Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

The good news is that we can burn the entire program to the ground, and it probably wouldn’t impact most Badger fans.

Yes, I’m feeling nihilistic after yet another in a long series of gut-punches.

 

[solovsfett]

I would guess the staff knew all summer that Sampo was at serious risk as he didn't come for summer school and obviously, he wasn't admitted yet. It seems to me that Sampo really wanted to play college hockey, but being a Badger wasn't a priority.

Meh... I'm not committing Hara-Kiri yet. I was super high on Sampo's skill set all last year and am really disappointed that he's gone over to the dark side, but it's done. Eight weeks from today we open against BC, who I think will be a top 10 team. Gotta get to work.

I think a guy living in a van down by the river could probably coach this team to a 4th place finish in the B1G. There's talent here.

On paper right now, we might have the best D corp in the league, and that's worth a lot. I look at what Oz did with Ess and Kalynuk last year and it bodes well for what can be done with Miller and Emberson, who are both more talented. (Miller's ceiling is unlimited) Berry has shown flashes of brilliance in the past and perhaps without the bizarre adventure with Hayton looming over him, he will settle in and play like he's shown he can, more consistently.

The biggest loss with Ranta is on the PP where his big shot could have been a real weapon, but there are other guys who can score, notably from up top. Great coaches get the most out of their guys, and if we do have great coaches, guys like like Freytag, Zimmer, or Johnson (or all of them) could bust out and have a big year. Dhooghe just had 3g-6a-9pts. in 7 games at WJ summer showcase. Mersch and Messner are mature freshman and can contribute right away. Gorniak has terrific skates and a good skill set, as well as being a terrific athlete. Perhaps he can make the transition smoothly. Baker had a great NHL camp with Vegas and I believe Malone will do anything to win. There's a lot of upside available on this team.

You bring up a great point re development. 22, 17 and 15 have shown flashes but no big production leaps. I frankly don’t see it happening.

The jury is still out re this coaching staff imo. We should expect results meaning an NCAA invite and one win in the tourney this year.

Then an FF appearance next year or 25 wins or more etc., these coaches need to stand on the gas like al unser jr., down the straight at Indianapolis.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

You bring up a great point re development. 22, 17 and 15 have shown flashes but no big production leaps. I frankly don’t see it happening.

The jury is still out re this coaching staff imo. We should expect results meaning an NCAA invite and one win in the tourney this year.

Then an FF appearance next year or 25 wins or more etc., these coaches need to stand on the gas like al unser jr., down the straight at Indianapolis.

Always love a good Al Unser Jr. reference!

I'm hoping Johnson just hit a slump because it seems like he just couldn't buy a goal even with Buffet money for a good stretch there last year.

I felt like something finally clicked for Zimmer somewhere in the last 8-10 games. He suddenly started doing what you have to do to to create scoring chances. Namely, get the freakin' puck back. Do I think he's going to suddenly have 15 goals? No. But he only had 30 shots on the year. With his skates, if he plays at 100 mph like he showed can in the late games, he could get 2-3x that and maybe put ten in and/or create some points for others.

I've said several times before that I think Freytag could score goals if given the chance. He had 9g on 64 shots in 29 games. (and that 64 is almost all his attempts because he puts it on the net, not in the stands) 14% shot percentage was second only to Frederic on the team. But look at the low minutes he played. Every other game 4th line in the first half. No PP, and then some steadier 3rd line time in the last third of the season. I'm not saying he should have been up higher, but with the 110-130 shots top liners get, his production line is up at 17-18 goals. I don't know if he'll get a bigger role this year, but if he does, there's some reason to think he can produce.

 

[MadCityRich]

Also, upper deck tickets are still more than 12 bucks. That has nothing to do with Ranta, but if I'm going to be sad about Badgers hockey this morning, I may as well remember UW's refusal to acknowledge that they need to build the program like Penn State or the 10-years-ago version of the Nashville Predators, assuming they want to be a major men's college hockey program. Even a first-place elite team won't bring in fans unless there's not a Frozen Four run, because they have to care in order to care.

