Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Dacosta was the best player on the ice and the announcers raved about him the entire game. His problem is that he was 2 steps ahead of everyone and literaly controlled the game and the pace. Over 25 teams with offers out to him, none of whom left Manchester without wanting him and feeling that he is wasting his time playing college hockey.

Vancouver wants and is trying to sign JC as well. Nice though to see you 2 are on a first name basis. I doubt they are concerned with a fluke goal. You have to be kidding on that one. If the bad habits are fostering as you say, obviously under current staff, in your world they would do everything to get him out of there. You cant have it both ways.

I would expect him to stay but if he wanted to leave, they would take him today.

HokyDad,
I've never seen someone check himself out the last month of the season in all my years following Merrimack hockey, like Cannata did. He's been awful, giving up soft goals and being distracted the last month of the season. He still made some great saves, but his focus was else where.

I see Da Costa and Cannata definitely leaving. Possibly Bigos, Todd, Stollery, Flanigan. What do you see?

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

HokyDad,
I've never seen someone check himself out the last month of the season in all my years following Merrimack hockey, like Cannata did. He's been awful, giving up soft goals and being distracted the last month of the season. He still made some great saves, but his focus was else where.

I see Da Costa and Cannata definitely leaving. Possibly Bigos, Todd, Stollery, Flanigan. What do you see?

Flukey crap stuff. JC is fine and at times showed great poise. UNH in semis to rebound after that no goal and play like he did was class+ He is fine. He had a rough final weekend at Worlds few years ago and came right back. He has the perfect mind set for goalie and will kill himself with Daccord and be ready. He loves MC and is a stble kid. I could see him staying but wouldnt be shocked either way. If he does, MC owes both him and SD a ton. Great teammates who helped make MC what it is today.

Dont see Bigos going, his skating was exposed vs ND and just not fast enough. labored whole weekend, especially on dump ins etc. Not ready for the Jason Krogs of the world who are still in the AHL. Needs another year+ at MC and to keep working on feet. Todd and Stollery, you never know. MC is losing a ton but will be fine.

The one thing I keep hearing that interests me the most is head coach MD. Word is he will go after NU job if Cronin leaves as expected. Now that would be interesting. I doubt its true but have heard from more than one+
Flannagan was only other one who made a great name for himself. He was dead on all week+

 

[Salvo1017]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Didn't he just sign a contract with MC?

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Didn't he just sign a contract with MC?

Has that stopped big name coaches before? I'm not saying I agree with Hokydad that Cronin will leave NU or that MD would apply for/take/get the job at NU if Cronin did leave, but I'm just saying contracts haven't stopped people in the past.

Also, I want to make clear I'm not saying MD is unethical, lacking integrity, or a liar, by what I'm saying. I'm sure most of us would go for more money and more prestige at a different job if offered to us.

I'd be shocked if MD's agent doesn't go back to Hofmann and Hopey and say "Hey, the school has made a lot of money off this run at the end of the year. Other jobs are opening up, let's up the ante a little."

Season ticket renewals will go up, new season ticket holders will happen, more people will donate money, some people will donate more money, etc.

 

[Salvo1017]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

It's hard to know without reading the K. A lot of contracts have a covenant not to compete for a stipulated duration (usually the length of the K or longer). If such a clause exists and Dennehy left early he wouldn't be able to sign with a team for a certain number of years etc.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

It's hard to know without reading the K. A lot of contracts have a covenant not to compete for a stipulated duration (usually the length of the K or longer). If such a clause exists and Dennehy left early he wouldn't be able to sign with a team for a certain number of years etc.

That's why there are buyouts. I'm certain that if there was a non-compete clause, there would also be a clause saying which schools he could look at. For example, I'd be shocked if there wasn't a clause in his contract that read something on the lines of "No buyout if BC job is offered." (He's a BC alum)

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

and its probably a bs rumor. just heard it several times and it caught my attention.
will be tough without SD and all the srs leaving. Just look at maine weekend and U mass without SD. Also look at the diffeence last weekend of season with him on fri and without saturday. night and day

qtrs though were huge and allowed guys like flannagan to shine. hopefully not to the point where he elaves.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

and its probably a bs rumor. just heard it several times and it caught my attention.
will be tough without SD and all the srs leaving. Just look at maine weekend and U mass without SD. Also look at the diffeence last weekend of season with him on fri and without saturday. night and day

qtrs though were huge and allowed guys like flannagan to shine. hopefully not to the point where he elaves.

