JB
Desk Chair Coach
Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015
UNH lines:
I think first you have to look at the system and structure. Like it or not there is a defensive focus UNH has had since the 98-99 season. Before 98-99 there was some serious run and gun hockey going on, fun to watch.
Now this is from memory watching the games but I think part of the second half was getting a set of lines that fit the structure and could generate a forecheck. I looked at some line charts on Hockey East online and those charts seem to say what I remember might be B.S. or a slight system change not as much the lines. What I recall is the centers playing more time high in the offensive zone and deep in the defensive zone early in the year. Second half if Downing went in offensively Thrush would rotate high in the zone and then play behind the net if the play transitioned, same with Poturalski and Correale. This allowed those two lines to provide a more consistent forecheck while still having the 3rd man on defense.
So I look at the line up with this in mind. You need forward lines with at least one wing that can go in the corners and do some dirty work and is also defensively responsible to help the center. With that in mind I am not sure:
Blackburn - Poturalski – Kelleher
will work as a line. Doing this will force Poturalski to stay high in the zone and will really diminish the forecheck pressure as I don’t think Umile will trust Kelleher or Blackburn to play low if the puck transitions. Also who does the dirty work in the corners? I like Poturalski & Kelleher together and need a dirty work defensively responsible player to compliment and think that leaves me Correale or MacDonald or maybe Gaudreault.
Same thinking as I liked Foegele and Eiserman together. Eiserman made space and I hope Foegele develops into a scorer. Now I need a play maker to go with them at center. My understanding is Blackburn is a center so maybe later in the year. But I might try McNicholas.
Using that thinking I would look at:
Correale - Poturalski – Kelleher
Foegele – McNicholas – Eiserman
Blackburn – Smith – Hill
Salvaggio – Gaudreault- Vela
Lastly I think you have to throw some players in the fire. You are going to lose a bunch of games early until the Freshman come up to speed. If you are going to lose anyway at least get some growth out of it.
Umile has always been too loyal to upper class players. I think some of that cost UNH a shot at high end players as they want/need to play out of the gate. It is also why the typical UNH season starts fast and finishes slow. Early other teams are taking lumps getting the talented Freshman time and later they are reaping what was sown early. Next year needs to be another growth year.
UNH lines:
I think first you have to look at the system and structure. Like it or not there is a defensive focus UNH has had since the 98-99 season. Before 98-99 there was some serious run and gun hockey going on, fun to watch.
Now this is from memory watching the games but I think part of the second half was getting a set of lines that fit the structure and could generate a forecheck. I looked at some line charts on Hockey East online and those charts seem to say what I remember might be B.S. or a slight system change not as much the lines. What I recall is the centers playing more time high in the offensive zone and deep in the defensive zone early in the year. Second half if Downing went in offensively Thrush would rotate high in the zone and then play behind the net if the play transitioned, same with Poturalski and Correale. This allowed those two lines to provide a more consistent forecheck while still having the 3rd man on defense.
So I look at the line up with this in mind. You need forward lines with at least one wing that can go in the corners and do some dirty work and is also defensively responsible to help the center. With that in mind I am not sure:
Blackburn - Poturalski – Kelleher
will work as a line. Doing this will force Poturalski to stay high in the zone and will really diminish the forecheck pressure as I don’t think Umile will trust Kelleher or Blackburn to play low if the puck transitions. Also who does the dirty work in the corners? I like Poturalski & Kelleher together and need a dirty work defensively responsible player to compliment and think that leaves me Correale or MacDonald or maybe Gaudreault.
Same thinking as I liked Foegele and Eiserman together. Eiserman made space and I hope Foegele develops into a scorer. Now I need a play maker to go with them at center. My understanding is Blackburn is a center so maybe later in the year. But I might try McNicholas.
Using that thinking I would look at:
Correale - Poturalski – Kelleher
Foegele – McNicholas – Eiserman
Blackburn – Smith – Hill
Salvaggio – Gaudreault- Vela
Lastly I think you have to throw some players in the fire. You are going to lose a bunch of games early until the Freshman come up to speed. If you are going to lose anyway at least get some growth out of it.
Umile has always been too loyal to upper class players. I think some of that cost UNH a shot at high end players as they want/need to play out of the gate. It is also why the typical UNH season starts fast and finishes slow. Early other teams are taking lumps getting the talented Freshman time and later they are reaping what was sown early. Next year needs to be another growth year.
Best quality speculation AND insight (hard sometimes to tell which is which) posted on here in a LONG time. Continue, please. 
