Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale
Re: UNH Wildcats 2014 Post-Season Thread: "Maybe Dick" Hunts the Great White Whale
Sr.Downing----So.Kelleher------Sr.Willows
Fr.Foegele-----Fr.Poturalski-----Jr.Correale
Fr.Eiserman----Fr.McNicholas---Sr.Thrush
Fr.Salvaggio---Jr.Smith---------Sr.Camper
Jr.Gaudreault--Jr.MacDonald----Jr.Hill
So.Bourque
Sr.Agosta------Jr.Pesce
So.Cleland-----So.Maller
Fr.Marks-------Fr.Chanter
Fr.Furgele-----Jr.Quast
Sr.Randall
Watcher - are these lines you'd like to see? Or lines you expect Umile to roll out? I agree with a lot of the things you stated in your text, but I'm not sure I see all those statements reflected in your line-chart? Just curious...
I'd run out the following:
McNicholas - Downing - Willows
I guess I expect McNicholas to have more of an immediate impact than you do. If I recall correctly he was, at least somewhat, considered for last year's freshman class. While he'll need to add strength, I think he has elite play-making ability. I like him on a line with a well-rounded Downing and a blossoming Willows, who really has a real nose for the net. I didn't expect this from Willows, but I'm really happy to see it. I think this line scores a lot of goals and would be great as a PP1.
Eiserman - Poturalski - Kelleher
I like Kelleher to add some strength and make a big jump as a sophomore. I think he would have had a much better FR year statistically if he had remained in the top-six all season. There was a long stretch where he played on the 4th line. I think part of that reasoning was strength and defense against top opposing lines. For those reasons, I'm not sure he's ready to slot into the middle. I also think playing the wing will allow him to flourish offensively. I like Poturalski's two-way ability and he's another FR who deferred a year and should more ready to contribute. Eiserman/Foegele is a toss-up for me, but Eiserman has played and succeeded at a much higher level of competition.
Foegele - Smith - Correale
Foegele is making the same jump as Providence's Jankowski. Jankowski was a 1st-round pick, but only managed 7-11--18 making the move from Canadian Prep School to Hockey East. I think Foegele is a candidate to chip in some offense next year, but make a big jump as a sophomore. I think this line gives UNH some flexibility with the potential to add offense, but be defensively reliable. I like Smith's play-making pedigree. I agree with you on Correale - great speed and toughness, but I'm not sure about his offensive game developing too much. Here he can chip in some goals and be a tough player to play against especially on the forecheck. That said, is it your opinion that Correale should be on the second line? Or is that a projection? I'm not sure he has the scoring talent. I could, however, EASILY see Umile giving the upperclass Correale the first shot at the larger role you mentioned above.
Thrush - Camper - Gaudreault
I hope you're right about Salvaggio - but I think its close next season and expect Umile to give Camper/Gaudreault every opportunity to play. Gaudreault is really solid and steady, despite lacking any real offensive upside, and I think slots here on a nice fourth-line. If Salvaggio beats one or two of the upperclassmen out thats a big improvement to the roster. Thrush is a guy I've long hoped would turn into more of a scorer, but it just hasn't happened. Still, if there is one guy who might surprise it could be him. Even Austin Block had a big senior season!
Agosta-Pesce
Defensive pairings are a toss-up outside of Agosta-Pesce. I agree, I think Agosta was insurance for any TVR decision. Knodel was always going to go in my opinion. He's big, strong and has pro-prospects. There was no way he would stay, at his age, if he wanted to take a shot at professional hockey. Now that TVR is gone, I'd expect Agosta (who's pro-prospects will be limited) back. I've never been a huge fan, but I really hope he returns and adds some experience to the blueline. Umile likes to play his top defensemen together - though it might benefit the team to split the pair and form more of a top-four.
Cleland-Marks
I like the potential in Marks and could see him pairing up with Cleland on a pretty versatile unit. I would have concerns about whether or not this pairing would defend well enough though.
Maller-Chanter
I think the Dylan's pairing would give you a nice defensive group. Two big strong defenders who are stay-at-home types and can eat up space with size and reach. I'd expect that with some growth this could be a tough group to play against.
I'm not a huge fan of Quast - he's a similar defender who I don't think does anything quite as well as either Dylan. He does have experience on his side though, and Umile has a history of avoiding D-Men only to trot them out on a regular shift once they've grown up a bit. Is Furgele an effective defensive player? I like the offense this defense could produce with Agosta/Pesce/Marks - I'm not sure I'd sacrifice defense for any more offense. If Agosta does leave, I'd expect him to play a lot and, again, I could see these pairings set in any number of ways since there are so many question marks.
Finally, I'd expect Clark to challenge DeSmith a lot more than Wyer ever did. He has great size and is a pretty good athlete. I do think DeSmith starts at least 2/3 to 3/4 of the games - At the very least he's a solid-plus HE goalie who almost always gives UNH a chance to win. I think there is a chance that Clark sees a fair amount of time, however...
I like this team. I think the FR need to be thrown right into the fire so they are ready to lead in 2015-16. If Umile leans to heavily on upperclassmen this season, it will be a VERY young and inexperienced team the following year when Agosta/Pesce/Downing/Willows/DeSmith are all gone.
Where am I right? Where am I wrong??
!!! Let's hope!!
)
