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UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

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Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

I agree with Chuck here. The Carolina Hurricanes do not appear they will ever give Poturalski a legitimate opportunity to make it in the NHL. Poturalski and his agent this summer need to analyze all 31 NHL teams and figure out the one that will give him a chance to make their team. This situation is the point of my post about Donato for Coyle trade. Hockey players have to figure out what hockey organizations value their respective skill sets and stay away from those that don't.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Chuck Murray said:
Agreed. Jeff Levy, Derek Bekar, Trevor Smith, Blake Kessel, just to name some of the most notable ones prior to Poturalski. I almost hesitate to include Smith, who did get some decent NHL service time in. And I'm not saying Poturalski won't get there, but the writing does appear to be on the wall with his current organization. IIRC he signed a two-way, one year deal last summer, so maybe he will be free to explore other options next season, if he so chooses (and he probably should).
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The problem with criticizing early departures like these is two-fold...

First, you assume that the prospect hindered their development and an NHL career would have been better served by staying in college. With the exception of Jeff Levy - I don't see much development remaining at the college level for any of those names. Additionally, one could just as easily critique Jason Krog's decision in hindsight. Would he have been better served not waiting until the age of 25 to take a crack at professional hockey. Would he have been given more of a chance if he had been adjusted to the pro-game and ripping up the AHL at 25, rather than when he was closing in on 30...

Second, it assumes these prospects would regret their decisions or that things did not go well. In Poturalski's case, he received an $850,000, or so, signing bonus, and has made around 75,000 for the last three seasons (a heck of an entry-level salary by real-world standards). At the end of this season, he can sign with either the NHL team of his choice (one that wants to pay him/give him a legitimate chance) or head to Europe, make a six-figure salary (high six-figures in the right leagues) and try to get to the NHL by dominating over there (a la Steve Moses). School is always waiting. He can come back and finish. His game needed the step up in hockey terms. Even the above money, at such a young age, is hard to pass up and he gets it while chasing his life-long dream...

Much of the criticism of these decisions is based on the idea that - as a fan - you wish you could have watched them for a full four-years at UNH. If Poturalski stays at UNH until he's 24 and scores 125+ more points over two additional seasons - that's great for us, but what does dominating a league he's already far exceeded actually accomplish for him? The reality of his situation is this - if UNH wanted Poturalski for three or four seasons, they shouldn't have deferred him in 2013-14 when he could have made an immediate impact...
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Dan said:
The problem with criticizing early departures like these is two-fold...

First, you assume that the prospect hindered their development and an NHL career would have been better served by staying in college. With the exception of Jeff Levy - I don't see much development remaining at the college level for any of those names. Additionally, one could just as easily critique Jason Krog's decision in hindsight. Would he have been better served not waiting until the age of 25 to take a crack at professional hockey. Would he have been given more of a chance if he had been adjusted to the pro-game and ripping up the AHL at 25, rather than when he was closing in on 30...

Second, it assumes these prospects would regret their decisions or that things did not go well. In Poturalski's case, he received an $850,000, or so, signing bonus, and has made around 75,000 for the last three seasons (a heck of an entry-level salary by real-world standards). At the end of this season, he can sign with either the NHL team of his choice (one that wants to pay him/give him a legitimate chance) or head to Europe, make a six-figure salary (high six-figures in the right leagues) and try to get to the NHL by dominating over there (a la Steve Moses). School is always waiting. He can come back and finish. His game needed the step up in hockey terms. Even the above money, at such a young age, is hard to pass up and he gets it while chasing his life-long dream...

Much of the criticism of these decisions is based on the idea that - as a fan - you wish you could have watched them for a full four-years at UNH. If Poturalski stays at UNH until he's 24 and scores 125+ more points over two additional seasons - that's great for us, but what does dominating a league he's already far exceeded actually accomplish for him? The reality of his situation is this - if UNH wanted Poturalski for three or four seasons, they shouldn't have deferred him in 2013-14 when he could have made an immediate impact...
Click to expand...

Dan
While on the topic of early departure, can you respond with a prospective on Anthony Wyse leaving after this year. He fits your profile outlined above. How much more would he develop? It seems to me that as an undrafted underclassmen it is the best time for teams to make offers. Maybe a players stock goes up with a final year but an NHL team would have to potentially compete - dollars, contract terms etc, after he has completed his 4 years. This summer, with perhaps a smaller number of interested teams, they know they get a strong AHLer with a real NHL possibility. If I had to guess, I'd say he is gone.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

After the Whistle said:
Dan
While on the topic of early departure, can you respond with a prospective on Anthony Wyse leaving after this year. He fits your profile outlined above. How much more would he develop? It seems to me that as an undrafted underclassmen it is the best time for teams to make offers. Maybe a players stock goes up with a final year but an NHL team would have to potentially compete - dollars, contract terms etc, after he has completed his 4 years. This summer, with perhaps a smaller number of interested teams, they know they get a strong AHLer with a real NHL possibility. If I had to guess, I'd say he is gone.
Click to expand...

