Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

[oldtyme25]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

I heard them say on the radio that the scrimmage vs St. Norbert's is now not open to the public. I think Eaves is afraid his half assed program may get beat by a D-III program.

So far this season I have heard the following excuses:
1. 8 Freshmen in the lineup
2. Lack of practice time
3. Small rink
4. 2 injured d-men

We are two weeks into another mediocre year at a half full Kohl Center. Really getting to the time for Barry to get his head out of the sand and fire Eaves!

 

[UWisco]

I heard them say on the radio that the scrimmage vs St. Norbert's is now not open to the public. I think Eaves is afraid his half assed program may get beat by a D-III program.

So far this season I have heard the following excuses:
1. 8 Freshmen in the lineup
2. Lack of practice time
3. Small rink
4. 2 injured d-men

We are two weeks into another mediocre year at a half full Kohl Center. Really getting to the time for Barry to get his head out of the sand and fire Eaves!

Seem like legitimate reasons to me.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

I heard them say on the radio that the scrimmage vs St. Norbert's is now not open to the public. I think Eaves is afraid his half assed program may get beat by a D-III program.

1. It was never open to the public. Not yesterday, not last week, not last month, etc.

2. It's not an exhibition game. It's a joint practice. They'll be doing some scrimmaging in that practice.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

With respect to NCAA championships, luck is such a huge factor that can't be discounted. Sometimes the difference between winning it all and losing in the first round is just one bounce. A little luck and UND, not BC, could have won multiple titles (up to 5 or 6) over the last 15 or so seasons.

Luck definitely plays a role, but at the same time, BC has also had many near misses. So they could actually have 1 or 2 more titles than they do now. Point being, just put yourself in contention. When Yale won it, they entered the tourney as basically the last team in with almost zero momentum. Pretty sure they lost both games at the ECAC championships prior to the tourney. Also, for the youth argument/excuse...BC and Minnesota are routinely two of if not the youngest teams EVERY year. Even younger than Wisconsin during years like this. Finally, it seems to me that a coach should be able to correct these "cycles". If you're routinely having a cycle like this every four years, you should be able to make some recruiting adjustments to even things out and get yourself into position where you're balanced through the four classes. Can't be fixed overnight but it's something Eaves should have been able to correct over a few years.

As a BC fan, I like Mike Eaves for obvious reasons. But you guys definitely have reasons to be upset. God luck the rest of the way, hope things turn around for you.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

Can anyone who watched this weekend's games chime in on the following?

I've heard the team was undisciplined all weekend, played lazy hockey (didn't move their feet) and missed passes consistently...If true, none of those are errors attributable to "freshman" or "youth"...Those are mental and motivational problems. That's what coaches are there to prevent.

...What's the over/under on having less than 10k for both Nodak games? I simply can't believe they'll draw more than 7-8k coming in at 0-4 and not a lot of light in the tunnel

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

...What's the over/under on having less than 10k for both Nodak games? I simply can't believe they'll draw more than 7-8k coming in at 0-4 and not a lot of light in the tunnel

I looked at the "pick your own seat" thing on the ticket site to see what sales are like at this point, because I'm weird like that. The Friday game could be similar to early-season Friday games in the past couple of years, but the Saturday game should be decent by recent standards, over 10K. (I didn't count the little dots individually...I'm not that weird.)

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

Can anyone who watched this weekend's games chime in on the following?

I've heard the team was undisciplined all weekend, played lazy hockey (didn't move their feet) and missed passes consistently...If true, none of those are errors attributable to "freshman" or "youth"...Those are mental and motivational problems. That's what coaches are there to prevent.

I didn't see last night, but I did see Friday. And the two games in Alaska.

