RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

ADad, after what we saw with JL this year (granted there was an injury in the mix, but at least of the games where we saw him play), I'm going to suggest that we do not hype any more RPI recruits until we've seen them play at the college level. Granted I certainly expect him to step up in the next year or two, but you can't help but feel we got a little burned this year on that part (of course after what we saw with Pirri and D'Amigo, perhaps our standards were too high).

As for the power play, we need a better system. It's too predictable. I haven't taken a close look at film, but are there any opposing players that play a "loose mark" on one of our guys because they almost know that player is not going to be the one to take the shot?

No hyping? Is that possible?

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

ADad, after what we saw with JL this year (granted there was an injury in the mix, but at least of the games where we saw him play), I'm going to suggest that we do not hype any more RPI recruits until we've seen them play at the college level. Granted I certainly expect him to step up in the next year or two, but you can't help but feel we got a little burned this year on that part (of course after what we saw with Pirri and D'Amigo, perhaps our standards were too high).

As for the power play, we need a better system. It's too predictable. I haven't taken a close look at film, but are there any opposing players that play a "loose mark" on one of our guys because they almost know that player is not going to be the one to take the shot?

JL is going to be good and improved considerable in the second half. He is the best passer and face off guy on the team IMO. BTW- the PP became less predictable with him on it. I don't like him on the point during it but he added alot this year. I'm going to ignore your suggestion about hyping players after those comment about Fri.'s performance.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

JL is going to be good and improved considerable in the second half. He is the best passer and face off guy on the team IMO. BTW- the PP became less predictable with him on it. I don't like him on the point during it but he added alot this year. I'm going to ignore your suggestion about hyping players after those comment about Fri.'s performance.

Has anyone added up faceoff stats for the season fior each player?

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

JL is going to be good and improved considerable in the second half. He is the best passer and face off guy on the team IMO. BTW- the PP became less predictable with him on it. I don't like him on the point during it but he added alot this year. I'm going to ignore your suggestion about hyping players after those comment about Fri.'s performance.

Given I now need more than fingers to count the number of times Union has won a playoff game, I'm sure you could understand my disappointment. Heck, in Buddy Powers' last year, he lost a playoff game to Union. Whether the two facts are related, I don't know, but nevertheless, they are facts at least separately.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

No hyping? Is that possible?

Good point. Maybe the best way to put it is to reduce our expectations based upon Juniors play.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

Good point. Maybe the best way to put it is to reduce our expectations based upon Juniors play.

Maybe we should hype Mark Miller. I think that those of us who have followed him the last two years in Omaha aren't expecting much from him at least on the score sheet. Thus we won't be disappointed.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

Maybe we should hype Mark Miller. I think that those of us who have followed him the last two years in Omaha aren't expecting much from him at least on the score sheet. Thus we won't be disapointed.

There's nothing wrong with a role player at all. We need a few of those.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

Given I now need more than fingers to count the number of times Union has won a playoff game, I'm sure you could understand my disappointment. Heck, in Buddy Powers' last year, he lost a playoff game to Union. Whether the two facts are related, I don't know, but nevertheless, they are facts at least separately.

They're not, but feel free to continue to assume it if it makes your rants seem worthwhile.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

We have talked a lot about the players coming back next season and have identified some of our favorites for improvement. However, Koudys' name has not been mentioned.
Does anyone have any information on what his status was at the end of the season?
I have to believe that he had an injury, or he would have played the second game against Clarkson or the second game against Union.
If no injury, then I am totally confused.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

We have talked a lot about the players coming back next season and have identified some of our favorites for improvement. However, Koudys' name has not been mentioned.
Does anyone have any information on what his status was at the end of the season?
I have to believe that he had an injury, or he would have played the second game against Clarkson or the second game against Union.
If no injury, then I am totally confused.

I'm with you. I would have expected at least inserting a pair of fresh legs on defense somewhere in the last 5 playoff games. I know the pairings on the ice were performing pretty well-but you still want whatever advantage you can gain with some rested legs. I too suspect an injury-hopefully not serious. In any case we gave up 13 goals total in 5 playoff games (actually more since one game lasted extra periods).Not bad numbers really. Problem for us is that we only scored 16 goals total-and just could not get past that number 2 in each game with Union.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

Today is 12 March 2012. There are 208 days until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 6 October for the start of next season.

That is the day that an exhibition game is supposedly scheduled.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

We have talked a lot about the players coming back next season and have identified some of our favorites for improvement. However, Koudys' name has not been mentioned.
Does anyone have any information on what his status was at the end of the season?
I have to believe that he had an injury, or he would have played the second game against Clarkson or the second game against Union.
If no injury, then I am totally confused.

There are several possibilities. The two obvious ones are injury/sickness and SA's doghouse. As has been stated, SA did not comment about him at all in pregame interviews, and the WRPI announcers never asked. (Were they told not to ask?)

My own feeling is that we may have seen the last of him, and he will be in the OHL next season. I hope that is not the case because I think that he is one of our top four dmen. On the other hand, even if SA knew that he was leaving, he could have played, so maybe he is injured.

In summary, I am as confused as you are.

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

There are several possibilities. The two obvious ones are injury/sickness and SA's doghouse. As has been stated, SA did not comment about him at all in pregame interviews, and the WRPI announcers never asked. (Were they told not to ask?)