+1......Not to be Debbie Downer, but tell me again WHY should I renew my tickets? Guys, this isn't about Sampo alone, it's become a track record. I agree that the jury is still out on the guys who originally blew our socks off.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

+1......Not to be Debbie Downer, but tell me again WHY should I renew my tickets? Guys, this isn't about Sampo alone, it's become a track record. I agree that the jury is still out on the guys who originally blew our socks off.

Still going to see the #1 and #5 incoming Freshman D in the country (going by the draft) I think K'andre Miller will be worth the price of admission. Gorniak was probably the #2 guy overall at the NHL combine testing behind Liam Foudy who is already signed with the Blue Jackets. Seamus needs just 23 points for 100. Linus is exciting, Kalynuk and Baker too. There are players to watch here.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Still going to see the #1 and #5 incoming Freshman D in the country (going by the draft) I think K'andre Miller will be worth the price of admission. Gorniak was probably the #2 guy overall at the NHL combine testing behind Liam Foudy who is already signed with the Blue Jackets. Seamus needs just 23 points for 100. Linus is exciting, Kalynuk and Baker too. There are players to watch here.

They need to play consistently in whatever system they run. They need to eliminate the breakdowns in the system and solid hockey. When you watch the women's team play, they are a consistent machine out there. Sure, they have the most talent in the country and that makes it look easy most of the time, but the bottom line is they have very very few "oh crap" type moments. The men, with the talent they have, if they play a smart game, will win enough of them to make us fans happy enough this season.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Seamus needs just 23 points for 100. .

Seamus is going 125 easy, might even get to 150, depends on his line mates Linus and Jack.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Seamus is going 125 easy, might even get to 150, depends on his line mates Linus and Jack.

Oops, I have to correct myself. Seamus only officially needs 22, he's sitting at 78. It's a pretty significant mark and sadly, Cameron Hughes fell just 8 short last year.

Since 2000, when Steve Reinprecht finished his stellar career with 162 points, only 10 Badgers have garnered 100 or more career points. Without looking them up, anybody care to guess any of the names on that list?

 

[solovsfett]

Oops, I have to correct myself. Seamus only officially needs 22, he's sitting at 78. It's a pretty significant mark and sadly, Cameron Hughes fell just 8 short last year.

Since 2000, when Steve Reinprecht finished his stellar career with 162 points, only 10 Badgers have garnered 100 or more career points. Without looking them up, anybody care to guess any of the names on that list?

Heatley, Bourque?, Pavelski? Gilbert?
Hmmmm

 

[gwhinwi]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Oops, I have to correct myself. Seamus only officially needs 22, he's sitting at 78. It's a pretty significant mark and sadly, Cameron Hughes fell just 8 short last year.

Since 2000, when Steve Reinprecht finished his stellar career with 162 points, only 10 Badgers have garnered 100 or more career points. Without looking them up, anybody care to guess any of the names on that list?

I came up with Pavelski, Earl, and Geoffrion before I caved and looked.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Heatley, Bourque?, Pavelski? Gilbert?
Hmmmm

Dany Heatley is correct. He left UW in 2001 with 113 career points. Tied for #53 all time.

Joe Pavelski is also correct. He left UW in 2006 with 101 career points. Tied for #67 all time.

Both these players are each tied with another player on this list.

 

[DPlaya]

Seamus is going 125 easy, might even get to 150, depends on his line mates Linus and Jack.

Jack? I am really nervous about his jump to college hockey from high school. He played in what is probably the worst high school conference in the state, although they had some decent non-conference games. The Elite League U18 isn't that great because most high end kids that age play Juniors, so I don't even think experience there is that great. He played in exactly 2 USHL games. I just think he is going to need some time to adjust to the speed of the college game despite testing well at the NHL Combine. I don't think I'd project him as a starter on the top line. If it happens, wonderful....but I would be shocked.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

I came up with Pavelski, Earl, and Geoffrion before I caved and looked.

Robbie Earl is correct. He also left UW in '06 with 121 career points. #47 all time.

Blake Geofrion is correct. He left UW in '10 with 114 career points. # 51 all time.