I'm not sure I'd use those exact same expressions to describe what transpired, but I suppose the results are close to the same. Eaves summed it up pretty well in his media availability last night, they didn't win enough puck battles. He was specifically talking about the power play (which is 0-18, which I didn't even know was possible), but I think it can be used for even strength as well. They're dumping the puck in the zone way more than they should, which gives up possession and eliminates scoring chances. And when they're dumping the puck in the zone, they aren't going and getting it, so the other teams are able to pick it up and transition right out of the zone. If you're going to play a crappy dump and chase system, you better dump AND chase.

I brought up the passing on Friday because I don't think I've seen a game with so many missed connections. People in the building have admitted the ice was crap all weekend, but even still, these guys are at a level where completing simple passes should be expected, not cheered for. There were a zillion turnovers on Friday, and it's been an issue in every game I've watched this year.

They also seem to be a step behind on everything that happens. It's especially noticeable on the power play. Northern was forcing hard on the PK, and Wisconsin couldn't think or move the puck fast enough to do anything about it. On Friday they rarely even found way to get the puck in the zone to set it up. Part of that is the newness of the players they're playing with, but the top power play consisted of Schulze, Zulinick, Soleway, LaBate and Dougherty. Four returning guys and a second round NHL Draft pick who played 20 games against NCAA teams last year at the NTDP. They shouldn't have a problem with the speed of the game.

And the biggest problem I have is that Navin, Besse, Soleway, LaBate and Zulinick have done little to nothing on the offensive end this season. You're going to get inconsistency from the freshmen. I think for the most part the fans realize the youth of the roster and the fact those freshmen are going to have some ups and downs. But the guys who have been here in the past, the guys who are expected to be top line players, they need to make an impact. And they haven't even come close. That's the issue for me right now.

We'll see what happens moving forward. Obviously they're not this bad. I doubt many people freaking out right now even watched the games. Believe it or not there actually is some talent on the roster, it just needs to be cultivated. How long that takes remains to be seen.

PS, for those people calling for Eaves to be fired, I understand your gripes, I really do. I don't always agree, but I understand why you're frustrated. But unless you find a donor who is going to give Barry a million bucks to buyout that contract, I'd stop wasting my time on that front.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

One thing: if I'm 19 years old and a good enough hockey player to think I can make a living playing it, there are few college campuses I'd rather call home for several years than UWM. It's got the whole package, IMO. Grand Forks has got to be a hard sell for many recruits, although the beautiful and intelligent people would make up for a lot.

Now if only UWM had a hockey team.

 

[Terry Switzer]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

Get rid of Barry first, he doesn't care about hockey. I say bring back crazy legs even if the hockey team sucks *** at least the party will be good.

 

[sweatpants]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

I didn't see last night, but I did see Friday. And the two games in Alaska.

I'm not sure I'd use those exact same expressions to describe what transpired, but I suppose the results are close to the same. Eaves summed it up pretty well in his media availability last night, they didn't win enough puck battles. He was specifically talking about the power play (which is 0-18, which I didn't even know was possible), but I think it can be used for even strength as well. They're dumping the puck in the zone way more than they should, which gives up possession and eliminates scoring chances. And when they're dumping the puck in the zone, they aren't going and getting it, so the other teams are able to pick it up and transition right out of the zone. If you're going to play a crappy dump and chase system, you better dump AND chase.

I brought up the passing on Friday because I don't think I've seen a game with so many missed connections. People in the building have admitted the ice was crap all weekend, but even still, these guys are at a level where completing simple passes should be expected, not cheered for. There were a zillion turnovers on Friday, and it's been an issue in every game I've watched this year.

They also seem to be a step behind on everything that happens. It's especially noticeable on the power play. Northern was forcing hard on the PK, and Wisconsin couldn't think or move the puck fast enough to do anything about it. On Friday they rarely even found way to get the puck in the zone to set it up. Part of that is the newness of the players they're playing with, but the top power play consisted of Schulze, Zulinick, Soleway, LaBate and Dougherty. Four returning guys and a second round NHL Draft pick who played 20 games against NCAA teams last year at the NTDP. They shouldn't have a problem with the speed of the game.

