RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

In the meantime much of this thread (not necessarily your comments) comes across as a bit desperate and I really don't see why that is necessary. Our future hasn't been this bright for over a decade and I'm looking forward to seeing the Cherry and Red near the top of the ECAC standings for years to come.

I would tend to believe there are a number of us that are quite disappointed with the ECAC itself. I'd say look back at our season threads, but I heard that USCHO purged them. I don't think we need to be reminded. However we shouldn't use Hockey East as a means of escape because if we find something similar there, we'll complain about leaving. The next two years will definitely be very telling. Although I would say that last year's non-conference schedule helped very much towards our ability to make the tournament, who knows if we'll continue to be able to get those games, let alone be successful? Will we still be able to get through a clutch-and-grab league?

I'm all for the possibility of a move to Hockey East (even if the drive to the closest game will more than double for me), but we should make sure that we do whatever we choose to do for the correct reasons.

 

[fishcore12]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: Back up the truck were moving.
RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: Save Us Y2J.
RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: So, this is the old homestead, eh?
RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: What? You told me to get a summer job!

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

In the meantime much of this thread (not necessarily your comments) comes across as a bit desperate and I really don't see why that is necessary.

There's the pot calling the kettle black.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

Just throwing this out there since Ive seen it floating around on a couple different blogs but what if Notre Dame is in the process of forming their own 6-7 team "super league" inviting WMU and 4-5 of the powerful Hockey East teams? BC and BU already said no to an invite to join the western super league but could there be a eastern super league on the way? Would RPI want to be in Hockey East without the usual power house teams?

Why not hitch a ride on said eastern super league? There aren't too many scenarios where WMU makes a more desirable addition to a league than we would.

 

[Senna]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

I get it, although I don't see a batch of tiny leagues being sustained into the future. One of the things that killed the CHA was the unattractiveness of being in a 5 or 6 team league where you keep seeing the same opponents far too often. Even the Big 10, with its over-glorified opinion of itself, may ultimately find that out and either add teams or utilize a scheduling alliance to accomplish the same goal.

If the good colonel or Seth feel it is in our best interests to quietly inquire about HE plans beyond next year that's fine with me. However, I'm not convinced that is our best path as we have more in common and are likely to be more competitive with our current league mates. More importantly, I don't want to sell ourselves for something that probably won't happen for reasons I've stated previously.

We certainly have a role model for how not to do it. While everyone was sure last year that NCAA football was going to undergo massive upheaval that really never came about, there was one sure loser - Missouri. They sold their souls for an invitation to the Big 10 (even having the governor publicly pitching for it) that never happened. They came across as unrealistic, opportunistic fools and ended up crawling with their tiger tails between their legs back to the Big 12. They will be a pariah in that league for a generation or more. I don't want to hear one word about HE from anyone at RPI, not even a well-sourced rumor of interest, unless the thing is virtually in the can. Then we can disagree whether it was the right thing to do, but at least it will be cast in stone.

In the meantime much of this thread (not necessarily your comments) comes across as a bit desperate and I really don't see why that is necessary. Our future hasn't been this bright for over a decade and I'm looking forward to seeing the Cherry and Red near the top of the ECAC standings for years to come.

You see, I think we are actually saying the same thing as well. The team, with this coach and AD, are going to do well regardless of whether we stay or move. Nothing says that HE wants us. I dont think that there is desperation in staying with the ECAC or with the Ivys leaving or with the league in general. All that I have ever been trying to communicate is that maybe someone at RPI asks the question, or maybe someone at HE picks up a phone and calls and asks a question - my point is that we should know if / when that happens what our answer is, immediately, rather than then going away to consider. There are valid points to stay in the ECAC and and also to go to HE if that even became an opportunity for us. I would love to see how this program, this coach, this AD, perform in a more competitive league. I also think that in some respects it may make it easier for us (admittedly, while others harder) to strive towards success in tournament play and ultimately a national championship. I for one would love to see the move and could only hope that it resulting in driving the growth of the program and set an entire different level of expectations for it.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

PK interview today http://video.capitals.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=553&id=120633

 

[redhead18]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

Why not hitch a ride on said eastern super league? There aren't too many scenarios where WMU makes a more desirable addition to a league than we would.

Good point. I only brought up WMU because its still up in the air what direction they are going and it would give Notre Dame a league opponent where they wouldnt have to fly to play.

 

[johnk]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

11 teams would leave Hockey East with one team off or trying to find non league games for the last month of the season which is when most teams are playing strictly within their league. This could change because the amount of non-conference games is going to double for many teams in 2013-14. I would also think that Hockey East would want to get to 12 teams so they could reduce the league games down to 22 to allow them more opportunities to play the other leagues. BC, BU & Northeastern only get 5 games to schedule different teams each year. If RPI gets a chance to associate themselves with the best in the country (as far as hockey), I would see this as a no brainer for the decision makers at the tute. It will be fairly soon where winning the league tourney will be the only chance of making the NCAA's from the ECAC. RPI has acheived this once in the last 25 seasons since their NCAA championship. Top 4 in Hockey East would probably put you in the mix. Also 22 Hockey East league games would leave plenty of chances to play Cornell, Clarkson & Union twice a year if desired and still leave 6 out of conference games if were worried about playing similar institutions (I'm not). When and if things change, it will happen very quicky so I hope that it at least is being casually discussed amongst the administration.

