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

[johnk]

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

As we look ahead I think there are some things to be excited about and a few obstacles that still concern me.

The positives:

Team finished the season very strong for the first time in several seasons.
Young core of returning players who showed marked improvements since Jan. 1.
Incoming class may not show big numbers outside of Zalewski but they are playing much tougher competition compared to some from last years class.
Another year of experience for the head coach.

Obstacles:

Very tough to make a run without a top notch scorer or line for other teams to focus on.
IMO the need for a solid assistant coach to work on PP, own zone breakout and just basic X's & O's.
How fragile is this program? There have been many down years including this past one and the once lofty goals for a school that should be the flagship program of the ECAC have diminished to the hopes of crawling into the top half of this league.

Speaking of the ECAC, the league is becoming insignificant as ever. No TV this weekend!!! Please get out of this league before it is too late. The handwriting is on the wall and I'm guessing the Ivies know this also.

On a side note, it was great meeting Aspy, Troyboy and friends at Katies this weekend. Class group of individuals.
Also a shout out to all the RPI & Union players parents who came in this weekend.
Babo (Denise), was great to talk to and really enjoyed our lunch with her before game 2.

Lastly if anyone at RPI is listening, how many complaints do you need before you put the band back behind the net, on a more elevated stage, where they have more of a presence! When players parents (who are in Sec. 14) have to go stand or move elsewhere because of the sheer loudness of being to close, there is a problem.

 

[ibanezist00]

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

The goaltending situation for next year will be sorted out by SA.
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.

But those mistakes (which were much more frequent this past weekend) are exactly what I'm speaking of. You need to be sure your defense is there to support you before just deciding to mechanically dump or pass the puck, at times directly to the opposition, or placing it behind the net. If you have no available defense supporting you, you either REALLY need to give the puck some gusto when dumping it into the neutral zone or further, or you're better off covering it and forcing the faceoff. Otherwise, I agree on the fact that communication is a bit of a problem.

Maybe I'm just a fan of the Henrik Lundqvist "play deep in the net" style of goaltending (or just a biased Rangers fan )

 

[Jasma]

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

Might I add goaltending to this. Merriam was the starter the majority of games this year, and if that is to continue, he needs to be sharper. Not saying he needs to be York, as they styles are way different, but there were times this year when I said to myself, and on air, that Merriam needs to stay in his net. Diebold is a more than capable back up, and since Kasdorf is an unknow, it all starts with Bryce. If he can be the kind of goaltender where he can stealk a game a two, RPI will be very good. Part of the reason for the second half improvement was related to the second half improvemtn of Merriam. I agree with Higgs and O'Grdy being named the captain and assistant captain, and possibly Bailen, but may I also throw Tinordi in the mix. He reminds me a Joel Malchuk grinder, and although it wasnt quite successful this year, I feel that RPI needs players with that styles leading the team. Also Rogic. Those two aren't stars, but I felt that at times this year they played excellent games.

I think Merriam did steal a game or two this year. The trouble is, I think he lost focus somtimes and let in a few softies and that also cost the team a couple of games. He needs to be a bit more consistent, both within individual games and overall. He is close to being one of the top 3-4 in the league.
I think you are selling Tinordi short. I think he was one of the best forward on the ice the past few weeks and should be much more of an offensive threat than Malchuk.

 

[Jasma]

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

I agree with JK about getting out of the ECAC, but to where? I have not heard of any other conference inviting RPI in. If you look at the levew of play in Hockey East, even if they were invited I would expect RPI to spend at least its first 3-4 years near the bottom of the standings. Being in HE would likely help with recuriting, but it would take a couple of years for that to matter much.

Watch out for the collapse of the ECAC in a couple of years. I would not be at all surprised to see the Ivies pull out and lobby for an automatic bid with their own 6-team league. Most of them never liked being in a conference with schools that give scholarships. That would leave the six (or 5 if Q'Pac goes to HE) trying to pull in teams like RIT, Niagara and Canisius to form an 8th conference and begging the NCAA for an auto bid. I hope that the NY schools are preparing for that now.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

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

Maybe I'm just a fan of the Henrik Lundqvist "play deep in the net" style of goaltending (or just a biased Rangers fan )

I totally understand that, and being a Devils fan and watching Brodeur play the puck as a third defenseman for so many years has given me a healthy admiration for a goalie that can play the puck.