And the biggest problem I have is that Navin, Besse, Soleway, LaBate and Zulinick have done little to nothing on the offensive end this season. You're going to get inconsistency from the freshmen. I think for the most part the fans realize the youth of the roster and the fact those freshmen are going to have some ups and downs. But the guys who have been here in the past, the guys who are expected to be top line players, they need to make an impact. And they haven't even come close. That's the issue for me right now.

We'll see what happens moving forward. Obviously they're not this bad. I doubt many people freaking out right now even watched the games. Believe it or not there actually is some talent on the roster, it just needs to be cultivated. How long that takes remains to be seen.

PS, for those people calling for Eaves to be fired, I understand your gripes, I really do. I don't always agree, but I understand why you're frustrated. But unless you find a donor who is going to give Barry a million bucks to buyout that contract, I'd stop wasting my time on that front.

Absolutely no frickin way that buyout is a million dollars.

 

[UWisco]

Absolutely no frickin way that buyout is a million dollars.

Since his contract is a couple mill for the next couple years it probably is.

 

[sweatpants]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

Since his contract is a couple mill for the next couple years it probably is.

No possible way. Buyout doesn't equate salary x number of years on contract. To put it into perspective Bielema's buyout was one million and he was making around 2.5 million a year with four years remaining on contract. Eaves makes what, around 250K a year? I would start with that number and go down.

 

[NEWI Badger Fan]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

No possible way. Buyout doesn't equate salary x number of years on contract. To put it into perspective Bielema's buyout was one million and he was making around 2.5 million a year with four years remaining on contract. Eaves makes what, around 250K a year? I would start with that number and go down.

and he was extended to 2019.

 

[UWisco]

No possible way. Buyout doesn't equate salary x number of years on contract. To put it into perspective Bielema's buyout was one million and he was making around 2.5 million a year with four years remaining on contract. Eaves makes what, around 250K a year? I would start with that number and go down.

Eaves makes roughly $300k a year and how did Bielema get a buyout when he left the school.

 

[DPlaya]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

Can anyone who watched this weekend's games chime in on the following?

I've heard the team was undisciplined all weekend, played lazy hockey (didn't move their feet) and missed passes consistently...If true, none of those are errors attributable to "freshman" or "youth"...Those are mental and motivational problems. That's what coaches are there to prevent.

...What's the over/under on having less than 10k for both Nodak games? I simply can't believe they'll draw more than 7-8k coming in at 0-4 and not a lot of light in the tunnel

I can't say anyone was lazy and not moving their feet, but I did not feel like there was anybody that went after the puck as hard as one of the Littles would have on a regular basis. Someone mentioned how the players are learning the system and that their positioning is based on visual keys...after thinking about that more that IS likely the major reason for players not flying around the ice at top speed and seems to make sense after having seen them play.

I usually don't weigh in on the fire Eaves rhetoric but with the way he has the recruiting set up over the next 3 years it would be absolutely stupid to fire him. I think about what Ohio State lost (in terms of recruits) by getting rid of Osiecki and UW firing Eaves could be much worse in terms of the potential for lost talent.

The other thing that always goes through my mind is that there are what, 59 Division I teams? If you win a National title more than every 59 years you are better than average in that department, right? I know, everyone always says not all 59 teams have a chance to win, but I'm not sure how many people were picking Union and Yale the last 2 years.

Is UW going to struggle this year, yes it sure looks like it. But, as others have said this class could be a fantastic foundation for the next 3 classes loaded with talent to come in and build upon.

Final thought...I thought Kevin Schulze played a good game last night and I had forgotten to mention him.

 

[sweatpants]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

Eaves makes roughly $300k a year and how did Bielema get a buyout when he left the school.

Arkansas bought out his contract. If another team buys out a coach's contract it's usually in the same ballpark as if the current school fired the coach and bought out the rest of the contract depending on how the contract was structured. I'll give you another example, Brady Hoke makes 4.1 million a year with 3 years left on his contract. His current buyout is 3 million if fired this year and 2 million if he's fired after that.

