UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

No. The team is still better this year. Better at F with Crookshank and Engaras replacing a tough year for the departing senior class. Better on D with another year of experience and adding MacKinnon. Better in net with two goalies more talented than the incumbent (IMO). It remains the long term prognosis that concerns me - this year they'll compete for a playoff spot. Will they ever be more than that again? That's the question and they've got a lot of work to do to answer that one...

The only area of the team that I'm completely sold on being better next season is the defense. Year older, year wiser, year better (plus MacKinnon). Up front … it's a classic overreach 80% of the time to think your frosh forwards are going to step in and make an immediate impact. This was probably the least impressive UNH team in a generation offensively last season, so yeah, the bar is set pretty low. Usually your frosh attackers start to show signs of blossoming in the latter part of their first seasons (although at UNH that's hardly a given), so I'm expecting another low-scoring UNH team this season (hope I'm wrong) with a chance that things begin to look up during Coach Souza's sophomore season.

In goal, I think all of your eggs are going to have to be in the Taylor basket. Robinson (IMO) looked very mediocre, and if we had any wonders as to why he was struggling for game time in juniors, I think he showed it last season at UNH. I know you were never a fan of the past coach's former goalie binky, and although I valued him more than you did, I never pretended he was in the top echelon of HE. At times he could pass as an average-to-slightly-above-average HE goalie, but that he was the clear-cut starter for 3.5 seasons always said more about the lack of quality goalie depth at UNH than anything else. I know we had a lot of fun at coach's expense these last few years about his "attachment" to Tirone, but he did move off of him several times during the "Final Countdown" years. The problem was always that, whoever took over, usually quickly reminded coach why he was relying on DT so much to begin with.

I'm hoping that Taylor proves to be the real deal, and even Robinson rediscovers whatever form he had that got him drafted so relatively high, and if so, then UNH has a legit competition in goal, and might be set in that position for the first time post-CDS. Problem is, Taylor will be a rookie, and Robinson might as well still be one. And the #3 guy is (apparently still) the kid from Philips Exeter (Lazarro?). On top of that, you have a rookie HC who is inheriting a team that won one (1) game in about its last 20 games last season. Maybe there will be more talent on this year's roster, but I'm not convinced that talent is going to translate into more W's than last season's team. If it does, then great. If not - I'm more hopeful (and also will be more demanding) about how season after next goes. I'm still a strong UNDER for Snively65's over/under contest on '18/'19 wins.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

Clarkson/Denver have just named new AC's...maybe we're next! Scott you might be right we could be meeting him next Thursday at the STH cookout...#FingersCrossed

 

[NCAA watcher]

Clarkson/Denver have just named new AC's...maybe we're next! Scott you might be right we could be meeting him next Thursday at the STH cookout...#FingersCrossed

Well, since there are only two teams without assistants (UNH and Harvard) I’d say it’s 50/50. Of course, they lost theirs 3 weeks ago so probably are ready to hire.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

Chuck, when I say that the team will be better this season – and in all three phases – I am certainly not arguing that they will be notably better. However, there is nowhere to go but up and the improvement in talent in the short term is tangible. At the forward position that starts with a couple of key freshmen, but is primarily based on the same reason the defense will improve – the development of some existing forwards.

The most critical part of the discussion may be who they’re losing and what needs to be replaced. McNicholas and Salvaggio were, in all honesty, much more than disappointing (as I described them earlier). While playing their entire season on UNH’s top line and PP unit, the duo combined for 13 goals TOTAL. Six of those goals came in two games, the second night versus Colgate and the game at RPI. So the two of them combined for seven goals over the remaining 34 games played…

Eiserman added five goals on the season, which means all told, UNH needs to replace just 18 goals to match last season’s total production from their senior forwards. It certainly would not surprise me if Crookshank and Engaras alone– especially if they are playing top-six, first-PP roles – surpass 18 goals this season.

More importantly, you bring back a healthy Patrick Grasso for an entire season. Grasso, Blackburn, BVR and Nazarian will all add a year of experience, development and strength to their resumes. Charlie Kelleher is a candidate for a real sophomore jump. Perhaps UNH gets one of their patented senior surges from Marcus Vela, who is certainly capable despite an underproductive first three seasons.

I think the evidence is pretty convincing that the forwards will be better. Even if you subscribe to the idea that the primary reason for that is because of how bad they were last year and how little production they actually lost…

As for the goaltenders, Taylor is as good a goaltender recruit as they’ve picked up since DeSmith. Robinson made only six appearances, but actually played pretty darn well in my opinion. Remove one awful outing against Northeastern when he gave up 5 goals on 14 shots (in a game entire team seemed to sleepwalk thru) and he posted a .929 SPCT and a 2.06 GAA in five appearances and 204 minutes played. Hopefully they’ll rotate the goalies to start – in a legitimate competition – and that will make both better. ..