 

[ibanezist00]

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

I agree with JK about getting out of the ECAC, but to where? I have not heard of any other conference inviting RPI in. If you look at the levew of play in Hockey East, even if they were invited I would expect RPI to spend at least its first 3-4 years near the bottom of the standings. Being in HE would likely help with recuriting, but it would take a couple of years for that to matter much.

Watch out for the collapse of the ECAC in a couple of years. I would not be at all surprised to see the Ivies pull out and lobby for an automatic bid with their own 6-team league. Most of them never liked being in a conference with schools that give scholarships. That would leave the six (or 5 if Q'Pac goes to HE) trying to pull in teams like RIT, Niagara and Canisius to form an 8th conference and begging the NCAA for an auto bid. I hope that the NY schools are preparing for that now.

The thing about RPI moving to HE though, is that if you look at their recent record against HE teams, even in down ECAC years RPI has still defeated those teams (BU and UNH come to mind). I'm not saying this means they're ready to move to that league's style and level of play, but it is a nice thing to consider.

I'm not sure that a six-team league with just ivies makes sense, and AFAIK no other non-ivy in the ECAC is currently moving or intending to move anywhere. Just my thoughts.

 

[johnk]

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

I'm not sure that a six-team league with just ivies makes sense, and AFAIK no other non-ivy in the ECAC is currently moving or intending to move anywhere. Just my thoughts.

Not sure it makes sense to who? The Big 10 has 6 teams and will get an autobid. The Ivies limit their amount of games, have no scholarships and in every other sport where they have enough teams, they play within their own league.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

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

I would not be at all surprised to see the Ivies pull out and lobby for an automatic bid with their own 6-team league. Most of them never liked being in a conference with schools that give scholarships.

I'd be surprised. They have absolutely no reason to leave, since as of late (with the exception of one or two teams here and there), they've pretty much been dominating the league. Ever since the Union rule, there's only been 4 years ('04, '07, '10, '12 since Colgate plays Union in one of the semis) in which a non-ivy has even PARTICIPATED in the championship game, and in only one of those years thus far (we don't know about '12) has a non-ivy won (that was '07, CCT defeated Q-Pac). What are they going to get out of it, 2 non-conference games? It doesn't seem worth it.

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

For the record, he was a healthy scratch.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

I'd be surprised. They have absolutely no reason to leave, since as of late (with the exception of one or two teams here and there), they've pretty much been dominating the league. Ever since the Union rule, there's only been 4 years ('04, '07, '10, '12 since Colgate plays Union in one of the semis) in which a non-ivy has even PARTICIPATED in the championship game, and in only one of those years thus far (we don't know about '12) has a non-ivy won (that was '07, CCT defeated Q-Pac). What are they going to get out of it, 2 non-conference games? It doesn't seem worth it.

You are speaking from the hcokey point ov view which will probably be the Ivy coaches' opinions, but perhaps the Ivy admins don't like being associated with schools like RPI and Clarkson, and even Union is only #26.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

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

You are speaking from the hcokey point ov view which will probably be the Ivy coaches' opinions, but perhaps the Ivy admins don't like being associated with schools like RPI and Clarkson, and even Union is only #26.

If the admins didn't like it, why would they have remained associated with the ECAC for the past 25+ years? They had a chance to break off when the eastern non-ivy sect of the ECAC created Hockey East.

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

If the admins didn't like it, why would they have remained associated with the ECAC for the past 25+ years? They had a chance to break off when the eastern non-ivy sect of the ECAC created Hockey East.

That's why the eastern non-Ivies broke off supposedly, they wanted to do it before the Ivies did. I can't figure out RPI's admin, so I shouldn't try to guess what other schools admins are thinking, but back then ECAC hockey was just hockey for the ECAC, and just about every eastern school was part of the ECAC which in most sports was a league of leagues. Now the All-sport-ECAC seems less important.

