UMaine Hockey 23 - 24: The Barr Crawl to Glory!!!

[tylerzx2002]

Polls continue to surprise me, Maine ranked #13 in the nation. I was expecting something like #16 or #17.

Glad to see others are sipping that blue kool-aid

 

[walrus]

Any alum worth spit had pizza at Pats at some point. Bruce Farnsworth the son of the famous Pat himself, passed away on Nov 6. Good chance Bruce made the pizza you ate. The guy had a muscle car collection that rocked and he wasn’t afraid to drive them to work. RIP

 

[NorthMike]

Last summer when the schedule was coming out someone on here mentioned a road trip to the NY ??? is fun due to the rink and local bar/restaurants. Was that Union in Schenectady or Colgate in Hamilton?? Have to make a run down there anyway so thought to combine with the games.

 

[OronoKO]

Union

 

[9twenty]

Should be 2 nights of sell-outs and back to Hockey East battle like the old days...BC is a talented bunch and a Freshman goaltender(Fowler)playing as a touted pick for Montreal...Maine counters with the NB-LINE, a lethal trio, solid goaltending, could very well be a high flying scoring contest...6-5, 5-4 games...

 

[Tango]

Is this years senior class the last class that can stay for a 5th year because of COVID? If so does anyone see Breen/Houle/Ostman coming back for another year?

 

[BlackBearFan19]

Is this years senior class the last class that can stay for a 5th year because of COVID? If so does anyone see Breen/Houle/Ostman coming back for another year?

This is the last year it’s applicable. I think Houle will be back, Ostman has given every indication of this being his final year. Breen is the wild card, such a great player but hard to imagine him making it to the nhl at his size. If they get close and have some heartbreaking losses (hope that doesn’t happen), I could see him wanting to come back.

 

[amkirby10]

This is the last year it’s applicable. I think Houle will be back, Ostman has given every indication of this being his final year. Breen is the wild card, such a great player but hard to imagine him making it to the nhl at his size. If they get close and have some heartbreaking losses (hope that doesn’t happen), I could see him wanting to come back.

I didn't realize Breen could be back, but he was a freshman on the '20-'21 team that lost games for COVID. If he can be convinced to stay that would be an absolutely colossal win for the team. I don't see an immediate heir to his 1C throne on the team or in the recruiting list currently, so having him back would be in immense boost to the team for next year.

 

[tylerzx2002]

This is the last year it’s applicable. I think Houle will be back, Ostman has given every indication of this being his final year. Breen is the wild card, such a great player but hard to imagine him making it to the nhl at his size. If they get close and have some heartbreaking losses (hope that doesn’t happen), I could see him wanting to come back.

There was a lot of chatter around Ostman for how well he did at Seattle's development camp so good chance he heads onward after this season (likely ECHL bound).

Hopefully a Breen return will be enough to keep Bradly Nadeau around for another year as well.

 

[acs64]

Im guessing the entire first line returns next year because they won't quite accomplish this year what they really want, i.e. a national championship. I am thinking nothing less than that will be acceptable.

 

[BlackBearFan19]

Im guessing the entire first line returns next year because they won't quite accomplish this year what they really want, i.e. a national championship. I am thinking nothing less than that will be acceptable.

I’m thinking maybe they’ll want a chance to defend their national championship

 

[amkirby10]

I think Bradly Nadeau returns next year under most scenarios. With the Hurricanes being an analytical and patient team, I bet they will want him to have a second year of college experience, maybe to pack on a little more muscle as well and hopefully fill in his frame just a bit more.

 

[9twenty]

I think Bradly Nadeau returns next year under most scenarios. With the Hurricanes being an analytical and patient team, I bet they will want him to have a second year of college experience, maybe to pack on a little more muscle as well and hopefully fill in his frame just a bit more.

He's(#82)a top flight player but he is no where's ready for the NHL ... 2 years at least at the NCAA level, if not 3.

