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Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Huskies01 said:
so who centers Roy next season? Stevens did not work. When they went with Szmatula they got no scoring from any other line. We know Pond is out. That would leave Hedges, but the two never played together this season, and good chance they would be a disaster together on defense. Pretty sure no centers are coming in next year, its really all about the defense, and Nolan Stevens.

After you figure out center, who is his opposite wing?
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I would like to see JM try to put Hedges with Roy. Hedges can finish and he can pass, and that would help keep a line of scorers together. For the wing, I would say either ZAR or incoming freshman Cotton- a big PF who can create traffic in front of the net (similar to what Pimm did) and also has a finishing touch. Not sure how Cotton is on defense, but I think a Roy/Hedges/PF line would work well.

UDFA NOTE: Jeff Cox just tweeted out that Clay Witt is "Close to signing free agent deal with Eastern Conference club," per an NHL source of his. Our worst fears may be realized quite soon...
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

HHound said:
I don't have access to the true figures, but I know JM has put his moneyraising abilities to work on behalf of his program. He, Jerry and Pat have had to raise funds in order to do the kind of recruiting that has resulted in the type of recruits we saw in this years's freshman class. Additionally we have at least 4 top flight recruits for next fall and others committed for future classes. Unless you speak with one of the coaches, you can't imagine the amount of time and travel these fellows have done to find the right guys for the program. That costs $$ and the donations (as well as their recruiting budget) make it possible.
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retsap71 said:
I see the names, but it is hard to always find more about the recruits. Which one's for next year are the top guys. I think Cotton is one.
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I'm also interested in who the top-flight guys are. Sikura? Hopefully there are defenders on your list!
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

NU_Husky said:
I would like to see JM try to put Hedges with Roy. Hedges can finish and he can pass, and that would help keep a line of scorers together. For the wing, I would say either ZAR or incoming freshman Cotton- a big PF who can create traffic in front of the net (similar to what Pimm did) and also has a finishing touch. Not sure how Cotton is on defense, but I think a Roy/Hedges/PF line would work well.

UDFA NOTE: Jeff Cox just tweeted out that Clay Witt is "Close to signing free agent deal with Eastern Conference club," per an NHL source of his. Our worst fears may be realized quite soon...
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I saw yesterday that he was listed as a potential early departure. I guess good for him, but I don't see it. AHL will always be there, if this is NHL deal then I get it. But to play in AHL, ECHL next year. Bad move
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

retsap71 said:
I saw yesterday that he was listed as a potential early departure. I guess good for him, but I don't see it. AHL will always be there, if this is NHL deal then I get it. But to play in AHL, ECHL next year. Bad move
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I have to disagree with you. As an NU fan of course I want him to stay, but there really isn't anything left for him at the collegiate level. He put up amazing numbers this season behind a below-average defense in the toughest conference in college hockey. He will be completing his degree in a month, so what does he have to gain by waiting for another year to start earning money? One year isn't going to earn you a Masters degree. His stock may never be higher than it is right now, and if it doesn't work out, he'll have that 4-year piece of paper to get a good job afterwards.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

NU_Husky said:
I agree wholeheartedly.
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When are these kids/parents going to realize that advisor that you have only gets paid when you sign a deal. It is in THEIR best interest for your to sign, not yours. Throwing away an extra year of college eligibility for nothing, you could get you masters in that year for free.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Huskies of NU said:
I have to disagree with you. As an NU fan of course I want him to stay, but there really isn't anything left for him at the collegiate level. He put up amazing numbers this season behind a below-average defense in the toughest conference in college hockey. He will be completing his degree in a month, so what does he have to gain by waiting for another year to start earning money? One year isn't going to earn you a Masters degree. His stock may never be higher than it is right now, and if it doesn't work out, he'll have that 4-year piece of paper to get a good job afterwards.
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You absolutly can get your masters in 1 year, I have a friend who did exactly that. Redshirted freshman year, stayed for they're 5th year got masters for free.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Huskies of NU said:
I have to disagree with you. As an NU fan of course I want him to stay, but there really isn't anything left for him at the collegiate level. He put up amazing numbers this season behind a below-average defense in the toughest conference in college hockey. He will be completing his degree in a month, so what does he have to gain by waiting for another year to start earning money? One year isn't going to earn you a Masters degree. His stock may never be higher than it is right now, and if it doesn't work out, he'll have that 4-year piece of paper to get a good job afterwards.
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100% on. He has nothing to gain and more to lose by staying. Cannot knock a guy for walking with a year left coming off a great season if he has his degree in hand.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Huskies01 said:
100% on. He has nothing to gain and more to lose by staying. Cannot knock a guy for walking with a year left coming off a great season if he has his degree in hand.
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For NHL yes, for AHL or lower no.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Let's hope Derick and Jake Theut go into the offseason like Clay did a year ago: Work their asses off and come out swinging in the fall.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

