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University of Maine Off-season 2024: Insert Pun Here

Fishman'81 said:
Well, the portal hasn't made much sense in any sport so far. Guys are bailing right and left for no discernible reason. Really hard to say if Maine (or anyone) can figure it out.

I'd have to think that it'll end up benefiting the blue-bloods and the more recently successful programs than it will Maine, though.
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Its like the wild west or ebay. I sort of view it that mostly the elite teams swap out elite players and everyone else swaps their players around hoping for that right fit. Yeah at the end of the day some team will do good enough with transfers to improve themselves for a year or so. It seems easy to go down a rabbit hole chasing portal transfers. But does this build a program for continual success?
Im too used to the old ways, havent quite wrapped my head around it yet.
 
OronoKO said:
Sometimes players are nudged, I think. He was averaging 12.8min/game, so a 3rd/4th liner (Hanson averaged 12min/game for Maine). If he's on a lot of scholarship money, moving him on allows Carvel to use that money elsewhere. Numbers taken from https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...zIsnQl9gi4a73dTctXCzh6bgKg/edit#gid=689537449

Of course, he may just think he will get more opportunities at Maine and has jumped to improve his prospects of going good pro. While Maine may be sorry to see Houle go, his AHL deal is good for recruiting.
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I like the two columns where they have an offensive and defensive index per 60 minutes. It normalizes everyone’s minutes. If they add those two numbers together and had one number and sorted it based on the addition of those two it would likely show you the most valuable players at the top. I’m not sure though as some players have power play time. I’m not sure if that index is only even strength?
 
NorthMike said:
Its like the wild west or ebay. I sort of view it that mostly the elite teams swap out elite players and everyone else swaps their players around hoping for that right fit. Yeah at the end of the day some team will do good enough with transfers to improve themselves for a year or so. It seems easy to go down a rabbit hole chasing portal transfers. But does this build a program for continual success?
Im too used to the old ways, havent quite wrapped my head around it yet.
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I think of it as free agency for ncaa hockey. So far Maine lost three regular forwards in the line up to graduation or transfer in Poisson(LW), Houle(RW), and Hanson(C). So they added Makar(LW), Fowler(RW), and Russell(C). I put Fowler on as RW because it looks like he played a lot of off wing like Brad and Scholle have been doing a lot of. So in essence Maine’s line up has been brought to what appears to be a break even right now. If they can add a solid player that is an upgrade over what they have or what more will be leaving then they get an incremental gain. And if the rookies come in and outplay others in the line up you get more incremental gains. But the rookies are more like building from a draft. In essence, you want to plug the holes vacated, and then have your rookies outplay guys to improve the squad. If Makar, Fowler, or Russell show a big improvement then it is wonderful. But at least you have an idea of what they play like at this level.

I think though they need to bring in someone that can play well above average to account for when Breen signs his AHL contract. That is why I am hoping that Whitelaw, Wilkie, or Copponi will land in Maine. But not holding my breath. A ringer would be wonderful.
 
I'd think some of the players opting into portal are basing that decision on the season ending interviews they have with staff.
 
Sparkee said:
Who do you all think gets most improved award? MVP? Best defensemen? Unsung hero?
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If I were voting:
Most Improved: Brandon Chabrier
MVP: Josh Nadeau
Best D: Brandon Holt
Unsung Hero: Toughest one for me, maybe Nolan Renwick for helping rejuvenate the bros after their slump when he became their center?
 
amkirby10 said:
If I were voting:
Most Improved: Brandon Chabrier
MVP: Josh Nadeau
Best D: Brandon Holt
Unsung Hero: Toughest one for me, maybe Nolan Renwick for helping rejuvenate the bros after their slump when he became their center?
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All of the above with Unsung: Harrison Scott
 
I'm not sure Scott was unsung. He had a great year and was, rightly, praised for it. I might even have him as MVP (although J. Nadeau is superb). Chabrier for most improved. Holt and Brazeale can share best D and unsung.
 
Looks like Houle made his AHL debut last night, playing on the Barracuda fourth line against Coachella Valley.
 
grooverider said:
I'm hearing there may be another name or two coming to Maine from the portal.
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Could very well be possible...especially if Breen departs and does not opt for a 5th season....but the longer Breen stays out there with no decisions to move to a ECHL/AHL/NHL contract...the more and just me but he returns to UM.
 
OronoKO said:
I'm not sure Scott was unsung. He had a great year and was, rightly, praised for it. I might even have him as MVP (although J. Nadeau is superb). Chabrier for most improved. Holt and Brazeale can share best D and unsung.
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Bottom line he was a important add to the team/program...he should add to that this upcoming season.
 
grooverider said:
I'm hearing there may be another name or two coming to Maine from the portal.
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I think that Maine gets one of those star players in the portal....maybe not Wood but Maine would seem to be one of the better opportunities out there to have both individual and team success while playing to packed arena every night.
 
umhockey91 said:
I think that Maine gets one of those star players in the portal....maybe not Wood but Maine would seem to be one of the better opportunities out there to have both individual and team success while playing to packed arena every night.
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I'm trying to find out who, all I was told is "upgrades will be made" and they are "not satisfied with how last year went" .. sounds like we have a new thread title: UMaine Hockey Offseason: The Barr has been set

lol
 
umhockey91 said:
I think that Maine gets one of those star players in the portal....maybe not Wood but Maine would seem to be one of the better opportunities out there to have both individual and team success while playing to packed arena every night.
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McMahon said on Tw*tter that BU, along with "a few other Hockey East schools" are in the mix for Copponi from Merrimack. Would be a good add, have to think/hope Maine is one of those other HE schools.
 
grooverider said:
I'm trying to find out who, all I was told is "upgrades will be made" and they are "not satisfied with how last year went" .. sounds like we have a new thread title: UMaine Hockey Offseason: The Barr has been set

lol
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Who is they? I think Maine massively outperformed the talent they had. Only one team is happy at the end of the year but for anyone associated with Maine to be unsatisfied is completely nuts. I doubt there is a team in college hockey who doesn’t want to get better for next year.
 
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