 

[OronoKO]

Breen won't be back. He'll be playing pro hockey next year. Kuzma is the most talented guy slated to come in but I don't think he'll be ready for 1st line center. I expect Renwick will move up to 1C and Harrison will move up to 2C. Poisson is done and I think Houle moves on too. If Maine has a good season, I can see some transfer portal movement to help fill those spots.

 

[9twenty]

Breen won't be back. He'll be playing pro hockey next year. Kuzma is the most talented guy slated to come in but I don't think he'll be ready for 1st line center. I expect Renwick will move up to 1C and Harrison will move up to 2C. Poisson is done and I think Houle moves on too. If Maine has a good season, I can see some transfer portal movement to help fill those spots.

How does the Transfer Portal work next up coming season...2024-25...are they allowed next year to transfer and play that season.?..the covid seasons have made it hard to figure at times....along with the Duda/NCAA situation.(?).

 

[Chuck Murray]

I think Bradly Nadeau returns next year under most scenarios. With the Hurricanes being an analytical and patient team, I bet they will want him to have a second year of college experience, maybe to pack on a little more muscle as well and hopefully fill in his frame just a bit more.

FWIW the 'Canes allowed a then-very young Brett Pesce to play three seasons at UNH before he virtually went straight into the line-up with the big club, albeit they weren't then quite what they are now. Hard to believe, Pesce is in his 9th NHL season now, and will turn 29 next week. So with the state of the depth in the Carolina organization up front, I doubt they will be in a huge hurry to pry Nadeau out of a good situation with Coach Barr in Orono.

IIRC Ostman is not drafted, and if given a choice between a 5th year in Orono with a very competitive team on a national scale, and an ECHL slot with someone, I don't see any reason why he'd want to go to the Coast? Plus, if he really did turn heads in a major way in any preseason camp, they would probably have signed him on the spot - given his FA status. Maybe his prospects will look better come the Spring, but if he can't do better than an ECHL slot coming out of school while waiving any D-1 eligibility, I wouldn't be in a huge hurry to do so if he's still the lead dog in Orono. At worst, staying buys him time to get a better "starting job" pro paycheck.

I think Breen is in pretty much the same situation as Ostman (obviously a different position), but may feel more pressure to turn pro and try to get a decent payday. With all due respect, based on the times I've seen him play, there is a Haydar or Poturalski vibe going on that tells me he's probably gonna project to an AHL player, unless he can latch on with a younger rebuilding team at NHL level and catch some breaks. Too many teams pigeonhole guys like Breen as not good enough for top six duty, and not well-rounded enough for bottom six. We'll see ...

 

[OronoKO]

If guys are offered an AHL contract they will leave. I think Breen, Ostman and Brazeale will get those offers. Maybe Houle too. That's college hockey. Teams have to have a pipeline.

 

[Fishman'81]

If guys are offered an AHL contract they will leave. I think Breen, Ostman and Brazeale will get those offers. Maybe Houle too. That's college hockey. Teams have to have a pipeline.

Ostman's numbers are deceiving, IMO.

I like this team, but he looks like the weak link in the chain. I'd be surprised to see him get even a cup of coffee in The Show.

 

[9twenty]

Ostman's numbers are deceiving, IMO.

I like this team, but he looks like the weak link in the chain. I'd be surprised to see him get even a cup of coffee in The Show.

Ostman for now is the go to guy in net...Maine goes as far as he plays solid...as far as the NHL, every goalie gets a look...with Ostman he will get a look and if it's not in the cards NHL/AHL/ECHL...he can return home to Sweden and play in his country's pro leagues.

 

[Drew S.]

Ostman's numbers are deceiving, IMO.

I like this team, but he looks like the weak link in the chain. I'd be surprised to see him get even a cup of coffee in The Show.

I didn’t think he was great against RPI but did a good job against Quinnipiac and Merrimack. Two of Maine’s three meaningful wins were 2-1. For someone who wasn’t a highly sought recruit he has been wonderful.