My own feeling is that we may have seen the last of him, and he will be in the OHL next season. I hope that is not the case because I think that he is one of our top four dmen. On the other hand, even if SA knew that he was leaving, he could have played, so maybe he is injured.

In summary, I am as confused as you are.

For the record, he was a healthy scratch.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

There are several possibilities. The two obvious ones are injury/sickness and SA's doghouse. As has been stated, SA did not comment about him at all in pregame interviews, and the WRPI announcers never asked. (Were they told not to ask?)

My own feeling is that we may have seen the last of him, and he will be in the OHL next season. I hope that is not the case because I think that he is one of our top four dmen. On the other hand, even if SA knew that he was leaving, he could have played, so maybe he is injured.

In summary, I am as confused as you are.

Echo all of those thoughts. We have no clue. That is the strange part-no mention anywhere by anyone. It is like Pat has disappeared. I really hope he is OK, I really hope he is staying in Troy, I really hope it isn't even an academic thing. He has great talent and tremendous potential and I would love him to be an active member of the next 2 seasons as we move back up the standings. On paper we could conceivably have one of the best defensive corps in many years-but if PK leaves and Bergin does not stay his redshirt year (and i do not think he will) we will be losing a good part of what we have. We do have 2 nice sized young men coming in next year-but you never know how long it takes to adapt to NCAA play especially on defense.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

For the record, he was a healthy scratch.

I was going to put money on this; now my odds are lower.

In the games where I've seen him play, I don't feel he was as effective as the others on the ice (with one possible exception, no names mentioned, but I think you know who I'm talking about). Not to mention, he did play in the Cornell game, so I don't think it's injury, because why would Coach put him at risk in a game that had virtually no meaning for us? He didn't put O'Grady "at risk" until the playoffs. It has to be a healthy scratch.

 

[ibanezist00]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

I'll keep this short and sweet, but things I got out of last weekend's playoff series and the late regular season.

- There is absolutely an improvement in RPI's play over the last few weeks. It's not perfect; there are still some really awful defensive breakdowns and soft goals being let in, but the team seems to be scoring and the power play is coming more into shape (as in, they're actually holding on to the puck when they're in the zone, and actually getting shots on net).
- I agree with the sentiments that Diebold should be #1/starting goaltender. His style reminds me a lot of Allen York; quick lateral movement, able to stand on his head and make some saves that no goaltender should make, and seems to be aware of where the puck is at all times even when you think he shouldn't be able to see it. Merriam is still an excellent goaltender, but IMO he needs to stay in the net since his puck-playing skills are lacking.
- There is chemistry with this team. Something I can't explain seems to be "clicking" with them lately.
- The banner at Messa stating "Ice Hockey Championships [etc.]" is pretty cute. I was under the impression that "Championships" meant you actually won something. (This was my first time at Messa in a very long time, so I'm sure this has been mentioned before.)
- I'm still not sure of my summed-up feelings on Appert and the rest of the coaching staff, but after seeing what was pulled off late in the season, I had a little bit of faith renewed.
- My vocal cords are still sore and blown out from the weekend spent cheering and shouting.

I'm excited for and fully anticipating next season, and hoping it will bring some more regular-season improvement.

P.S.: Just wanted to also warn you that "not on teh rise!!11!1" is imminent, so brace yourself for possible thread hijacking

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

P.S.: Just wanted to also warn you that "not on teh rise!!11!1" is imminent, so brace yourself for possible thread hijacking

Don't provoke the Friar...

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

PK is not going anywhere. He's a good student and academics are not an issue. I expect PK to be leading the way next season. DrD is right we have some good ones on the blue line and PK needs to be a big part of that. You don't get drafted 5th by the CAPS without a high skill set.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

The goaltending situation for next year will be sorted out by SA.
My opinion, Diebold is the best position goaltender I have seen at RPI (including York). He is always in perfect position. And he has shown his athletic ability. He would be a very good starter.
Merriam is also a very good goaltender. However, he seems to lose focus during the game and gives up some easy goals. As for his puck handling skills, they are excellent.
I have seen him clear the zone during penalty kills, make the first pass to get the puck out of the defensive zone, make passes to the red line and beyond to waiting forwards.
Does he make mistakes, sure. but look at the plays that you think are mistakes. He leaves the puck for nobody. Yes, I have seen it, but don't you think that he was expecting his defense to be there? I have seen him make passes to the half boards directly to oncoming opposition. But if you look at the ice, you will see an RPI defenseman turning towards the middle of the ice leaving the spot where Merriam expected him to be.
The problem is not just Merriam, it is communication. He was much better this year, and he will be even better next year. It is a great advantage to have a goalie who can handle the puck.
Then there is Kasdorf. What are we going to do with him?
I am glad that this is SA's problem, and I for one will be happy which ever way he goes.
The goaltending on this team is solid.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI Off-Season Thread 2012: An Off-Season to Be Optimistic

PK is not going anywhere. He's a good student and academics are not an issue. I expect PK to be leading the way next season. DrD is right we have some good ones on the blue line and PK needs to be a big part of that. You don't get drafted 5th by the CAPS without a high skill set.

Aspy, that would be great news. Koudys can only make our defense better. Do you know that he is staying for a fact, or just stating an opinion? I don't care to know how you know, just don't want to be surprised sometime later this year.