Re: UMaine '18-'19: Back to the Nationals!
Before I give my take I want to preface that it might not be accurate, and if so that's probably because I'm just simply too young to remember the Whitehead era, and although I did follow Hockey East before I started school here 2016, I followed a different program (my father's team since I had no other team to cheer for at the time.)
Pearson and especially Fossier are top tier talents. Those guys are the foundation of the team and provide the majority of the offense, and they both do the small things that make a huge difference. In addition, I think Dohrety is a fine second line center, though on a true national title contender he's probably better suited as a third line center. In addition, I also believe that Tralmaks, JSS, and Dawe have the natural skill to be top talents. However, the regression (in Tralmaks case) and inconsistentcy/injury trouble (in JSS and Dawe's cases) has been concerning and holding them back. Purely on skill, that's a pretty solid Top 6 forward group on paper if you ask me.
The fourth line I think is also been pretty good. Smith is a hard player and adds the sandpaper you need on the 4th line, and he's not a total liability any time he's on the ice. Robbins is probably best suited as a 4th liner and penalty killer, even though he's been playing a Top 6 role, since he has great speed and instincts but isnt great with the puck. Center is probably their weakest point up front, and Pieper played well the first half of last season but has been pretty bad since he was injured. Perez should be nowhere near the ice and I dont know why he gets playing time.
The third line has been the biggest weakness up front, in my view. Again, the wings arent that bad, with Westerlund and Shea being OK options, but center has been a revolving door (I'd still like to see Holesinsky get his shot).
The D is another story. I don't think there's any Pearson or Fossier on the back end. Last year I might have told you Keeper was it, but he's regressed probably the hardest of anyone this year and has looked pretty bad in most games. Michel and Binner are solid players usually, but aren't gamebreakers. I was never a big Muehlbauer fan, but he deserves credit this year for being pretty good most of the season. Becker probably shouldn't be playing and that's where they miss Holway, and when VMT comes back I think he will get some games in his spot. Butala hasn't impressed, but he looks like someone overwhelmed by the college game who might improve dramatically as he gets more experience, at least to me.
Swayman of course is great, but I think hes getting fatigued from playing every game. I wont be surprised or against the decision if McGovern grabs a start in Vermont next weekend. Speaking of him, I kinda feel bad for McGovern, I always viewed him as a solid goalie who had a few not-great games and everyone gave up on him immediately. I'd like to see a few starts from him, both for his sake and to give Swayman a rest.
Sorry for a huge post, but that's my view on the team and talent. I dont think Red has done an awful job at getting players here; maybe not a lot of impact, top of the line talent, but at least this year I dont think the bottom of the roster is a major liability everytime they have to be on the ice. His problem lies somewhere with in-game coaching and discipline probably, he doesn't make many adjustments during the game and has a lot of baffling line combos, possibly for the purpose of "sending a message".
