Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond
Fair enough! Thanks for that Dan.
I share your concern about other possible defections. On the other hand, I kinda like the idea of players having some options should they decide to opt into the portal. This can work in UNH's favor at some point down the line also. I think it was you who said BvR is easily replaceable anyway. Apologies if it wasn't you. At any rate, I wish him well moving forward.
In a vacuum, the portal is great for the players. They should have that freedom - especially since a number of sports allow free transfers already. When it happens to your team, its a tougher pill to swallow. I don't begrudge BVR in the least. I wouldn't have (meant to) say he is easily replaceable - but I would agree that his departure is not an insurmountable obstacle to success next season. UNH should be able to cover his departure simply by getting an eligible Engaras into the fold. Engaras is a two-way center who can (at the very least) chip in some offense, check and kill penalties. Hopefully more than that. Improvement from guys like MacAdams, Esposito and Fregona can also make up for the loss of BVR, and his on-ice impact. They should be fine - and I also wish BVR well and hope he takes a big step at NU...
The biggest key to UNH's season next year will be what they need out of their top returning forwards - i.e. senior (four-year) jumps from Blackburn and Grasso and notable improvements from now experienced underclassmen like Kelleher, Pierson and Crookshank...
Blackburn is more smart and positional with good hands around the goal than he is a sniper and while expectations were through the roof for Grasso after he scored 20-goals as a FR (9 came on the PP) - his last two seasons were more in line with his early junior career. But both are 23 years old come the fall and have 30-some goals at the college level under their belts. They need to deliver UNH, what they used to get all the time, a senior bump a la Austin Block (15 goals) or Nick Sorkin (20 goals).
At least two of, Kelleher (yes, he's a junior), Pierson and Crookshank need to deliver a sophomore/underclass breakout along the lines of what UNH used to get from guys like Trevor Smith (20 to 43 points) if not quite Jason Krog (20 to 67 points). They'll need to find a sixth-scoring forward - a Dan Correale type - who can ride shotgun in the top six (probably Fregona). Or add another top-end, forward recruit (my preference). Had BVR remained, he would have helped with, and added depth to, that search, but they have other options and the first-five are the real key to success for 2019-20.
The bottom six should be strong, capable defensively and on the forecheck, while give them enough scoring with Engaras, MacAdams, Esposito and Stevenson, etc. The defense and goaltending should be a strength. It all comes down to whether or not (and how much) the top talents produce...