Wyse is an interesting case and I'll preface all I'm about to say with the admission that I have no idea what will happen and see him as a 50/50 flight risk. One that could go either way...

At the beginning of the season, I thought he needed to improve his skating, mobility and puck moving skills - but watching him, especially in the second half of the season, I think he has taken great strides (pun intended) in those areas. His combination of size, physicality and skill has to be intriguing to NHL scouts. I still think he has a fairly wide range of outcomes - there is a chance he's skating on an NHL third-pair in a few years, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he never really makes it past the ECHL.

It only takes one team to make an offer and if he gets a substantial bonus and a shot at the AHL, I think he probably should go. As you allude to, he's already 22 years old - so if he feels he is ready and a team is willing, the time to go is probably now. That said, there might be a handful of (or more) teams keeping an eye on him and hoping to see more development next season. Maybe he thinks (or will be advised) that further improvement will create a bidding war and better opportunities. I would look at a guy like Wyse (much more so than Gildon - who I really think has to move up) and wonder if maybe there is a real benefit to another year in college. If he can stay and handle a lot of pucks, instead of moving up and (potentially) being asked to play a physical/bank it off the wall type style, it might be better to do so...

I think two things might work in UNH's favor of keeping Wyse. First, he originally committed to Dartmouth and is a very strong student. Second, he has just one more year left (as opposed to two) and he might think he has a chance to do something special for UNH, aiding in a program-changing, turnaround. Agree or disagree from the outside looking in, I bet the players will feel that way at the end of the season. Three things working against UNH, assuming the opportunity arises, would be the dream of playing professional hockey, the significant financial opportunities and a team's vision for his future development...
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Dan said:
Wyse is an interesting case and I'll preface all I'm about to say with the admission that I have no idea what will happen and see him as a 50/50 flight risk. One that could go either way...

At the beginning of the season, I thought he needed to improve his skating, mobility and puck moving skills - but watching him, especially in the second half of the season, I think he has taken great strides (pun intended) in those areas. His combination of size, physicality and skill has to be intriguing to NHL scouts. I still think he has a fairly wide range of outcomes - there is a chance he's skating on an NHL third-pair in a few years, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he never really makes it past the ECHL.

It only takes one team to make an offer and if he gets a substantial bonus and a shot at the AHL, I think he probably should go. As you allude to, he's already 22 years old - so if he feels he is ready and a team is willing, the time to go is probably now. That said, there might be a handful of (or more) teams keeping an eye on him and hoping to see more development next season. Maybe he thinks (or will be advised) that further improvement will create a bidding war and better opportunities. I would look at a guy like Wyse (much more so than Gildon - who I really think has to move up) and wonder if maybe there is a real benefit to another year in college. If he can stay and handle a lot of pucks, instead of moving up and (potentially) being asked to play a physical/bank it off the wall type style, it might be better to do so...

I think two things might work in UNH's favor of keeping Wyse. First, he originally committed to Dartmouth and is a very strong student. Second, he has just one more year left (as opposed to two) and he might think he has a chance to do something special for UNH, aiding in a program-changing, turnaround. Agree or disagree from the outside looking in, I bet the players will feel that way at the end of the season. Three things working against UNH, assuming the opportunity arises, would be the dream of playing professional hockey, the significant financial opportunities and a team's vision for his future development...
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Thanks Dan and i am in full agreement on all you say. Perhaps a small difference is the temptation for a team or 2 to feel that waiting a year is not to their benefit in terms of signing him. Time will tell and as you and others have said, we still need one more stronger defender and at least one more strong offensive player. I have to wonder if we will see Will M come in as a true freshmen if they can't find a hidden gem in the remnants.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Dan said:
I think two things might work in UNH's favor of keeping Wyse. First, he originally committed to Dartmouth and is a very strong student. Second, he has just one more year left (as opposed to two) and he might think he has a chance to do something special for UNH, aiding in a program-changing, turnaround. Agree or disagree from the outside looking in, I bet the players will feel that way at the end of the season. Three things working against UNH, assuming the opportunity arises, would be the dream of playing professional hockey, the significant financial opportunities and a team's vision for his future development...
Click to expand...

