Echoing Rossi's sentiments, I said on DHD that they look like a 5-7 win team and it would be great if they win 10 but I don't think it will happen. I disagree about his talent evaluations to some degree. It's a talented 1st and 2nd lines, even the third should be able to compete in HE. On D the first two pairings are right there too. Not as good as people here think but at least average at the HE level. I like the freshmen, Karlsson and Manno. I think Manson may be better suited for MJ but plenty of other players in the league have had to adjust their style (Bigos?) and have found success in the league. Even Cornell has done great when playing one on one D. The 4th line is a dissapointment although occasionally Tuckerman shows glimpses of why he had ~25 pts his freshmen year.
The team has plenty of talent, unfortunately it's not being utilized to their styles. The style of play is almost exactly the same as the early 90's teams except not all of these guys should be out there in a quick transition game or cycling. I'd have different lines playing different systems when possible but I doubt that would ever happen. Would love to see a line of Quailer, Manno and maybe McLaughlin together. Then throw either Karlsson or Dongara on the first line. I know people aren't crazy about Dongara but if you're going to play a quick transition game off your trap, he should help you out with his speed.
If they keep up the same style of play, they may actually match up against UML and Maine ok. But, UML is running teams into the ice with that system. Not so much at Matthews. Right now, they look like a 10th place team. They'll get better but so will everyone else.