--

I do think UNH will be better next year – whether that shows notably in the win count remains to be seen, but they should compete for a road playoff spot. I bet they’ll be better enough, that a number of people will be excited about the Souza era and certain fans may even return to tell me off regarding my past and present concerns. Unfortunately, if there isn’t more of a sense of urgency for improving the program, attracting talented recruits ahead of their year of enrollment and landing an actual assistant coach, it may be nothing more than a mirage.

In the very near future they’ll have to replace (and improve upon) the junior class, Gildon and Maass and a lot of work remains to do just that. They have not yet even landed enough real talent in next year's recruiting class to represent a real upgrade on this season's seniors! When and if that happens I’ll get on board for a long-term improvement. Until then, I remain extremely skeptical…

--

2018-19 – 14-19-3 (8-14-2)

Wins – @Colgate, @CC, UVM, Miami, PC, Dartmouth, Bentley, MC, Yale, @MC, UConn, Maine, NU, UML
Losses – @CC, UMass, @UML, BU, @BC, @UMass, Miami , @PC, @Dartmouth, @BU, BC, @ME, @UConn, Maine, @UVM, NU, @UML.
Ties - @Colgate, @UVM, @NU

1. BU
2. BC
3. PC
4. UMass
5. Maine
6. UML
7. NU
8. UNH (swept by BU, 0-2)
9. UConn
10. Vermont
11. Merrimack

No NCAA Tournament...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

I admire your optimism, Dan. Honestly, I hope you prove to be right about next season. The program can't handle several more seasons like the ones we've just experienced, without sustaining potential generational-level damage to the program's long-term health.

I guess where you sense there may be a "new car smell" factor that helps things out next season, I fear the "used car stank" factor more. We've finally hit the point with the program that any players (and now coaches) who have had any positive post-season experience - and I'm talking about the last trip to the Garden - are no longer with the program. Sure, Souza can probably spin some great stories about him and Kroggie and Haydar and the '99 team, but even that now is way past the shelf life of the kids considering joining the program. Ditto even the '03 team. "Lanny Gare isn't walking through that door", etc. Even the semblance of a connection to the days of even modest success ("Kevin Goumas isn't walking through that door" I guess??) now stands broken.

I think Coach Souza has ended up with his dream job in a nightmare scenario. I suspect he hasn't quite realized just what a deep hole his program is in at this moment. If he does realize it, he sure has a funny way of showing it. JMHO.

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

So, even Dan is an Under on the 14.5 wins contest. I am still an Over with 15 wins, although I have no idea when or against whom those wins will come. Of course, if Souza buries Crookshank and Engarad on the third or fourth lines, and plays Nazarian and Vela on either of the top two lines and either of the top two PP units, I will join Chuck and Dan on the Under.

 

[HockeyRef]

So, even Dan is an Under on the 14.5 wins contest. I am still an Over with 15 wins, although I have no idea when or against whom those wins will come. Of course, if Souza buries Crookshank and Engarad on the third or fourth lines, and plays Nazarian and Vela on either of the top two lines and either of the top two PP units, I will join Chuck and Dan on the Under.

Vela and Nazarian don’t belong on those top two lines? And Chuck..thanks for the Goumas nod finally a player in my “era” lol...We could use a few more Kevin G’s if you ask me

 

[BlackI]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

Well, could be he's waiting for the goalie to move side across and isn't five holing it in favor of top shelf.

Be patient. He's a killer goal scorer. You will do fine.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

TvR signed a 2 year contract with the ‘Canes worth 4.6 mil. Congrats!

 

[Snively65]

Vela and Nazarian don’t belong on those top two lines? And Chuck..thanks for the Goumas nod finally a player in my “era” lol...We could use a few more Kevin G’s if you ask me

Neither one of them has been able to put the puck in the net the past three years, which I believe should be the primary objective of forwards in hockey. I am ok with them rotating in as a checking line against the opponents' top line, kinda like our seniors during the first half of the season two years ago, before one of them went down with a career-ending injury. But, I definitely do not want to see them on the PP.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

Neither one of them has been able to put the puck in the net the past three years, which I believe should be the primary objective of forwards in hockey. I am ok with them rotating in as a checking line against the opponents' top line, kinda like our seniors during the first half of the season two years ago, before one of them went down with a career-ending injury. But, I definitely do not want to see them on the PP.

Sad fact of the matter is, Nazarian is the top returning scorer up front next season. At least you can say that he's not a big disappointment, unlike Vela who may be the single most underachieving forward UNH has brought in over the last decade. And I'm thinking that's a list dotted with fairly high-profile names.

 

[HockeyRef]

Neither one of them has been able to put the puck in the net the past three years, which I believe should be the primary objective of forwards in hockey. I am ok with them rotating in as a checking line against the opponents' top line, kinda like our seniors during the first half of the season two years ago, before one of them went down with a career-ending injury. But, I definitely do not want to see them on the PP.