retsap71 said:
You absolutly can get your masters in 1 year, I have a friend who did exactly that. Redshirted freshman year, stayed for they're 5th year got masters for free.
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retsap71 said:
For NHL yes, for AHL or lower no.
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Look at it this way. These kids grow up with the dream of playing in the pros, not in college. He got his opportunity to try and realize his dream. Good for him, he should take it, especially since he has his degree to fall back on should it not work out. Not many goalies go straight from the college ranks to the NHL. He would be stupid to hold out for an NHL deal. Goalies tend to peak later in their careers and need time to adjust to the speed of the pro game in the minors. If he decides a masters is for him, nothing's stopping him from returning to school later. A lot of places of employment will help you pay for continuing education.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Huskies01 said:
so who centers Roy next season? Stevens did not work. When they went with Szmatula they got no scoring from any other line. We know Pond is out. That would leave Hedges, but the two never played together this season, and good chance they would be a disaster together on defense. Pretty sure no centers are coming in next year, its really all about the defense, and Nolan Stevens.

After you figure out center, who is his opposite wing?
Click to expand...
First of all, I don't think JStevens was so bad, but his defense needed work. Pond is out? Did he quit/leave school. He has Szmatula-like energy without the knack for the net. He could develop into a real asset. The incoming class is not just about D. We have two excellent forwards coming in. Dylan Sikura is a left shot who can play Center or RW. He is the leading PPG producer on a very good Aurora team that is still playing (tonight) in the OJHL playoffs. We won a recruiting battle for him with PC and UNH. Then there's Ryan Rosenthal, a Jersey boy, who has 43 goals in 62 games for Coquitlam in the BCJHL. He'll come in as a Sophomore, because he played 6 games at Vermont last year before returning to Juniors. Nolan Stephens, IIRC, can also play center. He has been used mostly on a checking line for the USNDT so his stats are not gaudy. Neither are those of most of his teammates as the team lives and dies with its first line. Our coaches were thrilled to get him.

I realize that Roy needs to be more responsible on the defensive side. However, if he glides back to he bench, it may be due to the fact that he has been double shifted. Instead of worrying about his replacement having to skate a little harder, consider the fact that he has just given the player some extra rest. If this was his "sophomore slump" as he scored more goals and assists than he did as a freshman, I shall l will look forward to his "junior flop" . He is a terrific player, who may need further development in certain areas. Accept it!
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

HHound said:
First of all, I don't think JStevens was so bad, but his defense needed work. Pond is out? Did he quit/leave school. He has Szmatula-like energy without the knack for the net. He could develop into a real asset. The incoming class is not just about D. We have two excellent forwards coming in. Dylan Sikura is a left shot who can play Center or RW. He is the leading PPG producer on a very good Aurora team that is still playing (tonight) in the OJHL playoffs. We won a recruiting battle for him with PC and UNH. Then there's Ryan Rosenthal, a Jersey boy, who has 43 goals in 62 games for Coquitlam in the BCJHL. He'll come in as a Sophomore, because he played 6 games at Vermont last year before returning to Juniors. Nolan Stephens, IIRC, can also play center. He has been used mostly on a checking line for the USNDT so his stats are not gaudy. Neither are those of most of his teammates as the team lives and dies with its first line. Our coaches were thrilled to get him.
Click to expand...

By Pond being "out" I think he meant out as an option to center Roy. I like Pond as our 4th line center, I love the energy he brings. Needs to stay on his feet more, but I agree, I think he can be an asset. I had forgotten about Sikura as a '14 recruit, I think he could slide onto the 2nd line real nicely. 17-47-64 stat line this year, seems to be predominantly a playmaker. I think offensively next year we will be fine, granted we retain our forwards. Defense really can only get better.
 
Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

HHound said:
First of all, I don't think JStevens was so bad, but his defense needed work. Pond is out? Did he quit/leave school. He has Szmatula-like energy without the knack for the net. He could develop into a real asset. The incoming class is not just about D. We have two excellent forwards coming in. Dylan Sikura is a left shot who can play Center or RW. He is the leading PPG producer on a very good Aurora team that is still playing (tonight) in the OJHL playoffs. We won a recruiting battle for him with PC and UNH. Then there's Ryan Rosenthal, a Jersey boy, who has 43 goals in 62 games for Coquitlam in the BCJHL. He'll come in as a Sophomore, because he played 6 games at Vermont last year before returning to Juniors. Nolan Stephens, IIRC, can also play center. He has been used mostly on a checking line for the USNDT so his stats are not gaudy. Neither are those of most of his teammates as the team lives and dies with its first line. Our coaches were thrilled to get him.

