demands, or if (2) he was given a financial offer he can’t refuse elsewhere- it would be one thing. But this is category (3); playing at Maine wasn’t compelling enough- even being close to home and his gf, even with the Alfond and fan support, and $50 million player facility.

How much NIL $$$ could we really be talking? With all factors that go into maximizing career prospects, I can’t imagine that a $40k-$80k pay bump tips the scale enough to be a true reason someone (with the pro earning potential he has), goes to a new school and program to acclimate; especially when it’s proven he can put up NUMBERS at Maine

To put it in perspective- would’ve been great to keep Bradly, but his 3-yr contract was $920k/yr when he signed out of Freshman yr. Now THAT is an offer that a 19 yr old player can’t refuse

I agree with most of what you said. I would push back on $40k-$80k not tipping the scales. That may be true once he actually is making pro money, but that kind of cash goes a long way for a young kid. Especially in a college town. Think of how many rum buckets at OHOP that would buy.

That said, he hasn't committed anywhere and didn't enter the portal with a no contact tag. It seems to me to be just as much getting off this team as it is getting onto another.

 

[BernieTheReffigy]

Not sure how he didn't buy in? He was scoring enough goals to get on the Hobey ballot.

He was scoring in bunches until the well dried up. Had some big stretches this year where he was held goalless, including the weekend against UNH. I know some think the Hobey nomination got to his head, I completely believe it.

It’s part of a college hockey-wide adjustment problem for the CHL kids, where in major junior you can screw around for half the regular season and still backdoor into the playoffs, unless your team is turbo ass. None of the CHL kids realized that every regular season game matters in college hockey, Poirier included.

 

[BernieTheReffigy]

I thought the rumor was that the Lipinski scrap was in the fall? Has anyone heard for certain that he was AWOL/scratched for reasons other than his hip?? It did happen so suddenly and strangely

It’s what I heard around the rink when he was first excluded from the lineup. Both can be true, IMO.

 

[tylerzx2002]

I agree with most of what you said. I would push back on $40k-$80k not tipping the scales. That may be true once he actually is making pro money, but that kind of cash goes a long way for a young kid. Especially in a college town. Think of how many rum buckets at OHOP that would buy.

That said, he hasn't committed anywhere and didn't enter the portal with a no contact tag. It seems to me to be just as much getting off this team as it is getting onto another.

If the report of only 3 players in the nation getting more than $100K last season is accurate, then $40K-$80K would most definitely be a factor.

 

[umhockey91]

Poirier scored 7 of his 18 goals vs. Holy Cross and Lindenwood.

 

[AmaineBlackBear]

Poirier scored 7 of his 18 goals vs. Holy Cross and Lindenwood.

He disappeared against ranked teams in general. Didnt score a single goal against denver, no goals against Quinnipiac, had one goal in three games against providence, and had one goal in two games against BC. He was also only a plus 3 which is shockingly low for a player that was a ppg in the season.