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University of Maine Off-season 2024: Insert Pun Here
- Thread starter ticapnews
- Start date
Sparkee
Blackbear
I can’t read the article. But I can see it is Frank Djurasevic from Merrimack, seems like a good pick up.
NorthMike
Well-known member
Sparkee
Blackbear
I’m guessing Arnott. Arnott was the weakest in his own end it seems.
tylerzx2002
Well-known member
"In an interview, Djurasevic said he “wasn’t exactly happy” with his situation at Merrimack. Nadeau, one of his closest friends, gave him a good rundown on UMaine as the season came to an end. He also said head coach Ben Barr has done well in revamping the program."
Sounds like Josh helped get him here, so nice work there.
Indeed..!
Does look like a good grab, and does add some size. I agree with you guys, if he's going to play regularly (which he probably will), either Arnott or Lesakowski will be the one to sit, I can't imagine any of Breazeale, Antonacci, Holt, or Charbier getting out of the lineup unless injured. Djurasevic also is only a sophomore, so another good pickup for having some more long term eligibility.
Sparkee
Blackbear
He also played with Califiore, Hopkins, Arnott, and incoming recruit Pichette. So pretty familiar with a lot of players on this team.
tylerzx2002
Well-known member
Lesakowski seemingly never got in the doghouse last year despite constant sloppy play so feel like he's safely in the lineup most nights.
Think the addition of a better offensive defensemen across from him will let him focus on the defensive side. He's got plenty to clean up in his game that I don't think worrying about offense should be high on his list.
Looking like quite the disparity of RHD to LHD (8 to 3) on the roster with the addition of Djurasevic. Interested to see them take the ice and see who lines up where because might have a bunch of guys playing their off-hand to crack the lineup.
Sparkee
Blackbear
Lesakowski has size and willingness to clear the net front. That is an area the defense is lacking. Defensemen Antonacci, Arnott, and Holt are all undersized compared to your average sized NCAA starting defensemen. So half of the defense in the line up was small. It showed in games against BU, Cornell, etc… where teams were big and went to the net front and played heavy. Having Djeresevic to replace Arnott would make the d bigger. Then potentially if Hopkins emerges and plays up to his rating he could potentially put Antonacci out of the line up. That one is tough though, because Antonacci plays very good defensively despite his small size.
grooverider
Your Team Sucks
Very good pickup..I didn't think he was going to leave, but I think Josh recruited him hard. Kid needs a change of scenery, he's had a tough year or so in his personal life.
tylerzx2002
Well-known member
Agree wholeheartedly, if he can develop into a shutdown guy a la Sirota, I think this team will be much better off. It took Sirota a couple seasons to really become that guy, but he got better each season.
It was shocking how many of the penalties he took last season were on him not skating hard and simply relying on his long reach. He might have been able to get away with that in the USHL but not at the college level. Let's hope he learned that lesson in Year 1 and puts the work in heading into this season.
Glad to see Barr bringing in guys that have a good mix of size and skill this offseason, since it became apparently it was a big need.
I suspect Maine will start with
Brazeale Djuranovic
Holt Chabrier
Lesakowski Arnott/Antonacci
Maine typically dressed 7 D and Barr seems to like Ds on their strong side.
That would leave Hopkins, Nobes, Dalton and maybe a freshman (Morse?) fighting to get in the line up. If Hopkins can find his level at college, he could be like a new player. But competition for ice time will be tough on D.
Brazeale Djuranovic
Holt Chabrier
Lesakowski Arnott/Antonacci
Maine typically dressed 7 D and Barr seems to like Ds on their strong side.
That would leave Hopkins, Nobes, Dalton and maybe a freshman (Morse?) fighting to get in the line up. If Hopkins can find his level at college, he could be like a new player. But competition for ice time will be tough on D.
NorthMike
Well-known member
The more I think about it the better I like the D group, deep and a large roster. I bet Dalton wishes he didnt come in last year and give up half a year eligibility.
Im thinking only Brezealle and Chabrier are safe starters. The rest of the D group was light on points if I recall. Who else starts will depend upon who works the hardest and improved over the summer, and if they can develop a scoring touch.
Probably safe to say Holt, Antonacci, Arnot will start. That leaves two slots to compete for, most likely three since there could be one of the five regulars out with an injury at any given time.
Im thinking only Brezealle and Chabrier are safe starters. The rest of the D group was light on points if I recall. Who else starts will depend upon who works the hardest and improved over the summer, and if they can develop a scoring touch.
Probably safe to say Holt, Antonacci, Arnot will start. That leaves two slots to compete for, most likely three since there could be one of the five regulars out with an injury at any given time.
grooverider
Your Team Sucks
Spot on..I think Arnott sits. Djuranovic didn't transfer to sit. He would actually be a good partner with Antonacci too.
Holt will be in...he won't be playing one game in/one game out.
BlackBearFan19
Active member
Holt not being a safe starter? He’s our best IMO, followed by Breazeale and Chabrier. He’s the one I trust most on the breakouts and never seems to miss on a pass.
Overall, I’d agree but would be surprised to Arnott be out of the lineup completely, he’s been very capable in his time here.
I’m thinking,
Breazeale-Djurasevic
Holt-Chabrier
Lesakowski-Antonacci
Arnott
Hopkins
Nobes
Dalton
Holt is a main-stay...in that you can count on him and at times you forget how good he is...imo taken for granted...not in a bad way but he gets the job done without accolades.
Yeah, nice look at group D. Brezealle and Chabrier seem like they'll start for sure, but those other spots look wide open. Holt's got experience but Antonacci was playing well last season before he got hurt. And who knows if Arnot will be back to 100% either and it's gonna be interesting to see how that plays out.
As for the new guys, Im not sure if any of them can step in right away. Maybe Vidal? He looked solid in camp. Dalton though he's a wildcard. Last season was rough for him so we'll see if he can get his confidence back. A focused Dalton makes the whole defense better. But if he struggles again, we could be in trouble.
I don't envy the coaches having to make these decisions. So much shuffling around of players to find the right mix. Should be a fun battle to watch unfold.