UNH Offseason Contract Edition.

[Chuck Murray]

Dan thanks...what's your take on Sadowski coming a year sooner (if necessary). Hes a great player to be sure but I don't think UNH would be making a mistake given the current roster they have to have him skate a year in the Jr's?

Off the top of my head not sure where he's heading next season....

Leave it to UNH to screw up their first notable legacy get in most of our lifetimes ... unless the player or his family (and of course, his Dad was MS7's linemate for long stretches of their shared time at UNH) want him to spend another season preparing for the move to D-1, Sadowski should be matriculating at UNH this Fall. No matter what the current state of the UNH roster, he would be an instant upgrade.

One would think UNH may have learned from the Vecchione saga a decade or so ago, repeated a few times too ...

 

[freak]

A combined 19 seasons in Durham, with just three seasons above .500, zero regular-season titles, one top-four finish (women), two tournament semi-final appearances (both women), zero tournament finals appearances (let alone championships), zero NCAA Tournament appearances and an overall record of 242-344-69 (.422). More specifically, that is 128-185-31 (.417) for the women (Witt's extension is much more criminal)

Witt has 4 winning seasons in 18 years between Yale and UNH, and even this year was misleading. They were still sub .500 all the way until the middle of February, before that run at the end of the season.

Even then, finishing 3rd was as much about what other teams did (or didn't) do.

They beat BC (4th) twice to end the season and finish ahead of them. But BC went 1-5-1 to close out the regular season, and were 2-6-3 from Jan 13 on (when they were #1 in the standings).

PC (5th) went on a tear in January to move up the standings, but went just 2-2-3 in February to close out the regular season.

 

[Chuck Murray]

28 years ago tonight ... the greatest rivalry in the last generation-plus of NHL history erupted, burning hot for the better part of a decade. Red Wings v. Avs, capped off here by the greatest night of Darren McCarty's career ...

 

[Sparkee]

The portal is open for undergrads from March 31 to May 14. The only non-graduate portal entrees as of now are players who's program is changing coaches - i.e. Stonehill, Lindenwood, Miami, etc. There are several Robert Morris undergrads in the portal - so either they're making a coaching change quietly, or there is some exception for that program and its student-athletes related to the cancelation and return of sport sponsorship?

Other than those excepted programs, its only graduate transfers at this stage - some decent players, a lot of filler...

I saw a Northeastern player enter today with 3 years of eligibility left. Does this mean Northeastern has some exception?

 

[amkirby10]

I saw a Northeastern player enter today with 3 years of eligibility left. Does this mean Northeastern has some exception?

The exceptions are for coaching changes, or if the player is getting his financial aid cut. Since Keefe isn't going anywhere, whoever that player is must be getting his aid cut down.

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

Cam Gendron just hit the portal for UNH

 

[Robert Balin]

Leave it to UNH to screw up their first notable legacy get in most of our lifetimes ... unless the player or his family (and of course, his Dad was MS7's linemate for long stretches of their shared time at UNH) want him to spend another season preparing for the move to D-1, Sadowski should be matriculating at UNH this Fall. No matter what the current state of the UNH roster, he would be an instant upgrade.

One would think UNH may have learned from the Vecchione saga a decade or so ago, repeated a few times too ...

This has been my point all along. Mass player of the year Mass prep player of the year 90 points in 35 games.Get him ready for 2025 when UNH should make a good run.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Cam Gendron just hit the portal for UNH

Hardly surprising. As has been typical ... decent frosh season, and then flatlined on development and production.

Pretty much a forgotten spare part by the end. Guess his 5th season will be spent elsewhere ...

 

[Robert Balin]

Iv'e been following the UNH recruits pretty closely for the last couple of years and i'm not really impressed bye what's coming in as a whole. The twins are good players but their not exactly tearing up the BCHL. Here's the difference bye the way Souza does it and Barr does at Maine. Maine has 36 kids on list with only 2 signed NLI. UNH has 19 and have ten that have signed NLI's. This means UNH is basically stuck with these players and Maine can cut ties if their not progressing the way that want.This was done at UMASS when Carval purged 10 players when he arrived,and Barr was the assistant.