 

[UWisco]

Arkansas bought out his contract. If another team buys out a coach's contract it's usually in the same ballpark as if the current school fired the coach and bought out the rest of the contract depending on how the contract was structured. I'll give you another example, Brady Hoke makes 4.1 million a year with 3 years left on his contract. His current buyout is 3 million if fired this year and 2 million if he's fired after that.

Looks like Mr. Hoke is taking 3 million to the bank after this year.

 

[sweatpants]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

and he was extended to 2019.

Yes UW usually extends just every coach's contract every year and UW's mo is they also renegotiate buyout clauses in the process based on performance. This is a reason why you see underperforming coaches contracts extended(Lisa Stone comes immediately to mind when she was here), but their buyout will be much less after the extension.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

No possible way. Buyout doesn't equate salary x number of years on contract. To put it into perspective Bielema's buyout was one million and he was making around 2.5 million a year with four years remaining on contract. Eaves makes what, around 250K a year? I would start with that number and go down.

You're confusing how the buyout process works. When a coach is fired, the school has to pay a buyout. When a coach leaves, the coach has to pay a buyout. There is a negotiated buyout for each case in the contract that is signed. The coach buyout is always significantly less than what the school has to pay for a buyout, hence why Bret's buyout was only a million bucks.

According to his contract, if Eaves is fired by the university, the university has to pay him his current salary times four years, or the remaining number of years left on the deal, whichever is less. If Eaves leaves the university (for another coaching job in college or professional hockey), he agrees to pay the university his current salary times one year, or whatever is remaining on the deal, whichever is less.

So like I said, it's a big number.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!

I didn't see last night, but I did see Friday. And the two games in Alaska.

I'm not sure I'd use those exact same expressions to describe what transpired, but I suppose the results are close to the same. Eaves summed it up pretty well in his media availability last night, they didn't win enough puck battles. He was specifically talking about the power play (which is 0-18, which I didn't even know was possible), but I think it can be used for even strength as well. They're dumping the puck in the zone way more than they should, which gives up possession and eliminates scoring chances. And when they're dumping the puck in the zone, they aren't going and getting it, so the other teams are able to pick it up and transition right out of the zone. If you're going to play a crappy dump and chase system, you better dump AND chase.

I brought up the passing on Friday because I don't think I've seen a game with so many missed connections. People in the building have admitted the ice was crap all weekend, but even still, these guys are at a level where completing simple passes should be expected, not cheered for. There were a zillion turnovers on Friday, and it's been an issue in every game I've watched this year.

They also seem to be a step behind on everything that happens. It's especially noticeable on the power play. Northern was forcing hard on the PK, and Wisconsin couldn't think or move the puck fast enough to do anything about it. On Friday they rarely even found way to get the puck in the zone to set it up. Part of that is the newness of the players they're playing with, but the top power play consisted of Schulze, Zulinick, Soleway, LaBate and Dougherty. Four returning guys and a second round NHL Draft pick who played 20 games against NCAA teams last year at the NTDP. They shouldn't have a problem with the speed of the game.

And the biggest problem I have is that Navin, Besse, Soleway, LaBate and Zulinick have done little to nothing on the offensive end this season. You're going to get inconsistency from the freshmen. I think for the most part the fans realize the youth of the roster and the fact those freshmen are going to have some ups and downs. But the guys who have been here in the past, the guys who are expected to be top line players, they need to make an impact. And they haven't even come close. That's the issue for me right now.

We'll see what happens moving forward. Obviously they're not this bad. I doubt many people freaking out right now even watched the games. Believe it or not there actually is some talent on the roster, it just needs to be cultivated. How long that takes remains to be seen.

PS, for those people calling for Eaves to be fired, I understand your gripes, I really do. I don't always agree, but I understand why you're frustrated. But unless you find a donor who is going to give Barry a million bucks to buyout that contract, I'd stop wasting my time on that front.

thanks, that's a great overview.