I realize that Roy needs to be more responsible on the defensive side. However, if he glides back to he bench, it may be due to the fact that he has been double shifted. Instead of worrying about his replacement having to skate a little harder, consider the fact that he has just given the player some extra rest. If this was his "sophomore slump" as he scored more goals and assists than he did as a freshman, I shall l will look forward to his "junior flop" . He is a terrific player, who may need further development in certain areas. Accept it!
Click to expand...

Tanner Pond is not going to center a line with Roy on it. You know what I meant. Stevens had issues as the season went on. It was not just on defense. Not saying he cannot recover and be a good player, but first line duty maybe a bit much for him to start next year.

As for the gliding back, I brought a friend to one of the Maine games, the Friday night one, first period she points it out. It was not a double shift thing at that point of the game.

I will wait to see on Sikura and Rosenthal before I start saying they are going to do big things. You get to hung up on stats from these leagues. You should know better by now. Look at McMurtry, had huge stats, and is now is part of the goal a month club here. I would put Hedges on that list too, but I will throw him a bone that he was playing hurt at the end of the year, though he did only pick up 4 points in 2014 prior to getting hurt, and only 3 of his 8 goals came in conference play, ie tougher play. He looked great against the lower half ECAC teams though!

As for Nolan Stevens, you had him spending another year away, now he is coming? I hope he does. We could use some size up front that has scoring talent. Or is he the 2nd coming of Adam Reid? A center on the fourth line checking line on that US team prior to coming here that struggles to find a role and score? And I saying this as an Adam Reid fan.

Anyway, the original point was Roy is going to need a center next year. I am not sure outside of Szmatula if that player is on the roster right now.
 
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Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Huskies01 said:
Tanner Pond is not going to center a line with Roy on it. You know what I meant. Stevens had issues as the season went on. It was not just on defense. Not saying he cannot recover and be a good player, but first line duty maybe a bit much for him to start next year.

As for the gliding back, I brought a friend to one of the Maine games, the Friday night one, first period she points it out. It was not a double shift thing at that point of the game.

I will wait to see on Sikura and Rosenthal before I start saying they are going to do big things. You get to hung up on stats from these leagues. You should know better by now. Look at McMurtry, had huge stats, and is now is part of the goal a month club here. I would put Hedges on that list too, but I will throw him a bone that he was playing hurt at the end of the year, though he did only pick up 4 points in 2014 prior to getting hurt, and only 3 of his 8 goals came in conference play, ie tougher play. He looked great against the lower half ECAC teams though!

As for Nolan Stevens, you had him spending another year away, now he is coming? I hope he does. We could use some size up front that has scoring talent. Or is he the 2nd coming of Adam Reid? A center on the fourth line checking line on that US team prior to coming here that struggles to find a role and score? And I saying this as an Adam Reid fan.

Anyway, the original point was Roy is going to need a center next year. I am not sure outside of Szmatula if that player is on the roster right now.
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Just to clarify: I don't really expect Pond to center Roy's line, but I do see the possibility for him to play a bigger role as his game improves. He's fun to watch.
You suggest that I am hung up on statistics, then you complain about McMurty's stats. FWIW, he is a center who played RW and LW for most of the year. I saw a much stronger and more confident player, in the second half of this season, than I saw since he arrived here. He and Hedges came from one of the weaker Canadian junior leagues. Rosenthal and Sikura come from stronger leagues. I am interested in their stats, but I am more interested in things like how they will fit into our team and/or shore up a weakness. I'm interested in the role they play on their present team and whether they show leadership qualities. Sikuras's teammate, Eric Williams for example, is an underage assistant captain.

You are correct that I originally thought that NStevens would do another year of juniors, but these situations are fluid. Apparently the coaches think he's ready to come in. Meanwhile, Cotton is expected to play another year of juniors. Who knows? that, too might change if someone defects.

Not every player can lead the league in scoring or have the lowest GAA. If that was true, recruiting would be easy and the need for scouting would be diminished. Players "bloom" and peak at different times. There is so much more to consider than stats alone, or the kinds of stats that are easily obtained, can reveal.
 
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Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

I think that is not a smart move but hey what do I know.
 
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