Maine Offseason 2020: We Stay Home But Swayman Leaves

[Drew S.]

Looks like it's up to Thiessen, like it was Swayman last year. The other goal tenders must not be as good or we would have seen another one last night. I don't think Gendron knows how to coach in the new era of Hockey East. Or if he does, he refuses to change. I'm referring to penalties! Perhaps the forwards will develop as the season progresses and so must Maine's defense!

I’m pretty sure UNH had more penalties than Maine last night. It’s funny this weekend is what I have noticed pretty consistently over the last five years or so. Maine gets better results when the other team has the better of play. It’s very odd how often it happens.

I’d say overall I’m pretty encouraged by the weekend. The most important thing to me was how the freshmen looked and I was really impressed with them. I think this is the best freshmen class since 2008 which Maine desperately needed. I was looking last night and Renwick is going at a point per game in USHL right now so should have another really good forward coming in next year along with a couple other guys who should be solid.

Like you I was pretty disappointed with Ostman not playing last night but I guess Thiessen didn’t really play last year so many there isn’t much to read into it.

Its interesting Tralmaks doesn’t have a letter. I wonder what he story behind that is.

 

[Wayuphere]

Tralmaks, to me, hasn’t accepted the fact that 100% effort, every shift, is what is needed. We’ve seen him dominate at times and bull through opposition behind the net, but once again, player motivation is lacking.
That starts at the top and then down to those wearing letters. Pairing him with the right line mates might help, but who?
We’ve watched Maine teams that have worked their way to success when lacking talent. Not happening now.

 

[amkirby10]

I’m pretty sure UNH had more penalties than Maine last night. It’s funny this weekend is what I have noticed pretty consistently over the last five years or so. Maine gets better results when the other team has the better of play. It’s very odd how often it happens.

I’d say overall I’m pretty encouraged by the weekend. The most important thing to me was how the freshmen looked and I was really impressed with them. I think this is the best freshmen class since 2008 which Maine desperately needed. I was looking last night and Renwick is going at a point per game in USHL right now so should have another really good forward coming in next year along with a couple other guys who should be solid.

Like you I was pretty disappointed with Ostman not playing last night but I guess Thiessen didn’t really play last year so many there isn’t much to read into it.

Its interesting Tralmaks doesn’t have a letter. I wonder what he story behind that is.

I didn't watch last night's game, but it didn't sound good at all. I heard part of the first period on the radio, and it sounded like Maine was dominating UNH for a good portion of the first. Then Tralmaks took a penalty, UNH got a greasy goal, and it all fell apart from there, or at least that's how it sounds and looks. I do agree there looks to be potential among the freshman class, but I don't see how a 1-1 tie that you got outshot badly and a 6-2 loss to a team you're probably better than encouraged you.

 

[NorthMike]

Maybe recruiting is improving, on paper anyway, and they figured something out. But they still have to be coached!

 

[BlackBearFan19]

I didn't watch last night's game, but it didn't sound good at all. I heard part of the first period on the radio, and it sounded like Maine was dominating UNH for a good portion of the first. Then Tralmaks took a penalty, UNH got a greasy goal, and it all fell apart from there, or at least that's how it sounds and looks. I do agree there looks to be potential among the freshman class, but I don't see how a 1-1 tie that you got outshot badly and a 6-2 loss to a team you're probably better than encouraged you.

I can't say I'm encouraged but it wasn't an unwatchable weekend. Maine was unlucky to be trailing by 2 after 1 last night and they played well in the 2nd to get a goal back. Obviously the wheels came off in the 3rd.

First off, UNH has quite a bit of experienced talent. Crookshank is a top 5 player in hockey east, Grasso is good scorer, Sato is a good player, Kelleher and Pierson are both really solid. Robinson is experienced in net too. UNH flew under the radar because they missed the playoffs last year but they could put together a good season.

I think the freshmen looked pretty good, there was a few guys this weekend that look quick. This class looks a lot different than a typical Red class, they're small and skate really well. I thought Breen looked good, Morrissey and Poissant looked like like they should be in lineup every game. Houle looked good at times and same with Dunn.

As for Tralmaks, not his best weekend but he showed flashes of what makes him so good. I think he has a big adjustment to make this season because for the past three seasons he's played on a line with Fossier and Pearson and Fossier and Doherty and those lines wore other teams down on the boards. With Breen and Dawe there's no way they're going to be able to play that style.

The lines on this team look balanced, they looked faster and smaller than in the past couple of years. This team is definitely going struggle to score 5 on 5, hopefully they can develop a good powerplay to keep them in games. There's not going to be any easy wins in hockey east, especially with Maine playing all their games on the road until further notice, with that considered, I think fans should see a .500 season as the goal. Who knows what's going to happen with Gendron but Guite and Michaud have put together decent classes and I wouldn't be surprised if one of them takes over after this season.