As I read your comments about Wyse being a strong student, it occurred to me that a revealing clue might be where he stands academically. If, like Pritchard at UMass or Plevy at NU, he is capable of finishing his degree requirements this spring (or even if he is a course or two short) There would be nothing to stop him from turning pro if the right situation was presented to him. A further risk, if he can finish, is that he may wish to pursue a graduate degree that UNH cannot offer. The last thing you would want is to find him splattering a former teammate into the boards!
Good luck Friday night. If the Cats have gas in their tank in the third period, the game should be competitive!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

HHound said:
As I read your comments about Wyse being a strong student, it occurred to me that a revealing clue might be where he stands academically. If, like Pritchard at UMass or Plevy at NU, he is capable of finishing his degree requirements this spring (or even if he is a course or two short) There would be nothing to stop him from turning pro if the right situation was presented to him. A further risk, if he can finish, is that he may wish to pursue a graduate degree that UNH cannot offer. The last thing you would want is to find him splattering a former teammate into the boards!
Good luck Friday night. If the Cats have gas in their tank in the third period, the game should be competitive!
Click to expand...

Thats all possible if he's met his requirements, though I have no idea about his actual progress towards his degree. I do think there is a chance he turns pro, but I'd have a hard time imagining he'd transfer to play one season elsewhere. From the outside looking in, he seems all but a sure thing to be UNH's captain next year (assuming he does not test the professional waters). And I do think there will be optimism within the program about the team UNH brings back in 2019-20...
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Dan said:
The problem with criticizing early departures like these is two-fold...

First, you assume that the prospect hindered their development and an NHL career would have been better served by staying in college. With the exception of Jeff Levy - I don't see much development remaining at the college level for any of those names. Additionally, one could just as easily critique Jason Krog's decision in hindsight. Would he have been better served not waiting until the age of 25 to take a crack at professional hockey. Would he have been given more of a chance if he had been adjusted to the pro-game and ripping up the AHL at 25, rather than when he was closing in on 30...

Second, it assumes these prospects would regret their decisions or that things did not go well. In Poturalski's case, he received an $850,000, or so, signing bonus, and has made around 75,000 for the last three seasons (a heck of an entry-level salary by real-world standards). At the end of this season, he can sign with either the NHL team of his choice (one that wants to pay him/give him a legitimate chance) or head to Europe, make a six-figure salary (high six-figures in the right leagues) and try to get to the NHL by dominating over there (a la Steve Moses). School is always waiting. He can come back and finish. His game needed the step up in hockey terms. Even the above money, at such a young age, is hard to pass up and he gets it while chasing his life-long dream...

Much of the criticism of these decisions is based on the idea that - as a fan - you wish you could have watched them for a full four-years at UNH. If Poturalski stays at UNH until he's 24 and scores 125+ more points over two additional seasons - that's great for us, but what does dominating a league he's already far exceeded actually accomplish for him? The reality of his situation is this - if UNH wanted Poturalski for three or four seasons, they shouldn't have deferred him in 2013-14 when he could have made an immediate impact...
Click to expand...



Dan has made a lot of good points in regard to players leaving college early. I would like to add a couple of other thoughts on the subject.

What if a player is unsure on what career he wants to pursue after his hockey career is over? He is not passionate about any specific occupation? Why stay in college and take classes that may not apply to the career he decides to pursue at 30/40 years of age when his hockey playing days are over? Should he just pick a generic degree and take those classes now? People change majors and career paths all of the time. Today a person may think they want to be a history teacher and pursue that major. In 10 years they may change their mind and want to be an engineer. Those two majors are not enough close, so this person will have to take another two years of classes or more for this new major. In this case when he was originally in college playing hockey his junior and senior years taking classes were not a benefit to him. He could have moved on to professional hockey two years earlier, become an unrestricted free agent two years earlier, played two more years of professional hockey before his body broke down and potentially earned a few million of dollars more during his hockey playing career.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Northeastern Game Tonight

I actually think we play better on a small sheet of ice. I feel we will play NU better tonight than we did a couple of weeks ago. Special teams play will be the key! It would be nice to move up from 8th place to 7th place.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Playing a very great game so far. I swore I wouldn't cheer for UNH. But I feel like cheering UNH on tonight. Man, those kids need there stink knocked off.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Hey Ray Dorn you got your wish Wyse in the center on that last PP...FWIW dept game getting quite chippy
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

MS needs to consult with his old boss Luce about how to beat Flagship (and northern Fuskies).
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Welp at least we are in..Frosh get valuable playoff experience against a tough opponent next weekend. UMass not going to be too thrilled about dropping their last RS game so...will be ready to roll. UNH has nothing to lose. Good luck ‘Cats!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Hockey is a game of inches. In the first we had a shot deflect off the intersection of the post and crossbar. In the second period we had a puck get by the goalie, but deflected off of the post and out. Just an inch or two to the inside we could have had two goals midway in the game. We have struggled to score against Northeastern the last two seasons.
 
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