I've heard the Cronin rumors, but haven't heard that MD would pursue the job.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

word is Cronin is gone for sure. Same with ast AO. You never know, could be speculation. Cronin has a great group and knows others are off next year, maybe get a beanpot and ncaa bid and go out on top. If he did lave, that would be a great openeing and would be better than others available

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

If he did lave, that would be a great openeing and would be better than others available

You think? Haha. PC has had two good years since the 80s and plays in a god awful facility and has no talent returning basically and not much recruiting been done. UML is an opportunity with a nice facility, but NU has the benefits of the world wide name and the Beanpot and Boston exposure. I love Matthews, too, when it is rocking.

 

[RENCEB]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Really? I thought his vision and passing were fantastic Saturday (and every other time I've watched him play). I thought those missed passes were way more the result of teammates not being ready or gripping the stick too tight. I remember a couple of us in the press box saying at some point in the second that he should've had two or three assists if his teammates could just finish.

As usual FL, spot on.

 

[pgv]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

all the people in my section at the Verizon were certaint that he just stopped caring because of the contract that was in place.... .

I think that statement applies to Paul Thompson more than DaCosta

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Flukey crap stuff. JC is fine and at times showed great poise. +

unless I am not understanding what you mean by "fine"
first time for everything and i am going to vehemently disagree and state that there is no way that you saw Cannatta play if you think that he is fine and it was just flukey stuff.

Notre Dame's first goal came on his FIFTH rebound that he left right in the high slot, on the same shift. Yes his D needs to get the puck out of there, but he needs to cover the puck, direct it to the corners or catch it.
I have NEVER seen a goalie leave that many rebounds right in front of himself at the D1 level.
A goalie cannot sometimes show great poise, he needs to show it for almost an entire game. Cannatta showed great poise in the first period against UND, then he fell apart... that is not "fine"
he did the same against Maine, and against Providence, and I saw him do it against Lowell earlier on (one game midseason, is "fine", but a 7.00 gaa over a 4 game stretch against bad teams is not)

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Yep. From my view, he was hands down the best player in Manchester this weekend.

I thought you said you played in Billerica?
Like I said... dangling better than Gretzky and never once hitting a team mate in the tape means you lose.
Yeah, he protected the puck better than anyone I think I have ever seen in college, but this is not the Globetrotters, he needs to hit a teammate when the guy has an open shot. his passes were off by 4 feet every time but once. watch the video... dangling means nothing if you cannot finish. (and while I know that you know it all... we have had these discussions... or you have tried lecturing me... I have seen SD look infiniteley better than Nyquist many times, and I have also said that he might be the second best player in the history of Hockey East... and I am not sure if Kariya or Gionta is number 1... so I really like what I have seen... I did not really like ANYTHING I saw this weekend, except the Curly Neal magician stuff, I guess the guys in the press box do not see what others see... I have no idea how you can think it was the fault of all of his teammates, missing those passes... SD needs to pass to the guys on the ice, not the NHL players he wishes he was playing with.

and I thought number 18 from Notre Dame was... he never sat and he was everywhere

 

[Yuppie Scum]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

I thought you said you played in Billerica?
Like I said... dangling better than Gretzky and never once hitting a team mate in the tape means you lose.
Yeah, he protected the puck better than anyone I think I have ever seen in college, but this is not the Globetrotters, he needs to hit a teammate when the guy has an open shot. his passes were off by 4 feet every time but once. watch the video... dangling means nothing if you cannot finish. (and while I know that you know it all... we have had these discussions... or you have tried lecturing me... I have seen SD look infiniteley better than Nyquist many times, and I have also said that he might be the second best player in the history of Hockey East... and I am not sure if Kariya or Gionta is number 1... so I really like what I have seen... I did not really like ANYTHING I saw this weekend, except the Curly Neal magician stuff, I guess the guys in the press box do not see what others see... I have no idea how you can think it was the fault of all of his teammates, missing those passes... SD needs to pass to the guys on the ice, not the NHL players he wishes he was playing with.

and I thought number 18 from Notre Dame was... he never sat and he was everywhere

In my eyes, he never looked the same after the injury. Be it physical or mental/getting out of the groove, I don't know. Either way, i wish him the best and hopefully he can find a few francs (euros) to throw to his alma mater some day.