 

[burgie12]

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                                         Totals                                               |
|       |              For              |            Against            |               National               |
| Year  |  G Tot Even PP SH PPCh PPPrct |  G Tot Even PP SH PPCh PPPrct |    G  Tot Even   PP  SH  PPCh PPPrct |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 06-07 | 36  88   49 36  3  239   15.1 | 36 130   66 52 12  249   20.9 | 2218 6426 3857 2249 320 13280   16.9 |
| 07-08 | 38  79   64 12  3  170    7.1 | 38 113   73 29 11  205   14.1 | 2244 6189 4098 1819 272 10948   16.6 |
| 08-09 | 39  76   55 17  4  195    8.7 | 39 132   84 43  5  245   17.6 | 2198 6175 3911 1967 297 11977   16.4 |
| 09-10 | 39 109   65 39  5  213   18.3 | 39 108   65 38  5  212   17.9 | 2196 6450 4187 2008 255 10984   18.3 |
| 10-11 | 38 110   69 36  5  205   17.6 | 38  90   56 31  3  198   15.7 | 2190 6394 4186 1834 285 10131   18.1 |
| 11-12 | 39  78   48 26  4  178   14.6 | 39 111   74 33  4  198   16.7 | 2138 5999 4069 1695 235  9305   18.2 |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                               Per-Game Average                                    |
|       |             For             |           Against           |            National           |
| Year  |  G  Tot Even   PP   SH PPCh |  G  Tot Even   PP   SH PPCh |    G  Tot Even   PP   SH PPCh |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 06-07 | 36 2.44 1.36 1.00 0.08 6.64 | 36 3.61 1.83 1.44 0.33 6.92 | 2218 2.90 1.74 1.01 0.14 5.99 |
| 07-08 | 38 2.08 1.68 0.32 0.08 4.47 | 38 2.97 1.92 0.76 0.29 5.39 | 2244 2.76 1.83 0.81 0.12 4.88 |
| 08-09 | 39 1.95 1.41 0.44 0.10 5.00 | 39 3.38 2.15 1.10 0.13 6.28 | 2198 2.81 1.78 0.89 0.14 5.45 |
| 09-10 | 39 2.79 1.67 1.00 0.13 5.46 | 39 2.77 1.67 0.97 0.13 5.44 | 2196 2.94 1.91 0.91 0.12 5.00 |
| 10-11 | 38 2.89 1.82 0.95 0.13 5.39 | 38 2.37 1.47 0.82 0.08 5.21 | 2190 2.92 1.95 0.84 0.13 4.63 |
| 11-12 | 39 2.00 1.23 0.67 0.10 4.56 | 39 2.85 1.90 0.85 0.10 5.08 | 2138 2.81 1.90 0.79 0.11 4.35 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

G = Games; Tot = Total Goals Scored; Even = Even-Strength Goals; PP = Power Play Goals;
SH = Shorthanded Goals; PPCh = Power Play Chances; PPPrct = Power Play Percent

As always, this doesn't differentiate between an ENG when the score is already 6-2 and the only goal in a 1-0 game, but it's the best I can do with what is out there.

One positive note from this is that the Engineers did not give up a SHG after letting in two against Union in January.

The negatives are fairly obvious: least goals scored since 07-08, most allowed since 08-09, PP efficiency slipping below 15% on the season, and our opponents have an extra 20 power play chances (or one every other game).

Original post (13 games played); Update (22 games played)

 

[redhead18]

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

FWIW, the Ivy League national tv contract with Versus (now NBC Sports) expires sometime in 2012. It will be interesting to see if they're able to extend that contract or sign on with another network and include hockey into the broadcast schedule along with football, basketball and a few other sports. The conference also just recently hired Leverage as its first ever marketing agency.

http://www.kxxv.com/story/17137348/...ncy-announce-multi-year-marketing-partnership

Not sure how much it will have to do with hockey and the relationship with the ECAC but could be something to keep an eye on.

 

[rpi82]

As we look ahead I think there are some things to be excited about and a few obstacles that still concern me.

The positives:

Team finished the season very strong for the first time in several seasons.
Young core of returning players who showed marked improvements since Jan. 1.
Incoming class may not show big numbers outside of Zalewski but they are playing much tougher competition compared to some from last years class.
Another year of experience for the head coach.

