So ... I guess it's safe to say you're a "glass half full" optimistic sort then, eh e.cat? "Don't bother me with that reality bullcrap, just tell me how the good stuff might play out, and I'm down with that!"
Just for the record, no one wants me to be wrong on this more than I do. Is it possible Souza could turn it around quickly, in ways that 'watcher, Dan and others have suggested? Sure, no doubt, possible. But ... probable? I look at the long-term downwards trajectory of the UNH Men's Hockey program - something I sounded the alarm on many years ago, when many on here were still fat and happy with annual trips to the D-1 tourney, albeit sliding gradually away from legitimate FF contenders - and perhaps more importantly, I look at the more precipitous drop the program has experienced over the last three years of "Souza in training". Combine that with the rather modest projections I see on here about the incoming class - which consists of Crookshank, Taylor and (arguably) a healthy Grasso - and I don't see the kind of dynamic talent either on hand or coming on board in enough quantity to turn this thing around. Yet.
Since I know we've had past similar discussions about UNH Football, and Coach McDonnell's transition period after the Coach Bowes era, let's draw parallels there. Coach Bowes was in charge for roughly the same amount of years as Coach Umile has been, and not unlike Umile's flight path, Bowes had a few down years at the start, and his last 3-4 years in charge were trending down as well (and it took McDonnell another 5 years to get it turned back around after that). When McDonnell (and key assistant Chip Kelly) adopted the spread offense we now see everywhere, it transformed the program back into consistent national contention. But it still took McDonnell/Kelly about 5 years to get upwards traction. Before that, it didn't look like they would bring the program back to its Bowes era level.
Unless Souza brings in someone (or something) dynamic (and soon) to make immediate positive impacts on the UNH Hockey program, it's hard for me to think we've even seen the program hitting bottom yet. The roster for next season is mostly cast in stone, although there are openings/money available, it will require Souza's staff to bring in multiple players at (or probably above) the levels of the Crookshanks and Maasses of the world to see an immediate impact. He hasn't done that yet ... and even when he has (Commesso), or when he hasn't been able to convince some of the Borek holdovers, and those have slipped through his fingers ... doesn't that make you ask questions on just how effective Souza or his current team are at selling his message effectively?
As I said at the outset ... I want to be wrong about this. I wanted to be wrong about the gradual slide into oblivion over the last decade (plus?) too, but that turned out with where we see the program today, which is bottom of the league, and not by accident. And if it turns out that I'm wrong - like I was after 5 years into McDonnell's regime - I will only be too happy to admit I'm wrong. Certainly the current AD has a history of giving his coaches a lot of rope, and the scary thing (to me anyway) is that UNH Hockey could find itself in its current state of decay for another decade. Not a comforting thought, to say the least.
The next few steps will tell us a lot. How does Souza fill out his coaching staff for next year? Does he and his team have some quality recruits stashed until the coaching change officially takes place? And who will lead the team on-ice next season, and in seasons to follow?
There has been a talent shortage in recent years, no doubt. Watching the full replay of last night's debacle (which could have been 10-0 had Madigan not called off the dogs after the bizarre/pitiful Robinson "effort" on the recalled offsides goal) hints at the huge gap between UNH's talent at the top of this league. It's that stark, and shocking too. But I would say there may have been an even bigger leadership vacuum, both on and off the ice. And I have no idea if Souza or his staff even recognize this issue exists yet.
All of this, combined at once, and I think things get worse before they get better. JMHO.
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You have no clue how UNH is going to do next year or the year after or the year after that. None of us do! There are too many variables involved. Yeah you're entitled to your opinion, in fact, I enjoy your posts. You're more like a contrary indicator though. Year over year comparisons will be easier to improve upon IMHO. I'd be very surprised if results don't improve moving forward. Then again, I have no better insight than you do!