 

[KnowItAll]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

In my eyes, he never looked the same after the injury. Be it physical or mental/getting out of the groove, I don't know. Either way, i wish him the best and hopefully he can find a few francs (euros) to throw to his alma mater some day.

I think you are right... I also think that he has NHL potential... unlike MOST every other D1 player.

I have a question though... if I don't post on here will David josseline still "correct" me and tell me that I am wrong?

 

[WDR357]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

I was able to catch 6-7 MC games this year. I'd be more worried about Heywood leaving after this year than I would be Flanigan, Bigos or Stollery. Although obviously Stollery would be a big loss. Flanigan leaving early seems a bit absurd despite his great 2nd half of the season. I know some scouts have had their eye on Heywood but no idea if there's potential for him to leave now. Thought he should have been on the HE rookie team.

MD to NU is pretty ridiculous. He's got to have his eye on BC as long as York doesn't coach until 75.

DaCosta sure was fun to watch for two years. Certainly led the league in backhanded saucer passes over multiple sticks to set his teammates up. Just a sick talent. Should be in the NHL for a long time as long as he's willing to play D.

Can't imagine that Vancouver would need JC so bad that he'd leave early. They're all set in goal for the next five years at least. At minimum, he'll need a couple years in the A before the NHL. Minimum. I think he'd be a top 2 goalie in HE next year should he stay.

Really enjoyed watching MC play the last few years. They work their asses off for Dennehy.

 

['MackFan]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Maybe I am naive but if merrimack signed MD to a contract extension and is essentially useless becaues he can still leave whenever he wants then they are idiots. It doesnt protect them at all. There should be protection for the coach (a buyout if he wants to take a bigger job) but if MC just loses him with no compensation otherwise then the contract is useless.

And who is to say BC would even want him? Maybe they would? But there will be a million candidates applying for that job when JY retires. Will they hire a young coach or will they hire MD, who might be in his early to mid 50's when the job opens?

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

In my eyes, he never looked the same after the injury. Be it physical or mental/getting out of the groove, I don't know. Either way, i wish him the best and hopefully he can find a few francs (euros) to throw to his alma mater some day.

No kidding, what player would look the same after being out for several weeks with a serious knee injury. The key was he was getting better evey single game, which is exactly what you would expect for a player his style, coming off an injury of that nature. Just like I am sure he would have been even better in Frozen four or next game vs UNH.\

He is back to about 90% and will be 100% by dev camp and training camp.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

unless I am not understanding what you mean by "fine"
first time for everything and i am going to vehemently disagree and state that there is no way that you saw Cannatta play if you think that he is fine and it was just flukey stuff.

Notre Dame's first goal came on his FIFTH rebound that he left right in the high slot, on the same shift. Yes his D needs to get the puck out of there, but he needs to cover the puck, direct it to the corners or catch it.
I have NEVER seen a goalie leave that many rebounds right in front of himself at the D1 level.
A goalie cannot sometimes show great poise, he needs to show it for almost an entire game. Cannatta showed great poise in the first period against UND, then he fell apart... that is not "fine"
he did the same against Maine, and against Providence, and I saw him do it against Lowell earlier on (one game midseason, is "fine", but a 7.00 gaa over a 4 game stretch against bad teams is not)

Fine means exactly that, fine.
Do you really think he became a bad goalie overnight? Like all goalies, Muse included, they have a bad stretch or run. they pick up, get back to work and move on. JC is fine and will have a very long pro career

FYI, the first goal was a power play goal and was a great shot off a pass to the high slot/cheated in point. saw it on tv replay and he was clearly screened. So what if a goalie was nervous, will only make him better down the road.

What should he do? Retire?