I am not sure what you are looking for? The team improved 13 games in one year, with 3 or 4 transfers and all Granato players and recruits. I think just looking at McClellan and his improvement year over year shows you that Hastings and his staff know how to develop. And this team worked hard on the D end which was sorely missing during the Granato years. They scored 34 more goals than a year ago too. If he has some older D1 players, is that really a problem? What is going to make you happy?
USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
Wisconsin Hockey 2024 Offseason
- Thread starter srkbadger
- Start date
I am not sure what you are looking for? The team improved 13 games in one year, with 3 or 4 transfers and all Granato players and recruits. I think just looking at McClellan and his improvement year over year shows you that Hastings and his staff know how to develop. And this team worked hard on the D end which was sorely missing during the Granato years. They scored 34 more goals than a year ago too. If he has some older D1 players, is that really a problem? What is going to make you happy?
digitalbooya
Well-known member
Look at all four teams in the Frozen Four. All of them have high end players that will play at the next level.
If Wisconsin is not a good destination for players that will play at the next level, that is giant red flag.
I might also point out that Hastings never won a title at Mankato deploying the older player strategy.
You guys talk about Wisconsin having more resources to attract players. What difference does it make if he’s still only getting the type of guys he got at Mankato?
I’ll just repeat: you need high end players to win.
If Wisconsin is not a good destination for players that will play at the next level, that is giant red flag.
I might also point out that Hastings never won a title at Mankato deploying the older player strategy.
You guys talk about Wisconsin having more resources to attract players. What difference does it make if he’s still only getting the type of guys he got at Mankato?
I’ll just repeat: you need high end players to win.
I don't disagree with needing high end players, but supplementing them with older 4 year players is the magic formula in my opinion when you look at recent champions. Other than Denver in 2022 and 2017, these high end teams haven't done well in the playoffs (NoDak in '16, BC in '12, Michigan and BU before that). This year will be the first in a long time with a high end team winning (again, Denver being the exception to this). Is this an exception year or is it a trend. I tend to believe it might become a trend as NIL and the portal allow $$ teams to stack the deck. But that likely isn't sustainable and likely won't produce as consistent results, as developing 4 year players that are a team and not individual draft picks.
I am sure Hastings will adapt. He has gotten some nice commitments for high end kids since coming to Wisconsin.
Who would you have chosen for a coach if Hastings is not your cup of tea? Because I love the style and defensive, physical play.
digitalbooya
Well-known member
Do tell, because I’m about one Lucius transfer/going pro away from freaking out.
I’m fine with Hastings coaching style. I do think it’s very Mike Eaves-esque defense first, which will win a lot of games. But watching our 19-21 year old players leave because we keep going out and getting 24 year old 1 year stop gaps is going to get really old really fast.
srkbadger
Trek: There is no substitute
If we keep competing for conference titles and get in the tournament it won't get old to me. What did get old was the boom and bust seasons with the high end leaving early and leaving the cupboard bare. We're likely not going to recruit with Minnesota (home grown talent) and Michigan (USNDT in their backyard). If we get a few and mix in solid 4 year guys I like that mix.
Finally, I like Cruz and I'm not gonna dis anyone on the team. However, no one distinguished themselves down the stretch other than McClelland. There are many players who need to take a long look in the mirror after that last month of play.
Last edited:
WisconsinWildcard
The plural of anecdote is not data
I have watched Wisconsin lose a lot of games in the last decade with high end players. We need a whole team. Last time we have had that was 2010 (3 solid lines), and certainly in 2006 (4 solid lines).
Put me in the camp of not panicking with players leaving. If they do not want to play for this team, I do not want them here. No one on this team this year was an island of excellence outside of our goaltending in my opinion. I want a winning college team as others have mentioned. I enjoyed watching hockey for the first time in several years, a large part due to coaching. The degree of mental mistakes, poor backchecking, terrible passes was way down this year. And goaltending was finally where it should be since we were not pulling our goalie twice each weekend because our defense cannot cover in front of the net.
solovsfett
Registered User
Who on The 1990 championship team qualified as high-end in your opinion? Shuchuk maybe? Sean Hill?
who on the 1992 runner-up team? I’d say Zent, Rafalski, Fairchild, Schier, Plante but…look what happened? All-stars everywhere, Sauer got EVERY recruit he wanted in that class and they failed because they couldn’t play as a TEAM.
2006 team. Who was high-end? Earl and Pavelski basically. Everyone else was lunch pail guys.
high-end recruits don’t necessarily mean titles. Otherwise Minnesota and Michigan wouldn’t go 20+ years without a title.
and you really are ignoring Mankato being in the frozen four the last 2 years. Why? Why do you overlook that?
Nodak was always chided by rodent fans for having older players but they have 8 titles. I doubt any Nodak fan gives a damn about the average age of the team.
Almington
Blood Boiling with Rage and Hate
To me, Denver should be the example of what UW should strive for: a positive team first culture with enough system flexibility to allow top-end talent to thrive and shine. The talent level of college hockey has increased greatly over the past 20 to 15, you have to find a way to incorporate that talent into the system without squeezing out the creativity (and fun).
I’m not surprised that a number of players are leaving after this season. Hastings system can (and will be) effective but it requires everyone on the ice to buy in completely. It isn’t going to be a good fit for many of the players who were expecting Granato’s more open and free-wheeling style. What I saw in the second half of the season is a lack of cohesion as the lines were shuffled due to injuries. Players couldn’t count on their teammates to be where they needed to be, that resulted in players having to think on the ice about what to do. That resulted in less time and space to make a clean pass.