 

[djs298]

Freshman look encouraging for sure. Team is definitely going to struggle for most of the season. I know it's early, but does anyone else think Dunn should already leapfrog some of the other guys in the top six. He looks to have more potential than anyone we have had on d in a while. Hardly got minutes while we watched a ton of turnovers by our returnees.

 

[Fishman'81]

Maybe recruiting is improving, on paper anyway, and they figured something out. But they still have to be coached!

I'm not seeing anything different than Red's usual mediocre recruiting. Even Scotty Bowman couldn't create talent out of thin air, and there's very little talent on this typical iteration of a Red team.

I do not see why Maine keeps him around. He's a proven failure, and has been since Day One. And he's an expensive failure.

 

[NorthMike]

http://eedition.bangordailynews.com/...17DB&mode=text


I dont see how they can get around at least a one year extension this year. Thats not what Id like to see but it might be reality until things get back to more normal in a year.
Unless Ben or Alfie get brought up, which would not be the best for the program.

 

[Drew S.]

I'm not seeing anything different than Red's usual mediocre recruiting. Even Scotty Bowman couldn't create talent out of thin air, and there's very little talent on this typical iteration of a Red team.

I do not see why Maine keeps him around. He's a proven failure, and has been since Day One. And he's an expensive failure.

Is this a joke? They literally had a story in the BDN a couple weeks ago that Maine has the lowest paid coaching staff in Hockey East.

 

[AMC]

Is this a joke? They literally had a story in the BDN a couple weeks ago that Maine has the lowest paid coaching staff in Hockey East.

If Maine can't pay market rate for coaches, there are going to be two buckets they can pick coaches out of:

Bucket 1: Lifers who never really had a shot at a head job, or washed out elsewhere for whatever reason, and are taking their last, best shot at a head coaching job. When this works you get Richard Barron (women's version). When it doesn't you get Red.

Bucket 2: Young hungry coaches who want to come to Orono, win, and move onwards and upwards. When it works, you get Amy Vachon or Joe Harasymiak. When it doesn't, you get Bob Walsh or Cindy Blodgett.

I think there is more upside in Bucket 2, but that is just me.

 

[NorthMike]

If Maine can't pay market rate for coaches, there are going to be two buckets they can pick coaches out of:

Bucket 1: Lifers who never really had a shot at a head job, or washed out elsewhere for whatever reason, and are taking their last, best shot at a head coaching job. When this works you get Richard Barron (women's version). When it doesn't you get Red.

Bucket 2: Young hungry coaches who want to come to Orono, win, and move onwards and upwards. When it works, you get Amy Vachon or Joe Harasymiak. When it doesn't, you get Bob Walsh or Cindy Blodgett.

I think there is more upside in Bucket 2, but that is just me.

I would agree. Go bucket 2 if you get a loser cut it short dont keep extending like with blodget. If you get a winner then dig deep and pay the bucks to keep them. Your right its the only path.

Btw - they need to keep vachon no matter what it takes. If ken doesn't then its a clear sign the hockey will not either.

 

[Drew S.]

If Maine can't pay market rate for coaches, there are going to be two buckets they can pick coaches out of:

Bucket 1: Lifers who never really had a shot at a head job, or washed out elsewhere for whatever reason, and are taking their last, best shot at a head coaching job. When this works you get Richard Barron (women's version). When it doesn't you get Red.

Bucket 2: Young hungry coaches who want to come to Orono, win, and move onwards and upwards. When it works, you get Amy Vachon or Joe Harasymiak. When it doesn't, you get Bob Walsh or Cindy Blodgett.

I think there is more upside in Bucket 2, but that is just me.

I’m not sure you can compare hockey to other sports given who they compete against. BC, BU, Providence, and Northeastern are a cut above all the America East schools.

Given Maine’s resources(and who they are competing with) what would be your realistic expectations for the program? I think Red gets painted unfairly by the situation he inherited and how bad Maine was his first few years. Maine finished fourth last year and was in an NCAA spot when the season was cancelled. Unfortunately it will be hard to fairly assess things this year given everything going on and the fact Maine might have to play all road games.

 

[AMC]

I’m not sure you can compare hockey to other sports given who they compete against. BC, BU, Providence, and Northeastern are a cut above all the America East schools.

Given Maine’s resources(and who they are competing with) what would be your realistic expectations for the program? I think Red gets painted unfairly by the situation he inherited and how bad Maine was his first few years. Maine finished fourth last year and was in an NCAA spot when the season was cancelled. Unfortunately it will be hard to fairly assess things this year given everything going on and the fact Maine might have to play all road games.

You've missed the point. I am not comparing Maine hockey to Maine basketball. I am just saying those are Maine's options.

We all agree that Maine cannot afford to pay a coach like Jerry York ($1,200,000 in total compensation), or Nate Leaman ($500,000 base plus incentives/perks). O'Connell is probably paid a lot, too. Bazin is just under $500,000 in base compensation. Carvel is at $330,000 base.

Gendron makes just over $200,000.