 

[Scott]

Cam Gendron just hit the portal for UNH

Not too surprised, but it's too bad that it's another NH kid who doesn't want to finish up his collegiate career at home. Then again, maybe it was a mutual agreement between him and Souza

 

[JB]

So I get busy out in the world "paying the bills" and need to catch up on 10 pages.

My first reaction is complete disgust with the University. These 2 coaches have not earned anymore time, they have each had one flash in the pan year. Look at Souza his teams (even this year) still don't get better during the year, that is lack of coaching. Example #1 the power play that was terrible and getting worse, the longer the year went.

On the other hand. There are politics to consider. The famous business "story" of a VP that makes a $500k screw up and drops his resignation on the company Presidents desk. Resignation is rejected, why would I let somebody else benefit from the $500k education.

My big question is what is actually in that contract. Is it really a 3 year deal or is it 3, 1 year deals. Is it a put up or shut up deal. Example of something draconian, could be, if you finish worse next year (below 6th place or worse than .569% or don't make the NCAAs or something similar) the University has the option to no buyout terminate the contract. etc. etc. If there are clause like those in those contacts it probably makes sense, particularly to the AD. Right or wrong these teams have built some good will in 2023-24 and a savvy AD probably doesn't want the heat. It has been a decade of suck, and humans memories are honestly short, so most have forgotten that for 20 years a bad year was getting bumped in the NCAA first round.

Difference 2022-23 vs 2023-24, nobody cares about basketball at UNH. So that non renue was low risk easy. Souza did just enough this year to make it "hard".

I hope the University want more, want to return to 17 or 20 years in the NCAAs. That they realize Maine isn't a fluke, you can turn around in college hockey and it doesn't need to take forever.

Barr - Maine year 3 turn around, after a decade of suck
Nightingale - MSU year 2 turn around after a decade of suck
Mayotte - CC year 3 turn around (just missed the NCAAs) after a decade of suck

Brown - BC, never mind they had 2 "bad" years... this is actually in here for the side note, those bad 2 years were better than 8 of UNHs last 10​

Some is also timing. It helps if somebody else is falling off as you are attempting to ascend. It is why Blue Skies got an award, everybody else in Hockey East loves that he screwed up UNH hockey it opened space for others to rise.

 

[Snively65]

Hardly surprising. As has been typical ... decent frosh season, and then flatlined on development and production.

Pretty much a forgotten spare part by the end. Guess his 5th season will be spent elsewhere ...

I guess that if you want to call Gendron’s frosh year decent at 2 goals and 4 assists in 16 games in a short season, that is reasonable given the mediocrity of the team. But, I think that his flatlining was a sign of better recruits that began producing straight away, which is what MS7 used to convince the AD that he was worthy of a three-year extension.

I will be paying attention to which of the other four seniors (Cafarelli, Jensen, Lindner, and Reid) come back for a fifth year and I happy not see their names in the portal so far.

 

[JB]

Dan thanks...what's your take on Sadowski coming a year sooner (if necessary). Hes a great player to be sure but I don't think UNH would be making a mistake given the current roster they have to have him skate a year in the Jr's?

Are you thinking the roster isn't good enough, or there is to much talent aka not enough space.

If Sadowski is ready you make space, plenty of forward that scored less than 20 pts, 15 pts, 10 pts, pick the spot to draw the line. It is not like UNH has this years BC roster of forwards returning where finding ice time might be hard. UNH was a 6th place team that didn't make the NCAAs which means you need more talent and better coaching.

Only reason to leave Sadowski in the Juniors is if that is what he wants/ is on board, or you are good with him going elsewhere.

 

[Chuck Murray]

I guess that if you want to call Gendron’s frosh year decent at 2 goals and 4 assists in 16 games in a short season, that is reasonable given the mediocrity of the team. But, I think that his flatlining was a sign of better recruits that began producing straight away, which is what MS7 used to convince the AD that he was worthy of a three-year extension.

Fair take. Certainly seems the level of recruits the last couple of years has crept forwards. Not leapt - crept.

I will be paying attention to which of the other four seniors (Cafarelli, Jensen, Lindner, and Reid) come back for a fifth year and I happy not see their names in the portal so far.

Cafarelli has been a four year tease, and Lindner has been a nice spare part, but not much more than that.

It would be nice to see at least one of Jenson and/or Reid back for one more season. We'll see soon enough ...