Cheaters never prosper though gwhinwi, so you are excluded from the fabulous prizes to be awarded at the end of this contest.

Another player on the list is tied at #23 all time with Reinprecht at 162 career points. (although the official record book lists him at #24.)

 

[gwhinwi]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Robbie earl is correct. He also left UW in '06 with 121 career points. #47 all time.

Blake Geofrion is correct. He left UW in '10 with 114 career points. # 51 all time.

Cheaters never prosper though gwhinwi, so you are excluded from the fabulous prizes to be awarded at the end of this contest.

I said I looked after... Could have named off others. Haha. The fame and glory will have to go to some other fabulous contestant.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Jack? I am really nervous about his jump to college hockey from high school. He played in what is probably the worst high school conference in the state, although they had some decent non-conference games. The Elite League U18 isn't that great because most high end kids that age play Juniors, so I don't even think experience there is that great. He played in exactly 2 USHL games. I just think he is going to need some time to adjust to the speed of the college game despite testing well at the NHL Combine. I don't think I'd project him as a starter on the top line. If it happens, wonderful....but I would be shocked.

Yeah, a top line assignment would be pretty shocking. He obviously has tremendous physical assets, but it's so hard for most guys to adjust to the huge difference in speed. Although I guess you never know for sure until they are in there. There's a few special players that the game never gets fast enough for and they're always waiting on everyone else no matter how high up they go, but man, those guys are pretty rare. Obviously the staff thinks he can step in though or he wouldn't be here. They had other options to fill the roster out. Plus the Canadiens had a hell of a lot to choose from around the world when they took him in the 4th round out of WI HS. You get flyer picks now and then there I guess, but you generally have to think of a 4th rounder as a threat to make the big club eventually when you pick him. It will be pretty interesting to see how it shakes out.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

10 guys with 100 + points since 2000 and we've named 4.

I expect more out of you folks -- Work harder!

 

[solovsfett]

10 guys with 100 + points since 2000 and we've named 4.

I expect more out of you folks -- Work harder!

Two more guesses. Stepan and Mcmurchy. Possibly Zengerle as well???

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Two more guesses. Stepan and Mcmurchy. Possibly Zengerle as well???

Excellent!

Derek Stepan had 87 points in his 2 years as a Badger, so no.

Ryan MacMurchy I thought would be a hard one to get. Big Mac left in '06 with 110 career points, #57 all time.

Mark Zengerle, had 162 career points, the most this millennium and tied with Rhino at #23 all time.

That's 6 down, 4 to go.

 

[solovsfett]

Excellent!

Derek Stepan had 87 points in his 2 years as a Badger, so no.

Ryan MacMurchy I thought would be a hard one to get. Big Mac left in '06 with 110 career points, #57 all time.

Mark Zengerle, had 162 career points, the most this millennium and tied with Rhino at #23 all time.

That's 6 down, 4 to go.

Hmmm. Complete guesses: Joudrey, #9 on the 2007 team, was it Davis? Skille didn’t hit 100 i’m Fairly certain on that.

Edit: Niki Siren or David Hukalo? I din’t Think Dustin Kuk got to 100 but maybe?

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey - 2018 Off-Season - Hope or Despair?

Hmmm. Complete guesses: Joudrey, #9 on the 2007 team, was it Davis? Skille didn’t hit 100 i’m Fairly certain on that.

Edit: Niki Siren or David Hukalo? I din’t Think Dustin Kuk got to 100 but maybe?

Andrew Joudrey is an excellent guess, but he fell short with 93, one more than Cam Hughes. Skille only had 39, but who cares? He had the one that counted the most vs. Cornell in '06. Hukalo had 40 pts his sophomore year, but only 19 and 17 the next two and also fell short. Niki Siren is a real reach, his best year was 13, and he was in Rhino's class. Dustin Kuk did indeed have 121 points, tied with Robbie Earl at #47 all time. But he was also in Rhino's class, and we're looking for players who's career ended after Rhino, so out on a technicality.

However, Kuk's total IS right behind #9's on the 2007 team, who ended his career in 2010 with 123 points. Michael Davies is correct and #45 on the all time Badger scoring list. Very good!