The point is that Maine can't compete with the salaries at its successful conference rivals. So it needs to pick out of two buckets of coaches willing to work for less: someone who is older and has no other options and needs one last job, or someone who is younger and wants to come in, win some games, and move somewhere bigger and better. That's true in every sport Maine plays, but is probably exacerbated in hockey because Maine is in a conference with big southern New England private schools.

But to answer your question, if someone beamed in from Jupiter and was told to eyeball resources, facilities, geography, demographics, media markets, and history and come up with a standard order for Hockey East, I'd band the schools like this:

Expect to compete for Conference and National Titles every year: Boston College, Boston University
Expect to have home ice and an NCAA appearance every year: Providence, Northeastern
Expect to compete for home ice and the NCAAs every year: UMass*, UMass-Lowell. (*trending upwards, need to see if they sustain this)
Expect to compete for home ice and the NCAAs every other year: UConn, UNH, Maine
Expect to meet minimum league and NCAA requirements by fielding a team: Merrimack, Vermont

Obviously there will be year to year fluctuations, but it seems like that is where each program is right now.

 

[BoSox3066]

I’m not sure you can compare hockey to other sports given who they compete against. BC, BU, Providence, and Northeastern are a cut above all the America East schools.

Given Maine’s resources(and who they are competing with) what would be your realistic expectations for the program? I think Red gets painted unfairly by the situation he inherited and how bad Maine was his first few years. Maine finished fourth last year and was in an NCAA spot when the season was cancelled. Unfortunately it will be hard to fairly assess things this year given everything going on and the fact Maine might have to play all road games.

he inherited 2 all americans named Shore and Hutton and coached them into the ground in year 2. He sucks as a coach. Nothing unfair about it, thats the scoreboard.

 

[Wayuphere]

he inherited 2 all americans named Shore and Hutton and coached them into the ground in year 2. He sucks as a coach. Nothing unfair about it, thats the scoreboard.

This.
I repeatedly get excited over these incoming freshmen, who begin with a bang, look real promising, then the “system” neutralizes them and they degrade into “so-so’s....

Sick of it.

 

[Drew S.]

he inherited 2 all americans named Shore and Hutton and coached them into the ground in year 2. He sucks as a coach. Nothing unfair about it, thats the scoreboard.

Timmy had them for a year and Maine finished tied for 7th...

Keenan Suthers should now be eligible. He was decent on a poor St Lawrence team and should help.

 

[Fishman'81]

Is this a joke? They literally had a story in the BDN a couple weeks ago that Maine has the lowest paid coaching staff in Hockey East.

Red is among the highest paid public employee in Maine, at over $213 K. (He might be the highest paid person on the State payroll, but I couldn't find that.)

Still, you're right, he doesn't make anywhere near what a successful coach makes.

 

[Fishman'81]

If Maine can't pay market rate for coaches, there are going to be two buckets they can pick coaches out of:

Bucket 1: Lifers who never really had a shot at a head job, or washed out elsewhere for whatever reason, and are taking their last, best shot at a head coaching job. When this works you get Richard Barron (women's version). When it doesn't you get Red.

Bucket 2: Young hungry coaches who want to come to Orono, win, and move onwards and upwards. When it works, you get Amy Vachon or Joe Harasymiak. When it doesn't, you get Bob Walsh or Cindy Blodgett.

I think there is more upside in Bucket 2, but that is just me.

Either bucket could work for the short term, although I think that Bucket #2 is likely the better choice.

To that end, there are a few really quality D-3 coaches out there who have recruited well in total backwaters and turned moribund programs around almost immediately. Why not give one of them a shot at tripling their salaries?

Red is a proven failure and appears to have taken early retirement while still drawing a paycheck. There's truly nothing to lose via replacing him.

 

[BoSox3066]

Timmy had them for a year and Maine finished tied for 7th...

Keenan Suthers should now be eligible. He was decent on a poor St Lawrence team and should help.

so what? Tim sucked at the end too. If you have a computer that doesnt work and you get a new one that still doesnt work, you don’t compare and contrast the bugs that worked and didnt on both rigs, you get a third freakin computer

 

[NorthMike]

Either bucket could work for the short term, although I think that Bucket #2 is likely the better choice.

To that end, there are a few really quality D-3 coaches out there who have recruited well in total backwaters and turned moribund programs around almost immediately. Why not give one of them a shot at tripling their salaries?

Red is a proven failure and appears to have taken early retirement while still drawing a paycheck. There's truly nothing to lose via replacing him.

There are some possible coaches in the atlantic conf too. They have low salaries and low budgets. Even coming to maine would give them more cash to work with. But I dont think Maine would have any difficulty getting lots if promising resumes once searching.

I see no problem with keeping coach salary at a level so they arent the highest paid state employee. But give the coach more incentive bonus. Lots of upside to that too. I have to think they could come up with that by rearranging things and if the program gets rolling then they have progressively more $ to work with. Of course now any of this will take a few years because of the mess things are in this year.
I dont envy the AD with all of this. Im sure he wants to see hockey routinely in the national ranks.