Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year
Puskarich is obviously a gifted snipe that we have not seen in years (compare his and V Stalberg freshman numbers and you get the point). Bradley is good and should develop. I like Forgionne and what he has to offer going forward with his speed. Do wonder what happened to Stenerson? I liked his game but he disappeared.
We are losing a decent sized class but outside of McCarthy I'm not sure we are losing anything on the ice that will not be replaced or upgraded (don't know about locker room though, do suspect having met McCarthy that he was a good leader, hoping Paliotta stays and helps there)
Puskarich doesn't even compare with Stalberg, who actually didn't have great seasons until he broke out his Junior year. I'd compare him to Mitchell before Stalberg, but no matter who you compare him to from an offensive standpoint he is far and away the best Freshman that we have had since entering HE.
McCarthy is a big loss. None of the other class is irreplaceable from an offensive standpoint but they do bring things that will need replacing. Brickley's tenacious play and physical edge will need to be replaced. You have to have someone that plays with that edge. Lenz is just very steadfast and reliable, but replacing that isn't such a big deal. I think with him it will be a leadership issue, he's been a C for a few seasons here and that was for a reason. Bruneteau will be a tough loss on the blue line, he plays offensively and that can be an issue sometimes, but he plays offensively and having that defensemen that can jump up into the play when needed is a huge plus. I think Privetta (sp?) can jump in here and make up for that loss.
All in all I do think that this team is heading up, but the McCarthy hole is going to be the big one. Reynolds will pick up his scoring no doubt, but it's his effort, his digging pucks out, being a pain for the opposing team that I don't see anyone on the current roster filling. That may change, Forgionne has those characteristics and could jump up in the line up to fill some of that void, although he is missing the scoring touch. Possible Bradley or Shaw will develop some over the summer and fill more of that role...
Either way, I hope they get at least one more game before it all ends. I think this team is a dangerous team in a one and done tournament and I think they could make a run. We played a decent OOC schedule and did quite well in it.