Both will be on the PP with Vela centering. Grasso, Blackburn, Gildon are my guesses initially. Crookshank amd Engaras are top contenders as well but I don’t expect to see them immediately there...haha as if I have a clue! So then who fills out your PP?

 

[HockeyRef]

Sad fact of the matter is, Nazarian is the top returning scorer up front next season. At least you can say that he's not a big disappointment, unlike Vela who may be the single most underachieving forward UNH has brought in over the last decade. And I'm thinking that's a list dotted with fairly high-profile names.

Vela has GOT to step up big this season and most importantly stay outta the box!!

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

Vela and Nazarian don’t belong on those top two lines? And Chuck..thanks for the Goumas nod finally a player in my “era” lol...We could use a few more Kevin G’s if you ask me

Whoa Ref,
Strong words from you. Who do you see on top 6? It is hard for me to not see both of them up there at the start anyway. By mid November we will see if we are approaching it the same way as DU or it appears to be the result of a strong week at practice. I would put both Ara and Liam as my "no quit" guys. Late in games they were always still full throttle.

Still looking for some help with the coaching for the d side. If everyone stays or we only lose 1 next off season, we will be as potentially strong and talented as I have ever seen. I get 2 periods of watching them react to the opponents charges and dump ins and can tell you the freshmen were impressive and have a huge upside. They both could use a little film work on decision making but they can both move the puck as we have not seen lately. Could be the next Carolina Twins.

 

[HockeyRef]

Whoa Ref,
Strong words from you. Who do you see on top 6? It is hard for me to not see both of them up there at the start anyway. By mid November we will see if we are approaching it the same way as DU or it appears to be the result of a strong week at practice. I would put both Ara and Liam as my "no quit" guys. Late in games they were always still full throttle.

Still looking for some help with the coaching for the d side. If everyone stays or we only lose 1 next off season, we will be as potentially strong and talented as I have ever seen. I get 2 periods of watching them react to the opponents charges and dump ins and can tell you the freshmen were impressive and have a huge upside. They both could use a little film work on decision making but they can both move the puck as we have not seen lately. Could be the next Carolina Twins.

No I DO believe they belong there I was questioning Snively65! Couldn’t agree more with your view of Liam and Ara. As per my “top 6” I’m not really sure tbh...there’s going to be some competition with the forwards that’s a given for those spots. But my guess?

Grasso Vela Crookshank (Nazarian/Kelleher)
Maass Gildon (Wyse/MacKinnon)
Robinson (Taylor gets a legit start and could earn top spot but I hope they both get plenty of time to “prove” this)

Blackburn, Engaras in the running too for that top line as does Charlie Kelleher (with Kelleher having a being top contender depending on how fast he gets out of the gate!!)

All that said, you guys can “fix my post” I don’t mind...

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

If everyone stays or we only lose 1 next off season, we will be as potentially strong and talented as I have ever seen.

New(ish) fan?!??!

 

[BlackI]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

New(ish) fan?!??!

He saw Maine teams. Just giving him an out.

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

No I DO believe they belong there I was questioning Snively65! Couldn’t agree more with your view of Liam and Ara. As per my “top 6” I’m not really sure tbh...there’s going to be some competition with the forwards that’s a given for those spots. But my guess?

Grasso Vela Crookshank (Nazarian/Kelleher)
Maass Gildon (Wyse/MacKinnon)
Robinson (Taylor gets a legit start and could earn top spot but I hope they both get plenty of time to “prove” this)

Blackburn, Engaras in the running too for that top line as does Charlie Kelleher (with Kelleher having a being top contender depending on how fast he gets out of the gate!!)

All that said, you guys can “fix my post” I don’t mind...

You are so right here. I didn't take the time to read who you you were responding to.

 

[Dan]

Nazarian, yes. Vela, not unless he earns it. I would start with something like this...

Crookshank - Blackburn - Grasso
Nazarian - Engaras - Kelleher
Pierson - Vela - MacAdams
BVR - Miller - Fregona/Esposito/Cippolone/Cefalu
---
Sacco/Sato

* If Engaras cannot step into a 2C roll than push Nazarian into the middle and put BVR on the second-line wing.

Wyse - Maass
Gildon - MacKinnon
Boyd - Verrier
---
Dawson/Hickey

***

PP1 - Gildon, Grasso, Crookshank, Blackburn, Vela/BVR
PP2 - Wyse, Maass, Nazarian, Engaras/BVR, Kelleher
PK1 - Wyse, Maass, Nazarian, Vela
PK2 - BVR, Blackburn/Engaras, Boyd, MacKinnon

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

And more along the lines of what I'd expect to see...

BVR - Blackburn - Grasso
Nazarian - Vela - Kelleher
Crookshank - Miller - MacAdams
Pierson - Engaras - Esposito/Cefalu
---
Fregona/Cippolone/Sato/Sacco

Gildon - Maass
Wyse - MacKinnon
Boyd - Dawson/Verrier
---
Hickey