 

[JB]

28 years ago tonight ... the greatest rivalry in the last generation-plus of NHL history erupted, burning hot for the better part of a decade. Red Wings v. Avs, capped off here by the greatest night of Darren McCarty's career ...

The pure hate between these teams made it fun to watch even from the outside. Those games were always so intense and it seemed year after year it would be a 7 game playoff series.

I always hated Claude Lemieux and the reason for my dislike can be seen on the video. It always felt like he was a cheap shot artist and then he turtles when McCarty gets his hands on him. You can see McCarty trying to pull Lemieux to his feet just so he could pound on him more. Never a fan of either team, but as long a Claude Lemieux was on the Avalanche, I was a DRW fan because those series were appointment viewing.

 

[Snively65]

Fair take. Certainly seems the level of recruits the last couple of years has crept forwards. Not leapt - crept.



Cafarelli has been a four year tease, and Lindner has been a nice spare part, but not much more than that.

It would be nice to see at least one of Jenson and/or Reid back for one more season. We'll see soon enough ...

Agreed on Cafarelli, whom I think takes too many stupid penalties, and I would be fine were he to be replaced by Sadowski.

But, I do not see much help arriving to supplement our blue line, and was not much impressed by Fitzgerald this past season. I thought that Lindner was a fine portal addition to the second pair, and would be happy were he to return along with Reid and Jensen. Still hoping that Hellsten does not go pro.

 

[freak]

My big question is what is actually in that contract. Is it really a 3 year deal or is it 3, 1 year deals. Is it a put up or shut up deal. Example of something draconian, could be, if you finish worse next year (below 6th place or worse than .569% or don't make the NCAAs or something similar) the University has the option to no buyout terminate the contract. etc. etc.

I highly doubt it. Witt has just two winning seasons in 10 years, and they were still below .500 until the middle of Feb this year. They seem happy to let her muddle along.

It seems that ever since Charlebois was academically ineligible, UNH had acted as if being competitive and graduating kids are mutually exclusive.

Recruiting was already being squeezed during Mac's last 4 years (sub .500), and they've now rewarded additional10 years of failure. I have no faith that it will change any time soon.

What I can't fathom is how Steph Jones (played/coached under Mac) and Faber (played for Mac) sit quietly there as the program is wrecked.

 

[After the Whistle]

I guess that if you want to call Gendron’s frosh year decent at 2 goals and 4 assists in 16 games in a short season, that is reasonable given the mediocrity of the team. But, I think that his flatlining was a sign of better recruits that began producing straight away, which is what MS7 used to convince the AD that he was worthy of a three-year extension.

I will be paying attention to which of the other four seniors (Cafarelli, Jensen, Lindner, and Reid) come back for a fifth year and I happy not see their names in the portal so far.

Snivley think (hope) you are incorrect about Lindner being a senior. He had 2 years at AIC but this was his first here. The HE site lists him as a senior but our site confirms that he was a junior this year. Sure hope so! I am on the Louis Linder fan bus. While. Not big or particularly physical he does not shy away when need be and his stick work is very strong. While not at all flashy and certainly not a big scorer, I would take him as one of our 6 any year. Think consistent and steady.
I would think that Reid would have to go as he was recruited. Jensen on the other hand should a solutly stay unless he where to get a 2way. Otherwise he can wait to sign a Bus Ride contract.

 

[Snively65]

Snivley think (hope) you are incorrect about Lindner being a senior. He had 2 years at AIC but this was his first here. The HE site lists him as a senior but our site confirms that he was a junior this year. Sure hope so! I am on the Louis Linder fan bus. While. Not big or particularly physical he does not shy away when need be and his stick work is very strong. While not at all flashy and certainly not a big scorer, I would take him as one of our 6 any year. Think consistent and steady.
I would think that Reid would have to go as he was recruited. Jensen on the other hand should a solutly stay unless he where to get a 2way. Otherwise he can wait to sign a Bus Ride contract.

I think that you are absolutely correct about Louis Lindner, and he should not be going anywhere. We really need the Austrian and the Swede to be back for their senior years. But why do you say that Reid would have to go because he was recruited?

 

[Dan]

Cafarelli is also officially in the portal.

I'd imagine both he and Gendron parted mutually with the staff. They want more playing time & opportunity, the staff wants/needs the money back for the incoming FR or portal additions of their own...