Obstacles:

Very tough to make a run without a top notch scorer or line for other teams to focus on.
IMO the need for a solid assistant coach to work on PP, own zone breakout and just basic X's & O's.
How fragile is this program? There have been many down years including this past one and the once lofty goals for a school that should be the flagship program of the ECAC have diminished to the hopes of crawling into the top half of this league.

Speaking of the ECAC, the league is becoming insignificant as ever. No TV this weekend!!! Please get out of this league before it is too late. The handwriting is on the wall and I'm guessing the Ivies know this also.

On a side note, it was great meeting Aspy, Troyboy and friends at Katies this weekend. Class group of individuals.
Also a shout out to all the RPI & Union players parents who came in this weekend.
Babo (Denise), was great to talk to and really enjoyed our lunch with her before game 2.

Lastly if anyone at RPI is listening, how many complaints do you need before you put the band back behind the net, on a more elevated stage, where they have more of a presence! When players parents (who are in Sec. 14) have to go stand or move elsewhere because of the sheer loudness of being to close, there is a problem.

How about when they build a mirror image to Shirley's throne room on the east end instead of a glassed in box they leave the middle open as a band platform? It would be the best band setup in the league and really contribute to the game environment.

 

[Ralph Baer]

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

How about when they build a mirror image to Shirley's throne room on the east end instead of a glassed in box they leave the middle open as a band platform? It would be the best band setup in the league and really contribute to the game environment.

That makes too much sense for it to happen.

I have never paid attention, but is there enough depth there in the east direction to fit a mirror image?

 

[DrDemento]

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

I totally understand that, and being a Devils fan and watching Brodeur play the puck as a third defenseman for so many years has given me a healthy admiration for a goalie that can play the puck.

You're a Devils fan? I'll have to just overlook that because I most often agree with you.

 

[DrDemento]

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

We should all just be prepared as best we can. The Ivy schools will make whatever decision they make simply based on what benefits them. If they can form their own hockey conference of 6 teams and be guaranteed an NCAA bid-why would they not do it? The landscape is going to change in the very near future, that is for sure. I hope that our administration has the foresight to already be weighing all conceivable options now.

 

[DrDemento]

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

I think Merriam did steal a game or two this year. The trouble is, I think he lost focus somtimes and let in a few softies and that also cost the team a couple of games. He needs to be a bit more consistent, both within individual games and overall. He is close to being one of the top 3-4 in the league.
I think you are selling Tinordi short. I think he was one of the best forward on the ice the past few weeks and should be much more of an offensive threat than Malchuk.

Although recruited as a possible offensive threat (by coach Fridgen), Malchuk was never put into that position after his severe knee injury 5 years ago. He has almost exclusively skated on a fourth line without much in the way of other offensive threats on his line. He was used, quite successfully, as a penalty killer. I am very sure his offensive numbers would have totaled out very differently had he been skating on another type of line with more scoring support. I truly hope that we do not put Matt Tinordi in the same position. I felt from day one he would be an upside surprise and turn out to be a much bigger offensive threat than most had believed possible when he was first recruited. His brother got 99% of the attention and when he signed with Notre Dame I sensed considerable disappointment here. As it turned out-we definitely got the Tinordi who will have the better NCAA career. He personifies many of the qualities that I personally look for in a power forward and I am ecstatic to have him in Troy for 2 more years.

 

[GRussinko]

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

That makes too much sense for it to happen.

I have never paid attention, but is there enough depth there in the east direction to fit a mirror image?

The rink is essentially centered in the footprint of the main building. There is room to build on the east end if they so desired. There have been numerous ideas floated about for development of that end of the rink but I think money is the limiting factor. It would also require reconfiguring the end-most seating sections on the east end to have them turn the corner similar to those at the west end.

Edit: I should add, I'm all for eventually having something here that mirrors the west end of the building. I never liked the way the building just sort of fades into nothingness at the east end, and especially the bench seats that don't even face the ice. Turning the corner with the seats and mirroring the west end would give a much closer and more intimate feel to the rink while maintaining more than enough seating capacity for our regular use of the building.