Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Dan, while I want to share your optimism, and agree that it's somewhat encouraging to see the coaching staff has sought out a new place to buy "groceries", that's likely largely (if not only) been a matter of necessity, as opposed to choice. Spending the better part of a decade shopping in other markets has gotten the program less than nowhere. Reputations in the advisor/agent community in those areas are pretty much set in stone, and not in a good way. Yeah, I applaud the guys jumping on this new opportunity, and doing so with apparent urgency ... but let's be honest, did they have any real alternative but to jump in with both feet ASAP??
Who knows what connections they are utilizing up there? Hopefully we'll find out that UNH got the drop on several other programs, many of whom might have the luxury of watching how this new source of D-1 players works out. MS7 & Company probably have a very tight one year window to maximize the novelty of this new approach, after which some of those who are lurking and assessing the CHL market will no doubt jump in next season IF it looks like a viable strategy to build their respective programs, too. And if UNH doesn't make hay while the sun is shining this season, it's not gonna get any easier after that.
At the end of the day ... if the coaching staff can't coach their new guys up, the ceiling on what they might be able to accomplish will turn out to be lower than it might otherwise have been. And when we're looking at a 15-16 year old QMJHL draftee who is already 6'3" and apparently skilled and mobile, there's almost no chance Souza and Michaud will consummate their new recruiting commitment, as skilled kids with that size (with room to grow to Pronger-esque proportions) will generate a LOT of attention, and develop a whole new raft of suitors who will have more than just NIL to offer him. Souza's current deal expires before the Michaud kid is likely even NHL Draft eligible.
Let's say he doesn't even "pop" into blue chip territory ... but with his size and decent skill, at worst he'll project to a middle round draft pick (3rd/4th round). Do you think that kid is still coming to UNH? Based on recent UNH history, I doubt it.
Unless the current coaching staff has an epiphany, there's no chance an NHL team that's invested a middle round pick on him is gonna run the risk of letting him stagnate without top quality instruction to prepare him for the big leagues (not the AHL or the 'Coast). Even the Kings wouldn't trust UNH with a hit-and-hope 6th round pick like Conmy. The outlook on that front is grim, sad to say ... UNLESS the whole approach has changed. And hopefully the guys are practicing their "cooking" skills to augment their new "shopping" approach.
Only two more months to go before we all start to get answers to these questions, and see if the old dogs have been learning new tricks ...
Who knows what connections they are utilizing up there? Hopefully we'll find out that UNH got the drop on several other programs, many of whom might have the luxury of watching how this new source of D-1 players works out. MS7 & Company probably have a very tight one year window to maximize the novelty of this new approach, after which some of those who are lurking and assessing the CHL market will no doubt jump in next season IF it looks like a viable strategy to build their respective programs, too. And if UNH doesn't make hay while the sun is shining this season, it's not gonna get any easier after that.
At the end of the day ... if the coaching staff can't coach their new guys up, the ceiling on what they might be able to accomplish will turn out to be lower than it might otherwise have been. And when we're looking at a 15-16 year old QMJHL draftee who is already 6'3" and apparently skilled and mobile, there's almost no chance Souza and Michaud will consummate their new recruiting commitment, as skilled kids with that size (with room to grow to Pronger-esque proportions) will generate a LOT of attention, and develop a whole new raft of suitors who will have more than just NIL to offer him. Souza's current deal expires before the Michaud kid is likely even NHL Draft eligible.
Let's say he doesn't even "pop" into blue chip territory ... but with his size and decent skill, at worst he'll project to a middle round draft pick (3rd/4th round). Do you think that kid is still coming to UNH? Based on recent UNH history, I doubt it.
Unless the current coaching staff has an epiphany, there's no chance an NHL team that's invested a middle round pick on him is gonna run the risk of letting him stagnate without top quality instruction to prepare him for the big leagues (not the AHL or the 'Coast). Even the Kings wouldn't trust UNH with a hit-and-hope 6th round pick like Conmy. The outlook on that front is grim, sad to say ... UNLESS the whole approach has changed. And hopefully the guys are practicing their "cooking" skills to augment their new "shopping" approach.Only two more months to go before we all start to get answers to these questions, and see if the old dogs have been learning new tricks ...