 

[redhead18]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: Back up the truck were moving.
RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: Save Us Y2J.
RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: So, this is the old homestead, eh?
RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: What? You told me to get a summer job!

How about:

RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part III: Someone let us know; Will we stay or will we go?

 

[rpi82]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

11 teams would leave Hockey East with one team off or trying to find non league games for the last month of the season which is when most teams are playing strictly within their league.

Not really. That's only true if all the teams must play on the same nights. HE is a relatively compact league where you can play weeknight games or Sunday games in addition to playing the traditional Friday and Saturday nights. In that scenario its easy to juggle the matchups so that there will be few, if any, non-league games in the latter part of the season.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

HE is a relatively compact league where you can play weeknight games or Sunday games in addition to playing the traditional Friday and Saturday nights.

Not if Notre Dame joins the league. Which is what everyone's talking about in the first place.

 

[rpi82]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

Not if Notre Dame joins the league. Which is what everyone's talking about in the first place.

False. They will still have 8 out of 11 teams within 80 miles of the city of Boston. That's still an extremely compact league for which juggling the schedule will be manageable. It just won't be ND playing at Northeastern on a Wednesday night, it will be Providence.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

False. They will still have 8 out of 11 teams within 80 miles of the city of Boston.

And Notre Dame. Which keeps the word "compact" from entering the discussion whatsoever. You can't ignore them if they join the league just because there are a bunch of teams together. You have to account for them being on equal terms with everyone else.

 

[rpi82]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

And Notre Dame. Which keeps the word "compact" from entering the discussion whatsoever. You can't ignore them if they join the league just because there are a bunch of teams together. You have to account for them being on equal terms with everyone else.

Right. HE is going to say, "I'm sorry Notre Dame, we can't take you unless you play the same number of weeknight or Sunday games as UM-L."

Basically, you are making the argument for WMU. The only way to create a truly balanced schedule with ND is to have a nearby league opponent. I think HE will make accommodations for ND before they do that.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

Right. HE is going to say, "I'm sorry Notre Dame, we can't take you unless you play the same number of weeknight or Sunday games as UM-L."

Which is why they won't have weeknight or Sunday games anymore. GEE!

Basically, you are making the argument for WMU. The only way to create a truly balanced schedule with ND is to have a nearby league opponent.

My, you aren't very creative.

I've got a suggestion for you: wake up. The college hockey world is changing dramatically, and things you used to think were hard and fast rules as it pertains to league arrangements and scheduling are going directly out the window. It appears you have yet to come to terms with that reality.

 

[rpi82]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

You just don't get it. Please explain how there will be a nice, balanced schedule if HE adds ND and RPI (or any other team besides WMU). Every team that travels to South Bend will have to play two road games. Do you think that they will also play two home games with the Domers? Of course not. As you said, the old rules of scheduling will change, so your statement that ND must be "on equal terms with everyone else" is absurd.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

You just don't get it. Please explain how there will be a nice, balanced schedule if HE adds ND and RPI (or any other team besides WMU).

Two game weekend series. Wow, that was tough.

Every team that travels to South Bend will have to play two road games.

Crap, somebody let RPI know that this year.

Do you think that they will also play two home games with the Domers? Of course not. As you said, the old rules of scheduling will change, so your statement that ND must be "on equal terms with everyone else" is absurd.

The only thing that is absurd is this argument continuing on without end. It is obvious to me that you don't have the slightest idea what is really going on.

 

[rpi82]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

Simple question, where does the team that plays in South Bend on Friday night play on Saturday? If it is in South Bend, then you instantly have an unbalanced schedule unless ND also plays two at that opponent later in the season. Are you planning to petition the NCAA for a 44 game schedule? Alternatively, you could have a 22 game schedule and only play each opponent every other year. Sounds like a great league setup.

Then again, maybe they'll make accommodations for ND like I said in the beginning but you couldn't seem to grasp. For instance, everyone plays HR (i.e. home and home series) except for ND which is either HH or RR, alternating each year. But that can't be because you seem to think they have to treat ND like everyone else.

P.S. Do you really think any league is going to sign up for one game trips to South Bend on a regular basis? RPI's trip is a one-off that sounds like it will even be the opener for their new building. It is hardly indicative of anything with regard to league re-shuffling.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

Where does the team that plays in South Bend on Friday night play on Saturday?

SOUTH BEND. This isn't clairvoyant, believe it or not.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2011 Part II: The Bryce is Right

If it is in South Bend, then you instantly have an unbalanced schedule unless ND also plays two at that opponent later in the season. Are you planning to petition the NCAA for a 44 game schedule?

You play every team twice. Why is this difficult to understand?