I’m actually glad that they are bringing in older one year stop-gap players. Their experience can help build the desired locker room culture, but doesn’t tie down roster spots long term to allow for the staff to bring in the young players they can mould to the system. Let’s not panic over the first days of the portal being open, still have a long off-season to assemble a roster of the right players for this program to be successful going forward.
I’m not surprised that a number of players are leaving after this season. Hastings system can (and will be) effective but it requires everyone on the ice to buy in completely. It isn’t going to be a good fit for many of the players who were expecting Granato’s more open and free-wheeling style. What I saw in the second half of the season is a lack of cohesion as the lines were shuffled due to injuries. Players couldn’t count on their teammates to be where they needed to be, that resulted in players having to think on the ice about what to do. That resulted in less time and space to make a clean pass.
I’m actually glad that they are bringing in older one year stop-gap players. Their experience can help build the desired locker room culture, but doesn’t tie down roster spots long term to allow for the staff to bring in the young players they can mould to the system. Let’s not panic over the first days of the portal being open, still have a long off-season to assemble a roster of the right players for this program to be successful going forward.
digitalbooya
Well-known member
Minnesota has more championship game appearances in the last 10 years than Mankato. They also have more frozen four appearances. Yet, it’s okay to crap on them cause they haven’t done anything. But you prop up Hastings for doing less. Make it make sense… try not to go back 30+ years and pretend like it’s the same game as today too.
North Dakota has been loaded with talent every single year.
solovsfett
Registered User
And yet 6>5. The game hasn’t changed to where only selfish superstars win titles. Otherwise explain QU, Yale, Providence, UMass.
toews and Oshie didn’t win a title.
Hastings has a track record of success I’d put up against ANY coach in men’s hockey, period.
and again, tell me why 4 1st round draft picks couldn’t attain success in Madison? Wasn’t that enough for you? What the hell has Stramel done?
i don’t care if Wisconsin never has a kid drafted again. I only care about what the players do in a Wisconsin jersey. Period.
also, Mankato is a much more difficult place to recruit too than Minnesota where every kid in the state wants to be a rodent. It’s getting Mankato (it’s less talent) to the FF in his final 2 years that prove how great a coach Hastings is.
digitalbooya
Well-known member
“Selfish.” There’s that coping language again to downplay losing a great player like Whitelaw.
Minnesota should have won last year. That wasn’t a player issue, but definitely a coaching issue (who doesn’t start Faber in OT in the most important game of the year omegalul).
I’m not talking about 1st round draft picks. I’m talking about being able to keep the players drafted that do well here and then leave (Whitelaw, perhaps Cleveland would have shown more with opportunity). I do not care that Stramel left because his play didn’t warrant more ice time.
Madison isn’t Mankato. We should have our pick of the players we want. S-tier program; second to none. This was literally your sentiment not that long ago.
I don’t give a rip if they get the older players. I do care if you keep losing players or players don’t want to stick at the university. I’ll chalk this up to Granato’s players leaving and give him a 1 year pass. One free pass.
srkbadger
Trek: There is no substitute
Whew! I'm sure Mike and the staff are as relieved as the rest of us here that you've given him a pass. Be sure to pass that along to Chris McIntosh too, he'll be super relieved he won't have to go hunting for a new coach at least until "the pass" is revoked. Fan boards can be a lot of fun, but some people really get out way over their skis, or skates as the case may be.
Take this with a grain of salt, but some insiders over at GPL said they know things about Stramel and Whitelaw and that they would hit the portal, and they were strongly against the gophers bringing either of them into the program. Others wanted to know details, but neither person felt they should say, but stuck to their opinions on taking a pass.
No thank you... Both Vegoe and myself heard some things about him. Would really prefer to avoid him. I will not be going in to detail.
solovsfett
Registered User
Silye going pro, Stramel looking to go to MSU. If Whitelaw follows him it will make a lot of sense as to his decision to enter the portal. Following his buddy.
Todd Milewski reports David Silye has signed with AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.
https://twitter.com/ToddMilewski/sta...vRCvdcddA&s=01
https://twitter.com/ToddMilewski/sta...vRCvdcddA&s=01
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
I hoped it wound not happen, but he's been in college forever, its time to make some money.
digitalbooya
Well-known member
Did Silye have extra eligibility? He’s 25 year old. Probably would be the oldest player in the NCAA if he returned.
digitalbooya
Well-known member
I’m sorry I’m not a UW propagandist and have my own personal thoughts on the situation. That’s definitely my bad.
F Kyle Kukkonen transfers in from Michigan Tech.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/583030/kyle-kukkonen
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/583030/kyle-kukkonen
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
So at this point the 2 Tech guys wash out DSP and Silye losses. These Tech guys are high character guys. Apparently they are hard after a killer faceoff guy from rit.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Kukkoken as a Fr had 5 ppg and 2 sh, so he was playing special teams as a Fr, very good sign. He was injured in 24 but he did play on special teams this last year, even 3 on 3, just no goals to show for it.
Ryan Botterill is coming in as a Fr.....played 2 years in the USHL (so a slightly older guy for a Fr), averaging just under a pt per game last year and this year. He was +17 2 years ago and is +18 this year.
Ryan Botterill is coming in as a Fr.....played 2 years in the USHL (so a slightly older guy for a Fr), averaging just under a pt per game last year and this year. He was +17 2 years ago and is +18 this year.